what they used to be, and I try to save my-
self. The lines outside the Shimerdas' house
was full of washing, though it was the mid-
dle of the week. As we got nearer I saw a
sight that made my heart sink -- all those
underclothes we'd put so much work on, out
there swinging in the wind. Yulka came
bringing a dishpanful of wrung clothes, but
she darted back into the house like she was
loath to see us. When I went in, Antonia
was standing over the tubs, just finishing
up a big washing. Mrs. Shimerda was going
about her work, talking and scolding to her-
self. She didn't so much as raise her eyes.
Tony wiped her hand on her apron and held
it out to me, looking at me steady but mourn-
ful. When I took her in my arms she drew
away. 'Don't, Mrs. Steavens,' she says,
'you'll make me cry, and I don't want to.'

"I whispered and asked her to come out
of doors with me. I knew she couldn't talk
free before her mother. She went out with
me, bareheaded, and we walked up toward
the garden.

"'I'm not married, Mrs. Steavens,' she
says to me very quiet and natural-like, 'and
I ought to be.'

[[352]]

p351 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p352w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p353

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