VII
MUCHASILIKEDAntonia，Ihatedasuperiortonethatshesometimestookwithme。ShewasfouryearsolderthanI，tobesure，andhadseenmoreoftheworld；butIwasaboyandshewasagirl，andIresentedherprotectingmanner。
Beforetheautumnwasover，shebegantotreatmemorelikeanequalandtodefertomeinotherthingsthanreadinglessons。
Thischangecameaboutfromanadventurewehadtogether。
OnedaywhenIrodeovertotheShimerdas\'IfoundAntoniastartingoffonfootforRussianPeter\'shouse，toborrowaspadeAmbroschneeded。
Iofferedtotakeheronthepony，andshegotupbehindme。
Therehadbeenanotherblackfrostthenightbefore，andtheairwasclearandheadyaswine。Withinaweekallthebloomingroadshadbeendespoiled，hundredsofmilesofyellowsunflowershadbeentransformedintobrown，rattling，burrystalks。
WefoundRussianPeterdigginghispotatoes。WeweregladtogoinandgetwarmbyhiskitchenstoveandtoseehissquashesandChristmasmelons，heapedinthestoreroomforwinter。
Aswerodeawaywiththespade，Antoniasuggestedthatwestopattheprairie-dog-townanddigintooneoftheholes。
Wecouldfindoutwhethertheyranstraightdown，orwerehorizontal，likemole-holes；whethertheyhadundergroundconnections；
whethertheowlshadnestsdownthere，linedwithfeathers。
Wemightgetsomepuppies，orowleggs，orsnakeskins。
Thedog-townwasspreadoutoverperhapstenacres。
Thegrasshadbeennibbledshortandeven，sothisstretchwasnotshaggyandredlikethesurroundingcountry，butgreyandvelvety。Theholeswereseveralyardsapart，andweredisposedwithagooddealofregularity，almostasifthetownhadbeenlaidoutinstreetsandavenues。
Onealwaysfeltthatanorderlyandverysociablekindoflifewasgoingonthere。IpicketedDudedowninadraw，andwewentwanderingabout，lookingforaholethatwouldbeeasytodig。
Thedogswereout，asusual，dozensofthem，sittingupontheirhindlegsoverthedoorsoftheirhouses。Asweapproached，theybarked，shooktheirtailsatus，andscurriedunderground。
Beforethemouthsoftheholeswerelittlepatchesofsandandgravel，scratchedup，wesupposed，fromalongwaybelowthesurface。
Hereandthere，inthetown，wecameonlargergravelpatches，severalyardsawayfromanyhole。Ifthedogshadscratchedthesandupinexcavating，howhadtheycarrieditsofar？
ItwasononeofthesegravelbedsthatImetmyadventure。
Wewereexaminingabigholewithtwoentrances。Theburrowslopedintothegroundatagentleangle，sothatwecouldseewherethetwocorridorsunited，andthefloorwasdustyfromuse，likealittlehighwayoverwhichmuchtravelwent。
Iwaswalkingbackward，inacrouchingposition，whenIheardAntoniascream。Shewasstandingoppositeme，pointingbehindmeandshoutingsomethinginBohemian。Iwhirledround，andthere，ononeofthosedrygravelbeds，wasthebiggestsnakeIhadeverseen。Hewassunninghimself，afterthecoldnight，andhemusthavebeenasleepwhenAntoniascreamed。
WhenIturned，hewaslyinginlongloosewaves，likealetter`W。\'Hetwitchedandbegantocoilslowly。Hewasnotmerelyabigsnake，Ithought——hewasacircusmonstrosity。
Hisabominablemuscularity，hisloathsome，fluidmotion，somehowmademesick。Hewasasthickasmyleg，andlookedasifmillstonescouldn\'tcrushthedisgustingvitalityoutofhim。Heliftedhishideouslittlehead，andrattled。
Ididn\'trunbecauseIdidn\'tthinkofit——ifmybackhadbeenagainstastonewallIcouldn\'thavefeltmorecornered。
Isawhiscoilstighten——nowhewouldspring，springhislength，Iremembered。Iranupanddroveathisheadwithmyspade，struckhimfairlyacrosstheneck，andinaminutehewasallaboutmyfeetinwavyloops。Istrucknowfromhate。
Antonia，barefootedasshewas，ranupbehindme。
EvenafterIhadpoundedhisuglyheadflat，hisbodykeptoncoilingandwinding，doublingandfallingbackonitself。
Iwalkedawayandturnedmyback。Ifeltseasick。
Antoniacameafterme，crying，`OJimmy，henotbiteyou？Yousure？
WhyyounotrunwhenIsay？\'
`WhatdidyoujabberBohunkfor？Youmighthavetoldmetherewasasnakebehindme！\'Isaidpetulantly。
`IknowIamjustawful，Jim，Iwassoscared。\'Shetookmyhandkerchieffrommypocketandtriedtowipemyfacewithit，butIsnatcheditawayfromher。
IsupposeIlookedassickasIfelt。
`Ineverknowyouwassobrave，Jim，\'shewentoncomfortingly。`Youisjustlikebigmans；youwaitforhimlifthisheadandthenyougoforhim。
Ain\'tyoufeelscaredabit？Nowwetakethatsnakehomeandshoweverybody。
Nobodyain\'tseeninthiskawntreesobigsnakelikeyoukill。\'
ShewentoninthisstrainuntilIbegantothinkthatI
hadlongedforthisopportunity，andhadhaileditwithjoy。
Cautiouslywewentbacktothesnake；hewasstillgropingwithhistail，turninguphisuglybellyinthelight。
Afaint，fetidsmellcamefromhim，andathreadofgreenliquidoozedfromhiscrushedhead。
`Look，Tony，that\'shispoison，\'Isaid。
Itookalongpieceofstringfrommypocket，andsheliftedhisheadwiththespadewhileItiedanoosearoundit。
Wepulledhimoutstraightandmeasuredhimbymyriding-quirt；
hewasaboutfiveandahalffeetlong。Hehadtwelverattles，buttheywerebrokenoffbeforetheybegantotaper，soI
insistedthathemustoncehavehadtwenty-four。IexplainedtoAntoniahowthismeantthathewastwenty-fouryearsold，thathemusthavebeentherewhenwhitemenfirstcame，leftonfrombuffaloandIndiantimes。AsIturnedhimover，Ibegantofeelproudofhim，tohaveakindofrespectforhisageandsize。Heseemedliketheancient，eldestEvil。
Certainlyhiskindhavelefthorribleunconsciousmemoriesinallwarm-bloodedlife。Whenwedraggedhimdownintothedraw，Dudesprangofftotheendofhistetherandshiveredallover——
wouldn\'tletuscomenearhim。
WedecidedthatAntoniashouldrideDudehome，andIwouldwalk。
Assherodealongslowly，herbarelegsswingingagainstthepony\'ssides，shekeptshoutingbacktomeabouthowastonishedeverybodywouldbe。
Ifollowedwiththespadeovermyshoulder，draggingmysnake。Herexultationwascontagious。Thegreatlandhadneverlookedtomesobigandfree。
Iftheredgrasswerefullofrattlers，Iwasequaltothemall。
Nevertheless，Istolefurtiveglancesbehindmenowandthentoseethatnoavengingmate，olderandbiggerthanmyquarry，wasracingupfromtherear。
Thesunhadsetwhenwereachedourgardenandwentdownthedrawtowardthehouse。OttoFuchswasthefirstonewemet。
Hewassittingontheedgeofthecattle-pond，havingaquietpipebeforesupper。Antoniacalledhimtocomequickandlook。
Hedidnotsayanythingforaminute，butscratchedhisheadandturnedthesnakeoverwithhisboot。
`Wheredidyourunontothatbeauty，Jim？\'
`Upatthedog-town，\'Iansweredlaconically。
`Killhimyourself？Howcomeyoutohaveaweepon？\'
`We\'dbeenuptoRussianPeter\'s，toborrowaspadeforAmbrosch。\'
Ottoshooktheashesoutofhispipeandsquatteddowntocounttherattles。`Itwasjustluckyouhadatool，\'
hesaidcautiously。`Gosh！Iwouldn\'twanttodoanybusinesswiththatfellowmyself，unlessIhadafence-postalong。
Yourgrandmother\'ssnake-canewouldn\'tmorethanticklehim。
Hecouldstandrightupandtalktoyou，hecould。
Didhefighthard？\'
Antoniabrokein:`Hefightsomethingawful！HeisalloverJimmy\'sboots。
Iscreamforhimtorun，buthejusthitandhitthatsnakelikehewascrazy。\'
Ottowinkedatme。AfterAntoniarodeonhesaid:
`Gothimintheheadfirstcrack，didn\'tyou？Thatwasjustaswell。\'
Wehunghimuptothewindmill，andwhenIwentdowntothekitchen，IfoundAntoniastandinginthemiddleofthefloor，tellingthestorywithagreatdealofcolour。
Subsequentexperienceswithrattlesnakestaughtmethatmyfirstencounterwasfortunateincircumstance。Mybigrattlerwasold，andhadledtooeasyalife；therewasnotmuchfightinhim。
Hehadprobablylivedthereforyears，withafatprairie-dogforbreakfastwheneverhefeltlikeit，ashelteredhome，evenanowl-featherbed，perhaps，andhehadforgotthattheworlddoesn\'towerattlersaliving。Asnakeofhissize，infightingtrim，wouldbemorethananyboycouldhandle。
Soinrealityitwasamockadventure；thegamewasfixedformebychance，asitprobablywasformanyadragon-slayer。IhadbeenadequatelyarmedbyRussianPeter；thesnakewasoldandlazy；
andIhadAntoniabesideme，toappreciateandadmire。
Thatsnakehungonourcorralfenceforseveraldays；
someoftheneighbourscametoseeitandagreedthatitwasthebiggestrattlereverkilledinthoseparts。
ThiswasenoughforAntonia。Shelikedmebetterfromthattimeon，andshenevertookasuperciliousairwithmeagain。
Ihadkilledabigsnake——Iwasnowabigfellow。
VIII
WHILETHEAUTUMNCOLOURwasgrowingpaleonthegrassandcornfields，thingswentbadlywithourfriendstheRussians。PetertoldhistroublestoMr。Shimerda:hewasunabletomeetanotewhichfelldueonthefirstofNovember；hadtopayanexorbitantbonusonrenewingit，andtogiveamortgageonhispigsandhorsesandevenhismilkcow。
HiscreditorwasWickCutter，themercilessBlackHawkmoney-lender，amanofevilnamethroughoutthecounty，ofwhomIshallhavemoretosaylater。
PetercouldgivenoveryclearaccountofhistransactionswithCutter。
Heonlyknewthathehadfirstborrowedtwohundreddollars，thenanotherhundred，thenfifty——thateachtimeabonuswasaddedtotheprincipal，andthedebtgrewfasterthananycropheplanted。
Noweverythingwasplasteredwithmortgages。
SoonafterPeterrenewedhisnote，Pavelstrainedhimselfliftingtimbersforanewbarn，andfelloveramongtheshavingswithsuchagushofbloodfromthelungsthathisfellowworkmenthoughthewoulddieonthespot。
Theyhauledhimhomeandputhimintohisbed，andtherehelay，veryillindeed。Misfortuneseemedtosettlelikeanevilbirdontheroofoftheloghouse，andtoflapitswingsthere，warninghumanbeingsaway。
TheRussianshadsuchbadluckthatpeoplewereafraidofthemandlikedtoputthemoutofmind。
OneafternoonAntoniaandherfathercameovertoourhousetogetbuttermilk，andlingered，astheyusuallydid，untilthesunwaslow。justastheywereleaving，RussianPeterdroveup。
Pavelwasverybad，hesaid，andwantedtotalktoMr。Shimerdaandhisdaughter；hehadcometofetchthem。WhenAntoniaandherfathergotintothewagon，Ientreatedgrandmothertoletmegowiththem:Iwouldgladlygowithoutmysupper，IwouldsleepintheShimerdas\'barnandrunhomeinthemorning。
Myplanmusthaveseemedveryfoolishtoher，butshewasoftenlarge-mindedabouthumouringthedesiresofotherpeople。
SheaskedPetertowaitamoment，andwhenshecamebackfromthekitchenshebroughtabagofsandwichesanddoughnutsforus。
Mr。ShimerdaandPeterwereonthefrontseat；AntoniaandI
satinthestrawbehindandateourlunchaswebumpedalong。
Afterthesunsank，acoldwindsprangupandmoanedovertheprairie。
Ifthisturnintheweatherhadcomesooner，Ishouldnothavegotaway。
Weburroweddowninthestrawandcurledupclosetogether，watchingtheangryreddieoutofthewestandthestarsbegintoshineintheclear，windysky。Peterkeptsighingandgroaning。
TonywhisperedtomethathewasafraidPavelwouldnevergetwell。Welaystillanddidnottalk。Uptherethestarsgrewmagnificentlybright。
Thoughwehadcomefromsuchdifferentpartsoftheworld，inbothofustherewassomeduskysuperstitionthatthoseshininggroupshavetheirinfluenceuponwhatisandwhatisnottobe。
PerhapsRussianPeter，comefromfartherawaythananyofus，hadbroughtfromhisland，too，somesuchbelief。
Thelittlehouseonthehillsidewassomuchthecolourofthenightthatwecouldnotseeitaswecameupthedraw。
Theruddywindowsguidedus——thelightfromthekitchenstove，fortherewasnolampburning。
Weenteredsoftly。Themaninthewidebedseemedtobeasleep。
TonyandIsatdownonthebenchbythewallandleanedourarmsonthetableinfrontofus。Thefirelightflickeredonthehewnlogsthatsupportedthethatchoverhead。
Pavelmadearaspingsoundwhenhebreathed，andhekeptmoaning。
Wewaited。Thewindshookthedoorsandwindowsimpatiently，thensweptonagain，singingthroughthebigspaces。Eachgust，asitboredown，rattledthepanes，andswelledoffliketheothers。
Theymademethinkofdefeatedarmies，retreating；orofghostswhoweretryingdesperatelytogetinforshelter，andthenwentmoaningon。Presently，inoneofthosesobbingintervalsbetweentheblasts，thecoyotestunedupwiththeirwhininghowl；one，two，three，thenalltogether——totellusthatwinterwascoming。Thissoundbroughtananswerfromthebed——
alongcomplainingcry——asifPavelwerehavingbaddreamsorwerewakingtosomeoldmisery。Peterlistened，butdidnotstir。
Hewassittingonthefloorbythekitchenstove。
Thecoyotesbrokeoutagain；yap，yap，yap——thenthehighwhine。
Pavelcalledforsomethingandstruggleduponhiselbow。
`Heisscaredofthewolves，\'Antoniawhisperedtome。
`Inhiscountrythereareverymany，andtheyeatmenandwomen。\'
Weslidclosertogetheralongthebench。
Icouldnottakemyeyesoffthemaninthebed。
Hisshirtwashangingopen，andhisemaciatedchest，coveredwithyellowbristle，roseandfellhorribly。
Hebegantocough。Petershuffledtohisfeet，caughtuptheteakettleandmixedhimsomehotwaterandwhiskey。
Thesharpsmellofspiritswentthroughtheroom。
Pavelsnatchedthecupanddrank，thenmadePetergivehimthebottleandslippeditunderhispillow，grinningdisagreeably，asifhehadoutwittedsomeone。HiseyesfollowedPeterabouttheroomwithacontemptuous，unfriendlyexpression。
Itseemedtomethathedespisedhimforbeingsosimpleanddocile。
PresentlyPavelbegantotalktoMr。Shimerda，scarcelyaboveawhisper。Hewastellingalongstory，andashewenton，Antoniatookmyhandunderthetableandheldittight。
Sheleanedforwardandstrainedherearstohearhim。
Hegrewmoreandmoreexcited，andkeptpointingallaroundhisbed，asiftherewerethingsthereandhewantedMr。Shimerdatoseethem。
`It\'swolves，Jimmy，\'Antoniawhispered。`It\'sawful，whathesays！\'
Thesickmanragedandshookhisfist。Heseemedtobecursingpeoplewhohadwrongedhim。Mr。Shimerdacaughthimbytheshoulders，butcouldhardlyholdhiminbed。
Atlasthewasshutoffbyacoughingfitwhichfairlychokedhim。
Hepulledaclothfromunderhispillowandheldittohismouth。
Quicklyitwascoveredwithbrightredspots——IthoughtIhadneverseenanybloodsobright。Whenhelaydownandturnedhisfacetothewall，alltheragehadgoneoutofhim。
Helaypatientlyfightingforbreath，likeachildwithcroup。
Antonia\'sfatheruncoveredoneofhislongbonylegsandrubbeditrhythmically。Fromourbenchwecouldseewhatahollowcasehisbodywas。Hisspineandshoulder-bladesstoodoutlikethebonesunderthehideofadeadsteerleftinthefields。
Thatsharpbackbonemusthavehurthimwhenhelayonit。
Gradually，reliefcametoallofus。Whateveritwas，theworstwasover。Mr。ShimerdasignedtousthatPavelwasasleep。
WithoutawordPetergotupandlithislantern。Hewasgoingouttogethisteamtodriveushome。Mr。Shimerdawentwithhim。
Wesatandwatchedthelongbowedbackunderthebluesheet，scarcelydaringtobreathe。
Onthewayhome，whenwewerelyinginthestraw，underthejoltingandrattlingAntoniatoldmeasmuchofthestoryasshecould。
Whatshedidnottellmethen，shetoldlater；wetalkedofnothingelsefordaysafterward。
WhenPavelandPeterwereyoungmen，livingathomeinRussia，theywereaskedtobegroomsmenforafriendwhowastomarrythebelleofanothervillage。Itwasinthedeadofwinterandthegroom\'spartywentovertotheweddinginsledges。
PeterandPaveldroveinthegroom\'ssledge，andsixsledgesfollowedwithallhisrelativesandfriends。
Aftertheceremonyatthechurch，thepartywenttoadinnergivenbytheparentsofthebride。Thedinnerlastedallafternoon；
thenitbecameasupperandcontinuedfarintothenight。
Therewasmuchdancinganddrinking。Atmidnighttheparentsofthebridesaidgood-byetoherandblessedher。
Thegroomtookherupinhisarmsandcarriedherouttohissledgeandtuckedherundertheblankets。Hespranginbesideher，andPavelandPeter(ourPavelandPeter！)tookthefrontseat。
Paveldrove。Thepartysetoutwithsingingandthejingleofsleigh-bells，thegroom\'ssledgegoingfirst。
Allthedriversweremoreorlesstheworseformerry-making，andthegroomwasabsorbedinhisbride。
Thewolveswerebadthatwinter，andeveryoneknewit，yetwhentheyheardthefirstwolf-cry，thedriverswerenotmuchalarmed。
Theyhadtoomuchgoodfoodanddrinkinsidethem。
Thefirsthowlsweretakenupandechoedandwithquickeningrepetitions。Thewolveswerecomingtogether。
Therewasnomoon，butthestarlightwasclearonthesnow。
Ablackdrovecameupoverthehillbehindtheweddingparty。
Thewolvesranlikestreaksofshadow；theylookednobiggerthandogs，buttherewerehundredsofthem。
Somethinghappenedtothehindmostsledge:thedriverlostcontrol——
hewasprobablyverydrunk——thehorseslefttheroad，thesledgewascaughtinaclumpoftrees，andoverturned。
Theoccupantsrolledoutoverthesnow，andthefleetestofthewolvesspranguponthem。Theshrieksthatfollowedmadeeverybodysober。Thedriversstoodupandlashedtheirhorses。
Thegroomhadthebestteamandhissledgewaslightest——
alltheotherscarriedfromsixtoadozenpeople。
Anotherdriverlostcontrol。Thescreamsofthehorsesweremoreterribletohearthanthecriesofthemenandwomen。
Nothingseemedtocheckthewolves。Itwashardtotellwhatwashappeningintherear；thepeoplewhowerefallingbehindshriekedaspiteouslyasthosewhowerealreadylost。
Thelittlebridehidherfaceonthegroom\'sshoulderandsobbed。
Pavelsatstillandwatchedhishorses。Theroadwasclearandwhite，andthegroom\'sthreeblackswentlikethewind。
Itwasonlynecessarytobecalmandtoguidethemcarefully。
Atlength，astheybreastedalonghill，Peterrosecautiouslyandlookedback。`Thereareonlythreesledgesleft，\'hewhispered。
`Andthewolves？\'Pavelasked。
`Enough！Enoughforallofus。\'
Pavelreachedthebrowofthehill，butonlytwosledgesfollowedhimdowntheotherside。Inthatmomentonthehilltop，theysawbehindthemawhirlingblackgrouponthesnow。Presentlythegroomscreamed。
Hesawhisfather\'ssledgeoverturned，withhismotherandsisters。
Hesprangupasifhemeanttojump，butthegirlshriekedandheldhimback。
Itwaseventhentoolate。Theblackground-shadowswerealreadycrowdingovertheheapintheroad，andonehorseranoutacrossthefields，hisharnesshangingtohim，wolvesathisheels。
Butthegroom\'smovementhadgivenPavelanidea。
Theywerewithinafewmilesoftheirvillagenow。
Theonlysledgeleftoutofsixwasnotveryfarbehindthem，andPavel\'smiddlehorsewasfailing。Besideafrozenpondsomethinghappenedtotheothersledge；Petersawitplainly。
Threebigwolvesgotabreastofthehorses，andthehorseswentcrazy。Theytriedtojumpovereachother，gottangledupintheharness，andoverturnedthesledge。
Whentheshriekingbehindthemdiedaway，Pavelrealizedthathewasaloneuponthefamiliarroad。`Theystillcome？\'
heaskedPeter。
`Yes。\'
`Howmany？\'
`Twenty，thirty——enough。\'
Nowhismiddlehorsewasbeingalmostdraggedbytheothertwo。
PavelgavePeterthereinsandsteppedcarefullyintothebackofthesledge。Hecalledtothegroomthattheymustlighten——
andpointedtothebride。Theyoungmancursedhimandheldhertighter。
Paveltriedtodragheraway。Inthestruggle，thegroomrose。
Pavelknockedhimoverthesideofthesledgeandthrewthegirlafterhim。Hesaidheneverrememberedexactlyhowhedidit，orwhathappenedafterward。Peter，crouchinginthefrontseat，sawnothing。Thefirstthingeitherofthemnoticedwasanewsoundthatbrokeintotheclearair，louderthantheyhadeverhearditbefore——thebellofthemonasteryoftheirownvillage，ringingforearlyprayers。
PavelandPeterdroveintothevillagealone，andtheyhadbeenaloneeversince。Theywererunoutoftheirvillage。
Pavel\'sownmotherwouldnotlookathim。Theywentawaytostrangetowns，butwhenpeoplelearnedwheretheycamefrom，theywerealwaysaskediftheyknewthetwomenwhohadfedthebridetothewolves。Wherevertheywent，thestoryfollowedthem。
IttookthemfiveyearstosavemoneyenoughtocometoAmerica。
TheyworkedinChicago，DesMoines，FortWayne，buttheywerealwaysunfortunate。WhenPavel\'shealthgrewsobad，theydecidedtotryfarming。
PaveldiedafewdaysafterheunburdenedhismindtoMr。Shimerda，andwasburiedintheNorwegiangraveyard。Petersoldoffeverything，andleftthecountry——wenttobecookinarailwayconstructioncampwheregangsofRussianswereemployed。
AthissaleweboughtPeter\'swheelbarrowandsomeofhisharness。
Duringtheauctionhewentaboutwithhisheaddown，andneverliftedhiseyes。Heseemednottocareaboutanything。TheBlackHawkmoney-lenderwhoheldmortgagesonPeter\'slivestockwasthere，andheboughtinthesalenotesataboutfiftycentsonthedollar。
EveryonesaidPeterkissedthecowbeforeshewasledawaybyhernewowner。
Ididnotseehimdoit，butthisIknow:afterallhisfurnitureandhiscookstoveandpotsandpanshadbeenhauledoffbythepurchasers，whenhishousewasstrippedandbare，hesatdownonthefloorwithhisclasp-knifeandateallthemelonsthathehadputawayforwinter。
WhenMr。ShimerdaandKrajiekdroveupintheirwagontotakePetertothetrain，theyfoundhimwithadrippingbeard，surroundedbyheapsofmelonrinds。
ThelossofhistwofriendshadadepressingeffectuponoldMr。Shimerda。Whenhewasouthunting，heusedtogointotheemptyloghouseandsitthere，brooding。Thiscabinwashishermitageuntilthewintersnowspennedhiminhiscave。
ForAntoniaandme，thestoryoftheweddingpartywasneveratanend。WedidnottellPavel\'ssecrettoanyone，butguardeditjealously——asifthewolvesoftheUkrainehadgatheredthatnightlongago，andtheweddingpartybeensacrificed，togiveusapainfulandpeculiarpleasure。
Atnight，beforeIwenttosleep，Ioftenfoundmyselfinasledgedrawnbythreehorses，dashingthroughacountrythatlookedsomethinglikeNebraskaandsomethinglikeVirginia。
IX
THEFIRSTSNOWFALLcameearlyinDecember。Irememberhowtheworldlookedfromoursitting-roomwindowasIdressedbehindthestovethatmorning:thelowskywaslikeasheetofmetal；
theblondcornfieldshadfadedoutintoghostlinessatlast；
thelittlepondwasfrozenunderitsstiffwillowbushes。
Bigwhiteflakeswerewhirlingovereverythinganddisappearingintheredgrass。
Beyondthepond，ontheslopethatclimbedtothecornfield，therewas，faintlymarkedinthegrass，agreatcirclewheretheIndiansusedtoride。
JakeandOttoweresurethatwhentheygallopedroundthatringtheIndianstorturedprisoners，boundtoastakeinthecentre；butgrandfatherthoughttheymerelyranracesortrainedhorsesthere。Wheneveronelookedatthisslopeagainstthesettingsun，thecircleshowedlikeapatterninthegrass；
andthismorning，whenthefirstlightsprayofsnowlayoverit，itcameoutwithwonderfuldistinctness，likestrokesofChinesewhiteoncanvas。
Theoldfigurestirredmeasithadneverdonebeforeandseemedagoodomenforthewinter。
Assoonasthesnowhadpackedhard，IbegantodriveaboutthecountryinaclumsysleighthatOttoFuchsmadeformebyfasteningawoodengoods-boxonbobs。Fuchshadbeenapprenticedtoacabinetmakerintheoldcountryandwasveryhandywithtools。
HewouldhavedoneabetterjobifIhadn\'thurriedhim。
Myfirsttripwastothepost-office，andthenextdayIwentovertotakeYulkaandAntoniaforasleigh-ride。
Itwasabright，coldday。Ipiledstrawandbuffalorobesintothebox，andtooktwohotbrickswrappedinoldblankets。
WhenIgottotheShimerdas\'，Ididnotgouptothehouse，butsatinmsleighatthebottomofthedrawandcalled。
AntoniaandYulkacamerunningout，wearinglittlerabbit-skinhatstheirfatherhadmadeforthem。TheyhadheardaboutmysledgefromAmbroschandknewwhyIhadcome。
Theytumbledinbesidemeandwesetofftowardthenorth，alongaroadthathappenedtobebroken。
Theskywasbrilliantlyblue，andthesunlightontheglitteringwhitestretchesofprairiewasalmostblinding。
AsAntoniasaid，thewholeworldwaschangedbythesnow；
wekeptlookinginvainforfamiliarlandmarks。ThedeeparroyothroughwhichSquawCreekwoundwasnowonlyacleftbetweensnowdrifts——verybluewhenonelookeddownintoit。
Thetree-topsthathadbeengoldalltheautumnweredwarfedandtwisted，asiftheywouldneverhaveanylifeinthemagain。
Thefewlittlecedars，whichweresodullanddingybefore，nowstoodoutastrong，duskygreen。Thewindhadtheburningtasteoffreshsnow；mythroatandnostrilssmartedasifsomeonehadopenedahartshornbottle。Thecoldstung，andatthesametimedelightedone。Myhorse\'sbreathroselikesteam，andwheneverwestoppedhesmokedallover。Thecornfieldsgotbackalittleoftheircolourunderthedazzlinglight，andstoodthepalestpossiblegoldinthesunandsnow。
Allaboutusthesnowwascrustedinshallowterraces，withtracingslikeripple-marksattheedges，curlywavesthatweretheactualimpressionofthestinginglashinthewind。
Thegirlshadoncottondressesundertheirshawls；theykeptshiveringbeneaththebuffalorobesandhuggingeachotherforwarmth。
Buttheyweresogladtogetawayfromtheiruglycaveandtheirmother\'sscoldingthattheybeggedmetogoonandon，asfarasRussianPeter\'shouse。Thegreatfreshopen，afterthestupefyingwarmthindoors，madethembehavelikewildthings。
Theylaughedandshouted，andsaidtheyneverwantedtogohomeagain。
Couldn\'twesettledownandliveinRussianPeter\'shouse，Yulkaasked，andcouldn\'tIgototownandbuythingsforustokeephousewith？
AllthewaytoRussianPeter\'swewereextravagantlyhappy，butwhenweturnedback——itmusthavebeenaboutfouro\'clock——
theeastwindgrewstrongerandbegantohowl；thesunlostitshearteningpowerandtheskybecamegreyandsombre。
ItookoffmylongwoollencomforterandwounditaroundYulka\'sthroat。
Shegotsocoldthatwemadeherhideherheadunderthebuffalorobe。
AntoniaandIsaterect，butIheldthereinsclumsily，andmyeyeswereblindedbythewindagooddealofthetime。
Itwasgrowingdarkwhenwegottotheirhouse，butIrefusedtogoinwiththemandgetwarm。IknewmyhandswouldacheterriblyifIwentnearafire。Yulkaforgottogivemebackmycomforter，andIhadtodrivehomedirectlyagainstthewind。
ThenextdayIcamedownwithanattackofquinsy，whichkeptmeinthehousefornearlytwoweeks。
Thebasementkitchenseemedheavenlysafeandwarminthosedays——
likeatightlittleboatinawintersea。Themenwereoutinthefieldsallday，huskingcorn，andwhentheycameinatnoon，withlongcapspulleddownovertheirearsandtheirfeetinred-linedovershoes，IusedtothinktheywerelikeArcticexplorers。
Intheafternoons，whengrandmothersatupstairsdarning，ormakinghusking-gloves，Iread`TheSwissFamilyRobinson\'
aloudtoher，andIfeltthattheSwissfamilyhadnoadvantagesoverusinthewayofanadventurouslife。
Iwasconvincedthatman\'sstrongestantagonististhecold。
Iadmiredthecheerfulzestwithwhichgrandmotherwentaboutkeepinguswarmandcomfortableandwell-fed。Sheoftenremindedme，whenshewaspreparingforthereturnofthehungrymen，thatthiscountrywasnotlikeVirginia；
andthathereacookhad，asshesaid，`verylittletodowith。\'
OnSundaysshegaveusasmuchchickenaswecouldeat，andonotherdayswehadhamorbaconorsausagemeat。
Shebakedeitherpiesorcakeforuseveryday，unless，forachange，shemademyfavouritepudding，stripedwithcurrantsandboiledinabag。
Nexttogettingwarmandkeepingwarm，dinnerandsupperwerethemostinterestingthingswehadtothinkabout。Ourlivescentredaroundwarmthandfoodandthereturnofthemenatnightfall。
Iusedtowonder，whentheycameintiredfromthefields，theirfeetnumbandtheirhandscrackedandsore，howtheycoulddoallthechoressoconscientiously:feedandwaterandbedthehorses，milkthecows，andlookafterthepigs。Whensupperwasover，ittookthemalongwhiletogetthecoldoutoftheirbones。
WhilegrandmotherandIwashedthedishesandgrandfatherreadhispaperupstairs，JakeandOttosatonthelongbenchbehindthestove，`easing\'theirinsideboots，orrubbingmuttontallowintotheircrackedhands。
EverySaturdaynightwepoppedcornormadetaffy，andOttoFuchsusedtosing，`ForIAmaCowboyandKnowI\'veDoneWrong，\'or，`BuryMeNotontheLonePrairee。\'
Hehadagoodbaritonevoiceandalwaysledthesingingwhenwewenttochurchservicesatthesodschoolhouse。
Icanstillseethosetwomensittingonthebench；Otto\'sclose-clippedheadandJake\'sshaggyhairslickedflatinfrontbyawetcomb。
Icanseethesagoftheirtiredshouldersagainstthewhitewashedwall。
Whatgoodfellowstheywere，howmuchtheyknew，andhowmanythingstheyhadkeptfaithwith！
Fuchshadbeenacowboy，astage-driver，abartender，aminer；hadwanderedalloverthatgreatWesterncountryanddonehardworkeverywhere，though，asgrandmothersaid，hehadnothingtoshowforit。JakewasdullerthanOtto。
Hecouldscarcelyread，wroteevenhisnamewithdifficulty，andhehadaviolenttemperwhichsometimesmadehimbehavelikeacrazyman——torehimalltopiecesandactuallymadehimill。
Buthewassosoft-heartedthatanyonecouldimposeuponhim。
Ifhe，ashesaid，`forgothimself\'andsworebeforegrandmother，hewentaboutdepressedandshamefacedallday。Theywerebothofthemjovialaboutthecoldinwinterandtheheatinsummer，alwaysreadytoworkovertimeandtomeetemergencies。
Itwasamatterofpridewiththemnottosparethemselves。
Yettheywerethesortofmenwhonevergeton，somehow，ordoanythingbutworkhardforadollarortwoaday。
Onthosebitter，starlitnights，aswesataroundtheoldstovethatfedusandwarmedusandkeptuscheerful，wecouldhearthecoyoteshowlingdownbythecorrals，andtheirhungry，wintrycryusedtoremindtheboysofwonderfulanimalstories；
aboutgreywolvesandbearsintheRockies，wildcatsandpanthersintheVirginiamountains。SometimesFuchscouldbepersuadedtotalkabouttheoutlawsanddesperatecharactershehadknown。
Irememberonefunnystoryabouthimselfthatmadegrandmother，whowasworkingherbreadonthebread-board，laughuntilshewipedhereyeswithherbarearm，herhandsbeingfloury。
Itwaslikethis:
WhenOttoleftAustriatocometoAmerica，hewasaskedbyoneofhisrelativestolookafterawomanwhowascrossingonthesameboat，tojoinherhusbandinChicago。
Thewomanstartedoffwithtwochildren，butitwasclearthatherfamilymightgrowlargeronthejourney。
Fuchssaidhe`gotonfinewiththekids，\'andlikedthemother，thoughsheplayedasorrytrickonhim。
Inmid-oceansheproceededtohavenotonebaby，butthree！
ThiseventmadeFuchstheobjectofundeservednotoriety，sincehewastravellingwithher。Thesteeragestewardesswasindignantwithhim，thedoctorregardedhimwithsuspicion。
Thefirst-cabinpassengers，whomadeupapurseforthewoman，tookanembarrassinginterestinOtto，andoftenenquiredofhimabouthischarge。WhenthetripletsweretakenashoreatNewYork，hehad，ashesaid，`tocarrysomeofthem。\'
ThetriptoChicagowasevenworsethantheoceanvoyage。
Onthetrainitwasverydifficulttogetmilkforthebabiesandtokeeptheirbottlesclean。Themotherdidherbest，butnowoman，outofhernaturalresources，couldfeedthreebabies。
Thehusband，inChicago，wasworkinginafurniturefactoryformodestwages，andwhenhemethisfamilyatthestationhewasrathercrushedbythesizeofit。
He，too，seemedtoconsiderFuchsinsomefashiontoblame。
`Iwassureglad，\'Ottoconcluded，`thathedidn\'ttakehishardfeelingoutonthatpoorwoman；buthehadasulleneyeforme，allright！Now，didyoueverhearofayoungfeller\'shavingsuchhardluck，Mrs。Burden？\'
GrandmothertoldhimshewassuretheLordhadrememberedthesethingstohiscredit，andhadhelpedhimoutofmanyascrapewhenhedidn\'trealizethathewasbeingprotectedbyProvidence。
X
FORSEVERALWEEKSaftermysleigh-ride，weheardnothingfromtheShimerdas。Mysorethroatkeptmeindoors，andgrandmotherhadacoldwhichmadethehouseworkheavyforher。
WhenSundaycameshewasgladtohaveadayofrest。OnenightatsupperFuchstoldushehadseenMr。Shimerdaouthunting。
`He\'smadehimselfarabbit-skincap，Jim，andarabbit-skincollarthathebuttonsonoutsidehiscoat。Theyain\'tgotbutoneovercoatamong\'emoverthere，andtheytaketurnswearingit。
Theyseemawfulscaredofcold，andstickinthatholeinthebanklikebadgers。\'
`Allbutthecrazyboy，\'Jakeputin。`Heneverwearsthecoat。
Krajieksayshe\'sturriblestrongandcanstandanything。
Iguessrabbitsmustbegettingscarceinthislocality。
AmbroschcomealongbythecornfieldyesterdaywhereI
wasatworkandshowedmethreeprairiedogshe\'dshot。
Heaskedmeiftheywasgoodtoeat。Ispitandmadeafaceandtookon，toscarehim，buthejustlookedlikehewassmarter\'nmeandput\'embackinhissackandwalkedoff。\'
Grandmotherlookedupinalarmandspoketograndfather。
`Josiah，youdon\'tsupposeKrajiekwouldletthempoorcreatureseatprairiedogs，doyou？\'
`Youhadbettergooverandseeourneighbourstomorrow，Emmaline，\'
herepliedgravely。
Fuchsputinacheerfulwordandsaidprairiedogswerecleanbeastsandoughttobegoodforfood，buttheirfamilyconnectionswereagainstthem。
Iaskedwhathemeant，andhegrinnedandsaidtheybelongedtotheratfamily。
WhenIwentdownstairsinthemorning，IfoundgrandmotherandJakepackingahamperbasketinthekitchen。
`Now，Jake，\'grandmotherwassaying，`ifyoucanfindthatoldroosterthatgothiscombfroze，justgivehisneckatwist，andwe\'lltakehimalong。
There\'snogoodreasonwhyMrs。Shimerdacouldn\'thavegothensfromherneighbourslastfallandhadahen-housegoingbynow。
Ireckonshewasconfusedanddidn\'tknowwheretobegin。
I\'vecomestrangetoanewcountrymyself，butIneverforgothensareagoodthingtohave，nomatterwhatyoudon\'thave。
`Justasyousay，ma\'m，\'saidJake，`butIhatetothinkofKrajiekgettingalegofthatoldrooster。\'Hetrampedoutthroughthelongcellaranddroppedtheheavydoorbehindhim。
AfterbreakfastgrandmotherandJakeandIbundledourselvesupandclimbedintothecoldfrontwagon-seat。AsweapproachedtheShimerdas\'，weheardthefrostywhineofthepumpandsawAntonia，herheadtiedupandhercottondressblownabouther，throwingallherweightonthepump-handleasitwentupanddown。
Sheheardourwagon，lookedbackoverhershoulder，and，catchingupherpailofwater，startedatarunfortheholeinthebank。
Jakehelpedgrandmothertotheground，sayinghewouldbringtheprovisionsafterhehadblanketedhishorses。
Wewentslowlyuptheicypathtowardthedoorsunkinthedrawside。
Bluepuffsofsmokecamefromthestovepipethatstuckoutthroughthegrassandsnow，butthewindwhiskedthemroughlyaway。
Mrs。Shimerdaopenedthedoorbeforeweknockedandseizedgrandmother\'shand。Shedidnotsay`Howdo！\'asusual，butatoncebegantocry，talkingveryfastinherownlanguage，pointingtoherfeetwhichweretiedupinrags，andlookingaboutaccusinglyateveryone。
Theoldmanwassittingonastumpbehindthestove，crouchingoverasifheweretryingtohidefromus。
Yulkawasonthefloorathisfeet，herkitteninherlap。
Shepeepedoutatmeandsmiled，but，glancingupathermother，hidagain。Antoniawaswashingpansanddishesinadarkcorner。
Thecrazyboylayundertheonlywindow，stretchedonagunny-sackstuffedwithstraw。Assoonasweentered，hethrewagrain-sackoverthecrackatthebottomofthedoor。
Theairinthecavewasstifling，anditwasverydark，too。
Alightedlantern，hungoverthestove，threwoutafeebleyellowglimmer。
Mrs。Shimerdasnatchedoffthecoversoftwobarrelsbehindthedoor，andmadeuslookintothem。Inonethereweresomepotatoesthathadbeenfrozenandwererotting，intheotherwasalittlepileofflour。
Grandmothermurmuredsomethinginembarrassment，buttheBohemianwomanlaughedscornfully，akindofwhinny-laugh，and，catchingupanemptycoffee-potfromtheshelf，shookitatuswithalookpositivelyvindictive。
GrandmotherwentontalkinginherpoliteVirginiaway，notadmittingtheirstarkneedorherownremissness，untilJakearrivedwiththehamper，asifindirectanswertoMrs。Shimerda\'sreproaches。
Thenthepoorwomanbrokedown。Shedroppedonthefloorbesidehercrazyson，hidherfaceonherknees，andsatcryingbitterly。
Grandmotherpaidnoheedtoher，butcalledAntoniatocomeandhelpemptythebasket。Tonylefthercornerreluctantly。
Ihadneverseenhercrushedlikethisbefore。
`Younotmindmypoormamenka，Mrs。Burden。Sheissosad，\'
shewhispered，asshewipedherwethandsonherskirtandtookthethingsgrandmotherhandedher。
Thecrazyboy，seeingthefood，begantomakesoft，gurglingnoisesandstrokedhisstomach。Jakecameinagain，thistimewithasackofpotatoes。
Grandmotherlookedaboutinperplexity。
`Haven\'tyougotanysortofcaveorcellaroutside，Antonia？
Thisisnoplacetokeepvegetables。Howdidyourpotatoesgetfrozen？\'
`WegetfromMr。Bushy，atthepost-officewhathethrowout。
Wegotnopotatoes，Mrs。Burden，\'Tonyadmittedmournfully。
WhenJakewentout，Marekcrawledalongthefloorandstuffedupthedoor-crackagain。Then，quietlyasashadow，Mr。Shimerdacameoutfrombehindthestove。Hestoodbrushinghishandoverhissmoothgreyhair，asifheweretryingtoclearawayafogabouthishead。
Hewascleanandneatasusual，withhisgreenneckclothandhiscoralpin。
Hetookgrandmother\'sarmandledherbehindthestove，tothebackoftheroom。Intherearwallwasanotherlittlecave；aroundhole，notmuchbiggerthananoilbarrel，scoopedoutintheblackearth。
WhenIgotupononeofthestoolsandpeeredintoit，Isawsomequiltsandapileofstraw。Theoldmanheldthelantern。
`Yulka，\'hesaidinalow，despairingvoice，`Yulka；myAntonia！\'
Grandmotherdrewback。`Youmeantheysleepinthere——yourgirls？\'
Hebowedhishead。
Tonyslippedunderhisarm。`Itisverycoldonthefloor，andthisiswarmlikethebadgerhole。Ilikeforsleepthere，\'sheinsistedeagerly。
`Mymamenkahavenicebed，withpillowsfromourowngeeseinBohemie。
See，Jim？\'ShepointedtothenarrowbunkwhichKrajiekhadbuiltagainstthewallforhimselfbeforetheShimerdascame。
Grandmothersighed。`Sureenough，whereWOULDyousleep，dear！
Idon\'tdoubtyou\'rewarmthere。You\'llhaveabetterhouseafterwhile，Antonia，andthenyouwillforgetthesehardtimes。\'
Mr。Shimerdamadegrandmothersitdownontheonlychairandpointedhiswifetoastoolbesideher。StandingbeforethemwithhishandonAntonia\'sshoulder，hetalkedinalowtone，andhisdaughtertranslated。
Hewantedustoknowthattheywerenotbeggarsintheoldcountry；
hemadegoodwages，andhisfamilywererespectedthere。
HeleftBohemiawithmorethanathousanddollarsinsavings，aftertheirpassagemoneywaspaid。HehadinsomewaylostonexchangeinNewYork，andtherailwayfaretoNebraskawasmorethantheyhadexpected。
BythetimetheypaidKrajiekfortheland，andboughthishorsesandoxenandsomeoldfarmmachinery，theyhadverylittlemoneyleft。
Hewishedgrandmothertoknow，however，thathestillhadsomemoney。
Iftheycouldgetthroughuntilspringcame，theywouldbuyacowandchickensandplantagarden，andwouldthendoverywell。
AmbroschandAntoniawerebotholdenoughtoworkinthefields，andtheywerewillingtowork。Butthesnowandthebitterweatherhaddisheartenedthemall。
Antoniaexplainedthatherfathermeanttobuildanewhousefortheminthespring；heandAmbroschhadalreadysplitthelogsforit，butthelogswereallburiedinthesnow，alongthecreekwheretheyhadbeenfelled。
Whilegrandmotherencouragedandgavethemadvice，IsatdownonthefloorwithYulkaandlethershowmeherkitten。
Marekslidcautiouslytowardusandbegantoexhibithiswebbedfingers。
Iknewhewantedtomakehisqueernoisesforme——tobarklikeadogorwhinnylikeahorse——buthedidnotdareinthepresenceofhiselders。
Marekwasalwaystryingtobeagreeable，poorfellow，asifhehaditonhismindthathemustmakeupforhisdeficiencies。
Mrs。Shimerdagrewmorecalmandreasonablebeforeourvisitwasover，and，whileAntoniatranslated，putinawordnowandthenonherownaccount。Thewomanhadaquickear，andcaughtupphraseswheneversheheardEnglishspoken。
Aswerosetogo，sheopenedherwoodenchestandbroughtoutabagmadeofbed-ticking，aboutaslongasafloursackandhalfaswide，stuffedfullofsomething。
Atsightofit，thecrazyboybegantosmackhislips。
WhenMrs。Shimerdaopenedthebagandstirredthecontentswithherhand，itgaveoutasalty，earthysmell，verypungent，evenamongtheotherodoursofthatcave。
Shemeasuredateacupfull，tieditupinabitofsacking，andpresenteditceremoniouslytograndmother。
`Forcook，\'sheannounced。`Littlenow；beverymuchwhencook，\'
spreadingoutherhandsasiftoindicatethatthepintwouldswelltoagallon。`Verygood。Younohaveinthiscountry。
Allthingsforeatbetterinmycountry。\'
`Maybeso，Mrs。Shimerda，\'grandmothersaiddryly。
`Ican\'tsaybutIpreferourbreadtoyours，myself。\'
Antoniaundertooktoexplain。`Thisverygood，Mrs。Burden\'——
sheclaspedherhandsasifshecouldnotexpresshowgood——\'itmakeverymuchwhenyoucook，likewhatmymamasay。
Cookwithrabbit，cookwithchicken，inthegravy——oh，sogood！\'
AllthewayhomegrandmotherandJaketalkedabouthoweasilygoodChristianpeoplecouldforgettheyweretheirbrothers\'keepers。
`Iwillsay，Jake，someofourbrothersandsistersarehardtokeep。
Where\'sabodytobegin，withthesepeople？They\'rewantingineverything，andmostofallinhorse-sense。Nobodycangive\'emthat，Iguess。
Jimmy，here，isaboutasabletotakeoverahomesteadastheyare。
DoyoureckonthatboyAmbroschhasanyrealpushinhim？\'
`He\'saworker，allright，ma\'m，andhe\'sgotsomeketch-onabouthim；
buthe\'sameanone。Folkscanbemeanenoughtogetoninthisworld；
andthen，ag\'in，theycanbetoomean。\'
Thatnight，whilegrandmotherwasgettingsupper，weopenedthepackageMrs。Shimerdahadgivenher。Itwasfulloflittlebrownchipsthatlookedliketheshavingsofsomeroot。
Theywereaslightasfeathers，andthemostnoticeablethingaboutthemwastheirpenetrating，earthyodour。
Wecouldnotdeterminewhethertheywereanimalorvegetable。
`Theymightbedriedmeatfromsomequeerbeast，Jim。
Theyain\'tdriedfish，andtheynevergrewonstalkorvine。
I\'mafraidof\'em。Anyhow，Ishouldn\'twanttoeatanythingthathadbeenshutupformonthswitholdclothesandgoosepillows。\'
Shethrewthepackageintothestove，butIbitoffacornerofoneofthechipsIheldinmyhand，andchewedittentatively。
Ineverforgotthestrangetaste；thoughitwasmanyyearsbeforeI
knewthatthoselittlebrownshavings，whichtheShimerdashadbroughtsofarandtreasuredsojealously，weredriedmushrooms。
Theyhadbeengathered，probably，insomedeepBohemianforest……
XI
DURINGTHEWEEKbeforeChristmas，Jakewasthemostimportantpersonofourhousehold，forhewastogototownanddoallourChristmasshopping。Butonthetwenty-firstofDecember，thesnowbegantofall。Theflakescamedownsothicklythatfromthesitting-roomwindowsIcouldnotseebeyondthewindmill——
itsframelookeddimandgrey，unsubstantiallikeashadow。
Thesnowdidnotstopfallingallday，orduringthenightthatfollowed。
Thecoldwasnotsevere，butthestormwasquietandresistless。
Themencouldnotgofartherthanthebarnsandcorral。
TheysataboutthehousemostofthedayasifitwereSunday；
greasingtheirboots，mendingtheirsuspenders，plaitingwhiplashes。
Onthemorningofthetwenty-second，grandfatherannouncedatbreakfastthatitwouldbeimpossibletogotoBlackHawkforChristmaspurchases。
Jakewassurehecouldgetthroughonhorseback，andbringhomeourthingsinsaddle-bags；butgrandfathertoldhimtheroadswouldbeobliterated，andanewcomerinthecountrywouldbelosttentimesover。Anyway，hewouldneverallowoneofhishorsestobeputtosuchastrain。
WedecidedtohaveacountryChristmas，withoutanyhelpfromtown。
IhadwantedtogetsomepicturebooksforYulkaandAntonia；
evenYulkawasabletoreadalittlenow。Grandmothertookmeintotheice-coldstoreroom，whereshehadsomeboltsofginghamandsheeting。
Shecutsquaresofcottonclothandwesewedthemtogetherintoabook。
Webounditbetweenpasteboards，whichIcoveredwithbrilliantcalico，representingscenesfromacircus。FortwodaysIsatatthedining-roomtable，pastingthisbookfullofpicturesforYulka。
Wehadfilesofthosegoodoldfamilymagazineswhichusedtopublishcolouredlithographsofpopularpaintings，andIwasallowedtousesomeofthese。Itook`NapoleonAnnouncingtheDivorcetoJosephine\'
formyfrontispiece。OnthewhitepagesIgroupedSunday-SchoolcardsandadvertisingcardswhichIhadbroughtfrommy`oldcountry。\'
Fuchsgotouttheoldcandle-mouldsandmadetallowcandles。
Grandmotherhuntedupherfancycake-cuttersandbakedgingerbreadmenandroosters，whichwedecoratedwithburntsugarandredcinnamondrops。
OnthedaybeforeChristmas，JakepackedthethingsweweresendingtotheShimerdasinhissaddle-bagsandsetoffongrandfather\'sgreygelding。
Whenhemountedhishorseatthedoor，Isawthathehadahatchetslungtohisbelt，andhegavegrandmotherameaninglookwhichtoldmehewasplanningasurpriseforme。ThatafternoonIwatchedlongandeagerlyfromthesitting-roomwindow。AtlastIsawadarkspotmovingonthewesthill，besidethehalf-buriedcornfield，wheretheskywastakingonacopperyflushfromthesunthatdidnotquitebreakthrough。
IputonmycapandranouttomeetJake。WhenIgottothepond，Icouldseethathewasbringinginalittlecedartreeacrosshispommel。
HeusedtohelpmyfathercutChristmastreesformeinVirginia，andhehadnotforgottenhowmuchIlikedthem。
Bythetimewehadplacedthecold，fresh-smellinglittletreeinacornerofthesitting-room，itwasalreadyChristmasEve。
Aftersupperweallgatheredthere，andevengrandfather，readinghispaperbythetable，lookedupwithfriendlyinterestnowandthen。
Thecedarwasaboutfivefeethighandveryshapely。
Wehungitwiththegingerbreadanimals，stringsofpopcorn，andbitsofcandlewhichFuchshadfittedintopasteboardsockets。
Itsrealsplendours，however，camefromthemostunlikelyplaceintheworld——fromOtto\'scowboytrunk。Ihadneverseenanythinginthattrunkbutoldbootsandspursandpistols，andafascinatingmixtureofyellowleatherthongs，cartridges，andshoemaker\'swax。
Fromunderthelininghenowproducedacollectionofbrilliantlycolouredpaperfigures，severalincheshighandstiffenoughtostandalone。
Theyhadbeensenttohimyearafteryear，byhisoldmotherinAustria。
Therewasableedingheart，intuftsofpaperlace；therewerethethreekings，gorgeouslyapparelled，andtheoxandtheassandtheshepherds；therewastheBabyinthemanger，andagroupofangels，singing；therewerecamelsandleopards，heldbytheblackslavesofthethreekings。Ourtreebecamethetalkingtreeofthefairytale；legendsandstoriesnestledlikebirdsinitsbranches。
GrandmothersaiditremindedheroftheTreeofKnowledge。
Weputsheetsofcottonwoolunderitforasnow-field，andJake\'spocket-mirrorforafrozenlake。
Icanseethemnow，exactlyastheylooked，workingaboutthetableinthelamplight:Jakewithhisheavyfeatures，sorudelymouldedthathisfaceseemed，somehow，unfinished；
Ottowithhishalf-earandthesavagescarthatmadehisupperlipcurlsoferociouslyunderhistwistedmoustache。
AsIrememberthem，whatunprotectedfacestheywere；
theirveryroughnessandviolencemadethemdefenceless。
Theseboyshadnopractisedmannerbehindwhichtheycouldretreatandholdpeopleatadistance。
Theyhadonlytheirhardfiststobatterattheworldwith。
Ottowasalreadyoneofthosedrifting，case-hardenedlabourerswhonevermarryorhavechildrenoftheirown。
Yethewassofondofchildren！
