Chapter XXI

literatureheaffectedthetitledandconsumptiveheroine,andthesoft-hearted,burlyhero.Butwhenitcametobusiness,itwasanothermatter—thesortofsentimentwhichasksafarmertospareasylvangladefor?stheticreasonsisabsurd.Edwardwouldhavewillinglyallowedadvertisement-mongerstoputupboardsonthemostbeautifulpartoftheestate,iftherebyhecouldsurreptitiouslyincreasetheprofitsofhisfarm. “Whateveryoumaythinkofmypeople,”saidBertha,“youwillkindlypayattentiontome.Thelandismine,andIrefusetoletyouspoilit.” “Itisn’tspoilingit.It’stheproperthingtodo.You’llsoongetusedtonotseeingthewretchedtrees—andItellyouI’monlygoingtotakethreedown.I’vegivenorderstocuttheothersto-morrow.” “D’youmeantosayyou’regoingtoignoremeabsolutely?” “I’mgoingtodowhat’srightandifyoudon’tapproveofit,I’mverysorry,butIshalldoitallthesame.” “Ishallgivethemenorderstodonothingofthekind.” Edwardlaughed.“Thenyou’llmakeanassofyourself.Youtrygivingthemorderscontrarytomine,andseewhattheydo.” Berthagaveacry.Inherfuryshelookedroundforsomethingtothrowshewouldhavelikedtohithimbuthestoodthere,calmandself-possessed,quiteamused. “Ithinkyoumustbemad,”shesaid.“Youdoallyoucantodestroymyloveforyou.” Shewasintoogreatapassionforwords.Thiswasthemeasureofhisaffectionhemust,indeed,utterlydespiseherandthiswastheonlyresultoftheloveshehadhumblylaidathisfeet.Sheaskedherselfwhatshecoulddoshecoulddonothing—butsubmit.Sheknewaswellashethatherorderswouldbedisobeyediftheydidnotagreewithhisandthathewouldkeephiswordshedidnotforamomentdoubt.Todosowashispride.Shedidnotspeakfortherestoftheday,butnextmorningwhenhewasgoingout,askedwhatwashisintentionwithregardtothetrees. “Oh,Ithoughtyou’dforgottenallaboutthem,”hereplied.“ImeantodoasIsaid.” “Ifyouhavethetreescutdown,IshallleaveyouIshallgotoAuntPolly’s.” “Andtellherthatyouwantedthemoon,andIwassounkindasnottogiveityou?”hereplied,smiling.“She’lllaughatyou.” “Youwillfindmeascarefultokeepmywordasyou.” BeforeluncheonshewentoutandwalkedtoCarter’sfield.Themenwerestillatwork,butasecondtreehadgone,thethirdwoulddoubtlessfallintheafternoon.ThemenglancedatBertha,andshethoughttheylaughedshestoodlookingatthemforsomewhilesothatshemightthoroughlydigestthehumiliation.Thenshewenthome,andwrotetoherauntthefollowingveraciouslett