Hecutbandsallrightforafewminutes，andthen，Mrs。Harling，hewavedhishandtomeandjumpedhead-firstrightintothethreshingmachineafterthewheat。
`Ibeguntoscream，andthemenruntostopthehorses，butthebelthadsuckedhimdown，andbythetimetheygotherstopped，hewasallbeatandcuttopieces。
Hewaswedgedinsotightitwasahardjobtogethimout，andthemachineain\'tneverworkedrightsince。\'
`Washecleardead，Tony？\'wecried。
`Washedead？Well，Iguessso！There，now，Nina\'sallupset。
Wewon\'ttalkaboutit。Don\'tyoucry，Nina。Nooldtrampwon\'tgetyouwhileTony\'shere。\'
Mrs。Harlingspokeupsternly。`Stopcrying，Nina，orI\'llalwayssendyouupstairswhenAntoniatellsusaboutthecountry。
Didtheyneverfindoutwherehecamefrom，Antonia？\'
`Never，ma\'m。Hehadn\'tbeenseennowhereexceptinalittletowntheycallConway。Hetriedtogetbeerthere，buttherewasn\'tanysaloon。
Maybehecameinonafreight，butthebrakemanhadn\'tseenhim。
Theycouldn\'tfindnolettersnornothingonhim；nothingbutanoldpenknifeinhispocketandthewishboneofachickenwrappedupinapieceofpaper，andsomepoetry。\'
`Somepoetry？\'weexclaimed。
`Iremember，\'saidFrances。`Itwas“TheOldOakenBucket，“
cutoutofanewspaperandnearlywornout。OleIversonbroughtitintotheofficeandshowedittome。\'
`Now，wasn\'tthatstrange，MissFrances？\'Tonyaskedthoughtfully。
`Whatwouldanybodywanttokillthemselvesinsummerfor？
Inthreshingtime，too！It\'sniceeverywherethen。\'
`Soitis，Antonia，\'saidMrs。Harlingheartily。`MaybeI\'llgohomeandhelpyouthreshnextsummer。Isn\'tthattaffynearlyreadytoeat？
I\'vebeensmellingitalongwhile。\'
TherewasabasicharmonybetweenAntoniaandhermistress。
Theyhadstrong，independentnatures，bothofthem。Theyknewwhattheyliked，andwerenotalwaystryingtoimitateotherpeople。Theylovedchildrenandanimalsandmusic，androughplayanddiggingintheearth。
Theylikedtopreparerich，heartyfoodandtoseepeopleeatit；
tomakeupsoftwhitebedsandtoseeyoungstersasleepinthem。
Theyridiculedconceitedpeopleandwerequicktohelpunfortunateones。
Deepdownineachofthemtherewasakindofheartyjoviality，arelishoflife，notover-delicate，butveryinvigorating。
Inevertriedtodefineit，butIwasdistinctlyconsciousofit。
IcouldnotimagineAntonia\'slivingforaweekinanyotherhouseinBlackHawkthantheHarlings\'。
VII
WINTERLIESTOOLONGincountrytowns；hangsonuntilitisstaleandshabby，oldandsullen。Onthefarmtheweatherwasthegreatfact，andmen\'saffairswentonunderneathit，asthestreamscreepundertheice。
ButinBlackHawkthesceneofhumanlifewasspreadoutshrunkenandpinched，frozendowntothebarestalk。
ThroughJanuaryandFebruaryIwenttotheriverwiththeHarlingsonclearnights，andweskateduptothebigislandandmadebonfiresonthefrozensand。ButbyMarchtheicewasroughandchoppy，andthesnowontheriverbluffswasgreyandmournful-looking。Iwastiredofschool，tiredofwinterclothes，oftheruttedstreets，ofthedirtydriftsandthepilesofcindersthathadlainintheyardssolong。
Therewasonlyonebreakinthedrearymonotonyofthatmonth:
whenBlindd\'Arnault，theNegropianist，cametotown。
HegaveaconcertattheOperaHouseonMondaynight，andheandhismanagerspentSaturdayandSundayatourcomfortablehotel。
Mrs。Harlinghadknownd\'Arnaultforyears。ShetoldAntoniashehadbettergotoseeTinythatSaturdayevening，astherewouldcertainlybemusicattheBoys\'Home。
SaturdaynightaftersupperIrandowntowntothehotelandslippedquietlyintotheparlour。Thechairsandsofaswerealreadyoccupied，andtheairsmelledpleasantlyofcigarsmoke。
Theparlourhadoncebeentworooms，andthefloorwasswaybackedwherethepartitionhadbeencutaway。
Thewindfromwithoutmadewavesinthelongcarpet。
Acoalstoveglowedateitherendoftheroom，andthegrandpianointhemiddlestoodopen。
Therewasanatmosphereofunusualfreedomaboutthehousethatnight，forMrs。GardenerhadgonetoOmahaforaweek。Johnniehadbeenhavingdrinkswiththeguestsuntilhewasratherabsent-minded。ItwasMrs。Gardenerwhoranthebusinessandlookedaftereverything。
Herhusbandstoodatthedeskandwelcomedincomingtravellers。
Hewasapopularfellow，butnomanager。
Mrs。Gardenerwasadmittedlythebest-dressedwomaninBlackHawk，drovethebesthorse，andhadasmarttrapandalittlewhite-and-goldsleigh。Sheseemedindifferenttoherpossessions，wasnothalfsosolicitousaboutthemasherfriendswere。
Shewastall，dark，severe，withsomethingIndian-likeintherigidimmobilityofherface。Hermannerwascold，andshetalkedlittle。Guestsfeltthattheywerereceiving，notconferring，afavourwhentheystayedatherhouse。
EventhesmartesttravellingmenwereflatteredwhenMrs。Gardenerstoppedtochatwiththemforamoment。
Thepatronsofthehotelweredividedintotwoclasses:
thosewhohadseenMrs。Gardener\'sdiamonds，andthosewhohadnot。
WhenIstoleintotheparlour，AnsonKirkpatrick，MarshallField\'sman，wasatthepiano，playingairsfromamusicalcomedythenrunninginChicago。
HewasadapperlittleIrishman，veryvain，homelyasamonkey，withfriendseverywhere，andasweetheartineveryport，likeasailor。
Ididnotknowallthemenwhoweresittingabout，butIrecognizedafurnituresalesmanfromKansasCity，adrugman，andWillyO\'Reilly，whotravelledforajewelleryhouseandsoldmusicalinstruments。
Thetalkwasallaboutgoodandbadhotels，actorsandactressesandmusicalprodigies。IlearnedthatMrs。GardenerhadgonetoOmahatohearBoothandBarrett，whoweretoplaytherenextweek，andthatMaryAndersonwashavingagreatsuccessin`AWinter\'sTale，\'inLondon。
Thedoorfromtheofficeopened，andJohnnieGardenercamein，directingBlindd\'Arnault——hewouldneverconsenttobeled。
Hewasaheavy，bulkymulatto，onshortlegs，andhecametappingthefloorinfrontofhimwithhisgold-headedcane。
Hisyellowfacewasliftedinthelight，withashowofwhiteteeth，allgrinning，andhisshrunken，paperyeyelidslaymotionlessoverhisblindeyes。
`Goodevening，gentlemen。Noladieshere？Goodevening，gentlemen。
Wegoingtohavealittlemusic？Someofyougentlemengoingtoplayformethisevening？\'Itwasthesoft，amiableNegrovoice，likethoseIrememberedfromearlychildhood，withthenoteofdocilesubservienceinit。HehadtheNegrohead，too；almostnoheadatall；
nothingbehindtheearsbutfoldsofneckunderclose-clippedwool。
Hewouldhavebeenrepulsiveifhisfacehadnotbeensokindlyandhappy。
ItwasthehappiestfaceIhadseensinceIleftVirginia。
Hefelthiswaydirectlytothepiano。Themomenthesatdown，InoticedthenervousinfirmityofwhichMrs。Harlinghadtoldme。
Whenhewassitting，orstandingstill，heswayedbackandforthincessantly，likearockingtoy。Atthepiano，heswayedintimetothemusic，andwhenhewasnotplaying，hisbodykeptupthismotion，likeanemptymillgrindingon。
Hefoundthepedalsandtriedthem，ranhisyellowhandsupanddownthekeysafewtimes，tinklingoffscales，thenturnedtothecompany。
`Sheseemsallright，gentlemen。NothinghappenedtohersincethelasttimeIwashere。Mrs。Gardener，shealwayshasthispianotunedupbeforeIcome。Nowgentlemen，Iexpectyou\'veallgotgrandvoices。
Seemslikewemighthavesomegoodoldplantationsongstonight。\'
Themengatheredroundhim，ashebegantoplay`MyOldKentuckyHome。\'
TheysangoneNegromelodyafteranother，whilethemulattosatrockinghimself，hisheadthrownback，hisyellowfacelifted，hisshrivelledeyelidsneverfluttering。
HewasbornintheFarSouth，onthed\'Arnaultplantation，wherethespiritifnotthefactofslaverypersisted。Whenhewasthreeweeksold，hehadanillnesswhichlefthimtotallyblind。
Assoonashewasoldenoughtositupaloneandtoddleabout，anotheraffliction，thenervousmotionofhisbody，becameapparent。
Hismother，abuxomyoungNegrowenchwhowaslaundressforthed\'Arnaults，concludedthatherblindbabywas`notright\'
inhishead，andshewasashamedofhim。Shelovedhimdevotedly，buthewassougly，withhissunkeneyesandhis`fidgets，\'thatshehidhimawayfrompeople。AllthedaintiesshebroughtdownfromtheBigHousewerefortheblindchild，andshebeatandcuffedherotherchildrenwhenevershefoundthemteasinghimortryingtogethischicken-boneawayfromhim。Hebegantotalkearly，rememberedeverythingheheard，andhismammysaidhe`wasn\'tallwrong。\'
ShenamedhimSamson，becausehewasblind，butontheplantationhewasknownas`yellowMartha\'ssimplechild。\'Hewasdocileandobedient，butwhenhewassixyearsoldhebegantorunawayfromhome，alwaystakingthesamedirection。Hefelthiswaythroughthelilacs，alongtheboxwoodhedge，uptothesouthwingoftheBigHouse，whereMissNellied\'Arnaultpractisedthepianoeverymorning。
Thisangeredhismothermorethananythingelsehecouldhavedone；
shewassoashamedofhisuglinessthatshecouldn\'tbeartohavewhitefolksseehim。Whenevershecaughthimslippingawayfromthecabin，shewhippedhimunmercifully，andtoldhimwhatdreadfulthingsoldMr。d\'ArnaultwoulddotohimifheeverfoundhimneartheBigHouse。
ButthenexttimeSamsonhadachance，heranawayagain。
IfMissd\'Arnaultstoppedpractisingforamomentandwenttowardthewindow，shesawthishideouslittlepickaninny，dressedinanoldpieceofsacking，standingintheopenspacebetweenthehollyhockrows，hisbodyrockingautomatically，hisblindfaceliftedtothesunandwearinganexpressionofidioticrapture。
OftenshewastemptedtotellMarthathatthechildmustbekeptathome，butsomehowthememoryofhisfoolish，happyfacedeterredher。
Sherememberedthathissenseofhearingwasnearlyallhehad——
thoughitdidnotoccurtoherthathemighthavemoreofitthanotherchildren。
OnedaySamsonwasstandingthuswhileMissNelliewasplayingherlessontohermusic-teacher。Thewindowswereopen。
Heheardthemgetupfromthepiano，talkalittlewhile，andthenleavetheroom。Heheardthedoorcloseafterthem。
Hecreptuptothefrontwindowsandstuckhisheadin:
therewasnoonethere。Hecouldalwaysdetectthepresenceofanyoneinaroom。Heputonefootoverthewindow-sillandstraddledit。
Hismotherhadtoldhimoverandoverhowhismasterwouldgivehimtothebigmastiffifheeverfoundhim`meddling。\'Samsonhadgottoonearthemastiff\'skennelonce，andhadfelthisterriblebreathinhisface。
Hethoughtaboutthat，buthepulledinhisotherfoot。
ThroughthedarkhefoundhiswaytotheThing，toitsmouth。Hetoucheditsoftly，anditansweredsoftly，kindly。Heshiveredandstoodstill。
Thenhebegantofeelitallover，ranhisfinger-tipsalongtheslipperysides，embracedthecarvedlegs，triedtogetsomeconceptionofitsshapeandsize，ofthespaceitoccupiedinprimevalnight。
Itwascoldandhard，andlikenothingelseinhisblackuniverse。
Hewentbacktoitsmouth，beganatoneendofthekeyboardandfelthiswaydownintothemellowthunder，asfarashecouldgo。Heseemedtoknowthatitmustbedonewiththefingers，notwiththefistsorthefeet。
Heapproachedthishighlyartificialinstrumentthroughamereinstinct，andcoupledhimselftoit，asifheknewitwastopiecehimoutandmakeawholecreatureofhim。Afterhehadtriedoverallthesounds，hebegantofingeroutpassagesfromthingsMissNelliehadbeenpractising，passagesthatwerealreadyhis，thatlayundertheboneofhispinched，conicallittleskull，definiteasanimaldesires。
Thedooropened；MissNellieandhermusic-masterstoodbehindit，butblindSamson，whowassosensitivetopresences，didnotknowtheywerethere。Hewasfeelingoutthepatternthatlayallready-madeonthebigandlittlekeys。
Whenhepausedforamoment，becausethesoundwaswrongandhewantedanother，MissNelliespokesoftly。
Hewhirledaboutinaspasmofterror，leapedforwardinthedark，struckhisheadontheopenwindow，andfellscreamingandbleedingtothefloor。Hehadwhathismothercalledafit。
Thedoctorcameandgavehimopium。
WhenSamsonwaswellagain，hisyoungmistressledhimbacktothepiano。
Severalteachersexperimentedwithhim。Theyfoundhehadabsolutepitch，andaremarkablememory。Asaveryyoungchildhecouldrepeat，afterafashion，anycompositionthatwasplayedforhim。
Nomatterhowmanywrongnoteshestruck，heneverlosttheintentionofapassage，hebroughtthesubstanceofitacrossbyirregularandastonishingmeans。Heworehisteachersout。
Hecouldneverlearnlikeotherpeople，neveracquiredanyfinish。
HewasalwaysaNegroprodigywhoplayedbarbarouslyandwonderfully。
Aspiano-playing，itwasperhapsabominable，butasmusicitwassomethingreal，vitalizedbyasenseofrhythmthatwasstrongerthanhisotherphysicalsenses——thatnotonlyfilledhisdarkmind，butworriedhisbodyincessantly。Tohearhim，towatchhim，wastoseeaNegroenjoyinghimselfasonlyaNegrocan。
Itwasasifalltheagreeablesensationspossibletocreaturesoffleshandbloodwereheapeduponthoseblack-and-whitekeys，andheweregloatingoverthemandtricklingthemthroughhisyellowfingers。
Inthemiddleofacrashingwaltz，d\'Arnaultsuddenlybegantoplaysoftly，and，turningtooneofthemenwhostoodbehindhim，whispered，`Somebodydancinginthere。\'
Hejerkedhisbullet-headtowardthedining-room。`Ihearlittlefeet——girls，Ispect。\'
AnsonKirkpatrickmountedachairandpeepedoverthetransom。
Springingdown，hewrenchedopenthedoorsandranoutintothedining-room。TinyandLena，AntoniaandMaryDusak，werewaltzinginthemiddleofthefloor。Theyseparatedandfledtowardthekitchen，giggling。
KirkpatrickcaughtTinybytheelbows。`What\'sthematterwithyougirls？Dancingoutherebyyourselves，whenthere\'saroomfuloflonesomemenontheothersideofthepartition！
Introducemetoyourfriends，Tiny。\'
Thegirls，stilllaughing，weretryingtoescape。Tinylookedalarmed。
`Mrs。Gardenerwouldn\'tlikeit，\'sheprotested。`She\'dbeawfulmadifyouwastocomeouthereanddancewithus。\'
`Mrs。Gardener\'sinOmaha，girl。Now，you\'reLena，areyou？——
andyou\'reTonyandyou\'reMary。HaveIgotyouallstraight？\'
O\'Reillyandtheothersbegantopilethechairsonthetables。
JohnnieGardenerraninfromtheoffice。
`Easy，boys，easy！\'heentreatedthem。`You\'llwakethecook，andthere\'llbethedeviltopayforme。Shewon\'thearthemusic，butshe\'llbedowntheminuteanything\'smovedinthedining-room。\'
`Oh，whatdoyoucare，Johnnie？FirethecookandwireMollytobringanother。Comealong，nobody\'lltelltales。\'
Johnnieshookhishead。`\'Safact，boys，\'hesaidconfidentially。
`IfItakeadrinkinBlackHawk，MollyknowsitinOmaha！\'
Hisguestslaughedandslappedhimontheshoulder。`Oh，we\'llmakeitallrightwithMolly。Getyourbackup，Johnnie。\'
MollywasMrs。Gardener\'sname，ofcourse。`MollyBawn\'waspaintedinlargebluelettersontheglossywhitesidesofthehotelbus，and`Molly\'wasengravedinsideJohnnie\'sringandonhiswatch-case——
doubtlessonhisheart，too。Hewasanaffectionatelittleman，andhethoughthiswifeawonderfulwoman；heknewthatwithoutherhewouldhardlybemorethanaclerkinsomeotherman\'shotel。
AtawordfromKirkpatrick，d\'Arnaultspreadhimselfoutoverthepiano，andbegantodrawthedancemusicoutofit，whiletheperspirationshoneonhisshortwoolandonhisupliftedface。HelookedlikesomeglisteningAfricangodofpleasure，fullofstrong，savageblood。
Wheneverthedancerspausedtochangepartnersortocatchbreath，hewouldboomoutsoftly，`Who\'sthatgoin\'backonme？
Oneofthesecitygentlemen，Ibet！Now，yougirls，youain\'tgoin\'
toletthatfloorgetcold？\'
Antoniaseemedfrightenedatfirst，andkeptlookingquestioninglyatLenaandTinyoverWillyO\'Reilly\'sshoulder。
TinySoderballwastrimandslender，withlivelylittlefeetandprettyankles——sheworeherdressesveryshort。
Shewasquickerinspeech，lighterinmovementandmannerthantheothergirls。MaryDusakwasbroadandbrownofcountenance，slightlymarkedbysmallpox，buthandsomeforallthat。
Shehadbeautifulchestnuthair，coilsofit；herforeheadwaslowandsmooth，andhercommandingdarkeyesregardedtheworldindifferentlyandfearlessly。Shelookedboldandresourcefulandunscrupulous，andshewasallofthese。
Theywerehandsomegirls，hadthefreshcolouroftheircountryupbringing，andintheireyesthatbrilliancywhichiscalled——
bynometaphor，alas！——`thelightofyouth。\'
D\'Arnaultplayeduntilhismanagercameandshutthepiano。
Beforeheleftus，heshowedushisgoldwatchwhichstruckthehours，andatopazring，givenhimbysomeRussiannoblemanwhodelightedinNegromelodies，andhadheardd\'ArnaultplayinNewOrleans。Atlasthetappedhiswayupstairs，afterbowingtoeverybody，docileandhappy。
IwalkedhomewithAntonia。Weweresoexcitedthatwedreadedtogotobed。
WelingeredalongwhileattheHarlings\'gate，whisperinginthecolduntiltherestlessnesswasslowlychilledoutofus。
VIII
THEHARLINGCHILDRENandIwereneverhappier，neverfeltmorecontentedandsecure，thanintheweeksofspringwhichbrokethatlongwinter。
Wewereoutalldayinthethinsunshine，helpingMrs。HarlingandTonybreakthegroundandplantthegarden，digaroundtheorchardtrees，tieupvinesandclipthehedges。Everymorning，beforeIwasup，IcouldhearTonysinginginthegardenrows。Aftertheappleandcherrytreesbrokeintobloom，weranaboutunderthem，huntingforthenewneststhebirdswerebuilding，throwingclodsateachother，andplayinghide-and-seekwithNina。
Yetthesummerwhichwastochangeeverythingwascomingnearereveryday。
Whenboysandgirlsaregrowingup，lifecan\'tstandstill，noteveninthequietestofcountrytowns；andtheyhavetogrowup，whethertheywillorno。
Thatiswhattheireldersarealwaysforgetting。
ItmusthavebeeninJune，forMrs。HarlingandAntoniawerepreservingcherries，whenIstoppedonemorningtotellthemthatadancingpavilionhadcometotown。
Ihadseentwodrayshaulingthecanvasandpaintedpolesupfromthedepot。
Thatafternoonthreecheerful-lookingItaliansstrolledaboutBlackHawk，lookingateverything，andwiththemwasadark，stoutwomanwhoworealonggoldwatch-chainaboutherneckandcarriedablacklaceparasol。
Theyseemedespeciallyinterestedinchildrenandvacantlots。WhenI
overtookthemandstoppedtosayaword，Ifoundthemaffableandconfiding。
TheytoldmetheyworkedinKansasCityinthewinter，andinsummertheywentoutamongthefarmingtownswiththeirtentandtaughtdancing。
Whenbusinessfelloffinoneplace，theymovedontoanother。
ThedancingpavilionwasputupneartheDanishlaundry，onavacantlotsurroundedbytall，archedcottonwoodtrees。
Itwasverymuchlikeamerry-go-roundtent，withopensidesandgayflagsflyingfromthepoles。
Beforetheweekwasover，alltheambitiousmothersweresendingtheirchildrentotheafternoondancingclass。
Atthreeo\'clockonemetlittlegirlsinwhitedressesandlittleboysintheround-collaredshirtsofthetime，hurryingalongthesidewalkontheirwaytothetent。
Mrs。Vannireceivedthemattheentrance，alwaysdressedinlavenderwithagreatdealofblacklace，herimportantwatch-chainlyingonherbosom。Sheworeherhaironthetopofherhead，builtupinablacktower，withredcoralcombs。
Whenshesmiled，sheshowedtworowsofstrong，crookedyellowteeth。
Shetaughtthelittlechildrenherself，andherhusband，theharpist，taughttheolderones。
Oftenthemothersbroughttheirfancyworkandsatontheshadysideofthetentduringthelesson。Thepopcornmanwheeledhisglasswagonunderthebigcottonwoodbythedoor，andloungedinthesun，sureofagoodtradewhenthedancingwasover。Mr。Jensen，theDanishlaundryman，usedtobringachairfromhisporchandsitoutinthegrassplot。Someraggedlittleboysfromthedepotsoldpopandicedlemonadeunderawhiteumbrellaatthecorner，andmadefacesatthespruceyoungsterswhocametodance。
Thatvacantlotsoonbecamethemostcheerfulplaceintown。
Evenonthehottestafternoonsthecottonwoodsmadearustlingshade，andtheairsmelledofpopcornandmeltedbutter，andBouncingBetswiltinginthesun。Thosehardyflowershadrunawayfromthelaundryman\'sgarden，andthegrassinthemiddleofthelotwaspinkwiththem。
TheVanniskeptexemplaryorder，andclosedeveryeveningatthehoursuggestedbythecitycouncil。WhenMrs。Vannigavethesignal，andtheharpstruckup`Home，SweetHome，\'
allBlackHawkknewitwasteno\'clock。Youcouldsetyourwatchbythattuneasconfidentlyasbytheroundhousewhistle。
Atlasttherewassomethingtodointhoselong，emptysummerevenings，whenthemarriedpeoplesatlikeimagesontheirfrontporches，andtheboysandgirlstrampedandtrampedtheboardsidewalks——
northwardtotheedgeoftheopenprairie，southtothedepot，thenbackagaintothepost-office，theice-creamparlour，thebutchershop。
Nowtherewasaplacewherethegirlscouldweartheirnewdresses，andwhereonecouldlaughaloudwithoutbeingreprovedbytheensuingsilence。Thatsilenceseemedtooozeoutoftheground，tohangunderthefoliageoftheblackmapletreeswiththebatsandshadows。Nowitwasbrokenbylightheartedsounds。
FirstthedeeppurringofMr。Vanni\'sharpcameinsilveryripplesthroughtheblacknessofthedusty-smellingnight；thentheviolinsfellin——oneofthemwasalmostlikeaflute。Theycalledsoarchly，soseductively，thatourfeethurriedtowardthetentofthemselves。
Whyhadn\'twehadatentbefore？
Dancingbecamepopularnow，justasrollerskatinghadbeenthesummerbefore。TheProgressiveEuchreClubarrangedwiththeVannisfortheexclusiveuseoftheflooronTuesdayandFridaynights。
Atothertimesanyonecoulddancewhopaidhismoneyandwasorderly；
therailroadmen，theroundhousemechanics，thedeliveryboys，theiceman，thefarm-handswholivednearenoughtorideintotownaftertheirday\'sworkwasover。
InevermissedaSaturdaynightdance。Thetentwasopenuntilmidnightthen。Thecountryboyscameinfromfarmseightandtenmilesaway，andallthecountrygirlswereonthefloor——AntoniaandLenaandTiny，andtheDanishlaundrygirlsandtheirfriends。
Iwasnottheonlyboywhofoundthesedancesgayerthantheothers。
TheyoungmenwhobelongedtotheProgressiveEuchreClubusedtodropinlateandriskatiffwiththeirsweetheartsandgeneralcondemnationforawaltzwith`thehiredgirls。\'
IX
THEREWASACURIOUSsocialsituationinBlackHawk。Alltheyoungmenfelttheattractionofthefine，well-set-upcountrygirlswhohadcometotowntoearnaliving，and，innearlyeverycase，tohelpthefatherstruggleoutofdebt，ortomakeitpossiblefortheyoungerchildrenofthefamilytogotoschool。
Thosegirlshadgrownupinthefirstbitter-hardtimes，andhadgotlittleschoolingthemselves。Buttheyoungerbrothersandsisters，forwhomtheymadesuchsacrificesandwhohavehad`advantages，\'neverseemtome，whenImeetthemnow，halfasinterestingoraswelleducated。
Theoldergirls，whohelpedtobreakupthewildsod，learnedsomuchfromlife，frompoverty，fromtheirmothersandgrandmothers；theyhadall，likeAntonia，beenearlyawakenedandmadeobservantbycomingatatenderagefromanoldcountrytoanew。
IcanrememberascoreofthesecountrygirlswhowereinserviceinBlackHawkduringthefewyearsIlivedthere，andIcanremembersomethingunusualandengagingabouteachofthem。
Physicallytheywerealmostaraceapart，andout-of-doorworkhadgiventhemavigourwhich，whentheygotovertheirfirstshynessoncomingtotown，developedintoapositivecarriageandfreedomofmovement，andmadethemconspicuousamongBlackHawkwomen。
Thatwasbeforethedayofhigh-schoolathletics。
Girlswhohadtowalkmorethanhalfamiletoschoolwerepitied。
Therewasnotatennis-courtinthetown；physicalexercisewasthoughtratherinelegantforthedaughtersofwell-to-dofamilies。
Someofthehigh-schoolgirlswerejollyandpretty，buttheystayedindoorsinwinterbecauseofthecold，andinsummerbecauseoftheheat。
Whenonedancedwiththem，theirbodiesnevermovedinsidetheirclothes；
theirmusclesseemedtoaskbutonething——nottobedisturbed。
Irememberthosegirlsmerelyasfacesintheschoolroom，gayandrosy，orlistlessanddull，cutoffbelowtheshoulders，likecherubs，bytheink-smearedtopsofthehighdesksthatweresurelyputtheretomakeusround-shoulderedandhollow-chested。
ThedaughtersofBlackHawkmerchantshadaconfident，unenquiringbeliefthattheywere`refined，\'andthatthecountrygirls，who`workedout，\'werenot。TheAmericanfarmersinourcountywerequiteashard-pressedastheirneighboursfromothercountries。
AllalikehadcometoNebraskawithlittlecapitalandnoknowledgeofthesoiltheymustsubdue。Allhadborrowedmoneyontheirland。
ButnomatterinwhatstraitsthePennsylvanianorVirginianfoundhimself，hewouldnotlethisdaughtersgooutintoservice。
Unlesshisgirlscouldteachacountryschool，theysatathomeinpoverty。
TheBohemianandScandinaviangirlscouldnotgetpositionsasteachers，becausetheyhadhadnoopportunitytolearnthelanguage。
Determinedtohelpinthestruggletoclearthehomesteadfromdebt，theyhadnoalternativebuttogointoservice。Someofthem，aftertheycametotown，remainedasseriousandasdiscreetinbehaviourastheyhadbeenwhentheyploughedandherdedontheirfather\'sfarm。Others，likethethreeBohemianMarys，triedtomakeupfortheyearsofyouththeyhadlost。Buteveryoneofthemdidwhatshehadsetouttodo，andsenthomethosehard-earneddollars。
ThegirlsIknewwerealwayshelpingtopayforploughsandreapers，brood-sows，orsteerstofatten。
Oneresultofthisfamilysolidaritywasthattheforeignfarmersinourcountywerethefirsttobecomeprosperous。
Afterthefatherswereoutofdebt，thedaughtersmarriedthesonsofneighbours——usuallyoflikenationality——
andthegirlswhoonceworkedinBlackHawkkitchensareto-daymanagingbigfarmsandfinefamiliesoftheirown；
theirchildrenarebetteroffthanthechildrenofthetownwomentheyusedtoserve。
Ithoughttheattitudeofthetownpeopletowardthesegirlsverystupid。
IfItoldmyschoolmatesthatLenaLingard\'sgrandfatherwasaclergyman，andmuchrespectedinNorway，theylookedatmeblankly。Whatdiditmatter？
Allforeignerswereignorantpeoplewhocouldn\'tspeakEnglish。
TherewasnotamaninBlackHawkwhohadtheintelligenceorcultivation，muchlessthepersonaldistinction，ofAntonia\'sfather。YetpeoplesawnodifferencebetweenherandthethreeMarys；theywereallBohemians，all`hiredgirls。\'
IalwaysknewIshouldlivelongenoughtoseemycountrygirlscomeintotheirown，andIhave。To-daythebestthataharassedBlackHawkmerchantcanhopeforistosellprovisionsandfarmmachineryandautomobilestotherichfarmswherethatfirstcropofstalwartBohemianandScandinaviangirlsarenowthemistresses。
TheBlackHawkboyslookedforwardtomarryingBlackHawkgirls，andlivinginabrand-newlittlehousewithbestchairsthatmustnotbesatupon，andhand-paintedchinathatmustnotbeused。
Butsometimesayoungfellowwouldlookupfromhisledger，oroutthroughthegratingofhisfather\'sbank，andlethiseyesfollowLenaLingard，asshepassedthewindowwithherslow，undulatingwalk，orTinySoderball，trippingbyinhershortskirtandstripedstockings。
Thecountrygirlswereconsideredamenacetothesocialorder。
Theirbeautyshoneouttooboldlyagainstaconventionalbackground。
Butanxiousmothersneedhavefeltnoalarm。Theymistookthemettleoftheirsons。TherespectforrespectabilitywasstrongerthananydesireinBlackHawkyouth。
Ouryoungmanofpositionwaslikethesonofaroyalhouse；
theboywhosweptouthisofficeordrovehisdeliverywagonmightfrolicwiththejollycountrygirls，buthehimselfmustsitalleveninginaplushparlourwhereconversationdraggedsoperceptiblythatthefatheroftencameinandmadeblunderingeffortstowarmuptheatmosphere。
Onhiswayhomefromhisdullcall，hewouldperhapsmeetTonyandLena，comingalongthesidewalkwhisperingtoeachother，orthethreeBohemianMarysintheirlongplushcoatsandcaps，comportingthemselveswithadignitythatonlymadetheireventfulhistoriesthemorepiquant。
Ifhewenttothehoteltoseeatravellingmanonbusiness，therewasTiny，archinghershouldersathimlikeakitten。
Ifhewentintothelaundrytogethiscollars，therewerethefourDanishgirls，smilingupfromtheirironing-boards，withtheirwhitethroatsandtheirpinkcheeks。
ThethreeMarysweretheheroinesofacycleofscandalousstories，whichtheoldmenwerefondofrelatingastheysataboutthecigar-standinthedrugstore。MaryDusakhadbeenhousekeeperforabachelorrancherfromBoston，andafterseveralyearsinhisserviceshewasforcedtoretirefromtheworldforashorttime。
Latershecamebacktotowntotaketheplaceofherfriend，MarySvoboda，whowassimilarlyembarrassed。ThethreeMaryswereconsideredasdangerousashighexplosivestohaveaboutthekitchen，yettheyweresuchgoodcooksandsuchadmirablehousekeepersthattheyneverhadtolookforaplace。
TheVannis\'tentbroughtthetownboysandthecountrygirlstogetheronneutralground。SylvesterLovett，whowascashierinhisfather\'sbank，alwaysfoundhiswaytothetentonSaturdaynight。
HetookallthedancesLenaLingardwouldgivehim，andevengrewboldenoughtowalkhomewithher。Ifhissistersortheirfriendshappenedtobeamongtheonlookerson`popularnights，\'
Sylvesterstoodbackintheshadowunderthecottonwoodtrees，smokingandwatchingLenawithaharassedexpression。
SeveraltimesIstumbleduponhimthereinthedark，andI
feltrathersorryforhim。HeremindedmeofOleBenson，whousedtositonthedrawsideandwatchLenaherdhercattle。
Laterinthesummer，whenLenawenthomeforaweektovisithermother，IheardfromAntoniathatyoungLovettdroveallthewayouttheretoseeher，andtookherbuggy-riding。
InmyingenuousnessIhopedthatSylvesterwouldmarryLena，andthusgiveallthecountrygirlsabetterpositioninthetown。
SylvesterdalliedaboutLenauntilhebegantomakemistakesinhiswork；
hadtostayatthebankuntilafterdarktomakehisbooksbalance。
Hewasdaftabouther，andeveryoneknewit。Toescapefromhispredicamentheranawaywithawidowsixyearsolderthanhimself，whoownedahalf-section。Thisremedyworked，apparently。HeneverlookedatLenaagain，norliftedhiseyesasheceremoniouslytippedhishatwhenhehappenedtomeetheronthesidewalk。
Sothatwaswhattheywerelike，Ithought，thesewhite-handed，high-collaredclerksandbookkeepers！IusedtoglareatyoungLovettfromadistanceandonlywishedIhadsomewayofshowingmycontemptforhim。
X
ITWASATTHEVannis\'tentthatAntoniawasdiscovered。HithertoshehadbeenlookeduponmoreasawardoftheHarlingsthanasoneofthe`hiredgirls。\'
Shehadlivedintheirhouseandyardandgarden；herthoughtsneverseemedtostrayoutsidethatlittlekingdom。ButafterthetentcametotownshebegantogoaboutwithTinyandLenaandtheirfriends。
TheVannisoftensaidthatAntoniawasthebestdancerofthemall。
IsometimesheardmurmursinthecrowdoutsidethepavilionthatMrs。Harlingwouldsoonhaveherhandsfullwiththatgirl。
Theyoungmenbegantojokewitheachotherabout`theHarlings\'Tony\'astheydidabout`theMarshalls\'Anna\'or`theGardeners\'Tiny。\'
Antoniatalkedandthoughtofnothingbutthetent。Shehummedthedancetunesallday。Whensupperwaslate，shehurriedwithherdishes，droppedandsmashedtheminherexcitement。
Atthefirstcallofthemusic，shebecameirresponsible。
Ifshehadn\'ttimetodress，shemerelyflungoffherapronandshotoutofthekitchendoor。SometimesIwentwithher；
themomentthelightedtentcameintoviewshewouldbreakintoarun，likeaboy。Therewerealwayspartnerswaitingforher；
shebegantodancebeforeshegotherbreath。
Antonia\'ssuccessatthetenthaditsconsequences。
Theicemanlingeredtoolongnow，whenhecameintothecoveredporchtofilltherefrigerator。Thedeliveryboyshungaboutthekitchenwhentheybroughtthegroceries。
YoungfarmerswhowereintownforSaturdaycametrampingthroughtheyardtothebackdoortoengagedances，ortoinviteTonytopartiesandpicnics。LenaandNorwegianAnnadroppedintohelpherwithherwork，sothatshecouldgetawayearly。
TheboyswhobroughtherhomeafterthedancessometimeslaughedatthebackgateandwakenedMr。Harlingfromhisfirstsleep。
Acrisiswasinevitable。
OneSaturdaynightMr。Harlinghadgonedowntothecellarforbeer。
Ashecameupthestairsinthedark，heheardscufflingonthebackporch，andthenthesoundofavigorousslap。
Helookedoutthroughthesidedoorintimetoseeapairoflonglegsvaultingoverthepicketfence。
Antoniawasstandingthere，angryandexcited。YoungHarryPaine，whowastomarryhisemployer\'sdaughteronMonday，hadcometothetentwithacrowdoffriendsanddancedallevening。
Afterward，hebeggedAntoniatolethimwalkhomewithher。
Shesaidshesupposedhewasaniceyoungman，ashewasoneofMissFrances\'sfriends，andshedidn\'tmind。
Onthebackporchhetriedtokissher，andwhensheprotested——
becausehewasgoingtobemarriedonMonday——hecaughtherandkissedheruntilshegotonehandfreeandslappedhim。
Mr。Harlingputhisbeer-bottlesdownonthetable。
`ThisiswhatI\'vebeenexpecting，Antonia。You\'vebeengoingwithgirlswhohaveareputationforbeingfreeandeasy，andnowyou\'vegotthesamereputation。Iwon\'thavethisandthatfellowtrampingaboutmybackyardallthetime。
Thisistheendofit，tonight。Itstops，short。Youcanquitgoingtothesedances，oryoucanhuntanotherplace。
Thinkitover。\'
ThenextmorningwhenMrs。HarlingandFrancestriedtoreasonwithAntonia，theyfoundheragitatedbutdetermined。
`Stopgoingtothetent？\'shepanted。`Iwouldn\'tthinkofitforaminute！Myownfathercouldn\'tmakemestop！
Mr。Harlingain\'tmybossoutsidemywork。Iwon\'tgiveupmyfriends，either。TheboysIgowitharenicefellows。
IthoughtMr。Painewasallright，too，becauseheusedtocomehere。
IguessIgavehimaredfaceforhiswedding，allright！\'
sheblazedoutindignantly。
`You\'llhavetodoonethingortheother，Antonia，\'Mrs。Harlingtoldherdecidedly。`Ican\'tgobackonwhatMr。Harlinghassaid。
Thisishishouse。\'
`ThenI\'lljustleave，Mrs。Harling。Lena\'sbeenwantingmetogetaplaceclosertoherforalongwhile。MarySvoboda\'sgoingawayfromtheCutters\'
toworkatthehotel，andIcanhaveherplace。\'
Mrs。Harlingrosefromherchair。`Antonia，ifyougototheCutters\'towork，youcannotcomebacktothishouseagain。
Youknowwhatthatmanis。Itwillbetheruinofyou。\'
Tonysnatcheduptheteakettleandbegantopourboilingwaterovertheglasses，laughingexcitedly。`Oh，Icantakecareofmyself！I\'malotstrongerthanCutteris。
Theypayfourdollarsthere，andthere\'snochildren。
Thework\'snothing；Icanhaveeveryevening，andbeoutalotintheafternoons。\'
`Ithoughtyoulikedchildren。Tony，what\'scomeoveryou？\'
`Idon\'tknow，somethinghas。\'Antoniatossedherheadandsetherjaw。
`Agirllikemehasgottotakehergoodtimeswhenshecan。
Maybetherewon\'tbeanytentnextyear。IguessIwanttohavemyfling，liketheothergirls。\'
Mrs。Harlinggaveashort，harshlaugh。`IfyougotoworkfortheCutters，you\'relikelytohaveaflingthatyouwon\'tgetupfrominahurry。\'
Francessaid，whenshetoldgrandmotherandmeaboutthisscene，thateverypanandplateandcupontheshelvestrembledwhenhermotherwalkedoutofthekitchen。Mrs。HarlingdeclaredbitterlythatshewishedshehadneverletherselfgetfondofAntonia。
XI
WICKCUTTERWASthemoney-lenderwhohadfleecedpoorRussianPeter。
WhenafarmeroncegotintothehabitofgoingtoCutter，itwaslikegamblingorthelottery；inanhourofdiscouragementhewentback。
Cutter\'sfirstnamewasWycliffe，andhelikedtotalkabouthispiousbringing-up。HecontributedregularlytotheProtestantchurches，`forsentiment\'ssake，\'ashesaidwithaflourishofthehand。
HecamefromatowninIowawheretherewereagreatmanySwedes，andcouldspeakalittleSwedish，whichgavehimagreatadvantagewiththeearlyScandinaviansettlers。
Ineveryfrontiersettlementtherearemenwhohavecometheretoescaperestraint。Cutterwasoneofthe`fastset\'
ofBlackHawkbusinessmen。Hewasaninveterategambler，thoughapoorloser。Whenwesawalightburninginhisofficelateatnight，weknewthatagameofpokerwasgoingon。
Cutterboastedthatheneverdrankanythingstrongerthansherry，andhesaidhegothisstartinlifebysavingthemoneythatotheryoungmenspentforcigars。Hewasfullofmoralmaximsforboys。Whenhecametoourhouseonbusiness，hequoted`PoorRichard\'sAlmanack\'tome，andtoldmehewasdelightedtofindatownboywhocouldmilkacow。
Hewasparticularlyaffabletograndmother，andwhenevertheymethewouldbeginatoncetotalkabout`thegoodoldtimes\'
andsimpleliving。Idetestedhispink，baldhead，andhisyellowwhiskers，alwayssoftandglistening。
Itwassaidhebrushedthemeverynight，asawomandoesherhair。
Hiswhiteteethlookedfactory-made。Hisskinwasredandrough，asiffromperpetualsunburn；heoftenwentawaytohotspringstotakemudbaths。Hewasnotoriouslydissolutewithwomen。
TwoSwedishgirlswhohadlivedinhishouseweretheworsefortheexperience。OneofthemhehadtakentoOmahaandestablishedinthebusinessforwhichhehadfittedher。
Hestillvisitedher。
Cutterlivedinastateofperpetualwarfarewithhiswife，andyet，apparently，theyneverthoughtofseparating。
Theydweltinafussy，scroll-workhouse，paintedwhiteandburiedinthickevergreens，withafussywhitefenceandbarn。
Cutterthoughtheknewagreatdealabouthorses，andusuallyhadacoltwhichhewastrainingforthetrack。
OnSundaymorningsonecouldseehimoutatthefairgrounds，speedingaroundtherace-courseinhistrotting-buggy，wearingyellowglovesandablack-and-white-checktravellingcap，hiswhiskersblowingbackinthebreeze。
Iftherewereanyboysabout，Cutterwouldofferoneofthemaquartertoholdthestop-watch，andthendriveoff，sayinghehadnochangeandwould`fixitupnexttime。\'
Noonecouldcuthislawnorwashhisbuggytosuithim。
Hewassofastidiousandprimabouthisplacethataboywouldgotoagooddealoftroubletothrowadeadcatintohisbackyard，ortodumpasackfuloftincansinhisalley。
Itwasapeculiarcombinationofold-maidishnessandlicentiousnessthatmadeCutterseemsodespicable。
HehadcertainlymethismatchwhenhemarriedMrs。Cutter。
Shewasaterrifying-lookingperson；almostagiantessinheight，raw-boned，withiron-greyhair，afacealwaysflushed，andprominent，hystericaleyes。Whenshemeanttobeentertainingandagreeable，shenoddedherheadincessantlyandsnappedhereyesatone。
Herteethwerelongandcurved，likeahorse\'s；peoplesaidbabiesalwayscriedifshesmiledatthem。Herfacehadakindoffascinationforme:itwastheverycolourandshapeofanger。
Therewasagleamofsomethingakintoinsanityinherfull，intenseeyes。Shewasformalinmanner，andmadecallsinrustling，steel-greybrocadesandatallbonnetwithbristlingaigrettes。
Mrs。Cutterpaintedchinasoassiduouslythatevenherwash-bowlsandpitchers，andherhusband\'sshaving-mug，werecoveredwithvioletsandlilies。Once，whenCutterwasexhibitingsomeofhiswife\'schinatoacaller，hedroppedapiece。
Mrs。Cutterputherhandkerchieftoherlipsasifsheweregoingtofaintandsaidgrandly:`Mr。Cutter，youhavebrokenalltheCommandments——sparethefinger-bowls！\'
TheyquarrelledfromthemomentCuttercameintothehouseuntiltheywenttobedatnight，andtheirhiredgirlsreportedthesescenestothetownatlarge。Mrs。CutterhadseveraltimescutparagraphsaboutunfaithfulhusbandsoutofthenewspapersandmailedthemtoCutterinadisguisedhandwriting。Cutterwouldcomehomeatnoon，findthemutilatedjournalinthepaper-rack，andtriumphantlyfittheclippingintothespacefromwhichithadbeencut。
Thosetwocouldquarrelallmorningaboutwhetherheoughttoputonhisheavyorhislightunderwear，andalleveningaboutwhetherhehadtakencoldornot。
TheCuttershadmajoraswellasminorsubjectsfordispute。
Thechiefofthesewasthequestionofinheritance:Mrs。Cuttertoldherhusbanditwasplainlyhisfaulttheyhadnochildren。
HeinsistedthatMrs。Cutterhadpurposelyremainedchildless，withthedeterminationtooutlivehimandtosharehispropertywithher`people，\'whomhedetested。Tothisshewouldreplythatunlesshechangedhismodeoflife，shewouldcertainlyoutlivehim。
Afterlisteningtoherinsinuationsabouthisphysicalsoundness，Cutterwouldresumehisdumb-bellpracticeforamonth，orrisedailyatthehourwhenhiswifemostlikedtosleep，dressnoisily，anddriveouttothetrackwithhistrotting-horse。
Oncewhentheyhadquarrelledabouthouseholdexpenses，Mrs。Cutterputonherbrocadeandwentamongtheirfriendssolicitingordersforpaintedchina，sayingthatMr。Cutterhadcompelledher`tolivebyherbrush。\'
Cutterwasn\'tshamedasshehadexpected；hewasdelighted！
Cutteroftenthreatenedtochopdownthecedartreeswhichhalf-buriedthehouse。HiswifedeclaredshewouldleavehimifshewerestrippedoftheIprivacy\'whichshefeltthesetreesaffordedher。
Thatwashisopportunity，surely；buthenevercutdownthetrees。
TheCuttersseemedtofindtheirrelationstoeachotherinterestingandstimulating，andcertainlytherestofusfoundthemso。
WickCutterwasdifferentfromanyotherrascalIhaveeverknown，butIhavefoundMrs。Cuttersallovertheworld；sometimesfoundingnewreligions，sometimesbeingforciblyfed——easilyrecognizable，evenwhensuperficiallytamed。
XII
AFTERANTONIAWENTTOlivewiththeCutters，sheseemedtocareaboutnothingbutpicnicsandpartiesandhavingagoodtime。
Whenshewasnotgoingtoadance，sheseweduntilmidnight。
Hernewclotheswerethesubjectofcausticcomment。
UnderLena\'sdirectionshecopiedMrs。Gardener\'snewpartydressandMrs。Smith\'sstreetcostumesoingeniouslyincheapmaterialsthatthoseladiesweregreatlyannoyed，andMrs。Cutter，whowasjealousofthem，wassecretlypleased。
Tonyworeglovesnow，andhigh-heeledshoesandfeatheredbonnets，andshewentdowntownnearlyeveryafternoonwithTinyandLenaandtheMarshalls\'NorwegianAnna。Wehigh-schoolboysusedtolingerontheplaygroundattheafternoonrecesstowatchthemastheycametrippingdownthehillalongtheboardsidewalk，twoandtwo。
Theyweregrowingprettiereveryday，butastheypassedus，IusedtothinkwithpridethatAntonia，likeSnow-Whiteinthefairytale，wasstill`fairestofthemall。\'
Beingaseniornow，Igotawayfromschoolearly。
SometimesIovertookthegirlsdowntownandcoaxedthemintotheice-creamparlour，wheretheywouldsitchatteringandlaughing，tellingmeallthenewsfromthecountry。
IrememberhowangryTinySoderballmademeoneafternoon。ShedeclaredshehadheardgrandmotherwasgoingtomakeaBaptistpreacherofme。
`Iguessyou\'llhavetostopdancingandwearawhitenecktiethen。
Won\'thelookfunny，girls？\'
Lenalaughed。`You\'llhavetohurryup，Jim。Ifyou\'regoingtobeapreacher，Iwantyoutomarryme。Youmustpromisetomarryusall，andthenbaptizethebabies。\'
NorwegianAnna，alwaysdignified，lookedatherreprovingly。
`Baptistsdon\'tbelieveinchristeningbabies，dothey，Jim？\'
ItoldherIdidn\'tknowwhattheybelieved，anddidn\'tcare，andthatIcertainlywasn\'tgoingtobeapreacher。
`That\'stoobad，\'Tinysimpered。Shewasinateasingmood。`You\'dmakesuchagoodone。You\'resostudious。Maybeyou\'dliketobeaprofessor。
YouusedtoteachTony，didn\'tyou？\'
Antoniabrokein。`I\'vesetmyheartonJimbeingadoctor。You\'dbegoodwithsickpeople，Jim。Yourgrandmother\'strainedyouupsonice。
Mypapaalwayssaidyouwereanawfulsmartboy。\'
IsaidIwasgoingtobewhateverIpleased。`Won\'tyoubesurprised，MissTiny，ifIturnouttobearegulardevilofafellow？\'
TheylaugheduntilaglancefromNorwegianAnnacheckedthem；thehigh-schoolprincipalhadjustcomeintothefrontpartoftheshoptobuybreadforsupper。AnnaknewthewhisperwasgoingaboutthatIwasaslyone。
Peoplesaidtheremustbesomethingqueeraboutaboywhoshowednointerestingirlsofhisownage，butwhocouldbelivelyenoughwhenhewaswithTonyandLenaorthethreeMarys。
Theenthusiasmforthedance，whichtheVannishadkindled，didnotatoncedieout。Afterthetentlefttown，theEuchreClubbecametheOwlClub，andgavedancesintheMasonicHallonceaweek。Iwasinvitedtojoin，butdeclined。
Iwasmoodyandrestlessthatwinter，andtiredofthepeopleIsaweveryday。CharleyHarlingwasalreadyatAnnapolis，whileIwasstillsittinginBlackHawk，answeringtomynameatroll-calleverymorning，risingfrommydeskatthesoundofabellandmarchingoutlikethegrammar-schoolchildren。
Mrs。Harlingwasalittlecooltowardme，becauseIcontinuedtochampionAntonia。Whatwasthereformetodoaftersupper？
UsuallyIhadlearnednextday\'slessonsbythetimeIlefttheschoolbuilding，andIcouldn\'tsitstillandreadforever。
IntheeveningIusedtoprowlabout，huntingfordiversion。
Therelaythefamiliarstreets，frozenwithsnoworliquidwithmud。
Theyledtothehousesofgoodpeoplewhowereputtingthebabiestobed，orsimplysittingstillbeforetheparlourstove，digestingtheirsupper。BlackHawkhadtwosaloons。
Oneofthemwasadmitted，evenbythechurchpeople，tobeasrespectableasasalooncouldbe。HandsomeAntonJelinek，whohadrentedhishomesteadandcometotown，wastheproprietor。
InhissaloontherewerelongtableswheretheBohemianandGermanfarmerscouldeatthelunchestheybroughtfromhomewhiletheydranktheirbeer。Jelinekkeptryebreadonhandandsmokedfishandstrongimportedcheesestopleasetheforeignpalate。
Ilikedtodropintohisbar-roomandlistentothetalk。
Butonedayheovertookmeonthestreetandclappedmeontheshoulder。
`Jim，\'hesaid，`IamgoodfriendswithyouandIalwaysliketoseeyou。
Butyouknowhowthechurchpeoplethinkaboutsaloons。Yourgrandpahasalwaystreatedmefine，andIdon\'tliketohaveyoucomeintomyplace，becauseIknowhedon\'tlikeit，anditputsmeinbadwithhim。\'
SoIwasshutoutofthat。
Onecouldhangaboutthedrugstore；andlistentotheoldmenwhosatthereeveryevening，talkingpoliticsandtellingrawstories。
OnecouldgotothecigarfactoryandchatwiththeoldGermanwhoraisedcanariesforsale，andlookathisstuffedbirds。
Butwhateveryoubeganwithhim，thetalkwentbacktotaxidermy。
Therewasthedepot，ofcourse；Ioftenwentdowntoseethenighttraincomein，andafterwardsatawhilewiththedisconsolatetelegrapherwhowasalwayshopingtobetransferredtoOmahaorDenver，`wheretherewassomelife。\'
Hewassuretobringouthispicturesofactressesanddancers。
Hegotthemwithcigarettecoupons，andnearlysmokedhimselftodeathtopossessthesedesiredformsandfaces。
Forachange，onecouldtalktothestationagent；
buthewasanothermalcontent；spentallhissparetimewritingletterstoofficialsrequestingatransfer。HewantedtogetbacktoWyomingwherehecouldgotrout-fishingonSundays。
Heusedtosay`therewasnothinginlifeforhimbuttroutstreams，eversincehe\'dlosthistwins。\'
ThesewerethedistractionsIhadtochoosefrom。
Therewerenootherlightsburningdowntownafternineo\'clock。
OnstarlightnightsIusedtopaceupanddownthoselong，coldstreets，scowlingatthelittle，sleepinghousesoneitherside，withtheirstorm-windowsandcoveredbackporches。
Theywereflimsyshelters，mostofthempoorlybuiltoflightwood，withspindleporch-postshorriblymutilatedbytheturning-lathe。Yetforalltheirfrailness，howmuchjealousyandenvyandunhappinesssomeofthemmanagedtocontain！
Thelifethatwentoninthemseemedtomemadeupofevasionsandnegations；shiftstosavecooking，tosavewashingandcleaning，devicestopropitiatethetongueofgossip。
Thisguardedmodeofexistencewaslikelivingunderatyranny。
People\'sspeech，theirvoices，theirveryglances，becamefurtiveandrepressed。Everyindividualtaste，everynaturalappetite，wasbridledbycaution。Thepeopleasleepinthosehouses，Ithought，triedtolivelikethemiceintheirownkitchens；
tomakenonoise，toleavenotrace，toslipoverthesurfaceofthingsinthedark。Thegrowingpilesofashesandcindersinthebackyardsweretheonlyevidencethatthewasteful，consumingprocessoflifewentonatall。OnTuesdaynightstheOwlClubdanced；thentherewasalittlestirinthestreets，andhereandthereonecouldseealightedwindowuntilmidnight。
Butthenextnightallwasdarkagain。
AfterIrefusedtojoin`theOwls，\'astheywerecalled，ImadeaboldresolvetogototheSaturdaynightdancesatFiremen\'sHall。
Iknewitwouldbeuselesstoacquaintmyelderswithanysuchplan。
Grandfatherdidn\'tapproveofdancing，anyway；hewouldonlysaythatifI
wantedtodanceIcouldgototheMasonicHall，among`thepeopleweknew。\'
ItwasjustmypointthatIsawaltogethertoomuchofthepeopleweknew。
Mybedroomwasonthegroundfloor，andasIstudiedthere，Ihadastoveinit。IusedtoretiretomyroomearlyonSaturdaynight，changemyshirtandcollarandputonmySundaycoat。
Iwaiteduntilallwasquietandtheoldpeoplewereasleep，thenraisedmywindow，climbedout，andwentsoftlythroughtheyard。
ThefirsttimeIdeceivedmygrandparentsIfeltrathershabby，perhapseventhesecondtime，butIsoonceasedtothinkaboutit。
ThedanceattheFiremen\'sHallwastheonethingIlookedforwardtoalltheweek。ThereImetthesamepeopleIusedtoseeattheVannis\'tent。SometimestherewereBohemiansfromWilber，orGermanboyswhocamedownontheafternoonfreightfromBismarck。
TonyandLenaandTinywerealwaysthere，andthethreeBohemianMarys，andtheDanishlaundrygirls。
ThefourDanishgirlslivedwiththelaundrymanandhiswifeintheirhousebehindthelaundry，withabiggardenwheretheclotheswerehungouttodry。
Thelaundrymanwasakind，wiseoldfellow，whopaidhisgirlswell，lookedoutforthem，andgavethemagoodhome。Hetoldmeoncethathisowndaughterdiedjustasshewasgettingoldenoughtohelphermother，andthathehadbeen`tryingtomakeupforiteversince。\'
Onsummerafternoonsheusedtositforhoursonthesidewalkinfrontofhislaundry，hisnewspaperlyingonhisknee，watchinghisgirlsthroughthebigopenwindowwhiletheyironedandtalkedinDanish。
Thecloudsofwhitedustthatblewupthestreet，thegustsofhotwindthatwitheredhisvegetablegarden，neverdisturbedhiscalm。
Hisdrollexpressionseemedtosaythathehadfoundthesecretofcontentment。Morningandeveninghedroveaboutinhisspringwagon，distributingfreshlyironedclothes，andcollectingbagsoflinenthatcriedoutforhissudsandsunnydrying-lines。Hisgirlsneverlookedsoprettyatthedancesastheydidstandingbytheironing-board，oroverthetubs，washingthefinepieces，theirwhitearmsandthroatsbare，theircheeksbrightasthebrightestwildroses，theirgoldhairmoistwiththesteamortheheatandcurlinginlittledampspiralsabouttheirears。
TheyhadnotlearnedmuchEnglish，andwerenotsoambitiousasTonyorLena；buttheywerekind，simplegirlsandtheywerealwayshappy。
Whenonedancedwiththem，onesmelledtheirclean，freshlyironedclothesthathadbeenputawaywithrosemaryleavesfromMr。Jensen\'sgarden。
Therewerenevergirlsenoughtogoroundatthosedances，buteveryonewantedaturnwithTonyandLena。
Lenamovedwithoutexertion，ratherindolently，andherhandoftenaccentedtherhythmsoftlyonherpartner\'sshoulder。
Shesmiledifonespoketoher，butseldomanswered。Themusicseemedtoputherintoasoft，wakingdream，andherviolet-colouredeyeslookedsleepilyandconfidinglyatonefromunderherlonglashes。