shecried。\"Whenweasktobedoctors，lawyers，law—makers，anythingbutill—paiddrudges，theysay——No；butyouhavemen’schivalrousattention；
nowthinkofthatandbesatisfied！Whatwouldyoudowithoutit？\"
Thebitterlittlesilverylaugh，soseldomheard，rangoutacrossthebushes。Shebitherlittleteethtogether。
\"IwascomingupinCobb&Co。’stheotherday。Atalittlewaysidehotelwehadtochangethelargecoachforasmallone。Weweretenpassengers，eightmenandtwowomen。AsIsatinthehousethegentlemencameandwhisperedtome，’Thereisnotroomforallinthenewcoach，takeyourseatquickly。’Wehurriedout，andtheygavemethebestseat，andcoveredmewithrugs，becauseitwasdrizzling。Thenthelastpassengercamerunninguptothecoach——anoldwomanwithawonderfulbonnet，andablackshawlpinnedwithayellowpin。
\"’Thereisnoroom，’theysaid；’youmustwaittillnextweek’scoachtakesyouup；’butsheclimbedontothestep，andheldonatthewindowwithbothhands。
\"’Myson—in—lawisill，andImustgoandseehim，’shesaid。
\"’Mygoodwoman，’saidone，’Iamreallyexceedinglysorrythatyourson—
in—lawisill；butthereisabsolutelynoroomforyouhere。’
\"’Youhadbettergetdown，’saidanother，’orthewheelwillcatchyou。’
\"Igotuptogivehermyplace。
\"’Oh，no，no！’theycried，’wewillnotallowthat。’
\"’Iwillratherkneel，’saidone，andhecroucheddownatmyfeet；sothewomancamein。
\"Therewerenineofusinthatcoach，andonlyoneshowedchivalrousattention——andthatwasawomantoawoman。
\"Ishallbeoldandugly，too，oneday，andIshalllookformen’schivalroushelp，butIshallnotfindit。
\"Thebeesareveryattentivetotheflowerstilltheirhoneyisdone，andthentheyflyoverthem。Idon’tknowiftheflowersfeelgratefultothebees；theyaregreatfoolsiftheydo。\"
\"Butsomewomen，\"saidWaldo，speakingasthoughthewordsforcedthemselvesfromhimatthatmoment，\"somewomenhavepower。\"
Sheliftedherbeautifuleyestohisface。
\"Power！Didyoueverhearofmenbeingaskedwhetherothersoulsshouldhavepowerornot？Itisborninthem。Youmaydamupthefountainofwater，andmakeitastagnantmarsh，oryoumayletitrunfreeanddoitswork；butyoucannotsaywhetheritshallbethere；itisthere。Anditwillact，ifnotopenlyforgood，thencovertlyforevil；butitwillact。
IfGoethehadbeenstolenawayachild，andrearedinarobberhordeinthedepthsofaGermanforest，doyouthinktheworldwouldhavehad\"Faust\"
and\"Iphegenie？\"ButhewouldhavebeenGoethestill——stronger，wiserthanhisfellows。Atnight，roundtheirwatch—fire，hewouldhavechantedwildsongsofrapineandmurder，tillthedarkfacesabouthimweremovedandtrembled。Hissongswouldhaveechoedonfromfathertoson，andnervedtheheartandarm——forevil。DoyouthinkifNapoleonhadbeenbornawomanthathewouldhavebeencontentedtogivesmalltea—partiesandtalksmallscandal？Hewouldhaverisen；buttheworldwouldnothaveheardofhimasithearsofhimnow——amangreatandkinglywithallhissins；hewouldhaveleftoneofthosenamesthatstaintheleafofeveryhistory——
thenamesofwomen，who，havingpower，butbeingdeniedtherighttoexerciseitopenly，ruleinthedark，covertly，andbystealth，throughthemenwhosepassionstheyfeedonandbywhomtheyclimb。
\"Power！\"shesaid，suddenly，smitingherlittlehandupontherail。\"Yes，wehavepower；andsincewearenottoexpenditintunnellingmountains，norhealingdiseases，normakinglaws，normoney，noronanyextraneousobject，weexpenditonyou。Youareourgoods，ourmerchandise，ourmaterialforoperatingon；webuyyou，wesellyou，wemakefoolsofyou，weactthewilyoldJewwithyou，wekeepsixofyoucrawlingtoourlittlefeet，andprayingonlyforatouchofourlittlehand；andtheysaytruly，therewasneveranacheorpainorbrokenheartbutawomanwasatthebottomofit。Wearenottostudylaw，norscience，norart，sowestudyyou。Thereisneveranerveorfibreinaman’snaturebutweknowit。Wekeepsixofyoudancinginthepalmofonelittlehand，\"shesaid，balancingheroutstretchedarmgracefully，asthoughtinybeingsdisportedthemselvesinitspalm。\"There，wethrowyouaway，andyousinktothedevil，\"shesaid，foldingherarmscomposedly。\"Therewasneveramanwhosaidonewordforwomanbuthesaidtwoforman，andthreeforthewholehumanrace。\"
Shewatchedthebirdpeckingupthelastyellowgrains；butWaldolookedonlyather。
Whenshespokeagainitwasverymeasuredly。
\"Theybringweightyargumentsagainstuswhenweaskfortheperfectfreedomofwomen，\"shesaid；\"but，whenyoucometotheobjections，theyarelikepumpkindevilswithcandlesinside，hollow，andcan’tbite。Theysaythatwomendonotwishforthesphereandfreedomweaskforthem，andwouldnotuseit！
\"Ifthebirddoeslikeitscage，anddoeslikeitssugarandwillnotleaveit，whykeepthedoorsoverycarefullyshut？Whynotopenit，onlyalittle？Dotheyknowthereismanyabirdwillnotbreakitswingsagainstthebars，butwouldflyifthedoorswereopen？\"Sheknitherforeheadandleanedfurtheroverthebars。
\"Thentheysay，’Ifthewomenhavethelibertyyouaskfor，theywillbefoundinpositionsforwhichtheyarenotfitted！’Iftwomenclimboneladder，didyoueverseetheweakestanywherebutatthefoot？Thesurestsignoffitnessissuccess。Theweakestneverwinsbutwherethereishandicapping。Nature，lefttoherself，willasbeautifullyapportionaman’sworktohiscapacitiesaslongagesagoshegraduatedthecoloursonthebird’sbreast。Ifwearenotfit，yougiveus，tonopurpose，therighttolabour；theworkwillfalloutofourhandsintothosethatarewiser。\"
Shetalkedmorerapidlyasshewenton，asonetalksofthatoverwhichtheyhavebroodedlong，andwhichliesneartheirhearts。
Waldowatchedherintently。
\"Theysaywomenhaveonegreatandnobleworkleftthem，andtheydoitill。Thatistrue；theydoitexecrably。Itistheworkthatdemandsthebroadestculture，andtheyhavenoteventhenarrowest。Thelawyermayseenodeeperthanhislaw—books，andthechemistseenofurtherthanthewindowsofhislaboratory，andtheymaydotheirworkwell。Butthewomanwhodoeswoman’sworkneedsamany—sided，multiformculture；theheightsanddepthsofhumanlifemustnotbebeyondthereachofhervision；shemusthaveknowledgeofmenandthingsinmanystates，awidecatholicityofsympathy，thestrengththatspringsfromknowledge，andthemagnanimitywhichspringsfromstrength。Webeartheworld，andwemakeit。Thesoulsoflittlechildrenaremarvellouslydelicateandtenderthings，andkeepforevertheshadowthatfirstfallsonthem，andthatisthemother’soratbestawoman’s。Therewasneveragreatmanwhohadnotagreatmother——itishardlyanexaggeration。Thefirstsixyearsofourlifemakeus；allthatisaddedlaterisveneer；andyetsomesay，ifawomancancookadinnerordressherselfwellshehascultureenough。
\"Themightiestandnoblestofhumanworkisgiventous，andwedoitill。
Sendanavvietoworkintoanartist’sstudio，andseewhatyouwillfindthere！Andyet，thankGod，wehavethiswork，\"sheadded，quickly——\"itistheonewindowthroughwhichweseeintothegreatworldofearnestlabour。
Themeanestgirlwhodancesanddressesbecomessomethinghigherwhenherchildrenlookupintoherfaceandaskherquestions。Itistheonlyeducationwehaveandwhichtheycannottakefromus。\"
Shesmiledslightly。\"Theysaythatwecomplainofwoman’sbeingcompelledtolookuponmarriageasaprofession；butthatsheisfreetoenteruponitorleaveit，asshepleases。
\"Yes——andacatsetafloatinapondisfreetositinthetubtillitdiesthere，itisundernoobligationtowetitsfeet；andadrowningmanmaycatchatastrawornot，justashelikes——itisagloriousliberty！Letanymanthinkforfiveminutesofwhatoldmaidenhoodmeanstoawoman——andthenlethimbesilent。Isiteasytobearthroughlifeanamethatinitselfsignifiesdefeat？todwell，asnineoutoftenunmarriedwomenmust，underthefingerofanotherwoman？Isiteasytolookforwardtoanoldagewithouthonour，withouttherewardofusefullabour，withoutlove？I
wonderhowmanymentherearewhowouldgiveupeverythingthatisdearinlifeforthesakeofmaintainingahighidealpurity。\"
Shelaughedalittlelaughthatwasclearwithoutbeingpleasant。
\"Andthen，whentheyhavenootherargumentagainstus，theysay，’Goon；
butwhenyouhavemadewomanwhatyouwish，andherchildreninheritherculture，youwilldefeatyourself。Manwillgraduallybecomeextinctfromexcessofintellect，thepassionswhichreplenishtheracewilldie。’
Fools！\"shesaid，curlingherprettylip。\"AHottentotsitsattheroadsideandfeedsonarottenbonehehasfoundthere，andtakesouthisbottleofCape—smokeandswillsatit，andgruntswithsatisfaction；andtheculturedchildofthenineteenthcenturysitsinhisarmchair，andsipschoicewineswiththelipofaconnoisseur，andtastesdelicatedisheswithadelicatepalate，andwithasatisfactionofwhichtheHottentotknowsnothing。Heavyjawandslopingforehead——allhavegonewithincreasingintellect；buttheanimalappetitesaretherestill——refined，discriminative，butimmeasurablyintensified。Fools！Beforemenforgaveorworshipped，whiletheywereweakontheirhindlegs，didtheynoteatanddrink，andfightforwives？Whenallthelatteradditionstohumanityhavevanished，willnotthefoundationonwhichtheyarebuiltremain？\"
Shewassilentthenforawhile，andsaidsomewhatdreamily，moreasthoughspeakingtoherselfthantohim，\"Theyask，Whatwillyougain，evenifmandoesnotbecomeextinct？——youwillhavebroughtjusticeandequalityontotheearth，andsentlovefromit。Whenmenandwomenareequalstheywilllovenomore。Yourhighly—
culturedwomenwillnotbelovable，willnotlove。
\"Dotheyseenothing，understandnothing？ItisTantSanniewhoburieshusbandsoneafteranother，andfoldsherhandsresignedly，——’TheLordgave，andtheLordhathtakenaway，andblessedbethenameoftheLord，’——
andshelooksforanother。Itisthehard—headed，deepthinkerwho，whenthewifewhohasthoughtandworkedwithhimgoes，canfindnorest，andlingersnearhertillhefindssleepbesideher。
\"Agreatsouldrawsandisdrawnwithamorefierceintensitythananysmallone。Byeveryinchwegrowinintellectualheightourlovestrikesdownitsrootsdeeper，andspreadsoutitsarmswider。Itisforlove’ssakeyetmorethanforanyotherthatwelookforthatnewtime。\"
Shehadleanedherheadagainstthestones，andwatchedwithhersad，softeyestheretreatingbird。\"Thenwhenthattimecomes，\"shesaidlowly，\"whenloveisnomoreboughtorsold，whenitisnotameansofmakingbread，wheneachwoman’slifeisfilledwithearnest，independentlabour，thenlovewillcometoher，astrange，suddensweetnessbreakinginuponherearnestwork；notsoughtfor，butfound。Then，butnotnow——\"
Waldowaitedforhertofinishthesentence，butsheseemedtohaveforgottenhim。
\"Lyndall，\"hesaid，puttinghishanduponher——shestarted——\"ifyouthinkthatthatnewtimewillbesogreat，sogood，youwhospeaksoeasily——\"
Sheinterruptedhim。
\"Speak！speak！\"shesaid，\"thedifficultyisnottospeak；thedifficultyistokeepsilence。\"
\"Butwhydoyounottrytobringthattime？\"hesaidwithpitifulsimplicity。\"WhenyouspeakIbelieveallyousay；otherpeoplewouldlistentoyoualso。\"
\"Iamnotsosureofthat，\"shesaidwithasmile。
Thenoverthesmallfacecamethewearylookithadwornlastnightasitwatchedtheshadowinthecorner，Ah，soweary！
\"I，Waldo，I？\"shesaid。\"Iwilldonothinggoodformyself，nothingfortheworld，tillsomeonewakesme。Iamasleep，swathed，shutupinself；
tillIhavebeendeliveredIwilldelivernoone。\"
Helookedatherwondering，butshewasnotlookingathim。
\"Toseethegoodandthebeautiful，\"shesaid，\"andtohavenostrengthtoliveit，isonlytobeMosesonthemountainofNebo，withthelandatyourfeetandnopowertoenter。Itwouldbebetternottoseeit。Come，\"shesaid，lookingupintohisface，andseeingitsuncomprehendingexpression，\"letusgo，itisgettinglate。Dossisanxiousforhisbreakfastalso，\"
sheadded，wheelingroundandcallingtothedog，whowasendeavouringtounearthamole，anoccupationtowhichhehadbeenzealouslyaddictedfromthethirdmonth，butinwhichhehadneveronanysingleoccasionprovedsuccessful。
Waldoshoulderedhisbag，andLyndallwalkedonbeforeinsilence，withthedogclosetoherside。Perhapsshethoughtofthenarrownessofthelimitswithinwhichahumansoulmayspeakandbeunderstoodbyitsnearestofmentalkin，ofhowsoonitreachesthatsolitarylandoftheindividualexperience，inwhichnofellowfootfalliseverheard。Whateverherthoughtsmayhavebeen，shewassooninterrupted。Waldocameclosetoher，andstandingstill，producedwithawkwardnessfromhisbreast—pocketasmallcarvedbox。
\"Imadeitforyou，\"hesaid，holdingitout。
\"Ilikeit，\"shesaid，examiningitcarefully。
Theworkmanshipwasbetterthanthatofthegrave—post。Theflowersthatcovereditweredelicate，andhereandtheresmallconicalprotuberanceswereletinamongthem。Sheturneditroundcritically。Waldobentoveritlovingly。
\"Thereisonestrangethingaboutit，\"hesaidearnestly，puttingafingerononelittlepyramid。\"Imadeitwithoutthese，andIfeltsomethingwaswrong；Itriedmanychanges，andatlastIletthesein，andthenitwasright。Butwhywasit？Theyarenotbeautifulinthemselves。\"
\"Theyrelievethemonotonyofthesmoothleaves，Isuppose。\"
Heshookhisheadasoveraweightymatter。
\"Theskyismonotonous，\"hesaid，\"whenitisblue，andyetitisbeautiful。Ihavethoughtofthatoften；butitisnotmonotony，anditisnotvarietymakesbeauty。Whatisit？Thesky，andyourface，andthisbox——thesamethingisinthemall，onlymoreintheskyandinyourface。
Butwhatisit？\"
Shesmiled。
\"Soyouareatyouroldworkstill。Why，why，why？Whatisthereason？
Itisenoughforme，\"shesaid，\"ifIfindoutwhatisbeautifulandwhatisugly，whatisrealandwhatisnot。Whyitisthere，andoverthefinalcauseofthingsingeneral，Idon’ttroublemyself；theremustbeone，butwhatisittome？IfIhowltoalleternityIshallnevergetholdofit；
andifIdidImightbenobetteroff。ButyouGermansarebornwithanaptitudeforborrowing；youcan’thelpyourselves。Youmustsniffafterreasons，justasthatdogmustafteramole。Heknowsperfectlywellhewillnevercatchit，buthe’sundertheimperativenecessityofdiggingforit。\"
\"Buthemightfindit。\"
\"Might！——butheneverhasandneverwill。Lifeistooshorttorunaftermights；wemusthavecertainties。\"
Shetuckedtheboxunderherarmandwasabouttowalkon，whenGregoryRose，withshiningspurs，anostrichfeatherinhishat，andasilver—
headedwhip，careeredpast。Hebowedgallantlyashewentby。Theywaitedtillthedustofthehorse’shoofshadlaiditself。
\"There，\"saidLyndall，\"goesatruewoman——onebornforthespherethatsomewomenhavetofillwithoutbeingbornforit。Howhappyhewouldbesewingfrillsintohislittlegirl’sfrocks，andhowprettyhewouldlooksittinginaparlour，witharoughmanmakinglovetohim！Don’tyouthinkso？\"
\"Ishallnotstayherewhenheismaster，\"Waldoanswered，notabletoconnectanykindofbeautywithGregoryRose。
\"Ishouldimaginenot。Theruleofawomanistyranny；buttheruleofaman—womangrindsfine。Whereareyougoing？\"
\"Anywhere。\"
\"Whattodo？\"
\"See——seeeverything。\"
\"Youwillbedisappointed。\"
\"Andwereyou？\"
\"Yes；andyouwillbemoreso。Iwantthingsthatmenandtheworldgive，youdonot。Ifyouhaveafewyardsofearthtostandon，andabitofblueoveryou，andsomethingthatyoucannotseetodreamabout，youhaveallthatyouneed，allthatyouknowhowtouse。ButIliketoseerealmen。Letthembeasdisagreeableastheyplease，theyaremoreinterestingtomethanflowers，ortrees，orstars，oranyotherthingunderthesun。
Sometimes，\"sheadded，walkingon，andshakingthedustdaintilyfromherskirts，\"whenIamnottoobusytryingtofindanewwayofdoingmyhairthatwillshowmylittlenecktobetteradvantage，oroverotherworkofthatkind，sometimesitamusesmeintenselytotraceouttheresemblancebetweenonemanandanother：toseehowTantSannieandI，youandBonaparte，St。Simononhispillow，andtheemperordiningofflarks’
tongues，areoneandthesamecompound，merelymixedindifferentproportions。
\"Whatismicroscopicinoneislargelydevelopedinanother；whatisarudimentaryinonemanisanactiveorganinanother；butallthingsareinallmen，andonesoulisthemodelofall。Weshallfindnothingnewinhumannatureafterwehaveoncecarefullydissectedandanalyzedtheonebeingweevershalltrulyknow——ourself。TheKaffergirlthrewsomecoffeeonmyarminbedthismorning；Ifeltdispleased，butsaidnothing。TantSanniewouldhavethrownthesauceratherandswornforanhour；butthefeelingwouldbethesameirritateddispleasure。IfahugeanimatedstomachlikeBonapartewereputunderaglassbyaskilfulmentalmicroscopist，evenhewouldbefoundtohaveanembryonicdoublingsomewhereindicativeofaheart，andrudimentarybuddingsthatmighthavebecomeconscienceandsincerity。LetmetakeyourarmWaldo。
\"Howfullyouareofmealiedust。No，nevermind。Itwillbrushoff。Andsometimeswhatismoreamusingstillthantracingthelikenessbetweenmanandman，istotracetheanalogytherealwaysisbetweentheprogressanddevelopmentofoneindividualandofawholenation；or，again，betweenasinglenationandtheentirehumanrace。Itispleasantwhenitdawnsonyouthattheoneisjusttheotherwrittenoutinlargeletters；andveryoddtofindallthelittlefolliesandvirtues，anddevelopmentsandretrogressions，writtenoutinthebigworld’sbookthatyoufindinyourlittleinternalself。ItisthemostamusingthingIknowof；butofcourse，beingawoman，Ihavenotoftentimeforsuchamusements。
Professionaldutiesalwaysfirst，youknow。Ittakesagreatdealoftimeandthoughtalwaystolookperfectlyexquisite，evenforaprettywoman。
Istheoldbuggystillinexistence，Waldo？\"
\"Yes，buttheharnessisbroken。\"
\"Well，Iwishyouwouldmendit。Youmustteachmetodrive。ImustlearnsomethingwhileIamhere。IgottheHottentotgirltoshowmehowtomakesarsartiesthismorning；andTantSannieisgoingtoteachmetomakekapjes。Iwillcomeandsitwithyouthisafternoonwhileyoumendtheharness。\"
\"Thankyou。\"
\"No，don’tthankme；Icomeformyownpleasure。IneverfindanyoneI
cantalkto。Womenboreme，andmen，Italksoto——’Goingtotheballthisevening？Nicelittledogthatofyours。Prettylittleears。Sofondofpointerpups！’Andtheythinkmefascinating，charming！Menareliketheearth，andwearethemoon；weturnalwaysonesidetothem，andtheythinkthereisnoother，becausetheydon’tseeit——butthereis。\"
Theyhadreachedthehousenow。
\"Tellmewhenyousettowork，\"shesaid，andwalkedtowardthedoor。
Waldostoodtolookafterher，andDossstoodathisside，alookofpainfuluncertaintydepictedonhissmallcountenance，andonelittlefootpoisedintheair。Shouldhestaywithhismasterorgo？Helookedatthefigurewiththewidestrawhatmovingtowardthehouse，andhelookedupathismaster；thenheputdownthelittlepawandwent。Waldowatchedthembothinatthedoorandthenwalkedawayalone。Hewassatisfiedthatatleasthisdogwaswithher。
Chapter2。V。TantSannieHoldsAnUpsitting，andGregoryWritesALetter。
Itwasjustaftersunset，andLyndallhadnotyetreturnedfromherfirstdriving—lesson，whentheleancolouredwomanstandingatthecornerofthehousetoenjoytheeveningbreeze，sawcomingalongtheroadastrangehorseman。Verynarrowlyshesurveyedhim，asslowlyheapproached。Hewasattiredinthedeepestmourning，theblackcreperoundhistallhattotallyconcealingtheblackfelt，andnothingbutadazzlingshirt—frontrelievingthefunerealtoneofhisattire。Herodemuchforwardinhissaddle，withhischinrestingontheuppermostofhisshirt—studs，andtherewasanairofmeeksubjectiontothewillofHeaven，andtowhatmightbeinstoreforhim，thatbespokeitselfeveninthewayinwhichhegentlyurgedhissteed。Hewasevidentlyinnohurrytoreachhisdestination，forthenearerheapproachedtoittheslackerdidhisbridlehang。Thecolouredwomanhavingdulyinspectedhim，dashedintothedwelling。
\"Hereisanotherone！\"shecried——\"awidower；Iseeitbyhishat。\"
\"GoodLord！\"saidTantSannie；\"it’stheseventhI’vehadthismonth；butthemenknowwheresheepandgoodlooksandmoneyinthebankaretobefound，\"sheadded，winkingknowingly。\"Howdoeshelook？\"
\"Nineteen，weakeyes，whitehair，littleroundnose，\"saidthemaid。
\"Thenit’she！thenit’she！\"saidTantSannietriumphantly；\"littlePietVanderWalt，whosewifediedlastmonth——twofarms，twelvethousandsheep。
I’venotseenhim，butmysister—in—lawtoldmeabouthim，andIdreamedabouthimlastnight。\"
HerePiet’sblackhatappearedinthedoorway，andtheBoer—womandrewherselfupindignifiedsilence，extendedthetipsofherfingers，andmotionedsolemnlytoachair。Theyoungmanseatedhimself，stickinghisfeetasfarunderitastheywouldgo，andsaidmildly：
\"IamLittlePietVanderWalt，andmyfatherisBigPietVanderWalt。\"
TantSanniesaidsolemnly：\"Yes。\"
\"Aunt，\"saidtheyoungman，startingupspasmodically；\"canIoff—saddle？\"
\"Yes。\"
Heseizedhishat，anddisappearedwitharushthroughthedoor。
\"Itoldyouso！Iknewit！\"saidTantSannie。\"ThedearLorddoesn’tsenddreamsfornothing。Didn’tItellyouthismorningthatIdreamedofagreatbeastlikeasheep，withredeyes，andIkilledit？Wasn’tthewhitewoolhishair，andtheredeyeshisweakeyes，andmykillinghimmeantmarriage？Getsupperreadyquickly；thesheep’sinsideandroaster—cakes。
Weshallsituptonight。\"
ToyoungPietVanderWaltthatsupperwasaperiodofintensetorture。
TherewassomethingoverawinginthatassemblyofEnglishpeople，withtheirincomprehensiblespeech；andmoreover，itwashisfirstcourtship；
hisfirstwifehadcourtedhim，andtenmonthsofseveredomesticrulehadnotraisedhisspiritnorcourage。Heatelittle，andwhenheraisedamorseltohislipsglancedguiltilyroundtoseeifhewerenotobserved。
Hehadputthreeringsonhislittlefinger，withtheintentionofstickingitoutstifflywhenheraisedacoffee—cup；nowthelittlefingerwascurledmiserablyamongitsfellows。Itwassmallreliefwhenthemealwasover，andTantSannieandherepairedtothefrontroom。Onceseatedthere，hesethiskneesclosetogether，stoodhisblackhatuponthem，andwretchedlyturnedthebrimupanddown。ButsupperhadcheeredTantSannie，whofounditimpossiblelongertomaintainthatdecoroussilence，andwhoseheartyearnedovertheyouth。
\"IwasrelatedtoyourauntSelenawhodied，\"saidTantSannie。\"Mymother’sstepbrother’schildwasmarriedtoherfather’sbrother’sstepnephew’sniece。\"
\"Yes，aunt，\"saidtheyoungman，\"Iknowwewererelated。\"
\"Itwashercousin，\"saidTantSannie，nowfairlyontheflow，\"whohadthecancercutoutofherbreastbytheotherdoctor，whowasnottherightdoctortheysentfor，butwhodiditquiteaswell。\"
\"Yes，aunt，\"saidtheyoungman。
\"I’veheardaboutitoften，\"saidTantSannie。\"AndhewasthesonoftheolddoctorthattheysaydiedonChristmas—day，butIdon’tknowifthat’strue。Peopledotellsuchawfullies。WhyshouldhedieonChristmas—daymorethananyotherday？\"
\"Yes，aunt，why？\"saidtheyoungmanmeekly。
\"Didyoueverhavethetoothache？\"askedTantSannie。
\"No，aunt。\"
\"Well，theysaythatdoctor——notthesonoftheolddoctorthatdiedonChristmas—day，theotherthatdidn’tcomewhenhewassentfor——hegavesuchgoodstuffforthetoothachethatifyouopenedthebottleintheroomwhereanyonewasbadtheygotbetterdirectly。Youcouldseeitwasgoodstuff，\"saidTantSannie；\"ittastedhorrid。Thatwasarealdoctor！Heusedtogiveabottlesohigh，\"saidtheBoer—woman，raisingherhandafootfromthetable，\"youcoulddrinkatitforamonthanditwouldn’tgetdone，andthesamemedicinewasgoodforallsortsofsicknesses——croup，measles，jaundice，dropsy。Nowyouhavetobuyanewkindforeachsickness。Thedoctorsaren’tsogoodastheyusedtobe。\"
\"No，aunt，\"saidtheyoungman，whowastryingtogaincouragetostickouthislegsandclinkhisspurstogether。Hedidsoatlast。
TantSanniehadnoticedthespursbefore；butshethoughtitshowedanicemanlyspirit，andherheartwarmedyetmoretotheyouth。
\"Didyoueverhaveconvulsionswhenyouwereababy？\"askedTantSannie。
\"Yes，\"saidtheyoungman。
\"Strange，\"saidTantSannie；\"Ihadconvulsionstoo。Wonderfulthatweshouldbesomuchalike！\"
\"Aunt，\"saidtheyoungmanexplosively，\"canwesituptonight？\"
TantSanniehungherheadandhalfclosedhereyes；butfindingthatherlittlewileswerethrownaway，theyoungmanstaringfixedlyathishat，shesimpered，\"Yes，\"andwentawaytofetchcandles。
InthediningroomEmworkedathermachine，andGregorysatclosebesideher，hisgreatblueeyesturnedtothewindowwhereLyndallleanedouttalkingtoWaldo。
TantSannietooktwocandlesoutofthecupboardandheldthemuptriumphantly，winkingallroundtheroom。
\"He’saskedforthem，\"shesaid。
\"Doeshewantthemforhishorse’srubbedback？\"askedGregory，newtoup—
countrylife。
\"No，\"saidTantSannie，indignantly；\"we’regoingtositup！\"andshewalkedoffintriumphwiththecandles。
Nevertheless，whenalltherestofthehousehadretired，whenthelongcandlewaslighted，whenthecoffee—kettlewasfilled，whenshesatintheelbow—chair，withherloveronachairclosebesideher，andwhenthevigilofthenightwasfairlybegun，shebegantofinditwearisome。Theyoungmanlookedchilly，andsaidnothing。
\"Won’tyouputyourfeetonmystove？\"saidTantSannie。
\"Nothankyou，aunt，\"saidtheyoungman，andbothlapsedintosilence。
AtlastTantSannie，afraidofgoingtosleep，tappedastrongcupofcoffeeforherselfandhandedanothertoherlover。Thisvisiblyrevivedboth。
\"Howlongwereyoumarried，cousin？\"
\"Tenmonths，aunt。\"
\"Howoldwasyourbaby？\"
\"Threedayswhenitdied。\"
\"It’sveryhardwhenwemustgiveourhusbandsandwivestotheLord，\"saidTantSannie。
