Therewasanangrygleaminthehunter’seye，butheturnedonhisheelandenteredthesteeragecompanionway，whereheremained，lookingupward。
　　Allhandswereondecknow，andalleyeswerealoft，whereahumanlifewasatgrappleswithdeath。Thecallousnessofthesemen，towhomindustrialorganizationgavecontrolofthelivesofothermen，wasappalling。I，whohadlivedoutofthewhirloftheworld，hadneverdreamedthatitsworkwascarriedoninsuchfashion。Lifehadalwaysseemedapeculiarlysacredthing，buthereitcountedfornothing，wasacipherinthearithmeticofcommerce。Imustsay，however，thatthesailorsthemselvesweresympathetic，asinstancethecaseofJohnson；butthemasters，（thehuntersandthecaptain），wereheartlesslyindifferent。EventheprotestofStandisharoseoutofthefactthathedidnotwishtolosehisboat—puller。Haditbeensomeotherhunter’sboat—puller，he，likethem，wouldhavebeennomorethanamused。
　　ButtoreturntoHarrison。IttookJohansen，insultingandrevilingthepoorwretch，fullytenminutestogethimstartedagain。Alittlelaterhemadetheendofthegaff，where，astridethesparitself，hehadabetterchanceforholdingon。Heclearedthesheet，andwasfreetoreturn，slightlydown—hillnow，alongthehalyardstothemast。Buthehadlosthisnerve。
　　Unsafeaswashispresentposition，hewasloathtoforsakeitforthemoreunsafepositiononthehalyards。
　　Helookedalongtheairypathhemusttraverse，andthendowntothedeck。Hiseyeswerewideandstaring，andhewastremblingviolently。I
　　hadneverseenfearsostronglystampeduponahumanface。Johansencalledvainlyforhimtocomedown。Atanymomenthewasliabletobesnappedoffthegaff，buthewashelplesswithfright。WolfLarsen，walkingupanddownwithSmokeandinconversation，tooknomorenoticeofhim，thoughhecriedsharply，once，tothemanatthewheel：——
　　"You’reoffyourcourse，myman！Becareful，unlessyou’relookingfortrouble！"
　　"Ay，ay，sir，"thehelmsmanresponded，puttingacoupleofspokesdown。
　　HehadbeenguiltyofrunningtheGhostseveralpointsoffhercourseinorderthatwhatlittlewindtherewasshouldfilltheforesailandholditsteady。HehadstriventohelptheunfortunateHarrisonattheriskofincurringWolfLarsen’sanger。
　　Thetimewentby，andthesuspense，tome，wasterrible。ThomasMugridge，ontheotherhand，considereditalaughableaffair，andwascontinuallybobbinghisheadoutthegalleydoortomakejocoseremarks。HowIhatedhim！Andhowmyhatredforhimgrewandgrew，duringthatfearfultime，tocyclopeandimensions。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIexperiencedthedesiretomurder——"sawred，"assomeofourpicturesquewritersphraseit。Lifeingeneralmightstillbesacred，butlifeintheparticularcaseofThomasMugridgehadbecomeveryprofaneindeed。IwasfrightenedwhenIbecameconsciousthatwasseeingred，andthethoughtflashedthroughmymind：wasI，too，becomingtaintedbythebrutalityofmyenvironment？
　　——I，whoeveninthemostflagrantcrimeshaddeniedthejusticeandrighteousnessofcapitalpunishment？
　　Fullyhalfanhourwentby，andthenIsawJohnsonandLouisinsomesortofaltercation。ItendedwithJohnsonflingingoffLouis’sdetainingarmandstartingforward。Hecrossedthedeck，sprangintotheforerigging，andbegantoclimb。ButthequickeyeofWolfLarsencaughthim。
　　"Here，you，whatareyouupto？"hecried。
　　Johnson’sascentwasarrested。Helookedhiscaptainintheeyesandrepliedslowly：——
　　"Iamgoingtogetthatboydown。"
　　"You’llgetdownoutofthatrigging，anddamnlivelyaboutit！D’yehear？Getdown！"
　　Johnsonhesitated，butthelongyearsofobediencetothemastersofshipsoverpoweredhim，andhedroppedsullenlytothedeckandwentonforward。
　　AthalfafterfiveIwentbelowtosetthecabintable，buthardlyknewwhatIdid，formyeyesandbrainwerefilledwiththevisionofaman，white—facedandtrembling，comicallylikeabug，clingingtothethrashinggaff。Atsixo’clock，whenIservedsupper，goingondecktogetthefoodfromthegalley，IsawHarrison，stillinthesameposition。Theconversationatthetablewasofotherthings。Nobodyseemedinterestedinthewantonlyimperilledlife。Butmakinganextratriptothegalleyalittlelater，IwasgladdenedbythesightofHarrisonstaggeringweaklyfromtheriggingtotheforecastlescuttle。Hehadfinallysummonedthecouragetodescend。
　　Beforeclosingthisincident，ImustgiveascrapofconversationI
　　hadwithWolfLarseninthecabin，whileIwaswashingthedishes。
　　"Youwerelookingsqueamishthisafternoon，"hebegan。"Whatwasthematter？"
　　IcouldseethatheknewwhathadmademepossiblyassickasHarrison，thathewastryingtodrawme，andIanswered，"Itwasbecauseofthebrutaltreatmentofthatboy。"
　　Hegaveashortlaugh。"Likeseasickness，Isuppose。Somemenaresubjecttoit，andothersarenot。"
　　"Notso，"Iobjected。
　　"Justso，"hewenton。"Theearthisasfullofbrutalityastheseaisfullofmotion。Andsomemenaremadesickbytheone，andsomebytheother。That’stheonlyreason。"
　　"Butyou，whomakeamockofhumanlife，don’tyouplaceanyvalueuponitwhatever？"Idemanded。
　　"Value？Whatvalue？"Helookedatme，andthoughhiseyesweresteadyandmotionless，thereseemedacynicalsmileinthem。"Whatkindofvalue？
　　Howdoyoumeasureit？Whovaluesit？"
　　"Ido，"Imadeanswer。
　　"Thenwhatisitworthtoyou？Anotherman’slife，Imean。Come，now，whatisitworth？"
　　Thevalueoflife？HowcouldIputatangiblevalueuponit？Somehow，I，whohavealwayshadexpression，lackedexpressionwhenwithWolfLarsen。
　　Ihavesincedeterminedthatapartofitwasduetotheman’spersonality，butthatthegreaterpartwasduetohistotallydifferentoutlook。UnlikeothermaterialistsIhadmetandwithwhomhadsomethingincommontostarton，Ihadnothingincommonwithhim。Perhaps，also，itwastheelementalsimplicityofhismindthatbaffledme。Hedrovesodirectlytothecoreofthematter，divestingaquestionalwaysofallsuperfluousdetails，andwithsuchanairoffinality，thatIseemedtofindmyselfstrugglingindeepwaterwithnofootingunderme。Valueoflife？HowcouldIanswerthequestiononthespurofthemoment？ThesacrednessoflifeIhadacceptedasaxiomatic。ThatitwasintrinsicallyvaluablewasatruismIhadneverquestioned。ButwhenhechallengedthetruismIwasspeechless。
　　"Weweretalkingaboutthisyesterday，"hesaid。"Iheldthatlifewasaferment，ayeastysomethingwhichdevouredlifethatitmightlive，andthatlivingwasmerelysuccessfulpiggishness。Why，ifthereisanythinginsupplyanddemand，lifeisthecheapestthingintheworld。Thereisonlysomuchwater，somuchearth，somuchair；butthelifethatisdemandingtobebornislimitless。Natureisaspendthrift。Lookatthefishandtheirmillionsofeggs。Forthatmatter，lookatyouandme。Inourloinsarethepossibilitiesofmillionsoflives。Couldwebutfindtimeandopportunityandutilizethelastbitandeverybitoftheunbornlifethatisinus，wecouldbecomethefathersofnationsandpopulatecontinents。
　　Life？Bah！Ithasnovalue。Ofcheapthingsitisthecheapest。Everywhereitgoesbegging。Naturespillsitoutwithalavishhand。Wherethereisroomforonelife，shesowsathousandlives，andit’slifeeatslifetillthestrongestandmostpiggishlifeisleft。"
　　"YouhavereadDarwin，"Isaid。"Butyoureadhimmisunderstandinglywhenyouconcludethatthestruggleforexistencesanctionsyourwantondestructionoflife。"
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。"Youknowyouonlymeanthatinrelationtohumanlife，forofthefleshandthefowlandthefishyoudestroyasmuchasIoranyotherman。Andhumanlifeisinnowisedifferent，thoughyoufeelitisandthinkthatyoureasonwhyitis。WhyshouldIbeparsimoniouswiththislifewhichischeapandwithoutvalue？Therearemoresailorsthanthereareshipsontheseaforthem，moreworkersthantherearefactoriesormachinesforthem。Why，youwholiveonthelandknowthatyouhouseyourpoorpeopleintheslumsofcitiesandloosefamineandpestilenceuponthem，andthattherestillremainmorepoorpeople，dyingforwantofacrustofbreadandabitofmeat，（whichislifedestroyed），thanyouknowwhattodowith。HaveyoueverseentheLondondockersfightinglikewildbeastsforachancetowork？"
　　Hestartedforthecompanionstairs，butturnedhisheadforafinalword。"Doyouknowtheonlyvaluelifehasiswhatlifeputsuponitself？
　　Anditisofcourseoverestimated，sinceitisofnecessityprejudicedinitsownfavor。TakethatmanIhadaloft。Heheldonasifhewereapreciousthing，atreasurebeyonddiamondsorrubies。Toyou？No。Tome？
　　Notatall。Tohimself？Yes。ButIdonotaccepthisestimate。Hesadlyoverrateshimself。Thereisplentymorelifedemandingtobeborn。Hadhefallenanddrippedhisbrainsuponthedecklikehoneyfromthecomb，therewouldhavebeennolosstotheworld。Hewasworthnothingtotheworld。Thesupplyistoolarge。Tohimselfonlywasheofvalue，andtoshowhowfictitiouseventhisvaluewas，beingdeadheisunconsciousthathehaslosthimself。Healoneratedhimselfbeyonddiamondsandrubies。
　　Diamondsandrubiesaregone，spreadoutonthedecktobewashedawaybyabucketofsea—water，andhedoesnotevenknowthatthediamondsandrubiesaregone。Hedoesnotloseanything，forwiththelossofhimselfhelosestheknowledgeofloss。Don’tyousee？Andwhathaveyoutosay？"
　　"Thatyouareatleastconsistent，"wasallIcouldsay，andwentonwashingthedishes。TheSeaWolf：Chapter7CHAPTER7
　　Atlast，afterthreedaysofvariablewinds，wehavecaughtthenortheasttrades。Icameondeck，afteragoodnight’srestinspiteofmypoorknee，tofindtheGhostfoamingalong，wing—and—wing，andeverysaildrawingexceptthejibs，withafreshbreezeastern。Oh，thewonderofthegreattrade—wind！Alldaywesailed，andallnight，andthenextday，andthenext，dayafterday，thewindalwaysasternandblowingsteadilyandstrong。
　　Theschoonersailedherself。Therewasnopullingandhaulingonsheetsandtackles，noshiftingoftopsails，noworkatallforthesailorstodoexcepttosteer。Atnightwhenthesunwentdown，thesheetswereslackened；
　　inthemorning，whentheyyieldedupthedampofthedewandrelaxed，theywerepulledtightagain——andthatwasall。
　　Tenknots，twelveknots，elevenknots，varyingfromtimetotime，isthespeedwearemaking。Andeveroutofthenortheastthebravewindblows，drivingusonourcoursetwohundredandfiftymilesbetweenthedawns。
　　Itsaddensmeandgladdensme，thegaitwithwhichweareleavingSanFranciscobehindandwithwhichwearefoamingdownuponthetropics。Eachdaygrowsperceptiblywarmer。Intheseconddog—watchthesailorscomeondeck，stripped，andheavebucketsofwaterupononeanotherfromoverside。Flying—fisharebeginningtobeseen，andduringthenightthewatchabovescramblesoverthedeckinpursuitofthosethatfallaboard。Inthemorning，ThomasMugridgebeingdulybribed，thegalleyispleasantlyareekwiththeodoroftheirfrying；whiledolphinmeatisservedforeandaftonsuchoccasionsasJohnsoncatchestheblazingbeautiesfromthebowspritend。
　　Johnsonseemstospendallhissparetimethereoraloftatthecrosstrees，watchingtheGhostcleavingthewaterunderpressofsail。Thereispassion，adoration，inhiseyes，andhegoesaboutinasortoftrance，gazinginecstasyattheswellingsails，thefoamingwake，andtheheaveandtherunofherovertheliquidmountainsthataremovingwithusinstatelyprocession。
　　Thedaysandnightsare"allawonderandawilddelight，"andthoughIhavelittletimefrommydrearywork，IstealoddmomentstogazeandgazeattheunendinggloryofwhatIneverdreamedtheworldpossessed。
　　Above，theskyisstainlessblue——blueastheseaitself，whichundertheforefootisofthecolorandsheenofazuresatin。Allaroundthehorizonarepale，fleecyclouds，neverchanging，nevermoving，likeasilversettingfortheflawlessturquoisesky。
　　Idonotforgetonenight，whenIshouldhavebeenasleep，oflyingontheforecastle—headandgazingdownatthespectralrippleoffoamthrustasidebytheGhost’sforefoot。Itsoundedlikethegurglingofabrookovermossystonesinsomequietdell，andthecrooningsongofitluredmeawayandoutofmyselftillIwasnolongerHumpthecabin—boy，norVanWeyden，themanwhohaddreamedawaythirty—fiveyearsamongbooks。
　　Butavoicebehindme，theunmistakablevoiceofWolfLarsen，strongwiththeinvinciblecertitudeofthemanandmellowwithappreciationofthewordshewasquoting，arousedme。"`Otheblazingtropicnight，whenthewake’saweltoflightThatholdsthehotskytame，Andthesteadyforefootsnoresthroughtheplanet—powderedfloorsWherethescaredwhaleflukesinflame。Herplatesarescarredbythesun，dearlass，Andherropesaretautwiththedew，Forwe’reboomingdownontheoldtrail，ourowntrail，theouttrail，We’resaggingsouthontheLongTrail——thetrailthatisalwaysnew。’"
　　"Eh，Hump？How’sitstrikeyou？"heasked，aftertheduepausewhichwordsandsettingdemanded。
　　Ilookedintohisface。Itwasaglowwithlight，astheseaitself，andtheeyeswereflashinginthestarshine。
　　"Itstrikesmeasremarkable，tosaytheleast，thatyoushouldshowenthusiasm，"Iansweredcoldly。
　　"Why，man，it’sliving！it’slife！"hecried。
　　"Whichisacheapthingandwithoutvalue，"Iflunghiswordsathim。
　　Helaughed，anditwasthefirsttimeIhadheardhonestmirthinhisvoice。
　　"Ah，Icannotgetyoutounderstand，cannotdriveitintoyourhead，whatathingthislifeis。Ofcourselifeisvalueless，excepttoitself。
　　AndIcantellyouthatmylifeisprettyvaluablejustnow——tomyself。
　　Itisbeyondprice，whichyouwillacknowledgeisaterrificoverrating，butwhichIcannothelp，foritisthelifethatisinmethatmakestherating。"
　　Heappearedwaitingforthewordswithwhichtoexpressthethoughtthatwasinhim，andfinallywenton。
　　"Doyouknow，Iamfilledwithastrangeuplift；Ifeelasifalltimewereechoingthroughme，asthoughallpowersweremine。knowtruth，divinegoodfromevil，rightfromwrong。Myvisionisclearandfar。IcouldalmostbelieveinGod。But，"——andhisvoicechangedandthelightwentoutofhisface，——"whatisthisconditioninwhichIfindmyself？thisjoyofliving？thisexultationoflife？thisinspiration，Imaywellcallit？
　　Itiswhatcomeswhenthereisnothingwrongwithone’sdigestion，whenhisstomachisintrimandhisappetitehasanedge，andallgoeswell。
　　Itisthebribeforliving，thechampagneoftheblood，theeffervescenceoftheferment——thatmakessomementhinkholythoughts，andothermentoseeGodortocreatehimwhentheycannotseehim。Thatisall，thedrunkennessoflife，thestirringandcrawlingoftheyeast，thebabblingofthelifethatisinsanewithconsciousnessthatitisalive。And——
　　bah！To—morrowIshallpayforitasthedrunkardpays。AndIshallknowthatmustdie，atseamostlikely，ceasecrawlingofmyselftobeallacrawlwiththecorruptionofthesea；tobefedupon，tobecarrion，toyieldupallthestrengthandmovementofmymusclesthatitmaybecomestrengthandmovementinfinandscaleandthegutsoffishes。Bah！Andbah！again。
　　Thechampagneisalreadyflat。Thesparkleandbubblehasgoneoutanditisatastelessdrink。"
　　Heleftmeassuddenlyashehadcome，springingtothedeckwiththeweightandsoftnessofatiger。TheGhostploughedonherway。I
　　notedthegurglingforefootwasverylikeasnore，andasIlistenedtoittheeffectofWolfLarsen’sswiftrushfromsublimeexultationtodespairslowlyleftme。Thensomedeep—watersailor，fromthewaistoftheship，liftedarichtenorvoiceinthe"SongoftheTradeWind：""Oh，Iamthewindtheseamenlove——Iamsteady，andstrong，andtrue；Theyfollowmytrackbythecloudsabove，O’erthefathomlesstropicblue。******ThroughdaylightanddarkIfollowthebark，Ikeeplikeahoundonhertrail；I’mstrongestatnoon，yetunderthemoon，Istiffenthebuntofhersail。"TheSeaWolf：Chapter8CHAPTER8
　　SometimesIthinkWolfLarsenmad，orhalf—madatleast，whatofhisstrangemoodsandvagaries。AtothertimesItakehimforagreatman，ageniuswhohasneverarrived。And，finally，Iamconvincedthatheistheperfecttypeoftheprimitiveman，bornathousandyearsorgenerationstoolateandananachronisminthisculminatingcenturyofcivilization。
　　Heiscertainlyanindividualistofthemostpronouncedtype。Notonlythat，butheisverylonely。Thereisnocongenialitybetweenhimandtherestofthemenaboardship。Histremendousvirilityandmentalstrengthwallhimapart。Theyaremorelikechildrentohim，eventhehunters，andaschildrenhetreatsthem，descendingperforcetotheirlevelandplayingwiththemasamanplayswithpuppies。Orelseheprobesthemwiththecruelhandofavivisectionist，gropingaboutintheirmentalprocessesandexaminingtheirsoulsasthoughtoseeofwhatsoul—stuffismade。
　　Ihaveseenhimascoreoftimes，attable，insultingthishunterorthat，withcoolandleveleyesand，withal，acertainairofinterest，ponderingtheiractionsorrepliesorpettyrageswithacuriosityalmostlaughabletomewhostoodonlookerandwhounderstood。Concerninghisownrages，Iamconvincedthattheyarenotreal，thattheyaresometimesexperiments，butthatinthemaintheyarethehabitsofaposeorattitudehehasseenfittotaketowardhisfellowmen。know，withthepossibleexceptionoftheincidentofthedeadmate，thatIhavenotseenhimreallyangry；nordoIwishevertoseehiminagenuinerage，whenalltheforceofhimiscalledintoplay。
　　Whileonthequestionofvagaries，IshalltellwhatbefellThomasMugridgeinthecabin，andatthesametimecompleteanincidentuponwhichIhavealreadytouchedonceortwice。Thetwelveo’clockdinnerwasover，oneday，andIhadjustfinishedputtingthecabininorder，whenWolfLarsenandThomasMugridgedescendedthecompanionstairs。Thoughthecookhadacubby—holeofastateroomopeningofffromthecabin，inthecabinitselfhehadneverdaredtolingerortobeseen，andheflittedtoandfro，onceortwiceaday，likeatimidspectre。
　　"Soyouknowhowtoplay`Nap，’"WolfLarsenwassayinginapleasedsortofvoice。"ImighthaveguessedanEnglishmanwouldknow。IlearneditmyselfinEnglishships。"
　　ThomasMugridgewasbesidehimself，ablitheringimbecile，sopleasedwasheatchummingthuswiththecaptain。Thelittleairsheputonandthepainfulstrivingtoassumetheeasycarriageofamanborntoadignifiedplaceinlifewouldhavebeensickeninghadtheynotbeenludicrous。Hequiteignoredmypresence，thoughIcreditedhimwithbeingsimplyunabletoseeme。Hispale，wishy—washyeyeswereswimminglikelazysummerseas，thoughwhatblissfulvisionstheybeheldwerebeyondmyimagination。
　　"Getthecards，Hump，"WolfLarsenordered，astheytookseatsatthetable。"Andbringoutthecigarsandthewhiskeyyou’llfindinmyberth。"
　　IreturnedwiththearticlesintimetoheartheCockneyhintingbroadlythattherewasamysteryabouthim，thathemightbeagentleman’ssongonewrongorsomethingorother；also，thathewasaremittancemanandwaspaidtokeepawayfromEngland——"p’yed’ansomely，sir，"wasthewayheputit；"p’yed’ansomelytoslingmy’ookan’keepslingin’it。"
　　Ihadbroughtthecustomaryliquorglasses，butWolfLarsenfrowned，shookhishead，andsignalledwithhishandsformetobringthetumblers。
　　Thesehefilledtwo—thirdsfullwithundilutedwhiskey——"agentleman’sdrink，"quothThomasMugridge，——andtheyclinkedtheirglassestothegloriousgameof"Nap，"lightedcigars，andfelltoshufflinganddealingthecards。
　　Theyplayedformoney。Theyincreasedtheamountsofthebets。Theydrankwhiskey，theydrankitneat，andIfetchedmore。IdonotknowwhetherWolfLarsencheatedornot，——athinghewasthoroughlycapableofdoing，——buthewonsteadily。Thecookmaderepeatedjourneystohisbunkformoney。Eachtimeheperformedthejourneywithgreaterswagger，butheneverbroughtmorethanafewdollarsatatime。Hegrewmaudlin，familiar，couldhardlyseethecardsorsitupright。Asapreliminarytoanotherjourneytohisbunk，hehookedWolfLarsen’sbuttonholewithagreasyforefingerandvacuouslyproclaimedandreiterated，"Igotmoney。Igotmoney，Itellyer，an’I’magentleman’sson。"
　　WolfLarsenwasunaffectedbythedrink，yethedrankglassforglass，andifanythinghisglasseswerefuller。Therewasnochangeinhim。Hedidnotappearevenamusedattheother’santics。
　　Intheend，withloudprotestationsthathecouldloselikeagentleman，thecook’slastmoneywasstakedonthegameandlost。Whereuponheleanedhisheadonhishandsandwept。WolfLarsenlookedcuriouslyathim，asthoughabouttoprobeandvivisecthim，thenchangedhismind，asfromtheforegoneconclusionthattherewasnothingtheretoprobe。
　　"Hump，"hesaidtome，elaboratelypolite，"kindlytakeMr。Mugridge’sarmandhelphimupondeck。Heisnotfeelingverywell。"
　　"AndtellJohnsontodousehimwithafewbucketsofsaltwater，"headded，inalowertoneformyearalone。
　　IleftMr。Mugridgeondeck，inthehandsofacoupleofgrinningsailorswhohadbeentoldoffforthepurpose。Mr。Mugridgewassleepilysplutteringthathewasagentleman’sson。ButasdescendedthecompanionstairstoclearthetableIheardhimshriekasthefirstbucketofwaterstruckhim。
　　WolfLarsenwascountinghiswinnings。
　　"Onehundredandeighty—fivedollarseven，"hesaidaloud。"JustasIthought。Thebeggarcameaboardwithoutacent。"
　　"Andwhatyouhavewonismine，sir，"Isaidboldly。
　　Hefavoredmewithaquizzicalsmile。"Hump，Ihavestudiedsomegrammarinmytime，andIthinkyourtensesaretangled。`Wasmine，’youshouldhavesaid，not`ismine。’"
　　"Itisaquestion，notofgrammar，butofethics，"Ianswered。
　　Itwaspossiblyaminutebeforehespoke。
　　"D’yeknow，Hump，"hesaid，withaslowseriousnesswhichhadinitanindefinablestrainofsadness，"thatthisisthefirsttimehaveheardtheword`ethics’inthemouthofaman。YouandIaretheonlymenonthisshipwhoknowitsmeaning。"
　　"Atonetimeinmylife，"hecontinued，afteranotherpause，"dreamedthatImightsomedaytalkwithmenwhousedsuchlanguage，thatImightliftmyselfoutoftheplaceinlifeinwhichIhadbeenborn，andholdconversationandminglewithmenwhotalkedaboutjustsuchthingsasethics。
　　AndthisisthefirsttimeIhaveeverheardthewordpronounced。Whichisallbytheway，foryouarewrong。Itisaquestion，neitherofgrammarnorethics，butoffact。"
　　"Iunderstand，"Isaid。"Thefactisthatyouhavethemoney。"
　　Hisfacebrightened。Heseemedpleasedatmyperspicacity。
　　"Butitisavoidingtherealquestion，"Icontinued，"whichisoneofright。"
　　"Ah，"heremarked，withawrypuckerofhismouth，"Iseeyoustillbelieveinsuchthingsasrightandwrong。"
　　"Butdon’tyou？——atall？"Idemanded。
　　"Nottheleastbit。Mightisright，andthatisallthereistoit。
　　Weaknessiswrong。Whichisaverypoorwayofsayingthatitisgoodforoneselftobestrong，andevilforoneselftobeweak——orbetteryet，itispleasurabletobestrong，becauseoftheprofits；painfultobeweak，becauseofthepenalties。Justnowthepossessionofthismoneyisapleasurablething。Itisgoodforonetopossessit。Beingabletopossessit，Iwrongmyselfandthelifethatisinmeifgiveittoyouandforegothepleasureofpossessingit。"
　　"Butyouwrongmebywithholdingit，"Iobjected。
　　"Notatall。Onemancannotwronganotherman。Hecanonlywronghimself。
　　AsIseeit，IdowrongalwayswhenIconsidertheinterestsofothers。
　　Don’tyousee？Howcantwoparticlesoftheyeastwrongeachotherbystrivingtodevoureachother？Itistheirinbornheritagetostrivetodevour，andtostrivenottobedevoured。Whentheydepartfromthistheysin。"
　　"Thenyoudon’tbelieveinaltruism？"Iasked。
　　Hereceivedthewordasifithadafamiliarring，thoughhepondereditthoughtfully。"Letmesee，itmeanssomethingaboutco[[Yacute]]peration，doesn’tit？"
　　"Well，inawaytherehascometobeasortofconnection，"answered，unsurprisedbythistimeatsuchgapsinhisvocabulary，which，likehisknowledge，wastheacquirementofaself—read，self—educatedman，whomnoonehaddirectedinhisstudies，andwhohadthoughtmuchandtalkedlittleornotatall。"Analtruisticactisanactperformedforthewelfareofothers。Itisunselfish，asopposedtoanactperformedforself，whichisselfish。"
　　Henoddedhishead。"Oh，yes，Irememberitnow。IranacrossitinSpencer。"
　　"Spencer！"Icried。"Haveyoureadhim？"
　　"Notverymuch，"washisconfession。"Iunderstoodquiteagooddealof`FirstPrinciples，’buthis`Biology’tookthewindoutofmysails，andhis`Psychology’leftmebuttingaroundinthedoldrumsformanyaday。Ihonestlycouldnotunderstandwhathewasdrivingat。Iputitdowntomentaldeficiencyonmypart，butsincethenIhavedecidedthatitwasforwantofpreparation。Ihadnoproperbasis。OnlySpencerandmyselfknowhowhardIhammered。ButIdidgetsomethingoutofhis`DataofEthics。’
　　There’swhereIranacross`altruism，’andIremembernowhowitwasused。"
　　Iwonderedwhatthismancouldhavegotfromsuchawork。SpencerI
　　rememberedenoughtoknowthataltruismwasimperativetohisidealofhighestconduct。WolfLarsen，evidently，hadsiftedthegreatphilosopher’steachings，rejectingandselectingaccordingtohisneedsanddesires。
　　"Whatelsedidyourunacross？"Iasked。
　　Hisbrowsdrewinslightlywiththementaleffortofsuitablyphrasingthoughtswhichhehadneverbeforeputintospeech。Ifeltanelationofspirit。Iwasgropingintohissoul—stuffashemadeapracticeofgropinginthesoul—stuffofothers。Iwasexploringvirginterritory。Astrange，aterriblystrange，regionwasunrollingitselfbeforemyeyes。
　　"Inasfewwordsaspossible，"hebegan，"Spencerputsitsomethinglikethis：First，amanmustactforhisownbenefit——todothisistobemoralandgood。Next，hemustactforthebenefitofhischildren。Andthird，hemustactforthebenefitofhisrace。"
　　"Andthehighest，finest，rightconduct，"Iinterjected，"isthatactwhichbenefitsatthesametimetheman，hischildren，andhisrace。"
　　"Iwouldn’tstandforthat，"hereplied。"Couldn’tseethenecessityforit，northecommonsense。Icutouttheraceandthechildren。Iwouldsacrificenothingforthem。It’sjustsomuchslushandsentiment，andyoumustseeityourself，atleastforonewhodoesnotbelieveineternallife。Withimmortalitybeforeme，altruismwouldbeapayingbusinessproposition。
　　Imightelevatemysoultoallkindsofaltitudes。Butwithnothingeternalbeforemebutdeath，givenforabriefspellthisyeastycrawlingandsquirmingwhichiscalledlife，why，itwouldbeimmoralformetoperformanyactthatwasasacrifice。Anysacrificethatmakesmeloseonecrawlorsquirmisfoolish，——andnotonlyfoolish，foritisawrongagainstmyselfandawickedthing。ImustnotloseonecrawlorsquirmifIamtogetthemostoutoftheferment。NorwilltheeternalmovelessnessthatiscomingtomebemadeeasierorharderbythesacrificesorselfishnessesofthetimewhenIwasyeastyandacrawl。"
　　"Thenyouareanindividualist，amaterialist，and，logically，ahedonist。"
　　"Bigwords，"hesmiled。"Butwhatisahedonist？"
　　HenoddedagreementwhenIhadgiventhedefinition。
　　"Andyouarealso，"Icontinued，"amanonecouldnottrustintheleastthingwhereitwaspossibleforaselfishinteresttointervene？"
　　"Nowyou’rebeginningtounderstand，"hesaid，brightening。
　　"Youareamanutterlywithoutwhattheworldcallsmorals？"
　　"That’sit。"
　　"Amanofwhomtobealwaysafraid——"
　　"That’sthewaytoputit。"
　　"Asoneisafraidofasnake，oratiger，orashark？"
　　"Nowyouknowme，"hesaid。"AndyouknowmeasIamgenerallyknown。
　　Othermencallme`Wolf。’"
　　"Youareasortofmonster，"Iaddedaudaciously，"aCalibanwhohasponderedSetebos，andwhoactsasyouact，inidlemoments，bywhimandfancy。"
　　Hisbrowcloudedattheallusion。Hedidnotunderstand，andquicklylearnedthathedidnotknowthepoem。