PARTI
TheWildLandI
OneJanuaryday，thirtyyearsago，thelittletownofHanover，anchoredonawindyNe—
braskatableland，wastryingnottobeblownaway。Amistoffinesnowflakeswascurlingandeddyingabouttheclusteroflowdrabbuildingshuddledonthegrayprairie，underagraysky。Thedwelling—housesweresetabouthaphazardonthetoughprairiesod;someofthemlookedasiftheyhadbeenmovedinovernight，andothersasiftheywerestrayingoffbythemselves，headedstraightfortheopenplain。Noneofthemhadanyappearanceofpermanence，andthehowlingwindblewunderthemaswellasoverthem。Themainstreetwasadeeplyruttedroad，nowfrozenhard，whichranfromthesquatredrailwaystationandthegrain\"elevator\"atthenorthendofthetowntothelumberyardandthehorsepondatthesouthend。Oneithersideofthisroadstraggledtwounevenrowsofwoodenbuildings;thegeneralmerchandisestores，thetwobanks，thedrugstore，thefeedstore，thesaloon，thepost—office。Theboardsidewalksweregraywithtrampledsnow，butattwoo’clockintheafternoontheshopkeepers，hav—
ingcomebackfromdinner，werekeepingwellbehindtheirfrostywindows。Thechildrenwereallinschool，andtherewasnobodyabroadinthestreetsbutafewrough—lookingcountry—
menincoarseovercoats，withtheirlongcapspulleddowntotheirnoses。Someofthemhadbroughttheirwivestotown，andnowandthenaredoraplaidshawlflashedoutofonestoreintotheshelterofanother。Atthehitch—barsalongthestreetafewheavywork—horses，har—
nessedtofarmwagons，shiveredundertheirblankets。Aboutthestationeverythingwasquiet，fortherewouldnotbeanothertraininuntilnight。
OnthesidewalkinfrontofoneofthestoressatalittleSwedeboy，cryingbitterly。Hewasaboutfiveyearsold。Hisblackclothcoatwasmuchtoobigforhimandmadehimlooklikealittleoldman。Hisshrunkenbrownflanneldresshadbeenwashedmanytimesandleftalongstretchofstockingbetweenthehemofhisskirtandthetopsofhisclumsy，copper—toedshoes。Hiscapwaspulleddownoverhisears;
hisnoseandhischubbycheekswerechappedandredwithcold。Hecriedquietly，andthefewpeoplewhohurriedbydidnotnoticehim。
Hewasafraidtostopanyone，afraidtogointothestoreandaskforhelp，sohesatwringinghislongsleevesandlookingupatelegraphpolebesidehim，whimpering，\"Mykitten，oh，mykitten！Herwillfweeze！\"Atthetopofthepolecrouchedashiveringgraykitten，mewingfaintlyandclingingdesperatelytothewoodwithherclaws。Theboyhadbeenleftatthestorewhilehissisterwenttothedoctor’soffice，andinherabsenceadoghadchasedhiskit—
tenupthepole。Thelittlecreaturehadneverbeensohighbefore，andshewastoofrightenedtomove。Hermasterwassunkindespair。Hewasalittlecountryboy，andthisvillagewastohimaverystrangeandperplexingplace，wherepeopleworefineclothesandhadhardhearts。
Healwaysfeltshyandawkwardhere，andwantedtohidebehindthingsforfearsomeonemightlaughathim。Justnow，hewastooun—
happytocarewholaughed。Atlastheseemedtoseearayofhope：hissisterwascoming，andhegotupandrantowardherinhisheavyshoes。
Hissisterwasatall，stronggirl，andshewalkedrapidlyandresolutely，asifsheknewexactlywhereshewasgoingandwhatshewasgoingtodonext。Sheworeaman’slongulster（notasifitwereanaffliction，butasifitwereverycomfortableandbelongedtoher;carrieditlikeayoungsoldier），andaroundplushcap，tieddownwithathickveil。Shehadaserious，thoughtfulface，andherclear，deepblueeyeswerefixedintentlyonthedistance，withoutseemingtoseeanything，asifshewereintrouble。Shedidnotnoticethelittleboyuntilhepulledherbythecoat。Thenshestoppedshortandstoopeddowntowipehiswetface。
\"Why，Emil！Itoldyoutostayinthestoreandnottocomeout。Whatisthematterwithyou？\"
\"Mykitten，sister，mykitten！Amanputherout，andadogchasedherupthere。\"Hisforefinger，projectingfromthesleeveofhiscoat，pointeduptothewretchedlittlecreatureonthepole。
\"Oh，Emil！Didn’tItellyoushe’dgetusintotroubleofsomekind，ifyoubroughther？
Whatmadeyouteasemeso？Butthere，I
oughttohaveknownbettermyself。\"Shewenttothefootofthepoleandheldoutherarms，crying，\"Kitty，kitty，kitty，\"butthekittenonlymewedandfaintlywaveditstail。Alex—
andraturnedawaydecidedly。\"No，shewon’tcomedown。Somebodywillhavetogoupafterher。IsawtheLinstrums’wagonintown。I’llgoandseeifIcanfindCarl。Maybehecandosomething。Onlyyoumuststopcrying，orI
won’tgoastep。Where’syourcomforter？Didyouleaveitinthestore？Nevermind。Holdstill，tillIputthisonyou。\"
Sheunwoundthebrownveilfromherheadandtieditabouthisthroat。Ashabbylittletravelingman，whowasjustthencomingoutofthestoreonhiswaytothesaloon，stoppedandgazedstupidlyattheshiningmassofhairshebaredwhenshetookoffherveil;twothickbraids，pinnedaboutherheadintheGermanway，withafringeofreddish—yellowcurlsblow—
ingoutfromunderhercap。Hetookhiscigaroutofhismouthandheldthewetendbetweenthefingersofhiswoolenglove。\"MyGod，girl，whataheadofhair！\"heexclaimed，quiteinnocentlyandfoolishly。ShestabbedhimwithaglanceofAmazonianfiercenessanddrewinherlowerlip——mostunnecessaryseverity。Itgavethelittleclothingdrummersuchastartthatheactuallylethiscigarfalltotheside—
walkandwentoffweaklyintheteethofthewindtothesaloon。Hishandwasstillunsteadywhenhetookhisglassfromthebartender。Hisfeebleflirtatiousinstinctshadbeencrushedbefore，butneversomercilessly。Hefeltcheapandill—used，asifsomeonehadtakenadvan—
tageofhim。Whenadrummerhadbeenknock—
ingaboutinlittledrabtownsandcrawlingacrossthewintrycountryindirtysmoking—
cars，washetobeblamedif，whenhechanceduponafinehumancreature，hesuddenlywishedhimselfmoreofaman？
Whilethelittledrummerwasdrinkingtorecoverhisnerve，AlexandrahurriedtothedrugstoreasthemostlikelyplacetofindCarlLinstrum。Therehewas，turningoveraport—
folioofchromo\"studies\"whichthedruggistsoldtotheHanoverwomenwhodidchina—
painting。Alexandraexplainedherpredica—
ment，andtheboyfollowedhertothecorner，whereEmilstillsatbythepole。
\"I’llhavetogoupafterher，Alexandra。I
thinkatthedepottheyhavesomespikesIcanstraponmyfeet。Waitaminute。\"Carlthrusthishandsintohispockets，loweredhishead，anddartedupthestreetagainstthenorthwind。Hewasatallboyoffifteen，slightandnarrow—chested。Whenhecamebackwiththespikes，Alexandraaskedhimwhathehaddonewithhisovercoat。
\"Ileftitinthedrugstore。Icouldn’tclimbinit，anyhow。CatchmeifIfall，Emil，\"hecalledbackashebeganhisascent。Alexandrawatchedhimanxiously;thecoldwasbitterenoughontheground。Thekittenwouldnotbudgeaninch。Carlhadtogototheverytopofthepole，andthenhadsomedifficultyintear—
ingherfromherhold。Whenhereachedtheground，hehandedthecattohertearfullittlemaster。\"Nowgointothestorewithher，Emil，andgetwarm。\"Heopenedthedoorforthechild。\"Waitaminute，Alexandra。Whycan’tIdriveforyouasfarasourplace？It’sget—
tingcoldereveryminute。Haveyouseenthedoctor？\"
\"Yes。Heiscomingoverto—morrow。Buthesaysfathercan’tgetbetter;can’tgetwell。\"
Thegirl’sliptrembled。Shelookedfixedlyupthebleakstreetasifsheweregatheringherstrengthtofacesomething，asifsheweretry—
ingwithallhermighttograspasituationwhich，nomatterhowpainful，mustbemetanddealtwithsomehow。Thewindflappedtheskirtsofherheavycoatabouther。
Carldidnotsayanything，butshefelthissympathy。He，too，waslonely。Hewasathin，frailboy，withbroodingdarkeyes，veryquietinallhismovements。Therewasadelicatepallorinhisthinface，andhismouthwastoosensitiveforaboy’s。Thelipshadalreadyalittlecurlofbitternessandskepticism。Thetwofriendsstoodforafewmomentsonthewindystreetcorner，notspeakingaword，astwotravelers，whohavelosttheirway，sometimesstandandadmittheirperplexityinsilence。WhenCarlturnedawayhesaid，\"I’llseetoyourteam。\"
Alexandrawentintothestoretohaveherpur—
chasespackedintheegg—boxes，andtogetwarmbeforeshesetoutonherlongcolddrive。
WhenshelookedforEmil，shefoundhimsit—
tingonastepofthestaircasethatleduptotheclothingandcarpetdepartment。Hewasplay—
ingwithalittleBohemiangirl，MarieTovesky，whowastyingherhandkerchiefoverthekit—
ten’sheadforabonnet。Mariewasastrangerinthecountry，havingcomefromOmahawithhermothertovisitheruncle，JoeTovesky。Shewasadarkchild，withbrowncurlyhair，likeabrunettedoll’s，acoaxinglittleredmouth，andround，yellow—browneyes。Everyonenoticedhereyes;thebrownirishadgoldenglintsthatmadethemlooklikegold—stone，or，insofterlights，likethatColoradomineralcalledtiger—eye。
Thecountrychildrenthereaboutsworetheirdressestotheirshoe—tops，butthiscitychildwasdressedinwhatwasthencalledthe\"KateGreenaway\"manner，andherredcashmerefrock，gatheredfullfromtheyoke，camealmosttothefloor。This，withherpokebonnet，gaveherthelookofaquaintlittlewoman。ShehadawhitefurtippetaboutherneckandmadenofussyobjectionswhenEmilfingereditadmiringly。Alexandrahadnotthehearttotakehimawayfromsoprettyaplayfellow，andsheletthemteasethekittentogetheruntilJoeToveskycameinnoisilyandpickeduphislittleniece，settingheronhisshoulderforeveryonetosee。Hischildrenwereallboys，andheadoredthislittlecreature。Hiscroniesformedacircleabouthim，admiringandteasingthelittlegirl，whotooktheirjokeswithgreatgoodnature。Theywerealldelightedwithher，fortheyseldomsawsoprettyandcarefullynur—
turedachild。Theytoldherthatshemustchooseoneofthemforasweetheart，andeachbeganpressinghissuitandofferingherbribes;
candy，andlittlepigs，andspottedcalves。Shelookedarchlyintothebig，brown，mustachedfaces，smellingofspiritsandtobacco，thensheranhertinyforefingerdelicatelyoverJoe’sbristlychinandsaid，\"Hereismysweetheart。\"
TheBohemiansroaredwithlaughter，andMarie’sunclehuggedheruntilshecried，\"Pleasedon’t，UncleJoe！Youhurtme。\"EachofJoe’sfriendsgaveherabagofcandy，andshekissedthemallaround，thoughshedidnotlikecoun—
trycandyverywell。PerhapsthatwaswhyshebethoughtherselfofEmil。\"Letmedown，UncleJoe，\"shesaid，\"IwanttogivesomeofmycandytothatnicelittleboyIfound。\"ShewalkedgraciouslyovertoEmil，followedbyherlustyadmirers，whoformedanewcircleandteasedthelittleboyuntilhehidhisfaceinhissister’sskirts，andshehadtoscoldhimforbeingsuchababy。
Thefarmpeopleweremakingpreparationstostartforhome。Thewomenwerecheckingovertheirgroceriesandpinningtheirbigredshawlsabouttheirheads。Themenwerebuy—
ingtobaccoandcandywithwhatmoneytheyhadleft，wereshowingeachothernewbootsandglovesandblueflannelshirts。ThreebigBohemiansweredrinkingrawalcohol，tincturedwithoilofcinnamon。Thiswassaidtofortifyoneeffectuallyagainstthecold，andtheysmackedtheirlipsaftereachpullattheflask。
Theirvolubilitydrownedeveryothernoiseintheplace，andtheoverheatedstoresoundedoftheirspiritedlanguageasitreekedofpipesmoke，dampwoolens，andkerosene。
Carlcamein，wearinghisovercoatandcarry—
ingawoodenboxwithabrasshandle。\"Come，\"
hesaid，\"I’vefedandwateredyourteam，andthewagonisready。\"HecarriedEmiloutandtuckedhimdowninthestrawinthewagon—
box。Theheathadmadethelittleboysleepy，buthestillclungtohiskitten。
\"Youwereawfulgoodtoclimbsohighandgetmykitten，Carl。WhenIgetbigI’llclimbandgetlittleboys’kittensforthem，\"hemur—
mureddrowsily。Beforethehorseswereoverthefirsthill，Emilandhiscatwerebothfastasleep。
Althoughitwasonlyfouro’clock，thewinterdaywasfading。Theroadledsouthwest，towardthestreakofpale，waterylightthatglimmeredintheleadensky。Thelightfelluponthetwosadyoungfacesthatwereturnedmutelytowardit：upontheeyesofthegirl，whoseemedtobelookingwithsuchanguishedperplexityintothefuture;uponthesombreeyesoftheboy，whoseemedalreadytobelookingintothepast。
Thelittletownbehindthemhadvanishedasifithadneverbeen，hadfallenbehindtheswelloftheprairie，andthesternfrozencountryreceivedthemintoitsbosom。Thehomesteadswerefewandfarapart;hereandthereawind—
millgauntagainstthesky，asodhousecrouch—
inginahollow。Butthegreatfactwasthelanditself，whichseemedtooverwhelmthelittlebeginningsofhumansocietythatstruggledinitssombrewastes。Itwasfromfacingthisvasthardnessthattheboy’smouthhadbecomesobitter;becausehefeltthatmenweretooweaktomakeanymarkhere，thatthelandwantedtobeletalone，topreserveitsownfiercestrength，itspeculiar，savagekindofbeauty，itsuninterruptedmournfulness。
Thewagonjoltedalongoverthefrozenroad。
Thetwofriendshadlesstosaytoeachotherthanusual，asifthecoldhadsomehowpene—
tratedtotheirhearts。
\"DidLouandOscargototheBluetocutwoodto—day？\"Carlasked。
\"Yes。I’malmostsorryIletthemgo，it’sturnedsocold。Butmotherfretsifthewoodgetslow。\"Shestoppedandputherhandtoherforehead，brushingbackherhair。\"Idon’tknowwhatistobecomeofus，Carl，iffatherhastodie。Idon’tdaretothinkaboutit。I
wishwecouldallgowithhimandletthegrassgrowbackovereverything。\"
Carlmadenoreply。JustaheadofthemwastheNorwegiangraveyard，wherethegrasshad，indeed，grownbackovereverything，shaggyandred，hidingeventhewirefence。Carlreal—
izedthathewasnotaveryhelpfulcompanion，buttherewasnothinghecouldsay。
\"Ofcourse，\"Alexandrawenton，steadyinghervoicealittle，\"theboysarestrongandworkhard，butwe’vealwaysdependedsoonfatherthatIdon’tseehowwecangoahead。Ialmostfeelasiftherewerenothingtogoaheadfor。\"
\"Doesyourfatherknow？\"
\"Yes，Ithinkhedoes。Heliesandcountsonhisfingersallday。Ithinkheistryingtocountupwhatheisleavingforus。It’sacom—
forttohimthatmychickensarelayingrightonthroughthecoldweatherandbringinginalittlemoney。Iwishwecouldkeephismindoffsuchthings，butIdon’thavemuchtimetobewithhimnow。\"
\"Iwonderifhe’dliketohavemebringmymagiclanternoversomeevening？\"
Alexandraturnedherfacetowardhim。\"Oh，Carl！Haveyougotit？\"
\"Yes。It’sbackthereinthestraw。Didn’tyounoticetheboxIwascarrying？Itrieditallmorninginthedrug—storecellar，anditworkedeversowell，makesfinebigpictures。\"
\"Whataretheyabout？\"
\"Oh，huntingpicturesinGermany，andRobinsonCrusoeandfunnypicturesaboutcannibals。I’mgoingtopaintsomeslidesforitonglass，outoftheHansAndersenbook。\"
Alexandraseemedactuallycheered。Thereisoftenagooddealofthechildleftinpeoplewhohavehadtogrowuptoosoon。\"Dobringitover，Carl。Icanhardlywaittoseeit，andI’msureitwillpleasefather。Arethepicturescol—
ored？ThenIknowhe’lllikethem。HelikesthecalendarsIgethimintown。IwishIcouldgetmore。Youmustleavemehere，mustn’tyou？It’sbeennicetohavecompany。\"
Carlstoppedthehorsesandlookeddubi—
ouslyupattheblacksky。\"It’sprettydark。
Ofcoursethehorseswilltakeyouhome，butI
thinkI’dbetterlightyourlantern，incaseyoushouldneedit。\"
Hegaveherthereinsandclimbedbackintothewagon—box，wherehecroucheddownandmadeatentofhisovercoat。Afteradozentrialshesucceededinlightingthelantern，whichheplacedinfrontofAlexandra，halfcoveringitwithablanketsothatthelightwouldnotshineinhereyes。\"Now，waituntilIfindmybox。Yes，hereitis。Good—night，Alexandra。
Trynottoworry。\"CarlsprangtothegroundandranoffacrossthefieldstowardtheLinstrumhomestead。\"Hoo，hoo—o—o—o！\"hecalledbackashedisappearedoveraridgeanddroppedintoasandgully。Thewindansweredhimlikeanecho，\"Hoo，hoo—o—o—o—o—o！\"Alexandradroveoffalone。Therattleofherwagonwaslostinthehowlingofthewind，butherlantern，heldfirmlybetweenherfeet，madeamovingpointoflightalongthehighway，goingdeeperanddeeperintothedarkcountry。
II
OnoneoftheridgesofthatwintrywastestoodthelowloghouseinwhichJohnBergsonwasdying。TheBergsonhomesteadwaseasiertofindthanmanyanother，becauseitover—
lookedNorwayCreek，ashallow，muddystreamthatsometimesflowed，andsometimesstoodstill，atthebottomofawindingravinewithsteep，shelvingsidesovergrownwithbrushandcottonwoodsanddwarfash。Thiscreekgaveasortofidentitytothefarmsthatbordereduponit。Ofallthebewilderingthingsaboutanewcountry，theabsenceofhumanlandmarksisoneofthemostdepressinganddisheartening。
ThehousesontheDivideweresmallandwereusuallytuckedawayinlowplaces;youdidnotseethemuntilyoucamedirectlyuponthem。
Mostofthemwerebuiltofthesoditself，andwereonlytheunescapablegroundinanotherform。Theroadswerebutfainttracksinthegrass，andthefieldswerescarcelynoticeable。
Therecordoftheplowwasinsignificant，likethefeeblescratchesonstoneleftbyprehistoricraces，soindeterminatethattheymay，afterall，beonlythemarkingsofglaciers，andnotarec—
ordofhumanstrivings。
InelevenlongyearsJohnBergsonhadmadebutlittleimpressionuponthewildlandhehadcometotame。Itwasstillawildthingthathaditsuglymoods;andnooneknewwhentheywerelikelytocome，orwhy。Mischancehungoverit。ItsGeniuswasunfriendlytoman。Thesickmanwasfeelingthisashelaylookingoutofthewindow，afterthedoctorhadlefthim，onthedayfollowingAlexandra’striptotown。
Thereitlayoutsidehisdoor，thesameland，thesamelead—coloredmiles。Hekneweveryridgeanddrawandgullybetweenhimandthehorizon。Tothesouth，hisplowedfields;totheeast，thesodstables，thecattlecorral，thepond，——andthenthegrass。
Bergsonwentoverinhismindthethingsthathadheldhimback。Onewinterhiscattlehadperishedinablizzard。Thenextsummeroneofhisplowhorsesbrokeitsleginaprairie—
dogholeandhadtobeshot。Anothersummerhelosthishogsfromcholera，andavaluablestalliondiedfromarattlesnakebite。Timeandagainhiscropshadfailed。Hehadlosttwochildren，boys，thatcamebetweenLouandEmil，andtherehadbeenthecostofsicknessanddeath。Now，whenhehadatlaststruggledoutofdebt，hewasgoingtodiehimself。Hewasonlyforty—six，andhad，ofcourse，counteduponmoretime。
BergsonhadspenthisfirstfiveyearsontheDividegettingintodebt，andthelastsixgettingout。Hehadpaidoffhismortgagesandhadendedprettymuchwherehebegan，withtheland。Heownedexactlysixhundredandfortyacresofwhatstretchedoutsidehisdoor;hisownoriginalhomesteadandtimberclaim，makingthreehundredandtwentyacres，andthehalf—
sectionadjoining，thehomesteadofayoungerbrotherwhohadgivenupthefight，gonebacktoChicagotoworkinafancybakeryanddis—
tinguishhimselfinaSwedishathleticclub。SofarJohnhadnotattemptedtocultivatethesecondhalf—section，butuseditforpastureland，andoneofhissonsrodeherdthereinopenweather。
JohnBergsonhadtheOld—Worldbeliefthatland，initself，isdesirable。Butthislandwasanenigma。Itwaslikeahorsethatnooneknowshowtobreaktoharness，thatrunswildandkicksthingstopieces。Hehadanideathatnooneunderstoodhowtofarmitproperly，andthisheoftendiscussedwithAlexandra。Theirneighbors，certainly，knewevenlessaboutfarmingthanhedid。Manyofthemhadneverworkedonafarmuntiltheytookuptheirhomesteads。TheyhadbeenHANDWERKERS
athome;tailors，locksmiths，joiners，cigar—
makers，etc。Bergsonhimselfhadworkedinashipyard。
Forweeks，JohnBergsonhadbeenthinkingaboutthesethings。Hisbedstoodinthesitting—
room，nexttothekitchen。Throughtheday，whilethebakingandwashingandironingweregoingon，thefatherlayandlookedupattheroofbeamsthathehimselfhadhewn，oroutatthecattleinthecorral。Hecountedthecattleoverandover。Itdivertedhimtospeculateastohowmuchweighteachofthesteerswouldprobablyputonbyspring。Heoftencalledhisdaughterintotalktoheraboutthis。BeforeAlexandrawastwelveyearsoldshehadbeguntobeahelptohim，andasshegrewolderhehadcometodependmoreandmoreuponherresourcefulnessandgoodjudgment。Hisboyswerewillingenoughtowork，butwhenhetalkedwiththemtheyusuallyirritatedhim。ItwasAlexandrawhoreadthepapersandfol—
lowedthemarkets，andwholearnedbythemis—
takesoftheirneighbors。ItwasAlexandrawhocouldalwaystellaboutwhatithadcosttofat—
teneachsteer，andwhocouldguesstheweightofahogbeforeitwentonthescalescloserthanJohnBergsonhimself。LouandOscarwerein—
dustrious，buthecouldneverteachthemtousetheirheadsabouttheirwork。
Alexandra，herfatheroftensaidtohimself，waslikehergrandfather;whichwashiswayofsayingthatshewasintelligent。JohnBergson’sfatherhadbeenashipbuilder，amanofconsid—
erableforceandofsomefortune。Lateinlifehemarriedasecondtime，aStockholmwomanofquestionablecharacter，muchyoungerthanhe，whogoadedhimintoeverysortofextrava—
gance。Ontheshipbuilder’spart，thismarriagewasaninfatuation，thedespairingfollyofapowerfulmanwhocannotbeartogrowold。
Inafewyearshisunprincipledwifewarpedtheprobityofalifetime。Hespeculated，losthisownfortuneandfundsentrustedtohimbypoorseafaringmen，anddieddisgraced，leav—
inghischildrennothing。Butwhenallwassaid，hehadcomeupfromtheseahimself，hadbuiltupaproudlittlebusinesswithnocapitalbuthisownskillandforesight，andhadprovedhimselfaman。Inhisdaughter，JohnBergsonrecog—
nizedthestrengthofwill，andthesimpledirectwayofthinkingthingsout，thathadcharac—
terizedhisfatherinhisbetterdays。Hewouldmuchrather，ofcourse，haveseenthislikenessinoneofhissons，butitwasnotaquestionofchoice。Ashelaytheredayafterdayhehadtoacceptthesituationasitwas，andtobethank—
fulthattherewasoneamonghischildrentowhomhecouldentrustthefutureofhisfamilyandthepossibilitiesofhishard—wonland。
Thewintertwilightwasfading。Thesickmanheardhiswifestrikeamatchinthekitchen，andthelightofalampglimmeredthroughthecracksofthedoor。Itseemedlikealightshin—
ingfaraway。Heturnedpainfullyinhisbedandlookedathiswhitehands，withalltheworkgoneoutofthem。Hewasreadytogiveup，hefelt。Hedidnotknowhowithadcomeabout，buthewasquitewillingtogodeepun—
derhisfieldsandrest，wheretheplowcouldnotfindhim。Hewastiredofmakingmistakes。Hewascontenttoleavethetangletootherhands;
hethoughtofhisAlexandra’sstrongones。
\"DOTTER，\"hecalledfeebly，\"DOTTER！\"Heheardherquickstepandsawhertallfigureappearinthedoorway，withthelightofthelampbehindher。Hefeltheryouthandstrength，howeasilyshemovedandstoopedandlifted。Buthewouldnothavehaditagainifhecould，nothe！Heknewtheendtoowelltowishtobeginagain。Heknewwhereitallwentto，whatitallbecame。
Hisdaughtercameandliftedhimuponhispillows。ShecalledhimbyanoldSwedishnamethatsheusedtocallhimwhenshewaslittleandtookhisdinnertohimintheshipyard。
\"Telltheboystocomehere，daughter。I
wanttospeaktothem。\"
\"Theyarefeedingthehorses，father。TheyhavejustcomebackfromtheBlue。ShallI
callthem？\"
Hesighed。\"No，no。Waituntiltheycomein。Alexandra，youwillhavetodothebestyoucanforyourbrothers。Everythingwillcomeonyou。\"
\"IwilldoallIcan，father。\"
\"Don’tletthemgetdiscouragedandgoofflikeUncleOtto。Iwantthemtokeeptheland。\"
\"Wewill，father。Wewillneverlosetheland。\"
Therewasasoundofheavyfeetinthekitchen。Alexandrawenttothedoorandbeck—
onedtoherbrothers，twostrappingboysofseventeenandnineteen。Theycameinandstoodatthefootofthebed。Theirfatherlookedatthemsearchingly，thoughitwastoodarktoseetheirfaces;theywerejustthesameboys，hetoldhimself，hehadnotbeenmistakeninthem。
ThesquareheadandheavyshouldersbelongedtoOscar，theelder。Theyoungerboywasquicker，butvacillating。
\"Boys，\"saidthefatherwearily，\"Iwantyoutokeepthelandtogetherandtobeguidedbyyoursister。IhavetalkedtohersinceIhavebeensick，andsheknowsallmywishes。I
wantnoquarrelsamongmychildren，andsolongasthereisonehousetheremustbeonehead。Alexandraistheoldest，andsheknowsmywishes。Shewilldothebestshecan。Ifshemakesmistakes，shewillnotmakesomanyasIhavemade。Whenyoumarry，andwantahouseofyourown，thelandwillbedividedfairly，accordingtothecourts。Butforthenextfewyearsyouwillhaveithard，andyoumustallkeeptogether。Alexandrawillmanagethebestshecan。\"
Oscar，whowasusuallythelasttospeak，repliedbecausehewastheolder，\"Yes，father。
Itwouldbesoanyway，withoutyourspeaking。
Wewillallworktheplacetogether。\"
\"Andyouwillbeguidedbyyoursister，boys，andbegoodbrotherstoher，andgoodsonstoyourmother？Thatisgood。AndAlexandramustnotworkinthefieldsanymore。Thereisnonecessitynow。Hireamanwhenyouneedhelp。Shecanmakemuchmorewithhereggsandbutterthanthewagesofaman。ItwasoneofmymistakesthatIdidnotfindthatoutsooner。Trytobreakalittlemorelandeveryyear;sodcornisgoodforfodder。Keepturningtheland，andalwaysputupmorehaythanyouneed。Don’tgrudgeyourmotheralittletimeforplowinghergardenandsettingoutfruittrees，evenifitcomesinabusyseason。Shehasbeenagoodmothertoyou，andshehasalwaysWhentheywentbacktothekitchentheboyssatdownsilentlyatthetable。Throughoutthemealtheylookeddownattheirplatesanddidnotlifttheirredeyes。Theydidnoteatmuch，althoughtheyhadbeenworkinginthecoldallday，andtherewasarabbitstewedingravyforsupper，andprunepies。
JohnBergsonhadmarriedbeneathhim，buthehadmarriedagoodhousewife。Mrs。Berg—
sonwasafair—skinned，corpulentwoman，heavyandplacidlikeherson，Oscar，buttherewassomethingcomfortableabouther;perhapsitwasherownloveofcomfort。Forelevenyearsshehadworthilystriventomaintainsomesem—
blanceofhouseholdorderamidconditionsthatmadeorderverydifficult。HabitwasverystrongwithMrs。Bergson，andherunremittingeffortstorepeattheroutineofheroldlifeamongnewsurroundingshaddoneagreatdealtokeepthefamilyfromdisintegratingmorallyandget—
tingcarelessintheirways。TheBergsonshadaloghouse，forinstance，onlybecauseMrs。
Bergsonwouldnotliveinasodhouse。Shemissedthefishdietofherowncountry，andtwiceeverysummershesenttheboystotheriver，twentymilestothesouthward，tofishforchannelcat。Whenthechildrenwerelittlesheusedtoloadthemallintothewagon，thebabyinitscrib，andgofishingherself。
Alexandraoftensaidthatifhermotherwerecastuponadesertisland，shewouldthankGodforherdeliverance，makeagarden，andfindsomethingtopreserve。PreservingwasalmostamaniawithMrs。Bergson。Stoutasshewas，sheroamedthescrubbybanksofNorwayCreeklookingforfoxgrapesandgooseplums，likeawildcreatureinsearchofprey。Shemadeayel—
lowjamoftheinsipidground—cherriesthatgrewontheprairie，flavoringitwithlemonpeel;andshemadeastickydarkconserveofgardentoma—
toes。Shehadexperimentedevenwiththerankbuffalo—pea，andshecouldnotseeafinebronzeclusterofthemwithoutshakingherheadandmurmuring，\"Whatapity！\"Whentherewasnothingmoretopreserve，shebegantopickle。
Theamountofsugarsheusedintheseprocesseswassometimesaseriousdrainuponthefamilyresources。Shewasagoodmother，butshewasgladwhenherchildrenwereoldenoughnottobeinherwayinthekitchen。ShehadneverquiteforgivenJohnBergsonforbringinghertotheendoftheearth;but，nowthatshewasthere，shewantedtobeletalonetoreconstructheroldlifeinsofarasthatwaspossible。Shecouldstilltakesomecomfortintheworldifshehadbaconinthecave，glassjarsontheshelves，andsheetsinthepress。Shedisap—
provedofallherneighborsbecauseoftheirslovenlyhousekeeping，andthewomenthoughtherveryproud。OncewhenMrs。Bergson，onherwaytoNorwayCreek，stoppedtoseeoldMrs。Lee，theoldwomanhidinthehaymow\"forfearMis’Bergsonwouldcatchherbare—
foot。\"
III
OneSundayafternooninJuly，sixmonthsafterJohnBergson’sdeath，CarlwassittinginthedoorwayoftheLinstrumkitchen，dreamingoveranillustratedpaper，whenheheardtherattleofawagonalongthehillroad。LookingupherecognizedtheBergsons’team，withtwoseatsinthewagon，whichmeanttheywereoffforapleasureexcursion。OscarandLou，onthefrontseat，woretheirclothhatsandcoats，neverwornexceptonSundays，andEmil，onthesecondseatwithAlexandra，satproudlyinhisnewtrousers，madefromapairofhisfather’s，andapink—stripedshirt，withawideruffledcollar。OscarstoppedthehorsesandwavedtoCarl，whocaughtuphishatandranthroughthemelonpatchtojointhem。
\"Wanttogowithus？\"Loucalled。\"We’regoingtoCrazyIvar’stobuyahammock。\"
\"Sure。\"Carlranuppanting，andclamber—
ingoverthewheelsatdownbesideEmil。\"I’vealwayswantedtoseeIvar’spond。Theysayit’sthebiggestinallthecountry。Aren’tyouafraidtogotoIvar’sinthatnewshirt，Emil？
Hemightwantitandtakeitrightoffyourback。\"
Emilgrinned。\"I’dbeawfulscaredtogo，\"
headmitted，\"ifyoubigboysweren’talongtotakecareofme。Didyoueverhearhimhowl，Carl？PeoplesaysometimesherunsaboutthecountryhowlingatnightbecauseheisafraidtheLordwilldestroyhim。Motherthinkshemusthavedonesomethingawfulwicked。\"
LoulookedbackandwinkedatCarl。\"Whatwouldyoudo，Emil，ifyouwasoutontheprairiebyyourselfandseenhimcoming？\"
Emilstared。\"MaybeIcouldhideinabadger—hole，\"hesuggesteddoubtfully。
\"Butsupposetherewasn’tanybadger—hole，\"
Loupersisted。\"Wouldyourun？\"
\"No，I’dbetooscaredtorun，\"Emilad—
mittedmournfully，twistinghisfingers。\"I
guessI’dsitrightdownonthegroundandsaymyprayers。\"
Thebigboyslaughed，andOscarbrandishedhiswhipoverthebroadbacksofthehorses。
\"Hewouldn’thurtyou，Emil，\"saidCarlpersuasively。\"Hecametodoctorourmarewhensheategreencornandswelledupmostasbigasthewater—tank。Hepettedherjustlikeyoudoyourcats。Icouldn’tunderstandmuchhesaid，forhedon’ttalkanyEnglish，buthekeptpattingherandgroaningasifhehadthepainhimself，andsaying，’Therenow，sister，that’seasier，that’sbetter！’\"
LouandOscarlaughed，andEmilgiggleddelightedlyandlookedupathissister。
\"Idon’tthinkheknowsanythingatallaboutdoctoring，\"saidOscarscornfully。\"Theysaywhenhorseshavedistemperhetakesthemedicinehimself，andthenpraysoverthehorses。\"
Alexandraspokeup。\"That’swhattheCrowssaid，buthecuredtheirhorses，allthesame。Somedayshismindiscloudy，like。Butifyoucangethimonaclearday，youcanlearnagreatdealfromhim。Heunderstandsani—
mals。Didn’tIseehimtakethehornofftheBerquist’scowwhenshehadtornitlooseandwentcrazy？Shewastearingallovertheplace，knockingherselfagainstthings。Andatlastsheranoutontheroofoftheolddugoutandherlegswentthroughandthereshestuck，bel—
lowing。Ivarcamerunningwithhiswhitebag，andthemomenthegottohershewasquietandlethimsawherhornoffanddaubtheplacewithtar。\"
Emilhadbeenwatchinghissister，hisfacereflectingthesufferingsofthecow。\"Andthendidn’tithurtheranymore？\"heasked。
Alexandrapattedhim。\"No，notanymore。
Andintwodaystheycouldusehermilkagain。\"
TheroadtoIvar’shomesteadwasaverypoorone。Hehadsettledintheroughcountryacrossthecountyline，wherenoonelivedbutsomeRussians，——halfadozenfamilieswhodwelttogetherinonelonghouse，dividedofflikebarracks。Ivarhadexplainedhischoicebysayingthatthefewerneighborshehad，thefewertemptations。Nevertheless，whenoneconsideredthathischiefbusinesswashorse—
doctoring，itseemedrathershort—sightedofhimtoliveinthemostinaccessibleplacehecouldfind。TheBergsonwagonlurchedalongovertheroughhummocksandgrassbanks，fol—
lowedthebottomofwindingdraws，orskirtedthemarginofwidelagoons，wherethegoldencoreopsisgrewupoutoftheclearwaterandthewildducksrosewithawhirrofwings。
Loulookedafterthemhelplessly。\"IwishI’dbroughtmygun，anyway，Alexandra，\"hesaidfretfully。\"Icouldhavehiddenitunderthestrawinthebottomofthewagon。\"
\"Thenwe’dhavehadtolietoIvar。Besides，theysayhecansmelldeadbirds。Andifheknew，wewouldn’tgetanythingoutofhim，notevenahammock。Iwanttotalktohim，andhewon’ttalksenseifhe’sangry。Itmakeshimfoolish。\"
Lousniffed。\"Whoeverheardofhimtalkingsense，anyhow！I’dratherhaveducksforsup—
perthanCrazyIvar’stongue。\"
Emilwasalarmed。\"Oh，but，Lou，youdon’twanttomakehimmad！Hemighthowl！\"
Theyalllaughedagain，andOscarurgedthehorsesupthecrumblingsideofaclaybank。
Theyhadleftthelagoonsandtheredgrassbehindthem。InCrazyIvar’scountrythegrasswasshortandgray，thedrawsdeeperthantheywereintheBergsons’neighborhood，andthelandwasallbrokenupintohillocksandclayridges。Thewildflowersdisappeared，andonlyinthebottomofthedrawsandgulliesgrewafewoftheverytoughestandhardiest：
shoestring，andironweed，andsnow—on—the—
mountain。
\"Look，look，Emil，there’sIvar’sbigpond！\"
Alexandrapointedtoashiningsheetofwaterthatlayatthebottomofashallowdraw。
Atoneendofthepondwasanearthendam，plantedwithgreenwillowbushes，andaboveitadoorandasinglewindowweresetintothehillside。Youwouldnothaveseenthematallbutforthereflectionofthesunlightuponthefourpanesofwindow—glass。Andthatwasallyousaw。Notashed，notacorral，notawell，notevenapathbrokeninthecurlygrass。Butforthepieceofrustystovepipestickingupthroughthesod，youcouldhavewalkedovertheroofofIvar’sdwellingwithoutdreamingthatyouwerenearahumanhabitation。Ivarhadlivedforthreeyearsintheclaybank，with—
outdefilingthefaceofnatureanymorethanthecoyotethathadlivedtherebeforehimhaddone。
WhentheBergsonsdroveoverthehill，Ivarwassittinginthedoorwayofhishouse，readingtheNorwegianBible。Hewasaqueerlyshapedoldman，withathick，powerfulbodysetonshortbow—legs。Hisshaggywhitehair，fallinginathickmaneabouthisruddycheeks，madehimlookolderthanhewas。Hewasbarefoot，butheworeacleanshirtofunbleachedcotton，openattheneck。HealwaysputonacleanshirtwhenSundaymorningcameround，thoughheneverwenttochurch。Hehadapeculiarreligionofhisownandcouldnotgetonwithanyofthedenominations。Oftenhedidnotseeanybodyfromoneweek’sendtoanother。Hekeptacalendar，andeverymorninghecheckedoffaday，sothathewasneverinanydoubtastowhichdayoftheweekitwas。Ivarhiredhim—
selfoutinthreshingandcorn—huskingtime，andhedoctoredsickanimalswhenhewassentfor。Whenhewasathome，hemadeham—
mocksoutoftwineandcommittedchaptersoftheBibletomemory。
Ivarfoundcontentmentinthesolitudehehadsoughtoutforhimself。Hedislikedthelitterofhumandwellings：thebrokenfood，thebitsofbrokenchina，theoldwash—boilersandtea—kettlesthrownintothesunflowerpatch。
Hepreferredthecleannessandtidinessofthewildsod。Healwayssaidthatthebadgershadcleanerhousesthanpeople，andthatwhenhetookahousekeeperhernamewouldbeMrs。
Badger。HebestexpressedhispreferenceforhiswildhomesteadbysayingthathisBibleseemedtruertohimthere。Ifonestoodinthedoorwayofhiscave，andlookedoffattheroughland，thesmilingsky，thecurlygrasswhiteinthehotsunlight;ifonelistenedtotherapturoussongofthelark，thedrummingofthequail，theburrofthelocustagainstthatvastsilence，oneunderstoodwhatIvarmeant。
OnthisSundayafternoonhisfaceshonewithhappiness。Heclosedthebookonhisknee，keepingtheplacewithhishornyfinger，andHesendeththespringsintothevalleys，whichrunamongthehills;
Theygivedrinktoeverybeastofthefield;thewildassesquenchtheirthirst。
ThetreesoftheLordarefullofsap;thecedarsofLebanonwhichhehathplanted;
Wherethebirdsmaketheirnests：asforthestork，thefirtreesareherhouse。
Thehighhillsarearefugeforthewildgoats;andtherocksfortheconies。
repeatedsoftly：——
BeforeheopenedhisBibleagain，IvarheardtheBergsons’wagonapproaching，andhesprangupandrantowardit。
\"Noguns，noguns！\"heshouted，wavinghisarmsdistractedly。
\"No，Ivar，noguns，\"Alexandracalledreas—
suringly。
Hedroppedhisarmsandwentuptothewagon，smilingamiablyandlookingatthemoutofhispaleblueeyes。
\"Wewanttobuyahammock，ifyouhaveone，\"Alexandraexplained，\"andmylittlebrother，here，wantstoseeyourbigpond，wheresomanybirdscome。\"
Ivarsmiledfoolishly，andbeganrubbingthehorses’nosesandfeelingabouttheirmouthsbehindthebits。\"Notmanybirdsjustnow。
Afewducksthismorning;andsomesnipecometodrink。Buttherewasacranelastweek。
Shespentonenightandcamebackthenextevening。Idon’tknowwhy。Itisnothersea—
son，ofcourse。Manyofthemgooverinthefall。Thenthepondisfullofstrangevoiceseverynight。\"
AlexandratranslatedforCarl，wholookedthoughtful。\"Askhim，Alexandra，ifitistruethataseagullcamehereonce。Ihaveheardso。\"
Shehadsomedifficultyinmakingtheoldmanunderstand。
Helookedpuzzledatfirst，thensmotehishandstogetherasheremembered。\"Oh，yes，yes！Abigwhitebirdwithlongwingsandpinkfeet。My！whatavoiceshehad！Shecameintheafternoonandkeptflyingaboutthepondandscreaminguntildark。Shewasintroubleofsomesort，butIcouldnotunderstandher。
Shewasgoingovertotheotherocean，maybe，anddidnotknowhowfaritwas。Shewasafraidofnevergettingthere。Shewasmoremournfulthanourbirdshere;shecriedinthenight。Shesawthelightfrommywindowanddarteduptoit。Maybeshethoughtmyhousewasaboat，shewassuchawildthing。Nextmorning，whenthesunrose，Iwentouttotakeherfood，butsheflewupintotheskyandwentonherway。\"Ivarranhisfingersthroughhisthickhair。\"Ihavemanystrangebirdsstopwithmehere。Theycomefromveryfarawayandaregreatcompany。Ihopeyouboysnevershootwildbirds？\"
LouandOscargrinned，andIvarshookhisbushyhead。\"Yes，Iknowboysarethoughtless。
ButthesewildthingsareGod’sbirds。Hewatchesoverthemandcountsthem，aswedoourcattle;ChristsayssointheNewTesta—
ment。\"
\"Now，Ivar，\"Louasked，\"maywewaterourhorsesatyourpondandgivethemsomefeed？It’sabadroadtoyourplace。\"
\"Yes，yes，itis。\"Theoldmanscrambledaboutandbegantoloosethetugs。\"Abadroad，eh，girls？Andthebaywithacoltathome！\"
Oscarbrushedtheoldmanaside。\"We’lltakecareofthehorses，Ivar。You’llbefindingsomediseaseonthem。Alexandrawantstoseeyourhammocks。\"
IvarledAlexandraandEmiltohislittlecavehouse。Hehadbutoneroom，neatlyplas—
teredandwhitewashed，andtherewasawoodenfloor。Therewasakitchenstove，atablecov—
eredwithoilcloth，twochairs，aclock，acalen—
dar，afewbooksonthewindow—shelf;nothingmore。Buttheplacewasascleanasacup—
board。
\"Butwheredoyousleep，Ivar？\"Emilasked，lookingabout。
Ivarunslungahammockfromahookonthewall;initwasrolledabuffalorobe。\"There，myson。Ahammockisagoodbed，andinwinterIwrapupinthisskin。WhereIgotowork，thebedsarenothalfsoeasyasthis。\"
BythistimeEmilhadlostallhistimidity。
Hethoughtacaveaverysuperiorkindofhouse。TherewassomethingpleasantlyunusualaboutitandaboutIvar。\"Dothebirdsknowyouwillbekindtothem，Ivar？Isthatwhysomanycome？\"heasked。
Ivarsatdownonthefloorandtuckedhisfeetunderhim。\"See，littlebrother，theyhavecomefromalongway，andtheyareverytired。
Fromuptherewheretheyareflying，ourcoun—
trylooksdarkandflat。Theymusthavewatertodrinkandtobatheinbeforetheycangoonwiththeirjourney。Theylookthiswayandthat，andfarbelowthemtheyseesomethingshining，likeapieceofglasssetinthedarkearth。Thatismypond。Theycometoitandarenotdisturbed。MaybeIsprinklealittlecorn。Theytelltheotherbirds，andnextyearmorecomethisway。Theyhavetheirroadsupthere，aswehavedownhere。\"
Emilrubbedhiskneesthoughtfully。\"Andisthattrue，Ivar，abouttheheadducksfallingbackwhentheyaretired，andthehindonestakingtheirplace？\"
\"Yes。Thepointofthewedgegetstheworstofit;theycutthewind。Theycanonlystandtherealittlewhile——halfanhour，maybe。
Thentheyfallbackandthewedgesplitsalittle，whiletherearonescomeupthemiddletothefront。Thenitclosesupandtheyflyon，withanewedge。Theyarealwayschanginglikethat，upintheair。Neveranyconfusion;justlikesoldierswhohavebeendrilled。\"
Alexandrahadselectedherhammockbythetimetheboyscameupfromthepond。Theywouldnotcomein，butsatintheshadeofthebankoutsidewhileAlexandraandIvartalkedaboutthebirdsandabouthishousekeeping，andwhyheneveratemeat，freshorsalt。
Alexandrawassittingononeofthewoodenchairs，herarmsrestingonthetable。Ivarwassittingontheflooratherfeet。\"Ivar，\"shesaidsuddenly，beginningtotracethepatternontheoilclothwithherforefinger，\"Icameto—daymorebecauseIwantedtotalktoyouthanbe—
causeIwantedtobuyahammock。\"
\"Yes？\"Theoldmanscrapedhisbarefeetontheplankfloor。
\"Wehaveabigbunchofhogs，Ivar。I
wouldn’tsellinthespring，wheneverybodyadvisedmeto，andnowsomanypeoplearelosingtheirhogsthatIamfrightened。Whatcanbedone？\"
Ivar’slittleeyesbegantoshine。Theylosttheirvagueness。
\"Youfeedthemswillandsuchstuff？Ofcourse！Andsourmilk？Oh，yes！Andkeeptheminastinkingpen？Itellyou，sister，thehogsofthiscountryareputupon！Theybe—
comeunclean，likethehogsintheBible。Ifyoukeptyourchickenslikethat，whatwouldhap—
pen？Youhavealittlesorghumpatch，maybe？
Putafencearoundit，andturnthehogsin。
Buildashedtogivethemshade，athatchonpoles。Lettheboyshaulwatertotheminbar—
rels，cleanwater，andplenty。Getthemofftheoldstinkingground，anddonotletthemgobackthereuntilwinter。Givethemonlygrainandcleanfeed，suchasyouwouldgivehorsesorcattle。Hogsdonotliketobefilthy。\"
Theboysoutsidethedoorhadbeenlistening。
Lounudgedhisbrother。\"Come，thehorsesaredoneeating。Let’shitchupandgetoutofhere。He’llfillherfullofnotions。She’llbeforhavingthepigssleepwithus，next。\"
Oscargruntedandgotup。Carl，whocouldnotunderstandwhatIvarsaid，sawthatthetwoboysweredispleased。Theydidnotmindhardwork，buttheyhatedexperimentsandcouldneverseetheuseoftakingpains。EvenLou，whowasmoreelasticthanhisolderbro—
ther，dislikedtodoanythingdifferentfromtheirneighbors。Hefeltthatitmadethemconspicuousandgavepeopleachancetotalkaboutthem。
Oncetheywereonthehomewardroad，theboysforgottheirill—humorandjokedaboutIvarandhisbirds。Alexandradidnotproposeanyreformsinthecareofthepigs，andtheyhopedshehadforgottenIvar’stalk。Theyagreedthathewascrazierthanever，andwouldneverbeabletoproveuponhislandbecauseheworkeditsolittle。AlexandraprivatelyresolvedthatshewouldhaveatalkwithIvaraboutthisandstirhimup。TheboyspersuadedCarltostayforsupperandgoswimminginthepasturepondafterdark。
Thatevening，aftershehadwashedthesup—
perdishes，Alexandrasatdownonthekitchendoorstep，whilehermotherwasmixingthebread。Itwasastill，deep—breathingsummernight，fullofthesmellofthehayfields。Soundsoflaughterandsplashingcameupfromthepasture，andwhenthemoonroserapidlyabovethebarerimoftheprairie，thepondglitteredlikepolishedmetal，andshecouldseetheflashofwhitebodiesastheboysranabouttheedge，orjumpedintothewater。Alexandrawatchedtheshimmeringpooldreamily，buteventuallyhereyeswentbacktothesorghumpatchsouthofthebarn，whereshewasplanningtomakehernewpigcorral。
IV
ForthefirstthreeyearsafterJohnBergson’sdeath，theaffairsofhisfamilyprospered。ThencamethehardtimesthatbroughteveryoneontheDividetothebrinkofdespair;threeyearsofdrouthandfailure，thelaststruggleofawildsoilagainsttheencroachingplowshare。ThefirstofthesefruitlesssummerstheBergsonboysborecourageously。Thefailureofthecorncropmadelaborcheap。LouandOscarhiredtwomenandputinbiggercropsthaneverbefore。Theylosteverythingtheyspent。Thewholecountrywasdiscouraged。Farmerswhowerealreadyindebthadtogiveuptheirland。Afewforeclosuresdemoralizedthecounty。Thesettlerssataboutonthewoodensidewalksinthelittletownandtoldeachotherthatthecountrywasnevermeantformentolivein;thethingtodowastogetbacktoIowa，toIllinois，toanyplacethathadbeenprovedhabitable。TheBergsonboys，certainly，wouldhavebeenhappierwiththeiruncleOtto，inthebakeryshopinChicago。Likemostoftheirneighbors，theyweremeanttofollowinpathsalreadymarkedoutforthem，nottobreaktrailsinanewcountry。Asteadyjob，afewholidays，nothingtothinkabout，andtheywouldhavebeenveryhappy。Itwasnofaultoftheirsthattheyhadbeendraggedintothewildernesswhentheywerelittleboys。A
pioneershouldhaveimagination，shouldbeabletoenjoytheideaofthingsmorethanthethingsthemselves。
Thesecondofthesebarrensummerswaspassing。OneSeptemberafternoonAlexandrahadgoneovertothegardenacrossthedrawtodigsweetpotatoes——theyhadbeenthrivingupontheweatherthatwasfataltoeverythingelse。ButwhenCarlLinstrumcameupthegardenrowstofindher，shewasnotworking。
Shewasstandinglostinthought，leaninguponherpitchfork，hersunbonnetlyingbesideherontheground。Thedrygardenpatchsmelledofdryingvinesandwasstrewnwithyellowseed—cucumbersandpumpkinsandcitrons。
Atoneend，nexttherhubarb，grewfeatheryasparagus，withredberries。Downthemiddleofthegardenwasarowofgooseberryandcur—
rantbushes。AfewtoughzeniasandmarigoldsandarowofscarletsageborewitnesstothebucketsofwaterthatMrs。Bergsonhadcarriedthereaftersundown，againsttheprohibitionofhersons。Carlcamequietlyandslowlyupthegardenpath，lookingintentlyatAlexandra。
Shedidnothearhim。Shewasstandingper—
fectlystill，withthatseriouseasesocharacter—
isticofher。Herthick，reddishbraids，twistedaboutherhead，fairlyburnedinthesunlight。