chapter07
ChapterVII
Anorchestraofyellowsilkwomenandbald-headedmenonanelevatedstagenearthecentreofagreatgreen-huedhall，playedapopularwaltz。Theplacewascrowdedwithpeoplegroupedaboutlittletables。Abattalionofwaitersslidamongthethrong，carryingtraysofbeerglassesandmakingchangefromtheinexhaustiblevaultsoftheirtrouserspockets。Littleboys，inthecostumesofFrenchchefs，paradedupanddowntheirregularaislesvendingfancycakes。Therewasalowrumbleofconversationandasubduedclinkingofglasses。Cloudsoftobaccosmokerolledandwaveredhighinairaboutthedullgiltofthechandeliers。
Thevastcrowdhadanairthroughoutofhavingjustquittedlabor。Menwithcallousedhandsandattiredingarmentsthatshowedthewearofanendlesstrudgeforaliving，smokedtheirpipescontentedlyandspentfive，ten，orperhapsfifteencentsforbeer。Therewasameresprinklingofkid-glovedmenwhosmokedcigarspurchasedelsewhere。Thegreatbodyofthecrowdwascomposedofpeoplewhoshowedthatalldaytheystrovewiththeirhands。QuietGermans，withmaybetheirwivesandtwoorthreechildren，satlisteningtothemusic，withtheexpressionsofhappycows。Anoccasionalpartyofsailorsfromawar-ship，theirfacespicturesofsturdyhealth，spenttheearlierhoursoftheeveningatthesmallroundtables。Veryinfrequenttipsymen，swollenwiththevalueoftheiropinions，engagedtheircompanionsinearnestandconfidentialconversation。Inthebalcony，andhereandtherebelow，shonetheimpassivefacesofwomen。ThenationalitiesoftheBowerybeameduponthestagefromalldirections。
PeteaggressivelywalkedupasideaisleandtookseatswithMaggieatatablebeneaththebalcony。
\"Twobeehs！\"
Leaningbackheregardedwitheyesofsuperioritythescenebeforethem。ThisattitudeaffectedMaggiestrongly。Amanwhocouldregardsuchasightwithindifferencemustbeaccustomedtoverygreatthings。
ItwasobviousthatPetehadbeentothisplacemanytimesbefore，andwasveryfamiliarwithit。AknowledgeofthisfactmadeMaggiefeellittleandnew。
Hewasextremelygraciousandattentive。Hedisplayedtheconsiderationofaculturedgentlemanwhoknewwhatwasdue。
\"Say，whatdehhell？Bringdehladyabigglass！Whatdehhelluseisdatpony？\"
\"Don’tbefresh，now，\"saidthewaiter，withsomewarmth，ashedeparted。
\"Ah，gitoffdeheart’，\"saidPete，aftertheother’sretreatingform。
MaggieperceivedthatPetebroughtforthallhiseleganceandallhisknowledgeofhigh-classcustomsforherbenefit。Herheartwarmedasshereflecteduponhiscondescension。
Theorchestraofyellowsilkwomenandbald-headedmengaveventtoafewbarsofanticipatorymusicandagirl，inapinkdresswithshortskirts，gallopeduponthestage。Shesmileduponthethrongasifinacknowledgmentofawarmwelcome，andbegantowalktoandfro，makingprofusegesticulationsandsinging，inbrazensopranotones，asong，thewordsofwhichwereinaudible。
Whenshebrokeintotheswiftrattlingmeasuresofachorussomehalf-tipsymennearthestagejoinedintherollickingrefrainandglasseswerepoundedrhythmicallyuponthetables。Peopleleanedforwardtowatchherandtotrytocatchthewordsofthesong。
Whenshevanishedtherewerelongrollingsofapplause。
Obedienttomoreanticipatorybars，shereappearedamidstthehalf-suppressedcheeringofthetipsymen。Theorchestraplungedintodancemusicandthelacesofthedancerflutteredandflewintheglareofgasjets。Shedivulgedthefactthatshewasattiredinsomehalfdozenskirts。Itwaspatentthatanyoneofthemwouldhaveprovedadequateforthepurposeforwhichskirtsareintended。Anoccasionalmanbentforward，intentuponthepinkstockings。Maggiewonderedatthesplendorofthecostumeandlostherselfincalculationsofthecostofthesilksandlaces。
Thedancer’ssmileofstereotypedenthusiasmwasturnedfortenminutesuponthefacesofheraudience。Inthefinaleshefellintosomeofthosegrotesqueattitudeswhichwereatthetimepopularamongthedancersinthetheatresup-town，givingtotheBowerypublicthephantasiesofthearistocratictheatre-goingpublic，atreducedrates。
\"Say，Pete，\"saidMaggie，leaningforward，\"disisgreat。\"
\"Sure，\"saidPete，withpropercomplacence。
Aventriloquistfollowedthedancer。Heheldtwofantasticdollsonhisknees。HemadethemsingmournfuldittiesandsayfunnythingsaboutgeographyandIreland。
\"Dodoselittlementalk？\"askedMaggie。
\"Naw，\"saidPete，\"it’ssomedamnfake。See？\"
Twogirls，onthebillsassisters，cameforthandsangaduetthatisheardoccasionallyatconcertsgivenunderchurchauspices。
Theysupplementeditwithadancewhichofcoursecanneverbeseenatconcertsgivenunderchurchauspices。
Aftertheduettistshadretired，awomanofdebatableagesanganegromelody。Thechorusnecessitatedsomegrotesquewaddlingssupposedtobeanimitationofaplantationdarkey，undertheinfluence，probably，ofmusicandthemoon。Theaudiencewasjustenthusiasticenoughoverittohaveherreturnandsingasorrowfullay，whoselinestoldofamother’sloveandasweetheartwhowaitedandayoungmanwhowaslostatseaunderthemostharrowingcircumstances。Fromthefacesofascoreorsointhecrowd，theself-containedlookfaded。Manyheadswerebentforwardwitheagernessandsympathy。Asthelastdistressingsentimentofthepiecewasbroughtforth，itwasgreetedbythatkindofapplausewhichringsassincere。
Asafinaleffort，thesingerrenderedsomeverseswhichdescribedavisionofBritainbeingannihilatedbyAmerica，andIrelandburstingherbonds。Acarefullypreparedcrisiswasreachedinthelastlineofthelastverse，wherethesingerthrewoutherarmsandcried，\"Thestar-spangledbanner。\"Instantlyagreatcheerswelledfromthethroatsoftheassemblageofthemasses。Therewasaheavyrumbleofbootedfeetthumpingthefloor。Eyesgleamedwithsuddenfire，andcallousedhandswavedfranticallyintheair。
Afterafewmoments’rest，theorchestraplayedcrashingly，andasmallfatmanburstoutuponthestage。Hebegantoroarasongandstampbackandforthbeforethefoot-lights，wildlywavingaglossysilkhatandthrowingleers，orsmiles，broadcast。HemadehisfaceintofantasticgrimacesuntilhelookedlikeapictureddevilonaJapanesekite。Thecrowdlaughedgleefully。
Hisshort，fatlegswereneverstillamoment。Heshoutedandroaredandbobbedhisshockofredwiguntiltheaudiencebrokeoutinexcitedapplause。
Petedidnotpaymuchattentiontotheprogressofeventsuponthestage。HewasdrinkingbeerandwatchingMaggie。
Hercheekswereblushingwithexcitementandhereyeswereglistening。Shedrewdeepbreathsofpleasure。Nothoughtsoftheatmosphereofthecollarandcufffactorycametoher。
Whentheorchestracrashedfinally，theyjostledtheirwaytothesidewalkwiththecrowd。PetetookMaggie’sarmandpushedawayforher，offeringtofightwithamanortwo。
TheyreachedMaggie’shomeatalatehourandstoodforamomentinfrontofthegruesomedoorway。
\"Say，Mag，\"saidPete，\"giveusakissfortakin’yehtehdehshow，willyer？\"
Maggielaughed，asifstartled，anddrewawayfromhim。
\"Naw，Pete，\"shesaid，\"datwasn’tinit。\"
\"Ah，whatdehhell？\"urgedPete。
Thegirlretreatednervously。
\"Ah，whatdehhell？\"repeatedhe。
Maggiedartedintothehall，andupthestairs。Sheturnedandsmiledathim，thendisappeared。
Petewalkedslowlydownthestreet。Hehadsomethingofanastonishedexpressionuponhisfeatures。Hepausedunderalamp-
postandbreathedalowbreathofsurprise。
\"Gawd，\"hesaid，\"IwonnerifI’vebeenplayedferaduffer。\"
chapter08
ChapterVIII
AsthoughtsofPetecametoMaggie’smind，shebegantohaveanintensedislikeforallofherdresses。
\"Whatdehhellailsyeh？Whatmakesyehbeallusfixin’andfussin’？GoodGawd，\"hermotherwouldfrequentlyroarather。
Shebegantonote，withmoreinterest，thewell-dressedwomenshemetontheavenues。Sheenviedeleganceandsoftpalms。
Shecravedthoseadornmentsofpersonwhichshesaweverydayonthestreet，conceivingthemtobealliesofvastimportancetowomen。
Studyingfaces，shethoughtmanyofthewomenandgirlsshechancedtomeet，smiledwithserenityasthoughforevercherishedandwatchedoverbythosetheyloved。
Theairinthecollarandcuffestablishmentstrangledher。
Sheknewshewasgraduallyandsurelyshrivellinginthehot，stuffyroom。Thebegrimedwindowsrattledincessantlyfromthepassingofelevatedtrains。Theplacewasfilledwithawhirlofnoisesandodors。
Shewonderedassheregardedsomeofthegrizzledwomenintheroom，meremechanicalcontrivancessewingseamsandgrindingout，withheadsbendedovertheirwork，talesofimaginedorrealgirlhoodhappiness，pastdrunks，thebabyathome，andunpaidwages。
Shespeculatedhowlongheryouthwouldendure。Shebegantoseethebloomuponhercheeksasvaluable。
Sheimaginedherself，inanexasperatingfuture，asascrawnywomanwithaneternalgrievance。Too，shethoughtPetetobeaveryfastidiouspersonconcerningtheappearanceofwomen。
Shefeltshewouldlovetoseesomebodyentangletheirfingersintheoilybeardofthefatforeignerwhoownedtheestablishment。
Hewasadetestablecreature。Heworewhitesockswithlowshoes。
Whenhetiredofthisamusementhewouldgotothemummiesandmoralizeoverthem。
Usuallyhesubmittedwithsilentdignitytoallwhichhehadtogothrough，but，attimes，hewasgoadedintocomment。
\"Whatdehhell，\"hedemandedonce。\"Lookatalldeselittlejugs！Hundredjugsinarow！Tenrowsinacasean’’boutat’ousandcases！Whatdehblazesuseisdem？\"
Eveningsduringtheweekhetookhertoseeplaysinwhichthebrain-clutchingheroinewasrescuedfromthepalatialhomeofherguardian，whoiscruellyafterherbonds，bytheherowiththebeautifulsentiments。Thelatterspentmostofhistimeoutatsoakinpale-greensnowstorms，busywithanickel-platedrevolver，rescuingagedstrangersfromvillains。
Maggielostherselfinsympathywiththewanderersswooninginsnowstormsbeneathhappy-huedchurchwindows。Andachoirwithinsinging\"JoytotheWorld。\"ToMaggieandtherestoftheaudiencethiswastranscendentalrealism。Joyalwayswithin，andthey，liketheactor，inevitablywithout。Viewingit，theyhuggedthemselvesinecstaticpityoftheirimaginedorrealcondition。
Thegirlthoughtthearroganceandgranite-heartednessofthemagnateoftheplaywasveryaccuratelydrawn。Sheechoedthemaledictionsthattheoccupantsofthegalleryshoweredonthisindividualwhenhislinescompelledhimtoexposehisextremeselfishness。
Shadypersonsintheaudiencerevoltedfromthepicturedvillainyofthedrama。Withuntiringzealtheyhissedviceandapplaudedvirtue。Unmistakablybadmenevincedanapparentlysincereadmirationforvirtue。
Theloudgallerywasoverwhelminglywiththeunfortunateandtheoppressed。Theyencouragedthestrugglingherowithcries，andjeeredthevillain，hootingandcallingattentiontohiswhiskers。
Whenanybodydiedinthepale-greensnowstorms，thegallerymourned。
Theysoughtoutthepaintedmiseryandhuggeditasakin。
Inthehero’serraticmarchfrompovertyinthefirstact，towealthandtriumphinthefinalone，inwhichheforgivesalltheenemiesthathehasleft，hewasassistedbythegallery，whichapplaudedhisgenerousandnoblesentimentsandconfoundedthespeechesofhisopponentsbymakingirrelevantbutverysharpremarks。Thoseactorswhowerecursedwithvillainypartswereconfrontedateveryturnbythegallery。Ifoneofthemrenderedlinescontainingthemostsubtiledistinctionsbetweenrightandwrong，thegallerywasimmediatelyawareiftheactormeantwickedness，anddenouncedhimaccordingly。
Thelastactwasatriumphforthehero，poorandofthemasses，therepresentativeoftheaudience，overthevillainandtherichman，hispocketsstuffedwithbonds，hisheartpackedwithtyrannicalpurposes，imperturbableamidsuffering。
Maggiealwaysdepartedwithraisedspiritsfromtheshowingplacesofthemelodrama。Sherejoicedatthewayinwhichthepoorandvirtuouseventuallysurmountedthewealthyandwicked。Thetheatremadeherthink。Shewonderedifthecultureandrefinementshehadseenimitated，perhapsgrotesquely，bytheheroineonthestage，couldbeacquiredbyagirlwholivedinatenementhouseandworkedinashirtfactory。
chapter09
ChapterIX
Agroupofurchinswereintentuponthesidedoorofasaloon。
Expectancygleamedfromtheireyes。Theyweretwistingtheirfingersinexcitement。
\"Hereshecomes，\"yelledoneofthemsuddenly。
Thegroupofurchinsburstinstantlyasunderanditsindividualfragmentswerespreadinawide，respectablehalfcircleaboutthepointofinterest。Thesaloondooropenedwithacrash，andthefigureofawomanappeareduponthethreshold。Hergreyhairfellinknottedmassesabouthershoulders。Herfacewascrimsonedandwetwithperspiration。Hereyeshadarollingglare。
\"Notadamncentmoreofmemoneywillyehseverget，notadamncent。
Ispentmemoneyherefert’reeyearsan’nowyehstellsmeyeh’llsellmenomorestuff！T’hellwidyeh，JohnnieMurckre！
’Disturbance’？
Disturbancebedamned！T’hellwidyeh，Johnnie——\"
Thedoorreceivedakickofexasperationfromwithinandthewomanlurchedheavilyoutonthesidewalk。
Thegaminsinthehalf-circlebecameviolentlyagitated。
Theybegantodanceaboutandhootandyellandjeer。
Widedirtygrinsspreadovereachface。
Thewomanmadeafuriousdashataparticularlyoutrageousclusteroflittleboys。Theylaugheddelightedlyandscamperedoffashortdistance，callingoutovertheirshoulderstoher。Shestoodtotteringonthecurb-stoneandthunderedatthem。
\"Yehdevil’skids，\"shehowled，shakingredfists。Thelittleboyswhoopedinglee。Asshestartedupthestreettheyfellinbehindandmarcheduproariously。Occasionallyshewheeledaboutandmadechargesonthem。Theyrannimblyoutofreachandtauntedher。
Intheframeofagruesomedoorwayshestoodforamomentcursingthem。
Herhairstraggled，givinghercrimsonfeaturesalookofinsanity。
Hergreatfistsquiveredassheshookthemmadlyintheair。
Theurchinsmadeterrificnoisesuntilsheturnedanddisappeared。Thentheyfiledquietlyinthewaytheyhadcome。
Thewomanflounderedaboutinthelowerhallofthetenementhouseandfinallystumbledupthestairs。Onanupperhalladoorwasopenedandacollectionofheadspeeredcuriouslyout，watchingher。
Withawrathfulsnortthewomanconfrontedthedoor，butitwasslammedhastilyinherfaceandthekeywasturned。
Shestoodforafewminutes，deliveringafrenziedchallengeatthepanels。
\"Comeoutindehhall，MaryMurphy，damnyeh，ifyehswantarow。
Comeahn，yehovergrownterrier，comeahn。\"
Shebegantokickthedoorwithhergreatfeet。Sheshrillydefiedtheuniversetoappearanddobattle。Hercursingtreblesbroughtheadsfromalldoorssavetheoneshethreatened。Hereyesglaredineverydirection。Theairwasfullofhertossingfists。
\"Comeahn，dehhulldamngangofyehs，comeahn，\"sheroaredatthespectators。Anoathortwo，cat-calls，jeersandbitsoffacetiousadviceweregiveninreply。Missilesclatteredaboutherfeet。
\"Whatdehhell’sdehmatterwidyeh？\"saidavoiceinthegatheredgloom，andJimmiecameforward。Hecarriedatindinner-
pailinhishandandunderhisarmabrowntruckman’saprondoneinabundle。\"Whatdehhell’swrong？\"hedemanded。
\"Comeout，allofyehs，comeout，\"hismotherwashowling。
\"Comeahnan’I’llstampherdamnbrainsundermefeet。\"
\"Shetyerface，an’comehome，yehdamnedoldfool，\"roaredJimmieather。Shestrideduptohimandtwirledherfingersinhisface。Hereyesweredartingflamesofunreasoningrageandherframetrembledwitheagernessforafight。
\"T’hellwidyehs！An’whodehhellareyehs？Iain’tgivin’
asnapofmefingersferyehs，\"shebawledathim。Sheturnedherhugebackintremendousdisdainandclimbedthestairstothenextfloor。
Jimmiefollowed，cursingblackly。Atthetopoftheflightheseizedhismother’sarmandstartedtodraghertowardthedooroftheirroom。
\"Comehome，damnyeh，\"hegrittedbetweenhisteeth。
\"Takeyerhandsoffme！Takeyerhandsoffme，\"shriekedhismother。
Sheraisedherarmandwhirledhergreatfistatherson’sface。Jimmiedodgedhisheadandtheblowstruckhiminthebackoftheneck。\"Damnyeh，\"grittedheagain。Hethrewouthislefthandandwrithedhisfingersabouthermiddlearm。Themotherandthesonbegantoswayandstrugglelikegladiators。
\"Whoop！\"saidtheRumAlleytenementhouse。Thehallfilledwithinterestedspectators。
\"Hi，ol’lady，datwasadandy！\"
\"T’reetooneondehred！\"
\"Ah，stopyerdamnscrappin’！\"
ThedooroftheJohnsonhomeopenedandMaggielookedout。
Jimmiemadeasupremecursingeffortandhurledhismotherintotheroom。Hequicklyfollowedandclosedthedoor。
TheRumAlleytenementsworedisappointedlyandretired。
Themotherslowlygatheredherselfupfromthefloor。
Hereyesglitteredmenacinglyuponherchildren。
\"Here，now，\"saidJimmie，\"we’vehadenoughofdis。Sitdown，an’don’makenotrouble。\"
Hegraspedherarm，andtwistingit，forcedherintoacreakingchair。
\"Keepyerhandsoffme，\"roaredhismotheragain。
\"Damnyerol’hide，\"yelledJimmie，madly。Maggieshriekedandranintotheotherroom。Tohertherecamethesoundofastormofcrashesandcurses。TherewasagreatfinalthumpandJimmie’svoicecried：\"Dere，damnyeh，staystill。\"Maggieopenedthedoornow，andwentwarilyout。\"Oh，Jimmie。\"
Hewasleaningagainstthewallandswearing。Bloodstooduponbruisesonhisknottyfore-armswheretheyhadscrapedagainstthefloororthewallsinthescuffle。Themotherlayscreechingonthefloor，thetearsrunningdownherfurrowedface。
Maggie，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，gazedabouther。
Theusualupheavalofthetablesandchairshadtakenplace。
Crockerywasstrewnbroadcastinfragments。Thestovehadbeendisturbedonitslegs，andnowleanedidioticallytooneside。
Apailhadbeenupsetandwaterspreadinalldirections。
ThedooropenedandPeteappeared。Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Oh，Gawd，\"heobserved。
HewalkedovertoMaggieandwhisperedinherear。\"Ah，whatdehhell，Mag？Comeahnandwe’llhaveahellofatime。\"
Themotherinthecorneruprearedherheadandshookhertangledlocks。
\"Tehhellwidhimandyou，\"shesaid，gloweringatherdaughterinthegloom。Hereyesseemedtoburnbalefully。
\"Yeh’vegonetehdehdevil，MagJohnson，yehsknowsyehshavegonetehdehdevil。Yeradisgracetehyerpeople，damnyeh。An’now，gitoutan’goahnwiddatdoe-facedjudeofyours。Gotehhellwidhim，damnyeh，an’agoodriddance。Gotehhellan’seehowyehlikesit。\"
Maggiegazedlongathermother。
\"Gotehhellnow，an’seehowyehlikesit。Gitout。Iwon’thavesechasyehsinmehouse！Getout，d’yehhear！Damnyeh，gitout！\"
Thegirlbegantotremble。
AtthisinstantPetecameforward。\"Oh，whatdehhell，Mag，see，\"
whisperedhesoftlyinherear。\"Disallblowsover。See？
Dehol’
woman’illbeallrightindehmornin’。Comeahnoutwidme！
We’llhaveahellofatime。\"
Thewomanonthefloorcursed。Jimmiewasintentuponhisbruisedfore-arms。Thegirlcastaglanceabouttheroomfilledwithachaoticmassofdebris，andatthered，writhingbodyofhermother。
\"Gotehhellan’goodriddance。\"
Shewent。
chapter10
ChapterX
Jimmiehadanideaitwasn’tcommoncourtesyforafriendtocometoone’shomeandruinone’ssister。ButhewasnotsurehowmuchPeteknewabouttherulesofpoliteness。
Thefollowingnighthereturnedhomefromworkatratheralatehourintheevening。Inpassingthroughthehallshecameuponthegnarledandleatheryoldwomanwhopossessedthemusicbox。Shewasgrinninginthedimlightthatdriftedthroughdust-
stainedpanes。Shebeckonedtohimwithasmudgedforefinger。
\"Ah，Jimmie，whatdoyehst’inkIgotontolas’night。Itwasdehfunnies’t’ingIeversaw，\"shecried，comingclosetohimandleering。Shewastremblingwitheagernesstotellhertale。
\"I
wasbymedoorlas’nightwhenyersisterandherjudefellercameinlate，oh，verylate。An’she，thedear，shewasa-cryin’asifherheartwouldbreak，shewas。Itwasdehfunnies’t’ingIeversaw。An’rightoutherebymedoorsheaskedhimdidheloveher，didhe。An’shewasa-cryin’asifherheartwouldbreak，poort’ing。An’him，Icouldseebydehwaywhathesaiditdatshehadbeenaskin’orften，hesays：’Oh，hell，yes，’hesays，sayshe，’Oh，hell，yes。’\"
Storm-cloudssweptoverJimmie’sface，butheturnedfromtheleatheryoldwomanandploddedonup-stairs。
\"Oh，hell，yes，\"calledsheafterhim。Shelaughedalaughthatwaslikeapropheticcroak。\"’Oh，hell，yes，’hesays，sayshe，’Oh，hell，yes。’\"
Therewasnooneinathome。Theroomsshowedthatattemptshadbeenmadeattidyingthem。Partsofthewreckageofthedaybeforehadbeenrepairedbyanunskilfulhand。Achairortwoandthetable，stooduncertainlyuponlegs。Thefloorhadbeennewlyswept。Too，theblueribbonshadbeenrestoredtothecurtains，andthelambrequin，withitsimmensesheavesofyellowwheatandredrosesofequalsize，hadbeenreturned，inawornandsorrystate，toitspositionatthemantel。Maggie’sjacketandhatweregonefromthenailbehindthedoor。
Jimmiewalkedtothewindowandbegantolookthroughtheblurredglass。Itoccurredtohimtovaguelywonder，foraninstant，ifsomeofthewomenofhisacquaintancehadbrothers。
Suddenly，however，hebegantoswear。
\"Buthewasmefrien’！Ibrought’imhere！Dat’sdehhellofit！\"
Hefumedabouttheroom，hisangergraduallyrisingtothefuriouspitch。
\"I’llkilldehjay！Dat’swhatI’lldo！I’llkilldehjay！\"
Heclutchedhishatandsprangtowardthedoor。Butitopenedandhismother’sgreatformblockedthepassage。
\"Whatdehhell’sdehmatterwidyeh？\"exclaimedshe，comingintotherooms。
Jimmiegaveventtoasardoniccurseandthenlaughedheavily。
\"Well，Maggie’sgonetehdehdevil！Dat’swhat！See？\"
\"Eh？\"saidhismother。
\"Maggie’sgonetehdehdevil！Areyehsdeaf？\"roaredJimmie，impatiently。
\"Dehhellshehas，\"murmuredthemother，astounded。
Jimmiegrunted，andthenbegantostareoutatthewindow。
Hismothersatdowninachair，butamomentlatersprangerectanddeliveredamaddenedwhirlofoaths。Hersonturnedtolookatherasshereeledandswayedinthemiddleoftheroom，herfiercefaceconvulsedwithpassion，herblotchedarmsraisedhighinimprecation。
\"MayGawdcurseherforever，\"sheshrieked。\"Maysheeatnothin’butstonesanddehdirtindehstreet。Mayshesleepindehgutteran’neverseedehsunshineagin。Dehdamn——\"
\"Here，now，\"saidherson。\"Takeadroponyourself。\"
Themotherraisedlamentingeyestotheceiling。
\"She’sdehdevil’sownchil’，Jimmie，\"shewhispered。\"Ah，whowouldt’inksuchabadgirlcouldgrowupinourfambly，Jimmie，meson。ManydehhourI’vespentintalkwiddatgirlan’
tol’herifsheeverwentondehstreetsI’dseeherdamned。An’
afterallherbringin’upan’whatItol’herandtalkedwidher，shegoestehdehbad，likeaducktehwater。\"
Thetearsrolleddownherfurrowedface。Herhandstrembled。
\"An’denwhendatSadieMacMallisternextdoortouswassenttehdehdevilbydatfellerwhatworkedindehsoap-factory，didn’tItellourMagdatifshe——\"
\"Ah，dat’sannuderstory，\"interruptedthebrother。\"Ofcourse，datSadiewasnicean’alldat——but——see——itain’tdessameasif——well，Maggiewasdiff’ent——see——shewasdiff’ent。\"
Hewastryingtoformulateatheorythathehadalwaysunconsciouslyheld，thatallsisters，exceptinghisown，couldadvisedlyberuined。
Hesuddenlybrokeoutagain。\"I’llgot’umphelloutadehmugwhatdidherdehharm。I’llkill’im！Het’inkshekinscrap，butwhenhegitsmea-chasin’’imhe’llfin’outwherehe’swrong，dehdamnedduffer。I’llwipeupdehstreetwid’im。\"
Inafuryheplungedoutofthedoorway。Ashevanishedthemotherraisedherheadandliftedbothhands，entreating。
\"MayGawdcurseherforever，\"shecried。
InthedarknessofthehallwayJimmiediscernedaknotofwomentalkingvolubly。Whenhestrodebytheypaidnoattentiontohim。
\"Shealluswasaboldthing，\"heheardoneofthemcryinaneagervoice。\"Derewasn’tafellercometehdehhousebutshe’dtrytehmash’im。MyAnniesaysdehshamelesst’ingtriedtehketchherfeller，herownfeller，whatweuseterknowhisfader。\"
\"Icoulda’tol’yehsdistwoyearsago，\"saidawoman，inakeyoftriumph。\"Yessir，itwasovertwoyearsagodatIsaystehmyol’man，Isays，’DatJohnsongirlain’tstraight，’Isays。
’Oh，hell，’hesays。’Oh，hell。’’Dat’sallright，’Isays，’butIknowwhatIknows，’Isays，’an’it’illcomeoutlater。
Youwaitan’see，’Isays，’yousee。’\"
\"Anybodywhathadeyescouldseedatderewassomethin’wrongwiddatgirl。Ididn’tlikeheractions。\"
OnthestreetJimmiemetafriend。\"Whatdehhell？\"askedthelatter。
Jimmieexplained。\"An’I’llt’ump’imtillhecan’tstand。\"
\"Oh，whatdehhell，\"saidthefriend。\"What’sdehuse！
Yeh’llgitpulledin！Everybody’illbeontoit！An’tenplunks！
Gee！\"
Jimmiewasdetermined。\"Het’inkshekinscrap，buthe’llfin’outdiff’ent。\"
\"Gee，\"remonstratedthefriend。\"Whatdehhell？\"
chapter11
ChapterXI
Onacorneraglass-frontedbuildingshedayellowglareuponthepavements。Theopenmouthofasalooncalledseductivelytopassengerstoenterandannihilatesorroworcreaterage。
Theinterioroftheplacewaspaperedinoliveandbronzetintsofimitationleather。Ashiningbarofcounterfeitmassivenessextendeddownthesideoftheroom。Behinditagreatmahogany-appearingsideboardreachedtheceiling。Uponitsshelvesrestedpyramidsofshimmeringglassesthatwereneverdisturbed。Mirrorssetinthefaceofthesideboardmultipliedthem。Lemons，orangesandpapernapkins，arrangedwithmathematicalprecision，satamongtheglasses。Many-hueddecantersofliquorperchedatregularintervalsonthelowershelves。
Anickel-platedcashregisteroccupiedapositionintheexactcentreofthegeneraleffect。Theelementarysensesofitallseemedtobeopulenceandgeometricalaccuracy。
Acrossfromthebarasmallercounterheldacollectionofplatesuponwhichswarmedfrayedfragmentsofcrackers，slicesofboiledham，dishevelledbitsofcheese，andpicklesswimminginvinegar。
Anodorofgrasping，begrimedhandsandmunchingmouthspervaded。
Pete，inawhitejacket，wasbehindthebarbendingexpectantlytowardaquietstranger。\"Abeeh，\"saidtheman。
Petedrewafoam-toppedglassfulandsetitdrippinguponthebar。
Atthismomentthelightbamboodoorsattheentranceswungopenandcrashedagainstthesiding。Jimmieandacompanionentered。TheyswaggeredunsteadilybutbelligerentlytowardthebarandlookedatPetewithblearedandblinkingeyes。
\"Gin，\"saidJimmie。
\"Gin，\"saidthecompanion。
Peteslidabottleandtwoglassesalongthebar。Hebendedhisheadsidewaysasheassiduouslypolishedawaywithanapkinatthegleamingwood。Hehadalookofwatchfulnessuponhisfeatures。
Jimmieandhiscompanionkepttheireyesuponthebartenderandconversedloudlyintonesofcontempt。
\"He’sadindymasher，ain’the，byGawd？\"laughedJimmie。
\"Oh，hell，yes，\"saidthecompanion，sneeringwidely。\"He’sgreat，heis。Gitontodehmugondehblokie。Dat’senoughtomakeafellerturnhand-springsin’issleep。\"
Thequietstrangermovedhimselfandhisglassatriflefurtherawayandmaintainedanattitudeofoblivion。
\"Gee！ain’thehotstuff！\"
\"Gitontohisshape！GreatGawd！\"
\"Hey，\"criedJimmie，intonesofcommand。Petecamealongslowly，withasullendroppingoftheunderlip。
\"Well，\"hegrowled，\"what’seatin’yehs？\"
\"Gin，\"saidJimmie。
\"Gin，\"saidthecompanion。
AsPeteconfrontedthemwiththebottleandtheglasses，theylaughedinhisface。Jimmie’scompanion，evidentlyovercomewithmerriment，pointedagrimyforefingerinPete’sdirection。
\"Say，Jimmie，\"demandedhe，\"whatdehhellisdatbehinddehbar？\"
\"DamnedifIknows，\"repliedJimmie。Theylaughedloudly。
Peteputdownabottlewithabangandturnedaformidablefacetowardthem。Hedisclosedhisteethandhisshouldersheavedrestlessly。
\"Youfellerscan’tguyme，\"hesaid。\"Drinkyerstuffan’gitoutan’don’makenotrouble。\"
Instantlythelaughterfadedfromthefacesofthetwomenandexpressionsofoffendeddignityimmediatelycame。
\"Whodehhellhassaidanyt’ingtehyou，\"criedtheyinthesamebreath。
Thequietstrangerlookedatthedoorcalculatingly。
\"Ah，comeoff，\"saidPetetothetwomen。\"Don’tpickmeupfornojay。Drinkyerruman’gitoutan’don’makenotrouble。\"
\"Oh，dehhell，\"airilycriedJimmie。
\"Oh，dehhell，\"airilyrepeatedhiscompanion。
\"Wegoeswhenwegitready！See！\"continuedJimmie。
\"Well，\"saidPeteinathreateningvoice，\"don’makenotrouble。\"
Jimmiesuddenlyleanedforwardwithhisheadononeside。
Hesnarledlikeawildanimal。
\"Well，whatifwedoes？See？\"saidhe。
DarkbloodflushedintoPete’sface，andheshotaluridglanceatJimmie。
\"Well，denwe’llseewhosedehbes’man，youorme，\"hesaid。
Thequietstrangermovedmodestlytowardthedoor。
Jimmiebegantoswellwithvalor。
\"Don’pickmeupfernotenderfoot。Whenyehtacklesmeyehtacklesoneofdehbes’menindehcity。See？I’mascrapper，Iam。Ain’tdatright，Billie？\"
\"Sure，Mike，\"respondedhiscompanionintonesofconviction。
\"Oh，hell，\"saidPete，easily。\"Gofallonyerself。\"
Thetwomenagainbegantolaugh。
\"Whatdehhellisdattalkin’？\"criedthecompanion。
\"DamnedifIknows，\"repliedJimmiewithexaggeratedcontempt。
Petemadeafuriousgesture。\"Gitoutaherenow，an’don’makenotrouble。See？Yousefellerserlookin’ferascrapan’
it’sdamnlikelyyeh’llfin’oneifyehkeepsonshootin’offyermout’s。
Iknowyehs！See？Ikinlickbettermendanyehseversawinyerlifes。
Dat’sright！See？Don’pickmeupfernostufferyehmightbejoltedoutindehstreetbeforeyehknowswhereyehis。WhenIcomesfrombehinddisbar，It’rowsyehsboteintehdehstreet。See？\"
\"Oh，hell，\"criedthetwomeninchorus。
TheglareofapanthercameintoPete’seyes。\"Dat’swhatIsaid！
Unnerstan’？\"
Hecamethroughapassageattheendofthebarandswelleddownuponthetwomen。Theysteppedpromptlyforwardandcrowdedclosetohim。
Theybristledlikethreeroosters。Theymovedtheirheadspugnaciouslyandkepttheirshouldersbraced。Thenervousmusclesabouteachmouthtwitchedwithaforcedsmileofmockery。
\"Well，whatdehhellyergoin’tehdo？\"grittedJimmie。
Petesteppedwarilyback，wavinghishandsbeforehimtokeepthemenfromcomingtoonear。
\"Well，whatdehhellyergoin’tehdo？\"repeatedJimmie’sally。
Theykeptclosetohim，tauntingandleering。Theystrovetomakehimattempttheinitialblow。
\"Keepback，now！Don’crowdme，\"ominouslysaidPete。
Againtheychorusedincontempt。\"Oh，hell！\"
Inasmall，tossinggroup，thethreemenedgedforpositionslikefrigatescontemplatingbattle。
\"Well，whydehhelldon’yehtryteht’rowusout？\"criedJimmieandhisallywithcopioussneers。
Thebraveryofbull-dogssatuponthefacesofthemen。
Theirclenchedfistsmovedlikeeagerweapons。
Thealliedtwojostledthebartender’selbows，glaringathimwithfeverisheyesandforcinghimtowardthewall。
SuddenlyPetesworeredly。Theflashofactiongleamedfromhiseyes。Hethrewbackhisarmandaimedatremendous，lightning-
likeblowatJimmie’sface。Hisfootswungastepforwardandtheweightofhisbodywasbehindhisfist。Jimmieduckedhishead，Bowery-like，withthequicknessofacat。Thefierce，answeringblowsofhimandhisallycrushedonPete’sbowedhead。
Thequietstrangervanished。
Thearmsofthecombatantswhirledintheairlikeflails。
Thefacesofthemen，atfirstflushedtoflame-coloredanger，nowbegantofadetothepallorofwarriorsinthebloodandheatofabattle。Theirlipscurledbackandstretchedtightlyoverthegumsinghoul-likegrins。Throughtheirwhite，grippedteethstruggledhoarsewhisperingsofoaths。Theireyesglitteredwithmurderousfire。
Eachheadwashuddledbetweenitsowner’sshoulders，andarmswereswingingwithmarvelousrapidity。Feetscrapedtoandfrowithaloudscratchingsounduponthesandedfloor。Blowsleftcrimsonblotchesuponpaleskin。Thecursesofthefirstquarterminuteofthefightdiedaway。Thebreathsofthefighterscamewheezinglyfromtheirlipsandthethreechestswerestrainingandheaving。Peteatintervalsgaveventtolow，laboredhisses，thatsoundedlikeadesiretokill。Jimmie’sallygibberedattimeslikeawoundedmaniac。Jimmiewassilent，fightingwiththefaceofasacrificialpriest。Therageoffearshoneinalltheireyesandtheirblood-coloredfistsswirled。
AtatotteringmomentablowfromPete’shandstrucktheallyandhecrashedtothefloor。Hewriggledinstantlytohisfeetandgraspingthequietstranger’sbeerglassfromthebar，hurleditatPete’shead。
Highonthewallitburstlikeabomb，shiveringfragmentsflyinginalldirections。Thenmissilescametoeveryman’shand。
Theplacehadheretoforeappearedfreeofthingstothrow，butsuddenlyglassandbottleswentsingingthroughtheair。Theywerethrownpointblankatbobbingheads。Thepyramidofshimmeringglasses，thathadneverbeendisturbed，changedtocascadesasheavybottleswereflungintothem。Mirrorssplinteredtonothing。
Thethreefrothingcreaturesonthefloorburiedthemselvesinafrenzyforblood。Therefollowedinthewakeofmissilesandfistssomeunknownprayers，perhapsfordeath。
Thequietstrangerhadsprawledverypyrotechnicallyoutonthesidewalk。Alaughranupanddowntheavenueforthehalfofablock。
\"Dey’vetrowedablokeintehdehstreet。\"
Peopleheardthesoundofbreakingglassandshufflingfeetwithinthesaloonandcamerunning。Asmallgroup，bendingdowntolookunderthebamboodoors，watchingthefallofglass，andthreepairsofviolentlegs，changedinamomenttoacrowd。
Apolicemancamechargingdownthesidewalkandbouncedthroughthedoorsintothesaloon。Thecrowdbendedandsurgedinabsorbinganxietytosee。
Jimmiecaughtfirstsightoftheon-cominginterruption。Onhisfeethehadthesameregardforapolicemanthat，whenonhistruck，hehadforafireengine。Hehowledandranforthesidedoor。
Theofficermadeaterrificadvance，clubinhand。OnecomprehensivesweepofthelongnightstickthrewtheallytothefloorandforcedPetetoacorner。WithhisdisengagedhandhemadeafuriouseffortatJimmie’scoat-tails。Thenheregainedhisbalanceandpaused。
\"Well，well，youareapairofpictures。Whatinhellyehbeenupto？\"
Jimmie，withhisfacedrenchedinblood，escapedupasidestreet，pursuedashortdistancebysomeofthemorelaw-loving，orexcitedindividualsofthecrowd。
Later，fromacornersafelydark，hesawthepoliceman，theallyandthebartenderemergefromthesaloon。Petelockedthedoorsandthenfolloweduptheavenueintherearofthecrowd-
encompassedpolicemanandhischarge。
OnfirstthoughtsJimmie，withhisheartthrobbingatbattleheat，startedtogodesperatelytotherescueofhisfriend，buthehalted。
\"Ah，whatdehhell？\"hedemandedofhimself。
chapter12
ChapterXII
InahallofirregularshapesatPeteandMaggiedrinkingbeer。Asubmissiveorchestradictatedtobyaspectacledmanwithfrowsyhairandadresssuit，industriouslyfollowedthebobsofhisheadandthewavesofhisbaton。Aballadsinger，inadressofflamingscarlet，sangintheinevitablevoiceofbrass。Whenshevanished，menseatedatthetablesnearthefrontapplaudedloudly，poundingthepolishedwoodwiththeirbeerglasses。Shereturnedattiredinlessgown，andsangagain。Shereceivedanotherenthusiasticencore。Shereappearedinstilllessgownanddanced。Thedeafeningrumbleofglassesandclappingofhandsthatfollowedherexitindicatedanoverwhelmingdesiretohavehercomeonforthefourthtime，butthecuriosityoftheaudiencewasnotgratified。
Maggiewaspale。Fromhereyeshadbeenpluckedalllookofself-reliance。Sheleanedwithadependentairtowardhercompanion。Shewastimid，asiffearinghisangerordispleasure。
Sheseemedtobeseechtendernessofhim。
Pete’sairofdistinguishedvalorhadgrownuponhimuntilitthreatenedstupendousdimensions。Hewasinfinitelygracioustothegirl。Itwasapparenttoherthathiscondescensionwasamarvel。
Hecouldappeartostrutevenwhilesittingstillandheshowedthathewasalionoflordlycharacteristicsbytheairwithwhichhespat。
WithMaggiegazingathimwonderingly，hetookprideincommandingthewaiterswhowere，however，indifferentordeaf。
\"Hi，you，gitarussleonyehs！Whatdehhellyehslookin’at？
Twomorebeehs，d’yehhear？\"
Heleanedbackandcriticallyregardedthepersonofagirlwithastraw-coloredwigwhouponthestagewasflingingherheelsinsomewhatawkwardimitationofawell-knowndanseuse。
AttimesMaggietoldPetelongconfidentialtalesofherformerhomelife，dwellingupontheescapadesoftheothermembersofthefamilyandthedifficultiesshehadtocombatinordertoobtainadegreeofcomfort。Herespondedintonesofphilanthropy。
Hepressedherarmwithanairofreassuringproprietorship。
\"Deywasdamnjays，\"hesaid，denouncingthemotherandbrother。
Thesoundofthemusicwhich，bytheeffortsofthefrowsy-
headedleader，driftedtoherearsthroughthesmoke-filledatmosphere，madethegirldream。ShethoughtofherformerRumAlleyenvironmentandturnedtoregardPete’sstrongprotectingfists。Shethoughtofthecollarandcuffmanufactoryandtheeternalmoanoftheproprietor：\"WhateenhelldoyousinkIpiefifedollaaweekfor？Play？No，pydamn。\"ShecontemplatedPete’sman-subduingeyesandnotedthatwealthandprosperitywasindicatedbyhisclothes。Sheimaginedafuture，rose-tinted，becauseofitsdistancefromallthatshepreviouslyhadexperienced。
Astothepresentsheperceivedonlyvaguereasonstobemiserable。HerlifewasPete’sandsheconsideredhimworthyofthecharge。Shewouldbedisturbedbynoparticularapprehensions，solongasPeteadoredherashenowsaidhedid。Shedidnotfeellikeabadwoman。Toherknowledgeshehadneverseenanybetter。
Attimesmenatothertablesregardedthegirlfurtively。
Pete，awareofit，noddedatherandgrinned。Hefeltproud。
\"Mag，yerabloomin’good-looker，\"heremarked，studyingherfacethroughthehaze。ThemenmadeMaggiefear，butsheblushedatPete’swordsasitbecameapparenttoherthatshewastheappleofhiseye。
Grey-headedmen，wonderfullypatheticintheirdissipation，staredatherthroughclouds。Smooth-cheekedboys，someofthemwithfacesofstoneandmouthsofsin，notnearlysopatheticasthegreyheads，triedtofindthegirl’seyesinthesmokewreaths。
Maggieconsideredshewasnotwhattheythoughther。SheconfinedherglancestoPeteandthestage。
Theorchestraplayednegromelodiesandaversatiledrummerpounded，whacked，clatteredandscratchedonadozenmachinestomakenoise。
Thoseglancesofthemen，shotatMaggiefromunderhalf-closedlids，madehertremble。ShethoughtthemalltobeworsementhanPete。
\"Come，let’sgo，\"shesaid。
AstheywentoutMaggieperceivedtwowomenseatedatatablewithsomemen。Theywerepaintedandtheircheekshadlosttheirroundness。Asshepassedthemthegirl，withashrinkingmovement，drewbackherskirts。
chapter13
ChapterXIII
JimmiedidnotreturnhomeforanumberofdaysafterthefightwithPeteinthesaloon。Whenhedid，heapproachedwithextremecaution。
Hefoundhismotherraving。Maggiehadnotreturnedhome。
Theparentcontinuallywonderedhowherdaughtercouldcometosuchapass。ShehadneverconsideredMaggieasapearldroppedunstainedintoRumAlleyfromHeaven，butshecouldnotconceivehowitwaspossibleforherdaughtertofallsolowastobringdisgraceuponherfamily。Shewasterrificindenunciationofthegirl’swickedness。
Thefactthattheneighborstalkedofit，maddenedher。Whenwomencamein，andinthecourseoftheirconversationcasuallyasked，\"Where’sMaggiedesedays？\"themothershookherfuzzyheadatthemandappalledthemwithcurses。Cunninghintsinvitingconfidencesherebuffedwithviolence。
\"An’widalldehbringin’upshehad，howcouldshe？\"
moaninglysheaskedofherson。\"Widalldehtalkin’widherI
didan’deht’ingsItol’hertoremember？WhenagirlisbringedupdehwayIbringedupMaggie，howkinshegotehdehdevil？\"
Jimmiewastransfixedbythesequestions。Hecouldnotconceivehowunderthecircumstanceshismother’sdaughterandhissistercouldhavebeensowicked。
Hismothertookadrinkfromasqudgybottlethatsatonthetable。Shecontinuedherlament。
\"Shehadabadheart，datgirldid，Jimmie。Shewaswickedtehdehheartan’weneverknowedit。\"
Jimmienodded，admittingthefact。
\"Welivedindehsamehousewidheran’Ibroughtherupan’
weneverknowedhowbadshewas。\"
Jimmienoddedagain。
\"Widahomelikedisan’amudderlikeme，shewenttehdehbad，\"criedthemother，raisinghereyes。
Oneday，Jimmiecamehome，satdowninachairandbegantowriggleaboutwithanewandstrangenervousness。Atlasthespokeshamefacedly。
\"Well，look-a-here，dist’ingqueersus！See？We’requeered！
An’maybeit’udbebetterifI——well，It’inkIkinlook’erupan’——maybeit’udbebetterifIfetchedherhomean’——\"
Themotherstartedfromherchairandbrokeforthintoastormofpassionateanger。
\"What！Let’ercomean’sleepunderdehsameroofwidhermudderagin！Oh，yes，Iwill，won’tI？Sure？Shameonyehs，JimmieJohnson，forsayin’suchat’ingtehyerownmudder——tehyerownmudder！LittledidIt’inkwhenyehswasababbyplayin’aboutmefeetdatye’dgrowuptehsaysechat’ingtehyermudder——yerownmudder。Inevertaut——\"
Sobschokedherandinterruptedherreproaches。
\"Dereain’tnottin’tehraisesechhellabout，\"saidJimmie。
\"Ion’ysaysit’udbebetterifwekeepdist’ingdark，see？
Itqueersus！See？\"
Hismotherlaughedalaughthatseemedtoringthroughthecityandbeechoedandre-echoedbycountlessotherlaughs。
\"Oh，yes，Iwill，won’tI！Sure！\"
\"Well，yehmusttakemeferadamnfool，\"saidJimmie，indignantathismotherformockinghim。\"Ididn’tsaywe’dmake’erintehalittletinangel，nernottin’，butdehwayitisnowshecanqueerus！Don’chesee？\"
\"Aye，she’llgittiredofdehlifeatterawhilean’denshe’llwannabea-comin’home，won’she，dehbeast！I’lllet’erinden，won’I？\"
\"Well，Ididn’meannoneofdisprod’galbus’nessanyway，\"
explainedJimmie。
\"Itwasn’tnoprod’galdauter，yehdamnfool，\"saidthemother。\"Itwasprod’galson，anyhow。\"
\"Iknowdat，\"saidJimmie。
Foratimetheysatinsilence。Themother’seyesgloatedonasceneherimaginationcouldcallbeforeher。Herlipsweresetinavindictivesmile。
\"Aye，she’llcry，won’she，an’carryon，an’tellhowPete，orsomeodderfeller，beats’eran’she’llsayshe’ssorryan’alldatan’sheain’thappy，sheain’t，an’shewantstocomehomeagin，shedoes。\"
Withgrimhumor，themotherimitatedthepossiblewailingnotesofthedaughter’svoice。
\"DenI’lltake’erin，won’tI，dehbeast。Shekincry’ertwoeyesoutondehstonesofdehstreetbeforeI’lldirtydehplacewidher。
Sheabusedan’ill-treatedherownmudder——herownmudderwhatlovedheran’she’llnevergitanodderchancedissideofhell。\"
Jimmiethoughthehadagreatideaofwomen’sfrailty，buthecouldnotunderstandwhyanyofhiskinshouldbevictims。
\"Damnher，\"hefervidlysaid。
Againhewonderedvaguelyifsomeofthewomenofhisacquaintancehadbrothers。Nevertheless，hisminddidnotforaninstantconfusehimselfwiththosebrothersnorhissisterwiththeirs。
Afterthemotherhad，withgreatdifficulty，suppressedtheneighbors，shewentamongthemandproclaimedhergrief。
\"MayGawdforgivedatgirl，\"washercontinualcry。Toattentiveearssherecitedthewholelengthandbreadthofherwoes。
\"Ibringed’erupdehwayadauteroughtabebringedupan’
disishowsheservedme！Shewenttehdehdevildehfirstchanceshegot！MayGawdforgiveher。\"
Whenarrestedfordrunkennesssheusedthestoryofherdaughter’sdownfallwithtellingeffectuponthepolicejustices。
Finallyoneofthemsaidtoher，peeringdownoverhisspectacles：
\"Mary，therecordsofthisandothercourtsshowthatyouarethemotherofforty-twodaughterswhohavebeenruined。Thecaseisunparalleledintheannalsofthiscourt，andthiscourtthinks——\"
Themotherwentthroughlifesheddinglargetearsofsorrow。
Herredfacewasapictureofagony。
OfcourseJimmiepubliclydamnedhissisterthathemightappearonahighersocialplane。But，arguingwithhimself，stumblingaboutinwaysthatheknewnot，he，once，almostcametoaconclusionthathissisterwouldhavebeenmorefirmlygoodhadshebetterknownwhy。However，hefeltthathecouldnotholdsuchaview。Hethrewithastilyaside。
chapter14
ChapterXIV
Inahilarioushallthereweretwenty-eighttablesandtwenty-
eightwomenandacrowdofsmokingmen。Valiantnoisewasmadeonastageattheendofthehallbyanorchestracomposedofmenwholookedasiftheyhadjusthappenedin。Soiledwaitersrantoandfro，swoopingdownlikehawksontheunwaryinthethrong；
clatteringalongtheaisleswithtrayscoveredwithglasses；
stumblingoverwomen’sskirtsandchargingtwopricesforeverythingbutbeer，allwithaswiftnessthatblurredtheviewofthecocoanutpalmsanddustymonstrositiespainteduponthewallsoftheroom。Abouncer，withanimmenseloadofbusinessuponhishands，plungedaboutinthecrowd，draggingbashfulstrangerstoprominentchairs，orderingwaitershereandthereandquarrelingfuriouslywithmenwhowantedtosingwiththeorchestra。
Theusualsmokecloudwaspresent，butsodensethatheadsandarmsseemedentangledinit。Therumbleofconversationwasreplacedbyaroar。Plenteousoathsheavedthroughtheair。
Theroomrangwiththeshrillvoicesofwomenbubblingo’erwithdrink-laughter。Thechiefelementinthemusicoftheorchestrawasspeed。Themusiciansplayedinintentfury。Awomanwassingingandsmilinguponthestage，butnoonetooknoticeofher。
Therateatwhichthepiano，cornetandviolinsweregoing，seemedtoimpartwildnesstothehalf-drunkencrowd。Beerglasseswereemptiedatagulpandconversationbecamearapidchatter。
Thesmokeeddiedandswirledlikeashadowyriverhurryingtowardsomeunseenfalls。PeteandMaggieenteredthehallandtookchairsatatablenearthedoor。ThewomanwhowasseatedtheremadeanattempttooccupyPete’sattentionand，failing，wentaway。
Threeweekshadpassedsincethegirlhadlefthome。Theairofspaniel-likedependencehadbeenmagnifiedandshoweditsdirecteffectinthepeculiaroff-handednessandeaseofPete’swaystowardher。
ShefollowedPete’seyeswithhers，anticipatingwithsmilesgraciouslooksfromhim。
Awomanofbrillianceandaudacity，accompaniedbyamereboy，cameintotheplaceandtookseatsnearthem。
AtoncePetesprangtohisfeet，hisfacebeamingwithgladsurprise。
\"ByGawd，there’sNellie，\"hecried。
Hewentovertothetableandheldoutaneagerhandtothewoman。
\"Why，hello，Pete，meboy，howareyou，\"saidshe，givinghimherfingers。
Maggietookinstantnoteofthewoman。Sheperceivedthatherblackdressfittedhertoperfection。Herlinencollarandcuffswerespotless。Tangloveswerestretchedoverherwell-shapedhands。Ahatofaprevailingfashionperchedjauntilyuponherdarkhair。Sheworenojewelryandwaspaintedwithnoapparentpaint。Shelookedclear-eyedthroughthestaresofthemen。
\"Sitdown，andcallyourlady-friendover，\"shesaidcordiallytoPete。
AthisbeckoningMaggiecameandsatbetweenPeteandthemereboy。
\"Ithoughtyehweregoneawayfergood，\"beganPete，atonce。
\"Whendidyehgitback？HowdiddatBuff’lobus’nessturnout？\"
Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。\"Well，hedidn’thaveasmanystampsashetriedtomakeout，soIshookhim，that’sall。\"
\"Well，I’mgladtehseeyehsbackindehcity，\"saidPete，withawkwardgallantry。
Heandthewomanenteredintoalongconversation，exchangingreminiscencesofdaystogether。Maggiesatstill，unabletoformulateanintelligentsentenceupontheconversationandpainfullyawareofit。
ShesawPete’seyessparkleashegazeduponthehandsomestranger。Helistenedsmilinglytoallshesaid。Thewomanwasfamiliarwithallhisaffairs，askedhimaboutmutualfriends，andknewtheamountofhissalary。
ShepaidnoattentiontoMaggie，lookingtowardheronceortwiceandapparentlyseeingthewallbeyond。
Themereboywassulky。Inthebeginninghehadwelcomedwithacclamationstheadditions。
\"Let’sallhaveadrink！What’llyoutake，Nell？Andyou，Misswhat’s-your-name。Haveadrink，Mr。————-，you，Imean。\"
Hehadshownasprightlydesiretodothetalkingforthecompanyandtellallabouthisfamily。Inaloudvoicehedeclaimedonvarioustopics。HeassumedapatronizingairtowardPete。
AsMaggiewassilent，hepaidnoattentiontoher。Hemadeagreatshowoflavishingwealthuponthewomanofbrillianceandaudacity。
\"Dokeepstill，Freddie！Yougibberlikeanape，dear，\"saidthewomantohim。SheturnedawayanddevotedherattentiontoPete。
\"We’llhavemanyagoodtimetogetheragain，eh？\"
\"Sure，Mike，\"saidPete，enthusiasticatonce。
\"Say，\"whisperedshe，leaningforward，\"let’sgoovertoBillie’sandhaveaheluvatime。\"
\"Well，it’sdisway！See？\"saidPete。Igotdisladyfrien’
here。\"
\"Oh，t’hellwithher，\"arguedthewoman。
Peteappeareddisturbed。
\"Allright，\"saidshe，noddingherheadathim。\"Allrightforyou！
We’llseethenexttimeyouaskmetogoanywhereswithyou。\"
Petesquirmed。
\"Say，\"hesaid，beseechingly，\"comewidmeaminitan’I’lltellyerwhy。\"
Thewomanwavedherhand。
\"Oh，that’sallright，youneedn’texplain，youknow。Youwouldn’tcomemerelybecauseyouwouldn’tcome，that’sallthereisofit。\"
ToPete’svisibledistresssheturnedtothemereboy，bringinghimspeedilyfromaterrificrage。HehadbeendebatingwhetheritwouldbethepartofamantopickaquarrelwithPete，orwouldhebejustifiedinstrikinghimsavagelywithhisbeerglasswithoutwarning。Butherecoveredhimselfwhenthewomanturnedtorenewhersmilings。Hebeameduponherwithanexpressionthatwassomewhattipsyandinexpressiblytender。
\"Say，shakethatBoweryjay，\"requestedhe，inaloudwhisper。
\"Freddie，youaresodroll，\"shereplied。
Petereachedforwardandtouchedthewomanonthearm。
\"ComeoutaminitwhileItellsyehwhyIcan’tgowidyer。
Yerdoin’medirt，Nell！Inevertautye’ddomedirt，Nell。
Comeon，willyer？\"Hespokeintonesofinjury。
\"Why，Idon’tseewhyIshouldbeinterestedinyourexplanations，\"saidthewoman，withacoldnessthatseemedtoreducePetetoapulp。
Hiseyespleadedwithher。\"ComeoutaminitwhileItellsyeh。\"
ThewomannoddedslightlyatMaggieandthemereboy，\"’Scuseme。\"
ThemereboyinterruptedhislovingsmileandturnedashrivellingglareuponPete。Hisboyishcountenanceflushedandhespoke，inawhine，tothewoman：
\"Oh，Isay，Nellie，thisain’tasquaredeal，youknow。Youaren’tgoin’toleavemeandgooffwiththatduffer，areyou？Ishouldthink——\"
\"Why，youdearboy，ofcourseI’mnot，\"criedthewoman，affectionately。Shebendedoverandwhisperedinhisear。
Hesmiledagainandsettledinhischairasifresolvedtowaitpatiently。
Asthewomanwalkeddownbetweentherowsoftables，Petewasathershouldertalkingearnestly，apparentlyinexplanation。
Thewomanwavedherhandswithstudiedairsofindifference。
Thedoorsswungbehindthem，leavingMaggieandthemereboyseatedatthetable。