ATthecornerofTwenty-sixthStreetamanputhimselfsquarelyacrossherpath。Shewasattractedbythetwinkleinhisgood-naturedeyes。Hewasayoungishman，hadthestoutnessofindulgenceinafondnessforeatinganddrinking——butthestoutnesswasstillwellwithintheboundsofdecency。Hisclothingboreoutthesuggestionofhisself-assuredwayofstoppingher——thesuggestionofaconfidence-givingprosperity。
“Youlookasifyouneededadrink，too，“saidhe。“Howaboutit，ladywiththelovelyfeet？“
Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshewasfeelingonanequalitywithman。Shegavehimthesamecandidlymeasuringglancethatmangivesman。Shesawgood-nature，audacitywithoutimpudence——atleastnotthecommonsortofimpudence。Shesmiledmerrily，gladofthechancetoshowherdelightthatshewasoncemorebackincivilizationafterthelongsojournintheprisonworkshopswhereitismanufactured。Shesaid：
“Adrink？Thankyou——yes。”
“That”sasuperiorqualityofsmileyou”vegotthere，“saidhe。
“That，andthoseniceslimfeetofyoursoughttowinforyouanywhere。Let”sgototheMartin。”
“DownUniversityPlace？“
Thestoutyoungmanpointedhisslendercaneacrossthestreet。
“Youmusthavebeenaway。”
“Yes，“saidthegirl。“I”vebeen——dead。”
“I”dliketotrythatmyself——ifIcouldbesureofcomingtolifeinlittleoldNewYork。”Andhelookedroundwithlaughingeyesasifthelights，thecrowds，thechampagne-likeairintoxicatedhim。
AtthefirstbreakinthethunderoustorrentoftraffictheycrossedBroadwayandwentinattheTwenty-sixthStreetentrance。Therestaurant，totheleft，wasempty。Itslittletableswereready，however，forthethrongofdinerssoontocome。Susanhaddifficultyinrestrainingherself。Shewasalmostdeliriouswithdelight。Shewasagitatedalmosttotearsbythefreshness，thesparkleintheglowofthered-shadedcandles，inthecolorsandodorsoftheflowersdecoratingeverytable。Whileshehadbeendownthereallthishadbeenuphere——waitingforher！Whyhadshestayeddownthere？Butthen，whyhadshegone？Whatfolly，whatmadness！
Tosuffersuchhorrorsfornoreason——beyondsomevague，clingingremnantofasuperstition——orhaditbeenjustplaininsanity？“Yes，I”vebeencrazy——outofmyhead。Thebreakwith——Rod——upsetmymind。”
Hercompaniontookherintothecafetotheright。Heseatedherononeoftheleatherbenchesnotfarfromthedoor，seatedhimselfinachairopposite；therewasanarrowmarble-toppedtablebetweenthem。OnSusan”srightsatatooconspicuouslydressedbutsomehowimportantlookingactress；onherleft，ashopkeeper”sfatwife。Oppositeeachwomansatthesortofmanonewouldexpecttofindwithher。Thefaceoftheactress”smaninterestedher。Itwasalongpaleface，themouthweary，intheeyesastrangehotfireofintenseenthusiasm。Hewasyoung——andold——andneither。Evidentlyhehadlivedeveryminuteofeveryyearofhisperhapsfortyyears。Hewaswearingaquietsuitofblueandhisnecktiewasofadarkershadeofthesamecolor。Hisclothesweredrapeduponhisgoodfigurewithacertainfascinatingdistinction。Hewassmokinganunusuallylongandthickcigarette。Theslenderstrongwhitehandheraisedandloweredwasthehandofanartist。Hemightbeabadman，averybadman——hisfacehadanexpressionoffreedom，ofexperience，thatmadesuchanideaasconventionalityinconnectionwithhimridiculous。Buthoweverbadhemightbe，Susanfeltsureitwouldbeanartistickindofbadness，withoutvulgarity。Hemighthavereachedthestageatwhichmoralityceasestobeaconviction，amatterofconscience，andbecomesamatterofpreference，oftastes——andhesurelyhadgoodtasteinconductnolessthanindressandmanner。Thewomanwithhimevidentlywishedtoconvincehimthatshelovedhim，toconvincethoseaboutherthattheywerelovers；themanevidentlyknewexactlywhatshehadinmind——forhewaspolite，attentive，indifferent，and——Susansuspected——secretlyamused。
Susan”sescortleanedtowardherandsaidinalowtone，“Thetwoatthenexttable——thewoman”sMaryRigsdall，theactress，andtheman”sBrent，thefellowwhowritesplays。”Theninalesscautioustone，“Whatareyoudrinking？“
“Whatare_you_drinking？“askedSusan，stillcovertlywatchingBrent。
“Youaregoingtodinewithme？“
“I”venoengagement。”
“Thenlet”shaveMartinis——andI”llgogetatableandorderdinnerwhilethewaiter”sbringingthem。”
WhenSusanwasalone，shegazedroundthecrowdedcafe，atthescoresofinterestingfaces——thrillinglyinterestingtoherafterherlongsojournamongcountenancesmerelyexpressingcrudeelementalappetitesifanythingatallbeyondtoil，anxiety，privation，andbadhealth。Thesewerethefacesofthetriumphantclass——ofthosewhohadwealthorweregettingit，fameorwerestrivingforit，ofthoseborntooracquiringpositionofsomesortamongthefewthousandswholorditoverthemillions。Thesewerethepeopleamongwhomshebelonged。
Whywasshehavingsuchasavagestruggletoattainit？Then，allinaninstantthetruthshehadbeensolonggropingforinvainflungitselfather。Noneofthesewomen，noneofthewomenoftheprosperousclasseswouldbetherebutfortheassistanceandprotectionofthemen。Shemarveledatherstupidityinnothavingseentheobviousthingclearlylongago。Thesuccessfulwomenwontheirsuccessbydisposingoftheirpersonstoadvantage——bygettingthefavorofsomemanofability。Therefore，she，awoman，mustadoptthatsamepolicyifshewastohaveachanceatthethingsworthwhileinlife。
Shemustmakethebestbargain——orseriesofbargains——shecould。Andashernecessitieswerepressingshemustlosenotime。SheunderstoodnowtheinstinctthathadforcedhertoflyfromSouthFifthAvenue，thathadoverruledherhesitationandhadcompelledhertoacceptthegood-natured，prosperousman”sinvitation……Therewasnootherwayopentoher。
Shemustnotevadethatfact；shemustacceptit。Otherwaystheremightbe——forotherwomen。Butnotforher，theoutcastwithoutfriendsorfamily，thewomanalone，withnoonetoleanuponortogiveheranythingexceptinexchangeforwhatshehadtoofferthatwasmarketable。Shemustmakethebargainshecould，notwastetimeinthefollyofawaitingabargaintoherliking。Sinceshewaslivingintheworldandwishedtocontinuetolivethere，shemustaccepttheworld”sterms。Tobesadorangryeitheronebecausetheworlddidnotofferherasattractivetermsasitapparentlyofferedmanyotherwomen——thehappyandrespectedwivesandmothersoftheprosperousclasses，forinstance——torailagainstthatwassillyandstupid，wasunworthyofherintelligence。Shewoulddoasbestshecould，andmovealong，keepinghereyesopen；
andperhapssomedayachanceformuchbettertermsmightoffer——forthebest——forsuchtermsasthatfamousactresstherehadgot。ShelookedatMaryRigsdall。Anexpressioninherinterestingface——thelatentratherthanthesurfaceexpression——setSusantowonderingwhether，ifsheknewRigsdall”s_whole_story——oranywoman”swholestory——shemightnotseethattheworldwasnotbargainingsohardlywithher，afterall。Oranyman”swholestory。TherehereyesshiftedtoRigsdall”scompanion，thefamousplaywrightofwhomshehadsooftenheardRodandhisfriendstalk。
Shewasstartledtofindthathisgazewasuponher——anall-seeinglookthatpenetratedtotheverycoreofherbeing。
Heeitherdidnotnoteorcarednothingabouthercolorofembarrassment。Heregardedhersteadilyuntil，soshefelt，hehadseenpreciselywhatshewas，hadbecomeintimatelyacquaintedwithher。Thenhelookedaway。Itchagrinedherthathiseyesdidnotagainturninherdirection；shefeltthathehadcataloguedherasnotworthwhile。Shelistenedtotheconversationofthetwo。Thewomandidthetalking，andhersubjectwasherself——herabilityasanactress，herconceptionofsomepartsheeitherwasabouttoplayorwashopingtoplay。Susan，tooyoungtohaveacquiredmorethantherudimentsofthedifficultartofcharacterstudy，evenhadshehadespecialtalentforit——whichshehadnot——SusandecidedthatthefamousRigsdallwasasshallowandvainasRodhadsaidallstagepeoplewere。
Thewaiterbroughtthecocktailsandherstoutyoungcompanioncameback，beamingatthethoughtofthedinnerhehadpainstakinglyordered。Ashereachedthetablehejerkedhisheadinself-approval。“It”llbeagoodone，“saidhe。
“Saturdaynightdinner——andafter——meansalottome。Iworkhardallweek。SaturdaynightsIcutloose。SundaysIsleepandgetreadytoscrambleagainonMondayforthedollars。”Heseatedhimself，leanedtowardherwithelevatedglass。“Whatname？“inquiredhe。
“Susan。”
“That”sagoodold-fashionedname。Makesmeseethehollyhocks，andthehensscratchingforworms。Mine”sHowland。
BillyHowland。IcamefromMaryland……andI”mmightygladIdid。Iwouldn”tbefromanywhereelseforworlds，andIwouldn”tbethereforworlds。Wheredoyouhailfrom？“
“TheWest，“saidSusan。
“Well，themeninyourparticularcorneroutyondermustbeaprettypoorlottohaveletyouleave。IspottedyouforminetheminuteIsawyou——Susan。Ihopeyou”renotasquietasyourname。Anothercocktail？“
“Thanks。”
“Liketodrink？“
“I”mgoingtodomoreofithereafter。”
“Beenlayinglowforawhile——eh？“
“Verylow，“saidSusan。Hereyesweresparklingnow；thecocktailhadbeguntostirherlonglanguidblood。
“Livewithyourfamily？“
“Ihaven”tany。I”mfree。”
“Onthestage？“
“I”mthinkingofgoingon。”
“Andmeanwhile？“
“Meanwhile——whatevercomes。”
BillyHowland”sfacewasradiant。“Ihadadatetonightandtheladythrewmedown。Oneofthosedrummer”swivesthattakeinwashingtoaddtothefamilyincomewhilehubby”sflirtingroundthecountry。Thishubbycamehomeunexpectedly。I”mgladhedid。”
Hebeamedwithsuchwhole-souledgood-naturethatSusanlaughed。“Thanks。Sametoyou，“saidshe。
“Hopeyou”regoingtodoalotofthatlaughing，“saidhe。
“It”sthebestI”veheard——suchaquiet，gaysound。Isuredohavethebestluck。UntilfiveyearsagotherewasnothingdoingforBilly——hallbedroom——Wheelingstogies——oneshirtandtwopairsofcuffsaweek——notenoughtobuyaladyanice-creamsoda。Allatonce——bang！Thehoodoobusted，andeverythingthatarrivedwasforWilliamC。Howland。Bettergetaboard。”
“HereIam。”
“Holdontight。Ipaynoattentiontothespeedlaws，androundthecornersontwowheels。Doyoulikegoodthingstoeat？“
“Ihaven”teatenforsixmonths。”
“Youmusthavebeenouthome。Ah！——There”sthemantotellusdinner”sready。”
Theyfinishedthesecondcocktail。SusanwaspleasedtonotethatBrentwasagainlookingather；andshethought——thoughshesuspecteditmightbethecocktail——thattherewasaquestioninhislook——aquestionaboutherwhichhehadbeenunabletoanswertohissatisfaction。WhensheandHowlandwereatoneofthesmalltablesagainstthewallintherestaurant，shesaidtohim：
“YouknowMr。Brent？“
“Theplayman？Lord，no。I”maplainbusinessdub。Hewouldn”tbotherwithme。Youlikethatsortofman？“
“Iwanttogetonthestage，ifIcan，“wasSusan”sdiplomaticreply。
“Well——let”shavedinnerfirst。I”veorderedchampagne，butifyouprefersomethingelse——”
“ChampagneiswhatIwant。Ihopeit”sverydry。”
Howland”seyesgazedtenderlyather。“Idolikeawomanwhoknowsthedifferencebetweenchampagneandcarbonatedsirup。
IthinkyouandI”vegotalotoftastesincommon。Ilikeeating——sodoyou。Ilikedrinking——sodoyou。Ilikeagoodtime——sodoyou。You”realittlebitthinformytaste，butyou”llfattenup。Iwonderwhatmakesyourlipssopale。”
“I”dhatetoremindmyselfbytellingyou，“saidSusan。
Therestaurantwasfilling。Mostofthemenandwomenwereineveningdress。Eacharrivingwomanbroughtwithheranewexhibitionofextravaganceincostume，diffusedanewvarietyofpowerfulperfume。TheorchestrainthebalconywasplayingwaltzesandtheliveliestHungarianmusicandthemostsensuousstrainsfromItalyandFranceandSpain。Andbeforeherwasfood！——foodagain！——nothorriblestuffunfitforbeasts，worsethanwasfedtobeasts，buthumanfood——goodthings，wellcookedandwellserved。Tohaveseenher，tohaveseentheexpressionofhereyes，withoutknowingherhistoryandwithouthavinglivedasshehadlived，wouldhavebeentothinkheraglutton。Herspiritsgiddiedtowardtheecstatic。Shebegantotalk——commentingonthepeopleabouther——theonesubjectshecouldventurewithhercompanion。Asshetalkedanddrank，heateanddrank，stuffingandgorginghimself，butwithafranknessofgluttonythatdelightedher。Shefoundshecouldnoteatmuch，butshelikedtoseeeating；shewhohadsolongbeenseeingonlypoverty，boltingwretchedfoodanddrinkingthevilestkindsofwhiskeyandbeer，ofallegedcoffeeandtea——shereveledinHowland”sexhibition。Shemustlearntolivealtogetherinhersenses，nevertothinkexceptaboutanappetite。Wherecouldshefindabetterteacher？……
Theydranktwoquartsofchampagne，andwiththecoffeeshetook_cremedementhe_andhebrandy。Andasthesensuoustemperamentthatspringsfromintensevitalityreasserteditself，theopportunitybeforeherlostallitsrepellentfeatures，becamethebright，vividcountenanceoflustyyouth，irradiatingthejoyofliving。
“Ihearthere”salivelyballupatTerraceGarden，“saidhe。
“Wanttogo？“
“That”llbefine！“criedshe。
Shesawitwouldhavetakennearlyallthemoneyshepossessedtohavepaidthatbill。Aboutfourweeks”wagesforonedinner！Thousandsoffamilieslivingfortwoweeksonwhatsheandhehadconsumedintwohours！Shereachedforherhalfemptychampagneglass，emptiedit。Shemustforgetallthosethings！“I”veplayedthefoolonce。I”velearnedmylesson。
SurelyI”llneverdoitagain。”Asshedrank，hereyeschancedupontheclock。Half-pastten。Mrs。Tuckerhadprobablyjustfallenasleep。AndMrs。Reardonwasgoingouttoscrub——goingoutlimpingandgroaningwithrheumatism。No，Mrs。Reardonwaslyingupatthemorguedead，heronechancetolivelostforever。Dead！YetbetteroffthanMrs。Tuckerlyingalive。
Susancouldseeher——theseamedandbrokenanddirtyoldremnantofaface——couldseethevermin——andthemicecouldhearthesnoring——theangrygruntandturningoverastheinsects——
“Iwantanotherdrink——rightaway，“shecried。
“Sure！“saidHowland。“Ineedonemore，too。”
TheydroveinataxitoTerraceGarden，heholdingherinhisarmsandkissingherwithanintoxicatedman”senthusiasm。
“Youcertainlyaresweet，“saidhe。“Thewineonyourbreathislikeflowers。Gosh，butI”mgladthathusbandcamehome！
Likemealittle？“
“I”msohappy，Ifeellikestandingupandscreaming，“declaredshe。
“Goodidea，“criedhe。Whereuponhereleasedawarwhoopandtheybothwentoffintoafitofhystericallaughter。Whenitsubsidedhesaid，“IsizedyouupasalivewiretheminuteI
sawyou。Butyou”reevenbetterthanIthought。Whatareyouinsuchagoodhumorabout？“
“Youcouldn”tunderstandifItoldyou，“repliedshe。“You”dhavetogoandlivewhereI”vebeenliving——livethereaslongasIhave。”
“Convent？“
“Worse。Worsethanajail。”
Theballprovedaslivelyastheyhoped。AselectcompanyfromtheTenderloinwasattending，andtheregularswereallofthegayestcrowdamongthesonsanddaughtersofartisansandsmallmerchantsupanddowntheEastSide。Notafewofthewomenwereextremelypretty。All，oralmostall，wereyoung，andthosewhooninspectionprovedtobeolderthaneighteenortwentywereactingyoungerthantheyoungest。Everyonehadbeendrinkingfreely，andcontinuedtodrink。Theorchestraplayedcontinuously。Theairwasgiddywithlaughterandsong。
Coupleshuggedandkissedincorners，andfinallyopenlyonthedancingfloor。ForawhileSusanandHowlanddancedtogether。
Butsoontheymadefriendswiththecrowdanddancedwithwhoeverwasnearest。Towardthreeinthemorningitflasheduponherthatshehadnotevenseenhimformanyadance。Shelookedround——searchedforhim——gotablond-beardedmanineveningdresstoassisther。
“Thelastseenofyourstoutfriend，“thismanfinallyreported，“hewasdrivingawayinacabwithalargeladyfromBroadway。Hewasasleep，butIguessshewasn”t。”
Asoberthoughtwinkedintoherwhirlingbrain——hehadwarnedhertoholdontight，andshehadlostherhead——andheropportunity。Abadstart——afoolishlybadstart。ButoutwinkedtheglimpseofsobrietyandSusanlaughed。“That”sthelastI”lleverseeof_him_，“saidshe。
ThisseemedtogiveBlond-Beardnoregrets。Saidhe：“Let”syouandIhavealittlesupper。I”dcallitbreakfast，onlythenwecouldn”thavechampagne。”
Andtheyhadsupper——sixatthetable，alluproarious，Susanwithdifficultyrestrainedfromaskirtdanceonthetableupanddownamongthedishesandbottles。Itwasnearlyfiveo”clockwhensheandBlond-Beardhelpedeachothertowardacab。
“What”syouraddress？“saidhe。
“Thesameasyours，“repliedshedrowsily。
LatethatafternoonsheestablishedherselfinaroomwithabathinWestTwenty-ninthStreetnotfarfromBroadway。Theexteriorofthehousewasdingyanddown-at-the-heel。Buttheinteriorwasnewandscrupulouslyclean。Severalotheryoungwomenlivedtherealonealso，nonequitesowellinstalledasSusan，whohadtheonlyprivatebathandwaspayingtwelvedollarsaweek。Thelandlady，frizzledandperoxide，explained——withoutaddinganythingtowhatshealreadyknew——thatshecouldhave“privileges，“butcautionedheragainstnoise。“Ican”tstandforit，“saidshe。“Firstoffense——outyougo。Thishouseisforladies，andonlygentlementhatknowhowtoconductthemselvesasagentlemanshouldwithaladyareallowedtocomehere。”
Susanpaidaweekinadvance，reducingtothirty-onedollarshercapitalwhichBlond-Beardhadincreasedtoforty-three。
Theyoungladywholivedattheotherendofthehallsmiledather，whenbothhappenedtoglancefromtheiropendoorsatthesametime。Susaninvitedhertocallandsheimmediatelyadvancedalongthehallinthebluesilkkimonoshewaswearingoverhernightgown。
“Myname”sIdaDriscoll，“saidshe，showingadoublerowofcharmingwhiteteeth——herchiefpositiveclaimtobeauty。
Shewasshort，wasplumpabouttheshouldersbutslenderinthehips。Herreddishbrownhairwasneatlydoneoverabigrat，andwassospreadthatitsthinnesswashiddenwellenoughtodeceivemasculineeyes。Norwouldamanhaveobservedthatoneofherwhiteroundshoulderswasfulltwoincheshigherthantheother。Herskinwasgood，herfeaturessmallandirregular，hereyesshrewdbutkindly。
“Myname”s“——Susanhesitated”LornaSackville。”
“IguessLornaandIda”llbeenoughforustobothertoremember，“laughedMissDriscoll。“Therest”sliabletochange。You”vejustcome，haven”tyou？“
“Aboutanhourago。I”vegotonlyatoothbrush，acomb，awashragandacakeofsoap。Iboughtthemonmywayhere。”
“Baggagelost——eh？“saidIda，amused。
“No，“admittedSusan。“I”mbeginninganentirenewdeal。”
“I”lllendyouanightgown。I”mtooshortformyotherthingstofityou。”
“Oh，Icangetalong。What”sgoodforaheadache？I”mnearlycrazywithit。”
“Wine？“
“Yes。”
“Waitaminute。”Ida，withbedroomslippersclattering，hurriedbacktoherroom，returnedwithabottleofbromoseltzerandinthebathroomfixedSusanadose。“You”llfeelallrightinhalfanhourorso。Gee，butyou”reswell——withyourownbathroom。”
Susanshruggedhershouldersandlaughed。
Idashookherheadgravely。“Yououghttosaveyourmoney。Ido。”
“Later——perhaps。Justnow——I_must_haveafling。”
Idaseemedtounderstand。Shewentontosay：“Iwasinmillinery。Butinthistownthere”snothinginanythingunlessyouhavecapitalorabacker。Igottiredofworkingforfiveper，withtenorfifteenasthetopnotch。SoIquit，kissedmyfolksupinHarlemgood-byandcamedowntolookabout。AssoonasI”vesavedenoughI”mgoingtostartabusiness。That”llbeaboutacoupleofyears——maybesooner，ifIfindanangel。”
“I”mthinkingofthestage。”
“Cutitout！“criedIda。“It”sonthebum。There”smoremoneyandlessworryinstraightsporting——ifyoukeeprespectable。
Ofcourse，there”snothinginoutandoutsporting。”
“Oh，Ihaven”tdecidedonanything。Myheadisbetter。”
“Sure！IfthedoseIgaveyoudon”tknockityoucangetoneatthedrugstoretwoblocksupSixthAvenuethat”lldothetrick。Gotadinnerdate？“
“No。Ihaven”tanythingonhand。”
“IthinkyouandImightworktogether，“saidIda。“You”rethinandtallish。I”mshortandfattish。We”dcatch”emcomingandgoing。”
“Thatsoundsgood，“saidSusan。
“You”renewto——tothebusiness？“
“Inaway——yes。”
“Ithoughtso。Weallsoongetakindofaprofessionallook。
Youhaven”tgotit。Still，somanydeadrespectablewomenimitatenowadays，andpaintanduseloudperfumes，thatsportingwomenaren”tnearlysonoticeable。Seemstomethemen”stastesevenforwhattheywantathomearegettinglouderandlouderallthetime。Theyhateanythingthatlooksslow。
Andinourbusinessit”sharderandhardertopleasethem——excepttheyapsfromthelittletownsandthecollegeboys。Awomanhastobeuptosnuffifshegetson。Ifshelookswhatsheis，menwon”thaveher——norifsheiswhatshelooks。”
Susanhadnotlivedwhereeveryformofviciousnessisopenlydiscussedandpracticed，withouthavinglearnedthethingsnecessarytoafullunderstandingofIda”stechnicalphrasesandreferences。Thelivelinessthathadcomewiththedepartureoftheheadachevanished。TochangethesubjectsheinvitedIdatodinewithher。
“What”stheuseofyourspendingmoneyinarestaurant？“
objectedIda。“Youeatwithmeinmyroom。IalwayscookmyselfsomethingwhenIain”taskedoutbysomeoneofmygentlemanfriends。IcancookyouachopandwarmupacanofFrenchpeasandsomedandyteabiscuitsIboughtyesterday。”
Susanacceptedtheinvitation，promisingthatwhenshewasestablishedshewouldreciprocate。Asitwasaboutsix，theyarrangedtohavethedinneratseven，Susantodressinthemeantime。Theheadachehadnowgone，eventothatlastheavinesswhichseemstobeanominousthreatofareturn。
Whenshewasalone，shethrewoffherclothes，filledthebigbathtubwithwaterashotasshecouldstandit。Intothisshegentlyloweredherselfuntilshewasabletorelaxandreclinewithoutdiscomfort。Thenshestoodupandwiththesoapandwashraggaveherselfthemostthoroughscrubbingofherlife。
Timeaftertimeshesoapedandrubbedandscrubbed，anddippedherselfinthehotwater。Whenshefeltthatshehadrestoredherbodytosomewherenearheridealofcleanness，sheletthewaterrunoutandrefilledthetubwithevenhotterwater。Inthisshelayluxuriously，revelinginthemagnificentsensationsofwarmthanduttercleanliness。Hereyesclosed；
adeliciouslanguorstoleoverherandthroughher，soothingeverynerve。Sheslept。
ShewasawakenedbyIda，whohadenteredafterknockingandcallingattheouterdoorinvain。Susanslowlyopenedhereyes，gazedatIdawithasoftdreamysmile。“Youdon”tknowwhatthismeans。ItseemstomeIwasneverquitesocomfortableorsohappyinmylife。”
“It”sashametodisturbyou，“saidIda。“Butdinner”sready。
Don”tstoptodressfirst。I”llbringyouakimono。”
Susanturnedonthecoldwater，andthebathrapidlychangedfromwarmtoicy。Whenshehadindulgedinthesenseofcoldasdelightfulinitswayasthesenseofwarmth，sherubbedherglowingskinwitharoughtoweluntilshewasrose-redfromheadtofoot。Thensheputonstockings，shoesandthepinkkimonoIdahadbrought，andranalongthehalltodinner。AssheenteredIda”sroom，Idaexclaimed，“Howsweetandprettyyoudolook！Yousureoughttomakeahit！“
“Ifeellikeahumanbeingforthefirsttimein——itseemsyears——ages——tome。”
“You”vegotaswellcolor——exceptyourlips。Havetheyalwaysbeenpalelikethat？“
“No。”
“Ithoughtnot。Itdon”tseemtofitinwithyourstyle。Yououghttotouch”emup。Youlooktooseriousandinnocent，anyhow。Theymakearougenowthat”llstickthrougheverything——eating，drinking——anything。”
Susanregardedherselfcriticallyintheglass。“I”llsee，“
shesaid。
TheodorofthecookingchopsthrilledSusanlikemusic。Shedrewachairuptothetable，satinhappy-go-luckyfashion，andattackedthechop，thehotbiscuit，andthepeas，withanenthusiasmthatinspiredIdatoimitation。“Youknowhowtocookachop，“shesaidtoIda。“Andanybodywhocancookachoprightcancook。Cooking”slikeplayingthepiano。Ifyoucandothesimplethingsperfectly，you”rereadytodoanything。”
“WaittillIhaveaflatofmyown，“saidIda。“I”llshowyouwhateatingmeans。AndI”llhaveit，too，beforeverylong。
Maybewe”lllivetogether。Iwastoafortuneteller”syesterday。That”stheonlywayIwastemoney。Igotofortunetellersnearlyeveryday。Butthenallthegirlsdo。Yougetyourmoney”sworthinexcitementandhope，whetherthere”sanythinginitornot。Well，thefortunetellershesaidIwastomeetadark，slenderpersonwhowastochangethewholecourseofmylife——thatallmytroubleswouldrollaway——andthatifanymorecame，they”drollaway，too。My，butshedidgivemeaswellfortune，andonlyfiftycents！I”lltakeyoutoher。”
Idamadeblackcoffeeandthetwogirls，profoundlycontented，drankitandtalkedwiththatbuoyantcheerfulnesswhichbubblesupinyouthontheslightestpretext。Inthiscasethepretextwasanythingbutslight，forbothgirlshadhealthaswellasyouth，hadthatfreedomfromharassingresponsibilitywhichisthechiefcharmofeveryformofunconventionallife。
AndSusanwasstillinthefirstflushofthejoyofescapefromthenoisomeprisonwhosepoisonshadbeencorrodingher，soulandbody。No，poisonisnotajustcomparison；whatpoisonincivilizationparallels，orevenapproaches，insqualor，invilenessoffoodandair，inwretchednessofshelterandclothing，thetenementlifethatisreallythetypicallifeofthecity？FromtimetotimeSusan，suffusedwiththehappinessthatistoodeepforlaughter，toodeepfortearseven，gazedroundlikeadreameratthosecheerfulcomfortablesurroundingsanddrewalongbreath——stealthily，asifshefearedshewouldawakenandbeagaininSouthFifthAvenue，ofragsandfilth，ofhideoustoilwithouthope。
“You”dbettersaveyourmoneytoputinthemillinerybusinesswithme，“Idaadvised。“Icanshowyouhowtomakealot。
SometimesIclearashighasahundredaweek，andIdon”toftenfallbelowseventy-five。Somanygirlsgoaboutthisbusinessinanoaccountway，insteadofbeingregularandbusinesslike。”
Susanstrovetohidethefeelingsarousedbythispracticalstatementofwhatlaybeforeher。Thosefeelingsfilledherwithmisgiving。Wasthelessonstillunlearned？ObviouslyIdawasright；theremustbeplan，calculation，adefinitelinelaidoutandheldto，ortherecouldnotbutbefailureanddisaster。Andyet——Susan”sfleshquiveredandshrankaway。
Shestruggledagainstit，butshecouldnotconquerit。
Experiencehadapparentlybeeninvain；hercharacterhadremainedunchanged……Shemustcompelherself。Shemustdowhatshehadtodo；shemustnotruineverythingbyimitatingthepeopleofthetenementswiththeirfatalhabitoflivingfromdaytodayonly，andtakingnothoughtforthemorrowexceptfatuouslytohopeanddreamthatallwouldbewell。
Whileshewasfightingwithherself，Idahadbeentalkingon——thesamesubject。WhenSusanheardagain，Idawassaying：
“Now，takeme，forinstance。Idon”tsmokeordrink。There”snothingineitherone——especiallydrink。Ofcoursesometimesagirl”sgottodrink。Amanwatcheshertoocloseforhertododgeout。Butusuallyyoucanmakehimthinkyou”reasfullasheis，whenyoureallyarecoldsober。”
“Dothemenalwaysdrinkwhenthey——comewith——with——us？“askedSusan。
“Mostalways。Theycomebecausetheywanttoturnthemselvesloose。That”swhyagirl”sgottobecarefulnottomakeamanfeelnervousorshy。Arespectablewoman”sgameistobemodestandinnocent。Withus，theopposite。They”rebothgames；one”sjustasgoodastheother。”
“Idon”tthinkIcouldgetalongatall——atthis，“confessedSusanwithaneffort，“unlessIdranktoomuch——sothatIwasrecklessanddidn”tcarewhathappened。”
Idalookeddirectlyintohereyes；Susan”sglancefellandaflushmounted。AfterapauseIdawenton：
“Agirldoesfeelthatwayatfirst。Agirlthatmarriesasmostofthemdo——becausetheoldonesarepushingheroutofthenestandshe”sgotnoplaceelsetogo——shefeelsthesamewaytillshehardenstoit。Ofcourse，you”vegottogetbrokeintoanybusiness。”
“Goon，“saidSusaneagerly。“Youaresosensible。Youmustteachme。”
“Commonsenseisathingyoudon”toftenhear——especiallyaboutgettingonintheworld。But，asIwassaying——oneofmygentlemenfriendsisalawyer——suchanicefellow——soliberal。
Givesmeapresentoftwentyortwenty-fiveextra，youunderstand——everytimehemakesakillingdowntown。HeaskedmeoncehowIfeltwhenIstartedin；andwhenItoldhim，hesaid，`That”sexactlythewayIfeltthefirsttimeIwonacaseforaclientIknewwasadirtyrascalandinthewrong。
Butnow——Itakethatsortofthingaseasyasyoudo。”Hesaysthethingistogeton，nomatterhow，andthatoneway”sasgoodasanother。Andhe”smightyright。YousoonlearnthatinlittleoldNewYork，whereyou”vegottohavethemon。oryougetthelaughandthefoot——theswift，hardkick。Cleanupafteryou”vearrived，hesays——anddon”ttrytokeepcleanwhileyou”reworking——anddon”tstopforbathsandthingswhileyou”reatthejob。”
Susanwaslisteningwitheveryfacultyshepossessed。
“Hesayshetalkstheothersortofthing——thedope——thefakestuff——justastherestofthehustlersdo。Hesaysit”snecessaryinordertokeepthepeoplefooled——thatiftheygotwisetotherealwaytosucceed，thenthere”dbenobodytorobandgetrichoffof。Oh，he”sgotitright。He”sasmartone。”
Thesad，bitterexpressionwasstronginSusan”sface。
Afterapause，Idawenton：“Ifagirl”sanignorantfoolorsqueamish，shedon”tgetupinthisbusinessanymorethaninanyother。Butifshekeepsacoolhead，anddon”ttakeloversunlesstheypaytheirway，anddon”tdrink，whyshecankeepherself-respectandnothavetotaketothestreets。”
Susanliftedherheadeagerly。“Don”thavetotaketothestreets？“sheechoed。
“Certainlynot，“declaredIda。“Iveryseldomletamanpickmeupafterdark——unlesshelooksmightygood。Igooutinthedaytime。IpretendI”manactressoutofajobforthetimebeing，oraforeladyinabigshopwho”stakingadayorsooff，orarespectablegirllivingwithherparents。Iputalotofmoneyintoclothes——quiet，ladylikeclothes。Mightygoodinvestment。Ifyouain”tgotclothesinNewYorkyoucan”tdoanykindofbusiness。Igowhereaniceclassofmenhangsout，andIneveractbold，butjustflirttimidly，assomanyrespectablegirlsorsemi-respectablesdo。Butwhenagirlplaysthatgame，shehastobecarefulnottomakeamanthinkheain”texpectedtopay。Thetown”schokedfullofmenonthelookoutforwhattheycalllove——whichmeans，forsomethingcheapor，betterstill，free。Menarejustcrazyaboutthemselves。Nothingeasierthantofool”em——andnothing”sharderthantomake”emthinkyouain”tstuckon”em。
Itellyou，agirlinourlifehasachancetolearnmen。Theyturnthemselvesinsideouttous。”
Susan，silent，herthoughtsflowinglikeamillrace，helpedIdawiththedishes。Thentheydressedandwenttogetherforawalk。ItbeingSundayevening，thestreetswerequiet。TheysaunteredupFifthAvenueasfarasFifty-ninthStreetandback。Ida”scalmandsensibledemeanorgaveSusanmuchneededcourageeverytimeamanspoketothem。NoneofthesemenhappenedtobeuptoIda”sstandard，whichwashigh。
“Nousewastingtimeonsnidepeople，“explainedshe。“Wedon”twantdrinksandagushofloosetalk，andIsawataglancethatwasallthosechappiesweregoodfor。”
Theyreturnedhomeathalf-pastninewithoutadventure。TowardmidnightoneofIda”sregularscalledandSusanwasfreetogotobed。Sheslepthardlyatall。Everbeforehermindhoveredanameless，shapelesshorror。Andwhenshesleptshedreamedofherweddingnight，wokeherselfscreaming，“Please，Mr。
Ferguson——please！“
Idahadthreechiefsourcesofrevenue。
Thebestwasfivemen——her“regulargentlemanfriends“——whocalledbyappointmentfromtimetotime。Thesepaidhertendollarsapiece，andoccasionallygaveherpresentsofmoneyorjewelry——nothingthatamountedtomuch。Fromthemsheaveragedaboutthirty-fivedollarsaweek。HersecondsourcewasaMrs。
ThurstonwhokeptinWestFifty-sixthStreetnearNinthAvenueafurnished-roomhouseofthesortthatisontheofficial——andalsothe“revenue“——listsofthepoliceandtheanti-vicesocieties。Thisladyhadalistofgirlsandmarriedwomenuponwhomshecouldcall。Gentlemenusingherhouseforrendezvousweresometimesdisappointedbytheladieswithwhomtheywereintriguing。AgainagentlemangrewalittlewearyofhisperhapstoorespectableortoosincerelylovingladyloveandappealedtoMrs。Thurston。Shekeptherlistofavailablesmostselectandpassedthemoffaswomenofgoodpositionwillingtosupplementasmallincome，ortopunishstingyhusbandsorfathersandatthesametimegetthemoneytheyneededfordressandbridge，formatineesandlunches。Mrs。
Thurstoninsisted——andIdawasinclinedtobelieve——thatthereweregenuinecasesofthiskindonthelist。
“It”smightyhardforwomenwithexpensivetastesandsmallmeanstokeepstraightinNewYork，“saidshetoSusan。“Itcostssomuchtolive，andtherearesomanywaystospendmoney。Andtheyalwayshaverichladyfriendswhosetanextravagantpace。They”vegottodress——andtokindofkeepuptheirend。So”Idalaughed，wenton：“Besidesthecitywomenaregettingsotheylikealittlesportynoveltyasmuchastheirbrothersandhusbandsandfathersdo。Oh，I”mnotashamedofmybusinessanymore。We”reasgoodastheothers，andwe”renothypocrites。Asmylawyerfriendsays，everybody”sgottomakea_good_living，andgoodlivingscan”tbemadeonthewaysthatusedtobecalledonthelevel——they”recalleddamfoolwaysnow。”
Ida”sthirdsourceofincomewastoherthemostattractivebecauseithadsuchalargegamblingelementinit。Thiswasherflirtationsasarespectablewomaninsearchoflivelyamusementandhavingtotakecarenottobecaught。Therearewomenofallkindswhodelightindeceivingmenbecauseitgivesthemasweetstealthysenseofsuperioritytothecondescendingsex。InwomenoftheIdaclassthispleasurebecomesasmuchapassionasitisintherespectablewomanwhomherhusbandtriestoenslave。WithSusan，anotherwomanandoneinneedofeducation，Idawassimpleandscrupulouslytruthful。Butitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforamantogettruthastoanythingfromher。Sheamusedherselfinventingplausibleromanticstoriesaboutherselfthatshemightenjoythegullibilityoftheboastfullysuperiorandpatronizingmale。Shewasdevoidofsentiment，evenofpassion。Yetattimessheaffectedbothinthemostextremefashion。Andafterward，withpealsoflaughter，shewoulddescribetoSusanhowthemanhadacted，whatanassshehadmadeofhim。
“Mendespiseus，“shesaid。“Butit”snothingtothewayI
despisethem。Thebestofthemarerottenbeastswhentheyshowthemselvesastheyare。Andtheyhaven”tanymercyonus。
It”stooridiculous。Mendespiseamanwhoisvirtuousandawomanwhoisn”t。Whatrot！“
Shedeceivedthe“regulars“withouttakingthetroubletorememberherdeceptions。Theycaughtherlyingsooftenthatsheknewtheythoughtheruntruthfulthroughandthrough。Butthisonlygaveheranopportunityforadditionalpleasure——thepleasureofinventingliesthattheywouldbelieveinspiteoftheirdistrustofher。“Anyhow，“saidshe，“haven”tyounoticedtheliarseverybody”sontoarealwaysbelievedandtruthfulpeoplearedoubted？“
Uponthemenwithwhomsheflirted，shepracticedthehighlycoloredromancesitwouldhavebeenuselesstotryupontheregulars。Hergreatesttriumphatthisgamewasahardluckstoryshehadtoldsoeffectivelythatthemanhadgivenhertwohundreddollars。Mostofherromancesturnedaboutherownruin。Asamatteroffact，shehadtoldSusantheexacttruthwhenshesaidshehadtakenuphermodeoflifedeliberately；
shehadgrownwearyandimpatientoftheincreasingpovertyofafamilywhich，likesomanyoftheartisanandsmallmerchantandprofessionalclassesinthisdayofconcentratingwealthandspreadingtastesforcomfortandluxury，wasonitswaydownfromcomforttowardorthroughthetenements。Shewasatypeoftherecruitsthatareswellingtheprostituteclassineverlargernumbersandaredrivingtheprostitutesofthetenementclasstowardstarvation——wheretheyoncedominatedtheprofessioneventoitshighestranks，eventothefashionable_cocotes_whopreyuponthesecondgenerationoftherich。ButIdanevertoldherloversherplainandcommonplacetaleofyieldingtotheirresistiblepressureofeconomicforces。Shehadmademenweepatherrecitalofherwrongs。Ithadevenbroughtheroffersofmarriage——none，however，worthaccepting。
“I”dbeaboobtomarryamanwithlessthanfifteenortwentythousandayear，wouldn”tI？“saidshe。“Why，twoofthemarriedmenwhocometoseemeregularlygivememorethantheygivetheirwivesforpinmoney。AndinafewyearsI”llbehavingmyownrespectablebusiness，withtenthousandincome——maybemore——andaswellthoughtofasthenextwoman。”
Ida”sdreamwasahouseinthecountry，afineflatintown，ahusbandinsome“refined“professionandchildrenathigh-classschools。“AndI”llgetthere，don”tyoudoubtit！“exclaimedshe。“Othershave——ofcourse，youdon”tknowaboutthem——they”velookedoutforthat。Yes，lotsofothershave——but——well，justyouwatchyoursisterIda。”
AndSusanfeltthatshewouldindeedarrive。Alreadyshehadseenthattherewasnodifficultysuchasshehadonceimaginedaboutrecrossingthelinetorespectability。Theonlyrealprobleminthatmatterwashowtogettogetherenoughtomakethecrossingworthwhile——forwhatwasthereinrespectabilitywithoutmoney，inadaywhenrespectabilityhadceasedtomeananythingbutmoney？
IdawishedtotakehertoMrs。Thurstonandgetherafavoredplaceonthelist。Susanthankedher，butsaid，“Notyet——notquiteyet。”Idasuggestedthattheygoouttogetherastwoyoungmarriedwomenwhosehusbandshadgoneontheroad。Susanputherofffromdaytoday。Idafinallyofferedtointroducehertooneoftheregulars：“He”sanicefellow——knowshowtotreataladyinagentlemanlyway。Notabitcoarseorfamiliar。”Susanwouldnotpermitthisgenerosity。Andallthistimeherfundsweresinking。Shehadpaidasecondweek”srent，hadboughtcookingapparatus，somefoodsupplies，somenecessaryclothing。Shewasdowntoafive-dollarbillandalittlechange。
“Lookhere，Lorna，“saidIda，betweenremonstranceandexasperation，“when_are_yougoingtostartin？“
Susanlookedfixedlyather，saidwithaslowsmile，“WhenI
can”tholdoutanotherminute。”
Idatossedherheadangrily。“You”vegotbrains——morethanI
have，“shecried。“You”vegoteveryadvantageforcatchingrichmen——evenarichhusband。You”reeducated。Youspeakandactandlookrefined。Whyyoucouldpretendtobeahowlingfashionableswell。You”vegotallthepoints。Butwhathaveyougot”emfor？Nottousethat”scertain。”
“Youcan”tbeasdisgustedwithmeasIam。”
“Ifyou”regoingtodoathing，why，_do_it！“
“That”swhatItellmyself。But——Ican”tmakeamove。”
Idagaveagestureofdespair。“Idon”tseewhat”stobecomeofyou。Andyoucoulddo_so_well！……LetmephoneMr。
Sterling。Itoldhimaboutyou。He”sanxioustomeetyou。
He”sfondofbooks——likeyou。You”dlikehim。He”dgiveupalottoyou，becauseyou”reclassierthanIam。”
SusanthrewherarmsroundIdaandkissedher。“Don”tbotheraboutme，“shesaid。“I”vegottoactinmyownfoolish，stupidway。I”mlikeachildgoingtoschool。I”vegottolearnacertainamountbeforeI”mreadytodowhateveritisI”mgoingtodo。AnduntilIlearnit，Ican”tdomuchofanything。IthoughtIhadlearnedinthelastfewmonths。I
seeIhaven”t。”
“Dolistentosense，Lorna，“pleadedIda。“Ifyouwaittillthelastminute，you”llgetleft。Thetimetogetthemoney”swhenyouhavemoney。AndI”veafeelingthatyou”renotparticularlyflush。”
“I”lldothebestIcan。AndIcan”tmovetillI”mready。”
Meanwhileshecontinuedtosearchforwork——workthatwouldenablehertolive_decently_，wageslessdegradingthanthewagesofshame。Inanewspapershereadanadvertisementofatheatricalagency。Advertisementsofallkindsreadwell；
thoseoftheatricalagenciesread——likethefairytalesthattheywere。However，shefoundinthisparticularofferingofdazzlingcareersandsalariesapeculiarphrasingthatdecidedhertobreaktheruleshehadmadeafterhavinginvestigatedscoresofthissortofoffers。
Rodwasabroad；anyhow，enoughtimehadelapsed。OneofthemostimpressivefeaturesoftheeffectofNewYork——meaningby“NewYork“onlythatsmallbutsignificantportionofthefourmillionsthatthinks——atleast，afterafashion，andacts，insteadofbeingmerepassivetoolsofwhateverhappenstoturnup——themostfamiliarnotableeffectofthisNewYorkisthespeedydistinctioninthenewcomerofthoseillusionsanddelusionsaboutlifeandabouthumannature，aboutgoodandevil，thatareforsomanypeoplethemostpreciousandtheonlyendurableandbeautifulthingintheworld。NewYork，destroyerofdelusionsandcherishedhypocrisiesandpretenses，thereforemakesthebroadlyintelligentofitscitizenshardy，makestheothershard——andbetweenthehardyandhard，betweensenseandcynicism，yawnsagulflikethatbetweenAbsalomandDives。Susan，aNewYorkernow，hadgotthehabit——inthought，atleast——ofseeingthingswithsomewhatlessdistortionfromtheactual。ShenolongerexaggeratedtheimportanceoftheRod-Susanepisode。ShesawthatinNewYork，wherelifeiscrowdedwithevents，everythinginone”slife，exceptdeath，becomesincident，becomesepisode，whereinregionsofferinglesstothinkabouteachrarehappeningtookonanaspectofvastimportance。TheRod-Susanloveadventure，shenowsaw，wasnotwhatitwouldhaveseemed——therefore，wouldhavebeen——inSutherland，butwasmereepisodeofaNewYorklife，givingitslightandshadetoacertainsmallpartofthelong，variedlypatternedfabricofherlife，andofhis，notdeterminingthewhole。Shesawthatitwassimplylikeabendintheriver，givinganewturntocurrentandcoursebutnotchangingtheriveritself，andsoonleftfarbehindandsucceededbyotherbendsgivingeachitsequalorgreaterturntothestream。
Rodhadpassedfromherlife，andshefromhislife。Thusshewasfreetobeginherrealcareer——thestage——ifshecould。ShewenttothesuiteofofficestenantedbyMr。JosiahRansome。
ShewasusheredintoRansomehimself，insteadofhaltingwithunderlings。Sheowedthisfavortoadvantageswhichherlackofvanityandofself-consciousnesspreventedherfromsurmising。Ransome——smooth，curly，comfortablelooking——receivedherwithadelicateblendingofthepaternalandthegallant。Afterhehadinspectedherexteriorwithflatteringattentivenessandhadinvestigatedherqualificationswithathoroughnessthatwasconvincingofsincerityhesaid：
“Mostsatisfactory！Icanmakeyouanexceptionalassurance。
Ifyouregisterwithme，Icanguaranteeyounotlessthantwenty-fiveaweek。”
Susanhesitatedlongandaskedmanyquestionsbeforeshefinally——withreluctancepaidthefivedollars。Shefeltashamedofherdistrust，butmightperhapshavepersistedinithadnotMr。Ransomesaid：
“Idon”tblameyouforhesitating，mydearyounglady。AndifIcouldI”dputyouonmylistwithoutpayment。Butyoucanseehowunbusinesslikethatwouldbe。Iamasubstantial，old-establishedconcern。You——nodoubtyouareperfectlyreliable。ButIhavebeenfooledsomanytimes。ImustnotletmyselfforgetthatafterallIknownothingaboutyou。”
AssoonasSusanhadpaidhegaveheralistofvaudevilleandmusicalcomedyhouseswheregirlswerewanted。“Youcan”tfailtosuitoneofthem，“saidhe。“Ifnot，comebackhereandgetyourmoney。”
AftertwowearydaysofcanvassingshewentbacktoRansome。
Hewasjustleaving。Buthesmiledgenially，openedhisdeskandseatedhimself。“Atyourservice，“saidhe。“Whatluck？“
“None，“repliedSusan。“Icouldn”tliveonthewagestheyofferedatthemusicalcomedyplaces，evenifIcouldgetplaced。”
“Andthevaudevillepeople？“
“WhenIsaidIcouldonlysingandnotdance，theylookeddiscouraged。WhenIsaidIhadnocostumestheyturnedmedown。”
“Excellent！“criedRansome。“Youmustn”tbesoeasilybeaten。
Youmusttakedancinglessons——perhapsafewsinginglessons，too。Andyoumustgetsomecostumes。”
“Butthatmeansseveralhundreddollars。”
“Threeorfourhundred，“saidRansomeairily。“Amatterofafewweeks。”
“ButIhaven”tanythinglikethat，“saidSusan。“Ihaven”tsomuchas——”
“Icomprehendperfectly，“interruptedRansome。Sheinterestedhim，thisunusuallookinggirl，withherattractiveminglingofyouthandexperience。Hercharmthattemptedpeopletogiveheratoncethefrankestconfidences，movedhimtogooutofhiswaytohelpher。“Youhaven”tthemoney，“hewenton。
“Youmusthaveit。So——Ipromisedtoplaceyou，andIwill。
Idon”tusuallygosofarinassistingmyclients。It”snotoftennecessary——andwhereit”snecessaryit”susuallyimprudent。However——I”llgiveyoutheaddressofaflatwherethereisalady——atrustworthy，squaresort，despiteher——herprofession。Shewillputyouinthewayofgettingonasoundfinancialbasis。”
Ransomespokeinamatter-of-facttone，likeamanstatingasimplebusinessproposition。Susanunderstood。Sherose。Herexpressionwasneithershocknorindignation；butitwasnonethelessanegative。
“It”stheregularthing，mydear，“urgedRansome。“Tomakeastart，togetinright，youcan”taffordtobesqueamish。ThewayIsuggestisthesimplestandmostdirectofseveralthatallinvolvethesamething。Andthesurest。Youlooksteady-headed——self-reliant。Youlooksensible——”
Susansmiledratherforlornly。“ButI”mnot，“saidshe。“Notyet。”
Ransomeregardedherwithasympathywhichshefeltwasgenuine。“I”msorry，mydear。I”vedonethebestIcanforyou。Youmaythinkitaverypoorbest——anditis。But“——heshruggedhisshoulders”Ididn”tmakethisworldanditsconditionsforliving。ImaysayalsothatI”mnottheresponsibleparty——thepartyincharge。However——”
Toheramazementheheldoutafive-dollarbill。“Here”syourfeeback。”Helaughedatherexpression。“Oh，I”mnotarobber，“saidhe。“IonlywishIcouldserveyou。Ididn”tthinkyouwereso”hiseyestwinkled”sounreasonable，letussay。Amongthosewhodon”tknowanythingaboutlifethere”sanimpressionthatmysortofpeopleareinthebusinessofdraggingwomendown。Perhapsoneofusoccasionallydoesasbad——aboutamillionthpartasbad——astheaverageemployeroflaborwhoskimshisprofitsfromthelifebloodofhisemployees。Butasarulewefolksmerelytakethosethatarefallingandhelpthemtolighteasy——oreventogetupagain。”
Susanfeltashamedtotakehermoney。Buthepresseditonher。“You”llneedit，“saidhe。“Iknowhowitiswithagirlaloneandtryingtogetastart。Perhapslateronyou”llbemoreinthemoodwhereIcanhelpyou。”
“Perhaps，“saidSusan。
“ButIhopenot。It”lltakeuncommonlucktopullyouthrough——andIhopeyou”llhaveit。”
“Thankyou，“saidSusan。Hetookherhand，presseditfriendlily——andshefeltthathewasamanwithrealgoodinhim，moregoodthanmanywhowouldhaveshrunkfromhiminhorror。
Shewaswaitingforathrustfromfate。Butfate，disappointingasusual，wouldnotthrust。Itseemedbentonthemaliciouspleasureofcompellinghertodegradeherselfdeliberatelyandwithcalculation，likeawomanmarryingforsupportamanwhorefusestopermithertodecoratewithanyartificialfloralconcealmentsoffaked-upsentimentthesordidtruthastowhatsheisabout。Shesearchedwithinherselfinvainforthescrupleorsentimentortimidityorwhateveritwasthatheldherbackfromthecoursethatwasplainlyinevitable。Shehadgotdowntothenakedfundamentalsofdecencyandindecencythataredeephiddenby，andformostofusunder，hypocrisiesofconventionality。Shehadfoundoutthatadecentwomanwasonewhorespectedherbodyandhersoul，thatanindecentwomanwasonewhodidnot，andthatmarriageritesortheabsenceofthem，theabsenceoffinancialorequivalentconsideration，oritspresence，oritsextentoritsform，wereallirrelevantnon-essentials。Yet——shehesitated，knowingthewhilethatshewasriskingagreaterdegradation，andastupidandfatalfollytoboot，byshrinkingfromthebestcourseopentoher——unlessitwerebettertotakeadoseofpoisonandenditall。Sheprobablywouldhavedonethathadshenotbeensoutterlyhealthy，thereforeoverflowingwithpassionateloveoflife。Exceptinfictionsuicideandhealthdonotgotogether，howeversuperhumanlysensitivethesorebesetheroorheroine。Susanwassensitiveenough；
whenevershedidthingsincompatiblewithourfalseandhypocriticalandunscientificnotionsofsensitiveness，allowancesshouldbemadeforherbecauseofhersuperbanddauntlesshealth。Ifherphysicalconditionhadbeenmorbid，herconductmighthavebeen，wouldhavebeen，verydifferent。
ShewasstillhesitatingwhenSaturdaynightcameroundagain——swiftlydespitelongdishearteningdays，andwakefulawfulnights。Inthemorningherrentwouldbedue。Shehadadollarandforty-fivecents。
Afterdinneraloneapretenseatdinner——shewanderedthestreetsoftheoldTenderloinuntilmidnight。Anicyrainwasfalling。Rainssuchasthis——anyrainsexceptshowers——wererareintheCityoftheSun。Thatrainbyitselfwasenoughtomakeherdownhearted。Shewalkedwithheaddownandumbrellaclosetohershoulders。Noonespoketoher。Shereturneddripping；shehadallbutruinedheronedress。Shewenttobed，butnottosleep。Aboutnine——earlyforthathousesherose，drankacupofcoffeeandatepartofaroll。Herlittlestoveandsuchotherthingsascouldnotbetakenalongsherolledintoabundle，markedit，“ForIda。”Onascrapofpapershewrotethisnote：
Don”tthinkI”mungrateful，please。I”mgoingwithoutsayinggood-bybecauseI”mafraidifIsawyou，you”dbegenerousenoughtoputupforme，andI”dbeweakenoughtoaccept。AndifIdidthat，I”dneverbeabletogetstrongoreventoholdmyheadup。So——good-by。I”lllearnsoonerorlater——learnhowtolive。Ihopeitwon”tbetoolong——andthattheteacherwon”tbetoohardonme。
Yes，I”lllearn，andI”llbuyfinehatsatyourgrandmillinerystoreyet。Don”tforgetmealtogether。
ShetuckedthisnoteintothebundleandlaiditagainstthedoorbehindwhichIdaandoneofherregularsweresleepingpeacefully。TheodorofIda”spowerfulperfumecamethroughthecracksinthedoor；Susandrewiteagerlyintohernostrils，sobbedsoftly，turnedaway，Itwasoneoftheperfumesclassedasimmoral；toSusanitwasthearomaofafriendshipasnoble，asdisinterested，asgenerous，ashumansympathyhadeverbreatheduponhumanwoe。Withherfewpersonalpossessionsinapackageshedescendedthestairsunnoticed，wentoutintotherain。AtthecornerofSixthAvenueshepaused，lookedupanddownthestreet。Itwasalmostdeserted。Nowandthenastreetwalker，rousedearlybyaloverwithperhapsafamilywaitingforhim，hurriedby，lookingpiteousinthedaylightwhichshowedupfalseanddyedhair，thelayersofpaint，thesadtawdrinessofbatteredfineryfromthecheapestbargaintroughs。
SusanwentslowlyupSixthAvenue。Twoblocks，andshesawagirlenterthesidedoorofasaloonacrosstheway。Shecrossedthestreet，pushedinatthesamedoor，wentontoasmallsitting-roomwithblindsdrawn，withroundtables，oneverytableamatchstand。Itwasoneofthoseplaceswherestreetwalkersresttheirwearylegsbetweenstrolls，andsitforcompanyonrainyorsnowynights，andtakeshymenforsociability-breedingdrinksandforthepreliminarybargaining。
Theairoftheroomwasstrongwithstaleliquorandtobacco，thelingeringaromaofthenight”svanishedrevels。Inthefarcornersatthegirlshehadfollowed；aglassofrawwhiskeyandanotherofwaterstoodonthetablebeforeher。Susanseatedherselfnearthedoorandwhentheswollen-faced，surlybartendercame，orderedwhiskey。Shepouredherselfadrink——filledtheglasstothebrim。Shedrankitintwogulps，settheemptyglassdown。Sheshiveredlikeananimalasitishitintheheadwithapoleax。Themechanismoflifestaggered，hesitated，wentonwithasuddenleapingaccelerationofpace。Susantappedherglassagainstthematchstand。Thebartendercame。
“Another，“saidshe。
Themanstaredather。“The——hell！“heejaculated。“Youmustbeafraido”catchin”cold。Ormaybeyou”relookingforthemenagerie？“
Susanlaughedandsodidthegirlinthecorner。“Won”tyouhaveadrinkwithme？“askedSusan。
“That”sverykindofyou，“repliedthegirl，inthemannerofoneeagertoshowthatshe，too，isaperfectladyineveryrespect，usedtothewaysofthebestsociety。ShemovedtoachairatSusan”stable。
SheandSusaninventoriedeachother。Susansawamerechild——hardlyeighteen——possiblynotseventeen——butmuchwornbydrinkandirregularliving——evidentlyoneofthosewhorushintothefastwoman”slifewiththeideathatitisacareerofgayety——anddonotfindouttheirerroruntillooksandhealtharegone。Susandrankherseconddrinkinthreegulps，severalminutesapart。Thegirlwasexplaininginathin，commonvoice，childishyetcracked，thatshehadcomethereseekingacertainladyfriendbecauseshehadanextramanandneededasidepartner。
“Supposeyoucomewithme，“shesuggested。“It”sgoodmoney，Ithink。Wanttogetnext？“
“WhenI”vehadanotherdrink，“saidSusan。Hereyesweregorgeouslybrilliant。Shehadfeltalmostasrecklessseveraltimesbefore；butneverhadshefeltthisdevil-may-careeagernesstoseewhattheturnofthenextcardwouldbring。
“You”lltakeone？“
“Sure。Ifeellikethedevil。Beenbummingroundallnight。
MyladyfriendthatIhadwithme——aregularladyfriend——shewassuddenlytookill。Appendicitiscomplicatedwithd。t。”stheambulanceguysaid。Theboysarewaitingformetocomeback，so”swecangoon。They”vegotsomeswellroomsinahotelupinForty-secondStreet。Let”sgetamoveon。”
ThebartenderservedthethirddrinkandSusanpaidforthem，theothergirlinsistingonpayingfortheoneshewashavingwhenSusancame。Susan”sheadwaswhirling。Herspiritswerespiralingupandup。Herpalelipswerewreathedinarecklesssmile。Shefeltcourageousforadventure——anyadventure。Hercapitalhadnowsunktothreequartersandafive-centpiece。
Theyissuedforth，talkingwithoutsayinganything，laughingwithoutknowingorcaringwhy。Lifewasajoke——acoarse，broadjoke——butamusingifonedrankenoughtobluntanyrefinementofsensibility。Andwhatwassensibilitybutakindofsnobbishness？
Andwhatmoreabsurdthansnobbishnessinanoutcast？
“That”sgoodwhiskeytheyhad，backthere，“saidSusan。
“Good？Yes——ifyoudon”tcarewhatyousay。”
“Ifyoudon”twanttocarewhatyousayordo，“explainedSusan。
“Oh，allboozeisgoodforthat，“saidthegirl。VI
THEYwentthroughtoBroadwayandtherestoodwaitingforacar，eachunderherownumbrella。“HolyGee！“criedSusan”snewacquaintance。“Ain”tthisrainasoaker？“
Itwascominginsheets，bentandtornanddrivenhorizontallybythewind。Theumbrella，shelteringtheheadsomewhat，gaveawhollyfalseimpressionofprotection。Bothgirlsweresoonsoppingwet。Buttheyweremorethancheerfulaboutit；thewhiskeymadethemindifferenttoexternalillsastheywarmedthemselvesbyitsbrightfire。Atthattimeafamousandmuchenvied，admiredandrespected“captainofindustry，“havinglootedthestreet-carsystems，waspreparingtolootthemoveragainbythefamiliartrickeryofthereceivershipandthereorganization。Themassesofthepeopleweretooignoranttoknowwhatwasgoingon；theclassesweretoobusy，eachmanofeachofthem，abouthisownpersonalschemesforgraftofonekindandanother。Thus，thestreet-carservicewasajokeandadisgrace。However，afterfourorfiveminutesanorth-boundcarappeared。
“Butitwon”tstop，“criedSusan。“It”sjammed。”
“That”swhyitwillstop，“repliedhernewacquaintance。“Youdon”tsupposeaNewYorkconductor”dmissachancetoputhispassengersmoreonthebumthanever？“
Shewasright，atleastastothemainpoint；andtheconductorwithmuchfreehandlingoftheirwaistsandshouldersaddedthemtothedripping，strainingpressofpassengers，enduringthediscomfortsthecaptainofindustryputuponthemwithmorepatiencethancattlewouldhaveexhibitedinlikecircumstances。AllthewayupBroadwaythenewacquaintanceenlivenedherselfandSusanandthementheyweresqueezedinamongbyherloudgaysallieswhichheryoungprettinessmadeseemwitty。Andcertainlyshedidhaveanamazingandamusingacquaintancewiththeslangatthemomentcurrent。Thewornlookhadvanished，herroundedgirlhoodfreshnesshadreturned。
AsforSusan，youwouldhardlyhaverecognizedherasthesamepersonwhohadissuedfromthehouseinTwenty-ninthStreetlessthananhourbefore。Indeed，itwasnotthesameperson。
Drinknervifieseverycharacter；hereittransformed，suppressingthecharacteristicsthatseemed，perhapswere，essentialinhernormalstate，andcausingtobloominsuddenaudacityofcolorandformthepassionsandgayetiesatothertimessubduedbyherintelligenceandhersensitiveness。Herbrilliantglancemovedaboutthecarfullasboldlyashercompanion”s。Buttherewasthisdifference：Hercompaniongazedstraightintotheeyesofthemen；Susan”sglanceshotpastaboveorjustbelowtheireyes。
AstheyleftthecaratForty-secondStreettheothergirlgavehershortskirtadexterousupwardflirtthatexhibitedherlegsalmosttothehips。Susansawthattheywerewellshapedlegs，surprisinglyplumpfromthecalvesupward，consideringtheslightnessofherfigureabovethewaist。
“IalwaysdothatwhenIleaveacar，“saidthegirl。
“Sometimesitstartssomethingonthetrail。Youforgotyourpackage——backinthesaloon！“
“ThenIdidn”tforgetmuch，“laughedSusan。Itappealedtoher，theideaofenteringthenewlifeempty-handed。
Thehotelwasonethatmusthavebeenofthefirstclassinitsday——notadistantday，fortheexpansionofNewYorkincravingforshowyluxuryhasbeenassuddenasthemiraculousupwardthrustofasteelskyscraper。IthadnowsunktorelyinguponthetradeofthosewhocameinoffBroadwayforafewminutes。Itwasdingyanddirty；thewallsandplasteringwerepeeling；theservantswereslovenlyandfresh。Thegirlnoddedtotheevil-lookingmanbehindthedesk，whosaid：
“Hello，MissMaud。Justintime。Theboysweresendingoutforsomeothers。”
“They”vegotanerve！“laughedMaud。AndsheledSusandownaratherlongcorridortoadoorwiththeletterBuponit。Maudexplained：“Thisistheswellestsuiteinthehouseparlor，bedroom，bath。”Sheflungopenthedoor，disclosingasitting-roomindisorderwithtwoyoungmenpartlydressed，seatedatasmalltableonwhichwerebottles，siphons，matches，remainsofsandwiches，boxesofcigarettes——achaoticjumbleofimplementstodissipationgivingforthapowerful，staleodor。Maudburstintoastreamofpicturesqueprofanitywhichsetthetwomentolaughing。Susanhadpausedonthethreshold。Theshockofthisscenehadforthemomentarrestedthetriumphantmarchofthealcoholthroughbloodandnerveandbrain。
“Oh，biteitoff！“criedthedarkerofthetwomentoMaud，“andhaveadrink。Ain”tyouashamedtospeaksofreebeforeyourinnocentyoungladyfriend？“HegrinnedatSusan。“WhatSundayschooldoyouhailfrom？“inquiredhe。
TheotheryoungmanwasalsolookingatSusan；anditwasanarrestingandsomewhatcompellinggaze。Shesawthathewastallandwellsetup。Ashewasdressedonlyintrousersandapalebluesilkundershirt，thestrengthofhisshoulders，backandarmswasinfullevidence。Hisfigurewaslikethatofthewonderfulyoungprize-fightersshehadadmiredatmovingpictureshowstowhichDrumleyhadtakenher。Hehadasingularlyhandsomeface，blondyetremotelysuggestingItalian。HesmiledatSusanandshethoughtshehadneverseenteethmorebeautiful——pearl-white，regular，even。Hiseyeswerelargeandsensuous；smilingthoughtheywere，Susanwasillatease——forinthemthereshonethesameuntamed，uncontrolledferocitythatoneseesintheeyesofawildbeast。Hisyouth，hisgoodlooks，hischarmmadethesinistersavageryhintedinthesmilethemoredisconcerting。Hepouredwhiskeyfromabottleintoeachofthetwotallglasses，filledthemupwithseltzer，extendedonetowardSusan。
“Shutthedoor，Queenie，“hesaidtoherinapleasanttonethatsubtlymingledmockeryandadmiration。“Andlet”sdrinktolove。”
“Didn”tIdowellforyou，Freddie？“criedMaud。
“She”smylong-soughtaffinity，“declaredFreddiewiththesameattractiveminglingofjestandflattery。
Susanclosedthedoor，acceptedtheglass，laughedintohiseyes。Thewhiskeywasoncemoreassertingitspower。Shetookabouthalfthedrinkbeforeshesettheglassdown。
Theyoungmansaid，“Yourname”sQueenie，mine”sFreddie。”Hecametoher，holdinghergazefastbythepiercinglookfromhishandsomeeyes。Heputhisarmsroundherandkissedherfulluponthepale，laughinglips。Hiseyeswerestillsmilinginpleasantmockery；yethiskissburnedandstung，andthegripofhisarmroundhershouldersmadehervaguelyafraid。
Hersmilediedaway。Thegrave，searching，wonderingexpressionreappearedintheviolet-grayeyesforamoment。
“You”reallright，“saidhe。“Exceptthosepalelips。You”regoingtobemygirl。Thatmeans，ifyouevertrytogetawayfrommeunlessIletyougo——I”llkillyou——orworse。”Andhelaughedasifhehadmadethebestjokeintheworld。Butshesawinhiseyesasparklethatseemedtohertohavesomethingofthemalignanceoftheangryserpent”s。
Shehastilyfinishedherdrink。
Maudwasjerkingoffherclothes，crying，“Iwanttogetoutofthesenastywetrags。”Thesteamheatwasfullon；thesitting-room，thewholesuite，wasintenselywarm。Maudhungherskirtoverthebackofachairclosetotheradiator，tookoffhershoesandstockingsandputthemtodryalso。Inherchemiseshecurledherselfonachair，litacigaretteandpouredadrink。Herfeetwerenotbad，butneitherweretheynotablygood；shetuckedthemoutofsight。ShelookedatSusan。“Getoffthosewetthings，“urgedshe，“oryou”lltakeyourdeath。”
“Inaminute，“saidSusan，butnotconvincingly。
Freddieforcedanotherdrinkandacigaretteuponher。AsagirlathomeinSutherland，shehadseveraltimes——sheandRuth——smokedcigarettesinsecrecy，totrythenewLondonandNewYorkfashion，announcedinthenewspapersandthenovels。
Sothecigarettedidnotmakeheruncomfortable。“Lookatthewayshe”sholdingit？“criedMaud，andsheandthemenburstoutlaughing。Susanlaughedalsoand，Freddiehelping，practicedalessinexpertmanner。Jim，thedarkyoungmanwiththesullenheavycountenance，rangformoresandwichesandanotherbottleofwhiskey。Susancontinuedtodrinkbutatenothing。
“Haveasandwich，“saidFreddie。
“I”mnothungry。”
“Well，theysaythattoeatanddrinkmeanstodieofparesis，whiletoonlydrinkmeansdyingofdeliriumtremens。Iguessyou”reright。I”dpreferthed。t。”s。It”squickerandlivelier。”
Jimsangaribaldsongwithsomeamusingcomedybusiness。Maudtoldseveralstorieswhoseonlyclaimtopointlayintheirfranknessaboutthingsnotusuallyspoken。“Don”tyoutellanymore，Maudie，“advisedFreddie。“Whyisitthatawomannevertakesupastoryuntileverymanonearthhashearditatleasttwice？“Thesandwichesdisappeared，thesecondbottleofwhiskeyranlow。Maudtoldstoryafterstoryofhowshehadplayedthismanandthatforasucker——wasasfullofsuchtalesandasjoyousandself-pleasedoverthemasanhonestsalesmantellinghisdelighted，respectable，pew-holdingemployerhowhehas“stuck“thiscustomerandthatfora“fancy“price。
PresentlyMaudagainnoticedthatSusanwasinherwetclothesandcriedoutaboutit。Susanpretendedtostarttoundress。
FreddieandJimsuddenlyseizedher。Shestruggled，halflaughing；thewhiskeywassendingintoherbraindizzyingclouds。Shestruggledmorefiercely。Butitwasinvain。
“Gee，you_have_gotaprize，Freddie！“exclaimedJimatlast，angry。“Aregulartartar！“
“Adamnhandsomeone，“retortedFreddie。“She”sevengotfeet。”
Susan，amidthelaughteroftheothers，dartedforthebedroom。
Coweringinacorner，tryingtocoverherself，sheorderedFreddietoleaveher。Helaughed，seizedherinhisirongrip。
Shestruckathim，bithimintheshoulder。Hegaveacryofpainanddroveasavageblowintohercheek。Thenheburiedhisfingersinherthroatandthegleamofhiseyesmadehersoulquail。
“Don”tkillme！“shecried，intheclutchofcowardiceforthefirsttime。Itwasnotdeaththatshefearedbutthephantomofthingsworsethandeaththatcanbeconjuredtotheimaginationbythefuryofapersonalitywhichisutterlyrecklessandutterlycruel。“Don”tkillme！“sheshrieked。
“Whatthehellareyoudoing？“shoutedJimfromtheotherroom。
“Shutthatdoor，“repliedFreddie。“I”mgoingtoattendtomyladyfriend。”
Asthedoorslammed，hedraggedSusanbythethroatandonearmtothebed，flungherdown。“IsawyouwereahighsteppertheminuteIlookedatyou，“saidhe，inapleasant，cooingvoicethatsentthechillsupanddownherspine。“Iknewyou”dhavetobebroke。Well，thesoonerit”sdone，thesoonerwe”llgetalongnicely。”Hisblueeyeswerelaughingintohers。Withtheutmostdeliberationhegrippedherthroatwithonehandandwiththeotherbegantoslapher，eachblowathisfullstrength。Herattemptstoscreamwereonlygasps。Quicklytheagonyofhisbrutalitydroveherintounconsciousness。Longaftershehadceasedtofeelpain，shecontinuedtofeeltheimpactofthoseblows，anddullyheardherowndeepgroans。
Whenshecametohersenses，shewaslyingsprawleduponthefarsideofthebed。Herheadwasachingwildly；herbodywasstiffandsore；herfacefeltasifitwereswollentomanytimesitsnormalsize。Inmiseryshedraggedherselfupandstoodonthefloor。Shewenttothebureauandstaredatherselfintheglass。Herfacewasindeedswollen，butnottoactualdisfigurement。Underherlefteyetherewasasmallcutfromwhichthebloodhadoozedtosmearanddryuponherleftcheek。Uponherthroatwerefaintbluishfingermarks。Thedamagewasnotnearlysogreatasherthrobbingnervesreported——thedamagetoherbody。But——hersoul——itwasacrushed，trampled，degradedthing，lyingproneandbleedingtodeath。“ShallIkillmyself？“shethought。Andtheanswercameinafierceprotestandrefusalfromeverynerveofherintenselyvitalyouth。Shelookedstraightintoherowneyes——withouthorror，withoutshame，withoutfear。“Youareaslowasthelowest，“shesaidtoherimage——nottoherselfbuttoherimage；forherselfseemedspectatormerelyofthatbodyandsoulachingandbleedinganddegraded。
Itwasthebeginningofself-consciousnesswithher——acuriouskindofself-consciousness——herrealself，aloofandfarremoved，observingcalmly，critically，impersonallytheadventuresofherbodyandtherestofhersurfaceself。
Sheturnedroundtolookagainatthemanwhohadoutragedthem。Hiseyeswereopenandhewasgazingdreamilyather，assmilingandinnocentasachild。Whentheireyesmet，hissmilebroadeneduntilhewasshowinghisbeautifulteeth。“You_are_abeauty！“saidhe。“Gointotheotherroomandgetmeacigarette。”
Shecontinuedtolookfixedlyathim。
Withoutchangeofexpressionhesaidgently，“Doyouwantanotherlessoninmanners？“
Shewenttothedoor，openedit，enteredthesitting-room。Theothertwohadpulledopenafoldingbedandwerelyinginit，Jim”sheadonMaud”sbosom，herarmsroundhisneck。Bothwereasleep。Hisblackbeardhadgrownoutenoughtogivehisfaceadirtyanddevilishexpression。Maudlookedfarmoreyouthfulandmuchprettierthanwhenshewasawake。Susanputacigarettebetweenherlips，litit，carriedaboxofcigarettesandastandofmatchesintoFreddie。
“Lightoneforme，“saidhe。
Sheobeyed，heldittohislips。
“Kissme，first。”
Herpalelipscompressed。
“Kissme，“herepeated，fardowninhiseyestheviciousgleamofthatboundlesslyferociouscrueltywhichismotherednotbyragebutbypleasure。
Shekissedhimonthecheek。
“Onthelips，“hecommanded。
Theirlipsmet，anditwastoherasifahotflame，terribleyetthrilling，sweptroundandembracedherwholebody。
“Doyouloveme？“heaskedtenderly。
Shewassilent。