第8章

IV

THENEXTAFTERNOONIwalkedovertotheShimerdas\'。YulkashowedmethebabyandtoldmethatAntoniawasshockingwheatonthesouthwestquarter。

Iwentdownacrossthefields，andTonysawmefromalongwayoff。Shestoodstillbyhershocks，leaningonherpitchfork，watchingmeasIcame。

Wemetlikethepeopleintheoldsong，insilence，ifnotintears。

Herwarmhandclaspedmine。

`Ithoughtyou\'dcome，Jim。IheardyouwereatMrs。Steavens\'slastnight。

I\'vebeenlookingforyouallday。\'

ShewasthinnerthanIhadeverseenher，andlookedasMrs。Steavenssaid，`workeddown，\'buttherewasanewkindofstrengthinthegravityofherface，andhercolourstillgaveherthatlookofdeep-seatedhealthandardour。Still？Why，itflashedacrossmethatthoughsomuchhadhappenedinherlifeandinmine，shewasbarelytwenty-fouryearsold。

Antoniastuckherforkintheground，andinstinctivelywewalkedtowardthatunploughedpatchatthecrossingoftheroadsasthefittestplacetotalktoeachother。WesatdownoutsidethesaggingwirefencethatshutMr。Shimerda\'splotofffromtherestoftheworld。

Thetallredgrasshadneverbeencutthere。Ithaddieddowninwinterandcomeupagaininthespringuntilitwasasthickandshrubbyassometropicalgarden-grass。Ifoundmyselftellinghereverything:

whyIhaddecidedtostudylawandtogointothelawofficeofoneofmymother\'srelativesinNewYorkCity；aboutGastonCleric\'sdeathfrompneumonialastwinter，andthedifferenceithadmadeinmylife。

Shewantedtoknowaboutmyfriends，andmywayofliving，andmydearesthopes。

`Ofcourseitmeansyouaregoingawayfromusforgood，\'

shesaidwithasigh。`Butthatdon\'tmeanI\'llloseyou。

Lookatmypapahere；he\'sbeendeadalltheseyears，andyetheismorerealtomethanalmostanybodyelse。

Henevergoesoutofmylife。Italktohimandconsulthimallthetime。TheolderIgrow，thebetterIknowhimandthemoreIunderstandhim。\'

SheaskedmewhetherIhadlearnedtolikebigcities。

`I\'dalwaysbemiserableinacity。I\'ddieoflonesomeness。

IliketobewhereIknoweverystackandtree，andwhereallthegroundisfriendly。Iwanttoliveanddiehere。

FatherKellysayseverybody\'sputintothisworldforsomething，andIknowwhatI\'vegottodo。I\'mgoingtoseethatmylittlegirlhasabetterchancethaneverIhad。

I\'mgoingtotakecareofthatgirl，Jim。\'

ItoldherIknewshewould。`Doyouknow，Antonia，sinceI\'vebeenaway，Ithinkofyoumoreoftenthanofanyoneelseinthispartoftheworld。I\'dhavelikedtohaveyouforasweetheart，orawife，ormymotherormysister——anythingthatawomancanbetoaman。

Theideaofyouisapartofmymind；youinfluencemylikesanddislikes，allmytastes，hundredsoftimeswhenIdon\'trealizeit。

Youreallyareapartofme。\'

Sheturnedherbright，believingeyestome，andthetearscameupinthemslowly，`Howcanitbelikethat，whenyouknowsomanypeople，andwhenI\'vedisappointedyouso？

Ain\'titwonderful，Jim，howmuchpeoplecanmeantoeachother？

I\'msogladwehadeachotherwhenwewerelittle。

Ican\'twaittillmylittlegirl\'soldenoughtotellheraboutallthethingsweusedtodo。You\'llalwaysremembermewhenyouthinkaboutoldtimes，won\'tyou？AndIguesseverybodythinksaboutoldtimes，eventhehappiestpeople。\'

Aswewalkedhomewardacrossthefields，thesundroppedandlaylikeagreatgoldenglobeinthelowwest。

Whileithungthere，themoonroseintheeast，asbigasacart-wheel，palesilverandstreakedwithrosecolour，thinasabubbleoraghost-moon。Forfive，perhapstenminutes，thetwoluminariesconfrontedeachotheracrossthelevelland，restingonoppositeedgesoftheworld。

Inthatsingularlighteverylittletreeandshockofwheat，everysunflowerstalkandclumpofsnow-on-the-mountain，drewitselfuphighandpointed；

theveryclodsandfurrowsinthefieldsseemedtostandupsharply。

Ifelttheoldpulloftheearth，thesolemnmagicthatcomesoutofthosefieldsatnightfall。IwishedIcouldbealittleboyagain，andthatmywaycouldendthere。

Wereachedtheedgeofthefield，whereourwaysparted。

Itookherhandsandheldthemagainstmybreast，feelingoncemorehowstrongandwarmandgoodtheywere，thosebrownhands，andrememberinghowmanykindthingstheyhaddoneforme。

Iheldthemnowalongwhile，overmyheart。Aboutusitwasgrowingdarkeranddarker，andIhadtolookhardtoseeherface，whichImeantalwaystocarrywithme；theclosest，realestface，underalltheshadowsofwomen\'sfaces，attheverybottomofmymemory。

`I\'llcomeback，\'Isaidearnestly，throughthesoft，intrusivedarkness。

`Perhapsyouwill\'——Ifeltratherthansawhersmile。

`Butevenifyoudon\'t，you\'rehere，likemyfather。

SoIwon\'tbelonesome。\'

AsIwentbackaloneoverthatfamiliarroad，Icouldalmostbelievethataboyandgirlranalongbesideme，asourshadowsusedtodo，laughingandwhisperingtoeachotherinthegrass。

EndofBookIVBOOKVCuzak\'sBoys

I

ITOLDANTONIAIwouldcomeback，butlifeintervened，anditwastwenty

yearsbeforeIkeptmypromise。Iheardofherfromtimetotime；

thatshemarried，verysoonafterIlastsawher，ayoungBohemian，

acousinofAntonJelinek；thattheywerepoor，andhadalargefamily。

OncewhenIwasabroadIwentintoBohemia，andfromPragueIsent

Antoniasomephotographsofhernativevillage。Monthsafterwardcame

aletterfromher，tellingmethenamesandagesofhermanychildren，

butlittleelse；signed，`Youroldfriend，AntoniaCuzak。\'

WhenImetTinySoderballinSaltLake，shetoldmethatAntoniahadnot

`doneverywell\'；thatherhusbandwasnotamanofmuchforce，andshe

hadhadahardlife。Perhapsitwascowardicethatkeptmeawaysolong。

MybusinesstookmeWestseveraltimeseveryyear，anditwasalways

inthebackofmymindthatIwouldstopinNebraskasomedayandgo

toseeAntonia。ButIkeptputtingitoffuntilthenexttrip。

Ididnotwanttofindheragedandbroken；Ireallydreadedit。

Inthecourseoftwentycrowdedyearsonepartswithmanyillusions。

Ididnotwishtolosetheearlyones。Somememoriesarerealities，

andarebetterthananythingthatcaneverhappentooneagain。

IoweittoLenaLingardthatIwenttoseeAntoniaatlast。

IwasinSanFranciscotwosummersagowhenbothLenaandTiny

Soderballwereintown。Tinylivesinahouseofherown，

andLena\'sshopisinanapartmenthousejustaroundthecorner。

Itinterestedme，aftersomanyyears，toseethetwowomentogether。

TinyauditsLena\'saccountsoccasionally，andinvestshermoneyforher；

andLena，apparently，takescarethatTinydoesn\'tgrowtoomiserly。

`Ifthere\'sanythingIcan\'tstand，\'shesaidtomeinTiny\'spresence，

`it\'sashabbyrichwoman。\'TinysmiledgrimlyandassuredmethatLena

wouldneverbeeithershabbyorrich。`AndIdon\'twanttobe，\'

theotheragreedcomplacently。

LenagavemeacheerfulaccountofAntoniaandurgedmetomake

heravisit。

`Youreallyoughttogo，Jim。Itwouldbesuchasatisfactiontoher。

NevermindwhatTinysays。There\'snothingthematterwithCuzak。

You\'dlikehim。Heisn\'tahustler，butaroughmanwouldneverhave

suitedTony。Tonyhasnicechildren——tenorelevenofthembythistime，

Iguess。Ishouldn\'tcareforafamilyofthatsizemyself，butsomehow

it\'sjustrightforTony。She\'dlovetoshowthemtoyou。\'

OnmywayEastIbrokemyjourneyatHastings，inNebraska，

andsetoffwithanopenbuggyandafairlygoodliveryteam

tofindtheCuzakfarm。Atalittlepastmidday，IknewImust

benearingmydestination。Setbackonaswelloflandatmyright，

Isawawidefarm-house，witharedbarnandanashgrove，

andcattle-yardsinfrontthatslopeddowntothehighroad。

IdrewupmyhorsesandwaswonderingwhetherIshoulddriveinhere，

whenIheardlowvoices。Aheadofme，inaplumthicketbeside

theroad，Isawtwoboysbendingoveradeaddog。Thelittleone，

notmorethanfourorfive，wasonhisknees，hishandsfolded，

andhisclose-clipped，bareheaddroopingforwardindeepdejection。

Theotherstoodbesidehim，ahandonhisshoulder，andwas

comfortinghiminalanguageIhadnotheardforalongwhile。

WhenIstoppedmyhorsesoppositethem，theolderboytookhis

brotherbythehandandcametowardme。He，too，lookedgrave。

Thiswasevidentlyasadafternoonforthem。`AreyouMrs。Cuzak\'sboys？\'Iasked。

Theyoungeronedidnotlookup；hewassubmergedinhisownfeelings，

buthisbrothermetmewithintelligentgreyeyes。`Yes，sir。\'

`Doessheliveupthereonthehill？Iamgoingtoseeher。

Getinandrideupwithme。\'

Heglancedathisreluctantlittlebrother。`Iguesswe\'dbetterwalk。

Butwe\'llopenthegateforyou。\'

Idrovealongtheside-roadandtheyfollowedslowlybehind。

WhenIpulledupatthewindmill，anotherboy，barefootedand

curly-headed，ranoutofthebarntotiemyteamforme。

Hewasahandsomeone，thischap，fair-skinnedandfreckled，

withredcheeksandaruddypeltasthickasalamb\'swool，

growingdownonhisneckinlittletufts。Hetiedmyteam

withtwoflourishesofhishands，andnoddedwhenIaskedhim

ifhismotherwasathome。Asheglancedatme，hisface

dimpledwithaseizureofirrelevantmerriment，andheshotup

thewindmilltowerwithalightnessthatstruckmeasdisdainful。

IknewhewaspeeringdownatmeasIwalkedtowardthehouse。

Ducksandgeeseranquackingacrossmypath。Whitecatsweresunning

themselvesamongyellowpumpkinsontheporchsteps。Ilooked

throughthewirescreenintoabig，lightkitchenwithawhitefloor。

Isawalongtable，rowsofwoodenchairsagainstthewall，

andashiningrangeinonecorner。Twogirlswerewashing

dishesatthesink，laughingandchattering，andalittleone，

inashortpinafore，satonastoolplayingwitharagbaby。

WhenIaskedfortheirmother，oneofthegirlsdroppedhertowel，

ranacrossthefloorwithnoiselessbarefeet，anddisappeared。

Theolderone，whoworeshoesandstockings，cametothedoortoadmitme。

Shewasabuxomgirlwithdarkhairandeyes，calmandself-possessed。`Won\'tyoucomein？Motherwillbehereinaminute。\'

BeforeIcouldsitdowninthechairsheofferedme，themiracle

happened；oneofthosequietmomentsthatclutchtheheart，

andtakemorecouragethanthenoisy，excitedpassagesinlife。

Antoniacameinandstoodbeforeme；astalwart，brownwoman，

flat-chested，hercurlybrownhairalittlegrizzled。

Itwasashock，ofcourse。Italwaysis，tomeetpeople

afterlongyears，especiallyiftheyhavelivedasmuchand

ashardasthiswomanhad。Westoodlookingateachother。

Theeyesthatpeeredanxiouslyatmewere——simplyAntonia\'seyes。

IhadseennootherslikethemsinceIlookedintothemlast，

thoughIhadlookedatsomanythousandsofhumanfaces。

AsIconfrontedher，thechangesgrewlessapparenttome，

heridentitystronger。Shewasthere，inthefullvigour

ofherpersonality，batteredbutnotdiminished，lookingatme，

speakingtomeinthehusky，breathyvoiceIrememberedsowell。`Myhusband\'snotathome，sir。CanIdoanything？\'`Don\'tyourememberme，Antonia？HaveIchangedsomuch？\'

Shefrownedintotheslantingsunlightthatmadeherbrown

hairlookredderthanitwas。Suddenlyhereyeswidened，

herwholefaceseemedtogrowbroader。Shecaughtherbreath

andputouttwohard-workedhands。

`Why，it\'sJim！Anna，Yulka，it\'sJimBurden！\'

Shehadnosoonercaughtmyhandsthanshelookedalarmed。

`What\'shappened？Isanybodydead？\'Ipattedherarm。

`No。Ididn\'tcometoafuneralthistime。IgotoffthetrainatHastings

anddrovedowntoseeyouandyourfamily。\'

Shedroppedmyhandandbeganrushingabout。`Anton，Yulka，

Nina，whereareyouall？Run，Anna，andhuntfortheboys。

They\'reofflookingforthatdog，somewhere。AndcallLeo。

WhereisthatLeo！\'Shepulledthemoutofcornersandcame

bringingthemlikeamothercatbringinginherkittens。

`Youdon\'thavetogorightoff，Jim？Myoldestboy\'snothere。

He\'sgonewithpapatothestreetfairatWilber。Iwon\'tlet

yougo！You\'vegottostayandseeRudolphandourpapa。\'

Shelookedatmeimploringly，pantingwithexcitement。

WhileIreassuredherandtoldhertherewouldbeplentyoftime，

thebarefootedboysfromoutsidewereslippingintothekitchen

andgatheringabouther。`Now，tellmetheirnames，andhowoldtheyare。\'

Asshetoldthemoffinturn，shemadeseveralmistakesaboutages，

andtheyroaredwithlaughter。Whenshecametomylight-footed

friendofthewindmill，shesaid，`ThisisLeo，andhe\'soldenough

tobebetterthanheis。\'

Heranuptoherandbuttedherplayfullywithhiscurlyhead，

likealittleram，buthisvoicewasquitedesperate。

`You\'veforgot！Youalwaysforgetmine。It\'smean！

Pleasetellhim，mother！\'Heclenchedhisfistsinvexation

andlookedupatherimpetuously。

Shewoundherforefingerinhisyellowfleeceandpulledit，watchinghim。

`Well，howoldareyou？\'

`I\'mtwelve，\'hepanted，lookingnotatmebutather；`I\'mtwelveyearsold，

andIwasbornonEasterDay！\'Shenoddedtome。`It\'strue。HewasanEasterbaby。\'

Thechildrenalllookedatme，asiftheyexpectedme

toexhibitastonishmentordelightatthisinformation。

Clearly，theywereproudofeachother，andofbeingsomany。

Whentheyhadallbeenintroduced，Anna，theeldestdaughter，

whohadmetmeatthedoor，scatteredthemgently，andcame

bringingawhiteapronwhichshetiedroundhermother\'swaist。

`Now，mother，sitdownandtalktoMr。Burden。We\'llfinish

thedishesquietlyandnotdisturbyou。\'

Antonialookedabout，quitedistracted。`Yes，child，butwhydon\'twetake

himintotheparlour，nowthatwe\'vegotaniceparlourforcompany？\'

Thedaughterlaughedindulgently，andtookmyhatfromme。

`Well，you\'rehere，now，mother，andifyoutalkhere，YulkaandI

canlisten，too。Youcanshowhimtheparlourafterwhile。\'

Shesmiledatme，andwentbacktothedishes，withhersister。

Thelittlegirlwiththeragdollfoundaplaceonthebottomstep

ofanenclosedbackstairway，andsatwithhertoescurledup，

lookingoutatusexpectantly。

`She\'sNina，afterNinaHarling，\'Antoniaexplained。

`Ain\'thereyeslikeNina\'s？Ideclare，Jim，Ilovedyouchildren

almostasmuchasIlovemyown。Thesechildrenknowallabout

youandCharleyandSally，likeasifthey\'dgrownupwithyou。

Ican\'tthinkofwhatIwanttosay，you\'vegotmesostirredup。

Andthen，I\'veforgotmyEnglishso。Idon\'toftentalkit

anymore。ItellthechildrenIusedtospeakrealwell。\'

ShesaidtheyalwaysspokeBohemianathome。Thelittleones

couldnotspeakEnglishatall——didn\'tlearnituntilthey

wenttoschool。

`Ican\'tbelieveit\'syou，sittinghere，inmyownkitchen。

Youwouldn\'thaveknownme，wouldyou，Jim？You\'vekept

soyoung，yourself。Butit\'seasierforaman。Ican\'tsee

howmyAntonlooksanyolderthanthedayImarriedhim。

Histeethhavekeptsonice。Ihaven\'tgotmanyleft。

ButIfeeljustasyoungasIusedto，andIcandoasmuchwork。

Oh，wedon\'thavetoworksohardnow！We\'vegotplenty

tohelpus，papaandme。Andhowmanyhaveyougot，Jim？\'

WhenItoldherIhadnochildren，sheseemedembarrassed。

`Oh，ain\'tthattoobad！Maybeyoucouldtakeoneofmybadones，now？

ThatLeo；he\'stheworstofall。\'Sheleanedtowardmewithasmile。

`AndIlovehimthebest，\'shewhispered。`Mother！\'thetwogirlsmurmuredreproachfullyfromthedishes。

Antoniathrewupherheadandlaughed。`Ican\'thelpit。

YouknowIdo。Maybeit\'sbecausehecameonEasterDay，Idon\'tknow。

Andhe\'sneveroutofmischiefoneminute！\'

Iwasthinking，asIwatchedher，howlittleitmattered——

aboutherteeth，forinstance。Iknowsomanywomenwhohavekept

allthethingsthatshehadlost，butwhoseinnerglowhasfaded。

Whateverelsewasgone，Antoniahadnotlostthefireoflife。

Herskin，sobrownandhardened，hadnotthatlookofflabbiness，

asifthesapbeneathithadbeensecretlydrawnaway。

Whileweweretalking，thelittleboywhomtheycalledJancameinand

satdownonthestepbesideNina，underthehoodofthestairway。

Heworeafunnylongginghamapron，likeasmock，overhistrousers，

andhishairwasclippedsoshortthathisheadlookedwhiteandnaked。

Hewatchedusoutofhisbig，sorrowfulgreyeyes。

`Hewantstotellyouaboutthedog，mother。Theyfounditdead，\'

Annasaid，asshepassedusonherwaytothecupboard。

Antoniabeckonedtheboytoher。Hestoodbyherchair，

leaninghiselbowsonherkneesandtwistingherapronstringsinhis

slenderfingers，whilehetoldherhisstorysoftlyinBohemian，

andthetearsbrimmedoverandhungonhislonglashes。

Hismotherlistened，spokesoothinglytohimandinawhisper

promisedhimsomethingthatmadehimgiveheraquick，tearysmile。

HeslippedawayandwhisperedhissecrettoNina，sittingclose

toherandtalkingbehindhishand。

WhenAnnafinishedherworkandhadwashedherhands，

shecameandstoodbehindhermother\'schair。`Whydon\'twe

showMr。Burdenournewfruitcave？\'sheasked。

Westartedoffacrosstheyardwiththechildrenatourheels。

Theboyswerestandingbythewindmill，talkingaboutthedog；

someofthemranaheadtoopenthecellardoor。Whenwedescended，

theyallcamedownafterus，andseemedquiteasproudofthecave

asthegirlswere。

Ambrosch，thethoughtful-lookingonewhohaddirectedmedownbytheplum

bushes，calledmyattentiontothestoutbrickwallsandthecementfloor。

`Yes，itisagoodwayfromthehouse，\'headmitted。`But，yousee，inwinter

therearenearlyalwayssomeofusaroundtocomeoutandgetthings。\'

AnnaandYulkashowedmethreesmallbarrels；onefullofdillpickles，

onefullofchoppedpickles，andonefullofpickledwatermelonrinds。

`Youwouldn\'tbelieve，Jim，whatittakestofeedthemall！\'

theirmotherexclaimed。`Yououghttoseethebreadwebakeon

WednesdaysandSaturdays！It\'snowondertheirpoorpapacan\'t

getrich，hehastobuysomuchsugarforustopreservewith。

Wehaveourownwheatgroundforflour——butthenthere\'sthatmuch

lesstosell。\'

NinaandJan，andalittlegirlnamedLucie，keptshylypointingouttome

theshelvesofglassjars。Theysaidnothing，but，glancingatme，

tracedontheglasswiththeirfinger-tipstheoutlineofthecherries

andstrawberriesandcrabappleswithin，tryingbyablissfulexpression

ofcountenancetogivemesomeideaoftheirdeliciousness。

`Showhimthespicedplums，mother。Americansdon\'thavethose，\'

saidoneoftheolderboys。`Motherusesthemtomakekolaches，\'headded。Leo，inalowvoice，tossedoffsomescornfulremarkinBohemian。

Iturnedtohim。`YouthinkIdon\'tknowwhatkolachesare，eh？

You\'remistaken，youngman。I\'veeatenyourmother\'skolacheslong

beforethatEasterDaywhenyouwereborn。\'`Alwaystoofresh，Leo，\'Ambroschremarkedwithashrug。Leodivedbehindhismotherandgrinnedoutatme。

Weturnedtoleavethecave；AntoniaandIwentupthestairsfirst，

andthechildrenwaited。Wewerestandingoutsidetalking，

whentheyallcamerunningupthestepstogether，bigandlittle，

towheadsandgoldheadsandbrown，andflashinglittlenakedlegs；

averitableexplosionoflifeoutofthedarkcaveintothesunlight。

Itmademedizzyforamoment。

Theboysescortedustothefrontofthehouse，whichIhadn\'t

yetseen；infarm-houses，somehow，lifecomesandgoesbythe

backdoor。Theroofwassosteepthattheeaveswerenotmuch

abovetheforestoftallhollyhocks，nowbrownandinseed。

ThroughJuly，Antoniasaid，thehousewasburiedinthem；

theBohemians，Iremembered，alwaysplantedhollyhocks。

Thefrontyardwasenclosedbyathornylocusthedge，andat

thegategrewtwosilvery，mothliketreesofthemimosafamily。

Fromhereonelookeddownoverthecattle-yards，withtheir

twolongponds，andoverawidestretchofstubblewhichthey

toldmewasaryefieldinsummer。

Atsomedistancebehindthehousewereanashgroveandtwoorchards:

acherryorchard，withgooseberryandcurrantbushesbetweentherows，

andanappleorchard，shelteredbyahighhedgefromthehotwinds。

Theolderchildrenturnedbackwhenwereachedthehedge，butJanandNina

andLuciecreptthroughitbyaholeknownonlytothemselvesandhid

underthelow-branchingmulberrybushes。

Aswewalkedthroughtheappleorchard，grownupintallbluegrass，

Antoniakeptstoppingtotellmeaboutonetreeandanother。

`Ilovethemasiftheywerepeople，\'shesaid，rubbingherhand

overthebark。`Therewasn\'tatreeherewhenwefirstcame。

Weplantedeveryone，andusedtocarrywaterforthem，too——afterwe\'d

beenworkinginthefieldsallday。Anton，hewasacityman，

andheusedtogetdiscouraged。ButIcouldn\'tfeelsotired

thatIwouldn\'tfretaboutthesetreeswhentherewasadrytime。

Theywereonmymindlikechildren。Manyanightafterhewasasleep

I\'vegotupandcomeoutandcarriedwatertothepoorthings。

Andnow，yousee，wehavethegoodofthem。Mymanworkedin

theorangegrovesinFlorida，andheknowsallaboutgrafting。

Thereain\'toneofourneighbourshasanorchardthatbearslikeours。\'

Inthemiddleoftheorchardwecameuponagrapearbour，

withseatsbuiltalongthesidesandawarpedplanktable。

Thethreechildrenwerewaitingforusthere。Theylookedup

atmebashfullyandmadesomerequestoftheirmother。

`Theywantmetotellyouhowtheteacherhastheschoolpicnic

hereeveryyear。Thesedon\'tgotoschoolyet，sotheythinkit\'s

alllikethepicnic。\'

AfterIhadadmiredthearboursufficiently，theyoungstersranaway

toanopenplacewheretherewasaroughjungleofFrenchpinks，

andsquatteddownamongthem，crawlingaboutandmeasuringwithastring。

`Janwantstoburyhisdogthere，\'Antoniaexplained。

`Ihadtotellhimhecould。He\'skindoflikeNinaHarling；

yourememberhowhardsheusedtotakelittlethings？

Hehasfunnynotions，likeher。\'

Wesatdownandwatchedthem。Antonialeanedherelbowsonthetable。

Therewasthedeepestpeaceinthatorchard。Itwassurroundedbya

tripleenclosure；thewirefence，thenthehedgeofthornylocusts，

thenthemulberryhedgewhichkeptoutthehotwindsofsummer

andheldfasttotheprotectingsnowsofwinter。Thehedgeswere

sotallthatwecouldseenothingbuttheblueskyabovethem，

neitherthebarnroofnorthewindmill。Theafternoonsunpoured

downonusthroughthedryinggrapeleaves。Theorchardseemedfull

ofsun，likeacup，andwecouldsmelltheripeapplesonthetrees。

Thecrabshungonthebranchesasthickasbeadsonastring，

purple-red，withathinsilveryglazeoverthem。Somehensandducks

hadcreptthroughthehedgeandwerepeckingatthefallenapples。

Thedrakeswerehandsomefellows，withpinkishgreybodies，

theirheadsandneckscoveredwithiridescentgreenfeathers

whichgrewcloseandfull，changingtobluelikeapeacock\'sneck。

Antoniasaidtheyalwaysremindedherofsoldiers——someuniform

shehadseenintheoldcountry，whenshewasachild。

`Arethereanyquailleftnow？\'Iasked。Iremindedherhowshe

usedtogohuntingwithmethelastsummerbeforewemovedtotown。

`Youweren\'tabadshot，Tony。Doyourememberhowyouusedtowant

torunawayandgoforduckswithCharleyHarlingandme？\'

`Iknow，butI\'mafraidtolookatagunnow。\'Shepickedup

oneofthedrakesandruffledhisgreencapotewithherfingers。

`EversinceI\'vehadchildren，Idon\'tliketokillanything。

Itmakesmekindoffainttowringanoldgoose\'sneck。

Ain\'tthatstrange，Jim？\'

`Idon\'tknow。TheyoungQueenofItalysaidthesamethingonce，

toafriendofmine。Sheusedtobeagreathuntswoman，

butnowshefeelsasyoudo，andonlyshootsclaypigeons。\'`ThenI\'msureshe\'sagoodmother，\'Antoniasaidwarmly。

Shetoldmehowsheandherhusbandhadcomeouttothisnewcountry

whenthefarm-landwascheapandcouldbehadoneasypayments。

Thefirsttenyearswereahardstruggle。Herhusbandknew

verylittleaboutfarmingandoftengrewdiscouraged。

`We\'dneverhavegotthroughifIhadn\'tbeensostrong。

I\'vealwayshadgoodhealth，thankGod，andIwasabletohelphim

inthefieldsuntilrightuptothetimebeforemybabiescame。

Ourchildrenweregoodabouttakingcareofeachother。

Martha，theoneyousawwhenshewasababy，wassuch

ahelptome，andshetrainedAnnatobejustlikeher。

MyMartha\'smarriednow，andhasababyofherown。

Thinkofthat，Jim！

`No，Inevergotdown-hearted。Anton\'sagoodman，andIloved

mychildrenandalwaysbelievedtheywouldturnoutwell。

Ibelongonafarm。I\'mneverlonesomeherelikeIusedtobeintown。

YourememberwhatsadspellsIusedtohave，whenIdidn\'tknow

whatwasthematterwithme？I\'veneverhadthemouthere。

AndIdon\'tmindworkabit，ifIdon\'thavetoputupwithsadness。\'

Sheleanedherchinonherhandandlookeddownthroughtheorchard，

wherethesunlightwasgrowingmoreandmoregolden。`Yououghtnevertohavegonetotown，Tony，\'Isaid，wonderingather。Sheturnedtomeeagerly。

`Oh，I\'mgladIwent！I\'dneverhaveknownanythingaboutcooking

orhousekeepingifIhadn\'t。IlearnednicewaysattheHarlings\'，

andI\'vebeenabletobringmychildrenupsomuchbetter。

Don\'tyouthinktheyareprettywell-behavedforcountrychildren？

Ifithadn\'tbeenforwhatMrs。Harlingtaughtme，IexpectI\'dhave

broughtthemuplikewildrabbits。No，I\'mgladIhadachancetolearn；

butI\'mthankfulnoneofmydaughterswilleverhavetoworkout。

Thetroublewithmewas，Jim，Inevercouldbelieveharmof

anybodyIloved。\'

Whileweweretalking，Antoniaassuredmethatshe

couldkeepmeforthenight。`We\'veplentyofroom。

Twooftheboyssleepinthehaymowtillcoldweathercomes，

butthere\'snoneedforit。Leoalwaysbegstosleepthere，

andAmbroschgoesalongtolookafterhim。\'ItoldherIwouldliketosleepinthehaymow，withtheboys。

`Youcandojustasyouwantto。Thechestisfullofcleanblankets，

putawayforwinter。NowImustgo，ormygirlswillbedoingallthework，

andIwanttocookyoursuppermyself。\'

Aswewenttowardthehouse，wemetAmbroschandAnton，

startingoffwiththeirmilking-pailstohuntthecows。

Ijoinedthem，andLeoaccompaniedusatsomedistance，

runningaheadandstartingupatusoutofclumpsofironweed，

calling，`I\'majackrabbit，\'or，`I\'mabigbull-snake。\'

Iwalkedbetweenthetwoolderboys——straight，well-madefellows，

withgoodheadsandcleareyes。Theytalkedabouttheirschool

andthenewteacher，toldmeaboutthecropsandtheharvest，

andhowmanysteerstheywouldfeedthatwinter。Theywereeasy

andconfidentialwithme，asifIwereanoldfriendofthefamily——

andnottooold。Ifeltlikeaboyintheircompany，andallmanner

offorgotteninterestsrevivedinme。Itseemed，afterall，

sonaturaltobewalkingalongabarbed-wirefencebesidethesunset，

towardaredpond，andtoseemyshadowmovingalongatmyright，

overtheclose-croppedgrass。

`Hasmothershownyouthepicturesyousentherfromtheoldcountry？\'

Ambroschasked。`We\'vehadthemframedandthey\'rehungupintheparlour。

Shewassogladtogetthem。Idon\'tbelieveIeversawhersopleased

aboutanything。\'Therewasanoteofsimplegratitudeinhisvoicethatmade

mewishIhadgivenmoreoccasionforit。

Iputmyhandonhisshoulder。`Yourmother，youknow，

wasverymuchlovedbyallofus。Shewasabeautifulgirl。\'

`Oh，weknow！\'Theybothspoketogether；seemedalittle

surprisedthatIshouldthinkitnecessarytomentionthis。

`Everybodylikedher，didn\'tthey？TheHarlingsandyourgrandmother，

andallthetownpeople。\'

`Sometimes，\'Iventured，`itdoesn\'toccurtoboysthattheirmother

waseveryoungandpretty。\'

`Oh，weknow！\'theysaidagain，warmly。`She\'snotveryoldnow，\'

Ambroschadded。`Notmucholderthanyou。\'

`Well，\'Isaid，`ifyouweren\'tnicetoher，IthinkI\'dtakeaclubandgo

forthewholelotofyou。Icouldn\'tstanditifyouboyswereinconsiderate，

orthoughtofherasifshewerejustsomebodywholookedafteryou。

YouseeIwasverymuchinlovewithyourmotheronce，andIknowthere\'s

nobodylikeher。\'Theboyslaughedandseemedpleasedandembarrassed。

`Shenevertoldusthat，\'saidAnton。`Butshe\'salwaystalked

lotsaboutyou，andaboutwhatgoodtimesyouusedtohave。

ShehasapictureofyouthatshecutoutoftheChicagopaperonce，

andLeosaysherecognizedyouwhenyoudroveuptothewindmill。

Youcan\'ttellaboutLeo，though；sometimeshelikestobesmart。\'

Webroughtthecowshometothecornernearestthebarn，andtheboys

milkedthemwhilenightcameon。Everythingwasasitshouldbe:

thestrongsmellofsunflowersandironweedinthedew，theclearblue

andgoldofthesky，theeveningstar，thepurrofthemilkintothepails，

thegruntsandsquealsofthepigsfightingovertheirsupper。

Ibegantofeelthelonelinessofthefarm-boyatevening，whenthechores

seemeverlastinglythesame，andtheworldsofaraway。

Whatatablefulwewereatsupper:twolongrowsofrestless

headsinthelamplight，andsomanyeyesfastenedexcitedlyupon

Antoniaasshesatattheheadofthetable，fillingtheplates

andstartingthedishesontheirway。Thechildrenwereseated

accordingtoasystem；alittleonenextanolderone，whowas

towatchoverhisbehaviourandtoseethathegothisfood。

AnnaandYulkalefttheirchairsfromtimetotimetobring

freshplatesofkolachesandpitchersofmilk。

Aftersupperwewentintotheparlour，sothatYulkaandLeo

couldplayforme。Antoniawentfirst，carryingthelamp。

Therewerenotnearlychairsenoughtogoround，

sotheyoungerchildrensatdownonthebarefloor。

LittleLuciewhisperedtomethattheyweregoingtohave

aparlourcarpetiftheygotninetycentsfortheirwheat。

Leo，withagooddealoffussing，gotouthisviolin。

ItwasoldMr。Shimerda\'sinstrument，whichAntoniahadalwayskept，

anditwastoobigforhim。Butheplayedverywellfora

self-taughtboy。PoorYulka\'seffortswerenotsosuccessful。

Whiletheywereplaying，littleNinagotupfromhercorner，

cameoutintothemiddleofthefloor，andbegantodo

aprettylittledanceontheboardswithherbarefeet。

Noonepaidtheleastattentiontoher，andwhenshewas

throughshestolebackandsatdownbyherbrother。

AntoniaspoketoLeoinBohemian。Hefrownedandwrinkleduphisface。

Heseemedtobetryingtopout，buthisattemptonlybroughtout

dimplesinunusualplaces。Aftertwistingandscrewingthekeys，

heplayedsomeBohemianairs，withouttheorgantoholdhimback，

andthatwentbetter。TheboywassorestlessthatIhadnothad

achancetolookathisfacebefore。Myfirstimpressionwasright；

hereallywasfaun-like。Hehadn\'tmuchheadbehindhisears，

andhistawnyfleecegrewdownthicktothebackofhisneck。

Hiseyeswerenotfrankandwideapartlikethoseoftheotherboys，

butweredeep-set，gold-greenincolour，andseemedsensitivetothelight。

Hismothersaidhegothurtoftenerthanalltheothersputtogether。

Hewasalwaystryingtoridethecoltsbeforetheywerebroken，

teasingtheturkeygobbler，seeingjusthowmuchredthebullwould

standfor，orhowsharpthenewaxewas。

Aftertheconcertwasover，Antoniabroughtoutabigboxfulofphotographs:

sheandAntonintheirweddingclothes，holdinghands；herbrotherAmbrosch

andhisveryfatwife，whohadafarmofherown，andwhobossedherhusband，

Iwasdelightedtohear；thethreeBohemianMarysandtheirlargefamilies。

`Youwouldn\'tbelievehowsteadythosegirlshaveturnedout，\'

Antoniaremarked。`MarySvoboda\'sthebestbutter-maker

inallthiscountry，andafinemanager。Herchildrenwill

haveagrandchance。\'

AsAntoniaturnedoverthepicturestheyoungCuzaksstoodbehindherchair，

lookingoverhershoulderwithinterestedfaces。NinaandJan，

aftertryingtoseeroundthetallerones，quietlybroughtachair，

climbeduponit，andstoodclosetogether，looking。Thelittleboyforgot

hisshynessandgrinneddelightedlywhenfamiliarfacescameintoview。

InthegroupaboutAntoniaIwasconsciousofakindofphysicalharmony。

Theyleanedthiswayandthat，andwerenotafraidtotoucheachother。

Theycontemplatedthephotographswithpleasedrecognition；lookedat

someadmiringly，asifthesecharactersintheirmother\'sgirlhoodhadbeen

remarkablepeople。Thelittlechildren，whocouldnotspeakEnglish，

murmuredcommentstoeachotherintheirricholdlanguage。

AntoniaheldoutaphotographofLenathathadcomefromSan

FranciscolastChristmas。`Doesshestilllooklikethat？

Shehasn\'tbeenhomeforsixyearsnow。\'Yes，itwasexactly

likeLena，Itoldher；acomelywoman，atrifletooplump，

inahatatrifletoolarge，butwiththeoldlazyeyes，

andtheolddimpledingenuousnessstilllurkingatthecorners

ofhermouth。

TherewasapictureofFrancesHarlinginabefroggedridingcostumethatI

rememberedwell。`Isn\'tshefine！\'thegirlsmurmured。Theyallassented。

OnecouldseethatFranceshadcomedownasaheroineinthefamilylegend。

OnlyLeowasunmoved。

`Andthere\'sMr。Harling，inhisgrandfurcoat。Hewasawfullyrich，

wasn\'the，mother？\'

`Hewasn\'tanyRockefeller，\'putinMasterLeo，inaverylowtone，

whichremindedmeofthewayinwhichMrs。Shimerdahadoncesaid

thatmygrandfather`wasn\'tJesus。\'Hishabitualscepticismwas

likeadirectinheritancefromthatoldwoman。`Noneofyoursmartspeeches，\'saidAmbroschseverely。

Leopokedoutasuppleredtongueathim，butamomentlaterbroke

intoagiggleatatintypeoftwomen，uncomfortablyseated，

withanawkward-lookingboyinbaggyclothesstandingbetweenthem:

JakeandOttoandI！Wehadittaken，Iremembered，whenwewent

toBlackHawkonthefirstFourthofJulyIspentinNebraska。

IwasgladtoseeJake\'sgrinagain，andOtto\'sferociousmoustaches。

TheyoungCuzaksknewallaboutthem。`Hemadegrandfather\'scoffin，

didn\'the？\'Antonasked。

`Wasn\'ttheygoodfellows，Jim？\'Antonia\'seyesfilled。

`TothisdayI\'mashamedbecauseIquarrelledwithJakethatway。

Iwassaucyandimpertinenttohim，Leo，likeyouarewith

peoplesometimes，andIwishsomebodyhadmademebehave。\'

`Wearen\'tthroughwithyou，yet，\'theywarnedme。

TheyproducedaphotographtakenjustbeforeIwentawaytocollege:

atallyouthinstripedtrousersandastrawhat，tryingtolook

easyandjaunty。

`Tellus，Mr。Burden，\'saidCharley，`abouttherattleryoukilled

atthedog-town。Howlongwashe？Sometimesmothersayssixfeet

andsometimesshesaysfive。\'

Thesechildrenseemedtobeuponverymuchthesametermswith

AntoniaastheHarlingchildrenhadbeensomanyyearsbefore。

Theyseemedtofeelthesameprideinher，andtolooktoher

forstoriesandentertainmentasweusedtodo。

Itwaseleveno\'clockwhenIatlasttookmybagandsomeblankets

andstartedforthebarnwiththeboys。Theirmothercametothedoor

withus，andwetarriedforamomenttolookoutatthewhite

slopeofthecorralandthetwopondsasleepinthemoonlight，

andthelongsweepofthepastureunderthestar-sprinkledsky。

Theboystoldmetochoosemyownplaceinthehaymow，

andIlaydownbeforeabigwindow，leftopeninwarmweather，

thatlookedoutintothestars。AmbroschandLeocuddledupina

hay-cave，backundertheeaves，andlaygigglingandwhispering。

Theytickledeachotherandtossedandtumbledinthehay；

andthen，allatonce，asiftheyhadbeenshot，theywerestill。

Therewashardlyaminutebetweengigglesandblandslumber。

Ilayawakeforalongwhile，untiltheslow-movingmoonpassed

mywindowonitswayuptheheavens。Iwasthinkingabout

Antoniaandherchildren；aboutAnna\'ssolicitudeforher，

Ambrosch\'sgraveaffection，Leo\'sjealous，animallittlelove。

Thatmoment，whentheyallcametumblingoutofthecaveinto

thelight，wasasightanymanmighthavecomefartosee。

Antoniahadalwaysbeenonetoleaveimagesinthemind

thatdidnotfade——thatgrewstrongerwithtime。

Inmymemorytherewasasuccessionofsuchpictures，

fixedthereliketheoldwoodcutsofone\'sfirstprimer:

Antoniakickingherbarelegsagainstthesidesofmyponywhenwe

camehomeintriumphwithoursnake；Antoniainherblackshawl

andfurcap，asshestoodbyherfather\'sgraveinthesnowstorm；

Antoniacominginwithherwork-teamalongtheeveningsky-line。

Shelentherselftoimmemorialhumanattitudeswhichwerecognize

byinstinctasuniversalandtrue。Ihadnotbeenmistaken。

Shewasabatteredwomannow，notalovelygirl；butshe

stillhadthatsomethingwhichfirestheimagination，

couldstillstopone\'sbreathforamomentbyalookor

gesturethatsomehowrevealedthemeaningincommonthings。

Shehadonlytostandintheorchard，toputherhandona

littlecrabtreeandlookupattheapples，tomakeyoufeel

thegoodnessofplantingandtendingandharvestingatlast。

Allthestrongthingsofherheartcameoutinherbody，

thathadbeensotirelessinservinggenerousemotions。

Itwasnowonderthathersonsstoodtallandstraight。

Shewasarichmineoflife，likethefoundersofearlyraces。

II

WHENIAWOKEINTHEmorning，longbandsofsunshinewere

cominginatthewindowandreachingbackundertheeaves

wherethetwoboyslay。Leowaswideawakeandwastickling

hisbrother\'slegwithadriedcone-flowerhehadpulled

outofthehay。Ambroschkickedathimandturnedover。

Iclosedmyeyesandpretendedtobeasleep。Leolayon

hisback，elevatedonefoot，andbeganexercisinghistoes。

Hepickedupdriedflowerswithhistoesandbrandishedthem

inthebeltofsunlight。Afterhehadamusedhimselfthus

forsometime，heroseononeelbowandbegantolookatme，

cautiously，thencritically，blinkinghiseyesinthelight。

Hisexpressionwasdroll；itdismissedmelightly。

`Thisoldfellowisnodifferentfromotherpeople。

Hedoesn\'tknowmysecret。\'Heseemedconsciousofpossessing

akeenerpowerofenjoymentthanotherpeople；hisquickrecognitions

madehimfranticallyimpatientofdeliberatejudgments。

Healwaysknewwhathewantedwithoutthinking。

Afterdressinginthehay，Iwashedmyfaceincoldwateratthewindmill。

BreakfastwasreadywhenIenteredthekitchen，andYulkawasbaking

griddle-cakes。Thethreeolderboyssetoffforthefieldsearly。

LeoandYulkaweretodrivetotowntomeettheirfather，whowould

returnfromWilberonthenoontrain。

`We\'llonlyhavealunchatnoon，\'Antoniasaid，

andcookthegeeseforsupper，whenourpapawillbehere。

IwishmyMarthacouldcomedowntoseeyou。TheyhaveaFord

carnow，andshedon\'tseemsofarawayfrommeassheusedto。

Butherhusband\'scrazyabouthisfarmandabouthaving

everythingjustright，andtheyalmostnevergetaway

exceptonSundays。He\'sahandsomeboy，andhe\'llberich

someday。Everythinghetakesholdofturnsoutwell。

Whentheybringthatbabyinhere，andunwraphim，helooks

likealittleprince；Marthatakescareofhimsobeautiful。

I\'mreconciledtoherbeingawayfrommenow，butatfirstI

criedlikeIwasputtingherintohercoffin。\'

Wewerealoneinthekitchen，exceptforAnna，whowaspouring

creamintothechurn。Shelookedupatme。`Yes，shedid。

Wewerejustashamedofmother。Shewentroundcrying，

whenMarthawassohappy，andtherestofuswereallglad。

Joecertainlywaspatientwithyou，mother。\'

Antonianoddedandsmiledatherself。`Iknowitwassilly，

butIcouldn\'thelpit。Iwantedherrighthere。

She\'dneverbeenawayfrommeanightsinceshewasborn。

IfAntonhadmadetroubleaboutherwhenshewasababy，orwanted

metoleaveherwithmymother，Iwouldn\'thavemarriedhim。

Icouldn\'t。Buthealwayslovedherlikeshewashisown。\'

`Ididn\'tevenknowMarthawasn\'tmyfullsisteruntilaftershe

wasengagedtoJoe，\'Annatoldme。

Towardthemiddleoftheafternoon，thewagondrovein，withthefatherand

theeldestson。Iwassmokingintheorchard，andasIwentouttomeetthem，

Antoniacamerunningdownfromthehouseandhuggedthetwomenasifthey

hadbeenawayformonths。

`Papa，\'interestedme，frommyfirstglimpseofhim。

Hewasshorterthanhisoldersons；acrumpledlittleman，

withrun-overboot-heels，andhecarriedoneshoulder

higherthantheother。Buthemovedveryquickly，

andtherewasanairofjauntylivelinessabouthim。

Hehadastrong，ruddycolour，thickblackhair，alittlegrizzled，

acurlymoustache，andredlips。Hissmileshowedthestrong

teethofwhichhiswifewassoproud，andashesawme

hislively，quizzicaleyestoldmethatheknewallaboutme。

Helookedlikeahumorousphilosopherwhohadhitchedupone

shoulderundertheburdensoflife，andgoneonhiswayhaving

agoodtimewhenhecould。Headvancedtomeetmeandgaveme

ahardhand，burnedredonthebackandheavilycoatedwithhair。

HeworehisSundayclothes，verythickandhotfortheweather，

anunstarchedwhiteshirt，andabluenecktiewithbig

whitedots，likealittleboy\'s，tiedinaflowingbow。

Cuzakbeganatoncetotalkabouthisholiday——frompoliteness

hespokeinEnglish。

`Mama，Iwishyouhadseetheladydanceontheslack-wire

inthestreetatnight。Theythrowabrightlightonherand

shefloatthroughtheairsomethingbeautiful，likeabird！

Theyhaveadancingbear，likeintheoldcountry，andtwo-three

merry-go-around，andpeopleinballoons，andwhatyoucall

thebigwheel，Rudolph？\'

`AFerriswheel，\'Rudolphenteredtheconversationinadeepbaritonevoice。

Hewassixfoottwo，andhadachestlikeayoungblacksmith。

`Wewenttothebigdanceinthehallbehindthesaloonlastnight，

mother，andIdancedwithallthegirls，andsodidfather。

Ineversawsomanyprettygirls。ItwasaBohunkcrowd，forsure。

Wedidn\'thearawordofEnglishonthestreet，exceptfromtheshowpeople，

didwe，papa？\'

Cuzaknodded。`Andverymanysendwordtoyou，Antonia。

Youwillexcuse\'——turningtome——`ifItellher。\'Whilewewalked

towardthehouseherelatedincidentsanddeliveredmessages

inthetonguehespokefluently，andIdroppedalittlebehind，

curioustoknowwhattheirrelationshadbecome——orremained。

Thetwoseemedtobeontermsofeasyfriendliness，touched

withhumour。Clearly，shewastheimpulse，andhethecorrective。

Astheywentupthehillhekeptglancingathersidewise，

toseewhethershegothispoint，orhowshereceivedit。

Inoticedlaterthathealwayslookedatpeoplesidewise，

asawork-horsedoesatitsyokemate。Evenwhenhesatopposite

meinthekitchen，talking，hewouldturnhisheadalittle

towardtheclockorthestoveandlookatmefromtheside，

butwithfranknessandgoodnature。Thistrickdidnot

suggestduplicityorsecretiveness，butmerelylonghabit，

aswiththehorse。

HehadbroughtatintypeofhimselfandRudolphforAntonia\'scollection，

andseveralpaperbagsofcandyforthechildren。Helookedalittle

disappointedwhenhiswifeshowedhimabigboxofcandyIhadgot

inDenver——shehadn\'tletthechildrentouchitthenightbefore。

Heputhiscandyawayinthecupboard，`forwhensherains，\'

andglancedatthebox，chuckling。`Iguessyoumusthavehear

abouthowmyfamilyain\'tsosmall，\'hesaid。

Cuzaksatdownbehindthestoveandwatchedhiswomenfolk

andthelittlechildrenwithequalamusement。Hethought

theywerenice，andhethoughttheywerefunny，evidently。

Hehadbeenoffdancingwiththegirlsandforgettingthathewas

anoldfellow，andnowhisfamilyrathersurprisedhim；heseemed

tothinkitajokethatallthesechildrenshouldbelongtohim。

Astheyoungeronesslippeduptohiminhisretreat，hekept

takingthingsoutofhispockets；pennydolls，awoodenclown，

aballoonpigthatwasinflatedbyawhistle。Hebeckonedto

thelittleboytheycalledJan，whisperedtohim，andpresented

himwithapapersnake，gently，soasnottostartlehim。

Lookingovertheboy\'sheadhesaidtome，`Thisoneisbashful。

Hegetsleft。\'

CuzakhadbroughthomewithhimarollofillustratedBohemianpapers。

Heopenedthemandbegantotellhiswifethenews，muchofwhichseemedto

relatetooneperson。IheardthenameVasakova，Vasakova，repeatedseveral

timeswithlivelyinterest，andpresentlyIaskedhimwhetherheweretalking

aboutthesinger，MariaVasak。

`Youknow？Youhaveheard，maybe？\'heaskedincredulously。

WhenIassuredhimthatIhadheardher，hepointedouther

pictureandtoldmethatVasakhadbrokenherleg，climbingin

theAustrianAlps，andwouldnotbeabletofillherengagements。

HeseemeddelightedtofindthatIhadheardhersingin

LondonandinVienna；gotouthispipeandlitittoenjoy

ourtalkthebetter。ShecamefromhispartofPrague。

Hisfatherusedtomendhershoesforherwhenshewasastudent。

Cuzakquestionedmeaboutherlooks，herpopularity，hervoice；

butheparticularlywantedtoknowwhetherIhadnoticedher

tinyfeet，andwhetherIthoughtshehadsavedmuchmoney。

Shewasextravagant，ofcourse，buthehopedshewouldn\'t

squandereverything，andhavenothingleftwhenshewasold。

Asayoungman，workinginWienn，hehadseenagoodmanyartists

whowereoldandpoor，makingoneglassofbeerlastallevening，

and`itwasnotverynice，that。\'

Whentheboyscameinfrommilkingandfeeding，thelongtable

waslaid，andtwobrowngeese，stuffedwithapples，wereput

downsizzlingbeforeAntonia。Shebegantocarve，andRudolph，

whosatnexthismother，startedtheplatesontheirway。

Wheneverybodywasserved，helookedacrossthetableatme。

`HaveyoubeentoBlackHawklately，Mr。Burden？

ThenIwonderifyou\'veheardabouttheCutters？\'No，Ihadheardnothingatallaboutthem。

`Thenyoumusttellhim，son，thoughit\'saterriblething

totalkaboutatsupper。Now，allyouchildrenbequiet，

Rudolphisgoingtotellaboutthemurder。\'`Hurrah！Themurder！\'thechildrenmurmured，lookingpleasedandinterested。

Rudolphtoldhisstoryingreatdetail，withoccasionalpromptings

fromhismotherorfather。

WickCutterandhiswifehadgoneonlivinginthehousethat

AntoniaandIknewsowell，andinthewayweknewsowell。

Theygrewtobeveryoldpeople。Heshrivelledup，

Antoniasaid，untilhelookedlikealittleoldyellowmonkey，

forhisbeardandhisfringeofhairneverchangedcolour。

Mrs。Cutterremainedflushedandwild-eyedaswehadknownher，

butastheyearspassedshebecameafflictedwithashakingpalsy

whichmadehernervousnodcontinuousinsteadofoccasional。

Herhandsweresouncertainthatshecouldnolongerdisfigurechina，

poorwoman！Asthecouplegrewolder，theyquarrelledmoreand

moreoftenabouttheultimatedispositionoftheir`property。\'

Anewlawwaspassedinthestate，securingthesurviving

wifeathirdofherhusband\'sestateunderallconditions。

CutterwastormentedbythefearthatMrs。Cutterwould

livelongerthanhe，andthateventuallyher`people，\'

whomhehadalwayshatedsoviolently，wouldinherit。

Theirquarrelsonthissubjectpassedtheboundaryofthe

close-growingcedars，andwereheardinthestreetbywhoever

wishedtoloiterandlisten。

Onemorning，twoyearsago，Cutterwentintothehardwarestoreand

boughtapistol，sayinghewasgoingtoshootadog，andaddingthat

he`thoughthewouldtakeashotatanoldcatwhilehewasaboutit。\'

(HerethechildreninterruptedRudolph\'snarrativebysmotheredgiggles。)

Cutterwentoutbehindthehardwarestore，putupatarget，

practisedforanhourorso，andthenwenthome。Atsix

o\'clockthatevening，whenseveralmenwerepassingtheCutter

houseontheirwayhometosupper，theyheardapistolshot。

Theypausedandwerelookingdoubtfullyatoneanother，

whenanothershotcamecrashingthroughanupstairswindow。

TheyranintothehouseandfoundWickCutterlyingon

asofainhisupstairsbedroom，withhisthroattornopen，

bleedingonarollofsheetshehadplacedbesidehishead。

`Walkin，gentlemen，\'hesaidweakly。`Iamalive，yousee，

andcompetent。YouarewitnessesthatIhavesurvivedmywife。

Youwillfindherinherownroom。Pleasemakeyourexamination

atonce，sothattherewillbenomistake。\'

Oneoftheneighbourstelephonedforadoctor，whiletheothers

wentintoMrs。Cutter\'sroom。Shewaslyingonherbed，

inhernight-gownandwrapper，shotthroughtheheart。

Herhusbandmusthavecomeinwhileshewastakingherafternoon

napandshother，holdingtherevolvernearherbreast。

Hernight-gownwasburnedfromthepowder。

ThehorrifiedneighboursrushedbacktoCutter。Heopenedhiseyesand

saiddistinctly，`Mrs。Cutterisquitedead，gentlemen，andIamconscious。

Myaffairsareinorder。\'Then，Rudolphsaid，`heletgoanddied。\'

Onhisdeskthecoronerfoundaletter，datedatfiveo\'clockthatafternoon。

Itstatedthathehadjustshothiswife；thatanywillshemightsecretly

havemadewouldbeinvalid，ashesurvivedher。Hemeanttoshoothimselfat

sixo\'clockandwould，ifhehadstrength，fireashotthroughthewindowin

thehopethatpassersbymightcomeinandseehim`beforelifewasextinct，\'

ashewrote。

`Now，wouldyouhavethoughtthatmanhadsuchacruelheart？\'

Antoniaturnedtomeafterthestorywastold。`Togoanddo

thatpoorwomanoutofanycomfortshemighthavefromhismoney

afterhewasgone！\'

`Didyoueverhearofanybodyelsethatkilledhimselfforspite，

Mr。Burden？\'askedRudolph。

IadmittedthatIhadn\'t。Everylawyerlearnsoverandover

howstrongamotivehatecanbe，butinmycollection

oflegalanecdotesIhadnothingtomatchthisone。

WhenIaskedhowmuchtheestateamountedto，Rudolphsaidit

wasalittleoverahundredthousanddollars。

Cuzakgavemeatwinkling，sidelongglance。`Thelawyers，

theygotagooddealofit，sure，\'hesaidmerrily。

Ahundredthousanddollars；sothatwasthefortunethathadbeen

scrapedtogetherbysuchharddealing，andthatCutterhimself

haddiedforintheend！

AftersupperCuzakandItookastrollintheorchardandsat

downbythewindmilltosmoke。Hetoldmehisstoryasifit

weremybusinesstoknowit。

Hisfatherwasashoemaker，hisuncleafurrier，andhe，

beingayoungerson，wasapprenticedtothelatter\'strade。

Younevergotanywhereworkingforyourrelatives，hesaid，

sowhenhewasajourneymanhewenttoViennaandworked

inabigfurshop，earninggoodmoney。Butayoungfellow

wholikedagoodtimedidn\'tsaveanythinginVienna；therewere

toomanypleasantwaysofspendingeverynightwhathe\'dmade

intheday。Afterthreeyearsthere，hecametoNewYork。

Hewasbadlyadvisedandwenttoworkonfursduringastrike，

whenthefactorieswereofferingbigwages。Thestrikerswon，

andCuzakwasblacklisted。Ashehadafewhundred

dollarsahead，hedecidedtogotoFloridaandraiseoranges。

Hehadalwaysthoughthewouldliketoraiseoranges！

Thesecondyearahardfrostkilledhisyounggrove，

andhefellillwithmalaria。HecametoNebraska

tovisithiscousin，AntonJelinek，andtolookabout。

Whenhebegantolookabout，hesawAntonia，andshewas

exactlythekindofgirlhehadalwaysbeenhuntingfor。

Theyweremarriedatonce，thoughhehadtoborrowmoney

fromhiscousintobuytheweddingring。

`Itwasaprettyhardjob，breakingupthisplaceandmaking

thefirstcropsgrow，\'hesaid，pushingbackhishatandscratching

hisgrizzledhair。`SometimesIgitawfulsoreonthisplaceandwant

toquit，butmywifeshealwayssaywebetterstickitout。Thebabies

comealongprettyfast，soitlooklikeitbehardtomove，anyhow。

Iguessshewasright，allright。Wegotthisplaceclearnow。

Wepayonlytwentydollarsanacrethen，andIbeenofferedahundred。

Weboughtanotherquartertenyearsago，andwegotitmostpaidfor。

Wegotplentyboys；wecanworkalotofland。Yes，sheisagood

wifeforapoorman。Sheain\'talwayssostrictwithme，neither。

SometimesmaybeIdrinkalittletoomuchbeerintown，andwhenI

comehomeshedon\'tsaynothing。Shedon\'taskmenoquestions。

Wealwaysgetalongfine，herandme，likeatfirst。

Thechildrendon\'tmaketroublebetweenus，likesometimeshappens。\'

Helitanotherpipeandpulledonitcontentedly。

IfoundCuzakamostcompanionablefellow。Heaskedmeagreatmany

questionsaboutmytripthroughBohemia，aboutViennaandtheRingstrasse

andthetheatres。

`Gee！Iliketogobackthereonce，whentheboysisbigenoughtofarm

theplace。SometimeswhenIreadthepapersfromtheoldcountry，

Iprettynearrunaway，\'heconfessedwithalittlelaugh。

`IneverdidthinkhowIwouldbeasettledmanlikethis。\'

Hewasstill，asAntoniasaid，acityman。Helikedtheatresandlighted

streetsandmusicandagameofdominoesaftertheday\'sworkwasover。

Hissociabilitywasstrongerthanhisacquisitiveinstinct。

Helikedtolivedaybydayandnightbynight，sharingintheexcitement

ofthecrowd——Yethiswifehadmanagedtoholdhimhereonafarm，

inoneoftheloneliestcountriesintheworld。

Icouldseethelittlechap，sittinghereeveryeveningby

thewindmill，nursinghispipeandlisteningtothesilence；

thewheezeofthepump，thegruntingofthepigs，

anoccasionalsquawkingwhenthehensweredisturbedbyarat。

ItdidratherseemtomethatCuzakhadbeenmadetheinstrument

ofAntonia\'sspecialmission。Thiswasafinelife，certainly，

butitwasn\'tthekindoflifehehadwantedtolive。

Iwonderedwhetherthelifethatwasrightforonewasever

rightfortwo！

IaskedCuzakifhedidn\'tfindithardtodowithoutthegay

companyhehadalwaysbeenusedto。Heknockedouthispipe

againstanupright，sighed，anddroppeditintohispocket。

`AtfirstIneargocrazywithlonesomeness，\'hesaidfrankly，`butmywoman

isgotsuchawarmheart。Shealwaysmakeitasgoodformeasshecould。

Nowitain\'tsobad；Icanbegintohavesomefunwithmyboys，already！\'

Aswewalkedtowardthehouse，Cuzakcockedhishatjauntilyoverone

earandlookedupatthemoon。`Gee！\'hesaidinahushedvoice，

asifhehadjustwakenedup，`itdon\'tseemlikeIamawayfrom

theretwenty-sixyear！\'

III

AFTERDINNERTHENEXTdayIsaidgood-byeanddrove

backtoHastingstotakethetrainforBlackHawk。

AntoniaandherchildrengatheredroundmybuggybeforeIstarted，

andeventhelittleoneslookedupatmewithfriendlyfaces。

LeoandAmbroschranaheadtoopenthelanegate。

WhenIreachedthebottomofthehill，Iglancedback。

Thegroupwasstilltherebythewindmill。Antoniawas

wavingherapron。

AtthegateAmbroschlingeredbesidemybuggy，restinghisarm

onthewheel-rim。Leoslippedthroughthefenceandranoff

intothepasture。

`That\'slikehim，\'hisbrothersaidwithashrug。`He\'sacrazykid。

Maybehe\'ssorrytohaveyougo，andmaybehe\'sjealous。

He\'sjealousofanybodymothermakesafussover，eventhepriest。\'

IfoundIhatedtoleavethisboy，withhispleasantvoiceandhisfine

headandeyes。Helookedverymanlyashestoodtherewithoutahat，

thewindripplinghisshirtabouthisbrownneckandshoulders。

`Don\'tforgetthatyouandRudolpharegoinghuntingwithmeup

ontheNiobraranextsummer，\'Isaid。`Yourfather\'sagreedtolet

youoffafterharvest。\'

Hesmiled。`Iwon\'tlikelyforget。I\'veneverhadsuchanicething

offeredtomebefore。Idon\'tknowwhatmakesyousonicetousboys，\'

headded，blushing。`Oh，yes，youdo！\'Isaid，gatheringupmyreins。

Hemadenoanswertothis，excepttosmileatmewithunabashed

pleasureandaffectionasIdroveaway。

MydayinBlackHawkwasdisappointing。Mostofmyoldfriends

weredeadorhadmovedaway。Strangechildren，whomeantnothing

tome，wereplayingintheHarlings\'bigyardwhenIpassed；

themountainashhadbeencutdown，andonlyasproutingstump

wasleftofthetallLombardypoplarthatusedtoguardthegate。

Ihurriedon。TherestofthemorningIspentwithAntonJelinek，

underashadycottonwoodtreeintheyardbehindhissaloon。

WhileIwashavingmymiddaydinneratthehotel，Imetone

oftheoldlawyerswhowasstillinpractice，andhetookme

uptohisofficeandtalkedovertheCuttercasewithme。

Afterthat，Iscarcelyknewhowtoputinthetimeuntil

thenightexpresswasdue。

Itookalongwalknorthofthetown，outintothepastures

wherethelandwassoroughthatithadneverbeenploughedup，

andthelongredgrassofearlytimesstillgrewshaggyover

thedrawsandhillocks。OutthereIfeltathomeagain。

Overheadtheskywasthatindescribableblueofautumn；

brightandshadowless，hardasenamel。TothesouthIcould

seethedun-shadedriverbluffsthatusedtolooksobigtome，

andallaboutstretcheddryingcornfields，ofthepale-goldcolour，

Irememberedsowell。Russianthistleswereblowingacross

theuplandsandpilingagainstthewirefenceslikebarricades。

Alongthecattle-pathstheplumesofgoldenrodwerealready

fadingintosun-warmedvelvet，greywithgoldthreadsinit。

Ihadescapedfromthecuriousdepressionthathangsoverlittletowns，

andmymindwasfullofpleasantthings；tripsImeanttotake

withtheCuzakboys，intheBadLandsandupontheStinkingWater。

TherewereenoughCuzakstoplaywithforalongwhileyet。

Evenaftertheboysgrewup，therewouldalwaysbeCuzakhimself！

ImeanttotrampalongafewmilesoflightedstreetswithCuzak。

AsIwanderedoverthoseroughpastures，Ihadthegoodluck

tostumbleuponabitofthefirstroadthatwentfromBlack

Hawkouttothenorthcountry；tomygrandfather\'sfarm，

thenontotheShimerdas\'andtotheNorwegiansettlement。

Everywhereelseithadbeenploughedunderwhenthehighways

weresurveyed；thishalf-mileorsowithinthepasturefence

wasallthatwasleftofthatoldroadwhichusedtorunlikea

wildthingacrosstheopenprairie，clingingtothehighplaces

andcirclinganddoublinglikearabbitbeforethehounds。

Onthelevellandthetrackshadalmostdisappeared——weremere

shadingsinthegrass，andastrangerwouldnothavenoticedthem。

Butwherevertheroadhadcrossedadraw，itwaseasytofind。

Therainshadmadechannelsofthewheel-rutsandwashed

themsodeeplythatthesodhadneverhealedoverthem。

Theylookedlikegashestornbyagrizzly\'sclaws，ontheslopes

wherethefarm-wagonsusedtolurchupoutofthehollowswithapull

thatbroughtcurlingmusclesonthesmoothhipsofthehorses。

Isatdownandwatchedthehaystacksturnrosyintheslantingsunlight。

ThiswastheroadoverwhichAntoniaandIcameonthatnight

whenwegotoffthetrainatBlackHawkandwerebeddeddownin

thestraw，wonderingchildren，beingtakenweknewnotwhither。

Ihadonlytoclosemyeyestoheartherumblingofthewagonsin

thedark，andtobeagainovercomebythatobliteratingstrangeness。

ThefeelingsofthatnightweresonearthatIcouldreachoutand

touchthemwithmyhand。Ihadthesenseofcominghometomyself，

andofhavingfoundoutwhatalittlecircleman\'sexperienceis。

ForAntoniaandforme，thishadbeentheroadofDestiny；

hadtakenustothoseearlyaccidentsoffortunewhichpredetermined

forusallthatwecaneverbe。NowIunderstoodthatthesame

roadwastobringustogetheragain。Whateverwehadmissed，

wepossessedtogethertheprecious，theincommunicablepast。

THEEND