第7章

ButmeantimeIshouldliketogototheshantieswithyouthiswinter。"

Andso，whentheMacdonaldgangwenttothewoodsthatwinter，Ranald，takinghisfather\'sax，wentwiththem。AndsocleverdidtheboyprovehimselfthatbythetimetheybroughtdowntheirraftinthespringtherewasnotamaninallthegangthatMacdonaldBhainwouldsoonerhaveathisbackinatightplacethanhisnephewRanald。And，indeed，thosemonthsinthewoodsmadeamanoutofthelong，lankyboy，sothat，onthefirstSabbathaftertheshantymencamehome，notmanyinthechurchthatdaywouldhaverecognizedthedark-faced，stalwartyouthhaditnotbeenthathesatinthepewbesideMacdonaldBhain。Itwaswithnosmalldifficultythattheminister\'swifecouldkeepherlittleboyquietinthebackseat，sofullofprideandjoywasheattheappearanceofhishero；butaftertheservicewasover，Hughiecouldbenolongerrestrained。Pushinghiswayeagerlythroughthecrowd，heseizeduponRanaldanddraggedhimtohismother。

"Hereheis，mother！"heexclaimed，toRanald\'sgreatconfusion，andtotheamusementofallabouthim。"Isn\'thesplendid？"

AndasRanaldgreetedMrs。Murraywithquiet，gravecourtesy，shefeltthathiswinterinthewoodsandontheriverhadforeverputbehindhimhisboyhood，andthathenceforthhewouldtakehisplaceamongthemen。Andlookingathisstrong，composed，graveface，shefeltthatthatplaceoughtnottobeanunworthyone。

CHAPTERXVII

LENOIR\'SNEWMASTER

Theshantymencamebackhometofindtherevivalstillgoingon。

Notahomebuthadfeltitsmightypower，andnotaman，woman，orevenchildbuthadcomemoreorlessunderitsinfluence。Indeed，souniversalwasthatpowerthatYankeewasheardtosay，"Theboyswouldn\'tgoinswimmin\'withouttheirNewTestaments"——notbutthatYankeewasinveryfullestsympathywiththemovement。Hewasregularinhisattendanceuponthemeetingsallthroughspringandsummer，buthiswholeprevioushistorymadeitdifficultforhimtofullyappreciatetheintensityanddepthofthereligiousfeelingthatwaseverywherethrobbingthroughthecommunity。

"Don\'tseewhattheexcitement\'sfor，"hesaidtoMacdonaldBhainonenightaftermeeting。"SeemstometheAlmightyjustwantsafellertodotherightthingbyhisneighborandnotbetooindependent，butgo\'longkindo\'humblelikeandkeepclean。

Somethin\'wrongwithme，perhaps，butIdon\'tseemtobeabletoworkupnoexcitementaboutit。I\'dliketo，butsomehowitain\'tinme。"

WhenMacdonaldBhainreportedthisdifficultyofYankee\'stoMrs。

Murray，sheonlysaid："\'WhatdoththeLordrequireofthee，buttodojustly，andtolovemercy，andtowalkhumblywiththyGod？\'"

AndwiththisMacdonaldBhainwascontent，andwhenhetoldYankee，thelattercameasneartoexcitementasheeverallowedhimself。

Hechewedvigorouslyforafewmoments，then，slappinghisthigh，heexclaimed："Byjings！That\'sgreat。She\'sallright，ain\'tshe？Weain\'tallbuiltthesameway，butI\'mblamedifIdon\'tlikehermodel。"

Buttheshantymennoticedthattherevivalhadsweptintothechurch，duringthewintermonths，agreatcompanyoftheyoungpeopleofthecongregation；andofthese，abandofsometenortwelveyoungmen，withDonamongthem，wereattendingdailyaspecialclasscarriedoninthevestryofthechurchforthosewhodesiredtoentertrainingfortheministry。

Mrs。MurrayurgedRanaldtojointhisclass，for，eventhoughhehadnointentionofbecomingaminister，stillthestudywouldbegoodforhim，andwouldhelphiminhisaftercareer。SherememberedhowRanaldhadtoldherthathehadnointentionofbeingafarmerorlumberman。AndRanaldgladlylistenedtoher，andthrewhimselfintohisstudy，usinghissparehourstosuchgoodpurposethroughoutthesummerthatheeasilykeptpacewiththeclassinEnglish，anddistancedtheminhisfavoritesubject，mathematics。

ButallthesemonthsMrs。MurrayfeltthatRanaldwascarryingwithhimaloadofunrest，andshewaitedforthetimewhenhewouldcometoher。Hisuncle，MacdonaldBhain，too，sharedheranxietyinregardtoRanald。

"Heisthefine，steadylad，"hesaidonenight，walkinghomewithherfromthechurch；"andagoodwinter\'sworkhasheputbehindhim。Heisthatqueeck，thereisnotamanlikehimonthedrive；

butheisnotthesameboythathewas。Hewillnotbetellingmeanything，butwhentheboyswillbesporting，heisnotwiththem。

Hewillbereadinghisbook，orhewillbesittingbyhimselfalone。Heislikehisfatherinthecourageofhim。Thereisnokindofwaterhewillnotface，andnomanontheriverwouldputfearonhim。Andthestrengthofhim！Hisarmsarelikesteel。

But，"returningtohisanxiety，"thereissomethingwrongwithhim。

Heisnotatpeacewithhimself，andIwishyoucouldgetspeechwithhim。"

"Iwouldlikeit，too，"repliedMrs。Murray。"Perhapshewillcometome。Atanyrate，Imustwaitforthat。"

Atlast，whenthesummerwasover，andtheharvestallgatheredin，thedayswereoncemoreshorteningforthefall，RanalddroveLisetteonedaytothemanse，andwentstraighttotheminister\'swifeandopeneduphismindtoher。

"Icannotkeepmypromisetomyfather，Mrs。Murray，"hesaid，goingatoncetotheheartofhistrouble。"Icannotkeeptheangeroutofmyheart。Icannotforgivethemanthatkilledmyfather。Iwillbewakingatnightwiththeveryjoyoffeelingmyfingersonhisthroat，andIfeelmyselflongingforthedaywhenI

willmeethimfacetofaceandnothingbetweenus。But，"headded，"Ipromisedmyfather，andImustkeepmyword，andthatiswhatI

cannotdo，forthefeelingofforgivenessisnothere，"smitinghisbreast。"Icankeepmyhandsoffhim，butthefeelingIcannothelp。"

ForalongtimeMrs。Murraylethimgoonwithoutseekingtocheckthehotflowofhiswordsandwithoutawordofreproof。Then，whenhehadtalkedhimselftosilence，shetookherBibleandreadtohimoftheservantwho，thoughforgiven，tookhisfellow-servantbythethroat，refusingtoforgive。Andthensheturnedovertheleavesandreadoncemore："\'Godcommendethhislovetowardus，inthat，whilewewereyetsinners，Christdiedforus。\'"

Sheclosedthebookandsatsilent，waitingforRanaldtospeak。

"Iknow，"hesaid，deliberately；"Ihavereadthatoftenthroughthewinter，butitdoesnothelpthefeelingIhave。Ithinkitonlymakesitworse。Thereissomeoneholdingmyarm，andIwanttostrike。"

"Anddoyouforget，"saidMrs。Murray，andhervoicewasalmoststern，"anddoyouforgethow，foryou，GodgaveHisSontodie？"

Ranaldshookhishead。"Iamfarfromforgettingthat。"

"AndareyouforgettingthegreatmercyofGodtoyourfather？"

"No，no，"saidRanald；"Ioftenthinkofthat。ButwhenIthinkofthatman，somethingstirswithinmeandIcannotsee，forthedazebeforemyeyes，andIknowthatsomedayIwillbeathim。I

cannothelpmyfeeling。"

"Ranald，"saidMrs。Murray，"haveyoueverthoughthowhewillneedGod\'smercylikeyourself？AndhaveyouneverthoughtthatperhapshehasneverhadthewayofGod\'smercyputbeforehim？ToyoutheLordhasgivenmuch，tohimlittle。ItisaterriblethingtobeungratefulforthemercyofGod；anditisashamefulthing。Itisunworthyofanytrueman。HowcananyonetakethefullnessofGod\'smercyandhispatienceeveryday，andholdanungratefulheart？"

Shedidnotsparehim，andasRanaldsatandlistened，hislifeandcharacterbegantoappeartohimsmallandmeanandunworthy。

"TheLordmeansyoutobeanobleman，Ranald——amanwiththeheartandpurposetodosomegoodintheworld，tobeablessingtohisfellows；anditisapoorthingtobesofilledupwithselfishnessastohavenothoughtofthehonorofGodorofthegoodofmen。

LouisLeNoirhasdoneyouagreatwrong，butwhatisthatwrongcomparedwiththewrongyouhavedonetoHimwholovedyoutoHisowndeath？"

Thenshegavehimherlastword："WhenyouseeLouisLeNoir，thinkofGod\'smercy，andrememberyouaretodohimgoodandnotevil。"

Andwiththatwordinhisheart，Ranaldwentaway，ashamedandhumbled，butnotforgiving。Thetimeforthathadnotyetcome。

Butbeforeheleftfortheshanties，hesawMrs。Murrayagaintosaygoodby。Hemetherwithashamedface，fearingthatshemustfeelnothingbutcontemptforhim。

"Youwillthinkillofme，"hesaid，andinspiteofhisself-

controlhisvoiceshook。"Icouldnotbearthat。"

"No，Icouldneverthinkillofyou，Ranald，butIwouldbegrievedtothinkthatyoushouldfailofbecominganobleman，strongandbrave；strongenoughtoforgiveandbraveenoughtoserve。"

OncemoreRanaldwenttothewoods，withearnestthoughtsinhismind，hopingheshouldnotmeetLeNoir，andfightingouthisbattletovictory；andbythetimethedrivehadreachedthebigwaternextspring，thatbattlewasalmostover。Thedaysinthesilentwoodsandthenightsspentwithhisuncleinthecamp，andafterwardinhiscabinontheraft，didtheirworkwithRanald。

ThetimbercutthatyearwasthelargestthathadeverbeenknownontheUpperOttawa。Therewasgreatcrowdingofraftsonthedrive，andforweeksthechuteswerefull，andwhentheraftswereallbroughttogetheratQuebec，notonlyweretheshoreslinedandTimberCovepacked，butthebroadriverwasfullfromQuebectoLevis，exceptforthesteamboatwaywhichmustbekeptopen。

ForthefirmofRaymond&St。Clairthismeantenormousincreaseofbusiness，anditwasnosmallannoyancethatatthiscrisistheyshouldhavedetectedtheirQuebecagentinfraud，andshouldhavebeenforcedtodismisshim。ThesituationwassocriticalthatMr。

St。Clairhimself，withHarryashisclerk，founditnecessarytospendamonthinQuebec。HetookwithhimMaimieandhergreatfriendKateRaymond，thedaughterofhispartner，andestablishedhimselfintheHotelChevalBlanc。

Onthewhole，MaimiewasnotsorrytovisittheancientcapitalofCanada，thoughshewouldhavechosenanothertime。ItwasratherdisappointingtoleaveherowncityintheWest，justatthebeginningofthespringgayeties。Itwasherfirstseason，andthewinterhadbeendistinguishedbyaseriesofsocialtriumphs。Shewasthetoastofalltheclubsandthebelleofalltheballs。Shehaddevelopedarareandfascinatingbeauty，andhadacquiredanairsodistinguethatevenheraunt，MissSt。Clair，wascompletelysatisfied。Itwasalittlehardforhertoleavethesceneofhertriumphsandtoabandontheapproachinggayeties。

ButQuebechaditscompensations，andthenthereweretheDeLacys，oneoftheoldestEnglishfamiliesofQuebec。TheSt。Clairshadknownthemformanyyears。Theirbloodwasunquestionablyblue，theywerewealthy，andbesides，theonlysonandrepresentativeofthefamilywasnowlieutenant，attachedtothegarrisonattheCitadel。LieutenantDeLacysuggestedpossibilitiestoMaimie。

Quebecmightbeendurableforamonth。

"Whatalovelyview，andhowpicturesque！"

Maimiewasstandingatthewindowlookingdownupontheriverwithitsfleetofrafts。BesideherstoodKate，andatanotherwindowHarry。

"Whatalotoftimber！"saidHarry。"Andthetownisjustfulloflumbermen。Afellowsaidtheremustbesixthousandofthem，sotherewillbelotsoffun。"

"Fun！"exclaimedKate。

"Fun！rather。Thesefellowshavebeenupinthewoodsforsomefiveorsixmonths，andwhentheygettotownwherethereiswhiskyand——and——thatsortofthing，theyjustgetwild。Theysayitisawful。"

"Justhorrible！"saidMaimie，inadisgustedtone。

"Butsplendid，"saidKate；"thatis，iftheydon\'thurtanyone。"

"Hurtanybody！"exclaimedHarry。"Oh，notatall；theyarealwaysextremelycarefulnottohurtanyone。Theyareasgentleaslambs。Isay，letusgodowntotheriverandlookattherafts。

DeLacywascomingup，butitistoolatenowforhim。Besides，wemightrunacrossMaimie\'smanfromGlengarry。"

"Maimie\'smanfromGlengarry！"exclaimedKate。"Hassheamanthere，too？"

"Nonsense，Kate！"saidMaimie，blushing。"HeistalkingaboutRanald，youknow。OneofAuntMurray\'syoungmen，upinGlengarry。

Youhaveheardmespeakofhimoften。"

"Oh，theboythatpulledyououtofthefire，"saidKate。

"Yes，"criedHarry，strikinganattitude，"andtheboythatforloveofherenteredthelists，andinafistictournamentupheldherfairname，and——"

"Oh，Harry，dohavesomesense！"saidMaimie，impatiently。"Hush，herecomessomeone；LieutenantDeLacy，Isuppose。"

Itwasthelieutenant，handsome，tall，wellmade，withahigh-bredifsomewhatdissipatedface，anairofblaseindifferencealittleoverdone，andanaccentwhichhehadbroughtbackwithhimfromOxford，andwhichhewasanxiousnottolose。Indeed，thebarethoughtofthepossibilityofhisdroppingintotheflat，semi-

nasalofhisnativelandfilledthelieutenantwithunspeakablehorror。

"Wewerejustgoingdowntotheriver，"saidMaimie，aftertheintroductionswereover，"butIsupposeitisalloldtoyou，andyouwouldnotcaretogo？"

"Aw，charmed，I\'msure。"(Thelieutenantpronouncedit"shuah。")

"Butitisrathaw，don\'tyouknow，notexactlyclean。"

"Heisthinkingofhisboots，"saidHarry，scornfully，lookingdownatthelieutenant\'sshiningpatentleathers。

"Really，"saidthelieutenant，mildly，"awfullydirtystreet，though。"

"Butwewanttoseetheshantymen，"saidKate，frankly。

"Oh，themen！Veryproper，butnotsoverydiscriminating，youknow。"

"Ilovetheshantymen，"exclaimedKate，enthusiastically。"Maimietoldmeallaboutthem。"

"ByJove！I\'lljointo-morrow，"exclaimedthelieutenantwithgentleexcitement。

"Theywouldnothaveyou，"answeredKate。"Besides，youwouldhavetoeatporkandonionsandthings。"

Thelieutenantshuddered，gazingreproachfullyatKate。

"Onions！"hegasped；"andyoulovethem？"

"Letusgoalong，then，"saidHarry。"Wewillhavealookatthem，anyway。"

"Fromthewindwardside，Ihope，"saidthelieutenant，gently。

"Iamgoingrightontheraft，"declaredKate，stoutly，"ifwecanonlyfindRanald。"

"Meaningwho，exactly？"questionedDeLacy。

"AlumbermanwhomMaimieadores。"

"Howhappy！"saidDeLacy。

"Nonsense，LieutenantDeLacy，"saidMaimie，impatientlyandalittlehaughtily；"heisafriendofmyaunt\'supinthecountyofGlengarry。"

"Nononsenseaboutit，"saidHarry，indignantthathissistershouldseemindifferenttoRanald。"Heisagreatfriendofusall；andyouwillsee——shewillflyintohisarms。"

"Heavenforbid！"ejaculatedthelieutenant，muchshocked。

"Harry，howcanyoubeso——？"saidMaimie，muchannoyed。"Whatwillthelieutenantthinkofme？"

"Ah，ifIonlymighttell！"saidthelieutenant，lookingatherwithlanguishingeyes。ButalreadyKatewasdownstairsandonherwaytothestreet。

Astheynearedthelowertown，thenarrowstreetsbecamemoreandmorecrowdedwithmenintheshantymen\'spicturesquedress，andtheyhadsomedifficultyinmakingtheirwaythroughthejolly，jostlingcrowds。Astheywerenearingtheriver，theysawcomingalongthenarrowsidewalkaburlyFrench-Canadian，dressedinthegayestholidaygarboftheshantymen——redshirtandsash，corduroystuckedintoredtop-boots，alittleroundsofthatsetuponthebackofhisblackcurls，agorgeoussilkhandkerchiefaroundhisneck，andabiggoldwatch-chainwithsealsathisbelt。Hehadabold，handsomeface，andswaggeredalongthesidewalk，claimingitallwithanassurancefortifiedbywhiskyenoughtomakehimutterlyregardlessofanybuthisownrights。

"Hello！"heshouted，asheswaggeredalong。"Makeway，I\'mdebossbullyondereeverHottawa。"Itwashisdayofglory，anditevidentlypleasedhimmuchthatthepeoplestoodasidetolethimpass。Thenhebrokeintosong：——

"Enroulantmabouleroulant，Enroulantmeboule。"

"This，Isuppose，isoneofyourbelovedshantymen，"saidthelieutenant，turningtoKate，whowaswalkingwithHarrybehind。

"Isn\'thelovely！"exclaimedKate。

"Oh，"criedMaimie，interror，"letusgetintoashop！"

"Quiteunnecessary，Iassureyou，"saidthelieutenant，indifferently；"Ihavenottheleastideathathewillmolestyou。"

Thelumbermanbythistimehadswaggereduptotheparty，expectingthemtomakeway，butinstead，DeLacystiffenedhisshoulder，caughttheFrenchmaninthechest，androlledhimoffintothestreet。Surprisedandenraged，theFrenchmanturnedtodemolishthemanwhohaddaredtoinsultthe"bossbullyondereeverHottawa。"

"Vousn\'avezpasremarquelademoiselle，"saidthelieutenant，inatoneofpoliteness。

Thelumberman，whohadswaggeredupreadytostrike，glancedatMaimie，tookoffhishat，andmadeaceremoniousbow。

"Ehbien！Non！Pardon，Mams\'elle。"

"Bonjour，"saidLieutenantDeLacy，withamilitarysalute，andmovedon，leavingthelumbermanstaringafterthemasifhehadseenavision。

"BeautyandtheBeast，"murmuredthelieutenant。"ThoughtIwasinforit，sure。Reallywonderful，don\'tyouknow！"

"Doyouthinkwehadbettergoon？"saidMaimie，turningtoKateandHarry。

"Whynot？Why，certainly！"theyexclaimed。

"Thesehorridmen，"repliedMaimie。

"Dearcreatures！"saidthelieutenant，glancingatKatewithamildlypatheticlook。"Sweet，butnotalwaysfragrant。"

"Oh，theywon\'thurtus。Letusgoon。"

"Certainly，goon，"echoedHarry，impatiently。

"Safeenough，MissSt。Clair，but，"pullingouthisperfumedhandkerchief，"rathertrying。"

"Oh，geton，DeLacy，"criedHarry，andsotheymovedon。

TheofficeofRaymond&St。Clairstoodnearthewharves。Harrypausedatthedoor，notquitesurewhethertogoinornot。Itwaseasytodiscoverworkinthatoffice。

"YoumightaskifRanaldhascome，"saidKate。"Maimieistooshy。"

Harryreturnedinafewmoments，quiteexcited。

"TheMacdonaldgangarein，andtheBigMacdonaldwasherenothalfanhourago，andRanaldisdownattheraftbeyondthelastwharf。

Iknowtheplace。"

"Oh，doletusgoon！"criedKate，towhomHarryhadbeenextollingRanaldonthewaydown。"Youreallyoughttoinspectyourtimber，Harry，shouldn\'tyou？"

"Mostcertainly，andrightaway。Nosayingwhatmighthappen。"

"Awfulslush，"saidthelieutenant，glancingatMaimie\'sface。"Doyouthinkthetimberwouldn\'tkeepforaweek？"

"Oh，rubbish！Aweek！"criedHarry。"Heisthinkingofhisbootsagain。"

Tobequitefairtothelieutenant，itwasMaimie\'sdoubtfulface，ratherthanhisshinyboots，thatmadehimhesitate。Shewasevidentlynervousandembarrassed。Thegay，easymannerwhichwasherhabitwasgone。

"Ithinkperhapswehadbettergo，sincewearehere，"shesaid，doubtfully。

"Exactly；itiswhatImostdesired，"saidthelieutenant，gallantly。

Scoresofraftslaymooredalongthewharvesandshore，andhundredoflumbermenweretobeseeneverywhere，notonlyonthetimberandwharves，butcrowdingthestreetsandthedoorsofthelittlesaloons。

Forhalfanhourtheywalkedalong，watchingthemenatworkwiththetimberontheriver。Somewereloadingthevesselslyingatanchor，somewereshiftingtheloosetimberabout。Whentheyreachedtheendofthelastwharf，theysawastrappingyounglumberman，inashantycostumethatshowedsignsofthewoods，runningsomeloosesticksoftimberroundtheendoftheraft。

Withgreatskillhewashandlinghispike，walkingthebigsticksandrunninglightlyoverthetimbertoosmalltocarryhim，balancinghimselfonasinglestickwhilehemovedthetimbertothebitofopenwaterbehindtheraft，andallwithagraceanddexteritythatexcitedKate\'sadmirationtothehighestdegree。

"Ratherclever，that，"saidthelieutenant，lazily。"Hello！closecall，that；ha！bravo！"Itwasnotoftenthelieutenantallowedhimselftheluxuryofexcitement，butthelumbermanrunninghistimberslippedhispikepoleandfoundhimselfbalancingontheedgeofopenwater。Withamightyspringheclearedtheopenspace，touchedapieceofsmalltimberthatsankunderhim，andatthenextspringlandedsafeontheraft。Maimie\'sscreamsoundedwiththelieutenant\'s"bravo。"Atthecrytheyoungfellowlookedup。ItwasRanald。

"Hello，there！"criedHarry；andwithanansweringshout，Ranald，usinghispikeasajumping-pole，clearedtheopenspace，ranlightlyoverthefloatingsticks，andwithanotherspringreachedtheshore。Withoutamoment\'shesitationhedroppedhispoleandcamealmostrunningtowardthem，hisfaceradiantwithdelight。

"Maimie！"heexclaimed，holdingouthishand，wetandnonetooclean。

"Howdoyoudo？"saidMaimie。Shehadnoticedthelookofsurpriseandmilddisgustonthelieutenant\'sface，andshewasembarrassed。

Ranaldwascertainlynotlovelytolookat。Hisshirtwasopenattheneck，torn，anddirty。Histrousersandbootsweremuchtheworseoftheirstrugglewiththebush。

"ThisisMr。Macdonald，LieutenantDeLacy，"Maimiehurriedtosay。

Thelieutenantofferedalimphand。

"Chawmed，I\'msuah，"hemurmured。

"What？"saidRanald。

"Lovelyweather，"murmuredthelieutenantagain，lookingathisfingersthatRanaldhadjustletgo。

"Well，oldchap，"saidHarry，graspingRanald\'shandandthrowinghisarmabouthisshoulder，"Iamawfullygladtofindyou。Wehavebeenhuntingyouforhalfanhour。Butholdup，hereyouare。

LetmeintroduceyoutoMissKateRaymond，thebestgirlanywhere。"

Katecameforwardwithafranksmile。"Iamverygladtomeetyou，"shesaid。"Ihaveheardsomuchaboutyou，andIamgoingtocallyouRanald，astheyalldo。"

"Howlovely！"sighedDeLacy。

HergreetingwarmedRanald\'sheartthatsomehowhadbeenchilledinthemeeting。Somethingwaswrong。Wasitthisfopofasoldier，orhadMaimiechanged？Ranaldglancedatherface。No，shewasthesame，onlymorebeautifulthanhehaddreamed。

Butwhileshewasshakinghandswithhim，thereflashedacrosshismindthememoryofthefirsttimehehadseenher，andthelookofamusementuponherfacethen，thathadgivenhimsuchdeadlyoffense。Therewasnoamusementnow，buttherewasembarrassmentandsomethingelse。Ranaldcouldnotdefineit，butitchilledhisheart，andatoncehebegantofeelhowbadlydressedhewas。Thetornshirt，theraggedtrousers，andtheold，unshapelybootsthathehadnevergivenathoughttobefore，nowseemedtoburnintohisflesh。Unconsciouslyhebackedawayandturnedtogo。

"Whereareyouoffto？"criedHarry；"doyouthinkwearegoingtoletyougonow？Wehadhardenoughworkfindingyou。Comeuptotheofficeandseethegovernor。Hewantstoseeyoubadly。"

Ranaldglancedatthelieutenant，immaculateexceptwheretheslushhadspeckledhisshinyboots，andthenathisownraggedattire。

"IthinkIwillnotgoupnow，"hesaid。

"Well，comeupsoon，"saidMaimie，evidentlyrelieved。

"No！"saidKate，impetuously，"comerightalongnow。"Asshespokesherangedherselfbesidehim。

ForamomentortwoRanaldhesitated，shotasearchingglanceatMaimie\'sface，andthen，witharecklesslaugh，said，"Iwillgonow，"andsetoffforthwith，Kateproudlymarchingatoneside，andHarryontheother，leavingMaimieandthelieutenanttofollowafter。

AndagoodthingitwasforRanaldthathedidgothatdaywithHarrytohis"governor\'s"office。Theyfoundtheofficeina"swither，"asHarrysaid，overtherevelationsoffraudthatwerecomingtolighteveryday——book-keeper，clerk，andtimber-checkerhavingallbeeninconspiracytodefraudthecompany。

"Wherehaveyoubeen，Harry？"saidhisfatherinanannoyedtoneashissonenteredtheoffice。"Youdon\'tseemtorealizehowmuchthereistodojustnow。"

"LookingupRanald，father，"saidHarry，cheerfully。

"Ah，theyoungmanfromGlengarry？"saidMr。St。Clair，rising。"I

amgladtoknowyou，andtothankyouinpersonforyourpromptcourageinsavingmydaughter。"

"Luckydog！"groanedthelieutenant，inanundertonetoMaimie。

Mr。St。ClairspoketoRanaldofhisfatherandhisuncleinwordsofhighestappreciation，andasRanaldlistened，therecklessandhardlookwhichhadbeengatheringeversincehismeetingwithMaimiepassedaway，andhisfacebecameearnestandtouchedwithatenderpride。

"Ihearaboutyoufrequentlyfrommysister，Mr。Macdonald——orshallIsayRanald？"saidMr。St。Clair，kindly。"Sheapparentlythinkssomethingofyou"

"Iamproudtothinkso，"repliedRanald，hisfacelightingupashespoke；"buteveryonelovesher。Sheisawonderfulwoman，andgood。"

"Yes，"saidMr。St。Clair，"that\'sit；wonderfulandgood。"

ThenMaimiedrewnearer。"Howisauntie？"shesaid。"Whatashamenottohaveaskedbefore！"

"Shewasverywelllastfall，"saidRanald，lookingkeenlyintoMaimie\'sface；"butsheisworkingtoohardatthemeetings。"

"Meetings！"exclaimedHarry。

"Aye，forayearandmoreshehasbeenatthemeverynighttilllate。"

"Atmeetingsforayear！Whatmeetings？"criedHarry，astonished。

"Oh，Harry，youknowaboutthegreatrevivalgoingonquitewell，"

saidMaimie。

"Oh，yes。Iforgot。Whatashame！Whatistheuseofherkillingherselfthatway？"

"Thereismuchuse，"saidRanald，gravely。"Theyaremakingbadmengood，andthewholecountrysideisnew，andsheistheheartofitall。"

"Ihavenodoubtaboutthat，"saidMr。St。Clair。"Shewillbetheheadandheartandhandsandfeet。"

"You\'rejustright，governor，"saidHarry，warmly。"ThereisnowomanlivinglikeAuntMurray。"

Therewassilenceforafewmoments。ThenMr。St。Clairsaidsuddenly："Weareinanawfulfixhere。Notamantobefoundthatwecandependuponforbook-keeper，clerk，orchecker。"

Harrycoughedslightly。

"Oh，ofcourse，Harryisanexcellentbook-keeper，"Harrybowedlow；"whileheisatit，"addedMr。St。Clair。

"Veryneatone，"murmuredthelieutenant。

"Now，father，donotspoilafinecomplimentinthatway，"criedHarry。

"Butnowthecheckerisgone，"saidMr。St。Clair，"andthatisextremelyawkward。"

"Isay，"criedHarry，"whatwillyougivemeforacheckerrightnow？"

Mr。St。Clairlookedathimandthenatthelieutenant。

"Pardonme，Mr。St。Clair，"saidthatgentleman，holdinguphishand。"IusedtocheckalittleatRugby，but——"

"Notyou，byalonghand，"interruptedHarry，disdainfully。

"Thisawfullycharmingbrotherofyours，soveryfrank，don\'tyouknow！"saidthelieutenant，softly，toMaimie，whiletheyalllaughed。

"Buthereisyourman，governor，"saidHarry，layinghishandonRanald。

"Ranald！"exclaimedMr。St。Clair。"Why，theveryman！Youunderstandtimber，andyouarehonest。"

"Iwillanswerforbothwithmyhead，"saidHarry。

"Whatdoyousay，Ranald？"saidMr。St。Clair。"Willyoutakeadaytothinkitover？"

"No，"saidRanald；"Iwillbeyourchecker。"AndsoRanaldbecamepartofthefirmofRaymond&St。Clair。

"Comealong，Ranald，"saidHarry。"Wewilltakethegirlshome，andthencomebacktotheoffice。"

"Yes，docome，"saidKate，heartily。Maimiesaidnothing。

"No，"saidRanald；"Iwillgobacktotheraftfirst，andthencometotheoffice。ShallIbegintonight？"hesaidtoMr。St。Clair。

"To-morrowmorningwilldo，Ranald，"saidMr。St。Clair。"Comeuptothehotelandseeustonight。"ButRanaldsaidnothing。ThenMaimiewentuptohim。

"Goodby，justnow，"shesaid，smilingintohisface。"Youwillcomeandseeusto-night，perhaps？"

Ranaldlookedather，whilethebloodmountedslowlyintohisdarkcheek，andsaid："Yes，Iwillcome。"

"What\'sthematterwithyou，Maimie？"saidHarry，indignantly，whentheyhadgotoutside。"YouwouldthinkRanaldwasastranger，thewayyoutreathim。"

"Andheisjustsplendid！IwishhehadpulledMEoutofthefire，"criedKate。

"Youmighttrytheriver，"saidthelieutenant。"Ifancyhewouldgoin。Looksthatsort。"

"Goin？"criedHarry，"hewouldgoanywhere。"Thelieutenantmadenoreply。Heevidentlyconsideredthatitwashardlyworththeefforttointeresthimselfintheyounglumberman，butbeforehewasmanyhoursolderhefoundreasontochangehismind。

Aftertakingtheyoungladiestotheirhoteltherewasstillanhourtillthelieutenant\'sdinner，so，havingresolvedtocultivatetheSt。Clairfamily，heproposedaccompanyingHarrybacktotheoffice。

Astheyapproachedthelowerportionofthetowntheyheardwildshouts，andsaunteringdownasidestreet，theycameupontheirFrench-Canadianfriendoftheafternoon。Hewasstandingwithhisbackagainstawalltryingtobeatoffthreeorfourmen，whoweresavagelystrikingandkickingathim，andcryingthewhile：

"Gatineau！Gatineau！"

ItwastheGatineauagainsttheOttawa。

"Ourfriendseemstohavefoundtheobjectofhissearch，"saidthelieutenant，ashestoodacrossthestreetlookingatthemelee。

"Isay，he\'sagoodone，isn\'the？"criedHarry，admiringtheOttawa\'sdauntlesscourageandhisfightingskill。

"Hiseagernessforwarwillprobablybegratifiedinafewminutes，bythelookofthings，"repliedthelieutenant。

TheGatineauswerecrowdingaround，andhadevidentlymadeuptheirmindstobringtheOttawachampiontothedust。Thattheywerenumberstoonematterednotatall。Therewaslittlechivalryinashantymen\'sfight。

"Ha！Ratheragoodone，that，"exclaimedthelieutenant，mildlyinterested。"Heputthatchapoutsomewhatneatly。"Helitacigarandstoodcoollywatchingthefight。

"WherearetheOttawas——thefellow\'sfriends？"saidHarry，muchexcited。

"Iratherthinktheycamponanotherstreetfurtherdown。"

TheOttawachampionwasbeingsorelypressed，anditlookedasifinamomentortwomorehewouldbedown。

"Whatashame！"criedHarry。

"Well，"saidthelieutenant，languidly，"it\'sbeastlydirty，butthechap\'sdoneratherwell，soheregoes。"

Smokinghiscigar，andfollowedbyHarry，hepushedacrossthestreettothecrowd，andgotrightuptothefighters。

"Here，youfellows，"hecalledout，inahigh，clearvoice，"whatthedeucedoyoumean，kickingupsucharow？Comenow，stop，andgetoutofhere。"

Theastonishedcrowdstoppedfightingandfellbackalittle。Thecalm，clearvoiceofcommandandhermajesty\'suniformawedthem。

"Moncamarade！"saidthelieutenant，removinghiscigarandsaluting，"ratherwarm，eh？"

"Youbet！Ver\'warmtam，"wasthereply。

"Bettergetaway，monami。Theoddsareratheragainstyou，"saidthelieutenant。"Yourfriendsaresomedistancedownthenextstreet。Youbettergoalong。"Sosaying，hesteppedouttowardthecrowdofGatineauswhowereconsultingandyelling。

"Excuseme，gentlemen，"hesaid，politely，wavinghislittlecane。

Thoseimmediatelyinfrontgaveback，allowedthelieutenant，followedbytheOttawamanandHarry，topass，andimmediatelyclosedinbehind。TheymighthaveescapedhaditnotbeenthattheOttawamanfounditimpossibletorefrainfromhurlingtauntsatthemandinvitingthemtobattle。Theyhadgonenotmorethantwoblockswhentherewasarushfrombehind，andbeforetheycoulddefendthemselvestheywereeachinthemidstofacrowd，fightingfortheirlives。Theprincipalattackwas，ofcourse，madeupontheOttawaman，butthecrowdwasquitedeterminedtopreventthelieutenantandHarryfromgettingnearhim。InvaintheystruggledtobreakthroughtheyellingmassofGatineaus，whonowhadbecomenumerousenoughtofillthestreetfromwalltowall，andamongwhomcouldbeseensomefewoftheOttawamentryingtoforcetheirwaytowardtheirchampion。BydegreesbothHarryandDeLacyfoughttheirwaytothewall，andtowardeachother。

"LooksasifourmanhadmethisWaterloo，"saidthelieutenant，waitingforhisparticularmantocomeagain。

"Whatalotofbeaststheyare！"saidHarry，disgustedly，beatingoffhisenemy。

"Hello！Heretheycomeagain。Weshallhavetotryanothershot，Isuppose，"saidthelieutenant，asthecrowd，whichhadforafewmomentssurgeddownthestreet，nowcamecrushingback，withtheOttawaleader，andsomehalf-dozenofhisfollowersinthecenter。

"Well，heregoes，"saidDeLacy，leavingthewallandplungingintothecrowd，followedbyHarry。Astheyreachedthecenteravoicecalledout："AbaslesAnglais！"

Andimmediatelythecry，afamiliarenoughoneinthosedays，wastakenuponallsides。Thecrowdstiffened，andtheattackuponthecenterbecamemoredeterminedthanever。Thelittlecompanyformedacircle，andstandingbacktoback，heldtheirgroundforatime。

"Makeforthewall。Keeptogether，"criedDeLacy，pushingouttowardtheside，andfollowedbyhiscompany。But，onebyone，theOttawaswerebeingdraggeddownandtrampledbeneaththe"corked"

bootsoftheirfoes，tillonlytwoofthem，withtheirleader，besideHarryandDeLacy，wereleft。

Atlengththewallwasgained。Theretheyfacedaboutandforatimeheldtheirlivessafe。Buteverymomentfreshmenrushedinuponthem，yellingtheircries，"Gatineau！Gatineau！AbaslesAnglais！"

TheOttawaleaderwaspantinghard，andhecouldnotmuchlongerholdhisown。Histwocompanionswereequallybadlyoff。Harrywaspaleandbleeding，butstillingoodheart。Thelieutenantwasunmarkedasyet，andcoollysmokinghiscigar，butheknewwellthatunlesshelparrivedtheircasewashopeless。

"Wecan\'trun，"heremarked，calmly，"butadignifiedandspeedyretreatisinorderifitcanbeexecuted。Thereisashopalittledistancedownhere。Letusmakeforit。"

ButassoonastheymovedtwomoreoftheOttawasweredraggeddownandtrampledon。

"Itbeginstolookinteresting，"saidthelieutenanttoHarry。

"Sorryyouareintothis，oldchap。Itwasrathermyfault。Itissobeastlydirty，don\'tyouknow。"

"Oh，faultbehanged！"criedHarry。"It\'snobody\'sfault，butitlooksratherserious。Getback，youbrute！"Sosaying，hecaughtaburlyFrenchmanunderthechinwithastraightleft-handerandhurledhimbackuponthecrowd。

"Ah，ratherpretty，"saidthelieutenant，mildly。"Itisnotoftenyoucanjustcatchthemthatway。"Theywerestillafewyardsfromtheshopdoor，buteverystepoftheiradvancehadtobefought。

"Iverymuchfearwecan\'tmakeit，"saidthelieutenant，quietlytoHarry。"Wehadbetterbackupagainstthewallhereandfightitout。"

Butashespoketheyheardasoundofshoutingdownthestreetalittleway，whichtheOttawaleaderatoncerecognized，andraisinghisvoicehecried："Hottawa！Hottawa！Hottawaamoi！"

Swiftly，fiercely，camethebandofmen，sometwentyofthem，cleavingtheirwaythroughthecrowdlikeawedge。Attheirhead，andtallerthantheothers，foughttwomen，whosearmsworkedwiththesystematicprecisionofpiston-rods，andbeforewhommenfelloneitherhandasifstruckwithsledge-hammers。

"Hottawaamoi！"criedtheOttawachampionagain，andtherelievingpartyfacedinhisdirection。

"Isay，"saidthelieutenant，"thatfirstmanisuncommonlylikeyourGlengarryfriend。"

"What，Ranald？"criedHarry。"Thenweareallright。Iswearitis，"hesaid，afterafewmoments，andthen，rememberingthestoryofthegreatfightontheNation，whichhehadheardfromHughieandMaimie，heraisedtheMacdonaldwar-cry："Glengarry！

Glengarry！"

Ranaldpausedandlookedabouthim。

"Here，Ranald！"yelledHarry，wavinghiswhitehandkerchief。ThenRanaldcaughtsightofhim。

"Glengarry！"hecried，andsprangfarintothecrowdinHarry\'sdirection。

"Glengarry！Glengarryforever！"echoedYankee——forheitwas——

plungingafterhisleader。

Swiftandsharplikethethrustofalance，theGlengarrymenpiercedthecrowd，whichgavebackoneitherside，andsoonreachedthegroupatthewall。

"HowintheworlddidYOUgethere？"criedRanaldtoHarry；then，lookingabouthim，cried："WhereisLeNware？IheardhewasbeingkilledbytheGatineaus，andIgotafewofourmenandcamealong。"

"LeNware？ThatisourCanadianfriend，Isuppose，"saidthelieutenant。"Hewashereawhileago。ByJove！Thereheis。"

SurroundedbyacrowdoftheGatineaus，LeNoir，forhewastheleaderoftheOttawas，wasbeingbatteredaboutandliketobekilled。

"Glengarry！"criedRanald，andlikealionheleapeduponthem，followedbyYankeeandtheothers。Rightandlefthehurledthecrowdaside，andseizingLeNoir，broughthimouttohisownmen。

"Whoareyou？"gaspedLeNoir。"Why，no，iteesnotpossible。Yes，itisYankeeforsure！AnddeMacdonaldgang，but——"turningtoRanald——"whoareYOU？"hesaidagain。

"Nevermind，"saidRanald，shortly，"letusgetawaynow，quick！

Goon，Yankee。"

Atonce，withYankeeleading，theGlengarrymenmarchedoffthefieldofbattlebearingwiththemtherescuedparty。Therewasnotimetolose。Theenemyfaroutnumberedthem，andwouldsoonreturntotheattack。

"Buthowdidyouknowwewereintrouble，Ranald？"saidHarryashemarchedalong。

"Ididn\'tknowanythingaboutyou，"saidRanald。"SomeonecameandsaidthatthebullyoftheOttawawasbeingkilled，soIcamealong。"

"Andjustintime，byJove！"saidthelieutenant，arousedfromhislanguorforonce。"Itwasadeucedlyluckything，andwelldone，too，\'ponmysoul。"

Thatnight，asRanaldandhisunclewereintheircabinontherafttalkingovertheincidentsoftheday，andRanald\'splansforthesummer，amanstoodsuddenlyinthedoorway。

"IamLouisLeNoir，"hesaid，"andIhavesomewordtosaytodeyoungMacdonald。Iamsorehere，"hesaid，strikinghisbreast。

"Icannotspikyourlanguige。Icannottell。"Hestoppedshort，andthetearscamestreamingdownhisface。"Icannottell，"herepeated，hisbreastheavingwithmightysobs。"Iwouldbegladtodie——tomak\'over——tonotmak\'——Icannotsaydeword——whatIdotoyourfadder。Iwouldgivemylife，"hesaid，throwingoutbothhishands。"Iwouldgivemylife。Icannotsaymore。"

Ranaldstoodlookingathimforafewmomentsinsilencewhenhefinished；thenhesaidslowlyanddistinctly，"Myfathertoldmetosaythatheforgaveyoueverything，andthatheprayedthemercyofGodforyou，and，"addedRanald，moreslowly，"I——forgive——you——

too。"

TheFrenchmanlistenedinwonder，greatlymoved，buthecouldonlyreiteratehiswords："IcannotspikwhatIfeelhere。"

"Sitdown，Mr。LeNoir，"saidMacdonaldBhain，gravely，pointingtoabench，"andIwillbetellingyousomething。"

LeNoirsatdownandwaited。

"Doyouseethatyoungmanthere？"saidMacdonaldBhain，pointingtoRanald。Heisthestrongestmaninmygang，andindeed，Iwillnotbeputtinghimbelowmyself。"HereRanaldprotested。"AndhehaslearnedtousehishandsasIcannot。AndofallthemenI

haveeverseensinceIwenttothewoods，thereisnotoneIcouldputagainsthim。Hecouldkillyou，Mr。LeNoir。"

TheFrenchmannoddedhisheadandsaid："Dasso。Dasprettysure。"

"Yes，thatisverysure，"saidMacdonaldBhain。"Andhemadeavowtokillyou，"wentonMacdonaldBhain，"andto-nighthesavedyourlife。Doyouknowwhy？"

"No，notme。"

"ThenIwillbetellingyou。ItisthegraceofGod。"

LeNoirstaredathim，andthenMacdonaldBhainwentontotellhimhowhisbrotherhadsufferedandstruggledlong，andhowtheminister\'swifehadcometohimwiththemessageoftheforgivenessofthegreatGod。AndthenhereadfromRanald\'sEnglishBiblethestoryoftheunforgivingdebtor，explainingitingraveandsimplespeech。

"Thatwaswhy，"heconcluded。"Itwasbecausehewasforgiven，andonhisdyingbedhesentyouthewordofforgiveness。Andthat，too，istheveryreason，Ibelieve，whytheladherewenttoyourhelpthisday。"

"Ipromisedtheminister\'swifeIwoulddoyougoodandnotill，whenitcametome，"saidRanald。"ButIwasnotfeelingatalllikeforgivingyou。Iwasafraidtomeetyou。"

"Afraid？"saidLeNoir，wonderingthatanyofthatgangshouldconfesstofear。

"Yes，afraidofwhatIwoulddo。Butnow，tonight，itisgone，"

saidRanald，simply，"Ican\'ttellyouhow。"

"Dasmos\'surprise！"exclaimedLeNoir。"Necomprennepas。Ineverseelakdat，me！"

"Yes，itiswonderful，"saidMacdonaldBhain。"Itisverywonderful。

ItisthegraceofGod，"hesaidagain。

"Youmak\'degoodfrien\'witme？"askedLeNoir，risingandputtinghishandouttoMacdonaldBhain。MacdonaldBhainrosefromhisplaceandsteppedtowardtheFrenchman，andtookhishand。

"Yes，Iwillbefriendswithyou，"hesaid，gravely，"andIwillseekGod\'smercyforyou。"

ThenLeNoirturnedtoRanald，andsaid；"Willyoubefrien\'ofme？

Isittoomoche？"

"Yes，"saidRanald，slowly，"Iwillbeyourfriend，too。Itisalittlething，"headded，unconsciouslyquotinghisfather\'swords。

ThenLeNoirturnedaroundtoMacdonaldBhain，andstrikinganattitude，exclaimed："See！Youbemyboss，Ibeyourman——whatyoucall——slave。Iworkfornoting，me。Dassure。"

MacdonaldBhainshookhishead。

"Youcouldnotbelongtous，"hesaid，andexplainedtohimthetermsuponwhichtheMacdonaldmenwereengaged。LeNoirhadneverheardofsuchterms。

"Younotdrinkwhisky？"

"Nottoomuch，"saidMacdonaldBhain。

"Howmanyglass？One，two，tree？"

"Idonotknow，"saidMacdonaldBhain。"Itdependsupontheman。

Hemustnottakemorethanisgoodforhim。"

"Bon！"saidLeNoir，"dasgood。Oneglasshemak\'mefeelgood。

Twodasnicehemak\'mefeelverfonny。Threeglassyesdasmak\'

medefrien\'ofheverybodie。Fourdasmak\'mefeelbig；Iwalkdebigwalk；Iamdebes\'manalldeplace。Dasgoodplaceforstop，eh？"

"No，"saidMacdonaldBhain，gravely，"youneedtostopbeforethat。"

"Ver\'good。Ver\'goodmestophimme。Youtak\'meonforyourman？"

MacdonaldBhainhesitated。LeNoircamenearerhimandloweringhisvoicesaid："I\'mver\'badmanme。Ilaktoknowhowyoudodat——

whatyousay——forgive。Youshowmehow。"

"Cometomenextspring，"saidMacdonaldBhain。

"Bon！"saidLeNoir。"IbedereondeNationcamp。"

Andsohewas。AndwhenMrs。MurrayheardofitfromMacdonaldBhainthatsummer，sheknewthatRanaldhadkepthiswordandhaddoneLeNoirgoodandnotevil。

CHAPTERXVIII

HEISNOTOFMYKIND

ThestoryoftheriotinwhichRanaldplayedsoimportantapartfilledthetownandstirredsocietytoitsinnermostcircles——thosecircles，namely，inwhichtheDeLacyslivedandmoved。ThewholetownbegantalkingoftheGlengarrymen，andespeciallyoftheiryoungleaderwhohad，withsuchsingularabilityandpluck，rescuedtheOttawaswithHarryandLieutenantDeLacy，fromtheirperilousposition。

ThegirlshadthestoryfromHarry\'slips，andinhistellingofit，Ranald\'scourageandskillcertainlylostnothing；buttoMaimie，whileitwaspleasantenoughforhertohearofRanald\'sprowess，andwhilesheenjoyedthereflectedglorythatcametoherashisfriend，thewholeincidentbecamealtogetherhatefulanddistressing。

Shefoundherselfsuddenlyfamousinhersocialworld；everyonewastalkingofher，buttoherhorror，wasconnectingRanald\'snamewithher\'sinamostsignificantway。Itwastooawful，andifherAuntFrancesshouldhearofit，theconsequenceswouldbequitetooterribleforhertoimagine。Shemuststopthetalkatonce。OfcourseshemeanttobekindtoRanald；hehaddonehergreatservice，andhewasherAuntMurray\'sfriend，andbesides，shelikedhim；howmuchshehardlycaredtosaytoherself。ShehadlikedhiminGlengarry。Therewasnodoubtofthat，butthatwastwoyearsago，andinGlengarryeverythingwasdifferent！Thereeveryonewasjustasgoodasanother，andthesepeoplewereallherAuntMurray\'sfriends。Heretherelationswerechanged。Shecouldnothelpfeelingthathowevernicehemightbe，andhowevermuchshemightlikehim，Ranaldwasnotofherworld。

"Well，tellhimso；lethimseethat，"saidKate，withwhomMaimiewasdiscussingherdifficulty。

"Yes，andthenhewouldflyoffandI——wewouldneverseehimagain，"saidMaimie。"He\'sasproudas——anyone！"

"Strange，too，"saidKate，"whenhehasnomoneytospeakof！"

"YouknowIdon\'tmeanthat，andIdon\'tthinkit\'sveryniceofyou。Youhavenosympathywithme！"

"Inwhatway？"

"Well，inthisveryunpleasantaffair；everyoneistalkingaboutRanaldandme，asifI——asifwehadsomeunderstanding。"

"Andhaveyounot？Ithought——"KatehesitatedtoremindMaimieofcertainconfidencesshehadreceivedtwoyearsagoafterherfriendhadreturnedfromGlengarry。

"Oh，absurd——justagirlandboyaffair，"saidMaimie，impatiently。

"Thenthere\'snothingatall，"saidKate，withasuspicionofeagernessinhervoice。

"No，ofcoursenot——thatis，nothingreallyserious。"

"Serious？Youmeanyoudon\'tcareforhimatall？"Katelookedstraightatherfriend。

"Oh，youaresoawfullydirect。Idon\'tknow。Idocare；he\'sniceinmanyways，andhe\'s——Iknowhelikesmeand——Iwouldhatetowoundhim，butthenyouknowhe\'snotjustoneofus。YouknowwhatImean！"

"Notexactly，"saidKate，quietly。"Doyoumeanheisnoteducated？"

"Oh，no，Idon\'tmeaneducationaltogether。Howverytiresomeyouare！Hehasnoculture，andmanners，andthatsortofthing。"

"Ithinkhehasveryfinemanners。Heisalittlequaint，butyoucan\'tcallhimrude。"

"Oh，no，he\'sneverrude；ratherabrupt，butoh，dear，don\'tyouknow？WhatwouldAuntFranksaytohim？"

Kate\'slipcurledalittle。"I\'mverysureIcan\'tsay，butIcanimaginehowshewouldlook。"

"Well，that\'sit——"

"But，"wentonKate，"Icanimagine，too，howRanaldwouldlookbackatherifhecaughthermeaning。"

"Well，perhaps，"saidMaimie，withalittlelaugh，"andthat\'sjustit。Oh，Iwishhewere——"

"Alieutenant？"suggestedKate。

"Well，yes，Ido，"saidMaimie，desperately。

"Andifhewere，youwouldmarryhim，"saidKate，ashadeofcontemptinhertonethatMaimiefailedtonotice。

"Yes，Iwould。"

Kateremainedsilent。

"Therenow，youthinkIamhorrid，Iknow，"saidMaimie。"Isupposeyouwouldmarryhimifhewereamerenobody！"

"IfIlovedhim，"saidKate，withslowdeliberation，andaslighttremorinhervoice，"I\'dmarryhimifhewere——ashantyman！"

"Ibelieveyouwould，"saidMaimie，withatouchofregretinhervoice；"butthen，you\'venoAuntFrank！"

"ThankProvidence，"repliedKate，underherbreath。

"AndI\'msureIdon\'twanttooffendher。Justlistentothis。"

Maimiepulledoutaletter，andturningoverthepages，foundtheplaceandbegantoread："\'IamsogladtohearthatyouareenjoyingyourstayinQuebec\'——um-um-um——\'fineoldcity\'——um-um-um——

\'gatesandstreets，\'\'olddays\'——um-um-um——\'noblecitadel，\'

\'gloriousview\'——um-um-um-um——\'finestintheworld\'——No，thatisn\'tit——Oh，yes，hereitis：\'TheDeLacysareaveryhighlyconnectedEnglishfamilyandveryoldfriendsofmyfriends，theLordArchers，withwhomIvisitedinEngland，youknow。Themotherisadearoldlady——sostatelyandsoveryparticular——withold-fashionedideasofbreedingandmanners，andofcourse，verywealthy。HerhouseinQuebecissaidtobethefinestintheProvince，andtherearesomeEnglishestates，Ibelieve，intheirline。LieutenantDeLacyisheronlyson，andfromwhatyousay，heseemstobeaverycharmingyoungman。Hewilloccupyaveryhighplacesomeday。IsupposeKatewill\'——um-um-um——\'Ohyes，andifMrs。DeLacywishesyoutovisitheryoumightaccept\'——um-um-um——\'andtellKatethatIshouldbedelightedifshecouldaccompanymeonalittlejauntthroughtheEasternStates。Ihaveaskedpermissionofherfather，butshewroteyouherselfaboutthat，didn\'tshe？——um-um-um——Andthenlistentothis！\'HowveryoddyoushouldhavecomeacrosstheyoungmanfromGlengarryagain——MacLennon，isit？Mac-something-or-other！

YourAuntMurrayseemstoconsiderhimaverysteadyandworthyyoungman。Ihopehemaynotdegenerateinhispresentcircumstancesandcalling，assomanyofhisclassdo。Iamgladyourfatherwasabletodosomethingforhim。Thesepeopleoughttobeencouraged。\'

Nowyousee！"Maimie\'stonewasquitetriumphant。

"Yes，"saidKate！"Idosee！Thesepeopleshouldbeencouragedtomakeourtimberforusthatwemayliveineaseandluxury，andeventosaveusfromfireandfromblood-thirstymobs，asoccasionsmayoffer，butasforfriendshipsandthatsortofthing——"

"Oh，Kate，"burstinMaimie，almostintears，"youaresoveryunkind。YouknowquitewellwhatImean。"

"Yes，Iknowquitewell；youwouldnotinviteRanald，forinstance，todineatyourhouse，tomeetyourAuntFrankandtheEvansesandtheLangfordsandtheMaitlands，"saidKate，spacingherwordswithdeliberateindignation。

"Well，Iwouldnot，ifyouputitinthatway，"saidMaimie，petulantly，"andyouwouldn\'teither！"

"IwouldaskhimtomeeteveryMaitlandofthemifIcould，"saidKate，"anditwouldn\'thurtthemeither。"

"Oh，youaresopeculiar，"saidMaimie，withasighofpity。

"AmI，"saidKate；"askHarry，"shecontinued，asthatyoungmancameintotheroom。

"No，youneedn\'tmind，"saidMaimie；"Iknowwellhewilljustsidewithyou。Healwaysdoes。"

"Howveryamiableofme，"saidHarry；"butwhat\'stheparticularissue？"

"Ranald，"saidKate。

"ThenIagreeatonce。Besides，heiscomingtosuppernextSundayevening！"

"Oh，Harry，"exclaimedMaimie，indismay，"onSundayevening？"

"Hecan\'tgetoffanyothernight；worksallnight，Ibelieve，andwouldworkallSunday，too，ifhisprinciplesdidn\'tmercifullyinterfere。Hewillbebossoftheconcernbeforesummerisover。"

"Oh，Harry，"saidMaimie，indistress，"andIaskedLieutenantDeLacyandhisfriend，Mr。Sims，forSundayevening——"

"Sims，"criedHarry；"littlecad！"

"I\'msurehe\'sverynice，"saidMaimie，"andhisfamily——"

"Oh，holdup；don\'tgetontoyourancestorworship，"criedHarry，impatiently。"Anyway，Ranald\'scomingupSundayevening。"

"Well，itwillbeveryawkward，"saidMaimie。

"Idon\'tseewhy，"saidKate。

"Oh，"criedHarry，scornfully，"hewillhaveonhisredflannelshirtandasilkhandkerchief，andhistrouserswillbeinhisboots；that\'swhatMaimieisthinkingof！"

"Youareveryrude，Harry，"saidMaimie。"YouknowquitewellthatRanaldwillnotenjoyhimselfwiththeothers。Hehasnothingincommonwiththem。"

"Oh，Iwouldn\'tworryaboutthatMaimie，"saidKate；"IwilltalktoRanald。"ButMaimiewasnotquitesurehowsheshouldlikethat。

"YouarejustyourAuntFrankoveragain，"saidHarry，inadisgustedtone；"clothesandpeople！"

Maimiewasalmostintears。

"Ithinkyouarebothveryunkind。YouknowRanaldwon\'tenjoyit。

Hewillbequitemiserable，and——they\'lljustlaughathim！"

"Well，they\'dbetterlaughathimwhenheisn\'tobserving，"saidHarry。

"DoyouthinkRanaldwouldreallymind？"interposedKate，addressingHarry。"Doyouthinkhewillfeelshyandawkward？Perhapswe\'dbetterhavehimanotherevening。"

"No，"saidHarry，decidedly；"heiscoming，andhe\'scomingonSundayevening。Hecan\'tgetoffanyothernight，andbesides，I\'dhavetolietohim，andhehasanunpleasantwayoffindingyououtwhenyouaredoingit，andoncehedoesfindoutwhyheisnotaskedforSundayevening，thenyoumaysaygoodbytohimforgoodandall。"

"Oh，nofearofthat，"saidMaimie，confidently；"Ranaldhasgoodsense，andIknowhewillcomeagain。"

"Well，"criedHarry，"ifyouarenotgoingtotreathimasyouwouldtreatDeLacyandthatidioticSims，Iwon\'tbringhim！"Andwiththatheflungoutoftheroom。

ButHarrychangedhismind，fornextSundayeveningastheyoungladieswithDeLacyandhisfriendwereabouttositdowntosupperintheirprivateparlor，HarrywalkedinwithRanald，andannouncedintriumph："ThemanfromGlengarry！"Maimielookedathimindismay，andindeedshewellmight，forRanaldwasdressedinhismostgorgeousshantyarray，withredflannelshirtandsilkhandkerchief，andtrouserstuckedintohisboots。Simsgazedathimasifhewereanapparition。ItwasKatewhofirstbrokethesilence。

"Wearedelightedtoseeyou，"shecried，goingforwardtoRanaldwithhandsoutstretched；"youarebecomequiteaherointhistown。"

"Quite，Iassureyou，"saidthelieutenant，inalanguidvoice，butshakingRanaldheartilybythehand。

ThenMaimiecameforwardandgreetedhimwithceremoniouspolitenessandintroducedhimtoMr。Sims，whocontinuedtogazeattheshantyman\'sattirewithamusedastonishment。

Thesupperwasnotasuccess；Ranaldsatsilentandsolemn，eatinglittleandsmilingnotatall，althoughMr。Simsexecutedhisverybestjokes。Maimiewasnervousandvisiblydistressed，andattheearliestpossiblemomentbrokeupthesupperpartyandengagedinconversationwiththelieutenantandhiswittyfriend，leavingHarryandKatetoentertainRanald。Butinspiteofalltheycoulddoasolemnsilencewouldnowandthenovertakethecompany，tillatlengthMaimiegrewdesperate，andturningtoRanald，said：

"Whatareyouthinkingof？Youarelookingveryserious？"

"Heis\'thinkingofhomeandmother，\'"quotedMr。Sims，inathin，pipingvoice，followinghisquotationwithasillygiggle。

Kateflushedindignantly。"Iamquitesurehisthoughtswillbeartelling，"shesaid。