PARTI

TheWildLandI

OneJanuaryday，thirtyyearsago，thelittletownofHanover，anchoredonawindyNe—

braskatableland，wastryingnottobeblownaway。Amistoffinesnowflakeswascurlingandeddyingabouttheclusteroflowdrabbuildingshuddledonthegrayprairie，underagraysky。Thedwelling—housesweresetabouthaphazardonthetoughprairiesod;someofthemlookedasiftheyhadbeenmovedinovernight，andothersasiftheywerestrayingoffbythemselves，headedstraightfortheopenplain。Noneofthemhadanyappearanceofpermanence，andthehowlingwindblewunderthemaswellasoverthem。Themainstreetwasadeeplyruttedroad，nowfrozenhard，whichranfromthesquatredrailwaystationandthegrain"elevator"atthenorthendofthetowntothelumberyardandthehorsepondatthesouthend。Oneithersideofthisroadstraggledtwounevenrowsofwoodenbuildings;thegeneralmerchandisestores，thetwobanks，thedrugstore，thefeedstore，thesaloon，thepost—office。Theboardsidewalksweregraywithtrampledsnow，butattwoo’clockintheafternoontheshopkeepers，hav—

ingcomebackfromdinner，werekeepingwellbehindtheirfrostywindows。Thechildrenwereallinschool，andtherewasnobodyabroadinthestreetsbutafewrough—lookingcountry—

menincoarseovercoats，withtheirlongcapspulleddowntotheirnoses。Someofthemhadbroughttheirwivestotown，andnowandthenaredoraplaidshawlflashedoutofonestoreintotheshelterofanother。Atthehitch—barsalongthestreetafewheavywork—horses，har—

nessedtofarmwagons，shiveredundertheirblankets。Aboutthestationeverythingwasquiet，fortherewouldnotbeanothertraininuntilnight。

OnthesidewalkinfrontofoneofthestoressatalittleSwedeboy，cryingbitterly。Hewasaboutfiveyearsold。Hisblackclothcoatwasmuchtoobigforhimandmadehimlooklikealittleoldman。Hisshrunkenbrownflanneldresshadbeenwashedmanytimesandleftalongstretchofstockingbetweenthehemofhisskirtandthetopsofhisclumsy，copper—toedshoes。Hiscapwaspulleddownoverhisears;

hisnoseandhischubbycheekswerechappedandredwithcold。Hecriedquietly，andthefewpeoplewhohurriedbydidnotnoticehim。

Hewasafraidtostopanyone，afraidtogointothestoreandaskforhelp，sohesatwringinghislongsleevesandlookingupatelegraphpolebesidehim，whimpering，"Mykitten，oh，mykitten！Herwillfweeze！"Atthetopofthepolecrouchedashiveringgraykitten，mewingfaintlyandclingingdesperatelytothewoodwithherclaws。Theboyhadbeenleftatthestorewhilehissisterwenttothedoctor’soffice，andinherabsenceadoghadchasedhiskit—

tenupthepole。Thelittlecreaturehadneverbeensohighbefore，andshewastoofrightenedtomove。Hermasterwassunkindespair。Hewasalittlecountryboy，andthisvillagewastohimaverystrangeandperplexingplace，wherepeopleworefineclothesandhadhardhearts。

Healwaysfeltshyandawkwardhere，andwantedtohidebehindthingsforfearsomeonemightlaughathim。Justnow，hewastooun—

happytocarewholaughed。Atlastheseemedtoseearayofhope：hissisterwascoming，andhegotupandrantowardherinhisheavyshoes。

Hissisterwasatall，stronggirl，andshewalkedrapidlyandresolutely，asifsheknewexactlywhereshewasgoingandwhatshewasgoingtodonext。Sheworeaman’slongulster（notasifitwereanaffliction，butasifitwereverycomfortableandbelongedtoher;carrieditlikeayoungsoldier），andaroundplushcap，tieddownwithathickveil。Shehadaserious，thoughtfulface，andherclear，deepblueeyeswerefixedintentlyonthedistance，withoutseemingtoseeanything，asifshewereintrouble。Shedidnotnoticethelittleboyuntilhepulledherbythecoat。Thenshestoppedshortandstoopeddowntowipehiswetface。

"Why，Emil！Itoldyoutostayinthestoreandnottocomeout。Whatisthematterwithyou？"

"Mykitten，sister，mykitten！Amanputherout，andadogchasedherupthere。"Hisforefinger，projectingfromthesleeveofhiscoat，pointeduptothewretchedlittlecreatureonthepole。

"Oh，Emil！Didn’tItellyoushe’dgetusintotroubleofsomekind，ifyoubroughther？

Whatmadeyouteasemeso？Butthere，I

oughttohaveknownbettermyself。"Shewenttothefootofthepoleandheldoutherarms，crying，"Kitty，kitty，kitty，"butthekittenonlymewedandfaintlywaveditstail。Alex—

andraturnedawaydecidedly。"No，shewon’tcomedown。Somebodywillhavetogoupafterher。IsawtheLinstrums’wagonintown。I’llgoandseeifIcanfindCarl。Maybehecandosomething。Onlyyoumuststopcrying，orI

won’tgoastep。Where’syourcomforter？Didyouleaveitinthestore？Nevermind。Holdstill，tillIputthisonyou。"

Sheunwoundthebrownveilfromherheadandtieditabouthisthroat。Ashabbylittletravelingman，whowasjustthencomingoutofthestoreonhiswaytothesaloon，stoppedandgazedstupidlyattheshiningmassofhairshebaredwhenshetookoffherveil;twothickbraids，pinnedaboutherheadintheGermanway，withafringeofreddish—yellowcurlsblow—

ingoutfromunderhercap。Hetookhiscigaroutofhismouthandheldthewetendbetweenthefingersofhiswoolenglove。"MyGod，girl，whataheadofhair！"heexclaimed，quiteinnocentlyandfoolishly。ShestabbedhimwithaglanceofAmazonianfiercenessanddrewinherlowerlip——mostunnecessaryseverity。Itgavethelittleclothingdrummersuchastartthatheactuallylethiscigarfalltotheside—

walkandwentoffweaklyintheteethofthewindtothesaloon。Hishandwasstillunsteadywhenhetookhisglassfromthebartender。Hisfeebleflirtatiousinstinctshadbeencrushedbefore，butneversomercilessly。Hefeltcheapandill—used，asifsomeonehadtakenadvan—

tageofhim。Whenadrummerhadbeenknock—

ingaboutinlittledrabtownsandcrawlingacrossthewintrycountryindirtysmoking—

cars，washetobeblamedif，whenhechanceduponafinehumancreature，hesuddenlywishedhimselfmoreofaman？

Whilethelittledrummerwasdrinkingtorecoverhisnerve，AlexandrahurriedtothedrugstoreasthemostlikelyplacetofindCarlLinstrum。Therehewas，turningoveraport—

folioofchromo"studies"whichthedruggistsoldtotheHanoverwomenwhodidchina—

painting。Alexandraexplainedherpredica—

ment，andtheboyfollowedhertothecorner，whereEmilstillsatbythepole。

"I’llhavetogoupafterher，Alexandra。I

thinkatthedepottheyhavesomespikesIcanstraponmyfeet。Waitaminute。"Carlthrusthishandsintohispockets，loweredhishead，anddartedupthestreetagainstthenorthwind。Hewasatallboyoffifteen，slightandnarrow—chested。Whenhecamebackwiththespikes，Alexandraaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhisovercoat。

"Ileftitinthedrugstore。Icouldn’tclimbinit，anyhow。CatchmeifIfall，Emil，"hecalledbackashebeganhisascent。Alexandrawatchedhimanxiously;thecoldwasbitterenoughontheground。Thekittenwouldnotbudgeaninch。Carlhadtogototheverytopofthepole，andthenhadsomedifficultyintear—

ingherfromherhold。Whenhereachedtheground，hehandedthecattohertearfullittlemaster。"Nowgointothestorewithher，Emil，andgetwarm。"Heopenedthedoorforthechild。"Waitaminute，Alexandra。Whycan’tIdriveforyouasfarasourplace？It’sget—

tingcoldereveryminute。Haveyouseenthedoctor？"

"Yes。Heiscomingoverto—morrow。Buthesaysfathercan’tgetbetter;can’tgetwell。"

Thegirl’sliptrembled。Shelookedfixedlyupthebleakstreetasifsheweregatheringherstrengthtofacesomething，asifsheweretry—

ingwithallhermighttograspasituationwhich，nomatterhowpainful，mustbemetanddealtwithsomehow。Thewindflappedtheskirtsofherheavycoatabouther。

Carldidnotsayanything，butshefelthissympathy。He，too，waslonely。Hewasathin，frailboy，withbroodingdarkeyes，veryquietinallhismovements。Therewasadelicatepallorinhisthinface，andhismouthwastoosensitiveforaboy’s。Thelipshadalreadyalittlecurlofbitternessandskepticism。Thetwofriendsstoodforafewmomentsonthewindystreetcorner，notspeakingaword，astwotravelers，whohavelosttheirway，sometimesstandandadmittheirperplexityinsilence。WhenCarlturnedawayhesaid，"I’llseetoyourteam。"

Alexandrawentintothestoretohaveherpur—

chasespackedintheegg—boxes，andtogetwarmbeforeshesetoutonherlongcolddrive。

WhenshelookedforEmil，shefoundhimsit—

tingonastepofthestaircasethatleduptotheclothingandcarpetdepartment。Hewasplay—

ingwithalittleBohemiangirl，MarieTovesky，whowastyingherhandkerchiefoverthekit—

ten’sheadforabonnet。Mariewasastrangerinthecountry，havingcomefromOmahawithhermothertovisitheruncle，JoeTovesky。Shewasadarkchild，withbrowncurlyhair，likeabrunettedoll’s，acoaxinglittleredmouth，andround，yellow—browneyes。Everyonenoticedhereyes;thebrownirishadgoldenglintsthatmadethemlooklikegold—stone，or，insofterlights，likethatColoradomineralcalledtiger—eye。

Thecountrychildrenthereaboutsworetheirdressestotheirshoe—tops，butthiscitychildwasdressedinwhatwasthencalledthe"KateGreenaway"manner，andherredcashmerefrock，gatheredfullfromtheyoke，camealmosttothefloor。This，withherpokebonnet，gaveherthelookofaquaintlittlewoman。ShehadawhitefurtippetaboutherneckandmadenofussyobjectionswhenEmilfingereditadmiringly。Alexandrahadnotthehearttotakehimawayfromsoprettyaplayfellow，andsheletthemteasethekittentogetheruntilJoeToveskycameinnoisilyandpickeduphislittleniece，settingheronhisshoulderforeveryonetosee。Hischildrenwereallboys，andheadoredthislittlecreature。Hiscroniesformedacircleabouthim，admiringandteasingthelittlegirl，whotooktheirjokeswithgreatgoodnature。Theywerealldelightedwithher，fortheyseldomsawsoprettyandcarefullynur—

turedachild。Theytoldherthatshemustchooseoneofthemforasweetheart，andeachbeganpressinghissuitandofferingherbribes;

candy，andlittlepigs，andspottedcalves。Shelookedarchlyintothebig，brown，mustachedfaces，smellingofspiritsandtobacco，thensheranhertinyforefingerdelicatelyoverJoe’sbristlychinandsaid，"Hereismysweetheart。"

TheBohemiansroaredwithlaughter，andMarie’sunclehuggedheruntilshecried，"Pleasedon’t，UncleJoe！Youhurtme。"EachofJoe’sfriendsgaveherabagofcandy，andshekissedthemallaround，thoughshedidnotlikecoun—

trycandyverywell。PerhapsthatwaswhyshebethoughtherselfofEmil。"Letmedown，UncleJoe，"shesaid，"IwanttogivesomeofmycandytothatnicelittleboyIfound。"ShewalkedgraciouslyovertoEmil，followedbyherlustyadmirers，whoformedanewcircleandteasedthelittleboyuntilhehidhisfaceinhissister’sskirts，andshehadtoscoldhimforbeingsuchababy。

Thefarmpeopleweremakingpreparationstostartforhome。Thewomenwerecheckingovertheirgroceriesandpinningtheirbigredshawlsabouttheirheads。Themenwerebuy—

ingtobaccoandcandywithwhatmoneytheyhadleft，wereshowingeachothernewbootsandglovesandblueflannelshirts。ThreebigBohemiansweredrinkingrawalcohol，tincturedwithoilofcinnamon。Thiswassaidtofortifyoneeffectuallyagainstthecold，andtheysmackedtheirlipsaftereachpullattheflask。

Theirvolubilitydrownedeveryothernoiseintheplace，andtheoverheatedstoresoundedoftheirspiritedlanguageasitreekedofpipesmoke，dampwoolens，andkerosene。

Carlcamein，wearinghisovercoatandcarry—

ingawoodenboxwithabrasshandle。"Come，"

hesaid，"I’vefedandwateredyourteam，andthewagonisready。"HecarriedEmiloutandtuckedhimdowninthestrawinthewagon—

box。Theheathadmadethelittleboysleepy，buthestillclungtohiskitten。

"Youwereawfulgoodtoclimbsohighandgetmykitten，Carl。WhenIgetbigI’llclimbandgetlittleboys’kittensforthem，"hemur—

mureddrowsily。Beforethehorseswereoverthefirsthill，Emilandhiscatwerebothfastasleep。

Althoughitwasonlyfouro’clock，thewinterdaywasfading。Theroadledsouthwest，towardthestreakofpale，waterylightthatglimmeredintheleadensky。Thelightfelluponthetwosadyoungfacesthatwereturnedmutelytowardit：upontheeyesofthegirl，whoseemedtobelookingwithsuchanguishedperplexityintothefuture;uponthesombreeyesoftheboy，whoseemedalreadytobelookingintothepast。

Thelittletownbehindthemhadvanishedasifithadneverbeen，hadfallenbehindtheswelloftheprairie，andthesternfrozencountryreceivedthemintoitsbosom。Thehomesteadswerefewandfarapart;hereandthereawind—

millgauntagainstthesky，asodhousecrouch—

inginahollow。Butthegreatfactwasthelanditself，whichseemedtooverwhelmthelittlebeginningsofhumansocietythatstruggledinitssombrewastes。Itwasfromfacingthisvasthardnessthattheboy’smouthhadbecomesobitter;becausehefeltthatmenweretooweaktomakeanymarkhere，thatthelandwantedtobeletalone，topreserveitsownfiercestrength，itspeculiar，savagekindofbeauty，itsuninterruptedmournfulness。

Thewagonjoltedalongoverthefrozenroad。

Thetwofriendshadlesstosaytoeachotherthanusual，asifthecoldhadsomehowpene—

tratedtotheirhearts。

"DidLouandOscargototheBluetocutwoodto—day？"Carlasked。

"Yes。I’malmostsorryIletthemgo，it’sturnedsocold。Butmotherfretsifthewoodgetslow。"Shestoppedandputherhandtoherforehead，brushingbackherhair。"Idon’tknowwhatistobecomeofus，Carl，iffatherhastodie。Idon’tdaretothinkaboutit。I

wishwecouldallgowithhimandletthegrassgrowbackovereverything。"

Carlmadenoreply。JustaheadofthemwastheNorwegiangraveyard，wherethegrasshad，indeed，grownbackovereverything，shaggyandred，hidingeventhewirefence。Carlreal—

izedthathewasnotaveryhelpfulcompanion，buttherewasnothinghecouldsay。

"Ofcourse，"Alexandrawenton，steadyinghervoicealittle，"theboysarestrongandworkhard，butwe’vealwaysdependedsoonfatherthatIdon’tseehowwecangoahead。Ialmostfeelasiftherewerenothingtogoaheadfor。"

"Doesyourfatherknow？"

"Yes，Ithinkhedoes。Heliesandcountsonhisfingersallday。Ithinkheistryingtocountupwhatheisleavingforus。It’sacom—

forttohimthatmychickensarelayingrightonthroughthecoldweatherandbringinginalittlemoney。Iwishwecouldkeephismindoffsuchthings，butIdon’thavemuchtimetobewithhimnow。"

"Iwonderifhe’dliketohavemebringmymagiclanternoversomeevening？"

Alexandraturnedherfacetowardhim。"Oh，Carl！Haveyougotit？"

"Yes。It’sbackthereinthestraw。Didn’tyounoticetheboxIwascarrying？Itrieditallmorninginthedrug—storecellar，anditworkedeversowell，makesfinebigpictures。"

"Whataretheyabout？"

"Oh，huntingpicturesinGermany，andRobinsonCrusoeandfunnypicturesaboutcannibals。I’mgoingtopaintsomeslidesforitonglass，outoftheHansAndersenbook。"

Alexandraseemedactuallycheered。Thereisoftenagooddealofthechildleftinpeoplewhohavehadtogrowuptoosoon。"Dobringitover，Carl。Icanhardlywaittoseeit，andI’msureitwillpleasefather。Arethepicturescol—

ored？ThenIknowhe’lllikethem。HelikesthecalendarsIgethimintown。IwishIcouldgetmore。Youmustleavemehere，mustn’tyou？It’sbeennicetohavecompany。"

Carlstoppedthehorsesandlookeddubi—

ouslyupattheblacksky。"It’sprettydark。

Ofcoursethehorseswilltakeyouhome，butI

thinkI’dbetterlightyourlantern，incaseyoushouldneedit。"

Hegaveherthereinsandclimbedbackintothewagon—box，wherehecroucheddownandmadeatentofhisovercoat。Afteradozentrialshesucceededinlightingthelantern，whichheplacedinfrontofAlexandra，halfcoveringitwithablanketsothatthelightwouldnotshineinhereyes。"Now，waituntilIfindmybox。Yes，hereitis。Good—night，Alexandra。

Trynottoworry。"CarlsprangtothegroundandranoffacrossthefieldstowardtheLinstrumhomestead。"Hoo，hoo—o—o—o！"hecalledbackashedisappearedoveraridgeanddroppedintoasandgully。Thewindansweredhimlikeanecho，"Hoo，hoo—o—o—o—o—o！"Alexandradroveoffalone。Therattleofherwagonwaslostinthehowlingofthewind，butherlantern，heldfirmlybetweenherfeet，madeamovingpointoflightalongthehighway，goingdeeperanddeeperintothedarkcountry。

II

OnoneoftheridgesofthatwintrywastestoodthelowloghouseinwhichJohnBergsonwasdying。TheBergsonhomesteadwaseasiertofindthanmanyanother，becauseitover—

lookedNorwayCreek，ashallow，muddystreamthatsometimesflowed，andsometimesstoodstill，atthebottomofawindingravinewithsteep，shelvingsidesovergrownwithbrushandcottonwoodsanddwarfash。Thiscreekgaveasortofidentitytothefarmsthatbordereduponit。Ofallthebewilderingthingsaboutanewcountry，theabsenceofhumanlandmarksisoneofthemostdepressinganddisheartening。

ThehousesontheDivideweresmallandwereusuallytuckedawayinlowplaces;youdidnotseethemuntilyoucamedirectlyuponthem。

Mostofthemwerebuiltofthesoditself，andwereonlytheunescapablegroundinanotherform。Theroadswerebutfainttracksinthegrass，andthefieldswerescarcelynoticeable。

Therecordoftheplowwasinsignificant，likethefeeblescratchesonstoneleftbyprehistoricraces，soindeterminatethattheymay，afterall，beonlythemarkingsofglaciers，andnotarec—

ordofhumanstrivings。

InelevenlongyearsJohnBergsonhadmadebutlittleimpressionuponthewildlandhehadcometotame。Itwasstillawildthingthathaditsuglymoods;andnooneknewwhentheywerelikelytocome，orwhy。Mischancehungoverit。ItsGeniuswasunfriendlytoman。Thesickmanwasfeelingthisashelaylookingoutofthewindow，afterthedoctorhadlefthim，onthedayfollowingAlexandra’striptotown。

Thereitlayoutsidehisdoor，thesameland，thesamelead—coloredmiles。Hekneweveryridgeanddrawandgullybetweenhimandthehorizon。Tothesouth，hisplowedfields;totheeast，thesodstables，thecattlecorral，thepond，——andthenthegrass。

Bergsonwentoverinhismindthethingsthathadheldhimback。Onewinterhiscattlehadperishedinablizzard。Thenextsummeroneofhisplowhorsesbrokeitsleginaprairie—

dogholeandhadtobeshot。Anothersummerhelosthishogsfromcholera，andavaluablestalliondiedfromarattlesnakebite。Timeandagainhiscropshadfailed。Hehadlosttwochildren，boys，thatcamebetweenLouandEmil，andtherehadbeenthecostofsicknessanddeath。Now，whenhehadatlaststruggledoutofdebt，hewasgoingtodiehimself。Hewasonlyforty—six，andhad，ofcourse，counteduponmoretime。

BergsonhadspenthisfirstfiveyearsontheDividegettingintodebt，andthelastsixgettingout。Hehadpaidoffhismortgagesandhadendedprettymuchwherehebegan，withtheland。Heownedexactlysixhundredandfortyacresofwhatstretchedoutsidehisdoor;hisownoriginalhomesteadandtimberclaim，makingthreehundredandtwentyacres，andthehalf—

sectionadjoining，thehomesteadofayoungerbrotherwhohadgivenupthefight，gonebacktoChicagotoworkinafancybakeryanddis—

tinguishhimselfinaSwedishathleticclub。SofarJohnhadnotattemptedtocultivatethesecondhalf—section，butuseditforpastureland，andoneofhissonsrodeherdthereinopenweather。

JohnBergsonhadtheOld—Worldbeliefthatland，initself，isdesirable。Butthislandwasanenigma。Itwaslikeahorsethatnooneknowshowtobreaktoharness，thatrunswildandkicksthingstopieces。Hehadanideathatnooneunderstoodhowtofarmitproperly，andthisheoftendiscussedwithAlexandra。Theirneighbors，certainly，knewevenlessaboutfarmingthanhedid。Manyofthemhadneverworkedonafarmuntiltheytookuptheirhomesteads。TheyhadbeenHANDWERKERS

athome;tailors，locksmiths，joiners，cigar—

makers，etc。Bergsonhimselfhadworkedinashipyard。

Forweeks，JohnBergsonhadbeenthinkingaboutthesethings。Hisbedstoodinthesitting—

room，nexttothekitchen。Throughtheday，whilethebakingandwashingandironingweregoingon，thefatherlayandlookedupattheroofbeamsthathehimselfhadhewn，oroutatthecattleinthecorral。Hecountedthecattleoverandover。Itdivertedhimtospeculateastohowmuchweighteachofthesteerswouldprobablyputonbyspring。Heoftencalledhisdaughterintotalktoheraboutthis。BeforeAlexandrawastwelveyearsoldshehadbeguntobeahelptohim，andasshegrewolderhehadcometodependmoreandmoreuponherresourcefulnessandgoodjudgment。Hisboyswerewillingenoughtowork，butwhenhetalkedwiththemtheyusuallyirritatedhim。ItwasAlexandrawhoreadthepapersandfol—

lowedthemarkets，andwholearnedbythemis—

takesoftheirneighbors。ItwasAlexandrawhocouldalwaystellaboutwhatithadcosttofat—

teneachsteer，andwhocouldguesstheweightofahogbeforeitwentonthescalescloserthanJohnBergsonhimself。LouandOscarwerein—

dustrious，buthecouldneverteachthemtousetheirheadsabouttheirwork。

Alexandra，herfatheroftensaidtohimself，waslikehergrandfather;whichwashiswayofsayingthatshewasintelligent。JohnBergson’sfatherhadbeenashipbuilder，amanofconsid—

erableforceandofsomefortune。Lateinlifehemarriedasecondtime，aStockholmwomanofquestionablecharacter，muchyoungerthanhe，whogoadedhimintoeverysortofextrava—

gance。Ontheshipbuilder’spart，thismarriagewasaninfatuation，thedespairingfollyofapowerfulmanwhocannotbeartogrowold。

Inafewyearshisunprincipledwifewarpedtheprobityofalifetime。Hespeculated，losthisownfortuneandfundsentrustedtohimbypoorseafaringmen，anddieddisgraced，leav—

inghischildrennothing。Butwhenallwassaid，hehadcomeupfromtheseahimself，hadbuiltupaproudlittlebusinesswithnocapitalbuthisownskillandforesight，andhadprovedhimselfaman。Inhisdaughter，JohnBergsonrecog—

nizedthestrengthofwill，andthesimpledirectwayofthinkingthingsout，thathadcharac—

terizedhisfatherinhisbetterdays。Hewouldmuchrather，ofcourse，haveseenthislikenessinoneofhissons，butitwasnotaquestionofchoice。Ashelaytheredayafterdayhehadtoacceptthesituationasitwas，andtobethank—

fulthattherewasoneamonghischildrentowhomhecouldentrustthefutureofhisfamilyandthepossibilitiesofhishard—wonland。

Thewintertwilightwasfading。Thesickmanheardhiswifestrikeamatchinthekitchen，andthelightofalampglimmeredthroughthecracksofthedoor。Itseemedlikealightshin—

ingfaraway。Heturnedpainfullyinhisbedandlookedathiswhitehands，withalltheworkgoneoutofthem。Hewasreadytogiveup，hefelt。Hedidnotknowhowithadcomeabout，buthewasquitewillingtogodeepun—

derhisfieldsandrest，wheretheplowcouldnotfindhim。Hewastiredofmakingmistakes。Hewascontenttoleavethetangletootherhands;

hethoughtofhisAlexandra’sstrongones。

"DOTTER，"hecalledfeebly，"DOTTER！"Heheardherquickstepandsawhertallfigureappearinthedoorway，withthelightofthelampbehindher。Hefeltheryouthandstrength，howeasilyshemovedandstoopedandlifted。Buthewouldnothavehaditagainifhecould，nothe！Heknewtheendtoowelltowishtobeginagain。Heknewwhereitallwentto，whatitallbecame。

Hisdaughtercameandliftedhimuponhispillows。ShecalledhimbyanoldSwedishnamethatsheusedtocallhimwhenshewaslittleandtookhisdinnertohimintheshipyard。

"Telltheboystocomehere，daughter。I

wanttospeaktothem。"

"Theyarefeedingthehorses，father。TheyhavejustcomebackfromtheBlue。ShallI

callthem？"

Hesighed。"No，no。Waituntiltheycomein。Alexandra，youwillhavetodothebestyoucanforyourbrothers。Everythingwillcomeonyou。"

"IwilldoallIcan，father。"

"Don’tletthemgetdiscouragedandgoofflikeUncleOtto。Iwantthemtokeeptheland。"

"Wewill，father。Wewillneverlosetheland。"

Therewasasoundofheavyfeetinthekitchen。Alexandrawenttothedoorandbeck—

onedtoherbrothers，twostrappingboysofseventeenandnineteen。Theycameinandstoodatthefootofthebed。Theirfatherlookedatthemsearchingly，thoughitwastoodarktoseetheirfaces;theywerejustthesameboys，hetoldhimself，hehadnotbeenmistakeninthem。

ThesquareheadandheavyshouldersbelongedtoOscar，theelder。Theyoungerboywasquicker，butvacillating。

"Boys，"saidthefatherwearily，"Iwantyoutokeepthelandtogetherandtobeguidedbyyoursister。IhavetalkedtohersinceIhavebeensick，andsheknowsallmywishes。I

wantnoquarrelsamongmychildren，andsolongasthereisonehousetheremustbeonehead。Alexandraistheoldest，andsheknowsmywishes。Shewilldothebestshecan。Ifshemakesmistakes，shewillnotmakesomanyasIhavemade。Whenyoumarry，andwantahouseofyourown，thelandwillbedividedfairly，accordingtothecourts。Butforthenextfewyearsyouwillhaveithard，andyoumustallkeeptogether。Alexandrawillmanagethebestshecan。"

Oscar，whowasusuallythelasttospeak，repliedbecausehewastheolder，"Yes，father。

Itwouldbesoanyway，withoutyourspeaking。

Wewillallworktheplacetogether。"

"Andyouwillbeguidedbyyoursister，boys，andbegoodbrotherstoher，andgoodsonstoyourmother？Thatisgood。AndAlexandramustnotworkinthefieldsanymore。Thereisnonecessitynow。Hireamanwhenyouneedhelp。Shecanmakemuchmorewithhereggsandbutterthanthewagesofaman。ItwasoneofmymistakesthatIdidnotfindthatoutsooner。Trytobreakalittlemorelandeveryyear;sodcornisgoodforfodder。Keepturningtheland，andalwaysputupmorehaythanyouneed。Don’tgrudgeyourmotheralittletimeforplowinghergardenandsettingoutfruittrees，evenifitcomesinabusyseason。Shehasbeenagoodmothertoyou，andshehasalwaysWhentheywentbacktothekitchentheboyssatdownsilentlyatthetable。Throughoutthemealtheylookeddownattheirplatesanddidnotlifttheirredeyes。Theydidnoteatmuch，althoughtheyhadbeenworkinginthecoldallday，andtherewasarabbitstewedingravyforsupper，andprunepies。

JohnBergsonhadmarriedbeneathhim，buthehadmarriedagoodhousewife。Mrs。Berg—

sonwasafair—skinned，corpulentwoman，heavyandplacidlikeherson，Oscar，buttherewassomethingcomfortableabouther;perhapsitwasherownloveofcomfort。Forelevenyearsshehadworthilystriventomaintainsomesem—

blanceofhouseholdorderamidconditionsthatmadeorderverydifficult。HabitwasverystrongwithMrs。Bergson，andherunremittingeffortstorepeattheroutineofheroldlifeamongnewsurroundingshaddoneagreatdealtokeepthefamilyfromdisintegratingmorallyandget—

tingcarelessintheirways。TheBergsonshadaloghouse，forinstance，onlybecauseMrs。

Bergsonwouldnotliveinasodhouse。Shemissedthefishdietofherowncountry，andtwiceeverysummershesenttheboystotheriver，twentymilestothesouthward，tofishforchannelcat。Whenthechildrenwerelittlesheusedtoloadthemallintothewagon，thebabyinitscrib，andgofishingherself。

Alexandraoftensaidthatifhermotherwerecastuponadesertisland，shewouldthankGodforherdeliverance，makeagarden，andfindsomethingtopreserve。PreservingwasalmostamaniawithMrs。Bergson。Stoutasshewas，sheroamedthescrubbybanksofNorwayCreeklookingforfoxgrapesandgooseplums，likeawildcreatureinsearchofprey。Shemadeayel—

lowjamoftheinsipidground—cherriesthatgrewontheprairie，flavoringitwithlemonpeel;andshemadeastickydarkconserveofgardentoma—

toes。Shehadexperimentedevenwiththerankbuffalo—pea，andshecouldnotseeafinebronzeclusterofthemwithoutshakingherheadandmurmuring，"Whatapity！"Whentherewasnothingmoretopreserve，shebegantopickle。

Theamountofsugarsheusedintheseprocesseswassometimesaseriousdrainuponthefamilyresources。Shewasagoodmother，butshewasgladwhenherchildrenwereoldenoughnottobeinherwayinthekitchen。ShehadneverquiteforgivenJohnBergsonforbringinghertotheendoftheearth;but，nowthatshewasthere，shewantedtobeletalonetoreconstructheroldlifeinsofarasthatwaspossible。Shecouldstilltakesomecomfortintheworldifshehadbaconinthecave，glassjarsontheshelves，andsheetsinthepress。Shedisap—

provedofallherneighborsbecauseoftheirslovenlyhousekeeping，andthewomenthoughtherveryproud。OncewhenMrs。Bergson，onherwaytoNorwayCreek，stoppedtoseeoldMrs。Lee，theoldwomanhidinthehaymow"forfearMis’Bergsonwouldcatchherbare—

foot。"

III

OneSundayafternooninJuly，sixmonthsafterJohnBergson’sdeath，CarlwassittinginthedoorwayoftheLinstrumkitchen，dreamingoveranillustratedpaper，whenheheardtherattleofawagonalongthehillroad。LookingupherecognizedtheBergsons’team，withtwoseatsinthewagon，whichmeanttheywereoffforapleasureexcursion。OscarandLou，onthefrontseat，woretheirclothhatsandcoats，neverwornexceptonSundays，andEmil，onthesecondseatwithAlexandra，satproudlyinhisnewtrousers，madefromapairofhisfather’s，andapink—stripedshirt，withawideruffledcollar。OscarstoppedthehorsesandwavedtoCarl，whocaughtuphishatandranthroughthemelonpatchtojointhem。

"Wanttogowithus？"Loucalled。"We’regoingtoCrazyIvar’stobuyahammock。"

"Sure。"Carlranuppanting，andclamber—

ingoverthewheelsatdownbesideEmil。"I’vealwayswantedtoseeIvar’spond。Theysayit’sthebiggestinallthecountry。Aren’tyouafraidtogotoIvar’sinthatnewshirt，Emil？

Hemightwantitandtakeitrightoffyourback。"

Emilgrinned。"I’dbeawfulscaredtogo，"

headmitted，"ifyoubigboysweren’talongtotakecareofme。Didyoueverhearhimhowl，Carl？PeoplesaysometimesherunsaboutthecountryhowlingatnightbecauseheisafraidtheLordwilldestroyhim。Motherthinkshemusthavedonesomethingawfulwicked。"

LoulookedbackandwinkedatCarl。"Whatwouldyoudo，Emil，ifyouwasoutontheprairiebyyourselfandseenhimcoming？"

Emilstared。"MaybeIcouldhideinabadger—hole，"hesuggesteddoubtfully。

"Butsupposetherewasn’tanybadger—hole，"

Loupersisted。"Wouldyourun？"

"No，I’dbetooscaredtorun，"Emilad—

mittedmournfully，twistinghisfingers。"I

guessI’dsitrightdownonthegroundandsaymyprayers。"

Thebigboyslaughed，andOscarbrandishedhiswhipoverthebroadbacksofthehorses。

"Hewouldn’thurtyou，Emil，"saidCarlpersuasively。"Hecametodoctorourmarewhensheategreencornandswelledupmostasbigasthewater—tank。Hepettedherjustlikeyoudoyourcats。Icouldn’tunderstandmuchhesaid，forhedon’ttalkanyEnglish，buthekeptpattingherandgroaningasifhehadthepainhimself，andsaying，’Therenow，sister，that’seasier，that’sbetter！’"

LouandOscarlaughed，andEmilgiggleddelightedlyandlookedupathissister。

"Idon’tthinkheknowsanythingatallaboutdoctoring，"saidOscarscornfully。"Theysaywhenhorseshavedistemperhetakesthemedicinehimself，andthenpraysoverthehorses。"

Alexandraspokeup。"That’swhattheCrowssaid，buthecuredtheirhorses，allthesame。Somedayshismindiscloudy，like。Butifyoucangethimonaclearday，youcanlearnagreatdealfromhim。Heunderstandsani—

mals。Didn’tIseehimtakethehornofftheBerquist’scowwhenshehadtornitlooseandwentcrazy？Shewastearingallovertheplace，knockingherselfagainstthings。Andatlastsheranoutontheroofoftheolddugoutandherlegswentthroughandthereshestuck，bel—

lowing。Ivarcamerunningwithhiswhitebag，andthemomenthegottohershewasquietandlethimsawherhornoffanddaubtheplacewithtar。"

Emilhadbeenwatchinghissister，hisfacereflectingthesufferingsofthecow。"Andthendidn’tithurtheranymore？"heasked。

Alexandrapattedhim。"No，notanymore。

Andintwodaystheycouldusehermilkagain。"

TheroadtoIvar’shomesteadwasaverypoorone。Hehadsettledintheroughcountryacrossthecountyline，wherenoonelivedbutsomeRussians，——halfadozenfamilieswhodwelttogetherinonelonghouse，dividedofflikebarracks。Ivarhadexplainedhischoicebysayingthatthefewerneighborshehad，thefewertemptations。Nevertheless，whenoneconsideredthathischiefbusinesswashorse—

doctoring，itseemedrathershort—sightedofhimtoliveinthemostinaccessibleplacehecouldfind。TheBergsonwagonlurchedalongovertheroughhummocksandgrassbanks，fol—

lowedthebottomofwindingdraws，orskirtedthemarginofwidelagoons，wherethegoldencoreopsisgrewupoutoftheclearwaterandthewildducksrosewithawhirrofwings。

Loulookedafterthemhelplessly。"IwishI’dbroughtmygun，anyway，Alexandra，"hesaidfretfully。"Icouldhavehiddenitunderthestrawinthebottomofthewagon。"

"Thenwe’dhavehadtolietoIvar。Besides，theysayhecansmelldeadbirds。Andifheknew，wewouldn’tgetanythingoutofhim，notevenahammock。Iwanttotalktohim，andhewon’ttalksenseifhe’sangry。Itmakeshimfoolish。"

Lousniffed。"Whoeverheardofhimtalkingsense，anyhow！I’dratherhaveducksforsup—

perthanCrazyIvar’stongue。"

Emilwasalarmed。"Oh，but，Lou，youdon’twanttomakehimmad！Hemighthowl！"

Theyalllaughedagain，andOscarurgedthehorsesupthecrumblingsideofaclaybank。

Theyhadleftthelagoonsandtheredgrassbehindthem。InCrazyIvar’scountrythegrasswasshortandgray，thedrawsdeeperthantheywereintheBergsons’neighborhood，andthelandwasallbrokenupintohillocksandclayridges。Thewildflowersdisappeared，andonlyinthebottomofthedrawsandgulliesgrewafewoftheverytoughestandhardiest：

shoestring，andironweed，andsnow—on—the—

mountain。

"Look，look，Emil，there’sIvar’sbigpond！"

Alexandrapointedtoashiningsheetofwaterthatlayatthebottomofashallowdraw。

Atoneendofthepondwasanearthendam，plantedwithgreenwillowbushes，andaboveitadoorandasinglewindowweresetintothehillside。Youwouldnothaveseenthematallbutforthereflectionofthesunlightuponthefourpanesofwindow—glass。Andthatwasallyousaw。Notashed，notacorral，notawell，notevenapathbrokeninthecurlygrass。Butforthepieceofrustystovepipestickingupthroughthesod，youcouldhavewalkedovertheroofofIvar’sdwellingwithoutdreamingthatyouwerenearahumanhabitation。Ivarhadlivedforthreeyearsintheclaybank，with—

outdefilingthefaceofnatureanymorethanthecoyotethathadlivedtherebeforehimhaddone。

WhentheBergsonsdroveoverthehill，Ivarwassittinginthedoorwayofhishouse，readingtheNorwegianBible。Hewasaqueerlyshapedoldman，withathick，powerfulbodysetonshortbow—legs。Hisshaggywhitehair，fallinginathickmaneabouthisruddycheeks，madehimlookolderthanhewas。Hewasbarefoot，butheworeacleanshirtofunbleachedcotton，openattheneck。HealwaysputonacleanshirtwhenSundaymorningcameround，thoughheneverwenttochurch。Hehadapeculiarreligionofhisownandcouldnotgetonwithanyofthedenominations。Oftenhedidnotseeanybodyfromoneweek’sendtoanother。Hekeptacalendar，andeverymorninghecheckedoffaday，sothathewasneverinanydoubtastowhichdayoftheweekitwas。Ivarhiredhim—

selfoutinthreshingandcorn—huskingtime，andhedoctoredsickanimalswhenhewassentfor。Whenhewasathome，hemadeham—

mocksoutoftwineandcommittedchaptersoftheBibletomemory。

Ivarfoundcontentmentinthesolitudehehadsoughtoutforhimself。Hedislikedthelitterofhumandwellings：thebrokenfood，thebitsofbrokenchina，theoldwash—boilersandtea—kettlesthrownintothesunflowerpatch。

Hepreferredthecleannessandtidinessofthewildsod。Healwayssaidthatthebadgershadcleanerhousesthanpeople，andthatwhenhetookahousekeeperhernamewouldbeMrs。

Badger。HebestexpressedhispreferenceforhiswildhomesteadbysayingthathisBibleseemedtruertohimthere。Ifonestoodinthedoorwayofhiscave，andlookedoffattheroughland，thesmilingsky，thecurlygrasswhiteinthehotsunlight;ifonelistenedtotherapturoussongofthelark，thedrummingofthequail，theburrofthelocustagainstthatvastsilence，oneunderstoodwhatIvarmeant。

OnthisSundayafternoonhisfaceshonewithhappiness。Heclosedthebookonhisknee，keepingtheplacewithhishornyfinger，andHesendeththespringsintothevalleys，whichrunamongthehills;

Theygivedrinktoeverybeastofthefield;thewildassesquenchtheirthirst。

ThetreesoftheLordarefullofsap;thecedarsofLebanonwhichhehathplanted;

Wherethebirdsmaketheirnests：asforthestork，thefirtreesareherhouse。

Thehighhillsarearefugeforthewildgoats;andtherocksfortheconies。

repeatedsoftly：——

BeforeheopenedhisBibleagain，IvarheardtheBergsons’wagonapproaching，andhesprangupandrantowardit。

"Noguns，noguns！"heshouted，wavinghisarmsdistractedly。

"No，Ivar，noguns，"Alexandracalledreas—

suringly。

Hedroppedhisarmsandwentuptothewagon，smilingamiablyandlookingatthemoutofhispaleblueeyes。

"Wewanttobuyahammock，ifyouhaveone，"Alexandraexplained，"andmylittlebrother，here，wantstoseeyourbigpond，wheresomanybirdscome。"

Ivarsmiledfoolishly，andbeganrubbingthehorses’nosesandfeelingabouttheirmouthsbehindthebits。"Notmanybirdsjustnow。

Afewducksthismorning;andsomesnipecometodrink。Buttherewasacranelastweek。

Shespentonenightandcamebackthenextevening。Idon’tknowwhy。Itisnothersea—

son，ofcourse。Manyofthemgooverinthefall。Thenthepondisfullofstrangevoiceseverynight。"

AlexandratranslatedforCarl，wholookedthoughtful。"Askhim，Alexandra，ifitistruethataseagullcamehereonce。Ihaveheardso。"

Shehadsomedifficultyinmakingtheoldmanunderstand。

Helookedpuzzledatfirst，thensmotehishandstogetherasheremembered。"Oh，yes，yes！Abigwhitebirdwithlongwingsandpinkfeet。My！whatavoiceshehad！Shecameintheafternoonandkeptflyingaboutthepondandscreaminguntildark。Shewasintroubleofsomesort，butIcouldnotunderstandher。

Shewasgoingovertotheotherocean，maybe，anddidnotknowhowfaritwas。Shewasafraidofnevergettingthere。Shewasmoremournfulthanourbirdshere;shecriedinthenight。Shesawthelightfrommywindowanddarteduptoit。Maybeshethoughtmyhousewasaboat，shewassuchawildthing。Nextmorning，whenthesunrose，Iwentouttotakeherfood，butsheflewupintotheskyandwentonherway。"Ivarranhisfingersthroughhisthickhair。"Ihavemanystrangebirdsstopwithmehere。Theycomefromveryfarawayandaregreatcompany。Ihopeyouboysnevershootwildbirds？"

LouandOscargrinned，andIvarshookhisbushyhead。"Yes，Iknowboysarethoughtless。

ButthesewildthingsareGod’sbirds。Hewatchesoverthemandcountsthem，aswedoourcattle;ChristsayssointheNewTesta—

ment。"

"Now，Ivar，"Louasked，"maywewaterourhorsesatyourpondandgivethemsomefeed？It’sabadroadtoyourplace。"

"Yes，yes，itis。"Theoldmanscrambledaboutandbegantoloosethetugs。"Abadroad，eh，girls？Andthebaywithacoltathome！"

Oscarbrushedtheoldmanaside。"We’lltakecareofthehorses，Ivar。You’llbefindingsomediseaseonthem。Alexandrawantstoseeyourhammocks。"

IvarledAlexandraandEmiltohislittlecavehouse。Hehadbutoneroom，neatlyplas—

teredandwhitewashed，andtherewasawoodenfloor。Therewasakitchenstove，atablecov—

eredwithoilcloth，twochairs，aclock，acalen—

dar，afewbooksonthewindow—shelf;nothingmore。Buttheplacewasascleanasacup—

board。

"Butwheredoyousleep，Ivar？"Emilasked，lookingabout。

Ivarunslungahammockfromahookonthewall;initwasrolledabuffalorobe。"There，myson。Ahammockisagoodbed，andinwinterIwrapupinthisskin。WhereIgotowork，thebedsarenothalfsoeasyasthis。"

BythistimeEmilhadlostallhistimidity。

Hethoughtacaveaverysuperiorkindofhouse。TherewassomethingpleasantlyunusualaboutitandaboutIvar。"Dothebirdsknowyouwillbekindtothem，Ivar？Isthatwhysomanycome？"heasked。

Ivarsatdownonthefloorandtuckedhisfeetunderhim。"See，littlebrother，theyhavecomefromalongway，andtheyareverytired。

Fromuptherewheretheyareflying，ourcoun—

trylooksdarkandflat。Theymusthavewatertodrinkandtobatheinbeforetheycangoonwiththeirjourney。Theylookthiswayandthat，andfarbelowthemtheyseesomethingshining，likeapieceofglasssetinthedarkearth。Thatismypond。Theycometoitandarenotdisturbed。MaybeIsprinklealittlecorn。Theytelltheotherbirds，andnextyearmorecomethisway。Theyhavetheirroadsupthere，aswehavedownhere。"

Emilrubbedhiskneesthoughtfully。"Andisthattrue，Ivar，abouttheheadducksfallingbackwhentheyaretired，andthehindonestakingtheirplace？"

"Yes。Thepointofthewedgegetstheworstofit;theycutthewind。Theycanonlystandtherealittlewhile——halfanhour，maybe。

Thentheyfallbackandthewedgesplitsalittle，whiletherearonescomeupthemiddletothefront。Thenitclosesupandtheyflyon，withanewedge。Theyarealwayschanginglikethat，upintheair。Neveranyconfusion;justlikesoldierswhohavebeendrilled。"

Alexandrahadselectedherhammockbythetimetheboyscameupfromthepond。Theywouldnotcomein，butsatintheshadeofthebankoutsidewhileAlexandraandIvartalkedaboutthebirdsandabouthishousekeeping，andwhyheneveratemeat，freshorsalt。

Alexandrawassittingononeofthewoodenchairs，herarmsrestingonthetable。Ivarwassittingontheflooratherfeet。"Ivar，"shesaidsuddenly，beginningtotracethepatternontheoilclothwithherforefinger，"Icameto—daymorebecauseIwantedtotalktoyouthanbe—

causeIwantedtobuyahammock。"

"Yes？"Theoldmanscrapedhisbarefeetontheplankfloor。

"Wehaveabigbunchofhogs，Ivar。I

wouldn’tsellinthespring，wheneverybodyadvisedmeto，andnowsomanypeoplearelosingtheirhogsthatIamfrightened。Whatcanbedone？"

Ivar’slittleeyesbegantoshine。Theylosttheirvagueness。

"Youfeedthemswillandsuchstuff？Ofcourse！Andsourmilk？Oh，yes！Andkeeptheminastinkingpen？Itellyou，sister，thehogsofthiscountryareputupon！Theybe—

comeunclean，likethehogsintheBible。Ifyoukeptyourchickenslikethat，whatwouldhap—

pen？Youhavealittlesorghumpatch，maybe？

Putafencearoundit，andturnthehogsin。

Buildashedtogivethemshade，athatchonpoles。Lettheboyshaulwatertotheminbar—

rels，cleanwater，andplenty。Getthemofftheoldstinkingground，anddonotletthemgobackthereuntilwinter。Givethemonlygrainandcleanfeed，suchasyouwouldgivehorsesorcattle。Hogsdonotliketobefilthy。"

Theboysoutsidethedoorhadbeenlistening。

Lounudgedhisbrother。"Come，thehorsesaredoneeating。Let’shitchupandgetoutofhere。He’llfillherfullofnotions。She’llbeforhavingthepigssleepwithus，next。"

Oscargruntedandgotup。Carl，whocouldnotunderstandwhatIvarsaid，sawthatthetwoboysweredispleased。Theydidnotmindhardwork，buttheyhatedexperimentsandcouldneverseetheuseoftakingpains。EvenLou，whowasmoreelasticthanhisolderbro—

ther，dislikedtodoanythingdifferentfromtheirneighbors。Hefeltthatitmadethemconspicuousandgavepeopleachancetotalkaboutthem。

Oncetheywereonthehomewardroad，theboysforgottheirill—humorandjokedaboutIvarandhisbirds。Alexandradidnotproposeanyreformsinthecareofthepigs，andtheyhopedshehadforgottenIvar’stalk。Theyagreedthathewascrazierthanever，andwouldneverbeabletoproveuponhislandbecauseheworkeditsolittle。AlexandraprivatelyresolvedthatshewouldhaveatalkwithIvaraboutthisandstirhimup。TheboyspersuadedCarltostayforsupperandgoswimminginthepasturepondafterdark。

Thatevening，aftershehadwashedthesup—

perdishes，Alexandrasatdownonthekitchendoorstep，whilehermotherwasmixingthebread。Itwasastill，deep—breathingsummernight，fullofthesmellofthehayfields。Soundsoflaughterandsplashingcameupfromthepasture，andwhenthemoonroserapidlyabovethebarerimoftheprairie，thepondglitteredlikepolishedmetal，andshecouldseetheflashofwhitebodiesastheboysranabouttheedge，orjumpedintothewater。Alexandrawatchedtheshimmeringpooldreamily，buteventuallyhereyeswentbacktothesorghumpatchsouthofthebarn，whereshewasplanningtomakehernewpigcorral。

IV

ForthefirstthreeyearsafterJohnBergson’sdeath，theaffairsofhisfamilyprospered。ThencamethehardtimesthatbroughteveryoneontheDividetothebrinkofdespair;threeyearsofdrouthandfailure，thelaststruggleofawildsoilagainsttheencroachingplowshare。ThefirstofthesefruitlesssummerstheBergsonboysborecourageously。Thefailureofthecorncropmadelaborcheap。LouandOscarhiredtwomenandputinbiggercropsthaneverbefore。Theylosteverythingtheyspent。Thewholecountrywasdiscouraged。Farmerswhowerealreadyindebthadtogiveuptheirland。Afewforeclosuresdemoralizedthecounty。Thesettlerssataboutonthewoodensidewalksinthelittletownandtoldeachotherthatthecountrywasnevermeantformentolivein;thethingtodowastogetbacktoIowa，toIllinois，toanyplacethathadbeenprovedhabitable。TheBergsonboys，certainly，wouldhavebeenhappierwiththeiruncleOtto，inthebakeryshopinChicago。Likemostoftheirneighbors，theyweremeanttofollowinpathsalreadymarkedoutforthem，nottobreaktrailsinanewcountry。Asteadyjob，afewholidays，nothingtothinkabout，andtheywouldhavebeenveryhappy。Itwasnofaultoftheirsthattheyhadbeendraggedintothewildernesswhentheywerelittleboys。A

pioneershouldhaveimagination，shouldbeabletoenjoytheideaofthingsmorethanthethingsthemselves。

Thesecondofthesebarrensummerswaspassing。OneSeptemberafternoonAlexandrahadgoneovertothegardenacrossthedrawtodigsweetpotatoes——theyhadbeenthrivingupontheweatherthatwasfataltoeverythingelse。ButwhenCarlLinstrumcameupthegardenrowstofindher，shewasnotworking。

Shewasstandinglostinthought，leaninguponherpitchfork，hersunbonnetlyingbesideherontheground。Thedrygardenpatchsmelledofdryingvinesandwasstrewnwithyellowseed—cucumbersandpumpkinsandcitrons。

Atoneend，nexttherhubarb，grewfeatheryasparagus，withredberries。Downthemiddleofthegardenwasarowofgooseberryandcur—

rantbushes。AfewtoughzeniasandmarigoldsandarowofscarletsageborewitnesstothebucketsofwaterthatMrs。Bergsonhadcarriedthereaftersundown，againsttheprohibitionofhersons。Carlcamequietlyandslowlyupthegardenpath，lookingintentlyatAlexandra。

Shedidnothearhim。Shewasstandingper—

fectlystill，withthatseriouseasesocharacter—

isticofher。Herthick，reddishbraids，twistedaboutherhead，fairlyburnedinthesunlight。

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