the conflict-第13章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


ften　to　the　advantage　of　business　men　to　have　their　own　business　crippled；　hampered；　stopped　altogether。

‘‘You　needn't　worry；　father；''　said　she　cheerfully。　　‘‘The　strike's　been　declared　off。''

‘‘What's　that？''　cried　her　father。

‘‘A　girl　from　down　town　just　called。　　She　says　the　union　has　called　the　strike　off　and　the　men　have　accepted　the　company's　terms。''

‘‘But　them　terms　is　withdrawn！''　cried　Hastings；　as　if　his　daughter　were　the　union。　　He　seized　the　telephone。　　‘‘I'll　call　up　the　office　and　order　'em　withdrawn。''

‘‘It's　too　late；''　said　she。

Just　then　the　telephone　bell　rang；　and　Hastings　was　soon　hearing　confirmation　of　the　news　his　daughter　had　brought　him。　　She　could　not　bear　watching　his　face　as　he　listened。　　She　turned　her　back；　stood　gazing　out　at　the　window。　　Her　father；　beside　himself；　was　shrieking　into　the　telephone　curses；　denunciations；　impossible　orders。　　The　one　emergency　against　which　he　had　not　provided　was　the　union's　ending　the　strike。　　When　you　have　struck　the　line　of　battle　of　a　general；　however　able　and　self…controlled；　in　the　one　spot　where　he　has　not　arranged　a　defense；　you　have　thrown　him　and　his　armyinto　a　panic。　　Some　of　the　greatest　tactitians　in　history　have　given　way　in　those　circumstances；　so；　Martin　Hastings'　utter　loss　of　self…control　and　of　control　of　the　situation　only　proves　that　he　had　his　share　of　human　nature。　　He　had　provided　against　the　unexpected；　he　had　not　provided　against　the　impossible。

Jane　let　her　father　rave　on　into　the　telephone　until　his　voice　grew　hoarse　and　squeaky。　　Then　she　turned　and　said：　　‘‘Now；　fatherwhat's　the　use　of　making　yourself　sick？　　You　can't　do　any　goodcan　you？''　　She　laid　one　hand　on　his　arm；　with　the　other　hand　caressed　his　head。　　‘‘Hang　up　the　receiver　and　think　of　your　health。''

‘‘I　don't　care　to　live；　with　such　goings…on；''　declared　he。　　But　he　hung　up　the　receiver　and　sank　back　in　his　chair；　exhausted。

‘‘Come　out　on　the　porch；''　she　went　on；　tugging　gently　at　him。　　‘‘The　air's　stuffy　in　here。''

He　rose　obediently。　　She　led　him　to　the　veranda　and　seated　him　comfortably；　with　a　cushion　in　his　back　at　the　exact　spot　at　which　it　was　most　comfortable。　　She　patted　his　shrunken　cheeks；　stood　off　and　looked　at　him。

‘‘Where's　your　sense　of　humor？''　she　cried。　　‘‘You　used　to　be　able　to　laugh　when　things　went　against　you。　　You're　getting　to　be　as　solemn　and　to　take　yourself　as　seriously　as　Davy　Hull。''

The　old　man　made　a　not　unsuccessful　attempt　to　smile。　　‘‘That　there　Victor　Dorn！''　said　he。　　‘‘He'll　be　the　death　of　me；　yet。''

‘‘What　has　he　done　now？''　said　Jane；　innocently。

Hastings　rubbed　his　big　bald　forehead　with　his　scrawny　hand。　　‘‘He's　tryin'　to　run　this　townto　run　it　to　the　devil；''　replied　he；　by　way　of　evasion。

‘‘Something's　got　to　be　done　about　himeh？''　observed　she；　in　a　fine　imitation　of　a　business…like　voice。

‘‘Something　WILL　be　done；''　retorted　he。

Jane　wincedhid　her　distressreturned　to　the　course　she　had　mapped　out　for　herself。　　‘‘I　hope　it　won't　be　something　stupid；''　said　she。　　Then　she　seated　herself　and　went　on。　　‘‘Fatherdid　you　ever　stop　to　wonder　whether　it　is　Victor　Dorn　or　the　changed　times？''

The　old　man　looked　up　abruptly　and　sharplythe　expression　of　a　shrewd　man　when　he　catches　a　hint　of　a　new　idea　that　sounds　as　if　it　might　have　something　in　it。

‘‘You　blame　Victor　Dorn；''　she　went　on　to　explain。　　‘‘But　if　there　were　no　Victor　Dorn；　wouldn't　you　be　having　just　the　same　trouble？　　Aren't　men　of　affairs　having　them　everywherein　Europe　as　well　as　on　this　sidenowadays？''

The　old　man　rubbed　his　browhis　nosehis　chin　pulled　at　the　tufts　of　hair　in　his　earsfumbled　with　his　cuffs。　　All　of　these　gestures　indicated　interest　and　attention。

‘‘Isn't　the　real　truth　not　Victor　Dorn　or　Victor　Dorns　but　a　changed　and　changing　world？''　pursued　the　girl。　　‘‘And　if　that's　so；　haven't　you　either　got　to　adopt　new　methods　or　fall　back？　　That's　the　way　it　looks　to　meand　we　women　have　got　intuitions　if　we　haven't　got　sense。''

‘‘_I_　never　said　women　hadn't　got　sense；''　replied　the　old　man。　　‘‘I've　sometimes　said　MEN　ain't　got　no　sense；　but　not　women。　　Not　to　go　no　further；　the　women　make　the　men　work　for　'emdon't　they？　　THAT'S　a　pretty　good　quality　of　sense；　_I_　guess。''

But　she　knew　he　was　busily　thinking　all　the　time　about　what　she　had　said。　　So　she　did　not　hesitate　to　go　on：　　‘‘Instead　of　helping　Victor　Dorn　by　giving　him　things　to　talk　about；　it　seems　to　me　I'd　USE　him；　father。''

‘‘Can't　do　anything　with　him。　　He's　crazy；''　declared　Hastings。

‘‘I　don't　believe　it；''　replied　Jane。　　‘‘I　don't　believe　he's　crazy。　　And　I　don't　believe　you　can't　manage　him。　　A　man　like　thata　man　as　clever　as　he　isdoesn't　belong　with　a　lot　of　ignorant　tenement…house　people。　　He's　out　of　place。　　And　when　anything　or　anybody　is　out　of　place；　they　can　be　put　in　their　right　place。　　Isn't　that　sense？''

The　old　man　shook　his　headnot　in　negation；　but　in　uncertainty。

‘‘These　men　are　always　edging　you　on　against　Victor　Dornwhat's　the　matter　with　them？''　pursued　Jane。　　‘‘_I_　saw；　when　Davy　Hull　talked　about　him。　　They're　envious　and　jealous　of　him；　father。　　They're　afraid　he'll　distance　them。　　And　they　don't　want　you　to　realize　what　a　useful　man　he　could　behow　he　could　help　you　if　you　helped　himmade　friends　with　him　roused　the　right　kind　of　ambition　in　him。''

‘‘When　a　man's　ambitious；''　observed　Hastings；　out　of　the　fullness　of　his　own　personal　experience；　‘‘it　means　he's　got　something　inside　him；　teasing　and　nagging　　at　himsomething　that　won't　let　him　rest；　but　keeps　pushing　and　pullingand　he's　got　to　keep　fighting；　trying　to　satisfy　itand　he　can't　wait　to　pick　his　ground　or　his　weapons。''

‘‘And　Victor　Dorn；''　said　Jane；　to　make　it　clearer　to　her　father　by　putting　his　implied　thought　into　words；　‘‘Victor　Dorn　is　doing　the　best　he　canfighting　on　the　only　ground　that　offers　and　with　the　only　weapons　he　can　lay　hands　on。''

The　old　man　nodded。　　‘‘I　never　have　blamed　him　not　really；''　declared　he。　　‘‘A　practical　mana　man　that's　been　through　thingshe　understands　how　these　things　are；''　in　the　tone　of　a　philosopher。　　‘‘Yes；　I　reckon　Victor's　doing　the　best　he　cangetting　up　by　the　only　ladder　he's　got　a　chance　at。''

‘‘The　way　to　get　him　off　that　ladder　is　to　give　him　another；''　said　Jane。

A　long　silence；　the　girl　letting　her　father　thresh　the　matter　out　in　his　slow；　thorough　way。　　Finally　her　young　impatience　conquered　her　restraint。　　‘‘Well　what　do　you　think；　popsy？''　inquired　she。

‘‘That　I've　got　about　as　smart　a　gel　as　there　is　in　Remsen　City；''　replied　he。

‘‘Don't　lay　it　on　too　thick；''　laughed　she。

He　understood　why　she　was　laughing；　though　he　did　not　show　it。　　He　knew　what　his　much…traveled　daughter　thought　of　Remsen　City；　but　he　held　to　his　own　provincial　opinion；　nevertheless。　　Nor；　perhaps；　was　he　so　far　wrong　as　she　believed。　　A　cross　section　of　human　society；　taken　almost　anywhere；　will　reveal　about　the　same　quantity　of　brain；　and　the　quality　of　the　mill　is　the　thing；　not　of　the　material　it　may　happen　to　be　grinding。

She　understood　that　his　remark　was　his　way　of　letting　her　know　that　he　had　taken　her　suggestion　under　advisement。　　This　meant　that　she　had　said　enough。　　And　Jane　Hastings　had　made　herself　an　adept　in　the　art　of　handling　her　fatheran　accomplishment　she　could　by　no　means　have　achieved　had　she　not　loved　him；　it　is　only　when　a　woman　deeply　and　strongly　loves　a　man　that　she　can　learn　to　influence　him；　for　only　love　can　put　the　necessary　sensitiveness　into　the　nerves　with　which　moods　and　prejudices　and　whims　and　such　subtle　uncertainties　can　be　felt　out。

The　next　day　but　one；　coming　out　on　the　front　veranda　a　few　minutes　before　lunch　time　she　was　startled　rather　than　surprised　to　see　Victor　Dorn　seated　on　a　wicker　sofa；　hat　off　and　gaze　wandering　delightedly　over　the　extensive　view　of　the　beautiful　farming　country　round　Remsen　City。　　She　paused　in　the　doorway　to　take　advantage　of　the　chance　to　look　at　him　when　he　was　off　his　guard。　　Certainly　that　profile　view　of　the　young　man　was　impressive。　　It　is　only　in　the　profile　that　we　get　a　chance　to　measure　the　will　or　propelling　force　behind　a　character。　　In　each　of　the　two　main　curves　of　Dorn's　headthat　from　the　top　of　the　brow　downward　over　the　nose；　the　lips；　the　chin　and　under；　and　that　from　the　back　of　the　head　round　under　the　ear　and　forward　along　the　lower　jawin　each　of　these　curves　Dorn　excelled。

She　was　about　to　draw　back　and　make　a　formal　entry；　when　he　said；　without　looking　toward　her：

‘‘Welldon't　you　think　it　would　be　safe　to　draw　near？''

The　tone　was　so　easy　and　natural　and　so　sympathetic　the　tone　of　Selma　Gordonthe　tone　of　all　natural　persons　not　disturbed　about　themselves　or　about　others　that　Jane　felt　no　embarrassment　whatever。　　‘‘I've　heard　you　were　very　clever；''　said　she；　advancing。　　‘‘So；　I　wanted　to　have　the　advantage　of　knowing　you　a　little　better　at　the　outset　than　you　would　know　me。''

‘‘But　Selma　Gordon　has　told　me　all　about　you；''　said　hehe　had　risen　as　she　advanced　and　was　shaking　hands　with　her　as　if　they　were　old　friends。　　‘‘Besides；　I　saw　you　the　other　dayin　spite　of　your　effort　to　prevent　yourself　from　being　seen。''

‘‘What　do　you　mean？''　she　asked；　completely　mystified。

‘‘I　mean　your　clothes；''　explained　he。　　‘‘They　were　unusual　for　this　part　of　the　world。　　And　when　anyone　wears　unusual　clothes；　they　act　as　a　disguise。　　Everyone　neglects　the　person　to　center　on　the　clothes。''

‘‘I　wore　them　to　be　comfortable；''　protested　Jane；　wondering　why　she　was　not　angry　at　this　young　man　whose　manner　ought　to　be　regarded　as　presuming　and　whose　speech　ought　to　be　rebuked　as　impertinent。

‘‘Altogether？''　said　Dorn；　his　intensely　blue　eyes　dancing。

In　spite　of　herself　she　smiled。　　‘‘Nonot　altogether；''　she　admitted。

‘‘Well；　it　may　please　you　to　learn　that　you　scored　tremendously　as　far　as　one　person　is　concerned。　　My　small　nephew　talks　of　you　all　the　timethe　‘lady　in　the　lovely　pants。'　''

Jane　colored　deeply　and　angrily。　　She　bent　upon　Victor　a　glance　that　ought　to　have　put　him　in　his　place　well　down　in　his　place。

But　he　continued　to　look　at　her　with　unchanged；　laughing；　friendly　blue　eyes；　and　went　on：　　‘‘By　the　way；　his　mother　asked　me　to　apologize　for　HIS　extraordinary　appearance。　　I　suppose　neither　of　you　would　recognize　the　other　in　any　dress　but　the　one　each　had　on　that　day。　　He　doesn't　always　dress　that　way。　　His　mother　has　been　ill。　　He　wore　out　his　play…clothes。　　If　you've　had　experience　of　children　you'll　know　how　suddenly　they　demolish　clothes。　　She　wasn't　well　enough　to　do　any　tailoring；　so　there　was　nothing　to　do　but　send　Leonard　forth　in　his　big　brother's　unchanged　cast…offs。''

Jane's　anger　had　quite　passed　away　before　Dorn　finished　this　simple；　ingenuous　recital　of　poverty　unashamed；　this　somehow　fine　laying　open　of　the　inmost　family　secrets。　　‘‘What　a　splendid　person　your　sister　must　be！''　exclaimed　she。

She　more　than　liked　the　look　that　now　came　into　his　face。　　He　said：　　‘‘Indeed　she　is！more　so　than　anyone　except　us　of　the　family　can　realize。　　Mother's　getting　old　and　almost　helpless。　　My　brother…in…law　was　paralyzed　by　an　accident　at　the　rolling　mill　where　he　worked。　　My　sister　takes　care　of　both　of　themand　her　two　boysand　of　mekeeps　the　house　in　band…box　order；　manages　a