Hehadagreatdealoftimetothinkitoverasheworkedonthere，pitchingtheheavybundles，butstillhedidnotgetridofthemiserabledesiretopunishAgnes；andwhenshecameout，lookingveryprettyinherstrawhat，andcamearoundnearhisstack，heknewshecametoseehim，tohaveanexplanation，asmile；andyetheworkedawaywithhishatpulledoverhiseyes，hardlynoticingher。
Edwentovertotheedgeofthestackandchattedwithher；andshe-poorgirl!-feelingWill’sneglect，couldonlyputagoodfaceonthematter，andshowthatshedidn’tmindit，bylaughingbackatEd。
AllthisWillsaw，thoughhedidn’tappeartobelooking。AndwhenJimWheelock-DirtyJim-withhiswhipinhishand，cameupandplayfullypretendedtopouroilonherhair，andshelaughinglystruckathimwithahandfulofstraw，Willwouldn’thavelookedatherifshehadcalledhimbyname。
Shelookedsobrightandcharminginhersnowyapronandherboy’sstrawhattippedjauntilyoveronepinkearthatDavidandSteveandBill，andevenShep，foundawaytogetawordwithher，andthepoorfellowsinthehighstrawpilelookedtheirdisappoimmentandshooktheirforksinmockrageattheluckydogsontheground。ButWillworkedonlikeafiend，whilethedapplesoflightandshadefellonthebrightfaceofthemerrygirl。
Tosavehissoulfromhellflameshecouldn’thavegoneoverthereandsmiledather。Itwasimpossible。Awallofbronzeseemedtohavearisenbetweenthem。Yesterday，lastnight，seemedadream。
Theclaspofherhandsathisneck，thetouchofherlips，werelikethecaressesofanidealinsomedimreverie。
Asnightdrewon，themenworkedwithasteadier，moremechanicalaction。Noonespokenow。Eachmanwasintentonhiswork。Noonehadanystrengthorbreathtowaste。Thedriveronhispowerchangedhisweightonwearyfeet，andwhistledandsangatthetiredhorses。Thefeeder，hisfacegraywithdust，rolledthegrainintothecylindersoeven，sosteady，soswiftthatitranonwithasullen，boomingroar。Faruponthestrawpilethestackersworkedwiththesteady，rhythmicactionofmenrowingaboat，theirfiguresloomingvagueanddimintheflyingdustandchaff，outlinedagainstthegloriousyellowandorange-tintedclouds。
“Phe-e-eew-ee，“whistledthedriverwiththesweet，cheery，risingnotesofabird。“Chk，chk，chk!Phe-e-eewee。Goonthere，boys!
Chk，chk，chk!Stepup，thereDan，stepup!Snap!Phe-e-eew-ee!
G’-wan-g’-wan，g’-wan!Chk，clik，chk!Wheest，wheest，wheest!
Clik，chk!“
Inthehousethewomenweresettingthetableforsupper。Thesunhadgonedownbehindtheoaks，flinginggloriousrosecolorandorangeshadowsalongtheedgesoftheslate-blueclouds。Agnesstoppedherworkatthekitchenwindowtolookupattheskyandcrysilently。“WhatwasthematterwithWill？“Shefeltasortofdistrustofhimnow。Shethoughtsheknewhimsowell，butnowhewassostrange。
“Come，Aggie，“saidMrs。Dingman，“they’regettin’mostdowntothebottomofthestack。They’llbepilin’inheresoon。“
“Phe-e-eew-ee!G’-wan，Doll!G’-wan，boys!Chk，chk，chk!
Phe-e-eew-ee!“calledthedriveroutinthedusk，cheerilyswingingthewhipoverthehorses’backs。Boomoo-oo-oom!roaredthemachine，withamuffled，monotonous，solemntone。“G’-wan，boys!G’-wan，g’-wan!“
Willhadworkedunceasinglyallday。Hismusclesachedwithfatigue。Hishandstrembled。Heclenchedhisteeth，however，andworkedon，determinednottoyield。HewantedthemtounderstandthathecoulddoasmuchpitchingasanyofthemandreadCaesar’sCommentariesbesides。Itseemedasifeachbundlewerethelasthecouldraise。Thesinewsofhiswristpainedhimso，theyseemedswollentotwicetheirnaturalsize。Butstillheworkedongrimly，whiletheduskfellandtheairgrewchill。
Atlastthebottombundlewaspitchedup，andhegotdownonhiskneestohelpscrapetheloosewheatintobaskets。Whatasweetreliefitwastokneeldown，toreleasetheforkandletthewornandcrampingmusclessettleintorest!Anewnotecameintothedriver’svoice，asoothingtone，fullofkindnessandadmirationfortheworkhisteamhaddone。
“Wo-o-o，lads!Stiddy-y-y，boys!Wo-o-o，there，Dan。Stiddy，stiddy，oldman!Ho，there!“Thecylindertookonalowerkey，withshortrisingyells，asitranemptyforamoment。Thehorseshadbeengoingsolongthattheycametoastopreluctantly。AtlastDavidcalled，“Turnout!“Themenseizedtheendsofthesweep，Daviduncoupledthetumblingrods，andShepthrewasheafofgrainintothecylinder，chokingitintosilence。
Thestillnessandtheduskwereveryimpressive。Solonghadthebell-metalcogwheelsungitsdeafeningsongintoWill’searthat，ashewalkedawayintothedusk，hehadaweirdfeelingofbeingsuddenlydeaf，andhislegsweresonumbthathecouldhardlyfeeltheearth。Hestumbledawaylikeamanparalyzed。
Hetookouthishandkerchief，wipedthedustfromhisfaceasbesthecould，shookhiscoat，dustedhisshoulderswithagrainsack，andwasstartingaway，whenMr。Dingman，aratherfeebleelderlyman，cameup。
“Come，Will，supper’sallready。Goinandeat。“
“IguessI’llgohometosupper。“
“Oh，no，thatwon’tdo。Thewomen’llbeexpectingyehtostay。“
Themenwerelaughingatthewell，thewarmyellowlightshonefromthekitchen，thechillairmakingitseemveryinviting，andshewasthere，waiting!Butthedemonroseinhim。HeknewAgneswouldexpecthim，thatshewouldcrythatnightwithdisappointment，buthisfacehardened。“IguessI’llgohome，“hesaid，andhistonewasrelentless。Heturnedandwalkedaway，hungry，tired-sotiredhestumbled，andsounhappyhecouldhavewept。
ONThursdaythecountyfairwastobeheld。ThefairisoneofthegaladaysoftheyearinthecountrydistrictsoftheWest，andoneofthetimeswhenthecountryloverrisesaboveexpensetotheextravaganceofhiringatopbuggyinwhichtotakehissweethearttotheneighboringtown。
Itwascustomarytoprepareforthislongbeforehand，forthedemandfortopbuggieswassogreatthelivery-mengrewdictatorialandtooknochances。Slowlybutsurelythecountrybeauxbegantocompetewiththeclerks，andinmanycasesactuallyoutbidthem，astheyfurnishedtheirownhorsesandcouldbidhigher，inconsequence，onthecarriages。
Willhadsecuredhisbrother’s“rig，“andearlyonThursdaymorninghewasatwork，busilywashingthemudfromthecarriage，dustingthecushions，andpolishingupthebucklesandrosettesonhishorses’harnesses。Itwasabeautiful，crisp，cleardawn-theidealdayforaride；andWillwassingingasheworked。
Hehadregainedhisrealsell，and，havingpassedthroughabitterperiodofshame，wasnowjoyouswithanticipationofforgiveness。
Helookedforwardtothedaywithitschancesofdoingathousandlittlethingstoshowhisregretandhislove。
HehadnotseenAgnessinceMonday，becauseTuesdayhedidnotgobacktohelpthresh，andWednesdayhehadbeenobligedtogototowntoseeaboutboardforthecomingterm；buthefeltsureofher。IthadallbeenarrangedtheSundaybefore；she’dexpecthim，andhewastocallateighto’clock。
Hepolishedupthecoltswithmerrytick-tackofthebrushandcomb，andafterthelaststrokeontheirshininglimbs，threwhistoolsintheboxandwenttothehouse。
“Prettysharplastnight，“saidhisbrotherJohn，whowasscrubbinghisfaceatthecistern。
“Shouldsaysobythatrimofice，“Willreplied，dippinghishandsintotheicywater。
“Iought’ostayhometodayan’digtates，“continuedtheoldermanthoughtfullyastheywentintothewood-shedandwipedconsecutivelyonthelongrollertowel。“Someo’themEarlyRoselayrightontopo’theground。They’llgetnippedsure。“
“Oh，Iguessnot。You’dbettergo，Jack；youdon’tgetawayveryoften。AndthenitwoulddisappointNettieandthechildrenso。
Theirlittleheartsareoverflowing，“heendedasthedooropenedandtwosturdylittleboysrushedout。
“B’ekfuss，Poppa；allyeady!“
Thekitchentablewassetnearthestove；theroomwasfullofsun，andthesmellofsizzlingsausagesandthearomaofcoffeefilledtheroom。Thekettlewasdoingitsdutycheerily，andthewifewithflushedfaceandsmilingeyeswashurryingtoandfro，herheartfullofanticipationoftheday’souting。
Therewasahilarityalmostlikesomestrangeintoxicationonthepartofthetwochildren。Theydanced，andchattered，andclappedtheirchubbybrownhands，andrantothewindowsceaselessly。
“IsyuncleWillgoin’yideflourbuggy？“
“Yus；thebuggyandthecolts。“
“Ishegoin’totakehisgirl？“
Willblushedalittle，andJohnroared。
“Yes，I’mgoin’-“
“IsAggieyourgirl？“
“H’yer!h’yer!youngman，“calledJohn，“you’regettin’personal。“
“Well，setup，“saidNettie，andwithagooddealofclattertheydrewaroundthecheerfultable。
Willhadalreadybeguntoseethepathos，thepitifulsignificanceofthisgreatjoyoveraday’souting，andhetookhimselfalittletotaskathisownselfishfreedom。HeresolvedtostayathomesometimeandletNettiegoinhisplace。AfewhoursinthemiddleofthedayonSunday，threeorfourholidaysinsummer；therestforthischeerfullittlewifeandherpatienthusbandwaswork-workthatsomewayaccomplishedsolittleandleftnotraceontheirsoulsthatwasbeautiful。
Whiletheywereeatingbreakfast，teamsbegantoclatterby，hugelumberwagonswiththreeseatsacross，andaboyortwojouncingupanddownwiththedinnerbasketsneartheend-gate。Thechildrenrushedtothewindoweachtimetoannouncewhoitwas，andhowmanytherewerein。
ButasJohnnysaid“firteen“eachtime，andNedwaveredbetween“seven“and“sixteen，“itwasdoubtfuliftheycouldbereliedupon。
Theyhadverylittleappetite，sokeenwastheiranticipationoftherideandthewonderfulsightsbeforethem。Theirlittleheartsshudderedwithjoyateveryfreshtokenofpreparation-ajoythatmadeWillsay，“Poorlittlemen!“
Theyvibratedbetweenthehouseandthebarnwhilethechoreswerebeingfinished，andtheirhappycriesstartedtheyoungroostersintoarenewedseasonofcrowing。Andwhenatlastthewagonwasbroughtoutandthehorseshitchedtoit，theydancedlikemadsprites。
Aftertheyhaddrivenaway，Willbroughtoutthecolts，hitchedthemin，anddrovethemtothehitchingpost。Thenheleisurelydressedhimselfinhisbestsuit，blackedhisbootswithconsiderableexertion，andatabout7：3oo’clockclimbedintohiscarriageandgatheredupthereins。
Hewasquitehappyagain。Thecrisp，bracingair，thestrongpullofthespiritedyoungteamputallthoughtofsorrowbehindhim。Hehadplanneditallout。Hewouldfirstputhisarmaroundherandkissher-therewouldnotneedtobeanywordstotellherhowsorryandashamedhewas。Shewouldknow!
Now，whenhewasaloneandgoingtowardheronabeautifulmorning，theangerandbitternessofMondayfledaway，becameunreal，andthesweetdreamoftheSundaypartinggrewthereality。
Shewaswaitingforhimnow。Shehadonherprettybluedressandthewidehatthatalwaysmadeherlooksoarch。Hehadsaidabouteighto’clock。
Theswiftteamwascarryinghimalongthecrossroad，whichwaslittletravelled，andhewasalonewithhisthoughts。Hefellagainuponhisplans。Anotheryearatschoolforthemboth，andthenhe’dgointoalawoffice。JudgeBrownhadtoldhimhe’dgivehim-“Whoa!Ho!“
Therewasaswiftlurchthatsenthimflyingoverthedasher。A
confusedvisionofaroadsideditchfullofweedsandbushes，andthenhefeltthereinsinhishandsandheardthesnortinghorsestrampleonthehardroad。
Herosedizzy，bruised，andcoveredwithdust。Theteamheheldsecurelyandsoonquieted。Hesawthecauseofitall：therightforewheelhadcomeoff，lettingthefrontofthebuggydrop。Heunhitchedtheexcitedteamfromthecarriage，drovethemtothefenceandtiedthemsecurely，thenwentbacktofindthewheelandthe“nut“whosefailuretoholditsplacehaddoneallthemischief。
Hesoonhadthewheelon，buttofindtheburrwasahardertask。
Backandforthheranged，looking，scrapinginthedust，searchingtheweeds。
Heknewthatsometimesawheelwillrunwithouttheburrformanyrodsbeforecorningoff，andsoeachtimeheextendedhissearch。Hetraversedtheentirehalf-mileseveraltimes，eachtimehisrageanddisappointmentgettingmorebitter。Hegroundhisteethinafeverofvexationanddismay。
HehadavisionofAgneswaiting，wonderingwhyhedidnotcome。Itwasthisvisionthatkepthimfromseeingtheburrinthewheel-track，partlycoveredbyaclod。
Oncehepasseditlookingwildlyathiswatch，whichwasshowingnineo’clock。Anothertimehepasseditwitheyesdimmedwithamistthatwasalmosttearsofanger。
Thereisnocontrivancethatwillreplaceanaxleburr，andfarmyardshavenounusedaxleburrs，andsoWillsearched。Eachmomenthesaid：“I’llgiveitup，getontooneofthehorses，andgodownandtellher。“Butsearchingforalostaxleburrislikefishing：thesearcherexpectseachmomenttofindit。Andsohegroped，andranbreathlessly，furiously，backandforth，andatlastkickedawaytheclodthatcoveredit，andhurried，hotanddusty，cursinghisstupidity，backtotheteam。