English
I
TheyweredrivingdownthelaketothecottagesthatmoonlitJanuarynight,twentyoftheminthebob–sled.
Theysang"ToyLand"and"SeeingNellyHome";theyleapedfromthelowbackofthesledtoraceovertheslipperysnowruts;andwhentheyweretiredtheyclimbedontherunnersforalift.
Themoon–tippedflakeskickedupbythehorsessettledovertherevelersanddrippeddowntheirnecks,buttheylaughed,yelped,beattheirleathermittensagainsttheirchests.
Theharnessrattled,thesleigh–bellswerefrantic,JackElder'ssettersprangbesidethehorses,barking.
ForatimeCarolracedwiththem.Thecoldairgavefictivepower.
Shefeltthatshecouldrunonallnight,leaptwentyfeetatastride.
Buttheexcessofenergytiredher,andshewasgladtosnuggleunderthecomforterswhichcoveredthehayinthesled–box.
Inthemidstofthebabelshefoundenchantedquietude.
Alongtheroadtheshadowsfromoak–brancheswereinkedonthesnowlikebarsofmusic.
ThenthesledcameoutonthesurfaceofLakeMinniemashie.
Acrossthethickicewasaveritableroad,ashort–cutforfarmers.
Ontheglaringexpanseofthelake–levelsofhardcrust,flashesofgreeniceblownclear,chainsofdriftsribbedlikethesea–beach—themoonlightwasoverwhelming.
Itstormedonthesnow,itturnedthewoodsashoreintocrystalsoffire.Thenightwastropicalandvoluptuous.
Inthatdruggedmagictherewasnodifferencebetweenheavyheatandinsinuatingcold.
Carolwasdream–strayed.Theturbulentvoices,evenGuyPollockbeingconnotativebesideher,werenothing.Sherepeated:
Deepontheconvent–roofthesnows
Aresparklingtothemoon.
Thewordsandthelightblurredintoonevastindefinitehappiness,andshebelievedthatsomegreatthingwascomingtoher.
Shewithdrewfromtheclamorintoaworshipofincomprehensiblegods.
Thenightexpanded,shewasconsciousoftheuniverse,andallmysteriesstoopeddowntoher.
Shewasjarredoutofherecstasyasthebob–sledbumpedupthesteeproadtothebluffwherestoodthecottages.
TheydismountedatJackElder'sshack.Theinteriorwallsofunpaintedboards,whichhadbeengratefulinAugust,wereforbiddinginthechill.
Infurcoatsandmufflerstiedovercapstheywereastrangecompany,bearsandwalrusestalking.
JackElderlightedtheshavingswaitinginthebellyofacast–ironstovewhichwaslikeanenlargedbean–pot.
Theypiledtheirwrapshighonarocker,andcheeredtherockerasitsolemnlytippedoverbackward.
Mrs.ElderandMrs.SamClarkmadecoffeeinanenormousblackenedtinpot;VidaSherwinandMrs.McGanumunpackeddoughnutsandgingerbread;Mrs.DaveDyerwarmedup"hotdogs"—frankfurtersinrolls;Dr.TerryGould,afterannouncing,"Ladiesandgents,preparetobeshocked;shocklineformsontheright,"producedabottleofbourbonwhisky.
Theothersdanced,muttering"Ouch!"astheirfrostedfeetstruckthepineplanks.Carolhadlostherdream.
HarryHaydockliftedherbythewaistandswungher.Shelaughed.
Thegravityofthepeoplewhostoodapartandtalkedmadeherthemoreimpatientforfrolic.
Kennicott,SamClark,JacksonElder,youngDr.McGanum,andJamesMadisonHowland,teeteringontheirtoesnearthestove,conversedwiththesedatepomposityofthecommercialist.
Indetailsthemenwereunlike,yettheysaidthesamethingsinthesameheartymonotonousvoices.
Youhadtolookatthemtoseewhichwasspeaking.
"Well,wemadeprettygoodtimecomingup,"fromone—anyone.
"Yump,wehititupafterwestruckthegoodgoingonthelake."
"Seemskindofslowthough,afterdrivinganauto."
"Yump,itdoes,atthat.Say,how'dyoumakeoutwiththatSphinxtireyougot?"
"Seemstoholdoutfine.Still,Idon'tknow'sIlikeitanybetterthantheRoadeaterCord."
"Yump,nothingbetterthanaRoadeater.Especiallythecord.Thecord'slotsbetterthanthefabric."
"Yump,yousaidsomething—Roadeater'sagoodtire."
"Say,how'dyoucomeoutwithPeteGarsheimonhispayments?"
"He'spayingupprettygood.That'sanicepieceoflandhe'sgot."
"Yump,that'sadandyfarm."
"Yump,Pete'sgotagoodplacethere."
TheyglidedfromtheseserioustopicsintothejocoseinsultswhicharethewitofMainStreet.SamClarkwasparticularlyaptatthem.
"What'sthiswild–eyedsaleofsummercapsyouthinkyou'retryingtopulloff?"heclamoredatHarryHaydock.
"Didyousteal'em,orareyoujustoverchargingus,asusual?
...Ohsay,speakingaboutcaps,d'IevertellyouthegoodoneI'vegotonWill?
Thedocthinkshe'saprettygooddriver,fact,hethinkshe'salmostgothumanintelligence,butonetimehehadhismachineoutintherain,andthepoorfish,hehadn'tputonchains,andthinksI—"
Carolhadheardthestoryratheroften.Shefledbacktothedancers,andatDaveDyer'smasterstrokeofdroppinganicicledownMrs.McGanum'sbacksheapplaudedhysterically.
Theysatonthefloor,devouringthefood.
Themengiggledamiablyastheypassedthewhiskybottle,andlaughed,"There'sarealsport!"whenJuanitaHaydocktookasip.
Caroltriedtofollow;shebelievedthatshedesiredtobedrunkandriotous;butthewhiskychokedherandasshesawKennicottfrownshehandedthebottleonrepentantly.
Somewhattoolatesherememberedthatshehadgivenupdomesticityandrepentance.
"Let'splaycharades!"saidRaymieWutherspoon.
"Ohyes,doletus,"saidEllaStowbody.
"That'sthecaper,"sanctionedHarryHaydock.
Theyinterpretedtheword"making"asMayandKing.
ThecrownwasaredflannelmittencockedonSamClark'sbroadpinkbaldhead.Theyforgottheywererespectable.Theymade–believe.Carolwasstimulatedtocry:
"Let'sformadramaticclubandgiveaplay!Shallwe?It'sbeensomuchfuntonight!"
Theylookedaffable.
"Sure,"observedSamClarkloyally.
"Oh,doletus!Ithinkitwouldbelovelytopresent'RomeoandJuliet'!"yearnedEllaStowbody.
"Beawhaleofalotoffun,"Dr.TerryGouldgranted.
"Butifwedid,"Carolcautioned,"itwouldbeawfullysillytohaveamateurtheatricals.
Weoughttopaintourownsceneryandeverything,andreallydosomethingfine.There'dbealotofhardwork.
Wouldyou—wouldweallbepunctualatrehearsals,doyousuppose?"
"Youbet!""Sure.""That'stheidea.""Fellowoughttobepromptatrehearsals,"theyallagreed.
"Thenlet'smeetnextweekandformtheGopherPrairieDramaticAssociation!"Carolsang.
Shedrovehomelovingthesefriendswhoracedthroughmoonlitsnow,hadBohemianparties,andwereabouttocreatebeautyinthetheater.Everythingwassolved.
Shewouldbeanauthenticpartofthetown,yetescapethecomaoftheVillageVirus....ShewouldbefreeofKennicottagain,withouthurtinghim,withouthisknowing.
Shehadtriumphed.
Themoonwassmallandhighnow,andunheeding.
II
Thoughtheyhadallbeencertainthattheylongedfortheprivilegeofattendingcommitteemeetingsandrehearsals,thedramaticassociationasdefinitelyformedconsistedonlyofKennicott,Carol,GuyPollock,VidaSherwin,EllaStowbody,theHarryHaydocks,theDaveDyers,RaymieWutherspoon,Dr.TerryGould,andfournewcandidates:flirtatiousRitaSimons,Dr.andMrs.HarveyDillonandMyrtleCass,anuncomelybutintensegirlofnineteen.
Ofthesefifteenonlysevencametothefirstmeeting.
Theresttelephonedtheirunparalleledregretsandengagementsandillnesses,andannouncedthattheywouldbepresentatallothermeetingsthrougheternity.
Carolwasmadepresidentanddirector.
ShehadaddedtheDillons.DespiteKennicott'sapprehensionthedentistandhiswifehadnotbeentakenupbytheWestlakesbuthadremainedasdefinitelyoutsidereallysmartsocietyasWillisWoodford,whowasteller,bookkeeper,andjanitorinStowbody'sbank.
CarolhadnotedMrs.DillondraggingpastthehouseduringabridgeoftheJollySeventeen,lookinginwithpatheticlipsatthesplendoroftheaccepted.
SheimpulsivelyinvitedtheDillonstothedramaticassociationmeeting,andwhenKennicottwasbrusquetothemshewasunusuallycordial,andfeltvirtuous.
Thatself–approvalbalancedherdisappointmentatthesmallnessofthemeeting,andherembarrassmentduringRaymieWutherspoon'srepetitionsof"Thestageneedsuplifting,"and"Ibelievethattherearegreatlessonsinsomeplays."
EllaStowbody,whowasaprofessional,havingstudiedelocutioninMilwaukee,disapprovedofCarol'senthusiasmforrecentplays.
MissStowbodyexpressedthefundamentalprincipleoftheAmericandrama:theonlywaytobeartisticistopresentShakespeare.
AsnoonelistenedtohershesatbackandlookedlikeLadyMacbeth.
III
TheLittleTheaters,whichweretogivepiquancytoAmericandramathreeorfouryearslater,wereonlyinembryo.
ButofthisfastcomingrevoltCarolhadpremonitions.
SheknewfromsomelostmagazinearticlethatinDublinwereinnovatorscalledTheIrishPlayers.
SheknewconfusedlythatamannamedGordonCraighadpaintedscenery—orhadhewrittenplays?
Shefeltthatintheturbulenceofthedramashewasdiscoveringahistorymoreimportantthanthecommonplacechronicleswhichdealtwithsenatorsandtheirpompouspuerilities.
Shehadasensationoffamiliarity;adreamofsittinginaBrusselscafeandgoingafterwardtoatinygaytheaterunderacathedralwall.
TheadvertisementintheMinneapolispaperleapedfromthepagetohereyes:
TheCosmosSchoolofMusic,Oratory,and
DramaticArtannouncesaprogramoffour
one–actplaysbySchnitzler,Shaw,Yeats,
andLordDunsany.
Shehadtobethere!ShebeggedKennicottto"rundowntotheCities"withher.
"Well,Idon'tknow.Befuntotakeinashow,butwhythedeucedoyouwanttoseethosedarnforeignplays,givenbyalotofamateurs?
Whydon'tyouwaitforaregularplay,lateron?
There'sgoingtobesomecorkerscoming:'LottieofTwo–GunRancho,'and'CopsandCrooks'—realBroadwaystuff,withtheNewYorkcasts.What'sthisjunkyouwanttosee?Hm.'HowHeLiedtoHerHusband.'Thatdoesn'tlistensobad.Soundsracy.
And,uh,well,Icouldgotothemotorshow,Isuppose.I'dliketoseethisnewHuproadster.Well—"
Sheneverknewwhichattractionmadehimdecide.
Shehadfourdaysofdelightfulworry—overtheholeinheronegoodsilkpetticoat,thelossofastringofbeadsfromherchiffonandbrownvelvetfrock,thecatsupstainonherbestgeorgettecrepeblouse.
Shewailed,"Ihaven'tasinglesolitarythingthat'sfittobeseenin,"andenjoyedherselfverymuchindeed.
Kennicottwentaboutcasuallylettingpeopleknowthathewas"goingtorundowntotheCitiesandseesomeshows."
Asthetrainploddedthroughthegrayprairie,onawindlessdaywiththesmokefromtheengineclingingtothefieldsingiantcotton–rolls,inalowandwrithingwallwhichshutoffthesnowyfields,shedidnotlookoutofthewindow.
Sheclosedhereyesandhummed,anddidnotknowthatshewashumming.
ShewastheyoungpoetattackingfameandParis.
IntheMinneapolisstationthecrowdoflumberjacks,farmers,andSwedishfamilieswithinnumerouschildrenandgrandparentsandpaperparcels,theirfoggycrowdingandtheirclamorconfusedher.
Shefeltrusticinthisoncefamiliarcity,afterayearandahalfofGopherPrairie.
ShewascertainthatKennicottwastakingthewrongtrolley–car.
Bydusk,theliquorwarehouses,Hebraicclothing–shops,andlodging–housesonlowerHennepinAvenueweresmoky,hideous,ill–tempered.
Shewasbatteredbythenoiseandshuttlingoftherush–hourtraffic.
Whenaclerkinanovercoattoocloselyfittedatthewaiststaredather,shemovednearertoKennicott'sarm.Theclerkwasflippantandurban.
Hewasasuperiorperson,usedtothistumult.Washelaughingather?
ForamomentshewantedthesecurequietofGopherPrairie.
Inthehotel–lobbyshewasself–conscious.
Shewasnotusedtohotels;sherememberedwithjealousyhowoftenJuanitaHaydocktalkedofthefamoushotelsinChicago.
Shecouldnotfacethetravelingsalesmen,baronialinlargeleatherchairs.
Shewantedpeopletobelievethatherhusbandandshewereaccustomedtoluxuryandchillelegance;shewasfaintlyangryathimforthevulgarwayinwhich,aftersigningtheregister"Dr.W.P.Kennicott&wife,"hebellowedattheclerk,"Gotaniceroomwithbathforus,oldman?"
Shegazedabouthaughtily,butasshediscoveredthatnoonewasinterestedinhershefeltfoolish,andashamedofherirritation.
Sheasserted,"Thissillylobbyistooflorid,"andsimultaneouslysheadmiredit:theonyxcolumnswithgiltcapitals,thecrown–embroideredvelvetcurtainsattherestaurantdoor,thesilk–ropedalcovewhereprettygirlsperpetuallywaitedformysteriousmen,thetwo–poundboxesofcandyandthevarietyofmagazinesatthenews–stand.Thehiddenorchestrawaslively.
ShesawamanwholookedlikeaEuropeandiplomat,inaloosetop–coatandaHomburghat.
Awomanwithabroadtailcoat,aheavylaceveil,pearlearrings,andacloseblackhatenteredtherestaurant."Heavens!
That'sthefirstreallysmartwomanI'veseeninayear!"Carolexulted.Shefeltmetropolitan.
ButasshefollowedKennicotttotheelevatorthecoat–checkgirl,aconfidentyoungwoman,withcheekspowderedlikelime,andablouselowandthinandfuriouslycrimson,inspectedher,andunderthatsuperciliousglanceCarolwasshyagain.
Sheunconsciouslywaitedforthebellboytoprecedeherintotheelevator.Whenhesnorted"Goahead!"shewasmortified.
Hethoughtshewasahayseed,sheworried.
Themomentshewasintheirroom,withthebellboysafelyoutoftheway,shelookedcriticallyatKennicott.Forthefirsttimeinmonthsshereallysawhim.
Hisclothesweretooheavyandprovincial.
Hisdecentgraysuit,madebyNatHicksofGopherPrairie,mighthavebeenofsheetiron;ithadnodistinctionofcut,noeasygracelikethediplomat'sBurberry.
Hisblackshoeswerebluntandnotwellpolished.Hisscarfwasastupidbrown.Heneededashave.
Butsheforgotherdoubtassherealizedtheingenuitiesoftheroom.
Sheranabout,turningonthetapsofthebathtub,whichgushedinsteadofdribblinglikethetapsathome,snatchingthenewwash–ragoutofitsenvelopeofoiledpaper,tryingtherose–shadedlightbetweenthetwinbeds,pullingoutthedrawersofthekidney–shapedwalnutdesktoexaminetheengravedstationery,planningtowriteonittoeveryonesheknew,admiringtheclaret–coloredvelvetarmchairandthebluerug,testingtheice–watertap,andsquealinghappilywhenthewaterreallydidcomeoutcold.
SheflungherarmsaboutKennicott,kissedhim.
"Likeit,oldlady?"
"It'sadorable.It'ssoamusing.Iloveyouforbringingme.Youreallyareadear!"
Helookedblanklyindulgent,andyawned,andcondescended,"That'saprettyslickarrangementontheradiator,soyoucanadjustitatanytemperatureyouwant.
Musttakeabigfurnacetorunthisplace.
Gosh,IhopeBearememberstoturnoffthedraftstonight."
Undertheglasscoverofthedressing–tablewasamenuwiththemostenchantingdishes:breastofguineahenDeVitresse,pommesdeterrealaRusse,meringueChantilly,gateauxBruxelles.
"Oh,let's—I'mgoingtohaveahotbath,andputonmynewhatwiththewoolflowers,andlet'sgodownandeatforhours,andwe'llhaveacocktail!"shechanted.
WhileKennicottlaboredoverorderingitwasannoyingtoseehimpermitthewaitertobeimpertinent,butasthecocktailelevatedhertoabridgeamongcoloredstars,astheoysterscamein—notcannedoystersintheGopherPrairiefashion,butonthehalf–shell—shecried,"Ifyouonlyknewhowwonderfulitisnottohavehadtoplanthisdinner,andorderitatthebutcher'sandfussandthinkaboutit,andthenwatchBeacookit!
Ifeelsofree.
Andtohavenewkindsoffood,anddifferentpatternsofdishesandlinen,andnotworryaboutwhetherthepuddingisbeingspoiled!Oh,thisisagreatmomentforme!"
IV
Theyhadalltheexperiencesofprovincialsinametropolis.
AfterbreakfastCarolbustledtoahair–dresser's,boughtglovesandablouse,andimportantlymetKennicottinfrontofanoptician's,inaccordancewithplanslaiddown,revised,andverified.
Theyadmiredthediamondsandfursandfrostysilverwareandmahoganychairsandpolishedmoroccosewing–boxesinshop–windows,andwereabashedbythethrongsinthedepartment–stores,andwerebulliedbyaclerkintobuyingtoomanyshirtsforKennicott,andgapedatthe"clevernoveltyperfumes—justinfromNewYork."
Carolgotthreebooksonthetheater,andspentanexultanthourinwarningherselfthatshecouldnotaffordthisrajah–silkfrock,inthinkinghowenviousitwouldmakeJuanitaHaydock,inclosinghereyes,andbuyingit.
Kennicottwentfromshoptoshop,earnestlyhuntingdownafelt–covereddevicetokeepthewindshieldofhiscarclearofrain.
Theydinedextravagantlyattheirhotelatnight,andnextmorningsneakedroundthecornertoeconomizeataChilds'Restaurant.
Theyweretiredbythreeintheafternoon,anddozedatthemotion–picturesandsaidtheywishedtheywerebackinGopherPrairie—andbyelevenintheeveningtheywereagainsolivelythattheywenttoaChineserestaurantthatwasfrequentedbyclerksandtheirsweetheartsonpay–days.
TheysatatateakandmarbletableeatingEggsFooyung,andlistenedtoabrassyautomaticpiano,andwerealtogethercosmopolitan.
Onthestreettheymetpeoplefromhome—theMcGanums.
Theylaughed,shookhandsrepeatedly,andexclaimed,"Well,thisisquiteacoincidence!"
TheyaskedwhentheMcGanumshadcomedown,andbeggedfornewsofthetowntheyhadlefttwodaysbefore.
WhatevertheMcGanumswereathome,heretheystoodoutassosuperiortoalltheundistinguishablestrangersabsurdlyhurryingpastthattheKennicottsheldthemaslongastheycould.
TheMcGanumssaidgood–byasthoughtheyweregoingtoTibetinsteadoftothestationtocatchNo.7north.
TheyexploredMinneapolis.Kennicottwasconversationalandtechnicalregardingglutenandcockle–cylindersandNo.
IHard,whentheywereshownthroughthegraystonehulksandnewcementelevatorsofthelargestflour–millsintheworld.
TheylookedacrossLoringParkandtheParadetothetowersofSt.Mark'sandtheProcathedral,andtheredroofsofhousesclimbingKenwoodHill.
Theydroveaboutthechainofgarden–circledlakes,andviewedthehousesofthemillersandlumbermenandrealestatepeers—thepotentatesoftheexpandingcity.
Theysurveyedthesmalleccentricbungalowswithpergolas,thehousesofpebbledashandtapestrybrickwithsleeping–porchesabovesun–parlors,andonevastincrediblechateaufrontingtheLakeoftheIsles.
Theytrampedthroughashining–newsectionofapartment–houses;notthetallbleakapartmentsofEasterncitiesbutlowstructuresofcheerfulyellowbrick,inwhicheachflathaditsglass–enclosedporchwithswingingcouchandscarletcushionsandRussianbrassbowls.
Betweenawasteoftracksandarawgougedhilltheyfoundpovertyinstaggeringshanties.
Theysawmilesofthecitywhichtheyhadneverknownintheirdaysofabsorptionincollege.
Theyweredistinguishedexplorers,andtheyremarked,ingreatmutualesteem,"IbetHarryHaydock'sneverseentheCitylikethis!
Why,he'dneverhavesenseenoughtostudythemachineryinthemills,orgothroughalltheseoutlyingdistricts.
WonderfolksinGopherPrairiewouldn'tusetheirlegsandexplore,thewaywedo!"
TheyhadtwomealswithCarol'ssister,andwerebored,andfeltthatintimacywhichbeatifiesmarriedpeoplewhentheysuddenlyadmitthattheyequallydislikearelativeofeitherofthem.
SoitwaswithaffectionbutalsowithwearinessthattheyapproachedtheeveningonwhichCarolwastoseetheplaysatthedramaticschool.Kennicottsuggestednotgoing.
"Sodarntiredfromallthiswalking;don'tknowbutwhatwebetterturninearlyandgetrestedup."
ItwasonlyfromdutythatCaroldraggedhimandherselfoutofthewarmhotel,intoastinkingtrolley,upthebrownstonestepsoftheconvertedresidencewhichlugubriouslyhousedthedramaticschool.
V
Theywereinalongwhitewashedhallwithaclumsydraw–curtainacrossthefront.
Thefoldingchairswerefilledwithpeoplewholookedwashedandironed:parentsofthepupils,girlstudents,dutifulteachers.
"Strikesmeit'sgoingtobepunk.Ifthefirstplayisn'tgood,let'sbeatit,"saidKennicotthopefully.
"Allright,"sheyawned.Withhazyeyesshetriedtoreadthelistsofcharacters,whichwerehiddenamonglifelessadvertisementsofpianos,music–dealers,restaurants,candy.
SheregardedtheSchnitzlerplaywithnovastinterest.Theactorsmovedandspokestiffly.Justasitscynicismwasbeginningtorousehervillage–dulledfrivolity,itwasover.
"Don'tthinkawhaleofalotofthat.Howabouttakingasneak?"petitionedKennicott.
"Oh,let'strythenextone,'HowHeLiedtoHerHusband.'"
TheShawconceitamusedher,andperplexedKennicott:
"Strikesmeit'sdarnfresh.Thoughtitwouldberacy.
Don'tknowasIthinkmuchofaplaywhereahusbandactuallyclaimshewantsafellowtomakelovetohiswife.Nohusbandeverdidthat!Shallweshakealeg?"
"IwanttoseethisYeatsthing,'LandofHeart'sDesire.'Iusedtoloveitincollege."Shewasawakenow,andurgent.
"Iknowyoudidn'tcaresomuchforYeatswhenIreadhimaloudtoyou,butyoujustseeifyoudon'tadorehimonthestage."
Mostofthecastwereasunwieldyasoakchairsmarching,andthesettingwasanartyarrangementofbatikscarfsandheavytables,butMaireBruinwasslimasCarol,andlarger–eyed,andhervoicewasamorningbell.
Inher,Carollived,andonherliftingvoicewastransportedfromthissleepysmall–townhusbandandalltherowsofpoliteparentstothestillyloftofathatchedcottagewhereinagreendimness,besideawindowcaressedbylindenbranches,shebentoverachronicleoftwilightwomenandtheancientgods.
"Well—gosh—nicekidplayedthatgirl—good–looker,"saidKennicott."Wanttostayforthelastpiece?Heh?"
Sheshivered.Shedidnotanswer.
Thecurtainwasagaindrawnaside.Onthestagetheysawnothingbutlonggreencurtainsandaleatherchair.
Twoyoungmeninbrownrobeslikefurniture–coversweregesturingvacuouslyanddroningcrypticsentencesfullofrepetitions.
ItwasCarol'sfirsthearingofDunsany.ShesympathizedwiththerestlessKennicottashefeltinhispocketforacigarandunhappilyputitback.
Withoutunderstandingwhenorhow,withoutatangiblechangeinthestiltedintoningofthestage–puppets,shewasconsciousofanothertimeandplace.
Statelyandaloofamongvainglorioustiring–maids,aqueeninrobesthatmurmuredonthemarblefloor,shetrodthegalleryofacrumblingpalace.
Inthecourtyard,elephantstrumpeted,andswartmenwithbeardsdyedcrimsonstoodwithblood–stainedhandsfoldedupontheirhilts,guardingthecaravanfromElSharnak,thecamelswithTyrianstuffsoftopazandcinnabar.
Beyondtheturretsoftheouterwallthejungleglaredandshrieked,andthesunwasfuriousabovedrenchedorchids.
Ayouthcamestridingthroughthesteel–bosseddoors,thesword–bittendoorsthatwerehigherthantentallmen.
Hewasinflexiblemail,andundertherimofhisplanishedmorionwereamorouscurls.
Hishandwasouttoher;beforeshetoucheditshecouldfeelitswarmth—
"Goshallhemlock!Whatthedickensisallthisstuffabout,Carrie?"
ShewasnoSyrianqueen.ShewasMrs.Dr.Kennicott.Shefellwithajoltintoawhitewashedhallandsatlookingattwoscaredgirlsandayoungmaninwrinkledtights.
Kennicottfondlyrambledastheyleftthehall:
"Whatthedeucedidthatlastspielmean?Couldn'tmakeheadortailofit.
Ifthat'shighbrowdrama,givemeacow–punchermovie,everytime!
ThankGod,that'sover,andwecangettobed.
Wonderifwewouldn'tmaketimebywalkingovertoNicollettotakeacar?
OnethingIwillsayforthatdump:theyhaditwarmenough.
Musthaveabighot–airfurnace,Iguess.
Wonderhowmuchcoalittakestorun'emthroughthewinter?"
Inthecarheaffectionatelypattedherknee,andhewasforasecondthestridingyouthinarmor;thenhewasDocKennicottofGopherPrairie,andshewasrecapturedbyMainStreet.
Never,notallherlife,wouldshebeholdjunglesandthetombsofkings.
Therewerestrangethingsintheworld,theyreallyexisted;butshewouldneverseethem.
Shewouldrecreatetheminplays!
Shewouldmakethedramaticassociationunderstandheraspiration.Theywould,surelytheywould—
Shelookeddoubtfullyattheimpenetrablerealityofyawningtrolleyconductorandsleepypassengersandplacardsadvertisingsoapandunderwear.
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