Louflewathisfriedchicken。"Oh，Iguessthedoctorknowshisbusiness，Alexandra。HewasverymuchsurprisedwhenItoldhimhowyou’dputupwithIvar。Hesayshe’slikelytosetfiretothebarnanynight，ortotakeafteryouandthegirlswithanaxe。"
LittleSigna，whowaswaitingonthetable，giggledandfledtothekitchen。Alexandra’seyestwinkled。"ThatwastoomuchforSigna，Lou。WeallknowthatIvar’sperfectlyharm—
less。Thegirlswouldassoonexpectmetochasethemwithanaxe。"
Louflushedandsignaledtohiswife。"Allthesame，theneighborswillbehavingasayaboutitbeforelong。Hemayburnanybody’sbarn。It’sonlynecessaryforoneproperty—
ownerinthetownshiptomakecomplaint，andhe’llbetakenupbyforce。You’dbettersendhimyourselfandnothaveanyhardfeelings。"
Alexandrahelpedoneofherlittlenephewstogravy。"Well，Lou，ifanyoftheneighborstrythat，I’llhavemyselfappointedIvar’sguardianandtakethecasetocourt，that’sall。Iamperfectlysatisfiedwithhim。"
"Passthepreserves，Lou，"saidAnnieinawarningtone。ShehadreasonsfornotwishingherhusbandtocrossAlexandratooopenly。
"Butdon’tyousortofhatetohavepeopleseehimaroundhere，Alexandra？"shewentonwithpersuasivesmoothness。"HeISadisgrace—
fulobject，andyou’refixedupsonicenow。Itsortofmakespeopledistantwithyou，whentheyneverknowwhenthey’llhearhimscratch—
ingabout。Mygirlsareafraidasdeathofhim，aren’tyou，Milly，dear？"
Millywasfifteen，fatandjollyandpompa—
doured，withacreamycomplexion，squarewhiteteeth，andashortupperlip。ShelookedlikehergrandmotherBergson，andhadhercomfortableandcomfort—lovingnature。Shegrinnedatheraunt，withwhomshewasagreatdealmoreateasethanshewaswithhermother。
Alexandrawinkedareply。
"Millyneedn’tbeafraidofIvar。She’sanespecialfavoriteofhis。InmyopinionIvarhasjustasmuchrighttohisownwayofdressingandthinkingaswehave。ButI’llseethathedoesn’tbotherotherpeople。I’llkeephimathome，sodon’ttroubleanymoreabouthim，Lou。I’vebeenwantingtoaskyouaboutyournewbathtub。Howdoesitwork？"
AnniecametotheforetogiveLoutimetorecoverhimself。"Oh，itworkssomethinggrand！Ican’tkeephimoutofit。Hewasheshimselfalloverthreetimesaweeknow，andusesallthehotwater。Ithinkit’sweakeningtostayinaslongashedoes。Yououghttohaveone，Alexandra。"
"I’mthinkingofit。ImighthaveoneputinthebarnforIvar，ifitwilleasepeople’sminds。
ButbeforeIgetabathtub，I’mgoingtogetapianoforMilly。"
Oscar，attheendofthetable，lookedupfromhisplate。"WhatdoesMillywantofapianny？
What’sthematterwithherorgan？Shecanmakesomeuseofthat，andplayinchurch。"
Annielookedflustered。ShehadbeggedAlexandranottosayanythingaboutthisplanbeforeOscar，whowasapttobejealousofwhathissisterdidforLou’schildren。AlexandradidnotgetonwithOscar’swifeatall。"Millycanplayinchurchjustthesame，andshe’llstillplayontheorgan。Butpractisingonitsomuchspoilshertouch。Herteachersaysso，"
Anniebroughtoutwithspirit。
Oscarrolledhiseyes。"Well，Millymusthavegotonprettygoodifshe’sgotpasttheorgan。
Iknowplentyofgrownfolksthatain’t，"hesaidbluntly。
Anniethrewupherchin。"Shehasgotongood，andshe’sgoingtoplayforhercommence—
mentwhenshegraduatesintownnextyear。"
"Yes，"saidAlexandrafirmly，"IthinkMillydeservesapiano。Allthegirlsaroundherehavebeentakinglessonsforyears，butMillyistheonlyoneofthemwhocaneverplayanythingwhenyouaskher。I’lltellyouwhenIfirstthoughtIwouldliketogiveyouapiano，Milly，andthatwaswhenyoulearnedthatbookofoldSwedishsongsthatyourgrandfatherusedtosing。Hehadasweettenorvoice，andwhenhewasayoungmanhelovedtosing。Icanrememberhearinghimsingingwiththesailorsdownintheshipyard，whenIwasnobiggerthanStellahere，"pointingtoAnnie’syoungerdaughter。
MillyandStellabothlookedthroughthedoorintothesitting—room，whereacrayonpor—
traitofJohnBergsonhungonthewall。Alex—
andrahadhaditmadefromalittlephotograph，takenforhisfriendsjustbeforeheleftSweden;
aslendermanofthirty—five，withsofthaircurl—
ingabouthishighforehead，adroopingmus—
tache，andwondering，sadeyesthatlookedforwardintothedistance，asiftheyalreadybeheldtheNewWorld。
AfterdinnerLouandOscarwenttotheorchardtopickcherries——theyhadneitherofthemhadthepatiencetogrowanorchardoftheirown——andAnniewentdowntogossipwithAlexandra’skitchengirlswhiletheywashedthedishes。ShecouldalwaysfindoutmoreaboutAlexandra’sdomesticeconomyfromtheprat—
tlingmaidsthanfromAlexandraherself，andwhatshediscoveredsheusedtoherownadvan—
tagewithLou。OntheDivide，farmers’daugh—
tersnolongerwentoutintoservice，soAlex—
andragothergirlsfromSweden，bypayingtheirfareover。Theystayedwithheruntiltheymarried，andwerereplacedbysistersorcousinsfromtheoldcountry。
Alexandratookherthreeniecesintotheflowergarden。Shewasfondofthelittlegirls，especiallyofMilly，whocametospendaweekwithherauntnowandthen，andreadaloudtoherfromtheoldbooksaboutthehouse，orlistenedtostoriesabouttheearlydaysontheDivide。Whiletheywerewalkingamongtheflowerbeds，abuggydroveupthehillandstoppedinfrontofthegate。Amangotoutandstoodtalkingtothedriver。Thelittlegirlsweredelightedattheadventofastranger，someonefromveryfaraway，theyknewbyhisclothes，hisgloves，andthesharp，pointedcutofhisdarkbeard。Thegirlsfellbehindtheirauntandpeepedoutathimfromamongthecastorbeans。Thestrangercameuptothegateandstoodholdinghishatinhishand，smiling，whileAlexandraadvancedslowlytomeethim。
Assheapproachedhespokeinalow，pleasantvoice。
"Don’tyouknowme，Alexandra？Iwouldhaveknownyou，anywhere。"
Alexandrashadedhereyeswithherhand。
Suddenlyshetookaquickstepforward。"Canitbe！"sheexclaimedwithfeeling;"canitbethatitisCarlLinstrum？Why，Carl，itis！"
Shethrewoutbothherhandsandcaughthisacrossthegate。"Sadie，Milly，runtellyourfatherandUncleOscarthatouroldfriendCarlLinstrumishere。Bequick！Why，Carl，howdidithappen？Ican’tbelievethis！"Alexan—
drashookthetearsfromhereyesandlaughed。
Thestrangernoddedtohisdriver，droppedhissuitcaseinsidethefence，andopenedthegate。"Thenyouaregladtoseeme，andyoucanputmeupovernight？Icouldn’tgothroughthiscountrywithoutstoppingofftohavealookatyou。Howlittleyouhavechanged！Doyouknow，Iwassureitwouldbelikethat。Yousimplycouldn’tbedifferent。
Howfineyouare！"Hesteppedbackandlookedatheradmiringly。
Alexandrablushedandlaughedagain。"Butyouyourself，Carl——withthatbeard——howcouldIhaveknownyou？Youwentawayalittleboy。"Shereachedforhissuitcaseandwhenheinterceptedhershethrewupherhands。"Yousee，Igivemyselfaway。Ihaveonlywomencometovisitme，andIdonotknowhowtobehave。Whereisyourtrunk？"
"It’sinHanover。Icanstayonlyafewdays。
Iamonmywaytothecoast。"
Theystartedupthepath。"Afewdays？
Afteralltheseyears！"Alexandrashookherfingerathim。"Seethis，youhavewalkedintoatrap。Youdonotgetawaysoeasy。"Sheputherhandaffectionatelyonhisshoulder。"Youowemeavisitforthesakeofoldtimes。Whymustyougotothecoastatall？"
"Oh，Imust！Iamafortunehunter。FromSeattleIgoontoAlaska。"
"Alaska？"Shelookedathiminastonish—
ment。"AreyougoingtopainttheIndians？"
"Paint？"theyoungmanfrowned。"Oh！I’mnotapainter，Alexandra。I’manengraver。I
havenothingtodowithpainting。"
"ButonmyparlorwallIhavethepaint—
ings——"
Heinterruptednervously。"Oh，water—colorsketches——doneforamusement。Isentthemtoremindyouofme，notbecausetheyweregood。
Whatawonderfulplaceyouhavemadeofthis，Alexandra。"Heturnedandlookedbackatthewide，map—likeprospectoffieldandhedgeandpasture。"Iwouldneverhavebelieveditcouldbedone。I’mdisappointedinmyowneye，inmyimagination。"
AtthismomentLouandOscarcameupthehillfromtheorchard。TheydidnotquickentheirpacewhentheysawCarl;indeed，theydidnotopenlylookinhisdirection。Theyadvanceddistrustfully，andasiftheywishedthedistancewerelonger。
Alexandrabeckonedtothem。"TheythinkIamtryingtofoolthem。Come，boys，it’sCarlLinstrum，ouroldCarl！"
Lougavethevisitoraquick，sidelongglanceandthrustouthishand。"Gladtoseeyou。"
Oscarfollowedwith"Howd’do。"Carlcouldnottellwhethertheiroffishnesscamefromunfriendlinessorfromembarrassment。HeandAlexandraledthewaytotheporch。
"Carl，"Alexandraexplained，"isonhiswaytoSeattle。HeisgoingtoAlaska。"
Oscarstudiedthevisitor’syellowshoes。
"Gotbusinessthere？"heasked。
Carllaughed。"Yes，verypressingbusiness。
I’mgoingtheretogetrich。Engraving’saveryinterestingprofession，butamannevermakesanymoneyatit。SoI’mgoingtotrythegold—
fields。"
Alexandrafeltthatthiswasatactfulspeech，andLoulookedupwithsomeinterest。"Everdoneanythinginthatlinebefore？"
"No，butI’mgoingtojoinafriendofminewhowentoutfromNewYorkandhasdonewell。Hehasofferedtobreakmein。"
"Turriblecoldwinters，there，Ihear，"re—
markedOscar。"Ithoughtpeoplewentupthereinthespring。"
"Theydo。ButmyfriendisgoingtospendthewinterinSeattleandIamtostaywithhimthereandlearnsomethingaboutprospectingbeforewestartnorthnextyear。"
Loulookedskeptical。"Let’ssee，howlonghaveyoubeenawayfromhere？"
"Sixteenyears。Yououghttorememberthat，Lou，foryouweremarriedjustafterwewentaway。"
"Goingtostaywithussometime？"Oscarasked。
"Afewdays，ifAlexandracankeepme。"
"Iexpectyou’llbewantingtoseeyouroldplace，"Louobservedmorecordially。"Youwon’thardlyknowit。Butthere’safewchunksofyouroldsodhouseleft。Alexandrawouldn’tneverletFrankShabataploughoverit。"
AnnieLee，who，eversincethevisitorwasannounced，hadbeentouchingupherhairandsettlingherlaceandwishingshehadwornanotherdress，nowemergedwithherthreedaughtersandintroducedthem。ShewasgreatlyimpressedbyCarl’surbanappearance，andinherexcitementtalkedveryloudandthrewherheadabout。"Andyouain’tmarriedyet？Atyourage，now！Thinkofthat！You’llhavetowaitforMilly。Yes，we’vegotaboy，too。Theyoungest。He’sathomewithhisgrandma。YoumustcomeovertoseemotherandhearMillyplay。She’sthemusicianofthefamily。Shedoespyrography，too。That’sburntwood，youknow。Youwouldn’tbelievewhatshecandowithherpoker。Yes，shegoestoschoolintown，andsheistheyoungestinherclassbytwoyears。"
MillylookeduncomfortableandCarltookherhandagain。Helikedhercreamyskinandhappy，innocenteyes，andhecouldseethathermother’swayoftalkingdistressedher。"I’msureshe’sacleverlittlegirl，"hemurmured，lookingatherthoughtfully。"Letmesee——
Ah，it’syourmotherthatshelookslike，Alex—
andra。Mrs。Bergsonmusthavelookedjustlikethiswhenshewasalittlegirl。DoesMillyrunaboutoverthecountryasyouandAlex—
andrausedto，Annie？"
Milly’smotherprotested。"Oh，my，no！
Thingshaschangedsincewewasgirls。Millyhasitverydifferent。Wearegoingtorenttheplaceandmoveintotownassoonasthegirlsareoldenoughtogooutintocompany。A
goodmanyaredoingthatherenow。Louisgoingintobusiness。"
Lougrinned。"That’swhatshesays。Youbettergogetyourthingson。Ivar’shitchingup，"headded，turningtoAnnie。
Youngfarmersseldomaddresstheirwivesbyname。Itisalways"you，"or"she。"
Havinggothiswifeoutoftheway，Lousatdownonthestepandbegantowhittle。"Well，whatdofolksinNewYorkthinkofWilliamJenningsBryan？"Loubegantobluster，ashealwaysdidwhenhetalkedpolitics。"WegaveWallStreetascareinninety—six，allright，andwe’refixinganothertohandthem。Silverwasn’ttheonlyissue，"henoddedmysteriously。
"There’sagoodmanythingsgottobechanged。
TheWestisgoingtomakeitselfheard。"
Carllaughed。"But，surely，itdiddothat，ifnothingelse。"
Lou’sthinfacereddeneduptotherootsofhisbristlyhair。"Oh，we’veonlybegun。We’rewakinguptoasenseofourresponsibilities，outhere，andweain’tafraid，neither。Youfellowsbacktheremustbeatamelot。Ifyouhadanynerveyou’dgettogetherandmarchdowntoWallStreetandblowitup。Dyna—
miteit，Imean，"withathreateningnod。
HewassomuchinearnestthatCarlscarcelyknewhowtoanswerhim。"Thatwouldbeawasteofpowder。Thesamebusinesswouldgooninanotherstreet。Thestreetdoesn’tmatter。
Butwhathaveyoufellowsoutheregottokickabout？Youhavetheonlysafeplacethereis。
Morganhimselfcouldn’ttouchyou。Oneonlyhastodrivethroughthiscountrytoseethatyou’reallasrichasbarons。"
"Wehaveagooddealmoretosaythanwehadwhenwewerepoor，"saidLouthreateningly。
"We’regettingontoawholelotofthings。"
AsIvardroveadoublecarriageuptothegate，Anniecameoutinahatthatlookedlikethemodelofabattleship。Carlroseandtookherdowntothecarriage，whileLoulingeredforawordwithhissister。
"Whatdoyousupposehe’scomefor？"heasked，jerkinghisheadtowardthegate。
"Why，topayusavisit。I’vebeenbegginghimtoforyears。"
OscarlookedatAlexandra。"Hedidn’tletyouknowhewascoming？"
"No。Whyshouldhe？Itoldhimtocomeatanytime。"
Loushruggedhisshoulders。"Hedoesn’tseemtohavedonemuchforhimself。Wander—
ingaroundthisway！"
Oscarspokesolemnly，asfromthedepthsofacavern。"Heneverwasmuchaccount。"
AlexandraleftthemandhurrieddowntothegatewhereAnniewasrattlingontoCarlabouthernewdining—roomfurniture。"YoumustbringMr。Linstrumoverrealsoon，onlybesuretotelephonemefirst，"shecalledback，asCarlhelpedherintothecarriage。OldIvar，hiswhiteheadbare，stoodholdingthehorses。Loucamedownthepathandclimbedintothefrontseat，tookupthereins，anddroveoffwithoutsayinganythingfurthertoanyone。Oscarpickeduphisyoungestboyandtrudgedoffdowntheroad，theotherthreetrottingafterhim。Carl，holdingthegateopenforAlexandra，begantolaugh。"UpandcomingontheDivide，eh，Alexandra？"hecriedgayly。
IV
Carlhadchanged，Alexandrafelt，muchlessthanonemighthaveexpected。Hehadnotbecomeatrim，self—satisfiedcityman。Therewasstillsomethinghomelyandwaywardanddefinitelypersonalabouthim。Evenhisclothes，hisNorfolkcoatandhisveryhighcollars，werealittleunconventional。Heseemedtoshrinkintohimselfasheusedtodo;toholdhim—
selfawayfromthings，asifhewereafraidofbeinghurt。Inshort，hewasmoreself—con—
sciousthanamanofthirty—fiveisexpectedtobe。Helookedolderthanhisyearsandnotverystrong。Hisblackhair，whichstillhunginatriangleoverhispaleforehead，wasthinatthecrown，andtherewerefine，relentlesslinesabouthiseyes。Hisback，withitshigh，sharpshoulders，lookedlikethebackofanover—
workedGermanprofessoroffonhisholiday。
Hisfacewasintelligent，sensitive，unhappy。
Thateveningaftersupper，CarlandAlex—
andraweresittingbytheclumpofcastorbeansinthemiddleoftheflowergarden。Thegravelpathsglitteredinthemoonlight，andbelowthemthefieldslaywhiteandstill。
"Doyouknow，Alexandra，"hewassaying，"I’vebeenthinkinghowstrangelythingsworkout。I’vebeenawayengravingothermen’spictures，andyou’vestayedathomeandmadeyourown。"Hepointedwithhiscigartowardthesleepinglandscape。"Howintheworldhaveyoudoneit？Howhaveyourneighborsdoneit？"
"Wehadn’tanyofusmuchtodowithit，Carl。Thelanddidit。Ithaditslittlejoke。Itpretendedtobepoorbecausenobodyknewhowtoworkitright;andthen，allatonce，itworkeditself。Itwokeupoutofitssleepandstretcheditself，anditwassobig，sorich，thatwesud—
denlyfoundwewererich，justfromsittingstill。
Asforme，yourememberwhenIbegantobuyland。ForyearsafterthatIwasalwayssqueez—
ingandborrowinguntilIwasashamedtoshowmyfaceinthebanks。Andthen，allatonce，menbegantocometomeofferingtolendmemoney——andIdidn’tneedit！ThenIwentaheadandbuiltthishouse。IreallybuiltitforEmil。IwantyoutoseeEmil，Carl。Heissodifferentfromtherestofus！"
"Howdifferent？"
"Oh，you’llsee！I’msureitwastohavesonslikeEmil，andtogivethemachance，thatfatherlefttheoldcountry。It’scurious，too;ontheoutsideEmilisjustlikeanAmericanboy，——hegraduatedfromtheStateUniversityinJune，youknow，——butunderneathheismoreSwed—
ishthananyofus。Sometimesheissolikefatherthathefrightensme;heissoviolentinhisfeel—
ingslikethat。"
"Ishegoingtofarmherewithyou？"
"Heshalldowhateverhewantsto，"Alex—
andradeclaredwarmly。"Heisgoingtohaveachance，awholechance;that’swhatI’veworkedfor。Sometimeshetalksaboutstudyinglaw，andsometimes，justlately，he’sbeentalk—
ingaboutgoingoutintothesandhillsandtak—
ingupmoreland。Hehashissadtimes，likefather。ButIhopehewon’tdothat。Wehavelandenough，atlast！"Alexandralaughed。
"HowaboutLouandOscar？They’vedonewell，haven’tthey？"
"Yes，verywell;buttheyaredifferent，andnowthattheyhavefarmsoftheirownIdonotseesomuchofthem。WedividedthelandequallywhenLoumarried。Theyhavetheirownwayofdoingthings，andtheydonotalto—
getherlikemyway，Iamafraid。Perhapstheythinkmetooindependent。ButIhavehadtothinkformyselfagoodmanyyearsandamnotlikelytochange。Onthewhole，though，wetakeasmuchcomfortineachotherasmostbrothersandsistersdo。AndIamveryfondofLou’soldestdaughter。"
"IthinkIlikedtheoldLouandOscarbetter，andtheyprobablyfeelthesameaboutme。I
even，ifyoucankeepasecret，"——Carlleanedforwardandtouchedherarm，smiling，——"I
eventhinkIlikedtheoldcountrybetter。Thisisallverysplendidinitsway，buttherewassomethingaboutthiscountrywhenitwasawildoldbeastthathashauntedmealltheseyears。Now，whenIcomebacktoallthismilkandhoney，IfeelliketheoldGermansong，’Wobistdu，wobistdu，meingeliebtestLand？’——
Doyoueverfeellikethat，Iwonder？"
"Yes，sometimes，whenIthinkaboutfatherandmotherandthosewhoaregone;somanyofouroldneighbors。"Alexandrapausedandlookedupthoughtfullyatthestars。"Wecanrememberthegraveyardwhenitwaswildprairie，Carl，andnow——"
"Andnowtheoldstoryhasbeguntowriteitselfoverthere，"saidCarlsoftly。"Isn’titqueer：thereareonlytwoorthreehumanstories，andtheygoonrepeatingthemselvesasfiercelyasiftheyhadneverhappenedbefore;
likethelarksinthiscountry，thathavebeensingingthesamefivenotesoverforthousandsofyears。"
"Oh，yes！Theyoungpeople，theylivesohard。AndyetIsometimesenvythem。Thereismylittleneighbor，now;thepeoplewhoboughtyouroldplace。Iwouldn’thavesoldittoanyoneelse，butIwasalwaysfondofthatgirl。Youmustrememberher，littleMarieTovesky，fromOmaha，whousedtovisithere？
Whenshewaseighteensheranawayfromtheconventschoolandgotmarried，crazychild！
Shecameouthereabride，withherfatherandhusband。Hehadnothing，andtheoldmanwaswillingtobuythemaplaceandsetthemup。Yourfarmtookherfancy，andIwasgladtohavehersonearme。I’veneverbeensorry，either。IeventrytogetalongwithFrankonheraccount。"
"IsFrankherhusband？"
"Yes。He’soneofthesewildfellows。MostBohemiansaregood—natured，butFrankthinkswedon’tappreciatehimhere，Iguess。He’sjeal—
ousabouteverything，hisfarmandhishorsesandhisprettywife。Everybodylikesher，justthesameaswhenshewaslittle。SometimesI
gouptotheCatholicchurchwithEmil，andit’sfunnytoseeMariestandingtherelaughingandshakinghandswithpeople，lookingsoex—
citedandgay，withFranksulkingbehindherasifhecouldeateverybodyalive。Frank’snotabadneighbor，buttogetonwithhimyou’vegottomakeafussoverhimandactasifyouthoughthewasaveryimportantpersonallthetime，anddifferentfromotherpeople。Ifindithardtokeepthatupfromoneyear’sendtoanother。"
"Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dbeverysuccessfulatthatkindofthing，Alexandra。"Carlseemedtofindtheideaamusing。
"Well，"saidAlexandrafirmly，"IdothebestIcan，onMarie’saccount。Shehasithardenough，anyway。She’stooyoungandprettyforthissortoflife。We’realleversomucholderandslower。Butshe’sthekindthatwon’tbedownedeasily。She’llworkalldayandgotoaBohemianweddinganddanceallnight，anddrivethehaywagonforacrossmannextmorn—
ing。Icouldstaybyajob，butIneverhadthegoinmethatshehas，whenIwasgoingmybest。
I’llhavetotakeyouovertoseeherto—morrow。"
Carldroppedtheendofhiscigarsoftlyamongthecastorbeansandsighed。"Yes，I
supposeImustseetheoldplace。I’mcow—
ardlyaboutthingsthatremindmeofmyself。
Ittookcouragetocomeatall，Alexandra。I
wouldn’thave，ifIhadn’twantedtoseeyouvery，verymuch。"
Alexandralookedathimwithhercalm，deliberateeyes。"Whydoyoudreadthingslikethat，Carl？"sheaskedearnestly。"Whyareyoudissatisfiedwithyourself？"
Hervisitorwinced。"Howdirectyouare，Alexandra！Justlikeyouusedtobe。DoIgivemyselfawaysoquickly？Well，yousee，foronething，there’snothingtolookforwardtoinmyprofession。Wood—engravingistheonlythingIcareabout，andthathadgoneoutbeforeI
began。Everything’scheapmetalworknow—
adays，touchingupmiserablephotographs，forcinguppoordrawings，andspoilinggoodones。I’mabsolutelysickofitall。"Carlfrowned。"Alexandra，allthewayoutfromNewYorkI’vebeenplanninghowIcouldde—
ceiveyouandmakeyouthinkmeaveryenvi—
ablefellow，andhereIamtellingyouthetruththefirstnight。Iwastealotoftimepre—
tendingtopeople，andthejokeofitis，Idon’tthinkIeverdeceiveanyone。Therearetoomanyofmykind;peopleknowusonsight。"
Carlpaused。Alexandrapushedherhairbackfromherbrowwithapuzzled，thoughtfulgesture。"Yousee，"hewentoncalmly，"mea—
suredbyyourstandardshere，I’mafailure。
Icouldn’tbuyevenoneofyourcornfields。
I’veenjoyedagreatmanythings，butI’vegotnothingtoshowforitall。"
"Butyoushowforityourself，Carl。I’dratherhavehadyourfreedomthanmyland。"
Carlshookhisheadmournfully。"Freedomsooftenmeansthatoneisn’tneededanywhere。
Hereyouareanindividual，youhaveaback—
groundofyourown，youwouldbemissed。Butoffthereinthecitiestherearethousandsofrollingstoneslikeme。Weareallalike;wehavenoties，weknownobody，weownnothing。
Whenoneofusdies，theyscarcelyknowwheretoburyhim。Ourlandladyandthedelicatessenmanareourmourners，andweleavenothingbehindusbutafrock—coatandafiddle，oraneasel，oratypewriter，orwhatevertoolwegotourlivingby。Allwehaveevermanagedtodoistopayourrent，theexorbitantrentthatonehastopayforafewsquarefeetofspaceneartheheartofthings。Wehavenohouse，noplace，nopeopleofourown。Weliveinthestreets，intheparks，inthetheatres。Wesitinrestaurantsandconcerthallsandlookaboutatthehundredsofourownkindandshudder。"
Alexandrawassilent。Shesatlookingatthesilverspotthemoonmadeonthesurfaceoftheponddowninthepasture。Heknewthatsheunderstoodwhathemeant。Atlastshesaidslowly，"AndyetIwouldratherhaveEmilgrowuplikethatthanlikehistwobrothers。
Wepayahighrent，too，thoughwepaydiffer—
ently。Wegrowhardandheavyhere。Wedon’tmovelightlyandeasilyasyoudo，andourmindsgetstiff。Iftheworldwerenowiderthanmycornfields，iftherewerenotsomethingbesidethis，Iwouldn’tfeelthatitwasmuchworthwhiletowork。No，IwouldratherhaveEmillikeyouthanlikethem。Ifeltthatassoonasyoucame。"
"Iwonderwhyyoufeellikethat？"Carlmused。
"Idon’tknow。PerhapsIamlikeCarrieJensen，thesisterofoneofmyhiredmen。Shehadneverbeenoutofthecornfields，andafewyearsagoshegotdespondentandsaidlifewasjustthesamethingoverandover，andshedidn’tseetheuseofit。Aftershehadtriedtokillherselfonceortwice，herfolksgotwor—
riedandsentherovertoIowatovisitsomerelations。Eversinceshe’scomebackshe’sbeenperfectlycheerful，andshesaysshe’scon—
tentedtoliveandworkinaworldthat’ssobigandinteresting。ShesaidthatanythingasbigasthebridgesoverthePlatteandtheMissourireconciledher。Andit’swhatgoesonintheworldthatreconcilesme。"
V
Alexandradidnotfindtimetogotoherneighbor’sthenextday，northenext。Itwasabusyseasononthefarm，withthecorn—plowinggoingon，andevenEmilwasinthefieldwithateamandcultivator。CarlwentaboutoverthefarmswithAlexandrainthemorning，andintheafternoonandeveningtheyfoundagreatdealtotalkabout。Emil，forallhistrackprac—
tice，didnotstandupunderfarmworkverywell，andbynighthewastootiredtotalkoreventopractiseonhiscornet。
OnWednesdaymorningCarlgotupbeforeitwaslight，andstoledownstairsandoutofthekitchendoorjustasoldIvarwasmakinghismorningablutionsatthepump。Carlnoddedtohimandhurriedupthedraw，pastthegar—
den，andintothepasturewherethemilkingcowsusedtobekept。
Thedawnintheeastlookedlikethelightfromsomegreatfirethatwasburningundertheedgeoftheworld。Thecolorwasreflectedintheglobulesofdewthatsheathedtheshortgraypasturegrass。Carlwalkedrapidlyuntilhecametothecrestofthesecondhill，wheretheBergsonpasturejoinedtheonethathadbelongedtohisfather。Therehesatdownandwaitedforthesuntorise。ItwasjusttherethatheandAlexandrausedtodotheirmilkingtogether，heonhissideofthefence，sheonhers。
Hecouldrememberexactlyhowshelookedwhenshecameovertheclose—croppedgrass，herskirtspinnedup，herheadbare，abrighttinpailineitherhand，andthemilkylightoftheearlymorningallabouther。Evenasaboyheusedtofeel，whenhesawhercomingwithherfreestep，heruprightheadandcalmshoulders，thatshelookedasifshehadwalkedstraightoutofthemorningitself。Sincethen，whenhehadhappenedtoseethesuncomeupinthecountryoronthewater，hehadoftenremem—
beredtheyoungSwedishgirlandhermilkingpails。
Carlsatmusinguntilthesunleapedabovetheprairie，andinthegrassabouthimallthesmallcreaturesofdaybegantotunetheirtinyinstruments。Birdsandinsectswithoutnum—
berbegantochirp，totwitter，tosnapandwhistle，tomakeallmanneroffreshshrillnoises。Thepasturewasfloodedwithlight;
everyclumpofironweedandsnow—on—the—
mountainthrewalongshadow，andthegoldenlightseemedtoberipplingthroughthecurlygrasslikethetideracingin。
HecrossedthefenceintothepasturethatwasnowtheShabatas’andcontinuedhiswalktowardthepond。Hehadnotgonefar，how—
ever，whenhediscoveredthathewasnottheonlypersonabroad。Inthedrawbelow，hisguninhishands，wasEmil，advancingcautiously，withayoungwomanbesidehim。Theyweremovingsoftly，keepingclosetogether，andCarlknewthattheyexpectedtofindducksonthepond。Atthemomentwhentheycameinsightofthebrightspotofwater，heheardawhirrofwingsandtheducksshotupintotheair。Therewasasharpcrackfromthegun，andfiveofthebirdsfelltotheground。Emilandhiscompanionlaugheddelightedly，andEmilrantopickthemup。Whenhecameback，danglingtheducksbytheirfeet，Marieheldherapronandhedroppedthemintoit。Asshestoodlookingdownatthem，herfacechanged。Shetookuponeofthebirds，arumpledballoffeatherswiththeblooddrippingslowlyfromitsmouth，andlookedatthelivecolorthatstillburnedonitsplumage。
Assheletitfall，shecriedindistress，"Oh，Emil，whydidyou？"
"Ilikethat！"theboyexclaimedindignantly。
"Why，Marie，youaskedmetocomeyourself。"
"：Yes，yes，Iknow，"shesaidtearfully，"butI
didn’tthink。Ihatetoseethemwhentheyarefirstshot。Theywerehavingsuchagoodtime，andwe’vespoileditallforthem。"
Emilgavearathersorelaugh。"Ishouldsaywehad！I’mnotgoinghuntingwithyouanymore。You’reasbadasIvar。Here，letmetakethem。"Hesnatchedtheducksoutofherapron。
"Don’tbecross，Emil。Only——Ivar’srightaboutwildthings。They’retoohappytokill。
Youcantelljusthowtheyfeltwhentheyflewup。Theywerescared，buttheydidn’treallythinkanythingcouldhurtthem。No，wewon’tdothatanymore。"
"Allright，"Emilassented。"I’msorryI
madeyoufeelbad。"Ashelookeddownintohertearfuleyes，therewasacurious，sharpyoungbitternessinhisown。
Carlwatchedthemastheymovedslowlydownthedraw。Theyhadnotseenhimatall。
Hehadnotoverheardmuchoftheirdialogue，buthefelttheimportofit。Itmadehim，some—
how，unreasonablymournfultofindtwoyoungthingsabroadinthepastureintheearlymorn—
ing。Hedecidedthatheneededhisbreakfast。
VI
AtdinnerthatdayAlexandrasaidshethoughttheymustreallymanagetogoovertotheShabatas’thatafternoon。"It’snotoftenI
letthreedaysgobywithoutseeingMarie。ShewillthinkIhaveforsakenher，nowthatmyoldfriendhascomeback。"
Afterthemenhadgonebacktowork，Alex—
andraputonawhitedressandhersun—hat，andsheandCarlsetforthacrossthefields。"Youseewehavekeptuptheoldpath，Carl。Ithasbeensoniceformetofeelthattherewasafriendattheotherendofitagain。"
Carlsmiledalittleruefully。"Allthesame，I
hopeithasn’tbeenQUITEthesame。"
Alexandralookedathimwithsurprise。
"Why，no，ofcoursenot。Notthesame。Shecouldnotverywelltakeyourplace，ifthat’swhatyoumean。I’mfriendlywithallmyneighbors，Ihope。ButMarieisreallyacom—
panion，someoneIcantalktoquitefrankly。
Youwouldn’twantmetobemorelonelythanIhavebeen，wouldyou？"
Carllaughedandpushedbackthetriangularlockofhairwiththeedgeofhishat。"OfcourseIdon’t。Ioughttobethankfulthatthispathhasn’tbeenwornby——well，byfriendswithmorepressingerrandsthanyourlittleBohe—
mianislikelytohave。"HepausedtogiveAlexandrahishandasshesteppedoverthestile。
"Areyoutheleastbitdisappointedinourcom—
ingtogetheragain？"heaskedabruptly。"Isitthewayyouhopeditwouldbe？"
Alexandrasmiledatthis。"Onlybetter。
WhenI’vethoughtaboutyourcoming，I’vesometimesbeenalittleafraidofit。Youhavelivedwherethingsmovesofast，andevery—
thingisslowhere;thepeopleslowestofall。Ourlivesareliketheyears，allmadeupofweatherandcropsandcows。Howyouhatedcows！"
Sheshookherheadandlaughedtoherself。
"Ididn’twhenwemilkedtogether。I
walkeduptothepasturecornersthismorning。
IwonderwhetherIshalleverbeabletotellyouallthatIwasthinkingaboutupthere。It’sastrangething，Alexandra;Ifinditeasytobefrankwithyouabouteverythingunderthesunexcept——yourself！"
"Youareafraidofhurtingmyfeelings，per—
haps。"Alexandralookedathimthoughtfully。
"No，I’mafraidofgivingyouashock。
You’veseenyourselfforsolonginthedullmindsofthepeopleaboutyou，thatifIweretotellyouhowyouseemtome，itwouldstartleyou。Butyoumustseethatyouastonishme。
Youmustfeelwhenpeopleadmireyou。"
Alexandrablushedandlaughedwithsomeconfusion。"Ifeltthatyouwerepleasedwithme，ifyoumeanthat。"
"Andyou’vefeltwhenotherpeoplewerepleasedwithyou？"heinsisted。
"Well，sometimes。Themenintown，atthebanksandthecountyoffices，seemgladtoseeme。Ithink，myself，itismorepleasanttodobusinesswithpeoplewhoarecleanandhealthy—looking，"sheadmittedblandly。
CarlgavealittlechuckleasheopenedtheShabatas’gateforher。"Oh，doyou？"heaskeddryly。
TherewasnosignoflifeabouttheShabatas’
houseexceptabigyellowcat，sunningitselfonthekitchendoorstep。
Alexandratookthepaththatledtotheorchard。"Sheoftensitsthereandsews。I
didn’ttelephoneherwewerecoming，becauseI
didn’thertogotoworkandbakecakeandfreezeice—cream。She’llalwaysmakeapartyifyougivehertheleastexcuse。Doyourecognizetheappletrees，Carl？"
Linstrumlookedabouthim。"IwishIhadadollarforeverybucketofwaterI’vecarriedforthosetrees。Poorfather，hewasaneasyman，buthewasperfectlymercilesswhenitcametowateringtheorchard。"
"That’sonethingIlikeaboutGermans;
theymakeanorchardgrowiftheycan’tmakeanythingelse。I’msogladthesetreesbelongtosomeonewhotakescomfortinthem。WhenI
rentedthisplace，thetenantsneverkepttheorchardup，andEmilandIusedtocomeoverandtakecareofitourselves。Itneedsmowingnow。Theresheis，downinthecorner。Ma—
ria—a—a！"shecalled。
Arecumbentfigurestartedupfromthegrassandcamerunningtowardthemthroughtheflickeringscreenoflightandshade。
"Lookather！Isn’tshelikealittlebrownrabbit？"Alexandralaughed。
MariaranuppantingandthrewherarmsaboutAlexandra。"Oh，Ihadbeguntothinkyouwerenotcomingatall，maybe。Iknewyouweresobusy。Yes，EmiltoldmeaboutMr。
Linstrumbeinghere。Won’tyoucomeuptothehouse？"
"Whynotsitdownthereinyourcorner？
Carlwantstoseetheorchard。Hekeptallthesetreesaliveforyears，wateringthemwithhisownback。"
MarieturnedtoCarl。"ThenI’mthankfultoyou，Mr。Linstrum。We’dneverhaveboughttheplaceifithadn’tbeenforthisorchard，andthenIwouldn’thavehadAlexandra，either。"
ShegaveAlexandra’sarmalittlesqueezeasshewalkedbesideher。"Howniceyourdresssmells，Alexandra;youputrosemaryleavesinyourchest，likeItoldyou。"
Sheledthemtothenorthwestcorneroftheorchard，shelteredononesidebyathickmul—
berryhedgeandborderedontheotherbyawheatfield，justbeginningtoyellow。Inthiscornerthegrounddippedalittle，andtheblue—
grass，whichtheweedshaddrivenoutintheupperpartoftheorchard，grewthickandluxu—
riant。Wildroseswereflaminginthetuftsofbunchgrassalongthefence。Underawhitemulberrytreetherewasanoldwagon—seat。
Besideitlayabookandaworkbasket。
"Youmusthavetheseat，Alexandra。Thegrasswouldstainyourdress，"thehostessin—
sisted。ShedroppeddownonthegroundatAlexandra’ssideandtuckedherfeetunderher。
Carlsatatalittledistancefromthetwowo—
men，hisbacktothewheatfield，andwatchedthem。Alexandratookoffhershade—hatandthrewitontheground。Mariepickeditupandplayedwiththewhiteribbons，twistingthemaboutherbrownfingersasshetalked。Theymadeaprettypictureinthestrongsunlight，theleafypatternsurroundingthemlikeanet;
theSwedishwomansowhiteandgold，kindlyandamused，butarmoredincalm，andthealertbrownone，herfulllipsparted，pointsofyel—
lowlightdancinginhereyesasshelaughedandchattered。CarlhadneverforgottenlittleMarieTovesky’seyes，andhewasgladtohaveanopportunitytostudythem。Thebrowniris，hefound，wascuriouslyslashedwithyel—
low，thecolorofsunflowerhoney，orofoldamber。Ineacheyeoneofthesestreaksmusthavebeenlargerthantheothers，fortheeffectwasthatoftwodancingpointsoflight，twolittleyellowbubbles，suchasriseinaglassofchampagne。Sometimestheyseemedlikethesparksfromaforge。Sheseemedsoeasilyex—
cited，tokindlewithafiercelittleflameifonebutbreatheduponher。"Whatawaste，"Carlreflected。"Sheoughttobedoingallthatforasweetheart。Howawkwardlythingscomeabout！"
ItwasnotverylongbeforeMariesprangupoutofthegrassagain。"Waitamoment。I
wanttoshowyousomething。"Sheranawayanddisappearedbehindthelow—growingappletrees。
"Whatacharmingcreature，"Carlmur—
mured。"Idon’twonderthatherhusbandisjealous。Butcan’tshewalk？doesshealwaysrun？"
Alexandranodded。"Always。Idon’tseemanypeople，butIdon’tbelievetherearemanylikeher，anywhere。"
Mariecamebackwithabranchshehadbrokenfromanapricottree，ladenwithpale—
yellow，pink—cheekedfruit。Shedroppeditbe—
sideCarl。"Didyouplantthose，too？Theyaresuchbeautifullittletrees。"
Carlfingeredtheblue—greenleaves，porouslikeblotting—paperandshapedlikebirchleaves，hungonwaxenredstems。"Yes，I
thinkIdid。Arethesethecircustrees，Alex—
andra？"
"ShallItellheraboutthem？"Alexandraasked。"Sitdownlikeagoodgirl，Marie，anddon’truinmypoorhat，andI’lltellyouastory。
Alongtimeago，whenCarlandIwere，say，sixteenandtwelve，acircuscametoHanoverandwewenttotowninourwagon，withLouandOscar，toseetheparade。Wehadn’tmoneyenoughtogotothecircus。Wefollowedtheparadeouttothecircusgroundsandhungarounduntiltheshowbeganandthecrowdwentinsidethetent。ThenLouwasafraidwelookedfoolishstandingoutsideinthepasture，sowewentbacktoHanoverfeelingverysad。
Therewasamaninthestreetssellingapricots，andwehadneverseenanybefore。HehaddrivendownfromsomewhereupintheFrenchcountry，andhewassellingthemtwenty—fivecentsapeck。Wehadalittlemoneyourfathershadgivenusforcandy，andIboughttwopecksandCarlboughtone。Theycheeredusagooddeal，andwesavedalltheseedsandplantedthem。UptothetimeCarlwentaway，theyhadn’tborneatall。"
"Andnowhe’scomebacktoeatthem，"
criedMarie，noddingatCarl。"ThatISagoodstory。Icanrememberyoualittle，Mr。Lin—
strum。IusedtoseeyouinHanoversome—
times，whenUncleJoetookmetotown。Ire—
memberyoubecauseyouwerealwaysbuyingpencilsandtubesofpaintatthedrugstore。
Once，whenmyuncleleftmeatthestore，youdrewalotoflittlebirdsandflowersformeonapieceofwrapping—paper。Ikeptthemforalongwhile。Ithoughtyouwereveryromanticbe—
causeyoucoulddrawandhadsuchblackeyes。"
Carlsmiled。"Yes，Irememberthattime。
Youruncleboughtyousomekindofamechani—
caltoy，aTurkishladysittingonanottomanandsmokingahookah，wasn’tit？Andsheturnedherheadbackwardsandforwards。"
"Oh，yes！Wasn’tshesplendid！IknewwellenoughIoughtnottotellUncleJoeIwantedit，forhehadjustcomebackfromthesaloonandwasfeelinggood。Yourememberhowhelaughed？Shetickledhim，too。Butwhenwegothome，myauntscoldedhimforbuyingtoyswhensheneededsomanythings。Wewoundourladyupeverynight，andwhenshebegantomoveherheadmyauntusedtolaughashardasanyofus。Itwasamusic—box，youknow，andtheTurkishladyplayedatunewhileshesmoked。Thatwashowshemadeyoufeelsojolly。AsIrememberher，shewaslovely，andhadagoldcrescentonherturban。"
Halfanhourlater，astheywereleavingthehouse，CarlandAlexandraweremetinthepathbyastrappingfellowinoverallsandablueshirt。Hewasbreathinghard，asifhehadbeenrunning，andwasmutteringtohimself。
Marieranforward，and，takinghimbythearm，gavehimalittlepushtowardherguests。
"Frank，thisisMr。Linstrum。"
Franktookoffhisbroadstrawhatandnod—
dedtoAlexandra。WhenhespoketoCarl，heshowedafinesetofwhiteteeth。Hewasburnedadullreddowntohisneckband，andtherewasaheavythree—days’stubbleonhisface。Eveninhisagitationhewashandsome，buthelookedarashandviolentman。
Barelysalutingthecallers，heturnedatoncetohiswifeandbegan，inanoutragedtone，"I
havetoleavemyteamtodrivetheoldwomanHiller’shogsout—amywheat。Igototakedatoldwomantodecourtifsheain’tcareful，Itellyou！"
Hiswifespokesoothingly。"But，Frank，shehasonlyherlameboytohelpher。Shedoesthebestshecan。"
Alexandralookedattheexcitedmanandofferedasuggestion。"Whydon’tyougoovertheresomeafternoonandhog—tightherfences？
You’dsavetimeforyourselfintheend。"
Frank’sneckstiffened。"Not—a—much，I
won’t。Ikeepmyhogshome。Otherpeoplescandolikeme。See？IfthatLouiscanmendshoes，hecanmendfence。"
"Maybe，"saidAlexandraplacidly;"butI’vefounditsometimespaystomendotherpeople’sfences。Good—bye，Marie。Cometoseemesoon。"
AlexandrawalkedfirmlydownthepathandCarlfollowedher。
Frankwentintothehouseandthrewhimselfonthesofa，hisfacetothewall，hisclenchedfistonhiship。Marie，havingseenherguestsoff，cameinandputherhandcoaxinglyonhisshoulder。
"PoorFrank！You’verununtilyou’vemadeyourheadache，nowhaven’tyou？Letmemakeyousomecoffee。"
"WhatelseamItodo？"hecriedhotlyinBohemian。"AmItoletanyoldwoman’shogsrootupmywheat？IsthatwhatIworkmyselftodeathfor？"
"Don’tworryaboutit，Frank。I’llspeaktoMrs。Hilleragain。But，really，shealmostcriedlasttimetheygotout，shewassosorry。"
Frankbouncedoveronhisotherside。
"That’sit;youalwayssidewiththemagainstme。Theyallknowit。Anybodyherefeelsfreetoborrowthemowerandbreakit，orturntheirhogsinonme。Theyknowyouwon’tcare！"
Mariehurriedawaytomakehiscoffee。
Whenshecameback，hewasfastasleep。Shesatdownandlookedathimforalongwhile，verythoughtfully。Whenthekitchenclockstrucksixshewentouttogetsupper，closingthedoorgentlybehindher。ShewasalwayssorryforFrankwhenheworkedhimselfintooneoftheserages，andshewassorrytohavehimroughandquarrelsomewithhisneighbors。
Shewasperfectlyawarethattheneighborshadagooddealtoputupwith，andthattheyborewithFrankforhersake。
VII
Marie’sfather，AlbertTovesky，wasoneofthemoreintelligentBohemianswhocameWestintheearlyseventies。HesettledinOmahaandbecamealeaderandadviseramonghispeoplethere。Mariewashisyoungestchild，byasecondwife，andwastheappleofhiseye。Shewasbarelysixteen，andwasinthegraduatingclassoftheOmahaHighSchool，whenFrankShabataarrivedfromtheoldcoun—
tryandsetalltheBohemiangirlsinaflutter。
Hewaseasilythebuckofthebeer—gardens，andonSundayhewasasighttosee，withhissilkhatandtuckedshirtandbluefrock—coat，wearingglovesandcarryingalittlewispofayellowcane。Hewastallandfair，withsplendidteethandclose—croppedyellowcurls，andheworeaslightlydisdainfulexpression，properforayoungmanwithhighconnections，whosemotherhadabigfarmintheElbevalley。Therewasoftenaninterestingdiscontentinhisblueeyes，andeveryBohemiangirlhemetimaginedherselfthecauseofthatunsatisfiedexpression。
Hehadawayofdrawingouthiscambrichand—
kerchiefslowly，byonecorner，fromhisbreast—
pocket，thatwasmelancholyandromanticintheextreme。HetookalittleflightwitheachofthemoreeligibleBohemiangirls，butitwaswhenhewaswithlittleMarieToveskythathedrewhishandkerchiefoutmostslowly，and，afterhehadlitafreshcigar，droppedthematchmostdespairingly。Anyonecouldsee，withhalfaneye，thathisproudheartwasbleedingforsomebody。
OneSunday，lateinthesummerafterMarie’sgraduation，shemetFrankataBohemianpic—
nicdowntheriverandwentrowingwithhimalltheafternoon。Whenshegothomethateven—
ingshewentstraighttoherfather’sroomandtoldhimthatshewasengagedtoShabata。OldToveskywashavingacomfortablepipebeforehewenttobed。Whenheheardhisdaughter’sannouncement，hefirstprudentlycorkedhisbeerbottleandthenleapedtohisfeetandhadaturnoftemper。HecharacterizedFrankShabatabyaBohemianexpressionwhichistheequivalentofstuffedshirt。
"Whydon’thegotoworkliketherestofusdid？HisfarmintheElbevalley，indeed！
Ain’thegotplentybrothersandsisters？It’shismother’sfarm，andwhydon’thestayathomeandhelpher？Haven’tIseenhismotheroutinthemorningatfiveo’clockwithherladleandherbigbucketonwheels，puttingliquidmanureonthecabbages？Don’tIknowthelookofoldEvaShabata’shands？Likeanoldhorse’shoofstheyare——andthisfellowwearingglovesandrings！Engaged，indeed！
Youaren’tfittobeoutofschool，andthat’swhat’sthematterwithyou。IwillsendyouofftotheSistersoftheSacredHeartinSt。
Louis，andtheywillteachyousomesense，~I~guess！"
Accordingly，theverynextweek，AlbertToveskytookhisdaughter，paleandtearful，downtherivertotheconvent。ButthewaytomakeFrankwantanythingwastotellhimhecouldn’thaveit。Hemanagedtohaveanin—
terviewwithMariebeforeshewentaway，andwhereashehadbeenonlyhalfinlovewithherbefore，henowpersuadedhimselfthathewouldnotstopatanything。Marietookwithhertotheconvent，underthecanvasliningofhertrunk，theresultsofalaboriousandsatisfyingmorningonFrank’spart;nolessthanadozenphotographsofhimself，takeninadozendiffer—
entlove—lornattitudes。Therewasalittleroundphotographforherwatch—case，photographsforherwallanddresser，andevenlongnar—
rowonestobeusedasbookmarks。MorethanoncethehandsomegentlemanwastorntopiecesbeforetheFrenchclassbyanindignantnun。
Mariepinedintheconventforayear，untilhereighteenthbirthdaywaspassed。ThenshemetFrankShabataintheUnionStationinSt。Louisandranawaywithhim。OldToveskyforgavehisdaughterbecausetherewasnothingelsetodo，andboughtherafarminthecountrythatshehadlovedsowellasachild。SincethenherstoryhadbeenapartofthehistoryoftheDivide。SheandFrankhadbeenlivingthereforfiveyearswhenCarlLinstrumcamebacktopayhislongdeferredvisittoAlexandra。Frankhad，onthewhole，donebetterthanonemighthaveexpected。Hehadflunghimselfatthesoilwithsavageenergy。OnceayearhewenttoHastingsortoOmaha，onaspree。Hestayedawayforaweekortwo，andthencamehomeandworkedlikeademon。Hedidwork;ifhefeltsorryforhimself，thatwashisownaffair。
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