Eugene gulped dryly, craning his livid
face.
He was friendless, whipped with scorn and pride.
Eugene turned a hot distressed face toward Helen. He got it back fiercely
andcarelessly, with an eldritch wildness.
Eliza visited Helen in Sydney in the Spring. So
many people, after our fall fromgrace, are.
Only this earth endured, upon whose lonely breast
he readEuripides.
Seriously,in a low voice, he added: Theres nothing
wrong with him, isthere? He opened the door and went into the outer room. He bought
at once a copy of the translation used by the class. It makes me furious at times
tosee him slaving to feather OTooles pockets.
Jim Trivett lived with several other students from
his community ina lodging-house near Mrs.
The negro rapped gently at a latticed door. He had
bent narrow shoulders, a white knobby face, and alow forehead.
Then, noting the boys face,he added quickly, with
warm concern: Whats the matter, Gene? Youll be a heartbreaker sure,Legs, she said
harshly, taking his cold hand and squeezing it. He went up on the eastern hills that
rosebehind Niggertown. A cup of coffee will fixyou up, he added with cheerful
conviction. She was subdued bythe new life: chastened by her obscurity. He read Poes
stories, Frankenstein, and the plays of Lord Dunsany.
What were youtrying to do with the woman,
Legs?
I thought you had Torrington, said Jim Trivett. He
believedhimself to be rotting with a leprosy.
I dont believe that fellow theyve got is much
account.
The day came when Eugene was freefrom
bondage.
The night, vast and listening, gathered about him
its evilattentive consciousness. Below atrestle, silent as a dream, a white rope of
water coiled betweenits frozen banks.
You may be able to do something toprolong his life.
They found themselves in a little hall which cleft the width of thehouse. When are
you going to let Hard Boy take you to Exeter? In another moment Jim Trivett returned
to him, and said quietly:Its all right, Gene. Weve been thinking of that, the girl
admitted slowly.
The class roared its appreciation of these
subtleties.
Eugene lived in a small world, but its ruins for
him were actual. But he liked the fabulous wherever he foundit, and for whatever
purpose.
He was mired to his neck,inextricably, in
complication. Eugene gulped dryly, craning his livid face.
Eugenelooked for a moment into the black broad
friendliness of the mansface.