PARTI
　　TheWildLandI
　　OneJanuaryday，thirtyyearsago，thelittletownofHanover，anchoredonawindyNe—
　　braskatableland，wastryingnottobeblownaway。Amistoffinesnowflakeswascurlingandeddyingabouttheclusteroflowdrabbuildingshuddledonthegrayprairie，underagraysky。Thedwelling—housesweresetabouthaphazardonthetoughprairiesod;someofthemlookedasiftheyhadbeenmovedinovernight，andothersasiftheywerestrayingoffbythemselves，headedstraightfortheopenplain。Noneofthemhadanyappearanceofpermanence，andthehowlingwindblewunderthemaswellasoverthem。Themainstreetwasadeeplyruttedroad，nowfrozenhard，whichranfromthesquatredrailwaystationandthegrain"elevator"atthenorthendofthetowntothelumberyardandthehorsepondatthesouthend。Oneithersideofthisroadstraggledtwounevenrowsofwoodenbuildings;thegeneralmerchandisestores，thetwobanks，thedrugstore，thefeedstore，thesaloon，thepost—office。Theboardsidewalksweregraywithtrampledsnow，butattwoo’clockintheafternoontheshopkeepers，hav—
　　ingcomebackfromdinner，werekeepingwellbehindtheirfrostywindows。Thechildrenwereallinschool，andtherewasnobodyabroadinthestreetsbutafewrough—lookingcountry—
　　menincoarseovercoats，withtheirlongcapspulleddowntotheirnoses。Someofthemhadbroughttheirwivestotown，andnowandthenaredoraplaidshawlflashedoutofonestoreintotheshelterofanother。Atthehitch—barsalongthestreetafewheavywork—horses，har—
　　nessedtofarmwagons，shiveredundertheirblankets。Aboutthestationeverythingwasquiet，fortherewouldnotbeanothertraininuntilnight。
　　OnthesidewalkinfrontofoneofthestoressatalittleSwedeboy，cryingbitterly。Hewasaboutfiveyearsold。Hisblackclothcoatwasmuchtoobigforhimandmadehimlooklikealittleoldman。Hisshrunkenbrownflanneldresshadbeenwashedmanytimesandleftalongstretchofstockingbetweenthehemofhisskirtandthetopsofhisclumsy，copper—toedshoes。Hiscapwaspulleddownoverhisears;
　　hisnoseandhischubbycheekswerechappedandredwithcold。Hecriedquietly，andthefewpeoplewhohurriedbydidnotnoticehim。
　　Hewasafraidtostopanyone，afraidtogointothestoreandaskforhelp，sohesatwringinghislongsleevesandlookingupatelegraphpolebesidehim，whimpering，"Mykitten，oh，mykitten！Herwillfweeze！"Atthetopofthepolecrouchedashiveringgraykitten，mewingfaintlyandclingingdesperatelytothewoodwithherclaws。Theboyhadbeenleftatthestorewhilehissisterwenttothedoctor’soffice，andinherabsenceadoghadchasedhiskit—
　　tenupthepole。Thelittlecreaturehadneverbeensohighbefore，andshewastoofrightenedtomove。Hermasterwassunkindespair。Hewasalittlecountryboy，andthisvillagewastohimaverystrangeandperplexingplace，wherepeopleworefineclothesandhadhardhearts。
　　Healwaysfeltshyandawkwardhere，andwantedtohidebehindthingsforfearsomeonemightlaughathim。Justnow，hewastooun—
　　happytocarewholaughed。Atlastheseemedtoseearayofhope：hissisterwascoming，andhegotupandrantowardherinhisheavyshoes。
　　Hissisterwasatall，stronggirl，andshewalkedrapidlyandresolutely，asifsheknewexactlywhereshewasgoingandwhatshewasgoingtodonext。Sheworeaman’slongulster（notasifitwereanaffliction，butasifitwereverycomfortableandbelongedtoher;carrieditlikeayoungsoldier），andaroundplushcap，tieddownwithathickveil。Shehadaserious，thoughtfulface，andherclear，deepblueeyeswerefixedintentlyonthedistance，withoutseemingtoseeanything，asifshewereintrouble。Shedidnotnoticethelittleboyuntilhepulledherbythecoat。Thenshestoppedshortandstoopeddowntowipehiswetface。
　　"Why，Emil！Itoldyoutostayinthestoreandnottocomeout。Whatisthematterwithyou？"
　　"Mykitten，sister，mykitten！Amanputherout，andadogchasedherupthere。"Hisforefinger，projectingfromthesleeveofhiscoat，pointeduptothewretchedlittlecreatureonthepole。
　　"Oh，Emil！Didn’tItellyoushe’dgetusintotroubleofsomekind，ifyoubroughther？
　　Whatmadeyouteasemeso？Butthere，I
　　oughttohaveknownbettermyself。"Shewenttothefootofthepoleandheldoutherarms，crying，"Kitty，kitty，kitty，"butthekittenonlymewedandfaintlywaveditstail。Alex—
　　andraturnedawaydecidedly。"No，shewon’tcomedown。Somebodywillhavetogoupafterher。IsawtheLinstrums’wagonintown。I’llgoandseeifIcanfindCarl。Maybehecandosomething。Onlyyoumuststopcrying，orI
　　won’tgoastep。Where’syourcomforter？Didyouleaveitinthestore？Nevermind。Holdstill，tillIputthisonyou。"
　　Sheunwoundthebrownveilfromherheadandtieditabouthisthroat。Ashabbylittletravelingman，whowasjustthencomingoutofthestoreonhiswaytothesaloon，stoppedandgazedstupidlyattheshiningmassofhairshebaredwhenshetookoffherveil;twothickbraids，pinnedaboutherheadintheGermanway，withafringeofreddish—yellowcurlsblow—
　　ingoutfromunderhercap。Hetookhiscigaroutofhismouthandheldthewetendbetweenthefingersofhiswoolenglove。"MyGod，girl，whataheadofhair！"heexclaimed，quiteinnocentlyandfoolishly。ShestabbedhimwithaglanceofAmazonianfiercenessanddrewinherlowerlip——mostunnecessaryseverity。Itgavethelittleclothingdrummersuchastartthatheactuallylethiscigarfalltotheside—
　　walkandwentoffweaklyintheteethofthewindtothesaloon。Hishandwasstillunsteadywhenhetookhisglassfromthebartender。Hisfeebleflirtatiousinstinctshadbeencrushedbefore，butneversomercilessly。Hefeltcheapandill—used，asifsomeonehadtakenadvan—
　　tageofhim。Whenadrummerhadbeenknock—
　　ingaboutinlittledrabtownsandcrawlingacrossthewintrycountryindirtysmoking—
　　cars，washetobeblamedif，whenhechanceduponafinehumancreature，hesuddenlywishedhimselfmoreofaman？
　　Whilethelittledrummerwasdrinkingtorecoverhisnerve，AlexandrahurriedtothedrugstoreasthemostlikelyplacetofindCarlLinstrum。Therehewas，turningoveraport—
　　folioofchromo"studies"whichthedruggistsoldtotheHanoverwomenwhodidchina—
　　painting。Alexandraexplainedherpredica—
　　ment，andtheboyfollowedhertothecorner，whereEmilstillsatbythepole。
　　"I’llhavetogoupafterher，Alexandra。I
　　thinkatthedepottheyhavesomespikesIcanstraponmyfeet。Waitaminute。"Carlthrusthishandsintohispockets，loweredhishead，anddartedupthestreetagainstthenorthwind。Hewasatallboyoffifteen，slightandnarrow—chested。Whenhecamebackwiththespikes，Alexandraaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhisovercoat。
　　"Ileftitinthedrugstore。Icouldn’tclimbinit，anyhow。CatchmeifIfall，Emil，"hecalledbackashebeganhisascent。Alexandrawatchedhimanxiously;thecoldwasbitterenoughontheground。Thekittenwouldnotbudgeaninch。Carlhadtogototheverytopofthepole，andthenhadsomedifficultyintear—
　　ingherfromherhold。Whenhereachedtheground，hehandedthecattohertearfullittlemaster。"Nowgointothestorewithher，Emil，andgetwarm。"Heopenedthedoorforthechild。"Waitaminute，Alexandra。Whycan’tIdriveforyouasfarasourplace？It’sget—
　　tingcoldereveryminute。Haveyouseenthedoctor？"
　　"Yes。Heiscomingoverto—morrow。Buthesaysfathercan’tgetbetter;can’tgetwell。"
　　Thegirl’sliptrembled。Shelookedfixedlyupthebleakstreetasifsheweregatheringherstrengthtofacesomething，asifsheweretry—
　　ingwithallhermighttograspasituationwhich，nomatterhowpainful，mustbemetanddealtwithsomehow。Thewindflappedtheskirtsofherheavycoatabouther。
　　Carldidnotsayanything，butshefelthissympathy。He，too，waslonely。Hewasathin，frailboy，withbroodingdarkeyes，veryquietinallhismovements。Therewasadelicatepallorinhisthinface，andhismouthwastoosensitiveforaboy’s。Thelipshadalreadyalittlecurlofbitternessandskepticism。Thetwofriendsstoodforafewmomentsonthewindystreetcorner，notspeakingaword，astwotravelers，whohavelosttheirway，sometimesstandandadmittheirperplexityinsilence。WhenCarlturnedawayhesaid，"I’llseetoyourteam。"
　　Alexandrawentintothestoretohaveherpur—
　　chasespackedintheegg—boxes，andtogetwarmbeforeshesetoutonherlongcolddrive。
　　WhenshelookedforEmil，shefoundhimsit—
　　tingonastepofthestaircasethatleduptotheclothingandcarpetdepartment。Hewasplay—
　　ingwithalittleBohemiangirl，MarieTovesky，whowastyingherhandkerchiefoverthekit—
　　ten’sheadforabonnet。Mariewasastrangerinthecountry，havingcomefromOmahawithhermothertovisitheruncle，JoeTovesky。Shewasadarkchild，withbrowncurlyhair，likeabrunettedoll’s，acoaxinglittleredmouth，andround，yellow—browneyes。Everyonenoticedhereyes;thebrownirishadgoldenglintsthatmadethemlooklikegold—stone，or，insofterlights，likethatColoradomineralcalledtiger—eye。
　　Thecountrychildrenthereaboutsworetheirdressestotheirshoe—tops，butthiscitychildwasdressedinwhatwasthencalledthe"KateGreenaway"manner，andherredcashmerefrock，gatheredfullfromtheyoke，camealmosttothefloor。This，withherpokebonnet，gaveherthelookofaquaintlittlewoman。ShehadawhitefurtippetaboutherneckandmadenofussyobjectionswhenEmilfingereditadmiringly。Alexandrahadnotthehearttotakehimawayfromsoprettyaplayfellow，andsheletthemteasethekittentogetheruntilJoeToveskycameinnoisilyandpickeduphislittleniece，settingheronhisshoulderforeveryonetosee。Hischildrenwereallboys，andheadoredthislittlecreature。Hiscroniesformedacircleabouthim，admiringandteasingthelittlegirl，whotooktheirjokeswithgreatgoodnature。Theywerealldelightedwithher，fortheyseldomsawsoprettyandcarefullynur—
　　turedachild。Theytoldherthatshemustchooseoneofthemforasweetheart，andeachbeganpressinghissuitandofferingherbribes;
　　candy，andlittlepigs，andspottedcalves。Shelookedarchlyintothebig，brown，mustachedfaces，smellingofspiritsandtobacco，thensheranhertinyforefingerdelicatelyoverJoe’sbristlychinandsaid，"Hereismysweetheart。"
　　TheBohemiansroaredwithlaughter，andMarie’sunclehuggedheruntilshecried，"Pleasedon’t，UncleJoe！Youhurtme。"EachofJoe’sfriendsgaveherabagofcandy，andshekissedthemallaround，thoughshedidnotlikecoun—
　　trycandyverywell。PerhapsthatwaswhyshebethoughtherselfofEmil。"Letmedown，UncleJoe，"shesaid，"IwanttogivesomeofmycandytothatnicelittleboyIfound。"ShewalkedgraciouslyovertoEmil，followedbyherlustyadmirers，whoformedanewcircleandteasedthelittleboyuntilhehidhisfaceinhissister’sskirts，andshehadtoscoldhimforbeingsuchababy。
　　Thefarmpeopleweremakingpreparationstostartforhome。Thewomenwerecheckingovertheirgroceriesandpinningtheirbigredshawlsabouttheirheads。Themenwerebuy—
　　ingtobaccoandcandywithwhatmoneytheyhadleft，wereshowingeachothernewbootsandglovesandblueflannelshirts。ThreebigBohemiansweredrinkingrawalcohol，tincturedwithoilofcinnamon。Thiswassaidtofortifyoneeffectuallyagainstthecold，andtheysmackedtheirlipsaftereachpullattheflask。
　　Theirvolubilitydrownedeveryothernoiseintheplace，andtheoverheatedstoresoundedoftheirspiritedlanguageasitreekedofpipesmoke，dampwoolens，andkerosene。
　　Carlcamein，wearinghisovercoatandcarry—
　　ingawoodenboxwithabrasshandle。"Come，"
　　hesaid，"I’vefedandwateredyourteam，andthewagonisready。"HecarriedEmiloutandtuckedhimdowninthestrawinthewagon—
　　box。Theheathadmadethelittleboysleepy，buthestillclungtohiskitten。
　　"Youwereawfulgoodtoclimbsohighandgetmykitten，Carl。WhenIgetbigI’llclimbandgetlittleboys’kittensforthem，"hemur—
　　mureddrowsily。Beforethehorseswereoverthefirsthill，Emilandhiscatwerebothfastasleep。
　　Althoughitwasonlyfouro’clock，thewinterdaywasfading。Theroadledsouthwest，towardthestreakofpale，waterylightthatglimmeredintheleadensky。Thelightfelluponthetwosadyoungfacesthatwereturnedmutelytowardit：upontheeyesofthegirl，whoseemedtobelookingwithsuchanguishedperplexityintothefuture;uponthesombreeyesoftheboy，whoseemedalreadytobelookingintothepast。
　　Thelittletownbehindthemhadvanishedasifithadneverbeen，hadfallenbehindtheswelloftheprairie，andthesternfrozencountryreceivedthemintoitsbosom。Thehomesteadswerefewandfarapart;hereandthereawind—
　　millgauntagainstthesky，asodhousecrouch—
　　inginahollow。Butthegreatfactwasthelanditself，whichseemedtooverwhelmthelittlebeginningsofhumansocietythatstruggledinitssombrewastes。Itwasfromfacingthisvasthardnessthattheboy’smouthhadbecomesobitter;becausehefeltthatmenweretooweaktomakeanymarkhere，thatthelandwantedtobeletalone，topreserveitsownfiercestrength，itspeculiar，savagekindofbeauty，itsuninterruptedmournfulness。
　　Thewagonjoltedalongoverthefrozenroad。
　　Thetwofriendshadlesstosaytoeachotherthanusual，asifthecoldhadsomehowpene—
　　tratedtotheirhearts。
　　"DidLouandOscargototheBluetocutwoodto—day？"Carlasked。
　　"Yes。I’malmostsorryIletthemgo，it’sturnedsocold。Butmotherfretsifthewoodgetslow。"Shestoppedandputherhandtoherforehead，brushingbackherhair。"Idon’tknowwhatistobecomeofus，Carl，iffatherhastodie。Idon’tdaretothinkaboutit。I
　　wishwecouldallgowithhimandletthegrassgrowbackovereverything。"
　　Carlmadenoreply。JustaheadofthemwastheNorwegiangraveyard，wherethegrasshad，indeed，grownbackovereverything，shaggyandred，hidingeventhewirefence。Carlreal—
　　izedthathewasnotaveryhelpfulcompanion，buttherewasnothinghecouldsay。
　　"Ofcourse，"Alexandrawenton，steadyinghervoicealittle，"theboysarestrongandworkhard，butwe’vealwaysdependedsoonfatherthatIdon’tseehowwecangoahead。Ialmostfeelasiftherewerenothingtogoaheadfor。"
　　"Doesyourfatherknow？"
　　"Yes，Ithinkhedoes。Heliesandcountsonhisfingersallday。Ithinkheistryingtocountupwhatheisleavingforus。It’sacom—
　　forttohimthatmychickensarelayingrightonthroughthecoldweatherandbringinginalittlemoney。Iwishwecouldkeephismindoffsuchthings，butIdon’thavemuchtimetobewithhimnow。"
　　"Iwonderifhe’dliketohavemebringmymagiclanternoversomeevening？"
　　Alexandraturnedherfacetowardhim。"Oh，Carl！Haveyougotit？"
　　"Yes。It’sbackthereinthestraw。Didn’tyounoticetheboxIwascarrying？Itrieditallmorninginthedrug—storecellar，anditworkedeversowell，makesfinebigpictures。"
　　"Whataretheyabout？"
　　"Oh，huntingpicturesinGermany，andRobinsonCrusoeandfunnypicturesaboutcannibals。I’mgoingtopaintsomeslidesforitonglass，outoftheHansAndersenbook。"
　　Alexandraseemedactuallycheered。Thereisoftenagooddealofthechildleftinpeoplewhohavehadtogrowuptoosoon。"Dobringitover，Carl。Icanhardlywaittoseeit，andI’msureitwillpleasefather。Arethepicturescol—
　　ored？ThenIknowhe’lllikethem。HelikesthecalendarsIgethimintown。IwishIcouldgetmore。Youmustleavemehere，mustn’tyou？It’sbeennicetohavecompany。"
　　Carlstoppedthehorsesandlookeddubi—
　　ouslyupattheblacksky。"It’sprettydark。
　　Ofcoursethehorseswilltakeyouhome，butI
　　thinkI’dbetterlightyourlantern，incaseyoushouldneedit。"
　　Hegaveherthereinsandclimbedbackintothewagon—box，wherehecroucheddownandmadeatentofhisovercoat。Afteradozentrialshesucceededinlightingthelantern，whichheplacedinfrontofAlexandra，halfcoveringitwithablanketsothatthelightwouldnotshineinhereyes。"Now，waituntilIfindmybox。Yes，hereitis。Good—night，Alexandra。
　　Trynottoworry。"CarlsprangtothegroundandranoffacrossthefieldstowardtheLinstrumhomestead。"Hoo，hoo—o—o—o！"hecalledbackashedisappearedoveraridgeanddroppedintoasandgully。Thewindansweredhimlikeanecho，"Hoo，hoo—o—o—o—o—o！"Alexandradroveoffalone。Therattleofherwagonwaslostinthehowlingofthewind，butherlantern，heldfirmlybetweenherfeet，madeamovingpointoflightalongthehighway，goingdeeperanddeeperintothedarkcountry。
　　II
　　OnoneoftheridgesofthatwintrywastestoodthelowloghouseinwhichJohnBergsonwasdying。TheBergsonhomesteadwaseasiertofindthanmanyanother，becauseitover—
　　lookedNorwayCreek，ashallow，muddystreamthatsometimesflowed，andsometimesstoodstill，atthebottomofawindingravinewithsteep，shelvingsidesovergrownwithbrushandcottonwoodsanddwarfash。Thiscreekgaveasortofidentitytothefarmsthatbordereduponit。Ofallthebewilderingthingsaboutanewcountry，theabsenceofhumanlandmarksisoneofthemostdepressinganddisheartening。
　　ThehousesontheDivideweresmallandwereusuallytuckedawayinlowplaces;youdidnotseethemuntilyoucamedirectlyuponthem。
　　Mostofthemwerebuiltofthesoditself，andwereonlytheunescapablegroundinanotherform。Theroadswerebutfainttracksinthegrass，andthefieldswerescarcelynoticeable。
　　Therecordoftheplowwasinsignificant，likethefeeblescratchesonstoneleftbyprehistoricraces，soindeterminatethattheymay，afterall，beonlythemarkingsofglaciers，andnotarec—
　　ordofhumanstrivings。
　　InelevenlongyearsJohnBergsonhadmadebutlittleimpressionuponthewildlandhehadcometotame。Itwasstillawildthingthathaditsuglymoods;andnooneknewwhentheywerelikelytocome，orwhy。Mischancehungoverit。ItsGeniuswasunfriendlytoman。Thesickmanwasfeelingthisashelaylookingoutofthewindow，afterthedoctorhadlefthim，onthedayfollowingAlexandra’striptotown。
　　Thereitlayoutsidehisdoor，thesameland，thesamelead—coloredmiles。Hekneweveryridgeanddrawandgullybetweenhimandthehorizon。Tothesouth，hisplowedfields;totheeast，thesodstables，thecattlecorral，thepond，——andthenthegrass。
　　Bergsonwentoverinhismindthethingsthathadheldhimback。Onewinterhiscattlehadperishedinablizzard。Thenextsummeroneofhisplowhorsesbrokeitsleginaprairie—
　　dogholeandhadtobeshot。Anothersummerhelosthishogsfromcholera，andavaluablestalliondiedfromarattlesnakebite。Timeandagainhiscropshadfailed。Hehadlosttwochildren，boys，thatcamebetweenLouandEmil，andtherehadbeenthecostofsicknessanddeath。Now，whenhehadatlaststruggledoutofdebt，hewasgoingtodiehimself。Hewasonlyforty—six，andhad，ofcourse，counteduponmoretime。
　　BergsonhadspenthisfirstfiveyearsontheDividegettingintodebt，andthelastsixgettingout。Hehadpaidoffhismortgagesandhadendedprettymuchwherehebegan，withtheland。Heownedexactlysixhundredandfortyacresofwhatstretchedoutsidehisdoor;hisownoriginalhomesteadandtimberclaim，makingthreehundredandtwentyacres，andthehalf—
　　sectionadjoining，thehomesteadofayoungerbrotherwhohadgivenupthefight，gonebacktoChicagotoworkinafancybakeryanddis—
　　tinguishhimselfinaSwedishathleticclub。SofarJohnhadnotattemptedtocultivatethesecondhalf—section，butuseditforpastureland，andoneofhissonsrodeherdthereinopenweather。
　　JohnBergsonhadtheOld—Worldbeliefthatland，initself，isdesirable。Butthislandwasanenigma。Itwaslikeahorsethatnooneknowshowtobreaktoharness，thatrunswildandkicksthingstopieces。Hehadanideathatnooneunderstoodhowtofarmitproperly，andthisheoftendiscussedwithAlexandra。Theirneighbors，certainly，knewevenlessaboutfarmingthanhedid。Manyofthemhadneverworkedonafarmuntiltheytookuptheirhomesteads。TheyhadbeenHANDWERKERS
　　athome;tailors，locksmiths，joiners，cigar—
　　makers，etc。Bergsonhimselfhadworkedinashipyard。
　　Forweeks，JohnBergsonhadbeenthinkingaboutthesethings。Hisbedstoodinthesitting—
　　room，nexttothekitchen。Throughtheday，whilethebakingandwashingandironingweregoingon，thefatherlayandlookedupattheroofbeamsthathehimselfhadhewn，oroutatthecattleinthecorral。Hecountedthecattleoverandover。Itdivertedhimtospeculateastohowmuchweighteachofthesteerswouldprobablyputonbyspring。Heoftencalledhisdaughterintotalktoheraboutthis。BeforeAlexandrawastwelveyearsoldshehadbeguntobeahelptohim，andasshegrewolderhehadcometodependmoreandmoreuponherresourcefulnessandgoodjudgment。Hisboyswerewillingenoughtowork，butwhenhetalkedwiththemtheyusuallyirritatedhim。ItwasAlexandrawhoreadthepapersandfol—
　　lowedthemarkets，andwholearnedbythemis—
　　takesoftheirneighbors。ItwasAlexandrawhocouldalwaystellaboutwhatithadcosttofat—
　　teneachsteer，andwhocouldguesstheweightofahogbeforeitwentonthescalescloserthanJohnBergsonhimself。LouandOscarwerein—
　　dustrious，buthecouldneverteachthemtousetheirheadsabouttheirwork。
　　Alexandra，herfatheroftensaidtohimself，waslikehergrandfather;whichwashiswayofsayingthatshewasintelligent。JohnBergson’sfatherhadbeenashipbuilder，amanofconsid—
　　erableforceandofsomefortune。Lateinlifehemarriedasecondtime，aStockholmwomanofquestionablecharacter，muchyoungerthanhe，whogoadedhimintoeverysortofextrava—
　　gance。Ontheshipbuilder’spart，thismarriagewasaninfatuation，thedespairingfollyofapowerfulmanwhocannotbeartogrowold。
　　Inafewyearshisunprincipledwifewarpedtheprobityofalifetime。Hespeculated，losthisownfortuneandfundsentrustedtohimbypoorseafaringmen，anddieddisgraced，leav—
　　inghischildrennothing。Butwhenallwassaid，hehadcomeupfromtheseahimself，hadbuiltupaproudlittlebusinesswithnocapitalbuthisownskillandforesight，andhadprovedhimselfaman。Inhisdaughter，JohnBergsonrecog—
　　nizedthestrengthofwill，andthesimpledirectwayofthinkingthingsout，thathadcharac—
　　terizedhisfatherinhisbetterdays。Hewouldmuchrather，ofcourse，haveseenthislikenessinoneofhissons，butitwasnotaquestionofchoice。Ashelaytheredayafterdayhehadtoacceptthesituationasitwas，andtobethank—
　　fulthattherewasoneamonghischildrentowhomhecouldentrustthefutureofhisfamilyandthepossibilitiesofhishard—wonland。
　　Thewintertwilightwasfading。Thesickmanheardhiswifestrikeamatchinthekitchen，andthelightofalampglimmeredthroughthecracksofthedoor。Itseemedlikealightshin—
　　ingfaraway。Heturnedpainfullyinhisbedandlookedathiswhitehands，withalltheworkgoneoutofthem。Hewasreadytogiveup，hefelt。Hedidnotknowhowithadcomeabout，buthewasquitewillingtogodeepun—
　　derhisfieldsandrest，wheretheplowcouldnotfindhim。Hewastiredofmakingmistakes。Hewascontenttoleavethetangletootherhands;
　　hethoughtofhisAlexandra’sstrongones。
　　"DOTTER，"hecalledfeebly，"DOTTER！"Heheardherquickstepandsawhertallfigureappearinthedoorway，withthelightofthelampbehindher。Hefeltheryouthandstrength，howeasilyshemovedandstoopedandlifted。Buthewouldnothavehaditagainifhecould，nothe！Heknewtheendtoowelltowishtobeginagain。Heknewwhereitallwentto，whatitallbecame。
　　Hisdaughtercameandliftedhimuponhispillows。ShecalledhimbyanoldSwedishnamethatsheusedtocallhimwhenshewaslittleandtookhisdinnertohimintheshipyard。
　　"Telltheboystocomehere，daughter。I
　　wanttospeaktothem。"
　　"Theyarefeedingthehorses，father。TheyhavejustcomebackfromtheBlue。ShallI
　　callthem？"
　　Hesighed。"No，no。Waituntiltheycomein。Alexandra，youwillhavetodothebestyoucanforyourbrothers。Everythingwillcomeonyou。"
　　"IwilldoallIcan，father。"
　　"Don’tletthemgetdiscouragedandgoofflikeUncleOtto。Iwantthemtokeeptheland。"
　　"Wewill，father。Wewillneverlosetheland。"
　　Therewasasoundofheavyfeetinthekitchen。Alexandrawenttothedoorandbeck—
　　onedtoherbrothers，twostrappingboysofseventeenandnineteen。Theycameinandstoodatthefootofthebed。Theirfatherlookedatthemsearchingly，thoughitwastoodarktoseetheirfaces;theywerejustthesameboys，hetoldhimself，hehadnotbeenmistakeninthem。
　　ThesquareheadandheavyshouldersbelongedtoOscar，theelder。Theyoungerboywasquicker，butvacillating。
　　"Boys，"saidthefatherwearily，"Iwantyoutokeepthelandtogetherandtobeguidedbyyoursister。IhavetalkedtohersinceIhavebeensick，andsheknowsallmywishes。I
　　wantnoquarrelsamongmychildren，andsolongasthereisonehousetheremustbeonehead。Alexandraistheoldest，andsheknowsmywishes。Shewilldothebestshecan。Ifshemakesmistakes，shewillnotmakesomanyasIhavemade。Whenyoumarry，andwantahouseofyourown，thelandwillbedividedfairly，accordingtothecourts。Butforthenextfewyearsyouwillhaveithard，andyoumustallkeeptogether。Alexandrawillmanagethebestshecan。"
　　Oscar，whowasusuallythelasttospeak，repliedbecausehewastheolder，"Yes，father。
　　Itwouldbesoanyway，withoutyourspeaking。
　　Wewillallworktheplacetogether。"
　　"Andyouwillbeguidedbyyoursister，boys，andbegoodbrotherstoher，andgoodsonstoyourmother？Thatisgood。AndAlexandramustnotworkinthefieldsanymore。Thereisnonecessitynow。Hireamanwhenyouneedhelp。Shecanmakemuchmorewithhereggsandbutterthanthewagesofaman。ItwasoneofmymistakesthatIdidnotfindthatoutsooner。Trytobreakalittlemorelandeveryyear;sodcornisgoodforfodder。Keepturningtheland，andalwaysputupmorehaythanyouneed。Don’tgrudgeyourmotheralittletimeforplowinghergardenandsettingoutfruittrees，evenifitcomesinabusyseason。Shehasbeenagoodmothertoyou，andshehasalwaysWhentheywentbacktothekitchentheboyssatdownsilentlyatthetable。Throughoutthemealtheylookeddownattheirplatesanddidnotlifttheirredeyes。Theydidnoteatmuch，althoughtheyhadbeenworkinginthecoldallday，andtherewasarabbitstewedingravyforsupper，andprunepies。
　　JohnBergsonhadmarriedbeneathhim，buthehadmarriedagoodhousewife。Mrs。Berg—
　　sonwasafair—skinned，corpulentwoman，heavyandplacidlikeherson，Oscar，buttherewassomethingcomfortableabouther;perhapsitwasherownloveofcomfort。Forelevenyearsshehadworthilystriventomaintainsomesem—
　　blanceofhouseholdorderamidconditionsthatmadeorderverydifficult。HabitwasverystrongwithMrs。Bergson，andherunremittingeffortstorepeattheroutineofheroldlifeamongnewsurroundingshaddoneagreatdealtokeepthefamilyfromdisintegratingmorallyandget—
　　tingcarelessintheirways。TheBergsonshadaloghouse，forinstance，onlybecauseMrs。
　　Bergsonwouldnotliveinasodhouse。Shemissedthefishdietofherowncountry，andtwiceeverysummershesenttheboystotheriver，twentymilestothesouthward，tofishforchannelcat。Whenthechildrenwerelittlesheusedtoloadthemallintothewagon，thebabyinitscrib，andgofishingherself。
　　Alexandraoftensaidthatifhermotherwerecastuponadesertisland，shewouldthankGodforherdeliverance，makeagarden，andfindsomethingtopreserve。PreservingwasalmostamaniawithMrs。Bergson。Stoutasshewas，sheroamedthescrubbybanksofNorwayCreeklookingforfoxgrapesandgooseplums，likeawildcreatureinsearchofprey。Shemadeayel—
　　lowjamoftheinsipidground—cherriesthatgrewontheprairie，flavoringitwithlemonpeel;andshemadeastickydarkconserveofgardentoma—
　　toes。Shehadexperimentedevenwiththerankbuffalo—pea，andshecouldnotseeafinebronzeclusterofthemwithoutshakingherheadandmurmuring，"Whatapity！"Whentherewasnothingmoretopreserve，shebegantopickle。
　　Theamountofsugarsheusedintheseprocesseswassometimesaseriousdrainuponthefamilyresources。Shewasagoodmother，butshewasgladwhenherchildrenwereoldenoughnottobeinherwayinthekitchen。ShehadneverquiteforgivenJohnBergsonforbringinghertotheendoftheearth;but，nowthatshewasthere，shewantedtobeletalonetoreconstructheroldlifeinsofarasthatwaspossible。Shecouldstilltakesomecomfortintheworldifshehadbaconinthecave，glassjarsontheshelves，andsheetsinthepress。Shedisap—
　　provedofallherneighborsbecauseoftheirslovenlyhousekeeping，andthewomenthoughtherveryproud。OncewhenMrs。Bergson，onherwaytoNorwayCreek，stoppedtoseeoldMrs。Lee，theoldwomanhidinthehaymow"forfearMis’Bergsonwouldcatchherbare—
　　foot。"
　　III
　　OneSundayafternooninJuly，sixmonthsafterJohnBergson’sdeath，CarlwassittinginthedoorwayoftheLinstrumkitchen，dreamingoveranillustratedpaper，whenheheardtherattleofawagonalongthehillroad。LookingupherecognizedtheBergsons’team，withtwoseatsinthewagon，whichmeanttheywereoffforapleasureexcursion。OscarandLou，onthefrontseat，woretheirclothhatsandcoats，neverwornexceptonSundays，andEmil，onthesecondseatwithAlexandra，satproudlyinhisnewtrousers，madefromapairofhisfather’s，andapink—stripedshirt，withawideruffledcollar。OscarstoppedthehorsesandwavedtoCarl，whocaughtuphishatandranthroughthemelonpatchtojointhem。
　　"Wanttogowithus？"Loucalled。"We’regoingtoCrazyIvar’stobuyahammock。"
　　"Sure。"Carlranuppanting，andclamber—
　　ingoverthewheelsatdownbesideEmil。"I’vealwayswantedtoseeIvar’spond。Theysayit’sthebiggestinallthecountry。Aren’tyouafraidtogotoIvar’sinthatnewshirt，Emil？
　　Hemightwantitandtakeitrightoffyourback。"
　　Emilgrinned。"I’dbeawfulscaredtogo，"
　　headmitted，"ifyoubigboysweren’talongtotakecareofme。Didyoueverhearhimhowl，Carl？PeoplesaysometimesherunsaboutthecountryhowlingatnightbecauseheisafraidtheLordwilldestroyhim。Motherthinkshemusthavedonesomethingawfulwicked。"
　　LoulookedbackandwinkedatCarl。"Whatwouldyoudo，Emil，ifyouwasoutontheprairiebyyourselfandseenhimcoming？"
　　Emilstared。"MaybeIcouldhideinabadger—hole，"hesuggesteddoubtfully。
　　"Butsupposetherewasn’tanybadger—hole，"
　　Loupersisted。"Wouldyourun？"
　　"No，I’dbetooscaredtorun，"Emilad—
　　mittedmournfully，twistinghisfingers。"I
　　guessI’dsitrightdownonthegroundandsaymyprayers。"
　　Thebigboyslaughed，andOscarbrandishedhiswhipoverthebroadbacksofthehorses。
　　"Hewouldn’thurtyou，Emil，"saidCarlpersuasively。"Hecametodoctorourmarewhensheategreencornandswelledupmostasbigasthewater—tank。Hepettedherjustlikeyoudoyourcats。Icouldn’tunderstandmuchhesaid，forhedon’ttalkanyEnglish，buthekeptpattingherandgroaningasifhehadthepainhimself，andsaying，’Therenow，sister，that’seasier，that’sbetter！’"
　　LouandOscarlaughed，andEmilgiggleddelightedlyandlookedupathissister。
　　"Idon’tthinkheknowsanythingatallaboutdoctoring，"saidOscarscornfully。"Theysaywhenhorseshavedistemperhetakesthemedicinehimself，andthenpraysoverthehorses。"
　　Alexandraspokeup。"That’swhattheCrowssaid，buthecuredtheirhorses，allthesame。Somedayshismindiscloudy，like。Butifyoucangethimonaclearday，youcanlearnagreatdealfromhim。Heunderstandsani—
　　mals。Didn’tIseehimtakethehornofftheBerquist’scowwhenshehadtornitlooseandwentcrazy？Shewastearingallovertheplace，knockingherselfagainstthings。Andatlastsheranoutontheroofoftheolddugoutandherlegswentthroughandthereshestuck，bel—
　　lowing。Ivarcamerunningwithhiswhitebag，andthemomenthegottohershewasquietandlethimsawherhornoffanddaubtheplacewithtar。"
　　Emilhadbeenwatchinghissister，hisfacereflectingthesufferingsofthecow。"Andthendidn’tithurtheranymore？"heasked。
　　Alexandrapattedhim。"No，notanymore。
　　Andintwodaystheycouldusehermilkagain。"
　　TheroadtoIvar’shomesteadwasaverypoorone。Hehadsettledintheroughcountryacrossthecountyline，wherenoonelivedbutsomeRussians，——halfadozenfamilieswhodwelttogetherinonelonghouse，dividedofflikebarracks。Ivarhadexplainedhischoicebysayingthatthefewerneighborshehad，thefewertemptations。Nevertheless，whenoneconsideredthathischiefbusinesswashorse—
　　doctoring，itseemedrathershort—sightedofhimtoliveinthemostinaccessibleplacehecouldfind。TheBergsonwagonlurchedalongovertheroughhummocksandgrassbanks，fol—
　　lowedthebottomofwindingdraws，orskirtedthemarginofwidelagoons，wherethegoldencoreopsisgrewupoutoftheclearwaterandthewildducksrosewithawhirrofwings。
　　Loulookedafterthemhelplessly。"IwishI’dbroughtmygun，anyway，Alexandra，"hesaidfretfully。"Icouldhavehiddenitunderthestrawinthebottomofthewagon。"
　　"Thenwe’dhavehadtolietoIvar。Besides，theysayhecansmelldeadbirds。Andifheknew，wewouldn’tgetanythingoutofhim，notevenahammock。Iwanttotalktohim，andhewon’ttalksenseifhe’sangry。Itmakeshimfoolish。"
　　Lousniffed。"Whoeverheardofhimtalkingsense，anyhow！I’dratherhaveducksforsup—
　　perthanCrazyIvar’stongue。"
　　Emilwasalarmed。"Oh，but，Lou，youdon’twanttomakehimmad！Hemighthowl！"
　　Theyalllaughedagain，andOscarurgedthehorsesupthecrumblingsideofaclaybank。
　　Theyhadleftthelagoonsandtheredgrassbehindthem。InCrazyIvar’scountrythegrasswasshortandgray，thedrawsdeeperthantheywereintheBergsons’neighborhood，andthelandwasallbrokenupintohillocksandclayridges。Thewildflowersdisappeared，andonlyinthebottomofthedrawsandgulliesgrewafewoftheverytoughestandhardiest：
　　shoestring，andironweed，andsnow—on—the—
　　mountain。
　　"Look，look，Emil，there’sIvar’sbigpond！"
　　Alexandrapointedtoashiningsheetofwaterthatlayatthebottomofashallowdraw。
　　Atoneendofthepondwasanearthendam，plantedwithgreenwillowbushes，andaboveitadoorandasinglewindowweresetintothehillside。Youwouldnothaveseenthematallbutforthereflectionofthesunlightuponthefourpanesofwindow—glass。Andthatwasallyousaw。Notashed，notacorral，notawell，notevenapathbrokeninthecurlygrass。Butforthepieceofrustystovepipestickingupthroughthesod，youcouldhavewalkedovertheroofofIvar’sdwellingwithoutdreamingthatyouwerenearahumanhabitation。Ivarhadlivedforthreeyearsintheclaybank，with—
　　outdefilingthefaceofnatureanymorethanthecoyotethathadlivedtherebeforehimhaddone。
　　WhentheBergsonsdroveoverthehill，Ivarwassittinginthedoorwayofhishouse，readingtheNorwegianBible。Hewasaqueerlyshapedoldman，withathick，powerfulbodysetonshortbow—legs。Hisshaggywhitehair，fallinginathickmaneabouthisruddycheeks，madehimlookolderthanhewas。Hewasbarefoot，butheworeacleanshirtofunbleachedcotton，openattheneck。HealwaysputonacleanshirtwhenSundaymorningcameround，thoughheneverwenttochurch。Hehadapeculiarreligionofhisownandcouldnotgetonwithanyofthedenominations。Oftenhedidnotseeanybodyfromoneweek’sendtoanother。Hekeptacalendar，andeverymorninghecheckedoffaday，sothathewasneverinanydoubtastowhichdayoftheweekitwas。Ivarhiredhim—
　　selfoutinthreshingandcorn—huskingtime，andhedoctoredsickanimalswhenhewassentfor。Whenhewasathome，hemadeham—
　　mocksoutoftwineandcommittedchaptersoftheBibletomemory。
　　Ivarfoundcontentmentinthesolitudehehadsoughtoutforhimself。Hedislikedthelitterofhumandwellings：thebrokenfood，thebitsofbrokenchina，theoldwash—boilersandtea—kettlesthrownintothesunflowerpatch。
　　Hepreferredthecleannessandtidinessofthewildsod。Healwayssaidthatthebadgershadcleanerhousesthanpeople，andthatwhenhetookahousekeeperhernamewouldbeMrs。
　　Badger。HebestexpressedhispreferenceforhiswildhomesteadbysayingthathisBibleseemedtruertohimthere。Ifonestoodinthedoorwayofhiscave，andlookedoffattheroughland，thesmilingsky，thecurlygrasswhiteinthehotsunlight;ifonelistenedtotherapturoussongofthelark，thedrummingofthequail，theburrofthelocustagainstthatvastsilence，oneunderstoodwhatIvarmeant。
　　OnthisSundayafternoonhisfaceshonewithhappiness。Heclosedthebookonhisknee，keepingtheplacewithhishornyfinger，andHesendeththespringsintothevalleys，whichrunamongthehills;
　　Theygivedrinktoeverybeastofthefield;thewildassesquenchtheirthirst。
　　ThetreesoftheLordarefullofsap;thecedarsofLebanonwhichhehathplanted;
　　Wherethebirdsmaketheirnests：asforthestork，thefirtreesareherhouse。
　　Thehighhillsarearefugeforthewildgoats;andtherocksfortheconies。
　　repeatedsoftly：——
　　BeforeheopenedhisBibleagain，IvarheardtheBergsons’wagonapproaching，andhesprangupandrantowardit。
　　"Noguns，noguns！"heshouted，wavinghisarmsdistractedly。
　　"No，Ivar，noguns，"Alexandracalledreas—
　　suringly。
　　Hedroppedhisarmsandwentuptothewagon，smilingamiablyandlookingatthemoutofhispaleblueeyes。
　　"Wewanttobuyahammock，ifyouhaveone，"Alexandraexplained，"andmylittlebrother，here，wantstoseeyourbigpond，wheresomanybirdscome。"
　　Ivarsmiledfoolishly，andbeganrubbingthehorses’nosesandfeelingabouttheirmouthsbehindthebits。"Notmanybirdsjustnow。
　　Afewducksthismorning;andsomesnipecometodrink。Buttherewasacranelastweek。
　　Shespentonenightandcamebackthenextevening。Idon’tknowwhy。Itisnothersea—
　　son，ofcourse。Manyofthemgooverinthefall。Thenthepondisfullofstrangevoiceseverynight。"
　　AlexandratranslatedforCarl，wholookedthoughtful。"Askhim，Alexandra，ifitistruethataseagullcamehereonce。Ihaveheardso。"
　　Shehadsomedifficultyinmakingtheoldmanunderstand。
　　Helookedpuzzledatfirst，thensmotehishandstogetherasheremembered。"Oh，yes，yes！Abigwhitebirdwithlongwingsandpinkfeet。My！whatavoiceshehad！Shecameintheafternoonandkeptflyingaboutthepondandscreaminguntildark。Shewasintroubleofsomesort，butIcouldnotunderstandher。
　　Shewasgoingovertotheotherocean，maybe，anddidnotknowhowfaritwas。Shewasafraidofnevergettingthere。Shewasmoremournfulthanourbirdshere;shecriedinthenight。Shesawthelightfrommywindowanddarteduptoit。Maybeshethoughtmyhousewasaboat，shewassuchawildthing。Nextmorning，whenthesunrose，Iwentouttotakeherfood，butsheflewupintotheskyandwentonherway。"Ivarranhisfingersthroughhisthickhair。"Ihavemanystrangebirdsstopwithmehere。Theycomefromveryfarawayandaregreatcompany。Ihopeyouboysnevershootwildbirds？"
　　LouandOscargrinned，andIvarshookhisbushyhead。"Yes，Iknowboysarethoughtless。
　　ButthesewildthingsareGod’sbirds。Hewatchesoverthemandcountsthem，aswedoourcattle;ChristsayssointheNewTesta—
　　ment。"
　　"Now，Ivar，"Louasked，"maywewaterourhorsesatyourpondandgivethemsomefeed？It’sabadroadtoyourplace。"
　　"Yes，yes，itis。"Theoldmanscrambledaboutandbegantoloosethetugs。"Abadroad，eh，girls？Andthebaywithacoltathome！"
　　Oscarbrushedtheoldmanaside。"We’lltakecareofthehorses，Ivar。You’llbefindingsomediseaseonthem。Alexandrawantstoseeyourhammocks。"
　　IvarledAlexandraandEmiltohislittlecavehouse。Hehadbutoneroom，neatlyplas—
　　teredandwhitewashed，andtherewasawoodenfloor。Therewasakitchenstove，atablecov—
　　eredwithoilcloth，twochairs，aclock，acalen—
　　dar，afewbooksonthewindow—shelf;nothingmore。Buttheplacewasascleanasacup—
　　board。
　　"Butwheredoyousleep，Ivar？"Emilasked，lookingabout。
　　Ivarunslungahammockfromahookonthewall;initwasrolledabuffalorobe。"There，myson。Ahammockisagoodbed，andinwinterIwrapupinthisskin。WhereIgotowork，thebedsarenothalfsoeasyasthis。"
　　BythistimeEmilhadlostallhistimidity。
　　Hethoughtacaveaverysuperiorkindofhouse。TherewassomethingpleasantlyunusualaboutitandaboutIvar。"Dothebirdsknowyouwillbekindtothem，Ivar？Isthatwhysomanycome？"heasked。
　　Ivarsatdownonthefloorandtuckedhisfeetunderhim。"See，littlebrother，theyhavecomefromalongway，andtheyareverytired。
　　Fromuptherewheretheyareflying，ourcoun—
　　trylooksdarkandflat。Theymusthavewatertodrinkandtobatheinbeforetheycangoonwiththeirjourney。Theylookthiswayandthat，andfarbelowthemtheyseesomethingshining，likeapieceofglasssetinthedarkearth。Thatismypond。Theycometoitandarenotdisturbed。MaybeIsprinklealittlecorn。Theytelltheotherbirds，andnextyearmorecomethisway。Theyhavetheirroadsupthere，aswehavedownhere。"
　　Emilrubbedhiskneesthoughtfully。"Andisthattrue，Ivar，abouttheheadducksfallingbackwhentheyaretired，andthehindonestakingtheirplace？"
　　"Yes。Thepointofthewedgegetstheworstofit;theycutthewind。Theycanonlystandtherealittlewhile——halfanhour，maybe。
　　Thentheyfallbackandthewedgesplitsalittle，whiletherearonescomeupthemiddletothefront。Thenitclosesupandtheyflyon，withanewedge。Theyarealwayschanginglikethat，upintheair。Neveranyconfusion;justlikesoldierswhohavebeendrilled。"
　　Alexandrahadselectedherhammockbythetimetheboyscameupfromthepond。Theywouldnotcomein，butsatintheshadeofthebankoutsidewhileAlexandraandIvartalkedaboutthebirdsandabouthishousekeeping，andwhyheneveratemeat，freshorsalt。
　　Alexandrawassittingononeofthewoodenchairs，herarmsrestingonthetable。Ivarwassittingontheflooratherfeet。"Ivar，"shesaidsuddenly，beginningtotracethepatternontheoilclothwithherforefinger，"Icameto—daymorebecauseIwantedtotalktoyouthanbe—
　　causeIwantedtobuyahammock。"
　　"Yes？"Theoldmanscrapedhisbarefeetontheplankfloor。
　　"Wehaveabigbunchofhogs，Ivar。I
　　wouldn’tsellinthespring，wheneverybodyadvisedmeto，andnowsomanypeoplearelosingtheirhogsthatIamfrightened。Whatcanbedone？"
　　Ivar’slittleeyesbegantoshine。Theylosttheirvagueness。
　　"Youfeedthemswillandsuchstuff？Ofcourse！Andsourmilk？Oh，yes！Andkeeptheminastinkingpen？Itellyou，sister，thehogsofthiscountryareputupon！Theybe—
　　comeunclean，likethehogsintheBible。Ifyoukeptyourchickenslikethat，whatwouldhap—
　　pen？Youhavealittlesorghumpatch，maybe？
　　Putafencearoundit，andturnthehogsin。
　　Buildashedtogivethemshade，athatchonpoles。Lettheboyshaulwatertotheminbar—
　　rels，cleanwater，andplenty。Getthemofftheoldstinkingground，anddonotletthemgobackthereuntilwinter。Givethemonlygrainandcleanfeed，suchasyouwouldgivehorsesorcattle。Hogsdonotliketobefilthy。"
　　Theboysoutsidethedoorhadbeenlistening。
　　Lounudgedhisbrother。"Come，thehorsesaredoneeating。Let’shitchupandgetoutofhere。He’llfillherfullofnotions。She’llbeforhavingthepigssleepwithus，next。"
　　Oscargruntedandgotup。Carl，whocouldnotunderstandwhatIvarsaid，sawthatthetwoboysweredispleased。Theydidnotmindhardwork，buttheyhatedexperimentsandcouldneverseetheuseoftakingpains。EvenLou，whowasmoreelasticthanhisolderbro—
　　ther，dislikedtodoanythingdifferentfromtheirneighbors。Hefeltthatitmadethemconspicuousandgavepeopleachancetotalkaboutthem。
　　Oncetheywereonthehomewardroad，theboysforgottheirill—humorandjokedaboutIvarandhisbirds。Alexandradidnotproposeanyreformsinthecareofthepigs，andtheyhopedshehadforgottenIvar’stalk。Theyagreedthathewascrazierthanever，andwouldneverbeabletoproveuponhislandbecauseheworkeditsolittle。AlexandraprivatelyresolvedthatshewouldhaveatalkwithIvaraboutthisandstirhimup。TheboyspersuadedCarltostayforsupperandgoswimminginthepasturepondafterdark。
　　Thatevening，aftershehadwashedthesup—
　　perdishes，Alexandrasatdownonthekitchendoorstep，whilehermotherwasmixingthebread。Itwasastill，deep—breathingsummernight，fullofthesmellofthehayfields。Soundsoflaughterandsplashingcameupfromthepasture，andwhenthemoonroserapidlyabovethebarerimoftheprairie，thepondglitteredlikepolishedmetal，andshecouldseetheflashofwhitebodiesastheboysranabouttheedge，orjumpedintothewater。Alexandrawatchedtheshimmeringpooldreamily，buteventuallyhereyeswentbacktothesorghumpatchsouthofthebarn，whereshewasplanningtomakehernewpigcorral。
　　IV
　　ForthefirstthreeyearsafterJohnBergson’sdeath，theaffairsofhisfamilyprospered。ThencamethehardtimesthatbroughteveryoneontheDividetothebrinkofdespair;threeyearsofdrouthandfailure，thelaststruggleofawildsoilagainsttheencroachingplowshare。ThefirstofthesefruitlesssummerstheBergsonboysborecourageously。Thefailureofthecorncropmadelaborcheap。LouandOscarhiredtwomenandputinbiggercropsthaneverbefore。Theylosteverythingtheyspent。Thewholecountrywasdiscouraged。Farmerswhowerealreadyindebthadtogiveuptheirland。Afewforeclosuresdemoralizedthecounty。Thesettlerssataboutonthewoodensidewalksinthelittletownandtoldeachotherthatthecountrywasnevermeantformentolivein;thethingtodowastogetbacktoIowa，toIllinois，toanyplacethathadbeenprovedhabitable。TheBergsonboys，certainly，wouldhavebeenhappierwiththeiruncleOtto，inthebakeryshopinChicago。Likemostoftheirneighbors，theyweremeanttofollowinpathsalreadymarkedoutforthem，nottobreaktrailsinanewcountry。Asteadyjob，afewholidays，nothingtothinkabout，andtheywouldhavebeenveryhappy。Itwasnofaultoftheirsthattheyhadbeendraggedintothewildernesswhentheywerelittleboys。A
　　pioneershouldhaveimagination，shouldbeabletoenjoytheideaofthingsmorethanthethingsthemselves。
　　Thesecondofthesebarrensummerswaspassing。OneSeptemberafternoonAlexandrahadgoneovertothegardenacrossthedrawtodigsweetpotatoes——theyhadbeenthrivingupontheweatherthatwasfataltoeverythingelse。ButwhenCarlLinstrumcameupthegardenrowstofindher，shewasnotworking。
　　Shewasstandinglostinthought，leaninguponherpitchfork，hersunbonnetlyingbesideherontheground。Thedrygardenpatchsmelledofdryingvinesandwasstrewnwithyellowseed—cucumbersandpumpkinsandcitrons。
　　Atoneend，nexttherhubarb，grewfeatheryasparagus，withredberries。Downthemiddleofthegardenwasarowofgooseberryandcur—
　　rantbushes。AfewtoughzeniasandmarigoldsandarowofscarletsageborewitnesstothebucketsofwaterthatMrs。Bergsonhadcarriedthereaftersundown，againsttheprohibitionofhersons。Carlcamequietlyandslowlyupthegardenpath，lookingintentlyatAlexandra。
　　Shedidnothearhim。Shewasstandingper—
　　fectlystill，withthatseriouseasesocharacter—
　　isticofher。Herthick，reddishbraids，twistedaboutherhead，fairlyburnedinthesunlight。