English
I
GopherPrairiewasdigginginforthewinter.
ThroughlateNovemberandallDecemberitsnoweddaily;thethermometerwasatzeroandmightdroptotwentybelow,orthirty.
WinterisnotaseasonintheNorthMiddlewest;itisanindustry.Stormshedswereerectedateverydoor.
Ineveryblockthehouseholders,SamClark,thewealthyMr.Dawson,allsaveasthmaticEzraStowbodywhoextravagantlyhiredaboy,wereseenperilouslystaggeringupladders,carryingstormwindowsandscrewingthemtosecond–storyjambs.
WhileKennicottputuphiswindowsCaroldancedinsidethebedroomsandbeggedhimnottoswallowthescrews,whichheheldinhismouthlikeanextraordinarysetofexternalfalseteeth.
Theuniversalsignofwinterwasthetownhandyman—MilesBjornstam,atall,thick,red–mustachedbachelor,opinionatedatheist,general–storearguer,cynicalSantaClaus.
Childrenlovedhim,andhesneakedawayfromworktotellthemimprobablestoriesofsea–faringandhorse–tradingandbears.
Thechildren'sparentseitherlaughedathimorhatedhim.Hewastheonedemocratintown.
HecalledbothLymanCassthemillerandtheFinnhomesteaderfromLostLakebytheirfirstnames.
Hewasknownas"TheRedSwede,"andconsideredslightlyinsane.
Bjornstamcoulddoanythingwithhishands—solderapan,weldanautomobilespring,sootheafrightenedfilly,tinkeraclock,carveaGloucesterschoonerwhichmagicallywentintoabottle.
Now,foraweek,hewascommissionergeneralofGopherPrairie.
HewastheonlypersonbesidestherepairmanatSamClark'swhounderstoodplumbing.
Everybodybeggedhimtolookoverthefurnaceandthewater–pipes.
Herushedfromhousetohousetillafterbedtime—teno'clock.
Iciclesfromburstwater–pipeshungalongtheskirtofhisbrowndog–skinovercoat;hisplushcap,whichhenevertookoffinthehouse,wasapulpoficeandcoal–dust;hisredhandswerecrackedtorawness;hechewedthestubofacigar.
ButhewascourtlytoCarol.Hestoopedtoexaminethefurnaceflues;hestraightened,glanceddownather,andhemmed,"Gottofixyourfurnace,nomatterwhatelseIdo."
ThepoorerhousesofGopherPrairie,wheretheservicesofMilesBjornstamwerealuxury—whichincludedtheshantyofMilesBjornstam—werebankedtothelowerwindowswithearthandmanure.
Alongtherailroadthesectionsofsnowfence,whichhadbeenstackedallsummerinromanticwoodententsoccupiedbyrovingsmallboys,weresetuptopreventdriftsfromcoveringthetrack.
Thefarmerscameintotowninhome–madesleighs,withbed–quiltsandhaypiledintheroughboxes.
Furcoats,furcaps,furmittens,overshoesbucklingalmosttotheknees,grayknittedscarfstenfeetlong,thickwoolensocks,canvasjacketslinedwithfluffyyellowwoolliketheplumageofducklings,moccasins,redflannelwristletsfortheblazingchappedwristsofboys—theseprotectionsagainstwinterwerebusilydugoutofmoth–ball–sprinkleddrawersandtar–bagsinclosets,andallovertownsmallboysweresquealing,"Oh,there'smymittens!"
or"Lookatmyshoe–packs!"
ThereissosharpadivisionbetweenthepantingsummerandthestingingwinteroftheNorthernplainsthattheyrediscoveredwithsurpriseandafeelingofheroismthisarmorofanArticexplorer.
Wintergarmentssurpassedevenpersonalgossipasthetopicatparties.
Itwasgoodformtoask,"Putonyourheaviesyet?"
Therewereasmanydistinctionsinwrapsasinmotorcars.
Thelessersortappearedinyellowandblackdogskincoats,butKennicottwaslordlyinalongraccoonulsterandanewsealcap.
Whenthesnowwastoodeepforhismotorhewentoffoncountrycallsinashiny,floral,steel–tippedcutter,onlyhisruddynoseandhiscigaremergingfromthefur.
CarolherselfstirredMainStreetbyaloosecoatofnutria.Herfinger–tipslovedthesilkenfur.
Herliveliestactivitynowwasorganizingoutdoorsportsinthemotor–paralyzedtown.
Theautomobileandbridge–whisthadnotonlymademoreevidentthesocialdivisionsinGopherPrairiebuttheyhadalsoenfeebledtheloveofactivity.
Itwassorich–lookingtositanddrive—andsoeasy.
Skiingandslidingwere"stupid"and"old–fashioned."
Infact,thevillagelongedfortheeleganceofcityrecreationsalmostasmuchasthecitieslongedforvillagesports;andGopherPrairietookasmuchprideinneglectingcoastingasSt.Paul—orNewYork—ingoingcoasting.
Caroldidinspireasuccessfulskating–partyinmid–November.
PloverLakeglistenedinclearsweepsofgray–greenice,ringingtotheskates.
Onshoretheice–tippedreedsclatteredinthewind,andoaktwigswithstubbornlastleaveshungagainstamilkysky.
HarryHaydockdidfigure–eights,andCarolwascertainthatshehadfoundtheperfectlife.
Butwhensnowhadendedtheskatingandshetriedtogetupamoonlightslidingparty,thematronshesitatedtostirawayfromtheirradiatorsandtheirdailybridge–whistimitationsofthecity.Shehadtonagthem.
Theyscooteddownalonghillonabob–sled,theyupsetandgotsnowdowntheirneckstheyshriekedthattheywoulddoitagainimmediately—andtheydidnotdoitagainatall.
Shebadgeredanothergroupintogoingskiing.
Theyshoutedandthrewsnowballs,andinformedherthatitwasSUCHfun,andthey'dhaveanotherskiingexpeditionrightaway,andtheyjollilyreturnedhomeandneverthereafterlefttheirmanualsofbridge.
Carolwasdiscouraged.ShewasgratefulwhenKennicottinvitedhertogorabbit–huntinginthewoods.
Shewadeddownstillycloistersbetweenburntstumpandicyoak,throughdriftsmarkedwithamillionhieroglyphicsofrabbitandmouseandbird.
Shesquealedasheleapedonapileofbrushandfiredattherabbitwhichranout.
Hebelongedthere,masculineinreeferandsweaterandhigh–lacedboots.
Thatnightsheateprodigiouslyofsteakandfriedpotatoes;sheproducedelectricsparksbytouchinghisearwithherfinger–tip;sheslepttwelvehours;andawoketothinkhowgloriouswasthisbraveland.
Sherosetoaradianceofsunonsnow.Snuginherfursshetrottedup–town.
Frostedshinglessmokedagainstaskycoloredlikeflax–blossoms,sleigh–bellsclinked,shoutsofgreetingwereloudinthethinbrightair,andeverywherewasarhythmicsoundofwood–sawing.
ItwasSaturday,andtheneighbors'sonsweregettingupthewinterfuel.
Behindwallsofcordedwoodinbackyardstheirsawbucksstoodindepressionsscatteredwithcanary–yellowflakesofsawdust.
Theframesoftheirbuck–sawswerecherry–red,thebladesbluedsteel,andthefreshcutendsofthesticks—poplar,maple,iron–wood,birch—weremarkedwithengravedringsofgrowth.
Theboysworeshoe–packs,blueflannelshirtswithenormouspearlbuttons,andmackinawsofcrimson,lemonyellow,andfoxybrown.
Carolcried"Fineday!"totheboys;shecameinaglowtoHowland&Gould'sgrocery,hercollarwhitewithfrostfromherbreath;sheboughtacanoftomatoesasthoughitwereOrientfruit;andreturnedhomeplanningtosurpriseKennicottwithanomeletcreolefordinner.
Sobrilliantwasthesnow–glarethatwhensheenteredthehouseshesawthedoor–knobs,thenewspaperonthetable,everywhitesurfaceasdazzlingmauve,andherheadwasdizzyinthepyrotechnicdimness.
Whenhereyeshadrecoveredshefeltexpanded,drunkwithhealth,mistressoflife.
Theworldwassoluminousthatshesatdownatherricketylittledeskintheliving–roomtomakeapoem.
(Shegotnofartherthan"Theskyisbright,thesuniswarm,therene'erwillbeanotherstorm.")
Inthemid–afternoonofthissamedayKennicottwascalledintothecountry.
ItwasBea'seveningout—hereveningfortheLutheranDance.
Carolwasalonefromthreetillmidnight.
Sheweariedofreadingpurelovestoriesinthemagazinesandsatbyaradiator,beginningtobrood.
Thusshechancedtodiscoverthatshehadnothingtodo.
II
Shehad,shemeditated,passedthroughthenoveltyofseeingthetownandmeetingpeople,ofskatingandslidingandhunting.
Beawascompetent;therewasnohouseholdlaborexceptsewinganddarningandgossipyassistancetoBeainbed–making.
Shecouldn'tsatisfyheringenuityinplanningmeals.
AtDahl&Oleson'sMeatMarketyoudidn'tgiveorders—youwofullyinquiredwhethertherewasanythingtodaybesidessteakandporkandham.Thecutsofbeefwerenotcuts.Theywerehacks.
Lambchopswereasexoticassharks'fins.
Themeat–dealersshippedtheirbesttothecity,withitshigherprices.
Inalltheshopstherewasthesamelackofchoice.
Shecouldnotfindaglass–headedpicture–nailintown;shedidnothuntforthesortofveilingshewanted—shetookwhatshecouldget;andonlyatHowland&Gould'swastheresuchaluxuryascannedasparagus.
Routinecarewasallshecoulddevotetothehouse.
OnlybysuchfussingastheWidowBogart'scouldshemakeitfillhertime.
Shecouldnothaveoutsideemployment.Tothevillagedoctor'swifeitwastaboo.
Shewasawomanwithaworkingbrainandnowork.
Therewereonlythreethingswhichshecoulddo:Havechildren;starthercareerofreforming;orbecomesodefinitelyapartofthetownthatshewouldbefulfilledbytheactivitiesofchurchandstudy–clubandbridge–parties.
Children,yes,shewantedthem,but—Shewasnotquiteready.
ShehadbeenembarrassedbyKennicott'sfrankness,butsheagreedwithhimthatintheinsaneconditionofcivilization,whichmadetherearingofcitizensmorecostlyandperilousthananyothercrime,itwasinadvisabletohavechildrentillhehadmademoremoney.
Shewassorry—Perhapshehadmadeallthemysteryofloveamechanicalcautiousnessbut—Shefledfromthethoughtwithadubious,"Someday."
Her"reforms,"herimpulsestowardbeautyinrawMainStreet,theyhadbecomeindistinct.Butshewouldsetthemgoingnow.Shewould!
Shesworeitwithsoftfistbeatingtheedgesoftheradiator.
Andattheendofallhervowsshehadnonotionastowhenandwherethecrusadewastobegin.
Becomeanauthenticpartofthetown?Shebegantothinkwithunpleasantlucidity.
Shereflectedthatshedidnotknowwhetherthepeoplelikedher.
Shehadgonetothewomenatafternoon–coffees,tothemerchantsintheirstores,withsomanyoutpouringcommentsandwhimsiesthatshehadn'tgiventhemachancetobetraytheiropinionsofher.Themensmiled—butdidtheylikeher?
Shewaslivelyamongthewomen—butwassheoneofthem?
ShecouldnotrecallmanytimeswhenshehadbeenadmittedtothewhisperingofscandalwhichisthesecretchamberofGopherPrairieconversation.
Shewaspoisonedwithdoubt,asshedroopeduptobed.
Nextday,throughhershopping,hermindsatbackandobserved.
DaveDyerandSamClarkwereascordialasshehadbeenfancying;butwasn'tthereanimpersonalabruptnessinthe"H'areyuh?"ofChetDashaway?Howlandthegrocerwascurt.Wasthatmerelyhisusualmanner?
"It'sinfuriatingtohavetopayattentiontowhatpeoplethink.InSt.PaulIdidn'tcare.ButhereI'mspiedon.They'rewatchingme.
Imustn'tletitmakemeself–conscious,"shecoaxedherself—overstimulatedbythedrugofthought,andoffensivelyonthedefensive.
III
Athawwhichstrippedthesnowfromthesidewalks;aringingironnightwhenthelakescouldbeheardbooming;aclearroisteringmorning.
Intamo'shanterandtweedskirtCarolfeltherselfacollegejuniorgoingouttoplayhockey.
Shewantedtowhoop,herlegsachedtorun.
Onthewayhomefromshoppingsheyielded,asapupwouldhaveyielded.
Shegallopeddownablockandasshejumpedfromacurbacrossawelterofslush,shegaveastudent"Yippee!"
Shesawthatinawindowthreeoldwomenweregasping.Theirtripleglarewasparalyzing.
Acrossthestreet,atanotherwindow,thecurtainhadsecretivelymoved.
Shestopped,walkedonsedately,changedfromthegirlCarolintoMrs.Dr.Kennicott.
Sheneveragainfeltquiteyoungenoughanddefiantenoughandfreeenoughtorunandhalloointhepublicstreets;anditwasasaNiceMarriedWomanthatsheattendedthenextweeklybridgeoftheJollySeventeen.
IV
TheJollySeventeen(themembershipofwhichrangedfromfourteentotwenty–six)wasthesocialcorniceofGopherPrairie.
Itwasthecountryclub,thediplomaticset,theSt.Cecilia,theRitzovalroom,theClubdeVingt.Tobelongtoitwastobe"in."
ThoughitsmembershippartlycoincidedwiththatoftheThanatopsisstudyclub,theJollySeventeenasaseparateentityguffawedattheThanatopsis,andconsidereditmiddle–classandeven"highbrow."
MostoftheJollySeventeenwereyoungmarriedwomen,withtheirhusbandsasassociatemembers.
Onceaweektheyhadawomen'safternoon–bridge;onceamonththehusbandsjoinedthemforsupperandevening–bridge;twiceayeartheyhaddancesatI.O.O.F.Hall.Thenthetownexploded.
OnlyattheannualballsoftheFiremenandoftheEasternStarwastheresuchprodigalityofchiffonscarfsandtangoingandheart–burnings,andtheserivalinstitutionswerenotselect—hiredgirlsattendedtheFiremen'sBall,withsection–handsandlaborers.
EllaStowbodyhadoncegonetoaJollySeventeenSoireeinthevillagehack,hithertoconfinedtochiefmournersatfunerals;andHarryHaydockandDr.TerryGouldalwaysappearedinthetown'sonlyspecimensofeveningclothes.
Theafternoon–bridgeoftheJollySeventeenwhichfollowedCarol'slonelydoubtingwasheldatJuanitaHaydock'snewconcretebungalow,withitsdoorofpolishedoakandbeveledplate–glass,jaroffernsintheplasteredhall,andintheliving–room,afumedoakMorrischair,sixteencolor–prints,andasquarevarnishedtablewithamatmadeofcigar–ribbonsonwhichwasoneIllustratedGiftEditionandonepackofcardsinaburnt–leathercase.
Carolsteppedintoasiroccooffurnaceheat.Theywerealreadyplaying.
Despiteherflabbyresolvesshehadnotyetlearnedbridge.
ShewaswinninglyapologeticaboutittoJuanita,andashamedthatsheshouldhavetogoonbeingapologetic.
Mrs.DaveDyer,asallowwomanwithathinprettinessdevotedtoexperimentsinreligiouscults,illnesses,andscandal–bearing,shookherfingeratCarolandtrilled,"You'reanaughtyone!
Idon'tbelieveyouappreciatethehonor,whenyougotintotheJollySeventeensoeasy!"
Mrs.ChetDashawaynudgedherneighboratthesecondtable.
ButCarolkeptuptheappealingbridalmannersofaraspossible.Shetwittered,"You'reperfectlyright.I'malazything.
I'llmakeWillstartteachingmethisveryevening."
Hersupplicationhadallthesoundofbirdiesinthenest,andEasterchurch–bells,andfrostedChristmascards.
Internallyshesnarled,"Thatoughttobesaccharineenough."
Shesatinthesmallestrocking–chair,amodelofVictorianmodesty.
ButshesaworsheimaginedthatthewomenwhohadgurgledathersowelcominglywhenshehadfirstcometoGopherPrairiewerenoddingatherbrusquely.
DuringthepauseafterthefirstgameshepetitionedMrs.JacksonElder,"Don'tyouthinkweoughttogetupanotherbob–sledpartysoon?"
"It'ssocoldwhenyougetdumpedinthesnow,"saidMrs.Elder,indifferently.
"Ihatesnowdownmyneck,"volunteeredMrs.DaveDyer,withanunpleasantlookatCaroland,turningherback,shebubbledatRitaSimons,"Dearie,won'tyouruninthisevening?
I'vegottheloveliestnewButterickpatternIwanttoshowyou."
Carolcreptbacktoherchair.Inthefervorofdiscussingthegametheyignoredher.Shewasnotusedtobeingawallflower.
Shestruggledtokeepfromoversensitiveness,frombecomingunpopularbythesuremethodofbelievingthatshewasunpopular;butshehadn'tmuchreserveofpatience,andattheendofthesecondgame,whenEllaStowbodysniffilyaskedher,"AreyougoingtosendtoMinneapolisforyourdressforthenextsoiree—heardyouwere,"Carolsaid"Don'tknowyet"withunnecessarysharpness.
ShewasrelievedbytheadmirationwithwhichthejeunefilleRitaSimonslookedatthesteelbucklesonherpumps;butsheresentedMrs.Howland'startdemand,"Don'tyoufindthatnewcouchofyoursistoobroadtobepractical?"
Shenodded,thenshookherhead,andtouchilyleftMrs.Howlandtogetoutofitanymeaningshedesired.Immediatelyshewantedtomakepeace.
ShewasclosetosimperinginthesweetnesswithwhichsheaddressedMrsHowland:"Ithinkthatistheprettiestdisplayofbeef–teayourhusbandhasinhisstore."
"Ohyes,GopherPrairieisn'tsomuchbehindthetimes,"gibedMrs.Howland.Someonegiggled.
Theirrebuffsmadeherhaughty;herhaughtinessirritatedthemtofrankerrebuffs;theywereworkinguptoastateofpainfullyrighteouswarwhentheyweresavedbythecomingoffood.
ThoughJuanitaHaydockwashighlyadvancedinthemattersoffinger–bowls,doilies,andbath–mats,her"refreshments"weretypicalofalltheafternoon–coffees.
Juanita'sbestfriends,Mrs.DyerandMrs.Dashaway,passedlargedinnerplates,eachwithaspoon,afork,andacoffeecupwithoutsaucer.
Theyapologizedanddiscussedtheafternoon'sgameastheypassedthroughthethicketofwomen'sfeet.
Thentheydistributedhotbutteredrolls,coffeepouredfromanenamel–warepot,stuffedolives,potatosalad,andangel's–foodcake.
Therewas,eveninthemoststrictlyconformingGopherPrairiecircles,acertainoptionastocollations.Theolivesneednotbestuffed.
Doughnutswereinsomehouseswellthoughtofasasubstituteforthehotbutteredrolls.
ButtherewasinallthetownnohereticsaveCarolwhoomittedangel's–food.
Theyateenormously.Carolhadasuspicionthatthethriftierhousewivesmadetheafternoontreatdoforeveningsupper.
Shetriedtogetbackintothecurrent.SheedgedovertoMrs.McGanum.
Chunky,amiable,youngMrs.McGanumwithherbreastandarmsofamilkmaid,andherlouddelayedlaughwhichburststartlinglyfromasoberface,wasthedaughterofoldDr.Westlake,andthewifeofWestlake'spartner,Dr.McGanum.
KennicottassertedthatWestlakeandMcGanumandtheircontaminatedfamiliesweretricky,butCarolhadfoundthemgracious.
SheaskedforfriendlinessbycryingtoMrs.McGanum,"Howisthebaby'sthroatnow?"
andshewasattentivewhileMrs.McGanumrockedandknittedandplacidlydescribedsymptoms.
VidaSherwincameinafterschool,withMissEthelVillets,thetownlibrarian.
MissSherwin'soptimisticpresencegaveCarolmoreconfidence.Shetalked.
Sheinformedthecircle"IdrovealmostdowntoWahkeenyanwithWill,afewdaysago.Isn'tthecountrylovely!
AndIdoadmiretheScandinavianfarmersdownthereso:theirbigredbarnsandsilosandmilking–machinesandeverything.
DoyouallknowthatlonelyLutheranchurch,withthetin–coveredspire,thatstandsoutaloneonahill?
It'ssobleak;somehowitseemssobrave.
IdothinktheScandinaviansarethehardiestandbestpeople—"
"Oh,doyouTHINKso?"protestedMrs.JacksonElder.
"MyhusbandsaystheSvenskasthatworkintheplaning–millareperfectlyterrible—sosilentandcranky,andsoselfish,thewaytheykeepdemandingraises.
Iftheyhadtheirwaythey'dsimplyruinthebusiness."
"Yes,andthey'resimplyGHASTLYhiredgirls!"wailedMrs.DaveDyer.
"Iswear,Iworkmyselftoskinandbonetryingtopleasemyhiredgirls—whenIcangetthem!Idoeverythingintheworldforthem.
Theycanhavetheirgentlemanfriendscallontheminthekitchenanytime,andtheygetjustthesametoeataswedo,ifthere's,anyleftover,andIpracticallyneverjumponthem."
JuanitaHaydockrattled,"They'reungrateful,allthatclassofpeople.
Idothinkthedomesticproblemissimplybecomingawful.
Idon'tknowwhatthecountry'scomingto,withtheseScandahoofianclodhoppersdemandingeverycentyoucansave,andsoignorantandimpertinent,andonmyword,demandingbath–tubsandeverything—asiftheyweren'tmightygoodandluckyathomeiftheygotabathinthewash–tub."
Theywereoff,ridinghard.CarolthoughtofBeaandwaylaidthem:
"Butisn'titpossiblythefaultofthemistressesifthemaidsareungrateful?
Forgenerationswe'vegiventhemtheleavingsoffood,andholestolivein.
Idon'twanttoboast,butImustsayIdon'thavemuchtroublewithBea.She'ssofriendly.
TheScandinaviansaresturdyandhonest—"
Mrs.DaveDyersnapped,"Honest?Doyoucallithonesttoholdusupforeverycentofpaytheycanget?
Ican'tsaythatI'vehadanyofthemstealanything(thoughyoumightcallitstealingtoeatsomuchthataroastofbeefhardlylaststhreedays),butjustthesameIdon'tintendtoletthemthinktheycanputanythingoveronME!
Ialwaysmakethempackandunpacktheirtrunksdown–stairs,rightundermyeyes,andthenIknowtheyaren'tbeingtemptedtodishonestybyanyslacknessonMYpart!"
"Howmuchdothemaidsgethere?"Carolventured.
Mrs.B.J.Gougerling,wifeofthebanker,statedinashockedmanner,"Anyplacefromthree–fiftytofive–fiftyaweek!
IknowpositivelythatMrs.Clark,afterswearingthatshewouldn'tweakenandencouragethemintheiroutrageousdemands,wentandpaidfive–fifty—thinkofit!
practicallyadollaradayforunskilledworkand,ofcourse,herfoodandroomandachancetodoherownwashingrightinwiththerestofthewash.HOWMUCHDOYOUPAY,Mrs.KENNICOTT?"
"Yes!Howmuchdoyoupay?"insistedhalfadozen.
"W–why,Ipaysixaweek,"shefeeblyconfessed.
Theygasped.Juanitaprotested,"Don'tyouthinkit'shardontherestofuswhenyoupaysomuch?"Juanita'sdemandwasreinforcedbytheuniversalglower.
Carolwasangry."Idon'tcare!
Amaidhasoneofthehardestjobsonearth.
Sheworksfromtentoeighteenhoursaday.
Shehastowashslimydishesanddirtyclothes.
Shetendsthechildrenandrunstothedoorwithwetchappedhandsand—"
Mrs.DaveDyerbrokeintoCarol'sperorationwithafurious,"That'sallverywell,butbelieveme,IdothosethingsmyselfwhenI'mwithoutamaid—andthat'sagoodshareofthetimeforapersonthatisn'twillingtoyieldandpayexorbitantwages!"
Carolwasretorting,"Butamaiddoesitforstrangers,andallshegetsoutofitisthepay—"
Theireyeswerehostile.Fourofthemweretalkingatonce.VidaSherwin'sdictatorialvoicecutthrough,tookcontroloftherevolution:
"Tut,tut,tut,tut!Whatangrypassions—andwhatanidioticdiscussion!Allofyougettingtooserious.Stopit!
CarolKennicott,you'reprobablyright,butyou'retoomuchaheadofthetimes.Juanita,quitlookingsobelligerent.
Whatisthis,acardpartyorahenfight?
Carol,youstopadmiringyourselfastheJoanofArcofthehiredgirls,orI'llspankyou.
YoucomeoverhereandtalklibrarieswithEthelVillets.Boooooo!
Ifthere'sanymorepecking,I'lltakechargeofthehenroostmyself!"
Theyalllaughedartificially,andCarolobediently"talkedlibraries."
Asmall–townbungalow,thewivesofavillagedoctorandavillagedry–goodsmerchant,aprovincialteacher,acolloquialbrawloverpayingaservantadollarmoreaweek.
Yetthisinsignificanceechoedcellar–plotsandcabinetmeetingsandlaborconferencesinPersiaandPrussia,RomeandBoston,andtheoratorswhodeemedthemselvesinternationalleaderswerebuttheraisedvoicesofabillionJuanitasdenouncingamillionCarols,withahundredthousandVidaSherwinstryingtoshooawaythestorm.
Carolfeltguilty.ShedevotedherselftoadmiringthespinsterishMissVillets—andimmediatelycommittedanotheroffenseagainstthelawsofdecency.
"Wehaven'tseenyouatthelibraryyet,"MissVilletsreproved.
"I'vewantedtoruninsomuchbutI'vebeengettingsettledand—I'llprobablycomeinsooftenyou'llgettiredofme!Ihearyouhavesuchanicelibrary."
"Therearemanywholikeit.WehavetwothousandmorebooksthanWakamin."
"Isn'tthatfine.I'msureyouarelargelyresponsible.I'vehadsomeexperience,inSt.Paul."
"SoIhavebeeninformed.NotthatIentirelyapproveoflibrarymethodsintheselargecities.Socareless,lettingtrampsandallsortsofdirtypersonspracticallysleepinthereading–rooms."
"Iknow,butthepoorsouls—Well,I'msureyouwillagreewithmeinonething:Thechieftaskofalibrarianistogetpeopletoread."
"Youfeelso?Myfeeling,Mrs.Kennicott,andIammerelyquotingthelibrarianofaverylargecollege,isthatthefirstdutyoftheCONSCIENTIOUSlibrarianistopreservethebooks."
"Oh!"Carolrepentedher"Oh."MissVilletsstiffened,andattacked:
"Itmaybeallverywellincities,wheretheyhaveunlimitedfunds,toletnastychildrenruinbooksandjustdeliberatelytearthemup,andfreshyoungmentakemorebooksoutthantheyareentitledtobytheregulations,butI'mnevergoingtopermititinthislibrary!"
"Whatifsomechildrenaredestructive?Theylearntoread.Booksarecheaperthanminds."
"Nothingischeaperthanthemindsofsomeofthesechildrenthatcomeinandbothermesimplybecausetheirmothersdon'tkeepthemhomewheretheybelong.
Somelibrariansmaychoosetobesowishy–washyandturntheirlibrariesintonursing–homesandkindergartens,butaslongasI'mincharge,theGopherPrairielibraryisgoingtobequietanddecent,andthebookswellkept!"
Carolsawthattheotherswerelistening,waitingforhertobeobjectionable.Sheflinchedbeforetheirdislike.
ShehastenedtosmileinagreementwithMissVillets,toglancepubliclyatherwrist–watch,towarblethatitwas"solate—havetohurryhome—husband—suchniceparty—maybeyouwererightaboutmaids,prejudicedbecauseBeasonice—suchperfectlydivineangel's–food,Mrs.Haydockmustgivemetherecipe—good–by,suchhappyparty—"
Shewalkedhome.Shereflected,"Itwasmyfault.Iwastouchy.AndIopposedthemsomuch.Only—Ican't!
Ican'tbeoneofthemifImustdamnallthemaidstoilinginfilthykitchens,alltheraggedhungrychildren.
Andthesewomenaretobemyarbiters,therestofmylife!"
SheignoredBea'scallfromthekitchen;sheranup–stairstotheunfrequentedguest–room;sheweptinterror,herbodyapalearcasshekneltbesideacumbrousblack–walnutbed,besideapuffymattresscoveredwitharedquilt,inashutteredandairlessroom.
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