He took the Browning and the Swinburne from the chair and kissed them.
Just the same, she told me to call again, he thought. He took another
look at himself in the glass, and said aloud, with great solemnity:-

"Martin Eden, the first thing to-morrow you go to the free library an'
read up on etiquette. Understand!"

He turned off the gas, and the springs shrieked under his body.

"But you've got to quit cussin', Martin, old boy; you've got to quit
cussin'," he said aloud.

Then he dozed off to sleep and to dream dreams that for madness and
audacity rivalled those of poppy-eaters.




CHAPTER V


He awoke next morning from rosy scenes of dream to a steamy atmosphere
that smelled of soapsuds and dirty clothes, and that was vibrant with the
jar and jangle of tormented life. As he came out of his room he heard
the slosh of water, a sharp exclamation, and a resounding smack as his
sister visited her irritation upon one of her numerous progeny. The
squall of the child went through him like a knife. He was aware that the
whole thing, the very air he breathed, was repulsive and mean. How
different, he thought, from the atmosphere of beauty and repose of the
house wherein Ruth dwelt. There it was all spiritual. Here it was all