XII
ONCHRISTMASMORNING，whenIgotdowntothekitchen，themenwerejustcominginfromtheirmorningchores——
thehorsesandpigsalwayshadtheirbreakfastbeforewedid。
JakeandOttoshouted`MerryChristmas！\'tome，andwinkedateachotherwhentheysawthewaffle-ironsonthestove。
Grandfathercamedown，wearingawhiteshirtandhisSundaycoat。
Morningprayerswerelongerthanusual。HereadthechaptersfromSaintMatthewaboutthebirthofChrist，andaswelistened，itallseemedlikesomethingthathadhappenedlately，andnearathand。
InhisprayerhethankedtheLordforthefirstChristmas，andforallthatithadmeanttotheworldeversince。
Hegavethanksforourfoodandcomfort，andprayedforthepooranddestituteingreatcities，wherethestruggleforlifewasharderthanitwasherewithus。Grandfather\'sprayerswereoftenveryinteresting。Hehadthegiftofsimpleandmovingexpression。Becausehetalkedsolittle，hiswordshadapeculiarforce；theywerenotworndullfromconstantuse。
Hisprayersreflectedwhathewasthinkingaboutatthetime，anditwaschieflythroughthemthatwegottoknowhisfeelingsandhisviewsaboutthings。
Afterwesatdowntoourwafflesandsausage，JaketoldushowpleasedtheShimerdashadbeenwiththeirpresents；
evenAmbroschwasfriendlyandwenttothecreekwithhimtocuttheChristmastree。Itwasasoftgreydayoutside，withheavycloudsworkingacrossthesky，andoccasionalsquallsofsnow。
Therewerealwaysoddjobstobedoneaboutthebarnonholidays，andthemenwerebusyuntilafternoon。ThenJakeandI
playeddominoes，whileOttowrotealongletterhometohismother。
HealwayswrotetoheronChristmasDay，hesaid，nomatterwherehewas，andnomatterhowlongithadbeensincehislastletter。
Allafternoonhesatinthedining-room。Hewouldwriteforawhile，thensitidle，hisclenchedfistlyingonthetable，hiseyesfollowingthepatternoftheoilcloth。Hespokeandwrotehisownlanguagesoseldomthatitcametohimawkwardly。
Hisefforttorememberentirelyabsorbedhim。
Ataboutfouro\'clockavisitorappeared:Mr。Shimerda，wearinghisrabbit-skincapandcollar，andnewmittenshiswifehadknitted。
Hehadcometothankusforthepresents，andforallgrandmother\'skindnesstohisfamily。JakeandOttojoinedusfromthebasementandwesataboutthestove，enjoyingthedeepeninggreyofthewinterafternoonandtheatmosphereofcomfortandsecurityinmygrandfather\'shouse。
ThisfeelingseemedcompletelytotakepossessionofMr。Shimerda。
Isuppose，inthecrowdedclutteroftheircave，theoldmanhadcometobelievethatpeaceandorderhadvanishedfromtheearth，orexistedonlyintheoldworldhehadleftsofarbehind。
Hesatstillandpassive，hisheadrestingagainstthebackofthewoodenrocking-chair，hishandsrelaxeduponthearms。
Hisfacehadalookofwearinessandpleasure，likethatofsickpeoplewhentheyfeelrelieffrompain。GrandmotherinsistedonhisdrinkingaglassofVirginiaapple-brandyafterhislongwalkinthecold，andwhenafaintflushcameupinhischeeks，hisfeaturesmighthavebeencutoutofashell，theyweresotransparent。
Hesaidalmostnothing，andsmiledrarely；butasherestedthereweallhadasenseofhisuttercontent。
Asitgrewdark，IaskedwhetherImightlighttheChristmastreebeforethelampwasbrought。Whenthecandle-endssentuptheirconicalyellowflames，allthecolouredfiguresfromAustriastoodoutclearandfullofmeaningagainstthegreenboughs。
Mr。Shimerdarose，crossedhimself，andquietlykneltdownbeforethetree，hisheadsunkforward。Hislongbodyformedaletter`S。\'Isawgrandmotherlookapprehensivelyatgrandfather。Hewasrathernarrowinreligiousmatters，andsometimesspokeoutandhurtpeople\'sfeelings。
Therehadbeennothingstrangeaboutthetreebefore，butnow，withsomeonekneelingbeforeit——images，candles……Grandfathermerelyputhisfinger-tipstohisbrowandbowedhisvenerablehead，thusProtestantizingtheatmosphere。
Wepersuadedourguesttostayforsupperwithus。Heneededlittleurging。
Aswesatdowntothetable，itoccurredtomethathelikedtolookatus，andthatourfaceswereopenbookstohim。Whenhisdeep-seeingeyesrestedonme，Ifeltasifhewerelookingfaraheadintothefutureforme，downtheroadIwouldhavetotravel。
Atnineo\'clockMr。Shimerdalightedoneofourlanternsandputonhisovercoatandfurcollar。Hestoodinthelittleentryhall，thelanternandhisfurcapunderhisarm，shakinghandswithus。
Whenhetookgrandmother\'shand，hebentoveritashealwaysdid，andsaidslowly，`Goodwoman！\'Hemadethesignofthecrossoverme，putonhiscapandwentoffinthedark。Asweturnedbacktothesitting-room，grandfatherlookedatmesearchingly。
`Theprayersofallgoodpeoplearegood，\'hesaidquietly。
XIII
THEWEEKFOLLOWINGChristmasbroughtinathaw，andbyNewYear\'sDayalltheworldaboutuswasabrothofgreyslush，andthegutteredslopebetweenthewindmillandthebarnwasrunningblackwater。
Thesoftblackearthstoodoutinpatchesalongtheroadsides。
Iresumedallmychores，carriedinthecobsandwoodandwater，andspenttheafternoonsatthebarn，watchingJakeshellcornwithahand-sheller。
Onemorning，duringthisintervaloffineweather，Antoniaandhermotherrodeoverononeoftheirshaggyoldhorsestopayusavisit。
ItwasthefirsttimeMrs。Shimerdahadbeentoourhouse，andsheranaboutexaminingourcarpetsandcurtainsandfurniture，allthewhilecommentinguponthemtoherdaughterinanenvious，complainingtone。Inthekitchenshecaughtupanironpotthatstoodonthebackofthestoveandsaid:`Yougotmany，Shimerdasnogot。\'
Ithoughtitweak-mindedofgrandmothertogivethepottoher。
Afterdinner，whenshewashelpingtowashthedishes，shesaid，tossingherhead:`Yougotmanythingsforcook。
IfIgotallthingslikeyou，Imakemuchbetter。\'
Shewasaconceited，boastfuloldthing，andevenmisfortunecouldnothumbleher。IwassoannoyedthatIfeltcoldlyeventowardAntoniaandlistenedunsympatheticallywhenshetoldmeherfatherwasnotwell。
`Mypapasadfortheoldcountry。Henotlookgood。
Henevermakemusicanymore。Athomeheplayviolinallthetime；forweddingsandfordance。Herenever。
WhenIbeghimforplay，heshakehisheadno。Somedayshetakehisviolinoutofhisboxandmakewithhisfingersonthestrings，likethis，butneverhemakethemusic。
Hedon\'tlikethiskawntree。\'
`Peoplewhodon\'tlikethiscountryoughttostayathome，\'Isaidseverely。
`Wedon\'tmakethemcomehere。\'
`Henotwanttocome，never！\'sheburstout。`Mymamenkamakehimcome。Allthetimeshesay:“Americabigcountry；
muchmoney，muchlandformyboys，muchhusbandformygirls。“
Mypapa，hecryforleavehisoldfriendswhatmakemusicwithhim。
Heloveverymuchthemanwhatplaythelonghornlikethis\'——
sheindicatedaslidetrombone。“Theygotoschooltogetherandarefriendsfromboys。Butmymama，shewantAmbroschforberich，withmanycattle。\'
`Yourmama，\'Isaidangrily，`wantsotherpeople\'sthings。\'
“Yourgrandfatherisrich，“sheretortedfiercely。`Whyhenothelpmypapa？
Ambroschberich，too，afterwhile，andhepayback。Heisverysmartboy。
ForAmbroschmymamacomehere。\'
Ambroschwasconsideredtheimportantpersoninthefamily。
Mrs。ShimerdaandAntoniaalwaysdeferredtohim，thoughhewasoftensurlywiththemandcontemptuoustowardhisfather。
Ambroschandhismotherhadeverythingtheirownway。
ThoughAntonialovedherfathermorethanshedidanyoneelse，shestoodinaweofherelderbrother。
AfterIwatchedAntoniaandhermothergooverthehillontheirmiserablehorse，carryingourironpotwiththem，Iturnedtograndmother，whohadtakenupherdarning，andsaidIhopedthatsnoopingoldwomanwouldn\'tcometoseeusanymore。
GrandmotherchuckledanddroveherbrightneedleacrossaholeinOtto\'ssock。`She\'snotold，Jim，thoughIexpectsheseemsoldtoyou。No，Iwouldn\'tmournifshenevercameagain。But，yousee，abodyneverknowswhattraitspovertymightbringoutin\'em。
Itmakesawomangraspingtoseeherchildrenwantforthings。
Nowreadmeachapterin“ThePrinceoftheHouseofDavid。“
Let\'sforgettheBohemians。\'
Wehadthreeweeksofthismild，openweather。Thecattleinthecorralatecornalmostasfastasthemencouldshellitforthem，andwehopedtheywouldbereadyforanearlymarket。
Onemorningthetwobigbulls，GladstoneandBrighamYoung，thoughtspringhadcome，andtheybegantoteaseandbuttateachotheracrossthebarbedwirethatseparatedthem。
Soontheygotangry。Theybellowedandpawedupthesoftearthwiththeirhoofs，rollingtheireyesandtossingtheirheads。
Eachwithdrewtoafarcornerofhisowncorral，andthentheymadeforeachotheratagallop。Thud，thud，wecouldheartheimpactoftheirgreatheads，andtheirbellowingshookthepansonthekitchenshelves。Hadtheynotbeendehorned，theywouldhavetorneachothertopieces。
Prettysoonthefatsteerstookitupandbeganbuttingandhorningeachother。Clearly，theaffairhadtobestopped。
WeallstoodbyandwatchedadmiringlywhileFuchsrodeintothecorralwithapitchforkandproddedthebullsagainandagain，finallydrivingthemapart。
Thebigstormofthewinterbeganonmyeleventhbirthday，thetwentiethofJanuary。WhenIwentdowntobreakfastthatmorning，JakeandOttocameinwhiteassnow-men，beatingtheirhandsandstampingtheirfeet。
Theybegantolaughboisterouslywhentheysawme，calling:
`You\'vegotabirthdaypresentthistime，Jim，andnomistake。
Theywasafull-grownblizzardorderedforyou。\'
Alldaythestormwenton。Thesnowdidnotfallthistime，itsimplyspilledoutofheaven，likethousandsoffeatherbedsbeingemptied。
Thatafternoonthekitchenwasacarpenter-shop；themenbroughtintheirtoolsandmadetwogreatwoodenshovelswithlonghandles。
NeithergrandmothernorIcouldgooutinthestorm，soJakefedthechickensandbroughtinapitifulcontributionofeggs。
Nextdayourmenhadtoshoveluntilnoontoreachthebarn——
andthesnowwasstillfalling！TherehadnotbeensuchastorminthetenyearsmygrandfatherhadlivedinNebraska。
Hesaidatdinnerthatwewouldnottrytoreachthecattle——
theywerefatenoughtogowithouttheircornforadayortwo；
buttomorrowwemustfeedthemandthawouttheirwater-tapsothattheycoulddrink。Wecouldnotsomuchasseethecorrals，butweknewthesteerswereoverthere，huddledtogetherunderthenorthbank。
Ourferociousbulls，subduedenoughbythistime，wereprobablywarmingeachother\'sbacks。`This\'lltakethebileoutof\'em！\'
Fuchsremarkedgleefully。
Atnoonthatdaythehenshadnotbeenheardfrom。
AfterdinnerJakeandOtto，theirdampclothesnowdriedonthem，stretchedtheirstiffarmsandplungedagainintothedrifts。
Theymadeatunnelthroughthesnowtothehen-house，withwallssosolidthatgrandmotherandIcouldwalkbackandforthinit。
Wefoundthechickensasleep；perhapstheythoughtnighthadcometostay。Oneoldroosterwasstirringabout，peckingatthesolidlumpoficeintheirwater-tin。Whenweflashedthelanternintheireyes，thehenssetupagreatcacklingandflewaboutclumsily，scatteringdown-feathers。Themottled，pin-headedguinea-hens，alwaysresentfulofcaptivity，ranscreechingoutintothetunnelandtriedtopoketheirugly，paintedfacesthroughthesnowwalls。Byfiveo\'clockthechoresweredonejustwhenitwastimetobeginthemalloveragain！
Thatwasastrange，unnaturalsortofday。
XIV
ONTHEMORNINGofthetwenty-secondIwakenedwithastart。
BeforeIopenedmyeyes，Iseemedtoknowthatsomethinghadhappened。Iheardexcitedvoicesinthekitchen——
grandmother\'swassoshrillthatIknewshemustbealmostbesideherself。Ilookedforwardtoanynewcrisiswithdelight。
Whatcoulditbe，Iwondered，asIhurriedintomyclothes。
Perhapsthebarnhadburned；perhapsthecattlehadfrozentodeath；
perhapsaneighbourwaslostinthestorm。
Downinthekitchengrandfatherwasstandingbeforethestovewithhishandsbehindhim。JakeandOttohadtakenofftheirbootsandwererubbingtheirwoollensocks。Theirclothesandbootsweresteaming，andtheybothlookedexhausted。
Onthebenchbehindthestovelayaman，coveredupwithablanket。
Grandmothermotionedmetothedining-room。Iobeyedreluctantly。
Iwatchedherasshecameandwent，carryingdishes。
Herlipsweretightlycompressedandshekeptwhisperingtoherself:
`Oh，dearSaviour！\'`Lord，Thouknowest！\'
Presentlygrandfathercameinandspoketome:`Jimmy，wewillnothaveprayersthismorning，becausewehaveagreatdealtodo。
OldMr。Shimerdaisdead，andhisfamilyareingreatdistress。
Ambroschcameoverhereinthemiddleofthenight，andJakeandOttowentbackwithhim。Theboyshavehadahardnight，andyoumustnotbotherthemwithquestions。ThatisAmbrosch，asleeponthebench。
Comeintobreakfast，boys。\'
AfterJakeandOttohadswallowedtheirfirstcupofcoffee，theybegantotalkexcitedly，disregardinggrandmother\'swarningglances。
Iheldmytongue，butIlistenedwithallmyears。
`No，sir，\'Fuchssaidinanswertoaquestionfromgrandfather，`nobodyheardthegungooff。Ambroschwasoutwiththeox-team，tryingtobreakaroad，andthewomen-folkswasshutuptightintheircave。
WhenAmbroschcomein，itwasdarkandhedidn\'tseenothing，buttheoxenactedkindofqueer。Oneof\'emrippedaroundandgotawayfromhim——
boltedcleanoutofthestable。Hishandsisblisteredwheretheroperunthrough。Hegotalanternandwentbackandfoundtheoldman，justasweseenhim。\'
`Poorsoul，poorsoul！\'grandmothergroaned。`I\'dliketothinkheneverdoneit。Hewasalwaysconsiderateandun-wishfultogivetrouble。
Howcouldheforgethimselfandbringthisonus！\'
`Idon\'tthinkhewasoutofhisheadforaminute，Mrs。Burden，\'
Fuchsdeclared。`Hedoneeverythingnatural。Youknowhewasalwayssortoffixy，andfixyhewastothelast。Heshavedafterdinner，andwashedhisselfalloverafterthegirlshaddonethedishes。
Antoniaheatedthewaterforhim。Thenheputonacleanshirtandcleansocks，andafterhewasdressedhekissedherandthelittleoneandtookhisgunandsaidhewasgoingouttohuntrabbits。
Hemusthavegonerightdowntothebarnanddoneitthen。Helayeddownonthatbunk-bed，closetotheoxstalls，wherehealwaysslept。
Whenwefoundhim，everythingwasdecentexcept\'——Fuchswrinkledhisbrowandhesitated——\'exceptwhathecouldn\'tnowiseforesee。
Hiscoatwashungonapeg，andhisbootswasunderthebed。
He\'dtookoffthatsilkneckclothhealwayswore，andfoldeditsmoothandstuckhispinthroughit。Heturnedbackhisshirtattheneckandrolleduphissleeves。\'
`Idon\'tseehowhecoulddoit！\'grandmotherkeptsaying。
Ottomisunderstoodher。`Why，ma\'am，itwassimpleenough；
hepulledthetriggerwithhisbigtoe。Helayedoveronhissideandputtheendofthebarrelinhismouth，thenhedrewuponefootandfeltforthetrigger。
Hefounditallright！\'
`Maybehedid，\'saidJakegrimly。`There\'ssomethingmightyqueeraboutit。\'
`Nowwhatdoyoumean，Jake？\'grandmotheraskedsharply。
`Well，ma\'m，IfoundKrajiek\'saxeunderthemanger，andI
picksitupandcarriesitovertothecorpse，andItakemyoathitjustfitthegashinthefrontoftheoldman\'sface。
ThatthereKrajiekhadbeensneakin\'round，paleandquiet，andwhenheseenmeexaminin\'theaxe，hebegunwhimperin\'，“MyGod，man，don\'tdothat！““IreckonI\'ma-goin\'
tolookintothis，“saysI。Thenhebeguntosqueallikearatandrunaboutwringin\'hishands。“They\'llhangme！“sayshe。
“MyGod，they\'llhangmesure！“\'
Fuchsspokeupimpatiently。`Krajiek\'sgonesilly，Jake，andsohaveyou。Theoldmanwouldn\'thavemadeallthempreparationsforKrajiektomurderhim，wouldhe？Itdon\'thangtogether。
ThegunwasrightbesidehimwhenAmbroschfoundhim。\'
`Krajiekcould\'a\'putitthere，couldn\'the？\'Jakedemanded。
Grandmotherbrokeinexcitedly:`Seehere，JakeMarpole，don\'tyougotryingtoaddmurdertosuicide。We\'redeepenoughintrouble。
Ottoreadsyoutoomanyofthemdetectivestories。\'
`Itwillbeeasytodecideallthat，Emmaline，\'saidgrandfatherquietly。
`Ifheshothimselfinthewaytheythink，thegashwillbetornfromtheinsideoutward。\'
`Justsoitis，Mr。Burden，\'Ottoaffirmed。`Iseenbunchesofhairandstuffstickingtothepolesandstrawalongtheroof。
Theywasblownuptherebygunshot，noquestion。\'
GrandmothertoldgrandfathershemeanttogoovertotheShimerdas\'withhim。
`Thereisnothingyoucando，\'hesaiddoubtfully。`Thebodycan\'tbetoucheduntilwegetthecoronerherefromBlackHawk，andthatwillbeamatterofseveraldays，thisweather。\'
`Well，Icantakethemsomevictuals，anyway，andsayawordofcomforttothempoorlittlegirls。Theoldestonewashisdarling，andwaslikearighthandtohim。Hemighthavethoughtofher。
He\'sleftheraloneinahardworld。\'SheglanceddistrustfullyatAmbrosch，whowasnoweatinghisbreakfastatthekitchentable。
Fuchs，althoughhehadbeenupinthecoldnearlyallnight，wasgoingtomakethelongridetoBlackHawktofetchthepriestandthecoroner。
Onthegreygelding，ourbesthorse，hewouldtrytopickhiswayacrossthecountrywithnoroadstoguidehim。
`Don\'tyouworryaboutme，Mrs。Burden，\'hesaidcheerfully，asheputonasecondpairofsocks。`I\'vegotagoodnosefordirections，andIneverdidneedmuchsleep。
It\'sthegreyI\'mworriedabout。I\'llsavehimwhatIcan，butit\'llstrainhim，assureasI\'mtellingyou！\'
`Thisisnotimetobeover-considerateofanimals，Otto；dothebestyoucanforyourself。StopattheWidowSteavens\'sfordinner。
She\'sagoodwoman，andshe\'lldowellbyyou。\'
AfterFuchsrodeaway，IwasleftwithAmbrosch。
IsawasideofhimIhadnotseenbefore。Hewasdeeply，evenslavishly，devout。Hedidnotsayawordallmorning，butsatwithhisrosaryinhishands，praying，nowsilently，nowaloud。Heneverlookedawayfromhisbeads，norliftedhishandsexcepttocrosshimself。Severaltimesthepoorboyfellasleepwherehesat，wakenedwithastart，andbegantoprayagain。
NowagoncouldbegottotheShimerdas\'untilaroadwasbroken，andthatwouldbeaday\'sjob。Grandfathercamefromthebarnononeofourbigblackhorses，andJakeliftedgrandmotherupbehindhim。
Sheworeherblackhoodandwasbundledupinshawls。
Grandfathertuckedhisbushywhitebeardinsidehisovercoat。
TheylookedveryBiblicalastheysetoff，Ithought。
JakeandAmbroschfollowedthem，ridingtheotherblackandmypony，carryingbundlesofclothesthatwehadgottogetherforMrs。Shimerda。Iwatchedthemgopastthepondandoverthehillbythedriftedcornfield。Then，forthefirsttime，IrealizedthatIwasaloneinthehouse。
Ifeltaconsiderableextensionofpowerandauthority，andwasanxioustoacquitmyselfcreditably。Icarriedincobsandwoodfromthelongcellar，andfilledboththestoves。
Irememberedthatinthehurryandexcitementofthemorningnobodyhadthoughtofthechickens，andtheeggshadnotbeengathered。
Goingoutthroughthetunnel，Igavethehenstheircorn，emptiedtheicefromtheirdrinking-pan，andfilleditwithwater。
Afterthecathadhadhismilk，Icouldthinkofnothingelsetodo，andIsatdowntogetwarm。Thequietwasdelightful，andthetickingclockwasthemostpleasantofcompanions。
Igot`RobinsonCrusoe\'andtriedtoread，buthislifeontheislandseemeddullcomparedwithours。Presently，asI
lookedwithsatisfactionaboutourcomfortablesitting-room，itflasheduponmethatifMr。Shimerda\'ssoulwerelingeringaboutinthisworldatall，itwouldbehere，inourhouse，whichhadbeenmoretohislikingthananyotherintheneighbourhood。
IrememberedhiscontentedfacewhenhewaswithusonChristmasDay。
Ifhecouldhavelivedwithus，thisterriblethingwouldneverhavehappened。
IknewitwashomesicknessthathadkilledMr。Shimerda，andIwonderedwhetherhisreleasedspiritwouldnoteventuallyfinditswaybacktohisowncountry。IthoughtofhowfaritwastoChicago，andthentoVirginia，toBaltimore——andthenthegreatwintryocean。No，hewouldnotatoncesetoutuponthatlongjourney。Surely，hisexhaustedspirit，sotiredofcoldandcrowdingandthestrugglewiththeever-fallingsnow，wasrestingnowinthisquiethouse。
Iwasnotfrightened，butImadenonoise。Ididnotwishtodisturbhim。
Iwentsoftlydowntothekitchenwhich，tuckedawaysosnuglyunderground，alwaysseemedtometheheartandcentreofthehouse。There，onthebenchbehindthestove，IthoughtandthoughtaboutMr。Shimerda。OutsideIcouldhearthewindsingingoverhundredsofmilesofsnow。ItwasasifIhadlettheoldmaninoutofthetormentingwinter，andweresittingtherewithhim。
IwentoverallthatAntoniahadevertoldmeabouthislifebeforehecametothiscountry；howheusedtoplaythefiddleatweddingsanddances。
Ithoughtaboutthefriendshehadmournedtoleave，thetrombone-player，thegreatforestfullofgame——belonging，asAntoniasaid，tothe`nobles\'——
fromwhichsheandhermotherusedtostealwoodonmoonlightnights。
Therewasawhitehartthatlivedinthatforest，andifanyonekilledit，hewouldbehanged，shesaid。SuchvividpicturescametomethattheymighthavebeenMr。Shimerda\'smemories，notyetfadedoutfromtheairinwhichtheyhadhauntedhim。
Ithadbeguntogrowdarkwhenmyhouseholdreturned，andgrandmotherwassotiredthatshewentatoncetobed。
JakeandIgotsupper，andwhilewewerewashingthedisheshetoldmeinloudwhispersaboutthestateofthingsoverattheShimerdas\'。Nobodycouldtouchthebodyuntilthecoronercame。
Ifanyonedid，somethingterriblewouldhappen，apparently。
Thedeadmanwasfrozenthrough，`justasstiffasadressedturkeyyouhangouttofreeze，\'Jakesaid。Thehorsesandoxenwouldnotgointothebarnuntilhewasfrozensohardthattherewasnolongeranysmellofblood。Theywerestabledtherenow，withthedeadman，becausetherewasnootherplacetokeepthem。
AlightedlanternwaskepthangingoverMr。Shimerda\'shead。
AntoniaandAmbroschandthemothertookturnsgoingdowntopraybesidehim。Thecrazyboywentwiththem，becausehedidnotfeelthecold。Ibelievedhefeltcoldasmuchasanyoneelse，buthelikedtobethoughtinsensibletoit。
Hewasalwayscovetingdistinction，poorMarek！
Ambrosch，Jakesaid，showedmorehumanfeelingthanhewouldhavesupposedhimcapableof，buthewaschieflyconcernedaboutgettingapriest，andabouthisfather\'ssoul，whichhebelievedwasinaplaceoftormentandwouldremainthereuntilhisfamilyandthepriesthadprayedagreatdealforhim。
`AsIunderstandit，\'Jakeconcluded，`itwillbeamatterofyearstoprayhissouloutofPurgatory，andrightnowhe\'sintorment。\'
`Idon\'tbelieveit，\'Isaidstoutly。`Ialmostknowitisn\'ttrue。\'Ididnot，ofcourse，saythatIbelievedhehadbeeninthatverykitchenallafternoon，onhiswaybacktohisowncountry。Nevertheless，afterIwenttobed，thisideaofpunishmentandPurgatorycamebackonmecrushingly。
IrememberedtheaccountofDivesintorment，andshuddered。
ButMr。Shimerdahadnotbeenrichandselfish:
hehadonlybeensounhappythathecouldnotliveanylonger。
XV
OTTOFUCHSGOTbackfromBlackHawkatnoonthenextday。HereportedthatthecoronerwouldreachtheShimerdas\'sometimethatafternoon，butthemissionarypriestwasattheotherendofhisparish，ahundredmilesaway，andthetrainswerenotrunning。Fuchshadgotafewhours\'
sleepattheliverybarnintown，buthewasafraidthegreygeldinghadstrainedhimself。Indeed，hewasneverthesamehorseafterward。
Thatlongtripthroughthedeepsnowhadtakenalltheenduranceoutofhim。
Fuchsbroughthomewithhimastranger，ayoungBohemianwhohadtakenahomesteadnearBlackHawk，andwhocameonhisonlyhorsetohelphisfellowcountrymenintheirtrouble。ThatwasthefirsttimeIeversawAntonJelinek。Hewasastrappingyoungfellowintheearlytwentiesthen，handsome，warm-hearted，andfulloflife，andhecametouslikeamiracleinthemidstofthatgrimbusiness。
Irememberexactlyhowhestrodeintoourkitcheninhisfeltbootsandlongwolfskincoat，hiseyesandcheeksbrightwiththecold。
Atsightofgrandmother，hesnatchedoffhisfurcap，greetingherinadeep，rollingvoicewhichseemedolderthanhe。
`Iwanttothankyouverymuch，Mrs。Burden，forthatyouaresokindtopoorstrangersfrommykawntree。\'
Hedidnothesitatelikeafarmerboy，butlookedoneeagerlyintheeyewhenhespoke。Everythingabouthimwaswarmandspontaneous。
HesaidhewouldhavecometoseetheShimerdasbefore，buthehadhiredouttohuskcornallthefall，andsincewinterbeganhehadbeengoingtotheschoolbythemill，tolearnEnglish，alongwiththelittlechildren。
Hetoldmehehadanice`lady-teacher\'andthathelikedtogotoschool。
AtdinnergrandfathertalkedtoJelinekmorethanheusuallydidtostrangers。
`Willtheybemuchdisappointedbecausewecannotgetapriest？\'heasked。
Jelineklookedserious。
`Yes，sir，thatisverybadforthem。Theirfatherhasdoneagreatsin\'——helookedstraightatgrandfather。
`OurLordhassaidthat。\'
Grandfatherseemedtolikehisfrankness。
`Webelievethat，too，Jelinek。ButwebelievethatMr。Shimerda\'ssoulwillcometoitsCreatoraswelloffwithoutapriest。
WebelievethatChristisouronlyintercessor。\'
Theyoungmanshookhishead。`Iknowhowyouthink。
Myteacherattheschoolhasexplain。ButIhaveseentoomuch。
Ibelieveinprayerforthedead。Ihaveseentoomuch。\'
Weaskedhimwhathemeant。
Heglancedaroundthetable。`YouwantIshalltellyou？WhenIwasalittleboylikethisone，Ibegintohelpthepriestatthealtar。
Imakemyfirstcommunionveryyoung；whattheChurchteachseemplaintome。By\'n\'bywar-timescome，whenthePrussiansfightus。
Wehaveverymanysoldiersincampnearmyvillage，andthecholerabreakoutinthatcamp，andthemendielikeflies。AlldaylongourpriestgoabouttheretogivetheSacramenttodyingmen，andIgowithhimtocarrythevesselswiththeHolySacrament。
Everybodythatgonearthatcampcatchthesicknessbutmeandthepriest。
Butwehavenosickness，wehavenofear，becausewecarrythatbloodandthatbodyofChrist，anditpreserveus。\'Hepaused，lookingatgrandfather。`ThatIknow，Mr。Burden，forithappenedtomyself。
Allthesoldiersknow，too。Whenwewalkalongtheroad，theoldpriestandme，wemeetallthetimesoldiersmarchingandofficersonhorse。
Allthoseofficers，whentheyseewhatIcarryunderthecloth，pulluptheirhorsesandkneeldownonthegroundintheroaduntilwepass。
SoIfeelverybadformykawntree-mantodiewithouttheSacrament，andtodieinabadwayforhissoul，andIfeelsadforhisfamily。\'
Wehadlistenedattentively。Itwasimpossiblenottoadmirehisfrank，manlyfaith。
`Iamalwaysgladtomeetayoungmanwhothinksseriouslyaboutthesethings，\'saidgrandfather，landIwouldneverbetheonetosayyouwerenotinGod\'scarewhenyouwereamongthesoldiers。\'
AfterdinneritwasdecidedthatyoungJelinekshouldhookourtwostrongblackfarm-horsestothescraperandbreakaroadthroughtotheShimerdas\'，sothatawagoncouldgowhenitwasnecessary。
Fuchs，whowastheonlycabinetmakerintheneighbourhoodwassettoworkonacoffin。
Jelinekputonhislongwolfskincoat，andwhenweadmiredit，hetoldusthathehadshotandskinnedthecoyotes，andtheyoungmanwho`batched\'withhim，JanBouska，whohadbeenafur-workerinVienna，madethecoat。FromthewindmillIwatchedJelinekcomeoutofthebarnwiththeblacks，andworkhiswayupthehillsidetowardthecornfield。
Sometimeshewascompletelyhiddenbythecloudsofsnowthatroseabouthim；
thenheandthehorseswouldemergeblackandshining。
Ourheavycarpenter\'sbenchhadtobebroughtfromthebarnandcarrieddownintothekitchen。Fuchsselectedboardsfromapileofplanksgrandfatherhadhauledoutfromtowninthefalltomakeanewfloorfortheoats-bin。Whenatlastthelumberandtoolswereassembled，andthedoorswereclosedagainandthecolddraughtsshutout，grandfatherrodeawaytomeetthecoronerattheShimerdas\'，andFuchstookoffhiscoatandsettleddowntowork。Isatonhisworktableandwatchedhim。
Hedidnottouchhistoolsatfirst，butfiguredforalongwhileonapieceofpaper，andmeasuredtheplanksandmademarksonthem。
Whilehewasthusengaged，hewhistledsoftlytohimself，orteasinglypulledathishalf-ear。Grandmothermovedaboutquietly，soasnottodisturbhim。
Atlasthefoldedhisrulerandturnedacheerfulfacetous。
`Thehardestpartofmyjob\'sdone，\'heannounced。
`It\'stheheadendofitthatcomeshardwithme，especiallywhenI\'moutofpractice。ThelasttimeImadeoneofthese，Mrs。Burden，\'
hecontinued，ashesortedandtriedhischisels，`wasforafellowintheBlackTigerMine，upaboveSilverton，Colorado。
Themouthofthatminegoesrightintothefaceofthecliff，andtheyusedtoputusinabucketandrunusoveronatrolleyandshootusintotheshaft。Thebuckettravelledacrossaboxcanonthreehundredfeetdeep，andaboutathirdfullofwater。
TwoSwedeshadfelloutofthatbucketonce，andhitthewater，feetdown。Ifyou\'llbelieveit，theywenttoworkthenextday。
Youcan\'tkillaSwede。ButinmytimealittleEyetaliantriedthehighdive，anditturnedoutdifferentwithhim。
Wewassnowedinthen，likewearenow，andIhappenedtobetheonlymanincampthatcouldmakeacoffinforhim。
It\'sahandythingtoknow，whenyouknockaboutlikeI\'vedone。\'
`We\'dbehardputtoitnow，ifyoudidn\'tknow，Otto，\'grandmothersaid。
`Yes，\'m，\'Fuchsadmittedwithmodestpride。`Sofewfolksdoesknowhowtomakeagoodtightboxthat\'llturnwater。
Isometimeswonderifthere\'llbeanybodyabouttodoitforme。
However，I\'mnotatallparticularthatway。\'
Allafternoon，whereveronewentinthehouse，onecouldhearthepantingwheezeofthesaworthepleasantpurringoftheplane。
Theyweresuchcheerfulnoises，seemingtopromisenewthingsforlivingpeople:itwasapitythatthosefreshlyplanedpineboardsweretobeputundergroundsosoon。
Thelumberwashardtoworkbecauseitwasfulloffrost，andtheboardsgaveoffasweetsmellofpinewoods，astheheapofyellowshavingsgrewhigherandhigher。
IwonderedwhyFuchshadnotstucktocabinet-work，hesettleddowntoitwithsucheaseandcontent。
Hehandledthetoolsasifhelikedthefeelofthem；
andwhenheplaned，hishandswentbackandforthovertheboardsinaneager，beneficentwayasifhewereblessingthem。
HebrokeoutnowandthenintoGermanhymns，asifthisoccupationbroughtbackoldtimestohim。
Atfouro\'clockMr。Bushy，thepostmaster，withanotherneighbourwholivedeastofus，stoppedintogetwarm。TheywereontheirwaytotheShimerdas\'。Thenewsofwhathadhappenedovertherehadsomehowgotabroadthroughthesnow-blockedcountry。
Grandmothergavethevisitorssugar-cakesandhotcoffee。
Beforethesecallersweregone，thebrotheroftheWidowSteavens，wholivedontheBlackHawkroad，drewupatourdoor，andafterhimcamethefatheroftheGermanfamily，ournearestneighboursonthesouth。Theydismountedandjoinedusinthedining-room。
Theywerealleagerforanydetailsaboutthesuicide，andtheyweregreatlyconcernedastowhereMr。Shimerdawouldbeburied。ThenearestCatholiccemeterywasatBlackHawk，anditmightbeweeksbeforeawagoncouldgetsofar。
Besides，Mr。BushyandgrandmotherweresurethatamanwhohadkilledhimselfcouldnotbeburiedinaCatholicgraveyard。
Therewasaburying-groundoverbytheNorwegianchurch，westofSquawCreek；perhapstheNorwegianswouldtakeMr。Shimerdain。
Afterourvisitorsrodeawayinsinglefileoverthehill，wereturnedtothekitchen。Grandmotherbegantomaketheicingforachocolatecake，andOttoagainfilledthehousewiththeexciting，expectantsongoftheplane。
Onepleasantthingaboutthistimewasthateverybodytalkedmorethanusual。Ihadneverheardthepostmastersayanythingbut`Onlypapers，to-day，\'or，`I\'vegotasackfulofmailforye，\'
untilthisafternoon。Grandmotheralwaystalked，dearwoman:
toherselfortotheLord，iftherewasnooneelsetolisten；
butgrandfatherwasnaturallytaciturn，andJakeandOttowereoftensotiredaftersupperthatIusedtofeelasifI
weresurroundedbyawallofsilence。Noweveryoneseemedeagertotalk。ThatafternoonFuchstoldmestoryafterstory:
abouttheBlackTigerMine，andaboutviolentdeathsandcasualburyings，andthequeerfanciesofdyingmen。
Youneverreallyknewaman，hesaid，untilyousawhimdie。
Mostmenweregame，andwentwithoutagrudge。
Thepostmaster，goinghome，stoppedtosaythatgrandfatherwouldbringthecoronerbackwithhimtospendthenight。
TheofficersoftheNorwegianchurch，hetoldus，hadheldameetinganddecidedthattheNorwegiangraveyardcouldnotextenditshospitalitytoMr。Shimerda。
Grandmotherwasindignant。`Iftheseforeignersaresoclannish，Mr。Bushy，we\'llhavetohaveanAmericangraveyardthatwillbemoreliberal-minded。I\'llgetrightafterJosiahtostartoneinthespring。
Ifanythingwastohappentome，Idon\'twanttheNorwegiansholdinginquisitionsovermetoseewhetherI\'mgoodenoughtobelaidamongst\'em。\'
Soongrandfatherreturned，bringingwithhimAntonJelinek，andthatimportantperson，thecoroner。Hewasamild，flurriedoldman，aCivilWarveteran，withonesleevehangingempty。
Heseemedtofindthiscaseveryperplexing，andsaidifithadnotbeenforgrandfatherhewouldhaveswornoutawarrantagainstKrajiek。
`Thewayheacted，andthewayhisaxefitthewound，wasenoughtoconvictanyman。\'
AlthoughitwasperfectlyclearthatMr。Shimerdahadkilledhimself，JakeandthecoronerthoughtsomethingoughttobedonetoKrajiekbecausehebehavedlikeaguiltyman。
Hewasbadlyfrightened，certainly，andperhapsheevenfeltsomestirringsofremorseforhisindifferencetotheoldman\'smiseryandloneliness。
Atsupperthemenatelikevikings，andthechocolatecake，whichIhadhopedwouldlingeronuntiltomorrowinamutilatedcondition，disappearedonthesecondround。
TheytalkedexcitedlyaboutwheretheyshouldburyMr。Shimerda；
Igatheredthattheneighbourswerealldisturbedandshockedaboutsomething。ItdevelopedthatMrs。ShimerdaandAmbroschwantedtheoldmanburiedonthesouthwestcorneroftheirownland；indeed，undertheverystakethatmarkedthecorner。
GrandfatherhadexplainedtoAmbroschthatsomeday，whenthecountrywasputunderfenceandtheroadswereconfinedtosectionlines，tworoadswouldcrossexactlyonthatcorner。
ButAmbroschonlysaid，`Itmakesnomatter。\'
GrandfatheraskedJelinekwhetherintheoldcountrytherewassomesuperstitiontotheeffectthatasuicidemustbeburiedatthecross-roads。
Jelineksaidhedidn\'tknow；heseemedtorememberhearingtherehadoncebeensuchacustominBohemia。`Mrs。Shimerdaismadeuphermind，\'headded。`Itrytopersuadeher，andsayitlooksbadforhertoalltheneighbours；butshesaysoitmustbe。
“ThereIwillburyhim，ifIdigthegravemyself，“shesay。
IhavetopromiseherIhelpAmbroschmakethegravetomorrow。\'
Grandfathersmoothedhisbeardandlookedjudicial。
`Idon\'tknowwhosewishshoulddecidethematter，ifnothers。
Butifshethinksshewilllivetoseethepeopleofthiscountryrideoverthatoldman\'shead，sheismistaken。\'
XVI
MR。SHIMERDALAYDEADinthebarnfourdays，andonthefifththeyburiedhim。AlldayFridayJelinekwasoffwithAmbroschdiggingthegrave，choppingoutthefrozenearthwitholdaxes。
OnSaturdaywebreakfastedbeforedaylightandgotintothewagonwiththecoffin。JakeandJelinekwentaheadonhorsebacktocutthebodyloosefromthepoolofbloodinwhichitwasfrozenfasttotheground。
WhengrandmotherandIwentintotheShimerdas\'house，wefoundthewomenfolkalone；AmbroschandMarekwereatthebarn。
Mrs。Shimerdasatcrouchingbythestove，Antoniawaswashingdishes。
Whenshesawme，sheranoutofherdarkcornerandthrewherarmsaroundme。`Oh，Jimmy，\'shesobbed，`whatyoutinkformylovelypapa！\'
ItseemedtomethatIcouldfeelherheartbreakingassheclungtome。
Mrs。Shimerda，sittingonthestumpbythestove，keptlookingoverhershouldertowardthedoorwhiletheneighbourswerearriving。
Theycameonhorseback，allexceptthepostmaster，whobroughthisfamilyinawagonovertheonlybrokenwagon-trail。TheWidowSteavensrodeupfromherfarmeightmilesdowntheBlackHawkroad。
Thecolddrovethewomenintothecave-house，anditwassooncrowded。
Afine，sleetysnowwasbeginningtofall，andeveryonewasafraidofanotherstormandanxioustohavetheburialoverwith。
GrandfatherandJelinekcametotellMrs。Shimerdathatitwastimetostart。Afterbundlinghermotherupinclothestheneighbourshadbrought，Antoniaputonanoldcapefromourhouseandtherabbit-skinhatherfatherhadmadeforher。
FourmencarriedMr。Shimerda\'sboxupthehill；Krajiekslunkalongbehindthem。Thecoffinwastoowideforthedoor，soitwasputdownontheslopeoutside。IslippedoutfromthecaveandlookedatMr。Shimerda。Hewaslyingonhisside，withhiskneesdrawnup。Hisbodywasdrapedinablackshawl，andhisheadwasbandagedinwhitemuslin，likeamummy\'s；
oneofhislong，shapelyhandslayoutontheblackcloth；
thatwasallonecouldseeofhim。
Mrs。Shimerdacameoutandplacedanopenprayer-bookagainstthebody，makingthesignofthecrossonthebandagedheadwithherfingers。
Ambroschkneltdownandmadethesamegesture，andafterhimAntoniaandMarek。Yulkahungback。Hermotherpushedherforward，andkeptsayingsomethingtoheroverandover。Yulkakneltdown，shuthereyes，andputoutherhandalittleway，butshedrewitbackandbegantocrywildly。Shewasafraidtotouchthebandage。
Mrs。Shimerdacaughtherbytheshouldersandpushedhertowardthecoffin，butgrandmotherinterfered。
`No，Mrs。Shimerda，\'shesaidfirmly，`Iwon\'tstandbyandseethatchildfrightenedintospasms。
Sheistoolittletounderstandwhatyouwantofher。
Letheralone。\'
Atalookfromgrandfather，FuchsandJelinekplacedthelidonthebox，andbegantonailitdownoverMr。Shimerda。
IwasafraidtolookatAntonia。SheputherarmsroundYulkaandheldthelittlegirlclosetoher。
Thecoffinwasputintothewagon。Wedroveslowlyaway，againstthefine，icysnowwhichcutourfaceslikeasand-blast。Whenwereachedthegrave，itlookedaverylittlespotinthatsnow-coveredwaste。
Thementookthecoffintotheedgeoftheholeandlowereditwithropes。
Westoodaboutwatchingthem，andthepowderysnowlaywithoutmeltingonthecapsandshouldersofthemenandtheshawlsofthewomen。
JelinekspokeinapersuasivetonetoMrs。Shimerda，andthenturnedtograndfather。
`Shesays，Mr。Burden，sheisverygladifyoucanmakesomeprayerforhimhereinEnglish，fortheneighbourstounderstand。\'
Grandmotherlookedanxiouslyatgrandfather。Hetookoffhishat，andtheothermendidlikewise。Ithoughthisprayerremarkable。
Istillrememberit。Hebegan，`Oh，greatandjustGod，nomanamongusknowswhatthesleeperknows，norisitforustojudgewhatliesbetweenhimandThee。\'Heprayedthatifanymantherehadbeenremisstowardthestrangercometoafarcountry，Godwouldforgivehimandsoftenhisheart。
Herecalledthepromisestothewidowandthefatherless，andaskedGodtosmooththewaybeforethiswidowandherchildren，andto`inclinetheheartsofmentodealjustlywithher。\'
Inclosing，hesaidwewereleavingMr。Shimerdaat`Thyjudgmentseat，whichisalsoThymercyseat。\'
Allthetimehewaspraying，grandmotherwatchedhimthroughtheblackfingersofherglove，andwhenhesaid`Amen，\'Ithoughtshelookedsatisfiedwithhim。SheturnedtoOttoandwhispered，`Can\'tyoustartahymn，Fuchs？
Itwouldseemlessheathenish。\'
Fuchsglancedabouttoseeiftherewasgeneralapprovalofhersuggestion，thenbegan，`Jesus，LoverofmySoul，\'
andallthemenandwomentookitupafterhim。WheneverI
haveheardthehymnsince，ithasmademerememberthatwhitewasteandthelittlegroupofpeople；andthebluishair，fulloffine，eddyingsnow，likelongveilsflying:
`Whilethenearerwatersroll，Whilethetempeststillishigh。\'
Yearsafterward，whentheopen-grazingdayswereover，andtheredgrasshadbeenploughedunderandunderuntilithadalmostdisappearedfromtheprairie；whenallthefieldswereunderfence，andtheroadsnolongerranaboutlikewildthings，butfollowedthesurveyedsection-lines，Mr。Shimerda\'sgravewasstillthere，withasaggingwirefencearoundit，andanunpaintedwoodencross。Asgrandfatherhadpredicted，Mrs。Shimerdaneversawtheroadsgoingoverhishead。
Theroadfromthenorthcurvedalittletotheeastjustthere，andtheroadfromthewestswungoutalittletothesouth；
sothatthegrave，withitstallredgrassthatwasnevermowed，waslikealittleisland；andattwilight，underanewmoonorthecleareveningstar，thedustyroadsusedtolooklikesoftgreyriversflowingpastit。Inevercameupontheplacewithoutemotion，andinallthatcountryitwasthespotmostdeartome。Ilovedthedimsuperstition，thepropitiatoryintent，thathadputthegravethere；andstillmoreIlovedthespiritthatcouldnotcarryoutthesentence——
theerrorfromthesurveyedlines，theclemencyofthesoftearthroadsalongwhichthehome-comingwagonsrattledaftersunset。
Neveratireddriverpassedthewoodencross，Iamsure，withoutwishingwelltothesleeper。
XVII
WHENSPRINGCAME，AFTERthathardwinter，onecouldnotgetenoughofthenimbleair。EverymorningIwakenedwithafreshconsciousnessthatwinterwasover。TherewerenoneofthesignsofspringforwhichIusedtowatchinVirginia，nobuddingwoodsorbloominggardens。Therewasonly——springitself；thethrobofit，thelightrestlessness，thevitalessenceofiteverywhere:
inthesky，intheswiftclouds，inthepalesunshine，andinthewarm，highwind——risingsuddenly，sinkingsuddenly，impulsiveandplayfullikeabigpuppythatpawedyouandthenlaydowntobepetted。
IfIhadbeentosseddownblindfoldonthatredprairie，Ishouldhaveknownthatitwasspring。
Everywherenowtherewasthesmellofburninggrass。
Ourneighboursburnedofftheirpasturebeforethenewgrassmadeastart，sothatthefreshgrowthwouldnotbemixedwiththedeadstandoflastyear。Thoselight，swiftfires，runningaboutthecountry，seemedapartofthesamekindlingthatwasintheair。
TheShimerdaswereintheirnewloghousebythen。
TheneighbourshadhelpedthemtobuilditinMarch。Itstooddirectlyinfrontoftheiroldcave，whichtheyusedasacellar。
Thefamilywerenowfairlyequippedtobegintheirstrugglewiththesoil。Theyhadfourcomfortableroomstolivein，anewwindmill——boughtoncredit——achicken-houseandpoultry。
Mrs。Shimerdahadpaidgrandfathertendollarsforamilkcow，andwastogivehimfifteenmoreassoonastheyharvestedtheirfirstcrop。
WhenIrodeuptotheShimerdas\'onebrightwindyafternooninApril，Yulkaranouttomeetme。Itwastoher，now，thatI
gavereadinglessons；Antoniawasbusywithotherthings。
ItiedmyponyandwentintothekitchenwhereMrs。Shimerdawasbakingbread，chewingpoppyseedsassheworked。
BythistimeshecouldspeakenoughEnglishtoaskmeagreatmanyquestionsaboutwhatourmenweredoinginthefields。
Sheseemedtothinkthatmyelderswithheldhelpfulinformation，andthatfrommeshemightgetvaluablesecrets。Onthisoccasionsheaskedmeverycraftilywhengrandfatherexpectedtobeginplantingcorn。Itoldher，addingthathethoughtweshouldhaveadryspringandthatthecornwouldnotbeheldbackbytoomuchrain，asithadbeenlastyear。
Shegavemeashrewdglance。`HenotJesus，\'sheblustered；
`henotknowaboutthewetandthedry。
Ididnotanswerher；whatwastheuse？AsIsatwaitingforthehourwhenAmbroschandAntoniawouldreturnfromthefields，IwatchedMrs。Shimerdaatherwork。
Shetookfromtheovenacoffee-cakewhichshewantedtokeepwarmforsupper，andwrappeditinaquiltstuffedwithfeathers。
Ihaveseenherputevenaroastgooseinthisquilttokeepithot。
Whentheneighboursweretherebuildingthenewhouse，theysawherdothis，andthestorygotabroadthattheShimerdaskepttheirfoodintheirfeatherbeds。
Whenthesunwasdroppinglow，Antoniacameupthebigsouthdrawwithherteam。Howmucholdershehadgrownineightmonths！
Shehadcometousachild，andnowshewasatall，strongyounggirl，althoughherfifteenthbirthdayhadjustslippedby。Iranoutandmetherasshebroughtherhorsesuptothewindmilltowaterthem。
Sheworethebootsherfatherhadsothoughtfullytakenoffbeforeheshothimself，andhisoldfurcap。Heroutgrowncottondressswitchedabouthercalves，overtheboot-tops。Shekepthersleevesrolledupallday，andherarmsandthroatwereburnedasbrownasasailor\'s。Herneckcameupstronglyoutofhershoulders，liketheboleofatreeoutoftheturf。Oneseesthatdraught-horseneckamongthepeasantwomeninalloldcountries。
Shegreetedmegaily，andbeganatoncetotellmehowmuchploughingshehaddonethatday。Ambrosch，shesaid，wasonthenorthquarter，breakingsodwiththeoxen。
`Jim，youaskJakehowmuchheploughedto-day。Idon\'twantthatJakegetmoredoneinonedaythanme。
Iwantwehaveverymuchcornthisfall。\'
Whilethehorsesdrewinthewater，andnosedeachother，andthendrankagain，Antoniasatdownonthewindmillstepandrestedherheadonherhand。
`Youseethebigprairiefirefromyourplacelastnight？
Ihopeyourgrandpaain\'tlosenostacks？\'
`No，wedidn\'t。Icametoaskyousomething，Tony。
Grandmotherwantstoknowifyoucan\'tgotothetermofschoolthatbeginsnextweekoveratthesodschoolhouse。
Shesaysthere\'sagoodteacher，andyou\'dlearnalot。\'
Antoniastoodup，liftinganddroppinghershouldersasiftheywerestiff。`Iain\'tgottimetolearn。Icanworklikemansnow。
Mymothercan\'tsaynomorehowAmbroschdoallandnobodytohelphim。
Icanworkasmuchashim。Schoolisallrightforlittleboys。
Ihelpmakethislandonegoodfarm。\'
Shecluckedtoherteamandstartedforthebarn。Iwalkedbesideher，feelingvexed。Wasshegoingtogrowupboastfullikehermother，Iwondered？Beforewereachedthestable，Ifeltsomethingtenseinhersilence，andglancingupIsawthatshewascrying。
Sheturnedherfacefrommeandlookedoffattheredstreakofdyinglight，overthedarkprairie。
Iclimbedupintotheloftandthrewdownthehayforher，whilesheunharnessedherteam。Wewalkedslowlybacktowardthehouse。
Ambroschhadcomeinfromthenorthquarter，andwaswateringhisoxenatthetank。
Antoniatookmyhand。`Sometimeyouwilltellmeallthosenicethingsyoulearnattheschool，won\'tyou，Jimmy？\'sheaskedwithasuddenrushoffeelinginhervoice。`Myfather，hewentmuchtoschool。
Heknowagreatdeal；howtomakethefineclothlikewhatyounotgothere。
Heplayhornandviolin，andhereadsomanybooksthatthepriestsinBohemiecometotalktohim。Youwon\'tforgetmyfather，Jim？\'
`No，\'Isaid，`Iwillneverforgethim。\'
Mrs。Shimerdaaskedmetostayforsupper。AfterAmbroschandAntoniahadwashedthefielddustfromtheirhandsandfacesatthewash-basinbythekitchendoor，wesatdownattheoilcloth-coveredtable。
Mrs。Shimerdaladledmealmushoutofanironpotandpouredmilkonit。Afterthemushwehadfreshbreadandsorghummolasses，andcoffeewiththecakethathadbeenkeptwarminthefeathers。
AntoniaandAmbroschweretalkinginBohemian；disputingaboutwhichofthemhaddonemoreploughingthatday。Mrs。Shimerdaeggedthemon，chucklingwhileshegobbledherfood。
PresentlyAmbroschsaidsullenlyinEnglish:`Youtakethemoxtomorrowandtrythesodplough。Thenyounotbesosmart。\'
Hissisterlaughed。`Don\'tbemad。Iknowit\'sawfulhardworkforbreaksod。Imilkthecowforyoutomorrow，ifyouwant。\'
Mrs。Shimerdaturnedquicklytome。`Thatcownotgivesomuchmilklikewhatyourgrandpasay。Ifhemaketalkaboutfifteendollars，Isendhimbackthecow。\'
`Hedoesn\'ttalkaboutthefifteendollars，\'Iexclaimedindignantly。
`Hedoesn\'tfindfaultwithpeople。\'
`HesayIbreakhissawwhenwebuild，andInever，\'grumbledAmbrosch。
Iknewhehadbrokenthesaw，andthenhiditandliedaboutit。IbegantowishIhadnotstayedforsupper。
Everythingwasdisagreeabletome。Antoniaatesonoisilynow，likeaman，andsheyawnedoftenatthetableandkeptstretchingherarmsoverherhead，asiftheyached。
Grandmotherhadsaid，`Heavyfieldwork\'llspoilthatgirl。
She\'llloseallhernicewaysandgetroughones。\'
Shehadlostthemalready。
AftersupperIrodehomethroughthesad，softspringtwilight。
SincewinterIhadseenverylittleofAntonia。
Shewasoutinthefieldsfromsunupuntilsundown。
IfIrodeovertoseeherwhereshewasploughing，shestoppedattheendofarowtochatforamoment，thengrippedherplough-handles，cluckedtoherteam，andwadedondownthefurrow，makingmefeelthatshewasnowgrownupandhadnotimeforme。
OnSundaysshehelpedhermothermakegardenorsewedallday。
GrandfatherwaspleasedwithAntonia。Whenwecomplainedofher，heonlysmiledandsaid，`Shewillhelpsomefellowgetaheadintheworld。\'
NowadaysTonycouldtalkofnothingbutthepricesofthings，orhowmuchshecouldliftandendure。Shewastooproudofherstrength。
Iknew，too，thatAmbroschputuponhersomechoresagirloughtnottodo，andthatthefarm-handsaroundthecountryjokedinanastywayaboutit。WheneverIsawhercomeupthefurrow，shoutingtoherbeasts，sunburned，sweaty，herdressopenattheneck，andherthroatandchestdust-plastered，IusedtothinkofthetoneinwhichpoorMr。Shimerda，whocouldsaysolittle，yetmanagedtosaysomuchwhenheexclaimed，`MyAntonia！\'
XVIII
AFTERIBEGANTOgotothecountryschool，IsawlessoftheBohemians。
Weweresixteenpupilsatthesodschoolhouse，andweallcameonhorsebackandbroughtourdinner。Myschoolmateswerenoneofthemveryinteresting，butIsomehowfeltthat，byTakingcomradesofthem，IwasgettingevenwithAntoniaforherindifference。Sincethefather\'sdeath，Ambroschwasmorethanevertheheadofthehouse，andheseemedtodirectthefeelingsaswellasthefortunesofhiswomenfolk。
Antoniaoftenquotedhisopinionstome，andsheletmeseethatsheadmiredhim，whileshethoughtofmeonlyasalittleboy。Beforethespringwasover，therewasadistinctcoldnessbetweenusandtheShimerdas。
Itcameaboutinthisway。
OneSundayIrodeovertherewithJaketogetahorse-collarwhichAmbroschhadborrowedfromhimandhadnotreturned。
Itwasabeautifulbluemorning。Thebuffalo-peaswerebloominginpinkandpurplemassesalongtheroadside，andthelarks，perchedonlastyear\'sdriedsunflowerstalks，weresingingstraightatthesun，theirheadsthrownbackandtheiryellowbreastsa-quiver。Thewindblewaboutusinwarm，sweetgusts。
Werodeslowly，withapleasantsenseofSundayindolence。
WefoundtheShimerdasworkingjustasifitwereaweek-day。Marekwascleaningoutthestable，andAntoniaandhermotherweremakinggarden，offacrossthepondinthedraw-head。Ambroschwasuponthewindmilltower，oilingthewheel。Hecamedown，notverycordially。WhenJakeaskedforthecollar，hegruntedandscratchedhishead。Thecollarbelongedtograndfather，ofcourse，andJake，feelingresponsibleforit，flaredup。
`Now，don\'tyousayyouhaven\'tgotit，Ambrosch，becauseIknowyouhave，andifyouain\'ta-goingtolookforit，Iwill。\'
Ambroschshruggedhisshouldersandsauntereddownthehilltowardthestable。Icouldseethatitwasoneofhismeandays。
Presentlyhereturned，carryingacollarthathadbeenbadlyused——
trampledinthedirtandgnawedbyratsuntilthehairwasstickingoutofit。
`Thiswhatyouwant？\'heaskedsurlily。
Jakejumpedoffhishorse。Isawawaveofredcomeupundertheroughstubbleonhisface。`Thatain\'tthepieceofharnessIloanedyou，Ambrosch；or，ifitis，you\'veuseditshameful。
