CHAPTERI
Manypatternsofcarpetlayrolledoutbeforethemonthefloor——twoofBrusselsshowedthebeginningoftheirquest，anditsendinginthatdirection；whileascoreofingrainsluredtheireyesandprolongedthedebatebetweendesirepocket-book。Theheadofthedepartmentdidthemthehonorofwaitinguponthemhimself——ordidJoethehonor，asshewellknew，forshehadnotedtheopen-mouthedaweoftheelevatorboywhobroughtthemup。NorhadshebeenblindtothemarkedrespectshownJoebytheurchinsandgroupsofyoungfellowsoncorners，whenshewalkedwithhimintheirownneighborhooddownatthewestendofthetown。
Buttheheadofthedepartmentwascalledawaytothetelephone，andinhermindthesplendidpromiseofthecarpetsandtheirkofthepocket-bookwerethrustasidebyagreaterdoubtandanxiety。
"ButIdon’tseewhatyoufindtolikeinit，Joe，"shesaidsoftly，thenoteofinsistenceinherwordsbetrayingrecentandunsatisfactorydiscussion。
Forafleetingmomentashadowdarkenedhisboyishface，tobereplacedbytheglowoftenderness。Hewasonlyaboy，asshewasonlyagirl——twoyoungthingsonthethresholdoflife，house-
rentingandbuyingcarpetstogether。
"What’sthegoodofworrying？"hequestioned。"It’sthelastgo，theverylast。"
Hesmiledather，butshesawonhislipstheunconsciousandallbutbreathedsighofrenunciation，andwiththeinstinctivemonopolyofwomanforhermate，shefearedthisthingshedidnotunderstandandwhichgrippedhislifesostrongly。
"YouknowthegowithO’Neilclearedthelastpaymentonmother’shouse，"hewenton。"Andthat’soffmymind。NowthislastwithPontawillgivemeahundreddollarsinbank——anevenhundred，that’sthepurse——foryouandmetostarton，anest-egg。"
Shedisregardedthemoneyappeal。"Butyoulikeit，this——this’game’youcallit。Why？"
Helackedspeech-expression。Heexpressedhimselfwithhishands，athiswork，andwithhisbodyandtheplayofhismusclesinthesquaredring；buttotellwithhisownlipsthecharmofthesquaredringwasbeyondhim。Yetheessayed，andhaltinglyatfirst，toexpresswhathefeltandanalyzedwhenplayingtheGameatthesupremesummitofexistence。
"AllIknow，Genevieve，isthatyoufeelgoodintheringwhenyou’vegotthemanwhereyouwanthim，whenhe’shadapunchupbothsleeveswaitingforyouandyou’venevergivenhimanopeningtoland’em，whenyou’velandedyourownlittlepunchan’he’sgoin’
groggy，an’holdin’on，an’thereferee’sdragginghimoffso’syoucangoinan’finish’m，an’allthehouseisshoutingan’tearin’
itselfloose，an’youknowyou’rethebestman，an’thatyouplayedm’fairan’wonoutbecauseyou’rethebestman。Itellyou——"
Heceasedbrokenly，alarmedbyhisownvolubilityandbyGenevieve’slookofalarm。Ashetalkedshehadwatchedhisfacewhilefeardawnedinherown。Ashedescribedthemomentofmomentstoher，onhisinwardvisionwerelinedthetotteringman，thelights，theshoutinghouse，andhesweptoutandawayfromheronthistideoflifethatwasbeyondhercomprehension，menacing，irresistible，makingherlovepitifulandweak。TheJoesheknewreceded，faded，becamelost。Thefreshboyishfacewasgone，thetendernessoftheeyes，thesweetnessofthemouthwithitscurvesandpicturedcorners。Itwasaman’sfaceshesaw，afaceofsteel，tenseandimmobile；amouthofsteel，thelipslikethejawsofatrap；eyesofsteel，dilated，intent，andthelightinthemandtheglitterwerethelightandglitterofsteel。Thefaceofaman，andshehadknownonlyhisboyface。Thisfaceshedidnotknowatall。
Andyet，whileitfrightenedher，shewasvaguelystirredwithprideinhim。Hismasculinity，themasculinityofthefightingmale，madeitsinevitableappealtoher，afemale，mouldedbyallherhereditytoseekoutthestrongmanformate，andtoleanagainstthewallofhisstrength。Shedidnotunderstandthisforceofhisbeingthatrosemightierthanherloveandlaiditscompulsionuponhim；andyet，inherwoman’sheartshewasawareofthesweetpangwhichtoldherthatforhersake，forLove’sownsake，hehadsurrenderedtoher，abandonedallthatportionofhislife，andwiththisonelastfightwouldneverfightagain。
"Mrs。Silversteindoesn’tlikeprize-fighting，"shesaid。"She’sdownonit，andsheknowssomething，too。"
Hesmiledindulgently，concealingahurt，notaltogethernew，atherpersistentinappreciationofthissideofhisnatureandlifeinwhichhetookthegreatestpride。Itwastohimpowerandachievement，earnedbyhisowneffortandhardwork；andinthemomentwhenhehadofferedhimselfandallthathewastoGenevieve，itwasthis，andthisalone，thathewasproudlyconsciousoflayingatherfeet。Itwasthemeritofworkperformed，aguerdonofmanhoodfinerandgreaterthananyothermancouldoffer，andithadbeentohimhisjustificationandrighttopossessher。Andshehadnotunderstooditthen，asshedidnotunderstanditnow，andhemightwellhavewonderedwhatelseshefoundinhimtomakehimworthy。
"Mrs。Silversteinisadub，andasofty，andaknocker，"hesaidgood-humoredly。"What’ssheknowaboutsuchthings，anyway？ItellyouitISgood，andhealthy，too，"——thislastasanafterthought。
"Lookatme。ItellyouIhavetolivecleantobeinconditionlikethis。Ilivecleanerthanshedoes，orheroldman，oranybodyyouknow——baths，rub-downs，exercise，regularhours，goodfoodandnomakin’apigofmyself，nodrinking，nosmoking，nothingthat’llhurtme。Why，Ilivecleanerthanyou，Genevieve——"
"Honest，Ido，"hehastenedtoaddatsightofhershockedface。"I
don’tmeanwateran’soap，butlookthere。"Hishandclosedreverentlybutfirmlyonherarm。"Soft，you’reallsoft，allover。
Notlikemine。Here，feelthis。"
Hepressedtheendsofherfingersintohishardarm-musclesuntilshewincedfromthehurt。
"Hardalloverjustlikethat，"hewenton。"Nowthat’swhatIcallclean。Everybitoffleshan’bloodan’muscleiscleanrightdowntothebones——andthey’reclean，too。Nosoapandwateronlyontheskin，butcleanallthewayin。Itellyouitfeelsclean。Itknowsit’scleanitself。WhenIwakeupinthemorningan’gotowork，everydropofbloodandbitofmeatisshoutingrightoutthatitisclean。Oh，Itellyou——"
Hepausedwithswiftawkwardness，againconfoundedbyhisunwontedflowofspeech。Neverinhislifehadhebeenstirredtosuchutterance，andneverinhislifehadtherebeencausetobesostirred。ForitwastheGamethathadbeenquestioned，itsverityandworth，theGameitself，thebiggestthingintheworld——orwhathadbeenthebiggestthingintheworlduntilthatchanceafternoonandthatchancepurchaseinSilverstein’scandystore，whenGenevieveloomedsuddenlycolossalinhislife，overshadowingallotherthings。Hewasbeginningtosee，thoughvaguely，thesharpconflictbetweenwomanandcareer，betweenaman’sworkintheworldandwoman’sneedoftheman。Buthewasnotcapableofgeneralization。Hesawonlytheantagonismbetweentheconcrete，flesh-and-bloodGenevieveandthegreat，abstract，livingGame。
Eachresentedtheother，eachclaimedhim；hewastornwiththestrife，andyetdriftedhelplessonthecurrentsoftheircontention。
HiswordshaddrawnGenevieve’sgazetohisface，andshehadpleasuredintheclearskin，thecleareyes，thecheeksoftandsmoothasagirl’s。Shesawtheforceofhisargumentanddislikeditaccordingly。SherevoltedinstinctivelyagainstthisGamewhichdrewhimawayfromher，robbedherofpartofhim。Itwasarivalshedidnotunderstand。Norcouldsheunderstanditsseductions。
Haditbeenawomanrival，anothergirl，knowledgeandlightandsightwouldhavebeenhers。Asitwas，shegrappledinthedarkwithanintangibleadversaryaboutwhichsheknewnothing。WhattruthshefeltinhisspeechmadetheGamebutthemoreformidable。
Asuddenconceptionofherweaknesscametoher。Shefeltpityforherself，andsorrow。Shewantedhim，allofhim，herwoman’sneedwouldnotbesatisfiedwithless；andheeludedher，slippedawayhereandtherefromtheembracewithwhichshetriedtoclasphim。
Tearsswamintohereyes，andherlipstrembled，turningdefeatintovictory，routingtheall-potentGamewiththestrengthofherweakness。
"Don’t，Genevieve，don’t，"theboypleaded，allcontrition，thoughhewasconfusedanddazed。Tohismasculinemindtherewasnothingrelevantaboutherbreak-down；yetallelsewasforgottenatsightofhertears。
Shesmiledforgivenessthroughherweteyes，andthoughheknewofnothingforwhichtobeforgiven，hemeltedutterly。Hishandwentoutimpulsivelytohers，butsheavoidedtheclaspbyasortofbodilystiffeningandchill，thewhiletheeyessmiledstillmoregloriously。
"HerecomesMr。Clausen，"shesaid，atthesametime，bysometransformingalchemyofwoman，presentingtothenewcomereyesthatshowednohintofmoistness。
"ThinkIwasnevercomingback，Joe？"queriedtheheadofthedepartment，apink-and-white-facedman，whoseaustereside-whiskerswerebeliedbygeniallittleeyes。
"Nowletmesee——hum，yes，wewasdiscussingingrains，"hecontinuedbriskly。"Thattastylittlepatterntherecatchesyoureye，don’titnow，eh？Yes，yes，Iknowallaboutit。IsetuphousekeepingwhenIwasgettingfourteenaweek。Butnothing’stoogoodforthelittlenest，eh？OfcourseIknow，andit’sonlysevencentsmore，andthedearestisthecheapest，Isay。TellyouwhatI’lldo，Joe，"——thiswithaburstofphilanthropicimpulsivenessandaconfidentialloweringofvoice，——"seein’sit’syou，andIwouldn’tdoitforanybodyelse，I’llreduceittofivecents。Only，"——herehisvoicebecameimpressivelysolemn，——"onlyyoumustn’tevertellhowmuchyoureallydidpay。"
"Sewed，lined，andlaid——ofcoursethat’sincluded，"hesaid，afterJoeandGenevievehadconferredtogetherandannouncedtheirdecision。
"Andthelittlenest，eh？"hequeried。"Whendoyouspreadyourwingsandflyaway？To-morrow！Sosoon？Beautiful！Beautiful！"
Herolledhiseyesecstaticallyforamoment，thenbeameduponthemwithafatherlyair。
Joehadrepliedsturdilyenough，andGenevievehadblushedprettily；
butbothfeltthatitwasnotexactlyproper。Notalonebecauseoftheprivacyandholinessofthesubject，butbecauseofwhatmighthavebeenpruderyinthemiddleclass，butwhichinthemwasthemodestyandreticencefoundinindividualsoftheworkingclasswhentheystriveaftercleanlivingandmorality。
Mr。Clausenaccompaniedthemtotheelevator，allsmiles，patronage，andbeneficence，whiletheclerksturnedtheirheadstofollowJoe’sretreatingfigure。
"Andto-night，Joe？"Mr。Clausenaskedanxiously，astheywaitedattheshaft。"Howdoyoufeel？Thinkyou’lldohim？"
"Sure，"Joeanswered。"Neverfeltbetterinmylife。"
"Youfeelallright，eh？Good！Good！Yousee，Iwasjusta-
wonderin’——youknow，ha！ha！——goin’togetmarriedandtherest——
thoughtyoumightbeunstrung，eh，atrifle？——nervesjustabitoff，youknow。Knowhowgettin’marriedismyself。Butyou’reallright，eh？Ofcourseyouare。NouseaskingYOUthat。Ha！ha！
Well，goodluck，myboy！Iknowyou’llwin。Neverhadtheleastdoubt，ofcourse，ofcourse。"
"Andgood-by，MissPritchard，"hesaidtoGenevieve，gallantlyhandingherintotheelevator。"Hopeyoucalloften。Willbecharmed——charmed——Iassureyou。"
"Everybodycallsyou’Joe’，"shesaidreproachfully，asthecardroppeddownward。"Whydon’ttheycallyou’Mr。Fleming’？That’snomorethanproper。"
Buthewasstaringmoodilyattheelevatorboyanddidnotseemtohear。
"What’sthematter，Joe？"sheasked，withatendernessthepowerofwhichtothrillhimsheknewfullwell。
"Oh，nothing，"hesaid。"Iwasonlythinking——andwishing。"
"Wishing？——what？"Hervoicewasseductionitself，andhereyeswouldhavemeltedstrongerthanhe，thoughtheyfailedincallinghisuptothem。
Then，deliberately，hiseyesliftedtohers。"Iwaswishingyoucouldseemefightjustonce。"
Shemadeagestureofdisgust，andhisfacefell。Itcametohersharplythattherivalhadthrustbetweenandwasbearinghimaway。
"I——I’dliketo，"shesaidhastilywithaneffort，strivingafterthatsympathywhichweakensthestrongestmenanddrawstheirheadstowomen’sbreasts。
"Willyou？"
Againhiseyesliftedandlookedintohers。Hemeantit——sheknewthat。Itseemedachallengetothegreatnessofherlove。
"Itwouldbetheproudestmomentofmylife，"hesaidsimply。
Itmayhavebeentheapprehensivenessoflove，thewishtomeethisneedforhersympathy，andthedesiretoseetheGamefacetofaceforwisdom’ssake，——anditmayhavebeentheclarioncallofadventureringingthroughthenarrowconfinesofuneventfulexistence；foragreatdaringthrilledthroughher，andshesaid，justassimply，"Iwill。"
"Ididn’tthinkyouwould，orIwouldn’thaveasked，"heconfessed，astheywalkedouttothesidewalk。
"Butcan’titbedone？"sheaskedanxiously，beforeherresolutioncouldcool。
"Oh，Icanfixthat；butIdidn’tthinkyouwould。"
"Ididn’tthinkyouwould，"herepeated，stillamazed，ashehelpedherupontheelectriccarandfeltinhispocketforthefare。
CHAPTERII
GenevieveandJoewereworking-classaristocrats。Inanenvironmentmadeuplargelyofsordidnessandwretchednesstheyhadkeptthemselvesunsulliedandwholesome。Theirswasaself-respect，aregardforthenicetiesandcleanthingsoflife，whichhadheldthemalooffromtheirkind。Friendsdidnotcometothemeasily；
norhadeithereverpossessedareallyintimatefriend，aheart-
companionwithwhomtochumandhavethingsincommon。Thesocialinstinctwasstronginthem，yettheyhadremainedlonelybecausetheycouldnotsatisfythatinstinctandatthatsametimesatisfytheirdesireforcleannessanddecency。
Ifeveragirloftheworkingclasshadledtheshelteredlife，itwasGenevieve。Inthemidstofroughnessandbrutality，shehadshunnedallthatwasroughandbrutal。Shesawbutwhatshechosetosee，andshechosealwaystoseethebest，avoidingcoarsenessanduncouthnesswithouteffort，asamatterofinstinct。Tobeginwith，shehadbeenpeculiarlyunexposed。Anonlychild，withaninvalidmotheruponwhomsheattended，shehadnotjoinedinthestreetgamesandfrolicsofthechildrenoftheneighbourhood。Herfather，amild-tempered，narrow-chested，anaemiclittleclerk，domesticbecauseofhisinherentdisabilitytomixwithmen，haddonehisfullsharetowardgivingthehomeanatmosphereofsweetnessandtenderness。
Anorphanattwelve，Genevievehadgonestraightfromherfather’sfuneraltolivewiththeSilversteinsintheirroomsabovethecandystore；andhere，shelteredbykindlyaliens，sheearnedherkeepandclothesbywaitingontheshop。BeingGentile，shewasespeciallynecessarytotheSilversteins，whowouldnotrunthebusinessthemselveswhenthedayoftheirSabbathcameround。
Andhere，intheuneventfullittleshop，sixmaturingyearshadslippedby。Heracquaintanceswerefew。Shehadelectedtohavenogirlchumforthereasonthatnosatisfactorygirlhadappeared。
Nordidshechoosetowalkwiththeyoungfellowsoftheneighbourhood，aswasthecustomofgirlsfromtheirfifteenthyear。
"Thatstuck-updoll-face，"wasthewaythegirlsoftheneighbourhooddescribedher；andthoughsheearnedtheirenmitybyherbeautyandaloofness，shenonethelesscommandedtheirrespect。
"Peachesandcream，"shewascalledbytheyoungmen——thoughsoftlyandamongstthemselves，fortheywereafraidofarousingtheireoftheothergirls，whiletheystoodinaweofGenevieve，inadimlyreligiousway，asasomethingmysteriouslybeautifulandunapproachable。
Forshewasindeedbeautiful。SpringingfromalonglineofAmericandescent，shewasoneofthosewonderfulworking-classbloomswhichoccasionallyappear，defyingallprecedentofforebearsandenvironment，apparentlywithoutcauseorexplanation。Shewasabeautyincolor，thebloodsprayingherwhiteskinsodeliciouslyastoearnforhertheaptdescription，"peachesandcream。"Shewasabeautyintheregularityofherfeatures；and，iffornootherreason，shewasabeautyinthemeredelicacyofthelinesonwhichshewasmoulded。Quiet，low-voiced，stately，anddignified，shesomehowhadtheknackofdress，andbutbefittedherbeautyanddignitywithanythingsheputon。Withal，shewassheerlyfeminine，tenderandsoftandclinging，withthesmoulderingpassionofthemateandthemotherlinessofthewoman。Butthissideofhernaturehadlaindormantthroughtheyears，waitingforthematetoappear。
ThenJoecameintoSilverstein’sshoponehotSaturdayafternoontocoolhimselfwithice-creamsoda。Shehadnotnoticedhisentrance，beingbusywithoneothercustomer，anurchinofsixorsevenwhogravelyanalyzedhisdesiresbeforetheshow-casewhereintrulygenerousandmarvellouscandycreationsreposedunderacardboardannouncement，"FiveforFiveCents。"
Shehadheard，"Ice-creamsoda，please，"andhadherselfasked，"Whatflavor？"withoutseeinghisface。Forthatmatter，itwasnotacustomofherstonoticeyoungmen。Therewassomethingaboutthemshedidnotunderstand。Thewaytheylookedathermadeheruncomfortable，sheknewnotwhy；whiletherewasanuncouthnessandroughnessaboutthemthatdidnotpleaseher。Asyet，herimaginationhadbeenuntouchedbyman。Theyoungfellowsshehadseenhadheldnolureforher，hadbeenwithoutmeaningtoher。Inshort，hadshebeenaskedtogiveonereasonfortheexistenceofmenontheearth，shewouldhavebeennonplussedforareply。
Assheemptiedthemeasureofice-creamintotheglass，hercasualglancerestedonJoe’sface，andsheexperiencedontheinstantapleasantfeelingofsatisfaction。Thenextinstanthiseyeswereuponherface，hereyeshaddropped，andshewasturningawaytowardthesodafountain。Butatthefountain，fillingtheglass，shewasimpelledtolookathimagain——butfornomorethananinstant，forthistimeshefoundhiseyesalreadyuponher，waitingtomeethers，whileonhisfacewasafranknessofinterestthatcausedherquicklytolookaway。
Thatsuchpleasingnesswouldresideforherinanymanastonishedher。"Whataprettyboy，"shethoughttoherself，innocentlyandinstinctivelytryingtowardoffthepowertoholdanddrawherthatlaybehindthemereprettiness。"Besides，heisn’tpretty，"shethought，assheplacedtheglassbeforehim，receivedthesilverdimeinpayment，andforthethirdtimelookedintohiseyes。Hervocabularywaslimited，andsheknewlittleoftheworthofwords；
butthestrongmasculinityofhisboy’sfacetoldherthatthetermwasinappropriate。
"Hemustbehandsome，then，"washernextthought，assheagaindroppedhereyesbeforehis。Butallgood-lookingmenwerecalledhandsome，andthatterm，too，displeasedher。Butwhateveritwas，hewasgoodtosee，andshewasirritablyawareofadesiretolookathimagainandagain。
AsforJoe，hehadneverseenanythinglikethisgirlacrossthecounter。Whilehewaswiserinnaturalphilosophythanshe，andcouldhavegivenimmediatelythereasonforwoman’sexistenceontheearth，neverthelesswomanhadnopartinhiscosmos。Hisimaginationwasasuntouchedbywomanasthegirl’swasbyman。Buthisimaginationwastouchednow，andthewomanwasGenevieve。Hehadneverdreamedagirlcouldbesobeautiful，andhecouldnotkeephiseyesfromherface。Yeteverytimehelookedather，andhereyesmethis，hefeltpainfulembarrassment，andwouldhavelookedawayhadnothereyesdroppedsoquickly。
Butwhen，atlast，sheslowlyliftedhereyesandheldtheirgazesteadily，itwashisowneyesthatdropped，hisowncheekthatmantledred。Shewasmuchlessembarrassedthanhe，whileshebetrayedherembarrassmentnotatall。Shewasawareofaflutterwithin，suchasshehadneverknownbefore，butinnowaydiditdisturbheroutwardserenity。Joe，onthecontrary，wasobviouslyawkwardanddelightfullymiserable。
Neitherknewlove，andallthateitherwasawarewasanoverwhelmingdesiretolookattheother。Bothhadbeentroubledandroused，andtheyweredrawingtogetherwiththesharpnessandimperativenessofunitingelements。Hetoyedwithhisspoon，andflushedhisembarrassmentoverhissoda，butlingeredon；andshespokesoftly，droppedhereyes，andwoveherwitcheryabouthim。
Buthecouldnotlingerforeveroveraglassofice-creamsoda，whilehedidnotdareaskforasecondglass。Sohelefthertoremainintheshopinawakingtrance，andwentawayhimselfdownthestreetlikeasomnambulist。Genevievedreamedthroughtheafternoonandknewthatshewasinlove。NotsowithJoe。Heknewonlythathewantedtolookatheragain，toseeherface。Histhoughtsdidnotgetbeyondthis，andbesides，itwasscarcelyathought，beingmoreadimandinarticulatedesire。
Theurgeofthisdesirehecouldnotescape。Dayafterdayitworriedhim，andthecandyshopandthegirlbehindthecountercontinuallyobtrudedthemselves。Hefoughtoffthedesire。Hewasafraidandashamedtogobacktothecandyshop。Hesolacedhisfearwith，"Iain’taladies’man。"Notonce，nortwice，butscoresoftimes，hemutteredthethoughttohimself，butitdidnogood。
Andbythemiddleoftheweek，intheevening，afterwork，hecameintotheshop。Hetriedtocomeincarelesslyandcasually，buthiswholecarriageadvertisedthestrongeffortofwillthatcompelledhislegstocarryhisreluctantbodythither。Also，hewasshy，andawkwarderthanever。Genevieve，onthecontrary，wasserenerthanever，thoughflutteringmostalarminglywithin。Hewasincapableofspeech，mumbledhisorder，lookedanxiouslyattheclock，despatchedhisice-creamsodaintremendoushaste，andwasgone。
Shewasreadytoweepwithvexation。Suchmeagrerewardforfourdays’waiting，andassumingallthetimethatsheloved！Hewasaniceboyandallthat，sheknew，butheneedn’thavebeeninsodisgracefulahurry。ButJoehadnotreachedthecornerbeforehewantedtobebackwithheragain。Hejustwantedtolookather。
Hehadnothoughtthatitwaslove。Love？Thatwaswhenyoungfellowsandgirlswalkedouttogether。Asforhim——Andthenhisdesiretooksharpershape，andhediscoveredthatthatwastheverythinghewantedhertodo。Hewantedtoseeher，tolookather，andwellcouldhedoallthisifshebutwalkedoutwithhim。Thenthatwaswhytheyoungfellowsandgirlswalkedouttogether，hemused，astheweek-enddrewnear。Hehadremotelyconsideredthiswalkingouttobeamereformorobservancepreliminarytomatrimony。Nowhesawthedeeperwisdominit，wantedithimself，andconcludedtherefromthathewasinlove。
Bothwerenowofthesamemind，andtherecouldbebuttheoneending；anditwasthemildninedays’wonderofGenevieve’sneighborhoodwhensheandJoewalkedouttogether。
Bothwereblessedwithanavariceofspeech，andbecauseofittheircourtshipwasalongone。Asheexpressedhimselfinaction，sheexpressedherselfinreposeandcontrol，andbythelove-lightinhereyes——thoughthislattershewouldhavesuppressedinallmaidenmodestyhadshebeenconsciousofthespeechherheartprintedsoplainlythere。"Dear"and"darling"weretooterriblyintimateforthemtoachievequickly；and，unlikemostmatingcouples，theydidnotoverworkthelove-words。Foralongtimetheywerecontenttowalktogetherintheevenings，ortositsidebysideonabenchinthepark，neitherutteringawordforanhouratatime，merelygazingintoeachother’seyes，toofaintlyluminousinthestarshinetobeacauseforself-consciousnessandembarrassment。
Hewasaschivalrousanddelicateinhisattentionasanyknighttohislady。Whentheywalkedalongthestreet，hewascarefultobeontheoutside，——somewherehehadheardthatthiswastheproperthingtodo，——andwhenacrossingtotheoppositesideofthestreetputhimontheinside，heswiftlyside-steppedbehindhertogaintheoutsideagain。Hecarriedherparcelsforher，andonce，whenrainthreatened，herumbrella。Hehadneverheardofthecustomofsendingflowerstoone’slady-love，sohesentGenevievefruitinstead。Therewasutilityinfruit。Itwasgoodtoeat。Flowersneverenteredhismind，until，oneday，henoticedapaleroseinherhair。Itdrewhisgazeagainandagain。ItwasHERhair，thereforethepresenceoftheflowerinterestedhim。Again，itinterestedhimbecauseSHEhadchosentoputitthere。Forthesereasonshewasledtoobservetherosemoreclosely。Hediscoveredthattheeffectinitselfwasbeautiful，anditfascinatedhim。Hisingenuousdelightinitwasadelighttoher，andanewandmutuallove-thrillwastheirs——becauseofaflower。Straightwayhebecamealoverofflowers。Also，hebecameaninventoringallantry。Hesentherabunchofviolets。Theideawashisown。Hehadneverheardofamansendingflowerstoawoman。Flowerswereusedfordecorativepurposes，alsoforfunerals。HesentGenevieveflowersnearlyeveryday，andsofarashewasconcernedtheideawasoriginal，aspositiveaninventionaseveraroseinthemindofman。
Hewastremulousinhisdevotiontoher——astremulousaswassheinherreceptionofhim。Shewasallthatwaspureandgood，aholyofholiesnotlightlytobeprofanedevenbywhatmightpossiblybethetooardentreverenceofadevotee。Shewasabeingwhollydifferentfromanyhehadeverknown。Shewasnotasothergirls。Itneverenteredhisheadthatshewasofthesameclayashisownsisters，oranybody’ssister。Shewasmorethanmeregirl，thanmerewoman。
Shewas——well，shewasGenevieve，abeingofaclassbyherself，nothinglessthanamiracleofcreation。
Andforher，inturn，therewasinhimbutlittlelessofillusion。
Herjudgmentofhiminminorthingsmightbecritical（whilehisjudgmentofherwassheerworship，andhadinitnothingcriticalatall）；butinherjudgmentofhimasawholesheforgotthesumoftheparts，andknewhimonlyasacreatureofwonder，whogavemeaningtolife，andforwhomshecoulddieaswillinglyasshecouldlive。Sheoftenbeguiledherwakingdreamsofhimwithfanciedsituations，wherein，dyingforhim，sheatlastadequatelyexpressedtheloveshefeltforhim，andwhich，living，sheknewshecouldneverfullyexpress。
Theirlovewasallfireanddew。Thephysicalscarcelyenteredintoit，forsuchseemedprofanation。Theultimatephysicalfactsoftheirrelationweresomethingwhichtheyneverconsidered。Yettheimmediatephysicalfactstheyknew，theimmediateyearningsandrapturesoftheflesh——thetouchoffingertipsonhandorarm，themomentarypressureofahand-clasp，therarelip-caressofakiss，thetinglingthrillofherhairuponhischeek，ofherhandlightlythrustingbackthelocksfromabovehiseyes。Allthistheyknew，butalso，andtheyknewnotwhy，thereseemedahintofsinaboutthesecaressesandsweetbodilycontacts。
Thereweretimeswhenshefeltimpelledtothrowherarmsaroundhiminaveryabandonmentoflove，butalwayssomesanctityrestrainedher。Atsuchmomentsshewasdistinctlyandunpleasantlyawareofsomeunguessedsinthatlurkedwithinher。Itwaswrong，undoubtedlywrong，thatsheshouldwishtocaressherloverinsounbecomingafashion。Noself-respectinggirlcoulddreamofdoingsuchathing。Itwasunwomanly。Besides，ifshehaddoneit，whatwouldhehavethoughtofit？Andwhileshecontemplatedsohorribleacatastrophe，sheseemedtoshrivelandwiltinafurnaceofsecretshame。
NordidJoeescapetheprickofcuriousdesires，chiefestamongwhich，perhaps，wasthedesiretohurtGenevieve。When，afterlongandtortuousdegrees，hehadachievedtheblissofputtinghisarmroundherwaist，hefeltspasmodicimpulsestomaketheembracecrushing，tillsheshouldcryoutwiththehurt。Itwasnothisnaturetowishtohurtanylivingthing。Eveninthering，tohurtwasnevertheintentionofanyblowhestruck。InsuchcaseheplayedtheGame，andthegoaloftheGamewastodownanantagonistandkeepthatantagonistdownforaspaceoftenseconds。Soheneverstruckmerelytohurt；thehurtwasincidentaltotheend，andtheendwasquiteanothermatter。Andyethere，withthisgirlheloved，camethedesiretohurt。Why，whenwiththumbandforefingerhehadringedherwrist，heshoulddesiretocontractthatringtillitcrushed，wasbeyondhim。Hecouldnotunderstand，andfeltthathewasdiscoveringdepthsofbrutalityinhisnatureofwhichhehadneverdreamed。
Once，onparting，hethrewhisarmsaroundherandswiftlydrewheragainsthim。Hergaspingcryofsurpriseandpainbroughthimtohissensesandlefthimthereverymuchembarrassedandstilltremblingwithavagueandnamelessdelight。Andshe，too，wastrembling。Inthehurtitself，whichwastheessenceofthevigorousembrace，shehadfounddelight；andagainsheknewsin，thoughsheknewnotitsnaturenorwhyitshouldbesin。
Cametheday，veryearlyintheirwalkingout，whenSilversteinchanceduponJoeinhisstoreandstaredathimwithsaucer-eyes。
Camelikewisethescene，afterJoehaddeparted，whenthematernalfeelingsofMrs。Silversteinfoundventinadiatribeagainstallprize-fightersandagainstJoeFleminginparticular。VainlyhadSilversteinstriventostaythespouse’swrath。Therewasneedforherwrath。Allthematernalfeelingswerehersbutnoneofthematernalrights。
Genevievewasawareonlyofthediatribe；sheknewafloodofabusewaspouringfromthelipsoftheJewess，butshewastoostunnedtohearthedetailsoftheabuse。Joe，herJoe，wasJoeFlemingtheprize-fighter。Itwasabhorrent，impossible，toogrotesquetobebelievable。Herclear-eyed，girl-cheekedJoemightbeanythingbutaprize-fighter。Shehadneverseenone，butheinnowayresembledherconceptionofwhataprize-fightermustbe——thehumanbrutewithtigereyesandastreakforaforehead。OfcourseshehadheardofJoeFleming——whoinWestOaklandhadnot？——butthatthereshouldbeanythingmorethanacoincidenceofnameshadnevercrossedhermind。
ShecameoutofherdazetohearMrs。Silverstein’shystericalsneer，"keepin’companyvitabruiser。"Next，Silversteinandhiswifefelltodifferingon"noted"and"notorious"asapplicabletoherlover。
"Butheissagoodboy，"Silversteinwascontending。"Hemakedermoney，an’hesafedermoney。"
"Youtellmedat！"Mrs。Silversteinscreamed。"Vatyouknow？Youknowtoomuch。Youspendgoodmoneyonderprize-fighters。Howyouknow？Tellmedat！Howyouknow？"
"IknowvatIknow，"Silversteinheldonsturdily——athingGenevievehadneverbeforeseenhimdowhenhiswifewasinhertantrums。
"Hisfaderdie，hegotoworkinHansen’ssail-loft。Hehafsixbruddersan’sistersyoungerasheiss。Heissderliddlefader。
Hevorkhard，alldertime。Hebuyderpreadan’dermeat，an’payderrent。OnSaturdaynighthebringhometendollar。DenHansengifhimtwelvedollar——vathedo？Heissderliddlefader，hebringithometodermudder。Hevorkalldertime，hegettwentydollar——
vathedo？Hebringithome。Derliddlebruddersan’sistersgotoschool，veargoodclothes，hafbetterpreadan’meat；dermudderliffat，dereissjoyindereye，an’sheissproudofhergoodboyJoe。
"Buthehafderbeautifulbody——ach，Gott，derbeautifulbody！——
strongerasderox，k-vickerasdertiger-cat，derheadcoolerasderice-box，dereyesvatseeeferytings，k-vick，justlikedat。HeputonderglovesvitderboysatHansen’sloft，heputonderglovesvitdeboysatdervarehouse。Hegobeforederclub；heknockoutderSpider，k-vick，onepunch，justlikedat，derfirsttime。Derpurseissfivedollar——vathedo？Hebringithometodermudder。
"Hegomanytimesbeforederclubs；hegetmanypurses——tendollar，fiftydollar，onehundreddollar。Vathedo？Tellmedat！QuitderjobatHansen’s？Hafdergoodtimevitderboys？No，no；heissdergoodboy。Hevorkeferyday。Hefightatnightbeforederclubs。Hesay，’VatforIpayderrent，Silverstein？’——tome，Silverstein，hesaydat。NefermindvatIsay，buthebuydergoodhousefordermudder。AlldertimehevorkatHansen’sandfightbeforederclubstopayforderhouse。Hebuyderpianofordersisters，dercarpets，derpicturesondervall。An’heissalldertimestraight。Hebetonhimself——datissdergoodsign。Vendermanbetsonhimselfdatisdertimeyoubettoo——"
HereMrs。Silversteingroanedherhorrorofgambling，andherhusband，awarethathiseloquencehadbetrayedhim，collapsedintovolubleassurancesthathewasaheadofthegame。"An’allbecauseofJoeFleming，"heconcluded。"Ibackhimeferytimetovin。"
ButGenevieveandJoewerepreeminentlymated，andnothing，noteventhisterriblediscovery，couldkeepthemapart。InvainGenevievetriedtosteelherselfagainsthim；butshefoughtherself，nothim。
Tohersurpriseshediscoveredathousandexcusesforhim，foundhimlovableasever；andsheenteredintohislifetobehisdestiny，andtocontrolhimafterthewayofwomen。Shesawhisfutureandhersthroughglowingvistasofreform，andherfirstgreatdeedwaswhenshewrungfromhimhispromisetoceasefighting。
Andhe，afterthewayofmen，pursuingthedreamofloveandstrivingforpossessionofthepreciousanddeathlessobjectofdesire，hadyielded。Andyet，intheverymomentofpromisingher，heknewvaguely，deepdown，thathecouldneverabandontheGame；
thatsomewhere，sometime，inthefuture，hemustgobacktoit。Andhehadhadaswiftvisionofhismotherandbrothersandsisters，theirmultitudinouswants，thehousewithitspaintingandrepairing，itsstreetassessmentsandtaxes，andofthecomingofchildrentohimandGenevieve，andofhisowndailywageinthesail-makingloft。Butthenextmomentthevisionwasdismissed，assuchwarningsarealwaysdismissed，andhesawbeforehimonlyGenevieve，andheknewonlyhishungerforherandthecallofhisbeingtoher；andheacceptedcalmlyhercalmassumptionofhislifeandactions。
Hewastwenty，shewaseighteen，boyandgirl，thepairofthem，andmadeforprogeny，healthyandnormal，withsteadybloodpoundingthroughtheirbodies；andwherevertheywenttogether，evenonSundayoutingsacrossthebayamongstpeoplewhodidnotknowhim，eyeswerecontinuallydrawntothem。Hematchedhergirl’sbeautywithhisboy’sbeauty，hergracewithhisstrength，herdelicacyoflineandfibrewiththeharshervigorandmuscleofthemale。
Frank-faced，fresh-colored，almostingenuousinexpression，eyesblueandwideapart，hedrewandheldthegazeofmorethanonewomanfarabovehiminthesocialscale。Ofsuchglancesanddimmaternalpromptingshewasquiteunconscious，thoughGenevievewasquicktoseeandunderstand；andshekneweachtimethepangofafiercejoyinthathewashersandthatsheheldhiminthehollowofherhand。Hedidsee，however，andratherresented，themen’sglancesdrawnbyher。These，too，shesawandunderstoodashedidnotdreamofunderstanding。
CHAPTERIII
GenevieveslippedonapairofJoe’sshoes，light-soledanddapper，andlaughedwithLottie，whostoopedtoturnupthetrousersforher。Lottiewashissister，andinthesecret。Toherwasduetheinveiglingofhismotherintomakinganeighborhoodcallsothattheycouldhavethehousetothemselves。TheywentdownintothekitchenwhereJoewaswaiting。Hisfacebrightenedashecametomeether，loveshiningfranklyforth。
"Nowgetupthoseskirts，Lottie，"hecommanded。"Haven’tanytimetowaste。There，that’lldo。Yousee，youonlywantthebottomsofthepantstoshow。Thecoatwillcovertherest。Nowlet’sseehowit’llfit。
"BorroweditfromChris；he’sadeadsportysport——little，butoh，my！"hewenton，helpingGenevieveintoanovercoatwhichfelltoherheelsandwhichfittedherasatailor-madeover-coatshouldfitthemanforwhomitismade。
Joeputacaponherheadandturnedupthecollar，whichwasgeneroustoexaggeration，meetingthecapandcompletelyhidingherhair。Whenhebuttonedthecollarinfront，itspointsservedtocoverthecheeks，chinandmouthwereburiedinitsdepths，andaclosescrutinyrevealedonlyshadowyeyesandalittlelessshadowynose。Shewalkedacrosstheroom，thebottomofthetrousersjustshowingasthebangofthecoatwasdisturbedbymovement。
"Asportwithacoldandafraidofcatchingmore，allrightallright，"theboylaughed，proudlysurveyinghishandiwork。"Howmuchmoneyyougot？I’mlayin’tentosix。Willyoutaketheshortend？"
"Who’sshort？"sheasked。
"Ponta，ofcourse，"Lottieblurtedoutherhurt，asthoughtherecouldbeanyquestionofitevenforaninstant。
"Ofcourse，"Genevievesaidsweetly，"onlyIdon’tknowmuchaboutsuchthings。"
ThistimeLottiekeptherlipstogether，butthenewhurtshowedonherface。Joelookedathiswatchandsaiditwastimetogo。Hissister’sarmswentabouthisneck，andshekissedhimsoundlyonthelips。ShekissedGenevieve，too，andsawthemtothegate，onearmofherbrotheraboutherwaist。
"Whatdoestentosixmean？"Genevieveasked，thewhiletheirfootfallsrangoutonthefrostyair。
"ThatI’mthelongend，thefavorite，"heanswered。"ThatamanbetstendollarsattheringsidethatIwinagainstsixdollarsanothermanisbettingthatIlose。"
"Butifyou’rethefavoriteandeverybodythinksyou’llwin，howdoesanybodybetagainstyou？"
"That’swhatmakesprize-fighting——differenceofopinion，"helaughed。"Besides，there’salwaysthechanceofaluckypunch，anaccident。Lotsofchance，"hesaidgravely。
Sheshrankagainsthim，clinginglyandprotectingly，andhelaughedwithsurety。
"Youwait，andyou’llsee。An’don’tgetscaredatthestart。Thefirstfewrounds’llbesomethingfierce。That’sPonta’sstrongpoint。He’sawildman，withankindsofpunches，——awhirlwind，——
andhegetshismaninthefirstrounds。He’sputawayawholelotofclevererandbettermenthanhim。It’suptometolivethroughit，that’sall。Thenhe’llbeallin。ThenIgoafterhim，justwatch。You’llknowwhenIgoafterhim，an’I’llget’m，too。"
Theycametothehall，onadarkstreet-corner，ostensiblythequartersofanathleticclub，butinrealityaninstitutiondesignedforpullingofffightsandkeepingwithinthepoliceordinance。Joedrewawayfromher，andtheywalkedaparttotheentrance。
"Keepyourhandsinyourpocketswhateveryoudo，"Joewarnedher，"andit’llbeallright。Onlyacoupleofminutesofit。"
"He’swithme，"Joesaidtothedoor-keeper，whowastalkingwithapoliceman。
Bothmengreetedhimfamiliarly，takingnonoticeofhiscompanion。
"Theynevertumbled；nobody’lltumble，"Joeassuredher，astheyclimbedthestairstothesecondstory。"Andeveniftheydid，theywouldn’tknowwhoitwasandthey’skeepitmumforme。Here，comeinhere！"
Hewhiskedherintoalittleoffice-likeroomandleftherseatedonadusty，broken-bottomedchair。Afewminuteslaterhewasbackagain，cladinalongbathrobe，canvasshoesonhisfeet。Shebegantotrembleagainsthim，andhisarmpassedgentlyaroundher。
"It’llbeallright，Genevieve，"hesaidencouragingly。"I’vegotitallfixed。Nobody’lltumble。"
"It’syou，Joe，"shesaid。"Idon’tcareformyself。It’syou。"
"Don’tcareforyourself！Butthat’swhatIthoughtyouwereafraidof！"
Helookedatherinamazement，thewonderofwomanburstinguponhiminamoretranscendentglorythanever，andhehadseenmuchofthewonderofwomaninGenevieve。Hewasspeechlessforamoment，andthenstammered：-
"Youmeanme？Andyoudon’tcarewhatpeoplethink？oranything？——
oranything？"
Asharpdoubleknockatthedoor，andasharper"Getamoveonyerself，Joe！"broughthimbacktoimmediatethings。
"Quick，onelastkiss，Genevieve，"hewhispered，almostholily。
"It’smylastfight，an’I’llfightasneverbeforewithyoulookin’
atme。"
Thenextsheknew，thepressureofhislipsyetwarmonhers，shewasinagroupofjostlingyoungfellows，noneofwhomseemedtotaketheslightestnoticeofher。Severalhadtheircoatsoffandtheirshirtsleevesrolledup。Theyenteredthehallfromtherear，stillkeepingthecasualformationofthegroup，andmovedslowlyupasideaisle。
Itwasacrowded，ill-lightedhall，barn-likeinitsproportions，andthesmoke-ladenairgaveapeculiardistortiontoeverything。
Shefeltasthoughshewouldstifle。Therewereshrillcriesofboyssellingprogrammesandsodawater，andtherewasagreatbassrumbleofmasculinevoices。SheheardavoiceofferingtentosixonJoeFleming。Theutterancewasmonotonous——hopeless，itseemedtoher，andshefeltaquickthrill。ItwasherJoeagainstwhomeverybodywastobet。
Andshefeltotherthrills。Herbloodwastouched，asbyfire，withromance，adventure——theunknown，themysterious，theterrible——asshepenetratedthishauntofmenwherewomencamenot。Andtherewereotherthrills。Itwastheonlytimeinherlifeshehaddaredtherashthing。Forthefirsttimeshewasoversteppingtheboundslaiddownbythatharshestoftyrants，theMrs。Grundyoftheworkingclass。Shefeltfear，andforherself，thoughthemomentbeforeshehadbeenthinkingonlyofJoe。
Beforesheknewit，thefrontofthehallhadbeenreached，andshehadgoneuphalfadozenstepsintoasmalldressing-room。Thiswascrowdedtosuffocation——bymenwhoplayedtheGame，sheconcluded，inonecapacityoranother。AndhereshelostJoe。Butbeforetherealpersonalfrightcouldsoundlyclutchher，oneoftheyoungfellowssaidgruffly，"Comealongwithme，you，"andasshewedgedoutathisheelsshenoticedthatanotheroneoftheescortwasfollowingher。
Theycameuponasortofstage，whichaccommodatedthreerowsofmen；andshecaughtherfirstglimpseofthesquaredring。Shewasonalevelwithit，andsonearthatshecouldhavereachedoutandtoucheditsropes。Shenoticedthatitwascoveredwithpaddedcanvas。Beyondthering，andoneitherside，asinafog，shecouldseethecrowdedhouse。
Thedressing-roomshehadleftabuttedupononecornerofthering。
Squeezingherwayafterherguidethroughtheseatedmen，shecrossedtheendofthehallandenteredasimilardressing-roomattheothercornerofthering。
"Nowdon’tmakeanoise，andstayheretillIcomeforyou，"
instructedherguide，pointingoutapeep-holearrangementinthewalloftheroom。
CHAPTERIV
Shehurriedtothepeep-hole，andfoundherselfagainstthering。
Shecouldseethewholeofit，thoughpartoftheaudiencewasshutoff。Theringwaswelllightedbyanoverheadclusterofpatentgas-burners。Thefrontrowofthemenshehadsqueezedpast，becauseoftheirpaperandpencils，shedecidedtobereportersfromthelocalpapersup-town。Oneofthemwaschewinggum。Behindthem，ontheothertworowsofseats，shecouldmakeoutfiremenfromthenear-byengine-houseandseveralpolicemeninuniform。Inthemiddleofthefrontrow，flankedbythereporters，sattheyoungchiefofpolice。ShewasstartledbycatchingsightofMr。Clausenontheoppositesideofthering。Therehesat，austere，side-
whiskered，pinkandwhite，closeupagainstthefrontofthering。
Severalseatsfartheron，inthesamefrontrow，shediscoveredSilverstein，hisweazenfeaturesglowingwithanticipation。
Afewcheersheraldedtheadventofseveralyoungfellows，inshirt-
sleeves，carryingbuckets，bottles，andtowels，whocrawledthroughtheropesandcrossedtothediagonalcornerfromher。Oneofthemsatdownonastoolandleanedbackagainsttheropes。Shesawthathewasbare-legged，withcanvasshoesonhisfeet，andthathisbodywasswathedinaheavywhitesweater。Inthemeantimeanothergrouphadoccupiedthecornerdirectlyagainsther。Loudercheersdrewherattentiontoit，andshesawJoeseatedonastoolstillcladinthebathrobe，hisshortchestnutcurlswithinayardofhereyes。