第5章

Davidsighedalittleimpatientlyashecameforwardintothesunlight。

"ButIwasjusttellingyou，"heremonstrated，"andyouwouldnotletmefinish。"

"Tellingme！"

"Yes，withmyviolin。COULDn’tyouunderstand？"appealedtheboywistfully。"Youlookedasifyoucould！"

"LookedasifIcould！"

"Yes。Joeunderstood，yousee，andIwassurprisedwhenHEdid。

ButIwasjustsureyoucould——withallthistolookat。"

Theladyfrowned。Half-unconsciouslysheglancedaboutherasifcontemplatingflight。Thensheturnedbacktotheboy。

"Buthowcameyouhere？Whoareyou？"shecried。

"I’mDavid。Iwalkedherethroughthelittlepathbackthere。I

didn’tknowwhereitwentto，butI’msogladnowIfoundout！"

"Oh，areyou！"murmuredthelady，withslightlyupliftedbrows。

Shewasabouttotellhimverycoldlythatnowthathehadfoundhiswaytherehemightoccupyhimselfinfindingithomeagain，whentheboyinterposedrapturously，hiseyessweepingthescenebeforehim：——

"Yes。Ididn’tsuppose，anywhere，downhere，therewasaplaceonehalfsobeautiful！"

Anoddfeelingofuncanninesssentaswiftexclamationtothelady’slips。

"’Downhere’！Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Youspeakasifyoucamefrom——above，"shealmostlaughed。

"Idid，"returnedDavidsimply。"ButevenupthereIneverfoundanythingquitelikethis，"——withasweepofhishands，——"norlikeyou，OLadyoftheRoses，"hefinishedwithanadmirationthatwasasopenasitwasardent。

Thistimetheladylaughedoutright。Sheevenblushedalittle。

"Veryprettilyput，SirFlatterer"sheretorted；"butwhenyouareolder，youngman，youwon’tmakeyourcomplimentsquitesobroad。IamnoLadyoftheRoses。IamMissHolbrook；and——andI

amnotinthehabitofreceivinggentlemencallerswhoareuninvitedand——unannounced，"sheconcluded，alittlesharply。

PointlesstheshaftfellatDavid’sfeet。Hehadturnedagaintothebeautiesabouthim，andatthatmomenthespiedthesundial——somethinghehadneverseenbefore。

"Whatisit？"hecriedeagerly，hurryingforward。"Itisn’texactlypretty，andyetitlooksasif’tweremeantfor——something。"

"Itis。Itisasundial。Itmarksthetimebythesun。"

Evenasshespoke，MissHolbrookwonderedwhysheansweredthequestionatall；whyshedidnotsendthissmallpieceofnonchalantimpertinenceabouthisbusiness，ashesorichlydeserved。Thenextinstantshefoundherselfstaringattheboyinamazement。Withunmistakableease，andwiththetrainedaccentofthescholar，hewasreadingaloudtheLatininscriptiononthedial："’Horasnonnumeronisiserenas，’’Icount——no——hoursbut——uncloudedones，’"hetranslatedthen，slowly，thoughwithconfidence。"That’spretty；butwhatdoesitmean——about’counting’？"

MissHolbrookrosetoherfeet。

"ForHeaven’ssake，boy，who，andwhatareyou？"shedemanded。

"CanYOUreadLatin？"

"Why，ofcourse！Can’tyou？"WithadisdainfulgestureMissHolbrooksweptthisaside。

"Boy，whoareyou？"shedemandedagainimperatively。

"I’mDavid。Itoldyou。"

"ButDavidwho？Wheredoyoulive？"

Theboy’sfaceclouded。

"I’mDavid——justDavid。IliveatFarmerHolly’snow；butIdidliveonthemountainwith——father，youknow。"

AgreatlightofunderstandingbrokeoverMissHolbrook’sface。

Shedroppedbackintoherseat。

"Oh，Iremember，"shemurmured。"You’rethelittle——er——boywhomhetook。Ihaveheardthestory。SoTHATiswhoyouare，"sheadded，theoldlookofaversioncomingbacktohereyes。Shehadalmostsaid"thelittletrampboy"——butshehadstoppedintime。

"Yes。Andnowwhatdotheymean，please，——thosewords，——’Icountnohoursbutuncloudedones’？"

MissHolbrookstirredinherseatandfrowned。

"Why，itmeanswhatitsays，ofcourse，boy。Asundialcountsitshoursbytheshadowthesunthrows，andwhenthereisnosunthereisnoshadow；henceit’sonlythesunnyhoursthatarecountedbythedial，"sheexplainedalittlefretfully。

David’sfaceradiateddelight。

"Oh，butIlikethat！"heexclaimed。

"Youlikeit！"

"Yes。Ishouldliketobeonemyself，youknow。"

"Well，really！Andhow，pray？"InspiteofherselfafaintgleamofinterestcameintoMissHolbrook’seyes。

Davidlaughedanddroppedhimselfeasilytothegroundatherfeet。Hewasholdinghisviolinonhiskneesnow。

"Why，itwouldbesuchfun，"hechuckled，"tojustforgetallaboutthehourswhenthesundidn’tshine，andrememberonlythenice，pleasantones。Nowforme，therewouldn’tbeanyhours，really，untilafterfouro’clock，exceptlittlespecksofminutesthatI’dgetinbetweenwhenIDIDseesomethinginteresting。"

MissHolbrookstaredfrankly。

"Whatanextraordinaryboyyouare，tobesure，"shemurmured。

"Andwhat，mayIask，isitthatyoudoeverydayuntilfouro’clock，thatyouwishtoforget？"

Davidsighed。

"Well，therearelotsofthings。Ihoedpotatoesandcorn，first，butthey’retoobignow，mostly；andIpulledupweeds，too，tilltheyweregone。I’vebeenpickingupstones，lately，andclearinguptheyard。Then，ofcourse，there’salwaysthewoodboxtofill，andtheeggstohunt，besidesthechickenstofeed，——thoughI

don’tmindTHEMsomuch；butIdotheotherthings，’speciallytheweeds。TheyweresomuchprettierthanthethingsIhadtoletgrow，’mostalways。"

MissHolbrooklaughed。

"Well，theywere；andreally"persistedtheboy，inanswertothemerrimentinhereyes；"nowwouldn’titbenicetobelikethesundial，andforgeteverythingthesundidn’tshineon？Wouldn’tyoulikeit？Isn’tthereanythingYOUwanttoforget？"

MissHolbrooksoberedinstantly。Thechangeinherfacewassoverymarked，indeed，thatinvoluntarilyDavidlookedaboutforsomethingthatmighthavecastuponitsogreatashadow。Foralongminuteshedidnotspeak；thenveryslowly，verybitterly，shesaidaloud——yetasiftoherself：——

"Yes。IfIhadmywayI’dforgetthemeveryone——thesehours；

everysingleone！"

"Oh，LadyoftheRoses！"expostulatedDavidinavoicequiveringwithshockeddismay。"Youdon’tmean——youcan’tmeanthatyoudon’thaveANY——sun！"

"Imeanjustthat，"bowedMissHolbrookwearily，hereyesonthesombershadowsofthepool；"justthat！"

Davidsatstunned，confounded。Acrossthemarblestepsandtheterracestheshadowslengthened，andDavidwatchedthemasthesundippedbehindthetree-tops。Theyseemedtomakemorevividthechillandthegloomofthelady’swords——morerealthedaythathadnosun。Afteratimetheboypickeduphisviolinandbegantoplay，softly，andatfirstwithevidenthesitation。Evenwhenhistouchbecamemoreconfident，therewasstillinthemusicaquestioningappealthatseemedtofindnoanswer——anappealthateventheplayerhimselfcouldnothaveexplained。

Forlongminutestheyoungwomanandtheboysatthusinthetwilight。Thensuddenlythewomangottoherfeet。

"Come，come，boy，whatcanIbethinkingof？"shecriedsharply。

"Imustgoinandyoumustgohome。Good-night。"Andshesweptacrossthegrasstothepaththatledtowardthehouse。

CHAPTERXI

JACKANDJILL

DavidwastemptedtogoforasecondvisittohisLadyoftheRoses，butsomethinghecouldnotdefineheldhimback。Theladywasinhismindalmostconstantly，however；andveryvividtohimwasthepictureofthegarden，thoughalwaysitwasashehadseenitlastwiththehushandshadowoftwilight，andwiththelady’sfacegloomilyturnedtowardthesunlesspool。Davidcouldnotforgetthatforhertherewerenohourstocount；shehadsaiditherself。Hecouldnotunderstandhowthiscouldbeso；

andthethoughtfilledhimwithvagueunrestandpain。

PerhapsitwasthisrestlessnessthatdroveDavidtoexploreevenmorepersistentlythevillageitself，sendinghimintonewstreetsinsearchofsomethingstrangeandinteresting。Onedaythesoundofshoutsandlaughterdrewhimtoanopenlotbackofthechurchwheresomeboyswereatplay。

Davidstillknewverylittleofboys。Inhismountainhomehehadneverhadthemforplaymates，andhehadnotseenmuchofthemwhenhewentwithhisfathertothemountainvillageforsupplies。Therehadbeen，itistrue，theboywhofrequentlybroughtmilkandeggstothecabin；buthehadbeenveryquietandshy，appearingalwaysafraidandanxioustogetaway，asifhehadbeentoldnottostay。Morerecently，sinceDavidhadbeenattheHollyfarmhouse，hisexperiencewithboyshadbeenevenlesssatisfying。Theboys——withtheexceptionofblindJoe——hadveryclearlyletitbeunderstoodthattheyhadlittleuseforayouthwhocouldfindnothingbettertodothantotrampthroughthewoodsandthestreetswithafiddleunderhisarm。

To-day，however，therecameachange。Perhapstheyweremoreusedtohim；orperhapstheyhaddecidedsuddenlythatitmightbegoodfuntosatisfytheircuriosity，anyway，regardlessofconsequences。Whateveritwas，theladshailedhisappearancewithwildshoutsofglee。

"Golly，boys，look！Here’sthefiddlin’kid，"yelledone；andtheothersjoinedinthe"Hurrah！"hegave。

Davidsmileddelightedly；oncemorehehadfoundsomeonewhowantedhim——anditwassonicetobewanted！Truthtotell，Davidhadfeltnotalittlehurtatthepersistentavoidanceofallthoseboysandgirlsofhisownage。

"How——howdoyoudo？"hesaiddiffidently，butstillwiththatbeamingsmile。

Againtheboysshoutedgleefullyastheyhurriedforward。Severalhadshortsticksintheirhands。Onehadanoldtomatocanwithastringtiedtoit。Thetallestboyhadsomethingthathewastryingtoholdbeneathhiscoat。

"’H——howdoyoudo？’"theymimicked。"Howdoyoudo，fiddlin’

kid？"

"I’mDavid；mynameisDavid。"Thereminderwasgraciouslygiven，withasmile。

"David！David！HisnameisDavid，"chantedtheboys，asiftheywereacomic-operachorus。

Davidlaughedoutright。

"Oh，singitagain，singitagain！"hecrowed。"Thatsoundedfine！"

Theboysstared，thensniffeddisdainfully，andcastderisiveglancesintoeachother’seyes——itappearedthatthislittlesissytrampboydidnotevenknowenoughtodiscoverwhenhewasbeinglaughedat！

"David！David！HisnameisDavid，"theyjeeredintohisfaceagain。"Comeon，tuneherup！Wewantterdance。"

"Play？OfcourseI’llplay，"criedDavidjoyously，raisinghisviolinandtestingastringforitstone。

"Here，holdon，"yelledthetallestboy。"TheQueeno’theBalletain’tready"。Andhecautiouslypulledfrombeneathhiscoatastrugglingkittenwithaperforatedbagtiedoveritshead。

"Sure！Wewantherinthemiddle，"grinnedtheboywiththetincan。"HoldontillIgethertraintiedtoher，"hefinished，tryingtocapturetheswishing，fluffytailofthefrightenedlittlecat。

Davidhadbeguntoplay，buthestoppedhismusicwithadiscordantstrokeofthebow。

"Whatareyoudoing？Whatisthematterwiththatcat？"hedemanded。

"’Matter’！"calledaderisivevoice。"Sure，nothin’’sthematterwithher。She’stheQueeno’theBallet——sheis！"

"Whatdoyoumean？"criedDavid。Atthatmomentthestringbithardintothecapturedtail，andthekittencriedoutwiththepain。"Lookout！You’rehurtingher，"cautionedDavidsharply。

Onlyalaughandajeeringwordanswered。Thenthekitten，withthebagonitsheadandthetincantiedtoitstail，wasletwarilytotheground，thetallboystillholdingitsbackwithbothhands。

"Ready，now！Comeon，play，"heordered；"thenwe’llsetherdancing。"

David’seyesflashed。

"Iwillnotplay——forthat。"

Theboysstoppedlaughingsuddenly。

"Eh？What？"Theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmoresurprisedifthekittenitselfhadsaidthewords。

"IsayIwon’tplay——Ican’tplay——unlessyouletthatcatgo。"

"Hoity-toity！Won’tyehearthatnow？"laughedamockingvoice。

"Andwhatifwesaywewon’tlethergo，eh？"

"ThenI’llmakeyou，"vowedDavid，aflamewithanewbornsomethingthatseemedtohavesprungfull-grownintobeing。

"Yow！"hootedthetallestboy，removingbothhandsfromthecaptivekitten。

Thekitten，released，begantobackfrantically。Thecan，danglingatitsheels，rattledandbangedandthumped，untilthefrightenedlittlecreature，crazedwithterror，becamenothingbutawhirlingmassofmisery。Theboys，formednowintoacrowingcircleofdelight，keptthekittenwithinbounds，andfloutedDavidmercilessly。

"Ah，ha！——stopus，willye？Whydon’tyestopus？"theygibed。

ForamomentDavidstoodwithoutmovement，hiseyesstaring。Thenextinstantheturnedandran。Thejeersbecameachorusoftriumphantshoutsthen——butnotforlong。Davidhadonlyhurriedtothewoodpiletolaydownhisviolin。Hecamebackthen，ontherun——andbeforethetallestboycouldcatchhisbreathhewasfelledbyastingingblowonthejaw。

Overbythechurchasmallgirl，red-hairedandred-eyed，clamberedhastilyoverthefencebehindwhichforlongminutesshehadbeencryingandwringingherhands。

"He’llbekilled，he’llbekilled，"shemoaned。"Andit’smyfault，’causeit’smykitty——it’smykitty，"shesobbed，straininghereyestocatchaglimpseofthekitten’sprotectorinthesquirmingmassoflegsandarms。

Thekitten，unheedednowbytheboys，waspursuingitsbackwardwhirltodestructionsomedistanceaway，andverysoonthelittlegirldiscoveredher。Withaboundandachokingcryshereachedthekitten，removedthebagandunboundthecruelstring。Then，sittingontheground，asafedistanceaway，shesoothedthepalpitatinglittlebunchofgrayfur，andwatchedwithfearfuleyesthefight。

Andwhatafightitwas！Therewasnoquestion，ofcourse，astoitsfinaloutcome，withsixagainstone；butmeanwhiletheonewasgivingthesixthesurpriseoftheirlivesintheshapeofwell-dealtblowsandskillfultwistsandturnsthatcausedtheirownstrengthandweighttoreactuponthemselvesinamostastonishingfashion。Theoneunmistakablywasgettingtheworstofit，however，whenthelittlegirl，afterahurrieddashtothestreet，broughtbackwithhertotherescueatall，smooth-shavenyoungmanwhomshehadhailedfromafaras"Jack。"

Jackputastoptothingsatonce。Withvigorousjerksandpullsheunsnarledthewrithingmass，boybyboy，eachoneofwhom，uponcatchingsightofhisface，slunkhurriedlyaway，asifgladtoescapesolightly。TherewasleftfinallyuponthegroundonlyDavidalone。ButwhenDaviddidatlastappear，thelittlegirlburstintotearsanew。

"Oh，Jack，he’skilled——Iknowhe’skilled，"shewailed。"Andhewassoniceand——andpretty。Andnow——lookathim！Ain’theasight？"

Davidwasnotkilled，buthewas——asight。Hisblousewastorn，histiewasgone，andhisfaceandhandswerecoveredwithdirtandblood。Aboveoneeyewasanugly-lookinglump，andbelowtheotherwasaredbruise。Somewhatdazedlyherespondedtotheman’shelpfulhand，pulledhimselfupright，andlookedabouthim。

Hedidnotseethelittlegirlbehindhim。

"Where’sthecat？"heaskedanxiously。

Theunexpectedhappenedthen。Withasobbingcrythelittlegirlflungherselfuponhim，catandall。

"Here，righthere，"shechoked。"Anditwasyouwhosavedher——myJuliette！AndI’llloveyou，loveyou，loveyoualwaysforit！"

"There，there，Jill，"interposedthemanalittlehurriedly。

"Supposewefirstshowourgratitudebyseeingifwecan’tdosomethingtomakeouryoungwarriorheremorecomfortable。"Andhebegantobrushoffwithhishandkerchiefsomeoftheaccumulateddirt。

"Whycan’twetakehimhome，Jack，andcleanhimup’foreotherfolksseehim？"suggestedthegirl。

Theboyturnedquickly。

"Didyoucallhim’Jack’？"

"Yes。"

"Andhecalledyou，Jill’？"

"Yes。"

"Thereal’JackandJill’that’wentupthehill’？"Themanandthegirllaughed；butthegirlshookherheadassheanswered，——

"Notreally——thoughwedogoupahill，allright，everyday。Butthosearen’tevenourownnames。Wejustcalleachotherthatforfun。Don’tYOUevercallthings——forfun？"

David’sfacelightedupinspiteofthedirt，thelump，andthebruise。

"Oh，doyoudothat？"hebreathed。"Say，IjustknowI’dliketoplaytoyou！You’dunderstand！"

"Oh，yes，andheplays，too，"explainedthelittlegirl，turningtothemanrapturously。"Onafiddle，youknow，likeyou。"

ShehadnotfinishedhersentencebeforeDavidwasaway，hurryingalittleunsteadilyacrossthelotforhisviolin。Whenhecamebackthemanwaslookingathimwithananxiousfrown。

"Supposeyoucomehomewithus，boy，"hesaid。"Itisn’tfar——throughthehillpasture，’crosslots，——andwe’lllookyouoverabit。Thatlumpoveryoureyeneedsattention。"

"Thankyou，"beamedDavid。"I’dliketogo，and——I’mgladyouwantme！"Hespoketotheman，buthelookedatthelittlered-headedgirl，whostillheldthegraykitteninherarms。

CHAPTERXII

ANSWERSTHATDIDNOTANSWER

"JackandJill，"itappeared，wereabrotherandsisterwholivedinatinyhouseonahilldirectlyacrossthecreekfromSunnycrest。BeyondthisDavidlearnedlittleuntilafterbumpsandbruisesanddirthadbeencarefullyattendedto。Hehadthen，too，somequestionstoanswerconcerninghimself。

"Andnow，ifyouplease，"beganthemansmilingly，ashesurveyedtheboywithaneyethatcouldseenofurtherservicetoberendered，"doyoumindtellingmewhoyouare，andhowyoucametobethecenterofattractionfortheblowsandcuffsofsixboys？"

"I’mDavid，andIwantedthecat，"returnedtheboysimply。

"Well，that’sdirectandtothepoint，tosaytheleast，"laughedtheman。"Evidently，however，you’reinthehabitofbeingthat。

But，David，thereweresixofthem，——thoseboys，——andsomeofthemwerelargerthanyou。"

"Yes，sir。"

"Andtheyweresobadandcruel，"chimedinthelittlegirl。

Themanhesitated，thenquestionedslowly。

"AndmayIaskyouwhereyou——er——learnedto——fightlikethat？"

"Iusedtoboxwithfather。HesaidImustfirstbewellandstrong。Hetaughtmejiujitsu，too，alittle；butIcouldn’tmakeitworkverywell——withsomany"

"Ishouldsaynot，"adjudgedthemangrimly。"Butyougavethemasurpriseortwo，I’llwarrant，"headded，hiseyesonthecauseofthetrouble，nowcurledinalittlegraybunchofcontentonthewindowsill。"ButIdon’tknowyetwhoyouare。Whoisyourfather？Wheredoeshelive？"

Davidshookhishead。Aswasalwaysthecasewhenhisfatherwasmentioned，hisfacegrewwistfulandhiseyesdreamy。

"Hedoesn’tlivehereanywhere，"murmuredtheboy。"InthefarcountryheiswaitingformetocometohimandtellhimofthebeautifulworldIhavefound，youknow。"

"Eh？What？"stammeredtheman，notknowingwhethertobelievehiseyes，orhisears。Thisboywhofoughtlikeademonandtalkedlikeasaint，andwho，thoughbatteredandbruised，prattledofthe"beautifulworld"hehadfound，wasmostdisconcerting。

"Why，Jack，don’tyouknow？"whisperedthelittlegirlagitatedly。"He’stheboyatMr。Holly’sthattheytook。"Then，stillmoresoftly："He’sthelittletrampboy。Hisfatherdiedinthebarn。"

"Oh，"saidtheman，hisfaceclearing，andhiseyesshowingaquicksympathy。"You’retheboyattheHollyfarmhouse，areyou？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Andheplaysthefiddleeverywhere，"volunteeredthelittlegirl，withardentadmiration。"Ifyouhadn’tbeenshutupsickjustnow，you’dhaveheardhimyourself。Heplayseverywhere——everywherehegoes。"

"Isthatso？"murmuredJackpolitely，shudderingalittleatwhathefanciedwouldcomefromaviolinplayedbyaboyliketheonebeforehim。（Jackcouldplaytheviolinhimselfalittle——enoughtoknowitsome，andloveitmore。）"Hm-m；well，andwhatelsedoyoudo？"

"Nothing，excepttogoforwalksandread。"

"Nothing！——abigboylikeyou——andonSimeonHolly’sfarm？"VoiceandmannershowedthatJackwasnotunacquaintedwithSimeonHollyandhismethodsandopinions。

Davidlaughedgleefully。

"Oh，ofcourse，REALLYIdolotsofthings，onlyIdon’tcountthoseanymore。’Horasnonnumeronisiserenas，’youknew，"hequotedpleasantly，smilingintotheman’sastonishedeyes。

"Jack，whatwasthat——whathesaid？"whisperedthelittlegirl。

"Itsoundedforeign。ISheforeign？"

"You’vegotme，Jill，"retortedtheman，withalaughinggrimace。"Heavenonlyknowswhatheis——Idon’t。WhatheSAIDwasLatin；Idohappentoknowthat。Still"——heturnedtotheboyironically——"ofcourseyouknowthetranslationofthat，"hesaid。

"Oh，yes。’Icountnohoursbutuncloudedones’——andIlikedthat。’Twasonasundial，youknow；andI’Mgoingtobeasundial，andnotcount，thehoursIdon’tlike——whileI’mpullingupweeds，andhoeingpotatoes，andpickingupstones，andallthat。Don’tyousee？"

Foramomentthemanstareddumbly。Thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughed。

"Well，byGeorge！"hemuttered。"ByGeorge！"Andhelaughedagain。Then："Anddidyourfatherteachyouthat，too？"heasked。

"Oh，no，——well，hetaughtmeLatin，andsoofcourseIcouldreaditwhenIfoundit。Butthose’specialwordsIgotoffthesundialwheremyLadyoftheRoseslives。"

"Your——LadyoftheRoses！Andwhoisshe？"

"Why，don’tyouknow？Youliverightinsightofherhouse，"

criedDavid，pointingtothetowersofSunnycrestthatshowedabovethetrees。"It’soverthereshelives。Iknowthosetowersnow，andIlookforthemwhereverIgo。Ilovethem。Itmakesmeseealloveragaintheroses——andher。"

"Youmean——MissHolbrook？"

ThevoicewassodifferentfromthegenialtonesthathehadheardbeforethatDavidlookedupinsurprise。

"Yes；shesaidthatwashername，"heanswered，wonderingattheindefinablechangethathadcometotheman’sface。

Therewasamoment’spause，thenthemanrosetohisfeet。

"How’syourhead？Doesitache？"heaskedbriskly。

"Notmuch——some。I——IthinkI’llbegoing，"repliedDavid，alittleawkwardly，reachingforhisviolin，andunconsciouslyshowingbyhismannerthesuddenchillintheatmosphere。

Thelittlegirlspokethen。Sheoverwhelmedhimagainwiththanks，andpointedtothecontentedkittenonthewindowsill。

True，shedidnottellhimthistimethatshewouldlove，love，lovehimalways；butshebeameduponhimgratefullyandsheurgedhimtocomesoonagain，andoften。

Davidbowedhimselfoff，withmanyabackwardwaveofthehand，andmanyapromisetocomeagain。Notuntilhehadquitereachedthebottomofthehilldidherememberthattheman，"Jack，"hadsaidalmostnothingatthelast。AsDavidrecollectedhim，indeed，hehadlastbeenseenstandingbesideoneoftheverandaposts，withgloomyeyesfixedonthetowersofSunnycrestthatshowedred-goldabovethetree-topsinthelastraysofthesettingsun。

Itwasabadhalf-hourthatDavidspentattheHollyfarmhouseinexplanationofhistornblouseandbruisedface。FarmerHollydidnotapproveoffights，andhesaidso，verysternlyindeed。EvenMrs。Holly，whowasusuallysokindtohim，letDavidunderstandthathewasindeepdisgrace，thoughshewasverytendertohiswounds。

Daviddidventuretoaskher，however，beforehewentupstairstobed：——

"Mrs。Holly，whoarethosepeople——JackandJill——thatweresogoodtomethisafternoon？"

"TheyareJohnGurnseyandhissister，Julia；butthewholetownknowsthembythenamestheylongagogavethemselves，’Jack’and’Jill。’"

"Anddotheyliveallaloneinthelittlehouse？"

"Yes，exceptfortheWidowGlaspell，whocomesinseveraltimesaweek，Ibelieve，tocookandwashandsweep。Theyaren’tveryhappy，I’mafraid，David，andI’mgladyoucouldrescuethelittlegirl’skittenforher——butyoumustn’tfight。Nogoodcancomeoffighting！"

"Igotthecat——byfighting。"

"Yes，yes，Iknow；but——"Shedidnotfinishhersentence，andDavidwasonlywaitingforapausetoaskanotherquestion。

"Whyaren’ttheyhappy，Mrs。Holly？"

"Tut，tut，David，it’salongstory，andyouwouldn’tunderstanditifItoldit。It’sonlythatthey’reallaloneintheworld，andJackGurnseyisn’twell。Hemustbethirtyyearsoldnow。Hehadbrighthopesnotsolongagostudyinglaw，orsomethingofthesort，inthecity。Thenhisfatherdied，andhismother，andhelosthishealth。Somethingailshislungs，andthedoctorssenthimheretobeoutofdoors。Heevensleepsoutofdoors，theysay。Anyway，he’shere，andhe’smakingahomeforhissister；but，ofcourse，withhishopesandambitions——Butthere，David，youdon’tunderstand，ofcourse！"

"Oh，yes，Ido，"breathedDavid，hiseyespensivelyturnedtowardashadowycorner。"Hefoundhisworkoutintheworld，andthenhehadtostopandcouldn’tdoit。PoorMr。Jack！"

CHAPTERXIII

ASURPRISEFORMR。JACK

LifeattheHollyfarmhousewasnotwhatithadbeen。ThecomingofDavidhadintroducednewelementsthatpromisedcomplications。

Notbecausehewasanothermouthtofeed——SimeonHollywasnotworryingaboutthatpartanylonger。Cropsshowedgoodpromise，andallreadyinthebankevennowwasthenecessarymoneytocoverthedreadednote，duethelastofAugust。ThecomplicatingelementsinregardtoDavidwereofquiteanothernature。

ToSimeonHollytheboywasariddletobesternlysolved。ToEllenHollyhewasaneverpresentreminderofthelittleboyoflongago，andassuchwastobelovedandtrainedintoasemblanceofwhatthatboymighthavebecome。ToPerryLarson，Davidwasthe"derndestcheckerboardofsensean’nonsensegoin’"——agameoverwhichtochuckle。

AttheHollyfarmhousetheycouldnotunderstandaboywhowouldleaveasupperforasunset，orwhopreferredabooktoatoypistol——asPerryLarsonfoundoutwasthecaseontheFourthofJuly；whopickedflowers，likeagirl，forthetable，yetwhounhesitatinglystruckthefirstblowinafightwithsixantagonists：whowouldnotgofishingbecausethefisheswouldnotlikeit，norhuntingforanysortofwildthingthathadlife；whohungentrancedforanhouroverthe"millionsoflovelystripedbugs"inafieldofearlypotatoes，andwhopromptlyandstubbornlyrefusedtosprinklethosesame"lovelybugs"withParisgreenwhendiscoveredathisworship。Allthiswasmostperplexing，tosaytheleast。

YetDavidworked，andworkedwell，andinmostcasesheobeyedorderswillingly。Helearnedmuch，too，thatwasinterestingandprofitable；norwashetheonlyonethatmadestrangediscoveriesduringthoseJulydays。TheHollysthemselveslearnedmuch。Theylearnedthattheroseofsunsetandthegoldofsunrisewereworthlookingat；andthatthemassingofthethunderheadsinthewestmeantmorethanjustashower。Theylearned，too，thatthegreenofthehilltopandofthefar-reachingmeadowwasmorethangrass，andthatthepurplehazealongthehorizonwasmorethanthemountainsthatlaybetweenthemandthenextState。TheywerebeginningtoseetheworldwithDavid’seyes。

Therewere，too，thelongtwilightsandeveningswhenDavid，onthewingsofhisviolin，wouldspeedawaytohismountainhome，leavingbehindhimamanandawomanwhoseemedtothemselvestobelisteningtothevoiceofacurly-headed，rosy-cheekedladwhoonceplayedattheirkneesandnestledintheirarmswhenthedaywasdone。Andhere，too，theHollyswerelearning；thoughthethingthuslearnedwashiddendeepintheirhearts。

ItwasnotlongafterDavid’sfirstvisitthattheboywentagainto"TheHousethatJackBuilt，"astheGurnseyscalledtheirtinyhome。（ThoughinrealityithadbeenJack’sfatherwhohadbuiltthehouse。JackandJill，however，didnotalwaysdealwithrealities。）Itwasnotapleasantafternoon。Therewasalightmistintheair，andDavidwaswithouthisviolin。

"Icameto——toinquireforthecat——Juliette，"hebegan，alittlebashfully。"IthoughtI’dratherdothatthanreadto-day，"heexplainedtoJillinthedoorway。

"Good！I’msoglad！Ihopedyou’dcome，"thelittlegirlwelcomedhim。"Comeinand——andseeJuliette，"sheaddedhastily，rememberingatthelastmomentthatherbrotherhadnotlookedwithentirefavoronheravowedadmirationforthisstrangelittleboy。

Juliette，rousedfromhernap，wasatfirstinclinedtoresenthervisitor’spresence。Infiveminutes，however，shewaspurringinhislap。

Theconquestofthekittenonceaccomplished，Davidlookedabouthimalittlerestlessly。Hebegantowonderwhyhehadcome。HewishedhehadgonetoseeJoeGlaspellinstead。HewishedthatJillwouldnotsitandstareathimlikethat。Hewishedthatshewouldsaysomething——anything。ButJill，apparentlystruckdumbwithembarrassment，wasnervouslytwistingthecornerofherapronintoalittleknot。Davidtriedtorecollectwhathehadtalkedaboutafewdaysbefore，andhewonderedwhyhehadsoenjoyedhimselfthen。Hewishedthatsomethingwouldhappen——anything！——andthenfromaninnerroomcamethesoundofaviolin。

Davidraisedhishead。

"It’sJack，"stammeredthelittlegirl——whoalsohadbeenwishingsomethingwouldhappen。"Heplays，sameasyoudo，ontheviolin。"

"Doeshe？"beamedDavid。"But——"Hepaused，listening，aquickfrownonhisface。

Overandovertheviolinwasplayingasinglephrase——andthevariationsinthephraseshowedtheindecisionofthefingersandofthemindthatcontrolledthem。Againandagainwithirritatingsameness，yetwithastillmoreirritatingdifference，camethesuccessionofnotes。AndthenDavidsprangtohisfeet，placingJuliettesomewhatunceremoniouslyonthefloor，muchtothatpettedyoungautocrat’sdisgust。

"Here，whereishe？Letmeshowhim，"criedtheboy，andatthenoteofcommandinhisvoice，JillinvoluntarilyroseandopenedthedoortoJack’sden。

"Oh，please，Mr。Jack，"burstoutDavid，hurryingintotheroom。

"Don’tyousee？Youdon’tgoatthatthingright。Ifyou’lljustletmeshowyouaminute，we’llhaveitfixedinnotime！"

Themanwiththeviolinstared，andloweredhisbow。Aslowredcametohisface。Thephrasewaspeculiarlyadifficultone，andbeyondhim，asheknew；butthatdidnotmakethepresentintrusionintohisprivacyanythemorewelcome。

"Oh，willwe，indeed！"heretorted，alittlesharply。"Don’ttroubleyourself，Ibegofyou，boy。"

"Butitisn’tamiteoftrouble，truly，"urgedDavid，withanardorthatignoredthesarcasmintheother’swords。"IWANTtodoit。"

Despitehisannoyance，themangaveashortlaugh。

"Well，David，Ibelieveyou。AndI’llwarrantyou’dtacklethisBrahmsconcertoasnonchalantlyasyoudidthosesixhoodlumswiththecattheotherday——andexpecttowinout，too！"

"But，truly，thisiseasy，whenyouknowhow，"laughedtheboy。

"See！"

Tohissurprise，themanfoundhimselfrelinquishingtheviolinandbowintotheslim，eagerhandsthatreachedforthem。Thenextmomenthefellbackinamazement。Clear，distinct，yetconnectedlikeastringofroundedpearlsfellthetroublesomenotesfromDavid’sbow。"Yousee，"smiledtheboyagain，andplayedthephraseasecondtime，moreslowly，andwithdeliberateemphasisatthedifficultpart。Then，asifinanswertosomeirresistiblesummonswithinhim，hedashedintothenextphraseand，withmarveloustechnique，playedquitethroughtheripplingcadenzathatcompletedthemovement。

"Well，byGeorge！"breathedthemandazedly，ashetooktheofferedviolin。Thenextmomenthehaddemandedvehemently："ForHeaven’ssake，whoAREyou，boy？"

David’sfacewrinkledingrievedsurprise。

"Why，I’mDavid。Don’tyouremember？Iwasherejusttheotherday！"

"Yes，yes；butwhotaughtyoutoplaylikethat？"

"Father。"

"’Father’！"Themanechoedthewordwithagestureofcomicdespair。"FirstLatin，thenjiujitsu，andnowtheviolin！Boy，whowasyourfather？"

Davidliftedhisheadandfrownedalittle。Hehadbeenquestionedsooften，andsounsympathetically，abouthisfatherthathewasbeginningtoresentit。

"Hewasdaddy——justdaddy；andIlovedhimdearly。"

"Butwhatwashisname？"

"Idon’tknow。Wedidn’tseemtohaveanamelike——likeyoursdownhere。Anyway，ifwedid，Ididn’tknowwhatitwas。"

"But，David，"——themanwasspeakingverygentlynow。Hehadmotionedtheboytoalowseatbyhisside。Thelittlegirlwasstandingnear，hereyesalightwithwonderinginterest。"Hemusthavehadaname，youknow，justthesame。Didn’tyoueverhearanyonecallhimanything？Think，now。"

"No。"Davidsaidthesingleword，andturnedhiseyesaway。Ithadoccurredtohim，sincehehadcometoliveinthevalley，thatperhapshisfatherdidnotwanttohavehisnameknown。Herememberedthatoncethemilk-and-eggsboyhadaskedwhattocallhim；andhisfatherhadlaughedandanswered："Idon’tseebutyou’llhavetocallme’TheOldManoftheMountain，’astheydodowninthevillage。"ThatwastheonlytimeDavidcouldrecollecthearinghisfathersayanythingabouthisname。AtthetimeDavidhadnotthoughtmuchaboutit。Butsincethen，downherewheretheyappearedtothinkanamewassoimportant，hehadwonderedifpossiblyhisfatherhadnotpreferredtokeephistohimself。Ifsuchwerethecase，hewasgladnowthathedidnotknowthisname，sothathemightnothavetotellalltheseinquisitivepeoplewhoaskedsomanyquestionsaboutit。Hewasglad，too，thatthosemenhadnotbeenabletoreadhisfather’snameattheendofhisothernotethatfirstmorning——ifhisfatherreallydidnotwishhisnametobeknown。