第8章

FromthesedreamsofhomeMandyrecalledhimwithasummonstodinner。Ashiseye，stillfilledwiththevisionofhisdreams，felluponherinallthegorgeoussplendourofherSundaydress，hewasconsciousofastrongsenseofrepulsion。Howcoarse，howcrude，howvulgarsheappeared，howhorriblyoutofkeepingwiththosescenesthroughwhichhehadjustbeenwanderinginhisdreams。”Iwantnodinner，Mandy，”hesaidshortly。”IhaveabadheadandIamnothungry。””Nodinner？”ThatamanshouldnotwantdinnerwastoMandyquiteinexplicable，unless，indeed，hewereill。”Areyousick？”shecriedinquickalarm。”No，Ihaveaheadache。Itwillpassaway，”saidCameron，turningoveronhisside。StillMandylingered。”Letmebringyouanicepieceofpieandacupoftea。”

Cameronshuddered。”No，”hesaid，”bringmenothing。Imerelywishtosleep。”

ButMandyrefusedtobedrivenaway。”Say，I’mawfulsorry。Iknowyou’resick。””Nonsense！”saidCameron，impatiently，waitingforhertobegone。

StillMandyhesitated。”I’mawfulsorry，”shesaidagain，andhervoice，deep，tender，full-toned，revealedheremotion。

Cameronturnedimpatientlytowardsher。”Lookhere，Mandy！There’snothingwrongwithme。Ionlywantalittlesleep。Ishallbeallrightto-morrow。”

ButMandy’sfearswerenottobeallayed。”Say，”shecried，”youlookawfulbad。””Oh，getout，Mandy！Goandgetyourdinner。Don’tmindme。”

Cameron’stonewasdecidedlycross。

WithoutfurtherremonstranceMandyturnedsilentlyaway，butbeforesheturnedCameroncaughtthegleamoftearsinthegreatblueeyes。Aswiftcompunctionseizedhim。”Isay，Mandy，Idon’twanttoberude，but——””Rude？”criedthegirl。”You？Youcouldn’tbe。Youarealwaysgood——tome——and——I——don’t——know——”Herehervoicebroke。”Oh，come，Mandy，getawaytodinner。Youareagoodgirl。Nowleavemealone。”

ThekindnessinhisvoicequitebrokedownMandy’salltooslightcontrol。Sheturnedaway，audiblysniffling，withheraprontohereyes，leavingCameroninastateofwrathfulperplexity。”Oh，confounditall！”hegroanedtohimself。”Thisisarottengo。ByJove！ThismeanstheWestforme。TheWest！Afterall，that’stheplace。Herethereisnochanceanyway。WhydidInotgosooner？”

Herosefromthegrass，shiveringwithasuddenchill，wenttohisbedinthehaymow，and，coveringhimselfwithTim’sblanketsandhisown，fellagainintosleep。Here，lateintheafternoon，Timfoundhimandcalledhimtosupper。

WithMandy’swatchfuleyeuponhimhewentthroughtheformofeating，butMandywasnottobedeceived。”Youain’teatin’nothin’，”shesaidreproachfullyasherosefromthetable。”Enoughforamanwhoisdoingnothing，”repliedCameron。”WhatI

wantisexercise。IthinkIshalltakeawalk。””Goingtochurch？”sheenquired，aneagerlightspringingintohereye。”Tochurch？Ihadn’tthoughtofit，”repliedCameron，but，catchingthegleamofasmileonPerkins’faceandnotingtheutterlywoebegoneexpressiononMandy’s，headded，”Well，Imightaswellwalktochurchasanyplaceelse。Youaregoing，Tim？””Huhhuh！”repliedTim。”IamgoingtohitchupDeck，Mandy，”saidPerkins。”Oh，I’mgoin’towalk！”saidMandy，emphatically。”Allright！”saidPerkins。”GuessI’llwalktoowiththecrowd。””Don’tmindme，”saidMandy。”Idon’t，”laughedPerkins，”youbet！Noranybodyelse。””Andthat’snolie！”sniffedMandy，withatossofherhead。”Betterdrivetochurch，Mandy，”suggestedhermother。”Youknowyou’rejisttiredoutanditwillbelatewhenyougetstarted。””Tired？Late？”criedMandy，withalacrity。”I’llbethroughthemdishesinajiffyandbereadyinnotime。Ilikethewalkthroughthewoods。””Dependsonthecompany，”laughedPerkinsagain。”SodoI。Guesswe’llallgotogether。”

Truetoherpromise，Mandywasreadywithinhalfanhour。Cameronshudderedashebeheldthebewilderingvarietyofcolourinherattireandthestillmorebewilderingarrangementofhatandhair。”You’regoodandgay，Mandy，”saidPerkins。”What’sthekilling？”

Mandymadenoreplysavebyadisdainfulflirtofherskirtsasshesetoffdownthelane，followedbyPerkins，CameronandTimbringinguptherear。

Thelanewasagrassysward，cutwithtwowagon-wheeltracks，andwithapicturesquesnakefenceoneitherside。Beyondthefenceslaythefields，someofthemwithstubblerakedclean，thenextyear’sclovershowinggreenabovetheyellow，somewiththegrainstandingstillintheshock，andsomewiththecrop，thelateoatsforinstance，stilluncut，butreadyforthereaper。Theturnipfieldwassplendidlyandluxuriantlygreenwithneverasignofthebrownearth。Thehaymeadow，too，wasgreenandpurplewiththesecondgrowthofclover。

Sodownthelaneandbetweentheshornfields，yellowandgreen，betweenthecloverfieldsandtheturnips，theywalkedinsilence，forthespelloftheSabbatheveninglayuponthesunnyfields，barredwiththeshadowsfromthetreesthatgrewalongthefencelineseverywhere。Atthe”slashing”thewagonrutsfadedoutandtheroadnarrowedtoasinglecowpath，windingitswaybetweenstumpsandroundlogpiles，halfhiddenbyaluxuriantgrowthoffoxgloveandfireweedandasters，andeverywherethegloriousgoldenrod。Thenthroughthebarsthepathledintothewoods，anobleremnantofthebeechandelmandmapleforestfromwhichthefarmhadbeencutsomesixtyyearsbefore。Coolandshadowytheystood，andshotthroughwithbrightshaftsofgoldfromthewesteringsun，fullofmysterioussilenceexceptforthetwitteringofthesleepybirdsorfortheremonstrantcallofthesentinelcrowfromhiswatchtoweronthedeadtopofagreatelm。Deeperintotheshadethepathranuntilinthegloomitfadedalmostoutofsight。

Soothedbythecoolshade，Cameronloiteredalongthepath，pausingtolearnofTimthenamesofplantsandtreesashewent。”Ain’tyehnevercomin’？”calledMandyfromthegloomfarinfront。”What’salltherush？”repliedTim，impatiently，wholovednothingbetterthanaquietwalkwithCameronthroughthewoods。”Rush？We’llbelate，andIhatewalkin’upbeforethehullcrowd。

Comeon！”criedhissisterinimpatienttone。”Allright，Mandy，we’renearlythroughthewoods。Ibegintoseetheclearingyonder，”saidCameron，pointingtowherethelightwasbeginningtoshowthroughthetreetopsbeforethem。

Buttheywerelateenough，andMandywasgladofthecoveroftheopeninghymntoallowhertofindherwaytoagroupofhergirlfriends，themalesofthepartytakingshelterwithaneighbouringgroupoftheirownsexnearby。

Upontheslopingsidesofthegrassyhillsandunderthebeechandmapletrees，thevanguardoftheretreatingwoods，satthecongregation，facingthepreacher，whostoodonthegrassylevelbelow。Behindthemwasthesolidwallofthickwoods，overthemtimespreadingboughs，andfarabovethetreesthebluesummersky，allthebluerforthelittlewhitecloudsthatsailedserenelikeshipsuponasea。Attheirfeetlaytheopencountry，checkeredbythesnakefencesintofieldsofyellow，green，andbrown，androllingawaytomeetthewoodsatthehorizon。

TheSabbathrestfilledthesweetair，breathedfromtheshadywoods，resteduponthecheckeredfields，andliftedwiththehymntotheblueheavenabove。Astatelycathedralitwas，thisplaceofworship，filledwiththeincenseofflowersandfields，archedbythehighdomeofheaven，andlightedbythegloryofthesettingsun。

Relievedbythewalkforatimefromtheacheinhishead，Cameronsurrenderedhimselftothemysteriousinfluencesoftheplaceandthehour。Helethiseyeswanderoverthefieldsbelowhimtothefarhorizon，andbeyond——beyondthewoods，beyondtheinterveningleaguesoflandandsea——andwasagaingazinguponthesunlitlovelinessoftheCuaghOir。TheGlenwasabrimwithgoldenlightthissummerevening，thepurplewasonthehillsandthelittlelochgleamedsapphireatthebottom。

Thepreacherwasreadinghistext。”Untoonehegavefivetalents，toanothertwo，toanotherone，toeverymanaccordingtohisseveralability，andstraightwaytookhisjourney，”andsoontotheendofthatmarvellouslywisetale，wisewiththewisdomofGod，confirmedbythewisdomofhumanexperience。

TheReverendHarperFreeman’svoicecouldhardly，evenbycourtesy，becalledmusical；infact，itwasharshandstrident；butthiseveningthehills，andthetrees，andthewideopenspaces，Nature’smightymodulator，subduedtheharshness，sothatthevoicerolleduptothepeopleclear，full，andsonorous。Norwasthepreacherpossessedofgreatlearningnorenduedwiththegiftofeloquence。Hehad，however，ashrewdknowledgeofhispeopleandoftheirwaysandoftheirneeds，andhehadakindlyheart，and，morethanall，hehadthepreacher’sgift，thedivinecapacityfortakingfire。

ForatimehiswordsfellunheededuponCameron’souterear。”Toeverymanhisownendowments，somegreat，somesmall，but，markyou，nomanleftquitepoverty-stricken。Godgiveseverymanhischance。NomancanlookGodintheface，notoneofyouherecansaythatyouhavehadnochance。”

Cameron’svagrantmind，suddenlyrecalled，respondedwithaquickassent。Opportunity？Endowment？Yes，surely。HismindflashedbackovertheyearsofhiseducationattheAcademyandtheUniversity，longlazyyears。Howlittlehehadmadeofthem！

Othershadturnedthemintothegoldofsuccess。HewonderedhowoldDunnwasgettingon，andLinklater，andlittleMartin。Howfarawayseemedthosedays，andyetonlysomefourorfivemonthsseparatedhimfromthem。”Onewasafailure，adead，flatfailure，”continuedthepreacher。”Notsomuchawickedman，nomurderer，nodrunkard，nogambler，butamiserablefailure。Poorfellow！Attheendoflifeawretchedbankrupt，losingevenhisoriginalendowment。Howwouldyouliketocomehomeafterten，twenty，thirtyyearsofexperimentwithlifeandconfesstoyourfatherthatyouweredeadbrokeandnogood？”

AgainCameron’smindcamebackfromitswanderingwithastart。Gobacktohisfatherafailure！Hedrewhislipdownhardoverhisteeth。Notwhilehelived！Andyet，whatwasthereinprospectforhim？Hiswholesoulrevoltedagainstthedrearymonotonyandthenarrownessofhispresentlife，andyet，whatotherpathlayopen？Cameronwentstrayinginfancyoverthepast，orinexcursionsintothefuture，while，parallelwithhisrambling，thesermoncontinuedtomakeitswaythroughitsvariousheadsandparticulars。”Why？”Thevoiceofthepreacherroseclear，dominant，arresting。”Whydidhefailsoabjectly，someanly，sodespicably？Forthereisnoexcuseforafailure。Listen！NomanNEEDfail。Amanwhoisafailureisamean，selfish，lazychump。”Mr。Freemanwascolloquial，ifanything。”Somemenpityhim。Idon’t。Ihavenouseforhim，andheistheonethinginalltheworldthatGodhimselfhasnousefor。”

AgainCameron’smindwasjerkedbackasarunawayhorsebyarein。

Sofarhislifehadbeenafailure。Wastherethennoexcuseforfailure？Whatofhisupbringing，hiseducation，hisenvironment？

Hehadbeenindulgingthehabitduringtheselastweeksofshiftingresponsibilityfromhimselfforwhathehadbecome。”Whatwasthecauseofthisyoungman’sfailure？”reiteratedthepreacher。Thepreacherhadawholesomebeliefinthevalueofreiteration。Hehadahabitofrubbinginhispoints。”Heblamedtheboss。Listentohisimpudence！’Iknewtheetobeahardman。’Heblamedhisowntemperamentanddisposition。’Iwasafraid。’Butthebossbringshimupsharpandshort。’Quitlying！’hesaid。’I’lltellyouwhat’swrongwithyou。You’vegotameanheart，youain’thonest，andyou’retoolazytolive。Here，takethatmoneyfromhimandgiveittothemanthatcandomostwithit，andtakethisuselessloaferoutofmysight。’Andservedhimright，too，sayI，impudent，lazyliar。”

Cameronfoundhismindrisinginwrathfuldefenseoftheunhappywretchedfailureinthestory。Butthepreacherwasutterlyrelentlessandproceededtoenlargeuponthecharacteroftheunhappywretch。”Impudent！Thewaytotellanimpudentmanistolethimtalk。

Nowlistentothismancheektheboss！’Iknewyou，’hesaid。

’Youskineverybodyinsight。’Ihavealwaysnoticed，”remarkedthepreacher，withatwinkleinhiseye，”thatthehiredmanwhocan’tkeepuphisendisthekindthatcheekstheboss。Andsoitiswithlife。Why，somemenwouldcheekAlmightyGod。TheyturnrightroundandfacetheotherwaywhenGodisexplainingthingstothem，whenHeispersuadingthem，whenHeistryingtohelpthem。

Thentheyglancebackovertheirshouldersandsay，’Aw，gwan！I

knowbetterthanyou。’Thinkoftheimpudenceofthem！That’swhatmanyamandoeswithGod。WithGOD，mindyou！GOD！YourFatherinheaven，yourBrother，yourSaviour，GodasyouknowhimintheManofGalilee，theManyoualwaysseewiththesickandtheoutcastandthebroken-hearted。ItisthisGodthatownsyouandallyou’vegot——behonestandsayso。YoumustbeginbygettingrightwithGod。””God！”OncemoreCameronwentwanderingbackintothefarawaydaysofchildhood。Godwasverynearthen，andveryfriendly。Howwellherememberedwhenhismotherhadtuckedhiminatnightandhadkissedhimandhadputoutthelight。Heneverfeltaloneandafraid，forshelefthim，soshesaid，withGod。ItwasGodwhotookhismother’splace，neartohisbedside。InthosedaysGodseemedverynearandverykind。Herememberedhismother’slookonedaywhenhedeclaredtoherthathecouldhearGodbreathingjustbesidehiminthedark。HowremoteGodseemedto-dayandhowshadowy，and，yes，hehadtoconfessit，unfriendly。Heheardnomoreofthesermon。Withacuriousacheinhisheartheallowedhismindtodwellamidthosehappy，happymemorieswhenhismotherandGodwerethenearestanddearesttohimofallheknew。Itmayhavebeentheacheinhisheadortheoppressivelanguorthatseemedtopossesshisbody，butthroughouttheprayerthatfollowedthesermonhewasconsciouschieflyofagreatlongingforhismother’stouchuponhishead，andwiththatalongingforhisboyhood’ssenseofthefriendlyGodinhisheart。

AndsoasthepreacherledthemuptoGodinprayer，Cameronbowedhisheadwiththeothers，thankfulthathecouldstillbelievethat，thoughcloudsanddarknessmightbeaboutHim，Godwasnotbeyondthereachofthesoul’scrynorquiteunmovedbyhumanneed。

Andforthefirsttimeforyearshesentforthasalittlechildhiscryofneed，”Godhelpme！Godhelpme！”

CHAPTERVII

THECHIVAREE

Therewasstilllightenoughtosee。Thelasthymnwasannounced。

Cameronwasconsciousofadeep，poignantemotion。Heglancedswiftlyabouthim。Theeyesofallwereuponthepreacher’sfacewhilehereadinslowsonoroustonesthewordsoftheoldMethodisthymn：”Come，ThouFountofeveryblessing！

TunemyhearttosingThygrace；”

allexceptthegroupofyoungmenofwhomPerkinswasthecentre，who，bymeansofthesaccharinemediumknownasconversationlozenges，wereseekingtodiverttheattentionofthebandofyounggirlssittingbeforethem。AmongthesesatMandy。Ashiseyeresteduponthebillowyoutlinesofherfigure，strugglingwiththelimitationsofherwhiteblouse，trickedoutwithpinkribbons，hewasconsciousofawaveofmingledpityanddisgust。Dull，stupid，andvulgarshelooked。ItwasatherthatPerkinswasflippinghisconversationlozenges。Onefelluponherhymnbook。Withastartsheglancedabout。NotaneyeexceptCameron’swasturnedherway。

Withasmileandablushthatburneddeepunderthedulltanofherneckandcheekshetookthelozenge，readitsinscription，burningadeeperred。ThewordswhichshehadreadshetookasCameron’s。

Sheturnedhereyesfulluponhisface。Thelightoftremulousjoyintheirlovelydepthsstartledandthrilledhim。Asnickerfromthegroupofyoungmenbehindrousedinhimadeepindignation。

Theyweretakingtheircoarsefunoutofthissimple-mindedgirl。

Cameron’sfuriousglanceatthemappearedonlytoincreasetheiramusement。ItdidnotlessenCameron’sembarrassmentandragethatnowandthenduringthereadingofthehymnMandy’seyeswereturneduponhimasifwithnewunderstanding。Enragedwithhimself，andmorewiththegroupofhoodlumsbehindhim，Cameronstoodfortheclosinghymnwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshisbreast。

Atthesecondverseahandtouchedhisarm。ItwasMandyofferinghimherbook。Oncemoreasnickerfromthegroupofdelightedobserversbehindhimstirredhisindignationonbehalfofthisawkwardanduntutoredgirl。Heforcedhimselftolistentothewordsofthethirdverse，whichroseclearandsonorousinthepreacher’svoice：”HereIraisemyEbenezer，HitherbyThyhelpI’mcome；

AndIhope，byThygoodpleasure，Safelytoarriveathome。”

ThesereneassuranceoftheoldMethodisthymnrosetriumphantinthesinging，anassurancebornofanexperienceofpastconflictendingintriumph。Thatnoteofhighandsereneconfidenceconjuredupwithaflashofmemoryhismother’sface。Thatwashercharacteristic，aserene，undismayedcourage。Inthedarkesthoursthatsteadyflameofcourageneverdieddown。

Butoncemorehewasrecalledtotheserviceofthehourbyavoice，rich，full，low，yetofwonderfulpower，singingtheoldwords。IttookhimamomentortwotodiscoverthatitwasMandysingingbesidehim。Herfacewasturnedfromhimandupwardstowardsthetreesaboveher，throughthenetworkofwhoseleavesthestarswerebeginningtoshine。Amazed，enthralled，helistenedtotheflowingmelodyofhervoice。Itwaslikethesongofabrookrunningdeepintheforestshade，full-tonedyetsoft，quietyetthrilling。Sheseemedtohaveforgottenhersurroundings。HersoulwasholdingconversewiththeEternal。Helostsightofthecoarseandfleshlyhabilimentsintheglimpsehecaughtofthesoulthatlivedwithin，pure，itseemedtohim，tender，andgood。Hisheartwentouttothegirlinanewpity。Beforethehymnwasdonesheturnedherfacetowardshim，and，whetheritwasthemagicofhervoice，ortheglorioussplendourofhereyes，orthemystictouchofthefastdarkeningnight，herfaceseemedtohavelostmuchofitscoarsenessandallofitsstupidity。

Asthecongregationdispersed，Cameron，insilence，andwiththespellofhervoicestilluponhim，walkedquietlybesideMandytowardsthegapinthefenceleadingtothehighroad。BehindhimcamePerkinswithhisgroupoffriends，chaffingwitheachotherandwiththegirlswalkinginfrontofthem。AsCameronwassteppingovertherailswherethefencehadbeenletdown，oneoftheyoungmenfollowingstumbledheavilyagainsthim，nearlythrowinghimdown，andbeforehecouldrecoverhimselfPerkinshadtakenhisplacebyMandy’ssideandseizedherarm。Therewasagenerallaughatwhatwasconsideredaperfectlyfairandnotunusualpieceofjockeyinginthesquiringofyoungdamsels。Theproperprocedureinsuchacasewasthatthediscomfitedcavaliershouldbidehistimeandservealiketurnuponhisrival，theyoungladymeanwhilemaintaininganattitudepurelypassive。ButMandywasnotsominded。ReleasingherselffromPerkins’grasp，sheturneduponthegroupofyoungmenfollowing，exclaimingangrily，”Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，SamSailor！”Then，movingtoCameron’sside，shesaidinaclear，distinctvoice：”Mr。Cameron，wouldyoupleasetakemybookforme？””Comeon，boys！”saidPerkins，withhisneverfailinglaugh。”I

guesswe’renotinthis。””Takeyourmedicine，Perkins，”laughedoneofhisfriends。”Yes，I’lltakeitallright，”repliedPerkins。Butthelaughcouldnotconcealtheshakeofpassioninhisvoice。”Itwillwork，too，youbet！”

Sosaying，hestrodeoffintothegatheringgloomfollowedbyhisfriends。”Comealong，Mr。Cameron，”saidMandywithasillygiggle。”I

guesswedon’tneedthemfellows。Theycan’tfoolus，canthey？”

Hermanner，herspeech，herlaughrudelydissipatedallCameron’snewfeelingtowardsher。Thewholeepisodefilledhimonlywithdisgustandannoyance。”Come，then，”hesaid，almostroughly。”Weshallneedtohurry，forthereisastormcomingup。”

Mandyglancedatthegatheringclouds。”Mygoodness！”shecried；”it’scomin’upfast。My！Ihatetogitmyclotheswet。”Andoffshesetatarapidpace，keepingabreastofhercompanionandmakinggaybutelephantineattemptsatsprightlyconversation。BeforeCameron’sunsympatheticsilence，however，allhersprightlyattemptscametoabjectfailure。”What’sthematterwithyou？”atlengthsheasked。”Don’tyouwanttoseemehome？””What？”saidCameron，abruptly，forhisthoughtswerefaraway。”Oh，nonsense！Ofcourse！Whynot？Butweshallcertainlybecaughtinthestorm。Letushurry。Here，letmetakeyourarm。”

Hismannerwasbrusque，almostrude。”Oh，IguessIcangetalong，”repliedMandy，catchingoffherhatandgatheringupherskirtoverhershoulders，”butwe’llhavetohustle，forI’dhatetohaveyouget，wet。”HerimperturbablegoodhumourandhersolicitudeforhimrebukedCameronforhisabruptness。”Ihopeyouwillnotgetwet，”hesaid。”Oh，don’tyouworryaboutme。Iain’tsaltnorsugar，butI

forgotallaboutyourbein’sick。”AndwithlabouredbreathpoorMandyhurriedthroughthegrowingdarknesswithCameronkeepingclosebyherside。”Wewon’tbelongnow，”shepanted，astheyturnedfromthesidelinetowardstheirowngate。

Asifinreplytoherwordstheresoundedfrombehindthefenceandclosetotheirsidealongloudhowl。Camerongaveastart。”GreatCaesar！Whatdogisthat？”heexclaimed。”Oh，”saidMandycoolly，”guessit’sMacKenzie’sCarlo。”

Immediatelythererosefromthefenceontheothersideanansweringhowl，followedbyafullchorusofhowlsandyelpsmingledwithabawlingofcalvesandtheringingofcowbells，asifadozencursormorewereinfullcryafteraherdofcattle。

Cameronstoodstillinbewilderedamazement。”Whatthedeucearetheyat？”hecried，peeringthroughthedarkness。”Huh！”gruntedMandy。”Them’scursallright，buttheyain’tmuchdog。YouwaittillIseethemfellows。They’llpayforthis，youbet！””Doyoumeantosaythesearenotdogs？”criedCameron，speakinginherear，sogreatwasthedin。”Dogs？”answeredMandywithindignantscorn。”Naw！Justor’narycurs！Comealong，”shecried，catchinghisarm，”let’shurry。””Here！”hecried，suddenlywrenchinghimselffree，”Iamgoingtoseeintothis。””No，no！”criedMandy，grippinghisarmoncemorewithherstronghands。”Theywillhurtyou。Comeon！We’rejusthome。Youcanseethemagain。No，Iwon’tletyougo。”

Invainhestruggled。Herstronghandsheldhimfast。Suddenlytherewasasuccessionofshort，sharpbarks。Immediatelydeadsilencefell。Notasoundcouldbeheard，notashapeseen。”Comeoutintotheopen，youcowardlycurs！”shoutedCameron。”Comeon！One，two，threeatatime，ifyoudare！”

Butsilenceansweredhim。”Come，”saidMandyinalowvoice，”let’shurry。It’sgoin’torain。Comeon！Comealong！”

Cameronstoodirresolute。Thenaroseoutoftheblackdarknessalongquaveringcatcall。WithasuddendashCameronsprangtowardsthefence。Instantlytherewasasoundofrunningfeetthroughtheplowedfieldontheotherside，thensilence。”Comeback，youcowards！”ragedCameron。”Isn’tthereamanamongyou？”

Foransweraclodcamehurtlingthroughthedarkandstruckwithathuduponthefence。Immediately，asifatasignal，therefellaboutCameronaperfecthailofclodsandevenstones。”Oh！Oh！”shriekedMandy，rushingtowardshimandthrowingherselfbetweenhimandthefallingmissiles。”Comeaway！Comeaway！

They’lljustkillyou。”

ForanswerCameronputhisarmsaboutheranddrewherbehindhim，shieldingherasbesthecouldwithhisbody。”Doyouwanttokillawoman？”hecalledaloud。

Atoncethehailofclodsceasedand，ragingashewas，Mandydraggedhimhomeward。Atthedoorofthehousehemadetoturnback。”Notmuch，youdon’t，”saidMandy，stoutly，”orIgowithyou。””Oh，allright，”saidCameron，”letthemgo。Theyareonlyalotofcurs，anyway。”

Forafewminutestheystoodandtalkedinthekitchen，Cameronmakinglightoftheincidentandmakingstrenuouseffortstodissembletheragethatfilledhissoul。AfterafewminutesconversationCameronannouncedhisintentionofgoingtobed，whileMandypassedupstairs。Heleftthehouseandstoledownthelanetowardtheroad。Thethrobbingpaininhisheadwasforgottenintheblindragethatpossessedhim。Hehadonlyonelonging，tostandwithinstrikingdistanceofthecowardlycurs，onlyonefear，thattheyshouldescapehim。Swiftly，silently，hestoledownthelane，everynerve，everymuscletenseasasteelspring。Histhroatwashot，hiseyessodazzledthathecouldscarcelysee；hisbreathcameinquickgasps；hishandsweretremblingaswithanervouschill。Thestormhadpartiallyblownaway。Ithadbecomesolightthathecoulddimlydiscernanumberoffiguresattheentrancetothelane。Havinghisquarryinsight，Cameroncrouchedinthefencecorner，holdinghardbytherailtillheshouldbecomemasterofhimself。Hecouldheartheirexplosionsofsuppressedlaughter。Itwassomeminutesbeforehehadhimselfinhand，thenwithaswiftsilentrunhestoodamongthem。Sobusyweretheyinrecountingthevariousincidentsintherecent”chivaree，”thatbeforetheywereawareCameronwasuponthem。Athisapproachthecirclebrokeandscattered，someflyingtothefence。ButPerkinswithsomeothersstoodtheirground。”Hello，Cameron！”drawledPerkins。”Didyouseeourcows？I

thoughtIheardsomeofthemdowntheline。”

ForanswerCameronlaunchedhimselfathimlikeaboltfromabow。

TherewasasinglesharpcrackandPerkinswasliterallyliftedclearoffhisfeetandhurledbackupontheroad，wherehelaystill。FiercelyCameronfacedroundtothenextman，buthegavebackquickly。AthirdsprangtothrowhimselfuponCameron，butoncemoreCameron’shandshotforwardandhisassailantwashurledbackheavilyintothearmsofhisfriends。BeforeCameroncouldstrikeagainayounggiant，knownasSamSailor，flunghisarmsabouthim，crying——”Tut-tut，youngfellow，thiswon’tdo，youknow。Can’tyoutakeabitoffun？”

ForanswerCameronclinchedhimsavagely，grippinghimbythethroatandplantingtwoheavyblowsuponhisribs。”Here——boys，”gaspedtheyoungfellow，”he’s——chokin’——the——life——

out——ofme。”

Fromallsidestheythrewthemselvesuponhimand，striking，kicking，fightingfuriously，Cameronwentdownunderthestrugglingmass，hishandstillgrippingthethroatithadseized。”Say！He’saregularbull-dog，”criedone。”Githoldofhislegsandyankhimoff，”which，withshoutsandlaughter，theyproceededtodoandpiledthemselvesuponhim，chantingtherefrain——”Morebeef！Morebeef！”

Afewminutesmoreoffranticstrugglingandawildagonisedscreamrosefrombeneaththemassofmen。”Gitoff，boys！Gitoff！”roaredtheyounggiant。”I’mafraidhe’shurt。”

Flingingthemoffoneitherside，hestoodupandwaitedfortheirvictimtorise。ButCameronlayonhisface，moaningandwrithing，ontheground。”Say，boys，”saidSam，kneelingdownbesidehim，”I’mafraidhe’shurtedbad。”

InhiswrithingCameronliftedoneleg。Ittoppledovertooneside。”Jumpin’Jeremiah！”saidSaminanawedvoice。”Hisleg’sbroke！

WhatinSamHillcanwedo？”

Ashespoketherewasasoundofrunningfeet，comingdownthelane。Themoon，shiningthroughthebreakingclouds，revealedafigurewithfloatinggarmentsrapidlyapproaching。”Mycats！”criedSaminaterrifiedvoice。”It’sMandy。”

LikeleavesbeforeasuddengustofwindthegroupscatteredandonlySamwasleft。”What——whatareyoudoin’？”pantedMandy。”Whereishe？Oh，isthathim？”SheflungherselfdowninthedustbesideCameronandturnedhimover。Hisfacewaswhite，hiseyesglazed。Helookedlikedeath。”Oh！Oh！”shemoaned。”Havetheykilledyou？Havetheykilledyou？”Shegatheredhisheaduponherknees，moaninglikeawoundedanimal。”GoodLord，Mandy，don’tgoonlikethat！”criedSaminahorrifiedvoice。”It’sonlyhislegbroke。”

Mandylaidhisheadgentlydown，thensprangtoherfeet。”Onlyhislegbroke？Whodoneit？Whodoneit，tellme？Whodoneit？”shepanted，hervoicerisingwithhergaspingbreath。”Whatcowarddoneit？Wasityou，SamSailor？””Guesswe’reallinit，”saidSamstupidly。”Itwasjistabitoffun，Mandy。”

ForanswersheswungherheavyhandharduponSam’sface。”Say，Mandy！Holdhard！”criedSam，surpriseandtheweightoftheblowalmostknockinghimoffhisfeet。”Youcowardlybrute！”shegasped。”Getoutofmysight。Oh，whatshallwedo？”ShedroppedonherkneesandtookCameron’sheadoncemoreinherarms。”Whatshallwedo？””Guesswe’llhavetogithiminsomewheres，”saidSam。”Howcanwecarryhimthough？Ifwehadsomekindofastretcher？””Wait！Iknow，”criedMandy，flyingoffupthelane。

Beforemanyminuteshadpassedshehadreturned，breathinghard。”It’s——the——milkhouse——door，”shesaid。”I——guessthat’ll——do。””That’lldoallright，Mandy。NowIwishsomeofthemfellerswouldcome。”

Sampulledoffhiscoatandmadeofitapillow，thenstooduplookingforhelp。HiseyefellupontheprostrateandsenselessformofPerkins。”Say，what’llwedowithhim？”hesaid，pointingtothesilentfigure。”Whoisit？”enquiredMandy。”What’sthematter？””It’sPerkins，”repliedSam。”Hehithimaterriblecrack。””Perkins！”saidMandywithscorn。”Lethimlie，thedog。Comeon，takehishead。””Youcan’tdoit，Mandy，nousetrying。Youcan’tdoit。””Comeon，Itellyou，”shesaidfiercely。”Quityourjawin’。Hemaybedyin’forallIknow。I’dcarryhimaloneifitwasn’tforhisbrokenleg。”Slowly，painfullytheycarriedhimtothehouseandtothefrontdoor。”Waitaminute！”saidMandy。”I’llhavetogitthingsfixedabit。

Wemustn’twakemother。Itwouldscarehertodeath。”

ShepassedquicklyintothehouseandsoonSamsawalightpassfromroomtoroom。InafewmomentsMandyreappearedatthefrontdoor。”Quick！”whisperedSam。”He’scomin’to。””Oh，thankgoodness！”criedMandy。”Let’sgithiminbeforehewakes。”

Oncemoretheyliftedtheirburdenandwithinfinitedifficultyandmuchpainfulmanoeuveringtheygottheinjuredmanthroughthedoorsanduponthespareroombed。”Andnow，SamSailor，”criedMandy，comingclosetohim，”youjisthitchupDeckandhustleforthedoctorifeveryoudidinyourlife。Don’twaitfornothin’，butgo！Go！”Shefairlypushedhimoutofthedoor，runningwithhimtowardsthestable。”Oh，Sam，hurry！”shepleaded，”forifthismanshoulddieIwillneverbethelikeagain。”Herfacewaswhite，hereyesglowinglikegreatstars；hervoicewassoftandtremulouswithtears。

Samstoodforamomentgazingasifuponavision。”Whatareyoulookin’at？”shecried，stampingherfootandpushinghimaway。”Jumpin’Jeremiah！”mutteredSam，asherantowardsthestable。”IsthatMandyHaley？Guesswedon’tknowmuchabouther。”

HisnimblefingerssoonhadDexterhitchedtothebuggyandspeedingdownthelaneatapacesufficientlyrapidtosuitthehighspiritofeventhatfieryyoungcolt。

Atthehighroadhecameuponhisfriends，someofwhomwereworkingwithPerkins，othersconversinginawedandhurriedundertones。”Hello，Sam！”theycalled。”Holdup！””I’minahurry，boys，don’tstopme。I’mscaredtodeath。Andyoubettergithome。She’llbedownonyouagain。””Howishe？”criedavoice。”Don’tknow。I’mgoin’forthedoctor，andthesoonerwegitthatdoctorthebetterforeverybodyaround。”AndSamdisappearedinawhirlofdust。”Say！Whowouldathoughtit？”hemused。”ThatMandyHaley？

She’saterror。Andthemeyes！Oh，giton，Deck，whatyoumonkeyin’about？Wonderifshe’sgoneonthatyoungfeller？I

guesssheisallright！Say，wasn’tthataclouthehandedPerkins。Anddidn’tshegivemeone。Butthemeyes！MandyHaley！

Bythejumpin’Jeremiah！Andthewayshelooksatafeller！Here，Deck，whatyoufoolin’about？Gwannow，oryou’llgitintotrouble。”

Deck，whohadbeenindulginghimselfinaseriesofleapsandplunges，shyingateventhemostfamiliarobjectsbytheroadside，settleddownatlengthtoabusinessliketrotwhichbroughthimtothedoctor’sdoorinaboutfifteenminutesfromtheHaleys’gate。

ButtoSam’sdismaythedoctorhadgonetoCramm’sMill，sixorsevenmilesaway，andwouldnotbebacktillthemorning。Samwasinaquandary。TherewasanotherdoctoratBrookfield，fivemilesfurtheron，buttherewasapossibilitythathealsomightbeout。”Say，thereain’tnousegoin’backwithoutadoctor。She’d——

she’d——Jumpin’Jeremiah！Whatwouldshedo？Say，Deck，you’vegottogitdowntobusiness。We’regoin’tothecity。Therearedoctorstherethickashaironadog。We’lltryDr。Turnbull。

Say，it’llbegreatifwecouldgithim！Deck，we’lldoit！Butyougottogitupanddust。”

AndthisDeckproceededtodotosuchgoodpurposethatinaboutanhour’stimehestoodbeforeDr。Turnbull’sdoorinthecity，somewhatwet，itistrue，butwithhisfieryspiritstilluntamed。

HereagainadversefatemettheunfortunateSam。”DoctorTurnbull’snoathome，”saidthemaid，smartwithcapandapron，whoopenedthedoor。”Howlongwillhebegone？”enquiredSam，wonderingwhatshehadonherhead，andwhy。”There’snotellin’。Anhour，ortwohours，orthree。””Threehours？”echoedSam。”Say，afellermightkickthebucketinthattime。”

Themaidsmiledanundisturbedsmile。”Bucket？Whatbucket，eh？Whatbucketareyetalkin’aboot？”sheenquired。”Say，you’resmart，ain’tyeh！ButIgotayoungfellerthat’sbrokehislegand——””Hisleg？”saidthemaidindifferently。”Well，he’sgotanother？””Yes，youbethehas，butonelegain’tmuchgoodwithouttheother。Howwouldyouliketohoparoundononeleg？Andhe’shurtinside，too，hislights，Iguess，andotherthings。”Sam’sanatomicalknowledgewassomewhatvague。”Andbesides，hisgirl’stakin’onawful。””Oh，issheindeed？”repliedthemaid，thisitemapparentlybeingtoheroftheveryslightestimportance。”Say，ifyouonlysawher，”saidSam。”Pretty，Isuppose，”saidthemaidwithatouchofscorn。”Pretty？No，uglyasahedgefence。Butsay，Iwishshewashererightnow。She’dbringyoutoyour——totime，youbet。””Wouldshe，now？I’dsorther。”Andthelittlemaid’sblackeyessnapped。”Say，what’llIdo？Jistgottohaveadoctor。””Ye’llnogithimtillto-morrow。””To-morrow？””Howfarootareye？””Twelvemiles。””Twelvemiles？Ye’llnogethimaminuteaforeto-morrownoon。””Say，thatyoungfeller’llcroak，sure。Awayfromhometoo。Nofriends。AllhisfolksinScotland。””Scotland，didyesay？”Somethingappearedtowakeupinthelittlemaid。”Lookhere，whydon’tyegetadoctorinsteado’

daunderin’yourtimehere？””Gitadoctor？”echoedSaminvastsurprise。”Andain’tItryin’

togitadoctor？Where’llIgitadoctor？””Gotothehospital，yegawk，andaskforDr。Turnbull，andtellhimtheyoungladisastrangerandthathisfolkareinScotland。

Hoots，yegomeril，beoffnoo，an’thepuirladwantin’ye。Come，I’llpityeonyerway。”Themaidbyherspeechwasobviouslyexcited。

Samglancedattheclockashepassedout。Hehadbeenawayanhourandahalf。”Jumpin’Jeremiah！I’vegottohurry。She’lltakemyheadoff。””Ofcourseyehave，”saidthemaidsharply。”Godowntwostreetsthere，thentakethefirstturntoyourleftandgostraightonforhalfadozenblocksorso。Mindyetellthedoctorthelad’sfraeScotland！”shecriedtoSamashedroveoff。

AtthehospitalSamwasfortunateenoughtocatchDr。Turnbullinthehallwithoneortwoothers，justastheywereabouttopassintotheconsultingroom。SuchwasSam’sdesperatestateofmindthathewentstraightuptothegroup。”IwantDr。Turnbull，”hesaid。”Thereheisbeforeyou，”repliedasharp-facedyoungdoctor，pointingtoabenevolentlookingoldgentleman。”Dr。Turnbull，there’sayoungfellerhurtdreadfuloutourway。

Hisleg’sbroke。Guesshe’shurtinsidetoo。Andhe’sastranger。

HisfolksareallinScotland。Guesshe’sdyin’，andI’vegot——

I’vegotahorseandbuggyatthedoor。Icangityououtandbackinajiffy。Say，doctor，I’mallreadytostart。”

Asmilepassedoverthefacesofthegroup。ButDr。Turnbullhadtoolongexperiencewithdesperatecasesandwithdesperatemen。”MydearSir，”hereplied，”Icannotgoforsomehours。””Doctor，Iwantyounow。Igottohavesomebodyrightnow。””Abrokenleg？”musedthedoctor。”Yes，andhurtinside。””Howdidithappen？”saidthedoctor。”Eh？Idon’tknowexactly，”repliedSam，takensomewhataback。”Somethin’fellonhim。Butheneedsyoubad。””Ican’tgo，myman，butwe’llfindsomeone。What’shisnamedidyousay？””HisnameisCameron，andhe’sfromScotland。””Cameron？”saidthesharp-facedyoungdoctor。”Whatdoeshelooklike？””Looklike？”saidSaminaperplexedvoice。”Well，thegirlsallthinkhelooksprettygood。He’sdarkcomplectedandhe’samightysmartyoungfeller。Greatonjumpin’andrunnin’。Say，he’sacrackajack。Why，attheDominionDaypicnic！Butyoumusta’

heardabouthim。He’sthechap，youknow，thatwonthehundredyards。Playsthepipesand——””Playsthepipes？”criedDr。Turnbullandtheyoungdoctortogether。”Andhisname’sCameron？”continuedtheyoungdoctor。”Iwondernowif——””Isay，Martin，”saidDr。Turnbull，”Ithinkyouhadbettergo。

Thecasemaybeurgent。””Cameron！”criedMartinagain。”Ibetmybatit’s——Here，waittillIgetmycoat。I’llbewithyouinajerk。Haveyougotagoodhorse？””He’sallright，”saidSam。”He’llgityouthereinanhour。””Anhour？Howfarisit？””Twelvemiles。””Greatheavens！Come，then，getamoveon！”AndsoitcamethatwithinanhourCameron，openinghiseyes，lookedupintothefaceofhisfriend。”Martin！ByJove！”hesaid，andclosedhiseyesagain。”Martin！”

hesaidagain，lookinguponthefamiliarface。”Say，oldboy，isthisadream？Iseemtobehavinglotsofthem。””It’snodream，oldchap，butwhatinthemischiefisthematter？

Whatdoesallthisfevermean？Let’slookatyou。”

AbriefexaminationwasenoughtoshowthedoctorthatabrokenlegwastheleastofCameron’strouble。Ahastyinvestigationoftheresourcesofthefarmhousedeterminedthedoctor’scourse。”Thismanhastyphoidfever，abadcasetoo，”hesaidtoMandy。”Wewilltakehimintothehospital。””Thehospital？”criedMandyfiercely。”Willyou，then？””Hewillbealotoftroubletoyou，”saidthedoctor。”Trouble？Trouble？Whatareyoutalkin’about？””We’reawfulbusy，Mandy，”interposedthemother，whohadbeenrousedfromherbed。”Oh，shucks，mother！Oh，don’tsendhimaway，”shepleaded。”I

cannursehim，justaseasy。”Shepaused，withquiveringlips。”Itwillbemuchbetterforthepatienttobeinthehospital。Hewillgetconstantandsystematiccare。Hewillbeundermyownobservationeveryhour。Iassureyouitwillbebetterforhim，”

saidthedoctor。”Betterforhim？”echoedMandyinafaintvoice。”Well，lethimgo。”

Inlessthananhour’stime，suchwasDr。Martin’senergeticpromptness，hehadhispatientcomfortablyplacedinthedemocratonanimprovisedstretcherandonhiswaytothecityhospital。

Andthusitcameaboutthattheproblemofhisleave-taking，whichhadvexedCameronforsomanydays，wassolved。

CHAPTERVIII

INAPPLETIME”Anotherbasketofeggs，Mr。Cameron，andsuchdeliciouscream！I

amdeeplygrievedtoseeyousonearlywell。””Grieved？””Foryouwillbeleavingusofcourse。””Thanks，thatiskindofyou。””Andtherewillbeanendtoeggsandcream。Ah！Youarealuckyman。”Andthetrim，neat，bright-facednurseshookherfingerathim。”SoIhaveoftenremarkedtomyselfthesesixweeks。””Afriendisagreatdiscoveryandbythesesametokensyouhavefoundone。””Truly，theyhavebeenmorethankind。””Thismakesthetwelfthvisitinsixweeks，”saidthenurse。”Inbusyharvestandthreshingtime，too。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？””Toacertainextent。Itisawfullygoodofthem。””Butsheisshy，shy——andIthinksheisafraidofYOU。Herchiefinterestappearstobeinthekitchen，whichshehasneverfailedtovisit。”

ThebloodslowlyroseinCameron’sface，fromwhichthesummertanhadallbeenbleachedbyhissixweeks’fightwithfever，buthemadenoreplytothebrisk，sharp-eyed，sharp-mindedlittlenurse。”AndIknowsheisdyingtoseeyou，and，indeed，”shechuckled，”itmightdoyougood。Sheistrulywonderful。”Andagainthenurselaughed。”Don’tyouthinkyoucouldbearavisit？”Thesmilebroadeneduponherface。

Butunawareshehadtouchedasensitivespotinherpatient，hisHighlandpride。”IshallbemorethanpleasedtohaveanopportunitytothankMissHaleyforhergreatkindness，”herepliedwithdignity。”Allright，”repliedthenurse。”Ishallbringherin。Nowdon’texciteyourself。Thatfeverisnotsofaraway。Andonlyafewminutes。Whenwefarmersgocalling——Iamafarmer，remember，andknowthemwell——whenwegocallingwetakeourknittingandspendtheafternoon。”

InafewmomentsshereturnedwithMandy。Thedifferencebetweenthestout，red-faced，coarse-featured，obtrusivelyhealthycountrygirl，heavyoffootandhand，slowofspeechandawkwardofmanner，andtheneat，quick，deft-fingered，bright-facednursewassomarkedthatCameroncouldhardlycontrolthewaveofpitythatsweptthroughhisheart，forhecouldseethatevenMandyherselfwasvividlyawareofthecontrast。InvainCamerontriedtoputheratherease。Shesimplysatandstared，nowatthewalls，nowatthefloor，refusingforatimetouttermorethanmonosyllables，punctuatedwithgiggles。”Iwanttothankyoufortheeggsandcream。Theyarefine，”saidCameronheartily。”Oh，pshaw，that’snothin’！Lotsmorewheretheycomefrom，”

repliedMandywithagiggle。”Butit’salongwayforyoutodrive；andinthebusytimetoo。””Oh，wehadtocomeinanywayforthings，”repliedMandy，makinglightofherservice。”Youareallwell？””Oh，prettymiddlin’。Maain’trightsmart。She’stoomuchtodo，andthat’sthetruth。””Andtheboys？”Cameronhesitatedtobemorespecific。”Oh，there’snothin’eatin’them。Idon’tbotherwiththemmuch。”

Mandywasdesperatelytwistingherwhitecottongloves。

Atthispointthenurse，withafinalwarningtothepatientnottotalktoomuchandnottoexcitehimself，lefttheroom。InamomentMandy’swholemannerchanged。”Say！”shecriedinahurriedvoice；”Perkinsisleft。””Left？””Icouldn’tjiststandhimafter——after——thatnight。Dadwantedhimtostay，butIcouldn’tjiststandhim，andsohequit。””Quit？””Ijisthatehimsince——since——thatnight。WhenIthinkofwhathedoneIcouldkillhim。My，Iwasgladtoseehimlyin’thereinthedust！”Mandy’swordscamehotandfast。”Theymight’akilledyou。”ForthefirsttimeintheinterviewshelookedfairlyintoCameron’seyes。”My，youdolookawful！”shesaid，withdifficultycommandinghervoice。”Nonsense，Mandy！Yousee，itwasn’tmylegthathurtme。Itwasthefeverthatpulledmedown。””Oh，I’llneverforgetthatnight！”criedMandy，strugglingtokeepherlipsfromquivering。”NorwillIeverforgetwhatyoudidformethatnight，Mandy。Samtoldmeallaboutit。Ishallalwaysbeyourfriend。”

Foramomentlongersheheldhimwithhereyes。Thenherfacegrewsuddenlypaleand，withvoiceandhandstrembling，shesaid：”Imustgo。Good-by。”

Hetookhergreatredhandinhislongthinfingers。”Good-by，Mandy，andthankyou。””My！”shesaid，lookingdownatthefingerssheheldinherhand。”Yourhandsisawfulthin。Areyousuregoin’togitbetter？””OfcourseIam，andIamcomingouttoseeyoubeforeIgo。”

Shesatdownquickly，stillholdinghishand，asifhehadstruckheraheavyblow。”Beforeyougo？Where？”Hervoicewashardlyaboveawhisper；herfacewaswhite，herlipsbeyondhercontrol。”OutWesttoseekmyfortune。”Hisvoicewasjauntyandhefeignednottoseeherdistress。”Ishallbewalkinginacoupleofweeksorso，eh，nurse？””Acoupleofweeks？”repliedthenurse，whohadjustentered。”Yes，ifyouaregood。”

Mandyhastilyrose。”Butifyouarenot，”continuedthenurseseverely，”itmaybemonths。Stay，MissHaley，IamgoingtobringMr。Cameronhisafternoonteaandyoucanhavesomewithhim。Indeed，youlookquitedoneup。Iamsureallthatworkyouhavebeentellingmeaboutistoomuchforyou。”

HerkindlytonesbrokethelastshredofMandy’sself-control。Shesankintoherchair，coveredherfacewithhergreatredhandsandburstintotempestuousweeping。Cameronsatupquickly。”Whatinthenameofgoodnessiswrong，Mandy？””Liedownatonce，Mr。Cameron！”saidthenursesternly。”Hush，hush，MissHaley！Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！Don’tyouknowthatyouarehurtinghim？”

Shecouldhavechosennobetterword。InaninstantMandywasonherfeet，moppingoffherfaceandchokingdownhersobs。”Ain’tIafool？”shecriedangrily。”Ablamedfool。Well，I

won’tbotheryouanylonger。GuessI’llgonow。Good-byall。”

WithoutanotherlookatCameronshewasgone。

Cameronlaybackuponhispillows，whiteandnerveless。”Nowcanyoutellme，”hepanted，”what’sup？””Searchme！”saidthenursegaily，”butIforbidyoutospeakasinglewordforhalfanhour。Here，drinkthisrightoff！Now，notaword！WhatwillDr。Martinsay？Notaword！Yes，Ishallseehersafelyofftheplace。Quietnow！”Shekeptupacontinuousstreamofsprightlychattertocoverherownanxietyandtoturnthecurrentofherpatient’sthoughts。Bythetimeshehadreachedtheentrancehall，however，Mandyhadvanished。”Greatsillygoose！”saidtheindignantnurse。”I’dseemyselffarenoughbeforeI’dgivemyselfawaylikethat。Littlefool！He’llhaveatemperaturesureandIwillcatchit。Bah！Thesegirls！

Nexttimesheseeshimitwillnotbehere。Ihopethedoctorwilljustgivemeanhourtogethimquietagain。”

Butinthishopeshewasdisappointed，foruponherreturntoherpatientshefoundDr。Martinintheroom。Hisfacewasgrave。”What’sup，nurse？Whatisthemeaningofthisrottenpulse？Whathashebeenhavingtoeat？””Well，Dr。Martin，Imayaswellconfessmysins，”repliedthenurse，”forthereisnousetryingtodeceiveyouanyway。Mr。

Cameronhashadavisitorandshehasexcitedhim。””Ah！”saidthedoctorinarelievedtone。”Avisitor！Aladyvisitor！Acharming，sympathetic，interested，andinterestingvisitor。””Exactly！”saidthenursewithagiggle。”ItwasMissHaley，Martin，”saidCamerongravely。

Thedoctorlookedpuzzled。”ThedaughterofthefarmerwithwhomIwasworking，”explainedCameron。”Ah，Irememberher，”saidthedoctor。”AndadeuceofatimeI

hadwithher，too，gettingyouawayfromher，ifIrememberaright。

Itrustthereisnothingseriouslywronginthatquarter？”saidMartinwithunusualgravity。”Oh，quitit，Martin！”saidCameronimpatiently。”Don’trag。

She’sanawfuldecentsort。Herlooksarenotthebestofher。””Ah！Iamrelievedtohearthat，”saidthedoctorearnestly。”Sheisverykind，indeed，”saidthenurse。”Forthesesixweeksshehasfedusupwitheggsandcreamsothatbothmypatientandmyselfhavefaredsumptuouslyeveryday。Indeed，ifitshouldcontinuemuchlongerIshallhavetoaskanadditionalallowanceforanewuniform。IhavepromisedthatMr。Cameronshallvisitthefarmwithintwoweeksifhebehaveswell。””Exactly！”repliedthedoctor。”Intwoweeksifheisgood。Theonlyquestionthattroublesmeis——isitquitesafe？Youseeinhispresentweakconditionhissusceptibilityisdecidedlyemphasised，hisresistingpowerislow，andwhoknowswhatmighthappen，especiallyifsheshouldinsist？Ishallnotsoonforgetthelookinhereyewhenshedaredmetolayafingeruponhisperson。””Oh，cutitout，Martin！”saidCameron。”Youmakemeweary。”Helaybackonhispillowandclosedhiseyes。

Thenursethrewasignaltothedoctor。”Allright，oldman，wemuststopthischaff。Buckupandintwoweekswewillletyougowhereyoulike。Ihavesomethinginmindforyou，butwewon’tspeakofitto-day。”

Theharvestwassafelystored。Theyellowstubbleshowedthefieldsatrest，butthevividgreenofthenewfallwheatproclaimedtheastoundingandfamiliarfactthatoncemoreNaturehadbegunherancientperennialmiracle。Forinthosefieldsofvividgreentheharvestofthecomingyearwasalreadyontheway。Onthesegreenfieldsthesnowymantlewouldliesoftandprotectingallthelongwinterthroughandwhenthespringsunswouldshineagainthefallwheatwouldbeamonthormoreonthewaytowardsmaturity。

Somehowthecountrylookedmorerested，fresher，cleanertoCameronthanwhenhehadlastlookeduponitinlateAugust。Therainhadwashedthedustfromtheearth’sfaceandfromthegreenswardthatborderedthegreyribbonofthehighroadthatledoutfromthecity。Thepasturesandthehaymeadowsandtheturnipfieldswereallintheirfreshestgreen，andbeyondthefieldstheforeststoodgloriousinallitsautumnsplendour，theashtreesbrightyellow，theoaksrichbrown，andthemaplesallthecoloursoftherainbow。

Intheorchard——ah，thewonderandthejoyofit！eventhebareandbonylimbsoftheappletreesonlyhelpedtorevealthesumptuouswealthoftheirlusciousfruit。Foritwasappletimeintheland！