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。"
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