Whenshesighedsheexhaledaheavyperfumeofsachetpowder。
Todance`Home，SweetHome，\'withLenawaslikecominginwiththetide。
Shedancedeverydancelikeawaltz，anditwasalwaysthesamewaltz——
thewaltzofcominghometosomething，ofinevitable，fatedreturn。
Afterawhileonegotrestlessunderit，asonedoesundertheheatofasoft，sultrysummerday。
WhenyouspunoutintothefloorwithTony，youdidn\'treturntoanything。Yousetouteverytimeuponanewadventure。
Ilikedtoschottischewithher；shehadsomuchspringandvariety，andwasalwaysputtinginnewstepsandslides。
Shetaughtmetodanceagainstandaroundthehard-and-fastbeatofthemusic。If，insteadofgoingtotheendoftherailroad，oldMr。ShimerdahadstayedinNewYorkandpickedupalivingwithhisfiddle，howdifferentAntonia\'slifemighthavebeen！
AntoniaoftenwenttothedanceswithLarryDonovan，apassengerconductorwhowasakindofprofessionalladies\'man，aswesaid。
Irememberhowadmiringlyalltheboyslookedatherthenightshefirstworehervelveteendress，madelikeMrs。Gardener\'sblackvelvet。Shewaslovelytosee，withhereyesshining，andherlipsalwaysalittlepartedwhenshedanced。
Thatconstant，darkcolourinhercheeksneverchanged。
OneeveningwhenDonovanwasoutonhisrun，AntoniacametothehallwithNorwegianAnnaandheryoungman，andthatnightItookherhome。
WhenwewereintheCutters\'yard，shelteredbytheevergreens，Itoldhershemustkissmegoodnight。
`Why，sure，Jim。\'Amomentlatershedrewherfaceawayandwhisperedindignantly，`Why，Jim！Youknowyouain\'trighttokissmelikethat。
I\'lltellyourgrandmotheronyou！\'
`LenaLingardletsmekissher，\'Iretorted，`andI\'mnothalfasfondofherasIamofyou。\'
`Lenadoes？\'Tonygasped。`Ifshe\'suptoanyofhernonsensewithyou，I\'llscratchhereyesout！\'Shetookmyarmagainandwewalkedoutofthegateandupanddownthesidewalk。
`Now，don\'tyougoandbeafoollikesomeofthesetownboys。
You\'renotgoingtositaroundhereandwhittlestore-boxesandtellstoriesallyourlife。Youaregoingawaytoschoolandmakesomethingofyourself。I\'mjustawfulproudofyou。
Youwon\'tgoandgetmixedupwiththeSwedes，willyou？\'
`Idon\'tcareanythingaboutanyofthembutyou，\'Isaid。
`Andyou\'llalwaystreatmelikeakid，suppose。\'
Shelaughedandthrewherarmsaroundme。`IexpectIwill，butyou\'reakidI\'mawfulfondof，anyhow！Youcanlikemeallyouwantto，butifIseeyouhangingroundwithLenamuch，I\'llgotoyourgrandmother，assureasyourname\'sJimBurden！
Lena\'sallright，only——well，youknowyourselfshe\'ssoftthatway。
Shecan\'thelpit。It\'snaturaltoher。\'
Ifshewasproudofme，IwassoproudofherthatIcarriedmyheadhighasIemergedfromthedarkcedarsandshuttheCutters\'gatesoftlybehindme。Herwarm，sweetface，herkindarms，andthetrueheartinher；shewas，oh，shewasstillmyAntonia！Ilookedwithcontemptatthedark，silentlittlehousesaboutmeasIwalkedhome，andthoughtofthestupidyoungmenwhowereasleepinsomeofthem。
Iknewwheretherealwomenwere，thoughIwasonlyaboy；
andIwouldnotbeafraidofthem，either！
IhatedtoenterthestillhousewhenIwenthomefromthedances，anditwaslongbeforeIcouldgettosleep。
TowardmorningIusedtohavepleasantdreams:sometimesTonyandIwereoutinthecountry，slidingdownstraw-stacksasweusedtodo；climbinguptheyellowmountainsoverandover，andslippingdownthesmoothsidesintosoftpilesofchaff。
OnedreamIdreamedagreatmanytimes，anditwasalwaysthesame。
Iwasinaharvest-fieldfullofshocks，andIwaslyingagainstoneofthem。
LenaLingardcameacrossthestubblebarefoot，inashortskirt，withacurvedreaping-hookinherhand，andshewasflushedlikethedawn，withakindofluminousrosinessallabouther。Shesatdownbesideme，turnedtomewithasoftsighandsaid，`Nowtheyareallgone，andI
cankissyouasmuchasIlike。\'
IusedtowishIcouldhavethisflatteringdreamaboutAntonia，butIneverdid。
XIII
INOTICEDONEAFTERNOONthatgrandmotherhadbeencrying。
Herfeetseemedtodragasshemovedaboutthehouse，andI
gotupfromthetablewhereIwasstudyingandwenttoher，askingifshedidn\'tfeelwell，andifIcouldn\'thelpherwithherwork。
`No，thankyou，Jim。I\'mtroubled，butIguessI\'mwellenough。
Gettingalittlerustyinthebones，maybe，\'sheaddedbitterly。
Istoodhesitating。`Whatareyoufrettingabout，grandmother？
Hasgrandfatherlostanymoney？\'
`No，itain\'tmoney。Iwishitwas。ButI\'veheardthings。
Youmust\'a\'knownitwouldcomebacktomesometime。\'
Shedroppedintoachair，and，coveringherfacewithherapron，begantocry。`Jim，\'shesaid，`Iwasneveronethatclaimedoldfolkscouldbringuptheirgrandchildren。
Butitcameaboutso；therewasn\'tanyotherwayforyou，itseemedlike。\'
Iputmyarmsaroundher。Icouldn\'tbeartoseehercry。
`Whatisit，grandmother？IsittheFiremen\'sdances？\'
Shenodded。
`I\'msorryIsneakedofflikethat。Butthere\'snothingwrongaboutthedances，andIhaven\'tdoneanythingwrong。
Ilikeallthosecountrygirls，andIliketodancewiththem。
That\'sallthereistoit。\'
`Butitain\'trighttodeceiveus，son，anditbringsblameonus。
Peoplesayyouaregrowinguptobeabadboy，andthatain\'tjusttous。\'
`Idon\'tcarewhattheysayaboutme，butifithurtsyou，thatsettlesit。
Iwon\'tgototheFiremen\'sHallagain。\'
Ikeptmypromise，ofcourse，butIfoundthespringmonthsdullenough。
Isatathomewiththeoldpeopleintheeveningsnow，readingLatinthatwasnotinourhigh-schoolcourse。Ihadmadeupmymindtodoalotofcollegerequirementworkinthesummer，andtoenterthefreshmanclassattheuniversitywithoutconditionsinthefall。
Iwantedtogetawayassoonaspossible。
Disapprobationhurtme，Ifound——eventhatofpeoplewhomIdidnotadmire。
Asthespringcameon，Igrewmoreandmorelonely，andfellbackonthetelegrapherandthecigar-makerandhiscanariesforcompanionship。
IrememberItookamelancholypleasureinhangingaMay-basketforNinaHarlingthatspring。IboughttheflowersfromanoldGermanwomanwhoalwayshadmorewindowplantsthananyoneelse，andspentanafternoontrimmingalittleworkbasket。Whenduskcameon，andthenewmoonhunginthesky，IwentquietlytotheHarlings\'frontdoorwithmyoffering，rangthebell，andthenranawayaswasthecustom。
ThroughthewillowhedgeIcouldhearNina\'scriesofdelight，andIfeltcomforted。
Onthosewarm，softspringeveningsIoftenlingereddowntowntowalkhomewithFrances，andtalkedtoheraboutmyplansandaboutthereadingIwasdoing。OneeveningshesaidshethoughtMrs。Harlingwasnotseriouslyoffendedwithme。
`Mamaisasbroad-mindedasmotherseverare，Iguess。
ButyouknowshewashurtaboutAntonia，andshecan\'tunderstandwhyyouliketobewithTinyandLenabetterthanwiththegirlsofyourownset。\'
`Canyou？\'Iaskedbluntly。
Franceslaughed。`Yes，IthinkIcan。Youknewtheminthecountry，andyouliketotakesides。Insomewaysyou\'reolderthanboysofyourage。
Itwillbeallrightwithmamaafteryoupassyourcollegeexaminationsandsheseesyou\'reinearnest。\'
`Ifyouwereaboy，\'Ipersisted，`youwouldn\'tbelongtotheOwlClub，either。You\'dbejustlikeme。\'
Sheshookherhead。`IwouldandIwouldn\'t。IexpectIknowthecountrygirlsbetterthanyoudo。Youalwaysputakindofglamouroverthem。Thetroublewithyou，Jim，isthatyou\'reromantic。Mama\'sgoingtoyourCommencement。SheaskedmetheotherdayifIknewwhatyourorationistobeabout。
Shewantsyoutodowell。\'
Ithoughtmyorationverygood。ItstatedwithfervouragreatmanythingsIhadlatelydiscovered。Mrs。HarlingcametotheOperaHousetoheartheCommencementexercises，andIlookedathermostofthetimewhileImademyspeech。
Herkeen，intelligenteyesneverleftmyface。
Afterwardshecamebacktothedressing-roomwherewestood，withourdiplomasinourhands，walkeduptome，andsaidheartily:
`Yousurprisedme，Jim。Ididn\'tbelieveyoucoulddoaswellasthat。Youdidn\'tgetthatspeechoutofbooks。\'
AmongmygraduationpresentstherewasasilkumbrellafromMrs。Harling，withmynameonthehandle。
IwalkedhomefromtheOperaHousealone。AsIpassedtheMethodistChurch，Isawthreewhitefiguresaheadofme，pacingupanddownunderthearchingmapletrees，wherethemoonlightfilteredthroughthelushJunefoliage。
Theyhurriedtowardme；theywerewaitingforme——LenaandTonyandAnnaHansen。
`Oh，Jim，itwassplendid！\'Tonywasbreathinghard，asshealwaysdidwhenherfeelingsoutranherlanguage。
`Thereain\'talawyerinBlackHawkcouldmakeaspeechlikethat。Ijuststoppedyourgrandpaandsaidsotohim。
Hewon\'ttellyou，buthetoldushewasawfulsurprisedhimself，didn\'the，girls？\'
Lenasidleduptomeandsaidteasingly，`Whatmadeyousosolemn？
Ithoughtyouwerescared。Iwassureyou\'dforget。\'
Annaspokewistfully。
`Itmustmakeyouveryhappy，Jim，tohavefinethoughtslikethatinyourmindallthetime，andtohavewordstoputthemin。
Ialwayswantedtogotoschool，youknow。\'
`Oh，Ijustsatthereandwishedmypapacouldhearyou！Jim\'——Antoniatookholdofmycoatlapels——\'therewassomethinginyourspeechthatmademethinksoaboutmypapa！\'
`IthoughtaboutyourpapawhenIwrotemyspeech，Tony，\'Isaid。
`Idedicatedittohim。\'
Shethrewherarmsaroundme，andherdearfacewasallwetwithtears。
Istoodwatchingtheirwhitedressesglimmersmallerandsmallerdownthesidewalkastheywentaway。Ihavehadnoothersuccessthatpulledatmyheartstringslikethatone。
XIV
THEDAYAFTERCOMMENCEMENTImovedmybooksanddeskupstairs，toanemptyroomwhereIshouldbeundisturbed，andIfelltostudyinginearnest。
Iworkedoffayear\'strigonometrythatsummer，andbeganVirgilalone。
MorningaftermorningIusedtopaceupanddownmysunnylittleroom，lookingoffatthedistantriverbluffsandtherolloftheblondpasturesbetween，scanningthe`Aeneid\'aloudandcommittinglongpassagestomemory。SometimesintheeveningMrs。HarlingcalledtomeasIpassedhergate，andaskedmetocomeinandletherplayforme。
ShewaslonelyforCharley，shesaid，andlikedtohaveaboyabout。
Whenevermygrandparentshadmisgivings，andbegantowonderwhetherIwasnottooyoungtogoofftocollegealone，Mrs。Harlingtookupmycausevigorously。GrandfatherhadsuchrespectforherjudgmentthatIknewhewouldnotgoagainsther。
Ihadonlyoneholidaythatsummer。ItwasinJuly。
ImetAntoniadowntownonSaturdayafternoon，andlearnedthatsheandTinyandLenaweregoingtotherivernextdaywithAnnaHansen——theelderwasallinbloomnow，andAnnawantedtomakeelderblowwine。
`Anna\'stodriveusdownintheMarshalls\'deliverywagon，andwe\'lltakeanicelunchandhaveapicnic。Justus；nobodyelse。
Couldn\'tyouhappenalong，Jim？Itwouldbelikeoldtimes。\'
Iconsideredamoment。`MaybeIcan，ifIwon\'tbeintheway。\'
OnSundaymorningIroseearlyandgotoutofBlackHawkwhilethedewwasstillheavyonthelongmeadowgrasses。
Itwasthehighseasonforsummerflowers。
Thepinkbee-bushstoodtallalongthesandyroadsides，andthecone-flowersandrosemallowgreweverywhere。
Acrossthewirefence，inthelonggrass，Isawaclumpofflamingorange-colouredmilkweed，rareinthatpartofthestate。
Ilefttheroadandwentaroundthroughastretchofpasturethatwasalwayscroppedshortinsummer，wherethegaillardiacameupyearafteryearandmattedoverthegroundwiththedeep，velvetyredthatisinBokharacarpets。ThecountrywasemptyandsolitaryexceptforthelarksthatSundaymorning，anditseemedtoliftitselfuptomeandtocomeveryclose。
Theriverwasrunningstrongformidsummer；heavyrainstothewestofushadkeptitfull。Icrossedthebridgeandwentupstreamalongthewoodedshoretoapleasantdressing-roomIknewamongthedogwoodbushes，allovergrownwithwildgrapevines。Ibegantoundressforaswim。
Thegirlswouldnotbealongyet。ForthefirsttimeitoccurredtomethatIshouldbehomesickforthatriverafterIleftit。
Thesandbars，withtheircleanwhitebeachesandtheirlittlegrovesofwillowsandcottonwoodseedlings，wereasortofNoMan\'sLand，littlenewlycreatedworldsthatbelongedtotheBlackHawkboys。
CharleyHarlingandIhadhuntedthroughthesewoods，fishedfromthefallenlogs，untilIkneweveryinchoftherivershoresandhadafriendlyfeelingforeverybarandshallow。
Aftermyswim，whileIwasplayingaboutindolentlyinthewater，Iheardthesoundofhoofsandwheelsonthebridge。
Istruckdownstreamandshouted，astheopenspringwagoncameintoviewonthemiddlespan。Theystoppedthehorse，andthetwogirlsinthebottomofthecartstoodup，steadyingthemselvesbytheshouldersofthetwoinfront，sothattheycouldseemebetter。Theywerecharmingupthere，huddledtogetherinthecartandpeeringdownatmelikecuriousdeerwhentheycomeoutofthethickettodrink。
Ifoundbottomnearthebridgeandstoodup，wavingtothem。
`Howprettyyoulook！\'Icalled。
`Sodoyou！\'theyshoutedaltogether，andbrokeintopealsoflaughter。
AnnaHansenshookthereinsandtheydroveon，whileIzigzaggedbacktomyinletandclamberedupbehindanoverhangingelm。
Idriedmyselfinthesun，anddressedslowly，reluctanttoleavethatgreenenclosurewherethesunlightflickeredsobrightthroughthegrapevineleavesandthewoodpeckerhammeredawayinthecrookedelmthattrailedoutoverthewater。
AsIwentalongtheroadbacktothebridge，Ikeptpickingofflittlepiecesofscalychalkfromthedriedwatergullies，andbreakingthemupinmyhands。
WhenIcameupontheMarshalls\'deliveryhorse，tiedintheshade，thegirlshadalreadytakentheirbasketsandgonedowntheeastroadwhichwoundthroughthesandandscrub。
Icouldhearthemcallingtoeachother。Theelderbushesdidnotgrowbackintheshadyravinesbetweenthebluffs，butinthehot，sandybottomsalongthestream，wheretheirrootswerealwaysinmoistureandtheirtopsinthesun。
Theblossomswereunusuallyluxuriantandbeautifulthatsummer。
Ifollowedacattlepaththroughthethickunder-brushuntilI
cametoaslopethatfellawayabruptlytothewater\'sedge。
Agreatchunkoftheshorehadbeenbittenoutbysomespringfreshet，andthescarwasmaskedbyelderbushes，growingdowntothewaterinfloweryterraces。Ididnottouchthem。Iwasovercomebycontentanddrowsinessandbythewarmsilenceaboutme。
Therewasnosoundbutthehigh，singsongbuzzofwildbeesandthesunnygurgleofthewaterunderneath。Ipeepedovertheedgeofthebanktoseethelittlestreamthatmadethenoise；
itflowedalongperfectlyclearoverthesandandgravel，cutofffromthemuddymaincurrentbyalongsandbar。
Downthere，onthelowershelfofthebank，IsawAntonia，seatedaloneunderthepagoda-likeelders。Shelookedupwhensheheardme，andsmiled，butIsawthatshehadbeencrying。
Isliddownintothesoftsandbesideherandaskedherwhatwasthematter。
`Itmakesmehomesick，Jimmy，thisflower，thissmell，\'shesaidsoftly。
`Wehavethisflowerverymuchathome，intheoldcountry。
Italwaysgrewinouryardandmypapahadagreenbenchandatableunderthebushes。Insummer，whentheywereinbloom，heusedtosittherewithhisfriendthatplayedthetrombone。
WhenIwaslittleIusedtogodowntheretohearthemtalk——
beautifultalk，likewhatIneverhearinthiscountry。\'
`Whatdidtheytalkabout？\'Iaskedher。
Shesighedandshookherhead。`Oh，Idon\'tknow！Aboutmusic，andthewoods，andaboutGod，andwhentheywereyoung。\'
Sheturnedtomesuddenlyandlookedintomyeyes。
`Youthink，Jimmy，thatmaybemyfather\'sspiritcangobacktothoseoldplaces？\'
Itoldheraboutthefeelingofherfather\'spresenceI
hadonthatwinterdaywhenmygrandparentshadgoneovertoseehisdeadbodyandIwasleftaloneinthehouse。
IsaidIfeltsurethenthathewasonhiswaybacktohisowncountry，andthatevennow，whenIpassedhisgrave，Ialwaysthoughtofhimasbeingamongthewoodsandfieldsthatweresodeartohim。
Antoniahadthemosttrusting，responsiveeyesintheworld；
loveandcredulousnessseemedtolookoutofthemwithopenfaces。
`Whydidn\'tyouevertellmethatbefore？Itmakesmefeelmoresureforhim。\'Afterawhileshesaid:`Youknow，Jim，myfatherwasdifferentfrommymother。Hedidnothavetomarrymymother，andallhisbrothersquarrelledwithhimbecausehedid。
Iusedtoheartheoldpeopleathomewhisperaboutit。
Theysaidhecouldhavepaidmymothermoney，andnotmarriedher。
Buthewasolderthanshewas，andhewastookindtotreatherlikethat。
Helivedinhismother\'shouse，andshewasapoorgirlcomeintodothework。Aftermyfathermarriedher，mygrandmotherneverletmymothercomeintoherhouseagain。WhenIwenttomygrandmother\'sfuneralwastheonlytimeIwaseverinmygrandmother\'shouse。
Don\'tthatseemstrange？\'
Whileshetalked，Ilaybackinthehotsandandlookedupattheblueskybetweentheflatbouquetsofelder。Icouldhearthebeeshummingandsinging，buttheystayedupinthesunabovetheflowersanddidnotcomedownintotheshadowoftheleaves。
AntoniaseemedtomethatdayexactlylikethelittlegirlwhousedtocometoourhousewithMr。Shimerda。
`Someday，Tony，Iamgoingovertoyourcountry，andIamgoingtothelittletownwhereyoulived。
Doyourememberallaboutit？\'
`Jim，\'shesaidearnestly，`ifIwasputdownthereinthemiddleofthenight，Icouldfindmywayalloverthatlittletown；
andalongtherivertothenexttown，wheremygrandmotherlived。
Myfeetrememberallthelittlepathsthroughthewoods，andwherethebigrootsstickouttotripyou。Iain\'tneverforgotmyowncountry。\'
Therewasacracklinginthebranchesaboveus，andLenaLingardpeereddownovertheedgeofthebank。
`Youlazythings！\'shecried。`Allthiselder，andyoutwolyingthere！Didn\'tyouhearuscallingyou？\'
Almostasflushedasshehadbeeninmydream，sheleanedovertheedgeofthebankandbegantodemolishourflowerypagoda。
Ihadneverseenhersoenergetic；shewaspantingwithzeal，andtheperspirationstoodindropsonhershort，yieldingupperlip。
Isprangtomyfeetandranupthebank。
Itwasnoonnow，andsohotthatthedogwoodsandscrub-oaksbegantoturnupthesilveryundersideoftheirleaves，andallthefoliagelookedsoftandwilted。Icarriedthelunch-baskettothetopofoneofthechalkbluffs，whereevenonthecalmestdaystherewasalwaysabreeze。
Theflat-topped，twistedlittleoaksthrewlightshadowsonthegrass。Belowuswecouldseethewindingsoftheriver，andBlackHawk，groupedamongitstrees，and，beyond，therollingcountry，swellinggentlyuntilitmetthesky。
Wecouldrecognizefamiliarfarm-housesandwindmills。
Eachofthegirlspointedouttomethedirectioninwhichherfather\'sfarmlay，andtoldmehowmanyacreswereinwheatthatyearandhowmanyincorn。
`Myoldfolks，\'saidTinySoderball，`haveputintwentyacresofrye。
Theygetitgroundatthemill，anditmakesnicebread。
Itseemslikemymotherain\'tbeensohomesick，eversincefather\'sraisedryeflourforher。\'
`Itmusthavebeenatrialforourmothers，\'saidLena，`comingouthereandhavingtodoeverythingdifferent。
Mymotherhadalwayslivedintown。Shesaysshestartedbehindinfarm-work，andneverhascaughtup。\'
`Yes，anewcountry\'shardontheoldones，sometimes，\'
saidAnnathoughtfully。`Mygrandmother\'sgettingfeeblenow，andhermindwanders。She\'sforgotaboutthiscountry，andthinksshe\'sathomeinNorway。Shekeepsaskingmothertotakeherdowntothewatersideandthefishmarket。
Shecravesfishallthetime。WheneverIgohomeItakehercannedsalmonandmackerel。\'
`Mercy，it\'shot！\'Lenayawned。Shewassupineunderalittleoak，restingafterthefuryofherelder-hunting，andhadtakenoffthehigh-heeledslippersshehadbeensillyenoughtowear。
`Comehere，Jim。Younevergotthesandoutofyourhair。\'
Shebegantodrawherfingersslowlythroughmyhair。
Antoniapushedheraway。`You\'llnevergetitoutlikethat，\'
shesaidsharply。Shegavemyheadaroughtouzlingandfinishedmeoffwithsomethinglikeaboxontheear。
`Lena，yououghtn\'ttotrytowearthoseslippersanymore。
They\'retoosmallforyourfeet。You\'dbettergivethemtomeforYulka。\'
`Allright，\'saidLenagood-naturedly，tuckingherwhitestockingsunderherskirt。`YougetallYulka\'sthings，don\'tyou？
Iwishfatherdidn\'thavesuchbadluckwithhisfarmmachinery；
thenIcouldbuymorethingsformysisters。I\'mgoingtogetMaryanewcoatthisfall，ifthesulkyplough\'sneverpaidfor！\'
Tinyaskedherwhyshedidn\'twaituntilafterChristmas，whencoatswouldbecheaper。`Whatdoyouthinkofpoorme？\'sheadded；
`withsixathome，youngerthanIam？AndtheyallthinkI\'mrich，becausewhenIgobacktothecountryI\'mdressedsofine！\'
Sheshruggedhershoulders。`But，youknow，myweaknessisplaythings。
Iliketobuythemplaythingsbetterthanwhattheyneed。\'
`Iknowhowthatis，\'saidAnna。`Whenwefirstcamehere，andIwaslittle，weweretoopoortobuytoys。InevergotoverthelossofadollsomebodygavemebeforeweleftNorway。
AboyontheboatbrokeherandIstillhatehimforit。\'
`Iguessafteryougothereyouhadplentyoflivedollstonurse，likeme！\'
Lenaremarkedcynically。
`Yes，thebabiescamealongprettyfast，tobesure。ButIneverminded。
Iwasfondofthemall。Theyoungestone，thatwedidn\'tanyofuswant，istheonewelovebestnow。\'
Lenasighed。`Oh，thebabiesareallright；ifonlytheydon\'tcomeinwinter。Oursnearlyalwaysdid。Idon\'tseehowmotherstoodit。
Itellyouwhat，girls\'——shesatupwithsuddenenergy——\'I\'mgoingtogetmymotheroutofthatoldsodhousewhereshe\'slivedsomanyyears。
Themenwillneverdoit。Johnnie，that\'smyoldestbrother，he\'swantingtogetmarriednow，andbuildahouseforhisgirlinsteadofhismother。
Mrs。ThomassaysshethinksIcanmovetosomeothertownprettysoon，andgointobusinessformyself。IfIdon\'tgetintobusiness，I\'llmaybemarryarichgambler。\'
`Thatwouldbeapoorwaytogeton，\'saidAnnasarcastically。
`IwishIcouldteachschool，likeSelmaKronn。Justthink！
She\'llbethefirstScandinaviangirltogetapositioninthehighschool。
Weoughttobeproudofher。\'
Selmawasastudiousgirl，whohadnotmuchtoleranceforgiddythingslikeTinyandLena；buttheyalwaysspokeofherwithadmiration。
Tinymovedaboutrestlessly，fanningherselfwithherstrawhat。
`IfIwassmartlikeher，I\'dbeatmybooksdayandnight。
Butshewasbornsmart——andlookhowherfather\'strainedher！
Hewassomethinghighupintheoldcountry。\'
`Sowasmymother\'sfather，\'murmuredLena，`butthat\'sallthegooditdoesus！Myfather\'sfatherwassmart，too，buthewaswild。
HemarriedaLapp。Iguessthat\'swhat\'sthematterwithme；
theysayLappbloodwillout。\'
`ArealLapp，Lena？\'Iexclaimed。`Thekindthatwearskins？\'
`Idon\'tknowifsheworeskins，butshewasaLappsallright，andhisfolksfeltdreadfulaboutit。HewassentupNorthonsomegovernmentjobhehad，andfellinwithher。
Hewouldmarryher。\'
`ButIthoughtLaplandwomenwerefatandugly，andhadsquinteyes，likeChinese？\'Iobjected。
`Idon\'tknow，maybe。TheremustbesomethingmightytakingabouttheLappgirls，though；mothersaystheNorwegiansupNortharealwaysafraidtheirboyswillrunafterthem。\'
Intheafternoon，whentheheatwaslessoppressive，wehadalivelygameof`PussyWantsaCorner，\'ontheflatbluff-top，withthelittletreesforbases。LenawasPussysooftenthatshefinallysaidshewouldn\'tplayanymore。
Wethrewourselvesdownonthegrass，outofbreath。
`Jim，\'Antoniasaiddreamily，`IwantyoutotellthegirlsabouthowtheSpanishfirstcamehere，likeyouandCharleyHarlingusedtotalkabout。
I\'vetriedtotellthem，butIleaveoutsomuch。\'
Theysatunderalittleoak，Tonyrestingagainstthetrunkandtheothergirlsleaningagainstherandeachother，andlistenedtothelittleIwasabletotellthemaboutCoronadoandhissearchfortheSevenGoldenCities。
AtschoolweweretaughtthathehadnotgotsofarnorthasNebraska，buthadgivenuphisquestandturnedbacksomewhereinKansas。
ButCharleyHarlingandIhadastrongbeliefthathehadbeenalongthisveryriver。Afarmerinthecountynorthofours，whenhewasbreakingsod，hadturnedupametalstirrupoffineworkmanship，andaswordwithaSpanishinscriptionontheblade。
HelenttheserelicstoMr。Harling，whobroughtthemhomewithhim。
CharleyandIscouredthem，andtheywereonexhibitionintheHarlingofficeallsummer。FatherKelly，thepriest，hadfoundthenameoftheSpanishmakerontheswordandanabbreviationthatstoodforthecityofCordova。
`AndthatIsawwithmyowneyes，\'Antoniaputintriumphantly。
`SoJimandCharleywereright，andtheteacherswerewrong！\'
Thegirlsbegantowonderamongthemselves。WhyhadtheSpaniardscomesofar？Whatmustthiscountryhavebeenlike，then？
WhyhadCoronadonevergonebacktoSpain，tohisrichesandhiscastlesandhisking？Icouldn\'ttellthem。
Ionlyknewtheschoolbookssaidhe`diedinthewilderness，ofabrokenheart。\'
`Morethanhimhasdonethat，\'saidAntoniasadly，andthegirlsmurmuredassent。
Wesatlookingoffacrossthecountry，watchingthesungodown。
Thecurlygrassaboutuswasonfirenow。Thebarkoftheoaksturnedredascopper。Therewasashimmerofgoldonthebrownriver。
Outinthestreamthesandbarsglitteredlikeglass，andthelighttrembledinthewillowthicketsasiflittleflameswereleapingamongthem。Thebreezesanktostillness。Intheravinearingdovemournedplaintively，andsomewhereoffinthebushesanowlhooted。
Thegirlssatlistless，leaningagainsteachother。Thelongfingersofthesuntouchedtheirforeheads。
Presentlywesawacuriousthing:Therewerenoclouds，thesunwasgoingdowninalimpid，gold-washedsky。Justastheloweredgeofthereddiskrestedonthehighfieldsagainstthehorizon，agreatblackfiguresuddenlyappearedonthefaceofthesun。
Wesprangtoourfeet，strainingoureyestowardit。Inamomentwerealizedwhatitwas。Onsomeuplandfarm，aploughhadbeenleftstandinginthefield。Thesunwassinkingjustbehindit。
Magnifiedacrossthedistancebythehorizontallight，itstoodoutagainstthesun，wasexactlycontainedwithinthecircleofthedisk；
thehandles，thetongue，theshare——blackagainstthemoltenred。
Thereitwas，heroicinsize，apicturewritingonthesun。
Evenwhilewewhisperedaboutit，ourvisiondisappeared；theballdroppedanddroppeduntiltheredtipwentbeneaththeearth。
Thefieldsbelowusweredark，theskywasgrowingpale，andthatforgottenploughhadsunkbacktoitsownlittlenesssomewhereontheprairie。
XV
LATEINAUGUSTtheCutterswenttoOmahaforafewdays，leavingAntoniainchargeofthehouse。SincethescandalabouttheSwedishgirl，WickCuttercouldnevergethiswifetostiroutofBlackHawkwithouthim。
ThedayaftertheCuttersleft，Antoniacameovertoseeus。
Grandmothernoticedthatsheseemedtroubledanddistracted。
`You\'vegotsomethingonyourmind，Antonia，\'shesaidanxiously。
`Yes，Mrs。Burden。Icouldn\'tsleepmuchlastnight。\'Shehesitated，andthentoldushowstrangelyMr。Cutterhadbehavedbeforehewentaway。
Heputallthesilverinabasketandplaceditunderherbed，andwithitaboxofpaperswhichhetoldherwerevaluable。
Hemadeherpromisethatshewouldnotsleepawayfromthehouse，orbeoutlateintheevening，whilehewasgone。Hestrictlyforbadehertoaskanyofthegirlssheknewtostaywithheratnight。
Shewouldbeperfectlysafe，hesaid，ashehadjustputanewYalelockonthefrontdoor。
Cutterhadbeensoinsistentinregardtothesedetailsthatnowshefeltuncomfortableaboutstayingtherealone。Shehadn\'tlikedthewayhekeptcomingintothekitchentoinstructher，orthewayhelookedather。
`Ifeelasifheisuptosomeofhistricksagain，andisgoingtotrytoscareme，somehow。\'
Grandmotherwasapprehensiveatonce。`Idon\'tthinkit\'srightforyoutostaythere，feelingthatway。Isupposeitwouldn\'tberightforyoutoleavetheplacealone，either，aftergivingyourword。
MaybeJimwouldbewillingtogooverthereandsleep，andyoucouldcomeherenights。I\'dfeelsafer，knowingyouwereundermyownroof。
IguessJimcouldtakecareoftheirsilverandoldusurynotesaswellasyoucould。\'
Antoniaturnedtomeeagerly。`Oh，wouldyou，Jim？I\'dmakeupmybedniceandfreshforyou。It\'sarealcoolroom，andthebed\'srightnextthewindow。Iwasafraidtoleavethewindowopenlastnight。\'
Ilikedmyownroom，andIdidn\'tliketheCutters\'houseunderanycircumstances；butTonylookedsotroubledthatIconsentedtotrythisarrangement。IfoundthatIsleptthereaswellasanywhere，andwhenIgothomeinthemorning，Tonyhadagoodbreakfastwaitingforme。
Afterprayersshesatdownatthetablewithus，anditwaslikeoldtimesinthecountry。
ThethirdnightIspentattheCutters\'，IawokesuddenlywiththeimpressionthatIhadheardadooropenandshut。
Everythingwasstill，however，andImusthavegonetosleepagainimmediately。
ThenextthingIknew，Ifeltsomeonesitdownontheedgeofthebed。Iwasonlyhalfawake，butIdecidedthathemighttaketheCutters\'silver，whoeverhewas。
PerhapsifIdidnotmove，hewouldfinditandgetoutwithouttroublingme。Iheldmybreathandlayabsolutelystill。
Ahandclosedsoftlyonmyshoulder，andatthesamemomentI
feltsomethinghairyandcologne-scentedbrushingmyface。
Iftheroomhadsuddenlybeenfloodedwithelectriclight，Icouldn\'thaveseenmoreclearlythedetestablebeardedcountenancethatIknewwasbendingoverme。
Icaughtahandfulofwhiskersandpulled，shoutingsomething。
Thehandthatheldmyshoulderwasinstantlyatmythroat。
Themanbecameinsane；hestoodoverme，chokingmewithonefistandbeatingmeinthefacewiththeother，hissingandchucklingandlettingoutafloodofabuse。
`Sothisiswhatshe\'suptowhenI\'maway，isit？
Whereisshe，younastywhelp，whereisshe？Underthebed，areyou，hussy？Iknowyourtricks！WaittillIgetatyou！
I\'llfixthisratyou\'vegotinhere。He\'scaught，allright！\'
SolongasCutterhadmebythethroat，therewasnochanceformeatall。
Igotholdofhisthumbandbentitback，untilheletgowithayell。
Inabound，Iwasonmyfeet，andeasilysenthimsprawlingtothefloor。
ThenImadeadivefortheopenwindow，struckthewirescreen，knockeditout，andtumbledafteritintotheyard。
SuddenlyIfoundmyselfrunningacrossthenorthendofBlackHawkinmynight-shirt，justasonesometimesfindsone\'sselfbehavinginbaddreams。
WhenIgothome，Iclimbedinatthekitchenwindow。Iwascoveredwithbloodfrommynoseandlip，butIwastoosicktodoanythingaboutit。
Ifoundashawlandanovercoatonthehat-rack，laydownontheparloursofa，andinspiteofmyhurts，wenttosleep。
Grandmotherfoundmethereinthemorning。Hercryoffrightawakenedme。Truly，Iwasabatteredobject。Asshehelpedmetomyroom，Icaughtaglimpseofmyselfinthemirror。
Mylipwascutandstoodoutlikeasnout。Mynoselookedlikeabigblueplum，andoneeyewasswollenshutandhideouslydiscoloured。
Grandmothersaidwemusthavethedoctoratonce，butIimploredher，asIhadneverbeggedforanythingbefore，nottosendforhim。
Icouldstandanything，Itoldher，solongasnobodysawmeorknewwhathadhappenedtome。Ientreatedhernottoletgrandfather，even，comeintomyroom。Sheseemedtounderstand，thoughIwastoofaintandmiserabletogointoexplanations。
Whenshetookoffmynight-shirt，shefoundsuchbruisesonmychestandshouldersthatshebegantocry。Shespentthewholemorningbathingandpoulticingme，andrubbingmewitharnica。
IheardAntoniasobbingoutsidemydoor，butIaskedgrandmothertosendheraway。IfeltthatIneverwantedtoseeheragain。
IhatedheralmostasmuchasIhatedCutter。Shehadletmeinforallthisdisgustingness。GrandmotherkeptsayinghowthankfulweoughttobethatIhadbeenthereinsteadofAntonia。ButIlaywithmydisfiguredfacetothewallandfeltnoparticulargratitude。
Myoneconcernwasthatgrandmothershouldkeepeveryoneawayfromme。
Ifthestoryoncegotabroad，Iwouldneverhearthelastofit。
Icouldwellimaginewhattheoldmendownatthedrugstorewoulddowithsuchatheme。
Whilegrandmotherwastryingtomakemecomfortable，grandfatherwenttothedepotandlearnedthatWickCutterhadcomehomeonthenightexpressfromtheeast，andhadleftagainonthesixo\'clocktrainforDenverthatmorning。
Theagentsaidhisfacewasstripedwithcourt-plaster，andhecarriedhislefthandinasling。Helookedsousedup，thattheagentaskedhimwhathadhappenedtohimsinceteno\'clockthenightbefore；whereatCutterbegantoswearathimandsaidhewouldhavehimdischargedforincivility。
Thatafternoon，whileIwasasleep，Antoniatookgrandmotherwithher，andwentovertotheCutters\'topackhertrunk。Theyfoundtheplacelockedup，andtheyhadtobreakthewindowtogetintoAntonia\'sbedroom。
Thereeverythingwasinshockingdisorder。Herclotheshadbeentakenoutofhercloset，thrownintothemiddleoftheroom，andtrampledandtorn。
MyowngarmentshadbeentreatedsobadlythatIneversawthemagain；
grandmotherburnedthemintheCutters\'kitchenrange。
WhileAntoniawaspackinghertrunkandputtingherroominorder，toleaveit，thefrontdoorbellrangviolently。TherestoodMrs。Cutter——
lockedout，forshehadnokeytothenewlock——herheadtremblingwithrage。
`Iadvisedhertocontrolherself，orshewouldhaveastroke，\'
grandmothersaidafterward。
GrandmotherwouldnotletherseeAntoniaatall，butmadehersitdownintheparlourwhilesherelatedtoherjustwhathadoccurredthenightbefore。
Antoniawasfrightened，andwasgoinghometostayforawhile，shetoldMrs。Cutter；itwouldbeuselesstointerrogatethegirl，forsheknewnothingofwhathadhappened。
ThenMrs。Cuttertoldherstory。SheandherhusbandhadstartedhomefromOmahatogetherthemorningbefore。TheyhadtostopoverseveralhoursatWaymoreJunctiontocatchtheBlackHawktrain。Duringthewait，CutterleftheratthedepotandwenttotheWaymorebanktoattendtosomebusiness。
Whenhereturned，hetoldherthathewouldhavetostayovernightthere，butshecouldgoonhome。Heboughtherticketandputheronthetrain。
Shesawhimslipatwenty-dollarbillintoherhandbagwithherticket。
Thatbill，shesaid，shouldhavearousedhersuspicionsatonce——butdidnot。
Thetrainsarenevercalledatlittlejunctiontowns；
everybodyknowswhentheycomein。Mr。Cuttershowedhiswife\'stickettotheconductor，andsettledherinherseatbeforethetrainmovedoff。ItwasnotuntilnearlynightfallthatshediscoveredshewasontheexpressboundforKansasCity，thatherticketwasmadeouttothatpoint，andthatCuttermusthaveplanneditso。TheconductortoldhertheBlackHawktrainwasdueatWaymoretwelveminutesaftertheKansasCitytrainleft。ShesawatoncethatherhusbandhadplayedthistrickinordertogetbacktoBlackHawkwithouther。
ShehadnochoicebuttogoontoKansasCityandtakethefirstfasttrainforhome。
Cuttercouldhavegothomeadayearlierthanhiswifebyanyoneofadozensimplerdevices；hecouldhaveleftherintheOmahahotel，andsaidhewasgoingontoChicagoforafewdays。
Butapparentlyitwaspartofhisfuntooutrageherfeelingsasmuchaspossible。
`Mr。Cutterwillpayforthis，Mrs。Burden。Hewillpay！\'
Mrs。Cutteravouched，noddingherhorse-likeheadandrollinghereyes。
Grandmothersaidshehadn\'tadoubtofit。
CertainlyCutterlikedtohavehiswifethinkhimadevil。
InsomewayhedependedupontheexcitementHecouldarouseinherhystericalnature。Perhapshegotthefeelingofbeingarakemorefromhiswife\'srageandamazementthanfromanyexperiencesofhisown。
Hiszestindebaucherymightwane，butneverMrs。Cutter\'sbeliefinit。
Thereckoningwithhiswifeattheendofanescapadewassomethinghecountedon——likethelastpowerfulliqueurafteralongdinner。
Theoneexcitementhereallycouldn\'tdowithoutwasquarrellingwithMrs。Cutter！
EndofBookII
BOOKIIILenaLingardI
ATTHEUNIVERSITYIhadthegoodfortunetocomeimmediatelyundertheinfluenceofabrilliantandinspiringyoungscholar。
GastonClerichadarrivedinLincolnonlyafewweeksearlierthanI，tobeginhisworkasheadoftheLatinDepartment。
HecameWestatthesuggestionofhisphysicians，hishealthhavingbeenenfeebledbyalongillnessinItaly。
WhenItookmyentranceexaminations，hewasmyexaminer，andmycoursewasarrangedunderhissupervision。
Ididnotgohomeformyfirstsummervacation，butstayedinLincoln，workingoffayear\'sGreek，whichhadbeenmyonlyconditiononenteringthefreshmanclass。Cleric\'sdoctoradvisedagainsthisgoingbacktoNewEngland，and，exceptforafewweeksinColorado，he，too，wasinLincolnallthatsummer。
Weplayedtennis，read，andtooklongwalkstogether。
Ishallalwayslookbackonthattimeofmentalawakeningasoneofthehappiestinmylife。GastonClericintroducedmetotheworldofideas；whenonefirstentersthatworldeverythingelsefadesforatime，andallthatwentbeforeisasifithadnotbeen。YetIfoundcurioussurvivals；
someofthefiguresofmyoldlifeseemedtobewaitingformeinthenew。
Inthosedaysthereweremanyseriousyoungmenamongthestudentswhohadcomeuptotheuniversityfromthefarmsandthelittletownsscatteredoverthethinlysettledstate。
Someofthoseboyscamestraightfromthecornfieldswithonlyasummer\'swagesintheirpockets，hungonthroughthefouryears，shabbyandunderfed，andcompletedthecoursebyreallyheroicself-sacrifice。Ourinstructorswereoddlyassorted；
wanderingpioneerschool-teachers，strandedministersoftheGospel，afewenthusiasticyoungmenjustoutofgraduateschools。
Therewasanatmosphereofendeavour，ofexpectancyandbrighthopefulnessabouttheyoungcollegethathadlifteditsheadfromtheprairieonlyafewyearsbefore。
Ourpersonallifewasasfreeasthatofourinstructors。
Therewerenocollegedormitories；welivedwherewecouldandaswecould。
Itookroomswithanoldcouple，earlysettlersinLincoln，whohadmarriedofftheirchildrenandnowlivedquietlyintheirhouseattheedgeoftown，neartheopencountry。Thehousewasinconvenientlysituatedforstudents，andonthataccountIgottworoomsforthepriceofone。Mybedroom，originallyalinen-closet，wasunheatedandwasbarelylargeenoughtocontainmycot-bed，butitenabledmetocalltheotherroommystudy。
Thedresser，andthegreatwalnutwardrobewhichheldallmyclothes，evenmyhatsandshoes，Ihadpushedoutoftheway，andIconsideredthemnon-existent，aschildreneliminateincongruousobjectswhentheyareplayinghouse。Iworkedatacommodiousgreen-toppedtableplaceddirectlyinfrontofthewestwindowwhichlookedoutovertheprairie。Inthecorneratmyrightwereallmybooks，inshelvesIhadmadeandpaintedmyself。
Ontheblankwallatmyleftthedark，old-fashionedwall-paperwascoveredbyalargemapofancientRome，theworkofsomeGermanscholar。
Clerichadordereditformewhenhewassendingforbooksfromabroad。
OverthebookcasehungaphotographoftheTragicTheatreatPompeii，whichhehadgivenmefromhiscollection。
WhenIsatatworkIhalf-facedadeep，upholsteredchairwhichstoodattheendofmytable，itshighbackagainstthewall。
Ihadboughtitwithgreatcare。Myinstructorsometimeslookedinuponmewhenhewasoutforaneveningtramp，andInoticedthathewasmorelikelytolingerandbecometalkativeifIhadacomfortablechairforhimtositin，andifhefoundabottleofBenedictineandplentyofthekindofcigarettesheliked，athiselbow。
Hewas，Ihaddiscovered，parsimoniousaboutsmallexpenditures——
atraitabsolutelyinconsistentwithhisgeneralcharacter。
Sometimeswhenhecamehewassilentandmoody，andafterafewsarcasticremarkswentawayagain，totrampthestreetsofLincoln，whichwerealmostasquietandoppressivelydomesticasthoseofBlackHawk。Again，hewouldsituntilnearlymidnight，talkingaboutLatinandEnglishpoetry，ortellingmeabouthislongstayinItaly。
Icangivenoideaofthepeculiarcharmandvividnessofhistalk。
Inacrowdhewasnearlyalwayssilent。Evenforhisclassroomhehadnoplatitudes，nostockofprofessorialanecdotes。
Whenhewastired，hislectureswereclouded，obscure，elliptical；
butwhenhewasinterestedtheywerewonderful。IbelievethatGastonClericnarrowlymissedbeingagreatpoet，andIhavesometimesthoughtthathisburstsofimaginativetalkwerefataltohispoeticgift。
Hesquanderedtoomuchintheheatofpersonalcommunication。
HowoftenIhaveseenhimdrawhisdarkbrowstogether，fixhiseyesuponsomeobjectonthewallorafigureinthecarpet，andthenflashintothelamplighttheveryimagethatwasinhisbrain。
Hecouldbringthedramaofantiquelifebeforeoneoutoftheshadows——whitefiguresagainstbluebackgrounds。
IshallneverforgethisfaceasitlookedonenightwhenhetoldmeaboutthesolitarydayhespentamongtheseatemplesatPaestum:
thesoftwindblowingthroughtherooflesscolumns，thebirdsflyinglowoverthefloweringmarshgrasses，thechanginglightsonthesilver，cloud-hungmountains。Hehadwilfullystayedtheshortsummernightthere，wrappedinhiscoatandrug，watchingtheconstellationsontheirpathdowntheskyuntil`thebrideofoldTithonus\'
roseoutofthesea，andthemountainsstoodsharpinthedawn。
ItwastherehecaughtthefeverwhichheldhimbackontheeveofhisdepartureforGreeceandofwhichhelayillsolonginNaples。
Hewasstill，indeed，doingpenanceforit。
Iremembervividlyanotherevening，whensomethingledustotalkofDante\'svenerationforVirgil。Clericwentthroughcantoaftercantoofthe`Commedia，\'repeatingthediscoursebetweenDanteandhis`sweetteacher，\'whilehiscigaretteburneditselfoutunheededbetweenhislongfingers。Icanhearhimnow，speakingthelinesofthepoetStatius，whospokeforDante:
`Iwasfamousonearthwiththenamewhichendureslongestandhonoursmost。Theseedsofmyardourwerethesparksfromthatdivineflamewherebymorethanathousandhavekindled；
Ispeakofthe“Aeneid，“mothertomeandnursetomeinpoetry。\'
AlthoughIadmiredscholarshipsomuchinCleric，Iwasnotdeceivedaboutmyself；IknewthatIshouldneverbeascholar。
Icouldneverlosemyselfforlongamongimpersonalthings。
Mentalexcitementwasapttosendmewitharushbacktomyownnakedlandandthefiguresscattereduponit。
WhileIwasintheveryactofyearningtowardthenewformsthatClericbroughtupbeforeme，mymindplungedawayfromme，andIsuddenlyfoundmyselfthinkingoftheplacesandpeopleofmyowninfinitesimalpast。Theystoodoutstrengthenedandsimplifiednow，liketheimageoftheploughagainstthesun。
TheywereallIhadforananswertothenewappeal。
IbegrudgedtheroomthatJakeandOttoandRussianPetertookupinmymemory，whichIwantedtocrowdwithotherthings。
Butwhenevermyconsciousnesswasquickened，allthoseearlyfriendswerequickenedwithinit，andinsomestrangewaytheyaccompaniedmethroughallmynewexperiences。
TheyweresomuchaliveinmethatIscarcelystoppedtowonderwhethertheywerealiveanywhereelse，orhow。
II
ONEMARCHEVENINGinmysophomoreyearIwassittingaloneinmyroomaftersupper。Therehadbeenawarmthawallday，withmushyyardsandlittlestreamsofdarkwatergurglingcheerfullyintothestreetsoutofoldsnow-banks。Mywindowwasopen，andtheearthywindblowingthroughmademeindolent。
Ontheedgeoftheprairie，wherethesunhadgonedown，theskywasturquoiseblue，likealake，withgoldlightthrobbinginit。
Higherup，intheutterclarityofthewesternslope，theeveningstarhunglikealampsuspendedbysilverchains——likethelampengraveduponthetitle-pageofoldLatintexts，whichisalwaysappearinginnewheavens，andwakingnewdesiresinmen。
Itremindedme，atanyrate，toshutmywindowandlightmywickinanswer。Ididsoregretfully，andthedimobjectsintheroomemergedfromtheshadowsandtooktheirplaceaboutmewiththehelpfulnesswhichcustombreeds。
Iproppedmybookopenandstaredlistlesslyatthepageofthe`Georgics\'wheretomorrow\'slessonbegan。
Itopenedwiththemelancholyreflectionthat，inthelivesofmortalsthebestdaysarethefirsttoflee。
\'Optimadies……primafugit。\'Iturnedbacktothebeginningofthethirdbook，whichwehadreadinclassthatmorning。
\'Primusegoinpatriammecum……deducamMusas\'；`forIshallbethefirst，ifIlive，tobringtheMuseintomycountry。\'
Clerichadexplainedtousthat`patria\'heremeant，notanationorevenaprovince，butthelittleruralneighbourhoodontheMinciowherethepoetwasborn。Thiswasnotaboast，butahope，atonceboldanddevoutlyhumble，thathemightbringtheMuse(butlatelycometoItalyfromhercloudyGrecianmountains)，nottothecapital，thepalatiaRomana，buttohisownlittleIcountry\'；tohisfather\'sfields，`slopingdowntotheriverandtotheoldbeechtreeswithbrokentops。\'
ClericsaidhethoughtVirgil，whenhewasdyingatBrindisi，musthaverememberedthatpassage。Afterhehadfacedthebitterfactthathewastoleavethe`Aeneid\'unfinished，andhaddecreedthatthegreatcanvas，crowdedwithfiguresofgodsandmen，shouldbeburnedratherthansurvivehimunperfected，thenhismindmusthavegonebacktotheperfectutteranceofthe`Georgics，\'
wherethepenwasfittedtothematterastheploughistothefurrow；
andhemusthavesaidtohimself，withthethankfulnessofagoodman，`IwasthefirsttobringtheMuseintomycountry。\'
Welefttheclassroomquietly，consciousthatwehadbeenbrushedbythewingofagreatfeeling，thoughperhapsIaloneknewClericintimatelyenoughtoguesswhatthatfeelingwas。
Intheevening，asIsatstaringatmybook，thefervourofhisvoicestirredthroughthequantitiesonthepagebeforeme。
IwaswonderingwhetherthatparticularrockystripofNewEnglandcoastaboutwhichhehadsooftentoldmewasCleric\'spatria。
BeforeIhadgotfarwithmyreading，Iwasdisturbedbyaknock。
IhurriedtothedoorandwhenIopeneditsawawomanstandinginthedarkhall。
`Iexpectyouhardlyknowme，Jim。\'
Thevoiceseemedfamiliar，butIdidnotrecognizeheruntilshesteppedintothelightofmydoorwayandIbeheld——LenaLingard！
ShewassoquietlyconventionalizedbycityclothesthatI
mighthavepassedheronthestreetwithoutseeingher。
Herblacksuitfittedherfiguresmoothly，andablacklacehat，withpale-blueforget-me-nots，satdemurelyonheryellowhair。
IledhertowardCleric\'schair，theonlycomfortableoneIhad，questioningherconfusedly。
Shewasnotdisconcertedbymyembarrassment。
ShelookedaboutherwiththenaivecuriosityIrememberedsowell。`Youarequitecomfortablehere，aren\'tyou？
IliveinLincolnnow，too，Jim。I\'minbusinessformyself。
IhaveadressmakingshopintheRaleighBlock，outonOStreet。
I\'vemadearealgoodstart。\'
`But，Lena，whendidyoucome？\'
`Oh，I\'vebeenhereallwinter。Didn\'tyourgrandmothereverwriteyou？I\'vethoughtaboutlookingyouuplotsoftimes。
Butwe\'veallheardwhatastudiousyoungmanyou\'vegottobe，andIfeltbashful。Ididn\'tknowwhetheryou\'dbegladtoseeme。\'
Shelaughedhermellow，easylaugh，thatwaseitherveryartlessorverycomprehending，oneneverquiteknewwhich。`Youseemthesame，though——exceptyou\'reayoungman，now，ofcourse。
DoyouthinkI\'vechanged？\'
`Maybeyou\'reprettier——thoughyouwerealwaysprettyenough。
Perhapsit\'syourclothesthatmakeadifference。\'
`Youlikemynewsuit？Ihavetodressprettywellinmybusiness。\'
Shetookoffherjacketandsatmoreateaseinherblouse，ofsomesoft，flimsysilk。Shewasalreadyathomeinmyplace，hadslippedquietlyintoit，asshedidintoeverything。
Shetoldmeherbusinesswasgoingwell，andshehadsavedalittlemoney。
`ThissummerI\'mgoingtobuildthehouseformotherI\'vetalkedaboutsolong。Iwon\'tbeabletopayuponitatfirst，butIwanthertohaveitbeforesheistoooldtoenjoyit。
NextsummerI\'lltakeherdownnewfurnitureandcarpets，soshe\'llhavesomethingtolookforwardtoallwinter。\'
IwatchedLenasittingtheresosmoothandsunnyandwell-cared-for，andthoughtofhowsheusedtorunbarefootovertheprairieuntilafterthesnowbegantofly，andhowCrazyMarychasedherroundandroundthecornfields。
Itseemedtomewonderfulthatsheshouldhavegotonsowellintheworld。
Certainlyshehadnoonebutherselftothankforit。
`Youmustfeelproudofyourself，Lena，\'Isaidheartily。
`Lookatme；I\'veneverearnedadollar，andIdon\'tknowthatI\'lleverbeableto。\'
`Tonysaysyou\'regoingtobericherthanMr。Harlingsomeday。
She\'salwaysbraggingaboutyou，youknow。\'
`Tellme，howISTony？\'
`She\'sfine。SheworksforMrs。Gardeneratthehotelnow。
She\'shousekeeper。Mrs。Gardener\'shealthisn\'twhatitwas，andshecan\'tseeaftereverythinglikesheusedto。
ShehasgreatconfidenceinTony。Tony\'smadeitupwiththeHarlings，too。LittleNinaissofondofherthatMrs。Harlingkindofoverlookedthings。\'
`IsshestillgoingwithLarryDonovan？\'
`Oh，that\'son，worsethanever！Iguessthey\'reengaged。
Tonytalksabouthimlikehewaspresidentoftherailroad。
Everybodylaughsaboutit，becauseshewasneveragirltobesoft。
Shewon\'thearawordagainsthim。She\'ssosortofinnocent。\'
IsaidIdidn\'tlikeLarry，andneverwould。
Lena\'sfacedimpled。`Someofuscouldtellherthings，butitwouldn\'tdoanygood。She\'dalwaysbelievehim。
That\'sAntonia\'sfailing，youknow；ifsheoncelikespeople，shewon\'thearanythingagainstthem。\'
`IthinkI\'dbettergohomeandlookafterAntonia，\'Isaid。
`Ithinkyouhad。\'Lenalookedupatmeinfrankamusement。
`It\'sagoodthingtheHarlingsarefriendlywithheragain。
Larry\'safraidofthem。Theyshipsomuchgrain，theyhaveinfluencewiththerailroadpeople。Whatareyoustudying？\'
Sheleanedherelbowsonthetableanddrewmybooktowardher。
Icaughtafaintodourofvioletsachet。`Sothat\'sLatin，isit？
Itlookshard。Youdogotothetheatresometimes，though，forI\'veseenyouthere。Don\'tyoujustloveagoodplay，Jim？
Ican\'tstayathomeintheeveningifthere\'soneintown。
I\'dbewillingtoworklikeaslave，itseemstome，toliveinaplacewheretherearetheatres。\'
`Let\'sgotoashowtogethersometime。Youaregoingtoletmecometoseeyou，aren\'tyou？\'
`Wouldyouliketo？I\'dbeeversopleased。I\'mneverbusyaftersixo\'clock，andIletmysewinggirlsgoathalf-pastfive。
Iboard，tosavetime，butsometimesIcookachopformyself，andI\'dbegladtocookoneforyou。Well\'——shebegantoputonherwhitegloves——\'it\'sbeenawfulgoodtoseeyou，Jim。\'
`Youneedn\'thurry，needyou？You\'vehardlytoldmeanythingyet。\'
`Wecantalkwhenyoucometoseeme。Iexpectyoudon\'toftenhaveladyvisitors。Theoldwomandownstairsdidn\'twanttoletmecomeupverymuch。ItoldherIwasfromyourhometown，andhadpromisedyourgrandmothertocomeandseeyou。
HowsurprisedMrs。Burdenwouldbe！\'Lenalaughedsoftlyassherose。
WhenIcaughtupmyhat，sheshookherhead。
`No，Idon\'twantyoutogowithme。I\'mtomeetsomeSwedesatthedrugstore。Youwouldn\'tcareforthem。
IwantedtoseeyourroomsoIcouldwriteTonyallaboutit，butImusttellherhowIleftyourightherewithyourbooks。
She\'salwayssoafraidsomeonewillrunoffwithyou！\'
LenaslippedhersilksleevesintothejacketIheldforher，smootheditoverherperson，andbuttoneditslowly。
Iwalkedwithhertothedoor。`Comeandseemesometimeswhenyou\'relonesome。Butmaybeyouhaveallthefriendsyouwant。
Haveyou？\'Sheturnedhersoftcheektome。`Haveyou？\'
shewhisperedteasinglyinmyear。InamomentIwatchedherfadedowntheduskystairway。
WhenIturnedbacktomyroomtheplaceseemedmuchpleasanterthanbefore。
Lenahadleftsomethingwarmandfriendlyinthelamplight。
HowIlovedtohearherlaughagain！Itwassosoftandunexcitedandappreciativegaveafavourableinterpretationtoeverything。
WhenIclosedmyeyesIcouldhearthemalllaughing——theDanishlaundrygirlsandthethreeBohemianMarys。Lenahadbroughtthemallbacktome。
Itcameoverme，asithadneverdonebefore，therelationbetweengirlslikethoseandthepoetryofVirgil。Iftherewerenogirlslikethemintheworld，therewouldbenopoetry。Iunderstoodthatclearly，forthefirsttime。Thisrevelationseemedtomeinestimablyprecious。
Iclungtoitasifitmightsuddenlyvanish。
AsIsatdowntomybookatlast，myolddreamaboutLenacomingacrosstheharvest-fieldinhershortskirtseemedtomelikethememoryofanactualexperience。Itfloatedbeforemeonthepagelikeapicture，andunderneathitstoodthemournfulline:
\'Optimadies……primafugit。\'
