第6章
Itcertainlywasveryrough——amereshellofunpaintedboardsthatscarcelyroseabovethelevelofthesurroundinggrain，andafewyardsdistantwasinvisible。Itsslightlyslopingroof，alreadywarpedandshrunkenintolongfissuresthatpermittedglimpsesofthesteel-blueskyabove，wasevidentlyintendedonlyasashelterfromthecloudlesssuninthosetwomonthsofrainlessdaysanddewlessnightswhenitwasinhabited。Throughtheopendoorsandwindowsshecouldseearowof"bunks，"orrudesleepingberthsagainstthewalls，furnishedwithcoarsemattressesandblankets。
Astheyounggirlhalted，themanwithaninstinctofdelicacyhurriedforward，enteredtheshanty，anddraggingarudebenchtothedoorway，placeditsothatshecouldsitbeneaththeshadeoftheroof，yetwithherbacktothesedomesticrevelations。Twoorthreemen，whohadbeenapparentlyloungingthere，rosequietly，andunobtrusivelywithdrew。Herguidebroughtheratincupofdeliciouslycoolwater，exchangedafewhurriedwordswithhiscompanions，andthendisappearedwiththem，leavingheralone。
Herfirstsenseofrelieffromtheircompanywas，Ifear，strongerthananyotherfeeling。Afterahurriedglancearoundthedesertedapartment，shearose，shookoutherdressandmantle，andthengoingintothedarkestcornersupportedherselfwithonehandagainstthewallwhilewiththeothershedrewoff，onebyone，herslippersfromherslim，striped-stockingedfeet，shookandblewoutthedustthathadpenetratedwithin，andputthemonagain。Then，perceivingatriangularfragmentoflooking-glassnailedagainstthewall，shesettledthestringsofherbonnetbytheaidofitsreflection，pattedthefringeofbrownhaironherforeheadwithherseparatedfivefingersasifplayinganimaginarytuneonherbrow，andcamebackwithmaidenlyabstractiontothedoorway。
Everythingwasquiet，andherseclusionseemedunbroken。Asmileplayedforaninstantinthesoftshadowsofhereyesandmouthassherecalledtheabruptwithdrawalofthemen。Thenhermouthstraightenedandherbrowsslightlybent。Itwascertainlyveryunmannerlyinthemtogooffinthatway。"Goodheavens!couldn"ttheyhavestayedaroundwithouttalking?Surelyitdidn"trequirefourmentogoandbringupthatwagon!"Shepickedupherparasolfromthebenchwithanimpatientlittlejerk。Thensheheldoutherunglovedhandintothehotsunshinebeyondthedoorwiththegestureshewouldhaveusedhaditbeenraining，andwithdrewitasquickly——herhandquitescorchedintheburningrays。Nevertheless，afteranotherimpatientpauseshedesperatelyputupherparasolandsteppedfromtheshanty。
Presentlyshewasconsciousofafaintsoundofhammeringnotfaraway。Perhapstherewasanothershed，buthidden，likeeverythingelse，inthismonotonous，ridiculousgrain。Somestalks，however，weretroddendownandbrokenaroundtheshanty；shecouldmovemoreeasilyandseewhereshewasgoing。Toherdelight，afewstepsfurtherbroughtherintoacurrentofthetrade-windandacooleratmosphere。Andashortdistancebeyondthem，certainly，wastheshedfromwhichthehammeringproceeded。Sheapproacheditboldly。
Itwassimplyaroofupheldbyrudeuprightsandcrossbeams，andopentothebreezethatsweptthroughit。Atoneendwasasmallblacksmith"sforge，somemachinery，andwhatappearedtobepartofasmallsteam-engine。Midwayoftheshedwasaclosetorcupboardfastenedwithalargepadlock。Occupyingitswholelengthontheothersidewasawork-bench，andatthefurtherendstoodtheworkmanshehadheard。
Hewasapparentlyonlyayearortwoolderthanherself，andcladinbluejeanoveralls，blackenedandsmearedwithoilandcoal-
dust。Evenhisyouthfulface，whichheturnedtowardsher，hadablacksmudgerunningacrossitandalmostobliteratingasmallauburnmoustache。Thelookofsurprisethathegaveher，however，quicklypassed；heremainedpatientlyandinahalf-preoccupiedway，holdinghishammerinhishand，assheadvanced。Thiswasevidentlytheyoungfellowwhocould"doanythingthatcouldbedonewithwoodandiron。"
Shewasverysorrytodisturbhim，butcouldhetellherhowlongitwouldbebeforethewagoncouldbebroughtupandmended?Hecouldnotsaythatuntilhehimselfsawwhatwastobedone；ifitwasonlyamatterofthewheelhecouldfixitupinafewmoments；
if，ashehadbeentold，itwasacaseoftwistedorbentaxle，itwouldtakelonger，butitwouldbehereverysoon。Ah，then，wouldheletherwaithere，asshewasveryanxioustoknowatonce，anditwasmuchcoolerthanintheshed?Certainly；hewouldgooverandbringherabench。Buthereshebeggedhewouldn"ttroublehimself，shecouldsitanywherecomfortably。
Thelowerendofthework-benchwascoveredwithcleanandodorousshavings；shelightlybrushedthemasideand，withayouthfulmovement，swungherselftoaseatuponit，supportingherselfononehandassheleanedtowardshim。Shecouldthusseethathiseyeswereofalight-yellowishbrown，likeclarifiedhoney，withasingularlookofclearconcentrationinthem，which，however，wasthesamewhetherturneduponhiswork，thesurroundinggrain，oruponher。This，andhissublimeunconsciousnessofthesmudgeacrosshisfaceandhisblackenedhands，madeherwonderifthemanwhocoulddoeverythingwithwoodandironwasabovedoinganythingwithwater。Shehadhalfamindtotellhimofit，particularlyasshenoticedalsothathisthroatbelowthelineofsunburndisclosedbyhisopencollarwasquitewhite，andhisgrimyhandswellmade。Shewaswonderingwhetherhewouldbeaffrontedifshesaidinherpolitestway，"Ibegyourpardon，butdoyouknowyouhavequiteaccidentallygotsomethingonyourface，"andofferherhandkerchief，which，ofcourse，hewoulddecline，whenhereyefellonthesteam-engine。
"Howodd!Doyouusethatonthefarm?"
"No，"——hesmiledhere，thesmudgeaccentingitandsettingoffhiswhiteteethinaChristyMinstrelfashionthatexasperatedher——no，althoughitCOULDbeused，andhadbeen。Butitwashisfirsteffort，madetwoyearsago，whenhewasyoungerandmoreinexperienced。Itwasaratherroughthing，shecouldsee——buthehadtomakeitatoddtimeswithwhatironhecouldpickuporpayfor，andatdifferentforgeswhereheworked。
Shebeggedhispardon——where——
WHEREHEWORKED。
Ah，thenhewasthemachinistorengineerhere?
No，heworkedherejustliketheothers，onlyhewasallowedtoputupaforgewhilethegrainwasgreen，andhavehisbenchinconsiderationoftheoddjobshecoulddointhewayofmendingtools，etc。Therewasaheapofmendingandweldingtodo——shehadnoideahowquicklyagriculturalmachinesgotoutoforder!Hehaddonemuchofhisworkonthesteam-engineonmoonlitnights。Yes；
shehadnoideahowperfectlyclearandlightitwashereinthevalleyonsuchnights；althoughofcoursetheshadowswereverydark，andwhenhedroppedascreworanutitwasdifficulttofind。Hehadworkedtherebecauseitsavedtimeandbecauseitdidn"tcostanything，andhehadnobodytolookonorinterferewithhim。No，itwasnotlonely；thecoyotesandwildcatssometimescameverynear，butwerealwaysmoresurprisedandfrightenedthanhewas；andonceahorsemanwhohadstrayedoffthedistantroadyondermistookhimforananimalandshotathimtwice。
Hetoldallthiswithsuchfreedomfromembarrassmentandwithsuchapparentunconsciousnessoftheblueeyesthatwerefollowinghim，andthelight，gracefulfigure，——whichwassonearhisownthatinsomeofhisgestureshisgrimyhandsalmosttoucheditsdelicategarments，——that，accustomedasshewastoacertainmasculineaberrationinherpresence，shewasgreatlyamusedbyhisnaiveacceptanceofherasanequal。Suddenly，lookingfranklyinherface，hesaid:
"I"llshowyouasecret，ifyoucaretoseeit。"
Nothingwouldpleasehermore。
Heglancedhurriedlyaround，tookakeyfromhispocket，andunlockedthepadlockthatsecuredtheclosetshehadnoticed。
Then，reachingwithin，withinfinitecarehebroughtoutasmallmechanicalmodel。
"There"saninventionofmyown。Areaperandthreshercombined。
I"mgoingtohaveitpatentedandhaveabigonemadefromthismodel。Thiswillwork，asyousee。"
Hethenexplainedtoherwithgreatprecisionhowasitmovedoverthefieldthedoubleoperationwasperformedbythesamemotivepower。Thatitwouldbeasavingofacertainamountoflaborandtimewhichshecouldnotremember。Shedidnotunderstandawordofhisexplanations；shesawonlyacleanandprettybutcomplicatedtoythatunderthemanipulationofhisgrimyfingersrattledanumberoffrail-likestavesandworkedanumberofwheelsanddrums，yettherewasnoindicationofherignoranceinhersparklingeyesandsmiling，breathlessattitude。Perhapsshewasinterestedinhisownabsorption；therevelationofhispreoccupationwiththismodelstruckherasifhehadmadeheraconfidanteofsomeboyishpassionforoneofherownsex，andsheregardedhimwiththesamesympathizingsuperiority。
"Youwillmakeafortuneoutofit，"shesaidpleasantly。
Well，hemightmakeenoughtobeabletogoonwithsomeotherinventionshehadinhismind。Theycostmoneyandtime，nomatterhowcarefulonewas。
Thiswasanotherinterestingrevelationtotheyounggirl。Henotonlydidnotseemtocarefortheprofithisdevotionbroughthim，butevenhisonebelovedidealmightbedisplacedbyanother。Solikeaman，afterall!
Herreflectionswerebrokenuponbythesoundofvoices。Theyoungmancarefullyreplacedthemodelinitsclosetwithapartingglanceasifhewasclosingashrine，andsaid，"Therecomesthewagon。"Theyounggirlturnedtofacethemenwhoweredraggingitfromtheroad，withthehalf-complacentairofhavingbeenvictoriousovertheirlaterudeabandonment，buttheydidnotseemtonoticeitortobesurprisedathercompanion，whoquicklysteppedforwardandexaminedthebrokenvehiclewithworkmanlikedeliberation。
"Ihopeyouwillbeabletodosomethingwithit，"shesaidsweetly，appealingdirectlytohim。"IshouldthankyouSOMUCH。"
Hedidnotreply。Presentlyhelookeduptothemanwhohadbroughthertotheshanty，andsaid，"Theaxle"sstrained，butit"ssafeforfiveorsixmilesmoreofthisroad。I"llputthewheeloneasily。"Hepaused，andwithoutglancingather，continued，"Youmightsendheronbythecart。"
"Praydon"ttroubleyourselves，"interruptedtheyounggirl，withapinkuprisinginhercheeks；"Ishallbequitesatisfiedwiththebuggyasitstands。"Sendheroninthecart，indeed!Really，theywerearudeset——ALLofthem。"
Withouttakingtheslightestnoticeofherremark，themanrepliedgravelytotheyoungmechanic，"Yes，butwe"llbewantingthecartbeforeitcangetbackfromtakingher。"
"Her"again。"Iassureyouthebuggywillserveperfectlywell——
ifthis——gentleman——willonlybekindenoughtoputonthewheelagain，"shereturnedhotly。
Theyoungmechanicatoncesettowork。Theyounggirlwalkedapartsilentlyuntilthewheelwasrestoredtoitsaxle。Buttohersurpriseadifferenthorsewasledforwardtobeharnessed。
"Wethoughtyourhorsewasn"tsafeincaseofanotheraccident，"
saidthefirstman，withthesamesmilelessconsideration。"Thisonewouldn"tcutupifhewasharnessedtoanearthquakeoraworsedriverthanyou"vegot。"
Itoccurredtoherinstantlythatthemoreobviousremedyofsendinganotherdriverhadbeenalreadydiscussedandrejectedbythem。Yet，whenherowndriverappearedamomentafterwards，sheascendedtoherseatwithsomedignityandaslightincreaseofcolor。
"Iamverymuchobligedtoyouall，"shesaid，withoutglancingattheyounginventor。
"Don"tmentionit，miss。"
"Goodafternoon。"
"Goodafternoon。"Theyalltookofftheirhatswiththesameformalgravityasthehorsemovedforward，butturnedbacktotheirworkagainbeforeshewasoutofthefield。
CHAPTERII
TheranchofMajorRandolphlayonarichfaldaoftheCoastRange，andoverlookedthegreatwheatplainsthattheyounggirlhadjustleft。Thehouseofwoodandadobe，buriedtoitsfirststoryinrose-treesandpassionvines，waslargeandcommodious。Yetitcontainedonlythemajor，hiswife，hersonanddaughter，andthefewoccasionalvisitorsfromSanFranciscowhomheentertained，andshetolerated。
Forthemajor"shouseholdwasnotentirelyharmonious。WhileayounginfantrysubalternataGulfstation，hehadbeenattractedbythepiquantforeignaccentanddramaticgesturesofaFrenchCreolewidow，and——believingthem，inthefirstflushofhisyouthfulpassionmorethananoffsettotheencumbranceofhertwochildrenwho，withthememoryofvariousmaritalinfidelitieswereallherlatehusbandhadlefther——hadproposed，beenaccepted，andpromptlymarriedtoher。Beforeheobtainedhiscaptaincy，shehadpartlylostheraccent，andthosedramaticgestures，whichhadaccentedthepassionoftheirbriefcourtship，begantointensifydomesticaltercationandtheburstsofidlejealousytowhichshewassubject。Whethershewasrevengingherselfonhersecondhusbandforthefaultsofherfirstisnotknown，butitwascertainthatshebroughtanunhallowedknowledgeoftheweaknesses，cheapcynicism，andvanityofaforeignpredecessor，tositinjudgmentuponthesimple-mindedandchivalrousAmericansoldierwhohadsucceededhim，andwhowas，infact，themostloyalofhusbands。Thenaturalresultofherskepticismwasanespionageandcriticismofthewivesofthemajor"sbrotherofficersthatcompelledafrequentchangeofquarters。Whentothiswasfinallyaddedaracialdivergenceandantipathy，thepublicdisparagementofthecustomsandeducationofherfemalecolleagues，andthesuddeninsistenceofaforeignandFrenchdominanceinherhouseholdbeyondanyordinaryCreolejustification，Randolph，presumablytoavoidlaterinternationalcomplications，resignedwhilehewasasyetamajor。LuckilyhislatestbanishmenttoanextremeWesternoutposthadplacedhiminCaliforniaduringthefloodofaspeculationepoch。HepurchasedavaluableSpanishgranttothreeleaguesoflandforlittleoverathreemonths"pay。
Followingthatyearningwhichcompelsretiredship-captainsandroversofalldegreestobuyafarmintheirolddays，themajor，professionallyandsociallyinuredtoborderstrife，soughtsurceaseandArcadianreposeinranching。
ItwasherethatMrs。Randolph，laterelictofthelateScipionL"Hommadieu，devotedherselftobringingupherchildrenaftertheextremestofFrenchmethods，andinresurrectinga"de"fromherownfamilytogiveadistinctandaristocraticcharactertotheirname。The"deFontangesl"Hommadieu"were，however，onlyknowntotheirneighbors，aftertheWesternfashion，bytheirstepfather"sname，——whentheywereknownatall——whichwasseldom。Fortheboywasunpleasantlyconceitedasaprecociousworldling，andthegirlasunpleasantlycomplacentinherroleofingenue。ThehouseholdwascompletelydominatedbyMrs。Randolph。ApunctiliousCatholic，sheattendedallthefunctionsoftheadjacentmission，andtheshadowofablacksoutaneattwilightglidingthroughthewildoat-
fieldsbehindtheranchhadoftenbeenmistakenforacoyote。Thepeace-lovingmajordidnotobjecttoapietywhich，whileitlefthisownconsciencefree，impartedarespectablereligiousairtohishousehold，andkepthimfromtheequallydistastefulapproachesofthePuritanismofhisneighbors，andwasblissfullyunconsciousthathewasstrengtheningtheantagonisticforeignelementinhisfamilywithanalienchurch。
Meantime，astherepairedbuggywasslowlymakingitswaytowardshishouse，MajorRandolphenteredhiswife"sboudoirwithaletterwhichtheSanFranciscoposthadjustbroughthim。Alookofembarrassmentonhisgood-humoredfacestrengthenedthehardlinesofhers；shefeltsomemomentaryweaknessofhernaturalenemy，andpreparedtogivebattle。
"I"mafraidhere"ssomethingofamuddle，Josephine，"hebeganwithadeprecatingsmile。"Mallory，whowascomingdownherewithhisdaughter，youknow"——
"ThisisthefirstintimationIhavehadthatanythinghasbeensettledupon，"interruptedthelady，withappallingdeliberation。
"However，mydear，youknowItoldyoulastweekthathethoughtofbringingherherewhilehewentSouthonbusiness。Youknow，beingawidower，hehasnoonetoleaveherwith。"
"AndIsupposeitistheAmericanfashiontointrustone"sdaughterstoanyoldbooncompanions?"
"Malloryisanoldfriend，"interruptedthemajor，impatiently。
"HeknowsI"mmarried，andalthoughhehasneverseenYOU，heisquitewillingtoleavehisdaughterhere。"
"Thankyou!"
"Come，youknowwhatImean。Themannaturallybelievesthatmywifewillbeaproperchaperoneforhisdaughter。Butthatisnotthepresentquestion。Heintendedtocallhere；IexpectedtotakeyouovertoSanJosetoseeherandallthat，youknow；butthefactofitis——thatis——itseemsfromthisletterthat——he"sbeencalledawaysoonerthanheexpected，andthat——well——hangit!thegirlisactuallyonherwayherenow。"
"Alone?"
"Isupposeso。Youknowonethinksnothingofthathere。"
"Oranyotherpropriety，forthatmatter。"
"Forheaven"ssake，Josephine，don"tberidiculous!Ofcourseit"sstupidhercominginthisway，andMalloryoughttohavebroughther——butshe"scoming，andwemustreceiveher。ByJove!Heresheisnow!"headded，startingupafterahurriedglancethroughthewindow。"Butwhatkindofad——dturn-outisthat，anyhow?"
Itcertainlywasanodd-lookingconveyancethathadenteredthegates，andwasnowslowlycomingupthedrivetowardsthehouse。
Alargedraughthorseharnessedtoadust-coveredbuggy，whosestrainedfore-axle，bentbythelastmileofheavyroad，hadslantedthetopsofthefore-wheelstowardseachotheratanalarmingangle。Thelight，gracefuldressandelegantparasoloftheyounggirl，whooccupiedhalfofitssingleseat，lookedludicrouslypronouncedbythesideoftheslouchingfigureandgrimydusterofthedriver，whooccupiedtheotherhalf。
Mrs。Randolphgaveagrittylaugh。"Ithoughtyousaidshewasalone。Isthatanescortshehaspickedup，Americanfashion，ontheroad?"
"That"sherhireddriver，nodoubt。Hangit!shecan"tdriveherebyherself，"retortedthemajor，impatiently，hurryingtothedooranddownthestaircase。Buthewasinstantlyfollowedbyhiswife。
Shehadnoideaofpermittingapossibleunderstandingtobeexchangedintheirfirstgreeting。ThelateM。l"Hommadieuhadbeenabletoimpartawholeplanofintrigueinasinglewordandglance。
Happily，RoseMallory，alreadyinthehall，inafewwordsdetailedtheaccidentthathadbefallenher，tothehonestsympathyofthemajorandthecoldly-politeconcernofMrs。Randolph，who，indeliberatelychosensentences，managedtoconveytotheyounggirltheconvictionthataccidentsofanykindtoyoungladiesweretoberegardedasonlyashaderemovedfromindiscretions。Rosewasimpressed，andevenflattered，bythefastidiousnessofthisforeign-appearingwoman，andafterthefashionofyouthfulnatures，accordedtohertherespectduetorecognizedauthority。Whentothisauthority，whichwasevident，sheaddedadepreciationofthemajor，IfearthatsomecommoninstinctoffemininetyrannyrespondedinRose"sbreast，andthatontheverythresholdofthehonestsoldier"shomeshetacitlyagreedwiththewifetolookdownuponhim。Mrs。Randolphdepartedtoinformhersonanddaughteroftheirguest"sarrival。Asamatteroffact，however，theyhadalreadyobservedherapproachtothehousethroughtheslitsoftheirdrawnwindow-blinds，andthoseevennarrowerprejudicesandlimitedcomprehensionswhichtheireducationhadfostered。Thegirl，Adele，hadonlygraspedthefactthatRosehadcometotheirhouseinfineclothes，alonewithaman，inabroken-downvehicle，andwasmovedtoeasymirthandrighteouswonder。Theyoungman，Emile，hadagreedwithher，withthementalreservationthattheguestwaspretty，andmusteventuallyfallinlovewithhim。Theyboth，however，welcomedherwithatrainedpolitenessandasuperficialattentionthat，whiletheindifferenceofherowncountrymeninthewheat-fieldwasstillfreshinherrecollection，struckherwithgratefulcontrast；themajor"squietandunobtrusivekindlinessnaturallymadelessimpression，orwasacceptedasamatterofcourse。
"Well，"saidthemajor，cheerfullybuttentatively，tohiswifewhentheywerealoneagain，"sheseemsanicegirl，afterall；andagooddealofpluckandcharacter，byJove!topushoninthatbrokenbuggyratherthanlingerorcomeinafarmcart，eh?"
"Shewasaloneinthatwheat-field，"saidMrs。Randolph，withgrimdeliberation，"forhalfanhour；sheconfessesitherself——TALKING
WITHAYOUNGMAN!"
"Yes，buttheothershadgoneforthebuggy。And，inthenameofHeaven，whatwouldyouhaveherdo——hideherselfinthegrain?"
saidthemajor，desperately。"Besides，"headded，witharecklessnessheafterwardsregretted，"thatmechanicalchapthey"vegotthereisreallyintelligentandworthtalkingto。"
"IhavenodoubtSHEthoughtso，"saidMrs。Randolph，withamirthlesssmile。"Infact，IhaveobservedthattheAmericanfreedomgenerallymeansdoingwhatyouWANTtodo。Indeed，I
wondershedidn"tbringhimwithher!OnlyIbeg，major，thatyouwillnotagain，inthepresenceofmydaughter，——andImayevensay，ofmyson，——talklightlyofthesolitarymeetingsofyoungladieswithmechanics，eventhoughtheirfacesweresmutty，andtheirclothescoveredwithoil。"
Themajorheremutteredsomethingabouttherebeinglessdangerinayoungladylisteningtotheintelligenceofacoarsely-dressedlaborerthantothecomplimentsofarose-scentedfop，butMrs。
Randolphwalkedoutoftheroombeforehefinishedtheevidentplatitude。
ThatnightRoseMalloryretiredtoherroominastateofsell-
satisfactionthatsheevenfeltwastoacertainextentavirtue。
Shewasdelightedwithherreceptionandwithherhostessandfamily。ItwasstrangeherfatherhadnotspokenmoreofMRS。
Randolph，whowasclearlythesuperiorofhisoldfriend。Whatfinemannerstheyallhad，sodifferentfromotherpeopleshehadknown!TherewasquiteanOldWorldcivilizationaboutthem；
really，itwaslikegoingabroad!Shewouldmakethemostofheropportunityandprofitbyhervisit。ShewouldbeginbyimprovingherFrench；theyspokeitperfectly，andwithsuchapureaccent。
Shewouldcorrectcertainerrorsshewasconsciousofinherownmanners，andcopyMrs。Randolphasmuchaspossible。Certainly，therewasagreatdealtobesaidofMrs。Randolph"swayoflookingatthings。Nowshethoughtofitcalmly，thereWAStoomuchinformalityandfreedominAmericanways!Therewasnotenoughrespectduetopositionandcircumstances。Takethosemeninthewheat-field，forexample。Yethereshefounditdifficulttoformulateanindictmentagainstthemfor"freedom。"ShewouldliketogotheresomedaywiththeRandolphsandletthemseewhatcompanymannerswere!Shewasthoroughlyconvincednowthatherfatherhaddonewronginsendingheralone；
itcertainlywasmostdisrespectfultothemandcarelessofhim(shehadquiteforgottenthatshehadherselfproposedtoherfathertogoaloneratherthanwaitatthehotel)，andshemusthavelookedveryridiculousinherfineclothesandthebroken-downbuggy。Whenhertrunkcamebyexpressto-morrowshewouldlookoutsomethingmoresober。ShemustrememberthatshewasinaCatholicandreligioushouseholdnow。Ah，yes!howveryfineitwastoseethatpriestatdinnerinhissoutane，sittingdownlikeoneofthefamily，andmakingthemallseemlikeapictureofsomehistoricalandaristocraticromance!Andthentheywereactually"deFontangesl"Hommadieu。"
HowdifferenthewasfromthatshabbyMethodistministerwhousedtocometoseeherfatherinablackcravatwithahideousbow!
Reallytherewassomethingtosayforareligionthatcontainedsomuchpicturesquerefinement；andforherpart——butthatwilldo。I
begtosaythatIamnotwritingofanyparticularsnoborfemininemonstrosity，butofaverycharmingcreature，whowasquiteabletosayherprayersafterwardslikeagoodgirl，andlayherprettycheekuponherpillowwithoutablush。
Sheopenedherwindowandlookedout。Themoon，agreatsilverdome，wasupliftingitselffromabluish-graylevel，whichsheknewwasthedistantplainofwheat。Somewhereinitsmidstappearedadullstar，attimesbrighteningasifblownuponordrawnupwardsinacomet-liketrail。Bysomeoddinstinctshefeltthatitwasthesolitaryforgeoftheyounginventor，andpicturedhimstandingbeforeitwithhisabstractedhazeleyesandafacemorebegrimedinthemoonlightthanever。WhenDIDhewashhimself?PerhapsnotuntilSunday。Howlonelyitmustbeoutthere!Sheslightlyshiveredandturnedfromthewindow。Asshedidso，itseemedtoherthatsomethingknockedagainstherdoorfromwithout。Openingitquickly，shewasalmostcertainthatthesoundofarustlingskirtretreatedalongthepassage。Itwasverylate；perhapsshehaddisturbedthehousebyshuttingherwindow。NodoubtitwasthemotherlyinterestofMrs。Randolphthatimpelledhertocomesoftlyandlookafterher；andforoncehersimplesurmiseswerecorrect。Fornotonlytheinspectingeyesofherhostess，buttheamatoryglancesoftheyouthfulEmile，hadbeenfasteneduponherwindowuntilthelightdisappeared，andeventheHolyMissionChurchofSanJosehadassureditselfofthedearchild"ssafetywithalargeandsuppleearatherkeyhole。
ThenextmorningMajorRandolphtookherwithAdeleinalightcarioleovertheranch。Althoughhisdomainwasnearlyaslargeastheadjoiningwheatplain，itwasnot，likethat，monopolizedbyoneenormouscharacteristicyield，butembracedamorediversifiedproduct。Therewereacresandacresofpotatoesinrowsofendlessandvaryingsuccession；thereweremilesofwildoatsandbarley，whichovertoppedthemastheydroveinnarrowlanesofdryanddustymonotony；therewereorchardsofpears，apricots，peaches，andnectarines，andvineyardsofgrapes，socomparativelydwarfedinheightthattheyscarcelyreachedtotheleveloftheireyes，yetladenandbreakingbeneaththeweightoftheirludicrouslydisproportionatefruit。Whatseemedtobeavastgreenplateaucoveredwithtinypatches，thatheadedthenorthernedgeoftheprospect，wasanenormousbedofstrawberryplants。Buteverywhere，crossingthetrack，boundingthefields，orchards，andvineyards，intersectingthepathsofthewholedomain，werenarrowirrigatingductsandchannelsofrunningwater。
"Those，"saidthemajor，poetically，"aretheveinsandarteriesoftheranch。Comewithmenow，andI"llshowyouitspulsatingheart。"Descendingfromthewagonintopedestrianproseagain，heledRoseahundredyardsfurthertoashedthatcoveredawonderfulartesianwell。Inthecentreofabasinacolumnofwaterroseregularlywiththeevenflowandvolumeofabrook。"ItisoneofthelargestintheState，"saidthemajor，"andisthelifeofallthatgrowshereduringsixmonthsoftheyear。"
Pleasedastheyounggirlwaswiththoseevidencesoftheprosperityandpositionofherhost，shewasstruck，however，withthefactthatthefarm-laborers，wine-growers，nurserymen，andallfieldhandsscatteredonthevastestatewereapparentlyofthesameindependent，unpastoral，andunprofessionalcharacterasthemenofthewheat-field。Therewerenocottagesorfarmbuildingsthatshecouldsee，noranyapparentconnectionbetweenthehouseholdandtheestate；farfromsuggestingtenantryorretainers，themenwhowereworkinginthefieldsglancedatthemastheypassedwiththeindifferenceofstrangers，orrepliedtothemajor"sgreetingsorquestioningswithperfectequalityofmanner，orevenbusinesslikereserveandcaution。Herhostexplainedthattheranchwasworkedbyacompany"onshares；"thatthoselaborerswere，infact，thebulkofthecompany；andthathe，themajor，onlyfurnishedtheland，theseed，andtheimplements。"Thatmanwhowasdrivingthelongroller，andwithwhomyouwereindignantbecausehewouldn"tgetoutofourway，isthepresidentofthecompany。"
"Thatneedn"tmakehimsouncivil，"saidRose，poutingly，"forifitcomestothatyou"retheLANDLORD，"sheaddedtriumphantly。
"No，"saidthemajor，good-humoredly。"Iamsimplythemandrivingthelighterandmoreeasily-managedteamforpleasure，andhe"sthemandrivingtheheavierandmoredifficultmachineforwork。It"sformetogetoutofhisway；andlookedatinthelightofmybeingTHELANDLORDitisstillworse，foraswe"reworking"onshares"I"minterruptingHISwork，andreducingHISprofitsmerelybecauseIchoosetosacrificemyown。"
Ineednotsaythatthoseatrociouslylevelingsentimentswerereceivedbytheyoungladieswiththatfemininescornwhichisonlyqualifiedbymisconception。Rose，who，undertheinfluenceofherhostess，hadavagueimpressionthattheysoundedsomethingliketheFrenchRevolution，andthatAdelemustfeellikethePrincessElizabeth，rushedtoherrelieflikeagoodgirl。"But，major，now，YOU"REagentleman，andifYOUhadbeendrivingthatroller，youknowyouwouldhaveturnedoutforus。"
"Idon"tknowaboutthat，"saidthemajor，mischievously；"butifIhad，Ishouldhaveknownthattheotherfellowwhoaccepteditwasn"tagentleman。"
ButRose，havingsufficientlyshownherpartisanshipinthediscussion，afterthefemininefashion，didnotcareparticularlyforthelogicalresult。Afteramoment"ssilencesheresumed:
"Andthewheatranchbelow——isthatcarriedoninthesameway?"
"Yes。Buttheirlandlordisabank，whoadvancesnotonlytheland，butthemoneytoworkit，anddoesn"tridearoundinabuggywithacoupleofcharminglydistractingyoungladies。"
"Anddotheyallsharealike?"continuedRose，ignoringthepleasantry，"bigandlittle——thatyounginventorwiththerest?"
Shestopped。Shefelttheingenue"susuallycomplacenteyessuddenlyfixeduponherwithanunhallowedprecocity，andasquicklywithdrawn。Withoutknowingwhy，shefeltembarrassed，andchangedthesubject。
ThenextdaytheydrovetotheConventofSantaClaraandtheMissionCollegeofSanJose。TheirwelcomeatbothplacesseemedtoRosetobeaminglingofcastegreetingandspiritualzeal，andtheaustereseclusionandreserveofthosecloistersrepeatedthatsuggestionofanOldWorldcivilizationthathadalreadyfascinatedtheyoungWesterngirl。Theymadeotherexcursionsinthevicinity，butdidnotextendittoavisittotheirfewneighbors。
WiththeirreservedandexclusiveideasthisfactdidnotstrikeRoseaspeculiar，butonalatershoppingexpeditiontothetownofSanJose，acertainreticenceandaggressivesensitivenessonthepartoftheshopkeepersandtradespeopletowardstheRandolphsproducedanunpleasantimpressiononhermind。Shecouldnothelpnoticing，too，thatafterthefirststareofastonishmentwhichgreetedherappearancewithherhostess，sheherselfwasincludedintheantagonism。Withheryouthfulprepossessionforherfriends，thisdistinctionsheregardedasflatteringandaristocratic，andI
fearsheaccenteditstillmorebydiscussingwithMrs。Randolphthemeritsoftheshopkeepers"waresinschoolgirlFrenchbeforethem。
Shewasunfortunateenough，however，todothisintheshopofapolyglotGerman。
"Oxcoosme，mees，"hesaidgravely，——"butdotladyspeeksEngeleeshsogootmityourselluf，andvenyoudellstoherdotsilkishallfgottoninEnglish，sheonderstandyoumoochbetter，anditdon"tmakenodingstome。"Thelaughwhichwouldhavefollowedfromherowncountrywomendidnot，however，breakuponthetrainedfacesofthe"deFontangesl"Hommadieus，"yetwhileRosewouldhavejoinedinit，albeitalittleruefully，shefeltforthefirsttimemortifiedattheircivilinsincerity。
Attheendoftwoweeks，MajorRandolphreceivedaletterfromMr。
Mallory。Whenhehadreadit，heturnedtohiswife:"Hethanksyou，"hesaid，"foryourkindnesstohisdaughter，andexplainsthathissuddendeparturewasowingtothenecessityofhistakingadvantageofagreatopportunityforspeculationthathadoffered。"
AsMrs。Randolphturnedawaywithaslightshrugoftheshoulders，themajorcontinued:"Butyouhaven"theardall!ThatopportunitywasthesecuringofahalfinterestinacinnabarlodeinSonora，whichhasalreadygoneupahundredthousanddollarsinhishands!
ByJove!amancanaffordtodropalittlesocialceremonyonthoseterms——eh，Josephine?"heconcludedwithatriumphantchuckle。
"He"saslikelytolosehishundredthousandto-morrow，whilehismannerswillremain，"saidMrs。Randolph。"I"venofaithinthesesuddenCaliforniafortunes!"
"You"rewrongasregardsMallory，forhe"sascarefulasheislucky。Hedon"tthrowmoneyawayforappearancesake，orhe"dhavearichhomeforthatdaughter。Hecouldaffordit。"
Mrs。Randolphwassilent。"Sheishisonlydaughter，Ibelieve，"
shecontinuedpresently。
"Yes——hehasnootherkithorkin，"returnedthemajor。
"SheseemstobeverymuchimpressedbyEmile，"saidMrs。Randolph。
MajorRandolphfacedhiswifequickly。
"Inthenameofallthat"sridiculous，mydear，youarenotalreadythinkingof"——hegasped。
"IshouldbeverylothtogiveMYsanctiontoanythingofthekind，knowingthedifferenceofherbirth，education，andreligion，