English
I
WhenAmericaenteredtheGreatEuropeanWar,VidasentRaymieofftoanofficers'training–camp—lessthanayearafterherwedding.Raymiewasdiligentandratherstrong.
Hecameoutafirstlieutenantofinfantry,andwasoneoftheearliestsentabroad.
CarolgrewdefinitelyafraidofVidaasVidatransferredthepassionwhichhadbeenreleasedinmarriagetothecauseofthewar;asshelostalltolerance.
WhenCarolwastouchedbythedesireforheroisminRaymieandtriedtactfullytoexpressit,Vidamadeherfeellikeanimpertinentchild.
Byenlistmentanddraft,thesonsofLymanCass,NatHicks,SamClarkjoinedthearmy.
ButmostofthesoldierswerethesonsofGermanandSwedishfarmersunknowntoCarol.
Dr.TerryGouldandDr.McGanumbecamecaptainsinthemedicalcorps,andwerestationedatcampsinIowaandGeorgia.
Theyweretheonlyofficers,besidesRaymie,fromtheGopherPrairiedistrict.
Kennicottwantedtogowiththem,buttheseveraldoctorsofthetownforgotmedicalrivalryand,meetingincouncil,decidedthathewoulddobettertowaitandkeepthetownwelltillheshouldbeneeded.
Kennicottwasforty–twonow;theonlyyoungishdoctorleftinaradiusofeighteenmiles.
OldDr.Westlake,wholovedcomfortlikeacat,protestinglyrolledoutatnightforcountrycalls,andhuntedthroughhiscollar–boxforhisG.A.R.button.
CaroldidnotquiteknowwhatshethoughtaboutKennicott'sgoing.CertainlyshewasnoSpartanwife.
Sheknewthathewantedtogo;sheknewthatthislongingwasalwaysinhim,behindhisunchangedtrudgingandremarksabouttheweather.
Shefeltforhimanadmiringaffection—andshewassorrythatshehadnothingmorethanaffection.
CyBogartwasthespectacularwarriorofthetown.
CywasnolongertheweedyboywhohadsatintheloftspeculatingaboutCarol'segotismandthemysteriesofgeneration.
Hewasnineteennow,tall,broad,busy,the"townsport,"famousforhisabilitytodrinkbeer,toshakedice,totellundesirablestories,and,fromhispostinfrontofDyer'sdrugstore,toembarrassthegirlsby"jollying"themastheypassed.
Hisfacewasatoncepeach–bloomedandpimply.
Cywastobeheardpublishingitabroadthatifhecouldn'tgettheWidowBogart'spermissiontoenlist,he'drunawayandenlistwithoutit.
Heshoutedthathe"hatedeverydirtyHun;bygosh,ifhecouldjustpokeabayonetintoonebigfatHeinieandlearnhimsomedecencyanddemocracy,he'ddiehappy."
CygotmuchreputationbywhippingafarmboynamedAdolphPochbauerforbeinga"damnhyphenatedGerman."
...ThiswastheyoungerPochbauer,whowaskilledintheArgonne,whilehewastryingtobringthebodyofhisYankeecaptainbacktothelines.
AtthistimeCyBogartwasstilldwellinginGopherPrairieandplanningtogotowar.
II
EverywhereCarolheardthatthewarwasgoingtobringabasicchangeinpsychology,topurifyanduplifteverythingfrommaritalrelationstonationalpolitics,andshetriedtoexultinit.Onlyshedidnotfindit.
ShesawthewomenwhomadebandagesfortheRedCrossgivingupbridge,andlaughingathavingtodowithoutsugar,butoverthesurgical–dressingstheydidnotspeakofGodandthesoulsofmen,butofMilesBjornstam'simpudence,ofTerryGould'sscandalouscarryings–onwithafarmer'sdaughterfouryearsago,ofcookingcabbage,andofalteringblouses.
Theirreferencestothewartouchedatrocitiesonly.
Sheherselfwaspunctual,andefficientatmakingdressings,butshecouldnot,likeMrs.LymanCassandMrs.Bogart,fillthedressingswithhateforenemies.
WhensheprotestedtoVida,"Theyoungdotheworkwhiletheseoldonessitaroundandinterruptusandgagwithhatebecausethey'retoofeebletodoanythingbuthate,"thenVidaturnedonher:
"Ifyoucan'tbereverent,atleastdon'tbesopertandopinionated,nowwhenmenandwomenaredying.
Someofus—wehavegivenupsomuch,andwe'regladto.
Atleastweexpectthatyouotherssha'n'ttrytobewittyatourexpense."
Therewasweeping.
CaroldiddesiretoseethePrussianautocracydefeated;shedidpersuadeherselfthattherewerenoautocraciessavethatofPrussia;shedidthrilltomotion–picturesoftroopsembarkinginNewYork;andshewasuncomfortablewhenshemetMilesBjornstamonthestreetandhecroaked:
"How'stricks?Thingsgoingfinewithme;gottwonewcows.Well,haveyoubecomeapatriot?Eh?
Sure,they'llbringdemocracy—thedemocracyofdeath.
Yes,sure,ineverywarsincetheGardenofEdentheworkmenhavegoneouttofighteachotherforperfectlygoodreasons—handedtothembytheirbosses.Nowme,I'mwise.
I'msowisethatIknowIdon'tknowanythingaboutthewar."
ItwasnotathoughtofthewarthatremainedwithherafterMiles'sdeclamationbutaperceptionthatsheandVidaandallofthegood–intentionerswhowantedto"dosomethingforthecommonpeople"wereinsignificant,becausethe"commonpeople"wereabletodothingsforthemselves,andhighlylikelyto,assoonastheylearnedthefact.
TheconceptionofmillionsofworkmenlikeMilestakingcontrolfrightenedher,andshescuttledrapidlyawayfromthethoughtofatimewhenshemightnolongerretainthepositionofLadyBountifultotheBjornstamsandBeasandOscarinaswhomsheloved—andpatronized.
III
ItwasinJune,twomonthsafterAmerica'sentranceintothewar,thatthemomentouseventhappened—thevisitofthegreatPercyBresnahan,themillionairepresidentoftheVelvetMotorCarCompanyofBoston,theonenativesonwhowasalwaystobementionedtostrangers.
Fortwoweekstherewererumors.SamClarkcriedtoKennicott,"Say,IhearPerceBresnahaniscoming!
Bygollyit'llbegreattoseetheoldscout,eh?"
FinallytheDauntlessprinted,onthefrontpagewithaNo.1head,aletterfromBresnahantoJacksonElder:
DEARJACK:
Well,Jack,IfindIcanmakeit.I'mtogotoWashingtonasadollarayearmanforthegovernment,intheaviationmotorsection,andtellthemhowmuchIdon'tknowaboutcarburetors.
ButbeforeIstartinbeingaheroIwanttoshootoutandcatchmeabigblackbassandcussoutyouandSamClarkandHarryHaydockandWillKennicottandtherestofyoupirates.
I'lllandinG.P.onJune7,onNo.7fromMpls.Shakeaday–day.
TellBertTybeetosavemeaglassofbeer.
Sincerelyyours,
Perce.
Allmembersofthesocial,financial,scientific,literary,andsportingsetswereatNo.7tomeetBresnahan;Mrs.LymanCasswasbesideDelSnafflinthebarber,andJuanitaHaydockalmostcordialtoMissVilletsthelibrarian.
CarolsawBresnahanlaughingdownatthemfromthetrainvestibule—big,immaculate,overjawed,withtheeyeofanexecutive.
InthevoiceoftheprofessionalGoodFellowhebellowed,"Howdy,folks!"
Asshewasintroducedtohim(nothetoher)Bresnahanlookedintohereyes,andhishand–shakewaswarm,unhurried.
Hedeclinedtheoffersofmotors;hewalkedoff,hisarmabouttheshoulderofNatHicksthesportingtailor,withtheelegantHarryHaydockcarryingoneofhisenormouspaleleatherbags,DelSnafflintheother,JackElderbearinganovercoat,andJuliusFlickerbaughthefishing–tackle.
CarolnotedthatthoughBresnahanworespatsandastick,nosmallboyjeered.
Shedecided,"ImusthaveWillgetadouble–breastedbluecoatandawingcollarandadottedbow–tielikehis."
Thatevening,whenKennicottwastrimmingthegrassalongthewalkwithsheep–shears,Bresnahanrolledup,alone.
Hewasnowincorduroytrousers,khakishirtopenatthethroat,awhiteboatinghat,andmarvelouscanvas–and–leathershoes"Onthejobthere,oldWill!
Say,myLord,thisisliving,tocomebackandgetintoaregularman–sizedpairofpants.
Theycantalkalltheywanttoaboutthecity,butmyideaofagoodtimeistoloafaroundandseeyouboysandcatchagameybass!"
HehustledupthewalkandblaredatCarol,"Where'sthatlittlefellow?Ihearyou'vegotonefinebighe–boythatyou'reholdingoutonme!"
"He'sgonetobed,"ratherbriefly.
"Iknow.Andrulesarerules,thesedays.
Kidsgetroutedthroughtheshoplikeamotor.
Butlookhere,sister;I'monegreathandatbustingrules.
Comeonnow,letUnclePercehavealookathim.Pleasenow,sister?"
Heputhisarmaboutherwaist;itwasalarge,strong,sophisticatedarm,andveryagreeable;hegrinnedatherwithadevastatingknowingness,whileKennicottglowedinanely.
Sheflushed;shewasalarmedbytheeasewithwhichthebig–citymaninvadedherguardedpersonality.
Shewasglad,inretreat,toscamperaheadofthetwomenup–stairstothehall–roominwhichHughslept.
AllthewayKennicottmuttered,"Well,well,say,geewhittakersbutit'sgoodtohaveyouback,certainlyisgoodtoseeyou!"
Hughlayonhisstomach,makinganearnestbusinessofsleeping.
Heburrowedhiseyesinthedwarfbluepillowtoescapetheelectriclight,thensatupabruptly,smallandfrailinhiswoollynightdrawers,hisflossofbrownhairwild,thepillowclutchedtohisbreast.Hewailed.
Hestaredatthestranger,inamannerofpatientdismissal.
HeexplainedconfidentiallytoCarol,"Daddywouldn'tletitbemorningyet.Whatdoesthepillowsay?"
BresnahandroppedhisarmcaressinglyonCarol'sshoulder;hepronounced,"MyLord,you'realuckygirltohaveafineyounghusklikethat.
IfigureWillknewwhathewasdoingwhenhepersuadedyoutotakeachanceonanoldbumlikehim!TheytellmeyoucomefromSt.Paul.
We'regoingtogetyoutocometoBostonsomeday."Heleanedoverthebed.
"Youngman,you'retheslickestsightI'veseenthissideofBoston.
Withyourpermission,maywepresentyouwithaslighttokenofourregardandappreciationofyourlongservice?"
HeheldoutaredrubberPierrot.Hughremarked,"Gimmeit,"hiditunderthebedclothes,andstaredatBresnahanasthoughhehadneverseenthemanbefore.
ForonceCarolpermittedherselfthespiritualluxuryofnotasking"Why,Hughdear,whatdoyousaywhensomeonegivesyouapresent?"Thegreatmanwasapparentlywaiting.
TheystoodininanesuspensetillBresnahanledthemout,rumbling,"Howaboutplanningafishing–trip,Will?"
Heremainedforhalfanhour.AlwayshetoldCarolwhatacharmingpersonshewas;alwayshelookedatherknowingly.
"Yes.Heprobablywouldmakeawomanfallinlovewithhim.Butitwouldn'tlastaweek.
I'dgettiredofhisconfoundedbuoyancy.Hishypocrisy.He'saspiritualbully.
Hemakesmerudetohiminself–defense.Ohyes,heisgladtobehere.Hedoeslikeus.
He'ssogoodanactorthatheconvinceshisownself....I'dHATEhiminBoston.
He'dhavealltheobviousbig–citythings.Limousines.Discreetevening–clothes.
Orderacleverdinneratasmartrestaurant.
Drawing–roomdecoratedbythebestfirm—butthepicturesgivinghimaway.
I'drathertalktoGuyPollockinhisdustyoffice....HowIlie!
Hisarmcoaxedmyshoulderandhiseyesdaredmenottoadmirehim.I'dbeafraidofhim.Ihatehim!
...Oh,theinconceivableegotisticimaginationofwomen!
Allthisstewofanalysisaboutaman,agood,decent,friendly,efficientman,becausehewaskindtome,asWill'swife!"
IV
TheKennicotts,theElders,theClarks,andBresnahanwentfishingatRedSquawLake.
TheydrovefortymilestothelakeinElder'snewCadillac.
Therewasmuchlaughterandbustleatthestart,muchstoringoflunch–basketsandjointedpoles,muchinquiryastowhetheritwouldreallybotherCaroltositwithherfeetuponarollofshawls.
WhentheywerereadytogoMrs.Clarklamented,"Oh,Sam,Iforgotmymagazine,"andBresnahanbullied,"Comeonnow,ifyouwomenthinkyou'regoingtobeliterary,youcan'tgowithustoughguys!"
Everyonelaughedagreatdeal,andastheydroveonMrs.Clarkexplainedthatthoughprobablyshewouldnothavereadit,still,shemighthavewantedto,whiletheothergirlshadanapintheafternoon,andshewasrightinthemiddleofaserial—itwasanawfullyexcitingstory—itseemsthatthisgirlwasaTurkishdancer(onlyshewasreallythedaughterofanAmericanladyandaRussianprince)andmenkeptrunningafterher,justdisgustingly,butsheremainedpure,andtherewasascene—
Whilethemenfloatedonthelake,castingforblackbass,thewomenpreparedlunchandyawned.
Carolwasalittleresentfulofthemannerinwhichthemenassumedthattheydidnotcaretofish.
"Idon'twanttogowiththem,butIwouldliketheprivilegeofrefusing."
Thelunchwaslongandpleasant.Itwasabackgroundforthetalkofthegreatmancomehome,hintsofcitiesandlargeimperativeaffairsandfamouspeople,jocoselymodestadmissionsthat,yes,theirfriendPercewasdoingaboutaswellasmostofthese"Bostonswellsthatthinksomuchofthemselvesbecausetheycomefromricholdfamiliesandwenttocollegeandeverything.
Believeme,it'susnewbusinessmenthatarerunningBeantowntoday,andnotalotoffussyoldbuckssnoozingintheirclubs!"
CarolrealizedthathewasnotoneofthesonsofGopherPrairiewho,iftheydonotactuallystarveintheEast,areinvariablyspokenofas"highlysuccessful";andshefoundbehindhistooincessantflatteryagenuineaffectionforhismates.
Itwasinthematterofthewarthathemostfavoredandthrilledthem.
Droppinghisvoicewhiletheybentnearer(therewasnoonewithintwomilestooverhear),hedisclosedthefactthatinbothBostonandWashingtonhe'dbeengettingalotofinsidestuffonthewar—rightstraightfromheadquarters—hewasintouchwithsomemen—couldn'tnamethembuttheyweredarnhighupinboththeWarandStateDepartments—andhewouldsay—onlyforPete'ssaketheymustn'tbreatheonewordofthis;itwasstrictlyontheQ.T.andnotgenerallyknownoutsideofWashington—butjustbetweenourselves—andtheycouldtakethisforgospel—SpainhadfinallydecidedtojointheEntentealliesintheGrandScrap.
Yes,sir,there'dbetwomillionfullyequippedSpanishsoldiersfightingwithusinFranceinonemonthnow.SomesurpriseforGermany,allright!
"HowabouttheprospectsforrevolutioninGermany?"reverentlyaskedKennicott.
Theauthoritygrunted,"Nothingtoit.TheonethingyoucanbetonisthatnomatterwhathappenstotheGermanpeople,winorlose,they'llstickbytheKaisertillhellfreezesover.
Igotthatabsolutelystraight,fromafellowwho'sontheinsideoftheinsideinWashington.No,sir!
Idon'tpretendtoknowmuchaboutinternationalaffairsbutonethingyoucanputdownassettledisthatGermanywillbeaHohenzollernempireforthenextfortyyears.Atthat,Idon'tknowasit'ssobad.
TheKaiserandtheJunkerskeepafirmhandonalotoftheseredagitatorswho'dbeworsethanakingiftheycouldgetcontrol."
"I'mterriblyinterestedinthisuprisingthatoverthrewtheCzarinRussia,"suggestedCarol.Shehadfinallybeenconqueredbytheman'swizardknowledgeofaffairs.
Kennicottapologizedforher:"Carrie'snutsaboutthisRussianrevolution.Istheremuchtoit,Perce?"
"Thereisnot!"Bresnahansaidflatly."Icanspeakbythebookthere.
Carol,honey,I'msurprisedtofindyoutalkinglikeaNewYorkRussianJew,oroneoftheselong–hairs!
Icantellyou,onlyyoudon'tneedtoleteveryoneinonit,thisisconfidential,Igotitfromamanwho'sclosetotheStateDepartment,butasamatteroffacttheCzarwillbebackinpowerbeforetheendoftheyear.
Youreadalotabouthisretiringandabouthisbeingkilled,butIknowhe'sgotabigarmybackofhim,andhe'llshowthesedamnagitators,lazybeggarshuntingforasoftberthbossingthepoorgoatsthatfallfor'em,he'llshow'emwheretheygetoff!"
CarolwassorrytohearthattheCzarwascomingback,butshesaidnothing.
TheothershadlookedvacantatthementionofacountrysofarawayasRussia.
NowtheyedgedinandaskedBresnahanwhathethoughtaboutthePackardcar,investmentsinTexasoil–wells,thecomparativemeritsofyoungmenborninMinnesotaandinMassachusetts,thequestionofprohibition,thefuturecostofmotortires,andwasn'tittruethatAmericanaviatorsputitallovertheseFrenchmen?
Theyweregladtofindthatheagreedwiththemoneverypoint.
AssheheardBresnahanannounce,"We'reperfectlywillingtotalktoanycommitteethemenmaychoose,butwe'renotgoingtostandforsomeoutsideagitatorbuttinginandtellingushowwe'regoingtorunourplant!"
CarolrememberedthatJacksonElder(nowmeeklyreceivingNewIdeas)hadsaidthesamethinginthesamewords.
WhileSamClarkwasdiggingupfromhismemoryalongandimmenselydetailedstoryofthecrushingthingshehadsaidtoaPullmanporter,namedGeorge,BresnahanhuggedhiskneesandrockedandwatchedCarol.
ShewonderedifhedidnotunderstandthelaboriousnessofthesmilewithwhichshelistenedtoKennicott'saccountofthe"goodonehehadonCarrie,"thatmarital,coylyimproper,ten–times–toldtaleofhowshehadforgottentoattendtoHughbecauseshewas"allhetuppoundingthebox"—whichmaybetranslatedas"eagerlyplayingthepiano."
ShewascertainthatBresnahansawthroughherwhenshepretendednottohearKennicott'sinvitationtojoinagameofcribbage.
Shefearedthecommentshemightmake;shewasirritatedbyherfear.
Shewasequallyirritated,whenthemotorreturnedthroughGopherPrairie,tofindthatshewasproudofsharinginBresnahan'skudosaspeoplewaved,andJuanitaHaydockleanedfromawindow.
Shesaidtoherself,"AsthoughIcaredwhetherI'mseenwiththisfatphonograph!"
andsimultaneously,"EverybodyhasnoticedhowmuchWillandIareplayingwithMr.Bresnahan."
Thetownwasfullofhisstories,hisfriendliness,hismemoryfornames,hisclothes,histrout–flies,hisgenerosity.
HehadgivenahundreddollarstoFatherKlubokthepriest,andahundredtotheReverendMr.ZittereltheBaptistminister,forAmericanizationwork.
AttheBonTon,CarolheardNatHicksthetailorexulting:
"OldPercecertainlypulledagoodoneonthisfellowBjornstamthatalwaysisshootingoffhismouth.
He'ssupposedtoofsettleddownsincehegotmarried,butLord,thosefellowsthatthinktheyknowitall,theyneverchange.
Well,theRedSwedegotthegrandrazzhandedtohim,allright.
HehadthenervetobreezeuptoPerce,atDaveDyer's,andhesaid,hesaidtoPerce,'I'vealwayswantedtolookatamanthatwassousefulthatfolkswouldpayhimamilliondollarsforexisting,'andPercegavehimtheonce–overandcomerightback,'Have,eh?'hesays.
'Well,'hesays,'I'vebeenlookingforamansousefulsweepingfloorsthatIcouldpayhimfourdollarsaday.Wantthejob,myfriend?'Ha,ha,ha!Say,youknowhowlippyBjornstamis?
Wellforoncehedidn'thaveathingtosay.
Hetriedtogetfresh,andtellwhatarottentownthisis,andPercecomerightbackathim,'Ifyoudon'tlikethiscountry,youbettergetoutofitandgobacktoGermany,whereyoubelong!'
Say,maybeusfellowsdidn'tgiveBjornstamthehorse–laughthough!
Oh,Perceisthewhite–hairedboyinthisburg,allrightee!"
V
BresnahanhadborrowedJacksonElder'smotor;hestoppedattheKennicotts';hebawledatCarol,rockingwithHughontheporch,"Bettercomeforaride."
Shewantedtosnubhim."Thankssomuch,butI'mbeingmaternal."
"Bringhimalong!Bringhimalong!"Bresnahanwasoutoftheseat,stalkingupthesidewalk,andtherestofherprotestsanddignitieswerefeeble.
ShedidnotbringHughalong.
Bresnahanwassilentforamile,inwords,Buthelookedatherasthoughhemeanthertoknowthatheunderstoodeverythingshethought.
Sheobservedhowdeepwashischest.
"Lovelyfieldsoverthere,"hesaid.
"Youreallylikethem?There'snoprofitinthem."
Hechuckled."Sister,youcan'tgetawaywithit.I'montoyou.Youconsidermeabigbluff.Well,maybeIam.
Butsoareyou,mydear—andprettyenoughsothatI'dtrytomakelovetoyou,ifIweren'tafraidyou'dslapme."
"Mr.Bresnahan,doyoutalkthatwaytoyourwife'sfriends?Anddoyoucallthem'sister'?"
"Asamatteroffact,Ido!AndImake'emlikeit.Scoretwo!"Buthischucklewasnotsorotund,andhewasveryattentivetotheammeter.
Inamomenthewascautiouslyattacking:"That'sawonderfulboy,WillKennicott.
Greatworkthesecountrypractitionersaredoing.
Theotherday,inWashington,Iwastalkingtoabigscientificshark,aprofessorinJohnsHopkinsmedicalschool,andhewassayingthatnoonehaseversufficientlyappreciatedthegeneralpractitionerandthesympathyandhelphegivesfolks.
Thesecrackspecialists,theyoungscientificfellows,they'resococksureandsowrappedupintheirlaboratoriesthattheymissthehumanelement.
Exceptinthecaseofafewfreakdiseasesthatnorespectablehumanbeingwouldwastehistimehaving,it'stheolddocthatkeepsacommunitywell,mindandbody.
AndstrikesmethatWillisoneofthesteadiestandclearest–headedcounterpractitionersI'veevermet.Eh?"
"I'msureheis.He'saservantofreality."
"Comeagain?Um.Yes.Allofthat,whateverthatis....Say,child,youdon'tcareawholelotforGopherPrairie,ifI'mnotmistaken."
"Nope."
"There'swhereyou'remissingabigchance.There'snothingtothesecities.Believeme,IKNOW!Thisisagoodtown,astheygo.You'reluckytobehere.IwishIcouldshyon!"
"Verywell,whydon'tyou?"
"Huh?Why—Lord—can'tgetawayfr—"
"Youdon'thavetostay.Ido!SoIwanttochangeit.
Doyouknowthatmenlikeyou,prominentmen,doquiteareasonableamountofharmbyinsistingthatyournativetownsandnativestatesareperfect?
It'syouwhoencouragethedenizensnottochange.
Theyquoteyou,andgoonbelievingthattheyliveinparadise,and—"Sheclenchedherfist."Theincredibledullnessofit!"
"Supposeyouwereright.Evenso,don'tyouthinkyouwastealotofthunderingononepoorscaredlittletown?Kindofmean!"
"Itellyouit'sdull.DULL!"
"Thefolksdon'tfinditdull.ThesecouplesliketheHaydockshaveahigholdtime;dancesandcards—"
"Theydon't.They'rebored.Almosteveryonehereis.Vacuousnessandbadmannersandspitefulgossip—that'swhatIhate."
"Thosethings—coursethey'rehere.SoaretheyinBoston!Andeveryplaceelse!Why,thefaultsyoufindinthistownaresimplyhumannature,andneverwillbechanged."
"Perhaps.ButinaBostonallthegoodCarols(I'lladmitIhavenofaults)canfindoneanotherandplay.Buthere—I'malone,inastalepool—exceptasit'sstirredbythegreatMr.Bresnahan!"
"MyLord,tohearyoutellit,afellow'dthinkthatallthedenizens,asyouimpolitelycall'em,aresoconfoundedlyunhappythatit'sawondertheydon'tallupandcommitsuicide.
Buttheyseemtostrugglealongsomehow!"
"Theydon'tknowwhattheymiss.Andanybodycanendureanything.Lookatmeninminesandinprisons."
HedrewuponthesouthshoreofLakeMinniemashie.
Heglancedacrossthereedsreflectedonthewater,thequiverofwaveletslikecrumpledtinfoil,thedistantshorespatchedwithdarkwoods,silveryoatsanddeepyellowwheat.Hepattedherhand.
"Sis—Carol,you'readarlinggirl,butyou'redifficult.KnowwhatIthink?"
"Yes."
"Humph.Maybeyoudo,but—Myhumble(nottoohumble!)
opinionisthatyouliketobedifferent.Youliketothinkyou'repeculiar.
Why,ifyouknewhowmanytensofthousandsofwomen,especiallyinNewYork,sayjustwhatyoudo,you'dloseallthefunofthinkingyou'realonegeniusandyou'dbeontheband–wagonwhoopingitupforGopherPrairieandagooddecentfamilylife.
There'salwaysaboutamillionyoungwomenjustoutofcollegewhowanttoteachtheirgrandmothershowtosuckeggs."
"Howproudyouareofthathomelyrusticmetaphor!Youuseitat'banquets'anddirectors'meetings,andboastofyourclimbfromahumblehomestead."
"Huh!Youmayhavemynumber.I'mnottelling.
Butlookhere:You'resoprejudicedagainstGopherPrairiethatyouovershootthemark;youantagonizethosewhomightbeinclinedtoagreewithyouinsomeparticularsbut—Greatguns,thetowncan'tbeallwrong!"
"No,itisn't.Butitcouldbe.Letmetellyouafable.
Imagineacavewomancomplainingtohermate.
Shedoesn'tlikeonesinglething;shehatesthedampcave,theratsrunningoverherbarelegs,thestiffskingarments,theeatingofhalf–rawmeat,herhusband'sbushyface,theconstantbattles,andtheworshipofthespiritswhowillhoodooherunlessshegivesthepriestsherbestclawnecklace.
Hermanprotests,'Butitcan'tallbewrong!'
andhethinkshehasreducedhertoabsurdity.
NowyouassumethataworldwhichproducesaPercyBresnahanandaVelvetMotorCompanymustbecivilized.Itis?
Aren'tweonlyabouthalf–wayalonginbarbarism?IsuggestMrs.Bogartasatest.
Andwe'llcontinueinbarbarismjustaslongaspeopleasnearlyintelligentasyoucontinuetodefendthingsastheyarebecausetheyare."
"You'reafairspieler,child.But,bygolly,I'dliketoseeyoutrytodesignanewmanifold,orrunafactoryandkeepalotofyourfellowredsfromCzech–slovenski–magyar–godknowswheriaonthejob!You'ddropyourtheoriessodarnquick!
I'mnotanydefenderofthingsastheyare.Sure.They'rerotten.OnlyI'msensible."
Hepreachedhisgospel:loveofoutdoors,PlayingtheGame,loyaltytofriends.
Shehadtheneophyte'sshockofdiscoverythat,outsideoftracts,conservativesdonottrembleandfindnoanswerwhenaniconoclastturnsonthem,butretortwithagilityandconfusingstatistics.
Hewassomuchtheman,theworker,thefriend,thatshelikedhimwhenshemosttriedtostandoutagainsthim;hewassomuchthesuccessfulexecutivethatshedidnotwanthimtodespiseher.
Hismannerofsneeringatwhathecalled"parlorsocialists"(thoughthephrasewasnotoverwhelminglynew)hadapowerwhichmadeherwishtoplacatehiscompanyofwell–fed,speed–lovingadministrators.
Whenhedemanded,"Wouldyouliketoassociatewithnothingbutalotofturkey–necked,horn–spectaclednutsthathaveadenoidsandneedahair–cut,andthatspendalltheirtimekickingabout'conditions'andneverdoalickofwork?"
shesaid,"No,butjustthesame—"Whenheasserted,"Evenifyourcavewomanwasrightinknockingthewholeworks,Ibetsomered–bloodedRegularFellow,somerealHe–man,foundheranicedrycave,andnotanywhiningcriticizingradical,"shewriggledherheadfeebly,betweenanodandashake.
Hislargehands,sensuallips,easyvoicesupportedhisself–confidence.
Hemadeherfeelyoungandsoft—asKennicotthadoncemadeherfeel.
Shehadnothingtosaywhenhebenthispowerfulheadandexperimented,"Mydear,I'msorryI'mgoingawayfromthistown.You'dbeadarlingchildtoplaywith.YouAREpretty!
SomedayinBostonI'llshowyouhowwebuyalunch.
Well,hangit,gottobestartingback."
Theonlyanswertohisgospelofbeefwhichshecouldfind,whenshewashome,wasawailof"Butjustthesame—"
ShedidnotseehimagainbeforehedepartedforWashington.
Hiseyesremained.Hisglancesatherlipsandhairandshouldershadrevealedtoherthatshewasnotawife–and–motheralone,butagirl;thattherestillweremenintheworld,astherehadbeenincollegedays.
ThatadmirationledhertostudyKennicott,totearattheshroudofintimacy,toperceivethestrangenessofthemostfamiliar.
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