第1章

\"Thegods，thegodsarestronger；timeFallsdownbeforethem，allmen\'skneesBow，allmen\'sprayersandsorrowsclimbLikeincensetowardthem；yea，fortheseAregods，Felise。\"

Carquinezhadrelaxedfinally。Hestoleaglanceattherattlingwindows，lookedupwardatthebeamedroof，andlistenedforamomenttothesavageroarofthesouth-easterasitcaughtthebungalowinitsbellowingjaws。

Thenheheldhisglassbetweenhimandthefireandlaughedforjoythroughthegoldenwine。

\"Itisbeautiful，\"hesaid。\"Itissweetlysweet。Itisawoman\'swine，anditwasmadeforgray-robedsaintstodrink。\"

\"Wegrowitonourownwarmhills，\"Isaid，withpardonableCaliforniapride。\"Yourodeupyesterdaythroughthevinesfromwhichitwasmade。\"

ItwasworthwhiletogetCarquineztoloosenup。Norwasheeverreallyhimselfuntilhefeltthemellowwarmthofthevinesinginginhisblood。

Hewasanartist，itistrue，alwaysanartist；butsomehow，sober，thehighpitchandliltwentoutofhisthought-processesandhewaspronetobeasdeadlydullasaBritishSunday——notdullasothermenaredull，butdullwhenmeasuredbythesprightlywightthatMonteCarquinezwaswhenhewasreallyhimself。

FromallthisitmustnotbeinferredthatCarquinez，whoismydearfriendanddearercomrade，wasasot。Farfromit。Herarelyerred。AsIhavesaid，hewasanartist。Heknewwhenhehadenough，andenough，withhim，wasequilibrium——theequilibriumthatisyoursandminewhenwearesober。

HiswasawiseandinstinctivetemperatenessthatsavouredoftheGreek。

YethewasfarfromGreek。\"IamAztec，IamInca，IamSpaniard，\"Ihaveheardhimsay。Andintruthhelookedit，acompoundofstrangeandancientraces，whatwithhisswarthyskinandtheasymmetryandprimitivenessofhisfeatures。Hiseyes，undermassivelyarchedbrows，werewideapartandblackwiththeblacknessthatisbarbaric，whilebeforethemwasperpetuallyfallingdownagreatblackmopofhairthroughwhichhegazedlikearoguishsatyrfromathicket。Heinvariablyworeasoftflannelshirtunderhisvelvet-corduroyjacket，andhisnecktiewasred。

Thislatterstoodfortheredflag(hehadoncelivedwiththesocialistsofParis)，anditsymbolizedthebloodandbrotherhoodofman。Also，hehadneverbeenknowntowearanythingonhisheadsavealeather-bandedsombrero。Itwasevenrumouredthathehadbeenbornwiththisparticularpieceofheadgear。AndinmyexperienceitwasprovocativeofnothingshortofsheerdelighttoseethatMexicansombrerohailingacabinPiccadillyorstorm-tossedinthecrushfortheNewYorkElevated。

AsIhavesaid，Carquinezwasmadequickbywine——\"astheclaywasmadequickwhenGodbreathedthebreathoflifeintoit，\"washiswayofsayingit。IconfessthathewasblasphemouslyintimatewithGod；andImustaddthattherewasnoblasphemyinhim。Hewasatalltimeshonest，and，becausehewascompoundedofparadoxes，greatlymisunderstoodbythosewhodidnotknowhim。Hecouldbeaselementallyrawattimesasascreamingsavage；andatothertimesasdelicateasamaid，assubtleasaSpaniard。

And——well，washenotAztec？Inca？Spaniard？

AndnowImustaskpardonforthespaceIhavegivenhim。(Heismyfriend，andIlovehim。)Thehousewasshakingtothestorm，ashedrewclosertothefireandlaughedatitthroughhiswine。Helookedatme，andbytheaddedlustreofhiseye，andbythealertnessofit，Iknewthatatlasthewaspitchedinhisproperkey。

\"Andsoyouthinkyou\'vewonoutagainstthegods？\"hedemanded。

\"Whythegods？\"

\"Whosewillbuttheirshasputsatietyuponman？\"hecried。

\"Andwhencethewillinmetoescapesatiety？\"Iaskedtriumphantly。

\"Againthegods，\"helaughed。\"Itistheirgameweplay。Theydealandshuffleallthecards……andtakethestakes。Thinknotthatyouhaveescapedbyfleeingfromthemadcities。Youwithyourvine-cladhills，yoursunsetsandyoursunrises，yourhomelyfareandsimpleroundofliving!

\"I\'vewatchedyoueversinceIcame。Youhavenotwon。Youhavesurrendered。Youhavemadetermswiththeenemy。Youhavemadeconfessionthatyouaretired。Youhaveflownthewhiteflagoffatigue。Youhavenailedupanoticetotheeffectthatlifeisebbingdowninyou。Youhaverunawayfromlife。Youhaveplayedatrick，shabbytrick。Youhavebalkedatthegame。Yourefusetoplay。Youhavethrownyourcardsunderthetableandrunawaytohide，hereamongstyourhills。\"

Hetossedhisstraighthairbackfromhisflashingeyes，andscarcelyinterruptedtorollalong，brown，Mexicancigarette。

\"Butthegodsknow。Itisanoldtrick。Allthegenerationsofmanhavetriedit……andlost。Thegodsknowhowtodealwithsuchasyou。Topursueistopossess，andtopossessistobesated。Andsoyou，inyourwisdom，haverefusedanylongertopursue。Youhaveelectedsurcease。

Verywell。Youwillbecomesatedwithsurcease。Yousayyouhaveescapedsatiety!Youhavemerelybartereditforsenility。Andsenilityisanothernameforsatiety。Itissatiety\'smasquerade。Bah!\"

\"Butlookatme!\"Icried。

Carquinezwaseverademonforhalingonessouloutandmakingragsandtattersofit。

Helookedmewitheringlyupanddown。

\"Youseenosigns，\"Ichallenged。

\"Decayisinsidious，\"heretorted。\"Youarerottenripe。\"

Ilaughedandforgavehimforhisverydeviltry。Butherefusedtobeforgiven。

\"DoInotknow？\"heasked。\"Thegodsalwayswin。Ihavewatchedmenplayforyearswhatseemedawinninggame。Intheendtheylost。\"

\"Don\'tyouevermakemistakes？\"Iasked。

Heblewmanymeditativeringsofsmokebeforereplying。

\"Yes，Iwasnearlyfooled，once。Letmetellyou。TherewasMarvinFiske。

Yourememberhim？AndhisDantesquefaceandpoet\'ssoul，singinghischantoftheflesh，theverypriestofLove？AndtherewasEthelBaird，whomalsoyoumustremember。\"

\"Awarmsaint，\"Isaid。

\"Thatisshe!HolyasLove，andsweeter!Justawoman，madeforlove；andyet——howshallIsay？——drenchedthroughwithholinessasyourownairhereiswiththeperfumeofflowers。Well，theymarried。Theyplayedahandwiththegods——\"

\"Andtheywon，theygloriouslywon!\"Ibrokein。

Carquinezlookedatmepityingly，andhisvoicewaslikeafuneralbell。

\"Theylost。Theysupremely，colossallylost。\"

\"Buttheworldbelievesotherwise，\"Iventuredcoldly。

\"Theworldconjectures。Theworldseesonlythefaceofthings。ButI

know。Hasiteverenteredyourmindtowonderwhyshetooktheveil，buriedherselfinthatdolorousconventofthelivingdead？\"

\"Becauseshelovedhimso，andwhenhedied……\"

SpeechwasfrozenonmylipsbyCarquinez\'ssneer。

\"Apatanswer，\"hesaid，\"machine-madelikeapieceofcotton-drill。Theworld\'sjudgment!Andmuchtheworldknowsaboutit。Likeyou，shefledfromlife。Shewasbeaten。Sheflungoutthewhiteflagoffatigue。Andnobeleagueredcityeverflewthatflaginsuchbitternessandtears。

\"NowIshalltellyouthewholetale，andyoumustbelieveme，forIknow。

Theyhadponderedtheproblemofsatiety。TheylovedLove。TheyknewtotheuttermostfarthingthevalueofLove。Theylovedhimsowellthattheywerefaintokeephimalways，warmanda-thrillintheirhearts。Theywelcomedhiscoming；theyfearedtohavehimdepart。

\"Lovewasdesire，theyheld，adeliciouspain。Hewaseverseekingeasement，andwhenhefoundthatforwhichhesought，hedied。LovedeniedwasLovealive；LovegrantedwasLovedeceased。Doyoufollowme？Theysawitwasnotthewayoflifetobehungryforwhatithas。Toeatandstillbehungry——manhasneveraccomplishedthatfeat。Theproblemofsatiety。Thatisit。Tohaveandtokeepthesharpfamine-edgeofappetiteatthegroaningboard。Thiswastheirproblem，fortheylovedLove。Oftendidtheydiscussit，withallLove\'ssweetardoursbrimmingintheireyes；hisruddybloodsprayingtheircheeks；hisvoiceplayinginandoutwiththeirvoices，nowhidingasatremolointheirthroats，andagainshadingatonewiththatineffabletendernesswhichhealonecanutter。

\"HowdoIknowallthis？Isaw——much。MoreIlearnedfromherdiary。

ThisIfoundinit，fromFionaMacleod:\'For，truly，thatwanderingvoice，thattwilight-whisper，thatbreathsodewy-sweet，thatflame-wingedlute-

playerwhomnoneseesbutforamoment，inarainbow-shimmerofjoy，orasuddenlightning-flareofpassion，thisexquisitemysterywecallAmor，comes，tosomeraptvisionariesatleast，notwithasonguponthelipsthatallmayhear，orwithblitheviolofpublicmusic，butasonewroughtbyecstasy，dumblyeloquentwithdesire。\'

\"Howtokeeptheflame-wingedlute-playerwithhisdumbeloquenceofdesire？Tofeasthimwastolosehim。Theirloveforeachotherwasagreatlove。Theirgranarieswereoverflowingwithplenitude；yettheywantedtokeepthesharpfamine-edgeoftheirloveundulled。

\"NorweretheyleanlittlefledglingstheorizingonthethresholdofLove。

Theywererobustandrealizedsouls。Theyhadlovedbefore，withothers，inthedaysbeforetheymet；andinthosedaystheyhadthrottledLovewithcaresses，andkilledhimwithkisses，andburiedhiminthepitofsatiety。

\"Theywerenotcoldwraiths，thismanandwoman。Theywerewarmhuman。

TheyhadnoSaxonsobernessintheirblood。Thecolourofitwassunset-

red。Theyglowedwithit。TemperamentallytheirswastheFrenchjoyintheflesh。Theywereidealists，buttheiridealismwasGallic。ItwasnottemperedbythechillandsombrefluidthatfortheEnglishservesasblood。Therewasnostoicismaboutthem。TheywereAmericans，descendedoutoftheEnglish，andyettherefrainingandself-denyingoftheEnglishspirit-gropingwerenottheirs。

\"TheywereallthisthatIhavesaid，andtheyweremadeforjoy，onlytheyachievedaconcept。Acurseonconcepts!Theyplayedwithlogic，andthiswastheirlogic——Butfirstletmetellyouofatalkwehadonenight。ItwasofGautier\'sMadelinedeMaupin。Yourememberthemaid？Shekissedonce，andonceonly，andkissesshewouldhavenomore。Notthatshefoundkisseswerenotsweet，butthatshefearedwithrepetitiontheywouldcloy。

Satietyagain!Shetriedtoplaywithoutstakesagainstthegods。Nowthisiscontrarytoaruleofthegamethegodsthemselveshavemade。Onlytherulesarenotpostedoverthetable。Mortalsmustplayinordertolearntherules。

\"Well，tothelogic。Themanandthewomanarguedthus:Whykissonceonly？Iftokissoncewerewise，wasitnotwisertokissnotatall？

ThuscouldtheykeepLovealive。Fasting，hewouldknockforeverattheirhearts。

\"Perhapsitwasoutoftheirhereditythattheyachievedthisunholyconcept。Thebreedwilloutandsometimesmostfantastically。ThusinthemdidcursedAlbionarrayherselfaschemingwanton，abold，cold-

calculating，andartfulhussy。Afterall，Idonotknow。ButthisIknow:

itwasoutoftheirinordinatedesireforjoythattheyforewentjoy。

\"Ashesaid(Ireaditlongafterwardinoneofhisletterstoher):\'Toholdyouinmyarms，close，andyetnotclose。Toyearnforyou，andnevertohaveyou，andsoalwaystohaveyou。\'Andshe:\'Foryoutobealwaysjustbeyondmyreach。Tobeeverattainingyou，andyetneverattainingyou，andforthistolastforever，alwaysfreshandnew，andalwayswiththefirstflushuponus。

\"Thatisnotthewaytheysaidit。Onmylipstheirlove-philosophyismangled。AndwhoamItodelveintotheirsoul-stuff？Iamafrog，onthedankedgeofagreatdarkness，gazinggoggle-eyedatthemysteryandwonderoftheirflamingsouls。

\"Andtheywereright，asfarastheywent。Everythingisgood……aslongasitisunpossessed。SatietyandpossessionareDeath\'shorses；theyruninspan。

\"\'AndtimecouldonlytutorustoekeOurrapture\'swarmthwithcustom\'safterglow。\'

\"TheygotthatfromasonnetofAlfredAustin\'s。Itwascalled\'Love\'sWisdom。\'ItwastheonekissofMadelinedeMaupin。Howdiditrun？

\"\'Kissweandpart；nofurthercanwego；

AndbetterdeaththanwefromhightolowShoulddwindle，ordeclinefromstrongtoweak。\'

\"Buttheywerewiser。Theywouldnotkissandpart。Theywouldnotkissatall，andthustheyplannedtostayatLove\'stopmostpeak。Theymarried。YouwereinEnglandatthetime。Andneverwastheresuchamarriage。Theykepttheirsecrettothemselves。Ididnotknow，then。

Theirrapture\'swarmthdidnotcool。Theirloveburnedwithincreasingbrightness。Neverwasthereanythinglikeit。Thetimepassed，themonths，theyears，andevertheflame-wingedlute-playergrewmoreresplendent。

\"Everybodymarvelled。Theybecamethewonderfullovers，andtheyweregreatlyenvied。Sometimeswomenpitiedherbecauseshewaschildless；itistheformtheenvyofsuchcreaturestakes。

\"AndIdidnotknowtheirsecret。IponderedandImarvelled。AsfirstI

hadexpected，subconsciouslyIimagine，thepassingoftheirlove。ThenI

becameawarethatitwasTimethatpassedandLovethatremained。ThenI

becamecurious。Whatwastheirsecret？WhatwerethemagicfetterswithwhichtheyboundLovetothem？Howdidtheyholdthegracelesself？WhatelixirofeternallovehadtheydrunktogetherashadTristramandIseultofoldtime？Andwhosehandhadbrewedthefairydrink？

\"AsIsay，Iwascurious，andIwatchedthem。Theywerelove-mad。TheylivedinanunendingrevelofLove。Theymadeapompandceremonialofit。

TheysaturatedthemselvesintheartandpoetryofLove。No，theywerenotneurotics。Theyweresaneandhealthy，andtheywereartists。Buttheyhadaccomplishedtheimpossible。Theyhadachieveddeathlessdesire。

\"AndI？IsawmuchofthemandtheireverlastingmiracleofLove。I

puzzledandwondered，andthenoneday——\"

Carquinezbrokeoffabruptlyandasked，\"Haveyoueverread，\'Love\'sWaitingTime\'？\"

Ishookmyhead。

\"Pagewroteit——CurtisHiddenPage，Ithink。Well，itwasthatbitofversethatgavemetheclue。Oneday，inthewindow-seatnearthebigpiano——yourememberhowshecouldplay？Sheusedtolaugh，sometimes，anddoubtwhetheritwasforthemIcame，orforthemusic。Shecalledmea\'music-sot\'once，a\'sound-debauchee。\'Whatavoicehehad!WhenhesangIbelievedinimmortality，myregardforthegodsgrewalmostpatronizingandIdevisedwaysandmeanswherebyIsurelycouldoutwitthemandtheirtricks。

\"ItwasaspectacleforGod，thatmanandwoman，yearsmarried，andsinginglove-songswithafreshnessvirginalasnew-bornLovehimself，witharipenessandwealthofardourthatyoungloverscanneverknow。Youngloverswerepaleandanaemicbesidethatlong-marriedpair。Toseethem，allfireandflameandtenderness，atatremblingdistance，lavishingcaressesofeyeandvoicewitheveryaction，througheverysilence——theirlovedrivingthemtowardeachother，andtheywithholdinglikeflutteringmoths，eachtotheotheracandle-flame，andrevolvingeachabouttheotherinthemadgyrationsofanamazingorbit-flight!Itseemed，inobediencetosomegreatlawofphysics，morepotentthangravitationandmoresubtle，thattheymustcorporeallymelteachintoeachtherebeforemyveryeyes。

Smallwondertheywerecalledthewonderfullovers。

\"Ihavewandered。Nowtotheclue。Onedayinthewindow-seatIfoundabookofverse。Itopenedofitself，betrayinglonghabit，to\'Love\'sWaitingTime。\'Thepagewasthumbedandlimpwithoverhandling，andthereIread:——

\"\'Sosweetitistostandbutjustapart，Toknoweachotherbetter，andtokeepThesoft，delicioussenseoftwothattouch……

Olove，notyet!……Sweet，letuskeepourloveWrappedroundwithsacredmysteryawhile，Waitingthesecretofthecomingyears，Thatcomenotyet，notyet……sometime……

notyet……

Oh，yetalittlewhileourlovemaygrow!

Whenithasblossomeditwillhaplydie。

Feeditwithliplesskisses，letitsleep，Beddedindeaddenialyetsomewhile……

Oh，yetalittlewhile，alittlewhile。\'

\"Ifoldedthebookonmythumbandsattheresilentandwithoutmovingforalongtime。Iwasstunnedbytheclearnessofvisiontheversehadimpartedtome。Itwasillumination。ItwaslikeaboltofGod\'slightninginthePit。TheywouldkeepLove，theficklesprite，theforerunnerofyounglife——younglifethatisimperativetobeborn!

\"Iconnedthelinesoverinmymind——\'Notyet，sometime\'——\'OLove，notyet\'——\'Feeditwithliplesskisses，letitsleep。\'AndIlaughedaloud，ha，ha!Isawwithwhitevisiontheirblamelesssouls。Theywerechildren。Theydidnotunderstand。TheyplayedwithNature\'sfireandbeddedwithanakedsword。Theylaughedatthegods。Theywouldstopthecosmicsap。Theyhadinventedasystem，andbroughtittothegaming-tableoflife，andexpectedtowinout。\'Beware!\'Icried。\'Thegodsarebehindthetable。Theymakenewrulesforeverysystemthatisdevised。Youhavenochancetowin。\'

\"ButIdidnotsocrytothem。Iwaited。Theywouldlearnthattheirsystemwasworthlessandthrowitaway。Theywouldbecontentwithwhateverhappinessthegodsgavethemandnotstrivetowrestmoreaway。

\"Iwatched。Isaidnothing。Themonthscontinuedtocomeandgo，andstillthefamine-edgeoftheirlovegrewthesharper。Neverdidtheydullitwithapermittedlove-clasp。Theygroundandwhetteditonself-denial，andsharperandsharperitgrew。ThiswentonuntilevenIdoubted。Didthegodssleep？Iwondered。Orweretheydead？Ilaughedtomyself。Themanandthewomanhadmadeamiracle。TheyhadoutwittedGod。Theyhadshamedtheflesh，andblackenedthefaceofthegoodEarthMother。Theyhadplayedwithherfireandnotbeenburned。Theywereimmune。Theywerethemselvesgods，knowinggoodfromevilandtastingnot。\'Wasthisthewaygodscametobe？\'Iaskedmyself。\'Iamafrog，\'Isaid。\'Butformymud-

liddedeyesIshouldhavebeenblindedbythebrightnessofthiswonderI

havewitnessed。Ihavepuffedmyselfupwithmywisdomandpassedjudgmentupongods。\'

\"Yeteveninthis，mylatestwisdom，Iwaswrong。Theywerenotgods。

Theyweremanandwoman——softclaythatsighedandthrilled，shotthroughwithdesire，thumbedwithstrangeweaknesseswhichthegodshavenot。\"

Carquinezbrokefromhisnarrativetorollanothercigaretteandtolaughharshly。Itwasnotaprettylaugh；itwaslikethemockeryofadevil，anditroseoverandrodetheroarofthestormthatcamemuffledtoourearsfromthecrashingoutsideworld。

\"Iamafrog，\"hesaidapologetically。\"Howweretheytounderstand？Theywereartists，notbiologists。Theyknewtheclayofthestudio，buttheydidnotknowtheclayofwhichtheythemselvesweremade。ButthisIwillsay——theyplayedhigh。Neverwastheresuchagamebefore，andIdoubtmeiftherewilleverbesuchagameagain。

\"Neverwaslovers\'ecstasyliketheirs。TheyhadnotkilledLovewithkisses。Theyhadquickenedhimwithdenial。Andbydenialtheydrovehimontillhewasallaburstwithdesire。Andtheflame-wingedlute-playerfannedthemwithhiswarmwingstilltheywereallbutswooning。ItwastheverydeliriumofLove，anditcontinuedundiminishedandincreasingthroughtheweeksandmonths。

\"Theylongedandyearned，withallthefondpangsandsweetdeliciousagonies，withanintensityneverfeltbyloversbeforenorsince。

\"Andthenonedaythedrowsygodsceasednodding。Theyarousedandlookedatthemanandwomanwhohadmadeamockofthem。Andthemanandwomanlookedintoeachother\'seyesonemorningandknewthatsomethingwasgone。

Itwastheflame-wingedone。Hehadfled，silently，inthenight，fromtheiranchorites\'board。

\"Theylookedintoeachother\'seyesandknewthattheydidnotcare。

Desirewasdead。Doyouunderstand？Desirewasdead。Andtheyhadneverkissed。Notoncehadtheykissed。Lovewasgone。Theywouldneveryearnandburnagain。Forthemtherewasnothingleft——nomoretremblingsandflutteringsanddeliciousanguishes，nomorethrobbingandpulsing，andsighingandsong。Desirewasdead。Ithaddiedinthenight，onacouchcoldandunattended；norhadtheywitnesseditspassing。Theylearneditforthefirsttimeineachother\'seyes。

\"Thegodsmaynotbekind，buttheyareoftenmerciful。Theyhadtwirledthelittleivoryballandsweptthestakesfromthetable。Allthatremainedwasthemanandwomangazingintoeachother\'scoldeyes。Andthenhedied。Thatwasthemercy。WithintheweekMarvinFiskewasdead——

youremembertheaccident。Andinherdiary，writtenatthistime，IlongafterwardreadMitchellKennerly\'s:——

\"\'TherewasnotasinglehourWemighthavekissedanddidnotkiss。\'\"

\"Oh，theironyofit!\"Icriedout。

AndCarquinez，inthefirelightaveritableMephistophelesinvelvetjacket，fixedmewithhisblackeyes。

\"Andtheywon，yousaid？Theworld\'sjudgment!Ihavetoldyou，andI

know。Theywonasyouarewinning，hereinyourhills。\"

\"Butyou，\"Idemandedhotly；\"youwithyourorgiesofsoundandsense，withyourmadcitiesandmadderfrolics——bethinkyouthatyouwin？\"

Heshookhisheadslowly。\"Becauseyouwithyoursoberbucolicregime，lose，isnoreasonthatIshouldwin。Weneverwin。Sometimeswethinkwewin。Thatisalittlepleasantryofthegods。\"

THEAPOSTATE

\"NowIwakemeuptowork；

IpraytheLordImaynotshirk。

IfIshoulddiebeforethenight，IpraytheLordmywork\'sallright。

Amen。\"

\"Ifyoudon\'tgitup，Johnny，Iwon\'tgiveyouabitetoeat!\"

Thethreathadnoeffectontheboy。Heclungstubbornlytosleep，fightingforitsoblivionasthedreamerfightsforhisdream。Theboy\'shandslooselyclenchedthemselves，andhemadefeeble，spasmodicblowsattheair。Theseblowswereintendedforhismother，butshebetrayedpractisedfamiliarityinavoidingthemassheshookhimroughlybytheshoulder。

\"Lemme\'lone!\"

Itwasacrythatbegan，muffled，inthedeepsofsleep，thatswiftlyrushedupward，likeawail，intopassionatebelligerence，andthatdiedawayandsankdownintoaninarticulatewhine。Itwasabestialcry，asofasoulintorment，filledwithinfiniteprotestandpain。

Butshedidnotmind。Shewasasad-eyed，tired-facedwoman，andshehadgrownusedtothistask，whichsherepeatedeverydayofherlife。Shegotagriponthebedclothesandtriedtostripthemdown；buttheboy，ceasinghispunching，clungtothemdesperately。Inahuddle，atthefootofthebed，hestillremainedcovered。Thenshetrieddraggingthebeddingtothefloor。Theboyopposedher。Shebracedherself。Herswasthesuperiorweight，andtheboyandbeddinggave，theformerinstinctivelyfollowingthelatterinordertoshelteragainstthechilloftheroomthatbitintohisbody。

Ashetoppledontheedgeofthebeditseemedthathemustfallhead-firsttothefloor。Butconsciousnessflutteredupinhim。Herightedhimselfandforamomentperilouslybalanced。Thenhestrucktheflooronhisfeet。Ontheinstanthismotherseizedhimbytheshouldersandshookhim。

Againhisfistsstruckout，thistimewithmoreforceanddirectness。Atthesametimehiseyesopened。Shereleasedhim。Hewasawake。

\"Allright，\"hemumbled。

Shecaughtupthelampandhurriedout，leavinghimindarkness。

\"You\'llbedocked，\"shewarnedbacktohim。

Hedidnotmindthedarkness。Whenhehadgotintohisclothes，hewentoutintothekitchen。Histreadwasveryheavyforsothinandlightaboy。Hislegsdraggedwiththeirownweight，whichseemedunreasonablebecausetheyweresuchskinnylegs。Hedrewabroken-bottomedchairtothetable。

\"Johnny，\"hismothercalledsharply。

Hearoseassharplyfromthechair，and，withoutaword，wenttothesink。

Itwasagreasy，filthysink。Asmellcameupfromtheoutlet。Hetooknonoticeofit。Thatasinkshouldsmellwastohimpartofthenaturalorder，justasitwasapartofthenaturalorderthatthesoapshouldbegrimywithdish-waterandhardtolather。Nordidhetryveryhardtomakeitlather。Severalsplashesofthecoldwaterfromtherunningfaucetcompletedthefunction。Hedidnotwashhisteeth。Forthatmatterhehadneverseenatoothbrush，nordidheknowthatthereexistedbeingsintheworldwhowereguiltyofsogreatafoolishnessastoothwashing。

\"Youmightwashyourselfwunstadaywithoutbein\'told，\"hismothercomplained。

Shewasholdingabrokenlidonthepotasshepouredtwocupsofcoffee。

Hemadenoremark，forthiswasastandingquarrelbetweenthem，andtheonethinguponwhichhismotherwashardasadamant。\"Wunst\"adayitwascompulsorythatheshouldwashhisface。Hedriedhimselfonagreasytowel，dampanddirtyandragged，thatlefthisfacecoveredwithshredsoflint。

\"Iwishwedidn\'tlivesofaraway，\"shesaid，ashesatdown。\"ItrytodothebestIcan。Youknowthat。Butadollarontherentissuchasavin\'，an\'we\'vemoreroomhere。Youknowthat。\"

Hescarcelyfollowedher。Hehadhearditallbefore，manytimes。Therangeofherthoughtwaslimited，andshewaseverharkingbacktothehardshipworkeduponthembylivingsofarfromthemills。

\"Adollarmeansmoregrub，\"heremarkedsententiously。\"I\'dsoonerdothewalkin\'an\'gitthegrub。\"

Heatehurriedly，halfchewingthebreadandwashingtheunmasticatedchunksdownwithcoffee。Thehotandmuddyliquidwentbythenameofcoffee。Johnnythoughtitwascoffee——andexcellentcoffee。Thatwasoneofthefewoflife\'sillusionsthatremainedtohim。Hehadneverdrunkrealcoffeeinhislife。

Inadditiontothebread，therewasasmallpieceofcoldpork。Hismotherrefilledhiscupwithcoffee。Ashewasfinishingthebread，hebegantowatchifmorewasforthcoming。Sheinterceptedhisquestioningglance。

\"Now，don\'tbehoggish，Johnny，\"washercomment。\"You\'vehadyourshare。

Yourbrothersan\'sistersaresmaller\'nyou。\"

Hedidnotanswertherebuke。Hewasnotmuchofatalker。Also，heceasedhishungryglancingformore。Hewasuncomplaining，withapatiencethatwasasterribleastheschoolinwhichithadbeenlearned。Hefinishedhiscoffee，wipedhismouthonthebackofhishand，andstartedtorise。

\"Waitasecond，\"shesaidhastily。\"Iguesstheloafkinstandyouanotherslice——athinun。\"

Therewaslegerdemaininheractions。Withalltheseemingofcuttingaslicefromtheloafforhim，sheputloafandslicebackinthebreadboxandconveyedtohimoneofherowntwoslices。Shebelievedshehaddeceivedhim，buthehadnotedhersleight-of-hand。Nevertheless，hetookthebreadshamelessly。Hehadaphilosophythathismother，becauseofherchronicsickliness，wasnotmuchofaneateranyway。

Shesawthathewaschewingthebreaddry，andreachedoverandemptiedhercoffeecupintohis。

\"Don\'tsetgoodsomehowonmystomachthismorning，\"sheexplained。

Adistantwhistle，prolongedandshrieking，broughtbothofthemtotheirfeet。Sheglancedatthetinalarm-clockontheshelf。Thehandsstoodathalf-pastfive。Therestofthefactoryworldwasjustarousingfromsleep。Shedrewashawlabouthershoulders，andonherheadputadingyhat，shapelessandancient。

\"We\'vegottorun，\"shesaid，turningthewickofthelampandblowingdownthechimney。

Theygropedtheirwayoutanddownthestairs。Itwasclearandcold，andJohnnyshiveredatthefirstcontactwiththeoutsideair。Thestarshadnotyetbeguntopaleinthesky，andthecitylayinblackness。BothJohnnyandhismothershuffledtheirfeetastheywalked。Therewasnoambitioninthelegmusclestoswingthefeetclearoftheground。

Afterfifteensilentminutes，hismotherturnedofftotheright。

\"Don\'tbelate，\"washerfinalwarningfromoutofthedarkthatwasswallowingherup。

Hemadenoresponse，steadilykeepingonhisway。Inthefactoryquarter，doorswereopeningeverywhere，andhewassoononeofamultitudethatpressedonwardthroughthedark。Asheenteredthefactorygatethewhistleblewagain。Heglancedattheeast。Acrossaraggedsky-lineofhousetopsapalelightwasbeginningtocreep。Thismuchhesawofthedayasheturnedhisbackuponitandjoinedhisworkgang。

Hetookhisplaceinoneofmanylongrowsofmachines。Beforehim，aboveabinfilledwithsmallbobbins，werelargebobbinsrevolvingrapidly。

Uponthesehewoundthejute-twineofthesmallbobbins。Theworkwassimple。Allthatwasrequiredwascelerity。Thesmallbobbinswereemptiedsorapidly，andthereweresomanylargebobbinsthatdidtheemptying，thattherewerenoidlemoments。

Heworkedmechanically。Whenasmallbobbinranout，heusedhislefthandforabrake，stoppingthelargebobbinandatthesametime，withthumbandforefinger，catchingtheflyingendoftwine。Also，atthesametime，withhisrighthand，hecaughtuptheloosetwine-endofasmallbobbin。Thesevariousactswithbothhandswereperformedsimultaneouslyandswiftly。

Thentherewouldcomeaflashofhishandsasheloopedtheweaver\'sknotandreleasedthebobbin。Therewasnothingdifficultaboutweaver\'sknots。

Heonceboastedhecouldtietheminhissleep。Andforthatmatter，hesometimesdid，toilingcenturieslonginasinglenightattyinganendlesssuccessionofweaver\'sknots。

Someoftheboysshirked，wastingtimeandmachinerybynotreplacingthesmallbobbinswhentheyranout。Andtherewasanoverseertopreventthis。HecaughtJohnny\'sneighbouratthetrick，andboxedhisears。

\"LookatJohnnythere——whyain\'tyoulikehim？\"theoverseerwrathfullydemanded。

Johnny\'sbobbinswererunningfullblast，buthedidnotthrillattheindirectpraise。Therehadbeenatime……butthatwaslongago，verylongago。Hisapatheticfacewasexpressionlessashelistenedtohimselfbeingheldupasashiningexample。Hewastheperfectworker。Heknewthat。Hehadbeentoldso，often。Itwasacommonplace，andbesidesitdidn\'tseemtomeananythingtohimanymore。Fromtheperfectworkerhehadevolvedintotheperfectmachine。Whenhisworkwentwrong，itwaswithhimaswiththemachine，duetofaultymaterial。Itwouldhavebeenaspossibleforaperfectnail-dietocutimperfectnailsasforhimtomakeamistake。

Andsmallwonder。Therehadneverbeenatimewhenhehadnotbeeninintimaterelationshipwithmachines。Machineryhadalmostbeenbredintohim，andatanyratehehadbeenbroughtuponit。Twelveyearsbefore，therehadbeenasmallflutterofexcitementintheloomroomofthisverymill。Johnny\'smotherhadfainted。Theystretchedheroutonthefloorinthemidstoftheshriekingmachines。Acoupleofelderlywomenwerecalledfromtheirlooms。Theforemanassisted。Andinafewminutestherewasonemoresoulintheloomroomthanhadenteredbythedoors。ItwasJohnny，bornwiththepounding，crashingroaroftheloomsinhisears，drawingwithhisfirstbreaththewarm，moistairthatwasthickwithflyinglint。Hehadcoughedthatfirstdayinordertoridhislungsofthelint；andforthesamereasonhehadcoughedeversince。

TheboyalongsideofJohnnywhimperedandsniffed。Theboy\'sfacewasconvulsedwithhatredfortheoverseerwhokeptathreateningeyeonhimfromadistance；buteverybobbinwasrunningfull。Theboyyelledterribleoathsintothewhirlingbobbinsbeforehim；butthesounddidnotcarryhalfadozenfeet，theroaringoftheroomholdingitinandcontainingitlikeawall。

OfallthisJohnnytooknonotice。Hehadawayofacceptingthings。

Besides，thingsgrowmonotonousbyrepetition，andthisparticularhappeninghehadwitnessedmanytimes。Itseemedtohimasuselesstoopposetheoverseerastodefythewillofamachine。Machinesweremadetogoincertainwaysandtoperformcertaintasks。Itwasthesamewiththeoverseer。

Butateleveno\'clocktherewasexcitementintheroom。Inanapparentlyoccultwaytheexcitementinstantlypermeatedeverywhere。Theone-leggedboywhoworkedontheothersideofJohnnybobbedswiftlyacrossthefloortoabintruckthatstoodempty。Intothishedivedoutofsight，crutchandall。Thesuperintendentofthemillwascomingalong，accompaniedbyayoungman。Hewaswelldressedandworeastarchedshirt——agentleman，inJohnny\'sclassificationofmen，andalso，\"theInspector。\"

Helookedsharplyattheboysashepassedalong。Sometimeshestoppedandaskedquestions。Whenhedidso，hewascompelledtoshoutatthetopofhislungs，atwhichmomentshisfacewasludicrouslycontortedwiththestrainofmakinghimselfheard。HisquickeyenotedtheemptymachinealongsideofJohnny\'s，buthesaidnothing。Johnnyalsocaughthiseye，andhestoppedabruptly。HecaughtJohnnybythearmtodrawhimbackastepfromthemachine；butwithanexclamationofsurprisehereleasedthearm。

\"Prettyskinny，\"thesuperintendentlaughedanxiously。

\"Pipestems，\"wastheanswer。\"Lookatthoselegs。Theboy\'sgottherickets——incipient，buthe\'sgotthem。Ifepilepsydoesn\'tgethimintheend，itwillbebecausetuberculosisgetshimfirst。\"

Johnnylistened，butdidnotunderstand。Furthermorehewasnotinterestedinfutureills。Therewasanimmediateandmoreseriousillthatthreatenedhimintheformoftheinspector。

\"Now，myboy，Iwantyoutotellmethetruth，\"theinspectorsaid，orshouted，bendingclosetotheboy\'seartomakehimhear。\"Howoldareyou？\"

\"Fourteen，\"Johnnylied，andheliedwiththefullforceofhislungs。Soloudlydidheliethatitstartedhimoffinadry，hackingcoughthatliftedthelintwhichhadbeensettlinginhislungsallmorning。

\"Lookssixteenatleast，\"saidthesuperintendent。

\"Orsixty，\"snappedtheinspector。

\"He\'salwayslookedthatway。\"

\"Howlong？\"askedtheinspector，quickly。

\"Foryears。Nevergetsabitolder。\"

\"Oryounger，Idaresay。Isupposehe\'sworkedhereallthoseyears？\"

\"Offandon——butthatwasbeforethenewlawwaspassed，\"thesuperintendenthastenedtoadd。

\"Machineidle？\"theinspectorasked，pointingattheunoccupiedmachinebesideJohnny\'s，inwhichthepart-filledbobbinswereflyinglikemad。

\"Looksthatway。\"Thesuperintendentmotionedtheoverseertohimandshoutedinhisearandpointedatthemachine。\"Machine\'sidle，\"hereportedbacktotheinspector。

Theypassedon，andJohnnyreturnedtohiswork，relievedinthattheillhadbeenaverted。Buttheone-leggedboywasnotsofortunate。Thesharp-

eyedinspectorhaledhimoutatarmslengthfromthebintruck。Hislipswerequivering，andhisfacehadalltheexpressionofoneuponwhomwasfallenprofoundandirremediabledisaster。Theoverseerlookedastounded，asthoughforthefirsttimehehadlaideyesontheboy，whilethesuperintendent\'sfaceexpressedshockanddispleasure。

\"Iknowhim，\"theinspectorsaid。\"He\'stwelveyearsold。I\'vehadhimdischargedfromthreefactoriesinsidetheyear。Thismakesthefourth。\"

Heturnedtotheone-leggedboy。\"Youpromisedme，wordandhonour，thatyou\'dgotoschool。\"

Theone-leggedboyburstintotears。\"Please，Mr。Inspector，twobabiesdiedonus，andwe\'reawfulpoor。\"

\"Whatmakesyoucoughthatway？\"theinspectordemanded，asthoughcharginghimwithcrime。

Andasindenialofguilt，theone-leggedboyreplied:\"Itain\'tnothin\'。

Ijes\'caughtacoldlastweek，Mr。Inspector，that\'sall。\"

Intheendtheone-leggedboywentoutoftheroomwiththeinspector，thelatteraccompaniedbytheanxiousandprotestingsuperintendent。Afterthatmonotonysettleddownagain。Thelongmorningandthelongerafternoonworeawayandthewhistleblewforquittingtime。DarknesshadalreadyfallenwhenJohnnypassedoutthroughthefactorygate。Intheintervalthesunhadmadeagoldenladderofthesky，floodedtheworldwithitsgraciouswarmth，anddroppeddownanddisappearedinthewestbehindaraggedsky-lineofhousetops。

Supperwasthefamilymealoftheday——theonemealatwhichJohnnyencounteredhisyoungerbrothersandsisters。Itpartookofthenatureofanencounter，tohim，forhewasveryold，whiletheyweredistressinglyyoung。Hehadnopatiencewiththeirexcessiveandamazingjuvenility。Hedidnotunderstandit。Hisownchildhoodwastoofarbehindhim。Hewaslikeanoldandirritableman，annoyedbytheturbulenceoftheiryoungspiritsthatwastohimarrantsilliness。Hegloweredsilentlyoverhisfood，findingcompensationinthethoughtthattheywouldsoonhavetogotowork。Thatwouldtaketheedgeoffofthemandmakethemsedateanddignified——likehim。Thusitwas，afterthefashionofthehuman，thatJohnnymadeofhimselfayardstickwithwhichtomeasuretheuniverse。

Duringthemeal，hismotherexplainedinvariouswaysandwithinfiniterepetitionthatshewastryingtodothebestshecould；sothatitwaswithrelief，thescantmealended，thatJohnnyshovedbackhischairandarose。Hedebatedforamomentbetweenbedandthefrontdoor，andfinallywentoutthelatter。Hedidnotgofar。Hesatdownonthestoop，hiskneesdrawnupandhisnarrowshouldersdroopingforward，hiselbowsonhiskneesandthepalmsofhishandssupportinghischin。

Ashesatthere，hedidnothinking。Hewasjustresting。Sofarashismindwasconcerned，itwasasleep。Hisbrothersandsisterscameout，andwithotherchildrenplayednoisilyabouthim。Anelectricglobeatthecornerlightedtheirfrolics。Hewaspeevishandirritable，thattheyknew；butthespiritofadventureluredthemintoteasinghim。Theyjoinedhandsbeforehim，and，keepingtimewiththeirbodies，chantedinhisfaceweirdanduncomplimentarydoggerel。Atfirsthesnarledcursesatthem——

curseshehadlearnedfromthelipsofvariousforemen。Findingthisfutile，andrememberinghisdignity，herelapsedintodoggedsilence。

HisbrotherWill，nexttohiminage，havingjustpassedhistenthbirthday，wastheringleader。Johnnydidnotpossessparticularlykindlyfeelingstowardhim。HislifehadearlybeenembitteredbycontinualgivingoverandgivingwaytoWill。HehadadefinitefeelingthatWillwasgreatlyinhisdebtandwasungratefulaboutit。Inhisownplaytime，farbackinthedimpast，hehadbeenrobbedofalargepartofthatplaytimebybeingcompelledtotakecareofWill。Willwasababythen，andthen，asnow，theirmotherhadspentherdaysinthemills。ToJohnnyhadfallenthepartoflittlefatherandlittlemotheraswell。

Willseemedtoshowthebenefitofthegivingoverandthegivingway。Hewaswell-built，fairlyrugged，astallashiselderbrotherandevenheavier。Itwasasthoughthelife-bloodoftheonehadbeendivertedintotheother\'sveins。Andinspiritsitwasthesame。Johnnywasjaded，wornout，withoutresilience，whilehisyoungerbrotherseemedburstingandspillingoverwithexuberance。

Themockingchantroselouderandlouder。Willleanedcloserashedanced，thrustingouthistongue。Johnny\'sleftarmshotoutandcaughttheotheraroundtheneck。Atthesametimeherappedhisbonyfisttotheother\'snose。Itwasapatheticallybonyfist，butthatitwassharptohurtwasevidencedbythesquealofpainitproduced。Theotherchildrenwereutteringfrightenedcries，whileJohnny\'ssister，Jennie，haddashedintothehouse。

HethrustWillfromhim，kickedhimsavagelyontheshins，thenreachedforhimandslammedhimfacedownwardinthedirt。Nordidhereleasehimtillthefacehadbeenrubbedintothedirtseveraltimes。Thenthemotherarrived，ananaemicwhirlwindofsolicitudeandmaternalwrath。

\"Whycan\'theleavemealone？\"wasJohnny\'sreplytoherupbraiding。

\"Can\'theseeI\'mtired？\"

\"I\'masbigasyou，\"Willragedinherarms，hisfaceamassoftears，dirt，andblood。\"I\'masbigasyounow，an\'I\'mgoin\'togitbigger。

ThenI\'lllickyou——seeifIdon\'t。\"

\"Yououghttobetowork，seein\'howbigyouare，\"Johnnysnarled。\"That\'swhat\'sthematterwithyou。Yououghttobetowork。An\'it\'suptoyourmatoputyoutowork。\"

\"Buthe\'stooyoung，\"sheprotested。\"He\'sonlyalittleboy。\"

\"Iwasyounger\'nhimwhenIstartedtowork。\"

Johnny\'smouthwasopen，furthertoexpressthesenseofunfairnessthathefelt，butthemouthclosedwithasnap。Heturnedgloomilyonhisheelandstalkedintothehouseandtobed。Thedoorofhisroomwasopentoletinwarmthfromthekitchen。Asheundressedinthesemi-darknesshecouldhearhismothertalkingwithaneighbourwomanwhohaddroppedin。Hismotherwascrying，andherspeechwaspunctuatedwithspiritlesssniffles。

\"Ican\'tmakeoutwhat\'sgittin\'intoJohnny，\"hecouldhearhersay。\"Hedidn\'tusedtobethisway。Hewasapatientlittleangel。

\"An\'heisagoodboy，\"shehastenedtodefend。\"He\'sworkedfaithful，an\'

hedidgotoworktooyoung。Butitwasn\'tmyfault。IdothebestIcan，I\'msure。\"

Prolongedsnifflingfromthekitchen，andJohnnymurmuredtohimselfashiseyelidscloseddown，\"YoubetcherlifeI\'veworkedfaithful。\"

Thenextmorninghewastornbodilybyhismotherfromthegripofsleep。

Thencamethemeagrebreakfast，thetrampthroughthedark，andthepaleglimpseofdayacrossthehousetopsasheturnedhisbackonitandwentinthroughthefactorygate。Itwasanotherday，ofallthedays，andallthedayswerealike。

Andyettherehadbeenvarietyinhislife——atthetimeshechangedfromonejobtoanother，orwastakensick。Whenhewassix，hewaslittlemotherandfathertoWillandtheotherchildrenstillyounger。Atsevenhewentintothemills——windingbobbins。Whenhewaseight，hegotworkinanothermill。Hisnewjobwasmarvellouslyeasy。Allhehadtodowastositdownwithalittlestickinhishandandguideastreamofcloththatflowedpasthim。Thisstreamofclothcameoutofthemawofamachine，passedoverahotroller，andwentonitswayelsewhere。Buthesatalwaysinoneplace，beyondthereachofdaylight，agas-jetflaringoverhim，himselfpartofthemechanism。

Hewasveryhappyatthatjob，inspiteofthemoistheat，forhewasstillyoungandinpossessionofdreamsandillusions。Andwonderfuldreamshedreamedashewatchedthesteamingclothstreamingendlesslyby。Buttherewasnoexerciseaboutthework，nocalluponhismind，andhedreamedlessandless，whilehismindgrewtorpidanddrowsy。Nevertheless，heearnedtwodollarsaweek，andtwodollarsrepresentedthedifferencebetweenacutestarvationandchronicunderfeeding。

Butwhenhewasnine，helosthisjob。Measleswasthecauseofit。Afterherecovered，hegotworkinaglassfactory。Thepaywasbetter，andtheworkdemandedskill。Itwaspiecework，andthemoreskilfulhewas，thebiggerwagesheearned。Herewasincentive。Andunderthisincentivehedevelopedintoaremarkableworker。

Itwassimplework，thetyingofglassstoppersintosmallbottles。Athiswaisthecarriedabundleoftwine。Heheldthebottlesbetweenhiskneessothathemightworkwithbothhands。Thus，inasittingpositionandbendingoverhisownknees，hisnarrowshouldersgrewhumpedandhischestwascontractedfortenhourseachday。Thiswasnotgoodforthelungs，buthetiedthreehundreddozenbottlesaday。

Thesuperintendentwasveryproudofhim，andbroughtvisitorstolookathim。Intenhoursthreehundreddozenbottlespassedthroughhishands。

Thismeantthathehadattainedmachine-likeperfection。Allwastemovementswereeliminated。Everymotionofhisthinarms，everymovementofamuscleinthethinfingers，wasswiftandaccurate。Heworkedathightension，andtheresultwasthathegrewnervous。Atnighthismusclestwitchedinhissleep，andinthedaytimehecouldnotrelaxandrest。Heremainedkeyedupandhismusclescontinuedtotwitch。Alsohegrewsallowandhislint-coughgrewworse。Thenpneumonialaidholdofthefeeblelungswithinthecontractedchest，andhelosthisjobintheglass-works。

Nowhehadreturnedtothejutemillswherehehadfirstbegunwithwindingbobbins。Butpromotionwaswaitingforhim。Hewasagoodworker。Hewouldnextgoonthestarcher，andlaterhewouldgointotheloomroom。

Therewasnothingafterthatexceptincreasedefficiency。

Themachineryranfasterthanwhenhehadfirstgonetowork，andhismindranslower。Henolongerdreamedatall，thoughhisearlieryearshadbeenfullofdreaming。Oncehehadbeeninlove。Itwaswhenhefirstbeganguidingtheclothoverthehotroller，anditwaswiththedaughterofthesuperintendent。Shewasmucholderthanhe，ayoungwoman，andhehadseenheratadistanceonlyapaltryhalf-dozentimes。Butthatmadenodifference。Onthesurfaceoftheclothstreamthatpouredpasthim，hepicturedradiantfutureswhereinheperformedprodigiesoftoil，inventedmiraculousmachines，wontothemastershipofthemills，andintheendtookherinhisarmsandkissedhersoberlyonthebrow。

Butthatwasallinthelongago，beforehehadgrowntoooldandtiredtolove。Also，shehadmarriedandgoneaway，andhismindhadgonetosleep。

Yetithadbeenawonderfulexperience，andheusedoftentolookbackuponitasothermenandwomenlookbackuponthetimetheybelievedinfairies。

HehadneverbelievedinfairiesnorSantaClaus；buthehadbelievedimplicitlyinthesmilingfuturehisimaginationhadwroughtintothesteamingclothstream。

Hehadbecomeamanveryearlyinlife。Atseven，whenhedrewhisfirstwages，beganhisadolescence。Acertainfeelingofindependencecreptupinhim，andtherelationshipbetweenhimandhismotherchanged。Somehow，asanearnerandbreadwinner，doinghisownworkintheworld，hewasmorelikeanequalwithher。Manhood，full-blownmanhood，hadcomewhenhewaseleven，atwhichtimehehadgonetoworkonthenightshiftforsixmonths。Nochildworksonthenightshiftandremainsachild。

Therehadbeenseveralgreateventsinhislife。OneofthesehadbeenwhenhismotherboughtsomeCaliforniaprunes。Twoothershadbeenthetwotimeswhenshecookedcustard。Thosehadbeenevents。Herememberedthemkindly。Andatthattimehismotherhadtoldhimofablissfuldishshewouldsometimemake——\"floatingisland，\"shehadcalledit，\"betterthancustard。\"Foryearshehadlookedforwardtothedaywhenhewouldsitdowntothetablewithfloatingislandbeforehim，untilatlasthehadrelegatedtheideaofittothelimboofunattainableideals。

Oncehefoundasilverquarterlyingonthesidewalk。That，also，wasagreateventinhislife，withalatragicone。Heknewhisdutyontheinstantthesilverflashedonhiseyes，beforeevenhehadpickeditup。

Athome，asusual，therewasnotenoughtoeat，andhomeheshouldhavetakenitashedidhiswageseverySaturdaynight。Rightconductinthiscasewasobvious；butheneverhadanyspendingofhismoney，andhewassufferingfromcandyhunger。Hewasravenousforthesweetsthatonlyonred-letterdayshehadevertastedinhislife。

Hedidnotattempttodeceivehimself。Heknewitwassin，anddeliberatelyhesinnedwhenhewentonafifteen-centcandydebauch。Tencentshesavedforafutureorgy；butnotbeingaccustomedtothecarryingofmoney，helostthetencents。Thisoccurredatthetimewhenhewassufferingallthetormentsofconscience，anditwastohimanactofdivineretribution。HehadafrightenedsenseoftheclosenessofanawfulandwrathfulGod。Godhadseen，andGodhadbeenswifttopunish，denyinghimeventhefullwagesofsin。

Inmemoryhealwayslookedbackuponthatastheonegreatcriminaldeedofhislife，andattherecollectionhisconsciencealwaysawokeandgavehimanothertwinge。Itwastheoneskeletoninhiscloset。Also，beingsomade，andcircumstanced，helookedbackuponthedeedwithregret。Hewasdissatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichhehadspentthequarter。Hecouldhaveinvesteditbetter，and，outofhislaterknowledgeofthequicknessofGod，hewouldhavebeatenGodoutbyspendingthewholequarteratonefellswoop。Inretrospecthespentthequarterathousandtimes，andeachtimetobetteradvantage。

Therewasoneothermemoryofthepast，dimandfaded，butstampedintohissouleverlastingbythesavagefeetofhisfather。Itwasmorelikeanightmarethanarememberedvisionofaconcretething——moreliketherace-

memoryofmanthatmakeshimfallinhissleepandthatgoesbacktohisarborealancestry。

ThisparticularmemorynevercametoJohnnyinbroaddaylightwhenhewaswideawake。Itcameatnight，inbed，atthemomentthathisconsciousnesswassinkingdownandlosingitselfinsleep。Italwaysarousedhimtofrightenedwakefulness，andforthemoment，inthefirstsickeningstart，itseemedtohimthathelaycrosswiseonthefootofthebed。Inthebedwerethevagueformsofhisfatherandmother。Heneversawwhathisfatherlookedlike。Hehadbutoneimpressionofhisfather，andthatwasthathehadsavageandpitilessfeet。

Hisearliermemorieslingeredwithhim，buthehadnolatememories。Alldayswerealike。Yesterdayorlastyearwerethesameasathousandyears——

oraminute。Nothingeverhappened。Therewerenoeventstomarkthemarchoftime。Timedidnotmarch。Itstoodalwaysstill。Itwasonlythewhirlingmachinesthatmoved，andtheymovednowhere——inspiteofthefactthattheymovedfaster。

Whenhewasfourteen，hewenttoworkonthestarcher。Itwasacolossalevent。Somethinghadatlasthappenedthatcouldberememberedbeyondanight\'ssleeporaweek\'spay-day。Itmarkedanera。ItwasamachineOlympiad，athingtodatefrom。\"WhenIwenttoworkonthestarcher，\"or，\"after，\"or\"beforeIwenttoworkonthestarcher，\"weresentencesoftenonhislips。

Hecelebratedhissixteenthbirthdaybygoingintotheloomroomandtakingaloom。Herewasanincentiveagain，foritwaspiece-work。Andheexcelled，becausetheclayofhimhadbeenmouldedbythemillsintotheperfectmachine。Attheendofthreemonthshewasrunningtwolooms，and，later，threeandfour。

Attheendofhissecondyearattheloomshewasturningoutmoreyardsthananyotherweaver，andmorethantwiceasmuchassomeofthelessskilfulones。Andathomethingsbegantoprosperasheapproachedthefullstatureofhisearningpower。Not，however，thathisincreasedearningswereinexcessofneed。Thechildrenweregrowingup。Theyatemore。Andtheyweregoingtoschool，andschool-bookscostmoney。Andsomehow，thefasterheworked，thefasterclimbedthepricesofthings。

Eventherentwentup，thoughthehousehadfallenfrombadtoworsedisrepair。