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。