第18章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Susan Lenox-Her Rise and Fall",免费读到尾

  Thusitcametopassthat,afterthefirstspurt,thebusinessfellbacktoaboutwhereithadbeenbeforeSusancame。

  Albert,theAustrianwaiter,explainedtoSusanwhyitwasthatherpopularitydidthehouseapparentlysolittlegood——explainedwithtruthwhereshesuspectedkind-heartedplotting,thatshehadarresteditslatterlyswift-downwardslide。Shewasgladtohearwhathehadtosay,asitwasmostpleasanttohervanity;butshecouldnotgetoverthedepressionofthecentralfact——shewasnotmakingthesortofbusinesstojustifyaskingLangeformorethanboardandlodging;

  shewasnotinthewayofmakingthemoneythatwaseachdaymorenecessary,asherlittlestoredwindled。

  Thequestionofgettingmoneytoliveonisusuallydismissedinaprincelywaybywritersabouthumanlife。Itisinreality,exceptwiththefewrich,theever-presentquestion——asever-presentasthenecessityofbreathing——anditisnot,likebreathing,amattersettledautomatically。Itdominatesthought;itdeterminesaction。Toleaveitoutofaccountever,inwritingahumanhistory,istomisrepresentanddistortasutterlyaswouldaportraitpainterwhoneglectedtogivehissubjecteyes,orahead,even。Withtheoverwhelmingmassofus,moneyisatalltimesallourliveslongtheparamountquestion——fortobewithoutitisdestructionworsethandeath,andwearealmostallperilouslyneartobeingwithoutit。Thus,airilytopassjudgmentuponmenandwomenastotheirdoingsingettingmoneyfornecessaries,forwhatthecompulsionofcustomandhabithasmadenecessariestothem——airilytojudgethemfortheirdoingsinsuchdirestraitsislikesittingcalmlyonshoreandcriticizingtheconductofpassengersandsailorsinastormbesetsinkingship。Itisoneofthefavoritepastimesofthecomfortableclasses;itmakesanexcellentimpressionastoone”svirtueuponone”saudience;itgivesusapleasingsenseofsuperiordelicacyandhumor。Butitisnonethelessmeanandridiculous。Insteadofcondemnation,theworldneedstobestiritselftoremovethestupidandcruelcreaturesthatmakeevilconductnecessary;forcananyone,notaprig,saythatthesmallpartofthehumanracethatdoeswelldoessobecauseitisnaturallybetterthanthelargepartthatdoesill?

  Springwasslowinopening。Susan”sonedresswasinadeplorablestate。Thelininghunginrags。Thenevergoodmaterialwasstretchedoutofshape,wasfrayedandworngrayinspots,wasbeyondbeingmadeupaspresentablebythemostcarefulpressingandcleaning。Shehadbeenforcedtobuyahat,shoes,underclothes。Shehadonlythreedollarsandafewcentsleft,andshesimplydidnotdarelayitalloutindressmaterials。Yet,lessthanallwouldnotbeenough;allwouldnotbeenough。

  Langehadfromtimetotimemorethanhintedattheopportunitiesshewashavingasapublicsingerinhishall。

  ButSusan,forallherexperience,hadremainedoneofthoseuponwhomsuchopportunitiesmustbethrustiftheyaretobeaccepted。

  Solongasshehadfoodandshelter,shecouldnotmakeadvances;shecouldnotevengosofaraspassiveacquiescence。

  Sheknewshewasagainviolatingthefundamentalcanonofsuccess;whateverone”sbusiness,doitthoroughlyifatall。

  Butshecouldnotovercomehertemperamentwhichhadatthisfeebleandfalseopportunityatonceresenteditself。Sheknewperfectlythatthereinwasthewholecauseofherfailuretomakethesuccesssheoughttohavemadewhenshecameupfromthetenements,andagainwhenshefellintotheclutchesofFreddiePalmer。Butitisonethingtoknow;itisanotherthingtodo。Susanignoredtheattemptsofthemen;shepretendednottounderstandLangewhentheysethimontointercedewithherforthem。Shesawthatshewasoncemoredriftingtodisaster——andthatshehadnotlongtodrift。Shewasexasperatedagainstherself;shewasdisgustedwithherself。Butshedriftedon。

  Growingseedierlookingeveryday,shewaited,defyingtheplainteachingsofexperience。Sheeventhoughtseriouslyofgoingtowork。Butthesituationinthatdirectionremainedunchanged。Shewasseeingthings,thereasonsforthings,moreclearlynow,asexperiencedevelopedhermind。Shefeltthattogetoninrespectabilitysheoughttohavebeeneithermoreorlesseducated。Ifshehadbeenusedfrombirthtoconditionsbutastepremovedfromsavagery,shemighthavebeencontentwithwhatoffered,mightevenhavefeltthatshewasrising。Orifshehadbeenbredtoagoodtrade,andeducatedonlytothepointwherehersmallearningscouldhavesatisfiedherdesires,thenshemighthavegotalonginrespectability。Butshehadbeenbreda“lady“;aChinesewomanwhosefeethavebeenboundfrombabyhooduntilherfifteenthorsixteenthyear——howlongitwouldbe,afterherfeetwerefreed,beforeshecouldlearntowalkatall!——andwouldsheeverbeabletolearntowalkwell?

  Whatisluxuryforoneissqualorforanother;whatiselevationforonedegradesanother。Inrespectabilityshecouldnotearnwhatwasbarestnecessityforher——whatshewasnowgettingatLange”s——decentshelter,passablefood。Ejectedfromherownclassthatsheltersitswomenandbringsthemupinunfitnessfortheunshelteredlife,shewasdroppingasallsuchwomenmustanddodrop——wasgoingdown,down,down——strikingonthisledgeandthat,andreboundingtoresumehereverdownwardcourse。

  Shesawherownplightonlytoovividly。Thosewhoseoutwardandinwardlivesarewideapartgetastrongsenseofdualpersonality。ItwasthuswithSusan。Thereweretimeswhenshecouldnotbelieveintherealityofherexternallife。

  Sheoftenglancedthroughthecolumnsoncolumns,pagesonpagesof“wantads“inthepapers——notwiththeideaofansweringthem,forshehadservedherapprenticeshipatthat,butsimplytoforceherselftorealizevividlyjusthowmattersstoodwithher。Thosecolumnsandpagesofcloselyprintedofferingsofwork!Drearytasks,allofthem——tasksdevoidofinterest,ofpersonalsenseofusefulness,taskssimplytokeepdegradingsoulindegeneratingbody,tasksperformedinfilthyfactories,infoul-smellingworkroomsandshops,inunhealthfulsurroundings。Andthis,throughoutcivilization,wasthe“honestwork“sopraised——byallwhodon”tdoit,butlivepleasantlybymakingothersdoit。Wasn”ttheresomethingintheideasofEtta”sfather,oldTomBrashear?Couldn”tsensible,reallylovingpeopledevisesomewayofmakingmosttaskslessrepulsive,oflesseningtheburdensofthosetasksthatcouldn”tbeanythingbutrepulsive?Wasthisstupidsystem,socruel,socrushing,andproducingatthetopsuchabsurdresultsasflashy,insolentautosandsillypalacesandoverfed,overdressedwomen,anddogsinjeweledcollars,andbabiesofwealthbroughtupbylowmenials——wasthissystemreallythebest?

  “Ifthey”dstopcantingabout`honestwork”theymightbegintogetsomewhere。”

  Intheefforttopreventherdownwarddropfrombeginningagainshesearchedalltheoccupationsopentoher。Shecouldnotfindonethatwouldnothavemeantonlythemostvisionaryprospectofsomeslightremoteadvancement,andthecertainandspeedydestructionofwhatshenowrealizedwasherchiefassetandhope——herpersonalappearance。Andsheresolvedthatshewouldnotevenendangeriteveragain。ThelargestpartofthelittlecapitalshetookawayfromForty-thirdStreethadgonetoadentistwhoputinseveralfillingsofherbackteeth。

  Shehadlearnedtovalueeverycharm——hair,teeth,eyes,skin,figure,hands。Shewatchedoverthemall,becauseshefeltthatwhenherdayfinallycame——andcomeitwould,sheneverallowedlongtodoubt——shemustbereadytoenterfullyintoherown。Herday!Thedaywhenfateshouldchangethelifeheroutwardselfwouldbecompelledtolive,wouldbringitintoharmonywiththelifeofinwardself——theselfshecouldcontrol。

  Katyhadstruckupafriendshipatonceprofitableandsentimentalwithherstagemanager。Sheoftenstayedoutallnight。OnoneofthesenightsSusan,aloneinthetinyroomandasleep,wasrousedbyfeelinghandsuponher。Shestarteduphalfawakeandscreamed。

  “Sh!“cameinLange”svoice。“It”sme。”

  Susanhadlatterlyobservedslyattemptsonhisparttomakeadvanceswithouthiswifeanddaughter”ssuspecting;butshehadthoughtherwayofquietlyignoringwaseffective。“Youmustgo,“shewhispered。“Mrs。Langemusthaveheard。”

  “Ihadtocome,“saidhehoarsely,amerevoiceinthedarkness。“Ican”tholdoutnolongerwithoutyou,Lorna。”

  “Go——go,“urgedSusan。

  Butitwastoolate。Inthedoorway,candleinhand,appearedMrs。Lange。Despitehereffortsat“dressiness“shewasinherbesthourhomelyandnearlyshapeless。Innightdressandreleasedfromcorsetsshewashideousandmonstrous。“I

  thoughtso!“sheshrieked。“Ithoughtso!“

  “Iheardaburglar,mother,“whinedLange,anabjectandguiltyfigure。

  “Shutyourmouth,youloafer!“shriekedMrs。Lange。AndsheturnedtoSusan。“Yougutterhussy,getonyourclothesandclearout!“

  “But——Mrs。Lange——”beganSusan。

  “Clearout!“sheshouted,openingtheouterhall。“Dressmightydamnquickandclearout!“

  “Mother,you”llwakethepeopleupstairs,“pleadedLange——andSusanhadneverbeforerealizedhowafraidofhiswifethelittlemanwas。“ForGod”ssake,listentosense。”

  “AfterI”vethrownyou——intothestreets,“criedhiswife,besideherselfwithjealousfury。“Getdressed,Itellyou!“

  sheshoutedatSusan。

  Andthegirlhurriedintoherclothes,makingnofurtherattempttospeak。Sheknewthattopleadandtoexplainwouldbeuseless;evenifMrs。Langebelieved,stillshewoulddrivefromthehousethetemptationtoherhusband。Lange,inaquaking,cowardlywhine,beggedhiswifetobesensibleandbelievehisburglarstory。Butwitheachhalf-dozenwordsheuttered,sheinterruptedtohurlobsceneepithetsathimoratSusan。Thetenantsoftheupstairsflatscamedown。Shetoldherwrongstoadozenhalf-cladmen,womenandchildren;theytookhersideatonce,andwiththewomenleadingshoweredvileinsultsuponSusan。Theuproarwasrising,rising。Langecoweredinacorner,cryingbitterlylikeawhippedchild。

  Susan,onlypartlydressed,caughtupherhatandrushedintothehall。Severalwomenstruckatherasshepassed。Shestumbledonthestairs,almostfellheadlong。Withthemostfrightfulwordsintenementhousevocabularypursuinghershefledintothestreet,anddidnotpauseuntilshewaswithinafewyardsoftheBowery。Thereshesatdownonadoorstepand,half-crazedbythehorrorofhersuddendownfall,lacedhershoesandbuttonedherblouseandputonherhatwithfumbling,shakingfingers。IthadallhappenedsoquicklythatshewouldhavethoughtshewasdreamingbutforthecoldnightairandthedingywasteoftheBowerywiththestreetwalkersanddrunkenbumsstrollingalongundertheelevatedtracks。Shehadtrifledwiththeopportunitytoolong。Ithadflownindisgust,dislodgingherasittookflight。Ifshewouldbeoverniceandcritical,wouldhesitatetotaketheonlyupwardpathfatesawfittooffer,then——letherseekthebottom!

  Susanpeereddown,andshuddered。

  Shewentintothesaloonatthecorner,intothelittlebackroom。Shepoureddowndrinkafterdrinkofthefrightfulpoisonsoldaswhiskeywiththepermissionofagovernmentownedbyeveryinterestthatcanmakebigmoneyoutofaraceoffreemenandsocanaffordtopaybigbribes。Itischaracteristicofthispoisonofthesaloonofthetenementquarterthatitproducesinanyonewhodrinksitaspeciesofquickinsanity,ofimmediatedegeneration——adesiretocommitcrime,tododegradedacts。WithinanhourofSusan”sbeingthrownintothestreets,noonewouldhaverecognizedher。Shehadbeendrinking,hadbeentreatingthetwofadedbutyounganddecentlydressedstreetwalkerswhosatatanothertable。

  Thethree,firedandmaddenedbythepoison,wereamusingthemselvesandtwoyoungmenasrecklesslyintoxicatedasthey。

  Susan,inanattitudeshehadseenoftenenoughbuthadneverdreamedoftaking,waslaughingwildlyatacoarsesong,wasstandingup,skirtscaughthighandbodyswayingindrunkenrhythmassheledthechorus。

  Whenthebarkeeperannouncedclosingtime,oneoftheyoungmensaidtoher:

  “Whichway?“

  “Tohell,“laughedshe。“I”vebeenthrownouteverywhereelse。

  Wanttogoalong?“

  “I”llneverdesertaperfectlady,“repliedhe。X

  SHEwaslikeonewhohasfallenbleedingandbrokenintoacave;whoafteratimegathershimselftogetherandcrawlstowardafaintandfardistantgleamoflight;whosuddenlyseesthelightnomoreandatthesameinstantlurchesforwardanddownintoadeeperchasm。

  Occasionallysheerexhaustionofnervesmadeitimpossibleforhertodrinkherselfagainintoapathybeforetheeffectsofthelastdosesofthepoisonhadwornoff。Intheseintervalsofpartialawakening——sheneverpermittedthemtolengthenout,assuchsensationasshehadwasofonefalling——falling——throughemptyspace——withwhirlingbrainandstrangesoundsintheearsandstrangedistortedsightsorhallucinationsbeforetheeyes——fallingdown——down——whither?——tohowgreatadepth?——orwastherenobottom,butsimplypresentlyaplungingondownintotheblackofdeath”sbottomlessoblivion?

  Drink——alwaysdrink。Yetineveryotherwayshetookcareofherhealth——astrangeminglingofprudenceandsubtlehopewithrecklessnessandfrankdespair。Allherrefinement,baffledinthemoralways,concentrateduponthephysical。Shewouldbeneatandwelldressed;shewouldnotletherselfbeseizedofthediseasesonthepariahinthoseregions——thediseasesthroughdirtandignoranceandindifference。

  Intheregionsshenowfrequentedrecklessnesswasthekeynote。

  Therewasthehilarityofthedoomed;therewasthecynicalorstolidindifferencetoheatorcold,torainorshine,torags,tofilth,tojail,toejectionfornonpaymentofrent,toinsultofwordorblow。Thefireengines——theambulance——thepatrolwagon——thecitydeadwagon——thesewerealleverpassingandrepassingthroughthoseswarmingstreets。Itwasthevastest,themostpopuloustenementareaofthecity。Itsinhabitantsrepresentedthecommonlot——foritisthecommonlotoftheoverwhelmingmassofmankindtoliveneartonakedness,toshelterlessness,tostarvation,withouteverbeingquitenakedorquiterooflessorquitestarved。Themassesareeagerforthenecessities;theclassesareeagerforthecomfortsandluxuries。Themassesareignorant;theclassesareintelligent——or,atleast,shrewd。Theunconsciousandinevitableexploitationofthemassesbytheclassesautomaticallyandofnecessitystopsjustshortofthecatastrophepoint——forthemassesmusthaveenoughtogivethemthestrengthtoworkandreproduce。TogodownthroughthesocialsystemashadSusanfromheroriginalplacewellupamongtheclassesislikedescendingfromthebeautifuldiningroomofthepalacewherethemeatisservedintasteandrefinementuponcostlydishesbywellmanneredservantstoattractivelydressedpeople——descendingalongthevariousstagesofthepreparationofthemeat,ateachstagelessofrefinementandmoreofcoarseness,untiloneatlastarrivesattheslaughterpen。Theshambles,stinkingandreekingbloodandfilth!Theshambles,withhideousgroanorshriek,ormorehideoussilentlookofagony!Theshamblesofsocietywherethebeautyandgraceandcharmofcivilizationarecreatedoutofnoisomesweatandsavagetoil,outofthehealthandstrengthofmenandwomenandchildren,outoftheirgroundupbodies,outoftheirgroundupsouls。Susanknewthoseregionswell。Shehadnotheoriesaboutthem,noresentmentagainstthefortunateclasses,nonotionthatanyotherorbettersystemmightbepossible,anyotherorbetterlifeforthemasses。Shesimplyacceptedlifeasshefoundit,liveditasbestshecould。

  Throughoutthemassesofmankindlifeissustainedbyillusions——illusionsofabetterlottomorrow,illusionsofaheavenbeyondagrave,wherethenightmare,lifeinthebody,willendandthereality,lifeinthespirit,willbegin。Shecouldnotjointhethrongsmovingtowardchurchandsynagoguetoindulgeintheirdreamthatthepresentwasadreamfromwhichdeathwouldbeajoyfulawakening。Shealternatelypitiedandenviedthem。Shehadherowndreamthatthisdream,thepresent,wouldendinajoyfulawakeningtosuccessandfreedomandlightandbeauty。Sheadmittedtoherselfthatthedreamwasprobablyanillusion,likethatofthepiousthrongs。

  Butshewasasunreasonablytenaciousofherdreamastheywereoftheirs。Shedreameditbecauseshewasahumanbeing——andtobehumanmeanstohope,andtohopemeanstodreamofabrighterfuturehereorhereafter,orbothhereandhereafter。

  Theearthispeopledwithdreamers;shewasbutoneofthem。

  Thelastthoughtofdespairastheblackearthclosesisahope,perhapsthemostcolossalofhope”sdelusions,thattherewillbeescapeinthegrave。

  Thereisthetimewhenwehopeandknowitandbelieveinit。

  Thereisthetimewhenwehopeandknowitbuthaveceasedtobelieveinit。Thereisthetimewhenwehope,believingthatwehavealtogetherceasedtohope。ThattimehadcomeforSusan。Sheseemedtothinkaboutthepresent。Shemovedaboutlikeasleepwalker。

  Whatwomendidsheknow——whatmen?Sheonlydimlyrememberedfromdaytoday——fromhourtohour。Blurredfacespassedbeforeher,blurredvoicessoundedinherears,blurredpersonalitiestouchedhers。Itwaslikethejostlingofahugecrowdinnightstreets。Avaguesenseofbuffetings——ofrudecontacts——ofmomentarysensationsofpain,ofshame,ofdisgust,allbluntedandsoonforgotten。

  Inestimatingsuffering,physicalormental,tofailtotakeintoaccountamoreimportantfactor——themercifulparalysisorpartialparalysisofanycenterofsensibility——thatisinsistentlyassaulted。

  Shenolongerhadheadachesornauseaafterdrinkingdeeply。

  Andwhereformerlyithadtakenmanystiffdosesofliquortogetherintothestateofrecklessnessorofindifference,shewasnowabletoputherselfintothemoodinwhichlifewasendurablewithtwoorthreedrinks,oftenwithonlyone。Themostmarkedchangewasthatneverbyanychancedidshebecomegay;theskyoverherlifewassteadilygray——grayorblack,tograyagain——neverlighter。

  Howfarshehadfallen!Butswiftdescentorgradual,shehadadaptedherself——had,infact,learnedbymuchexperienceofdisastertomitigatethecalamities,tohavesomethingtokeepacertaindeep-lyingselfofselfsintact——unaffectedbywhatshehadbeenforcedtoundergo。Itseemedtoherthatifshecouldgetthechance——orcouldcureherselfoftheblindnesswhichwasalwayspreventingherfromseeingandseizingthechancethatdoubtlessofferedagainandagain——shecouldshedthesurfacehermodeoflifehadformedoverherandwouldfindunderneathanewrealsurface,stronger,sightly,betterabletobear——liketheskinthatformsbeneaththehealingwound。

  Inthesetenements,asinalltenementsofalldegrees,sheandtheothersofherclasswerefiercelyresentedbytheheadsoffamilieswheretherewasanyhopelefttoimpelastrivingupward。Shehadthebestfurnishedroominthetenement。Shewasthebestdressedwoman——amarkedandinstantlyrecognizablefigurebecauseofherneatandfinerclothes。Herprofessionkeptaliveandactivetheinstinctsforcareofthepersonthateitherdidnotexistorweremomentaryandfeebleintherespectablewomen。Theslovenliness,thescurrilousnessofeventhewivesanddaughtersofthewell-to-doandtherichofthatregionwouldnothavebeentoleratedinanybuttheloweststrataofherprofession,hardlyeveninthosesoughtbymenofthelaboringclass。Also,thedeephorrorofdisease,whichherintelligenceneverforaninstantpermittedtorelaxitshold,madeherparticularandcarefulwheninothercircumstancesdrinkmighthavereducedhertosqualor。Shespentallherleisuretime——forshenolongerread——inthecareofherperson。

  Shewaswatchedwithfrightened,yetlongingandcurious,eyesbyallthegirlswhowereatwork。Themothershatedher;manyofthemspatuponthegroundaftershehadpassed。Itwasaheart-breakingstruggle,thatofthesemotherstosavetheirdaughters,notfromprostitution,notfromlivingwithmenoutsidemarriage,notfrommoraldanger,butfromthepracticaldanger,thedangerofbringingintotheworldchildrenwithnofathertohelpfeedandclothethem。Intheopinionofthesepeople——anopinionoftenfranklyexpressed,rarelyconcealedwithanybutthethinnesthypocrisy——thelifeofprostitutionwasnotsobad。Didthelifeofvirtueofferanyattractivealternative?Whetherawomanwas“bad“or“good,“shemustliveintravailanddieinsqualortobeburiedinornearthePotter”sField。Butifthegirlstilllivingathomewerenot“good,“thatwouldmeanababytobetakencareof,wouldmeanthegirlherselfnotacontributortothefamilysupportbutadoubleburden。Andifshewentintoprostitution,wouldherfamilygetthebenefit?No。

  Themothersmadelittleefforttosavetheirsons;theyconcentratedonthedaughters。Itwaspitifultoseehowintheirignorancetheywereunawareofthestrongestforcesworkingagainstthem。Thetalkofallthismotleyhumanity——of“good“nolessthan“bad“women,ofsteadyworkingmen,ofpoliticalheelers,thievesandbumsandrunnersfordives——wasfrankly,oftenhideously,obscene。Thejammedtogetherwayoflivingmademodestyimpossible,orscantestdecency——madethepicturesofitamongtheaspiringfew,usuallyforthebenefitofreligionorcharitablevisitors,apitiful,grotesquehypocrisy。Indeed,theprostituteclasswasthehighestinthisrespect。Thestreetwalkers,thosewhoprospered,hadbettermasters,learnedsomethingaboutthepleasuresandcharmsofprivacy,alsohadmoreleisureinwhichtothink,inhowevercrudeaway,abouttherefinementsoflife,andmoremoneywithwhichtopracticethoserefinements。Theboysfromtheearliestagewereontermsoflicentiousfreedomwiththegirls。Thefavoritechildren”sgames,oftenplayedintheopenstreetwiththeelderslookingonandlaughing,weresexgames。

  Theverybabiesusedfoullanguage——thatis,usedthelanguagetheylearnedbothathomeandinthestreet。Itwasprimitiveman;Susanwasatthefoundationoftheworld。

  Tospeakoftheconditionsthereasaproductofcivilizationistoshowignoranceofthehistoryofourrace,istofancythatwearecivilizedtoday,wheninfactweare——historically——inaturbulentandpainfulperiodoftransitionfromabetteryesterdaytowardatomorrowinwhichlifewillbeworthlivingasitneverhasbeenbeforeinalltheagesofduration。Inthistodayofmovementtowardcivilizationwhichbeganwiththediscoveryofironandwillendwhenweshallhavediscoveredhowtouseforthebenefitofallthemainforcesofnature——inthistodayofagitationincidenttojourneying,weareinsomerespectsbetteroff,inotherrespectsworseoff,thantheracewastenorfifteenthousandyearsago。Wehavelostmuchofthefreedomthatwasoursbeforetheriseofgovernmentsandrulingclasses;wehavegainedmuch——notsomuchastheignorantandtheunthinkingandtheuneducatedimagine,butstillmuch。Intheendwewhichmeansthemassesofus——willgaininfinitely。Butgainorlosshasnotbeeninso-calledmorality。Thereisnotavirtuethathasnotexistedfromtimeagesbeforerecord。Notavicewhichisshallowlycalled“effete“orthe“productofovercivilization,“butoriginatedbeforemanwasman。

  TospeakoftheconditionsinwhichSusanLenoxnowlivedassavageryistomisusetheword。Everytransitionalstageisaccompaniedbyadisintegration。Savagerywasasettledstateinwhicheverymanandeverywomanhadhisorherfixedposition,settleddutiesandrights。Withthedownfallofsavagerywiththebeginningofthejourneytowardthathopeoftomorrow,civilization,everythingintherelationsofmenwithmenandmenwithwomen,becameunsettled。Suchsocialsystemsastheworldhasknownsincehaveallbeenmakeshiftandtemporary——likeoursocialsystemsoftoday,likethemoralandextinctcodesrisingandsinkinginpoweroveravastmultitudeofemigrantsmovingfromadistantabandonedhometowardadistantpromisedlandandforcedtoliveasbesttheycanintheinterval。Inthehistoricday”sjourneyofperhapsfifteenthousandyearsourpresenttimeisbutabriefsecond。Inthatsecondtherehascomeabreakingupofthemakeshiftorganizationwhichlongservedtheworkingmultitudesfairlywell。Theresultisananarchyinwhichthestrongoppresstheweak,inwhichthemassesarebeingcrushedbytheburdensimposeduponthembytheclasses。AndinthatparticularpartofthehumanraceenrouteintowhichfatehadflungSusanLenoxconditionsnotofsavagerybutofprimitivechaoswereprevailing。Alargepartofthepopulationlivedofftheunhappyworkersbyprostitution,bythieving,bypettyswindling,bypolitics,bythevariousdevicesincoarse,crudeandsmallimitationofthedevicesemployedbytherulingclasses。Andthesepettyparasitesimitatedthebigparasitesintheirwaysofspendingtheirdubiouslygotgains。Tohavea“goodtime“wastheidealhereasinidleFifthAvenue;andthenotionsofa“goodtime“invogueinthetwooppositequartersdifferedindegreeratherthaninkind。

  Nothingtothinkaboutbuttheappetitesandtheirvices。

  Nothingtohopeforbutthenextcarouse。Susanhadbroughtdownwithherfromaboveonedesireunknowntoherassociatesandneighbors——thedesiretoforget。Ifshecouldonlyforget!

  Ifthepoisonwouldnotwearoffattimes!

  Shecouldnotquiteforget。Andtobeunabletoforgetistoremember——andtorememberistolong——andtolongistohope。

  SeveraltimessheheardofFreddiePalmer。Twiceshechanceduponhisnameinthenewspaper——anincidentalreferencetohiminconnectionwithlocalpolitics。Theothertimeswerewhenmentalkingtogetherinthedrinkingplacesfrequentedbybothsexesspokeofhimasaminorpowerintheorganization。Eachtimeshegotasenseofherremoteness,ofhersecurity。OnceshepassedinGrandStreetadetectiveshehadoftenseenwithhiminConsidine”satBroadwayandForty-second。The“bull“

  lookedsharplyather。Herheartstoodstill。Buthewentonwithoutrecognizingher。Thesharpglancehadbeensimplythatofficialexpressionofsee-allandknow-allwhichismereformality,partoftheofficiallivery,otherwisemeaningless。

  However,itisnottothatdetective”sdiscreditthathefailedtorecognizeher。Shehadadaptedherselftoherchangedsurroundings。

  Becauseshewasofadifferentandhigherclass,andbecauseshepickedandchosehercompany,evenwhendrinkhadbecloudedhersensesandinstinctaloneremainedondrowsyguard,sheprospereddespiteherindifference。Forthatregionhaditsaristocracyofrichmerchants,tenement-owners,politicianswhosesons,closeimitatorsoftheuptownaristocraciesinmannersanddress,spentmoneyfreelyintheamusementsthatattractnearlyallyoungmeneverywhere。Susanmadealmostasmuchasshecouldhavemadeinthemorerenownedquartersofthetown。Andpresentlyshewasabletomoveintoatenementwhich,exceptfortwoworkingmen”sfamiliesofabetterclass,wasgivenoverentirelytofastwomen。Itwasmuchbetterkept,muchcleaner,muchbetterfurnishedthanthetenementsforworkerschiefly;theycouldnotafforddecencies,muchlessluxuries。Allthatsortofthingwas,fortheneighborhood,concentratedinthesaloons,thedancehalls,thefasthousesandthefastflats。

  HerwalksinGrandStreetandtheBowery,repellingandcapriciousthoughshewaswithheralternatingmoodsofcoldmorosenessandsardonicandmockinggayety,werebringingherinagoodsumofmoneyforthatregion。Sometimesasmuchastwentydollarsaweek,rarelylessthantwelveorfifteen。Anddespiteherdrinkingandherfreehandednesswithherfellow-professionalslessfortunateandwiththestreetbeggarsandfortenementcharities,shehadinherstockingsacapitalofthirty-onedollars。

  Sheavoidedthetoughplaces,thehang-outsofthegangs。Sherarelywentaloneintothestreetsatnight——andtheafternoonswere,luckily,bestforbusinessaswellasforsafety。Shemadenofriendsandthereforenoenemies。Withoutmeaningtodosoandwithoutrealizingthatshedidso,sheheldherselfaloofwithouthaughtinessthroughsenseofloneliness,notatallthroughsenseofsuperiority。Haditnotbeenforherscarletlips,afarmoremarkedsigninthatregionthananywhereuptown,shewouldhavepassedinthestreetforamoreorlessrespectablewoman——notthoroughlyrespectable;shewastoowelldressed,toointelligentlycaredfortoseemthegoodworkinggirl。

  Ononeofthefewnightswhenshelingeredinthelittlebackroomofthesaloonafewdoorsawayatthecorner,assheenteredthedarkpassagewayofthetenement,strongfingerscloseduponherthroatandshewasbornetothefloor。Sheknewatoncethatshewasintheclutchofoneofthoseterrorsoftenementfastwomen,thelobbygows——menwholivebylyinginwaitinthedarknesstoseizeandrobthelonely,friendlessfastwoman。Shestruggled——andshewasanythingbutweak。Butnotasoundcouldescapefromhertight-pressedthroat。Soonshebecameunconscious。

  Oneoftheworkingmen,returningdrunkfromthemeetingoftheunion,inthecornersaloon,stumbledoverher,gaveherakickinhisanger。Thisrousedher;sheutteredafaintcry。

  “Thoughtitwasaman,“mumbledhe,dragginghertoasittingposition。Hestruckamatch。“Oh——it”syou!Don”tmakeanynoise。Ifmyoldwomancameout,she”dkillusboth。”

  “Nevermindme,“saidSusan。“Iwasonlystunned。”

  “Oh,Ithoughtitwasthebooze。Theysayyouhititsomethingfierce。”

  “No——alobbygow。”Andshefeltforherstockings。Theyweretornawayfromhergarters。Herbosomalsowasbare,forthelobbygowhadsearchedthere,also。

  “Howmuchdidheget?“

  “Aboutthirty-five。”

  “Thehellhedid!Wantmetocallacop?“

  “No,“repliedSusan,whowasonherfeetagain。“What”stheuse?“

  “Thosedamncops!“cursedtheworkingman。“They”dprobablypinchyou——orbothofus。Tentoonethelobbygowsdividewiththem。”

  “Ididn”tmeanthat,“saidSusan。Thepoliceweremostfriendlyandmostkindtoher。Shewasunderstandingthewaysoftheworldbetternow,andappreciatedthatthepolicethemselveswerepartofthesamevastsystemoftyrannyandrobberythatwascompellingher。Thepolicemadeherpaybecausetheydarednotrefusetobecollectors。Theyboundwhomthemysteriousinvisiblepowercompelledthemtobind;

  theyloosedwhomthatsamepowerbadethemloose。Shehadnoquarrelwiththepolice,whoprotectedherfromfarworseoppressionsandoppressorsthanthattowhichtheysubjectedher。Andiftheytoleratedlobbygowsanddividedwiththem,itwasbecausetheovershadowingpowerordaineditso。

  “Needn”tbeafraidI”llblowtothecop,“saidthedrunkenartisan。“Youcandamnthecopsallyoupleasetome。TheymakeNewYorkworsethanRussia。”

  “Iguesstheydothebesttheycan——likeeverybodyelse,“saidthegirlwearily。

  “I”llhelpyouupstairs。”

  “No,thankyou,“saidshe。Notthatshedidnotneedhelp;butshewishednodisagreeablescenewiththeworkingman”swifewhomightopenthedoorastheypassedhisfamily”sflat。

  Shewentupstairs,themanwaitingbelowuntilsheshouldbesafe——andoutoftheway。Shestaggeredintoherroom,totteredtothebed,felluponit。AgirlnamedClara,wholivedacrossthehall,wassittinginarocking-chairinanightgown,readingaBerthaClaynovelandsmokingacigarette。

  Sheglancedup,wasarrestedbythestrangelookinSusan”seyes。

  “Hello——beenhittingthepipe,Isee,“saidshe。“DowninGussie”sroom?“

  “No。Alobbygow,“saidSusan。

  “Didhegetmuch?“

  “Aboutthirty-five。”

  “The——!“criedClara。“I”llbetitwasGussie”sfellow。

  I”vesuspectedhim。Himandherstayin,hittingthepipeallthetime。Thatcostsmoney,andshehasn”tbeenoutforI

  don”tknowhowlong。Let”sgodownthereandraisehell。”

  “What”stheuse?“saidSusan。

  “Yououghtto”a”putitinthesavingsbank。That”swhatI

  do——whenIhaveanything。Then,whenI”mrobbed,theyonlygetwhatI”vejustmade。Lasttime,theydidn”tgetnothing——butme。”Andshelaughed。Herteethweregoodinfront,butoutononesideandbeginningtobediscoloredontheother。“Howlonghadyoubeensaving?“

  “Nearlysixmonths。”

  “Gee!_Isn”t_thathell!“Presentlyshelaughed。“Sixmonths”

  workandonlythirty-fivetoshowforit。Guessyou”reaboutaspoorathivingitupasIam。IgiveittothatloaferI

  livewith。Yougiveitawaytoanybodythatwantsastake。

  Well——what”sthediff?Itallgoes。”

  “Givemeacigarette,“saidSusan,sittingupandinspectingthebruisesonherbosomandlegs。“Andgetthatbottleofwhiskeyfromunderthesoiledclothesinthebottomofthewashstand。”

  “It_is_somethingtocelebrate,isn”tit?“saidClara。“Myfellow”sgonetohisclubtonight,soIdidn”tgoout。Ineverdoanymore,unlesshe”stheretohangroundandseethatI

  ain”tdoneup。You”llhavetogetafellow。You”llhavetocometoit,asI”malwaystellingyou。They”reexpensive,butthey”recompany——anybodyyoucancountonforshiningup,evenifitisforwhattheycangetoutofyou,isbetterthannothavingnobodynowhere。Andtheykeepoffbumsandlobbygowsandscarethebilkersintocoughingup。”

  “Notforme,“repliedSusan。

  Thegreaterthecatastrophe,thelongerthetimebeforeitisfullyrealized。Susan”slossofthemoneythatrepresentedsomuchofsavageifmomentaryhorror,andsomuchofunconscioushopethiscalamitydidnotoverwhelmherforseveraldays。

  Thensheyieldedforthefirsttimetothelureofopium。Shehadlistenedlonginglytothedescriptionsofthedelightsasgirlsandmentold;forpracticallyallofthemsmoked——ortookcocaine。ButtoClara”sorGussie”sinvitationstojointhehappybandofdreamers,shehadalwaysreplied,“Notyet。I”msavingthat。”Now,however,shefeltthatthetimehadcome。

  Hopeinthisworldshehadnone。Beforetheblackadventure,whynottrytheworldofblissfulunrealitytowhichitgaveentrance?Whyleavelifeuntilshehadexhaustedallitputwithinherreach?

  ShewenttoGussie”sroomatmidnightandflungherselfdowninawrapperuponacouchoppositeasallow,delicateyoungman。

  Hisgreatdarkeyesweregazingunseeinglyather,wereperhapsusingherasanoutlinesketchfromwhichhisimaginationcouldpictureabeautyoflovelinessbeyondhuman。Gussietaughtherhowtopreparethelittleballofopium,howtoputitonthepipeanddrawinitsfumes。Hersystemwassowellpreparedforitbythepoisonsshehaddrunkthatshehadsatisfactoryresultsfromtheoutset。Andsheentereduponthehappiestperiodofherlifethusfar。Allthehideousnessofherprofessiondisappearedunderthegorgeousdraperiesoftheimagination。Opium”smagictransformedthevile,theobscene,intothelofty,theromantic,theexalted。Theworldshehadbeenaccustomedtoregardasrealceasedtobeeventheblurthepoisonousliquorshadmadeofit,becameavague,distantthingseeninadream。Heropiumworldbecamethevividreality。

  Thelifeshehadbeenleadinghadmadeherextremelythin,hadhardenedanddulledhereyes,hadgivenherthatsad,shudderingexpressionofthefaceuponwhichhavebeatenathousandmercenaryandlustfulkisses。Theopiumsoonchangedallthis。Herskin,alwaystendingtowardpallor,becameofthedeadamber-whiteofoldivory。Herthinnesstookonanetherealtransparencythatgavecharmeventoherslightstoop。

  Herfacebecamedreamy,exalted,rapt;andherviolet-grayeyeslookedfromitliketheventsofpoeticalfiresburningwithoutceasinguponanaltartothegodofdreams。Neverhadshebeensobeautiful;neverhadshebeensohappy——notwiththecoarserhappinessofdancingeyeandlaughinglip,butwiththeecstasyofsoulthatisliketheshimmersofatranquilseaquiveringrhythmicallyunderthecaressesofmoonlight。

  Inherdescentshehadnowreachedthatlongnarrowshelfalongwhichshewouldwalksolongashealthandlooksshouldlast——unlesssomeaccidentshouldtoppleheroffontheonesideintosuicideorontheothersideintothecriminalprostituteclass。Andsuchaccidentswerelikelytohappen。

  Stilltherewasafairchanceofherkeepingherbalanceuntillossoflooksandlossofhealth——theendoftheshelf——shoulddropherabruptlytotheverybottom。Shecouldguesswhatwasthere。Everydayshesawaboutthestreets,mostwretchedandmostforlornofitswretchedandforlornthings,thesolitaryoldwomen,bentandtwisted,wrappedinrottingrags,pickingpapersandtobaccofromtheguttersandburrowingingarbagebarrels,seekingsomehowtogetthedrinkorthedopethatchangedhellintoheavenforthem。

  Despiteliquorandopiumandthedegradationsofthestreet-woman”slifeshewalkedthatnarrowledgewithcurioussteadiness。Shewasunconsciousofthecause。Indeed,self-consciousnesshadneverbeenoneofhertraits。Thecauseisinteresting。

  Inouregotism,inourshameofwhatweignorantlyregardasthelowlinessofouroriginwearealwaysseekingallegedloftyspiritualexplanationsofourdoings,andoverlooktheactual,quitesimplerealreason。OneofthestrongestfactorsinSusan”sholdingherselftogetherinfaceofoverwhelmingodds,wasthenearlyseventeenyearsofearlytrainingherAuntFannyWarhamhadgivenherinorderlyandsystematicways——aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace;atimeforeverythingandeverythingatitstime,neatness,scrupulouscleanliness,noneglectingofanyofthesmall,yetlarge,mattersthatconservethebody。SusanhadnotbeensoaptapupilofFannyWarham”saswasRuth,becauseSusanhadnotRuth”snatureoftheold-maidish,cut-and-driedconventional。

  ButduringthewholefundamentallyformativeperiodofherlifeSusanLenoxhadbeentrainedtoorderandsystem,andtheyhadbecomepartofherbeing,beyondthepowerofdrinkandopiumandprostitutiontodisintegratethemuntilthegeneralbreak-upshouldcome。Inallherwanderingseverymanorwomanorgirlshehadmetwhowasnotrapidlybreakingup,butwasofferingmoreorlessresistancetotheassaultsofbadhabits,wasonewholikeherselfhadacquiredinchildhoodstronggoodhabitstoopposethebadhabitsandtofightthemwith。Anenemymustbemetwithhisownweaponsorstronger。Thestrongestweaponsthatcanbegivenahumananimalforcombatingthedestructiveforcesofthestruggleforexistencearenotgoodsentimentsorgoodprinciplesorevenpiousormoralpractices——for,badhabitscanmakeshortworkofallthese——butaregoodhabitsinthepractical,materialmattersoflife。Theyoperateautomatically,theyapplytoallthemultitudeofsmall,everyday;semi-unconsciousactionsofthedailyroutine。Theypreservethe_morale_。Andnotmoralitybutmoralsisthewarpofcharacter——thepartwhich,oncedestroyedorevenfrayed,cannotberestored。

  Susan,unconsciouslyandtenaciouslypracticingherearlytraininginorderandsystemwhenevershecouldandwherevershecould,hadanenormousadvantageoverthemassofthegirls,bothrespectableandfast。Andwhiletheirevidencewasalwaystoward“goingtopieces“hertendencywasalwaystorepairandtoputoffthebreak-up。

  OneJuneeveningshewaslookingthroughthebetterclassofdancehallsanddrinkingresortsforClara,togethertogouptoGussie”sforasmoke。Sheopenedadoorshehadneverhappenedtoenterbefore——adingydoorwiththeglassfrosted。

  Justinsidetherewasafetidlittlebar;viewoftherestoftheroomwascutoffbyascreenfrombehindwhichcamethesoundofatunelessoldpiano。SheknewClarawouldnotbeinsuchaden,butoutofcuriositysheglancedroundthescreen。

  Shewasseeingalow-ceilingedroom,thewallsalmostdrippingwiththedirtofmanyandmanyahardyear。Inacornerwasthepiano,battered,abouttofalltopieces,itsancientandhorridvoicecrackedbytheliquorwhichhadbeenpouredintoitbyfacetiousdrunkards。Atthekeyboardsatanoldhunchback,broken-jawed,dressedinslimyrags,hisoneeyeinstantlyfixeduponherwithalecherousexpressionthatmadehershiverasitcompelledhertoimaginetheembracehewasevidentlyimagining。Hisfilthyfingerswerepoundingoutawaltz。Aboutthefloorweretotteringinthemeasureofthewaltzascoreofdreadfuloldwomen。Theywereincalico。

  Theyhadeachalittlebiscuitknotofwhitehairfirmlyuponthecrownofthehead。Fromtheirbleached,seamedoldfacesgleamedthelongingsorthetormentsofallthepassionstheycouldnolongereitherinspireorsatisfy。Theywereonetimeprostitutes,onetimeyoung,perhapsprettywomen,nowdescendingtodeath——stillprostitutesinheartandmindbutcompelledtoliveasscrubwomen,cleanersofallmannerofloathsomemessesindivesafterthedrunkardshadpassedon。

  Theywerenowenjoyingtherewardoftheirtoil,thepleasuresofwhichtheydreamedandtowhichtheylookedforwardastheydraggedtheirstiffoldkneesalongthefloorsinthewakeofthebrushandthecloth。Theyweredrinkingbitingpoisonsfromtincups——forthosehandsquiveringwithpalsycouldnotbetrustedwithglass-dancingwithdrunken,disease-swollenortwistedlegs——ventingfromghastlytoothlessmouthsstrangecriesofmerrimentthatsoundedlikeshrieksofdamnedsoulsatthelickingofquenchlessflames。

  Susanstoodrootedtothethresholdofthatfrightfulscene——thatvisionofthefuturetowardwhichshewashurrying。

  Afewyears——averyfewyears——and,unlesssheshouldhavepassedthroughtheMorgue,hereshewouldbe,abandoningherbodytoabominationsbeyondbeliefatthehandsofdegenerateorientalsailorstogetafewpenniesfortheprivilegesofthisdancehall。Andshewouldlaugh,asdidthese,wouldenjoyasdidthese,wouldrevelinthefilthhersenseshadbeentrainedtofindsweet。“No!No!“sheprotested。“I”dkillmyselffirst!“Andthenshecoweredagain,asthethoughtcamethatsheprobablywouldnot,anymorethanthesehadkilledthemselves。Thedescentwouldbegradual——nomatterhowswift,stillgradual。Onlytheinsaneputanendtolife。

  Yes——shewouldcomeheresomeday。

  Sheleanedagainstthewall,herthroatcontractinginafitofnausea。Shegrewcoldallover;herteethchattered。Shetriedinvaintotearhergazefromthespectacle;someinvisiblepowerseemedtobeholdingherheadinavise,thrustingherstrugglingeyelidsviolentlyopen。

  Therewereseveralmen,deaddrunk,asleepinoldwoodenchairsagainstthewall。Oneofthesemenwassonearherthatshecouldhavetouchedhim。Hisclothingwassuchanassortmentofragsslimyandgreasyasonesometimesseesuponthetopofafilledgarbagebarreltoadditshorrorsofodoroflongunwashedhumanitytothestenchesfromvegetabledecay。Hiswreckofahardhathadfallenfromhisheadasitdroppedforwardindrunkensleep。Somethingintheshapeoftheheadmadeherconcentrateuponthisman。Shegaveasharpcry,stretchedoutherhand,touchedtheman”sshoulder。

  “Rod!“shecried。“Rod!“

  Theheadslowlylifted,andthebleary,blowsywreckofRoderickSpenser”shandsomefacewasturnedstupidlytowardher。Intohisgrayeyesslowlycameagleamofrecognition。

  Thenshesawtheredofshameburstintohishollowcheeks,andtheheadquicklydrooped。

  Sheshookhim。“Rod!It”s_you!_“

  “Getthehellout,“hemumbled。“Iwanttosleep。”

  “Youknowme,“shesaid。“Iseethecolorinyourface。Oh,Rod——youneedn”tbeashamedbefore_me_。”

  Shefelthimquiverunderherfingerspressinguponhisshoulder。Buthepretendedtosnore。

  “Rod,“shepleaded,“Iwantyoutocomealongwithme。Ican”tdoyouanyharmnow。”

  Thehunchbackhadstoppedplaying。TheoldwomenwerecrowdingroundSpenserandher,werepeeringatthem,witheyeseagerandearsa-cockforromance——fornowhereonthisearthdothestarsshinesosweetlyasdownbetweentheprecipicesofshametotheblackflooroftheslum”sabyss。Spenser,stoopedandshaking,roseabruptly,thrustSusanasidewithasweepofthearmthatmadeherreel,boltedintothestreet。Sherecoveredherbalanceandamidhoarsecroakingsof“That”sright,honey!

  Don”tgivehimup!“followedtheshambling,swayingfigure。

  Hewastooutterlydrunktogofar;soondownhesank,aheapofragsandfilth,againstastoop。

  Shebentoverhim,sawhewasbeyondrousing,straightenedandlookedabouther。TwohonestlookingyoungJewsstopped。

  “Won”tyouhelpmegethimhome?“shesaidtothem。

  “Sure!“repliedtheyinchorus。And,withnooutwardsignofthedisgusttheymusthavefeltatthecontact,theyliftedupthesot,insuchfantasticcontrasttoSusan”scleanandevenstylishappearance,andborehimalong,tryingtomakehimseemlessthehelplesswhiskey-soakeddeadweight。Theydraggedhimupthetwoflightsofstairsand,asshepushedbackthedoor,depositedhimonthefloor。Sheassuredthemtheycoulddonothingmore,thankedthem,andtheydeparted。Claraappearedinherdoorway。

  “GodAlmighty,Lorna!“shecried。“_What_haveyougotthere?

  How”ditgetin?“

  “You”vebeenadvisingmetotakeafellow,“saidSusan。

  “Well——hereheis。”

  Claralookedatherasifshethoughthercrazedbydrinkordope。“I”llcallthejanitorandhavehimthrownout。”

  “No,he”smylover,“saidSusan。“Willyouhelpmecleanhimup?“

  Clara,lookingatSpenser”sfacenow,sawthosesignswhichnotthehardestoftheworld”shardusescancutortearaway。

  “Oh!“shesaid,inatoneofsympathy。“He_is_down,isn”the?

  Buthe”llpullroundallright。”

  Shewentintoherroomtotakeoffherstreetclothesandtogetherselfintogarmentsassuitableasshepossessedforoneofthosenoisometasksthataredoneadozentimesadaybythebathnursesinthereceivingdepartmentofacharityhospital。

  Whenshereturned,Susantoowasinherchemiseandreadytobeginthesearchfortheman,ifmantherewasleftdeepburiedinthatmuck。WhileSusantookoffthestinkingandrottenrags,andflungthemintothehall,ClarawenttothebathroomtheyandMollieshared,andfilledthetubwithwaterashotasherhandcouldbear。WithherfootSusanpushedtheragsalongthehallfloorandintothegarbagecloset。ThensheandClaraliftedtheemaciated,dirt-streaked,filth-smearedbody,carriedittothebathroom,letitdownintothewater。Therewereathandplentyofthosestrong,speciallypreparedsoapsandotherdisinfectantsconstantlyusedbythewomenoftheirkindwhostillclingtocleanlinessandhealth。Withthesetheyattackedhim,notasifhewereahumanbeing,butasifheweresomeinanimateobjectthatmustbescouredbeforeitcouldbeused。

  Againandagaintheyletoutthewater,black,fullofdeadanddyingvermin;againandagaintheyrinsedhim,attackedhimafresh。Theirtaskgrewlessandlessrepulsiveasthemangraduallyappeared,ayoungmanwithasoftskin,awell-formedbody,unusuallygoodhandsandfeet,adistinguishedfacedespiteitssavagewoundsfromdissipation,hardlythelesshandsomeforthenowfairandcrispbeardwhichgaveitalookofmoreyearsthanSpenserhadlived。

  IfSpenserrecoveredconsciousness——anditseemshardlypossiblethathedidnot——hewascarefultoconcealthefact。

  Heremainedlimp,inert,apparentlyinastupor。Theygavehimonefinalscrubbing,onefinalrinsing,onefinalthoroughinspection。“Now,he”sallright,“declaredClara。“Whatshallwedowithhim?“

  “Puthimtobed,“saidSusan。

  Theyhadalreadydriedhimoffintheemptytub。Theynowrubbedhimdownwitharoughtowel,liftedhim,Susantakingtheshoulders,Clarathelegs,andputhiminSusan”sbed。

  Clararantoherroom,broughtoneofthetwonightshirtsshekeptforherfellow。Whentheyhadhiminthisandwithasheetoverhim,theycleanedandstraightenedthebathroom,thenlitcigarettesandsatdowntorestandtoadmiretheworkoftheirhands。

  “Whoishe?“askedClara。

  “AmanIusedtoknow,“saidSusan。Likeallthegirlsinthatlifewitharealstorytotell,shenevertoldaboutherpastself。Nevertell?Theyneverevenrememberifdrinkanddrugswilldotheirduty。

  “Idon”tblameyouforlovinghim,“saidClara。“Somehow,theloweramansinksthemoreawomanloveshim。It”stheotherwaywithmen。Butthenmendon”tknowwhatloveis。Andawomandon”treallyknowtillshe”sbeenthroughthemill。”

  “Idon”tlovehim,“saidSusan。

  “Samething,“repliedthepracticalClara,withawaveofthebarearmattheendofwhichsmokedthecigarette。“What”reyougoingtodowithhim?“

  “Idon”tknow,“confessedSusan。

  Shewasnotalittleuneasyatthethoughtofhisawakening。

  Wouldhedespisehermorethanevernow——flyfromherbacktohisfilth?Wouldhelethertrytohelphim?Andshelookedatthefacewhichhadbeen,inthatotherlifesolong,longago,dearertoherthananyfacehereyeshadeverrestedupon;

  asobstarteddeepdownwithinher,founditsslowandpainfulwayupward,shakingherwholebodyandcomingfrombetweenherclenchedteethinagroan。SheforgotallshehadsufferedfromRod——forgotthetruthabouthimwhichshehadslowlypuzzledoutaftershelefthimandasexperienceenabledhertounderstandactionsshehadnotunderstoodatthetime。Sheforgotitall。Thatpast——thatfar,dear,deadpast!Againshewasasimple,innocentgirluponthehighrock,eatingthatwonderfuldinner。Againtheeveninglightfaded,starsandmooncameout,andshefeltthefirstsweetstirringofloveforhim。Shecouldhearhisvoice,thelight,clear,entrancingmelodyoftheDuke”ssong——

  LaDonnaemobileQuapennaalvento——

  Sheburstintotears——tearsthatdrenchedhersoulastheraindrenchestheblasteddesertandmakesthethingsthatcouldliveinbeautystirdeepinitsbosom。AndClara,sobbinginsympathy,kissedherandstoleaway,softlyclosingthedoor。

  “Ifamandie,shallheliveagain?“askedtheoldArabianphilosopher。Ifawomandie,shallsheliveagain?……

  Shallnotthatwhichdiesinweaknessliveagaininstrength?……

  Lookingathim,ashelaytheresleepingsoquietly,herbeingsurgedwiththeheavingofhighlongingsandhopes。

  If_they_couldonlyliveagain!Heretheywere,together,atthelowestdepth,attherockbottomoflife。Iftheycouldbuildonthatrock,buildupontheveryfoundationoftheworld,thenwouldtheyindeedbuildinstrength!Then,nothingcoulddestroy——nothing!……Iftheycouldliveagain!Iftheycouldbuild!

  Shehadsomethingtolivefor——somethingtofightfor。Intohereyescameanewlight;intohersoulcamepeaceandstrength。Somethingtolivefor——someonetoredeem。XI

  SHEfellasleep,herheadrestinguponherhand,herelbowonthearmofthechair。Sheawokewithashiver;sheopenedhereyestofindhimgazingather。Theeyesofbothshiftedinstantly。“Wouldn”tyoulikesomewhiskey?“sheasked。

  “Thanks,“repliedhe,andhisunchangedvoiceremindedhervividlyofhisoldself,obscuredbythebeardandbythedissipatedlook。

  Shetookthebottlefromitsconcealmentinthelockedwashstanddrawer,pouredhimoutalargedrink。Whenshecamebackwherehecouldseethewhiskeyintheglass,hiseyesglistenedandheraisedhimselffirstonhiselbow,thentoasittingposition。Hisshakinghandreachedouteagerlyandhisexpectantlipsquivered。Hegulpedthewhiskeydown。

  “Thankyou,“hesaid,gazinglonginglyatthebottleasheheldtheemptyglasstowardher。

  “More?“

  “I_would_likealittlemore,“saidhegratefully。

  Againshepouredhimalargedrink,andagainhegulpeditdown。“That”sstrongstuff,“saidhe。“Butthentheysellstrongstuffinthispartoftown。Theotherkindtastesweaktomenow。”

  Hedroppedbackagainstthepillows。Shepouredherselfadrink。Halfwaytoherlipstheglasshalted。“I”vegottostopthat,“thoughtshe,“ifI”mgoingtodoanythingforhimorformyself。”Andshepouredthewhiskeybackandputthebottleaway。Thewholeincidenttooklessthanfiveseconds。

  Itdidnotoccurthatshewasessayingandachievingtheheroic,thatshehadinthatinstantrevealedherrighttoherdreamofacareerhighabovethecommonlot。

  “Don”t_you_drink?“saidhe。

  “I”vedecidedtocutitout,“repliedshecarelessly。“There”snothinginit。”

  “Icouldn”tlivewithoutit——andwouldn”t。”

  “It_is_acomfortwhenone”sonthewaydown,“saidshe。“ButI”mgoingtotrytheotherdirection——forachange。”

  Sheheldaboxofcigarettestowardhim。Hetookone,thenshe;sheheldthelightedmatchforhim,litherowncigarette,lettheflameofthematchburnon,sheabsentlywatchingit。

  “Lookout!You”llburnyourself!“criedhe。

  Shestarted,threwthematchintotheslopjar。“Howdoyoufeel?“inquiredshe。

  “Likethedevil,“heanswered。“ButthenIhaven”tknownwhatitwastofeelanyotherwayforseveralmonthsexceptwhenI

  couldn”tfeelatall。”Alongsilence,bothsmoking,hethinking,shefurtivelywatchinghim。“Youhaven”tchangedsomuch,“hefinallysaid。“Atleast,notontheoutside。”

  “Moreontheoutsidethanontheinside,“saidshe。“Theinsidedoesn”tchangemuch。ThereI”malmostasIwasthatdayonthebigrock。AndIguessyouare,too——aren”tyou?“

  “ThedevilIam!I”vegrownhardandbitter。”

  “That”salloutside,“declaredshe。“That”stheshell——likethescabthatstaysoverthesorespottillitheals。”

  “Sorespot?I”mnothingbutsorespots。I”vebeentreatedlikeadog。”

  Andheproceededtotalkabouttheonlysubjectthatinterestedhim——himself。Hespokeinadefensiveway,asifreplyingtosomethingshehadsaidorthought。“I”venotgotdownintheworldwithoutdamngoodexcuse。Iwroteseveralplays,andtheyweretriedoutoftown。ButwenevercouldgetintoNewYork。IthinkBrentwasjealousofme,andhisinfluencekeptmefromahearing。Iknowitsoundsconceited,butI”msureI”mright。”

  “Brent?“saidshe,inaqueervoice。“Oh,Ithinkyoumustbemistaken。Hedoesn”tlooklikeamanwhocoulddopettymeanthings。No,I”msurehe”snotpetty。”

  “Doyouknowhim?“criedSpenser,inanirritatedtone。

  “No。But——someonepointedhimouttomeonce——alongtimeago——onenightintheMartin。Andthen——you”llremember——thereusedtobeagreatdealoftalkabouthimwhenwelivedinForty-thirdStreet。Youadmiredhimtremendously。”

  “Well,he”sresponsible,“saidSpenser,sullenly。“Themenontoparealwaystramplingdownthosewhoaretryingtoclimbup。

  Hehaditinforme。Oneofmyfriendswhothoughthewasadecentchapgavehimmybestplaytoread。Hereturneditwithsomephrasesaboutitsshowingtalent——oneofthosephrasesthatdon”tmeanadamnthing。Andafewweeksago”Spenserraisedhimselfexcitedly”thethievinghoundproducedaplaythatwasacleanstealfrommine。I”dbelaughedatifI

  protestedorsued。ButI_know_,cursehim!“

  Hefellbackshakingsoviolentlythathiscigarettedroppedtothesheet。Susanpickeditup,handedittohim。Heeyedherwithangrysuspicion。“Youdon”tbelieveme,doyou?“hedemanded。

  “Idon”tknowanythingaboutit,“repliedshe。“Anyhow,whatdoesitmatter?ThemanImetonthatshowboat——theMr。

  BurlinghamI”veoftentalkedabout——heusedtosaythatthedogthatstoppedtolickhisscratchesnevercaughtupwiththeprey。”

  Heflunghimselfangrilyinthebed。“Youneverdidhaveanyheart——anysympathy。Butwhohas?EvenDrumleywentbackonme——let”emputaroastofmylastplayinthe_Herald_——atelegraphedroastfromNewHaven——saiditwasadeadfailure。

  Andwhowroteit?Why,somenewspapercorrespondentinthepayofthe_Syndicate_——andthatmeansBrent。Andofcourseitwasadeadfailure。So——Igaveup——andhereIam……Thisyourroom?“

  “Yes。”

  “Where”sthisnightshirtcomefrom?“

  “Itbelongstothefriendofthegirlacrossthehall。”Helaughedsneeringly。“Thehellitdoes!“mockedhe。“I

  understandperfectly。Iwantmyclothes。”

  “Nooneiscoming,“saidSusan。“There”snoonetocome。”

  Hewaslookingroundthecomfortablelittleroomthatwasthetalkofthewholetenementandwasstirringwivesandfastwomenaliketo“doalittlefixingup。”Saidhe:

  “Anicelittlenestyou”vemadeforhim。Youalwaysweregoodatthat。”

  “I”vemadeitformyself,“saidshe。“Ineverbringmenhere。”

  “Iwantmyclothes,“criedhe。“Ihaven”tsunkthatlow,you——!“

  ThewordheuseddidnotgreatlydisturbSusan。Theshellshehadformedoverherselfcouldwardoffbrutalcontactsoflanguagesnolessthanoftheotherkinds。Itdid,however,shockheralittletohearRodSpenseruseawordsocrude。

  “Givememyclothes,“heordered,wavinghisfistsinafierce,feeblegesture。

  “Theyweretornalltopieces。Ithrewthemaway。I”llgetyousomemoreinthemorning。”

  Hedroppedbackagain,ascowluponhisface。“I”vegotnomoney——notadamncent。Ididhalfaday”sworkonthedocksandmadeenoughtoquietmelastnight。”Heraisedhimself。

  “Icanworkagain。Givememyclothes!“

  “They”regone,“saidSusan。“Theywerecompletelyusedup。”

  Thisbroughtbackapparentlyanythingbutdimmemoryofwhathisplighthadbeen。“How”dIhappentogetsoclean?“

  “ClaraandIwashedyouoffalittle。Youhadfallendown。”

  Helaysilentafewminutes,thensaidinahesitating,ashamedtone,“Mytroubleshavemademeaboor。Ibegyourpardon。

  You”vebeentremendouslykindtome。”

  “Oh,itwasn”tmuch。Don”tyoufeelsleepy?“

  “Notabit。”Hedraggedhimselffromthebed。“But_you_do。

  Imustgo。”

  Shelaughedinthefriendliestway。“Youcan”t。Youhaven”tanyclothes。”

  Hepassedhishandoverhisfaceandcoughedviolently,sheholdinghisheadandsupportinghisemaciatedshoulders。Afterseveralminutesofcoughingandgagging,gaspingandgroaningandspitting,hewasrelievedbythespasmandlaydownagain。

  Whenhegothisbreath,hesaid——withrestbetweenwords”I”daskyoutosendfortheambulance,butifthedoctorscatchme,they”lllockmeaway。I”vegotconsumption。Oh,I”llsoonbeoutofit。”

  Susansatsilent。Shedidnotdarelookathimlestheshouldseethepityandhorrorinhereyes。

  “They”llfindacureforit,“pursuedhe。“ButnottillthedayafterI”mgone。Thatisthewaymyluckruns。Still,I

  don”tseewhyIshouldcaretostay——andIdon”t!Haveyouanymoreofthatwhiskey?“

  Susanbroughtoutthebottleagain,gavehimthelastofthewhiskey——alargedrink。Hesatup,sippingittomakeitlast。

  Henotedthelongrowofbooksontheshelffastenedalongthewallbesidethebed,thebooksandmagazinesonthetable。

  Saidhe:

  “Asfondofreadingasever,Isee?“

  “Fonder,“saidshe。“Ittakesmeoutofmyself。”

  “Isupposeyoureadthesortofstuffyoureallylike,now——notthethingsyouusedtoreadtomakeoldDrumleythinkyouwereculturedandintellectual。”

  “No——thesamesort,“repliedshe,unruffledbyhiscontemptuous,unjustfling。“Trashboresme。”

  “Cometothinkofit,Iguessyoudidhaveprettygoodtasteinbooks。”

  Buthewasinterestedinhimself,likeallinvalids;and,likethem,hefanciedhisownintenseinterestcouldnotbutbesharedbyeveryone。Hetalkedonandonofhimself,afterthemanneroffailures——toldofhiswrongs,ofhowfriendshadbetrayedhim,ofthejealousiesandenmitieshistalentshadprovoked。Susanwasusedtothesehard-luckstories,wasusedtoanalyzingthem。Withtheaidofwhatshehadworkedoutastohischaracteraftershelefthim,shehadnodifficultyinseeingthathewasdeceivinghimself,wasexcusinghimself。

  Butafterallshehadlivedthrough,afterallshehaddiscoveredabouthumanfrailty,especiallyinherself,shewasnotabletocriticize,muchlesscondemn,anybody。Herdoubtsmerelysethertowonderingwhetherhemightnotalsobeself-deceivedastohisdisease。

  “Whydoyouthinkyou”vegotconsumption?“askedshe。

  “IwasexaminedatthefreedispensaryupinSecondAvenuetheotherday。I”vesuspectedwhatwasthematterforseveralmonths。TheytoldmeIwasright。”

  “Butthedoctorsarealwaysmakingmistakes。I”dnotgiveupifIwereyou。”

  “DoyousupposeIwouldifIhadanythingtolivefor?“

  “Iwasthinkingaboutthatawhileago——whileyouwereasleep。”

  “Oh,I”mallin。That”sacinch。”

  “SoamI,“saidshe。“Andaswe”venothingtoloseandnohope,why,tryingtodosomethingwon”tmakeusanyworseoff……

  We”vebothstruckthebottom。Wecan”tgoanylower。”Sheleanedforwardand,withherearnesteyesfixeduponhim,said,“Rod——whynottry——together?“

  Heclosedhiseyes。

  “I”mafraidIcan”tbeofmuchusetoyou,“shewenton。“Butyoucanhelpme。Andhelpingmewillmakeyouhelpyourself。

  Ican”tgetupalone。I”vetried。Nodoubtit”smyfault。I

  guessI”moneofthosewomenthataren”thardenoughorself-confidentenoughtodowhat”snecessaryunlessI”vegotsomemantomakemedoit。PerhapsI”dgetthe——thestrengthorwhateveritis,whenIwasmucholder。Butbythattimeinmycase——Iguessit”dbetoolate。Won”tyouhelpme,Rod?“

  Heturnedhisheadaway,withoutopeninghiseyes。

  “You”vehelpedmemanytimes——beginningwiththefirstdaywemet。”

  “Don”t,“hesaid。“Iwentbackonyou。Ididsprainmyankle,butIcouldhavecome。”

  “Thatwasn”tanything,“repliedshe。“Youhadalreadydoneathousandtimesmorethanyouneededtodo。”

  Hishandwanderedalongthecoverinherdirection。Shetouchedit。Theirhandsclasped。

  “IliedaboutwhereIgotthemoneyyesterday。Ididn”twork。

  Ibegged。Threeofus——fromthesaloontheycalltheOwl”sChute——twoYalemen——oneofthemhadbeenajudge——andI。

  We”vebeenbeggingforaweek。Weweregoingoutontheroadinafewdays——torob。Then——Isawyou——inthatoldwomen”sdancehall——theVenusberg,theycallit。”

  “You”vecomedownhereforme,Rod。You”lltakemeback?

  You”llsavemefromtheVenusberg?“

  “Icouldn”tsaveanybody。Susie,atbottomI”mN。G。I

  alwayswas——andIknewit。Weak——vain。Butyou!Ifyouhadn”tbeenawoman——andsuchasweet,considerateoneyou”dhavenevergotdownhere。”

  “Suchafool,“correctedSusan。“But,onceIgetup,I”llnotbesoagain。I”llfightundertherules,insteadofactinginthesillywaytheyteachusaschildren。”

  “Don”tsaythosehardthings,Susie!“

  “Aren”ttheytrue?“

  “Yes,butIcan”tbeartohearthemfromawoman……I

  toldyouthatyouhadn”tchanged。ButafterI”dlookedatyouawhileIsawthatyouhave。You”vegotaterriblelookinyoureyes——wonderfulandterrible。Youhadsomethingofthatlookasachild——thefirsttimeIsawyou。”

  “Thedayaftermymarriage,“saidthegirl,tearingherfaceaway。

  “Itwastherethen,“hewenton。“Butnow——it”s——it”sheartbreaking,Susiewhenyourfaceisinrepose。”

  “I”vegonethroughafirethathasburnedupeverybitofmethatcanburn,“saidshe。“I”vebeenwonderingifwhat”sleftisn”tstrongenoughtodosomethingwith。Ibelieveso——ifyou”llhelpme。”

  “Helpyou?I——helpanybody?Don”tmockme,Susie。”

  “Idon”tknowaboutanybodyelse,“saidshesweetlyandgently,“butIdoknowaboutme。”

  “Nouse——toolate。I”velostmynerve。”Hebegantosob。

  “It”sbecauseI”munstrung,“explainedhe。

  “Don”tthinkI”mapoorcontemptiblefoolofawhiner……

  Yes,I_am_awhiner!Susie,Ioughttohavebeenthewomanandyoutheman。Weak——weak——weak!“

  Sheturnedthegaslow,bentoverhim,kissedhisbrow,caressedhim。“Let”sdothebestwecan,“shemurmured。

  Heputhisarmroundher。“Iwonderifthere_is_anyhope,“hesaid。“No——therecouldn”tbe。”

  “Let”snothope,“pleadedshe。“Let”sjustdothebestwecan。”

  “What——forinstance?“

  “Youknowthetheaterpeople。Youmightwritealittleplay——asketch——andyouandIcouldactitinoneoftheten-centhouses。”

  “That”snotabadidea!“exclaimedhe。“Alittlecomedy——aboutfifteenortwentyminutes。”Andhecastaboutforaplot,foundthebeginningsofonetheancientbuteveracceptablecommonplaceofajealousquarrelbetweentwolovers”I”lllaythesceneinFifthAvenue——there”snothinglowlifelikessomuchashighlife。”Hesketched,shesuggested。Theyplanneduntilbroadday,thenfellasleep,shehalfsittingup,hisheadpilloweduponherlap。

  Shewasawakenedbyasenseofaparchingandsuffocatingheat。

  Shestartedupwiththeideaoffireinherdrowsymind。Butaglanceathimrevealedtherealcause。Hisfacewasfieryred,andfromhislipscameramblingsentences,muttered,whispered,thatindicatedthedeliriumofahighfever。ShehadfirstseenitwhensheandthenightporterbrokeintoBurlingham”sroomintheWalnutStreetHouse,inCincinnati。

  Shehadseenitmanyatimesince;for,whilesheherselfhadneverbeenill,shehadbeensurroundedbyillnessallthetime,andthecommonestformofitwasoneofthesefevers,outragednature”sfrenziedriseagainsttheeverdenserswarmsofenemiesfromwithoutwhichtheslumssenttoattackher。

  SusanranacrossthehallandrousedClara,whowouldwatchwhileshewentforadoctor。“You”dbettergetEinsteininGrandStreet,“Claraadvised。

  “WhynotSacci?“askedSusan。

  “Ourdoctordoesn”tknowanythingbuttheonething——andhedoesn”tliketotakeotherkindsofcases。No,getEinstein……Youknow,he”slikeallofthem——hewon”tcomeunlessyoupayinadvance。”

  “Howmuch?“askedSusan。

  “Threedollars。I”lllendyouif——”

  “No——I”vegotit。”Shehadelevendollarsandsixtycentsintheworld。

  Einsteinpronounceditacaseoftyphoid。“Youmustgethimtothehospitalatonce。”

  SusanandClaralookedateachotherinterror。Tothem,astothemasseseverywhere,thehospitalmeantalmostcertaindeath;

  fortheyassumed——andtheyhadheardagainandagainaccusationswhichwarrantedit——thatthepublichospitaldoctorsandnursestreatedtheirpatientswithneglectalways,withdownrightinhumanityoften。Notadaypassedwithouttheirhearingsomestoryofhospitaloutrageuponpoverty,withouttheirseeingsomeone——usuallysomechild——whowaspayingaheavypenaltyforhavingbeeninthecharitywards。

  Einsteinunderstoodtheirexpression。“Nonsense!“saidhegruffly。“Yougirlslooktoosensibletobelievethosesillylies。”

  Susanlookedathimsteadily。Hiseyesshifted。“Ofcourse,thepayservice_is_better,“saidheinastrikinglydifferenttone。

  “Howmuchwoulditbeatapayhospital?“askedSusan。

  “Twenty-fiveaweekincludingmyservices,“saidDoctorEinstein。“Butyoucan”taffordthat。”

  “Willhegetthebesttreatmentforthat?“

  “Theverybest。AsgoodasifhewereRockefellerorthebigchapuptown。”

  “Inadvance,Isuppose?“

  “Wouldweevergetourmoneyoutofpeopleifwedidn”tgetitinadvance?We”vegottolivejustthesameasanyotherclass。”

  “Iunderstand,“saidthegirl。“Idon”tblameyou。Idon”tblameanybodyforanything。”ShesaidtoClara,“Canyoulendmetwenty?“

  “Sure。Comeinandgetit。”WhensheandSusanwereinthehallbeyondEinstein”shearing,shewenton:“I”vegotthetwentyandyou”rewelcometoit。But——Lornahadn”tyoubetter——”

  “Inthesamesortofacase,what”d_you_do?“interruptedSusan。

  Claralaughed。“Oh——ofcourse。”AndshegaveSusanarollofmuchsoiledbills——afive,therestonesandtwos。

  “Icangettheambulancetotakehimfree,“saidEinstein。

  “That”llsaveyoufiveforacarriage。”

  Sheacceptedthisoffer。Andwhentheambulancewent,withSpenserburningandravinginthetightlywrappedblankets,Susanfollowedinastreetcartoseewithherowneyesthathewasproperlyinstalled。Itwasarrangedthatshecouldvisithimatanyhourandstayaslongassheliked。

  Shereturnedtothetenement,tofindthesentimentoftheentireneighborhoodchangedtowardher。Notlossofmoney,notlossofwork,notdispossessionnorfirenordeathisthesupremecalamityamongthepoor,butsickness。Itistheirmostfrequentvisitor——sicknessinallitsmanyfrightfulforms——rheumatismandconsumption,cancerandtyphoidandtherestofthemonsters。Yetneverdothepoorgrowaccustomedorhardened。Andatthesightoftheambulancetheneighborhoodhadbeeninstantlystirred。Whenthereasonforitscominggotabout,Susanbecametheobjectofuniversalsympathyandrespect。Shewasnotsendingherfriendtobeneglectedandkilledatacharityhospital;shewaspayingtwenty-fiveaweekthathemighthaveachanceforlife——twenty-fivedollarsaweek!Theneighborsfeltthatherhighpurposejustifiedanymeansshemightbecompelledtoemployingettingthemoney。

  Womenwhohadscowledandspatasshewalkedby,spokefriendlilytoherandwipedtheireyeswiththeirfilthyskirts,andprayedinchurchandsynagoguethatshemightprosperuntilhermanwaswellandtheolddebtpaid。Clarawentfromgrouptogroup,relatingthewholestory,andthetearsflowedateachrecital。Moneytheyhadnonetogive;butwhattheyhadtheygavewiththatgenerositywhichsuddenlytransfiguresragsandfilthandmakesfoulanddistortedbodiesliftinthefulldignityofmembershipinthehumanfamily。

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