shecried。"Whenweasktobedoctors，lawyers，law—makers，anythingbutill—paiddrudges，theysay——No；butyouhavemen’schivalrousattention；
　　nowthinkofthatandbesatisfied！Whatwouldyoudowithoutit？"
　　Thebitterlittlesilverylaugh，soseldomheard，rangoutacrossthebushes。Shebitherlittleteethtogether。
　　"IwascomingupinCobb&Co。’stheotherday。Atalittlewaysidehotelwehadtochangethelargecoachforasmallone。Weweretenpassengers，eightmenandtwowomen。AsIsatinthehousethegentlemencameandwhisperedtome，’Thereisnotroomforallinthenewcoach，takeyourseatquickly。’Wehurriedout，andtheygavemethebestseat，andcoveredmewithrugs，becauseitwasdrizzling。Thenthelastpassengercamerunninguptothecoach——anoldwomanwithawonderfulbonnet，andablackshawlpinnedwithayellowpin。
　　"’Thereisnoroom，’theysaid；’youmustwaittillnextweek’scoachtakesyouup；’butsheclimbedontothestep，andheldonatthewindowwithbothhands。
　　"’Myson—in—lawisill，andImustgoandseehim，’shesaid。
　　"’Mygoodwoman，’saidone，’Iamreallyexceedinglysorrythatyourson—
　　in—lawisill；butthereisabsolutelynoroomforyouhere。’
　　"’Youhadbettergetdown，’saidanother，’orthewheelwillcatchyou。’
　　"Igotuptogivehermyplace。
　　"’Oh，no，no！’theycried，’wewillnotallowthat。’
　　"’Iwillratherkneel，’saidone，andhecroucheddownatmyfeet；sothewomancamein。
　　"Therewerenineofusinthatcoach，andonlyoneshowedchivalrousattention——andthatwasawomantoawoman。
　　"Ishallbeoldandugly，too，oneday，andIshalllookformen’schivalroushelp，butIshallnotfindit。
　　"Thebeesareveryattentivetotheflowerstilltheirhoneyisdone，andthentheyflyoverthem。Idon’tknowiftheflowersfeelgratefultothebees；theyaregreatfoolsiftheydo。"
　　"Butsomewomen，"saidWaldo，speakingasthoughthewordsforcedthemselvesfromhimatthatmoment，"somewomenhavepower。"
　　Sheliftedherbeautifuleyestohisface。
　　"Power！Didyoueverhearofmenbeingaskedwhetherothersoulsshouldhavepowerornot？Itisborninthem。Youmaydamupthefountainofwater，andmakeitastagnantmarsh，oryoumayletitrunfreeanddoitswork；butyoucannotsaywhetheritshallbethere；itisthere。Anditwillact，ifnotopenlyforgood，thencovertlyforevil；butitwillact。
　　IfGoethehadbeenstolenawayachild，andrearedinarobberhordeinthedepthsofaGermanforest，doyouthinktheworldwouldhavehad"Faust"
　　and"Iphegenie？"ButhewouldhavebeenGoethestill——stronger，wiserthanhisfellows。Atnight，roundtheirwatch—fire，hewouldhavechantedwildsongsofrapineandmurder，tillthedarkfacesabouthimweremovedandtrembled。Hissongswouldhaveechoedonfromfathertoson，andnervedtheheartandarm——forevil。DoyouthinkifNapoleonhadbeenbornawomanthathewouldhavebeencontentedtogivesmalltea—partiesandtalksmallscandal？Hewouldhaverisen；buttheworldwouldnothaveheardofhimasithearsofhimnow——amangreatandkinglywithallhissins；hewouldhaveleftoneofthosenamesthatstaintheleafofeveryhistory——
　　thenamesofwomen，who，havingpower，butbeingdeniedtherighttoexerciseitopenly，ruleinthedark，covertly，andbystealth，throughthemenwhosepassionstheyfeedonandbywhomtheyclimb。
　　"Power！"shesaid，suddenly，smitingherlittlehandupontherail。"Yes，wehavepower；andsincewearenottoexpenditintunnellingmountains，norhealingdiseases，normakinglaws，normoney，noronanyextraneousobject，weexpenditonyou。Youareourgoods，ourmerchandise，ourmaterialforoperatingon；webuyyou，wesellyou，wemakefoolsofyou，weactthewilyoldJewwithyou，wekeepsixofyoucrawlingtoourlittlefeet，andprayingonlyforatouchofourlittlehand；andtheysaytruly，therewasneveranacheorpainorbrokenheartbutawomanwasatthebottomofit。Wearenottostudylaw，norscience，norart，sowestudyyou。Thereisneveranerveorfibreinaman’snaturebutweknowit。Wekeepsixofyoudancinginthepalmofonelittlehand，"shesaid，balancingheroutstretchedarmgracefully，asthoughtinybeingsdisportedthemselvesinitspalm。"There，wethrowyouaway，andyousinktothedevil，"shesaid，foldingherarmscomposedly。"Therewasneveramanwhosaidonewordforwomanbuthesaidtwoforman，andthreeforthewholehumanrace。"
　　Shewatchedthebirdpeckingupthelastyellowgrains；butWaldolookedonlyather。
　　Whenshespokeagainitwasverymeasuredly。
　　"Theybringweightyargumentsagainstuswhenweaskfortheperfectfreedomofwomen，"shesaid；"but，whenyoucometotheobjections，theyarelikepumpkindevilswithcandlesinside，hollow，andcan’tbite。Theysaythatwomendonotwishforthesphereandfreedomweaskforthem，andwouldnotuseit！
　　"Ifthebirddoeslikeitscage，anddoeslikeitssugarandwillnotleaveit，whykeepthedoorsoverycarefullyshut？Whynotopenit，onlyalittle？Dotheyknowthereismanyabirdwillnotbreakitswingsagainstthebars，butwouldflyifthedoorswereopen？"Sheknitherforeheadandleanedfurtheroverthebars。
　　"Thentheysay，’Ifthewomenhavethelibertyyouaskfor，theywillbefoundinpositionsforwhichtheyarenotfitted！’Iftwomenclimboneladder，didyoueverseetheweakestanywherebutatthefoot？Thesurestsignoffitnessissuccess。Theweakestneverwinsbutwherethereishandicapping。Nature，lefttoherself，willasbeautifullyapportionaman’sworktohiscapacitiesaslongagesagoshegraduatedthecoloursonthebird’sbreast。Ifwearenotfit，yougiveus，tonopurpose，therighttolabour；theworkwillfalloutofourhandsintothosethatarewiser。"
　　Shetalkedmorerapidlyasshewenton，asonetalksofthatoverwhichtheyhavebroodedlong，andwhichliesneartheirhearts。
　　Waldowatchedherintently。
　　"Theysaywomenhaveonegreatandnobleworkleftthem，andtheydoitill。Thatistrue；theydoitexecrably。Itistheworkthatdemandsthebroadestculture，andtheyhavenoteventhenarrowest。Thelawyermayseenodeeperthanhislaw—books，andthechemistseenofurtherthanthewindowsofhislaboratory，andtheymaydotheirworkwell。Butthewomanwhodoeswoman’sworkneedsamany—sided，multiformculture；theheightsanddepthsofhumanlifemustnotbebeyondthereachofhervision；shemusthaveknowledgeofmenandthingsinmanystates，awidecatholicityofsympathy，thestrengththatspringsfromknowledge，andthemagnanimitywhichspringsfromstrength。Webeartheworld，andwemakeit。Thesoulsoflittlechildrenaremarvellouslydelicateandtenderthings，andkeepforevertheshadowthatfirstfallsonthem，andthatisthemother’soratbestawoman’s。Therewasneveragreatmanwhohadnotagreatmother——itishardlyanexaggeration。Thefirstsixyearsofourlifemakeus；allthatisaddedlaterisveneer；andyetsomesay，ifawomancancookadinnerordressherselfwellshehascultureenough。
　　"Themightiestandnoblestofhumanworkisgiventous，andwedoitill。
　　Sendanavvietoworkintoanartist’sstudio，andseewhatyouwillfindthere！Andyet，thankGod，wehavethiswork，"sheadded，quickly——"itistheonewindowthroughwhichweseeintothegreatworldofearnestlabour。
　　Themeanestgirlwhodancesanddressesbecomessomethinghigherwhenherchildrenlookupintoherfaceandaskherquestions。Itistheonlyeducationwehaveandwhichtheycannottakefromus。"
　　Shesmiledslightly。"Theysaythatwecomplainofwoman’sbeingcompelledtolookuponmarriageasaprofession；butthatsheisfreetoenteruponitorleaveit，asshepleases。
　　"Yes——andacatsetafloatinapondisfreetositinthetubtillitdiesthere，itisundernoobligationtowetitsfeet；andadrowningmanmaycatchatastrawornot，justashelikes——itisagloriousliberty！Letanymanthinkforfiveminutesofwhatoldmaidenhoodmeanstoawoman——andthenlethimbesilent。Isiteasytobearthroughlifeanamethatinitselfsignifiesdefeat？todwell，asnineoutoftenunmarriedwomenmust，underthefingerofanotherwoman？Isiteasytolookforwardtoanoldagewithouthonour，withouttherewardofusefullabour，withoutlove？I
　　wonderhowmanymentherearewhowouldgiveupeverythingthatisdearinlifeforthesakeofmaintainingahighidealpurity。"
　　Shelaughedalittlelaughthatwasclearwithoutbeingpleasant。
　　"Andthen，whentheyhavenootherargumentagainstus，theysay，’Goon；
　　butwhenyouhavemadewomanwhatyouwish，andherchildreninheritherculture，youwilldefeatyourself。Manwillgraduallybecomeextinctfromexcessofintellect，thepassionswhichreplenishtheracewilldie。’
　　Fools！"shesaid，curlingherprettylip。"AHottentotsitsattheroadsideandfeedsonarottenbonehehasfoundthere，andtakesouthisbottleofCape—smokeandswillsatit，andgruntswithsatisfaction；andtheculturedchildofthenineteenthcenturysitsinhisarmchair，andsipschoicewineswiththelipofaconnoisseur，andtastesdelicatedisheswithadelicatepalate，andwithasatisfactionofwhichtheHottentotknowsnothing。Heavyjawandslopingforehead——allhavegonewithincreasingintellect；buttheanimalappetitesaretherestill——refined，discriminative，butimmeasurablyintensified。Fools！Beforemenforgaveorworshipped，whiletheywereweakontheirhindlegs，didtheynoteatanddrink，andfightforwives？Whenallthelatteradditionstohumanityhavevanished，willnotthefoundationonwhichtheyarebuiltremain？"
　　Shewassilentthenforawhile，andsaidsomewhatdreamily，moreasthoughspeakingtoherselfthantohim，"Theyask，Whatwillyougain，evenifmandoesnotbecomeextinct？——youwillhavebroughtjusticeandequalityontotheearth，andsentlovefromit。Whenmenandwomenareequalstheywilllovenomore。Yourhighly—
　　culturedwomenwillnotbelovable，willnotlove。
　　"Dotheyseenothing，understandnothing？ItisTantSanniewhoburieshusbandsoneafteranother，andfoldsherhandsresignedly，——’TheLordgave，andtheLordhathtakenaway，andblessedbethenameoftheLord，’——
　　andshelooksforanother。Itisthehard—headed，deepthinkerwho，whenthewifewhohasthoughtandworkedwithhimgoes，canfindnorest，andlingersnearhertillhefindssleepbesideher。
　　"Agreatsouldrawsandisdrawnwithamorefierceintensitythananysmallone。Byeveryinchwegrowinintellectualheightourlovestrikesdownitsrootsdeeper，andspreadsoutitsarmswider。Itisforlove’ssakeyetmorethanforanyotherthatwelookforthatnewtime。"
　　Shehadleanedherheadagainstthestones，andwatchedwithhersad，softeyestheretreatingbird。"Thenwhenthattimecomes，"shesaidlowly，"whenloveisnomoreboughtorsold，whenitisnotameansofmakingbread，wheneachwoman’slifeisfilledwithearnest，independentlabour，thenlovewillcometoher，astrange，suddensweetnessbreakinginuponherearnestwork；notsoughtfor，butfound。Then，butnotnow——"
　　Waldowaitedforhertofinishthesentence，butsheseemedtohaveforgottenhim。
　　"Lyndall，"hesaid，puttinghishanduponher——shestarted——"ifyouthinkthatthatnewtimewillbesogreat，sogood，youwhospeaksoeasily——"
　　Sheinterruptedhim。
　　"Speak！speak！"shesaid，"thedifficultyisnottospeak；thedifficultyistokeepsilence。"
　　"Butwhydoyounottrytobringthattime？"hesaidwithpitifulsimplicity。"WhenyouspeakIbelieveallyousay；otherpeoplewouldlistentoyoualso。"
　　"Iamnotsosureofthat，"shesaidwithasmile。
　　Thenoverthesmallfacecamethewearylookithadwornlastnightasitwatchedtheshadowinthecorner，Ah，soweary！
　　"I，Waldo，I？"shesaid。"Iwilldonothinggoodformyself，nothingfortheworld，tillsomeonewakesme。Iamasleep，swathed，shutupinself；
　　tillIhavebeendeliveredIwilldelivernoone。"
　　Helookedatherwondering，butshewasnotlookingathim。
　　"Toseethegoodandthebeautiful，"shesaid，"andtohavenostrengthtoliveit，isonlytobeMosesonthemountainofNebo，withthelandatyourfeetandnopowertoenter。Itwouldbebetternottoseeit。Come，"shesaid，lookingupintohisface，andseeingitsuncomprehendingexpression，"letusgo，itisgettinglate。Dossisanxiousforhisbreakfastalso，"
　　sheadded，wheelingroundandcallingtothedog，whowasendeavouringtounearthamole，anoccupationtowhichhehadbeenzealouslyaddictedfromthethirdmonth，butinwhichhehadneveronanysingleoccasionprovedsuccessful。
　　Waldoshoulderedhisbag，andLyndallwalkedonbeforeinsilence，withthedogclosetoherside。Perhapsshethoughtofthenarrownessofthelimitswithinwhichahumansoulmayspeakandbeunderstoodbyitsnearestofmentalkin，ofhowsoonitreachesthatsolitarylandoftheindividualexperience，inwhichnofellowfootfalliseverheard。Whateverherthoughtsmayhavebeen，shewassooninterrupted。Waldocameclosetoher，andstandingstill，producedwithawkwardnessfromhisbreast—pocketasmallcarvedbox。
　　"Imadeitforyou，"hesaid，holdingitout。
　　"Ilikeit，"shesaid，examiningitcarefully。
　　Theworkmanshipwasbetterthanthatofthegrave—post。Theflowersthatcovereditweredelicate，andhereandtheresmallconicalprotuberanceswereletinamongthem。Sheturneditroundcritically。Waldobentoveritlovingly。
　　"Thereisonestrangethingaboutit，"hesaidearnestly，puttingafingerononelittlepyramid。"Imadeitwithoutthese，andIfeltsomethingwaswrong；Itriedmanychanges，andatlastIletthesein，andthenitwasright。Butwhywasit？Theyarenotbeautifulinthemselves。"
　　"Theyrelievethemonotonyofthesmoothleaves，Isuppose。"
　　Heshookhisheadasoveraweightymatter。
　　"Theskyismonotonous，"hesaid，"whenitisblue，andyetitisbeautiful。Ihavethoughtofthatoften；butitisnotmonotony，anditisnotvarietymakesbeauty。Whatisit？Thesky，andyourface，andthisbox——thesamethingisinthemall，onlymoreintheskyandinyourface。
　　Butwhatisit？"
　　Shesmiled。
　　"Soyouareatyouroldworkstill。Why，why，why？Whatisthereason？
　　Itisenoughforme，"shesaid，"ifIfindoutwhatisbeautifulandwhatisugly，whatisrealandwhatisnot。Whyitisthere，andoverthefinalcauseofthingsingeneral，Idon’ttroublemyself；theremustbeone，butwhatisittome？IfIhowltoalleternityIshallnevergetholdofit；
　　andifIdidImightbenobetteroff。ButyouGermansarebornwithanaptitudeforborrowing；youcan’thelpyourselves。Youmustsniffafterreasons，justasthatdogmustafteramole。Heknowsperfectlywellhewillnevercatchit，buthe’sundertheimperativenecessityofdiggingforit。"
　　"Buthemightfindit。"
　　"Might！——butheneverhasandneverwill。Lifeistooshorttorunaftermights；wemusthavecertainties。"
　　Shetuckedtheboxunderherarmandwasabouttowalkon，whenGregoryRose，withshiningspurs，anostrichfeatherinhishat，andasilver—
　　headedwhip，careeredpast。Hebowedgallantlyashewentby。Theywaitedtillthedustofthehorse’shoofshadlaiditself。
　　"There，"saidLyndall，"goesatruewoman——onebornforthespherethatsomewomenhavetofillwithoutbeingbornforit。Howhappyhewouldbesewingfrillsintohislittlegirl’sfrocks，andhowprettyhewouldlooksittinginaparlour，witharoughmanmakinglovetohim！Don’tyouthinkso？"
　　"Ishallnotstayherewhenheismaster，"Waldoanswered，notabletoconnectanykindofbeautywithGregoryRose。
　　"Ishouldimaginenot。Theruleofawomanistyranny；buttheruleofaman—womangrindsfine。Whereareyougoing？"
　　"Anywhere。"
　　"Whattodo？"
　　"See——seeeverything。"
　　"Youwillbedisappointed。"
　　"Andwereyou？"
　　"Yes；andyouwillbemoreso。Iwantthingsthatmenandtheworldgive，youdonot。Ifyouhaveafewyardsofearthtostandon，andabitofblueoveryou，andsomethingthatyoucannotseetodreamabout，youhaveallthatyouneed，allthatyouknowhowtouse。ButIliketoseerealmen。Letthembeasdisagreeableastheyplease，theyaremoreinterestingtomethanflowers，ortrees，orstars，oranyotherthingunderthesun。
　　Sometimes，"sheadded，walkingon，andshakingthedustdaintilyfromherskirts，"whenIamnottoobusytryingtofindanewwayofdoingmyhairthatwillshowmylittlenecktobetteradvantage，oroverotherworkofthatkind，sometimesitamusesmeintenselytotraceouttheresemblancebetweenonemanandanother：toseehowTantSannieandI，youandBonaparte，St。Simononhispillow，andtheemperordiningofflarks’
　　tongues，areoneandthesamecompound，merelymixedindifferentproportions。
　　"Whatismicroscopicinoneislargelydevelopedinanother；whatisarudimentaryinonemanisanactiveorganinanother；butallthingsareinallmen，andonesoulisthemodelofall。Weshallfindnothingnewinhumannatureafterwehaveoncecarefullydissectedandanalyzedtheonebeingweevershalltrulyknow——ourself。TheKaffergirlthrewsomecoffeeonmyarminbedthismorning；Ifeltdispleased，butsaidnothing。TantSanniewouldhavethrownthesauceratherandswornforanhour；butthefeelingwouldbethesameirritateddispleasure。IfahugeanimatedstomachlikeBonapartewereputunderaglassbyaskilfulmentalmicroscopist，evenhewouldbefoundtohaveanembryonicdoublingsomewhereindicativeofaheart，andrudimentarybuddingsthatmighthavebecomeconscienceandsincerity。LetmetakeyourarmWaldo。
　　"Howfullyouareofmealiedust。No，nevermind。Itwillbrushoff。Andsometimeswhatismoreamusingstillthantracingthelikenessbetweenmanandman，istotracetheanalogytherealwaysisbetweentheprogressanddevelopmentofoneindividualandofawholenation；or，again，betweenasinglenationandtheentirehumanrace。Itispleasantwhenitdawnsonyouthattheoneisjusttheotherwrittenoutinlargeletters；andveryoddtofindallthelittlefolliesandvirtues，anddevelopmentsandretrogressions，writtenoutinthebigworld’sbookthatyoufindinyourlittleinternalself。ItisthemostamusingthingIknowof；butofcourse，beingawoman，Ihavenotoftentimeforsuchamusements。
　　Professionaldutiesalwaysfirst，youknow。Ittakesagreatdealoftimeandthoughtalwaystolookperfectlyexquisite，evenforaprettywoman。
　　Istheoldbuggystillinexistence，Waldo？"
　　"Yes，buttheharnessisbroken。"
　　"Well，Iwishyouwouldmendit。Youmustteachmetodrive。ImustlearnsomethingwhileIamhere。IgottheHottentotgirltoshowmehowtomakesarsartiesthismorning；andTantSannieisgoingtoteachmetomakekapjes。Iwillcomeandsitwithyouthisafternoonwhileyoumendtheharness。"
　　"Thankyou。"
　　"No，don’tthankme；Icomeformyownpleasure。IneverfindanyoneI
　　cantalkto。Womenboreme，andmen，Italksoto——’Goingtotheballthisevening？Nicelittledogthatofyours。Prettylittleears。Sofondofpointerpups！’Andtheythinkmefascinating，charming！Menareliketheearth，andwearethemoon；weturnalwaysonesidetothem，andtheythinkthereisnoother，becausetheydon’tseeit——butthereis。"
　　Theyhadreachedthehousenow。
　　"Tellmewhenyousettowork，"shesaid，andwalkedtowardthedoor。
　　Waldostoodtolookafterher，andDossstoodathisside，alookofpainfuluncertaintydepictedonhissmallcountenance，andonelittlefootpoisedintheair。Shouldhestaywithhismasterorgo？Helookedatthefigurewiththewidestrawhatmovingtowardthehouse，andhelookedupathismaster；thenheputdownthelittlepawandwent。Waldowatchedthembothinatthedoorandthenwalkedawayalone。Hewassatisfiedthatatleasthisdogwaswithher。
　　Chapter2。V。TantSannieHoldsAnUpsitting，andGregoryWritesALetter。
　　Itwasjustaftersunset，andLyndallhadnotyetreturnedfromherfirstdriving—lesson，whentheleancolouredwomanstandingatthecornerofthehousetoenjoytheeveningbreeze，sawcomingalongtheroadastrangehorseman。Verynarrowlyshesurveyedhim，asslowlyheapproached。Hewasattiredinthedeepestmourning，theblackcreperoundhistallhattotallyconcealingtheblackfelt，andnothingbutadazzlingshirt—frontrelievingthefunerealtoneofhisattire。Herodemuchforwardinhissaddle，withhischinrestingontheuppermostofhisshirt—studs，andtherewasanairofmeeksubjectiontothewillofHeaven，andtowhatmightbeinstoreforhim，thatbespokeitselfeveninthewayinwhichhegentlyurgedhissteed。Hewasevidentlyinnohurrytoreachhisdestination，forthenearerheapproachedtoittheslackerdidhisbridlehang。Thecolouredwomanhavingdulyinspectedhim，dashedintothedwelling。
　　"Hereisanotherone！"shecried——"awidower；Iseeitbyhishat。"
　　"GoodLord！"saidTantSannie；"it’stheseventhI’vehadthismonth；butthemenknowwheresheepandgoodlooksandmoneyinthebankaretobefound，"sheadded，winkingknowingly。"Howdoeshelook？"
　　"Nineteen，weakeyes，whitehair，littleroundnose，"saidthemaid。
　　"Thenit’she！thenit’she！"saidTantSannietriumphantly；"littlePietVanderWalt，whosewifediedlastmonth——twofarms，twelvethousandsheep。
　　I’venotseenhim，butmysister—in—lawtoldmeabouthim，andIdreamedabouthimlastnight。"
　　HerePiet’sblackhatappearedinthedoorway，andtheBoer—womandrewherselfupindignifiedsilence，extendedthetipsofherfingers，andmotionedsolemnlytoachair。Theyoungmanseatedhimself，stickinghisfeetasfarunderitastheywouldgo，andsaidmildly：
　　"IamLittlePietVanderWalt，andmyfatherisBigPietVanderWalt。"
　　TantSanniesaidsolemnly："Yes。"
　　"Aunt，"saidtheyoungman，startingupspasmodically；"canIoff—saddle？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Heseizedhishat，anddisappearedwitharushthroughthedoor。
　　"Itoldyouso！Iknewit！"saidTantSannie。"ThedearLorddoesn’tsenddreamsfornothing。Didn’tItellyouthismorningthatIdreamedofagreatbeastlikeasheep，withredeyes，andIkilledit？Wasn’tthewhitewoolhishair，andtheredeyeshisweakeyes，andmykillinghimmeantmarriage？Getsupperreadyquickly；thesheep’sinsideandroaster—cakes。
　　Weshallsituptonight。"
　　ToyoungPietVanderWaltthatsupperwasaperiodofintensetorture。
　　TherewassomethingoverawinginthatassemblyofEnglishpeople，withtheirincomprehensiblespeech；andmoreover，itwashisfirstcourtship；
　　hisfirstwifehadcourtedhim，andtenmonthsofseveredomesticrulehadnotraisedhisspiritnorcourage。Heatelittle，andwhenheraisedamorseltohislipsglancedguiltilyroundtoseeifhewerenotobserved。
　　Hehadputthreeringsonhislittlefinger，withtheintentionofstickingitoutstifflywhenheraisedacoffee—cup；nowthelittlefingerwascurledmiserablyamongitsfellows。Itwassmallreliefwhenthemealwasover，andTantSannieandherepairedtothefrontroom。Onceseatedthere，hesethiskneesclosetogether，stoodhisblackhatuponthem，andwretchedlyturnedthebrimupanddown。ButsupperhadcheeredTantSannie，whofounditimpossiblelongertomaintainthatdecoroussilence，andwhoseheartyearnedovertheyouth。
　　"IwasrelatedtoyourauntSelenawhodied，"saidTantSannie。"Mymother’sstepbrother’schildwasmarriedtoherfather’sbrother’sstepnephew’sniece。"
　　"Yes，aunt，"saidtheyoungman，"Iknowwewererelated。"
　　"Itwashercousin，"saidTantSannie，nowfairlyontheflow，"whohadthecancercutoutofherbreastbytheotherdoctor，whowasnottherightdoctortheysentfor，butwhodiditquiteaswell。"
　　"Yes，aunt，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"I’veheardaboutitoften，"saidTantSannie。"AndhewasthesonoftheolddoctorthattheysaydiedonChristmas—day，butIdon’tknowifthat’strue。Peopledotellsuchawfullies。WhyshouldhedieonChristmas—daymorethananyotherday？"
　　"Yes，aunt，why？"saidtheyoungmanmeekly。
　　"Didyoueverhavethetoothache？"askedTantSannie。
　　"No，aunt。"
　　"Well，theysaythatdoctor——notthesonoftheolddoctorthatdiedonChristmas—day，theotherthatdidn’tcomewhenhewassentfor——hegavesuchgoodstuffforthetoothachethatifyouopenedthebottleintheroomwhereanyonewasbadtheygotbetterdirectly。Youcouldseeitwasgoodstuff，"saidTantSannie；"ittastedhorrid。Thatwasarealdoctor！Heusedtogiveabottlesohigh，"saidtheBoer—woman，raisingherhandafootfromthetable，"youcoulddrinkatitforamonthanditwouldn’tgetdone，andthesamemedicinewasgoodforallsortsofsicknesses——croup，measles，jaundice，dropsy。Nowyouhavetobuyanewkindforeachsickness。Thedoctorsaren’tsogoodastheyusedtobe。"
　　"No，aunt，"saidtheyoungman，whowastryingtogaincouragetostickouthislegsandclinkhisspurstogether。Hedidsoatlast。
　　TantSanniehadnoticedthespursbefore；butshethoughtitshowedanicemanlyspirit，andherheartwarmedyetmoretotheyouth。
　　"Didyoueverhaveconvulsionswhenyouwereababy？"askedTantSannie。
　　"Yes，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Strange，"saidTantSannie；"Ihadconvulsionstoo。Wonderfulthatweshouldbesomuchalike！"
　　"Aunt，"saidtheyoungmanexplosively，"canwesituptonight？"
　　TantSanniehungherheadandhalfclosedhereyes；butfindingthatherlittlewileswerethrownaway，theyoungmanstaringfixedlyathishat，shesimpered，"Yes，"andwentawaytofetchcandles。
　　InthediningroomEmworkedathermachine，andGregorysatclosebesideher，hisgreatblueeyesturnedtothewindowwhereLyndallleanedouttalkingtoWaldo。
　　TantSannietooktwocandlesoutofthecupboardandheldthemuptriumphantly，winkingallroundtheroom。
　　"He’saskedforthem，"shesaid。
　　"Doeshewantthemforhishorse’srubbedback？"askedGregory，newtoup—
　　countrylife。
　　"No，"saidTantSannie，indignantly；"we’regoingtositup！"andshewalkedoffintriumphwiththecandles。
　　Nevertheless，whenalltherestofthehousehadretired，whenthelongcandlewaslighted，whenthecoffee—kettlewasfilled，whenshesatintheelbow—chair，withherloveronachairclosebesideher，andwhenthevigilofthenightwasfairlybegun，shebegantofinditwearisome。Theyoungmanlookedchilly，andsaidnothing。
　　"Won’tyouputyourfeetonmystove？"saidTantSannie。
　　"Nothankyou，aunt，"saidtheyoungman，andbothlapsedintosilence。
　　AtlastTantSannie，afraidofgoingtosleep，tappedastrongcupofcoffeeforherselfandhandedanothertoherlover。Thisvisiblyrevivedboth。
　　"Howlongwereyoumarried，cousin？"
　　"Tenmonths，aunt。"
　　"Howoldwasyourbaby？"
　　"Threedayswhenitdied。"
　　"It’sveryhardwhenwemustgiveourhusbandsandwivestotheLord，"saidTantSannie。