第5章
Hecutbandsallrightforafewminutes，andthen，Mrs。Harling，hewavedhishandtomeandjumpedhead-firstrightintothethreshingmachineafterthewheat。
`Ibeguntoscream，andthemenruntostopthehorses，butthebelthadsuckedhimdown，andbythetimetheygotherstopped，hewasallbeatandcuttopieces。
Hewaswedgedinsotightitwasahardjobtogethimout，andthemachineain"tneverworkedrightsince。"
`Washecleardead，Tony？"wecried。
`Washedead？Well，Iguessso！There，now，Nina"sallupset。
Wewon"ttalkaboutit。Don"tyoucry，Nina。Nooldtrampwon"tgetyouwhileTony"shere。"
Mrs。Harlingspokeupsternly。`Stopcrying，Nina，orI"llalwayssendyouupstairswhenAntoniatellsusaboutthecountry。
Didtheyneverfindoutwherehecamefrom，Antonia？"
`Never，ma"m。Hehadn"tbeenseennowhereexceptinalittletowntheycallConway。Hetriedtogetbeerthere，buttherewasn"tanysaloon。
Maybehecameinonafreight，butthebrakemanhadn"tseenhim。
Theycouldn"tfindnolettersnornothingonhim；nothingbutanoldpenknifeinhispocketandthewishboneofachickenwrappedupinapieceofpaper，andsomepoetry。"
`Somepoetry？"weexclaimed。
`Iremember，"saidFrances。`Itwas“TheOldOakenBucket，“
cutoutofanewspaperandnearlywornout。OleIversonbroughtitintotheofficeandshowedittome。"
`Now，wasn"tthatstrange，MissFrances？"Tonyaskedthoughtfully。
`Whatwouldanybodywanttokillthemselvesinsummerfor？
Inthreshingtime，too！It"sniceeverywherethen。"
`Soitis，Antonia，"saidMrs。Harlingheartily。`MaybeI"llgohomeandhelpyouthreshnextsummer。Isn"tthattaffynearlyreadytoeat？
I"vebeensmellingitalongwhile。"
TherewasabasicharmonybetweenAntoniaandhermistress。
Theyhadstrong，independentnatures，bothofthem。Theyknewwhattheyliked，andwerenotalwaystryingtoimitateotherpeople。Theylovedchildrenandanimalsandmusic，androughplayanddiggingintheearth。
Theylikedtopreparerich，heartyfoodandtoseepeopleeatit；
tomakeupsoftwhitebedsandtoseeyoungstersasleepinthem。
Theyridiculedconceitedpeopleandwerequicktohelpunfortunateones。
Deepdownineachofthemtherewasakindofheartyjoviality，arelishoflife，notover-delicate，butveryinvigorating。
Inevertriedtodefineit，butIwasdistinctlyconsciousofit。
IcouldnotimagineAntonia"slivingforaweekinanyotherhouseinBlackHawkthantheHarlings"。
VII
WINTERLIESTOOLONGincountrytowns；hangsonuntilitisstaleandshabby，oldandsullen。Onthefarmtheweatherwasthegreatfact，andmen"saffairswentonunderneathit，asthestreamscreepundertheice。
ButinBlackHawkthesceneofhumanlifewasspreadoutshrunkenandpinched，frozendowntothebarestalk。
ThroughJanuaryandFebruaryIwenttotheriverwiththeHarlingsonclearnights，andweskateduptothebigislandandmadebonfiresonthefrozensand。ButbyMarchtheicewasroughandchoppy，andthesnowontheriverbluffswasgreyandmournful-looking。Iwastiredofschool，tiredofwinterclothes，oftheruttedstreets，ofthedirtydriftsandthepilesofcindersthathadlainintheyardssolong。
Therewasonlyonebreakinthedrearymonotonyofthatmonth:
whenBlindd"Arnault，theNegropianist，cametotown。
HegaveaconcertattheOperaHouseonMondaynight，andheandhismanagerspentSaturdayandSundayatourcomfortablehotel。
Mrs。Harlinghadknownd"Arnaultforyears。ShetoldAntoniashehadbettergotoseeTinythatSaturdayevening，astherewouldcertainlybemusicattheBoys"Home。
SaturdaynightaftersupperIrandowntowntothehotelandslippedquietlyintotheparlour。Thechairsandsofaswerealreadyoccupied，andtheairsmelledpleasantlyofcigarsmoke。
Theparlourhadoncebeentworooms，andthefloorwasswaybackedwherethepartitionhadbeencutaway。
Thewindfromwithoutmadewavesinthelongcarpet。
Acoalstoveglowedateitherendoftheroom，andthegrandpianointhemiddlestoodopen。
Therewasanatmosphereofunusualfreedomaboutthehousethatnight，forMrs。GardenerhadgonetoOmahaforaweek。Johnniehadbeenhavingdrinkswiththeguestsuntilhewasratherabsent-minded。ItwasMrs。Gardenerwhoranthebusinessandlookedaftereverything。
Herhusbandstoodatthedeskandwelcomedincomingtravellers。
Hewasapopularfellow，butnomanager。
Mrs。Gardenerwasadmittedlythebest-dressedwomaninBlackHawk，drovethebesthorse，andhadasmarttrapandalittlewhite-and-goldsleigh。Sheseemedindifferenttoherpossessions，wasnothalfsosolicitousaboutthemasherfriendswere。
Shewastall，dark，severe，withsomethingIndian-likeintherigidimmobilityofherface。Hermannerwascold，andshetalkedlittle。Guestsfeltthattheywerereceiving，notconferring，afavourwhentheystayedatherhouse。
EventhesmartesttravellingmenwereflatteredwhenMrs。Gardenerstoppedtochatwiththemforamoment。
Thepatronsofthehotelweredividedintotwoclasses:
thosewhohadseenMrs。Gardener"sdiamonds，andthosewhohadnot。
WhenIstoleintotheparlour，AnsonKirkpatrick，MarshallField"sman，wasatthepiano，playingairsfromamusicalcomedythenrunninginChicago。
HewasadapperlittleIrishman，veryvain，homelyasamonkey，withfriendseverywhere，andasweetheartineveryport，likeasailor。
Ididnotknowallthemenwhoweresittingabout，butIrecognizedafurnituresalesmanfromKansasCity，adrugman，andWillyO"Reilly，whotravelledforajewelleryhouseandsoldmusicalinstruments。
Thetalkwasallaboutgoodandbadhotels，actorsandactressesandmusicalprodigies。IlearnedthatMrs。GardenerhadgonetoOmahatohearBoothandBarrett，whoweretoplaytherenextweek，andthatMaryAndersonwashavingagreatsuccessin`AWinter"sTale，"inLondon。
Thedoorfromtheofficeopened，andJohnnieGardenercamein，directingBlindd"Arnault——hewouldneverconsenttobeled。
Hewasaheavy，bulkymulatto，onshortlegs，andhecametappingthefloorinfrontofhimwithhisgold-headedcane。
Hisyellowfacewasliftedinthelight，withashowofwhiteteeth，allgrinning，andhisshrunken，paperyeyelidslaymotionlessoverhisblindeyes。
`Goodevening，gentlemen。Noladieshere？Goodevening，gentlemen。
Wegoingtohavealittlemusic？Someofyougentlemengoingtoplayformethisevening？"Itwasthesoft，amiableNegrovoice，likethoseIrememberedfromearlychildhood，withthenoteofdocilesubservienceinit。HehadtheNegrohead，too；almostnoheadatall；
nothingbehindtheearsbutfoldsofneckunderclose-clippedwool。
Hewouldhavebeenrepulsiveifhisfacehadnotbeensokindlyandhappy。
ItwasthehappiestfaceIhadseensinceIleftVirginia。
Hefelthiswaydirectlytothepiano。Themomenthesatdown，InoticedthenervousinfirmityofwhichMrs。Harlinghadtoldme。
Whenhewassitting，orstandingstill，heswayedbackandforthincessantly，likearockingtoy。Atthepiano，heswayedintimetothemusic，andwhenhewasnotplaying，hisbodykeptupthismotion，likeanemptymillgrindingon。
Hefoundthepedalsandtriedthem，ranhisyellowhandsupanddownthekeysafewtimes，tinklingoffscales，thenturnedtothecompany。
`Sheseemsallright，gentlemen。NothinghappenedtohersincethelasttimeIwashere。Mrs。Gardener，shealwayshasthispianotunedupbeforeIcome。Nowgentlemen，Iexpectyou"veallgotgrandvoices。
Seemslikewemighthavesomegoodoldplantationsongstonight。"
Themengatheredroundhim，ashebegantoplay`MyOldKentuckyHome。"
TheysangoneNegromelodyafteranother，whilethemulattosatrockinghimself，hisheadthrownback，hisyellowfacelifted，hisshrivelledeyelidsneverfluttering。
HewasbornintheFarSouth，onthed"Arnaultplantation，wherethespiritifnotthefactofslaverypersisted。Whenhewasthreeweeksold，hehadanillnesswhichlefthimtotallyblind。
Assoonashewasoldenoughtositupaloneandtoddleabout，anotheraffliction，thenervousmotionofhisbody，becameapparent。
Hismother，abuxomyoungNegrowenchwhowaslaundressforthed"Arnaults，concludedthatherblindbabywas`notright"
inhishead，andshewasashamedofhim。Shelovedhimdevotedly，buthewassougly，withhissunkeneyesandhis`fidgets，"thatshehidhimawayfrompeople。AllthedaintiesshebroughtdownfromtheBigHousewerefortheblindchild，andshebeatandcuffedherotherchildrenwhenevershefoundthemteasinghimortryingtogethischicken-boneawayfromhim。Hebegantotalkearly，rememberedeverythingheheard，andhismammysaidhe`wasn"tallwrong。"
ShenamedhimSamson，becausehewasblind，butontheplantationhewasknownas`yellowMartha"ssimplechild。"Hewasdocileandobedient，butwhenhewassixyearsoldhebegantorunawayfromhome，alwaystakingthesamedirection。Hefelthiswaythroughthelilacs，alongtheboxwoodhedge，uptothesouthwingoftheBigHouse，whereMissNellied"Arnaultpractisedthepianoeverymorning。
Thisangeredhismothermorethananythingelsehecouldhavedone；
shewassoashamedofhisuglinessthatshecouldn"tbeartohavewhitefolksseehim。Whenevershecaughthimslippingawayfromthecabin，shewhippedhimunmercifully，andtoldhimwhatdreadfulthingsoldMr。d"ArnaultwoulddotohimifheeverfoundhimneartheBigHouse。
ButthenexttimeSamsonhadachance，heranawayagain。
IfMissd"Arnaultstoppedpractisingforamomentandwenttowardthewindow，shesawthishideouslittlepickaninny，dressedinanoldpieceofsacking，standingintheopenspacebetweenthehollyhockrows，hisbodyrockingautomatically，hisblindfaceliftedtothesunandwearinganexpressionofidioticrapture。
OftenshewastemptedtotellMarthathatthechildmustbekeptathome，butsomehowthememoryofhisfoolish，happyfacedeterredher。
Sherememberedthathissenseofhearingwasnearlyallhehad——
thoughitdidnotoccurtoherthathemighthavemoreofitthanotherchildren。
OnedaySamsonwasstandingthuswhileMissNelliewasplayingherlessontohermusic-teacher。Thewindowswereopen。
Heheardthemgetupfromthepiano，talkalittlewhile，andthenleavetheroom。Heheardthedoorcloseafterthem。
Hecreptuptothefrontwindowsandstuckhisheadin:
therewasnoonethere。Hecouldalwaysdetectthepresenceofanyoneinaroom。Heputonefootoverthewindow-sillandstraddledit。
Hismotherhadtoldhimoverandoverhowhismasterwouldgivehimtothebigmastiffifheeverfoundhim`meddling。"Samsonhadgottoonearthemastiff"skennelonce，andhadfelthisterriblebreathinhisface。
Hethoughtaboutthat，buthepulledinhisotherfoot。
ThroughthedarkhefoundhiswaytotheThing，toitsmouth。Hetoucheditsoftly，anditansweredsoftly，kindly。Heshiveredandstoodstill。
Thenhebegantofeelitallover，ranhisfinger-tipsalongtheslipperysides，embracedthecarvedlegs，triedtogetsomeconceptionofitsshapeandsize，ofthespaceitoccupiedinprimevalnight。
Itwascoldandhard，andlikenothingelseinhisblackuniverse。
Hewentbacktoitsmouth，beganatoneendofthekeyboardandfelthiswaydownintothemellowthunder，asfarashecouldgo。Heseemedtoknowthatitmustbedonewiththefingers，notwiththefistsorthefeet。
Heapproachedthishighlyartificialinstrumentthroughamereinstinct，andcoupledhimselftoit，asifheknewitwastopiecehimoutandmakeawholecreatureofhim。Afterhehadtriedoverallthesounds，hebegantofingeroutpassagesfromthingsMissNelliehadbeenpractising，passagesthatwerealreadyhis，thatlayundertheboneofhispinched，conicallittleskull，definiteasanimaldesires。
Thedooropened；MissNellieandhermusic-masterstoodbehindit，butblindSamson，whowassosensitivetopresences，didnotknowtheywerethere。Hewasfeelingoutthepatternthatlayallready-madeonthebigandlittlekeys。
Whenhepausedforamoment，becausethesoundwaswrongandhewantedanother，MissNelliespokesoftly。
Hewhirledaboutinaspasmofterror，leapedforwardinthedark，struckhisheadontheopenwindow，andfellscreamingandbleedingtothefloor。Hehadwhathismothercalledafit。
Thedoctorcameandgavehimopium。
WhenSamsonwaswellagain，hisyoungmistressledhimbacktothepiano。
Severalteachersexperimentedwithhim。Theyfoundhehadabsolutepitch，andaremarkablememory。Asaveryyoungchildhecouldrepeat，afterafashion，anycompositionthatwasplayedforhim。
Nomatterhowmanywrongnoteshestruck，heneverlosttheintentionofapassage，hebroughtthesubstanceofitacrossbyirregularandastonishingmeans。Heworehisteachersout。
Hecouldneverlearnlikeotherpeople，neveracquiredanyfinish。
HewasalwaysaNegroprodigywhoplayedbarbarouslyandwonderfully。
Aspiano-playing，itwasperhapsabominable，butasmusicitwassomethingreal，vitalizedbyasenseofrhythmthatwasstrongerthanhisotherphysicalsenses——thatnotonlyfilledhisdarkmind，butworriedhisbodyincessantly。Tohearhim，towatchhim，wastoseeaNegroenjoyinghimselfasonlyaNegrocan。
Itwasasifalltheagreeablesensationspossibletocreaturesoffleshandbloodwereheapeduponthoseblack-and-whitekeys，andheweregloatingoverthemandtricklingthemthroughhisyellowfingers。
Inthemiddleofacrashingwaltz，d"Arnaultsuddenlybegantoplaysoftly，and，turningtooneofthemenwhostoodbehindhim，whispered，`Somebodydancinginthere。"
Hejerkedhisbullet-headtowardthedining-room。`Ihearlittlefeet——girls，Ispect。"
AnsonKirkpatrickmountedachairandpeepedoverthetransom。
Springingdown，hewrenchedopenthedoorsandranoutintothedining-room。TinyandLena，AntoniaandMaryDusak，werewaltzinginthemiddleofthefloor。Theyseparatedandfledtowardthekitchen，giggling。
KirkpatrickcaughtTinybytheelbows。`What"sthematterwithyougirls？Dancingoutherebyyourselves，whenthere"saroomfuloflonesomemenontheothersideofthepartition！
Introducemetoyourfriends，Tiny。"
Thegirls，stilllaughing，weretryingtoescape。Tinylookedalarmed。
`Mrs。Gardenerwouldn"tlikeit，"sheprotested。`She"dbeawfulmadifyouwastocomeouthereanddancewithus。"
`Mrs。Gardener"sinOmaha，girl。Now，you"reLena，areyou？——
andyou"reTonyandyou"reMary。HaveIgotyouallstraight？"
O"Reillyandtheothersbegantopilethechairsonthetables。
JohnnieGardenerraninfromtheoffice。
`Easy，boys，easy！"heentreatedthem。`You"llwakethecook，andthere"llbethedeviltopayforme。Shewon"thearthemusic，butshe"llbedowntheminuteanything"smovedinthedining-room。"
`Oh，whatdoyoucare，Johnnie？FirethecookandwireMollytobringanother。Comealong，nobody"lltelltales。"
Johnnieshookhishead。`"Safact，boys，"hesaidconfidentially。
`IfItakeadrinkinBlackHawk，MollyknowsitinOmaha！"
Hisguestslaughedandslappedhimontheshoulder。`Oh，we"llmakeitallrightwithMolly。Getyourbackup，Johnnie。"
MollywasMrs。Gardener"sname，ofcourse。`MollyBawn"waspaintedinlargebluelettersontheglossywhitesidesofthehotelbus，and`Molly"wasengravedinsideJohnnie"sringandonhiswatch-case——
doubtlessonhisheart，too。Hewasanaffectionatelittleman，andhethoughthiswifeawonderfulwoman；heknewthatwithoutherhewouldhardlybemorethanaclerkinsomeotherman"shotel。
AtawordfromKirkpatrick，d"Arnaultspreadhimselfoutoverthepiano，andbegantodrawthedancemusicoutofit，whiletheperspirationshoneonhisshortwoolandonhisupliftedface。HelookedlikesomeglisteningAfricangodofpleasure，fullofstrong，savageblood。
Wheneverthedancerspausedtochangepartnersortocatchbreath，hewouldboomoutsoftly，`Who"sthatgoin"backonme？
Oneofthesecitygentlemen，Ibet！Now，yougirls，youain"tgoin"
toletthatfloorgetcold？"
Antoniaseemedfrightenedatfirst，andkeptlookingquestioninglyatLenaandTinyoverWillyO"Reilly"sshoulder。
TinySoderballwastrimandslender，withlivelylittlefeetandprettyankles——sheworeherdressesveryshort。
Shewasquickerinspeech，lighterinmovementandmannerthantheothergirls。MaryDusakwasbroadandbrownofcountenance，slightlymarkedbysmallpox，buthandsomeforallthat。
Shehadbeautifulchestnuthair，coilsofit；herforeheadwaslowandsmooth，andhercommandingdarkeyesregardedtheworldindifferentlyandfearlessly。Shelookedboldandresourcefulandunscrupulous，andshewasallofthese。
Theywerehandsomegirls，hadthefreshcolouroftheircountryupbringing，andintheireyesthatbrilliancywhichiscalled——
bynometaphor，alas！——`thelightofyouth。"
D"Arnaultplayeduntilhismanagercameandshutthepiano。
Beforeheleftus，heshowedushisgoldwatchwhichstruckthehours，andatopazring，givenhimbysomeRussiannoblemanwhodelightedinNegromelodies，andhadheardd"ArnaultplayinNewOrleans。Atlasthetappedhiswayupstairs，afterbowingtoeverybody，docileandhappy。
IwalkedhomewithAntonia。Weweresoexcitedthatwedreadedtogotobed。
WelingeredalongwhileattheHarlings"gate，whisperinginthecolduntiltherestlessnesswasslowlychilledoutofus。
VIII
THEHARLINGCHILDRENandIwereneverhappier，neverfeltmorecontentedandsecure，thanintheweeksofspringwhichbrokethatlongwinter。
Wewereoutalldayinthethinsunshine，helpingMrs。HarlingandTonybreakthegroundandplantthegarden，digaroundtheorchardtrees，tieupvinesandclipthehedges。Everymorning，beforeIwasup，IcouldhearTonysinginginthegardenrows。Aftertheappleandcherrytreesbrokeintobloom，weranaboutunderthem，huntingforthenewneststhebirdswerebuilding，throwingclodsateachother，andplayinghide-and-seekwithNina。
Yetthesummerwhichwastochangeeverythingwascomingnearereveryday。
Whenboysandgirlsaregrowingup，lifecan"tstandstill，noteveninthequietestofcountrytowns；andtheyhavetogrowup，whethertheywillorno。
Thatiswhattheireldersarealwaysforgetting。
ItmusthavebeeninJune，forMrs。HarlingandAntoniawerepreservingcherries，whenIstoppedonemorningtotellthemthatadancingpavilionhadcometotown。
Ihadseentwodrayshaulingthecanvasandpaintedpolesupfromthedepot。
Thatafternoonthreecheerful-lookingItaliansstrolledaboutBlackHawk，lookingateverything，andwiththemwasadark，stoutwomanwhoworealonggoldwatch-chainaboutherneckandcarriedablacklaceparasol。
Theyseemedespeciallyinterestedinchildrenandvacantlots。WhenI
overtookthemandstoppedtosayaword，Ifoundthemaffableandconfiding。
TheytoldmetheyworkedinKansasCityinthewinter，andinsummertheywentoutamongthefarmingtownswiththeirtentandtaughtdancing。
Whenbusinessfelloffinoneplace，theymovedontoanother。
ThedancingpavilionwasputupneartheDanishlaundry，onavacantlotsurroundedbytall，archedcottonwoodtrees。
Itwasverymuchlikeamerry-go-roundtent，withopensidesandgayflagsflyingfromthepoles。
Beforetheweekwasover，alltheambitiousmothersweresendingtheirchildrentotheafternoondancingclass。
Atthreeo"clockonemetlittlegirlsinwhitedressesandlittleboysintheround-collaredshirtsofthetime，hurryingalongthesidewalkontheirwaytothetent。
Mrs。Vannireceivedthemattheentrance，alwaysdressedinlavenderwithagreatdealofblacklace，herimportantwatch-chainlyingonherbosom。Sheworeherhaironthetopofherhead，builtupinablacktower，withredcoralcombs。
Whenshesmiled，sheshowedtworowsofstrong，crookedyellowteeth。
Shetaughtthelittlechildrenherself，andherhusband，theharpist，taughttheolderones。
Oftenthemothersbroughttheirfancyworkandsatontheshadysideofthetentduringthelesson。Thepopcornmanwheeledhisglasswagonunderthebigcottonwoodbythedoor，andloungedinthesun，sureofagoodtradewhenthedancingwasover。Mr。Jensen，theDanishlaundryman，usedtobringachairfromhisporchandsitoutinthegrassplot。Someraggedlittleboysfromthedepotsoldpopandicedlemonadeunderawhiteumbrellaatthecorner，andmadefacesatthespruceyoungsterswhocametodance。
Thatvacantlotsoonbecamethemostcheerfulplaceintown。
Evenonthehottestafternoonsthecottonwoodsmadearustlingshade，andtheairsmelledofpopcornandmeltedbutter，andBouncingBetswiltinginthesun。Thosehardyflowershadrunawayfromthelaundryman"sgarden，andthegrassinthemiddleofthelotwaspinkwiththem。
TheVanniskeptexemplaryorder，andclosedeveryeveningatthehoursuggestedbythecitycouncil。WhenMrs。Vannigavethesignal，andtheharpstruckup`Home，SweetHome，"
allBlackHawkknewitwasteno"clock。Youcouldsetyourwatchbythattuneasconfidentlyasbytheroundhousewhistle。
Atlasttherewassomethingtodointhoselong，emptysummerevenings，whenthemarriedpeoplesatlikeimagesontheirfrontporches，andtheboysandgirlstrampedandtrampedtheboardsidewalks——
northwardtotheedgeoftheopenprairie，southtothedepot，thenbackagaintothepost-office，theice-creamparlour，thebutchershop。
Nowtherewasaplacewherethegirlscouldweartheirnewdresses，andwhereonecouldlaughaloudwithoutbeingreprovedbytheensuingsilence。Thatsilenceseemedtooozeoutoftheground，tohangunderthefoliageoftheblackmapletreeswiththebatsandshadows。Nowitwasbrokenbylightheartedsounds。
FirstthedeeppurringofMr。Vanni"sharpcameinsilveryripplesthroughtheblacknessofthedusty-smellingnight；thentheviolinsfellin——oneofthemwasalmostlikeaflute。Theycalledsoarchly，soseductively，thatourfeethurriedtowardthetentofthemselves。
Whyhadn"twehadatentbefore？
Dancingbecamepopularnow，justasrollerskatinghadbeenthesummerbefore。TheProgressiveEuchreClubarrangedwiththeVannisfortheexclusiveuseoftheflooronTuesdayandFridaynights。
Atothertimesanyonecoulddancewhopaidhismoneyandwasorderly；
therailroadmen，theroundhousemechanics，thedeliveryboys，theiceman，thefarm-handswholivednearenoughtorideintotownaftertheirday"sworkwasover。
InevermissedaSaturdaynightdance。Thetentwasopenuntilmidnightthen。Thecountryboyscameinfromfarmseightandtenmilesaway，andallthecountrygirlswereonthefloor——AntoniaandLenaandTiny，andtheDanishlaundrygirlsandtheirfriends。
Iwasnottheonlyboywhofoundthesedancesgayerthantheothers。
TheyoungmenwhobelongedtotheProgressiveEuchreClubusedtodropinlateandriskatiffwiththeirsweetheartsandgeneralcondemnationforawaltzwith`thehiredgirls。"
IX
THEREWASACURIOUSsocialsituationinBlackHawk。Alltheyoungmenfelttheattractionofthefine，well-set-upcountrygirlswhohadcometotowntoearnaliving，and，innearlyeverycase，tohelpthefatherstruggleoutofdebt，ortomakeitpossiblefortheyoungerchildrenofthefamilytogotoschool。
Thosegirlshadgrownupinthefirstbitter-hardtimes，andhadgotlittleschoolingthemselves。Buttheyoungerbrothersandsisters，forwhomtheymadesuchsacrificesandwhohavehad`advantages，"neverseemtome，whenImeetthemnow，halfasinterestingoraswelleducated。
Theoldergirls，whohelpedtobreakupthewildsod，learnedsomuchfromlife，frompoverty，fromtheirmothersandgrandmothers；theyhadall，likeAntonia，beenearlyawakenedandmadeobservantbycomingatatenderagefromanoldcountrytoanew。
IcanrememberascoreofthesecountrygirlswhowereinserviceinBlackHawkduringthefewyearsIlivedthere，andIcanremembersomethingunusualandengagingabouteachofthem。
Physicallytheywerealmostaraceapart，andout-of-doorworkhadgiventhemavigourwhich，whentheygotovertheirfirstshynessoncomingtotown，developedintoapositivecarriageandfreedomofmovement，andmadethemconspicuousamongBlackHawkwomen。
Thatwasbeforethedayofhigh-schoolathletics。
Girlswhohadtowalkmorethanhalfamiletoschoolwerepitied。
Therewasnotatennis-courtinthetown；physicalexercisewasthoughtratherinelegantforthedaughtersofwell-to-dofamilies。
Someofthehigh-schoolgirlswerejollyandpretty，buttheystayedindoorsinwinterbecauseofthecold，andinsummerbecauseoftheheat。
Whenonedancedwiththem，theirbodiesnevermovedinsidetheirclothes；
theirmusclesseemedtoaskbutonething——nottobedisturbed。
Irememberthosegirlsmerelyasfacesintheschoolroom，gayandrosy，orlistlessanddull，cutoffbelowtheshoulders，likecherubs，bytheink-smearedtopsofthehighdesksthatweresurelyputtheretomakeusround-shoulderedandhollow-chested。
ThedaughtersofBlackHawkmerchantshadaconfident，unenquiringbeliefthattheywere`refined，"andthatthecountrygirls，who`workedout，"werenot。TheAmericanfarmersinourcountywerequiteashard-pressedastheirneighboursfromothercountries。
AllalikehadcometoNebraskawithlittlecapitalandnoknowledgeofthesoiltheymustsubdue。Allhadborrowedmoneyontheirland。
ButnomatterinwhatstraitsthePennsylvanianorVirginianfoundhimself，hewouldnotlethisdaughtersgooutintoservice。
Unlesshisgirlscouldteachacountryschool，theysatathomeinpoverty。
TheBohemianandScandinaviangirlscouldnotgetpositionsasteachers，becausetheyhadhadnoopportunitytolearnthelanguage。
Determinedtohelpinthestruggletoclearthehomesteadfromdebt，theyhadnoalternativebuttogointoservice。Someofthem，aftertheycametotown，remainedasseriousandasdiscreetinbehaviourastheyhadbeenwhentheyploughedandherdedontheirfather"sfarm。Others，likethethreeBohemianMarys，triedtomakeupfortheyearsofyouththeyhadlost。Buteveryoneofthemdidwhatshehadsetouttodo，andsenthomethosehard-earneddollars。
ThegirlsIknewwerealwayshelpingtopayforploughsandreapers，brood-sows，orsteerstofatten。
Oneresultofthisfamilysolidaritywasthattheforeignfarmersinourcountywerethefirsttobecomeprosperous。
Afterthefatherswereoutofdebt，thedaughtersmarriedthesonsofneighbours——usuallyoflikenationality——
andthegirlswhoonceworkedinBlackHawkkitchensareto-daymanagingbigfarmsandfinefamiliesoftheirown；
theirchildrenarebetteroffthanthechildrenofthetownwomentheyusedtoserve。
Ithoughttheattitudeofthetownpeopletowardthesegirlsverystupid。
IfItoldmyschoolmatesthatLenaLingard"sgrandfatherwasaclergyman，andmuchrespectedinNorway，theylookedatmeblankly。Whatdiditmatter？
Allforeignerswereignorantpeoplewhocouldn"tspeakEnglish。
TherewasnotamaninBlackHawkwhohadtheintelligenceorcultivation，muchlessthepersonaldistinction，ofAntonia"sfather。YetpeoplesawnodifferencebetweenherandthethreeMarys；theywereallBohemians，all`hiredgirls。"
IalwaysknewIshouldlivelongenoughtoseemycountrygirlscomeintotheirown，andIhave。To-daythebestthataharassedBlackHawkmerchantcanhopeforistosellprovisionsandfarmmachineryandautomobilestotherichfarmswherethatfirstcropofstalwartBohemianandScandinaviangirlsarenowthemistresses。
TheBlackHawkboyslookedforwardtomarryingBlackHawkgirls，andlivinginabrand-newlittlehousewithbestchairsthatmustnotbesatupon，andhand-paintedchinathatmustnotbeused。
Butsometimesayoungfellowwouldlookupfromhisledger，oroutthroughthegratingofhisfather"sbank，andlethiseyesfollowLenaLingard，asshepassedthewindowwithherslow，undulatingwalk，orTinySoderball，trippingbyinhershortskirtandstripedstockings。
Thecountrygirlswereconsideredamenacetothesocialorder。
Theirbeautyshoneouttooboldlyagainstaconventionalbackground。
Butanxiousmothersneedhavefeltnoalarm。Theymistookthemettleoftheirsons。TherespectforrespectabilitywasstrongerthananydesireinBlackHawkyouth。
Ouryoungmanofpositionwaslikethesonofaroyalhouse；
theboywhosweptouthisofficeordrovehisdeliverywagonmightfrolicwiththejollycountrygirls，buthehimselfmustsitalleveninginaplushparlourwhereconversationdraggedsoperceptiblythatthefatheroftencameinandmadeblunderingeffortstowarmuptheatmosphere。
Onhiswayhomefromhisdullcall，hewouldperhapsmeetTonyandLena，comingalongthesidewalkwhisperingtoeachother，orthethreeBohemianMarysintheirlongplushcoatsandcaps，comportingthemselveswithadignitythatonlymadetheireventfulhistoriesthemorepiquant。
Ifhewenttothehoteltoseeatravellingmanonbusiness，therewasTiny，archinghershouldersathimlikeakitten。
Ifhewentintothelaundrytogethiscollars，therewerethefourDanishgirls，smilingupfromtheirironing-boards，withtheirwhitethroatsandtheirpinkcheeks。
ThethreeMarysweretheheroinesofacycleofscandalousstories，whichtheoldmenwerefondofrelatingastheysataboutthecigar-standinthedrugstore。MaryDusakhadbeenhousekeeperforabachelorrancherfromBoston，andafterseveralyearsinhisserviceshewasforcedtoretirefromtheworldforashorttime。
Latershecamebacktotowntotaketheplaceofherfriend，MarySvoboda，whowassimilarlyembarrassed。ThethreeMaryswereconsideredasdangerousashighexplosivestohaveaboutthekitchen，yettheyweresuchgoodcooksandsuchadmirablehousekeepersthattheyneverhadtolookforaplace。
TheVannis"tentbroughtthetownboysandthecountrygirlstogetheronneutralground。SylvesterLovett，whowascashierinhisfather"sbank，alwaysfoundhiswaytothetentonSaturdaynight。
HetookallthedancesLenaLingardwouldgivehim，andevengrewboldenoughtowalkhomewithher。Ifhissistersortheirfriendshappenedtobeamongtheonlookerson`popularnights，"
Sylvesterstoodbackintheshadowunderthecottonwoodtrees，smokingandwatchingLenawithaharassedexpression。
SeveraltimesIstumbleduponhimthereinthedark，andI
feltrathersorryforhim。HeremindedmeofOleBenson，whousedtositonthedrawsideandwatchLenaherdhercattle。
Laterinthesummer，whenLenawenthomeforaweektovisithermother，IheardfromAntoniathatyoungLovettdroveallthewayouttheretoseeher，andtookherbuggy-riding。
InmyingenuousnessIhopedthatSylvesterwouldmarryLena，andthusgiveallthecountrygirlsabetterpositioninthetown。
SylvesterdalliedaboutLenauntilhebegantomakemistakesinhiswork；
hadtostayatthebankuntilafterdarktomakehisbooksbalance。
Hewasdaftabouther，andeveryoneknewit。Toescapefromhispredicamentheranawaywithawidowsixyearsolderthanhimself，whoownedahalf-section。Thisremedyworked，apparently。HeneverlookedatLenaagain，norliftedhiseyesasheceremoniouslytippedhishatwhenhehappenedtomeetheronthesidewalk。
Sothatwaswhattheywerelike，Ithought，thesewhite-handed，high-collaredclerksandbookkeepers！IusedtoglareatyoungLovettfromadistanceandonlywishedIhadsomewayofshowingmycontemptforhim。
X
ITWASATTHEVannis"tentthatAntoniawasdiscovered。HithertoshehadbeenlookeduponmoreasawardoftheHarlingsthanasoneofthe`hiredgirls。"
Shehadlivedintheirhouseandyardandgarden；herthoughtsneverseemedtostrayoutsidethatlittlekingdom。ButafterthetentcametotownshebegantogoaboutwithTinyandLenaandtheirfriends。
TheVannisoftensaidthatAntoniawasthebestdancerofthemall。
IsometimesheardmurmursinthecrowdoutsidethepavilionthatMrs。Harlingwouldsoonhaveherhandsfullwiththatgirl。
Theyoungmenbegantojokewitheachotherabout`theHarlings"Tony"astheydidabout`theMarshalls"Anna"or`theGardeners"Tiny。"
Antoniatalkedandthoughtofnothingbutthetent。Shehummedthedancetunesallday。Whensupperwaslate，shehurriedwithherdishes，droppedandsmashedtheminherexcitement。
Atthefirstcallofthemusic，shebecameirresponsible。
Ifshehadn"ttimetodress，shemerelyflungoffherapronandshotoutofthekitchendoor。SometimesIwentwithher；
themomentthelightedtentcameintoviewshewouldbreakintoarun，likeaboy。Therewerealwayspartnerswaitingforher；
shebegantodancebeforeshegotherbreath。
Antonia"ssuccessatthetenthaditsconsequences。
Theicemanlingeredtoolongnow，whenhecameintothecoveredporchtofilltherefrigerator。Thedeliveryboyshungaboutthekitchenwhentheybroughtthegroceries。
YoungfarmerswhowereintownforSaturdaycametrampingthroughtheyardtothebackdoortoengagedances，ortoinviteTonytopartiesandpicnics。LenaandNorwegianAnnadroppedintohelpherwithherwork，sothatshecouldgetawayearly。
TheboyswhobroughtherhomeafterthedancessometimeslaughedatthebackgateandwakenedMr。Harlingfromhisfirstsleep。
Acrisiswasinevitable。
OneSaturdaynightMr。Harlinghadgonedowntothecellarforbeer。
Ashecameupthestairsinthedark，heheardscufflingonthebackporch，andthenthesoundofavigorousslap。
Helookedoutthroughthesidedoorintimetoseeapairoflonglegsvaultingoverthepicketfence。
Antoniawasstandingthere，angryandexcited。YoungHarryPaine，whowastomarryhisemployer"sdaughteronMonday，hadcometothetentwithacrowdoffriendsanddancedallevening。
Afterward，hebeggedAntoniatolethimwalkhomewithher。
Shesaidshesupposedhewasaniceyoungman，ashewasoneofMissFrances"sfriends，andshedidn"tmind。
Onthebackporchhetriedtokissher，andwhensheprotested——
becausehewasgoingtobemarriedonMonday——hecaughtherandkissedheruntilshegotonehandfreeandslappedhim。
Mr。Harlingputhisbeer-bottlesdownonthetable。
`ThisiswhatI"vebeenexpecting，Antonia。You"vebeengoingwithgirlswhohaveareputationforbeingfreeandeasy，andnowyou"vegotthesamereputation。Iwon"thavethisandthatfellowtrampingaboutmybackyardallthetime。
Thisistheendofit，tonight。Itstops，short。Youcanquitgoingtothesedances，oryoucanhuntanotherplace。
Thinkitover。"
ThenextmorningwhenMrs。HarlingandFrancestriedtoreasonwithAntonia，theyfoundheragitatedbutdetermined。
`Stopgoingtothetent？"shepanted。`Iwouldn"tthinkofitforaminute！Myownfathercouldn"tmakemestop！
Mr。Harlingain"tmybossoutsidemywork。Iwon"tgiveupmyfriends，either。TheboysIgowitharenicefellows。
IthoughtMr。Painewasallright，too，becauseheusedtocomehere。
IguessIgavehimaredfaceforhiswedding，allright！"
sheblazedoutindignantly。
`You"llhavetodoonethingortheother，Antonia，"Mrs。Harlingtoldherdecidedly。`Ican"tgobackonwhatMr。Harlinghassaid。
Thisishishouse。"
`ThenI"lljustleave，Mrs。Harling。Lena"sbeenwantingmetogetaplaceclosertoherforalongwhile。MarySvoboda"sgoingawayfromtheCutters"
toworkatthehotel，andIcanhaveherplace。"
Mrs。Harlingrosefromherchair。`Antonia，ifyougototheCutters"towork，youcannotcomebacktothishouseagain。
Youknowwhatthatmanis。Itwillbetheruinofyou。"
Tonysnatcheduptheteakettleandbegantopourboilingwaterovertheglasses，laughingexcitedly。`Oh，Icantakecareofmyself！I"malotstrongerthanCutteris。
Theypayfourdollarsthere，andthere"snochildren。
Thework"snothing；Icanhaveeveryevening，andbeoutalotintheafternoons。"
`Ithoughtyoulikedchildren。Tony，what"scomeoveryou？"
`Idon"tknow，somethinghas。"Antoniatossedherheadandsetherjaw。
`Agirllikemehasgottotakehergoodtimeswhenshecan。
Maybetherewon"tbeanytentnextyear。IguessIwanttohavemyfling，liketheothergirls。"
Mrs。Harlinggaveashort，harshlaugh。`IfyougotoworkfortheCutters，you"relikelytohaveaflingthatyouwon"tgetupfrominahurry。"
Francessaid，whenshetoldgrandmotherandmeaboutthisscene，thateverypanandplateandcupontheshelvestrembledwhenhermotherwalkedoutofthekitchen。Mrs。HarlingdeclaredbitterlythatshewishedshehadneverletherselfgetfondofAntonia。
XI
WICKCUTTERWASthemoney-lenderwhohadfleecedpoorRussianPeter。
WhenafarmeroncegotintothehabitofgoingtoCutter，itwaslikegamblingorthelottery；inanhourofdiscouragementhewentback。
Cutter"sfirstnamewasWycliffe，andhelikedtotalkabouthispiousbringing-up。HecontributedregularlytotheProtestantchurches，`forsentiment"ssake，"ashesaidwithaflourishofthehand。
HecamefromatowninIowawheretherewereagreatmanySwedes，andcouldspeakalittleSwedish，whichgavehimagreatadvantagewiththeearlyScandinaviansettlers。
Ineveryfrontiersettlementtherearemenwhohavecometheretoescaperestraint。Cutterwasoneofthe`fastset"
ofBlackHawkbusinessmen。Hewasaninveterategambler，thoughapoorloser。Whenwesawalightburninginhisofficelateatnight，weknewthatagameofpokerwasgoingon。
Cutterboastedthatheneverdrankanythingstrongerthansherry，andhesaidhegothisstartinlifebysavingthemoneythatotheryoungmenspentforcigars。Hewasfullofmoralmaximsforboys。Whenhecametoourhouseonbusiness，hequoted`PoorRichard"sAlmanack"tome，andtoldmehewasdelightedtofindatownboywhocouldmilkacow。
Hewasparticularlyaffabletograndmother，andwhenevertheymethewouldbeginatoncetotalkabout`thegoodoldtimes"
andsimpleliving。Idetestedhispink，baldhead，andhisyellowwhiskers，alwayssoftandglistening。
Itwassaidhebrushedthemeverynight，asawomandoesherhair。
Hiswhiteteethlookedfactory-made。Hisskinwasredandrough，asiffromperpetualsunburn；heoftenwentawaytohotspringstotakemudbaths。Hewasnotoriouslydissolutewithwomen。
TwoSwedishgirlswhohadlivedinhishouseweretheworsefortheexperience。OneofthemhehadtakentoOmahaandestablishedinthebusinessforwhichhehadfittedher。
Hestillvisitedher。
Cutterlivedinastateofperpetualwarfarewithhiswife，andyet，apparently，theyneverthoughtofseparating。
Theydweltinafussy，scroll-workhouse，paintedwhiteandburiedinthickevergreens，withafussywhitefenceandbarn。
Cutterthoughtheknewagreatdealabouthorses，andusuallyhadacoltwhichhewastrainingforthetrack。
OnSundaymorningsonecouldseehimoutatthefairgrounds，speedingaroundtherace-courseinhistrotting-buggy，wearingyellowglovesandablack-and-white-checktravellingcap，hiswhiskersblowingbackinthebreeze。
Iftherewereanyboysabout，Cutterwouldofferoneofthemaquartertoholdthestop-watch，andthendriveoff，sayinghehadnochangeandwould`fixitupnexttime。"
Noonecouldcuthislawnorwashhisbuggytosuithim。
Hewassofastidiousandprimabouthisplacethataboywouldgotoagooddealoftroubletothrowadeadcatintohisbackyard，ortodumpasackfuloftincansinhisalley。
Itwasapeculiarcombinationofold-maidishnessandlicentiousnessthatmadeCutterseemsodespicable。
HehadcertainlymethismatchwhenhemarriedMrs。Cutter。
Shewasaterrifying-lookingperson；almostagiantessinheight，raw-boned，withiron-greyhair，afacealwaysflushed，andprominent，hystericaleyes。Whenshemeanttobeentertainingandagreeable，shenoddedherheadincessantlyandsnappedhereyesatone。
Herteethwerelongandcurved，likeahorse"s；peoplesaidbabiesalwayscriedifshesmiledatthem。Herfacehadakindoffascinationforme:itwastheverycolourandshapeofanger。
Therewasagleamofsomethingakintoinsanityinherfull，intenseeyes。Shewasformalinmanner，andmadecallsinrustling，steel-greybrocadesandatallbonnetwithbristlingaigrettes。
Mrs。Cutterpaintedchinasoassiduouslythatevenherwash-bowlsandpitchers，andherhusband"sshaving-mug，werecoveredwithvioletsandlilies。Once，whenCutterwasexhibitingsomeofhiswife"schinatoacaller，hedroppedapiece。
Mrs。Cutterputherhandkerchieftoherlipsasifsheweregoingtofaintandsaidgrandly:`Mr。Cutter，youhavebrokenalltheCommandments——sparethefinger-bowls！"
TheyquarrelledfromthemomentCuttercameintothehouseuntiltheywenttobedatnight，andtheirhiredgirlsreportedthesescenestothetownatlarge。Mrs。CutterhadseveraltimescutparagraphsaboutunfaithfulhusbandsoutofthenewspapersandmailedthemtoCutterinadisguisedhandwriting。Cutterwouldcomehomeatnoon，findthemutilatedjournalinthepaper-rack，andtriumphantlyfittheclippingintothespacefromwhichithadbeencut。
Thosetwocouldquarrelallmorningaboutwhetherheoughttoputonhisheavyorhislightunderwear，andalleveningaboutwhetherhehadtakencoldornot。
TheCuttershadmajoraswellasminorsubjectsfordispute。
Thechiefofthesewasthequestionofinheritance:Mrs。Cuttertoldherhusbanditwasplainlyhisfaulttheyhadnochildren。
HeinsistedthatMrs。Cutterhadpurposelyremainedchildless，withthedeterminationtooutlivehimandtosharehispropertywithher`people，"whomhedetested。Tothisshewouldreplythatunlesshechangedhismodeoflife，shewouldcertainlyoutlivehim。
Afterlisteningtoherinsinuationsabouthisphysicalsoundness，Cutterwouldresumehisdumb-bellpracticeforamonth，orrisedailyatthehourwhenhiswifemostlikedtosleep，dressnoisily，anddriveouttothetrackwithhistrotting-horse。
Oncewhentheyhadquarrelledabouthouseholdexpenses，Mrs。Cutterputonherbrocadeandwentamongtheirfriendssolicitingordersforpaintedchina，sayingthatMr。Cutterhadcompelledher`tolivebyherbrush。"
Cutterwasn"tshamedasshehadexpected；hewasdelighted！
Cutteroftenthreatenedtochopdownthecedartreeswhichhalf-buriedthehouse。HiswifedeclaredshewouldleavehimifshewerestrippedoftheIprivacy"whichshefeltthesetreesaffordedher。
Thatwashisopportunity，surely；buthenevercutdownthetrees。
TheCuttersseemedtofindtheirrelationstoeachotherinterestingandstimulating，andcertainlytherestofusfoundthemso。
WickCutterwasdifferentfromanyotherrascalIhaveeverknown，butIhavefoundMrs。Cuttersallovertheworld；sometimesfoundingnewreligions，sometimesbeingforciblyfed——easilyrecognizable，evenwhensuperficiallytamed。
XII
AFTERANTONIAWENTTOlivewiththeCutters，sheseemedtocareaboutnothingbutpicnicsandpartiesandhavingagoodtime。
Whenshewasnotgoingtoadance，sheseweduntilmidnight。
Hernewclotheswerethesubjectofcausticcomment。
UnderLena"sdirectionshecopiedMrs。Gardener"snewpartydressandMrs。Smith"sstreetcostumesoingeniouslyincheapmaterialsthatthoseladiesweregreatlyannoyed，andMrs。Cutter，whowasjealousofthem，wassecretlypleased。
Tonyworeglovesnow，andhigh-heeledshoesandfeatheredbonnets，andshewentdowntownnearlyeveryafternoonwithTinyandLenaandtheMarshalls"NorwegianAnna。Wehigh-schoolboysusedtolingerontheplaygroundattheafternoonrecesstowatchthemastheycametrippingdownthehillalongtheboardsidewalk，twoandtwo。
Theyweregrowingprettiereveryday，butastheypassedus，IusedtothinkwithpridethatAntonia，likeSnow-Whiteinthefairytale，wasstill`fairestofthemall。"
Beingaseniornow，Igotawayfromschoolearly。
SometimesIovertookthegirlsdowntownandcoaxedthemintotheice-creamparlour，wheretheywouldsitchatteringandlaughing，tellingmeallthenewsfromthecountry。
IrememberhowangryTinySoderballmademeoneafternoon。ShedeclaredshehadheardgrandmotherwasgoingtomakeaBaptistpreacherofme。
`Iguessyou"llhavetostopdancingandwearawhitenecktiethen。
Won"thelookfunny，girls？"
Lenalaughed。`You"llhavetohurryup，Jim。Ifyou"regoingtobeapreacher，Iwantyoutomarryme。Youmustpromisetomarryusall，andthenbaptizethebabies。"
NorwegianAnna，alwaysdignified，lookedatherreprovingly。
`Baptistsdon"tbelieveinchristeningbabies，dothey，Jim？"
ItoldherIdidn"tknowwhattheybelieved，anddidn"tcare，andthatIcertainlywasn"tgoingtobeapreacher。
`That"stoobad，"Tinysimpered。Shewasinateasingmood。`You"dmakesuchagoodone。You"resostudious。Maybeyou"dliketobeaprofessor。
YouusedtoteachTony，didn"tyou？"
Antoniabrokein。`I"vesetmyheartonJimbeingadoctor。You"dbegoodwithsickpeople，Jim。Yourgrandmother"strainedyouupsonice。
Mypapaalwayssaidyouwereanawfulsmartboy。"
IsaidIwasgoingtobewhateverIpleased。`Won"tyoubesurprised，MissTiny，ifIturnouttobearegulardevilofafellow？"
TheylaugheduntilaglancefromNorwegianAnnacheckedthem；thehigh-schoolprincipalhadjustcomeintothefrontpartoftheshoptobuybreadforsupper。AnnaknewthewhisperwasgoingaboutthatIwasaslyone。
Peoplesaidtheremustbesomethingqueeraboutaboywhoshowednointerestingirlsofhisownage，butwhocouldbelivelyenoughwhenhewaswithTonyandLenaorthethreeMarys。
Theenthusiasmforthedance，whichtheVannishadkindled，didnotatoncedieout。Afterthetentlefttown，theEuchreClubbecametheOwlClub，andgavedancesintheMasonicHallonceaweek。Iwasinvitedtojoin，butdeclined。
Iwasmoodyandrestlessthatwinter，andtiredofthepeopleIsaweveryday。CharleyHarlingwasalreadyatAnnapolis，whileIwasstillsittinginBlackHawk，answeringtomynameatroll-calleverymorning，risingfrommydeskatthesoundofabellandmarchingoutlikethegrammar-schoolchildren。
Mrs。Harlingwasalittlecooltowardme，becauseIcontinuedtochampionAntonia。Whatwasthereformetodoaftersupper？
UsuallyIhadlearnednextday"slessonsbythetimeIlefttheschoolbuilding，andIcouldn"tsitstillandreadforever。
IntheeveningIusedtoprowlabout，huntingfordiversion。
Therelaythefamiliarstreets，frozenwithsnoworliquidwithmud。
Theyledtothehousesofgoodpeoplewhowereputtingthebabiestobed，orsimplysittingstillbeforetheparlourstove，digestingtheirsupper。BlackHawkhadtwosaloons。
Oneofthemwasadmitted，evenbythechurchpeople，tobeasrespectableasasalooncouldbe。HandsomeAntonJelinek，whohadrentedhishomesteadandcometotown，wastheproprietor。
InhissaloontherewerelongtableswheretheBohemianandGermanfarmerscouldeatthelunchestheybroughtfromhomewhiletheydranktheirbeer。Jelinekkeptryebreadonhandandsmokedfishandstrongimportedcheesestopleasetheforeignpalate。
Ilikedtodropintohisbar-roomandlistentothetalk。
Butonedayheovertookmeonthestreetandclappedmeontheshoulder。
`Jim，"hesaid，`IamgoodfriendswithyouandIalwaysliketoseeyou。
Butyouknowhowthechurchpeoplethinkaboutsaloons。Yourgrandpahasalwaystreatedmefine，andIdon"tliketohaveyoucomeintomyplace，becauseIknowhedon"tlikeit，anditputsmeinbadwithhim。"
SoIwasshutoutofthat。
Onecouldhangaboutthedrugstore；andlistentotheoldmenwhosatthereeveryevening，talkingpoliticsandtellingrawstories。
OnecouldgotothecigarfactoryandchatwiththeoldGermanwhoraisedcanariesforsale，andlookathisstuffedbirds。
Butwhateveryoubeganwithhim，thetalkwentbacktotaxidermy。
Therewasthedepot，ofcourse；Ioftenwentdowntoseethenighttraincomein，andafterwardsatawhilewiththedisconsolatetelegrapherwhowasalwayshopingtobetransferredtoOmahaorDenver，`wheretherewassomelife。"
Hewassuretobringouthispicturesofactressesanddancers。
Hegotthemwithcigarettecoupons，andnearlysmokedhimselftodeathtopossessthesedesiredformsandfaces。
Forachange，onecouldtalktothestationagent；
buthewasanothermalcontent；spentallhissparetimewritingletterstoofficialsrequestingatransfer。HewantedtogetbacktoWyomingwherehecouldgotrout-fishingonSundays。
Heusedtosay`therewasnothinginlifeforhimbuttroutstreams，eversincehe"dlosthistwins。"
ThesewerethedistractionsIhadtochoosefrom。
Therewerenootherlightsburningdowntownafternineo"clock。
OnstarlightnightsIusedtopaceupanddownthoselong，coldstreets，scowlingatthelittle，sleepinghousesoneitherside，withtheirstorm-windowsandcoveredbackporches。
Theywereflimsyshelters，mostofthempoorlybuiltoflightwood，withspindleporch-postshorriblymutilatedbytheturning-lathe。Yetforalltheirfrailness，howmuchjealousyandenvyandunhappinesssomeofthemmanagedtocontain！
Thelifethatwentoninthemseemedtomemadeupofevasionsandnegations；shiftstosavecooking，tosavewashingandcleaning，devicestopropitiatethetongueofgossip。
Thisguardedmodeofexistencewaslikelivingunderatyranny。
People"sspeech，theirvoices，theirveryglances，becamefurtiveandrepressed。Everyindividualtaste，everynaturalappetite，wasbridledbycaution。Thepeopleasleepinthosehouses，Ithought，triedtolivelikethemiceintheirownkitchens；
tomakenonoise，toleavenotrace，toslipoverthesurfaceofthingsinthedark。Thegrowingpilesofashesandcindersinthebackyardsweretheonlyevidencethatthewasteful，consumingprocessoflifewentonatall。OnTuesdaynightstheOwlClubdanced；thentherewasalittlestirinthestreets，andhereandthereonecouldseealightedwindowuntilmidnight。
Butthenextnightallwasdarkagain。
AfterIrefusedtojoin`theOwls，"astheywerecalled，ImadeaboldresolvetogototheSaturdaynightdancesatFiremen"sHall。
Iknewitwouldbeuselesstoacquaintmyelderswithanysuchplan。
Grandfatherdidn"tapproveofdancing，anyway；hewouldonlysaythatifI
wantedtodanceIcouldgototheMasonicHall，among`thepeopleweknew。"
ItwasjustmypointthatIsawaltogethertoomuchofthepeopleweknew。
Mybedroomwasonthegroundfloor，andasIstudiedthere，Ihadastoveinit。IusedtoretiretomyroomearlyonSaturdaynight，changemyshirtandcollarandputonmySundaycoat。
Iwaiteduntilallwasquietandtheoldpeoplewereasleep，thenraisedmywindow，climbedout，andwentsoftlythroughtheyard。
ThefirsttimeIdeceivedmygrandparentsIfeltrathershabby，perhapseventhesecondtime，butIsoonceasedtothinkaboutit。
ThedanceattheFiremen"sHallwastheonethingIlookedforwardtoalltheweek。ThereImetthesamepeopleIusedtoseeattheVannis"tent。SometimestherewereBohemiansfromWilber，orGermanboyswhocamedownontheafternoonfreightfromBismarck。
TonyandLenaandTinywerealwaysthere，andthethreeBohemianMarys，andtheDanishlaundrygirls。
ThefourDanishgirlslivedwiththelaundrymanandhiswifeintheirhousebehindthelaundry，withabiggardenwheretheclotheswerehungouttodry。
Thelaundrymanwasakind，wiseoldfellow，whopaidhisgirlswell，lookedoutforthem，andgavethemagoodhome。Hetoldmeoncethathisowndaughterdiedjustasshewasgettingoldenoughtohelphermother，andthathehadbeen`tryingtomakeupforiteversince。"
Onsummerafternoonsheusedtositforhoursonthesidewalkinfrontofhislaundry，hisnewspaperlyingonhisknee，watchinghisgirlsthroughthebigopenwindowwhiletheyironedandtalkedinDanish。
Thecloudsofwhitedustthatblewupthestreet，thegustsofhotwindthatwitheredhisvegetablegarden，neverdisturbedhiscalm。
Hisdrollexpressionseemedtosaythathehadfoundthesecretofcontentment。Morningandeveninghedroveaboutinhisspringwagon，distributingfreshlyironedclothes，andcollectingbagsoflinenthatcriedoutforhissudsandsunnydrying-lines。Hisgirlsneverlookedsoprettyatthedancesastheydidstandingbytheironing-board，oroverthetubs，washingthefinepieces，theirwhitearmsandthroatsbare，theircheeksbrightasthebrightestwildroses，theirgoldhairmoistwiththesteamortheheatandcurlinginlittledampspiralsabouttheirears。
TheyhadnotlearnedmuchEnglish，andwerenotsoambitiousasTonyorLena；buttheywerekind，simplegirlsandtheywerealwayshappy。
Whenonedancedwiththem，onesmelledtheirclean，freshlyironedclothesthathadbeenputawaywithrosemaryleavesfromMr。Jensen"sgarden。
Therewerenevergirlsenoughtogoroundatthosedances，buteveryonewantedaturnwithTonyandLena。
Lenamovedwithoutexertion，ratherindolently，andherhandoftenaccentedtherhythmsoftlyonherpartner"sshoulder。
Shesmiledifonespoketoher，butseldomanswered。Themusicseemedtoputherintoasoft，wakingdream，andherviolet-colouredeyeslookedsleepilyandconfidinglyatonefromunderherlonglashes。