Chapter 82

Mark came to Down Steel Avenue and walked southward. He could not make any plans until he got to a friend’s house and figure out how he was going to pay his debt because the thought of involving Henry in his affair seemed not to please him again.

He tried to shut out of his mind the fear of being caught by the men of the man who he owed money, but it was hard for him to do so. He lowered his head against the driving wind and tramped through the streets with clenched fists that desired nothing but a decent rest.

Although his hands were almost cold, he did not want to put them in his pockets, for that would have made him feel that he would not be ready to defend himself if the people chasing after him decided to accost him suddenly and violently.

He went on past street lamps covered with coatings of dust. His face ached from the cold and the wind cut into his wet body like a long sharp knife going to the heart of him with pain. He tried to persevere as he moved slowl