第5章

Alexandraconfessedshedidn’tknow。

\"However，\"sheadded，\"itseemstomethatyougetalongwithFrankaboutaswellasanywomanI’veeverseenorheardofcould。\"

Marieshookherhead，pursingherlipsandblowingherwarmbreathsoftlyoutintothefrostyair。\"No;Iwasspoiledathome。Ilikemyownway，andIhaveaquicktongue。WhenFrankbrags，Isaysharpthings，andheneverforgets。Hegoesoverandoveritinhismind;

Icanfeelhim。ThenI’mtoogiddy。Frank’swifeoughttobetimid，andsheoughtnottocareaboutanotherlivingthingintheworldbutjustFrank！Ididn’t，whenImarriedhim，butIsupposeIwastooyoungtostaylikethat。\"

Mariesighed。

AlexandrahadneverheardMariespeaksofranklyaboutherhusbandbefore，andshefeltthatitwaswisernottoencourageher。Nogood，shereasoned，evercamefromtalkingaboutsuchthings，andwhileMariewasthink—

ingaloud，Alexandrahadbeensteadilysearch—

ingthehat—boxes。\"Aren’tthesethepat—

terns，Maria？\"

Mariasprangupfromthefloor。\"Sureenough，wewerelookingforpatterns，weren’twe？I’dforgotabouteverythingbutFrank’sotherwife。I’llputthataway。\"

ShepokedthecanebehindFrank’sSundayclothes，andthoughshelaughed，Alexandrasawthereweretearsinhereyes。

Whentheywentbacktothekitchen，thesnowhadbeguntofall，andMarie’svisitorsthoughttheymustbegettinghome。Shewentouttothecartwiththem，andtuckedtherobesaboutoldMrs。LeewhileAlexandratooktheblanketoffherhorse。Astheydroveaway，Marieturnedandwentslowlybacktothehouse。ShetookupthepackageoflettersAlexandrahadbrought，butshedidnotreadthem。Sheturnedthemoverandlookedattheforeignstamps，andthensatwatchingthefly—

ingsnowwhiletheduskdeepenedinthekitchenandthestovesentoutaredglow。

MarieknewperfectlywellthatEmil’sletterswerewrittenmoreforherthanforAlexandra。

Theywerenotthesortoflettersthatayoungmanwritestohissister。Theywerebothmorepersonalandmorepainstaking;fullofdescrip—

tionsofthegaylifeintheoldMexicancapitalinthedayswhenthestronghandofPorfirioDiazwasstillstrong。Hetoldaboutbull—fightsandcock—fights，churchesandFIESTAS，theflower—

marketsandthefountains，themusicanddan—

cing，thepeopleofallnationshemetintheItalianrestaurantsonSanFranciscoStreet。Inshort，theywerethekindoflettersayoungmanwritestoawomanwhenhewisheshimselfandhislifetoseeminterestingtoher，whenhewishestoenlistherimaginationinhisbehalf。

Marie，whenshewasaloneorwhenshesatsewingintheevening，oftenthoughtaboutwhatitmustbelikedowntherewhereEmilwas;wheretherewereflowersandstreetbandseverywhere，andcarriagesrattlingupanddown，andwheretherewasalittleblindboot—

blackinfrontofthecathedralwhocouldplayanytuneyouaskedforbydroppingthelidsofblacking—boxesonthestonesteps。Wheneverythingisdoneandoverforoneattwenty—

three，itispleasanttoletthemindwanderforthandfollowayoungadventurerwhohaslifebeforehim。\"Andifithadnotbeenforme，\"shethought，\"Frankmightstillbefreelikethat，andhavingagoodtimemakingpeo—

pleadmirehim。PoorFrank，gettingmarriedwasn’tverygoodforhimeither。I’mafraidI

dosetpeopleagainsthim，ashesays。Iseem，somehow，togivehimawayallthetime。Per—

hapshewouldtrytobeagreeabletopeopleagain，ifIwerenotaround。ItseemsasifI

alwaysmakehimjustasbadashecanbe。\"

Laterinthewinter，AlexandralookedbackuponthatafternoonasthelastsatisfactoryvisitshehadhadwithMarie。Afterthatdaytheyoungerwomanseemedtoshrinkmoreandmoreintoherself。WhenshewaswithAlexan—

drashewasnotspontaneousandfrankassheusedtobe。Sheseemedtobebroodingoversomething，andholdingsomethingback。Theweatherhadagooddealtodowiththeirseeinglessofeachotherthanusual。Therehadnotbeensuchsnowstormsintwentyyears，andthepathacrossthefieldswasdrifteddeepfromChrist—

masuntilMarch。Whenthetwoneighborswenttoseeeachother，theyhadtogoroundbythewagon—road，whichwastwiceasfar。Theytele—

phonedeachotheralmosteverynight，thoughinJanuarytherewasastretchofthreeweekswhenthewiresweredown，andwhenthepost—

mandidnotcomeatall。

Marieoftenranintoseehernearestneigh—

bor，oldMrs。Hiller，whowascrippledwithrheumatismandhadonlyherson，thelameshoemaker，totakecareofher;andshewenttotheFrenchChurch，whatevertheweather。Shewasasincerelydevoutgirl。Sheprayedforher—

selfandforFrank，andforEmil，amongthetemptationsofthatgay，corruptoldcity。ShefoundmorecomfortintheChurchthatwinterthaneverbefore。Itseemedtocomeclosertoher，andtofillanemptinessthatachedinherheart。Shetriedtobepatientwithherhus—

band。HeandhishiredmanusuallyplayedCal—

iforniaJackintheevening。Mariesatsew—

ingorcrochetingandtriedtotakeafriendlyinterestinthegame，butshewasalwaysthinkingaboutthewidefieldsoutside，wherethesnowwasdriftingoverthefences;andabouttheorchard，wherethesnowwasfallingandpacking，crustovercrust。Whenshewentoutintothedarkkitchentofixherplantsforthenight，sheusedtostandbythewindowandlookoutatthewhitefields，orwatchthecurrentsofsnowwhirlingovertheorchard。

Sheseemedtofeeltheweightofallthesnowthatlaydownthere。Thebrancheshadbe—

comesohardthattheywoundedyourhandifyoubuttriedtobreakatwig。Andyet，downunderthefrozencrusts，attherootsofthetrees，thesecretoflifewasstillsafe，warmasthebloodinone’sheart;andthespringwouldcomeagain！Oh，itwouldcomeagain！

II

IfAlexandrahadhadmuchimaginationshemighthaveguessedwhatwasgoingoninMarie’smind，andshewouldhaveseenlongbeforewhatwasgoingoninEmil’s。Butthat，asEmilhimselfhadmorethanoncereflected，wasAlexandra’sblindside，andherlifehadnotbeenofthekindtosharpenhervision。Hertraininghadallbeentowardtheendofmakingherproficientinwhatshehadundertakentodo。

Herpersonallife，herownrealizationofherself，wasalmostasubconsciousexistence;likeanundergroundriverthatcametothesurfaceonlyhereandthere，atintervalsmonthsapart，andthensankagaintoflowonunderherownfields。

Nevertheless，theundergroundstreamwasthere，anditwasbecauseshehadsomuchper—

sonalitytoputintoherenterprisesandsuc—

ceededinputtingitintothemsocompletely，thatheraffairsprosperedbetterthanthoseofherneighbors。

Therewerecertaindaysinherlife，out—

wardlyuneventful，whichAlexandraremem—

beredaspeculiarlyhappy;dayswhenshewasclosetotheflat，fallowworldabouther，andfelt，asitwere，inherownbodythejoyousgerminationinthesoil。Thereweredays，too，whichsheandEmilhadspenttogether，uponwhichshelovedtolookback。Therehadbeensuchadaywhentheyweredownontheriverinthedryyear，lookingovertheland。Theyhadmadeanearlystartonemorningandhaddrivenalongwaybeforenoon。WhenEmilsaidhewashungry，theydrewbackfromtheroad，gaveBrighamhisoatsamongthebushes，andclimbeduptothetopofagrassyblufftoeattheirlunchundertheshadeofsomelittleelmtrees。Theriverwasclearthere，andshallow，sincetherehadbeennorain，anditraninripplesoverthesparklingsand。Undertheoverhangingwillowsoftheoppositebanktherewasaninletwherethewaterwasdeeperandflowedsoslowlythatitseemedtosleepinthesun。Inthislittlebayasinglewildduckwasswimminganddivingandpreeningherfeathers，disportingherselfveryhappilyintheflickeringlightandshade。Theysatforalongtime，watchingthesolitarybirdtakeitspleasure。NolivingthinghadeverseemedtoAlexandraasbeautifulasthatwildduck。Emilmusthavefeltaboutitasshedid，forafterward，whentheywereathome，heusedsometimestosay，\"Sister，youknowourduckdownthere——\"Alexandrarememberedthatdayasoneofthehappiestinherlife。Yearsafterwardshethoughtoftheduckasstillthere，swimminganddivingallbyherselfinthesun—

light，akindofenchantedbirdthatdidnotknowageorchange。

MostofAlexandra’shappymemorieswereasimpersonalasthisone;yettohertheywereverypersonal。Hermindwasawhitebook，withclearwritingaboutweatherandbeastsandgrowingthings。Notmanypeoplewouldhavecaredtoreadit;onlyahappyfew。Shehadneverbeeninlove，shehadneverindulgedinsentimentalreveries。Evenasagirlshehadlookeduponmenaswork—fellows。Shehadgrownupinserioustimes。

Therewasonefancyindeed，whichpersistedthroughhergirlhood。ItmostoftencametoheronSundaymornings，theonedayintheweekwhenshelaylateabedlisteningtothefamiliarmorningsounds;thewindmillsinginginthebriskbreeze，Emilwhistlingasheblackedhisbootsdownbythekitchendoor。Some—

times，asshelaythusluxuriouslyidle，hereyesclosed，sheusedtohaveanillusionofbeingliftedupbodilyandcarriedlightlybysomeoneverystrong。Itwasaman，certainly，whocar—

riedher，buthewaslikenomansheknew;hewasmuchlargerandstrongerandswifter，andhecarriedheraseasilyasifshewereasheafofwheat。Sheneversawhim，but，witheyesclosed，shecouldfeelthathewasyellowlikethesunlight，andtherewasthesmellofripecorn—

fieldsabouthim。Shecouldfeelhimapproach，bendoverherandlifther，andthenshecouldfeelherselfbeingcarriedswiftlyoffacrossthefields。Aftersuchareverieshewouldrisehas—

tily，angrywithherself，andgodowntothebath—housethatwaspartitionedoffthekitchenshed。Thereshewouldstandinatintubandprosecuteherbathwithvigor，finishingitbypouringbucketsofcoldwell—wateroverhergleamingwhitebodywhichnomanontheDividecouldhavecarriedveryfar。

Asshegrewolder，thisfancymoreoftencametoherwhenshewastiredthanwhenshewasfreshandstrong。Sometimes，aftershehadbeenintheopenallday，overseeingthebrand—

ingofthecattleortheloadingofthepigs，shewouldcomeinchilled，takeaconcoctionofspicesandwarmhome—madewine，andgotobedwithherbodyactuallyachingwithfatigue。

Then，justbeforeshewenttosleep，shehadtheoldsensationofbeingliftedandcarriedbyastrongbeingwhotookfromherallherbodilyweariness。

EndofPartIII

PARTIV

TheWhiteMulberryTreeI

TheFrenchChurch，properlytheChurchofSainte—Agnes，stooduponahill。Thehigh，nar—

row，red—brickbuilding，withitstallsteepleandsteeproof，couldbeseenformilesacrossthewheatfields，thoughthelittletownofSainte—

Agneswascompletelyhiddenawayatthefootofthehill。Thechurchlookedpowerfulandtriumphantthereonitseminence，sohighabovetherestofthelandscape，withmilesofwarmcolorlyingatitsfeet，andbyitspositionandsettingitremindedoneofsomeofthechurchesbuiltlongagointhewheat—landsofmiddleFrance。

LateoneJuneafternoonAlexandraBergsonwasdrivingalongoneofthemanyroadsthatledthroughtherichFrenchfarmingcountrytothebigchurch。Thesunlightwasshiningdi—

rectlyinherface，andtherewasablazeoflightallabouttheredchurchonthehill。BesideAlexandraloungedastrikinglyexoticfigureinatallMexicanhat，asilksash，andablackvel—

vetjacketsewnwithsilverbuttons。Emilhadreturnedonlythenightbefore，andhissisterwassoproudofhimthatshedecidedatoncetotakehimuptothechurchsupper，andtomakehimweartheMexicancostumehehadbroughthomeinhistrunk。\"Allthegirlswhohavestandsaregoingtowearfancycostumes，\"

sheargued，\"andsomeoftheboys。Marieisgoingtotellfortunes，andshesenttoOmahaforaBohemiandressherfatherbroughtbackfromavisittotheoldcountry。Ifyouwearthoseclothes，theywillallbepleased。Andyoumusttakeyourguitar。Everybodyoughttodowhattheycantohelpalong，andwehaveneverdonemuch。Wearenotatalentedfamily。\"

Thesupperwastobeatsixo’clock，inthebasementofthechurch，andafterwardtherewouldbeafair，withcharadesandanauction。

Alexandrahadsetoutfromhomeearly，leavingthehousetoSignaandNelseJensen，whoweretobemarriednextweek。SignahadshylyaskedtohavetheweddingputoffuntilEmilcamehome。

Alexandrawaswellsatisfiedwithherbrother。

AstheydrovethroughtherollingFrenchcoun—

trytowardthewesteringsunandthestalwartchurch，shewasthinkingofthattimelongagowhensheandEmildrovebackfromtherivervalleytothestillunconqueredDivide。Yes，shetoldherself，ithadbeenworthwhile;bothEmilandthecountryhadbecomewhatshehadhoped。Outofherfather’schildrentherewasonewhowasfittocopewiththeworld，whohadnotbeentiedtotheplow，andwhohadaper—

sonalityapartfromthesoil。Andthat，shereflected，waswhatshehadworkedfor。Shefeltwellsatisfiedwithherlife。

Whentheyreachedthechurch，ascoreofteamswerehitchedinfrontofthebasementdoorsthatopenedfromthehillsideuponthesandedterrace，wheretheboyswrestledandhadjumping—matches。AmedeeChevalier，aproudfatherofoneweek，rushedoutandembracedEmil。Amedeewasanonlyson，——hencehewasaveryrichyoungman，——buthemeanttohavetwentychildrenhimself，likehisuncleXavier。\"Oh，Emil，\"hecried，hugginghisoldfriendrapturously，\"whyain’tyoubeenuptoseemyboy？Youcometo—morrow，sure？

Emil，youwannagetaboyrightoff！It’sthegreatestthingever！No，no，no！Angelnotsickatall。Everythingjustfine。Thatboyhecomeintothisworldlaughin’，andhebeenlaughin’

eversince。Youcomean’see！\"HepoundedEmil’sribstoemphasizeeachannouncement。

Emilcaughthisarms。\"Stop，Amedee。

You’reknockingthewindoutofme。Ibroughthimcupsandspoonsandblanketsandmocca—

sinsenoughforanorphanasylum。I’mawfulgladit’saboy，sureenough！\"

TheyoungmencrowdedroundEmiltoad—

mirehiscostumeandtotellhiminabreatheverythingthathadhappenedsincehewentaway。EmilhadmorefriendsuphereintheFrenchcountrythandownonNorwayCreek。

TheFrenchandBohemianboyswerespiritedandjolly，likedvariety，andwereasmuchpre—

disposedtofavoranythingnewastheScandi—

navianboysweretorejectit。TheNorwegianandSwedishladsweremuchmoreself—centred，apttobeegotisticalandjealous。TheywerecautiousandreservedwithEmilbecausehehadbeenawaytocollege，andwerepreparedtotakehimdownifheshouldtrytoputonairswiththem。TheFrenchboyslikedabitofswagger，andtheywerealwaysdelightedtohearaboutanythingnew：newclothes，newgames，newsongs，newdances。Nowtheycar—

riedEmilofftoshowhimtheclubroomtheyhadjustfittedupoverthepost—office，downinthevillage。Theyrandownthehillinadrove，alllaughingandchatteringatonce，someinFrench，someinEnglish。

Alexandrawentintothecool，whitewashedbasementwherethewomenweresettingthetables。Mariewasstandingonachair，buildingalittletentofshawlswhereshewastotellfortunes。ShesprangdownandrantowardAlexandra，stoppingshortandlookingatherindisappointment。Alexandranoddedtoherencouragingly。

\"Oh，hewillbehere，Marie。Theboyshavetakenhimofftoshowhimsomething。Youwon’tknowhim。Heisamannow，sureenough。

Ihavenoboyleft。Hesmokesterrible—smellingMexicancigarettesandtalksSpanish。Howprettyyoulook，child。Wheredidyougetthosebeautifulearrings？\"

\"Theybelongedtofather’smother。Healwayspromisedthemtome。HesentthemwiththedressandsaidIcouldkeepthem。\"

Marieworeashortredskirtofstoutlywovencloth，awhitebodiceandkirtle，ayellowsilkturbanwoundlowoverherbrowncurls，andlongcoralpendantsinherears。Herearshadbeenpiercedagainstapieceofcorkbyhergreat—auntwhenshewassevenyearsold。Inthosegermlessdaysshehadwornbitsofbroom—

straw，pluckedfromthecommonsweeping—

broom，inthelobesuntiltheholeswerehealedandreadyforlittlegoldrings。

WhenEmilcamebackfromthevillage，helingeredoutsideontheterracewiththeboys。

MariecouldhearhimtalkingandstrummingonhisguitarwhileRaoulMarcelsangfalsetto。

Shewasvexedwithhimforstayingoutthere。

Itmadeherverynervoustohearhimandnottoseehim;for，certainly，shetoldherself，shewasnotgoingouttolookforhim。Whenthesupperbellrangandtheboyscametroopingintogetseatsatthefirsttable，sheforgotallaboutherannoyanceandrantogreetthetall—

estofthecrowd，inhisconspicuousattire。Shedidn’tmindshowingherembarrassmentatall。

SheblushedandlaughedexcitedlyasshegaveEmilherhand，andlookeddelightedlyattheblackvelvetcoatthatbroughtouthisfairskinandfineblondhead。Mariewasincapableofbeinglukewarmaboutanythingthatpleasedher。Shesimplydidnotknowhowtogiveahalf—heartedresponse。Whenshewasde—

lighted，shewasaslikelyasnottostandonhertip—toesandclapherhands。Ifpeoplelaughedather，shelaughedwiththem。

\"Dothemenwearclotheslikethateveryday，inthestreet？\"ShecaughtEmilbyhissleeveandturnedhimabout。\"Oh，IwishI

livedwherepeopleworethingslikethat！Arethebuttonsrealsilver？Putonthehat，please。

Whataheavything！Howdoyoueverwearit？Whydon’tyoutellusaboutthebull—

fights？\"

Shewantedtowringallhisexperiencesfromhimatonce，withoutwaitingamoment。Emilsmiledtolerantlyandstoodlookingdownatherwithhisold，broodinggaze，whiletheFrenchgirlsflutteredabouthimintheirwhitedressesandribbons，andAlexandrawatchedthescenewithpride。SeveraloftheFrenchgirls，Marieknew，werehopingthatEmilwouldtakethemtosupper，andshewasrelievedwhenhetookonlyhissister。MariecaughtFrank’sarmanddraggedhimtothesametable，managingtogetseatsoppositetheBergsons，sothatshecouldhearwhattheyweretalkingabout。AlexandramadeEmiltellMrs。XavierChevalier，themotherofthetwenty，abouthowhehadseenafamousmatadorkilledinthebull—ring。Marielistenedtoeveryword，onlytakinghereyesfromEmiltowatchFrank’splateandkeepitfilled。WhenEmilfinishedhisaccount，——

bloodyenoughtosatisfyMrs。Xavierandtomakeherfeelthankfulthatshewasnotamatador，——Mariebrokeoutwithavolleyofquestions。Howdidthewomendresswhentheywenttobull—fights？Didtheywearman—

tillas？Didtheyneverwearhats？

Aftersuppertheyoungpeopleplayedchar—

adesfortheamusementoftheirelders，whosatgossipingbetweentheirguesses。AlltheshopsinSainte—Agneswereclosedateighto’clockthatnight，sothatthemerchantsandtheirclerkscouldattendthefair。Theauctionwastheliveliestpartoftheentertainment，fortheFrenchboysalwayslosttheirheadswhentheybegantobid，satisfiedthattheirextravagancewasinagoodcause。Afterallthepincushionsandsofapillowsandembroideredslippersweresold，Emilprecipitatedapanicbytakingoutoneofhisturquoiseshirtstuds，whicheveryonehadbeenadmiring，andhandingittotheauc—

tioneer。AlltheFrenchgirlsclamoredforit，andtheirsweetheartsbidagainsteachotherrecklessly。Mariewantedit，too，andshekeptmakingsignalstoFrank，whichhetookasourpleasureindisregarding。Hedidn’tseetheuseofmakingafussoverafellowjustbecausehewasdressedlikeaclown。WhentheturquoisewenttoMalvinaSauvage，theFrenchbanker’sdaughter，Marieshruggedhershouldersandbetookherselftoherlittletentofshawls，whereshebegantoshufflehercardsbythelightofatallowcandle，callingout，\"Fortunes，for—

tunes！\"

Theyoungpriest，FatherDuchesne，wentfirsttohavehisfortuneread。Marietookhislongwhitehand，lookedatit，andthenbegantorunoffhercards。\"Iseealongjourneyacrosswaterforyou，Father。Youwillgotoatownallcutupbywater;builtonislands，itseemstobe，withriversandgreenfieldsallabout。Andyouwillvisitanoldladywithawhitecapandgoldhoopsinherears，andyouwillbeveryhappythere。\"

\"Mais，oui，\"saidthepriest，withamelan—

cholysmile。\"C’estL’Isle—Adam，chezmamere。Vousetestressavante，mafille。\"Hepattedheryellowturban，calling，\"Venezdonc，mesgarcons！Ilyaiciuneveritableclairvoyante！\"

Mariewascleveratfortune—telling，indulg—

inginalightironythatamusedthecrowd。ShetoldoldBrunot，themiser，thathewouldloseallhismoney，marryagirlofsixteen，andlivehappilyonacrust。Sholte，thefatRussianboy，wholivedforhisstomach，wastobedisap—

pointedinlove，growthin，andshoothimselffromdespondency。Amedeewastohavetwentychildren，andnineteenofthemweretobegirls。AmedeeslappedFrankonthebackandaskedhimwhyhedidn’tseewhatthefortune—tellerwouldpromisehim。ButFrankshookoffhisfriendlyhandandgrunted，\"Shetellmyfortunelongago;badenough！\"Thenhewithdrewtoacornerandsatgloweringathiswife。

Frank’scasewasallthemorepainfulbecausehehadnooneinparticulartofixhisjealousyupon。Sometimeshecouldhavethankedthemanwhowouldbringhimevidenceagainsthiswife。Hehaddischargedagoodfarm—boy，JanSmirka，becausehethoughtMariewasfondofhim;butshehadnotseemedtomissJanwhenhewasgone，andshehadbeenjustaskindtothenextboy。Thefarm—handswouldalwaysdoanythingforMarie;Frankcouldn’tfindonesosurlythathewouldnotmakeanefforttopleaseher。AtthebottomofhisheartFrankknewwellenoughthatifhecouldoncegiveuphisgrudge，hiswifewouldcomebacktohim。Buthecouldneverintheworlddothat。Thegrudgewasfundamental。Perhapshecouldnothavegivenitupifhehadtried。Perhapshegotmoresatisfactionoutoffeelinghimselfabusedthanhewouldhavegotoutofbeingloved。IfhecouldoncehavemadeMariethoroughlyun—

happy，hemighthaverelentedandraisedherfromthedust。Butshehadneverhumbledher—

self。Inthefirstdaysoftheirloveshehadbeenhisslave;shehadadmiredhimabandonedly。

Butthemomenthebegantobullyherandtobeunjust，shebegantodrawaway;atfirstintear—

fulamazement，theninquiet，unspokendis—

gust。Thedistancebetweenthemhadwidenedandhardened。Itnolongercontractedandbroughtthemsuddenlytogether。Thesparkofherlifewentsomewhereelse，andhewasalwayswatchingtosurpriseit。Heknewthatsome—

whereshemustgetafeelingtoliveupon，forshewasnotawomanwhocouldlivewithoutloving。Hewantedtoprovetohimselfthewronghefelt。Whatdidshehideinherheart？

Wherediditgo？EvenFrankhadhischurlishdelicacies;heneverremindedherofhowmuchshehadoncelovedhim。ForthatMariewasgratefultohim。

WhileMariewaschatteringtotheFrenchboys，AmedeecalledEmiltothebackoftheroomandwhisperedtohimthattheyweregoingtoplayajokeonthegirls。Ateleveno’clock，Amedeewastogouptotheswitchboardinthevestibuleandturnofftheelectriclights，andeveryboywouldhaveachancetokisshissweetheartbeforeFatherDuchesnecouldfindhiswayupthestairstoturnthecurrentonagain。TheonlydifficultywasthecandleinMarie’stent;perhaps，asEmilhadnosweet—

heart，hewouldobligetheboysbyblowingoutthecandle。Emilsaidhewouldundertaketodothat。

AtfiveminutestoelevenhesauntereduptoMarie’sbooth，andtheFrenchboysdispersedtofindtheirgirls。Heleanedoverthecard—

tableandgavehimselfuptolookingather。

\"Doyouthinkyoucouldtellmyfortune？\"

hemurmured。Itwasthefirstwordhehadhadalonewithherforalmostayear。\"Myluckhasn’tchangedany。It’sjustthesame。\"

MariehadoftenwonderedwhethertherewasanyoneelsewhocouldlookhisthoughtstoyouasEmilcould。To—night，whenshemethissteady，powerfuleyes，itwasimpossiblenottofeelthesweetnessofthedreamhewasdreaming;itreachedherbeforeshecouldshutitout，andhiditselfinherheart。Shebegantoshufflehercardsfuriously。\"I’mangrywithyou，Emil，\"shebrokeoutwithpetu—

lance。\"Whydidyougivethemthatlovelybluestonetosell？YoumighthaveknownFrankwouldn’tbuyitforme，andIwanteditawfully！\"

Emillaughedshortly。\"Peoplewhowantsuchlittlethingssurelyoughttohavethem，\"

hesaiddryly。Hethrusthishandintothepocketofhisvelvettrousersandbroughtoutahandfulofuncutturquoises，asbigasmarbles。

Leaningoverthetablehedroppedthemintoherlap。\"There，willthosedo？Becareful，don’tletanyoneseethem。Now，Isupposeyouwantmetogoawayandletyouplaywiththem？\"

Mariewasgazinginraptureatthesoftbluecolorofthestones。\"Oh，Emil！Iseverythingdowntherebeautifullikethese？Howcouldyouevercomeaway？\"

AtthatinstantAmedeelaidhandsontheswitchboard。Therewasashiverandagiggle，andeveryonelookedtowardtheredblurthatMarie’scandlemadeinthedark。Immediatelythat，too，wasgone。Littleshrieksandcurrentsofsoftlaughterranupanddownthedarkhall。

Mariestartedup，——directlyintoEmil’sarms。

Inthesameinstantshefelthislips。Theveilthathadhunguncertainlybetweenthemforsolongwasdissolved。Beforesheknewwhatshewasdoing，shehadcommittedherselftothatkissthatwasatonceaboy’sandaman’s，astimidasitwastender;solikeEmilandsounlikeanyoneelseintheworld。Notuntilitwasoverdidsherealizewhatitmeant。AndEmil，whohadsooftenimaginedtheshockofthisfirstkiss，wassurprisedatitsgentlenessandnaturalness。Itwaslikeasighwhichtheyhadbreathedtogether;almostsorrowful，asifeachwereafraidofwakeningsomethingintheother。

Whenthelightscameonagain，everybodywaslaughingandshouting，andalltheFrenchgirlswererosyandshiningwithmirth。OnlyMarie，inherlittletentofshawls，waspaleandquiet。Underheryellowturbantheredcoralpendantsswungagainstwhitecheeks。Frankwasstillstaringather，butheseemedtoseenothing。Yearsago，hehimselfhadhadthepowertotakethebloodfromhercheekslikethat。Perhapshedidnotremember——perhapshehadnevernoticed！Emilwasalreadyattheotherendofthehall，walkingaboutwiththeshoulder—motionhehadacquiredamongtheMexicans，studyingthefloorwithhisintent，deep—seteyes。Mariebegantotakedownandfoldhershawls。Shedidnotglanceupagain。

Theyoungpeopledriftedtotheotherendofthehallwheretheguitarwassounding。Inamo—

mentsheheardEmilandRaoulsinging：——

\"AcrosstheRioGrand—eThereliesasunnyland—e，Mybright—eyedMexico！\"

AlexandraBergsoncameuptothecardbooth。\"Letmehelpyou，Marie。Youlooktired。\"

SheplacedherhandonMarie’sarmandfelthershiver。Mariestiffenedunderthatkind，calmhand。Alexandradrewback，perplexedandhurt。

TherewasaboutAlexandrasomethingoftheimperviouscalmofthefatalist，alwaysdiscon—

certingtoveryyoungpeople，whocannotfeelthattheheartlivesatallunlessitisstillatthemercyofstorms;unlessitsstringscanscreamtothetouchofpain。

II

Signa’sweddingsupperwasover。Theguests，andthetiresomelittleNorwegianpreacherwhohadperformedthemarriagecere—

mony，weresayinggood—night。OldIvarwashitchingthehorsestothewagontotaketheweddingpresentsandthebrideandgroomuptotheirnewhome，onAlexandra’snorthquarter。

WhenIvardroveuptothegate，EmilandMarieShabatabegantocarryoutthepresents，andAlexandrawentintoherbedroomtobidSignagood—byeandtogiveherafewwordsofgoodcounsel。Shewassurprisedtofindthatthebridehadchangedherslippersforheavyshoesandwaspinningupherskirts。AtthatmomentNelseappearedatthegatewiththetwomilkcowsthatAlexandrahadgivenSignaforaweddingpresent。

Alexandrabegantolaugh。\"Why，Signa，youandNelsearetoridehome。I’llsendIvaroverwiththecowsinthemorning。\"

Signahesitatedandlookedperplexed。Whenherhusbandcalledher，shepinnedherhatonresolutely。\"Ita—ankIbetterdoyustlikehesay，\"shemurmuredinconfusion。

AlexandraandMarieaccompaniedSignatothegateandsawthepartysetoff，oldIvardrivingaheadinthewagonandthebrideandgroomfollowingonfoot，eachleadingacow。

Emilburstintoalaughbeforetheywereoutofhearing。

\"Thosetwowillgeton，\"saidAlexandraastheyturnedbacktothehouse。\"Theyarenotgoingtotakeanychances。Theywillfeelsaferwiththosecowsintheirownstable。Marie，I

amgoingtosendforanoldwomannext。AssoonasIgetthegirlsbrokenin，Imarrythemoff。\"

\"I’venopatiencewithSigna，marryingthatgrumpyfellow！\"Mariedeclared。\"IwantedhertomarrythatniceSmirkaboywhoworkedforuslastwinter。Ithinkshelikedhim，too。\"

\"Yes，Ithinkshedid，\"Alexandraassented，\"butIsupposeshewastoomuchafraidofNelsetomarryanyoneelse。NowthatIthinkofit，mostofmygirlshavemarriedmentheywereafraidof。IbelievethereisagooddealofthecowinmostSwedishgirls。Youhigh—strungBohemiancan’tunderstandus。We’reater—

riblypracticalpeople，andIguesswethinkacrossmanmakesagoodmanager。\"

Marieshruggedhershouldersandturnedtopinupalockofhairthathadfallenonherneck。

SomehowAlexandrahadirritatedheroflate。

Everybodyirritatedher。Shewastiredofeverybody。\"I’mgoinghomealone，Emil，soyouneedn’tgetyourhat，\"shesaidasshewoundherscarfquicklyaboutherhead。\"Good—night，Alexandra，\"shecalledbackinastrainedvoice，runningdownthegravelwalk。

Emilfollowedwithlongstridesuntilheover—

tookher。Thenshebegantowalkslowly。Itwasanightofwarmwindandfaintstarlight，andthefireflieswereglimmeringoverthewheat。

\"Marie，\"saidEmilaftertheyhadwalkedforawhile，\"Iwonderifyouknowhowun—

happyIam？\"

Mariedidnotanswerhim。Herhead，initswhitescarf，droopedforwardalittle。

Emilkickedaclodfromthepathandwenton：——

\"Iwonderwhetheryouarereallyshallow—

hearted，likeyouseem？SometimesIthinkoneboydoesjustaswellasanotherforyou。ItneverseemstomakemuchdifferencewhetheritismeorRaoulMarcelorJanSmirka。Areyoureallylikethat？\"

\"PerhapsIam。Whatdoyouwantmetodo？Sitroundandcryallday？WhenI’vecrieduntilIcan’tcryanymore，then——thenI

mustdosomethingelse。\"

\"Areyousorryforme？\"hepersisted。

\"No，I’mnot。IfIwerebigandfreelikeyou，Iwouldn’tletanythingmakemeunhappy。AsoldNapoleonBrunotsaidatthefair，Iwouldn’tgoloveringafternowoman。I’dtakethefirsttrainandgooffandhaveallthefunthereis。\"

\"Itriedthat，butitdidn’tdoanygood。

Everythingremindedme。Thenicertheplacewas，themoreIwantedyou。\"TheyhadcometothestileandEmilpointedtoitpersuasively。

\"Sitdownamoment，Iwanttoaskyousome—

thing。\"MariesatdownonthetopstepandEmildrewnearer。\"Wouldyoutellmesome—

thingthat’snoneofmybusinessifyouthoughtitwouldhelpmeout？Well，then，tellme，PLEASE

tellme，whyyouranawaywithFrankSha—

bata！\"

Mariedrewback。\"BecauseIwasinlovewithhim，\"shesaidfirmly。

\"Really？\"heaskedincredulously。

\"Yes，indeed。Verymuchinlovewithhim。

IthinkIwastheonewhosuggestedourrun—

ningaway。Fromthefirstitwasmoremyfaultthanhis。\"

Emilturnedawayhisface。

\"Andnow，\"Mariewenton，\"I’vegottorememberthat。Frankisjustthesamenowashewasthen，onlythenIwouldseehimasI

wantedhimtobe。Iwouldhavemyownway。

AndnowIpayforit。\"

\"Youdon’tdoallthepaying。\"

\"That’sit。Whenonemakesamistake，there’snotellingwhereitwillstop。Butyoucangoaway;youcanleaveallthisbehindyou。\"

\"Noteverything。Ican’tleaveyoubehind。

Willyougoawaywithme，Marie？\"

Mariestartedupandsteppedacrossthestile。\"Emil！Howwickedlyyoutalk！Iamnotthatkindofagirl，andyouknowit。ButwhatamIgoingtodoifyoukeeptormentingmelikethis！\"sheaddedplaintively。

\"Marie，Iwon’tbotheryouanymoreifyouwilltellmejustonething。Stopaminuteandlookatme。No，nobodycanseeus。Every—

body’sasleep。Thatwasonlyafirefly。Marie，STOPandtellme！\"

Emilovertookherandcatchingherbytheshouldersshookhergently，asifheweretryingtoawakenasleepwalker。

Mariehidherfaceonhisarm。\"Don’taskmeanythingmore。Idon’tknowanythingexcepthowmiserableIam。AndIthoughtitwouldbeallrightwhenyoucameback。Oh，Emil，\"sheclutchedhissleeveandbegantocry，\"whatamItodoifyoudon’tgoaway？I

can’tgo，andoneofusmust。Can’tyousee？\"

Emilstoodlookingdownather，holdinghisshouldersstiffandstiffeningthearmtowhichsheclung。Herwhitedresslookedgrayinthedarkness。Sheseemedlikeatroubledspirit，likesomeshadowoutoftheearth，clingingtohimandentreatinghimtogiveherpeace。Be—

hindherthefireflieswereweavinginandoutoverthewheat。Heputhishandonherbenthead。\"Onmyhonor，Marie，ifyouwillsayyouloveme，Iwillgoaway。\"

Sheliftedherfacetohis。\"HowcouldIhelpit？Didn’tyouknow？\"

Emilwastheonewhotrembled，throughallhisframe。AfterheleftMarieathergate，hewanderedaboutthefieldsallnight，tillmorningputoutthefirefliesandthestars。

III

Oneevening，aweekafterSigna’swedding，Emilwaskneelingbeforeaboxinthesitting—

room，packinghisbooks。Fromtimetotimeheroseandwanderedaboutthehouse，pickingupstrayvolumesandbringingthemlistlesslybacktohisbox。Hewaspackingwithoutenthusi—

asm。Hewasnotverysanguineabouthisfu—

ture。Alexandrasatsewingbythetable。Shehadhelpedhimpackhistrunkintheafternoon。

AsEmilcameandwentbyherchairwithhisbooks，hethoughttohimselfthatithadnotbeensohardtoleavehissistersincehefirstwentawaytoschool。HewasgoingdirectlytoOmaha，toreadlawintheofficeofaSwedishlawyeruntilOctober，whenhewouldenterthelawschoolatAnnArbor。TheyhadplannedthatAlexandrawastocometoMichigan——alongjourneyforher——atChristmastime，andspendseveralweekswithhim。Nevertheless，hefeltthatthisleavetakingwouldbemorefinalthanhisearlieroneshadbeen;thatitmeantadefinitebreakwithhisoldhomeandthebegin—

ningofsomethingnew——hedidnotknowwhat。Hisideasaboutthefuturewouldnotcrystallize;themorehetriedtothinkaboutit，thevaguerhisconceptionofitbecame。Butonethingwasclear，hetoldhimself;itwashightimethathemadegoodtoAlexandra，andthatoughttobeincentiveenoughtobeginwith。

Ashewentaboutgatheringuphisbookshefeltasifhewereuprootingthings。Atlasthethrewhimselfdownontheoldslatloungewherehehadsleptwhenhewaslittle，andlaylookingupatthefamiliarcracksintheceiling。

\"Tired，Emil？\"hissisterasked。

\"Lazy，\"hemurmured，turningonhissideandlookingather。HestudiedAlexandra’sfaceforalongtimeinthelamplight。IthadneveroccurredtohimthathissisterwasahandsomewomanuntilMarieShabatahadtoldhimso。Indeed，hehadneverthoughtofherasbeingawomanatall，onlyasister。Ashestudiedherbenthead，helookedupatthepictureofJohnBergsonabovethelamp。

\"No，\"hethoughttohimself，\"shedidn’tgetitthere。IsupposeIammorelikethat。\"

\"Alexandra，\"hesaidsuddenly，\"thatoldwalnutsecretaryyouuseforadeskwasfather’s，wasn’tit？\"

Alexandrawentonstitching。\"Yes。Itwasoneofthefirstthingsheboughtfortheoldloghouse。Itwasagreatextravaganceinthosedays。Buthewroteagreatmanylettersbacktotheoldcountry。Hehadmanyfriendsthere，andtheywrotetohimuptothetimehedied。

Nooneeverblamedhimforgrandfather’sdis—

grace。Icanseehimnow，sittingthereonSun—

days，inhiswhiteshirt，writingpagesandpages，socarefully。Hewroteafine，regularhand，almostlikeengraving。Yoursissome—

thinglikehis，whenyoutakepains。\"

\"Grandfatherwasreallycrooked，washe？\"

\"Hemarriedanunscrupulouswoman，andthen——thenI’mafraidhewasreallycrooked。

WhenwefirstcameherefatherusedtohavedreamsaboutmakingagreatfortuneandgoingbacktoSwedentopaybacktothepoorsailorsthemoneygrandfatherhadlost。\"

Emilstirredonthelounge。\"Isay，thatwouldhavebeenworthwhile，wouldn’tit？

Fatherwasn’tabitlikeLouorOscar，washe？

Ican’tremembermuchabouthimbeforehegotsick。\"

\"Oh，notatall！\"Alexandradroppedhersewingonherknee。\"Hehadbetteropportuni—

ties;nottomakemoney，buttomakesome—

thingofhimself。Hewasaquietman，buthewasveryintelligent。Youwouldhavebeenproudofhim，Emil。\"

Alexandrafeltthathewouldliketoknowtherehadbeenamanofhiskinwhomhecouldadmire。SheknewthatEmilwasashamedofLouandOscar，becausetheywerebigotedandself—satisfied。Heneversaidmuchaboutthem，butshecouldfeelhisdisgust。Hisbrothershadshowntheirdisapprovalofhimeversincehefirstwentawaytoschool。TheonlythingthatwouldhavesatisfiedthemwouldhavebeenhisfailureattheUniversity。

Asitwas，theyresentedeverychangeinhisspeech，inhisdress，inhispointofview;thoughthelattertheyhadtoconjecture，forEmilavoidedtalkingtothemaboutanybutfamilymatters。Allhisintereststheytreatedasaffectations。

Alexandratookuphersewingagain。\"Icanrememberfatherwhenhewasquiteayoungman。Hebelongedtosomekindofamusicalsociety，amalechorus，inStockholm。Icanremembergoingwithmothertohearthemsing。

Theremusthavebeenahundredofthem，andtheyallworelongblackcoatsandwhiteneck—

ties。Iwasusedtoseeingfatherinabluecoat，asortofjacket，andwhenIrecognizedhimontheplatform，Iwasveryproud。DoyourememberthatSwedishsonghetaughtyou，abouttheshipboy？\"

\"Yes。IusedtosingittotheMexicans。

Theylikeanythingdifferent。\"Emilpaused。

\"Fatherhadahardfighthere，didn’the？\"headdedthoughtfully。

\"Yes，andhediedinadarktime。Still，hehadhope。Hebelievedintheland。\"

\"Andinyou，Iguess，\"Emilsaidtohimself。

Therewasanotherperiodofsilence;thatwarm，friendlysilence，fullofperfectunderstanding，inwhichEmilandAlexandrahadspentmanyoftheirhappiesthalf—hours。

AtlastEmilsaidabruptly，\"LouandOscarwouldbebetteroffiftheywerepoor，wouldn’tthey？\"

Alexandrasmiled。\"Maybe。Buttheirchil—

drenwouldn’t。IhavegreathopesofMilly。\"

Emilshivered。\"Idon’tknow。Seemstomeitgetsworseasitgoeson。TheworstoftheSwedesisthatthey’reneverwillingtofindouthowmuchtheydon’tknow。ItwaslikethatattheUniversity。Alwayssopleasedwiththem—

selves！There’snogettingbehindthatcon—

ceitedSwedishgrin。TheBohemiansandGer—

mansweresodifferent。\"

\"Come，Emil，don’tgobackonyourownpeople。Fatherwasn’tconceited，UncleOttowasn’t。EvenLouandOscarweren’twhentheywereboys。\"

Emillookedincredulous，buthedidnotdis—

putethepoint。Heturnedonhisbackandlaystillforalongtime，hishandslockedunderhishead，lookingupattheceiling。Alexandraknewthathewasthinkingofmanythings。ShefeltnoanxietyaboutEmil。Shehadalwaysbelievedinhim，asshehadbelievedintheland。HehadbeenmorelikehimselfsincehegotbackfromMexico;seemedgladtobeathome，andtalkedtoherasheusedtodo。

Shehadnodoubtthathiswanderingfitwasover，andthathewouldsoonbesettledinlife。

\"Alexandra，\"saidEmilsuddenly，\"doyourememberthewildduckwesawdownontheriverthattime？\"

Hissisterlookedup。\"Ioftenthinkofher。

Italwaysseemstomeshe’stherestill，justlikewesawher。\"

\"Iknow。It’squeerwhatthingsonere—

membersandwhatthingsoneforgets。\"Emilyawnedandsatup。\"Well，it’stimetoturnin。\"Herose，andgoingovertoAlexandrastoopeddownandkissedherlightlyonthecheek。\"Good—night，sister。Ithinkyoudidprettywellbyus。\"

Emiltookuphislampandwentupstairs。

Alexandrasatfinishinghisnewnightshirt，thatmustgointhetoptrayofhistrunk。

IV

ThenextmorningAngelique，Amedee’swife，wasinthekitchenbakingpies，assistedbyoldMrs。Chevalier。Betweenthemixing—boardandthestovestoodtheoldcradlethathadbeenAmedee’s，andinitwashisblack—eyedson。AsAngelique，flushedandexcited，withflouronherhands，stoppedtosmileatthebaby，EmilBergsonrodeuptothekitchendooronhismareanddismounted。

\"’Medeeisoutinthefield，Emil，\"Angeliquecalledassheranacrossthekitchentotheoven。

\"Hebeginstocuthiswheatto—day;thefirstwheatreadytocutanywhereabouthere。Heboughtanewheader，youknow，becauseallthewheat’ssoshortthisyear。Ihopehecanrentittotheneighbors，itcostsomuch。Heandhiscousinsboughtasteamthresheronshares。Yououghttogooutandseethatheaderwork。I

watcheditanhourthismorning，busyasIamwithallthementofeed。Hehasalotofhands，buthe’stheonlyonethatknowshowtodrivetheheaderorhowtoruntheengine，sohehastobeeverywhereatonce。He’ssick，too，andoughttobeinhisbed。\"

EmilbentoverHectorBaptiste，tryingtomakehimblinkhisround，bead—likeblackeyes。

\"Sick？What’sthematterwithyourdaddy，kid？Beenmakinghimwalkthefloorwithyou？\"

Angeliquesniffed。\"Notmuch！Wedon’thavethatkindofbabies。ItwashisfatherthatkeptBaptisteawake。AllnightIhadtobeget—

tingupandmakingmustardplasterstoputonhisstomach。Hehadanawfulcolic。Hesaidhefeltbetterthismorning，butIdon’tthinkheoughttobeoutinthefield，overheatinghim—

self。\"

Angeliquedidnotspeakwithmuchanxiety，notbecauseshewasindifferent，butbecauseshefeltsosecureintheirgoodfortune。Onlygoodthingscouldhappentoarich，energetic，hand—

someyoungmanlikeAmedee，withanewbabyinthecradleandanewheaderinthefield。

EmilstrokedtheblackfuzzonBaptiste’shead。\"Isay，Angelique，oneof’Medee’sgrand—

mothers，’wayback，musthavebeenasquaw。

ThiskidlooksexactlyliketheIndianbabies。\"

Angeliquemadeafaceathim，butoldMrs。

Chevalierhadbeentouchedonasorepoint，andsheletoutsuchastreamoffieryPATOISthatEmilfledfromthekitchenandmountedhismare。

Openingthepasturegatefromthesaddle，Emilrodeacrossthefieldtotheclearingwherethethresherstood，drivenbyastationaryengineandfedfromtheheaderboxes。AsAmedeewasnotontheengine，Emilrodeontothewheatfield，whereherecognized，ontheheader，theslight，wiryfigureofhisfriend，coatless，hiswhiteshirtpuffedoutbythewind，hisstrawhatstuckjauntilyonthesideofhishead。Thesixbigwork—horsesthatdrew，orratherpushed，theheader，wentabreastatarapidwalk，andastheywerestillgreenattheworktheyrequiredagooddealofmanagementonAmedee’spart;especiallywhentheyturnedthecorners，wheretheydivided，threeandthree，andthenswungroundintolineagainwithamovementthatlookedascomplicatedasawheelofartillery。Emilfeltanewthrillofadmirationforhisfriend，andwithittheoldpangofenvyatthewayinwhichAmedeecoulddowithhismightwhathishandfoundtodo，andfeelthat，whateveritwas，itwasthemostimportantthingintheworld。\"I’llhavetobringAlexandrauptoseethisthingwork，\"

Emilthought;\"it’ssplendid！\"

WhenhesawEmil，Amedeewavedtohimandcalledtooneofhistwentycousinstotakethereins。Steppingofftheheaderwithoutstoppingit，heranuptoEmilwhohaddis—

mounted。\"Comealong，\"hecalled。\"Ihavetogoovertotheengineforaminute。Igottagreenmanrunningit，andIgottatokeepaneyeonhim。\"

Emilthoughttheladwasunnaturallyflushedandmoreexcitedthaneventhecaresofmanag—

ingabigfarmatacriticaltimewarranted。Astheypassedbehindalastyear’sstack，Amedeeclutchedathisrightsideandsankdownforamomentonthestraw。

\"Ouch！Igotanawfulpaininme，Emil。

Something’sthematterwithmyinsides，forsure。\"

Emilfelthisfierycheek。\"Yououghttogostraighttobed，’Medee，andtelephoneforthedoctor;that’swhatyououghttodo。\"

Amedeestaggeredupwithagestureofdespair。\"HowcanI？Igotnotimetobesick。

Threethousanddollars’worthofnewmachin—

erytomanage，andthewheatsoripeitwillbegintoshatternextweek。Mywheat’sshort，butit’sgottagrandfullberries。What’sheslowingdownfor？Wehaven’tgotheaderboxesenoughtofeedthethresher，Iguess。\"

Amedeestartedhot—footacrossthestubble，leaningalittletotherightasheran，andwavedtotheengineernottostoptheengine。

Emilsawthatthiswasnotimetotalkabouthisownaffairs。HemountedhismareandrodeontoSainte—Agnes，tobidhisfriendstheregood—bye。HewentfirsttoseeRaoulMarcel，andfoundhiminnocentlypractisingthe\"Gloria\"forthebigconfirmationserviceonSundaywhilehepolishedthemirrorsofhisfather’ssaloon。

AsEmilrodehomewardsatthreeo’clockintheafternoon，hesawAmedeestaggeringoutofthewheatfield，supportedbytwoofhiscousins。

Emilstoppedandhelpedthemputtheboytobed。

V

WhenFrankShabatacameinfromworkatfiveo’clockthatevening，oldMosesMarcel，Raoul’sfather，telephonedhimthatAmedeehadhadaseizureinthewheatfield，andthatDoctorParadiswasgoingtooperateonhimassoonastheHanoverdoctorgottheretohelp。

Frankdroppedawordofthisatthetable，boltedhissupper，androdeofftoSainte—

Agnes，wheretherewouldbesympatheticdis—

cussionofAmedee’scaseatMarcel’ssaloon。

AssoonasFrankwasgone，MarietelephonedAlexandra。Itwasacomforttohearherfriend’svoice。Yes，AlexandraknewwhattherewastobeknownaboutAmedee。Emilhadbeentherewhentheycarriedhimoutofthefield，andhadstayedwithhimuntilthedoctorsoperatedforappendicitisatfiveo’clock。Theywereafraiditwastoolatetodomuchgood;itshouldhavebeendonethreedaysago。Amedeewasinaverybadway。Emilhadjustcomehome，wornoutandsickhimself。Shehadgivenhimsomebrandyandputhimtobed。

Mariehungupthereceiver。PoorAmedee’sillnesshadtakenonanewmeaningtoher，nowthatsheknewEmilhadbeenwithhim。Anditmightsoeasilyhavebeentheotherway——

EmilwhowasillandAmedeewhowassad！

Marielookedabouttheduskysitting—room。

Shehadseldomfeltsoutterlylonely。IfEmilwasasleep，therewasnotevenachanceofhiscoming;andshecouldnotgotoAlexandraforsympathy。ShemeanttotellAlexandraevery—

thing，assoonasEmilwentaway。Thenwhat—

everwasleftbetweenthemwouldbehonest。

Butshecouldnotstayinthehousethisevening。Whereshouldshego？Shewalkedslowlydownthroughtheorchard，wheretheeveningairwasheavywiththesmellofwildcotton。Thefresh，saltyscentofthewildroseshadgivenwaybeforethismorepowerfulper—

fumeofmidsummer。Whereverthoseashes—of—

roseballshungontheirmilkystalks，theairaboutthemwassaturatedwiththeirbreath。

Theskywasstillredinthewestandtheeven—

ingstarhungdirectlyovertheBergsons’wind—

mill。Mariecrossedthefenceatthewheatfieldcorner，andwalkedslowlyalongthepaththatledtoAlexandra’s。ShecouldnothelpfeelinghurtthatEmilhadnotcometotellheraboutAmedee。Itseemedtohermostunnaturalthatheshouldnothavecome。Ifshewereintrou—

ble，certainlyhewastheonepersonintheworldshewouldwanttosee。Perhapshewishedhertounderstandthatforherhewasasgoodasgonealready。

Mariestoleslowly，flutteringly，alongthepath，likeawhitenight—mothoutofthefields。

Theyearsseemedtostretchbeforeherliketheland;spring，summer，autumn，winter，spring;

alwaysthesamepatientfields，thepatientlittletrees，thepatientlives;alwaysthesameyearn—

ing，thesamepullingatthechain——untiltheinstincttolivehadtornitselfandbledandweakenedforthelasttime，untilthechainsecuredadeadwoman，whomightcautiouslybereleased。Mariewalkedon，herfaceliftedtowardtheremote，inaccessibleeveningstar。

Whenshereachedthestileshesatdownandwaited。Howterribleitwastolovepeoplewhenyoucouldnotreallysharetheirlives！

Yes，insofarasshewasconcerned，Emilwasalreadygone。Theycouldn’tmeetanymore。