第1章
CHAUCER。
TOTHEMEMORYOF
LADYNOELBYRON，THISBOOKISDEDICATED，WITHALOVESTRONGERTHANDEATH。
BOOKI。
TURRIEPUFFIT。
WithhimtherewasaPloughman，washisbrother。
Atrew？swinker，andagoodwashe，Livinginpeaceandperfectcharity。
Godlovedhebestwithallhistrew？heart，Atall？tim閟，wereitgainorsmart，Andthenhisneigh閎ourrightashimselve。
CHAUCER——ProloguetotheCanterburyTales。
CHAPTERI。
THEFIR-WOOD。
Ofalltheflowersinthemead，ThenloveIroosttheseflowerswhiteandrede，Suchthatmencallendaisiesinourtown。
IrenneblitheAssoonaseverthesunginnethwest，Toseethisflower，howitwillgotorest，Forfearofnight，sohatethshedarkness；
HercheerisplainlyspreadinthebrightnessOfthesunne，forthereitwillunclose。
CHAUCER——ProloguetotheLegendofGoodWomen。
“Meg！whaurareyegaein"thatget，likeawullshuttle？Comeintothebeuk。“
Meg"smotherstoodatthecottagedoor，witharmsakimboandcloudedbrow，callingthroughthebolesofalittleforestoffir-treesafterherdaughter。Onewouldnaturallypresumethatthephrasesheemployed，comparingherdaughter"smotionstothoseofashuttlethathad“ganewull，“orlostitsway，impliedthatshewaswatchingherasshethreadedherwaythroughthetrees。Butalthoughshecouldnotseeher，thefir-woodwascertainlythelikeliestplaceforherdaughtertobein；andthefiguresheemployedwasnotintheleastinapplicabletoMeg"susualmodeofwanderingthroughthetrees，thatoperationbeingcommonlyperformedinthemosterraticmannerpossible。ItwastheordinaryoccupationofthefirsthourofalmosteverydayofMargaret"slife。Assoonasshewokeinthemorning，thefir-wooddrewhertowardsit，andsheroseandwent。
Throughitscrowdofslenderpillars，shestrayedhitherandthither，inanaimlessmanner，asifresignedlyhauntingtheneighbourhoodofsomethingshehadlost，or，hopefully，thatofatreasuresheexpectedonedaytofind。
Itdidnotseemthatshehadheardhermother"scall，fornoresponsefollowed；andJanetElginbrodreturnedintothecottage，whereDavidofthesamesurname，whowasalreadyseatedatthewhitedealtablewith“thebeuk，“orlargefamilybiblebeforehim，straightwaycommencedreadingachapterintheusualroutinefromtheOldTestament，theNewbeingreservedfortheeveningdevotions。
ThechapterwasthefortiethoftheprophetIsaiah；andasthevoiceofthereaderre-utteredthewordsofoldinspiration，onemighthavethoughtthatitwasthevoiceoftheancientprophethimself，pouringforththeexpressionofhisownfaithinhisexpostulationswiththeunbeliefofhisbrethren。Thechapterfinished——itisnoneoftheshortest，andMeghadnotyetreturned——thetwoknelt，andDavidprayedthus：
“OThouwhoholdestthewatersinthehollowofaehan"，andcarriestthelambso"thyownmakinginthybosomwiththeotherhan"，itwouldbealtogetherunworthyo"thee，ando"thyMaijestyo"love，torequireo"usthatwhichthouknowestwecannotbringuntothee，untilthouenrichuswiththatsame。Therefore，likethineownbairns，weboodoonaforethee，an"praythatthouwouldsttak"thywullo"us，thyholyan"perfectan"blessedwullo"us；
for，OGod，wearea"thineain。An"foroorlassie，wha"sootamo"
thytrees，an"wha"wedinnathinkforgetsherMaker，thoughshemaywhilesforgetherprayers，Lord，keepherabonnielassieinthysicht，aswhiteandcleaninthyeenassheisfairan"halesomeinoors；an"oh！wethankthee，Fatherinheaven，forgiein"hertous。
An"noo，fora"oorwrang-duinsan"ill-min"ins，fora"oorsinsandtrespasseso"monysorts，dinnaforgetthem，OGod，tillthoupitsthema"richt，an"syneexerceesethymichtypowere"enowerthineainsel，an"cleanforgetthema"thegither；castthemahintthyback，whaure"enthineaineenshallne"erseethemagain，thatwemaywalkboldan"uprichtaforetheeforevermore，an"seethefaceo"HimwhawasasmuckleGodindoin"thybiddin"，asginhehadbeenordering"a"thingHimsel。Forhissake，Ahmen。“
IhopemyreaderswillnotsupposethatIgivethisasaspecimenofScotchprayers。Iknowbetterthanthat。Davidwasanunusualman，andhisprayerswereunusualprayers。Thepresentwasalittlemoresoinitsstyle，fromthefactthatoneofthesubjectsofitwasabsent，acircumstancethatrarelyhappened。Butthedegreeofdifferencewastoosmalltobedetectedbyanybutthosewhowerequiteaccustomedtohisformsofthoughtandexpression。HowmuchofitJanetunderstoodorsympathizedwith，itisdifficulttosay；
foranythingthatcouldbecalledathoughtrarelycrossedthethresholdofherutterance。Onthisoccasion，themomenttheprayerwasended，sherosefromherknees，smootheddownhercheckapron，andwenttothedoor；where，shadinghereyesfromthesunwithherhand，shepeeredfromunderitspenthouseintothefir-wood，andsaidinavoicesoftenedapparentlybytheexerciseinwhichshehadtakenasilentshare，“Whaurcanthelassiebe？”
Andwherewasthelassie？Inthefir-wood，tobesure，withthethousandshadows，andthesunlightthroughitall；foratthismomentthelightfelluponherfarinitsdepths，andrevealedherhasteningtowardsthecottageinasstraightalineasthetreeswouldpermit，nowblottedoutbyacrossingshadow，andanonradiantinthesunlight，appearingandvanishingasshethreadedtheuprightwarpofthefir-wood。Itwasmorningallaroundher；andonemightseethatitwasmorningwithinhertoo，as，emergingatlastinthesmallopenspacearoundthecottage，Margaret——IcannotcallherMeg，althoughhermotherdoes——herfatheralwayscalledher“Maggy，mydoo，“Anglic？dove——Margaretapproachedhermotherwithabrighthealthfulface，andtheleastpossibleexpressionofuneasinessonherfairforehead。Shecarriedabookinherhand。
“Whatgarsyegangstravaguin"thatget，Meg，whanyekenweeleneuchyesuda"beenintoworshiplangsyne？Ansaewemaunhaeworshipourlanesforwanto"you，yehizzy！”
“Ididnakenitwassaelate，mither，“repliedMargaret，inasubmissivetone，musicalinspiteoftheruggeddialectintowhichthesoundswerefashioned。
“Naedout！Yehadyerbrakfast，an"yewarnathathungryfortheword。Butherecomesyerfather，andye"llnomendforhisflytin"，I"sepromise。“
“Hoots！latthebairnalane，Janet，mywoman。Theword"llbemairtoheraforelang。“
“Iwatshehasawordo"hernainthere。Whatbeukhaeyegottenthere，Meg？Whaurgotye"t？”
Haditnotbeenforthehandsomebindingofthebookinherdaughter"shand，itwouldneitherhavecaughttheeye，norrousedthesuspicionsofJanet。Davidglancedatthebookinhisturn，andafaintexpressionofsurprise，embodiedchieflyintheopeningofhiseyelidsalittlewiderthanusual，crossedhisface。Butheonlysaidwithasmile：
“Ididnakenthatthetreeo"knowledge，wi"sicfairfruit，grewinourwud，Maggy，mydoo。“
“Whaurgatyethebeuk？”reiteratedJanet。
Margaret"sfacewasbythistimethecolourofthecrimsonboardsofthevolumeinherhand，butsherepliedatonce：
“IgotitfraeMaisterSutherlan"，Ireckon。“
Janet"sfirstresponsewasaninvertedwhistle；hernext，anotherquestion：
“MaisterSutherlan"！wha"sthato"t？”
“Hoot，lass！”interposedDavid，“yekenweelaneuch。It"sthenewtutorlad，upatthehoose；afine，douce，honestchield，an"
weel-faured，forby。Lat"sseethebitbeuky，lassie。“
Margarethandedittoherfather。
“Col-e-ridge"sPoems，“readDavid，withsomedifficulty。
“Tak"ithamedireckly，“saidJanet。
“Na，na，“saidDavid；“a"theappleso"thetreeo"knowledgearenostappitwisutanstew；an"ginthisanebe，she"llsunekenbythetasteo"twhat"scomin"。It"snomuckleo"anillbeuk"atye"llread，Maggy，mydoo。“
“Guidpreserve"s，man！I"mnosayin"it"sanillbeuk。Butit"snorichttomakappintmentswi"strangerladsi"thewudsaeear"i"
themornin"。Is"tnoo，yersel，Meg？”
“Mither！mither！”saidMargaret，andhereyesflashedthroughthewateryveilthattriedtohidethem，“hoocanye？YekenyerselI
hadnaeappintmentwi"himoronyman。“
“Weel，weel！”saidJanet；and，apparentlyeithersatisfiedwithorovercomebytheemotionshehadexcited，sheturnedandwentintopursueherusualhouse-avocations；whileDavid，handingthebooktohisdaughter，wentawaydownthepaththatledfromthecottagedoor，inthedirectionofaroadtobeseenatalittledistancethroughthetrees，whichsurroundedthecottageonallsides。
Margaretfollowedhermotherintothecottage，andwassoonasbusyasshewithhershareofthedutiesofthehousehold；butitwasagoodmanyminutesbeforethecloudcausedbyhermother"shastywordsentirelydisappearedfromaforeheadwhichmightwithespecialjusticebecalledtheskyofherface。
MeantimeDavidemergeduponthemoreopenroad，andbenthiscourse，stillthroughfir-trees，towardsahouseforwhosesakealonetheroadseemedtohavebeenconstructed。
CHAPTERII。
DAVIDELGINBRODANDTHENEWTUTOR。
ConcordbetweenourwitandwillWherehighestnotestogodlinessareraised，Andlowestsinknotdowntojotofill。
WhatLanguetustaughtSirPhilipSidney。
THEARCADIA——ThirdEclogue。
TheHouseofTurriepuffitstoodaboutafurlongfromDavid"scottage。ItwastheabodeoftheLaird，orlandedproprietor，inwhoseemploymentDavidfilledseveralofficesordinarilydistinct。
Theestatewasasmallone，andalmostentirelyfarmedbytheownerhimself；who，withDavid"shelp，managedtoturnittogoodaccount。
Uponweek-days，heappearedonhorsebackinacostumemorefittedforfollowingtheplough；buthedidnotworkwithhisownhands；
andonSundayswasatoncerecognizableasacountrygentleman。
Davidwashisbailifforgrieve，tooverlookthelabourersontheestate；hisstewardtopaythem，andkeepthefarmaccounts；hisheadgardener——forlittlelabourwasexpendedinthatdirection，therebeingonlyonelady，themistressofthehouse，andshenopatronessofuselessflowers：Davidwasinfactthelaird"sgeneraladviserandexecutor。
Thelaird"sfamily，besidestheladyalreadymentioned，consistedonlyoftwoboys，oftheagesofelevenandfourteen，whomhewishedtoenjoythesameprivilegeshehadhimselfpossessed，andtowhom，therefore，hewasgivingaclassicalandmathematicaleducation，inviewoftheUniversity，bymeansofprivatetutors；thelastofwhom——forthechangeswerenotfew，seeingthesalarywasofthesmallest——wasHughSutherland，theyoungmanconcerningwhomDavidElginbrodhasalreadygivenhisopinion。Butnotwithstandingthefreedomhealwaysgrantedhisdaughter，andhisgoodopinionofHughaswell，Davidcouldnothelpfeelingalittleanxious，inhiswalkalongtheroadtowardsthehouse，astowhattheapparentacquaintancebetweenherandthenewtutormightevolve；buthegotridofallthedifficulty，asfarashewasconcerned，bysayingatlast：
“WhatrichthaeItointerfere？evensupposin"Iwantedtointerfere。ButIcanlippenweeltomybonnydoo；an"fortherest，shemauntak"herchancelikethelaveo"s。An"wha"kensbutitmichtjistbestan"in"aforeHim，i"theverygetthatHemeanttogang。TheLordforgiemeforspeakin"o"chance，asginIbelievedinonysichavers。There"snofearo"thelassie。Gudemornin"
t"ye，MaisterSutherlan"。That"sabrawbeuko"ballantsyegaethelen"o"tomyMaggy，thismornin"，sir。“
Sutherlandwasjustenteringaside-doorofthehousewhenDavidaccostedhim。HewasnotoldenoughtokeepfromblushingatDavid"swords；but，havingagoodconscience，hewasreadywithagoodanswer。
“It"sagoodbook，Mr。Elginbrod。Itwilldohernoharm，thoughitbeballads。“
“I"minnodreedo"that，sir。Bairnsmaunhaeballants。An"，totellthetruth，sir，I"mnomucklemairnorabairninthatrespeckmysel"。Infac，thisverramornin"，atthebeuk，IjistthochtI
wasreadin"agran"godlyballant，an"itsoundetnanethewaurforthenotiono"t。“
“Youshouldhavebeenapoetyourself，Mr。Elginbrod。“
“Na，na；Ikennaethingabootyerpoetry。IhaereadauldJohnMiltonoweran"ower，thoughIdinnabelievethehalfo"t；but，oh！
weelIlikesomeo"thebonnybittiesattheen"o"t。“
“IlPenseroso，forinstance？”
“Isthathooyeca"t？Iken"tweelbythesicht，buthardlybythesoun"。Iayemissedthenameo"t，an"tooktothethingitsel"。
Eh，man！——Ibegyerpardon，sir——butitswonnerfu"bonny！”
“I"llcomeinsomeevening，andwe"llhaveachataboutit，“repliedSutherland。“Imustgotomyworknow。“
“We"lla"beverrahappytoseeyou，sir。Goodmornin"，sir。“
“Goodmorning。“
Davidwenttothegarden，wheretherewasnotmuchtobedoneinthewayofeducationatthisseasonoftheyear；andSutherlandtotheschool-room，wherehewasbusy，alltherestofthemorningandpartoftheafternoon，withCaesarandVirgil，AlgebraandEuclid；fooduponwhichintellectualbabesarerearedtothestatureofcollegeyouths。
Sutherlandwashimselfonlyayouth；forhehadgoneearlytocollege，andhadnotyetquitecompletedthecurriculum。Hewasnowfillingupwithteaching，therecessbetweenhisthirdandhisfourthwinteratoneoftheAberdeenUniversities。Hewasthesonofanofficer，belongingtotheyoungerbranchofafamilyofsomehistoricdistinctionandconsiderablewealth。Thisofficer，thoughnotfarremovedfromtheestateandtitleaswell，hadnothingtoliveuponbuthishalf-pay；for，tothedisgustofhisfamily，hehadmarriedaWelshgirlofancientdescent，inwhoselinethepovertymusthavebeenatleastcoevalwiththehistory，tojudgefromtheperfectionofitsdevelopmentinthecaseofherfather；
andhisrelationsmadethistheexcuseforquarrellingwithhim；sorelievingthemselvesfromanyobligationstheymighthavebeensupposedtolieunder，ofrenderinghimassistanceofsomesortorother。This，however，rathersuitedthetemperamentofMajorRobertSutherland，whowasprouderinhispovertythantheyintheirriches。Sohedisownedthemforever，andaccommodatedhimself，withthebestgraceintheworld，tohisyetmorestraitenedcircumstances。Heresolved，however，costwhatitmightinpinchingandsqueezing，tosendhissontocollegebeforeturninghimouttoshiftforhimself。InthisMrs。Sutherlandwasreadytosupporthimtotheutmost；andsotheyhadmanagedtokeeptheirboyatcollegeforthreesessions；afterthelastofwhich，insteadofreturninghome，ashehaddoneonpreviousoccasions，hehadlookedabouthimforatemporaryengagementastutor，andsoonfoundthesituationhenowoccupiedinthefamilyofWilliamGlasford，Esq。，ofTurriepuffit，whereheintendedtoremainnolongerthanthecommencementofthesession，whichwouldbehisfourthandlast。Towhatheshouldafterwardsdevotehimselfhehadbynomeansmadeuphismind，exceptthatitmustofnecessitybehardworkofsomekindorother。Sohehadatleastthevirtueofdesiringtobeindependent。Hisothergoodsandbadsmustcomeoutinthecourseofthestory。Hispupilswereratherstupidandrathergood-natured；sothattheirtemperamentoperatedtoconfirmtheirintellectualcondition，andtorenderthelabourofteachingthemconsiderablyirksome。Buthedidhisworktolerablywell，andwasnotsomuchinterestedintheresultastobepainedatthemoderatedegreeofhissuccess。AtthetimeofwhichIwrite，however，theprobabilityastohissuccesswasscarcelyascertained，forhehadbeenonlyafortnightatthetask。
ItwasthemiddleofthemonthofApril，inaratherbackwardseason。Theweatherhadbeenstormy，withfrequentshowersofsleetandsnow。OldwinterwasdoinghisbesttoholdyoungSpringbackbytheskirtsofhergarment，andveryfewofthewildflowershadyetventuredtolookoutoftheirwarmbedsinthemould。
Sutherland，therefore，hadmadebutfewdiscoveriesintheneighbourhood。Notthattheweatherwouldhavekepthimtothehouse，hadhehadanyparticulardesiretogoout；but，likemanyotherstudents，hehadnopredilectionforobjectlessexertion，andpreferredthechoiceofhisownweatherindoors，namely，frombooksandhisownimaginings，toanencounterwiththekeenblastsoftheNorth，chargedastheyoftenwerewithsharpbulletsofhail。Whenthesundidshineoutbetweentheshowers，hiscoldglitteruponthepoolsofrainormeltedsnow，andonthewetevergreensandgravelwalks，alwaysdrovehimbackfromthewindowwithashiver。Thehouse，whichwasofverymoderatesizeandcomfort，stoodinthemidstofplantations，principallyofScotchfirsandlarches，someoftheformeroldandofgreatgrowth，sothattheyhadarrivedatthetrueconditionofthetree，whichseemstorequireoldagefortheperfectionofitsidea。Therewasverylittletobeseenfromthewindowsexceptthiswood，which，somewhatgloomyatalmostanyseason，wasatthepresentcheerlessenough；andSutherlandfounditverydrearyindeed，asexchangedforthewideviewfromhisownhomeonthesideofanopenhillintheHighlands。
Inthemidstofcircumstancessouninteresting，itisnottobewonderedat，thattheglimpseofaprettymaidenshould，onemorning，occasionhimsomewelcomeexcitement。Passingdownstairstobreakfast，heobservedthedrawing-roomdoorajar，andlookedintoseewhatsortofaroomitwas；forsoseldomwasitusedthathehadneveryetenteredit。Therestoodayounggirl，peeping，withmingledcuriosityandreverence，intoasmallgilt-leavedvolume，whichshehadliftedfromthetablebywhichshestood。Hewatchedherforamomentwithsomeinterest；whenshe，seemingtobecomemesmericallyawarethatshewasnotalone，lookedup，blusheddeeply，putdownthebookinconfusion，andproceededtodustsomeofthefurniture。ItwashisfirstsightofMargaret。Someoftheneighbourswereexpectedtodinner，andheraidwasinrequisitiontogetthegrandroomofthehousepreparedfortheoccasion。Hesupposedhertobelongtothehousehold，till，oneday，feelingcompelledtogooutforastroll，hecaughtsightofhersooccupiedatthedoorofherfather"scottage，thatheperceivedatoncethatmustbeherhome：shewas，infact，seateduponastool，paringpotatoes。Shesawhimaswell，and，apparentlyashamedattherecollectionofhavingbeendiscoveredidlinginthedrawing-room，roseandwentin。HehadmetDavidonceortwiceaboutthehouse，and，attractedbyhisappearance，hadhadsomeconversationwithhim；buthedidnotknowwherehelived，northathewasthefatherofthegirlwhomhehadseen。
CHAPTERIII。
THEDAISYANDTHEPRIMROSE。
DearsecretGreenness，nursedbelowTempestsandwindsandwinternights！
Vexnotthatbutoneseestheegrow；
ThatOnemadealltheselesserlights。
HENRYVAUGHAN。
Itwas，ofcourse，quitebyaccidentthatSutherlandhadmetMargaretinthefir-wood。Thewindhadchangedduringthenight，andsweptallthecloudsfromthefaceofthesky；andwhenhelookedoutinthemorning，hesawthefir-topswavinginthesunlight，andheardthesoundofasouth-westwindsweepingthroughthemwiththetuneofrunningwatersinitscourse。Itisawell-practisedearthatcantellwhetherthesoundithearsbethatofgentlyfallingwaters，orofwindflowingthroughthebranchesoffirs。Sutherland"sheart，revivinglikeadormouseinitshole，begantobejoyfulatthesightofthegenialmotionsofNature，tellingofwarmthandblessednessathand。Somegoaloflife，vaguebutsure，seemedtoglimmerthroughtheappearancesaroundhim，andtostimulatehimtoaction。Bedressedinhaste，andwentouttomeettheSpring。Hewanderedintotheheartofthewood。Thesunlightshonelikeasunsetupontheredtrunksandboughsoftheoldfir-trees，butlikethefirstsunriseoftheworlduponthenewgreenfringesthatedgedtheyoungshootsofthelarches。Highup，hungthememorialsofpastsummersintherichbrowntasselsoftheclusteringcones；whilethegroundunderfootwasdappledwithsunshineonthefallenfir-needles，andthegreatfallenconeswhichhadopenedtoscattertheirautumnalseed，andnowlaywaitingfordecay。Overhead，thetopswhencetheyhadfallen，wavedinthewind，asinwelcomeoftheSpring，withthatpeculiarswingingmotionwhichmadethepoetsofthesixteenthcenturycallthem“sailingpines。“Thewindblewcool，butnotcold；andwasfilledwithadeliciousodourfromtheearth，whichSutherlandtookasasignthatshewascomingaliveatlast。AndtheSpringhewentouttomeet，methim。For，first，atthefootofatree，hespiedatinyprimrose，peepingoutofitsrough，carefulleaves；andhewonderedhow，byanymetamorphosis，suchleavescouldpassintosuchaflower。Hadheseenthemotherofthenextspring-messengerhewasabouttomeet，thesamethoughtwouldhavereturnedinanotherform。For，next，ashepassedonwiththeprimroseinhishand，thinkingitwasalmostcrueltopluckit，theSpringmethim，asifinherownshape，inthepersonofMargaret，whomhespiedalittlewayoff，leaningagainstthestemofaScotchfir，andlookinguptoitstopswayingoverheadinthefirstbillowsoftheoutburstoceanoflife。Hewentuptoherwithsomeshyness；forthepresenceofevenachild-maidenwasenoughtomakeSutherlandshy——partlyfromthefearofstartlinghershyness，asonefeelswhendrawingnearacouchingfawn。Butshe，whensheheardhisfootsteps，droppedhereyesslowlyfromthetree-top，and，asifshewereinherownsanctuary，waitedhisapproach。Hesaidnothingatfirst，butofferedher，insteadofspeech，theprimrosehehadjustplucked，whichshereceivedwithasmileoftheeyesonly，andthesweetest“thankyou，sir，“hehadeverheard。Butwhilesheheldtheprimroseinherhand，hereyeswanderedtothebookwhich，accordingtohiscustom，Sutherlandhadcaughtupasheleftthehouse。Itwastheonlywell-boundbookinhispossession；andtheeyesofMargaret，notyettutoredbyexperience，naturallyexpectedanentrancingpagewithinsuchbeautifulboards；forthegayestbindingsshehadseen，werethoseofafewoldannualsupatthehouse——andweretheynotfullofthemostlovelytalesandpictures？
Inthiscase，however，herexpectationwasnotvain；forthevolumewas，asIhavealreadydisclosed，Coleridge"sPoems。
Seeinghereyesfixeduponthebook——“Wouldyouliketoreadit？”
saidhe。
“Ifyouplease，sir，“answeredMargaret，hereyesbrighteningwiththeexpectationofdeliglit。
“Areyoufondofpoetry？”
Herfacefell。TheonlypoetrysheknewwastheScotchPsalmsandParaphrases，andsuchlast-centuryversesasformedthechiefpartoftheselectionsinherschool-books；forthiswasaveryretiredparish，andthenewerbookshadnotyetreacheditsschool。Shehadhopedchieflyfortales。
“Idinnakenmuchaboutpoetry，“sheanswered，tryingtospeakEnglish。“There"sanoldbooko"tonmyfather"sshelf；buttheletterso"tareauld-fashioned，an"Idinnacareabootit。“
“Butthisisquiteeasytoread，andverybeautiful，“saidHugh。
Thegirl"seyesglistenedforamoment，andthiswasallherreply。
“Wouldyouliketoreadit？”resumedHugh，seeingnofurtheranswerwasontheroad。
Sheheldoutherhandtowardsthevolume。Whenhe，inhisturn，heldthevolumetowardsherhand，shealmostsnatcheditfromhim，andrantowardsthehouse，withoutawordofthanksorleave-taking——whetherfromeagerness，ordoubtoftheproprietyofacceptingtheoffer，Hughcouldnotconjecture。Hestoodforsomemomentslookingafterher，andthenretracedhisstepstowardsthehouse。
Itwouldhavebeensomething，inthemonotonyofoneofthemosttryingofpositions，tomeetonewhosnatchedattheofferedmeansofspiritualgrowth，evenifthatdisciplehadnotbeenalovelygirl，withthewomanwakinginhereyes。Hecommencedthedutiesofthedaywithconsiderablymoreofenergythanhehadyetbroughttobearonhisuninterestingpupils；andthisenergydidnotflagbeforeitseffectsupontheboysbegantoreactinfreshimpulseuponitself。
CHAPTERIV。
THECOTTAGE。
OlittleBethlem！poorinwalls，Butrichinfurniture。
JOHNMASON"SSpiritualSongs。
TherewasonegreatalleviationtothevariousdiscomfortsofSutherland"stutor-life。Itwas，that，exceptduringschool-hours，hewasexpectedtotakenochargewhateverofhispupils。Theyranwildallothertimes；whichwasfarbetter，ineveryway，bothforthemandforhim。Consequently，hewasentirelyhisownmasterbeyondthefixedmarginofscholasticduties；andhesoonfoundthathisabsence，evenfromthetable，wasamatterofnointeresttothefamily。Tobesure，itinvolvedhisownfastingtillthenextmeal-timecameround——fortheladywasquiteahouseholdmartinet；
butthatwashisownconcern。
Thatveryevening，hemadehiswaytoDavid"scottage，aboutthecountrysupper-time，whenhethoughtheshouldmostlikelyfindhimathome。Itwasaclear，still，moonlitnight，withjustanairoffrost。Therewaslightenoughforhimtoseethatthecottagewasveryneatandtidy，looking，inthemidstofitslittleforest，morelikeanEnglishthanaScotchhabitation。Hehadhadtheadvantageofafewmonths"residenceinaleafyregionontheothersideoftheTweed，andsowasabletomakethecomparison。Butwhatadifferentleafagethatwasfromthis！Thatwassoft，floating，billowy；thishard，stiff，andstraight-lined，interferingsolittlewiththeskeletonform，thatitneedednottobeputoffinthewintryseasonofdeath，tomakethetreesinharmonywiththelandscape。Alightwasburninginthecottage，visiblethroughtheinnercurtainofmuslin，andtheouteroneoffrost。Asheapproachedthedoor，heheardthesoundofavoice；andfromtheevenpitchofthetone，heconcludedatoncethatitsownerwasreadingaloud。Themeasuredcadencesoonconvincedhimthatitwasversethatwasbeingread；andthevoicewasevidentlythatofDavid，andnotofMargaret。Heknockedatthedoor。Thevoiceceased，chairswerepushedback，andaheavystepapproached。Davidopenedthedoorhimself。
“Eh！MaisterSutherlan"，“saidhe，“Ithochtitmichtaiblinsbeyersel。Ye"rewelcome，sir。Comebuttthehoose。Ourplaceisbutsma"，butye"llnomin"sitttin"doonwi"ourainsels。Janet，ooman，thisisMaisterSutherlan"。Maggy，mydoo，he"safrien"o"
yours，o"adayauld，already。Ye"rekindlywelcome，MaisterSutherlan"。I"msureit"sverrakin"o"youtocomean"seethelikeo"huz。“
AsHughentered，hesawhisownbrightvolumelyingonthetable，evidentlythatfromwhichDavidhadjustbeenreading。
Margarethadalreadyplacedforhimacushionedarm-chair，theonlycomfortableoneinthehouse；andpresently，thetablebeingdrawnback，theywereallseatedroundthepeat-fireonthehearth，thebestsortforkeepingfeetwarmatleast。Onthecrook，orhookediron-chainsuspendedwithinthechimney，hungathree-footedpot，inwhichpotatoeswereboilingawaymerrilyforsupper。Bythesideofthewidechimney，ormoreproperlylum，hunganironlamp，ofanoldclassicalformcommontothecountry，fromthebeakofwhichprojected，almosthorizontally，thelightedwick——thepithofarush。Thelightpercheduponitwassmallbutclear，andbyitDavidhadbeenreading。Margaretsatrightunderit，uponacreepie，orsmallthree-leggedwoodenstool。Sittingthus，withthelightfallingonherfromabove，Hughcouldnothelpthinkingshelookedverypretty。Almosttheonlyobjectinthedistancefromwhichthefeeblelightwasreflected，wasthepatch-workcounterpaneofalittlebedfillingarecessinthewall，fittedwithdoorswhichstoodopen。ItwasprobablyMargaret"srefugeforthenight。
“Well，“saidthetutor，aftertheyhadbeenseatedafewminutes，andhadhadsometalkabouttheweather——surelynodespicablesubjectaftersuchamorning——thefirstofSpring——“well，howdoyouliketheEnglishpoet，Mr。Elginbrod？”
“Spierthatatmethisdayweek，MaisterSutherlan"，an"I"llaiblinsanswerye；butnothenicht，nothenicht。“
“Whatforno？”saidHugh，takingupthedialect。
“Foraething，we"renaecleanthroughwi"theauldsailor"sstoryyet；an"ginIhaelearntaethingaboonanither，itsnotopassjeedgmentupo"halves。Ihaeseenillweatherhalfthesimmer，an"
athrangcorn-yardafteran"a"，an"thato"thebest。NothatI"millpleasedwi"thebonnyballantaither。“
“Weel，willyejistlatmereadthelaveo"ttillye？”
“Wi"mucklepleesur，sir，an"monythanks。“
HeshowedHughhowfartheyhadgotinthereadingofthe“AncientMariner“；whereuponhetookupthetale，andcarrieditontotheend。Hehadsomefacilityinreadingwithexpression，andhisfewaffectations——foritmustbeconfessedhewasnotfreeofsuchfaults——werenotofanaturetostrikeuncriticalhearers。Whenhehadfinished，helookedup，andhiseyechancingtolightuponMargaretfirst，hesawthathercheekwasquitepale，andhereyesoverspreadwiththefilm，notofcomingtears，butofemotionnotwithstanding。
“Well，“saidHugh，again，willingtobreakthesilence，andturningtowardsDavid，“whatdoyouthinkofitnowyouhavehearditall？”
WhetherJanetinterruptedherhusbandornot，Icannottell；butshecertainlyspokefirst：
“Tsh鈜ah！”——equivalenttopshaw——“it"sa"lees。Whatforareyeknittin"yerbroosoweraleein"ballant——a"haversasweelaslees？”
“I"mnojistpreparedtosaysaemuckle，Janet，“repliedDavid；
“there"smonyathing"at"slees，asyeca"t，"at"snoleesa"
through。Yesee，MaisterSutherlan"，I"mnoglegattheuptak，an"
itjisttaksmetwiseaslangasitherfowktoseetotheootsideo"
athing。Whilesasentence"illleuktomecleannonsensea"thegither；an"maybeahaillookefter，it"llcomeupo"mea"atance；an"fegs！it"sthebestthingina"thebeuk。“
Margaret"seyeswerefixedonherfatherwithalookwhichIcanonlycallfaithfulness，asifeverywordhespokewastruth，whethershecouldunderstanditornot。
“Butperhapswemaylooktoofarformeaningssometimes，“suggestedSutherland。
“Maybe，maybe；butwhenabodyhasasuspeeciono"atrowth，hesudneverlatsittillhe"sgotteneytherhit，oranassurancethatthere"snothingthere。Butthere"sjistaething，inthepoem"atI
canpitmyfingerupo"，an"say"atit"snorichtcleartomewhetherit"sa"straucht-foretorno？”
“What"sthat，Mr。Elginbrod？”
“It"sjistthis——whatfora"thaesailor-menfelldoondeid，an"thechield"atshotthebonnieburdie，an"dida"themischeef，cam"tolittlehurti"the"en——comparateevely。“
“Well，“saidHugh，“IconfessI"mnotpreparedtoanswerthequestion。Ifyougetanylightonthesubject“——
“Ow，IdaursayImay。Aheapo"thingscomestomeasI"mtakin"adaunderbymysel"i"thegloamin"。I"llnosayathing"swrangtillIhaetrieditoweran"ower；formaybeIhaenaarichtgripo"thethingava。“
“Whatcanyeexpec，Dawvid，o"aleevin"corp，an"a"that？——ay，twahunnercorps——fowertimesfifty"stwahunner——an"angelsturnin"
sailors，an"sangsgaeinfleein"abootlikelaverocks，andtummelin"
doonagain，tiredlike？——Gudepreserve"sa"！”
“Janet，doyebelieve"ateveraserpentspak？”
“Hoot！Dawvid，thedeilwasinhim，yeken。“
“Thedeilawordo"that"si"theworditsel，though，“rejoinedDavidwithasmile。
“Dawvid，“saidJanet，solemnly，andwithsomeconsternation，“ye"renogaein"totellme，sittin"there，atyedinnabelieveilkaword"at"sprentitatweenthetwabrodso"theBible？WhatwillMaisterSutherlan"thinko"ye？”
“Janet，mybonnielass——“andhereDavid"seyesbeameduponhiswife——“Ibelieveasmonyo"themasyedo，an"maybeawheenmair，mydawtie。Keepyermin"easyabootthat。Butyejistsee"atfowkwarnaa"thegithersaitisfeedabootasairpentspeikin"，an"saetheyleukitabootandaboottillatlasttheyfandthedeilinhim。Gudekenswhetherhewasthereorno。Noo，yeseehoo，ginwewastoleukweelabootthaecorps，an"thaeangels，an"a"thatqueerstuff——butoh！it"sbonnystufftee！——wemichtfa"inwi"somethingwedidnaawthegitherexpec，thoughwewasleukin"for"ta"thetime。
SaeImaunjistthinkabootit，Mr。Sutherlan"；an"Iwadfainreaditoweragain，aforeIlippenongiein"myopinganonthemaitter。
Yecudlavethebitbeukie，sir？We"setak"guidcareo"t。“
“Ye"reverrawelcometothatoronyitherbeukIhae，“repliedHugh，whobegantofeelalreadyasifhewereinthehandsofasuperior。
“Monythanks；butyesee，sir，wehaeeneuchtochowupo"foranauchtdaysorso。“
Bythistimethepotatoesworeconsideredtobecooked，andwereaccordinglyliftedoffthefire。Thewaterwasthenpouredaway，thelidputaside，andthepothungoncemoreuponthecrook，hookedafewringsfurtherupinthechimney，inorderthatthepotatoesmightbethoroughlydrybeforetheywereserved。Margaretwasnowverybusyspreadingtheclothandlayingspoonandplatesonthetable。Hughrosetogo。
“Willyenobide，“saidJanet，inamosthospitabletone，“an"tak"
ahetpitawtawi"us？”
“I"mafraidofbeingtroublesome，“answeredhe。
“Naefearo"that，ginyecanjistpitupwi"oorhamelymeat。“
“Maknaeapologies，Janet，mywoman，“saidDavid。“Ahetpitawta"sayeguidfare，forgentleorsemple。Sityedounagain，MaisterSutherlan"。Maggy，mydoo，whaur"sthemilk？”
“IthochtHawkiewadhaeadrappyo"hetmilkbythistime，“saidMargaret，“andsaeIjistlootitbetothelast；butI"llhae"tdrawnintwaminutes。“Andawayshewentwithajug，commonlycalledadecanterinthatpartofthenorth，inherhand。
“That"shardlyfairplaytoHawkie，“saidDavidtoJanetwithasmile。
“Hoot！Dawvid，yeseewehaenaastrangerilkanicht。“
“Butreally，“saidHugh，“Ihopethisisthelasttimeyouwillconsidermeastranger，forIshallbehereagreatmanytimes——thatis，ifyoudon"tgettiredofme。“
“Gieusthechanceatleast，MaisterSutherlan"。It"snosma"
preevilegetofowklikeustohaeafrien"wi"saemucklebuiklearnin"asyehae，sir。“
“Iamafraiditlooksmoretoyouthanitreallyis。“
“Weel，yesee，wemauna"leukatthestarnsfraethehichto"ooraineen。An"yeseemnighertothembyalanggrowththanthelaveo"s。Myman，yeoughttobethankfu"。“
WiththetruehumilitythatcomesofworshippingtheTruth，DavidhadnotthesmallestideathathewasimmeasurablynearertothestarsthanHughSutherland。
Maggiehavingreturnedwithherjugfulloffrothymilk，andthepotatoesbeingalreadyheapedupinawoodenbowlorbossieinthemiddleofthetable，sendingthesmokeoftheirhospitalitytotherafters，Janetplacedasmallerwoodenbowl，calledacaup，filledwithdeliciouslyyellowmilkofHawkie"slatestgathering，foreachindividualofthecompany，withanattendanthorn-spoonbyitsside。
Theyalldrewtheirchairstothetable，andDavid，askingnoblessing，asitwascalled，butneverthelessgivingthanksfortheblessingalreadybestowed，namely，theperfectgiftoffood，invitedHughtomakeasupper。Each，inprimitivebutnotungracefulfashion，tookapotatoefromthedishwiththefingers，andateit，“biteandsup，“withthehelpofthehorn-spoonforthemilk。Hughthoughthehadneversuppedmorepleasantly，andcouldnothelpobservinghowfarrealgood-breedingisindependentoftheformsandrefinementsofwhathasassumedtoitselfthenameofsociety。
Soonaftersupperwasover，itwastimeforhimtogo；so，afterkindhand-shakingsandgoodnights，Davidaccompaniedhimtotheroad，wherehelefthimtofindhiswayhomebythestar-light。Ashewent，hecouldnothelpponderingalittleoverthefactthatalabouringmanhaddiscoveredadifficulty，perhapsafault，inoneofhisfavouritepoems，whichhadneversuggesteditselftohim。Hesoonsatisfiedhimself，however，bycomingtotheconclusionthatthepoethadnotcaredaboutthematteratall，havinghadnofurtherintentioninthepoemthanHughhimselfhadfoundinit，namely，witcheryandloveliness。Butitseemedtotheyoungstudentawonderfulfact，thattheintercoursewhichwasdeniedhiminthelaird"sfamily，simplyfromtheirutterincapacityofyieldingit，shouldbeaffordedhiminthefamilyofamanwhohadfollowedtheploughhimselfonce，perhapsdidsostill，havingrisenonlytobetheoverseerandsuperiorassistantoflabourers。Hecertainlyfelt，onhiswayhome，muchmorereconciledtotheprospectofhissojournatTurriepuffit，thanhewouldhavethoughtitpossibleheevershould。
Davidlingeredafewmoments，lookingupatthestars，beforehere-enteredhiscottage。Whenherejoinedhiswifeandchild，hefoundtheBiblealreadyopenonthetablefortheireveningdevotions。Iwillclosethischapter，asIbeganthefirst，withsomethinglikehisprayer。David"sprayerswerecharacteristicofthewholeman；buttheyalsopartook，infarmorethanordinary，ofthemoodofthemoment。Hislastoccupationhadbeenstar-gazing：
“Othou，whakeepsthestarsalicht，an"oursoulsburnin"wi"alichtaboonthato"thestars，grantthattheymayshineaforetheeasthestarsforeverandever。An"asthouhaudsthestarsburnin"
a"thenicht，whanthere"snomantosee，sohaudthouthelichtburnin"inoursouls，whanweseeneithertheenorit，butareburiedinthegraveo"sleepan"forgetfu"ness。Bethoubyus，evenasamothersitsbythebedsideo"herailin"weana"thelangnicht；onlybethounearertous，eveninourverrasouls，an"watchowerthewarl"o"dreamsthattheymak"forthemsels。Grantthatmorean"morethochtso"thythinkin"maycomeintoourhertsdaybyday，tillthereshallbeatlastanopenroadatweentheean"us，an"thyangelsmayascendanddescenduponus，sothatwemaybeinthyheaven，e"enwhileweareupo"thyearth：Amen。“
CHAPTERV。
THESTUDENTS。
Inwoodandstone，notthesoftest，buthardest，bealwaysaptestforportraiture，bothfairestforpleasure，andmostdurableforprofit。Hardwitsbehardtoreceive，butsuretokeep；painfulwithoutweariness，heedfulwithoutwavering，constantwithoutnew-fangleness；bearingheavythings，thoughnotlightly，yetwillingly；enteringhardthings，thoughnoteasily，yetdeeply；andsocometothatperfectnessoflearningintheend，thatquickwitsseeminhopebutdonotindeed，orelseveryseldomeverattainunto——ROGERASCHAM——TheSchoolmaster。
TwoorthreeverysimplecausesunitedtopreventHughfromrepeatinghisvisittoDavidsosoonashewouldotherwisehavedone。Onewas，that，thefineweathercontinuing，hewasseizedwiththedesireofexploringtheneighbourhood。Thespring，whichsetssomewildanimalstotheconstructionofnewdwellings，incitesmantotheenlargingofhis，making，asitwere，bydiscovery，thatwhichliesaroundhimhisown。Sohespentthegreaterpartsofseveraleveningsinwanderingabouttheneighbourhood；tillatlengththemoonlightfailedhim。Anothercausewas，that，intheactofsearchingforsomebooksforhisboys，inanoldgarretofthehouse，whichwasatoncelumberroomandlibrary，hecameuponsomestrayvolumesoftheWaverleynovels，withwhichhewasasyetonlypartiallyacquainted。Theseabsorbedmanyofhissparehours。
Butoneevening，whilereadingtheHeartofMidlothian，thethoughtstruckhim——whatacharacterDavidwouldhavebeenforSirWalter。
Whetherhewasrightornotisaquestion；butthenotionbroughtDavidsovividlybeforehim，thatitrousedthedesiretoseehim。
Heclosedthebookatonce，andwenttothecottage。
“We"renolik"lytoca"yeonythingbutastrangeryet，MaisterSutherlan"，“saidDavid，asheentered。
“I"vebeenbusysinceIsawyou，“wasalltheexcuseHughoffered。
“Weel，ye"rwelcomenoo；andye"vejistcomeintimeaftera"，forit"snothatmonyhourssin"Ifanditootawthegithertomyainsettisfaction。“
“Foundoutwhat？”saidHugh；forhehadforgottenallabouttheperplexityinwhichhehadleftDavid，andwhichhadbeenoccupyinghisthoughtseversincetheirlastinterview。
“Abootthecross-bowan"thebirdie，yeken，“answeredDavid，inatoneofsurprise。
“Yes，tobesure。Howstupidofme！”saidHugh。
“Weel，yesee，themeanin"o"thehaillballantisnothatilltowinat，seein"thepoethimsel"tellsusthat。It"sjistnotobeproudorill-naturedtooorneebours，thebeastsandbirds，forGodmadeanean"a"o"s。Butthere"sharderthingsin"tnorthat，andyon"sthehardest。Butyeseeitwasjistanunluckythochtlessdeedo"thepuirauldsailor"s，an"I"mthinkin"hewassairreprochtin"sherttheminithedidit。Hismateswasfellangryathim，noforkillin"thepuirinnocentcraytur，butforfearo"illluckinconsequence。Synewhennanefollowed，theyturnedrichtroun"，an"tookawa"thecharactero"thepuirbeastieefter"twasdeid。Theyappruvedo"theverrathing"athewasnaedootsorryfor——Butonythingtohaudaffo"themsels！Naesunercamthecalm，thanroun"theygaedagainliketheweathercock，an"naethingwadcontentthembithingin"thedeidcrayturabouttheauldman"scraig，an"abusin"himforby。Saeyeseehootheywarawheenselfishcrayturs，an"ahantlewaurnortheman"atwasledastrayintoanilldeed。Butstillhemaunrue"t。SaeDeathgotthem，an"
akin"o"leevin"Death，asheDeathas"twar，an"insomerespecksmaybewaurthantheither，gotgripso"him，puirauldbody！It"sa"fairandrichttothebackbaneo"theballant，MaisterSutherlan"，an"thatI"seuphaud。“
Hughcouldnothelpfeelingconsiderablyastonishedtohearthiscriticismfromthelipsofonewhomheconsideredanuneducatedman。
Forhedidnotknowthattherearemanyothereducationsbesidesacollegeone，someofthemtendingfarmorethanthattodevelopethecommon-sense，orfacultyofjudgingofthingsbytheirnature。Lifeintelligentlymetandhonestlypassed，isthebesteducationofall；
exceptthathigheronetowhichitisintendedtolead，andtowhichithadledDavid。Boththeseeducations，however，werenearlyunknowntothestudentofbooks。ButhewasstillmoreastonishedtohearfromthelipsofMargaret，whowassittingby：
“That"sit，father；that"sit！Iwasjistettlin"efterthatsamethingmysel，orsomethinglikeit，butyeputitintherichtwordsexackly。“
ThesoundofhervoicedrewHugh"seyesuponher：hewasastonishedatthealterationinhercountenance。Whileshespokeitwasabsolutelybeautiful。Assoonassheceasedspeaking，itsettledbackintoitsformershadowlesscalm。Herfathergaveheroneapprovingglanceandnod，expressiveofnosurpriseatherhavingapproachedthesamediscoveryashimself，buttestifyingpleasureatthecoincidenceoftheiropinions。NothingwasleftforHughbuttoexpresshissatisfactionwiththeinterpretationofthedifficulty，andtoadd，thatthepoemwouldhenceforthpossessfreshinterestforhim。
Afterthis，hisvisitsbecamemorefrequent；andatlengthDavidmadearequestwhichledtotheirgreaterfrequencystill。Itwastothiseffect：
“Doyethink，Mr。Sutherlan"，Icoulddoonythingatmyageatthemathematics？Iunnerstan"weeleneuchhootomeasur"lan"，an"thatkin"o"thing。Ijistfollowtherule。Buttheruleitsel"sapuzzlertome。Idinnaunderstan"itbyhalf。Nooitseemstomethatthebesto"aruleis，notomakyeabletodoathing，buttoleadyetowhatmakstherulericht——totheprencipleo"thething。
It"sno"atI"mmisbelievin"therule，butIwanttoseetherichtso"t。“
“I"venodoubtyoucouldlearnfastenough，“repliedHugh。“Ishallbeveryhappytohelpyouwithit。“
“Na，na；I"mnogaeintotroubleyou。Yehaeeneuchtodointhatway。Butifyecouldjistsparemeaneortwao"yerbeukswhiles——onyo"them"atyethinkproper，Isudbemuckleobleegedteye。“
Hughpromisedandfulfilled；buttheresultwas，that，beforelong，boththefatherandthedaughterwereseatedatthekitchen-table，everyevening，busywithEuclidandAlgebra；andthat，onmostevenings，Hughwaspresentastheirinstructor。Itwasquiteanewpleasuretohim。Fewdelightssurpassthoseofimpartingknowledgetotheeagerrecipient。WhatmadeHugh"stutor-lifeirksome，waspartlytheexcessofhisdesiretocommunicate，overthedesireofhispupilstopartake。Butheretherewasnolabour。Allthequestionswereaskedbythescholars。Asinglelessonhadnotpassed，however，beforeDavidputquestionswhichHughwasunabletoanswer，andconcerningwhichhewasobligedtoconfesshisignorance。Insteadofbeingdiscouraged，aseagerquestionersareveryreadytobewhentheyreceivenoanswer，Davidmerelysaid，“Weel，weel，wemaunbideawee，“andwentonwithwhathewasabletomaster。MeantimeMargaret，thoughforcedtolagagoodwaybehindherfather，andtoapplymuchmorefrequentlytotheirtutorforhelp，yetsecuredallshegot；andthatisgreatpraiseforanystudent。Shewasnotbyanymeansremarkablyquick，butsheknewwhenshedidnotunderstand；andthatisasureandindispensablesteptowardsunderstanding。Itisindeedararergiftthanthepowerofunderstandingitself。
ThegratitudeofDavidwastoodeeptobeexpressedinanyformalthanks。Itbrokeoutattimesintwoorthreesimplewordswhentheconversationpresentedanopportunity，orinthemidstoftheirwork，asbyitsownself-birth，ungeneratedbyassociation。
Duringthelesson，whichoftenlastedmorethantwohours，Janetwouldbebusyabouttheroom，andinandoutofit，withamanifestcaretosuppressallunnecessarybustle。AssoonasHughmadehisappearance，shewouldputoffthestoutshoes——man"sshoes，asweshouldconsiderthem——whichshealwaysworeatothertimes，andputonapairofbauchles；thatis，anoldpairofherSundayshoes，putdownatheel，andsoconvertedintoslippers，withwhichshecouldmoveaboutlessnoisily。Attimesherremarkswouldseemtoimplythatsheconsidereditratherabsurdinherhusbandtotroublehimselfwithbook-learning；butevidentlyonthegroundthathekneweverythingalreadythatwasworthyofthehonourofhisacquaintance；whereas，withregardtoMargaret，herheartwasasevidentlyfullofprideattheideaoftheeducationherdaughterwasgettingfromthelaird"sowntutor。
Nowandthenshewouldstandstillforamoment，andgazeatthem，withherbrightblackeyes，fromunderthewhitefrillsofhermutch，herbarebrownarmsakimbo，andalookofprideuponherequallybrownhonestface。
Herdressconsistedofawrapper，orshortloosejacket，ofprintedcalico，andabluewinseypetticoat，whichshehadahabitoftuckingbetweenherknees，tokeepitoutofharm"sway，asoftenasshestoopedtoanywetwork，or，moreespecially，whendoinganythingbythefire。Margaret"sdresswas，inordinary，likehermother"s，withtheexceptionofthecap；but，everyevening，whentheirmasterwasexpected，sheputoffherwrapper，andsubstitutedagownofthesamematerial，acottonprint；andso，withherplentifuldarkhairgatheredneatlyunderanetofbrownsilk，theusualhead-dressofgirlsinherposition，bothinandoutofdoors，satdowndressedforthesacramentofwisdom。Davidmadenootherpreparationthantheusualeveningwashingofhislargewell-wroughthands，andbathingofhishead，coveredwiththickdarkhair，plentifullylinedwithgrey，inatubofcoldwater；fromwhichhisface，whichwas“cremsindyedingrayne“bytheweather，emergedglowing。Hesatdownatthetableinhisusualroughbluecoatandplainbrassbuttons；withhisbreechesofbroad-stripedcorduroy，hisblue-ribbedstockings，andleathergaiters，orcuiticans，disposedunderthetable，andhisshoes，withfiverowsofbroad-headednailsinthesoles，projectingfrombeneathitontheotherside；forhewasatallman——sixfeetstill，althoughfive-and-fifty，andconsiderablybentintheshoulderswithhardwork。Sutherland"sstylewasthatofagentlemanwhomustwearouthisdress-coat。
Suchwasthegroupwhich，threeorfoureveningsintheweek，mightbeseeninDavidElginbrod"scottage，seatedaroundthewhitedealtable，withtheirbooksandslatesuponit，andsearching，bythelightofatallowcandle，substitutedasmoreconvenient，fortheordinarylamp，afterthemysteriesoftheuniverse。
TheinfluencesofrevivingnatureandofgenialcompanionshipoperatedveryfavourablyuponHugh"sspirits，andconsequentlyuponhiswholepowers。Forsometimehehad，asIhavealreadyhinted，succeededininterestinghisboy-pupilsintheirstudies；andnowtheprogresstheymadebegantobeappreciabletothemselvesaswellastotheirtutor。Thisofcoursemadethemmorehappyandmorediligent。Therewerenoattemptsnowtoworkupontheirparentsforaholiday；norealorpretendedheadortooth-aches，whosedisabilitywasurgedagainstthegreatertortureofill-concededmentallabour。Theybeganinfacttounderstand；and，inproportiontothebeautyandvalueofthethingunderstood，tounderstandistoenjoy。Thereforethelairdandhisladycouldnothelpseeingthattheboysweredoingwell，farbetterinfactthantheyhadeverdonebefore；andconsequentlybegannotonlytoprizeHugh"sservices，buttothinkmorehighlyofhisofficethanhadbeentheirwont。
Thelairdwouldnowandtheninvitehimtojoinhiminatumbleroftoddyafterdinner，orinarideroundthefarmafterschoolhours。
ButitmustbeconfessedthattheseapproachestofriendlinesswereratherirksometoHugh；forwhateverthelairdmighthavebeenasacollegian，hewascertainlynownothingmorethanafarmer。WhereDavidElginbrodwouldhavedescribedmanya“bonnysicht，“thelairdonlysawtheprobableresultsofharvest，intheshapeoffiguresinhisbankingbook。Ononeoccasion，Hughrousedhisindignationbyventuringtoexpresshisadmirationofthedelightfulminglingofcoloursinafieldwhereagoodmanyscarletpoppiesgrewamongthegreenbladesofthecorn，indicating，totheagriculturaleye，thepovertyofthesoilwheretheywerefound。Thisfaultinthesoil，thelaird，likeachild，resenteduponthepoppiesthemselves。
“Nasty，uglyweyds！We"llhaeyeadmirin"thesmutneist，“saidhe，contemptuously；“"causethebairnscanbleckaneanither"sfaceswi"t。“
“Butsurely，“saidHugh，“puttingotherconsiderationsaside，youmustallowthatthecolour，especiallywhenmingledwiththatofthecorn，isbeautiful。“
“Deilhae"t！It"sjistthere"atIcannabidethesichto"t。
Beautyyemayca""t！Iseenaneo"t。I"dassunehaeareid-heeditbairn，asseethaereid-coatitrascalsi"mycorn。I
houpye"renogaentocramstufflikethatintotheheedso"thetwaladdies。Faith！we"llhaethemsawin"thaeill-fauredweydsamangthewheytneist。Poapiesca"yethem？WeelIwatthey"rethePopp"sainbairns，an"thescarletwummantothemithero"them。
Ha！ha！ha！”
HavingmanifestedbothwitandProtestantismintheclosingsentenceofhisobjurgation，thelairdrelapsedintogoodhumourandstupidity。HughwouldgladlyhavespentsuchhoursinDavid"scottageinstead；buthewashardlypreparedtorefusehiscompanytoMr。Glasford。
CHAPTERVI。
THELAIRD"SLADY。
Yearchewyves，standithatdefence，Sinyebeenstrong，asisagreatcamayle；
Nesuffernotthatmenyoudonoffence。
Andslenderwives，fellasinbattaile，Betheager，asisatiger，yondinInde；
Ayeclappithasamill，Iyoucounsaile。
CHAUCER——TheClerk"sTale。
ThelengthandfrequencyofHugh"sabsences，carelessasshewasofhispresence，hadalreadyattractedtheattentionofMrs。Glasford；
andverylittletroublehadtobeexpendedonthediscoveryofhishaunt。Fortheservantsknewwellenoughwherehewent，andofcoursehadcometotheirownconclusionsastotheobjectofhisvisits。SotheladychosetothinkitherdutytoexpostulatewithHughonthesubject。Accordingly，onemorningafterbreakfast，thelairdhavinggonetomounthishorse，andtheboystohaveafewminutes"playbeforelessons，Mrs。Glasford，whohadkeptherseatattheheadofthetable，waitingfortheopportunity，turnedtowardsHughwhosatreadingtheweek"snews，foldedherhandsonthetablecloth，drewherselfupyetalittlemorestifflyinherchair，andthusaddressedhim：
“It"smyduty，Mr。Sutherland，seein"yehavenomothertolookafterye——“
Hughexpectedsomethingmatronlyabouthislinenorhissocks，andputdownhisnewspaperwithasmile；but，tohisastonishment，shewenton——
“Toremonstratewi"ye，ontheimproprietyofgoingsooftentoDavidElginbrod"s。They"renotcompanyforayounggentlemanlikeyou，Mr。Sutherland。“
“They"regoodenoughcompanyforapoortutor，Mrs。Glasford，“
repliedHugh，foolishlyenough。
“Notatall，notatall，“insistedthelady。“Withyourconnexions——“
“Goodgracious！whoeversaidanythingaboutmyconnexions？Ineverpretendedtohaveany。“Hughwasgettingangryalready。
Mrs。Glasfordnoddedherheadsignificantly，asmuchastosay，“I
knowmoreaboutyouthanyouimagine，“andthenwenton：
“Yourmotherwillneverforgivemeifyougetintoascrapewiththatsmooth-facedhussy；andifherfather，honestmanhasn"teyesenoughinhishead，otherpeoplehave——ay，an"tonguestoo，Mr。
Sutherland。“
Hughwasonthepointofforgettinghismanners，andconsigningalltheabovementionedorganstoperdition；buthemanagedtorestrainhiswrath，andmerelysaidthatMargaretwasoneofthebestgirlshehadeverknown，andthattherewasnopossibledangerofanykindofscrapewithher。Thismodeofargument，however，wasnotcalculatedtosatisfyMrs。Glasford。Shereturnedtothecharge。
“She"saslypuss，withhershyairsandgraces。Herfather"sjistdaftwi"conceito"her，an"it"snotobesurprisedifshecastaglamouroweryou。Mr。Sutherland，ye"rebutyoungyet。“
Hugh"spridepresentedanyalliancewithalassiewhohadherdedthelaird"scowsbarefoot，andevennowtendedtheirowncow，asanallbutinconceivableabsurdity；andheresented，morethanhecouldhavethoughtpossible，theentertainmentofsuchadegradingideainthemindofMrs。Glasford。Indignationpreventedhimfromreplying；
whileshewenton，gettingmorevernacularassheproceeded。
“It"snoforlacko"company"atyerdriventoseektheirs，I"msure。There"stwaasfineladsan"gudescholarsasye"llfin"inthehaillkintra-side，notomentionthelairdandmysel"。“
ButHughcouldbearitnolonger；norwouldhecondescendtoexcuseorexplainhisconduct。
“Madam，Ibegyouwillnotmentionthissubjectagain。“
“ButIwillmention"t，Mr。Sutherlan"；an"ifye"llnolistentorizzon，I"llgotothem"atmaundo"t。“
“Iamaccountabletoyou，madam，formyconductinyourhouse，andforthewayinwhichIdischargemydutytoyourchildren——nofurther。“
“Doyeca"thatdischairgin"yerdutytomybairns，tosetthemtheexampleo"hingin"ataquean"s鈖ron-strings，andfillin"herlugwi"idlehavers？Ca"yethatdischairgin"yerduty？Mycertie！abonnydischairgin"！”
“Ineverseethegirlbutinherfatherandmother"spresence。“
“Weel，weel，Mr。Sutherlan"，“saidMrs。Glasford，inafinaltone，andtryingtosmothertheangerwhichshefeltshehadallowedtocarryherfurtherthanwasdecorous，“we"llsaynaemairabootitatpresent；butImaunjistspeaktothelairdhimsel"，an"seewhathesaystill"t。“
And，withthisthreat，shewalkedoutoftheroominwhatsheconsideredadignifiedmanner。
Hughwasexceedinglyannoyedatthistreatment，andthought，atfirst，ofthrowinguphissituationatonce；buthegotcalmerbydegrees，andsawthatitwouldbetohisownloss，andperhapstotheinjuryofhisfriendsatthecottage。SohetookhisrevengebyrecallingtheexcitedfaceofMrs。Glasford，whosenosehadgotasredwithpassionastheprotuberanceofaturkey-cockwhengobblingoutitsunutterablefeelingsofdisdain。Hedweltuponthissoothingcontemplationtillafitoflaughterrelievedhim，andhewasabletogoandjoinhispupilsasifnothinghadhappened。
MeanwhiletheladysentforDavid，whowasatworkinthegarden，intonolessanaudience-chamberthanthedrawing-room，thereveredabodeofallthetutelardeitiesofthehouse；chiefamongstwhichweretheportraitsofthelairdandherself：he，plethoricandwrappedinvoluminousfoldsofneckerchief——shelong-necked，andlean，andbare-shouldered。Theoriginalofthelatterworkofartseatedherselfinthemostimportantchairintheroom；andwhenDavid，aftercarefullywipingtheshoeshehadalreadywipedthreetimesonhiswayup，enteredwitharespectfulbutnowiseobsequiousbow，sheorderedhim，withtheairofanempress，toshutthedoor。Whenhehadobeyed，sheorderedhim，inasimilartone，tobeseated；forshesoughttominglecondescensionandconciliationwithseverity。
“David，“shethenbegan，“IaminformedthatyekeepopendoortoourMr。Sutherland，andthathespendsmostforenichtsinyourcompany。“
“Weel，mem，it"sverratrue，“wasallDavid"sanswer。Hesatinanexpectantattitude。
“Dawvid，Iwonneratye！”returnedMrs。Glasford，forgettingherdignity，andbecomingconfidentiallyremonstrative。“Here"sayounggentlemano"talans，wi"ilkaprospecko"waggin"hisheidinapoopitsomeday；an"yeaidan"abethiminidlin"awa"histimeatyourchimla-lug，duin"waurnornaethingava！I"msurprisedatye，Dawvid。Ithochtyehadmairsense。“
Davidlookedoutofhisclear，blue，untroubledeyes，upontheruffledcountenanceofhismistress，withanalmostpaternalsmile。
“Weel，mem，ImaunsayIdinnajistthinktheyoungman"sinthewarsto"company，whenhe"satouringle-neuk。An"foridlin"o"
histimeawa"，it"sweelwaurdforhimsel"，forbyforus，ginholywordsbinnalees。“
“Whatdoyemean，Dawvid？”saidtheladyrathersharply，forshelovednoriddles。
“Imeanthis，mem：thattheyoungmanisjistactin"thepairto"
Peteran"Johnatthebonnygateo"thetemple，whantheysaid：
"SuchasIhave，gieIthee；"an"gin"itbemoreblessedtogiethantoreceive，asSantPaulsays"attheMaisterhimsel"said，theyoungman"illnobethewauraffin"sainlearnin"，thatheimpairtso"ttothemthathungerfor"t。“
“Yemeanbythis，Dawvid，ginyecouldexpressyersel"tothepint，"attheyoungman，wha"sowerweelpaidtoinstruckmybairns，neglecksthem，an"layshimsel"ootupo"itherfowk"sweans，whahaenorichttoettleaboonthestationinwhichtheirMakerpatthem。“
Thiswasutteredwithquiteareligiousfervourofexpostulation；
forthelady"snaturalindignationatthethoughtofMegElginbrodhavinglessonsfromherboys"tutor，wascowedbeneaththequietsteadygazeofthenoble-mindedpeasantfather。
“Helayshimsel"ootmairupo"theitherfowkthemsels"thanupo"
theirweans，mem；though，naedoubt，myMaggycomesinforagudeshare。Butfornegleckin"o"hisdutytoyou，mem，I"msureIkennahoothatcanbe；foritwasonlyyestreen"atthelairdhimsel"saidtome，"athoothebairnshadnevergottenonnaethinglikeitwi"
onyitherbody。“
“Thelaird"sowerreadywi"sclavers，“quoththelaird"swife，nettledtofindherselfinthewrong，andforgetfulofherownandherlord"sdignityatonce。“But，“shepursued，“allIcansayis，thatIconsideritverraimpropero"you，wi"ayounglass-bairn，toencouragethenichtlyveesitso"ayounggentleman，wha"ssaefaraboonherinstation，an"dootlesswillsomedaybefartheryet。“
“Mem！”saidDavid，withdignity，“I"mwillin"notounderstan"whatyemean。MyMaggy"snoane"atneedsluikin"efter；an"abodyhadneedtobecarefu"an"nointerferewi"theLord"sherdin"，forheca"shimsel"theShepherdo"thesheep，an"wee！asIloeherImaunlea"himtoleadthemwhafollowhimwhereverhegoeth。She"llbenoillguidit，andI"mnogaeingtokepheratilkaturn。“
“Weel，weel！that"syerainaffair，Dawvid，myman，“rejoinedMrs。
Glasford，withrisingvoiceandcomplexion。“A""atIhaetoaddisjistthis："ataslangasmytutorveesitsher“——
“Heveesitshernomorethanme，mem，“interposedDavid；buthismistresswentonwithdignifieddisregardoftheinterruption——
“Veesitsher，Icanna，forthesakeo"myownbairns，an"themoralso"myhoosehold，employherabootthehoose，asIwasinthewayo"
doin"afore。Goodmornin"，Dawvid。I"llspeaktothelairdhimsel"，sin"ye"llnoheedme。“
“It"smoretomylassie，mem，excuseme，tolearntounnerstan"theworkso"herMaker，thanitistobeemployedinyourhousehold。
Monythanks，mem，forwhatyehev"doneinthatwayafore；an"goodmornin"toye，mem。I"msorryweshouldhaeonymisunderstandin"，butIcannahelpitformypairt。“
WiththesewordsDavidwithdrew，ratheranxiousabouttheconsequencestoHughofthisunpleasantinterferenceonthepartofMrs。Glasford。Thatlady"swrathkeptwarmwithoutmuchnursing，tillthelairdcamehome；whensheturnedthewholeofherbatteryuponhim，andkeptupasteadyfireuntilheyielded，andpromisedtoturnhisuponDavid。Buthehadmorecommon-sensethanhiswifeinsomethings，andsawatoncehowridiculousitwouldbetotreattheaffairasofimportance。So，thenexttimehesawDavid，headdressedhimhalfjocularly：
“Weel，Dawvid，youan"themistresshaebeenhaein"abito"adisputethegither，eh？”
“Weel，sir，wewarnaa"thegithero"aemin"，“saidDavid，withasmile。
“Weel，weel，wemaunhumourher，yeken，oritmaybethewaurforusa"，yeken。“Andthelairdnoddedwithhumoroussignificance。
“I"msureIsudbeglaid，sir；butthisisnosma"maittertomean"
myMaggie，forwe"rejistgettin"foodfortheverrasowl，sir，fraehiman"hisbeuks。“
“Cudnayebecontentwithebeukswi"outtheman，Dawvid？”
“Wesudmak"butsma"progress，sir，thatget。“
ThelairdbegantobealittlenettledhimselfatDavid"sstiffnessaboutsuchasmallmatter，andheldhispeace。Davidresumed：
“Besides，sir，that"samaitterfortheyoungmantosattle，an"noforme。Itwadillbecomeme，eftera"he"sduneforus，tosteekthedoorin"sface。Na，na；aslang"sIhaeadoortohaudopen，it"snotobesteekittohim。“
“Eftera"，thedoor"smine，Dawvid，“saidthelaird。
“Aslang"sI"minyourhoosean"inyourservice，sir，thedoor"smine，“retortedDavid，quietly。
Thelairdturnedandrodeawaywithoutanotherword。Whatpassedbetweenhimandhiswifenevertranspired。NothingmorewassaidtoHughaslongasheremainedatTurriepuffit。ButMargaretwasneversentfortotheHouseafterthis，uponanyoccasionwhatever。Thelairdgaveheranodasoftenashesawher；butthelady，iftheychancedtomeet，tooknonoticeofher。Margaret，onherpart，stoodorpassedwithhereyesontheground，andnofurtherchangeofcountenancethanaslightflushofdiscomfort。
Thelessonswentonasusual，andhappyhourstheywereforallthoseconcerned。Often，inafteryears，andinfardifferentcircumstances，thethoughtsofHughreverted，withapainfulyearning，tothedim-lightedcottage，withitsclayflooranditsdealtable；totheearnestpairseatedwithhimatthelaboursthatunfoldthemotionsofthestars；andeventothehomely，thickset，butactiveformofJanet，andthatpeculiarsmileofherswithwhich，afteranapparentlysnappishspeech，spokenwithherbacktothepersonaddressed，shewouldturnroundherhonestfacehalf-apologetically，andshinefulluponsomeoneorotherofthethree，whomshehonouredwithherwholeheartandsoul，andwho，shefeared，mightbeoffendedatwhatshecalledher“hame-owerfashionofspeaking。“Indeeditwaswonderfulwhatasharethemotherhoodofthiswoman，incapableasshewasofenteringintotheintellectualoccupationsoftheothers，hadinproducingthatsenseofhome-blessedness，whichinwraptHughalsointhefoldsofitshospitality，anddrewhimtowardsitsheart。CertainitisthatnotoneofthethreewouldhaveworkedsowellwithoutthesenseofthepresenceofJanet，hereandthereabouttheroom，orintheimmediateneighbourhoodofit——lovewatchingoverlabour。Onceaweek，alwaysonSaturdaynights，Hughstayedtosupperwiththem：
andontheseoccasions，Janetcontrivedtohavesomethingbetterthanordinaryinhonouroftheirguest。Stillitwasofthehomeliestcountryfare，suchasHughcouldpartakeofwithouttheleastfearthathispresenceoccasionedanyinconveniencetohisentertainers。NorwasHughtheonlygiverofspiritualfood。
Puttingasidetherichgiftsofhumanaffectionandsympathy，whichgrewmoreandmorepleasant——Icanhardlyuseastrongerwordyet——toHugheveryday，manythingswerespokenbythesimplewisdomofDavid，whichwouldhaveenlightenedHughfarmorethantheydid，hadhebeensufficientlyadvancedtoreceivethem。Buttheirverysimplicitywasoftenfarbeyondthegraspofhisthoughts；forthehigherwerise，thesimplerwebecome；andDavidwasoneofthoseofwhomisthekingdomofHeaven。Thereisachildhoodintowhichwehavetogrow，justasthereisachildhoodwhichwemustleavebehind；achildlikenesswhichisthehighestgainofhumanity，andachildishnessfromwhichbutfewofthosewhoarecountedthewisestamongmen，havefreedthemselvesintheirimaginedprogresstowardstherealityofthings。