第1章

FOOT-FARING。

Itwasalovelymorninginthefirstofsummer。DonalGrantwasdescendingapathonahillsidetothevalleybelow——asheep-trackofwhichhekneweverywindingaswellasanyboyhishalf-miletoandfromschool。Buthehadneverbeforegonedownthehillwiththefeelingthathewasnotabouttogoupagain。Hewasonhiswaytopasturesverynew，andinthedistanceonlynegativelyinviting。

Buthisheartwastoofulltobetroubled——norwashisahearttoharbouracare，thenextthingtoanevilspirit，thoughnotquitesobad；foronecaremaydriveoutanother，whileonedevilissuretobringinanother。

Agreatbillowywasteofmountainslaybeyondhim，amongstwhichplayedtheshadowattheirgamesofhideandseek——graciouslymerryintheeyesofthehappyman，butsadlysolemnintheeyesofhiminwhoseheartthedrearythoughtsofthepastareatalikegame。

BehindDonallayaworldofdreamsintowhichhedarednotturnandlook，yetfromwhichhecouldscarceaverthiseyes。

Hewasnearingthefootofthehillwhenhestumbledandalmostfell，butrecoveredhimselfwiththeagilityofamountaineer，andtheunpleasantknowledgethatthesoleofoneofhisshoeswasallbutoff。Neverhadhelefthomeforcollegethathisfatherhadnotmadepersonalinspectionofhisshoestoseethattheywerefitforthejourney，butonthisdeparturetheyhadbeenforgotten。Hesatdownandtookoffthefailingequipment。Itwastoofargonetodoanythingtemporarywithit；andofdiscomfortsaloosesoletoone\'sshoeinwalkingisoftheworst。Theonlythingwastotakeofftheothershoeandbothstockingsandgobarefoot。Hetiedalltogetherwithapieceofstring，madethemfasttohisdeerskinknapsack，andresumedhiswalk。Thethingdidnottroublehimmuch。Tohavewhatwewantisriches，buttobeabletodowithoutispower。Tohaveshoesisagoodthing；tobeabletowalkwithoutthemisabetter。

ButitwaslongsinceDonalhadwalkedbarefoot，andhefoundhisfeetlikehisshoe，weakerinthesolethanwaspleasant。

“It\'stime，“hesaidtohimself，whenhefoundhewassteppinggingerly，“Iga\'emyfeetaturnattheauldaccomplishment。It\'sapitytogrownaesofitforonythingsunernoryeneed。Iwadliketoliedoonatlastwi\'hardsoles！”

Ineverystreamhecametohebathedhisfeet，andoftenonthewayrestedthem，whenotherwiseableenoughtogoon。Hehadnocertaingoal，thoughheknewhisdirection，andwasinnohaste。HehadconfidenceinGodandinhisownpowersasthegiftofGod，andknewthatwhereverhewentheneedednotbehungrylong，evenshouldthelittlemoneyinhispocketbespent。Itisbettertotrustinworkthaninmoney：Godneverbuysanything，andisforeveratwork；butifanyonetrustinwork，hehastolearnthathemusttrustinnothingbutstrength——theself-existent，originalstrengthonly；andDonalGranthadlongbeguntolearnthat。Themanhasbeguntobestrongwhoknowsthat，separatedfromlifeessential，heisweaknessitself，that，onewithhisorigin，hewillbeofstrengthinexhaustible。Donalwasnowdescendingtheheightsofyouthtowalkalongtheking\'shighroadofmanhood：happyhewho，ashissunisgoingdownbehindthewestern，ishimselfascendingtheeasternhill，returningthrougholdagetothesecondandbetterchildhoodwhichshallnotbetakenfromhim！Hewhoturnshisbackonthesettingsungoestomeettherisingsun；hewholoseshislifeshallfindit。Donalhadlosthispast——butnotsoastobeashamed。

Therearemanywaysoflosing！Hispasthadbutcrept，likethedead，backtoGodwhogaveit；inbettershapeitwouldbehisbyandby！Alreadyhehadbeguntoforeshadowthistruth：Godwouldkeepitforhim。

Hehadsetoutbeforethesunwasup，forhewouldnotbemetbyfriendsoracquaintances。Avoidingthewell-knownfarmhousesandoccasionalvillage，hetookhiswayuptheriver，andaboutnooncametoahamletwherenooneknewhim——aclusterofstraw-roofedcottages，lowandwhite，withtwolittlewindowseach。Hewalkedstraightthroughitnotmeaningtostop；but，spyinginfrontofthelastcottagearoughstoneseatunderalow，widespreadingeldertree，wastemptedtositdownandrestalittle。Thedaywasnowhot，andtheshadowofthetreeinviting。

Hehadbutseatedhimselfwhenawomancametothedoorofthecottage，lookedathimforamoment，andprobablythinkinghim，fromhisbarefeet，poorerthanhewas，said——

“Wadyelikeadrink？”

“Ay，wadI，“answeredDonal，“——adrinko\'watter，gienyeplease。“

“Whatfornomilk？”askedthewoman。

“\'CauseI\'mabletopeyfor\'t，“answeredDonal。

“Iwantnaepeyment，“sherejoined，perceivinghisdriftaslittleasprobablymyreader。

“An\'Iwantnaemilk，“returnedDonal。

“Weel，yemaypeyfor\'tgienyelike，“sherejoined。

“ButIdinnalike，“repliedDonal。

“Weel，ye\'reasomequeercustomer！”sheremarked。

“Ithankye，butI\'mnaecustomer，\'cep\'foradrinko\'watter，“hepersisted，lookinginherfacewithasmile；“an\'watterhasayebeengr鈚issin\'thedayso\'Adam——\'cep\'maybei\'toonsi\'thehetpairtso\'thewarl\'。“

Thewomanturnedintothecottage，andcameoutagainpresentlywithadelftbasin，holdingaboutapint，fullofmilk，yellowandrich。

“There！”shesaid；“drinkan\'bethankfu\'。“

“I\'llbethankfu\'ohndrunken，“saidDonal。“Ithankyewi\'a\'myheart。ButIcannabidetotakfornaethingwhatIcanpeyfor，an\'

IdinnaliketolayootmysilleruponaluxuryIcanweeleneuchduwantin\'，forIhaenamuckle。Iwadnabeshabbynoryetgreedy。“

“Drinkfortheloveo\'God，“saidthewoman。

Donaltookthebowlfromherhand，anddranktillallwasgone。

“Wullyehaeadrapmair？”sheasked。

“Na，noadrap，“answeredDonal。“I\'llgangi\'thestren\'tho\'thatyehaegi\'enme——maybenojistfortydays，gudewife，butmairnorfortyminutes，an\'that\'sagudepairto\'aday。Ithankyehertily。Yonwasthemilko\'humankin\'ness，gieneverwasony。“

Ashespokeherose，andstooduprefreshedforhisjourney。

“Ihaeasodgerladdieawa\'i\'thehetpairtsyespako\'，“saidthewoman：“gienyehadnata\'enthemilk，yewadhaegi\'enmeasairhert。“

“Eh，gudewife，itwadhaegi\'enmeanetothinkIhad！”returnedDonal。“TheLordgieyebackyersodgerladdiesafean\'soon\'！

MaybeI\'llhaetogangefter\'im，sodgermysel\'。“

“Na，na，thatwadnado。Ye\'reascholar——that\'seasytosee，fora\'

ye\'resaeplainspoken。Itdisabody\'shertguidtohearaman\'atun\'erstan\'sthingssaythemplainooti\'thetonguehismithertauchthim。Sicaane\'illgangstrauchttill\'smakker，an\'fin\'

a\'thingtherehame-like。Lord，Iwussminnisterswadspeyklikeitherfowk！”

“Yewadsairpleasemymithersayin\'that，“remarkedDonal。“Yemaunbejistsicanitherasher！”

“Weel，comein，an\'sityedoonooto\'thesin，an\'haesomethingtoait。“

“Na，I\'lltaknaemairfraeyetheday，an\'Ithankye，“repliedDonal；“Icannaweelbide。“

“Whatforno？”

“It\'snosaemuckle\'atI\'minahurryas\'atImaunbeduin\'。“

“Whaurareyeb\'un\'for，gienabodymayspeir？”

“I\'mgaein\'toseek——nomyfortin，butmydailybreid。GienIspakasarichtman，IwadsayIwasgaein\'toluikforthewarksetme。

I\'mfearttosaythatstrauchtoot；Ihaenawonsaefarasthatyet。Iwinnadunaethingthough\'athewadnahaemedu。Idaurtosaythat——saebeIun\'erstan\'。Mymithersaystheday\'illcomewhanI\'llcarefornaethingbuthiswull。“

“Yermither\'illbeJanetGrant，I\'mthinkin\'！Therecannabetwasicinaecountry-side！”

“Ye\'rei\'thericht，“answeredDonal。“Kenyemymither？”

“Ihaeseenher；an\'toseeher\'stokenher。“

“Ay，gienwhaseesherbesiclike\'shersel\'。“

“Icannapreten\'tothat；butshe\'sweelkentthrou\'a\'thecountryforaGod-fearin\'wuman——An\'whaur\'llyebeforthenoo？”

“I\'mjistupo\'thetramp，luikin\'forwark。“

“An\'whatmayyebepleasttoca\'wark？”

“Ow，jistthecommunicationo\'whatIhaetheun\'erstan\'in\'o\'。“

“Aweel，gienye\'llcondescen\'toadvicefraeanauldwife，I\'llgieyeabitwi\'ye：taknailkalassyeseeforabornangel。Misdoobtheraweetobeginwi\'。Hingupyerjeedgmento\'herawee。Luiktothemoo\'an\'thee\'eno\'her。“

“Ithankye，“saidDonal，withasmile，inwhichthewomanspiedthesadness；“I\'mnoliketoneedtheadvice。“

Shelookedathimpitifully，andpaused。

“Gienyecomethisgaitagain，“shesaid，“ye\'llnogangbymydoor？”

“Iwullno，“repliedDonal，andwishinghergood-byewithagratefulheart，betookhimselftohisjourney。

Hehadnotgonefarwhenhefoundhimselfonawidemoor。Hesatdownonabigstone，andbegantoturnthingsoverinhismind。

Thisishowhisthoughtswent：

“IcanneverbethemanIwas！Thethouchto\'myheart\'sta\'enfraeme！IcannathinkabootthingsasIused。There\'snaethingsaebonnyasafore。Whanthelifeslipsfraehim，hoocanamangangonlivin\'！YetI\'mnodeid——that\'swhatmaksthediffeecletyo\'thesituation！GienIwardeid——weel，Ikennawhatthan！I

doobttherewadbetriblestill，thoughsomethingsmichtbelichter。Butthat\'sneitherherenorthere；Imaunlive；Ihaenaech\'ice；Ididnamakmysel\'，an\'I\'mnogaein\'tomeddlewi\'mysel\'！

Ithinkmairo\'mysel\'nordaurthat！

“Butthere\'saequestionImaunsattleaforeIgangfarther——an\'

that\'sthis：amItobelessormairnorIwasafore？It\'sagreedI

cannabethesame：ifIcannabethesame，ImaunaitherbelessorgreaterthanIwasafore：whilko\'themis\'ttobe？Iwinnahaethatquestontospeirmairnorance！I\'llbemairnorIwas。Tosinktolesswadbetolowsegripo\'mypastasweel\'so\'myfutur！

An\'hoowadIeverluikheri\'thefacegienIgrewlessbecauseo\'

her！Achiel\'likemelatabonnylassiethinkhersel\'toblameforwhatIgrewtil！An\'there\'sagreaternorthelasstobeconsidert！\'CauseheseesnafittogiemeherIwadhae，ishenotohaehiswullo\'me？It\'sagran\'thingtokenalassielikeyon，an\'agran\'erthingyettobeallooedtolo\'eher：tositdownan\'

greit\'causeI\'mnotomerryher，wadbemostoongratefu\'！WhatforsudIthreip\'atIouchttohaeher？WhatforsudnaIbedisapp\'intitasweelasanither？Ihaeasguidarichttoonyguid\'at\'stocomeo\'that，Ifancy！Gienitbeaman\'spairttocairryasairhert，itcannabehispairttositdoonwi\'\'tupo\'thero\'d-side，an\'lay\'tupo\'hislap，an\'greitower\'t，likeabairnwi\'acuttitfinger：hemaunhaudonhisro\'d。WhaamItodifferfraethelaveo\'myfowk！Is\'belikethelave，an\'gienIgreitI

winnagirn。TheLordhimsel\'hadtobecroontwi\'pain。Eh，mybonniedoo！Butyelo\'eabetterman，an\'that\'sasaircomfort！

Gienithadbeenitherwise，IdivnotthinkIcouldhaebornethepainatmyhert。Butasit\'sguidan\'noill\'at\'scometoye，I

haenayouan\'mysel\'tutogreitfor，an\'that\'sasaircomfort！

Lord，I\'llclim\'tothee，an\'gaithero\'thehealin\'\'atgrowsforthenationsi\'thygairden。

“Iseethethingasplain\'sthingcanbe：thecureo\'a\'ill\'sjistmairlife！That\'sit！Lifeabunean\'ayontthelife\'attookthestroke！An\'gienthrou\'thishert-brakIcomebymairlife，it\'llbejistaneo\'thethroeso\'myh\'avenlybirth——i\'thewhilkthebairnhasasmonyo\'thepainsasthemither：that\'smaybeadiffer\'atweenthetwa——theearthlyan\'theh\'avenly！

“SaenooIhaetobeginfresh，an\'latthething\'at\'spastan\'ganeslipefteritherdreams。Eh，butit\'sabonnydreamyet！Itliesclose\'ahin\'me，notobeforgotten，notobeluikitat——likeaneo\'

thaedreamso\'watteran\'munelicht\'athasnaewarki\'them：abodywadnaliea\'nichtan\'a\'daytuinadreamo\'thesowl\'sgloamin\'！

Na，Lord；mako\'meastrongman，an\'synegiemeasmuckleo\'thebonnyasmaypleasethee。WhaamItolippentil，giennotothee，myainfatheran\'mitheran\'gran\'fatheran\'a\'bodyinane，forthoogiedstmethema\'！

“NooI\'mtobeginagain——afreshlifefraethisminute！I\'mtosetootfraethisverrap\'int，likeaneo\'theyoungestsonsi\'thefairytales，toseekmyportion，an\'seewhat\'scomin\'tomeetmeasIgangtomeethit。Thewarl\'aforeme\'smystory-buik。IcannaseeowertheleaftillIcometotheen\'o\'\'t。WhanIwasabairn，jistable，wi\'sairendeevour，towinattheherto\'print，Ineverwadluikonafore！TheaetimeIdidit，IthouchtIhadduneashamefu\'thing，likeluikin\'inatakeyhole——asIdidjistancetu，whanIthankGodmymithergaemesicablessedlickin\'\'atIkentitmaunbesomethingdreidfu\'Ihaddune。Saehere\'sforwhat\'scomin\'！Ikenwhauritmauncomefrae，an\'Is\'makeitwelcome。

Mymithersaysthemainmischeefi\'thewarl\'is，\'atfowkwinnalattheLordhaehisainw\'y，an\'saehehasjisttotakit，whilkmaksitasairthingforthem。“

Therewithherosetoencounterthatwhichwasonitswaytomeethim。Heisafoolwhostandsandletslifemovepasthimlikeapanorama。Healsoisafoolwhowouldlayhandsonitsmotion，andchangeitspictures。Hecanbutdistortandinjure，ifhedoesnotruinthem，andcomeuponawfulshadowsbehindthem。

Andlo！asheglancedaroundhim，alreadysomethingoftheoldmysteriousloveliness，nowforsolongvanishedfromthefaceofthevisibleworld，hadreturnedtoit——notyetasitwasbefore，butwithdawningpromiseofanewcreation，afreshbeauty，inwelcomingwhichhewasnotturningfromtheold，butreceivingthenewthatGodsenthim。Hemightyetbemanyatimesad，buttolamentwouldbetoactasifhewerewronged——wouldbeatbestweakandfoolish！

Hewouldlookthenewlifeintheface，andbewhatitshouldpleaseGodtomakehim。Thescentsthewindbroughthimfromfieldandgardenandmoor，seemedsweeterthaneverwind-bornescentsbefore：theywereseekingtocomforthim！Hesighed——butturnedfromthesightoGod，andfoundfreshgladnessandwelcome。Thewindhoveredabouthimasifitwouldfainhavesomethingtodointhematter；theriverrippledandshoneasifitknewsomethingworthknowingasyetunrevealed。Thedelightofcreationisverilyinsecrets，butinsecretsastruthsontheway。Allsecretsareembryorevelations。Onthefarhorizonheavenandearthmetasoldfriends，who，thoughneverparted，wereeverrenewingtheirfriendship。Theworld，liketheangels，wasrejoicing——ifnotoverasinnerthathadrepented，yetoveramanthathadpassedfromalowertoahigherconditionoflife——outofitsearthintoitsair：

hewasgoingtoliveabove，andlookdownontheinferiorworld！

EretheshadesofeveningfellthatdayaroundDonalGrant，hewasinthenewchildhoodofanewworld。

Idonotmeansuchthoughtshadneverbeenpresenttohimbefore；

buttothinkathingisonlytolookatitinaglass；toknowitasGodwouldhaveusknowit，andaswemustknowittolive，istoseeitasweseeloveinafriend\'seyes——tohaveitasthelovethefriendseesinours。Tomakethingsrealtous，istheendandthebattle-causeoflife。Weoftenthinkwebelievewhatweareonlypresentingtoourimaginations。Theleastthingcanoverthrowthatkindoffaith。Theimaginationisanendlesshelptowardsfaith，butitisnomorefaiththanadreamoffoodwillmakeusstrongforthenextday\'swork。ToknowGodasthebeginningandend，therootandcause，thegiver，theenabler，theloveandjoyandperfectgood，thepresentoneexistenceinallthingsanddegreesandconditions，islife；andfaith，initssimplest，truest，mightiestformis——todohiswill。

Donalwasmakinghiswaytowardstheeasterncoast，inthecertainhopeoffindingworkofonekindoranother。Hecouldhavebeenwellcontenttopasshislifeasashepherdlikehisfatherbutfortwothings：heknewwhatitwouldbewellforotherstoknow；andhehadahungerafterthesocietyofbooks。Amanmustbeabletodowithoutwhateverisdeniedhim，butwhenhisheartishungryforanhonestthing，hemayusehonestendeavourtoobtainit。Donaldesiredtobeusefulandliveforhisgeneration，alsotobewithbooks。Tobewherewasagoodlibrarywouldsuithimbetterthanbuyingbooks，forwithoutaplaceinwhichtokeepthem，theyareamongtheimpedimentaoflife。AndDonalknewthatinregardtobookshewasindangeroflovingafterthefashionofthisworld：

bookshehadastronginclinationtoaccumulateandhoard；thereforetheuseofalibrarywasbetterthanthemeansofbuyingthem。

Booksaspossessionsarealsoofthethingsthatpassandperish——assurelyasanyotherformofearthlyhaving；theyareoftheplaythingsGodletsmenhavethattheymaylearntodistinguishbetweenapparentandrealpossession：ifhavingwillnotteachthem，lossmay。

Butwhowouldhavethought，meetingtheyouthashewalkedtheroadwithshoelessfeet，thathesoughttheharbourofagreatlibraryinsomeoldhouse，soasdayafterdaytofeastonthethoughtsofmenwhohadgonebeforehim！Forhiswasnoantiquariansoul；itwasasoulhungryafterlife，notafterthemummyclothsenwrappingthedead。

CHAPTERII。

ASPIRITUALFOOT-PAD。

Hewasnowwalkingsouthward，butwouldsoon，whenthemountainswerewellbehindhim，turntowardtheeast。Hecarriedasmallwallet，filledchieflywithoatcakeandhardskim-milkcheese：abouttwoo\'clockhesatdownonastone，andproceededtomakeameal。A

brookfromthehillsrannear：forthathehadchosenthespot，hisfarebeingdry。Heseldomtookanyotherdrinkthanwater：hehadlearnedthatstrongdrinkatbestbutdiscountedtohimhisownatahighrate。

Hedrewfromhispocketasmallthickvolumehehadbroughtasthecompanionofhisjourney，andreadasheate。Hisseatwasonthelastslopeofagrassyhill，wheremanyhugestonesroseoutofthegrass。Afewyardsbeneathwasacountryroad，andontheothersideoftheroadasmallstream，inwhichthebrookthatranswiftlypast，almostwithinreachofhishand，eagerlylostitself。Onthefurtherbankofthestream，perfumingtheair，grewmanybushesofmeadow-sweet，orqueen-of-the-meadow，asitiscalledinScotland；

andbeyondlayalovelystretchofnearlylevelpasture。Farthereastwardallwasaplain，fulloffarms。Behindhimrosethehill，shuttingouthispast；beforehimlaytheplain，opentohiseyesandfeet。Godhadwalleduphispast，andwasdisclosinghisfuture。

Whenhehadeatenhisdinner，itsdrynessforgotteninthecondimenthisbooksupplied，herose，andtakinghiscapfromhishead，filleditfromthestream，anddrankheartily；thenemptiedit，shookthelastdropsfromit，andputitagainuponhishead。

“Ho，ho，youngman！”criedavoice。

Donallooked，andsawamaninthegarbofaclergymanregardinghimfromtheroad，andwipinghisfacewithhissleeve。

“Youshouldmind，“hecontinued，“howyouscatteryourfavours。“

“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal，takingoffhiscapagain；“I

hadnaanotiontherewasleevin\'craturnearme。“

“It\'safineday！”saidtheminister。

“Itisthat，sir！”answeredDonal。

“Whichwayareyougoing？”askedtheminister，adding，asifinapologyforhisseemingcuriosity，“——You\'reascholar，I

see！”——withaglancetowardsthebookhehadleftopenonhisstone。

“NaesaemuckleasIwadfainbe，sir，“answeredDonal——thencalledtomindaresolvehehadmadetospeakEnglishforthefuture。

“Amodestyouth，Isee！”returnedtheclergyman；butDonalhardlylikedthetoneinwhichhesaidit。

“Thatdependsonwhatyoumeanbyascholar，“hesaid。

“Oh！”answeredtheminister，notthinkingmuchabouthisreply，butinabanteringhumourwillingtodrawtheladout，“thelearnedmanmodestlycallshimselfascholar。“

“ThentherewasnomodestyinsayingIwasnotsomuchofascholarasIshouldliketobe；everyscholarwouldsaythesame。“

“Averygoodanswer！”saidtheclergymanpatronizingly，“You\'llbealearnedmansomeday！”Andhesmiledashesaidit。

“Whenwouldyoucallamanlearned？”askedDonal。

“Thatishardtodetermine，seeingthosethatclaimtobecontradicteachotherso。“

“Whatgoodthencantherebeinwantingtobelearned？”

“Yougetthementaldisciplineofstudy。“

“Itseemstome，“saidDonal，“apitytogetabody\'sdisciplineonwhatmaybeworthless。It\'sjustasgooddisciplinetomyteethtodineonbreadandcheese，asitwouldbetoexercisethemonsheep\'sgrass。“

“I\'vegotholdofahumorist！”saidtheclergymantohimself。

Donalpickeduphiswalletandhisbook，andcamedowntotheroad。

Thenfirsttheclergymansawthathewasbarefooted。Inhischildhoodhehadhimselfoftengonewithoutshoesandstockings，yettheyouth\'slackofthemprejudicedhimagainsthim。

“Itmustbethefellow\'sownfault！”hesaidtohimself。“Heshan\'tcatchmewithhischaff！”

Donalwouldratherhavefordedtheriver，andgonetoinquirehiswayatthenearestfarm-house，buthethoughtitpolitetowalkalittlewaywiththeclergyman。

“Howfarareyougoing？”askedtheministeratlength。

“AsfarasIcan，“repliedDonal。

“Wheredoyoumeantopassthenight？”

“Insomebarnperhaps，oronsomehill-side。“

“Iamsorrytohearyoucandonobetter。“

“Youdon\'tthink，sir，whatadecentbedcosts；andabarnisgenerally，ahill-sidealwaysclean。Infactthehill-side\'sthebest。Many\'sthetimeIhavesleptonone。It\'sastrangenotionsomepeoplehave，thatit\'smorerespectabletosleepunderman\'sroofthanGod\'s。“

“Tohavenosettledabode，“saidtheclergyman，andpaused。

“LikeAbraham？”suggestedDonalwithasmile。“Anabidingcityseemshardlynecessarytopilgrimsandstrangers！IfellasleeponceonthetopofGlashgar：whenIwokethesunwaslookingovertheedgeofthehorizon。IroseandgazedaboutmeasifIwerebutthatmomentcreated。IfGodhadcalledme，Ishouldhardlyhavebeenastonished。“

“Orfrightened？”askedtheminister。

“No，sir；whyshouldamanfearthepresenceofhissaviour？”

“YousaidGod！”answeredtheminister。

“Godismysaviour！Intohispresenceitismydesiretocome。“

“Undershelteroftheatonement，“supplementedtheminister。

“Gienyemeanbythat，sir，“criedDonal，forgettinghisEnglish，“onythingtocome\'atweenmyGodan\'me，I\'llha\'enaneo\'\'t。I\'llhaenaethinghidemefraehimwhamademe！Iwadnahideathouchtfraehim。Thewauritis，themairneedhesee\'t。“

“Whatbookisthatyouarereading？”askedtheministersharply。

“It\'snotyourbible，I\'llbebound！Younevergotsuchnotionsfromit！”

Hewasangrywiththepresumptuousyouth——andnowonder；forthegospeltheministerpreachedwasagospelbuttotheslavishandunfilial。

“It\'sShelley，“answeredDonal，recoveringhimself。

TheministerhadneverreadawordofShelley，buthadaverydecidedopinionofhim。Hegavealoudrudewhistle。

“So！that\'swhereyougoforyourtheology！Iwaspuzzledtounderstandyou，butnowallisplain！Youngman，youareonthebrinkofperdition。Thatbookwillpoisonyourveryvitals！”

“Indeed，sir，itwillnevergodeepenoughforthat！ButitcameneartouchingthemasIsateatingmybreadandcheese。“

“He\'saninfidel！”saidtheministerfiercely。

“Akindofone，“returnedDonal，“butnotoftheworstsort。It\'sthepeoplewhocallthemselvesbelieversthatdrivethelikeofpoorShelleytothemouthofthepit。“

“Hehatedthetruth，“saidtheminister。

“Hewasalwaysseekingafterit，“saidDonal，“thoughtobesurehedidn\'tgettotheendofthesearch。Justlistentothis，sir，andsaywhetheritbeveryfarfromChristian。“

Donalopenedhislittlevolume，andsoughthispassage。Theministerbutforcuriosityandthedreadofseemingabsurdwouldhavestoppedhisearsandrefusedtolisten。Hewasamanofnotmerelydryorstale，butofdeadlydoctrines。HewouldhaveamanloveChristforprotectinghimfromGod，notforleadinghimtoGodinwhomaloneisbliss，outofwhomallisdarknessandmisery。HehadnotaglimmerofthetruththateternallifeistoknowGod。Heimaginedjusticeandlovedwellingineternaloppositioninthebosomofeternalunity。HeknewnexttonothingaboutGod，andmisrepresentedhimhideously。IfGodweresuchasheshowedhim，itwouldbetheworstpossiblemisfortunetohavebeencreated。

Donalhadfoundthepassage。ItwasinTheMaskofAnarchy。Hereadthefollowingstanzas：——

Letavastassemblybe，AndwithgreatsolemnityDeclarewithmeasuredwordsthatyeAre，asGodhasmadeye，free。

BeyourstrongandsimplewordsKeentowoundassharpenedswords，Andwideastargesletthembe，Withtheirshadetocoverye。

Andifthenthetyrantsdare，Letthemrideamongyouthere，Slash，andstab，andmaim，andhew——

Whattheylike，thatletthemdo。

Withfoldedarmsandsteadyeyes，Andlittlefear，andlesssurprise，Lookuponthemastheyslay，Tilltheirragehasdiedaway。

AndthatslaughtertotheNationShallsteamuplikeinspiration，Eloquent，oracular——

Avolcanoheardafar。

Ending，thereaderturnedtothelistener。Butthelistenerhadunderstoodlittleofthemeaning，andlessofthespirit。Hehatedoppositiontothepowersonthepartofanybelowhimself，yetscornedtheideaofsubmittingtopersecution。

“Whatthinkyouofthat，sir？”askedDonal。

“Sheernonsense！”answeredtheminister。“WherewouldScotlandbenowbutforresistance？”

“There\'smorethanonewayofresisting，though，“returnedDonal。

“EnduringevilwastheLord\'sway。Idon\'tknowaboutScotland，butIfancytherewouldbemoreChristians，andofabetterstamp，intheworld，ifthathadbeenthemodeofresistancealwaysadoptedbythosethatcalledthemselvessuch。Anyhowitwashisway。“

“Shelley\'s，youmean！”

“Idon\'tmeanShelley\'s，ImeanChrist\'s。InspiritShelleywasfarnearerthetruththanthosewhomadehimdespisetheverynameofChristianitywithoutknowingwhatitreallywas。ButGodwillgiveeverymanfairplay。“

“Youngman！”saidtheminister，withanassumptionofgreatsolemnityandnolessauthority，“IamboundtowarnyouthatyouareinastateofrebellionagainstGod，andhewillnotbemocked。

Goodmorning！”

Donalsatdownontheroadside——hewouldlettheministerhaveagoodstartofhim——tookagainhisshabbylittlevolume，heldmoretalkwiththebook-embodiedspiritofShelley，andsawmoreandmoreclearlyhowhewasmisledinhiseverynotionofChristianity，andhowdifferentthosewhogavehimhisnotionsmusthavebeenfromtheevangelistsandapostles。Hesawinthepoetaboyishnaturestrivingafterliberty，withscarceanotionofwhatlibertyreallywas：heknewnothingofthelawofliberty——onenesswiththewillofourexistence，whichwouldhaveusfreewithitsownfreedom。

Whentheclergymanwaslongoutofsightheroseandwenton，andsooncametoabridgebywhichhecrossedtheriver。Thenonhewentthroughthecultivatedplain，hisspiritsneverflagging。Hewasapilgrimonhiswaytohisdivinefate！

CHAPTERIII。

THEMOOR。

Thenightbegantodescendandhetobeweary，andlookabouthimforaplaceofrepose。Buttherewasalongtwilightbeforehim，anditwaswarm。

Forsometimetheroadhadbeenascending，andbyandbyhefoundhimselfonabaremoor，amongheathernotyetinbloom，andaforestofbracken。Herewasagreat，beautifulchamberforhim！andwhatbetterbedthanGod\'sheather！whatbettercanopythanGod\'shigh，star-studdednight，withitsairycurtainsofduskydarkness！WasitnotinthisverychamberthatJacobhadhisvisionofthemightystairleadinguptothegateofheaven！WasitnotundersucharoofJesusspenthislastnightsontheearth！Forcomfortandprotectionhesoughtnohumanshelter，butwentoutintohisFather\'shouse——outunderhisFather\'sheaven！Thesmallandnarrowwerenottohimthesafe，butthewideandopen。Thickwallscovermenfromtheenemiestheyfear；theLordsoughtspace。Theretheangelscomeandgomorefreelythanwhereroofsgatherdistrust。Ifeverwehearafar-offrumourofangel-visit，itisnotfromsomesolitaryplainwithlonelychildren？

Donalwalkedalongthehightable-landtillhewasweary，andrestlookedblissful。Thenheturnedasidefromtheroughtrackintotheheatherandbracken。Whenhecametoalittledryhollow，withayetthickergrowthofheather，itstopsalmostcloseasthoseofhisbedathisfather\'scottage，hesoughtnofurther。Takinghisknife，hecutaquantityofheatherandferns，andheapeditonthetopofthethickestbush；thencreepinginbetweenthecutandthegrowing，heclearedtheformerfromhisfacethathemightseetheworldsoverhim，andputtinghisknapsackunderhishead，fellfastasleep。

Whenhewokenoteventheshadowofadreamlingeredtolethimknowwhathehadbeendreaming。Hewokewithsuchaclearmind，suchanimmediateupliftingofthesoul，thatitseemedtohimnolessthantoJacobthathemusthavesleptatthefootoftheheavenlystair。

Thewindcameroundhimlikethestuffofthoughtunshaped，andeverybreathhedrewseemedlikeGodbreathingafreshintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife。Whoknowswhatthethingwecallairis？Weknowaboutit，butitwedonotknow。Thesunshoneasifsmilingattheself-importanceofthesulkydarknesshehaddrivenaway，andtheworldseemedcontentwithaheavenlycontent。SofreshwasDonal\'ssensethathefeltasifhissleepwithinandthewindwithouthadbeenwashinghimallthenight。Sopeaceful，soblissfulwashisheartthatitlongedtoshareitsbliss；buttherewasnoonewithinsight，andhesetoutagainonhisjourney。

Hehadnotgonefarwhenhecametoadipinthemoorland——aroundhollow，withacottageofturfinthemiddleofit，fromwhosechimneycamealittlesmoke：theretoothedaywasbegun！Hewasgladhehadnotseenitbefore，forthenhemighthavemissedthereposeoftheopennight。Atthedoorstoodalittlegirlinabluefrock。Shesawhim，andranin。Hewentdownanddrewneartothedoor。Itstoodwideopen，andhecouldnothelpseeingin。

Amansatatthetableinthemiddleofthefloor，hisforeheadonhishand。Donaldidnotseehisface。Heseemedwaiting，likehisfatherfortheBook，whilehismothergotitfromthetopofthewall。Hesteppedoverthethreshold，andinthesimplicityofhisheart，said：——

“Ye\'llbegaein\'tohaeworship！”

“Na，na！”returnedtheman，raisinghishead，andtakingabrief，hardstareathisvisitor；“wedinnasetupforprayin\'fowki\'thishoose。“Weleythattothem\'atkenswhattheyhaetobethankfu\'

for。“

“Imadeamistak，“saidDonal。“Ithouchtyemichthaebeengaein\'

tosaygudemornin\'toyermakker，an\'wadhaelikittoj\'inwi\'ye；

forIkennawhatIhaenatobethankfu\'for。Guiddaytoye。“

“Yecanbidean\'takyerparritchgienyelike。“

“Ow，na，Ithankye。YemichtthinkIcamfortheparritch，an\'nofortheprayers。IlikeasilltobecoontitahypocriteasgienI

warane。“

“Yecanbidean\'haeworshipwi\'\'s，gienyetakthebuikyersel\'。“

“Icannaleadwhaur\'snanetofollow。Na；I\'lldubetteronthemuirmylane。“

Butthegudewifewasareligionswomanafterherfashion——whocanbeafteranyoneelse\'s？Shecamewithabibleinherhand，andsilentlylaiditonthetable。Donalhadneveryetprayedaloudexceptinamurmurbyhimselfonthehill，but，thusinvited，couldnotrefuse。Hereadapsalmoftrouble，breakingintohopeattheclose，thenspokeasfollows：——

“Freens，I\'mbutyoong，asyesee，an\'neveraforedauredopenmymooi\'sicfashion，butitcomestometospeyk，an\'wi\'yerleavespeykIwull。Icannahelpthinkin\'thegudeman\'si\'sometrible——siclike，maybe，asKingDawvidwhanhemadethepsalmIhaebeenreadin\'i\'yerhearin\'。Yeobservthooitbeganlikeastormymornin\'，butyeh\'ardhooitchangedora\'wasdune。Thesuncomesootbonnyi\'theen\'，an\'yehearthebirdsbeginnin\'tosing，tellin\'Natur\'togieowerhergreitin\'。An\'whatbringstheguidmantil\'ssenses，divyethink？Whatbutjistthethouchto\'him\'atmadehim，him\'atcaresaboothim，him\'atmauncometoillhimsel\'\'aforehelatonythinghemadecometoill。Sir，lat\'sgangdoonupo\'oorknees，an\'committhekeepin\'o\'oorsowlstohimastilafaithfu\'creator，whawinnamisshispairt\'atweenhiman\'

hiz。“

Theywentdownontheirknees，andDonalsaid，“OLord，oorainfatheran\'saviour，thedayyehaesent\'shasarrivedbonnyan\'gran\'，an\'weblessyeforsen\'in\'\'t；buteh，oorfather，weneedmairthelichtthatshinesi\'thedarkerplace。Weneedthedawno\'aspiritualdayinside\'s，orthebonnydayootsidewinnagangformuckle。Lord，oormicht，speykawordo\'peacefu\'

recalltoonydogo\'thine\'atmaybeworryin\'attheherto\'onysheepo\'thine\'at\'srunawa；butdinnaca\'himbacksaeastolea\'

thepuirsheep\'ahinthim；fessbackdogan\'lambthegither，OLord。

Haud\'sa\'fraeill，an\'guide\'sa\'toguid，an\'oormornin\'prayer\'sower。Amen。“

Theyrosefromtheirknees，andsatsilentforamoment。Thentheguidwifeputthepotonthefirewiththewaterfortheporridge。

ButDonalrose，andwalkedoutofthecottage，halfwonderingathimselfthathehaddaredashehad，yetfeelinghehaddonebutthemostnaturalthingintheworld。

“Hooabody\'stowinthrouwthedaywantin\'thelordo\'thedayan\'

thehooran\'theminute，\'s\'ayontme！”hesaidtohimself，andhastenedaway。

Erenoonthebluelineofthefaroceanroseonthehorizon。

CHAPTERIV。

THETOWN。

Donalwasqueer，someofmyreaderswillthink，andIadmitit；forthemanwhoregardstheaffairsoflifefromanyotherpointthanhisowngreedyself，mustbequeerindeedintheeyesofallwhoareslavestotheirimaginednecessitiesandundisputeddesires。

Itwaseveningwhenhedrewnightheplacewhitherhehaddirectedhissteps——alittlecountrytown，notfarfromafamousseatoflearning：therehewouldmakeinquirybeforegoingfurther。TheministerofhisparishknewtheministerofAuchars，andhadgivenhimaletterofintroduction。Thecountryaroundhadnotafewdwellingsofdistinction，andatoneoranotherofthesemightbechildreninwantofatutor。

Thesunwassettingoverthehillsbehindhimasheenteredthelittletown。Atfirstitlookedbutavillage，forontheoutskirts，throughwhichtheking\'shighwayled，werechieflythatchedcottages，withhereandthereaslatedhouseofonestoryandanattic；butpresentlybegantoappearhousesoflargersize——fewofthem，however，ofmorethantwostories。Mostofthemlookedasiftheyhadalongandnotveryhappyhistory。Allatoncehefoundhimselfinastreet，partlyofquaintgableswithcorbelsteps；theycalledthemherecorbie-steps，inallusion，perhaps，totheravensentoutbyNoah，forwhichlazybirdthechildrenregardedtheseasplacestorest。Thereweretwoorthreecuriousgatewaysinitwithsomeattemptatdecoration，andonehousewiththepepperpotturretswhichScotisharchitecturehasborrowedfromtheFrenchchateau。Theheartofthetownwasayetnarrower，close-builtstreet，withseveralshortclosesandwyndsopeningoutofit——allofwhichhadancientlookinghouses。Therewereshopsnotafew，buttheirwindowswerethoseofdwellings，astheupperpartsoftheirbuildingsmostlywere。Inthoseshopswasasgoodasupplyofthenecessitiesoflifeasinagreattown，andcheaper。Youcouldnotgetacoatsowellcut，norapairofshoestofityousotightwithouthurting，butyoucouldgetfirst-ratework。Thestreetswereunevenlypavedwithround，water-wornstones：Donalwasnotsorrythathehadnottowalkfaruponthem。

Thesettingsunsenthisshadowbeforehimasheenteredtheplace。

Hekeptthemiddleofthestreet，lookingonthissideandthatforthehostelrywhitherhehaddespatchedhischestbeforeleavinghome。Agloomybuilding，apparentlyuninhabited，drewhisattention，andsentastrangethrillthroughhimashiseyesfelluponit。Itwasofthreelowstories，thewindowsdefendedbyironstanchions，thedoorstuddedwithgreatknobsofiron。Alittlewaybeyondhecaughtsightofthesignhewasinsearchof。Itswunginfrontofanold-fashioned，dingybuilding，withmuchoftheold-worldlookthatpervadedthetown。Thelastredraysofthesunwereuponit，lightingupasorelyfadedcoatofarms。Thesupporters，tworedhorsesontheirhindlegs，wereallofithecouldmakeout。Thecrestabovesuggestedaskate，butcouldhardlyhavebeenintendedforone。Agreedy-eyedmanstoodinthedoorway，hishandsinhistrouser-pockets。Helookedwithcontemptuousscrutinyatthebare-footedladapproachinghim。Hehadblackhairandblackeyes；hisnoselookedasifaheavyfingerhadsettleduponitspoint，andpresseditdownwards：itsnostrilsswelledwidebeyondtheirbase；underneathwasabigmouthwithagoodsetofteeth，andastrongupturningchin——anambitiousandgreedyface。

Butambitionisaformofgreed。

“Afineday，landlord！”saidDonal。

“Ay，“answeredtheman，withoutchangingthepostureofonetakinghiseaseagainsthisowndoor-post，orremovinghishandsfromhispockets，butlookingDonalupanddownwithconscioussuperiority，thenrestinghiseyesonthebarefeetandupturnedtrousers。

“This\'llbetheMorvenArms，I\'mthinkin\'？”saidDonal。

“Ittaksnamucklethouchttothinkthat，“returnedtheinn-keeper，“whantheretheyhing！”

“Ay，“rejoinedDonal，glancingup；“thereissomethingthere——an\'

it\'sairmsIdoobtna；butit\'snoa\'bodyhasthepreevilegeo\'aknowledgeo\'heraldrylikeyersel\'，lan\'lord！I\'mb\'un\'toconfess，forwhatIkentheymichtbetheairmso\'onyaneo\'tenscoreScotsfaimilies。“

TherewasoneweaponwithwhichJohnGlummwasassailable，andthatwasridicule：withallhisself-sufficiencyhestoodinterrorofit——andthemorecoverttheridicule，solongashesuspectedit，themoreheresentedaswellasdreadedit。Hesteppedintothestreet，andtakingahandfromapocket，pointeduptothesign。

“Seetil\'t！”hesaid。“Dinnayeseethetwareidhorse？”

“Ay，“answeredDonal；“Iseethemweeleneuch，butI\'mnanethewisernorgientheywartwareidwhauls——Man，“hewenton，turningsharprounduponthefellow，“ye\'renocawpableo\'conceivin\'theextento\'myignorance！It\'sasrampantasthereidhorseupo\'yoursign！I\'llyieldtonaebodyi\'theamoonto\'thingsIdinnaken！”

Themanstaredathimforamoment。

“Is\'warran\'，“hesaid，“yekenmairnoryecaretolaton！”

“An\'whatmaythatbeowertheheido\'them？——Acrest，ca\'ye\'t？”

saidDonal。

“It\'sabasepearl-beset，“answeredthelandlord。

Hehadnotanotionofwhatabasemeant，orpearl-beset，yetpridedhimselfonhisknowledgeofthewords。

“Eh，“returnedDonal，“Itookitforaskate！”

“Askate！”repeatedthelandlordwithoffendedsneer，andturnedtowardsthehouse。

“Iwasthinkin\'toputupwi\'yethenicht，gienyecouldaccommodatemeatarizzonablerate，“saidDonal。

“Idinnaken，“repliedGlumm，hesitating，withhisbacktohim，betweenunwillingnesstoloseapenny，andresentmentatthesupposedbadinage，whichwasindeednothingbuthumour；“whatwadyeca\'rizzonable？”

“Iwadnagrudgeasaxpenceformybed；ashillin\'Iwad，“answeredDonal。

“Weel，ninepencethan——foryeseemnaowercomewi\'siller。“

“Na，“answeredDonal，“I\'mnothat。Whatevermyburden，yon\'snohit。Thelosso\'whatIhaewadhardlymakmelichterformyrace。“

“Ye\'reaqueercustomer！”saidtheman。

“I\'mnosaequeerbutIhaeakistcomin\'bythecarrier，“rejoinedDonal，“direckittotheMorvenAirms。It\'llbehereintimedoobtless。“

“We\'llseewhanitcomes，“remarkedthelandlord，implyingthechestwaseasierinventedthanbelievedin。

“Thewarsto\'\'tis，“continuedDonal，“Icannaweelshawmysel\'

wantin\'shune。Ihaeapairi\'mykist，an\'anitherupo\'myback，——butnaneformyfeet。“

“There\'ssutorsenew，“saidtheinnkeeper。

“Weelwe\'llseeaswegang。Iwantawordwi\'theminister。Wadyedirec\'metothemanse？”

“He\'sfraehame。Butit\'so\'sma\'consequence；hedisnacareaboottramps，honestman！Hewinnawaurmuckleupo\'thelikeso\'you。“

Thelandlordwasrecoveringhimself——thereforehisinsolence。

Donalgavealaugh。Thosewhoarecontentwithwhattheyare，havethelessconcernaboutwhattheyseem。Theambitiousliketobetakenformorethantheyare，andmaywellbeannoyedwhentheyaretakenforless。

“I\'mthinkin\'yewadnawaurmuckleonatrampaither！”hesaid。

“Iwadnot，“answeredGlumm。“It\'sthepairto\'thehonesttodiscoontenancelawlessness。“

“Yewadnahangthepuircraturs，wadye？”askedDonal。

“Iwadhangawheenmairo\'them。“

“Fornohaein\'ahooseowertheirheads？That\'ssomehard！Whatgienyewasaedaytobeinwanto\'aneyersel\'！”

“We\'llbidetillthedaycomes——Butwhatareyestan\'in\'therefor？

Areyecomin\'in，orareyeno？”

“It\'sasomecauldwelcome！”saidDonal。“Is\'jisttakaluikabootaforeImakupmymin\'。Atramp，yeken，needsnastan\'upo\'

ceremony。“

Heturnedawayandwalkedfurtheralongthestreet。

CHAPTERV。

THECOBBLER。

Attheendofthestreethecametoalow-archedgatewayinthemiddleofapoor-lookinghouse。Withinitsatalittlebowedman，cobblingdiligentlyataboot。Thesunhadleftbehindhiminthewestaheapofgoldenrefuse，andcuttingsofroseandpurple，whichshonerightinatthearchway，andlethimseetowork。HerewastheverymanforDonal！Arespectableshoemakerwouldhavedisdainedtopatchuptheshoeshecarried——especiallyastheownerwasinsomuchneedofthem。

“It\'sabonnynicht，“hesaid。

“Yemayweelmaktheremark，sir！”repliedthecobblerwithoutlookingup，foracriticalstitchoccupiedhim。“It\'sabalmynicht。“

“That\'sraitherabonnywordtoputtil\'t！”returnedDonal。“There\'sakin\'o\'anairaboottheplaceIwadhardlyhaethouchtbalmy！

Buttrothit\'snothefau\'to\'thenicht！”

“Ye\'rerichttherealso，“returnedthecobbler——hisuseoftheconjunctionimpressingDonal。“Still，theweatherhastoduwi\'thesmell——wi\'themairorlesso\'\'t，thatis。Itcomesfraeatannereenearby。It\'snoanillsmelltothem\'at\'susedtil\'t；andyewadhardlybelieveme，sir，butIsmellthecloverthrouw\'t。

MaybeI\'mpreejudized，seein\'butforthetan-pitsIcouldnaweeldrivemytrade；butsittin\'herefraemornin\'tonicht，Igetakin\'

o\'ahabito\'luikin\'ootformyblessin\'s。Torecognizeanauldblessin\'\'s\'maistbetternortogetanewane。Apairo\'shuneweelcobblet\'swhilesfullbetternoranewpair。“

“Theyarethat，“saidDonal；“butIdinnajistseehooyerseemileapplies。“

“Isnagettin\'onapairo\'auldweel-kentan\'weelmen\'itshune，\'atwinnanipyerfeetnoryetshochle，likewaukin\'uptilablessin\'

yehaebeenhaein\'foryears，onlyyedidnaken\'tforane？”

Ashespoke，thecobblerliftedalittlewizenedfaceandapairoftwinklingeyestothoseofthestudent，revealingasoulasoriginalashisown。Hewasoneoftheinwardlyinseparable，outwardlyfardividedcompanyofChristianphilosophers，amongwhomindividualityaswellaspatienceisfreetoworkitsperfectwork。InthatglanceDonalsawaripesoullookingoutofitstentdoor，readytorushintothesunshineofthenewlife。

Hestoodforamomentlostineternalregardoftheman。Heseemedtohaveknownhimforages。Thecobblerlookedupagain。

“Ye\'llbewantin\'ahan\'fraemei\'myainline，I\'mthinkin\'！”hesaid，withakindlynodtowardsDonal\'sshoelessfeet。

“Sma\'doobt！”returnedDonal。“Ihadscarcestartit，butwasowerfartogangback，whanthesoleo\'aeshuecamaff，an\'Ihadtotrampitwi\'baithmyain。“

“An\'yethankittheLordfortheauldblessin\'o\'bein\'bornan\'

brouchtupwi\'soleso\'yerain！”

“Totellthetrowth，“answeredDonal，“Ihaesaemonythingstobethankfu\'for，it\'sbutsma\'won\'erIforgetmonyaneo\'them。Butnoo，an\'Ithankyefortheexhortation，theLord\'snamebepraist\'athegaemefeetfitforgangin\'upo\'！”

Hetookhisshoesfromhisback，anduntyingthestringthatboundthem，presentedtheailingonetothecobbler。

“That\'swhatwemayca\'deith！”remarkedthecobbler，slowlyturningtheinvalidedshoe。

“Ay，deithitis，“answeredDonal；“it\'sasairdivorceo\'solean\'

body。“

“It\'sasomeauld-farrandjoke，“saidthecobbler，“butthefunintilathingdoesnaweirootonymairnorthepoetryorthetrowthintil\'t。“

“Whowillsaytherewasnoprovidenceinthelossofmyshoe-sole！”

remarkedDonaltohimself。“HereIamwithafriendalready！”

Thecobblerwassubmittingtheshoes，firstthesicklyone，nowthesoundone，toathoroughscrutiny。

“Yedinnathinkthemworthmen\'in\'，Idoobt！”saidDonal，withatouchofanxietyinhistone。

“Ineverthouchtthatwhaurtheleatherwadhaudthesteik，“repliedthecobbler。“Butwhiles，Iconfess，I\'mjistawheentribledtokenhootochairgeformywark。It\'snobarelytoconsiderthetimeit\'lltakmetoclootapair，butwhattheweirer\'sliketogitooto\'them。Icannatakmairnorthejob\'illbeworthtotheweirer。

An\'yetthewaurtheshune，an\'thelesstobemadeo\'them，themairtimetheytaktomakthemworthonythingava\'！”

“Surelyyeouchttobepaidinproportiontoyourlabour。“

“I\'thatcaseIwadwhileshaetosaytilapuirbody\'athadnaanitherpairi\'thewarl\'，\'atheraepairo\'shunewasnaworthmen\'in\'；an\'thatwadbeahertbrak，an\'sairfeetforby，tosicascouldna，likeyersel\'，sir，gangupo\'theLord\'sainshune。“

“Buthoomakyealivin\'thatw\'y？”suggestedDonal。

“Hoots，themaistero\'thetradeseestomywauges！”

“An\'whamayhebe？”askedDonal，wellforeseeingtheanswer。

“Hewasnevercobblerhimsel\'，buthewasancecarpenter；an\'noohe\'sliftituptobeheido\'a\'thetrades。An\'there\'saethinghecannabide，an\'that\'scloseparin\'。“

Hestopped。ButDonalheldhispeace，waiting；andhewenton。

“Tothem\'atmakslittle，forreasonsgood，bytheirneebour，hegiesthebetterwaugeswhantheyganghame。Tothem\'atmaksa\'\'attheycan，hesays，\'Yehelpityersel\'；helpawa\'；yehaeyerreward。

Onlycomenanearme，forIcannabideye\'——Butabootthaeshuneo\'

yours，Idinnaweelken！They\'reweeleneuchworthduin\'thebestI

canforthem；butthemorn\'sSunday，an\'whathaeyetoputon？”

“Naething——tillmykistcomes；an\'that，Idoobt，winnabeaforeMonday，ormaybethedayefter。“

“An\'yewinnabeabletogangtothekirk！”

“I\'mnopartic\'larabootgaein\'tothekirk；butgienIwantittogang，orgienIthouchtIwasb\'un\'togang，thinkyeIwadbideathame\'causeIhadnashunetogangin！WadIfancytheLordaffrontitwi\'thebarefeethemadehimsel\'！”

Thecobblercaughtuptheworstshoeandbeganuponitatonce。

“Yes\'hae\'t，sir，“hesaid，“gienIsita\'nichtatit！Theane\'lldutillMonday。Yes\'hae\'taforekirk-time，butyemauncomeintilthehoosetogetit，forthefowkwudbescunnerttoseemeworkin\'upo\'theSabbath-day。Theydinnaun\'erstan\'\'attheMaisterworksSundayan\'Setterday——an\'hisFatherasweel！”

“Yedinnathink，than，there\'sonythingwranginmen\'in\'apairo\'

shuneontheSabbath-day？”

“Wrang！——inobeyin\'myMaister，whaseistheday，asweel\'sa\'thedays？TheywadfaintakitfraetheSono\'Man，wha\'sthelordo\'

\'t，buttheycanna！”

Helookedupovertheoldshoewitheyesthatflashed。

“Butthen——excuseme，“saidDonal，“——whyshouldnayehaudyerfacetil\'t，an\'workopenly，i\'thenameo\'God？”

“We\'reteltnaithertoduoorgudewarksaforementobeseeno\'

them，noryettocastoorpearlsaforeswine。Icoontcobblin\'yourshoes，sir，afarbetterwarknorgaein\'tothekirk，an\'Iwadnahae\'tseeno\'men。GienIwarwarkin\'forpoverty，itwadbeanitherthing。“

ThislastDonaldidnotunderstand，butlearnedafterwardswhatthecobblermeant：thedaybeingforrest，thenextdutytohelpinganotherwastoresthimself。ToworkforfearofstarvingwouldbetodistrusttheFather，andactasifmanlivedbybreadalone。

“WhanIthinko\'\'t，“heresumedafterapause，“bein\'Sunday，I\'lltakthemhametoye。Whaurwullyebe？”

“That\'swhatIwadfainhaeyetellme，“answeredDonal。“IhadthouchttoputupattheMorvenAirms，butthere\'ssomethingIdinnalikeabootthelan\'lord。Kenyeonydacent，cleanplace，whaurtheywadgiemearoomtomysel\'，an\'noseekmairnorIcouldpeythem？”

“Wehaeabitroomieoorsel\'s，“saidthecobbler，“attheserviceo\'

onydacentwayfarin\'manthatcanstan\'thesmell，an\'putupwi\'

oorw\'ys。Forpeyment，yecanpeywhatyethinkit\'sworth。We\'renevervarrapartic\'lar。“

“Itakyerofferwi\'thankfu\'ness，“answeredDonal。

“Weel，gangyeinatthatdoorjist\'aforeye，an\'ye\'llseetheguidwife——there\'snaneithertilsee。Iwadgangwi\'yemysel\'，butIcanna，wi\'thisshueo\'yourstoturnintilaSundayane！”

Donalwenttothedoorindicated。Itstoodwideopen；forwhilethecobblersatoutsideathiswork，hiswifewouldnevershutthedoor。

Heknocked，buttherecamenoanswer。

“She\'ssomedullo\'hearin\'，“saidthecobbler，andcalledherbyhisownnameforher。

“Doory！Doory！”hesaid。

“Shecannabethatdeifgienshehearsye！”saidDonal；forhespokehardlylouderthanusual。

“WhanGodgiesyouawife，mayshebeanetohearyerlichtestword！”answeredthecobbler。

Sureenough，hehadscarcelyfinishedthesentence，whenDooryappearedatthedoor。

“Didyecry，guidman？”shesaid。

“Na，Doory：IcannasayIcried；butIspak，an\'ye，asisyercustom，hearkenttilmyword！——Here\'sabelievin\'lad——I\'mthinkin\'

hemaunbeagentleman，butI\'mnosure；it\'shardforacobblertokenagentleman\'atcomestilhimwantin\'shune；buthemaybeagentlemanfora\'that，an\'there\'snaehurrytoken。He\'swelcometome，gienhebewelcometoyou。Canyegiehimanicht\'slodgin\'？”

“Weelthat！an\'wi\'a\'myhert！”saidDoory。“He\'swelcometowhatwehae。“

Turning，sheledthewayintothehouse。