“Youloveme？“heaskedcommandingly。
“Youcancallitthatifyoulike。”
“Iknewyouwould。Iunderstandwomen。Thewaytomakeawomanloveistomakeherafraid。”
Shegazedathim。“Iamnotafraid，“shesaid。
Helaughed。“Oh，yes。That”swhyyoudowhatIsay——andalwayswill。”
“No，“repliedshe。“Idon”tdoitbecauseIamafraid，butbecauseIwanttolive。”
“Ishouldthink！……You”llbeallrightinadayorso，“
saidhe，afterinspectingherbruises。“Now，I”llexplaintoyouwhatgoodfriendswe”regoingtobe。”
Heproppedhimselfinanattitudeoflazygrace，puffedathiscigaretteinsilenceforamoment，asifarrangingwhathehadtosay。Atlasthebegan：
“Ihaven”tanyregularbusiness。Iwasn”tborntowork。Onlydamnfoolswork——andtheclevermanwaitstillthey”vegotsomething，thenhetakesitawayfrom”em。Youdon”twanttowork，either。”
“Ihaven”tbeenabletomakealivingatit，“saidthegirl。
Shewassittingcross-legged，acoverdrapedaroundher。
“You”retooprettyandtooclever。Besides，asyousay，youcouldn”tmakealivingatit——notwhat”salivingforawomanbroughtupasyou”vebeen。No，youcan”twork。Sowe”regoingtobepartners。”
“No，“saidSusan。“I”mgoingtodressnowandgoaway。”
Freddielaughed。“Don”tbeafool。Didn”tIsayweweretobepartners？……Youwanttokeeponatthesportingbusiness，don”tyou？“
Herswasthesilenceofassent。
“Well——awoman——especiallyayoungonelikeyou——isnogoodunlessshehassomeone——someman——behindher。Marriedorsingle，respectableorlively，workingorsporting——N。G。withoutaman。Awomanalonedoesn”tamounttoanymorethanarichman”sson。”
TherehadbeennothinginSusan”sexperiencetoenablehertodisputethis。
“Now，I”mgoingtostandbehindyou。I”llseethatyoudon”tgetpinched，andgetyououtifyoudo。I”llseethatyougetthebestthecity”sgotifyou”resick——andsoon。I”vegotapullwiththeorganization。I”moneofFinnegan”slieutenants。
Someday——whenI”molderandhaveservedmyapprenticeship——I”llpulloffsomethinggood。Meanwhile——Imanagetolive。Ialwayshavemanagedit——andIneverdidastrokeofrealworksinceI
wasakid——andnevershall。Godwasmightygoodtomewhenheputafewbrainsinthisnutofmine。”
Hesettledhisheadcomfortablyinthepillowandsmiledathisownthoughts。InspiteofherselfSusanhadbeennotonlyinterestedbutattracted。Itisimpossibleforanyhumanbeingtocontemplatemysteryinanyformwithoutbeingfascinated。
Andherewastheprofoundestmysteryshehadeverseen。Hetalkedwell，andhismodeoftalkingwasthatofeducation，ofrefinementeven。Anextraordinaryman，certainly——andinwhatastrangeway！
“Yes，“saidhepresently，lookingatherwithhisgentle，friendlysmile。“We”llbepartners。I”llprotectyouandwe”lldividewhatyoumake。”
Whatastrangecreature！Hadhe——thiskindlyhandsomeyouth——donethatfrightfulthing？No——no。Itwasanotherinstanceoftheunrealityoftheoutwardlife。_He_hadnotdoneit，anymorethanshe——herrealself——hadsufferedit。Herreplytohisrestatementofthepartnershipwas：
“No，thankyou。Iwantnothingtodowithit。”
“You”redeadslow，“saidhe，withmildandpatientpersuasion。
“Howwouldyougetalongatyourbusinessinthistownifyoudidn”thaveabacker？Why，you”dbetakingturnsattheIslandandthegutterwithinsixmonths。You”dbegivingallyourmoneytosomerottencoporflycopwhocouldn”tprotectyou，atthat。Oryou”dworkthestreetforsomecheapcadetwho”dbeatyouupoftenerthanhe”dbeatupthemenwhowelchedonyou。”
“I”lllookoutformyself，“persistedshe。
“Blessthebaby！“exclaimedhe，immenselyamused。“Howluckythatyoufoundme！I”mgoingtotakecareofyouinspiteofyourself。Notfornothing，ofcourse。Youwouldn”tvaluemeifyougotmefornothing。I”mgoingtohelpyou，andyou”regoingtohelpme。Youneedme，andIneedyou。WhydoyousupposeItookthetroubletotameyou？What_you_wantdoesn”tgo。It”swhat__I__want。”
Heletherreflectonthisawhile。Thenhewenton：
“Youdon”tunderstandaboutfellowslikeJimandme——thoughJim”sasmallpotatobesideme，asyou”llsoonfindout。
Supposeyoudidn”tobeyorders——justasIdowhatFinnegantellsme——justasFinnegandoeswhatthebigshoutdownbelowsays？Supposeyoudidn”tobey——whatthen？“
“Idon”tknow，“confessedSusan。
“Well，it”stimeyoulearned。We”llsay，youactstubborn。
Youdressandsaygood-bytomeandstartout。DoyouthinkI”mwickedenoughtoletyoumakeafoolofyourself？Well，I”mnot。Youwon”tgetoutsidethedoorbeforeyourgoodangelherewillgetbusy。I”llbetelephoningtoaflycopofthisdistrict。Andwhat”llhedo？Why，aboutthetimeyouarehalfwaydowntheblock，he”llpinchyou。He”lltakeyoutothestationhouse。AndinPoliceCourttomorrowtheJudge”llgiveyouaweekontheIslandforbeingastreetwalker。”
Susanshivered。Sheinstinctivelyglancedtowardthewindow。
Therainwasstillfalling，changingtheCityoftheSunintoacityofdesolation。Itlookedasthoughitwouldneverseethesunagain——andherlifelookedthatway，also。
Freddiewassmilingpleasantly。Hewenton：
“YoudoyourlittlestretchontheIsland。Whenyourtime”supIsendyouwordwheretoreporttome。We”llsayyoudon”tcome。Theminuteyousetfootonthestreetsagainalone，backtotheIslandyougo……Now，doyouunderstand，Queenie？“Andhelaughedandpulledheroverandkissedherandsmoothedherhair。“You”reaverysuperiorarticle——youare，“
hemurmured。“I”mstuckonyou。”
Susandidnotresist。Shedidnotcarewhathappenedtoher。
Themoreintelligentatrappedanimalis，thelessresistanceitoffers，onceitrealizes。Helpless——absolutelyhelpless。
Nomoney——nofriends。Noescapebutdeath。Thesunwasshining。Outsidelaythevastworld；acrossthestreetonaflagpoleflutteredthebanneroffreedom。Freedom！Wasthereanysuchthinganywhere？Perhapsifonehadplentyofmoney——orpowerfulfriends。Butnotforher，anymorethanforthemasseswhosefateofsqualidandstupidslaveryshewastryingtoescape。Notforher；solongasshewashelplessshewouldsimplymovefromonelandofslaverytoanother。Helpless！
Tostrugglewouldnotbecourageous，butmerelyabsurd。
“Ifyoudon”tbelieveme，askMaud，“saidFreddie。“Idon”twantyoutogetintotrouble。AsItoldyou，I”mstuckonyou。”Withhiscigarettegracefullyloosebetweenthosealmosttoobeautifullyformedlipsofhisandwithoneofhisstrongsmoothwhitearmsabouthishead，helookedather，anexpressionofcontentwithhimself，ofadmirationforherinhishandsomeeyes。“Youdon”trealizeyourgoodluck。Butyouwillwhenyoufindhowmanygirlsarecrazytogetonthegoodsideofme。Thisisagreatoldtown，andnobodyamountstoanythinginitunlesshe”sgotapullorisnexttosomebodyelsethathas。”
Susan”sslowreflectivenodshowedthatthisstatementexplained，orseemedtoexplain，certainmysteriesoflifethathadbeenpuzzlingher。
“You”vegotalotinyou，“continuedhe。“That”smyopinion，andI”mafairjudgeofyearlings。You”reliabletolandsomewheresomedaywhenyou”vestruckyourgait……IfIhadthemonI”dbetemptedtosetyouupinaflatandkeepyoualltomyself。ButIcan”taffordit。Ittakesalotofcashtokeepmegoing……You”lldowell。Youwon”thavetobotherwithanybutclassygents。I”llseethatthecopsputyouwisewhenthere”sanyoneroundthrowinghismoneyaway。AndIcanhelpyou，myself。I”vegotquitealineoffriendsamongtherichchappiesfromFifthAvenue。AndI
alwaysletmygirlsgetthebenefitofit。”
Mygirls！Susan”smind，recoveringnowfromitsdaze，seizeduponthisphrase。Andsoonshehadfathomedhowthesetwoyoungmencametobesoluxuriouslydressed，sowellsuppliedwithmoney。Shehadheardofthissystemunderwhichthegirlsinthestreetswereexploitedasthoroughlyasthegirlsinthehouses。Inalltheearthwasthereanyonewhowassufferedtodoforhimselforherselfwithouttherebeingapowerfulidlesomeoneelsetotakeawayalltheproceedsbutabareliving？
Helpless！Helpless！
“Howmanygirlshaveyou？“sheasked。
“Jealousalready！“Andhelaughedandblewacloudofsmokeintoherface。
Shetookthequartershedirected——aplaincleanroomtwoflightsupatsevendollarsaweek，inafurnishedroomhouseonWestForty-thirdStreetnearEighthAvenue。ShewasbutafewblocksfromwheresheandRodhadlived。NewYork——toadegreeunrivaledamongthecitiesoftheworld——illustratesintheisolatedlivesofitsneverisolatedinhabitantshowlittlerelationshipthereisbetweenspaceandactualitiesofdistance。Whereveronearththereareasmanyastwohumanbeings，onemayseeaninstanceofthetruth。Thataninfinityofspiritualsolitudecanstretchuncrossableevenbetweentwolockedineachother”slovingarms！ButNewYork”ssolitudes，itsseparations，extendtothesurfacethings。Susanhadnosenseoftheapparentnearnessofherformerabode。Herlifeagainlayinthesamestreets；butthereagaincamethesenseofstrangenesswhichonlyonewhohaslivedinNewYorkcouldappreciate。Thestreetswerethesame；buttohertheyseemedasthestreetsofanothercity，becauseshewasnowseeinginthemnoneofthethingssheusedtosee，wasseeinginsteadkindsofpeople，aspectsofhumanbeings，modesoffeelingandactingandexistingofwhichsheusedtohavenotthefaintestknowledge。Therewereasmanyworldsaskindsofpeople。
Thus，thoughwealltalktoeachotherasifaboutthesameworld，eachofusisthinkingofhisownkindofworld，theonlyonehesees。Andthatiswhytherecanneverbesympathyandunderstandingamongthechildrenofmenuntilthereissomeapproachtoresemblanceintheirvariouslots；forthelotdeterminestheman。
Thehousewasfilledwithwomenofherownkind。Theywereallowedallprivileges。Therewasneitherbathnorstationarywashstand，butthelandladysuppliedtintubsonrequest。“Oh，Mr。Palmer”srecommendation，“saidshe；“I”llgiveyoutwodaystopay。Mytermsareinadvance。ButMr。Palmer”sadearfriendofmine。”
Shewasashortwomanwithamonstrousbustandalmostnohips。
Herthinhairwasdyedandfrizzled，andhervoicesoundedasifitfounditswayoutofherfatlipsafteralongstruggletopassthroughthefatofherthroatandchest。Hersecondchinlayuponherbosominasoftswollenbagthatseemedtobesuspendedfromherears。Hereyeswerehardandevil，ofabrownishgray。Sheaffectedsuavityandelaboratepoliteness；
butiftheleastthingdisturbedher，shebecameredandcoarseofvoiceandvileoflanguage。Thevilelanguageandthenatureofherbusinessandherprivatelifeaside，shewouldhavecomparedfavorablywithanyoneintheclassofthosewhodeal——asmerchants，aslandlords，asboarding-housekeepers——withthedesperatelydifferentclassesofuncertainincome。Shewasreputedrich。Theysaidshestayedoninbusinesstoavoidlonesomenessandtokeepintouchwithallthatwasgoingoninthelifethathadbeenhersfromgirlhood。
“Andshe”samixer，“saidMaudtoSusan。InresponsetoSusan”slookofinquiry，shewentontoexplain，“Amixer”sawhitewomanthatkeepsacoloredman。”MaudlaughedatSusan”sexpressionofhorror。“Youareagreenie，“shemocked。“Why，it”salltherage。Nearlyallthegirlsdo——fromtheheadlinersthatarekeptbytheyoungFifthAvenuemillionairesdowntonineoutoftenofthegirlsofoursetthatyouseeinBroadway。No，I”mnotlying。It”sthetruth。__I__don”tdoit——atleast，notyet。Imaygetroundtoit。”
AfterthetalkwithMaudabouttherealitiesoflifeasitislivedbyseveralhundredthousandoftheinhabitantsofManhattanIslandSusanhadnottheleastdispositiontotestbydefiancethetruthofFreddiePalmer”splainstatementastohispowersandherduties。HehadtoldhertogotoworkthatverySundayevening，andJimhadorderedMaudtocallforherandtoinitiateher。Andathalf-pastsevenMaudcame。AtoncesheinspectedSusan”sswollenface。
“Mightbeabitworse，“shesaid。“Withaveilon，noone”dnoticeit。”
“ButIhaven”taveil，“saidSusan。
“I”vegotminewithme——pinnedtomygarter。Ihaven”tbeenhomesincethisafternoon。”AndMaudproducedit。
“ButIcan”twearaveilatnight，“objectedSusan。
“Whynot？“saidMaud。“Lotsofthegirlsdo。Aveil”sadandyhider。Besides，evenwhereagirl”sgotnothingtohideandhasafacethat”salltothegood，stillit”snotabadideatowearaveil。Menlikewhattheycan”tsee。OneoftheugliestgirlsIknowmakesalotofmoney——allwithherveil。Shefixesupherfiguresomethinggrand。Thensheputsonthatveil——oneofthekindyouthinkyoucanseeafacethroughbutyoureallycan”t。Andsheneverliftsittillthe`comeon”
hasgivenuphiscash。Then——”Maudlaughed。“Gee，butshehashadsomehotrun-insaftershehoistshercurtain！“
“Whydon”tyouwearaveilallthetime？“askedSusan。
Maudtossedherhead。“Whatdoyoutakemefor？I”vegottoogoodanopinionofmylooksforthat。”
Susanputontheveil。Itwasnotofthekindthatisadisguise。Still，diaphanousthoughitseemed，itconcealedastonishinglytheswellinginSusan”sface。Obviously，then，itmustatleasthazethefeatures，woulddosomethingtowardblurringthemarksthatgotomakeidentity。
“Ishallalwayswearaveil，“saidSusan。
“Oh，Idon”tknow，“deprecatedMaud。“Ithinkyou”requitepretty——thoughalittletooproperandseriouslookingtosuitsometastes。”
Susanhadremovedveilandhat，waslettingdownherhair。
“Whatareyoudoingthatfor？“criedMaudimpatiently。“We”relatenowand——”
“Idon”tlikethewaymyhair”sdone，“criedSusan。
“Why，itwasallright——realswell——goodasahairdressercouldhavedone。”
ButSusanwentonathertask。EversinceshecameEastshehadwornitinabraidloopedatthebackofherhead。Sheproceededtochangethisradically。WithMaudforgettingtobeimpatientinadmirationofherswiftfingersshemadeacoiffuremuchmoreelaborate——widewavesoutfromhertemplesandabigroundlooseknotbehind。Shewaswellcontentwiththeresult——especiallywhenshegottheveilonagainanditwasassistinginthechange。
“Whatdoyouthink？“shesaidtoMaudwhenshewasready。
“My，butyoulookdifferent！“exclaimedMaud。“Alotdressier——andsportier。More——moreBroadway。”
“That”sit——Broadway，“saidSusan。ShehadalwaysavoidedlookinglikeBroadway。Now，shewouldtaketheoppositetack。
Notloudtoilets——fortheywoulddefeatherpurpose。Notloudbut——justcommon。
“But，“addedMaud，“youdolookswellaboutthefeet。Where_do_yougetyourshoes？No，Iguessit”sthefeet。”
AstheysalliedforthMaudsaid，“First，I”llshowyouourhotel。”AndtheywenttoaRainesLawhotelinForty-secondStreetnearEighthAvenue。“Theproprietor”saheelerofFinnegan”s。IguessFreddiecomesinforsomerake-off。Hegivesustwenty-fivecentsofeverydollarthemanspends，“
explainedshe。“Andifthemanopenswinewegettwodollarsoneverybottle。Thebestwayistostaybehindwhenthemangoesandcollectrightaway。Thatavoidsrows——thoughthey”dhardlydarecheatyou，beingasyou”reonFreddie”sstaff。
Freddie”sgotabigpull。He”swayupatthetop。IwishtoGodIhadhiminsteadofJim。Freddie”sgivingupfast。Theysayhe”sgotsomethingsalotbetter”nthisnow，andthathe”slikelytoquitthisandturnrespectable。Yououghttotreatmemightywhite，seeingwhatIdoneforyou。I”veputyouinright——andthat”severythinginthisherelife。”
Susanlookedallround——lookedalongthestreetsstretchingawaywiththeirmorningsuggestionoffreedomtofly，freedomtoescape——helpless！“Can”tIgetadrink？“askedshe。Therewasastrainedlookinhereyes，asignificantnervousnessofthelipsandhands。“Imusthaveadrink。”
“Ofcourse。Maxhasbeenonavacation，butIhearhe”sback。
WhenIintroduceyou，he”llprobablyset”emup。ButI
wouldn”tdrinkifIwereyoutillIwentoffduty。”
“Imusthaveadrink，“repliedSusan。
“It”llgetyoudown。Itgotmedown。Iusedtohaveafinesucker——gavemeahundredaweekandpaidmyflatrent。ButI
hadnothingelsetodo，soItooktodrinking，andIgotsorecklessthatIlethimcatchmewithmyloverthattime。ButIhadtohavesomebOdytospendthemoneyon。Anyhow，it”snofunhavingaJohn。”
“AJohn？“saidSusan。“What”sthat？“
“Youareaninnocent——！“laughedMaud。“AJohn”sasucker——afellowthatkeepsagirl。Well，it”dbenofuntohaveaJohnunlessyoufooledhim——wouldit？“
Theynowenteredthesidedoorofthehotelandascendedthestairs。Adyspepticlookingmanwitharednosethatstoodoutthemorestronglyforthesallownessofhisskinandthesmallnessofhissunkenbrowneyeshadhishandsspreadupontheofficedeskandwasleaningonhisstiffarms。“Hello，Max，“saidMaudinafresh，condescendingway。“How”sbusiness？“
“Slow。AlwaysslackonSundays。Howgoesitwithyou，Maudie？“
“So——so。Imanagetopickupalivinginspiteofthedamnchippies。Idon”tseewhythehelltheydon”tgointothebusinessregularandmakesomethingoutofit，insteadoflovingfree。I”mdownonagirlthat”sneithertheonethingnortheother。Thisismyladyfriend，MissQueenie。”SheturnedlaughinglytoSusan。“Ineveraskedyourlastname。”
“Brown。”
“My，whatastrangename！“criedMaud。Then，astheproprietorlaughedwiththeheartinessoftradesmanatgoodcustomer”sjest，shesaid，“Goingtoset”emup，Max？“
Hepressedabuttonandrangabellloudly。Therespondingwaiterdepartedwithordersforawhiskeyandtwolithias。
MaudexplainedtoSusan：
“Maxusedtobeaprize-fighter。Hewasmiddleweightchampion。”
“I”vebeenalotofthingsinmydays，“saidMaxwithpride。
“SoI”veheard，“jokedMaud。“Theysaythey”vegotyourpictureatheadquarters。”
“That”sneitherherenorthere，“saidMaxsurlily。“Don”tgettooflip。”Susandrankherwhiskeyassoonasitcame，andtheglowrushedtoherghastlyface。SaidMaxwithgreatpoliteness：
“You”rehavingalittleneuralgia，ain”tyou？Iseeyourfaceisswholesome。”
“Yes，“saidSusan。“Neuralgia。”Maudlaughedhilariously。
Susanherselfhadceasedtobroodovertheincident。Inconventionallives，visitedbutrarelybyperilousstorms，bydisaster，suchaneventwouldbewhatiscalledconcise。Butinlifeasitislivedbythemassesofthepeople——lifeinwhichawfuldisease，death，maiming，eviction，fire，violenteventofanyandeverykind，ispartofthedailyroutineinthatlifeofthemassesthereisnotimeforlingeringupontheweatheredstormorforbotheringaboutandrepairingitsravages。Thosewholivethecomparativelylanguid，theshelteredlifeshouldnotusetheirownstandardsofwhatisdelicateandrefined，whatisconspicuousandstrong，whentheyjudgetheirfellowbeingsasdifferentlysituated。
Nevertheless，theydo——withtheresultthatwefindthepunymudlarkcriticizingtheeaglebattlingwiththehurricane。
WhenSusanandMaudwereinthestreetagain，Susandeclaredthatshemusthaveanotherdrink。“Ican”toffertopayforoneforyou，“saidshetoMaud。“I”vealmostnomoney。AndI
mustspendwhatI”vegotforwhiskeybeforeI——can——can——startin。”
Maudbegantolaugh，lookedatSusan，andwasalmostcryinginstead。“Icanlendyouafiver，“shesaid。“Life”shell——ain”tit？Myfatherusedtohaveagoodbusiness——tobacco。Thetrusttookitawayfromhim——andthenhedrank——andmother，shedrank，too。Andonedayhebeathersoshedied——andheranaway。Oh，it”sallawful！ButI”vestoppedcaring。I”mstuckonJim——andanotherlittlefellowhedon”tknowabout。ForGod”ssakedon”ttellhimorhe”dhavemepinchedfordoingbusinessfree。IgetfulleverynightandraiseoldNick。SometimesIhateJim。I”vetriedtokillhimtwicewhenIwasloaded。Butagirl”sgottohaveabackerwithapull。AndJimletsmekeepabiggershareofwhatI
makethansomefellows。Freddie”sprettygoodtoo，theysay——exceptwhenhe”slosingontheracesorgetsstuckonsomeactressthat”stooclassytobeshanghaied——likeyouwas——andthatmakeshimcoughup。”
MaudwentontodisclosethatJimusuallyletherhaveallshemadeabovethirtydollarsaweek，andinhardweekshadsometimesletherbegoffwithfifteen。Saidshe：
“Icangenerallycountonaboutfifteenortwentyformyself。
Usgirlsthathasbackersmakealotmoremoneythanthegirlsthathasn”t。They”realwaysgettingpinchedtoo——thoughthey”recarefulnevertospeakfirsttoaman。_We_cangorightupandbracemenwiththecopslookingon。Acopthat”dtouchuswouldgetbroke——unlesswegottoogayorrobbedsomebodywithapull。Butnoneofourclassofgirlsdoanyrobbing。There”snothinginit。Yougetcaughtsoonerorlater，andthenyou”redownandout。”
WhileSusanwashavingtwomoredrinksMaudtalkedaboutFreddie。Sheseemedtoknowlittleabouthim，thoughhewasevidentlyoneoftheconspicuousfigures。HehadstartedinthelowerEastSide——hadbeenleaderofoneofthosegangsthatinfesttenementdistricts——theyoungmenwhorefusetosubmittothecommonlotofstupidandbadlypaidtoilandtrytofighttheirwayoutbythequickmethodsofviolenceinsteadoftheslowerbutsurermethodsofrobbingthepoorthroughastoreofsomekind。Thesegangswerethieves，blackmailers，kidnapersofyounggirlsforhousesofprostitution，repeaters。
Mostofthemgraduatedintohabitualjailbirds，afew——thecleverest——becamesaloon-keepersandpoliticiansandhigh-classprofessionalgamblersandracetrackmen。
Freddie，Maudexplained，wasnotmuchovertwenty-five，yetwasalreadywelluptowardtheplacewheresuccessfulgangleaderscrossedoverintotherespectableclass——thatis，graftedin“bigfigures。”Hewasagreatreader，saidMaud，andhadtakencoursesatsomecollege。“Theysayheandhisgangusedtokillsomebodynearlyeverynight。Thenhegotalotofmoneyoutofoneofhisjobs——somesayitwasabankrobberyandsomesaytheykilledaminerwhowasdrunkwithabigrollonhim。
Anyhow，FreddiegotnexttoFinnegan——he”sworthseveralmillionsthathemadeoutofpolicyshopsandpoolrooms，andcontractsandsuchpoliticalthings。Sohe”sinright——andhe”sgotthebrains。He”sagoodoneforworkingoutschemesformakingpeopleworkhardandbringhimtheirmoney。Andeverybody”safraidofhimbecausehewon”tstopatnothingandistooslicktogetcaught。”
Maudbrokeoffabruptlyandrose，warnedbytheglazedlookinSusan”seyes。Susanwassofargonethatshehaddifficultyinnotstaggeringanddidnotdarespeaklestheruncertaintongueshouldbetrayher。Maudwalkedherupanddowntheblockseveraltimestogivethefreshairachance，thenledheruptoamanwhohadlookedattheminpassingandhadpausedtolookback。“Wanttogohaveagoodtime，sweetheart？“saidMaudtotheman。Hewaswelldressed，middle-aged，withafullbeardandspectacles，lookedasifhemightbeabanker，orperhapsaprofessorinsomecollege。
“Howmuch？“askedhe。
“Fiveforalittlewhile。Comealong，sporty。Takemeormyladyfriend。”
“Howmuchforbothofyou？“
“Ten。Wedon”tcutrates。Takeusboth，dearie。Iknowahotelwhereit”dbeallright。”
“No。IguessI”lltakeyourladyfriend。”HehadbeenpeeringatSusanthroughhisglasses。“Andifshetreatsmewell，I”lltakeheragain。You”resureyou”reallright？I”mamarriedman。”
“We”vebothbeenhomevisitingforamonth，andwalkingthechalk。My，butma”sstrict！Wegotbacktonight，“saidMaudglibly。“Goahead，Queenie。I”llbechasingupanddownhere，waiting。”Inalowertone：“Getthroughwithhimquick。Strikehimforfivemoreafteryougetthefirstfive。He”sablob。”
WhenSusancameslinkingthroughtheofficeofthehotelinthewakeofthemantwohourslater，Maudsprangfromthelittleparlor。“Howmuchdidyouget？“sheaskedinanundertone。
Susanlookednervouslyatthebackofthemanwhowasdescendingthestairwaytothestreet。“Hesaidhe”dpaymenexttime，“
shesaid。“Ididn”tknowwhattodo。Hewaspoliteand——”
Maudseizedherbythearm。“Comealong！“shecried。Asshepassedthedeskshesaidtotheclerk，“Adirtybilker！Tryin”
tokisshiswayout！“
“Givehimhell，“saidtheclerk。
Maud，stillgrippingSusan，overtookthemanatthesidewalk。
“Whatdoyoumeanbynotpayingmyladyfriend？“sheshouted。
“Getout！“saidthemaninalowtone，withanuneasyglanceround。“IfyouannoymeI”llcallthepolice。”
“Ifyoudon”tcoughupmightydamnquick，“criedMaudsoloudlythatseveralpassers-bystopped，“I”lldothecallingmyself，youbum，andhaveyoupinchedforinsultingtworespectableworkinggirls。”Andsheplantedherselfsquarelybeforehim。
Susandrewbackintotheshadowofthewall。
UpsteppedMax，whohappenedtobestandingoutsidehisplace。
“What”stherowabout？“hedemanded。
“Thesewomenaretryingtoblackmailme，“saidtheman，sidlingaway。
Maudseizedhimbythearm。“WillyoucoughuporshallI
scream？“shecried。
“Standoutoftheway，girls，“saidMaxsavagely，“andletmetakeacrackatthe。”
Themandivedintohispocket，producedabill，thrustittowardSusan。Maudsawthatitwasafive。“That”sonlyfive，“shecried。“Where”stheotherfive？“
“Fivewasthebargain，“whinedtheman。
“Doyouwantmetopushinyourblinkers，youdamnedoldbilk，you？“criedMax，seizinghimviolentlybythearm。Themanvisitedhispocketagain，foundanotherfive，extendedthetwo。
Maudseizedthem。“Now，clearout！“saidMax。“Ihatetoletyougowithoutaswiftkickinthepants。”
MaudpressedthemoneyonSusanandthankedMax。SaidMax，“Don”tforgettotellFreddiewhatIdoneforhisgirl。”
“She”lltellhim，allright，“Maudassuredhim。
AsthegirlswenteastthroughForty-secondStreet，Susansaid，“I”mafraidthatman”lllayforus。”
“Layforus，“laughedMaud。“He”llrunlikeacatafireifheeversightsusagain。”
“Ifeelqueerandfaint，“saidSusan。“Imusthaveadrink。”
“Well——I”llgowithyou。ButI”vegottogetbusy。Iwantacoupleofdaysoffthisweekformylittlefellow，soImusthustle。Youletthatdirtydogkeepyoutoolong。Halfanhour”splentyenough。Alwaysmake”emcoughupinadvance，thenhustle”emthrough。Anddon”tlistentotheirguffaboutwantingtoseeyouagainifyoutreat”emright。There”snothinginit。”
TheywentintoarestaurantbarnearBroadway。Susantooktwodrinksofwhiskeyrawinrapidsuccession；Maudtookonedrink——agreenmintwithice。“Whileyouwasfoolingawaytimewiththatthief，“saidshe，“Ihadtwomen——gotfivefromone，threefromtheother。Thefive-dollarmantookathree-dollarroom——thatwasseventy-fiveforme。Thethree-dollarmanwouldn”tstandformorethanadollarroom——soIgotonlyaquarterthere。Butheset”emuptotworoundsofdrinks——aquartermoreforme。SoIclearedninetwenty-five。Andyou”d”a”gotonlyyourtwenty-fivecentscommissionontheroomifithadn”tbeenforme。Youforgottocollectyourcommission。
Well，youcangetitnexttime。OnlyIwouldn”t_ask_forit，Maxwassoniceinhelpingout。He”llgiveyouthequarter。”
WhenSusanhadtakenhersecondstiffdrink，hereyesweresparklingandshewaslaughingrecklessly。“Iwantacigarette，“shesaid。
“Youfeelbully，don”tyou？“
“I”mreadyforanything，“declaredshegiddily。“Idon”tgiveadamn。I”movertheline。I——_don”t_——give——a——damn！“
“IusedtohatethemenIwentupwith，“saidMaud，“butnowIhardlylookattheirfaces。You”llsoonbethatway。Thenyou”llonlydrinkforfun。Drink——anddope——theyareabouttheonlyfunwehave——themandcaringaboutsomefellow。”
“HowmanygirlshasFreddiegot？“
“Searchme。Notmanythathe”dspeaktohimself。Jim”shiswardman——doeshiscollectingforhim。Freddie”sabovemostofthemeninthisbusiness。TheothersareaboutlikeJim——toughstraightthrough，butFreddie”sakindofapullman。Theothermen-evenJim——hatehimforbeingsuchasnareandbeingabletohideitthathe”sinsuchalowbusiness。They”dhavedonehimuplongago，iftheycould。Buthe”stowiseforthem。That”swhytheyhavetodowhathesays。Itellyou，you”reinright，forsure。You”llhaveFreddieeatingoutofyourhand，ifyouplayacoolhand。”
SusanorderedanotherdrinkandapackageofEgyptiancigarettes。“Theydon”tallowladiestosmokeinhere，“saidMaud。“We”llgotothewashroom。”
Andinthewashroomtheytookafewhastypuffsbeforesallyingforthagain。UsuallySundaynightwasdull，allthemenhavingspenttheirsparemoneythenightbefore，anditbeingabadnightformarriedmentomakeexcusesforgettingawayfromhome。Maudexplainedthat，except“out-of-towners，“themarriedmenwerethechiefsupportoftheirprofession”andmostofthecornhuskersaremarriedmen，too。”ButSusanhadthenovice”sluck。WhensheandMaudmetMaud”s“littlegentlemanfriend“HarryTuckeratmidnightandwenttoConsidine”sforsupper，Susanhadtakenin“presents“andcommissionstwenty-ninedollarsandahalf。Maudhadnotdonesobadly，herself；hernetreceiptsweretwenty-twofifty。
ShewouldnotletSusanpayanypartofthesupperbill，butgaveHarrythenecessarymoney。“Here”safive，“saidshe，pressingthebillintohishand，“andkeepthechange。”
Andshelookedathimwithlovingeyesoflonging。Hewasapretty，common-lookingfellow，amereboy，whoclerkedinahaberdasheryintheneighborhood。Ashegotonlysixdollarsaweekandhadtogivefivetohismotherwhosewed，hecouldnotaffordtospendmoneyonMaud，andsheneitherexpectednorwishedit。Whenshepickedhimup，helikemostofhisfellow-clerkshadnodecentclothingbutthesuithehadtohaveto“makeafront“atthestore。MaudhadoutfittedhimfromtheskinwiththecheapbutshowystuffexhibitedforjustsuchpurposesintheBroadwaywindows。SheexplainedconfidentiallytoSusan：
“ItmakesmesortoffeelthatIownhim。Then，too，inlovethereoughtn”ttobeanymoney。Ifhepaid，I”dbeascoldtohimasIamtotherest。TheonlyreasonIlikeJimatallisIlikeagoodbeatingonceinawhile。It”sexciting。Jim——hetreatsmelikethedirtunderhisfeet。Andthat”swhatweare——dirtunderthemen”sfeet。Everywomanknowsit，whenitcomestoashowdownbetweenherandaman。Asmypopusedtosay，theworldwasmadeformen，notforwomen。Still，ourgraftain”tsobum，atthat——ifweworkitright。”
FreddiecalledonSusanaboutnoonthenextday。Shewasstillinbed。Hewasdressedintheextremeoffashion，waswearingachinchilla-linedcoat。Helookedtheidle，sportivelyinclinedsonofsomerichmanintheFifthAvenuedistrict。Hewashavinganaffairwithamuchadmiredyoungactress——wasengagedinitratherasamatterofvanityandforthefashionablehalf-worldassociationsintowhichitintroducedhimratherthanfromanypresentinterestinthelady。HestoodwatchingSusanwithapeculiarexpression——onehemightperhapshavefoundithardtodefinehimself。Hebentoverherandcarelesslybrushedherearwithhislips。“Howdidyourroyalhighnessmakeout？“inquiredhe。
“Themoney”sinthetopbureaudrawer，“repliedshe，thecoversuptohereyesandhereyesclosed。
Hewenttothebureau，openedthedrawer，withhisglovedhandscountedthemoney。Ashecountedhiseyeshadalookinthemthatwasstrangelylikejealousrage。Hekepthisbacktowardherforsometimeafterhehadcrossedtolookatthemoney。
Whenhespokeitwastosay：
“Notbad。Andwhenyougetdressedupabitandloseyourstagefright，you”lldoasmashingbusiness。I”llnottakemyshareofthis。Ihadagoodrunwiththecardslastnight。
Anyhow，you”vegottopayyourrentandbuysomeclothes。I”vegottoinvestsomethinginmynewproperty。It”sbadlyrundown。You”llgetbusyagaintonight，ofcourse。Neverlayoff，lady，unlesstheweather”sbad。You”llfindyouwon”taveragemorethantwentygoodbusinessdaysamonthinsummerandfall，andonlyaboutteninwinterandspring，whenit”scoldandoftenlotsofbadweatherintheafternoonsandevenings。Thatmeanshustle。”
NosignfromSusan。Hesatonthebedandpulledthecoversawayfromherface。“Whatareyousogrouchyabout，pet？“heinquired，chuckingherunderthechin。
“Nothing。”
“Toomuchbooze，I”llbet。Well，sleepyourgrouchoff。I”vegotadatewithFinnegan。Theelection”scomingon，andIhavetowork——liningupthevoteandgettingtherepeatersready。
Itallmeansgoodmoneyforme。Lookoutaboutthebooze，lady。It”llfloatyouintotrouble——troublewithme，Imean。”
Andhepattedherbareshoulders，laughedgently，wenttothedoor。
Hepausedthere，struggledwithanimpulsetoturn——departed。VII
BUTshedidnot“lookoutaboutthebooze。”Eachmorningsheawokeinastateofdepressionsohorriblethatshewonderedwhyshecouldnotbringherselftoplansuicide。Whywasit？
Hermarriage？Yes——andshepaidititscustomarytributeofashudder。Yes，hermarriagehadmadeallthingsthereafterpossible。Butwhatelse？Lackofcourage？Lackofself-respect？Wasitnotalwaysassumedthatawomaninherposition，ifshehadagrainofdecentinstinct，wouldrusheagerlyupondeath？Wasshesomuchworsethanothers？Orwaswhateverybodysaidaboutthesethings——everybodywhohadexperience——wasitfalse，likenearlyeverythingelseshehadbeentaught？Shedidnotunderstand；sheonlyknewthathopewasasstrongwithinherashealthitself——andthatshedidnotwanttodie——andthatatpresentshewashelpless。
Oneeveningthemanshewaswith——agood-lookingandunusuallyinterestingyoungchap——suddenlysaid：
“Whataheartactionyouhavegot！Letmelistentothatagain。”
“Isitallwrong？“askedSusan，ashepressedhisearagainstherchest。
“Youaskthatasifyouratherhopeditwas。”
“Ido——andIdon”t。”
“Well，“saidhe，afterlisteningforathirdtime，“you”llneverdieofhearttrouble。Ineverheardaheartwithsuchagrandaction——likeabig，powerfulpump，builttolastforever。
You”reneverill，areyou？“
“Notthusfar。”
“Andyou”llhaveahardtimemakingyourselfill。
Health？Why，yourhealthmustbeperfect。Letmesee。”Andheproceededtothumpandpressuponherchestwithanexpertnessthatproclaimedthestudentofmedicine。Hewasallinterestandenthusiasm，tookapenciland，spreadingasheetuponherchestoverherheart，drewitsoutlines。“There！“hecried。
“Whatisit？“askedSusan。“Idon”tunderstand。”
Theyoungmandrewasecondandmuchsmallerheartwithintheoutlineofhers。“This，“heexplained，“isaboutthesizeofanordinaryheart。Youcanseeforyourselfthatyoursisfullyone-fourthbiggerthanthenormal。”
“Whatofit？“saidSusan。
“Why，healthandstrength——andvitality——courage——hope——allone-fourthabovetheordinaryallowance。Yes，morethanafourth。Ienvyyou。Yououghttolivelong，stayyounguntilyou”reveryold——andgetprettymuchanythingyouplease。Youdon”tbelongtothislife。Someaccident，Iguess。EveryonceinawhileIrunacrossacasesomethinglikeyours。You”llgobackwhereyoubelong。Thisisadip，notadrop。”
“Yousoundlikeafortune-teller。”Shewassmilingmockingly。
Butintruthshehadneverinallherlifeheardwordsthatthrilledherso，thatheartenedherso。
“Iam。Ascientificfortune-teller。Andwhatthatkindsayscomestrue，barringaccidents。Asyou”renotignorantandcarelessthislifeofyoursisn”tphysiologicallybad。Onthecontrary，you”reoutintheopenairmuchofthetimeandgetthesplendedexerciseofwalking——amuchmorehealthfullife，intheessentialways，thanrespectablewomenlead。They”realwaysstuffing，andrumpingit。Theynevermoveiftheycanhelp。No，nothingcanstopyoubutdeath——unlessyou”refarlessintelligentthanyoulook。Oh，yes——deathandoneotherthing。”
“Drink。”Andhelookedshrewdlyather。
Butdrinkshemust。Andeachday，assoonasshedressedandwasoutinthestreet，shebegantodrink，andkeptitupuntilshehaddrivenoffthedepressionandhadgotherselfintothemoodofrecklessnessinwhichshefoundacertainsardonicpleasureinoutragingherownsensibilities。Thereisastageinadrinkingcareerwhenthemanorthewomanbecomesdepravedanduglyassoonastheliquortakeseffect。Butshewasfarfromthisadvancedstage。Herdispositionwas，ifanything，moresweetandgenerouswhenshewasundertheinfluenceofliquor。Thewhiskey——shealmostalwaysdrankwhiskey——seemedtoactdirectlyandonlyuponthenervesthatachedandthrobbedwhenshewassober，thenervesthatmadethelifeshewasleadingseemloathsomebeyondthepowerofhabittoaccustom。Withthesenervesstupefied，hernaturalgayetyasserteditself，andafondnessforquietandsubtlemockery——herindulgenceinitdidnotmakeherpopularwithvainmensufficientlyacutetocatchhermeaning。
Byobservationandpracticeshewassoonabletomeasuretheexactamountofliquorthatwasnecessarytoproducetheproperstateofintoxicationatthehourforgoing“onduty。”Thatgayetyofherswasofthesurfaceonly。Behinditherrealselfremainedindifferentorsomberorsardonic，accordingtohermoodoftheday。Andshehadthesenseofbeinginthegraspofahideous，fascinatingnightmare，ofbeingdraggedthroughsomedreadfulprobationfromwhichshewouldpresentlyemergetoascendtothepositionshewouldhaveearnedbyherdesperatefortitude。Thepast——unreal。Thepresent——awakingdream。Butthefuture——ah，thefuture！
Hehasnotcandidlyexploredfarbeneaththesurfaceofthingswhodoesnotknowthestrangeallure，charmeven，thatmanyloathsomethingspossess。Anddrinkispeculiarlyfittedtobringoutthisperversequality——drinkthatblursalltheconventionalities，eventhosebuiltupintomoralideasbycenturiesandagesofunbrokencustom。Thehumananimal，forallitspretensesofinflexibility，isalmostinfinitelyadaptable——thatiswhyithasriseninseveralmillionyearsofevolutionfromaboutthehumblestrankinthemammalianfamilytooverlordshipoftheuniverse。Still，itisdoubtfulif，withoutdrinktohelpher，agirlofSusan”sintelligenceandtemperamentwouldhavebeenapttoendure。Shewouldprobablyhavechosenthealternative——death。Hundreds，perhapsthousands，ofgirls，atleastherequalsinsensibility，arecaughtinthesamecalamityeveryyear，tensofthousands，evermoreandmoreasourcivilizationtransformsunderthepressureofindustrialism，arecaughtinthesimilarcalamitiesofsoul-destroyingtoil。Andonlythefewsurvivewhohaveperfecthealthandaboundingvitality。Susan”sironstrengthenabledhertolive；butitwasdrinkthatenabledhertoendure。Beyondquestiononeofthegreatestblessingsthatcouldnowbeconferredupontheracewouldbetocureitofthedrinkevil。Butatthesametime，ifdrinkweretakenawaybeforethecausesofdrinkwereremoved，therewouldbeanappallingincreaseinsuicide——ininsanity，inthegeneraltotalofhumanmisery。Forwhiledrinkretardsthegrowthofintelligentefforttoendthestupiditiesinthesocialsystem，doesitnotalsohelpmenandwomentobeartheconsequencesofthosestupidities？Ourcrudeandundevelopednewcivilization，strappingmenandwomenandchildrentothemachinesandsqueezingalltheenergyoutofthem，allthecapacityforvitallife，caststhemasideassoonastheyareuselessbutlongbeforetheyaredead。Howunutterablywretchedtheywouldbewithoutdrinktogivethemillusions！
Susangrewfondofcigarettes，fondofwhiskey；totherestsheafterafewweeksbecamenumb——noneworstrangephenomenoninaworldwherepeoplewithacancerorotherhideousrunningsoreorsomegrossandfrightfuldeformityoffatorexcrescenceareseenlaughing，joiningfreelyandcomfortablyinthecompanyoftheunafflicted。InherafflictionSusanatleastsawonlythoseaffectedlikeherself——andthathelpednotalittle，helpedthewhiskeytoconfuseanddistortheroutlookuponlife。
TheoldCartesianformula”Ithink，thereforeIam“——wouldcomenearertoexpressingatruth，wereitreversed”Iam，thereforeIthink。”Ourcharactersarecompressed，andourthoughtsbentbyourenvironment。Andmostofusareunconsciousofourslaverybecauseourenvironmentremainsunchangedfrombirthuntildeath，andsoseemsthewholeuniversetous。
Inspiteofherlife，inspiteofallshedidtodisguiseherself，therepersistedinherface——evenwhenshewasdazedorgiddiedorstupefiedwithdrink——theexpressionofthewomanontherightsideoftheline。Whetheritwassomethinginhercharacter，whetheritwasnotratherduetosuperiorityofbreedingandintelligence，wouldbedifficulttosay。However，therewasthe_different_lookthatirritatedmanyoftheothergirls，interferedwithherbusinessandmadeherfeelahypocrite。Sheheardsomuchaboutthepalenessofherlipsthatshedecidedtoendthatcommentbyusingpaint——thedurablekindIdahadrecommended。Whenherlipsflamedcarmine，astrangeandstrikingeffectresulted。Thesadsweetpensivenessofhereyes——thepallorofherclearskin——then，thatsplashofbrightred，artificial，bold，defiant——thecontrastofthecombinationseemedsomehowtotellthestoryofherlifeherpastnolessthanherpresent。Andwhenherbeautybegantocomeback——for，hardthoughherlifewas，itwasalifeofgoodfood，ofplentyofsleep，ofmuchopenair；
soitputnosuchstrainuponherashadthelifeofthefactoryandthetenement——whenherbeautycameback，theeffectofthatcontrastofscarletsplashagainstthesadpurityofpallidcheeksandviolet-grayeyesbecameamarkofindividuality，ofdistinction。ItwasnotlongbeforeSusanwouldhaveassoonthoughtofissuingforthwithherbodyuncoveredaswithherlipsunrouged。
Sheturnedawayfrommenwhosoughtherasecondtime。Shewasdifficulttofind，shewenton“duty“onlyenoughdayseachweektoearnalowaverageofwhatwasexpectedfromthegirlsbytheirprotectors。Yetshegotmanyunexpectedpresents——andsohadmoneytolendtotheothergirls，whosoonlearnedhow“easy“shewas。
Maud，sometimesatherownprompting，sometimespromptedbyJim，whowaspromptedbyFreddie——warnedhereveryfewdaysthatshewasskatingonthethinnestofice。Butshewentherway。
Notuntilsheaccompaniedagirltoanopiumjointtodiscoverwhetherdopehadthemeritsclaimedforitasadeadenerofpainandaproducerofhappiness——notuntilthendidFreddiecomeinperson。
“Ihear，“saidheandshewonderedwhetherhehadheardfromMaxorfromloose-tonguedMaud”thatyoucomeintothehotelsodrunkthatmensometimesleaveyourightawayagain——gowithoutpayingyou。”
“Imustdrink，“saidSusan。
“Youmust_stop_drink，“retortedhe，amiableinhisterribleway。“Ifyoudon”t，I”llhaveyoupinchedandsentup。
That”llbringyoutoyoursenses。”
“Imustdrink，“saidSusan。
“ThenImusthaveyoupinched，“saidhewithhismockinglaugh。
“Don”tbeafool，“hewenton。“YoucanmakemoneyenoughtosoonbuytherightsortofclothessothatIcanaffordtobeseenwithyou。I”dliketotakeyououtonceinawhileandgiveyouaswelltime。Butwhat”dwelookliketogether——withyouinthosecheapthingsoutofbargaintroughs？Notthatyoudon”tlookwell——foryoudo。Buttherestofyouisn”tuptoyourfeetandtothelookinyourface。Thewholething”sgottoberightbeforealadycansitopposite_me_inMurray”sorRector”s。”
“AllIaskistobeletalone，“saidSusan。
“Thatisn”tplayingsquare——andyou”vegottoplaysquare。WhatIwantistosetyouupinaniceparlortrade——chapsfromthecollegeandtheswellclubsandhotels。ButIcan”tdoanythingforyouaslongasyoudrinkthisway。You”llhavetostayonthestreets。”
“That”swhereIwanttostay。”
“Well，there”ssomethingtobesaidforthestreets，“Freddieadmitted。“Ifawomandon”tintendtomakesportingherlifebusiness，shedon”twanttogetupamongtheswellsoftheprofession，whereshe”dbecomeknownandfindithardtosidestep。Still，eveninthestreetyououghttomakeahundred，easy——andnotgowithanymanthatdoesn”tsuityou。”
“Anymanthatdoesn”tsuitme，“saidSusan。And，afterapause，shesaiditagain：“Anymanthatdoesn”tsuitme。”
Theyoungman，withhisshrewdnessofthestreet-graduateandhissensitivenessoftheItalian，gaveheranunderstandingglance。“Youlookasifyoucouldn”tdecidewhethertolaughorcry。I”dtrytolaughifIwasyou。”
Shehadlaughedashespoke。
Freddienoddedapproval。“Thatsoundedgoodtome。You”regettingbrokenin。Don”ttakeyourselfsoseriously。Afterall，whatareyoudoing？Why，learningtolivelikeaman。”
Shefoundthisnewpointofviewinteresting——andtrue，too。
Likeaman——likeallmen，exceptpossiblyafew——notenoughexceptionstochangetherule。Likeaman；gettingherselfhardeneduptothepointwhereshecouldtakepartinthecruelstruggleonequaltermswiththemen。Itwasn”ttheirdifferenceofbodyanymorethanitwastheirdifferenceofdressthathandicappedwomen；itwastheideabehindskirtandsex——andshewasgettingridofthat……
Thetheorywasadmirable；butithelpedhernotatallinpractice。Shecontinuedtokeeptothedarkness，towaitinthedeepdoorways，sofarasshecouldinher“businesshours，“
andtorepulseadvancesinthedaytimeorinpublicplaces——andtodrink。Shedidnotgoagaintotheopiumjoint，andsheresistedthenightlyoffersofgirlsandtheir“gentlemenfriends“totrycocaineinitsvariousforms。
“Dope，“shesaw，wasthemedicineofdespair。Andshewasfarfromdespair。Hadshenotyouth？Hadshenothealthandintelligenceandgoodlooks？Somedayshewouldhavefinishedherapprenticeship。Then——thecareer！
Freddieletheralonefornearlyamonth，thoughshewasearninglessthanfiftydollarsaweek——whichmeantonlythirtyforhim。Hehadnever“collected“fromherdirectly，butalwaysthroughJim；andshehadnowlearnedenoughofthemethodsofthesystemofwhichshewasoneofthethousandsofslavestoappreciatethatshewastreatedbyJimwithuniqueconsideration。NotonlybythesurlyandbrutalJim，butalsobythepolicewhooppressedinpettywayswherevertheydaredbecausetheyhatedFreddie”ssystemwhichtookawayfromthemapartofthegrafttheyregardedasrightfullytheirs。
Yes，rightfullytheirs。Andanyonedisposedtobecriticalofpolicemorality——orofFreddiePalmermorality——inthismatterofgraftwoulddowelltopauseandconsiderthesourceofhisownincomebeforehewaxestooeloquentandtoovirtuous。
Graftisoneofthosegeneralwordsthatmeaneverythingandnothing。Whatisgraftandwhatishonestincome？Justwhereshallwedrawthelinebetweenrightfulexploitationofourfellow-beingsthroughtheirnecessitiesandtheirignoranceoftheirhelplessness，andwrongfulexploitation？DoattemptstodrawthatlineresolvedowntomakingvirtuouswhateverImayappropriateandviciouswhateverisappropriatedinwaysotherthanmine？AndifsoarenotthepoliceandthePalmersentitledtotheirdayinthemoralcourtnolessthanthetariff-baronandmarket-cornerer，theherderanddriverofwageslaves，theretailartistsincoldstoragefilth，shortweightandshoddygoods？However，“wemustdrawthelinesomewhere“
ortherewillbenosuchthingasmoralityunderoursocialsystem。Sowhynotdrawitatanythingtheotherfellowdoestomakemoney。Inadoptingthissimplerule，wenotonlypreservethemoralitiesfromdestructionbutalsoestablishourownvirtueandtheotherfellow”svillainy。Truly，neveristhehumanracesodelightfully，sounconsciously，amusingaswhenitdiscussesrightandwrong。
WhenshesawFreddieagain，hewasfarfromsober。Heshoweditbyhiswayofbeginning。Saidhe：
“I”vegottohandyoualineofroughtalk，Queenie。Itookonthisjagforyourespecialbenefit，“saidhe。“I”mafoolaboutyouandyoutakeadvantageofit。That”sbadforbothofus……You”redrinkingasmuchasever？“
“More，“repliedshe。“Ittakesmoreandmore。”
“Howcanyouexpecttogeton？“criedhe，exasperated。
“AsItoldyou，Icouldn”tmakeacentifIdidn”tdrink。”
Freddiestaredmoodilyather，thenatthefloor——theywereinherroom。Finallyhesaid：
“Yougetthebestclassofmen。Iputmyswellfriendsontowhereyougoslippingby，upanddownintheshadow——andit”salltheycandotofindyou。Thebestclassofmen——menalltheswellrespectablegirlsintownarecrazytohookupwith——thoseof”emthatain”tmarriedalready。Ifyou”regoodenoughforthosechapstheyoughttobegoodenoughforyou。
Yetsomeof”emcomplaintomethattheygetthrowndown——andotherskickbecauseyouweretoofull——and，damnit，youactsoqueerthatyouscare”emaway。WhatamItodoaboutit？“
Shewassilent。
“Iwantyoutopromisemeyou”lltakeabrace。”
Noanswer。
“Youwon”tpromise？“
“No——becauseIdon”tintendto。I”mdoingthebestIcan。”
“YouthinkI”magoodthing。YouthinkI”lltakeanythingoffyou，becauseI”mstuckonyou——andappreciatethatyouain”tonthesamelevelwiththerestoftheseheifers。Well——I”llnotletanywomanconme。Ineverhave。Ineverwill。AndI”llmakeyourealizethatyou”renotsquarewithme。I”llletyougetatasteoflifeasitiswhenagirlhasn”tgotafriendwithapull。”
“Asyouplease，“saidSusanindifferently。“Idon”tintheleastcarewhathappenstome。”
“We”llseeaboutthat，“criedhe，enraged。“I”llgiveyouaweektobraceupin。”
Thelookheshotatherbywayoffinishtohissentencewasmenacingenough。Butshewasnotdisturbed；thesesignsofangertendedtoconfirmherinhersenseofsecurityfromhim。
ForitwaswhollyunliketheFreddiePalmertherestoftheworldknew，toactinthisirresoluteandstormyway。SheknewthatPalmer，inhisfashion，caredforher——betterstill，likedher——likedtotalkwithher，likedtoshow——andtodevelop——theaspiringsideofhisinteresting，unusualnatureforherbenefit。
Aweekpassed，duringwhichshedidnotseehim。Butsheheardthathewaslosingonboththecardsandthehorsesandwasdrinkingwildly。Aweek——tendays——then——
Onenight，asshecameoutofasaloonablockorsodownSeventhAvenuefromForty-second，aflycopseizedherbythearm。
“Comealong，“saidheroughly。“You”redrinkingandsoliciting。I”vegottoclearthestreetsofsomeofthesetarts。It”sgotsodecentpeoplecan”tmovewithoutfallingover”em。”
Susanhadnotlivedinthetenementdistrictswheretheignoranceandthehelplessnessandthelackofavoicethatcanmakeitselfheardamongtherulingclassesmaketheswayofthepoliceabsoluteandthereforetyrannical——shehadnotlivedtherewithoutgettingsomethingofthatdreadandhorrorofthepolicewhichtopeopleoftheupperclassesseemschildishorevidenceofsecretcriminalhankerings。Andthisnervousnesshadlatterlybeenincreasedtoterrorbywhatshehadlearnedfromherfellow-outcasts——thehideoustalesofoppression，ofrobbery，ofbodilyandmoraldegradation。Butallthisterrorhadbeenpurelyfanciful，asanyemotionnotofexperienceprovestobewhenexperienceevokesthereality。Atthattouch，atthesoundofthoseroughwords——atthat_reality_oftheterrorshehadimaginedfromthedayswhenshewenttoworkatMatson”sandtolivewiththeBrashears，shestraightwaylostconsciousness。Whenhersensesreturnedshewasinacell，lyingonawoodenbench。
Theremusthavebeensomesortofwildstruggle；forherclothesweremuddy，herhatwascrushedintoshapelessness，herveilwassotornthatshehaddifficultyinarrangingittoactasanysortofconcealment。Thoughshehadnomirroratwhichtodiscovertheconsolation，sheneedhavehadnofearofbeingrecognized，sodistortedwereallherfeaturesbythefrightfulparoxysmsofgriefthatsweptandravagedherbodythatnight。
Shefaintedagainwhentheyledherouttoputherinthewagon。
Shefaintedathirdtimewhensheheardhername”QueenieBrown“——bellowedoutbythecourtofficer。Theyshookherintoconsciousness，ledhertothecourt-room。Shewasconsciousofastiflingheat，ofacuriouscrowdstaringatherwitheyeswhichseemedtoboreredhotholesintoherflesh。Asshestoodbeforethejudge，withheadlimpuponherbosom，sheheardinhereararoughvoicebawling，“You”redischarged。
Thejudgesaysdon”tcomehereagain。”Andshewaspushedthroughanirongate。Shewalkedunsteadilyuptheaisle，betweentwomassesofthoseburning-eyedhumanmonsters。Shefeltthecoldoutsideairlikeavastdrenchoficywaterflunguponher。Ifithadbeenraining，shemighthavegonetowardtheriver。Butthan{sic}thatdayNewYorkhadneverbeenmoreradiantlytheCityoftheSun。Howshegothomesheneverknew，butlateintheafternoonsherealizedthatshewasinherownroom。
Hourafterhourshelayuponthebed，bodyandmindinert。
Helpless——noescape——nocouragetolive——yetnowishtodie。
Howmuchlongerwoulditlast？Surelythewakingfromthisdreammustcomesoon。
AboutnoonthenextdayFreddiecame。“Iletyouoffeasy，“
saidhe，sittingonthebeduponwhichshewaslyingdressedaswhenshecameinthedaybefore。“Haveyoubeendrinkingagain？“
“No，“shemuttered。
“Well——don”t。Nexttime，aweekontheIsland……Didyouhear？“
“Yes。”
“Don”tturnmeagainstyou。I”dhatetohavetomakeanawfulexampleofyou。”
“Imustdrink，“sherepeatedinthesamestolidway。
Heabruptlybutwithoutshockliftedhertoasittingposition。
Hisarmheldherbodyup；herheadwasthrownbackandherfacewaslookingcalmlyathim。Sherealizedthathehadbeendrinking——drinkinghard。Hereyesmethisterribleeyeswithoutflinching。Hekissedherfulluponthelips。Withheropenpalmshestruckhimacrossthecheek，bringingtheredfierilytoitssmoothfairsurface。Thedevilleapedintohiseyes，thedevilofcrueltyandlust。Hesmiledsoftlyandwickedly。“Iseeyou”veforgottenthelessonIgaveyouthreemonthsago。You”vegottobetaughttobeafraidalloveragain。”
“I_am_notafraid，“saidshe。“I_was_notafraid。Youcan”tmakemeafraid。”
“We”llsee，“murmuredhe。Andhisfingersbegantocaressherroundsmooththroat。
“Ifyoueverstrikemeagain，“shesaidquietly，“I”llkillyou。”
Hiseyesflinchedforaninstant——longenoughtoletherknowhisinnermostsecret。“Iwantyou——Iwant_you_——damnyou，“hesaid，betweenhisclinchedteeth。“You”rethefirstoneI
couldn”tget。There”ssomethinginyouIcan”tget！“
“That”s_me_，“shereplied。
“Youhateme，don”tyou？“
“No。”
“Thenyouloveme？“
“No。Icarenothingaboutyou。”
Heletherdropbacktothebed，wenttothewindow，stoodlookingoutmoodily。Afterawhilehesaidwithoutturning：
“Mymotherkeptabookshop——onthelowerEastSide。Shebroughtmeupathome。Athome！“Andhelaughedsardonically。
“ShehatedmebecauseIlookedlikemyfather。”
Silence，thenhespokeagain：
“You”veneverbeentomyflat。I”vegotaswellplace。Iwanttocutoutthispartofthegame。Icangetalongwithoutit。
You”regoingtomoveinwithme，andstopthisstreetbusiness。
Imakegoodmoney。Youcanhaveeverythingyouwant。”
“IprefertokeeponasIam。”
“What”sthedifference？Aren”tyouminewheneverIwantyou？“
“Iprefertobefree。”
“_Free！_Why，you”renotfree。Can”tIsendyoutotheIslandanytimeIfeellikeit——justasIcantheothergirls？“
“Yes——youcandothat。ButI”mfree，allthesame。”
“Nomorethantheothergirls。”
“Yes。”
“Whatdoyoumean？“
“Unlessyouunderstand，Icouldn”tmakeyouseeit，“shesaid。
Shewassittingontheedgeofthebed，doingupherhair，whichhadpartlyfallendown。“Ithinkyoudounderstand。”
“Whatinthehelldoyouwant，anyhow？“hedemanded。
“IfIknew——doyousupposeI”dbehere？“
Hewatchedherwithbaffled，longingeyes。“Whatisit，“hemuttered，“that”ssodamnpeculiaraboutyou？“
Itwasthequestioneveryshrewdobservantpersonwhosawherputtohimselfinonewayoranother；andtherewasexcellentreasonwhythisshouldhavebeen。
Lifehasacertainsetofmolds——lawyer，financier，gambler，preacher，fashionablewoman，prostitute，domesticwoman，laborer，clerk，andsoonthroughanotextensivelistoffamiliartypeswithwhichweallsoonbecomeacquainted。Andtooneoranotherofthesepatternslifefitseachofusaswegrowup。Notoneintenthousandglancesintohumanfacesisarrestedbecauseithaslituponapersonalitythatcannotbeimmediatelylocated，measured，accountedfor。Thereasonforthissterilityofvarietywhichsoonmakestheworldrathermonotonoustotheseeingeyeisthatfewofusarebornwithanyconsiderableamountofpersonality，andwhatlittlewehaveisspeedilysuppressedbyasystemoftrainingwhichisthroughoutbaseduponanabhorrenceoforiginality。Weobeythelawofnature——andnaturesoabhorsvarietythat，wheneveravariationfromatypehappens，shetriestokillit，and，thatfailing，reproducesitamyriadtimestomakeitatype。
Whenanoriginalmanorwomanappearsandallthestrenuousefforttosuppresshimorherfails，straightwayspringupathousandimitatorsandcopiers，andtheindividualityislostintheschool，thefashion，thecraze。Wehavenotthecouragetobeourselves，evenwherethereisanythinginusthatmightbedevelopedintosomethingdistinctiveenoughtowinustherankofrealidentity。Individuality——distinction——whereitdoesexist，almostnevershowsuntilexperiencebringsitout——justasuptoacertainstagetheembryoofanyanimalislikethatofeveryotheranimal，thoughthereislatentinitthemostpositiveassertionofraceandsex，offamily，type，andsoon。
Susanhadfromchildhoodpossessedcertainqualitiesofphysicalbeauty，ofspiritedness，offacilityinmindandbody——thenotuncommoncharacteristicofthechildthatistheflowerofpassionatelove。Butnowtherewasbeginningtoshowinheraradicaldifferencefromtherestofthecrowdpouringthroughthestreetsofthecity。Itmadethequickerobserversinthepassingthrongturntheheadforasecondandwonderingglance。Mostofthemassumedtheyhadbeenstirredbyhersuperiorityoffaceandfigure。ButstrikingfacesandfiguresofthevariouscomelytypesarefrequentinthestreetsofNewYorkandofseveralotherAmericancities。Thetruthwasthattheywereinterestedbyherexpression——anelusiveexpressiontellingofasoulthatwasbeingmovedtoitsdepthsbyexperiencewhichusuallyfindsandmoldsmerepassivematerial。
Thisexpressionwasasevidentinhermouthasinhereyes，inherprofileasinherfullface。Andasshesatthereontheedgeofthebedtwistingupherthickdarkhair，itwasthisexpressionthatdisconcertedFreddiePalmer，forthefirsttimeinallhiscontemptuousdealingswiththefemalesex。Inhiseyeswasaferociousdesiretoseizeherandagaintrytoconquerandtopossess。
Shehadbecomealmostunconsciousofhispresence。Hestartledherbysuddenlycrying，“Oh，yougotohell！“andflingingfromtheroom，crashingthedoorshutbehindhim。
Maudhadgrowntiredofthehaberdasher”sclerkandhispresumptionsuponherfrankfondnesswhichhewhollymisunderstood。Shehaddroppedhimforaroughlookingwaiter-singerinabasementdrinkingplace。Hewasbeatingherandtakingallthemoneyshehadforherself，andwasspendingitonanotherwoman，mucholderthanMaudandhomely——andMaudknew，andcomplainedofhimbitterlytoeveryonebuthimself。
ShewasnolongerhangingroundSusanpersistently，havingbeendiscouragedbythefailureofherattemptsatintimacywithagirlwhospentnearlyallhersparetimeatreadingoratplaysandconcerts。MaudwasnowchummingwithawomanwhopreyeduponthepatronsofabigBroadwayhotel——shepickedthemupneartheentrance，robbedthem，andwhentheyaskedthehoteldetectivestohelpthemgetbacktheirstolenmoney，thedetectives，whodividedwithher，frightenedthemoffbysayingshewasamulattoandwouldcompelthemtomakeapublicappearanceagainstherinopencourt。Thiswoman，olderandharderthanmostofthegirls，thoughofquietandrefinedappearanceandmanner，wasrapidlydraggingMauddown。Also，Maud”slooksweregoingbecausesheateirregularlyallkindsoftrash，andlateeverynightateherselffulltoburstinganddrankherselfdrunktostupefaction。
Susan”sfirsthorrorofthemenshemet——menofallclasses——wasrapidlymodifiedintoaninconsistent，thereforecharacteristicallyhuman，minglingofhorrorandtolerance。
Nobody，nothing，waseithergoodorbad，butallveeredlikeweathercocksintheshiftingwind。Shedecidedthatpeopleweresteadilygoodonlywheretheirlothappenedtobecastinaplaceinwhichthegoodwindheldsteadily，andthatthosewhowereusuallybadsimplyhadthemisfortunetohavetolivewheretheprevailingwindswerebad。
Forinstance，therewasthehandsome，welleducated，wellmanneredyoungprize-fighter，NedBallou，whowasEstelle”s“friend。”Ballou，bigandgentleandasincapableofbadhumorasofconstancyorofhonestyaboutmoneymatters，foughtunderthenameofJoeGearyandwasknownasUpperCutJoebecauseusually，inthethirdround，neverlaterthanthefifth，hegavetheknockouttohisopponentbyacruellyswiftandsavageuppercut。Hehadeducatedhimselfmarvelouslywell。Buthehadbeenbroughtupamongthievesandhadbysomecuriousfreakneverlearnedtoknowwhatamoralsensewas，whichisone——andanotunattractive——stepdeeperdownthanthosewhoknowwhatamoralsenseisbutneveruseit。AtsupperinGaffney”sherelatedtoSusanandEstellehowhehadwonhisgreatestvictory——thevictoryofTerrytheCyclone，thathadliftedhimupintotheclassofsecuremoney-makers。Hetoldhowhealwaystriedto“rattle“hisopponentbytalkingtohim，bypouringoutinanundertoneastreamofgibes，jeers，insults。
TheafternoonofthefightTerry”sfirst-bornhaddied，butthemoneyforthefuneralexpensesandtosavethewifefromthehorrorsanddangersofthefreewardshadtobeearned。JoeGearyknewthathemustwinthisfightordropintotheworkingorthecriminalclass。Terrywasa“hardone“；socircumstancescompelled，thosedesperatemeasureswhichgreatmen，fromfinanciersandgeneralsdowntoprize-fighters，donotshrinkfromelsetheywouldnotbegreat，butsmall。
AssoonashewasfacingTerryinthering——Joesoherelatedwithprideinhiscleverness——beganto“guy“”Well，youIrishfake——sothekid”sdead——eh？Whowasitspa，say？——thedirtylittlebastard——ordoesthewifeknowwhichoneitwas——”andsoon。AndTerry，insanewithgriefandfury，foughtwild——andJoebecameachampion。
AsshelistenedSusangrewcoldwithhorrorandwithhate。
Estellesaid：
“Telltherestofit，Joe。”
“Oh，thatwasnothing，“repliedhe。
WhenhestrolledawaytotalkwithsomefriendsEstelletold“therest“thatwas“nothing。”Thechampionshipsecure，JoehadpaidallTerry”sbills，hadsupportedTerryandhiswifeforayear，hadrelapsedintooldhabitsand“pulledoffajob“
ofsafe-crackingbecause，theprize-fightinghappeningtopaypoorly，hewouldhavehadadefaultonthepaymentsforamonthorso。Hewascaught，didayearontheIslandbeforehis“pull“couldgethimout。Andallthetimehewasinthe“pen“
hesoarrangeditwithhisfriendsthattheinvalidTerryandhisinvalidwifedidnotsuffer。AndallthishehaddonenotbecausehehadasenseofowingTerry，butbecausehewasofthe“set“inwhichitisthecustomtohelpanybodywhohappenstoneedit，andaidbegunbecomesanobligationto“seeitthrough。”
Itwasanextremecaseofthemoralchaosabouther——thechaosshehadbeguntodiscoverwhenshecaughtherauntandRuthconspiringtotakeSamawayfromher。
Whataworld！Ifonlytheseshifting，usuallyevilwindsofcircumstancecouldbemadetoblowgood！
AfeweveningsafterthearrestMaudcameforSusan，persuadedhertogoout。Theydinedatabouttheonlygoodrestaurantwhereunescortedwomenwereservedafternightfall。Afterwardtheywent“onduty。”Itwasfineoverheadandtheairwascoldandbracing——oneofthosemarvelousNewYorkwinternightswhichhavethetonicofbothseaandmountainsandanexhilaration，inaddition，fromtheintensebright-burninglifeofthemightycity。Formorethanaweektherehadbeenasteadydownpourofsnow，sleetandfinallyrain。Thus，thewomenofthestreetshadbeendoingalmostnobusiness。Therewasnotmuchmoneyinsittingindrinkinghallsandthebackroomsofsaloonsandpickingupoccasionalmen；thebesttradewasthemenwhowouldnotventuretoshowthemselvesinsuchfranklydisreputableplaces，butpickedoutwomeninthecrowdedstreetsandfollowedthemtoquietdarkplacestomakethearrangements——menstimulatedbygooddinners，or，lateron，intheevening，thosewholeftpartiesofelegantrespectabilityaftertheateroropera。Onthisfirstnightofbusinessweatherinnearlytwoweeksthestreetswerecrowdedwithwomenandgirls。Theyweredesperatelyhardupandtheymadeopendashesforeverymantheycouldgetat。Allclassesweremadeequallybold——theshopandfactoryandofficeandtheatergirlswithwagestoosmallforwhattheyregardedasadecentliving；thewomenwithyoungchildrentosupportandeducate；theprotectedprofessionalregulars；themiserablecreatureswhohadtogetalongasbesttheycouldwithoutprotection，andwerepreytoeveryblackmailingofficerofananti-vicesocietyandtoeverypolicemanandfly-copnotabovelevyinguponwomenwhowere“toolowtobeallowedtolive，anyhow。”Outfromallkindsofsheltersswarmedthewomenwhoweredemonstratinghowprostitutionflourishesandtendstospreadtoeveryclassofsocietywhenevereducationdevelopstastesbeyondtheearningpoweroftheirpossessors。Andwithclothesandfoodtobuy，renttopay，dependentstosupport，thesewomen，somanydayshamperedintheonewaythatwasopentothemtogetmoney，madethemostpiteousappealstothemen。
Nottearfulappeals，notappealstosympathyoreventocharity，buttopassion。Theysoughtineverywaytoexcite。
Theyexhibitedtheircarefullygotten-uplegs；theymadeindecentgestures；theysaidthevilestthings；theyofferedthevilestinducements；theyloweredtheirpricesdownanddown。Andsuchmenasdidnotorderthemoffwithdisdain，listenedwithlaughter，madejokesatwhichthewretchedcreatureslaughedasgaylyasiftheywerenotmadwithanxietyandwerenothatingthesemenwhowereholdingontothatwhichtheymusthavetolive。
“Toomanyouttonight，“saidMaudastheywalkedtheirbeat——Forty-secondbetweenBroadwayandEighthAvenue。“Iknewitwouldbethisway。Let”sgoinhereandgetwarm。”
Theywentintothebackroomofasaloonwhereperhapshalfadozenwomenwerealreadyseated，someofthemgraywiththecoldagainstwhichtheirthinshowygarmentswerenoprotection。SusanandMaudsatatatableinacorner；MaudbrokeherruleanddrankwhiskeywithSusan。Aftertheyhadtakenperhapshalfadozendrinks，Maudgrewreallyconfidential。Shealways，eveninhersoberestmoments，seemedtobetellingeverythingsheknew；butSusanhadlearnedthattherewereinhermanydeepsecrets，someofwhichnotevenliquorcouldunlock。