第2章
CHAPTERVII。
THESECRETOFTHEWOOD。
Theunthriftsunneshotvitallgold，Athousandpieces；
Andheavenitsazuredidunfold，Chequeredwithsnowyfleeces。
Theairwasallinspice，AndeverybushAgarlandwore：ThusfedmyEyes，ButalltheEarelayhush。
HENRYVAUGHAN。
ItwasnotinmathematicsalonethatHughSutherlandwasserviceabletoMargaretElginbrod。Thatbranchofstudyhadbeenchosenforherfather，notforher；butherdesiretolearnhadledhertolayholduponanymentalprovisionwithwhichthetablehappenedtobespread；andthemoreeagerlythatherfatherwasaguestatthesamefeast。Beforelong，Hughbethoughthimthatitmightpossiblybeofservicetoher，inthecourseofherreading，ifhetaughtherEnglishalittlemorethoroughlythanshehadprobablypickeditupattheparishschool，towhichshehadbeeninthehabitofgoingtillwithinaveryshortperiodofheracquaintancewiththetutor——TheEnglishreadermustnotsupposethetermparishschooltomeanwhatthesametermwouldmeanifusedinEngland。BoysandgirlsofverydifferentranksgototheScotchparishschools，andthefeesaresosmallastoplacetheireducationwithinthereachofalmostthehumblestmeans——TohisproposaltothiseffectMargaretrespondedthankfully；anditgaveHughanopportunityofdirectingherattentiontomanyofthemoredelicatedistinctionsinliterature，fortheappreciationofwhichshemanifestedatoncearemarkableaptitude。
Coleridge"spoemshadbeenreadlongago；someofthem，indeed，almostcommittedtomemoryintheprocessofrepeatedperusal。Nodoubtagoodmanyofthemmusthavebeenasyettooabstruseforher；notintheleast，however，frominaptitudeinherforsuchsubjectsastheytreatedof，butsimplybecauseneitherthetermsnorthemodesofthoughtcouldpossiblyhavebeenasyetpresentedtoherinsomanydifferentpositionsastoenablehertocomprehendtheirscope。HughlentherSirWalter"spoemsnext，butthoseshereadataneye-glance。Shereturnedthevolumeinaweek，sayingmerely，theywere“verrabonniestories。“Hesawatoncethat，tohavedonethemjusticewiththegirl，heoughttohavelentthemfirst。Butthatcouldnotbehelpednow；andwhatshouldcomenext？
Uponthishetookthought。Hislibrarywastoosmalltocausemuchperplexityofchoice，butforafewdayshecontinuedundecided。
Meantimetheinteresthefeltinhisgirl-pupildeepenedgreatly。
Shebecameakindofstudytohim。Theexpressionofhercountenancewasfarinferiortoherintelligenceandpowerofthought。Itwasstilltoexcess——almostdullinordinary；notfromanyfaultinthemouldofthefeatures，except，perhaps，intheupperlip，whichseemeddeficientindrawing，ifImaybeallowedtheexpression；butfromtheabsenceofthatlightwhichindicatesthepresenceofactivethoughtandfeelingwithin。InthisrespectherfacewasliketheearthenpitcherofGideon：itconcealedthelight。Sheseemedtohave，toapeculiardegree，thefacultyofretiringinside。Butnowandthen，whilehewastalkingtoher，anddoubtful，fromthelackofexpression，whethershewasevenlisteningwithattentiontowhathewassaying，herfacewouldlightenupwitharadiantsmileofintelligence；not，however，throwingthelightuponhim，andinamomentrevertingtoitsformerconditionofstilltwilight。Herpersonseemednottobeasyetthoroughlypossessedorinformedbyherspirit。Itsatapartwithinher；andtherewasnoreadytransitfromherhearttoherface。
Thislackofpresenceinthefaceisquitecommoninprettyschool-girlsandrusticbeauties；butitwasmanifesttoanunusualdegreeinthecaseofMargaret。Yetmostoftheformsandlinesinherfacewerelovely；andwhenthelightdidshinethroughthemforapassingmoment，hercountenanceseemedabsolutelybeautiful。
HenceitgrewintoanalmosthauntingtemptationwithHugh，totrytoproducethisexpression，tounveilthecoylightofthebeautifulsoul。Oftenhetried；oftenhefailed，andsometimeshesucceeded。
Hadtheybeenaloneitmighthavebecomedangerous——ImeanforHugh；IcannottellforMargaret。
Whentheyfirstmet，shehadjustcompletedherseventeenthyear；
but，atanagewhenatown-bredgirlisallbutawoman，hermannerswerethoseofachild。Thischildishness，however，soonbegantodisappear，andthepeculiarstillnessofherface，ofwhichIhavealreadysaidsomuch，madeherseemolderthanshewas。
Itwasnowearlysummer，andalltheothertreesinthewood——ofwhichtherewerenotmanybesidesthefirsofvariouskinds——hadputontheirfreshleaves，heapedupingreencloudsbetweenthewandererandtheheavens。Inthemorningthesunshonesoclearuponthese，that，totheeyesofonestandingbeneath，thelightseemedtodissolvethemawaytothemostetherealformsofglorifiedfoliage。Theyweretobeclaimedforearthonlybytheshadowsthattheonecastupontheother，visiblefrombelowthroughthetransparentleaf。Thiseffectisverylovelyintheyoungseasonoftheyear，whentheleavesaremoredelicateandlesscrowded；andespeciallyintheearlymorning，whenthelightismostclearandpenetrating。Bytheway，Idonotthinkanymaniscompelledtobidgood-byetohischildhood：everymanmayfeelyounginthemorning，middle-agedintheafternoon，andoldatnight。Adaycorrespondstoalife，andtheportionsoftheoneare“picturesinlittle“oftheseasonsoftheother。Thusfarmanmayruleeventime，andgatherup，inaperfectbeing，youthandageatonce。
Onemorning，aboutsixo"clock，Hugh，whohadneverbeensoearlyinthewoodsincethedayhehadmetMargaretthere，wasstandingunderabeech-tree，lookingupthroughitsmultitudinousleaves，illuminated，asIhaveattemptedtodescribe，withthesidelongraysofthebrilliantsun。Hewasfeelingyoung，andobservingtheformsofnaturewithakeendiscriminatinggaze：thatwasall。Fondofwritingverses，hewasstudyingnature，notasatruelover，butasonewhowouldhereafterturnhisdiscoveriestouse。Foritmustbeconfessedthatnatureaffectedhimchieflythroughthemediumofpoetry；andthathewasfarmoreambitiousofwritingbeautifulthingsaboutnaturethanofdiscoveringandunderstanding，fortheirownsakes，anyofherhiddenyetpatentmeanings。Changinghisattitudeafterafewmoments，hedescried，underanotherbeech-tree，notfarfromhim，Margaret，standingandlookingupfixedlyashehadbeendoingamomentbefore。Heapproachedher，andshe，hearinghisadvance，looked，andsawhim，butdidnotmove。Hethoughthesawtheglimmeroftearsinhereyes。Shewasthefirsttospeak，however。
“Whatwereyouseeingupthere，Mr。Sutherland？”
“Iwasonlylookingatthebrightleaves，andtheshadowsuponthem。“
“Ah！Ithochtmaybeyehadseensomething。“
“Whatdoyoumean，Margaret？”
“Idinnarichtlykenmysel"。ButIayeexpecktoseesomethinginthisfir-wood。I"mheremaistmornin"sasthedaydawns，butI"mlatertheday。“
“Wewerelaterthanusualatourworklastnight。Butwhatkindofthingdoyouexpecttosee？”
“That"sjistwhatIdinnaken。An"Icannamin"whanIbegantocomeherefirst，luikin"forsomething。I"vetriedmonyatime，butIcannamin"，dowhatIlike。“
Margarethadneversaidsomuchaboutherselfbefore。IcanaccountforitonlyonthesuppositionthatHughhadgraduallyassumedinhermindakindofpastoralsuperiority，which，atafavourablemoment，inclinedhertoimpartherthoughtstohim。Buthedidnotknowwhattosaytothisstrangefactinherhistory。Shewenton，however，asif，havingbrokentheice，shemustsweepitawayaswell。
“Theonlything"athelpsmetoaccountfor"t，isapicterinourauldBible，o"anangelsittin"anethatree，andhaudin"uphishan"asginhewerespeakin"toawoman"at"sstan"in"aforehim。
Ilkatime"atIcomeacrossthatpicter，IfeeldirecklyasginI
warmylaneinthisfir-woodhere；saeIsupposethatwhenIwasaweebairn，Imaunhaecomeootsomemornin"mylane，wi"theexpectationo"seein"anangelherewaitin"forme，tospeaktomeliketheanei"theBible。ButneveranangelhaeIseen。YetI
ayehaeanexpectationlikeo"seein"something，Ikennawhat；forthewholeplaceayeseemsfu"o"apresence，an"it"sahantlemairtomenorthekirkan"thesermonforby；an"forthesingin"，thesoun"i"thefir-tapsisfarmairsolemnandsweetatthesametime，an"mucklemairlikepraisin"o"Godthana"thepsalmsthegither。
ButIayethink"atginIcouldhearMiltonplayin"on"sorgan，itwouldbemairlikethatsoun"o"monywaters，thanonythingelse"atIcanthinko"。“
Hughstoodandgazedatherinastonishment。Tohismorerefinedear，therewasastrangeincongruitybetweenthesomewhatcoarsedialectinwhichshespoke，andthethingssheutteredinit。Notthathewascapableofenteringintoherfeelings，muchlessofexplainingthemtoher。Hefeltthattherewassomethingremarkableinthem，butattributedboththethoughtsthemselvesandtheirinfluenceonhim，toanuncommonandweirdimagination。Asofsuchorigin，however，hewasjusttheonetovaluethemhighly。
“Thoseareverystrangeideas，“hesaid。
“Butwhatcantherebeaboutthewood？Theveryprimroses——yebrochtmethefirstthisspringyersel"，Mr。Sutherland——comeoutatthefito"thetrees，andlookatmeasiftheysaid，"Weken——wekena"abootit；"butneverawordmairtheysay。There"ssomethingbyordinar"in"t。“
“Doyoulikenootherplacebesides？”saidHugh，forthesakeofsayingsomething。
“Ouay，monyane；butnanelikethis。“
“Whatkindofplacedoyoulikebest？”
“Ilikeplaceswi"greengrassan"flowersamo"t。“
“Youlikeflowersthen？”
“Likethem！whilestheygarmegreetan"whilestheygarmelauch；
butthere"smairi"themthanthat，an"i"thewoodtoo。Icannarichtlysaymyprayersinonyitherplace。“
TheScotchdialect，especiallytoonebroughtupintheHighlands，wasaconsiderableantidotetotheeffectofthebeautyofwhatMargaretsaid。
SuddenlyitstruckHugh，thatifMargaretweresuchanadmirerofnature，possiblyshemightenjoyWordsworth。Hehimselfwasasyetincapableofdoinghimanythinglikejustice；and，withthearroganceofyouth，didnothesitatetosmileattheExcursion，pickingoutanawkwardlinehereandthereasespecialfoodforlaughtereven。Butmanyofhissmallerpiecesheenjoyedveryheartily，althoughnotthoroughly——theelementofChristianPantheism，whichistheirsoul，beingbeyondhiscomprehension，almostperception，asyet。Sohemadeuphismind，afteramoment"sreflection，thatthisshouldbethenextauthorherecommendedtohispupil。Hehopedlikewisesotoendaninterview，inwhichhemightotherwisebecompelledtoconfessthathecouldrenderMargaretnoassistanceinhersearchafterthesomethinginthewood；andhewasunwillingtosayhecouldnotunderstandher；forapowerofuniversalsympathywasoneofthosementalgiftswhichHughwasmostanxioustobelievehepossessed。
“Iwillbringyouanotherbookto-night，“saidhe“whichIthinkyouwilllike，andwhichmayperhapshelpyoutofindoutwhatisinthewood。“
Hesaidthissmiling，halfinplayfuljest，andwithoutanyideaofthedegreeoflikelihoodthattherewasnotwithstandinginwhathesaid。For，certainly，Wordsworth，thehigh-priestofnature，thoughperhapshardlytheapostleofnature，wasmorelikelythananyotherwritertocontainsomethingofthesecretafterwhichMargaretwassearching。Whethershecanfinditthere，mayseemquestionable。
“Thankyou，sir，“saidMargaret，gratefully；butherwholecountenancelookedtroubled，assheturnedtowardsherhome。
Doubtless，however，thetroublevanishedbeforeshereachedit，forherswasnotanaturetocherishdisquietude。Hughtoowenthome，ratherthoughtful。
Intheevening，hetookavolumeofWordsworth，andrepaired，accordingtohiswont，toDavid"scottage。ItwasSaturday，andhewouldstaytosupper。Aftertheyhadgiventheusualtimetotheirstudies，Hugh，settingMargaretsomeexercisesinEnglishtowriteonherslate，whilehehelpedDavidwithsomeoftheelementsofTrigonometry，andagaingoingoverthoseelementswithher，whileDavidworkedoutacalculation——afterthesewereover，andwhileJanetwasputtingthesupperonthetable，Hughpulledouthisvolume，and，withoutanypreface，readthemtheLeech-Gatherer。Alllistenedveryintently，Janetincluded，whodelayedseveraloftheoperations，thatshemightlosenowordoftheverses；Davidnoddingassenteverynowandthen，andejaculatingay！ay！oreh，man！orproducingthatstrangemuffledsoundatoncecommonandpeculiartoScotchmen，whichcannotbeexpressedinlettersbyanearerapproachthanhm——hm，uttered，ifthatcanbecalleduttering，withclosedlipsandopennasalpassage；andMargaretsittingmotionlessonhercreepie，withupturnedpaleface，andeyesfixeduponthelipsofthereader。Whenhehadceased，allweresilentforamoment，whenJanetmadesomelittlesignofanxietyabouthersupper，whichcertainlyhadsufferedbythedelay。Then，withoutaword，Davidturnedtowardsthetableandgavethanks。TurningagaintoHugh，whohadrisentoplacehischair，hesaid，“Thatmaunbethewarko"agreatpoet，Mr。Sutherlan"。“
“It"sWordsworth"s，“saidHugh。
“Ay！ay！That"sWordsworth"s！Ay！Weel，Ihaejistheardhimmadementiono"，butIneverreadwordo"hisafore。An"heneverrepentito"thatsameresolution，I"sewarrant，"atheeyndsaffwi"。Hoodoesitgang，Mr。Sutherlan"？”
Sutherlandread：——
“"God，"saidI，"bemyhelpandstaysecure！
I"llthinkoftheleech-gathereronthelonelymoor；"“
andadded，“ItissaidWordsworthneverknewwhatitwastobeinwantofmoneyallhislife。“
“Naedoubt，naedoubt：hetrustedinHim。“
Itwasforthesakeoftheminutenoticesofnature，andnotforthereligiouslesson，whichhenowseemedtoseeforthefirsttime，thatHughhadreadthepoem。HecouldnothelpbeinggreatlyimpressedbytheconfidencewithwhichDavidreceivedthestatementhehadjustmadeontheauthorityofDeQuinceyinhisunpleasantarticleaboutWordsworth。Davidresumed：
“Hemaunhaehadagleg"eeo"hisain，thatMaisterWordsworth，tonoticea"thingthatget。Weelhemaunhaelikitleevin"things，puirmaukinan"a"——jistlikeourRobbieBurnsforthat。An"seehootheya"kenaneanither，thaepoets。WhatsaysheabootBurns？——yeneednatellme，Mr。Sutherlan"；Imin"tweelaneuch。Hesays：——
"Himwhawalkedingloryan"injoy，Followin"hisplooupo"themuntain-side。"
PuirRobbie！puirRobbie！But，man，hewasagran"chieldeftera"；
an"ItrustinGodhe"swonhamebythis！”
BothJanetandHugh，whohadhadaveryorthodoxeducation，started，mentally，atthisstrangeutterance；buttheysawtheeyeofDavidsolemnlyfixed，asifindeepcontemplation，andlightedinitsbluedepthswithanetherealbrightness；andneitherofthemventuredtospeak。Margaretseemedabsorbedforthemomentingazingonherfather"sface；butnotintheleastasifitperplexedherlikethefir-wood。Totheseeingeye，thesamekindofexpressionwouldhavebeenevidentinbothcountenances，asifMargaret"sreflectedthemeaningofherfather"s；whetherthroughthemediumofintellectualsympathy，orthatoftheheartonly，itwouldhavebeenhardtosay。
Meantimesupperhadbeenratherneglected；butitsoperationswerenowresumedmoreearnestly，andtheconversationbecamelighter；
tillatlastitendedinheartylaughter，andHughroseandtookhisleave。
CHAPTERVIII。
ASUNDAYMORNING。
Itisthepropertyofgoodandsoundknowledge，toputrifieanddissolveintoanumberofsubtle，idle，unwholesome，and(asImaytearmethem)vermiculatequestions；whichhaveindeedakindeofquicknesse，andlifeofspirite，butnosoundnesseofmatter，orgoodnesseofquality——LORDBACON——AdvancementofLearning。
Thefollowingmorning，thelaird"sfamilywenttochurchasusual，andHughwentwiththem。Theirwalkwasfirstacrossfields，bypleasantfootpaths；andthenupthevalleyofalittlenoisystream，thatobstinatelyrefusedtokeepScotchSabbath，praisingtheLordafteritsownfashion。Theyemergedintoratherableakcountrybeforereachingthechurch，whichwasquitenew，andperchedonabarreneminence，thatitmightbeasconspicuousbyitsposition，asitwasremarkableforitsugliness。OnegrandaimofthereformersoftheScottishecclesiasticalmodes，appearstohavebeentokeeptheworshippureandtheworshipperssincere，byembodyingthewholeintheugliestformsthatcouldbeassociatedwiththenameofChristianity。Itmightbewished，however，thatsomeoftheirfollowers，andamongstthemtheclergymanofthechurchinquestion，hadbeencontenttostopthere；andhadlefttheobjectofworship，asrepresentedbythem，inthepossessionofsomelovableattribute；
soasnottorequireamantolovethatwhichisunlovable，orworshipthatwhichisnothonourable——inaword，tobowdownbeforethatwhichisnotdivine。ThecauseofthisdegeneracytheyshareincommonwiththefollowersofallothergreatmenaswellasofCalvin。Theytakeupwhattheirleader，urgedbythenecessityofthetime，spokeloudest，neverheedingwhathelovedmost；andthenworktheformerouttoalogicalperditionofeverythingbelongingtothelatter。
Hugh，however，thoughtitwasallright：forhehadthesamegoodreasons，andnoother，forreceivingitall，thataMohammedanoraBuddhisthasforholdinghisopinions；namely，thathehadheardthosedoctrines，andthosealone，fromhisearliestchildhood。Hewasthereforeagooddealstartledwhen，having，onhiswayhome，strayedfromthelaird"spartytowardsDavid"s，heheardthelattersaytoMargaretashecameup：
“Dinnayebelieve，mybonnydoo，"atthere"sonymak"upsormak"
shiftswi"Him。He"sayebringin"thingstothelicht，nocovenin"
themupandlattinthemrot，an"themothtak"them。Heseesusjistasweare，andca"susjistwhatweare。Itwadbeanilldayfora"o"s，Maggy，mydoo，ginhewartoclosehiseentooorsins，an"ca"usjustinhissicht，whanwecudnapossiblybejustinoorainorinonyitherbody"s，notosayhis。“
“TheLordpreserve"s，DawvidElginbrod！Dinnayebelievei"thedoctrineo"JustificationbyFaith，an"youa"maistmadeaneldero"？”
Janetwastherespondent，ofcourse，Margaretlisteninginsilence。
“Ouay，Ibelievein"t，naedoot；but，troth！theminister，honestman，near-han"gartmedisbelievein"ta"thegitherwi"hisgran"
sermonthismornin"，aboutimputitrichteousness，an"acleanrobehidin"afoulskinoracrookitback。Na，na。MayHim"atwooshthefeeto"hisfriens，washusa"thegither，andstrauchtoorcrookitbanes，tillwe"recleanandweel-fauredlikehisainbonnysel"。“
“Weel，Dawvid——butthat"ssanctificaition，yeken。“
“Ca"tonyname"atyouortheministerlikes，Janet，mywoman。I
daursaythere"sneithero"yefarwrangaftera"；onlythisisjistmyopinganabootitinsma"——thatthatman，andthatmanonly，isjustifeed，whapitshimsel"intotheLord"shan"stosanctifeehim。
Noo！An"that"llnobedunebypittin"arobeo"richteousnessupo"him，aforehe"sgottenacleanskinaneath"t。Asginafathercudnabidetoseethepuirscabbitskino"hisainweebitbairnie，ay，oro"hisprodigalsoneither，butbudetohapita"upaforehecudlatitcomenearhim！Ahva！”
HereHughventuredtointerposearemark。
“Butyoudon"tthink，Mr。Elginbrod，thattheministerintendedtosaythatjustificationleftamanatlibertytosin，orthattherobeofChrist"srighteousnesswouldhidehimfromtheworkoftheSpirit？”
“Na；butthereisanotionin"to"hidin"fraeGodhimsel"。I"lltellyewhatitisMr。Sutherlan"：theminister"sa"richtinhimsel"，an"sae"smyJanethere，an"monymair；an"aiblinsthere"sakin"o"trowthina""attheysay；butthisismyquarrelwi"a"
thaewordsan"wordsan"airguments，an"seemiliesastheyca"them，an"doctrines，an"a"that——theyjisthaudapuirbodyatairm"slenthootowerfraeGodhimsel"。An"theyraiseamistan"astoura"aboothim，"atthepuirbairncannaseetheFatherhimsel"，stan"in"wi"hisairmsstreekitootaswide"stheheavens，totak"
theworncrater，——andthemairsinner，themairwelcome，——hametohisverrahert。Ginabodywadlea"a"that，andjistgetfowkpersu鈊ittospeykawordortwatoGodhimlane，theloss，inmyopingan，wadbeuncosma"，andthegainverragreat。“
EvenJanetdarednotreplytothesolemnityofthisspeech；fortheseer-likelookwasuponDavid"sface，andthetearshadgatheredinhiseyesanddimmedtheirblue。Akindoftremulouspatheticsmileflickeredabouthisbeautifullycurvedmouth，liketheglimmerofwaterinavalley，betwixttheloftyaquilinenoseandthepowerfulbutfinelymodelledchin。Itseemedasifhedarednotletthesmilebreakout，lestitshouldbefollowedinstantlybyaburstoftears。
Margaretwentcloseuptoherfatherandtookhishandasifshehadbeenstillachild，whileJanetwalkedreverentiallybyhimontheotherside。ItmustnotbesupposedthatJanetfeltanyuneasinessaboutherhusband"sopinions，althoughsheneverhesitatedtoutterwhatsheconsideredhercommon-sensenotions，inattemptedmodificationofsomeofthemoreextremeofthem。Thefactwasthat，ifhewaswrong，Janetdidnotcaretoberight；andifhewasright，Janetwassuretobe；“for，“saidshe——andinspirit，ifnotintheletter，itwasquitetrue——“Inevermintatcontradickin"
him。Mymansallhaehisainget，thatsallhe。“Butshehadoneespecialgrudgeathisopinions；whichwas，thatitmusthavebeeninconsequenceofthemthathehaddeclined，withaqueersmile，thehonourablepositionofElderoftheKirk；forwhichJanetconsideredhim，notwithstandinghisopinions，immeasurablymorefittedthananyotherman“inthehaillcountry-side——yemayaddScotlan"forby。“
ThefactofhishavingbeenrequestedtofillthevacantplaceofElder，isproofenoughthatDavidwasnotinthehabitofgivingopenexpressiontohisopinions。Hewaslookeduponasadouceman，long-headedenough，andsomewhatpreciseintheexactionofthelaird"srights，butopen-heartedandopen-handedwithwhatwashisown。Everyonerespectedhim，andfeltkindlytowardshim；somewerealittleafraidofhim；butfewsuspectedhimofbeingreligiousbeyondthedegreewhichiscommonlysupposedtobethegeneralinheritanceofScotchmen，possiblyinvirtueoftheirbeingbroughtupuponoatmealporridgeandtheShorterCatechism。
Hughwalkedbehindthepartyforashortway，contemplatingthemintheirSundayclothes：Davidworeasuitoffineblackcloth。Hethenturnedtorejointhelaird"scompany。Mrs。Glasfordwasquestioningherboys，inanintermittentanddesultoryfashion，aboutthesermon。
“An"whatwasthefourthheid，canyetellme，Willie？”
Willie，theeldest，whohadcarefullyimpressedthefourthheaduponhismemory，andhadbeenanxiouslywaitingforanopportunityofbringingitout，repliedatonce：
“Fourthly：ThevariousappellationsbywhichthosewhohaveinduedtherobeofrighteousnessaredesignatedinHolyWrit。“
“Weeldone，Willie！”criedthelaird。
“That"sricht，Willie，“saidhismother。Thenturningtotheyounger，whoseattentionwasattractedbyastrangebirdinthehedgeinfront。“An"whatcalledhethem，Johnnie，thatputontherobe？”sheasked。
“Whitedsepulchres，“answeredJohnnie，indebtedforhiswittohiswool-gathering。
Thisputanendtothecatechising。Mrs。GlasfordglancedroundatHugh，whosedefectionshehadseenwithindignation，andwho，waitingforthembytheroadside，hadheardthelastquestionandreply，withanexpressionthatseemedtoattributeanydefectintheanswer，entirelytothecarelessnessofthetutor，andthewithdrawalofhisenergiesfromherboystothat“saucyquean，MegElginbrod。“
CHAPTERIX。
NATURE。
WhentheSouliskindledorenlightenedbytheHolyGhost，thenitbeholdswhatGoditsFatherdoes，asaSonbeholdswhathisFatherdoesatHomeinhisownHouse——JACOBBEHMEN"SAurora——Law"sTranslation。
MargaretbegantoreadWordsworth，slowlyatfirst，butsoonwithgreaterfacility。Erelongsheperceivedthatshehadfoundafriend；fornotonlydidhesympathizewithherinherlovefornature，puttingmanyvaguefeelingsintothoughts，andmanythoughtsintowordsforher，butheintroducedhertonatureinmanyaltogethernewaspects，andtaughthertoregarditinwayswhichhadhithertobeenunknowntoher。Notonlywasthepinewoodnowdearertoherthanbefore，butitsmysteryseemedmoresacred，and，atthesametime，morelikelytobeonedaysolved。Shefeltfarmoreassuredlythepresenceofaspiritinnature，“Whosedwellingisthelightofsettingsuns，Andtheroundocean，andthelivingair；“
forhetaughthertotakewiderviewsofnature，andtoperceiveandfeeltheexpressionsofmoreextendedaspectsoftheworldaroundher。Thepurplehill-sidewasalmostasdeartoherasthefir-woodnow；andthestarthatcrowneditssummitateve，sparkledanespecialmessagetoher，beforeitwentonitswayuptheblue。Sheextendedherramblesinalldirections，andbegantogetwiththeneighboursthecharacterofanidlegirl。Littletheyknewhowearlysherose，andhowdiligentlyshedidhershareofthework，urgedbydesiretoreadthewordofGodinhisownhandwriting；orrather，toporeuponthatexpressionofthefaceofGod，which，howeverlittleamanmaythinkofit，yetsinkssodeeplyintohisnature，andmouldsittowardsitsownlikeness。
NaturewasdoingforMargaretwhatshehaddonebeforeforWordsworth"sLucy：shewasmakingofher“aladyofherown。“Shegrewtallerandmoregraceful。Thelastingquietofherfacebegantolookasifitwereeveruponthepointofblossomingintoanexpressionoflovelyfeeling。Theprincipalchangewasinhermouth，whichbecamedelicateandtenderinitscurves，thelipsseemingtokisseachotherforverysweetness。ButIamanticipatingthesechanges，forittookafarlongertimetoperfectthemthanhasyetbeenoccupiedbymystory。
ButevenhermotherwasnotaltogetherproofagainsttheappearanceoflistlessnessandidlenesswhichMargaret"sbehavioursometimesworetohereyes；norcouldshequiteunderstandorexcuseherlonglonelywalks；sothatnowandthenshecouldnothelpaddressingherafterthisfashion：
“Meg！Meg！yedotrymypatience，lass，idlin"awa"yertimethatget。It"sanawfu"wasteryo"time，whatwi"beuks，an"whatwi"
stravaguin"，an"whatwi"naethingava。Jistpityerhan"tothiskirnnoo，likeagudebairn。“
Margaretwouldobeyhermotherinstantly，butwithalookofsilentexpostulationwhichhermothercouldnotresist；sometimes，perhaps，ifthewordsweresharperthanusual，withsymptomsofgatheringtears；uponwhichJanetwouldsay，withherhonestsmileofsweetrelenting，“Hootoots，bairn！neverheedme。Mybark"sayewaurnormybite；yekenthat。“
ThenMargaret"sfacewouldbrightenatonce，andshewouldworkhardatwhateverhermothersethertodo，tillitwasfinished；uponwhichhermotherwouldbemoregladthanshe，andinnohastetoimposeanyfurtherlabouroutoftheusualroutine。
InthecourseofreadingWordsworth，MargarethadfrequentoccasiontoapplytoHughforhelp。Theseoccasions，however，generallyinvolvednomorethansmallexternaldifficulties，whichpreventedherfromtakinginthescopeofapassage。Hughwasalwaysabletomeetthese，andMargaretsupposedthatthewholeofthelightwhichflasheduponhermindwhentheywereremoved，waspoureduponthepagebythewisdomofhertutor；neverdreaming——suchwasherhumilitywithregardtoherself，andherreverencetowardshim——thatitcamefromthedepthsofherownlucentnature，readytoperceivewhatthepoetcamepreparedtoshow。Nowandthen，itistrue，sheappliedtohimwithdifficultiesinwhichhewasincapableofaidingher；butsheputdownherfailureindiscoveringthemeaning，afterallwhichitmustbeconfessedhesometimestriedtosay，toherownstupidityorpeculiarity——nevertohisincapacity。Shehadbeenhelpedtosomuchbyhissuperioracquirements，andhisrealgiftforcommunicatingwhathethoroughlyunderstood；hehadbeensoentirelyherguidetoknowledge，thatshewouldatoncehavefeltself-condemnedofimpiety——intheoldmeaningoftheword——ifshehaddoubtedforamomenthisabilitytounderstandorexplainanydifficultywhichshecouldplaceclearlybeforehim。
By-and-byhebegantolendherharder，thatis，morepurelyintellectualbooks。HewashimselfpreparingfortheclassofMoralPhilosophyandMetaphysics；andhechoseforhersomeofthesimplerofhisbooksonthesesubjects——ofcoursealloftheScotchschool——beginningwithAbercrombie"sIntellectualPowers。Shetookthiseagerly，andevidentlyreaditwithgreatattention。
Oneeveningintheendofsummer，HughclimbedawasteheatheryhillthatlaybehindthehouseofTurriepuffit，andoverlookedagreatpartoftheneighbouringcountry，thepeaksofsomeofthegreatestoftheScotchmountainsbeingvisiblefromitstop。Hereheintendedtowaitforthesunset。Hethrewhimselfontheheather，thatmostdelightfulandluxuriousofallcouches，supportingthebodywithakindlyupholdingofeverypart；andtherehelayinthegreatslumberoussunlightofthelateafternoon，withtheblueheavens，intowhichhewasgazingfullup，closingdownuponhim，asthelightdescendedthesideofthesky。Hefellfastasleep。Ifevertherebeanexcuseforfallingasleepoutofbed，surelyitiswhenstretchedatfulllengthuponheatherinbloom。Whenheawoke，thelastofthesunsetwasdyingaway；andbetweenhimandthesunsetsatMargaret，bookinhand，waitingapparentlyforhiswaking。Helaystillforafewminutes，tocometohimselfbeforesheshouldseehewasawake。Butsheroseatthemoment，anddrawingnearveryquietly，lookeddownuponhimwithhersweetsunsetface，toseewhetherornothewasbeginningtorouse，forshefearedtolethimliemuchlongeraftersundown。Findinghimawake，shedrewbackagainwithoutaword，andsatdownasbeforewithherbook。Atlengthherose，and，approachingher，said——
“Well，Margaret，whatbookareyouatnow？”
“Dr。Abercrombie，sir，“repliedMargaret。
“Howdoyoulikeit？”
“Verraweelforsomethings。Itmakesabodythink；butnota"thegitherasIliketothinkeither。“
ItwillbeobservedthatMargaret"sspeechhadbeguntoimprove，thatis，tobemorelikeEnglish。
“Whatisthematterwithit？”
“Weel，yesee，sir，ittaksabodya"tobitslike，andneverpitsthemtogetheragain。An"itseemstomethatabody"smin"orsoul，orwhateveritmaybecalled——butit"sjistabody"sainsel"——cannomorebeta"entopieceslike，thanyoucouldtak"thatredlichtthereooto"theblue，orthehaillsunsetooto"theheavensan"
earth。Itmaybea"verraweel，Mr。Sutherland，butoh！it"snolikethis！”
AndMargaretlookedaroundherfromthehill-top，andthenupintotheheavens，wherethestarswerebeginningtocrackthebluewiththeirthin，steelysparkle。
“Itseemstometotak"a"thepoetryooto"us，Mr。Sutherland。“
“Well，well，“saidHugh，withasmile，“youmustjustgotoWordsworthtoputitinagain；ortosetyouagainupafterDr。
Abercrombiehasdemolishedyou。“
“Na，na，sir，hesannademolishme：norIwinnatroubleMr。
Wordsworthtoputthepoetryintomeagain。A"thepoweronearthshannatak"thatooto"me，ginitbeGod"swill；forit"shisaingift，Mr。Sutherland，yeken。“
“Ofcourse，ofcourse，“repliedHugh，whoverylikelythoughtthistooseriousawayofspeakingofpoetry，andtherefore，perhaps，ratheranirreverentwayofspeakingofGod；forhesawneitherthedivineinpoetry，northehumaninGod。CouldhebesaidtobelievethatGodmademan，whenhedidnotbelievethatGodcreatedpoetry——andyetloveditashedid？Itwastohimonlyagrandinventionofhumanityinitsloftiestdevelopment。Inthisdevelopment，then，hemusthaveconsideredhumanityasfarthestfromitsorigin；andGodasthecreatorofsavages，caringnothingforpoetsortheirwork。
Theyturned，asbycommonconsent，togodownthehilltogether。
“ShallItakechargeoftheoffendingvolume？Youwillnotcaretofinishit，Ifear，“saidHugh。
“No，sir，ifyouplease。Ineverliketoleaveonythingunfinished。
I"llreadilkawordin"t。Ifancythething"atsetsmeagainstit，ismostlythis；that，readin"italangwi"Euclid，Icannahelpayethinkin"o"myainmin"asginitwereinsomegeometricalshapeorither，whilesanean"whilesanither；andsyneItrytodrawlinesan"separatethispowerfraethatpower，thememoryfraethejeedgement，an"theimaginationfraetherizzon；an"syneItrytopitthema"thegitheragainintheirrelationstoaneanither。Andthisayetakestheshapeo"somepropositionorither，generallyi"
thesecondbeuk。Itnear-han"dazesmewhiles。Ifancygin"I
understoodthepairtso"thesphere，itwouldbemairtothepurpose；butIwatIwishIwereclearo"ta"thegither。“
Hughhadhadsomeexperiencesofasimilarkindhimself，thoughnotatalltothesameextent。Hecouldthereforeunderstandher。
“Youmustjusttrytokeepthethingsaltogetherapart，“saidhe，“andnotthinkofthetwosciencesatonce。“
“ButIcannahelpit，“shereplied。“Isupposeyoucan，sir，becauseye"reaman。Myfathercanunderstan"thingstentimesbetternormean"mymother。ButnaesoonerdoIbegintoreadandthinkaboutit，thanupcomesaneo"thaeparallelograms，an"nothingwilldriv"tooto"myheadagain，butaverseortwao"ColeridgeorWordsworth。“
Hughimmediatelybegantorepeatthefirstpoemofthelatterthatoccurredtohim：
“Iwanderedlonelyasacloud。“
Shelistened，walkingalongwithhereyesfixedontheground；andwhenhehadfinished，gaveasighofdelightandrelief——allthecommentsheuttered。Sheseemednevertofinditnecessarytosaywhatshefelt；leastofallwhenthefeelingwasapleasantone；forthenitwasenoughforitself。Thiswasonlythesecondtimesincetheiracquaintance，thatshehadspokenofherfeelingsatall；andinthiscasetheywereofapurelyintellectualorigin。Itistobeobserved，however，thatinbothcasesshehadtakenpainstoexplainthoroughlywhatshemeant，asfarasshewasable。
Itwasdarkbeforetheyreachedhome，atleastasdarkasiteverisatthisseasonoftheyearinthenorth。TheyfoundDavidlookingoutwithsomeslightanxietyforhisdaughter"sreturn，forshewasseldomoutsolateasthis。Innothingcouldthetruerelationbetweenthemhavebeenmoreevidentthanintheentireabsencefromhermannerofanyembarrassmentwhenshemetherfather。ShewentuptohimandtoldhimallaboutfindingMr。Sutherlandasleeponthehill，andwaitingbesidehimtillhewoke，thatshemightwalkhomewithhim。Herfatherseemedperfectlycontentwithanexplanationwhichhehadnotsought，and，turningtoHugh，said，smiling：
“Weel，notobetroublesome，Mr。Sutherlan"，yemaungietheauldmanaturnasweelastheyounglass。Wedidnaexpecyethenicht，butI"msairpuzzledwi"asma"eneuchmatteronmyskletinthere。
Willyounocomeinandgiemealift？”
“Withallmyheart，“saidSutherland。Sotherewerefivelessonsinthatweek。
WhenHughenteredthecottagehehadafinesprigofheatherinhishand，whichhelaidonthetable。
Hehadtheweaknessofbeingproudofsmalldiscoveries——thetinierthebetter；andwasalwayssharpeninghissenses，aswellashisintellect，toafinepoint，inordertomakethem。Ifearthatbythesemeansheshutoutsomegreatones，whichcouldnotenterduringsuchaconcentrationofthefaculties。Hewouldstandlisteningtothesoundofgoose-feetupontheroad，andwatchhowthosewebslaidholdoftheearthlikeahand。Hewouldstruggletoenterintotheirfeelingsinfoldingtheirwingsproperlyontheirbacks。Hewouldcalculate，onchemicalandarithmeticalgrounds，whetheronemightnothearthenocturnalgrowthofplantsinthetropics。Hewasquiteelatedbythediscovery，asheconsideredit，thatShakspearenamedhistwoofficersofthewatch，DogberryandVerjuice；thepoisonousDogberry，andtheacidliquorofgreenfruits，affordingsuitablenamesforthestupidlyinnocuousconstables，inaplaytheveryessenceofwhichisMuchAdoAboutNothing。Anotherofhisdiscoverieshehad，duringtheirlastlesson，unfoldedtoDavid，whohadcertainlycontemplateditwithinterest。Itwas，thattheoriginalformsoftheArabicnumeralswerethese：
1。2。3。4。5。6。7。8。9。{originaltexthasapicture}
thenumberforwhicheachfigurestandsbeingindicatedbythenumberofstraightlinesemployedinformingthatnumeral。IfearthecomparativeanatomyoffiguresgivesnocountenancetothediscoverywhichHughflatteredhimselfhehadmade。
AfterhehadhelpedDavidoutofhisdifficulty，hetookuptheheather，andstrippingoffthebells，shooktheminhishandatMargaret"sear。Ahalfsmile，likethemoonlightoflaughter，dawnedonherface；andshelistenedwithsomethingofthesameexpressionwithwhichachildlistenstothemessagefromthesea，inclosedinatwistedshell。HedidthesameatDavid"searnext。
“Eh，man！that"sabonnyweesoun"！It"sjistlikesma"
sheep-bells——fairy-sheep，Ireckon，Maggy，mydoo。“
“Latmehearkenasweel，“saidJanet。
Hughobeyed。Shelaughed。
“It"snaethingbutareestlin"。Iwadraitherhearthesheepbaain"，orthekyeroutin"。“
“Eh，Mr。Sutherlan"！but，yehaeaglegeean"asharplug。Weel，thewarld"sfu"o"bonnysichtsandsouns，doontotheverrasma"est。TheLordlatsnaethinggang。Iwadnawonnernoobuttheremichtbethousandssiclike，owersma"a"thegitherforhumanears，jistaswekentherearecreaturesasperfectinbeowtyasonywesee，butfarowersma"foroureenwintin"theglass。Butformypairt，Iayeliketoseeaheapo"thingsatance，an"tak"thema"
inthegither，an"seethemplayin"intoaneanither"shan"like。I
wasjistthinkin"，asIcamehamethenichtinthesinset，hooitwadhaebeennaewisesaecomplete，wi"a"itsredan"gowdan"
green，ginithadnabeenforthecauldblueeastahintit，wi"thetwa-threeshiverin"starniesleukin"through"t。An"doubtlessthewarldtocome"illbea"thewarmertothem"athadnaowermucklehappinhere。ButI"mjisthaverin"，cleanhaverin"，Mr。
Sutherlan"，“concludedDavid，withasmileofapologetichumour。
“IsupposeyoucouldeasilybelievewithPlato，David，thattheplanetsmakeagrandchoralmusicastheyrollabouttheheavens，onlythatassomesoundsaretoosmall，sothatistooloudforustohear。“
“Icudweelbelievethat，“wasDavid"sunhesitatinganswer。
Margaretlookedasifshenotonlycouldbelieveit，butwouldbedelightedtoknowthatitwastrue。NeitherJanetnorHughgaveanyindicationoffeelingonthematter。
CHAPTERX。
HARVEST。
SoasmallseedthatintheearthlieshidAnddies，revivingburstshercloddyside，Adornedwithyellowlocks，ofnewisborn，Anddothbecomeamothergreatwithcorn，Ofgrainsbringshundredswithit，whichwhenoldEnrichthefurrowswithaseaofgold。
SIRWILLIAMDRUMMOND——HymnoftheResurrection。
Hughhadwatchedthegreencorngrow，andear，andturndim；thenbrightentoyellow，andripenatlastunderthedecliningautumnsun，andthelowskirtingmoonoftheharvest，whichseemstoofullandheavywithmellowandbountifullighttorisehighabovethefieldswhichitcomestoblesswithperfection。Thelongthreads，oneachofwhichhunganoat-grain——theharvestherewasmostlyofoats——hadgotdryandbrittle；andthegrainsbegantospreadouttheirchaff-wings，asifreadytofly，andrustledwithsweetsoundsagainsteachother，asthewind，whichusedtobillowthefieldslikethewavesofthesea，nowsweptgentlyandtenderlyoverit，helpingthesunandmooninthedryingandripeningofthejoytobelaidupforthedrearywinter。Mostgracefulofallhungthosedelicateoats；nextbowedthebeardedbarley；andstatelyandwealthyandstrongstoodthefewfieldsofwheat，ofarich，ruddy，goldenhue。Abovetheyellowharvestrosethepurplehills，andabovethehillsthepale-blueautumnalsky，fulloflightandheat，butfadingsomewhatfromthecolourwithwhichitdeepenedabovethevanisheddaysofsummer。FortheharvesthereismuchlaterthaninEngland。
Atlengththedayarrivedwhenthesicklemustbeputintothebarley，soontobefollowedbythescytheintheoats。Andnowcamethejoyoflabour。Everythingelsewasabandonedfortheharvestfield。Bookswerethrownutterlyaside；for，evenwhentherewasnofearofachangeofweathertourgetolabourprolongedbeyondthenaturalhours，therewaswearinessenoughintheworkofthedaytopreventevenDavidfromreading，inthehoursofbodilyrest，anythingthatnecessitatedmentallabour。
JanetandMargaretbetookthemselvestothereaping-hook；andthesomewhatpalefaceofthelatterneededbutasingledaytochangeittotherealharvesthue——thebrownliveryofCeres。Butwhentheoatswereattacked，thencamethetugofwar。Thelairdwasinthefieldsfrommorningtonight，andtheboyswouldnotstaybehind；
but，withtheirfather"spermission，muchtothetutor"scontentment，devotedwhatpowerstheyhadtothegatheringofthefruitsoftheearth。Hughhimself，whosestrengthhadgrownamazinglyduringhisstayatTurriepuffit，andwho，thoughhewasquitehelplessatthesickle，thoughthecouldwieldthescythe，wouldnotbebehind。Throwingoffcoatandwaistcoat，andtyinghishandkerchieftightroundhisloins，helaidholdontheemblematicweaponofTimeandDeath，determinedlikewisetoearnthenameofReaper。Hetookthelastscythe。Itwasdesperateworkforawhile，andhewasfarbehindthefirstbout；butDavid，whowasthebestscytherinthewholecountryside，andofcoursehadtheleadingscythe，seeingthetutordroppingbehind，putmorepowertohisownarm，finishedhisownbout，andbroughtupHugh"sbeforetheothershaddonesharpeningtheirscythesforthenext。
“Tak"carean"naeraxyersel"owersair，Mr。Sutherlan"。Ye"llbeupwi"thebesto"theminadayortwa；butginyetyauveatitaboonyerstrenth，ye"llbecleanforfochten。Tak"aguidsweepwi"
thescythe，"atyemayhaetheweichto"ttoca"throughthestrae，an"tak"naeshameatbein"hindmost。Here，Maggy，mydoo，comean"
gathertoMr。Sutherlan"。Aneo"theyounggentlemencantak"yourplaceatthebinin"。“
TheworkofJanetandMargarethadbeentoformbandsforthesheaves，byfoldingtogethercunninglytheheadsoftwosmallhandfulsofthecorn，soastomakethemlongenoughtogethertogoroundthesheaf；thentolaythisdownforthegatherertoplaceenoughofthemowncornuponit；andlast，tobindthebandtightlyaroundbyanotherskilfultwistandaninsertionoftheends，andsoformasheaf。FromthisworkDavidcalledhisdaughter，desirousofgivingHughagathererwhowouldnotbedisrespectfultohisawkwardness。Thisarrangement，however，wasfarfrompleasingtosomeoftheyoungmeninthefield，andbroughtdownuponHugh，whowastoohard-wroughttohearthematfirst，manyslyhitsofcountrywitandhumancontempt。TherehadbeenforsometimegreatjealousyofhisvisitsatDavid"scottage；forMargaret，thoughshehadverylittleacquaintancewiththeyoungmenoftheneighbourhood，wasgreatlyadmiredamongstthem，andnotregardedassofarabovethestationofmanyofthemastorenderaspirationuseless。Theirremarkstoeachothergotlouderandlouder，tillHughatlastheardsomeofthem，andcouldnothelpbeingannoyed，notbytheirwitorpersonality，butbythetoneofcontemptinwhichtheywereuttered。
“Tak"careo"yerlegs，sir。It"llbeillcuttin"upo"stumps。“
“Fegs！he"staenthewingsaffo"apairtrick。“
“Ginhegangonthatget，he"llcuttwaboutsatance。“
“Ye"llhaethescytheowerthedyke，man。Tak"tent。“
“Losh！sir；ye"vetaenaffmylegatthehip！”
“Ye"reshavin"owerclose：ye"lldrawthebluid，sir。“
“Hoot，man！latalane。Thegentleman"sonlymista"enhistrade，an"
imaiginshe"showkin"agrave。“
Andsoon。Hughgavenofurthersignofhearingtheirremarksthanlayinincreasedexertion。Lookinground，however，hesawthatMargaretwasvexed，evidentlynotforherownsake。Hesmiledtoher，toconsoleherforhisannoyance；andthen，ambitioustoremovethecauseofit，madeafreshexertion，recoveredallhisdistance，andwasinhisownplacewiththebestofthemattheendofthebout。Butthesmilethathadpassedbetweenthemdidnotescapeunobserved；andhehadarousedyetmorethewrathoftheyouths，bythreateningsoontorivalthemintheexcellenciestowhichtheyhadanespecialclaim。Theyhadregardedhimasaninterloper，whohadnorighttocaptivateoneoftheirrankbyartsbeyondtheirreach；
butitwasstilllesspardonabletodarethemtoatrialofskillwiththeirownweapons。Tothefireofthisjealousy，theadmirationofthelairdaddedfuel；forhewasdelightedwiththespiritwithwhichHughlaidhimselftothescythe。Butallthetime，nothingwasfurtherfromHugh"sthoughtsthantheideaofrivalrywiththem。WhateverhemighthavethoughtofMargaretinrelationtohimself，heneverthoughtofher，thoughlabouringinthesamefieldwiththem，asintheleastdegreebelongingtotheirclass，orstandinginanypossiblerelationtothem，exceptthatofacommonwork。
Inordinary，thelabourerswouldhavehadsufficientrespectforSutherland"ssuperiorposition，topreventthemfromgivingsuchdecidedandarticulateutterancetotheirfeelings。Buttheywereincitedbythepresenceandexampleofamanofdoubtfulcharacterfromtheneighbouringvillage，atravelledandcleverne"er-do-weel，whosereputationforwitwasequalledbyhisreputationforcourageandskill，aswellasprofligacy。Rousedbytheeffervescenceofhisgenius，theywentonfromonethingtoanother，tillHughsawitmustbeputastoptosomehow，elsehemustabandonthefield。TheydarednothavegonesofarifDavidhadbeenpresent；buthehadbeencalledawaytosuperintendsomeoperationsinanotherpartoftheestate；andtheypaidnoheedtotheexpostulationsofsomeoftheotheroldermen。Atthecloseoftheday"swork，therefore，Hughwalkeduptothisfellow，andsaid：
“Ihopeyouwillbesatisfiedwithinsultingmeallto-day，andleaveitaloneto-morrow。“
Themanreplied，withanoathandagestureofrudecontempt，“Idinnacaretheblackaforemynailsforonyskelp-doupo"theloto"ye。“
Hugh"shighlandbloodflewtohisbrain，andbeforetherascalfinishedhisspeech，hehadmeasuredhislengthonthestubble。Hesprangtohisfeetinafury，threwoffthecoatwhichhehadjustputon，anddartedatHugh，whohadbythistimerecoveredhiscoolness，andwasbesides，notwithstandinghisunusualexertions，themoreagileofthetwo。Theotherwasheavierandmorepowerful。
Hughsprangaside，ashewouldhavedonefromtherushofabull，andagainwithaquickblowfelledhisantagonist。Beginningrathertoenjoypunishinghim，henowwentinforit；and，beforetheotherwouldyield，hehadrenderedhisnextday"slaboursomewhatdoubtful。Hewithdrew，withnomoreinjurytohimselfthanalittlewaterwouldremove。JanetandMargarethadleftthefieldbeforeheaddressedtheman。
Hewentborneandtobed——morewearythanhehadeverbeeninhislife。Beforehewenttosleep，however，hemadeuphismindtosaynothingofhisencountertoDavid，buttoleavehimtohearofitfromothersources。Hecouldnothelpfeelingalittleanxiousastohisjudgmentuponit。Thatthelairdwouldapprove，hehardlydoubted；butforhisopinionhecaredverylittle。
“Dawvid，Iwonneratye，“saidJanettoherhusband，themomenthecamehome，“tolattheyoungladwarstlehimsel"deidthatgetwi"ascythe。Hisbanesisbutsaftyet，Therewasnaadrysteekonhimorhewanhalfthelentho"thefirstbout。He"ssairdisjaskit，I"sewarran"。“
“Naefearo"him，Janet；it"lldohimguid。Mr。Sutherland"snofecklesswinlestraeo"acreater。Didhehaudhisainata"wi"thelave？”
“Haudhisain！Ginhebefitforonythingtheday，hemaunbepittenneistyersel"，orhe"llcutthelegsaffo"onyithermani"
thecorn。“
AglowofpleasuremantledinMargaret"sfaceathermother"spraiseofHugh。Janetwenton：
“ButIwasjistcleanaffrontedwi"theway"attheyoungchieldsbehavedthemselvestillhim。“
“IthochtIheardatoot-mooto"thatkin"aforeIleft，butI
thochtitbettertotak"naenoticeo"t。I"llbewi"yea"daythemornthough，an"I"mthinkin"I"llclaparouchhan"ontheirmou"s"atIhearonymairo"tfrae。“
ButtherewasnooccasionforinterferenceonDavid"spart。Hughmadehisappearance——not，itistrue，withtheearliestinthehairst-rig，butafterbreakfastwiththelaird，whowasdelightedwiththewayinwhichhehadhandledhisscythethedaybefore，andfelttwicetherespectforhiminconsequence。Itmustbeconfessedhefeltverystiff，butthebesttreatmentforstiffnessbeingthehom渙pathiconeofmorework，hehadsoonrestoredtheelasticityofhismuscles，andlubricatedhisachingjoints。Hisantagonistoftheforegoingeveningwasnowheretobeseen；andtherestoftheyoungmenwereshame-facedandrespectfulenough。
David，havinglearnedfromsomeofthespectatorsthefactsofthecombat，suddenly，astheywerewalkinghometogether，heldouthishandtoHugh，shookhishard，andsaid：
“Mr。Sutherlan"，I"msairobleegedtoyeforgiein"thatvratch，JamieOgg，aguiddoonsettin"。He"sacoorsecrater；butthewarstmaunhaemeat，an"saeIdidnaliketorefeesehimwhenhecamforwark。Butitsagreaterkin"nesstoclouthimnortocleedhim。
Theysayyemadeanawfu"munsieo"him。Butit"stobehoupithe"lllivetothankye。There"ssomefowk"atcanrespecknoairgumentbutfraesteekitneives；an"it"sfellcrueltohauditfraethem，ginyehae"ttogiethem。Ihaehadeneuchadotohaudmyainhan"saffo"theted，butitcomesahantlebetterfraeyou，Mr。Sutherlan"。“
Hughwieldedthescythethewholeoftheharvest，andMargaretgatheredtohim。Bythetimeitwasover，leading-homeandall，hemeasuredaninchlessaboutthewaist，andtwoinchesmoreabouttheshoulders；andwasasbrownasaberry，andasstrongasanox，or“owse，“asDavidcalledit，whenthusdescribingMr。Sutherland"sprogressincorporaldevelopment；forhetookafatherlyprideintheyouth，towhom，atthesametime，helookedupwithsubmission，ashismasterinlearning。
CHAPTERXI。
ACHANGEANDNOCHANGE。
Affliction，whenIknowit，isbutthis——
Adeepalloy，wherebymantougherisTobearthehammer；andthedeeperstill，Westillarisemoreimageofhiswill。
Sickness——anhumorouscloud"twistusandlight；
Anddeath，atlongest，butanothernight。
Manishisownstar；andthatsoulthatcanBehonest，istheonlyperfectMan。
JOHNFLETCHER——UponanHonestMan"sFortune。
HadSutherlandbeeninlovewithMargaret，thosewouldhavebeenhappydays；andthatayetmorehappynight，when，underthemysteryofalowmoonlightandagatheringstorm，thecropwascastinhasteintothecarts，andhurriedhometobebuiltupinsafety；whenastrangelowwindcreptsighingacrossthestubble，asifitcamewanderingoutofthepastandthelandofdreams，lyingfaroffandwitheredinthegreenwest；andwhenMargaretandhecameandwentinthemoonlightlikecreaturesinadream——forthevapoursofsleepwerefloatinginHugh"sbrain，althoughhewasawakeandworking。
“Margaret，“hesaid，astheystoodwaitingamomentforthecartthatwascominguptobefilledwithsheaves，“whatdoesthatwindputyouinmindof？”
“Ossian"sPoems，“repliedMargaret，withoutamoment"shesitation。
Hughwasstruckbyheranswer。Hehadmeantsomethingquitedifferent。ButitharmonizedwithhisfeelingaboutOssian；forthegenuinenessofwhosepoetry，Highlanderashewas，hehadnobetterargumenttogivethanthefact，thattheyproducedinhimselfanaltogetherpeculiarmentalcondition；thatthespiritualsensationshehadinreadingthemwerequitedifferentfromthoseproducedbyanythingelse，proseorverse；infact，thattheycreatedmoodsoftheirowninhismind。Hewasunwillingtobelieve，apartfromnationalprejudices(whichhavenotpreventedtheopinionsonthisquestionfrombeingasstrongontheonesideasontheother)，thatthisindividualityofinfluencecouldbelongtomereaffectationsofastylewhichhadneversprungfromthesourcesofrealfeeling。
“Couldthey，“hethought，“possessthepowertomoveuslikeremembereddreamsofourchildhood，ifallthattheypossessedofrealitywasapretendedimitationofwhatneverexisted，andallthattheyinheritedfromthepastwasthehaloofitsstrangeness？”
ButHughwasnotinlovewithMargaret，thoughhecouldnothelpfeelingthepleasureofherpresence。Anyyouthmusthavebeenthebetterforhavinghernearhim；buttherewasnothingaboutherquiet，self-containedbeing，freefrommanifestationofanysort，torousethefeelingscommonlycalledlove，inthemindofaninexperiencedyouthlikeHughSutherland——Isaycommonlycalled，becauseIbelievethatwithinthewholesphereofintelligencetherearenotwolovesthesame——Notthathewaslesseasilyinfluencedthanotheryouths。Adesigninggirlmighthavecaughthimatonce，ifshehadhadnootherbeautythansparklingeyes；butthewomanhoodofthebeautifulMargaretkeptsostillinitspearlycave，thatitrarelymettheglanceofneighbouringeyes。HowMargaretregardedhimIdonotknow；butIthinkitwaswithalovealmostentirelyonewithreverenceandgratitude。Causeforgratitudeshecertainlyhad，thoughlessthanshesupposed；andverylittlecauseindeedforreverence。Buthowcouldshefailtorevereonetowhomevenherfatherlookedup？OfcourseDavid"sfeelingofrespectforHughmusthavesprungchieflyfromintellectualgrounds；
andhecouldhardlyhelpseeing，ifhethoughtatallonthesubject，whichisdoubtful，thatHughwasasfarbehindMargaretinthehighergiftsandgraces，ashewasbeforeherinintellectualacquirement。ButwhetherDavidperceivedthisornot，certainlyMargaretdidnoteventhinkinthatdirection。Shewaspureofself-judgment——consciousofnocomparingofherselfwithothers，leastofallwiththosenexther。
Atlengththeharvestwasfinished；or，asthephraseofthedistrictwas，clyackwasgotten——aphrasewiththederivation，oreventheexactmeaningofwhich，Iamunacquainted；knowingonlythatitimpliessomethingincloseassociationwiththefeastofharvest-home，calledthekirninotherpartsofScotland。
Thereafter，thefieldslaybaretothefrostsofmorningandevening，andtothewindthatgrewcoolerandcoolerwiththebreathofWinter，wholaybehindthenorthernhills，andwaitedforhishour。Butmanylovelydaysremained，ofquietandslowdecay，ofyellowandredleaves，ofwarmnoonsandlovelysunsets，followedbyskies——greenfromthewesthorizontothezenith，andwalkedbyamoonthatseemedtodrawuptoherallthewhitemistsfrompondandriverandpool，tosettleagaininhoar-frost，duringthecolderhoursthatprecedethedawn。Atlengtheveryleaflesstreesparkledinthemorningsun，incrustedwithfadinggems；andthegroundwashardunderfoot；andthehedgeswerefilledwithfrostedspider-webs；andwinterhadlaidthetipsofhisfingersontheland，soontocoveritdeepwiththeflickeringsnow-flakes，shakenfromthefoldsofhisoutspreadmantle。Butlongerethis，DavidandMargarethadreturnedwithreneweddiligence，andpowersstrengthenedbyrepose，oratleastbyintermission，totheirmentallabours，andHughwasasconstantavisitoratthecottageasbefore。Thetime，however，drewnighwhenhemustreturntohisstudiesatAberdeen；andDavidandMargaretwerelookingforwardwithsorrowtothelossoftheirfriend。Janet，too，“cudnabidetothinko"t。“
“He"lltak"thedaylichtwi"him，Idoot，mylass，“shesaid，asshemadetheporridgeforbreakfastonemorning，andlookeddownanxiouslyatherdaughter，seatedonthecreepiebytheingle-neuk。
“Na，na，mither，“repliedMargaret，lookingupfromherbook；“he"lllea"sicgiftsahin"himas"llmak"daylichti"thedark；“andthenshebentherheadandwentonwithherreading，asifshehadnotspoken。
Themotherlookedawaywithasighandaslight，sadshakeofthehead。
Butmattersweretoturnoutquitedifferentfromallanticipations。
BeforethedayarrivedonwhichHughmustleavefortheuniversity，aletterfromhomeinformedhimthathisfatherwasdangerouslyill。
Hehastenedtohim，butonlytocomforthislasthoursbyallthatasoncoulddo，andtosupporthismotherbyhispresenceduringthefirsthoursofherloneliness。Butanxiousthoughtsforthefuture，whichsooftenforcethemselvesontheattentionofthosewhowouldgladlyprolongtheirbroodingoverthepast，compelledthemtoadoptanalterationoftheirplansforthepresent。
Thehalf-payofMajorSutherlandwasgone，ofcourse；andallthatremainedforMrs。Sutherlandwasasmallannuity，securedbyherhusband"spaymentstoacertainfundfortheuseofofficers"
widows。FromthisshecouldsparebutameretrifleforthecompletionofHugh"suniversity-education；whilethesalaryhehadreceivedatTurriepuffit，almostthewholeofwhichhehadsaved，wassosmallastobequiteinadequatefortheverymoderateoutlaynecessary。Hethereforecametotheresolutiontowritetothelaird，andoffer，iftheywerenotyetprovidedwithanothertutor，toresumehisrelationtotheyounggentlemenforthewinter。Itwasnexttoimpossibletospendmoneythere；andhejudgedthatbeforethefollowingwinter，heshouldbequiteabletomeettheexpensesofhisresidenceatAberdeen，duringthelastsessionofhiscourse。Hewouldhavepreferredtryingtofindanothersituation，haditnotbeenthatDavidandJanetandMargarethadmadethereahomeforhim。
WhetherMrs。Glasfordwasaltogetherpleasedattheproposal，I
cannottell；butthelairdwroteaverygentlemanlikeepistle，condolingwithhimandhismotherupontheirloss，andurgingtheusualcommon-placesofconsolation。TheletterendedwithaheartyacceptanceofHugh"soffer，and，strangetotell，theunsolicitedpromiseofanincreaseofsalarytotheamountoffivepounds。Thisisanothertobeaddedtothemanyproofsthatverisimilitudeisnotintheleastanessentialelementofverity。
Helefthismotherassoonascircumstanceswouldpermit，andreturnedtoTurriepuffit；anabodeforthewinterverydifferentindeedfromthatinwhichhehadexpectedtospendit。
Hereachedtheplaceearlyintheafternoon；receivedfromMrs。
Glasfordacold“Ihopeyou"rewell，Mr。Sutherland；“foundhispupilsactuallyreading，andhadfromthemawelcomeratherboisterouslyevidenced；toldthemtogettheirbooks；andsatdownwiththematoncetocommencetheirwinterlabours。Hespenttwohoursthus；hadaheartyshakeofthehandfromthelaird，whenhecamehome；and，afterasubstantialtea，walkeddowntoDavid"scottage，whereawelcomeawaitedhimworthreturningfor。
“Comeyerwa"sbutt，“saidJanet，whomethimasheopenedthedoorwithoutanyprefatoryknock，andcaughthimwithbothhands；“I"mblithetoseeyerbonnyfaceancemair。We"rea"jistatanemairwi"expeckin"o"ye。“
Davidstoodinthemiddleofthefloor，waitingforhim。
“Comeawa"，mybonnylad，“wasallhisgreeting，asheheldoutagreatfatherlyhandtotheyouth，and，graspinghisintheone，clappedhimontheshoulderwiththeother，thewaterstandinginhisblueeyesthewhile。Hughthoughtofhisownfather，andcouldnotrestrainhistears。Margaretgavehimastilllookfullintheface，and，seeinghisemotion，didnotevenapproachtoofferhimanywelcome。Shehastened，instead，toplaceachairforhimasshehaddonewhenfirstheenteredthecottage，andwhenhehadtakenitsatdownathisfeetonhercreepie。Withtruedelicacy，noonetookanynoticeofhimforsometime。Davidsaidatlast，“An"hoo"syerpuirmother，Mr。Sutherlan"？”
“She"sprettywell，“wasallHughcouldanswer。
“It"sasairstroketobide，“saidDavid；“butit"sagran"thingwhanaman"swonweelthrow"t。Whanmyfatherdeit，Imin"weel，I
wassaeproodtoseehimlyin"there，inthecauldgrandeuro"
deith，an"noman"atdauredsayheeverdidorspakthething"atdidnabecomehim，"atIjistgloriedi"themidso"mygreetin"。Hewasbutapuirauldshepherd，Mr。Sutherlan"，wi"hairaswhiteasthesheep"atfollowedhim；an"Iwatastheyfollowedhim，hefollowedthegreatShepherd；an"followedan"followed，tillhejistfollowedHimhame，whaurwe"rea"boun"，an"someo"usfarontheroad，thankstoHim！”
AndwiththatDavidrose，andgotdowntheBible，and，openingitreverently，readwithasolemn，slightlytremulousvoice，thefourteenthchapterofSt。John"sGospel。Whenhehadfinished，theyallrose，asbyoneaccord，andkneltdown，andDavidprayed：
“OThouinwhasesichtoordeethisprecious，an"nolichtmaitter；
whathroughdarknessleadstolicht，an"throughdeithtothegreaterlife！——wecannabelievethatthouwouldstgieusonyguidthing，totak"thesameagain；forthatwouldbebutbairns"play。
Webelievethatthoutaks，thatthoumaygieagainthesamethingbetternorafore——mairo"tandbetternorwecouldha"receivedititherwise；jistastheLordtookhimsel"fraethesichto"them"atlo"edhimweel，thatinsteado"bein"veesibleaforetheireen，hemichthidehimsel"intheirverraherts。Comethou，an"abideinus，an"tak"ustobideinthee；an"syneginwebea"inthee，wecannabethatfarfraeaneanither，thoughsomesudbeinhaven，an"
someupo"earth。Lordhelpustodooorwarklikethymenan"
maidensdoonthestair，remin"in"oursel"s，"atthem"atwemisshaeonlyganeupthestair，asgin"twartohaudthingstothyhan"i"
thyainpresence-chamber，whaurwehouptobecalledorlang，an"toseetheean"thySon，whamwelo"eaboona"；an"inhisnamewesay，Amen！”
Hughrosefromhiskneeswithasenseofsolemnityandrealitythathehadneverfeltbefore。Littlewassaidthatevening；supperwaseaten，ifnotinsilence，yetwithnothingthatcouldbecalledconversation。And，almostinsilence，DavidwalkedhomewithHugh。
Thespiritofhisfatherseemedtowalkbesidehim。Hefeltasifhehadbeenburiedwithhim；andhadfoundthatthesepulchrewasclothedwithgreenthingsandroofedwithstars——wasintruththeheavensandtheearthinwhichhissoulwalkedabroad。
IfHughlookedalittlemoreintohisBible，andtriedalittlemoretounderstandit，afterhisfather"sdeath，itisnottobewonderedat。Itisbutanotherinstanceofthefactthat，whetherfromeducationorfromtheleadingofsomehigherinstinct，weareready，ineverymoreprofoundtrouble，tofeelasifasolutionorarefugelaysomewhere——layinsoundsofwisdom，perhaps，tobesoughtandfoundinthebestofbooks，thedeepestofallthemysterioustreasuriesofwords。ButDavidneversoughttoinfluenceHughtothisend。HereadtheBibleinhisfamily，butheneverurgedthereadingofitonothers。Sometimesheseemedrathertoavoidthesubjectofreligionaltogether；andyetitwasuponthoseveryoccasionsthat，ifheoncebegantospeak，hewouldpourout，beforeheceased，someofhismostimpassionedutterances。