第2章

CHAPTERVII。

THESECRETOFTHEWOOD。

Theunthriftsunneshotvitallgold，Athousandpieces；

Andheavenitsazuredidunfold，Chequeredwithsnowyfleeces。

Theairwasallinspice，AndeverybushAgarlandwore：ThusfedmyEyes，ButalltheEarelayhush。

HENRYVAUGHAN。

ItwasnotinmathematicsalonethatHughSutherlandwasserviceabletoMargaretElginbrod。Thatbranchofstudyhadbeenchosenforherfather，notforher；butherdesiretolearnhadledhertolayholduponanymentalprovisionwithwhichthetablehappenedtobespread；andthemoreeagerlythatherfatherwasaguestatthesamefeast。Beforelong，Hughbethoughthimthatitmightpossiblybeofservicetoher，inthecourseofherreading，ifhetaughtherEnglishalittlemorethoroughlythanshehadprobablypickeditupattheparishschool，towhichshehadbeeninthehabitofgoingtillwithinaveryshortperiodofheracquaintancewiththetutor——TheEnglishreadermustnotsupposethetermparishschooltomeanwhatthesametermwouldmeanifusedinEngland。BoysandgirlsofverydifferentranksgototheScotchparishschools，andthefeesaresosmallastoplacetheireducationwithinthereachofalmostthehumblestmeans——TohisproposaltothiseffectMargaretrespondedthankfully；anditgaveHughanopportunityofdirectingherattentiontomanyofthemoredelicatedistinctionsinliterature，fortheappreciationofwhichshemanifestedatoncearemarkableaptitude。

Coleridge\'spoemshadbeenreadlongago；someofthem，indeed，almostcommittedtomemoryintheprocessofrepeatedperusal。Nodoubtagoodmanyofthemmusthavebeenasyettooabstruseforher；notintheleast，however，frominaptitudeinherforsuchsubjectsastheytreatedof，butsimplybecauseneitherthetermsnorthemodesofthoughtcouldpossiblyhavebeenasyetpresentedtoherinsomanydifferentpositionsastoenablehertocomprehendtheirscope。HughlentherSirWalter\'spoemsnext，butthoseshereadataneye-glance。Shereturnedthevolumeinaweek，sayingmerely，theywere“verrabonniestories。“Hesawatoncethat，tohavedonethemjusticewiththegirl，heoughttohavelentthemfirst。Butthatcouldnotbehelpednow；andwhatshouldcomenext？

Uponthishetookthought。Hislibrarywastoosmalltocausemuchperplexityofchoice，butforafewdayshecontinuedundecided。

Meantimetheinteresthefeltinhisgirl-pupildeepenedgreatly。

Shebecameakindofstudytohim。Theexpressionofhercountenancewasfarinferiortoherintelligenceandpowerofthought。Itwasstilltoexcess——almostdullinordinary；notfromanyfaultinthemouldofthefeatures，except，perhaps，intheupperlip，whichseemeddeficientindrawing，ifImaybeallowedtheexpression；butfromtheabsenceofthatlightwhichindicatesthepresenceofactivethoughtandfeelingwithin。InthisrespectherfacewasliketheearthenpitcherofGideon：itconcealedthelight。Sheseemedtohave，toapeculiardegree，thefacultyofretiringinside。Butnowandthen，whilehewastalkingtoher，anddoubtful，fromthelackofexpression，whethershewasevenlisteningwithattentiontowhathewassaying，herfacewouldlightenupwitharadiantsmileofintelligence；not，however，throwingthelightuponhim，andinamomentrevertingtoitsformerconditionofstilltwilight。Herpersonseemednottobeasyetthoroughlypossessedorinformedbyherspirit。Itsatapartwithinher；andtherewasnoreadytransitfromherhearttoherface。

Thislackofpresenceinthefaceisquitecommoninprettyschool-girlsandrusticbeauties；butitwasmanifesttoanunusualdegreeinthecaseofMargaret。Yetmostoftheformsandlinesinherfacewerelovely；andwhenthelightdidshinethroughthemforapassingmoment，hercountenanceseemedabsolutelybeautiful。

HenceitgrewintoanalmosthauntingtemptationwithHugh，totrytoproducethisexpression，tounveilthecoylightofthebeautifulsoul。Oftenhetried；oftenhefailed，andsometimeshesucceeded。

Hadtheybeenaloneitmighthavebecomedangerous——ImeanforHugh；IcannottellforMargaret。

Whentheyfirstmet，shehadjustcompletedherseventeenthyear；

but，atanagewhenatown-bredgirlisallbutawoman，hermannerswerethoseofachild。Thischildishness，however，soonbegantodisappear，andthepeculiarstillnessofherface，ofwhichIhavealreadysaidsomuch，madeherseemolderthanshewas。

Itwasnowearlysummer，andalltheothertreesinthewood——ofwhichtherewerenotmanybesidesthefirsofvariouskinds——hadputontheirfreshleaves，heapedupingreencloudsbetweenthewandererandtheheavens。Inthemorningthesunshonesoclearuponthese，that，totheeyesofonestandingbeneath，thelightseemedtodissolvethemawaytothemostetherealformsofglorifiedfoliage。Theyweretobeclaimedforearthonlybytheshadowsthattheonecastupontheother，visiblefrombelowthroughthetransparentleaf。Thiseffectisverylovelyintheyoungseasonoftheyear，whentheleavesaremoredelicateandlesscrowded；andespeciallyintheearlymorning，whenthelightismostclearandpenetrating。Bytheway，Idonotthinkanymaniscompelledtobidgood-byetohischildhood：everymanmayfeelyounginthemorning，middle-agedintheafternoon，andoldatnight。Adaycorrespondstoalife，andtheportionsoftheoneare“picturesinlittle“oftheseasonsoftheother。Thusfarmanmayruleeventime，andgatherup，inaperfectbeing，youthandageatonce。

Onemorning，aboutsixo\'clock，Hugh，whohadneverbeensoearlyinthewoodsincethedayhehadmetMargaretthere，wasstandingunderabeech-tree，lookingupthroughitsmultitudinousleaves，illuminated，asIhaveattemptedtodescribe，withthesidelongraysofthebrilliantsun。Hewasfeelingyoung，andobservingtheformsofnaturewithakeendiscriminatinggaze：thatwasall。Fondofwritingverses，hewasstudyingnature，notasatruelover，butasonewhowouldhereafterturnhisdiscoveriestouse。Foritmustbeconfessedthatnatureaffectedhimchieflythroughthemediumofpoetry；andthathewasfarmoreambitiousofwritingbeautifulthingsaboutnaturethanofdiscoveringandunderstanding，fortheirownsakes，anyofherhiddenyetpatentmeanings。Changinghisattitudeafterafewmoments，hedescried，underanotherbeech-tree，notfarfromhim，Margaret，standingandlookingupfixedlyashehadbeendoingamomentbefore。Heapproachedher，andshe，hearinghisadvance，looked，andsawhim，butdidnotmove。Hethoughthesawtheglimmeroftearsinhereyes。Shewasthefirsttospeak，however。

“Whatwereyouseeingupthere，Mr。Sutherland？”

“Iwasonlylookingatthebrightleaves，andtheshadowsuponthem。“

“Ah！Ithochtmaybeyehadseensomething。“

“Whatdoyoumean，Margaret？”

“Idinnarichtlykenmysel\'。ButIayeexpecktoseesomethinginthisfir-wood。I\'mheremaistmornin\'sasthedaydawns，butI\'mlatertheday。“

“Wewerelaterthanusualatourworklastnight。Butwhatkindofthingdoyouexpecttosee？”

“That\'sjistwhatIdinnaken。An\'Icannamin\'whanIbegantocomeherefirst，luikin\'forsomething。I\'vetriedmonyatime，butIcannamin\'，dowhatIlike。“

Margarethadneversaidsomuchaboutherselfbefore。IcanaccountforitonlyonthesuppositionthatHughhadgraduallyassumedinhermindakindofpastoralsuperiority，which，atafavourablemoment，inclinedhertoimpartherthoughtstohim。Buthedidnotknowwhattosaytothisstrangefactinherhistory。Shewenton，however，asif，havingbrokentheice，shemustsweepitawayaswell。

“Theonlything\'athelpsmetoaccountfor\'t，isapicterinourauldBible，o\'anangelsittin\'anethatree，andhaudin\'uphishan\'asginhewerespeakin\'toawoman\'at\'sstan\'in\'aforehim。

Ilkatime\'atIcomeacrossthatpicter，IfeeldirecklyasginI

warmylaneinthisfir-woodhere；saeIsupposethatwhenIwasaweebairn，Imaunhaecomeootsomemornin\'mylane，wi\'theexpectationo\'seein\'anangelherewaitin\'forme，tospeaktomeliketheanei\'theBible。ButneveranangelhaeIseen。YetI

ayehaeanexpectationlikeo\'seein\'something，Ikennawhat；forthewholeplaceayeseemsfu\'o\'apresence，an\'it\'sahantlemairtomenorthekirkan\'thesermonforby；an\'forthesingin\'，thesoun\'i\'thefir-tapsisfarmairsolemnandsweetatthesametime，an\'mucklemairlikepraisin\'o\'Godthana\'thepsalmsthegither。

ButIayethink\'atginIcouldhearMiltonplayin\'on\'sorgan，itwouldbemairlikethatsoun\'o\'monywaters，thanonythingelse\'atIcanthinko\'。“

Hughstoodandgazedatherinastonishment。Tohismorerefinedear，therewasastrangeincongruitybetweenthesomewhatcoarsedialectinwhichshespoke，andthethingssheutteredinit。Notthathewascapableofenteringintoherfeelings，muchlessofexplainingthemtoher。Hefeltthattherewassomethingremarkableinthem，butattributedboththethoughtsthemselvesandtheirinfluenceonhim，toanuncommonandweirdimagination。Asofsuchorigin，however，hewasjusttheonetovaluethemhighly。

“Thoseareverystrangeideas，“hesaid。

“Butwhatcantherebeaboutthewood？Theveryprimroses——yebrochtmethefirstthisspringyersel\'，Mr。Sutherland——comeoutatthefito\'thetrees，andlookatmeasiftheysaid，\'Weken——wekena\'abootit；\'butneverawordmairtheysay。There\'ssomethingbyordinar\'in\'t。“

“Doyoulikenootherplacebesides？”saidHugh，forthesakeofsayingsomething。

“Ouay，monyane；butnanelikethis。“

“Whatkindofplacedoyoulikebest？”

“Ilikeplaceswi\'greengrassan\'flowersamo\'t。“

“Youlikeflowersthen？”

“Likethem！whilestheygarmegreetan\'whilestheygarmelauch；

butthere\'smairi\'themthanthat，an\'i\'thewoodtoo。Icannarichtlysaymyprayersinonyitherplace。“

TheScotchdialect，especiallytoonebroughtupintheHighlands，wasaconsiderableantidotetotheeffectofthebeautyofwhatMargaretsaid。

SuddenlyitstruckHugh，thatifMargaretweresuchanadmirerofnature，possiblyshemightenjoyWordsworth。Hehimselfwasasyetincapableofdoinghimanythinglikejustice；and，withthearroganceofyouth，didnothesitatetosmileattheExcursion，pickingoutanawkwardlinehereandthereasespecialfoodforlaughtereven。Butmanyofhissmallerpiecesheenjoyedveryheartily，althoughnotthoroughly——theelementofChristianPantheism，whichistheirsoul，beingbeyondhiscomprehension，almostperception，asyet。Sohemadeuphismind，afteramoment\'sreflection，thatthisshouldbethenextauthorherecommendedtohispupil。Hehopedlikewisesotoendaninterview，inwhichhemightotherwisebecompelledtoconfessthathecouldrenderMargaretnoassistanceinhersearchafterthesomethinginthewood；andhewasunwillingtosayhecouldnotunderstandher；forapowerofuniversalsympathywasoneofthosementalgiftswhichHughwasmostanxioustobelievehepossessed。

“Iwillbringyouanotherbookto-night，“saidhe“whichIthinkyouwilllike，andwhichmayperhapshelpyoutofindoutwhatisinthewood。“

Hesaidthissmiling，halfinplayfuljest，andwithoutanyideaofthedegreeoflikelihoodthattherewasnotwithstandinginwhathesaid。For，certainly，Wordsworth，thehigh-priestofnature，thoughperhapshardlytheapostleofnature，wasmorelikelythananyotherwritertocontainsomethingofthesecretafterwhichMargaretwassearching。Whethershecanfinditthere，mayseemquestionable。

“Thankyou，sir，“saidMargaret，gratefully；butherwholecountenancelookedtroubled，assheturnedtowardsherhome。

Doubtless，however，thetroublevanishedbeforeshereachedit，forherswasnotanaturetocherishdisquietude。Hughtoowenthome，ratherthoughtful。

Intheevening，hetookavolumeofWordsworth，andrepaired，accordingtohiswont，toDavid\'scottage。ItwasSaturday，andhewouldstaytosupper。Aftertheyhadgiventheusualtimetotheirstudies，Hugh，settingMargaretsomeexercisesinEnglishtowriteonherslate，whilehehelpedDavidwithsomeoftheelementsofTrigonometry，andagaingoingoverthoseelementswithher，whileDavidworkedoutacalculation——afterthesewereover，andwhileJanetwasputtingthesupperonthetable，Hughpulledouthisvolume，and，withoutanypreface，readthemtheLeech-Gatherer。Alllistenedveryintently，Janetincluded，whodelayedseveraloftheoperations，thatshemightlosenowordoftheverses；Davidnoddingassenteverynowandthen，andejaculatingay！ay！oreh，man！orproducingthatstrangemuffledsoundatoncecommonandpeculiartoScotchmen，whichcannotbeexpressedinlettersbyanearerapproachthanhm——hm，uttered，ifthatcanbecalleduttering，withclosedlipsandopennasalpassage；andMargaretsittingmotionlessonhercreepie，withupturnedpaleface，andeyesfixeduponthelipsofthereader。Whenhehadceased，allweresilentforamoment，whenJanetmadesomelittlesignofanxietyabouthersupper，whichcertainlyhadsufferedbythedelay。Then，withoutaword，Davidturnedtowardsthetableandgavethanks。TurningagaintoHugh，whohadrisentoplacehischair，hesaid，“Thatmaunbethewarko\'agreatpoet，Mr。Sutherlan\'。“

“It\'sWordsworth\'s，“saidHugh。

“Ay！ay！That\'sWordsworth\'s！Ay！Weel，Ihaejistheardhimmadementiono\'，butIneverreadwordo\'hisafore。An\'heneverrepentito\'thatsameresolution，I\'sewarrant，\'atheeyndsaffwi\'。Hoodoesitgang，Mr。Sutherlan\'？”

Sutherlandread：——

“\'God，\'saidI，\'bemyhelpandstaysecure！

I\'llthinkoftheleech-gathereronthelonelymoor；\'“

andadded，“ItissaidWordsworthneverknewwhatitwastobeinwantofmoneyallhislife。“

“Naedoubt，naedoubt：hetrustedinHim。“

Itwasforthesakeoftheminutenoticesofnature，andnotforthereligiouslesson，whichhenowseemedtoseeforthefirsttime，thatHughhadreadthepoem。HecouldnothelpbeinggreatlyimpressedbytheconfidencewithwhichDavidreceivedthestatementhehadjustmadeontheauthorityofDeQuinceyinhisunpleasantarticleaboutWordsworth。Davidresumed：

“Hemaunhaehadagleg\'eeo\'hisain，thatMaisterWordsworth，tonoticea\'thingthatget。Weelhemaunhaelikitleevin\'things，puirmaukinan\'a\'——jistlikeourRobbieBurnsforthat。An\'seehootheya\'kenaneanither，thaepoets。WhatsaysheabootBurns？——yeneednatellme，Mr。Sutherlan\'；Imin\'tweelaneuch。Hesays：——

\'Himwhawalkedingloryan\'injoy，Followin\'hisplooupo\'themuntain-side。\'

PuirRobbie！puirRobbie！But，man，hewasagran\'chieldeftera\'；

an\'ItrustinGodhe\'swonhamebythis！”

BothJanetandHugh，whohadhadaveryorthodoxeducation，started，mentally，atthisstrangeutterance；buttheysawtheeyeofDavidsolemnlyfixed，asifindeepcontemplation，andlightedinitsbluedepthswithanetherealbrightness；andneitherofthemventuredtospeak。Margaretseemedabsorbedforthemomentingazingonherfather\'sface；butnotintheleastasifitperplexedherlikethefir-wood。Totheseeingeye，thesamekindofexpressionwouldhavebeenevidentinbothcountenances，asifMargaret\'sreflectedthemeaningofherfather\'s；whetherthroughthemediumofintellectualsympathy，orthatoftheheartonly，itwouldhavebeenhardtosay。

Meantimesupperhadbeenratherneglected；butitsoperationswerenowresumedmoreearnestly，andtheconversationbecamelighter；

tillatlastitendedinheartylaughter，andHughroseandtookhisleave。

CHAPTERVIII。

ASUNDAYMORNING。

Itisthepropertyofgoodandsoundknowledge，toputrifieanddissolveintoanumberofsubtle，idle，unwholesome，and(asImaytearmethem)vermiculatequestions；whichhaveindeedakindeofquicknesse，andlifeofspirite，butnosoundnesseofmatter，orgoodnesseofquality——LORDBACON——AdvancementofLearning。

Thefollowingmorning，thelaird\'sfamilywenttochurchasusual，andHughwentwiththem。Theirwalkwasfirstacrossfields，bypleasantfootpaths；andthenupthevalleyofalittlenoisystream，thatobstinatelyrefusedtokeepScotchSabbath，praisingtheLordafteritsownfashion。Theyemergedintoratherableakcountrybeforereachingthechurch，whichwasquitenew，andperchedonabarreneminence，thatitmightbeasconspicuousbyitsposition，asitwasremarkableforitsugliness。OnegrandaimofthereformersoftheScottishecclesiasticalmodes，appearstohavebeentokeeptheworshippureandtheworshipperssincere，byembodyingthewholeintheugliestformsthatcouldbeassociatedwiththenameofChristianity。Itmightbewished，however，thatsomeoftheirfollowers，andamongstthemtheclergymanofthechurchinquestion，hadbeencontenttostopthere；andhadlefttheobjectofworship，asrepresentedbythem，inthepossessionofsomelovableattribute；

soasnottorequireamantolovethatwhichisunlovable，orworshipthatwhichisnothonourable——inaword，tobowdownbeforethatwhichisnotdivine。ThecauseofthisdegeneracytheyshareincommonwiththefollowersofallothergreatmenaswellasofCalvin。Theytakeupwhattheirleader，urgedbythenecessityofthetime，spokeloudest，neverheedingwhathelovedmost；andthenworktheformerouttoalogicalperditionofeverythingbelongingtothelatter。

Hugh，however，thoughtitwasallright：forhehadthesamegoodreasons，andnoother，forreceivingitall，thataMohammedanoraBuddhisthasforholdinghisopinions；namely，thathehadheardthosedoctrines，andthosealone，fromhisearliestchildhood。Hewasthereforeagooddealstartledwhen，having，onhiswayhome，strayedfromthelaird\'spartytowardsDavid\'s，heheardthelattersaytoMargaretashecameup：

“Dinnayebelieve，mybonnydoo，\'atthere\'sonymak\'upsormak\'

shiftswi\'Him。He\'sayebringin\'thingstothelicht，nocovenin\'

themupandlattinthemrot，an\'themothtak\'them。Heseesusjistasweare，andca\'susjistwhatweare。Itwadbeanilldayfora\'o\'s，Maggy，mydoo，ginhewartoclosehiseentooorsins，an\'ca\'usjustinhissicht，whanwecudnapossiblybejustinoorainorinonyitherbody\'s，notosayhis。“

“TheLordpreserve\'s，DawvidElginbrod！Dinnayebelievei\'thedoctrineo\'JustificationbyFaith，an\'youa\'maistmadeaneldero\'？”

Janetwastherespondent，ofcourse，Margaretlisteninginsilence。

“Ouay，Ibelievein\'t，naedoot；but，troth！theminister，honestman，near-han\'gartmedisbelievein\'ta\'thegitherwi\'hisgran\'

sermonthismornin\'，aboutimputitrichteousness，an\'acleanrobehidin\'afoulskinoracrookitback。Na，na。MayHim\'atwooshthefeeto\'hisfriens，washusa\'thegither，andstrauchtoorcrookitbanes，tillwe\'recleanandweel-fauredlikehisainbonnysel\'。“

“Weel，Dawvid——butthat\'ssanctificaition，yeken。“

“Ca\'tonyname\'atyouortheministerlikes，Janet，mywoman。I

daursaythere\'sneithero\'yefarwrangaftera\'；onlythisisjistmyopinganabootitinsma\'——thatthatman，andthatmanonly，isjustifeed，whapitshimsel\'intotheLord\'shan\'stosanctifeehim。

Noo！An\'that\'llnobedunebypittin\'arobeo\'richteousnessupo\'him，aforehe\'sgottenacleanskinaneath\'t。Asginafathercudnabidetoseethepuirscabbitskino\'hisainweebitbairnie，ay，oro\'hisprodigalsoneither，butbudetohapita\'upaforehecudlatitcomenearhim！Ahva！”

HereHughventuredtointerposearemark。

“Butyoudon\'tthink，Mr。Elginbrod，thattheministerintendedtosaythatjustificationleftamanatlibertytosin，orthattherobeofChrist\'srighteousnesswouldhidehimfromtheworkoftheSpirit？”

“Na；butthereisanotionin\'to\'hidin\'fraeGodhimsel\'。I\'lltellyewhatitisMr。Sutherlan\'：theminister\'sa\'richtinhimsel\'，an\'sae\'smyJanethere，an\'monymair；an\'aiblinsthere\'sakin\'o\'trowthina\'\'attheysay；butthisismyquarrelwi\'a\'

thaewordsan\'wordsan\'airguments，an\'seemiliesastheyca\'them，an\'doctrines，an\'a\'that——theyjisthaudapuirbodyatairm\'slenthootowerfraeGodhimsel\'。An\'theyraiseamistan\'astoura\'aboothim，\'atthepuirbairncannaseetheFatherhimsel\'，stan\'in\'wi\'hisairmsstreekitootaswide\'stheheavens，totak\'

theworncrater，——andthemairsinner，themairwelcome，——hametohisverrahert。Ginabodywadlea\'a\'that，andjistgetfowkpersu鈊ittospeykawordortwatoGodhimlane，theloss，inmyopingan，wadbeuncosma\'，andthegainverragreat。“

EvenJanetdarednotreplytothesolemnityofthisspeech；fortheseer-likelookwasuponDavid\'sface，andthetearshadgatheredinhiseyesanddimmedtheirblue。Akindoftremulouspatheticsmileflickeredabouthisbeautifullycurvedmouth，liketheglimmerofwaterinavalley，betwixttheloftyaquilinenoseandthepowerfulbutfinelymodelledchin。Itseemedasifhedarednotletthesmilebreakout，lestitshouldbefollowedinstantlybyaburstoftears。

Margaretwentcloseuptoherfatherandtookhishandasifshehadbeenstillachild，whileJanetwalkedreverentiallybyhimontheotherside。ItmustnotbesupposedthatJanetfeltanyuneasinessaboutherhusband\'sopinions，althoughsheneverhesitatedtoutterwhatsheconsideredhercommon-sensenotions，inattemptedmodificationofsomeofthemoreextremeofthem。Thefactwasthat，ifhewaswrong，Janetdidnotcaretoberight；andifhewasright，Janetwassuretobe；“for，“saidshe——andinspirit，ifnotintheletter，itwasquitetrue——“Inevermintatcontradickin\'

him。Mymansallhaehisainget，thatsallhe。“Butshehadoneespecialgrudgeathisopinions；whichwas，thatitmusthavebeeninconsequenceofthemthathehaddeclined，withaqueersmile，thehonourablepositionofElderoftheKirk；forwhichJanetconsideredhim，notwithstandinghisopinions，immeasurablymorefittedthananyotherman“inthehaillcountry-side——yemayaddScotlan\'forby。“

ThefactofhishavingbeenrequestedtofillthevacantplaceofElder，isproofenoughthatDavidwasnotinthehabitofgivingopenexpressiontohisopinions。Hewaslookeduponasadouceman，long-headedenough，andsomewhatpreciseintheexactionofthelaird\'srights，butopen-heartedandopen-handedwithwhatwashisown。Everyonerespectedhim，andfeltkindlytowardshim；somewerealittleafraidofhim；butfewsuspectedhimofbeingreligiousbeyondthedegreewhichiscommonlysupposedtobethegeneralinheritanceofScotchmen，possiblyinvirtueoftheirbeingbroughtupuponoatmealporridgeandtheShorterCatechism。

Hughwalkedbehindthepartyforashortway，contemplatingthemintheirSundayclothes：Davidworeasuitoffineblackcloth。Hethenturnedtorejointhelaird\'scompany。Mrs。Glasfordwasquestioningherboys，inanintermittentanddesultoryfashion，aboutthesermon。

“An\'whatwasthefourthheid，canyetellme，Willie？”

Willie，theeldest，whohadcarefullyimpressedthefourthheaduponhismemory，andhadbeenanxiouslywaitingforanopportunityofbringingitout，repliedatonce：

“Fourthly：ThevariousappellationsbywhichthosewhohaveinduedtherobeofrighteousnessaredesignatedinHolyWrit。“

“Weeldone，Willie！”criedthelaird。

“That\'sricht，Willie，“saidhismother。Thenturningtotheyounger，whoseattentionwasattractedbyastrangebirdinthehedgeinfront。“An\'whatcalledhethem，Johnnie，thatputontherobe？”sheasked。

“Whitedsepulchres，“answeredJohnnie，indebtedforhiswittohiswool-gathering。

Thisputanendtothecatechising。Mrs。GlasfordglancedroundatHugh，whosedefectionshehadseenwithindignation，andwho，waitingforthembytheroadside，hadheardthelastquestionandreply，withanexpressionthatseemedtoattributeanydefectintheanswer，entirelytothecarelessnessofthetutor，andthewithdrawalofhisenergiesfromherboystothat“saucyquean，MegElginbrod。“

CHAPTERIX。

NATURE。

WhentheSouliskindledorenlightenedbytheHolyGhost，thenitbeholdswhatGoditsFatherdoes，asaSonbeholdswhathisFatherdoesatHomeinhisownHouse——JACOBBEHMEN\'SAurora——Law\'sTranslation。

MargaretbegantoreadWordsworth，slowlyatfirst，butsoonwithgreaterfacility。Erelongsheperceivedthatshehadfoundafriend；fornotonlydidhesympathizewithherinherlovefornature，puttingmanyvaguefeelingsintothoughts，andmanythoughtsintowordsforher，butheintroducedhertonatureinmanyaltogethernewaspects，andtaughthertoregarditinwayswhichhadhithertobeenunknowntoher。Notonlywasthepinewoodnowdearertoherthanbefore，butitsmysteryseemedmoresacred，and，atthesametime，morelikelytobeonedaysolved。Shefeltfarmoreassuredlythepresenceofaspiritinnature，“Whosedwellingisthelightofsettingsuns，Andtheroundocean，andthelivingair；“

forhetaughthertotakewiderviewsofnature，andtoperceiveandfeeltheexpressionsofmoreextendedaspectsoftheworldaroundher。Thepurplehill-sidewasalmostasdeartoherasthefir-woodnow；andthestarthatcrowneditssummitateve，sparkledanespecialmessagetoher，beforeitwentonitswayuptheblue。Sheextendedherramblesinalldirections，andbegantogetwiththeneighboursthecharacterofanidlegirl。Littletheyknewhowearlysherose，andhowdiligentlyshedidhershareofthework，urgedbydesiretoreadthewordofGodinhisownhandwriting；orrather，toporeuponthatexpressionofthefaceofGod，which，howeverlittleamanmaythinkofit，yetsinkssodeeplyintohisnature，andmouldsittowardsitsownlikeness。

NaturewasdoingforMargaretwhatshehaddonebeforeforWordsworth\'sLucy：shewasmakingofher“aladyofherown。“Shegrewtallerandmoregraceful。Thelastingquietofherfacebegantolookasifitwereeveruponthepointofblossomingintoanexpressionoflovelyfeeling。Theprincipalchangewasinhermouth，whichbecamedelicateandtenderinitscurves，thelipsseemingtokisseachotherforverysweetness。ButIamanticipatingthesechanges，forittookafarlongertimetoperfectthemthanhasyetbeenoccupiedbymystory。

ButevenhermotherwasnotaltogetherproofagainsttheappearanceoflistlessnessandidlenesswhichMargaret\'sbehavioursometimesworetohereyes；norcouldshequiteunderstandorexcuseherlonglonelywalks；sothatnowandthenshecouldnothelpaddressingherafterthisfashion：

“Meg！Meg！yedotrymypatience，lass，idlin\'awa\'yertimethatget。It\'sanawfu\'wasteryo\'time，whatwi\'beuks，an\'whatwi\'

stravaguin\'，an\'whatwi\'naethingava。Jistpityerhan\'tothiskirnnoo，likeagudebairn。“

Margaretwouldobeyhermotherinstantly，butwithalookofsilentexpostulationwhichhermothercouldnotresist；sometimes，perhaps，ifthewordsweresharperthanusual，withsymptomsofgatheringtears；uponwhichJanetwouldsay，withherhonestsmileofsweetrelenting，“Hootoots，bairn！neverheedme。Mybark\'sayewaurnormybite；yekenthat。“

ThenMargaret\'sfacewouldbrightenatonce，andshewouldworkhardatwhateverhermothersethertodo，tillitwasfinished；uponwhichhermotherwouldbemoregladthanshe，andinnohastetoimposeanyfurtherlabouroutoftheusualroutine。

InthecourseofreadingWordsworth，MargarethadfrequentoccasiontoapplytoHughforhelp。Theseoccasions，however，generallyinvolvednomorethansmallexternaldifficulties，whichpreventedherfromtakinginthescopeofapassage。Hughwasalwaysabletomeetthese，andMargaretsupposedthatthewholeofthelightwhichflasheduponhermindwhentheywereremoved，waspoureduponthepagebythewisdomofhertutor；neverdreaming——suchwasherhumilitywithregardtoherself，andherreverencetowardshim——thatitcamefromthedepthsofherownlucentnature，readytoperceivewhatthepoetcamepreparedtoshow。Nowandthen，itistrue，sheappliedtohimwithdifficultiesinwhichhewasincapableofaidingher；butsheputdownherfailureindiscoveringthemeaning，afterallwhichitmustbeconfessedhesometimestriedtosay，toherownstupidityorpeculiarity——nevertohisincapacity。Shehadbeenhelpedtosomuchbyhissuperioracquirements，andhisrealgiftforcommunicatingwhathethoroughlyunderstood；hehadbeensoentirelyherguidetoknowledge，thatshewouldatoncehavefeltself-condemnedofimpiety——intheoldmeaningoftheword——ifshehaddoubtedforamomenthisabilitytounderstandorexplainanydifficultywhichshecouldplaceclearlybeforehim。

By-and-byhebegantolendherharder，thatis，morepurelyintellectualbooks。HewashimselfpreparingfortheclassofMoralPhilosophyandMetaphysics；andhechoseforhersomeofthesimplerofhisbooksonthesesubjects——ofcoursealloftheScotchschool——beginningwithAbercrombie\'sIntellectualPowers。Shetookthiseagerly，andevidentlyreaditwithgreatattention。

Oneeveningintheendofsummer，HughclimbedawasteheatheryhillthatlaybehindthehouseofTurriepuffit，andoverlookedagreatpartoftheneighbouringcountry，thepeaksofsomeofthegreatestoftheScotchmountainsbeingvisiblefromitstop。Hereheintendedtowaitforthesunset。Hethrewhimselfontheheather，thatmostdelightfulandluxuriousofallcouches，supportingthebodywithakindlyupholdingofeverypart；andtherehelayinthegreatslumberoussunlightofthelateafternoon，withtheblueheavens，intowhichhewasgazingfullup，closingdownuponhim，asthelightdescendedthesideofthesky。Hefellfastasleep。Ifevertherebeanexcuseforfallingasleepoutofbed，surelyitiswhenstretchedatfulllengthuponheatherinbloom。Whenheawoke，thelastofthesunsetwasdyingaway；andbetweenhimandthesunsetsatMargaret，bookinhand，waitingapparentlyforhiswaking。Helaystillforafewminutes，tocometohimselfbeforesheshouldseehewasawake。Butsheroseatthemoment，anddrawingnearveryquietly，lookeddownuponhimwithhersweetsunsetface，toseewhetherornothewasbeginningtorouse，forshefearedtolethimliemuchlongeraftersundown。Findinghimawake，shedrewbackagainwithoutaword，andsatdownasbeforewithherbook。Atlengthherose，and，approachingher，said——

“Well，Margaret，whatbookareyouatnow？”

“Dr。Abercrombie，sir，“repliedMargaret。

“Howdoyoulikeit？”

“Verraweelforsomethings。Itmakesabodythink；butnota\'thegitherasIliketothinkeither。“

ItwillbeobservedthatMargaret\'sspeechhadbeguntoimprove，thatis，tobemorelikeEnglish。

“Whatisthematterwithit？”

“Weel，yesee，sir，ittaksabodya\'tobitslike，andneverpitsthemtogetheragain。An\'itseemstomethatabody\'smin\'orsoul，orwhateveritmaybecalled——butit\'sjistabody\'sainsel\'——cannomorebeta\'entopieceslike，thanyoucouldtak\'thatredlichtthereooto\'theblue，orthehaillsunsetooto\'theheavensan\'

earth。Itmaybea\'verraweel，Mr。Sutherland，butoh！it\'snolikethis！”

AndMargaretlookedaroundherfromthehill-top，andthenupintotheheavens，wherethestarswerebeginningtocrackthebluewiththeirthin，steelysparkle。

“Itseemstometotak\'a\'thepoetryooto\'us，Mr。Sutherland。“

“Well，well，“saidHugh，withasmile，“youmustjustgotoWordsworthtoputitinagain；ortosetyouagainupafterDr。

Abercrombiehasdemolishedyou。“

“Na，na，sir，hesannademolishme：norIwinnatroubleMr。

Wordsworthtoputthepoetryintomeagain。A\'thepoweronearthshannatak\'thatooto\'me，ginitbeGod\'swill；forit\'shisaingift，Mr。Sutherland，yeken。“

“Ofcourse，ofcourse，“repliedHugh，whoverylikelythoughtthistooseriousawayofspeakingofpoetry，andtherefore，perhaps，ratheranirreverentwayofspeakingofGod；forhesawneitherthedivineinpoetry，northehumaninGod。CouldhebesaidtobelievethatGodmademan，whenhedidnotbelievethatGodcreatedpoetry——andyetloveditashedid？Itwastohimonlyagrandinventionofhumanityinitsloftiestdevelopment。Inthisdevelopment，then，hemusthaveconsideredhumanityasfarthestfromitsorigin；andGodasthecreatorofsavages，caringnothingforpoetsortheirwork。

Theyturned，asbycommonconsent，togodownthehilltogether。

“ShallItakechargeoftheoffendingvolume？Youwillnotcaretofinishit，Ifear，“saidHugh。

“No，sir，ifyouplease。Ineverliketoleaveonythingunfinished。

I\'llreadilkawordin\'t。Ifancythething\'atsetsmeagainstit，ismostlythis；that，readin\'italangwi\'Euclid，Icannahelpayethinkin\'o\'myainmin\'asginitwereinsomegeometricalshapeorither，whilesanean\'whilesanither；andsyneItrytodrawlinesan\'separatethispowerfraethatpower，thememoryfraethejeedgement，an\'theimaginationfraetherizzon；an\'syneItrytopitthema\'thegitheragainintheirrelationstoaneanither。Andthisayetakestheshapeo\'somepropositionorither，generallyi\'

thesecondbeuk。Itnear-han\'dazesmewhiles。Ifancygin\'I

understoodthepairtso\'thesphere，itwouldbemairtothepurpose；butIwatIwishIwereclearo\'ta\'thegither。“

Hughhadhadsomeexperiencesofasimilarkindhimself，thoughnotatalltothesameextent。Hecouldthereforeunderstandher。

“Youmustjusttrytokeepthethingsaltogetherapart，“saidhe，“andnotthinkofthetwosciencesatonce。“

“ButIcannahelpit，“shereplied。“Isupposeyoucan，sir，becauseye\'reaman。Myfathercanunderstan\'thingstentimesbetternormean\'mymother。ButnaesoonerdoIbegintoreadandthinkaboutit，thanupcomesaneo\'thaeparallelograms，an\'nothingwilldriv\'tooto\'myheadagain，butaverseortwao\'ColeridgeorWordsworth。“

Hughimmediatelybegantorepeatthefirstpoemofthelatterthatoccurredtohim：

“Iwanderedlonelyasacloud。“

Shelistened，walkingalongwithhereyesfixedontheground；andwhenhehadfinished，gaveasighofdelightandrelief——allthecommentsheuttered。Sheseemednevertofinditnecessarytosaywhatshefelt；leastofallwhenthefeelingwasapleasantone；forthenitwasenoughforitself。Thiswasonlythesecondtimesincetheiracquaintance，thatshehadspokenofherfeelingsatall；andinthiscasetheywereofapurelyintellectualorigin。Itistobeobserved，however，thatinbothcasesshehadtakenpainstoexplainthoroughlywhatshemeant，asfarasshewasable。

Itwasdarkbeforetheyreachedhome，atleastasdarkasiteverisatthisseasonoftheyearinthenorth。TheyfoundDavidlookingoutwithsomeslightanxietyforhisdaughter\'sreturn，forshewasseldomoutsolateasthis。Innothingcouldthetruerelationbetweenthemhavebeenmoreevidentthanintheentireabsencefromhermannerofanyembarrassmentwhenshemetherfather。ShewentuptohimandtoldhimallaboutfindingMr。Sutherlandasleeponthehill，andwaitingbesidehimtillhewoke，thatshemightwalkhomewithhim。Herfatherseemedperfectlycontentwithanexplanationwhichhehadnotsought，and，turningtoHugh，said，smiling：

“Weel，notobetroublesome，Mr。Sutherlan\'，yemaungietheauldmanaturnasweelastheyounglass。Wedidnaexpecyethenicht，butI\'msairpuzzledwi\'asma\'eneuchmatteronmyskletinthere。

Willyounocomeinandgiemealift？”

“Withallmyheart，“saidSutherland。Sotherewerefivelessonsinthatweek。

WhenHughenteredthecottagehehadafinesprigofheatherinhishand，whichhelaidonthetable。

Hehadtheweaknessofbeingproudofsmalldiscoveries——thetinierthebetter；andwasalwayssharpeninghissenses，aswellashisintellect，toafinepoint，inordertomakethem。Ifearthatbythesemeansheshutoutsomegreatones，whichcouldnotenterduringsuchaconcentrationofthefaculties。Hewouldstandlisteningtothesoundofgoose-feetupontheroad，andwatchhowthosewebslaidholdoftheearthlikeahand。Hewouldstruggletoenterintotheirfeelingsinfoldingtheirwingsproperlyontheirbacks。Hewouldcalculate，onchemicalandarithmeticalgrounds，whetheronemightnothearthenocturnalgrowthofplantsinthetropics。Hewasquiteelatedbythediscovery，asheconsideredit，thatShakspearenamedhistwoofficersofthewatch，DogberryandVerjuice；thepoisonousDogberry，andtheacidliquorofgreenfruits，affordingsuitablenamesforthestupidlyinnocuousconstables，inaplaytheveryessenceofwhichisMuchAdoAboutNothing。Anotherofhisdiscoverieshehad，duringtheirlastlesson，unfoldedtoDavid，whohadcertainlycontemplateditwithinterest。Itwas，thattheoriginalformsoftheArabicnumeralswerethese：

1。2。3。4。5。6。7。8。9。{originaltexthasapicture}

thenumberforwhicheachfigurestandsbeingindicatedbythenumberofstraightlinesemployedinformingthatnumeral。IfearthecomparativeanatomyoffiguresgivesnocountenancetothediscoverywhichHughflatteredhimselfhehadmade。

AfterhehadhelpedDavidoutofhisdifficulty，hetookuptheheather，andstrippingoffthebells，shooktheminhishandatMargaret\'sear。Ahalfsmile，likethemoonlightoflaughter，dawnedonherface；andshelistenedwithsomethingofthesameexpressionwithwhichachildlistenstothemessagefromthesea，inclosedinatwistedshell。HedidthesameatDavid\'searnext。

“Eh，man！that\'sabonnyweesoun\'！It\'sjistlikesma\'

sheep-bells——fairy-sheep，Ireckon，Maggy，mydoo。“

“Latmehearkenasweel，“saidJanet。

Hughobeyed。Shelaughed。

“It\'snaethingbutareestlin\'。Iwadraitherhearthesheepbaain\'，orthekyeroutin\'。“

“Eh，Mr。Sutherlan\'！but，yehaeaglegeean\'asharplug。Weel，thewarld\'sfu\'o\'bonnysichtsandsouns，doontotheverrasma\'est。TheLordlatsnaethinggang。Iwadnawonnernoobuttheremichtbethousandssiclike，owersma\'a\'thegitherforhumanears，jistaswekentherearecreaturesasperfectinbeowtyasonywesee，butfarowersma\'foroureenwintin\'theglass。Butformypairt，Iayeliketoseeaheapo\'thingsatance，an\'tak\'thema\'

inthegither，an\'seethemplayin\'intoaneanither\'shan\'like。I

wasjistthinkin\'，asIcamehamethenichtinthesinset，hooitwadhaebeennaewisesaecomplete，wi\'a\'itsredan\'gowdan\'

green，ginithadnabeenforthecauldblueeastahintit，wi\'thetwa-threeshiverin\'starniesleukin\'through\'t。An\'doubtlessthewarldtocome\'illbea\'thewarmertothem\'athadnaowermucklehappinhere。ButI\'mjisthaverin\'，cleanhaverin\'，Mr。

Sutherlan\'，“concludedDavid，withasmileofapologetichumour。

“IsupposeyoucouldeasilybelievewithPlato，David，thattheplanetsmakeagrandchoralmusicastheyrollabouttheheavens，onlythatassomesoundsaretoosmall，sothatistooloudforustohear。“

“Icudweelbelievethat，“wasDavid\'sunhesitatinganswer。

Margaretlookedasifshenotonlycouldbelieveit，butwouldbedelightedtoknowthatitwastrue。NeitherJanetnorHughgaveanyindicationoffeelingonthematter。

CHAPTERX。

HARVEST。

SoasmallseedthatintheearthlieshidAnddies，revivingburstshercloddyside，Adornedwithyellowlocks，ofnewisborn，Anddothbecomeamothergreatwithcorn，Ofgrainsbringshundredswithit，whichwhenoldEnrichthefurrowswithaseaofgold。

SIRWILLIAMDRUMMOND——HymnoftheResurrection。

Hughhadwatchedthegreencorngrow，andear，andturndim；thenbrightentoyellow，andripenatlastunderthedecliningautumnsun，andthelowskirtingmoonoftheharvest，whichseemstoofullandheavywithmellowandbountifullighttorisehighabovethefieldswhichitcomestoblesswithperfection。Thelongthreads，oneachofwhichhunganoat-grain——theharvestherewasmostlyofoats——hadgotdryandbrittle；andthegrainsbegantospreadouttheirchaff-wings，asifreadytofly，andrustledwithsweetsoundsagainsteachother，asthewind，whichusedtobillowthefieldslikethewavesofthesea，nowsweptgentlyandtenderlyoverit，helpingthesunandmooninthedryingandripeningofthejoytobelaidupforthedrearywinter。Mostgracefulofallhungthosedelicateoats；nextbowedthebeardedbarley；andstatelyandwealthyandstrongstoodthefewfieldsofwheat，ofarich，ruddy，goldenhue。Abovetheyellowharvestrosethepurplehills，andabovethehillsthepale-blueautumnalsky，fulloflightandheat，butfadingsomewhatfromthecolourwithwhichitdeepenedabovethevanisheddaysofsummer。FortheharvesthereismuchlaterthaninEngland。

Atlengththedayarrivedwhenthesicklemustbeputintothebarley，soontobefollowedbythescytheintheoats。Andnowcamethejoyoflabour。Everythingelsewasabandonedfortheharvestfield。Bookswerethrownutterlyaside；for，evenwhentherewasnofearofachangeofweathertourgetolabourprolongedbeyondthenaturalhours，therewaswearinessenoughintheworkofthedaytopreventevenDavidfromreading，inthehoursofbodilyrest，anythingthatnecessitatedmentallabour。

JanetandMargaretbetookthemselvestothereaping-hook；andthesomewhatpalefaceofthelatterneededbutasingledaytochangeittotherealharvesthue——thebrownliveryofCeres。Butwhentheoatswereattacked，thencamethetugofwar。Thelairdwasinthefieldsfrommorningtonight，andtheboyswouldnotstaybehind；

but，withtheirfather\'spermission，muchtothetutor\'scontentment，devotedwhatpowerstheyhadtothegatheringofthefruitsoftheearth。Hughhimself，whosestrengthhadgrownamazinglyduringhisstayatTurriepuffit，andwho，thoughhewasquitehelplessatthesickle，thoughthecouldwieldthescythe，wouldnotbebehind。Throwingoffcoatandwaistcoat，andtyinghishandkerchieftightroundhisloins，helaidholdontheemblematicweaponofTimeandDeath，determinedlikewisetoearnthenameofReaper。Hetookthelastscythe。Itwasdesperateworkforawhile，andhewasfarbehindthefirstbout；butDavid，whowasthebestscytherinthewholecountryside，andofcoursehadtheleadingscythe，seeingthetutordroppingbehind，putmorepowertohisownarm，finishedhisownbout，andbroughtupHugh\'sbeforetheothershaddonesharpeningtheirscythesforthenext。

“Tak\'carean\'naeraxyersel\'owersair，Mr。Sutherlan\'。Ye\'llbeupwi\'thebesto\'theminadayortwa；butginyetyauveatitaboonyerstrenth，ye\'llbecleanforfochten。Tak\'aguidsweepwi\'

thescythe，\'atyemayhaetheweichto\'ttoca\'throughthestrae，an\'tak\'naeshameatbein\'hindmost。Here，Maggy，mydoo，comean\'

gathertoMr。Sutherlan\'。Aneo\'theyounggentlemencantak\'yourplaceatthebinin\'。“

TheworkofJanetandMargarethadbeentoformbandsforthesheaves，byfoldingtogethercunninglytheheadsoftwosmallhandfulsofthecorn，soastomakethemlongenoughtogethertogoroundthesheaf；thentolaythisdownforthegatherertoplaceenoughofthemowncornuponit；andlast，tobindthebandtightlyaroundbyanotherskilfultwistandaninsertionoftheends，andsoformasheaf。FromthisworkDavidcalledhisdaughter，desirousofgivingHughagathererwhowouldnotbedisrespectfultohisawkwardness。Thisarrangement，however，wasfarfrompleasingtosomeoftheyoungmeninthefield，andbroughtdownuponHugh，whowastoohard-wroughttohearthematfirst，manyslyhitsofcountrywitandhumancontempt。TherehadbeenforsometimegreatjealousyofhisvisitsatDavid\'scottage；forMargaret，thoughshehadverylittleacquaintancewiththeyoungmenoftheneighbourhood，wasgreatlyadmiredamongstthem，andnotregardedassofarabovethestationofmanyofthemastorenderaspirationuseless。Theirremarkstoeachothergotlouderandlouder，tillHughatlastheardsomeofthem，andcouldnothelpbeingannoyed，notbytheirwitorpersonality，butbythetoneofcontemptinwhichtheywereuttered。

“Tak\'careo\'yerlegs，sir。It\'llbeillcuttin\'upo\'stumps。“

“Fegs！he\'staenthewingsaffo\'apairtrick。“

“Ginhegangonthatget，he\'llcuttwaboutsatance。“

“Ye\'llhaethescytheowerthedyke，man。Tak\'tent。“

“Losh！sir；ye\'vetaenaffmylegatthehip！”

“Ye\'reshavin\'owerclose：ye\'lldrawthebluid，sir。“

“Hoot，man！latalane。Thegentleman\'sonlymista\'enhistrade，an\'

imaiginshe\'showkin\'agrave。“

Andsoon。Hughgavenofurthersignofhearingtheirremarksthanlayinincreasedexertion。Lookinground，however，hesawthatMargaretwasvexed，evidentlynotforherownsake。Hesmiledtoher，toconsoleherforhisannoyance；andthen，ambitioustoremovethecauseofit，madeafreshexertion，recoveredallhisdistance，andwasinhisownplacewiththebestofthemattheendofthebout。Butthesmilethathadpassedbetweenthemdidnotescapeunobserved；andhehadarousedyetmorethewrathoftheyouths，bythreateningsoontorivalthemintheexcellenciestowhichtheyhadanespecialclaim。Theyhadregardedhimasaninterloper，whohadnorighttocaptivateoneoftheirrankbyartsbeyondtheirreach；

butitwasstilllesspardonabletodarethemtoatrialofskillwiththeirownweapons。Tothefireofthisjealousy，theadmirationofthelairdaddedfuel；forhewasdelightedwiththespiritwithwhichHughlaidhimselftothescythe。Butallthetime，nothingwasfurtherfromHugh\'sthoughtsthantheideaofrivalrywiththem。WhateverhemighthavethoughtofMargaretinrelationtohimself，heneverthoughtofher，thoughlabouringinthesamefieldwiththem，asintheleastdegreebelongingtotheirclass，orstandinginanypossiblerelationtothem，exceptthatofacommonwork。

Inordinary，thelabourerswouldhavehadsufficientrespectforSutherland\'ssuperiorposition，topreventthemfromgivingsuchdecidedandarticulateutterancetotheirfeelings。Buttheywereincitedbythepresenceandexampleofamanofdoubtfulcharacterfromtheneighbouringvillage，atravelledandcleverne\'er-do-weel，whosereputationforwitwasequalledbyhisreputationforcourageandskill，aswellasprofligacy。Rousedbytheeffervescenceofhisgenius，theywentonfromonethingtoanother，tillHughsawitmustbeputastoptosomehow，elsehemustabandonthefield。TheydarednothavegonesofarifDavidhadbeenpresent；buthehadbeencalledawaytosuperintendsomeoperationsinanotherpartoftheestate；andtheypaidnoheedtotheexpostulationsofsomeoftheotheroldermen。Atthecloseoftheday\'swork，therefore，Hughwalkeduptothisfellow，andsaid：

“Ihopeyouwillbesatisfiedwithinsultingmeallto-day，andleaveitaloneto-morrow。“

Themanreplied，withanoathandagestureofrudecontempt，“Idinnacaretheblackaforemynailsforonyskelp-doupo\'theloto\'ye。“

Hugh\'shighlandbloodflewtohisbrain，andbeforetherascalfinishedhisspeech，hehadmeasuredhislengthonthestubble。Hesprangtohisfeetinafury，threwoffthecoatwhichhehadjustputon，anddartedatHugh，whohadbythistimerecoveredhiscoolness，andwasbesides，notwithstandinghisunusualexertions，themoreagileofthetwo。Theotherwasheavierandmorepowerful。

Hughsprangaside，ashewouldhavedonefromtherushofabull，andagainwithaquickblowfelledhisantagonist。Beginningrathertoenjoypunishinghim，henowwentinforit；and，beforetheotherwouldyield，hehadrenderedhisnextday\'slaboursomewhatdoubtful。Hewithdrew，withnomoreinjurytohimselfthanalittlewaterwouldremove。JanetandMargarethadleftthefieldbeforeheaddressedtheman。

Hewentborneandtobed——morewearythanhehadeverbeeninhislife。Beforehewenttosleep，however，hemadeuphismindtosaynothingofhisencountertoDavid，buttoleavehimtohearofitfromothersources。Hecouldnothelpfeelingalittleanxiousastohisjudgmentuponit。Thatthelairdwouldapprove，hehardlydoubted；butforhisopinionhecaredverylittle。

“Dawvid，Iwonneratye，“saidJanettoherhusband，themomenthecamehome，“tolattheyoungladwarstlehimsel\'deidthatgetwi\'ascythe。Hisbanesisbutsaftyet，Therewasnaadrysteekonhimorhewanhalfthelentho\'thefirstbout。He\'ssairdisjaskit，I\'sewarran\'。“

“Naefearo\'him，Janet；it\'lldohimguid。Mr。Sutherland\'snofecklesswinlestraeo\'acreater。Didhehaudhisainata\'wi\'thelave？”

“Haudhisain！Ginhebefitforonythingtheday，hemaunbepittenneistyersel\'，orhe\'llcutthelegsaffo\'onyithermani\'

thecorn。“

AglowofpleasuremantledinMargaret\'sfaceathermother\'spraiseofHugh。Janetwenton：

“ButIwasjistcleanaffrontedwi\'theway\'attheyoungchieldsbehavedthemselvestillhim。“

“IthochtIheardatoot-mooto\'thatkin\'aforeIleft，butI

thochtitbettertotak\'naenoticeo\'t。I\'llbewi\'yea\'daythemornthough，an\'I\'mthinkin\'I\'llclaparouchhan\'ontheirmou\'s\'atIhearonymairo\'tfrae。“

ButtherewasnooccasionforinterferenceonDavid\'spart。Hughmadehisappearance——not，itistrue，withtheearliestinthehairst-rig，butafterbreakfastwiththelaird，whowasdelightedwiththewayinwhichhehadhandledhisscythethedaybefore，andfelttwicetherespectforhiminconsequence。Itmustbeconfessedhefeltverystiff，butthebesttreatmentforstiffnessbeingthehom渙pathiconeofmorework，hehadsoonrestoredtheelasticityofhismuscles，andlubricatedhisachingjoints。Hisantagonistoftheforegoingeveningwasnowheretobeseen；andtherestoftheyoungmenwereshame-facedandrespectfulenough。

David，havinglearnedfromsomeofthespectatorsthefactsofthecombat，suddenly，astheywerewalkinghometogether，heldouthishandtoHugh，shookhishard，andsaid：

“Mr。Sutherlan\'，I\'msairobleegedtoyeforgiein\'thatvratch，JamieOgg，aguiddoonsettin\'。He\'sacoorsecrater；butthewarstmaunhaemeat，an\'saeIdidnaliketorefeesehimwhenhecamforwark。Butitsagreaterkin\'nesstoclouthimnortocleedhim。

Theysayyemadeanawfu\'munsieo\'him。Butit\'stobehoupithe\'lllivetothankye。There\'ssomefowk\'atcanrespecknoairgumentbutfraesteekitneives；an\'it\'sfellcrueltohauditfraethem，ginyehae\'ttogiethem。Ihaehadeneuchadotohaudmyainhan\'saffo\'theted，butitcomesahantlebetterfraeyou，Mr。Sutherlan\'。“

Hughwieldedthescythethewholeoftheharvest，andMargaretgatheredtohim。Bythetimeitwasover，leading-homeandall，hemeasuredaninchlessaboutthewaist，andtwoinchesmoreabouttheshoulders；andwasasbrownasaberry，andasstrongasanox，or“owse，“asDavidcalledit，whenthusdescribingMr。Sutherland\'sprogressincorporaldevelopment；forhetookafatherlyprideintheyouth，towhom，atthesametime，helookedupwithsubmission，ashismasterinlearning。

CHAPTERXI。

ACHANGEANDNOCHANGE。

Affliction，whenIknowit，isbutthis——

Adeepalloy，wherebymantougherisTobearthehammer；andthedeeperstill，Westillarisemoreimageofhiswill。

Sickness——anhumorouscloud\'twistusandlight；

Anddeath，atlongest，butanothernight。

Manishisownstar；andthatsoulthatcanBehonest，istheonlyperfectMan。

JOHNFLETCHER——UponanHonestMan\'sFortune。

HadSutherlandbeeninlovewithMargaret，thosewouldhavebeenhappydays；andthatayetmorehappynight，when，underthemysteryofalowmoonlightandagatheringstorm，thecropwascastinhasteintothecarts，andhurriedhometobebuiltupinsafety；whenastrangelowwindcreptsighingacrossthestubble，asifitcamewanderingoutofthepastandthelandofdreams，lyingfaroffandwitheredinthegreenwest；andwhenMargaretandhecameandwentinthemoonlightlikecreaturesinadream——forthevapoursofsleepwerefloatinginHugh\'sbrain，althoughhewasawakeandworking。

“Margaret，“hesaid，astheystoodwaitingamomentforthecartthatwascominguptobefilledwithsheaves，“whatdoesthatwindputyouinmindof？”

“Ossian\'sPoems，“repliedMargaret，withoutamoment\'shesitation。

Hughwasstruckbyheranswer。Hehadmeantsomethingquitedifferent。ButitharmonizedwithhisfeelingaboutOssian；forthegenuinenessofwhosepoetry，Highlanderashewas，hehadnobetterargumenttogivethanthefact，thattheyproducedinhimselfanaltogetherpeculiarmentalcondition；thatthespiritualsensationshehadinreadingthemwerequitedifferentfromthoseproducedbyanythingelse，proseorverse；infact，thattheycreatedmoodsoftheirowninhismind。Hewasunwillingtobelieve，apartfromnationalprejudices(whichhavenotpreventedtheopinionsonthisquestionfrombeingasstrongontheonesideasontheother)，thatthisindividualityofinfluencecouldbelongtomereaffectationsofastylewhichhadneversprungfromthesourcesofrealfeeling。

“Couldthey，“hethought，“possessthepowertomoveuslikeremembereddreamsofourchildhood，ifallthattheypossessedofrealitywasapretendedimitationofwhatneverexisted，andallthattheyinheritedfromthepastwasthehaloofitsstrangeness？”

ButHughwasnotinlovewithMargaret，thoughhecouldnothelpfeelingthepleasureofherpresence。Anyyouthmusthavebeenthebetterforhavinghernearhim；buttherewasnothingaboutherquiet，self-containedbeing，freefrommanifestationofanysort，torousethefeelingscommonlycalledlove，inthemindofaninexperiencedyouthlikeHughSutherland——Isaycommonlycalled，becauseIbelievethatwithinthewholesphereofintelligencetherearenotwolovesthesame——Notthathewaslesseasilyinfluencedthanotheryouths。Adesigninggirlmighthavecaughthimatonce，ifshehadhadnootherbeautythansparklingeyes；butthewomanhoodofthebeautifulMargaretkeptsostillinitspearlycave，thatitrarelymettheglanceofneighbouringeyes。HowMargaretregardedhimIdonotknow；butIthinkitwaswithalovealmostentirelyonewithreverenceandgratitude。Causeforgratitudeshecertainlyhad，thoughlessthanshesupposed；andverylittlecauseindeedforreverence。Buthowcouldshefailtorevereonetowhomevenherfatherlookedup？OfcourseDavid\'sfeelingofrespectforHughmusthavesprungchieflyfromintellectualgrounds；

andhecouldhardlyhelpseeing，ifhethoughtatallonthesubject，whichisdoubtful，thatHughwasasfarbehindMargaretinthehighergiftsandgraces，ashewasbeforeherinintellectualacquirement。ButwhetherDavidperceivedthisornot，certainlyMargaretdidnoteventhinkinthatdirection。Shewaspureofself-judgment——consciousofnocomparingofherselfwithothers，leastofallwiththosenexther。

Atlengththeharvestwasfinished；or，asthephraseofthedistrictwas，clyackwasgotten——aphrasewiththederivation，oreventheexactmeaningofwhich，Iamunacquainted；knowingonlythatitimpliessomethingincloseassociationwiththefeastofharvest-home，calledthekirninotherpartsofScotland。

Thereafter，thefieldslaybaretothefrostsofmorningandevening，andtothewindthatgrewcoolerandcoolerwiththebreathofWinter，wholaybehindthenorthernhills，andwaitedforhishour。Butmanylovelydaysremained，ofquietandslowdecay，ofyellowandredleaves，ofwarmnoonsandlovelysunsets，followedbyskies——greenfromthewesthorizontothezenith，andwalkedbyamoonthatseemedtodrawuptoherallthewhitemistsfrompondandriverandpool，tosettleagaininhoar-frost，duringthecolderhoursthatprecedethedawn。Atlengtheveryleaflesstreesparkledinthemorningsun，incrustedwithfadinggems；andthegroundwashardunderfoot；andthehedgeswerefilledwithfrostedspider-webs；andwinterhadlaidthetipsofhisfingersontheland，soontocoveritdeepwiththeflickeringsnow-flakes，shakenfromthefoldsofhisoutspreadmantle。Butlongerethis，DavidandMargarethadreturnedwithreneweddiligence，andpowersstrengthenedbyrepose，oratleastbyintermission，totheirmentallabours，andHughwasasconstantavisitoratthecottageasbefore。Thetime，however，drewnighwhenhemustreturntohisstudiesatAberdeen；andDavidandMargaretwerelookingforwardwithsorrowtothelossoftheirfriend。Janet，too，“cudnabidetothinko\'t。“

“He\'lltak\'thedaylichtwi\'him，Idoot，mylass，“shesaid，asshemadetheporridgeforbreakfastonemorning，andlookeddownanxiouslyatherdaughter，seatedonthecreepiebytheingle-neuk。

“Na，na，mither，“repliedMargaret，lookingupfromherbook；“he\'lllea\'sicgiftsahin\'himas\'llmak\'daylichti\'thedark；“andthenshebentherheadandwentonwithherreading，asifshehadnotspoken。

Themotherlookedawaywithasighandaslight，sadshakeofthehead。

Butmattersweretoturnoutquitedifferentfromallanticipations。

BeforethedayarrivedonwhichHughmustleavefortheuniversity，aletterfromhomeinformedhimthathisfatherwasdangerouslyill。

Hehastenedtohim，butonlytocomforthislasthoursbyallthatasoncoulddo，andtosupporthismotherbyhispresenceduringthefirsthoursofherloneliness。Butanxiousthoughtsforthefuture，whichsooftenforcethemselvesontheattentionofthosewhowouldgladlyprolongtheirbroodingoverthepast，compelledthemtoadoptanalterationoftheirplansforthepresent。

Thehalf-payofMajorSutherlandwasgone，ofcourse；andallthatremainedforMrs。Sutherlandwasasmallannuity，securedbyherhusband\'spaymentstoacertainfundfortheuseofofficers\'

widows。FromthisshecouldsparebutameretrifleforthecompletionofHugh\'suniversity-education；whilethesalaryhehadreceivedatTurriepuffit，almostthewholeofwhichhehadsaved，wassosmallastobequiteinadequatefortheverymoderateoutlaynecessary。Hethereforecametotheresolutiontowritetothelaird，andoffer，iftheywerenotyetprovidedwithanothertutor，toresumehisrelationtotheyounggentlemenforthewinter。Itwasnexttoimpossibletospendmoneythere；andhejudgedthatbeforethefollowingwinter，heshouldbequiteabletomeettheexpensesofhisresidenceatAberdeen，duringthelastsessionofhiscourse。Hewouldhavepreferredtryingtofindanothersituation，haditnotbeenthatDavidandJanetandMargarethadmadethereahomeforhim。

WhetherMrs。Glasfordwasaltogetherpleasedattheproposal，I

cannottell；butthelairdwroteaverygentlemanlikeepistle，condolingwithhimandhismotherupontheirloss，andurgingtheusualcommon-placesofconsolation。TheletterendedwithaheartyacceptanceofHugh\'soffer，and，strangetotell，theunsolicitedpromiseofanincreaseofsalarytotheamountoffivepounds。Thisisanothertobeaddedtothemanyproofsthatverisimilitudeisnotintheleastanessentialelementofverity。

Helefthismotherassoonascircumstanceswouldpermit，andreturnedtoTurriepuffit；anabodeforthewinterverydifferentindeedfromthatinwhichhehadexpectedtospendit。

Hereachedtheplaceearlyintheafternoon；receivedfromMrs。

Glasfordacold“Ihopeyou\'rewell，Mr。Sutherland；“foundhispupilsactuallyreading，andhadfromthemawelcomeratherboisterouslyevidenced；toldthemtogettheirbooks；andsatdownwiththematoncetocommencetheirwinterlabours。Hespenttwohoursthus；hadaheartyshakeofthehandfromthelaird，whenhecamehome；and，afterasubstantialtea，walkeddowntoDavid\'scottage，whereawelcomeawaitedhimworthreturningfor。

“Comeyerwa\'sbutt，“saidJanet，whomethimasheopenedthedoorwithoutanyprefatoryknock，andcaughthimwithbothhands；“I\'mblithetoseeyerbonnyfaceancemair。We\'rea\'jistatanemairwi\'expeckin\'o\'ye。“

Davidstoodinthemiddleofthefloor，waitingforhim。

“Comeawa\'，mybonnylad，“wasallhisgreeting，asheheldoutagreatfatherlyhandtotheyouth，and，graspinghisintheone，clappedhimontheshoulderwiththeother，thewaterstandinginhisblueeyesthewhile。Hughthoughtofhisownfather，andcouldnotrestrainhistears。Margaretgavehimastilllookfullintheface，and，seeinghisemotion，didnotevenapproachtoofferhimanywelcome。Shehastened，instead，toplaceachairforhimasshehaddonewhenfirstheenteredthecottage，andwhenhehadtakenitsatdownathisfeetonhercreepie。Withtruedelicacy，noonetookanynoticeofhimforsometime。Davidsaidatlast，“An\'hoo\'syerpuirmother，Mr。Sutherlan\'？”

“She\'sprettywell，“wasallHughcouldanswer。

“It\'sasairstroketobide，“saidDavid；“butit\'sagran\'thingwhanaman\'swonweelthrow\'t。Whanmyfatherdeit，Imin\'weel，I

wassaeproodtoseehimlyin\'there，inthecauldgrandeuro\'

deith，an\'noman\'atdauredsayheeverdidorspakthething\'atdidnabecomehim，\'atIjistgloriedi\'themidso\'mygreetin\'。Hewasbutapuirauldshepherd，Mr。Sutherlan\'，wi\'hairaswhiteasthesheep\'atfollowedhim；an\'Iwatastheyfollowedhim，hefollowedthegreatShepherd；an\'followedan\'followed，tillhejistfollowedHimhame，whaurwe\'rea\'boun\'，an\'someo\'usfarontheroad，thankstoHim！”

AndwiththatDavidrose，andgotdowntheBible，and，openingitreverently，readwithasolemn，slightlytremulousvoice，thefourteenthchapterofSt。John\'sGospel。Whenhehadfinished，theyallrose，asbyoneaccord，andkneltdown，andDavidprayed：

“OThouinwhasesichtoordeethisprecious，an\'nolichtmaitter；

whathroughdarknessleadstolicht，an\'throughdeithtothegreaterlife！——wecannabelievethatthouwouldstgieusonyguidthing，totak\'thesameagain；forthatwouldbebutbairns\'play。

Webelievethatthoutaks，thatthoumaygieagainthesamethingbetternorafore——mairo\'tandbetternorwecouldha\'receivedititherwise；jistastheLordtookhimsel\'fraethesichto\'them\'atlo\'edhimweel，thatinsteado\'bein\'veesibleaforetheireen，hemichthidehimsel\'intheirverraherts。Comethou，an\'abideinus，an\'tak\'ustobideinthee；an\'syneginwebea\'inthee，wecannabethatfarfraeaneanither，thoughsomesudbeinhaven，an\'

someupo\'earth。Lordhelpustodooorwarklikethymenan\'

maidensdoonthestair，remin\'in\'oursel\'s，\'atthem\'atwemisshaeonlyganeupthestair，asgin\'twartohaudthingstothyhan\'i\'

thyainpresence-chamber，whaurwehouptobecalledorlang，an\'toseetheean\'thySon，whamwelo\'eaboona\'；an\'inhisnamewesay，Amen！”

Hughrosefromhiskneeswithasenseofsolemnityandrealitythathehadneverfeltbefore。Littlewassaidthatevening；supperwaseaten，ifnotinsilence，yetwithnothingthatcouldbecalledconversation。And，almostinsilence，DavidwalkedhomewithHugh。

Thespiritofhisfatherseemedtowalkbesidehim。Hefeltasifhehadbeenburiedwithhim；andhadfoundthatthesepulchrewasclothedwithgreenthingsandroofedwithstars——wasintruththeheavensandtheearthinwhichhissoulwalkedabroad。

IfHughlookedalittlemoreintohisBible，andtriedalittlemoretounderstandit，afterhisfather\'sdeath，itisnottobewonderedat。Itisbutanotherinstanceofthefactthat，whetherfromeducationorfromtheleadingofsomehigherinstinct，weareready，ineverymoreprofoundtrouble，tofeelasifasolutionorarefugelaysomewhere——layinsoundsofwisdom，perhaps，tobesoughtandfoundinthebestofbooks，thedeepestofallthemysterioustreasuriesofwords。ButDavidneversoughttoinfluenceHughtothisend。HereadtheBibleinhisfamily，butheneverurgedthereadingofitonothers。Sometimesheseemedrathertoavoidthesubjectofreligionaltogether；andyetitwasuponthoseveryoccasionsthat，ifheoncebegantospeak，hewouldpourout，beforeheceased，someofhismostimpassionedutterances。