Theairwascoolenoughtomakethewarmsunpleasantonone’sbackandshoulders，andsoclearthattheeyecouldfollowahawkupandup，intotheblazingbluedepthsofthesky。
　　EvenCarl，neveraverycheerfulboy，andcon—
　　siderablydarkenedbytheselasttwobitteryears，lovedthecountryondayslikethis，feltsomethingstrongandyoungandwildcomeoutofit，thatlaughedatcare。
　　"Alexandra，"hesaidasheapproachedher，"Iwanttotalktoyou。Let’ssitdownbythegooseberrybushes。"Hepickeduphersackofpotatoesandtheycrossedthegarden。"Boysgonetotown？"heaskedashesankdownonthewarm，sun—bakedearth。"Well，wehavemadeupourmindsatlast，Alexandra。Wearereallygoingaway。"
　　Shelookedathimasifshewerealittlefright—
　　ened。"Really，Carl？Isitsettled？"
　　"Yes，fatherhasheardfromSt。Louis，andtheywillgivehimbackhisoldjobinthecigarfactory。HemustbetherebythefirstofNovember。Theyaretakingonnewmenthen。
　　Wewillselltheplaceforwhateverwecanget，andauctionthestock。Wehaven’tenoughtoship。IamgoingtolearnengravingwithaGermanengraverthere，andthentrytogetworkinChicago。"
　　Alexandra’shandsdroppedinherlap。Hereyesbecamedreamyandfilledwithtears。
　　Carl’ssensitivelowerliptrembled。Hescratchedinthesoftearthbesidehimwithastick。"That’sallIhateaboutit，Alexandra，"
　　hesaidslowly。"You’vestoodbyusthroughsomuchandhelpedfatheroutsomanytimes，andnowitseemsasifwewererunningoffandleavingyoutofacetheworstofit。Butitisn’tasifwecouldreallyeverbeofanyhelptoyou。
　　Weareonlyonemoredrag，onemorethingyoulookoutforandfeelresponsiblefor。Fatherwasnevermeantforafarmer，youknowthat。
　　AndIhateit。We’donlygetindeeperanddeeper。"
　　"Yes，yes，Carl，Iknow。Youarewastingyourlifehere。Youareabletodomuchbetterthings。Youarenearlynineteennow，andI
　　wouldn’thaveyoustay。I’vealwayshopedyouwouldgetaway。ButIcan’thelpfeelingscaredwhenIthinkhowIwillmissyou——
　　morethanyouwilleverknow。"Shebrushedthetearsfromhercheeks，nottryingtohidethem。
　　"But，Alexandra，"hesaidsadlyandwist—
　　fully，"I’veneverbeenanyrealhelptoyou，beyondsometimestryingtokeeptheboysinagoodhumor。"
　　Alexandrasmiledandshookherhead。"Oh，it’snotthat。Nothinglikethat。It’sbyunder—
　　standingme，andtheboys，andmother，thatyou’vehelpedme。Iexpectthatistheonlywayonepersoneverreallycanhelpanother。
　　Ithinkyouareabouttheonlyonethateverhelpedme。Somehowitwilltakemorecouragetobearyourgoingthaneverythingthathashappenedbefore。"
　　Carllookedattheground。"Yousee，we’vealldependedsoonyou，"hesaid，"evenfather。
　　Hemakesmelaugh。Whenanythingcomesuphealwayssays，’IwonderwhattheBergsonsaregoingtodoaboutthat？IguessI’llgoandaskher。’I’llneverforgetthattime，whenwefirstcamehere，andourhorsehadthecolic，andIranovertoyourplace——yourfatherwasaway，andyoucamehomewithmeandshowedfatherhowtoletthewindoutofthehorse。Youwereonlyalittlegirlthen，butyoukneweversomuchmoreaboutfarmworkthanpoorfather。
　　YourememberhowhomesickIusedtoget，andwhatlongtalksweusedtohavecomingfromschool？We’vesomewayalwaysfeltalikeaboutthings。"
　　"Yes，that’sit;we’velikedthesamethingsandwe’velikedthemtogether，withoutany—
　　bodyelseknowing。Andwe’vehadgoodtimes，huntingforChristmastreesandgoingforducksandmakingourplumwinetogethereveryyear。
　　We’venevereitherofushadanyotherclosefriend。Andnow——"Alexandrawipedhereyeswiththecornerofherapron，"andnowI
　　mustrememberthatyouaregoingwhereyouwillhavemanyfriends，andwillfindtheworkyouweremeanttodo。Butyou’llwritetome，Carl？Thatwillmeanagreatdealtomehere。"
　　"I’llwriteaslongasIlive，"criedtheboyimpetuously。"AndI’llbeworkingforyouasmuchasformyself，Alexandra。Iwanttodosomethingyou’lllikeandbeproudof。I’mafoolhere，butIknowIcandosomething！"Hesatupandfrownedattheredgrass。
　　Alexandrasighed。"Howdiscouragedtheboyswillbewhentheyhear。Theyalwayscomehomefromtowndiscouraged，anyway。
　　Somanypeoplearetryingtoleavethecountry，andtheytalktoourboysandmakethemlow—
　　spirited。I’mafraidtheyarebeginningtofeelhardtowardmebecauseIwon’tlistentoanytalkaboutgoing。SometimesIfeellikeI’mgettingtiredofstandingupforthiscountry。"
　　"Iwon’ttelltheboysyet，ifyou’drathernot。"
　　"Oh，I’lltellthemmyself，to—night，whentheycomehome。They’llbetalkingwild，any—
　　way，andnogoodcomesofkeepingbadnews。
　　It’sallharderonthemthanitisonme。Louwantstogetmarried，poorboy，andhecan’tuntiltimesarebetter。See，theregoesthesun，Carl。Imustbegettingback。Motherwillwantherpotatoes。It’schillyalready，themomentthelightgoes。"
　　Alexandraroseandlookedabout。Agoldenafterglowthrobbedinthewest，butthecoun—
　　tryalreadylookedemptyandmournful。A
　　darkmovingmasscameoverthewesternhill，theLeeboywasbringingintheherdfromtheotherhalf—section。Emilranfromthewindmilltoopenthecorralgate。Fromtheloghouse，onthelittleriseacrossthedraw，thesmokewascurling。Thecattlelowedandbellowed。Intheskythepalehalf—moonwasslowlysilvering。
　　AlexandraandCarlwalkedtogetherdownthepotatorows。"Ihavetokeeptellingmyselfwhatisgoingtohappen，"shesaidsoftly。
　　"Sinceyouhavebeenhere，tenyearsnow，I
　　haveneverreallybeenlonely。ButIcanrememberwhatitwaslikebefore。NowIshallhavenobodybutEmil。Butheismyboy，andheistender—hearted。"
　　Thatnight，whentheboyswerecalledtosupper，theysatdownmoodily。Theyhadworntheircoatstotown，buttheyateintheirstripedshirtsandsuspenders。Theyweregrownmennow，and，asAlexandrasaid，forthelastfewyearstheyhadbeengrowingmoreandmorelikethemselves。Louwasstilltheslighterofthetwo，thequickerandmoreintelligent，butapttogooffathalf—cock。Hehadalivelyblueeye，athin，fairskin（alwaysburnedredtotheneckbandofhisshirtinsummer），stiff，yellowhairthatwouldnotliedownonhishead，andabristlylittleyellowmustache，ofwhichhewasveryproud。Oscarcouldnotgrowamus—
　　tache;hispalefacewasasbareasanegg，andhiswhiteeyebrowsgaveitanemptylook。Hewasamanofpowerfulbodyandunusualendur—
　　ance;thesortofmanyoucouldattachtoacorn—shellerasyouwouldanengine。Hewouldturnitallday，withouthurrying，withoutslow—
　　ingdown。Buthewasasindolentofmindashewasunsparingofhisbody。Hisloveofroutineamountedtoavice。Heworkedlikeaninsect，alwaysdoingthesamethingoverinthesameway，regardlessofwhetheritwasbestorno。Hefeltthattherewasasovereignvirtueinmerebodilytoil，andheratherlikedtodothingsinthehardestway。Ifafieldhadoncebeenincorn，hecouldn’tbeartoputitintowheat。Helikedtobeginhiscorn—plantingatthesametimeeveryyear，whethertheseasonwerebackwardorforward。Heseemedtofeelthatbyhisownirreproachableregularityhewouldclearhimselfofblameandreprovetheweather。Whenthewheatcropfailed，hethreshedthestrawatadeadlosstodemon—
　　stratehowlittlegraintherewas，andthusprovehiscaseagainstProvidence。
　　Lou，ontheotherhand，wasfussyandflighty;alwaysplannedtogetthroughtwodays’workinone，andoftengotonlytheleastimportantthingsdone。Helikedtokeeptheplaceup，buthenevergotroundtodoingoddjobsuntilhehadtoneglectmorepressingworktoattendtothem。Inthemiddleofthewheatharvest，whenthegrainwasover—ripeandeveryhandwasneeded，hewouldstoptomendfencesortopatchtheharness;thendashdowntothefieldandoverworkandbelaidupinbedforaweek。Thetwoboysbalancedeachother，andtheypulledwelltogether。Theyhadbeengoodfriendssincetheywerechildren。Oneseldomwentanywhere，eventotown，withouttheother。
　　To—night，aftertheysatdowntosupper，OscarkeptlookingatLouasifheexpectedhimtosaysomething，andLoublinkedhiseyesandfrownedathisplate。ItwasAlexandraherselfwhoatlastopenedthediscussion。
　　"TheLinstrums，"shesaidcalmly，assheputanotherplateofhotbiscuitonthetable，"aregoingbacktoSt。Louis。Theoldmanisgoingtoworkinthecigarfactoryagain。"
　　AtthisLouplungedin。"Yousee，Alex—
　　andra，everybodywhocancrawloutisgoingaway。There’snouseofustryingtostickitout，justtobestubborn。There’ssomethinginknowingwhentoquit。"
　　"Wheredoyouwanttogo，Lou？"
　　"Anyplacewherethingswillgrow。"saidOscargrimly。
　　Loureachedforapotato。"ChrisArnsonhastradedhishalf—sectionforaplacedownontheriver。"
　　"Whodidhetradewith？"
　　"CharleyFuller，intown。"
　　"Fullertherealestateman？Yousee，Lou，thatFullerhasaheadonhim。He’sbuy—
　　ingandtradingforeverybitoflandhecangetuphere。It’llmakehimarichman，someday。"
　　"He’srichnow，that’swhyhecantakeachance。"
　　"Whycan’twe？We’lllivelongerthanhewill。Somedaythelanditselfwillbeworthmorethanallwecaneverraiseonit。"
　　Loulaughed。"Itcouldbeworththat，andstillnotbeworthmuch。Why，Alexandra，youdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout。Ourplacewouldn’tbringnowwhatitwouldsixyearsago。Thefellowsthatsettledupherejustmadeamistake。Nowthey’rebeginningtoseethishighlandwasn’tnevermeanttogrowno—
　　thingon，andeverybodywhoain’tfixedtograzecattleistryingtocrawlout。It’stoohightofarmuphere。AlltheAmericansareskinningout。ThatmanPercyAdams，northoftown，toldmethathewasgoingtoletFullertakehislandandstuffforfourhundreddollarsandatickettoChicago。"
　　"There’sFulleragain！"Alexandraex—
　　claimed。"Iwishthatmanwouldtakemeforapartner。He’sfeatheringhisnest！Ifonlypoorpeoplecouldlearnalittlefromrichpeople！
　　Butallthesefellowswhoarerunningoffarebadfarmers，likepoorMr。Linstrum。Theycouldn’tgetaheadeveningoodyears，andtheyallgotintodebtwhilefatherwasgettingout。
　　Ithinkweoughttoholdonaslongaswecanonfather’saccount。Hewassosetonkeepingthisland。Hemusthaveseenhardertimesthanthis，here。Howwasitintheearlydays，mother？"
　　Mrs。Bergsonwasweepingquietly。Thesefamilydiscussionsalwaysdepressedher，andmadeherrememberallthatshehadbeentornawayfrom。"Idon’tseewhytheboysarealwaystakingonaboutgoingaway，"shesaid，wipinghereyes。"Idon’twanttomoveagain;
　　outtosomerawplace，maybe，wherewe’dbeworseoffthanwearehere，andalltodooveragain。Iwon’tmove！Iftherestofyougo，I
　　willasksomeoftheneighborstotakemein，andstayandbeburiedbyfather。I’mnotgoingtoleavehimbyhimselfontheprairie，forcattletorunover。"Shebegantocrymorebitterly。
　　Theboyslookedangry。Alexandraputasoothinghandonhermother’sshoulder。
　　"There’snoquestionofthat，mother。Youdon’thavetogoifyoudon’twantto。AthirdoftheplacebelongstoyoubyAmericanlaw，andwecan’tsellwithoutyourconsent。Weonlywantyoutoadviseus。Howdiditusetobewhenyouandfatherfirstcame？Wasitreallyasbadasthis，ornot？"
　　"Oh，worse！Muchworse，"moanedMrs。
　　Bergson。"Drouth，chince—bugs，hail，every—
　　thing！Mygardenallcuttopieceslikesauer—
　　kraut。Nograpesonthecreek，nonothing。
　　Thepeoplealllivedjustlikecoyotes。"
　　Oscargotupandtrampedoutofthekitchen。
　　Loufollowedhim。TheyfeltthatAlexandrahadtakenanunfairadvantageinturningtheirmotherlooseonthem。Thenextmorningtheyweresilentandreserved。Theydidnotoffertotakethewomentochurch，butwentdowntothebarnimmediatelyafterbreakfastandstayedthereallday。WhenCarlLinstrumcameoverintheafternoon，Alexandrawinkedtohimandpointedtowardthebarn。Heunder—
　　stoodherandwentdowntoplaycardswiththeboys。TheybelievedthataverywickedthingtodoonSunday，anditrelievedtheirfeelings。
　　Alexandrastayedinthehouse。OnSundayafternoonMrs。Bergsonalwaystookanap，andAlexandraread。Duringtheweekshereadonlythenewspaper，butonSunday，andinthelongeveningsofwinter，shereadagooddeal;readafewthingsoveragreatmanytimes。Sheknewlongportionsofthe"FrithjofSaga"byheart，and，likemostSwedeswhoreadatall，shewasfondofLongfellow’sverse，——theballadsandthe"GoldenLegend"and"TheSpanishStu—
　　dent。"To—dayshesatinthewoodenrocking—
　　chairwiththeSwedishBibleopenonherknees，butshewasnotreading。Shewaslookingthoughtfullyawayatthepointwheretheup—
　　landroaddisappearedovertherimoftheprairie。Herbodywasinanattitudeofperfectrepose，suchasitwasapttotakewhenshewasthinkingearnestly。Hermindwasslow，truth—
　　ful，steadfast。Shehadnottheleastsparkofcleverness。
　　Allafternoonthesitting—roomwasfullofquietandsunlight。Emilwasmakingrabbittrapsinthekitchenshed。Thehenswerecluck—
　　ingandscratchingbrownholesintheflowerbeds，andthewindwasteasingtheprince’sfeatherbythedoor。
　　ThateveningCarlcameinwiththeboystosupper。
　　"Emil，"saidAlexandra，whentheywereallseatedatthetable，"howwouldyouliketogotraveling？BecauseIamgoingtotakeatrip，andyoucangowithmeifyouwantto。"
　　Theboyslookedupinamazement;theywerealwaysafraidofAlexandra’sschemes。Carlwasinterested。
　　"I’vebeenthinking，boys，"shewenton，"thatmaybeIamtoosetagainstmakingachange。I’mgoingtotakeBrighamandthebuckboardto—morrowanddrivedowntotherivercountryandspendafewdayslookingoverwhatthey’vegotdownthere。IfIfindanythinggood，youboyscangodownandmakeatrade。"
　　"Nobodydowntherewilltradeforanythinguphere，"saidOscargloomily。
　　"That’sjustwhatIwanttofindout。Maybetheyarejustasdiscontenteddownthereasweareuphere。Thingsawayfromhomeoftenlookbetterthantheyare。YouknowwhatyourHansAndersenbooksays，Carl，abouttheSwedeslikingtobuyDanishbreadandtheDaneslikingtobuySwedishbread，becausepeoplealwaysthinkthebreadofanothercountryisbetterthantheirown。Anyway，I’veheardsomuchabouttheriverfarms，I
　　won’tbesatisfiedtillI’veseenformyself。"
　　Loufidgeted。"Lookout！Don’tagreetoanything。Don’tletthemfoolyou。"
　　Louwasapttobefooledhimself。Hehadnotyetlearnedtokeepawayfromtheshell—gamewagonsthatfollowedthecircus。
　　AftersupperLouputonanecktieandwentacrossthefieldstocourtAnnieLee，andCarlandOscarsatdowntoagameofcheckers，whileAlexandraread"TheSwissFamilyRobinson"
　　aloudtohermotherandEmil。Itwasnotlongbeforethetwoboysatthetableneglectedtheirgametolisten。Theywereallbigchildrentogether，andtheyfoundtheadventuresofthefamilyinthetreehousesoabsorbingthattheygavethemtheirundividedattention。
　　V
　　AlexandraandEmilspentfivedaysdownamongtheriverfarms，drivingupanddownthevalley。Alexandratalkedtothemenabouttheircropsandtothewomenabouttheirpoul—
　　try。Shespentawholedaywithoneyoungfarmerwhohadbeenawayatschool，andwhowasexperimentingwithanewkindofcloverhay。Shelearnedagreatdeal。Astheydrovealong，sheandEmiltalkedandplanned。Atlast，onthesixthday，AlexandraturnedBrig—
　　ham’sheadnorthwardandlefttheriverbehind。
　　"There’snothinginitforusdownthere，Emil。Thereareafewfinefarms，buttheyareownedbytherichmenintown，andcouldn’tbebought。Mostofthelandisroughandhilly。
　　Theycanalwaysscrapealongdownthere，buttheycanneverdoanythingbig。Downtheretheyhavealittlecertainty，butupwithusthereisabigchance。Wemusthavefaithinthehighland，Emil。Iwanttoholdonharderthanever，andwhenyou’reamanyou’llthankme。"SheurgedBrighamforward。
　　WhentheroadbegantoclimbthefirstlongswellsoftheDivide，AlexandrahummedanoldSwedishhymn，andEmilwonderedwhyhissisterlookedsohappy。Herfacewassoradiantthathefeltshyaboutaskingher。Forthefirsttime，perhaps，sincethatlandemergedfromthewatersofgeologicages，ahumanfacewassettowarditwithloveandyearning。Itseemedbeautifultoher，richandstrongandglorious。
　　Hereyesdrankinthebreadthofit，untilhertearsblindedher。ThentheGeniusoftheDivide，thegreat，freespiritwhichbreathesacrossit，musthavebentlowerthaniteverbenttoahumanwillbefore。Thehistoryofeverycountrybeginsintheheartofamanorawoman。
　　Alexandrareachedhomeintheafternoon。
　　Thateveningsheheldafamilycouncilandtoldherbrothersallthatshehadseenandheard。
　　"Iwantyouboystogodownyourselvesandlookitover。Nothingwillconvinceyoulikeseeingwithyourowneyes。Theriverlandwassettledbeforethis，andsotheyareafewyearsaheadofus，andhavelearnedmoreaboutfarm—
　　ing。Thelandsellsforthreetimesasmuchasthis，butinfiveyearswewilldoubleit。Therichmendownthereownallthebestland，andtheyarebuyingalltheycanget。Thethingtodoistosellourcattleandwhatlittleoldcornwehave，andbuytheLinstrumplace。Thenthenextthingtodoistotakeouttwoloansonourhalf—sections，andbuyPeterCrow’splace;
　　raiseeverydollarwecan，andbuyeveryacrewecan。"
　　"Mortgagethehomesteadagain？"Loucried。
　　Hesprangupandbegantowindtheclockfuriously。"Iwon’tslavetopayoffanothermortgage。I’llneverdoit。You’djustassoonkillusall，Alexandra，tocarryoutsomescheme！"
　　Oscarrubbedhishigh，paleforehead。"Howdoyouproposetopayoffyourmortgages？"
　　Alexandralookedfromonetotheotherandbitherlip。Theyhadneverseenhersoner—
　　vous。"Seehere，"shebroughtoutatlast。
　　"Weborrowthemoneyforsixyears。Well，withthemoneywebuyahalf—sectionfromLinstrumandahalffromCrow，andaquarterfromStruble，maybe。Thatwillgiveusup—
　　wardsoffourteenhundredacres，won’tit？
　　Youwon’thavetopayoffyourmortgagesforsixyears。Bythattime，anyofthislandwillbeworththirtydollarsanacre——itwillbeworthfifty，butwe’llsaythirty;thenyoucansellagardenpatchanywhere，andpayoffadebtofsixteenhundreddollars。It’snottheprincipalI’mworriedabout，it’stheinterestandtaxes。
　　We’llhavetostraintomeetthepayments。Butassureaswearesittinghereto—night，wecansitdownheretenyearsfromnowindependentlandowners，notstrugglingfarmersanylonger。
　　Thechancethatfatherwasalwayslookingforhascome。"
　　Louwaspacingthefloor。"ButhowdoyouKNOWthatlandisgoingtogoupenoughtopaythemortgagesand——"
　　"Andmakeusrichbesides？"Alexandraputinfirmly。"Ican’texplainthat，Lou。You’llhavetotakemywordforit。IKNOW，that’sall。
　　Whenyoudriveaboutoverthecountryyoucanfeelitcoming。"
　　Oscarhadbeensittingwithhisheadlowered，hishandshangingbetweenhisknees。"Butwecan’tworksomuchland，"hesaiddully，asifheweretalkingtohimself。"Wecan’teventry。
　　Itwouldjustliethereandwe’dworkourselvestodeath。"Hesighed，andlaidhiscallousedfistonthetable。
　　Alexandra’seyesfilledwithtears。Sheputherhandonhisshoulder。"Youpoorboy，youwon’thavetoworkit。Themenintownwhoarebuyingupotherpeople’slanddon’ttrytofarmit。Theyarethementowatch，inanewcountry。Let’strytodoliketheshrewdones，andnotlikethesestupidfellows。Idon’twantyouboysalwaystohavetoworklikethis。I
　　wantyoutobeindependent，andEmiltogotoschool。"
　　Louheldhisheadasifitweresplitting。
　　"Everybodywillsaywearecrazy。Itmustbecrazy，oreverybodywouldbedoingit。"
　　"Iftheywere，wewouldn’thavemuchchance。No，Lou，Iwastalkingaboutthatwiththesmartyoungmanwhoisraisingthenewkindofclover。Hesaystherightthingisusu—
　　allyjustwhateverybodydon’tdo。Whyarewebetterfixedthananyofourneighbors？
　　Becausefatherhadmorebrains。Ourpeoplewerebetterpeoplethantheseintheoldcoun—
　　try。WeOUGHTtodomorethantheydo，andseefurtherahead。Yes，mother，I’mgoingtoclearthetablenow。"
　　Alexandrarose。Theboyswenttothestabletoseetothestock，andtheyweregonealongwhile。WhentheycamebackLouplayedonhisDRAGHARMONIKAandOscarsatfiguringathisfather’ssecretaryallevening。Theysaidno—
　　thingmoreaboutAlexandra’sproject，butshefeltsurenowthattheywouldconsenttoit。
　　JustbeforebedtimeOscarwentoutforapailofwater。Whenhedidnotcomeback，Alexandrathrewashawloverherheadandrandownthepathtothewindmill。Shefoundhimsittingtherewithhisheadinhishands，andshesatdownbesidehim。
　　"Don’tdoanythingyoudon’twanttodo，Oscar，"shewhispered。Shewaitedamoment，buthedidnotstir。"Iwon’tsayanymoreaboutit，ifyou’drathernot。Whatmakesyousodiscouraged？"
　　"Idreadsigningmynametothempiecesofpaper，"hesaidslowly。"AllthetimeIwasaboywehadamortgagehangingoverus。"
　　"Thendon’tsignone。Idon’twantyouto，ifyoufeelthatway。"
　　Oscarshookhishead。"No，Icanseethere’sachancethatway。I’vethoughtagoodwhiletheremightbe。We’reinsodeepnow，wemightaswellgodeeper。Butit’shardworkpullingoutofdebt。Likepullingathreshing—
　　machineoutofthemud;breaksyourback。MeandLou’sworkedhard，andIcan’tseeit’sgotusaheadmuch。"
　　"NobodyknowsaboutthataswellasIdo，Oscar。That’swhyIwanttotryaneasierway。
　　Idon’twantyoutohavetogrubforeverydollar。"
　　"Yes，Iknowwhatyoumean。Maybeit’llcomeoutright。Butsigningpapersissigningpapers。Thereain’tnomaybeaboutthat。"
　　Hetookhispailandtrudgedupthepathtothehouse。
　　Alexandradrewhershawlcloseraboutherandstoodleaningagainsttheframeofthemill，lookingatthestarswhichglitteredsokeenlythroughthefrostyautumnair。Shealwayslovedtowatchthem，tothinkoftheirvastnessanddistance，andoftheirorderedmarch。Itfortifiedhertoreflectuponthegreatoperationsofnature，andwhenshethoughtofthelawthatlaybehindthem，shefeltasenseofpersonalsecurity。Thatnightshehadanewconscious—
　　nessofthecountry，feltalmostanewrelationtoit。EvenhertalkwiththeboyshadnottakenawaythefeelingthathadoverwhelmedherwhenshedrovebacktotheDividethatafternoon。Shehadneverknownbeforehowmuchthecountrymeanttoher。Thechirpingoftheinsectsdowninthelonggrasshadbeenlikethesweetestmusic。Shehadfeltasifherheartwerehidingdownthere，somewhere，withthequailandtheploverandallthelit—
　　tlewildthingsthatcroonedorbuzzedinthesun。Underthelongshaggyridges，shefeltthefuturestirring。
　　EndofPartI
　　PARTII
　　NeighboringFieldsI
　　ITissixteenyearssinceJohnBergsondied。
　　Hiswifenowliesbesidehim，andthewhiteshaftthatmarkstheirgravesgleamsacrossthewheat—fields。Couldherisefrombeneathit，hewouldnotknowthecountryunderwhichhehasbeenasleep。Theshaggycoatoftheprairie，whichtheyliftedtomakehimabed，hasvan—
　　ishedforever。FromtheNorwegiangraveyardonelooksoutoveravastchecker—board，markedoffinsquaresofwheatandcorn;lightanddark，darkandlight。Telephonewireshumalongthewhiteroads，whichalwaysrunatrightangles。Fromthegraveyardgateonecancountadozengaylypaintedfarmhouses;thegildedweather—vanesonthebigredbarnswinkateachotheracrossthegreenandbrownandyellowfields。Thelightsteelwindmillstrem—
　　blethroughouttheirframesandtugattheirmoorings，astheyvibrateinthewindthatoftenblowsfromoneweek’sendtoanotheracrossthathigh，active，resolutestretchofcountry。
　　TheDivideisnowthicklypopulated。Therichsoilyieldsheavyharvests;thedry，bracingclimateandthesmoothnessofthelandmakelaboreasyformenandbeasts。Therearefewscenesmoregratifyingthanaspringplowinginthatcountry，wherethefurrowsofasinglefieldoftenlieamileinlength，andthebrownearth，withsuchastrong，cleansmell，andsuchapowerofgrowthandfertilityinit，yieldsitselfeagerlytotheplow;rollsawayfromtheshear，notevendimmingthebrightnessofthemetal，withasoft，deepsighofhappiness。Thewheat—
　　cuttingsometimesgoesonallnightaswellasallday，andingoodseasonstherearescarcelymenandhorsesenoughtodotheharvesting。
　　Thegrainissoheavythatitbendstowardthebladeandcutslikevelvet。
　　Thereissomethingfrankandjoyousandyoungintheopenfaceofthecountry。Itgivesitselfungrudginglytothemoodsoftheseason，holdingnothingback。LiketheplainsofLom—
　　bardy，itseemstorisealittletomeetthesun。
　　Theairandtheeartharecuriouslymatedandintermingled，asiftheonewerethebreathoftheother。Youfeelintheatmospherethesametonic，puissantqualitythatisinthetilth，thesamestrengthandresoluteness。
　　OneJunemorningayoungmanstoodatthegateoftheNorwegiangraveyard，sharpeninghisscytheinstrokesunconsciouslytimedtothetunehewaswhistling。Heworeaflannelcapandducktrousers，andthesleevesofhiswhiteflannelshirtwererolledbacktotheelbow。
　　Whenhewassatisfiedwiththeedgeofhisblade，heslippedthewhetstoneintohishippocketandbegantoswinghisscythe，stillwhistling，butsoftly，outofrespecttothequietfolkabouthim。Unconsciousrespect，probably，forheseemedintentuponhisownthoughts，and，liketheGladiator’s，theywerefaraway。
　　Hewasasplendidfigureofaboy，tallandstraightasayoungpinetree，withahand—
　　somehead，andstormygrayeyes，deeplysetunderaseriousbrow。Thespacebetweenhistwofrontteeth，whichwereunusuallyfarapart，gavehimtheproficiencyinwhistlingforwhichhewasdistinguishedatcollege。
　　（HealsoplayedthecornetintheUniversityband。）
　　Whenthegrassrequiredhiscloseattention，orwhenhehadtostooptocutaboutahead—
　　stone，hepausedinhislivelyair，——the"Jewel"
　　song，——takingitupwherehehadleftitwhenhisscytheswungfreeagain。Hewasnotthink—
　　ingaboutthetiredpioneersoverwhomhisbladeglittered。Theoldwildcountry，thestruggleinwhichhissisterwasdestinedtosuc—
　　ceedwhilesomanymenbroketheirheartsanddied，hecanscarcelyremember。Thatisallamongthedimthingsofchildhoodandhasbeenforgotteninthebrighterpatternlifeweavesto—day，inthebrightfactsofbeingcaptainofthetrackteam，andholdingtheinterstaterecordforthehighjump，intheall—suffusingbrightnessofbeingtwenty—one。Yetsome—
　　times，inthepausesofhiswork，theyoungmanfrownedandlookedatthegroundwithanintentnesswhichsuggestedthateventwenty—
　　onemighthaveitsproblems。
　　Whenhehadbeenmowingthebetterpartofanhour，heheardtherattleofalightcartontheroadbehindhim。Supposingthatitwashissistercomingbackfromoneofherfarms，hekeptonwithhiswork。Thecartstoppedatthegateandamerrycontraltovoicecalled，"Almostthrough，Emil？"Hedroppedhisscytheandwenttowardthefence，wipinghisfaceandneckwithhishandkerchief。Inthecartsatayoungwomanwhoworedrivinggauntletsandawideshadehat，trimmedwithredpoppies。Herface，too，wasratherlikeapoppy，roundandbrown，withrichcolorinhercheeksandlips，andherdancingyellow—browneyesbubbledwithgayety。Thewindwasflap—
　　pingherbighatandteasingacurlofherchestnut—coloredhair。Sheshookherheadatthetallyouth。
　　"Whattimedidyougetoverhere？That’snotmuchofajobforanathlete。HereI’vebeentotownandback。Alexandraletsyousleeplate。Oh，Iknow！Lou’swifewastellingmeaboutthewayshespoilsyou。Iwasgoingtogiveyoualift，ifyouweredone。"Shegath—
　　eredupherreins。
　　"ButIwillbe，inaminute。Pleasewaitforme，Marie，"Emilcoaxed。"Alexandrasentmetomowourlot，butI’vedonehalfadozenothers，yousee。JustwaittillIfinishofftheKourdnas’。Bytheway，theywereBohemians。
　　Whyaren’ttheyupintheCatholicgrave—
　　yard？"
　　"Free—thinkers，"repliedtheyoungwomanlaconically。
　　"LotsoftheBohemianboysattheUniver—
　　sityare，"saidEmil，takinguphisscytheagain。
　　"WhatdidyoueverburnJohnHussfor，any—
　　way？It’smadeanawfulrow。Theystilljawaboutitinhistoryclasses。"
　　"We’ddoitrightoveragain，mostofus，"
　　saidtheyoungwomanhotly。"Don’ttheyeverteachyouinyourhistoryclassesthatyou’dallbeheathenTurksifithadn’tbeenfortheBohemians？"
　　Emilhadfallentomowing。"Oh，there’snodenyingyou’reaspunkylittlebunch，youCzechs，"hecalledbackoverhisshoulder。
　　MarieShabatasettledherselfinherseatandwatchedtherhythmicalmovementoftheyoungman’slongarms，swingingherfootasifintimetosomeairthatwasgoingthroughhermind。Theminutespassed。EmilmowedvigorouslyandMariesatsunningherselfandwatchingthelonggrassfall。Shesatwiththeeasethatbelongstopersonsofanessentiallyhappynature，whocanfindacomfortablespotalmostanywhere;whoaresupple，andquickinadaptingthemselvestocircumstances。Afterafinalswish，Emilsnappedthegateandsprangintothecart，holdinghisscythewelloutoverthewheel。"There，"hesighed。"IgaveoldmanLeeacutorso，too。Lou’swifeneedn’ttalk。IneverseeLou’sscytheoverhere。"
　　Mariecluckedtoherhorse。"Oh，youknowAnnie！"Shelookedattheyoungman’sbarearms。"Howbrownyou’vegotsinceyoucamehome。IwishIhadanathletetomowmyorchard。IgetwettomykneeswhenIgodowntopickcherries。"
　　"Youcanhaveone，anytimeyouwanthim。
　　Betterwaituntilafteritrains。"Emilsquintedoffatthehorizonasifhewerelookingforclouds。
　　"Willyou？Oh，there’sagoodboy！"Sheturnedherheadtohimwithaquick，brightsmile。Hefeltitratherthansawit。Indeed，hehadlookedawaywiththepurposeofnotsee—
　　ingit。"I’vebeenuplookingatAngelique’sweddingclothes，"Mariewenton，"andI’msoexcitedIcanhardlywaituntilSunday。Ame—
　　deewillbeahandsomebridegroom。Isany—
　　bodybutyougoingtostandupwithhim？Well，thenitwillbeahandsomeweddingparty。"
　　ShemadeadrollfaceatEmil，whoflushed。
　　"Frank，"Mariecontinued，flickingherhorse，"iscrankyatmebecauseIloanedhissaddletoJanSmirka，andI’mterriblyafraidhewon’ttakemetothedanceintheevening。Maybethesupperwilltempthim。AllAngelique’sfolksarebakingforit，andallAmedee’stwentycousins。Therewillbebarrelsofbeer。IfonceIgetFranktothesupper，I’llseethatIstayforthedance。Andbytheway，Emil，youmustn’tdancewithmebutonceortwice。YoumustdancewithalltheFrenchgirls。Ithurtstheirfeelingsifyoudon’t。Theythinkyou’reproudbecauseyou’vebeenawaytoschoolorsomething。"
　　Emilsniffed。"Howdoyouknowtheythinkthat？"
　　"Well，youdidn’tdancewiththemmuchatRaoulMarcel’sparty，andIcouldtellhowtheytookitbythewaytheylookedatyou——andatme。"
　　"Allright，"saidEmilshortly，studyingtheglitteringbladeofhisscythe。
　　TheydrovewestwardtowardNorwayCreek，andtowardabigwhitehousethatstoodonahill，severalmilesacrossthefields。Thereweresomanyshedsandoutbuildingsgroupedaboutitthattheplacelookednotunlikeatinyvillage。
　　Astranger，approachingit，couldnothelpnotic—
　　ingthebeautyandfruitfulnessoftheoutlyingfields。Therewassomethingindividualaboutthegreatfarm，amostunusualtrimnessandcarefordetail。Oneithersideoftheroad，foramilebeforeyoureachedthefootofthehill，stoodtallosageorangehedges，theirglossygreenmarkingofftheyellowfields。Southofthehill，inalow，shelteredswale，surroundedbyamulberryhedge，wastheorchard，itsfruittreesknee—deepintimothygrass。Anyonethere—
　　aboutswouldhavetoldyouthatthiswasoneoftherichestfarmsontheDivide，andthatthefarmerwasawoman，AlexandraBergson。
　　IfyougoupthehillandenterAlexandra’sbighouse，youwillfindthatitiscuriouslyunfinishedandunevenincomfort。Oneroomispapered，carpeted，over—furnished;thenextisalmostbare。Thepleasantestroomsinthehousearethekitchen——whereAlexandra’sthreeyoungSwedishgirlschatterandcookandpickleandpreserveallsummerlong——andthesitting—room，inwhichAlexandrahasbroughttogethertheoldhomelyfurniturethattheBergsonsusedintheirfirstloghouse，thefam—
　　ilyportraits，andthefewthingshermotherbroughtfromSweden。
　　Whenyougooutofthehouseintotheflowergarden，thereyoufeelagaintheorderandfinearrangementmanifestalloverthegreatfarm;
　　inthefencingandhedging，inthewindbreaksandsheds，inthesymmetricalpastureponds，plantedwithscrubwillowstogiveshadetothecattleinfly—time。Thereisevenawhiterowofbeehivesintheorchard，underthewalnuttrees。
　　Youfeelthat，properly，Alexandra’shouseisthebigout—of—doors，andthatitisinthesoilthatsheexpressesherselfbest。
　　II
　　Emilreachedhomealittlepastnoon，andwhenhewentintothekitchenAlexandrawasalreadyseatedattheheadofthelongtable，havingdinnerwithhermen，asshealwaysdidunlesstherewerevisitors。Heslippedintohisemptyplaceathissister’sright。ThethreeprettyyoungSwedishgirlswhodidAlexandra’shouseworkwerecuttingpies，refillingcoffee—
　　cups，placingplattersofbreadandmeatandpotatoesupontheredtablecloth，andcontinu—
　　allygettingineachother’swaybetweenthetableandthestove。Tobesuretheyalwayswastedagooddealoftimegettingineachother’swayandgigglingateachother’smistakes。But，asAlexandrahadpointedlytoldhersisters—in—
　　law，itwastohearthemgigglethatshekeptthreeyoungthingsinherkitchen;theworkshecoulddoherself，ifitwerenecessary。Thesegirls，withtheirlonglettersfromhome，theirfinery，andtheirlove—affairs，affordedheragreatdealofentertainment，andtheywerecom—
　　panyforherwhenEmilwasawayatschool。
　　Oftheyoungestgirl，Signa，whohasaprettyfigure，mottledpinkcheeks，andyellowhair，Alexandraisveryfond，thoughshekeepsasharpeyeuponher。Signaisapttobeskittishatmealtime，whenthemenareabout，andtospillthecoffeeorupsetthecream。Itissup—
　　posedthatNelseJensen，oneofthesixmenatthedinner—table，iscourtingSigna，thoughhehasbeensocarefulnottocommithimselfthatnooneinthehouse，leastofallSigna，cantelljusthowfarthematterhasprogressed。Nelsewatchesherglumlyasshewaitsuponthetable，andintheeveninghesitsonabenchbehindthestovewithhisDRAGHARMONIKA，playingmournfulairsandwatchingherasshegoesaboutherwork。WhenAlexandraaskedSignawhethershethoughtNelsewasinearnest，thepoorchildhidherhandsunderherapronandmurmured，"Idon’tknow，ma’m。Buthescoldsmeabouteverything，likeasifhewantedtohaveme！"
　　AtAlexandra’sleftsataveryoldman，bare—
　　footandwearingalongblueblouse，openattheneck。Hisshaggyheadisscarcelywhiterthanitwassixteenyearsago，buthislittleblueeyeshavebecomepaleandwatery，andhisruddyfaceiswithered，likeanapplethathasclungallwintertothetree。WhenIvarlosthislandthroughmismanagementadozenyearsago，Alexandratookhimin，andhehasbeenamem—
　　berofherhouseholdeversince。Heistoooldtoworkinthefields，buthehitchesandunhitchesthework—teamsandlooksafterthehealthofthestock。SometimesofawintereveningAlexandracallshimintothesitting—roomtoreadtheBiblealoudtoher，forhestillreadsverywell。Hedislikeshumanhabitations，soAlexandrahasfittedhimuparoominthebarn，whereheisverycomfortable，beingnearthehorsesand，ashesays，furtherfromtempta—
　　tions。Noonehaseverfoundoutwhathistemptationsare。Incoldweatherhesitsbythekitchenfireandmakeshammocksormendsharnessuntilitistimetogotobed。Thenhesayshisprayersatgreatlengthbehindthestove，putsonhisbuffalo—skincoatandgoesouttohisroominthebarn。
　　Alexandraherselfhaschangedverylittle。
　　Herfigureisfuller，andshehasmorecolor。Sheseemssunnierandmorevigorousthanshedidasayounggirl。Butshestillhasthesamecalmnessanddeliberationofmanner，thesamecleareyes，andshestillwearsherhairintwobraidswoundroundherhead。Itissocurlythatfieryendsescapefromthebraidsandmakeherheadlooklikeoneofthebigdoublesunflowersthatfringehervegetablegarden。Herfaceisalwaystannedinsummer，forhersunbonnetisofteneronherarmthanonherhead。Butwherehercollarfallsawayfromherneck，orwherehersleevesarepushedbackfromherwrist，theskinisofsuchsmoothnessandwhitenessasnonebutSwedishwomeneverpossess;skinwiththefreshnessofthesnowitself。
　　Alexandradidnottalkmuchatthetable，butsheencouragedhermentotalk，andshealwayslistenedattentively，evenwhentheyseemedtobetalkingfoolishly。
　　To—dayBarneyFlinn，thebigred—headedIrishmanwhohadbeenwithAlexandraforfiveyearsandwhowasactuallyherforeman，thoughhehadnosuchtitle，wasgrumblingaboutthenewsiloshehadputupthatspring。Ithap—
　　penedtobethefirstsiloontheDivide，andAlexandra’sneighborsandhermenwereskep—
　　ticalaboutit。"Tobesure，ifthethingdon’twork，we’llhaveplentyoffeedwithoutit，indeed，"Barneyconceded。
　　NelseJensen，Signa’sgloomysuitor，hadhisword。"Lou，hesayshewouldn’thavenosiloonhisplaceifyou’dgiveittohim。Hesaysthefeedoutenitgivesthestockthebloat。Heheardofsomebodylostfourheadofhorses，feedin’’emthatstuff。"
　　Alexandralookeddownthetablefromonetoanother。"Well，theonlywaywecanfindoutistotry。LouandIhavedifferentnotionsaboutfeedingstock，andthat’sagoodthing。
　　It’sbadifallthemembersofafamilythinkalike。Theynevergetanywhere。LoucanlearnbymymistakesandIcanlearnbyhis。Isn’tthatfair，Barney？"
　　TheIrishmanlaughed。HehadnoloveforLou，whowasalwaysuppishwithhimandwhosaidthatAlexandrapaidherhandstoomuch。
　　"I’venothoughtbuttogivethethinganhonesttry，mum。’Twouldbeonlyright，afterputtin’
　　somuchexpenseintoit。MaybeEmilwillcomeoutan’havealookatitwidme。"Hepushedbackhischair，tookhishatfromthenail，andmarchedoutwithEmil，who，withhisuniver—
　　sityideas，wassupposedtohaveinstigatedthesilo。Theotherhandsfollowedthem，allexceptoldIvar。Hehadbeendepressedthroughoutthemealandhadpaidnoheedtothetalkofthemen，evenwhentheymentionedcornstalkbloat，uponwhichhewassuretohaveopinions。
　　"Didyouwanttospeaktome，Ivar？"Alex—
　　andraaskedassherosefromthetable。"Comeintothesitting—room。"
　　TheoldmanfollowedAlexandra，butwhenshemotionedhimtoachairheshookhishead。Shetookupherworkbasketandwaitedforhimtospeak。Hestoodlookingatthecar—
　　pet，hisbushyheadbowed，hishandsclaspedinfrontofhim。Ivar’sbandylegsseemedtohavegrownshorterwithyears，andtheywerecom—
　　pletelymisfittedtohisbroad，thickbodyandheavyshoulders。
　　"Well，Ivar，whatisit？"Alexandraaskedaftershehadwaitedlongerthanusual。
　　IvarhadneverlearnedtospeakEnglishandhisNorwegianwasquaintandgrave，likethespeechofthemoreold—fashionedpeople。HealwaysaddressedAlexandraintermsofthedeepestrespect，hopingtosetagoodexampletothekitchengirls，whomhethoughttoofam—
　　iliarintheirmanners。
　　"Mistress，"hebeganfaintly，withoutraisinghiseyes，"thefolkhavebeenlookingcoldlyatmeoflate。Youknowtherehasbeentalk。"
　　"Talkaboutwhat，Ivar？"
　　"Aboutsendingmeaway;totheasylum。"
　　Alexandraputdownhersewing—basket。
　　"Nobodyhascometomewithsuchtalk，"shesaiddecidedly。"Whyneedyoulisten？YouknowIwouldneverconsenttosuchathing。"
　　Ivarliftedhisshaggyheadandlookedatheroutofhislittleeyes。"Theysaythatyoucan—
　　notpreventitifthefolkcomplainofme，ifyourbrotherscomplaintotheauthorities。Theysaythatyourbrothersareafraid——Godforbid！——
　　thatImaydoyousomeinjurywhenmyspellsareonme。Mistress，howcananyonethinkthat？——thatIcouldbitethehandthatfedme！"Thetearstrickleddownontheoldman’sbeard。
　　Alexandrafrowned。"Ivar，Iwonderatyou，thatyoushouldcomebotheringmewithsuchnonsense。Iamstillrunningmyownhouse，andotherpeoplehavenothingtodowitheitheryouorme。SolongasIamsuitedwithyou，thereisnothingtobesaid。"
　　Ivarpulledaredhandkerchiefoutofthebreastofhisblouseandwipedhiseyesandbeard。"ButIshouldnotwishyoutokeepmeif，astheysay，itisagainstyourinterests，andifitishardforyoutogethandsbecauseIamhere。"
　　Alexandramadeanimpatientgesture，buttheoldmanputouthishandandwentonearnestly：——
　　"Listen，mistress，itisrightthatyoushouldtakethesethingsintoaccount。YouknowthatmyspellscomefromGod，andthatIwouldnotharmanylivingcreature。YoubelievethateveryoneshouldworshipGodinthewayrevealedtohim。Butthatisnotthewayofthiscountry。Thewayhereisforalltodoalike。
　　IamdespisedbecauseIdonotwearshoes，becauseIdonotcutmyhair，andbecauseI
　　havevisions。Athome，intheoldcountry，thereweremanylikeme，whohadbeentouchedbyGod，orwhohadseenthingsinthegrave—
　　yardatnightandweredifferentafterward。Wethoughtnothingofit，andletthemalone。Buthere，ifamanisdifferentinhisfeetorinhishead，theyputhimintheasylum。LookatPeterKralik;whenhewasaboy，drinkingoutofacreek，heswallowedasnake，andalwaysafterthathecouldeatonlysuchfoodasthecreatureliked，forwhenheateanythingelse，itbecameenragedandgnawedhim。Whenhefeltitwhippingaboutinhim，hedrankalcoholtostupefyitandgetsomeeaseforhimself。Hecouldworkasgoodasanyman，andhisheadwasclear，buttheylockedhimupforbeingdifferentinhisstomach。Thatistheway;theyhavebuilttheasylumforpeoplewhoaredif—
　　ferent，andtheywillnotevenletusliveintheholeswiththebadgers。Onlyyourgreatpros—
　　perityhasprotectedmesofar。Ifyouhadhadill—fortune，theywouldhavetakenmetoHas—
　　tingslongago。"
　　AsIvartalked，hisgloomlifted。Alexandrahadfoundthatshecouldoftenbreakhisfastsandlongpenancesbytalkingtohimandlet—
　　tinghimpouroutthethoughtsthattroubledhim。Sympathyalwaysclearedhismind，andridiculewaspoisontohim。
　　"Thereisagreatdealinwhatyousay，Ivar。
　　LikeasnottheywillbewantingtotakemetoHastingsbecauseIhavebuiltasilo;andthenImaytakeyouwithme。ButatpresentIneedyouhere。Onlydon’tcometomeagaintellingmewhatpeoplesay。Letpeoplegoontalkingastheylike，andwewillgoonlivingaswethinkbest。Youhavebeenwithmenowfortwelveyears，andIhavegonetoyouforadviceoftenerthanIhaveevergonetoanyone。Thatoughttosatisfyyou。"
　　Ivarbowedhumbly。"Yes，mistress，Ishallnottroubleyouwiththeirtalkagain。Andasformyfeet，Ihaveobservedyourwishesalltheseyears，thoughyouhaveneverquestionedme;washingthemeverynight，eveninwinter。"
　　Alexandralaughed。"Oh，nevermindaboutyourfeet，Ivar。Wecanrememberwhenhalfourneighborswentbarefootinsummer。Iex—
　　pectoldMrs。Leewouldlovetosliphershoesoffnowsometimes，ifshedared。I’mgladI’mnotLou’smother—in—law。"
　　Ivarlookedaboutmysteriouslyandloweredhisvoicealmosttoawhisper。"YouknowwhattheyhaveoveratLou’shouse？Agreatwhitetub，likethestonewater—troughsintheoldcountry，towashthemselvesin。Whenyousentmeoverwiththestrawberries，theywereallintownbuttheoldwomanLeeandthebaby。
　　Shetookmeinandshowedmethething，andshetoldmeitwasimpossibletowashyourselfcleaninit，because，insomuchwater，youcouldnotmakeastrongsuds。Sowhentheyfillitupandsendherinthere，shepretends，andmakesasplashingnoise。Then，whentheyareallasleep，shewashesherselfinalittlewoodentubshekeepsunderherbed。"
　　Alexandrashookwithlaughter。"PooroldMrs。Lee！Theywon’tletherwearnightcaps，either。Nevermind;whenshecomestovisitme，shecandoalltheoldthingsintheoldway，andhaveasmuchbeerasshewants。
　　We’llstartanasylumforold—timepeople，Ivar。"
　　Ivarfoldedhisbighandkerchiefcarefullyandthrustitbackintohisblouse。"Thisisalwaystheway，mistress。Icometoyousor—
　　rowing，andyousendmeawaywithalightheart。AndwillyoubesogoodastotelltheIrishmanthatheisnottoworkthebrowngeldinguntilthesoreonitsshoulderishealed？"
　　"ThatIwill。NowgoandputEmil’smaretothecart。Iamgoingtodriveuptothenorthquartertomeetthemanfromtownwhoistobuymyalfalfahay。"
　　III
　　AlexandrawastohearmoreofIvar’scase，however。OnSundayhermarriedbrotherscametodinner。ShehadaskedthemforthatdaybecauseEmil，whohatedfamilyparties，wouldbeabsent，dancingatAmedeeChevalier’swedding，upintheFrenchcountry。Thetablewassetforcompanyinthedining—room，wherehighlyvarnishedwoodandcoloredglassanduselesspiecesofchinawereconspicuousenoughtosatisfythestandardsofthenewprosperity。
　　AlexandrahadputherselfintothehandsoftheHanoverfurnituredealer，andhehadconscien—
　　tiouslydonehisbesttomakeherdining—roomlooklikehisdisplaywindow。Shesaidfranklythatsheknewnothingaboutsuchthings，andshewaswillingtobegovernedbythegeneralconvictionthatthemoreuselessandutterlyunusableobjectswere，thegreatertheirvirtueasornament。Thatseemedreasonableenough。
　　Sinceshelikedplainthingsherself，itwasallthemorenecessarytohavejarsandpunch—
　　bowlsandcandlesticksinthecompanyroomsforpeoplewhodidappreciatethem。Herguestslikedtoseeaboutthemthesereassuringemblemsofprosperity。
　　ThefamilypartywascompleteexceptforEmil，andOscar’swifewho，inthecountryphrase，"wasnotgoinganywherejustnow。"
　　Oscarsatatthefootofthetableandhisfourtow—headedlittleboys，agedfromtwelvetofive，wererangedatoneside。NeitherOscarnorLouhaschangedmuch;theyhavesimply，asAlexandrasaidofthemlongago，growntobemoreandmorelikethemselves。Lounowlookstheolderofthetwo;hisfaceisthinandshrewdandwrinkledabouttheeyes，whileOscar’sisthickanddull。Forallhisdullness，however，Oscarmakesmoremoneythanhisbrother，whichaddstoLou’ssharpnessanduneasinessandtemptshimtomakeashow。ThetroublewithLouisthatheistricky，andhisneighborshavefoundoutthat，asIvarsays，hehasnotafox’sfacefornothing。Politicsbeingthenat—
　　uralfieldforsuchtalents，heneglectshisfarmtoattendconventionsandtorunforcountyoffices。
　　Lou’swife，formerlyAnnieLee，hasgrowntolookcuriouslylikeherhusband。Herfacehasbecomelonger，sharper，moreaggressive。Shewearsheryellowhairinahighpompadour，andisbedeckedwithringsandchainsand"beautypins。"Hertight，high—heeledshoesgiveheranawkwardwalk，andsheisalwaysmoreorlesspreoccupiedwithherclothes。Asshesatatthetable，shekepttellingheryoung—
　　estdaughterto"becarefulnow，andnotdropanythingonmother。"
　　TheconversationatthetablewasallinEng—
　　lish。Oscar’swife，fromthemalariadistrictofMissouri，wasashamedofmarryingaforeigner，andhisboysdonotunderstandawordofSwedish。AnnieandLousometimesspeakSwedishathome，butAnnieisalmostasmuchafraidofbeing"caught"atitaseverhermotherwasofbeingcaughtbarefoot。Oscarstillhasathickaccent，butLouspeakslikeanybodyfromIowa。
　　"WhenIwasinHastingstoattendthecon—
　　vention，"hewassaying，"Isawthesuperin—
　　tendentoftheasylum，andIwastellinghimaboutIvar’ssymptoms。HesaysIvar’scaseisoneofthemostdangerouskind，andit’sawonderhehasn’tdonesomethingviolentbeforethis。"
　　Alexandralaughedgood—humoredly。"Oh，nonsense，Lou！Thedoctorswouldhaveusallcrazyiftheycould。Ivar’squeer，certainly，buthehasmoresensethanhalfthehandsIhire。"