Scherercandowhathewants,andthePresidentcannot.\"
\"Adolfalwaysdoesashewants,\"shedeclared,gazingathimashesatbesidethebrilliantwifeofthegrandsonofthemanwhosered-shirtedforemanhehadbeen.\"Hedoeswhathewants,andgetswhathewants.Heisgettingwhathewantsnow,\"sheadded,withsuchobviousmeaningthatIfoundnowordstoreply.\"Sheispretty,thatMrs.Durrett,andclever,——isitnotso?\"
Iagreed.AnewandindescribablenotehadcomeintoMrs.Scherer\'svoice,andIrealizedthatshe,too,wasawareofthatflawintheredoubtableMr.Schererwhichnoneofhisassociateshadguessed.Itwouldhavebeenstrangeifshehadnotdiscoveredit.\"Sheisbeautiful,yes,\"theladycontinuedcritically,\"butsheisnottocomparewithyourwife.Shehasnottheheart,——itissowithallyourpeopleofsociety.
Forthemitisnotwhatyouare,butwhatyouhavedone,andwhatyouhave.\"
Thebanalityofthisobservationwasmitigatedbythefeelingshethrewintoit.
\"IthinkyoumisjudgeMrs.Durrett,\"Isaid,incautiously.\"ShehasneverbeforehadtheopportunityofmeetingMr.Schererofappreciatinghim.\"
\"Mrs.Durrettisanoldfriendofyours?\"sheasked.
\"Iwasbroughtupwithher.\"
\"Ah!\"sheexclaimed,andturnedherpenetratingglanceuponme.Iwasstartled.Coulditbethatshehaddiscernedandinterpretedthoserenascentfeelingseventhenstirringwithinme,andofwhichImyselfwasasyetscarcelyconscious?Atthismoment,fortunatelyforme,thewomenrose;themenremainedtosmoke;andScherer,astheydiscussedmattersoffinance,becamehimselfagain.Ijoinedintheconversation,butIwasthinkingofthoseinstantswheninflashesofunderstandingmyeyeshadmetNancy\'s;instantsinwhichIwasliftedoutofmyhumdrum,deadlyseriousselfandwasabletolookdownobjectivelyuponthelifeI
led,thelifeweallled——andNancyherself;toseewithherthecomicironyofitall.Nancyhadthepowertogivemethisexquisitesenseofdetachmentthatmustsustainher.AndwasitnotjustthissustenanceshecouldgivethatIneeded?ForwantofitIwashardening,crystallizing,growingblindtothejoyandvarietyofexistence.Nancycouldhavesavedme;shebroughtithometomethatI
neededsalvationIwasstruckbyanotherthought;inspiteofourseparation,inspiteofhermarriageandmine,shewasstillnearertome——farnearer——thananyotherbeing.
Later,Isoughtherout.Shelookedupatmeamusedlyfromthewindow-
seatinourliving-room,whereshehadbeentalkingtotheScherergirls.
\"Well,howdidyougetalongwithHilda?\"sheasked.\"IthoughtIsawyoustruggling.\"
\"She\'ssomewhatdisconcerting,\"Isaid.\"Ifeltasifshewereturningmeinsideout.\"
Nancylaughed.
\"Hilda\'sadiscovery——agenius.I\'mgoingtohavethemtodinnermyself.\"
\"AndAdolf?\"Iinquired.\"Ibelieveshethoughtyouwerepreparingtorunawaywithhim.Youseemedtohavehimhypnotized.\"
\"I\'mafraidyourgreatmanwon\'tbeabletostand——elevation,\"shedeclared.\"He\'llhavevertigo.He\'sevengotitnow,atthislittleheight,andwhenhebuildshispalaceonGrantAvenue,andlatermovestoNewYork,I\'mafraidhe\'llwobbleevenmore.\"
\"Ishethinkingofdoingallthat?\"Iasked.
\"ImerelypredictNewYork——it\'sinevitable,\"shereplied.\"GrantAvenue,yes;hewantsmetohelphimchoosealot.HegavemetenthousanddollarsforourOrphans\'Home,butonthewholeIthinkIpreferHildaevenifshedoesn\'tapproveofme.\"
Nancyrose.TheScherersweregoing.WhileMr.Schererpressedmyhandinamannerthatconvincedmeofhisgratitude,HildawasbiddinganaffectionategoodnighttoMaude.Afewmomentslatersheboreherhusbandanddaughtersaway,andweheardthetap-tapofhercaneonthewalkoutside
XVII.
TheremembranceofthatdinnerwhenwithmyconnivancetheScherersmadetheirsocialdebutisassociatedinmymindwiththecomingofthefulnessofthatera,madandbrief,whengoldraineddownlikemannafromoursootyskies.Eventhechurchwasprosperous;theRev.CareyHeddon,ournewminister,waswellabreastofthetimes,typicalofthenewandefficientChristianitythathasfinallyburiedthehatchetwithenlightenedself-interest.Helookedlikeayoungandprosperousmanofbusiness,andindeedhewasone.
ThefameofourcityspreadevenacrosstheAtlantic,reachingobscurehamletsinEurope,wherevillagersgathereduptheirlaresandpenates,mortgagedtheirhomes,andboughtsteamshipticketsfromphilanthropists,——philanthropistsindiamonds.OurHunsbegantoarrive,theirAttilasunrecognizedamongthem:todriveourhonestAmericansandIrishandGermansoutofthemillsby\"loweringthestandardofliving.\"
Still——accordingtothelearnedeconomistsinouruniversities,enlightenedself-interesttriumphed.HadnotthehonestAmericansandGermansbecomeforemenandevenpresidentsofcorporations?Whatgreatervindicationfortheirphilosophycouldbedesired?
Theveryaspectofthecitychangedlikemagic.Newbuildingsspranghighintheair;theRelianceTrust(Mr.Grierson\'s),theSchererBuilding,theHambletonBuilding;astewhotel,theAshuela,tookpropercareofourvisitorsfromtheEast,——amassive,greystone,thousand-
awningedaffaironBoyneStreet,withagrillwhereitbecamethefashiontogoforsupperaftertheplay,andaheadwaiterwhoknewinafewweekseveryoneworthknowing.
ToreturnforamomenttotheHuns.Maudehadexpressedadesiretoseeamill,andwewent,oneafternoon,inMr.Scherer\'scarriagetoSteelville,withMr.Schererhimself,——abewildering,educative,almostterrifyingexperienceamidstfumesandflames,giganticforcesandtitanicweights.Itseemedamarvelthatweescapedbeingcrushedorburnedaliveinthosehugesteelbuildingsreverberatingwithsound.
Theyappearedaverybedlamofchaos,insteadofthetriumphoforder,organizationandhumanskill.Mr.Schererwasveryproudofitall,andourswasasortoftriumphalprocession,accompaniedbysuperintendents,managersandotherfactotums.IthoughtofmychildhoodimageofShadrach,MeshachandAbednego,andourprogressthroughtheflamesseemednolessremarkableandmiraculous.
Maude,withalarminhereyes,keptveryclosetome,asIsupplementedtheexplanationstheygaveher.Ihadbeentheremanytimesbefore.
\"Why,Hugh,\"sheexclaimed,\"youseemtoknowalotaboutit!\"
Mr.Schererlaughed.
\"He\'shadtotalkaboutitonceortwiceincourt——eh,Hugh?Youdidn\'trealizehowcleveryourhusbandwasdidyou,Mrs.Paret?\"
\"Butthisisso——complicated,\"shereplied.\"Itisoverwhelming.\"
\"WhenIfoundouthowmuchtroublehehadtakentolearnaboutmybusiness,\"addedMr.Scherer,\"therewasonlyonethingtodo.Makehimmylawyer.Hugh,youhavethefloor,andexplaintheopen-hearthprocess.\"
IhadalmostforgottentheHuns.IsawMaudegazingatthemwithanewkindofterror.Andwhenwesatathomethateveningtheystillhauntedher.
\"Somehow,Ican\'tbeartothinkaboutthem,\"shesaid.\"I\'msurewe\'llhavetopayforit,someday.\"
\"Payforwhat?\"Iasked.
\"Formakingthemworkthatway.Andtwelvehours!Itcan\'tberight,whilewehavesomuch,andaresocomfortable.\"
\"Don\'tbefoolish,\"Iexclaimed.\"They\'reusedtoit.Theythinkthemselvesluckytogetthework——andtheyare.Besides,yougivethemcreditforasensitivenessthattheydon\'tpossess.Theywouldn\'tknowwhattodowithsuchahouseasthisiftheyhadit.\"
\"Ineverrealizedbeforethatourhappinessandcomfortwerebuiltonsuchfoundations;\"shesaid,ignoringmyremark.
\"Youmusthaveseenyourfather\'soperatives,inElkington,manytimesaweek.\"
\"IsupposeIwastooyoungtothinkaboutsuchthings,\"shereflected.
\"Besides,Iusedtobesorryforthem,sometimes.Butthesemenatthesteelmills——Ican\'ttellyouwhatIfeelaboutthem.Thesightoftheirgreatbodiesandtheirred,sullenfacesbroughthometomethecrueltyoflife.Didyounoticehowsomeofthemstaredatus,asthoughtheywerebuthalfawakeintheheat,withthatglowontheirfaces?Itmademeafraid——afraidthatthey\'llwakeupsomeday,andthentheywillbeterrible.Ithoughtofthechildren.Itseemsnotonlywicked,butmadtobringignorantforeignersoverhereandmakethemslaveslikethat,andsomanyofthemarehurtandmaimed.Ican\'tforgetthem.\"
\"You\'retalkingSocialism,\"Isaidcrossly,wonderingwhetherLuciahadtakenitupasherlatestfad.
\"Oh,no,I\'mnot,\"saidMaude,\"Idon\'tknowwhatSocialismis.I\'mtalkingaboutsomethingthatanyonewhoisnotdazzledbyallthisluxurywearelivinginmightbeabletosee,aboutsomethingwhich,whenitcomes,weshan\'tbeabletohelp.\"
Iridiculedthis.Theprophecyitselfdidnotdisturbmehalfasmuchasthefactthatshehadmadeit,asthisnewevidencethatshewasbeginningtothinkforherself,andalonglinessodifferentfrommyowndevelopment.
Whileitlasted,beforenovelists,playwrights,professorsandministersoftheGospelabandonedtheirproperspheretodestroyit,thatGoldenAgewasheaven;theNewJerusalem——inwhichwehadceasedtobelieve——
wouldhavebeeninthenatureofananticlimaxtoanyofourarchangelsoffinancewhomighthaveattainedit.Thestreetsofourowncityturnedouttobegold;goldlikewisetheacresofunused,scrubbylandonouroutskirts,astheincidentoftheRiversideFranchise——whichIamabouttorelate——amplyproved.
ThatschemeoriginatedinthealertmindofMr.FrederickGrierson,andinspiteofthefactthatithassincebecomenotoriousintheeyesofavirtue-strickenpublic,itwasenteredintowithallinnocenceatthetime:mostofthemenwhowerepresentatthe\"magnate\'s\"tableattheBoyneClubthedayMr.Griersonbroacheditwillvouchforthis.HecasuallyaskedMr.DickinsonifhehadevernoticedatractlyingontheriverabouttwomilesbeyondtheHeights,oppositewhatusedtobeintheolddaysaroadhouse.
\"Thiscityisgrowingsofast,Leonard,\"saidGrierson,lightingaspecialcigartheClubkeptforhim,\"thatitmightpayafewofustogettogetherandbuythattract,havethecityputinstreetsandsewersandsellitinbuildinglots.IthinkIcangetmostofitatlessthanthreehundreddollarsanacre.\"
Mr.Dickinsonwasinterested.SowereMr.OgilvyandRalphHambleton,andMr.Scherer,whochancedtobethere.AnythingFredGriersonhadtosayonthequestionofrealestatewasalwaysinteresting.Hewentontodescribethetract,itssizeandlocation.
\"That\'sallverywell,Fred,\"Dickinsonobjectedpresently,\"buthowareyourprospectivehouseholdersgoingtogetoutthere?\"
\"JustwhatIwascomingto,\"criedGrierson,triumphantly,\"we\'llgetafranchise,andbuildastreet-railroadoutMaplewoodAvenue,anextensionoftheParkStreetline.Wecangetthefranchisefornexttonothing,ifweworkitright.\"(Mr.Grierson\'seyefellonme),\"andsellitouttothepublic,ifyouunderwriteit,fortwomillionorso.\"
\"Well,you\'vegotyournervewithyou,Fred,asusual,\"saidDickinson.
Butherolledhiscigarinhismouth,anindication,tothosewhoknewhimwell,thathewasconsideringthematter.WhenLeonardDickinsondidn\'tsay\"no\"atonce,therewashope.\"WhatdoyouthinkthepropertyholdersonMaplewoodAvenuewouldsay?Wasn\'titunderstood,whenthatavenuewaslaidout,thatitwastoformpartofthesystemofboulevards?\"
\"Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhattheysay?\"Ralphinterposed.
Dickinsonsmiled.He,too,hadanexaggeratedrespectforRalph.Weallthoughttheproposaldaring,butinnowayamazing;thepublicexistedtobesoldthingsto,andwhatdiditmatteriftheMaplewoodresidents,asRalphsaid;andtheCityImprovementLeagueprotested?
PerryBlackwoodwastheSecretaryoftheCityImprovementLeague,theobjectofwhichwastobeautifythecitybylayingoutasystemofparkways.
ThenextdaysomeofusgatheredinDickinson\'sofficeanddecidedthatGriersonshouldgoaheadandgettheoptions.Thiswasdone;not,ofcourse,inGrierson\'sname.Thenextmove,beforetheformationoftheRiversideCompany,wasto\"see\"Mr.JuddJason.Thesuccessorfailureoftheenterprisewasinhishands.Mahometmustgotothemountain,andIwenttoMonahan\'ssaloon,firsthavingmadeanappointment.ItwasnotthefirsttimeIhadbeentheresinceIhadmadethatfirstmemorablevisit,butIneverquitegotoverthefeelingofaneophytebeforeBuddha,thoughIdidnotgosofarastoanalyzethereason,——thatinMr.
JasonIwasbroughtfacetofacewiththeconcreteembodimentofthephilosophyIhadadopted,thelogicalconsequenceofenlightenedself-
interest.Ifhehadeverheardofit,hewouldhavemadenopretenceofbeinganythingelse.Greatness,declaressomemodernphilosopher,hasnoconnectionwithvirtue;itisthecontinued,strongandlogicalexpressionofsomeinstinct;inMr.Jason\'scase,thepredatoryinstinct.
Andlikeatrueartist,helovedhiscareerforitself——notforwhatitsfruitscouldbuy.HemighthavebuiltapalaceontheHeightswiththetollshetookfromthedisreputablehousesofthecity;hewascontentedwithMonahan\'ssaloon:nordidheseektopropitiateapossibleGodbyendowingchurchesandhospitalswithaportionofhisincome.TrythoughImight,Inevercouldachievetheperfectionofthisman\'scontemptforallotherphilosophies.Theveryfactofmygoingthereinsecrettothatdarkplaceofhisfromoutofthebright,respectableregioninwhichIlivedwasinitselfanacknowledgmentofthis.Ithoughthimathief——anecessarythief——andheknewit:hewasindifferenttoit;anditamusedhim,Ithink,toseeclingingtome,whenIenteredhispresence,shredsofthatmoralitywhichthoseofmyworldwhodealtwithhimthoughtsoneedfulforthesakeofdecency.
Hewasinbed,readingnewspapers,asusual.Anemptycoffee-cupandaplatewereonthelitteredtable.
\"Sitdown,sitdown,Paret,\"hesaid.\"WhatdoyouhearfromtheSenator?\"
Isatdown,andgavehimthenewsofMr.Watling.Heseemed,asusual,distrait,betrayingnocuriosityastotheobjectofmycall,hislean,brownfingersplayingwiththenewspapersonhislap.Suddenly,heflashedoutatmeoneofthoseremarkswhichproducedtheuncannyconvictionthat,sofarasaffairsinthecitywereconcerned,hewasomniscient.
\"IhearsomebodyhasbeengettingoptionsonthattractoflandbeyondtheHeights,ontheriver.\"
Hehad\"focussed.\"
\"Howdidyouhearthat?\"Iasked.
Hesmiled.
\"It\'sGrierson,ain\'tit?\"
\"Yes,it\'sGrierson,\"Isaid.
\"Howareyougoingtogetyourfolksoutthere?\"hedemanded.
\"That\'swhatI\'vecometoseeyouabout.WewantafranchiseforMaplewoodAvenue.\"
\"MaplewoodAvenue!\"Helaybackwithhiseyesclosed,asthoughtryingtovisualizesuchacolossalproposal
WhenIlefthim,twohourslater,thedetailswereallarranged,downtoMr.Jason\'sconsiderationfromRiversideCompanyandthe\"fee\"whichhislawyer,Mr.Bitter,wastohavefor\"presentingthecase\"beforetheBoardofAldermen.IwentbacktolunchattheBoyneClub,andtoreceivethecongratulationsofmyfriends.ThenextweektheRiversideCompanywasformed,andImadeoutapetitiontotheBoardofAldermenforafranchise;Mr.Bitterappearedandargued:inshort,theproceduresofamiliartomodernstudentsofpoliticalaffairswasgonethrough.
TheMaplewoodAvenueresidentsroseenmasse,supportedbytheCityImprovementLeague.PerryBlackwood,assoonasheheardofthepetition,turnedupatmyoffice.BythistimeIwasoccupyingMr.
Watling\'sroom.
\"Lookhere,\"hebegan,assoonastheoffice-boyhadclosedthedoorbehindhim,\"thisisgoingitalittletoostrong.\"
\"Whatis?\"Iasked,leaningbackinmychairandsurveyinghim.
\"ThisproposedMaplewoodAvenueFranchise.Hugh,\"hesaid,\"youandI
havebeenfriendsagoodmanyyears,LuciaandIaredevotedtoMaude.\"
Ididnotreply.
\"I\'veseenallalongthatwe\'vebeengrowingapart,\"headdedsadly.
\"You\'vegotcertainideasaboutthingswhichIcan\'tshare.IsupposeI\'moldfashioned.Ican\'ttrustmyselftotellyouwhatIthink——whatTomandIthinkaboutthisdeal.\"
\"Goahead,Perry,\"Isaid.
Hegotup,plainlyagitated,andwalkedtothewindow.Thenheturnedtomeappealingly.
\"Getoutofit,forGod\'ssakegetoutofit,beforeit\'stoolate.Foryourownsake,forMaude\'s,forthechildren\'s.Youdon\'trealizewhatyouaredoing.Youmaynotbelieveme,butthetimewillcomewhenthesefellowsyouareinwithwillberepudiatedbythecommunity,——theirmoneywon\'thelpthem.TomandIarethebestfriendsyouhave,\"headded,alittleirrelevantly.
\"AndyouthinkI\'mgoingtothedogs.\"
\"Nowdon\'ttakeitthewrongway,\"heurged.
\"WhatisityouobjecttoabouttheMaplewoodfranchise?\"Iasked.\"Ifyou\'lllookatamapofthecity,you\'llseethatdevelopmentisboundtocomeonthatside.MaplewoodAvenueisthenaturalartery,somebodywillbuildalineoutthere,andifyou\'dratherhaveeasterncapitalists——\"
\"Whyareyougoingtogetthisfranchise?\"hedemanded.\"Becausewehaven\'tadecentcitycharter,andahealthypublicspirit,youfellowsarebuyingitfromacorruptcityboss,andbribingacorruptboardofaldermen.That\'stheplainlanguageofit.Andit\'sonlyfairtowarnyouthatI\'mgoingtosayso,openly.\"
\"Besensible,\"Ianswered.\"We\'vegottohavestreetrailroads,——yourfamilyhasone.Weknowwhatthealdermenare,whatpoliticalconditionsare.Ifyoufeelthiswayaboutit,thethingtodoistotrytochangethem.Butwhyblamemeforgettingafranchiseforacompanyintheonlymannerinwhich,underpresentconditions,afranchisecanbegot?Doyouwantthecitytostandstill?Ifnot,wehavetoprovideforthenewpopulation.\"
\"Everytimeyoubribetheserascalsforafranchiseyouentrenchthem,\"
hecried.\"Youmakeitmoredifficulttooustthem.Butyoumarkmywords,weshallgetridofthemsomeday,andwhenthatfightcomes,I
wanttobeinit.\"
Hehadgrownverymuchexcited;anditwasasthoughthisexcitementsuddenlyrevealedtomethefullextentofthechangethathadtakenplaceinhimsincehehadleftcollege.Ashestoodfacingme,almostglaringatmethroughhiseye-glasses,Ibeheldaslim,nervous,fault-
findingdoctrinaire,incapableofunderstandingtheworldasitwas,lackingtheforceofhispioneerforefathers.Iratherpitiedhim.
\"I\'msorrywecan\'tlookatthisthingalike,Perry,\"Itoldhim.
\"You\'vesaidsolveprettyhardthings,butIrealizethatyouholdyourpointofviewingoodfaith,andthatyouhavecometomeasanoldfriend.Ihopeitwon\'tmakeanydifferenceinourpersonalrelations.\"
\"Idon\'tseehowitcanhelpmakingadifference,\"heansweredslowly.
Hisexcitementhadcooledabruptly:heseemeddazed.AtthismomentmyprivatestenographerenteredtoinformmethatIwasbeingcalleduponthetelephonefromNewYork.\"Well,youhavemoreimportantaffairstoattendto,Iwon\'tbotheryouanymore,\"headded.
\"Holdon,\"Iexclaimed,\"thiscallcanwait.I\'dliketotalkitoverwithyou.\"
\"I\'mafraiditwouldn\'tbeanyuse,Hugh,\"hesaid,andwentout.
AftertalkingwiththeNewYorkclientwhoselocalinterestsI
representedIsatthinkingovertheconversationwithPerry.ConsideringMaude\'sintimacywithandaffectionfortheBlackwoods,theaffairwasawkward,openingupmanyuncomfortablepossibilities;anditwastheprospectofdiscomfortthatbotheredmeratherthanregretfortheprobablelossofPerry\'sfriendship.Istillbelievedmyselftohaveanaffectionforhim:undoubtedlythiswasasentimentalremnant
ThateveningafterdinnerTomcameinalone,andIsuspectedthatPerryhadsenthim.Hewasfidgety,illatease,andpresentlyaskedifI
couldseehimamomentinmystudy.Maude\'sglancefollowedus.
\"Say,Hugh,thisisprettystiff,\"heblurtedoutcharacteristically,whenthedoorwasclosed.
\"IsupposeyoumeantheRiversideFranchise,\"Isaid.Helookedupatme,miserably,fromthechairintowhichhehadsunk,hishandsinhispockets.
\"You\'llforgivemefortalkingaboutit,won\'tyou?YouusedtolecturemeonceinawhileatCambridge,youknow.\"
\"That\'sallright——goahead,\"Ireplied,tryingtospeakamiably.
\"YouknowI\'vealwaysadmiredyou,Hugh,——Ineverhadyourability,\"hebeganpainfully,\"you\'vegoneaheadprettyfast,——thetruthisthatPerryandIhavebeenworriedaboutyouforsometime.We\'vetriednottobetooseriousinshowingit,butwe\'vefeltthatthesemodernbusinessmethodsweregettingintoyoursystemwithoutyourrealizingit.Therearesomethingsaman\'sfriendscantellhim,andit\'stheirdutytotellhim.GoodGod,haven\'tyougotenough,Hugh,——enoughsuccessandenoughmoney,withoutgoingintoathinglikethisRiversidescheme?\"
Iwasintenselyannoyed,ifnotangry;andIhesitatedamomenttocalmmyself.
\"Tom,youdon\'tunderstandmyposition,\"Isaid.\"I\'mwillingtodiscussitwithyou,nowthatyou\'veopenedupthesubject.Perry\'sbeentalkingtoyou,Icanseethat.IthinkPerry\'sgotqueerideas,——tobeplainwithyou,andthey\'regettingqueerer.\"
Hesatdownagainwhile,withwhatIdeemedaratherexemplarypatience,Iwentovertheargumentsinfavourofmyposition;andasItalked,itclarifiedinmyownmind.Itwasimpossibletoapplytobusinessanindividualcodeofethics,——eventoPerry\'sbusiness,toTom\'sbusiness:
thetwowereincompatible,andthesooneronerecognizedthatthebetter:
thewholestructureofbusinesswasbuiltuponnatural,asopposedtoethicallaw.Wehadarrivedataneraoffrankness——thatwasthetruth——
andthesoonerwefacedthistruththebetterforourpeaceofmind.
Muchaswemightdeplorethepoliticalsystemthathadgrownup,wehadtoacknowledge,ifwewereconsistent,thatitwasthebaseonwhichourprosperitywasbuilt.Iwasratherproudofhavingevolvedthisargument;itfortifiedmyownpeaceofmind,whichhadbeendisturbedbyTom\'sattitude.Ibegantopityhim.Hehadnotbeenverysuccessfulinlife,andwiththelittleheearned,addedtoSusan\'sincome,Iknewthatacertainingenuitywasrequiredtomakebothendsmeet.Hesatlisteningwithatroubledlook.Apassingphaseoffeelingcloudedforabriefmomentmyconfidencewhentherearoseinmymindanunbiddenmemoryofmyyouth,ofmyfather.He,too,hadmistrustedmyingenuity.I
