Thebusinessportionofthetown，centringaboutMainStreet，wasalwayscrowded。Annixter，arrivingatthePostOffice，foundhimselfinvolvedinasceneofswiftlyshiftingsightsandsounds。Saddlehorses，farmwagons——theinevitableStudebakers——
buggiesgreywiththedustofcountryroads，buckboardswithsquashesandgrocerypackagesstowedundertheseat，two-wheeledsulkiesandtrainingcarts，werehitchedtothegnawedrailingsandzinc-sheathedtelegraphpolesalongthecurb。Hereandthere，ontheedgeofthesidewalk，werebicycles，wedgedintobicyclerackspaintedwithcigaradvertisements。Upontheasphaltsidewalkitself，softandstickywiththemorning’sheat，wasacontinuousmovement。Menwithlargestomachs，wearinglinencoatsbutnovests，labouredponderouslyupanddown。
Girlsinlawnskirts，shirtwaists，andgardenhats，wenttoandfro，invariablyincouples，cominginandoutofthedrugstore，thegrocerystore，andhaberdasher’s，orlingeringinfrontofthePostOffice，whichwasonacornerundertheI。O。O。F。hall。
Youngmen，inshirtsleeves，withbrown，wickercuff-protectorsovertheirforearms，andpencilsbehindtheirears，bustledinfrontofthegrocerystore，anxiousandpreoccupied。Averyoldman，aMexican，inraggedwhitetrousersandbarefeet，satonahorse-blockinfrontofthebarbershop，holdingahorsebyaropearounditsneck。AChinamanwentby，teeteringundertheweightofhismarketbasketsslungonapoleacrosshisshoulders。Intheneighbourhoodofthehotel，theYosemiteHouse，travellingsalesmen，drummersforjewelryfirmsofSanFrancisco，commercialagents，insurancemen，well-dressed，metropolitan，debonair，stoodaboutcrackingjokes，orhurriedinandoutoftheflappingwhitedoorsoftheYosemitebarroom。TheYosemite’busandCity’buspassedupthestreet，onthewayfromthemorningtrain，eachwithitstwoorthreepassengers。Averynarrowwagon，belongingtotheCole&ColemoreHarvesterWorks，wentby，loadedwithlongstripsofironthatmadeahorribledinastheyjarredovertheunevennessofthepavement。Theelectriccarline，thecity’sboast，didabriskbusiness，itscarswhirringfromendtoendofthestreet，withajanglingofbellsandamoaningplaintofgearing。OnthestonebulkheadsofthegrassplataroundthenewCityHall，theusualloaferssat，chewingtobacco，swappingstories。Intheparkweretheinevitablearrayofnursemaids，skylarkingcouples，andraggedlittleboys。Asinglepoliceman，ingreycoatandhelmet，friendandacquaintanceofeverymanandwomaninthetown，stoodbytheparkentrance，leaninganelbowonthefencepost，twirlinghisclub。
Butinthecentreofthebestbusinessblockofthestreetwasathree-storybuildingofroughbrownstone，setoffwithplateglasswindowsandgold-letteredsigns。Oneoftheselatterread，PacificandSouthwesternRailroad，FreightandPassengerOffice，whileanothermuchsmaller，beneaththewindowsofthesecondstoryboretheinscription，P。andS。W。LandOffice。
Annixterhitchedhishorsetotheironpostinfrontofthisbuilding，andtrampeduptothesecondfloor，lettinghimselfintoanofficewhereacoupleofclerksandbookkeeperssatatworkbehindahighwirescreen。Oneoftheselatterrecognisedhimandcameforward。
Hello，saidAnnixterabruptly，scowlingthewhile。Isyourbossin？IsRugglesin？
ThebookkeeperledAnnixtertotheprivateofficeinanadjoiningroom，usheringhimthroughadoor，onthefrostedglassofwhichwaspaintedthename，CyrusBlakeleeRuggles。Inside，amaninafrockcoat，shoestringnecktie，andStetsonhat，satwritingataroller-topdesk。OverthisdeskwasavastmapoftherailroadholdingsinthecountryaboutBonnevilleandGuadalajara，thealternatesectionsbelongingtotheCorporationaccuratelyplotted。
RuggleswascordialinhiswelcomeofAnnixter。Hehadawayoffiddlingwithhispencilcontinuallywhilehetalked，scribblingvaguelinesandfragmentsofwordsandnamesonstraybitsofpaper，andnosoonerhadAnnixtersatdownthanhehadbeguntowrite，infull-belliedscript，ANNANNalloverhisblottingpad。
Iwanttoseeaboutthoselandsofmine——Imeanofyours——oftherailroad’s，Annixtercommencedatonce。IwanttoknowwhenI
canbuy。I’msickoffoolingalonglikethis。
Well，Mr。Annixter，observedRuggles，writingagreatLbeforetheANN，andfinishingitoffwithaflourishingD。Thelands——
hecrossedoutoneoftheN’sandnotedtheeffectwithahastyglance——thelandsarepracticallyyours。Youhaveanoptiononthemindefinitely，and，asitis，youdon’thavetopaythetaxes。
Rotyouroption！Iwanttoownthem，Annixterdeclared。Whathaveyoupeoplegottogainbyputtingoffsellingthemtous。
Herethisthinghasdraggedalongforovereightyears。WhenI
cameinonQuienSabe，theunderstandingwasthatthelands——youralternatesections——weretobeconveyedtomewithinafewmonths。
Thelandhadnotbeenpatentedtousthen，answeredRuggles。
Well，ithasbeennow，Iguess，retortedAnnixter。
I’msureIcouldn’ttellyou，Mr。Annixter。
Annixtercrossedhislegsweariedly。
Oh，what’sthegoodoflying，Ruggles？Youknowbetterthantotalkthatwaytome。
Ruggles’sfaceflushedontheinstant，buthecheckedhisanswerandlaughedinstead。
Oh，ifyouknowsomuchaboutit——heobserved。
Well，whenareyougoingtoselltome？
I’monlyactingfortheGeneralOffice，Mr。Annixter，returnedRuggles。WhenevertheDirectorsarereadytotakethatmatterup，I’llbeonlytoogladtoputitthroughforyou。
Asifyoudidn’tknow。Lookhere，you’renottalkingtooldBroderson。Wakeup，Ruggles。What’sallthistalkinGenslinger’sragaboutthegradingofthevalueofourlandsthiswinterandanadvanceintheprice？
Rugglesspreadouthishandswithadeprecatorygesture。
Idon’townthe’Mercury，’hesaid。
Well，yourcompanydoes。
Ifitdoes，Idon’tknowanythingaboutit。
Oh，rot！AsifyouandGenslingerandS。Behrmandidn’trunthewholeshowdownhere。Comeon，let’shaveit，Ruggles。WhatdoesS。BehrmanpayGenslingerforinsertingthatthree-inchad。
oftheP。andS。W。inhispaper？Tenthousandayear，hey？
Oh，whynotahundredthousandandbedonewithit？returnedtheother，willingtotakeitasajoke。
Insteadofreplying，Annixterdrewhischeck-bookfromhisinsidepocket。
Letmetakethatfountainpenofyours，hesaid。Holdingthebookonhiskneehewroteoutacheck，toreitcarefullyfromthestub，andlaiditonthedeskinfrontofRuggles。
What’sthis？askedRuggles。
Three-fourthspaymentforthesectionsofrailroadlandincludedinmyranch，basedonavaluationoftwodollarsandahalfperacre。Youcanhavethebalanceinsixty-daynotes。
Rugglesshookhishead，drawinghastilybackfromthecheckasthoughitcarriedcontamination。
Ican’ttouchit，hedeclared。I’venoauthoritytoselltoyouyet。
Idon’tunderstandyoupeople，exclaimedAnnixter。Iofferedtobuyofyouthesamewayfouryearsagoandyousangthesamesong。Why，itisn’tbusiness。Youlosetheinterestonyourmoney。Sevenpercent。ofthatcapitalforfouryears——youcanfigureitout。It’sbigmoney。
Well，then，Idon’tseewhyyou’resokeenonpartingwithit。
Youcangetsevenpercent。thesameasus。
Iwanttoownmyownland，returnedAnnixter。Iwanttofeelthateverylumpofdirtinsidemyfenceismypersonalproperty。
Why，theveryhouseIliveinnow——theranchhouse——standsonrailroadground。
But，you’veanoption
ItellyouIdon’twantyourcursedoption。Iwantownership。
andit’sthesamewithMagnusDerrickandoldBrodersonandOstermanandalltheranchersofthecounty。Wewanttoownourland，wanttofeelwecandoasweblamepleasewithit。SupposeIshouldwanttosellQuienSabe。Ican’tsellitasawholetillI’veboughtofyou。Ican’tgiveanybodyacleartitle。
ThelandhasdoubledinvaluetentimesoveragainsinceIcameinonitandimprovedit。It’swortheasilytwentyanacrenow。
ButIcan’ttakeadvantageofthatriseinvaluesolongasyouwon’tsell，solongasIdon’townit。You’reblockingme。
But，accordingtoyou，therailroadcan’ttakeadvantageoftheriseinanycase。Accordingtoyou，youcansellfortwentydollars，butwecanonlygettwoandahalf。
Whomadeitworthtwenty？criedAnnixter。I’veimprovedituptothatfigure。Genslingerseemstohavethatideainhisnut，too。Doyoupeoplethinkyoucanholdthatland，untaxed，forspeculativepurposesuntilitgoesuptothirtydollarsandthensellouttosomeoneelse——sellitoverourheads？YouandGenslingerweren’tinofficewhenthosecontractsweredrawn。
Youaskyourboss，youaskS。Behrman，heknows。TheGeneralOfficeispledgedtoselltousinpreferencetoanyoneelse，fortwoandahalf。
Well，observedRugglesdecidedly，tappingtheendofhispencilonhisdeskandleaningforwardtoemphasisehiswords，we’renotsellingNOW。That’ssaidandsigned，Mr。Annixter。
Whynot？Come，spititout。What’sthebuncogamethistime？
Becausewe’renotready。Here’syourcheck。
Youwon’ttakeit？
No。
I’llmakeitacashpayment，moneydown——thewholeofit——
payabletoCyrusBlakeleeRuggles，fortheP。andS。W。
No。
Thirdandlasttime。
No。
Oh，gotothedevil！
Idon’tlikeyourtone，Mr。Annixter，returnedRuggles，flushingangrily。Idon’tgiveacursewhetheryoulikeitornot，retortedAnnixter，risingandthrustingthecheckintohispocket，butneveryoumind，Mr。Ruggles，youandS。BehrmanandGenslingerandShelgrimandthewholegangofthievesofyou——
you’llwakethisStateofCaliforniaupsomeofthesedaysbygoingjustonelittlebittoofar，andthere’llbeanelectionofRailroadCommissionersof，by，andforthepeople，that’llgetatwistofyou，mybunco-steeringfriend——youandyourbackersandcappersandswindlersandthimble-riggers，andsmashyou，lock，stock，andbarrel。That’smytiptoyouandbedamnedtoyou，Mr。CyrusBlacklegRuggles。
Annixterstormedoutoftheroom，slammingthedoorbehindhim，andRuggles，tremblingwithanger，turnedtohisdeskandtotheblottingpadwrittenalloverwiththewordsLANDS，TWENTY
DOLLARS，TWOANDAHALF，OPTION，and，overandoveragain，withgreatswellingcurvesandflourishes，RAILROAD，RAILROAD，RAILROAD。
ButasAnnixterpassedintotheoutsideoffice，ontheothersideofthewirepartitionhenotedthefigureofamanatthecounterinconversationwithoneoftheclerks。TherewassomethingfamiliartoAnnixter’seyeabouttheman’sheavybuiltframe，hisgreatshouldersandmassiveback，andashespoketotheclerkinatremendous，rumblingvoice，AnnixterpromptlyrecognisedDyke。
Therewasameeting。AnnixterlikedDyke，asdideveryoneelseinandaboutBonneville。Hepausednowtoshakehandswiththedischargedengineerandtoaskabouthislittledaughter，Sidney，towhomheknewDykewasdevotedlyattached。
SmartestlittletadinTulareCounty，assertedDyke。She’sgettingprettiereveryday，Mr。Annixter。THERE’Salittletadthatwasjustborntobealady。Canrecitethewholeof’SnowBound’withouteverstopping。Youdon’tbelievethat，maybe，hey？Well，it’strue。She’llbejustoldenoughtoentertheSeminaryupatMarysvillenextwinter，andifmyhopbusinesspaystwopercent。ontheinvestment，there’swhereshe’sgoingtogo。
How’sitcomingon？inquiredAnnixter。
Thehopranch？Prime。I’veaboutgotthelandinshape，andI’veengagedaforemanwhoknowsallabouthops。I’vebeeninluck。Everybodywillgointothebusinessnextyearwhentheyseehopsgotoadollar，andthey’lloverstockthemarketandbusttheprice。ButI’mgoingtogetthecreamofitnow。Isaytwopercent。Why，Lordloveyou，itwillpayagooddealmorethanthat。It’sgotto。It’scostmorethanIfiguredtostartthething，so，perhaps，Imayhavetoborrowsomewheres。butthenonsuchasuregameasthis——andIdowanttomakesomethingoutofthatlittletadofmine。
Throughhere？inquiredAnnixter，makingreadytomoveoff。
Injustaminute，answeredDyke。WaitformeandI’llwalkdownthestreetwithyou。
Annixtergrumbledthathewasinahurry，butwaited，nevertheless，whileDykeagainapproachedtheclerk。
Ishallwantsomeemptycarsofyoupeoplethisfall，heexplained。I’mahop-raisernow，andIjustwanttomakesurewhatyourratesonhopsare。I’vebeentold，butIwanttomakesure。Savvy？Therewasalongdelaywhiletheclerkconsultedthetariffschedules，andAnnixterfrettedimpatiently。Dyke，growinguneasy，leanedheavilyonhiselbows，watchingtheclerkanxiously。Ifthetariffwasexorbitant，hesawhisplansbroughttonaught，hismoneyjeopardised，thelittletad，Sidney，deprivedofhereducation。Hebegantoblamehimselfthathehadnotlongbeforedetermineddefinitelywhattherailroadwouldchargeformovinghishops。Hetoldhimselfhewasnotmuchofabusinessman。thathemanagedcarelessly。
Twocents，suddenlyannouncedtheclerkwithacertainsurlyindifference。
Twocentsapound？
Yes，twocentsapound——that’sincar-loadlots，ofcourse。I
won’tgiveyouthatrateonsmallerconsignments。
Yes，car-loadlots，ofcourse……twocents。Well，allright。
Heturnedawaywithagreatsighofrelief。
Hesuredidhavemescaredforaminute，hesaidtoAnnixter，asthetwowentdowntothestreet，fiddlingandfussingsolong。Twocentsisallright，though。Seemsfairtome。Thatfiddlingofhiswasallputon。Iknow’em，theserailroadheelers。HeknewIwasadischargedemployeefirstoff，andheplayedthegamejusttomakemeseemsmallbecauseIhadtoaskfavoursofhim。Idon’tsupposetheGeneralOfficetipsitsslaveesofftoactlikeswine，butthere’sthefeelingthroughthewholeherdofthem。’Yegottocometous。Weletyeliveonlysolongaswechoose，andwhatareyegoingtodoaboutit？
Ifyedon’tlikeit，gitout。’
AnnixterandtheengineerdescendedtothestreetandhadadrinkattheYosemitebar，andAnnixterwentintotheGeneralStorewhileDykeboughtalittlepairofredslippersforSidney。
Beforethesalesmanhadwrappedthemup，DykeslippedadimeintothetoeofeachwithawinkatAnnixter。
Letthelittletadfind’emthere，hesaidbehindhishandinahoarsewhisper。That’llbeoneonSid。
Wheretonow？demandedAnnixterastheyregainedthestreet。
I’mgoingdowntothePostOfficeandthenpulloutfortheranch。Goingmyway？
Dykehesitatedinsomeconfusion，tuggingattheendsofhisfineblondebeard。
No，no。IguessI’llleaveyouhere。I’vegot——gototherthingstodoupthestreet。Solong。
Thetwoseparated，andAnnixterhurriedthroughthecrowdtothePostOffice，butthemailthathadcomeinonthatmorning’strainwasunusuallyheavy。Itwasnearlyhalfanhourbeforeitwasdistributed。Naturallyenough，Annixterplacedalltheblameofthedelayupontherailroad，anddeliveredhimselfofsomepointedremarksinthemidstofthewaitingcrowd。Hewasirritatedtothelastdegreewhenhefinallyemergeduponthesidewalkagain，cramminghismailintohispockets。OnecauseofhisbadtemperwasthefactthatinthebundleofQuienSabeletterswasonetoHilmaTreeinaman’shandwriting。
Huh！Annixterhadgrowledtohimself，thatpipDelaney。SeemsnowthatI’mtoactasgo-betweenfor’em。Well，maybethatfeemalegirlgetsthisletter，andthen，again，maybeshedon’t。
Butsuddenlyhisattentionwasdiverted。DirectlyoppositethePostOffice，uponthecornerofthestreet，stoodquitethebestbusinessbuildingofwhichBonnevillecouldboast。ItwasbuiltofColusagranite，verysolid，ornate，imposing。Upontheheavyplateofthewindowofitsmainfloor，ingoldandredletters，onereadthewords：LoanandSavingsBankofTulareCounty。ItwasofthisbankthatS。Behrmanwaspresident。Atthestreetentranceofthebuildingwasacurvedsignofpolishedbrass，fixedupontheangleofthemasonry。thissignborethename，S。
Behrman，andunderitinsmallerletterswerethewords，RealEstate，Mortgages。
AsAnnixter’sglancefelluponthisbuilding，hewassurprisedtoseeDykestandinguponthecurbinfrontofit，apparentlyreadingfromanewspaperthatheheldinhishand。ButAnnixterpromptlydiscoveredthathewasnotreadingatall。Fromtimetotimetheformerengineershotaswiftglanceoutofthecornerofhiseyeupanddownthestreet。Annixterjumpedataconclusion。
Anideasuddenlyoccurredtohim。Dykewaswatchingtoseeifhewasobserved——waswaitinganopportunitywhennoonewhoknewhimshouldbeinsight。Annixtersteppedbackalittle，gettingatelegraphpolesomewhatbetweenhimandtheother。Veryinterested，hewatchedwhatwasgoingon。PrettysoonDykethrustthepaperintohispocketandsaunteredslowlytothewindowsofastationerystore，nextthestreetentranceofS。
Behrman’soffices。Forafewsecondshestoodthere，hisbackturned，seeminglyabsorbedinthedisplay，buteyeingthestreetnarrowlynevertheless。thenheturnedaround，gavealastlookaboutandsteppedswiftlyintothedoorwaybythegreatbrasssign。Hedisappeared。Annixtercamefrombehindthetelegraphpolewithaflushofactualshameuponhisface。Therehadbeensomethingsoslinking，somean，inthemovementsandmannerofthisgreat，burlyhonestfellowofanengineer，thathecouldnothelpbutfeelashamedforhim。CircumstancesweresuchthatasimplebusinesstransactionwastoDykealmostculpable，adegradation，athingtobeconcealed。
BorrowingmoneyofS。Behrman，commentedAnnixter，mortgagingyourlittlehomesteadtotherailroad，puttingyourneckinthehalter。Poorfool！Thepityofit。GoodLord，yourhopsmustpayyoubig，now，oldman。
AnnixterlunchedattheYosemiteHotel，andthenlateron，towardthemiddleoftheafternoon，rodeoutofthetownatacanterbythewayoftheUpperRoadthatparalleledtherailroadtracksandthatrandiametricallystraightbetweenBonnevilleandGuadalajara。Abouthalf-waybetweenthetwoplacesheovertookFatherSarriatrudgingbacktoSanJuan，hislongcassockpowderedwithdust。Hehadawickercrateinonehand，andintheother，inasmallsquarevalise，thematerialsfortheHolySacrament。Sinceearlymorningthepriesthadcoverednearlyfifteenmilesonfoot，inordertoadministerExtremeUnctiontoamoribundgood-for-nothing，agreaser，halfIndian，halfPortuguese，wholivedinaremotecornerofOsterman’sstockrange，attheheadofacanonthere。ButhehadreturnedbywayofBonnevilletogetacratethathadcomeforhimfromSanDiego。Hehadbeennotifiedofitsarrivalthedaybefore。
Annixterpulledupandpassedthetimeofdaywiththepriest。
Idon’toftengetupyourway，hesaid，slowingdownhishorsetoaccommodateSarria’sdeliberateplodding。Sarriawipedtheperspirationfromhissmooth，shinyface。
You？Well，withyouitisdifferent，heanswered。ButthereareagreatmanyCatholicsinthecounty——someonyourranch。
AndsofewcometotheMission。AtHighMassonSundays，thereareafew——MexicansandSpaniardsfromGuadalajaramostly。butweekdays，formatins，vespers，andthelike，Ioftensaytheofficestoanemptychurch——’thevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness。’YouAmericansarenotgoodchurchmen。Sundaysyousleep——youreadthenewspapers。
Well，there’sVanamee，observedAnnixter。Isupposehe’sthereearlyandlate。
Sarriamadeasharpmovementofinterest。
Ah，Vanamee——astrangelad。awonderfulcharacter，forallthat。
Iftherewereonlymorelikehim。Iamtroubledabouthim。YouknowIamaveryowlatnight。IcomeandgoabouttheMissionatallhours。Withintheweek，threetimesIhaveseenVanameeinthelittlegardenbytheMission，andatthedeadofnight。
Hehadcomewithoutaskingforme。Hedidnotseeme。Itwasstrange。Once，whenIhadgotupatdawntoringforearlymatins，Isawhimstealingawayoutofthegarden。Hemusthavebeenthereallthenight。Heisactingqueerly。Heispale。hischeeksaremoresunkenthanever。Thereissomethingwrongwithhim。Ican’tmakeitout。Itisamystery。Supposeyouaskhim？
NotI。I’veenoughtobothermyselfabout。Vanameeiscrazyinthehead。Somemorninghewillturnupmissingagain，anddropoutofsightforanotherthreeyears。Bestlethimalone，Sarria。He’sacrank。HowisthatgreaserofyoursuponOsterman’sstockrange？
Ah，thepoorfellow——thepoorfellow，returnedtheother，thetearscomingtohiseyes。Hediedthismorning——asyoumightsay，inmyarms，painfully，butinthefaith，inthefaith。A
goodfellow。
Alazy，cattle-stealing，knife-in-his-bootDago。
Youmisjudgehim。Areallygoodfellowonbetteracquaintance。
Annixtergruntedscornfully。Sarria’skindnessandgood-willtowardthemostoutrageousreprobatesoftherancheswasproverbial。Hepracticallysupportedsomehalf-dozenfamiliesthatlivedinforgottencabins，lostandallbutinaccessible，inthefarcornersofstockrangeandcanyon。Thisparticulargreaserwasthelaziest，thedirtiest，themostworthlessofthelot。ButinSarria’smind，theloutwasanobjectofaffection，sincere，unquestioning。Thriceaweekthepriest，withabasketofprovisions——coldham，abottleofwine，olives，loavesofbread，evenachickenortwo——toiledovertheinterminablestretchofcountrybetweentheMissionandhiscabin。Oflate，duringtherascal’ssickness，thesevisitshadbeenalmostdaily。
Hardlyoncedidthepriestleavethebedsidethathedidnotslipahalf-dollarintothepalmofhiswifeoroldestdaughter。Andthiswasbutonecaseoutofmany。
Hiskindlinesstowardanimalswasthesame。Ahordeofmange-
corrodedcurslivedoffhisbounty，wolfish，ungrateful，oftenmarkinghimwiththeirteeth，yetneverknowingthemeaningofaharshword。Aburro，over-fed，lazy，incorrigible，browsedonthehillbackoftheMission，obstinatelyrefusingtobeharnessedtoSarria’slittlecart，squealingandbitingwhenevertheattemptwasmade。andthepriestsufferedhim，submittingtohishumour，inventingexcusesforhim，allegingthattheburrowasfoundered，orwasinneedofshoes，orwasfeeblefromextremeage。Thetwopeacocks，magnificent，proud，cold-hearted，resentingallfamiliarity，heservedwiththetimorous，apologeticaffectionofaqueen’slady-in-waiting，resignedtotheirdisdain，happyifonlytheycondescendedtoenjoythegrainhespreadforthem。
AttheLongTrestle，AnnixterandthepriestlefttheroadandtookthetrailthatcrossedBrodersonCreekbytheclumpsofgrey-greenwillowsandledacrossQuienSabetotheranchhouse，andtotheMissionfartheron。Theywereobligedtoproceedinsinglefilehere，andAnnixter，whohadallowedthepriesttogoinfront，promptlytooknoticeofthewickerbaskethecarried。
Uponhisinquiry，Sarriabecameconfused。Itwasabasketthathehadhadsentdowntohimfromthecity。
Well，Iknow——butwhat’sinit？
Why——I’msure——ah，poultry——achickenortwo。
Fancybreed？
Yes，yes，that’sit，afancybreed。Attheranchhouse，wheretheyarrivedtowardfiveo’clock，Annixterinsistedthatthepriestshouldstoplongenoughforaglassofsherry。Sarrialeftthebasketandhissmallblackvaliseatthefootoftheporchsteps，andsatdowninarockerontheporchitself，fanninghimselfwithhisbroad-brimmedhat，andshakingthedustfromhiscassock。Annixterbroughtoutthedecanterofsherryandglasses，andthetwodranktoeachother’shealth。
Butasthepriestsetdownhisglass，wipinghislipswithamurmurofsatisfaction，thedecrepitIrishsetterthathadattachedhimselftoAnnixter’shousecameoutfromunderneaththeporch，andnosedvigorouslyaboutthewickerbasket。Heupsetit。Thelittlepegholdingdownthecoverslipped，thebasketfellsideways，openingasitfell，andacock，hisheadenclosedinalittlechamoisbagsuchasareusedforgoldwatches，struggledblindlyoutintotheopenair。Asecond，similarlyhooded，followed。Thepair，stupefiedintheirheadgear，stoodrigidandbewilderedintheirtracks，cluckinguneasily。Theirtailswerecloselysheared。Theirlegs，thicklymuscled，andextraordinarilylong，werefurnishedwithenormouscruel-lookingspurs。Thebreedwasunmistakable。Annixterlookedonceatthepair，thenshoutedwithlaughter。
’Poultry’——’achickenortwo’——’fancybreed’——ho！yes，Ishouldthinkso。Gamecocks！Fightingcocks！Oh，youoldrat！You’llbeadrynursetoaburro，andkeepahospitalforinfirmpuppies，butyouwillfightgamecocks。Oh，Lord！Why，Sarria，thisisasgoodagrindasIeverheard。There’stheSpanishcroppingout，afterall。
Speechlesswithchagrin，thepriestbundledthecocksintothebasketandcatchingupthevalise，tookhimselfabruptlyaway，almostrunningtillhehadputhimselfoutofhearingofAnnixter’sraillery。Andeventenminuteslater，whenAnnixter，stillchuckling，stoodupontheporchsteps，hesawthepriest，farinthedistance，climbingtheslopeofthehighground，inthedirectionoftheMission，stillhurryingonatagreatpace，hiscassockflappingbehindhim，hisheadbent。toAnnixter’snotiontheverypictureofdiscomfitureandconfusion。
AsAnnixterturnedabouttoreenterthehouse，hefoundhimselfalmostfacetofacewithHilmaTree。Shewasjustgoinginatthedoorway，andagreatflameofthesunset，shootinginundertheeavesoftheporch，envelopedherfromherhead，withitsthick，moisthairthathunglowoverherneck，toherslimfeet，settingagoldenflashinthelittlesteelbucklesofherlowshoes。ShehadcometosetthetableforAnnixter’ssupper。
Takenallabackbythesuddennessoftheencounter，Annixterejaculatedanabruptandsenseless，Excuseme。ButHilma，withoutraisinghereyes，passedonunmovedintothedining-room，leavingAnnixtertryingtofindhisbreath，andfumblingwiththebrimofhishat，thathewassurprisedtofindhehadtakenfromhishead。Resolutely，andtakingaquickadvantageofhisopportunity，hefollowedherintothedining-room。
Iseethatdoghasturnedup，heannouncedwithbriskcheerfulness。ThatIrishsetterIwasaskingabout。
Hilma，aswift，pinkflushdeepeningthedelicateroseofhercheeks，didnotreply，exceptbynoddingherhead。Sheflungthetable-clothoutfromunderherarmsacrossthetable，spreadingitsmooth，withquicklittlecaressesofherhands。Therewasamoment’ssilence。ThenAnnixtersaid：
Here’saletterforyou。Helaiditdownonthetablenearher，andHilmapickeditup。Andseehere，MissHilma，
Annixtercontinued，aboutthat——thismorning——IsupposeyouthinkIamafirst-classmucker。Ifitwilldoanygoodtoapologise，why，Iwill。Iwanttobefriendswithyou。Imadeabadmistake，andstartedinthewrongway。Idon’tknowmuchaboutwomenpeople。Iwantyoutoforgetaboutthat——thismorning，andnotthinkIamagalootandamucker。Willyoudoit？Willyoubefriendswithme？
HilmasettheplateandcoffeecupbyAnnixter’splacebeforeanswering，andAnnixterrepeatedhisquestion。Thenshedrewadeep，quickbreath，theflushinhercheeksreturning。
Ithinkitwas——itwassowrongofyou，shemurmured。Oh！
youdon’tknowhowithurtme。Icried——oh，foranhour。
Well，that’sjustit，returnedAnnixtervaguely，movinghisheaduneasily。Ididn’tknowwhatkindofagirlyouwere——I
mean，Imadeamistake。Ithoughtitdidn’tmakemuchdifference。Ithoughtallfeemaleswereaboutalike。
Ihopeyouknownow，murmuredHilmaruefully。I’vepaidenoughtohaveyoufindout。Icried——youdon’tknow。Why，ithurtmeworsethananythingIcanremember。Ihopeyouknownow。
Well，Idoknownow，heexclaimed。
Itwasn’tsomuchthatyoutriedtodo——whatyoudid，answeredHilma，thesingledeepswellfromherwaisttoherthroatrisingandfallinginheremotion。Itwasthatyouthoughtthatyoucould——thatanybodycouldthatwantedto——thatIheldmyselfsocheap。Oh！shecried，withasuddensobbingcatchinherthroat，Inevercanforgetit，andyoudon’tknowwhatitmeanstoagirl。
Well，that’sjustwhatIdowant，herepeated。Iwantyoutoforgetitandhaveusbegoodfriends。
Inhisembarrassment，Annixtercouldthinkofnootherwords。Hekeptreiteratingagainandagainduringthepausesoftheconversation：
Iwantyoutoforgetit。Willyou？Willyouforgetit——that——
thismorning，andhaveusbegoodfriends？
Hecouldseethathertroublewaskeen。Hewasastonishedthatthemattershouldbesograveinherestimation。Afterall，whatwasitthatagirlshouldbekissed？Buthewantedtoregainhislostground。
Willyouforgetit，MissHilma？Iwantyoutolikeme。
Shetookacleannapkinfromthesideboarddrawerandlaiditdownbytheplate。
I——Idowantyoutolikeme，persistedAnnixter。Iwantyoutoforgetallaboutthisbusinessandlikeme。
Hilmawassilent。Annixtersawthetearsinhereyes。
Howaboutthat？Willyouforgetit？Willyou——will——willyouLIKEme？
Sheshookherhead。
No，shesaid。
Nowhat？Youwon’tlikeme？Isthatit？
Hilma，blinkingatthenapkinthroughhertears，noddedtosay，Yes，thatwasit。Annixterhesitatedamoment，frowning，harassedandperplexed。
Youdon’tlikemeatall，hey？
AtlengthHilmafoundherspeech。Inherlowvoice，lowerandmorevelvetythanever，shesaid：
No——Idon’tlikeyouatall。
Then，asthetearssuddenlyoverpoweredher，shedashedahandacrosshereyes，andranfromtheroomandoutofdoors。
Annixterstoodforamomentthoughtful，hisprotrudinglowerlipthrustout，hishandsinhispocket。
Isupposeshe’llquitnow，hemuttered。Supposeshe’llleavetheranch——ifshehatesmelikethat。Well，shecango——that’sall——shecango。Foolfeemalegirl，hemutteredbetweenhisteeth，petticoatmess。
HewasabouttositdowntohissupperwhenhiseyefellupontheIrishsetter，onhishaunchesinthedoorway。Therewasanexpectant，ingratiatinglookonthedog’sface。Nodoubt，hesuspecteditwastimeforeating。
Getout——YOU！roaredAnnixterinatempestofwrath。
Thedogslunkback，histailshutdownclose，hisearsdrooping，butinsteadofrunningaway，helaydownandrolledsupinelyuponhisback，theveryimageofsubmission，tame，abject，disgusting。
ItwastheonethingtodriveAnnixtertoafury。Hekickedthedogofftheporchinarollingexplosionofoaths，andflunghimselfdowntohisseatbeforethetable，fumingandpanting。
Damnthedogandthegirlandthewholerottenbusiness——andnow，heexclaimed，asasuddenfanciedqualmaroseinhisstomach，now，it’sallmademesick。Mighthaveknownit。Oh，itonlylackedthattowindupthewholeday。Lethergo，I
don’tcare，andthesoonerthebetter。
Hecountermandedthesupperandwenttobedbeforeitwasdark，lightinghislamp，onthechairneartheheadofthebed，andopeninghisCopperfieldattheplacemarkedbythestripofpapertornfromthebagofprunes。Forupwardofanhourhereadthenovel，methodicallyswallowingonepruneeverytimehereachedthebottomofapage。Aboutnineo’clockheblewoutthelampand，punchinguphispillow，settledhimselfforthenight。
Then，ashismindrelaxedinthatstrange，hypnoticconditionthatcomesjustbeforesleep，aseriesofpicturesoftheday’sdoingspassedbeforehisimaginationliketherollofakinetoscope。
First，itwasHilmaTree，ashehadseenherinthedairy-house——
charming，delicious，radiantofyouth，herthick，whiteneckwithitspaleambershadowsunderthechin。herwide，openeyesrimmedwithfine，blacklashes。thedeepswellofherbreastandhips，thedelicate，lustrousflossonhercheek，impalpableasthepollenofaflower。Hesawherstandingthereinthescintillatinglightofthemorning，hersmootharmswetwithmilk，redolentandfragrantofmilk，herwhole，desirablefiguremovinginthegoldengloryofthesun，steepedinalambentflame，saturatedwithit，glowingwithit，joyousasthedawnitself。
ThenitwasLosMuertosandHooven，thesordidlittleDutchman，grimedwiththesoilheworkedin，yetvividlyrememberingaperiodofmilitaryglory，excitinghimselfwithrecollectionsofGravelotteandtheKaiser，butcontentednowinthecountryofhisadoption，definingtheFatherlandastheplacewherewifeandchildrenlived。ThencametheranchhouseofLosMuertos，underthegroveofcypressandeucalyptus，withitssmooth，gravelleddrivewayandwell-groomedlawns。Mrs。Derrickwithherwide-
openedeyes，thatsoeasilytookonalookofuneasiness，ofinnocence，ofanxiousinquiry，herfacestillpretty，herbrownhairthatstillretainedsomuchofitsbrightnessspreadoverherchairback，dryinginthesun。Magnus，erectasanofficerofcavalry，smooth-shaven，grey，thin-lipped，imposing，withhishawk-likenoseandforward-curlinggreyhair。Presleywithhisdarkface，delicatemouthandsensitive，looselips，incorduroysandlacedboots，smokingcigarettes——aninterestingfigure，suggestiveofamixedorigin，morbid，excitable，melancholy，broodinguponthingsthathadnonames。ThenitwasBonneville，withthegayetyandconfusionofMainStreet，thewhirringelectriccars，thezinc-sheathedtelegraphpoles，thebuckboardswithsquashesstowedundertheseats。Rugglesinfrockcoat，Stetsonhatandshoe-stringnecktie，writingabstractedlyuponhisblottingpad。Dyke，theengineer，big-boned。Powerful，deep-
voiced，good-natured，withhisfineblondebeardandmassivearms，rehearsingthepraisesofhislittledaughterSidney，guidedonlybytheoneambitionthatsheshouldbeeducatedataseminary，slippingadimeintothetoeofherdiminutiveslipper，then，later，overwhelmedwithshame，slinkingintoS。Behrman’sofficetomortgagehishomesteadtotheheelerofthecorporationthathaddischargedhim。Bysuggestion，AnnixtersawS。Behrman，too，fat，withavaststomach，thecheckandneckmeetingtoformagreat，tremulousjowl，therolloffatoverhiscollar，sprinkledwithsparse，stiffhairs。sawhisbrown，round-toppedhatofvarnishedstraw，thelinenveststampedwithinnumerableinterlockedhorseshoes，theheavywatchchain，clinkingagainstthepearlvestbuttons。invariablyplacid，unruffled，neverlosinghistemper，serene，unassailable，enthroned。
Then，attheendofall，itwastheranchagain，seeninalastbriefglancebeforehehadgonetobed。thefecundatedearth，calmatlast，nursingtheemplantedgermoflife，ruddywiththesunset，thehorizonspurple，thesmallclamourofthedaylapsingintoquiet，thegreat，stilltwilight，buildingitself，dome-
like，towardthezenith。Thebarnfowlswereroostinginthetreesnearthestable，thehorsescrunchingtheirfodderinthestalls，theday’sworkceasingbyslowdegrees。andthepriest，theSpanishchurchman，FatherSarria，relicofadepartedregime，kindly，benign，believinginallgoodness，aloverofhisfellowsandofdumbanimals，yet，forallthat，hurryingawayinconfusionanddiscomfiture，carryinginonehandthevesselsoftheHolyCommunionandintheotherabasketofgamecocks。
CHAPTERVI
Itwashighnoon，andtheraysofthesun，thathungpoiseddirectlyoverheadinanintolerablewhiteglory，fellstraightasplummetsupontheroofsandstreetsofGuadalajara。Theadobewallsandsparsebricksidewalksofthedrowsingtownradiatedtheheatinanoily，quiveringshimmer。TheleavesoftheeucalyptustreesaroundthePlazadroopedmotionless，limpandrelaxedunderthescorching，searchingblaze。Theshadowsofthesetreeshadshrunktotheirsmallestcircumference，contractingcloseaboutthetrunks。Theshadehaddwindledtothebreadthofamereline。Thesunwaseverywhere。Theheatexhalingfrombrickandplasterandmetalmettheheatthatsteadilydescendedblanketwiseandsmothering，fromthepale，scorchedsky。Onlythelizards——theylivedinchinksofthecrumblingadobeandinintersticesofthesidewalk——remainedwithout，motionless，asifstuffed，theireyesclosedtomereslits，basking，stupefiedwithheat。Atlongintervalstheprolongeddroneofaninsectdevelopedoutofthesilence，vibratedamomentinasoothing，somnolent，longnote，thentrailedslowlyintothequietagain。Somewhereintheinteriorofoneofthe’dobehousesaguitarsnoredandhummedsleepily。
Ontheroofofthehotelagroupofpigeonscooedincessantlywithsubdued，liquidmurmurs，veryplaintive。acat，perfectlywhite，withapinknoseandthin，pinklips，dozedcomplacentlyonafencerail，fullinthesun。InacornerofthePlazathreehenswallowedinthebakinghotdusttheirwingsfluttering，cluckingcomfortably。
Andthiswasall。ASundayreposeprevailedthewholemoribundtown，peaceful，profound。Acertainpleasingnumbness，asenseofgratefulenervationexhaledfromthescorchingplaster。Therewasnomovement，nosoundofhumanbusiness。Thefainthumoftheinsect，theintermittentmurmuroftheguitar，themellowcomplainingsofthepigeons，theprolongedpurrofthewhitecat，thecontentedcluckingofthehens——allthesenoisesmingledtogethertoformafaint，drowsybourdon，prolonged，stupefying，suggestiveofaninfinitequiet，ofacalm，complacentlife，centuriesold，lapsinggraduallytoitsendunderthegorgeouslonelinessofacloudless，paleblueskyandthesteadyfireofaninterminablesun。
InSolotari’sSpanish-Mexicanrestaurant，VanameeandPresleysatoppositeeachotheratoneofthetablesnearthedoor，abottleofwhitewine，tortillas，andanearthenpotoffrijolesbetweenthem。Theywerethesoleoccupantsoftheplace。ItwasthedaythatAnnixterhadchosenforhisbarn-danceand，inconsequence，QuienSabewasinfeteandworksuspended。PresleyandVanameehadarrangedtospendthedayineachother’scompany，lunchingatSolotari’sandtakingalongtrampintheafternoon。Forthemomenttheysatbackintheirchairs，theirmealallbutfinished。Solotaribroughtblackcoffeeandasmallcarafeofmescal，andretiringtoacorneroftheroom，wenttosleep。
AllthroughthemealPresleyhadbeenwonderingoveracertainchangeheobservedinhisfriend。Helookedathimagain。
Vanamee’slean，sparefacewasofanolivepallor。Hislong，blackhair，suchasoneseesinthesaintsandevangelistsofthepre-Raphaeliteartists，hungoverhisears。Presleyagainremarkedhispointedbeard，blackandfine，growingfromthehollowcheeks。Helookedathisface，afacelikethatofayoungseer，likeahalf-inspiredshepherdoftheHebraiclegends，adwellerinthewilderness，giftedwithstrangepowers。HewasdressedaswhenPresleyhadfirstmethim，herdinghissheep，inbrowncanvasoveralls，thrustintotopboots。greyflannelshirt，openatthethroat，showingthebreastruddywithtan。thewaistencircledwithacartridgebelt，emptyofcartridges。
Butnow，asPresleytookmorecarefulnoteofhim，hewassurprisedtoobserveacertainnewlookinVanamee’sdeep-seteyes。HerememberednowthatallthroughthemorningVanameehadbeensingularlyreserved。Hewascontinuallydriftingintoreveries，abstracted，distrait。Indubitably，somethingofmomenthadhappened。
AtlengthVanameespoke。Leaningbackinhischair，histhumbsinhisbelt，hisbeardedchinuponhisbreast，hisvoicewastheevenmonotoneofonespeakinginhissleep。
HetoldPresleyinafewwordswhathadhappenedduringthefirstnighthehadspentinthegardenoftheoldMission，oftheAnswer，half-fancied，half-real，thathadcometohim。
TonootherpersonbutyouwouldIspeakofthis，hesaid，butyou，Ithink，willunderstand——willbesympathetic，atleast，andIfeeltheneedofunburdeningmyselfofittosomeone。AtfirstIwouldnottrustmyownsenses。IwassureIhaddeceivedmyself，butonasecondnightithappenedagain。ThenIwasafraid——orno，notafraid，butdisturbed——oh，shakentomyveryheart’score。Iresolvedtogonofurtherinthematter，neveragaintoputittotest。ForalongtimeIstayedawayfromtheMission，occupyingmyselfwithmywork，keepingitoutofmymind。Butthetemptationwastoostrong。OnenightIfoundmyselfthereagain，undertheblackshadowofthepeartreescallingforAngele，summoningherfromoutthedark，fromoutthenight。ThistimetheAnswerwasprompt，unmistakable。Icannotexplaintoyouwhatitwas，norhowitcametome，fortherewasnosound。Isawabsolutelynothingbuttheemptynight。Therewasnomoon。Butsomewhereoffthereoverthelittlevalley，faroff，thedarknesswastroubled。thatMEthatwentoutuponmythought——outfromtheMissiongarden，outoverthevalley，callingforher，searchingforher，found，Idon’tknowwhat，butfoundarestingplace——acompanion。ThreetimessincethenI
havegonetotheMissiongardenatnight。Lastnightwasthethirdtime。
Hepaused，hiseyesshiningwithexcitement。Presleyleanedforwardtowardhim，motionlesswithintenseabsorption。
Well——andlastnight，heprompted。
Vanameestirredinhisseat，hisglancefell，hedrummedaninstantuponthetable。
Lastnight，heanswered，therewas——therewasachange。TheAnswerwas——hedrewadeepbreath——nearer。
Youaresure？
Theothersmiledwithabsolutecertainty。
ItwasnotthatIfoundtheAnswersooner，easier。Icouldnotbemistaken。No，thatwhichhastroubledthedarkness，thatwhichhasenteredintotheemptynight——iscomingnearertome——
physicallynearer，actuallynearer。
Hisvoicesankagain。Hisfacelikethefaceofyoungerprophets，theseers，tookonahalf-inspiredexpression。Helookedvaguelybeforehimwithunseeingeyes。
Suppose，hemurmured，supposeIstandthereunderthepeartreesatnightandcallheragainandagain，andeachtimetheAnswercomesnearerandnearerandIwaituntilatlastonenight，thesupremenightofall，she——she——
Suddenlythetensionbroke。WithasharpcryandaviolentuncertaingestureofthehandVanameecametohimself。
Oh，heexclaimed，whatisit？DoIdare？Whatdoesitmean？
TherearetimeswhenitappalsmeandtherearetimeswhenitthrillsmewithasweetnessandahappinessthatIhavenotknownsinceshedied。Thevaguenessofit！HowcanIexplainittoyou，thisthathappenswhenIcalltoheracrossthenight——thatfaint，far-off，unseentrembleinthedarkness，thatintangible，scarcelyperceptiblestir。Somethingneitherheardnorseen，appealingtoasixthsenseonly。Listen，itissomethinglikethis：OnQuienSabe，alllastweek，wehavebeenseedingtheearth。Thegrainistherenowundertheearthburiedinthedark，intheblackstillness，undertheclods。Canyouimaginethefirst——theveryfirstlittlequiveroflifethatthegrainofwheatmustfeelafteritissown，whenitanswerstothecallofthesun，downthereinthedarkoftheearth，blind，deaf。theveryfirststirfromtheinert，long，longbeforeanyphysicalchangehasoccurred，——longbeforethemicroscopecoulddiscovertheslightestchange，——whentheshellfirsttightenswiththefirstfaintpremonitionoflife？Well，itissomethingasillusiveasthat。Hepausedagain，dreaming，lostinareverie，then，justaboveawhisper，murmured：
’Thatwhichthousowestisnotquickenedexceptitdie，’……
andshe，Angele……died。
Youcouldnothavebeenmistaken？saidPresley。Youweresurethattherewassomething？Imaginationcandosomuchandtheinfluenceofthesurroundingswasstrong。HowimpossibleitwouldbethatanythingSHOULDhappen。Andyousayyouheardnothing，sawnothing。
Ibelieve，answeredVanamee，inasixthsense，or，rather，awholesystemofotherunnamedsensesbeyondthereachofourunderstanding。Peoplewholivemuchaloneandclosetonatureexperiencethesensationofit。Perhapsitissomethingfundamentalthatwesharewithplantsandanimals。Thesamethingthatsendsthebirdssouthlongbeforethefirstcolds，thesamethingthatmakesthegrainofwheatstruggleuptomeetthesun。Andthissenseneverdeceives。Youmayseewrong，hearwrong，butoncetouchthissixthsenseanditactswithabsolutefidelity，youarecertain。No，IhearnothingintheMissiongarden。Iseenothing，nothingtouchesme，butIamCERTAINforallthat。
Presleyhesitatedforamoment，thenheasked：
Shallyougobacktothegardenagain？Makethetestagain？
Idon’tknow。
Strangeenough，commentedPresley，wondering。
Vanameesankbackinhischair，hiseyesgrowingvacantagain：
Strangeenough，hemurmured。
Therewasalongsilence。Neitherspokenormoved。There，inthatmoribund，ancienttown，wrappedinitssiesta，flagellatedwithheat，deserted，ignored，bakinginanoon-daysilence，thesetwostrangemen，theoneapoetbynature，theotherbytraining，bothoutoftunewiththeirworld，dreamers，introspective，morbid，lostandunfamiliaratthatend-of-the-centurytime，searchingforasign，gropingandbaffledamidsttheperplexingobscurityoftheDelusion，satoveremptywineglasses，silentwiththepervadingsilencethatsurroundedthem，hearingonlythecooingofdovesandthedroneofbees，thequietsoprofound，thatatlengththeycouldplainlydistinguishatintervalsthepuffingandcoughingofalocomotiveswitchingcarsinthestationyardofBonneville。
Itwas，nodoubt，thisjarringsoundthatatlengthrousedPresleyfromhislethargy。Thetwofriendsrose。Solotariverysleepilycameforward。theypaidfortheluncheon，andsteppingoutintotheheatandglareofthestreetsofthetown，passedonthroughitandtooktheroadthatlednorthwardacrossacornerofDyke’shopfields。TheywereboundforthehillsinthenortheasterncornerofQuienSabe。ItwasthesamewalkwhichPresleyhadtakenonthepreviousoccasionwhenhehadfirstmetVanameeherdingthesheep。Thisencompassingdetouraroundthewholecountry-sidewasafavoritepastimeofhisandhewasanxiousthatVanameeshouldsharehispleasureinit。
ButsoonafterleavingGuadalajara，theyfoundthemselvesuponthelandthatDykehadboughtanduponwhichhewastoraisehisfamouscropofhops。Dyke’shousewascloseathand，averypleasantlittlecottage，paintedwhite，withgreenblindsanddeepporches，whilenearitandyetinprocessofconstruction，weretwogreatstorehousesandadryingandcuringhouse，wherethehopsweretobestoredandtreated。Allaboutwereevidencesthattheformerengineerhadalreadybeenhardatwork。Thegroundhadbeenputinreadinesstoreceivethecropandabewildering，innumerablemultitudeofpoles，connectedwithamazeofwireandtwine，hadbeensetout。Fartheronataturnoftheroad，theycameuponDykehimself，drivingafarmwagonloadedwithmorepoles。Hewasinhisshirtsleeves，hismassive，hairyarmsbaretotheelbow，glisteningwithsweat，redwithheat。Inhisbell-like，rumblingvoice，hewascallingtohisforemanandaboyatworkinstringingthepolestogether。
AtsightofPresleyandVanameehehailedthemjovially，addressingthemasboys，andinsistingthattheyshouldgetintothewagonwithhimanddrivetothehouseforaglassofbeer。HismotherhadonlythedaybeforereturnedfromMarysville，whereshehadbeenlookingupaseminaryforthelittletad。Shewouldbedelightedtoseethetwoboys。besides，Vanameemustseehowthelittletadhadgrownsincehelastseteyesonher。wouldn’tknowherforthesamelittlegirl。andthebeerhadbeenonicesincemorning。PresleyandVanameecouldnotwellrefuse。
Theyclimbedintothewagonandjoltedovertheunevengroundthroughthebareforestofhop-polestothehouse。InsidetheyfoundMrs。Dyke，anoldladywithaverygentleface，whoworeacapandaveryold-fashionedgownwithhoopskirts，dustingthewhat-notinacorneroftheparlor。Thetwomenwerepresentedandthebeerwashadfromofftheice。
Mother，saidDyke，ashewipedthefrothfromhisgreatblondbeard，ain’tSidanywheresabout？IwantMr。Vanameetoseehowshehasgrown。SmartestlittletadinTulareCounty，boys。Canrecitethewholeof’SnowBound，’endtoend，withoutskippingorlookingatthebook。Maybeyoudon’tbelievethat。Mother，ain’tIright——withoutskippingaline，hey？
Mrs。Dykenoddedtosaythatitwasso，butexplainedthatSidneywasinGuadalajara。Inputtingonhernewslippersforthefirsttimethemorningbefore，shehadfoundadimeinthetoeofoneofthemandhadhadthewholehousebytheearseversincetillshecouldspendit。
Wasitforlicoricetomakeherlicoricewater？inquiredDykegravely。
Yes，saidMrs。Dyke。Imadehertellmewhatshewasgoingtogetbeforeshewent，anditwaslicorice。
Dyke，thoughhismotherprotestedthathewasfoolishandthatPresleyandVanameehadnogreatinterestinyoungones，
insisteduponshowingthevisitorsSidney’scopy-books。Theyweremonumentsoflaborious，elaborateneatness，thetritemoralitiesandready-madeaphorismsofthephilanthropistsandpublicists，repeatedfrompagetopagewithwearyinginsistence。
I，too，amanAmericanCitizen。S。D。，AstheTwigisBenttheTreeisInclined，TruthCrushedtoEarthWillRiseAgain，
AsforMe，GiveMeLibertyorGiveMeDeath，andlastofall，astrangeintrusionamongstthemild，well-wornphrases，twolegends。Mymotto——PublicControlofPublicFranchises，and
TheP。andS。W。isanEnemyoftheState。
Isee，commentedPresley，youmeanthelittletadtounderstand’thesituation’early。
ItoldhimhewasfoolishtogivethattoSidtocopy，saidMrs。Dyke，withindulgentremonstrance。Whatcansheunderstandofpublicfranchises？
Nevermind，observedDyke，she’llrememberitwhenshegrowsupandwhentheseminarypeoplehaverubbedherupabit，andthenshe’llbegintoaskquestionsandunderstand。Anddon’tyoumakeanymistake，mother，hewenton，aboutthelittletadnotknowingwhoherdad’senemiesare。Whatdoyouthink，boys？
Listen，here。PreciouslittleI’veevertoldheroftherailroadorhowIwasturnedoff，buttheotherdayIwasworkingdownbythefencenexttherailroadtracksandSidwasthere。She’dbroughtherdollragsdownandshewasplayinghousebehindapileofhoppoles。Well，alongcomesathroughfreight——mixedtrainfromMissouripointsandastringofemptiesfromNewOrleans，——andwhenithadpassed，whatdoyousupposethetaddid？SHEdidn’tknowIwaswatchingher。Shegoestothefenceandspitsalittlespitafterthecabooseandputsoutherlittleheadand，ifyou’llbelieveme，HISSESatthetrain。andmothersaysshedoesthatsameeverytimesheseesatraingoby，andnevercrossesthetracksthatshedon’tspitherlittlespiton’em。WhatdoyouTHINKofTHAT？
ButIcorrecthereverytime，protestedMrs。Dykeseriously。
WhereshepickedupthetrickofhissingIdon’tknow。No，it’snotfunny。Itseemsdreadfultoseealittlegirlwho’sassweetandgentleascanbeineveryotherway，sovenomous。Shesaystheotherlittlegirlsatschoolandtheboys，too，areallthesameway。Oh，dear，shesighed，whywilltheGeneralOfficebesounkindandunjust？Why，Icouldn’tbehappy，withallthemoneyintheworld，ifIthoughtthatevenonelittlechildhatedme——hatedmesothatitwouldspitandhissatme。Andit’snotonechild，it’sallofthem，soSidneysays。andthinkofallthegrownpeoplewhohatetheroad，womenandmen，thewholecounty，thewholeState，thousandsandthousandsofpeople。Don’tthemanagersandthedirectorsoftheroadeverthinkofthat？Don’ttheyeverthinkofallthehatethatsurroundsthem，everywhere，everywhere，andthegoodpeoplethatjustgrittheirteethwhenthenameoftheroadismentioned？Whydotheywanttomakethepeoplehatethem？No，shemurmured，thetearsstartingtohereyes，No，Itellyou，Mr。Presley，themenwhoowntherailroadarewicked，bad-heartedmenwhodon’tcarehowmuchthepoorpeoplesuffer，solongastheroadmakesitseighteenmillionayear。Theydon’tcarewhetherthepeoplehatethemorlovethem，justsolongastheyareafraidofthem。It’snotrightandGodwillpunishthemsoonerorlater。
Alittleafterthisthetwoyoungmentookthemselvesaway，DykeobliginglycarryingtheminthewagonasfarasthegatethatopenedintotheQuienSaberanch。Ontheway，PresleyreferredtowhatMrs。DykehadsaidandledDyke，himself，tospeakoftheP。andS。W。
Well，Dykesaid，it’slikethis，Mr。Presley。I，personally，haven’tgottherighttokick。Withyouwheat-growingpeopleI
guessit’sdifferent，buthops，yousee，don’tcountformuchintheState。It’ssuchalittlebusinessthattheroaddon’twanttobotherthemselvestotaxit。It’sthewheatgrowersthattheroadcinches。TheratesonhopsAREFAIR。I’vegottoadmitthat。IwasintoBonnevilleawhileagotofindout。It’stwocentsapound，andLordloveyou，that’sreasonableenoughtosuitanyman。No，heconcluded，I’monthewaytomakemoneynow。Theroadsackingmeastheydidwas，maybe，agoodthingforme，afterall。Itcamejustattherighttime。Ihadabitofmoneyputbyandherewasthechancetogointohopswiththecertaintythathopswouldquadrupleandquintupleinpriceinsidetheyear。No，itwasmychance，andthoughtheydidn’tmeanitbyalongchalk，therailroadpeopledidmeagoodturnwhentheygavememytime——andthetad’llentertheseminarynextfall。
Aboutaquarterofanhouraftertheyhadsaidgoodbyetotheone-timeengineer，PresleyandVanamee，trampingbrisklyalongtheroadthatlednorthwardthroughQuienSabe，arrivedatAnnixter’sranchhouse。Atoncetheywereawareofavastandunwontedbustlethatrevolvedabouttheplace。Theystoppedafewmomentslookingon，amusedandinterestedinwhatwasgoingforward。
Thecolossalbarnwasfinished。Itsfreshlywhite-washedsidesglaredintolerablyinthesun，butitsinteriorwasasyetinnocentofpaintandthroughtheyawningventoftheslidingdoorscameadeliciousodourofnew，freshwoodandshavings。A
crowdofmen——Annixter’sfarmhands——wereswarmingallaboutit。
Somewerebalancedonthetopmostroundsofladders，hangingfestoonsofJapaneselanternsfromtreetotree，andallacrossthefrontofthebarnitself。Mrs。Tree，herdaughterHilmaandanotherwomanwereinsidethebarncuttingintolongstripsboltafterboltofred，whiteandbluecambricanddirectinghowthesestripsshouldbedrapedfromtheceilingandonthewalls。
everywhereresoundedthetappingoftackhammers。Afarmwagondroveuploadedtooverflowingwithevergreensandwithgreatbundlesofpalmleaves，andthesewereimmediatelyseizeduponandaffixedassupplementarydecorationstothetri-colouredcambricupontheinsidewallsofthebarn。Twoofthelargerevergreentreeswereplacedoneithersidethebarndoorandtheirtopsbentovertoformanarch。Inthemiddleofthisarchitwasproposedtohangamammothpasteboardescutcheonwithgoldletters，spellingthewordWELCOME。Pilesofchairs，rentedfromI。O。O。F。hallinBonneville，heapedthemselvesinanapparentlyhopelessentanglementontheground。whileatthefarextremityofthebarnacoupleofcarpentersclatteredabouttheimpromptustagingwhichwastoaccommodatetheband。
Therewasastrenuousgayetyintheair。everybodywasinthebestofspirits。Notesoflaughtercontinuallyinterruptedtheconversationoneveryhand。Ateverymomentagroupofmeninvolvedthemselvesinuproarioushorse-play。Theypassedobliquejokesbehindtheirhandstoeachother——grosslyveileddouble-meaningsmeantforthewomen——andbellowedwithlaughterthereat，stampingontheground。Therelationsbetweenthesexesgrewmoreintimate，thewomenandgirlspushingtheyoungfellowsawayfromtheirsideswithvigorousthrustsoftheirelbows。ItwaspassedfromgrouptogroupthatAdelaVacca，adivisionsuperintendent’swife，hadlosthergarter。thedaughteroftheforemanoftheHomeranchwaskissedbehindthedoorofthedairy-house。
Annixter，inexecrabletemper，appearedfromtimetotime，hatless，hisstiffyellowhairinwilddisorder。Hehurriedbetweenthebarnandtheranchhouse，carryingnowawickereddemijohn，nowacaseofwine，nowabasketoflemonsandpineapples。Besidesgeneralsupervision，hehadelectedtoassumetheresponsibilityofcomposingthepunch——somethingstiff，byjingo，apunchthatwouldraiseyourightoutofyourboots。aregularhairlifter。
Theharnessroomofthebarnhehadsetapartfor：himselfandintimates。Hehadbroughtalongtabledownfromthehouseanduponithadsetoutboxesofcigars，bottlesofwhiskeyandofbeerandthegreatchinabowlsforthepunch。Itwouldbenofaultofhis，hedeclared，ifhalfthenumberofhismenfriendswerenotuproariousbeforetheyleft。HisbarndancewouldbethetalkofallTulareCountyforyearstocome。Forthisonedayhehadresolvedtoputallthoughtsofbusinessoutofhishead。Forthematterofthat，thingsweregoingwellenough。
OstermanwasbackfromLosAngeleswithafavourablereportastohisaffairwithDisbrowandDarrell。Therehadbeenanothermeetingofthecommittee。HarranDerrickhadattended。Thoughhehadtakennopartinthediscussion，Annixterwassatisfied。
TheGovernorhadconsentedtoallowHarrantocomein，ifhesodesired，andHarranhadpledgedhimselftoshareone-sixthofthecampaignexpenses，providingthesedidnotexceedacertainfigure。
AsAnnixtercametothedoorofthebarntoshoutabuseatthedistraughtChinesecookwhowascuttinguplemonsinthekitchen，hecaughtsightofPresleyandVanameeandhailedthem。
Hello，Pres，hecalled。Comeoverhereandseehowshelooks。heindicatedthebarnwithamovementofhishead。
Well，we’regettingreadyforyoutonight，hewentonasthetwofriendscameup。Buthowwearegoingtogetstraightenedoutbyeighto’clockIdon’tknow。WouldyoubelievethatpipCaraherisshortoflemons——atthislastminuteandItoldhimI’dwantthreecasesof’emasmuchasamonthago，andhere，justwhenIwantagoodlivelysaddlehorsetogetaroundon，somebodyhikesthebuckskinoutthecorral。STOLEher，byjingo。
I’llhavethelawonthatthiefifitbreaksme——andasixty-
dollarsaddle’n’head-stallgonewithher。andonlyabouthalfthenumberofJaplanternsthatIorderedhaveshownupandnotcandlesenoughforthose。It’senoughtomakeadogsick。
There’snothingdonethatyoudon’tdoyourself，unlessyoustandovertheseloaferswithaclub。I’msickofthewholebusiness——
andI’velostmyhat。wishtoGodI’dneverdreamedofgivin’
thisrottenfooldance。Clutterthewholeplaceupwithalotoffeemales。IsuredidlosemypresenceofmindwhenIgotTHAT
idea。
Then，ignoringthefactthatitwashe，himself，whohadcalledtheyoungmentohim，headded：
Well，thisismybusyday。SorryIcan’tstopandtalktoyoulonger。
HeshoutedalastimprecationattheChinamanandturnedbackintothebarn。PresleyandVanameewenton，butAnnixter，ashecrossedthefloorofthebarn，allbutcollidedwithHilmaTree，whocameoutfromoneofthestalls，aboxofcandlesinherarms。
Gaspingoutanapology，Annixterreenteredtheharnessroom，closingthedoorbehindhim，andforgettingalltheresponsibilityofthemoment，litacigarandsatdowninoneofthehiredchairs，hishandsinhispockets，hisfeetonthetable，frowningthoughtfullythroughthebluesmoke。
AnnixterwasatlastdriventoconfesstohimselfthathecouldnotgetthethoughtofHilmaTreeoutofhismind。Finallyshehadgotaholdonhim。Thethingthatofallothershemostdreadedhadhappened。Afeemalegirlhadgotaholdonhim，andnowtherewasnolongerforhimanysuchthingaspeaceofmind。
Theideaoftheyoungwomanwaswithhimcontinually。Hewenttobedwithit。hegotupwithit。Ateverymomentofthedayhewaspesteredwithit。Itinterferedwithhiswork，gotmixedupinhisbusiness。Whatamiserableconfessionforamantomake。
afinewaytowastehistime。WasitpossiblethatonlytheotherdayhehadstoodinfrontofthemusicstoreinBonnevilleandseriouslyconsideredmakingHilmaapresentofamusic-box？
Evennow，theverythoughtofitmadehimflushwithshame，andthisaftershehadtoldhimplainlythatshedidnotlikehim。
Hewasrunningafterher——he，Annixter！Herippedoutafuriousoath，strikingthetablewithhisbootheel。Againandagainhehadresolvedtoputthewholeaffairfromouthismind。Oncehehadbeenabletodoso，butoflateitwasbecomingharderandharderwitheverysuccessiveday。Hehadonlytoclosehiseyestoseeherasplainasifshestoodbeforehim。hesawherinagloryofsunlightthatsetafinetintedlustreofpalecarnationandgoldonthesilkensheenofherwhiteskin，herhairsparkledwithit，herthick，strongneck，slopingtohershoulderswithbeautiful，fullcurves，seemedtoradiatethelight。hereyes，brown，wide，innocentinexpression，disclosingthefulldiscofthepupilupontheslightestprovocation，flashedinthissunlightlikediamonds。