file :i* includes ! orig9al             
illu/rations4       ,see #adfjf-;h4htm  
or #adfjf-;h4zip3                       
7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/dirs_/#a_/d_
/f_/j_/adfjf_/adfjf-;h_/#adfjf-;h4htm7  
or                                      
7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/dirs_/#a_/d_
/f_/j_/adfjf_/adfjf-;h4zip7      ,,&    
,,?us ,,he ,,came  ,a ,*ri/mas ,fantasy 
by  ,,cyrus ,,t[ns5d ,,brady  ,pictures 
by ,walt] ,b4 ,ev]ett  ,g4,p4 ,putnam's 
,sons ,new ,york & ,london ,!           
,knick]bock] ,press  #aiaf              
,illu/ration3 ,no1 ,no1 said ! woman1 ,i
 c't g ) y n[4    ,to ! ,belov$ ,memory 
( ,little ,betty     ,cont5ts           
,i4--,,! ,,baby       ,,ii4--,,! ,,*ild 
,,iii4--,,! ,,fri5d       ,,iv4--,,!    
,,workman        ,v4--,,! ,,com=t]      
,,vi4--,,! ,,burd5 ,,be>]               
,,vii4--,,! ,,?orn ,,cr[n$              
,,viii4--,,! ,,brok5-,,he>t$            
,,ix4--,,! ,,=giv] ,,( ,,s9s            
,x4--,,! ,,giv] ,,( ,,life              
,,xi4--,,! ,,/ill] ,,( ,,! ,,/orm       

,illu/rations     ,,no1 ,,no1 ,,said ,,!
 ,,woman1 ,i ,,c',t ,,g ,,) ,,y ,,n[    
7,frontispiece7     ,,aft] ,a ,,"t ,,%e 
,,fell ,,d[n ,,on ,,h] ,,knees4 ,,%e    
,,press$ ,,!m ,,aga9/    ,,h] ,,face    
,,%e ,,laid ,,h] ,,h& ,,^u ,,! ,,knob   
,,( ,,! ,,*ur* ,,door     ,,x ,,is ,,he1
 ,,:isp]$ ,,! ,,prie/2 ,,8 ,,sorr[ ,,0  
,,great] ,,?an ,,m9e     ,,absolvo ,,te 
,,! ,,cry ,,= ,,bread     ,i  ,! ,baby  
,a ,,little ,,*ild ,,%all ,,lead ,,!m   
,i  ,! ,baby   ,! heavy p]fume ( r>e    
blossoms1 ! wild /ra9s ( mad music1 !   
patt] ( fly+ feet1 ! murmur ( spee*1 !  
r+ ( laught]1 fill$ ! great hall4 ,n[ & 
aga9 a pair ( danc]s1 peculi>ly graceful
 & p>ticul>ly d>+1 held ! c5t] ( ! floor
 = a mom5t :ile ! room rang ) applause4 
,into alcoves1 scre5$ & fl[]-deck$1     
c\ples w&]$4 ,9 ! danc+-space h&s 7     
clasp$1 bosoms rose & fell1 he>ts       
?robb$1 pulses beat1 & mov+ bodies kept 
"t to rhy?mic s\nd4  ,sudd5ly ! music   
/opp$1 ! conv]sation ceas$1 ! laught]   
di$ away4 ,almo/1 z x 71 pois$ 9 ! air1 

! danc]s /ood amaz$4 ,"o look$ to ano!r 
9 surprise4 ,some?+ /ole ?r\gh\t ! room 
:i* 0 nei!r music1 nor lights1 nor      
fragrance1 b :i* 0 life--a pres5ce6  ,d 
y see t *ild8 ask$ ! wilde/ ( ! danc]s (
 h] escort4 ,!re1 %e po9t$4 ,he looks l 
a v little boy4  ,i see no?+1 said !    
man1 :o /ill held h] 9 ! clasp ( 8 arm4 
,he is /rangely dress$1 al?\gh ,i see   
him indi/9ctly1 vaguely1 :isp]$ ! woman4
 ,he we>s a long :ite robe & !re is a   
k9d ( light ab\t 8 face4 ,see1 he is    
look+ at u4  ,i see no?+1 repeat$ ! man 
9 l[ tones4 ,! heat1 ! light1 ! music1 h
 di/urb$ y2 let me get y--  ,i want     
no?+1 int]pos$ ! woman1 wav+ ! man aside
 & draw+ away f 8 arm4 ,don't y see him1
 !re8  ,%e made a /ep t[>d ! c5t] ( !   
room4 ,%e /opp$1 put h] h& to h] head4  
,:y1 he is gone1 %e exclaim$4  ,good1   
said ! man1 :ile at t in/ant ! room     
sudd5ly rang ) cries3 ,g on ) ! music1 !
 dance is n half ov]4 ,he ext5d$ 8 arm  
to ! woman aga94 ,our dance is n f9i%$4 
,yes1 x is1 %e said z ! fly+ feet once m

 tw9kl$ across ! poli%$ floor1 z        
ev]ybody took a long brea? & a new />t  
app>5tly unconsci\s ( ! pause4  ,x is   
ov] = me4 ,:at ,i saw6  ,:at did y see8 
,i don't "k1 b ,i'm go+ back home to my 
*ild4 ,good-night4         99       99  
99       99       99  ,yes1 ! music _h  
/opp$ sudd5ly4 ,! man 9 ! f>!/ alcove   
turn$ to 8 companion4 ,!y 7 hidd5 by a  
gr\p ( palms4  ,i wond] :y8 qu]i$ !     
woman4 ,%e 0 dea?ly pale4 ,h] eyes 7 d>k
 ) fe>1 yet alight ) passionate         
det]m9ation4  ,:5 x beg9s1 said ! man   
t5d]ly1 we w slip away4 ,my c> is       
outside4 ,ev]y?+ is ready4  ,t is my    
husb& ov] !re1 said ! woman4  ,yes1 said
 ! man1 he won't tr\ble y any m4  ,t    
woman ) him is leav+ him1 %e said4 ,i   
wond] :y4 ,%e turn$ sudd5ly ) a great   
/>t4 ,!re is somebody "h1 %e :isp]$1 />+
 into ! back ( ! alcove4  ,nons5se1 said
 ! man1 ?r[+ a glance ar\nd ! recess4   
,!re's nobody "h b y & ,i4 ,we are alone
 toge!r1 z we %all be h]eaft]1 :5 we h  
tak5 ! /ep4  ,b t *ild1 :isp]$ ! woman1 

) 8 /range ve/ure & 8 wond]ful face4 ,8 
eyes look at me s4  ,!re is no *ild !re1
 my de>1 urg$ ! man2 y are ov]wr\ght1   
excit$1 n]v\s4 ,! music />ts4 ,let u g4 
,he /ret*$ out 8 h& to ! woman1 b z he  
came ne>] %e %rank back ) h] own h& on  
h] he>t4  ,oh1 %e said fa9tly1 he's     
gone4  ,( c\rse he's gone1 he answ]$    
soo?+ly4 ,n[ is our "t to get away4 ,let
 me--  ,no1 no1 said ! woman4 ,i c't g )
 y n[4 ,x w\ldn't be "r4  ,b y knew t   
be=e1 plead$ ! man4 ,besides--  ,yes1 b 
,i c't d x4 ,he 0 !re6 ,8 eyes          
spoke--,i--don't t\* me1 %e said2 ,i'm  
go+ back to my husb&4 ,don't foll[4     
,,ii  ,! ,*ild     ,,suff] ,,! ,,little 
,,*ildr5 ,,to ,,come ,,unto ,,me        
,,ii  ,! ,*ild   ,! employees _h all    
gone home1 c>ry+ ) !m ,*ri/mas *ecks &  
he>ty greet+s f ! great man ^: beck &   
nod !y foll[$4 ,he sat 9 8 private (fice
 absolutely alone4 ,he _h "s s]i\s      
matt]s to consid] & did n want any      
int]ruptions4 ,8 balance-%eet = ! ye> _h
 be5 made up accord+ to ! cu/om ( ! firm

 be=e ,*ri/mas in/ead ( on ,new ,ye>'s  
,day4 ,he exam9$ x aga94 ,x %[$ trem5d\s
 pr(it4 ,! mills 7 turn+ out quantities 
( mat]ial1 ! dem& = :i* 0 great] & ! co/
 ( production less ?an ev] be=e4  ,i    
tell y1 said ! man to himself1 x 0 a    
ma/]-/roke to displace ! m5 ) *ildr5 9 !
 mills4 ,!y h r$uc$ ! co/ by f\r fif?s4 
,w> has made ! prices g up4 ,?is is n   
weal?1 x is ri*es beyond calculation4   
,he pick$ up a lett]1 read x ov]4 ,x 0 a
 proposal f ! sup]9t5d5t to cle> m l&1  
to build m build+s1 to in/all m ma*9es1 
to employ m *ildr5 & increase ! pr(its  
greatly4  ,i'll d x1 said ! man4 ,we c  
cru% opposition absolutely4 ,i'll       
control ! m>kets ( ! _w4 ,i'll build a  
=tune ^u ?is f\ndation s great t no "o c
 compreh5d x4  ,he /opp$1 lean$ back 9 8
 *air1 lift$ 8 eyes up t[>d ! ceil+ ( ! 
room & saw beyond x ! k+doms ( ?is _w & 
! means unlimit$ to make him "l & ma/]4 
,he gave no ?\ght to ! f\ndations1 only 
to ! /ructure erect$ by 8 fancy4 ,h[    
long he indulg$ 9 dreams he sc>cely     

realiz$1 b pres5tly he put 8 h&s on !   
arms ( ! *air & />t$ to rise1 say+1     
,i'll telegraph ! sup]9t5d5t to g ahead4
  ,he _h sc>cely =mulat$ ! words :5 "r 9
 front ( him1 seat$ on 8 desk1 he saw a 
"y lad reg>d+ him int5tly4 ,he /opp$1   
petrifi$1 9 ! position he _h assum$4    
,h[ did y get 98 ,:at are y do+ "h8 he  
ask$4 ,!re 0 no answ]4 ,come1 said !    
man1 %r9k+ back4 ,i c't imag9e h[ y got 
9 "h4 ,if my p _h n all gone ,i %\ld    
hold !m to /rict acc\nt4 ,z x is1 y--   
,! room 0 sudd5ly fill$ ) p4 ,!y came   
cr[d+ ?r\gh ! walls f e side & press$   
close to him4 ,su* p he _h nev] se53    
wan1 worn1 /unt$1 p9*$1 />v$1 joyless4  
,!y 7 all *ildr51 meag]ly clo!d1 badly  
n\ri%$1 ill develop$4 ,!y 7 q sil5t4 ,!y
 did n cry4 ,!y did n prote/4 ,!y did n 
argue4 ,!y did n plead4 ,!y did n laugh4
 ,!y j look$ at him4 ,!y made no s\nd ( 
any sort4 ,he _h *ildr5 ( 8 own & he _h 
kn[n _m *ildr54 ,he _h nev] kn[n s _m   
ga!r$ toge!r )\t a smile or a laugh4  ,8
 eye w&]$ ar\nd ! room4 ,!y 7 v close to

 him & yet !y did n t\* him4 ,he turn$  
to ! desk :]e ! lad _h sat1 b he 0 no   
long] !re & yet he well rememb]$ 8 face4
 ,he knew exactly h[ he look$4 ,he turn$
 to ! ne>e/ *ild & 9 "s /range way1     
al?\gh ! poor1 wret*$ face _h n *ang$1 8
 look sugge/$ ! lad :o _h be5 8 fir/    
visitor4 ,he turn$ to ano!r & ano!r4 ,!y
 all look$ back at him 9 ! same way ) ! 
same eyes4  ,he ?rew 8 head up aga9 &   
saw ! ca/le ( success ( :i* he _h       
dream$4 ,he look$ d[n aga94 ,?is 0 !    
f\ndation4 ,sl[ly 8 h& w5t to ! desk4 ,!
 little cr[d+ figures drew back to give 
him fre$om ( movem5t z he /ret*$ 8 h&   
out = a telegraph-blank4 ,he drew x to  
him4 ,he seiz$ a p5 & wrote rapidly3    
,build no m mills1 take ! *ildr5 out (  
^? already 9 op]ation1 put m5 9 _!      
places4 ,we w be cont5t ) less pr(it 9 !
 future4  ,he read ov] ! telegram4 ,!   
telephone 0 close at h&4 ,he call$ up ! 
telegraph-(fice1 dictat$ x & direct$ x  
to be s5t imm$iately4 ,he _h be5 s      
engross$ 9 ?is task t he _h notic$ no?+ 

else4 ,n[ he look$ up4 ,! room 0 /ill   
fill$ ) *ildr51 b !y 7 all laugh+4 ,x 0 
a s\ndless laugh1 & yet he he>d x4 ,& !n
 ! room 0 empty save = ! *ild he _h se5 
fir/ & vaguely4 ,he _h j "t to cat* a   
smile f 8 lips & !n he1 too1 0 gone z   
sil5tly & z /rangely z he _h appe>$4  ,0
 x a dream8 ,no1 !re 0 ! telegram 9 8   
h&6 ,_h he s5t x8 ,aga9 he call$ up !   
(fice on ! telephone4  ,did y get a     
message f me j a m9ute ago8  ,yes1 d y  
want to recall x8  ,! man ?\ght a       
second4  ,no1 he said quietly--0 x to   
himself or to 8 vani%$ visitors8--let x 
g4 ,m]ry ,*ri/mas4     ,,iii  ,! ,fri5d 
,,inasmu* ,,z ,,ye ,,h ,,done ,,x ,,unto
 ,,"o ,,( ,,! ,,lea/ ,,( ,,^!1 ,,my     
,,bre?r5     ,,iii  ,! ,fri5d   ,is !   
/ory ( ! ,*ri/ ,*ild true1 ,mommy8      
quiv]$ "o little1 ?9 voice4  ,yes1 !y   
told u x 0 ov] at ! mission             
,sunday-s*ool1 said ! little/ *ild4  ,i 
don't believe x1 answ]$ ! "m4 ,god a9't 
nev] done mu* = me4  ,x's ,*ri/mas eve1 
a9't x8 ask$ ! boy1 climb+ up on ! ?9   

knees ( ! ?readb>e woman & ne/l+ 8 ?9   
face aga9/ a ?9n] brea/ :i* ! rags      
sc>cely cov]$ dec5tly4  ,yes1 x's       
,*ri/mas eve4  ,& t's ! day ,he came1   
a9't x8 urg$ ! olde/ girl4  ,!y say s4  
,don't y believe x1 ,mommy8  ,i us$ to  
believe x :5 ,i 0 a girl4 ,i believ$ x  
be=e y\r fa!r di$1 b n[--  ,don't y     
believe x n[8 repeat$ ! fir/ *ild4  ,h[ 
c ,i believe x8 ,y're old en\gh to      
und]/&4 ,t's ! la/ scuttle ( coal we    
got4 ,we ate ! la/ bit ( bread = supp]  
to-night4  ,!y say1 put 9 ! little boy1 
t if y hang up y\r /ock+s1 ,santa       
,claus'll fill 'em1 'cause ( ! ,*ri/    
,*ild4  ,don't y believe x1 ,sonny1 said
 ! "m desp]ately4  ,i'm go+ to hang up  
m9e & see1 said ! little/ girl4  ,he's  
got too _m o!r *ildr5 to look aft]1 said
 ! woman1 to c>e = ! likes ( u1 ,i'm    
afraid1 &--  ,b my ,sunday-s*ool tea*]  
said ,he came to poor p special4 ,he 0  
awful poor ,himself4 ,:y1 ,he 0 born 9 a
 /able4 ,t's awful poor1 a9't x8 ask$ ! 
boy4  ,:5 ,i 0 a girl1 answ]$ ! "m1 ,i  

liv$ on a f>m & we _h a /able !re t 0 a 
palace to ?is hole we live 9 n[4 ,no1   
y'd bett] n hang up y\r /ock+s1 none (  
y4  ,& y don't believe 9 ,him1 ,mommy8  
,no4 ,:at w\ld be ! use if y hung 'em up
 & didn't f9d any?+ 9 'em 9 ! morn+8    
,x'd be awful1 b ,i believe 9 ,him1 said
 ! little/ girl4 ,i don't ?9k ,god has  
=got u1 really4 ,i'm go+ to try4  ,i    
tell y 'ta9't no use4  ,oh1 yes1 x is4  
,i'm sure x a9't4 ,b h x y\r own way1   
said ! woman4 ,if someone w\ld fill y\r 
/ock+s ) milk & bread &--  ,i want a    
turkey1 said ! olde/ girl4  ,& cranb]ry 
sauce1 add$ ! boy4  ,i want a doll-baby 
9 m9e1 said ! little/ girl4  ,! "m hid  
h] face & groan$ al\d4  ,y a9't sick1   
are y1 ,mommy8  ,i guess s4 ,come1 y'd  
bett] say y\r pray]s & g to b$4 ,we     
don't h to keep ! fire go+ s h>d :5 y're
 all cov]$ up4  ,x did n take long = !  
?ree little y\ng/]s to dive/ !mselves ( 
! rags ( clo?+ !y wore4 ,!y slept 9 :at 
pass$ = _! und]clo!s1 s !re 0 no donn+ (
 :ite g[ns = ! night4  ,"h are our      

/ock+s1 ,mommy1 said ! olde/1 h&+ ?ree  
ragg$1 almo/ footless1 black /ock+s to !
 woman4  ,x's no use1 ,i tell y4 ,i c't 
d x4  ,x won't d any h>m1 ,mommy1 urg$ !
 girl4  ,d y believe 9 x1 too8 ask$ !   
"m1 & ! girl %ook h] head4 ,y won't be  
disappo9t$ 9 ! morn+ if !re's no?+ 9    
'em8  ,no1 ,i suppose x w be because    
,santa ,claus 0 too busy4  ,) n]v\s f+]s
 ! woman hung ! ?ree /ock+s ne> ! w9d[4 
,%e 0 hungry1 %e 0 cold1 %e 0 brok51 %e 
0 a "m4 ,%e c\ld sc>cely keep f cry+4   
,maybe y'll be glad y did x1 said !     
little/ girl dr[sily4  ,a9't y com9' to 
b$1 too1 ,mommy8 ask$ ! olde/1 b5ea? !  
cov]s ov] ! mattress on ! floor4  ,9 a  
little :ile4  ,& y won't =get to say y\r
 pray]s8  ,i a9't said 'em = mon?s1 ev] 
s9ce y\r fa!r 0 kill$1 & we got s poor4 
,b y'll say 'em to-night 'cause x's     
,*ri/mas eve8  ,yes1 to-night1 said !   
"m2 n[ y g to sleep4  ,are y wait9' =   
him to come1 ,mommy8 ask$ ! little/     
girl1 :o 0 v sleepy4  ,yes1 said ! "m4  
,pres5tly1 z %e sat 9 ! d>k1 hav+ turn$ 

out ! light1 ! deep brea?+ ( ! *ildr5   
told h] !y 7 asleep4 ,%e rose quietly1  
/epp$ to ! w9d[1 & /ood look+ at ! ?ree 
%apeless1 tatt]$ /ock+s4 ,%e 0 high up 9
 ! t5em5t & ! moonlight came s(tly ov] !
 h\se ro(s ( ! city into ! b>e1 cold1   
*e]less room4 ,%e />$ at ! /ock+s & te>s
 /ream$ d[n h] wa/$ *eeks4 ,%e _h hung  
!m l[ at ! sugge/ion ( ! little/ girl s 
! *ildr5 c\ld easily get at !m 9 !      
morn+4  ,illu/ration3 ,%e press$ !m     
aga9/ h] face4  ,aft] a "t %e fell d[n  
on h] knees4 ,%e press$ !m aga9/ h]     
face4 ,%e did n say any?+4 ,%e c\ld     
sc>cely ?9k any?+4 ,%e j knelt !re until
 some?+ g5tly drew h] head ar\nd4 ,%e   
dropp$ ! /ock+s4 ,%e put h] "r h& on !  
w9d[-l$ge to /eady h]self & look$       
backw>d4  ,no s\nd save ! brea?+ ( !    
*ildr5 & h] own /ifl$ sobs _h brok5 !   
sil5ce2 ! door 0 %ut1 b a man 0 !re1 a  
man ( /range ve/ure se5 dimly 9 ! moon's
 radiance1 yet !re 0 a k9d ( light ab\t 
8 face4 ,%e c\ld see 8 features4 ,!y 7  
^? ( a man 9 middle ye>s4 ,!y 7 l9$ )   

c>e4 ,he _h se5 life on its seamy side4 
,! woman felt t he _h kn[n pov]ty &     
lonel9ess4 ,%e />$ up at him4  ,i didn't
 believe1 %e :isp]$2 x _c be4 ,i ?\ght  
we 7 =gott54  ,! man sl[ly rais$ 8 h&4  
,! moonlight /ruck fair ^u x4 ,%e saw t 
x 0 call\s$1 ! h& ( a man :o toil$4 ,x 0
 ext5d$ ov] h] head4 ,!re 0 no bodily   
t\*1 b h] head b5t l[ d[n until %e re/$ 
x ^u h] h&s ^u ! floor4 ,:5 %e look$ up1
 ! room 0 empty4 ,!re 0 no s\nd save !  
brea?+ ( ! *ildr5 & ! ?rob ( h] own he>t
 :i* beat wildly 9 ! fe>ful holl[ ( h]  
e>4  ,%e he>d a s\nd ( /range foot/eps  
outside ! door4 ,!re 0 a crackle z (    
pap]1 ! s(t s\nd ( ?+s laid ^u ! floor1 
a g5tle rapp+ on ! panels1 a light      
laugh1 a ru/le ( drap]ies1 foot/eps mov+
 away4 ,z 9 a dream %e got to h] feet1  
%e knew n h[4 ,%e op5$ ! door4  ,! hall 
0 dimly illum9at$4 ,h] feet /ruck a     
little heap ( joy-br++ p>cels4 ,%e lean$
 back aga9/ ! door-jamb1 h] h& to h]    
he>t1 trembl+4 ,:at c\ld x mean8  ,a t9y
 voice broke ! sil5ce4 ,x 0 ! little/   

girl turn+ ov] 9 h] sleep1 murmur+      
incoh]5tly & !n cle>ly3  ,if y only     
believe1 t's en\gh2 if y only believe4  
,,iv  ,! ,workman  ,,is ,,n ,,?is ,,!   
,,c>p5t]8     ,,iv  ,! ,workman   ,9 !  
mean squalid room back ( ! saloon half a
 score ( m5 7 assembl$4 ,!y 7 all "y 9  
ye>s1 9 o!r ?+s n y\?ful4 ,"s ( !m l\ng$
 aga9/ ! wall4 ,"s sat at tables4 ,all 7
 dr9k+4 ,! air 0 f\l ) smoke & reek$ ) !
 odor ( vile liquor4  ,we've got two    
jobs on h& to-night1 said ! lead] ( !   
gang4 ,!re's a crib to be crack$ an' a  
guy to be croak$4 ,r$1 y an' ,gypsie an'
 ! ,gunney w crack ! crib4 ,x's dead    
easy4 ,only an old man an' 8 wife4 ,!   
s]vants are out except "o an' he's fix$4
 ,i'll give y ! lay\t pres5tly4 ,! o!r  
job's h>d]4 ,kid1 ,i'll put y 9 *>ge1   
an' z x's got to be done e>ly to-night  
,i'll give y ! ord]s n[4 ,he'll be at ,!
 ,montmor5cy at t5 o'clock4 ,someone w  
call him out to ! /reet4  ,:o8  ,nev]   
m9d :o4 ,y'll be !re 9 ! c>4  ,^: c>8   
,nev] m9d ^:4 ,:y're y ask9' s _m       

que/ions8 ,x'll take y an' ! f\r to ,!  
,montmor5cy at t5 o'clock4 ,:5 he comes 
out e "o ( y let g1 ! :ole bun*1 und]/&4
 ,if !y don't f9d five bullets 9 him    
!re'll be tr\ble to-morr[4  ,:at d we   
get out ( x8  ,a hundr$ apiece f] y an' 
a hundr$ an' fifty f] me f] eng9e]9' !  
job4 ,*ri/mas money6 ,y get me8  ,(     
c\rse4 ,h['ll we "k :o we've got to     
%oot8  ,i'll be !re myself on !         
sidewalk4 ,i'll po9t him out to y4  ,!  
police8  ,!y're fix$4  ,easy en\gh1 said
 ! ,kid1 ! y\nge/ ( ! gang4  ,well1 y   
guys1 said ! lead] po9t+ out f\r ( ! m51
 w g ) ! ,kid4 ,! c>'ll be at ! door 9  
half an h\r4  ,n[1 gimme my ord]s1 said 
,r$4  ,! gang lead] scribbl$ some?+ on a
 bit ( pap]4  ,y g to t numb] ) ^! two  
guys betwe5 midnight an' two 9 ! morn9'4
 ,y'll f9d a back w9d] op54 ,"h's !     
comb9ation ( ! safe4 ,! silv]'ll be 9 t4
  ,jewels8  ,9 a wall cab9et up/airs4   
,x'll be unlock$4  ,an' if !y make any  
noise8  ,croak 'em1 ( c\rse4 ,b don't   
make no noise do9' x4 ,bett] use a      

blackjack4 ,we're n sure ab\t ! cop on t
 beat4  ,i und]/&4  ,well1 git y\r gats 
& make ready4 ,be=e we g1 ! dr9ks'll be 
on me4 ,fill up1 m51 he add$1 fir/ p\r+ 
himself a lib]al glassful1 an' "h's to  
br+9' x (f easy4  ,) deep reli% ! toa/ 0
 drunk by all save ,r$ & ! ,kid4 ,r$ set
 8 glass d[n on ! table4 ,! ,kid dropp$ 
8 to ! floor4  ,!re's somebody else 9 ! 
room1 :isp]$ ,r$4  ,yes1 yond] by !     
door1 said ! ,kid4 ,y c'n je/ see him4  
,don't be a fool1 said ! gang lead]4    
,!re's nobody "h b u4  ,he's we>9'      
/range clo!s1 said ,r$4  ,he looks l a  
c>p5t] by 8 kit o' tools1 said ! ,kid4  
,"h1 pull y\rselves toge!r1 m51 said !  
gang lead]2 y're dippy1 !re's nobody "h4
 ,:]e's y\r n]ve8  ,b ,r$ made no move  
to obey4 ,he ?ru/ 8 glass f him & rose &
 lean$ ov] ! table />+4 ,! o!r m5 %rank 
back glanc+ at ! two figures1 = ! ,kid  
_h also da%$ ! pr(f]$ glass aside4  ,i  
see him1 he said1 he's look9' at me1    
he's look9' ?r\gh me4  ,9 8 excitem5t he
 took a /ep =w>d & ! table w5t ov] ) a  

cra%4 ,! two m5 pass$ _! h&s ov] _! eyes
 9 bewild]m5t4  ,:y1 !re a9't nobody "h1
 said ! ,kid4  ,b ,i se5 him ,i tell y1 
p]si/$ ,r$4  ,& s did ,i4  ,well1 he's  
gone1 :oev] he 01 accord9' to y\r own   
%[9'1 said ! gang lead] contemptu\sly4  
,n[ brace up4 ,take y\r liquor4 ,get a  
move on y\se4  ,n me1 exclaim$ ,r$      
sudd5ly4  ,nor me1 said ! ,kid4  ,:at   
d'ye mean8  ,i won't d x4  ,nei!r w ,i4 
,bo? m5 mov$ to ! door4 ,! gang lead]   
sprang to int]cept !m1 8 arms uprais$1 8
 h&s cl5*$4  ,lemme pass1 said ,r$4     
,are y go9' to give u away8  ,no1 answ]$
 ,r$4 ,b y don't rob no h\se1 an' y     
don't kill no man to-night4  ,y all "k  
:at t means1 cri$ ! lead]4 ,"h y m5 grab
 'em4  ,b ! re/ ( ! gang hung back4     
,mebbe !y did see some?9'1 said "o4  ,y 
c[>dly dogs1 cri$ ! lead]4  ,we won't   
m5tion no names to nobody1 said ! ,kid1 
b y c't pull !m jobs (f4 ,we'll je/ w>n 
'em4  ,y swore y'd be true to ! gang1 t 
y'd obey ord]s an' foll[ directions4    
,we won't give ye away b ,i'm go9' to   

quit ! gang an' g to "w1 said ,r$4  ,me 
too1 said ! ,kid4  ,"w6 ,hell6 exclaim$ 
! gang lead]1 b !y %ov$ him out ( ! way 
& w5t out ( ! door4     ,v  ,com=t]     
,,nei!r ,,d ,i ,,condemn ,,!e     ,v  ,!
 ,com=t]   ,%e 0 a daught] ( %ame4 ,ev5 
inexp]i5ce c\ld see t z %e w&]$ up & d[n
 ! /reets ( ! t[n1 desp]ate1 impell$ to 
g on by a =ce too /rong = h] to resi/4  
,%e trod ! pavem5t1 yet loa!d !         
necessity & hat$ h]self = h] compliance4
 ,%e _h only to look =w>d to ! jail or !
 hospital2 yet !re 0 always ! riv]4 ,_h 
x come to t8 ,0 !re no?+ else8  ,%e     
lift$ h] eyes f ! /one walk z h>d z !   
he>t ( ! _w1 & f\nd h]self opposite a   
brightly light$ build+4 ,%e lean$ aga9/ 
! door4 ,f )9 came ! s\nd ( music1 !    
/ra9s ( a hymn1 words ( pray]4 ,! light 
/ream$ ab\t h] face f ! /a9$ w9d[4 ,?is 
0 a ,*ur* ( ,god4 ,/a9$ w9d[1 /a9$      
woman1 confront+ ea* o!r 9 ! night6     
,!re 0 no ,god = h]4 ,!re might h be5   
once1 b %e _h committ$ ! unp>donable s9 
aga9/ society & society 0 ,god4 ,!re 0  

no place = h] any:]e1 save ! jail or !  
hospital or ! riv]4 ,t la/ 0 ! be/4 ,!  
/reet 0 des]t$4 ,%e _h ?\ght x n a good 
place 9 :i* to ply h] trade6 ,%e made a 
/ep =w>d & /opp$4  ,9 h] pa?way /ood a  
figure se5 dimly 9 ! d>kness4 ,x /ood 9 
! %ad[ beyond ! broad light f ! pa9t$   
w9d[4 ,!re 0 some?+ /rangely famili>    
ab\t x4 ,%e glanc$ up at t w9d[4 ,_h !  
figure !re /epp$ d[n & embodi$ itself   
vaguely on ! walk be=e h]8              
,illu/ration3 ,%e laid h] h& ^u ! knob (
 ! *ur* door4  ,:at 0 ?is /range figure8
 ,:o 0 he8 ,z %e />$1 ! outl9e drew     
ne>]4 ,a man ve/$ 9 long :ite drap]ies  
confront$ h]4 ,he 0 b>ehead$ & appe>$   
ins5sible to ! cold 9 :i* %e %iv]$4 ,%e 
put out h] h& & some?+ fold$ x back ^u  
h] brea/4 ,%e op5$ h] lips & some?+     
seal$ !m4  ,z %e wat*$1 ! figure sl[ly  
mov$4 ,x b5t =w>d & w5t sl[ly d[n on its
 knees on ! sidewalk4 ,! :ite h& began  
to trace /range1 my/]i\s1 unkn[n1       
incompreh5sible *>act]s ^u ! pavem5t4   
,%e wat*$ ) bat$ brea?1 "s memory (     

ano!r s9ful woman ( :om %e _h he>d 9    
*ildhood com+ back to h] pro/rate m9d4  
,yes1 & !re beh9d ! figure /ood o!rs1   
hateful & hat+1 v viol5t1 passionate m54
 ,%e />$ f ! h&writ+ 9 ! du/ to ^! o!rs 
& !y fad$ away4 ,%e 0 alone ) ! kneel+  
figure &1 z %e look$1 x too vani%$ 9 !  
*ill air4  ,%e b5t ov] ! pavem5t4 ,!re 0
 no?+ !re1 yet %e _h receiv$ a message4 
,aft] a la/ glance %e turn$ away1 new   
c\rage1 new life1 new hope 9 h] he>t4   
,%e m\nt$ ! /eps1 %e laid h] h& ^u !    
knob ( ! *ur* door1 %e turn$ x & w5t    
bravely )94     ,,vi  ,! ,burd5 ,be>]   
,,he1 ,,be>+ ,,8 ,,cross1 ,,w5t ,,=?    
,,vi  ,! ,burd5 ,be>]   ,! s\nd ( !     
runn+ feet ( ! man sma%+ ?r\gh ! burn$  
/ubble ceas$ abruptly4 ,he /opp$ at !   
?re%old ( ! door4 ,no fri5dly b>k ( dog 
welcom$ him4 ,f ! b>n !re came no g5tle 
l[+ ( cattle1 no homely cluck+ ( *ick5s4
 ,l ! h\se ! byre too _h be5 ru9$1 gutt$
 ) flame4  ,! soldi] ^: m>* _h br\ght   
him back to 8 own village t night /ood 9
 ! entrance ( :at _h be5 8 home & />$ at

 ! smok+ walls1 ! *>r$ ro( gap+ to !    
sky1 ! empty casem5ts4 ,! enemy _h be5  
!re4 ,he :isp]$ 8 "y wife's "n1 he call$
 s(tly to ! baby1 z if !y might be      
sleep+ some:]e )9 ! deva/at$ h\se4 ,he  
li/5$ = a reply b none came4 ,p]haps he 
w\ld h be5 ?ankful ev5 = a groan or a   
cry ( agony1 any?+ t meant life4 ,b all 
0 sil5ce )91 )\t4  ,yond] on ! w9d+ road
 at ! foot ( ! hill he c\ld he> !       
trampl+ ( m51 ! groan+ ( :eels1 ! clank 
( iron cavalrym51 ! j+l+ ( bits &       
swords1 %>p words ( comm&4 ,! army 0    
advanc+4 ,he c\ld delay no long]4 ,he   
mu/ get back to 8 place 9 ! ranks4      
,summon+ 8 c\rage he cross$ ! ?re%old & 
/epp$ into ! vacant empt9ess ( ! h\se4  
,ev]y?+ 0 gone b ! f\r /one walls4 ,!re 
7 unrecognizable heaps ( a%es "h & !re4 
,he b5t ov] !m fe>fully 9 ! twilight    
wond]+ :e!r ! %apeless1 =mless masses   
7--  ,some?+ caught 8 eye4 ,! "o ?+     
intact app>5tly4 ,he /oop$ ov] x4 ,x 0 !
 baby's %oe--:ite1 x _h be5 orig9ally4  
,he rememb]$ x4 ,n[ x 0 /a9$ ) blood4 ,t

 0 all t 0 left--a little baby's %oe1   
blood spott$4 ,he press$ x to 8 he>t &  
groan$ al\d4 ,a spasm ( mortal angui%   
%ook 8 frame4 ,he lift$ 8 cl5*$ h& t[>d 
! sky ov]%ad[+ ! ro(less walls4  ,n[ he 
sudd5ly became aw>e t he 0 n alone4 ,!re
 0 someone else 9 ! room4 ,he saw       
vaguely1 indi/9ctly1 a figure /rangely  
clad1 /agg]+ on ) b5d$ back z if "u "s  
cru%+ load4 ,he />$ 9 ! twilight /riv+  
to conc5trate 8 faculties4 ,! figure    
pass$ by4 ,on its back 0 a %ad[y        
some?+--beams ( wood r\ghly cross$1 he  
decid$4 ,x rais$ its head & look$ at    
him4 ,! face 0 someh[ light] ?an ! re/4 
,! man's arm fell4 ,! room 0 empty aft] 
all4 ,he />$ at ! little %oe4 ,0 x      
some:]e well ) ! *ild1 ) its "m8        
,unbutton+ 8 tunic he ?ru/ ! little %oe 
)91 ov] 8 he>t4 ,he /raight5$ up4 ,away 
(f on ! road a bugle call rang out above
 ! tumult4 ,he turn$ away1 seiz$ 8      
rifle1 %\ld]$ x1 /epp$ rapidly t[>d 8   
regim5t & 8 duty4     ,,vii  ,! ,?orn   
,cr[n$  ,,! ,,soldi]s ,,platt$ ,a ,,cr[n

 ,,( ,,?orns ,,& ,,put ,,x ,,on ,,8     
,,head     ,,vii  ,! ,?orn ,cr[n$   ,x 0
 gha/ly cold 9 ! ru9$ *ur*4 ,x _h be5   
w>m en\gh !re dur+ ! day1 b ! fire t _h 
gutt$ x _h di$ l ! "y acolyte1 l ! ag$  
sacri/an1 ! v5]able "m1 ! sweet "y      
novice1 ! wom5 :o _h s\ght %elt] !re 9  
va94 ,nei!r ! dignity ( age nor !       
sweetness ( maid5hood nor ! innoc5ce (  
y\? nor ! sanctity ( pr(ession _h       
avail$4  ,! old prie/ 0 glad !y 7 dead4 
,life aft] :at !y _h suff]$ _h be5      
un?9kable4 ,he ?ank$ ,god = t oblivion4 
,he wi%$ t he1 too1 might die 9 t       
violat$ %r9e :]e he _h peacefully m9i/]$
 = s long a "t4 ,!y _h tak5 ! flock1 !  
%eph]d mu/ foll[4 ,he %\ld h l$4  ,he _h
 f\ght1 oh1 he _h play$ ! man = ! honor 
( ! poor lambs committ$ to him4 ,_h he  
done "r8 ,%\ld he n h /ood dumb be=e !  
%e>]s8 ,!y _h %ot him & /abb$ him &     
beat5 him into ins5sibility4 ,! la/ ?+  
he _h he>d 0 ! %riek ( "o woman1 !      
pite\s appeal ( ano!r4 ,!y ?\ght he 0   
dead1 b he 0 liv+4 ,:y _h he n di$8  ,h[

 c\ld ,god be s cruel8 ,?is 0 w>4 ,?is  
ru9$ sanctu>y1 ^! brok5 m5 & wom5 :o _h 
s\ght only to s]ve ,him6 ,0 !re a ,god  
inde$8 ,fai?1 hope1 :at 7 !y8           
,assurance1 tru/8 ,words1 words6 ,ah1 h[
 he suff]$4  ,illu/ration3 ,x is ,he1   
:isp]$ ! prie/4 ,8 sorr[ 0 great] ?an   
m9e4  ,x 0 bitt] cold & yet he burn$ )  
fev]4 ,! tremors ( pa9 s exquisite t !y 
might almo/ be c\nt$ pleasure %ot ?r\gh 
8 ru9$1 torn1 brok5 figure1 yet he reck$
 little ( ^!4 ,x 0 ! %ame1 ! %ame4 ,he  
_h be5 zeal\s = ! ,"l ( ,ho/s4 ,!re 0 no
 ,god4 ,m5 7 n made 9 any image save t (
 hell4 ,he c\ld n move h& or foot1 b he 
c\ld see4 ,he c\ld speak4 ,he c\ld curse
 ,god & die4  ,z 8 lips fram$ t ana!ma  
he saw vaguely ! figure ( a /rang]2 a   
sl5d]1 wa/$ body1 d>k /a9s ^u x 9 !     
moonlight4 ,x wore "s k9d ( curi\s      
headge>4 ,! man />$4 ,! light 0 reflect$
 f ! %>p po9ts ( long ?orns4 ,a clo? 0  
fa/5$ ab\t ! lo9s4 ,! figure /ood v     
/raight 9 ! desecrat$ ,holy ( ,holies4  
,a light seem$ to come f its face4 ,its 

eyes look$ at ! man ) great pity4 ,sl[ly
 ! figure rais$ its arms4 ,sl[ly ! arms 
ext5d$ !mselves2 !re 7 blood-/a9s 9 !   
palms ( ! h&s4  ,x is ,he1 :isp]$ !     
prie/4 ,8 sorr[ 0 great] ?an m9e4 ,"l1  
,i believe4  ,he knew no?+ m save t a   
great peace _h sudd5ly /ol5 ar\nd him4  
,,viii  ,! ,brok5 ,he>t$     ,,"o ,,(   
,,! ,,soldi]s ,,) ,a ,,spe> ,,pi]c$ ,,8 
,,side     ,,viii  ,! ,brok5 ,he>t$     
,i'll get t man if ,i die = x1 said !   
soldi]4 ,he's f\nd ! "o position 9 !    
l9es f :i* he c fire into our tr5*es4   
,x's easi] said ?an done1 rem>k$ 8      
comrade1 & ! m9ute y cross t spot y come
 )9 8 range4 ,he'll put a bullet ?r\gh y
 be=e y c level a rifle or press a      
trigg]4  ,i'll n g t way1 said ! man4   
,:at is y\r plan8  ,y "k t sali5t yond] 
on ! "r8 ,i'm go+ out ( ! tr5* !re4     
,:58  ,n[4 ,i'll wrap myself 9 :ite4 ,t 
little run ( coppice w cov] me until ,i 
get )9 a few feet ( him1 !n ,i'll h to  
*ance x4  ,wi% ,i c\ld help y1 old man4 
,i'd l to get t man4 ,he's %ot six ( !  

be/ fell[s 9 ! company &--  ,y c help me
 by mak+ a div]sion to attract 8        
att5tion4 ,keep him look+ at t alley4   
,a few mom5ts lat] ! soldi] %r\d$ 9 :ite
 crept out ( ! tr5* & noiselessly roll$ 
d[n ! slope to ! bu%es4 ,! sn[ 0 deep on
 ! gr\nd4 ,!re 0 no t\* ( color ab\t !  
soldi]4 ,he ev5 ?ru/ 8 rifle "u ! l95 9 
:i* he _h wrapp$ himself4 ,outside !    
%elt] ( ! tr5*es ! w9d blew ) t]rific   
=ce4 ,x 0 t]ribly cold4 ,he _h disc>d$ 8
 ov]coat = fre$om ( motion4 ,only 8     
indomitable resolution kept him alive4  
,he lock$ 8 jaws toge!r to keep 8 tee? f
 *att]+4 ,! ice-cov]$ sn[ "u 8 b>e h&s  
almo/ bli/]$ ! fle% z he crept along4   
,he int5d$ to use ! bayonet4 ,if he %ot 
! man he 0 /alk+ al>m w\ld be giv5 & he 
w\ld be riddl$ ) bullets be=e he got    
back4 ,he 0 will+ to give a life = a    
life if x 7 necess>y1 b he 0 reluctant  
to d s if x c\ld be avoid$4 ,cold /eel  
w\ld be bett]4 ,cold /eel6 ,he smil$    
grimly4 ,x w\ld ne$ "s hot blood to take
 ! *ill (f ! bayonet at ! end ( 8 rifle4

  ,sl[ly1 almo/ hold+ 8 brea? le/ he be 
notic$1 he edg$ 8 way along4 ,he _h     
pl5ty ( "t = ?\ght4 ,?is 0 n s easy a   
job z he _h fanci$1 n ! physical "p1 b !
 m5tal /ra94 ,he c\ld %oot a man :o 0   
%oot+ at him1 he c\ld batt] a man ov] ! 
head :o 0 try+ to d ! same to him1 b ?is
 /alk+ a man 9 cold blood 0 diff]5t     
someh[4 ,cold blood6 ,he laugh$         
s\ndlessly at 8 recurr5t fancy4 ,he w5t 
a little m sl[ly4 ,f9ally he /opp$ to   
consid]4  ,f ! nook ahead ( him 9 :i* ! 
enemy _h ensconc$ himself came a sudd5  
rapid rattle ( rifle-%ots4 ,8 fri5d back
 9 ! tr5* 0 do+ 8 "p4 ,! man 0 awake--on
 ! al]t4 ,x w\ld be some?+ ( a fair     
fight1 he ?\ght ) "s little             
satisfaction4 ,he survey$ ! int]v5+     
space beyond ! coppice4 ,! m5 9 ! tr5*es
 on bo? sides w\ld be awake1 too4 ,x    
w\ld take him a few seconds to cross t  
space & get at ! man he 0 /alk+4 ,c\ld  
!y %oot him be=e t8 ,!re 0 "s %elt] :]e 
! enemy 04 ,if ! /alk] c\ld get to t    
spot he w\ld be protect$ = a mom5t f    

fire f ! enemy's tr5*4  ,x w\ld take him
 a second or two to cross t space4 ,9 a 
second or two :at might happ58 ,well1 he
 w\ld h to risk t4 ,at ! v end ( !      
coppice he ga!r$ himself toge!r & rose  
sl[ly to a cr\*+ position4 ,ano!r ra9 ( 
%ots came f ! nook2 ! man's rifle w\ld  
be empty1 he mu/ give him no *ance to   
reload4 ,n[ x w\ld be a fair fight ) !  
bayonet4  ,he ?rew aside ! :ite drap]ies
 t imp$$ 8 legs & 9 half a doz5 b\nds ! 
two m5 7 face to face4  ,no %ot _h be5  
fir$4 ,yes1 ! magaz9e ( ! man's rifle 0 
empty4 ,he he>d ! crun* ( 8 enemy's feet
 on ! sn[4 ,he rose to 8 feet1 8        
bayonet$ rifle ext5d$4 ,! two b>rels    
/ruck ) t]rific =ce4 ,! m5 sway$1 drew  
back = ano!r ?ru/1 & !y 7 sudd5ly aw>e (
 a mi/-l figure betwe5 !m1 a figure     
drap$ 9 :ite1 lightly1 diaphan\sly4  ,!y
 /ood arre/$1 guns drawn back1 & />$4 ,!
 figure sl[ly ext5d$ its arm1 c>ry+     
drap]y ) x4 ,a man's brea/ 0 b>$4 ,!re1 
ov] ! he>t1 0 a great gap+ w\nd1 fre%1 z
 if a broad1 heavy blade _h pi]c$ x4    

,!re 0 a clatt] on ! ice z a gun dropp$ 
& ano!r clatt] z a simil> weapon /ruck !
 /one opposite4 ,! two m5 b5t =w>d1 _!  
h&s out/ret*$4 ,!y took a /ep z if to   
t\* ! figure & !re 0 no?+ !re6 ,! h&s   
met4 ,!y clasp$ w>mly 9 ! cold aga9/ ea*
 o!r4  ,my ,god1 :at 0 t8 said ! /alk]4 
,i don't "k1 answ]$ ! o!r4  ,a pi]c$    
side6  ,0 x--  ,no4 ,x c\ldn't be4      
,well1 we wor%ip ! same ,god &--  ,ah1  
!y 7 se54 ,!re 7 quick words ( comm& f !
 tr5*es1 a /accato ( rifle-%ots1 & two  
bodies lay side by side1 h&s /ill       
clasp$1 :ile ! sn[ r$d5$ & r$d5$ b5ea?  
!m4  ,& x 0 ,*ri/mas eve4     ,,ix  ,!  
,=giv] ( ,s9s     ,i ,,say ,,unto ,,!e  
,,until ,,sev5ty ,,times ,,sev5     ,,ix
  ,! ,=giv] ( ,s9s   ,a ,prie/1 =       
,*ri/'s sake1 a prie/1 moan$ ! man4  ,a 
:ite-fac$ si/] ( *>ity ^u :om _h        
develop$ ! appall+ task ( c>+ = ! long  
r[s ( w\nd$ at ! dress+ /ation be=e !y 7
 entra9$ & s5t s\? to ! hospital1 hov]$ 
ov] ! /ret*]4  ,my poor man1 %e :isp]$1 
!re is no prie/ "h4  ,i c't die )\t     

confession--absolution1 0 ! answ]4 ,a   
prie/1 get me a prie/4  ,next to & almo/
 t\*+ ! cot on :i* ! speak] wri!d 9 8   
dea? agony lay ano!r man app>5tly 9 a   
pr(\nd /upor4 ,he wore ! uni=m ( a      
private soldi] & 8 eyes 7 b&ag$4 ,8 face
 _h be5 torn to pieces by %rapnel1      
fragm5ts ( :i* _h bl9d$ him4 ,at t      
in/ant he came out ( t /upor4 ,p]haps ! 
famili> words recall$ him to himself4   
,he mov$ 8 h& slightly4 ,! si/] saw 8   
lips tremble4 ,%e b5t l[4  ,:o seeks    
confession1 absolution8 he :isp]$4 ,i am
 a prie/4  ,y are w\nd$1 dy+1 fa!r4  ,h[
 c ,i die bett] ?an %riv+ a fell[ s9n]8 
,t 0 true4 ,! h]oic woman turn$ to ! man
 :o /ill kept up 8 monoton\s appeal4  ,!
 man next to y1 %e said1 dy+ l y1 is a  
prie/4  ,fa!r1 cri$ ! fir/ man ) sudd5  
/r5g?4 ,i mu/ confess be=e ,i die4      
,lift me up1 said ! prie/4  ,! woman    
slipp$ h] arm ab\t 8 %\ld]s & rais$ him4
  ,! si/]8 began ! o!r4  ,i %all be bl9d
 & deaf1 said ! woman4  ,speak on1      
:isp]$ ! prie/4  ,i h be5 a great       

s9n]--!re isn't "t to confess all4  ,:at
 is heavie/ ^u y\r s\l1 my son8  ,a     
woman's fate4  ,ah4  ,!re 7 two :o lov$ 
h]--a doz5 ye>s ago--%e pref]r$ me--,i  
took h] away4  ,did y m>ry h]8  ,no4 ,& 
!n we qu>rel$--,i des]t$ h]4 ,:5 ,i came
 to seek h] %e 0 gone--"y1 innoc5t1     
p5niless1 alone 9 ,p>is--,i h s\ght h] &
 nev] f\nd h]4  ,:at is y\r "n8 ask$ !  
prie/ sudd5ly ) a fi]ce note 9 8 quiv]+ 
voice4  ,fa!r1 c ,i be =giv58 answ]$ !  
man giv+ 8 "n4  ,! dy+ soldi] />$       
anxi\sly up at 8 b&ag$ comrade1 at ! nun
 :o _h hid h] face beh9d ! %\ld] ( !    
prie/4 ,he notic$ t h] body 0 %ak+4  ,& 
! woman's "n8  ,! prie/ sudd5ly sat     
upright4 ,he %ook (f ! si/]'s re/ra9+   
h&4 ,he tore ! b&age f 8 own face4 ,he  
b5t ov] ! dy+ man z he murmur$ ! woman's
 "n4  ,wret*1 he cri$1 look at me4  ,8  
face 0 ga%$ & cut & torn b some?+ rema9$
 by :i* ! o!r recogniz$ him4  ,y6 he    
cri$ %r9k+ away4  ,i lov$ h]1 too1 said 
! prie/4 ,i w\ld h m>ri$ h]4 ,:5 %e w5t 
away ) y ,holy ,*ur* receiv$ me4  ,m]cy1

 cri$ ! soldi] uplift+ 8 h&4  ,:at m]cy 
did y %[ h]8  ,! prie/ c\ld n see b he  
c\ld feel4 ,8 h& seiz$ ! o!r's ?roat4   
,my fa!r1 int]pos$ ! nun4 ,he has       
confess$4 ,god w =give1 ev5 z ,i4  ,:o  
are y8 ask$ ! bl9d prie/1 fe>fully4  ,! 
woman6 cri$ ! dy+ man %ak+ (f ! o!r's h&
 & lift+ himself up4  ,! sight came back
 to ! prie/ on ! in/ant4 ,! fi]ce agony 
t fill$ 8 bl9d$ eyes seem$ to give place
 to ! g5tle t\* ( a h& ^u !m4 ,he seem$ 
to he> a mighty ^w--,ephpha?a--t meant  
be op5$4 ,light flood$ 8 s\l4 ,look+ up 
he 0 aw>e ( two figures4 ,"o ( ! twa91  
an old man1 gray be>d$1 0 appeal+ to !  
o!r1 clad 9 :ite raim5t & y\?ful4 ,& !  
prie/ sudd5ly recall$ an old & well-kn[n
 /ory ( a fell[ s]vant :o w\ld n h m]cy4
  ,fa!r1 =give-- :isp]$ ! man be=e him4 
,z ! voice ( ! dy+ s9n] di$ away 9 !    
sil5ce all 0 d>k aga94 ,! prie/ saw no  
m1 b ! horrible pa9 9 8 eyes did n      
return4 ,ov] 8 torn features came a look
 ( calm4 ,he lift$ 8 arm4 ,8 wav]+ h&   
cut ! air 9 ! sign ( ! cross4  ,absolvo 

te1 he murmur$ z he pit*$ =w>d dead ^u !
 brea/ ( ! dy+4  ,& ! woman t5d]ly cov]$
 !m ov]4  ,illu/ration3 ,absolvo te4    
,x  ,! ,giv] ( ,life  ,,he ,,t ,,eate?  
,,( ,,?is ,,bread ,,%all ,,live ,,=ev]  
,x  ,! ,giv] ( ,life   ,( ! five spect]s
 9 ! boat ?ree 7 )\t life4 ,^? ^: fa9t  
brea?+ indicat$ t !y _h n yet rea*$ !   
po9t ( dea? 7 too weak & indiff]5t to   
rid ! boat ( ! bodies ( ! o!rs4 ,ev]    
s9ce ! homew>d-b\nd :al] _h /ruck a     
d]elict 9 a gale ( w9d nor? ( ! ,falkl&s
 & f\nd]$1 ?is little boat1 surviv+ !   
%ipwreck z by a miracle1 _h drift$ on4  
,= ?ree weeks 9 va9 !y _h scann$ !      
horizon = a sail4 ,_! scanty supply (   
bread & wat] _h be5 consum$ 9 t5 days4  
,!reaft] !y _h no?+4 ,! baby _h di$     
fir/1 next a man ^: arm _h be5 brok5 by 
a fall+ sp> 9 ! disa/]1 & !n ! %ip's    
cab9 boy4 ,! survivors 7 a man & a      
woman4 ,!y 7 bo? f> gone4 ,! woman 0    
pla9ly dy+4 ,! man kept himself up by   
%e] ex]cise ( w4  ,_! drift+ _h be5     
nor?w>d t[>d w>m] seas4 ,x 0 w9t] 9 _!  

home l& &1 ?\gh !y knew x n1 ,*ri/mas   
day4 ,!re ! tropic sun blaz$ ov]head f  
an absolutely cl\dless sky4 ,!re 0 no   
ve/ige ( breeze to /ir ! canvas ( !     
solit>y sail or ripple ! glassy surface 
( ! smoo!d out ocean4 ,! boat lay /ill4 
,n ev5 ! iron man at ! helm c\ld h lift$
 an o>4 ,x _h be5 dead calm = days4     
,spee* !re 0 none except 9 ! grave/     
necessity4 ,to talk connect$ly 0        
impossible4  ,aft] scann+ ! horizon = ! 
?\s&? "t ! man's burn+ eyes s\ght ^? ( !
 woman at 8 feet4 ,he 0 a/oni%$ to f9d  
!m op54 ,h] m\? 0 work+1 h] p>*$ lips   
/rove to =m words4 ,he dropp$ ! till]   
:i* 8 h& _h grasp$ me*anically1 & :i* 0 
useless s9ce !re 0 no way on ! boat1 &  
b5t 8 head l[]4 ,"s sudd5 recrudesc5ce (
 /r5g? :i* ! dy+ sometimes receive came 
to ! woman4  ,dea?1 %e :isp]$4 ,glad4   
,%e turn$ h] head slightly & saw ! =m ( 
! *ild4 ,! ,baby--&--,i--toge!r4  ,! man
 nodd$4 ,t5d]ly he laid 8 hot wa/$ h& on
 ! woman's fev]$ br[4  ,a prie/1 %e     
said1 look+ up at him uncompreh5d+ly4   

,%e 0 evid5tly go+ fa/ yet %e knew :at  
%e want$ al?\gh %e 0 n consci\s t %e    
crav$ ! impossible4 ,x w\ld appe> t %e  
_h be5 a good *ur*woman4 ,! man c\ld    
only />e4 ,he 0 no prie/1 only a r\gh   
sailor4  ,a prie/1 said ! woman m       
cle>ly4 ,i want--a prie/--! sacram5t4   
,by "s n]v\s convulsive ef=t %e lift$ h]
 arms up t[>d him besee*+1 appeal+4 ,!re
 0 ano!r k9d ( agony 9 h] voice t _h n  
be5 pres5t :5 %e _h moan$ = wat] 9 !    
days be=e4  ,! sacram5t1 %e insi/$1 ,i  
die4  ,! man look$ away4 ,h>d by ! boat 
:]e !re _h be5 b a wa/e ( sea rose a    
gre5 isl&4 ,a /ret* ( pleasant mead[ met
 8 eyes4 ,x 0 s close to him t if he _h 
lean$ ov] ! gunwale ( ! boat he c\ld h  
laid 8 h& on ! lu% grass4 ,dumbly he    
wond]$ :]e x _h be5 be=e1 h[ he _h come 
^u x s sudd5ly1 :y he _h n se5 x h\rs   
ago4  ,9 front ( him 7 hundr$s ( p1 m51 
wom51 & *ildr51 pla9 p 9 /range simple  
g>b1 ! l ( :i* he _h nev] se54 ,9 front 
( ^! p & ) _! backs t[>d him /ood a     
little gr\p ( m51 9 ! c5t] a figure 9   

:ite g>m5ts4 ,a lad (f]$ some?+ 9 a     
basket4  ,! man wat*$1 amaz$1           
awe-/rick51 yet ) a /range peace 9 8    
s\l4 ,he made no movem5t to ga9 ! %ore4 
,he only look$ & look$4 ,! :ite-rob$    
figure b5t ov] ! basket4 ,he lift$ f x a
 crude r\gh loaf ( bread4 ,he rais$ 8   
eyes to heav51 8 lips mov$4 ,he broke ! 
bread & gave x4  ,z ! sailor wat*$ !    
isl& disappe>$ z sudd5ly z x _h come4 ,!
 sc5e *ang$4 ,n[ he look$ into a l[     
room1 dimly light$ ) /range lamps4      
,?r\gh an op5 w9d[ he saw ! />s4 ,! few 
m5 t _h /ood ab\t ! man 9 ! grassy mead[
 7 alone ) him 9 t upp] *amb] recl9+    
ab\t a table4 ,! man lift$ f ! bo>d a   
cup ( silv]4 ,he bless$ x & gave x4 ,!  
fragrance ( w9e came to ! wat*]4  ,he   
rubb$ 8 eyes & look$ aga9 & be=e him    
spread ! smoo? unbrok5 surface ( !      
monoton\s sea4 ,! woman's voice smote 8 
e> aga91 high]1 %rill]1 ) m pa9ful      
entreaty4  ,a prie/--= ! love ( ,god--! 
sacram5t1 %e :isp]$4  ,! man tore op5 ! 
la/ canvas bread-bag4 ,x 0 t\gh mat]ial 

b x yield$ to 8 insi/5ce4 ,9 ! corn] !re
 0 a s+le t9y crumb !y _h ov]look$4 ,he 
lift$ x g5tly ) 8 great h&4 ,he held x  
up 9 ! air a mom5t /riv+ to ?9k4 ,he 0  
an ,engli% sailor & 9 8 boyhood _h be5 a
 *ori/] 9 a great ,ca!dral4 ,! mighty   
words came back to him4 ,he b5t ov] !   
woman4  ,illu/ration3 ,! cry = bread4   
,bread1 he :isp]$4 ,! body--  ,he %att]$
 ! wat] break] ) 8 fi/4 ,!re 0 a        
sugge/ion ( moi/ure on ! inside ( !     
/aves ( ! cask4 ,he drew 8 f+] across !m
 & t\*$ x to ! woman's lips4  ,wat]1 he 
said ho>sely4 ,! blood--  ,! t]ror1 !   
ye>n+1 disappe>$ f ! woman's eyes4 ,%e  
look$ at ! man sanely1 gratefully4  ,god
 bless-- %e falt]$ & !n h] lips /iff5$4 
,"s tag ( qua9t old ,scripture t _h     
impress$ him :5 he fir/ he>d x because (
 its v /rang5ess1 b ( :i* he _h nev]    
?\ght 9 all ! ye>s ( 8 r\gh life s9ce   
boyhood1 came into ! man's m9d n[4 ,he  
lift$ 8 head z if to see aga9 t figure4 
,a prie/ =ev]1 he gasp$1 aft] ! ord] (  
,mel*is--  ,he did n f9i% ! ^w4 ,! woman

 0 dead4 ,he knew n[ = :at he _h be5    
kept alive4 ,8 task _h be5 p]=m$4 ,he   
b[$ 8 head 9 8 h&s & ent]$ into life    
et]nal ) ! o!rs4  ,pres5tly a little    
cl\d fleck$ ! sky4 ,out ( ! s\? ! w9d   
blew s(tly4 ,! smoo? sea rippl$ blue &  
:ite 9 ! g5tle breeze4 ,! little boat1  
cradl+ its dead1 rock$ g5tly z x drift$ 
on4     ,,xi  ,! ,/ill] ( ! ,/orm       
,,be ,,( ,,good ,,*e]2 ,,x ,,is ,i2 ,,be
 ,,n ,,afraid     ,,xi  ,! ,/ill] ( !   
,/orm   ,x's ,*ri/mas eve at home1      
murmur$ ! "y lad aft] he _h said 8      
pray]s & tumbl$ into 8 n>r[ b]? on !    
great %ip4 ,i suppose !y're trimm+ !    
,*ri/mas tree n[ & hang+ up ! /ock+s4 ,i
 wi% ,i 7 !re4  ,he 0 v "y to s]ve 8    
c\ntry1 b n too "y accord+ to ! /&>ds ( 
mank9d to be a mid%ipman on ! great /eel
 mon/] keep+ ! lead5 deep4 ,x 0 ! fir/  
"t he _h ev] be5 away f home on ,*ri/mas
 day1 too4 ,! y\ng/]s _h all laugh$ &   
jok$ ab\t x 9 ! /e]age mess4 ,!y _h     
promis$ !mselves "s k9d ( a celebration 
9 ! morn+1 b 9 8 own cot ) no "o to see1

 a few te>s :i* he fondly deem$ unmanly 
w\ld come4 ,he _h ! midnight wat* & he  
knew t he mu/ get "s sleep1 b x 0 a long
 "t be=e he clos$ 8 eyes & drift$ (f to 
dream ( home & 8 "m4  ,a?w>t t dream    
came a sudd51 frightful1 he>t-/ill+ ro> 
( de/ruction2 a hide\s cra% foll[$1 a   
t]rible r5d+1 break+1 sma%+1            
concat5ation ( noises1 succe$$ by       
frightful detonations1 z ?r\gh ! gap+   
hole torn 9 ! great battle%ip by !      
deadly torp$o1 ! wat] ru%$ ^u ! heat$   
boil]s1 ! explosion ( :i* 9 turn ignit$ 
! magaz9es4 ,by t deadly und]wat] ?ru/ (
 ! enemy ! battle%ip 0 r$uc$ 9 a few    
mom5ts to a disjo9t$1 disorganiz$1 s9k+ 
mass ( %apeless1 =mless1 spl9t]$ /eel4  
,z ! explosions ceas$1 f e po9t rose    
%rieks & groans & cries ( m5 9 !        
dea?-agony hurl$ into et]nity & torn l !
 /eel4 ,& !n ! boy he>d ! surviv+ (fic]s
 coolly1 resolutely call+ ! m5 to _!    
/ations4  ,he _h be5 ?r[n f 8 b]? by !  
viol5ce ( ! explosion4 ,8 face 0 cut &  
ble$+ :]e he _h /ruck a ne>-by /an*ion4 

,8 left arm hung useless4 ,he _h la9    
daz$ on ! deck = a few mom5ts until he  
he>d ! ord]s ( 8 lieut5ant4 ,he 0 "o ( !
 signal mid%ipm5 /ation$ on ! signal    
bridge4 ,:atev] happ5$ t 0 ! place to   
:i* to g2 he /ill _h a duty to p]=m4    
,pick+ himself up z be/ he c\ld1 he     
hurri$ to report to ! lieut5ant4 ,) su* 
means z 7 available signals 7 made4     
,calls = help8 ,oh1 nev]6 ,w>n+s t !    
enemy's subm>9es 7 9 ! ne> vic9ity & t  
o!r %ips %\ld keep away4  ,! capta9 0 on
 ! half wreck$ bridge above4 ,! boy     
notic$ h[ quiet he 01 yet 8 voice rang  
ov] ! tumult4  ,/eady1 m51 /eady4 ,keep 
y\r /ations4 ,/& by4 ,be ready4  ,! old 
qu>t]ma/] ^: bus9ess x 0 to tell ! h\rs 
salut$ ! capta94  ,eight bells1 sir1 he 
said1 midnight4 ,*ri/mas day1 he add$4  
,/rike !m1 said ! capta94  ,&1 z cle> z 
ev]1 ! f\r c\plets rang out ov] ! *aos &
 ! disa/]4  ,*ri/mas day1 ! boy murmur$4
  ,%e's go+1 m51 said ! capta91 z !     
cad5ces di$ away4 ,save y\rselves4      
,ab&on ! %ip4  ,*ri/mas morn+1 said !   

boy4 ,i wond] :at !y're do+ at home4    
,ov]bo>d ) y1 y\ng/]1 said ! signal     
lieut5ant2 ,i wi% ,i _h a life-pres]v] =
 y1 b--  ,m]ry ,*ri/mas1 sir1 said ! lad
 sudd5ly4  ,good ,god6 said ! man4 ,m]ry
 ,*ri/mas6 ,!y w ?9k ( u at home4  ,:at 
0 left ( ! %ip gave a mighty reel4      
,quick or %e'll suck y d[n1 ! (fic]     
ro>$1 z he fairly flung ! boy into !    
wat]1--& h[ he hurt t brok5 arm6 ,y c   
swim4 ,/rike out4 ,good-by4  ,! boy _h  
caught a glimpse ( ! capta9 /&+ on !    
bridge z ! wreck w5t d[n & !n ! wild    
wat]s clos$ ov] 8 head4 ,x 0 frightfully
 cold4 ,a h>d gale 0 bl[+4 ,! waves ran 
t]ribly high4 ,8 left arm 0 helpless4 ,8
 head a*$ fi]cely4 ,:at 0 ! use8 ,/ill !
 boy /ruck out bravely ) 8 free h&4 ,!  
in/9ct ( life6 ,x 0 too d>k to see4 ,!  
sky 0 cov]$ ) drift+ cl\ds4 ,only "h &  
!re a little rift ( moonlight came      
?r\gh4  ,*ri/mas morn+1 he sobb$ out z !
 waves roll$ him ov]4 ,oh1 my ,god6  ,he
 felt himself go+ d[n4 ,all at once !   
wat]s seem$ to gr[ /ill4 ,x 0 sudd5ly   

calm4 ,he 0 no long] cold4 ,he ?rew 8   
head up = "o la/ look at ! sky & life & 
!n he hung1 z x 71 susp5d$ 9 "s /range  
way4 ,he saw a figure walk+ across !    
smoo? ( ! seas z x _h be5 solid gr\nd4  
,! figure drew ne>]1 ! w9d seem$ to h   
di$ away1 b ! drap]ies t %r\d$ x swung  
g5tly z !y w\ld :ile a man walk$ along4 
,! face he saw dimly1 vaguely1 b !re 0  
light 9 x someh[4 ,x came sl[ly ne>]4   
,*ri/mas morn+1 :isp]$ ! boy4  ,! h& ( !
 figure rea*$ d[n4 ,x caught ! boy's "r 
arm4 ,he 0 lift$ up4  ,home & ,*ri/mas  
morn+1 :isp]$ ! boy1 clos+ 8 eyes4  ,!  
moonlight broke ?r\gh a cl\d & fell ^u  
him4 ,a wave roll$ ov] him & ! sea 0    
empty z be=e4          99       99      
99       99       99  ,he t ha? eyes to 
see1 let him see6