第14章

shecried。"Whenweasktobedoctors，lawyers，law—makers，anythingbutill—paiddrudges，theysay——No；butyouhavemen’schivalrousattention；

nowthinkofthatandbesatisfied！Whatwouldyoudowithoutit？"

Thebitterlittlesilverylaugh，soseldomheard，rangoutacrossthebushes。Shebitherlittleteethtogether。

"IwascomingupinCobb&Co。’stheotherday。Atalittlewaysidehotelwehadtochangethelargecoachforasmallone。Weweretenpassengers，eightmenandtwowomen。AsIsatinthehousethegentlemencameandwhisperedtome，’Thereisnotroomforallinthenewcoach，takeyourseatquickly。’Wehurriedout，andtheygavemethebestseat，andcoveredmewithrugs，becauseitwasdrizzling。Thenthelastpassengercamerunninguptothecoach——anoldwomanwithawonderfulbonnet，andablackshawlpinnedwithayellowpin。

"’Thereisnoroom，’theysaid；’youmustwaittillnextweek’scoachtakesyouup；’butsheclimbedontothestep，andheldonatthewindowwithbothhands。

"’Myson—in—lawisill，andImustgoandseehim，’shesaid。

"’Mygoodwoman，’saidone，’Iamreallyexceedinglysorrythatyourson—

in—lawisill；butthereisabsolutelynoroomforyouhere。’

"’Youhadbettergetdown，’saidanother，’orthewheelwillcatchyou。’

"Igotuptogivehermyplace。

"’Oh，no，no！’theycried，’wewillnotallowthat。’

"’Iwillratherkneel，’saidone，andhecroucheddownatmyfeet；sothewomancamein。

"Therewerenineofusinthatcoach，andonlyoneshowedchivalrousattention——andthatwasawomantoawoman。

"Ishallbeoldandugly，too，oneday，andIshalllookformen’schivalroushelp，butIshallnotfindit。

"Thebeesareveryattentivetotheflowerstilltheirhoneyisdone，andthentheyflyoverthem。Idon’tknowiftheflowersfeelgratefultothebees；theyaregreatfoolsiftheydo。"

"Butsomewomen，"saidWaldo，speakingasthoughthewordsforcedthemselvesfromhimatthatmoment，"somewomenhavepower。"

Sheliftedherbeautifuleyestohisface。

"Power！Didyoueverhearofmenbeingaskedwhetherothersoulsshouldhavepowerornot？Itisborninthem。Youmaydamupthefountainofwater，andmakeitastagnantmarsh，oryoumayletitrunfreeanddoitswork；butyoucannotsaywhetheritshallbethere；itisthere。Anditwillact，ifnotopenlyforgood，thencovertlyforevil；butitwillact。

IfGoethehadbeenstolenawayachild，andrearedinarobberhordeinthedepthsofaGermanforest，doyouthinktheworldwouldhavehad"Faust"

and"Iphegenie？"ButhewouldhavebeenGoethestill——stronger，wiserthanhisfellows。Atnight，roundtheirwatch—fire，hewouldhavechantedwildsongsofrapineandmurder，tillthedarkfacesabouthimweremovedandtrembled。Hissongswouldhaveechoedonfromfathertoson，andnervedtheheartandarm——forevil。DoyouthinkifNapoleonhadbeenbornawomanthathewouldhavebeencontentedtogivesmalltea—partiesandtalksmallscandal？Hewouldhaverisen；buttheworldwouldnothaveheardofhimasithearsofhimnow——amangreatandkinglywithallhissins；hewouldhaveleftoneofthosenamesthatstaintheleafofeveryhistory——

thenamesofwomen，who，havingpower，butbeingdeniedtherighttoexerciseitopenly，ruleinthedark，covertly，andbystealth，throughthemenwhosepassionstheyfeedonandbywhomtheyclimb。

"Power！"shesaid，suddenly，smitingherlittlehandupontherail。"Yes，wehavepower；andsincewearenottoexpenditintunnellingmountains，norhealingdiseases，normakinglaws，normoney，noronanyextraneousobject，weexpenditonyou。Youareourgoods，ourmerchandise，ourmaterialforoperatingon；webuyyou，wesellyou，wemakefoolsofyou，weactthewilyoldJewwithyou，wekeepsixofyoucrawlingtoourlittlefeet，andprayingonlyforatouchofourlittlehand；andtheysaytruly，therewasneveranacheorpainorbrokenheartbutawomanwasatthebottomofit。Wearenottostudylaw，norscience，norart，sowestudyyou。Thereisneveranerveorfibreinaman’snaturebutweknowit。Wekeepsixofyoudancinginthepalmofonelittlehand，"shesaid，balancingheroutstretchedarmgracefully，asthoughtinybeingsdisportedthemselvesinitspalm。"There，wethrowyouaway，andyousinktothedevil，"shesaid，foldingherarmscomposedly。"Therewasneveramanwhosaidonewordforwomanbuthesaidtwoforman，andthreeforthewholehumanrace。"

Shewatchedthebirdpeckingupthelastyellowgrains；butWaldolookedonlyather。

Whenshespokeagainitwasverymeasuredly。

"Theybringweightyargumentsagainstuswhenweaskfortheperfectfreedomofwomen，"shesaid；"but，whenyoucometotheobjections，theyarelikepumpkindevilswithcandlesinside，hollow，andcan’tbite。Theysaythatwomendonotwishforthesphereandfreedomweaskforthem，andwouldnotuseit！

"Ifthebirddoeslikeitscage，anddoeslikeitssugarandwillnotleaveit，whykeepthedoorsoverycarefullyshut？Whynotopenit，onlyalittle？Dotheyknowthereismanyabirdwillnotbreakitswingsagainstthebars，butwouldflyifthedoorswereopen？"Sheknitherforeheadandleanedfurtheroverthebars。

"Thentheysay，’Ifthewomenhavethelibertyyouaskfor，theywillbefoundinpositionsforwhichtheyarenotfitted！’Iftwomenclimboneladder，didyoueverseetheweakestanywherebutatthefoot？Thesurestsignoffitnessissuccess。Theweakestneverwinsbutwherethereishandicapping。Nature，lefttoherself，willasbeautifullyapportionaman’sworktohiscapacitiesaslongagesagoshegraduatedthecoloursonthebird’sbreast。Ifwearenotfit，yougiveus，tonopurpose，therighttolabour；theworkwillfalloutofourhandsintothosethatarewiser。"

Shetalkedmorerapidlyasshewenton，asonetalksofthatoverwhichtheyhavebroodedlong，andwhichliesneartheirhearts。

Waldowatchedherintently。

"Theysaywomenhaveonegreatandnobleworkleftthem，andtheydoitill。Thatistrue；theydoitexecrably。Itistheworkthatdemandsthebroadestculture，andtheyhavenoteventhenarrowest。Thelawyermayseenodeeperthanhislaw—books，andthechemistseenofurtherthanthewindowsofhislaboratory，andtheymaydotheirworkwell。Butthewomanwhodoeswoman’sworkneedsamany—sided，multiformculture；theheightsanddepthsofhumanlifemustnotbebeyondthereachofhervision；shemusthaveknowledgeofmenandthingsinmanystates，awidecatholicityofsympathy，thestrengththatspringsfromknowledge，andthemagnanimitywhichspringsfromstrength。Webeartheworld，andwemakeit。Thesoulsoflittlechildrenaremarvellouslydelicateandtenderthings，andkeepforevertheshadowthatfirstfallsonthem，andthatisthemother’soratbestawoman’s。Therewasneveragreatmanwhohadnotagreatmother——itishardlyanexaggeration。Thefirstsixyearsofourlifemakeus；allthatisaddedlaterisveneer；andyetsomesay，ifawomancancookadinnerordressherselfwellshehascultureenough。

"Themightiestandnoblestofhumanworkisgiventous，andwedoitill。

Sendanavvietoworkintoanartist’sstudio，andseewhatyouwillfindthere！Andyet，thankGod，wehavethiswork，"sheadded，quickly——"itistheonewindowthroughwhichweseeintothegreatworldofearnestlabour。

Themeanestgirlwhodancesanddressesbecomessomethinghigherwhenherchildrenlookupintoherfaceandaskherquestions。Itistheonlyeducationwehaveandwhichtheycannottakefromus。"

Shesmiledslightly。"Theysaythatwecomplainofwoman’sbeingcompelledtolookuponmarriageasaprofession；butthatsheisfreetoenteruponitorleaveit，asshepleases。

"Yes——andacatsetafloatinapondisfreetositinthetubtillitdiesthere，itisundernoobligationtowetitsfeet；andadrowningmanmaycatchatastrawornot，justashelikes——itisagloriousliberty！Letanymanthinkforfiveminutesofwhatoldmaidenhoodmeanstoawoman——andthenlethimbesilent。Isiteasytobearthroughlifeanamethatinitselfsignifiesdefeat？todwell，asnineoutoftenunmarriedwomenmust，underthefingerofanotherwoman？Isiteasytolookforwardtoanoldagewithouthonour，withouttherewardofusefullabour，withoutlove？I

wonderhowmanymentherearewhowouldgiveupeverythingthatisdearinlifeforthesakeofmaintainingahighidealpurity。"

Shelaughedalittlelaughthatwasclearwithoutbeingpleasant。

"Andthen，whentheyhavenootherargumentagainstus，theysay，’Goon；

butwhenyouhavemadewomanwhatyouwish，andherchildreninheritherculture，youwilldefeatyourself。Manwillgraduallybecomeextinctfromexcessofintellect，thepassionswhichreplenishtheracewilldie。’

Fools！"shesaid，curlingherprettylip。"AHottentotsitsattheroadsideandfeedsonarottenbonehehasfoundthere，andtakesouthisbottleofCape—smokeandswillsatit，andgruntswithsatisfaction；andtheculturedchildofthenineteenthcenturysitsinhisarmchair，andsipschoicewineswiththelipofaconnoisseur，andtastesdelicatedisheswithadelicatepalate，andwithasatisfactionofwhichtheHottentotknowsnothing。Heavyjawandslopingforehead——allhavegonewithincreasingintellect；buttheanimalappetitesaretherestill——refined，discriminative，butimmeasurablyintensified。Fools！Beforemenforgaveorworshipped，whiletheywereweakontheirhindlegs，didtheynoteatanddrink，andfightforwives？Whenallthelatteradditionstohumanityhavevanished，willnotthefoundationonwhichtheyarebuiltremain？"

Shewassilentthenforawhile，andsaidsomewhatdreamily，moreasthoughspeakingtoherselfthantohim，"Theyask，Whatwillyougain，evenifmandoesnotbecomeextinct？——youwillhavebroughtjusticeandequalityontotheearth，andsentlovefromit。Whenmenandwomenareequalstheywilllovenomore。Yourhighly—

culturedwomenwillnotbelovable，willnotlove。

"Dotheyseenothing，understandnothing？ItisTantSanniewhoburieshusbandsoneafteranother，andfoldsherhandsresignedly，——’TheLordgave，andtheLordhathtakenaway，andblessedbethenameoftheLord，’——

andshelooksforanother。Itisthehard—headed，deepthinkerwho，whenthewifewhohasthoughtandworkedwithhimgoes，canfindnorest，andlingersnearhertillhefindssleepbesideher。

"Agreatsouldrawsandisdrawnwithamorefierceintensitythananysmallone。Byeveryinchwegrowinintellectualheightourlovestrikesdownitsrootsdeeper，andspreadsoutitsarmswider。Itisforlove’ssakeyetmorethanforanyotherthatwelookforthatnewtime。"

Shehadleanedherheadagainstthestones，andwatchedwithhersad，softeyestheretreatingbird。"Thenwhenthattimecomes，"shesaidlowly，"whenloveisnomoreboughtorsold，whenitisnotameansofmakingbread，wheneachwoman’slifeisfilledwithearnest，independentlabour，thenlovewillcometoher，astrange，suddensweetnessbreakinginuponherearnestwork；notsoughtfor，butfound。Then，butnotnow——"

Waldowaitedforhertofinishthesentence，butsheseemedtohaveforgottenhim。

"Lyndall，"hesaid，puttinghishanduponher——shestarted——"ifyouthinkthatthatnewtimewillbesogreat，sogood，youwhospeaksoeasily——"

Sheinterruptedhim。

"Speak！speak！"shesaid，"thedifficultyisnottospeak；thedifficultyistokeepsilence。"

"Butwhydoyounottrytobringthattime？"hesaidwithpitifulsimplicity。"WhenyouspeakIbelieveallyousay；otherpeoplewouldlistentoyoualso。"

"Iamnotsosureofthat，"shesaidwithasmile。

Thenoverthesmallfacecamethewearylookithadwornlastnightasitwatchedtheshadowinthecorner，Ah，soweary！

"I，Waldo，I？"shesaid。"Iwilldonothinggoodformyself，nothingfortheworld，tillsomeonewakesme。Iamasleep，swathed，shutupinself；

tillIhavebeendeliveredIwilldelivernoone。"

Helookedatherwondering，butshewasnotlookingathim。

"Toseethegoodandthebeautiful，"shesaid，"andtohavenostrengthtoliveit，isonlytobeMosesonthemountainofNebo，withthelandatyourfeetandnopowertoenter。Itwouldbebetternottoseeit。Come，"shesaid，lookingupintohisface，andseeingitsuncomprehendingexpression，"letusgo，itisgettinglate。Dossisanxiousforhisbreakfastalso，"

sheadded，wheelingroundandcallingtothedog，whowasendeavouringtounearthamole，anoccupationtowhichhehadbeenzealouslyaddictedfromthethirdmonth，butinwhichhehadneveronanysingleoccasionprovedsuccessful。

Waldoshoulderedhisbag，andLyndallwalkedonbeforeinsilence，withthedogclosetoherside。Perhapsshethoughtofthenarrownessofthelimitswithinwhichahumansoulmayspeakandbeunderstoodbyitsnearestofmentalkin，ofhowsoonitreachesthatsolitarylandoftheindividualexperience，inwhichnofellowfootfalliseverheard。Whateverherthoughtsmayhavebeen，shewassooninterrupted。Waldocameclosetoher，andstandingstill，producedwithawkwardnessfromhisbreast—pocketasmallcarvedbox。

"Imadeitforyou，"hesaid，holdingitout。

"Ilikeit，"shesaid，examiningitcarefully。

Theworkmanshipwasbetterthanthatofthegrave—post。Theflowersthatcovereditweredelicate，andhereandtheresmallconicalprotuberanceswereletinamongthem。Sheturneditroundcritically。Waldobentoveritlovingly。

"Thereisonestrangethingaboutit，"hesaidearnestly，puttingafingerononelittlepyramid。"Imadeitwithoutthese，andIfeltsomethingwaswrong；Itriedmanychanges，andatlastIletthesein，andthenitwasright。Butwhywasit？Theyarenotbeautifulinthemselves。"

"Theyrelievethemonotonyofthesmoothleaves，Isuppose。"

Heshookhisheadasoveraweightymatter。

"Theskyismonotonous，"hesaid，"whenitisblue，andyetitisbeautiful。Ihavethoughtofthatoften；butitisnotmonotony，anditisnotvarietymakesbeauty。Whatisit？Thesky，andyourface，andthisbox——thesamethingisinthemall，onlymoreintheskyandinyourface。

Butwhatisit？"

Shesmiled。

"Soyouareatyouroldworkstill。Why，why，why？Whatisthereason？

Itisenoughforme，"shesaid，"ifIfindoutwhatisbeautifulandwhatisugly，whatisrealandwhatisnot。Whyitisthere，andoverthefinalcauseofthingsingeneral，Idon’ttroublemyself；theremustbeone，butwhatisittome？IfIhowltoalleternityIshallnevergetholdofit；

andifIdidImightbenobetteroff。ButyouGermansarebornwithanaptitudeforborrowing；youcan’thelpyourselves。Youmustsniffafterreasons，justasthatdogmustafteramole。Heknowsperfectlywellhewillnevercatchit，buthe’sundertheimperativenecessityofdiggingforit。"

"Buthemightfindit。"

"Might！——butheneverhasandneverwill。Lifeistooshorttorunaftermights；wemusthavecertainties。"

Shetuckedtheboxunderherarmandwasabouttowalkon，whenGregoryRose，withshiningspurs，anostrichfeatherinhishat，andasilver—

headedwhip，careeredpast。Hebowedgallantlyashewentby。Theywaitedtillthedustofthehorse’shoofshadlaiditself。

"There，"saidLyndall，"goesatruewoman——onebornforthespherethatsomewomenhavetofillwithoutbeingbornforit。Howhappyhewouldbesewingfrillsintohislittlegirl’sfrocks，andhowprettyhewouldlooksittinginaparlour，witharoughmanmakinglovetohim！Don’tyouthinkso？"

"Ishallnotstayherewhenheismaster，"Waldoanswered，notabletoconnectanykindofbeautywithGregoryRose。

"Ishouldimaginenot。Theruleofawomanistyranny；buttheruleofaman—womangrindsfine。Whereareyougoing？"

"Anywhere。"

"Whattodo？"

"See——seeeverything。"

"Youwillbedisappointed。"

"Andwereyou？"

"Yes；andyouwillbemoreso。Iwantthingsthatmenandtheworldgive，youdonot。Ifyouhaveafewyardsofearthtostandon，andabitofblueoveryou，andsomethingthatyoucannotseetodreamabout，youhaveallthatyouneed，allthatyouknowhowtouse。ButIliketoseerealmen。Letthembeasdisagreeableastheyplease，theyaremoreinterestingtomethanflowers，ortrees，orstars，oranyotherthingunderthesun。

Sometimes，"sheadded，walkingon，andshakingthedustdaintilyfromherskirts，"whenIamnottoobusytryingtofindanewwayofdoingmyhairthatwillshowmylittlenecktobetteradvantage，oroverotherworkofthatkind，sometimesitamusesmeintenselytotraceouttheresemblancebetweenonemanandanother：toseehowTantSannieandI，youandBonaparte，St。Simononhispillow，andtheemperordiningofflarks’

tongues，areoneandthesamecompound，merelymixedindifferentproportions。

"Whatismicroscopicinoneislargelydevelopedinanother；whatisarudimentaryinonemanisanactiveorganinanother；butallthingsareinallmen，andonesoulisthemodelofall。Weshallfindnothingnewinhumannatureafterwehaveoncecarefullydissectedandanalyzedtheonebeingweevershalltrulyknow——ourself。TheKaffergirlthrewsomecoffeeonmyarminbedthismorning；Ifeltdispleased，butsaidnothing。TantSanniewouldhavethrownthesauceratherandswornforanhour；butthefeelingwouldbethesameirritateddispleasure。IfahugeanimatedstomachlikeBonapartewereputunderaglassbyaskilfulmentalmicroscopist，evenhewouldbefoundtohaveanembryonicdoublingsomewhereindicativeofaheart，andrudimentarybuddingsthatmighthavebecomeconscienceandsincerity。LetmetakeyourarmWaldo。

"Howfullyouareofmealiedust。No，nevermind。Itwillbrushoff。Andsometimeswhatismoreamusingstillthantracingthelikenessbetweenmanandman，istotracetheanalogytherealwaysisbetweentheprogressanddevelopmentofoneindividualandofawholenation；or，again，betweenasinglenationandtheentirehumanrace。Itispleasantwhenitdawnsonyouthattheoneisjusttheotherwrittenoutinlargeletters；andveryoddtofindallthelittlefolliesandvirtues，anddevelopmentsandretrogressions，writtenoutinthebigworld’sbookthatyoufindinyourlittleinternalself。ItisthemostamusingthingIknowof；butofcourse，beingawoman，Ihavenotoftentimeforsuchamusements。

Professionaldutiesalwaysfirst，youknow。Ittakesagreatdealoftimeandthoughtalwaystolookperfectlyexquisite，evenforaprettywoman。

Istheoldbuggystillinexistence，Waldo？"

"Yes，buttheharnessisbroken。"

"Well，Iwishyouwouldmendit。Youmustteachmetodrive。ImustlearnsomethingwhileIamhere。IgottheHottentotgirltoshowmehowtomakesarsartiesthismorning；andTantSannieisgoingtoteachmetomakekapjes。Iwillcomeandsitwithyouthisafternoonwhileyoumendtheharness。"

"Thankyou。"

"No，don’tthankme；Icomeformyownpleasure。IneverfindanyoneI

cantalkto。Womenboreme，andmen，Italksoto——’Goingtotheballthisevening？Nicelittledogthatofyours。Prettylittleears。Sofondofpointerpups！’Andtheythinkmefascinating，charming！Menareliketheearth，andwearethemoon；weturnalwaysonesidetothem，andtheythinkthereisnoother，becausetheydon’tseeit——butthereis。"

Theyhadreachedthehousenow。

"Tellmewhenyousettowork，"shesaid，andwalkedtowardthedoor。

Waldostoodtolookafterher，andDossstoodathisside，alookofpainfuluncertaintydepictedonhissmallcountenance，andonelittlefootpoisedintheair。Shouldhestaywithhismasterorgo？Helookedatthefigurewiththewidestrawhatmovingtowardthehouse，andhelookedupathismaster；thenheputdownthelittlepawandwent。Waldowatchedthembothinatthedoorandthenwalkedawayalone。Hewassatisfiedthatatleasthisdogwaswithher。

Chapter2。V。TantSannieHoldsAnUpsitting，andGregoryWritesALetter。

Itwasjustaftersunset，andLyndallhadnotyetreturnedfromherfirstdriving—lesson，whentheleancolouredwomanstandingatthecornerofthehousetoenjoytheeveningbreeze，sawcomingalongtheroadastrangehorseman。Verynarrowlyshesurveyedhim，asslowlyheapproached。Hewasattiredinthedeepestmourning，theblackcreperoundhistallhattotallyconcealingtheblackfelt，andnothingbutadazzlingshirt—frontrelievingthefunerealtoneofhisattire。Herodemuchforwardinhissaddle，withhischinrestingontheuppermostofhisshirt—studs，andtherewasanairofmeeksubjectiontothewillofHeaven，andtowhatmightbeinstoreforhim，thatbespokeitselfeveninthewayinwhichhegentlyurgedhissteed。Hewasevidentlyinnohurrytoreachhisdestination，forthenearerheapproachedtoittheslackerdidhisbridlehang。Thecolouredwomanhavingdulyinspectedhim，dashedintothedwelling。

"Hereisanotherone！"shecried——"awidower；Iseeitbyhishat。"

"GoodLord！"saidTantSannie；"it’stheseventhI’vehadthismonth；butthemenknowwheresheepandgoodlooksandmoneyinthebankaretobefound，"sheadded，winkingknowingly。"Howdoeshelook？"

"Nineteen，weakeyes，whitehair，littleroundnose，"saidthemaid。

"Thenit’she！thenit’she！"saidTantSannietriumphantly；"littlePietVanderWalt，whosewifediedlastmonth——twofarms，twelvethousandsheep。

I’venotseenhim，butmysister—in—lawtoldmeabouthim，andIdreamedabouthimlastnight。"

HerePiet’sblackhatappearedinthedoorway，andtheBoer—womandrewherselfupindignifiedsilence，extendedthetipsofherfingers，andmotionedsolemnlytoachair。Theyoungmanseatedhimself，stickinghisfeetasfarunderitastheywouldgo，andsaidmildly：

"IamLittlePietVanderWalt，andmyfatherisBigPietVanderWalt。"

TantSanniesaidsolemnly："Yes。"

"Aunt，"saidtheyoungman，startingupspasmodically；"canIoff—saddle？"

"Yes。"

Heseizedhishat，anddisappearedwitharushthroughthedoor。

"Itoldyouso！Iknewit！"saidTantSannie。"ThedearLorddoesn’tsenddreamsfornothing。Didn’tItellyouthismorningthatIdreamedofagreatbeastlikeasheep，withredeyes，andIkilledit？Wasn’tthewhitewoolhishair，andtheredeyeshisweakeyes，andmykillinghimmeantmarriage？Getsupperreadyquickly；thesheep’sinsideandroaster—cakes。

Weshallsituptonight。"

ToyoungPietVanderWaltthatsupperwasaperiodofintensetorture。

TherewassomethingoverawinginthatassemblyofEnglishpeople，withtheirincomprehensiblespeech；andmoreover，itwashisfirstcourtship；

hisfirstwifehadcourtedhim，andtenmonthsofseveredomesticrulehadnotraisedhisspiritnorcourage。Heatelittle，andwhenheraisedamorseltohislipsglancedguiltilyroundtoseeifhewerenotobserved。

Hehadputthreeringsonhislittlefinger，withtheintentionofstickingitoutstifflywhenheraisedacoffee—cup；nowthelittlefingerwascurledmiserablyamongitsfellows。Itwassmallreliefwhenthemealwasover，andTantSannieandherepairedtothefrontroom。Onceseatedthere，hesethiskneesclosetogether，stoodhisblackhatuponthem，andwretchedlyturnedthebrimupanddown。ButsupperhadcheeredTantSannie，whofounditimpossiblelongertomaintainthatdecoroussilence，andwhoseheartyearnedovertheyouth。

"IwasrelatedtoyourauntSelenawhodied，"saidTantSannie。"Mymother’sstepbrother’schildwasmarriedtoherfather’sbrother’sstepnephew’sniece。"

"Yes，aunt，"saidtheyoungman，"Iknowwewererelated。"

"Itwashercousin，"saidTantSannie，nowfairlyontheflow，"whohadthecancercutoutofherbreastbytheotherdoctor，whowasnottherightdoctortheysentfor，butwhodiditquiteaswell。"

"Yes，aunt，"saidtheyoungman。

"I’veheardaboutitoften，"saidTantSannie。"AndhewasthesonoftheolddoctorthattheysaydiedonChristmas—day，butIdon’tknowifthat’strue。Peopledotellsuchawfullies。WhyshouldhedieonChristmas—daymorethananyotherday？"

"Yes，aunt，why？"saidtheyoungmanmeekly。

"Didyoueverhavethetoothache？"askedTantSannie。

"No，aunt。"

"Well，theysaythatdoctor——notthesonoftheolddoctorthatdiedonChristmas—day，theotherthatdidn’tcomewhenhewassentfor——hegavesuchgoodstuffforthetoothachethatifyouopenedthebottleintheroomwhereanyonewasbadtheygotbetterdirectly。Youcouldseeitwasgoodstuff，"saidTantSannie；"ittastedhorrid。Thatwasarealdoctor！Heusedtogiveabottlesohigh，"saidtheBoer—woman，raisingherhandafootfromthetable，"youcoulddrinkatitforamonthanditwouldn’tgetdone，andthesamemedicinewasgoodforallsortsofsicknesses——croup，measles，jaundice，dropsy。Nowyouhavetobuyanewkindforeachsickness。Thedoctorsaren’tsogoodastheyusedtobe。"

"No，aunt，"saidtheyoungman，whowastryingtogaincouragetostickouthislegsandclinkhisspurstogether。Hedidsoatlast。

TantSanniehadnoticedthespursbefore；butshethoughtitshowedanicemanlyspirit，andherheartwarmedyetmoretotheyouth。

"Didyoueverhaveconvulsionswhenyouwereababy？"askedTantSannie。

"Yes，"saidtheyoungman。

"Strange，"saidTantSannie；"Ihadconvulsionstoo。Wonderfulthatweshouldbesomuchalike！"

"Aunt，"saidtheyoungmanexplosively，"canwesituptonight？"

TantSanniehungherheadandhalfclosedhereyes；butfindingthatherlittlewileswerethrownaway，theyoungmanstaringfixedlyathishat，shesimpered，"Yes，"andwentawaytofetchcandles。

InthediningroomEmworkedathermachine，andGregorysatclosebesideher，hisgreatblueeyesturnedtothewindowwhereLyndallleanedouttalkingtoWaldo。

TantSannietooktwocandlesoutofthecupboardandheldthemuptriumphantly，winkingallroundtheroom。

"He’saskedforthem，"shesaid。

"Doeshewantthemforhishorse’srubbedback？"askedGregory，newtoup—

countrylife。

"No，"saidTantSannie，indignantly；"we’regoingtositup！"andshewalkedoffintriumphwiththecandles。

Nevertheless，whenalltherestofthehousehadretired，whenthelongcandlewaslighted，whenthecoffee—kettlewasfilled，whenshesatintheelbow—chair，withherloveronachairclosebesideher，andwhenthevigilofthenightwasfairlybegun，shebegantofinditwearisome。Theyoungmanlookedchilly，andsaidnothing。

"Won’tyouputyourfeetonmystove？"saidTantSannie。

"Nothankyou，aunt，"saidtheyoungman，andbothlapsedintosilence。

AtlastTantSannie，afraidofgoingtosleep，tappedastrongcupofcoffeeforherselfandhandedanothertoherlover。Thisvisiblyrevivedboth。

"Howlongwereyoumarried，cousin？"

"Tenmonths，aunt。"

"Howoldwasyourbaby？"

"Threedayswhenitdied。"

"It’sveryhardwhenwemustgiveourhusbandsandwivestotheLord，"saidTantSannie。