had been an hour or two in the hall, there began to pre~
pare itself a repetition of the dismal catastrophe of the
night before. Speaking had been going on all the time,
and the audience was clapping its hands and shouting,
thrilling with excitement; and little by little the sounds
were beginning to blur in Jurgis's ears, and his thoughts
were beginning to run together, and his head to wobble
and nod. He caught himself many times, as usual, and
made desperate resolutions; but the hall was hot and close,
and his long walk and is dinner were too much for him
-- in the end his head sank forward and he went off again.

And then again someone nudged him, and he sat up
with his old terrified start! He had been snoring again,
of course! And now what? He fixed his eyes ahead of
him, with painful intensity, staring at the platform as if
nothing else ever had interested him, or ever could inter~
est him, all his life. He imagined the angry exclamations,
the hostile glances; he imagined the policeman striding
toward him -- reaching for his neck. -- Or was he to have
one more chance? Were they going to let him alone this
time? He sat trembling, waiting --

And then suddenly came a voice in his ear, a woman's
voice, gentle and sweet, "If you would try to listen, com~
rade, perhaps you would be interested."

Jurgis was more startled by that than he would have
been by the touch of a policeman. He still kept his eyes
fixed ahead, and did not stir; but his heart gave a great
leap. Comrade! Who was it that called him "comrade"?

He waited long, long; and at last, when he was sure
that he was no longer watched, he stole a glance out of the
corner of his eyes at the woman who sat beside him. She
was young and beautiful; she wore fine clothes, and was
what is called a "lady." And she called him "comrade"!

He turned a little, carefully, so that he could see her
better; then he began to watch her, fascinated. She had
apparently forgotten all about him, and was looking
toward the platform. A man was speaking there -- Jurgis
heard his voice vaguely; but all his thoughts were for this
woman's face. A feeling of alarm stole over him as he

[[357]]

p356 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p357w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p358

v?