English
I
ForamonthwhichwasonesuspendedmomentofdoubtshesawErikonlycasually,atanEasternStardance,attheshop,where,inthepresenceofNatHicks,theyconferredwithimmenseparticularityonthesignificanceofhavingoneortwobuttonsonthecuffofKennicott'sNewSuit.
Forthebenefitofbeholderstheywererespectablyvacuous.
Thusbarredfromhim,depressedinthethoughtofFern,CarolwassuddenlyandforthefirsttimeconvincedthatshelovedErik.
Shetoldherselfathousandinspiritingthingswhichhewouldsayifhehadtheopportunity;forthemsheadmiredhim,lovedhim.Butshewasafraidtosummonhim.Heunderstood,hedidnotcome.
Sheforgothereverydoubtofhim,andherdiscomfortinhisbackground.
Eachdayitseemedimpossibletogetthroughthedesolationofnotseeinghim.
Eachmorning,eachafternoon,eacheveningwasacompartmentdividedfromallotherunitsoftime,distinguishedbyasudden"Oh!IwanttoseeErik!"
whichwasasdevastatingasthoughshehadneversaiditbefore.
Therewerewretchedperiodswhenshecouldnotpicturehim.
Usuallyhestoodoutinhermindinsomelittlemoment—glancingupfromhispreposterouspressing–iron,orrunningonthebeachwithDaveDyer.
Butsometimeshehadvanished;hewasonlyanopinion.
Sheworriedthenabouthisappearance:Weren'thiswriststoolargeandred?
Wasn'thisnoseasnub,likesomanyScandinavians?
Washeatallthegracefulthingshehadfancied?
Whensheencounteredhimonthestreetshewasasmuchreassuringherselfasrejoicinginhispresence.
Moredisturbingthanbeingunabletovisualizehimwasthedartingremembranceofsomeintimateaspect:hisfaceastheyhadwalkedtotheboattogetheratthepicnic;theruddylightonhistemples,neck–cords,flatcheeks.
OnaNovembereveningwhenKennicottwasinthecountrysheansweredthebellandwasconfusedtofindErikatthedoor,stooped,imploring,hishandsinthepocketsofhistopcoat.
Asthoughhehadbeenrehearsinghisspeechheinstantlybesought:
"Sawyourhusbanddrivingaway.I'vegottoseeyou.Ican'tstandit.Comeforawalk.Iknow!Peoplemightseeus.
Buttheywon'tifwehikeintothecountry.I'llwaitforyoubytheelevator.
Takeaslongasyouwantto—oh,comequick!"
"Inafewminutes,"shepromised.
Shemurmured,"I'lljusttalktohimforaquarterofanhourandcomehome."
Sheputanhertweedcoatandrubberovershoes,consideringhowhonestandhopelessarerubbers,howclearlytheirchaperonageprovedthatshewasn'tgoingtoalovers'tryst.
Shefoundhimintheshadowofthegrain–elevator,sulkilykickingatarailoftheside–track.
Asshecametowardhimshefanciedthathiswholebodyexpanded.
Buthesaidnothing,norshe;hepattedhersleeve,shereturnedthepat,andtheycrossedtherailroadtracks,foundaroad,clumpedtowardopencountry.
"Chillynight,butIlikethismelancholygray,"hesaid.
"Yes."
Theypassedamoaningclumpoftreesandsplashedalongthewetroad.
Hetuckedherhandintotheside–pocketofhisovercoat.
Shecaughthisthumband,sighing,helditexactlyasHughheldherswhentheywentwalking.ShethoughtaboutHugh.
Thecurrentmaidwasinfortheevening,butwasitsafetoleavethebabywithher?Thethoughtwasdistantandelusive.
Erikbegantotalk,slowly,revealingly.
HemadeforherapictureofhisworkinalargetailorshopinMinneapolis:thesteamandheat,andthedrudgery;themenindarnedvestsandcrumpledtrousers,menwho"rushedgrowlersofbeer"andwerecynicalaboutwomen,wholaughedathimandplayedjokesonhim.
"ButIdidn'tmind,becauseIcouldkeepawayfromthemoutside.
IusedtogototheArtInstituteandtheWalkerGallery,andtrampcleararoundLakeHarriet,orhikeouttotheGateshouseandimagineitwasachateauinItalyandIlivedinit.
Iwasamarquisandcollectedtapestries—thatwasafterIwaswoundedinPadua.
TheonlyreallybadtimewaswhenatailornamedFinkelfarbfoundadiaryIwastryingtokeepandhereaditaloudintheshop—itwasabadfight."Helaughed."Igotfinedfivedollars.Butthat'sallgonenow.
Seemsasthoughyoustandbetweenmeandthegasstoves—thelongflameswithmauveedges,lickinguparoundtheironsandmakingthatsneeringsoundallday—aaaaah!"
Herfingerstightenedabouthisthumbassheperceivedthehotlowroom,thepoundingofpressing–irons,thereekofscorchedcloth,andErikamonggigglinggnomes.
Hisfingertipcreptthroughtheopeningofhergloveandsmoothedherpalm.
Shesnatchedherhandaway,strippedoffherglove,tuckedherhandbackintohis.
Hewassayingsomethingabouta"wonderfulperson."Inhertranquillitysheletthewordsblowbyandheededonlythebeatingwingsofhisvoice.
Shewasconsciousthathewasfumblingforimpressivespeech.
"Say,uh—Carol,I'vewrittenapoemaboutyou."
"That'snice.Let'shearit."
"Damnit,don'tbesocasualaboutit!Can'tyoutakemeseriously?"
"Mydearboy,ifItookyouseriously—!Idon'twantustobehurtmorethan—morethanwewillbe.Tellmethepoem.I'veneverhadapoemwrittenaboutme!"
"Itisn'treallyapoem.It'sjustsomewordsthatIlovebecauseitseemstometheycatchwhatyouare.Ofcourseprobablytheywon'tseemsotoanybodyelse,but—Well—
Littleandtenderandmerryandwise
Witheyesthatmeetmyeyes.
DoyougettheideathewayIdo?"
"Yes!I'mterriblygrateful!"Andshewasgrateful—whilesheimpersonallynotedhowbadaverseitwas.
Shewasawareofthehaggardbeautyintheloweringnight.
Monstroustatteredcloudssprawledroundaforlornmoon;puddlesandrocksglistenedwithinnerlight.
Theywerepassingagroveofscrubpoplars,feeblebydaybutloomingnowlikeamenacingwall.Shestopped.
Theyheardthebranchesdripping,thewetleavessullenlyplumpingonthesoggyearth.
"Waiting—waiting—everythingiswaiting,"shewhispered.
Shedrewherhandfromhis,pressedherclenchedfingersagainstherlips.Shewaslostinthesomberness.
"Iamhappy—sowemustgohome,beforewehavetimetobecomeunhappy.
Butcan'twesitonalogforaminuteandjustlisten?"
"No.Toowet.
ButIwishwecouldbuildafire,andyoucouldsitonmyovercoatbesideit.I'magrandfire–builder!
MycousinLarsandmespentaweekonetimeinacabinwayupintheBigWoods,snowedin.
Thefireplacewasfilledwithadomeoficewhenwegotthere,butwechoppeditout,andjammedthethingfullofpine–boughs.
Couldn'twebuildafirebackhereinthewoodsandsitbyitforawhile?"
Shepondered,half–waybetweenyieldingandrefusal.Herheadachedfaintly.Shewasinabeyance.
Everything,thenight,hissilhouette,thecautious–treadingfuture,wasasundistinguishableasthoughsheweredriftingbodilessinaFourthDimension.
Whilehermindgroped,thelightsofamotorcarswoopedroundabendintheroad,andtheystoodfartherapart."WhatoughtItodo?"shemused."Ithink—Oh,Iwon'tberobbed!IAMgood!
IfI'msoenslavedthatIcan'tsitbythefirewithamanandtalk,thenI'dbetterbedead!"
Thelightsofthethrummingcargrewmagically;wereuponthem;abruptlystopped.Frombehindthedimnessofthewindshieldavoice,annoyed,sharp:"Hellothere!"
SherealizedthatitwasKennicott.
Theirritationinhisvoicesmoothedout."Havingawalk?"
Theymadeschoolboyishsoundsofassent.
"Prettywet,isn'tit?Betterrideback.Jumpupinfronthere,Valborg."
Hismannerofswingingopenthedoorwasacommand.
CarolwasconsciousthatErikwasclimbingin,thatshewasapparentlytositintheback,andthatshehadbeenlefttoopenthereardoorforherself.
Instantlythewonderwhichhadflamedtothegustyskieswasquenched,andshewasMrs.W.P.KennicottofGopherPrairie,ridinginasqueakingoldcar,andlikelytobelecturedbyherhusband.
ShefearedwhatKennicottwouldsaytoErik.Shebenttowardthem.Kennicottwasobserving,"Goingtohavesomerainbeforethenight'sover,allright."
"Yes,"saidErik.
"Beenfunnyseasonthisyear,anyway.NeversawitwithsuchacoldOctoberandsuchaniceNovember.
'MemberwehadasnowwaybackonOctoberninth!
Butitcertainlywasniceuptothetwenty–first,thismonth—asIrememberit,notaflakeofsnowinNovembersofar,hastherebeen?
ButIshouldn'twonderifwe'dbehavingsomesnow'mostanytimenow."
"Yes,goodchanceofit,"saidErik.
"WishI'dhadmoretimetogoaftertheducksthisfall.Bygolly,whatdoyouthink?"Kennicottsoundedappealing.
"FellowwrotemefromManTrapLakethatheshotsevenmallardsandcoupleofcanvas–backinonehour!"
"Thatmusthavebeenfine,"saidErik.
Carolwasignored.ButKennicottwasblustrouslycheerful.
Heshoutedtoafarmer,ashesloweduptopassthefrightenedteam,"Thereweare—schongut!"
Shesatback,neglected,frozen,unheroicheroineinadramainsanelyundramatic.
Shemadeadecisionresoluteandenduring.
ShewouldtellKennicott—Whatwouldshetellhim?ShecouldnotsaythatshelovedErik.DIDshelovehim?Butshewouldhaveitout.
ShewasnotsurewhetheritwaspityforKennicott'sblindness,orirritationathisassumptionthathewasenoughtofillanywoman'slife,whichpromptedher,butsheknewthatshewasoutofthetrap,thatshecouldbefrank;andshewasexhilaratedwiththeadventureofit...whileinfronthewasentertainingErik:
"Nothinglikeanhouronaduck–passtomakeyourelishyourvictualsand—Gosh,thismachinehasn'tgotthepowerofafountainpen.
Guessthecylindersarejam–cram–fullofcarbonagain.
Don'tknowbutwhatmaybeI'llhavetoputinanothersetofpiston–rings."
HestoppedonMainStreetandcluckedhospitably,"There,that'llgiveyoujustablocktowalk.G'night."
Carolwasinsuspense.WouldEriksneakaway?
Hestolidlymovedtothebackofthecar,thrustinhishand,muttered,"Goodnight—Carol.I'mgladwehadourwalk."Shepressedhishand.Thecarwasflappingon.
Hewashiddenfromher—byacornerdrugstoreonMainStreet!
Kennicottdidnotrecognizehertillhedrewupbeforethehouse.
Thenhecondescended,"BetterjumpouthereandI'lltaketheboataroundback.
Say,seeifthebackdoorisunlocked,willyou?"Sheunlatchedthedoorforhim.
SherealizedthatshestillcarriedthedampgloveshehadstrippedoffforErik.Shedrewiton.
Shestoodinthecenteroftheliving–room,unmoving,indampcoatandmuddyrubbers.Kennicottwasasopaqueasever.
Hertaskwouldn'tbeanythingsolivelyashavingtoendureascolding,butonlyanexasperatingefforttocommandhisattentionsothathewouldunderstandthenebulousthingsshehadtotellhim,insteadofinterruptingherbyyawning,windingtheclock,andgoinguptobed.
Sheheardhimshovelingcoalintothefurnace.
Hecamethroughthekitchenenergetically,butbeforehespoketoherhedidstopinthehall,didwindtheclock.
Hesaunteredintotheliving–roomandhisglancepassedfromherdrenchedhattohersmearedrubbers.
Shecouldhear—shecouldhear,see,taste,smell,touch—his"Bettertakeyourcoatoff,Carrie;lookskindofwet."Yes,thereitwas:
"Well,Carrie,youbetter—"Hechuckedhisowncoatonachair,stalkedtoher,wentonwitharisingtinglingvoice,"—youbettercutitoutnow.
I'mnotgoingtodotheout–ragedhusbandstunt.
IlikeyouandIrespectyou,andI'dprobablylooklikeaboobifItriedtobedramatic.
ButIthinkit'sabouttimeforyouandValborgtocallahaltbeforeyougetinDutch,likeFernMullinsdid."
"Doyou—"
"Course.Iknowallaboutit.
Whatd'youexpectinatownthat'sasfilledwithbusybodies,thathaveplentyoftimetosticktheirnosesintootherfolks'business,asthisis?
Notthatthey'vehadthenervetodomuchtattlingtome,butthey'vehintedaroundalot,andanyway,Icouldseeformyselfthatyoulikedhim.
ButofcourseIknewhowcoldyouwere,Iknewyouwouldn'tstanditevenifValborgdidtrytoholdyourhandorkissyou,soIdidn'tworry.
Butsametime,Ihopeyoudon'tsupposethishuskyyoungSwedefarmerisasinnocentandPlatonicandallthatstuffasyouare!Waitnow,don'tgetsore!I'mnotknockinghim.Heisn'tabadsort.
Andhe'syoungandlikestogasaboutbooks.Courseyoulikehim.Thatisn'ttherealrub.
Buthaven'tyoujustseenwhatthistowncando,onceitgoesandgetsmoralonyou,likeitdidwithFern?
Youprobablythinkthattwoyoungfolksmakinglovearealoneifanybodyeveris,butthere'snothinginthistownthatyoudon'tdoincompanywithawholelotofuninvitedbutawfulinterestedguests.
Don'tyourealizethatifMaWestlakeandafewothersgotstartedthey'ddriveyouupatree,andyou'dfindyourselfsowelladvertisedasbeinginlovewiththisValborgfellowthatyou'dHAVEtobe,justtospite'em!"
"Letmesitdown,"wasallCarolcouldsay.Shedroopedonthecouch,wearily,withoutelasticity.
Heyawned,"Gimmeyourcoatandrubbers,"andwhileshestrippedthemoffhetwiddledhiswatch–chain,felttheradiator,peeredatthethermometer.
Heshookoutherwrapsinthehall,hungthemupwithexactlyhisusualcare.
Hepushedachairneartoherandsatboltup.
Helookedlikeaphysicianabouttogivesoundandundesiredadvice.
Beforehecouldlaunchintohisheavydiscourseshedesperatelygotin,"Please!IwantyoutoknowthatIwasgoingtotellyoueverything,tonight."
"Well,Idon'tsupposethere'sreallymuchtotell."
"Butthereis.I'mfondofErik.Heappealstosomethinginhere."Shetouchedherbreast."AndIadmirehim.Heisn'tjusta'youngSwedefarmer.'He'sanartist—"
"Waitnow!He'shadachancealleveningtotellyouwhatawhaleofafinefellowheis.Nowit'smyturn.
Ican'ttalkartistic,but—Carrie,doyouunderstandmywork?"
Heleanedforward,thickcapablehandsonthicksturdythighs,matureandslow,yetbeseeching.
"Nomatterevenifyouarecold,Ilikeyoubetterthananybodyintheworld.OnetimeIsaidthatyouweremysoul.Andthatstillgoes.
You'reallthethingsthatIseeinasunsetwhenI'mdrivinginfromthecountry,thethingsthatIlikebutcan'tmakepoetryof.Doyourealizewhatmyjobis?
Igoroundtwenty–fourhoursaday,inmudandblizzard,tryingmydamnedesttohealeverybody,richorpoor.
You—that'realwaysspielingabouthowscientistsoughttoruletheworld,insteadofabunchofspread–eaglepoliticians—can'tyouseethatI'mallthesciencethereishere?
AndIcanstandthecoldandthebumpyroadsandthelonelyridesatnight.
AllIneedistohaveyouhereathometowelcomeme.
Idon'texpectyoutobepassionate—notanymoreIdon't—butIdoexpectyoutoappreciatemywork.
Ibringbabiesintotheworld,andsavelives,andmakecrankyhusbandsquitbeingmeantotheirwives.
AndthenyougoandmoonoveraSwedetailorbecausehecantalkabouthowtoputruchingsonaskirt!
Hellofathingforamantofussover!"
Sheflewoutathim:"Youmakeyoursideclear.Letmegivemine.Iadmitallyousay—exceptaboutErik.
Butisitonlyyou,andthebaby,thatwantmetobackyouup,thatdemandthingsfromme?They'reallonme,thewholetown!
Icanfeeltheirhotbreathsonmyneck!
AuntBessieandthathorribleslaveringoldUncleWhittierandJuanitaandMrs.WestlakeandMrs.Bogartandallofthem.
Andyouwelcomethem,youencouragethemtodragmedownintotheircave!Iwon'tstandit!Doyouhear?Now,rightnow,I'mdone.Andit'sErikwhogivesmethecourage.
Yousayhejustthinksaboutruches(whichdonotusuallygoonskirts,bytheway!).
ItellyouhethinksaboutGod,theGodthatMrs.Bogartcoversupwithgreasyginghamwrappers!
Erikwillbeagreatmansomeday,andifIcouldcontributeonetinybittohissuccess—"
"Wait,wait,waitnow!Holdup!You'reassumingthatyourErikwillmakegood.Asamatteroffact,atmyagehe'llberunningaone–mantailorshopinsomeburgaboutthesizeofSchoenstrom."
"Hewillnot!"
"That'swhathe'sheadedfornowallright,andhe'stwenty–fiveor–sixand—What'shedonetomakeyouthinkhe'lleverbeanythingbutapants–presser?"
"Hehassensitivenessandtalent—"
"Waitnow!Whathasheactuallydoneintheartline?
Hashedoneonefirst–classpictureor—sketch,d'youcallit?
Oronepoem,orplayedthepiano,oranythingexceptgasaboutwhathe'sgoingtodo?"
Shelookedthoughtful.
"Thenit'sahundredtooneshotthatheneverwill.
WayIunderstandit,eventhesefellowsthatdosomethingprettygoodathomeandgettogotoartschool,thereain'tmorethanoneoutoftenof'em,maybeoneoutofahundred,thatevergetabovegrindingoutabumliving—aboutasartisticasplumbing.
Andwhenitcomesdowntothistailor,why,can'tyousee—youthattakeonsoaboutpsychology—can'tyouseethatit'sjustbycontrastwithfolkslikeDocMcGanumorLymCassthatthisfellowseemsartistic?
Supposeyou'dmetupwithhimfirstinoneofthesereg'larNewYorkstudios!
Youwouldn'tnoticehimanymore'narabbit!"
Shehuddledoverfoldedhandslikeatemplevirginshiveringonherkneesbeforethethinwarmthofabrazier.Shecouldnotanswer.
Kennicottrosequickly,satonthecouch,tookbothherhands."Supposehefails—ashewill!
Supposehegoesbacktotailoring,andyou'rehiswife.
Isthatgoingtobethisartisticlifeyou'vebeenthinkingabout?
He'sinsomebumshack,pressingpantsallday,orstoopedoversewing,andhavingtobepolitetoanygrouchthatblowsinandjamsadirtystinkingoldsuitinhisfaceandsays,'Hereyou,fixthis,andbeblamequickaboutit.'
Hewon'tevenhaveenoughsavvytogethimabigshop.
He'llpikealongdoinghisownwork—unlessyou,hiswife,gohelphim,gohelphimintheshop,andstandoveratableallday,pushingabigheavyiron.
Yourcomplexionwilllookfineafteraboutfifteenyearsofbakingthatway,won'tit!
Andyou'llbehumpedoverlikeanoldhag.
Andprobablyyou'llliveinoneroombackoftheshop.
Andthenatnight—oh,you'llhaveyourartist—sure!
He'llcomeinstinkingofgasoline,andcrankyfromhardwork,andhintingaroundthatifithadn'tbeenforyou,he'dofgoneEastandbeenagreatartist.Sure!
Andyou'llbeentertaininghisrelatives—TalkaboutUncleWhit!
You'llbehavingsomeoldAxelAxelbergcominginwithmanureonhisbootsandsittingdowntosupperinhissocksandyellingatyou,'Hurryupnow,youvimminmakemesick!'
Yes,andyou'llhaveasquallingbrateveryyear,tuggingatyouwhileyoupressclothes,andyouwon'tlove'emlikeyoudoHughup–stairs,alldownyandasleep—"
"Please!Notanymore!"
Herfacewasonhisknee.
Hebenttokissherneck."Idon'twanttobeunfair.
Iguessloveisagreatthing,allright.
Butthinkitwouldstandmuchofthatkindofstuff?Oh,honey,amIsobad?Can'tyoulikemeatall?I've—I'vebeensofondofyou!"
Shesnatcheduphishand,shekissedit.
Presentlyshesobbed,"Iwon'teverseehimagain.Ican't,now.
Thehotliving–roombehindthetailorshop—Idon'tlovehimenoughforthat.
Andyouare—EvenifIweresureofhim,surehewastherealthing,Idon'tthinkIcouldactuallyleaveyou.
Thismarriage,itweavespeopletogether.
It'snoteasytobreak,evenwhenitoughttobebroken."
"Anddoyouwanttobreakit?"
"No!"
Heliftedher,carriedherup–stairs,laidheronherbed,turnedtothedoor.
"Comekissme,"shewhimpered.
Hekissedherlightlyandslippedaway.Foranhoursheheardhimmovingabouthisroom,lightingacigar,drummingwithhisknucklesonachair.
Shefeltthathewasabulwarkbetweenherandthedarknessthatgrewthickerasthedelayedstormcamedowninsleet.
II
Hewascheeryandmorecasualthaneveratbreakfast.
AlldayshetriedtodeviseawayofgivingErikup.Telephone?
Thevillagecentralwouldunquestionably"listenin."Aletter?Itmightbefound.Gotoseehim?Impossible.
ThateveningKennicottgaveher,withoutcomment,anenvelope.Theletterwassigned"E.V."
IknowIcan'tdoanythingbutmaketroubleforyou,Ithink.
IamgoingtoMinneapolistonightandfromthereassoonasIcaneithertoNewYorkorChicago.IwilldoasbigthingsasIcan.
I—Ican'twriteIloveyoutoomuch—Godkeepyou.
UntilsheheardthewhistlewhichtoldherthattheMinneapolistrainwasleavingtown,shekeptherselffromthinking,frommoving.Thenitwasallover.Shehadnoplannordesireforanything.
WhenshecaughtKennicottlookingatheroverhisnewspapershefledtohisarms,thrustingthepaperaside,andforthefirsttimeinyearstheywerelovers.
Butsheknewthatshestillhadnoplaninlife,savealwaystogoalongthesamestreets,pastthesamepeople,tothesameshops.
III
AweekafterErik'sgoingthemaidstartledherbyannouncing,"There'saMr.Valborgdown–stairssayhevanttoseeyou."
Shewasconsciousofthemaid'sinterestedstare,angryatthisshatteringofthecalminwhichshehadhidden.
Shecreptdown,peepedintotheliving–room.
ItwasnotErikValborgwhostoodthere;itwasasmall,gray–bearded,yellow–facedmaninmuckyboots,canvasjacket,andredmittens.
Hegloweredatherwithshrewdredeyes.
"Youdedoc'swife?"
"Yes."
"I'mAdolphValborg,fromupbyJefferson.I'mErik'sfather."
"Oh!"Hewasamonkey–facedlittleman,andnotgentle.
"Whatyoudonewit'myson?"
"Idon'tthinkIunderstandyou."
"It'inkyou'regoingtounderstandbeforeIgett'rough!Whereishe?"
"Why,really—Ipresumethathe'sinMinneapolis."
"Youpresume!"Helookedthroughherwithacontemptuousnesssuchasshecouldnothaveimagined.
Onlyaninsanecontortionofspellingcouldportrayhislyricwhine,hismangledconsonants.Heclamored,"Presume!Dot'safineword!
Idon'twantnofinewordsandIdon'twantnomorelies!IwanttoknowwhatyouKNOW!"
"Seehere,Mr.Valborg,youmaystopthisbullyingrightnow.I'mnotoneofyourfarmwomen.
Idon'tknowwhereyoursonis,andthere'snoreasonwhyIshouldknow."
Herdefianceranoutinfaceofhisimmenseflaxenstolidity.
Heraisedhisfist,workeduphisangerwiththegesture,andsneered:
"Youdirtycitywomenwit'yourfinewaysandfinedresses!
Afathercomeheretryingtosavehisboyfromwickedness,andyoucallhimabully!
ByGod,Idon'thavetotakenothin'offyounoryourhusband!Iain'toneofyourhiredmen.
Foronetimeawomanlikeyouisgoingtoheardetrut'aboutwhatyouare,andnofinecitywordstoit,needer."
"Really,Mr.Valborg—"
"Whatyoudonewit'him?Heh?I'llyoosttellyouwhatyoudone!
Hewasagoodboy,evenifhewasadamnfool.Iwanthimbackondefarm.Hedon'tmakeenoughmoneytailoring.AndIcan'tgetmenohiredman!Iwanttotakehimbackondefarm.
Andyoubuttinandfoolwit'himandmakelovewit'him,andgethimtorunaway!"
"Youarelying!It'snottruethat—It'snottrue,andifitwere,youwouldhavenorighttospeaklikethis."
"Don'ttalkfoolish.Iknow.
Ain'tIheardfromafellowdotliverighthereintownhowyoubeenactingwit'deboy?Iknowwhatyoudone!Walkingwit'himindecountry!Hidingindewoodswit'him!
YesandIguessyoutalkaboutreligionindewoods!Sure!
Womenlikeyou—you'reworsedanstreet–walkers!
Richwomenlikeyou,wit'finehusbandsandnodecentworktodo—andme,lookatmyhands,lookhowIwork,lookatthosehands!
Butyou,ohGodno,youmustn'twork,you'retoofinetododecentwork.
Yougottoplaywit'youngfellows,youngerasyouare,laughingandrollingaroundandactinglikedeanimals!Youletmysonalone,d'youhear?"Hewasshakinghisfistinherface.Shecouldsmellthemanureandsweat.
"Itain'tnousetalkin'towomenlikeyou.Getnotrut'outofyou.ButnexttimeIgobyyourhusband!"
Hewasmarchingintothehall.Carolflungherselfonhim,herclenchinghandonhishayseed–dustyshoulder.
"Youhorribleoldman,you'vealwaystriedtoturnErikintoaslave,tofattenyourpocketbook!
You'vesneeredathim,andoverworkedhim,andprobablyyou'vesucceededinpreventinghiseverrisingaboveyourmuck–heap!
Andnowbecauseyoucan'tdraghimback,youcomeheretovent—Gotellmyhusband,gotellhim,anddon'tblamemewhenhekillsyou,whenmyhusbandkillsyou—hewillkillyou—"
Themangrunted,lookedatherimpassively,saidoneword,andwalkedout.
Sheheardthewordveryplainly.
Shedidnotquitereachthecouch.Herkneesgaveway,shepitchedforward.
Sheheardhermindsaying,"Youhaven'tfainted.Thisisridiculous.You'resimplydramatizingyourself.Getup."Butshecouldnotmove.
WhenKennicottarrivedshewaslyingonthecouch.Hisstepquickened."What'shappened,Carrie?
Youhaven'tgotabitofbloodinyourface."
Sheclutchedhisarm."You'vegottobesweettome,andkind!I'mgoingtoCalifornia—mountains,sea.Pleasedon'targueaboutit,becauseI'mgoing."
Quietly,"Allright.We'llgo.YouandI.LeavethekidherewithAuntBessie."
"Now!"
"Wellyes,justassoonaswecangetaway.Nowdon'ttalkanymore.Justimagineyou'vealreadystarted."
Hesmoothedherhair,andnottillaftersupperdidhecontinue:"ImeantitaboutCalifornia.
ButIthinkwebetterwaitthreeweeksorso,tillIgetholdofsomeyoungfellowreleasedfromthemedicalcorpstotakemypractice.
Andifpeoplearegossiping,youdon'twanttogivethemachancebyrunningaway.
Canyoustanditandface'emforthreeweeksorso?"
"Yes,"shesaidemptily.
IV
Peoplecovertlystaredatheronthestreet.
AuntBessietriedtocatechizeheraboutErik'sdisappearance,anditwasKennicottwhosilencedthewomanwithasavage,"Say,areyouhintingthatCarriehadanythingtodowiththatfellow'sbeatingit?
Thenletmetellyou,andyoucangorightoutandtellthewholebloomin'town,thatCarrieandItookVal—tookErikriding,andheaskedmeaboutgettingabetterjobinMinneapolis,andIadvisedhimtogotoit....Gettingmuchsugarinatthestorenow?"
GuyPollockcrossedthestreettobepleasantaproposofCaliforniaandnewnovels.
VidaSherwindraggedhertotheJollySeventeen.
There,witheveryonerigidlylistening,MaudDyershotatCarol,"IhearErikhaslefttown."
Carolwasamiable."Yes,soIhear.
Infact,hecalledmeup—toldmehehadbeenofferedalovelyjobinthecity.Sosorryhe'sgone.
Hewouldhavebeenvaluableifwe'dtriedtostartthedramaticassociationagain.
Still,Iwouldn'tbeherefortheassociationmyself,becauseWillisallinfromwork,andI'mthinkingoftakinghimtoCalifornia.
Juanita—youknowtheCoastsowell—tellme:wouldyoustartinatLosAngelesorSanFrancisco,andwhatarethebesthotels?"
TheJollySeventeenlookeddisappointed,buttheJollySeventeenlikedtogiveadvice,theJollySeventeenlikedtomentiontheexpensivehotelsatwhichtheyhadstayed.(Amealcountedasastay.)
BeforetheycouldquestionheragainCarolescortedinwithdrumandfifethetopicofRaymieWutherspoon.Vidahadnewsfromherhusband.
Hehadbeengassedinthetrenches,hadbeeninahospitalfortwoweeks,hadbeenpromotedtomajor,waslearningFrench.
SheleftHughwithAuntBessie.
ButforKennicottshewouldhavetakenhim.ShehopedthatinsomemiraculouswayyetunrevealedshemightfinditpossibletoremaininCalifornia.ShedidnotwanttoseeGopherPrairieagain.
TheSmailsweretooccupytheKennicotthouse,andquitethehardestthingtoendureinthemonthofwaitingwastheseriesofconferencesbetweenKennicottandUncleWhittierinregardtoheatingthegarageandhavingthefurnacefluescleaned.
DidCarol,Kennicottinquired,wishtostopinMinneapolistobuynewclothes?
"No!IwanttogetasfarawayasIcanassoonasIcan.Let'swaittillLosAngeles."
"Sure,sure!Justasyoulike.Cheerup!We'regoingtohavealargewidetime,andeverything'llbedifferentwhenwecomeback."
VI
DuskonasnowyDecemberafternoon.ThesleeperwhichwouldconnectatKansasCitywiththeCaliforniatrainrolledoutofSt.Paulwithachick–a–chick,chick–a–chick,chick–a–chickasitcrossedtheothertracks.
Itbumpedthroughthefactorybelt,gainedspeed.
Carolcouldseenothingbutgrayfields,whichhadclosedinonherallthewayfromGopherPrairie.Aheadwasdarkness.
"Foranhour,inMinneapolis,ImusthavebeennearErik.He'sstillthere,somewhere.He'llbegonewhenIcomeback.I'llneverknowwherehehasgone."
AsKennicottswitchedontheseat–lightsheturneddrearilytotheillustrationsinamotion–picturemagazine.
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