第3章

Shewasnearingherfifteenthbirthday，andthoughalmosteveryletterbroughtaninvitationtovisitthemanseinthebackwoods，itwasonlywhenthegirl\'spalecheekandlanguidairawakenedherfather\'sanxietythatshewasallowedtoaccepttheinvitationtospendsomeweeksinthecountry。

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WhenRanaldandHughiedroveuptothemanseonSaturdayeveninginthejumperthewholehouseholdrushedforthtoseethem。Theywereworthseeing。BurnedblackwiththesunandtheMarchwinds，theywouldhaveeasilypassedforyoungIndians。Hughie\'sclotheswereamelancholyandflutteringruin；andwhileRanald\'sstouthomespunsmockandtrousershadsuccessfullydefiedthebush，hisdarkfaceandunkempthair，hisroughdressandheavyshantyboots，madehimappear，toMaimie\'seyes，anuncouth，ifnotpitiable，object。

"Oh，mother！"criedHughie，throwinghimselfuponher，"I\'mhomeagain，andwe\'vehadasplendidtime，andwemadeheapsofsugar，andI\'vebroughtyouawholelot。"Hedrewoutofhispocketsthreeorfourcakesofmaplesugar。"Thereisoneforeach，"hesaid，handingthemtohismother。

"Here，Hughie，"shereplied，"speaktoyourcousinMaimie。"

Hughiewentupshylytohiscousinandofferedagrimyhand。

Maimie，lookingattheraggedlittlefigure，couldhardlyhideherdisgustasshetookthedirty，stickylittlehandverygingerlyinherfingers。ButHughiewasdeterminedtodohisdutytothefull，eventhoughRanaldwaspresent，andshakinghiscousin\'shandwithgreatheartiness，hehelduphisfacetobekissed。Hewasmuchsurprised，andnotalittlerelieved，whenMaimierefusedtonoticehisofferandturnedtolookatRanald。

Shefoundhimscanningherwithastraight，searchinglook，asifseekingtodiscoverofwhatsortshewas。ShefelthehadnoticedhershrinkingfromHughie，andwasannoyedtofindherselfblushingunderhiskeengaze。ButwhenMrs。MurraypresentedRanaldtoherniece，itwashisturntoblushandfeelawkward，ashecameforwardwithatriangularsortofmovementandofferedhishand，saying，withanaccessofhisHighlandaccent，"Itisafineday，ma\'am。"ItrequiredallMaimie\'sgoodmannerstokeepbackthelaughthatfluttereduponherlips。

Slightasitwas，Ranaldnoticedthesmile，andturningfromherabruptlytoMrs。Murray，said："WewerethinkingthatFridaywouldbeagooddayforthesugaring-off，ifthatwilldoyou。"

"Quitewell，Ranald，"saidtheminister\'swife；"anditisverygoodofyoutohaveus。"

She，too，hadnotedMaimie\'ssmile，andseeingthedarkflushonRanald\'scheek，sheknewwellwhatitmeant。

"Comeandsitdownalittle，Ranald，"shesaid，kindly；"IhavegotsomebookshereforyouandDontoread。"

ButRanaldwouldnotsit，norwouldhewaitamoment。"Thankyou，ma\'am，"hesaid，"butIwillneedtobegoing。"

"Wait，Ranald，amoment，"criedMrs。Murray。Sheranintothenextroom，andinafewmomentsreturnedwithtwoorthreebooksandsomemagazines。"These，"shesaid，handinghimthebooks，"aresomeofWalterScott\'s。Theywillbegoodforweek-days；andthese，"givinghimthemagazines，"youcanreadafterchurchonSabbath。"

Theboy\'seyeslightedupashethankedMrs。Murray，andheshookhandswithherverywarmly。Then，withabowtothecompany，andwithoutlookingatMaimieagain，helefttheroom，withHughiefollowingathisheels。InashorttimeHughiecamebackfullofenthusiasticpraiseofhishero。

"Oh，mother！"hecried，"heisawfulsmart。Hecanjustdoanything。

Hecanmakeasplendidbedofbalsambrush，andporridge，andpancakes，and——and——and——everything。"

"Abedofbalsambrushandporridge！Whatawonderfulboyhemustbe，Hughie，"saidMaimie，teasinghim。"Butisn\'thejustalittlequeer？"

"He\'snotabitqueer，"saidHughie，stoutly。"Heisthebest，best，bestboyinalltheworld。"

"Indeed！howextraordinary！"saidMaimie；"youwouldn\'tthinksotolookathim。"

"Ithinkheisjustsplendid，"saidHughie；"don\'tyou，mother？"

"Indeed，heisferybrownwhatever，"mockedMaimie，mimickingRanald\'sHighlandtongue，atrickatwhichshewasveryclever，"and——notjustferyclean。"

"You\'rejustamean，mean，red-headedsnip！"criedHughie，inarage，"andIdon\'tlikeyouonebit。"

ButMaimiewasproudofhergoldenhair，soHughie\'sshotfellharmless。

"Andwhenwillyoubegoingtothesugaring-off，MistressMurray？"

wentonMaimie，mimickingRanaldsocleverlythatinspiteofherselfMrs。Murraysmiled。

Itwashismother\'ssmilethatperfectedHughie\'sfury。Withoutawordofthreatorwarning，heseizedadipperofwaterandthrewitoverMaimie，soakingherprettyribbonsandcollar，andwaspromptlysentupstairstorepent。

"PoorHughie！"saidhismother，afterhehaddisappeared；"Ranaldishishero，andhecannotbearanycriticismofhim。"

"Hedoesn\'tlookmuchofahero，auntie，"saidMaimie，dryingherfaceandcurls。

"Veryfewheroesdo，"saidheraunt，quietly。"Ranaldhasnoblequalities，buthehashadveryfewadvantages。"

ThenMrs。MurraytoldherniecehowRanaldhadputhimselfbetweenherandthepursuingwolves。Maimie\'sblueeyeswerewidewithhorror。

"But，auntie，"shecried，"whyintheworlddoyougotosuchplaces？"

"Whatplaces，Maimie？"saidtheminister，whohadcomeintotheroom。

"Why，thoseawfulplaceswherethewolvesare。"

"Indeed，youmayaskwhy，"saidtheminister，gravely。Hehadheardthestoryfromhiswifethenightbefore。"Butitwouldneedamantobeonguarddayandnighttokeepyourauntfrom\'thoseplaces。\'"

"Yes，andyouruncle，too，"saidMrs。Murray，shakingherheadatherhusband。"Yousee，Maimie，welivein\'thoseplaces\'；andafterall，theyareassafeasany。Weareingoodkeeping。"

"AndwasHughieoutallnightwiththosetwoboysinthosewoods，auntie？"

"Oh，therewasnodanger。Thewolveswillnotcomenearafire，andtheboyshavetheirdogsandguns，"saidMrs。Murray；"besides，Ranaldistobetrusted。"

"Trusted？"saidtheminister；"indeed，Iwouldnottrusthimtoofar。Heisjustwildenough，likehisfatherbeforehim。"

"Oh，papa，youdon\'tknowRanald，"saidhiswife，warmly；"norhisfathereither，forthatmatter。Ineverdidtillthislastweek。

Theyhavekeptalooffromeverything，andreally——"

"Andwhosefaultisthat？"interruptedtheminister。"Whyshouldtheykeepalooffromthemeansofgrace？Theyareagodlesslot，that\'swhattheyare。"Theminister\'sindignationwasrising。

"But，mydear，"persistedMrs。Murray，"Ibelieveiftheyhadachance——"

"Chance！"exclaimedtheminister；"whatmorechancedotheywant？

Havetheynotallthatotherpeoplehave？MacdonaldDubhisrarelyseenattheservicesontheLord\'sday，andasforRanald，hecomesandgoesathisownsweetwill。"

"Letushope，"saidhiswife，gently，"theywillimprove。I

believeRanaldwouldcometoBibleclasswerehenotsoshy。"

"Shy！"laughedtheminister，scornfully；"heisnottooshytostanduponthetablebeforeahundredmenafteralogginganddancetheHighlandfling，andbeautifullyhedoesit，too，"headded。

"Butforallthat，"saidhiswife，"heisveryshy。"

"Idon\'tlikeshypeople，"saidMaimie；"theyaresoawkwardanddreadfultodowith。"

"Well，"saidheraunt，quietly，"Iratherlikepeoplewhoarenottoosureofthemselves，andIthinkallthemoreofRanaldforhisshynessandmodesty。"

"Oh，Ranald\'smodestywon\'tdisablehim，"saidtheminister。"Formypart，Ithinkheisadaringyoungrascal；andindeed，ifthereisanymischiefgoinginthecountrysideyoumaybesureRanaldisnotfaraway。"

"Oh，papa，Idon\'tthinkRanaldisaBADboy，"saidhiswife，almostpleadingly。

"Bad？I\'msureIdon\'tknowwhatyoucallit。Wholetoffthedamlastyearsothatthesaw-millcouldnotrunforaweek？WhoabusedpoorDuncieMacBainsothathewascarriedhomegroaning？"

"DuncieMacBain！"exclaimedhiswife，contemptuously；"great，big，softlump，thatheis。Why，he\'saman，asbigaseverhe\'llbe。"

"WhobroketheLittleChurchwindowstilltherewasn\'tapaneleft？"pursuedtheminister，unheedinghiswife\'sinterruption。

"Itwasn\'tRanaldthatbrokethechurchwindows，papa，"pipedHughiefromabove。

"Howdoyouknow，sir？Whodidit，then？"demandedhisfather。

"Itwasn\'tRanald，anyway，"saidHughie，stoutly。

"Whowasit，then？Tellmethat，"saidhisfatheragain。

"Hughie，gotoyourroomandstaythere，asItoldyou，"saidhismother，fearinganinvestigationintothewindow-breakingepisode，ofwhichHughiehadmadefullconfessiontoherashisownparticularachievement，inrevengeforabrokenwindowinthenewchurch。

"Ithink，"continuedMr。Murray，asifclosingthediscussion，"you\'llfindthatyourRanaldisnotthemodest，shy，gentleyoungmanyouthinkhimtobe，butaparticularlyboldyoungrascal。"

"PoorRanald，"sighedhiswife；"hehasnomother，andhisfatherhasjustlethimgrowupwild。"

"Aye，that\'strueenough，"assentedherhusband，passingintohisstudy。

ButhecouldhaveadoptednobettermeansofawakeningMaimie\'sinterestinRanaldthanbytherecitalofhisvariousescapades。

Womenlovegoodmen，butareinterestedinmenwhosegoodnessismoreorlessimpaired。SoMaimiewasdeterminedthatshewouldknowmoreofRanald，andhencetookeveryopportunityofencouragingHughietosingthepraisesofhisheroandrecounthismanyadventures。Shewasglad，too，thatheraunthadfixedthesugaring-offforatimewhenshecouldbepresent。ButneitheratchurchonSundaynorduringtheweekthatfolloweddidshecatchsightofhisface，andthoughHughiecameinwithexcitedreportsnowandthenofhavingseenorheardofRanald，Maimiehadtocontentherselfwiththese；and，indeed，wereitnotthattheinvitationhadalreadybeengiven，andthedayfixedforhervisittothecamp，thechancesarethatMaimie\'sacquaintancewithRanaldwouldhaveendedwhereitbegan，inwhichcasebothhadbeensavedmanybitterdays。

CHAPTERVIII

THESUGARING-OFF

Thesugartimeis，inmanyways，thebestofalltheyear。Itisthetimeofcrispmornings，when"thecrustbears，"andtheboysgocrunchingoverallthefieldsandthroughthewoods；thetime，too，ofsunnynoonsandchillynights。Winterisstillnear，buthehaslostmostofhisgrip，andallhisterror。Fortheearthhasheardthecallofspringfromafar，andknowsthatsoonshewillbeseen，dancinghershydances，inthesunnyspacesoftheleaflesswoods。

Then，byandby，fromalltheopenfieldsthesnowisdrivenbackintothefencecorners，andliesthereinsoiledandsullenheaps。

Inthewoodsitstillliesdeep；butthereiseverywherethetinkleofrunningwater，anditisnotlongtillthebrownleafcarpetbeginstoshowinpatchesthroughthewhite。Then，overhead，thebudsbegintoswellandthrillwiththenewlife，andwhenitisbroadnoon，allthroughthewoodsathousandvoicespassthegladwordthatwinter\'sdayisgoneandthatalllivingthingsarefree。

Butwhennightdrawsupoverthetreetops，andtheshadowsstealdowntheforestaisles，thejubilantvoicesdiedownandachillfearcreepsoverallthegleeful，swellingbudsthattheyhavebeentoosureandtoohappy；andallthemoreif，fromthenortheast，theresweepsdown，asoftenhappens，astingingstormofsleetandsnow，winter\'slastsavageslap。Butwhatmattersthat？Theverynextday，whenthebright，warmraystrickledownthroughtheinterlacingbranches，bathingthebudsandtwigsandlimbsandtrunksandfloodingallthewoods，theworldgrowssurerofitsnewjoy。Andso，inalternatinghopeandfear，thedaysandnightsgoby，tillaneveningfallswhentheairislanguidandasoftraincomesupfromthesouth，fallingallnightlongoverthebudsandtreeslikewarm，lovingfingers。Thenthebudsbreakforveryjoy，andtimidgreenthingspushupthroughtheleaf-mold；andfromtheswampsthelittlefrogsbegintopipe，atfirstinsolo，butsooninexultantchorus，tillthewholemoistnightisvocal，andtheneveryoneknowsthatthesugartimeisover，andtroughsandspilesaregatheredup，andwithsap-barrelsandkettles，arestoredinthebackshedforanotheryear。

Butnoraincamebeforethenightfixedforthesugaring-off。Itwasaperfectsugarday，warm，bright，andstill，followinganightofsharpfrost。ThelongsunnyafternoonwasdeepeningintotwilightwhentheCameronsdroveuptothesugar-campintheirbigsleigh，bringingwiththemthemanseparty。RanaldandDon，withAuntKirsty，weretheretoreceivethem。ItwasoneofthoserareeveningsoftheearlyCanadianspring。Thebarewoodswerefilledwiththetangledraysoflightfromthesettingsun。Hereandthereahillsidefacingtheeastlayinshadowthatgrewblackwherethebalsamsandcedarsstoodinclumps。Buteverywhereelsethelightfellsweetandsilentaboutthebaretrunks，fillingthelongavenuesunderthearchingmaplelimbswithayellowhaze。

Infrontoftheshantythekettleshungoverthefireonalongpolewhichstoodinanuprightcrutchateitherend。Underthebigkettlethefirewasroaringhigh，forthefreshsapneededmuchboilingbeforethesyrupandtaffycouldcome。Butunderthelittlekettlethefireburnedlow，forthatmustnotbehurried。

OverthefireandthekettlesRanaldpresided，black，grimy，andsilent，andtoDonfellthedutyofdoingthehonorsofthecamp；

andrightworthilydidhedohispart。Hegreetedhismotherwithreverence，cuffedhisyoungbrother，kissedhislittlesisterJennie，tossingherhigh，andwelcomedwithwarmheartinessMrs。

Murrayandherniece。TheAirdshadnotyetcome，butalltherestwerethere。TheFinlaysonsandtheMcKerachers，DanCampbell\'sboys，andtheirsisterBetsy，whomeveryonecalled"BetsyDan，"

redheaded，freckled，andirrepressible；theMcGregors，andadozenormoreofthewildestyoungstersthatcouldbefoundinalltheIndianLands。Depositingtheirbasketsintheshanty，fortheyhadnothoughtoffasting，theycrowdedaboutthefire。

"Attention！"criedDon，whohada"giftofthegab，"ashismothersaid。"Ladiesandgentlemen，theprogramforthiseveningisasfollows：games，tea，andtaffy，intheordermentioned。Inthefirst，allMUSTtakepart；inthesecond，allMAYtakepart；butinthethird，noneNEEDtakepart。"

Afterthelaughterandthechorusof"Ohs"hadsubsided，Donproceeded："Thecaptainsfortheeveningare，ElizabethCampbell，betterknownas\'BetsyDan，\'andJohnFinlayson，familiartousallas\'JohnnietheWidow，\'twoyoungpeopleofexcellentcharacter，andIbelieve，slightlyknowntoeachother。"

Againashoutwentupfromthecompany，butBetsyDan，whocarednotatallforDon\'sbanter，contentedherselfwithpushingoutherlowerlipathimwithscorn，inthatindescribablemannernaturaltogirls，buttoboysimpossible。

Thenthechoosingbegan。BetsyDan，claimingfirstchoicebyvirtueofhersex，immediatelycalledout，"RanaldMacdonald。"

ButRanaldshookhishead。"Icannotleavethefire，"hesaid，blushing；"takeDonthere。"

ButBetsydemurred。"Idon\'twantDon，"shecried。"Comeon，Ranald；thefirewilldoquitewell。"Betsy，asindeeddidmostoftheschool-girls，adoredRanaldinhersecretheart，thoughshescornedtoshowit。

ButRanaldstillrefused，tillDonsaid，"Itistoobad，Betsy，butyou\'llhavetotakeme。"

"Oh，comeon，then！"laughedBetsy；"youwillbebetterthannobody。"

ThenitwasJohnnietheWidow\'schoice："MaimieSt。Clair。"

Maimiehesitatedandlookedatheraunt，whosaid，"Yes，go，mydear，ifyouwouldlike。"

"MargetAird！"criedBetsy，spyingMargetandherbrotherscomingdowntheroad。"Comealong，Marget；youareonmyside——onDon\'sside，Imean。"AtwhichpoorMarget，atall，fairgirl，withsweetfaceandshymanner，blushedfuriously，but，aftergreetingtheminister\'swifeandtherestoftheolderpeople，shetookherplacebesideDon。

Thechoosingwentontilleveryonepresentwastaken，notevenAuntKirstybeingallowedtoremainneutralinthecominggames。

Foranhourthesportswenton。Racing，jumping，bear，Londonbridge，crackthewhip，andlastly，forfeits。

MeantimeRanaldsuperintendedthesap-boiling，keepingontheoppositesideofthefirefromtheladies，andansweringinmonosyllablesanyquestionsaddressedtohim。Butwhenitwastimetomakethetea，Mrs。CameronandKirstyinsistedontakingchargeofthis，andMrs。Murray，comingroundtoRanald，said："Now，Ranald，Icametolearnallaboutsugar-making，andwhiletheothersaremakingtea，Iwantyoutoteachmehowtomakesugar。"

Ranaldgladlyagreedtoshowherallheknew。Hehadbeenfeelingawkwardandmiserableinthenoisycrowd，butespeciallyinthepresenceofMaimie。Hehadnotforgottenthesmileofamusementwithwhichshehadgreetedhimatthemanse，andhiswoundedpridelongedforanopportunitytopouruponherthevialsofhiscontempt。Butsomehow，inherpresence，contemptwouldnotarisewithinhim，andhewasdrivenintowretchedsilenceandself-

abasement。Itwas，therefore，withpeculiargratitudethatheturnedtoMrs。Murrayastoonewhobothunderstoodandtrustedhim。

"Ithankyouforthebooks，Mrs。Murray，"hebegan，inalow，hurriedvoice。"Theyarejustwonderful。ThatRobRoyandIvanhoe，oh！theyarethegrandbooks。"Hisfacewasfairlyblazingwithenthusiasm。"Ineverknewthereweresuchbooksatall。"

"Iamverygladyoulikethem，Ranald，"saidMrs。Murray，intonesofwarmsympathy，"andIshallgiveyouasmanyasyoulike。"

"Icannotthankyouenough。Ihavenotthewords，"saidtheboy，lookingasifhemightfalldownatherfeet。Mrs。Murraywasgreatlytouchedbothbyhisenthusiasmandhisgratitude。

"Itisagreatpleasuretome，Ranald，thatyoulikethem，"shesaid，earnestly。"Iwantyoutolovegoodbooksandgoodmenandnobledeeds。"

Ranaldstoodlisteninginsilence。

"Thensomedayyouwillbeagoodandgreatmanyourself，"sheadded，"andyouwilldosomenoblework。"

Theboystoodlookingfarawayintothewoods，hisblackeyesfilledwithamysteriousfire。Suddenlyhethrewbackhisheadandsaid，asifhehadforgottenMrs。Murray\'spresence，"Yes，somedayIwillbeagreatman。Iknowitwell。"

"Andgood，"softlyaddedMrs。Murray。

Heturnedandlookedatheramomentasifinadream。Then，recallinghimself，heanswered，"Isupposethatisthebest。"

"Yes，itisthebest，Ranald，"shereplied。"Nomanisgreatwhoisnotgood。Butcomenowandgivememylesson。"

Ranaldsteppedoutintothebush，andfromatreenearbyheliftedatroughofsapandemptieditintothebigkettle。

"That\'sthefirstthingyoudowiththesap，"hesaid。

"How？Carryeverytroughtothekettle？"

"Oh，Isee，"laughedRanald。"Youmusthaveeverystep。"

"Yes，indeed，"shereplied，withdetermination。

"Well，hereitis。"

Heseizedabucket，wenttoanothertree，emptiedthesapfromthetroughintothebucket，andthenceintothebarrel，andfromthebarrelintothebigkettle。

"Thenfromthebigkettleintothelittleone，"hesaid，catchingupabigdippertiedtoalongpole，andtransferringtheboilingsapashespokefromonekettletoanother。

"Buthowcanyoutellwhenitisready？"askedMrs。Murray。

"Onlybytasting。Whenitisverysweetitmustgointothelittlekettle。"

"Andthen？"

Hereagerdeterminationtoknowallthedetailsdelightedhimbeyondmeasure。

"Thenyoumustbeverycarefulindeed，oryouwillloseallyourday\'swork，andyoursugarbesides，foritisveryeasytoburn。"

"Buthowcanyoutellwhenitisready？"

"Oh，youmustjustkeeptastingeveryfewminutestillyouthinkyouhavethesyrup，andthenforthesugaryoumustjustboilitalittlelonger。"

"Well，"saidMrs。Murray，"whenitisreadywhatdoyoudo？"

"Then，"hesaid，"youmustquicklyknockthefirefromunderit，andpouritintothepans，stirringittillitgetsnearlycool。"

"Andwhydoyoustirit？"sheasked。

"Oh，tokeepitfromgettingtoohard。"

"NowIhavelearnedsomethingIneverknewbefore，"saidtheminister\'swife，delightedly，"andIamverygratefultoyou。

Wemusthelpeachother，Ranald。"

"Indeed，itislittleIcandoforyou，"hesaid，shyly。

"YoudonotknowhowmuchIamgoingtoaskyoutodo，"shesaid，lightly。"Waitandsee。"

Atthatmomentaseriesofshrieksrosehighabovetheshoutingandlaughterofthegames，andMaimiecameflyingdowntowardthecamp，pursuedbyDon，withtheothersfollowing。

"Oh，auntie！"shepanted，he\'sgoingto——goingto——"shepaused，withcheeksburning。

"It\'sforfeits，Mrs。Murray，"explainedDon。

"Hoot，lassie，"saidMrs。Cameron；"itwillnotmuchhurtyou，anyway。Theythatkissinthelightwillnotkissinthedark。"

"Sheplayed，andlostherforfeit，"saidDon，unwillingtobejeeredatbytheothersforfaint-heartedness。"Sheoughttopay。"

"I\'mafraid，Don，shedoesnotunderstandourways，"saidMrs。

Murray，apologetically。

"Beoff，Don，"saidhismother。"KissMargetthere，ifyoucan——itwillnothurther——andleavetheyoungladyalone。"

"It\'sjusthorridofthem，auntie，"saidMaimie，indignantly，astheotherswentbacktotheirgames。

"Indeed，"saidMrs。Cameron，warmly，"ifyouwillneverdoworsethankissaladdieinagame，it\'slittleharmwillbecomingtoyou。"

ButMaimieignoredher。

"Isitnothorrid，auntie？"shesaid。

"Well，mydear，ifyouthinkso，itis。Butnotforthesegirls，whoplaythegamewithneverathoughtofimproprietyandwithnoshocktotheirmodesty。Muchdependsonhowyouthinkaboutthesethings。"

ButMaimiewasnotsatisfied。ShewasindignantatDonforofferingtokissher，butasshestoodandwatchedthegamesgoingonunderthetrees——thetag，thechase，thecatch，andthekiss——

shesomehowbegantofeelasifitwerenotsoterribleafterall，andtothinkthatperhapsthesegirlsmightplaythegameandstillbeniceenough。Butshehadnothoughtofgoingbacktothem，andsosheturnedherattentiontothepreparationsfortea，nowalmostcomplete。HerauntandRanaldweretoastingslicesofbreadatthebigblazingfire，onforksmadeoutoflongswitches。

"Letmetry，auntie，"shesaid，pushinguptothefirebetweenherauntandRanald。"IamsureIcandothat。"

"Becarefulofthatfire，"saidRanald，sharply，pullingbackherskirt，thathadblowndangerouslyneartheblaze。"Standbackfurther，"hecommanded。

Mamielookedathim，surprise，indignation，andfearstrugglingforthemastery。Wasthistheawkwardboythathadblushedandstammeredbeforeheraweekago？

"It\'sverydangerous，"heexplainedtoMrs。Murray，"thewindblowsouttheflames。"

AshespokehehandedMaimiehistoastingstickandretiredtotheothersideofthefire，andbegantoattendtotheboilingsap。

"Heneedn\'tbesuchabear，"poutedMaimie。

"Mydear，"repliedheraunt，"whatRanaldsaysisquitetrue。Youcannotbetoocarefulinmovingaboutthefire。"

"Well，heneedn\'tbesocrossaboutit，"saidMaimie。Shehadneverbeenorderedaboutbeforeinherlife，andshedidnotenjoytheexperience，andallthemoreatthehandsofanuncouthcountryboy。ShewatchedRanaldattendingtothefireandthekettles，however，withanewrespect。Hecertainlyhadnofearofthefire，butmovedaboutitandhandleditwiththeutmostsang-froid。Hehadacertaingrace，too，inhismovementsthatcaughthereye，andshewishedhewouldcomenearersothatshecouldspeaktohim。

Shehadconsiderableconfidenceinherpowersofattraction。Asiftoanswerherwish，Ranaldcamestraighttowhereherauntandshewerestanding。

"Ithinkitwillbetimeforteanow，"hesaid，withasuddenreturnofhisawkwardmanner，thatmadeMaimiewonderwhyshehadeverbeenafraidofhim。"IwilltellDon，"headded，stridingofftowardthegroupofboysandgirls，stillbusywiththeirgamesunderthetrees。

SoonDon\'sshoutwasheard："Tea，ladiesandgentlemen；takeyourseatsatthetables。"Andspeedilytherewasarushandscramble，andinafewmomentsthegreatheapsofgreenbalsamboughsarrangedaroundthefirewerefullofboysandgirlspulling，pinching，andtumblingoveroneanotherinwildglee。

Thetoaststoodinbrownheapsonbirch-barkplatesbesidethefire，andbasketswerecarriedoutoftheshantybulgingwithcakes；theteawasbubblinginthebigtintea-pail，andeverythingwasreadyforthefeast。ButRanaldhadcaughtMrs。Murray\'seye，andatasignfromher，stoodwaitingwiththetea-pailinhishand。

"Comeonwiththetea，Ranald，"criedDon，seizingaplateoftoast。

"Waitaminute，Don，"saidRanald，inalowtone。

"What\'sthematter？"

ButRanaldstoodstill，lookingsilentlyattheminister\'swife。

Then，asalleyesturnedtowardher，shesaid，inagentle，sweetvoice，"IthinkweoughttogivethankstoourFatherinheavenforallthisbeautyaboutusandforallourjoy。"

AtonceRanaldtookoffhishat，andastheboysfollowedhisexample，Mrs。Murraybowedherheadandinafew，simplewordslifteduptheheartsofallwithherowninthanksgivingforthebeautyofthewoodsandskyabovethem，andallthemanygiftsthatcametofilltheirliveswithjoy。

ItwasnotthefirsttimethatRanaldhadheardhervoiceinprayer，butsomehowitsoundeddifferentintheopenairunderthetreesandinthemidstofallthejollityofthesugaring-off。

WithallotherpeoplethatRanaldknewreligionseemedtobesomethingapartfromcommondays，commonpeople，andcommonthings，andseemed，besides，asolemnandterribleexperience；butwiththeminister\'swife，religionwasapartofherevery-dayliving，andseemedtobeaseasilyassociatedwithherpleasureaswithanythingelseabouther。Itwassoeasy，sosimple，sonatural，thatRanaldcouldnothelpwonderingif，afterall，itwastherightkind。Itwassounlikethereligionoftheeldersandallthegoodpeopleinthecongregation。ItwasagreatpuzzletoRanald，astomanyothers，bothbeforeandsincehistime。

Afterteawasoverthegreatbusinessoftheeveningcameon。

Ranaldannouncedthatthetaffywasready，andDon，asmasterofceremonies，immediatelycriedout："Thegentlemenwillprovidetheladieswithplates。"

"Plates！"echoedtheboys，withalaughofderision。

"Plates，"repeatedDon，steppingbacktoagreatsnowbank，nearabalsamclump，andreturningwithapieceof"crust。"Atoncetherewasascurrytothesnowbank，andsooneveryonehadasnowplateready。ThenRanaldandDonslidthelittlekettlealongthepoleoffthefire，andwithtindippersbegantopourthehotsyrupuponthesnowplates，whereitimmediatelyhardenedintotaffy。Thenthepullingbegan。Whatfuntherewas，whatlarks，whatshrieks，whatrompingandtumbling，tillallwereheartilytired，bothofthetaffyandthefun。

Thenfollowedthesugar-molding。Thelittlekettlewassetbackonthefireandkeptcarefullystirred，whiletindishesofallsorts，shapes，andsizes——milk-pans，pattie-pans，mugs，andcups——wellgreasedwithporkrind，weresetoutinorder，imbeddedinsnow。

Thelastactofallwasthemakingof"hens\'nests。"Adozenorsoofhens\'eggs，blownempty，andthreegooseeggsforthegrown-ups，weresetinsnownests，andcarefullyfilledfromthelittlekettle。Inafewminutesthenestswerefilledwithsugareggs，andthesugaring-offwasover。

Thereremainedstillagooseeggprovidedagainstanymishap。

"Whowantsthegooseegg？"criedDon，holdingitup。

"Me！""me！""me！"coaxedthegirlsoneveryside。

"Willyougiveittome，Don，fortheminister？"saidMrs。Murray。

"Oh，yes！"criedMaimie，"andletmefillit。"

Asshespoke，sheseizedthedipper，andranforthekettle。

"Lookoutforthatfire，"criedDon，droppingtheeggintoitssnowbed。Hewastoolate。Alittletongueofflameleapedoutfromunderthekettle，nippedholdofherfrock，andinamomentshewasinablaze。Withawildscreamshesprangbackandturnedtofly，butbeforeshehadgonemorethanasinglestepRanald，dashingthecrowdrightandleft，hadseizedandflungherheadlongintothesnow，beatingouttheflameswithhisbarehands。Inamomentalldangerwasover，andRanaldliftedherup。Stillscreaming，sheclungtohim，whilethewomenallrantoher。Herauntreachedherfirst。

"Hush，Maimie；hush，dear。Youarequitesafenow。Letmeseeyourface。Therenow，bequiet，child。Thedangerisallover。"

StillMaimiekeptscreaming。Shewasthoroughlyterrified。

"Listentome，"herauntsaid，inaneven，firmvoice。"Donotbefoolish。Letmelookatyou。"

Thequiet，firmvoicesoothedher，andMaimie\'sscreamsceased。

Herauntexaminedherface，neck，andarmsforanysignsoffire，butcouldfindnone。Shewashardlytouched，soswifthadbeenherrescue。ThenMrs。Murray，suddenlyputtingherarmsroundaboutherniece，andholdinghertight，cried："ThankGod，mydarling，forhisgreatkindnesstoyouandtousall。ThankGod！thankGod！"

Hervoicebroke，butinamoment，recoveringherself，shewenton，"AndRanald，too！noblefellow！"

Ranaldwasstandingatthebackofthecrowd，lookingpale，disturbed，andawkward。Mrs。Murray，knowinghowhatefultohimwouldbeanydemonstrationsoffeeling，wenttohim，andquietlyheldoutherhand，saying："Itwasbravelydone，Ranald。Frommyheart，Ithankyou。"

Foramomentortwoshelookedsteadilyintohisfacewithtearsstreamingdownhercheeks。Thenputtingherhandsuponhisshoulders，shesaid，softly：

"Forherdear，deadmother\'ssake，Ithankyou。"

ThenMaimie，whohadbeenstandinginakindofstuporallthiswhile，seemedsuddenlytoawake，andrunningswiftlytowardRanald，sheputoutbothhands，crying："Oh，Ranald，Icanneverthankyouenough！"

Hetookherhandsinanagonyofembarrassment，notknowingwhattodoorsay。ThenMaimiesuddenlydroppedhishands，andthrowingherarmsabouthisneck，kissedhim，andranbacktoheraunt\'sside。

"Ithoughtyoudidn\'tplayforfeits，Maimie，"saidDon，inagrievedvoice。Andeveryonewasgladtolaugh。

Thentheminister\'swife，lookingrounduponthemall，said："Dearchildren，Godhasbeenverygoodtous，andIthinkweoughttogivehimthanks。"

Andstandingtherebythefire，theybowedtheirheadsinanewthanksgivingtoHimwhosekeepingneverfailsbydayornight。Andthen，withheartsandvoicessubdued，andwithquietgoodnights，theywenttheirwayshome。

ButastheCameronsleighdroveoffwithitsload，Maimielookedback，andseeingRanaldstandingbythefire，shewhisperedtoheraunt："Oh，auntie！Isn\'thejustsplendid？"

Butherauntmadenoreply，seeinganewdangerforthemboth，greaterthanthattheyhadescaped。

CHAPTERIX

ASABBATHDAY\'SWORK

TheSabbaththatfollowedthesugaring-offwastoMaimiethemostremarkableSabbathofherlifeuptothatday。ItwastotallyunliketheSabbathofherhome，which，aftertheformal"churchparade，"asHarrycalledit，inthemorning，herfatherspentinloungingwithhismagazineandpipe，herauntinsleepingorinsocialgossipwithsuchfriendsasmightdropin，andHarryandMaimieasbesttheycould。

TheSabbathintheminister\'shouse，asinthehomesofhispeople，wasadaysosetapartfromotherdaysthatithadtobeapproached。

TheSaturdayafternoonandeveningcaughtsomethingofitsatmosphere。Nofrivolity，indeednolightamusement，wasproperontheeveningthatputaperiodtotheworldlyoccupationsandengagementsoftheweek。Thateveningwasoneofpreparation。Thehouse，andespeciallythekitchen，wasthoroughly"reddup。"Wood，water，andkindlingswerebroughtin，clotheswerebrushed，bootsgreasedorpolished，dinnerprepared，andineverywaypossiblethewholehouse，itsdwellers，anditsbelongings，madereadyforthemorrow。So，whentheSabbathmorningdawned，peopleawokewithafeelingthatoldthingshadpassedawayandthatthewholeworldwasnew。Thesunshonewitharadiancenotknownonotherdays。Hewasshininguponholythings，andlightingmenandwomentoholyduties。

Throughallthefarmsthefieldslaybathedinhisgenialglow，atrest，andtheverytreesstoodinsilentworshipofthebendingheavens。Upfromstableandfromkitchencamenosoundsofwork。

Thehorsesknewthatnowheelwouldturnthatdayinlabor，andthedogslaysleepinginsunnynooks，knowingaswellasanythattherewastobenohuntingorroamingforthemthatday，unlesstheychosetogoonafreehunt；whichnonebutlight-headedpuppiesordissipatedandreprobatedogswouldcaretodo。

Overallthingsrestbrooded，andoutoftherestgrewholythoughtsandhopes。Itwasadayofbeginnings。Forthepast，brokenandstained，therewasanewofferofoblivionandhealing，andtheheartwassummonedtolookforwardtonewlifeandtohopeforbetterthings，andtodrinkinallthosesoothing，healinginfluencesthatmemoryandfaithcombinetogive；sothatwhenthedaywasdone，wearyanddiscouragedmenandwomenbegantofeelthat，perhapsafteralltheymightbeabletoendureandeventohopeforvictory。

TheministerroseearlieronSabbaththanonotherdays，theresponsibilityofhisofficepressingharduponhim。Breakfastwasmoresilentthanusual，ordinarysubjectsofconversationbeingdiscouraged。Theministerwaspreoccupiedandimpatientofanyinterruptionofhisthoughts。Buthiswifecametothetablewithasweeterserenitythanusual，andacalmuponherfacethattoldofhiddenstrength。EvenMaimiecouldnoticethedifference，butshecouldonlywonder。Thesecretofitwashiddenfromher。Herauntwaslikenootherwomanthatsheknew，andthereweremanythingsabouthertoodeepforMaimie\'sunderstanding。

Afterworship，whichwasbriefbutsolemnandintense，Lamberthurriedtobringroundtothefrontthebigblackhorse，hitchedupinthecarryall，andtheyallmadespeedtopackthemselvesin，Maimieandherauntinfront，andHughieonthefloorbehindwithhislegsundertheseat；forwhenoncetheministerwashimselfquiteready，andhadgothisgreatmeerschaumpipegoing，itwasunsafeforanyonetodelayhimasingleinstant。

Thedrivetothechurchwasanexperiencehardlyinkeepingwiththespiritoftheday。Itwasmoreexcitingthanrestful。Blackwasahorsewithasingleaim，whichwastodevourthespacethatstretchedoutbeforehim，withafinedisregardofconsequence。

ThefirstpartoftheroaduptothechurchhillanddownagaintotheswampwastoBlack，astotheothers，anunmixedjoy，forhewasfreshfromhisoatsandeagertogo，andhisdriverwasaseagertolethimhavehiswill。

Butwhentheswampwasreached，andthebuggybegantoleapfromlogtologofthecorduroy，Blackbegantochafeinimpatienceofthereinwhichcommandedcaution。Indeed，thepassageoftheswampwasalwaysmoreorlessofanadventure，theresultofwhichnoonecouldforetell，andittookallMrs。Murray\'ssteadinessofnervetorepressanexclamationofterroratcriticalmoments。ThecorduroywasBlack\'sabomination。Helongedtodashthroughandbedonewithit；but，howevermuchtheministersympathizedwithBlack\'sdesire，prudenceforbadethathismethodshouldbeadopted。

Sofromlogtolog，andfromholetohole，Blackplungedandsteppedwithallthecarehecouldbepersuadedtoexercise，everylurchofthecarryallbringingascreamfromMaimieinfrontandadelightedchucklefromHughiebehind。Hisdelightintheadventurewasmateriallyincreasedbyhiscousin\'sterror。

Butoncetheswampwascrossed，andBlackfoundhimselfonthefirmroadthatwoundoverthesand-hillsandthroughtheopenpinewoods，hetossedhisgreatmanebackfromhiseyes，andgettinghisheadsetoffatapacethatforebodeddisastertoanythingtryingtokeepbeforehim，andinashorttimedrewupatthechurchgates，hisflankssteamingandhisgreatchestwhitewithfoam。

"My！"saidMaimie，whenshehadrecoveredherbreathsufficientlytospeak，"isthatthechurch？"Shepointedtoahugewoodenbuildingaboutwhosedooragroupofmenwerestanding。

"Huh-huh，that\'sit，"saidHughie；"butwewillsoonbedonewiththeuglyoldthing。"

Themostenthusiasticmemberofthecongregationcouldscarcelycalltheoldchurchbeautiful，andtoMaimie\'seyesitwaspositivelyhideous。Nosteepleortowergaveanyhintofitssacredcharacter。Itsweather-beatenclapboardexterior，spottedwithblackknots，asifstrickenwithsomedisfiguringdisease，hadnothingbutitsrowofuncurtainedwindowstodistinguishitfromanordinarybarn。

Theyenteredbythedoorattheendofthechurch，andproceededdownthelongaislethatranthefulllengthofthebuilding，tilltheycametoacrossaislethatledthemtotheminister\'spewattheleftsideofthepulpit，andcommandingaviewofthewholecongregation。Themainbodyofthechurchwasseatedwithlongboxpewswithhingeddoors。Butthegallerythatranroundthreesideswasfittedwithsimplebenches。Immediatelyinfrontofthepulpitwasasquarepewwhichwassetapartfortheuseoftheelders，andcloseuptothepulpit，andindeedaspartofthisstructure，wasaprecentor\'sdesk。Thepulpitwas，toMaimie\'seyes，awonder。Itwasanoctagonalboxplacedhighononesideofthechurchonalevelwiththegallery，andreachedbyaspiralstaircase。Aboveithungthehighlyornateandaltogetherextraordinarysounding-

boardandcanopy。Therewasnosignofpaintanywhere，buttheyellowpine，ofwhichseats，gallery，andpulpitwereallmade，haddeepenedwithageintoarichbrown，notunpleasanttotheeye。

Thechurchwasfull，fortheIndianLandspeoplebelievedingoingtochurch，andtherewasnotahouseformanymilesaroundbutwasrepresentedinthechurchthatday。Theretheysat，rowuponrowofmen，brawnyandbrownwithwindandsun，anotablecompany，worthyoftheirancestryandworthyoftheirheritage。Besidethemsattheirwives，brown，too，andweather-beaten，butstrong，deep-

bosomed，andwithfacesofcalmcontent，worthytobemothersoftheirhusbands\'sons。Thegirlsandyoungerchildrensatwiththeirparents，modest，shy，andreverent，buttheyoungmen，forthemostpart，filledthebackseatsunderthegallery。Andahardylottheywere，asbrownandbrawnyastheirfathers，buttinglingwithlifetotheirfinger-tips，readyforanything，andimpossibleofcontrolexceptbyonewhomtheyfearedaswellasreverenced。AndsuchamanwasAlexanderMurray，fortheyknewwellthat，litheandbrawnyastheywere，therewasnotamanofthembuthecouldflingoutofthedoorandoverthefenceifhesowished；andtheyknew，too，thathewouldbeprompttodoitifoccasionarose。HencetheywaitedforthewordofGodwithallduereverenceandfear。

Inthesquarepewinfrontofthepulpitsattheelders，hoary，massive，andvenerable。TheIndianLandsSessionwereworthseeing。Greatmentheywere，everyoneofthem，excepting，perhaps，KennethCampbell，"KennyCrubach，"ashewascalled，fromhishaltingstep。Kennywasneitherhoarynormassivenorvenerable。Hewasashort，grizzledmanwithsnappingblackeyesandatongueforclever，bitingspeech；andwhileheboreastainlesscharacter，noonethoughtofhimasaneminentlygodlyman。Inpublicprayerheneverattainedanygreatlength，nordidheemploythattoneofunctiondeemedsuitableinthissacredexercise。Heseldom"spoketothequestion，"butwhenhedidpeopleleanedforwardtolisten，andmoreespeciallytherowsofthecarelessandungodlyunderthegallery。Kennyhadnotthelookofanelder，andindeed，manywonderedhowhehadevercometobechosenfortheoffice。Buttheothersallhadthelookofelders，andcarriedwiththemthefullrespectandaffectionofthecongregation。Eventheyoungmenunderthegalleryregardedthemwithreverencefortheirgodlycharacter，butforotherthingsaswell；fortheseoldmenhadbeenfamousintheirday，andtaleswerestilltoldaboutthefiresidesofthepeopleoftheirprowessinthewoodsandontheriver。

Therewas，forinstance，FinlayMcEwen，orMcKeowen，astheyallpronounceditinthatcountry，who，forawager，hadcarriedafour-hundred-poundbarreluponeachhipacrossthelongbridgeovertheScotchRiver。AndnexthimsatDonaldRoss，whoseveryface，withitshaloofwhitehair，borebenedictionwithitwhereverhewent。Whatamanhemusthavebeeninhisday！Sixfeetfourincheshestoodinhisstockingsoles，andwith"abacklikeabarndoor，"ashissonDanny，or"Curly，"nowintheshantywithMacdonaldBhain，usedtosay，inaffectionatepride。ThentherewasFarquharMcNaughton，big，kindly，andgood-natured，amightymanwiththeaxinhistime。"Kirsty\'sFarquhar"theycalledhim，forobviousreasons。AndagoodthingforFarquharitwasthathehadhadKirstyathissideduringtheseyearstomakehisbargainsforhimandtokeephimandallotherstothem，elsehewouldneverhavebecomethesubstantialmanhewas。

NexttoFarquharwasPeterMcRae，thechiefofalargeclanofrespectable，andnonetoorespectable，families，whomallalikeheldinfear，forPeterruledwitharodofiron，andhiswordranaslawthroughouttheclan。ThentherewasIanMoreMacgregor，or"BigJohnMacgregor，"astheyoungergenerationcalledhim，almostasbigasDonaldRossandquiteaskindly，butwithadarker，sadderface。Somethingfromhiswilderyouthhadcastitsshadowoverhislife。Noonebuthisministerandtwoothersknewthatstory，buttheoldmanknewithimself，andthatwasenough。Oneofthosewhosharedhissecretwashisneighborandcrony，DonaldRoss，anditwasworthajourneyofsomelengthtoseethesetwogreatoldmen，onewiththesadandtheotherwiththesunnyface，strideofftogether，staffinhand，atthecloseoftheGaelicservice，toDonald\'shome，wheretheafternoonwouldbespentindiscoursefittingtheLord\'sdayandinprayer。

TheonlyotherelderwasRoderickMcCuiag，whosat，notintheelders\'pew，butintheprecentor\'sbox，forhewastheLeaderofPsalmody。"StraightRory，"ashewascalledbytheirreverent，wastall，spare，andstraightasaramrod。Hewasdevotedtohisoffice，jealousofitsdignity，andstrenuousinhisoppositiontoallinnovationsinconnectionwiththeServiceofPraise。Hewasespeciallyopposedtotheintroductionofthose"new-fangledranting"tuneswhichwerebeingtaughttheyoungpeoplebyJohn"Alec"Fraserintheweeklysinging-schoolintheNineteenth，andwhichweresungatMrs。Murray\'sSabbatheveningBibleclassintheLittleChurch。StraightRoryhadbeeneducatedforateacherinScotland，andwassomethingofascholar。Helovedschoolexaminations，wherehewastheterrorofpupilsandteachersalike。

Hisacutemindreveledinthemetaphysicsoftheology，whichmadehimthedreadofallcandidateswhoappearedbeforethesessiondesiring"tocomeforward。"ItwastomanyanimpressivesighttoseeStraightRoryriseintheprecentor\'sbox，feelround，withmuchfacialcontortion，forthepitch——hedespisedatuning-fork——

andthen，straighteninghimselfuptillhebentoverbackwards，raisethechantthatintroducedthetunetothecongregation。Buttotheyoungmenunderthegalleryhewasmorehumorousthanimpressive，anditistobefearedthattheywaitedfortheprecentor\'sweeklyperformancewithadelightedexpectationthatneverflaggedandthatwasneverdisappointed。Itwasonlytheflashoftheminister\'sblueeyethatheldtheirfacesrigidinpreternaturalsolemnity，andforcedthemtocontentthemselveswithwinksandnudgesfortheexpressionoftheirdelight。

AsMaimie\'seyewentwanderingshylyovertherowsofbrownfacesthatturnedinsolemnandsteadfastregardtotheminister\'spew，Hughienudgedherandwhispered："There\'sDon。See，inthebackseatbythewindow，nexttoPeterRuaghyonder；thered-headedfellow。"

HepointedtoPeterMcRae，grandsonof"PetertheElder。"Therewasnomistakingthatlandmark。

"Look，"criedHughie，eagerly，pointingwithterribledirectnessstraightatDon，toMaimie\'sconfusion。

"Whisht，Hughie，"saidhismothersoftly。

"There\'sRanald，mother，"saidthediplomaticHughie，knowingwellthathismotherwouldrejoicetohearthatbitofnews。"See，mother，justinfrontofDon，there。"

AgainHughie\'sterriblefingerpointedstraightintothefaceofthegazingcongregation。

"Hush，Hughie，"saidhismother，severely。

Maimieknewahundredeyeswerelookingstraightattheminister\'spew，butforthelifeofhershecouldnotpreventhereyefollowingthepointingfinger，tillitfoundthesteadygazeofRanaldfasteneduponher。Itwasonlyforamoment，butinthatmomentshefeltherheartjumpandherfacegrowhot，anditdidnothelpherthatsheknewthatthepeoplewereallwonderingatherfuriousblushes。Ofcoursethestoryofthesugaring-offhadgonethelengthofthelandandhadformedthesubjectofconversationatthechurchdoorthatmorning，whereRanaldhadtobearagooddealofchaffabouttheyounglady，andherdislikeofforfeits，tillhewasreadytofightifachanceshouldbutoffer。

Withunspeakablerageandconfusion，henoticedHughie\'spointingfinger。Hecaught，too，Maimie\'squicklook，withthevividblushthatfollowed。Unfortunately，othersbesideshimselfhadnoticedthis，andDonandPeterRuagh，intheseatbehindhim，madeitthesubjectofcongratulatoryremarkstoRanald。

Atthispointtheministerroseinthepulpit，andallwaitedwithearnestandreverentmienfortheannouncingofthepsalm。

TheRev。AlexanderMurraywasamantoberegardedinanycompanyandunderanycircumstances，butwhenhestoodupinhispulpitandfacedhiscongregationhewastrulysuperb。Hewasabovetheaverageheight，offaultlessformandbearing，athletic，active，andwitha"springineverymuscle。"Hehadcoal-blackhairandbeard，andaflashingblueeyethatheldhispeopleinuttersubjectionandputthefearofdeathuponevil-doersunderthegallery。Ineverymovement，tone，andglancetherebreathedimperialcommand。

"LetusworshipGodbysingingtoHispraiseintheonehundredandtwenty-firstpsalm：

\'Itothehillswillliftmineeyes，Fromwhencedothcomemineaid。\'"

Hisvoicerangoutoverthecongregationlikeasilverbell，andMaimiethoughtshehadneverseenamanofsuchnoblepresence。

Afterthereadingofthepsalmtheministersatdown，andStraightRoryroseinhisbox，andafterhismanner，beganfeelingaboutforthefirstnoteofthechantthatwouldintroducethenobleoldtune"St。Paul\'s。"Afewmomentshespenttwistinghisfaceandshouldersinamannerthatthreatenedtoruinthesolemnityoftheworshipersunderthegallery，tillfinallyheseemedtohituponthepitchdesired，andthrowingbackhisheadandclosingoneeye，heproceededonhisway。Eachlinehechantedalone，aftertheancientScottishcustom，afterwhichthecongregationjoinedwithhiminthetune。Thecustomsurvivedfromthetimewhenpsalm-

bookswereinthehandsofbutfewandthe"lining"ofthepsalmwasthereforenecessary。

Therewasnohastetobedonewiththepsalm。Whyshouldtherebe？

TheyhadonlyoneSabbathintheweek，andthewholedaywasbeforethem。ThepeoplesurrenderedthemselvestotheleadofStraightRorywithunmistakabledelightinthatpartof"theexercises"ofthedayinwhichtheywerepermittedtoaudiblyjoin。Butofallthecongregation，noneenjoyedthesingingmorethanthedearoldwomenwhosatinthefrontseatsnearthepulpit，theirquietoldfaceslookingsosweetandpureundertheirsnow-white"mutches。"

Theretheysatandsangandquavered，swayingtheirbodieswiththetuneinanecstasyofrestfuljoy。

MaimiehadoftenheardSt。Paul\'sbefore，butneverasitwaschantedbyStraightRoryandsungbytheIndianLandscongregationthatday。Theextraordinaryslidesandslursalmostobliteratedthenotesoftheoriginaltune，andthe"littlekick，"asMaimiecalledit，attheendofthesecondline，gaveheralittlestart。

"Auntie，"shewhispered，"isn\'titawfullyqueer？"

"Isn\'titbeautiful？"herauntanswered，withanuncertainsmile。

Shewasrememberinghowthesewinding，sliding，slurringoldtuneshadaffectedherwhenfirstsheheardtheminherhusband\'schurchyearsago。Thestatelymovement，theweirdquavers，andthepatheticcadenceshadinsomemysteriouswayreachedthedeepplacesinherheart，andbeforesheknew，shehadfoundthetearscoursingdownhercheeksandherbreathcatchinginsobs。Indeed，asshelistenedto-day，rememberingtheseoldimpressions，thetearsbegantoflow，tillHughie，notunderstanding，creptovertohismother，andtocomforther，slippedhishandintohers，lookingfiercelyatMaimieasifsheweretoblame。Maimie，too，noticedthetearsandsatwondering，andasthecongregationswungonthroughtheversesofthegrandoldpsalmtherecreptintoherheartanewanddeeperemotionthanshehadeverknown。

"Listentothewords，Maimiedear，"whisperedheraunt。AndasMaimielistened，thenoblewords，borneonthemightyswingofSt。

Paul\'s，liftedupbysixhundredvoices——formen，women，andchildrenweresingingwithalltheirhearts——awakenedechoesfromgreatdeepswithinherasyetunsounded。Thedaysforsuchsingingare，alas！longgone。Thenoblerhythm，thestatelymovement，thecontinuouscurvingstreamofmelody，thatoncemarkedthepraiseserviceoftheoldScottishchurch，havegivenplacetothelight，staccatotinkleoftherevivalchorus，ortheshornandmutilatedskeletonoftheancientpsalmtune。

Butwhilethepsalmhadbeenmovingoninitssolemnandstatelyway，RanaldhadbeenenduringagonyatthehandsofPeterRuaghsittingjustbehindhim。Peter，whosehuge，clumsybodywasafittingtabernacleforthesoulwithin，laboredundertheimpressionthathewasahumorist，andindulgedahabitofponderousjoking，tryingenoughtomostpeople，buttooneofRanald\'stemperamentexasperatingtoahighdegree。HisthemewasRanald\'srescueofMaimie，andthepausesofthesinginghefilledinwithhumorouscommentsthat，outside，wouldhaveproducedonlyweariness，butinthechurch，owingtothestrangeperversityofhumannature，sentasnickeralongtheseat。Unfortunatelyforhim，Ranald\'sfacewassoturnedthathecouldnotseeit，andsohehadnohintofthewraththatwassteadilyboilinguptothepointofoverflow。

Theywerenearingthecloseofthelastverseofthepsalm，whenHughie，whoseeyesneverwanderedlongfromRanald\'sdirection，utteredasharp"Oh，my！"Therewasashufflingconfusionunderthegallery，andwhenMaimieandherauntlooked，PeterRuagh\'splacewasvacant。

Bythistimetheministerwasstandingupforprayer。Hiseye，too，caughtthemovementinthebackseat。

"Youngmen，"hesaid，sternly，"rememberyouareinGod\'shouse。

Letmenothavetomentionyournamesbeforethecongregation。Letuspray。"

Asthecongregationroseforprayer，Mrs。MurraynoticedPeterRuaghappearfrombeneaththebook-boardandquietlyslipoutbythebackdoorwithhishandtohisfaceandthebloodstreamingbetweenhisfingers；andthoughRanaldwasstandingupstraightandstiffinhisplace，Mrs。MurraycouldreadfromhisrigidlooktheexplanationofPeter\'sbloodyface。Shegavehermindtotheprayerwithasoreheart，forshehadlearnedenoughofthosewild，hot-headedyouthstoknowthatbeforePeterRuagh\'sfacewouldbehealedmorebloodwouldhavetoflow。

Theprayerproceededinitsleisurelyway，indulginghereandthereinquietreverie，orinexultantjubilationoverthe"attributes，"

embracinginitsworldwidesweep"theinterestsofthekingdom"farandnear，andofthatpartofhumanityincludedthereinpresentandtocome，andbuttressingitspetitionswiththeologicalargument，systematicandunassailable。Beforetheclose，however，theministercametodealwiththeneedsofhisownpeople。Oldandyoung，absentandpresent，thesick，theweary，thesin-burdened——

allwererememberedwithawarmthofsympathy，withadirectnessofpetition，andwithanearnestnessofappealthatthrilledandsubduedtheheartsofall，andmadeeventheboys，whohadbornewithdifficultythelasthalf-hourofthelongprayer，forgettheirweariness。

ThereadingofScripturefollowedtheprayer。Inthistheministerexcelled。Hisfinevoiceandhisdramaticinstinctcombinedtomakethisanimpressiveandbeautifulportionoftheservice。Butto-daymuchofthebeautyandimpressivenessofthereadingwaslostbythefrequentinterruptionscausedbytheentranceoflatecomers，ofwhom，owingtothebadroads，therewerealargernumberthanusual。Theministerwasevidentlyannoyed，notsomuchbytheopeningandshuttingofthedoorasbytheinattentionofhishearers，whokeptturningroundtheirheadstoseewhothenewarrivalswere。Atlengththeministercouldbearitnolonger。

"Mydearpeople，"hesaid，pausinginthereading，"nevermindthosecomingin。GiveyouheedtothereadingofGod\'sWord，andifyoumustknowwhoareentering，Iwilltellyou。Yes，"headded，deliberately，"giveyouheedtome，andIwillletyouknowwhotheselatecomersare。"

Withthatstartlingdeclaration，heproceededwiththereading，buthadnotgonemorethanafewverseswhen"click"wentthedoor-

latch。Notaheadturned。ItwasMalcolmMonroe，slow-goingandgood-natured，withhisquietlittlewifefollowinghim。

Theministerpaused，lookingtowardthedoor，andannounced："Mydearpeople，herecomesourfriendMalcolmMonroe，andhisgoodwifewithhim，andalongwalktheyhavehad。Comeaway，Malcolm；

comeaway；wewilljustwaitforyou。"

Malcolm\'sfacewasapicture。Surprise，astonishment，andconfusionfollowedeachotheracrosshisstolidcountenance；andwithquickerpacethanhewaseverknowntouseinhislifebefore，hemadehiswaytohisseat。Nosoonerhadthereadingbeganagainwhenoncemorethedoorclicked。Truetohispromise，theministerpausedandcheerfullyannouncedtohispeople："This，myfriends，isJohnCampbell，whomyouallknowas\'JohnnieSarah，\'andweareverygladtoseehim，for，indeed，hehasnotbeenhereforsometime。Comeaway，John；comeaway，man，"headded，impatiently，"forweareallwaitingforyou。"

JohnnieSarahstoodparalyzedwithamazementandseemeduncertainwhethertoadvanceortoturnandflee。Theminister\'simpatientcommand，however，decidedhim，andhedroppedintothenearestseatwithallspeed，andgazedabouthimasiftodiscoverwherehewas。

Hehadnosoonertakenhisseatthanthedooropenedagain，andsomehalf-dozenpeopleentered。Theministerstoodlookingatthemforsomemomentsandthensaid，inavoiceofresignation：

"Friends，thesearesomeofourpeoplefromtheIsland，andtherearesomestrangerswiththem。Butifyouwanttoknowwhotheyare，youwilljusthavetolookatthemyourselves，forImustgetonwiththereading。"

Needlesstosay，notasoulofthecongregation，howeverconsumedwithcuriosity，daredtolookaround，andthereadingofthechapterwentgravelyontotheclose。TosaythatMaimiesatinutterastonishmentduringthisextraordinaryproceedingwouldgivebutafaintideaofherstateofmind。EvenMrs。Murrayherself，whohadbecomeaccustomedtoherhusband\'seccentricities，satinastateofutterbewilderment，notknowingwhatmighthappennext；

nordidshefeelquitesafeuntilthetextwasannouncedandthesermonfairlybegun。

Importantasweretheexercisesofreading，praise，andprayer，theywereonlythe"openingservices，"andmerelyleduptotheeventoftheday，whichwasthesermon。Anditwastheevent，notonlyoftheday，butoftheweek。Itwouldformthethemeofconversationandaffordfoodfordiscussionineverygatheringofthepeopleuntilanothercametotakeitsplace。To-dayitlastedafullhourandahalf，andwasanextraordinaryproduction。Calm，deliberatereasoning，flightsofvividimagination，passionatedenunciation，andfervidappeal，markeditscourse。ItssubjectwasthegreatdoctrineofJustificationbyFaith，anditcontainedacompletesystemoftheologyarrangedwithreferencetothatdoctrine。Ancientheresieswereattackedandexposedwithcompletenessamountingtoannihilation。Modernerrors，intowhichour"friends"ofthedifferentdenominationshadfallen，weredeploredandcorrected，andallpossiblemisapplicationsofthedoctrinetopracticallifeguardedagainst。Onthepositivesidetheneed，theground，themeans，themethod，theagent，theresults，ofJustification，werefullysetforthandillustrated。

Therewerenoanecdotesandnopoetry。Thesubjectwasmuchtoomassiveandtremendoustopermitofanysuchtrifling。

Asthesermonrolledonitsmajesticcourse，thecongregationlistenedwithanattentiveanddiscriminatingappreciationthattestifiedtotheirearnestnessandintelligence。True，onehereandtheredroppedintoamomentarydoze，buthisslumberwasnevereasy，forhewasharassedbytheterriblefearofasuddensummonsbynamefromthepulpitto"awakeandgiveheedtothemessage，"

whichforthenextfewminuteswouldhaveanapplicationsopersonalandpungentthatitwouldeffectuallypreventsleepforthatandsomesuccessiveSabbaths。TheonlyapparentlapseofattentionoccurredwhenDonaldRossopenedhishornsnuff-box，andaftertappingsolemnlyuponitslid，drewforthahugepinchofsnuffandpassedittohisneighbor，who，afterhelpinghimselfinlikemanner，passedtheboxon。Thatthelapsewasonlyapparentwasmadeevidentbytheairofabstractionwithwhichthisoperationwascarriedon，thesnuffbeingheldbetweenthethumbandforefingerforsomemoments，untilasuitableresting-placeinthesermonwasreached。

Whentheministerhadarrivedatthemiddleofthesecondhead，hemadethediscovery，aswasnotfrequentlythecase，thattheremotestlimitsoftheallotedtimehadbeenpassed，andannouncingthatthesubjectwouldbeconcludedonthefollowingSabbath，hesummarilybroughttheEnglishservicetoaclose，anddismissedthecongregationwithabriefprayer，twoversesofapsalm，andthebenediction。

WhenMaimierealizedthattheservicewasreallyover，shefeltasifshehadbeeninchurchforaweek。Afterthebenedictionthecongregationpassedoutintothechurchyardanddisposedthemselvesingroupsaboutthegateandalongthefencesdiscussingthesermonandmakingbriefinquiriesastothe"wealandill"ofthemembersoftheirfamilies。Mrs。Murray，leavingHughieandMaimietowanderatwill，passedfromgrouptogroup，welcomedbyallwithequalrespectandaffection。Youngmenandoldmen，womenandgirlsalike，weregladtogetherword。To-day，however，theyoungmenwerenotatfirsttobeseen，butMrs。Murrayknewthemwellenoughtosuspectthattheywouldbefoundatthebackofthechurch，soshepassedslowlyaroundthechurch，greetingthepeopleasshewent，anduponturningthecornershesawacrowdunderthebigmaple，therendezvousfortheyoungerportionofthecongregationbefore"churchwentin。"InthecenterofthegroupstoodRanaldandDon，withMurdie，Don\'seldestbrother，ahuge，good-naturedman，besidethem，andPeterRuagh，withhiscousinAleck，andothersoftheclan。Ranaldwasstanding，paleandsilent，withhisheadthrownback，ashismannerwaswheninpassion。ThetalkwasmainlybetweenAleckandMurdie，theotherscrowdingeagerlyaboutandputtinginawordastheycould。Murdiewasreasoninggood-humoredly，Aleckreplyingfiercely。

"Itwasgoodenoughforhim，"Mrs。MurrayheardDoninterject，inatriumphanttone，toMurdie。ButMurdieshuthimoffsternly。

"Whisht，Don，youarenottalkingjustnow。"

DonwasabouttoreplywhenhecaughtsightofMrs。Murray。

"Here\'stheminister\'swife，"hesaid，inalowtone，andatoncethegrouppartedinshamefacedconfusion。ButMurdiekepthisfaceunmoved，andasMrs。Murraydrewslowlynear，said，inaquietvoiceofeasygood-humor，toAleck，whowasstandingwithafacelikethatofadetectedcriminal："Well，wewillseeaboutitto-

morrownight，Aleck，atthepost-office，"andhefacedabouttomeetMrs。Murraywithaneasysmile，whileAleckturnedaway。ButMrs。Murraywasnotdeceived，andshewentstraighttothepoint。

"Murdie，"shesaid，quietly，whenshehadansweredhisgreeting，"willyoujustcomewithmealittle；Iwanttoaskyouaboutsomething。"AndMurdiewalkedawaywithher，followedbythewinksandnodsoftheothers。

WhatshesaidMurdienevertold，buthecamebacktothemmoredetermineduponpeacethanever。Thedifficultylay，notwiththegood-naturedPeter，whowasreadyenoughtosettlewithRanald，butwiththefieryAleck，whorepresentedthenon-respectablesectionoftheclanMcRae，wholivedsouthoftheSixteenth，andhadareputationforwildness。Fightingwastheirglory，andnoonecaredtoenteruponafeudwithanyoneofthem。MurdiehadinterferedonRanald\'sbehalf，chieflybecausehewasDon\'sfriend，butalsobecausehewasunwillingthatRanaldshouldbeinvolvedinaquarrelwiththeMcRaes，whichheknewwouldbeaseriousaffairforhim。Butnowhisstrongestreasonfordesiringpeacewasthathehadpledgedhimselftotheminister\'swifetobringitaboutinsomewayorother。SohetookPeteroffbyhimself，andwithoutmuchdifficulty，persuadedhimtoactthemagnanimouspartanddropthequarrel。

WithRanaldhehadahardertask。Thatyoungmanwaspreparedtoseehisquarrelthroughatwhateverconsequencestohimself。HeknewtheMcRaes，andknewwelltheirreputation，butthatonlymadeitmoreimpossibleforhimtoretreat。ButMurdieknewbetterthantoarguewithhim，soheturnedawayfromhimwithanindifferentair，saying："Oh，verywell。Peteriswillingtoletitdrop。

Youcandoasyouplease，onlyIknowtheminister\'swifeexpectsyoutomakeitup。"

"Whatdidshesaytoyou，then？"askedRanald，fiercely。

"Shesaidanumberofthingsthatyoudon\'tneedtoknow，butshesaidthis，whatever，\'Hewillmakeitupformysake，Iknow。\'"

Ranaldstoodamomentsilent，thensaid，suddenly："Iwill，too，"

andwalkingstraightovertoPeter，heofferedhishand，saying，"I

wastooquick，Peter，andIamwillingtotakeasmuchasIgave。

Youcangoon。"

ButPeterwasfartoosoft-heartedtoacceptthatinvitation，andseizingRanald\'shand，said，heartily："Nevermind，Ranald，itwasmyownfault。Wewilljustsaynothingmoreaboutit。"