第3章

Hehadagreatdealoftimetothinkitoverasheworkedonthere，pitchingtheheavybundles，butstillhedidnotgetridofthemiserabledesiretopunishAgnes；andwhenshecameout，lookingveryprettyinherstrawhat，andcamearoundnearhisstack，heknewshecametoseehim，tohaveanexplanation，asmile；andyetheworkedawaywithhishatpulledoverhiseyes，hardlynoticingher。

Edwentovertotheedgeofthestackandchattedwithher；andshe-poorgirl!-feelingWill’sneglect，couldonlyputagoodfaceonthematter，andshowthatshedidn’tmindit，bylaughingbackatEd。

AllthisWillsaw，thoughhedidn’tappeartobelooking。AndwhenJimWheelock-DirtyJim-withhiswhipinhishand，cameupandplayfullypretendedtopouroilonherhair，andshelaughinglystruckathimwithahandfulofstraw，Willwouldn’thavelookedatherifshehadcalledhimbyname。

Shelookedsobrightandcharminginhersnowyapronandherboy’sstrawhattippedjauntilyoveronepinkearthatDavidandSteveandBill，andevenShep，foundawaytogetawordwithher，andthepoorfellowsinthehighstrawpilelookedtheirdisappoimmentandshooktheirforksinmockrageattheluckydogsontheground。ButWillworkedonlikeafiend，whilethedapplesoflightandshadefellonthebrightfaceofthemerrygirl。

Tosavehissoulfromhellflameshecouldn’thavegoneoverthereandsmiledather。Itwasimpossible。Awallofbronzeseemedtohavearisenbetweenthem。Yesterday，lastnight，seemedadream。

Theclaspofherhandsathisneck，thetouchofherlips，werelikethecaressesofanidealinsomedimreverie。

Asnightdrewon，themenworkedwithasteadier，moremechanicalaction。Noonespokenow。Eachmanwasintentonhiswork。Noonehadanystrengthorbreathtowaste。Thedriveronhispowerchangedhisweightonwearyfeet，andwhistledandsangatthetiredhorses。Thefeeder，hisfacegraywithdust，rolledthegrainintothecylindersoeven，sosteady，soswiftthatitranonwithasullen，boomingroar。Faruponthestrawpilethestackersworkedwiththesteady，rhythmicactionofmenrowingaboat，theirfiguresloomingvagueanddimintheflyingdustandchaff，outlinedagainstthegloriousyellowandorange-tintedclouds。

“Phe-e-eew-ee，“whistledthedriverwiththesweet，cheery，risingnotesofabird。“Chk，chk，chk!Phe-e-eewee。Goonthere，boys!

Chk，chk，chk!Stepup，thereDan，stepup!(Snap!)Phe-e-eew-ee!

G’-wan-g’-wan，g’-wan!Chk，clik，chk!Wheest，wheest，wheest!

Clik，chk!“

Inthehousethewomenweresettingthetableforsupper。Thesunhadgonedownbehindtheoaks，flinginggloriousrosecolorandorangeshadowsalongtheedgesoftheslate-blueclouds。Agnesstoppedherworkatthekitchenwindowtolookupattheskyandcrysilently。“WhatwasthematterwithWill？“Shefeltasortofdistrustofhimnow。Shethoughtsheknewhimsowell，butnowhewassostrange。

“Come，Aggie，“saidMrs。Dingman，“they’regettin’mostdowntothebottomofthestack。They’llbepilin’inheresoon。“

“Phe-e-eew-ee!G’-wan，Doll!G’-wan，boys!Chk，chk，chk!

Phe-e-eew-ee!“calledthedriveroutinthedusk，cheerilyswingingthewhipoverthehorses’backs。Boomoo-oo-oom!roaredthemachine，withamuffled，monotonous，solemntone。“G’-wan，boys!G’-wan，g’-wan!“

Willhadworkedunceasinglyallday。Hismusclesachedwithfatigue。Hishandstrembled。Heclenchedhisteeth，however，andworkedon，determinednottoyield。HewantedthemtounderstandthathecoulddoasmuchpitchingasanyofthemandreadCaesar’sCommentariesbesides。Itseemedasifeachbundlewerethelasthecouldraise。Thesinewsofhiswristpainedhimso，theyseemedswollentotwicetheirnaturalsize。Butstillheworkedongrimly，whiletheduskfellandtheairgrewchill。

Atlastthebottombundlewaspitchedup，andhegotdownonhiskneestohelpscrapetheloosewheatintobaskets。Whatasweetreliefitwastokneeldown，toreleasetheforkandletthewornandcrampingmusclessettleintorest!Anewnotecameintothedriver’svoice，asoothingtone，fullofkindnessandadmirationfortheworkhisteamhaddone。

“Wo-o-o，lads!Stiddy-y-y，boys!Wo-o-o，there，Dan。Stiddy，stiddy，oldman!Ho，there!“Thecylindertookonalowerkey，withshortrisingyells，asitranemptyforamoment。Thehorseshadbeengoingsolongthattheycametoastopreluctantly。AtlastDavidcalled，“Turnout!“Themenseizedtheendsofthesweep，Daviduncoupledthetumblingrods，andShepthrewasheafofgrainintothecylinder，chokingitintosilence。

Thestillnessandtheduskwereveryimpressive。Solonghadthebell-metalcogwheelsungitsdeafeningsongintoWill’searthat，ashewalkedawayintothedusk，hehadaweirdfeelingofbeingsuddenlydeaf，andhislegsweresonumbthathecouldhardlyfeeltheearth。Hestumbledawaylikeamanparalyzed。

Hetookouthishandkerchief，wipedthedustfromhisfaceasbesthecould，shookhiscoat，dustedhisshoulderswithagrainsack，andwasstartingaway，whenMr。Dingman，aratherfeebleelderlyman，cameup。

“Come，Will，supper’sallready。Goinandeat。“

“IguessI’llgohometosupper。“

“Oh，no，thatwon’tdo。Thewomen’llbeexpectingyehtostay。“

Themenwerelaughingatthewell，thewarmyellowlightshonefromthekitchen，thechillairmakingitseemveryinviting，andshewasthere，waiting!Butthedemonroseinhim。HeknewAgneswouldexpecthim，thatshewouldcrythatnightwithdisappointment，buthisfacehardened。“IguessI’llgohome，“hesaid，andhistonewasrelentless。Heturnedandwalkedaway，hungry，tired-sotiredhestumbled，andsounhappyhecouldhavewept。

ONThursdaythecountyfairwastobeheld。ThefairisoneofthegaladaysoftheyearinthecountrydistrictsoftheWest，andoneofthetimeswhenthecountryloverrisesaboveexpensetotheextravaganceofhiringatopbuggyinwhichtotakehissweethearttotheneighboringtown。

Itwascustomarytoprepareforthislongbeforehand，forthedemandfortopbuggieswassogreatthelivery-mengrewdictatorialandtooknochances。Slowlybutsurelythecountrybeauxbegantocompetewiththeclerks，andinmanycasesactuallyoutbidthem，astheyfurnishedtheirownhorsesandcouldbidhigher，inconsequence，onthecarriages。

Willhadsecuredhisbrother’s“rig，“andearlyonThursdaymorninghewasatwork，busilywashingthemudfromthecarriage，dustingthecushions，andpolishingupthebucklesandrosettesonhishorses’harnesses。Itwasabeautiful，crisp，cleardawn-theidealdayforaride；andWillwassingingasheworked。

Hehadregainedhisrealsell，and，havingpassedthroughabitterperiodofshame，wasnowjoyouswithanticipationofforgiveness。

Helookedforwardtothedaywithitschancesofdoingathousandlittlethingstoshowhisregretandhislove。

HehadnotseenAgnessinceMonday，becauseTuesdayhedidnotgobacktohelpthresh，andWednesdayhehadbeenobligedtogototowntoseeaboutboardforthecomingterm；buthefeltsureofher。IthadallbeenarrangedtheSundaybefore；she’dexpecthim，andhewastocallateighto’clock。

Hepolishedupthecoltswithmerrytick-tackofthebrushandcomb，andafterthelaststrokeontheirshininglimbs，threwhistoolsintheboxandwenttothehouse。

“Prettysharplastnight，“saidhisbrotherJohn，whowasscrubbinghisfaceatthecistern。

“Shouldsaysobythatrimofice，“Willreplied，dippinghishandsintotheicywater。

“Iought’ostayhometodayan’digtates，“continuedtheoldermanthoughtfullyastheywentintothewood-shedandwipedconsecutivelyonthelongrollertowel。“Someo’themEarlyRoselayrightontopo’theground。They’llgetnippedsure。“

“Oh，Iguessnot。You’dbettergo，Jack；youdon’tgetawayveryoften。AndthenitwoulddisappointNettieandthechildrenso。

Theirlittleheartsareoverflowing，“heendedasthedooropenedandtwosturdylittleboysrushedout。

“B’ekfuss，Poppa；allyeady!“

Thekitchentablewassetnearthestove；theroomwasfullofsun，andthesmellofsizzlingsausagesandthearomaofcoffeefilledtheroom。Thekettlewasdoingitsdutycheerily，andthewifewithflushedfaceandsmilingeyeswashurryingtoandfro，herheartfullofanticipationoftheday’souting。

Therewasahilarityalmostlikesomestrangeintoxicationonthepartofthetwochildren。Theydanced，andchattered，andclappedtheirchubbybrownhands，andrantothewindowsceaselessly。

“IsyuncleWillgoin’yideflourbuggy？“

“Yus；thebuggyandthecolts。“

“Ishegoin’totakehisgirl？“

Willblushedalittle，andJohnroared。

“Yes，I’mgoin’-“

“IsAggieyourgirl？“

“H’yer!h’yer!youngman，“calledJohn，“you’regettin’personal。“

“Well，setup，“saidNettie，andwithagooddealofclattertheydrewaroundthecheerfultable。

Willhadalreadybeguntoseethepathos，thepitifulsignificanceofthisgreatjoyoveraday’souting，andhetookhimselfalittletotaskathisownselfishfreedom。HeresolvedtostayathomesometimeandletNettiegoinhisplace。AfewhoursinthemiddleofthedayonSunday，threeorfourholidaysinsummer；therestforthischeerfullittlewifeandherpatienthusbandwaswork-workthatsomewayaccomplishedsolittleandleftnotraceontheirsoulsthatwasbeautiful。

Whiletheywereeatingbreakfast，teamsbegantoclatterby，hugelumberwagonswiththreeseatsacross，andaboyortwojouncingupanddownwiththedinnerbasketsneartheend-gate。Thechildrenrushedtothewindoweachtimetoannouncewhoitwas，andhowmanytherewerein。

ButasJohnnysaid“firteen“eachtime，andNedwaveredbetween“seven“and“sixteen，“itwasdoubtfuliftheycouldbereliedupon。

Theyhadverylittleappetite，sokeenwastheiranticipationoftherideandthewonderfulsightsbeforethem。Theirlittleheartsshudderedwithjoyateveryfreshtokenofpreparation-ajoythatmadeWillsay，“Poorlittlemen!“

Theyvibratedbetweenthehouseandthebarnwhilethechoreswerebeingfinished，andtheirhappycriesstartedtheyoungroostersintoarenewedseasonofcrowing。Andwhenatlastthewagonwasbroughtoutandthehorseshitchedtoit，theydancedlikemadsprites。

Aftertheyhaddrivenaway，Willbroughtoutthecolts，hitchedthemin，anddrovethemtothehitchingpost。Thenheleisurelydressedhimselfinhisbestsuit，blackedhisbootswithconsiderableexertion，andatabout7：3oo’clockclimbedintohiscarriageandgatheredupthereins。

Hewasquitehappyagain。Thecrisp，bracingair，thestrongpullofthespiritedyoungteamputallthoughtofsorrowbehindhim。Hehadplanneditallout。Hewouldfirstputhisarmaroundherandkissher-therewouldnotneedtobeanywordstotellherhowsorryandashamedhewas。Shewouldknow!

Now，whenhewasaloneandgoingtowardheronabeautifulmorning，theangerandbitternessofMondayfledaway，becameunreal，andthesweetdreamoftheSundaypartinggrewthereality。

Shewaswaitingforhimnow。Shehadonherprettybluedressandthewidehatthatalwaysmadeherlooksoarch。Hehadsaidabouteighto’clock。

Theswiftteamwascarryinghimalongthecrossroad，whichwaslittletravelled，andhewasalonewithhisthoughts。Hefellagainuponhisplans。Anotheryearatschoolforthemboth，andthenhe’dgointoalawoffice。JudgeBrownhadtoldhimhe’dgivehim-“Whoa!Ho!“

Therewasaswiftlurchthatsenthimflyingoverthedasher。A

confusedvisionofaroadsideditchfullofweedsandbushes，andthenhefeltthereinsinhishandsandheardthesnortinghorsestrampleonthehardroad。

Herosedizzy，bruised，andcoveredwithdust。Theteamheheldsecurelyandsoonquieted。Hesawthecauseofitall：therightforewheelhadcomeoff，lettingthefrontofthebuggydrop。Heunhitchedtheexcitedteamfromthecarriage，drovethemtothefenceandtiedthemsecurely，thenwentbacktofindthewheelandthe“nut“whosefailuretoholditsplacehaddoneallthemischief。

Hesoonhadthewheelon，buttofindtheburrwasahardertask。

Backandforthheranged，looking，scrapinginthedust，searchingtheweeds。

Heknewthatsometimesawheelwillrunwithouttheburrformanyrodsbeforecorningoff，andsoeachtimeheextendedhissearch。Hetraversedtheentirehalf-mileseveraltimes，eachtimehisrageanddisappointmentgettingmorebitter。Hegroundhisteethinafeverofvexationanddismay。

HehadavisionofAgneswaiting，wonderingwhyhedidnotcome。Itwasthisvisionthatkepthimfromseeingtheburrinthewheel-track，partlycoveredbyaclod。

Oncehepasseditlookingwildlyathiswatch，whichwasshowingnineo’clock。Anothertimehepasseditwitheyesdimmedwithamistthatwasalmosttearsofanger。

Thereisnocontrivancethatwillreplaceanaxleburr，andfarmyardshavenounusedaxleburrs，andsoWillsearched。Eachmomenthesaid：“I’llgiveitup，getontooneofthehorses，andgodownandtellher。“Butsearchingforalostaxleburrislikefishing：thesearcherexpectseachmomenttofindit。Andsohegroped，andranbreathlessly，furiously，backandforth，andatlastkickedawaytheclodthatcoveredit，andhurried，hotanddusty，cursinghisstupidity，backtotheteam。