or tomany books； and they would look at him wit pity。 He would enter on another day； when he hadread all the books uptown； an achievement that would； he felt； lend him the poise to enter anybuilding in the world。 People； mostly men； leaned over the stone parapets of the raised park thatsurrounded the library； or walked up and own and bent to drink water from the public drinking…fountains。 Silver pigeons lighted briefly on the heads of the lions or the rims of fountains； andstrutted along the walks。 John loitered in front of Woolworth’s； staring at the candy display； tryingto decide what candy to buy—and buying one； for the store was crowded and he was certain thatthe salesgirl would never notice him—and before a vendor of artificial flowers； and crossed SixthAvenue where the Automat was； and the parked taxis； and the shops； which he would not look atto…day； that displayed in their windows dirty postcards and practical jokes。 Beyond Sixth Avenuethe movie houses began； and now he studied the stills carefully； trying to decide which of all thesetheaters he should enter。 He stopped at last before a gigantic； colored poster that represented awicked woman； half undressed； leaning in a doorway； apparently quarreling with a blond man whostared wretchedly into the street。 The legend above their heads was： ‘There’s a fool like him inevery family—and a woman next door to take him over！’ He decided to see this； for he feltidentified with the blond young man； the fool of his family； a