English
I
KennicottwasheavilypleasedbyherChristmaspresents,andhegaveheradiamondbar–pin.
Butshecouldnotpersuadeherselfthathewasmuchinterestedintheritesofthemorning,inthetreeshehaddecorated,thethreestockingsshehadhung,theribbonsandgiltsealsandhiddenmessages.Hesaidonly:
"Nicewaytofixthings,allright.WhatdoyousaywegodowntoJackElder'sandhaveagameoffivehundredthisafternoon?"
Sherememberedherfather'sChristmasfantasies:thesacredoldragdollatthetopofthetree,thescoreofcheappresents,thepunchandcarols,theroastchestnutsbythefire,andthegravitywithwhichthejudgeopenedthechildren'sscrawlynotesandtookcognizanceofdemandsforsled–rides,foropinionsupontheexistenceofSantaClaus.
Sherememberedhimreadingoutalongindictmentofhimselfforbeingasentimentalist,againstthepeaceanddignityoftheStateofMinnesota.
Sherememberedhisthinlegstwinklingbeforetheirsled—
Shemutteredunsteadily,"Mustrunupandputonmyshoes—slipperssocold."Inthenotveryromanticsolitudeofthelockedbathroomshesatontheslipperyedgeofthetubandwept.
II
Kennicotthadfivehobbies:medicine,land–investment,Carol,motoring,andhunting.
Itisnotcertaininwhatorderhepreferredthem.
Solidthoughhisenthusiasmswereinthematterofmedicine—hisadmirationofthiscitysurgeon,hiscondemnationofthatfortrickywaysofpersuadingcountrypractitionerstobringinsurgicalpatients,hisindignationaboutfee–splitting,hisprideinanewX–rayapparatus—noneofthesebeatifiedhimasdidmotoring.
Henursedhistwo–year–oldBuickeveninwinter,whenitwasstoredinthestable–garagebehindthehouse.
Hefilledthegrease–cups,varnishedafender,removedfrombeneaththebackseatthedebrisofgloves,copperwashers,crumpledmaps,dust,andgreasyrags.
Winternoonshewanderedoutandstaredowlishlyatthecar.
Hebecameexcitedoverafabulous"tripwemighttakenextsummer."
Hegallopedtothestation,broughthomerailwaymaps,andtracedmotor–routesfromGopherPrairietoWinnipegorDesMoinesorGrandMarais,thinkingaloudandexpectinghertobeeffusiveaboutsuchacademicquestionsas"NowIwonderifwecouldstopatBarabooandbreakthejumpfromLaCrossetoChicago?"
Tohimmotoringwasafaithnottobequestioned,ahigh–churchcult,withelectricsparksforcandles,andpiston–ringspossessingthesanctityofaltar–vessels.
Hisliturgywascomposedofintonedandmetricalroad–comments:"Theysaythere'saprettygoodhikefromDuluthtoInternationalFalls."
Huntingwasequallyadevotion,fullofmetaphysicalconceptsveiledfromCarol.
Allwinterhereadsporting–catalogues,andthoughtaboutremarkablepastshots:"'MemberthattimewhenIgottwoducksonalongchance,justatsunset?"
Atleastonceamonthhedrewhisfavoriterepeatingshotgun,his"pumpgun,"fromitswrapperofgreasedcantonflannel;heoiledthetrigger,andspentsilentecstaticmomentsaimingattheceiling.
SundaymorningsCarolheardhimtrudginguptotheatticandthere,anhourlater,shefoundhimturningoverboots,woodenduck–decoys,lunch–boxes,orreflectivelysquintingatoldshells,rubbingtheirbrasscapswithhissleeveandshakinghisheadashethoughtabouttheiruselessness.
Hekepttheloading–toolshehadusedasaboy:acapperforshot–gunshells,amoldforleadbullets.
Whenonce,inahousewifelyfrenzyforgettingridofthings,sheraged,"Whydon'tyougivetheseaway?"
hesolemnlydefendedthem,"Well,youcan'ttell;theymightcomeinhandysomeday."
Sheflushed.Shewonderedifhewasthinkingofthechildtheywouldhavewhen,asheputit,theywere"suretheycouldaffordone."
Mysteriouslyaching,nebulouslysad,sheslippedaway,half–convincedbutonlyhalf–convincedthatitwashorribleandunnatural,thispostponementofreleaseofmother–affection,thissacrificetoheropinionationandtohiscautiousdesireforprosperity.
"ButitwouldbeworseifhewerelikeSamClark—insistedonhavingchildren,"sheconsidered;then,"IfWillwerethePrince,wouldn'tIDEMANDhischild?"
Kennicott'sland–dealswerebothfinancialadvancementandfavoritegame.
Drivingthroughthecountry,henoticedwhichfarmshadgoodcrops;heheardthenewsabouttherestlessfarmerwhowas"thinkingaboutsellingouthereandpullinghisfreightforAlberta."
Heaskedtheveterinarianaboutthevalueofdifferentbreedsofstock;heinquiredofLymanCasswhetherornotEinarGyseldsonreallyhadhadayieldoffortybushelsofwheattotheacre.
HewasalwaysconsultingJuliusFlickerbaugh,whohandledmorerealestatethanlaw,andmorelawthanjustice.
Hestudiedtownshipmaps,andreadnoticesofauctions.
Thushewasabletobuyaquarter–sectionoflandforonehundredandfiftydollarsanacre,andtosellitinayearortwo,afterinstallingacementfloorinthebarnandrunningwaterinthehouse,foronehundredandeightyoreventwohundred.
HespokeofthesedetailstoSamClark...ratheroften.
Inallhisgames,carsandgunsandland,heexpectedCaroltotakeaninterest.
Buthedidnotgiveherthefactswhichmighthavecreatedinterest.
Hetalkedonlyoftheobviousandtediousaspects;neverofhisaspirationsinfinance,norofthemechanicalprinciplesofmotors.
Thismonthofromanceshewaseagertounderstandhishobbies.
Sheshiveredinthegaragewhilehespenthalfanhourindecidingwhethertoputalcoholorpatentnon–freezingliquidintotheradiator,ortodrainoutthewaterentirely.
"Orno,thenIwouldn'twanttotakeheroutifitturnedwarm—still,ofcourse,Icouldfilltheradiatoragain—wouldn'ttakesoawfullong—justtakeafewpailsofwater—still,ifitturnedcoldonmeagainbeforeIdrainedit—Coursethere'ssomepeoplethatputinkerosene,buttheysayitrotsthehose–connectionsand—WheredidIputthatlug–wrench?"
Itwasatthispointthatshegaveupbeingamotoristandretiredtothehouse.
Intheirnewintimacyhewasmorecommunicativeabouthispractise;heinformedher,withtheinvariablewarningnottotell,thatMrs.Sunderquisthadanotherbabycoming,thatthe"hiredgirlatHowland'swasintrouble."
Butwhensheaskedtechnicalquestionshedidnotknowhowtoanswer;whensheinquired,"Exactlywhatisthemethodoftakingoutthetonsils?"heyawned,"Tonsilectomy?
Whyyoujust—Ifthere'spus,youoperate.Justtake'emout.Seenthenewspaper?WhatthedevildidBeadowithit?"
Shedidnottryagain.
III
Theyhadgonetothe"movies."ThemovieswerealmostasvitaltoKennicottandtheothersolidcitizensofGopherPrairieasland–speculationandgunsandautomobiles.
ThefeaturefilmportrayedabraveyoungYankeewhoconqueredaSouthAmericanrepublic.
Heturnedthenativesfromtheirbarbaroushabitsofsingingandlaughingtothevigoroussanity,thePepandPunchandGo,oftheNorth;hetaughtthemtoworkinfactories,towearKlassyKollegeKlothes,andtoshout,"Oh,youbabydoll,watchmegatherinthemazuma."Hechangednatureitself.
AmountainwhichhadbornenothingbutliliesandcedarsandloafingcloudswasbyhisHustlesoinspiritedthatitbrokeoutinlongwoodensheds,andpilesofironoretobeconvertedintosteamerstocarryironoretobeconvertedintosteamerstocarryironore.
Theintellectualtensioninducedbythemasterfilmwasrelievedbyalivelier,morelyricandlessphilosophicaldrama:MackSchnarkenandtheBathingSuitBabesinacomedyofmannersentitled"RightontheCoco."
Mr.Schnarkenwasatvarioushighmomentsacook,alife–guard,aburlesqueactor,andasculptor.
Therewasahotelhallwayupwhichpolicemencharged,onlytobestunnedbyplasterbustshurleduponthemfromtheinnumerousdoors.
Iftheplotlackedlucidity,thedualmotifoflegsandpiewasclearandsure.
Bathingandmodelingwereequallysoundoccasionsforlegs;thewedding–scenewasbutanapproachtothethunderousclimaxwhenMr.Schnarkenslippedapieceofcustardpieintotheclergyman'srearpocket.
TheaudienceintheRosebudMoviePalacesquealedandwipedtheireyes;theyscrambledundertheseatsforovershoes,mittens,andmufflers,whilethescreenannouncedthatnextweekMr.Schnarkenmightbeseeninanew,riproaring,extra–specialsuperfeatureoftheCleanComedyCorporationentitled,"UnderMollie'sBed."
"I'mglad,"saidCaroltoKennicottastheystoopedbeforethenorthwestgalewhichwastorturingthebarrenstreet,"thatthisisamoralcountry.Wedon'tallowanyofthesebeastlyfranknovels."
"Yump.ViceSocietyandPostalDepartmentwon'tstandforthem.TheAmericanpeopledon'tlikefilth."
"Yes.It'sfine.I'mgladwehavesuchdaintyromancesas'RightontheCoco'instead."
"Saywhatinheckdoyouthinkyou'retryingtodo?Kidme?"
Hewassilent.Sheawaitedhisanger.
Shemeditateduponhisgutterpatois,theBoeotiandialectcharacteristicofGopherPrairie.Helaughedpuzzlingly.
Whentheycameintotheglowofthehousehelaughedagain.Hecondescended:
"I'vegottohandittoyou.You'reconsistent,allright.I'dofthoughtthataftergettingthislook–inatalotofgooddecentfarmers,you'dgetoverthishigh–artstuff,butyouhangrighton."
"Well—"Toherself:"Hetakesadvantageofmytryingtobegood."
"Tellyou,Carrie:There'sjustthreeclassesofpeople:folksthathaven'tgotanyideasatall;andcranksthatkickabouteverything;andRegularGuys,thefellowswithsticktuitiveness,thatboostandgettheworld'sworkdone."
"ThenI'mprobablyacrank."Shesmilednegligently.
"No.Iwon'tadmitit.Youdoliketotalk,butatashow–downyou'dpreferSamClarktoanydamnlong–hairedartist."
"Oh—well—"
"Ohwell!"mockingly.
"My,we'rejustgoingtochangeeverything,aren'twe!
Goingtotellfellowsthathavebeenmakingmoviesfortenyearshowtodirect'em;andtellarchitectshowtobuildtowns;andmakethemagazinespublishnothingbutalotofhighbrowstoriesaboutoldmaids,andaboutwivesthatdon'tknowwhattheywant.Oh,we'reaterror!
...Comeonnow,Carrie;comeoutofit;wakeup!
You'vegotafinenerve,kickingaboutamoviebecauseitshowsafewlegs!
Why,you'realwaystoutingtheseGreekdancers,orwhatevertheyare,thatdon'tevenwearashimmy!"
"But,dear,thetroublewiththatfilm—itwasn'tthatitgotinsomanylegs,butthatitgiggledcoylyandpromisedtoshowmoreofthem,andthendidn'tkeepthepromise.ItwasPeepingTom'sideaofhumor."
"Idon'tgetyou.Lookherenow—"
Shelayawake,whileherumbledwithsleep
"Imustgoon.My'crankideas;'hecallsthem.Ithoughtthatadoringhim,watchinghimoperate,wouldbeenough.Itisn't.Notafterthefirstthrill.
"Idon'twanttohurthim.ButImustgoon.
"Itisn'tenough,tostandbywhilehefillsanautomobileradiatorandchucksmebitsofinformation.
"IfIstoodbyandadmiredhimlongenough,Iwouldbecontent.Iwouldbecomea'nicelittlewoman.'TheVillageVirus.Already—I'mnotreadinganything.Ihaven'ttouchedthepianoforaweek.
I'mlettingthedaysdrowninworshipof'agooddeal,tenplunksmoreperacre.'Iwon't!Iwon'tsuccumb!
"How?I'vefailedateverything:theThanatopsis,parties,pioneers,cityhall,GuyandVida.But—Itdoesn'tMATTER!
I'mnottryingto'reformthetown'now.
I'mnottryingtoorganizeBrowningClubs,andsitincleanwhitekidsyearningupatlecturerswithribbonyeyeglasses.Iamtryingtosavemysoul.
"WillKennicott,asleepthere,trustingme,thinkingheholdsme.AndI'mleavinghim.
Allofmelefthimwhenhelaughedatme.
Itwasn'tenoughforhimthatIadmiredhim;Imustchangemyselfandgrowlikehim.Hetakesadvantage.Nomore.It'sfinished.Iwillgoon."
IV
Herviolinlayontopoftheuprightpiano.Shepickeditup.Sinceshehadlasttoucheditthedriedstringshadsnapped,anduponitlayagoldandcrimsoncigar–band.
V
ShelongedtoseeGuyPollock,fortheconfirmingofthebrethreninthefaith.
ButKennicott'sdominancewasheavyuponher.
Shecouldnotdeterminewhethershewascheckedbyfearorhim,orbyinertia—bydislikeoftheemotionallaborofthe"scenes"whichwouldbeinvolvedinassertingindependence.
Shewasliketherevolutionistatfifty:notafraidofdeath,butboredbytheprobabilityofbadsteaksandbadbreathsandsittingupallnightonwindybarricades.
ThesecondeveningafterthemoviessheimpulsivelysummonedVidaSherwinandGuytothehouseforpop–cornandcider.
Intheliving–roomVidaandKennicottdebated"thevalueofmanualtrainingingradesbelowtheeighth,"whileCarolsatbesideGuyatthediningtable,butteringpop–corn.
Shewasquickenedbythespeculationinhiseyes.Shemurmured:
"Guy,doyouwanttohelpme?"
"Mydear!How?"
"Idon'tknow!"
Hewaited.
"IthinkIwantyoutohelpmefindoutwhathasmadethedarknessofthewomen.Graydarknessandshadowytrees.
We'reallinit,tenmillionwomen,youngmarriedwomenwithgoodprosperoushusbands,andbusinesswomeninlinencollars,andgrandmothersthatgadouttoteas,andwivesofunder–paidminers,andfarmwiveswhoreallyliketomakebutterandgotochurch.Whatisitwewant—andneed?
WillKennicotttherewouldsaythatweneedlotsofchildrenandhardwork.Butitisn'tthat.
There'sthesamediscontentinwomenwitheightchildrenandonemorecoming—alwaysonemorecoming!
Andyoufinditinstenographersandwiveswhoscrub,justasmuchasingirlcollege–graduateswhowonderhowtheycanescapetheirkindparents.Whatdowewant?"
"Essentially,Ithink,youarelikemyself,Carol;youwanttogobacktoanageoftranquillityandcharmingmanners.Youwanttoenthronegoodtasteagain."
"Justgoodtaste?Fastidiouspeople?Oh—no!
Ibelieveallofuswantthesamethings—we'realltogether,theindustrialworkersandthewomenandthefarmersandthenegroraceandtheAsiaticcolonies,andevenafewoftheRespectables.
It'sallthesamerevolt,inalltheclassesthathavewaitedandtakenadvice.
Ithinkperhapswewantamoreconsciouslife.
We'retiredofdrudgingandsleepinganddying.
We'retiredofseeingjustafewpeopleabletobeindividualists.
We'retiredofalwaysdeferringhopetillthenextgeneration.
We'retiredofhearingthepoliticiansandpriestsandcautiousreformers(andthehusbands!)coaxus,'Becalm!Bepatient!Wait!
WehavetheplansforaUtopiaalreadymade;justgiveusabitmoretimeandwe'llproduceit;trustus;we'rewiserthanyou.'
Fortenthousandyearsthey'vesaidthat.
WewantourUtopiaNOW—andwe'regoingtotryourhandsatit.
Allwewantis—everythingforallofus!
ForeveryhousewifeandeverylongshoremanandeveryHindunationalistandeveryteacher.Wewanteverything.Weshatn'tgetit.Soweshatn'teverbecontent—"
Shewonderedwhyhewaswincing.Hebrokein:
"Seehere,mydear,Icertainlyhopeyoudon'tclassyourselfwithalotoftrouble–makinglabor–leaders!
Democracyisallrighttheoretically,andI'lladmitthereareindustrialinjustices,butI'dratherhavethemthanseetheworldreducedtoadeadlevelofmediocrity.
Irefusetobelievethatyouhaveanythingincommonwithalotoflaboringmenrowingforbiggerwagessothattheycanbuywretchedflivversandhideousplayer–pianosand—"
Atthissecond,inBuenosAyres,anewspapereditorbrokehisroutineofbeingboredbyexchangestoassert,"Anyinjusticeisbetterthanseeingtheworldreducedtoagraylevelofscientificdullness."
AtthissecondaclerkstandingatthebarofaNewYorksaloonstoppedmillinghissecretfearofhisnaggingoffice–managerlongenoughtogrowlatthechauffeurbesidehim,"Aw,yousocialistsmakemesick!I'manindividualist.
Iain'tgoingtobenaggedbynobureausandtakeordersofflabor–leaders.
Andmeantosayahobo'sasgoodasyouandme?"
AtthissecondCarolrealizedthatforallGuy'sloveofdeadeleganceshistimiditywasasdepressingtoherasthebulkinessofSamClark.
Sherealizedthathewasnotamystery,asshehadexcitedlybelieved;notaromanticmessengerfromtheWorldOutsideonwhomshecouldcountforescape.
HebelongedtoGopherPrairie,absolutely.
Shewassnatchedbackfromadreamoffarcountries,andfoundherselfonMainStreet.
Hewascompletinghisprotest,"Youdon'twanttobemixedupinallthisorgyofmeaninglessdiscontent?"
Shesoothedhim."No,Idon't.I'mnotheroic.
I'mscaredbyallthefightingthat'sgoingonintheworld.
Iwantnobilityandadventure,butperhapsIwantstillmoretocurlonthehearthwithsomeoneIlove."
"Wouldyou—"
Hedidnotfinishit.Hepickedupahandfulofpop–corn,letitrunthroughhisfingers,lookedatherwistfully.
WiththelonelinessofonewhohasputawayapossibleloveCarolsawthathewasastranger.
Shesawthathehadneverbeenanythingbutaframeonwhichshehadhungshininggarments.
Ifshehadlethimdiffidentlymakelovetoher,itwasnotbecauseshecared,butbecauseshedidnotcare,becauseitdidnotmatter.
Shesmiledathimwiththeexasperatingtactfulnessofawomancheckingaflirtation;asmilelikeanairypatonthearm.
Shesighed,"You'readeartoletmetellyoumyimaginarytroubles."
Shebouncedup,andtrilled,"Shallwetakethepop–cornintothemnow?"
Guylookedafterherdesolately.
WhilesheteasedVidaandKennicottshewasrepeating,"Imustgoon."
VI
MilesBjornstam,thepariah"RedSwede,"hadbroughthiscircularsawandportablegasolineenginetothehouse,tocutthecordsofpoplarforthekitchenrange.
Kennicotthadgiventheorder;Carolknewnothingofittillsheheardtheringingofthesaw,andglancedouttoseeBjornstam,inblackleatherjacketandenormousraggedpurplemittens,pressingsticksagainstthewhirlingblade,andflingingthestove–lengthstooneside.
Theredirritablemotorkeptuparedirritable"tip–tip–tip–tip–tip–tip."
Thewhineofthesawrosetillitsimulatedtheshriekofafire–alarmwhistleatnight,butalwaysattheenditgavealivelymetallicclang,andinthestillnesssheheardtheflumpofthecutstickfallingonthepile.
Shethrewamotorrobeoverher,ranout.
Bjornstamwelcomedher,"Well,well,well!Here'soldMiles,freshasever.
Wellsay,that'sallright;heain'tevenbeguntobecheekyyet;nextsummerhe'sgoingtotakeyououtonhishorse–tradingtrip,clearintoIdaho."
"Yes,andImaygo!"
"How'stricks?Crazyaboutthetownyet?"
"No,butIprobablyshallbe,someday."
"Don'tlet'emgetyou.Kick'emintheface!"
Heshoutedatherwhileheworked.Thepileofstove–woodgrewastonishingly.
Thepalebarkofthepoplarstickswasmottledwithlichensofsage–greenanddustygray;thenewlysawedendswerefresh–colored,withtheagreeableroughnessofawoolenmuffler.
TothesterilewinterairthewoodgaveascentofMarchsap.
Kennicotttelephonedthathewasgoingintothecountry.
Bjornstamhadnotfinishedhisworkatnoon,andsheinvitedhimtohavedinnerwithBeainthekitchen.
Shewishedthatshewereindependentenoughtodinewiththeseherguests.
Sheconsideredtheirfriendliness,shesneeredat"socialdistinctions,"sheragedatherowntaboos—andshecontinuedtoregardthemasretainersandherselfasalady.
Shesatinthedining–roomandlistenedthroughthedoortoBjornstam'sboomingandBea'sgiggles.
Shewasthemoreabsurdtoherselfinthat,aftertheriteofdiningalone,shecouldgoouttothekitchen,leanagainstthesink,andtalktothem.
Theywereattractedtoeachother;aSwedishOthelloandDesdemona,moreusefulandamiablethantheirprototypes.
Bjornstamtoldhisscapes:sellinghorsesinaMontanamining–camp,breakingalog–jam,beingimpertinenttoa"two–fisted"millionairelumberman.Beagurgled"Ohmy!"andkepthiscoffeecupfilled.
Hetookalongtimetofinishthewood.Hehadfrequentlytogointothekitchentogetwarm.
CarolheardhimconfidingtoBea,"You'readarnniceSwedegirl.
IguessifIhadawomanlikeyouIwouldn'tbesuchasorehead.
Gosh,yourkitchenisclean;makesanoldbachfeelsloppy.Say,that'snicehairyougot.Huh?Mefresh?
Saaaay,girl,ifIeverdogetfresh,you'llknowit.
Why,Icouldpickyouupwithonefinger,andholdyouintheairlongenoughtoreadRobertJ.Ingersollcleanthrough.Ingersoll?Oh,he'sareligiouswriter.Sure.You'dlikehimfine."
WhenhedroveoffhewavedtoBea;andCarol,lonelyatthewindowabove,wasenviousoftheirpastoral.
"AndI—ButIwillgoon."
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