English
I
"We'llstealthewholeday,andgohunting.
Iwantyoutoseethecountryroundhere,"Kennicottannouncedatbreakfast.
"I'dtakethecar—wantyoutoseehowswellsherunssinceIputinanewpiston.
Butwe'lltakeateam,sowecangetrightoutintothefields.
Notmanyprairiechickensleftnow,butwemightjusthappentorunontoasmallcovey."
Hefussedoverhishunting–kit.Hepulledhishipbootsouttofulllengthandexaminedthemforholes.
Hefeverishlycountedhisshotgunshells,lecturingheronthequalitiesofsmokelesspowder.
Hedrewthenewhammerlessshotgunoutofitsheavytanleathercaseandmadeherpeepthroughthebarrelstoseehowdazzlinglyfreetheywerefromrust.
Theworldofhuntingandcamping–outfitsandfishing–tacklewasunfamiliartoher,andinKennicott'sinterestshefoundsomethingcreativeandjoyous.
Sheexaminedthesmoothstock,thecarvedhardrubberbuttofthegun.
Theshells,withtheirbrasscapsandsleekgreenbodiesandhieroglyphicsonthewads,werecoolandcomfortablyheavyinherhands.
Kennicottworeabrowncanvashunting–coatwithvastpocketsliningtheinside,corduroytrouserswhichbulgedatthewrinkles,peeledandscarredshoes,ascarecrowfelthat.Inthisuniformhefeltvirile.
Theyclumpedouttotheliverybuggy,theypackedthekitandtheboxoflunchintotheback,cryingtoeachotherthatitwasamagnificentday.
KennicotthadborrowedJacksonElder'sredandwhiteEnglishsetter,acomplacentdogwithawavingtailofsilverhairwhichflickeredinthesunshine.
Astheystarted,thedogyelped,andleapedatthehorses'heads,tillKennicotttookhimintothebuggy,wherehenuzzledCarol'skneesandleanedouttosneeratfarmmongrels.
Thegraysclatteredoutontheharddirtroadwithapleasantsongofhoofs:"Tatatarat!Tatatarat!"
Itwasearlyandfresh,theairwhistling,frostbrightonthegoldenrod.
Asthesunwarmedtheworldofstubbleintoawelterofyellowtheyturnedfromthehighroad,throughthebarsofafarmer'sgate,intoafield,slowlybumpingovertheunevenearth.
Inahollowoftherollingprairietheylostsightevenofthecountryroad.Itwaswarmandplacid.
Locuststrilledamongthedrywheat–stalks,andbrilliantlittleflieshurtledacrossthebuggy.Abuzzofcontentfilledtheair.Crowsloiteredandgossipedinthesky.
Thedoghadbeenletoutandafteradanceofexcitementhesettleddowntoasteadyquarteringofthefield,forthandback,forthandback,hisnosedown.
"PeteRustadownsthisfarm,andhetoldmehesawasmallcoveyofchickensinthewestforty,lastweek.Maybewe'llgetsomesportafterall,"Kennicottchuckledblissfully.
Shewatchedthedoginsuspense,breathingquicklyeverytimeheseemedtohalt.Shehadnodesiretoslaughterbirds,butshediddesiretobelongtoKennicott'sworld.
Thedogstopped,onthepoint,aforepawheldup.
"Bygolly!He'shitascent!Comeon!"squealedKennicott.
Heleapedfromthebuggy,twistedthereinsaboutthewhip–socket,swungherout,caughtuphisgun,slippedintwoshells,stalkedtowardtherigiddog,Carolpatteringafterhim.
Thesettercrawledahead,histailquivering,hisbellyclosetothestubble.Carolwasnervous.
Sheexpectedcloudsoflargebirdstoflyupinstantly.Hereyeswerestrainedwithstaring.
Buttheyfollowedthedogforaquarterofamile,turning,doubling,crossingtwolowhills,kickingthroughaswaleofweeds,crawlingbetweenthestrandsofabarbed–wirefence.
Thewalkingwashardonherpavement–trainedfeet.
Theearthwaslumpy,thestubblepricklyandlinedwithgrass,thistles,abortivestumpsofclover.Shedraggedandfloundered.
SheheardKennicottgasp,"Look!"Threegraybirdswerestartingupfromthestubble.
Theywereround,dumpy,likeenormousbumblebees.
Kennicottwassighting,movingthebarrel.Shewasagitated.Whydidn'thefire?Thebirdswouldbegone!
Thenacrash,another,andtwobirdsturnedsomersaultsintheair,plumpeddown.
Whenheshowedherthebirdsshehadnosensationofblood.
Theseheapsoffeathersweresosoftandunbruised—therewasaboutthemnohintofdeath.
Shewatchedherconqueringmantuckthemintohisinsidepocket,andtrudgedwithhimbacktothebuggy.
Theyfoundnomoreprairiechickensthatmorning.
Atnoontheydroveintoherfirstfarmyard,aprivatevillage,awhitehousewithnoporchessavealowandquitedirtystoopattheback,acrimsonbarnwithwhitetrimmings,aglazedbricksilo,anex–carriage–shed,nowthegarageofaFord,anunpaintedcow–stable,achicken–house,apig–pen,acorn–crib,agranary,thegalvanized–ironskeletontowerofawind–mill.
Thedooryardwasofpackedyellowclay,treeless,barrenofgrass,litteredwithrustyplowsharesandwheelsofdiscardedcultivators.
Hardenedtrampledmud,likelava,filledthepig–pen.
Thedoorsofthehouseweregrime–rubbed,thecornersandeaveswererustedwithrain,andthechildwhostaredatthemfromthekitchenwindowwassmeary–faced.
Butbeyondthebarnwasaclumpofscarletgeraniums;theprairiebreezewassunshineinmotion;theflashingmetalbladesofthewindmillrevolvedwithalivelyhum;ahorseneighed,aroostercrowed,martinsflewinandoutofthecow–stable.
Asmallsparewomanwithflaxenhairtrottedfromthehouse.ShewastwangingaSwedishpatois—notinmonotone,likeEnglish,butsingingit,withalyricalwhine:
"Petehesayyoukomprettysoonhunting,doctor.My,dot'sfineyoukom.Isdisdebride?Ohhhh!
Veyoostsaylas'night,vehopemaybeveseehersomday.My,sochaprettylady!"Mrs.Rustadwasshiningwithwelcome."Vell,vell!Ayhopeyoulakdiscountry!Von'tyoustayfordinner,doctor?"
"No,butIwonderifyouwouldn'tliketogiveusaglassofmilk?"condescendedKennicott.
"VellAyshouldsayAyvill!YouvaitharasecondandAyrunondemilk–house!"
Shenervouslyhastenedtoatinyredbuildingbesidethewindmill;shecamebackwithapitcherofmilkfromwhichCarolfilledthethermosbottle.
AstheydroveoffCaroladmired,"She'sthedearestthingIeversaw.Andsheadoresyou.YouaretheLordoftheManor."
"Ohno,"muchpleased,"butstilltheydoaskmyadviceaboutthings.
Bullypeople,theseScandinavianfarmers.Andprosperous,too.
HelgaRustad,she'sstillscaredofAmerica,butherkidswillbedoctorsandlawyersandgovernorsofthestateandanydarnthingtheywantto."
"Iwonder—"Carolwasplungedbackintolastnight'sWeltschmerz.
"Iwonderifthesefarmersaren'tbiggerthanweare?Sosimpleandhard–working.Thetownlivesonthem.
Wetowniesareparasites,andyetwefeelsuperiortothem.
LastnightIheardMr.Haydocktalkingabout'hicks.'
Apparentlyhedespisesthefarmersbecausetheyhaven'treachedthesocialheightsofsellingthreadandbuttons."
"Parasites?Us?Where'dthefarmersbewithoutthetown?Wholendsthemmoney?Who—why,wesupplythemwitheverything!"
"Don'tyoufindthatsomeofthefarmersthinktheypaytoomuchfortheservicesofthetowns?"
"Oh,ofcoursethere'salotofcranksamongthefarmerssameasthereareamonganyclass.
Listentosomeofthesekickers,afellow'dthinkthatthefarmersoughttorunthestateandthewholeshooting–match—probablyiftheyhadtheirwaythey'dfillupthelegislaturewithalotoffarmersinmanure–coveredboots—yes,andthey'dcometellmeIwashiredonasalarynow,andcouldn'tfixmyfees!That'dbefineforyou,wouldn'tit!"
"Butwhyshouldn'tthey?"
"Why?Thatbunchof—TellingME—Oh,forheaven'ssake,let'squitarguing.Allthisdiscussingmaybeallrightatapartybut—Let'sforgetitwhilewe'rehunting."
"Iknow.TheWonderlust—probablyit'saworseafflictionthantheWanderlust.Ijustwonder—"
Shetoldherselfthatshehadeverythingintheworld.Andaftereachself–rebukeshestumbledagainon"Ijustwonder—"
Theyatetheirsandwichesbyaprairieslew:longgrassreachingupoutofclearwater,mossybogs,red–wingedblack–birds,thescumasplashofgold–green.
KennicottsmokedapipewhilesheleanedbackinthebuggyandlethertiredspiritbeabsorbedintheNirvanaoftheincomparablesky.
Theylurchedtothehighroadandawokefromtheirsun–soakeddrowseatthesoundofthecloppinghoofs.
Theypausedtolookforpartridgesinarimofwoods,littlewoods,verycleanandshinyandgay,silverbirchesandpoplarswithimmaculategreentrunks,encirclingalakeofsandybottom,asplashingseclusiondemureinthewelterofhotprairie.
Kennicottbroughtdownafatredsquirrelandatduskhehadadramaticshotataflightofduckswhirlingdownfromtheupperair,skimmingthelake,instantlyvanishing.
Theydrovehomeunderthesunset.Moundsofstraw,andwheat–stackslikebee–hives,stoodoutinstartlingroseandgold,andthegreen–tuftedstubbleglistened.
Asthevastgirdleofcrimsondarkened,thefulfilledlandbecameautumnalindeepredsandbrowns.
Theblackroadbeforethebuggyturnedtoafaintlavender,thenwasblottedtouncertaingrayness.
Cattlecameinalonglineuptothebarredgatesofthefarmyards,andovertherestinglandwasadarkglow.
CarolhadfoundthedignityandgreatnesswhichhadfailedherinMainStreet.
II
Tilltheyhadamaidtheytooknoondinnerandsixo'clocksupperatMrs.Gurrey'sboarding–house.
Mrs.ElishaGurrey,relictofDeaconGurreythedealerinhayandgrain,wasapointed–nosed,simperingwomanwithiron–grayhairdrawnsotightthatitresembledasoiledhandkerchiefcoveringherhead.
Butshewasunexpectedlycheerful,andherdining–room,withitsthintableclothonalongpinetable,hadthedecencyofcleanbareness.
Inthelineofunsmiling,methodicallychewingguests,likehorsesatamanger,Carolcametodistinguishonecountenance:thepale,long,spectacledfaceandsandypompadourhairofMr.RaymondP.Wutherspoon,knownas"Raymie,"professionalbachelor,managerandonehalfthesales–forceintheshoe–departmentoftheBonTonStore.
"YouwillenjoyGopherPrairieverymuch,Mrs.Kennicott,"petitionedRaymie.
Hiseyeswerelikethoseofadogwaitingtobeletinoutofthecold.
Hepassedthestewedapricotseffusively.
"Thereareagreatmanybrightculturedpeoplehere.
Mrs.Wilks,theChristianSciencereader,isaverybrightwoman—thoughIamnotaScientistmyself,infactIsingintheEpiscopalchoir.
AndMissSherwinofthehighschool—sheissuchapleasing,brightgirl—Iwasfittinghertoapairoftangaitersyesterday,Ideclare,itreallywasapleasure."
"Gimmethebutter,Carrie,"wasKennicott'scomment.ShedefiedhimbyencouragingRaymie:
"Doyouhaveamateurdramaticsandsoonhere?"
"Ohyes!Thetown'sjustfulloftalent.TheKnightsofPythiasputonadandyminstrelshowlastyear."
"It'sniceyou'resoenthusiastic."
"Oh,doyoureallythinkso?Lotsoffolksjollymefortryingtogetupshowsandsoon.
Itellthemtheyhavemoreartisticgiftsthantheyknow.
JustyesterdayIwassayingtoHarryHaydock:ifhewouldreadpoetry,likeLongfellow,orifhewouldjointheband—Igetsomuchpleasureoutofplayingthecornet,andourband–leader,DelSnafflin,issuchagoodmusician,Ioftensayheoughttogiveuphisbarberingandbecomeaprofessionalmusician,hecouldplaytheclarinetinMinneapolisorNewYorkoranywhere,but—butIcouldn'tgetHarrytoseeitatalland—Ihearyouandthedoctorwentouthuntingyesterday.
Lovelycountry,isn'tit.Anddidyoumakesomecalls?
Themercantilelifeisn'tinspiringlikemedicine.
Itmustbewonderfultoseehowpatientstrustyou,doctor."
"Huh.It'smethat'sgottodoallthetrusting.Bedamnsightmorewonderful'fthey'dpaytheirbills,"grumbledKennicottand,toCarol,hewhisperedsomethingwhichsoundedlike"gentlemanhen."
ButRaymie'spaleeyeswerewateringather.Shehelpedhimwith,"Soyouliketoreadpoetry?"
"Ohyes,somuch—thoughtotellthetruth,Idon'tgetmuchtimeforreading,we'realwayssobusyatthestoreand—ButwehadthedandiestprofessionalreciteratthePythianSisterssociablelastwinter."
Carolthoughtsheheardagruntfromthetravelingsalesmanattheendofthetable,andKennicott'sjerkingelbowwasagruntembodied.Shepersisted:
"Doyougettoseemanyplays,Mr.Wutherspoon?"
HeshoneatherlikeadimblueMarchmoon,andsighed,"No,butIdolovethemovies.I'marealfan.
Onetroublewithbooksisthatthey'renotsothoroughlysafeguardedbyintelligentcensorsasthemoviesare,andwhenyoudropintothelibraryandtakeoutabookyouneverknowwhatyou'rewastingyourtimeon.
WhatIlikeinbooksisawholesome,reallyimprovingstory,andsometimes—Why,onceIstartedanovelbythisfellowBalzacthatyoureadabout,andittoldhowaladywasn'tlivingwithherhusband,Imeanshewasn'thiswife.Itwentintodetails,disgustingly!AndtheEnglishwasrealpoor.
Ispoketothelibraryaboutit,andtheytookitofftheshelves.
I'mnotnarrow,butImustsayIdon'tseeanyuseinthisdeliberatelydragginginimmorality!
Lifeitselfissofulloftemptationsthatinliteratureonewantsonlythatwhichispureanduplifting."
"What'sthenameofthatBalzacyarn?WherecanIgetholdofit?"giggledthetravelingsalesman.
Raymieignoredhim."Butthemovies,theyaremostlyclean,andtheirhumor—Don'tyouthinkthatthemostessentialqualityforapersontohaveisasenseofhumor?"
"Idon'tknow.Ireallyhaven'tmuch,"saidCarol.
Heshookhisfingerather."Now,now,you'retoomodest.
I'msurewecanallseethatyouhaveaperfectlycorkingsenseofhumor.
Besides,Dr.Kennicottwouldn'tmarryaladythatdidn'thave.Weallknowhowheloveshisfun!"
"Youbet.I'majokeyoldbird.Comeon,Carrie;let'sbeatit,"remarkedKennicott.
Raymieimplored,"Andwhatisyourchiefartisticinterest,Mrs.Kennicott?"
"Oh—"Awarethatthetravelingsalesmanhadmurmured,"Dentistry,"shedesperatelyhazarded,"Architecture."
"That'sarealniceart.I'vealwayssaid—whenHaydock&SimonswerefinishingthenewfrontontheBonTonbuilding,theoldmancametome,youknow,Harry'sfather,'D.
H.,'Ialwayscallhim,andheaskedmehowIlikedit,andIsaidtohim,'Lookhere,D.H.,'Isaid—yousee,hewasgoingtoleavethefrontplain,andIsaidtohim,'It'sallverywelltohavemodernlightingandabigdisplay–space,'Isaid,'butwhenyougetthatin,youwanttohavesomearchitecture,too,'Isaid,andhelaughedandsaidheguessedmaybeIwasright,andsohehad'emputonacornice."
"Tin!"observedthetravelingsalesman.
Raymiebaredhisteethlikeabelligerentmouse."Well,whatifitistin?That'snotmyfault.ItoldD.H.tomakeitpolishedgranite.Youmakemetired!"
"Leaveusgo!Comeon,Carrie,leaveusgo!"fromKennicott.
RaymiewaylaidtheminthehallandsecretlyinformedCarolthatshemusn'tmindthetravelingsalesman'scoarseness—hebelongedtothehwapollwa.
Kennicottchuckled,"Well,child,howaboutit?DoyoupreferanartisticguylikeRaymietostupidboobslikeSamClarkandme?"
"Mydear!Let'sgohome,andplaypinochle,andlaugh,andbefoolish,andslipuptobed,andsleepwithoutdreaming.It'sbeautifultobejustasolidcitizeness!"
III
FromtheGopherPrairieWeeklyDauntless:
OneofthemostcharmingaffairsoftheseasonwasheldTuesdayeveningatthehandsomenewresidenceofSamandMrs.Clarkwhenmanyofourmostprominentcitizensgatheredtogreetthelovelynewbrideofourpopularlocalphysician,Dr.WillKennicott.
Allpresentspokeofthemanycharmsofthebride,formerlyMissCarolMilfordofSt.Paul.
Gamesandstuntsweretheorderoftheday,withmerrytalkandconversation.
Atalatehourdaintyrefreshmentswereserved,andthepartybrokeupwithmanyexpressionsofpleasureatthepleasantaffair.
AmongthosepresentwereMesdamesKennicott,Elder—
Dr.WillKennicott,forthepastseveralyearsoneofourmostpopularandskilfulphysiciansandsurgeons,gavethetownadelightfulsurprisewhenhereturnedfromanextendedhoneymoontourinColoradothisweekwithhischarmingbride,neeMissCarolMilfordofSt.Paul,whosefamilyaresociallyprominentinMinneapolisandMankato.
Mrs.Kennicottisaladyofmanifoldcharms,notonlyofstrikingcharmofappearancebutisalsoadistinguishedgraduateofaschoolintheEastandhasforthepastyearbeenprominentlyconnectedinanimportantpositionofresponsibilitywiththeSt.PaulPublicLibrary,inwhichcityDr."Will"hadthegoodfortunetomeether.
ThecityofGopherPrairiewelcomeshertoourmidstandprophesiesforhermanyhappyyearsintheenergeticcityofthetwinlakesandthefuture.
TheDr.andMrs.KennicottwillresideforthepresentattheDoctor'shomeonPoplarStreetwhichhischarmingmotherhasbeenkeepingforhimwhohasnowreturnedtoherownhomeatLac–qui–Meurtleavingahostoffriendswhoregretherabsenceandhopetoseehersoonwithusagain.
IV
Sheknewthatifshewasevertoeffectanyofthe"reforms"whichshehadpictured,shemusthaveastarting–place.
Whatconfusedherduringthethreeorfourmonthsafterhermarriagewasnotlackofperceptionthatshemustbedefinite,butsheercarelesshappinessofherfirsthome.
Intheprideofbeingahousewifeshelovedeverydetail—thebrocadearmchairwiththeweakback,eventhebrasswater–cockonthehot–waterreservoir,whenshehadbecomefamiliarwithitbytryingtoscourittobrilliance.
Shefoundamaid—plumpradiantBeaSorensonfromScandiaCrossing.
Beawasdrollinherattempttobeatoncearespectfulservantandabosomfriend.
Theylaughedtogetheroverthefactthatthestovedidnotdraw,overtheslipperinessoffishinthepan.
LikeachildplayingGrandmainatrailingskirt,Carolparadeduptownforhermarketing,cryinggreetingstohousewivesalongtheway.
Everybodybowedtoher,strangersandall,andmadeherfeelthattheywantedher,thatshebelongedhere.
IncityshopsshewasmerelyACustomer—ahat,avoicetoboreaharassedclerk.
HereshewasMrs.DocKennicott,andherpreferencesingrape–fruitandmannerswereknownandrememberedandworthdiscussing...eveniftheyweren'tworthfulfilling.
Shoppingwasadelightofbriskconferences.
Theverymerchantswhosedroningshefoundthedullestatthetwoorthreepartieswhichweregiventowelcomeherwerethepleasantestconfidantsofallwhentheyhadsomethingtotalkabout—lemonsorcottonvoileorfloor–oil.
Withthatskip–jackDaveDyer,thedruggist,sheconductedalongmock–quarrel.
Shepretendedthathecheatedherinthepriceofmagazinesandcandy;hepretendedshewasadetectivefromtheTwinCities.
Hehidbehindtheprescription–counter,andwhenshestampedherfoothecameoutwailing,"Honest,Ihaven'tdonenothingcrookedtoday—notyet."
SheneverrecalledherfirstimpressionofMainStreet;neverhadpreciselythesamedespairatitsugliness.
Bytheendoftwoshopping–tourseverythinghadchangedproportions.
Assheneverenteredit,theMinniemashieHouseceasedtoexistforher.
Clark'sHardwareStore,Dyer'sDrugStore,thegroceriesofOleJensonandFrederickLudelmeyerandHowland&Gould,themeatmarkets,thenotionsshop—theyexpanded,andhidallotherstructures.
WhensheenteredMr.Ludelmeyer'sstoreandhewheezed,"Gootmornin',Mrs.Kennicott.
Vell,disissafineday,"shedidnotnoticethedustinessoftheshelvesnorthestupidityofthegirlclerk;andshedidnotrememberthemutecolloquywithhimonherfirstviewofMainStreet.
Shecouldnotfindhalfthekindsoffoodshewanted,butthatmadeshoppingmoreofanadventure.
WhenshedidcontrivetogetsweetbreadsatDahl&Oleson'sMeatMarketthetriumphwassovastthatshebuzzedwithexcitementandadmiredthestrongwisebutcher,Mr.Dahl.
Sheappreciatedthehomelyeaseofvillagelife.
Shelikedtheoldmen,farmers,G.A.R.veterans,whowhentheygossipedsometimessquattedontheirheelsonthesidewalk,likerestingIndians,andreflectivelyspatoverthecurb.
Shefoundbeautyinthechildren.
Shehadsuspectedthathermarriedfriendsexaggeratedtheirpassionforchildren.
Butinherworkinthelibrary,childrenhadbecomeindividualstoher,citizensoftheStatewiththeirownrightsandtheirownsensesofhumor.
Inthelibraryshehadnothadmuchtimetogivethem,butnowsheknewtheluxuryofstopping,gravelyaskingBessieClarkwhetherherdollhadyetrecoveredfromitsrheumatism,andagreeingwithOscarMartinsenthatitwouldbeGoodFuntogotrapping"mushrats."
Shetouchedthethought,"Itwouldbesweettohaveababyofmyown.Idowantone.Tiny—No!Notyet!There'ssomuchtodo.AndI'mstilltiredfromthejob.It'sinmybones."
Sherestedathome.Shelistenedtothevillagenoisescommontoalltheworld,jungleorprairie;soundssimpleandchargedwithmagic—dogsbarking,chickensmakingagurglingsoundofcontent,childrenatplay,amanbeatingarug,windinthecottonwoodtrees,alocustfiddling,afootsteponthewalk,jauntyvoicesofBeaandagrocer'sboyinthekitchen,aclinkinganvil,apiano—nottoonear.
Twiceaweek,atleast,shedroveintothecountrywithKennicott,tohuntducksinlakesenameledwithsunset,ortocallonpatientswholookeduptoherasthesquire'sladyandthankedherfortoysandmagazines.
Eveningsshewentwithherhusbandtothemotionpicturesandwasboisterouslygreetedbyeveryothercouple;or,tillitbecametoocold,theysatontheporch,bawlingtopassers–byinmotors,ortoneighborswhowererakingtheleaves.
Thedustbecamegoldeninthelowsun;thestreetwasfilledwiththefragranceofburningleaves.
V
Butshehazilywantedsomeonetowhomshecouldsaywhatshethought.
Onaslowafternoonwhenshefidgetedoversewingandwishedthatthetelephonewouldring,BeaannouncedMissVidaSherwin.
DespiteVidaSherwin'slivelyblueeyes,ifyouhadlookedatherindetailyouwouldhavefoundherfaceslightlylined,andnotsomuchsallowaswiththebloomrubbedoff;youwouldhavefoundherchestflat,andherfingersroughfromneedleandchalkandpenholder;herblousesandplainclothskirtsundistinguished;andherhatworntoofarback,betrayingadryforehead.
ButyouneverdidlookatVidaSherwinindetail.Youcouldn't.Herelectricactivityveiledher.Shewasasenergeticasachipmunk.
Herfingersfluttered;hersympathycameoutinspurts;shesatontheedgeofachairineagernesstobenearherauditor,tosendherenthusiasmsandoptimismacross.
Sherushedintotheroompouringout:"I'mafraidyou'llthinktheteachershavebeenshabbyinnotcomingnearyou,butwewantedtogiveyouachancetogetsettled.
IamVidaSherwin,andItrytoteachFrenchandEnglishandafewotherthingsinthehighschool."
"I'vebeenhopingtoknowtheteachers.Yousee,Iwasalibrarian—"
"Oh,youneedn'ttellme.Iknowallaboutyou!
AwfulhowmuchIknow—thisgossipyvillage.Weneedyousomuchhere.
It'sadearloyaltown(andisn'tloyaltythefinestthingintheworld!)
butit'saroughdiamond,andweneedyouforthepolishing,andwe'reeversohumble—"Shestoppedforbreathandfinishedhercomplimentwithasmile.
"IfICOULDhelpyouinanyway—WouldIbecommittingtheunpardonablesinifIwhisperedthatIthinkGopherPrairieisatinybitugly?"
"Ofcourseit'sugly.Dreadfully!
ThoughI'mprobablytheonlypersonintowntowhomyoucouldsafelysaythat.
(ExceptperhapsGuyPollockthelawyer—haveyoumethim?—oh,youMUST!
—he'ssimplyadarling—intelligenceandcultureandsogentle.)
ButIdon'tcaresomuchabouttheugliness.Thatwillchange.It'sthespiritthatgivesmehope.It'ssound.Wholesome.Butafraid.
Itneedslivecreatureslikeyoutoawakenit.Ishallslave–driveyou!"
"Splendid.WhatshallIdo?I'vebeenwonderingifitwouldbepossibletohaveagoodarchitectcomeheretolecture."
"Ye–es,butdon'tyouthinkitwouldbebettertoworkwithexistingagencies?Perhapsitwillsoundslowtoyou,butIwasthinking—ItwouldbelovelyifwecouldgetyoutoteachSundaySchool."
Carolhadtheemptyexpressionofonewhofindsthatshehasbeenaffectionatelybowingtoacompletestranger."Ohyes.ButI'mafraidIwouldn'tbemuchgoodatthat.Myreligionissofoggy."
"Iknow.Soismine.Idon'tcareabitfordogma.ThoughIdostickfirmlytothebeliefinthefatherhoodofGodandthebrotherhoodofmanandtheleadershipofJesus.Asyoudo,ofcourse."
Carollookedrespectableandthoughtabouthavingtea.
"Andthat'sallyouneedteachinSundaySchool.It'sthepersonalinfluence.Thenthere'sthelibrary–board.You'dbesousefulonthat.
Andofcoursethere'sourwomen'sstudyclub—theThanatopsisClub."
"Aretheydoinganything?OrdotheyreadpapersmadeoutoftheEncyclopedia?"
MissSherwinshrugged."Perhaps.Butstill,theyaresoearnest.
Theywillrespondtoyourfresherinterest.
AndtheThanatopsisdoesdoagoodsocialwork—they'vemadethecityplanteversomanytrees,andtheyruntherest–roomforfarmers'wives.
Andtheydotakesuchaninterestinrefinementandculture.So—infact,soveryunique."
Carolwasdisappointed—bynothingverytangible.Shesaidpolitely,"I'llthinkthemallover.Imusthaveawhiletolookaroundfirst."
MissSherwindartedtoher,smoothedherhair,peeredather."Oh,mydear,don'tyousupposeIknow?
Thesefirsttenderdaysofmarriage—they'resacredtome.
Home,andchildrenthatneedyou,anddependonyoutokeepthemalive,andturntoyouwiththeirwrinklylittlesmiles.
Andthehearthand—"ShehidherfacefromCarolasshemadeanactivityofpattingthecushionofherchair,butshewentonwithherformerbriskness:
"Imean,youmusthelpuswhenyou'reready....I'mafraidyou'llthinkI'mconservative.Iam!Somuchtoconserve.AllthistreasureofAmericanideals.
Sturdinessanddemocracyandopportunity.MaybenotatPalmBeach.
But,thankheaven,we'refreefromsuchsocialdistinctionsinGopherPrairie.
Ihaveonlyonegoodquality—overwhelmingbeliefinthebrainsandheartsofournation,ourstate,ourtown.
It'ssostrongthatsometimesIdohaveatinyeffectonthehaughtyten–thousandaires.
Ishake'emupandmake'embelieveinideals—yes,inthemselves.ButIgetintoarutofteaching.
Ineedyoungcriticalthingslikeyoutopunchmeup.Tellme,whatareyoureading?"
"I'vebeenre–reading'TheDamnationofTheronWare.'Doyouknowit?"
"Yes.Itwasclever.Buthard.Manwantedtoteardown,notbuildup.Cynical.Oh,IdohopeI'mnotasentimentalist.
ButIcan'tseeanyuseinthishigh–artstuffthatdoesn'tencourageusday–laborerstoplodon."
Ensuedafifteen–minuteargumentabouttheoldesttopicintheworld:It'sartbutisitpretty?
Caroltriedtobeeloquentregardinghonestyofobservation.
MissSherwinstoodoutforsweetnessandacautioususeoftheuncomfortablepropertiesoflight.AttheendCarolcried:
"Idon'tcarehowmuchwedisagree.It'sarelieftohavesomebodytalksomethingbesidescrops.
Let'smakeGopherPrairierocktoitsfoundations:let'shaveafternoonteainsteadofafternooncoffee."
ThedelightedBeahelpedherbringouttheancestralfoldingsewing–table,whoseyellowandblacktopwasscarredwithdottedlinesfromadressmaker'stracing–wheel,andtosetitwithanembroideredlunch–cloth,andthemauve–glazedJapanesetea–setwhichshehadbroughtfromSt.Paul.
MissSherwinconfidedherlatestscheme—moralmotionpicturesforcountrydistricts,withlightfromaportabledynamohitchedtoaFordengine.
Beawastwicecalledtofillthehot–waterpitcherandtomakecinnamontoast.
WhenKennicottcamehomeatfivehetriedtobecourtly,asbefitsthehusbandofonewhohasafternoontea.
CarolsuggestedthatMissSherwinstayforsupper,andthatKennicottinviteGuyPollock,themuch–praisedlawyer,thepoeticbachelor.
Yes,Pollockcouldcome.Yes,hewasoverthegrippewhichhadpreventedhisgoingtoSamClark'sparty.
Carolregrettedherimpulse.Themanwouldbeanopinionatedpolitician,heavilyjocularaboutTheBride.
ButattheentranceofGuyPollockshediscoveredapersonality.
Pollockwasamanofperhapsthirty–eight,slender,still,deferential.Hisvoicewaslow.
"Itwasverygoodofyoutowantme,"hesaid,andheofferednohumorousremarks,anddidnotaskherifshedidn'tthinkGopherPrairiewas"thelivestlittleburginthestate."
Shefanciedthathisevengraynessmightrevealathousandtintsoflavenderandblueandsilver.
AtsupperhehintedhisloveforSirThomasBrowne,Thoreau,AgnesRepplier,ArthurSymons,ClaudeWashburn,CharlesFlandrau.
Hepresentedhisidolsdiffidently,butheexpandedinCarol'sbookishness,inMissSherwin'svoluminouspraise,inKennicott'stoleranceofanyonewhoamusedhiswife.
CarolwonderedwhyGuyPollockwentondiggingatroutinelaw–cases;whyheremainedinGopherPrairie.Shehadnoonewhomshecouldask.
NeitherKennicottnorVidaSherwinwouldunderstandthattheremightbereasonswhyaPollockshouldnotremaininGopherPrairie.Sheenjoyedthefaintmystery.
Shefelttriumphantandratherliterary.ShealreadyhadaGroup.
ItwouldbeonlyawhilenowbeforesheprovidedthetownwithfanlightsandaknowledgeofGalsworthy.Shewasdoingthings!
Assheservedtheemergencydessertofcocoanutandslicedoranges,shecriedtoPollock,"Don'tyouthinkweoughttogetupadramaticclub?"
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