All Roads Lead to Calvary by Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome
page 67 of 333 (20%)
page 67 of 333 (20%)
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face because, in spite of her scoldings and her pleadings, it would keep
stopping to lick up filth from the roadway. A kindly passer-by had laughed and told her not to mind. "Why, that's a sign of breeding, that is, Missie," the man had explained. "It's the classy ones that are always the worst." It had come to her afterwards craving with its soft brown, troubled eyes for forgiveness. But she had never been able to break it of the habit. Must man for ever be chained by his appetites to the unclean: ever be driven back, dragged down again into the dirt by his own instincts: ever be rendered useless for all finer purposes by the baseness of his own desires? The City of her Dreams! The mingled voices of the crowd shaped itself into a mocking laugh. It seemed to her that it was she that they were laughing at, pointing her out to one another, jeering at her, reviling her, threatening her. She hurried onward with bent head, trying to escape them. She felt so small, so helpless. Almost she cried out in her despair. She must have walked mechanically. Looking up she found herself in her own street. And as she reached her doorway the tears came suddenly. She heard a quick step behind her, and turning, she saw a man with a latch key in his hand. He passed her and opened the door; and then, facing round, stood aside for her to enter. He was a sturdy, thick-set |
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