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Alexandraconfessedshedidn’tknow。
"However，"sheadded，"itseemstomethatyougetalongwithFrankaboutaswellasanywomanI’veeverseenorheardofcould。"
Marieshookherhead，pursingherlipsandblowingherwarmbreathsoftlyoutintothefrostyair。"No;Iwasspoiledathome。Ilikemyownway，andIhaveaquicktongue。WhenFrankbrags，Isaysharpthings，andheneverforgets。Hegoesoverandoveritinhismind;
Icanfeelhim。ThenI’mtoogiddy。Frank’swifeoughttobetimid，andsheoughtnottocareaboutanotherlivingthingintheworldbutjustFrank！Ididn’t，whenImarriedhim，butIsupposeIwastooyoungtostaylikethat。"
Mariesighed。
AlexandrahadneverheardMariespeaksofranklyaboutherhusbandbefore，andshefeltthatitwaswisernottoencourageher。Nogood，shereasoned，evercamefromtalkingaboutsuchthings，andwhileMariewasthink—
ingaloud，Alexandrahadbeensteadilysearch—
ingthehat—boxes。"Aren’tthesethepat—
terns，Maria？"
Mariasprangupfromthefloor。"Sureenough，wewerelookingforpatterns，weren’twe？I’dforgotabouteverythingbutFrank’sotherwife。I’llputthataway。"
ShepokedthecanebehindFrank’sSundayclothes，andthoughshelaughed，Alexandrasawthereweretearsinhereyes。
Whentheywentbacktothekitchen，thesnowhadbeguntofall，andMarie’svisitorsthoughttheymustbegettinghome。Shewentouttothecartwiththem，andtuckedtherobesaboutoldMrs。LeewhileAlexandratooktheblanketoffherhorse。Astheydroveaway，Marieturnedandwentslowlybacktothehouse。ShetookupthepackageoflettersAlexandrahadbrought，butshedidnotreadthem。Sheturnedthemoverandlookedattheforeignstamps，andthensatwatchingthefly—
ingsnowwhiletheduskdeepenedinthekitchenandthestovesentoutaredglow。
MarieknewperfectlywellthatEmil’sletterswerewrittenmoreforherthanforAlexandra。
Theywerenotthesortoflettersthatayoungmanwritestohissister。Theywerebothmorepersonalandmorepainstaking;fullofdescrip—
tionsofthegaylifeintheoldMexicancapitalinthedayswhenthestronghandofPorfirioDiazwasstillstrong。Hetoldaboutbull—fightsandcock—fights，churchesandFIESTAS，theflower—
marketsandthefountains，themusicanddan—
cing，thepeopleofallnationshemetintheItalianrestaurantsonSanFranciscoStreet。Inshort，theywerethekindoflettersayoungmanwritestoawomanwhenhewisheshimselfandhislifetoseeminterestingtoher，whenhewishestoenlistherimaginationinhisbehalf。
Marie，whenshewasaloneorwhenshesatsewingintheevening，oftenthoughtaboutwhatitmustbelikedowntherewhereEmilwas;wheretherewereflowersandstreetbandseverywhere，andcarriagesrattlingupanddown，andwheretherewasalittleblindboot—
blackinfrontofthecathedralwhocouldplayanytuneyouaskedforbydroppingthelidsofblacking—boxesonthestonesteps。Wheneverythingisdoneandoverforoneattwenty—
three，itispleasanttoletthemindwanderforthandfollowayoungadventurerwhohaslifebeforehim。"Andifithadnotbeenforme，"shethought，"Frankmightstillbefreelikethat，andhavingagoodtimemakingpeo—
pleadmirehim。PoorFrank，gettingmarriedwasn’tverygoodforhimeither。I’mafraidI
dosetpeopleagainsthim，ashesays。Iseem，somehow，togivehimawayallthetime。Per—
hapshewouldtrytobeagreeabletopeopleagain，ifIwerenotaround。ItseemsasifI
alwaysmakehimjustasbadashecanbe。"
Laterinthewinter，AlexandralookedbackuponthatafternoonasthelastsatisfactoryvisitshehadhadwithMarie。Afterthatdaytheyoungerwomanseemedtoshrinkmoreandmoreintoherself。WhenshewaswithAlexan—
drashewasnotspontaneousandfrankassheusedtobe。Sheseemedtobebroodingoversomething，andholdingsomethingback。Theweatherhadagooddealtodowiththeirseeinglessofeachotherthanusual。Therehadnotbeensuchsnowstormsintwentyyears，andthepathacrossthefieldswasdrifteddeepfromChrist—
masuntilMarch。Whenthetwoneighborswenttoseeeachother，theyhadtogoroundbythewagon—road，whichwastwiceasfar。Theytele—
phonedeachotheralmosteverynight，thoughinJanuarytherewasastretchofthreeweekswhenthewiresweredown，andwhenthepost—
mandidnotcomeatall。
Marieoftenranintoseehernearestneigh—
bor，oldMrs。Hiller，whowascrippledwithrheumatismandhadonlyherson，thelameshoemaker，totakecareofher;andshewenttotheFrenchChurch，whatevertheweather。Shewasasincerelydevoutgirl。Sheprayedforher—
selfandforFrank，andforEmil，amongthetemptationsofthatgay，corruptoldcity。ShefoundmorecomfortintheChurchthatwinterthaneverbefore。Itseemedtocomeclosertoher，andtofillanemptinessthatachedinherheart。Shetriedtobepatientwithherhus—
band。HeandhishiredmanusuallyplayedCal—
iforniaJackintheevening。Mariesatsew—
ingorcrochetingandtriedtotakeafriendlyinterestinthegame，butshewasalwaysthinkingaboutthewidefieldsoutside，wherethesnowwasdriftingoverthefences;andabouttheorchard，wherethesnowwasfallingandpacking，crustovercrust。Whenshewentoutintothedarkkitchentofixherplantsforthenight，sheusedtostandbythewindowandlookoutatthewhitefields，orwatchthecurrentsofsnowwhirlingovertheorchard。
Sheseemedtofeeltheweightofallthesnowthatlaydownthere。Thebrancheshadbe—
comesohardthattheywoundedyourhandifyoubuttriedtobreakatwig。Andyet，downunderthefrozencrusts，attherootsofthetrees，thesecretoflifewasstillsafe，warmasthebloodinone’sheart;andthespringwouldcomeagain！Oh，itwouldcomeagain！
II
IfAlexandrahadhadmuchimaginationshemighthaveguessedwhatwasgoingoninMarie’smind，andshewouldhaveseenlongbeforewhatwasgoingoninEmil’s。Butthat，asEmilhimselfhadmorethanoncereflected，wasAlexandra’sblindside，andherlifehadnotbeenofthekindtosharpenhervision。Hertraininghadallbeentowardtheendofmakingherproficientinwhatshehadundertakentodo。
Herpersonallife，herownrealizationofherself，wasalmostasubconsciousexistence;likeanundergroundriverthatcametothesurfaceonlyhereandthere，atintervalsmonthsapart，andthensankagaintoflowonunderherownfields。
Nevertheless，theundergroundstreamwasthere，anditwasbecauseshehadsomuchper—
sonalitytoputintoherenterprisesandsuc—
ceededinputtingitintothemsocompletely，thatheraffairsprosperedbetterthanthoseofherneighbors。
Therewerecertaindaysinherlife，out—
wardlyuneventful，whichAlexandraremem—
beredaspeculiarlyhappy;dayswhenshewasclosetotheflat，fallowworldabouther，andfelt，asitwere，inherownbodythejoyousgerminationinthesoil。Thereweredays，too，whichsheandEmilhadspenttogether，uponwhichshelovedtolookback。Therehadbeensuchadaywhentheyweredownontheriverinthedryyear，lookingovertheland。Theyhadmadeanearlystartonemorningandhaddrivenalongwaybeforenoon。WhenEmilsaidhewashungry，theydrewbackfromtheroad，gaveBrighamhisoatsamongthebushes，andclimbeduptothetopofagrassyblufftoeattheirlunchundertheshadeofsomelittleelmtrees。Theriverwasclearthere，andshallow，sincetherehadbeennorain，anditraninripplesoverthesparklingsand。Undertheoverhangingwillowsoftheoppositebanktherewasaninletwherethewaterwasdeeperandflowedsoslowlythatitseemedtosleepinthesun。Inthislittlebayasinglewildduckwasswimminganddivingandpreeningherfeathers，disportingherselfveryhappilyintheflickeringlightandshade。Theysatforalongtime，watchingthesolitarybirdtakeitspleasure。NolivingthinghadeverseemedtoAlexandraasbeautifulasthatwildduck。Emilmusthavefeltaboutitasshedid，forafterward，whentheywereathome，heusedsometimestosay，"Sister，youknowourduckdownthere——"Alexandrarememberedthatdayasoneofthehappiestinherlife。Yearsafterwardshethoughtoftheduckasstillthere，swimminganddivingallbyherselfinthesun—
light，akindofenchantedbirdthatdidnotknowageorchange。
MostofAlexandra’shappymemorieswereasimpersonalasthisone;yettohertheywereverypersonal。Hermindwasawhitebook，withclearwritingaboutweatherandbeastsandgrowingthings。Notmanypeoplewouldhavecaredtoreadit;onlyahappyfew。Shehadneverbeeninlove，shehadneverindulgedinsentimentalreveries。Evenasagirlshehadlookeduponmenaswork—fellows。Shehadgrownupinserioustimes。
Therewasonefancyindeed，whichpersistedthroughhergirlhood。ItmostoftencametoheronSundaymornings，theonedayintheweekwhenshelaylateabedlisteningtothefamiliarmorningsounds;thewindmillsinginginthebriskbreeze，Emilwhistlingasheblackedhisbootsdownbythekitchendoor。Some—
times，asshelaythusluxuriouslyidle，hereyesclosed，sheusedtohaveanillusionofbeingliftedupbodilyandcarriedlightlybysomeoneverystrong。Itwasaman，certainly，whocar—
riedher，buthewaslikenomansheknew;hewasmuchlargerandstrongerandswifter，andhecarriedheraseasilyasifshewereasheafofwheat。Sheneversawhim，but，witheyesclosed，shecouldfeelthathewasyellowlikethesunlight，andtherewasthesmellofripecorn—
fieldsabouthim。Shecouldfeelhimapproach，bendoverherandlifther，andthenshecouldfeelherselfbeingcarriedswiftlyoffacrossthefields。Aftersuchareverieshewouldrisehas—
tily，angrywithherself，andgodowntothebath—housethatwaspartitionedoffthekitchenshed。Thereshewouldstandinatintubandprosecuteherbathwithvigor，finishingitbypouringbucketsofcoldwell—wateroverhergleamingwhitebodywhichnomanontheDividecouldhavecarriedveryfar。
Asshegrewolder，thisfancymoreoftencametoherwhenshewastiredthanwhenshewasfreshandstrong。Sometimes，aftershehadbeenintheopenallday，overseeingthebrand—
ingofthecattleortheloadingofthepigs，shewouldcomeinchilled，takeaconcoctionofspicesandwarmhome—madewine，andgotobedwithherbodyactuallyachingwithfatigue。
Then，justbeforeshewenttosleep，shehadtheoldsensationofbeingliftedandcarriedbyastrongbeingwhotookfromherallherbodilyweariness。
EndofPartIII
PARTIV
TheWhiteMulberryTreeI
TheFrenchChurch，properlytheChurchofSainte—Agnes，stooduponahill。Thehigh，nar—
row，red—brickbuilding，withitstallsteepleandsteeproof，couldbeseenformilesacrossthewheatfields，thoughthelittletownofSainte—
Agneswascompletelyhiddenawayatthefootofthehill。Thechurchlookedpowerfulandtriumphantthereonitseminence，sohighabovetherestofthelandscape，withmilesofwarmcolorlyingatitsfeet，andbyitspositionandsettingitremindedoneofsomeofthechurchesbuiltlongagointhewheat—landsofmiddleFrance。
LateoneJuneafternoonAlexandraBergsonwasdrivingalongoneofthemanyroadsthatledthroughtherichFrenchfarmingcountrytothebigchurch。Thesunlightwasshiningdi—
rectlyinherface，andtherewasablazeoflightallabouttheredchurchonthehill。BesideAlexandraloungedastrikinglyexoticfigureinatallMexicanhat，asilksash，andablackvel—
vetjacketsewnwithsilverbuttons。Emilhadreturnedonlythenightbefore，andhissisterwassoproudofhimthatshedecidedatoncetotakehimuptothechurchsupper，andtomakehimweartheMexicancostumehehadbroughthomeinhistrunk。"Allthegirlswhohavestandsaregoingtowearfancycostumes，"
sheargued，"andsomeoftheboys。Marieisgoingtotellfortunes，andshesenttoOmahaforaBohemiandressherfatherbroughtbackfromavisittotheoldcountry。Ifyouwearthoseclothes，theywillallbepleased。Andyoumusttakeyourguitar。Everybodyoughttodowhattheycantohelpalong，andwehaveneverdonemuch。Wearenotatalentedfamily。"
Thesupperwastobeatsixo’clock，inthebasementofthechurch，andafterwardtherewouldbeafair，withcharadesandanauction。
Alexandrahadsetoutfromhomeearly，leavingthehousetoSignaandNelseJensen，whoweretobemarriednextweek。SignahadshylyaskedtohavetheweddingputoffuntilEmilcamehome。
Alexandrawaswellsatisfiedwithherbrother。
AstheydrovethroughtherollingFrenchcoun—
trytowardthewesteringsunandthestalwartchurch，shewasthinkingofthattimelongagowhensheandEmildrovebackfromtherivervalleytothestillunconqueredDivide。Yes，shetoldherself，ithadbeenworthwhile;bothEmilandthecountryhadbecomewhatshehadhoped。Outofherfather’schildrentherewasonewhowasfittocopewiththeworld，whohadnotbeentiedtotheplow，andwhohadaper—
sonalityapartfromthesoil。Andthat，shereflected，waswhatshehadworkedfor。Shefeltwellsatisfiedwithherlife。
Whentheyreachedthechurch，ascoreofteamswerehitchedinfrontofthebasementdoorsthatopenedfromthehillsideuponthesandedterrace，wheretheboyswrestledandhadjumping—matches。AmedeeChevalier，aproudfatherofoneweek，rushedoutandembracedEmil。Amedeewasanonlyson，——hencehewasaveryrichyoungman，——buthemeanttohavetwentychildrenhimself，likehisuncleXavier。"Oh，Emil，"hecried，hugginghisoldfriendrapturously，"whyain’tyoubeenuptoseemyboy？Youcometo—morrow，sure？
Emil，youwannagetaboyrightoff！It’sthegreatestthingever！No，no，no！Angelnotsickatall。Everythingjustfine。Thatboyhecomeintothisworldlaughin’，andhebeenlaughin’
eversince。Youcomean’see！"HepoundedEmil’sribstoemphasizeeachannouncement。
Emilcaughthisarms。"Stop，Amedee。
You’reknockingthewindoutofme。Ibroughthimcupsandspoonsandblanketsandmocca—
sinsenoughforanorphanasylum。I’mawfulgladit’saboy，sureenough！"
TheyoungmencrowdedroundEmiltoad—
mirehiscostumeandtotellhiminabreatheverythingthathadhappenedsincehewentaway。EmilhadmorefriendsuphereintheFrenchcountrythandownonNorwayCreek。
TheFrenchandBohemianboyswerespiritedandjolly，likedvariety，andwereasmuchpre—
disposedtofavoranythingnewastheScandi—
navianboysweretorejectit。TheNorwegianandSwedishladsweremuchmoreself—centred，apttobeegotisticalandjealous。TheywerecautiousandreservedwithEmilbecausehehadbeenawaytocollege，andwerepreparedtotakehimdownifheshouldtrytoputonairswiththem。TheFrenchboyslikedabitofswagger，andtheywerealwaysdelightedtohearaboutanythingnew：newclothes，newgames，newsongs，newdances。Nowtheycar—
riedEmilofftoshowhimtheclubroomtheyhadjustfittedupoverthepost—office，downinthevillage。Theyrandownthehillinadrove，alllaughingandchatteringatonce，someinFrench，someinEnglish。
Alexandrawentintothecool，whitewashedbasementwherethewomenweresettingthetables。Mariewasstandingonachair，buildingalittletentofshawlswhereshewastotellfortunes。ShesprangdownandrantowardAlexandra，stoppingshortandlookingatherindisappointment。Alexandranoddedtoherencouragingly。
"Oh，hewillbehere，Marie。Theboyshavetakenhimofftoshowhimsomething。Youwon’tknowhim。Heisamannow，sureenough。
Ihavenoboyleft。Hesmokesterrible—smellingMexicancigarettesandtalksSpanish。Howprettyyoulook，child。Wheredidyougetthosebeautifulearrings？"
"Theybelongedtofather’smother。Healwayspromisedthemtome。HesentthemwiththedressandsaidIcouldkeepthem。"
Marieworeashortredskirtofstoutlywovencloth，awhitebodiceandkirtle，ayellowsilkturbanwoundlowoverherbrowncurls，andlongcoralpendantsinherears。Herearshadbeenpiercedagainstapieceofcorkbyhergreat—auntwhenshewassevenyearsold。Inthosegermlessdaysshehadwornbitsofbroom—
straw，pluckedfromthecommonsweeping—
broom，inthelobesuntiltheholeswerehealedandreadyforlittlegoldrings。
WhenEmilcamebackfromthevillage，helingeredoutsideontheterracewiththeboys。
MariecouldhearhimtalkingandstrummingonhisguitarwhileRaoulMarcelsangfalsetto。
Shewasvexedwithhimforstayingoutthere。
Itmadeherverynervoustohearhimandnottoseehim;for，certainly，shetoldherself，shewasnotgoingouttolookforhim。Whenthesupperbellrangandtheboyscametroopingintogetseatsatthefirsttable，sheforgotallaboutherannoyanceandrantogreetthetall—
estofthecrowd，inhisconspicuousattire。Shedidn’tmindshowingherembarrassmentatall。
SheblushedandlaughedexcitedlyasshegaveEmilherhand，andlookeddelightedlyattheblackvelvetcoatthatbroughtouthisfairskinandfineblondhead。Mariewasincapableofbeinglukewarmaboutanythingthatpleasedher。Shesimplydidnotknowhowtogiveahalf—heartedresponse。Whenshewasde—
lighted，shewasaslikelyasnottostandonhertip—toesandclapherhands。Ifpeoplelaughedather，shelaughedwiththem。
"Dothemenwearclotheslikethateveryday，inthestreet？"ShecaughtEmilbyhissleeveandturnedhimabout。"Oh，IwishI
livedwherepeopleworethingslikethat！Arethebuttonsrealsilver？Putonthehat，please。
Whataheavything！Howdoyoueverwearit？Whydon’tyoutellusaboutthebull—
fights？"
Shewantedtowringallhisexperiencesfromhimatonce，withoutwaitingamoment。Emilsmiledtolerantlyandstoodlookingdownatherwithhisold，broodinggaze，whiletheFrenchgirlsflutteredabouthimintheirwhitedressesandribbons，andAlexandrawatchedthescenewithpride。SeveraloftheFrenchgirls，Marieknew，werehopingthatEmilwouldtakethemtosupper，andshewasrelievedwhenhetookonlyhissister。MariecaughtFrank’sarmanddraggedhimtothesametable，managingtogetseatsoppositetheBergsons，sothatshecouldhearwhattheyweretalkingabout。AlexandramadeEmiltellMrs。XavierChevalier，themotherofthetwenty，abouthowhehadseenafamousmatadorkilledinthebull—ring。Marielistenedtoeveryword，onlytakinghereyesfromEmiltowatchFrank’splateandkeepitfilled。WhenEmilfinishedhisaccount，——
bloodyenoughtosatisfyMrs。Xavierandtomakeherfeelthankfulthatshewasnotamatador，——Mariebrokeoutwithavolleyofquestions。Howdidthewomendresswhentheywenttobull—fights？Didtheywearman—
tillas？Didtheyneverwearhats？
Aftersuppertheyoungpeopleplayedchar—
adesfortheamusementoftheirelders，whosatgossipingbetweentheirguesses。AlltheshopsinSainte—Agneswereclosedateighto’clockthatnight，sothatthemerchantsandtheirclerkscouldattendthefair。Theauctionwastheliveliestpartoftheentertainment，fortheFrenchboysalwayslosttheirheadswhentheybegantobid，satisfiedthattheirextravagancewasinagoodcause。Afterallthepincushionsandsofapillowsandembroideredslippersweresold，Emilprecipitatedapanicbytakingoutoneofhisturquoiseshirtstuds，whicheveryonehadbeenadmiring，andhandingittotheauc—
tioneer。AlltheFrenchgirlsclamoredforit，andtheirsweetheartsbidagainsteachotherrecklessly。Mariewantedit，too，andshekeptmakingsignalstoFrank，whichhetookasourpleasureindisregarding。Hedidn’tseetheuseofmakingafussoverafellowjustbecausehewasdressedlikeaclown。WhentheturquoisewenttoMalvinaSauvage，theFrenchbanker’sdaughter，Marieshruggedhershouldersandbetookherselftoherlittletentofshawls，whereshebegantoshufflehercardsbythelightofatallowcandle，callingout，"Fortunes，for—
tunes！"
Theyoungpriest，FatherDuchesne，wentfirsttohavehisfortuneread。Marietookhislongwhitehand，lookedatit，andthenbegantorunoffhercards。"Iseealongjourneyacrosswaterforyou，Father。Youwillgotoatownallcutupbywater;builtonislands，itseemstobe，withriversandgreenfieldsallabout。Andyouwillvisitanoldladywithawhitecapandgoldhoopsinherears，andyouwillbeveryhappythere。"
"Mais，oui，"saidthepriest，withamelan—
cholysmile。"C’estL’Isle—Adam，chezmamere。Vousetestressavante，mafille。"Hepattedheryellowturban，calling，"Venezdonc，mesgarcons！Ilyaiciuneveritableclairvoyante！"
Mariewascleveratfortune—telling，indulg—
inginalightironythatamusedthecrowd。ShetoldoldBrunot，themiser，thathewouldloseallhismoney，marryagirlofsixteen，andlivehappilyonacrust。Sholte，thefatRussianboy，wholivedforhisstomach，wastobedisap—
pointedinlove，growthin，andshoothimselffromdespondency。Amedeewastohavetwentychildren，andnineteenofthemweretobegirls。AmedeeslappedFrankonthebackandaskedhimwhyhedidn’tseewhatthefortune—tellerwouldpromisehim。ButFrankshookoffhisfriendlyhandandgrunted，"Shetellmyfortunelongago;badenough！"Thenhewithdrewtoacornerandsatgloweringathiswife。
Frank’scasewasallthemorepainfulbecausehehadnooneinparticulartofixhisjealousyupon。Sometimeshecouldhavethankedthemanwhowouldbringhimevidenceagainsthiswife。Hehaddischargedagoodfarm—boy，JanSmirka，becausehethoughtMariewasfondofhim;butshehadnotseemedtomissJanwhenhewasgone，andshehadbeenjustaskindtothenextboy。Thefarm—handswouldalwaysdoanythingforMarie;Frankcouldn’tfindonesosurlythathewouldnotmakeanefforttopleaseher。AtthebottomofhisheartFrankknewwellenoughthatifhecouldoncegiveuphisgrudge，hiswifewouldcomebacktohim。Buthecouldneverintheworlddothat。Thegrudgewasfundamental。Perhapshecouldnothavegivenitupifhehadtried。Perhapshegotmoresatisfactionoutoffeelinghimselfabusedthanhewouldhavegotoutofbeingloved。IfhecouldoncehavemadeMariethoroughlyun—
happy，hemighthaverelentedandraisedherfromthedust。Butshehadneverhumbledher—
self。Inthefirstdaysoftheirloveshehadbeenhisslave;shehadadmiredhimabandonedly。
Butthemomenthebegantobullyherandtobeunjust，shebegantodrawaway;atfirstintear—
fulamazement，theninquiet，unspokendis—
gust。Thedistancebetweenthemhadwidenedandhardened。Itnolongercontractedandbroughtthemsuddenlytogether。Thesparkofherlifewentsomewhereelse，andhewasalwayswatchingtosurpriseit。Heknewthatsome—
whereshemustgetafeelingtoliveupon，forshewasnotawomanwhocouldlivewithoutloving。Hewantedtoprovetohimselfthewronghefelt。Whatdidshehideinherheart？
Wherediditgo？EvenFrankhadhischurlishdelicacies;heneverremindedherofhowmuchshehadoncelovedhim。ForthatMariewasgratefultohim。
WhileMariewaschatteringtotheFrenchboys，AmedeecalledEmiltothebackoftheroomandwhisperedtohimthattheyweregoingtoplayajokeonthegirls。Ateleveno’clock，Amedeewastogouptotheswitchboardinthevestibuleandturnofftheelectriclights，andeveryboywouldhaveachancetokisshissweetheartbeforeFatherDuchesnecouldfindhiswayupthestairstoturnthecurrentonagain。TheonlydifficultywasthecandleinMarie’stent;perhaps，asEmilhadnosweet—
heart，hewouldobligetheboysbyblowingoutthecandle。Emilsaidhewouldundertaketodothat。
AtfiveminutestoelevenhesauntereduptoMarie’sbooth，andtheFrenchboysdispersedtofindtheirgirls。Heleanedoverthecard—
tableandgavehimselfuptolookingather。
"Doyouthinkyoucouldtellmyfortune？"
hemurmured。Itwasthefirstwordhehadhadalonewithherforalmostayear。"Myluckhasn’tchangedany。It’sjustthesame。"
MariehadoftenwonderedwhethertherewasanyoneelsewhocouldlookhisthoughtstoyouasEmilcould。To—night，whenshemethissteady，powerfuleyes，itwasimpossiblenottofeelthesweetnessofthedreamhewasdreaming;itreachedherbeforeshecouldshutitout，andhiditselfinherheart。Shebegantoshufflehercardsfuriously。"I’mangrywithyou，Emil，"shebrokeoutwithpetu—
lance。"Whydidyougivethemthatlovelybluestonetosell？YoumighthaveknownFrankwouldn’tbuyitforme，andIwanteditawfully！"
Emillaughedshortly。"Peoplewhowantsuchlittlethingssurelyoughttohavethem，"
hesaiddryly。Hethrusthishandintothepocketofhisvelvettrousersandbroughtoutahandfulofuncutturquoises，asbigasmarbles。
Leaningoverthetablehedroppedthemintoherlap。"There，willthosedo？Becareful，don’tletanyoneseethem。Now，Isupposeyouwantmetogoawayandletyouplaywiththem？"
Mariewasgazinginraptureatthesoftbluecolorofthestones。"Oh，Emil！Iseverythingdowntherebeautifullikethese？Howcouldyouevercomeaway？"
AtthatinstantAmedeelaidhandsontheswitchboard。Therewasashiverandagiggle，andeveryonelookedtowardtheredblurthatMarie’scandlemadeinthedark。Immediatelythat，too，wasgone。Littleshrieksandcurrentsofsoftlaughterranupanddownthedarkhall。
Mariestartedup，——directlyintoEmil’sarms。
Inthesameinstantshefelthislips。Theveilthathadhunguncertainlybetweenthemforsolongwasdissolved。Beforesheknewwhatshewasdoing，shehadcommittedherselftothatkissthatwasatonceaboy’sandaman’s，astimidasitwastender;solikeEmilandsounlikeanyoneelseintheworld。Notuntilitwasoverdidsherealizewhatitmeant。AndEmil，whohadsooftenimaginedtheshockofthisfirstkiss，wassurprisedatitsgentlenessandnaturalness。Itwaslikeasighwhichtheyhadbreathedtogether;almostsorrowful，asifeachwereafraidofwakeningsomethingintheother。
Whenthelightscameonagain，everybodywaslaughingandshouting，andalltheFrenchgirlswererosyandshiningwithmirth。OnlyMarie，inherlittletentofshawls，waspaleandquiet。Underheryellowturbantheredcoralpendantsswungagainstwhitecheeks。Frankwasstillstaringather，butheseemedtoseenothing。Yearsago，hehimselfhadhadthepowertotakethebloodfromhercheekslikethat。Perhapshedidnotremember——perhapshehadnevernoticed！Emilwasalreadyattheotherendofthehall，walkingaboutwiththeshoulder—motionhehadacquiredamongtheMexicans，studyingthefloorwithhisintent，deep—seteyes。Mariebegantotakedownandfoldhershawls。Shedidnotglanceupagain。
Theyoungpeopledriftedtotheotherendofthehallwheretheguitarwassounding。Inamo—
mentsheheardEmilandRaoulsinging：——
"AcrosstheRioGrand—eThereliesasunnyland—e，Mybright—eyedMexico！"
AlexandraBergsoncameuptothecardbooth。"Letmehelpyou，Marie。Youlooktired。"
SheplacedherhandonMarie’sarmandfelthershiver。Mariestiffenedunderthatkind，calmhand。Alexandradrewback，perplexedandhurt。
TherewasaboutAlexandrasomethingoftheimperviouscalmofthefatalist，alwaysdiscon—
certingtoveryyoungpeople，whocannotfeelthattheheartlivesatallunlessitisstillatthemercyofstorms;unlessitsstringscanscreamtothetouchofpain。
II
Signa’sweddingsupperwasover。Theguests，andthetiresomelittleNorwegianpreacherwhohadperformedthemarriagecere—
mony，weresayinggood—night。OldIvarwashitchingthehorsestothewagontotaketheweddingpresentsandthebrideandgroomuptotheirnewhome，onAlexandra’snorthquarter。
WhenIvardroveuptothegate，EmilandMarieShabatabegantocarryoutthepresents，andAlexandrawentintoherbedroomtobidSignagood—byeandtogiveherafewwordsofgoodcounsel。Shewassurprisedtofindthatthebridehadchangedherslippersforheavyshoesandwaspinningupherskirts。AtthatmomentNelseappearedatthegatewiththetwomilkcowsthatAlexandrahadgivenSignaforaweddingpresent。
Alexandrabegantolaugh。"Why，Signa，youandNelsearetoridehome。I’llsendIvaroverwiththecowsinthemorning。"
Signahesitatedandlookedperplexed。Whenherhusbandcalledher，shepinnedherhatonresolutely。"Ita—ankIbetterdoyustlikehesay，"shemurmuredinconfusion。
AlexandraandMarieaccompaniedSignatothegateandsawthepartysetoff，oldIvardrivingaheadinthewagonandthebrideandgroomfollowingonfoot，eachleadingacow。
Emilburstintoalaughbeforetheywereoutofhearing。
"Thosetwowillgeton，"saidAlexandraastheyturnedbacktothehouse。"Theyarenotgoingtotakeanychances。Theywillfeelsaferwiththosecowsintheirownstable。Marie，I
amgoingtosendforanoldwomannext。AssoonasIgetthegirlsbrokenin，Imarrythemoff。"
"I’venopatiencewithSigna，marryingthatgrumpyfellow！"Mariedeclared。"IwantedhertomarrythatniceSmirkaboywhoworkedforuslastwinter。Ithinkshelikedhim，too。"
"Yes，Ithinkshedid，"Alexandraassented，"butIsupposeshewastoomuchafraidofNelsetomarryanyoneelse。NowthatIthinkofit，mostofmygirlshavemarriedmentheywereafraidof。IbelievethereisagooddealofthecowinmostSwedishgirls。Youhigh—strungBohemiancan’tunderstandus。We’reater—
riblypracticalpeople，andIguesswethinkacrossmanmakesagoodmanager。"
Marieshruggedhershouldersandturnedtopinupalockofhairthathadfallenonherneck。
SomehowAlexandrahadirritatedheroflate。
Everybodyirritatedher。Shewastiredofeverybody。"I’mgoinghomealone，Emil，soyouneedn’tgetyourhat，"shesaidasshewoundherscarfquicklyaboutherhead。"Good—night，Alexandra，"shecalledbackinastrainedvoice，runningdownthegravelwalk。
Emilfollowedwithlongstridesuntilheover—
tookher。Thenshebegantowalkslowly。Itwasanightofwarmwindandfaintstarlight，andthefireflieswereglimmeringoverthewheat。
"Marie，"saidEmilaftertheyhadwalkedforawhile，"Iwonderifyouknowhowun—
happyIam？"
Mariedidnotanswerhim。Herhead，initswhitescarf，droopedforwardalittle。
Emilkickedaclodfromthepathandwenton：——
"Iwonderwhetheryouarereallyshallow—
hearted，likeyouseem？SometimesIthinkoneboydoesjustaswellasanotherforyou。ItneverseemstomakemuchdifferencewhetheritismeorRaoulMarcelorJanSmirka。Areyoureallylikethat？"
"PerhapsIam。Whatdoyouwantmetodo？Sitroundandcryallday？WhenI’vecrieduntilIcan’tcryanymore，then——thenI
mustdosomethingelse。"
"Areyousorryforme？"hepersisted。
"No，I’mnot。IfIwerebigandfreelikeyou，Iwouldn’tletanythingmakemeunhappy。AsoldNapoleonBrunotsaidatthefair，Iwouldn’tgoloveringafternowoman。I’dtakethefirsttrainandgooffandhaveallthefunthereis。"
"Itriedthat，butitdidn’tdoanygood。
Everythingremindedme。Thenicertheplacewas，themoreIwantedyou。"TheyhadcometothestileandEmilpointedtoitpersuasively。
"Sitdownamoment，Iwanttoaskyousome—
thing。"MariesatdownonthetopstepandEmildrewnearer。"Wouldyoutellmesome—
thingthat’snoneofmybusinessifyouthoughtitwouldhelpmeout？Well，then，tellme，PLEASE
tellme，whyyouranawaywithFrankSha—
bata！"
Mariedrewback。"BecauseIwasinlovewithhim，"shesaidfirmly。
"Really？"heaskedincredulously。
"Yes，indeed。Verymuchinlovewithhim。
IthinkIwastheonewhosuggestedourrun—
ningaway。Fromthefirstitwasmoremyfaultthanhis。"
Emilturnedawayhisface。
"Andnow，"Mariewenton，"I’vegottorememberthat。Frankisjustthesamenowashewasthen，onlythenIwouldseehimasI
wantedhimtobe。Iwouldhavemyownway。
AndnowIpayforit。"
"Youdon’tdoallthepaying。"
"That’sit。Whenonemakesamistake，there’snotellingwhereitwillstop。Butyoucangoaway;youcanleaveallthisbehindyou。"
"Noteverything。Ican’tleaveyoubehind。
Willyougoawaywithme，Marie？"
Mariestartedupandsteppedacrossthestile。"Emil！Howwickedlyyoutalk！Iamnotthatkindofagirl，andyouknowit。ButwhatamIgoingtodoifyoukeeptormentingmelikethis！"sheaddedplaintively。
"Marie，Iwon’tbotheryouanymoreifyouwilltellmejustonething。Stopaminuteandlookatme。No，nobodycanseeus。Every—
body’sasleep。Thatwasonlyafirefly。Marie，STOPandtellme！"
Emilovertookherandcatchingherbytheshouldersshookhergently，asifheweretryingtoawakenasleepwalker。
Mariehidherfaceonhisarm。"Don’taskmeanythingmore。Idon’tknowanythingexcepthowmiserableIam。AndIthoughtitwouldbeallrightwhenyoucameback。Oh，Emil，"sheclutchedhissleeveandbegantocry，"whatamItodoifyoudon’tgoaway？I
can’tgo，andoneofusmust。Can’tyousee？"
Emilstoodlookingdownather，holdinghisshouldersstiffandstiffeningthearmtowhichsheclung。Herwhitedresslookedgrayinthedarkness。Sheseemedlikeatroubledspirit，likesomeshadowoutoftheearth，clingingtohimandentreatinghimtogiveherpeace。Be—
hindherthefireflieswereweavinginandoutoverthewheat。Heputhishandonherbenthead。"Onmyhonor，Marie，ifyouwillsayyouloveme，Iwillgoaway。"
Sheliftedherfacetohis。"HowcouldIhelpit？Didn’tyouknow？"
Emilwastheonewhotrembled，throughallhisframe。AfterheleftMarieathergate，hewanderedaboutthefieldsallnight，tillmorningputoutthefirefliesandthestars。
III
Oneevening，aweekafterSigna’swedding，Emilwaskneelingbeforeaboxinthesitting—
room，packinghisbooks。Fromtimetotimeheroseandwanderedaboutthehouse，pickingupstrayvolumesandbringingthemlistlesslybacktohisbox。Hewaspackingwithoutenthusi—
asm。Hewasnotverysanguineabouthisfu—
ture。Alexandrasatsewingbythetable。Shehadhelpedhimpackhistrunkintheafternoon。
AsEmilcameandwentbyherchairwithhisbooks，hethoughttohimselfthatithadnotbeensohardtoleavehissistersincehefirstwentawaytoschool。HewasgoingdirectlytoOmaha，toreadlawintheofficeofaSwedishlawyeruntilOctober，whenhewouldenterthelawschoolatAnnArbor。TheyhadplannedthatAlexandrawastocometoMichigan——alongjourneyforher——atChristmastime，andspendseveralweekswithhim。Nevertheless，hefeltthatthisleavetakingwouldbemorefinalthanhisearlieroneshadbeen;thatitmeantadefinitebreakwithhisoldhomeandthebegin—
ningofsomethingnew——hedidnotknowwhat。Hisideasaboutthefuturewouldnotcrystallize;themorehetriedtothinkaboutit，thevaguerhisconceptionofitbecame。Butonethingwasclear，hetoldhimself;itwashightimethathemadegoodtoAlexandra，andthatoughttobeincentiveenoughtobeginwith。
Ashewentaboutgatheringuphisbookshefeltasifhewereuprootingthings。Atlasthethrewhimselfdownontheoldslatloungewherehehadsleptwhenhewaslittle，andlaylookingupatthefamiliarcracksintheceiling。
"Tired，Emil？"hissisterasked。
"Lazy，"hemurmured，turningonhissideandlookingather。HestudiedAlexandra’sfaceforalongtimeinthelamplight。IthadneveroccurredtohimthathissisterwasahandsomewomanuntilMarieShabatahadtoldhimso。Indeed，hehadneverthoughtofherasbeingawomanatall，onlyasister。Ashestudiedherbenthead，helookedupatthepictureofJohnBergsonabovethelamp。
"No，"hethoughttohimself，"shedidn’tgetitthere。IsupposeIammorelikethat。"
"Alexandra，"hesaidsuddenly，"thatoldwalnutsecretaryyouuseforadeskwasfather’s，wasn’tit？"
Alexandrawentonstitching。"Yes。Itwasoneofthefirstthingsheboughtfortheoldloghouse。Itwasagreatextravaganceinthosedays。Buthewroteagreatmanylettersbacktotheoldcountry。Hehadmanyfriendsthere，andtheywrotetohimuptothetimehedied。
Nooneeverblamedhimforgrandfather’sdis—
grace。Icanseehimnow，sittingthereonSun—
days，inhiswhiteshirt，writingpagesandpages，socarefully。Hewroteafine，regularhand，almostlikeengraving。Yoursissome—
thinglikehis，whenyoutakepains。"
"Grandfatherwasreallycrooked，washe？"
"Hemarriedanunscrupulouswoman，andthen——thenI’mafraidhewasreallycrooked。
WhenwefirstcameherefatherusedtohavedreamsaboutmakingagreatfortuneandgoingbacktoSwedentopaybacktothepoorsailorsthemoneygrandfatherhadlost。"
Emilstirredonthelounge。"Isay，thatwouldhavebeenworthwhile，wouldn’tit？
Fatherwasn’tabitlikeLouorOscar，washe？
Ican’tremembermuchabouthimbeforehegotsick。"
"Oh，notatall！"Alexandradroppedhersewingonherknee。"Hehadbetteropportuni—
ties;nottomakemoney，buttomakesome—
thingofhimself。Hewasaquietman，buthewasveryintelligent。Youwouldhavebeenproudofhim，Emil。"
Alexandrafeltthathewouldliketoknowtherehadbeenamanofhiskinwhomhecouldadmire。SheknewthatEmilwasashamedofLouandOscar，becausetheywerebigotedandself—satisfied。Heneversaidmuchaboutthem，butshecouldfeelhisdisgust。Hisbrothershadshowntheirdisapprovalofhimeversincehefirstwentawaytoschool。TheonlythingthatwouldhavesatisfiedthemwouldhavebeenhisfailureattheUniversity。
Asitwas，theyresentedeverychangeinhisspeech，inhisdress，inhispointofview;thoughthelattertheyhadtoconjecture，forEmilavoidedtalkingtothemaboutanybutfamilymatters。Allhisintereststheytreatedasaffectations。
Alexandratookuphersewingagain。"Icanrememberfatherwhenhewasquiteayoungman。Hebelongedtosomekindofamusicalsociety，amalechorus，inStockholm。Icanremembergoingwithmothertohearthemsing。
Theremusthavebeenahundredofthem，andtheyallworelongblackcoatsandwhiteneck—
ties。Iwasusedtoseeingfatherinabluecoat，asortofjacket，andwhenIrecognizedhimontheplatform，Iwasveryproud。DoyourememberthatSwedishsonghetaughtyou，abouttheshipboy？"
"Yes。IusedtosingittotheMexicans。
Theylikeanythingdifferent。"Emilpaused。
"Fatherhadahardfighthere，didn’the？"headdedthoughtfully。
"Yes，andhediedinadarktime。Still，hehadhope。Hebelievedintheland。"
"Andinyou，Iguess，"Emilsaidtohimself。
Therewasanotherperiodofsilence;thatwarm，friendlysilence，fullofperfectunderstanding，inwhichEmilandAlexandrahadspentmanyoftheirhappiesthalf—hours。
AtlastEmilsaidabruptly，"LouandOscarwouldbebetteroffiftheywerepoor，wouldn’tthey？"
Alexandrasmiled。"Maybe。Buttheirchil—
drenwouldn’t。IhavegreathopesofMilly。"
Emilshivered。"Idon’tknow。Seemstomeitgetsworseasitgoeson。TheworstoftheSwedesisthatthey’reneverwillingtofindouthowmuchtheydon’tknow。ItwaslikethatattheUniversity。Alwayssopleasedwiththem—
selves！There’snogettingbehindthatcon—
ceitedSwedishgrin。TheBohemiansandGer—
mansweresodifferent。"
"Come，Emil，don’tgobackonyourownpeople。Fatherwasn’tconceited，UncleOttowasn’t。EvenLouandOscarweren’twhentheywereboys。"
Emillookedincredulous，buthedidnotdis—
putethepoint。Heturnedonhisbackandlaystillforalongtime，hishandslockedunderhishead，lookingupattheceiling。Alexandraknewthathewasthinkingofmanythings。ShefeltnoanxietyaboutEmil。Shehadalwaysbelievedinhim，asshehadbelievedintheland。HehadbeenmorelikehimselfsincehegotbackfromMexico;seemedgladtobeathome，andtalkedtoherasheusedtodo。
Shehadnodoubtthathiswanderingfitwasover，andthathewouldsoonbesettledinlife。
"Alexandra，"saidEmilsuddenly，"doyourememberthewildduckwesawdownontheriverthattime？"
Hissisterlookedup。"Ioftenthinkofher。
Italwaysseemstomeshe’stherestill，justlikewesawher。"
"Iknow。It’squeerwhatthingsonere—
membersandwhatthingsoneforgets。"Emilyawnedandsatup。"Well，it’stimetoturnin。"Herose，andgoingovertoAlexandrastoopeddownandkissedherlightlyonthecheek。"Good—night，sister。Ithinkyoudidprettywellbyus。"
Emiltookuphislampandwentupstairs。
Alexandrasatfinishinghisnewnightshirt，thatmustgointhetoptrayofhistrunk。
IV
ThenextmorningAngelique，Amedee’swife，wasinthekitchenbakingpies，assistedbyoldMrs。Chevalier。Betweenthemixing—boardandthestovestoodtheoldcradlethathadbeenAmedee’s，andinitwashisblack—eyedson。AsAngelique，flushedandexcited，withflouronherhands，stoppedtosmileatthebaby，EmilBergsonrodeuptothekitchendooronhismareanddismounted。
"’Medeeisoutinthefield，Emil，"Angeliquecalledassheranacrossthekitchentotheoven。
"Hebeginstocuthiswheatto—day;thefirstwheatreadytocutanywhereabouthere。Heboughtanewheader，youknow，becauseallthewheat’ssoshortthisyear。Ihopehecanrentittotheneighbors，itcostsomuch。Heandhiscousinsboughtasteamthresheronshares。Yououghttogooutandseethatheaderwork。I
watcheditanhourthismorning，busyasIamwithallthementofeed。Hehasalotofhands，buthe’stheonlyonethatknowshowtodrivetheheaderorhowtoruntheengine，sohehastobeeverywhereatonce。He’ssick，too，andoughttobeinhisbed。"
EmilbentoverHectorBaptiste，tryingtomakehimblinkhisround，bead—likeblackeyes。
"Sick？What’sthematterwithyourdaddy，kid？Beenmakinghimwalkthefloorwithyou？"
Angeliquesniffed。"Notmuch！Wedon’thavethatkindofbabies。ItwashisfatherthatkeptBaptisteawake。AllnightIhadtobeget—
tingupandmakingmustardplasterstoputonhisstomach。Hehadanawfulcolic。Hesaidhefeltbetterthismorning，butIdon’tthinkheoughttobeoutinthefield，overheatinghim—
self。"
Angeliquedidnotspeakwithmuchanxiety，notbecauseshewasindifferent，butbecauseshefeltsosecureintheirgoodfortune。Onlygoodthingscouldhappentoarich，energetic，hand—
someyoungmanlikeAmedee，withanewbabyinthecradleandanewheaderinthefield。
EmilstrokedtheblackfuzzonBaptiste’shead。"Isay，Angelique，oneof’Medee’sgrand—
mothers，’wayback，musthavebeenasquaw。
ThiskidlooksexactlyliketheIndianbabies。"
Angeliquemadeafaceathim，butoldMrs。
Chevalierhadbeentouchedonasorepoint，andsheletoutsuchastreamoffieryPATOISthatEmilfledfromthekitchenandmountedhismare。
Openingthepasturegatefromthesaddle，Emilrodeacrossthefieldtotheclearingwherethethresherstood，drivenbyastationaryengineandfedfromtheheaderboxes。AsAmedeewasnotontheengine，Emilrodeontothewheatfield，whereherecognized，ontheheader，theslight，wiryfigureofhisfriend，coatless，hiswhiteshirtpuffedoutbythewind，hisstrawhatstuckjauntilyonthesideofhishead。Thesixbigwork—horsesthatdrew，orratherpushed，theheader，wentabreastatarapidwalk，andastheywerestillgreenattheworktheyrequiredagooddealofmanagementonAmedee’spart;especiallywhentheyturnedthecorners，wheretheydivided，threeandthree，andthenswungroundintolineagainwithamovementthatlookedascomplicatedasawheelofartillery。Emilfeltanewthrillofadmirationforhisfriend，andwithittheoldpangofenvyatthewayinwhichAmedeecoulddowithhismightwhathishandfoundtodo，andfeelthat，whateveritwas，itwasthemostimportantthingintheworld。"I’llhavetobringAlexandrauptoseethisthingwork，"
Emilthought;"it’ssplendid！"
WhenhesawEmil，Amedeewavedtohimandcalledtooneofhistwentycousinstotakethereins。Steppingofftheheaderwithoutstoppingit，heranuptoEmilwhohaddis—
mounted。"Comealong，"hecalled。"Ihavetogoovertotheengineforaminute。Igottagreenmanrunningit，andIgottatokeepaneyeonhim。"
Emilthoughttheladwasunnaturallyflushedandmoreexcitedthaneventhecaresofmanag—
ingabigfarmatacriticaltimewarranted。Astheypassedbehindalastyear’sstack，Amedeeclutchedathisrightsideandsankdownforamomentonthestraw。
"Ouch！Igotanawfulpaininme，Emil。
Something’sthematterwithmyinsides，forsure。"
Emilfelthisfierycheek。"Yououghttogostraighttobed，’Medee，andtelephoneforthedoctor;that’swhatyououghttodo。"
Amedeestaggeredupwithagestureofdespair。"HowcanI？Igotnotimetobesick。
Threethousanddollars’worthofnewmachin—
erytomanage，andthewheatsoripeitwillbegintoshatternextweek。Mywheat’sshort，butit’sgottagrandfullberries。What’sheslowingdownfor？Wehaven’tgotheaderboxesenoughtofeedthethresher，Iguess。"
Amedeestartedhot—footacrossthestubble，leaningalittletotherightasheran，andwavedtotheengineernottostoptheengine。
Emilsawthatthiswasnotimetotalkabouthisownaffairs。HemountedhismareandrodeontoSainte—Agnes，tobidhisfriendstheregood—bye。HewentfirsttoseeRaoulMarcel，andfoundhiminnocentlypractisingthe"Gloria"forthebigconfirmationserviceonSundaywhilehepolishedthemirrorsofhisfather’ssaloon。
AsEmilrodehomewardsatthreeo’clockintheafternoon，hesawAmedeestaggeringoutofthewheatfield，supportedbytwoofhiscousins。
Emilstoppedandhelpedthemputtheboytobed。
V
WhenFrankShabatacameinfromworkatfiveo’clockthatevening，oldMosesMarcel，Raoul’sfather，telephonedhimthatAmedeehadhadaseizureinthewheatfield，andthatDoctorParadiswasgoingtooperateonhimassoonastheHanoverdoctorgottheretohelp。
Frankdroppedawordofthisatthetable，boltedhissupper，androdeofftoSainte—
Agnes，wheretherewouldbesympatheticdis—
cussionofAmedee’scaseatMarcel’ssaloon。
AssoonasFrankwasgone，MarietelephonedAlexandra。Itwasacomforttohearherfriend’svoice。Yes，AlexandraknewwhattherewastobeknownaboutAmedee。Emilhadbeentherewhentheycarriedhimoutofthefield，andhadstayedwithhimuntilthedoctorsoperatedforappendicitisatfiveo’clock。Theywereafraiditwastoolatetodomuchgood;itshouldhavebeendonethreedaysago。Amedeewasinaverybadway。Emilhadjustcomehome，wornoutandsickhimself。Shehadgivenhimsomebrandyandputhimtobed。
Mariehungupthereceiver。PoorAmedee’sillnesshadtakenonanewmeaningtoher，nowthatsheknewEmilhadbeenwithhim。Anditmightsoeasilyhavebeentheotherway——
EmilwhowasillandAmedeewhowassad！
Marielookedabouttheduskysitting—room。
Shehadseldomfeltsoutterlylonely。IfEmilwasasleep，therewasnotevenachanceofhiscoming;andshecouldnotgotoAlexandraforsympathy。ShemeanttotellAlexandraevery—
thing，assoonasEmilwentaway。Thenwhat—
everwasleftbetweenthemwouldbehonest。
Butshecouldnotstayinthehousethisevening。Whereshouldshego？Shewalkedslowlydownthroughtheorchard，wheretheeveningairwasheavywiththesmellofwildcotton。Thefresh，saltyscentofthewildroseshadgivenwaybeforethismorepowerfulper—
fumeofmidsummer。Whereverthoseashes—of—
roseballshungontheirmilkystalks，theairaboutthemwassaturatedwiththeirbreath。
Theskywasstillredinthewestandtheeven—
ingstarhungdirectlyovertheBergsons’wind—
mill。Mariecrossedthefenceatthewheatfieldcorner，andwalkedslowlyalongthepaththatledtoAlexandra’s。ShecouldnothelpfeelinghurtthatEmilhadnotcometotellheraboutAmedee。Itseemedtohermostunnaturalthatheshouldnothavecome。Ifshewereintrou—
ble，certainlyhewastheonepersonintheworldshewouldwanttosee。Perhapshewishedhertounderstandthatforherhewasasgoodasgonealready。
Mariestoleslowly，flutteringly，alongthepath，likeawhitenight—mothoutofthefields。
Theyearsseemedtostretchbeforeherliketheland;spring，summer，autumn，winter，spring;
alwaysthesamepatientfields，thepatientlittletrees，thepatientlives;alwaysthesameyearn—
ing，thesamepullingatthechain——untiltheinstincttolivehadtornitselfandbledandweakenedforthelasttime，untilthechainsecuredadeadwoman，whomightcautiouslybereleased。Mariewalkedon，herfaceliftedtowardtheremote，inaccessibleeveningstar。
Whenshereachedthestileshesatdownandwaited。Howterribleitwastolovepeoplewhenyoucouldnotreallysharetheirlives！
Yes，insofarasshewasconcerned，Emilwasalreadygone。Theycouldn’tmeetanymore。
