The Land of Promise: A Comedy in Four Acts (1922)

was crying. And it seemed to me as if someone else was speaking. And I listened to myself. I thought I hated the prairie through the long winter months, and yet, somehow, it has taken hold of me. It was dreary and monotonous, and yet, I can't tear it out of my heart. There's beauty and a romance about it which fills my very soul with longing.'

'I guess we all hate the prairie sometimes. But when you've once lived on it, it ain't easy to live anywhere else.'

'I know the life now. It's not adventurous and exciting, as they think back home. For men and women alike, it's the same hard work from morning till night, and I know it's the women who bear the greater burden.'

'The men go into the towns, they have shooting, now and then, and the changing seasons bring variety in their work; but for the women it's always the same weary round: cooking, washing, sweeping, mending, in regular and ceaseless rotation. And yet it's all got a meaning. We, too, have our part in opening up the country. We are its mothers, and the future is in us. We are building up the greatness of the nation. It needs our courage and strength and hope, and because it needs them, they come to us. Oh, Frank, I can't go back to that petty, narrow life! What have you done to me?'

'I guess if I asked you to stay now, you'd stay,' he said hoarsely.

'You said you wanted love.'--The lovely color flooded her face.--'Didn't you see? Love has been growing in me slowly, month by month, and I wouldn't confess it. I told myself I hated you. It's only to-day, when I had the chance of leaving you forever, that I knew I couldn't live without you. I'm not ashamed any more. Frank, my husband, I love you.'

He made a stride forward as if to take her in his arms, and then stopped short, smitten by a recollection.

'I--I guess I've loved you from the beginning, Nora,' he stammered.

She had risen to her feet and stood waiting him with shining eyes.

'But why do you say it as if---- What is it, Frank?'

'I can't ask you to stay on now; I guess you'll have to take that job in England, for a while, anyway.'

'Why?'

'The inspector's condemned my whole crop; I'm busted.'

'Oh, why didn't you tell me!'

'I just guess I couldn't. I made up my mind when I married you that I'd make good. I couldn't expect you to see that it was just bad luck. Anyone may get the weed in his crop. But, I guess a man oughtn't to have bad luck. The odds are that it's his own fault if he has.'

'Ah, now I understand about your sending for Eddie.'

'I wrote to him when I knew I'd been reported.'

'But what are you going to do?'

'It's all right about me; I can hire out again. It's you I'm thinking of. I felt pretty sure you wouldn't go back to Ed's. I don't fancy you taking a position as lady help. I didn't know what was going to become of you, my girl. And when you told me of the job you'd been offered in England, I thought I'd have to let you go.'

'Without letting me know you were in trouble!'

'Why, if I wasn't smashed up, d'you think I'd let you go? By God, I wouldn't! I'd have kept you. By God, I'd have kept you!'

'Then you're going to give up the land,' she made a sweeping gesture which took in the prospect without.

'No,' he said, shaking his head. 'I guess I can't do that. I've put too much work in it. And I've got my back up, now. I shall hire out for the summer, and next winter I can get work lumbering. The land's my own, now. I'll come back in time for the plowing next year.'

He had been gazing sadly out of the door as he spoke. He turned to her now ready to bring her what comfort he could. But in place