"Youmakemeafraid，"saidEm。"Come，letusgo，andIwillfillyourpail。"
　　"Iwantnomilk。Good—bye！YouwillnotseemeagaintillSaturday。"
　　Latethatnight，wheneveryoneelsehadgonetobed，theyellow—hairedlittlewomanstoodaloneinthekitchen。Shehadcometofillthekettleforthenextmorning’scoffee，andnowstoodbeforethefire。Thewarmreflectionlitthegraveold—womanishlittleface，thatwassounusuallythoughtfulthisevening。
　　"Betterthanalltheworld；betterthaneverything；helovesmebetterthaneverything！"Shesaidthewordsaloud，asiftheyweremoreeasytobelieveifshespokethemso。Shehadgivenoutsomuchloveinherlittlelife，andhadgotnoneofitbackwithinterest。Nowonesaid，"Iloveyoubetterthanalltheworld。"Onelovedherbetterthanshelovedhim。Howsuddenlyrichshewas。Shekeptclaspingandunclaspingherhands。Soabeggarfeelswhofallsasleeponthepavementwetandhungry，andwhowakesinapalace—hallwithservantsandlights，andafeastbeforehim。Ofcoursethebeggar’sisonlyadream，andhewakesfromit；andthiswasreal。
　　Gregoryhadsaidtoher，"IwillloveyouaslongasIlive。"Shesaidthewordsoverandovertoherselflikeasong。
　　"Iwillsendforhimtomorrow，andIwilltellhimhowIlovehimback，"
　　shesaid。
　　ButEmneedednottosendforhim。GregorydiscoveredonreachinghomethatJemima’sletterwasstillinhispocket。And，therefore，muchashedislikedtheappearanceofvacillationandweakness，hewasobligedtobeatthefarmhousebeforesunrisetopostit。
　　"IfIseeher，"Gregorysaid，"Ishallonlybowtoher。SheshallseethatIamaman，onewhokeepshisword。"
　　AstoJemima’sletter，hehadturneddownonecornerofthepage，andthenturneditback，leavingadeepcrease。Thatwouldshowthathewasneitheracceptednorrejected，butthatmatterswereinanintermediatecondition。
　　Itwasamorepoeticalwaythenputtingitinplainwords。
　　Gregorywasbarelyintimewithhisletter，forWaldowasstartingwhenhereachedthehomestead，andEmwasonthedoorsteptoseehimoff。Whenhehadgiventheletter，andWaldohadgone，Gregorybowedstifflyandpreparedtoremounthisownpony，butsomewhatslowly。Itwasstillearly；
　　noneoftheservantswereabout。Emcameupclosetohimandputherlittlehandsoftlyonhisarmashestoodbyhishorse。
　　"Idoloveyoubestofall，"shesaid。Shewasnotfrightenednow，howevermuchhekissedher。"IwishIwasbeautifulandnice，"sheadded，lookingupintohiseyesasheheldheragainsthisbreast。
　　"Mydarling，tomeyouaremorebeautifulthanallthewomenintheworld；
　　dearertomethaneverythingitholds。IfyouwereinhellIwouldgoafteryoutofindyouthere！Ifyouweredead，thoughmybodymoved，mysoulwouldbeunderthegroundwithyou。AlllifeasIpasswithyouinmyarmswillbeperfecttome。Itwillpass，passlikearayofsunshine。"
　　Emthoughthowbeautifulandgrandhisfacewasasshelookedupintoit。
　　Sheraisedherhandgentlyandputitonhisforehead。
　　"Youaresosilent，socold，myEm，"hecried。"Haveyounothingtosaytome？"
　　Alittleshadeofwonderfilledhereyes。
　　"Iwilldoeverythingyoutellme，"shesaid。
　　"Whatelsecouldshesay？Herideaoflovewasonlyservice。
　　"Then，myownpreciousone，promisenevertokissthatfellowagain。I
　　cannotbearthatyoushouldloveanyonebutme。Youmustnot！Iwillnothaveit！IfeveryrelationIhadintheworldweretodietomorrow，I
　　wouldbequitehappyifIstillonlyhadyou！Mydarling，mylove，whyareyousocold？Promisemenottolovehimanymore。Ifyouaskedmetodoanythingforyou，Iwoulddoit，thoughitcostmylife。"
　　Emputherhandverygravelyroundhisneck。
　　"Iwillneverkisshim，"shesaid，"andIwilltrynottoloveanyoneelse。ButIdonotknowifIwillbeable。"
　　"Oh，mydarling，Ithinkofyouallnight，allday。Ithinkofnothingelse，love，nothingelse，"hesaid，foldinghisarmsabouther。
　　Emwasalittleconsciencestricken；eventhatmorningshehadfoundtimetorememberthatinsixmonthshercousinwouldcomebackfromschool，andshehadthoughttoremindWaldoofthelozengesforhiscough，evenwhenshesawGregorycoming。
　　"Idonotknowhowitis，"shesaidhumbly，nestlingtohim，"butIcannotloveyousomuchasyouloveme。PerhapsitisbecauseIamonlyawoman；
　　butIdoloveyouasmuchasIcan。"
　　NowtheKaffermaidswerecomingfromthehuts。Hekissedheragain，eyesandmouthandhands，andlefther。
　　TantSanniewaswellsatisfiedwhentoldofthebetrothment。Sheherselfcontemplatedmarriagewithintheyearwithoneorotherofhernumerousvrijers，andshesuggestedthattheweddingsmighttakeplacetogether。
　　Emsettoworkbusilytoprepareherownhouseholdlinenandweddinggarments。Gregorywaswithherdaily，almosthourly，andthesixmonthswhichelapsedbeforeLyndall’sreturnpassed，ashefelicitouslyphrasedit，"likeasummernight，whenyouaredreamingofsomeoneyoulove。"
　　Lateoneevening，Gregorysatbyhislittlelove，turningthehandleofhermachineasshedrewherworkthroughit，andtheytalkedofthechangestheywouldmakewhentheBoer—womanwasgone，andthefarmbelongedtothemalone。Thereshouldbeanewroomhere，andakraalthere。Sotheychattedon。SuddenlyGregorydroppedthehandle，andimpressedaferventkissonthefathandthatguidedthelinen。
　　"Youaresobeautiful，Em，"saidthelover。"ItcomesovermeinafloodsuddenlyhowIloveyou。"
　　Emsmiled。
　　"TantSanniesayswhenIamheragenoonewilllookatme；anditistrue。
　　Myhandsareasshortandbroadasaduck’sfoot，andmyforeheadissolow，andIhaven’tanynose。Ican’tbepretty。"
　　Shelaughedsoftly。Itwassonicetothinkheshouldbesoblind。
　　"Whenmycousincomestomorrowyouwillseeabeautifulwoman，Gregory，"
　　sheaddedpresently。"Sheislikealittlequeen：hershouldersaresoupright，andherheadlooksasthoughitoughttohavealittlecrownuponit。Youmustcometoseehertomorrowassoonasshecomes。Iamsureyouwillloveher。"
　　"OfcourseIshallcometoseeher，sincesheisyourcousin；butdoyouthinkIcouldeverthinkanywomanaslovelyasIthinkyou？"
　　Hefixedhisseethingeyesuponher。
　　"Youcouldnothelpseeingthatsheisprettier，"saidEm，slippingherrighthandintohis；"butyouwillneverbeabletolikeanyonesomuchasyoulikeme。"
　　Afterward，whenshewishedherlovergoodnight，shestooduponthedoorsteptocallagreetingafterhim；andshewaited，asshealwaysdid，tillthebrownpony’shoofsbecameinaudiblebehindthekopje。
　　ThenshepassedthroughtheroomwhereTantSannielaysnoring，andthroughthelittleroomthatwasalldrapedinwhite，waitingforhercousin’sreturn，ontoherownroom。
　　Shewenttothechestofdrawerstoputawaytheworkshehadfinished，andsatdownonthefloorbeforethelowestdrawer。Initwerethethingsshewaspreparingforhermarriage。Pilesofwhitelinen，andsomeapronsandquilts；andinalittleboxinthecornerasprayoforange—blossomwhichshehadboughtfromasmouse。There，too，wasaringGregoryhadgivenher，andaveilhissisterhadsent，andtherewasalittlerolloffineembroideredworkwhichTranahadgivenher。ItwastoofineandgoodevenforGregory’swife——justrightforsomethingverysmallandsoft。Shewouldkeepit。Andshetoucheditgentlywithherforefinger，smiling；andthensheblushedandhiditfarbehindtheotherthings。Sheknewsowellallthatwasinthatdrawer，andyetsheturnedthemalloverasthoughshesawthemforthefirsttime，packedthemallout，andpackedthemallin，withoutonefoldorcrumple；andthensatdownandlookedatthem。
　　TomorroweveningwhenLyndallcameshewouldbringherhere，andshowitherall。Lyndallwouldsoliketoseeit——thelittlewreath，andthering，andthewhiteveil！Itwouldbesonice！ThenEmfelltoseeingpictures。
　　Lyndallshouldlivewiththemtillsheherselfgotmarriedsomeday。
　　EverydaywhenGregorycamehome，tiredfromhiswork，hewouldlookaboutandsay，"Whereismywife？Hasnooneseenmywife？Wife，somecoffee！"
　　andshewouldgivehimsome。
　　Em’slittlefacegrewverygraveatlast，andshekneltupandextendedherhandsoverthedraweroflinen。
　　"Oh，God！"shesaid，"Iamsoglad！IdonotknowwhatIhavedonethatI
　　shouldbesoglad。Thankyou！"
　　Chapter2。IV。Lyndall。
　　Shewasmorelikeaprincess，yes，farmorelikeaprincess，thantheladywhostillhungonthewallinTantSannie’sbedroom。SoEmthought。Sheleanedbackinthelittlearmchair；sheworeagreydressing—gown，andherlonghairwascombedoutandhungtotheground。Em，sittingbeforeher，lookedupwithmingledrespectandadmiration。
　　Lyndallwastiredafterherlongjourney，andhadcometoherroomearly。
　　Hereyesranoverthefamiliarobjects。Strangetogoawayforfouryears，andcomeback，andfindthatthecandlestandingonthedressing—tablestillcasttheshadowofanoldcrone’sheadinthecornerbeyondtheclothes—horse。Strangethatevenashadowshouldlastlongerthanaman！
　　Shelookedaboutamongtheoldfamiliarobjects；allwasthere，buttheoldselfwasgone。
　　"Whatareyounoticing？"askedEm。
　　"Nothingandeverything。Ithoughtthewindowswerehigher。IfIwereyou，whenIgetthisplaceIshouldraisethewalls。Thereisnotroomtobreathehere。Onesuffocates。"
　　"Gregoryisgoingtomakemanyalterations，"saidEm；anddrawingnearertothegreydressing—gownrespectfully。"Doyoulikehim，Lyndall？Ishenothandsome？"
　　"Hemusthavebeenafinebaby，"saidLyndall，lookingatthewhitedimitycurtainthathungabovethewindow。
　　Emwaspuzzled。
　　"Therearesomemen，"saidLyndall，"whomyounevercanbelievewerebabiesatall；andothersyouneverseewithoutthinkinghowverynicetheymusthavelookedwhentheyworesocksandpinksashes。"
　　Emremainedsilent；thenshesaidwithalittledignity，"WhenyouknowhimyouwilllovehimasIdo。WhenIcompareotherpeoplewithhim，theyseemsoweakandlittle。Ourheartsaresocold，ourlovesaremixedupwithsomanyotherthings。Buthe——nooneisworthyofhislove。Iamnot。Itissogreatandpure。"
　　"Youneednotmakeyourselfunhappyonthatpoint——yourpoorreturnforhislove，mydear，"saidLyndall。"Aman’sloveisafireofolive—wood。Itleapshighereverymoment；itroars，itblazes，itshootsoutredflames；
　　itthreatenstowrapyouroundanddevouryou——youwhostandbylikeanicicleintheglowofitsfiercewarmth。Youareself—reproachedatyourownchillinessandwantofreciprocity。Thenextday，whenyougotowarmyourhandsalittle，youfindafewashes！’Tisalongloveandcoolagainstashortloveandhot；men，atallevents，havenothingtocomplainof。"
　　"Youspeaksobecauseyoudonotknowmen，"saidEm，instantlyassumingthedignityofsuperiorknowledgesouniversallyaffectedbyaffiancedandmarriedwomenindiscussingman’snaturewiththeiruncontractedsisters。
　　"Youwillknowthemtoosomeday，andthenyouwillthinkdifferently，"
　　saidEm，withthecondescendingmagnanimitywhichsuperiorknowledgecanalwaysaffordtoshowtoignorance。
　　Lyndall’slittlelipquiveredinamannerindicativeofintenseamusement。
　　Shetwirledamassiveringuponherforefinger——aringmoresuitableforthehandofaman，andnoticeableindesign——adiamondcrossletintogold，withtheinitials"R。R。"belowit。
　　"Ah，Lyndall，"Emcried，"perhapsyouareengagedyourself——thatiswhyyousmile。Yes；Iamsureyouare。Lookatthisring！"
　　Lyndalldrewthehandquicklyfromher。
　　"Iamnotinsogreatahurrytoputmyneckbeneathanyman’sfoot；andI
　　donotsogreatlyadmirethecryingofbabies，"shesaid，assheclosedhereyeshalfwearilyandleanedbackinthechair。"Thereareotherwomengladofsuchwork。"
　　Emfeltrebukedandashamed。HowcouldshetakeLyndallandshowherthewhitelinenandthewreath，andtheembroidery？Shewasquietforalittlewhile，andthenbegantotalkaboutTranaandtheoldfarm—servants，tillshesawhercompanionwasweary；thensheroseandleftherforthenight。
　　ButafterEmwasgoneLyndallsaton，watchingtheoldcrone’sfaceinthecorner，andwithawearylook，asthoughthewholeworld’sweightrestedonthesefrailyoungshoulders。
　　Thenextmorning，Waldo，startingoffbeforebreakfastwithabagofmealiesslungoverhisshouldertofeedtheostriches，heardalightstepbehindhim。
　　"Waitforme；Iamcomingwithyou，"saidLyndall，addingasshecameuptohim，"ifIhadnotgonetolookforyouyesterdayyouwouldnothavecometogreetmetillnow。Doyounotlikemeanylonger，Waldo？"
　　"Yes——but——youarechanged。"
　　Itwastheoldclumsy，hesitatingmodeofspeech。
　　"Youlikethepinaforesbetter？"shesaidquickly。Sheworeadressofasimplecottonfabric，butveryfashionablymade，andonherheadwasabroadwhitehat。ToWaldosheseemedsuperblyattired。Shesawit。"Mydresshaschangedalittle，"shesaid，"andIalso；butnottoyou。Hangthebagoveryourothershoulder，thatImayseeyourface。Yousaysolittlethatifonedoesnotlookatyouyouareanuncomprehendedcipher。
　　Waldochangedthebag，andtheywalkedonsidebyside。"Youhaveimproved，"shesaid。"DoyouknowthatIhavesometimeswishedtoseeyouwhileIwasaway；notoften，butstillsometimes。"
　　Theywereatthegateofthefirstcampnow。Waldothrewoverabagofmealies，andtheywalkedonoverthedewyground。
　　"Haveyoulearntmuch？"heaskedhersimply，rememberinghowshehadoncesaid，"WhenIcomebackagainIshallknoweverythingthatahumanbeingcan。"
　　Shelaughed。
　　"Areyouthinkingofmyoldboast？Yes；Ihavelearntsomething，thoughhardlywhatIexpected，andnotquitesomuch。Inthefirstplace，Ihavelearntthatoneofmyancestorsmusthavebeenaverygreatfool；fortheysaynothingcomesoutinamanbutoneofhisforefatherspossesseditbeforehim。Inthesecondplace，Ihavediscoveredthatofallcursedplacesunderthesun，wherethehungriestsoulcanhardlypickupafewgrainsofknowledge，agirls’boarding—schoolistheworst。Theyarecalledfinishingschools，andthenametellsaccuratelywhattheyare。
　　Theyfinisheverythingbutimbecilityandweakness，andthattheycultivate。Theyarenicelyadaptedmachinesforexperimentingonthequestion，’Intohowlittlespaceahumansoulcanbecrushed？’Ihaveseensomesoulssocompressedthattheywouldhavefittedintoasmallthimble，andfoundroomtomovethere——wideroom。Awomanwhohasbeenformanyyearsinoneofthoseplacescarriesthemarkofthebeastonhertillshedies，thoughshemayexpandalittleafterward，whenshebreathesinthefreeworld。"
　　"Wereyoumiserable？"heasked，lookingatherwithquickanxiety。
　　"I？——no。Iamnevermiserableandneverhappy。IwishIwere。ButI
　　shouldhaverunawayfromtheplaceonthefourthday，andhiredmyselftothefirstBoer—womanwhosefarmIcameto，tomakefireunderhersoap—pot，ifIhadtoliveastherestofthedrovedid。Canyouformanidea，Waldo，ofwhatitmustbetobeshutupwithcacklingoldwomen，whoarewithoutknowledgeoflife，withoutloveofthebeautiful，withoutstrength，tohaveyoursoulculturedbythem？Itissuffocationonlytobreathetheairtheybreathe；butImadethemgivemeroom。ItoldthemIshouldleave，andtheyknewIcamethereonmyownaccount；sotheygavemeabedroomwithoutthecompanionshipofoneofthosethingsthatwerehavingtheirbrainsslowlydilutedandsqueezedoutofthem。Ididnotlearnmusic，becauseIhadnotalent；andwhenthedrovemadecushions，andhideousflowersthattheroseslaughat，andafootstoolinsixweeksthatamachinewouldhavemadebetterinfiveminutes，Iwenttomyroom。WiththemoneysavedfromsuchworkIboughtbooksandnewspapers，andatnightIsatup。Iread，andepitomizedwhatIread；andIfoundtimetowritesomeplays，andfindouthowharditistomakeyourthoughtslookanythingbutimbecilefoolswhenyoupaintthemwithinkandpaper。IntheholidaysIlearntagreatdealmore。Imadeacquaintances，sawafewplacesandmanypeople，andsomedifferentwaysofliving，whichismorethananybookscanshowone。Onthewhole，Iamnotdissatisfiedwithmyfouryears。IhavenotlearntwhatIexpected；butIhavelearntsomethingelse。Whathaveyoubeendoing？"
　　"Nothing。"
　　"Thatisnotpossible。Ishallfindoutbyandby。"
　　Theystillsteppedonsidebysideoverthedewybushes。Thensuddenlysheturnedonhim。
　　"Don’tyouwishyouwereawoman，Waldo？"
　　"No，"heansweredreadily。
　　Shelaughed。
　　"Ithoughtnot。Evenyouaretooworldly—wiseforthat。Inevermetamanwhodid。Thisisaprettyring，"shesaid，holdingoutherlittlehand，thatthemorningsunmightmakethediamondssparkle。"Worthfiftypoundsatleast。Iwillgiveittothefirstmanwhotellsmehewouldliketobeawoman。TheremightbeoneonRobbinIsland（lunaticsattheCapearesenttoRobbinIsland）whowouldwinitperhaps，butIdoubtiteventhere。
　　Itisdelightfultobeawoman；buteverymanthankstheLorddevoutlythatheisn’tone。"
　　Shedrewherhattoonesidetokeepthesunoutofhereyesasshewalked。
　　Waldolookedathersointentlythathestumbledoverthebushes。Yes，thiswashislittleLyndallwhohadwornthecheckpinafores；hesawitnow，andhewalkedcloserbesideher。Theyreachedthenextcamp。
　　"Letuswaitatthiscampandwatchthebirds，"shesaid，asanostrichhencameboundingtowardthemwithvelvetywingsoutstretched，whilefarawayoverthebushestheheadofthecockwasvisibleashesatbroodingontheeggs。
　　Lyndallfoldedherarmsonthegatebar，andWaldothrewhisemptybagonthewallandleanedbesideher。
　　"Ilikethesebirds，"shesaid；"theyshareeachother’swork，andarecompanions。Doyoutakeaninterestinthepositionofwomen，Waldo？"
　　"No。"
　　"Ithoughtnot。Noonedoes，unlesstheyareinneedofasubjectuponwhichtoshowtheirwit。Andasforyou，fromofoldyoucanseenothingthatisnotseparatedfromyoubyafewmillionsofmiles，andstrewedoverwithmystery。IfwomenweretheinhabitantsofJupiter，ofwhomyouhadhappenedtohearsomething，youwouldporeoverusandourconditionnightandday；butbecausewearebeforeyoureyesyouneverlookatus。Youcarenothingthatthisisraggedandugly，"shesaid，puttingherlittlefingeronhissleeve；"butyoustrivemightilytomakeanimaginaryleafonanoldstickbeautiful。I’msorryyoudon’tcareforthepositionofwomen；Ishouldhavelikedustobefriends；anditistheonlythingaboutwhichIthinkmuchorfeelmuch——if，indeed，Ihaveanyfeelingaboutanything，"sheadded，flippantly，readjustingherdaintylittlearms。
　　"WhenIwasababy，Ifancymyparentsleftmeoutinthefrostonenight，andIgotnippedinternally——itfeelsso！"
　　"Ihaveonlyafewoldthoughts，"hesaid，"andIthinkthemoverandoveragain；alwaysbeginningwhereIleftoff。Inevergetanyfurther。Iamwearyofthem。"
　　"Likeanoldhenthatsitsonitseggsmonthaftermonthandtheynevercomeout？"shesaidquickly。"Iamsopressedinuponbynewthingsthat，lesttheyshouldtriponeanotherup，Ihavetokeepforcingthemback。Myheadswingssometimes。Butthisonethoughtstands，nevergoes——ifImightbutbeoneoftheseborninthefuture；then，perhaps，tobebornawomanwillnotbetobebornbranded。"
　　Waldolookedather。Itwashardtosaywhethershewereinearnestormocking。
　　"Iknowitisfoolish。Wisdomneverkicksattheironwallsitcan’tbringdown，"shesaid。"Butwearecursed。Waldo，borncursedfromthetimeourmothersbringusintotheworldtilltheshroudsareputonus。DonotlookatmeasthoughIweretalkingnonsense。Everythinghastwosides——
　　theoutsidethatisridiculous，andtheinsidethatissolemn。"
　　"Iamnotlaughing，"saidtheboy，sedatelyenough；"butwhatcursesyou？"
　　Hethoughtshewouldnotreplytohim，shewaitedsolong。
　　"Itisnotwhatisdonetous，butwhatismadeofus，"shesaidatlast，"thatwrongsus。Nomancanbereallyinjuredbutbywhatmodifieshimself。Weallentertheworldlittleplasticbeings，withsomuchnaturalforce，perhaps，butfortherest——blank；andtheworldtellsuswhatwearetobe，andshapesusbytheendsitsetsbeforeus。Toyouitsays——"Work；"andtousitsays——"Seem！"Toyouitsays——Asyouapproximatetoman’shighestidealofGod，asyourarmisstrongandyourknowledgegreat，andthepowertolabouriswithyou，soyoushallgainallthathumanheartdesires。Tousitsays——Strengthshallnothelpyou，norknowledge，norlabour。Youshallgainwhatmengain，butbyothermeans。
　　Andsotheworldmakesmenandwomen。
　　"Lookatthislittlechinofmine，Waldo，withthedimpleinit。Itisbutasmallpartofmyperson；butthoughIhadaknowledgeofallthingsunderthesun，andthewisdomtouseit，andthedeeplovingheartofanangel，itwouldnotsteadmethroughlifelikethislittlechin。Icanwinmoneywithit，Icanwinlove；Icanwinpowerwithit，Icanwinfame。Whatwouldknowledgehelpme？Thelessawomanhasinherheadthelightersheisforclimbing。Ionceheardanoldmansay，thatheneversawintellecthelpawomansomuchasaprettyankle；anditwasthetruth。Theybegintoshapeustoourcursedend，"shesaid，withherlipsdrawnintolookasthoughtheysmiled，"whenwearetinythingsinshoesandsocks。Wesitwithourlittlefeetdrawnupunderusinthewindow，andlookoutattheboysintheirhappyplay。Wewanttogo。Thenalovinghandislaidonus：’Littleone，youcannotgo，’theysay，’yourlittlefacewillburn，andyournicewhitedressbespoiled。’Wefeelitmustbeforourgood，itissolovinglysaid：butwecannotunderstand；andwekneelstillwithonelittlecheekwistfullypressedagainstthepane。Afterwardswegoandthreadbluebeads，andmakeastringforourneck；andwegoandstandbeforetheglass。Weseethecomplexionwewerenottospoil，andthewhitefrock，andwelookintoourowngreateyes。Thenthecursebeginstoactonus。Itfinishesitsworkwhenwearegrownwomen，whonomorelookoutwistfullyatamorehealthylife；wearecontented。WefitoursphereasaChinesewoman’sfootfitshershoe，exactly，asthoughGodhadmadeboth——andyetheknowsnothingofeither。Insomeofustheshapingofourendhasbeenquitecompleted。Thepartswearenottousehavebeenquiteatrophied，andhaveevendroppedoff；butinothers，andwearenotlesstobepitied，theyhavebeenweakenedandleft。Wewearthebandages，butourlimbshavenotgrowntothem；weknowthatwearecompressed，andchafeagainstthem。
　　"Butwhatdoesithelp？Alittlebitterness，alittlelongingwhenweareyoung，alittlefutilesearchingforwork，alittlepassionatestrivingforroomfortheexerciseofourpowers，——andthenwegowiththedrove。A
　　womanmustmarchwithherregiment。Intheendshemustbetroddendownorgowithit；andifsheiswiseshegoes。
　　"Iseeinyourgreateyeswhatyouarethinking，"shesaid，glancingathim；"IalwaysknowwhatthepersonIamtalkingtoisthinkingof。HowisthiswomanwhomakessuchafussworseoffthanI？Iwillshowyoubyaverylittleexample。Westandhereatthisgatethismorning，bothpoor，bothyoung，bothfriendless；thereisnotmuchtochoosebetweenus。Letusturnawayjustasweare，tomakeourwayinlife。Thiseveningyouwillcometoafarmer’shouse。Thefarmer，albeityoucomealoneonfoot，willgiveyouapipeoftobaccoandacupofcoffeeandabed。Ifhehasnodamtobuildandnochildtoteach，tomorrowyoucangoonyourway，withafriendlygreetingofthehand。I，ifIcometothesameplacetonight，willhavestrangequestionsaskedme，strangeglancescastonme。
　　TheBoer—wifewillshakeherheadandgivemefoodtoeatwiththeKaffers，andarighttosleepwiththedogs。Thatwouldbethefirststepinourprogress——averylittleone，buteverysteptotheendwouldrepeatit。Wewereequalsoncewhenwelaynew—bornbabesonournurses’knees。Wewillbeequalsagainwhentheytieupourjawsforthelastsleep！"
　　Waldolookedinwonderatthelittlequiveringface；itwasaglimpseintoaworldofpassionandfeelingwhollynewtohim。
　　"Markyou，"shesaid，"wehavealwaysthisadvantageoveryou——wecanatanytimestepintoeaseandcompetence，whereyoumustlabourpatientlyforit。Alittleweeping，alittlewheedling，alittleself—degradation，alittlecarefuluseofouradvantages，andthensomemanwillsay："Come，bemywife！"Withgoodlooksandyouthmarriageiseasytoattain。Therearemenenough；butawomanwhohassoldherself，evenforaringandanewname，needholdherskirtasidefornocreatureinthestreet。Theybothearntheirbreadinoneway。Marriageforloveisthebeautifulestexternalsymboloftheunionofsouls；marriagewithoutitistheuncleanliesttrafficthatdefilestheworld。"Sheranherlittlefingersavagelyalongthetopmostbar，shakingoffthedozenlittledewdropsthatstillhungthere。"Andtheytelluswehavemen’schivalrousattention！"