CHAPTER XXI

And so Bibbs sat in the porch of the temple with the money-changers. But
no one came to scourge him forth, for this was the temple of Bigness,
and the changing of money was holy worship and true religion. The
priests wore that "settish" look Bibbs's mother had seen beginning
to develop about his mouth and eyes--a wary look which she could not
define, but it comes with service at the temple; and it was the more
marked upon Bibbs for his sharp awakening to the necessities of that
service.

He did as little "useless" thinking as possible, giving himself no time
for it. He worked continuously, keeping his thoughts still on his work
when he came home at night; and he talked of nothing whatever except his
work. But he did not sing at it. He was often in the streets, and people
were not allowed to sing in the streets. They might make any manner of
hideous uproar--they could shake buildings; they could out-thunder the
thunder, deafen the deaf, and kill the sick with noise; or they
could walk the streets or drive through them bawling, squawking, or
screeching, as they chose, if the noise was traceably connected with
business; though street musicians were not tolerated, being considered
a nuisance and an interference. A man or woman who went singing for
pleasure through the streets--like a crazy Neopolitan--would have been
stopped, and belike locked up; for Freedom does not mean that a citizen
is allowed to do every outrageous thing that comes into his head. The
streets were dangerous enough, in all conscience, without any singing!
and the Motor Federation issued public warnings declaring that the
pedestrian's life was in his own hands, and giving directions how to
proceed with the least peril. However, Bibbs Sheridan had no desire to
sing in the streets, or anywhere. He had gone to his work with an energy
that, for the start, at least, was bitter, and there was no song left in
him.

He began to know his active fellow-citizens. Here and there among
them he found a leisurely, kind soul, a relic of the old period
of neighborliness, "pioneer stock," usually; and there were
men--particularly among the merchants and manufacturers--"so honest they
leaned backward"; reputations sometimes attested by stories of heroic
sacrifices to honor; nor were there lacking some instances of generosity
even nobler. Here and there, too, were book-men, in their little
leisure; and, among the Germans, music-men. And these, with the oth