The days lapsed1 and, although no further word came from the Griffiths, Clyde was still inclined to exaggerate theimportance of this one contact and to dream from time to time of delightful2 meetings with those girls and howwonderful if a love affair with one of them might eventuate for him. The beauty of that world in which theymoved. The luxury and charm as opposed to this of which he was a part. Dillard! Rita! Tush! They were reallydead for him. He aspired3 to this other or nothing as he saw it now and proceeded to prove as distant to Dillard aspossible, an attitude which by degrees tended to alienate4 that youth entirely5 for he saw in Clyde a snob6 whichpotentially he was if he could have but won to what he desired. However, as he began to see afterwards, timepassed and he was left to work until, depressed7 by the routine, meager8 pay and commonplace shrinking-roomcontacts, he began to think not so much of returning to Rita or Dillard,--he could not quite think of them nowwith any satisfaction, but of giving up this venture here and returning to Chicago or going to New York, wherehe was sure that he could connect himself with some hotel if need be. But then, as if to revive his courage andconfirm his earlier dreams, a thing happened which caused him to think that certainly he was beginning to rise inthe estimation of the Griffiths--father and son--whether they troubled to entertain him socially or not. For itchanced that one Saturday in spring, Samuel Griffiths decided9 to make a complete tour of inspection10 of thefactory with Joshua Whiggam at his elbow. Reaching the shrinking department about noon, he observed for thefirst time with some dismay, Clyde in his undershirt and trousers working at the feeding end of two of theshrinking racks, his nephew having by this time acquired the necessary skill to "feed" as well as "take." Andrecalling how very neat and generally presentable he had appeared at his house but a few weeks before, he wasdecidedly disturbed by the contrast. For one thing he had felt about Clyde, both in Chicago and here at his home,was that he had presented a neat and pleasing appearance. And he, almost as much as his son, was jealous, not only of the name, but the general social appearance of the Griffiths before the employees of this factory as wellas the community at large. And the sight of Clyde here, looking so much like Gilbert and in an armless shirt andtrousers working among these men, tended to impress upon him more sharply than at any time before the factthat Clyde was his nephew, and that he ought not to be compelled to continue at this very menial form of workany longer. To the other employees it might appear that he was unduly11 indifferent to the meaning of such arelationship.
Without, however, saying a word to Whiggam or anyone else at the time, he waited until his son returned onMonday morning, from a trip that he had taken out of town, when he called him into his office and observed: "Imade a tour of the factory Saturday and found young Clyde still down in the shrinking room.""What of it, Dad?" replied his son, curiously12 interested as to why his father should at this time wish to mentionClyde in this special way. "Other people before him have worked down there and it hasn't hurt them.""All true enough, but they weren't nephews of mine. And they didn't look as much like you as he does"--acomment which irritated Gilbert greatly. "It won't do, I tell you. It doesn't look quite right to me, and I'm afraid itwon't look right to other people here who see how much he looks like you and know that he is your cousin andmy nephew. I didn't realize that at first, because I haven't been down there, but I don't think it wise to keep himdown there any longer doing that kind of thing. It won't do. We'll have to make a change, switch him aroundsomewhere else where he won't look like that."His eyes darkened and his brow wrinkled. The impression that Clyde made in his old clothes and with beads13 ofsweat standing14 out on his forehead had not been pleasant.
"But I'll tell you how it is, Dad," Gilbert persisted, anxious and determined15 because of his innate16 opposition17 toClyde to keep him there if possible. "I'm not so sure that I can find just the right place for him now anywhereelse--at least not without moving someone else who has been here a long time and worked hard to get there. Hehasn't had any training in anything so far, but just what he's doing.""Don't know or don't care anything about that," replied Griffiths senior, feeling that his son was a little jealousand in consequence disposed to be unfair to Clyde. "That's no place for him and I won't have him there anylonger. He's been there long enough. And I can't afford to have the name of any of this family come to meananything but just what it does around here now-- reserve and ability and energy and good judgment18. It's not goodfor the business. And anything less than that is a liability. You get me, don't you?""Yes, I get you all right, governor.""Well, then, do as I say. Get hold of Whiggam and figure out some other place for him around here, and not aspiece worker or a hand either. It was a mistake to put him down there in the first place. There must be some littleplace in one of the departments where he can be fitted in as the head of something, first or second or thirdassistant to some one, and where he can wear a decent suit of clothes and look like somebody. And, if necessary,let him go home on full pay until you find something for him. But I want him changed. By the way, how much ishe being paid now?""About fifteen, I think," replied Gilbert blandly19.
"Not enough, if he's to make the right sort of an appearance here. Better make it twenty-five. It's more than he'sworth, I know, but it can't be helped now. He has to have enough to live on while he's here, and from now on, I'drather pay him that than have any one think we were not treating him right.""All right, all right, governor. Please don't be cross about it, will you?" pleaded Gilbert, noting his father'sirritation. "I'm not entirely to blame. You agreed to it in the first place when I suggested it, didn't you? But Iguess you're right at that. Just leave it to me. I'll find a decent place for him," and turning, he proceeded in searchof Whiggam, although at the same time thinking how he was to effect all this without permitting Clyde to get thenotion that he was at all important here--to make him feel that this was being done as a favor to him and not forany reasons of merit in connection with himself.
And at once, Whiggam appearing, he, after a very diplomatic approach on the part of Gilbert, racked his brains,scratched his head, went away and returned after a time to say that the only thing he could think of, since Clydewas obviously lacking in technical training, was that of assistant to Mr. Liggett, who was foreman in charge offive big stitching rooms on the fifth floor, but who had under him one small and very special, though by nomeans technical, department which required the separate supervision20 of either an assistant forelady or man.
This was the stamping room--a separate chamber21 at the west end of the stitching floor, where were received dailyfrom the cutting room above from seventy-five to one hundred thousand dozen unstitched collars of differentbrands and sizes. And here they were stamped by a group of girls according to the slips or directions attached tothem with the size and brand of the collar. The sole business of the assistant foreman in charge here, as Gilbertwell knew, after maintaining due decorum and order, was to see that this stamping process went uninterruptedlyforward. Also that after the seventy-five to one hundred thousand dozen collars were duly stamped andtransmitted to the stitchers, who were just outside in the larger room, to see that they were duly credited in abook of entry. And that the number of dozens stamped by each girl was duly recorded in order that her payshould correspond with her services.
For this purpose a little desk and various entry books, according to size and brand, were kept here. Also thecutters' slips, as taken from the bundles by the stampers were eventually delivered to this assistant in lots of adozen or more and filed on spindles. It was really nothing more than a small clerkship, at times in the past heldby young men or girls or old men or middle-aged22 women, according to the exigencies23 of the life of the place.
The thing that Whiggam feared in connection with Clyde and which he was quick to point out to Gilbert on thisoccasion was that because of his inexperience and youth Clyde might not, at first, prove as urgent and insistent24 amaster of this department as the work there required. There were nothing but young girls there--some of themquite attractive. Also was it wise to place a young man of Clyde's years and looks among so many girls? For,being susceptible25, as he might well be at that age, he might prove too easy--not stern enough. The girls mighttake advantage of him. If so, it wouldn't be possible to keep him there very long. Still there was this temporaryvacancy, and it was the only one in the whole factory at the moment. Why not, for the time being, send himupstairs for a tryout? It might not be long before either Mr. Liggett or himself would know of something else orwhether or not he was suited for the work up there. In that case it would be easy to make a re- transfer.
Accordingly, about three in the afternoon of this same Monday, Clyde was sent for and after being made to waitfor some fifteen minutes, as was Gilbert's method, he was admitted to the austere27 presence.
"Well, how are you getting along down where you are now?" asked Gilbert coldly and inquisitorially. AndClyde, who invariably experienced a depression whenever he came anywhere near his cousin, replied, with apoorly forced smile, "Oh, just about the same, Mr. Griffiths. I can't complain. I like it well enough. I'm learning alittle something, I guess.""You guess?""Well, I know I've learned a few things, of course," added Clyde, flushing slightly and feeling down deep withinhimself a keen resentment28 at the same time that he achieved a half-ingratiating and half-apologetic smile.
"Well, that's a little better. A man could hardly be down there as long as you've been and not know whether hehad learned anything or not." Then deciding that he was being too severe, perhaps, he modified his tone slightly,and added: "But that's not why I sent for you. There's another matter I want to talk to you about. Tell me, did youever have charge of any people or any other person than yourself, at any time in your life?""I don't believe I quite understand," replied Clyde, who, because he was a little nervous and flustered29, had notquite registered the question accurately30.
"I mean have you ever had any people work under you--been given a few people to direct in some departmentsomewhere? Been a foreman or an assistant foreman in charge of anything?""No, sir, I never have," answered Clyde, but so nervous that he almost stuttered. For Gilbert's tone was verysevere and cold--highly contemptuous. At the same time, now that the nature of the question was plain, itsimplication came to him. In spite of his cousin's severity, his ill manner toward him, still he could see hisemployers were thinking of making a foreman of him--putting him in charge of somebody--people. They mustbe! At once his ears and fingers began to titillate--the roots of his hair to tingle31: "But I've seen how it's done inclubs and hotels," he added at once. "And I think I might manage if I were given a trial." His cheeks were nowhighly colored--his eyes crystal clear.
"Not the same thing. Not the same thing," insisted Gilbert sharply. "Seeing and doing are two entirely differentthings. A person without any experience can think a lot, but when it comes to doing, he's not there. Anyhow, thisis one business that requires people who do know."He stared at Clyde critically and quizzically while Clyde, feeling that he must be wrong in his notion thatsomething was going to be done for him, began to quiet himself. His cheeks resumed their normal pallor and thelight died from his eyes.
"Yes, sir, I guess that's true, too," he commented.
"But you don't need to guess in this case," insisted Gilbert. "You know. That's the trouble with people who don'tknow. They're always guessing."The truth was that Gilbert was so irritated to think that he must now make a place for his cousin, and that despitehis having done nothing at all to deserve it, that he could scarcely conceal32 the spleen that now colored his mood.
"You're right, I know," said Clyde placatingly33, for he was still hoping for this hinted-at promotion34.
"Well, the fact is," went on Gilbert, "I might have placed you in the accounting35 end of the business when youfirst came if you had been technically36 equipped for it." (The phrase "technically equipped" overawed andterrorized Clyde, for he scarcely understood what that meant.) "As it was," went on Gilbert, nonchalantly, "wehad to do the best we could for you. We knew it was not very pleasant down there, but we couldn't do anythingmore for you at the time." He drummed on his desk with his fingers. "But the reason I called you up here to-dayis this. I want to discuss with you a temporary vacancy26 that has occurred in one of our departments upstairs andwhich we are wondering--my father and I--whether you might be able to fill." Clyde's spirits rose amazingly.
"Both my father and I," he went on, "have been thinking for some little time that we would like to do a littlesomething for you, but as I say, your lack of practical training of any kind makes it very difficult for both of us.
You haven't had either a commercial or a trade education of any kind, and that makes it doubly hard." He pausedlong enough to allow that to sink in--give Clyde the feeling that he was an interloper indeed. "Still," he addedafter a moment, "so long as we have seen fit to bring you on here, we have decided to give you a tryout atsomething better than you are doing. It won't do to let you stay down there indefinitely. Now, let me tell you alittle something about what I have in mind," and he proceeded to explain the nature of the work on the fifth floor.
And when after a time Whiggam was sent for and appeared and had acknowledged Clyde's salutation, heobserved: "Whiggam, I've just been telling my cousin here about our conversation this morning and what I toldyou about our plan to try him out as the head of that department. So if you'll just take him up to Mr. Liggett andhave him or some one explain the nature of the work up there, I'll be obliged to you." He turned to his desk.
"After that you can send him back to me," he added. "I want to talk to him again."Then he arose and dismissed them both with an air, and Whiggam, still somewhat dubious37 as to the experiment,but now very anxious to be pleasant to Clyde since he could not tell what he might become, led the way to Mr.
Liggett's floor. And there, amid a thunderous hum of machines, Clyde was led to the extreme west of thebuilding and into a much smaller department which was merely railed off from the greater chamber by a lowfence. Here were about twenty-five girls and their assistants with baskets, who apparently38 were doing their bestto cope with a constant stream of unstitched collar bundles which fell through several chutes from the floorabove.
And now at once, after being introduced to Mr. Liggett, he was escorted to a small railed-off desk at which sat ashort, plump girl of about his own years, not so very attractive, who arose as they approached. "This is MissTodd," began Whiggain. "She's been in charge for about ten days now in the absence of Mrs. Angier. And what Iwant you to do now, Miss Todd, is to explain to Mr. Griffiths here just as quickly and clearly as you can what itis you do here. And then later in the day when he comes up here, I want you to help him to keep track of thingsuntil he sees just what is wanted and can do it himself. You'll do that, won't you?""Why, certainly, Mr. Whiggam. I'll be only too glad to," complied Miss Todd, and at once she began to takedown the books of records and to show Clyde how the entry and discharge records were kept--also later how the stamping was done--how the basket girls took the descending39 bundles from the chutes and distributed themevenly according to the needs of the stamper and how later, as fast as they were stamped, other basket girlscarried them to the stitchers outside. And Clyde, very much interested, felt that he could do it, only among somany women on a floor like this he felt very strange. There were so very, very many women--hundreds of them-stretchingfar and away between white walls and white columns to the eastern end of the building. And tallwindows that reached from floor to ceiling let in a veritable flood of light. These girls were not all pretty. He sawthem out of the tail of his eye as first Miss Todd and later Whiggam, and even Liggett, volunteered to impresspoints on him.
"The important thing," explained Whiggam after a time, "is to see that there is no mistake as to the number ofthousands of dozens of collars that come down here and are stamped, and also that there's no delay in stampingthem and getting them out to the stitchers. Also that the records of these girls' work is kept accurately so thatthere won't be any mistakes as to their time."At last Clyde saw what was required of him and the conditions under which he was about to work and said so.
He was very nervous but quickly decided that if this girl could do the work, he could. And because Liggett andWhiggam, interested by his relationship to Gilbert, appeared very friendly and persisted in delaying here, sayingthat there was nothing he could not manage they were sure, he returned after a time with Whiggam to Gilbertwho, on seeing him enter, at once observed: "Well, what's the answer? Yes or no. Do you think you can do it ordo you think you can't?""Well, I know that I can do it," replied Clyde with a great deal of courage for him, yet with the private feelingthat he might not make good unless fortune favored him some even now. There were so many things to be takeninto consideration--the favor of those above as well as about him--and would they always favor him?
"Very good, then. Just be seated for a moment," went on Gilbert. "I want to talk to you some more in connectionwith that work up there. It looks easy to you, does it?""No, I can't say that it looks exactly easy," replied Clyde, strained and a little pale, for because of hisinexperience he felt the thing to be a great opportunity--one that would require all his skill and courage tomaintain. "Just the same I think I can do it. In fact I know I can and I'd like to try.""Well, now, that sounds a little better," replied Gilbert crisply and more graciously. "And now I want to tell yousomething more about it. I don't suppose you ever thought there was a floor with that many women on it, didyou?""No, sir, I didn't," replied Clyde. "I knew they were somewhere in the building, but I didn't know just where.""Exactly," went on Gilbert. "This plant is practically operated by women from cellar to roof. In themanufacturing department, I venture to say there are ten women to every man. On that account every one inwhom we entrust40 any responsibility around here must be known to us as to their moral and religious character. Ifyou weren't related to us, and if we didn't feel that because of that we knew a little something about you, wewouldn't think of putting you up there or anywhere in this factory over anybody until we did know. But don'tthink because you're related to us that we won't hold you strictly41 to account for everything that goes on up there and for your conduct. We will, and all the more so because you are related to us. You understand that, do you?
And why--the meaning of the Griffiths name here?""Yes, sir," replied Clyde.
"Very well, then," went on Gilbert. "Before we place any one here in any position of authority, we have to beabsolutely sure that they're going to behave themselves as gentlemen always--that the women who are workinghere are going to receive civil treatment always. If a young man, or an old one for that matter, comes in here atany time and imagines that because there are women here he's going to be allowed to play about and neglect hiswork and flirt42 or cut up, that fellow is doomed43 to a short stay here. The men and women who work for us havegot to feel that they are employees first, last and all the time--and they have to carry that attitude out into thestreet with them. And unless they do it, and we hear anything about it, that man or woman is done for so far aswe are concerned. We don't want 'em and we won't have 'em. And once we're through with 'em, we're throughwith 'em."He paused and stared at Clyde as much as to say: "Now I hope I have made myself clear. Also that we will neverhave any trouble in so far as you are concerned."And Clyde replied: "Yes, I understand. I think that's right. In fact I know that's the way it has to be.""And ought to be," added Gilbert.
"And ought to be," echoed Clyde.
At the same time he was wondering whether it was really true as Gilbert said. Had he not heard the mill girlsalready spoken about in a slighting way? Yet consciously at the moment he did not connect himself in thoughtwith any of these girls upstairs. His present mood was that, because of his abnormal interest in girls, it would bebetter if he had nothing to do with them at all, never spoke44 to any of them, kept a very distant and cold attitude,such as Gilbert was holding toward him. It must be so, at least if he wished to keep his place here. And he wasnow determined to keep it and to conduct himself always as his cousin wished.
"Well, now, then," went on Gilbert as if to supplement Clyde's thoughts in this respect, "what I want to know ofyou is, if I trouble to put you in that department, even temporarily, can I trust you to keep a level head on yourshoulders and go about your work conscientiously45 and not have your head turned or disturbed by the fact thatyou're working among a lot of women and girls?""Yes, sir, I know you can," replied Clyde very much impressed by his cousin's succinct46 demand, although, afterRita, a little dubious.
"If I can't, now is the time to say so," persisted Gilbert. "By blood you're a member of this family. And to ourhelp here, and especially in a position of this kind, you represent us. We can't have anything come up inconnection with you at any time around here that won't be just right. So I want you to be on your guard andwatch your step from now on. Not the least thing must occur in connection with you that any one can commenton unfavorably. You understand, do you?""Yes, sir," replied Clyde most solemnly. "I understand that. I'll conduct myself properly or I'll get out." And hewas thinking seriously at the moment that he could and would. The large number of girls and women upstairsseemed very remote and of no consequence just then.
"Very good. Now, I'll tell you what else I want you to do. I want you to knock off for the day and go home andsleep on this and think it over well. Then come back in the morning and go to work up there, if you still feel thesame. Your salary from now on will be twenty-five dollars, and I want you to dress neat and clean so that youwill be an example to the other men who have charge of departments."He arose coldly and distantly, but Clyde, very much encouraged and enthused by the sudden jump in salary, aswell as the admonition in regard to dressing47 well, felt so grateful toward his cousin that he longed to be friendlywith him. To be sure, he was hard and cold and vain, but still he must think something of him, and his uncle too,or they would not choose to do all this for him and so speedily. And if ever he were able to make friends withhim, win his way into his good graces, think how prosperously he would be placed here, what commercial andsocial honors might not come to him?
So elated was he at the moment that he bustled48 out of the great plant with a jaunty49 stride, resolved among otherthings that from now on, come what might, and as a test of himself in regard to life and work, he was going to beall that his uncle and cousin obviously expected of him--cool, cold even, and if necessary severe, where thesewomen or girls of this department were concerned. No more relations with Dillard or Rita or anybody like thatfor the present anyhow.
日子一天天地过去，虽说再也没有收到格里菲思家的来信，可克莱德还是喜欢夸大这仅有一次去有钱的亲戚家的意义，不时梦想再次跟那些姑娘们愉快地见面，要是其中有一位爱上了他，该有多好。她们生活的那个花团锦簇的世界该有多美啊!
跟他自己的生活和他周围的环境相比，她们简直太豪华，太迷人了。迪拉特!
丽达!
呸!
他觉得他们真的就象根本不复存在似的。现在他明白了，他需要的是别的东西……要不然宁可一无所有。于是，他就开始跟迪拉特逐渐疏远。这种态度后来逐渐使那个年轻人跟他完全疏远了，因为迪拉特早已把克莱德看成势利鬼，其实，克莱德要是果真实现了自己的愿望，很可能就是这一号人。不过，克莱德后来逐渐认识到，时间一天天地过去了，可他还是被撇在一旁，干那个累活。后来，由于每日上下班很呆板，工薪又菲薄，防缩车间里所接触到的，也都是一些平庸之辈，他心里非常郁郁不乐，就不免转念一想，还不如回去找丽达或迪拉特……如今，他之所以想到他们，并不是想同他们重温旧情，而是自己想要放弃在这里的生计，索性回到芝加哥或是纽约去。他相信，必要时，他一定能在一家旅馆里找到事由。可是，就在这时，好象是为了恢复他的勇气，并证实他早先的梦想似的，有一件事发生了，使他认为:
格里菲思这一家人……父亲和儿子……对他的估计，已开始在提高，虽然他们并不愿意把他纳为自己圈子里头的人。因为，那时正好在春天，有一个星期六，塞缪尔。
格里菲思碰巧由乔舒亚。惠甘陪同下厂巡视。大约在正午时分，他来到了防缩车间，只见克莱德穿着背心裤衩在两台烘干机投料那头干活，可以说是破题儿头一遭让他感到有些尴尬。这时，他的侄子早已学会了"投"和"卸"那一套基本功了。他回想起，才不过一两个星期以前，在自己府邸，克莱德还是那么衣冠楚楚，颇有风度。这么一对比，无疑使他非常惶惑不安。他对克莱德总有那么一个印象，不管是在芝加哥也好，还是这回在自己府上也好，侄子的模样儿毕竟很整洁，很讨人喜欢。而且，他几乎如同自己儿子一样，不仅珍惜他们的姓氏格里菲思，而且还在本厂职工乃至于莱柯格斯整个社会面前，珍惜格里菲思这一家人的社会威望。可是，如今看到克莱德在这里，尽管长得活脱脱象吉尔伯特，却穿着背心裤衩跟这拨人在一块干累活儿……此情此景，比过去任何时候都使他更尖锐地想到这样一个事实:
克莱德毕竟是他的侄子，不该让他再干这种又脏又累的重活儿了。要不然别的职工说不定就会觉得:
他，塞缪尔。格里菲思，对这么一个近亲如此漠不关心，实在很不应该。
不过话又说回来，当时他并没有跟惠甘或是任何人说过一个字。等到星期一早上，他儿子刚从城外回来，塞缪尔。格里菲思就把他叫到办公室，对他这么说:
"上星期六，我下厂转了一圈，看见年轻的克莱德还在防缩车间地下室里干活。""那又怎么啦，爹?
"他儿子回答说。他好生奇怪，真不知道父亲干吗在这个时候特别提到了克莱德，"以前，许许多多人也都在地下室干过活，可是并没有害了他们。""你的话儿可不错，不过，人家并不是我的亲侄子。人家的模样儿也并不长得活脱脱就象你嘛。"这句话真叫吉尔伯特感到老大不痛快。"再这样可不行……我这就证告你。我认为我们这样对待克莱德很不公道。我担心，也许厂里其他一些人也会认为这样很不公道。要知道，人家也都看得出，他长得多么象你，而且知道他就是你的堂弟，也是我的亲侄子。这一点我开头并没有注意到，因为我一直没有去过地下室，可是我认为，再也不能让他继续留在那儿，干这类活，那是要不得的。我们就得变通一下，把他调到别处工作，让他看起来不会象现在那个样子。"他眉头一皱，两眼顿时黑咕隆咚。他脑际留下这么一个很不愉快的印象:
克莱德穿着破旧衣衫，额角上淌着大颗大颗汗珠。
"不过，我可要告诉您这是怎么回事，爹，"吉尔伯特坚持自己的看法，因为他打心底里对克莱德反感，尽可能要把他留在原地不动，所以态度急躁而又坚决。"现在能不能在哪儿给他找一个合适的位置，我也说不准……至少，现在给他另一个位置，就不能不把在那儿干了很久，而且一直拚命干活，好不容易才爬上那个位置的人调离。可他到现在为止，什么专门训练都没接受过，所以也只能干他现在干的那种活儿。""反正这一切，我可不知道，压根儿也不感兴趣，"老格里菲思回答说。他觉得自己的儿子心里有点儿妒忌，所以，对待克莱德就很不公平。"那不是他干活的地方，我可不要让他再这样干下去。他在那里干活也有相当长日子了。直至今日，格里菲思这个姓氏在莱柯格斯即意味着谨慎。有魄力。有干劲和有头脑，我可不能让我们这个家族里任何一个姓格里菲思的人不具备以上这些特点。这对做生意来说，也是要不得的。何况妥善安置克莱德至少也是我们应尽的义务。
你明白我的意思了吗?
""是的，我明白您的意思了，爹。""那敢情好，就照我说的去办吧。把惠甘找来，关照他设法安插一个什么工作，不是计件工，也不是普通工。一开头派他到地下室去，压根儿就错了。也许本厂各车间科室能给他寻摸到一个小小的职位，让他当个小头头，比方说，给那里负责人当第一助手。第二助手，或是第三助手，这么一来，他身上就可以穿得干干净净，看起来象一个人的样子。必要时，让他先回家去，照样领全薪，一直到你给他寻摸到职位为止。我就是要把他的工作调换一下。再说，他目前工资有多少?
""我想，大约十五块美元吧，"吉尔伯特温顺地回答说。
"要是让他在这里保持一个体面的样子，那是不够的。最好给他二十块美元。
我知道他还不配拿这么多的钱，不过现在你也没有别的好办法。既然他到了这里，就得有足够的钱过日子。从现在起，我就是要给他二十块钱……这么一来，谁都不会说我们亏待了他。""好吧，好吧。爸爸，请您别生气，好吗?
"吉尔伯特一见父亲恼火，就这样恳求他。"这可不能全怪我。我提出让他去地下室时，您一开头就同意的，是不是?
不过，现在我想您的意见也是对的。就让我去办吧。我会给他寻摸一个说得过去的职位。"他一转身就找惠甘去了，虽然他心中暗自琢磨，这件事既要办好，而又不能让克莱德产生一个想法，好象自己在这里受到器重似的……恰好相反，要让他觉得，这样给他安排只是给他一点小恩小惠，怎么也不是说他本人有什么劳绩。
不一会儿，惠甘来了。吉尔伯特非常巧妙地表达了这番意思以后，惠甘就绞尽脑汁，直搔后脑勺走了，不到一会儿又回来说，克莱德既然没有经过技术训练，他所能得到的唯一职位，就是给利格特先生当助手。利格特是负责五楼五个大缝纫间的领班，除此以外，他下面还有一个规模虽小，但专业性很强(当然绝不是指枝术方面)的部门，需要专门有一个女助手或是男助手单独照管。
这就是打印间……位于缝纫间那一层楼西头。每日楼上切布间送来七万五千打到十万打各种款式和尺码的尚未缝制的领子。女工们就照附在领子上的款式和尺码的小条子(或者说明)在这里打印。吉尔伯特心里很清楚，给这里负责的领班当助手，只不过照管一下打印工作，使之按部就班，井然有序，不致中断罢了。此外，在这七万五千打至十万打领子一一打好，送交外面那个大间里缝纫工以后，还要登记入帐。而且每一名女工打过多少打领子，都得登记清楚，以便日后据此发给工钱。
为此，这里置放着一张小桌子，还有依照尺码和款式分开的各种登记簿。
切布工的小条子，则由打印工从一捆捆领子里取下来，将一打或好几打叠在一起，最后汇总交给这位助手过目。说实话，这只不过是一个小小办事员的工作:
过去有时还按当时实际需要，分别由男女青年，或是老头子，或是中年妇女担任。
惠甘所担心的是:
克莱德由于年轻和缺乏经验，一开头还不能应付自如，不能马上就成为这一部门得力的负责人。这一点惠甘当场就跟吉尔伯特点明了。
而且，在那里工作的，只有年轻的姑娘们……有几个长得还颇有吸引力。再说，象克莱德这般年纪和模样的年轻人，给安插在这么多的姑娘们中间，是不是明智呢?
如果说他和她们当中的哪一个相爱了，在他这个年龄来说，也是十分自然的，也许他就会随随便便，一点儿也不严格。姑娘们可能利用他这一点。万一这样，他在那里可能就待不长。不过，毕竟这是一个暂时的空缺，而且也是眼下全厂唯一的空缺。干吗不可以暂时调他到楼上去试一试呢?
要不了多久，利格特先生和惠甘自己，就知道还有没有其他的职位，以及他对那儿的工作是不是合适。要是不合适，再撤换也很方便的。
因此，就在这个星期一，大约下午三点钟光景，把克莱德叫来了，先让他等了一刻钟左右(这是吉尔伯特的老规矩)，小格里菲思方才正颜厉色地接见了他。
"啊，你在那儿工作怎么样啦?
"吉尔伯特冷冰冰地仿佛在审问他似的。本来克莱德一见堂兄就垂头丧气，这时却强颜欢笑地回答说:
"哦，差不多还是那样，格里菲思先生。可我没有什么不满意的。这个工作我很喜欢。我觉得自己学到了一些东西。""你觉得?
""哦，我知道，我，当然罗。稍微学到了一点东西，"克莱德接下去说，脸有点儿红，心中却感到非常反感，但还得露出半似奉承。半似歉仄的微笑。
"哦，这才有一点儿说对了。不拘是谁，只要象你那样在地下室待过一长段时间，就不会不知道自己有没有学到什么东西。"说完后，他觉得自己也许太严厉，就稍微改变一下口气，找补着说:
"不过，我可不是为了这事才叫你来的。我另有一事，想跟你谈一谈。告诉我，过去你有没有管过别人，或是管过任何一个人?
""恐怕我还没有听清楚呢，"克莱德回答说。这时他因为有些心慌意乱，没有领悟堂兄提问的意思。
"我是说，过去有没有人在你手下工作过……是在什么地方，什么部门，有几个人听你发号施令?
也许你在什么地方当过领班，或是领班助手?
""没有，先生，我还从没有当过，"克莱德回答说，但因心中太紧张，说话时几乎有些结结巴巴。因为吉尔伯特的口气很严厉。冷峻……极端瞧不起人。同时，由于问题的性质已是十分清楚，克莱德终于懂得了回话的涵义。尽管他堂兄的样子很严厉，对他态度很坏，但他还是看得出，他的东家正在想叫他当个领班……让他管理某个人或某些人。当然罗，就是这个意思!
由于激动，他的耳朵里。手指上立时产生一种愉快的感觉……连头发根也都有些热辣辣的。"不过，我见过俱乐部和大酒店里领班是怎么使唤人的，"他马上找补着说。"我想，要是让我试一试，也许我也干得了。"他的脸颊一下子涨红，两眼也在闪闪发亮。
"不一样，不一样，"吉尔伯特一个劲儿厉声说。"看人家做和自个儿做，完全是两回事。没有什么经验的人可以想得很多很多，可是一做起来，就什么都不行了。反正不管怎么说，这个工作就是需要真正懂行的人。"他两眼严厉而又古怪地直瞅着克莱德。克莱德暗自寻思，原以为堂兄就要提拔他，一定是他想错了，这时也就镇静下来。他的脸颊又恢复了平时灰白的颜色，两眼的闪光也倏然不见了。
"是的，先生，我心里估摸这也是千真万确的，"他就这样表示了自己的意见。
"不过，这件事就用不着你心里估摸了，"古尔伯特坚持自己的意见。"你要知道，一无所知的人，就都有这个毛病。他们老是在心里瞎估摸。"事实上，吉尔伯特觉得现在自己非得给堂弟寻摸职位不可，尽管克莱德压根儿没有做出什么业绩来，因而不能受之无愧。所以，吉尔伯特一想到这里就很反感，也无法掩饰自己心中的激怒。
"你说得对，我知道，"克莱德心平气和地说，因为他至今还在指望刚才暗示过的提升问题。
"哦，事情原来是这样，"吉尔伯特接下去说，"当初你来的时候，要是具备专门技术素养，本来我也许就可以把你安置在本厂会计科室的。"("具备专门技术素养"这几个字，让克莱德感到既敬畏而又惧怕，因为他压根儿不懂那是什么意思。)"情况既然是这样，"吉尔伯待冷漠地说，"我们对你已是竭尽全力了。我们知道地下室并不是一个很舒服的地方，可是，那时候又没法给你找到更好的去处。"他用手指在桌子上弹了一下。"不过，今天我叫你上来，就是这样:
我想跟你商量一下，我们楼上有个部门正好暂时有个空缺，我们……家父和我……正在琢磨，能不能就让你来填补这个空缺。"克莱德听了心情异常兴奋。"家父和我两人，"他接下去说，"最近一直在考虑，我们愿意帮你一点小忙。不过，正如我刚才所说的，你不论在哪个方面都缺乏实际训练，使我们感到事情非常棘手。
你压根儿没有受过任何商业或技术教育训练，这就使得事情更加难办了。"他停顿了很长时间，好让那句话使对方心领神会，逼使克莱德感到自己确实是个不速之客。"可是，"过了一会儿，他又找补着说，"既然我们都认为有必要叫你上这儿来，我们就是决定让你到比目前更好一些的职位上去试试。再也不能让你无限期地待在地下室了。现在，你就听着，让我给你讲一下我的打算。"于是，吉尔伯特就开始把五层楼上工作的性质解释了一遍。
过了一会儿，惠甘给请来了，跟克莱德互致寒暄之后，吉尔伯特说:
"惠甘，我刚才已把我们今天早上的谈话，还有我跟你说过的，就是我们打算让他试一试担任那个部门头头一事，告诉了我的堂弟。所以，就请你领他到利格特先生那儿去，让利格特先生本人或是别人，把那儿工作的性质跟他讲一讲，谢谢你。
"说完，吉尔伯特转身走到办公桌跟前。"过后，请你把他再带回来，"他找补着说，"我要跟他再谈一次。"随后，他神气活现地站了起来，把他们俩都给打发走了。惠甘对这次试验依然有些犯疑，不过，急于想讨好克莱德(往后此人将成为怎样的人物，惠甘实在还说不准)，就把他领到利格特先生那一层楼去。到了五层楼以后，就在机器的轰鸣声中，克莱德被领到了大楼的最西端，走进一个规模比较小的部门，中间只有一道低矮栅栏，与大房间隔开。这儿大约有二十五名女工，还有她们带着篮筐的助手。一扎扎尚待缝制的领子，从来自楼上的好几条泻槽里源源不绝地送下来，看来已使这些人竭尽全力，穷于应付。
克莱德被介绍给利格特先生以后，就马上被带到一张由栅栏隔开的小桌子跟前。那儿坐着一个矮胖姑娘，年纪跟他相仿，长得不太动人。他们一走过去，她就站起身来。"这位是托德小姐，"惠甘一开口就说。"安吉尔太太不在，由她负责已有十天左右了。托德小姐，劳驾把你这儿所做的工作，讲给格里菲思先生听听。请你尽可能讲得快些。清楚些。随后，下午他上这儿来的时候，我要你帮助他，直到他熟悉情况自己可以独立工作为止。你总能办得到，是不是?
""哦，当然罗，惠甘先生。非常乐意，"托德小姐满口应允，马上把登记簿册取下来，指点克莱德收货。发货怎样登记……后来又告诉他打印怎么个打法……管篮筐的女工怎样把泻槽里送下来的一扎扎领子收集起来，按照打印工的需要量，均匀地分配给他们;过一会儿，打印好以后，另有一些管篮筐的女工，又怎样把这些领子发送给外面的缝纫工。克莱德很感兴趣，觉得这工作他一定能胜任愉快，只不过在这一层楼上，他跟这么多女人在一起，不免感到非常奇怪。
有这么多的女人……多达好几百人……一长溜。一长溜地一直延伸到白墙壁。
白圆柱的大房间东头。从落地长窗里射进一大片确实令人耀眼的亮光。这些姑娘们，并不是个个都很标致。先是托德小姐，后来是惠甘，甚至于利格特给他一一详细解释的时候，克莱德就已经用眼梢斜乜过她们。
"最要紧的是，"过了一会儿，惠甘又解释说，"送到这儿打印的成千上万打的领子，数目可不能弄错。再有，打印的时候也好，发送给缝纫工的时候也好，都不能发生阻滞停留现象。最后还有，每个女工干活的纪录，都要写得准确无误，以便给她们发工钱时不致出差错。"最后，克莱德终于明白他们对自己的要求是什么，就说他一切都明白了。
他虽然非常激动，但是一个闪念，想到:
既然这个姑娘都干得了，那他肯定也干得了。由于利格特和惠甘知道他是吉尔伯特的近亲，因此谈吐态度都是非常和气，故意在这儿多待了一会儿，还说他们相信他不论干什么事情，准能应付裕如。随后，克莱德跟惠甘一起回到吉尔伯特那里。吉尔伯特见他一进门，马上就问:
"哦，你说怎么样?
行，还是不行?
依你看，到底干得了，还是干不了?
""哦，我心里想，我是干得了，"克莱德鼓足勇气回答说，不过心中暗自担忧，除非碰上好运气，说不定他还可能干不好。要考虑的事情太多了……要同他的那些上司，以及在他周围的那些人搞好关系……再说他们会不会一直小心照顾自己呢?
"那敢情好。你先坐一会儿，"吉尔伯特接下去说。"我还要跟你再谈一谈楼上工作的事。依你看，这工作很省力，可不是吗?
""不，我可不能说这一工作我觉得非常省力，"克莱德回答说，心情很紧张，脸色有些发白:
由于自己缺乏经验，他觉得这对他来说是一个绝好机会……就得拿出自己全副本领和勇气来紧紧地抓住不放。"尽管这样，我觉得我还是干得了。
事实上，我相信自己干得了，而且我也愿意试一试。""得了，好吧，这话才多少说到了点子上，"吉尔伯特干脆利索地说，语气比刚才显得亲切。"现在，我还要进一步跟你谈一谈这件事。我说，你可没有想到过这一层楼面上竟有那么多的女人，是不是?
""没有，先生，我可没有想到过，"克莱德回答说。"我知道厂里有女工在干活，但不知道是在什么地方。""你说得对，"吉尔伯特继续说道。"本厂从地窖子起一直到顶楼，实际上是女人在撑场面。拿从事制造业务的部门来说，我敢说，女工和男工的比例就是１０∶１。因此，凡是在本厂工作的各部门负责人，我们非得对他们的道德品质和宗教信仰了解得一清二楚之后，方才给予信赖。要不是你是我们亲属，要不是我们觉得因为你是我们亲属，所以对你多少有些认识，其实，在我们还没有充分了解以前，我们也不会让你在本厂哪一个部门主管哪一个人的。不过，你绝对不要认为自己是我们亲属，我们对你就上面所说的每一件工作，以及你的一言一行就不会有严格的要求了。不，我们对你是要严格要求的;因为你是我们亲属，所以要求也就更加严格。我说的这些，你听明白了吗?
还有……格里菲思这个姓氏在这里的特定涵义，你明白了吗?
""明白了，先生，"克莱德回答说。
"那敢情好，"吉尔伯特接下去说。"我们不论派哪一个人到哪一个负责岗位上去以前，必须绝对相信他举止言行始终如同绅士那样端庄稳重……对待厂里工作的女工，必须始终彬彬有礼。不管年轻人也好，甚至是老头儿也好，要是他一到这里，以为四周围净是娘们，就玩忽职守，恣意跟她们调情取乐，或是来一点儿恶作剧，那末，这个家伙在这里就注定待不长的。在厂里给我们工作的男男女女，必须认识到:
他们首先是本厂职工，归根到底是本厂职工，自始至终都是本厂职工……而且出厂时，他们这种态度作风也得一块带出去。要是我们了解到他们忘掉了这些，那末，不管是男是女，他们跟我们的关系就算全完了。我们决不会要他们，也不会留下他们。我们一旦跟他们断绝往来，那就是永远跟他们断绝往来了。"他缄口不语，两眼直瞅着克莱德，仿佛是在说:
"我觉得，我已经把话儿说得明明白白了。我们不希望今后从你身上再碰到什么麻烦啦。"克莱德回答说:
"是的，我明白了。我想，这是对的。事实上，我也知道非得这样做不可。""而且，应该这样做，"吉尔伯特又补充一句说。
"而且，应该这样做，"克莱德也随口应了一声。
可就在这时，他却在扪心自问，吉尔伯特所说的话，是不是真实呢。他不是听到过人们轻蔑地议论厂里的女工吗?
不过，此时此刻，他心里确实没有把自己跟楼上任何一个女工连在一起。当时他的心态是:
由于他对女孩子特别感兴趣，因此，最好他压根儿不睬她们，决不跟她们里头哪一个人说话，保持一种极其疏远而又冷淡的态度，如同吉尔伯特要求他的一模一样。如果说他想要保住这个新的职位，最低限度就非得这样做不可。现在，他决心要保住新的职位，并且按照他堂兄所希望的那样注意自己的行为。
"那就好吧，"吉尔伯特接下去说，仿佛就克莱德对这件事的想法再作一些补充。"我想向你了解这么一个问题。比方说，现在我费了这么大劲儿把你安置在那个部门，即使说暂时性质，我能不能就相信:
你会始终保持清醒的头脑，尽心尽责地去工作，不会因为在一大堆女人。姑娘们里头工作，从而使你昏头昏脑，或是心神不宁吧?
""是的，先生，我想你尽可以信任我，"克莱德回答说，堂兄这样简明扼要的要求，虽然给他留下很深印象，但一想到丽达，他对自己品行还是有些犯疑了。
"要是我不信任你，那现在就得把话给你说清楚，"吉尔伯特斩钉截铁地说。
"从血统来说，你是我们格里菲思家族里的一分子。从我们委派你到那个部门当助手来说，特别是你处在这样一种地位，你就是我们家族的代表。不管什么时候这里发生不正当的事情，我们都不希望跟你有牵连。因此，我要求你自己提高警惕，从今以后每当你迈出一步，都得小心留神。哪怕是在一些琐屑小事上，也不要给别人说闲话。你听明白了吗?
""是的，先生，"克莱德一本正经地回答说。"这些我全都明白了。我一定严格要求自己，否则就把我撵走得了。"这时，他认真地思索过，认为自己是说到就能做到的。他觉得楼上那么多的姑娘。女人，现在好象跟他离得很远很远，而且又都是那么微不足道。
"那好极了。现在，我就再关照你一些事情。我说你今天就不要上班，干脆回家去，上床后把我所说的各点好好想一想。要是你依然不改初衷，那末，你明天早上再来，就上楼工作去。从现在起，你的周薪是二十五块美元，我还希望你要穿得整齐洁净，成为其他部门负责人的榜样。"他冷淡地。傲慢地站起身来。克莱德由于薪资骤增，以及有关他穿着整洁体面的嘱咐，感到非常鼓舞，不由得对堂兄无限感激，心里真恨不得跟他更亲热些。当然罗，吉尔伯特严厉。冷峻。十分自负，不过，如同伯父一样，还是没有忘掉他，要不然，他们就不会这么快地帮了他的大忙。只要克莱德能跟他交上朋友，博得他的青睐，想想吧，赶明儿克莱德在这里又会怎样飞黄腾达，什么工商界。社交界的殊荣，还不是一块儿冲他而来?
这时他心情那样亢奋，就不由得兴冲冲大步流星地走出了这座规模宏大的工厂。从今以后，不管碰上什么情况，他决心要在生活和工作中考验自己，他一定不辜负伯父与堂兄显然寄予他的厚望……他对这个部门里的女人或是姑娘……就得冷淡，甚至冷峻，必要时还得严酷无情。至少在目前，再也不跟迪拉特或是丽达，或是哪一类人交往了。
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lapsed
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| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alienate
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| vt.使疏远，离间；转让(财产等) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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snob
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| n.势利小人，自以为高雅、有学问的人 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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meager
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| adj.缺乏的，不足的，瘦的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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innate
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| adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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exigencies
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| n.急切需要 | |
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insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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flustered
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| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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placatingly
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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accounting
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| n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表 | |
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technically
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| adv.专门地，技术上地 | |
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dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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succinct
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| adj.简明的，简洁的 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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48
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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