Likewise he meekly
accepted her prophecies as to his future conduct; he would bring
home his salary at the end of each week, and his wife would use it,
together with her own salary, to improve the appearance and tone of
both of them, and to aid them to climb to a higher social position.
Peter, following his wife's careful instructions, has already become
more dignified in his speech, more grave in his movements. She tells
him that the future of society depends on his knowledge and his
skill, and he agrees to this also. He has learned what you can do
and what you had better not do; he will never again cross the
dead-line into crime, or take chances with experiments in blackmail.
He will try no more free lance work under the evil influence of low
creatures like Nell Doolin, but will stand in with the "machine,"
and bear in mind that honesty is the best policy. So he will
steadily progress; he will meet the big men of the country, and will
go to them, not cringing and twisting his hat in his hands, but with
quiet self-possession. He will meet the agents of the
Attorney-General aspiring to become President, and will furnish them
with material for their weekly Red scares. He will meet legislators
who want to unseat elected Socialists, and governors who wish to
jail the leaders of "outlaw" strikes.
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