第2章

CHAPTERVI。

DOORY。

Shewasaverysmall，sparewoman，inablueprintwithlittlewhitespots——straight，notbowedlikeherhusband。Otherwisesheseemedatfirstexactlylikehim。Buteretheeveningwasover，Donalsawtherewasnofeaturalresemblancebetweenthetwofaces，andwaspuzzledtounderstandhowthetwoexpressionscametobesolike：astheysatitseemedinthesilenceasiftheywerethesamepersonthinkingintwoshapesandtwoplaces。

Followingtheoldwoman，Donalascendedasteepandnarrowstair，whichsoonbroughthimtoalandingwherewaslight，comingmainlythroughgreenleaves，forthewindowinthelittlepassagewasfilledwithplants。Hisguideledhimintowhatseemedtohimanenchantingroom——homelyenoughitwas，butluxuriouscomparedtowhathehadbeenaccustomedto。Hesawwhitewallsandabrown-huedbutclean-sweptwoodenfloor，onwhichshoneakeen-eyedlittlefirefromalowgrate。Twoeasychairs，coveredwithsomeparty-colouredstripedstuff，stoodoneoneachsideofthefire。Akettlewassingingonthehob。Thewhitedeal-tablewassetfortea——withafatbrownteapot，andcupsofagorgeouspatterninbronze，thatshoneinthefirelightlikeredgold。Inoneofthewallswasabox-bed。

“I\'lllatyeseewhataccommodationwehaeatyerservice，sir，“

saidDoory，“an\'gienthat\'llshuitye，yes\'bewelcome。“

Sosaying，sheopenedwhatlookedlikethedoorofacupboardatthesideofthefireplace。Itdisclosedaneatlittleparlour，withasweetairinit。Thefloorwassanded，andsomuchthecleanerthanifithadbeencarpeted。Asmallmahoganytable，blackwithage，stoodinthemiddle。Onaside-tablecoveredwithaclothoffadedgreen，layalargefamilybible；behinditwereafewbooksandatea-caddy。Inthesideofthewalloppositethewindow，wasagainabox-bed。Totheeyesoftheshepherd-bornlad，itlookedthemostdesirableshelterhehadeverseen。Heturnedtohishostessandsaid，“I\'mfeartit\'sowerguidforme。Whatcouldyelatmehae\'tforbytheweek？Iwadfainbidewi\'ye，butwhauran\'whanImaygetwarkIcannatell；saeImaunnatakitonygaitformairnoraweek。“

“Makyersel\'ateasetillthemornbeby，“saidtheoldwoman。“Yecannadunaethingtillthatbeower。Upo\'theMonondaymornin\'wes\'haudacooncilthegither——youan\'mean\'myman：Icandunaethingwantin\'myman；weayepu\'thegitherornoata\'。“

Wellcontent，andwithheartythanks，Donalcommittedhispresentfateintothehandsofthehumblepair，hisheaven-senthelpers；andaftermuchwashingandbrushing，allthatwaspossibletohiminthewayofdressing，reappearedinthekitchen。Theirteawasready，andthecobblerseatedinthewindowwithabookinhishand，leavingforDonalhiseasychair。

“Icannatakyeraincheirfraeye，“saidDonal。

“Hoots！”returnedthecobbler，“what\'sonythingoorsforbuttogietheneeper\'atstan\'si\'needo\'\'t。“

“Butyehaehadasairday\'swark！”

“An\'youasairday\'straivel！”

“ButI\'myoong！”

“An\'I\'mauld，an\'mylabourthenearerower。“

“ButI\'mstrong！”

“There\'snanethelessneedyesudbehaudensae。Sityedoon，an\'

wastenayerbackbane。Mybusinessistoluiktothebodieso\'men，an\'speciallytotheirpuirfeet\'athastobidetheweicht，an\'getsairpressedtherein。Life\'sashardupo\'thefeeto\'amanasupo\'onypairto\'\'m！Whantheygangwrang，thereisnamuckletobedunetilltheybesetrichtagain。I\'msairhonourt，Isaytomysel\'whiles，tobesetowerthefeeto\'men。It\'safineministration！——fullbetterthanbein\'adoor-keeperi\'thehooseo\'

theLord！Forthefeet\'atgangootan\'inatit\'smairnorthedoor！”

“TheLordbepraist！”saidDonaltohimself；“there\'smairi\'thewarl\'likemyfatheran\'mither！”

Hetooktheseatappointedhim。

“Cometothetable，Anerew，“saidtheoldwoman，“giensaebeyecanpairtwi\'thatbuiko\'yours，an\'latyersowlgieplacetoyerboady\'srichts——Idoobt，sir，gienhewadaitordrinkgienIwasnaathiselbuck。“

“Doory，“returnedherhusband，“yecannadenyIgieyeabitnooan\'

than，speciallywhanIcomeupo\'onythingbyord\'nar\'tasty！”

“Thatyedu，Anerew，orIdinnakenwhatwudcomeo\'mysowlonymairnoro\'yourboady！Saeyesee，sir，we\'relikeJohnSpratan\'

hiswife：——ye\'llkenthebairns\'sayabootthem？”

“Ay，finethat，“repliedDonal。“Yecouldnaweelbebetterfittit。“

“Godgrantit！”shesaid。“ButwewadfitbetteryetgienIhadbutawheenmairbrains。“

“TheLordkennedwhatbrainsyehadwhanhebrouchtyethegither，“

saidDonal。

“Yeneveruttertatruerword，“repliedthecobbler。“GientheLordbecontentwi\'thebrainshe\'sgienye，an\'Ibecontentwi\'thebrainsyegieme，whatrichthaeyetobediscontentitwi\'thebrainsyehae，Doory？——answermethat。ButIs\'cometothetable——Wudyealloometospeirefteryername，sir？”

“Myname\'sDonalGrant，“repliedDonal。

“Ithankye，sir，an\'I\'llhauditinrespec\'，“returnedthecobbler。“MaisterGrant，wullyeaskablessin\'？”

“Iwadraitherj\'ini\'youraskin\'，“repliedDonal。

Thecobblersaidalittleprayer，andthentheybegantoeat——firstofoat-cakes，bakedbytheoldwoman，thenofloaf-breid，astheycalledit。

“I\'msorryIhaenaejeallyorjamtosetaforeye，sir，“saidDoory，“we\'rebutsemplefowk，yesee——contenttohaudoorearthlytaibernaclesinahaibitableconditiontillwehaenoticetoquit。“

“It\'safinethingtoken，“saidthecobbler，withaqueerlook，“\'atwhanyelea\'\'t，yerhoosefa\'sdoon，an\'yehaenatothinko\'

onydamagestopey——forby\'atgienitlaistitonytimeefteryewasooto\'\'t，theremichtbeawheendeevilstakin\'uptheirabodeintil\'t。“

“Hoot，Anerew！”interposedhiswife，“there\'snaethinglikethati\'

scriptur\'！”

“Hoot，Doory！”returnedAndrew，“whatkenyeabootwhat\'snoi\'

scriptur\'？Yekenaheap，Ialloo，abootwhat\'sinscriptur\'，butyekenlittleabootwhat\'snointil\'t！”

“Weel，isna\'tbesttokenwhat\'sintil\'t？”

“\'Ayontadoobt。“

“Weel！”shereturnedinplayfultriumph。

Donalsawthathehadgotholdofapairoforiginals：itwasajoytohisheart：hewashimselfanoriginal——one，namely，thatlivedclosetothesimplicitiesofexistence！

AndrewComin，beforeofferinghimhouse-room，wouldneverhaveaskedanyonewhathewas；buthewouldhavethoughtitanequallapseinbreedingnottoshowinterestinthehistoryaswellasthepersonofaguest。Afteralittlemoretalk，sofarfromcommonplacethatthecommonwouldhavefounditmirth-provoking，thecobblersaid：

“An\'whatofficemayyehaudyersel\'，sir，i\'theministryo\'thetemple？”

“IthinkIun\'erstan\'ye，“repliedDonal；“mymothersayscuriousthingslikeyou。“

“Curiousthingsiswhilesnothatcurious，“remarkedAndrew。

Apausefollowing，heresumed：

“Gienonythinggieyereasontoprefarwaitin\'tillyekenDooryan\'

meabitbetter，sir，“hesaid，“coontmyill-mainnertquestonnospeirt。“

“There\'snaething，“answeredDonal。“I\'lltellyeonythingora\'thingabootmysel\'。“

“Tellwhatyewull，sir，an\'keepwhatyewull，“saidthecobbler。

“Iwasbrouchtupaherd-laddie，“proceededDonal，“an\'whilesashepherdane。FormonyayearIkentmairabootthehill-sidenortheingle-neuk。Butit\'sthesameGodan\'Fatherupo\'thehill-sidean\'i\'theking\'spailace。“

“An\'ye\'llkena\'abootthewin\'，an\'thecloods，an\'thew\'yso\'

Godootsidethehoose！Ikensomethinghoohehaudsthingsgaein\'

insidethehoose——inabody\'shert，Imean——inminean\'Doory\'sthere，butIkenlittleabootthew\'yhegarsthingswork\'athe\'snosaefarbenin。“

“YedinnasurelythinkGodfillsnaa\'thing？”exclaimedDonal。

“Na，na；Ikenbetternorthat，“answeredthecobbler；“butyemaunallooatod\'shole\'snosaedeepasthethro\'to\'aburnin\'

m\'untain！Godhimsel\'cannawinsaefarbeninashallowplaceasinadeepplace；hecannabesaefarbeni\'thewin\'s，thoughhegarsthemduashelikes，asheis，orsudbe，i\'yourhertan\'

mine，sir！”

“Isee！”respondedDonal。“CouldthathaebeenhootheLordhadtorebukethewin\'san\'thewawves，asgientheyhadbeengaein\'attheirainfreewull，i\'steado\'thewullo\'him\'atmadetheman\'

setthemgaein\'？”

“Maybe；butIwudhaetothinkabootit\'aforeIanswert，“repliedthecobbler。

Asilenceintervened。ThensaidAndrew，thoughtfully，“Ithoucht，whenIsawyefirst，yewasmaybealadfraeashopi\'

themuckletoon——oraclerk，astheyca\'them，\'atsitsmakin\'upaccoonts。“

“Na，I\'mnothat，IthankGod，“saidDonal。

“WhatforthankyeGodforthat？”askedAndrew。“A\'placeishis。I

wudnahaeyethankGodye\'renoacobblerlikeme！Yemicht，though，forit\'slittleyecankeno\'theguido\'thecallin\'！”

“I\'lltellyewhatfor，“answeredDonal。“Ikenweeltoon-fowkthinkitaheapbettertohaetoduwi\'figuresnorwi\'sheep，butI\'mnoo\'theirmin\'；an\'foraething，thesheep\'salive。Icouldweelfancyanangelashepherd——an\'hewadcoontmyfatherguidcompany！

Troth，hewadwantwingsan\'airmsan\'feetan\'a\'toluikefterthelambswhiles！Butgiensicaanewasaclerkinacoontin\'

hoose，hewadhaetostowawathewings；Icannotseewhatusehewadhaeforthemthere。Hemichtbeanangela\'thetime，an\'thatnoafallenane，buthebudetolayasidesomethingtofittheplace。“

“Butye\'renoashepherdthenoo？”saidthecobbler。

“Na，“repliedDonal，“——\'cep\'itbeI\'msettoluikefteranithergradeo\'lamb。Afreen\'——yemay\'a\'h\'ardhisname——sirGilbertGalbraith——madethebeginnin\'o\'ascholaro\'me，an\'nooIhaemydegreefraetheaulduniversityo\'Inverdaur。“

“DidnaIthinkasmuckle！”criedmistressComintriumphant。“Ihadnatimetosay\'ttoye，Anerew，butIwassurehewasfraethecollege，an\'thatwashoohisfeetwarsaemucklewaurfurnishtnorhisheid。“

“Ihaeapairo\'shunei\'mykist，though——whanthatcomes！”saidDonal，laughing。

“Ionlyhoupitwinnabeowermuckletowinupoorstair！”

“Idinnathinkit。Butwe\'lllea\'\'ti\'thestreetaforeits\'come\'atween\'s！”saidDonal。“Gienye\'llhaeme，saelang\'sI\'mi\'thetoon，Is\'gangnaeithergait。“

“An\'ye\'lldoobtlessreadtheGreeklikeyermither-tongue？”saidthecobbler，withalongingadmirationinhistone。

“Na，nolikethat；butweeleneuchtogetguido\'\'t。“

“Weel，that\'sjisttheaethingIgrutchye——na，nogrutch——I\'mglaidyehae\'t——buttheaethingIwudfainbeascholarformysel\'！

TothinkIkennaacheepo\'thewordspokenbytheWordhimsel\'！”

“Butthelettero\'thewordhemadelittleo\'comparetwi\'thespeerit！”saidDonal。

“Ay，that\'strue！an\'yetit\'swhauramanmayweelbegreedyan\'

wanttohaea\'thing：whahasthespeeritwadfainhaethelettertu！

Butitdisnamaitter；Is\'settolearnin\'\'tthefirstthingwhanIgangupthestair——thatis，gienitbetheLord\'swull。“

“Hoots！”saidhiswife，“whatwadyeduwi\'Greekupthere！Is\'

warran\'thefowkthere，ay，an\'themaisterhimsel\'，speyksplainScotch！Whatforno！Whatwadtheydutherewi\'Greek，\'atabodywadhaetowarstlewi\'fraemornin\'tonicht，an\'nomakootthethirdpairto\'\'t！”

Herhusbandlaughedmerrily，butDonalsaid，“\'Deedmaybeye\'renasaefarwrang，guidwife！I\'mthinkin\'theremaunbeagran\'mither-tonguethere，\'at\'llsoopupa\'thelave，an\'bebettertoun\'erstan\'norabody\'sain——forit\'llbeyetmairhisain。“

“Heartilhim！”criedthecobbler，withheartyapprobation。

“Yeken，“Donalwenton，“a\'thelanguageso\'theearthcam，orluikasgientheyhadcome，fraeane，thoughwe\'renojistdogsureo\'

that。There\'smymither\'sainGaelic，forenstance：it\'sasauld，maybeauldernortheGreek；onygait，ithasmairGreeknorLaitinwordsintil\'t，an\'yekentheGreek\'sanauldertonguenortheLaitin。Weel，gienwecouldworkoorw\'ybacktotheauldestgrit-gran\'mither-tongueo\'a\'，I\'mthinkin\'itwadcomeakino\'saeeasytil\'s，\'at，wi\'theimpruvtfacultieso\'oorh\'avenlycondition，wemichtbeableinafeowdaystohaudcommunicationwi\'

aneanitheri\'thatsame，ohnstammertorhummtan\'hawt。“

“Butthere\'sbeensicaheapo\'thingsf\'un\'ootsin\'syne，i\'themin\'o\'man，asweel\'si\'thewarl\'ootside，“saidAndrew，“thatsicalanguagewadbemairlikeabairn\'stonguenoramither\'s，I\'mthinkin\'，whansetagainsta\'\'atwadbetospeykaboot！”

“Ye\'reverrarichtthere，Idinnadoobt。Buthooeasywaditbeforilkanetobringinthenewwordhewantit，haein\'eneuchcommonaforetoexplain\'twi\'！Aforelangthelanguagewadhaeintil\'tilkaword\'atwasworthhaein\'inonylanguage\'ateverwasspokensin\'thetooro\'Babel。“

“Eh，sirs，butit\'sdreidfu\'tothinko\'haein\'tolearnsaemuckle！”saidtheoldwoman。“I\'mowerauldan\'dottlet！”

Herhusbandlaughedagain。

“Idinnaseewhatyehaetolauchat！”shesaid，laughingtoo。

“Ye\'llbedottletyersel\'gienyelivelangeneuch！”

“I\'mthinkin\'，“saidAndrew，“butIdinnaken——\'atitmaunbeaman\'sainwytegienagemakshimdottlet。Gienhe\'sayebeenhaudin\'bythetrowth，Idinnathinkhe\'llfin\'thetrowth，hasnahaudenbyhim——ButwhatIwaslauchin\'atwasthethouchto\'

onybodybein\'auldupthere。We\'lla\'beyoongthere，lass！”

“ItsallbeastheLordwulls，“returnedhiswife。

“Itsall。Wewantnaemair；an\'eh，wewantnaeless！”respondedherhusband。

Sotheeveningworeaway。ThetalkwastotheverymindofDonal，whoneverlovedwisdomsomuchaswhensheappearedinpeasant-garb。

Inthatgarbhehadfirstknownher，andintheformofhismother。

“Iwon\'er，“saidDooryatlength，“\'atyoongEppy\'snoputtin\'inherappearance！Iwassureo\'herthenicht：shehasnabeennear\'sa\'theweek！”

ThecobblerturnedtoDonaltoexplain。Hewouldnottalkofthingstheirguestdidnotunderstand；thatwouldbelikeshuttinghimoutaftertakinghimin！

“YoongEppy\'sagran\'child，sir——theonlyanewehae。She\'saweelbehavetlass，thoughta\'enupwi\'thethingso\'thiswarl\'mairnorhergranniean\'mecouldwuss。She\'sinaplacenofarfraehere——noaneasyane，maybe，togiesatisfactionin，butshe\'sduin\'

nothatill。“

“Hoot，Anerew！she\'sduin\'jistaswellasonylassieo\'heryearscouldinjusticebeexpeckit，“interposedthegrandmother。“It\'sseldomtheLord\'atsetsauldheidupo\'yoongshoothers。“

Thewordswerehardlyspokenwhenalightfootwasheardcomingupthestair。

“——Buthereshecomestoanswerforhersel\'！”sheaddedcheerily。

Thedooroftheroomopened，andagood-lookinggirlofabouteighteencamein。

“Weel，yoongEppy，hoo\'sa\'wi\'ye？”saidtheoldman。

Thegrandmother\'snamewasElspeth，thegrand-daughter\'shadthereforealwaystheprefix。

“Brawly，thankye，gran\'father，“sheanswered。“Hoo\'sa\'wi\'

yersel\'？”

“Ow，weelcobblet！”hereplied。

“Sityedoon，“saidthegrandmother，“bythesparko\'fire；thenicht\'ssomeairylike。“

“Na，grannie，Iwantnaefire，“saidthegirl。“Ihaeruna\'thero\'dtogetaglimp\'o\'ye\'aforetheweekwasoot。“

“Hoo\'sthingsgaein\'upatthecastel？”

“Ow，sic-like\'susual——onlythehoosekeeper\'ssomedowy，an\'thatputsmairupo\'thelaveo\'\'s：whanshe\'sweel，she\'snoanetosparehersel\'——oritherfowkaither！——Iwadnacare，gienshewudbutlippentilabody！”concludedyoungEppy，withatossofherhead。

“Wemaunnaspeykevilo\'dignities，yoongEppy！”saidthecobbler，withatwinkleinhiseye。

“Ca\'yemistressBrookesadignity，gran\'father！”saidthegirl，withalaughthatwasnowiserude。

“Ido，“heanswered。“Isnasheowerye？Haenayetoduasshetellsye？\'Atweenheran\'youthat\'seneuch：she\'saneo\'thedignitiesspokeno\'。“

“Iwinnadisputeit。But，eh，it\'squeerwarkyon\'er！”

“Takyecare，yoongEppy！wemaunhaudoortonguesabootthingscommittittiloortrust。Anepeyttoserveinahoosemaunnatre\'ttheaffairso\'thathooseasgientheywarherain。“

“Itwadbeweelgiena\'bodyaboutthehoosewasaspartic\'larasyewadhaeme，gran\'father！”

“Hoo\'smylord，lass？”

“Ow，mucklethesame——ayeupthestairan\'doonthestairtheforepairto\'thenicht，an\'maistinveesiblea\'day。“

ThegirlcastashyglancenowandthenatDonal，asifsheclaimedhimonherside，thoughtheolderpeoplemustbehumoured。Donalwasnottoosimpletounderstandher：hegaveherlooknoreception。

Bethinkinghimselfthattheymighthavematterstotalkabout，herose，andturningtohishostess，said，“Wi\'yerleave，gudewife，Iwadgangtomybed。Ihaetraiveltamaittero\'thirtymilethedayupo\'mybarefeet。“

“Eh，sir！”sheanswered，“Iouchttohaeconsidertthat！——Come，yoongEppy，wemaungetthegentleman\'sbedmadeupforhim。“

Withatossofherprettyhead，Eppyfollowedhergrandmothertothenextroom，castingaglancebehindherthatseemedtoaskwhatshemeantbycallingaladwithoutshoesorstockingsagentleman。Notthelessreadilyoractively，however，didsheassisthergrandmotherinpreparingthetiredwayfarer\'scouch。Inafewminutestheyreturned，andtellinghimtheroomwasquitereadyforhim，Dooryaddedahopethathewouldsleepassoundasifhisownmotherhadmadethebed。

Heheardthemtalkingforawhileafterthedoorwasclosed，butthegirlsoontookherleave。Hewasjustfallingasleepintheluxuryofconsciousrepose，whenthesoundofthecobbler\'shammerforamomentrousedhim，andheknewtheoldmanwasagainatworkonhisbehalf。AmomentmoreandhewastoofastasleepforanyCyclops\'

hammertowakehim。

CHAPTERVII。

ASUNDAY。

NotwithstandinghiswearinessDonalwokeearly，forhehadsleptthoroughly。Heroseanddressedhimself，drewasidethelittlecurtainthatshroudedthewindow，andlookedout。Itwasalovelymorning。Hisprospectwasthecuriousoldmainstreetofthetown。

Thesunthathadshoneintoitwasnowshiningfromtheotherside，butnotashadowoflivingcreaturefellupontheroughstones！

Yes——therewasacatshootingacrossthemliketheculpritheprobablywas！Iftherewasagardentothehouse，hewouldgoandreadinthefreshmorningair！

Hestolesoftlythroughtheouterroom，anddownthestair；foundtheback-doorandawater-butt；thenagardenconsistingoftwoorthreeplotsofflowerswellcaredfor；andendedhisdiscoverieswithaseatsurroundedandalmostcanopiedwithhoneysuckle，wheredoubtlessthecobblersometimessmokedhispipe！“Whydoeshenotworkhereratherthaninthearchway？”thoughtDonal。But，dearlyashelovedflowersandlightandthefreeairofthegarden，theoldcobblerlovedthefacesofhiskindbetter。Hisprayerforfortyyearshadbeentobemadelikehismaster；andifthatprayerwasnotanswered，howwasitthat，everyyearhelived，hefoundhimselflovingthefacesofhisfellowsmoreandmore？Everastheypassed，insteadofinterferingwithhiscontemplations，theygavehimmoreandmoretothink：werethesefaces，heasked，thesymbolsofacelestiallanguageinwhichGodtalkedtohim？

Donalsatdown，andtookhisGreekTestamentfromhispocket。Butallatonce，brilliantaswasthesun，thelightofhislifewentout，andthevisionroseofthegrayquarry，andthegirlturningfromhiminthewanmoonlight。Thenswiftasthoughtfollowedthevisionofthewomenweepingabouttheforsakentomb；andwithhisrisenLordherosealso——intoaregionfar“abovethesmokeandstirofthisdimspot，“aregionwherelifeisgoodevenwithitssorrow。

Themanwhoseeshisdisappointmentbeneathhim，ismoreblessedthanhewhorejoicesinfruition。Thenprayerawoke，andinthelightofthatmorningofpeacehedrewnighthelivingone，andknewhimasthesourceofhisbeing。Wearywithblessednessheleanedagainsttheshadowinghoneysuckle，gaveagreatsighofcontent，smiled，wipedhiseyes，andwasreadyforthedayandwhatitshouldbring。Buttheblisswentnotyet；hesatforawhileinthejoyofconsciouslossinthehigherlife。Withhismeditationsandfeelingsminglednowandthenafewmuffledblowsofthecobbler\'shammer：hewasoncemoreatworkonhisdisabledshoe。

“Hereisatrueman！”hethought，“——aGodlikehelperofhisfellow！”

Whenthehammerceased，thecobblerwasstitching；whenDonalceasedthinking，hewentonfeeling。Againandagaincamealittlerollofthecobbler\'sdrum，givingglorytoGodbydoinghiswill：thesweetestandmostacceptablemusicisthatwhichrisesfromworkadoing；itsincenseascendsasfromtheriverinitsflowing，fromthewindinitsblowing，fromthegrassinitsgrowing。Allatonceheheardthevoicesoftwowomeninthenextgarden，closebehindhim，talkingtogether。

“Eh，“saidone，“there\'sthatgodlesscratur，An\'rewComin，athiswarkagainupo\'theSawbathmornin\'！”

“Ay，lass，“answeredtheother，“Ihearhim！Eh，butit\'llbeanilldayforhimwhanhehastoappearaforethejeedgeo\'a\'！Hewinnahaehiscomman\'mentsbrokenthatgait！”

“Troth，na！”returnedtheformer；“it\'llbeasairsattlindayforhim！”

Donalrose，andlookingabouthim，sawtwodecent，elderlywomenontheothersideofthelowstonewall。HewasapproachingthemwiththerequestonhislipstoknowwhichoftheLord\'scommandmentstheysupposedthecobblertobebreaking，when，seeingthathemusthaveoverheardthem，theyturnedtheirbacksandwalkedaway。

Andnowhishostess，havingdiscoveredhewasinthegarden，cametocallhimtobreakfast——thesimplestofmeals——porridge，withacupofteaafteritbecauseitwasSunday，andtherewasdangerofsleepinessatthekirk。

“Yershune\'swaitin\'ye，sir，“saidthecobbler。“Ye\'llfin\'themabetterjobnoryeexpeckit。They\'reabetterjob，onygait，norI

expeckit！”

Donalmadehastetoputthemon，andfeltdressedfortheSunday。

“Areyegaein\'tothekirktheday，Anerew？”askedtheoldwoman，adding，assheturnedtotheirguest，“Myman\'sraitherpecooliarabootgaein\'tothekirk！Somedayshe\'llgangthreetimes，an\'

somedayshewinnagangance！——Hekenshimsel\'whatfor！”sheaddedwithasmile，whosesweetnessconfessedthat，whateverwasthereason，itwastoherthebestintheworld。

“Ay，I\'mgaein\'theday：Iwanttogangwi\'oornewfreen\'，“heanswered。

“I\'lltakhimgienyedinnacaretogang，“rejoinedhiswife。

“Ow，I\'llgang！”hepersisted。“It\'llgie\'ssomethingtotalkaboot，an\'saekenaneanitherbetter，an\'maybecomeabitneareraneanither，an\'saeabitnearerthemaister。That\'swhatwe\'reherefor——comin\'an\'gaein\'。“

“Asyeplease，Anerew！What\'srichttoyou\'sayerichttome。O\'

myainsel\'Iwadbedoobtfu\'o\'sicarizzonforgaein\'tothekirk——togetsomethingtospeykaboot。“

“It\'saguderizzonwhauryehaenaabetter，“heanswered。“It\'saftenIgetatthekirknaethingbutwhatangersme——leesan\'leesagenmyLordan\'myGod。Butwhanthere\'sanetotalkitowerwi\'，ane\'athassomecareforGodasweel\'sforhimsel\'，there\'ssomeguidsuretocomeooto\'\'t——somerevelationo\'therealrichteousness——nowhatfowk\'atgangsbytheministersca\'srichteousness——Isyershunecomfortabletoyerfeet，sir？”

“Ay，thattheyare！an\'Ithankye：they\'refullbetternornew。“

“Weel，wewinnahaeworshipthismornin\'；whanyegangtothekirkit\'slikeaitin\'mairnor\'sguidforye。“

“Hoots，Anerew！yedinnathinkabodycanhaeowermuckleo\'theword！”saidhiswife，anxiousastotheimpressionhemightmakeonDonal。

“Owna，gienabodytakitin，an\'disgeistit！Butit\'snoabonnythingtohaethewordstickin\'aboutyermoo\'，an\'baggin\'ootyerpooches，notosaylyin\'cauldupo\'yerstamack，an\'itforthelifeo\'men。Thelessyetakabunewhatyeputinpracticethebetter；

an\'gienthethingsaidhaenaethingtoduwi\'practice，thelessyeheeditthebetter——Gienyehaeduneyerbrakfast，sir，we\'llgang——no\'atit\'sfreelykirk-timeyet，buttheSabbath\'s\'maisttheonlydayIgetabito\'awalk，an\'gienyehaenaeobjectiontilaturnaboottheLord\'smucklehooseaforewegangintilhislittleane——weca\'\'this，butIdoobtit——I\'llbereadyinameenute。“

Donalwillinglyagreed，andthecobbler，alreadyclothedinpartofhisSundaybest，apairofcorduroytrousersofamousecolour，havinginduedanancienttail-coatofbluewithgiltbuttons，theysetouttogether；andfortheirconversation，itwasjustthesameasitwouldhavebeenanyotherday：whereeverydayisnottheLord\'s，theSundayishisleastofall。

Theyleftthetown，andweresoonwalkinginmeadowsthroughwhichranaclearriver，shiningandspeedyinthemorningsun。Itsbankswerelargelyusedforbleaching，andthelonglinesofwhiteinthelovelygreenofthenaturalgrasswerepleasantbothtoeyeandmind。Allabout，therookswerefeedinginpeace，knowingtheirfreedomthatdayfromthepersecutiontowhich，likeallotherdoersofgood，theyareingeneralexposed。Beyondthestreamlayalevelplainstretchingtowardsthesea，dividedintonumberlessfields，anddottedwithfarmhousesandhamlets。Onthesidewherethefriendswerewalking，thegroundwasmorebroken，risinginplacesintosmallhills，manyofthemwooded。Halfamileawaywasoneofaconicalshape，onwhosetoptoweredacastle。Oldandgrayandsullen，itlifteditselffromthefoliagearounditlikeagreatrockfromasummersea，andstoodoutagainsttheclearblueskyoftheJunemorning。Thehillwascoveredwithwood，mostlyratheryoung，butatthebottomweresomeancientfirsandbeeches。Atthetop，roundthebaseofthecastle，thetreeswerechieflydelicatebircheswithmoonlightskin，andfeatherylarchesnotthrivingoverwell。

“Whatca\'theyyoncastel？”questionedDonal。“Itmaunbeaplaceo\'

someimportance！”

“Theymaistlyca\'\'tjistthecastel，“answeredthecobbler。“Itsauldname\'sGraham\'sGrip。It\'slordMorven\'splace，an\'theyca\'

\'tCastelGraham：thefaimily-name\'sGraham，yeken。Theyca，themsel\'sGraeme-Graham——jisttwaw\'yso\'spellin\'thenameputtenthegither。Thelastlord，noupo\'themainbrainch，theytellme，spelledhisnamewi\'thediphthong，an\'wasnawillin\'togie\'tupa\'thegither——saetuikthetwao\'them。You\'swhauryoongEppy\'satservice——An\'thatmin\'sme，sir，yehaenatelltmeyetwhatkin\'

o\'aplaceyewadhaeyersel。\'It\'sno\'atapuirbodylikemecanhelp，butit\'sayeweeltolatfowkkenwhatye\'reefter。Awordgangsspeirin\'langefterit\'sooto\'sicht——an\'theanswermaycomefraefar。TheLordwhilesbringsabootthingsi\'themaistoonliklyfashion。“

“I\'mreadyforonythingI\'mfittodo，“saidDonal；“butIhaehadwhat\'sca\'dagoodeducation——thoughIhaelearnedmairfraemyainneedsthanfraea\'mybuiks；saeiwadraithertillthehumanthantheearthlysoil，takin\'mairinteresti\'theschoolmaister\'scrapsthani\'thefairmer\'s。“

“Wadyeobjec\'tomaisteranebyhimsel\'——ormaybetwa？”

“Na，surely——gienIsawmysel\'fit。“

“Eppymentiontlastnicht\'attherewaswordabootthecastelo\'atutorfortheyoongest。Haeyeonyw\'yo\'approachin\'theplace？”

“Nottilltheministercomeshome，“answeredDonal。“Ihavealettertohim。“

“He\'llbebackbythemiddleo\'theweek，Ihearthemsay。“

“Canyoutellmeanythingaboutthepeopleatthecastle？”askedDonal。

“Icould，“answeredAndrew；“butsomethingsisbetterf\'un\'ootnorkenned\'aforehan\'。Ilkaplacehasitsainshape，an\'maistthingshastohaesomeparin\'togarthemfit。That\'swhatItellyoongEppy——mony\'sthetime！”

Herecameapause，andwhenAndrewspokeagain，itseemedonanewline。

“Diditeveroccurtoye，sir，“hesaid，“\'atmaybedeithmichtbethefirstwaukin\'tosomefowk？”

“Ithasoccurrttome，“answeredDonal；“butmonythingscomeintilabody\'sheid\'athe\'snoabletothinkoot！Theymaunliean\'bidetheirtime。“

“Latnaneo\'theloverso\'lawan\'letterperswaudyetheLordwadnahaeyethink——thoughnanebuthim\'atobeyscanthinkwi\'safety。

Wemaundofirstthething\'atweken，an\'synewemaythinkabootthething\'atwedinnaken。Ifancy\'atwhilestheLordwadnasayathingjistnotostopfowkthinkin\'abootit。Hewasayeatgettin\'

themtomakuseo\'thecan\'leo\'theLord。It\'smybeliefthemainobstaclestothegrowtho\'thekingdomarefirsttheoonbeliefo\'

believers，an\'synethew\'y\'attheylaydoonthelaw。\'Aforetheyhaelearnttherudimen\'so\'thetrowththemsel\'s，theybegintolaythegrievousburdeno\'theirdullnessan\'ill-conceivednotionso\'

holythingsupo\'themin\'san\'conscienceso\'theirneebours，fain，yewadthink，tohaudthemfraegrowin\'onymairnorthemsel\'s。Eh，man，buttheLord\'swon\'erfu\'！Yemaydauran\'daur，an\'nocomei\'sichto\'\'im！”

Thechurchstoodalittlewayoutofthetown，inachurchyardovergrownwithgrass，whichthewindblewlikeafieldofcorn。

Manyofthestoneswereoutofsightinit。Thechurch，arelicofoldcatholicdays，roseoutofitlikeonethathadtakentogrowingandsogotthebetterofhisills。Theywalkedintothemusty，dingy，brown-atmospheredhouse。Thecobblerledthewaytoahumbleplacebehindapillar；thereDoorywasseatedwaitingthem。TheservicewasnotsodrearytoDonalasusual；thesermonhadsomethoughtinit；andhisheartwasdrawntoamanwhowouldsayhedidnotunderstand。

“Yonwasafinediscoorse，“remarkedthecobblerastheywenthomeward。

Donalsawnothingfineinit，buthisexperiencewasnotsowideasthecobbler\'s：tohimthediscoursehadhintedmanythingswhichhadnotoccurredtoDonal。

Somepeopledemandfromthehouseholdernonebutnewthings，othersnonebutold；whereasweneedintruthofallthesortsinhistreasury。

“Ihaenaadoobtitwasa\'richtan\'asyesay，Anerew，“saidhiswife；“butformysel\'Icouldmaknaitherheidnortailo\'\'t。“

“Isaidna，Doory，itwasa\'richt，“returnedherhusband；“thatwouldbetosayaheapforonythinghuman！butitwasaguidhonestsermon。“

“Whatwasyon\'athesaidabootthemirraclesnobein\'teeps？”askedhiswife。

“ItwasGod\'strowth\'at，“hesaid。“

“Giemeashareo\'thesameIbego\'ye，AnerewComin。“

“Whatthemansaidwasthis——\'atthesea\'atPetergaedootupo\'

wasnafirstan\'foremosttobeluikituponasateepo\'theinwardan\'spiritualtroubleso\'thebeliever，stilllesso\'thetroubleso\'thechurcho\'Christ。TheLorddealswi\'fac\'snanetheless\'attheycannahelpbein\'teeps。Herewasterriblefac\'stoPeter。

Herewasangrywatteran\'roarin\'win\'；herewasdangeran\'fear：

themanhadtotrustorgangdoon。Gienthehoosebeonfirewemauntrust；gienthewattergangoweroorheidswemauntrust；gienthehorserinawa\'，wemauntrust。Him\'atcannatrustinsiclikeconditions，Iwadnagieaplackforonyitherkin\'o\'faithhemayhae。God\'snaeamerethouchti\'thewarl\'o\'thoucht，butaleevin\'pooerina\'warl\'salike。Him\'atgangstoGodwi\'asairheid\'illthesunergangtil\'imwi\'asairhert；an\'them\'atthinksnahecaresforthepainso\'theirbodies\'illillbelievehecaresforthedoobtsan\'perplexitieso\'theirinquirin\'speerits。

Tomymin\'hespakthebesto\'sense！”

“Ididnahearhimsayonythinglikethat！”saidDonal。

“Didyeno？Weel，Ithouchtitcamfraehimtome！”

“MaybeIwasnagiein\'thebestheed，“saidDonal。“Butwhatyesayisastrueasthesun。Itstan\'storizzon。“

Thedaypassedinpleasureandquiet。Donalhadfoundanotherfatherandmother。

CHAPTERVIII。

THEGATE。

Thenextday，afterbreakfast，Donalsaidtohishost——

“NooImaunpeyyeformyshune，forgienIdinnapeyatance，I

cannatellhoomuckletoca\'myain，an\'whatIhaetogangbytillIgetmair。“

“Na，na，“returnedthecobbler。“There\'sjistaepreejudiceIhaeleftconcernin\'theSawbath-day；Ifirmlybelieveitapreejudice，forsiller\'stheLord\'stu，butIcannawinower\'t：Icannabringmysel\'totaksillerforonywarkduneupo\'\'t！SaeyemaunjistbecontenttolatthatfleesticktotheLord\'swa\'。Ye\'llduasmuckleformesomeday！”

“There\'snaethingleftmebuttothankye，“saidDonal。“There\'stheludgin\'an\'theboord，though！——Imaunkenabootthem\'aforewegangfarther。“

“They\'renaneo\'mybusiness，“repliedAndrew。“Ilea\'a\'thattothegudewife，an\'Icoonselyetoduthesame。She\'sacapitalmanager，an\'winnachairgeyeowermuckle。“

Donalcouldbutyield，andpresentlywentoutforastroll。

Hewanderedalongthebankoftherivertillhecametothefootofthehillonwhichstoodthecastle。Seeingagate，heapproachedit，andfindingitopenwentin。Aslow-ascendingdrivewentthroughthetrees，roundandroundthehill。Hefolloweditalittleway。Anaromaticairnowblewandnowpausedashewent。

Thetreesseemedclimbinguptoattackthefortressabove，whichhecouldnotsee。Whenhehadgoneafewyardsoutofsightofthegate，hethrewhimselfdownamongthem，andfellintoareverie。

Theancienttimearosebeforehim，when，withoutatreetocovertheapproachofanenemy，thecastlerosedefiantandbareinitsstrength，likeanathletestrippedforthefight，andthelittletownhuddledcloseunderitsprotection。Whatwarshadthereblustered，whatrumoursblown，whatfearswhispered，whatsorrowsmoaned！Butweretherenotnowjustasmanyevilsasthen？Lettheworldimproveasitmay，thedeeperillonlybreaksoutafreshinnewforms。Timeitself，thestaring，vacant，unlovelytime，istomanytheonedreadfoe。Othershaveahouseemptyandgarnished，inwhichneitherLovenorHopedwells。Aself，withnoGodtoprotectfromit，aselfunrulable，insatiable，makesofexistencetosomethehellcalledmadness。Godlessmanisahorroroftheunfinished——ahopelessnecessityfortheunattainable！Themostdiscontentedarethosewhohaveallthetruthlessheartdesires。

ThoughtslikethesewerecomingandgoinginDonal\'sbrain，whenheheardaslightsoundsomewherenearhim——thelightestofsoundsindeed——theturningoftheleafofabook。Heraisedhisheadandlooked，butcouldseenoone。Atlast，upthroughthetree-bolesontheslopeofthehill，hecaughttheshineofsomethingwhite：itwasthehandthatheldanopenbook。Hetookitforthehandofalady。Thetrunkofalargetreehidtherecliningform。Hewouldgoback！Therewasthelovelycloth-stripedmeadowtoliein！

Herosequietly，butnotquietlyenoughtostealaway。Frombehindthetree，ayoungman，rathertallandslender，roseandcametowardshim。Donalstoodtoreceivehim。

“Ipresumeyouareunawarethatthesegroundsarenotopentothepublic！”hesaid，notwithoutatouchofhaughtiness。

“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal。“Ifoundthegateopen，andtheshadeofthetreeswasenticing。“

“Itisofnoconsequence，“returnedtheyouth，nowwithsomecondescension；“onlymyfatherisapttobeannoyedifheseesanyone——“

Hewasinterruptedbyacryfromfartherupthehill——

“Oh，thereyouare，Percy！”

“Andthereyouare，Davie！”returnedtheyouthkindly。

Aboyofabouttencametowardsthemprecipitately，jumpingstumps，anddartingbetweenstems。

“Takecare，takecare，Davie！”criedtheother：“youmaysliponarootandfall！”

“Oh，Iknowbetterthanthat！——Butyouareengaged！”

“Notintheleast。Comealong。“

Donallingered：theyouthhadnotfinishhisspeech！

“IwenttoArkie，“saidtheboy，“butshecouldn\'thelpme。Ican\'tmakesenseofthis！Iwouldn\'tcareifitwasn\'tastory。“

Hehadanoldfoliounderonearm，withafingeroftheotherhandinitsleaves。

“Itisacurioustasteforachild！”saidtheyouth，turningtoDonal，inwhomhehadrecognizedthepeasant-scholar：“thislittlebrotherofminereadsallthedulloldromanceshecanlayhishandson。“

“Perhaps，“suggestedDonal，“theyaretheonlyfictionswithinhisreach！CouldyounotturnhimlooseuponsirWalterScott？”

“Agoodsuggestion！”heanswered，castingakeenglanceatDonal。

“Willyouletmelookatthepassage？”saidDonaltotheboy，holdingouthishand。

Theboyopenedthebook，andgaveithim。OnthetopofthepageDonalread，“TheCountessofPembroke\'sArcadia。“Hehadreadofthebook，buthadneverseenit。

“That\'sagrandbook！”hesaid。

“Horriblydreary，“remarkedtheelderbrother。

Theyoungerreachedup，andlaidhisfingeronthepagenexthim。

“There，sir！”hesaid；“thatistheplace：dotellmewhatitmeans。“

“Iwilltry，“answeredDonal；“Imaynotheable。“

Hebegantoreadatthetopofthepage。

“That\'snottheplace，sir！”saidtheboy。“Itisthere。“

“Imustknowsomethingofwhatgoesbeforeitfirst，“returnedDonal。

“Oh，yes，sir；Isee！”heanswered，andstoodsilent。

Hewasafair-hairedboy，withruddycheeksandahealthylook——sweet-temperedevidently。

Donalpresentlysawbothwhatthesentencemeantandthecauseofhisdifficulty。Heexplainedthethingtohim。

“Thankyou！thankyou！NowIshallgeton！”hecried，andranupthehill。

“Youseemtounderstandboys！”saidthebrother。

“Ihavealwayshadasortofambitiontounderstandignorance。“

“Understandignorance？”

“Youknowwhatqueershapestheshadowsoftheplainestthingstake：

IneverseemtounderstandanythingtillIunderstanditsshadow。“

TheyouthglancedkeenlyatDonal。

“IwishIhadhadatutorlikeyou！”hesaid。

“Why？”askedDonal。

“Ishoulddonebetter——Wheredoyoulive？”

DonaltoldhimhewaslodgingwithAndrewComin，thecobbler。A

silencefollowed。

“Goodmorning！”saidtheyouth。

“Goodmorning，sir！”returnedDonal，andwentaway。

CHAPTERIX。

THEMORVENARMS。

OnWednesdayeveningDonalwenttoTheMorvenArmstoinquireforthethirdtimeifhisboxwascome。Thelandlordsaid，ifagreatheavytool-chestwasthethingheexpected，ithadcome。

“DonalGrantwadbethenameupo\'\'t，“saidDonal。

“\'Deed，Ididnaluik，“saidthelandlord。“Itsi\'thebackyard。“

AsDonalwentthroughthehousetotheyard，hepassedthedoorofaroomwheresomeofthetownsfolksat，andheardtheearlmentioned。

HehadnotaskedAndrewanythingabouttheyoungmanhehadspokenwith；forheunderstoodthathishostheldhimselfnotatlibertytotalkaboutthefamilyinwhichhisgranddaughterwasaservant。Butwhatwassaidinpublichesurelymighthear！Herequestedthelandlordtolethimhaveabottleofale，andwentintotheroomandsatdown。

Itwasadecentparlourwithasandedfloor。Thoseassembledwereamixedcompanyfromtownandcountry，havingatumblerofwhisky-toddytogetherafterthemarket。Oneofthemwasastrangerwhohadbeenreceivingfromtheothersvariouspiecesofinformationconcerningthetownanditsneighbourhood。

“Imin\'theauldmanweel，“awrinkledgray-hairedmanwassayingasDonalentered，“——avarradifferentmanfraethispresent。Hewudsitdoonasreadyasno——thatwudhe——wi\'onypuirbodylikemysel\'，an\'giehimhiscracks，an\'hearhisnews，an\'drinkhisglaiss，an\'

maknaethingo\'\'t。Butthisman，haith！whaeversawhimcheengewordwi\'britherman？”

“Ineverh\'ardhoohecametotheteetle：theysayhewasbutsomefarawa\'cousin！”remarkedafarmer-lookingman，floridandstout。

“Hoots！hewasainbrithertothelastyerl，wi\'richttotheteetle，thoughnanetotheproperty。Thathe\'sbuttakin\'careo\'

tillhisniececomeo\'age。Hewasaheapaboottheplaceaforehisbritherdee\'d，an\'theywarfreen\'sasweel\'sbrithers。Theysay\'attheladyArctoora——h\'ardyeeversicahathenishnameforalass！——isb\'un\'tomerrytheyoonglord。There\'sasichto\'

clapper-clashaboottheplace，an\'thefowk，an\'theirstrangew\'ys。

Theytellmenanecanbesaidtokentheyerlbuthisainman。Formysel\'Inevercami\'theircoonsel——no\'eventothebuyin\'orsellin\'o\'alamb。“

“Weel，“saidafair-haired，pale-facedman，“wekenfraescriptur\'atthesinso\'thefathersisveesititupo\'thechildrentothethirdan\'fourthgeneration——an\'whacantell？”

“Whacantell，“rejoinedanother，whohadajudiciallookabouthim，inspiteofanunshavenbeard，andacertaingeneraldisregardtoappearances，“whacantellbutthesinso\'oorfaithersmaybelyin\'

upo\'someo\'oorsel\'satthisvarramoment？”

“Inoorcase，Icannaseethethingwadbefair，“saidafifth：“wedinnaevenkenwhattheydid！”

“We\'renotointerferewi\'thewullo\'theAlmichty，“rejoinedtheformer。“Itgangsitsaingait，an\'mortalcannatellwhatthatgaitis。Hisjusticewinnabecontert。“

Donalfeltthattobesilentnowwouldbetodeclinewitnessing。Hefearedargument，lestheshouldfailandwrongtheright，buthemustnotthereforehangback。Hedrewhischairtowardsthetable。

“Wadyelatastrangerputinaword，freen\'s？”hesaid。

“Oway，an\'welcome！Wesetnaupforthemeno\'Gotham。“

“Weel，IwadspieraquestiongienImay。“

“Speirawa\'。AnswerIwinnainsure，“saidthemanunshaven。

“Weel，wadyepleasetellmewhatyeca\'thejusticeo\'God？”

“Onybodycouldtellyethat：itconsistsi\'thepunishmento\'sin。

Hegiesilkasinnerwhathissindeserves。“

“Thatseemstomeanuncoae-siditdefinitiono\'justice。“

“Weel，whatwadyemako\'\'t？”

“Iwadsayjusticemeansfairplay；an\'thejusticeo\'Godliesi\'

this，\'athegiesilkaman，beast，an\'deevil，fairplay。“

“I\'mdoobtfu\'abootthat！”saidadrover-lookingfellow。“Wemaungangbytheword；an\'thewordsaysheveesitstheineequitieso\'

thefathersupo\'thechildrentothethirdan\'fourthgeneration：I

nevercouldseethefairplayo\'that！”

“Dinnayemeddlewi\'things，John，\'atyedinnaun\'erstan\'；yemaywauki\'thewrangbox！”saidtheoldman。

“Iwanttoun\'erstan\'，“returnedJohn。“I\'mnosayin\'hedisnaduricht；I\'monlysayin\'Icannaseethefairplayo\'\'t。“

“Itmayweelberichtan\'younosee\'t！”

“Ay\'weelthat！ButwhatforsudInosayIdinnasee\'t？Isnatheblin\'mantosayhe\'sblin\'？”

Thiswasunanswerable，andDonalagainspoke。

“Itseemstome，“hesaid，“weneedfirsttoun\'erstan\'what\'sconteenedi\'theveesitin\'o\'thesinso\'thefathersupo\'thechildren，aforewedauronyjeedgmentconcernin\'\'t。“

“Ay，that\'ssenseeneuch！”confessedaresponsivemurmur。

“Ihaenaseenmuckleo\'thiswarl\'yet，comparedwi\'you，sirs，“

Donalwenton，“butIhaebeenaheapmylanewi\'nowtan\'sheep，whanaheapo\'thingsgaedthrouwmyheid；an\'Ihaeseensomethingasweel，thoughnothatmuckle。Ihaeseenaman，a\'hislife\'aforeadoucehonestman，cometilaheapo\'siller，an\'gangtothedogs！”

Asecondmurmurseemedtoindicatecorroboration。

“Hegaeda\'tothedogs，asIsay，“continuedDonal；“an\'thebairnsheleft\'ahinthimwhanhedee\'do\'drink，camupo\'theperris，orwadhaehungertbutforsome\'atkennedhimwhanhewasyetinhonouran\'poverty。Noo，wadyenosaythiswasaveesitin\'o\'thesinso\'thefatherupo\'thechildren？”

“Ay，doobtless！”

“Weel，whanIh\'ardlastabootthem，theywerea\'likeeneuchtoturnoothonestladsan\'lasses。“

“Ow，Idaursay！”

“An\'whatmichtyethinktheprobabilitygientheyhadcomeintilaloto\'sillerwhantheirfatherdee\'d？”

“Maybetheymichthaeganethesamegaithegaed！”

“Wasthereinjusticethan，orwastherefavouri\'thatveesitationo\'thesinso\'theirfatherupo\'them？”

Therewasnoanswer。Thetoddywentdowntheirthroatsandthesmokecameoutoftheirmouths，butnoonedaredacknowledgeitmightbeagoodthingtobebornpoorinsteadofrich。SoentirelywasthesubjectdroppedthatDonalfearedhehadfailedtomakehimselfunderstood。Hedidnotknowthegeneralobjectiontotalkingofthingsoneternalprinciples。Wesetupforjudgesofrightwhileourveryselvesarewrong！Hesawthathehadcastawetblanketoverthecompany，andjudgeditbettertotakehisleave。

Borrowingawheelbarrow，hetrundledhischesthome，andunpackingitinthearchway，carriedhisbooksandclothestohisroom。

CHAPTERX

THEPARISHCLERGYMAN。

Thenextday，Donalputonhisbestcoat，andwenttocallontheminister。Shownintothestudy，hesawseatedtherethemanhehadmetonhisfirstday\'sjourney，thesamewhohadpartedfromhiminsuchdispleasure。Hepresentedhisletter。

Mr。Carmichaelgavehimakeenglance，bututterednoworduntilhehadreadit。

“Well，youngman，“hesaid，lookingupathimwithconcentratedseverity，“whatwouldyouhavemedo？”

“Tellmeofanysituationyoumayhappentoknoworhearof，sir，“

saidDonal。“ThatisallIcouldexpect。“

“All！”repeatedtheclergyman，withsomethingverylikeasneer；

“——butwhatifIthinkthatallaverygreatdeal？WhatifI

imaginemyselfsetinchargeoveryoungmindsandhearts？WhatifI

knowyoubetterthanthegoodmanwhosefriendshipforyourparentsgiveshimakindinterestinyou？YoulittlethoughthowyouwereunderminingyourprospectslastFriday！Myoldfriendwouldscarcelyhavemewelcometomyparishonehemaybegladtoseeoutofhisown！Youcangotothekitchenandhaveyourdinner——Ihavenodesiretorenderevilforevil——butIwillnotbidyouGod-speed。

Andthesooneryoutakeyourselfoutofthis，youngman，thebetter！”

“Goodmorning，sir！”saidDonal，andlefttheroom。

Onthedoorstephemetayouthhehadknownbysightattheuniversity：itwastheminister\'sson——theworst-behavedofallthestudents。Wasthisacaseofthesinsofthefatherbeingvisitedonthechild？DoesGodnevervisitthevirtuesofthefatheronthechild？

Alittleruffled，andnotalittledisappointed，Donalwalkedaway。

Almostunconsciouslyhetooktheroadtothecastle，andcomingtothegate，leanedonthetopbar，andstoodthinking。

Suddenly，downthroughthetreescameDaviebounding，pushedhishandthroughbetweenthebars，andshookhandswithhim。

“Ihavebeenlookingforyouallday，“hesaid。

“Why？”askedDonal。

“Forguesentyoualetter。“

“Ihavehadnoletter。“

“Eppytookitthismorning。“

“Ah，thatexplains！Ihavenotbeenhomesincebreakfast。“

“Itwastosaymyfatherwouldliketoseeyou。“

“Iwillgoandgetit：thenIshallknowwhattodo。“

“Whydoyoulivethere？Thecobblerisadirtylittleman！Yourclotheswillsmellofleather！”

“Heisnotdirty，“saidDonal。“Hishandsdogetdirty——verydirtywithhiswork——andhisfacetoo；andIdaresaysoapandwatercan\'tgetthemquiteclean。Buthewillhaveaniceearth-bathoneday，andthatwilltakeallthedirtoff。Andifyoucouldseehissoul——thatisascleanascleancanbe——socleanitisquiteshining！”

“Haveyouseenit？”saidtheboy，lookingupatDonal，unsurewhetherhewasmakinggameofhim，ormeaningsomethingveryserious。

“Ihavehadaglimpseortwoofit。Ineversawacleaner——Youknow，mydearboy，there\'sacleannessmuchdeeperthantheskin！”

“Iknow！”saidDavie，butstaredasifhewonderedhewouldspeakofsuchthings。

Donalreturnedhisgaze。Outofthefullnessofhishearthiseyesshone。Daviewasreassured。

“Canyouride？”heasked。

“Yes，alittle。“

“Whotaughtyou？”

“AnoldmareIwasfondof。“

“Ah，youaremakinggameofme！Idonotliketobemadegameof，“

saidDavie，andturnedaway。

“Noindeed，“repliedDonal。“Inevermakegameofanybody——ButnowIwillgoandfindtheletter。“

“Iwouldgowithyou，“saidtheboy，“butmyfatherwillnotletmebeyondthegrounds。Idon\'tknowwhy。“

Donalhastenedhome，andfoundhimselfeagerlyexpected，fortheletteryoungEppyhadbroughtwasfromtheearl。ItinformedDonalthatitwouldgivehislordshippleasuretoseehim，ifhewouldfavourhimwithacall。

Inafewminuteshewasagainontheroadtothecastle。

CHAPTERXI。

THEEARL。

Hemetnooneonhiswayfromthegateupthroughthewood。Heascendedthehillwithitsdarkascendingfirs，toitscrownofsilverybirches，abovewhich，asoftenastheslowlycirclingroadbroughthimtotheotherside，hesawriselikeahelmetthegraymassofthefortress。Turretandtower，pinnacleandbattlement，appearedanddisappearedasheclimbed。Notuntilatlasthestoodalmostonthetop，andfromanopenspacebeheldnearlythewholefront，couldhetellwhatitwaslike。Itwasagrandpile，butlookedagloomyonetolivein。

Hestoodonabroadgrassyplatform，fromwhichroseagravelledterrace，andfromtheterracethecastle。Heranhiseyealongthefrontseekingadoorbutsawnone。Ascendingtheterracebyabroadflightofsteps，heapproachedadeeprecessinthefront，wheretwoportionsofthehouseofdifferingdatenearlymet。Insidethisrecesshefoundarathersmalldoor，flushwiththewall，thicklystuddedandplatedwithiron，surmountedbytheMorvenhorsescarvedingraystone，andsurroundedwithseveralmouldings。Lookingforsomemeansofannouncinghispresence，hesawahandleattheendofarodofiron，andpulled，butheardnothing：thesoundofthebellwassmotheredinawildernessofstonewalls。Byandby，however，appearedanoldservant，bowedandslow，withplentifulhairwhiteaswool，andamingledlookofchildishnessandcautioninhiswrinkledcountenance。

“Theearlwantstoseeme，“saidDonal。

“Whatname？”saidtheman。

“DonalGrant；buthislordshipwillbenothingthewiser，Isuspect；

Idon\'tthinkheknowsmyname。Tellhim——theyoungmanhesentfortoAndrewComin\'s。“

Themanlefthim，andDonalbegantolookabouthim。Theplacewherehestoodwasamereentry，acellinhugewalls，withasecond，alow，round-headeddoor，liketheentrancetoaprison，bywhichthebutlerhaddisappeared。Therewasnothingbutbarestonearoundhim，withagaintheMorvenarmscutdeepintoitononeside。

Theceilingwasneithervaultednorgroinednorflat，butseemeddeterminedbytheaccidentalconcurrenceofendsofstonestairsandcornersoffloorsondifferentlevels。Itwasfulltenminutesbeforethemanreturnedandrequestedhimtofollowhim。

ImmediatelyDonalfoundhimselfinalargerandlessirregularstone-case，adornedwithheadsandhornsandskinsofanimals。

Crossingthis，themanopenedadoorcoveredwithredcloth，whichlookedstrangeinthemidstofthecoldhardstone，andDonalenteredanoctagonalspace，itsdoorsofdarkshiningoak，withcarvedstonelintelsanddoorposts，anditswallsadornedwitharmsandarmouralmosttothedomedceiling。Intoit，asifitdescendedsuddenlyoutofsomefarheight，butdroppingatlastlikeagentlyalightingbird，cametheendofaturnpike-stair，ofslowsweepandenormousdiameter——suchastairasinwildestgothictalehehadneverimagined。Liketherevolvingcentreofahugeshell，itwentupoutofsight，withplainpromiseofendlessconvolutionsbeyond。

Itwasofancientstone，butnotwornaswouldhavebeenanarrowstair。Agreatropeofsilk，amodernaddition，ranupalongthewallforahand-rail；andwithslow-movingwitheredhanduponit，upthegloriousascentclimbedtheservingman，suggestingtoDonal\'seyethecrawlingofaninsect，tohishearttheredemptionofthesonsofGod。

Withthestairyetascendingabovethemasifitwouldneverstop，themanpauseduponastepnobroaderthantherest，andopeningadoorintheroundofthewell，said，“Mr。Grant，mylord，“andstoodasideforDonaltoenter。

Hefoundhimselfinthepresenceofatall，bowedman，withalarge-featuredwhiteface，thinandworn，andadeep-sunkeneyethatgleamedwithanunhealthylife。Hishairwasthin，butcoveredhishead，andwasonlystreakedwithgray。Hishandswerelongandthinandwhite；hisfeetinlargeshoes，lookingthelargerthattheycameoutfromnarrowtrousers，whichwereofshepherd-tartan。Hiscoatwasoflight-blue，withahighcollarofvelvet，andmuchtoowideforhim。Ablacksilkneckerchieftiedcarelesslyabouthisthroat，andawaistcoatofpineappleshawl-stuff，completedhisdress。OnonelonglittlefingershoneastonewhichDonaltookforanemerald。Hemotionedhisvisitortoaseat，andwentonwriting，witharudenessmorelikethatofasuccessfulcontractorthananobleman。ButitgaveDonaltheadvantageofbecomingalittleaccustomedtohissurroundings。Theroomwasnotlarge，waswainscoted，andhadagoodmanythingsonthewalls：Donalnotedtwoorthreeridingwhips，afishingrod，severalpairsofspurs，aswordwithgoldenhilt，astrangelookingdaggerlikeaflameoffire，oneortwooldengravings，andwhatseemedaplanoftheestate。Attheonewindow，small，withastonemullion，thesummersunwasstreamingin。Theearlsatinitsflood，andintheheartofitseemedcoldandbloodless。Helookedaboutsixtyyearsofage，andasifherarelyorneversmiled。Donaltriedtoimaginewhatasmilewoulddoforhisface，butfailed。Hewasnotintheleastawedbythepresenceofthegreatman。Whatisranktothemanwhohonourseverythinghuman，hasnodesiretolookwhatheisnot，hasnothingtoconcealandnothingtocompass，isfearfulofnoto-morrow，anddoesnotrespectriches！TowardsuchendsofbeingthetideofDonal\'slifewasatleastsetting。Sohesatneitherfidgetingnorstaring，butquietlytakingthingsin。

Theearlraisedhimself，pushedhiswritingfromhim，turnedtowardshim，andsaidwithcourtesy，“Excuseme，Mr。Grant；Iwishedtotalktoyouwiththeeaseofdutydone。“

Morepolitehisaddresscouldnothavebeen，buttherewasasomethingbetweenhimandDonalthatwasnottobepasseda——namelessgulfofthenegative。

“Mytimeisatyourlordship\'sservice，“repliedDonal，withtheeasethatcomesofsimplicity。

“YouhaveprobablyguessedwhyIsentforyou？”

“Ihavehoped，mylord。“