The import of twenty-five dollars a week! Of being the head of a
department employing twenty-five girls! Of wearing a good suit of
clothes again! Sitting at an official desk in a corner commanding
a charming river view and feeling that at last, after almost two
months in that menial department below stairs, he was a figure of
some consequence in this enormous institution! And because of his
relationship and new dignity, Whiggam, as well as Liggett, hovering
about with advice and genial and helpful comments from time to
time. And some of the managers of the other departments including
several from the front office--an auditor and an advertising man
occasionally pausing in passing to say hello. And the details of the
work sufficiently mastered to permit him to look about him from time
to time, taking an interest in the factory as a whole, its processes
and supplies, such as where the great volume of linen and cotton came
from, how it was cut in an enormous cutting room above this one,
holding hundreds of experienced cutters receiving very high wages; how
there was an employment bureau for recruiting help, a company doctor,
a company hospital, a special dining room in the main building, where
the officials of the company were allowed to dine--but no others--and
that he, being an accredited department head could now lunch with
those others in that special restaurant if he chose and could afford
to. Also he soon learned that several miles out from Lycurgus, on the
Mohawk, near a hamlet called Van Troup, was an inter-factory country
club, to which most of the department heads of the various factories
about belonged, but, alas, as he also learned, Griffiths and Company
did not really favor their officials mixing with those of any other
company, and for that reason few of them did. Yet he, being a member
of the family, as Liggett once said to him, could probably do as he
chose as to that. But he decided, because of the strong warnings of
Gilbert, as well as his high blood relations with this family, that
he had better remain as aloof as possible. And so smiling and being
as genial as possible to all, nevertheless for the most part, and in
order to avoid Dillard and others of his ilk, and although he was much
more lonely than otherwise he would have been, returning to his room or
the public squares of this and near-by cities on Saturday and Sunday
afternoons, and even, since he thought this might please his uncle and
cousin and so raise him in their esteem, beginning to attend one of the
principal Presbyterian churches--the Second or High Street Church, to
which on occasion, as he had already learned, the Griffiths themselves
were accustomed to resort. Yet without ever coming in contact with them
in person, since from June to September they spent their week-ends at
Greenwood Lake, to which most of the society life of this region as yet
resorted.
In fact the summer life of Lycurgus, in so far as its society was
concerned, was very dull. Nothing in particular ever eventuated then
in the city, although previous to this, in May, there had been various
affairs in connection with the Griffiths and their friends which Clyde
had either read about or saw at a distance--a graduation reception and
dance at the Snedeker School, a lawn fête upon the Griffiths' grounds,
with a striped marquee tent on one part of the lawn and Chinese
lanterns hung in among the trees. Clyde had observed this quite by
accident one evening as he was walking alone about the city. It raised
many a curious and eager thought in regard to this family, its high
station and his relation to it. But having placed him comfortably in
a small official position which was not arduous, the Griffiths now
proceeded to dismiss him from their minds. He was doing well enough,
and they would see something more of him later, perhaps.
And then a little later he read in the Lycurgus _Star_ that there was
to be staged on June twentieth the annual inter-city automobile floral
parade and contest (Fonda, Gloversville, Amsterdam and Schenectady),
which this year was to be held in Lycurgus and which was the last
local social affair of any consequence, as _The Star_ phrased it,
before the annual hegira to the lakes and mountains of those who were
able to depart for such places. And the names of Bella, Bertine and
Sondra, to say nothing of Gilbert, were mentioned as contestants or
defendants of the fair name of Lycurgus. And since this occurred on a
Saturday afternoon, Clyde, dressed in his best, yet decidedly wishing
to obscure himself as an ordinary spectator, was able to see once more
the girl who had so infatuated him on sight, obviously breasting a
white rose-surfaced stream and guiding her craft with a paddle covered
with yellow daffodils--a floral representation of some Indian legend in
connection with the Mohawk River. With her dark hair filleted Indian
fashion with a yellow feather and brown-eyed susans, she was arresting
enough not only to capture a prize, but to recapture Clyde's fancy. How
marvelous to be of that world.
In the same parade he had seen Gilbert Griffiths accompanied by a very
attractive girl chauffeuring one of four floats representing the four
seasons. And while the one he drove was winter, with this local society
girl posed in ermine with white roses for snow all about, directly
behind came another float, which presented Bella Griffiths as spring,
swathed in filmy draperies and crouching beside a waterfall of dark
violets. The effect was quite striking and threw Clyde into a mood in
regard to love, youth and romance which was delicious and yet very
painful to him. Perhaps he should have retained Rita, after all.
In the meantime he was living on as before, only more spaciously in so
far as his own thoughts were concerned. For his first thought after
receiving this larger allowance was that he had better leave Mrs.
Cuppy's and secure a better room in some private home which, if less
advantageously situated for him, would be in a better street. It took
him out of all contact with Dillard. And now, since his uncle had
promoted him, some representative of his or Gilbert's might wish to
stop by to see him about something. And what would one such think if he
found him living in a small room such as he now occupied?
Ten days after his salary was raised, therefore, and because of the
import of his name, he found it possible to obtain a room in one of the
better houses and streets--Jefferson Avenue, which paralleled Wykeagy
Avenue, only a few blocks farther out. It was the home of a widow whose
husband had been a mill manager and who let out two rooms without board
in order to be able to maintain this home, which was above the average
for one of such position in Lycurgus. And Mrs. Peyton, having long been
a resident of the city and knowing much about the Griffiths, recognized
not only the name but the resemblance of Clyde to Gilbert. And being
intensely interested by this, as well as his general appearance, she at
once offered him an exceptional room for so little as five dollars a
week, which he took at once.
In connection with his work at the factory, however, and in spite of
the fact that he had made such drastic resolutions in regard to the
help who were beneath him, still it was not always possible for him
to keep his mind on the mere mechanical routine of the work or off
of this company of girls as girls, since at least a few of them were
attractive. For it was summer--late June. And over all the factory,
especially around two, three and four in the afternoon, when the
endless repetition of the work seemed to pall on all, a practical
indifference not remote from languor and in some instances sensuality,
seemed to creep over the place. There were so many women and girls of
so many different types and moods. And here they were so remote from
men or idle pleasure in any form, all alone with just him, really.
Again the air within the place was nearly always heavy and physically
relaxing, and through the many open windows that reached from floor
to ceiling could be seen the Mohawk swirling and rippling, its banks
carpeted with green grass and in places shaded by trees. Always it
seemed to hint of pleasures which might be found by idling along its
shores. And since these workers were employed so mechanically as to
leave their minds free to roam from one thought of pleasure to another,
they were for the most part thinking of themselves always and what they
would do, assuming that they were not here chained to this routine.
And because their moods were so brisk and passionate, they were often
prone to fix on the nearest object. And since Clyde was almost always
the only male present--and in these days in his best clothes--they
were inclined to fix on him. They were, indeed, full of all sorts of
fantastic notions in regard to his private relations with the Griffiths
and their like, where he lived and how, whom in the way of a girl he
might be interested in. And he, in turn, when not too constrained by
the memory of what Gilbert Griffiths had said to him, was inclined to
think of them--certain girls in particular--with thoughts that bordered
on the sensual. For, in spite of the wishes of the Griffiths Company,
and the discarded Rita or perhaps because of her, he found himself
becoming interested in three different girls here. They were of a
pagan and pleasure-loving turn--this trio--and they thought Clyde very
handsome. Ruza Nikoforitch--a Russian-American girl--big and blonde
and animal, with swimming brown eyes, a snub fat nose and chin, was
very much drawn to him. Only, such was the manner with which he carried
himself always, that she scarcely dared to let herself think so. For
to her, with his hair so smoothly parted, torsoed in a bright-striped
shirt, the sleeves of which in this weather were rolled to the elbows,
he seemed almost too perfect to be real. She admired his clean, brown
polished shoes, his brightly buckled black leather belt, and the loose
four-in-hand tie he wore.
Again there was Martha Bordaloue, a stocky, brisk Canadian-French girl
of trim, if rotund, figure and ankles, hair of a reddish gold and eyes
of greenish blue with puffy pink cheeks and hands that were plump and
yet small. Ignorant and pagan, she saw in Clyde some one whom, even
for so much as an hour, assuming that he would, she would welcome--and
that most eagerly. At the same time, being feline and savage, she hated
all or any who even so much as presumed to attempt to interest him,
and despised Ruza for that reason. For as she could see Ruza tried to
nudge or lean against Clyde whenever he came sufficiently near. At the
same time she herself sought by every single device known to her--her
shirtwaist left open to below the borders of her white breast, her
outer skirt lifted trimly above her calves when working, her plump
round arms displayed to the shoulders to show him that physically at
least she was worth his time. And the sly sighs and languorous looks
when he was near, which caused Ruza to exclaim one day: "That French
cat! He should look at her!" And because of Clyde she had an intense
desire to strike her.
And yet again there was the stocky and yet gay Flora Brandt, a
decidedly low class American type of coarse and yet enticing features,
black hair, large, swimming and heavily-lashed black eyes, a snub
nose and full and sensuous and yet pretty lips, and a vigorous and
not ungraceful body, who, from day to day, once he had been there a
little while, had continued to look at him as if to say--"What! You
don't think I'm attractive?" And with a look which said: "How can you
continue to ignore me? There are lots of fellows who would be delighted
to have your chance, I can tell you."
And, in connection with these three, the thought came to him after a
time that since they were so different, more common as he thought, less
well-guarded and less sharply interested in the conventional aspects
of their contacts, it might be possible and that without detection on
the part of any one for him to play with one or another of them--or
all three in turn if his interest should eventually carry him so
far--without being found out, particularly if beforehand he chose to
impress on them the fact that he was condescending when he noticed them
at all. Most certainly, if he could judge by their actions, they would
willingly reward him by letting him have his way with them somewhere,
and think nothing of it afterward if he chose to ignore them, as he
must to keep his position here. Nevertheless, having given his word
as he had to Gilbert Griffiths, he was still in no mood to break it.
These were merely thoughts which from time to time were aroused in him
by a situation which for him was difficult in the extreme. His was a
disposition easily and often intensely inflamed by the chemistry of sex
and the formula of beauty. He could not easily withstand the appeal,
let alone the call, of sex. And by the actions and approaches of each
in turn he was surely tempted at times, especially in these warm and
languorous summer days, with no place to go and no single intimate to
commune with. From time to time he could not resist drawing near to
these very girls who were most bent on tempting him, although in the
face of their looks and nudges, not very successfully concealed at
times, he maintained an aloofness and an assumed indifference which was
quite remarkable for him.
But just about this time there was a rush of orders, which
necessitated, as both Whiggam and Liggett advised, Clyde taking on a
few extra "try-out" girls who were willing to work for the very little
they could earn at the current piece work rate until they had mastered
the technique, when of course they would be able to earn more. There
were many such who applied at the employment branch of the main office
on the ground floor. In slack times all applications were rejected or
the sign hung up "No Help Wanted."
And since Clyde was relatively new to this work, and thus far had
neither hired nor discharged any one, it was agreed between Whiggam
and Liggett that all the help thus sent up should first be examined
by Liggett, who was looking for extra stitchers also. And in case any
were found who promised to be satisfactory as stampers, they were to be
turned over to Clyde with the suggestion that he try them. Only before
bringing any one back to Clyde, Liggett was very careful to explain
that in connection with this temporary hiring and discharging there was
a system. One must not ever give a new employee, however well they did,
the feeling that they were doing anything but moderately well until
their capacity had been thoroughly tested. It interfered with their
proper development as piece workers, the greatest results that could be
obtained by any one person. Also one might freely take on as many girls
as were needed to meet any such situation, and then, once the rush was
over, as freely drop them--unless, occasionally, a very speedy worker
was found among the novices. In that case it was always advisable to
try to retain such a person, either by displacing a less satisfactory
person or transferring some one from some other department, to make
room for new blood and new energy.
The next day, after this notice of a rush, back came four girls at
different times and escorted always by Liggett, who in each instance
explained to Clyde: "Here's a girl who might do for you. Miss Tyndal
is her name. You might give her a try-out." Or, "You might see
if this girl will be of any use to you." And Clyde, after he had
questioned them as to where they had worked, what the nature of the
general working experiences were, and whether they lived at home here
in Lycurgus or alone (the bachelor girl was not much wanted by the
factory) would explain the nature of the work and pay, and then call
Miss Todd, who in her turn would first take them to the rest room
where were lockers for their coats, and then to one of the tables where
they would be shown what the process was. And later it was Miss Todd's
and Clyde's business to discover how well they were getting on and
whether it was worth while to retain them or not.
Up to this time, apart from the girls to whom he was so definitely
drawn, Clyde was not so very favorably impressed with the type of girl
who was working here. For the most part, as he saw them, they were of a
heavy and rather unintelligent company, and he had been thinking that
smarter-looking girls might possibly be secured. Why not? Were there
none in Lycurgus in the factory world? So many of these had fat hands,
broad faces, heavy legs and ankles. Some of them even spoke with an
accent, being Poles or the children of Poles, living in that slum north
of the mill. And they were all concerned with catching a "feller,"
going to some dancing place with him afterwards, and little more.
Also, Clyde had noticed that the American types who were here were
of a decidedly different texture, thinner, more nervous and for the
most part more angular, and with a general reserve due to prejudices,
racial, moral and religious, which would not permit them to mingle with
these others or with any men, apparently.
But among the extras or try-outs that were brought to him during this
and several succeeding days, finally came one who interested Clyde more
than any girl whom he had seen here so far. She was, as he decided on
sight, more intelligent and pleasing--more spiritual--though apparently
not less vigorous, if more gracefully proportioned. As a matter of
fact, as he saw her at first, she appeared to him to possess a charm
which no one else in this room had, a certain wistfulness and wonder
combined with a kind of self-reliant courage and determination which
marked her at once as one possessed of will and conviction to a degree.
Nevertheless, as she said, she was inexperienced in this kind of work,
and highly uncertain as to whether she would prove of service here or
anywhere.
Her name was Roberta Alden, and, as she at once explained, previous to
this she had been working in a small hosiery factory in a town called
Trippetts Mills fifty miles north of Lycurgus. She had on a small brown
hat that did not look any too new, and was pulled low over a face that
was small and regular and pretty and that was haloed by bright, light
brown hair. Her eyes were of a translucent gray blue. Her little suit
was commonplace, and her shoes were not so very new-looking and quite
solidly-soled. She looked practical and serious and yet so bright and
clean and willing and possessed of so much hope and vigor that along
with Liggett, who had first talked with her, he was at once taken with
her. Distinctly she was above the average of the girls in this room.
And he could not help wondering about her as he talked to her, for she
seemed so tense, a little troubled as to the outcome of this interview,
as though this was a very great adventure for her.
She explained that up to this time she had been living with her parents
near a town called Biltz, but was now living with friends here. She
talked so honestly and simply that Clyde was very much moved by her,
and for this reason wished to help her. At the same time he wondered if
she were not really above the type of work she was seeking. Her eyes
were so round and blue and intelligent--her lips and nose and ears and
hands so small and pleasing.
"You're going to live in Lycurgus, then, if you can get work here?" he
said, more to be talking to her than anything else.
"Yes," she said, looking at him most directly and frankly.
"And the name again?" He took down a record pad.
"Roberta Alden."
"And your address here?"
"228 Taylor Street."
"I don't even know where that is myself," he informed her because he
liked talking to her. "I haven't been here so very long, you see." He
wondered just why afterwards he had chosen to tell her as much about
himself so swiftly. Then he added: "I don't know whether Mr. Liggett
has told you all about the work here. But it's piece work, you know,
stamping collars. I'll show you if you'll just step over here," and he
led the way to a near-by table where the stampers were. After letting
her observe how it was done, and without calling Miss Todd, he picked
up one of the collars and proceeded to explain all that had been
previously explained to him.
At the same time, because of the intentness with which she observed
him and his gestures, the seriousness with which she appeared to take
all that he said, he felt a little nervous and embarrassed. There was
something quite searching and penetrating about her glance. After he
had explained once more what the bundle rate was, and how much some
made and how little others, and she had agreed that she would like to
try, he called Miss Todd, who took her to the locker room to hang up
her hat and coat. Then presently he saw her returning, a fluff of light
hair about her forehead, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes very
intent and serious. And as advised by Miss Todd, he saw her turn back
her sleeves, revealing a pretty pair of fore-arms. Then she fell to,
and by her gestures Clyde guessed that she would prove both speedy and
accurate. For she seemed most anxious to obtain and keep this place.
After she had worked a little while, he went to her side and watched
her as she picked up and stamped the collars piled beside her and threw
them to one side. Also the speed and accuracy with which she did it.
Then, because for a second she turned and looked at him, giving him an
innocent and yet cheerful and courageous smile, he smiled back, most
pleased.
"Well, I guess you'll make out all right," he ventured to say, since
he could not help feeling that she would. And instantly, for a second
only, she turned and smiled again. And Clyde, in spite of himself, was
quite thrilled. He liked her on the instant, but because of his own
station here, of course, as he now decided, as well as his promise to
Gilbert, he must be careful about being congenial with any of the help
in this room--even as charming a girl as this. It would not do. He had
been guarding himself in connection with the others and must with her
too, a thing which seemed a little strange to him then, for he was very
much drawn to her. She was so pretty and cute. Yet she was a working
girl, as he remembered now, too--a factory girl, as Gilbert would say,
and he was her superior. But she _was_ so pretty and cute.
Instantly he went on to others who had been put on this same day, and
finally coming to Miss Todd asked her to report pretty soon on how Miss
Alden was getting along--that he wanted to know.
But at the same time that he had addressed Roberta, and she had smiled
back at him, Ruza Nikoforitch, who was working two tables away, nudged
the girl working next her, and without any one noting it, first winked,
then indicated with a slight movement of the head both Clyde and
Roberta. Her friend was to watch them. And after Clyde had gone away
and Roberta was working as before, she leaned over and whispered: "He
says she'll do already." Then she lifted her eyebrows and compressed
her lips. And her friend replied, so softly that no one could hear
her: "Pretty quick, eh? And he didn't seem to see any one else at all
before."
Then the twain smiled most wisely, a choice bit between them. Ruza
Nikoforitch was jealous.