the conflict-第22章

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attack　on　the　propertied　classesthe　intelligent　classes。''

‘‘I　see　your　eyes　are　being　opened；　my　boy；''　said　Kelly　in　a　kindly　tone　that　showed　how　deeply　he　appreciated　this　unexpected　recognition　of　his　own　notion　of　his　mission。　　‘‘You　young　silk　stocking　fellows　up　at　the　University　Club；　and　the　Lincoln　and　the　Jefferson；　have　been　indulging　in　a　lot　of　loose　talk　against　the　fellows　that　do　the　hard　work　in　politicsthe　fellows　that　helped　your　fathers　to　make　fortunes　and　that　are　helping　you　boys　to　keep　'em。　　If　I　didn't　have　a　pretty　level　head　on　me；　I'd　take　my　hands　off　and　give　Dorn　and　his　gang　a　chance　at　you。

I　tell　you；　when　you　fool　with　that　reform　nonsense；　you　play　with　fire　in　a　powder　mill。''

‘‘But　II　had　an　idea　that　you　wanted　me　to　go　ahead；''　said　Davy。

‘‘Not　the　way　you　started　last　spring；''　replied　Kelly。　‘‘Not　the　way　you'd　'a　gone　if　I　hadn't　taken　hold。　　I've　been　saving　you　in　spite　of　yourselves。　　Thanks　to　me；　your　party's　on　a　sound；　conservative　basis　and　won't　do　any　harm　and　may　do　some　good　in　teaching　a　lesson　to　those　of　our　boys　that've　been　going　a　little　too　far。　　It　ain't　good　for　an　organization　to　win　always。''

‘‘Victor　Dorn　seemed　to　be　sureabsolutely　sure；''　said　Hull。　　‘‘And　he's　pretty　shrewd　at　politics　isn't　he？''

‘‘Don't　worry　about　him；　I　tell　you；''　replied　Kelly。

The　sudden　hardening　of　his　voice　and　of　his　never　notably　soft　face　was　tribute　stronger　than　any　words　to　Dorn's　ability　as　a　politician；　to　his　power　as　an　antagonist。　　Davy　felt　a　sinister　intentand　he　knew　that　Dick　Kelly　had　risen　because　he　would　stop　at　nothing。　　He　was　as　eager　to　get　away　from　the　boss　as　the　boss　was　to　be　rid　of　him。　　The　intrusion　of　a　henchman；　to　whom　Kelly　had　no　doubt　signaled；　gave　him　the　excuse。　　As　soon　as　he　had　turned　from　the　City　Hall　into　Morton　Street　he　slackened　to　as　slow　a　walk　as　his　length　of　leg　would　permit。　　Moving　along；　absorbed　in　uncomfortable　thoughts；　he　startled　violently　when　he　heard　Selma　Gordon's　voice：

‘‘How　d'you　do；　Mr。　Hull？　　I　was　hoping　I'd　see　you　to…day。''

She　was　standing　before　himthe　same　fascinating　embodiment　of　life　and　health　and　untamed　energy；　the　direct；　honest　glance。

‘‘I　want　to　talk　to　you；''　she　went　on；　‘‘and　I　can't；　walking　beside　you。　　You're　far　too　tall。　　Come　into　the　park　and　we'll　sit　on　that　bench　under　the　big　maple。''

He　had　mechanically　lifted　his　hat；　but　he　had　not　spoken。　　He　did　not　find　words　until　they　were　seated　side　by　side；　and　then　all　he　could　say　was：

‘‘I'm　very　glad　to　see　you　againvery　glad；　indeed。''

In　fact；　he　was　the　reverse　of　glad；　for　he　was　afraid　of　her；　afraid　of　himself　when　under　the　spell　of　her　presence。　　He　who　prided　himself　on　his　self…control；　he　could　not　account　for　the　effect　this　girl　had　upon　him。　　As　he　sat　there　beside　her　the　impulse　Jane　Hastings　had　so　adroitly　checked　came　surging　back。　　He　had　believed；　had　hoped　it　was　gone　for　good　and　all。　　He　found　that　in　its　mysterious　hiding　place　it　had　been　gaining　strength。　　Quite　clearly　he　saw　how　absurd　was　the　idea　of　making　this　girl　his　wifehe　tall　and　she　not　much　above　the　bend　of　his　elbow；　he　conventional；　and　she　the　incarnation　of　passionate　revolt　against　the　restraints　of　class　and　form　and　custom　which　he　not　only　conformed　to　but　religiously　believed　in。　　And　she　set　stirring　in　him　all　kinds　of　vague；　wild　longings　to　run　amuck　socially　and　politicallylongings　that；　if　indulged；　would　ruin　him　for　any　career　worthy　of　the　name。

He　stood　up。　　‘‘I　must　goI　really　must；''　he　said；　confusedly。

She　laid　her　small；　strong　hand　on　his　arma　natural；　friendly　gesture　with　her；　and　giving　no　suggestion　of　familiarity。　　Even　as　she　was　saying；　‘‘Pleaseonly　a　moment；''　he　dropped　back　to　the　seat。

‘‘Wellwhat　is　it？''　he　said　abruptly；　his　gaze　resolutely　away　from　her　face。

‘‘Victor　was　telling　me　this　morning　about　his　talk　with　you；''　she　said　in　her　rapid；　energetic　way。　　‘‘He　was　depressed　because　he　had　failed。　　But　I　felt　sure　I　feel　surethat　he　hasn't。　　In　our　talk　the　other　day；　Mr。　Hull；　I　got　a　clear　idea　of　your　character。　　A　woman　understands　better。　　And　I　know　that；　after　Victor　told　you　the　plain　truth　about　the　situation；　you　couldn't　go　on。''

David　looked　round　rather　wildly；　swallowed　hard　several　times；　said　hoarsely：　　‘‘I　won't；　if　you'll　marry　me。''

But　for　a　slight　change　of　expression　or　of　color　Davy　would　have　thought　she　had　not　heardor　perhaps　that　he　had　imagined　he　was　uttering　the　words　that　forced　themselves　to　his　lips　in　spite　of　his　efforts　to　suppress　them。　　For　she　went　on　in　the　same　impetuous；　friendly　way：

‘‘It　seemed　to　me　that　you　have　an　instinct　for　the　right　that's　unusual　in　men　of　your　class。　　At　least；　I　think　it's　unusual。　　I　confess　I've　not　known　any　man　of　your　class　except　youand　I　know　you　very　slightly。　　It　was　I　that　persuaded　Victor　to　go　to　you。　　He　believes　that　a　man's　class　feeling　controls　him　makes　his　moral　sensecompels　his　actions。　　But　I　thought　you　were　an　exceptionand　he　yielded　after　I　urged　him　a　while。''

‘‘I　don't　know　WHAT　I　am；''　said　Hull　gloomily。　　‘‘I　think　I　want　to　do　right。　　Butwhat　is　right？　　Not　theoretical　right；　but　the　practical；　workable　thing？''

‘‘That's　true；''　conceded　Selma。　　‘‘We　can't　always　be　certain　what's　right。　　But　can't　we　always　know　what's　wrong？　　And；　Mr。　Hull；　it　is　wrongaltogether　wrongand　YOU　know　it's　wrongto　lend　your　name　and　your　influence　and　your　reputation　to　that　crowd。　　They'd　let　you　do　a　little　goodwhy？　　To　make　their　professions　of　reform　seem　plausible。　　To　fool　the　people　into　trusting　them　again。　　And　under　cover　of　the　little　good　you　were　showily　doing；　how　much　mischief　they'd　do！　　If　you'll　go　back　over　the　history　of　this　townof　any　townof　any　countryyou'll　find　that　most　of　the　wicked　thingsthe　things　that　pile　the　burdens　on　the　shoulders　of　the　poorthe　masses　most　of　the　wicked　things　have　been　done　under　cover　of　just　such　men　as　you；　used　as　figureheads。''

‘‘But　I　want　to　build　up　a　new　partya　party　of　honest　men；　honestly　led；''　said　Davy。

‘‘Led　by　your　sort　of　young　men？　　I　mean　young　men　of　your　class。

Led　by　young　lawyers　and　merchants　and　young　fellows　living　on　inherited　incomes？　　Don't　you　see　that's　impossible；''　cried　Selma。　　‘‘They　are　all　living　off　the　labor　of　others。　　Their　whole　idea　of　life　is　exploiting　the　massesis　reaping　where　they　have　not　sown　or　reaping　not　only　what　they've　sown　but　also　what　others　have　sownfor　they　couldn't　buy　luxury　and　all　the　so…called　refinements　of　life　for　themselves　and　their　idle　families　merely　with　what　they　themselves　could　earn。　　How　can　you　build　up　a　really　HONEST　party　with　such　men？　　They　may　mean　well。　　They　no　doubt　are　honest；　up　to　a　certain　point。　　But　they　will　side　with　their　class；　in　every　crisis。　　And　their　class　is　the　exploiting　class。''

‘‘I　don't　agree　with　you；''　said　Davy。　　‘‘You　are　not　fair　to　us。''

‘‘How！''　demanded　Selma。

‘‘I　couldn't　argue　with　you；''　replied　Hull。　　‘‘All　I'll　say　is　that　you've　seen　only　the　one　sideonly　the　side　of　the　working　class。''

‘‘That　toils　without　ceasingits　men；　its　women；　its　children''　said　the　girl　with　heaving　bosom　and　flashing　eyes‘‘only　to　have　most　of　what　it　earns　filched　away　from　it　by　your　class　to　waste　in　foolish　luxury！''

‘‘And　whose　fault　is　that？''　pleaded　Hull。

‘‘The　fault　of　my　class；''　replied　she。　　‘‘Their　ignorance；　their　stupidityyes；　and　their　foolish　cunning　that　overreaches　itself。　　For　they　tolerate　the　abuses　of　the　present　system　because　each　manat　least；　each　man　of　the　ones　who　think　themselves　‘smart'imagines　that　the　day　is　coming　when　he　can　escape　from　the　working　class　and　gain　the　ranks　of　the　despoilers。''

‘‘And　you　ask　ME　to　come　into　the　party　of　those　people！''　scoffed　Davy。

‘‘Yes；　Mr。　Hull；''　said　sheand　until　then　he　had　not　appreciated　how　lovely　her　voice　was。　　‘‘Yesthat　is　the　party　for　youfor　all　honest；　sincere　men　who　want　to　have　their　own　respect　through　and　through。　　To　teach　those　peopleto　lead　them　rightto　be　truthful　and　just　with　themthat　is　the　life　worth　while。''

‘‘But　they　won't　learn。　　They　won't　be　led　right。　　They　are　as　ungrateful　as　they　are　foolish。　　If　they　weren't；　men　like　me　trying　to　make　a　decent　career　wouldn't　have　to　compromise　with　the　Kellys　and　the　Houses　and　their　masters。　　What　are　Kelly　and　House　but　leaders　of　your　class？　　And　they　lead　ten　to　Victor　Dorn's　one。　　Why；　any　day　Dorn's　followers　may　turn　on　himand　you　know　it。''

‘‘And　what　of　that？''　cried　Selma。　　‘‘He's　not　working　to　be　their　leader；　but　to　do　what　he　thinks　is　right；　regardless　of　consequences。　　Why　is　he　a　happy　man；　as　happiness　goes？　　Why　has　he　gone　on　his　way　steadily　all　these　years；　never　minding　setbacks　and　failures　and　defeats　and　dangers？　　I　needn't　tell　you　why。''

‘‘No；''　said　Hull；　powerfully　moved　by　her　earnestness。　　‘‘I　understand。''

‘‘The　finest　sentence　that　ever　fell　from　human　lips；''　Selma　went　on；　‘‘was　‘Father；　forgive　them；　they　know　not　what　they　do。'　　Forgive　themforgive　us　all　for　when　we　go　astray　it　is　because　we　are　in　the　dark。　　And　I　want　you　to　come　with　us；　Mr。　Hull；　and　help　to　make　it　a　little　less　dark。　　At　least；　you　will　then　be　looking　toward　the　lightand　every　one　turned　in　that　direction　counts。''

After　a　long　pause；　Hull　said：

‘‘Miss　Gordon；　may　I　ask　you　a　very　personal　question？''

‘‘Yes；''　said　she。

‘‘Are　you　in　love　with　Victor　Dorn？''

Selma　laughed　merrily。　　‘‘Jane　Hastings　had　that　same　curiosity；''　said　she。　　‘‘I'll　answer　you　as　I　answered　herthough　she　didn't　ask　me　quite　so　directly。　　No；　I　am　not　in　love　with　him。　　We　are　too　busy　to　bother　about　those　things。　　We　have　too　much　to　do　to　think　about　ourselves。''

‘‘Thenthere　is　no　reason　why　I　should　not　ask　you　to　be　my　wifewhy　I　should　not　hopeand　try？''

She　looked　at　him　with　a　peculiar　smile。　　‘‘Yes；　there　is　a　very　good　reason。　　I　do　not　love　you；　and　I　shall　not　love　you。　　I　shall　not　have　time　for　that　sort　of　thing。''

‘‘Don't　you　believe　in　love？''

‘‘I　don't　believe　in　much　else；''　said　she。　　‘‘Butnot　the　kind　of　love　you　offer　me。''

‘‘How　do　you　know？''　cried　he。　　‘‘I　have　not　told　you　yet　how　I　feel　toward　you。　　I　have　not''

‘‘Oh；　yes；　you　have；''　interrupted　she。　　‘‘This　is　the　secondno；　the　third　time　you　have　seen　me。　　So；　the　love　you　offer　me　can　only　be　of　a　kind　it　is　not　in　the　least　flattering　to　a　woman　to　inspire。　　You　needn't　apologize；''　she　went　on；　laughingly。　　‘‘I've　no　doubt　you　mean　well。　　You　simply　don't　understand　memy　sort　of　woman。''

‘‘It's　you　that　don't　understand；　Selma；''　cried　he。　　‘‘You　don't　realize　how　wonderful　you　arehow　much　you　reveal　of　yourself　at　once。　　I　was　all　but　engaged　to　another　woman　when　I　saw　you。　　I've　been　fighting　against　my　love　for　youfighting　against　the　truth　that　suddenly　came　to　me　that　you　were　the　only　woman　I　had　ever　seen　who　appealed　to　and　aroused　and　made　strong　all　that　is　brave　and　honest　in　me。　　Selma；　I　need　you。　　I　am　not　infatuated。

I　am　clearer…　headed　than　I　ever　was　in　my　life。　　I　need　you。　　You　can　make　a　man　of　me。''

She　was　regarding　him　with　a　friendly　and　even　tender　sympathy。　　‘‘I　understand　now；''　she　said。　　‘‘I　thought　it