the conflict-第14章

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ter　takes　care　of　both　of　themand　her　two　boysand　of　mekeeps　the　house　in　band…box　order；　manages　a　big　garden　that　gives　us　most　of　what　we　eatand　has　time　to　listen　to　the　woes　of　all　the　neighbors　and　to　give　them　the　best　advice　I　ever　heard。''

‘‘How　CAN　she？''　cried　Jane。　　‘‘Why；　the　day　isn't　long　enough。''

Dorn　laughed。　　‘‘You'll　never　realize　how　much　time　there　is　in　a　day；　Miss　Jane　Hastings；　until　you　try　to　make　use　of　it　all。　　It's　very　interestinghow　much　there　is　in　a　minute　and　in　a　dollar　if　you're　intelligent　about　them。''

Jane　looked　at　him　in　undisguised　wonder　and　admiration。　　‘‘You　don't　know　what　a　pleasure　it　is；''　she　said；　‘‘to　meet　anyone　whose　sentences　you　couldn't　finish　for　him　before　he's　a　quarter　the　way　through　them。''

Victor　threw　back　his　head　and　laugheda　boyish　outburst　that　would　have　seemed　boorish　in　another；　but　came　as　naturally　from　him　as　song　from　a　bird。　　‘‘You　mean　Davy　Hull；''　said　he。

Jane　felt　herself　coloring　even　more。　　‘‘I　didn't　mean　him　especially；''　replied　she。　　‘‘But　he's　a　good　example。''

‘‘The　best　I　know；''　declared　Victor。　　‘‘You　see；　the　trouble　with　Davy　is　that　he　is　one　kind　of　a　person；　wants　to　be　another　kind；　thinks　he　ought　to　be　a　third　kind；　and　believes　he　fools　people　into　thinking　he　is　still　a　fourth　kind。''

Jane　reflected　on　this；　smiled　understandingly。　　‘‘That　sounds　like　a　description　of　ME；''　said　she。

‘‘Probably；''　said　Victor。　　‘‘It's　a　very　usual　type　in　the　second　generation　in　your　class。''

‘‘My　class？''　said　Jane；　somewhat　affectedly。　　‘‘What　do　you　mean？''

‘‘The　upper　class；''　explained　Victor。

Jane　felt　that　this　was　an　opportunity　for　a　fine　exhibition　of　her　democracy。　　‘‘I　don't　like　that；''　said　she。　　‘‘I'm　a　good　American；　and　I　don't　believe　in　classes。　　I　don't　feelat　least　I　try　not　to　feelany　sense　of　inequality　between　myself　and　thosethose　lesslessfortunately　off。　　I'm　not　expressing　myself　well；　but　you　know　what　I　mean。''

‘‘Yes；　I　know　what　you　mean；''　rejoined　Victor。　　‘‘But　that　wasn't　what　I　meant；　at　all。　　You　are　talking　about　social　classes　in　the　narrow　sense。　　That　sort　of　thing　isn't　important。

One　associates　with　the　kind　of　people　that　pleases　oneand　one　has　a　perfect　right　to　do　so。　　If　I　choose　to　have　my　leisure　time　with　people　who　dress　a　certain　way；　or　with　those　who　have　more　than　a　certain　amount　of　money；　or　more　than　a　certain　number　of　servants　or　what　notwhy；　that's　my　own　lookout。''

‘‘I'm　SO　glad　to　hear　you　say　that；''　cried　Jane。　　‘‘That's　SO　sensible。''

‘‘Snobbishness　may　be　amusing；''　continued　Dorn；　‘‘or　it　may　be　repulsiveor　pitiful。　　But　it　isn't　either　interesting　or　important。　　The　classes　I　had　in　mind　were　the　economic　classesupper；　middle；　lower。　　The　upper　class　includes　all　those　who　live　without　work　aristocrats；　gamblers；　thieves；　preachers；　women　living　off　men　in　or　out　of　marriage；　grown　children　living　off　their　parents　or　off　inheritances。　　All　the　idlers。''

Jane　looked　almost　as　uncomfortable　as　she　felt。　　She　had　long　taken　a　secret　delight　in　being　regarded　and　spoken　of　as　an　‘‘upper　class''　person。　　Henceforth　this　delight　would　be　at　least　alloyed。

‘‘The　middle　class；''　pursued　Victor；　‘‘is　those　who　are　in　part　parasites　and　in　part　workers。　　The　lower　class　is　those　who　live　by　what　they　earn　only。　　For　example；　you　are　upper　class；　your　father　is　middle　class　and　I　am　lower　class。''

‘‘Thank　you；''　said　Jane　demurely；　‘‘for　an　interesting　lesson　in　political　economy。''

‘‘You　invited　it；''　laughed　Victor。　　‘‘And　I　guess　it　wasn't　much　more　tiresome　to　you　than　talk　about　the　weather　would　have　been。

The　weather's　probably　about　the　only　other　subject　you　and　I　have　in　common。''

‘‘That's　rude；''　said　Jane。

‘‘Not　as　I　meant　it；''　said　he。　　‘‘I　wasn't　exalting　my　subjects　or　sneering　at　yours。　　It's　obvious　that　you　and　I　lead　wholly　different　lives。''

‘‘I'd　much　rather　lead　your　life　than　my　own；''　said　Jane。　　‘‘Butyou　are　impatient　to　see　father。　　You　came　to　see　him？''

‘‘He　telephoned　asking　me　to　come　to　dinnerthat　is；　lunch。　　I　believe　it's　called　lunch　when　it's　second　in　this　sort　of　house。''

‘‘Father　calls　it　dinner；　and　I　call　it　lunch；　and　the　servants　call　it　IT。　　They　simply　say；　‘It's　ready。'　''

Jane　went　in　search　of　her　father；　found　him　asleep　in　his　chair　in　the　little　office；　one　of　his　dirty　little　account　books　clasped　in　his　long；　thin　fingers　with　their　rheumatic　side　curve。　　The　maid　had　seen　him　there　and　had　held　back　dinner　until　he　should　awaken。　　Perhaps　Jane's　entrance　roused　him；　or；　perhaps　it　was　the　odor　of　the　sachet　powder　wherewith　her　garments　were　liberally　scented；　for　he　had　a　singularly　delicate　sense　of　smell。　　He　lifted　his　head　and；　after　the　manner　of　aged　and　confirmed　cat…nappers；　was　instantly　wide　awake。

‘‘Why　didn't　you　tell　me　Victor　Dorn　was　coming　for　dinner？''　said　she。

‘‘Ohhe's　here；　is　he？''　said　Hastings；　chuckling。　　‘‘You　see　I　took　your　advice。　　Tell　Lizzie　to　lay　an　extra　plate。''

Hastings　regarded　this　invitation　as　evidence　of　his　breadth　of　mind；　his　freedom　from　prejudice；　his　disposition　to　do　the　generous　and　the　helpful　thing。　　In　fact；　it　was　evidence　of　little　more　than　his　dominant　and　most　valuable　traithis　shrewdness。　　After　one　careful　glance　over　the　ruins　of　his　plan；　he　appreciated　that　Victor　Dorn　was　at　last　a　force　to　be　reckoned　with。　　He　had　been　growing；　growingsomewhat　above　the　surface；　a　great　deal　more　beneath　the　surface。　　His　astonishing　victory　demonstrated　his　power　over　Remsen　City　laborin　a　single　afternoon　he　had　persuaded　the　street　car　union　to　give　up　without　hesitation　a　strike　it　had　been　planningat　least；　it　thought　it　had　been　doing　the　planningfor　months。　　The　Remsen　City　plutocracy　was　by　no　means　dependent　upon　the　city　government　of　Remsen　City。　　It　had　the　county　courtsthe　district　courtsthe　State　courts　even；　except　where　favoring　the　plutocracy　would　be　too　obviously　outrageous　for　judges　who　still　considered　themselves　men　of　honest　and　just　mind　to　decide　that　way。　　The　plutocracy；　further；　controlled　all　the　legislative　and　executive　machinery。　　To　dislodge　it　from　these　fortresses　would　mean　a　campaign　of　years　upon　years；　conducted　by　men　of　the　highest　ability；　and　enlisting　a　majority　of　the　voters　of　the　State。　　Still；　possession　of　the　Remsen　City　government　was　a　most　valuable　asset。　　A　hostile　government　could　‘‘upset　business；''　could　‘‘hamper　the　profitable　investment　of　capital；''　in　other　words　could　establish　justice　to　a　highly　uncomfortable　degree。　　This　victory　of　Dorn's　made　it　clear　to　Hastings　that　at　last　Dorn　was　about　to　unite　the　labor　vote　under　his　bannerwhich　meant　that　he　was　about　to　conquer　the　city　government。　　It　was　high　time　to　stop　him　and；　if　possible；　to　give　his　talents　better　employment。

However；　Hastings；　after　the　familiar　human　fashion；　honestly　thought　he　was　showing　generosity；　was　going　out　of　his　way　to　‘‘give　a　likely　young　fellow　a　chance。''　　When　he　came　out　on　the　veranda　he　stretched　forth　a　graciously　friendly　hand　and；　looking　shrewdly　into　Victor's　boyishly　candid　eyes；　said：

‘‘Glad　to　see　you；　young　man。　　I　want　to　thank　you　for　ending　that　strike。　　I　was　born　a　working　man；　and　I've　been　one　all　my　life　and；　when　I　can't　work　any　more；　I　want　to　quit　the　earth。　　So；　being　a　working　man；　I　hate　to　see　working　men　make　fools　of　themselves。''

Jane　was　watching　the　young　man　anxiously。　　She　instinctively　knew　that　this　speech　must　be　rousing　his　passion　for　plain　and　direct　speaking。　　Before　he　had　time　to　answer　she　said：　　‘‘Dinner's　waiting。　　Let's　go　in。''

And　on　the　way　she　made　an　opportunity　to　say　to　him　in　an　undertone：　　‘‘I　do　hope　you'll　be　careful　not　to　say　anything　that'll　upset　father。　　I　have　to　warn　every　one　who　comes　here。　　His　digestion's　bad；　and　the　least　thing　makes　him　ill；　and''　she　smiled　charmingly　at　him　‘‘I　HATE　nursing。　　It's　too　much　like　work　to　suit　an　upper…class　person。''

There　was　no　resisting　such　an　appeal　as　that。　　Victor　sat　silent　and　ate；　and　let　the　old　man　talk　on　and　on。　　Jane　saw　that　it　was　a　severe　trial　to　him　to　seem　to　be　assenting　to　her　father's　views。　　Whenever　he　showed　signs　of　casting　off　his　restraint；　she　gave　him　a　pleading　glance。　　And　the　old　man；　so　weazened；　so　bent　and　shaky；　with　his　bowl　of　crackers　and　milk；　wasor　seemed　to　beproof　that　the　girl　was　asking　of　him　only　what　was　humane。　　Jane　relieved　the　situation　by　talking　volubly　about　herselfher　college　experiences；　what　she　had　seen　and　done　in　Europe。

After　dinner　Hastings　said：

‘‘I'll　drive　you　back　to　town；　young　man。　　I'm　going　in　to　work；　as　usual。　　I　never　took　a　vacation　in　my　life。　　Can　you　beat　that　record？''

‘‘Oh；　I　knock　off　every　once　in　a　while　for　a　month　or　so；''　said　Dorn。

‘‘The　young　fellows　growing　up　nowadays　ain't　equal　to　us　of　the　old　stock；''　said　Martin。　　‘‘They　can't　stand　the　strain。　　Well；　if　you're　ready；　we'll　pull　out。''

‘‘Mr。　Dorn's　going　to　stop　a　while　with　me；　father；''　interposed　Jane　with　a　significant　glance　at　Victor。　　‘‘I　want　to　show　him　the　grounds　and　the　views。''

‘‘All　rightall　right；''　said　her　father。　　He　never　liked　company　in　his　drives；　company　interfered　with　his　thinking　out　what　he　was　going　to　do　at　the　office。　　‘‘I'm　mighty　glad　to　know　you；　young　man。　　I　hope　we'll　know　each　other　better。　　I　think　you'll　find　out　that　for　a　devil　I'm　not　half　badeh？''

Victor　bowed；　murmured　something　inarticulate；　shook　his　host's　hand；　and　when　the　ceremony　of　parting　was　over　drew　a　stealthy　breath　of　reliefwhich　Jane　observed。　　She　excused　herself　to　accompany　her　father　to　his　trap。　　As　he　was　climbing　in　she　said：

‘‘Didn't　you　rather　like　him；　father？''

Old　Hastings　gathered　the　reins　in　his　lean；　distorted　hands。　　‘‘So　so；''　said　he。

‘‘He's　got　brains；　hasn't　he？''

‘‘Yes；　he's　smart；　mighty　smart。''　　The　old　man's　face　relaxed　in　a　shrewd　grin。　　‘‘Too　damn　smart。　　Giddap；　Bet。''

And　he　was　gone。　　Jane　stood　looking　after　the　ancient　phaeton　with　an　expression　half　of　amusement；　half　of　discomfiture。　　‘‘I　might　have　known；''　reflected　she；　‘‘that　popsy　would　see　through　it　all。''

When　she　reappeared　in　the　front　doorway　Victor　Dorn　was　at　the　edge　of　the　veranda；　ready　to　depart。　　As　soon　as　he　saw　her　he　said　gravely：　　‘‘I　must　be　off；　Miss　Hastings。　　Thank　you　for　the　very　interesting　dinner。''　　He　extended　his　hand。　　‘‘Good　day。''

She　put　her　hands　behind　her　back；　and　stood　smiling　gently　at　him。　　‘‘You　mustn't　gonot　just　yet。　　I'm　about　to　show　you　the　trees　and　the　grass；　the　bees；　the　chickens　and　the　cows。　　Also；　I've　something　important　to　say　to　you。''

He　shook　his　head。　　‘‘I'm　sorry；　but　I　must　go。''

She　stiffened　slightly；　her　smile　changed　from　friendly　to　cold。　　‘‘Ohpardon　me；''　she　said。　　‘‘Good…by。''

He　bowed；　and　was　on　the　walk；　and　running　rapidly　toward　the　entrance　gates。

‘‘Mr。　Dorn！''　she　called。

He　turned。

She　was　afraid　to　risk　asking　him　to　come　back　for　a　moment。　　He　might　refuse。　　Standing　there；　looking　so　resolute；　so　completely　master　of　himself；　so　devoid　of　all　suggestion　of　need　for　any　one　or　anything；　he　seemed　just　the　man　to　turn　on　his　heel　and　depart。　　She　descended　to　the　walk