“Why，howcouldyougettoCincinnati？“hesaid。“Youhaven”tanymoney。”
　　“I”veatwenty-dollargoldpieceUnclegavemeasakeepsake。
　　AndI”vegotseventeendollarsinothermoney，andseveraldollarsinchange，“explainedshe。“I”vegottwohundredandforty-threedollarsandfiftycentsinthebank，butIcan”tgetthat——notnow。They”llsendittomewhenIfindaplaceandamsettledandletthemknow。”
　　“Youcan”tdoit，Susie！Youcan”tandyoumustn”t。”
　　“Ifyouknewwhattheysaidtome！Oh，I_couldn”t_stay，Sam。
　　I”vegotsomeofmyclothes——alittlebundlebehindthefrontdoor。AssoonasI”msettledI”llletyouknow。”
　　Asilence，thenhe，hesitatingly，“Don”tyou——doyou——hadn”tI
　　bettergowithyou？“
　　Shethrilledatthisgenerosity，thisnewproofoflove。Butshesaid：“No，Iwouldn”tletyoudothat。They”dblameyou。AndI
　　wantthemtoknowit”sallmyowndoing。”
　　“You”reright，Susie，“saidtheyoungman，relievedandemphatic。“IfIwentwithyou，it”donlygetbothofusintodeepertrouble。”Againsilence，withSamfeelingakindofaweashestudiedtheresolute，mysteriousprofileofthegirl，whichhecouldnowseeclearly。Atlasthesaid：“Andafteryougetthere，Susie——whatwillyoudo？“
　　“Findaboardinghouse，andthenlookforaplace。”
　　“Whatkindofaplace？“
　　“Inastore——ormakingdresses——oranykindofsewing。OrI
　　coulddohousework。”
　　Theseximpulseisprolificofgenerousimpulses。He，sittingsoclosetoherandbreathinginthroughhisskintheemanationsofheryoungmagnetism，wasmovedtothedepthsbythepictureherwordsconjured。Thisbeautifulgirl，amerechild，bornandbredintheladyclass，wanderingawaypennilessandalone，tobeapreytotheworld”sbuffetingswhich，severeenoughinreality，seemsavagebeyondendurancetothechildrenofwealth。
　　Ashepicturedithisheartimpulsivelyexpanded。Itwasathislipstooffertomarryher。Buthisrealself——andone”srealselfisvastlydifferentfromone”simpulses——hisrealselfforbadethewordspassage。Noteventheseximpulse，intoxicatinghimasitthenwas，coulddethronesnobbishcalculation。Hewasyoung；sowhilehedidnotspeak，hefeltashamedofhimselffornotspeaking。Hefeltthatshemustbeexpectinghimtospeak，thatshehadtherighttoexpectit。Hedrewalittleawayfromher，andkeptsilent。
　　“Thetimewillsoonpass，“saidsheabsently。
　　“Thetime？Thenyouintendtocomeback？“
　　“Imeanthetimeuntilyou”rethroughcollegeandwecanbetogether。”
　　Shespokeasonespeaksofadreamastowhichonehasneveradoubtbutthatitwillcometrue。Itwassopreposterous，thisideathathewouldmarryher，especiallyaftershehadbeenaservantorGodknowswhatforseveralyears——itwassoabsurdthatheburstintoasweatofnervousterror。Andhehastilydrewfurtheraway。
　　Shefeltthechange，forshewasofthosewhoarebornsensitive。Butshewasfartooyoungandinexperiencedtohavelearnedtointerpretarightthesubtlewarningofthenerves。
　　“Youaredispleasedwithme？“sheaskedtimidly。
　　“No——Oh，no，Susie，“hestammered。“I——Iwasthinking。Doputoffgoingforadayortwo。There”snoneedofhurrying。”
　　Butshefeltthatbydisobeyingherauntandcomingdowntoseehimshehadforfeitedtherighttoshelterunderthatroof。“I
　　can”tgoback，“saidshe。“There”sareason。”Shewouldnottellhimthereason；itwouldmakehimfeelasifheweretoblame。
　　“WhenIgetaplaceinCincinnati，“shewenton，“I”llwritetoyou。”
　　“Nothere，“heobjected。“Thatwouldn”tdoatall。No，sendmealinetotheGibsonHouseinCincinnati，givingmeyouraddress。”
　　“TheGibsonHouse，“sherepeated。“I”llnotforgetthatname。
　　GibsonHouse。”
　　“Senditassoonasyougetaplace。ImaybeinCincinnatisoon。Butthisisallnonsense。You”renotgoing。You”dbeafraid。”
　　Shelaughedsoftly。“Youdon”tknowme。NowthatI”vegottogo，I”mglad。”
　　Andherealizedthatshewasnottalkingtogiveherselfcourage，thatherwordswereliterallytrue。Thismadehimadmireher，andfearher，too。Theremustbesomethingwildandunwomanlyinhernature。“Iguesssheinheritsitfromhermother——andperhapsherfather，whoeverhewas。”Probablyshewassimplydoingalittleearlywhatshe”dhavebeensuretodosoonerorlater，nomatterwhathadhappened。Onthewhole，itwasjustaswellthatshewasgoing。“IcantakeheronEastinthefall。Assoonasshehasalittleknowledgeoftheworldshe”llnotexpectmetomarryher。Shecangetsomethingtodo。
　　I”llhelpher。”Andnowhefeltinconceitwithhimselfagain——
　　feltthathewasgoingtobeagood，generousfriendtoher。
　　“Perhapsyou”llbebetteroff——onceyougetstarted，“saidhe。
　　“Idon”tseehowIcouldbeworseoff。Whatisthereherefor_me_？“
　　Hewonderedatthegoodsenseofthisfromamerechild。Itwasmostunlikelythatanymanoftheclassshehadbeenbroughtupinwouldmarryher；andhowcouldsheenduremarriagewithamanoftheclassinwhichshemightpossiblyfindahusband？Asforreputation——
　　She，anillegitimatechild，nevercouldhaveareputation，atleastnotsolongasshehadherlooks。Aftersupper，tokilltime，hehaddroppedinatWillett”sdrugstore，wheretheyoungfellowsloafedandgossipedintheevenings；allthetimehewastheretheconversationhadbeenmadeupofslydigsandhintsaboutgraveyardtrysts，eachthrustcausingthekindoflaughterthatisthewakeoftheprurientandtheobscene。Yes，shewasright。Therecouldbe“nothinginit“forherinSutherland。Hewasfilledwithpityforher。“Poorchild！Whatashame！“Theremustbesomethingwrongwithaworldthatpermittedsuchiniquities。
　　Theclockstrucktwelve。“Youmustgo，“shesaid。“Sometimestheboatcomesasearlyashalf-past。”Andshestoodup。
　　Ashefacedherthegenerousimpulsesurgedagain。Hecaughtherinhisarms，shenotresisting。Hekissedheragainandagain，murmuringdisconnectedwordsofendearmentandfightingbacktheoffertomarryher。“Imustn”t！Imustn”t！“hesaidtohimself。
　　“What”dbecomeofus？“Ifhispassionshadbeenasvirgin，asinexperienced，ashers，nopowercouldhaveheldhimfromgoingwithherandmarryingher。Butexperiencehadtaughthimtheabysmaldifferencebetweenbeforeandafter；andhefoundstrengthtobesensible，evenintheheightofhispassionatelongingforher。
　　Sheclaspedherarmsabouthisneck。“Oh，mydearlove！“shemurmured。“I”ddoanythingforyou。IfeelthatyoulovemeasIloveyou。”
　　“Yes——yes。”Andhepressedhislipstohers。Aninstantandshedrewaway，shakingandpanting。Hetriedtoclaspheragain，butshewouldnothaveit。“Ican”tstandit！“hemurmured。“Imustgowithyou——Imust！“
　　“No！“shereplied。“Itwouldn”tdounlesswewerereallymarried。”Wistfully，“Andwecan”tbethatyet——canwe？Thereisn”tanyway？“
　　Hispassioncooledinstantly。
　　“Thereisn”tanyway，“hesaidregretfully。“I”dnotdaretellmyfather。”
　　“Yes，wemustwaittillyou”reofage，andhaveyoureducation，andarefree。Then——”Shedrewalongbreath，lookedathimwithabravesmile。Thelargemoonwasshininguponthem。“We”llthinkofthat，andnotletourselvesbeunhappy——won”twe？“
　　“Yes，“hesaid。“ButImustgo。”
　　“Iforgotfortheminute。Good-by，dearest。”Sheputupherlips。Hekissedher，butwithoutpassionnow。
　　“Youmightgowithmeasfarasthewharf，“shesuggested。
　　“No——someonemightsee——andthatwouldruineverything。I”dliketo——I”d——”
　　“Itwouldn”tdo，“sheinterrupted。“Iwouldn”tletyoucome。”
　　Withsuddenagitationshekissedhim——hefeltthatherlipswerecold。Hepressedherhands——they，too，werecold。“Good-by，mydarling，“hemurmured，vaultedlightlyovertherailanddisappearedinthedeepshadowsoftheshrubbery。Whenhewasclearofthegroundshepausedtolightacigarette。Hishandwasshakingsothatthematchalmostdroppedfromhisfingers。
　　“I”vebeenmakingadamnfoolofmyself，“hesaidhalfaloud。“A
　　doubledamnfool！I”vegottostopthattalkaboutmarrying，somehow——orkeepawayfromher。ButIcan”tkeepaway。I_must_
　　haveher！Whyinthedevilcan”tsherealizethatamaninmypositioncouldn”tmarryher？Ifitwasn”tforthismarryingtalk，I”dmakeherhappy。I”vesimplygottostopthismarryingtalk。Itgetsworseandworse。”
　　Hercalmnessdeceivedherintothinkingherselfperfectlysaneandsober，perfectlyawareofwhatshewasabout。Shehadleftherhatandherbundlebehindthedoor。Sheputonthehatinthedarknessofthehallwithsteadyfingers，tookupthewell-filledshawlstrapandwentforth，closingthedoorbehindher。Inthemorningtheywouldfindthedoorunlockedbutthatwouldnotcausemuchtalk，asSutherlandpeoplewereallrathercarelessaboutlockingup。Theywouldnotknockatthedoorofherroomuntilnoon，perhaps。Thentheywouldfindonthepincushionthelettershehadwrittentoheruncle，sayinggood-byandexplainingthatshehaddecidedtoremoveforeverthetaintofhermotherandherselffromtheirhouseandtheirlives——asomewhattheatricalletter，modeleduponOuida，whomshethoughtthegreatestwriterthathadeverlived，VictorHugoandtwoorthreepoetsperhapsexcepted。
　　Herbundlewasnotlight，butshehardlyfeltitasshemovedswiftlythroughthedeserted，moonlitstreetstowardtheriver。
　　ThewharfboatfortheCincinnatiandLouisvillemailsteamerswasanchoredatthefootofPineStreet。Ontheleveebeforeitwerepiledtheboxes，bags，cases，crates，barrelstobeloadeduponthe“upboat。”Shewasdescendingthegentleslopetowardthismassoffreightwhenherbloodtingledatadeep，hoarse，mournfulwhistlefromfaraway；sheknewitwastheupboat，roundingthebendandsightingthetown。ThesoundechoedmusicallybackandforthbetweentheKentuckyandtheIndianabluffs，diedlingeringlyaway。Againthewhistleboomed，againthedarkforest-cladsteepssenttheechoestoandfroacrossthebroadsilverriver。Andnowshecouldseethesteamer，atthebend——adarkmasspickedoutwithbrilliantdotsoflight；thebigfunnels，thetwothickpennantsofblacksmoke。Andshecouldhearthefaintpleasantstrokeofthepaddlesofthebigsidewheelsuponthewater。
　　Atthewharfboattherehadnotbeenasignoflife。Butwiththedyingawayofthesecondwhistlelights——thelightsoflanterns——appearedontheleveeclosetothewater”sedgeandonthewharfboatitself。And，behindher，thedoorsoftheSutherlandHotelopenedanditsofficelitup，inpreparationforanychancearrivals。Sheturnedabruptlyoutofthebeatenpathdownthegravellevee，madefortheloweranddarkerendofthewharfboat。TherewouldbeSutherlandpeoplegoinguptheriver。Buttheywouldbemorethanprompt；everyonecameearlytoboatsandtrainstobeginthesweetdraughtoftheexcitementofjourneying。Soshewouldwaitinthedarknessandgoaboardwhenthesteamerwasabouttodrawinitsplanks。Attheupperendofthewharfboattherewasthebroadgangwaytotheleveeforpassengersandfreight；attheloweranddarkanddesertedendanarrowbeamextendedfromboattoshore，toholdtheboatsteady。Susan，balancingherselfwithherbundle，wentuptothebeam，satdownuponalowstanchioninthedarknesswhereshecouldseetheriver。
　　Louderandloudergrewtheregularmusicalbeatofengineandpaddle。Thesearchlightontheforwarddeckofthe_GeneralLytle_，afterpeeringuncertainly，suspiciously，attheentirelevee，andattheriver，andattheKentuckyshore，abruptlyfocuseduponthewharfboat。The_GeneralLytle_nowseemedablazeoflights——fromlowerdeck，fromsaloondeck，frompilothousedeck，andforwardandastern。Ahundredinterestingsoundscamefromher——tinklingofbells，callsfromdecktodeck，whistling，creakingofpulleys，lowingofcattle，gruntingofswine，plaintofagitatedsheep，theresignedcluckingsofmanychickens。Alongtherailofthemiddleorsaloondeckwereseatedafewpassengerswhohadnotyetgonetobed。Onthelowerdeckwasaswarmofblackroustabouts，theirsootyanimalfaces，theiruncannilycontrastingwhiteteethandeyeballs，theirstrangeandvariedragslitupbythetorchesblazingwhereagangplanklayreadyforrunningout。AndhighandclearinthelovelyJunenightsailedthemoon，spreadingafaintbenignlightuponhillsandshoresandglisteningriver，uponthegraceful，statelymailsteamer，nowadvancingmajesticallyuponthewharfboat。Susanwatchedall，sawall，withquickbeatingheartandquiveringinterest。Itwasthefirsttimethatherlifehadbeenvisitedbythefascinatingsenseofevent，realevent。Thetall，proud，impetuouschild-woman，standinginthesemi-darknessbesideherbundle，wasabouttocastherstakeuponthetableinaboldgamewithDestiny。Hereyesshonewiththewonderfulexpressionthatisseenonlywhencouragegazesintothebrightfaceofdanger。
　　Thesteamertouchedtheedgeofthewharf-boatwithgentlecare；
　　thewharf-boatswayedandgroaned。Evenasthegangplankswerepushingout，theragged，fantasticroustabouts，withwild，savage，hilariouscries，ranandjumpedandscrambledtothewharf-boatlikeabandofescapinglunaticsanddarteddownitsshoreplankstopounceuponthepilesoffreight。Themate，atthesteameredgetosuperintendtheloading，andthewharfmasterontheleveebesidethefreightreleasedeachahoarsetorrentofprofanitytospurontheyelling，laughingroustabouts，morebrutethanman。Torchesflared；cowandsheep，pigandchicken，utteredeachitsowncryofdissatisfactionordismay；themateandwharfmastercursedbecauseitwasthecustomtocurse；theroustaboutsrushedashoreempty-handed，camefilingback，stoopingundertheirburdens。Itwasasceneofanimation，ofexcitement，savage，grotesque，fascinating。
　　Susan，tremblingalittle，sotensewerehernerves，waiteduntilthelaststrugglingroustaboutswerestaggeringontheboat，untilthedeepwhistlesounded，warningofapproachingdeparture。Thenshetookupherbundleandputherselfinthelineofroustabouts，betweenahalf-nakednegro，blackascoalandbearingasmallbarrelofbeer，andahalf-nakedmulattobearingabundleofloud-smellinguntannedskins。“Getoutoftheway，lady！“yelledthemate，eagerlyseizinguponanewtextforhisdenunciations。“Getoutoftheway，youblackhellions！
　　Lettheladypass！Lookout，lady！Youdamnedsonsofhell，what”reyouabout！I”llripoutyourbowels——”
　　Susanfledacrossthedeckanddartedupthestairstothesaloon。Thesteamerwasallwhitewithoutexcepttheblackmetalwork。Within——thatis，inthelongsaloonoutofwhichthecabinsopenedtorightandleftandinwhichthemealswereservedatextensiontables——therewasthepalatialsplendorofwhiteandgilt。Attheforwardendnearthemainentrancewastheoffice。Susan，peeringinfromthedarknessofthedeck，sawthatthewaywasclear。TheSutherlandpassengershadbeenaccommodated。Sheentered，putherbundledown，facedtheclerkbehindthedesk。
　　“Why，howdy，MissLenox，“saidhegenially，beginningtotwisthisnarrow，carefullyattendedblondmustache。“Anyofthefolkswithyou？“
　　Sherememberedhisfacebutnothisname。Sherememberedhimasoneofthe“rivercharacters“regardedasoutcastbytheChristianrespectabilityofSutherland。Butshewhocouldnotbutbepolitetoeverybodysmiledpleasantly，thoughshedidnotlikehisexpressionashelookedather。“No，I”malone，“saidshe。
　　“Oh——yourfriendsaregoingtomeetyouatthewharfinthemorning，“saidhe，contentwithhisownexplanation。“Justsignhere，please。”And，asshewrote，hewenton：“I”vegotoneroomleft。Ain”tthatlucky？It”saniceone，too。You”llbeverycomfortable。Everybodyathomewell？Iain”tbeeninSutherlandfornightenyears。EveryweekorsoIthinkIwill，andthensomehowIdon”t。Here”syourkey——number34right-handside，welldowntowardthefarend，yonder。Twodollars，please。Thankyou——exactlyright。Hopeyousleepwell。”
　　“Thankyou，“saidSusan。
　　Sheturnedawaywiththekeywhichwasthrustthroughoneendofastickaboutafootlong，tomakeittoobulkyforabsent-mindedpassengerstopocket。Shetookupherbundle，walkeddownthelongsaloonwithitsgiltdecorations，itscrystalchandeliers，itsdoublearrayofsmalldoors，eachnumbered。Theclerklookedafterher，admirationofthefinecurveofhershoulders，back，andhipswrittenplainuponhisinsignificantfeatures。Anditwasafreeadmirationhewouldnothavedaredshowhadshenotbeenadaughterofillegitimacy——agirlwhosemother”s“looseness“raisedpleasingifscandaloussuggestionsandevenpossibilitiesinthemindofeverymanwithacarnaleye。Andnotunnaturally。Tothinkofherwastothinkofthecircumstancessurroundinghercomingintotheworld；andtothinkofthosecircumstanceswastothinkofimmorality。
　　Susan，allunconsciousofthatpollutedandimpudentgaze，wassoonstandingbeforethenarrowdoornumbered34，asshebarelymadeout，forthelampsinthesaloonchandelierswereturnedlow。Sheunlockedit，enteredthesmallcleanstateroomanddepositedherbundleonthefloor。Withjustaglanceatherquartersshehurriedtotheoppositedoor——theonegivinguponthepromenade。Sheopenedit，steppedout，crossedthedeserteddeckandstoodattherail。
　　The_GeneralLytle_wasdrawingslowlyawayfromthewharf-boat。
　　Asthatpartofthepromenadehappenedtobeshelteredfromthesteamer”slights，shewasseeingthepanoramaofSutherland——itslongstretchofshadedwaterfront，itscupolasandsteeples，thewideleafystreetsleadingstraightfromtheriverbyagentleslopetothebaseofthedarktoweringbluffsbehindthetown——allsleepinginpeaceandbeautyinthesoftlightofthemoon。Thatfarthestcupolatotheleft——itwastheNumberTwoenginehouse，andthethirdplacefromitwasheruncle”shouse。
　　Slowlythesteamer，nowinmid-stream，drewawayfromthetown。
　　Onebyonethefamiliarlandmarks——thepackinghouse，thesoapfactory，theGeissbrewery，thetallchimneyofthepumpingstation，theshorntopofReservoirHill——slippedghostlilyawaytothesouthwest。Thesobschokedupintoherthroatandthetearsrainedfromhereyes。Theyallpitiedandlookeddownonherthere；still，ithadbeenhometheonlyhomesheeverhadknownoreverwouldknow。Anduntiltheselastfewfrightfuldays，howhappyshehadbeenthere！Forthefirsttimeshefeltdesolate，weak，afraid。Butnotdaunted。Itisstrangetoseeinstronghumancharacterthestrengthandtheweakness，twoflatcontradictions，existingsidebysideandmakingweakwhatseemssostrongandmakingstrongwhatseemssoweak。However，humancharacterisatangleofinconsistencies，asdisorderlyandinchoateasthetangibleandvisiblepartsofnature。Susanfeltweak，butnotthekindofweaknessthatskulks。Andtherelaythedifference，theabysmaldifference，betweencourageandcowardice。Couragehasfullasmuchfearascowardice，oftenmore；butithasasomethingelsethatcowardicehasnot。Ittremblesandshiversbutgoesforward。
　　Wipinghereyesshewentbacktoherowncabin。Shehadneglectedclosingitsotherdoor，theonefromthesaloon。Theclerkwasstandingsmirkinginthedoorway。
　　“Youmustbegoingawayforquitesometime，“saidhe。Andhefixeduponherasgreedyandimpudenteyesaseverlookedfromacommonface。Itwashisbattleglance。Guilefulwomen，bentontrimminghimforanythingfromapieceofplatedjewelrytoasauceroficecream，hadledhimtobelievethatbeforeitwallsofvirtuetotteredandfelllikeJericho”sbeforethetrumpetsofJoshua。
　　“Itmakesmealittlehomesicktoseetheoldtowndisappear，“
　　hastilyexplainedSusan，recoveringherself。Theinstantanyonewaswatching，heremotionsalwayshid。
　　“Wouldn”tyouliketositoutondeckawhile？“pursuedtheclerk，bringingupawinningsmiletoreinforcethefetchingstare。
　　Theideawasattractive，forshedidnotfeellikesleep。Itwouldbefinetositoutintheopen，watchthemoonandthestars，themysteriousbanksglidingswiftlyby，andnewvistasalwayswideningoutahead。Butnotwiththispuny，sandylittle“rivercharacter，“notwithanybodythatnight。“No，“repliedshe。“IthinkI”llgotobed。”
　　Shehadhesitated——andthatwasenoughtogivehimencouragement。“Now，docome，“heurged。“Youdon”tknowhowniceitis。AndtheysayI”mmightygoodcompany。”
　　“No，thanks。”Susannoddedapleasantdismissal。
　　Theclerklingered。“Can”tIhelpyouinsomeway？Wouldn”tyoulikemetogetyousomething？“
　　“No——nothing。”
　　“GoingtovisitinCincinnati？IknowthetownfromAtoIzzard。
　　It”salotoffunovertheRhine。I”vehadmightygoodtimesthere——thekindapretty，livelygirllikeyouwouldtaketo。”
　　“WhendowegettoCincinnati？“
　　“Abouteight——maybehalf-pastseven。Dependsonthelandingswehavetomake，andthefreight。”
　　“ThenI”llnothavemuchtimeforsleep，“saidSusan。“Goodnight。”Andnomorerealizingthecoldnessofhermannerthanthereasonforhishangingabout，shefacedhim，handonthedoortocloseit。
　　“Youain”tabitfriendly，“wheedledhe。
　　“I”msorryyouthinkso。Goodnight——andthankyou。”Andhecouldnotbutwithdrawhisformfromthedoor。Shecloseditandforgothim。Andshedidnotdreamshehadpassedthroughoneofthoseperilousadventuresincidenttoafemaletravelingalone——adventuresthateveninthetellingfrightenladieswhosenervousnessfortheirsafetyseemstoincreaseindirectproportiontothedegreeoftranquillitytheircharmscreateinthemalebosom。Shedecideditwouldbeunwiseregularlytoundress；theboatmightcatchfireorblowuporsomething。Shetookoffskirt，hatandties，loosenedherwaist，andlayuponthelowerofthetwoplain，hardlittleberths。Thethroboftheengines，thebeatofthehugepaddles，madethewholeboattrembleandshiver。Faintlyupfrombelowcamethesoundofquarrelsovercrap-shooting，ofbanjosandsinging——fromtheroustaboutsamusingthemselvesbetweenlandings。Shethoughtshewouldnotbeabletosleepinthesenovelandexcitingsurroundings。Shehadhardlycomposedherselfbeforeshelostconsciousness，tosleeponandondreamlessly，withoutmotion。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　SHEwasawakenedbyacrashsouproariousthatshesatboltuprightbeforeshehadhereyesopen。Herheadstruckstunninglyagainstthebottomoftheupperberth。Thisfurtherconfusedherthoughts。Sheleapedfromthebed，caughtupherslippers，reachedforheropened-upbundle。Thecrashwasstillbillowingthroughtheboat；shenowrecognizeditasagreatgongsoundingforbreakfast。Shesatdownonthebedandrubbedherheadandlaughedmerrily。“I_am_agreenhorn！“shesaid。“AnotherminuteandI”dhavehadthewholeboatlaughingatme。”
　　Shefeltrestedandhungry——ravenouslyhungry。Shetuckedinherblouse，washedaswellasshecouldinthetinybowlonthelittlewashstand。Thenbeforethecloudywatermarkedmirrorshearrangedherscarcelymussedhair。Acharmingvisionoffreshyoungloveliness，strong，erect，healthy，brightofeyeandofcheek，shemadeas，afterafurtivelookupanddownthesaloon，shesteppedfromherdooraveryfewminutesafterthecrashofthatgong。Withmuchscufflingandbustlingthepassengers，mostofthemcountrypeople，werehurryingintoplacesatthetableswhichnowhadtheirextensionleavesandwerecoveredwithcoarsewhitetableclothsandwithdishesofnickedstoneware，white，indeed，butshabbilyso。ButSusan”syoungeyeswerenotcritical。Toheritallseemedfine，withtherichflavorofadventure。Amoreexperiencedtravelermighthavebeenfilledwithgloomyforebodingbythequalityoftheodorfromthecooking。Shefounditdelightfulandsympathizedwiththeunrestrainedeagernessofthehomelycountryfacesabouther，withthechildrenbeatingtheirspoonsontheiremptyplates。
　　Thecoloredwaiterspresentlybegantostreamin，eachwearingasoiledwhitejacket，eachbearingaloftahugetrayonwhichwerestackedfilleddishesandsteamingcups。
　　Coloredpeoplehaveakeeninstinctforclass。Oneofthewaitershappenedtonoteher，advancedbowingandsmilingwiththatgood-humored，unservilecourtesywhichisthepeculiarpossessionoftheAmericanizedcoloredrace。Heflourishedherintoachairwitha“Goodmorning，miss。It”sgoingtobeafineday。”Andassoonasshewasseatedhebegantoformroundherplatealargeinclosingarcofsidedishes——friedfish，friedsteak，friedegg，friedpotatoes，wheatcakes，cannedpeaches，acupofcoffee。Hedrewtowardheracanofsyrup，apitcherofcream，andabowlofgranulatedsugar。
　　“Anythingelse？“saidhe，withashowofteethwhiteandsound。
　　“No——nothing。Thankyousomuch。”
　　Hersmilestimulatedhimtofurthercourtesies。“Somelikestheyeggsbiled。ShallIchange”em？“
　　“No。Ilikethemthisway。”Shewassohungrythattheideaoftakingawayacertaintyonthechanceofgettingsomethingoutofsightandnotyetcookeddidnotattracther。
　　“Perhaps——alittlebetterpieceofsteak？“
　　“No——thislooksfine。”Herenthusiasmwasnotmerepoliteness。
　　“Icleanforgotyourhotbiscuits。”Andawayhedarted。
　　Whenhecamebackwithaheapingplateofhotbiscuits，SallyLunnandcornbread，shewaseatingasheartilyasanyofherneighbors。Itseemedtoherthatneverhadshetastedsuchgrandfoodasthisservedinthewhiteandgoldsaloonwithstrangenessandinterestallaboutherandthedelightfulsenseofmotion——motionintothefascinatinggoldenunknown。Themenatthetablewereeatingwiththeirknives；eachhadoneprotectingforearmandhandcastroundhisarcofsmalldishesasiftowardoffprobableattemptatseizure。Andtheyswallowedasiftheboatwereafire。Thewomenatemoredaintily，asbecamemembersofthefinersexonpublicexhibition。Theywerewearingfingerlessnetgloves，andtheirlittlefingersstoodstraightoutinthatgesturewhicheverytrulyelegantwomandeemsnecessaryifthefoodistobedaintilyandartisticallyconveyedtoherlips。Thechildrenmussedandgormedthemselves，theirdishes，thetablecloth。
　　Susanloveditall。Hereyessparkled。Sheateeverything，andregrettedthatlackofcapacitymadeitimpossibleforhertoyieldtotheentreatiesofherwaiterthatshe“havealittlemore。”
　　Sherose，wentintothenearestpassagewaybetweensaloonandpromenade，stealthilytookaten-centpiecefromherpocketbook。
　　Shecalledherwaiterandgaveittohim。Shewasblushingdeeply，frightenedlestthisthefirsttipshehadevergivenorseengivenbemisunderstoodandrefused。“I”msomuchobliged，“
　　shesaid。“Youwereverynice。”
　　Thewaiterbowedlikeaprince，alwayswithhissimple，friendlysmile；thetipdisappearedunderhisapron。“Nobodycouldhelpbeingnicetoyou，lady。”
　　Shethankedhimagainandwenttothepromenade。Itseemedtoherthattheyhadalmostarrived。Alongshorestretchedacontinuouslineofhouses——prettyhouseswithgardens。Therewereelectriccars。Nearertheriverlayseveralparallellinesofrailwaytrackalongwhichtrainaftertrainwasspeeding，someofthemshorttrainsofordinarydaycoaches，otherslongtrainsmadeupinpartofcoachesgranderandmorebeautifulthananyshehadeverseen。Sheknewtheymustbetheparloranddiningandsleepingcarsshehadreadabout。Andnowtheywereinthemidstofafleetofsteamersandbarges，andfaraheadloomedthefirstofCincinnati”sbigsuspensionbridges，picturesofwhichshehadmanyatimegazedatinwonder。Therewasaminglingofstrangeloudnoises——whistles，engines，onthewater，onshore；therewasamultitudeofwhatseemedtoherfeverishactivities——shewhohadnotbeenoutofquietSutherlandsinceshewasababytooyoungtonotethings。
　　Theriver，theshores，grewmoreandmorecrowded。Susan”seyesdartedfromonenewobjecttoanother；andeagerlythoughshelookedshefeltshewasmissingmorethanshesaw。
　　“Why，SusanLenox！“exclaimedavoicealmostinherear。
　　Sheclosedherteethuponacry；suddenlyshewasbackfromwonderlandtoherself。Sheturnedtofacedumpy，dressyMrs。
　　Waterburyandherhusbandwiththeglossykinkyringletsandthelongwavymustache。“Howdoyoudo？“shestammered。
　　“Wedidn”tknowyouwereaboard，“saidMrs。Waterbury，asilly，duck-leggedwomanlookingproudlyuncomfortableinherbead-trimmedblacksilk。
　　“Yes——I”m——I”mhere，“confessedSusan。
　　“Goingtothecitytovisit？“
　　“Yes，“saidSusan。Shehesitated，thenrepeated，“Yes。”
　　“Whatelegantbreakfaststheydoserveontheseboats！Isupposeyourfriends”llmeetyou。ButMortandI”lllookafteryoutilltheycome。”
　　“Oh，itisn”tnecessary，“protestedSusan。Thesteamerwaspassingunderthebridge。Therewerecitiesonbothshores——hugemassesofdingybrick，streetsfilledwithmotionofeverykind——alwaysmotion，incessantmotion，andchange。“We”reaboutthere，aren”twe？“sheasked。
　　“Thewharf”supbeyondthesecondbridge——theCovingtonBridge，“
　　explainedWaterburywiththeairoftheoldexperiencedglobe-trotter。“There”sathirdone，furtherup，butyoucan”tseeitforthesmoke。”Andhewentonandon，volublyairinghisintimateknowledgeofthegreatcitywhichhevisitedonceayearfortwoorthreedaystobuygoods。Heendedwithascornful，“My，butCincinnati”sadirtyplace！“
　　Dirtyitmightbe，butSusanlovedit，dirtandall。Thesmoke，thegrimesomehowseemedpartofit，oneofitscharms，oneofthethingsthatmadeitdifferentfrom，andsuperiorto，monotonouscountryandcountrytown。SheedgedawayfromtheWaterburys，hidinherstateroomwatchingthepanoramathroughthecurtainedglassofherpromenadedeckdoor。Shewascompletelycarriedaway。Thecity！So，thiswasthecity！Andherdreamsoftravel，ofnewsights，newfaces，werebeginningtocometrue。Sheforgotherself，forgotwhatshehadleftbehind，forgotwhatshewastoface。Allherpowerofthoughtandfeelingwasusedupinabsorbingtheseunfoldingwonders。
　　AndwhentheJunesunsuddenlypiercedtheheavycloudsoffogandsmoke，sheclaspedherhandsandgasped，“Lovely！Oh，howlovely！“
　　Andnowthesteamerwasatthehugewharf-boat，inshapeliketheoneatSutherland，butincomparativesizeliketherealNoah”sArkbesideatoyark。Andfromthewholetremendoussceneroseanenormousclamor，thestentorianvoiceofthecity。Thatvoiceisdiscordantandterrifyingtomany。ToSusan，onthatday，itwasthemostsplendidburstofmusic。“Awake——awake！“itcried。“Awake，and_live！_“Sheopenedherdoorthatshemighthearitbetter——rattleandrumbleandroar，shriekofwhistle，clangofbell。Andthepeople！——Thousandsonthousandshurryinghitherandyon，likebeesinahive。“Awakeawake，andlive！“
　　Thenoisesfromthesaloonremindedherthatthejourneywasended，thatshemustleavetheboat。Andshedidnotknowwheretogo——sheandherbundle。ShewaiteduntilshesawtheWaterburys，alongwiththeotherpassengers，movingupthelevee。Thensheissuedforth——bythepromenadedeckdoorsothatshewouldnotpasstheoffice。Butattheheadofthecompanionway，intheforwardpartofthedeck，theretheclerkstood，lookingevenpettierandmoreoffensivebydaylight。Shethoughttoslipbyhim。Buthestoppedstrokinghismustacheandcalledouttoher，“Haven”tyourfriendscome？“
　　Shefrowned，angryinhernervousness。“Ishallgetonverywell，“shesaidcurtly。Thensherepented，smiledpolitely，added，“Thankyou。”
　　“I”llputyouinacarriage，“heoffered，hasteningdownthestairstojoinher。
　　Shedidnotknowwhattosayordo。Shewalkedsilentlybesidehim，hecarryingherbundle。Theycrossedthewharf-boat。Alineofdilapidatedlookingcarriageswasdrawnupneartheendofthegangplank。Thesightofthem，theremembranceofwhatshehadheardoftheexpensivenessofcitycarriages，nervedhertodesperation。“Givememythings，please，“shesaid。“IthinkI”llwalk。”
　　“Wheredoyouwanttogo？“
　　Thequestiontookherbreathaway。Withaquicknessthatamazedher，herlipsuttered，“TheGibsonHouse。”
　　“Oh！That”sarightsmartpiece。Butyoucantakeacar。I”llwalkwithyoutothecar。There”salineacoupleofsquaresupthatgoesalmostbythedoor。Youknowitisn”tfarfromFourthStreet。”
　　Shewasnowinaflutterofterror。Shewentstumblingalongbesidehim，nothearingawordofhisvolubleandflirtatioustalk。Theywereinthemidstofthemadrushandconfusion。Thenoises，nolongermingledbutindividual，smotesavagelyuponherears，startlingher，makingherlookdazedlyroundasifexpectingdeathtoswoopuponher。AtthecornerofFourthStreettheclerkhalted。Hewasclearoutofhumorwithher，sodumb，sounappreciative。“There”llbeacaralongsoon，“saidhesourly。
　　“Youneedn”twait，“saidshetimidly。“Thankyouagain。”
　　“Youcan”tmissit。Good-by。”Andheliftedhishat”tipped“
　　it，rather——forhewouldnothavewastedafullliftuponsuchafemale。Shegaveagaspofreliefwhenhedeparted；thenagaspofterror——forupontheoppositecornerstoodtheWaterburys。Theglobe-trotterandhiswifeweresodazedbythecitythattheydidnotseeher，thoughintheirhelplessglancingroundtheylookedstraightather。Shehastilyranintoadrugstoreonthecorner。Ayoungmaninshirtsleevesheldupbypinkgarters，andwithoilyblackhaircarefullypartedandplastered，putdownapestleandmortarandcameforward。Hehadkindbrowneyes，buttherewassomethingwrongwiththelowerpartofhisface。Susandidnotdarelooktoseewhatitwas，lestheshouldthinkherunfeeling。Hewasbehindthecounter。
　　Susansawthesodafountain。Asifbyinspiration，shesaid，“Somechocolatesoda，please。”
　　“Icecream？“askedtheyoungmaninapeculiarvoice，likethatofonewhohasaharelip。
　　“Please，“saidSusan。Andthenshesawthesign，“IceCream，tencents，“andwishedshehadn”t。
　　Theyoungmanmixedthesoda，putinaliberalhelpingoficecream，setitbeforeherwithaspooninit，restedtheknucklesofhisbrownhairyhandsonthecounterandsaid：
　　“It_is_hot。”
　　“Yes，indeed，“assentedSusan。“IwonderwhereIcouldleavemybundleforawhile。I”mastrangerandIwanttolookforaboardinghouse。”
　　“Youmightleaveitherewithme，“saidtheyoungman。“That”saboutourbiggestlineoftrade——thatandpostagestampsandtelephone——_and_thedirectory。“Helaughedheartily。Susandidnotseewhy；shedidnotlikethesound，either，fortheyoungman”sdeformityoflowerjawdeformedhislaughteraswellashisspeech。However，shesmiledpolitelyandateanddrankhersodaslowly。
　　“I”llbegladtotakecareofyourbundle，“theyoungmansaidpresently。“Everbeenherebefore？“
　　“No，“saidSusan。“Thatis，notsinceIwasaboutfouryearsold。”
　　“Iwasfour，“saidtheyoungman，“whenahorsesteppedonmymouthinthestreet。”
　　“My，howdreadful！“exclaimedSusan。
　　“Youcanseesomeofthescaryet，“theyoungmanassuredher，andhepointedtohiscuriouslysunkenmouth。“Thedoctorssaiditwasthemostremarkablecaseofthekindonrecord，“
　　continuedheproudly。“Thatwaswhatledmeintothemedicalline。Youdon”tseemtohaveyourboardinghousepicked。”
　　“Iwasgoingtolookinthepapers。”
　　“That”sdangerous——especiallyforayounglady。Someofthemboardinghouses——well，they”renobetter”ntheyoughttobe。”
　　“Idon”tsupposeyouknowofany？“
　　“Myauntkeepsone。Andshe”sgotavacancy，itbeingsummer。”
　　“I”mafraidit”dbetooexpensiveforme，“saidSusan，tofeelherway。
　　Theyoungmanwasmuchflattered。Buthesaid，“Oh，itain”tsotoppy。Ithinkyoucouldmakeadealwithherforfiveper。”
　　Susanlookedinquiring。
　　“Fiveaweek——roomandboard。”
　　“Imightstandthat，“saidSusanreflectively。Then，decidingforcompleteconfidence，“I”mlookingforwork，too。”
　　“Whatline？“
　　“Oh，Inevertriedanything。Ithoughtmaybedressmakingormillinery。”
　　“Mightypoorseasonforjobs。Thetimesarebad，anyhow。”Hewaslookingatherwithkindlycuriosity。“IfIwasyou，I”dgobackhome——andwait。”
　　Susanshrankwithinherself。“Ican”tdothat，“shesaid。
　　Theyoungmanthoughtawhile，thensaid：“Ifyoushouldgotomyaunt”s，youcansayMr。Ellisonsentyou。No，thatain”tme。
　　It”stheboss。Yousee，arespectableboardinghouseasksforreferences。”
　　Susancoloreddeeplyandhergazeslowlysank。“Ididn”tknowthat，“shemurmured。
　　“Don”tbeafraid。AuntKateain”tsoparticular——leastways，notinsummerwhenthingsisslow。AndIknowyou”requiet。”
　　Bythetimethesodawasfinished，theyoungman——whosaidhisnamewasRobertWylie——hadwrittenonthebackofEllison”sbusinesscardinaSpencerianhand：“Mrs。KateWylie，347WestSixthStreet。”HeexplainedthatSusanwastowalkuptwosquaresandtakethecargoingwest；theconductorwouldletheroffattherightplace。“You”dbetterleaveyourthingshere，“
　　saidMr。Wylie，holdingupthecardsothattheycouldadmirehispenmanshiptogether。“YoumaynothititoffwithAuntKate。
　　Don”tthinkyou”vegottostaytherejustbecauseofme。”
　　“I”msureI”lllikeit，“Susandeclaredconfidently。Herspiritswerehigh；shefeltthatshewasinastrongrunofluck。
　　Wylieliftedherpackageoverthecounterandwenttothedoorwithhertopointoutthedirection。“ThisisFourth。ThenextupisFifth。ThenextwideoneisSixth——andyoucanreaditonthelamp-post，too。”
　　“Isn”tthatconvenient！“exclaimedSusan。“Whatalovelycitythisis！“
　　“There”sworse，“saidMr。Wylie，nottoseemvainofhisnativetown。
　　Theyshookhandsmostfriendlyandshesetoutinthedirectionhehadindicated。Shewasmuchupsetbythemanyvehiclesandtheconfusion，butshedidherbesttoseemateaseandathome。
　　Shewatchedagirlwalkingaheadofher——ashopgirlwhoseemedwell-dressedandstylish，especiallyaboutthehatandhair。
　　Susantriedtowalklikeher。“IsupposeIlookandactgreenerthanIreallyam，“thoughtshe。“ButI”llkeepmyeyesopenandcatchon。”Andinthis，asinallherthoughtsandactionssinceleaving，sheshowedconfidencenotbecauseshewasconceited，butbecauseshehadnottheremotestnotionwhatshewasactuallyattempting。Howmanyofusgetcreditforcourageaswewalkunconcernedthroughperils，oressayandconquergreatobstacles，whenintruthwearenotcourageousbutsimplyunaware！Asaruleknowledgeispoweror，rather，asourceofpower，buttherearetimeswhenignoranceisapowerandknowledgeaweakness。IfSusanhadknown，shemightperhapshavestayedathomeandsubmittedand，withcrushedspirit，mighthavesunkunderthesenseofshameanddegradation。Butshedidnotknow；soColumbusbeforehissailorsorCaesarattheRubiconamonghissoldiersdidnotseemmoretranquilthanshereallywas。Wylie，whosuspectedinthedirectionofthetruth，wonderedather。“She”sgame，sheis，“hemutteredagainandagainthatmorning。“Whatanerveforakid——andalady，too！“
　　Shefoundtherightcornerandtherightcarwithoutfurtheradventure；andtheconductorassuredherthathewouldsetherdownbeforetheverydooroftheaddressonthecard。Itwasanopencarwithfewpassengers。Shetookthemiddleofthelongseatnearesttherearplatformandlookedaboutherlikeoneinahappydream。Onandonandyetontheywent。Witheverysquaretheypassedmorepeople，soitseemedtoher，thantherewereinallSutherland。Andwhathugestores！Andwhatwonderfuldisplaysofthingstowear！Wherewouldthepeoplebefoundtobuysuchquantities，andwherewouldtheygetthemoneytopay？
　　Howmanyrestaurantsandsaloons！Why，everybodymustbeeatinganddrinkingallthetime。Andateachcornershelookedupanddownthecrossstreets，andthereweremoreandevermoremagnificentbuildings，throngsuponthrongsofpeople。Wastherenoendtoit？ThiswasSixthStreet，stillSixthStreet，asshesawatthecornerlamp-posts。Thentheremustbefivemoresuchstreetsbetweenthisandtheriver；andshecouldsee，upthecrossstreets，thatthecitywasevenvasterinthedirectionofthehills。Andtherewereallthesecrossstreets！Itwasstupefying——overwhelming——incredible。
　　Shebegantobenervous，theyweregoingsofar。Sheglancedanxiouslyattheconductor。Hewaswatchingherinterestedly，understoodherglance，answereditwithareassuringnod。Hecalledout：
　　“I”mlookingoutforyou，miss。I”vegotyouonmymind。Don”tyoufret。”
　　Shegavehimabrightsmileofrelief。Theywerepassingthroughadoublerowofwhatseemedtoherstatelyresidences，andtherewerefewpeopleonthesidewalks。Theair，too，wasclearer，thoughthewallsweregrimyandalsothegrassintheoccasionaltinyfrontyards。Butthecurtainsatthewindowslookedcleanandfresh，andsodidthebetterclassofpeopleamongthoseonthesidewalk。Itdelightedhertoseesomanywell-dressedwomen，wearingtheirclotheswithanairwhichshetoldherselfshemustacquire。Shewasstartledbytheconductor”scallingout：
　　“Now，miss！“
　　Sheroseasherangthebellandwasreadytogetoffwhenthecarstopped，forshewaseagertocausehimaslittletroubleaspossible。
　　“Thehouseisrightstraightbeforeyou，“saidtheconductor。
　　“Thenumber”sinthetransom。”
　　Shethankedhim，descended，wasonthesidewalkbeforeMrs。
　　Wylie”s。Shelookedatthehouseandherheartsank。Shethoughtofthesmallsuminherpurse；itwasmostunlikelythatsuchahouseasthiswouldharborher。Forherewasagrandstonestairwayascendingtoadeepstoneportico，andwithinitgreatdoors，biggerthanthoseoftheWrightmansion，thepalaceofSutherland。However，sherecalledthehumbleappearanceandmodeofspeechofherfriendthedrugclerkandpluckedupthecouragetoascendandtoring。
　　Aslattern，coloredmaidopenedthedoor。Atthefirstglancewithin，atthefirstwhiffoftheinteriorair，Susanfeltmoreatease。Forshewasseeingwhatevenherbedazzledeyesrecognizedascheapdowdiness，andthesmellthatassailedhernostrilswasthatofahousebadlyandpoorlykept——thesmellofcheapfoodandbadbuttercooking，ofcats，ofundustedrooms，ofvariousunrecognizablekindsofstaleness。Shestoodinthecenterofthebigdingyparlor，gazingroundatthegrimedchromosuntilMrs。Wylieentered——athinmiddle-agedwomanwithsmallbrowneyessetwideapart，aperpetualfrown，andachinsolongandsoprojectedthatshewasalmostjimber-jawed。WhileSusanexplainedstammeringlywhatshehadcomefor，Mrs。Wylieeyedherwithincreasingdisfavor。WhenSusanhadfinished，sheunlockedherlipsforthefirsttimetosay：
　　“Theroom”stook。”
　　“Oh！“criedSusanindismay。
　　Thetelephoneranginthebackparlor。Mrs。Wylieexcusedherselftoanswer。Afterafewwordssheclosedthedoorsbetween。Shewasgonefullyfiveminutes；toSusanitseemedanhour。Shecameback，saying：
　　“I”vebeentalkingtomynephew。Hecalledup。Well，Ireckonyoucanhavetheroom。Itain”tmycustomtotakeinladiesasyoungasyou。Butyouseemtobeallright。Yourparentsallowedyoutocome？“
　　“Ihaven”tany，“repliedSusan。“I”mheretofindaplaceandsupportmyself。”
　　Mrs。Wyliecontinuedtoeyeherdubiously。“Well，Ihavenowishtopryintoyouraffairs。`Mindyourownbusiness”that”smyrule。”Shespokewithdefiance，asifthecontrarywerebeingassertedbysomeinvisiblepersonwhomightappearandgainhearingandbelief。Shewenton：“IfMr。Ellisonwantsit，whyI
　　supposeit”sallright。Butyoucan”tstayoutlater”nteno”clock。”
　　“Ishan”tgooutatallofnights，“saidSusaneagerly。
　　“You_look_quiet，“saidMrs。Wylie，withtheairofaddingthatappearanceswererarelyotherthandeceptive。
　　“Oh，I_am_quiet，“declaredSusan。Itpuzzledher，thisrecurrenceofthesuggestionofnoisiness。
　　“Ican”tallowmuchcompany——noneinyourroom。”
　　“Therewon”tbeanycompany。”Sheblusheddeeply。“Thatis，a——ayoungmanfromourtown——hemaycallonce。Buthe”llbeofffortheEastrightaway。”
　　Mrs。Wyliereflectedonthis，Susanthewhilestandinguneasily，dreadinglestdecisionwouldbeagainsther。FinallyMrs。Wyliesaid：
　　“Robertsaysyouwantthefive-dollarroom。I”llshowittoyou。”
　　Theyascendedtwoflightsthroughincreasingshabbiness。Onthethirdfloorattherearwasaroom——amerecontinuationofthenarrowhall，partitionedoff。Itcontainedasmallfoldingbed，asmalltable，atinybureau，awashstandhardlyaslargeasthatinthecabinontheboat，arowofhookswithacurtainoffloweredchintzbeforethem，akitchenchair，achromoof“AwakeandAsleep，“atornanddirtyragcarpet。Theodoroftheroom，stale，damp，vergingonmoldy，seemedthefittingexhalationfromsuchanassemblageofforbiddingobjects。
　　“It”sanice，comfortableroom，“saidMrs。Wylieaggressively。
　　“Icouldn”taffordtogiveitandtwomealsforfivedollarsexcepttillthefirstofSeptember。Afterthatit”seight。”
　　“I”llbegladtostay，ifyou”llletme，“saidSusan。Mrs。
　　Wylie”ssuspicion，soplaininthoserepellenteyes，tookallthecourageoutofher。Thegreatadventureseemedrapidlytobelosingitscharms。Shecouldnotthinkofherselfascontentoranythingbutsadanddepressedinsuchsurroundingsasthese。
　　Howmuchbetteritwouldbeifshecouldliveoutintheopen，outwhereitwasattractive！
　　“Isupposeyou”vegotsomebaggage，“saidMrs。Wylie，asifsheratherexpectedtohearthatshehadnot。
　　“Ileftitatthedrugstore，“explainedSusan。
　　“Yourtrunk？“
　　Susanstartednervouslyatthatexplosiveexclamation。“I——I
　　haven”tgotatrunk——onlyafewthingsinashawlstrap。”
　　“Well，Inever！“
　　Mrs。Wylietossedherhead，cluckedhertonguedisgustedlyagainsttheroofofhermouth。“ButIsupposeifMr。Ellisonsaysso，whyyoucanstay。”
　　“Thankyou，“saidSusanhumbly。Evenifitwouldnothavebeenbasestingratitudetobetrayherfriend，Mr。Wylie，stillshewouldnothavehadthecouragetoconfessthetruthaboutMr。
　　Ellisonandsogetherselforderedintothestreet。“I——IthinkI”llgoformythings。”
　　“Thecustomistopayinadvance，“saidMrs。Wyliesharply。
　　“Oh，yes——ofcourse，“stammeredSusan。
　　Sheseatedherselfonthewoodenchairandopenedoutherpurse。
　　Shefoundthefiveamongherfewbills，extendeditwithtremblingfingerstowardMrs。Wylie。Atthesametimesheliftedhereyes。Thewoman”sexpressionassheboredintothepocketbookterrifiedher。Neverbeforehadsheseenthesavagegreedinessthatisbredinthecityamongthepeoplewhofightagainstfearfuloddstomaintaintheirrespectabilityandtosavethemselvesfromtheeverthreateneddroptothedespisedworkingclass。
　　“Thankyou，“saidMrs。Wylie，takingthebillasifshewereconferringafavoruponSusan。“Imakeeverybodypaypromptly。
　　Thefirstoftheweekorouttheygo！IusedtobeeasyandI
　　cameneargoingdown。”
　　“Oh，Ishouldn”tstayaminuteifIcouldn”tpay，“saidthegirl。“I”mgoingtolookforsomethingrightaway。”
　　“Well，Idon”twanttodiscourageyou，butthere”sagreatmanyoutofwork。Still，Isupposeyou”llbeabletowheedlesomemanintogivingyouajob。ButIwarnyouI”mveryparticularaboutmorals。IfIseeanysigns——”Mrs。Wyliedidnotfinishhersentence。Anywordswouldhavebeenweakerthanherlook。
　　Susancoloredandtrembled。Notatthepoisonoushintastohowmoneycouldbegottokeeponpayingforthatroom，forthehintpassedwideofSusan。Shewasagitatedbythethought：ifMrs。
　　Wylieshouldlearnthatshewasnotrespectable！IfMrs。Wylieshouldlearnthatshewasnameless——wasbornindisgracesodeepthat，nomatterhowgoodshemightbe，shewouldyetbeclassedwiththewicked。
　　“I”mdownlikeathousandofbrickonanywomanthatisatallloosewiththemen，“continuedthelandlady。“Inevercouldunderstandhowanywomancouldsofarforgetherself。”Andthewomanwhomthemenhadallherlifebeenhelpingtotheiruttermostnotto“forgetherself“lookedsharpsuspicionandenvyatSusan，thelovely。WhyarewomenoftheMrs。Wyliesortsoswifttosuspect？Canitbethatinsomesecretchamberoftheirneverassailedheartstherelurksalonging——afeelingastowhattheywoulddoiftheyhadthechance？Mrs。Wyliecontinued，“IhopeyouhavestrictChristianprinciples？“
　　“IwasbroughtupPresbyterian，“saidSusananxiously。ShewasfarfromsurethatinCincinnatiandbyitsMrs。WyliesPresbyterianwouldberegardedasChristian。
　　“There”syourkindofachurchafewsquaresfromhere，“wasallMrs。Wyliedeignedtoreply。SusansuspectedasneeratPresbyterianisminheraccent。
　　“That”llbenice，“shemurmured。Shewaseagertoescape。“I”llgoformythings。”
　　“YoucanwalkdownandtaketheFourthStreetcar，“suggestedherlandlady。“Thenyoucanwatchoutandnotmissthestore。
　　Theconductorsareveryimpudentandforgetful。”
　　Susanescapedfromthehouseasspeedilyasherflyingfeetwouldtakeherdownthetwoflights。Inthestreetoncemore，herspiritsrose。ShewentsouthtoFourthStreet，decidedtowalkinsteadoftakingacar。Shenowfoundherselfinmuchmoreimpressivesurroundingsthanbefore，andrealizedthatSixthStreetwasreallyoneoftheminorstreets。Thefurtheruptownshewent，themoreexcitedshebecame。Afterthedistrictofstatelymansionswithwonderfulcarriagesdrivingupandawayandwomendressedlikethoseintheillustratedstorypapers，camesplendidshopsandhotels，finerthanSusanhadbelievedtherewereanywhereintheworld。Andmostofthepeople——thecrowdsoncrowdsofpeople！——lookedprosperousandcheerfulandsodelightfullycitified！Shewonderedwhysomanyofthemenstaredather。Sheassumeditmustbesomethingruralinherappearancethoughthatoughttohavesetthewomentostaring，too。Butshethoughtlittleaboutthis，soabsorbedwassheinseeingallthenewthings。Shewalkedslowly，pausingtoinspecttheshopwindows——thegorgeousdressesandhatsandjewelry，thethousandcostlythingsscatteredincarelessprofusion。Andthecrowds！Howsecureshefeltamongthesemultitudesofstrangers，notoneofthemknowingorsuspectinghersecretofshame！Shenolongerhadthesenseofbeingoutcast，branded。
　　Whenshehadgonesofarthatitseemedtohershecertainlymusthavemissedthedrugstore，carefullythoughshehadinspectedeachcornerasshewent，shedecidedthatshemuststopsomeoneofthishurryingthrongandinquiretheway。Whileshewasstillscrewinghercouragetothisboldness，sheespiedthesignandhastenedjoyfullyacrossthestreet。SheandWyliewelcomedeachotherlikeoldfriends。Hewasdelightedwhenhelearnedthatshehadtakentheroom。
　　“Youwon”tmindAuntKateafterawhile，“saidhe。“She”ssourandnosey，butshe”shonestandrespectable——andthat”sthemainthingjustnowwithyou。AndIthinkyou”llgetajoballright。
　　AuntKate”sgotaladyfriendthat”sheadsalesladyatShillito”s。She”llknowofsomething。”
　　WyliewassokindandsohopefulthatSusanfeltalreadysettled。Assoonascustomerscamein，shetookherparcelandwent，Wyliesaying，“I”lldroproundaftersupperandseehowthingsaregettingon。”ShetooktheSixthStreetcarback，andfeltlikeanoldresident。ShewascriticalofSixthStreetnow，andofthewomenshehadbeenadmiringtherelessthantwohoursbefore——criticaloftheirmannersandoftheirdress。Theexterioroftheboardinghousenolongerawedher。Shewasgettingapointofview——assheproudlyrealized。BythetimeSamcame——andsurelythatwouldn”tbemanydays——shewouldbequitetransformed。
　　ShemountedthestepsandwasabouttoringwhenMrs。Wylieherself，withstormybrowandsnappingeyes，openedthedoor。
　　“Gointotheparlor，“shejerkedoutfrombetweenherunpleasant-lookingrecedingteeth。
　　Susangaveheraglanceoffrightenedwonderandobeyed。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　ATthethresholdherbundlesdroppedtothefloorandallcolorfledfromherface。BeforeherstoodherUncleGeorgeandSamWrightandhisfather。Thetwoelderlymenweregloweringather；Sam，whiteashisshirtandlimp，washanginghishead。
　　“So，miss！——You”vegotback，eh？“criedheruncleinatoneshewouldnothavebelievedcouldcomefromhim。
　　Asquicklyasfearhadseizedhershenowshookitoff。“Yes，Uncle，“shesaidcalmly，meetinghisangryeyeswithoutflinching。Andbackcamethatexpressionofresolution——ofstubbornnesswecallitwhenitistheflagofoppositionto_our_will。
　　“What”dhavebecomeofyou，“demandedheruncle，“ifIhadn”tfoundoutearlythismorning，andgotafterSamhereandchokedthetruthoutofhim？“
　　SusangazedatSam；buthewassuchapitifulfigure，someanandfrightened，thatsheglancedquicklybacktoheruncle。Shesaid：
　　“Buthedidn”tknowwhereIwas。”
　　“Don”tlietome，“criedWarham。“Itwon”tdoyouanygood，anymorethanhislyingkeptusfromfindingyou。WecameonthetrainandsawtheWaterburysinthestreetandthey”dseenyougointothedrugstore。We”dhavecaughtyouthereifwe”dbeenafewminutessooner，butwedrove，andgothereintime。Now，tellme，Susan“——andhisvoicewascruellyharsh”allaboutwhat”sbeengoingonbetweenyouandSam。”
　　Shegazedfearlesslyandwassilent。
　　“Speakup！“commandedSam”sfather。
　　“Yes——andnolies，“saidheruncle。
　　“Idon”tknowwhatyoumean，“Susanatlastanswered——truthfullyenough，yettogaintime，too。
　　“Youcan”tplaythatgameanylonger，“criedWarham。“Youdidmakeafoolofme，butmyeyesareopen。Youraunt”srightaboutyou。”
　　“Oh，UncleGeorge！“saidthegirl，asobinhervoice。
　　Buthegazedpitilessly——gazedatthewomanhewasnowabhorringasthetreacherous，fallen，unsexeddaughteroffallenLorella。
　　“Speakout。Cryingwon”thelpyou。Whathaveyouandthisfellowbeenupto？Youdisgrace！“
　　Susanshrankandshivered，butansweredsteadfastly，“That”sbetweenhimandme，Uncle。”
　　Warhamgaveasnortoffury，turnedtotheelderWright。“Yousee，Wright，“criedhe。“It”sasmywifeandItoldyou。Yourboy”slying。We”llsendthelandladyoutforapreacherandmarrythem。”
　　“Holdon，George，“objectedWrightsoothingly。“Iagreedtothatonlyifthere”dbeensomethingwrong。I”mnotsatisfiedyet。”HeturnedtoSusan，saidinhisgruff，bluntway：
　　“Susan，haveyoubeenloosewithmyboyhere？“
　　“Loose？“saidSusanwonderingly。
　　Samrousedhimself。“Tellthemitisn”tso，Susan，“hepleaded，andhisvoicewaslittlebetterthanawhineofterror。“Youruncle”sgoingtokillmeandmyfather”llkickmeout。”
　　Susan”sheartgrewsickasshelookedathim——lookedfurtively，forshewasashamedtoseehimsoabject。“IfyoumeandidIlethimkissme，“shesaidtoMr。Wright，“why，Idid。Wekissedseveraltimes。Butwehadtherightto。Wewereengaged。”
　　Samturnedonhisfatherinanagonyofterror。“Thatisn”ttrue！“hecried。“Iswearitisn”t，father。Wearen”tengaged。I
　　onlymadelovetoheralittle，asafellowdoestolotsofgirls。”
　　Susanlookedathimwithwide，horrifiedeyes。“Sam！“sheexclaimedbreathlessly。“Sam！“
　　Sam”seyesdropped，buthemanagedtoturnhisfaceinherdirection。Thesituationwastooseriousforhim；hedidnotdaretoindulgeinsuchvanitiesasmanhoodormanlyappearance。
　　“That”sthetruth，Susan，“hesaidsullenly。“_You_talkedalotaboutmarryingbut_I_neverthoughtofsuchathing。”
　　“But——yousaid——youlovedme。”
　　“Ididn”tmeananythingbyit。”
　　TherefellasilencethatwasinterruptedbyMr。Wright。“Youseethere”snothinginit，Warham。I”lltakemyboyandgo。”
　　“Notbyadamnsight！“criedWarham。“He”sgottomarryher。
　　Susan，didSampromisetomarryyou？“
　　“Whenhegotthroughcollege，“repliedSusan。
　　“Ithoughtso！Andhepersuadedyoutorunaway。”
　　“No，“saidSusan。“He——”
　　“Isayyes，“stormedheruncle。“Don”tlie！“
　　“Warham！Warham！“remonstratedMr。Wright。“Don”tbrowbeatthegirl。”
　　“Hebeggedmenottogo，“saidSusan。
　　“Youlyingfool！“shoutedheruncle。ThentoWright，“Ifhedidaskhertostayitwasbecausehewasafraiditwouldallcomeout——justasithas。”
　　“Ineverpromisedtomarryher！“whinedSam。“HonesttoGod，father，Ineverdid。HonesttoGod，Mr。Warham！Youknowthat”sso，Susan。Itwasyouthatdidallthemarryingtalk。”
　　“Yes，“shesaidslowly。“Yes，Ibelieveitwas。”Shelookeddazedlyatthethreemen。“Isupposedhemeantmarriagebecause”hervoicefaltered，butshesteadieditandwenton”becausewelovedeachother。”
　　“Iknewit！“criedheruncle。“Youhear，Wright？Sheadmitshebetrayedher。”
　　Susanrememberedthehorriblepartofhercousin”ssexrevelations。“Oh，no！“shecried。“Iwouldn”thavelethimdothat——evenifhehadwantedto。No——notevenifwe”dbeenmarried。”
　　“Yousee，Warham！“criedMr。Wright，intriumph。
　　“Iseealiar！“wasWarham”sfuriousanswer。“She”stryingtodefendhimandmakeoutacaseforherself。”
　　“Iamtellingthetruth，“saidSusan。
　　Warhamgazedunbelievinglyather，speechlesswithfury。Mr。
　　Wrighttookhissilkhatfromthecorerofthepiano。“I”msatisfiedthey”reinnocent，“saidhe。“SoI”lltakemyboyandgo。”
　　“NotifIknowit！“retortedWarham。“He”sgottomarryher。”
　　“Butthegirlsaysshe”spure，saysheneverspokeofmarriage，sayshebeggedhernottorunaway。Bereasonable，Warham。”
　　“ForagoodChristian，“sneeredheatWright，“you”remightyeasilyconvincedbyaflimsylie。Inyourheartyouknowtheboyhaswrongedherandthatshe”sshieldinghim，justas——”ThereWarhamcheckedhimself；itwouldbeanythingbuttimelytoremindWrightofthecharacterofthegirl”smother。
　　“I”lladmit，“saidMr。Wrightsmoothly，“thatI
　　wasn”toveranxiousformyboy”smarriagewithagirlwhosemotherwas——unfortunate。Butifyourchargehadbeentrue，Warham，I”dhavemadetheboydoherjustice，shebeingonlyseventeen。Come，Sam。”
　　Samslunktowardthedoor。WarhamstaredfiercelyattheelderWright。“AndyoucallyourselfaChristian！“hesneered。
　　Atthedoor——Samhadalreadydisappeared——Mr。Wrightpausedtosay，“I”mgoingtogiveSamadisciplinehe”llremember。Thegirl”sonlybeenfoolish。Don”tbeharshwithher。”
　　“Youdamnedhypocrite！“shoutedWarham。“Imighthaveknownwhattoexpectfromamanwhocutthewagesofhishandstopayhischurchsubscription。”
　　ButWrightwasfartoocraftytobedrawn。HewentonpushingSambeforehim。
　　AstheouterdoorclosedbehindthemMrs。Wylieappeared。“I
　　wantyoubothtogetoutofmyhouseasquickasyoucan，“shesnapped。“Myboarders”llbecomingtodinnerinafewminutes。”
　　Warhamtookhisstrawhatfromthefloorbesidethechairbehindhim。“I”venothingtodowiththisgirlhere。Goodday，madam。”
　　Andhestrodeoutofthehouse，slammingthedoorbehindhim。
　　Mrs。WylielookedatSusanwithstormingfaceandbosom。Susandidnotsee。Shewasgazingintospace，herfaceblanched。
　　“Clearout！“criedMrs。Wylie。Andsherantotheouterdoorandopenedit。“Howdareyoucomeintoarespectablehouse！“Shewishedtobesowildlyangrythatshewouldforgetthefivedollarswhichshe，asaprofessingChristianinfullchurchstanding，wouldhavetopaybackifsheremembered。“Clearoutthisminute！“shecriedshrilly。“Ifyoudon”t，I”llthrowyourbundleintothestreetandyouafterit。”
　　Susantookupthebundlemechanically，slowlywentoutonthestoop。Thedoorclosedwithaslambehindher。Shedescendedthesteps，walkedafewyardsupthestreet，pausedattheedgeofthecurbandlookeddazedlyabout。Herunclestoodbesideher。“Nowwhereareyougoing？“hesaidroughly。
　　Susanshookherhead。
　　“Isuppose，“hewenton，“I”vegottolookafteryou。Youshan”tdisgracemydaughteranyfurther。”
　　Susansimplylookedathim，hereyesunseeing，herbrainsweptcleanofthoughtbythecyclonethathaddestroyedallherdreamsandhopes。Shewasnothorrifiedbyhisaccusations；suchthingshadlittlemeaningforonepracticallyincompleteignoranceofsexrelations。Besides，themiserablefiascoofherromanticloveleftherwithafeelingofabasement，ofdegradationlittledifferentfromthatwhichoverwhelmsawomanwhobelieveshervirtueisherallandfindsherselfbetrayedandabandoned。Shenowfeltindeedtheoutcast，lookeddownuponbyalltheworld。
　　“Ifyouhadn”tlied，“hefumedon，“you”dhavebeenhiswifeandarespectablewoman。”
　　Thegirlshivered。
　　“Instead，you”readisgrace。EverybodyinSutherland”llknowyou”vegonethewayyourmotherwent。”
　　“Goaway，“saidthegirlpiteously。“Letmealone。”
　　“Alone？Whatwillbecomeofyou？“Headdressedthequestiontohimself，nottoher。
　　“Itdoesn”tmatter，“washerreplyinadrearytone。“I”vebeenbetrayed，asmymotherwas。Itdoesn”tmatterwhat——”
　　“Iknewit！“criedWarham，withnonotionofwhatthegirlmeantbytheword“betrayed。”“Whydidn”tyouconfessthetruthwhilehewashereandhisfatherwasreadytomarryhimtoyou？Iknewyou”dbeenloosewithhim，asyourAuntFannysaid。”
　　“ButIwasn”t，“saidSusan。“Iwouldn”tdosuchathing。”
　　“Thereyougo，lyingagain！“
　　“Itdoesn”tmatter，“saidshe。“AllIwantisforyoutogoaway。”
　　“Youdo？“sneeredhe。“Andthenwhat？I”vegottothinkofRuthie。”Hesnatchedthebundlefromherhand。“Comeon！ImustdoallIcantokeepthedisgracetomyfamilydown。Asforyou，youdon”tdeserveanythingbutthegutter，whereyou”dsinkifIleftyou。Youraunt”sright。You”rerotten。Youwerebornrotten。You”reyourmother”sownbrat。”
　　“Yes，Iam，“shecried。“AndI”mproudofit！“Sheturnedfromhim，waswalkingrapidlyaway。
　　“Comewithme！“orderedWarham，followingandseizingherbythearm。
　　“No，“saidSusan，wrenchingherselffree。
　　“ThenI”llcallapolicemanandhaveyoulockedup。”
　　Uncleandniecestoodregardingeachother，hatredandcontemptinhisgaze，hatredandfearinhers。
　　“You”reachildinlaw——though，Godknows，you”reanythingbutachildinfact。Comealongwithme。You”vegotto。I”mgoingtoseethatyou”reputoutofharm”sway。”
　　“Youwouldn”ttakemebacktoSutherland！“shecried。
　　Helaughedsavagely。“Iguessnot！You”llnotshowyourfacethereagain——thoughI”venodoubtyou”dbebrazenenoughtobrassitout。No——youcan”tpollutemyhomeagain。”
　　“Ican”tgobacktoSutherland！“
　　“Youshan”t，Isay。Youranoffbecauseyouhaddisgracedyourself。”
　　“No！“criedSusan。“No！“
　　“Don”tlietome！Don”tspeaktome。I”llseewhatIcandotohidethismess。Comealong！“
　　Susanlookedhelplesslyroundthestreet，sawnothing，noteveneager，curiousfacespressedagainstmanyawindowpane，sawonlyadesolatewaste。Thenshewalkedalongbesideheruncle，bothofthemsilent，hecarryingherbundle，shetightlyclutchingherlittlepurse。
　　Perhapsthemostamazing，themoststunning，ofalltheblowsfatehadthussuddenlyshowereduponherwasthistransformationofherunclefromgentlenesstoferocity。Butmanyafarolderandfarwiserwomanthanseventeen-year-oldSusanhasfailedtounderstandhowitiswiththemanwhodoesnotregardwomanasafellowhumanbeing。Tosuchsheiseitheranobjectofadoration，aquintessenceofpurityandinnocence，orlessthanthedust，sheerfilth。Warham”sangerwasnogust。Hewassimplytheaveragemanofsmallintelligence，greatvanity，andabjectsnobbishnessorterrorofpublicopinion。TherecouldbebutonereasonfortheflightofLorella”sdaughter——rottenness。Theonlypointtoconsidernowwashowtosavetheimperiledfamilystanding，howtoprotecthisowndaughter，whomhisgoodnatureandhiswife”sweaknesshadthusendangered。TheonethingthatcouldhaveappeasedhishatredofSusanwouldhavebeenhermarriagetoSamWright。Thenhewouldhave——not，indeed，forgivenorreinstatedher——buttoleratedher。Itisthedominanceofsuchideasashisthatmakesforwomantheslaveryshediscoversbeneathherqueenlyswayifshehappenstodosomethingdeeplydispleasingtohermasculinesubjectandadorer。
　　TheywenttotheCentralStation。TheO。andM。expresswhichconnectedwiththetrainonthebranchlinetoSutherlandwouldnotleaveuntilaquarterpasttwo。Itwasonlyafewminutespastone。Warhamledthewayintothestationrestaurant；withacurtnodheindicatedaseatatoneofthesmalltables，anddroppedintotheoppositeseat。Heorderedbeefsteakandfriedpotatoes，coffeeandapplepie。
　　“Sitstill！“hesaidtoherroughlyandrosetogoouttobuyapaper。
　　Thegirlsatwithherhandsinherlapandhereyesuponthem。
　　Shelookedutterly，pitifullytired。Amomentandhecamebacktoresumehisseatandreadthepaper。Whenthewaiterfloppeddownthesteakandthedishofgreasilyfriedpotatoesbeforehisplate，hestuffedthepaperinhispocket，cutasliceofthesteakandputitontheplate。ThewaiternoisilyexchangeditfortheemptyplatebeforeSusan。Warhamcuttwoslicesofthesteakforhimself，tookaliberalhelpingofthepotatoes，pushedthedishtowardher。
　　“Doyouwantthecoffeenow，orwiththepie？“askedthewaiter。
　　“Now，“saidWarham。
　　“Coffeefortheyounglady，too？“
　　Warhamscowledather。“Coffee？“hedemanded。
　　Shedidnotanswer；shedidnothear。
　　“Yes，shewantscoffee，“saidWarham。“Hustleit！“
　　“Yes，sir。”Andthewaiterbustledawaywithagreatdealofmotionthatcreatedadeceptiveimpressionofspeed。Warhamwashelpinghimselftosteakagainwhenthecoffeecameasuspicious-lookingliquiddiffusinganodorofstalenessreheatedagainandagain，anunderodorofmetalpotnottoofrequentlyscoured。
　　WarhamglancedatSusan”splate。Shehadnotdisturbedtheknifeandforkoneithersideofit。“Eat！“hecommanded。Andwhenshegavenosignofhavingheard，herepeatedlysharply，“Eat，I
　　tellyou。”
　　Shestarted，nervouslytookuptheknifeandfork，cutamorseloffthesliceofsteak。Whensheliftedittoherlips，shesuddenlyputitbackintheplate。“Ican”t，“shesaid。
　　“You”vegotto，“orderedhe。“Iwon”thaveyouactingthisway。”
　　“Ican”t，“sherepeatedmonotonously。“Ifeelsick。”Naturehadluckilysomadeherthatitwasimpossibleforhertoswallowwhenhernerveswereupsetorwhenshewastired；thus，shewouldnothavethephysicalwoesthataggravateandprolongmentaldisturbanceiffoodistakenattimeswhenitinstantlyturnstopoison。
　　Herepeatedhisorderinastillmoresavagetone。Sheputherelbowsonthetable，restedherheadwearilyuponherhands，shookherhead。Hedesisted。
　　Whenhehadeatenallofthesteak，exceptthefatandthegristlytail，andnearlyallthepotatoes，thewaitertooktheuseddishesawayandbroughttwogenerousslicesofapplepieandsetdownonebeforeeach。WiththepiewentacubeofAmericancreamor“rat-trap“cheese。Warhamatehisownpieandcheese；then，asshehadnottouchedhers，hereachedforitandateitalso。Nowhewaswatchingtheclockand，betweenliftingsofladenforktohismouth，verifyingtheclock”sopinionofthehourbyhisownwatch。Hecalledforthebill，paidit，gavethewaiterfivecents——aconcessiontothetippingcustomoftheeffetecitywhich，judgingbythewaiter”sexpression，mightaswellnothavebeenmade。Still，Warhamhadnotmadeitwithanideaofpromotinggoodfeelingbetweenhimselfandthewaiter，butsimplytoshowthatheknewthecityanditsways。Hetookuptheshawlstrap，said，“Comeon“inthevoicewhichhedeemedworthyofthefallencreaturehemust，throughChristiandutyandworldlyprudence，forthetimeassociatewith。Sheroseandfollowedhimtotheticketoffice。Hehadthereturnhalfofhisownticket。WhensheheardhimaskforatickettoNorthSutherlandsheshivered。SheknewthatherdestinationwashisbrotherZeke”sfarm。