VIII
　　OntheeveningofthedayofAlexandra’scallattheShabatas’，aheavyrainsetin。FranksatupuntilalatehourreadingtheSundaynewspa—
　　pers。OneoftheGouldswasgettingadivorce，andFranktookitasapersonalaffront。Inprintingthestoryoftheyoungman’smar—
　　italtroubles，theknowingeditorgaveasuffi—
　　cientlycoloredaccountofhiscareer，statingtheamountofhisincomeandthemannerinwhichhewassupposedtospendit。FrankreadEnglishslowly，andthemorehereadaboutthisdivorcecase，theangrierhegrew。Atlasthethrewdownthepagewithasnort。Heturnedtohisfarm—handwhowasreadingtheotherhalfofthepaper。
　　"ByGod！ifIhavethatyoungfellerindehayfieldonce，Ishowhimsometing。Listenherewhathedowithismoney。"AndFrankbeganthecatalogueoftheyoungman’sreputedextravagances。
　　Mariesighed。ShethoughtithardthattheGoulds，forwhomshehadnothingbutgoodwill，shouldmakehersomuchtrouble。ShehatedtoseetheSundaynewspaperscomeintothehouse。Frankwasalwaysreadingaboutthedoingsofrichpeopleandfeelingoutraged。Hehadaninexhaustiblestockofstoriesabouttheircrimesandfollies，howtheybribedthecourtsandshotdowntheirbutlerswithimpunitywhenevertheychose。FrankandLouBergsonhadverysimilarideas，andtheyweretwoofthepoliticalagitatorsofthecounty。
　　Thenextmorningbrokeclearandbrilliant，butFranksaidthegroundwastoowettoplough，sohetookthecartanddroveovertoSainte—AgnestospendthedayatMosesMar—
　　cel’ssaloon。Afterhewasgone，Mariewentouttothebackporchtobeginherbutter—making。A
　　briskwindhadcomeupandwasdrivingpuffywhitecloudsacrossthesky。Theorchardwassparklingandripplinginthesun。Mariestoodlookingtowarditwistfully，herhandonthelidofthechurn，whensheheardasharpringintheair，themerrysoundofthewhetstoneonthescythe。Thatinvitationdecidedher。Sheranintothehouse，putonashortskirtandapairofherhusband’sboots，caughtupatinpailandstartedfortheorchard。Emilhadalreadybe—
　　gunworkandwasmowingvigorously。Whenhesawhercoming，hestoppedandwipedhisbrow。
　　Hisyellowcanvasleggingsandkhakitrousersweresplashedtotheknees。
　　"Don’tletmedisturbyou，Emil。I’mgoingtopickcherries。Isn’teverythingbeautifulaftertherain？Oh，butI’mgladtogetthisplacemowed！WhenIhearditraininginthenight，Ithoughtmaybeyouwouldcomeanddoitformeto—day。Thewindwakenedme。
　　Didn’titblowdreadfully？Justsmellthewildroses！Theyarealwayssospicyafterarain。
　　Weneverhadsomanyoftheminherebefore。
　　Isupposeit’sthewetseason。Willyouhavetocutthem，too？"
　　"IfIcutthegrass，Iwill，"Emilsaidteas—
　　ingly。"What’sthematterwithyou？Whatmakesyousoflighty？"
　　"AmIflighty？Isupposethat’sthewetsea—
　　son，too，then。It’sexcitingtoseeeverythinggrowingsofast，——andtogetthegrasscut！
　　Pleaseleavetherosestilllast，ifyoumustcutthem。Oh，Idon’tmeanallofthem，Imeanthatlowplacedownbymytree，wheretherearesomany。Aren’tyousplashed！Lookatthespider—websalloverthegrass。Good—bye。
　　I’llcallyouifIseeasnake。"
　　ShetrippedawayandEmilstoodlookingafterher。Inafewmomentsheheardthecher—
　　riesdroppingsmartlyintothepail，andhebegantoswinghisscythewiththatlong，evenstrokethatfewAmericanboyseverlearn。
　　Mariepickedcherriesandsangsoftlytoherself，strippingoneglitteringbranchafteranother，shiveringwhenshecaughtashowerofrain—
　　dropsonherneckandhair。AndEmilmowedhiswayslowlydowntowardthecherrytrees。
　　ThatsummertherainshadbeensomanyandopportunethatitwasalmostmorethanShabataandhismancoulddotokeepupwiththecorn;theorchardwasaneglectedwilder—
　　ness。Allsortsofweedsandherbsandflowershadgrownupthere;splotchesofwildlarkspur，palegreen—and—whitespikesofhoarhound，plantationsofwildcotton，tanglesoffoxtailandwildwheat。Southoftheapricottrees，cor—
　　neringonthewheatfield，wasFrank’salfalfa，wheremyriadsofwhiteandyellowbutterflieswerealwaysflutteringabovethepurpleblos—
　　soms。WhenEmilreachedthelowercornerbythehedge，Mariewassittingunderherwhitemulberrytree，thepailfulofcherriesbesideher，lookingoffatthegentle，tirelessswellingofthewheat。
　　"Emil，"shesaidsuddenly——hewasmowingquietlyaboutunderthetreesoasnottodisturbher——"whatreligiondidtheSwedeshaveawayback，beforetheywereChristians？"
　　Emilpausedandstraightenedhisback。"I
　　don’tknow。AboutliketheGermans’，wasn’tit？"
　　Mariewentonasifshehadnotheardhim。
　　"TheBohemians，youknow，weretreewor—
　　shipersbeforethemissionariescame。Fathersaysthepeopleinthemountainsstilldoqueerthings，sometimes，——theybelievethattreesbringgoodorbadluck。"
　　Emillookedsuperior。"Dothey？Well，whicharetheluckytrees？I’dliketoknow。"
　　"Idon’tknowallofthem，butIknowlindensare。Theoldpeopleinthemountainsplantlindenstopurifytheforest，andtodoawaywiththespellsthatcomefromtheoldtreestheysayhavelastedfromheathentimes。
　　I’magoodCatholic，butIthinkIcouldgetalongwithcaringfortrees，ifIhadn’tanythingelse。"
　　"That’sapoorsaying，"saidEmil，stoopingovertowipehishandsinthewetgrass。
　　"Whyisit？IfIfeelthatway，Ifeelthatway。Iliketreesbecausetheyseemmoreresignedtothewaytheyhavetolivethanotherthingsdo。IfeelasifthistreeknowseverythingIeverthinkofwhenIsithere。
　　WhenIcomebacktoit，Ineverhavetore—
　　minditofanything;IbeginjustwhereIleftoff。"
　　Emilhadnothingtosaytothis。Hereachedupamongthebranchesandbegantopickthesweet，insipidfruit，——longivory—coloredber—
　　ries，tippedwithfaintpink，likewhitecoral，thatfalltothegroundunheededallsummerthrough。Hedroppedahandfulintoherlap。
　　"DoyoulikeMr。Linstrum？"Marieaskedsuddenly。
　　"Yes。Don’tyou？"
　　"Oh，eversomuch;onlyheseemskindofstaidandschool—teachery。But，ofcourse，heisolderthanFrank，even。I’msureIdon’twanttolivetobemorethanthirty，doyou？DoyouthinkAlexandralikeshimverymuch？"
　　"Isupposeso。Theywereoldfriends。"
　　"Oh，Emil，youknowwhatImean！"Marietossedherheadimpatiently。"Doesshereallycareabouthim？Whensheusedtotellmeabouthim，Ialwayswonderedwhethershewasn’talittleinlovewithhim。"
　　"Who，Alexandra？"Emillaughedandthrusthishandsintohistrouserspockets。
　　"Alexandra’sneverbeeninlove，youcrazy！"
　　Helaughedagain。"Shewouldn’tknowhowtogoaboutit。Theidea！"
　　Marieshruggedhershoulders。"Oh，youdon’tknowAlexandraaswellasyouthinkyoudo！Ifyouhadanyeyes，youwouldseethatsheisveryfondofhim。ItwouldserveyouallrightifshewalkedoffwithCarl。Ilikehimbecauseheappreciateshermorethanyoudo。"
　　Emilfrowned。"Whatareyoutalkingabout，Marie？Alexandra’sallright。SheandIhavealwaysbeengoodfriends。Whatmoredoyouwant？IliketotalktoCarlaboutNewYorkandwhatafellowcandothere。"
　　"Oh，Emil！Surelyyouarenotthinkingofgoingoffthere？"
　　"Whynot？Imustgosomewhere，mustn’tI？"Theyoungmantookuphisscytheandleanedonit。"WouldyouratherIwentoffinthesandhillsandlivedlikeIvar？"
　　Marie’sfacefellunderhisbroodinggaze。Shelookeddownathiswetleggings。"I’msureAlexandrahopesyouwillstayonhere，"shemurmured。
　　"ThenAlexandrawillbedisappointed，"theyoungmansaidroughly。"WhatdoIwanttohangaroundherefor？Alexandracanrunthefarmallright，withoutme。Idon’twanttostandaroundandlookon。Iwanttobedoingsomethingonmyownaccount。"
　　"That’sso，"Mariesighed。"Therearesomany，manythingsyoucando。Almostany—
　　thingyouchoose。"
　　"Andtherearesomany，manythingsIcan’tdo。"Emilechoedhertonesarcastically。"Some—
　　timesIdon’twanttodoanythingatall，andsometimesIwanttopullthefourcornersoftheDividetogether，"——hethrewouthisarmandbroughtitbackwithajerk，——"so，likeatable—cloth。Igettiredofseeingmenandhorsesgoingupanddown，upanddown。"
　　Marielookedupathisdefiantfigureandherfaceclouded。"Iwishyouweren’tsorestless，anddidn’tgetsoworkedupoverthings，"shesaidsadly。
　　"Thankyou，"hereturnedshortly。
　　Shesigheddespondently。"EverythingIsaymakesyoucross，don’tit？Andyouneverusedtobecrosstome。"
　　Emiltookastepnearerandstoodfrowningdownatherbenthead。Hestoodinanattitudeofself—defense，hisfeetwellapart，hishandsclenchedanddrawnupathissides，sothatthecordsstoodoutonhisbarearms。"Ican’tplaywithyoulikealittleboyanymore，"hesaidslowly。"That’swhatyoumiss，Marie。You’llhavetogetsomeotherlittleboytoplaywith。"
　　Hestoppedandtookadeepbreath。Thenhewentoninalowtone，sointensethatitwasalmostthreatening："Sometimesyouseemtounderstandperfectly，andthensometimesyoupretendyoudon’t。Youdon’thelpthingsanybypretending。It’sthenthatIwanttopullthecornersoftheDividetogether。IfyouWON’Tunderstand，youknow，Icouldmakeyou！"
　　Marieclaspedherhandsandstartedupfromherseat。Shehadgrownverypaleandhereyeswereshiningwithexcitementanddistress。
　　"But，Emil，ifIunderstand，thenallourgoodtimesareover，wecanneverdonicethingsto—
　　getheranymore。WeshallhavetobehavelikeMr。Linstrum。And，anyhow，there’snothingtounderstand！"Shestruckthegroundwithherlittlefootfiercely。"Thatwon’tlast。Itwillgoaway，andthingswillbejustastheyusedto。IwishyouwereaCatholic。TheChurchhelpspeople，indeeditdoes。Iprayforyou，butthat’snotthesameasifyouprayedyourself。"
　　Shespokerapidlyandpleadingly，lookedentreatinglyintohisface。Emilstooddefiant，gazingdownather。
　　"Ican’tpraytohavethethingsIwant，"hesaidslowly，"andIwon’tpraynottohavethem，notifI’mdamnedforit。"
　　Marieturnedaway，wringingherhands。
　　"Oh，Emil，youwon’ttry！Thenallourgoodtimesareover。"
　　"Yes;over。Ineverexpecttohaveanymore。"
　　Emilgrippedthehand—holdsofhisscytheandbegantomow。Marietookuphercherriesandwentslowlytowardthehouse，cryingbitterly。
　　IX
　　OnSundayafternoon，amonthafterCarlLinstrum’sarrival，herodewithEmilupintotheFrenchcountrytoattendaCatholicfair。
　　Hesatformostoftheafternooninthebase—
　　mentofthechurch，wherethefairwasheld，talkingtoMarieShabata，orstrolledaboutthegravelterrace，thrownuponthehillsideinfrontofthebasementdoors，wheretheFrenchboyswerejumpingandwrestlingandthrowingthediscus。Someoftheboyswereintheirwhitebaseballsuits;theyhadjustcomeupfromaSundaypracticegamedownintheball—
　　grounds。Amedee，thenewlymarried，Emil’sbestfriend，wastheirpitcher，renownedamongthecountrytownsforhisdashandskill。
　　Amedeewasalittlefellow，ayearyoungerthanEmilandmuchmoreboyishinappearance;
　　verylitheandactiveandneatlymade，withaclearbrownandwhiteskin，andflashingwhiteteeth。TheSainte—AgnesboysweretoplaytheHastingsnineinafortnight，andAmedee’slightningballswerethehopeofhisteam。ThelittleFrenchmanseemedtogeteveryouncetherewasinhimbehindtheballasitlefthishand。
　　"You’dhavemadethebatteryattheUniver—
　　sityforsure，’Medee，"Emilsaidastheywerewalkingfromtheball—groundsbacktothechurchonthehill。"You’repitchingbetterthanyoudidinthespring。"
　　Amedeegrinned。"Sure！Amarriedmandon’tlosehisheadnomore。"HeslappedEmilonthebackashecaughtstepwithhim。"Oh，Emil，youwannagetmarriedrightoffquick！
　　It’sthegreatestthingever！"
　　Emillaughed。"HowamIgoingtogetmar—
　　riedwithoutanygirl？"
　　Amedeetookhisarm。"Pooh！Thereareplentygirlswillhaveyou。YouwannagetsomeniceFrenchgirl，now。Shetreatyouwell;
　　alwaysbejolly。See，"——hebegancheckingoffonhisfingers，——"thereisSeverine，andAlphosen，andJosephine，andHectorine，andLouise，andMalvina——why，Icouldloveanyofthemgirls！Whydon’tyougetafterthem？
　　Areyoustuckup，Emil，orisanythingthematterwithyou？Ineverdidknowaboytwenty—twoyearsoldbeforethatdidn’thavenogirl。Youwannabeapriest，maybe？Not—aforme！"Amedeeswaggered。"IbringmanygoodCatholicsintothisworld，Ihope，andthat’sawayIhelptheChurch。"
　　Emillookeddownandpattedhimontheshoulder。"Nowyou’rewindy，’Medee。YouFrenchiesliketobrag。"
　　ButAmedeehadthezealofthenewlymar—
　　ried，andhewasnottobelightlyshakenoff。
　　"Honestandtrue，Emil，don’tyouwantANY
　　girl？Maybethere’ssomeyoungladyinLin—
　　coln，now，verygrand，"——Amedeewavedhishandlanguidlybeforehisfacetodenotethefanofheartlessbeauty，——"andyoulostyourheartupthere。Isthatit？"
　　"Maybe，"saidEmil。
　　ButAmedeesawnoappropriateglowinhisfriend’sface。"Bah！"heexclaimedindisgust。
　　"ItellalltheFrenchgirlstokeep’wayfromyou。Yougottarockinthere，"thumpingEmilontheribs。
　　Whentheyreachedtheterraceatthesideofthechurch，Amedee，whowasexcitedbyhissuccessontheball—grounds，challengedEmiltoajumping—match，thoughheknewhewouldbebeaten。Theybeltedthemselvesup，andRaoulMarcel，thechoirtenorandFatherDuchesne’spet，andJeanBordelau，heldthestringoverwhichtheyvaulted。AlltheFrenchboysstoodround，cheeringandhump—
　　ingthemselvesupwhenEmilorAmedeewentoverthewire，asiftheywerehelpinginthelift。
　　Emilstoppedatfive—feet—five，declaringthathewouldspoilhisappetiteforsupperifhejumpedanymore。
　　Angelique，Amedee’sprettybride，asblondeandfairashername，whohadcomeouttowatchthematch，tossedherheadatEmilandsaid：——
　　"’Medeecouldjumpmuchhigherthanyouifhewereastall。Andanyhow，heismuchmoregraceful。Hegoesoverlikeabird，andyouhavetohumpyourselfallup。"
　　"Oh，Ido，doI？"Emilcaughtherandkissedhersaucymouthsquarely，whileshelaughedandstruggledandcalled，"’Medee！
　　’Medee！"
　　"There，youseeyour’Medeeisn’tevenbigenoughtogetyouawayfromme。Icouldrunawaywithyourightnowandhecouldonlysitdownandcryaboutit。I’llshowyouwhetherIhavetohumpmyself！"Laughingandpant—
　　ing，hepickedAngeliqueupinhisarmsandbeganrunningabouttherectanglewithher。
　　NotuntilhesawMarieShabata’stigereyesflashingfromthegloomofthebasementdoor—
　　waydidhehandthedisheveledbrideovertoherhusband。"There，gotoyourgraceful;
　　Ihaven’tthehearttotakeyouawayfromhim。"
　　AngeliqueclungtoherhusbandandmadefacesatEmiloverthewhiteshoulderofAmedee’sball—shirt。EmilwasgreatlyamusedatherairofproprietorshipandatAmedee’sshamelesssubmissiontoit。Hewasdelightedwithhisfriend’sgoodfortune。HelikedtoseeandtothinkaboutAmedee’ssunny，natural，happylove。
　　HeandAmedeehadriddenandwrestledandlarkedtogethersincetheywereladsoftwelve。
　　OnSundaysandholidaystheywerealwaysarminarm。ItseemedstrangethatnowheshouldhavetohidethethingthatAmedeewassoproudof，thatthefeelingwhichgaveoneofthemsuchhappinessshouldbringtheothersuchdespair。ItwaslikethatwhenAlexandratestedherseed—corninthespring，hemused。
　　Fromtwoearsthathadgrownsidebyside，thegrainsofoneshotupjoyfullyintothelight，projectingthemselvesintothefuture，andthegrainsfromtheotherlaystillintheearthandrotted;andnobodyknewwhy。
　　X
　　WhileEmilandCarlwereamusingthem—
　　selvesatthefair，Alexandrawasathome，busywithheraccount—books，whichhadbeenne—
　　glectedoflate。Shewasalmostthroughwithherfigureswhensheheardacartdriveuptothegate，andlookingoutofthewindowshesawhertwoolderbrothers。TheyhadseemedtoavoidhereversinceCarlLinstrum’sarrival，fourweeksagothatday，andshehurriedtothedoortowelcomethem。Shesawatoncethattheyhadcomewithsomeverydefinitepurpose。
　　Theyfollowedherstifflyintothesitting—room。
　　Oscarsatdown，butLouwalkedovertothewindowandremainedstanding，hishandsbe—
　　hindhim。
　　"Youarebyyourself？"heasked，lookingtowardthedoorwayintotheparlor。
　　"Yes。CarlandEmilwentuptotheCatho—
　　licfair。"
　　Forafewmomentsneitherofthemenspoke。
　　ThenLoucameoutsharply。"Howsoondoesheintendtogoawayfromhere？"
　　"Idon’tknow，Lou。Notforsometime，I
　　hope。"Alexandraspokeinaneven，quiettonethatoftenexasperatedherbrothers。Theyfeltthatshewastryingtobesuperiorwiththem。
　　Oscarspokeupgrimly。"Wethoughtweoughttotellyouthatpeoplehavebeguntotalk，"hesaidmeaningly。
　　Alexandralookedathim。"Whatabout？"
　　Oscarmethereyesblankly。"Aboutyou，keepinghimheresolong。Itlooksbadforhimtobehangingontoawomanthisway。Peoplethinkyou’regettingtakenin。"
　　Alexandrashutheraccount—bookfirmly。
　　"Boys，"shesaidseriously，"don’tlet’sgoonwiththis。Wewon’tcomeoutanywhere。I
　　can’ttakeadviceonsuchamatter。Iknowyoumeanwell，butyoumustnotfeelresponsibleformeinthingsofthissort。Ifwegoonwiththistalkitwillonlymakehardfeeling。"
　　Louwhippedaboutfromthewindow。"Yououghttothinkalittleaboutyourfamily。
　　You’remakingusallridiculous。"
　　"HowamI？"
　　"Peoplearebeginningtosayyouwanttomarrythefellow。"
　　"Well，andwhatisridiculousaboutthat？"
　　LouandOscarexchangedoutragedlooks。
　　"Alexandra！Can’tyouseehe’sjustatrampandhe’safteryourmoney？Hewantstobetakencareof，hedoes！"
　　"Well，supposeIwanttotakecareofhim？
　　Whosebusinessisitbutmyown？"
　　"Don’tyouknowhe’dgetholdofyourproperty？"
　　"He’dgetholdofwhatIwishedtogivehim，certainly。"
　　OscarsatupsuddenlyandLouclutchedathisbristlyhair。
　　"Givehim？"Loushouted。"Ourproperty，ourhomestead？"
　　"Idon’tknowaboutthehomestead，"saidAlexandraquietly。"IknowyouandOscarhavealwaysexpectedthatitwouldbelefttoyourchildren，andI’mnotsurebutwhatyou’reright。ButI’lldoexactlyasIpleasewiththerestofmyland，boys。"
　　"Therestofyourland！"criedLou，growingmoreexcitedeveryminute。"Didn’tallthelandcomeoutofthehomestead？Itwasboughtwithmoneyborrowedonthehomestead，andOscarandmeworkedourselvestothebonepayinginterestonit。"
　　"Yes，youpaidtheinterest。Butwhenyoumarriedwemadeadivisionoftheland，andyouweresatisfied。I’vemademoreonmyfarmssinceI’vebeenalonethanwhenweallworkedtogether。"
　　"Everythingyou’vemadehascomeoutoftheoriginallandthatusboysworkedfor，hasn’tit？Thefarmsandallthatcomesoutofthembelongstousasafamily。"
　　Alexandrawavedherhandimpatiently。
　　"Comenow，Lou。Sticktothefacts。Youaretalkingnonsense。Gotothecountyclerkandaskhimwhoownsmyland，andwhethermytitlesaregood。"
　　Louturnedtohisbrother。"Thisiswhatcomesoflettingawomanmeddleinbusiness，"
　　hesaidbitterly。"Weoughttohavetakenthingsinourownhandsyearsago。Butshelikedtorunthings，andwehumoredher。Wethoughtyouhadgoodsense，Alexandra。Weneverthoughtyou’ddoanythingfoolish。"
　　Alexandrarappedimpatientlyonherdeskwithherknuckles。"Listen，Lou。Don’ttalkwild。Yousayyououghttohavetakenthingsintoyourownhandsyearsago。Isupposeyoumeanbeforeyoulefthome。Buthowcouldyoutakeholdofwhatwasn’tthere？I’vegotmostofwhatIhavenowsincewedividedtheprop—
　　erty;I’vebuiltitupmyself，andithasnothingtodowithyou。"
　　Oscarspokeupsolemnly。"Thepropertyofafamilyreallybelongstothemenofthefamily，nomatteraboutthetitle。Ifanythinggoeswrong，it’sthementhatareheldresponsible。"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，"Loubrokein。"Everybodyknowsthat。Oscarandmehavealwaysbeeneasy—goingandwe’venevermadeanyfuss。
　　Wewerewillingyoushouldholdthelandandhavethegoodofit，butyougotnorighttopartwithanyofit。Weworkedinthefieldstopayforthefirstlandyoubought，andwhat—
　　ever’scomeoutofithasgottobekeptinthefamily。"
　　Oscarreinforcedhisbrother，hismindfixedontheonepointhecouldsee。"Thepropertyofafamilybelongstothemenofthefamily，becausetheyareheldresponsible，andbecausetheydothework。"
　　Alexandralookedfromonetotheother，hereyesfullofindignation。Shehadbeenimpa—
　　tientbefore，butnowshewasbeginningtofeelangry。"Andwhataboutmywork？"sheaskedinanunsteadyvoice。
　　Loulookedatthecarpet。"Oh，now，Alex—
　　andra，youalwaystookitprettyeasy！Ofcoursewewantedyouto。Youlikedtomanageround，andwealwayshumoredyou。Werealizeyouwereagreatdealofhelptous。There’snowomananywherearoundthatknowsasmuchaboutbusinessasyoudo，andwe’vealwaysbeenproudofthat，andthoughtyouwereprettysmart。But，ofcourse，therealworkalwaysfellonus。Goodadviceisallright，butitdon’tgettheweedsoutofthecorn。"
　　"Maybenot，butitsometimesputsinthecrop，anditsometimeskeepsthefieldsforcorntogrowin，"saidAlexandradryly。"Why，Lou，IcanrememberwhenyouandOscarwantedtosellthishomesteadandalltheim—
　　provementstooldpreacherEricsonfortwothousanddollars。IfI’dconsented，you’dhavegonedowntotheriverandscrapedalongonpoorfarmsfortherestofyourlives。WhenI
　　putinourfirstfieldofalfalfayoubothopposedme，justbecauseIfirstheardaboutitfromayoungmanwhohadbeentotheUniversity。
　　YousaidIwasbeingtakeninthen，andalltheneighborssaidso。YouknowaswellasIdothatalfalfahasbeenthesalvationofthiscoun—
　　try。YoualllaughedatmewhenIsaidourlandherewasaboutreadyforwheat，andIhadtoraisethreebigwheatcropsbeforetheneigh—
　　borsquitputtingalltheirlandincorn。Why，I
　　rememberyoucried，Lou，whenweputinthefirstbigwheat—planting，andsaideverybodywaslaughingatus。"
　　LouturnedtoOscar。"That’sthewomanofit;ifshetellsyoutoputinacrop，shethinksshe’sputitin。Itmakeswomenconceitedtomeddleinbusiness。Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dwanttoremindushowhardyouwereonus，Alexandra，afterthewayyoubabyEmil。"
　　"Hardonyou？Inevermeanttobehard。
　　Conditionswerehard。MaybeIwouldneverhavebeenverysoft，anyhow;butIcertainlydidn’tchoosetobethekindofgirlIwas。Ifyoutakeevenavineandcutitbackagainandagain，itgrowshard，likeatree。"
　　Loufeltthattheywerewanderingfromthepoint，andthatindigressionAlexandramightunnervehim。Hewipedhisforeheadwithajerkofhishandkerchief。"Weneverdoubtedyou，Alexandra。Weneverquestionedany—
　　thingyoudid。You’vealwayshadyourownway。Butyoucan’texpectustositlikestumpsandseeyoudoneoutofthepropertybyanyloaferwhohappensalong，andmakingyourselfridiculousintothebargain。"
　　Oscarrose。"Yes，"hebrokein，"every—
　　body’slaughingtoseeyougettookin;atyourage，too。Everybodyknowshe’snearlyfiveyearsyoungerthanyou，andisafteryourmoney。Why，Alexandra，youarefortyyearsold！"
　　"Allthatdoesn’tconcernanybodybutCarlandme。Gototownandaskyourlawyerswhatyoucandotorestrainmefromdisposingofmyownproperty。AndIadviseyoutodowhattheytellyou;fortheauthorityyoucanexertbylawistheonlyinfluenceyouwilleverhaveovermeagain。"Alexandrarose。"IthinkI
　　wouldrathernothavelivedtofindoutwhatI
　　haveto—day，"shesaidquietly，closingherdesk。
　　LouandOscarlookedateachotherques—
　　tioningly。Thereseemedtobenothingtodobuttogo，andtheywalkedout。
　　"Youcan’tdobusinesswithwomen，"Oscarsaidheavilyasheclamberedintothecart。
　　"Butanyhow，we’vehadoursay，atlast。"
　　Louscratchedhishead。"Talkofthatkindmightcometoohigh，youknow;butshe’sapttobesensible。Youhadn’toughttosaidthataboutherage，though，Oscar。I’mafraidthathurtherfeelings;andtheworstthingwecandoistomakehersoreatus。She’dmarryhimoutofcontrariness。"
　　"Ionlymeant，"saidOscar，"thatsheisoldenoughtoknowbetter，andsheis。Ifshewasgoingtomarry，sheoughttodoneitlongago，andnotgomakingafoolofherselfnow。"
　　Loulookedanxious，nevertheless。"Ofcourse，"hereflectedhopefullyandincon—
　　sistently，"Alexandraain’tmuchlikeotherwomen—folks。Maybeitwon’tmakehersore。
　　Maybeshe’dassoonbefortyasnot！"
　　XI
　　Emilcamehomeatabouthalf—pastseveno’clockthatevening。OldIvarmethimatthewindmillandtookhishorse，andtheyoungmanwentdirectlyintothehouse。Hecalledtohissisterandsheansweredfromherbedroom，behindthesitting—room，sayingthatshewaslyingdown。
　　Emilwenttoherdoor。
　　"CanIseeyouforaminute？"heasked。"I
　　wanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingbeforeCarlcomes。"
　　Alexandrarosequicklyandcametothedoor。
　　"WhereisCarl？"
　　"LouandOscarmetusandsaidtheywantedtotalktohim，soherodeovertoOscar’swiththem。Areyoucomingout？"Emilaskedimpatiently。
　　"Yes，sitdown。I’llbedressedinamo—
　　ment。"
　　Alexandraclosedherdoor，andEmilsankdownontheoldslatloungeandsatwithhisheadinhishands。Whenhissistercameout，helookedup，notknowingwhethertheintervalhadbeenshortorlong，andhewassurprisedtoseethattheroomhadgrownquitedark。Thatwasjustaswell;itwouldbeeasiertotalkifhewerenotunderthegazeofthoseclear，deliber—
　　ateeyes，thatsawsofarinsomedirectionsandweresoblindinothers。Alexandra，too，wasgladofthedusk。Herfacewasswollenfromcrying。
　　Emilstartedupandthensatdownagain。
　　"Alexandra，"hesaidslowly，inhisdeepyoungbaritone，"Idon’twanttogoawaytolawschoolthisfall。Letmeputitoffanotheryear。
　　Iwanttotakeayearoffandlookaround。It’sawfullyeasytorushintoaprofessionyoudon’treallylike，andawfullyhardtogetoutofit。
　　LinstrumandIhavebeentalkingaboutthat。"
　　"Verywell，Emil。Onlydon’tgoofflookingforland。"Shecameupandputherhandonhisshoulder。"I’vebeenwishingyoucouldstaywithmethiswinter。"
　　"That’sjustwhatIdon’twanttodo，Alex—
　　andra。I’mrestless。Iwanttogotoanewplace。
　　IwanttogodowntotheCityofMexicotojoinoneoftheUniversityfellowswho’sattheheadofanelectricalplant。Hewrotemehecouldgivemealittlejob，enoughtopaymyway，andIcouldlookaroundandseewhatIwanttodo。
　　Iwanttogoassoonasharvestisover。IguessLouandOscarwillbesoreaboutit。"
　　"Isupposetheywill。"Alexandrasatdownontheloungebesidehim。"Theyareveryangrywithme，Emil。Wehavehadaquarrel。
　　Theywillnotcomehereagain。"
　　Emilscarcelyheardwhatshewassaying;hedidnotnoticethesadnessofhertone。HewasthinkingabouttherecklesslifehemeanttoliveinMexico。
　　"Whatabout？"heaskedabsently。
　　"AboutCarlLinstrum。TheyareafraidIamgoingtomarryhim，andthatsomeofmypropertywillgetawayfromthem。"
　　Emilshruggedhisshoulders。"Whatnon—
　　sense！"hemurmured。"Justlikethem。"
　　Alexandradrewback。"Whynonsense，Emil？"
　　"Why，you’veneverthoughtofsuchathing，haveyou？Theyalwayshavetohavesomethingtofussabout。"
　　"Emil，"saidhissisterslowly，"yououghtnottotakethingsforgranted。DoyouagreewiththemthatIhavenorighttochangemywayofliving？"
　　Emillookedattheoutlineofhissister’sheadinthedimlight。Theyweresittingcloseto—
　　getherandhesomehowfeltthatshecouldhearhisthoughts。Hewassilentforamo—
　　ment，andthensaidinanembarrassedtone，"Why，no，certainlynot。Yououghttodowhateveryouwantto。I’llalwaysbackyou。"
　　"ButitwouldseemalittlebitridiculoustoyouifImarriedCarl？"
　　Emilfidgeted。Theissueseemedtohimtoofar—fetchedtowarrantdiscussion。"Why，no。
　　Ishouldbesurprisedifyouwantedto。Ican’tseeexactlywhy。Butthat’snoneofmybusi—
　　ness。Yououghttodoasyouplease。Certainlyyououghtnottopayanyattentiontowhattheboyssay。"
　　Alexandrasighed。"Ihadhopedyoumightunderstand，alittle，whyIdowantto。ButI
　　supposethat’stoomuchtoexpect。I’vehadaprettylonelylife，Emil。BesidesMarie，CarlistheonlyfriendIhaveeverhad。"
　　Emilwasawakenow;anameinherlastsen—
　　tencerousedhim。Heputouthishandandtookhissister’sawkwardly。"Yououghttodojustasyouwish，andIthinkCarl’safinefel—
　　low。HeandIwouldalwaysgeton。Idon’tbelieveanyofthethingstheboyssayabouthim，honestIdon’t。Theyaresuspiciousofhimbecausehe’sintelligent。Youknowtheirway。
　　They’vebeensoreatmeeversinceyouletmegoawaytocollege。They’realwaystryingtocatchmeup。IfIwereyou，Iwouldn’tpayanyattentiontothem。There’snothingtogetupsetabout。Carl’sasensiblefellow。Hewon’tmindthem。"
　　"Idon’tknow。Iftheytalktohimthewaytheydidtome，Ithinkhe’llgoaway。"
　　Emilgrewmoreandmoreuneasy。"Thinkso？Well，Mariesaiditwouldserveusallrightifyouwalkedoffwithhim。"
　　"Didshe？Blessherlittleheart！SHEwould。"
　　Alexandra’svoicebroke。
　　Emilbeganunlacinghisleggings。"Whydon’tyoutalktoheraboutit？There’sCarl，I
　　hearhishorse。IguessI’llgoupstairsandgetmybootsoff。No，Idon’twantanysupper。Wehadsupperatfiveo’clock，atthefair。"
　　Emilwasgladtoescapeandgettohisownroom。Hewasalittleashamedforhissister，thoughhehadtriednottoshowit。Hefeltthattherewassomethingindecorousinherproposal，andshedidseemtohimsomewhatridiculous。Therewastroubleenoughintheworld，hereflected，ashethrewhimselfuponhisbed，withoutpeoplewhowerefortyyearsoldimaginingtheywantedtogetmarried。InthedarknessandsilenceEmilwasnotlikelytothinklongaboutAlexandra。Everyimageslippedawaybutone。HehadseenMarieinthecrowdthatafternoon。Shesoldcandyatthefair。WHYhadsheeverrunawaywithFrankShabata，andhowcouldshegoonlaughingandworkingandtakinganinterestinthings？Whydidshelikesomanypeople，andwhyhadsheseemedpleasedwhenalltheFrenchandBohe—
　　mianboys，andthepriesthimself，crowdedroundhercandystand？Whydidshecareaboutanyonebuthim？Whycouldhenever，neverfindthethinghelookedforinherplayful，affectionateeyes？
　　Thenhefelltoimaginingthathelookedoncemoreandfounditthere，andwhatitwouldbelikeifshelovedhim，——shewho，asAlexandrasaid，couldgiveherwholeheart。Inthatdreamhecouldlieforhours，asifinatrance。HisspiritwentoutofhisbodyandcrossedthefieldstoMarieShabata。
　　AttheUniversitydancesthegirlshadoftenlookedwonderinglyatthetallyoungSwedewiththefinehead，leaningagainstthewallandfrowning，hisarmsfolded，hiseyesfixedontheceilingorthefloor。Allthegirlswerealittleafraidofhim。Hewasdistinguished—looking，andnotthejollyingkind。Theyfeltthathewastoointenseandpreoccupied。Therewassome—
　　thingqueerabouthim。Emil’sfraternityratherprideditselfuponitsdances，andsome—
　　timeshedidhisdutyanddancedeverydance。
　　Butwhetherhewasonthefloororbroodinginacorner，hewasalwaysthinkingaboutMarieShabata。Fortwoyearsthestormhadbeengatheringinhim。
　　XII
　　Carlcameintothesitting—roomwhileAlex—
　　andrawaslightingthelamp。Shelookedupathimassheadjustedtheshade。Hissharpshoul—
　　dersstoopedasifhewereverytired，hisfacewaspale，andtherewerebluishshadowsunderhisdarkeyes。Hisangerhadburneditselfoutandlefthimsickanddisgusted。
　　"YouhaveseenLouandOscar？"Alexandraasked。
　　"Yes。"Hiseyesavoidedhers。
　　Alexandratookadeepbreath。"Andnowyouaregoingaway。Ithoughtso。"
　　Carlthrewhimselfintoachairandpushedthedarklockbackfromhisforeheadwithhiswhite，nervoushand。"Whatahopelessposi—
　　tionyouarein，Alexandra！"heexclaimedfeverishly。"Itisyourfatetobealwayssur—
　　roundedbylittlemen。AndIamnobetterthantherest。IamtoolittletofacethecriticismofevensuchmenasLouandOscar。Yes，Iamgoingaway;to—morrow。IcannotevenaskyoutogivemeapromiseuntilIhavesomethingtoofferyou。Ithought，perhaps，Icoulddothat;
　　butIfindIcan’t。"
　　"Whatgoodcomesofofferingpeoplethingstheydon’tneed？"Alexandraaskedsadly。"I
　　don’tneedmoney。ButIhaveneededyouforagreatmanyyears。IwonderwhyIhavebeenpermittedtoprosper，ifitisonlytotakemyfriendsawayfromme。"
　　"Idon’tdeceivemyself，"Carlsaidfrankly。
　　"IknowthatIamgoingawayonmyownaccount。Imustmaketheusualeffort。Imusthavesomethingtoshowformyself。Totakewhatyouwouldgiveme，Ishouldhavetobeeitheraverylargemanoraverysmallone，andIamonlyinthemiddleclass。"
　　Alexandrasighed。"Ihaveafeelingthatifyougoaway，youwillnotcomeback。Some—
　　thingwillhappentooneofus，ortoboth。
　　Peoplehavetosnatchathappinesswhentheycan，inthisworld。Itisalwayseasiertolosethantofind。WhatIhaveisyours，ifyoucareenoughaboutmetotakeit。"
　　CarlroseandlookedupatthepictureofJohnBergson。"ButIcan’t，mydear，Ican’t！
　　IwillgoNorthatonce。InsteadofidlingaboutinCaliforniaallwinter，Ishallbegettingmybearingsupthere。Iwon’twasteanotherweek。
　　Bepatientwithme，Alexandra。Givemeayear！"
　　"Asyouwill，"saidAlexandrawearily。"Allatonce，inasingleday，Iloseeverything;andI
　　donotknowwhy。Emil，too，isgoingaway。"
　　CarlwasstillstudyingJohnBergson’sfaceandAlexandra’seyesfollowedhis。"Yes，"shesaid，"ifhecouldhaveseenallthatwouldcomeofthetaskhegaveme，hewouldhavebeensorry。I
　　hopehedoesnotseemenow。Ihopethatheisamongtheoldpeopleofhisbloodandcountry，andthattidingsdonotreachhimfromtheNewWorld。"
　　EndofPartII
　　PARTIII
　　WinterMemoriesI
　　WinterhassettleddownovertheDivideagain;theseasoninwhichNaturerecuperates，inwhichshesinkstosleepbetweenthefruitful—
　　nessofautumnandthepassionofspring。Thebirdshavegone。Theteeminglifethatgoesondowninthelonggrassisexterminated。Theprairie—dogkeepshishole。Therabbitsrunshiveringfromonefrozengardenpatchtoan—
　　otherandarehardputtoittofindfrost—bittencabbage—stalks。Atnightthecoyotesroamthewintrywaste，howlingforfood。Thevariegatedfieldsareallonecolornow;thepastures，thestubble，theroads，theskyarethesameleadengray。Thehedgerowsandtreesarescarcelyper—
　　ceptibleagainstthebareearth，whoseslatyhuetheyhavetakenon。Thegroundisfrozensohardthatitbruisesthefoottowalkintheroadsorintheploughedfields。Itislikeanironcountry，andthespiritisoppressedbyitsrigorandmelancholy。Onecouldeasilybelievethatinthatdeadlandscapethegermsoflifeandfruit—
　　fulnesswereextinctforever。
　　Alexandrahassettledbackintoheroldroutine。ThereareweeklylettersfromEmil。
　　LouandOscarshehasnotseensinceCarlwentaway。Toavoidawkwardencountersinthepresenceofcuriousspectators，shehasstoppedgoingtotheNorwegianChurchanddrivesuptotheReformChurchatHanover，orgoeswithMarieShabatatotheCatholicChurch，locallyknownas"theFrenchChurch。"
　　ShehasnottoldMarieaboutCarl，orherdif—
　　ferenceswithherbrothers。Shewasneververycommunicativeaboutherownaffairs，andwhenshecametothepoint，aninstincttoldherthataboutsuchthingssheandMariewouldnotunderstandoneanother。
　　OldMrs。LeehadbeenafraidthatfamilymisunderstandingsmightdepriveherofheryearlyvisittoAlexandra。ButonthefirstdayofDecemberAlexandratelephonedAnniethatto—morrowshewouldsendIvaroverforhermother，andthenextdaytheoldladyarrivedwithherbundles。FortwelveyearsMrs。LeehadalwaysenteredAlexandra’ssitting—roomwiththesameexclamation，"Nowwebeyust—alikeoldtimes！"SheenjoyedthelibertyAlex—
　　andragaveher，andhearingherownlanguageaboutheralldaylong。Hereshecouldwearhernightcapandsleepwithallherwindowsshut，listentoIvarreadingtheBible，andhereshecouldrunaboutamongthestablesinapairofEmil’soldboots。Thoughshewasbentalmostdouble，shewasasspryasagopher。Herfacewasasbrownasifithadbeenvarnished，andasfullofwrinklesasawasherwoman’shands。Shehadthreejollyoldteethleftinthefrontofhermouth，andwhenshegrinnedshelookedveryknowing，asifwhenyoufoundouthowtotakeit，lifewasn’thalfbad。WhilesheandAlex—
　　andrapatchedandpiecedandquilted，shetalkedincessantlyaboutstoriesshereadinaSwedishfamilypaper，tellingtheplotsingreatdetail;oraboutherlifeonadairyfarminGottlandwhenshewasagirl。Sometimessheforgotwhichweretheprintedstoriesandwhichweretherealstories，itallseemedsofaraway。
　　Shelovedtotakealittlebrandy，withhotwaterandsugar，beforeshewenttobed，andAlexandraalwayshaditreadyforher。"Itsendsgooddreams，"shewouldsaywithatwinkleinhereye。
　　WhenMrs。LeehadbeenwithAlexandraforaweek，MarieShabatatelephonedonemorningtosaythatFrankhadgonetotownfortheday，andshewouldlikethemtocomeoverforcoffeeintheafternoon。Mrs。Leehurriedtowashoutandironhernewcross—stitchedapron，whichshehadfinishedonlythenightbefore;acheckedginghamapronworkedwithadesignteninchesbroadacrossthebottom;ahuntingscene，withfirtreesandastaganddogsandhuntsmen。
　　Mrs。Leewasfirmwithherselfatdinner，andrefusedasecondhelpingofappledumplings。
　　"Ita—ankIsaveup，"shesaidwithagiggle。
　　Attwoo’clockintheafternoonAlexandra’scartdroveuptotheShabatas’gate，andMariesawMrs。Lee’sredshawlcomebobbingupthepath。Sherantothedoorandpulledtheoldwomanintothehousewithahug，helpinghertotakeoffherwrapswhileAlexandrablan—
　　ketedthehorseoutside。Mrs。Leehadputonherbestblacksatinedress——sheabominatedwoolenstuffs，eveninwinter——andacrochetedcollar，fastenedwithabigpalegoldpin，con—
　　tainingfadeddaguerreotypesofherfatherandmother。Shehadnotwornherapronforfearofrumplingit，andnowsheshookitoutandtieditroundherwaistwithaconsciousair。Mariedrewbackandthrewupherhands，exclaiming，"Oh，whatabeauty！I’veneverseenthisonebefore，haveI，Mrs。Lee？"
　　Theoldwomangiggledandduckedherhead。
　　"No，yustlas’nightIma—ake。Seedistread;
　　verrastrong，nowa—ashout，nofade。Mysis—
　　tersendfromSveden。Iyust—ata—ankyoulikedis。"
　　Marierantothedooragain。"Comein，Alexandra。IhavebeenlookingatMrs。Lee’sapron。DostoponyourwayhomeandshowittoMrs。Hiller。She’scrazyaboutcross—stitch。"
　　WhileAlexandraremovedherhatandveil，Mrs。Leewentouttothekitchenandsettledherselfinawoodenrocking—chairbythestove，lookingwithgreatinterestatthetable，setforthree，withawhitecloth，andapotofpinkgeraniumsinthemiddle。"My，a—an’tyougottafineplants;such—amuchflower。Howyoukeepfromfreeze？"
　　Shepointedtothewindow—shelves，fullofbloomingfuchsiasandgeraniums。
　　"Ikeepthefireallnight，Mrs。Lee，andwhenit’sverycoldIputthemallonthetable，inthemiddleoftheroom。OthernightsIonlyputnewspapersbehindthem。Franklaughsatmeforfussing，butwhentheydon’tbloomhesays，’What’sthematterwiththedarnedthings？’——
　　WhatdoyouhearfromCarl，Alexandra？"
　　"HegottoDawsonbeforetheriverfroze，andnowIsupposeIwon’thearanymoreuntilspring。BeforeheleftCaliforniahesentmeaboxoforangeflowers，buttheydidn’tkeepverywell。IhavebroughtabunchofEmil’slettersforyou。"Alexandracameoutfromthesitting—roomandpinchedMarie’scheekplay—
　　fully。"Youdon’tlookasiftheweathereverfrozeyouup。Neverhavecolds，doyou？
　　That’sagoodgirl。Shehaddarkredcheekslikethiswhenshewasalittlegirl，Mrs。Lee。Shelookedlikesomequeerforeignkindofadoll。
　　I’veneverforgotthefirsttimeIsawyouinMieklejohn’sstore，Marie，thetimefatherwaslyingsick。CarlandIweretalkingaboutthatbeforehewentaway。"
　　"Iremember，andEmilhadhiskittenalong。
　　WhenareyougoingtosendEmil’sChristmasbox？"
　　"Itoughttohavegonebeforethis。I’llhavetosenditbymailnow，togetitthereintime。"
　　Mariepulledadarkpurplesilknecktiefromherworkbasket。"Iknitthisforhim。It’sagoodcolor，don’tyouthink？Willyoupleaseputitinwithyourthingsandtellhimit’sfromme，towearwhenhegoesserenading。"
　　Alexandralaughed。"Idon’tbelievehegoesserenadingmuch。HesaysinoneletterthattheMexicanladiesaresaidtobeverybeauti—
　　ful，butthatdon’tseemtomeverywarmpraise。"
　　Marietossedherhead。"Emilcan’tfoolme。
　　Ifhe’sboughtaguitar，hegoesserenading。
　　Whowouldn’t，withallthoseSpanishgirlsdroppingflowersdownfromtheirwindows！
　　I’dsingtothemeverynight，wouldn’tyou，Mrs。Lee？"
　　Theoldladychuckled。HereyeslitupasMariebentdownandopenedtheovendoor。
　　Adelicioushotfragranceblewoutintothetidykitchen。"My，somet’ingsmellgood！"SheturnedtoAlexandrawithawink，herthreeyel—
　　lowteethmakingabraveshow，"Ita—ankdatstopmyyawfromachenomore！"shesaidcon—
　　tentedly。
　　Marietookoutapanofdelicatelittlerolls，stuffedwithstewedapricots，andbegantodustthemoverwithpowderedsugar。"Ihopeyou’lllikethese，Mrs。Lee;Alexandradoes。TheBohemiansalwayslikethemwiththeircoffee。
　　Butifyoudon’t，Ihaveacoffee—cakewithnutsandpoppyseeds。Alexandra，willyougetthecreamjug？Iputitinthewindowtokeepcool。"
　　"TheBohemians，"saidAlexandra，astheydrewuptothetable，"certainlyknowhowtomakemorekindsofbreadthananyotherpeo—
　　pleintheworld。OldMrs。Hillertoldmeonceatthechurchsupperthatshecouldmakesevenkindsoffancybread，butMariecouldmakeadozen。"
　　Mrs。Leehelduponeoftheapricotrollsbetweenherbrownthumbandforefingerandweigheditcritically。"Yustlike—afedders，"
　　shepronouncedwithsatisfaction。"My，a—an’tdisnice！"sheexclaimedasshestirredhercoffee。"Iyustta—akealiddleyellynow，too，Ita—ank。"
　　AlexandraandMarielaughedatherfore—
　　handedness，andfelltotalkingoftheirownaffairs。"IwasafraidyouhadacoldwhenI
　　talkedtoyouoverthetelephonetheothernight，Marie。Whatwasthematter，hadyoubeencrying？"
　　"MaybeIhad，"Mariesmiledguiltily。
　　"Frankwasoutlatethatnight。Don’tyougetlonelysometimesinthewinter，whenevery—
　　bodyhasgoneaway？"
　　"Ithoughtitwassomethinglikethat。IfI
　　hadn’thadcompany，I’dhaverunovertoseeformyself。Ifyougetdown—hearted，whatwillbecomeoftherestofus？"Alexandraasked。
　　"Idon’t，veryoften。There’sMrs。Leewithoutanycoffee！"
　　Later，whenMrs。Leedeclaredthatherpowerswerespent，MarieandAlexandrawentupstairstolookforsomecrochetpatternstheoldladywantedtoborrow。"Betterputonyourcoat，Alexandra。It’scoldupthere，andI
　　havenoideawherethosepatternsare。Imayhavetolookthroughmyoldtrunks。"Mariecaughtupashawlandopenedthestairdoor，run—
　　ningupthestepsaheadofherguest。"WhileI
　　gothroughthebureaudrawers，youmightlookinthosehat—boxesonthecloset—shelf，overwhereFrank’sclotheshang。Therearealotofoddsandendsinthem。"
　　Shebegantossingoverthecontentsofthedrawers，andAlexandrawentintotheclothes—
　　closet。Presentlyshecameback，holdingaslenderelasticyellowstickinherhand。
　　"Whatintheworldisthis，Marie？Youdon’tmeantotellmeFrankevercarriedsuchathing？"
　　Marieblinkedatitwithastonishmentandsatdownonthefloor。"Wheredidyoufindit？
　　Ididn’tknowhehadkeptit。Ihaven’tseenitforyears。"
　　"Itreallyisacane，then？"
　　"Yes。Onehebroughtfromtheoldcoun—
　　try。HeusedtocarryitwhenIfirstknewhim。
　　Isn’titfoolish？PoorFrank！"
　　Alexandratwirledthestickinherfingersandlaughed。"Hemusthavelookedfunny！"
　　Mariewasthoughtful。"No，hedidn’t，really。
　　Itdidn’tseemoutofplace。Heusedtobeawfullygaylikethatwhenhewasayoungman。Iguesspeoplealwaysgetwhat’shard—
　　estforthem，Alexandra。"Mariegatheredtheshawlcloseraboutherandstilllookedhardatthecane。"Frankwouldbeallrightintherightplace，"shesaidreflectively。"Heoughttohaveadifferentkindofwife，foronething。Doyouknow，Alexandra，IcouldpickoutexactlytherightsortofwomanforFrank——now。
　　Thetroubleisyoualmosthavetomarryamanbeforeyoucanfindoutthesortofwifeheneeds;andusuallyit’sexactlythesortyouarenot。Thenwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　sheaskedcandidly。