第3章

XII

ONCHRISTMASMORNING，whenIgotdowntothekitchen，themenwerejustcominginfromtheirmorningchores——

thehorsesandpigsalwayshadtheirbreakfastbeforewedid。

JakeandOttoshouted`MerryChristmas！"tome，andwinkedateachotherwhentheysawthewaffle-ironsonthestove。

Grandfathercamedown，wearingawhiteshirtandhisSundaycoat。

Morningprayerswerelongerthanusual。HereadthechaptersfromSaintMatthewaboutthebirthofChrist，andaswelistened，itallseemedlikesomethingthathadhappenedlately，andnearathand。

InhisprayerhethankedtheLordforthefirstChristmas，andforallthatithadmeanttotheworldeversince。

Hegavethanksforourfoodandcomfort，andprayedforthepooranddestituteingreatcities，wherethestruggleforlifewasharderthanitwasherewithus。Grandfather"sprayerswereoftenveryinteresting。Hehadthegiftofsimpleandmovingexpression。Becausehetalkedsolittle，hiswordshadapeculiarforce；theywerenotworndullfromconstantuse。

Hisprayersreflectedwhathewasthinkingaboutatthetime，anditwaschieflythroughthemthatwegottoknowhisfeelingsandhisviewsaboutthings。

Afterwesatdowntoourwafflesandsausage，JaketoldushowpleasedtheShimerdashadbeenwiththeirpresents；

evenAmbroschwasfriendlyandwenttothecreekwithhimtocuttheChristmastree。Itwasasoftgreydayoutside，withheavycloudsworkingacrossthesky，andoccasionalsquallsofsnow。

Therewerealwaysoddjobstobedoneaboutthebarnonholidays，andthemenwerebusyuntilafternoon。ThenJakeandI

playeddominoes，whileOttowrotealongletterhometohismother。

HealwayswrotetoheronChristmasDay，hesaid，nomatterwherehewas，andnomatterhowlongithadbeensincehislastletter。

Allafternoonhesatinthedining-room。Hewouldwriteforawhile，thensitidle，hisclenchedfistlyingonthetable，hiseyesfollowingthepatternoftheoilcloth。Hespokeandwrotehisownlanguagesoseldomthatitcametohimawkwardly。

Hisefforttorememberentirelyabsorbedhim。

Ataboutfouro"clockavisitorappeared:Mr。Shimerda，wearinghisrabbit-skincapandcollar，andnewmittenshiswifehadknitted。

Hehadcometothankusforthepresents，andforallgrandmother"skindnesstohisfamily。JakeandOttojoinedusfromthebasementandwesataboutthestove，enjoyingthedeepeninggreyofthewinterafternoonandtheatmosphereofcomfortandsecurityinmygrandfather"shouse。

ThisfeelingseemedcompletelytotakepossessionofMr。Shimerda。

Isuppose，inthecrowdedclutteroftheircave，theoldmanhadcometobelievethatpeaceandorderhadvanishedfromtheearth，orexistedonlyintheoldworldhehadleftsofarbehind。

Hesatstillandpassive，hisheadrestingagainstthebackofthewoodenrocking-chair，hishandsrelaxeduponthearms。

Hisfacehadalookofwearinessandpleasure，likethatofsickpeoplewhentheyfeelrelieffrompain。GrandmotherinsistedonhisdrinkingaglassofVirginiaapple-brandyafterhislongwalkinthecold，andwhenafaintflushcameupinhischeeks，hisfeaturesmighthavebeencutoutofashell，theyweresotransparent。

Hesaidalmostnothing，andsmiledrarely；butasherestedthereweallhadasenseofhisuttercontent。

Asitgrewdark，IaskedwhetherImightlighttheChristmastreebeforethelampwasbrought。Whenthecandle-endssentuptheirconicalyellowflames，allthecolouredfiguresfromAustriastoodoutclearandfullofmeaningagainstthegreenboughs。

Mr。Shimerdarose，crossedhimself，andquietlykneltdownbeforethetree，hisheadsunkforward。Hislongbodyformedaletter`S。"Isawgrandmotherlookapprehensivelyatgrandfather。Hewasrathernarrowinreligiousmatters，andsometimesspokeoutandhurtpeople"sfeelings。

Therehadbeennothingstrangeaboutthetreebefore，butnow，withsomeonekneelingbeforeit——images，candles……Grandfathermerelyputhisfinger-tipstohisbrowandbowedhisvenerablehead，thusProtestantizingtheatmosphere。

Wepersuadedourguesttostayforsupperwithus。Heneededlittleurging。

Aswesatdowntothetable，itoccurredtomethathelikedtolookatus，andthatourfaceswereopenbookstohim。Whenhisdeep-seeingeyesrestedonme，Ifeltasifhewerelookingfaraheadintothefutureforme，downtheroadIwouldhavetotravel。

Atnineo"clockMr。Shimerdalightedoneofourlanternsandputonhisovercoatandfurcollar。Hestoodinthelittleentryhall，thelanternandhisfurcapunderhisarm，shakinghandswithus。

Whenhetookgrandmother"shand，hebentoveritashealwaysdid，andsaidslowly，`Goodwoman！"Hemadethesignofthecrossoverme，putonhiscapandwentoffinthedark。Asweturnedbacktothesitting-room，grandfatherlookedatmesearchingly。

`Theprayersofallgoodpeoplearegood，"hesaidquietly。

XIII

THEWEEKFOLLOWINGChristmasbroughtinathaw，andbyNewYear"sDayalltheworldaboutuswasabrothofgreyslush，andthegutteredslopebetweenthewindmillandthebarnwasrunningblackwater。

Thesoftblackearthstoodoutinpatchesalongtheroadsides。

Iresumedallmychores，carriedinthecobsandwoodandwater，andspenttheafternoonsatthebarn，watchingJakeshellcornwithahand-sheller。

Onemorning，duringthisintervaloffineweather，Antoniaandhermotherrodeoverononeoftheirshaggyoldhorsestopayusavisit。

ItwasthefirsttimeMrs。Shimerdahadbeentoourhouse，andsheranaboutexaminingourcarpetsandcurtainsandfurniture，allthewhilecommentinguponthemtoherdaughterinanenvious，complainingtone。Inthekitchenshecaughtupanironpotthatstoodonthebackofthestoveandsaid:`Yougotmany，Shimerdasnogot。"

Ithoughtitweak-mindedofgrandmothertogivethepottoher。

Afterdinner，whenshewashelpingtowashthedishes，shesaid，tossingherhead:`Yougotmanythingsforcook。

IfIgotallthingslikeyou，Imakemuchbetter。"

Shewasaconceited，boastfuloldthing，andevenmisfortunecouldnothumbleher。IwassoannoyedthatIfeltcoldlyeventowardAntoniaandlistenedunsympatheticallywhenshetoldmeherfatherwasnotwell。

`Mypapasadfortheoldcountry。Henotlookgood。

Henevermakemusicanymore。Athomeheplayviolinallthetime；forweddingsandfordance。Herenever。

WhenIbeghimforplay，heshakehisheadno。Somedayshetakehisviolinoutofhisboxandmakewithhisfingersonthestrings，likethis，butneverhemakethemusic。

Hedon"tlikethiskawntree。"

`Peoplewhodon"tlikethiscountryoughttostayathome，"Isaidseverely。

`Wedon"tmakethemcomehere。"

`Henotwanttocome，never！"sheburstout。`Mymamenkamakehimcome。Allthetimeshesay:“Americabigcountry；

muchmoney，muchlandformyboys，muchhusbandformygirls。“

Mypapa，hecryforleavehisoldfriendswhatmakemusicwithhim。

Heloveverymuchthemanwhatplaythelonghornlikethis"——

sheindicatedaslidetrombone。“Theygotoschooltogetherandarefriendsfromboys。Butmymama，shewantAmbroschforberich，withmanycattle。"

`Yourmama，"Isaidangrily，`wantsotherpeople"sthings。"

“Yourgrandfatherisrich，“sheretortedfiercely。`Whyhenothelpmypapa？

Ambroschberich，too，afterwhile，andhepayback。Heisverysmartboy。

ForAmbroschmymamacomehere。"

Ambroschwasconsideredtheimportantpersoninthefamily。

Mrs。ShimerdaandAntoniaalwaysdeferredtohim，thoughhewasoftensurlywiththemandcontemptuoustowardhisfather。

Ambroschandhismotherhadeverythingtheirownway。

ThoughAntonialovedherfathermorethanshedidanyoneelse，shestoodinaweofherelderbrother。

AfterIwatchedAntoniaandhermothergooverthehillontheirmiserablehorse，carryingourironpotwiththem，Iturnedtograndmother，whohadtakenupherdarning，andsaidIhopedthatsnoopingoldwomanwouldn"tcometoseeusanymore。

GrandmotherchuckledanddroveherbrightneedleacrossaholeinOtto"ssock。`She"snotold，Jim，thoughIexpectsheseemsoldtoyou。No，Iwouldn"tmournifshenevercameagain。But，yousee，abodyneverknowswhattraitspovertymightbringoutin"em。

Itmakesawomangraspingtoseeherchildrenwantforthings。

Nowreadmeachapterin“ThePrinceoftheHouseofDavid。“

Let"sforgettheBohemians。"

Wehadthreeweeksofthismild，openweather。Thecattleinthecorralatecornalmostasfastasthemencouldshellitforthem，andwehopedtheywouldbereadyforanearlymarket。

Onemorningthetwobigbulls，GladstoneandBrighamYoung，thoughtspringhadcome，andtheybegantoteaseandbuttateachotheracrossthebarbedwirethatseparatedthem。

Soontheygotangry。Theybellowedandpawedupthesoftearthwiththeirhoofs，rollingtheireyesandtossingtheirheads。

Eachwithdrewtoafarcornerofhisowncorral，andthentheymadeforeachotheratagallop。Thud，thud，wecouldheartheimpactoftheirgreatheads，andtheirbellowingshookthepansonthekitchenshelves。Hadtheynotbeendehorned，theywouldhavetorneachothertopieces。

Prettysoonthefatsteerstookitupandbeganbuttingandhorningeachother。Clearly，theaffairhadtobestopped。

WeallstoodbyandwatchedadmiringlywhileFuchsrodeintothecorralwithapitchforkandproddedthebullsagainandagain，finallydrivingthemapart。

Thebigstormofthewinterbeganonmyeleventhbirthday，thetwentiethofJanuary。WhenIwentdowntobreakfastthatmorning，JakeandOttocameinwhiteassnow-men，beatingtheirhandsandstampingtheirfeet。

Theybegantolaughboisterouslywhentheysawme，calling:

`You"vegotabirthdaypresentthistime，Jim，andnomistake。

Theywasafull-grownblizzardorderedforyou。"

Alldaythestormwenton。Thesnowdidnotfallthistime，itsimplyspilledoutofheaven，likethousandsoffeatherbedsbeingemptied。

Thatafternoonthekitchenwasacarpenter-shop；themenbroughtintheirtoolsandmadetwogreatwoodenshovelswithlonghandles。

NeithergrandmothernorIcouldgooutinthestorm，soJakefedthechickensandbroughtinapitifulcontributionofeggs。

Nextdayourmenhadtoshoveluntilnoontoreachthebarn——

andthesnowwasstillfalling！TherehadnotbeensuchastorminthetenyearsmygrandfatherhadlivedinNebraska。

Hesaidatdinnerthatwewouldnottrytoreachthecattle——

theywerefatenoughtogowithouttheircornforadayortwo；

buttomorrowwemustfeedthemandthawouttheirwater-tapsothattheycoulddrink。Wecouldnotsomuchasseethecorrals，butweknewthesteerswereoverthere，huddledtogetherunderthenorthbank。

Ourferociousbulls，subduedenoughbythistime，wereprobablywarmingeachother"sbacks。`This"lltakethebileoutof"em！"

Fuchsremarkedgleefully。

Atnoonthatdaythehenshadnotbeenheardfrom。

AfterdinnerJakeandOtto，theirdampclothesnowdriedonthem，stretchedtheirstiffarmsandplungedagainintothedrifts。

Theymadeatunnelthroughthesnowtothehen-house，withwallssosolidthatgrandmotherandIcouldwalkbackandforthinit。

Wefoundthechickensasleep；perhapstheythoughtnighthadcometostay。Oneoldroosterwasstirringabout，peckingatthesolidlumpoficeintheirwater-tin。Whenweflashedthelanternintheireyes，thehenssetupagreatcacklingandflewaboutclumsily，scatteringdown-feathers。Themottled，pin-headedguinea-hens，alwaysresentfulofcaptivity，ranscreechingoutintothetunnelandtriedtopoketheirugly，paintedfacesthroughthesnowwalls。Byfiveo"clockthechoresweredonejustwhenitwastimetobeginthemalloveragain！

Thatwasastrange，unnaturalsortofday。

XIV

ONTHEMORNINGofthetwenty-secondIwakenedwithastart。

BeforeIopenedmyeyes，Iseemedtoknowthatsomethinghadhappened。Iheardexcitedvoicesinthekitchen——

grandmother"swassoshrillthatIknewshemustbealmostbesideherself。Ilookedforwardtoanynewcrisiswithdelight。

Whatcoulditbe，Iwondered，asIhurriedintomyclothes。

Perhapsthebarnhadburned；perhapsthecattlehadfrozentodeath；

perhapsaneighbourwaslostinthestorm。

Downinthekitchengrandfatherwasstandingbeforethestovewithhishandsbehindhim。JakeandOttohadtakenofftheirbootsandwererubbingtheirwoollensocks。Theirclothesandbootsweresteaming，andtheybothlookedexhausted。

Onthebenchbehindthestovelayaman，coveredupwithablanket。

Grandmothermotionedmetothedining-room。Iobeyedreluctantly。

Iwatchedherasshecameandwent，carryingdishes。

Herlipsweretightlycompressedandshekeptwhisperingtoherself:

`Oh，dearSaviour！"`Lord，Thouknowest！"

Presentlygrandfathercameinandspoketome:`Jimmy，wewillnothaveprayersthismorning，becausewehaveagreatdealtodo。

OldMr。Shimerdaisdead，andhisfamilyareingreatdistress。

Ambroschcameoverhereinthemiddleofthenight，andJakeandOttowentbackwithhim。Theboyshavehadahardnight，andyoumustnotbotherthemwithquestions。ThatisAmbrosch，asleeponthebench。

Comeintobreakfast，boys。"

AfterJakeandOttohadswallowedtheirfirstcupofcoffee，theybegantotalkexcitedly，disregardinggrandmother"swarningglances。

Iheldmytongue，butIlistenedwithallmyears。

`No，sir，"Fuchssaidinanswertoaquestionfromgrandfather，`nobodyheardthegungooff。Ambroschwasoutwiththeox-team，tryingtobreakaroad，andthewomen-folkswasshutuptightintheircave。

WhenAmbroschcomein，itwasdarkandhedidn"tseenothing，buttheoxenactedkindofqueer。Oneof"emrippedaroundandgotawayfromhim——

boltedcleanoutofthestable。Hishandsisblisteredwheretheroperunthrough。Hegotalanternandwentbackandfoundtheoldman，justasweseenhim。"

`Poorsoul，poorsoul！"grandmothergroaned。`I"dliketothinkheneverdoneit。Hewasalwaysconsiderateandun-wishfultogivetrouble。

Howcouldheforgethimselfandbringthisonus！"

`Idon"tthinkhewasoutofhisheadforaminute，Mrs。Burden，"

Fuchsdeclared。`Hedoneeverythingnatural。Youknowhewasalwayssortoffixy，andfixyhewastothelast。Heshavedafterdinner，andwashedhisselfalloverafterthegirlshaddonethedishes。

Antoniaheatedthewaterforhim。Thenheputonacleanshirtandcleansocks，andafterhewasdressedhekissedherandthelittleoneandtookhisgunandsaidhewasgoingouttohuntrabbits。

Hemusthavegonerightdowntothebarnanddoneitthen。Helayeddownonthatbunk-bed，closetotheoxstalls，wherehealwaysslept。

Whenwefoundhim，everythingwasdecentexcept"——Fuchswrinkledhisbrowandhesitated——"exceptwhathecouldn"tnowiseforesee。

Hiscoatwashungonapeg，andhisbootswasunderthebed。

He"dtookoffthatsilkneckclothhealwayswore，andfoldeditsmoothandstuckhispinthroughit。Heturnedbackhisshirtattheneckandrolleduphissleeves。"

`Idon"tseehowhecoulddoit！"grandmotherkeptsaying。

Ottomisunderstoodher。`Why，ma"am，itwassimpleenough；

hepulledthetriggerwithhisbigtoe。Helayedoveronhissideandputtheendofthebarrelinhismouth，thenhedrewuponefootandfeltforthetrigger。

Hefounditallright！"

`Maybehedid，"saidJakegrimly。`There"ssomethingmightyqueeraboutit。"

`Nowwhatdoyoumean，Jake？"grandmotheraskedsharply。

`Well，ma"m，IfoundKrajiek"saxeunderthemanger，andI

picksitupandcarriesitovertothecorpse，andItakemyoathitjustfitthegashinthefrontoftheoldman"sface。

ThatthereKrajiekhadbeensneakin"round，paleandquiet，andwhenheseenmeexaminin"theaxe，hebegunwhimperin"，“MyGod，man，don"tdothat！““IreckonI"ma-goin"

tolookintothis，“saysI。Thenhebeguntosqueallikearatandrunaboutwringin"hishands。“They"llhangme！“sayshe。

“MyGod，they"llhangmesure！“"

Fuchsspokeupimpatiently。`Krajiek"sgonesilly，Jake，andsohaveyou。Theoldmanwouldn"thavemadeallthempreparationsforKrajiektomurderhim，wouldhe？Itdon"thangtogether。

ThegunwasrightbesidehimwhenAmbroschfoundhim。"

`Krajiekcould"a"putitthere，couldn"the？"Jakedemanded。

Grandmotherbrokeinexcitedly:`Seehere，JakeMarpole，don"tyougotryingtoaddmurdertosuicide。We"redeepenoughintrouble。

Ottoreadsyoutoomanyofthemdetectivestories。"

`Itwillbeeasytodecideallthat，Emmaline，"saidgrandfatherquietly。

`Ifheshothimselfinthewaytheythink，thegashwillbetornfromtheinsideoutward。"

`Justsoitis，Mr。Burden，"Ottoaffirmed。`Iseenbunchesofhairandstuffstickingtothepolesandstrawalongtheroof。

Theywasblownuptherebygunshot，noquestion。"

GrandmothertoldgrandfathershemeanttogoovertotheShimerdas"withhim。

`Thereisnothingyoucando，"hesaiddoubtfully。`Thebodycan"tbetoucheduntilwegetthecoronerherefromBlackHawk，andthatwillbeamatterofseveraldays，thisweather。"

`Well，Icantakethemsomevictuals，anyway，andsayawordofcomforttothempoorlittlegirls。Theoldestonewashisdarling，andwaslikearighthandtohim。Hemighthavethoughtofher。

He"sleftheraloneinahardworld。"SheglanceddistrustfullyatAmbrosch，whowasnoweatinghisbreakfastatthekitchentable。

Fuchs，althoughhehadbeenupinthecoldnearlyallnight，wasgoingtomakethelongridetoBlackHawktofetchthepriestandthecoroner。

Onthegreygelding，ourbesthorse，hewouldtrytopickhiswayacrossthecountrywithnoroadstoguidehim。

`Don"tyouworryaboutme，Mrs。Burden，"hesaidcheerfully，asheputonasecondpairofsocks。`I"vegotagoodnosefordirections，andIneverdidneedmuchsleep。

It"sthegreyI"mworriedabout。I"llsavehimwhatIcan，butit"llstrainhim，assureasI"mtellingyou！"

`Thisisnotimetobeover-considerateofanimals，Otto；dothebestyoucanforyourself。StopattheWidowSteavens"sfordinner。

She"sagoodwoman，andshe"lldowellbyyou。"

AfterFuchsrodeaway，IwasleftwithAmbrosch。

IsawasideofhimIhadnotseenbefore。Hewasdeeply，evenslavishly，devout。Hedidnotsayawordallmorning，butsatwithhisrosaryinhishands，praying，nowsilently，nowaloud。Heneverlookedawayfromhisbeads，norliftedhishandsexcepttocrosshimself。Severaltimesthepoorboyfellasleepwherehesat，wakenedwithastart，andbegantoprayagain。

NowagoncouldbegottotheShimerdas"untilaroadwasbroken，andthatwouldbeaday"sjob。Grandfathercamefromthebarnononeofourbigblackhorses，andJakeliftedgrandmotherupbehindhim。

Sheworeherblackhoodandwasbundledupinshawls。

Grandfathertuckedhisbushywhitebeardinsidehisovercoat。

TheylookedveryBiblicalastheysetoff，Ithought。

JakeandAmbroschfollowedthem，ridingtheotherblackandmypony，carryingbundlesofclothesthatwehadgottogetherforMrs。Shimerda。Iwatchedthemgopastthepondandoverthehillbythedriftedcornfield。Then，forthefirsttime，IrealizedthatIwasaloneinthehouse。

Ifeltaconsiderableextensionofpowerandauthority，andwasanxioustoacquitmyselfcreditably。Icarriedincobsandwoodfromthelongcellar，andfilledboththestoves。

Irememberedthatinthehurryandexcitementofthemorningnobodyhadthoughtofthechickens，andtheeggshadnotbeengathered。

Goingoutthroughthetunnel，Igavethehenstheircorn，emptiedtheicefromtheirdrinking-pan，andfilleditwithwater。

Afterthecathadhadhismilk，Icouldthinkofnothingelsetodo，andIsatdowntogetwarm。Thequietwasdelightful，andthetickingclockwasthemostpleasantofcompanions。

Igot`RobinsonCrusoe"andtriedtoread，buthislifeontheislandseemeddullcomparedwithours。Presently，asI

lookedwithsatisfactionaboutourcomfortablesitting-room，itflasheduponmethatifMr。Shimerda"ssoulwerelingeringaboutinthisworldatall，itwouldbehere，inourhouse，whichhadbeenmoretohislikingthananyotherintheneighbourhood。

IrememberedhiscontentedfacewhenhewaswithusonChristmasDay。

Ifhecouldhavelivedwithus，thisterriblethingwouldneverhavehappened。

IknewitwashomesicknessthathadkilledMr。Shimerda，andIwonderedwhetherhisreleasedspiritwouldnoteventuallyfinditswaybacktohisowncountry。IthoughtofhowfaritwastoChicago，andthentoVirginia，toBaltimore——andthenthegreatwintryocean。No，hewouldnotatoncesetoutuponthatlongjourney。Surely，hisexhaustedspirit，sotiredofcoldandcrowdingandthestrugglewiththeever-fallingsnow，wasrestingnowinthisquiethouse。

Iwasnotfrightened，butImadenonoise。Ididnotwishtodisturbhim。

Iwentsoftlydowntothekitchenwhich，tuckedawaysosnuglyunderground，alwaysseemedtometheheartandcentreofthehouse。There，onthebenchbehindthestove，IthoughtandthoughtaboutMr。Shimerda。OutsideIcouldhearthewindsingingoverhundredsofmilesofsnow。ItwasasifIhadlettheoldmaninoutofthetormentingwinter，andweresittingtherewithhim。

IwentoverallthatAntoniahadevertoldmeabouthislifebeforehecametothiscountry；howheusedtoplaythefiddleatweddingsanddances。

Ithoughtaboutthefriendshehadmournedtoleave，thetrombone-player，thegreatforestfullofgame——belonging，asAntoniasaid，tothe`nobles"——

fromwhichsheandhermotherusedtostealwoodonmoonlightnights。

Therewasawhitehartthatlivedinthatforest，andifanyonekilledit，hewouldbehanged，shesaid。SuchvividpicturescametomethattheymighthavebeenMr。Shimerda"smemories，notyetfadedoutfromtheairinwhichtheyhadhauntedhim。

Ithadbeguntogrowdarkwhenmyhouseholdreturned，andgrandmotherwassotiredthatshewentatoncetobed。

JakeandIgotsupper，andwhilewewerewashingthedisheshetoldmeinloudwhispersaboutthestateofthingsoverattheShimerdas"。Nobodycouldtouchthebodyuntilthecoronercame。

Ifanyonedid，somethingterriblewouldhappen，apparently。

Thedeadmanwasfrozenthrough，`justasstiffasadressedturkeyyouhangouttofreeze，"Jakesaid。Thehorsesandoxenwouldnotgointothebarnuntilhewasfrozensohardthattherewasnolongeranysmellofblood。Theywerestabledtherenow，withthedeadman，becausetherewasnootherplacetokeepthem。

AlightedlanternwaskepthangingoverMr。Shimerda"shead。

AntoniaandAmbroschandthemothertookturnsgoingdowntopraybesidehim。Thecrazyboywentwiththem，becausehedidnotfeelthecold。Ibelievedhefeltcoldasmuchasanyoneelse，buthelikedtobethoughtinsensibletoit。

Hewasalwayscovetingdistinction，poorMarek！

Ambrosch，Jakesaid，showedmorehumanfeelingthanhewouldhavesupposedhimcapableof，buthewaschieflyconcernedaboutgettingapriest，andabouthisfather"ssoul，whichhebelievedwasinaplaceoftormentandwouldremainthereuntilhisfamilyandthepriesthadprayedagreatdealforhim。

`AsIunderstandit，"Jakeconcluded，`itwillbeamatterofyearstoprayhissouloutofPurgatory，andrightnowhe"sintorment。"

`Idon"tbelieveit，"Isaidstoutly。`Ialmostknowitisn"ttrue。"Ididnot，ofcourse，saythatIbelievedhehadbeeninthatverykitchenallafternoon，onhiswaybacktohisowncountry。Nevertheless，afterIwenttobed，thisideaofpunishmentandPurgatorycamebackonmecrushingly。

IrememberedtheaccountofDivesintorment，andshuddered。

ButMr。Shimerdahadnotbeenrichandselfish:

hehadonlybeensounhappythathecouldnotliveanylonger。

XV

OTTOFUCHSGOTbackfromBlackHawkatnoonthenextday。HereportedthatthecoronerwouldreachtheShimerdas"sometimethatafternoon，butthemissionarypriestwasattheotherendofhisparish，ahundredmilesaway，andthetrainswerenotrunning。Fuchshadgotafewhours"

sleepattheliverybarnintown，buthewasafraidthegreygeldinghadstrainedhimself。Indeed，hewasneverthesamehorseafterward。

Thatlongtripthroughthedeepsnowhadtakenalltheenduranceoutofhim。

Fuchsbroughthomewithhimastranger，ayoungBohemianwhohadtakenahomesteadnearBlackHawk，andwhocameonhisonlyhorsetohelphisfellowcountrymenintheirtrouble。ThatwasthefirsttimeIeversawAntonJelinek。Hewasastrappingyoungfellowintheearlytwentiesthen，handsome，warm-hearted，andfulloflife，andhecametouslikeamiracleinthemidstofthatgrimbusiness。

Irememberexactlyhowhestrodeintoourkitcheninhisfeltbootsandlongwolfskincoat，hiseyesandcheeksbrightwiththecold。

Atsightofgrandmother，hesnatchedoffhisfurcap，greetingherinadeep，rollingvoicewhichseemedolderthanhe。

`Iwanttothankyouverymuch，Mrs。Burden，forthatyouaresokindtopoorstrangersfrommykawntree。"

Hedidnothesitatelikeafarmerboy，butlookedoneeagerlyintheeyewhenhespoke。Everythingabouthimwaswarmandspontaneous。

HesaidhewouldhavecometoseetheShimerdasbefore，buthehadhiredouttohuskcornallthefall，andsincewinterbeganhehadbeengoingtotheschoolbythemill，tolearnEnglish，alongwiththelittlechildren。

Hetoldmehehadanice`lady-teacher"andthathelikedtogotoschool。

AtdinnergrandfathertalkedtoJelinekmorethanheusuallydidtostrangers。

`Willtheybemuchdisappointedbecausewecannotgetapriest？"heasked。

Jelineklookedserious。

`Yes，sir，thatisverybadforthem。Theirfatherhasdoneagreatsin"——helookedstraightatgrandfather。

`OurLordhassaidthat。"

Grandfatherseemedtolikehisfrankness。

`Webelievethat，too，Jelinek。ButwebelievethatMr。Shimerda"ssoulwillcometoitsCreatoraswelloffwithoutapriest。

WebelievethatChristisouronlyintercessor。"

Theyoungmanshookhishead。`Iknowhowyouthink。

Myteacherattheschoolhasexplain。ButIhaveseentoomuch。

Ibelieveinprayerforthedead。Ihaveseentoomuch。"

Weaskedhimwhathemeant。

Heglancedaroundthetable。`YouwantIshalltellyou？WhenIwasalittleboylikethisone，Ibegintohelpthepriestatthealtar。

Imakemyfirstcommunionveryyoung；whattheChurchteachseemplaintome。By"n"bywar-timescome，whenthePrussiansfightus。

Wehaveverymanysoldiersincampnearmyvillage，andthecholerabreakoutinthatcamp，andthemendielikeflies。AlldaylongourpriestgoabouttheretogivetheSacramenttodyingmen，andIgowithhimtocarrythevesselswiththeHolySacrament。

Everybodythatgonearthatcampcatchthesicknessbutmeandthepriest。

Butwehavenosickness，wehavenofear，becausewecarrythatbloodandthatbodyofChrist，anditpreserveus。"Hepaused，lookingatgrandfather。`ThatIknow，Mr。Burden，forithappenedtomyself。

Allthesoldiersknow，too。Whenwewalkalongtheroad，theoldpriestandme，wemeetallthetimesoldiersmarchingandofficersonhorse。

Allthoseofficers，whentheyseewhatIcarryunderthecloth，pulluptheirhorsesandkneeldownonthegroundintheroaduntilwepass。

SoIfeelverybadformykawntree-mantodiewithouttheSacrament，andtodieinabadwayforhissoul，andIfeelsadforhisfamily。"

Wehadlistenedattentively。Itwasimpossiblenottoadmirehisfrank，manlyfaith。

`Iamalwaysgladtomeetayoungmanwhothinksseriouslyaboutthesethings，"saidgrandfather，landIwouldneverbetheonetosayyouwerenotinGod"scarewhenyouwereamongthesoldiers。"

AfterdinneritwasdecidedthatyoungJelinekshouldhookourtwostrongblackfarm-horsestothescraperandbreakaroadthroughtotheShimerdas"，sothatawagoncouldgowhenitwasnecessary。

Fuchs，whowastheonlycabinetmakerintheneighbourhoodwassettoworkonacoffin。

Jelinekputonhislongwolfskincoat，andwhenweadmiredit，hetoldusthathehadshotandskinnedthecoyotes，andtheyoungmanwho`batched"withhim，JanBouska，whohadbeenafur-workerinVienna，madethecoat。FromthewindmillIwatchedJelinekcomeoutofthebarnwiththeblacks，andworkhiswayupthehillsidetowardthecornfield。

Sometimeshewascompletelyhiddenbythecloudsofsnowthatroseabouthim；

thenheandthehorseswouldemergeblackandshining。

Ourheavycarpenter"sbenchhadtobebroughtfromthebarnandcarrieddownintothekitchen。Fuchsselectedboardsfromapileofplanksgrandfatherhadhauledoutfromtowninthefalltomakeanewfloorfortheoats-bin。Whenatlastthelumberandtoolswereassembled，andthedoorswereclosedagainandthecolddraughtsshutout，grandfatherrodeawaytomeetthecoronerattheShimerdas"，andFuchstookoffhiscoatandsettleddowntowork。Isatonhisworktableandwatchedhim。

Hedidnottouchhistoolsatfirst，butfiguredforalongwhileonapieceofpaper，andmeasuredtheplanksandmademarksonthem。

Whilehewasthusengaged，hewhistledsoftlytohimself，orteasinglypulledathishalf-ear。Grandmothermovedaboutquietly，soasnottodisturbhim。

Atlasthefoldedhisrulerandturnedacheerfulfacetous。

`Thehardestpartofmyjob"sdone，"heannounced。

`It"stheheadendofitthatcomeshardwithme，especiallywhenI"moutofpractice。ThelasttimeImadeoneofthese，Mrs。Burden，"

hecontinued，ashesortedandtriedhischisels，`wasforafellowintheBlackTigerMine，upaboveSilverton，Colorado。

Themouthofthatminegoesrightintothefaceofthecliff，andtheyusedtoputusinabucketandrunusoveronatrolleyandshootusintotheshaft。Thebuckettravelledacrossaboxcanonthreehundredfeetdeep，andaboutathirdfullofwater。

TwoSwedeshadfelloutofthatbucketonce，andhitthewater，feetdown。Ifyou"llbelieveit，theywenttoworkthenextday。

Youcan"tkillaSwede。ButinmytimealittleEyetaliantriedthehighdive，anditturnedoutdifferentwithhim。

Wewassnowedinthen，likewearenow，andIhappenedtobetheonlymanincampthatcouldmakeacoffinforhim。

It"sahandythingtoknow，whenyouknockaboutlikeI"vedone。"

`We"dbehardputtoitnow，ifyoudidn"tknow，Otto，"grandmothersaid。

`Yes，"m，"Fuchsadmittedwithmodestpride。`Sofewfolksdoesknowhowtomakeagoodtightboxthat"llturnwater。

Isometimeswonderifthere"llbeanybodyabouttodoitforme。

However，I"mnotatallparticularthatway。"

Allafternoon，whereveronewentinthehouse，onecouldhearthepantingwheezeofthesaworthepleasantpurringoftheplane。

Theyweresuchcheerfulnoises，seemingtopromisenewthingsforlivingpeople:itwasapitythatthosefreshlyplanedpineboardsweretobeputundergroundsosoon。

Thelumberwashardtoworkbecauseitwasfulloffrost，andtheboardsgaveoffasweetsmellofpinewoods，astheheapofyellowshavingsgrewhigherandhigher。

IwonderedwhyFuchshadnotstucktocabinet-work，hesettleddowntoitwithsucheaseandcontent。

Hehandledthetoolsasifhelikedthefeelofthem；

andwhenheplaned，hishandswentbackandforthovertheboardsinaneager，beneficentwayasifhewereblessingthem。

HebrokeoutnowandthenintoGermanhymns，asifthisoccupationbroughtbackoldtimestohim。

Atfouro"clockMr。Bushy，thepostmaster，withanotherneighbourwholivedeastofus，stoppedintogetwarm。TheywereontheirwaytotheShimerdas"。Thenewsofwhathadhappenedovertherehadsomehowgotabroadthroughthesnow-blockedcountry。

Grandmothergavethevisitorssugar-cakesandhotcoffee。

Beforethesecallersweregone，thebrotheroftheWidowSteavens，wholivedontheBlackHawkroad，drewupatourdoor，andafterhimcamethefatheroftheGermanfamily，ournearestneighboursonthesouth。Theydismountedandjoinedusinthedining-room。

Theywerealleagerforanydetailsaboutthesuicide，andtheyweregreatlyconcernedastowhereMr。Shimerdawouldbeburied。ThenearestCatholiccemeterywasatBlackHawk，anditmightbeweeksbeforeawagoncouldgetsofar。

Besides，Mr。BushyandgrandmotherweresurethatamanwhohadkilledhimselfcouldnotbeburiedinaCatholicgraveyard。

Therewasaburying-groundoverbytheNorwegianchurch，westofSquawCreek；perhapstheNorwegianswouldtakeMr。Shimerdain。

Afterourvisitorsrodeawayinsinglefileoverthehill，wereturnedtothekitchen。Grandmotherbegantomaketheicingforachocolatecake，andOttoagainfilledthehousewiththeexciting，expectantsongoftheplane。

Onepleasantthingaboutthistimewasthateverybodytalkedmorethanusual。Ihadneverheardthepostmastersayanythingbut`Onlypapers，to-day，"or，`I"vegotasackfulofmailforye，"

untilthisafternoon。Grandmotheralwaystalked，dearwoman:

toherselfortotheLord，iftherewasnooneelsetolisten；

butgrandfatherwasnaturallytaciturn，andJakeandOttowereoftensotiredaftersupperthatIusedtofeelasifI

weresurroundedbyawallofsilence。Noweveryoneseemedeagertotalk。ThatafternoonFuchstoldmestoryafterstory:

abouttheBlackTigerMine，andaboutviolentdeathsandcasualburyings，andthequeerfanciesofdyingmen。

Youneverreallyknewaman，hesaid，untilyousawhimdie。

Mostmenweregame，andwentwithoutagrudge。

Thepostmaster，goinghome，stoppedtosaythatgrandfatherwouldbringthecoronerbackwithhimtospendthenight。

TheofficersoftheNorwegianchurch，hetoldus，hadheldameetinganddecidedthattheNorwegiangraveyardcouldnotextenditshospitalitytoMr。Shimerda。

Grandmotherwasindignant。`Iftheseforeignersaresoclannish，Mr。Bushy，we"llhavetohaveanAmericangraveyardthatwillbemoreliberal-minded。I"llgetrightafterJosiahtostartoneinthespring。

Ifanythingwastohappentome，Idon"twanttheNorwegiansholdinginquisitionsovermetoseewhetherI"mgoodenoughtobelaidamongst"em。"

Soongrandfatherreturned，bringingwithhimAntonJelinek，andthatimportantperson，thecoroner。Hewasamild，flurriedoldman，aCivilWarveteran，withonesleevehangingempty。

Heseemedtofindthiscaseveryperplexing，andsaidifithadnotbeenforgrandfatherhewouldhaveswornoutawarrantagainstKrajiek。

`Thewayheacted，andthewayhisaxefitthewound，wasenoughtoconvictanyman。"

AlthoughitwasperfectlyclearthatMr。Shimerdahadkilledhimself，JakeandthecoronerthoughtsomethingoughttobedonetoKrajiekbecausehebehavedlikeaguiltyman。

Hewasbadlyfrightened，certainly，andperhapsheevenfeltsomestirringsofremorseforhisindifferencetotheoldman"smiseryandloneliness。

Atsupperthemenatelikevikings，andthechocolatecake，whichIhadhopedwouldlingeronuntiltomorrowinamutilatedcondition，disappearedonthesecondround。

TheytalkedexcitedlyaboutwheretheyshouldburyMr。Shimerda；

Igatheredthattheneighbourswerealldisturbedandshockedaboutsomething。ItdevelopedthatMrs。ShimerdaandAmbroschwantedtheoldmanburiedonthesouthwestcorneroftheirownland；indeed，undertheverystakethatmarkedthecorner。

GrandfatherhadexplainedtoAmbroschthatsomeday，whenthecountrywasputunderfenceandtheroadswereconfinedtosectionlines，tworoadswouldcrossexactlyonthatcorner。

ButAmbroschonlysaid，`Itmakesnomatter。"

GrandfatheraskedJelinekwhetherintheoldcountrytherewassomesuperstitiontotheeffectthatasuicidemustbeburiedatthecross-roads。

Jelineksaidhedidn"tknow；heseemedtorememberhearingtherehadoncebeensuchacustominBohemia。`Mrs。Shimerdaismadeuphermind，"headded。`Itrytopersuadeher，andsayitlooksbadforhertoalltheneighbours；butshesaysoitmustbe。

“ThereIwillburyhim，ifIdigthegravemyself，“shesay。

IhavetopromiseherIhelpAmbroschmakethegravetomorrow。"

Grandfathersmoothedhisbeardandlookedjudicial。

`Idon"tknowwhosewishshoulddecidethematter，ifnothers。

Butifshethinksshewilllivetoseethepeopleofthiscountryrideoverthatoldman"shead，sheismistaken。"

XVI

MR。SHIMERDALAYDEADinthebarnfourdays，andonthefifththeyburiedhim。AlldayFridayJelinekwasoffwithAmbroschdiggingthegrave，choppingoutthefrozenearthwitholdaxes。

OnSaturdaywebreakfastedbeforedaylightandgotintothewagonwiththecoffin。JakeandJelinekwentaheadonhorsebacktocutthebodyloosefromthepoolofbloodinwhichitwasfrozenfasttotheground。

WhengrandmotherandIwentintotheShimerdas"house，wefoundthewomenfolkalone；AmbroschandMarekwereatthebarn。

Mrs。Shimerdasatcrouchingbythestove，Antoniawaswashingdishes。

Whenshesawme，sheranoutofherdarkcornerandthrewherarmsaroundme。`Oh，Jimmy，"shesobbed，`whatyoutinkformylovelypapa！"

ItseemedtomethatIcouldfeelherheartbreakingassheclungtome。

Mrs。Shimerda，sittingonthestumpbythestove，keptlookingoverhershouldertowardthedoorwhiletheneighbourswerearriving。

Theycameonhorseback，allexceptthepostmaster，whobroughthisfamilyinawagonovertheonlybrokenwagon-trail。TheWidowSteavensrodeupfromherfarmeightmilesdowntheBlackHawkroad。

Thecolddrovethewomenintothecave-house，anditwassooncrowded。

Afine，sleetysnowwasbeginningtofall，andeveryonewasafraidofanotherstormandanxioustohavetheburialoverwith。

GrandfatherandJelinekcametotellMrs。Shimerdathatitwastimetostart。Afterbundlinghermotherupinclothestheneighbourshadbrought，Antoniaputonanoldcapefromourhouseandtherabbit-skinhatherfatherhadmadeforher。

FourmencarriedMr。Shimerda"sboxupthehill；Krajiekslunkalongbehindthem。Thecoffinwastoowideforthedoor，soitwasputdownontheslopeoutside。IslippedoutfromthecaveandlookedatMr。Shimerda。Hewaslyingonhisside，withhiskneesdrawnup。Hisbodywasdrapedinablackshawl，andhisheadwasbandagedinwhitemuslin，likeamummy"s；

oneofhislong，shapelyhandslayoutontheblackcloth；

thatwasallonecouldseeofhim。

Mrs。Shimerdacameoutandplacedanopenprayer-bookagainstthebody，makingthesignofthecrossonthebandagedheadwithherfingers。

Ambroschkneltdownandmadethesamegesture，andafterhimAntoniaandMarek。Yulkahungback。Hermotherpushedherforward，andkeptsayingsomethingtoheroverandover。Yulkakneltdown，shuthereyes，andputoutherhandalittleway，butshedrewitbackandbegantocrywildly。Shewasafraidtotouchthebandage。

Mrs。Shimerdacaughtherbytheshouldersandpushedhertowardthecoffin，butgrandmotherinterfered。

`No，Mrs。Shimerda，"shesaidfirmly，`Iwon"tstandbyandseethatchildfrightenedintospasms。

Sheistoolittletounderstandwhatyouwantofher。

Letheralone。"

Atalookfromgrandfather，FuchsandJelinekplacedthelidonthebox，andbegantonailitdownoverMr。Shimerda。

IwasafraidtolookatAntonia。SheputherarmsroundYulkaandheldthelittlegirlclosetoher。

Thecoffinwasputintothewagon。Wedroveslowlyaway，againstthefine，icysnowwhichcutourfaceslikeasand-blast。Whenwereachedthegrave，itlookedaverylittlespotinthatsnow-coveredwaste。

Thementookthecoffintotheedgeoftheholeandlowereditwithropes。

Westoodaboutwatchingthem，andthepowderysnowlaywithoutmeltingonthecapsandshouldersofthemenandtheshawlsofthewomen。

JelinekspokeinapersuasivetonetoMrs。Shimerda，andthenturnedtograndfather。

`Shesays，Mr。Burden，sheisverygladifyoucanmakesomeprayerforhimhereinEnglish，fortheneighbourstounderstand。"

Grandmotherlookedanxiouslyatgrandfather。Hetookoffhishat，andtheothermendidlikewise。Ithoughthisprayerremarkable。

Istillrememberit。Hebegan，`Oh，greatandjustGod，nomanamongusknowswhatthesleeperknows，norisitforustojudgewhatliesbetweenhimandThee。"Heprayedthatifanymantherehadbeenremisstowardthestrangercometoafarcountry，Godwouldforgivehimandsoftenhisheart。

Herecalledthepromisestothewidowandthefatherless，andaskedGodtosmooththewaybeforethiswidowandherchildren，andto`inclinetheheartsofmentodealjustlywithher。"

Inclosing，hesaidwewereleavingMr。Shimerdaat`Thyjudgmentseat，whichisalsoThymercyseat。"

Allthetimehewaspraying，grandmotherwatchedhimthroughtheblackfingersofherglove，andwhenhesaid`Amen，"Ithoughtshelookedsatisfiedwithhim。SheturnedtoOttoandwhispered，`Can"tyoustartahymn，Fuchs？

Itwouldseemlessheathenish。"

Fuchsglancedabouttoseeiftherewasgeneralapprovalofhersuggestion，thenbegan，`Jesus，LoverofmySoul，"

andallthemenandwomentookitupafterhim。WheneverI

haveheardthehymnsince，ithasmademerememberthatwhitewasteandthelittlegroupofpeople；andthebluishair，fulloffine，eddyingsnow，likelongveilsflying:

`Whilethenearerwatersroll，Whilethetempeststillishigh。"

Yearsafterward，whentheopen-grazingdayswereover，andtheredgrasshadbeenploughedunderandunderuntilithadalmostdisappearedfromtheprairie；whenallthefieldswereunderfence，andtheroadsnolongerranaboutlikewildthings，butfollowedthesurveyedsection-lines，Mr。Shimerda"sgravewasstillthere，withasaggingwirefencearoundit，andanunpaintedwoodencross。Asgrandfatherhadpredicted，Mrs。Shimerdaneversawtheroadsgoingoverhishead。

Theroadfromthenorthcurvedalittletotheeastjustthere，andtheroadfromthewestswungoutalittletothesouth；

sothatthegrave，withitstallredgrassthatwasnevermowed，waslikealittleisland；andattwilight，underanewmoonorthecleareveningstar，thedustyroadsusedtolooklikesoftgreyriversflowingpastit。Inevercameupontheplacewithoutemotion，andinallthatcountryitwasthespotmostdeartome。Ilovedthedimsuperstition，thepropitiatoryintent，thathadputthegravethere；andstillmoreIlovedthespiritthatcouldnotcarryoutthesentence——

theerrorfromthesurveyedlines，theclemencyofthesoftearthroadsalongwhichthehome-comingwagonsrattledaftersunset。

Neveratireddriverpassedthewoodencross，Iamsure，withoutwishingwelltothesleeper。

XVII

WHENSPRINGCAME，AFTERthathardwinter，onecouldnotgetenoughofthenimbleair。EverymorningIwakenedwithafreshconsciousnessthatwinterwasover。TherewerenoneofthesignsofspringforwhichIusedtowatchinVirginia，nobuddingwoodsorbloominggardens。Therewasonly——springitself；thethrobofit，thelightrestlessness，thevitalessenceofiteverywhere:

inthesky，intheswiftclouds，inthepalesunshine，andinthewarm，highwind——risingsuddenly，sinkingsuddenly，impulsiveandplayfullikeabigpuppythatpawedyouandthenlaydowntobepetted。

IfIhadbeentosseddownblindfoldonthatredprairie，Ishouldhaveknownthatitwasspring。

Everywherenowtherewasthesmellofburninggrass。

Ourneighboursburnedofftheirpasturebeforethenewgrassmadeastart，sothatthefreshgrowthwouldnotbemixedwiththedeadstandoflastyear。Thoselight，swiftfires，runningaboutthecountry，seemedapartofthesamekindlingthatwasintheair。

TheShimerdaswereintheirnewloghousebythen。

TheneighbourshadhelpedthemtobuilditinMarch。Itstooddirectlyinfrontoftheiroldcave，whichtheyusedasacellar。

Thefamilywerenowfairlyequippedtobegintheirstrugglewiththesoil。Theyhadfourcomfortableroomstolivein，anewwindmill——boughtoncredit——achicken-houseandpoultry。

Mrs。Shimerdahadpaidgrandfathertendollarsforamilkcow，andwastogivehimfifteenmoreassoonastheyharvestedtheirfirstcrop。

WhenIrodeuptotheShimerdas"onebrightwindyafternooninApril，Yulkaranouttomeetme。Itwastoher，now，thatI

gavereadinglessons；Antoniawasbusywithotherthings。

ItiedmyponyandwentintothekitchenwhereMrs。Shimerdawasbakingbread，chewingpoppyseedsassheworked。

BythistimeshecouldspeakenoughEnglishtoaskmeagreatmanyquestionsaboutwhatourmenweredoinginthefields。

Sheseemedtothinkthatmyelderswithheldhelpfulinformation，andthatfrommeshemightgetvaluablesecrets。Onthisoccasionsheaskedmeverycraftilywhengrandfatherexpectedtobeginplantingcorn。Itoldher，addingthathethoughtweshouldhaveadryspringandthatthecornwouldnotbeheldbackbytoomuchrain，asithadbeenlastyear。

Shegavemeashrewdglance。`HenotJesus，"sheblustered；

`henotknowaboutthewetandthedry。

Ididnotanswerher；whatwastheuse？AsIsatwaitingforthehourwhenAmbroschandAntoniawouldreturnfromthefields，IwatchedMrs。Shimerdaatherwork。

Shetookfromtheovenacoffee-cakewhichshewantedtokeepwarmforsupper，andwrappeditinaquiltstuffedwithfeathers。

Ihaveseenherputevenaroastgooseinthisquilttokeepithot。

Whentheneighboursweretherebuildingthenewhouse，theysawherdothis，andthestorygotabroadthattheShimerdaskepttheirfoodintheirfeatherbeds。

Whenthesunwasdroppinglow，Antoniacameupthebigsouthdrawwithherteam。Howmucholdershehadgrownineightmonths！

Shehadcometousachild，andnowshewasatall，strongyounggirl，althoughherfifteenthbirthdayhadjustslippedby。Iranoutandmetherasshebroughtherhorsesuptothewindmilltowaterthem。

Sheworethebootsherfatherhadsothoughtfullytakenoffbeforeheshothimself，andhisoldfurcap。Heroutgrowncottondressswitchedabouthercalves，overtheboot-tops。Shekepthersleevesrolledupallday，andherarmsandthroatwereburnedasbrownasasailor"s。Herneckcameupstronglyoutofhershoulders，liketheboleofatreeoutoftheturf。Oneseesthatdraught-horseneckamongthepeasantwomeninalloldcountries。

Shegreetedmegaily，andbeganatoncetotellmehowmuchploughingshehaddonethatday。Ambrosch，shesaid，wasonthenorthquarter，breakingsodwiththeoxen。

`Jim，youaskJakehowmuchheploughedto-day。Idon"twantthatJakegetmoredoneinonedaythanme。

Iwantwehaveverymuchcornthisfall。"

Whilethehorsesdrewinthewater，andnosedeachother，andthendrankagain，Antoniasatdownonthewindmillstepandrestedherheadonherhand。

`Youseethebigprairiefirefromyourplacelastnight？

Ihopeyourgrandpaain"tlosenostacks？"

`No，wedidn"t。Icametoaskyousomething，Tony。

Grandmotherwantstoknowifyoucan"tgotothetermofschoolthatbeginsnextweekoveratthesodschoolhouse。

Shesaysthere"sagoodteacher，andyou"dlearnalot。"

Antoniastoodup，liftinganddroppinghershouldersasiftheywerestiff。`Iain"tgottimetolearn。Icanworklikemansnow。

Mymothercan"tsaynomorehowAmbroschdoallandnobodytohelphim。

Icanworkasmuchashim。Schoolisallrightforlittleboys。

Ihelpmakethislandonegoodfarm。"

Shecluckedtoherteamandstartedforthebarn。Iwalkedbesideher，feelingvexed。Wasshegoingtogrowupboastfullikehermother，Iwondered？Beforewereachedthestable，Ifeltsomethingtenseinhersilence，andglancingupIsawthatshewascrying。

Sheturnedherfacefrommeandlookedoffattheredstreakofdyinglight，overthedarkprairie。

Iclimbedupintotheloftandthrewdownthehayforher，whilesheunharnessedherteam。Wewalkedslowlybacktowardthehouse。

Ambroschhadcomeinfromthenorthquarter，andwaswateringhisoxenatthetank。

Antoniatookmyhand。`Sometimeyouwilltellmeallthosenicethingsyoulearnattheschool，won"tyou，Jimmy？"sheaskedwithasuddenrushoffeelinginhervoice。`Myfather，hewentmuchtoschool。

Heknowagreatdeal；howtomakethefineclothlikewhatyounotgothere。

Heplayhornandviolin，andhereadsomanybooksthatthepriestsinBohemiecometotalktohim。Youwon"tforgetmyfather，Jim？"

`No，"Isaid，`Iwillneverforgethim。"

Mrs。Shimerdaaskedmetostayforsupper。AfterAmbroschandAntoniahadwashedthefielddustfromtheirhandsandfacesatthewash-basinbythekitchendoor，wesatdownattheoilcloth-coveredtable。

Mrs。Shimerdaladledmealmushoutofanironpotandpouredmilkonit。Afterthemushwehadfreshbreadandsorghummolasses，andcoffeewiththecakethathadbeenkeptwarminthefeathers。

AntoniaandAmbroschweretalkinginBohemian；disputingaboutwhichofthemhaddonemoreploughingthatday。Mrs。Shimerdaeggedthemon，chucklingwhileshegobbledherfood。

PresentlyAmbroschsaidsullenlyinEnglish:`Youtakethemoxtomorrowandtrythesodplough。Thenyounotbesosmart。"

Hissisterlaughed。`Don"tbemad。Iknowit"sawfulhardworkforbreaksod。Imilkthecowforyoutomorrow，ifyouwant。"

Mrs。Shimerdaturnedquicklytome。`Thatcownotgivesomuchmilklikewhatyourgrandpasay。Ifhemaketalkaboutfifteendollars，Isendhimbackthecow。"

`Hedoesn"ttalkaboutthefifteendollars，"Iexclaimedindignantly。

`Hedoesn"tfindfaultwithpeople。"

`HesayIbreakhissawwhenwebuild，andInever，"grumbledAmbrosch。

Iknewhehadbrokenthesaw，andthenhiditandliedaboutit。IbegantowishIhadnotstayedforsupper。

Everythingwasdisagreeabletome。Antoniaatesonoisilynow，likeaman，andsheyawnedoftenatthetableandkeptstretchingherarmsoverherhead，asiftheyached。

Grandmotherhadsaid，`Heavyfieldwork"llspoilthatgirl。

She"llloseallhernicewaysandgetroughones。"

Shehadlostthemalready。

AftersupperIrodehomethroughthesad，softspringtwilight。

SincewinterIhadseenverylittleofAntonia。

Shewasoutinthefieldsfromsunupuntilsundown。

IfIrodeovertoseeherwhereshewasploughing，shestoppedattheendofarowtochatforamoment，thengrippedherplough-handles，cluckedtoherteam，andwadedondownthefurrow，makingmefeelthatshewasnowgrownupandhadnotimeforme。

OnSundaysshehelpedhermothermakegardenorsewedallday。

GrandfatherwaspleasedwithAntonia。Whenwecomplainedofher，heonlysmiledandsaid，`Shewillhelpsomefellowgetaheadintheworld。"

NowadaysTonycouldtalkofnothingbutthepricesofthings，orhowmuchshecouldliftandendure。Shewastooproudofherstrength。

Iknew，too，thatAmbroschputuponhersomechoresagirloughtnottodo，andthatthefarm-handsaroundthecountryjokedinanastywayaboutit。WheneverIsawhercomeupthefurrow，shoutingtoherbeasts，sunburned，sweaty，herdressopenattheneck，andherthroatandchestdust-plastered，IusedtothinkofthetoneinwhichpoorMr。Shimerda，whocouldsaysolittle，yetmanagedtosaysomuchwhenheexclaimed，`MyAntonia！"

XVIII

AFTERIBEGANTOgotothecountryschool，IsawlessoftheBohemians。

Weweresixteenpupilsatthesodschoolhouse，andweallcameonhorsebackandbroughtourdinner。Myschoolmateswerenoneofthemveryinteresting，butIsomehowfeltthat，byTakingcomradesofthem，IwasgettingevenwithAntoniaforherindifference。Sincethefather"sdeath，Ambroschwasmorethanevertheheadofthehouse，andheseemedtodirectthefeelingsaswellasthefortunesofhiswomenfolk。

Antoniaoftenquotedhisopinionstome，andsheletmeseethatsheadmiredhim，whileshethoughtofmeonlyasalittleboy。Beforethespringwasover，therewasadistinctcoldnessbetweenusandtheShimerdas。

Itcameaboutinthisway。

OneSundayIrodeovertherewithJaketogetahorse-collarwhichAmbroschhadborrowedfromhimandhadnotreturned。

Itwasabeautifulbluemorning。Thebuffalo-peaswerebloominginpinkandpurplemassesalongtheroadside，andthelarks，perchedonlastyear"sdriedsunflowerstalks，weresingingstraightatthesun，theirheadsthrownbackandtheiryellowbreastsa-quiver。Thewindblewaboutusinwarm，sweetgusts。

Werodeslowly，withapleasantsenseofSundayindolence。

WefoundtheShimerdasworkingjustasifitwereaweek-day。Marekwascleaningoutthestable，andAntoniaandhermotherweremakinggarden，offacrossthepondinthedraw-head。Ambroschwasuponthewindmilltower，oilingthewheel。Hecamedown，notverycordially。WhenJakeaskedforthecollar，hegruntedandscratchedhishead。Thecollarbelongedtograndfather，ofcourse，andJake，feelingresponsibleforit，flaredup。

`Now，don"tyousayyouhaven"tgotit，Ambrosch，becauseIknowyouhave，andifyouain"ta-goingtolookforit，Iwill。"

Ambroschshruggedhisshouldersandsauntereddownthehilltowardthestable。Icouldseethatitwasoneofhismeandays。

Presentlyhereturned，carryingacollarthathadbeenbadlyused——

trampledinthedirtandgnawedbyratsuntilthehairwasstickingoutofit。

`Thiswhatyouwant？"heaskedsurlily。

Jakejumpedoffhishorse。Isawawaveofredcomeupundertheroughstubbleonhisface。`Thatain"tthepieceofharnessIloanedyou，Ambrosch；or，ifitis，you"veuseditshameful。