第6章

Whenshesighedsheexhaledaheavyperfumeofsachetpowder。

Todance`Home，SweetHome，"withLenawaslikecominginwiththetide。

Shedancedeverydancelikeawaltz，anditwasalwaysthesamewaltz——

thewaltzofcominghometosomething，ofinevitable，fatedreturn。

Afterawhileonegotrestlessunderit，asonedoesundertheheatofasoft，sultrysummerday。

WhenyouspunoutintothefloorwithTony，youdidn"treturntoanything。Yousetouteverytimeuponanewadventure。

Ilikedtoschottischewithher；shehadsomuchspringandvariety，andwasalwaysputtinginnewstepsandslides。

Shetaughtmetodanceagainstandaroundthehard-and-fastbeatofthemusic。If，insteadofgoingtotheendoftherailroad，oldMr。ShimerdahadstayedinNewYorkandpickedupalivingwithhisfiddle，howdifferentAntonia"slifemighthavebeen！

AntoniaoftenwenttothedanceswithLarryDonovan，apassengerconductorwhowasakindofprofessionalladies"man，aswesaid。

Irememberhowadmiringlyalltheboyslookedatherthenightshefirstworehervelveteendress，madelikeMrs。Gardener"sblackvelvet。Shewaslovelytosee，withhereyesshining，andherlipsalwaysalittlepartedwhenshedanced。

Thatconstant，darkcolourinhercheeksneverchanged。

OneeveningwhenDonovanwasoutonhisrun，AntoniacametothehallwithNorwegianAnnaandheryoungman，andthatnightItookherhome。

WhenwewereintheCutters"yard，shelteredbytheevergreens，Itoldhershemustkissmegoodnight。

`Why，sure，Jim。"Amomentlatershedrewherfaceawayandwhisperedindignantly，`Why，Jim！Youknowyouain"trighttokissmelikethat。

I"lltellyourgrandmotheronyou！"

`LenaLingardletsmekissher，"Iretorted，`andI"mnothalfasfondofherasIamofyou。"

`Lenadoes？"Tonygasped。`Ifshe"suptoanyofhernonsensewithyou，I"llscratchhereyesout！"Shetookmyarmagainandwewalkedoutofthegateandupanddownthesidewalk。

`Now，don"tyougoandbeafoollikesomeofthesetownboys。

You"renotgoingtositaroundhereandwhittlestore-boxesandtellstoriesallyourlife。Youaregoingawaytoschoolandmakesomethingofyourself。I"mjustawfulproudofyou。

Youwon"tgoandgetmixedupwiththeSwedes，willyou？"

`Idon"tcareanythingaboutanyofthembutyou，"Isaid。

`Andyou"llalwaystreatmelikeakid，suppose。"

Shelaughedandthrewherarmsaroundme。`IexpectIwill，butyou"reakidI"mawfulfondof，anyhow！Youcanlikemeallyouwantto，butifIseeyouhangingroundwithLenamuch，I"llgotoyourgrandmother，assureasyourname"sJimBurden！

Lena"sallright，only——well，youknowyourselfshe"ssoftthatway。

Shecan"thelpit。It"snaturaltoher。"

Ifshewasproudofme，IwassoproudofherthatIcarriedmyheadhighasIemergedfromthedarkcedarsandshuttheCutters"gatesoftlybehindme。Herwarm，sweetface，herkindarms，andthetrueheartinher；shewas，oh，shewasstillmyAntonia！Ilookedwithcontemptatthedark，silentlittlehousesaboutmeasIwalkedhome，andthoughtofthestupidyoungmenwhowereasleepinsomeofthem。

Iknewwheretherealwomenwere，thoughIwasonlyaboy；

andIwouldnotbeafraidofthem，either！

IhatedtoenterthestillhousewhenIwenthomefromthedances，anditwaslongbeforeIcouldgettosleep。

TowardmorningIusedtohavepleasantdreams:sometimesTonyandIwereoutinthecountry，slidingdownstraw-stacksasweusedtodo；climbinguptheyellowmountainsoverandover，andslippingdownthesmoothsidesintosoftpilesofchaff。

OnedreamIdreamedagreatmanytimes，anditwasalwaysthesame。

Iwasinaharvest-fieldfullofshocks，andIwaslyingagainstoneofthem。

LenaLingardcameacrossthestubblebarefoot，inashortskirt，withacurvedreaping-hookinherhand，andshewasflushedlikethedawn，withakindofluminousrosinessallabouther。Shesatdownbesideme，turnedtomewithasoftsighandsaid，`Nowtheyareallgone，andI

cankissyouasmuchasIlike。"

IusedtowishIcouldhavethisflatteringdreamaboutAntonia，butIneverdid。

XIII

INOTICEDONEAFTERNOONthatgrandmotherhadbeencrying。

Herfeetseemedtodragasshemovedaboutthehouse，andI

gotupfromthetablewhereIwasstudyingandwenttoher，askingifshedidn"tfeelwell，andifIcouldn"thelpherwithherwork。

`No，thankyou，Jim。I"mtroubled，butIguessI"mwellenough。

Gettingalittlerustyinthebones，maybe，"sheaddedbitterly。

Istoodhesitating。`Whatareyoufrettingabout，grandmother？

Hasgrandfatherlostanymoney？"

`No，itain"tmoney。Iwishitwas。ButI"veheardthings。

Youmust"a"knownitwouldcomebacktomesometime。"

Shedroppedintoachair，and，coveringherfacewithherapron，begantocry。`Jim，"shesaid，`Iwasneveronethatclaimedoldfolkscouldbringuptheirgrandchildren。

Butitcameaboutso；therewasn"tanyotherwayforyou，itseemedlike。"

Iputmyarmsaroundher。Icouldn"tbeartoseehercry。

`Whatisit，grandmother？IsittheFiremen"sdances？"

Shenodded。

`I"msorryIsneakedofflikethat。Butthere"snothingwrongaboutthedances，andIhaven"tdoneanythingwrong。

Ilikeallthosecountrygirls，andIliketodancewiththem。

That"sallthereistoit。"

`Butitain"trighttodeceiveus，son，anditbringsblameonus。

Peoplesayyouaregrowinguptobeabadboy，andthatain"tjusttous。"

`Idon"tcarewhattheysayaboutme，butifithurtsyou，thatsettlesit。

Iwon"tgototheFiremen"sHallagain。"

Ikeptmypromise，ofcourse，butIfoundthespringmonthsdullenough。

Isatathomewiththeoldpeopleintheeveningsnow，readingLatinthatwasnotinourhigh-schoolcourse。Ihadmadeupmymindtodoalotofcollegerequirementworkinthesummer，andtoenterthefreshmanclassattheuniversitywithoutconditionsinthefall。

Iwantedtogetawayassoonaspossible。

Disapprobationhurtme，Ifound——eventhatofpeoplewhomIdidnotadmire。

Asthespringcameon，Igrewmoreandmorelonely，andfellbackonthetelegrapherandthecigar-makerandhiscanariesforcompanionship。

IrememberItookamelancholypleasureinhangingaMay-basketforNinaHarlingthatspring。IboughttheflowersfromanoldGermanwomanwhoalwayshadmorewindowplantsthananyoneelse，andspentanafternoontrimmingalittleworkbasket。Whenduskcameon，andthenewmoonhunginthesky，IwentquietlytotheHarlings"frontdoorwithmyoffering，rangthebell，andthenranawayaswasthecustom。

ThroughthewillowhedgeIcouldhearNina"scriesofdelight，andIfeltcomforted。

Onthosewarm，softspringeveningsIoftenlingereddowntowntowalkhomewithFrances，andtalkedtoheraboutmyplansandaboutthereadingIwasdoing。OneeveningshesaidshethoughtMrs。Harlingwasnotseriouslyoffendedwithme。

`Mamaisasbroad-mindedasmotherseverare，Iguess。

ButyouknowshewashurtaboutAntonia，andshecan"tunderstandwhyyouliketobewithTinyandLenabetterthanwiththegirlsofyourownset。"

`Canyou？"Iaskedbluntly。

Franceslaughed。`Yes，IthinkIcan。Youknewtheminthecountry，andyouliketotakesides。Insomewaysyou"reolderthanboysofyourage。

Itwillbeallrightwithmamaafteryoupassyourcollegeexaminationsandsheseesyou"reinearnest。"

`Ifyouwereaboy，"Ipersisted，`youwouldn"tbelongtotheOwlClub，either。You"dbejustlikeme。"

Sheshookherhead。`IwouldandIwouldn"t。IexpectIknowthecountrygirlsbetterthanyoudo。Youalwaysputakindofglamouroverthem。Thetroublewithyou，Jim，isthatyou"reromantic。Mama"sgoingtoyourCommencement。SheaskedmetheotherdayifIknewwhatyourorationistobeabout。

Shewantsyoutodowell。"

Ithoughtmyorationverygood。ItstatedwithfervouragreatmanythingsIhadlatelydiscovered。Mrs。HarlingcametotheOperaHousetoheartheCommencementexercises，andIlookedathermostofthetimewhileImademyspeech。

Herkeen，intelligenteyesneverleftmyface。

Afterwardshecamebacktothedressing-roomwherewestood，withourdiplomasinourhands，walkeduptome，andsaidheartily:

`Yousurprisedme，Jim。Ididn"tbelieveyoucoulddoaswellasthat。Youdidn"tgetthatspeechoutofbooks。"

AmongmygraduationpresentstherewasasilkumbrellafromMrs。Harling，withmynameonthehandle。

IwalkedhomefromtheOperaHousealone。AsIpassedtheMethodistChurch，Isawthreewhitefiguresaheadofme，pacingupanddownunderthearchingmapletrees，wherethemoonlightfilteredthroughthelushJunefoliage。

Theyhurriedtowardme；theywerewaitingforme——LenaandTonyandAnnaHansen。

`Oh，Jim，itwassplendid！"Tonywasbreathinghard，asshealwaysdidwhenherfeelingsoutranherlanguage。

`Thereain"talawyerinBlackHawkcouldmakeaspeechlikethat。Ijuststoppedyourgrandpaandsaidsotohim。

Hewon"ttellyou，buthetoldushewasawfulsurprisedhimself，didn"the，girls？"

Lenasidleduptomeandsaidteasingly，`Whatmadeyousosolemn？

Ithoughtyouwerescared。Iwassureyou"dforget。"

Annaspokewistfully。

`Itmustmakeyouveryhappy，Jim，tohavefinethoughtslikethatinyourmindallthetime，andtohavewordstoputthemin。

Ialwayswantedtogotoschool，youknow。"

`Oh，Ijustsatthereandwishedmypapacouldhearyou！Jim"——Antoniatookholdofmycoatlapels——"therewassomethinginyourspeechthatmademethinksoaboutmypapa！"

`IthoughtaboutyourpapawhenIwrotemyspeech，Tony，"Isaid。

`Idedicatedittohim。"

Shethrewherarmsaroundme，andherdearfacewasallwetwithtears。

Istoodwatchingtheirwhitedressesglimmersmallerandsmallerdownthesidewalkastheywentaway。Ihavehadnoothersuccessthatpulledatmyheartstringslikethatone。

XIV

THEDAYAFTERCOMMENCEMENTImovedmybooksanddeskupstairs，toanemptyroomwhereIshouldbeundisturbed，andIfelltostudyinginearnest。

Iworkedoffayear"strigonometrythatsummer，andbeganVirgilalone。

MorningaftermorningIusedtopaceupanddownmysunnylittleroom，lookingoffatthedistantriverbluffsandtherolloftheblondpasturesbetween，scanningthe`Aeneid"aloudandcommittinglongpassagestomemory。SometimesintheeveningMrs。HarlingcalledtomeasIpassedhergate，andaskedmetocomeinandletherplayforme。

ShewaslonelyforCharley，shesaid，andlikedtohaveaboyabout。

Whenevermygrandparentshadmisgivings，andbegantowonderwhetherIwasnottooyoungtogoofftocollegealone，Mrs。Harlingtookupmycausevigorously。GrandfatherhadsuchrespectforherjudgmentthatIknewhewouldnotgoagainsther。

Ihadonlyoneholidaythatsummer。ItwasinJuly。

ImetAntoniadowntownonSaturdayafternoon，andlearnedthatsheandTinyandLenaweregoingtotherivernextdaywithAnnaHansen——theelderwasallinbloomnow，andAnnawantedtomakeelderblowwine。

`Anna"stodriveusdownintheMarshalls"deliverywagon，andwe"lltakeanicelunchandhaveapicnic。Justus；nobodyelse。

Couldn"tyouhappenalong，Jim？Itwouldbelikeoldtimes。"

Iconsideredamoment。`MaybeIcan，ifIwon"tbeintheway。"

OnSundaymorningIroseearlyandgotoutofBlackHawkwhilethedewwasstillheavyonthelongmeadowgrasses。

Itwasthehighseasonforsummerflowers。

Thepinkbee-bushstoodtallalongthesandyroadsides，andthecone-flowersandrosemallowgreweverywhere。

Acrossthewirefence，inthelonggrass，Isawaclumpofflamingorange-colouredmilkweed，rareinthatpartofthestate。

Ilefttheroadandwentaroundthroughastretchofpasturethatwasalwayscroppedshortinsummer，wherethegaillardiacameupyearafteryearandmattedoverthegroundwiththedeep，velvetyredthatisinBokharacarpets。ThecountrywasemptyandsolitaryexceptforthelarksthatSundaymorning，anditseemedtoliftitselfuptomeandtocomeveryclose。

Theriverwasrunningstrongformidsummer；heavyrainstothewestofushadkeptitfull。Icrossedthebridgeandwentupstreamalongthewoodedshoretoapleasantdressing-roomIknewamongthedogwoodbushes，allovergrownwithwildgrapevines。Ibegantoundressforaswim。

Thegirlswouldnotbealongyet。ForthefirsttimeitoccurredtomethatIshouldbehomesickforthatriverafterIleftit。

Thesandbars，withtheircleanwhitebeachesandtheirlittlegrovesofwillowsandcottonwoodseedlings，wereasortofNoMan"sLand，littlenewlycreatedworldsthatbelongedtotheBlackHawkboys。

CharleyHarlingandIhadhuntedthroughthesewoods，fishedfromthefallenlogs，untilIkneweveryinchoftherivershoresandhadafriendlyfeelingforeverybarandshallow。

Aftermyswim，whileIwasplayingaboutindolentlyinthewater，Iheardthesoundofhoofsandwheelsonthebridge。

Istruckdownstreamandshouted，astheopenspringwagoncameintoviewonthemiddlespan。Theystoppedthehorse，andthetwogirlsinthebottomofthecartstoodup，steadyingthemselvesbytheshouldersofthetwoinfront，sothattheycouldseemebetter。Theywerecharmingupthere，huddledtogetherinthecartandpeeringdownatmelikecuriousdeerwhentheycomeoutofthethickettodrink。

Ifoundbottomnearthebridgeandstoodup，wavingtothem。

`Howprettyyoulook！"Icalled。

`Sodoyou！"theyshoutedaltogether，andbrokeintopealsoflaughter。

AnnaHansenshookthereinsandtheydroveon，whileIzigzaggedbacktomyinletandclamberedupbehindanoverhangingelm。

Idriedmyselfinthesun，anddressedslowly，reluctanttoleavethatgreenenclosurewherethesunlightflickeredsobrightthroughthegrapevineleavesandthewoodpeckerhammeredawayinthecrookedelmthattrailedoutoverthewater。

AsIwentalongtheroadbacktothebridge，Ikeptpickingofflittlepiecesofscalychalkfromthedriedwatergullies，andbreakingthemupinmyhands。

WhenIcameupontheMarshalls"deliveryhorse，tiedintheshade，thegirlshadalreadytakentheirbasketsandgonedowntheeastroadwhichwoundthroughthesandandscrub。

Icouldhearthemcallingtoeachother。Theelderbushesdidnotgrowbackintheshadyravinesbetweenthebluffs，butinthehot，sandybottomsalongthestream，wheretheirrootswerealwaysinmoistureandtheirtopsinthesun。

Theblossomswereunusuallyluxuriantandbeautifulthatsummer。

Ifollowedacattlepaththroughthethickunder-brushuntilI

cametoaslopethatfellawayabruptlytothewater"sedge。

Agreatchunkoftheshorehadbeenbittenoutbysomespringfreshet，andthescarwasmaskedbyelderbushes，growingdowntothewaterinfloweryterraces。Ididnottouchthem。Iwasovercomebycontentanddrowsinessandbythewarmsilenceaboutme。

Therewasnosoundbutthehigh，singsongbuzzofwildbeesandthesunnygurgleofthewaterunderneath。Ipeepedovertheedgeofthebanktoseethelittlestreamthatmadethenoise；

itflowedalongperfectlyclearoverthesandandgravel，cutofffromthemuddymaincurrentbyalongsandbar。

Downthere，onthelowershelfofthebank，IsawAntonia，seatedaloneunderthepagoda-likeelders。Shelookedupwhensheheardme，andsmiled，butIsawthatshehadbeencrying。

Isliddownintothesoftsandbesideherandaskedherwhatwasthematter。

`Itmakesmehomesick，Jimmy，thisflower，thissmell，"shesaidsoftly。

`Wehavethisflowerverymuchathome，intheoldcountry。

Italwaysgrewinouryardandmypapahadagreenbenchandatableunderthebushes。Insummer，whentheywereinbloom，heusedtosittherewithhisfriendthatplayedthetrombone。

WhenIwaslittleIusedtogodowntheretohearthemtalk——

beautifultalk，likewhatIneverhearinthiscountry。"

`Whatdidtheytalkabout？"Iaskedher。

Shesighedandshookherhead。`Oh，Idon"tknow！Aboutmusic，andthewoods，andaboutGod，andwhentheywereyoung。"

Sheturnedtomesuddenlyandlookedintomyeyes。

`Youthink，Jimmy，thatmaybemyfather"sspiritcangobacktothoseoldplaces？"

Itoldheraboutthefeelingofherfather"spresenceI

hadonthatwinterdaywhenmygrandparentshadgoneovertoseehisdeadbodyandIwasleftaloneinthehouse。

IsaidIfeltsurethenthathewasonhiswaybacktohisowncountry，andthatevennow，whenIpassedhisgrave，Ialwaysthoughtofhimasbeingamongthewoodsandfieldsthatweresodeartohim。

Antoniahadthemosttrusting，responsiveeyesintheworld；

loveandcredulousnessseemedtolookoutofthemwithopenfaces。

`Whydidn"tyouevertellmethatbefore？Itmakesmefeelmoresureforhim。"Afterawhileshesaid:`Youknow，Jim，myfatherwasdifferentfrommymother。Hedidnothavetomarrymymother，andallhisbrothersquarrelledwithhimbecausehedid。

Iusedtoheartheoldpeopleathomewhisperaboutit。

Theysaidhecouldhavepaidmymothermoney，andnotmarriedher。

Buthewasolderthanshewas，andhewastookindtotreatherlikethat。

Helivedinhismother"shouse，andshewasapoorgirlcomeintodothework。Aftermyfathermarriedher，mygrandmotherneverletmymothercomeintoherhouseagain。WhenIwenttomygrandmother"sfuneralwastheonlytimeIwaseverinmygrandmother"shouse。

Don"tthatseemstrange？"

Whileshetalked，Ilaybackinthehotsandandlookedupattheblueskybetweentheflatbouquetsofelder。Icouldhearthebeeshummingandsinging，buttheystayedupinthesunabovetheflowersanddidnotcomedownintotheshadowoftheleaves。

AntoniaseemedtomethatdayexactlylikethelittlegirlwhousedtocometoourhousewithMr。Shimerda。

`Someday，Tony，Iamgoingovertoyourcountry，andIamgoingtothelittletownwhereyoulived。

Doyourememberallaboutit？"

`Jim，"shesaidearnestly，`ifIwasputdownthereinthemiddleofthenight，Icouldfindmywayalloverthatlittletown；

andalongtherivertothenexttown，wheremygrandmotherlived。

Myfeetrememberallthelittlepathsthroughthewoods，andwherethebigrootsstickouttotripyou。Iain"tneverforgotmyowncountry。"

Therewasacracklinginthebranchesaboveus，andLenaLingardpeereddownovertheedgeofthebank。

`Youlazythings！"shecried。`Allthiselder，andyoutwolyingthere！Didn"tyouhearuscallingyou？"

Almostasflushedasshehadbeeninmydream，sheleanedovertheedgeofthebankandbegantodemolishourflowerypagoda。

Ihadneverseenhersoenergetic；shewaspantingwithzeal，andtheperspirationstoodindropsonhershort，yieldingupperlip。

Isprangtomyfeetandranupthebank。

Itwasnoonnow，andsohotthatthedogwoodsandscrub-oaksbegantoturnupthesilveryundersideoftheirleaves，andallthefoliagelookedsoftandwilted。Icarriedthelunch-baskettothetopofoneofthechalkbluffs，whereevenonthecalmestdaystherewasalwaysabreeze。

Theflat-topped，twistedlittleoaksthrewlightshadowsonthegrass。Belowuswecouldseethewindingsoftheriver，andBlackHawk，groupedamongitstrees，and，beyond，therollingcountry，swellinggentlyuntilitmetthesky。

Wecouldrecognizefamiliarfarm-housesandwindmills。

Eachofthegirlspointedouttomethedirectioninwhichherfather"sfarmlay，andtoldmehowmanyacreswereinwheatthatyearandhowmanyincorn。

`Myoldfolks，"saidTinySoderball，`haveputintwentyacresofrye。

Theygetitgroundatthemill，anditmakesnicebread。

Itseemslikemymotherain"tbeensohomesick，eversincefather"sraisedryeflourforher。"

`Itmusthavebeenatrialforourmothers，"saidLena，`comingouthereandhavingtodoeverythingdifferent。

Mymotherhadalwayslivedintown。Shesaysshestartedbehindinfarm-work，andneverhascaughtup。"

`Yes，anewcountry"shardontheoldones，sometimes，"

saidAnnathoughtfully。`Mygrandmother"sgettingfeeblenow，andhermindwanders。She"sforgotaboutthiscountry，andthinksshe"sathomeinNorway。Shekeepsaskingmothertotakeherdowntothewatersideandthefishmarket。

Shecravesfishallthetime。WheneverIgohomeItakehercannedsalmonandmackerel。"

`Mercy，it"shot！"Lenayawned。Shewassupineunderalittleoak，restingafterthefuryofherelder-hunting，andhadtakenoffthehigh-heeledslippersshehadbeensillyenoughtowear。

`Comehere，Jim。Younevergotthesandoutofyourhair。"

Shebegantodrawherfingersslowlythroughmyhair。

Antoniapushedheraway。`You"llnevergetitoutlikethat，"

shesaidsharply。Shegavemyheadaroughtouzlingandfinishedmeoffwithsomethinglikeaboxontheear。

`Lena，yououghtn"ttotrytowearthoseslippersanymore。

They"retoosmallforyourfeet。You"dbettergivethemtomeforYulka。"

`Allright，"saidLenagood-naturedly，tuckingherwhitestockingsunderherskirt。`YougetallYulka"sthings，don"tyou？

Iwishfatherdidn"thavesuchbadluckwithhisfarmmachinery；

thenIcouldbuymorethingsformysisters。I"mgoingtogetMaryanewcoatthisfall，ifthesulkyplough"sneverpaidfor！"

Tinyaskedherwhyshedidn"twaituntilafterChristmas，whencoatswouldbecheaper。`Whatdoyouthinkofpoorme？"sheadded；

`withsixathome，youngerthanIam？AndtheyallthinkI"mrich，becausewhenIgobacktothecountryI"mdressedsofine！"

Sheshruggedhershoulders。`But，youknow，myweaknessisplaythings。

Iliketobuythemplaythingsbetterthanwhattheyneed。"

`Iknowhowthatis，"saidAnna。`Whenwefirstcamehere，andIwaslittle，weweretoopoortobuytoys。InevergotoverthelossofadollsomebodygavemebeforeweleftNorway。

AboyontheboatbrokeherandIstillhatehimforit。"

`Iguessafteryougothereyouhadplentyoflivedollstonurse，likeme！"

Lenaremarkedcynically。

`Yes，thebabiescamealongprettyfast，tobesure。ButIneverminded。

Iwasfondofthemall。Theyoungestone，thatwedidn"tanyofuswant，istheonewelovebestnow。"

Lenasighed。`Oh，thebabiesareallright；ifonlytheydon"tcomeinwinter。Oursnearlyalwaysdid。Idon"tseehowmotherstoodit。

Itellyouwhat，girls"——shesatupwithsuddenenergy——"I"mgoingtogetmymotheroutofthatoldsodhousewhereshe"slivedsomanyyears。

Themenwillneverdoit。Johnnie，that"smyoldestbrother，he"swantingtogetmarriednow，andbuildahouseforhisgirlinsteadofhismother。

Mrs。ThomassaysshethinksIcanmovetosomeothertownprettysoon，andgointobusinessformyself。IfIdon"tgetintobusiness，I"llmaybemarryarichgambler。"

`Thatwouldbeapoorwaytogeton，"saidAnnasarcastically。

`IwishIcouldteachschool，likeSelmaKronn。Justthink！

She"llbethefirstScandinaviangirltogetapositioninthehighschool。

Weoughttobeproudofher。"

Selmawasastudiousgirl，whohadnotmuchtoleranceforgiddythingslikeTinyandLena；buttheyalwaysspokeofherwithadmiration。

Tinymovedaboutrestlessly，fanningherselfwithherstrawhat。

`IfIwassmartlikeher，I"dbeatmybooksdayandnight。

Butshewasbornsmart——andlookhowherfather"strainedher！

Hewassomethinghighupintheoldcountry。"

`Sowasmymother"sfather，"murmuredLena，`butthat"sallthegooditdoesus！Myfather"sfatherwassmart，too，buthewaswild。

HemarriedaLapp。Iguessthat"swhat"sthematterwithme；

theysayLappbloodwillout。"

`ArealLapp，Lena？"Iexclaimed。`Thekindthatwearskins？"

`Idon"tknowifsheworeskins，butshewasaLappsallright，andhisfolksfeltdreadfulaboutit。HewassentupNorthonsomegovernmentjobhehad，andfellinwithher。

Hewouldmarryher。"

`ButIthoughtLaplandwomenwerefatandugly，andhadsquinteyes，likeChinese？"Iobjected。

`Idon"tknow，maybe。TheremustbesomethingmightytakingabouttheLappgirls，though；mothersaystheNorwegiansupNortharealwaysafraidtheirboyswillrunafterthem。"

Intheafternoon，whentheheatwaslessoppressive，wehadalivelygameof`PussyWantsaCorner，"ontheflatbluff-top，withthelittletreesforbases。LenawasPussysooftenthatshefinallysaidshewouldn"tplayanymore。

Wethrewourselvesdownonthegrass，outofbreath。

`Jim，"Antoniasaiddreamily，`IwantyoutotellthegirlsabouthowtheSpanishfirstcamehere，likeyouandCharleyHarlingusedtotalkabout。

I"vetriedtotellthem，butIleaveoutsomuch。"

Theysatunderalittleoak，Tonyrestingagainstthetrunkandtheothergirlsleaningagainstherandeachother，andlistenedtothelittleIwasabletotellthemaboutCoronadoandhissearchfortheSevenGoldenCities。

AtschoolweweretaughtthathehadnotgotsofarnorthasNebraska，buthadgivenuphisquestandturnedbacksomewhereinKansas。

ButCharleyHarlingandIhadastrongbeliefthathehadbeenalongthisveryriver。Afarmerinthecountynorthofours，whenhewasbreakingsod，hadturnedupametalstirrupoffineworkmanship，andaswordwithaSpanishinscriptionontheblade。

HelenttheserelicstoMr。Harling，whobroughtthemhomewithhim。

CharleyandIscouredthem，andtheywereonexhibitionintheHarlingofficeallsummer。FatherKelly，thepriest，hadfoundthenameoftheSpanishmakerontheswordandanabbreviationthatstoodforthecityofCordova。

`AndthatIsawwithmyowneyes，"Antoniaputintriumphantly。

`SoJimandCharleywereright，andtheteacherswerewrong！"

Thegirlsbegantowonderamongthemselves。WhyhadtheSpaniardscomesofar？Whatmustthiscountryhavebeenlike，then？

WhyhadCoronadonevergonebacktoSpain，tohisrichesandhiscastlesandhisking？Icouldn"ttellthem。

Ionlyknewtheschoolbookssaidhe`diedinthewilderness，ofabrokenheart。"

`Morethanhimhasdonethat，"saidAntoniasadly，andthegirlsmurmuredassent。

Wesatlookingoffacrossthecountry，watchingthesungodown。

Thecurlygrassaboutuswasonfirenow。Thebarkoftheoaksturnedredascopper。Therewasashimmerofgoldonthebrownriver。

Outinthestreamthesandbarsglitteredlikeglass，andthelighttrembledinthewillowthicketsasiflittleflameswereleapingamongthem。Thebreezesanktostillness。Intheravinearingdovemournedplaintively，andsomewhereoffinthebushesanowlhooted。

Thegirlssatlistless，leaningagainsteachother。Thelongfingersofthesuntouchedtheirforeheads。

Presentlywesawacuriousthing:Therewerenoclouds，thesunwasgoingdowninalimpid，gold-washedsky。Justastheloweredgeofthereddiskrestedonthehighfieldsagainstthehorizon，agreatblackfiguresuddenlyappearedonthefaceofthesun。

Wesprangtoourfeet，strainingoureyestowardit。Inamomentwerealizedwhatitwas。Onsomeuplandfarm，aploughhadbeenleftstandinginthefield。Thesunwassinkingjustbehindit。

Magnifiedacrossthedistancebythehorizontallight，itstoodoutagainstthesun，wasexactlycontainedwithinthecircleofthedisk；

thehandles，thetongue，theshare——blackagainstthemoltenred。

Thereitwas，heroicinsize，apicturewritingonthesun。

Evenwhilewewhisperedaboutit，ourvisiondisappeared；theballdroppedanddroppeduntiltheredtipwentbeneaththeearth。

Thefieldsbelowusweredark，theskywasgrowingpale，andthatforgottenploughhadsunkbacktoitsownlittlenesssomewhereontheprairie。

XV

LATEINAUGUSTtheCutterswenttoOmahaforafewdays，leavingAntoniainchargeofthehouse。SincethescandalabouttheSwedishgirl，WickCuttercouldnevergethiswifetostiroutofBlackHawkwithouthim。

ThedayaftertheCuttersleft，Antoniacameovertoseeus。

Grandmothernoticedthatsheseemedtroubledanddistracted。

`You"vegotsomethingonyourmind，Antonia，"shesaidanxiously。

`Yes，Mrs。Burden。Icouldn"tsleepmuchlastnight。"Shehesitated，andthentoldushowstrangelyMr。Cutterhadbehavedbeforehewentaway。

Heputallthesilverinabasketandplaceditunderherbed，andwithitaboxofpaperswhichhetoldherwerevaluable。

Hemadeherpromisethatshewouldnotsleepawayfromthehouse，orbeoutlateintheevening，whilehewasgone。Hestrictlyforbadehertoaskanyofthegirlssheknewtostaywithheratnight。

Shewouldbeperfectlysafe，hesaid，ashehadjustputanewYalelockonthefrontdoor。

Cutterhadbeensoinsistentinregardtothesedetailsthatnowshefeltuncomfortableaboutstayingtherealone。Shehadn"tlikedthewayhekeptcomingintothekitchentoinstructher，orthewayhelookedather。

`Ifeelasifheisuptosomeofhistricksagain，andisgoingtotrytoscareme，somehow。"

Grandmotherwasapprehensiveatonce。`Idon"tthinkit"srightforyoutostaythere，feelingthatway。Isupposeitwouldn"tberightforyoutoleavetheplacealone，either，aftergivingyourword。

MaybeJimwouldbewillingtogooverthereandsleep，andyoucouldcomeherenights。I"dfeelsafer，knowingyouwereundermyownroof。

IguessJimcouldtakecareoftheirsilverandoldusurynotesaswellasyoucould。"

Antoniaturnedtomeeagerly。`Oh，wouldyou，Jim？I"dmakeupmybedniceandfreshforyou。It"sarealcoolroom，andthebed"srightnextthewindow。Iwasafraidtoleavethewindowopenlastnight。"

Ilikedmyownroom，andIdidn"tliketheCutters"houseunderanycircumstances；butTonylookedsotroubledthatIconsentedtotrythisarrangement。IfoundthatIsleptthereaswellasanywhere，andwhenIgothomeinthemorning，Tonyhadagoodbreakfastwaitingforme。

Afterprayersshesatdownatthetablewithus，anditwaslikeoldtimesinthecountry。

ThethirdnightIspentattheCutters"，IawokesuddenlywiththeimpressionthatIhadheardadooropenandshut。

Everythingwasstill，however，andImusthavegonetosleepagainimmediately。

ThenextthingIknew，Ifeltsomeonesitdownontheedgeofthebed。Iwasonlyhalfawake，butIdecidedthathemighttaketheCutters"silver，whoeverhewas。

PerhapsifIdidnotmove，hewouldfinditandgetoutwithouttroublingme。Iheldmybreathandlayabsolutelystill。

Ahandclosedsoftlyonmyshoulder，andatthesamemomentI

feltsomethinghairyandcologne-scentedbrushingmyface。

Iftheroomhadsuddenlybeenfloodedwithelectriclight，Icouldn"thaveseenmoreclearlythedetestablebeardedcountenancethatIknewwasbendingoverme。

Icaughtahandfulofwhiskersandpulled，shoutingsomething。

Thehandthatheldmyshoulderwasinstantlyatmythroat。

Themanbecameinsane；hestoodoverme，chokingmewithonefistandbeatingmeinthefacewiththeother，hissingandchucklingandlettingoutafloodofabuse。

`Sothisiswhatshe"suptowhenI"maway，isit？

Whereisshe，younastywhelp，whereisshe？Underthebed，areyou，hussy？Iknowyourtricks！WaittillIgetatyou！

I"llfixthisratyou"vegotinhere。He"scaught，allright！"

SolongasCutterhadmebythethroat，therewasnochanceformeatall。

Igotholdofhisthumbandbentitback，untilheletgowithayell。

Inabound，Iwasonmyfeet，andeasilysenthimsprawlingtothefloor。

ThenImadeadivefortheopenwindow，struckthewirescreen，knockeditout，andtumbledafteritintotheyard。

SuddenlyIfoundmyselfrunningacrossthenorthendofBlackHawkinmynight-shirt，justasonesometimesfindsone"sselfbehavinginbaddreams。

WhenIgothome，Iclimbedinatthekitchenwindow。Iwascoveredwithbloodfrommynoseandlip，butIwastoosicktodoanythingaboutit。

Ifoundashawlandanovercoatonthehat-rack，laydownontheparloursofa，andinspiteofmyhurts，wenttosleep。

Grandmotherfoundmethereinthemorning。Hercryoffrightawakenedme。Truly，Iwasabatteredobject。Asshehelpedmetomyroom，Icaughtaglimpseofmyselfinthemirror。

Mylipwascutandstoodoutlikeasnout。Mynoselookedlikeabigblueplum，andoneeyewasswollenshutandhideouslydiscoloured。

Grandmothersaidwemusthavethedoctoratonce，butIimploredher，asIhadneverbeggedforanythingbefore，nottosendforhim。

Icouldstandanything，Itoldher，solongasnobodysawmeorknewwhathadhappenedtome。Ientreatedhernottoletgrandfather，even，comeintomyroom。Sheseemedtounderstand，thoughIwastoofaintandmiserabletogointoexplanations。

Whenshetookoffmynight-shirt，shefoundsuchbruisesonmychestandshouldersthatshebegantocry。Shespentthewholemorningbathingandpoulticingme，andrubbingmewitharnica。

IheardAntoniasobbingoutsidemydoor，butIaskedgrandmothertosendheraway。IfeltthatIneverwantedtoseeheragain。

IhatedheralmostasmuchasIhatedCutter。Shehadletmeinforallthisdisgustingness。GrandmotherkeptsayinghowthankfulweoughttobethatIhadbeenthereinsteadofAntonia。ButIlaywithmydisfiguredfacetothewallandfeltnoparticulargratitude。

Myoneconcernwasthatgrandmothershouldkeepeveryoneawayfromme。

Ifthestoryoncegotabroad，Iwouldneverhearthelastofit。

Icouldwellimaginewhattheoldmendownatthedrugstorewoulddowithsuchatheme。

Whilegrandmotherwastryingtomakemecomfortable，grandfatherwenttothedepotandlearnedthatWickCutterhadcomehomeonthenightexpressfromtheeast，andhadleftagainonthesixo"clocktrainforDenverthatmorning。

Theagentsaidhisfacewasstripedwithcourt-plaster，andhecarriedhislefthandinasling。Helookedsousedup，thattheagentaskedhimwhathadhappenedtohimsinceteno"clockthenightbefore；whereatCutterbegantoswearathimandsaidhewouldhavehimdischargedforincivility。

Thatafternoon，whileIwasasleep，Antoniatookgrandmotherwithher，andwentovertotheCutters"topackhertrunk。Theyfoundtheplacelockedup，andtheyhadtobreakthewindowtogetintoAntonia"sbedroom。

Thereeverythingwasinshockingdisorder。Herclotheshadbeentakenoutofhercloset，thrownintothemiddleoftheroom，andtrampledandtorn。

MyowngarmentshadbeentreatedsobadlythatIneversawthemagain；

grandmotherburnedthemintheCutters"kitchenrange。

WhileAntoniawaspackinghertrunkandputtingherroominorder，toleaveit，thefrontdoorbellrangviolently。TherestoodMrs。Cutter——

lockedout，forshehadnokeytothenewlock——herheadtremblingwithrage。

`Iadvisedhertocontrolherself，orshewouldhaveastroke，"

grandmothersaidafterward。

GrandmotherwouldnotletherseeAntoniaatall，butmadehersitdownintheparlourwhilesherelatedtoherjustwhathadoccurredthenightbefore。

Antoniawasfrightened，andwasgoinghometostayforawhile，shetoldMrs。Cutter；itwouldbeuselesstointerrogatethegirl，forsheknewnothingofwhathadhappened。

ThenMrs。Cuttertoldherstory。SheandherhusbandhadstartedhomefromOmahatogetherthemorningbefore。TheyhadtostopoverseveralhoursatWaymoreJunctiontocatchtheBlackHawktrain。Duringthewait，CutterleftheratthedepotandwenttotheWaymorebanktoattendtosomebusiness。

Whenhereturned，hetoldherthathewouldhavetostayovernightthere，butshecouldgoonhome。Heboughtherticketandputheronthetrain。

Shesawhimslipatwenty-dollarbillintoherhandbagwithherticket。

Thatbill，shesaid，shouldhavearousedhersuspicionsatonce——butdidnot。

Thetrainsarenevercalledatlittlejunctiontowns；

everybodyknowswhentheycomein。Mr。Cuttershowedhiswife"stickettotheconductor，andsettledherinherseatbeforethetrainmovedoff。ItwasnotuntilnearlynightfallthatshediscoveredshewasontheexpressboundforKansasCity，thatherticketwasmadeouttothatpoint，andthatCuttermusthaveplanneditso。TheconductortoldhertheBlackHawktrainwasdueatWaymoretwelveminutesaftertheKansasCitytrainleft。ShesawatoncethatherhusbandhadplayedthistrickinordertogetbacktoBlackHawkwithouther。

ShehadnochoicebuttogoontoKansasCityandtakethefirstfasttrainforhome。

Cuttercouldhavegothomeadayearlierthanhiswifebyanyoneofadozensimplerdevices；hecouldhaveleftherintheOmahahotel，andsaidhewasgoingontoChicagoforafewdays。

Butapparentlyitwaspartofhisfuntooutrageherfeelingsasmuchaspossible。

`Mr。Cutterwillpayforthis，Mrs。Burden。Hewillpay！"

Mrs。Cutteravouched，noddingherhorse-likeheadandrollinghereyes。

Grandmothersaidshehadn"tadoubtofit。

CertainlyCutterlikedtohavehiswifethinkhimadevil。

InsomewayhedependedupontheexcitementHecouldarouseinherhystericalnature。Perhapshegotthefeelingofbeingarakemorefromhiswife"srageandamazementthanfromanyexperiencesofhisown。

Hiszestindebaucherymightwane，butneverMrs。Cutter"sbeliefinit。

Thereckoningwithhiswifeattheendofanescapadewassomethinghecountedon——likethelastpowerfulliqueurafteralongdinner。

Theoneexcitementhereallycouldn"tdowithoutwasquarrellingwithMrs。Cutter！

EndofBookII

BOOKIIILenaLingardI

ATTHEUNIVERSITYIhadthegoodfortunetocomeimmediatelyundertheinfluenceofabrilliantandinspiringyoungscholar。

GastonClerichadarrivedinLincolnonlyafewweeksearlierthanI，tobeginhisworkasheadoftheLatinDepartment。

HecameWestatthesuggestionofhisphysicians，hishealthhavingbeenenfeebledbyalongillnessinItaly。

WhenItookmyentranceexaminations，hewasmyexaminer，andmycoursewasarrangedunderhissupervision。

Ididnotgohomeformyfirstsummervacation，butstayedinLincoln，workingoffayear"sGreek，whichhadbeenmyonlyconditiononenteringthefreshmanclass。Cleric"sdoctoradvisedagainsthisgoingbacktoNewEngland，and，exceptforafewweeksinColorado，he，too，wasinLincolnallthatsummer。

Weplayedtennis，read，andtooklongwalkstogether。

Ishallalwayslookbackonthattimeofmentalawakeningasoneofthehappiestinmylife。GastonClericintroducedmetotheworldofideas；whenonefirstentersthatworldeverythingelsefadesforatime，andallthatwentbeforeisasifithadnotbeen。YetIfoundcurioussurvivals；

someofthefiguresofmyoldlifeseemedtobewaitingformeinthenew。

Inthosedaysthereweremanyseriousyoungmenamongthestudentswhohadcomeuptotheuniversityfromthefarmsandthelittletownsscatteredoverthethinlysettledstate。

Someofthoseboyscamestraightfromthecornfieldswithonlyasummer"swagesintheirpockets，hungonthroughthefouryears，shabbyandunderfed，andcompletedthecoursebyreallyheroicself-sacrifice。Ourinstructorswereoddlyassorted；

wanderingpioneerschool-teachers，strandedministersoftheGospel，afewenthusiasticyoungmenjustoutofgraduateschools。

Therewasanatmosphereofendeavour，ofexpectancyandbrighthopefulnessabouttheyoungcollegethathadlifteditsheadfromtheprairieonlyafewyearsbefore。

Ourpersonallifewasasfreeasthatofourinstructors。

Therewerenocollegedormitories；welivedwherewecouldandaswecould。

Itookroomswithanoldcouple，earlysettlersinLincoln，whohadmarriedofftheirchildrenandnowlivedquietlyintheirhouseattheedgeoftown，neartheopencountry。Thehousewasinconvenientlysituatedforstudents，andonthataccountIgottworoomsforthepriceofone。Mybedroom，originallyalinen-closet，wasunheatedandwasbarelylargeenoughtocontainmycot-bed，butitenabledmetocalltheotherroommystudy。

Thedresser，andthegreatwalnutwardrobewhichheldallmyclothes，evenmyhatsandshoes，Ihadpushedoutoftheway，andIconsideredthemnon-existent，aschildreneliminateincongruousobjectswhentheyareplayinghouse。Iworkedatacommodiousgreen-toppedtableplaceddirectlyinfrontofthewestwindowwhichlookedoutovertheprairie。Inthecorneratmyrightwereallmybooks，inshelvesIhadmadeandpaintedmyself。

Ontheblankwallatmyleftthedark，old-fashionedwall-paperwascoveredbyalargemapofancientRome，theworkofsomeGermanscholar。

Clerichadordereditformewhenhewassendingforbooksfromabroad。

OverthebookcasehungaphotographoftheTragicTheatreatPompeii，whichhehadgivenmefromhiscollection。

WhenIsatatworkIhalf-facedadeep，upholsteredchairwhichstoodattheendofmytable，itshighbackagainstthewall。

Ihadboughtitwithgreatcare。Myinstructorsometimeslookedinuponmewhenhewasoutforaneveningtramp，andInoticedthathewasmorelikelytolingerandbecometalkativeifIhadacomfortablechairforhimtositin，andifhefoundabottleofBenedictineandplentyofthekindofcigarettesheliked，athiselbow。

Hewas，Ihaddiscovered，parsimoniousaboutsmallexpenditures——

atraitabsolutelyinconsistentwithhisgeneralcharacter。

Sometimeswhenhecamehewassilentandmoody，andafterafewsarcasticremarkswentawayagain，totrampthestreetsofLincoln，whichwerealmostasquietandoppressivelydomesticasthoseofBlackHawk。Again，hewouldsituntilnearlymidnight，talkingaboutLatinandEnglishpoetry，ortellingmeabouthislongstayinItaly。

Icangivenoideaofthepeculiarcharmandvividnessofhistalk。

Inacrowdhewasnearlyalwayssilent。Evenforhisclassroomhehadnoplatitudes，nostockofprofessorialanecdotes。

Whenhewastired，hislectureswereclouded，obscure，elliptical；

butwhenhewasinterestedtheywerewonderful。IbelievethatGastonClericnarrowlymissedbeingagreatpoet，andIhavesometimesthoughtthathisburstsofimaginativetalkwerefataltohispoeticgift。

Hesquanderedtoomuchintheheatofpersonalcommunication。

HowoftenIhaveseenhimdrawhisdarkbrowstogether，fixhiseyesuponsomeobjectonthewallorafigureinthecarpet，andthenflashintothelamplighttheveryimagethatwasinhisbrain。

Hecouldbringthedramaofantiquelifebeforeoneoutoftheshadows——whitefiguresagainstbluebackgrounds。

IshallneverforgethisfaceasitlookedonenightwhenhetoldmeaboutthesolitarydayhespentamongtheseatemplesatPaestum:

thesoftwindblowingthroughtherooflesscolumns，thebirdsflyinglowoverthefloweringmarshgrasses，thechanginglightsonthesilver，cloud-hungmountains。Hehadwilfullystayedtheshortsummernightthere，wrappedinhiscoatandrug，watchingtheconstellationsontheirpathdowntheskyuntil`thebrideofoldTithonus"

roseoutofthesea，andthemountainsstoodsharpinthedawn。

ItwastherehecaughtthefeverwhichheldhimbackontheeveofhisdepartureforGreeceandofwhichhelayillsolonginNaples。

Hewasstill，indeed，doingpenanceforit。

Iremembervividlyanotherevening，whensomethingledustotalkofDante"svenerationforVirgil。Clericwentthroughcantoaftercantoofthe`Commedia，"repeatingthediscoursebetweenDanteandhis`sweetteacher，"whilehiscigaretteburneditselfoutunheededbetweenhislongfingers。Icanhearhimnow，speakingthelinesofthepoetStatius，whospokeforDante:

`Iwasfamousonearthwiththenamewhichendureslongestandhonoursmost。Theseedsofmyardourwerethesparksfromthatdivineflamewherebymorethanathousandhavekindled；

Ispeakofthe“Aeneid，“mothertomeandnursetomeinpoetry。"

AlthoughIadmiredscholarshipsomuchinCleric，Iwasnotdeceivedaboutmyself；IknewthatIshouldneverbeascholar。

Icouldneverlosemyselfforlongamongimpersonalthings。

Mentalexcitementwasapttosendmewitharushbacktomyownnakedlandandthefiguresscattereduponit。

WhileIwasintheveryactofyearningtowardthenewformsthatClericbroughtupbeforeme，mymindplungedawayfromme，andIsuddenlyfoundmyselfthinkingoftheplacesandpeopleofmyowninfinitesimalpast。Theystoodoutstrengthenedandsimplifiednow，liketheimageoftheploughagainstthesun。

TheywereallIhadforananswertothenewappeal。

IbegrudgedtheroomthatJakeandOttoandRussianPetertookupinmymemory，whichIwantedtocrowdwithotherthings。

Butwhenevermyconsciousnesswasquickened，allthoseearlyfriendswerequickenedwithinit，andinsomestrangewaytheyaccompaniedmethroughallmynewexperiences。

TheyweresomuchaliveinmethatIscarcelystoppedtowonderwhethertheywerealiveanywhereelse，orhow。

II

ONEMARCHEVENINGinmysophomoreyearIwassittingaloneinmyroomaftersupper。Therehadbeenawarmthawallday，withmushyyardsandlittlestreamsofdarkwatergurglingcheerfullyintothestreetsoutofoldsnow-banks。Mywindowwasopen，andtheearthywindblowingthroughmademeindolent。

Ontheedgeoftheprairie，wherethesunhadgonedown，theskywasturquoiseblue，likealake，withgoldlightthrobbinginit。

Higherup，intheutterclarityofthewesternslope，theeveningstarhunglikealampsuspendedbysilverchains——likethelampengraveduponthetitle-pageofoldLatintexts，whichisalwaysappearinginnewheavens，andwakingnewdesiresinmen。

Itremindedme，atanyrate，toshutmywindowandlightmywickinanswer。Ididsoregretfully，andthedimobjectsintheroomemergedfromtheshadowsandtooktheirplaceaboutmewiththehelpfulnesswhichcustombreeds。

Iproppedmybookopenandstaredlistlesslyatthepageofthe`Georgics"wheretomorrow"slessonbegan。

Itopenedwiththemelancholyreflectionthat，inthelivesofmortalsthebestdaysarethefirsttoflee。

"Optimadies……primafugit。"Iturnedbacktothebeginningofthethirdbook，whichwehadreadinclassthatmorning。

"Primusegoinpatriammecum……deducamMusas"；`forIshallbethefirst，ifIlive，tobringtheMuseintomycountry。"

Clerichadexplainedtousthat`patria"heremeant，notanationorevenaprovince，butthelittleruralneighbourhoodontheMinciowherethepoetwasborn。Thiswasnotaboast，butahope，atonceboldanddevoutlyhumble，thathemightbringtheMuse(butlatelycometoItalyfromhercloudyGrecianmountains)，nottothecapital，thepalatiaRomana，buttohisownlittleIcountry"；tohisfather"sfields，`slopingdowntotheriverandtotheoldbeechtreeswithbrokentops。"

ClericsaidhethoughtVirgil，whenhewasdyingatBrindisi，musthaverememberedthatpassage。Afterhehadfacedthebitterfactthathewastoleavethe`Aeneid"unfinished，andhaddecreedthatthegreatcanvas，crowdedwithfiguresofgodsandmen，shouldbeburnedratherthansurvivehimunperfected，thenhismindmusthavegonebacktotheperfectutteranceofthe`Georgics，"

wherethepenwasfittedtothematterastheploughistothefurrow；

andhemusthavesaidtohimself，withthethankfulnessofagoodman，`IwasthefirsttobringtheMuseintomycountry。"

Welefttheclassroomquietly，consciousthatwehadbeenbrushedbythewingofagreatfeeling，thoughperhapsIaloneknewClericintimatelyenoughtoguesswhatthatfeelingwas。

Intheevening，asIsatstaringatmybook，thefervourofhisvoicestirredthroughthequantitiesonthepagebeforeme。

IwaswonderingwhetherthatparticularrockystripofNewEnglandcoastaboutwhichhehadsooftentoldmewasCleric"spatria。

BeforeIhadgotfarwithmyreading，Iwasdisturbedbyaknock。

IhurriedtothedoorandwhenIopeneditsawawomanstandinginthedarkhall。

`Iexpectyouhardlyknowme，Jim。"

Thevoiceseemedfamiliar，butIdidnotrecognizeheruntilshesteppedintothelightofmydoorwayandIbeheld——LenaLingard！

ShewassoquietlyconventionalizedbycityclothesthatI

mighthavepassedheronthestreetwithoutseeingher。

Herblacksuitfittedherfiguresmoothly，andablacklacehat，withpale-blueforget-me-nots，satdemurelyonheryellowhair。

IledhertowardCleric"schair，theonlycomfortableoneIhad，questioningherconfusedly。

Shewasnotdisconcertedbymyembarrassment。

ShelookedaboutherwiththenaivecuriosityIrememberedsowell。`Youarequitecomfortablehere，aren"tyou？

IliveinLincolnnow，too，Jim。I"minbusinessformyself。

IhaveadressmakingshopintheRaleighBlock，outonOStreet。

I"vemadearealgoodstart。"

`But，Lena，whendidyoucome？"

`Oh，I"vebeenhereallwinter。Didn"tyourgrandmothereverwriteyou？I"vethoughtaboutlookingyouuplotsoftimes。

Butwe"veallheardwhatastudiousyoungmanyou"vegottobe，andIfeltbashful。Ididn"tknowwhetheryou"dbegladtoseeme。"

Shelaughedhermellow，easylaugh，thatwaseitherveryartlessorverycomprehending，oneneverquiteknewwhich。`Youseemthesame，though——exceptyou"reayoungman，now，ofcourse。

DoyouthinkI"vechanged？"

`Maybeyou"reprettier——thoughyouwerealwaysprettyenough。

Perhapsit"syourclothesthatmakeadifference。"

`Youlikemynewsuit？Ihavetodressprettywellinmybusiness。"

Shetookoffherjacketandsatmoreateaseinherblouse，ofsomesoft，flimsysilk。Shewasalreadyathomeinmyplace，hadslippedquietlyintoit，asshedidintoeverything。

Shetoldmeherbusinesswasgoingwell，andshehadsavedalittlemoney。

`ThissummerI"mgoingtobuildthehouseformotherI"vetalkedaboutsolong。Iwon"tbeabletopayuponitatfirst，butIwanthertohaveitbeforesheistoooldtoenjoyit。

NextsummerI"lltakeherdownnewfurnitureandcarpets，soshe"llhavesomethingtolookforwardtoallwinter。"

IwatchedLenasittingtheresosmoothandsunnyandwell-cared-for，andthoughtofhowsheusedtorunbarefootovertheprairieuntilafterthesnowbegantofly，andhowCrazyMarychasedherroundandroundthecornfields。

Itseemedtomewonderfulthatsheshouldhavegotonsowellintheworld。

Certainlyshehadnoonebutherselftothankforit。

`Youmustfeelproudofyourself，Lena，"Isaidheartily。

`Lookatme；I"veneverearnedadollar，andIdon"tknowthatI"lleverbeableto。"

`Tonysaysyou"regoingtobericherthanMr。Harlingsomeday。

She"salwaysbraggingaboutyou，youknow。"

`Tellme，howISTony？"

`She"sfine。SheworksforMrs。Gardeneratthehotelnow。

She"shousekeeper。Mrs。Gardener"shealthisn"twhatitwas，andshecan"tseeaftereverythinglikesheusedto。

ShehasgreatconfidenceinTony。Tony"smadeitupwiththeHarlings，too。LittleNinaissofondofherthatMrs。Harlingkindofoverlookedthings。"

`IsshestillgoingwithLarryDonovan？"

`Oh，that"son，worsethanever！Iguessthey"reengaged。

Tonytalksabouthimlikehewaspresidentoftherailroad。

Everybodylaughsaboutit，becauseshewasneveragirltobesoft。

Shewon"thearawordagainsthim。She"ssosortofinnocent。"

IsaidIdidn"tlikeLarry，andneverwould。

Lena"sfacedimpled。`Someofuscouldtellherthings，butitwouldn"tdoanygood。She"dalwaysbelievehim。

That"sAntonia"sfailing，youknow；ifsheoncelikespeople，shewon"thearanythingagainstthem。"

`IthinkI"dbettergohomeandlookafterAntonia，"Isaid。

`Ithinkyouhad。"Lenalookedupatmeinfrankamusement。

`It"sagoodthingtheHarlingsarefriendlywithheragain。

Larry"safraidofthem。Theyshipsomuchgrain，theyhaveinfluencewiththerailroadpeople。Whatareyoustudying？"

Sheleanedherelbowsonthetableanddrewmybooktowardher。

Icaughtafaintodourofvioletsachet。`Sothat"sLatin，isit？

Itlookshard。Youdogotothetheatresometimes，though，forI"veseenyouthere。Don"tyoujustloveagoodplay，Jim？

Ican"tstayathomeintheeveningifthere"soneintown。

I"dbewillingtoworklikeaslave，itseemstome，toliveinaplacewheretherearetheatres。"

`Let"sgotoashowtogethersometime。Youaregoingtoletmecometoseeyou，aren"tyou？"

`Wouldyouliketo？I"dbeeversopleased。I"mneverbusyaftersixo"clock，andIletmysewinggirlsgoathalf-pastfive。

Iboard，tosavetime，butsometimesIcookachopformyself，andI"dbegladtocookoneforyou。Well"——shebegantoputonherwhitegloves——"it"sbeenawfulgoodtoseeyou，Jim。"

`Youneedn"thurry，needyou？You"vehardlytoldmeanythingyet。"

`Wecantalkwhenyoucometoseeme。Iexpectyoudon"toftenhaveladyvisitors。Theoldwomandownstairsdidn"twanttoletmecomeupverymuch。ItoldherIwasfromyourhometown，andhadpromisedyourgrandmothertocomeandseeyou。

HowsurprisedMrs。Burdenwouldbe！"Lenalaughedsoftlyassherose。

WhenIcaughtupmyhat，sheshookherhead。

`No，Idon"twantyoutogowithme。I"mtomeetsomeSwedesatthedrugstore。Youwouldn"tcareforthem。

IwantedtoseeyourroomsoIcouldwriteTonyallaboutit，butImusttellherhowIleftyourightherewithyourbooks。

She"salwayssoafraidsomeonewillrunoffwithyou！"

LenaslippedhersilksleevesintothejacketIheldforher，smootheditoverherperson，andbuttoneditslowly。

Iwalkedwithhertothedoor。`Comeandseemesometimeswhenyou"relonesome。Butmaybeyouhaveallthefriendsyouwant。

Haveyou？"Sheturnedhersoftcheektome。`Haveyou？"

shewhisperedteasinglyinmyear。InamomentIwatchedherfadedowntheduskystairway。

WhenIturnedbacktomyroomtheplaceseemedmuchpleasanterthanbefore。

Lenahadleftsomethingwarmandfriendlyinthelamplight。

HowIlovedtohearherlaughagain！Itwassosoftandunexcitedandappreciativegaveafavourableinterpretationtoeverything。

WhenIclosedmyeyesIcouldhearthemalllaughing——theDanishlaundrygirlsandthethreeBohemianMarys。Lenahadbroughtthemallbacktome。

Itcameoverme，asithadneverdonebefore，therelationbetweengirlslikethoseandthepoetryofVirgil。Iftherewerenogirlslikethemintheworld，therewouldbenopoetry。Iunderstoodthatclearly，forthefirsttime。Thisrevelationseemedtomeinestimablyprecious。

Iclungtoitasifitmightsuddenlyvanish。

AsIsatdowntomybookatlast，myolddreamaboutLenacomingacrosstheharvest-fieldinhershortskirtseemedtomelikethememoryofanactualexperience。Itfloatedbeforemeonthepagelikeapicture，andunderneathitstoodthemournfulline:

"Optimadies……primafugit。"