第7章

althoughthelatterIbelieveshewouldreadilychange，"saidMrs。

Randolph，severely。"ButwhenyouspeakofMYalreadythinkingof"suchthings，"doyousupposethatyourfriend，Mr。Mallory，didn"tconsiderallthatwhenhesentthatgirlhere?"

"Never，"saidthemajor，vehemently，"andifitenteredhisheadnow，byJove，he"dtakeherawayto-morrow——alwayssupposingI

didn"tanticipatehimbysendingheroffmyself。"

Mrs。Randolphutteredhermirthlesslaugh。"Andyousupposethegirlwouldgo?Really，major，youdon"tseemtounderstandthisboastedlibertyofyourowncountrywoman。Whatdoesshecareforherfather"scontrol?Why，she"dmakehimdojustwhatSHEwanted。

But，"sheaddedwithanexpressionofdignity，"perhapswehadbetternotdiscussthisuntilweknowsomethingofEmile"sfeelingsinthematter。Thatistheonlyquestionthatconcernsus。"Withthisshesweptoutoftheroom，leavingthemajoratfirstspeechlesswithhonestindignation，andthenafterthefashionofallguilelessnatures，alittleuneasyandsuspiciousofhisownguilelessness。Foradayortwoafter，hefoundhimself，notwithoutasensationofmeanness，watchingRosewheninEmile"spresence，buthecoulddistinguishnothingmorethanthefranksatisfactionsheshowedequallytotheothers。Yethefoundhimselfregrettingeventhat，sosubtlewasthecontagionofhiswife"ssuspicions。

CHAPTERIII

Ithadbeenawarmmorning；anunusualmist，whichthesunhadnotdissipated，hadcreptonfromthegreatgrain-fieldsbeyond，andhungaroundthehousechargedwithadry，dustyclosenessthatseemedtobequiteindependentofthesun"srays，andmorelikeaheatedexhalationoremanationofthesoilitself。InitsacridirritationRosethoughtshecoulddetectthebreathofthewheatasonthedayshehadplungedintoitspale，greenshadows。Bytheafternoonthismisthaddisappeared，apparentlyinthesamemysteriousmanner，butnotscatteredbytheusualtrade-wind，which——anotherunusualcircumstance——thatdaywasnotforthcoming。

Therewasabreathlessnessintheairlikethehushoflisteningexpectancy，whichfilledtheyounggirlwithavaguerestlessness，andseemedtoevenaffectascatteredcompanyofcrowsinthefieldbeyondthehouse，whichrosesuddenlywithstartledbutaimlesswings，andthendroppedvacantlyamongthegrainagain。

MajorRandolphwasinspectingadistantpartoftheranch，Mrs。

Randolphwaspresumablyengagedinherboudoir，andRosewassittingbetweenAdeleandEmilebeforethepianointhedrawing-

room，listlesslyturningovertheleavesofsomemusic。Therehadbeenanoddminglingofeagernessandabstractionintheusualattentionsoftheyoungmanthatmorning，andacertainnervousaffectationinhismanneroftwistingtheendsofasmallblackmoustache，whichresembledhismother"seyebrows，thathadaffectedRosewithahalf-amused，half-uneasyconsciousness，butwhichshehad，however，referredtotherestlessnessproducedbytheweather。

ItoccurredtoheralsothatthevacuouslyamiableAdelehadonceortwiceregardedherwiththesameprecocious，childlikecuriosityandinfantinecunningshehadoncebeforeexhibited。Allthisdidnot，however，abateheradmirationforboth——perhapsparticularlyforthispicturesquelygentlemanlyyoungfellow，withhisgentleaudacitiesofcompliment，hiscaressingattentions，andhisunfailingandequaladdress。Andwhen，discoveringthatshehadmislaidherfanforthefifthtimethatmorning，hestartedupwithequalandundiminishedfiretogoagainandfetchit，thelookofgratefulpleasureandpleadingperplexityinherprettyeyesmighthaveturnedalessconceitedbrainthanhis。

"Butyoudon"tknowwhereitis!"

"Ishallfinditbyinstinct。"

"Youarespoilingme——youtwo。"Theparenthesiswasahesitatingaddition，butshecontinued，withfreshsincerity，"IshallbequitehelplesswhenIleavehere——ifIameverabletogobymyself。"

"Don"tevergo，then。"

"ButjustnowIwantmyfan；itissocloseeverywhereto-day。"

"Ifly，mademoiselle。"

Hestartedtothedoor。

Shecalledafterhim:——

"Letmehelpyourinstinct，then；Ihaditlastinthemajor"sstudy。"

"ThatwaswhereIwasgoing。"

Hedisappeared。Rosegotupandmoveduneasilytowardsthewindow。

"Howqueerandquietitlooksoutside。It"sreallytoobadthatheshouldbesentafterthatfanagain。He"llneverfindit。"Sheresumedherplaceatthepiano，Adelefollowingherwithround，expectanteyes。Afterapauseshestartedupagain。"I"llgoandfetchitmyself，"shesaid，withahalf-embarrassedlaugh，andrantothedoor。

Scarcelyunderstandingherownnervousness，butfindingreliefinrapidmovement，Roseflewlightlyupthestaircase。Themajor"sstudy，whereshehadbeenwritingletters，duringhisabsence，thatmorning，wasatthefurtherendofalongpassage，andnearherownbedroom，thedoorofwhich，asshepassed，shenoticed，half-

abstractedly，wasopen，butshecontinuedonandhurriedlyenteredthestudy。AtthesamemomentEmile，withasmileonhisface，turnedtowardsherwiththefaninhishand。

"Oh，you"vefoundit，"shesaid，withnervouseagerness。"Iwassoafraidyou"dhaveallyourtroublefornothing。"

Sheextendedherhand，withahalf-breathlesssmile，forthefan，buthecaughtheroutstretchedlittlepalminhisown，andheldit。

"Ah!butyouarenotgoingtoleaveus，areyou?"

Inaflashofconsciousnesssheunderstoodhim，and，asitseemedtoher，herownnervousness，andall，andeverything。Andwithitcameaswiftappreciationofallitmeanttoherandherfuture。

Tobealwayswithhimandlikehim，apartofthisrefinedandrestfulseclusion——akintoallthathadsoattractedherinthishouse；nottobeobligedtoeducateherselfuptoit，buttobeinitonequaltermsatonce；toknowthatitwasnowild，foolishyouthfulfancy，butawise，thoughtful，andprudentresolve，thatherfatherwouldunderstandandherfriendsrespect:thesewerethethoughtsthatcrowdedquicklyuponher，morelikeanexplanationofherfeelingsthanarevelation，inthebriefsecondthatheheldherhand。Itwasnot，perhaps，loveasshehaddreamedit，andevenBELIEVEDit，before。Shewasnotashamedorembarrassed；sheevenfelt，withaslightpride，thatshewasnotblushing。Sheraisedhereyesfrankly。WhatsheWOULDhavesaidshedidnotknow，forthedoor，whichhehadclosedbehindher，begantoshakeviolently。

Itwasnotthefearofsomeangryintrusionorinterferencesurelythatmadehimdropherhandinstantly。Itwasnot——hersecondthought——theideathatsomeonehadfalleninafitagainstitthatblanchedhisfacewithabjectandunreasoningterror!Itmusthavebeensomethingelsethatcausedhimtoutteraninarticulatecryanddashoutoftheroomanddownthestairslikeamadman!Whathadhappened?

Inherownself-possessionsheknewthatallthiswaspassingrapidly，thatitwasnotthedoornowthatwasstillshaking，forithadswungalmostshutagain——butitwasthewindows，thebook-

shelves，thefloorbeneathherfeet，thatwereallshaking。Sheheardahurriedscrambling，thetramplingoffeetbelow，andthequickrustlingofaskirtinthepassage，asifsomeonehadprecipitatelyfledfromherroom。Yetnoonehadcalledtoher——

evenHEhadsaidnothing。Whateverhadhappenedtheyclearlyhadnotcaredforhertoknow。

Thejarringandrattlingceasedassuddenly，butthehouseseemedsilentandempty。Shemovedtothedoor，whichhadnowswungopenafewinches，buttoherastonishmentitwasfixedinthatposition，andshecouldnotpass。Asyetshehadbeenfreefromanypersonalfear，andevennowitwaswithahalfsmileatherimprisonmentinthemajor"sstudy，thatsherangthebellandturnedtothewindow。Aman，whomsherecognizedasoneoftheranchlaborers，wasstandingahundredfeetawayinthegarden，lookingcuriouslyatthehouse。Hesawherfaceasshetriedtoraisethesash，utteredanexclamation，andranforward。Butbeforeshecouldunderstandwhathesaid，thesashbegantorattleinherhand，thejarringrecommenced，thefloorshookbeneathherfeet，ahideoussoundofgrindingseemedtocomefromthewalls，athinseamofdust-likesmokebrokefromtheceiling，andwiththenoiseoffallingplasteradozenbooksfollowedeachotherfromtheshelves，inwhatinthefrantichurryofthatmomentseemedagrimlydeliberatesuccession；apicturehangingagainstthewall，toherdazedwonder，swungforward，andappearedtostandatrightanglesfromit；shefeltherselfreelingagainstthefurniture；adeadlynauseaovertookher；assheglanceddespairinglytowardsthewindow，theoutlyingfieldsbeyondthegardenseemedtobeundulatinglikeasea。Forthefirsttimesheraisedhervoice，notinfear，butinapatheticlittlecryofapologyforherawkwardnessintumblingaboutandnotbeingabletograpplethisnewexperience，andthenshefoundherselfnearthedoor，whichhadoncemoreswungfree。Shegraspediteagerly，anddartedoutofthestudyintothedesertedpassage。Heresomeinstinctmadeherfollowthelineofthewall，ratherthantheshakingbalustersofthecorridorandstaircase，butbeforeshereachedthebottomsheheardashout，andthefarmlaborershehadseencomingtowardsherseizedherbythearm，draggedhertotheopendoorwayofthedrawing-room，andhaltedbeneathitsarchinthewall。Anotherthrill，butlighterthanbefore，passedthroughthebuilding，thenallwasstillagain。

"It"sover；Ireckonthat"salljustnow，"saidtheman，coolly。

"It"squitesafetocutandrunforthegardennow，throughthiswindow。"Hehalfled，halfliftedherthroughtheFrenchwindowtotheverandaandtheground，andlockingherarminhis，ranquicklyforwardahundredfeetfromthehouse，stoppingatlastbeneathalargepostoakwheretherewasarusticseatintowhichshesank。

"You"resafenow，Ireckon，"hesaidgrimly。

Shelookedtowardsthehouse；thesunwasshiningbrightly；acoolbreezeseemedtohavesprungupastheyran。Shecouldseeaquantityofrubbishlyingontherooffromwhichadozenyardsofzincgutterwereperilouslyhanging；thebrokenshaftsofthefurtherclusterofchimneys，apileofbricksscattereduponthegroundandamongthebattereddownbeamsoftheendoftheveranda——

butthatwasall。Sheliftedhernowwhitenedfacetotheman，andwiththeapologeticsmilestilllingeringonherlips，asked:——

"Whatdoesitallmean?Whathashappened?"

Themanstaredather。"D"yemeantosayyedon"tknow?"

"HowcouldI?Theymusthaveallleftthehouseassoonasitbegan。Iwastalkingto——toM。l"Hommadieu，andhesuddenlyleft。"

Themanbroughthisfaceangrilydownwithinaninchofherown。

"D"yemeantosaythatthemd——dFrenchhalf-breedsstampededandleftyertherealone?"

Shewasstilltoomuchstupefiedbythereactiontofullycomprehendhismeaning，andrepeatedfeeblywithhersmilestillfaintlylingering:"Butyoudon"ttellmeWHATitwas?"

"Anearthquake，"saidtheman，roughly，"andifithadlastedtensecondslongeritwouldhaveshookthewholeshantydownandleftyouunderit。Yerkintellthattothem，iftheydon"tknowit，butfromthewaytheymadetrackstothefields，Ireckontheydid。

They"recomingnow。"

Withoutanotherwordheturnedawayhalfsurlily，halfdefiantly，passingscarcefiftyyardsawayMrs。Randolphandherdaughter，whowerehasteningtowardstheirguest。

"Oh，hereyouare!"saidMrs。Randolph，withthenearestapproachtoeffusionthatRosehadyetseeninhermanner。"Wewerewonderingwhereyouhadrunto，andweregettingquiteconcerned。

Emilewaslookingforyoueverywhere。"

Therecollectionofhisblankandabjectface，hisvagueoutcryandblindfright，camebacktoRosewithashockthatsentaflashofsympatheticshametoherface。TheingeniousAdelenoticedit，anddutifullypinchedhermother"sarm。

"Emile?"echoedRosefaintly——"lookingforME?"

Motheranddaughterexchangedglances。

"Yes，"saidMrs。Randolph，cheerfully，"hesayshestartedtorunwithyou，butyougotaheadandslippedoutofthegardendoor——orsomethingofthekind，"sheadded，withtheairofmakinglightofRose"sgirlishfears。"Youknowonescarcelyknowswhatonedoesatsuchtimes，anditmusthavebeenfrightfullystrangetoYOU——

andhe"sbeenquitedistracted，lestyoushouldhavewanderedaway。

Adele，runandtellhimMissMalloryhasbeenhereundertheoakallthetime。"

Rosestarted——andthenfellhopelesslybackinherseat。PerhapsitWAStrue!Perhapshehadnotrushedoffwiththatawfulfaceandwithoutaword。Perhapssheherselfhadbeenhalf-frightenedoutofherreason。Inthesimple，weakkindnessofhernatureitseemedlessdreadfultobelievethatthefaultwaspartlyherown。

"Andyouwentbackintothehousetolookforuswhenallwasover，"saidMrs。Randolph，fixingherblack，beady，magneticeyesonRose，"andthatstupidyokelZakebroughtyououtagain。Heneedn"thaveclutchedyourarmsoclosely，mydear，——Imustspeaktothemajorabouthisexcessivefamiliarity——butIsupposeIshallbetoldthatthatisAmericanfreedom。Icallit"aliberty。""

ItstruckRosethatshehadnoteventhankedtheman——inthesameflashthatsherememberedsomethingdreadfulthathehadsaid。Shecoveredherfacewithherhandsandtriedtorecallherself。

Mrs。Randolphgentlytappedhershoulderwithamixtureofmaternalphilosophyanddiscipline，andcontinued:"Ofcourse，it"sanupset——andyou"reconfusedstill。That"snothing。Theysay，dear，it"sperfectlywellknownthatnotwopeople"srecollectionsofthesethingseverarethesame。It"sreallyridiculousthecontradictorystoriesonehears。Isn"tit，Emile?"

Rosefeltthattheyoungmanhadjoinedthemandwaslookingather。Inthefearthatsheshouldstillseesometraceofthestartled，selfishanimalinhisface，shedidnotdaretoraisehereyestohis，butlookedathismother。Mrs。Randolphwasstandingthen，collectedbutimpatient。

"It"sallovernow，"saidEmile，inhisusualvoice，"andexceptthechimneysandsomefallenplasterthere"sreallynodamagedone。

ButI"mafraidtheyhavecaughtitprettybadlyatthemission，andatSanFranciscointhosetall，flashy，rattle-trapbuildingsthey"reputtingup。I"vejustsentoffoneofthemenfornews。"

HerfatherwasinSanFranciscobythattime；andshehadneverthoughtofhim!Inherquickremorseshenowforgotallelseandrosetoherfeet。

"Imusttelegraphtomyfatheratonce，"shesaidhurriedly；"heisthere。"

"Youhadbetterwaituntilthemessengerreturnsandhearhisnews，"saidEmile。"IftheshockwasonlyaslightoneinSanFrancisco，yourfathermightnotunderstandyou，andwouldbealarmed。"

Shecouldseehisfacenow——therewasnorecordofthepastexpressionuponit，buthewaswatchinghereagerly。Mrs。RandolphandAdelehadmovedawaytospeaktotheservants。Emiledrewnearer。

"Yousurelywillnotdesertusnow?"hesaidinalowvoice。

"Pleasedon"t，"shesaidvaguely。"I"msoworried，"and，pushingquicklypasthim，shehurriedlyrejoinedthetwowomen。

Theyweresuperintendingtheerectionofalongtentormarqueeinthegarden，hastilyextemporizedfromtheawningsoftheverandaandothercloth。Mrs。Randolphexplainedthat，althoughalldangerwasover，therewasthepossibilityoftherecurrenceoflightershocksduringthedayandnight，andthattheywouldallfeelmuchmoresecureandcomfortabletocampoutforthenexttwenty-fourhoursintheopenair。

"Onlyimagineyou"repicnicking，andyou"llenjoyitasmostpeopleusuallyenjoythosehorridalfrescoentertainments。Idon"tbelievethere"stheslightestrealnecessityforit，but，"sheaddedinalowervoice，"theIrishandChineseservantsaresodemoralizednow，theywouldn"tstayindoorswithus。It"sacommonpracticehere，Ibelieve，foradayortwoaftertheshock，anditgivestimetoputthingsrightagainandclearup。Theold，one-

storied，Spanishhouseswithwallsthreefeetthick，andbuiltroundacourtyardorpatio，weremuchsafer。It"sonlywhentheAmericanstrytoimproveupontheoldorderofthingswiththeirpinchbeckshamsandstuccothatProvidenceinterfereslikethistopunishthem。"

Itwasthefact，however，thatRosewasmoreimpressedbywhatseemedtohertheabsoluteindifferenceofProvidenceinthematter，andthecoolresumptionbyNatureofherordinaryconditions。Theskyabovetheirheadswasasrigidlyblueasever，andassmilinglymonotonous；thedistantprospect，withitsclear，well-knownsilhouettes，hadnotchanged；thecrowsswungonlazy，deliberatewingsoverthegrainasbefore；andthetrade-windwasagainblowinginitsquietpersistency。Andyetsheknewthatsomethinghadhappenedthatwouldneveragainmakeherenjoymentoftheprospectthesame——thatnothingwouldeverbeasitwasyesterday。Ithinkatfirstshereferredonlytothematerialandlargerphenomena，anddidnotconfoundthisrevelationoftheinsecurityoftheuniversewithherexperienceofman。Yetthefactalsoremainedthattotheconservative，correct，and，asshebelieved，secureconditiontowhichshehadbeenapproximating，allherrelationswererudelyshakenandupset。Itreallyseemedtothissimple-mindedyoungwomanthattherevolutionarydisturbanceofsettledconditionsmighthaveasProvidentialanoriginasthe"DivineRight"ofwhichshehadheardsomuch。

CHAPTERIV

InherdesiretobealoneandtoevadethenowsignificantattentionsofEmile，shetookadvantageofthebustlethatfollowedthehurriedtransferoffurnitureandarticlesfromthehousetoescapethroughthegardentotheoutlyingfields。Strikingintooneofthedustylanesthatsheremembered，shewanderedonforhalfanhouruntilherprogressandmeditationweresuddenlyarrested。Shehadcomeuponalongchasmorcrackinthesoil，fulltwentyfeetwideandasmanyindepth，crossingherpathatrightangles。Shedidnotrememberhavingseenitbefore；thetrackofwheelswentuptoitsprecipitousedge；shecouldseethetrackontheotherside，butthehiatusremained，unbridgedanduncovered。Itwasnotthereyesterday。Sheglancedrightandleft；thefissureseemedtoextend，likeamoatorditch，fromthedistantroadtotheuplandbetweenherandthegreatwheatvalleybelow，fromwhichshewasshutoff。Anoddsenseofbeinginsomewayaprisonerconfrontedher。Shedrewbackwithanimpatientstart，andperhapsherfirstrealsenseofindignation。Avoicebehindher，whichsheatoncerecognized，scarcelyrestoredhercalmness。

"Youcan"tgetacrossthere，miss。"

Sheturned。Itwastheyounginventorfromthewheatranch，onhorsebackandwithacleanface。Hehadjustriddenoutofthegrainonthesamesideofthechasmasherself。

"Butyouseemtohavegotover，"shesaidbluntly。

"Yes，butitwasfurtherupthefield。Ireckonedthatthesplitmightbedeeperbutnotsobroadintherockoutcropovertherethanintheadobehere。Ifounditsoandjumpedit。"

Helookedasifhemight——alert，intelligent，andself-contained。

Helingeredamoment，andthencontinued:——

"I"mafraidyoumusthavebeenbadlyshakenandalittlefrighteneduptherebeforethechimneyscamedown?"

"No，"shewasgladtosaybriefly，andshebelievedtruthfully，I

wasn"tfrightened。Ididn"tevenknowitwasanearthquake。"

"Ah!"hereflected，"thatwasbecauseyouwereastranger。It"sodd——they"realllikethat。Isupposeit"sbecausenobodyreallyexpectsorbelievesintheunlooked-forthing，andyetthat"sthethingthatalwayshappens。Andthen，ofcourse，thatotheraffair，whichreallyisserious，startledyouthemore。"

Shefeltherselfridiculouslyandangrilyblushing。"Idon"tknowwhatyoumean，"shesaidicily。"Whatotheraffair?"

"Why，thewell。"

"Thewell?"sherepeatedvacantly。

"Yes；theartesianwellhasstopped。Didn"tthemajortellyou?"

"No，"saidthegirl。"Hewasaway；Ihaven"tseenhimyet。"

"Well，theflowofwaterhasceasedcompletely。That"swhatI"mherefor。Themajorsentforme，andI"vebeentoexamineit。"

"Andisthatstoppagesoveryimportant?"shesaiddubiously。

Itwashisturntolookatherwonderingly。

"Ifit"sLOSTentirely，itmeansruinfortheranch，"hesaidsharply。Hewheeledhishorse，noddedgravely，andtrottedoff。

MajorRandolph"sfigureofthe"life-bloodoftheranch"flashedacrosshersuddenly。SheknewnothingofirrigationorthecostlyappliancesbywhichtheCalifornianagriculturistopposedthelongsummerdroughts。Sheonlyvaguelyguessedthatthedreadfulearthquakehadstruckattheprosperityofthosepeoplewhomonlyafewhoursagoshehadbeenproudtocallherfriends。Theunderlyinggoodnessofhernaturewastouched。Shouldsheletamomentaryfault——ifitwerenotreally，afterall，onlyamisunderstanding——risebetweenherandthematsuchamoment?

Sheturnedandhurriedquicklytowardsthehouse。

Hasteningonward，shefoundtime，however，towonderalsowhythesecommonmen——shenowincludedeventheyounginventorinthatcategory——wereallsorudeandunciviltoHER!Shehadneverbeforebeentreatedinthisway；shehadalwaysbeenratherembarrassedbytheadmiringattentionsofyoungmen(clerksandcollegians)inherAtlantichome，and，ofprofessionalmen(merchantsandstockbrokers)inSanFrancisco。ItwastruethattheywerenotascontinuallydevotedtoherandtotheniceartandetiquetteofpleasingasEmile，——theyhadotherthingstothinkabout，beinginbusinessandnotbeingGENTLEMEN，——butthentheyweregreatlysuperiortotheseclowns，whotooknonoticeofher，androdeoffwithoutlingeringorformalleave-takingwhentheirselfishaffairswereconcluded。Itmustbethecontactofthevulgarearth——thiswretched，cracking，material，andyetungovernableandlawlessearth——thatsodepravedthem。Shefeltshewouldliketosaythistosomeone——notherfather，forhewouldn"tlistentoher，nortothemajor，whowouldlaughinglyarguewithher，buttoMrs。Randolph，whowouldunderstandher，andperhapssayitsomedayinherownsharp，sneeringwaytotheseveryclowns。Withthosegentlesentimentsirradiatingherblueeyes，andputtingapinkflushuponherfaircheeks，RosereachedthegardenwiththeintentionofrushingsympatheticallyintoMrs。

Randolph"sarms。Butitsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatshewouldbeobligedtostatehowshebecameawareofthismisfortune，andwithitcameaninstinctiveaversiontospeakofhermeetingwiththeinventor。ShewouldwaituntilMrs。Randolphtoldher。Butalthoughthatladywasengagedinalow-voiceddiscussioninFrenchwithEmileandAdele，whichinstantlyceasedatherapproach，therewasnoallusionmadetothenewcalamity。"Youneednottelegraphtoyourfather，"shesaidasRoseapproached，"hehasalreadytelegraphedtoyoufornews；asyouwereout，andthemessengerwaswaitingananswer，weopenedthedispatch，andsentone，tellinghimthatyouwereallright，andthatheneednothurryhereonyouraccount。Soyouaresatisfied，Ihope。"Afewhoursagothiswouldhavebeentrue，andRosewouldhaveprobablyseenintheactionofherhostessonlyaflatteringmotherlysupervision；therewas，infact，stillalingeringtraceoftrustinhermindyetshewasconsciousthatshewouldhavepreferredtoanswerthedispatchherself，andtohaveletherfathercome。Toagirlbroughtupwithabeliefintherightofindividualindependenceofthoughtandaction，therewassomethinginMrs。Randolph"spracticalignoringofthatrightwhichstartledherinspiteofhernewconservatism，while，asthedaughterofabusinessman，herinstinctsrevoltedagainstMrs。Randolph"sunbusiness-likeactionwiththetelegram，howevervulgarandunrefinedshemayhavebeguntoconsideralifeofbusiness。Theresultwasacertainconstraintandembarrassmentinhermanner，which，however，hadthelaudableeffectoflimitingEmile"sattentiontosignificantglances，andwasnodoubtvariouslyinterpretedbytheothers。Butshesatisfiedherconsciencebydeterminingtomakeaconfidenceofhersympathytothemajoronthefirstopportunity。

Thisshepresentlyfoundwhentheotherswerepreoccupied；themajorgreetingherwithasomewhatcarewornface，butavoicewhosehabitualkindnesswasunchanged。Whenhehadcondoledwithherontheterrifyingphenomenonthathadmarredhervisittotheranch，——

andshecouldnothelpimpatientlynoticingthathetooseemedtohaveacceptedhiswife"stheorythatshehadbeenhalfdeliriouslyfrightened，——heregrettedthatherfatherhadnotconcludedtocomedowntotheranch，ashispracticaladvicewouldhavebeeninvaluableinthisemergency。Shewasabouttoeagerlyexplainwhy，whenitoccurredtoherthatMrs。Randolphhadonlygivenhimasuppressedversionofthetelegram，andthatshewouldbebetrayingher，oragaintakingsidesinthispartisandividedhome。

Withsomehesitationsheatlastalludedtotheaccidenttotheartesianwell。Themajordidnotaskherhowshehadheardofit；

itwasabadbusiness，hethought，butitmightnotbeatotalloss。Thewatermayhavebeenonlydivertedbytheshockandmightbefoundagainatthelowerlevel，orinsomelateralfissure。HehadsenthurriedlyforTomBent——thatcleveryoungengineeratthewheatranch，whowasalwaysstudyingupthesethingswithhisinventions——andthatwashisopinion。No，Tomwasnotawell-

digger，butitwasgenerallyknownthathehad"located"oneortwo，andhadlongagoadvisedthetappingofthatflowbyasecondboring，incaseofjustsuchanemergency。Hewascomingagainto-

morrow。Bytheway，hehadaskedhowtheyoungladyvisitorwas，andhopedshehadnotbeenalarmedbytheearthquake!

Rosefeltherselfagainblushing，and，whatwasmoresingular，withanunexpectedanditseemedtoherridiculouspleasure，althoughoutwardlysheappearedtoignorethecivilitycompletely。Andshehadnointentionofbeingsoeasilyplacated。IfthisyoungmanthoughtbymereperfunctorycivilitiestoherHOSTtomakeupforhisclownishnesstoHER，hewasmistaken。Shewouldlethimseeitwhenhecalledto-morrow。Shequicklyturnedthesubjectbyassuringthemajorofhersympathyandherintentionofsendingforherfather。FortherestoftheafternoonandduringtheiralfrescodinnershesolvedthedifficultyofherstrainedrelationswithMrs。RandolphandEmilebyconversingchieflywiththemajor，tacitlyavoiding，however，anyallusiontothisMr。Bent。ButMrs。

Randolphwaslesscareful。

"Youdon"treallymeantosay，major，"shebeganinherdryest，grittiestmanner，"thatinsteadofsendingtoSanFranciscoforsomeskilledmaster-mechanic，youaregoingtolistentothevagariesofaconceited，half-educatedfarm-laborer，andemployhim?Youmightaswellcallinsomeofthosewizardsorwater-

witchesatonce。"Butthemajor，likemanyotherwell-managedhusbandswhoaregood-humoredlycontenttosufferinthesunshineofprosperity，hadnoideaofdoingsoinadversity，andtheprospectofbeingobligedtogobacktoyouthfulstruggleshadrecalledsomeoftheindependenceofthatperiod。Helookedupquietly，andsaid:——

"Ifhisconclusionsareasclearandsatisfactoryto-morrowastheywereto-day，Ishallcertainlytrytosecurehisservices。"

"ThenIcanonlysayIwouldpreferthewater-witch。Heatleastwouldnotrepresentaclassofneighborswhohavemadethemselvessystematicallyuncivilanddisagreeabletous。"

"Iamafraid，Josephine，wehavenottriedtomakeourselvesparticularlyagreeabletoTHEM，"saidthemajor。

"Ifthatcanonlybedonebyadmittingtheirequality，Iprefertheyshouldremainuncivil。Onlyletitbeunderstood，major，thatifyouchoosetotakethisTom-the-ploughboytomendyourwell，youwillatleastkeephimtherewhileheisontheproperty。"

Withwhatretortthemajorwouldhavekeptupthisconjugaldiscussion，alreadybeginningtobeawkwardtothediscreetvisitor，isnotknown，asitwassuddenlystoppedbyabulletfromtherosebudlipsoftheingenuousAdele。

"Why，he"sveryhandsomewhenhisfaceisclean，andhishandsaresmallandnotatallhard。Andhedoesn"ttalktheleastbitqueerorcommon。"

Therewasadeadsilence。"AndpraywheredidYOUseehim，andwhatdoyouknowabouthishands?"askedMrs。Randolph，inhermostdesiccatedvoice。"Orhasthemajoralreadypresentedyoutohim?

Ishouldn"tbesurprised。"

"No，but"——hesitatedtheyounggirl，withacertainmouse-likeaudacity，——"whenyousentmetolookafterMissMallory，Icameuptohimjustafterhehadspokentoher，andhestoppedtoaskmehowweallwere，andifMissMallorywasreallyfrightenedbytheearthquake，andheshookhandsforgoodafternoon——that"sall。"

"Andwhotaughtyoutoconversewithcommonstrangersandshakehandswiththem?"continuedMrs。Randolph，withnarrowinglips。

"Nobody，mamma；butIthoughtifMissMallory，whoisayounglady，couldspeaktohim，socouldI，whoamnotoutyet。"

"Wewon"tdiscussthisanyfurtheratpresent，"saidMrs。Randolph，stiffly，asthemajorsmiledgrimlyatRose。"Theearthquakeseemstohaveshakendowninthishousemorethanthechimneys。"

ItcertainlyhadshakenallpowerofsleepfromtheeyesofRosewhenthehouseholdatlastdispersedtoliedownintheirclothesonthemattresseswhichhadbeenarrangedundertheawnings。Shewascontinuallystartingupfromconfuseddreamsofthegroundshakingunderher，orsheseemedtobestandingonthebrinkofsomedreadfulabysslikethegreatchasmonthegrain-field，whenitbegantotrembleandcrumblebeneathherfeet。Itwasnearmorningwhen，unabletoendureitanylonger，shemanagedwithoutdisturbingthesleepingAdele，whooccupiedthesamecurtainedrecesswithher，toslipoutfromtheawning。Wrappedinathickshawl，shemadeherwaythroughtheencompassingtreesandbushesofthegardenthathadseemedtoimprisonandsuffocateher，totheedgeofthegrain-field，whereshecouldbreathethefreshairbeneathanopen，starlitsky。Therewasnomoonandthedarknessfavoredher；shehadnofearsthatweighedagainstthehorrorofseclusionwithherownfancies。Besides，theywerecampingOUTofthehouse，andifshechosetosituporwalkabout，noonecouldthinkitstrange。Shewishedherfatherwereherethatshemighthavesomeoneofherownkintotalkto，yetsheknewnotwhattosaytohimifhehadcome。Shewantedsomebodytosympathizewithherfeelings，——orrather，perhaps，someonetocombatandevenridiculetheuneasinessthathadlatelycomeoverher。Sheknewwhatherfatherwouldsay，——"Doyouwanttogo，ordoyouwanttostayhere?Doyoulikethesepeople，ordoyounot?"Sherememberedtheoneortwoglowingandenthusiasticaccountsshehadwrittenhimofhervisithere，andfeltherselfblushingagain。

WhatwouldhethinkofMrs。Randolph"sopeningandansweringthetelegram?Wouldn"thefindoutfromthemajorifshehadgarbledthesenseofhisdispatch?

Awaytotheright，inthemidstofthedistantandinvisiblewheat-

field，therewasthesameintermittentstar，whichlikealiving，breathingthingseemedtodilateinglowingrespiration，asshehadseenitthefirstnightofhervisit。Mr。Bent"sforge!Itmustbenearlydaylightnow；thepoorfellowhadbeenupallnight，orelsewasstealingthisearlymarchontheday。SherecalledAdele"ssuddeneulogiumofhim。Thefirstnaturalsmilethathadcometoherlipssincetheearthquakebrokeuphernervousrestraint，andsentherbackmorelikeheroldselftohercouch。

Butshehadnotproceededfartowardsthetent，whensheheardthesoundoflowvoicesapproachingher。Itwasthemajorandhiswife，who，likeherself，hadevidentlybeenunabletosleep，andwereupbetimes。Anewinstinctofsecretiveness，whichshefeltwaspartlytheeffectofherartificialsurrounding，checkedherfirstnaturalinstincttocalltothem，andshedrewbackdeeperintheshadowtoletthempass。Buttohergreatdiscomfiturethemajorinaconversationalemphasisstoppeddirectlyinfrontofher。