第1章

I。ThePanelofLightII。ACheerfulProdigalIII。OnlyThreeYearsIV。KissesandKleptomaniaV。TheVictimoftheLawVI。InfernoVII。WithintheLawVIII。ATipfromHeadquartersX。ALegalDocumentX。MarkedMoneyXI。TheThiefXII。ABridegroomSpurnedXIII。TheAdventofGriggsXIV。AWeddingAnnouncementXV。AftermathofTragedyXVI。BurkePlotsXVII。OutsidetheLawXVIII。TheNoiselessDeathXIX。WithintheToilsXX。WhoShotGriggs？ XXI。AggieatBayXXII。TheTrapThatFailedXXIII。TheConfessionXXIV。AnguishandBlissCHAPTERI。THEPANELOFLIGHT Thelidsofthegirl\'seyesliftedslowly，andshestaredatthepaneloflightinthewall。Justattheoutset，theactofseeingmadenottheleastimpressiononhernumbedbrain。Foralongtimeshecontinuedtoregardthedimilluminationinthewallwiththesamepassivefixityofgaze。Apathystilllayuponhercrushedspirit。Inavagueway，sherealizedherowninertness，andrestedinitgratefully，subtlyfearfullestsheagainarousetothefullhorrorofherplight。Inacurioussubconsciousfashion，shewasstrivingtoholdontothisdeadnessofsensation，thustowinalittlerespitefromthetorturethathadexhaustedhersoul。 Ofasudden，hereyesnotedtheblacklinesthatlayacrossthepaneloflight。And，inthatinstant，herspiritwasquickenedonceagain。Thecloudsliftedfromherbrain。Visionwasclearnow。Understandingseizedthefullimportofthishideousthingonwhichshelooked……Forthepaneloflightwasawindow，sethighwithinawallofstone。Therigidlinesofblackthatcrosseditwerebars——prisonbars。Itwasstilltrue，then:ShewasinacelloftheTombs。 Thegirl，crouchingmiserablyonthenarrowbed，maintainedherfixedwatchingofthewindow——thatwindowwhichwasasymbolofherutterdespair。Again，agonywrenchedwithinher。Shedidnotweep:longagoshehadexhaustedthereliefoftears。Shedidnotpacetoandfrointhecomfortofphysicalmovementwithwhichthecagedbeastfindsamockingimitationofliberty:longago，herphysicalvigorshadbeendrainedunderstressofanguish。Now，shewaswell-nighincapableofanybodilyactivity。Therecamenotevensomuchasthefeeblestmoanfromherlips。Thetormentwasfartoorackingforsuchfutilefashionoflamentation。Shemerelysatthereinapostureofcollapse。Toalloutwardseeming，nerveless，emotionless，anabjectcreature。Eventheeyes，whichheldsofixedlytheirgazeonthewindow，werequiteexpressionless。Overthemlayafilm，likethatwhichveilstheeyesofsomedeadthing。Onlyanoccasionallanguidmotionofthelidsrevealedthelifethatremained。 Sostillthebody。Withinthesoul，furyrageduncontrolled。 Forallthedesolatecalmofouterseeming，thetragedyofherfatewasbeingactedwithfrightfulvividnessthereinmemory。 Inthatdreadfulremembrance，herspiritwasrentasunderanewbyrealizationofthatwhichhadbecomeherportion……Itwasthen，asonceagainthehorribleinjusticeofherfaterackedconsciousnesswithitstortures，thattheseedsofrevoltwereimplantedinherheart。Thethoughtofrevengegavetoherthefirstmeagergleamofcomfortthathadlightenedhermoodsthroughmanymiserabledaysandnights。Thoseseedsofrevoltweretobenourishedwell，weretogrowintotheirflower——apoisonflower，developedthroughthethreeyearsofconvictlifetowhichthejudgehadsentencedher。 Thegirlwasappalledbythemercilessnessofadestinythathadsooutragedright。Shewaswhollyinnocentofhavingdoneanywrong。Shehadstruggledthroughyearsofprivationtokeepherselfcleanandwholesome，worthyofthosegentlefolkfromwhomshedrewherblood。Andearnestefforthadendedatlastunderanoverwhelmingaccusation——false，yetnonethelessfataltoher。Thisaccusation，aftersoul-wearyingdelays，hadculminatedto-dayinconviction。Thesentenceofthecourthadbeenimposeduponher:thatforthreeyearssheshouldbeimprisoned……This，despiteherinnocence。Shehadenduredmuch——miserablymuch!——forhonesty\'ssake。Therewroughttheironyoffate。Shehadenduredbravelyforhonesty\'ssake。Andtheendofitallwasshameunutterable。Therewasnoughtlefthersaveawilddreamofrevengeagainsttheworldthathadmartyrizedher。 \"Vengeanceismine。Iwillrepay，saiththeLord。\"……Theadmonitioncouldnottouchhernow。WhyshouldshecareforthedecreesofaGodwhohadabandonedher! TherehadbeennothinginthelifeofMaryTurner，beforethecatastrophecame，todistinguishitfrommanyanother。Itsmostsignificantdetailswereofasordidkind，familiartopoverty。 Herfatherhadbeenanunsuccessfulman，assuccessisesteemedbythisgenerationofMammon-worshipers。Hewasagentleman，butthetrivialfactisofsmallavailto-day。Hewasofgoodbirth，andhewasthepossessorofaninheritedcompetence。Hehad，aswell，intelligence，butitwasnotofafinancialsort。 So，littlebylittle，hisfortunebecameshrunkentowardnothingness，byreasonofinjudiciousinvestments。Hemarriedacharmingwoman，who，afterabriefperiodofweddedhappiness，gaveherlifetothebirthofthesinglechildoftheunion，Mary。Afterward，inhisdistressoverthisloss，RayTurnerseemedevenmoreincompetentforthemanagementofbusinessaffairs。Astheyearspassed，thedaughtergrewtowardmaturityinanexperienceofever-increasingpenury。Nevertheless，therewasnoactualwantofthenecessitiesoflife，thoughalwaysawofullackofitselegancies。Thegirlwasinthehigh-school，whenherfatherfinallygaveoverhisratherfeebleeffortofliving。Betweenparentandchild，theintimacyhadbeenunusuallyclose。Athisdeath，thefatherleftheracharacterwellinstructedintheexcellentprinciplesthathadbeenhisown。 Thatwashissolelegacytoher。Ofworldlygoods，notthevalueofapin。 Yet，measuredaccordingtothesternstandardsofadversity，Marywasfortunate。Almostatonce，sheprocuredahumbleemploymentintheEmporium，thegreatdepartmentstoreownedbyEdwardGilder。Tobesure，thewagewasinfinitesimal，whilethetoilwasbody-breakingsoul-breaking。Still，thepittancecouldbemadetosustainlife，andMarywasblessedwithbothsoulandbodytosustainmuch。Soshemergedherselfinthearmyofworkers——inthevastbattalionofthosethatgivetheirentireselvestoalabormoststernandunremitting，andmostillrewarded。 Mary，nevertheless，avoidedtheworstperilsofherlot。Shedidnotflinchunderprivation，butwentherwaythroughit，ifnotserenely，atleastwithouteverathoughtofyieldingtothosetemptationsthatbesetagirlwhoisatoncepoorandcharming。 Fortunatelyforher，thoseinclosestauthorityoverherwerenotsodeeplysmittenastomakeobligatoryonherachoicebetweencomplaisanceandlossofposition。Sheknewofsituationslikethat，thecul-de-sacofchastity，worsethananydevisedbyaJavert。Inthestore，suchthingsweremattersofcourse。Thereislittleinnocenceforthegirlinthemoderncity。Therecanbenonefortheworkerthrownintothestorm-centerofagreatcommercialactivity，hummingwithviciousgossip，allalivewithquipsfromtheworldlywise。Attheveryoutsetofheremployment，thesixteen-year-oldgirllearnedthatshemightekeoutthesixdollarsweeklybytradingonherpersonalattractivenesstothoseoftheoppositesex。Theideawasrepugnanttoher；notonlyfromthemaidenlyinstinctofpurity，butalsofromthemoralprincipleswovenintohercharacterbytheteachingsofafatherwiseinmostthings，thoughafoolinfinance。 Thus，sheremainedunsmirched，thoughwellinformedastotheveritiesoflife。Shepreferredpurityandpenury，ratherthanaslightpamperingofthebodytobeboughtbyitsdegradation。Amongherfellowsweresomelikeherself；others，unlike。Ofherownsort，inthissingleparticular，werethetwogirlswithwhomshesharedacheaproom。Theircommondecencyinattitudetowardtheothersexwastheuniquebondofunion。Intheirassociation，shefoundnorealcompanionship。Nevertheless，theywerewholesomeenough。Otherwisetheywereilliterate，altogetheruncongenial。 Insuchwise，throughfivedrearyyears，MaryTurnerlived。Ninehoursdaily，shestoodbehindacounter。Shespentherotherwakinghoursinobligatorymeniallabors:cookingherownscantmealsoverthegas；washingandironing，forthesakeofthatneatappearancewhichwasrequiredofherbythoseinauthorityattheEmporium——yet，moreespecially，necessaryforherownself-respect。Withamindkeenandearnest，shecontrivedsomesolacefromreadingandstudying，sincethefreelibrarygaveherthisopportunity。So，thoughengagedinstultifyingoccupationthroughmostofherhours，shewasabletofindfoodformentalgrowth。Even，inthelastyear，shehadreachedapointofdevelopmentwhereatshebegantostudyseriouslyherownpositionintheworld\'seconomy，tomeditateonamethodofbetteringit。 Underthisimpulse，hopemountedhighinherheart。Ambitionwasborn。Bycandidcomparisonofherselfwithothersabouther，sherealizedthefactthatshepossessedanintelligencebeyondtheaverage。Thetrainingbyherfather，too，hadbeenofasuperiorkind。Therewasaswell，atthebackvaguely，thefeelingofparticularself-respectthatbelongsinevitablytothepossessorofgoodblood。Finally，shedemurelyenjoyedamodestappreciationofherownphysicaladvantages。Inshort，shehadbeauty，brainsandbreeding。Threethingsofchiefimportancetoanywoman——thoughtherebemanymindsastowhichmaybechiefamongthethree。 IhavesaidnothingspecificthusfarastotheouterbeingofMaryTurner——exceptastofilmedeyesandahuddledform。But，inahappiersituation，thegirlwerewinningenough。Indeed，more!Shewasoneofthosethatpossessanharmoniousbeauty，with，too，thepenetrantcharmthatspringsfromthemind，withtheaddedgracesbornofthespirit。Justnow，asshesat，afigureofdesolation，thereonthebedintheTombscell，itwouldhaverequiredamostanalyticalobservertodeterminetheactualitiesofherloveliness。Herformwasdisguisedbythedroopofexhaustion。Hercomplexionshowedthepallorofsorrowfulvigils。Herfacewasnomorethanamaskofmisery。 Yet，theshrewdobserver，ifaloverofbeauty，mighthavefoundmuchfordelight，evendespitetheconcealmentimposedbyherpresentcondition。Thus，thestormygloryofherdarkhair，greatmassesthatranariotofshiningripplesandwaves。Andthestraightlineofthenose，nottoothin，yetfineenoughfortheraptureofaPraxiteles。Andthepinkdaintinessoftheear-tips，whichpeeredwarmlyfrombeneaththepalloftresses。 Onecouldknownothingaccuratelyofthecomplexionnow。Butitwereeasytoguessthatinhappierplacesitwouldshowofapuritytoentice，withagentlebloomingofrosesinthecheeks。 Eveninthishourofunmitigatedevil，thelipsrevealedacurvingbeautyofred——notquitecrimson，thoughnearenoughfortheword；notquitescarleteither；only，aredgentlyenchanting，whichturnedone\'sthoughtstowardtenderness——withahintofdesire。Itwas，too，agenerousmouth，nottoolarge； still，happily，notsosmallasthosemodeledbyWatteau。Itwasaltogetherwinsome——more，itwasgenerousandtrue，desirableforkisses——yes!——moredesirableforstrengthandforfaith。 Likeeveryintelligentwoman，Maryhadtakenthetroubletoreinforcetheworthofherphysicalattractiveness。Theinstinctofsexwasstronginher，asitmustbeineverynormalwoman，sincethatappealisnature\'slaw。Shekeptherselfsuppleandsveltebymanyexercises，atwhichhercompanionsinthechamberscoffed，withtheprudentwarningthatmoreworkmustmeanmoreappetite。Witharmsstillachingfromtheliftingofheavyboltsofclothtoandfrofromtheshelves，sheneverthelesswasatpainsnightlytobrushwiththeappointedtwohundredstrokesthethickmassesofherhair。Evenhere，inthesordiddesolationofthecell，thelustroussheenwitnessedthefidelityofhercare。 So，ineachdetailofher，thekeenobservermighthavefoundadequatereasonforadmiration。Therewasthedelicacyofthehands，withfingerstapering，withnailsperfectlyshaped，neithertoodullnortooshining。Andtherewere，too，finally，thetrimlyshodfeet，setratherprimlyonthefloor，small，andarchedlikethoseofaSpanishInfanta。Intruth，MaryTurnershowedthepossibilitiesatleast，ifnotjustnowtherealities，ofaverybeautifulwoman。 Naturally，inthisperiodofgrief，thegirl\'smindhadnoconcernwithsuchexternalmeritsoverwhichonceshehadmodestlyexulted。Allherpresentenergiesweresettopreciserecollectionoftheghastlyexperienceintowhichshehadbeenthrust。 Initsoutline，theeventhadbeentragicallysimple。 Therehadbeentheftsinthestore。Theyhadbeentracedeventuallytoacertaindepartment，thatinwhichMaryworked。 Thedetectivewasalert。Somevaluablesilksweremissed。 Searchfollowedimmediately。ThegoodswerefoundinMary\'slocker。Thatwasenough。Shewaschargedwiththetheft。Sheprotestedinnocence——onlytobelaughedatinderisionbyheraccusers。Everythiefdeclaresinnocence。Mr。Gilderhimselfwasemphaticagainsther。Thethievinghadbeenlongcontinued。Anexamplemustbemade。Thegirlwasarrested。 ThecrowdedconditionofthecourtcalendarkeptherforthreemonthsintheTombs，awaitingtrial。Shewasquitefriendless。 Totheworld，shewasonlyathiefinduress。Atthelast，thetrialwasveryshort。Herlawyerwasmerelyanunfledgedpractitionerassignedtoherdefenseasaformalityofthecourt。 ThisnoviceinhisprofessionwassogratefulforthefirstrecognitioneveraffordedhimthatheratherassistedthanotherwisetheDistrictAttorneyintheprosecutionofthecase。 Attheend，twelvegoodmenandtruerenderedaverdictofguiltyagainsttheshudderinggirlintheprisoner\'sdock。 SosimplethehistoryofMaryTurner\'strial……Thesentenceofthejudgewaslenient——onlythreeyears! CHAPTERII。ACHEERFULPRODIGAL。 Thatwhichwasthesupremetragedytothebrokengirlinthecellmerelyaffordedratheragreeableentertainmenttoherformerfellowsofthedepartmentstore。MaryTurnerthroughouthertermofservicetherehadbeenwithoutrealintimates，sothatnownonewasreadytomournoverherfate。Eventhetworoom-mateshadfeltsomeslightoffense，sincetheysensedthesuperiorityofher，thoughvaguely。Now，theyfoundasmugsatisfactioninthefactofherdisasterasemphasizingverypleasurablytheirowncontinuanceinrespectability。 Asmanyaphilosopherhasobserved，wesecretlyenjoythemisfortunesofothers，particularlyofourfriends，sincetheyareclosesttous。Mostpersonshastentodenythistruthinitsapplicationtothemselves。Theydosoeitherbecausefromlackofclearunderstandingtheyarenotquitehonestwiththemselves，fromlackofclearintrospection，orbecause，asmaybemoreeasilybelieved，theyarenotquitehonestintheassertion。Asamatteroffact，wedofindasingularsatisfactioninthetroublesofothers。Contemplationofsuchsufferingrendersmorestrikingthecontrastedwell-beingofourownlot。Weneedthepainsofotherstoserveasbackgroundforourjoys——justassinisessentialasthebackgroundforanyappreciationofvirtue，evenanyknowledgeofitsexistence……Sonow，onthedayofMaryTurner\'strial，therewasasubtlegaietyofgossipingstoandfrothroughthestore。 Thegirl\'splightwaslikeashuttlecockdrivenhitherandyonbythebattledoresofmanytongues。Itwasthefirsttimeinmanyyearsthatoneoftheemployeeshadbeenthusaccusedoftheft。Shopliftersweresocommonastobeastaletopic。Therewasarefreshingnoveltyinthiscase，whereoneofthemselveswastheculprit。Herfellowworkerschatteddesultorilyofherastheyhadopportunity，andcomplacentlythankedtheirgodsthattheywerenotasshe——withreason。Perhaps，averyfewwerekindlyheartedenoughtofeelatouchofsympathyforthisruinofalife。 OfsuchwasSmithson，amemberoftheexecutivestaff，whodidnothesitatetospeakhismind，thoughnonetooforcibly。Asforthat，Smithson，whilethepossessorofadignitynourishedbyyearsoffloor-walking，wasnotgiventotheholdingofvigorousopinions。Yet，hiscomment，meagerasitwas，stoodwhollyinMary\'sfavor。Andhespokewithacertainauthority，sincehehadgivenofficialattentiontothegirl。 SmithsonstoppedSarahEdwards，Mr。Gilder\'sprivatesecretary，asshewaspassingthroughoneofthedepartmentsthatmorning，toaskheriftheownerhadyetreachedhisoffice。 \"Beenandgone，\"wasthesecretary\'sanswer，withthetersenesscharacteristicofher。 \"Gone!\"Smithsonrepeated，evidentlysomewhatdisturbedbytheinformation。\"Iparticularlywantedtoseehim。\" \"He\'llbeback，allright，\"Sarahvouchsafed，amiably。\"Hewentdown-town，totheCourtofGeneralSessions。ThejudgesentforhimabouttheMaryTurnercase。\" \"Oh，yes，Iremembernow，\"Smithsonexclaimed。Thenheadded，withatraceofgenuinefeeling，\"Ihopethepoorgirlgetsoff。 Shewasanicegirl——quitethelady，youknow，MissEdwards。\" \"No，Idon\'tknow，\"Sarahrejoined，abittartly。Truthtotell，thesecretarywashauntedbyagrimsuspicionthatsheherselfwasnotquitetheladyofherdreams，andneverwouldbeabletoacquirethegracesoftheVereDeVere。ForSarah，whileamostefficientsecretary，wasnotinherpersonofthatslenderelegancewhichalwayscharacterizedherfavoriteheroinesinthenovelssheaffected。Onthecontrary，shewasofasorttohavegratifiedByron，whodeclaredthatawomaninhermaturityshouldbeplump。Now，sherecalledwithatwingeofenvythattheaccusedgirlhadbeenofanaristocraticslimnessofform。\"Oh，didyouknowher？\"shequestioned，withoutanyrealinterest。 Smithsonansweredwiththatblandstatelinessofmannerwhichwasthefruitoffloor-walkingpoliteness。 \"Well，Icouldn\'texactlysayIknewher，andyetImightsay，afteramannerofspeaking，thatIdid——toacertainextent。Yousee，theyputherinmydepartmentwhenshefirstcameheretowork。Shewasagoodsaleswoman，assaleswomengo。Forthematterofthat，\"headdedwithasuddenaccessofenergy，\"shewasthelastgirlintheworldI\'dtakeforathief。\"Hedisplayedsomeevidencesofembarrassmentoverthehonestfeelingintowhichhehadbeenbetrayed，andmadehastetorecoverhisusualbusinessmanner，ashecontinuedformally。\"WillyoupleaseletmeknowwhenMr。Gilderarrives？ThereareoneortwolittlemattersIwishtodiscusswithhim。\" \"Allright!\"Sarahagreedbriskly，andshehurriedontowardtheprivateoffice。 Thesecretarywasbarelyseatedatherdeskwhentheviolentopeningofthedoorstartledher，and，asshelookedup，acheeryvoicecriedout: \"Hello，Dad!\" Atthesamemoment，ayoungmanentered，withanairofcare-freeassurance，hisfaceradiant。But，ashisglancewenttotheemptyarm-chairatthedesk，hehaltedabruptly，andhisexpressionchangedtooneofdisappointment。 \"Nothere!\"hegrumbled。Then，onceagainthesmilewasonhislipsashiseyesfellonthesecretary，whohadnowrisentoherfeetinaflutterofexcitement。 \"Why，Mr。Dick!\"Sarahgasped。 \"Hello，Sadie!\"camethegenialsalutation。Theyoungmanadvancedandshookhandswithherwarmly。\"I\'mhomeagain。 Where\'sDad？\" Evenasheaskedthequestion，thequicksoberingofhisfaceborewitnesstohisdisappointmentovernotfindinghisfatherintheoffice。Forsuchwastherelationshipoftheownerofthedepartmentstoretothisnewarrivalonthescene。Andinthepatentchagrinunderwhichthesonnowlaboredwastobefoundacertainindicationofcharacternottobedisregarded。Unlikemanyachild，hereallylovedhisfather。Thedeathofthemotheryearsbeforehadlefthimwithoutotheropportunityforaffectioninthehome，sincehehadneitherbrothernorsister。 Helovedhisfatherwithadepthoffeelingthatmadebetweenthetwoarealcamaraderie，despitegreatdifferencesintemperament。 Inthatsimpleandsincereregardwhichheboreforhisfather，theboyrevealedaheartreadyforlove，willingtogiveofitselfitsbestfortheonebeloved。Beyondthat，asyet，therewaslittletobesaidofhimwithexactness。Hewasaspoiledchildoffortune，ifyouwishtohaveitso。Certainly，hewasonlyadroneintheworld\'shive。Thusfar，hehadenjoyedthegoodthingsoflife，withouteverdoingaughttodeservethembycontributinginreturn——savebyhissmilesandhisgenialairofhappiness。 Inthetwenty-threeyearsofhislife，everygiftthatmoneycouldlavishhadbeenhis。Ifthesumtotalofbenefitwassmall，atleastthereremainedtheconsolingfactthattheharmwasevenless。Luxuryhadnotsappedthestrengthofhim。Hehadnotgrownvicious，ashavesomanyofhisfellowsamongthesonsoftherich。Someinstinctheldhimalooffromthegrosservices。Hiswerethetriflingfaultsthathadtheiroriginchieflyinthejoyoflife，whichmanifestoccasionallyinriotousextravagancies，ofasortactuallytoharmnone，howeverabsurdanduselesstheymaybe。 Somuchonemightseebyaglanceintotheface。Hewaswellgroomed，ofcourse；healthy，alla-tinglewithvitality。Andinthecleareyes，whichavoidednoman\'sgaze，norsoughtanywoman\'sunseemly，thereshowedasouluntainted，notyetdeveloped，notyetdebased。Throughallhisdays，DickGilderhadwalkedgladly，inthecontentthatspringstothecallofonepossessedofacapacityforenjoyment；possessed，too，ofeverymeansforthegratificationofdesire。Asyet，themanofhimwasunrevealedinitsintegrity。Notesthadbeenputuponhim。 Thefiresofsufferinghadnottriedthedrossofhim。Whatrealworthmightlieunderthissunnysurfacethefuturemustdetermine。Thereshowednowonlythisonesignificantfact: that，inthefirstmomentofhisreturnfromjourneyingsabroad，hesoughthisfatherwithalleagerness，andwassorelygrievedbecausethemeetingmuststillbedelayed。Itwasalittlething，perhaps。Yet，itwascapableofmeaningmuchconcerningthenatureofthelad。Itrevealedsurelyatenderheart，oneresponsivetoapurelove。Andtooneofhisclass，therearemanyforceseverpresenttoatrophysuchsimple，wholesomepowerofloving。Theabilitytolovecleanlyandabsolutelyisthesupremevirtue。 SarahexplainedthatMr。GilderhadbeencalledtotheCourtofGeneralSessionsbythejudge。 Dickinterruptedherwithagustoflaughter。 \"What\'sDadbeendoingnow？\"hedemanded，hiseyestwinkling。 Then，areminiscentgrinshapeditselfonhislips。\"Rememberthetimethatfreshcoparrestedhimforspeeding？Wasn\'thewild？Ithoughthewouldhavethewholepoliceforcedischarged。\"Hesmiledagain。\"Thetroubleis，\"hedeclaredsedately，\"thatsortofthingrequirespractice。Now，whenI\'marrestedforspeeding，I\'mnotintheleastflustered——oh，notalittlebit!ButpoorDad!Thatoneexperienceofhisalmostsouredhiswholelife。Itwasnearthedeathofhim——also，ofthecity\'sfinest。\" Bythistime，thesecretaryhadregainedherusualpoise，whichhadbeensomewhatdisturbedbytheirruptionoftheyoungman。 Herroundfaceshonedelightedlyassheregardedhim。Therewasamaternalnoteofrebukeinhervoiceasshespoke: \"Why，wedidn\'texpectyoubackfortwoorthreemonthsyet。\" Onceagain，Dicklaughed，withaninfectiousgaietythatbroughtasmileofresponsetothesecretary\'slips。 \"Sadie，\"heexplainedconfidentially，\"don\'tyoudareevertolettheoldmanknow。Hewouldbeallswollenup。It\'sbadtoletaparentswellup。Butthetruthis，Sadie，IgotkindofhomesickforDad——yes，justthat!\"Hespokethewordswithasortofshamefacedwonder。ItisnoteasyforanAnglo-Saxontoconfesstherealitiesofaffectioninvitalintimacies。Herepeatedthephraseinacuriouslyappreciativehesitation，asoneastoundedbyhisownemotion。\"Yes，homesickforDad!\" Then，tocoveranexcessofsincerefeeling，hecontinued，withaburstoflaughter: \"Besides，Sadie，Iwasbroke。\" Thesecretarysniffed。 \"Thecablewouldhavehandledthatendofit，Iguess，\"shesaid，succinctly。 TherewasnowordofcontradictionfromDick，who，fromampleexperience，knewthatanydemandforfundswouldhavereceivedanswerfromthefather。 \"ButwhatisDaddoingincourt？\"hedemanded。 Sarahexplainedthematterwithherusualconciseness: \"Oneofthegirlswasarrestedforstealing。\" Thenatureofthesonwasshownthenclearlyinoneofitsbestaspects。Atonce，heexhibitedhisinstincttowardthequalityofmercy，and，too，histrustinthefatherwhomheloved，byhiseagercomment。 \"AndDadwenttocourttogetheroutofthescrape。That\'sjustliketheoldman!\" Sarah，however，showednohintofenthusiasm。Hermindwaseveroftheprosaicsort，littlepronetoflights。Inthatprosaicquality，wastobefoundtheexplanationofherdependabilityasaprivatesecretary。So，now，shemerelymadeatersestatement。 \"Shewastriedto-day，andconvicted。ThejudgesentforMr。 Gildertocomedownthismorningandhaveatalkwithhimaboutthesentence。\" Therewasnolesseningoftheexpressionofcertaintyontheyoungman\'sface。Helovedhisfather，andhetrustedwhereheloved。 \"Itwillbeallright，\"hedeclared，inatoneofentireconviction。\"Dad\'sheartisasbigasabarrel。He\'llgetheroff。\" Then，ofasudden，Dickgaveaviolentstart。Headdedaconvincinggroan。 \"Oh，Lord!\"heexclaimed，dismally。Therewasshameinhisvoice。\"Iforgotallaboutit!\" Thesecretaryregardedhimwithanexpressionofamazement。 \"Allaboutwhat？\"shequestioned。 Dickassumedanairvastlymoreconfidentialthanatanytimehitherto。Heleanedtowardthesecretary\'sdesk，andspokewithanewseriousnessofmanner: \"Sadie，haveyouanymoney？I\'mbrokerMytaxi\'hasbeenwaitingoutsideallthistime。\" \"Why，yes，\"thesecretarysaid，cheerfully。\"Ifyouwill——\" DickwasdiscreetenoughtoturnhisattentiontoapictureonthewalloppositewhileSarahwentthroughthoseacrobaticperformancesobligatoryonwomenwhotakenochancesoflosingmoneybycarryingitinpurses。 \"There!\"shecalledafterafewpantingseconds，andexhibitedaflushedface。 Dickturnedeagerlyandseizedthebanknoteofferedhim。 \"Mightymuchobliged，Sadie，\"hesaid，enthusiastically。\"ButI mustrun。Otherwise，thiswouldn\'tbeenoughforthefare!\"And，sosaying，hedartedoutoftheroom。 CHAPTERIII。ONLYTHREEYEARS。 When，atlast，theownerofthestoreenteredtheoffice，hisfaceshowedextremeirritation。Hedidnotvouchsafeanygreetingtothesecretary，whoregardedhimwithanaccurateperceptionofhismood。Withadiplomacybornoflongexperience，inherfirstspeechSarahaffordedanagreeablediversiontoheremployer\'slineofthought。 \"Mr。Hastings，oftheEmpirestore，calledyouup，Mr。Gilder，andaskedmetolethimknowwhenyoureturned。ShallIgethimonthewire？\" Theman\'sfacelightenedinstantly，andtherewaseventhebeginningofasmileonhislipsasheseatedhimselfatthegreatmahoganydesk。 \"Yes，yes!\"heexclaimed，withevidententhusiasm。Thesmilegrewintheshortintervalbeforetheconnectionwasmade。When，finally，headdressedhisfriendoverthetelephone，histoneswereofthecheerfulest。 \"Oh，goodmorning。Yes，certainly。Fourwillsuitmeadmirably……Sunday？Yes，ifyoulike。Wecangooutafterchurch，andhaveluncheonatthecountryclub。\"Afterlisteningamoment，helaughedinapleasedfashionthathadinitasuggestionofconscioussuperiority。\"Mydearfellow，\"hedeclaredbriskly，\"youcouldn\'tbeatmeinathousandyears。 Why，Imadetheeighteenholesinninety-twoonlylastweek。\"Helaughedagainattheansweroverthewire，thenhungupthereceiverandpushedthetelephoneaside，asheturnedhisattentiontothepapersneatlyarrangedonthedeskreadytohishand。 Thecuriosityofthesecretarycouldnotbelongerdelayed。 \"WhatdidtheydowiththeTurnergirl？\"sheinquiredinanelaboratelycasualmanner。 Gilderdidnotlookupfromtheheapofpapers，butansweredratherharshly，whileonceagainhisexpressiongrewforbidding。 \"Idon\'tknow——Icouldn\'twait，\"hesaid。Hemadeapetulantgestureashewenton:\"Idon\'tseewhyJudgeLawlorbotheredmeaboutthematter。Heistheonetoimposesentence，notI。Iamhoursbehindwithmyworknow。\" Forafewminuteshegavehimselfuptotheroutineofbusiness，distributingthecorrespondenceandothervariouspapersfortheactionofsubordinates，andspeakinghisordersoccasionallytotheattentivesecretarywithaquicknessandprecisionthatproclaimedthecapableexecutive。Theobserverwouldhaverealizedatoncethatherewasamanobviouslyfittedtothecontroloflargeaffairs。Theabilitythatmarchesinevitablytosuccessshowedunmistakablyinthefaceandform，andinthefashionofspeech。EdwardGilderwasabigmanphysically，plainlythepossessorofthatabundantvitalenergywhichisaprimerequisiteforachievementintheorderingofmodernbusinessconcerns。 Forcewas，indeed，thedominantqualityoftheman。Histallfigurewasproportionatelybroad，andhewasheavilyfleshed。Infact，thebodywastooponderous。Perhaps，inthatcharacteristicmightbefoundacluetothechieffaultinhisnature。Forhewasponderous，spirituallyandmentally，aswellasmaterially。Thefactwasdisplayedsuggestivelyintheface，whichwastooheavywithitsprominentjowlsandaggressivechinandratherbulbousnose。Buttherewasnothingflabbyanywhere。Theamplefeaturesshowednotraceofweakness，onlyarude，aboundingstrength。Therewasnolightertouchanywhere。Evidentlyajustmanaccordingtohisownideas，yetneveronetotemperjusticewithmercy。Heappeared，andwas，averypracticalandmostprosaicbusinessman。Hewasnotgiventoahumorousoutlookonlife。Hetookitandhimselfwiththeutmostseriousness。Hewasalmostentirelylackinginimagination，thatfacultywhichisessentialtosympathy。 \"Takethis，\"hedirectedpresently，whenhehaddisposedofthemattersbeforehim。Forthwith，hedictatedthefollowingletter，andnowhisvoicetookonamoreunctuousnote，asofonewhoisappreciativeofhisownexcellentgenerosity。 \"THEEDITOR，\"TheNewYorkHerald。 \"DEARSIR:Inclosedpleasefindmycheckforathousanddollarsforyourfree-icefund。Itisgoingtobeaveryhardsummerforthepoor，andIhopebythusstartingthecontributionsforyourfinecharityatthisearlydaythatyouwillbeabletoaccomplishevenmoregoodthanusually。 \"Verytrulyyours。\" HeturnedaninquiringglancetowardSarah。 \"That\'swhatIusuallygive，isn\'tit？\" Thesecretarynoddedenergetically。 \"Yes，\"sheagreedinherbriskmanner，\"that\'swhatyouhavegiveneveryyearforthelasttenyears。\" ThestatementimpressedGilderpleasantly。Hisvoicewasmoremellowashemadecomment。Hisheavyfacewasradiant，andhesmiledcomplacently。 \"Tenthousanddollarstothisonecharityalone!\"heexclaimed。 \"Well，itispleasanttobeabletohelpthoselessfortunatethanourselves。\"Hepaused，evidentlyexpectantoflaudatorycorroborationfromthesecretary。 ButSarah，thoughshecouldbetactfulenoughonoccasion，didnotchoosetomeetheremployer\'santicipationsjustnow。Forthatmatter，herintimateservicespermittedonherpartsomedegreeoffamiliaritywiththeaugustheadoftheestablishment。 Besides，shedidnotstandinaweofGilder，asdidtheothersinhisservice。Nomanisaherotohisvalet，ortohissecretary。 Intimateassociationishostiletohero-worship。So，now，Sarahspokenonchalantly，totheindignationofthephilanthropist: \"Oh，yes，sir。Speciallywhenyoumakesomuchthatyoudon\'tmissit。\" Gilder\'sthickgraybrowsdrewdowninafrownofdispleasure，whilehiseyesopenedslightlyinsheersurpriseoverthesecretary\'sunexpectedremark。Hehesitatedforonlyaninstantbeforereplyingwithanairofgreatdignity，inwhichwasadistinctnoteofrebukeforthegirl\'spresumption。 \"Theprofitsfrommystorearelarge，Iadmit，Sarah。ButI neithersmugglemygoods，takerebatesfromrailroads，conspireagainstsmallcompetitors，nordoanyofthedishonestactsthatdisgraceotherlinesofbusiness。SolongasImakemyprofitshonestly，Iamhonestlyentitledtothem，nomatterhowbigtheyare。\" Thesecretary，beingquitecontentwiththehavocshehadwroughtinheremployer\'scomplacencyoverhischaritableness，nodded，andcontentedherselfwithademureassenttohisoutburst。 \"Yes，sir，\"sheagreed，verymeekly。 Gilderstaredatherforafewseconds，somewhatindignantly。 Then，hebethoughthimselfofasubtleformofrebukebyemphasizinghisgenerosity。 \"HavethecashiersendmyusualfivehundredtotheCharitiesOrganizationSociety，\"heordered。Withthisnewevidenceofhisgenerousvirtue，thefrownpassedfromhisbrows。If，forafleetingmoment，doubthadassailedhimunderthespurofthesecretary\'swords，thatdoubthadnowvanishedunderhishabitualconvictionastohissterlingworthtotheworldatlarge。 Itwas，therefore，withhisaccustomedblandnessofmannerthathepresentlyacknowledgedthegreetingofGeorgeDemarest，thechiefofthelegalstaffthatlookedafterthefirm\'saffairs。 HewasawarewithoutbeingtoldthatthelawyerhadcalledtoacquainthimwiththeissueinthetrialofMaryTurner。 \"Well，Demarest？\"heinquired，asthedapperattorneyadvancedintotheroomatarapidpace，andcametoahaltfacingthedesk，afteralivelynodinthedirectionofthesecretary。 Thelawyer\'sfacesobered，andhistoneasheansweredwastingedwithconstraint。 \"JudgeLawlorgaveherthreeyears，\"hereplied，gravely。Itwasplainfromhismannerthathedidnotaltogetherapprove。 ButGilderwasunaffectedbytheattorney\'slackofsatisfactionovertheresult。Onthecontrary，hesmiledexultantly。Hisoritundvoicetookonadeepernote，asheturnedtowardthesecretary。 \"Good!\"heexclaimed。\"Takethis，Sarah。\"Andhecontinued，asthegirlopenedhernotebookandpoisedthepencil:\"BesuretohaveSmithsonpostacopyofitconspicuouslyinallthegirls\' dressing-rooms，andinthereading-room，andinthelunch-rooms，andintheassembly-room。\"Heclearedhisthroatostentatiouslyandproceededtothedictationofthenotice: \"MaryTurner，formerlyemployedinthisstore，wasto-daysentencedtoprisonforthreeyears，havingbeenconvictedforthetheftofgoodsvaluedatoverfourhundreddollars。Themanagementwishesagaintodrawattentiononthepartofitsemployeestothefactthathonestyisalwaysthebestpolicy…… Gotthat？\" \"Yes，sir。\"Thesecretary\'svoicewasmechanical，withoutanytraceoffeeling。Shewasnotmindedtodisturbheremployerasecondtimethismorningbyinjudiciouscomment。 \"TakeittoSmithson，\"Gildercontinued，\"andtellhimthatI wishhimtoattendtoitsbeingpostedaccordingtomydirectionsatonce。\" Again，thegirlmadeherformalresponseintheaffirmative，thenlefttheroom。 Gilderbroughtforthaboxofcigarsfromadrawerofthedesk，openeditandthrustittowardthewaitinglawyer，who，however，shookhisheadinrefusal，andcontinuedtomoveabouttheroomratherrestlessly。Demarestpaidnoattentiontotheother\'sinvitationtoaseat，butthecourtesywasperfunctoryonGilder\'spart，andhehardlyperceivedtheperturbationofhiscaller，forhewasoccupiedinselectingandlightingacigarwiththecareofaconnoisseur。Finally，hespokeagain，andnowtherewasaninfinitecontentmentintherichvoice。 \"Threeyears——threeyears!Thatoughttobeawarningtotherestofthegirls。\"HelookedtowardDemarestforacquiescence。 Thelawyer\'sbrowswereknitashefacedtheproprietorofthestore。 \"Funnything，thiscase!\"heejaculated。\"Insomefeatures，oneofthemostunusualIhaveseensinceIhavebeenpracticinglaw。\" ThesmugcontentmentabodestillonGilder\'sfaceashepuffedinleisurelyeaseonhiscigarandutteredatritecondolence。 \"Verysad!——quiteso!Verysadcase，Icallit。\"Demarestwentonspeaking，withashowoffeeling:\"Mostunusualcase，inmyestimation。Yousee，thegirlkeepsondeclaringherinnocence。 That，ofcourse，iscommonenoughinaway。Buthere，it\'sdifferent。Thepointis，somehow，shemakesherprotestationsmoreconvincingthantheyusuallydo。Theyringtrue，asitseemstome。\" Gildersmiledtolerantly。 \"Theydidn\'tringverytruetothejury，itwouldseem，\"heretorted。Andhisvoicewastartasheadded:\"Nortothejudge，sincehedeemedithisdutytogiveherthreeyears。\" \"Somepersonsarenotverysensitivetoimpressionsinsuchcases，Iadmit，\"Demarestreturned，coolly。Ifhemeantanysubtletyofallusiontohishearer，itfailedwhollytopiercethearmorofcomplacency。 \"Thestolengoodswerefoundinherlocker，\"Gilderdeclaredinatoneoffinality。\"Someofthem，Ihavebeengiventounderstand，wereactuallyinthepocketofhercoat。\" \"Well，\"theattorneysaidwithasmile，\"thatsortofthingmakesgood-enoughcircumstantialevidence，andwithoutcircumstantialevidencetherewouldbefewconvictionsforcrime。Yet，asalawyer，I\'mfreetoadmitthatcircumstantialevidencealoneisneverquitesafeasproofofguilt。Naturally，shesayssomeoneelsemusthaveputthestolengoodsthere。Asamatterofexactreasoning，thatisquitewithinthemeasureofpossibility。Thatsortofthinghasbeendonecountlesstimes。\" Gildersniffedindignantly。 \"Andforwhatreason？\"hedemanded。\"It\'stooabsurdtothinkabout。\" \"Insimilarcases，\"thelawyeranswered，\"thoseactuallyguiltyofthetheftshavethussoughttothrowsuspicionontheinnocentinordertoavoiditonthemselveswhenthepursuitgottoohotontheirtrail。Sometimes，too，suchevidencehasbeenmanufacturedmerelytosatisfyaspiteagainsttheoneunjustlyaccused。\" \"It\'stooabsurdtothinkabout，\"Gilderrepeated，impatiently。 \"Thejudgeandthejuryfoundnofaultwiththeevidence。\" Demarestrealizedthatthisadvocacyinbehalfofthegirlwashardlyfittingonthepartofthelegalrepresentativeofthestoreshewassupposedtohaverobbed，soheabruptlychangedhislineofargument。 \"Shesaysthatherrecordoffiveyearsinyouremployoughttocountsomethinginherfavor。\" Gilder，however，wasnotdisposedtobesympatheticastoamattersoflagrantlyopposedtohisinterests。