exception to this rule, not even little Ona -- who has asked
for a holiday the day after her wedding-day, a holiday
without pay, and been refused. While there are so many
who are anxious to work as you wish, there is no occasion
for incommoding yourself with those who must work
otherwise.

Little Ona is nearly ready to faint -- and half in a stupor
herself, because of the heavy scent in the room. She has
not taken a drop, but everyone else there is literally burn~
ing alcohol, as the lamps are burning oil; some of the
men who are sound asleep in their chairs or on the floor
are reeking of it so that you cannot go near them. Now
and then Jurgis gazes at her hungrily -- he has long since
forgotten his shyness; but then the crowd is there, and
he still waits and watches the door, where a carriage is
supposed to come. It does not, and finally he will wait
no longer, but comes up to Ona, who turns white and
trembles. He puts her shawl about her and then his own
coat. They live only two blocks away, and Jurgis does
not care about the carriage.

There is almost no farewell -- the dancers do not notice
them, and all of the children and many of the old folks
have fallen asleep of sheer exhaustion. Dede Antanas is
asleep, and so are the Szedvilases, husband and wife, the
former snoring in octaves. There is Teta Elzbieta, and
Marija, sobbing loudly; and then there is only the silent
night, with the stars beginning to pale a little in the east.
Jurgis, without a word, lifts Ona in his arms, and strides
out with her, and she sinks her head upon his shoulder
with a moan. When he reaches home he is not sure
whether she has fainted or is asleep, but when he has to
hold her with one hand while he unlocks the door, he sees
that she has opened her eyes.

"You shall not go to Brown's today, little one," he
whispers, as he climbs the stairs; and she catches his arm
in terror, gasping: "No! No! I dare not! It will ruin
us!"

But he answers her again: "Leave it to me; leave it
to me. I will earn more money -- I will work harder."

[[22]]

p021 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p022w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p023

v?