第3章

Therewassomethingofold-worldbreedingabouttheladthatcommendedhimtotheearl。SuchbreedingisnotrareamongCelt-bornpeasants。

“Mysonstoldmethattheyhadmetayoungmaninthegrounds——“

“ForwhichIbegyourlordship\'spardon，“saidDonal。“Ididnotknowtheplacewasforbidden。“

“Ihopeyouwillsoonbefamiliarwithit。Iamgladofyourmistake。Fromwhattheysaid，Isupposedyoumightbeastudentinwantofasituation，andIhadbeenlookingoutforayoungmantotakechargeoftheboy：itseemedpossibleyoumightservemypurpose。Idonotquestionyoucanshowyourselffitforsuchanoffice：Ipresumeitwouldsuityou。Doyoubelieveyourselfonetobesotrusted？”

Donalhadnotaglimmeroffalsemodesty；heansweredimmediately，“Ido，mylord。“

“Tellmesomethingofyourhistory：wherewereyouborn？whatwereyourparents？”

Donaltoldhimallhethoughtitofanyconsequenceheshouldknow。

Hislordshipdidnotonceinterrupthimwithquestionorremark。

Whenhehadended——

“Well，“hesaid，“Ilikeallyoutellme。Youhavetestimonials？”

“Ihavefromtheprofessors，mylord，andonefromtheministeroftheparish，whoknewmebeforeIwenttocollege。IcouldgetonefromMr。Sclatertoo，whosechurchIattendedwhilethere。“

“Showmewhatyouhave，“saidhislordship。

Donaltookthepapersfromthepocket-bookhismotherhadmadehim，andhandedthemtohim。Theearlreadthemwithsomeattention，returningeachtohimwithoutremarkashefinishedit，onlysayingwiththelast，“Quitesatisfactory。“

“But，“saidDonal，“thereisonethingIshouldbemoreateaseifI

toldyourlordship：Mr。Carmichael，theministerofthisparish，wouldtellyouIwasanatheist，orsomethingverylikeit——thereforeanaltogetherunsafeperson。Butheknowsnothingofme。“

“Onwhatgroundsthenwouldhesayso？”askedtheearl——showingnottheleastdiscomposure。“Ithoughtyouwereastrangertothisplace！”

Donaltoldhimhowtheyhadmet，whathadpassedbetweenthem，andhowtheministerhadbehavedinconsequence。Hislordshipheardhimgravely，wassilentforamoment，andthensaid，“ShouldMr。Carmichaeladdressmeonthesubject，whichIdonotthinklikely，hewillfindmealreadytoomuchprejudicedinyourfavour。ButIcanimaginehismistakingyourfreedomofspeech：youarescarcelyprudentenough。Whysayallyouthink？”

“Ifearnothing，mylord。“

Theearlwassilent；hisgrayfaceseemedtogrowgrayer，butitmightbethatjustthenthesunwentunderacloud，andhewassuddenlyfoldedinshadow。Afteramomenthespokeagain。

“Iamquitesatisfiedwithyousofar，Mr。Grant；andasIshouldnotliketoemployyouindirectoppositiontoMr。Carmichel——notthatIbelongtohischurch——wewillarrangemattersbeforehecanhearoftheaffair。Whatsalarydoyouwant？”

Donalrepliedhewouldpreferleavingthesalarytohislordship\'sjudgmentupontrial。

“Iamnotawealthyman，“returnedhislordship，“andwouldpreferanunderstanding。“

“Trymethenforthreemonths，mylord；givememyboardandlodging，theuseofyourlibrary，andattheendofthequarteraten-pound-note：bythattimeyouwillbeabletotellwhetherIsuityou。“

Theearlnoddedagreement，andDonalroseatonce。Withaheartfullofthankfulnessandhopehewalkedbacktohisfriends。Hehadbeforehimpleasantwork；plentyoftimeandbook-help；anabodefullofinterest；andsomethingforhislabour！

“\'Surelythewrathofmanshallpraisethee！\'“saidthecobbler，rejoicingagainsttheminister；“\'theremainderofwrathshaltthourestrain。\'“

IntheafternoonDonalwentintothetowntogetsometrifleshewantedbeforegoingtothecastle。Asheturnedtothedoorofadraper\'sshop，hesawatthecountertheministertalkingtohim。

Hewouldratherhavegoneelsewherebutforunwillingnesstoturnhisbackonanything：hewentin。Besidetheministerstoodayounglady，who，havingcompletedherpurchases，waslisteningtotheirconversation。Thedraperlookedupasheentered。Aglancepassedbetweenhimandtheminister。HecametoDonal，andhavingheardwhathewanted，lefthim，wentbacktotheminister，andtooknomorenoticeofhim。Donalfounditawkward，andlefttheshop。

“Highan\'michty！”saidthedraper，annoyedatlosingthecustomertowhosedispraisehehadbeenlistening。

“Farbeyonddissent，John！”saidtheminister，pursuingaremark。

“Doobtless，sir，itisthat！”answeredthedraper。“I\'mthankfu\'tosayIneverharbouredadoobtmysel\'，butayetookwhatIwastauld，ohnargle-barglet。Whathaewesicasyersel\'setower\'sfor，gienitbinnatohaud\'si\'thestraichtpatho\'whatwe\'retobelievean\'

notobelieve？It\'safinethingnotobeaccoontable！”

Theministerwasanhonestmansofarasheknewhimselfandhonesty，anddidnotrelishthisformofsubmission。Buthedidnotaskhimselfwherewasthedifferencebetweenacceptingthewordofmanandacceptingman\'sexplanationofthewordofGod！Hetookahugepinchfromhisblacksnuffboxandheldhispeace。

IntheeveningDonalwouldsettlehisaccountwithmistressComin：

hefoundherdemandsomuchlessthanhehadexpected，thatheexpostulated。Shewasfirm，however，andassuredhimshehadgained，notlost。Ashewasputtinguphisthings，“Lea\'abuikortwa，sir，“shesaid，“\'atwhanyeluikin，theplacemayluikhame-like。Wes\'ca\'theroomyours。Comeasaftenasyecan。ItdoesmyAnerew\'shertguidtohaeacrackwi\'ane\'atkenssomethingo\'whattheMaisterwadbeat。Monyane\'llca\'himLord，butfeow\'illtakthetribletokenwhathewadhaeo\'them。Butthere\'smyAnerew——he\'llsityon\'erathiswark，thinkin\'bythehoorthegitherowersomethingtheMaistersaid\'athecannawinattherichtso\'。\'Depen\'upo\'\'t，\'hesayswhiles，\'depen\'upo\'\'t，lass，whauronythinghesaysdisnaluikrichttohiz，itmaunbe\'atwehaenawonatit！\'“

Assheended，herhusbandcamein，andtookupwhathefanciedthethreadofthedialogue。

“An\'whatarewetothinko\'theman，“hesaid，“at\'scontentnotoun\'erstan\'whathewasatthetribletosay？Wadhesaythings\'athedidnameanfowktoun\'erstan\'whanhesaidthem？”“Weel，Anerew，“

saidhiswife，“there\'smonyathinghesaid\'atIcannotun\'erstan\'；naitheramImucklethebetterforyourexplainin\'o\'

thesame；Imaunjistlatitsit。“

Andrewlaughedhisquietpleasedlaugh。

“Weel，lass，“hesaid，“theduin\'o\'aething\'sbetternortheun\'erstan\'in\'o\'twenty。Norwullyebelangohnun\'erstan\'tmuckle\'at\'sdarktoyenoo；forthemaisterlikesnanebuttheduero\'theword，an\'herhelikesweel。Beblythe，lass；yes\'haeyerfillo\'

un\'erstan\'in\'yet！”

“I\'mfaintobelieveyespeykthetrowth，Anerew！”

“It\'sgreattrowth，“saidDonal。

CHAPTERXII。

THECASTLE。

Thenextmorningcameacartfromthecastletofetchhisbox；andafterbreakfasthesetoutforhisnewabode。

Hetookthepathbytheriver-side。Themorningwasglorious。Thesunandtheriverandthebirdswerejubilant，andthewindgavelifetoeverything。Itrippledthestream，andflutteredthelongwebsbleachinginthesun：theyroseandfelllikewhitewavesonthebrightgreenlake；andwomen，homelyNereidsofthegrassysea，werebesprinklingthemwithspray。Thereweredullsoundsofwoodenmachinerynear，buttheymadenodiscordwiththesweetnessofthehour，speakingonlyofactivity，notlabour。Fromthelongbleachingmeadowsbytheriver-siderosethewoodedbaseofthecastle。Donal\'sbosomswelledwithdelight；thencameasting：washealreadyforgettinghisinextinguishablegrief？“But，“heansweredhimself，“Godismoretomethananywoman！Whenheputsjoyinmyheart，shallInotbeglad？WhenhecallsmynameshallInotanswer？”

Hesteppedoutjoyfully，andwassoonclimbingthehill。Hewasagainadmittedbytheoldbutler。

“Iwillshowyouatonce，“hesaid，“howtogoandcomeatyourownwill。“

Heledhimthroughdoorsandalongpassagestoaposternopeningonalittlewalledgardenattheeastendofthecastle。

“Thisdoor，“hesaid，“is，youobserve，atthefootofBaliol\'stower，andinthattowerisyourroom；Iwillshowityou。“

Heledthewayupaspiralstairthatmightalmosthavegoneinsidethenewelofthegreatstaircase。Upanduptheywent，untilDonalbegantowonder，andstilltheywentup。

“You\'reyoung，sir，“saidthebutler，“andsoundofwindandlimb；

soyou\'llsoonthinknothingofit。“

“Ineverwasupsohighbefore，exceptonahill-side，“returnedDonal。“Thecollege-towerisnothingtothis！”

“Inadayortwoyou\'llbeshootingupanddownitlikeabird。I

usedtodosomyself。Igotintothewayofkeepingashoulderforemost，andscrewingupasifIwasablobofair！Oldagedoesmakefoolsofus！”

“Youdon\'tlikeitthen？”

“No，Idonot：whodoes？”

“It\'sonlythatyougetspentasyougoup。Thefreshairatthetopofthestairwillsoonreviveyou，“saidDonal。

Buthisconductordidnotunderstandhim。

“That\'sallverywellsolongasyou\'reyoung；butwhenithasgotyou，you\'llpantandgrumbleliketherestofus。“

InthedistanceDonalsawAgecomingslowlyafterhim，toclawhiminhisclutch，astheoldsongsays。“PleaseGod，“hethought，“bythetimehecomesup，I\'llbereadytotryafallwithhim！OThoueternallyyoung，theyearshavenoholdonthee；letthemhavenoneonthychild。Itooshallhavelifeeternal。“

Eretheyreachedthetopofthestair，themanhaltedandopenedadoor。Donalenteringsawasmallroom，nearlyround，aportionofthecircletakenoffbythestair。Ontheoppositesidewasawindowprojectingfromthewall，whencehecouldlookinthreedifferentdirections。Thewidecountrylayathisfeet。Hesawthewindingroadbywhichhehadascended，thegatebywhichhehadentered，themeadowwithitswhitestripesthroughwhichhehadcome，andtheriverflowingdown。Hefolloweditwithhiseyes：——lo，therewasthesea，shininginthesunlikeadiamondshield！ItwasbutthelittleGermanOcean，yetonewiththegreatworld-ocean。Heturnedtohisconductor。

“Yes，“saidtheoldman，answeringhislook，“it\'saglorioussight！

WhenfirstIlookedoutthereIthoughtIwasineternity。“

Thewallswerebareevenofplaster；hecouldhavecountedthestonesinthem；buttheyweredryasabone。

“Youarewondering，“saidtheoldman，“howyouaretokeepwarminthewinter！Lookhere：youshutthisdooroverthewindow！Seehowthickandstrongitis！Thereisyourfireplace；andforfuel，there\'splentybelow！Itisalabourtocarryitup，Igrant；butifIwasyou，Iwouldsettoo\'nightswhennobodywasabout，andcarrytillIhadastocklaidin！”

“But，“saidDonal，“Ishouldfillupmyroom。Iliketobeabletomoveaboutalittle！”

“Ah，“repliedtheoldman，“youdon\'tknowwhataspaceyouhaveupherealltoyourself！Comethisway。“

Twoturnsmoreupthestair，andtheycametoanotherdoor。Itopenedintowidespace：fromitDonalsteppedonaledgeorbartizan，withoutanyparapet，thatranroundthetower，passingabovethewindowofhisroom。Itwaswellhehadasteadybrain，forhefoundtheheightaffecthimmorethanthatofaprecipiceonGlashgar：doubtlesshewouldgetusedtoit，fortheoldmanhadsteppedoutwithoutthesmallesthesitation！Roundthetowerhefollowedhim。

Ontheothersideafewstepsrosetoawatch-tower——asortofornatesentry-boxinstone，whereonemightsitandregardwithwidevisionthewholecountry。Avoidingthis，anothersteportwoledthemtotheroofofthecastle——ofgreatstoneslabs。Abroadpassageranbetweentheriseoftheroofandabattlementedparapet。

Bythistimetheycametoaflatroof，ontowhichtheydescendedbyafewsteps。Herestoodtworoughsheds，withnothinginthem。

“There\'sstowage！”saidtheoldman。

“Yes，indeed！”answeredDonal，towhomtheideaofhisaeriewasgrowingmoreandmoreagreeable。“Butwouldtherebenoobjectiontomyusingtheplaceforsuchapurpose？”

“Whatobjection？”returnedhisguide。“Idoubtifasinglepersonbutmyselfknowsit。“

“AndshallIbeallowedtocarryupasmuchasIplease？”

“Iallowyou，“saidthebutler，withimportance。“Ofcourseyouwillnotwaste——Iamdeadagainstwaste！Butastowhatisneedful，useyourfreedom——Dinnerwillbereadyforyouintheschoolroomatseven。“

Atthedoorofhisroomtheoldmanlefthim，andafterlisteningforamomenttohisdescendingsteps，Donalre-enteredhischamber。

Whytheyputhimsoapart，Donalneveraskedhimself；thatheshouldhavesuchcommandofhisleisureasthisisolationpromisedhimwasaconsequenceverysatisfactory。Heproceededatoncetosettlehimselfinhisnewquarters。Findingsomeshelvesinarecessofthewall，hearrangedhisbooksuponthem，andlaidhisfewclothesinthechestofdrawersbeneath。Hethengotouthiswritingmaterial，andsatdown。

Thoughhiswindowwassohigh，thewarmpureaircameinfullofthearomaticodoursrisinginthehotsunshinefromtheyoungpinetreesfarbelow，andfromalarkfarabovedescendednewsofheaven-gate。

Thescentcameupandthesongcamedownallthetimehewaswritingtohismother——alongletter。Whenhehadclosedandaddressedit，hefellintoareverie。Apparentlyhewastohavehismealsbyhimself：hewasgladofit：hewouldbeabletoreadallthetime！Buthowwashetofindtheschoolroom！Someonewouldsurelyfetchhim！Theywouldrememberhedidnotknowhiswayabouttheplace！Itwantedyetanhourtodinner-timewhen，findinghimselfdrowsy，hethrewhimselfonhisbed，wherepresentlyhefellfastasleep。

Thenightdescended，andwhenhecametohimself，itssilencesweredeeparoundhim。Itwasnotdark：therewasnomoon，butthetwilightwasclear。Hecouldreadthefaceofhiswatch：itwastwelveo\'clock！Noonehadmissedhim！Hewasveryhungry！Buthehadbeenhungrierbeforeandsurvivedit！Inhiswalletwerestillsomeremnantsofoat-cake！Hetookitinhishand，andsteppingoutonthebartizan，creptwithcarefulstepsroundtothewatch-tower。

Thereheseatedhimselfinthestonechair，andatehisdrymorselsinthestarrypresences。Sleephadrefreshedhim，andhewaswideawake，yettherewasonhimthesenseofastrangeexistence。Neverbeforehadhesoknownhimself！Oftenhadhepassedthenightintheopenair，butneverbeforehadhisnight-consciousnessbeensuch！Neverhadhefeltthesamewayalone。Hewaspartedfromthewholeearth，liketheship-boyonthegiddymast！Nothingwasbelowbutadimness；theearthandallthatwasinitwasmassedintoavagueshadow。Itwasasifhehaddiedandgonewhereexistencewasindependentofsolidityandsense。Abovehimwasdomedthevastofthestarryheavens；hecouldneitherfleefromitnorascendtoit！

Foramomenthefeltitthesymboloflife，yetanunattainablehopelessthing。Hehungsuspendedbetweenheavenandearth，anoutcastofboth，adenizenofneither！Thetruelifeseemedevertoretreat，nevertoawaithisgrasp。NothingbutthebeholdingofthefaceoftheSonofMancouldsethimatrestastoitsreality；

nothinglessthantheassurancefromhisownmouthcouldsatisfyhimthatallwastrue，allwell：lifewasathingsoessentiallydivine，thathecouldnotknowitinitselftillhisownessencewaspure！

Butalas，howdream-likewastheoldstory！WasGodindeedtobereachedbytheprayers，affectedbytheneedsofmen？Howwashetofeelsureofit？Oncemore，asoftenheretofore，hefoundhimselfcryingintothegreatworldtoknowwhethertherewasaneartohear。Whatifthereshouldcometohimnoanswer？Howfrightfulthenwouldbehisloneliness！Buttoseemnottobeheardmightbepartofthedisciplineofhisdarkness！ItmightbefortheperfectingofhisfaiththathemustnotyetknowhownearGodwastohim！

“Lord，“hecried，“eternallifeistoknowtheeandthyFather；IdonotknowtheeandthyFather；Ihavenoteternallife；Ihavebutlifeenoughtohungerformore：showmeplainlyoftheFatherwhomthoualoneknowest。“

Andasheprayed，somethinglikeatouchofGodseemedtobeginandgrowinhimtillitwasmorethanhisheartcouldhold，andtheuniverseabouthimwasnotlargeenoughtoholdinitshollowtheheartthatswelledwithit。

“Godisenough，“hesaid，andsatinpeace。

CHAPTERXIII。

ASOUND。

Allatoncecametohisearthroughthenightastrangesomething。

Whenceorwhatitwashecouldnotevenconjecture。Wasitamoanoftheriverfrombelow？Wasitalostmusic-tonethathadwanderedfromafarandgrownfaint？Wasitoneofthosemysterioussoundshehadreadofasbornintheairitself，andnotyetexplainedofscience？Wasittheflutteredskirtofsomeangelicsongoflamentation？——foriftheangelsrejoice，theysurelymustlament！

Orwasitastilledhumanmoaning？Wasanywrongbeingdonefardowninthewhite-gleamingmeadowsbelow，bythebanksoftheriverwhoseplatinum-glimmerhecoulddescrythroughthemoltenamethystinedarknessofthestarrynight？

Presentlycamealong-drawnmusicalmoan：itmustbethesoundofsomemuffledinstrument！Verilynightwasthetimeforstrangethings！Couldsoundsbebegotteninthefirtreesbytheraysofthehotsun，andborninthestillnessofthefollowingdark，asthelightwhichthediamondreceivesinthedayglowsoutinthegloom？

Thereareparentsandtheirprogenythatneverexisttogether！

Againthesound——hardlytobecalledsound！Itresembledavibrationoforgan-pipetooslowanddeeptoaffectthehearing；

onlythisratherseemedtoohigh，asifonlyhissoulheardit。Hewouldstealsoftlydownthedumbstone-stair！Somecreaturemightbeintroubleandneedinghelp！

Hecreptbackalongthebartizan。Thestairwasdarkastheveryheartofthenight。Hegropedhiswaydown。Thespiralstairisthesafestofall：youcannottumblefarerebroughtupbytheinclosingcylinder。Arrivedatthebottom，andfeelingabout，hecouldnotfindthedoortotheouterairwhichthebutlerhadshownhim；itwaswallwhereverhishandsfell。Hecouldnotfindagainthestairhehadleft；hecouldnottellinwhatdirectionitlay。

Hehadgotintoalongwindowlesspassageconnectingtwowingsofthehouse，andinthishewasfeelinghisway，fearfuloffallingdownsomestairortrap。Hecameatlasttoadoor——low-browedlikealmostallinthehouse。Openingit——wasitathinnerdarknessorthefaintestgleamoflighthesaw？Andwasthatagainthesoundhehadfollowed，fainterandfartheroffthanbefore——adownywind-waftedplumefromtheskirtofsomestrayharmony？Atsuchatimeofthenightsurelyitwasstrange！Itmustcomefromonewhocouldnotsleep，andwassolacinghimselfwithsweetsounds，breathingasoulintotheuncompanionablesilence！Ifsoitwas，hehadnorighttosearchfarther！Buthowwashetoreturn？Hedaredhardlymove，lestheshouldbefoundwanderingoverthehouseinthedeadofnightlikeathief，oronesearchingafteritssecrets。Hemustsitdownandwaitforthemorning：itsearliestlightwouldperhapsenablehimtofindhiswaytohisquarters！

Feelingabouthimalittle，hisfootstruckagainstthestepofastair。Examiningitwithhishands，hebelieveditthesamehehadascendedinthemorning：eveninagreatcastle，couldtherebetwosuchroyalstairs？Hesatdownuponit，andleaninghisheadonhishands，composedhimselftoapatientwaitingforthelight。

Waitingpureisperhapsthehardestthingforfleshandbloodtodowell。Therelationsoftimetomindareverystrange。Someoftheirphenomenaseemtoprovethattimeisonlyofthemind——belongingtotheintellectasgoodandevilbelongtothespirit。Anyhow，ifitwerenotfortheclocksoftheuniverse，onemanwouldliveayear，acentury，whereanotherwouldlivebutaday。Butthemeremotionoftime，nottosaytheconsciousnessofemptytime，isfearful。Itisthisemptytimethatthefoolisalwaystryingtokill：hiseffortshouldbetofillit。YetnothingbutthelivingGodcanfillit——thoughitbebuttheshapeourexistencetakestous。Onlywhereheis，emptinessisnot。

EternitywillbebutanintensepresenttothechildwithwhomistheFather。

Suchthoughtsalighted，flitted，andpassed，forthefirstfewmoments，throughthemindofDonal，ashesathalfconsciouslywaitingforthedawn。Itwasthousandsofmilesaway，overthegreatroundofthesunward-turningearth！Hisimaginationwoke，andbegantopicturethegreathuntoftheshadows，fleeingbeforethearrowsofthesun，overthebroadfaceofthemightyworld——itsmountains，seas，andplainsinturnconfessingthelight，andsubmittingtohimwhoslaysforthemthehauntingdemonsoftheirdark。Thenagainthemomentswerethesmallcogsonthewheelsoftime，wherebythedarkcastleinwhichhesatwasrushingevertowardsthelight：thecogswerecaughtandthewheelsturnedswiftly，andthetimeandthedarknesssped。Heforgotthelabourofwaiting。Ifnowandthenhefanciedatonethroughthedarkness，itwastohismindthemusic-marchofthemorningtohisrescuefromthedungeonofthenight。

Butthatwasnomusicaltonewhichmadethedarknessshudderaroundhim！Hesprangtohisfeet。Itwasahumangroan——agroanasofoneindirepain，thepainofasoul\'sagony。Itseemedtohavedescendedthestairtohim。ThenextinstantDonalwasfeelinghiswayup——cautiously，asifoneachsucceedingstephemightcomeagainstthemanwhohadgroaned。Talesofhauntedhousesrushedintohismemory。Whatifhewerebutpursuingthegroanofanactorinthepast——acreaturetheslaveofhisownconsciousmemory——amerehaunterofthepresentwhichhecouldnotinfluence——onewithoutphysicalrelationtotheembodied，saveinthegroanshecouldyetutter！Butitwasmoreinawethaninfearthathewent。

Upanduphefelthisway，allabouthimasstillasdarknessandthenightcouldmakeit。Aghostlycoldcreptthroughhisskin；itwasdrawntogetherasbyagentlyfreezingprocess；andtherewasapullingatthemusclesofhischest，asifhismouthwerebeingdraggedopenbyamartingale。

Ashefelthiswayalongthewall，sweepingitsgreatendlesscircleroundandroundinspiralascent，allatoncehishandseemedtogothroughit；hestartedandstopped。Itwasthedooroftheroomintowhichhehadbeenshowntomeettheearl！Itstoodwideopen。

Afaintglimmercamethroughthewindowfromthestar-filledsky。

Hesteppedjustwithinthedoorway。Wasnotthatanotherglimmeronthefloor——fromthebackoftheroom——throughadoorhedidnotrememberhavingseenyesterday？Thereagainwasthegroan，andnighathand！Someonemustbeinsoreneed！Heapproachedthedoorandlookedthrough。Alamp，nearlyspent，hungfromtheceilingofasmallroomwhichmightbeanofficeorstudy，oraplacewherepaperswerekept。Ithadthelookofanantechamber，butthatitcouldnotbe，fortherewasbuttheonedoor！——Inthedimlighthedescriedavagueformleaningupagainstoneofthewalls，asiflisteningtosomethingthroughit！Ashegazeditgrewplainertohim，andhesawaface，itseyesstaringwide，whichyetseemednottoseehim。Itwasthefaceoftheearl。Donalfeltasifinthepresenceofthedisembodied；hestoodfascinated，normadeattempttoretireorconcealhimself。Thefigureturneditsfacetothewall，putthepalmsofitshandsagainstit，andmovedthemupanddown，andthiswayandthat；thenlookedatthem，andbegantorubthemagainsteachother。

Donalcametohimself。Heconcludeditwasacaseofsleepwalking。

Hehadreadthatitwasdangeroustowakethesleeper，butthatheseldomcametomischiefwhenleftalone，andwasabouttoslipawayashehadcome，whenthefaintsoundofafar-offchordcreptthroughthesilence。Theearlagainlaidhiseartothewall。Buttherewasonlysilence。Hewentthroughthesamedumbshowasbefore，thenturnedasiftoleavetheplace。Donalturnedalso，andhurriedlyfelthiswaytothestair。Thenfirsthewasindangerofterror；forinstealingthroughthedarknessfromonewhocouldfindhiswaywithouthiseyes，heseemedpursuedbyacreaturenotofthisworld。Onthestairhewentdownasteportwo，thenlingered，andheardtheearlcomeonitalso。Hecreptclosetothenewel，leavingthegreatwidthofthestairfree，butthestepsoftheearlwentupward。Donaldescended，satdownagainatthebottomofthestair，andbeganagaintowait。Nosoundcametohimthroughtherestofthenight。Theslowhoursrolledaway，andtheslowlightdrewnearer。Nowandthenhewasonthepointoffallingintoadoze，butwouldsuddenlystartwideawake，listeningthroughasilencethatseemedtofillthewholeuniverseanddeepenaroundthecastle。

Atlengthhewasawarethatthedarknesshad，unobservedofhim，grownweaker——thattheapproachofthelightwassickeningit：thedayspringwasabouttotakeholdoftheendsoftheearththatthewickedmightbeshakenoutofitslap。Hesoughtthelongpassagebywhichhehadcome，andfelthiswaytotheotherend：itwouldbesafertowaitthereifhecouldgetnofarther。Butsomehowhecametothefootofhisownstair，andspedupasifitweretheladderofheaven。Hethrewhimselfonhisbed，fellfastasleep，anddidnotwaketillthesunwashigh。

CHAPTERXIV。

THESCHOOLROOM。

OldSimmons，thebutler，wokehim。

“Iwasafraidsomethingwasthematter，sir。Theytellmeyoudidnotcomedownlastnight；andbreakfasthasbeenwaitingyoutwohours。“

“Ishouldnothaveknownwheretofindit，“saidDonal。“Theknowledgeofanoldcastleisnotintuitive。“

“Howlongwillyoutaketodress？”askedSimmons。

“Tenminutes，ifthereisanyhurry，“answeredDonal。

“Iwillcomeagainintwenty；or，ifyouarewillingtosaveanoldman\'sbones，Iwillbeatthebottomofthestairatthattimetotakechargeofyou。Iwouldhavelookedafteryouyesterday，buthislordshipwaspoorly，andIhadtobeinattendanceonhimtillaftermidnight。“

Donalthoughtitimpossibleheshouldofhimselfhavefoundhiswaytotheschoolroom。Withallhecoulddotoremembertheturnings，hefoundtheendeavourhopeless，andgaveitupwithanotunpleasingdespair。Throughstrangepassages，throughdoorsinalldirections，upstairsanddowntheywent，andatlastcametoalong，lowroom，barelyfurnished，withapleasantoutlook，andimmediateaccesstotheopenair。Thewindowswereuponasmallgrassycourt，withasundialinthecentre；adooropenedonapavedcourt。Atoneendoftheroomatablewaslaidwithtentimesasmanythingsashecoulddesiretoeat，thoughhecametoitwithagoodappetite。Thebutlerhimselfwaiteduponhim。Hewasagood-naturedoldfellow，withanosesomewhattooredfortheordinarywearofoneinhisresponsibleposition。

“Ihopetheearlisbetterthismorning，“saidDonal。

“Well，Ican\'tsay。He\'sbutadelicatemanistheearl，andhasbeen，solongasIhaveknownhim。HewaswiththearmyinIndia，andthesun，theysay，givehimastroke，andeversincehehaveheadachesthatbad！Butinbetweenheseemsprettywell，andnothingdispleaseshimmorethanaskafterhishealth，orhowheslepthenight。Buthe\'sagoodmaster，andIhopetoendmydayswithhim。I\'mnotoneaslikesnewfacesandnewplaces！Onegoodplaceisenoughforme，saysI——solongasitisagoodone——Takesomeofthisgamepie，sir。“

Donalmadehastewithhisbreakfast，andtoSimmons\'sastonishmenthadendedwhenhethoughthimjustwellbegun。

“HowshallIfindmasterDavie？”heasked。

“Heiswildtoseeyou，sir。WhenI\'veclearedaway，justhavethegoodnesstoringthisbelloutofthatwindow，andhe\'llbewithyouasfastashecanlayhisfeettotheground。“

Donalrangthehandbell。Ashoutmingledwiththeclangofit。

Thencametherunningofswiftfeetoverthestonesofthecourt，andDavieburstintotheroom。

“Oh，sir，“hecried，“Iamglad！Itisgoodofyoutocome！”

“Well，yousee，Davie，“returnedDonal，“everybodyhasgottodosomethingtocarrytheworldonabit：myworkistohelpmakeamanofyou。OnlyIcan\'tdomuchexceptyouhelpme；andifIfindIamnotmakingagoodjobofyou，Ishan\'tstopmanyhoursafterthediscovery。Ifyouwanttokeepme，youmustmindwhatIsay，andsohelpmetomakeamanofyou。“

“ItwillbelongbeforeIamaman！”saidDavieratherdisconsolately。

“Itdependsonyourself。Theboythatislongestinbecomingaman，istheboythatthinkshimselfamanbeforeheisabitlikeone。“

“Comethen，letusdosomething！”saidDavie。

“Comeaway，“rejoinedDonal。“Whatshallwedofirst？”

“Idon\'tknow：youmusttellme，sir。“

“Whatwouldyoulikebesttodo——Imeanifyoumightdowhatyoupleased？”

Daviethoughtalittle，thensaid：

“Ishouldliketowriteabook。“

“Whatkindofabook？”

“Abeautifulstory。“

“Isn\'titjustaswelltoreadsuchabook？Whyshouldyouwanttowriteone？”

“BecausethenIshouldhaveitgojustasIwantedit！Iamalways——almostalways——disappointedwiththethingthatcomesnext。

ButifIwroteitmyself，thenIshouldn\'tgettiredofit；itwouldbewhatpleasedme，andnotwhatpleasedsomebodyelse。“

“Well，“saidDonal，afterthinkingforamoment，“supposeyoubegintowriteabook！”

“Oh，thatwillbefun！——muchbetterthanlearningverbsandnouns！”

“Buttheverbsandnounsarejustthethingsthatgotomakeastory——withnotafewadjectivesandadverbs，andahostofconjunctions；and，ifitbeaverymovingstory，agoodmanyinterjections！Theseallyouhavegottoputtogetherwithgoodchoice，orthestorywillnotbeoneyouwouldcaretoread——PerhapsyouhadbetternotbegintillIseewhetheryouknowenoughaboutthoseverbsandnounstodothethingdecently。Showmeyourschool-books。“

“Theretheyallare——onthatshelf！Ihaven\'topenedoneofthemsincePercycamehome。Helaughedatthemall，andsoArkie——that\'sladyArctura，toldhimhemightteachmehimself。Andhewouldn\'t；

andshewouldn\'t——withhimtolaughather。AndI\'vehadsuchajollytimeeversince——readingbooksoutofthelibrary！Haveyouseenthelibrary，Mr。Grant？”

“No；I\'veseennothingyet。Supposewebeginwithaholiday，andyoubeginbyteachingme！”

“Teachingyou，sir！I\'mnotabletoteachyou！”

“Why，didn\'tyouasmuchasoffertoteachmethelibrary？Can\'tyouteachmethisgreatoldcastle？Andaren\'tyougoingtoteachyourselftome？”

“Thatwouldbeafunnylesson，sir！”

“Theleastfunny，themostseriouslessonyoucouldteachme！YouareabookGodhasbegun，andhehassentmetohelphimgoonwithit；soImustlearnwhathehaswrittenalreadybeforeItrytodoanything。“

“Butyouknowwhataboyis，sir！Whyshouldyouwanttolearnme？”

“Youmightaswellsaythat，becauseIhavereadoneortwobooks，I

mustknoweverybook。Tounderstandoneboyhelpstounderstandanother，buteveryboyisanewboy，differentfromeveryotherboy，andeveryonehastobeunderstood。“

“Yes——forsometimesArkiewon\'thearmeout，andIfeelsocrosswithherIshouldliketogiveheragoodboxontheear。Whatkingwasit，sir，thatmadethelawthatnolady，howeverdisagreeable，wastohaveherearsboxed？Doyouthinkitagoodlaw，sir？”

“Itisgoodforyouandmeanyhow。“

“AndwhenPercysays，\'Oh，goaway！don\'tbother，\'IfeelasifI

couldhithimhard！Yet，ifIhappentohurthim，Iamsosorry！

andwhythenshouldIwanttohurthim？”

“There\'ssomethinginthislittlefellow！”saidDonaltohimself。

“Ah，whyindeed？”heanswered。“Youseeyoudon\'tunderstandyourselfyet！”

“Noindeed！”

“ThenhowcouldyouthinkIshouldunderstandyouallatonce？——andaboymustbeunderstood，elsewhat\'stobecomeofhim！Fancyapoorboylivingallday，andsleepingallnight，andnobodyunderstandinghim！”

“Thatwouldbedreadful！Butyouwillunderstandme？”

“Onlyalittle：I\'mnotwiseenoughtounderstandanyboy。“

“Then——butisn\'tthatwhatyousaidyoucamefor？——Ithought——“

“Yes，“answeredDonal，“thatiswhatIcamefor；butifIfanciedI

quiteunderstoodanyboy，thatwouldbeasuresignIdidnotunderstandhim——Thereisonewhounderstandseveryboyaswellasiftherewerenootherboyinthewholeworld。“

“Thenwhydoesn\'teveryboygotohimwhenhecan\'tgetfairplay？”

“Ah，why？ThatisjustwhatIwantyoutodo。Hecandobetterthangiveyoufairplayeven：hecanmakeyougiveotherpeoplefairplay，anddelightinit。“

“Tellmewhereheis。“

“ThatiswhatIhavetoteachyou：meretellingisnotmuchuse。

Tellingiswhatmakespeoplethinktheyknowwhentheydonot，andmakesthemfoolish。“

“Whatishisname？”

“Iwillnottellyouthatjustyet；forthenyouwouldthinkyouknewhim，whenyouknewnexttonothingabouthim。Lookhere；lookatthisbook，“hewenton，pullingacopyofBoethiusfromhispocket；“lookatthenameonthebackofit：itisthenameofthemanthatwrotethebook。“

Daviespelleditout。

“Nowyouknowallaboutthebook，don\'tyou？”

“No，sir；Idon\'tknowanythingaboutit。“

“Wellthen，myfather\'snameisRobertGrant：youknownowwhatagoodmanheis！”

“No，Idon\'t。Ishouldliketoseehimthough！”

“Youwouldlovehimifyoudid！Butyouseenowthatknowingthenameofapersondoesnotmakeyouknowtheperson。“

“Butyousaid，sir，thatifyoutoldmethenameofthatperson，I

shouldfancyIknewallabouthim：Idon\'tfancyIknowallaboutyourfathernowyouhavetoldmehisname！”

“Youhavemethere！”answeredDonal。“IdidnotsayquitewhatI

oughttohavesaid。Ishouldhavesaidthatwhenweknowalittleaboutaperson，andareusedtohearinghisname，thenwearereadytothinkweknowallabouthim。Iheardamantheotherday——amanwhohadneverspokentoyourfather——talkasifheknewallabouthim。“

“IthinkIunderstand，“saidDavie。

Toconfessignoranceistoloserespectwiththeignorantwhowouldappeartoknow。Butthereisaworsethingthantolosetherespectevenofthewise——todeservetoloseit；andthathedoeswhowouldgainarespectthatdoesnotbelongtohim。Butaconfessionofignoranceisagroundofrespectwithawell-bredchild，andevenwithmanyordinaryboyswillraiseaman\'sinfluence：theyrecognizehisloyaltytothetruth。Act-truthisinfinitelymorethanfact-truth；theloveofthetruthinfinitelybeyondtheknowledgeofit。

Theywentouttogether，andwhentheyhadgonetheroundoftheplaceoutside，Daviewouldhavetakenhimoverthehouse；butDonalsaidtheywouldleavesomethingforanothertime，andmadehimliedownfortenminutes。Thistheboythoughtagreathardship，butDonalsawthatheneededtobetaughttorest。Tentimesinthosetenminuteshewasonthepointofjumpingup，butDonalfoundawordsufficienttorestrainhim。Whenthetenminuteswereover，hesethimanadditionsum。Theboyprotestedheknewalltherulesofarithmetic。

“But，“saidDonal，“Imustknowthatyouknowthem；thatismybusiness。Dothisone，howevereasyitis。“

Theboyobeyed，andbroughthimthesum——incorrect。

“Now，Davie，“saidDonal，“yousaidyouknewallaboutaddition，butyouhavenotdonethissumcorrectly。“

“Ihaveonlymadeablunder，sir。“

“Butaruleisnoruleifitisnotcarriedout。Everythinggoesonthesuppositionofitsbeingitself，andnotsomethingelse。Peoplethattalkaboutgoodthingswithoutdoingthemareleftout。Youarenotmasterofadditionuntilyouradditionistobedependedupon。“

Theboyfoundithardtofixhisattention：tofixitonsomethinghedidnotyetunderstand，wouldbetoohard！hemustlearntodosointhepursuitofaccuracywherehealreadyunderstood！thenhewouldnothavetofighttwodifficultiesatonce——thatofunderstanding，andthatoffixinghisattention。Butforalongtimeheneverkepthimmorethanaquarterofanhouratworkonthesamething。

Whenhehaddonethesumcorrectly，andasecondwithoutneedofcorrection，hetoldhimtolayhisslateaside，andhewouldtellhimafairy-story。Thereinhesucceededtolerably——intheopinionofDavie，wonderfully：whatatutorwasthis，wholetfairiesintotheschool-room！

Thetalewasofnoveryoriginalconstruction——theyoungestbrothergaininginthepathofrighteousnesswhattheelderbrotherslosethroughmasterfulselfishness。Amanmustdoathingbecauseitisright，evenifhedieforit；buttruthwerepoorindeedifitdidnotbringatlastallthingssubjecttoit！Asbeautyandtruthareone，soaretruthandstrengthone。MustGodbeeveronthecross，thatwepoorworshippersmaypayhimourhighesthonour？Isitnotenoughtoknowthatifthedevilwerethegreater，yetwouldnotGoddohimhomage，butwouldhangforeveronhiscross？Truthisjoyandvictory。Thetrueheroisadjudgedtobliss，norcaninthenatureofthings，thatis，ofGod，escapeit。Hewhoholdsbylifeandresistsdeath，mustbevictorious；hisverylifeisaslayingofdeath。Amanmaydieforhisopinion，andmayonlybelivingtohimself：amanwhodiesforthetruth，diestohimselfandtoallthatisnottrue。

“Whatabeautifulstory！”criedDaviewhenitceased。“Wheredidyougetit，Mr。Grant？”

“Whereallstoriescomefrom。“

“Whereisthat？”

“TheThink-book。“

“Whatafunnyname！Ineverheardit！Willitbeinthelibrary？”

“No；itisinnolibrary。ItisthebookGodisalwayswritingatoneend，andblottingoutattheother。Itismadeofthoughts，notwords。ItistheThink-book。“

“NowIunderstand！Yougotthestoryoutofyourownhead！”

“Yes，perhaps。Buthowdiditgetintomyhead？”

“Ican\'ttellthat。Nobodycantellthat！”

“Nobodycanthatnevergoesupabovehisownhead——thatnevershutstheThink-book，andstandsuponit。Whenonedoes，thentheThink-bookswellstoagreatmountainandliftshimupabovealltheworld：thenheseeswherethestoriescomefrom，andhowtheygetintohishead——Areyoutohavearideto-day？”

“IrideornotjustasIlike。“

“Well，wewillnowdojustaswebothlike，Ihope，anditwillbetwolikesinsteadofone——thatis，ifwearetruefriends。“

“Weshallhetruefriends——thatweshall！”

“Howcanthatbe——betweenalittleboylikeyou，andagrownmanlikeme？”

“Bymebeinggood。“

“Bybothofusbeinggood——nootherway。Ifoneofusonlywasgood，wecouldneverbetruefriends。Imustbegoodaswellasyou，elseweshallneverunderstandeachother！”

“Howkindyouare，Mr。Grant！Youtreatmejustlikeanotherone！”

saidDavie。

“ButwemustnotforgetthatIamthebigoneandyouthelittleone，andthatwecan\'tbetheotheronetoeachotherexceptthelittleonedoeswhatthebigonetellshim！That\'sthewaytofitintoeachother。“

“Oh，ofcourse！”answeredDavie，asiftherecouldnotbetwomindsaboutthat。

CHAPTERXV。

HORSEANDMAN。

Duringthefirstdayandthenext，Donaldidnotevencomeinsightofanyotherofthefamily；butonthethirdday，aftertheirshortearlyschool——forheseldomletDavieworktillhewastired，andneverafter——goingwithhimthroughthestable-yard，theycameuponlordForgueashemountedhishorse——anervous，fiery，thin-skinnedthoroughbred。Themomenthismasterwasonhim，hebegantobackandrear。Forguegavehimacutwithhiswhip。Hewentwild，plunginganddancingandkicking。Theyounglordwasahorsemaninthesenseofhavingagoodseat；butheknewlittleabouthorses；

theyweretohimcreaturestobecompelled，notfriendswithwhomtoholdsweetconcert。Hehadnotlearnedthattoruleillisworsethantoobeyill。Kingsmaybeworsethanitisinthepowerofanysubjecttobe。Ashewasraisinghisarmforaseconduseless，cruel，anddangerousblow，Donaldartedtothehorse\'shead。

“Youmustn\'tdothat，mylord！”hesaid。“You\'lldrivehimmad。“

ButtheworstpartofForgue\'snaturewasuppermost，inhisrageallthevicesofhisfamilyrushedtothetop。HelookeddownonDonalwithafurycheckedonlybycontempt。

“Keepoff，“hesaid，“oritwillbetheworseforyou。Whatdoyouknowabouthorses？”

“Enoughtoknowthatyouarenotfairtohim。Iwillnotletyoustrikethepooranimal。Justlookatthiswater-chain！”

“Holdyourtongue，andstandaway，or，by——“

“Yewinnafrichtme，sir，“saidDonal，whoseEnglishwould，foryears，uponanyexcitement，turncowardlyandrunaway，leavinghismother-tonguetobearthebrunt，“——I\'mnotimorsome。“

ForguebroughtdownhiswhipwithagreatstingingblowuponDonal\'sshoulderandback。ThefiercebloodofthehighlandCeltrushedtohisbrain，andhadnotthemaninhimheldbyGodandtrampledonthedevil，theremightthenhavebeenmiserablework。Butthoughheclenchedhisteeth，hefetteredhishands，andruledhistongue，andtheMasterofmenwasmasterstill。

“Mylord，“hesaid，afteroneinstant\'sthunderoussilence，“there\'sthati\'mewadthinkaslittleo\'throttlin\'yeasyeduo\'

ill-usin\'yerpuirbeast。ButI\'mnogaein\'todrophisquarrel，an\'takupmyain：thatwadbecooardly。“Herehepattedthecreature\'sneck，andrecoveringhiscomposureandhisEnglish，wenton。“Itellyou，mylord，thecurb-chainistootight！Theanimalissufferingasyoucanhavenoconceptionof，oryouwouldpityhim。“

“Lethimgo，“criedForgue，“orIwillmakeyou。“

Heraisedhiswhipagain，themoreenragedthatthegroomstoodlookingonwithhismouthopen。

“Itellyourlordship，“saidDonal，“itismyturntostrike；andifyouhittheanimalagainbeforethatchainisslackened，Iwillpitchyououtofthesaddle。“

ForanswerForguestruckthehorseoverthehead。Thesamemomenthewasontheground；Donalhadtakenhimbythelegandthrownhimoff。Hewasnothorsemanenoughtokeephisholdofthereins，andDonalledthehorsealittlewayoff，andlefthimtogetupinsafety。Thepooranimalwaspouringwithsweat，shiveringandtrembling，yetthrowinghisheadbackeverymoment。Donalcouldscarcelyundothechain；itwastwisted——hislordshiphadfastenedithimself——andsharpedgespressedhisjawattheleasttouchoftherein。Hehadnotyetrehookedit，whenForguewasuponhimwithasecondblowofhiswhip。Thehorsewasscaredafreshatthesound，anditwasallhecoulddotoholdhim，buthesucceededatlengthincalminghim。Whenhelookedabouthim，Forguewasgone。

Heledthehorseintothestable，puthiminhisstall，andproceededtounsaddlehim。Thenfirsthewasre-awareofthepresenceofDavie。Theboywasstamping——withfierceeyesandwhiteface——chokingwithsilentrage。

“Davie，mychild！”saidDonal，andDavierecoveredhispowerofspeech。

“I\'llgoandtellmyfather！”hesaid，andmadeforthestabledoor。

“Whichofusareyougoingtotellupon？”askedDonalwithasmile。

“Percy，ofcourse！”hereplied，almostwithascream。“Youareagoodman，Mr。Grant，andheisabadfellow。Myfatherwillgiveithimwell。Hedoesn\'toften——butoh，can\'thejust！Todaretostrikeyou！I\'llgotohimatonce，whetherhe\'sinbedornot！”

“No，youwon\'t，myboy！Listentome。Somepeoplethinkit\'sadisgracetobestruck：Ithinkitadisgracetostrike。Ihavearightoveryourbrotherbythatblow，andImeantokeepit——forhisgood。Youdidn\'tthinkIwasafraidofhim？”

“No，no；anybodycouldseeyouweren\'tabitafraidofhim。Iwouldhavestruckhimagainifhehadkilledmeforit！”

“Idon\'tdoubtyouwould。Butwhenyouunderstand，youwillnotbesoreadytostrike。Icouldhavekilledyourbrothermoreeasilythanheldhishorse。Youdon\'tknowhowstrongIam，orwhatablowofmyfistwouldbetoadelicatefellowlikethat。Ihopehisfallhasnothurthim。“

“Ihopeithas——alittle，Imean，onlyalittle，“saidtheboy，lookinginthefaceofhistutor。“Buttellmewhyyoudidnotstrikehim。Itwouldbegoodforhimtobewellbeaten。“

“Itwill，Ihope，bebetterforhimtobewellforgiven：hewillbeashamedofhimselfthesooner，Ithink。ButwhyIdidnotstrikehimwas，thatIamnotmyownmaster。“

“Butmyfather，Iamsure，wouldnothavebeenangrywithyou。Hewouldhavesaidyouhadarighttodoit。“

“Perhaps；buttheearlisnotthemasterImean。“

“Whois，then？”

“JesusChrist。“

“O——oh！”

“HesaysImustnotreturnevilforevil，ablowforablow。I

don\'tmindwhatpeoplesayaboutit：hewouldnothavemedisgracemyself！Henevereventhreatenedthosethatstruckhim。“

“Buthewasn\'taman，youknow！”

“Notaman！Whatwashethen？”

“HewasGod，youknow。“

“Andisn\'tGodaman——andeversomuchmorethanaman？”

Theboymadenoanswer，andDonalwenton。

“DoyouthinkGodwouldhavehischilddoanythingdisgraceful？

Why，Davie，youdon\'tknowyourownFather！WhatGodwantsofusistobedown-righthonest，anddowhathetellsuswithoutfear。“

Daviewassilent。Hisconsciencereprovedhim，astheconscienceofatrue-heartedboywillreprovehimattheverymentionofthenameofGod，untilhesetshimselfconsciouslytodohiswill。Donalsaidnomore，andtheywentfortheirwalk。

CHAPTERXVI。

COLLOQUIES。

IntheeveningDonalwenttoseeAndrewComin。

“Weel，hooareyegettin\'onwi\'theyerl？”askedthecobbler。

“Yousetmeagoodexampleofsayingnothingabouthim，“answeredDonal；“andIwillfollowit——atleasttillIknowmore：Ihavescarceseenhimyet。“

“That\'sright！”returnedthecobblerwithsatisfaction。“I\'mthinkin\'ye\'llbeaneo\'thefeow\'atcanruletheiranehoose——thatis，haudtheiraintonguestillthehoorforspeechbecome。Stickyetothat，mydearsir，an\'mairi\'llbeweelnoringeneralisweel。“

“I\'mcometoyeforabito\'helpthough；Iwantlichtuponaqueston\'at\'slangtribletme——Whatthinkye？——hoofardoesthecomman\'laidupo\'\'s，astowarfare\'atweenmanan\'man，reach？Arewenevertaraisethehan\'tohumanbein\'，thinkye？”

“Weel，Ihaethouchtaheapabootit，an\'Idaurnasay\'atI\'mjistabsoluteclearupo\'themaitter。Buttheremaybepairtclearwhaura\'\'snoclear；an\'bywhatweun\'erstan\'wecomethenearertowhatwedinnaun\'erstan\'。There\'saethinguncoplain——\'atwe\'reonnoaccoonttoreturnevilforevil：onybody\'atca\'shimsel\'aChristianmaunun\'erstan\'thatmuckle。We\'retogienoplacetorevenge，insideoroot。Thereforewe\'renotogieblowforblow。

Gienamanhitye，ye\'retotakeiti\'God\'sname。Butwhetherthingsmaynacometoap\'intwhauratye\'rebu\'n\'，stilli\'God\'sname，todefen\'thelifeGodhasgienye，Icannasay——Ihaenathelichttojustifeemeindenyin\'\'t。Theremaunsurely，Ihaesaidtomysel\'，beatimewhanamanmayhaetoduwhatGoddissaeaften——makuseo\'thestronghan\'！Butit\'sclearhemaunnado\'tinrage——that\'sowernearhate——an\'hate\'sthedeevil\'sain。Amanmay，gienhelivevarraneartheLord，bewhilesangryohnsinned：

butthewratho\'manworkethnottherichteousnesso\'God；an\'thewraththatrisesi\'themidso\'encoonter，isnoliketobeo\'thenaturo\'divinewrath。Towinatit，gien\'tbepossible，lat\'sconsidertheLord——hoohedid。There\'snowordo\'himeverliftin\'

han\'toprotec\'himsel\'。Theonlythinglikeitwasforithers。Togarthemlathisdisciplesalane——maybetilltheywarlikeeneuchtilhimsel\'notorin，hepatootmairnorhishan\'upo\'them\'atcamtotakhim：hestrakthemsairwi\'thepooeritsel\'\'atmuvsa\'

airms。Butnovarrasairnaither——hebutknockitthemdoon！——jisttolatthemkentheywartoduashebadethem，an\'lathisfowkbe；——an\'maybetolatthemken\'atgienhelootthemtakhim，itwasno\'athecouldnahin\'erthemgienhelikit。Icannahelpthinkin\'

wemaystan\'upforitherfowk。An\'I\'mnosayin\'\'atwearenatodefen\'oorselsfraeasetattackwi\'design——Butthere\'ssomethingo\'mairimportanceyetnorkennin\'therichto\'onyqueston。“

“Whatcanthatbe？Whatcanbeo\'mairimportancenordoin\'richti\'thesichto\'God？”saidDonal。

“Bein\'richtwi\'thevarrathouchto\'God，sae\'atwecannamistak，butmaunkenjistwhathewadhaedune。That\'sthebigRicht，themothero\'a\'thelaveo\'therichts。That\'stobeasthemaisterwas。Onygait，whateverwedu，itmaunbesicastobedune，an\'itmaunbedunei\'thenameo\'God；whanwedunaethingwemaunduthatnaethingi\'thenameo\'God。Abodymayweelsay，\'OLord，thoohasnalattenmeseewhatIouchttodu，saeI\'lldunaething！\'Gienamanoughttodefen\'himsel\'，butdisnadu\'t，\'causehethinksGodwadnahaehimdu\'t，wullGodlea\'himoondefentforthat？Orgienabodystan\'supi\'thenameo\'God，an\'frontsanairmyo\'enemies，divyethinkGod\'illforsakehim\'causehe\'smadeamistak？

Whatever\'sdunewantin\'faithmaunbesin——itcannahelpit；

whatever\'sduneinfaithcannabesin，thoughitmaybeamistak。

Onlylatnaamantakpresumptionforfaith！that\'safearsomemistak，forit\'sjisttheopposite。“

“Ithankye，“saidDonal。“I\'llconsiderwi\'mybestendeevourwhatyehaesaid。“

“Buto\'a\'things，“resumedthecobbler，“luik\'atyelo\'efairplay。

Fairplay\'sawon\'erfu\'word——agran\'thingconstantlylostsichto\'。Man，Ihaebeentryin\'towinattheduin\'o\'therichtthismonyayear，butIdaurnayetlatmysel\'ac\'upo\'thespuro\'themomentwhaurmyainenterest\'sconcernt：myainsidemichtyetblin\'metotheitherman\'ssideo\'thebusiness。Onybodycanun\'erstan\'hisainricht，butittakstriblean\'thouchttoun\'erstan\'whatanithercoontshisricht。Twarichtscannaweelclash。It\'sawrangan\'aricht，orpairtwrangan\'apairtricht\'atclashes。“

“Giena\'bodydidthat，Idoobttherewadbefeowfortinsmade！”saidDonal。

“AbootthatIcannasay，nokennin\'；IdaurnadiscoveralawwhaurI

haenaknowledge！Butthissamefairplaylies，alangwi\'love，atthevarraruteandf\'undationo\'theuniverse。Thetheologianshadaglimmero\'thefac\'whantheymadesaemuckleo\'justice，onlytheirjusticeissicameeserablesma\'bitplaistereemageo\'

justice，\'atitmaistgarsanhonestbodylauch。Theyseemtomelikeshepherds\'atrivedoonthedoor-posts，an\'syneblockupthedoorwi\'them。“

DonaltoldhimofthequarrelhehadhadwithlordForgue，andaskedhimwhetherhethoughthehaddoneright。

“Weel，“answeredthecobbler，“I\'masfarfraeblamin\'youasIamfraejustifeein\'theyoonglord。“

“Heseemstomeafinekin\'o\'alad，“saidDonal，“thoughsomeowerbeirin\'。“

“Thelikeso\'himaremairtobeexcusedforthatnoritherfowk，fortheyhaegreatdisadvantagesi\'thepositionan\'theupbringin\'。

It\'snoeasyforhim\'at\'sbrouchtupalordtobelievehe\'sjistanewi\'thelave。“

Donalwentforastrollthroughthetown，andmettheminister，buthetooknonoticeofhim。Hewasgreatlyannoyedatthemarchwhichhesaidthefellowhadstolenuponhim，andregardedhimasonewhohadtakenanunfairadvantageofhim。Buthehadlittleinfluenceatthecastle。Theearlneverbyanychancewenttochurch。Hisniece，ladyArctura，did，however，andheldtheministerforanauthorityatthingsspiritual——oneofwhomlivingwaterwastobehadwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。Butwhatshecountedspiritualthingswereverycommonearthlystuff，andforthewater，itwasbutstagnantwaterfromtheditchesofashamtheology。Onlywhatwasapoorgirltodowhodidnotknowhowtofeedherself，butapplytoonewhopretendedtobeabletofeedothers？Howwasshetoknowthathecouldnotevenfeedhimself？Outofmanyadifficultyshethoughthehelpedher——onlythedifficultywouldpresentlyclaspheragain，andshemustdealwithitasshebestcould，untilanewonemadeherforgetit，andgototheminister，orrathertohisdaughter，again。Shewasoneofthosewhofeeltheneedofsomehelptolive——someupholdingthatisnotofthemselves，butwho，throughthestupidityofteachersunconsciouslyfalse，——mensounfitthattheydonotknowtheyareunfit，directtheirefforts，firsttowardshavingcorrectnotions，thentoworkupthefeelingsthatbelongtothosenotions。Shewasanhonestgirlsofarasshehadbeentaught——perhapsnotsofarasshemighthavebeenwithouthavingbeentaught。HowwasshetothinkarightwithscarceaglimmerofGod\'struth？HowwasshetopleaseGod，asshecalledit，whothoughtofhiminawayrepulsivetoeverylovingsoul？HowwasshetobeacceptedofGod，whodidnotacceptherownneighbour，butlookeddown，withoutknowingit，uponsomanyofherfellow-creatures？Howshouldsuchaoneeitherenjoyorrecommendherreligion？Itwouldhavebeentheworseforherifshehadenjoyedit——theworseforothersifshehadrecommendedit！

ReligionissimplythewayhometotheFather。Therewaslittleofthepathinherreligionexceptthedifficultyofit。Thetruewayisdifficultenoughbecauseofourunchildlikeness——uphill，steep，anddifficult，butthereisfreshlifeoneverysurmountedheight，apurerairgained，evermorelifeformoreclimbing。Butthepaththatisnotthetrueoneisnotthereforeeasy。Uphillishardwalking，butthroughabogisworse。ThosewhoseekGodwiththeirfacesnoteventurnedtowardshim，who，insteadofbeholdingtheFatherintheSon，takethestupidestopinionsconcerninghimandhiswaysfromothermen——whatshouldtheydobutgowanderingondarkmountains，spendingtheirstrengthinavoidingprecipicesandgettingoutofbogs，mourningandsighingovertheirsinsinsteadofleavingthembehindandfleeingtotheFather，whomtoknowiseternallife。DidtheybutsetthemselvestofindoutwhatChristknewandmeantandcommanded，andthentodoit，theywouldsoonforgettheirfalseteachers。Butalas！theygoonbowingbeforelong-faced，big-wordedauthority——themorefatallywhenitisembodiedinagoodmanwho，himselfavictimtofaithinmen，seestheSonofGodonlythroughthetheoriesofothers，andnotwiththesightofhisownspiritualeyes。

Donalhadnotyetseenthelady。Heneitherate，sat，norheldintercoursewiththefamily。AwayfromDavie，hespenthistimeinhistowerchamber，oroutofdoors。Allthegroundswereopentohimexceptawalledgardenonthesouth-easternslope，lookingtowardsthesea，whichtheearlkeptforhimself，thoughherarelywalkedinit。Onthesideofthehillawayfromthetown，wasalargeparkreachingdowntotheriver，andstretchingalongwayupitsbank——withfinetrees，andgloriousoutlookstotheseainonedirection，andtothemountainsintheother。HereDonalwouldoftenwander，nowwithabook，nowwithDavie。Theboy\'spresencewasrarelyaninterruptiontohisthoughtswhenhewantedtothink。