Louflewathisfriedchicken。\"Oh，Iguessthedoctorknowshisbusiness，Alexandra。HewasverymuchsurprisedwhenItoldhimhowyou’dputupwithIvar。Hesayshe’slikelytosetfiretothebarnanynight，ortotakeafteryouandthegirlswithanaxe。\"
LittleSigna，whowaswaitingonthetable，giggledandfledtothekitchen。Alexandra’seyestwinkled。\"ThatwastoomuchforSigna，Lou。WeallknowthatIvar’sperfectlyharm—
less。Thegirlswouldassoonexpectmetochasethemwithanaxe。\"
Louflushedandsignaledtohiswife。\"Allthesame，theneighborswillbehavingasayaboutitbeforelong。Hemayburnanybody’sbarn。It’sonlynecessaryforoneproperty—
ownerinthetownshiptomakecomplaint，andhe’llbetakenupbyforce。You’dbettersendhimyourselfandnothaveanyhardfeelings。\"
Alexandrahelpedoneofherlittlenephewstogravy。\"Well，Lou，ifanyoftheneighborstrythat，I’llhavemyselfappointedIvar’sguardianandtakethecasetocourt，that’sall。Iamperfectlysatisfiedwithhim。\"
\"Passthepreserves，Lou，\"saidAnnieinawarningtone。ShehadreasonsfornotwishingherhusbandtocrossAlexandratooopenly。
\"Butdon’tyousortofhatetohavepeopleseehimaroundhere，Alexandra？\"shewentonwithpersuasivesmoothness。\"HeISadisgrace—
fulobject，andyou’refixedupsonicenow。Itsortofmakespeopledistantwithyou，whentheyneverknowwhenthey’llhearhimscratch—
ingabout。Mygirlsareafraidasdeathofhim，aren’tyou，Milly，dear？\"
Millywasfifteen，fatandjollyandpompa—
doured，withacreamycomplexion，squarewhiteteeth，andashortupperlip。ShelookedlikehergrandmotherBergson，andhadhercomfortableandcomfort—lovingnature。Shegrinnedatheraunt，withwhomshewasagreatdealmoreateasethanshewaswithhermother。
Alexandrawinkedareply。
\"Millyneedn’tbeafraidofIvar。She’sanespecialfavoriteofhis。InmyopinionIvarhasjustasmuchrighttohisownwayofdressingandthinkingaswehave。ButI’llseethathedoesn’tbotherotherpeople。I’llkeephimathome，sodon’ttroubleanymoreabouthim，Lou。I’vebeenwantingtoaskyouaboutyournewbathtub。Howdoesitwork？\"
AnniecametotheforetogiveLoutimetorecoverhimself。\"Oh，itworkssomethinggrand！Ican’tkeephimoutofit。Hewasheshimselfalloverthreetimesaweeknow，andusesallthehotwater。Ithinkit’sweakeningtostayinaslongashedoes。Yououghttohaveone，Alexandra。\"
\"I’mthinkingofit。ImighthaveoneputinthebarnforIvar，ifitwilleasepeople’sminds。
ButbeforeIgetabathtub，I’mgoingtogetapianoforMilly。\"
Oscar，attheendofthetable，lookedupfromhisplate。\"WhatdoesMillywantofapianny？
What’sthematterwithherorgan？Shecanmakesomeuseofthat，andplayinchurch。\"
Annielookedflustered。ShehadbeggedAlexandranottosayanythingaboutthisplanbeforeOscar，whowasapttobejealousofwhathissisterdidforLou’schildren。AlexandradidnotgetonwithOscar’swifeatall。\"Millycanplayinchurchjustthesame，andshe’llstillplayontheorgan。Butpractisingonitsomuchspoilshertouch。Herteachersaysso，\"
Anniebroughtoutwithspirit。
Oscarrolledhiseyes。\"Well，Millymusthavegotonprettygoodifshe’sgotpasttheorgan。
Iknowplentyofgrownfolksthatain’t，\"hesaidbluntly。
Anniethrewupherchin。\"Shehasgotongood，andshe’sgoingtoplayforhercommence—
mentwhenshegraduatesintownnextyear。\"
\"Yes，\"saidAlexandrafirmly，\"IthinkMillydeservesapiano。Allthegirlsaroundherehavebeentakinglessonsforyears，butMillyistheonlyoneofthemwhocaneverplayanythingwhenyouaskher。I’lltellyouwhenIfirstthoughtIwouldliketogiveyouapiano，Milly，andthatwaswhenyoulearnedthatbookofoldSwedishsongsthatyourgrandfatherusedtosing。Hehadasweettenorvoice，andwhenhewasayoungmanhelovedtosing。Icanrememberhearinghimsingingwiththesailorsdownintheshipyard，whenIwasnobiggerthanStellahere，\"pointingtoAnnie’syoungerdaughter。
MillyandStellabothlookedthroughthedoorintothesitting—room，whereacrayonpor—
traitofJohnBergsonhungonthewall。Alex—
andrahadhaditmadefromalittlephotograph，takenforhisfriendsjustbeforeheleftSweden;
aslendermanofthirty—five，withsofthaircurl—
ingabouthishighforehead，adroopingmus—
tache，andwondering，sadeyesthatlookedforwardintothedistance，asiftheyalreadybeheldtheNewWorld。
AfterdinnerLouandOscarwenttotheorchardtopickcherries——theyhadneitherofthemhadthepatiencetogrowanorchardoftheirown——andAnniewentdowntogossipwithAlexandra’skitchengirlswhiletheywashedthedishes。ShecouldalwaysfindoutmoreaboutAlexandra’sdomesticeconomyfromtheprat—
tlingmaidsthanfromAlexandraherself，andwhatshediscoveredsheusedtoherownadvan—
tagewithLou。OntheDivide，farmers’daugh—
tersnolongerwentoutintoservice，soAlex—
andragothergirlsfromSweden，bypayingtheirfareover。Theystayedwithheruntiltheymarried，andwerereplacedbysistersorcousinsfromtheoldcountry。
Alexandratookherthreeniecesintotheflowergarden。Shewasfondofthelittlegirls，especiallyofMilly，whocametospendaweekwithherauntnowandthen，andreadaloudtoherfromtheoldbooksaboutthehouse，orlistenedtostoriesabouttheearlydaysontheDivide。Whiletheywerewalkingamongtheflowerbeds，abuggydroveupthehillandstoppedinfrontofthegate。Amangotoutandstoodtalkingtothedriver。Thelittlegirlsweredelightedattheadventofastranger，someonefromveryfaraway，theyknewbyhisclothes，hisgloves，andthesharp，pointedcutofhisdarkbeard。Thegirlsfellbehindtheirauntandpeepedoutathimfromamongthecastorbeans。Thestrangercameuptothegateandstoodholdinghishatinhishand，smiling，whileAlexandraadvancedslowlytomeethim。
Assheapproachedhespokeinalow，pleasantvoice。
\"Don’tyouknowme，Alexandra？Iwouldhaveknownyou，anywhere。\"
Alexandrashadedhereyeswithherhand。
Suddenlyshetookaquickstepforward。\"Canitbe！\"sheexclaimedwithfeeling;\"canitbethatitisCarlLinstrum？Why，Carl，itis！\"
Shethrewoutbothherhandsandcaughthisacrossthegate。\"Sadie，Milly，runtellyourfatherandUncleOscarthatouroldfriendCarlLinstrumishere。Bequick！Why，Carl，howdidithappen？Ican’tbelievethis！\"Alexan—
drashookthetearsfromhereyesandlaughed。
Thestrangernoddedtohisdriver，droppedhissuitcaseinsidethefence，andopenedthegate。\"Thenyouaregladtoseeme，andyoucanputmeupovernight？Icouldn’tgothroughthiscountrywithoutstoppingofftohavealookatyou。Howlittleyouhavechanged！Doyouknow，Iwassureitwouldbelikethat。Yousimplycouldn’tbedifferent。
Howfineyouare！\"Hesteppedbackandlookedatheradmiringly。
Alexandrablushedandlaughedagain。\"Butyouyourself，Carl——withthatbeard——howcouldIhaveknownyou？Youwentawayalittleboy。\"Shereachedforhissuitcaseandwhenheinterceptedhershethrewupherhands。\"Yousee，Igivemyselfaway。Ihaveonlywomencometovisitme，andIdonotknowhowtobehave。Whereisyourtrunk？\"
\"It’sinHanover。Icanstayonlyafewdays。
Iamonmywaytothecoast。\"
Theystartedupthepath。\"Afewdays？
Afteralltheseyears！\"Alexandrashookherfingerathim。\"Seethis，youhavewalkedintoatrap。Youdonotgetawaysoeasy。\"Sheputherhandaffectionatelyonhisshoulder。\"Youowemeavisitforthesakeofoldtimes。Whymustyougotothecoastatall？\"
\"Oh，Imust！Iamafortunehunter。FromSeattleIgoontoAlaska。\"
\"Alaska？\"Shelookedathiminastonish—
ment。\"AreyougoingtopainttheIndians？\"
\"Paint？\"theyoungmanfrowned。\"Oh！I’mnotapainter，Alexandra。I’manengraver。I
havenothingtodowithpainting。\"
\"ButonmyparlorwallIhavethepaint—
ings——\"
Heinterruptednervously。\"Oh，water—colorsketches——doneforamusement。Isentthemtoremindyouofme，notbecausetheyweregood。
Whatawonderfulplaceyouhavemadeofthis，Alexandra。\"Heturnedandlookedbackatthewide，map—likeprospectoffieldandhedgeandpasture。\"Iwouldneverhavebelieveditcouldbedone。I’mdisappointedinmyowneye，inmyimagination。\"
AtthismomentLouandOscarcameupthehillfromtheorchard。TheydidnotquickentheirpacewhentheysawCarl;indeed，theydidnotopenlylookinhisdirection。Theyadvanceddistrustfully，andasiftheywishedthedistancewerelonger。
Alexandrabeckonedtothem。\"TheythinkIamtryingtofoolthem。Come，boys，it’sCarlLinstrum，ouroldCarl！\"
Lougavethevisitoraquick，sidelongglanceandthrustouthishand。\"Gladtoseeyou。\"
Oscarfollowedwith\"Howd’do。\"Carlcouldnottellwhethertheiroffishnesscamefromunfriendlinessorfromembarrassment。HeandAlexandraledthewaytotheporch。
\"Carl，\"Alexandraexplained，\"isonhiswaytoSeattle。HeisgoingtoAlaska。\"
Oscarstudiedthevisitor’syellowshoes。
\"Gotbusinessthere？\"heasked。
Carllaughed。\"Yes，verypressingbusiness。
I’mgoingtheretogetrich。Engraving’saveryinterestingprofession，butamannevermakesanymoneyatit。SoI’mgoingtotrythegold—
fields。\"
Alexandrafeltthatthiswasatactfulspeech，andLoulookedupwithsomeinterest。\"Everdoneanythinginthatlinebefore？\"
\"No，butI’mgoingtojoinafriendofminewhowentoutfromNewYorkandhasdonewell。Hehasofferedtobreakmein。\"
\"Turriblecoldwinters，there，Ihear，\"re—
markedOscar。\"Ithoughtpeoplewentupthereinthespring。\"
\"Theydo。ButmyfriendisgoingtospendthewinterinSeattleandIamtostaywithhimthereandlearnsomethingaboutprospectingbeforewestartnorthnextyear。\"
Loulookedskeptical。\"Let’ssee，howlonghaveyoubeenawayfromhere？\"
\"Sixteenyears。Yououghttorememberthat，Lou，foryouweremarriedjustafterwewentaway。\"
\"Goingtostaywithussometime？\"Oscarasked。
\"Afewdays，ifAlexandracankeepme。\"
\"Iexpectyou’llbewantingtoseeyouroldplace，\"Louobservedmorecordially。\"Youwon’thardlyknowit。Butthere’safewchunksofyouroldsodhouseleft。Alexandrawouldn’tneverletFrankShabataploughoverit。\"
AnnieLee，who，eversincethevisitorwasannounced，hadbeentouchingupherhairandsettlingherlaceandwishingshehadwornanotherdress，nowemergedwithherthreedaughtersandintroducedthem。ShewasgreatlyimpressedbyCarl’surbanappearance，andinherexcitementtalkedveryloudandthrewherheadabout。\"Andyouain’tmarriedyet？Atyourage，now！Thinkofthat！You’llhavetowaitforMilly。Yes，we’vegotaboy，too。Theyoungest。He’sathomewithhisgrandma。YoumustcomeovertoseemotherandhearMillyplay。She’sthemusicianofthefamily。Shedoespyrography，too。That’sburntwood，youknow。Youwouldn’tbelievewhatshecandowithherpoker。Yes，shegoestoschoolintown，andsheistheyoungestinherclassbytwoyears。\"
MillylookeduncomfortableandCarltookherhandagain。Helikedhercreamyskinandhappy，innocenteyes，andhecouldseethathermother’swayoftalkingdistressedher。\"I’msureshe’sacleverlittlegirl，\"hemurmured，lookingatherthoughtfully。\"Letmesee——
Ah，it’syourmotherthatshelookslike，Alex—
andra。Mrs。Bergsonmusthavelookedjustlikethiswhenshewasalittlegirl。DoesMillyrunaboutoverthecountryasyouandAlex—
andrausedto，Annie？\"
Milly’smotherprotested。\"Oh，my，no！
Thingshaschangedsincewewasgirls。Millyhasitverydifferent。Wearegoingtorenttheplaceandmoveintotownassoonasthegirlsareoldenoughtogooutintocompany。A
goodmanyaredoingthatherenow。Louisgoingintobusiness。\"
Lougrinned。\"That’swhatshesays。Youbettergogetyourthingson。Ivar’shitchingup，\"headded，turningtoAnnie。
Youngfarmersseldomaddresstheirwivesbyname。Itisalways\"you，\"or\"she。\"
Havinggothiswifeoutoftheway，Lousatdownonthestepandbegantowhittle。\"Well，whatdofolksinNewYorkthinkofWilliamJenningsBryan？\"Loubegantobluster，ashealwaysdidwhenhetalkedpolitics。\"WegaveWallStreetascareinninety—six，allright，andwe’refixinganothertohandthem。Silverwasn’ttheonlyissue，\"henoddedmysteriously。
\"There’sagoodmanythingsgottobechanged。
TheWestisgoingtomakeitselfheard。\"
Carllaughed。\"But，surely，itdiddothat，ifnothingelse。\"
Lou’sthinfacereddeneduptotherootsofhisbristlyhair。\"Oh，we’veonlybegun。We’rewakinguptoasenseofourresponsibilities，outhere，andweain’tafraid，neither。Youfellowsbacktheremustbeatamelot。Ifyouhadanynerveyou’dgettogetherandmarchdowntoWallStreetandblowitup。Dyna—
miteit，Imean，\"withathreateningnod。
HewassomuchinearnestthatCarlscarcelyknewhowtoanswerhim。\"Thatwouldbeawasteofpowder。Thesamebusinesswouldgooninanotherstreet。Thestreetdoesn’tmatter。
Butwhathaveyoufellowsoutheregottokickabout？Youhavetheonlysafeplacethereis。
Morganhimselfcouldn’ttouchyou。Oneonlyhastodrivethroughthiscountrytoseethatyou’reallasrichasbarons。\"
\"Wehaveagooddealmoretosaythanwehadwhenwewerepoor，\"saidLouthreateningly。
\"We’regettingontoawholelotofthings。\"
AsIvardroveadoublecarriageuptothegate，Anniecameoutinahatthatlookedlikethemodelofabattleship。Carlroseandtookherdowntothecarriage，whileLoulingeredforawordwithhissister。
\"Whatdoyousupposehe’scomefor？\"heasked，jerkinghisheadtowardthegate。
\"Why，topayusavisit。I’vebeenbegginghimtoforyears。\"
OscarlookedatAlexandra。\"Hedidn’tletyouknowhewascoming？\"
\"No。Whyshouldhe？Itoldhimtocomeatanytime。\"
Loushruggedhisshoulders。\"Hedoesn’tseemtohavedonemuchforhimself。Wander—
ingaroundthisway！\"
Oscarspokesolemnly，asfromthedepthsofacavern。\"Heneverwasmuchaccount。\"
AlexandraleftthemandhurrieddowntothegatewhereAnniewasrattlingontoCarlabouthernewdining—roomfurniture。\"YoumustbringMr。Linstrumoverrealsoon，onlybesuretotelephonemefirst，\"shecalledback，asCarlhelpedherintothecarriage。OldIvar，hiswhiteheadbare，stoodholdingthehorses。Loucamedownthepathandclimbedintothefrontseat，tookupthereins，anddroveoffwithoutsayinganythingfurthertoanyone。Oscarpickeduphisyoungestboyandtrudgedoffdowntheroad，theotherthreetrottingafterhim。Carl，holdingthegateopenforAlexandra，begantolaugh。\"UpandcomingontheDivide，eh，Alexandra？\"hecriedgayly。
IV
Carlhadchanged，Alexandrafelt，muchlessthanonemighthaveexpected。Hehadnotbecomeatrim，self—satisfiedcityman。Therewasstillsomethinghomelyandwaywardanddefinitelypersonalabouthim。Evenhisclothes，hisNorfolkcoatandhisveryhighcollars，werealittleunconventional。Heseemedtoshrinkintohimselfasheusedtodo;toholdhim—
selfawayfromthings，asifhewereafraidofbeinghurt。Inshort，hewasmoreself—con—
sciousthanamanofthirty—fiveisexpectedtobe。Helookedolderthanhisyearsandnotverystrong。Hisblackhair，whichstillhunginatriangleoverhispaleforehead，wasthinatthecrown，andtherewerefine，relentlesslinesabouthiseyes。Hisback，withitshigh，sharpshoulders，lookedlikethebackofanover—
workedGermanprofessoroffonhisholiday。
Hisfacewasintelligent，sensitive，unhappy。
Thateveningaftersupper，CarlandAlex—
andraweresittingbytheclumpofcastorbeansinthemiddleoftheflowergarden。Thegravelpathsglitteredinthemoonlight，andbelowthemthefieldslaywhiteandstill。
\"Doyouknow，Alexandra，\"hewassaying，\"I’vebeenthinkinghowstrangelythingsworkout。I’vebeenawayengravingothermen’spictures，andyou’vestayedathomeandmadeyourown。\"Hepointedwithhiscigartowardthesleepinglandscape。\"Howintheworldhaveyoudoneit？Howhaveyourneighborsdoneit？\"
\"Wehadn’tanyofusmuchtodowithit，Carl。Thelanddidit。Ithaditslittlejoke。Itpretendedtobepoorbecausenobodyknewhowtoworkitright;andthen，allatonce，itworkeditself。Itwokeupoutofitssleepandstretcheditself，anditwassobig，sorich，thatwesud—
denlyfoundwewererich，justfromsittingstill。
Asforme，yourememberwhenIbegantobuyland。ForyearsafterthatIwasalwayssqueez—
ingandborrowinguntilIwasashamedtoshowmyfaceinthebanks。Andthen，allatonce，menbegantocometomeofferingtolendmemoney——andIdidn’tneedit！ThenIwentaheadandbuiltthishouse。IreallybuiltitforEmil。IwantyoutoseeEmil，Carl。Heissodifferentfromtherestofus！\"
\"Howdifferent？\"
\"Oh，you’llsee！I’msureitwastohavesonslikeEmil，andtogivethemachance，thatfatherlefttheoldcountry。It’scurious，too;ontheoutsideEmilisjustlikeanAmericanboy，——hegraduatedfromtheStateUniversityinJune，youknow，——butunderneathheismoreSwed—
ishthananyofus。Sometimesheissolikefatherthathefrightensme;heissoviolentinhisfeel—
ingslikethat。\"
\"Ishegoingtofarmherewithyou？\"
\"Heshalldowhateverhewantsto，\"Alex—
andradeclaredwarmly。\"Heisgoingtohaveachance，awholechance;that’swhatI’veworkedfor。Sometimeshetalksaboutstudyinglaw，andsometimes，justlately，he’sbeentalk—
ingaboutgoingoutintothesandhillsandtak—
ingupmoreland。Hehashissadtimes，likefather。ButIhopehewon’tdothat。Wehavelandenough，atlast！\"Alexandralaughed。
\"HowaboutLouandOscar？They’vedonewell，haven’tthey？\"
\"Yes，verywell;buttheyaredifferent，andnowthattheyhavefarmsoftheirownIdonotseesomuchofthem。WedividedthelandequallywhenLoumarried。Theyhavetheirownwayofdoingthings，andtheydonotalto—
getherlikemyway，Iamafraid。Perhapstheythinkmetooindependent。ButIhavehadtothinkformyselfagoodmanyyearsandamnotlikelytochange。Onthewhole，though，wetakeasmuchcomfortineachotherasmostbrothersandsistersdo。AndIamveryfondofLou’soldestdaughter。\"
\"IthinkIlikedtheoldLouandOscarbetter，andtheyprobablyfeelthesameaboutme。I
even，ifyoucankeepasecret，\"——Carlleanedforwardandtouchedherarm，smiling，——\"I
eventhinkIlikedtheoldcountrybetter。Thisisallverysplendidinitsway，buttherewassomethingaboutthiscountrywhenitwasawildoldbeastthathashauntedmealltheseyears。Now，whenIcomebacktoallthismilkandhoney，IfeelliketheoldGermansong，’Wobistdu，wobistdu，meingeliebtestLand？’——
Doyoueverfeellikethat，Iwonder？\"
\"Yes，sometimes，whenIthinkaboutfatherandmotherandthosewhoaregone;somanyofouroldneighbors。\"Alexandrapausedandlookedupthoughtfullyatthestars。\"Wecanrememberthegraveyardwhenitwaswildprairie，Carl，andnow——\"
\"Andnowtheoldstoryhasbeguntowriteitselfoverthere，\"saidCarlsoftly。\"Isn’titqueer：thereareonlytwoorthreehumanstories，andtheygoonrepeatingthemselvesasfiercelyasiftheyhadneverhappenedbefore;
likethelarksinthiscountry，thathavebeensingingthesamefivenotesoverforthousandsofyears。\"
\"Oh，yes！Theyoungpeople，theylivesohard。AndyetIsometimesenvythem。Thereismylittleneighbor，now;thepeoplewhoboughtyouroldplace。Iwouldn’thavesoldittoanyoneelse，butIwasalwaysfondofthatgirl。Youmustrememberher，littleMarieTovesky，fromOmaha，whousedtovisithere？
Whenshewaseighteensheranawayfromtheconventschoolandgotmarried，crazychild！
Shecameouthereabride，withherfatherandhusband。Hehadnothing，andtheoldmanwaswillingtobuythemaplaceandsetthemup。Yourfarmtookherfancy，andIwasgladtohavehersonearme。I’veneverbeensorry，either。IeventrytogetalongwithFrankonheraccount。\"
\"IsFrankherhusband？\"
\"Yes。He’soneofthesewildfellows。MostBohemiansaregood—natured，butFrankthinkswedon’tappreciatehimhere，Iguess。He’sjeal—
ousabouteverything，hisfarmandhishorsesandhisprettywife。Everybodylikesher，justthesameaswhenshewaslittle。SometimesI
gouptotheCatholicchurchwithEmil，andit’sfunnytoseeMariestandingtherelaughingandshakinghandswithpeople，lookingsoex—
citedandgay，withFranksulkingbehindherasifhecouldeateverybodyalive。Frank’snotabadneighbor，buttogetonwithhimyou’vegottomakeafussoverhimandactasifyouthoughthewasaveryimportantpersonallthetime，anddifferentfromotherpeople。Ifindithardtokeepthatupfromoneyear’sendtoanother。\"
\"Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dbeverysuccessfulatthatkindofthing，Alexandra。\"Carlseemedtofindtheideaamusing。
\"Well，\"saidAlexandrafirmly，\"IdothebestIcan，onMarie’saccount。Shehasithardenough，anyway。She’stooyoungandprettyforthissortoflife。We’realleversomucholderandslower。Butshe’sthekindthatwon’tbedownedeasily。She’llworkalldayandgotoaBohemianweddinganddanceallnight，anddrivethehaywagonforacrossmannextmorn—
ing。Icouldstaybyajob，butIneverhadthegoinmethatshehas，whenIwasgoingmybest。
I’llhavetotakeyouovertoseeherto—morrow。\"
Carldroppedtheendofhiscigarsoftlyamongthecastorbeansandsighed。\"Yes，I
supposeImustseetheoldplace。I’mcow—
ardlyaboutthingsthatremindmeofmyself。
Ittookcouragetocomeatall，Alexandra。I
wouldn’thave，ifIhadn’twantedtoseeyouvery，verymuch。\"
Alexandralookedathimwithhercalm，deliberateeyes。\"Whydoyoudreadthingslikethat，Carl？\"sheaskedearnestly。\"Whyareyoudissatisfiedwithyourself？\"
Hervisitorwinced。\"Howdirectyouare，Alexandra！Justlikeyouusedtobe。DoIgivemyselfawaysoquickly？Well，yousee，foronething，there’snothingtolookforwardtoinmyprofession。Wood—engravingistheonlythingIcareabout，andthathadgoneoutbeforeI
began。Everything’scheapmetalworknow—
adays，touchingupmiserablephotographs，forcinguppoordrawings，andspoilinggoodones。I’mabsolutelysickofitall。\"Carlfrowned。\"Alexandra，allthewayoutfromNewYorkI’vebeenplanninghowIcouldde—
ceiveyouandmakeyouthinkmeaveryenvi—
ablefellow，andhereIamtellingyouthetruththefirstnight。Iwastealotoftimepre—
tendingtopeople，andthejokeofitis，Idon’tthinkIeverdeceiveanyone。Therearetoomanyofmykind;peopleknowusonsight。\"
Carlpaused。Alexandrapushedherhairbackfromherbrowwithapuzzled，thoughtfulgesture。\"Yousee，\"hewentoncalmly，\"mea—
suredbyyourstandardshere，I’mafailure。
Icouldn’tbuyevenoneofyourcornfields。
I’veenjoyedagreatmanythings，butI’vegotnothingtoshowforitall。\"
\"Butyoushowforityourself，Carl。I’dratherhavehadyourfreedomthanmyland。\"
Carlshookhisheadmournfully。\"Freedomsooftenmeansthatoneisn’tneededanywhere。
Hereyouareanindividual，youhaveaback—
groundofyourown，youwouldbemissed。Butoffthereinthecitiestherearethousandsofrollingstoneslikeme。Weareallalike;wehavenoties，weknownobody，weownnothing。
Whenoneofusdies，theyscarcelyknowwheretoburyhim。Ourlandladyandthedelicatessenmanareourmourners，andweleavenothingbehindusbutafrock—coatandafiddle，oraneasel，oratypewriter，orwhatevertoolwegotourlivingby。Allwehaveevermanagedtodoistopayourrent，theexorbitantrentthatonehastopayforafewsquarefeetofspaceneartheheartofthings。Wehavenohouse，noplace，nopeopleofourown。Weliveinthestreets，intheparks，inthetheatres。Wesitinrestaurantsandconcerthallsandlookaboutatthehundredsofourownkindandshudder。\"
Alexandrawassilent。Shesatlookingatthesilverspotthemoonmadeonthesurfaceoftheponddowninthepasture。Heknewthatsheunderstoodwhathemeant。Atlastshesaidslowly，\"AndyetIwouldratherhaveEmilgrowuplikethatthanlikehistwobrothers。
Wepayahighrent，too，thoughwepaydiffer—
ently。Wegrowhardandheavyhere。Wedon’tmovelightlyandeasilyasyoudo，andourmindsgetstiff。Iftheworldwerenowiderthanmycornfields，iftherewerenotsomethingbesidethis，Iwouldn’tfeelthatitwasmuchworthwhiletowork。No，IwouldratherhaveEmillikeyouthanlikethem。Ifeltthatassoonasyoucame。\"
\"Iwonderwhyyoufeellikethat？\"Carlmused。
\"Idon’tknow。PerhapsIamlikeCarrieJensen，thesisterofoneofmyhiredmen。Shehadneverbeenoutofthecornfields，andafewyearsagoshegotdespondentandsaidlifewasjustthesamethingoverandover，andshedidn’tseetheuseofit。Aftershehadtriedtokillherselfonceortwice，herfolksgotwor—
riedandsentherovertoIowatovisitsomerelations。Eversinceshe’scomebackshe’sbeenperfectlycheerful，andshesaysshe’scon—
tentedtoliveandworkinaworldthat’ssobigandinteresting。ShesaidthatanythingasbigasthebridgesoverthePlatteandtheMissourireconciledher。Andit’swhatgoesonintheworldthatreconcilesme。\"
V
Alexandradidnotfindtimetogotoherneighbor’sthenextday，northenext。Itwasabusyseasononthefarm，withthecorn—plowinggoingon，andevenEmilwasinthefieldwithateamandcultivator。CarlwentaboutoverthefarmswithAlexandrainthemorning，andintheafternoonandeveningtheyfoundagreatdealtotalkabout。Emil，forallhistrackprac—
tice，didnotstandupunderfarmworkverywell，andbynighthewastootiredtotalkoreventopractiseonhiscornet。
OnWednesdaymorningCarlgotupbeforeitwaslight，andstoledownstairsandoutofthekitchendoorjustasoldIvarwasmakinghismorningablutionsatthepump。Carlnoddedtohimandhurriedupthedraw，pastthegar—
den，andintothepasturewherethemilkingcowsusedtobekept。
Thedawnintheeastlookedlikethelightfromsomegreatfirethatwasburningundertheedgeoftheworld。Thecolorwasreflectedintheglobulesofdewthatsheathedtheshortgraypasturegrass。Carlwalkedrapidlyuntilhecametothecrestofthesecondhill，wheretheBergsonpasturejoinedtheonethathadbelongedtohisfather。Therehesatdownandwaitedforthesuntorise。ItwasjusttherethatheandAlexandrausedtodotheirmilkingtogether，heonhissideofthefence，sheonhers。
Hecouldrememberexactlyhowshelookedwhenshecameovertheclose—croppedgrass，herskirtspinnedup，herheadbare，abrighttinpailineitherhand，andthemilkylightoftheearlymorningallabouther。Evenasaboyheusedtofeel，whenhesawhercomingwithherfreestep，heruprightheadandcalmshoulders，thatshelookedasifshehadwalkedstraightoutofthemorningitself。Sincethen，whenhehadhappenedtoseethesuncomeupinthecountryoronthewater，hehadoftenremem—
beredtheyoungSwedishgirlandhermilkingpails。
Carlsatmusinguntilthesunleapedabovetheprairie，andinthegrassabouthimallthesmallcreaturesofdaybegantotunetheirtinyinstruments。Birdsandinsectswithoutnum—
berbegantochirp，totwitter，tosnapandwhistle，tomakeallmanneroffreshshrillnoises。Thepasturewasfloodedwithlight;
everyclumpofironweedandsnow—on—the—
mountainthrewalongshadow，andthegoldenlightseemedtoberipplingthroughthecurlygrasslikethetideracingin。
HecrossedthefenceintothepasturethatwasnowtheShabatas’andcontinuedhiswalktowardthepond。Hehadnotgonefar，how—
ever，whenhediscoveredthathewasnottheonlypersonabroad。Inthedrawbelow，hisguninhishands，wasEmil，advancingcautiously，withayoungwomanbesidehim。Theyweremovingsoftly，keepingclosetogether，andCarlknewthattheyexpectedtofindducksonthepond。Atthemomentwhentheycameinsightofthebrightspotofwater，heheardawhirrofwingsandtheducksshotupintotheair。Therewasasharpcrackfromthegun，andfiveofthebirdsfelltotheground。Emilandhiscompanionlaugheddelightedly，andEmilrantopickthemup。Whenhecameback，danglingtheducksbytheirfeet，Marieheldherapronandhedroppedthemintoit。Asshestoodlookingdownatthem，herfacechanged。Shetookuponeofthebirds，arumpledballoffeatherswiththeblooddrippingslowlyfromitsmouth，andlookedatthelivecolorthatstillburnedonitsplumage。
Assheletitfall，shecriedindistress，\"Oh，Emil，whydidyou？\"
\"Ilikethat！\"theboyexclaimedindignantly。
\"Why，Marie，youaskedmetocomeyourself。\"
\"：Yes，yes，Iknow，\"shesaidtearfully，\"butI
didn’tthink。Ihatetoseethemwhentheyarefirstshot。Theywerehavingsuchagoodtime，andwe’vespoileditallforthem。\"
Emilgavearathersorelaugh。\"Ishouldsaywehad！I’mnotgoinghuntingwithyouanymore。You’reasbadasIvar。Here，letmetakethem。\"Hesnatchedtheducksoutofherapron。
\"Don’tbecross，Emil。Only——Ivar’srightaboutwildthings。They’retoohappytokill。
Youcantelljusthowtheyfeltwhentheyflewup。Theywerescared，buttheydidn’treallythinkanythingcouldhurtthem。No，wewon’tdothatanymore。\"
\"Allright，\"Emilassented。\"I’msorryI
madeyoufeelbad。\"Ashelookeddownintohertearfuleyes，therewasacurious，sharpyoungbitternessinhisown。
Carlwatchedthemastheymovedslowlydownthedraw。Theyhadnotseenhimatall。
Hehadnotoverheardmuchoftheirdialogue，buthefelttheimportofit。Itmadehim，some—
how，unreasonablymournfultofindtwoyoungthingsabroadinthepastureintheearlymorn—
ing。Hedecidedthatheneededhisbreakfast。
VI
AtdinnerthatdayAlexandrasaidshethoughttheymustreallymanagetogoovertotheShabatas’thatafternoon。\"It’snotoftenI
letthreedaysgobywithoutseeingMarie。ShewillthinkIhaveforsakenher，nowthatmyoldfriendhascomeback。\"
Afterthemenhadgonebacktowork，Alex—
andraputonawhitedressandhersun—hat，andsheandCarlsetforthacrossthefields。\"Youseewehavekeptuptheoldpath，Carl。Ithasbeensoniceformetofeelthattherewasafriendattheotherendofitagain。\"
Carlsmiledalittleruefully。\"Allthesame，I
hopeithasn’tbeenQUITEthesame。\"
Alexandralookedathimwithsurprise。
\"Why，no，ofcoursenot。Notthesame。Shecouldnotverywelltakeyourplace，ifthat’swhatyoumean。I’mfriendlywithallmyneighbors，Ihope。ButMarieisreallyacom—
panion，someoneIcantalktoquitefrankly。
Youwouldn’twantmetobemorelonelythanIhavebeen，wouldyou？\"
Carllaughedandpushedbackthetriangularlockofhairwiththeedgeofhishat。\"OfcourseIdon’t。Ioughttobethankfulthatthispathhasn’tbeenwornby——well，byfriendswithmorepressingerrandsthanyourlittleBohe—
mianislikelytohave。\"HepausedtogiveAlexandrahishandasshesteppedoverthestile。
\"Areyoutheleastbitdisappointedinourcom—
ingtogetheragain？\"heaskedabruptly。\"Isitthewayyouhopeditwouldbe？\"
Alexandrasmiledatthis。\"Onlybetter。
WhenI’vethoughtaboutyourcoming，I’vesometimesbeenalittleafraidofit。Youhavelivedwherethingsmovesofast，andevery—
thingisslowhere;thepeopleslowestofall。Ourlivesareliketheyears，allmadeupofweatherandcropsandcows。Howyouhatedcows！\"
Sheshookherheadandlaughedtoherself。
\"Ididn’twhenwemilkedtogether。I
walkeduptothepasturecornersthismorning。
IwonderwhetherIshalleverbeabletotellyouallthatIwasthinkingaboutupthere。It’sastrangething，Alexandra;Ifinditeasytobefrankwithyouabouteverythingunderthesunexcept——yourself！\"
\"Youareafraidofhurtingmyfeelings，per—
haps。\"Alexandralookedathimthoughtfully。
\"No，I’mafraidofgivingyouashock。
You’veseenyourselfforsolonginthedullmindsofthepeopleaboutyou，thatifIweretotellyouhowyouseemtome，itwouldstartleyou。Butyoumustseethatyouastonishme。
Youmustfeelwhenpeopleadmireyou。\"
Alexandrablushedandlaughedwithsomeconfusion。\"Ifeltthatyouwerepleasedwithme，ifyoumeanthat。\"
\"Andyou’vefeltwhenotherpeoplewerepleasedwithyou？\"heinsisted。
\"Well，sometimes。Themenintown，atthebanksandthecountyoffices，seemgladtoseeme。Ithink，myself，itismorepleasanttodobusinesswithpeoplewhoarecleanandhealthy—looking，\"sheadmittedblandly。
CarlgavealittlechuckleasheopenedtheShabatas’gateforher。\"Oh，doyou？\"heaskeddryly。
TherewasnosignoflifeabouttheShabatas’
houseexceptabigyellowcat，sunningitselfonthekitchendoorstep。
Alexandratookthepaththatledtotheorchard。\"Sheoftensitsthereandsews。I
didn’ttelephoneherwewerecoming，becauseI
didn’thertogotoworkandbakecakeandfreezeice—cream。She’llalwaysmakeapartyifyougivehertheleastexcuse。Doyourecognizetheappletrees，Carl？\"
Linstrumlookedabouthim。\"IwishIhadadollarforeverybucketofwaterI’vecarriedforthosetrees。Poorfather，hewasaneasyman，buthewasperfectlymercilesswhenitcametowateringtheorchard。\"
\"That’sonethingIlikeaboutGermans;
theymakeanorchardgrowiftheycan’tmakeanythingelse。I’msogladthesetreesbelongtosomeonewhotakescomfortinthem。WhenI
rentedthisplace，thetenantsneverkepttheorchardup，andEmilandIusedtocomeoverandtakecareofitourselves。Itneedsmowingnow。Theresheis，downinthecorner。Ma—
ria—a—a！\"shecalled。
Arecumbentfigurestartedupfromthegrassandcamerunningtowardthemthroughtheflickeringscreenoflightandshade。
\"Lookather！Isn’tshelikealittlebrownrabbit？\"Alexandralaughed。
MariaranuppantingandthrewherarmsaboutAlexandra。\"Oh，Ihadbeguntothinkyouwerenotcomingatall，maybe。Iknewyouweresobusy。Yes，EmiltoldmeaboutMr。
Linstrumbeinghere。Won’tyoucomeuptothehouse？\"
\"Whynotsitdownthereinyourcorner？
Carlwantstoseetheorchard。Hekeptallthesetreesaliveforyears，wateringthemwithhisownback。\"
MarieturnedtoCarl。\"ThenI’mthankfultoyou，Mr。Linstrum。We’dneverhaveboughttheplaceifithadn’tbeenforthisorchard，andthenIwouldn’thavehadAlexandra，either。\"
ShegaveAlexandra’sarmalittlesqueezeasshewalkedbesideher。\"Howniceyourdresssmells，Alexandra;youputrosemaryleavesinyourchest，likeItoldyou。\"
Sheledthemtothenorthwestcorneroftheorchard，shelteredononesidebyathickmul—
berryhedgeandborderedontheotherbyawheatfield，justbeginningtoyellow。Inthiscornerthegrounddippedalittle，andtheblue—
grass，whichtheweedshaddrivenoutintheupperpartoftheorchard，grewthickandluxu—
riant。Wildroseswereflaminginthetuftsofbunchgrassalongthefence。Underawhitemulberrytreetherewasanoldwagon—seat。
Besideitlayabookandaworkbasket。
\"Youmusthavetheseat，Alexandra。Thegrasswouldstainyourdress，\"thehostessin—
sisted。ShedroppeddownonthegroundatAlexandra’ssideandtuckedherfeetunderher。
Carlsatatalittledistancefromthetwowo—
men，hisbacktothewheatfield，andwatchedthem。Alexandratookoffhershade—hatandthrewitontheground。Mariepickeditupandplayedwiththewhiteribbons，twistingthemaboutherbrownfingersasshetalked。Theymadeaprettypictureinthestrongsunlight，theleafypatternsurroundingthemlikeanet;
theSwedishwomansowhiteandgold，kindlyandamused，butarmoredincalm，andthealertbrownone，herfulllipsparted，pointsofyel—
lowlightdancinginhereyesasshelaughedandchattered。CarlhadneverforgottenlittleMarieTovesky’seyes，andhewasgladtohaveanopportunitytostudythem。Thebrowniris，hefound，wascuriouslyslashedwithyel—
low，thecolorofsunflowerhoney，orofoldamber。Ineacheyeoneofthesestreaksmusthavebeenlargerthantheothers，fortheeffectwasthatoftwodancingpointsoflight，twolittleyellowbubbles，suchasriseinaglassofchampagne。Sometimestheyseemedlikethesparksfromaforge。Sheseemedsoeasilyex—
cited，tokindlewithafiercelittleflameifonebutbreatheduponher。\"Whatawaste，\"Carlreflected。\"Sheoughttobedoingallthatforasweetheart。Howawkwardlythingscomeabout！\"
ItwasnotverylongbeforeMariesprangupoutofthegrassagain。\"Waitamoment。I
wanttoshowyousomething。\"Sheranawayanddisappearedbehindthelow—growingappletrees。
\"Whatacharmingcreature，\"Carlmur—
mured。\"Idon’twonderthatherhusbandisjealous。Butcan’tshewalk？doesshealwaysrun？\"
Alexandranodded。\"Always。Idon’tseemanypeople，butIdon’tbelievetherearemanylikeher，anywhere。\"
Mariecamebackwithabranchshehadbrokenfromanapricottree，ladenwithpale—
yellow，pink—cheekedfruit。Shedroppeditbe—
sideCarl。\"Didyouplantthose，too？Theyaresuchbeautifullittletrees。\"
Carlfingeredtheblue—greenleaves，porouslikeblotting—paperandshapedlikebirchleaves，hungonwaxenredstems。\"Yes，I
thinkIdid。Arethesethecircustrees，Alex—
andra？\"
\"ShallItellheraboutthem？\"Alexandraasked。\"Sitdownlikeagoodgirl，Marie，anddon’truinmypoorhat，andI’lltellyouastory。
Alongtimeago，whenCarlandIwere，say，sixteenandtwelve，acircuscametoHanoverandwewenttotowninourwagon，withLouandOscar，toseetheparade。Wehadn’tmoneyenoughtogotothecircus。Wefollowedtheparadeouttothecircusgroundsandhungarounduntiltheshowbeganandthecrowdwentinsidethetent。ThenLouwasafraidwelookedfoolishstandingoutsideinthepasture，sowewentbacktoHanoverfeelingverysad。
Therewasamaninthestreetssellingapricots，andwehadneverseenanybefore。HehaddrivendownfromsomewhereupintheFrenchcountry，andhewassellingthemtwenty—fivecentsapeck。Wehadalittlemoneyourfathershadgivenusforcandy，andIboughttwopecksandCarlboughtone。Theycheeredusagooddeal，andwesavedalltheseedsandplantedthem。UptothetimeCarlwentaway，theyhadn’tborneatall。\"
\"Andnowhe’scomebacktoeatthem，\"
criedMarie，noddingatCarl。\"ThatISagoodstory。Icanrememberyoualittle，Mr。Lin—
strum。IusedtoseeyouinHanoversome—
times，whenUncleJoetookmetotown。Ire—
memberyoubecauseyouwerealwaysbuyingpencilsandtubesofpaintatthedrugstore。
Once，whenmyuncleleftmeatthestore，youdrewalotoflittlebirdsandflowersformeonapieceofwrapping—paper。Ikeptthemforalongwhile。Ithoughtyouwereveryromanticbe—
causeyoucoulddrawandhadsuchblackeyes。\"
Carlsmiled。\"Yes，Irememberthattime。
Youruncleboughtyousomekindofamechani—
caltoy，aTurkishladysittingonanottomanandsmokingahookah，wasn’tit？Andsheturnedherheadbackwardsandforwards。\"
\"Oh，yes！Wasn’tshesplendid！IknewwellenoughIoughtnottotellUncleJoeIwantedit，forhehadjustcomebackfromthesaloonandwasfeelinggood。Yourememberhowhelaughed？Shetickledhim，too。Butwhenwegothome，myauntscoldedhimforbuyingtoyswhensheneededsomanythings。Wewoundourladyupeverynight，andwhenshebegantomoveherheadmyauntusedtolaughashardasanyofus。Itwasamusic—box，youknow，andtheTurkishladyplayedatunewhileshesmoked。Thatwashowshemadeyoufeelsojolly。AsIrememberher，shewaslovely，andhadagoldcrescentonherturban。\"
Halfanhourlater，astheywereleavingthehouse，CarlandAlexandraweremetinthepathbyastrappingfellowinoverallsandablueshirt。Hewasbreathinghard，asifhehadbeenrunning，andwasmutteringtohimself。
Marieranforward，and，takinghimbythearm，gavehimalittlepushtowardherguests。
\"Frank，thisisMr。Linstrum。\"
Franktookoffhisbroadstrawhatandnod—
dedtoAlexandra。WhenhespoketoCarl，heshowedafinesetofwhiteteeth。Hewasburnedadullreddowntohisneckband，andtherewasaheavythree—days’stubbleonhisface。Eveninhisagitationhewashandsome，buthelookedarashandviolentman。
Barelysalutingthecallers，heturnedatoncetohiswifeandbegan，inanoutragedtone，\"I
havetoleavemyteamtodrivetheoldwomanHiller’shogsout—amywheat。Igototakedatoldwomantodecourtifsheain’tcareful，Itellyou！\"
Hiswifespokesoothingly。\"But，Frank，shehasonlyherlameboytohelpher。Shedoesthebestshecan。\"
Alexandralookedattheexcitedmanandofferedasuggestion。\"Whydon’tyougoovertheresomeafternoonandhog—tightherfences？
You’dsavetimeforyourselfintheend。\"
Frank’sneckstiffened。\"Not—a—much，I
won’t。Ikeepmyhogshome。Otherpeoplescandolikeme。See？IfthatLouiscanmendshoes，hecanmendfence。\"
\"Maybe，\"saidAlexandraplacidly;\"butI’vefounditsometimespaystomendotherpeople’sfences。Good—bye，Marie。Cometoseemesoon。\"
AlexandrawalkedfirmlydownthepathandCarlfollowedher。
Frankwentintothehouseandthrewhimselfonthesofa，hisfacetothewall，hisclenchedfistonhiship。Marie，havingseenherguestsoff，cameinandputherhandcoaxinglyonhisshoulder。
\"PoorFrank！You’verununtilyou’vemadeyourheadache，nowhaven’tyou？Letmemakeyousomecoffee。\"
\"WhatelseamItodo？\"hecriedhotlyinBohemian。\"AmItoletanyoldwoman’shogsrootupmywheat？IsthatwhatIworkmyselftodeathfor？\"
\"Don’tworryaboutit，Frank。I’llspeaktoMrs。Hilleragain。But，really，shealmostcriedlasttimetheygotout，shewassosorry。\"
Frankbouncedoveronhisotherside。
\"That’sit;youalwayssidewiththemagainstme。Theyallknowit。Anybodyherefeelsfreetoborrowthemowerandbreakit，orturntheirhogsinonme。Theyknowyouwon’tcare！\"
Mariehurriedawaytomakehiscoffee。
Whenshecameback，hewasfastasleep。Shesatdownandlookedathimforalongwhile，verythoughtfully。Whenthekitchenclockstrucksixshewentouttogetsupper，closingthedoorgentlybehindher。ShewasalwayssorryforFrankwhenheworkedhimselfintooneoftheserages，andshewassorrytohavehimroughandquarrelsomewithhisneighbors。
Shewasperfectlyawarethattheneighborshadagooddealtoputupwith，andthattheyborewithFrankforhersake。
VII
Marie’sfather，AlbertTovesky，wasoneofthemoreintelligentBohemianswhocameWestintheearlyseventies。HesettledinOmahaandbecamealeaderandadviseramonghispeoplethere。Mariewashisyoungestchild，byasecondwife，andwastheappleofhiseye。Shewasbarelysixteen，andwasinthegraduatingclassoftheOmahaHighSchool，whenFrankShabataarrivedfromtheoldcoun—
tryandsetalltheBohemiangirlsinaflutter。
Hewaseasilythebuckofthebeer—gardens，andonSundayhewasasighttosee，withhissilkhatandtuckedshirtandbluefrock—coat，wearingglovesandcarryingalittlewispofayellowcane。Hewastallandfair，withsplendidteethandclose—croppedyellowcurls，andheworeaslightlydisdainfulexpression，properforayoungmanwithhighconnections，whosemotherhadabigfarmintheElbevalley。Therewasoftenaninterestingdiscontentinhisblueeyes，andeveryBohemiangirlhemetimaginedherselfthecauseofthatunsatisfiedexpression。
Hehadawayofdrawingouthiscambrichand—
kerchiefslowly，byonecorner，fromhisbreast—
pocket，thatwasmelancholyandromanticintheextreme。HetookalittleflightwitheachofthemoreeligibleBohemiangirls，butitwaswhenhewaswithlittleMarieToveskythathedrewhishandkerchiefoutmostslowly，and，afterhehadlitafreshcigar，droppedthematchmostdespairingly。Anyonecouldsee，withhalfaneye，thathisproudheartwasbleedingforsomebody。
OneSunday，lateinthesummerafterMarie’sgraduation，shemetFrankataBohemianpic—
nicdowntheriverandwentrowingwithhimalltheafternoon。Whenshegothomethateven—
ingshewentstraighttoherfather’sroomandtoldhimthatshewasengagedtoShabata。OldToveskywashavingacomfortablepipebeforehewenttobed。Whenheheardhisdaughter’sannouncement，hefirstprudentlycorkedhisbeerbottleandthenleapedtohisfeetandhadaturnoftemper。HecharacterizedFrankShabatabyaBohemianexpressionwhichistheequivalentofstuffedshirt。
\"Whydon’thegotoworkliketherestofusdid？HisfarmintheElbevalley，indeed！
Ain’thegotplentybrothersandsisters？It’shismother’sfarm，andwhydon’thestayathomeandhelpher？Haven’tIseenhismotheroutinthemorningatfiveo’clockwithherladleandherbigbucketonwheels，puttingliquidmanureonthecabbages？Don’tIknowthelookofoldEvaShabata’shands？Likeanoldhorse’shoofstheyare——andthisfellowwearingglovesandrings！Engaged，indeed！
Youaren’tfittobeoutofschool，andthat’swhat’sthematterwithyou。IwillsendyouofftotheSistersoftheSacredHeartinSt。
Louis，andtheywillteachyousomesense，~I~guess！\"
Accordingly，theverynextweek，AlbertToveskytookhisdaughter，paleandtearful，downtherivertotheconvent。ButthewaytomakeFrankwantanythingwastotellhimhecouldn’thaveit。Hemanagedtohaveanin—
terviewwithMariebeforeshewentaway，andwhereashehadbeenonlyhalfinlovewithherbefore，henowpersuadedhimselfthathewouldnotstopatanything。Marietookwithhertotheconvent，underthecanvasliningofhertrunk，theresultsofalaboriousandsatisfyingmorningonFrank’spart;nolessthanadozenphotographsofhimself，takeninadozendiffer—
entlove—lornattitudes。Therewasalittleroundphotographforherwatch—case，photographsforherwallanddresser，andevenlongnar—
rowonestobeusedasbookmarks。MorethanoncethehandsomegentlemanwastorntopiecesbeforetheFrenchclassbyanindignantnun。
Mariepinedintheconventforayear，untilhereighteenthbirthdaywaspassed。ThenshemetFrankShabataintheUnionStationinSt。Louisandranawaywithhim。OldToveskyforgavehisdaughterbecausetherewasnothingelsetodo，andboughtherafarminthecountrythatshehadlovedsowellasachild。SincethenherstoryhadbeenapartofthehistoryoftheDivide。SheandFrankhadbeenlivingthereforfiveyearswhenCarlLinstrumcamebacktopayhislongdeferredvisittoAlexandra。Frankhad，onthewhole，donebetterthanonemighthaveexpected。Hehadflunghimselfatthesoilwithsavageenergy。OnceayearhewenttoHastingsortoOmaha，onaspree。Hestayedawayforaweekortwo，andthencamehomeandworkedlikeademon。Hedidwork;ifhefeltsorryforhimself，thatwashisownaffair。