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VIII
OntheeveningofthedayofAlexandra’scallattheShabatas’，aheavyrainsetin。FranksatupuntilalatehourreadingtheSundaynewspa—
pers。OneoftheGouldswasgettingadivorce，andFranktookitasapersonalaffront。Inprintingthestoryoftheyoungman’smar—
italtroubles，theknowingeditorgaveasuffi—
cientlycoloredaccountofhiscareer，statingtheamountofhisincomeandthemannerinwhichhewassupposedtospendit。FrankreadEnglishslowly，andthemorehereadaboutthisdivorcecase，theangrierhegrew。Atlasthethrewdownthepagewithasnort。Heturnedtohisfarm—handwhowasreadingtheotherhalfofthepaper。
"ByGod！ifIhavethatyoungfellerindehayfieldonce，Ishowhimsometing。Listenherewhathedowithismoney。"AndFrankbeganthecatalogueoftheyoungman’sreputedextravagances。
Mariesighed。ShethoughtithardthattheGoulds，forwhomshehadnothingbutgoodwill，shouldmakehersomuchtrouble。ShehatedtoseetheSundaynewspaperscomeintothehouse。Frankwasalwaysreadingaboutthedoingsofrichpeopleandfeelingoutraged。Hehadaninexhaustiblestockofstoriesabouttheircrimesandfollies，howtheybribedthecourtsandshotdowntheirbutlerswithimpunitywhenevertheychose。FrankandLouBergsonhadverysimilarideas，andtheyweretwoofthepoliticalagitatorsofthecounty。
Thenextmorningbrokeclearandbrilliant，butFranksaidthegroundwastoowettoplough，sohetookthecartanddroveovertoSainte—AgnestospendthedayatMosesMar—
cel’ssaloon。Afterhewasgone，Mariewentouttothebackporchtobeginherbutter—making。A
briskwindhadcomeupandwasdrivingpuffywhitecloudsacrossthesky。Theorchardwassparklingandripplinginthesun。Mariestoodlookingtowarditwistfully，herhandonthelidofthechurn，whensheheardasharpringintheair，themerrysoundofthewhetstoneonthescythe。Thatinvitationdecidedher。Sheranintothehouse，putonashortskirtandapairofherhusband’sboots，caughtupatinpailandstartedfortheorchard。Emilhadalreadybe—
gunworkandwasmowingvigorously。Whenhesawhercoming，hestoppedandwipedhisbrow。
Hisyellowcanvasleggingsandkhakitrousersweresplashedtotheknees。
"Don’tletmedisturbyou，Emil。I’mgoingtopickcherries。Isn’teverythingbeautifulaftertherain？Oh，butI’mgladtogetthisplacemowed！WhenIhearditraininginthenight，Ithoughtmaybeyouwouldcomeanddoitformeto—day。Thewindwakenedme。
Didn’titblowdreadfully？Justsmellthewildroses！Theyarealwayssospicyafterarain。
Weneverhadsomanyoftheminherebefore。
Isupposeit’sthewetseason。Willyouhavetocutthem，too？"
"IfIcutthegrass，Iwill，"Emilsaidteas—
ingly。"What’sthematterwithyou？Whatmakesyousoflighty？"
"AmIflighty？Isupposethat’sthewetsea—
son，too，then。It’sexcitingtoseeeverythinggrowingsofast，——andtogetthegrasscut！
Pleaseleavetherosestilllast，ifyoumustcutthem。Oh，Idon’tmeanallofthem，Imeanthatlowplacedownbymytree，wheretherearesomany。Aren’tyousplashed！Lookatthespider—websalloverthegrass。Good—bye。
I’llcallyouifIseeasnake。"
ShetrippedawayandEmilstoodlookingafterher。Inafewmomentsheheardthecher—
riesdroppingsmartlyintothepail，andhebegantoswinghisscythewiththatlong，evenstrokethatfewAmericanboyseverlearn。
Mariepickedcherriesandsangsoftlytoherself，strippingoneglitteringbranchafteranother，shiveringwhenshecaughtashowerofrain—
dropsonherneckandhair。AndEmilmowedhiswayslowlydowntowardthecherrytrees。
ThatsummertherainshadbeensomanyandopportunethatitwasalmostmorethanShabataandhismancoulddotokeepupwiththecorn;theorchardwasaneglectedwilder—
ness。Allsortsofweedsandherbsandflowershadgrownupthere;splotchesofwildlarkspur，palegreen—and—whitespikesofhoarhound，plantationsofwildcotton，tanglesoffoxtailandwildwheat。Southoftheapricottrees，cor—
neringonthewheatfield，wasFrank’salfalfa，wheremyriadsofwhiteandyellowbutterflieswerealwaysflutteringabovethepurpleblos—
soms。WhenEmilreachedthelowercornerbythehedge，Mariewassittingunderherwhitemulberrytree，thepailfulofcherriesbesideher，lookingoffatthegentle，tirelessswellingofthewheat。
"Emil，"shesaidsuddenly——hewasmowingquietlyaboutunderthetreesoasnottodisturbher——"whatreligiondidtheSwedeshaveawayback，beforetheywereChristians？"
Emilpausedandstraightenedhisback。"I
don’tknow。AboutliketheGermans’，wasn’tit？"
Mariewentonasifshehadnotheardhim。
"TheBohemians，youknow，weretreewor—
shipersbeforethemissionariescame。Fathersaysthepeopleinthemountainsstilldoqueerthings，sometimes，——theybelievethattreesbringgoodorbadluck。"
Emillookedsuperior。"Dothey？Well，whicharetheluckytrees？I’dliketoknow。"
"Idon’tknowallofthem，butIknowlindensare。Theoldpeopleinthemountainsplantlindenstopurifytheforest，andtodoawaywiththespellsthatcomefromtheoldtreestheysayhavelastedfromheathentimes。
I’magoodCatholic，butIthinkIcouldgetalongwithcaringfortrees，ifIhadn’tanythingelse。"
"That’sapoorsaying，"saidEmil，stoopingovertowipehishandsinthewetgrass。
"Whyisit？IfIfeelthatway，Ifeelthatway。Iliketreesbecausetheyseemmoreresignedtothewaytheyhavetolivethanotherthingsdo。IfeelasifthistreeknowseverythingIeverthinkofwhenIsithere。
WhenIcomebacktoit，Ineverhavetore—
minditofanything;IbeginjustwhereIleftoff。"
Emilhadnothingtosaytothis。Hereachedupamongthebranchesandbegantopickthesweet，insipidfruit，——longivory—coloredber—
ries，tippedwithfaintpink，likewhitecoral，thatfalltothegroundunheededallsummerthrough。Hedroppedahandfulintoherlap。
"DoyoulikeMr。Linstrum？"Marieaskedsuddenly。
"Yes。Don’tyou？"
"Oh，eversomuch;onlyheseemskindofstaidandschool—teachery。But，ofcourse，heisolderthanFrank，even。I’msureIdon’twanttolivetobemorethanthirty，doyou？DoyouthinkAlexandralikeshimverymuch？"
"Isupposeso。Theywereoldfriends。"
"Oh，Emil，youknowwhatImean！"Marietossedherheadimpatiently。"Doesshereallycareabouthim？Whensheusedtotellmeabouthim，Ialwayswonderedwhethershewasn’talittleinlovewithhim。"
"Who，Alexandra？"Emillaughedandthrusthishandsintohistrouserspockets。
"Alexandra’sneverbeeninlove，youcrazy！"
Helaughedagain。"Shewouldn’tknowhowtogoaboutit。Theidea！"
Marieshruggedhershoulders。"Oh，youdon’tknowAlexandraaswellasyouthinkyoudo！Ifyouhadanyeyes，youwouldseethatsheisveryfondofhim。ItwouldserveyouallrightifshewalkedoffwithCarl。Ilikehimbecauseheappreciateshermorethanyoudo。"
Emilfrowned。"Whatareyoutalkingabout，Marie？Alexandra’sallright。SheandIhavealwaysbeengoodfriends。Whatmoredoyouwant？IliketotalktoCarlaboutNewYorkandwhatafellowcandothere。"
"Oh，Emil！Surelyyouarenotthinkingofgoingoffthere？"
"Whynot？Imustgosomewhere，mustn’tI？"Theyoungmantookuphisscytheandleanedonit。"WouldyouratherIwentoffinthesandhillsandlivedlikeIvar？"
Marie’sfacefellunderhisbroodinggaze。Shelookeddownathiswetleggings。"I’msureAlexandrahopesyouwillstayonhere，"shemurmured。
"ThenAlexandrawillbedisappointed，"theyoungmansaidroughly。"WhatdoIwanttohangaroundherefor？Alexandracanrunthefarmallright，withoutme。Idon’twanttostandaroundandlookon。Iwanttobedoingsomethingonmyownaccount。"
"That’sso，"Mariesighed。"Therearesomany，manythingsyoucando。Almostany—
thingyouchoose。"
"Andtherearesomany，manythingsIcan’tdo。"Emilechoedhertonesarcastically。"Some—
timesIdon’twanttodoanythingatall，andsometimesIwanttopullthefourcornersoftheDividetogether，"——hethrewouthisarmandbroughtitbackwithajerk，——"so，likeatable—cloth。Igettiredofseeingmenandhorsesgoingupanddown，upanddown。"
Marielookedupathisdefiantfigureandherfaceclouded。"Iwishyouweren’tsorestless，anddidn’tgetsoworkedupoverthings，"shesaidsadly。
"Thankyou，"hereturnedshortly。
Shesigheddespondently。"EverythingIsaymakesyoucross，don’tit？Andyouneverusedtobecrosstome。"
Emiltookastepnearerandstoodfrowningdownatherbenthead。Hestoodinanattitudeofself—defense，hisfeetwellapart，hishandsclenchedanddrawnupathissides，sothatthecordsstoodoutonhisbarearms。"Ican’tplaywithyoulikealittleboyanymore，"hesaidslowly。"That’swhatyoumiss，Marie。You’llhavetogetsomeotherlittleboytoplaywith。"
Hestoppedandtookadeepbreath。Thenhewentoninalowtone，sointensethatitwasalmostthreatening："Sometimesyouseemtounderstandperfectly，andthensometimesyoupretendyoudon’t。Youdon’thelpthingsanybypretending。It’sthenthatIwanttopullthecornersoftheDividetogether。IfyouWON’Tunderstand，youknow，Icouldmakeyou！"
Marieclaspedherhandsandstartedupfromherseat。Shehadgrownverypaleandhereyeswereshiningwithexcitementanddistress。
"But，Emil，ifIunderstand，thenallourgoodtimesareover，wecanneverdonicethingsto—
getheranymore。WeshallhavetobehavelikeMr。Linstrum。And，anyhow，there’snothingtounderstand！"Shestruckthegroundwithherlittlefootfiercely。"Thatwon’tlast。Itwillgoaway，andthingswillbejustastheyusedto。IwishyouwereaCatholic。TheChurchhelpspeople，indeeditdoes。Iprayforyou，butthat’snotthesameasifyouprayedyourself。"
Shespokerapidlyandpleadingly，lookedentreatinglyintohisface。Emilstooddefiant，gazingdownather。
"Ican’tpraytohavethethingsIwant，"hesaidslowly，"andIwon’tpraynottohavethem，notifI’mdamnedforit。"
Marieturnedaway，wringingherhands。
"Oh，Emil，youwon’ttry！Thenallourgoodtimesareover。"
"Yes;over。Ineverexpecttohaveanymore。"
Emilgrippedthehand—holdsofhisscytheandbegantomow。Marietookuphercherriesandwentslowlytowardthehouse，cryingbitterly。
IX
OnSundayafternoon，amonthafterCarlLinstrum’sarrival，herodewithEmilupintotheFrenchcountrytoattendaCatholicfair。
Hesatformostoftheafternooninthebase—
mentofthechurch，wherethefairwasheld，talkingtoMarieShabata，orstrolledaboutthegravelterrace，thrownuponthehillsideinfrontofthebasementdoors，wheretheFrenchboyswerejumpingandwrestlingandthrowingthediscus。Someoftheboyswereintheirwhitebaseballsuits;theyhadjustcomeupfromaSundaypracticegamedownintheball—
grounds。Amedee，thenewlymarried，Emil’sbestfriend，wastheirpitcher，renownedamongthecountrytownsforhisdashandskill。
Amedeewasalittlefellow，ayearyoungerthanEmilandmuchmoreboyishinappearance;
verylitheandactiveandneatlymade，withaclearbrownandwhiteskin，andflashingwhiteteeth。TheSainte—AgnesboysweretoplaytheHastingsnineinafortnight，andAmedee’slightningballswerethehopeofhisteam。ThelittleFrenchmanseemedtogeteveryouncetherewasinhimbehindtheballasitlefthishand。
"You’dhavemadethebatteryattheUniver—
sityforsure，’Medee，"Emilsaidastheywerewalkingfromtheball—groundsbacktothechurchonthehill。"You’repitchingbetterthanyoudidinthespring。"
Amedeegrinned。"Sure！Amarriedmandon’tlosehisheadnomore。"HeslappedEmilonthebackashecaughtstepwithhim。"Oh，Emil，youwannagetmarriedrightoffquick！
It’sthegreatestthingever！"
Emillaughed。"HowamIgoingtogetmar—
riedwithoutanygirl？"
Amedeetookhisarm。"Pooh！Thereareplentygirlswillhaveyou。YouwannagetsomeniceFrenchgirl，now。Shetreatyouwell;
alwaysbejolly。See，"——hebegancheckingoffonhisfingers，——"thereisSeverine，andAlphosen，andJosephine，andHectorine，andLouise，andMalvina——why，Icouldloveanyofthemgirls！Whydon’tyougetafterthem？
Areyoustuckup，Emil，orisanythingthematterwithyou？Ineverdidknowaboytwenty—twoyearsoldbeforethatdidn’thavenogirl。Youwannabeapriest，maybe？Not—aforme！"Amedeeswaggered。"IbringmanygoodCatholicsintothisworld，Ihope，andthat’sawayIhelptheChurch。"
Emillookeddownandpattedhimontheshoulder。"Nowyou’rewindy，’Medee。YouFrenchiesliketobrag。"
ButAmedeehadthezealofthenewlymar—
ried，andhewasnottobelightlyshakenoff。
"Honestandtrue，Emil，don’tyouwantANY
girl？Maybethere’ssomeyoungladyinLin—
coln，now，verygrand，"——Amedeewavedhishandlanguidlybeforehisfacetodenotethefanofheartlessbeauty，——"andyoulostyourheartupthere。Isthatit？"
"Maybe，"saidEmil。
ButAmedeesawnoappropriateglowinhisfriend’sface。"Bah！"heexclaimedindisgust。
"ItellalltheFrenchgirlstokeep’wayfromyou。Yougottarockinthere，"thumpingEmilontheribs。
Whentheyreachedtheterraceatthesideofthechurch，Amedee，whowasexcitedbyhissuccessontheball—grounds，challengedEmiltoajumping—match，thoughheknewhewouldbebeaten。Theybeltedthemselvesup，andRaoulMarcel，thechoirtenorandFatherDuchesne’spet，andJeanBordelau，heldthestringoverwhichtheyvaulted。AlltheFrenchboysstoodround，cheeringandhump—
ingthemselvesupwhenEmilorAmedeewentoverthewire，asiftheywerehelpinginthelift。
Emilstoppedatfive—feet—five，declaringthathewouldspoilhisappetiteforsupperifhejumpedanymore。
Angelique，Amedee’sprettybride，asblondeandfairashername，whohadcomeouttowatchthematch，tossedherheadatEmilandsaid：——
"’Medeecouldjumpmuchhigherthanyouifhewereastall。Andanyhow，heismuchmoregraceful。Hegoesoverlikeabird，andyouhavetohumpyourselfallup。"
"Oh，Ido，doI？"Emilcaughtherandkissedhersaucymouthsquarely，whileshelaughedandstruggledandcalled，"’Medee！
’Medee！"
"There，youseeyour’Medeeisn’tevenbigenoughtogetyouawayfromme。Icouldrunawaywithyourightnowandhecouldonlysitdownandcryaboutit。I’llshowyouwhetherIhavetohumpmyself！"Laughingandpant—
ing，hepickedAngeliqueupinhisarmsandbeganrunningabouttherectanglewithher。
NotuntilhesawMarieShabata’stigereyesflashingfromthegloomofthebasementdoor—
waydidhehandthedisheveledbrideovertoherhusband。"There，gotoyourgraceful;
Ihaven’tthehearttotakeyouawayfromhim。"
AngeliqueclungtoherhusbandandmadefacesatEmiloverthewhiteshoulderofAmedee’sball—shirt。EmilwasgreatlyamusedatherairofproprietorshipandatAmedee’sshamelesssubmissiontoit。Hewasdelightedwithhisfriend’sgoodfortune。HelikedtoseeandtothinkaboutAmedee’ssunny，natural，happylove。
HeandAmedeehadriddenandwrestledandlarkedtogethersincetheywereladsoftwelve。
OnSundaysandholidaystheywerealwaysarminarm。ItseemedstrangethatnowheshouldhavetohidethethingthatAmedeewassoproudof，thatthefeelingwhichgaveoneofthemsuchhappinessshouldbringtheothersuchdespair。ItwaslikethatwhenAlexandratestedherseed—corninthespring，hemused。
Fromtwoearsthathadgrownsidebyside，thegrainsofoneshotupjoyfullyintothelight，projectingthemselvesintothefuture，andthegrainsfromtheotherlaystillintheearthandrotted;andnobodyknewwhy。
X
WhileEmilandCarlwereamusingthem—
selvesatthefair，Alexandrawasathome，busywithheraccount—books，whichhadbeenne—
glectedoflate。Shewasalmostthroughwithherfigureswhensheheardacartdriveuptothegate，andlookingoutofthewindowshesawhertwoolderbrothers。TheyhadseemedtoavoidhereversinceCarlLinstrum’sarrival，fourweeksagothatday，andshehurriedtothedoortowelcomethem。Shesawatoncethattheyhadcomewithsomeverydefinitepurpose。
Theyfollowedherstifflyintothesitting—room。
Oscarsatdown，butLouwalkedovertothewindowandremainedstanding，hishandsbe—
hindhim。
"Youarebyyourself？"heasked，lookingtowardthedoorwayintotheparlor。
"Yes。CarlandEmilwentuptotheCatho—
licfair。"
Forafewmomentsneitherofthemenspoke。
ThenLoucameoutsharply。"Howsoondoesheintendtogoawayfromhere？"
"Idon’tknow，Lou。Notforsometime，I
hope。"Alexandraspokeinaneven，quiettonethatoftenexasperatedherbrothers。Theyfeltthatshewastryingtobesuperiorwiththem。
Oscarspokeupgrimly。"Wethoughtweoughttotellyouthatpeoplehavebeguntotalk，"hesaidmeaningly。
Alexandralookedathim。"Whatabout？"
Oscarmethereyesblankly。"Aboutyou，keepinghimheresolong。Itlooksbadforhimtobehangingontoawomanthisway。Peoplethinkyou’regettingtakenin。"
Alexandrashutheraccount—bookfirmly。
"Boys，"shesaidseriously，"don’tlet’sgoonwiththis。Wewon’tcomeoutanywhere。I
can’ttakeadviceonsuchamatter。Iknowyoumeanwell，butyoumustnotfeelresponsibleformeinthingsofthissort。Ifwegoonwiththistalkitwillonlymakehardfeeling。"
Louwhippedaboutfromthewindow。"Yououghttothinkalittleaboutyourfamily。
You’remakingusallridiculous。"
"HowamI？"
"Peoplearebeginningtosayyouwanttomarrythefellow。"
"Well，andwhatisridiculousaboutthat？"
LouandOscarexchangedoutragedlooks。
"Alexandra！Can’tyouseehe’sjustatrampandhe’safteryourmoney？Hewantstobetakencareof，hedoes！"
"Well，supposeIwanttotakecareofhim？
Whosebusinessisitbutmyown？"
"Don’tyouknowhe’dgetholdofyourproperty？"
"He’dgetholdofwhatIwishedtogivehim，certainly。"
OscarsatupsuddenlyandLouclutchedathisbristlyhair。
"Givehim？"Loushouted。"Ourproperty，ourhomestead？"
"Idon’tknowaboutthehomestead，"saidAlexandraquietly。"IknowyouandOscarhavealwaysexpectedthatitwouldbelefttoyourchildren，andI’mnotsurebutwhatyou’reright。ButI’lldoexactlyasIpleasewiththerestofmyland，boys。"
"Therestofyourland！"criedLou，growingmoreexcitedeveryminute。"Didn’tallthelandcomeoutofthehomestead？Itwasboughtwithmoneyborrowedonthehomestead，andOscarandmeworkedourselvestothebonepayinginterestonit。"
"Yes，youpaidtheinterest。Butwhenyoumarriedwemadeadivisionoftheland，andyouweresatisfied。I’vemademoreonmyfarmssinceI’vebeenalonethanwhenweallworkedtogether。"
"Everythingyou’vemadehascomeoutoftheoriginallandthatusboysworkedfor，hasn’tit？Thefarmsandallthatcomesoutofthembelongstousasafamily。"
Alexandrawavedherhandimpatiently。
"Comenow，Lou。Sticktothefacts。Youaretalkingnonsense。Gotothecountyclerkandaskhimwhoownsmyland，andwhethermytitlesaregood。"
Louturnedtohisbrother。"Thisiswhatcomesoflettingawomanmeddleinbusiness，"
hesaidbitterly。"Weoughttohavetakenthingsinourownhandsyearsago。Butshelikedtorunthings，andwehumoredher。Wethoughtyouhadgoodsense，Alexandra。Weneverthoughtyou’ddoanythingfoolish。"
Alexandrarappedimpatientlyonherdeskwithherknuckles。"Listen，Lou。Don’ttalkwild。Yousayyououghttohavetakenthingsintoyourownhandsyearsago。Isupposeyoumeanbeforeyoulefthome。Buthowcouldyoutakeholdofwhatwasn’tthere？I’vegotmostofwhatIhavenowsincewedividedtheprop—
erty;I’vebuiltitupmyself，andithasnothingtodowithyou。"
Oscarspokeupsolemnly。"Thepropertyofafamilyreallybelongstothemenofthefamily，nomatteraboutthetitle。Ifanythinggoeswrong，it’sthementhatareheldresponsible。"
"Yes，ofcourse，"Loubrokein。"Everybodyknowsthat。Oscarandmehavealwaysbeeneasy—goingandwe’venevermadeanyfuss。
Wewerewillingyoushouldholdthelandandhavethegoodofit，butyougotnorighttopartwithanyofit。Weworkedinthefieldstopayforthefirstlandyoubought，andwhat—
ever’scomeoutofithasgottobekeptinthefamily。"
Oscarreinforcedhisbrother，hismindfixedontheonepointhecouldsee。"Thepropertyofafamilybelongstothemenofthefamily，becausetheyareheldresponsible，andbecausetheydothework。"
Alexandralookedfromonetotheother，hereyesfullofindignation。Shehadbeenimpa—
tientbefore，butnowshewasbeginningtofeelangry。"Andwhataboutmywork？"sheaskedinanunsteadyvoice。
Loulookedatthecarpet。"Oh，now，Alex—
andra，youalwaystookitprettyeasy！Ofcoursewewantedyouto。Youlikedtomanageround，andwealwayshumoredyou。Werealizeyouwereagreatdealofhelptous。There’snowomananywherearoundthatknowsasmuchaboutbusinessasyoudo，andwe’vealwaysbeenproudofthat，andthoughtyouwereprettysmart。But，ofcourse，therealworkalwaysfellonus。Goodadviceisallright，butitdon’tgettheweedsoutofthecorn。"
"Maybenot，butitsometimesputsinthecrop，anditsometimeskeepsthefieldsforcorntogrowin，"saidAlexandradryly。"Why，Lou，IcanrememberwhenyouandOscarwantedtosellthishomesteadandalltheim—
provementstooldpreacherEricsonfortwothousanddollars。IfI’dconsented，you’dhavegonedowntotheriverandscrapedalongonpoorfarmsfortherestofyourlives。WhenI
putinourfirstfieldofalfalfayoubothopposedme，justbecauseIfirstheardaboutitfromayoungmanwhohadbeentotheUniversity。
YousaidIwasbeingtakeninthen，andalltheneighborssaidso。YouknowaswellasIdothatalfalfahasbeenthesalvationofthiscoun—
try。YoualllaughedatmewhenIsaidourlandherewasaboutreadyforwheat，andIhadtoraisethreebigwheatcropsbeforetheneigh—
borsquitputtingalltheirlandincorn。Why，I
rememberyoucried，Lou，whenweputinthefirstbigwheat—planting，andsaideverybodywaslaughingatus。"
LouturnedtoOscar。"That’sthewomanofit;ifshetellsyoutoputinacrop，shethinksshe’sputitin。Itmakeswomenconceitedtomeddleinbusiness。Ishouldn’tthinkyou’dwanttoremindushowhardyouwereonus，Alexandra，afterthewayyoubabyEmil。"
"Hardonyou？Inevermeanttobehard。
Conditionswerehard。MaybeIwouldneverhavebeenverysoft，anyhow;butIcertainlydidn’tchoosetobethekindofgirlIwas。Ifyoutakeevenavineandcutitbackagainandagain，itgrowshard，likeatree。"
Loufeltthattheywerewanderingfromthepoint，andthatindigressionAlexandramightunnervehim。Hewipedhisforeheadwithajerkofhishandkerchief。"Weneverdoubtedyou，Alexandra。Weneverquestionedany—
thingyoudid。You’vealwayshadyourownway。Butyoucan’texpectustositlikestumpsandseeyoudoneoutofthepropertybyanyloaferwhohappensalong，andmakingyourselfridiculousintothebargain。"
Oscarrose。"Yes，"hebrokein，"every—
body’slaughingtoseeyougettookin;atyourage，too。Everybodyknowshe’snearlyfiveyearsyoungerthanyou，andisafteryourmoney。Why，Alexandra，youarefortyyearsold！"
"Allthatdoesn’tconcernanybodybutCarlandme。Gototownandaskyourlawyerswhatyoucandotorestrainmefromdisposingofmyownproperty。AndIadviseyoutodowhattheytellyou;fortheauthorityyoucanexertbylawistheonlyinfluenceyouwilleverhaveovermeagain。"Alexandrarose。"IthinkI
wouldrathernothavelivedtofindoutwhatI
haveto—day，"shesaidquietly，closingherdesk。
LouandOscarlookedateachotherques—
tioningly。Thereseemedtobenothingtodobuttogo，andtheywalkedout。
"Youcan’tdobusinesswithwomen，"Oscarsaidheavilyasheclamberedintothecart。
"Butanyhow，we’vehadoursay，atlast。"
Louscratchedhishead。"Talkofthatkindmightcometoohigh，youknow;butshe’sapttobesensible。Youhadn’toughttosaidthataboutherage，though，Oscar。I’mafraidthathurtherfeelings;andtheworstthingwecandoistomakehersoreatus。She’dmarryhimoutofcontrariness。"
"Ionlymeant，"saidOscar，"thatsheisoldenoughtoknowbetter，andsheis。Ifshewasgoingtomarry，sheoughttodoneitlongago，andnotgomakingafoolofherselfnow。"
Loulookedanxious，nevertheless。"Ofcourse，"hereflectedhopefullyandincon—
sistently，"Alexandraain’tmuchlikeotherwomen—folks。Maybeitwon’tmakehersore。
Maybeshe’dassoonbefortyasnot！"
XI
Emilcamehomeatabouthalf—pastseveno’clockthatevening。OldIvarmethimatthewindmillandtookhishorse，andtheyoungmanwentdirectlyintothehouse。Hecalledtohissisterandsheansweredfromherbedroom，behindthesitting—room，sayingthatshewaslyingdown。
Emilwenttoherdoor。
"CanIseeyouforaminute？"heasked。"I
wanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingbeforeCarlcomes。"
Alexandrarosequicklyandcametothedoor。
"WhereisCarl？"
"LouandOscarmetusandsaidtheywantedtotalktohim，soherodeovertoOscar’swiththem。Areyoucomingout？"Emilaskedimpatiently。
"Yes，sitdown。I’llbedressedinamo—
ment。"
Alexandraclosedherdoor，andEmilsankdownontheoldslatloungeandsatwithhisheadinhishands。Whenhissistercameout，helookedup，notknowingwhethertheintervalhadbeenshortorlong，andhewassurprisedtoseethattheroomhadgrownquitedark。Thatwasjustaswell;itwouldbeeasiertotalkifhewerenotunderthegazeofthoseclear，deliber—
ateeyes，thatsawsofarinsomedirectionsandweresoblindinothers。Alexandra，too，wasgladofthedusk。Herfacewasswollenfromcrying。
Emilstartedupandthensatdownagain。
"Alexandra，"hesaidslowly，inhisdeepyoungbaritone，"Idon’twanttogoawaytolawschoolthisfall。Letmeputitoffanotheryear。
Iwanttotakeayearoffandlookaround。It’sawfullyeasytorushintoaprofessionyoudon’treallylike，andawfullyhardtogetoutofit。
LinstrumandIhavebeentalkingaboutthat。"
"Verywell，Emil。Onlydon’tgoofflookingforland。"Shecameupandputherhandonhisshoulder。"I’vebeenwishingyoucouldstaywithmethiswinter。"
"That’sjustwhatIdon’twanttodo，Alex—
andra。I’mrestless。Iwanttogotoanewplace。
IwanttogodowntotheCityofMexicotojoinoneoftheUniversityfellowswho’sattheheadofanelectricalplant。Hewrotemehecouldgivemealittlejob，enoughtopaymyway，andIcouldlookaroundandseewhatIwanttodo。
Iwanttogoassoonasharvestisover。IguessLouandOscarwillbesoreaboutit。"
"Isupposetheywill。"Alexandrasatdownontheloungebesidehim。"Theyareveryangrywithme，Emil。Wehavehadaquarrel。
Theywillnotcomehereagain。"
Emilscarcelyheardwhatshewassaying;hedidnotnoticethesadnessofhertone。HewasthinkingabouttherecklesslifehemeanttoliveinMexico。
"Whatabout？"heaskedabsently。
"AboutCarlLinstrum。TheyareafraidIamgoingtomarryhim，andthatsomeofmypropertywillgetawayfromthem。"
Emilshruggedhisshoulders。"Whatnon—
sense！"hemurmured。"Justlikethem。"
Alexandradrewback。"Whynonsense，Emil？"
"Why，you’veneverthoughtofsuchathing，haveyou？Theyalwayshavetohavesomethingtofussabout。"
"Emil，"saidhissisterslowly，"yououghtnottotakethingsforgranted。DoyouagreewiththemthatIhavenorighttochangemywayofliving？"
Emillookedattheoutlineofhissister’sheadinthedimlight。Theyweresittingcloseto—
getherandhesomehowfeltthatshecouldhearhisthoughts。Hewassilentforamo—
ment，andthensaidinanembarrassedtone，"Why，no，certainlynot。Yououghttodowhateveryouwantto。I’llalwaysbackyou。"
"ButitwouldseemalittlebitridiculoustoyouifImarriedCarl？"
Emilfidgeted。Theissueseemedtohimtoofar—fetchedtowarrantdiscussion。"Why，no。
Ishouldbesurprisedifyouwantedto。Ican’tseeexactlywhy。Butthat’snoneofmybusi—
ness。Yououghttodoasyouplease。Certainlyyououghtnottopayanyattentiontowhattheboyssay。"
Alexandrasighed。"Ihadhopedyoumightunderstand，alittle，whyIdowantto。ButI
supposethat’stoomuchtoexpect。I’vehadaprettylonelylife，Emil。BesidesMarie，CarlistheonlyfriendIhaveeverhad。"
Emilwasawakenow;anameinherlastsen—
tencerousedhim。Heputouthishandandtookhissister’sawkwardly。"Yououghttodojustasyouwish，andIthinkCarl’safinefel—
low。HeandIwouldalwaysgeton。Idon’tbelieveanyofthethingstheboyssayabouthim，honestIdon’t。Theyaresuspiciousofhimbecausehe’sintelligent。Youknowtheirway。
They’vebeensoreatmeeversinceyouletmegoawaytocollege。They’realwaystryingtocatchmeup。IfIwereyou，Iwouldn’tpayanyattentiontothem。There’snothingtogetupsetabout。Carl’sasensiblefellow。Hewon’tmindthem。"
"Idon’tknow。Iftheytalktohimthewaytheydidtome，Ithinkhe’llgoaway。"
Emilgrewmoreandmoreuneasy。"Thinkso？Well，Mariesaiditwouldserveusallrightifyouwalkedoffwithhim。"
"Didshe？Blessherlittleheart！SHEwould。"
Alexandra’svoicebroke。
Emilbeganunlacinghisleggings。"Whydon’tyoutalktoheraboutit？There’sCarl，I
hearhishorse。IguessI’llgoupstairsandgetmybootsoff。No，Idon’twantanysupper。Wehadsupperatfiveo’clock，atthefair。"
Emilwasgladtoescapeandgettohisownroom。Hewasalittleashamedforhissister，thoughhehadtriednottoshowit。Hefeltthattherewassomethingindecorousinherproposal，andshedidseemtohimsomewhatridiculous。Therewastroubleenoughintheworld，hereflected，ashethrewhimselfuponhisbed，withoutpeoplewhowerefortyyearsoldimaginingtheywantedtogetmarried。InthedarknessandsilenceEmilwasnotlikelytothinklongaboutAlexandra。Everyimageslippedawaybutone。HehadseenMarieinthecrowdthatafternoon。Shesoldcandyatthefair。WHYhadsheeverrunawaywithFrankShabata，andhowcouldshegoonlaughingandworkingandtakinganinterestinthings？Whydidshelikesomanypeople，andwhyhadsheseemedpleasedwhenalltheFrenchandBohe—
mianboys，andthepriesthimself，crowdedroundhercandystand？Whydidshecareaboutanyonebuthim？Whycouldhenever，neverfindthethinghelookedforinherplayful，affectionateeyes？
Thenhefelltoimaginingthathelookedoncemoreandfounditthere，andwhatitwouldbelikeifshelovedhim，——shewho，asAlexandrasaid，couldgiveherwholeheart。Inthatdreamhecouldlieforhours，asifinatrance。HisspiritwentoutofhisbodyandcrossedthefieldstoMarieShabata。
AttheUniversitydancesthegirlshadoftenlookedwonderinglyatthetallyoungSwedewiththefinehead，leaningagainstthewallandfrowning，hisarmsfolded，hiseyesfixedontheceilingorthefloor。Allthegirlswerealittleafraidofhim。Hewasdistinguished—looking，andnotthejollyingkind。Theyfeltthathewastoointenseandpreoccupied。Therewassome—
thingqueerabouthim。Emil’sfraternityratherprideditselfuponitsdances，andsome—
timeshedidhisdutyanddancedeverydance。
Butwhetherhewasonthefloororbroodinginacorner，hewasalwaysthinkingaboutMarieShabata。Fortwoyearsthestormhadbeengatheringinhim。
XII
Carlcameintothesitting—roomwhileAlex—
andrawaslightingthelamp。Shelookedupathimassheadjustedtheshade。Hissharpshoul—
dersstoopedasifhewereverytired，hisfacewaspale，andtherewerebluishshadowsunderhisdarkeyes。Hisangerhadburneditselfoutandlefthimsickanddisgusted。
"YouhaveseenLouandOscar？"Alexandraasked。
"Yes。"Hiseyesavoidedhers。
Alexandratookadeepbreath。"Andnowyouaregoingaway。Ithoughtso。"
Carlthrewhimselfintoachairandpushedthedarklockbackfromhisforeheadwithhiswhite，nervoushand。"Whatahopelessposi—
tionyouarein，Alexandra！"heexclaimedfeverishly。"Itisyourfatetobealwayssur—
roundedbylittlemen。AndIamnobetterthantherest。IamtoolittletofacethecriticismofevensuchmenasLouandOscar。Yes，Iamgoingaway;to—morrow。IcannotevenaskyoutogivemeapromiseuntilIhavesomethingtoofferyou。Ithought，perhaps，Icoulddothat;
butIfindIcan’t。"
"Whatgoodcomesofofferingpeoplethingstheydon’tneed？"Alexandraaskedsadly。"I
don’tneedmoney。ButIhaveneededyouforagreatmanyyears。IwonderwhyIhavebeenpermittedtoprosper，ifitisonlytotakemyfriendsawayfromme。"
"Idon’tdeceivemyself，"Carlsaidfrankly。
"IknowthatIamgoingawayonmyownaccount。Imustmaketheusualeffort。Imusthavesomethingtoshowformyself。Totakewhatyouwouldgiveme，Ishouldhavetobeeitheraverylargemanoraverysmallone，andIamonlyinthemiddleclass。"
Alexandrasighed。"Ihaveafeelingthatifyougoaway，youwillnotcomeback。Some—
thingwillhappentooneofus，ortoboth。
Peoplehavetosnatchathappinesswhentheycan，inthisworld。Itisalwayseasiertolosethantofind。WhatIhaveisyours，ifyoucareenoughaboutmetotakeit。"
CarlroseandlookedupatthepictureofJohnBergson。"ButIcan’t，mydear，Ican’t！
IwillgoNorthatonce。InsteadofidlingaboutinCaliforniaallwinter，Ishallbegettingmybearingsupthere。Iwon’twasteanotherweek。
Bepatientwithme，Alexandra。Givemeayear！"
"Asyouwill，"saidAlexandrawearily。"Allatonce，inasingleday，Iloseeverything;andI
donotknowwhy。Emil，too，isgoingaway。"
CarlwasstillstudyingJohnBergson’sfaceandAlexandra’seyesfollowedhis。"Yes，"shesaid，"ifhecouldhaveseenallthatwouldcomeofthetaskhegaveme，hewouldhavebeensorry。I
hopehedoesnotseemenow。Ihopethatheisamongtheoldpeopleofhisbloodandcountry，andthattidingsdonotreachhimfromtheNewWorld。"
EndofPartII
PARTIII
WinterMemoriesI
WinterhassettleddownovertheDivideagain;theseasoninwhichNaturerecuperates，inwhichshesinkstosleepbetweenthefruitful—
nessofautumnandthepassionofspring。Thebirdshavegone。Theteeminglifethatgoesondowninthelonggrassisexterminated。Theprairie—dogkeepshishole。Therabbitsrunshiveringfromonefrozengardenpatchtoan—
otherandarehardputtoittofindfrost—bittencabbage—stalks。Atnightthecoyotesroamthewintrywaste，howlingforfood。Thevariegatedfieldsareallonecolornow;thepastures，thestubble，theroads，theskyarethesameleadengray。Thehedgerowsandtreesarescarcelyper—
ceptibleagainstthebareearth，whoseslatyhuetheyhavetakenon。Thegroundisfrozensohardthatitbruisesthefoottowalkintheroadsorintheploughedfields。Itislikeanironcountry，andthespiritisoppressedbyitsrigorandmelancholy。Onecouldeasilybelievethatinthatdeadlandscapethegermsoflifeandfruit—
fulnesswereextinctforever。
Alexandrahassettledbackintoheroldroutine。ThereareweeklylettersfromEmil。
LouandOscarshehasnotseensinceCarlwentaway。Toavoidawkwardencountersinthepresenceofcuriousspectators，shehasstoppedgoingtotheNorwegianChurchanddrivesuptotheReformChurchatHanover，orgoeswithMarieShabatatotheCatholicChurch，locallyknownas"theFrenchChurch。"
ShehasnottoldMarieaboutCarl，orherdif—
ferenceswithherbrothers。Shewasneververycommunicativeaboutherownaffairs，andwhenshecametothepoint，aninstincttoldherthataboutsuchthingssheandMariewouldnotunderstandoneanother。
OldMrs。LeehadbeenafraidthatfamilymisunderstandingsmightdepriveherofheryearlyvisittoAlexandra。ButonthefirstdayofDecemberAlexandratelephonedAnniethatto—morrowshewouldsendIvaroverforhermother，andthenextdaytheoldladyarrivedwithherbundles。FortwelveyearsMrs。LeehadalwaysenteredAlexandra’ssitting—roomwiththesameexclamation，"Nowwebeyust—alikeoldtimes！"SheenjoyedthelibertyAlex—
andragaveher，andhearingherownlanguageaboutheralldaylong。Hereshecouldwearhernightcapandsleepwithallherwindowsshut，listentoIvarreadingtheBible，andhereshecouldrunaboutamongthestablesinapairofEmil’soldboots。Thoughshewasbentalmostdouble，shewasasspryasagopher。Herfacewasasbrownasifithadbeenvarnished，andasfullofwrinklesasawasherwoman’shands。Shehadthreejollyoldteethleftinthefrontofhermouth，andwhenshegrinnedshelookedveryknowing，asifwhenyoufoundouthowtotakeit，lifewasn’thalfbad。WhilesheandAlex—
andrapatchedandpiecedandquilted，shetalkedincessantlyaboutstoriesshereadinaSwedishfamilypaper，tellingtheplotsingreatdetail;oraboutherlifeonadairyfarminGottlandwhenshewasagirl。Sometimessheforgotwhichweretheprintedstoriesandwhichweretherealstories，itallseemedsofaraway。
Shelovedtotakealittlebrandy，withhotwaterandsugar，beforeshewenttobed，andAlexandraalwayshaditreadyforher。"Itsendsgooddreams，"shewouldsaywithatwinkleinhereye。
WhenMrs。LeehadbeenwithAlexandraforaweek，MarieShabatatelephonedonemorningtosaythatFrankhadgonetotownfortheday，andshewouldlikethemtocomeoverforcoffeeintheafternoon。Mrs。Leehurriedtowashoutandironhernewcross—stitchedapron，whichshehadfinishedonlythenightbefore;acheckedginghamapronworkedwithadesignteninchesbroadacrossthebottom;ahuntingscene，withfirtreesandastaganddogsandhuntsmen。
Mrs。Leewasfirmwithherselfatdinner，andrefusedasecondhelpingofappledumplings。
"Ita—ankIsaveup，"shesaidwithagiggle。
Attwoo’clockintheafternoonAlexandra’scartdroveuptotheShabatas’gate，andMariesawMrs。Lee’sredshawlcomebobbingupthepath。Sherantothedoorandpulledtheoldwomanintothehousewithahug，helpinghertotakeoffherwrapswhileAlexandrablan—
ketedthehorseoutside。Mrs。Leehadputonherbestblacksatinedress——sheabominatedwoolenstuffs，eveninwinter——andacrochetedcollar，fastenedwithabigpalegoldpin，con—
tainingfadeddaguerreotypesofherfatherandmother。Shehadnotwornherapronforfearofrumplingit，andnowsheshookitoutandtieditroundherwaistwithaconsciousair。Mariedrewbackandthrewupherhands，exclaiming，"Oh，whatabeauty！I’veneverseenthisonebefore，haveI，Mrs。Lee？"
Theoldwomangiggledandduckedherhead。
"No，yustlas’nightIma—ake。Seedistread;
verrastrong，nowa—ashout，nofade。Mysis—
tersendfromSveden。Iyust—ata—ankyoulikedis。"
Marierantothedooragain。"Comein，Alexandra。IhavebeenlookingatMrs。Lee’sapron。DostoponyourwayhomeandshowittoMrs。Hiller。She’scrazyaboutcross—stitch。"
WhileAlexandraremovedherhatandveil，Mrs。Leewentouttothekitchenandsettledherselfinawoodenrocking—chairbythestove，lookingwithgreatinterestatthetable，setforthree，withawhitecloth，andapotofpinkgeraniumsinthemiddle。"My，a—an’tyougottafineplants;such—amuchflower。Howyoukeepfromfreeze？"
Shepointedtothewindow—shelves，fullofbloomingfuchsiasandgeraniums。
"Ikeepthefireallnight，Mrs。Lee，andwhenit’sverycoldIputthemallonthetable，inthemiddleoftheroom。OthernightsIonlyputnewspapersbehindthem。Franklaughsatmeforfussing，butwhentheydon’tbloomhesays，’What’sthematterwiththedarnedthings？’——
WhatdoyouhearfromCarl，Alexandra？"
"HegottoDawsonbeforetheriverfroze，andnowIsupposeIwon’thearanymoreuntilspring。BeforeheleftCaliforniahesentmeaboxoforangeflowers，buttheydidn’tkeepverywell。IhavebroughtabunchofEmil’slettersforyou。"Alexandracameoutfromthesitting—roomandpinchedMarie’scheekplay—
fully。"Youdon’tlookasiftheweathereverfrozeyouup。Neverhavecolds，doyou？
That’sagoodgirl。Shehaddarkredcheekslikethiswhenshewasalittlegirl，Mrs。Lee。Shelookedlikesomequeerforeignkindofadoll。
I’veneverforgotthefirsttimeIsawyouinMieklejohn’sstore，Marie，thetimefatherwaslyingsick。CarlandIweretalkingaboutthatbeforehewentaway。"
"Iremember，andEmilhadhiskittenalong。
WhenareyougoingtosendEmil’sChristmasbox？"
"Itoughttohavegonebeforethis。I’llhavetosenditbymailnow，togetitthereintime。"
Mariepulledadarkpurplesilknecktiefromherworkbasket。"Iknitthisforhim。It’sagoodcolor，don’tyouthink？Willyoupleaseputitinwithyourthingsandtellhimit’sfromme，towearwhenhegoesserenading。"
Alexandralaughed。"Idon’tbelievehegoesserenadingmuch。HesaysinoneletterthattheMexicanladiesaresaidtobeverybeauti—
ful，butthatdon’tseemtomeverywarmpraise。"
Marietossedherhead。"Emilcan’tfoolme。
Ifhe’sboughtaguitar，hegoesserenading。
Whowouldn’t，withallthoseSpanishgirlsdroppingflowersdownfromtheirwindows！
I’dsingtothemeverynight，wouldn’tyou，Mrs。Lee？"
Theoldladychuckled。HereyeslitupasMariebentdownandopenedtheovendoor。
Adelicioushotfragranceblewoutintothetidykitchen。"My，somet’ingsmellgood！"SheturnedtoAlexandrawithawink，herthreeyel—
lowteethmakingabraveshow，"Ita—ankdatstopmyyawfromachenomore！"shesaidcon—
tentedly。
Marietookoutapanofdelicatelittlerolls，stuffedwithstewedapricots，andbegantodustthemoverwithpowderedsugar。"Ihopeyou’lllikethese，Mrs。Lee;Alexandradoes。TheBohemiansalwayslikethemwiththeircoffee。
Butifyoudon’t，Ihaveacoffee—cakewithnutsandpoppyseeds。Alexandra，willyougetthecreamjug？Iputitinthewindowtokeepcool。"
"TheBohemians，"saidAlexandra，astheydrewuptothetable，"certainlyknowhowtomakemorekindsofbreadthananyotherpeo—
pleintheworld。OldMrs。Hillertoldmeonceatthechurchsupperthatshecouldmakesevenkindsoffancybread，butMariecouldmakeadozen。"
Mrs。Leehelduponeoftheapricotrollsbetweenherbrownthumbandforefingerandweigheditcritically。"Yustlike—afedders，"
shepronouncedwithsatisfaction。"My，a—an’tdisnice！"sheexclaimedasshestirredhercoffee。"Iyustta—akealiddleyellynow，too，Ita—ank。"
AlexandraandMarielaughedatherfore—
handedness，andfelltotalkingoftheirownaffairs。"IwasafraidyouhadacoldwhenI
talkedtoyouoverthetelephonetheothernight，Marie。Whatwasthematter，hadyoubeencrying？"
"MaybeIhad，"Mariesmiledguiltily。
"Frankwasoutlatethatnight。Don’tyougetlonelysometimesinthewinter，whenevery—
bodyhasgoneaway？"
"Ithoughtitwassomethinglikethat。IfI
hadn’thadcompany，I’dhaverunovertoseeformyself。Ifyougetdown—hearted，whatwillbecomeoftherestofus？"Alexandraasked。
"Idon’t，veryoften。There’sMrs。Leewithoutanycoffee！"
Later，whenMrs。Leedeclaredthatherpowerswerespent，MarieandAlexandrawentupstairstolookforsomecrochetpatternstheoldladywantedtoborrow。"Betterputonyourcoat，Alexandra。It’scoldupthere，andI
havenoideawherethosepatternsare。Imayhavetolookthroughmyoldtrunks。"Mariecaughtupashawlandopenedthestairdoor，run—
ningupthestepsaheadofherguest。"WhileI
gothroughthebureaudrawers，youmightlookinthosehat—boxesonthecloset—shelf，overwhereFrank’sclotheshang。Therearealotofoddsandendsinthem。"
Shebegantossingoverthecontentsofthedrawers，andAlexandrawentintotheclothes—
closet。Presentlyshecameback，holdingaslenderelasticyellowstickinherhand。
"Whatintheworldisthis，Marie？Youdon’tmeantotellmeFrankevercarriedsuchathing？"
Marieblinkedatitwithastonishmentandsatdownonthefloor。"Wheredidyoufindit？
Ididn’tknowhehadkeptit。Ihaven’tseenitforyears。"
"Itreallyisacane，then？"
"Yes。Onehebroughtfromtheoldcoun—
try。HeusedtocarryitwhenIfirstknewhim。
Isn’titfoolish？PoorFrank！"
Alexandratwirledthestickinherfingersandlaughed。"Hemusthavelookedfunny！"
Mariewasthoughtful。"No，hedidn’t，really。
Itdidn’tseemoutofplace。Heusedtobeawfullygaylikethatwhenhewasayoungman。Iguesspeoplealwaysgetwhat’shard—
estforthem，Alexandra。"Mariegatheredtheshawlcloseraboutherandstilllookedhardatthecane。"Frankwouldbeallrightintherightplace，"shesaidreflectively。"Heoughttohaveadifferentkindofwife，foronething。Doyouknow，Alexandra，IcouldpickoutexactlytherightsortofwomanforFrank——now。
Thetroubleisyoualmosthavetomarryamanbeforeyoucanfindoutthesortofwifeheneeds;andusuallyit’sexactlythesortyouarenot。Thenwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
sheaskedcandidly。
