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