althoughthelatterIbelieveshewouldreadilychange，"saidMrs。
　　Randolph，severely。"ButwhenyouspeakofMYalreadythinkingof'suchthings，'doyousupposethatyourfriend，Mr。Mallory，didn'tconsiderallthatwhenhesentthatgirlhere?"
　　"Never，"saidthemajor，vehemently，"andifitenteredhisheadnow，byJove，he'dtakeherawayto-morrow——alwayssupposingI
　　didn'tanticipatehimbysendingheroffmyself。"
　　Mrs。Randolphutteredhermirthlesslaugh。"Andyousupposethegirlwouldgo?Really，major，youdon'tseemtounderstandthisboastedlibertyofyourowncountrywoman。Whatdoesshecareforherfather'scontrol?Why，she'dmakehimdojustwhatSHEwanted。
　　But，"sheaddedwithanexpressionofdignity，"perhapswehadbetternotdiscussthisuntilweknowsomethingofEmile'sfeelingsinthematter。Thatistheonlyquestionthatconcernsus。"Withthisshesweptoutoftheroom，leavingthemajoratfirstspeechlesswithhonestindignation，andthenafterthefashionofallguilelessnatures，alittleuneasyandsuspiciousofhisownguilelessness。Foradayortwoafter，hefoundhimself，notwithoutasensationofmeanness，watchingRosewheninEmile'spresence，buthecoulddistinguishnothingmorethanthefranksatisfactionsheshowedequallytotheothers。Yethefoundhimselfregrettingeventhat，sosubtlewasthecontagionofhiswife'ssuspicions。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Ithadbeenawarmmorning；anunusualmist，whichthesunhadnotdissipated，hadcreptonfromthegreatgrain-fieldsbeyond，andhungaroundthehousechargedwithadry，dustyclosenessthatseemedtobequiteindependentofthesun'srays，andmorelikeaheatedexhalationoremanationofthesoilitself。InitsacridirritationRosethoughtshecoulddetectthebreathofthewheatasonthedayshehadplungedintoitspale，greenshadows。Bytheafternoonthismisthaddisappeared，apparentlyinthesamemysteriousmanner，butnotscatteredbytheusualtrade-wind，which——anotherunusualcircumstance——thatdaywasnotforthcoming。
　　Therewasabreathlessnessintheairlikethehushoflisteningexpectancy，whichfilledtheyounggirlwithavaguerestlessness，andseemedtoevenaffectascatteredcompanyofcrowsinthefieldbeyondthehouse，whichrosesuddenlywithstartledbutaimlesswings，andthendroppedvacantlyamongthegrainagain。
　　MajorRandolphwasinspectingadistantpartoftheranch，Mrs。
　　Randolphwaspresumablyengagedinherboudoir，andRosewassittingbetweenAdeleandEmilebeforethepianointhedrawing-
　　room，listlesslyturningovertheleavesofsomemusic。Therehadbeenanoddminglingofeagernessandabstractionintheusualattentionsoftheyoungmanthatmorning，andacertainnervousaffectationinhismanneroftwistingtheendsofasmallblackmoustache，whichresembledhismother'seyebrows，thathadaffectedRosewithahalf-amused，half-uneasyconsciousness，butwhichshehad，however，referredtotherestlessnessproducedbytheweather。
　　ItoccurredtoheralsothatthevacuouslyamiableAdelehadonceortwiceregardedherwiththesameprecocious，childlikecuriosityandinfantinecunningshehadoncebeforeexhibited。Allthisdidnot，however，abateheradmirationforboth——perhapsparticularlyforthispicturesquelygentlemanlyyoungfellow，withhisgentleaudacitiesofcompliment，hiscaressingattentions，andhisunfailingandequaladdress。Andwhen，discoveringthatshehadmislaidherfanforthefifthtimethatmorning，hestartedupwithequalandundiminishedfiretogoagainandfetchit，thelookofgratefulpleasureandpleadingperplexityinherprettyeyesmighthaveturnedalessconceitedbrainthanhis。
　　"Butyoudon'tknowwhereitis!"
　　"Ishallfinditbyinstinct。"
　　"Youarespoilingme——youtwo。"Theparenthesiswasahesitatingaddition，butshecontinued，withfreshsincerity，"IshallbequitehelplesswhenIleavehere——ifIameverabletogobymyself。"
　　"Don'tevergo，then。"
　　"ButjustnowIwantmyfan；itissocloseeverywhereto-day。"
　　"Ifly，mademoiselle。"
　　Hestartedtothedoor。
　　Shecalledafterhim:——
　　"Letmehelpyourinstinct，then；Ihaditlastinthemajor'sstudy。"
　　"ThatwaswhereIwasgoing。"
　　Hedisappeared。Rosegotupandmoveduneasilytowardsthewindow。
　　"Howqueerandquietitlooksoutside。It'sreallytoobadthatheshouldbesentafterthatfanagain。He'llneverfindit。"Sheresumedherplaceatthepiano，Adelefollowingherwithround，expectanteyes。Afterapauseshestartedupagain。"I'llgoandfetchitmyself，"shesaid，withahalf-embarrassedlaugh，andrantothedoor。
　　Scarcelyunderstandingherownnervousness，butfindingreliefinrapidmovement，Roseflewlightlyupthestaircase。Themajor'sstudy，whereshehadbeenwritingletters，duringhisabsence，thatmorning，wasatthefurtherendofalongpassage，andnearherownbedroom，thedoorofwhich，asshepassed，shenoticed，half-
　　abstractedly，wasopen，butshecontinuedonandhurriedlyenteredthestudy。AtthesamemomentEmile，withasmileonhisface，turnedtowardsherwiththefaninhishand。
　　"Oh，you'vefoundit，"shesaid，withnervouseagerness。"Iwassoafraidyou'dhaveallyourtroublefornothing。"
　　Sheextendedherhand，withahalf-breathlesssmile，forthefan，buthecaughtheroutstretchedlittlepalminhisown，andheldit。
　　"Ah!butyouarenotgoingtoleaveus，areyou?"
　　Inaflashofconsciousnesssheunderstoodhim，and，asitseemedtoher，herownnervousness，andall，andeverything。Andwithitcameaswiftappreciationofallitmeanttoherandherfuture。
　　Tobealwayswithhimandlikehim，apartofthisrefinedandrestfulseclusion——akintoallthathadsoattractedherinthishouse；nottobeobligedtoeducateherselfuptoit，buttobeinitonequaltermsatonce；toknowthatitwasnowild，foolishyouthfulfancy，butawise，thoughtful，andprudentresolve，thatherfatherwouldunderstandandherfriendsrespect:thesewerethethoughtsthatcrowdedquicklyuponher，morelikeanexplanationofherfeelingsthanarevelation，inthebriefsecondthatheheldherhand。Itwasnot，perhaps，loveasshehaddreamedit，andevenBELIEVEDit，before。Shewasnotashamedorembarrassed；sheevenfelt，withaslightpride，thatshewasnotblushing。Sheraisedhereyesfrankly。WhatsheWOULDhavesaidshedidnotknow，forthedoor，whichhehadclosedbehindher，begantoshakeviolently。
　　Itwasnotthefearofsomeangryintrusionorinterferencesurelythatmadehimdropherhandinstantly。Itwasnot——hersecondthought——theideathatsomeonehadfalleninafitagainstitthatblanchedhisfacewithabjectandunreasoningterror!Itmusthavebeensomethingelsethatcausedhimtoutteraninarticulatecryanddashoutoftheroomanddownthestairslikeamadman!Whathadhappened?
　　Inherownself-possessionsheknewthatallthiswaspassingrapidly，thatitwasnotthedoornowthatwasstillshaking，forithadswungalmostshutagain——butitwasthewindows，thebook-
　　shelves，thefloorbeneathherfeet，thatwereallshaking。Sheheardahurriedscrambling，thetramplingoffeetbelow，andthequickrustlingofaskirtinthepassage，asifsomeonehadprecipitatelyfledfromherroom。Yetnoonehadcalledtoher——
　　evenHEhadsaidnothing。Whateverhadhappenedtheyclearlyhadnotcaredforhertoknow。
　　Thejarringandrattlingceasedassuddenly，butthehouseseemedsilentandempty。Shemovedtothedoor，whichhadnowswungopenafewinches，buttoherastonishmentitwasfixedinthatposition，andshecouldnotpass。Asyetshehadbeenfreefromanypersonalfear，andevennowitwaswithahalfsmileatherimprisonmentinthemajor'sstudy，thatsherangthebellandturnedtothewindow。Aman，whomsherecognizedasoneoftheranchlaborers，wasstandingahundredfeetawayinthegarden，lookingcuriouslyatthehouse。Hesawherfaceasshetriedtoraisethesash，utteredanexclamation，andranforward。Butbeforeshecouldunderstandwhathesaid，thesashbegantorattleinherhand，thejarringrecommenced，thefloorshookbeneathherfeet，ahideoussoundofgrindingseemedtocomefromthewalls，athinseamofdust-likesmokebrokefromtheceiling，andwiththenoiseoffallingplasteradozenbooksfollowedeachotherfromtheshelves，inwhatinthefrantichurryofthatmomentseemedagrimlydeliberatesuccession；apicturehangingagainstthewall，toherdazedwonder，swungforward，andappearedtostandatrightanglesfromit；shefeltherselfreelingagainstthefurniture；adeadlynauseaovertookher；assheglanceddespairinglytowardsthewindow，theoutlyingfieldsbeyondthegardenseemedtobeundulatinglikeasea。Forthefirsttimesheraisedhervoice，notinfear，butinapatheticlittlecryofapologyforherawkwardnessintumblingaboutandnotbeingabletograpplethisnewexperience，andthenshefoundherselfnearthedoor，whichhadoncemoreswungfree。Shegraspediteagerly，anddartedoutofthestudyintothedesertedpassage。Heresomeinstinctmadeherfollowthelineofthewall，ratherthantheshakingbalustersofthecorridorandstaircase，butbeforeshereachedthebottomsheheardashout，andthefarmlaborershehadseencomingtowardsherseizedherbythearm，draggedhertotheopendoorwayofthedrawing-room，andhaltedbeneathitsarchinthewall。Anotherthrill，butlighterthanbefore，passedthroughthebuilding，thenallwasstillagain。
　　"It'sover；Ireckonthat'salljustnow，"saidtheman，coolly。
　　"It'squitesafetocutandrunforthegardennow，throughthiswindow。"Hehalfled，halfliftedherthroughtheFrenchwindowtotheverandaandtheground，andlockingherarminhis，ranquicklyforwardahundredfeetfromthehouse，stoppingatlastbeneathalargepostoakwheretherewasarusticseatintowhichshesank。
　　"You'resafenow，Ireckon，"hesaidgrimly。
　　Shelookedtowardsthehouse；thesunwasshiningbrightly；acoolbreezeseemedtohavesprungupastheyran。Shecouldseeaquantityofrubbishlyingontherooffromwhichadozenyardsofzincgutterwereperilouslyhanging；thebrokenshaftsofthefurtherclusterofchimneys，apileofbricksscattereduponthegroundandamongthebattereddownbeamsoftheendoftheveranda——
　　butthatwasall。Sheliftedhernowwhitenedfacetotheman，andwiththeapologeticsmilestilllingeringonherlips，asked:——
　　"Whatdoesitallmean?Whathashappened?"
　　Themanstaredather。"D'yemeantosayyedon'tknow?"
　　"HowcouldI?Theymusthaveallleftthehouseassoonasitbegan。Iwastalkingto——toM。l'Hommadieu，andhesuddenlyleft。"
　　Themanbroughthisfaceangrilydownwithinaninchofherown。
　　"D'yemeantosaythatthemd——dFrenchhalf-breedsstampededandleftyertherealone?"
　　Shewasstilltoomuchstupefiedbythereactiontofullycomprehendhismeaning，andrepeatedfeeblywithhersmilestillfaintlylingering:"Butyoudon'ttellmeWHATitwas?"
　　"Anearthquake，"saidtheman，roughly，"andifithadlastedtensecondslongeritwouldhaveshookthewholeshantydownandleftyouunderit。Yerkintellthattothem，iftheydon'tknowit，butfromthewaytheymadetrackstothefields，Ireckontheydid。
　　They'recomingnow。"
　　Withoutanotherwordheturnedawayhalfsurlily，halfdefiantly，passingscarcefiftyyardsawayMrs。Randolphandherdaughter，whowerehasteningtowardstheirguest。
　　"Oh，hereyouare!"saidMrs。Randolph，withthenearestapproachtoeffusionthatRosehadyetseeninhermanner。"Wewerewonderingwhereyouhadrunto，andweregettingquiteconcerned。
　　Emilewaslookingforyoueverywhere。"
　　Therecollectionofhisblankandabjectface，hisvagueoutcryandblindfright，camebacktoRosewithashockthatsentaflashofsympatheticshametoherface。TheingeniousAdelenoticedit，anddutifullypinchedhermother'sarm。
　　"Emile?"echoedRosefaintly——"lookingforME?"
　　Motheranddaughterexchangedglances。
　　"Yes，"saidMrs。Randolph，cheerfully，"hesayshestartedtorunwithyou，butyougotaheadandslippedoutofthegardendoor——orsomethingofthekind，"sheadded，withtheairofmakinglightofRose'sgirlishfears。"Youknowonescarcelyknowswhatonedoesatsuchtimes，anditmusthavebeenfrightfullystrangetoYOU——
　　andhe'sbeenquitedistracted，lestyoushouldhavewanderedaway。
　　Adele，runandtellhimMissMalloryhasbeenhereundertheoakallthetime。"
　　Rosestarted——andthenfellhopelesslybackinherseat。PerhapsitWAStrue!Perhapshehadnotrushedoffwiththatawfulfaceandwithoutaword。Perhapssheherselfhadbeenhalf-frightenedoutofherreason。Inthesimple，weakkindnessofhernatureitseemedlessdreadfultobelievethatthefaultwaspartlyherown。
　　"Andyouwentbackintothehousetolookforuswhenallwasover，"saidMrs。Randolph，fixingherblack，beady，magneticeyesonRose，"andthatstupidyokelZakebroughtyououtagain。Heneedn'thaveclutchedyourarmsoclosely，mydear，——Imustspeaktothemajorabouthisexcessivefamiliarity——butIsupposeIshallbetoldthatthatisAmericanfreedom。Icallit'aliberty。'"
　　ItstruckRosethatshehadnoteventhankedtheman——inthesameflashthatsherememberedsomethingdreadfulthathehadsaid。Shecoveredherfacewithherhandsandtriedtorecallherself。
　　Mrs。Randolphgentlytappedhershoulderwithamixtureofmaternalphilosophyanddiscipline，andcontinued:"Ofcourse，it'sanupset——andyou'reconfusedstill。That'snothing。Theysay，dear，it'sperfectlywellknownthatnotwopeople'srecollectionsofthesethingseverarethesame。It'sreallyridiculousthecontradictorystoriesonehears。Isn'tit，Emile?"
　　Rosefeltthattheyoungmanhadjoinedthemandwaslookingather。Inthefearthatsheshouldstillseesometraceofthestartled，selfishanimalinhisface，shedidnotdaretoraisehereyestohis，butlookedathismother。Mrs。Randolphwasstandingthen，collectedbutimpatient。
　　"It'sallovernow，"saidEmile，inhisusualvoice，"andexceptthechimneysandsomefallenplasterthere'sreallynodamagedone。
　　ButI'mafraidtheyhavecaughtitprettybadlyatthemission，andatSanFranciscointhosetall，flashy，rattle-trapbuildingsthey'reputtingup。I'vejustsentoffoneofthemenfornews。"
　　HerfatherwasinSanFranciscobythattime；andshehadneverthoughtofhim!Inherquickremorseshenowforgotallelseandrosetoherfeet。
　　"Imusttelegraphtomyfatheratonce，"shesaidhurriedly；"heisthere。"
　　"Youhadbetterwaituntilthemessengerreturnsandhearhisnews，"saidEmile。"IftheshockwasonlyaslightoneinSanFrancisco，yourfathermightnotunderstandyou，andwouldbealarmed。"
　　Shecouldseehisfacenow——therewasnorecordofthepastexpressionuponit，buthewaswatchinghereagerly。Mrs。RandolphandAdelehadmovedawaytospeaktotheservants。Emiledrewnearer。
　　"Yousurelywillnotdesertusnow?"hesaidinalowvoice。
　　"Pleasedon't，"shesaidvaguely。"I'msoworried，"and，pushingquicklypasthim，shehurriedlyrejoinedthetwowomen。
　　Theyweresuperintendingtheerectionofalongtentormarqueeinthegarden，hastilyextemporizedfromtheawningsoftheverandaandothercloth。Mrs。Randolphexplainedthat，althoughalldangerwasover，therewasthepossibilityoftherecurrenceoflightershocksduringthedayandnight，andthattheywouldallfeelmuchmoresecureandcomfortabletocampoutforthenexttwenty-fourhoursintheopenair。
　　"Onlyimagineyou'repicnicking，andyou'llenjoyitasmostpeopleusuallyenjoythosehorridalfrescoentertainments。Idon'tbelievethere'stheslightestrealnecessityforit，but，"sheaddedinalowervoice，"theIrishandChineseservantsaresodemoralizednow，theywouldn'tstayindoorswithus。It'sacommonpracticehere，Ibelieve，foradayortwoaftertheshock，anditgivestimetoputthingsrightagainandclearup。Theold，one-
　　storied，Spanishhouseswithwallsthreefeetthick，andbuiltroundacourtyardorpatio，weremuchsafer。It'sonlywhentheAmericanstrytoimproveupontheoldorderofthingswiththeirpinchbeckshamsandstuccothatProvidenceinterfereslikethistopunishthem。"
　　Itwasthefact，however，thatRosewasmoreimpressedbywhatseemedtohertheabsoluteindifferenceofProvidenceinthematter，andthecoolresumptionbyNatureofherordinaryconditions。Theskyabovetheirheadswasasrigidlyblueasever，andassmilinglymonotonous；thedistantprospect，withitsclear，well-knownsilhouettes，hadnotchanged；thecrowsswungonlazy，deliberatewingsoverthegrainasbefore；andthetrade-windwasagainblowinginitsquietpersistency。Andyetsheknewthatsomethinghadhappenedthatwouldneveragainmakeherenjoymentoftheprospectthesame——thatnothingwouldeverbeasitwasyesterday。Ithinkatfirstshereferredonlytothematerialandlargerphenomena，anddidnotconfoundthisrevelationoftheinsecurityoftheuniversewithherexperienceofman。Yetthefactalsoremainedthattotheconservative，correct，and，asshebelieved，secureconditiontowhichshehadbeenapproximating，allherrelationswererudelyshakenandupset。Itreallyseemedtothissimple-mindedyoungwomanthattherevolutionarydisturbanceofsettledconditionsmighthaveasProvidentialanoriginasthe"DivineRight"ofwhichshehadheardsomuch。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　InherdesiretobealoneandtoevadethenowsignificantattentionsofEmile，shetookadvantageofthebustlethatfollowedthehurriedtransferoffurnitureandarticlesfromthehousetoescapethroughthegardentotheoutlyingfields。Strikingintooneofthedustylanesthatsheremembered，shewanderedonforhalfanhouruntilherprogressandmeditationweresuddenlyarrested。Shehadcomeuponalongchasmorcrackinthesoil，fulltwentyfeetwideandasmanyindepth，crossingherpathatrightangles。Shedidnotrememberhavingseenitbefore；thetrackofwheelswentuptoitsprecipitousedge；shecouldseethetrackontheotherside，butthehiatusremained，unbridgedanduncovered。Itwasnotthereyesterday。Sheglancedrightandleft；thefissureseemedtoextend，likeamoatorditch，fromthedistantroadtotheuplandbetweenherandthegreatwheatvalleybelow，fromwhichshewasshutoff。Anoddsenseofbeinginsomewayaprisonerconfrontedher。Shedrewbackwithanimpatientstart，andperhapsherfirstrealsenseofindignation。Avoicebehindher，whichsheatoncerecognized，scarcelyrestoredhercalmness。
　　"Youcan'tgetacrossthere，miss。"
　　Sheturned。Itwastheyounginventorfromthewheatranch，onhorsebackandwithacleanface。Hehadjustriddenoutofthegrainonthesamesideofthechasmasherself。
　　"Butyouseemtohavegotover，"shesaidbluntly。
　　"Yes，butitwasfurtherupthefield。Ireckonedthatthesplitmightbedeeperbutnotsobroadintherockoutcropovertherethanintheadobehere。Ifounditsoandjumpedit。"
　　Helookedasifhemight——alert，intelligent，andself-contained。
　　Helingeredamoment，andthencontinued:——
　　"I'mafraidyoumusthavebeenbadlyshakenandalittlefrighteneduptherebeforethechimneyscamedown?"
　　"No，"shewasgladtosaybriefly，andshebelievedtruthfully，I
　　wasn'tfrightened。Ididn'tevenknowitwasanearthquake。"
　　"Ah!"hereflected，"thatwasbecauseyouwereastranger。It'sodd——they'realllikethat。Isupposeit'sbecausenobodyreallyexpectsorbelievesintheunlooked-forthing，andyetthat'sthethingthatalwayshappens。Andthen，ofcourse，thatotheraffair，whichreallyisserious，startledyouthemore。"
　　Shefeltherselfridiculouslyandangrilyblushing。"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean，"shesaidicily。"Whatotheraffair?"
　　"Why，thewell。"
　　"Thewell?"sherepeatedvacantly。
　　"Yes；theartesianwellhasstopped。Didn'tthemajortellyou?"
　　"No，"saidthegirl。"Hewasaway；Ihaven'tseenhimyet。"
　　"Well，theflowofwaterhasceasedcompletely。That'swhatI'mherefor。Themajorsentforme，andI'vebeentoexamineit。"
　　"Andisthatstoppagesoveryimportant?"shesaiddubiously。
　　Itwashisturntolookatherwonderingly。
　　"Ifit'sLOSTentirely，itmeansruinfortheranch，"hesaidsharply。Hewheeledhishorse，noddedgravely，andtrottedoff。
　　MajorRandolph'sfigureofthe"life-bloodoftheranch"flashedacrosshersuddenly。SheknewnothingofirrigationorthecostlyappliancesbywhichtheCalifornianagriculturistopposedthelongsummerdroughts。Sheonlyvaguelyguessedthatthedreadfulearthquakehadstruckattheprosperityofthosepeoplewhomonlyafewhoursagoshehadbeenproudtocallherfriends。Theunderlyinggoodnessofhernaturewastouched。Shouldsheletamomentaryfault——ifitwerenotreally，afterall，onlyamisunderstanding——risebetweenherandthematsuchamoment?
　　Sheturnedandhurriedquicklytowardsthehouse。
　　Hasteningonward，shefoundtime，however，towonderalsowhythesecommonmen——shenowincludedeventheyounginventorinthatcategory——wereallsorudeandunciviltoHER!Shehadneverbeforebeentreatedinthisway；shehadalwaysbeenratherembarrassedbytheadmiringattentionsofyoungmenclerksandcollegiansinherAtlantichome，and，ofprofessionalmenmerchantsandstockbrokersinSanFrancisco。ItwastruethattheywerenotascontinuallydevotedtoherandtotheniceartandetiquetteofpleasingasEmile，——theyhadotherthingstothinkabout，beinginbusinessandnotbeingGENTLEMEN，——butthentheyweregreatlysuperiortotheseclowns，whotooknonoticeofher，androdeoffwithoutlingeringorformalleave-takingwhentheirselfishaffairswereconcluded。Itmustbethecontactofthevulgarearth——thiswretched，cracking，material，andyetungovernableandlawlessearth——thatsodepravedthem。Shefeltshewouldliketosaythistosomeone——notherfather，forhewouldn'tlistentoher，nortothemajor，whowouldlaughinglyarguewithher，buttoMrs。Randolph，whowouldunderstandher，andperhapssayitsomedayinherownsharp，sneeringwaytotheseveryclowns。Withthosegentlesentimentsirradiatingherblueeyes，andputtingapinkflushuponherfaircheeks，RosereachedthegardenwiththeintentionofrushingsympatheticallyintoMrs。
　　Randolph'sarms。Butitsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatshewouldbeobligedtostatehowshebecameawareofthismisfortune，andwithitcameaninstinctiveaversiontospeakofhermeetingwiththeinventor。ShewouldwaituntilMrs。Randolphtoldher。Butalthoughthatladywasengagedinalow-voiceddiscussioninFrenchwithEmileandAdele，whichinstantlyceasedatherapproach，therewasnoallusionmadetothenewcalamity。"Youneednottelegraphtoyourfather，"shesaidasRoseapproached，"hehasalreadytelegraphedtoyoufornews；asyouwereout，andthemessengerwaswaitingananswer，weopenedthedispatch，andsentone，tellinghimthatyouwereallright，andthatheneednothurryhereonyouraccount。Soyouaresatisfied，Ihope。"Afewhoursagothiswouldhavebeentrue，andRosewouldhaveprobablyseenintheactionofherhostessonlyaflatteringmotherlysupervision；therewas，infact，stillalingeringtraceoftrustinhermindyetshewasconsciousthatshewouldhavepreferredtoanswerthedispatchherself，andtohaveletherfathercome。Toagirlbroughtupwithabeliefintherightofindividualindependenceofthoughtandaction，therewassomethinginMrs。Randolph'spracticalignoringofthatrightwhichstartledherinspiteofhernewconservatism，while，asthedaughterofabusinessman，herinstinctsrevoltedagainstMrs。Randolph'sunbusiness-likeactionwiththetelegram，howevervulgarandunrefinedshemayhavebeguntoconsideralifeofbusiness。Theresultwasacertainconstraintandembarrassmentinhermanner，which，however，hadthelaudableeffectoflimitingEmile'sattentiontosignificantglances，andwasnodoubtvariouslyinterpretedbytheothers。Butshesatisfiedherconsciencebydeterminingtomakeaconfidenceofhersympathytothemajoronthefirstopportunity。
　　Thisshepresentlyfoundwhentheotherswerepreoccupied；themajorgreetingherwithasomewhatcarewornface，butavoicewhosehabitualkindnesswasunchanged。Whenhehadcondoledwithherontheterrifyingphenomenonthathadmarredhervisittotheranch，——
　　andshecouldnothelpimpatientlynoticingthathetooseemedtohaveacceptedhiswife'stheorythatshehadbeenhalfdeliriouslyfrightened，——heregrettedthatherfatherhadnotconcludedtocomedowntotheranch，ashispracticaladvicewouldhavebeeninvaluableinthisemergency。Shewasabouttoeagerlyexplainwhy，whenitoccurredtoherthatMrs。Randolphhadonlygivenhimasuppressedversionofthetelegram，andthatshewouldbebetrayingher，oragaintakingsidesinthispartisandividedhome。
　　Withsomehesitationsheatlastalludedtotheaccidenttotheartesianwell。Themajordidnotaskherhowshehadheardofit；
　　itwasabadbusiness，hethought，butitmightnotbeatotalloss。Thewatermayhavebeenonlydivertedbytheshockandmightbefoundagainatthelowerlevel，orinsomelateralfissure。HehadsenthurriedlyforTomBent——thatcleveryoungengineeratthewheatranch，whowasalwaysstudyingupthesethingswithhisinventions——andthatwashisopinion。No，Tomwasnotawell-
　　digger，butitwasgenerallyknownthathehad"located"oneortwo，andhadlongagoadvisedthetappingofthatflowbyasecondboring，incaseofjustsuchanemergency。Hewascomingagainto-
　　morrow。Bytheway，hehadaskedhowtheyoungladyvisitorwas，andhopedshehadnotbeenalarmedbytheearthquake!
　　Rosefeltherselfagainblushing，and，whatwasmoresingular，withanunexpectedanditseemedtoherridiculouspleasure，althoughoutwardlysheappearedtoignorethecivilitycompletely。Andshehadnointentionofbeingsoeasilyplacated。IfthisyoungmanthoughtbymereperfunctorycivilitiestoherHOSTtomakeupforhisclownishnesstoHER，hewasmistaken。Shewouldlethimseeitwhenhecalledto-morrow。Shequicklyturnedthesubjectbyassuringthemajorofhersympathyandherintentionofsendingforherfather。FortherestoftheafternoonandduringtheiralfrescodinnershesolvedthedifficultyofherstrainedrelationswithMrs。RandolphandEmilebyconversingchieflywiththemajor，tacitlyavoiding，however，anyallusiontothisMr。Bent。ButMrs。
　　Randolphwaslesscareful。
　　"Youdon'treallymeantosay，major，"shebeganinherdryest，grittiestmanner，"thatinsteadofsendingtoSanFranciscoforsomeskilledmaster-mechanic，youaregoingtolistentothevagariesofaconceited，half-educatedfarm-laborer，andemployhim?Youmightaswellcallinsomeofthosewizardsorwater-
　　witchesatonce。"Butthemajor，likemanyotherwell-managedhusbandswhoaregood-humoredlycontenttosufferinthesunshineofprosperity，hadnoideaofdoingsoinadversity，andtheprospectofbeingobligedtogobacktoyouthfulstruggleshadrecalledsomeoftheindependenceofthatperiod。Helookedupquietly，andsaid:——
　　"Ifhisconclusionsareasclearandsatisfactoryto-morrowastheywereto-day，Ishallcertainlytrytosecurehisservices。"
　　"ThenIcanonlysayIwouldpreferthewater-witch。Heatleastwouldnotrepresentaclassofneighborswhohavemadethemselvessystematicallyuncivilanddisagreeabletous。"
　　"Iamafraid，Josephine，wehavenottriedtomakeourselvesparticularlyagreeabletoTHEM，"saidthemajor。
　　"Ifthatcanonlybedonebyadmittingtheirequality，Iprefertheyshouldremainuncivil。Onlyletitbeunderstood，major，thatifyouchoosetotakethisTom-the-ploughboytomendyourwell，youwillatleastkeephimtherewhileheisontheproperty。"
　　Withwhatretortthemajorwouldhavekeptupthisconjugaldiscussion，alreadybeginningtobeawkwardtothediscreetvisitor，isnotknown，asitwassuddenlystoppedbyabulletfromtherosebudlipsoftheingenuousAdele。
　　"Why，he'sveryhandsomewhenhisfaceisclean，andhishandsaresmallandnotatallhard。Andhedoesn'ttalktheleastbitqueerorcommon。"
　　Therewasadeadsilence。"AndpraywheredidYOUseehim，andwhatdoyouknowabouthishands?"askedMrs。Randolph，inhermostdesiccatedvoice。"Orhasthemajoralreadypresentedyoutohim?
　　Ishouldn'tbesurprised。"
　　"No，but"——hesitatedtheyounggirl，withacertainmouse-likeaudacity，——"whenyousentmetolookafterMissMallory，Icameuptohimjustafterhehadspokentoher，andhestoppedtoaskmehowweallwere，andifMissMallorywasreallyfrightenedbytheearthquake，andheshookhandsforgoodafternoon——that'sall。"
　　"Andwhotaughtyoutoconversewithcommonstrangersandshakehandswiththem?"continuedMrs。Randolph，withnarrowinglips。
　　"Nobody，mamma；butIthoughtifMissMallory，whoisayounglady，couldspeaktohim，socouldI，whoamnotoutyet。"
　　"Wewon'tdiscussthisanyfurtheratpresent，"saidMrs。Randolph，stiffly，asthemajorsmiledgrimlyatRose。"Theearthquakeseemstohaveshakendowninthishousemorethanthechimneys。"
　　ItcertainlyhadshakenallpowerofsleepfromtheeyesofRosewhenthehouseholdatlastdispersedtoliedownintheirclothesonthemattresseswhichhadbeenarrangedundertheawnings。Shewascontinuallystartingupfromconfuseddreamsofthegroundshakingunderher，orsheseemedtobestandingonthebrinkofsomedreadfulabysslikethegreatchasmonthegrain-field，whenitbegantotrembleandcrumblebeneathherfeet。Itwasnearmorningwhen，unabletoendureitanylonger，shemanagedwithoutdisturbingthesleepingAdele，whooccupiedthesamecurtainedrecesswithher，toslipoutfromtheawning。Wrappedinathickshawl，shemadeherwaythroughtheencompassingtreesandbushesofthegardenthathadseemedtoimprisonandsuffocateher，totheedgeofthegrain-field，whereshecouldbreathethefreshairbeneathanopen，starlitsky。Therewasnomoonandthedarknessfavoredher；shehadnofearsthatweighedagainstthehorrorofseclusionwithherownfancies。Besides，theywerecampingOUTofthehouse，andifshechosetosituporwalkabout，noonecouldthinkitstrange。Shewishedherfatherwereherethatshemighthavesomeoneofherownkintotalkto，yetsheknewnotwhattosaytohimifhehadcome。Shewantedsomebodytosympathizewithherfeelings，——orrather，perhaps，someonetocombatandevenridiculetheuneasinessthathadlatelycomeoverher。Sheknewwhatherfatherwouldsay，——"Doyouwanttogo，ordoyouwanttostayhere?Doyoulikethesepeople，ordoyounot?"Sherememberedtheoneortwoglowingandenthusiasticaccountsshehadwrittenhimofhervisithere，andfeltherselfblushingagain。
　　WhatwouldhethinkofMrs。Randolph'sopeningandansweringthetelegram?Wouldn'thefindoutfromthemajorifshehadgarbledthesenseofhisdispatch?
　　Awaytotheright，inthemidstofthedistantandinvisiblewheat-
　　field，therewasthesameintermittentstar，whichlikealiving，breathingthingseemedtodilateinglowingrespiration，asshehadseenitthefirstnightofhervisit。Mr。Bent'sforge!Itmustbenearlydaylightnow；thepoorfellowhadbeenupallnight，orelsewasstealingthisearlymarchontheday。SherecalledAdele'ssuddeneulogiumofhim。Thefirstnaturalsmilethathadcometoherlipssincetheearthquakebrokeuphernervousrestraint，andsentherbackmorelikeheroldselftohercouch。
　　Butshehadnotproceededfartowardsthetent，whensheheardthesoundoflowvoicesapproachingher。Itwasthemajorandhiswife，who，likeherself，hadevidentlybeenunabletosleep，andwereupbetimes。Anewinstinctofsecretiveness，whichshefeltwaspartlytheeffectofherartificialsurrounding，checkedherfirstnaturalinstincttocalltothem，andshedrewbackdeeperintheshadowtoletthempass。Buttohergreatdiscomfiturethemajorinaconversationalemphasisstoppeddirectlyinfrontofher。