InmemoryofaffectionsoldandtrueOptimadies……primafugitVIRGIL
INTRODUCTION
LASTsummerIhappenedtobecrossingtheplainsofIowainaseasonofintenseheat，anditwasmygoodfortunetohaveforatravelingcompanionJamesQuayleBurden——JimBurden，aswestillcallhimintheWest。HeandIareoldfriends——wegrewuptogetherinthesameNebraskatown——andwehadmuchtosaytoeachother。
Whilethetrainflashedthroughnever-endingmilesofripewheat，bycountrytownsandbright-floweredpasturesandoakgroveswiltinginthesun，wesatintheobservationcar，wherethewoodworkwashottothetouchandreddustlaydeepovereverything。
Thedustandheat，theburningwind，remindedusofmanythings。
Weweretalkingaboutwhatitisliketospendone\'schildhoodinlittletownslikethese，buriedinwheatandcorn，understimulatingextremesofclimate:burningsummerswhentheworldliesgreenandbillowybeneathabrilliantsky，whenoneisfairlystifledinvegetation，inthecolorandsmellofstrongweedsandheavyharvests；
blusterywinterswithlittlesnow，whenthewholecountryisstrippedbareandgrayassheet-iron。Weagreedthatnoonewhohadnotgrownupinalittleprairietowncouldknowanythingaboutit。
Itwasakindoffreemasonry，wesaid。
AlthoughJimBurdenandIbothliveinNewYork，andareoldfriends，Idonotseemuchofhimthere。
HeislegalcounselforoneofthegreatWesternrailways，andissometimesawayfromhisNewYorkofficeforweekstogether。
Thatisonereasonwhywedonotoftenmeet。AnotheristhatI
donotlikehiswife。
WhenJimwasstillanobscureyounglawyer，strugglingtomakehiswayinNewYork，hiscareerwassuddenlyadvancedbyabrilliantmarriage。
GenevieveWhitneywastheonlydaughterofadistinguishedman。
HermarriagewithyoungBurdenwasthesubjectofsharpcommentatthetime。
Itwassaidshehadbeenbrutallyjiltedbyhercousin，RutlandWhitney，andthatshemarriedthisunknownmanfromtheWestoutofbravado。Shewasarestless，headstronggirl，eventhen，wholikedtoastonishherfriends。
Later，whenIknewher，shewasalwaysdoingsomethingunexpected。
ShegaveoneofhertownhousesforaSuffrageheadquarters，producedoneofherownplaysatthePrincessTheater，wasarrestedforpicketingduringagarment-makers\'strike，etc。Iamneverabletobelievethatshehasmuchfeelingforthecausestowhichshelendshernameandherfleetinginterest。
Sheishandsome，energetic，executive，buttomesheseemsunimpressionableandtemperamentallyincapableofenthusiasm。Herhusband\'squiettastesirritateher，Ithink，andshefindsitworthwhiletoplaythepatronesstoagroupofyoungpoetsandpaintersofadvancedideasandmediocreability。
Shehasherownfortuneandlivesherownlife。Forsomereason，shewishestoremainMrs。JamesBurden。
AsforJim，nodisappointmentshavebeensevereenoughtochillhisnaturallyromanticandardentdisposition。Thisdisposition，thoughitoftenmadehimseemveryfunnywhenhewasaboy，hasbeenoneofthestrongestelementsinhissuccess。
Heloveswithapersonalpassionthegreatcountrythroughwhichhisrailwayrunsandbranches。Hisfaithinitandhisknowledgeofithaveplayedanimportantpartinitsdevelopment。
HeisalwaysabletoraisecapitalfornewenterprisesinWyomingorMontana，andhashelpedyoungmenouttheretodoremarkablethingsinminesandtimberandoil。
IfayoungmanwithanideacanoncegetJimBurden\'sattention，canmanagetoaccompanyhimwhenhegoesoffintothewildshuntingforlostparksorexploringnewcanyons，thenthemoneywhichmeansactionisusuallyforthcoming。
JimisstillabletolosehimselfinthosebigWesterndreams。
Thoughheisoverfortynow，hemeetsnewpeopleandnewenterpriseswiththeimpulsivenessbywhichhisboyhoodfriendsrememberhim。
Heneverseemstometogrowolder。Hisfreshcolorandsandyhairandquick-changingblueeyesarethoseofayoungman，andhissympathetic，solicitousinterestinwomenisasyouthfulasitisWesternandAmerican。
DuringthatburningdaywhenwewerecrossingIowa，ourtalkkeptreturningtoacentralfigure，aBohemiangirlwhomwehadknownlongagoandwhombothofusadmired。
Morethananyotherpersonweremembered，thisgirlseemedtomeantousthecountry，theconditions，thewholeadventureofourchildhood。Tospeakhernamewastocalluppicturesofpeopleandplaces，tosetaquietdramagoinginone\'sbrain。
Ihadlostsightofheraltogether，butJimhadfoundheragainafterlongyears，hadrenewedafriendshipthatmeantagreatdealtohim，andoutofhisbusylifehadsetaparttimeenoughtoenjoythatfriendship。Hismindwasfullofherthatday。
Hemademeseeheragain，feelherpresence，revivedallmyoldaffectionforher。
“Ican\'tsee，“hesaidimpetuously，“whyyouhaveneverwrittenanythingaboutAntonia。“
ItoldhimIhadalwaysfeltthatotherpeople——hehimself，foroneknewhermuchbetterthanI。Iwasready，however，tomakeanagreementwithhim；IwouldsetdownonpaperallthatIrememberedofAntoniaifhewoulddothesame。
Wemight，inthisway，getapictureofher。
Herumpledhishairwithaquick，excitedgesture，whichwithhimoftenannouncesanewdetermination，andIcouldseethatmysuggestiontookholdofhim。“MaybeIwill，maybeIwill！“
hedeclared。Hestaredoutofthewindowforafewmoments，andwhenheturnedtomeagainhiseyeshadthesuddenclearnessthatcomesfromsomethingtheminditselfsees。
“Ofcourse，“hesaid，“Ishouldhavetodoitinadirectway，andsayagreatdealaboutmyself。It\'sthroughmyselfthatI
knewandfelther，andI\'vehadnopracticeinanyotherformofpresentation。“
ItoldhimthathowheknewherandfeltherwasexactlywhatI
mostwantedtoknowaboutAntonia。HehadhadopportunitiesthatI，asalittlegirlwhowatchedhercomeandgo，hadnot。
MonthsafterwardJimBurdenarrivedatmyapartmentonestormywinterafternoon，withabulginglegalportfolioshelteredunderhisfurovercoat。
Hebroughtitintothesitting-roomwithhimandtappeditwithsomeprideashestoodwarminghishands。
“Ifinisheditlastnight——thethingaboutAntonia，“hesaid。
“Now，whataboutyours？“
Ihadtoconfessthatminehadnotgonebeyondafewstragglingnotes。
“Notes？Ididn\'tmakeany。“Hedrankhisteaallatonceandputdownthecup。“Ididn\'tarrangeorrearrange。
IsimplywrotedownwhatofherselfandmyselfandotherpeopleAntonia\'snamerecallstome。Isupposeithasn\'tanyform。
Ithasn\'tanytitle，either。“Hewentintothenextroom，satdownatmydeskandwroteonthepinkishfaceoftheportfoliotheword，“Antonia。“Hefrownedatthisamoment，thenprefixedanotherword，makingit“MyAntonia。“
Thatseemedtosatisfyhim。
“Readitassoonasyoucan，“hesaid，rising，“butdon\'tletitinfluenceyourownstory。“
Myownstorywasneverwritten，butthefollowingnarrativeisJim\'smanuscript，substantiallyashebroughtittome。
NOTES:[1]TheBohemiannameAntoniaisstronglyaccentedonthefirstsyllable，liketheEnglishnameAnthony，andthe`i\'is，ofcourse，giventhesoundoflong`e\'。ThenameispronouncedAn\'-ton-ee-ah。
BOOKITheShimerdasI
IFIRSTHEARDOFAntoniaonwhatseemedtomeaninterminablejourneyacrossthegreatmidlandplainofNorthAmerica。
Iwastenyearsoldthen；Ihadlostbothmyfatherandmotherwithinayear，andmyVirginiarelativesweresendingmeouttomygrandparents，wholivedinNebraska。
Itravelledinthecareofamountainboy，JakeMarpole，oneofthe`hands\'onmyfather\'soldfarmundertheBlueRidge，whowasnowgoingWesttoworkformygrandfather。
Jake\'sexperienceoftheworldwasnotmuchwiderthanmine。
Hehadneverbeeninarailwaytrainuntilthemorningwhenwesetouttogethertotryourfortunesinanewworld。
Wewentallthewayinday-coaches，becomingmorestickyandgrimywitheachstageofthejourney。Jakeboughteverythingthenewsboysofferedhim:candy，oranges，brasscollarbuttons，awatch-charm，andformea`LifeofJesseJames，\'whichI
rememberasoneofthemostsatisfactorybooksIhaveeverread。
BeyondChicagowewereundertheprotectionofafriendlypassengerconductor，whoknewallaboutthecountrytowhichweweregoingandgaveusagreatdealofadviceinexchangeforourconfidence。
Heseemedtousanexperiencedandworldlymanwhohadbeenalmosteverywhere；inhisconversationhethrewoutlightlythenamesofdistantstatesandcities。Heworetheringsandpinsandbadgesofdifferentfraternalorderstowhichhebelonged。
Evenhiscuff-buttonswereengravedwithhieroglyphics，andhewasmoreinscribedthananEgyptianobelisk。
Oncewhenhesatdowntochat，hetoldusthatintheimmigrantcaraheadtherewasafamilyfrom`acrossthewater\'
whosedestinationwasthesameasours。
`Theycan\'tanyofthemspeakEnglish，exceptonelittlegirl，andallshecansayis“WegoBlackHawk，Nebraska。“She\'snotmucholderthanyou，twelveorthirteen，maybe，andshe\'sasbrightasanewdollar。
Don\'tyouwanttogoaheadandseeher，Jimmy？She\'sgottheprettybrowneyes，too！\'
Thislastremarkmademebashful，andIshookmyheadandsettleddownto`JesseJames。\'Jakenoddedatmeapprovinglyandsaidyouwerelikelytogetdiseasesfromforeigners。
IdonotremembercrossingtheMissouriRiver，oranythingaboutthelongday\'sjourneythroughNebraska。ProbablybythattimeIhadcrossedsomanyriversthatIwasdulltothem。
TheonlythingverynoticeableaboutNebraskawasthatitwasstill，alldaylong，Nebraska。
Ihadbeensleeping，curledupinaredplushseat，foralongwhilewhenwereachedBlackHawk。Jakerousedmeandtookmebythehand。
Westumbleddownfromthetraintoawoodensiding，wheremenwererunningaboutwithlanterns。Icouldn\'tseeanytown，orevendistantlights；
weweresurroundedbyutterdarkness。Theenginewaspantingheavilyafteritslongrun。Intheredglowfromthefire-box，agroupofpeoplestoodhuddledtogetherontheplatform，encumberedbybundlesandboxes。
Iknewthismustbetheimmigrantfamilytheconductorhadtoldusabout。
Thewomanworeafringedshawltiedoverherhead，andshecarriedalittletintrunkinherarms，huggingitasifitwereababy。
Therewasanoldman，tallandstooped。Twohalf-grownboysandagirlstoodholdingoilclothbundles，andalittlegirlclungtohermother\'sskirts。
Presentlyamanwithalanternapproachedthemandbegantotalk，shoutingandexclaiming。Iprickedupmyears，foritwaspositivelythefirsttimeIhadeverheardaforeigntongue。
Anotherlanterncamealong。Abanteringvoicecalledout:
`Hello，areyouMr。Burden\'sfolks？Ifyouare，it\'smeyou\'relookingfor。
I\'mOttoFuchs。I\'mMr。Burden\'shiredman，andI\'mtodriveyouout。
Hello，Jimmy，ain\'tyouscaredtocomesofarwest？\'
Ilookedupwithinterestatthenewfaceinthelantern-light。
Hemighthavesteppedoutofthepagesof`JesseJames。\'
Heworeasombrerohat，withawideleatherbandandabrightbuckle，andtheendsofhismoustacheweretwistedupstiffly，likelittlehorns。Helookedlivelyandferocious，Ithought，andasifhehadahistory。Alongscarranacrossonecheekanddrewthecornerofhismouthupinasinistercurl。
Thetopofhisleftearwasgone，andhisskinwasbrownasanIndian\'s。Surelythiswasthefaceofadesperado。
Ashewalkedabouttheplatforminhishigh-heeledboots，lookingforourtrunks，Isawthathewasaratherslightman，quickandwiry，andlightonhisfeet。Hetolduswehadalongnightdriveaheadofus，andhadbetterbeonthehike。
Heledustoahitching-barwheretwofarm-wagonsweretied，andIsawtheforeignfamilycrowdingintooneofthem。
Theotherwasforus。JakegotonthefrontseatwithOttoFuchs，andIrodeonthestrawinthebottomofthewagon-box，coveredupwithabuffalohide。Theimmigrantsrumbledoffintotheemptydarkness，andwefollowedthem。
Itriedtogotosleep，butthejoltingmademebitemytongue，andIsoonbegantoacheallover。Whenthestrawsettleddown，Ihadahardbed。CautiouslyIslippedfromunderthebuffalohide，gotuponmykneesandpeeredoverthesideofthewagon。
Thereseemedtobenothingtosee；nofences，nocreeksortrees，nohillsorfields。Iftherewasaroad，Icouldnotmakeitoutinthefaintstarlight。Therewasnothingbutland:
notacountryatall，butthematerialoutofwhichcountriesaremade。No，therewasnothingbutland——slightlyundulating，Iknew，becauseoftenourwheelsgroundagainstthebrakeaswewentdownintoahollowandlurchedupagainontheotherside。
Ihadthefeelingthattheworldwasleftbehind，thatwehadgotovertheedgeofit，andwereoutsideman\'sjurisdiction。
Ihadneverbeforelookedupattheskywhentherewasnotafamiliarmountainridgeagainstit。Butthiswasthecompletedomeofheaven，alltherewasofit。Ididnotbelievethatmydeadfatherandmotherwerewatchingmefromupthere；theywouldstillbelookingformeatthesheep-folddownbythecreek，oralongthewhiteroadthatledtothemountainpastures。
Ihadlefteventheirspiritsbehindme。Thewagonjoltedon，carryingmeIknewnotwhither。Idon\'tthinkIwashomesick。
Ifweneverarrivedanywhere，itdidnotmatter。
BetweenthatearthandthatskyIfelterased，blottedout。
Ididnotsaymyprayersthatnight:here，Ifelt，whatwouldbewouldbe。
II
IDONOTREMEMBERourarrivalatmygrandfather\'sfarmsometimebeforedaybreak，afteradriveofnearlytwentymileswithheavywork-horses。WhenIawoke，itwasafternoon。Iwaslyinginalittleroom，scarcelylargerthanthebedthatheldme，andthewindow-shadeatmyheadwasflappingsoftlyinawarmwind。
Atallwoman，withwrinkledbrownskinandblackhair，stoodlookingdownatme；Iknewthatshemustbemygrandmother。
Shehadbeencrying，Icouldsee，butwhenIopenedmyeyesshesmiled，peeredatmeanxiously，andsatdownonthefootofmybed。
`Hadagoodsleep，Jimmy？\'sheaskedbriskly。Theninaverydifferenttoneshesaid，asiftoherself，`My，howyoudolooklikeyourfather！\'
Irememberedthatmyfatherhadbeenherlittleboy；shemustoftenhavecometowakehimlikethiswhenheoverslept。`Hereareyourcleanclothes，\'
shewenton，strokingmycoverlidwithherbrownhandasshetalked。
`Butfirstyoucomedowntothekitchenwithme，andhaveanicewarmbathbehindthestove。Bringyourthings；there\'snobodyabout。\'
`Downtothekitchen\'struckmeascurious；itwasalways`outinthekitchen\'athome。Ipickedupmyshoesandstockingsandfollowedherthroughtheliving-roomanddownaflightofstairsintoabasement。Thisbasementwasdividedintoadining-roomattherightofthestairsandakitchenattheleft。
Bothroomswereplasteredandwhitewashed——theplasterlaiddirectlyupontheearthwalls，asitusedtobeindugouts。
Thefloorwasofhardcement。Upunderthewoodenceilingtherewerelittlehalf-windowswithwhitecurtains，andpotsofgeraniumsandwanderingJewinthedeepsills。AsIenteredthekitchen，Isniffedapleasantsmellofgingerbreadbaking。
Thestovewasverylarge，withbrightnickeltrimmings，andbehindittherewasalongwoodenbenchagainstthewall，andatinwashtub，intowhichgrandmotherpouredhotandcoldwater。
Whenshebroughtthesoapandtowels，ItoldherthatIwasusedtotakingmybathwithouthelp。`Canyoudoyourears，Jimmy？
Areyousure？Well，now，Icallyouarightsmartlittleboy。\'
Itwaspleasantthereinthekitchen。Thesunshoneintomybath-waterthroughthewesthalf-window，andabigMaltesecatcameupandrubbedhimselfagainstthetub，watchingmecuriously。
WhileIscrubbed，mygrandmotherbusiedherselfinthedining-roomuntilIcalledanxiously，`Grandmother，I\'mafraidthecakesareburning！\'
Thenshecamelaughing，wavingherapronbeforeherasifshewereshooingchickens。
Shewasaspare，tallwoman，alittlestooped，andshewasapttocarryherheadthrustforwardinanattitudeofattention，asifshewerelookingatsomething，orlisteningtosomething，faraway。AsIgrewolder，Icametobelievethatitwasonlybecauseshewassooftenthinkingofthingsthatwerefaraway。
Shewasquick-footedandenergeticinallhermovements。
Hervoicewashighandrathershrill，andsheoftenspokewithananxiousinflection，forshewasexceedinglydesirousthateverythingshouldgowithdueorderanddecorum。
Herlaugh，too，washigh，andperhapsalittlestrident，buttherewasalivelyintelligenceinit。Shewasthenfifty-fiveyearsold，astrongwoman，ofunusualendurance。
AfterIwasdressed，Iexploredthelongcellarnextthekitchen。
Itwasdugoutunderthewingofthehouse，wasplasteredandcemented，withastairwayandanoutsidedoorbywhichthemencameandwent。
Underoneofthewindowstherewasaplaceforthemtowashwhentheycameinfromwork。
Whilemygrandmotherwasbusyaboutsupper，Isettledmyselfonthewoodenbenchbehindthestoveandgotacquaintedwiththecat——
hecaughtnotonlyratsandmice，butgophers，Iwastold。
Thepatchofyellowsunlightonthefloortravelledbacktowardthestairway，andgrandmotherandItalkedaboutmyjourney，andaboutthearrivalofthenewBohemianfamily；shesaidtheyweretobeournearestneighbours。WedidnottalkaboutthefarminVirginia，whichhadbeenherhomeforsomanyyears。
Butafterthemencameinfromthefields，andwewereallseatedatthesuppertable，thensheaskedJakeabouttheoldplaceandaboutourfriendsandneighboursthere。
Mygrandfathersaidlittle。Whenhefirstcameinhekissedmeandspokekindlytome，buthewasnotdemonstrative。
Ifeltatoncehisdeliberatenessandpersonaldignity，andwasalittleinaweofhim。Thethingoneimmediatelynoticedabouthimwashisbeautiful，crinkly，snow-whitebeard。
IonceheardamissionarysayitwaslikethebeardofanArabiansheik。Hisbaldcrownonlymadeitmoreimpressive。
Grandfather\'seyeswerenotatalllikethoseofanoldman；
theywerebrightblue，andhadafresh，frostysparkle。
Histeethwerewhiteandregular——sosoundthathehadneverbeentoadentistinhislife。Hehadadelicateskin，easilyroughenedbysunandwind。Whenhewasayoungmanhishairandbeardwerered；hiseyebrowswerestillcoppery。
Aswesatatthetable，OttoFuchsandIkeptstealingcovertglancesateachother。GrandmotherhadtoldmewhileshewasgettingsupperthathewasanAustrianwhocametothiscountryayoungboyandhadledanadventurouslifeintheFarWestamongmining-campsandcowoutfits。
Hisironconstitutionwassomewhatbrokenbymountainpneumonia，andhehaddriftedbacktoliveinamildercountryforawhile。
HehadrelativesinBismarck，aGermansettlementtothenorthofus，butforayearnowhehadbeenworkingforgrandfather。
Theminutesupperwasover，Ottotookmeintothekitchentowhispertomeaboutaponydowninthebarnthathadbeenboughtformeatasale；
hehadbeenridinghimtofindoutwhetherhehadanybadtricks，buthewasa`perfectgentleman，\'andhisnamewasDude。FuchstoldmeeverythingIwantedtoknow:howhehadlosthisearinaWyomingblizzardwhenhewasastage-driver，andhowtothrowalasso。
Hepromisedtoropeasteerformebeforesundownnextday。
Hegotouthis`chaps\'andsilverspurstoshowthemtoJakeandme，andhisbestcowboyboots，withtopsstitchedinbolddesign——
roses，andtrue-lover\'sknots，andundrapedfemalefigures。
These，hesolemnlyexplained，wereangels。
Beforewewenttobed，JakeandOttowerecalleduptotheliving-roomforprayers。Grandfatherputonsilver-rimmedspectaclesandreadseveralPsalms。HisvoicewassosympatheticandhereadsointerestinglythatIwishedhehadchosenoneofmyfavouritechaptersintheBookofKings。
Iwasawedbyhisintonationoftheword`Selah。\'`Heshallchooseourinheritanceforus，theexcellencyofJacobwhomHeloved。Selah。\'Ihadnoideawhatthewordmeant；
perhapshehadnot。But，asheutteredit，itbecameoracular，themostsacredofwords。
EarlythenextmorningIranout-of-doorstolookaboutme。
IhadbeentoldthatourswastheonlywoodenhousewestofBlackHawk——untilyoucametotheNorwegiansettlement，wheretherewereseveral。Ourneighbourslivedinsodhousesanddugouts——comfortable，butnotveryroomy。
Ourwhiteframehouse，withastoreyandhalf-storeyabovethebasement，stoodattheeastendofwhatImightcallthefarmyard，withthewindmillclosebythekitchendoor。
Fromthewindmillthegroundslopedwestward，downtothebarnsandgranariesandpig-yards。Thisslopewastrampledhardandbare，andwashedoutinwindinggulliesbytherain。
Beyondthecorncribs，atthebottomoftheshallowdraw，wasamuddylittlepond，withrustywillowbushesgrowingaboutit。
Theroadfromthepost-officecamedirectlybyourdoor，crossedthefarmyard，andcurvedroundthislittlepond，beyondwhichitbegantoclimbthegentleswellofunbrokenprairietothewest。There，alongthewesternsky-lineitskirtedagreatcornfield，muchlargerthananyfieldIhadeverseen。
Thiscornfield，andthesorghumpatchbehindthebarn，weretheonlybrokenlandinsight。Everywhere，asfarastheeyecouldreach，therewasnothingbutrough，shaggy，redgrass，mostofitastallasI。
Northofthehouse，insidetheploughedfire-breaks，grewathick-setstripofbox-eldertrees，lowandbushy，theirleavesalreadyturningyellow。
Thishedgewasnearlyaquarterofamilelong，butIhadtolookveryhardtoseeitatall。Thelittletreeswereinsignificantagainstthegrass。
Itseemedasifthegrasswereabouttorunoverthem，andovertheplum-patchbehindthesodchicken-house。
AsIlookedaboutmeIfeltthatthegrasswasthecountry，asthewateristhesea。Theredofthegrassmadeallthegreatprairiethecolourofwinestains，orofcertainseaweedswhentheyarefirstwashedup。
Andtherewassomuchmotioninit；thewholecountryseemed，somehow，toberunning。
IhadalmostforgottenthatIhadagrandmother，whenshecameout，hersunbonnetonherhead，agrain-sackinherhand，andaskedmeifI
didnotwanttogotothegardenwithhertodigpotatoesfordinner。
Thegarden，curiouslyenough，wasaquarterofamilefromthehouse，andthewaytoitledupashallowdrawpastthecattlecorral。
Grandmothercalledmyattentiontoastouthickorycane，tippedwithcopper，whichhungbyaleatherthongfromherbelt。This，shesaid，washerrattlesnakecane。
Imustnevergotothegardenwithoutaheavystickoracorn-knife；
shehadkilledagoodmanyrattlersonherwaybackandforth。
AlittlegirlwholivedontheBlackHawkroadwasbittenontheankleandhadbeensickallsummer。
IcanrememberexactlyhowthecountrylookedtomeasIwalkedbesidemygrandmotheralongthefaintwagon-tracksonthatearlySeptembermorning。
Perhapstheglideoflongrailwaytravelwasstillwithme，formorethananythingelseIfeltmotioninthelandscape；inthefresh，easy-blowingmorningwind，andintheearthitself，asiftheshaggygrasswereasortofloosehide，andunderneathitherdsofwildbuffaloweregalloping，galloping……
Alone，Ishouldneverhavefoundthegarden——except，perhaps，forthebigyellowpumpkinsthatlayaboutunprotectedbytheirwitheringvines——andIfeltverylittleinterestinitwhenI
gotthere。Iwantedtowalkstraightonthroughtheredgrassandovertheedgeoftheworld，whichcouldnotbeveryfaraway。
Thelightairaboutmetoldmethattheworldendedhere:
onlythegroundandsunandskywereleft，andifonewentalittlefarthertherewouldbeonlysunandsky，andonewouldfloatoffintothem，likethetawnyhawkswhichsailedoverourheadsmakingslowshadowsonthegrass。
Whilegrandmothertookthepitchforkwefoundstandinginoneoftherowsanddugpotatoes，whileIpickedthemupoutofthesoftbrownearthandputthemintothebag，IkeptlookingupatthehawksthatweredoingwhatImightsoeasilydo。
Whengrandmotherwasreadytogo，IsaidIwouldliketostayupthereinthegardenawhile。
Shepeereddownatmefromunderhersunbonnet。
`Aren\'tyouafraidofsnakes？\'
`Alittle，\'Iadmitted，`butI\'dliketostay，anyhow。\'
`Well，ifyouseeone，don\'thaveanythingtodowithhim。
Thebigyellowandbrownoneswon\'thurtyou；they\'rebull-snakesandhelptokeepthegophersdown。Don\'tbescaredifyouseeanythinglookoutofthatholeinthebankoverthere。
That\'sabadgerhole。He\'saboutasbigasabig\'possum，andhisfaceisstriped，blackandwhite。Hetakesachickenonceinawhile，butIwon\'tletthemenharmhim。
Inanewcountryabodyfeelsfriendlytotheanimals。
IliketohavehimcomeoutandwatchmewhenI\'matwork。\'
Grandmotherswungthebagofpotatoesoverhershoulderandwentdownthepath，leaningforwardalittle。
Theroadfollowedthewindingsofthedraw；whenshecametothefirstbend，shewavedatmeanddisappeared。
Iwasleftalonewiththisnewfeelingoflightnessandcontent。
Isatdowninthemiddleofthegarden，wheresnakescouldscarcelyapproachunseen，andleanedmybackagainstawarmyellowpumpkin。
Thereweresomeground-cherrybushesgrowingalongthefurrows，fulloffruit。Iturnedbackthepaperytriangularsheathsthatprotectedtheberriesandateafew。Allaboutmegiantgrasshoppers，twiceasbigasanyIhadeverseen，weredoingacrobaticfeatsamongthedriedvines。
Thegophersscurriedupanddowntheploughedground。Thereinthesheltereddraw-bottomthewinddidnotblowveryhard，butIcouldhearitsingingitshummingtuneuponthelevel，andIcouldseethetallgrasseswave。
Theearthwaswarmunderme，andwarmasIcrumbleditthroughmyfingers。
Queerlittleredbugscameoutandmovedinslowsquadronsaroundme。
Theirbackswerepolishedvermilion，withblackspots。IkeptasstillasIcould。Nothinghappened。Ididnotexpectanythingtohappen。
Iwassomethingthatlayunderthesunandfeltit，likethepumpkins，andIdidnotwanttobeanythingmore。Iwasentirelyhappy。
Perhapswefeellikethatwhenwedieandbecomeapartofsomethingentire，whetheritissunandair，orgoodnessandknowledge。Atanyrate，thatishappiness；tobedissolvedintosomethingcompleteandgreat。
Whenitcomestoone，itcomesasnaturallyassleep。
III
ONSUNDAYMORNINGOttoFuchswastodriveusovertomaketheacquaintanceofournewBohemianneighbours。Weweretakingthemsomeprovisions，astheyhadcometoliveonawildplacewheretherewasnogardenorchicken-house，andverylittlebrokenland。
Fuchsbroughtupasackofpotatoesandapieceofcuredporkfromthecellar，andgrandmotherpackedsomeloavesofSaturday\'sbread，ajarofbutter，andseveralpumpkinpiesinthestrawofthewagon-box。
Weclambereduptothefrontseatandjoltedoffpastthelittlepondandalongtheroadthatclimbedtothebigcornfield。
Icouldhardlywaittoseewhatlaybeyondthatcornfield；
buttherewasonlyredgrasslikeours，andnothingelse，thoughfromthehighwagon-seatonecouldlookoffalongway。
Theroadranaboutlikeawildthing，avoidingthedeepdraws，crossingthemwheretheywerewideandshallow。
Andallalongit，whereveritloopedorran，thesunflowersgrew；
someofthemwereasbigaslittletrees，withgreatroughleavesandmanybrancheswhichboredozensofblossoms。
Theymadeagoldribbonacrosstheprairie。Occasionallyoneofthehorseswouldtearoffwithhisteethaplantfullofblossoms，andwalkalongmunchingit，theflowersnoddingintimetohisbitesasheatedowntowardthem。
TheBohemianfamily，grandmothertoldmeaswedrovealong，hadboughtthehomesteadofafellowcountryman，PeterKrajiek，andhadpaidhimmorethanitwasworth。Theiragreementwithhimwasmadebeforetheylefttheoldcountry，throughacousinofhis，whowasalsoarelativeofMrs。Shimerda。TheShimerdaswerethefirstBohemianfamilytocometothispartofthecounty。
Krajiekwastheironlyinterpreter，andcouldtellthemanythinghechose。TheycouldnotspeakenoughEnglishtoaskforadvice，oreventomaketheirmostpressingwantsknown。Oneson，Fuchssaid，waswell-grown，andstrongenoughtoworktheland；
butthefatherwasoldandfrailandknewnothingaboutfarming。
Hewasaweaverbytrade；hadbeenaskilledworkmanontapestriesandupholsterymaterials。Hehadbroughthisfiddlewithhim，whichwouldn\'tbeofmuchusehere，thoughheusedtopickupmoneybyitathome。
`Ifthey\'renicepeople，IhatetothinkofthemspendingthewinterinthatcaveofKrajiek\'s，\'saidgrandmother。
`It\'snobetterthanabadgerhole；noproperdugoutatall。
AndIhearhe\'smadethempaytwentydollarsforhisoldcookstovethatain\'tworthten。\'
`Yes\'m，\'saidOtto；`andhe\'ssold\'emhisoxenandhistwobonyoldhorsesforthepriceofgoodworkteams。
I\'dhaveinterferedaboutthehorses——theoldmancanunderstandsomeGerman——ifI\'dIa\'thoughtitwoulddoanygood。
ButBohemianshasanaturaldistrustofAustrians。\'
Grandmotherlookedinterested。`Now，whyisthat，Otto？\'
Fuchswrinkledhisbrowandnose。`Well，ma\'m，it\'spolitics。
Itwouldtakemealongwhiletoexplain。\'
Thelandwasgrowingrougher；IwastoldthatwewereapproachingSquawCreek，whichcutupthewesthalfoftheShimerdas\'
placeandmadethelandoflittlevalueforfarming。
Soonwecouldseethebroken，grassyclaycliffswhichindicatedthewindingsofthestream，andtheglitteringtopsofthecottonwoodsandashtreesthatgrewdownintheravine。
Someofthecottonwoodshadalreadyturned，andtheyellowleavesandshiningwhitebarkmadethemlooklikethegoldandsilvertreesinfairytales。
AsweapproachedtheShimerdas\'dwelling，Icouldstillseenothingbutroughredhillocks，anddrawswithshelvingbanksandlongrootshangingoutwheretheearthhadcrumbledaway。
Presently，againstoneofthosebanks，Isawasortofshed，thatchedwiththesamewine-colouredgrassthatgreweverywhere。
Nearittiltedashatteredwindmillframe，thathadnowheel。
Wedroveuptothisskeletontotieourhorses，andthenIsawadoorandwindowsunkdeepinthedrawbank。Thedoorstoodopen，andawomanandagirloffourteenranoutandlookedupatushopefully。Alittlegirltrailedalongbehindthem。
ThewomanhadonherheadthesameembroideredshawlwithsilkfringesthatsheworewhenshehadalightedfromthetrainatBlackHawk。
Shewasnotold，butshewascertainlynotyoung。Herfacewasalertandlively，withasharpchinandshrewdlittleeyes。
Sheshookgrandmother\'shandenergetically。
`Veryglad，veryglad！\'sheejaculated。Immediatelyshepointedtothebankoutofwhichshehademergedandsaid，`Housenogood，housenogood！\'
Grandmothernoddedconsolingly。`You\'llgetfixedupcomfortableafterwhile，Mrs。Shimerda；makegoodhouse。\'
Mygrandmotheralwaysspokeinaveryloudtonetoforeigners，asiftheyweredeaf。ShemadeMrs。Shimerdaunderstandthefriendlyintentionofourvisit，andtheBohemianwomanhandledtheloavesofbreadandevensmelledthem，andexaminedthepieswithlivelycuriosity，exclaiming，`Muchgood，muchthank！\'——andagainshewrunggrandmother\'shand。
Theoldestson，Ambroz——theycalleditAmbrosch——
cameoutofthecaveandstoodbesidehismother。
Hewasnineteenyearsold，shortandbroad-backed，withaclose-cropped，flathead，andawide，flatface。
Hishazeleyeswerelittleandshrewd，likehismother\'s，butmoreslyandsuspicious；theyfairlysnappedatthefood。
Thefamilyhadbeenlivingoncorncakesandsorghummolassesforthreedays。
Thelittlegirlwaspretty，butAntonia——theyaccentedthenamethus，strongly，whentheyspoketoher——wasstillprettier。
Irememberedwhattheconductorhadsaidabouthereyes。
Theywerebigandwarmandfulloflight，likethesunshiningonbrownpoolsinthewood。Herskinwasbrown，too，andinhercheeksshehadaglowofrich，darkcolour。
Herbrownhairwascurlyandwild-looking。Thelittlesister，whomtheycalledYulkaJulka，wasfair，andseemedmildandobedient。WhileIstoodawkwardlyconfrontingthetwogirls，Krajiekcameupfromthebarntoseewhatwasgoingon。
WithhimwasanotherShimerdason。Evenfromadistanceonecouldseethattherewassomethingstrangeaboutthisboy。
Asheapproachedus，hebegantomakeuncouthnoises，andhelduphishandstoshowushisfingers，whichwerewebbedtothefirstknuckle，likeaduck\'sfoot。Whenhesawmedrawback，hebegantocrowdelightedly，`Hoo，hoo-hoo，hoo-hoo！\'
likearooster。Hismotherscowledandsaidsternly，`Marek！\'thenspokerapidlytoKrajiekinBohemian。
`Shewantsmetotellyouhewon\'thurtnobody，Mrs。Burden。Hewasbornlikethat。Theothersaresmart。Ambrosch，hemakegoodfarmer。\'
HestruckAmbroschontheback，andtheboysmiledknowingly。
Atthatmomentthefathercameoutoftheholeinthebank。
Heworenohat，andhisthick，iron-greyhairwasbrushedstraightbackfromhisforehead。Itwassolongthatitbushedoutbehindhisears，andmadehimlookliketheoldportraitsIrememberedinVirginia。
Hewastallandslender，andhisthinshouldersstooped。
Helookedatusunderstandingly，thentookgrandmother\'shandandbentoverit。Inoticedhowwhiteandwell-shapedhisownhandswere。
Theylookedcalm，somehow，andskilled。Hiseyesweremelancholy，andweresetbackdeepunderhisbrow。Hisfacewasruggedlyformed，butitlookedlikeashes——likesomethingfromwhichallthewarmthandlighthaddiedout。Everythingaboutthisoldmanwasinkeepingwithhisdignifiedmanner。Hewasneatlydressed。
Underhiscoatheworeaknittedgreyvest，and，insteadofacollar，asilkscarfofadarkbronze-green，carefullycrossedandheldtogetherbyaredcoralpin。WhileKrajiekwastranslatingforMr。Shimerda，Antoniacameuptomeandheldoutherhandcoaxingly。
Inamomentwewererunningupthesteepdrawsidetogether，Yulkatrottingafterus。
Whenwereachedthelevelandcouldseethegoldtree-tops，I
pointedtowardthem，andAntonialaughedandsqueezedmyhandasiftotellmehowgladshewasIhadcome。WeracedofftowardSquawCreekanddidnotstopuntilthegrounditselfstopped——
fellawaybeforeussoabruptlythatthenextstepwouldhavebeenoutintothetree-tops。Westoodpantingontheedgeoftheravine，lookingdownatthetreesandbushesthatgrewbelowus。
ThewindwassostrongthatIhadtoholdmyhaton，andthegirls\'
skirtswereblownoutbeforethem。Antoniaseemedtolikeit；
sheheldherlittlesisterbythehandandchatteredawayinthatlanguagewhichseemedtomespokensomuchmorerapidlythanmine。
Shelookedatme，hereyesfairlyblazingwiththingsshecouldnotsay。
`Name？Whatname？\'sheasked，touchingmeontheshoulder。
Itoldhermyname，andsherepeateditaftermeandmadeYulkasayit。
Shepointedintothegoldcottonwoodtreebehindwhosetopwestoodandsaidagain，`Whatname？\'
Wesatdownandmadeanestinthelongredgrass。
Yulkacurleduplikeababyrabbitandplayedwithagrasshopper。
Antoniapointeduptotheskyandquestionedmewithherglance。
Igavehertheword，butshewasnotsatisfiedandpointedtomyeyes。
Itoldher，andsherepeatedtheword，makingitsoundlike`ice。\'
Shepointeduptothesky，thentomyeyes，thenbacktothesky，withmovementssoquickandimpulsivethatshedistractedme，andIhadnoideawhatshewanted。Shegotuponherkneesandwrungherhands。Shepointedtoherowneyesandshookherhead，thentomineandtothesky，noddingviolently。
`Oh，\'Iexclaimed，`blue；bluesky。\'
Sheclappedherhandsandmurmured，`Bluesky，blueeyes，\'
asifitamusedher。Whilewesnuggleddownthereoutofthewind，shelearnedascoreofwords。Shewasalive，andveryeager。
Weweresodeepinthegrassthatwecouldseenothingbuttheblueskyoverusandthegoldtreeinfrontofus。Itwaswonderfullypleasant。
AfterAntoniahadsaidthenewwordsoverandover，shewantedtogivemealittlechasedsilverringsheworeonhermiddlefinger。
Whenshecoaxedandinsisted，Irepulsedherquitesternly。
Ididn\'twantherring，andIfelttherewassomethingrecklessandextravagantaboutherwishingtogiveitawaytoaboyshehadneverseenbefore。NowonderKrajiekgotthebetterofthesepeople，ifthiswashowtheybehaved。
Whileweweredisputing`aboutthering，Iheardamournfulvoicecalling，`Antonia，Antonia！\'
Shespranguplikeahare。\'Tatinek！Tatinek！\'sheshouted，andwerantomeettheoldmanwhowascomingtowardus。
Antoniareachedhimfirst，tookhishandandkissedit。
WhenIcameup，hetouchedmyshoulderandlookedsearchinglydownintomyfaceforseveralseconds。Ibecamesomewhatembarrassed，forIwasusedtobeingtakenforgrantedbymyelders。
WewentwithMr。Shimerdabacktothedugout，wheregrandmotherwaswaitingforme。BeforeIgotintothewagon，hetookabookoutofhispocket，openedit，andshowedmeapagewithtwoalphabets，oneEnglishandtheotherBohemian。
Heplacedthisbookinmygrandmother\'shands，lookedatherentreatingly，andsaid，withanearnestnesswhichIshallneverforget，`Te-e-ach，te-e-achmyAntonia！\'
IV
ONTHEAFTERNOONofthatsameSundayItookmyfirstlongrideonmypony，underOtto\'sdirection。AfterthatDudeandIwenttwiceaweektothepost-office，sixmileseastofus，andIsavedthemenagooddealoftimebyridingonerrandstoourneighbours。
Whenwehadtoborrowanything，ortosendaboutwordthattherewouldbepreachingatthesodschoolhouse，Iwasalwaysthemessenger。
FormerlyFuchsattendedtosuchthingsafterworkinghours。
Alltheyearsthathavepassedhavenotdimmedmymemoryofthatfirstgloriousautumn。Thenewcountrylayopenbeforeme:
therewerenofencesinthosedays，andIcouldchoosemyownwayoverthegrassuplands，trustingtheponytogetmehomeagain。
SometimesIfollowedthesunflower-borderedroads。FuchstoldmethatthesunflowerswereintroducedintothatcountrybytheMormons；
thatatthetimeofthepersecution，whentheyleftMissouriandstruckoutintothewildernesstofindaplacewheretheycouldworshipGodintheirownway，themembersofthefirstexploringparty，crossingtheplainstoUtah，scatteredsunflowerseedastheywent。
Thenextsummer，whenthelongtrainsofwagonscamethroughwithallthewomenandchildren，theyhadthesunflowertrailtofollow。
IbelievethatbotanistsdonotconfirmFuchs\'sstory，butinsistthatthesunflowerwasnativetothoseplains。Nevertheless，thatlegendhasstuckinmymind，andsunflower-borderedroadsalwaysseemtometheroadstofreedom。
Iusedtolovetodriftalongthepale-yellowcornfields，lookingforthedampspotsonesometimesfoundattheiredges，wherethesmartweedsoonturnedarichcoppercolourandthenarrowbrownleaveshungcurledlikecocoonsabouttheswollenjointsofthestem。
SometimesIwentsouthtovisitourGermanneighboursandtoadmiretheircatalpagrove，ortoseethebigelmtreethatgrewupoutofadeepcrackintheearthandhadahawk\'snestinitsbranches。
Treesweresorareinthatcountry，andtheyhadtomakesuchahardfighttogrow，thatweusedtofeelanxiousaboutthem，andvisitthemasiftheywerepersons。Itmusthavebeenthescarcityofdetailinthattawnylandscapethatmadedetailsoprecious。
SometimesIrodenorthtothebigprairie-dogtowntowatchthebrownearth-owlsflyhomeinthelateafternoonandgodowntotheirnestsundergroundwiththedogs。
AntoniaShimerdalikedtogowithme，andweusedtowonderagreatdealaboutthesebirdsofsubterraneanhabit。
Wehadtobeonourguardthere，forrattlesnakeswerealwayslurkingabout。Theycametopickupaneasylivingamongthedogsandowls，whichwerequitedefencelessagainstthem；
tookpossessionoftheircomfortablehousesandatetheeggsandpuppies。Wefeltsorryfortheowls。Itwasalwaysmournfultoseethemcomeflyinghomeatsunsetanddisappearundertheearth。But，afterall，wefelt，wingedthingswhowouldlivelikethatmustberatherdegradedcreatures。
Thedog-townwasalongwayfromanypondorcreek。
OttoFuchssaidhehadseenpopulousdog-townsinthedesertwheretherewasnosurfacewaterforfiftymiles；heinsistedthatsomeoftheholesmustgodowntowater——nearlytwohundredfeet，hereabouts。Antoniasaidshedidn\'tbelieveit；
thatthedogsprobablylappedupthedewintheearlymorning，liketherabbits。
Antoniahadopinionsabouteverything，andshewassoonabletomakethemknown。Almosteverydayshecamerunningacrosstheprairietohaveherreadinglessonwithme。
Mrs。Shimerdagrumbled，butrealizeditwasimportantthatonememberofthefamilyshouldlearnEnglish。Whenthelessonwasover，weusedtogouptothewatermelonpatchbehindthegarden。
Isplitthemelonswithanoldcorn-knife，andweliftedouttheheartsandatethemwiththejuicetricklingthroughourfingers。ThewhiteChristmasmelonswedidnottouch，butwewatchedthemwithcuriosity。Theyweretobepickedlate，whenthehardfrostshadsetin，andputawayforwinteruse。
Afterweeksontheocean，theShimerdaswerefamishedforfruit。
Thetwogirlswouldwanderformilesalongtheedgeofthecornfields，huntingforground-cherries。
Antonialovedtohelpgrandmotherinthekitchenandtolearnaboutcookingandhousekeeping。Shewouldstandbesideher，watchinghereverymovement。
WewerewillingtobelievethatMrs。Shimerdawasagoodhousewifeinherowncountry，butshemanagedpoorlyundernewconditions:
theconditionswerebadenough，certainly！
Irememberhowhorrifiedwewereatthesour，ashy-greybreadshegaveherfamilytoeat。Shemixedherdough，wediscovered，inanoldtinpeck-measurethatKrajiekhadusedaboutthebarn。
Whenshetookthepasteouttobakeit，sheleftsmearsofdoughstickingtothesidesofthemeasure，putthemeasureontheshelfbehindthestove，andletthisresidueferment。
Thenexttimeshemadebread，shescrapedthissourstuffdownintothefreshdoughtoserveasyeast。
DuringthosefirstmonthstheShimerdasneverwenttotown。
KrajiekencouragedtheminthebeliefthatinBlackHawktheywouldsomehowbemysteriouslyseparatedfromtheirmoney。
TheyhatedKrajiek，buttheyclungtohimbecausehewastheonlyhumanbeingwithwhomtheycouldtalkorfromwhomtheycouldgetinformation。Hesleptwiththeoldmanandthetwoboysinthedugoutbarn，alongwiththeoxen。
Theykepthimintheirholeandfedhimforthesamereasonthattheprairie-dogsandthebrownowlshousetherattlesnakes——
becausetheydidnotknowhowtogetridofhim。
V
WEKNEWTHATTHINGSwerehardforourBohemianneighbours，butthetwogirlswerelightheartedandnevercomplained。
Theywerealwaysreadytoforgettheirtroublesathome，andtorunawaywithmeovertheprairie，scaringrabbitsorstartingupflocksofquail。
IrememberAntonia\'sexcitementwhenshecameintoourkitchenoneafternoonandannounced:`Mypapafindfriendsupnorth，withRussianmans。
Lastnighthetakemeforsee，andIcanunderstandverymuchtalk。
Nicemans，Mrs。Burden。Oneisfatandallthetimelaugh。
Everybodylaugh。ThefirsttimeIseemypapalaughinthiskawntree。
Oh，verynice！\'
IaskedherifshemeantthetwoRussianswholivedupbythebigdog-town。IhadoftenbeentemptedtogotoseethemwhenIwasridinginthatdirection，butoneofthemwasawild-lookingfellowandIwasalittleafraidofhim。
Russiaseemedtomemoreremotethananyothercountry——
fartherawaythanChina，almostasfarastheNorthPole。
Ofallthestrange，uprootedpeopleamongthefirstsettlers，thosetwomenwerethestrangestandthemostaloof。
Theirlastnameswereunpronounceable，sotheywerecalledPavelandPeter。Theywentaboutmakingsignstopeople，anduntiltheShimerdascametheyhadnofriends。
Krajiekcouldunderstandthemalittle，buthehadcheatedtheminatrade，sotheyavoidedhim。Pavel，thetallone，wassaidtobeananarchist；sincehehadnomeansofimpartinghisopinions，probablyhiswildgesticulationsandhisgenerallyexcitedandrebelliousmannergaverisetothissupposition。
Hemustoncehavebeenaverystrongman，butnowhisgreatframe，withbig，knottyjoints，hadawastedlook，andtheskinwasdrawntightoverhishighcheekbones。
Hisbreathingwashoarse，andhealwayshadacough。
Peter，hiscompanion，wasaverydifferentsortoffellow；short，bow-legged，andasfatasbutter。Healwaysseemedpleasedwhenhemetpeopleontheroad，smiledandtookoffhiscaptoeveryone，menaswellaswomen。
Atadistance，onhiswagon，helookedlikeanoldman；hishairandbeardwereofsuchapaleflaxencolourthattheyseemedwhiteinthesun。
Theywereasthickandcurlyascardedwool。Hisrosyface，withitssnubnose，setinthisfleece，waslikeamelonamongitsleaves。
Hewasusuallycalled`CurlyPeter，\'or`RooshianPeter。\'
ThetwoRussiansmadegoodfarm-hands，andinsummertheyworkedouttogether。IhadheardourneighbourslaughingwhentheytoldhowPeteralwayshadtogohomeatnighttomilkhiscow。
Otherbachelorhomesteadersusedcannedmilk，tosavetrouble。
SometimesPetercametochurchatthesodschoolhouse。
ItwasthereIfirstsawhim，sittingonalowbenchbythedoor，hisplushcapinhishands，hisbarefeettuckedapologeticallyundertheseat。
AfterMr。ShimerdadiscoveredtheRussians，hewenttoseethemalmosteveryevening，andsometimestookAntoniawithhim。
ShesaidtheycamefromapartofRussiawherethelanguagewasnotverydifferentfromBohemian，andifIwantedtogototheirplace，shecouldtalktothemforme。
Oneafternoon，beforetheheavyfrostsbegan，werodeuptheretogetheronmypony。
TheRussianshadaneatloghousebuiltonagrassyslope，withawindlasswellbesidethedoor。Aswerodeupthedraw，weskirtedabigmelonpatch，andagardenwheresquashesandyellowcucumberslayaboutonthesod。
WefoundPeteroutbehindhiskitchen，bendingoverawashtub。
Hewasworkingsohardthathedidnothearuscoming。
Hiswholebodymovedupanddownasherubbed，andhewasafunnysightfromtherear，withhisshaggyheadandbandylegs。
Whenhestraightenedhimselfuptogreetus，dropsofperspirationwererollingfromhisthicknosedownontohiscurlybeard。
Peterdriedhishandsandseemedgladtoleavehiswashing。
Hetookusdowntoseehischickens，andhiscowthatwasgrazingonthehillside。HetoldAntoniathatinhiscountryonlyrichpeoplehadcows，buthereanymancouldhaveonewhowouldtakecareofher。ThemilkwasgoodforPavel，whowasoftensick，andhecouldmakebutterbybeatingsourcreamwithawoodenspoon。Peterwasveryfondofhiscow。
HepattedherflanksandtalkedtoherinRussianwhilehepulledupherlariatpinandsetitinanewplace。
Afterhehadshownushisgarden，Petertrundledaloadofwatermelonsupthehillinhiswheelbarrow。Pavelwasnotathome。
Hewasoffsomewherehelpingtodigawell。ThehouseIthoughtverycomfortablefortwomenwhowere`batching。\'Besidesthekitchen，therewasaliving-room，withawidedoublebedbuiltagainstthewall，properlymadeupwithblueginghamsheetsandpillows。
Therewasalittlestoreroom，too，withawindow，wheretheykeptgunsandsaddlesandtools，andoldcoatsandboots。
Thatdaythefloorwascoveredwithgardenthings，dryingforwinter；
cornandbeansandfatyellowcucumbers。Therewerenoscreensorwindow-blindsinthehouse，andallthedoorsandwindowsstoodwideopen，lettinginfliesandsunshinealike。
Peterputthemelonsinarowontheoilcloth-coveredtableandstoodoverthem，brandishingabutcherknife。Beforethebladegotfairlyintothem，theysplitoftheirownripeness，withadelicioussound。Hegaveusknives，butnoplates，andthetopofthetablewassoonswimmingwithjuiceandseeds。
IhadneverseenanyoneeatsomanymelonsasPeterate。
Heassuredusthattheyweregoodforone——betterthanmedicine；
inhiscountrypeoplelivedonthematthistimeofyear。
Hewasveryhospitableandjolly。Once，whilehewaslookingatAntonia，hesighedandtoldusthatifhehadstayedathomeinRussiaperhapsbythistimehewouldhavehadaprettydaughterofhisowntocookandkeephouseforhim。
Hesaidhehadlefthiscountrybecauseofa`greattrouble。\'
Whenwegotuptogo，Peterlookedaboutinperplexityforsomethingthatwouldentertainus。Heranintothestoreroomandbroughtoutagaudilypaintedharmonica，satdownonabench，andspreadinghisfatlegsapartbegantoplaylikeawholeband。
Thetuneswereeitherverylivelyorverydoleful，andhesangwordstosomeofthem。
Beforeweleft，PeterputripecucumbersintoasackforMrs。Shimerdaandgaveusalard-pailfullofmilktocookthemin。Ihadneverheardofcookingcucumbers，butAntoniaassuredmetheywereverygood。
Wehadtowalktheponyallthewayhometokeepfromspillingthemilk。
VI
ONEAFTERNOONWEWEREhavingourreadinglessononthewarm，grassybankwherethebadgerlived。Itwasadayofambersunlight，buttherewasashiverofcomingwinterintheair。
Ihadseeniceonthelittlehorsepondthatmorning，andaswewentthroughthegardenwefoundthetallasparagus，withitsredberries，lyingontheground，amassofslimygreen。
Tonywasbarefooted，andsheshiveredinhercottondressandwascomfortableonlywhenweweretuckeddownonthebakedearth，inthefullblazeofthesun。
Shecouldtalktomeaboutalmostanythingbythistime。
Thatafternoonshewastellingmehowhighlyesteemedourfriendthebadgerwasinherpartoftheworld，andhowmenkeptaspecialkindofdog，withveryshortlegs，tohunthim。
Thosedogs，shesaid，wentdownintotheholeafterthebadgerandkilledhimthereinaterrificstruggleunderground；
youcouldhearthebarksandyelpsoutside。Thenthedogdraggedhimselfback，coveredwithbitesandscratches，toberewardedandpettedbyhismaster。Sheknewadogwhohadastaronhiscollarforeverybadgerhehadkilled。
Therabbitswereunusuallysprythatafternoon。Theykeptstartingupallaboutus，anddashingoffdownthedrawasiftheywereplayingagameofsomekind。Butthelittlebuzzingthingsthatlivedinthegrasswerealldead——allbutone。
Whilewewerelyingthereagainstthewarmbank，alittleinsectofthepalest，frailestgreenhoppedpainfullyoutofthebuffalograssandtriedtoleapintoabunchofbluestem。
Hemissedit，fellback，andsatwithhisheadsunkbetweenhislonglegs，hisantennaequivering，asifhewerewaitingforsomethingtocomeandfinishhim。Tonymadeawarmnestforhiminherhands；talkedtohimgailyandindulgentlyinBohemian。
Presentlyhebegantosingforus——athin，rustylittlechirp。
Sheheldhimclosetoherearandlaughed，butamomentafterwardIsawthereweretearsinhereyes。Shetoldmethatinhervillageathometherewasanoldbeggarwomanwhowentaboutsellingherbsandrootsshehaddugupintheforest。
Ifyoutookherinandgaveherawarmplacebythefire，shesangoldsongstothechildreninacrackedvoice，likethis。
OldHata，shewascalled，andthechildrenlovedtoseehercomingandsavedtheircakesandsweetsforher。
Whenthebankontheothersideofthedrawbegantothrowanarrowshelfofshadow，weknewweoughttobestartinghomeward；thechillcameonquicklywhenthesungotlow，andAntonia\'sdresswasthin。
Whatwerewetodowiththefraillittlecreaturewehadluredbacktolifebyfalsepretences？Iofferedmypockets，butTonyshookherheadandcarefullyputthegreeninsectinherhair，tyingherbighandkerchiefdownlooselyoverhercurls。
IsaidIwouldgowithheruntilwecouldseeSquawCreek，andthenturnandrunhome。Wedriftedalonglazily，veryhappy，throughthemagicallightofthelateafternoon。
Allthosefallafternoonswerethesame，butInevergotusedtothem。
Asfaraswecouldsee，themilesofcopper-redgrassweredrenchedinsunlightthatwasstrongerandfiercerthanatanyothertimeoftheday。Theblondcornfieldswereredgold，thehaystacksturnedrosyandthrewlongshadows。Thewholeprairiewaslikethebushthatburnedwithfireandwasnotconsumed。
Thathouralwayshadtheexultationofvictory，oftriumphantending，likeahero\'sdeath——heroeswhodiedyoungandgloriously。
Itwasasuddentransfiguration，alifting-upofday。
HowmanyanafternoonAntoniaandIhavetrailedalongtheprairieunderthatmagnificence！Andalwaystwolongblackshadowsflittedbeforeusorfollowedafter，darkspotsontheruddygrass。
Wehadbeensilentalongtime，andtheedgeofthesunsanknearerandnearertheprairiefloor，whenwesawafiguremovingontheedgeoftheupland，agunoverhisshoulder。
Hewaswalkingslowly，dragginghisfeetalongasifhehadnopurpose。
Webrokeintoaruntoovertakehim。
`Mypapasickallthetime，\'Tonypantedasweflew。
`Henotlookgood，Jim。\'
AswenearedMr。Shimerdasheshouted，andheliftedhisheadandpeeredabout。Tonyranuptohim，caughthishandandpresseditagainsthercheek。Shewastheonlyoneofhisfamilywhocouldrousetheoldmanfromthetorporinwhichheseemedtolive。
Hetookthebagfromhisbeltandshowedusthreerabbitshehadshot，lookedatAntoniawithawintryflickerofasmileandbegantotellhersomething。Sheturnedtome。
`Mytatinekmakemelittlehatwiththeskins，littlehatforwinter！\'
sheexclaimedjoyfully。`Meatforeat，skinforhat\'——shetoldoffthesebenefitsonherfingers。
Herfatherputhishandonherhair，butshecaughthiswristandlifteditcarefullyaway，talkingtohimrapidly。
IheardthenameofoldHata。Heuntiedthehandkerchief，separatedherhairwithhisfingers，andstoodlookingdownatthegreeninsect。Whenitbegantochirpfaintly，helistenedasifitwereabeautifulsound。
Ipickedupthegunhehaddropped；aqueerpiecefromtheoldcountry，shortandheavy，withastag\'sheadonthecock。
Whenhesawmeexaminingit，heturnedtomewithhisfar-awaylookthatalwaysmademefeelasifIweredownatthebottomofawell。
Hespokekindlyandgravely，andAntoniatranslated:
`Mytatineksaywhenyouarebigboy，hegiveyouhisgun。
Veryfine，fromBohemie。Itwasbelongtoagreatman，veryrich，likewhatyounotgothere；manyfields，manyforests，manybighouse。
Mypapaplayforhiswedding，andhegivemypapafinegun，andmypapagiveyou。\'
Iwasgladthatthisprojectwasoneoffuturity。ThereneverweresuchpeopleastheShimerdasforwantingtogiveawayeverythingtheyhad。Eventhemotherwasalwaysofferingmethings，thoughIknewsheexpectedsubstantialpresentsinreturn。
Westoodthereinfriendlysilence，whilethefeebleminstrelshelteredinAntonia\'shairwentonwithitsscratchychirp。
Theoldman\'ssmile，ashelistened，wassofullofsadness，ofpityforthings，thatIneverafterwardforgotit。
Asthesunsanktherecameasuddencoolnessandthestrongsmellofearthanddryinggrass。Antoniaandherfatherwentoffhandinhand，andIbuttonedupmyjacketandracedmyshadowhome。