第1章

byOliveSchreinerALittleAfricanStorybyOliveSchreinerDedication。

ToMyBrotherFred，Forwhoselittleschoolmagazinethefirstofthesetinystories——oneofthefirstIevermade——waswrittenoutmanylongyearsago。

O。S。

NewCollege，Eastbourne，Sept。29，1893。

Contents。

I。DreamLifeandRealLife；aLittleAfricanStory。

II。TheWoman’sRose。

III。"ThePolicyinFavourofProtection——"。

Kopjes—Inthekaroo，arehillocksofstones，thatriseupsinglyorinclusters，hereandthere；presentingsometimesthefantasticappearanceofoldruinedcastlesorgiantgraves，theworkofhumanhands。

Kraal—Asheepfold。

Krantz—Aprecipice。

Sluit—Adeepfissure，generallydry，inwhichthesuperfluoustorrentsofwaterarecarriedfromthekarooplainsafterthunderstorms。

Stoep—Aporch。

I。DREAMLIFEANDREALLIFE；ALITTLEAFRICANSTORY。

LittleJannitasatalonebesideamilk—bush。Beforeherandbehindherstretchedtheplain，coveredwithredsandandthornykaroobushes；andhereandthereamilk—bush，lookinglikeabundleofpalegreenrodstiedtogether。Notatreewastobeseenanywhere，exceptonthebanksoftheriver，andthatwasfaraway，andthesunbeatonherhead。RoundherfedtheAngoragoatsshewasherding；prettythings，especiallythelittleones，withwhitesilkycurlsthattouchedtheground。ButJannitasatcrying。Ifanangelshouldgatherupinhiscupallthetearsthathavebeenshed，Ithinkthebitterestwouldbethoseofchildren。

Byandbyshewassotired，andthesunwassohot，shelaidherheadagainstthemilk—bush，anddroppedasleep。

Shedreamedabeautifuldream。Shethoughtthatwhenshewentbacktothefarmhouseintheevening，thewallswerecoveredwithvinesandroses，andthekraalswerenotmadeofredstone，butoflilactreesfullofblossom。

AndthefatoldBoersmiledather；andthestickheheldacrossthedoor，forthegoatstojumpover，wasalilyrodwithsevenblossomsattheend。

Whenshewenttothehousehermistressgaveherawholeroaster—cakeforhersupper，andthemistress’sdaughterhadstuckaroseinthecake；andhermistress’sson—in—lawsaid，"Thankyou！"whenshepulledoffhisboots，anddidnotkickher。

Itwasabeautifuldream。

Whileshelaythusdreaming，oneofthelittlekidscameandlickedheronhercheek，becauseofthesaltfromherdried—uptears。Andinherdreamshewasnotapoorindenturedchildanymore，livingwithBoers。Itwasherfatherwhokissedher。Hesaidhehadonlybeenasleep——thatdaywhenhelaydownunderthethorn—bush；hehadnotreallydied。Hefeltherhair，andsaiditwasgrownlongandsilky，andhesaidtheywouldgobacktoDenmarknow。Heaskedherwhyherfeetwerebare，andwhatthemarksonherbackwere。Thenheputherheadonhisshoulder，andpickedherup，andcarriedheraway，away！Shelaughed——shecouldfeelherfaceagainsthisbrownbeard。Hisarmsweresostrong。

Asshelaytheredreaming，withtheantsrunningoverhernakedfeet，andwithherbrowncurlslyinginthesand，aHottentotcameuptoher。Hewasdressedinraggedyellowtrousers，andadirtyshirt，andtornjacket。Hehadaredhandkerchiefroundhishead，andafelthatabovethat。Hisnosewasflat，hiseyeslikeslits，andthewoolonhisheadwasgatheredintolittleroundballs。Hecametothemilk—bush，andlookedatthelittlegirllyinginthehotsun。Thenhewalkedoff，andcaughtoneofthefattestlittleAngoragoats，andhelditsmouthfast，ashestuckitunderhisarm。Helookedbacktoseethatshewasstillsleeping，andjumpeddownintooneofthesluits。Hewalkeddownthebedofthesluitalittlewayandcametoanoverhangingbank，underwhich，sittingontheredsand，weretwomen。Onewasatiny，ragged，oldbushman，fourfeethigh；theotherwasanEnglishnavvy，inadarkblueblouse。Theycutthekid’sthroatwiththenavvy’slongknife，andcoveredupthebloodwithsand，andburiedtheentrailsandskin。Thentheytalked，andquarrelledalittle；andthentheytalkedquietlyagain。

TheHottentotmanputalegofthekidunderhiscoatandlefttherestofthemeatforthetwointhesluit，andwalkedaway。

WhenlittleJannitaawokeitwasalmostsunset。Shesatupveryfrightened，buthergoatswereallabouther。Shebegantodrivethemhome。"Idonotthinkthereareanylost，"shesaid。

Dirk，theHottentot，hadbroughthisflockhomealready，andstoodatthekraaldoorwithhisraggedyellowtrousers。ThefatoldBoerputhisstickacrossthedoor，andletJannita’sgoatsjumpover，onebyone。Hecountedthem。Whenthelastjumpedover："Haveyoubeentosleeptoday？"hesaid；

"thereisonemissing。"

ThenlittleJannitaknewwhatwascoming，andshesaid，inalowvoice，"No。"Andthenshefeltinherheartthatdeadlysicknessthatyoufeelwhenyoutellalie；andagainshesaid，"Yes。"

"Doyouthinkyouwillhaveanysupperthisevening？"saidtheBoer。

"No，"saidJannita。

"Whatdoyouthinkyouwillhave？"

"Idon’tknow，"saidJannita。

"Givemeyourwhip，"saidtheBoertoDirk，theHottentot……

Themoonwasallbutfullthatnight。Oh，butitslightwasbeautiful！

Thelittlegirlcrepttothedooroftheouthousewheresheslept，andlookedatit。Whenyouarehungry，andvery，verysore，youdonotcry。

Sheleanedherchinononehand，andlooked，withhergreatdove’seyes——

theotherhandwascutopen，soshewrappeditinherpinafore。Shelookedacrosstheplainatthesandandthelowkaroo—bushes，withthemoonlightonthem。

Presently，therecameslowly，fromfaraway，awildspringbuck。Itcameclosetothehouse，andstoodlookingatitinwonder，whilethemoonlightglintedonitshorns，andinitsgreateyes。Itstoodwonderingattheredbrickwalls，andthegirlwatchedit。Then，suddenly，asifitscorneditall，itcurveditsbeautifulbackandturned；andawayitfledoverthebushesandsand，likeasheenystreakofwhitelightning。Shestooduptowatchit。Sofree，sofree！Away，away！Shewatched，tillshecouldseeitnomoreonthewideplain。

Herheartswelled，larger，larger，larger：sheutteredalowcry；andwithoutwaiting，pausing，thinking，shefollowedonitstrack。Away，away，away！"I——Ialso！"shesaid，"I——Ialso！"

Whenatlastherlegsbegantotrembleunderher，andshestoppedtobreathe，thehousewasaspeckbehindher。Shedroppedontheearth，andheldherpantingsides。

Shebegantothinknow。

Ifshestayedontheplaintheywouldtraceherfootstepsinthemorningandcatchher；butifshewadedinthewaterinthebedoftherivertheywouldnotbeabletofindherfootmarks；andshewouldhide，therewheretherocksandthekopjeswere。

Soshestoodupandwalkedtowardstheriver。Thewaterintheriverwaslow；justalineofsilverinthebroadbedofsand，hereandtherebroadeningintoapool。Shesteppedintoit，andbathedherfeetinthedeliciouscoldwater。Upandupthestreamshewalked，whereitrattledoverthepebbles，andpastwherethefarmhouselay；andwheretherockswerelargesheleapedfromonetotheother。Thenightwindinherfacemadeherstrong——shelaughed。Shehadneverfeltsuchnightwindbefore。

Sothenightsmellstothewildbucks，becausetheyarefree！Afreethingfeelsasachainedthingnevercan。

Atlastshecametoaplacewherethewillowsgrewoneachsideoftheriver，andtrailedtheirlongbranchesonthesandybed。Shecouldnottellwhy，shecouldnottellthereason，butafeelingoffearcameoverher。

Ontheleftbankroseachainofkopjesandaprecipiceofrocks。Betweentheprecipiceandtheriverbanktherewasanarrowpathcoveredbythefragmentsoffallenrock。Anduponthesummitoftheprecipiceakippersoltreegrew，whosepalm—likeleaveswereclearlycutoutagainstthenightsky。Therockscastadeepshadow，andthewillowtrees，oneithersideoftheriver。Shepaused，lookedupandabouther，andthenranon，fearful。

"WhatwasIafraidof？HowfoolishIhavebeen！"shesaid，whenshecametoaplacewherethetreeswerenotsoclosetogether。Andshestoodstillandlookedbackandshivered。

Atlastherstepsgrewwearierandwearier。Shewasverysleepynow，shecouldscarcelyliftherfeet。Shesteppedoutoftheriver—bed。Sheonlysawthattherocksaboutherwerewild，asthoughmanylittlekopjeshadbeenbrokenupandstrewnupontheground，laydownatthefootofanaloe，andfellasleep……

But，inthemorning，shesawwhatagloriousplaceitwas。Therockswerepiledononeanother，andtossedthiswayandthat。Pricklypearsgrewamongthem，andtherewerenolessthansixkippersoltreesscatteredhereandthereamongthebrokenkopjes。Intherockstherewerehundredsofhomesfortheconies，andfromthecreviceswildasparagushungdown。Sherantotheriver，bathedintheclearcoldwater，andtosseditoverherhead。Shesangaloud。Allthesongssheknewweresad，soshecouldnotsingthemnow，shewasglad，shewassofree；butshesangthenoteswithoutthewords，asthecock—o—veetsdo。Singingandjumpingalltheway，shewentback，andtookasharpstone，andcutattherootofakippersol，andgotoutalargepiece，aslongasherarm，andsattochewit。Twoconiescameoutontherockaboveherheadandpeepedather。Sheheldthemoutapiece，buttheydidnotwantit，andranaway。

Itwasverydelicioustoher。Kippersolislikerawquince，whenitisverygreen；butshelikedit。Whengoodfoodisthrownatyoubyotherpeople，strangetosay，itisverybitter；butwhateveryoufindyourselfissweet！

Whenshehadfinishedshedugoutanotherpiece，andwenttolookforapantrytoputitin。Atthetopofaheapofrocksupwhichsheclamberedshefoundthatsomelargestonesstoodapartbutmetatthetop，makingaroom。

"Oh，thisismylittlehome！"shesaid。

Atthetopandallrounditwasclosed，onlyinthefrontitwasopen。

Therewasabeautifulshelfinthewallforthekippersol，andshescrambleddownagain。Shebroughtagreatbunchofpricklypear，andstuckitinacrevicebeforethedoor，andhungwildasparagusoverit，tillitlookedasthoughitgrewthere。Noonecouldseethattherewasaroomthere，forsheleftonlyatinyopening，andhungabranchoffeatheryasparagusoverit。Thenshecreptintoseehowitlooked。Therewasaglorioussoftgreenlight。Thenshewentoutandpickedsomeofthosepurplelittlegroundflowers——youknowthem——thosethatkeeptheirfacesclosetotheground，butwhenyouturnthemupandlookatthemtheyaredeepblueeyeslookingintoyours！Shetookthemwithalittleearth，andputtheminthecrevicesbetweentherocks；andsotheroomwasquitefurnished。Afterwardsshewentdowntotheriverandbroughtherarmsfullofwillow，andmadealovelybed；and，becausetheweatherwasveryhot，shelaydowntorestuponit。

Shewenttosleepsoon，andsleptlong，forshewasveryweak。Lateintheafternoonshewasawakenedbyafewcolddropsfallingonherface。Shesatup。Agreatandfiercethunderstormhadbeenraging，andafewofthecooldropshadfallenthroughthecreviceintherocks。Shepushedtheasparagusbranchaside，andlookedout，withherlittlehandsfoldedaboutherknees。Sheheardthethunderrolling，andsawtheredtorrentsrushamongthestonesontheirwaytotheriver。Sheheardtheroaroftheriverasitnowrolled，angryandred，bearingawaystumpsandtreesonitsmuddywater。Shelistenedandsmiled，andpressedclosertotherockthattookcareofher。Shepressedthepalmofherhandagainstit。Whenyouhavenoonetoloveyou，youlovethedumbthingsverymuch。Whenthesunset，itclearedup。Thenthelittlegirlatesomekippersol，andlaydownagaintosleep。Shethoughttherewasnothingsoniceastosleep。Whenonehashadnofoodbutkippersoljuicefortwodays，onedoesn’tfeelstrong。

"Itissonicehere，"shethoughtasshewenttosleep，"Iwillstayherealways。"

Afterwardsthemoonrose。Theskywasveryclearnow，therewasnotacloudanywhere；andthemoonshoneinthroughthebushesinthedoor，andmadealattice—workoflightonherface。Shewasdreamingabeautifuldream。Theloveliestdreamsofallaredreamedwhenyouarehungry。Shethoughtshewaswalkinginabeautifulplace，holdingherfather’shand，andtheybothhadcrownsontheirheads，crownsofwildasparagus。Thepeoplewhomtheypassedsmiledandkissedher；somegaveherflowers，andsomegaveherfood，andthesunlightwaseverywhere。Shedreamedthesamedreamoverandover，anditgrewmoreandmorebeautiful；till，suddenly，itseemedasthoughshewerestandingquitealone。Shelookedup：ononesideofherwasthehighprecipice，ontheotherwastheriver，withthewillowtrees，droopingtheirbranchesintothewater；andthemoonlightwasoverall。Up，againstthenightskythepointedleavesofthekippersoltreeswereclearlymarked，andtherocksandthewillowtreescastdarkshadows。

Inhersleepsheshivered，andhalfawoke。

"Ah，Iamnotthere，Iamhere，"shesaid；andshecreptclosertotherock，andkissedit，andwenttosleepagain。

Itmusthavebeenaboutthreeo’clock，forthemoonhadbeguntosinktowardsthewesternsky，whenshewoke，withaviolentstart。Shesatup，andpressedherhandagainstherheart。

"Whatcanitbe？Aconymustsurelyhaverunacrossmyfeetandfrightenedme！"shesaid，andsheturnedtoliedownagain；butsoonshesatup。

Outside，therewasthedistinctsoundofthornscracklinginafire。

Shecrepttothedoorandmadeanopeninginthebrancheswithherfingers。

Alargefirewasblazingintheshadow，atthefootoftherocks。AlittleBushmansatoversomeburningcoalsthathadbeenrakedfromit，cookingmeat。StretchedonthegroundwasanEnglishman，dressedinablouse，andwithaheavy，sullenface。OnthestonebesidehimwasDirk，theHottentot，sharpeningabowieknife。

Sheheldherbreath。Notaconyinalltherockswassostill。

"Theycanneverfindmehere，"shesaid；andsheknelt，andlistenedtoeverywordtheysaid。Shecouldhearitall。

"Youmayhaveallthemoney，"saidtheBushman；"butIwantthecaskofbrandy。Iwillsettheroofalightinsixplaces，foraDutchmanburntmymotheroncealiveinahut，withthreechildren。"

"Youaresurethereisnooneelseonthefarm？"saidthenavvy。

"No，IhavetoldyoutillIamtired，"saidDirk；"ThetwoKaffirshavegonewiththesontotown；andthemaidshavegonetoadance；thereisonlytheoldmanandthetwowomenleft。"

"Butsuppose，"saidthenavvy，"heshouldhavethegunathisbedside，andloaded！"

"Heneverhas，"saidDirk；"ithangsinthepassage，andthecartridgestoo。Heneverthoughtwhenheboughtitwhatworkitwasfor！Ionlywishthelittlewhitegirlwastherestill，"saidDirk；"butsheisdrowned。Wetracedherfootmarkstothegreatpoolthathasnobottom。"

Shelistenedtoeveryword，andtheytalkedon。

Afterwards，thelittleBushman，whocrouchedoverthefire，satupsuddenly，listening。

"Ha！whatisthat？"hesaid。

ABushmanislikeadog：hisearissofineheknowsajackal’streadfromawilddog’s。

"Iheardnothing，"saidthenavvy。

"Iheard，"saidtheHottentot；"butitwasonlyaconyontherocks。"

"Nocony，nocony，"saidtheBushman；"see，whatisthattheremovingintheshaderoundthepoint？"

"Nothing，youidiot！"saidthenavvy。"Finishyourmeat；wemuststartnow。"

Thereweretworoadstothehomestead。Onewentalongtheopenplain，andwasbyfartheshortest；butyoumightbeseenhalfamileoff。Theotherranalongtheriverbank，wheretherewererocks，andholes，andwillowtreestohideamong。Andalldowntheriverbankranalittlefigure。

Theriverwasswollenbythestormfulltoitsbanks，andthewillowtreesdippedtheirhalf—drownedbranchesintoitswater。Wherevertherewasagapbetweenthem，youcouldseeitflow，redandmuddy，withthestumpsuponit。Butthelittlefigureranonandon；neverlooking，neverthinking；panting，panting！There，wheretherockswerethethickest；

there，whereontheopenspacethemoonlightshone；there，wherethepricklypearsweretangled，andtherockscastshadows，onitran；thelittlehandsclinched，thelittleheartbeating，theeyesfixedalwaysahead。

Itwasnotfartorunnow。Onlythenarrowpathbetweenthehighrocksandtheriver。

Atlastshecametotheendofit，andstoodforaninstant。Beforeherlaytheplain，andtheredfarmhouse，sonear，thatifpersonshadbeenwalkingthereyoumighthaveseentheminthemoonlight。Sheclaspedherhands。"Yes，Iwilltellthem，Iwilltellthem！"shesaid；"Iamalmostthere！"Sheranforwardagain，thenhesitated。Sheshadedhereyesfromthemoonlight，andlooked。Betweenherandthefarmhousetherewerethreefiguresmovingoverthelowbushes。

Inthesheenymoonlightyoucouldseehowtheymovedon，slowlyandfurtively；theshortone，andtheoneinlightclothes，andtheoneindark。

"Icannothelpthemnow！"shecried，andsankdownontheground，withherlittlehandsclaspedbeforeher……

"Awake，awake！"saidthefarmer’swife；"Ihearastrangenoise；somethingcalling，calling，calling！"

Themanrose，andwenttothewindow。

"Ihearitalso，"hesaid；"surelysomejackal’satthesheep。Iwillloadmygunandgoandsee。"

"Itsoundstomelikethecryofnojackal，"saidthewoman；andwhenhewasgoneshewokeherdaughter。

"Come，letusgoandmakeafire，Icansleepnomore，"shesaid；"Ihaveheardastrangethingtonight。Yourfathersaiditwasajackal’scry，butnojackalcriesso。Itwasachild’svoice，anditcried，’Master，master，wake！’"

Thewomenlookedateachother；thentheywenttothekitchen，andmadeagreatfire；andtheysangpsalmsallthewhile。

Atlastthemancameback；andtheyaskedhim，"Whathaveyouseen？"

"Nothing，"hesaid，"butthesheepasleepintheirkraals，andthemoonlightonthewalls。Andyet，itdidseemtome，"headded，"thatfarawaynearthekrantzbytheriver，Isawthreefiguresmoving。Andafterwards——itmighthavebeenfancy——IthoughtIheardthecryagain；butsincethat，allhasbeenstillthere。"……

Nextdayanavvyhadreturnedtotherailwayworks。

"Wherehaveyoubeensolong？"hiscomradesasked。

"Hekeepslookingoverhisshoulder，"saidone，"asthoughhethoughtheshouldseesomethingthere。"

"Whenhedrankhisgrogtoday，"saidanother，"heletitfall，andlookedround。"

Nextday，asmalloldBushman，andaHottentot，inraggedyellowtrousers，wereatawaysidecanteen。WhentheBushmanhadhadbrandy，hebegantotellhowsomething（hedidnotsaywhetheritwasman，woman，orchild）hadliftedupitshandsandcriedformercy；hadkissedawhiteman’shands，andcriedtohimtohelpit。ThentheHottentottooktheBushmanbythethroat，anddraggedhimout。

Nextnight，themoonroseup，andmountedthequietsky。Shewasfullnow，andlookedinatthelittlehome；atthepurpleflowersstuckabouttheroom，andthekippersolontheshelf。Herlightfellonthewillowtrees，andonthehighrocks，andonalittlenew—madeheapofearthandroundstones。Threemenknewwhatwasunderit；andnooneelseeverwill。

LilyKloof，SouthAfrica。

II。THEWOMAN’SROSE。

Ihaveanold，browncarvedbox；thelidisbrokenandtiedwithastring。

InitIkeeplittlesquaresofpaper，withhairinside，andalittlepicturewhichhungovermybrother’sbedwhenwewerechildren，andotherthingsassmall。Ihaveinitarose。Otherwomenalsohavesuchboxeswheretheykeepsuchtrifles，butnoonehasmyrose。

Whenmyeyeisdim，andmyheartgrowsfaint，andmyfaithinwomanflickers，andherpresentisanagonytome，andherfutureadespair，thescentofthatdeadrose，witheredfortwelveyears，comesbacktome。I

knowtherewillbespring；assurelyasthebirdsknowitwhentheyseeabovethesnowtwotiny，quiveringgreenleaves。Springcannotfailus。

Therewereotherflowersintheboxonce；abunchofwhiteacaciaflowers，gatheredbythestronghandofaman，aswepasseddownavillagestreetonasultryafternoon，whenithadrained，andthedropsfellonusfromtheleavesoftheacaciatrees。Theflowersweredamp；theymademildewmarksonthepaperIfoldedthemin。AftermanyyearsIthrewthemaway。Thereisnothingofthemleftintheboxnow，butafaint，strongsmellofdriedacacia，thatrecallsthatsultrysummerafternoon；buttheroseisintheboxstill。

Itismanyyearsagonow；Iwasagirloffifteen，andIwenttovisitinasmallup—countrytown。Itwasyounginthosedays，andtwodays’journeyfromthenearestvillage；thepopulationconsistedmainlyofmen。Afewweremarried，andhadtheirwivesandchildren，butmostweresingle。

TherewasonlyoneyounggirltherewhenIcame。Shewasaboutseventeen，fair，andratherfully—fleshed；shehadlargedreamyblueeyes，andwavylighthair；full，ratherheavylips，untilshesmiled；thenherfacebrokeintodimples，andallherwhiteteethshone。Thehotel—keepermayhavehadadaughter，andthefarmerintheoutskirtshadtwo，butweneversawthem。

Shereignedalone。Allthemenworshippedher。Shewastheonlywomantheyhadtothinkof。Theytalkedofheronthestoep，atthemarket，atthehotel；theywatchedforheratstreetcorners；theyhatedthemanshebowedtoorwalkedwithdownthestreet。Theybroughtflowerstothefrontdoor；theyofferedhertheirhorses；theybeggedhertomarrythemwhentheydared。Partly，therewassomethingnobleandheroicinthisdevotionofmentothebestwomantheyknew；partlytherewassomethingnaturalinit，thatthesemen，shutofffromtheworld，shouldpouratthefeetofonewomantheworshipthatotherwisewouldhavebeengiventotwenty；andpartlytherewassomethingmeanintheirenvyofoneanother。Ifshehadraisedherlittlefinger，Isuppose，shemighthavemarriedanyoneoutoftwentyofthem。

ThenIcame。IdonotthinkIwasprettier；IdonotthinkIwassoprettyasshewas。Iwascertainlynotashandsome。ButIwasvital，andIwasnew，andshewasold——theyallforsookherandfollowedme。Theyworshippedme。Itwastomydoorthattheflowerscame；itwasIhadtwentyhorsesofferedmewhenIcouldonlyrideone；itwasformetheywaitedatstreetcorners；itwaswhatIsaidanddidthattheytalkedof。

PartlyIlikedit。Ihadlivedaloneallmylife；nooneeverhadtoldmeIwasbeautifulandawoman。Ibelievedthem。Ididnotknowitwassimplyafashion，whichonemanhadsetandtherestfollowedunreasoningly。Ilikedthemtoaskmetomarrythem，andtosay，No。I

despisedthem。Themotherhearthadnotswelledinmeyet；Ididnotknowallmenweremychildren，asthelargewomanknowswhenherheartisgrown。

Iwastoosmalltobetender。Ilikedmypower。Iwaslikeachildwithanewwhip，whichitgoesaboutcrackingeverywhere，notcaringagainstwhat。

Icouldnotwinditupandputitaway。Menwerecuriouscreatures，wholikedme，Icouldnevertellwhy。Onlyonethingtookfrommypleasure；I

couldnotbearthattheyhaddesertedherforme。Ilikedhergreatdreamyblueeyes，Ilikedherslowwalkanddrawl；whenIsawhersittingamongmen，sheseemedtomemuchtoogoodtobeamongthem；Iwouldhavegivenalltheircomplimentsifshewouldoncehavesmiledatmeasshesmiledatthem，withallherfacebreakingintoradiance，withherdimplesandflashingteeth。ButIknewitnevercouldbe；Ifeltsureshehatedme；

thatshewishedIwasdead；thatshewishedIhadnevercometothevillage。Shedidnotknow，whenwewentoutriding，andamanwhohadalwaysriddenbesidehercametoridebesideme，thatIsenthimaway；thatoncewhenamanthoughttowinmyfavourbyridiculingherslowdrawlbeforemeIturnedonhimsofiercelythatheneverdaredcomebeforemeagain。Iknewsheknewthatatthehotelmenhadmadeabetastowhichwastheprettier，sheorI，andhadaskedeachmanwhocamein，andthattheonewhohadstakedonmewon。Ihatedthemforit，butIwouldnotletherseethatIcaredaboutwhatshefelttowardsme。

SheandIneverspoketoeachother。

Ifwemetinthevillagestreetwebowedandpassedon；whenweshookhandswedidsosilently，anddidnotlookateachother。ButIthoughtshefeltmypresenceinaroomjustasIfelthers。

Atlastthetimeformygoingcame。Iwastoleavethenextday。SomeoneIknewgaveapartyinmyhonour，towhichallthevillagewasinvited。

Itwasmidwinter。Therewasnothinginthegardensbutafewdahliasandchrysanthemums，andIsupposethatfortwohundredmilesroundtherewasnotarosetobeboughtforloveormoney。Onlyinthegardenofafriendofmine，inasunnycornerbetweentheovenandthebrickwall，therewasarosetreegrowingwhichhadonitonebud。Itwaswhite，andithadbeenpromisedtothefairhairedgirltowearattheparty。

Theeveningcame；whenIarrivedandwenttothewaiting—room，totakeoffmymantle，Ifoundthegirltherealready。Shewasdressedinpurewhite，withhergreatwhitearmsandshouldersshowing，andherbrighthairglitteringinthecandle—light，andthewhiterosefastenedatherbreast。

Shelookedlikeaqueen。Isaid"Good—evening，"andturnedawayquicklytotheglasstoarrangemyoldblackscarfacrossmyoldblackdress。

ThenIfeltahandtouchmyhair。

"Standstill，"shesaid。

Ilookedintheglass。Shehadtakenthewhiterosefromherbreast，andwasfasteningitinmyhair。

"Hownicedarkhairis；itsetsoffflowersso。"Shesteppedbackandlookedatme。"Itlooksmuchbetterthere！"

Iturnedround。

"Youaresobeautifultome，"Isaid。

"Y—e—s，"shesaid，withherslowColonialdrawl；"I’msoglad。"

Westoodlookingateachother。

Thentheycameinandsweptusawaytodance。Alltheeveningwedidnotcomeneartoeachother。Onlyonce，asshepassed，shesmiledatme。

ThenextmorningIleftthetown。

Ineversawheragain。

YearsafterwardsIheardshehadmarriedandgonetoAmerica；itmayormaynotbeso——buttherose——theroseisintheboxstill！Whenmyfaithinwomangrowsdim，anditseemsthatforwantofloveandmagnanimityshecanplaynopartinanyfutureheaven；thenthescentofthatsmallwitheredthingcomesback：——springcannotfailus。

Matjesfontein，SouthAfrica。

III。"THEPOLICYINFAVOUROFPROTECTION——"。

WasitRight？——WasitWrong？

Awomansatatherdeskinthecornerofaroom；behindherafireburntbrightly。

Presentlyaservantcameinandgaveheracard。

"SayIambusyandcanseenoonenow。Ihavetofinishthisarticlebytwoo’clock。"

Theservantcameback。Thecallersaidshewouldonlykeepheramoment：

itwasnecessarysheshouldseeher。

Thewomanrosefromherdesk。"Telltheboytowait。Asktheladytocomein。"

Ayoungwomaninasilkdress，withacloakreachingtoherfeet，entered。

Shewastallandslight，withfairhair。

"Iknewyouwouldnotmind。Iwishedtoseeyouso！"

Thewomanofferedheraseatbythefire。"MayIloosenyourcloak？——theroomiswarm。"

"Iwantedsotocomeandseeyou。Youaretheonlypersonintheworldwhocouldhelpme！Iknowyouaresolarge，andgenerous，andkindtootherwomen！"Shesatdown。Tearsstoodinherlargeblueeyes：shewaspullingoffherlittleglovesunconsciously。

"YouknowMr。——"（shementionedthenameofawell—knownwriter）："Iknowyoumeethimofteninyourwork。Iwantyoutodosomethingforme！"

Thewomanonthehearth—ruglookeddownather。

"Icouldn’ttellmyfatherormymother，oranyoneelse；butIcantellyou，thoughIknowsolittleofyou。Youknow，lastsummerhecameandstayedwithusamonth。Isawagreatdealofhim。Idon’tknowifhelikedme；Iknowhelikedmysinging，andwerodetogether——IlikedhimmorethananymanIhaveeverseen。Oh，youknowitisn’ttruethatawomancanonlylikeamanwhenhelikesher；andIthought，perhaps，helikedmealittle。Sincewehavebeenintownwehaveasked，buthehasnevercometoseeus。Perhapspeoplehavebeensayingsomethingtohimaboutme。Youknowhim，youarealwaysmeetinghim，couldn’tyousayordoanythingforme？"Shelookedupwithherlipswhiteanddrawn。"IfeelsometimesasifIweregoingmad！Oh，itissoterribletobeawoman！"

Thewomanlookeddownather。"NowIhearhelikesanotherwoman。Idon’tknowwhosheis，buttheysaysheissoclever，andwrites。Oh，itissoterrible，Ican’tbearit。"

Thewomanleanedherelbowagainstthemantelpiece，andherfaceagainstherhand。Shelookeddownintothefire。Thensheturnedandlookedattheyoungerwoman。"Yes，"shesaid，"itisaveryterriblethingtobeawoman。"Shewassilent。Shesaidwithsomedifficulty："Areyousureyoulovehim？Areyousureitisnotonlythefeelingayounggirlhasforanoldermanwhoiscelebrated，andofwhomeveryoneistalking？"

"Ihavebeennearlymad。Ihaven’tsleptforweeks！"Sheknitherlittlehandstogether，tillthejewelledringsalmostcutintothefingers。"Heiseverythingtome；thereisnothingelseintheworld。You，whoaresogreat，andstrong，andclever，andwhocareonlyforyourwork，andformenasyourfriends，youcannotunderstandwhatitiswhenonepersoniseverythingtoyou，whenthereisnothingelseintheworld！"

"Andwhatdoyouwantmetodo？"

"Oh，Idon’tknow！"Shelookedup。"Awomanknowswhatshecando。Don’ttellhimthatIlovehim。"Shelookedupagain。"Justsaysomethingtohim。Oh，it’ssoterribletobeawoman；Ican’tdoanything。Youwon’ttellhimexactlythatIlovehim？That’sthethingthatmakesamanhateawoman，ifyoutellithimplainly。"

"IfIspeaktohimImustspeakopenly。Heismyfriend。Icannotfencewithhim。Ihaveneverfencedwithhiminmyownaffairs。"Shemovedasthoughsheweregoingawayfromthefireplace，thensheturnedandsaid：

"Haveyouthoughtofwhatloveisbetweenamanandawomanwhenitmeansmarriage？Thatlong，longlifetogether，dayafterday，strippedofallromanceanddistance，livingfacetoface：seeingeachotherasamanseeshisownsoul？Doyourealizethattheendofmarriageistomakethemanandwomanstrongerthantheywere；andthatifyoucannot，whenyouareanoldmanandwomanandsitbythefire，say，’Lifehasbeenabraverandafreerthingforus，becausewepassedithandinhand，thanifwehadpassedthroughitalone，’ithasfailed？Doyoucareforhimenoughtoliveforhim，nottomorrow，butwhenheisanold，fadedman，andyouanold，fadedwoman？Canyouforgivehimhissinsandhisweaknesses，whentheyhurtyoumost？Ifheweretolieaquerulousinvalidfortwentyyears，wouldyoubeabletofoldhiminyourarmsallthattime，andcomforthim，asamothercomfortsherlittlechild？"Thewomandrewherbreathheavily。

"Oh，Ilovehimabsolutely！Iwouldbegladtodie，ifonlyIcouldonceknowthathelovedmebetterthananythingintheworld！"

Thewomanstoodlookingdownather。"Haveyouneverthoughtofthatotherwoman；whethershecouldnotperhapsmakehislifeasperfectasyou？"sheasked，slowly。

"Oh，nowomanevercouldbetohimwhatIwouldbe。Iwouldliveforhim。

Hebelongstome。"Shebentherselfforward，notcrying，buthershouldersmoving。"Itissuchaterriblethingtobeawoman，tobeabletodonothingandsaynothing！"

Thewomanputherhandonhershoulder；theyoungerwomanlookedupintoherface；thentheelderturnedawayandstoodlookingintothefire。

Therewassuchquiet，youcouldheartheclocktickabovethewriting—

table。

Thewomansaid："ThereisonethingIcandoforyou。Idonotknowifitwillbeofanyuse——Iwilldoit。"Sheturnedaway。

"Oh，youaresogreatandgood，sobeautiful，sodifferentfromotherwomen，whoarealwaysthinkingonlyofthemselves！Thankyousomuch。I

knowIcantrustyou。Icouldn’thavetoldmymother，oranyonebutyou。"

"Nowyoumustgo；Ihavemyworktofinish。"

Theyoungerwomanputherarmsroundher。"Oh，youaresogoodandbeautiful！"

Thesilkdressandthefurcloakrustledoutoftheroom。

Thewomanwhowasleftalonewalkedupanddown，atlastfasterandfaster，tillthedropsstoodonherforehead。Afteratimeshewentuptothetable；therewaswrittenillegiblyinaman’shandonafragmentofmanuscriptpaper："CanIcometoseeyouthisafternoon？"Nearitwasaclosedandaddressedenvelope。Sheopenedit。Initwerewrittenthewords："Yes，please，come。"

Shetoreitacrossandwrotethewords："No，Ishallnotbeatliberty。"

Sheclosedtheminanenvelopeandaddressedthem。Thensherolledupthemanuscriptonthetableandrangthebell。Shegaveittotheservant。

"Telltheboytogivethistohismaster，andsaythearticleendsratherabruptly；theymuststateitistobecontinued；Iwillfinishittomorrow。

AshepassesNo。20lethimleavethisnotethere。"

Theservantwentout。Shewalkedupanddownwithherhandsfoldedaboveherhead……

Twomonthsafter，theolderwomanstoodbeforethefire。Thedooropenedsuddenly，andtheyoungerwomancamein。

"Ihadtocome——Icouldn’twait。Youhaveheard，hewasmarriedthismorning？Oh，doyouthinkitistrue？Dohelpme！"Sheputoutherhands。

"Sitdown。Yes，itisquitetrue。"

"Oh，itissoterrible，andIdidn’tknowanything！Didyoueversayanythingtohim？"Shecaughtthewoman’shands。

"Ineversawhimagainafterthedayyouwerehere，——soIcouldnotspeaktohim，——butIdidwhatIcould。"Shestoodlookingpassivelyintothefire。

"Andtheysaysheisquiteachild，onlyeighteen。Theysayheonlysawherthreetimesbeforeheproposedtoher。Doyouthinkitistrue？"

"Yes，itisquitetrue。"

"Hecan’tloveher。Theysayhe’sonlymarryingherforherrankandhermoney。"

Thewomanturnedquickly。

"Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat？NoonebutIknowhim。Whatneedhasheofanyone’srankorwealth？Heisgreaterthanthemall！Olderwomenmayhavefailedhim；hehasneededtoturntoherbeautiful，fresh，younglifetocompensatehim。Sheisawomanwhomanymanmighthaveloved，soyoungandbeautiful；herfamilyarefamedfortheirintellect。Ifhetrainsher，shemaymakehimabetterwifethananyotherwomanwouldhavedone。"

"Oh，butIcan’tbearit——Ican’tbearit！"Theyoungerwomansatdowninthechair。"Shewillbehiswife，andhavehischildren。"

"Yes。"Theelderwomanmovedquickly。"Onewantstohavethechild，andlayitsheadonone’sbreastandfeedit。"Shemovedquickly。"Itwouldnotmatterifanotherwomanboreit，ifonehadittotakecareof。"Shemovedrestlessly。

"Oh，no，Icouldn’tbearittobehers。WhenIthinkofherIfeelasifI

weredying；allmyfingersturncold；Ifeeldead。Oh，youwereonlyhisfriend；youdon’tknow！"

Theolderspokesoftlyandquickly，"Don’tyoufeelalittlegentletoherwhenyouthinkshe’sgoingtobehiswifeandthemotherofhischild？I

wouldliketoputmyarmsroundherandtouchheronce，ifshewouldletme。Sheissobeautiful，theysay。"

"Oh，Icouldneverbeartoseeher；itwouldkillme。Andtheyaresohappytogethertoday！Heislovingherso！"

"Don’tyouwanthimtobehappy？"Theolderwomanlookeddownather。

"Haveyouneverlovedhim，atall？"

Theyoungerwoman’sfacewascoveredwithherhands。"Oh，it’ssoterrible，sodark！andIshallgoonlivingyearafteryear，alwaysinthisawfulpain！Oh，ifIcouldonlydie！"

Theolderwomanstoodlookingintothefire；thenslowlyandmeasuredlyshesaid，"Therearetimes，inlife，wheneverythingseemsdark，whenthebrainreels，andwecannotseethatthereisanythingbutdeath。But，ifwewaitlongenough，afterlong，longyears，calmcomes。Itmaybewecannotsayitwaswell；butwearecontented，weacceptthepast。Thestruggleisended。Thatdaymaycomeforyou，perhapssoonerthanyouthink。"Shespokeslowlyandwithdifficulty。

"No，itcannevercomeforme。IfonceIhavelovedathing，Iloveitforever。Icanneverforget。"

"Loveisnottheonlyendinlife。Thereareotherthingstolivefor。"

"Oh，yes，foryou！Tomeloveiseverything！"

"Now，youmustgo，dear。"

Theyoungerwomanstoodup。"Ithasbeensuchacomforttotalktoyou。I

thinkIshouldhavekilledmyselfifIhadnotcome。Youhelpmeso。I

shallalwaysbegratefultoyou。"

Theolderwomantookherhand。

"Iwanttoasksomethingofyou。"

"Whatisit？"

"Icannotquiteexplaintoyou。Youwillnotunderstand。Buttherearetimeswhensomethingmoreterriblecancomeintoalifethanitshouldlosewhatitloves。Ifyouhavehadadreamofwhatlifeoughttobe，andyoutrytomakeitreal，andyoufail；andsomethingyouhavekilledoutinyourheartforlongyearswakesupandcries，’Leteachmanplayhisowngame，andcarenothingforthehandofhisfellow！Eachmanforhimself。

Sothegamemustbeplayed！’andyoudoubtallyouhavelivedfor，andthegroundseemswashingoutunderyourfeet——。"Shepaused。"Suchatimehascometomenow。Ifyouwouldpromisemethatifeveranotherwomancomestoseekyourhelp，youwillgiveittoher，andtrytoloveherformysake，Ithinkitwillhelpme。IthinkIshouldbeabletokeepmyfaith。"

"Oh，Iwilldoanythingyouaskmeto。Youaresogoodandgreat。"

"Oh，goodandgreat！——ifyouknew！Nowgo，dear。"

"Ihavenotkeptyoufromyourwork，haveI？"

"No；Ihavenotbeenworkinglately。Good—by，dear。"

Theyoungerwomanwent；andtheelderkneltdownbythechair，andwailedlikealittlechildwhenyouhavestruckitanditdoesnotdaretocryloud。

Ayearafter；itwasearlyspringagain。

Thewomansatatherdeskwriting；behindherthefireburntbrightly。ShewaswritingaleadingarticleonthecauseswhichindifferingpeoplesleadtotheadoptionofFreeTradeorProtectionistprinciples。

Thewomanwroteonquickly。Afterawhiletheservantenteredandlaidapileoflettersonthetable。"TelltheboyIshallhavedoneinfifteenminutes。"Shewroteon。Thenshecaughtsightofthewritingononeoftheletters。Sheputdownherpen，andopenedit。Itranso：——

"DearFriend，——Iamwritingtoyou，becauseIknowyouwillrejoicetohearofmygreathappiness。Doyourememberhowyoutoldmethatdaybythefiretowait，andafterlong，longyearsIshouldseethatallwasforthebest？Thattimehascomesoonerthanwehoped。LastweekinRomeIwasmarriedtothebest，noblest，mostlarge—heartedofmen。WearenowinFlorencetogether。Youdon’tknowhowbeautifulalllifeistome。Iknownowthattheoldpassionwasonlyagirl’sfoolishdream。MyhusbandisthefirstmanIhaveevertrulyloved。Helovesmeandunderstandsmeasnoothermanevercould。Iamthankfulthatmydreamwasbroken；Godhadbetterthingsinstoreforme。Idon’thatethatwomananymore；Iloveeveryone！Howareyou，dear？WeshallcomeandseeyouassoonaswearriveinEngland。Ialwaysthinkofyousohappyinyourgreatworkandhelpingotherpeople。Idon’tthinknowitisterribletobeawoman；itislovely。

"Ihopeyouareenjoyingthisbeautifulspringweather。

"Yours，alwaysfullofgratitudeandlove，"E——。"

Thewomanreadtheletter：thenshestoodupandwalkedtowardsthefire。

Shedidnotre—readit，butstoodwithitopeninherhand，lookingdownintotheblaze。Herlipsweredrawninatthecorners。Presentlyshetoretheletterupslowly，andwatchedthebitsfloatingdownonebyoneintothegrate。Thenshewentbacktoherdesk，andbegantowrite，withhermouthstilldrawninatthecorners。Afterawhileshelaidherarmonthepaperandherheadonherarm，andseemedtogotosleepthere。

Presentlytheservantknocked；theboywaswaiting。"Tellhimtowaittenminutesmore。"Shetookupherpen——"ThePolicyoftheAustralianColoniesinfavourofProtectioniseasilyunderstood——"shewaited——"whenoneconsidersthefact——thefact——；"thenshefinishedthearticle。

CapeTown，SouthAfrica，1892。