could get through until spring came, they
would buy a cow and chickens and plant a
garden, and would then do very well. Am-
brosch and Antonia were both old enough to
work in the fields, and they were willing to
work. But the snow and the bitter weather
had disheartened them all.

Antonia explained that her father meant
to build a new house for them in the spring;
he and Ambrosch had already split the logs
for it, but the logs were all buried in the
snow, along the creek where they had been
felled.

While grandmother encouraged and gave
them advice, I sat down on the floor with
Yulka and let her show me her kitten. Marek
slid cautiously toward us and began to exhibit
his webbed fingers. I knew he wanted to
make his queer noises for me -- to bark like a
dog or whinny like a horse, -- but he did not
dare in the presence of his elders. Marek was
always trying to be agreeable, poor fellow, as
if he had it on his mind that he must make up
for his deficiencies.

Mrs. Shimerda grew more calm and reason-
able before our visit was over, and, while An-
tonia translated, put in a word now and then

[[87]]

p086 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p087w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p088

v?