Alexandraconfessedshedidn’tknow。
　　"However，"sheadded，"itseemstomethatyougetalongwithFrankaboutaswellasanywomanI’veeverseenorheardofcould。"
　　Marieshookherhead，pursingherlipsandblowingherwarmbreathsoftlyoutintothefrostyair。"No;Iwasspoiledathome。Ilikemyownway，andIhaveaquicktongue。WhenFrankbrags，Isaysharpthings，andheneverforgets。Hegoesoverandoveritinhismind;
　　Icanfeelhim。ThenI’mtoogiddy。Frank’swifeoughttobetimid，andsheoughtnottocareaboutanotherlivingthingintheworldbutjustFrank！Ididn’t，whenImarriedhim，butIsupposeIwastooyoungtostaylikethat。"
　　Mariesighed。
　　AlexandrahadneverheardMariespeaksofranklyaboutherhusbandbefore，andshefeltthatitwaswisernottoencourageher。Nogood，shereasoned，evercamefromtalkingaboutsuchthings，andwhileMariewasthink—
　　ingaloud，Alexandrahadbeensteadilysearch—
　　ingthehat—boxes。"Aren’tthesethepat—
　　terns，Maria？"
　　Mariasprangupfromthefloor。"Sureenough，wewerelookingforpatterns，weren’twe？I’dforgotabouteverythingbutFrank’sotherwife。I’llputthataway。"
　　ShepokedthecanebehindFrank’sSundayclothes，andthoughshelaughed，Alexandrasawthereweretearsinhereyes。
　　Whentheywentbacktothekitchen，thesnowhadbeguntofall，andMarie’svisitorsthoughttheymustbegettinghome。Shewentouttothecartwiththem，andtuckedtherobesaboutoldMrs。LeewhileAlexandratooktheblanketoffherhorse。Astheydroveaway，Marieturnedandwentslowlybacktothehouse。ShetookupthepackageoflettersAlexandrahadbrought，butshedidnotreadthem。Sheturnedthemoverandlookedattheforeignstamps，andthensatwatchingthefly—
　　ingsnowwhiletheduskdeepenedinthekitchenandthestovesentoutaredglow。
　　MarieknewperfectlywellthatEmil’sletterswerewrittenmoreforherthanforAlexandra。
　　Theywerenotthesortoflettersthatayoungmanwritestohissister。Theywerebothmorepersonalandmorepainstaking;fullofdescrip—
　　tionsofthegaylifeintheoldMexicancapitalinthedayswhenthestronghandofPorfirioDiazwasstillstrong。Hetoldaboutbull—fightsandcock—fights，churchesandFIESTAS，theflower—
　　marketsandthefountains，themusicanddan—
　　cing，thepeopleofallnationshemetintheItalianrestaurantsonSanFranciscoStreet。Inshort，theywerethekindoflettersayoungmanwritestoawomanwhenhewisheshimselfandhislifetoseeminterestingtoher，whenhewishestoenlistherimaginationinhisbehalf。
　　Marie，whenshewasaloneorwhenshesatsewingintheevening，oftenthoughtaboutwhatitmustbelikedowntherewhereEmilwas;wheretherewereflowersandstreetbandseverywhere，andcarriagesrattlingupanddown，andwheretherewasalittleblindboot—
　　blackinfrontofthecathedralwhocouldplayanytuneyouaskedforbydroppingthelidsofblacking—boxesonthestonesteps。Wheneverythingisdoneandoverforoneattwenty—
　　three，itispleasanttoletthemindwanderforthandfollowayoungadventurerwhohaslifebeforehim。"Andifithadnotbeenforme，"shethought，"Frankmightstillbefreelikethat，andhavingagoodtimemakingpeo—
　　pleadmirehim。PoorFrank，gettingmarriedwasn’tverygoodforhimeither。I’mafraidI
　　dosetpeopleagainsthim，ashesays。Iseem，somehow，togivehimawayallthetime。Per—
　　hapshewouldtrytobeagreeabletopeopleagain，ifIwerenotaround。ItseemsasifI
　　alwaysmakehimjustasbadashecanbe。"
　　Laterinthewinter，AlexandralookedbackuponthatafternoonasthelastsatisfactoryvisitshehadhadwithMarie。Afterthatdaytheyoungerwomanseemedtoshrinkmoreandmoreintoherself。WhenshewaswithAlexan—
　　drashewasnotspontaneousandfrankassheusedtobe。Sheseemedtobebroodingoversomething，andholdingsomethingback。Theweatherhadagooddealtodowiththeirseeinglessofeachotherthanusual。Therehadnotbeensuchsnowstormsintwentyyears，andthepathacrossthefieldswasdrifteddeepfromChrist—
　　masuntilMarch。Whenthetwoneighborswenttoseeeachother，theyhadtogoroundbythewagon—road，whichwastwiceasfar。Theytele—
　　phonedeachotheralmosteverynight，thoughinJanuarytherewasastretchofthreeweekswhenthewiresweredown，andwhenthepost—
　　mandidnotcomeatall。
　　Marieoftenranintoseehernearestneigh—
　　bor，oldMrs。Hiller，whowascrippledwithrheumatismandhadonlyherson，thelameshoemaker，totakecareofher;andshewenttotheFrenchChurch，whatevertheweather。Shewasasincerelydevoutgirl。Sheprayedforher—
　　selfandforFrank，andforEmil，amongthetemptationsofthatgay，corruptoldcity。ShefoundmorecomfortintheChurchthatwinterthaneverbefore。Itseemedtocomeclosertoher，andtofillanemptinessthatachedinherheart。Shetriedtobepatientwithherhus—
　　band。HeandhishiredmanusuallyplayedCal—
　　iforniaJackintheevening。Mariesatsew—
　　ingorcrochetingandtriedtotakeafriendlyinterestinthegame，butshewasalwaysthinkingaboutthewidefieldsoutside，wherethesnowwasdriftingoverthefences;andabouttheorchard，wherethesnowwasfallingandpacking，crustovercrust。Whenshewentoutintothedarkkitchentofixherplantsforthenight，sheusedtostandbythewindowandlookoutatthewhitefields，orwatchthecurrentsofsnowwhirlingovertheorchard。
　　Sheseemedtofeeltheweightofallthesnowthatlaydownthere。Thebrancheshadbe—
　　comesohardthattheywoundedyourhandifyoubuttriedtobreakatwig。Andyet，downunderthefrozencrusts，attherootsofthetrees，thesecretoflifewasstillsafe，warmasthebloodinone’sheart;andthespringwouldcomeagain！Oh，itwouldcomeagain！
　　II
　　IfAlexandrahadhadmuchimaginationshemighthaveguessedwhatwasgoingoninMarie’smind，andshewouldhaveseenlongbeforewhatwasgoingoninEmil’s。Butthat，asEmilhimselfhadmorethanoncereflected，wasAlexandra’sblindside，andherlifehadnotbeenofthekindtosharpenhervision。Hertraininghadallbeentowardtheendofmakingherproficientinwhatshehadundertakentodo。
　　Herpersonallife，herownrealizationofherself，wasalmostasubconsciousexistence;likeanundergroundriverthatcametothesurfaceonlyhereandthere，atintervalsmonthsapart，andthensankagaintoflowonunderherownfields。
　　Nevertheless，theundergroundstreamwasthere，anditwasbecauseshehadsomuchper—
　　sonalitytoputintoherenterprisesandsuc—
　　ceededinputtingitintothemsocompletely，thatheraffairsprosperedbetterthanthoseofherneighbors。
　　Therewerecertaindaysinherlife，out—
　　wardlyuneventful，whichAlexandraremem—
　　beredaspeculiarlyhappy;dayswhenshewasclosetotheflat，fallowworldabouther，andfelt，asitwere，inherownbodythejoyousgerminationinthesoil。Thereweredays，too，whichsheandEmilhadspenttogether，uponwhichshelovedtolookback。Therehadbeensuchadaywhentheyweredownontheriverinthedryyear，lookingovertheland。Theyhadmadeanearlystartonemorningandhaddrivenalongwaybeforenoon。WhenEmilsaidhewashungry，theydrewbackfromtheroad，gaveBrighamhisoatsamongthebushes，andclimbeduptothetopofagrassyblufftoeattheirlunchundertheshadeofsomelittleelmtrees。Theriverwasclearthere，andshallow，sincetherehadbeennorain，anditraninripplesoverthesparklingsand。Undertheoverhangingwillowsoftheoppositebanktherewasaninletwherethewaterwasdeeperandflowedsoslowlythatitseemedtosleepinthesun。Inthislittlebayasinglewildduckwasswimminganddivingandpreeningherfeathers，disportingherselfveryhappilyintheflickeringlightandshade。Theysatforalongtime，watchingthesolitarybirdtakeitspleasure。NolivingthinghadeverseemedtoAlexandraasbeautifulasthatwildduck。Emilmusthavefeltaboutitasshedid，forafterward，whentheywereathome，heusedsometimestosay，"Sister，youknowourduckdownthere——"Alexandrarememberedthatdayasoneofthehappiestinherlife。Yearsafterwardshethoughtoftheduckasstillthere，swimminganddivingallbyherselfinthesun—
　　light，akindofenchantedbirdthatdidnotknowageorchange。
　　MostofAlexandra’shappymemorieswereasimpersonalasthisone;yettohertheywereverypersonal。Hermindwasawhitebook，withclearwritingaboutweatherandbeastsandgrowingthings。Notmanypeoplewouldhavecaredtoreadit;onlyahappyfew。Shehadneverbeeninlove，shehadneverindulgedinsentimentalreveries。Evenasagirlshehadlookeduponmenaswork—fellows。Shehadgrownupinserioustimes。
　　Therewasonefancyindeed，whichpersistedthroughhergirlhood。ItmostoftencametoheronSundaymornings，theonedayintheweekwhenshelaylateabedlisteningtothefamiliarmorningsounds;thewindmillsinginginthebriskbreeze，Emilwhistlingasheblackedhisbootsdownbythekitchendoor。Some—
　　times，asshelaythusluxuriouslyidle，hereyesclosed，sheusedtohaveanillusionofbeingliftedupbodilyandcarriedlightlybysomeoneverystrong。Itwasaman，certainly，whocar—
　　riedher，buthewaslikenomansheknew;hewasmuchlargerandstrongerandswifter，andhecarriedheraseasilyasifshewereasheafofwheat。Sheneversawhim，but，witheyesclosed，shecouldfeelthathewasyellowlikethesunlight，andtherewasthesmellofripecorn—
　　fieldsabouthim。Shecouldfeelhimapproach，bendoverherandlifther，andthenshecouldfeelherselfbeingcarriedswiftlyoffacrossthefields。Aftersuchareverieshewouldrisehas—
　　tily，angrywithherself，andgodowntothebath—housethatwaspartitionedoffthekitchenshed。Thereshewouldstandinatintubandprosecuteherbathwithvigor，finishingitbypouringbucketsofcoldwell—wateroverhergleamingwhitebodywhichnomanontheDividecouldhavecarriedveryfar。
　　Asshegrewolder，thisfancymoreoftencametoherwhenshewastiredthanwhenshewasfreshandstrong。Sometimes，aftershehadbeenintheopenallday，overseeingthebrand—
　　ingofthecattleortheloadingofthepigs，shewouldcomeinchilled，takeaconcoctionofspicesandwarmhome—madewine，andgotobedwithherbodyactuallyachingwithfatigue。
　　Then，justbeforeshewenttosleep，shehadtheoldsensationofbeingliftedandcarriedbyastrongbeingwhotookfromherallherbodilyweariness。
　　EndofPartIII
　　PARTIV
　　TheWhiteMulberryTreeI
　　TheFrenchChurch，properlytheChurchofSainte—Agnes，stooduponahill。Thehigh，nar—
　　row，red—brickbuilding，withitstallsteepleandsteeproof，couldbeseenformilesacrossthewheatfields，thoughthelittletownofSainte—
　　Agneswascompletelyhiddenawayatthefootofthehill。Thechurchlookedpowerfulandtriumphantthereonitseminence，sohighabovetherestofthelandscape，withmilesofwarmcolorlyingatitsfeet，andbyitspositionandsettingitremindedoneofsomeofthechurchesbuiltlongagointhewheat—landsofmiddleFrance。
　　LateoneJuneafternoonAlexandraBergsonwasdrivingalongoneofthemanyroadsthatledthroughtherichFrenchfarmingcountrytothebigchurch。Thesunlightwasshiningdi—
　　rectlyinherface，andtherewasablazeoflightallabouttheredchurchonthehill。BesideAlexandraloungedastrikinglyexoticfigureinatallMexicanhat，asilksash，andablackvel—
　　vetjacketsewnwithsilverbuttons。Emilhadreturnedonlythenightbefore，andhissisterwassoproudofhimthatshedecidedatoncetotakehimuptothechurchsupper，andtomakehimweartheMexicancostumehehadbroughthomeinhistrunk。"Allthegirlswhohavestandsaregoingtowearfancycostumes，"
　　sheargued，"andsomeoftheboys。Marieisgoingtotellfortunes，andshesenttoOmahaforaBohemiandressherfatherbroughtbackfromavisittotheoldcountry。Ifyouwearthoseclothes，theywillallbepleased。Andyoumusttakeyourguitar。Everybodyoughttodowhattheycantohelpalong，andwehaveneverdonemuch。Wearenotatalentedfamily。"
　　Thesupperwastobeatsixo’clock，inthebasementofthechurch，andafterwardtherewouldbeafair，withcharadesandanauction。
　　Alexandrahadsetoutfromhomeearly，leavingthehousetoSignaandNelseJensen，whoweretobemarriednextweek。SignahadshylyaskedtohavetheweddingputoffuntilEmilcamehome。
　　Alexandrawaswellsatisfiedwithherbrother。
　　AstheydrovethroughtherollingFrenchcoun—
　　trytowardthewesteringsunandthestalwartchurch，shewasthinkingofthattimelongagowhensheandEmildrovebackfromtherivervalleytothestillunconqueredDivide。Yes，shetoldherself，ithadbeenworthwhile;bothEmilandthecountryhadbecomewhatshehadhoped。Outofherfather’schildrentherewasonewhowasfittocopewiththeworld，whohadnotbeentiedtotheplow，andwhohadaper—
　　sonalityapartfromthesoil。Andthat，shereflected，waswhatshehadworkedfor。Shefeltwellsatisfiedwithherlife。
　　Whentheyreachedthechurch，ascoreofteamswerehitchedinfrontofthebasementdoorsthatopenedfromthehillsideuponthesandedterrace，wheretheboyswrestledandhadjumping—matches。AmedeeChevalier，aproudfatherofoneweek，rushedoutandembracedEmil。Amedeewasanonlyson，——hencehewasaveryrichyoungman，——buthemeanttohavetwentychildrenhimself，likehisuncleXavier。"Oh，Emil，"hecried，hugginghisoldfriendrapturously，"whyain’tyoubeenuptoseemyboy？Youcometo—morrow，sure？
　　Emil，youwannagetaboyrightoff！It’sthegreatestthingever！No，no，no！Angelnotsickatall。Everythingjustfine。Thatboyhecomeintothisworldlaughin’，andhebeenlaughin’
　　eversince。Youcomean’see！"HepoundedEmil’sribstoemphasizeeachannouncement。
　　Emilcaughthisarms。"Stop，Amedee。
　　You’reknockingthewindoutofme。Ibroughthimcupsandspoonsandblanketsandmocca—
　　sinsenoughforanorphanasylum。I’mawfulgladit’saboy，sureenough！"
　　TheyoungmencrowdedroundEmiltoad—
　　mirehiscostumeandtotellhiminabreatheverythingthathadhappenedsincehewentaway。EmilhadmorefriendsuphereintheFrenchcountrythandownonNorwayCreek。
　　TheFrenchandBohemianboyswerespiritedandjolly，likedvariety，andwereasmuchpre—
　　disposedtofavoranythingnewastheScandi—
　　navianboysweretorejectit。TheNorwegianandSwedishladsweremuchmoreself—centred，apttobeegotisticalandjealous。TheywerecautiousandreservedwithEmilbecausehehadbeenawaytocollege，andwerepreparedtotakehimdownifheshouldtrytoputonairswiththem。TheFrenchboyslikedabitofswagger，andtheywerealwaysdelightedtohearaboutanythingnew：newclothes，newgames，newsongs，newdances。Nowtheycar—
　　riedEmilofftoshowhimtheclubroomtheyhadjustfittedupoverthepost—office，downinthevillage。Theyrandownthehillinadrove，alllaughingandchatteringatonce，someinFrench，someinEnglish。
　　Alexandrawentintothecool，whitewashedbasementwherethewomenweresettingthetables。Mariewasstandingonachair，buildingalittletentofshawlswhereshewastotellfortunes。ShesprangdownandrantowardAlexandra，stoppingshortandlookingatherindisappointment。Alexandranoddedtoherencouragingly。
　　"Oh，hewillbehere，Marie。Theboyshavetakenhimofftoshowhimsomething。Youwon’tknowhim。Heisamannow，sureenough。
　　Ihavenoboyleft。Hesmokesterrible—smellingMexicancigarettesandtalksSpanish。Howprettyyoulook，child。Wheredidyougetthosebeautifulearrings？"
　　"Theybelongedtofather’smother。Healwayspromisedthemtome。HesentthemwiththedressandsaidIcouldkeepthem。"
　　Marieworeashortredskirtofstoutlywovencloth，awhitebodiceandkirtle，ayellowsilkturbanwoundlowoverherbrowncurls，andlongcoralpendantsinherears。Herearshadbeenpiercedagainstapieceofcorkbyhergreat—auntwhenshewassevenyearsold。Inthosegermlessdaysshehadwornbitsofbroom—
　　straw，pluckedfromthecommonsweeping—
　　broom，inthelobesuntiltheholeswerehealedandreadyforlittlegoldrings。
　　WhenEmilcamebackfromthevillage，helingeredoutsideontheterracewiththeboys。
　　MariecouldhearhimtalkingandstrummingonhisguitarwhileRaoulMarcelsangfalsetto。
　　Shewasvexedwithhimforstayingoutthere。
　　Itmadeherverynervoustohearhimandnottoseehim;for，certainly，shetoldherself，shewasnotgoingouttolookforhim。Whenthesupperbellrangandtheboyscametroopingintogetseatsatthefirsttable，sheforgotallaboutherannoyanceandrantogreetthetall—
　　estofthecrowd，inhisconspicuousattire。Shedidn’tmindshowingherembarrassmentatall。
　　SheblushedandlaughedexcitedlyasshegaveEmilherhand，andlookeddelightedlyattheblackvelvetcoatthatbroughtouthisfairskinandfineblondhead。Mariewasincapableofbeinglukewarmaboutanythingthatpleasedher。Shesimplydidnotknowhowtogiveahalf—heartedresponse。Whenshewasde—
　　lighted，shewasaslikelyasnottostandonhertip—toesandclapherhands。Ifpeoplelaughedather，shelaughedwiththem。
　　"Dothemenwearclotheslikethateveryday，inthestreet？"ShecaughtEmilbyhissleeveandturnedhimabout。"Oh，IwishI
　　livedwherepeopleworethingslikethat！Arethebuttonsrealsilver？Putonthehat，please。
　　Whataheavything！Howdoyoueverwearit？Whydon’tyoutellusaboutthebull—
　　fights？"
　　Shewantedtowringallhisexperiencesfromhimatonce，withoutwaitingamoment。Emilsmiledtolerantlyandstoodlookingdownatherwithhisold，broodinggaze，whiletheFrenchgirlsflutteredabouthimintheirwhitedressesandribbons，andAlexandrawatchedthescenewithpride。SeveraloftheFrenchgirls，Marieknew，werehopingthatEmilwouldtakethemtosupper，andshewasrelievedwhenhetookonlyhissister。MariecaughtFrank’sarmanddraggedhimtothesametable，managingtogetseatsoppositetheBergsons，sothatshecouldhearwhattheyweretalkingabout。AlexandramadeEmiltellMrs。XavierChevalier，themotherofthetwenty，abouthowhehadseenafamousmatadorkilledinthebull—ring。Marielistenedtoeveryword，onlytakinghereyesfromEmiltowatchFrank’splateandkeepitfilled。WhenEmilfinishedhisaccount，——
　　bloodyenoughtosatisfyMrs。Xavierandtomakeherfeelthankfulthatshewasnotamatador，——Mariebrokeoutwithavolleyofquestions。Howdidthewomendresswhentheywenttobull—fights？Didtheywearman—
　　tillas？Didtheyneverwearhats？
　　Aftersuppertheyoungpeopleplayedchar—
　　adesfortheamusementoftheirelders，whosatgossipingbetweentheirguesses。AlltheshopsinSainte—Agneswereclosedateighto’clockthatnight，sothatthemerchantsandtheirclerkscouldattendthefair。Theauctionwastheliveliestpartoftheentertainment，fortheFrenchboysalwayslosttheirheadswhentheybegantobid，satisfiedthattheirextravagancewasinagoodcause。Afterallthepincushionsandsofapillowsandembroideredslippersweresold，Emilprecipitatedapanicbytakingoutoneofhisturquoiseshirtstuds，whicheveryonehadbeenadmiring，andhandingittotheauc—
　　tioneer。AlltheFrenchgirlsclamoredforit，andtheirsweetheartsbidagainsteachotherrecklessly。Mariewantedit，too，andshekeptmakingsignalstoFrank，whichhetookasourpleasureindisregarding。Hedidn’tseetheuseofmakingafussoverafellowjustbecausehewasdressedlikeaclown。WhentheturquoisewenttoMalvinaSauvage，theFrenchbanker’sdaughter，Marieshruggedhershouldersandbetookherselftoherlittletentofshawls，whereshebegantoshufflehercardsbythelightofatallowcandle，callingout，"Fortunes，for—
　　tunes！"
　　Theyoungpriest，FatherDuchesne，wentfirsttohavehisfortuneread。Marietookhislongwhitehand，lookedatit，andthenbegantorunoffhercards。"Iseealongjourneyacrosswaterforyou，Father。Youwillgotoatownallcutupbywater;builtonislands，itseemstobe，withriversandgreenfieldsallabout。Andyouwillvisitanoldladywithawhitecapandgoldhoopsinherears，andyouwillbeveryhappythere。"
　　"Mais，oui，"saidthepriest，withamelan—
　　cholysmile。"C’estL’Isle—Adam，chezmamere。Vousetestressavante，mafille。"Hepattedheryellowturban，calling，"Venezdonc，mesgarcons！Ilyaiciuneveritableclairvoyante！"
　　Mariewascleveratfortune—telling，indulg—
　　inginalightironythatamusedthecrowd。ShetoldoldBrunot，themiser，thathewouldloseallhismoney，marryagirlofsixteen，andlivehappilyonacrust。Sholte，thefatRussianboy，wholivedforhisstomach，wastobedisap—
　　pointedinlove，growthin，andshoothimselffromdespondency。Amedeewastohavetwentychildren，andnineteenofthemweretobegirls。AmedeeslappedFrankonthebackandaskedhimwhyhedidn’tseewhatthefortune—tellerwouldpromisehim。ButFrankshookoffhisfriendlyhandandgrunted，"Shetellmyfortunelongago;badenough！"Thenhewithdrewtoacornerandsatgloweringathiswife。
　　Frank’scasewasallthemorepainfulbecausehehadnooneinparticulartofixhisjealousyupon。Sometimeshecouldhavethankedthemanwhowouldbringhimevidenceagainsthiswife。Hehaddischargedagoodfarm—boy，JanSmirka，becausehethoughtMariewasfondofhim;butshehadnotseemedtomissJanwhenhewasgone，andshehadbeenjustaskindtothenextboy。Thefarm—handswouldalwaysdoanythingforMarie;Frankcouldn’tfindonesosurlythathewouldnotmakeanefforttopleaseher。AtthebottomofhisheartFrankknewwellenoughthatifhecouldoncegiveuphisgrudge，hiswifewouldcomebacktohim。Buthecouldneverintheworlddothat。Thegrudgewasfundamental。Perhapshecouldnothavegivenitupifhehadtried。Perhapshegotmoresatisfactionoutoffeelinghimselfabusedthanhewouldhavegotoutofbeingloved。IfhecouldoncehavemadeMariethoroughlyun—
　　happy，hemighthaverelentedandraisedherfromthedust。Butshehadneverhumbledher—
　　self。Inthefirstdaysoftheirloveshehadbeenhisslave;shehadadmiredhimabandonedly。
　　Butthemomenthebegantobullyherandtobeunjust，shebegantodrawaway;atfirstintear—
　　fulamazement，theninquiet，unspokendis—
　　gust。Thedistancebetweenthemhadwidenedandhardened。Itnolongercontractedandbroughtthemsuddenlytogether。Thesparkofherlifewentsomewhereelse，andhewasalwayswatchingtosurpriseit。Heknewthatsome—
　　whereshemustgetafeelingtoliveupon，forshewasnotawomanwhocouldlivewithoutloving。Hewantedtoprovetohimselfthewronghefelt。Whatdidshehideinherheart？
　　Wherediditgo？EvenFrankhadhischurlishdelicacies;heneverremindedherofhowmuchshehadoncelovedhim。ForthatMariewasgratefultohim。
　　WhileMariewaschatteringtotheFrenchboys，AmedeecalledEmiltothebackoftheroomandwhisperedtohimthattheyweregoingtoplayajokeonthegirls。Ateleveno’clock，Amedeewastogouptotheswitchboardinthevestibuleandturnofftheelectriclights，andeveryboywouldhaveachancetokisshissweetheartbeforeFatherDuchesnecouldfindhiswayupthestairstoturnthecurrentonagain。TheonlydifficultywasthecandleinMarie’stent;perhaps，asEmilhadnosweet—
　　heart，hewouldobligetheboysbyblowingoutthecandle。Emilsaidhewouldundertaketodothat。
　　AtfiveminutestoelevenhesauntereduptoMarie’sbooth，andtheFrenchboysdispersedtofindtheirgirls。Heleanedoverthecard—
　　tableandgavehimselfuptolookingather。
　　"Doyouthinkyoucouldtellmyfortune？"
　　hemurmured。Itwasthefirstwordhehadhadalonewithherforalmostayear。"Myluckhasn’tchangedany。It’sjustthesame。"
　　MariehadoftenwonderedwhethertherewasanyoneelsewhocouldlookhisthoughtstoyouasEmilcould。To—night，whenshemethissteady，powerfuleyes，itwasimpossiblenottofeelthesweetnessofthedreamhewasdreaming;itreachedherbeforeshecouldshutitout，andhiditselfinherheart。Shebegantoshufflehercardsfuriously。"I’mangrywithyou，Emil，"shebrokeoutwithpetu—
　　lance。"Whydidyougivethemthatlovelybluestonetosell？YoumighthaveknownFrankwouldn’tbuyitforme，andIwanteditawfully！"
　　Emillaughedshortly。"Peoplewhowantsuchlittlethingssurelyoughttohavethem，"
　　hesaiddryly。Hethrusthishandintothepocketofhisvelvettrousersandbroughtoutahandfulofuncutturquoises，asbigasmarbles。
　　Leaningoverthetablehedroppedthemintoherlap。"There，willthosedo？Becareful，don’tletanyoneseethem。Now，Isupposeyouwantmetogoawayandletyouplaywiththem？"
　　Mariewasgazinginraptureatthesoftbluecolorofthestones。"Oh，Emil！Iseverythingdowntherebeautifullikethese？Howcouldyouevercomeaway？"
　　AtthatinstantAmedeelaidhandsontheswitchboard。Therewasashiverandagiggle，andeveryonelookedtowardtheredblurthatMarie’scandlemadeinthedark。Immediatelythat，too，wasgone。Littleshrieksandcurrentsofsoftlaughterranupanddownthedarkhall。
　　Mariestartedup，——directlyintoEmil’sarms。
　　Inthesameinstantshefelthislips。Theveilthathadhunguncertainlybetweenthemforsolongwasdissolved。Beforesheknewwhatshewasdoing，shehadcommittedherselftothatkissthatwasatonceaboy’sandaman’s，astimidasitwastender;solikeEmilandsounlikeanyoneelseintheworld。Notuntilitwasoverdidsherealizewhatitmeant。AndEmil，whohadsooftenimaginedtheshockofthisfirstkiss，wassurprisedatitsgentlenessandnaturalness。Itwaslikeasighwhichtheyhadbreathedtogether;almostsorrowful，asifeachwereafraidofwakeningsomethingintheother。
　　Whenthelightscameonagain，everybodywaslaughingandshouting，andalltheFrenchgirlswererosyandshiningwithmirth。OnlyMarie，inherlittletentofshawls，waspaleandquiet。Underheryellowturbantheredcoralpendantsswungagainstwhitecheeks。Frankwasstillstaringather，butheseemedtoseenothing。Yearsago，hehimselfhadhadthepowertotakethebloodfromhercheekslikethat。Perhapshedidnotremember——perhapshehadnevernoticed！Emilwasalreadyattheotherendofthehall，walkingaboutwiththeshoulder—motionhehadacquiredamongtheMexicans，studyingthefloorwithhisintent，deep—seteyes。Mariebegantotakedownandfoldhershawls。Shedidnotglanceupagain。
　　Theyoungpeopledriftedtotheotherendofthehallwheretheguitarwassounding。Inamo—
　　mentsheheardEmilandRaoulsinging：——
　　"AcrosstheRioGrand—eThereliesasunnyland—e，Mybright—eyedMexico！"
　　AlexandraBergsoncameuptothecardbooth。"Letmehelpyou，Marie。Youlooktired。"
　　SheplacedherhandonMarie’sarmandfelthershiver。Mariestiffenedunderthatkind，calmhand。Alexandradrewback，perplexedandhurt。
　　TherewasaboutAlexandrasomethingoftheimperviouscalmofthefatalist，alwaysdiscon—
　　certingtoveryyoungpeople，whocannotfeelthattheheartlivesatallunlessitisstillatthemercyofstorms;unlessitsstringscanscreamtothetouchofpain。
　　II
　　Signa’sweddingsupperwasover。Theguests，andthetiresomelittleNorwegianpreacherwhohadperformedthemarriagecere—
　　mony，weresayinggood—night。OldIvarwashitchingthehorsestothewagontotaketheweddingpresentsandthebrideandgroomuptotheirnewhome，onAlexandra’snorthquarter。
　　WhenIvardroveuptothegate，EmilandMarieShabatabegantocarryoutthepresents，andAlexandrawentintoherbedroomtobidSignagood—byeandtogiveherafewwordsofgoodcounsel。Shewassurprisedtofindthatthebridehadchangedherslippersforheavyshoesandwaspinningupherskirts。AtthatmomentNelseappearedatthegatewiththetwomilkcowsthatAlexandrahadgivenSignaforaweddingpresent。
　　Alexandrabegantolaugh。"Why，Signa，youandNelsearetoridehome。I’llsendIvaroverwiththecowsinthemorning。"
　　Signahesitatedandlookedperplexed。Whenherhusbandcalledher，shepinnedherhatonresolutely。"Ita—ankIbetterdoyustlikehesay，"shemurmuredinconfusion。
　　AlexandraandMarieaccompaniedSignatothegateandsawthepartysetoff，oldIvardrivingaheadinthewagonandthebrideandgroomfollowingonfoot，eachleadingacow。
　　Emilburstintoalaughbeforetheywereoutofhearing。
　　"Thosetwowillgeton，"saidAlexandraastheyturnedbacktothehouse。"Theyarenotgoingtotakeanychances。Theywillfeelsaferwiththosecowsintheirownstable。Marie，I
　　amgoingtosendforanoldwomannext。AssoonasIgetthegirlsbrokenin，Imarrythemoff。"
　　"I’venopatiencewithSigna，marryingthatgrumpyfellow！"Mariedeclared。"IwantedhertomarrythatniceSmirkaboywhoworkedforuslastwinter。Ithinkshelikedhim，too。"
　　"Yes，Ithinkshedid，"Alexandraassented，"butIsupposeshewastoomuchafraidofNelsetomarryanyoneelse。NowthatIthinkofit，mostofmygirlshavemarriedmentheywereafraidof。IbelievethereisagooddealofthecowinmostSwedishgirls。Youhigh—strungBohemiancan’tunderstandus。We’reater—
　　riblypracticalpeople，andIguesswethinkacrossmanmakesagoodmanager。"
　　Marieshruggedhershouldersandturnedtopinupalockofhairthathadfallenonherneck。
　　SomehowAlexandrahadirritatedheroflate。
　　Everybodyirritatedher。Shewastiredofeverybody。"I’mgoinghomealone，Emil，soyouneedn’tgetyourhat，"shesaidasshewoundherscarfquicklyaboutherhead。"Good—night，Alexandra，"shecalledbackinastrainedvoice，runningdownthegravelwalk。
　　Emilfollowedwithlongstridesuntilheover—
　　tookher。Thenshebegantowalkslowly。Itwasanightofwarmwindandfaintstarlight，andthefireflieswereglimmeringoverthewheat。
　　"Marie，"saidEmilaftertheyhadwalkedforawhile，"Iwonderifyouknowhowun—
　　happyIam？"
　　Mariedidnotanswerhim。Herhead，initswhitescarf，droopedforwardalittle。
　　Emilkickedaclodfromthepathandwenton：——
　　"Iwonderwhetheryouarereallyshallow—
　　hearted，likeyouseem？SometimesIthinkoneboydoesjustaswellasanotherforyou。ItneverseemstomakemuchdifferencewhetheritismeorRaoulMarcelorJanSmirka。Areyoureallylikethat？"
　　"PerhapsIam。Whatdoyouwantmetodo？Sitroundandcryallday？WhenI’vecrieduntilIcan’tcryanymore，then——thenI
　　mustdosomethingelse。"
　　"Areyousorryforme？"hepersisted。
　　"No，I’mnot。IfIwerebigandfreelikeyou，Iwouldn’tletanythingmakemeunhappy。AsoldNapoleonBrunotsaidatthefair，Iwouldn’tgoloveringafternowoman。I’dtakethefirsttrainandgooffandhaveallthefunthereis。"
　　"Itriedthat，butitdidn’tdoanygood。
　　Everythingremindedme。Thenicertheplacewas，themoreIwantedyou。"TheyhadcometothestileandEmilpointedtoitpersuasively。
　　"Sitdownamoment，Iwanttoaskyousome—
　　thing。"MariesatdownonthetopstepandEmildrewnearer。"Wouldyoutellmesome—
　　thingthat’snoneofmybusinessifyouthoughtitwouldhelpmeout？Well，then，tellme，PLEASE
　　tellme，whyyouranawaywithFrankSha—
　　bata！"
　　Mariedrewback。"BecauseIwasinlovewithhim，"shesaidfirmly。
　　"Really？"heaskedincredulously。
　　"Yes，indeed。Verymuchinlovewithhim。
　　IthinkIwastheonewhosuggestedourrun—
　　ningaway。Fromthefirstitwasmoremyfaultthanhis。"
　　Emilturnedawayhisface。
　　"Andnow，"Mariewenton，"I’vegottorememberthat。Frankisjustthesamenowashewasthen，onlythenIwouldseehimasI
　　wantedhimtobe。Iwouldhavemyownway。
　　AndnowIpayforit。"
　　"Youdon’tdoallthepaying。"
　　"That’sit。Whenonemakesamistake，there’snotellingwhereitwillstop。Butyoucangoaway;youcanleaveallthisbehindyou。"
　　"Noteverything。Ican’tleaveyoubehind。
　　Willyougoawaywithme，Marie？"
　　Mariestartedupandsteppedacrossthestile。"Emil！Howwickedlyyoutalk！Iamnotthatkindofagirl，andyouknowit。ButwhatamIgoingtodoifyoukeeptormentingmelikethis！"sheaddedplaintively。
　　"Marie，Iwon’tbotheryouanymoreifyouwilltellmejustonething。Stopaminuteandlookatme。No，nobodycanseeus。Every—
　　body’sasleep。Thatwasonlyafirefly。Marie，STOPandtellme！"
　　Emilovertookherandcatchingherbytheshouldersshookhergently，asifheweretryingtoawakenasleepwalker。
　　Mariehidherfaceonhisarm。"Don’taskmeanythingmore。Idon’tknowanythingexcepthowmiserableIam。AndIthoughtitwouldbeallrightwhenyoucameback。Oh，Emil，"sheclutchedhissleeveandbegantocry，"whatamItodoifyoudon’tgoaway？I
　　can’tgo，andoneofusmust。Can’tyousee？"
　　Emilstoodlookingdownather，holdinghisshouldersstiffandstiffeningthearmtowhichsheclung。Herwhitedresslookedgrayinthedarkness。Sheseemedlikeatroubledspirit，likesomeshadowoutoftheearth，clingingtohimandentreatinghimtogiveherpeace。Be—
　　hindherthefireflieswereweavinginandoutoverthewheat。Heputhishandonherbenthead。"Onmyhonor，Marie，ifyouwillsayyouloveme，Iwillgoaway。"
　　Sheliftedherfacetohis。"HowcouldIhelpit？Didn’tyouknow？"
　　Emilwastheonewhotrembled，throughallhisframe。AfterheleftMarieathergate，hewanderedaboutthefieldsallnight，tillmorningputoutthefirefliesandthestars。
　　III
　　Oneevening，aweekafterSigna’swedding，Emilwaskneelingbeforeaboxinthesitting—
　　room，packinghisbooks。Fromtimetotimeheroseandwanderedaboutthehouse，pickingupstrayvolumesandbringingthemlistlesslybacktohisbox。Hewaspackingwithoutenthusi—
　　asm。Hewasnotverysanguineabouthisfu—
　　ture。Alexandrasatsewingbythetable。Shehadhelpedhimpackhistrunkintheafternoon。
　　AsEmilcameandwentbyherchairwithhisbooks，hethoughttohimselfthatithadnotbeensohardtoleavehissistersincehefirstwentawaytoschool。HewasgoingdirectlytoOmaha，toreadlawintheofficeofaSwedishlawyeruntilOctober，whenhewouldenterthelawschoolatAnnArbor。TheyhadplannedthatAlexandrawastocometoMichigan——alongjourneyforher——atChristmastime，andspendseveralweekswithhim。Nevertheless，hefeltthatthisleavetakingwouldbemorefinalthanhisearlieroneshadbeen;thatitmeantadefinitebreakwithhisoldhomeandthebegin—
　　ningofsomethingnew——hedidnotknowwhat。Hisideasaboutthefuturewouldnotcrystallize;themorehetriedtothinkaboutit，thevaguerhisconceptionofitbecame。Butonethingwasclear，hetoldhimself;itwashightimethathemadegoodtoAlexandra，andthatoughttobeincentiveenoughtobeginwith。
　　Ashewentaboutgatheringuphisbookshefeltasifhewereuprootingthings。Atlasthethrewhimselfdownontheoldslatloungewherehehadsleptwhenhewaslittle，andlaylookingupatthefamiliarcracksintheceiling。
　　"Tired，Emil？"hissisterasked。
　　"Lazy，"hemurmured，turningonhissideandlookingather。HestudiedAlexandra’sfaceforalongtimeinthelamplight。IthadneveroccurredtohimthathissisterwasahandsomewomanuntilMarieShabatahadtoldhimso。Indeed，hehadneverthoughtofherasbeingawomanatall，onlyasister。Ashestudiedherbenthead，helookedupatthepictureofJohnBergsonabovethelamp。
　　"No，"hethoughttohimself，"shedidn’tgetitthere。IsupposeIammorelikethat。"
　　"Alexandra，"hesaidsuddenly，"thatoldwalnutsecretaryyouuseforadeskwasfather’s，wasn’tit？"
　　Alexandrawentonstitching。"Yes。Itwasoneofthefirstthingsheboughtfortheoldloghouse。Itwasagreatextravaganceinthosedays。Buthewroteagreatmanylettersbacktotheoldcountry。Hehadmanyfriendsthere，andtheywrotetohimuptothetimehedied。
　　Nooneeverblamedhimforgrandfather’sdis—
　　grace。Icanseehimnow，sittingthereonSun—
　　days，inhiswhiteshirt，writingpagesandpages，socarefully。Hewroteafine，regularhand，almostlikeengraving。Yoursissome—
　　thinglikehis，whenyoutakepains。"
　　"Grandfatherwasreallycrooked，washe？"
　　"Hemarriedanunscrupulouswoman，andthen——thenI’mafraidhewasreallycrooked。
　　WhenwefirstcameherefatherusedtohavedreamsaboutmakingagreatfortuneandgoingbacktoSwedentopaybacktothepoorsailorsthemoneygrandfatherhadlost。"
　　Emilstirredonthelounge。"Isay，thatwouldhavebeenworthwhile，wouldn’tit？
　　Fatherwasn’tabitlikeLouorOscar，washe？
　　Ican’tremembermuchabouthimbeforehegotsick。"
　　"Oh，notatall！"Alexandradroppedhersewingonherknee。"Hehadbetteropportuni—
　　ties;nottomakemoney，buttomakesome—
　　thingofhimself。Hewasaquietman，buthewasveryintelligent。Youwouldhavebeenproudofhim，Emil。"
　　Alexandrafeltthathewouldliketoknowtherehadbeenamanofhiskinwhomhecouldadmire。SheknewthatEmilwasashamedofLouandOscar，becausetheywerebigotedandself—satisfied。Heneversaidmuchaboutthem，butshecouldfeelhisdisgust。Hisbrothershadshowntheirdisapprovalofhimeversincehefirstwentawaytoschool。TheonlythingthatwouldhavesatisfiedthemwouldhavebeenhisfailureattheUniversity。
　　Asitwas，theyresentedeverychangeinhisspeech，inhisdress，inhispointofview;thoughthelattertheyhadtoconjecture，forEmilavoidedtalkingtothemaboutanybutfamilymatters。Allhisintereststheytreatedasaffectations。
　　Alexandratookuphersewingagain。"Icanrememberfatherwhenhewasquiteayoungman。Hebelongedtosomekindofamusicalsociety，amalechorus，inStockholm。Icanremembergoingwithmothertohearthemsing。
　　Theremusthavebeenahundredofthem，andtheyallworelongblackcoatsandwhiteneck—
　　ties。Iwasusedtoseeingfatherinabluecoat，asortofjacket，andwhenIrecognizedhimontheplatform，Iwasveryproud。DoyourememberthatSwedishsonghetaughtyou，abouttheshipboy？"
　　"Yes。IusedtosingittotheMexicans。
　　Theylikeanythingdifferent。"Emilpaused。
　　"Fatherhadahardfighthere，didn’the？"headdedthoughtfully。
　　"Yes，andhediedinadarktime。Still，hehadhope。Hebelievedintheland。"
　　"Andinyou，Iguess，"Emilsaidtohimself。
　　Therewasanotherperiodofsilence;thatwarm，friendlysilence，fullofperfectunderstanding，inwhichEmilandAlexandrahadspentmanyoftheirhappiesthalf—hours。
　　AtlastEmilsaidabruptly，"LouandOscarwouldbebetteroffiftheywerepoor，wouldn’tthey？"
　　Alexandrasmiled。"Maybe。Buttheirchil—
　　drenwouldn’t。IhavegreathopesofMilly。"
　　Emilshivered。"Idon’tknow。Seemstomeitgetsworseasitgoeson。TheworstoftheSwedesisthatthey’reneverwillingtofindouthowmuchtheydon’tknow。ItwaslikethatattheUniversity。Alwayssopleasedwiththem—
　　selves！There’snogettingbehindthatcon—
　　ceitedSwedishgrin。TheBohemiansandGer—
　　mansweresodifferent。"
　　"Come，Emil，don’tgobackonyourownpeople。Fatherwasn’tconceited，UncleOttowasn’t。EvenLouandOscarweren’twhentheywereboys。"
　　Emillookedincredulous，buthedidnotdis—
　　putethepoint。Heturnedonhisbackandlaystillforalongtime，hishandslockedunderhishead，lookingupattheceiling。Alexandraknewthathewasthinkingofmanythings。ShefeltnoanxietyaboutEmil。Shehadalwaysbelievedinhim，asshehadbelievedintheland。HehadbeenmorelikehimselfsincehegotbackfromMexico;seemedgladtobeathome，andtalkedtoherasheusedtodo。
　　Shehadnodoubtthathiswanderingfitwasover，andthathewouldsoonbesettledinlife。
　　"Alexandra，"saidEmilsuddenly，"doyourememberthewildduckwesawdownontheriverthattime？"
　　Hissisterlookedup。"Ioftenthinkofher。
　　Italwaysseemstomeshe’stherestill，justlikewesawher。"
　　"Iknow。It’squeerwhatthingsonere—
　　membersandwhatthingsoneforgets。"Emilyawnedandsatup。"Well，it’stimetoturnin。"Herose，andgoingovertoAlexandrastoopeddownandkissedherlightlyonthecheek。"Good—night，sister。Ithinkyoudidprettywellbyus。"
　　Emiltookuphislampandwentupstairs。
　　Alexandrasatfinishinghisnewnightshirt，thatmustgointhetoptrayofhistrunk。
　　IV
　　ThenextmorningAngelique，Amedee’swife，wasinthekitchenbakingpies，assistedbyoldMrs。Chevalier。Betweenthemixing—boardandthestovestoodtheoldcradlethathadbeenAmedee’s，andinitwashisblack—eyedson。AsAngelique，flushedandexcited，withflouronherhands，stoppedtosmileatthebaby，EmilBergsonrodeuptothekitchendooronhismareanddismounted。
　　"’Medeeisoutinthefield，Emil，"Angeliquecalledassheranacrossthekitchentotheoven。
　　"Hebeginstocuthiswheatto—day;thefirstwheatreadytocutanywhereabouthere。Heboughtanewheader，youknow，becauseallthewheat’ssoshortthisyear。Ihopehecanrentittotheneighbors，itcostsomuch。Heandhiscousinsboughtasteamthresheronshares。Yououghttogooutandseethatheaderwork。I
　　watcheditanhourthismorning，busyasIamwithallthementofeed。Hehasalotofhands，buthe’stheonlyonethatknowshowtodrivetheheaderorhowtoruntheengine，sohehastobeeverywhereatonce。He’ssick，too，andoughttobeinhisbed。"
　　EmilbentoverHectorBaptiste，tryingtomakehimblinkhisround，bead—likeblackeyes。
　　"Sick？What’sthematterwithyourdaddy，kid？Beenmakinghimwalkthefloorwithyou？"
　　Angeliquesniffed。"Notmuch！Wedon’thavethatkindofbabies。ItwashisfatherthatkeptBaptisteawake。AllnightIhadtobeget—
　　tingupandmakingmustardplasterstoputonhisstomach。Hehadanawfulcolic。Hesaidhefeltbetterthismorning，butIdon’tthinkheoughttobeoutinthefield，overheatinghim—
　　self。"
　　Angeliquedidnotspeakwithmuchanxiety，notbecauseshewasindifferent，butbecauseshefeltsosecureintheirgoodfortune。Onlygoodthingscouldhappentoarich，energetic，hand—
　　someyoungmanlikeAmedee，withanewbabyinthecradleandanewheaderinthefield。
　　EmilstrokedtheblackfuzzonBaptiste’shead。"Isay，Angelique，oneof’Medee’sgrand—
　　mothers，’wayback，musthavebeenasquaw。
　　ThiskidlooksexactlyliketheIndianbabies。"
　　Angeliquemadeafaceathim，butoldMrs。
　　Chevalierhadbeentouchedonasorepoint，andsheletoutsuchastreamoffieryPATOISthatEmilfledfromthekitchenandmountedhismare。
　　Openingthepasturegatefromthesaddle，Emilrodeacrossthefieldtotheclearingwherethethresherstood，drivenbyastationaryengineandfedfromtheheaderboxes。AsAmedeewasnotontheengine，Emilrodeontothewheatfield，whereherecognized，ontheheader，theslight，wiryfigureofhisfriend，coatless，hiswhiteshirtpuffedoutbythewind，hisstrawhatstuckjauntilyonthesideofhishead。Thesixbigwork—horsesthatdrew，orratherpushed，theheader，wentabreastatarapidwalk，andastheywerestillgreenattheworktheyrequiredagooddealofmanagementonAmedee’spart;especiallywhentheyturnedthecorners，wheretheydivided，threeandthree，andthenswungroundintolineagainwithamovementthatlookedascomplicatedasawheelofartillery。Emilfeltanewthrillofadmirationforhisfriend，andwithittheoldpangofenvyatthewayinwhichAmedeecoulddowithhismightwhathishandfoundtodo，andfeelthat，whateveritwas，itwasthemostimportantthingintheworld。"I’llhavetobringAlexandrauptoseethisthingwork，"
　　Emilthought;"it’ssplendid！"
　　WhenhesawEmil，Amedeewavedtohimandcalledtooneofhistwentycousinstotakethereins。Steppingofftheheaderwithoutstoppingit，heranuptoEmilwhohaddis—
　　mounted。"Comealong，"hecalled。"Ihavetogoovertotheengineforaminute。Igottagreenmanrunningit，andIgottatokeepaneyeonhim。"
　　Emilthoughttheladwasunnaturallyflushedandmoreexcitedthaneventhecaresofmanag—
　　ingabigfarmatacriticaltimewarranted。Astheypassedbehindalastyear’sstack，Amedeeclutchedathisrightsideandsankdownforamomentonthestraw。
　　"Ouch！Igotanawfulpaininme，Emil。
　　Something’sthematterwithmyinsides，forsure。"
　　Emilfelthisfierycheek。"Yououghttogostraighttobed，’Medee，andtelephoneforthedoctor;that’swhatyououghttodo。"
　　Amedeestaggeredupwithagestureofdespair。"HowcanI？Igotnotimetobesick。
　　Threethousanddollars’worthofnewmachin—
　　erytomanage，andthewheatsoripeitwillbegintoshatternextweek。Mywheat’sshort，butit’sgottagrandfullberries。What’sheslowingdownfor？Wehaven’tgotheaderboxesenoughtofeedthethresher，Iguess。"
　　Amedeestartedhot—footacrossthestubble，leaningalittletotherightasheran，andwavedtotheengineernottostoptheengine。
　　Emilsawthatthiswasnotimetotalkabouthisownaffairs。HemountedhismareandrodeontoSainte—Agnes，tobidhisfriendstheregood—bye。HewentfirsttoseeRaoulMarcel，andfoundhiminnocentlypractisingthe"Gloria"forthebigconfirmationserviceonSundaywhilehepolishedthemirrorsofhisfather’ssaloon。
　　AsEmilrodehomewardsatthreeo’clockintheafternoon，hesawAmedeestaggeringoutofthewheatfield，supportedbytwoofhiscousins。
　　Emilstoppedandhelpedthemputtheboytobed。
　　V
　　WhenFrankShabatacameinfromworkatfiveo’clockthatevening，oldMosesMarcel，Raoul’sfather，telephonedhimthatAmedeehadhadaseizureinthewheatfield，andthatDoctorParadiswasgoingtooperateonhimassoonastheHanoverdoctorgottheretohelp。
　　Frankdroppedawordofthisatthetable，boltedhissupper，androdeofftoSainte—
　　Agnes，wheretherewouldbesympatheticdis—
　　cussionofAmedee’scaseatMarcel’ssaloon。
　　AssoonasFrankwasgone，MarietelephonedAlexandra。Itwasacomforttohearherfriend’svoice。Yes，AlexandraknewwhattherewastobeknownaboutAmedee。Emilhadbeentherewhentheycarriedhimoutofthefield，andhadstayedwithhimuntilthedoctorsoperatedforappendicitisatfiveo’clock。Theywereafraiditwastoolatetodomuchgood;itshouldhavebeendonethreedaysago。Amedeewasinaverybadway。Emilhadjustcomehome，wornoutandsickhimself。Shehadgivenhimsomebrandyandputhimtobed。
　　Mariehungupthereceiver。PoorAmedee’sillnesshadtakenonanewmeaningtoher，nowthatsheknewEmilhadbeenwithhim。Anditmightsoeasilyhavebeentheotherway——
　　EmilwhowasillandAmedeewhowassad！
　　Marielookedabouttheduskysitting—room。
　　Shehadseldomfeltsoutterlylonely。IfEmilwasasleep，therewasnotevenachanceofhiscoming;andshecouldnotgotoAlexandraforsympathy。ShemeanttotellAlexandraevery—
　　thing，assoonasEmilwentaway。Thenwhat—
　　everwasleftbetweenthemwouldbehonest。
　　Butshecouldnotstayinthehousethisevening。Whereshouldshego？Shewalkedslowlydownthroughtheorchard，wheretheeveningairwasheavywiththesmellofwildcotton。Thefresh，saltyscentofthewildroseshadgivenwaybeforethismorepowerfulper—
　　fumeofmidsummer。Whereverthoseashes—of—
　　roseballshungontheirmilkystalks，theairaboutthemwassaturatedwiththeirbreath。
　　Theskywasstillredinthewestandtheeven—
　　ingstarhungdirectlyovertheBergsons’wind—
　　mill。Mariecrossedthefenceatthewheatfieldcorner，andwalkedslowlyalongthepaththatledtoAlexandra’s。ShecouldnothelpfeelinghurtthatEmilhadnotcometotellheraboutAmedee。Itseemedtohermostunnaturalthatheshouldnothavecome。Ifshewereintrou—
　　ble，certainlyhewastheonepersonintheworldshewouldwanttosee。Perhapshewishedhertounderstandthatforherhewasasgoodasgonealready。
　　Mariestoleslowly，flutteringly，alongthepath，likeawhitenight—mothoutofthefields。
　　Theyearsseemedtostretchbeforeherliketheland;spring，summer，autumn，winter，spring;
　　alwaysthesamepatientfields，thepatientlittletrees，thepatientlives;alwaysthesameyearn—
　　ing，thesamepullingatthechain——untiltheinstincttolivehadtornitselfandbledandweakenedforthelasttime，untilthechainsecuredadeadwoman，whomightcautiouslybereleased。Mariewalkedon，herfaceliftedtowardtheremote，inaccessibleeveningstar。
　　Whenshereachedthestileshesatdownandwaited。Howterribleitwastolovepeoplewhenyoucouldnotreallysharetheirlives！
　　Yes，insofarasshewasconcerned，Emilwasalreadygone。Theycouldn’tmeetanymore。