第3章
CHAPTERXII。
CHARITY。
Knowledgeblowethup，butcharitybuildethup。
LORDBACON"Srenderingof1Cor。viii。I。
Thingswentonasusualforafewdays，whenHughbegantoencounterasourceofsufferingofaverymaterialandunromantickind，butwhich，nevertheless，hadbeenablebeforenow，namely，atthecommencementofhistutorship，tocausehimaverysufficientdegreeofdistress。Itwasthis；thathehadnoroominwhichhecouldpursuehisstudiesinprivate，withouthavingtoendureamostundesirabledegreeofcold。Insummerthiswasamatteroflittlemoment，fortheuniversemightthenbehissecretchamber；butinaScotchspringorautumn，nottosaywinter，abedroomwithoutafire-place，which，strangetosay，wastheconditionofhis，wasnotastudyinwhichthoughtcouldoperatetomuchsatisfactoryresult。
Indeed，painisafarlesshurtfulenemytothinkingthancold。
Andtohavetofightsuchsufferinganditsbenumbinginfluences，aswellastofollowoutatrainofreasoning，difficultatanytime，andrequiringcloseattention——istoomuchforanymachinewhosethinkingwheelsaredrivenbynervousgear。Sometimes——forhemustmaketheattempt——hecamedowntohismealsquitebluewithcold，ashispupilsremarkedtotheirmother；buttheirobservationneverseemedtosuggesttohermindthenecessityofmakingsomebetterprovisionforthepoortutor。AndHugh，afterthewayinwhichshehadbehavedtohim，wasfartooproudtoaskherafavour，evenifhehadhadhopesofreceivinghisrequest。Heknew，too，that，inthehouse，thelaird，tointerfereinthesmallestdegree，mustimperilfarmorethanhedared。Theprospect，therefore，ofthecomingwinter，inacountrywheretherewasscarcelyanyafternoon，andwherethesnowmightliefeetdeepforweeks，wasnotatallagreeable。Hehad，asIhavesaid，beguntosufferalready，forthemorningsandeveningswerecoldenoughnow，althoughitwasabright，dryOctober。OneeveningJanetremarkedthathehadcaughtcold，forhewas"hostin"sair；"andthisledHughtostatethediscomforthewascondemnedtoexperienceupattheha"house。
“Weel，“saidDavid，aftersomesilentdeliberation，“thatsattles"t；
wemaunsetabootitimmedantly。“
OfcourseHughwasquiteatalosstounderstandwhathemeant，andbeggedhimtoexplain。
“Yesee，“repliedDavid，“wehaeverralittlehoose-roomi"thisbitcot；for，excepthiskitchen，wehaebutthebenwhaurJanetandmesleeps；andsaelastyearIspak"tothelairdtolatmehaemuckletimmerasIwadneedtobigakin"o"alean-totothehouseahin"，so"atwemichthaeakin"o"abitparlourlike，orratheraroomie"atonyo"usmichtretiretillforabit，ginwewantedtobeoorlanes。Hehadnaeobjections，honestman。ButsomehoooritherI
neversathan"till"t；butnoothewa"smaunbeupaforethewatweathersetsin。SaeI"sebeatitthemorn，an"maybeye"lllen"
meahan"，Mr。Sutherlan"，andtak"ootyerwagesinhouse-rooman"
firin"efterit"sdune。“
“Thankyouheartily！”saidHugh；thatwouldbedelightful。Itseemstoogoodtobepossible。ButwillnotwoodenwallsberatherapoorprotectionagainstsuchwintersasIsupposeyouhaveintheseparts？”
“Hootoot，Mr。Sutherlan"，yemichtgiemecreditforraithermairrumgumptionnorthatcomestill。TimmerwastheonlythingInot(needed)tospierfor；thelaveliestoonybody"shan"——afewcart-fu"so"sodsfraethehillahintthehoose，an"ahan"fu"ortwao"stanesforthechimlaooto"thequarry——there"seneuchthereforoorturnohnblastitmair；an"we"llsawthewoodoorsels；an"
ginwehadancethewa"sup，wecancarryontheinsideatoorleisur"。That"stheway"attheMakerdoeswi"oorsels；hegie"susthewa"san"thematerial，an"awholelifetime，maybemair，tofurnishthehouse。“
“Capital！”exclaimedHugh。“I"llworklikeahorse，andwe"llbeatitthemorn。“
“I"sebeatitaforedaylicht，an"aneortwao"thelads"lllen"meahan"efterwark-hours；andthere"syersel"，Mr。Sutherlan"，worthanean"ahalfo"ordinaryworkers；an"we"llhaetruffaneuchforthewa"sinajiffey。I"llmarkafeowsaplin"si"thewudhereatdenner-time，an"we"llhaethemforbauks，an"couples，an"things；
an"there"splentydryeneuchforbeurdsi"theshed，an"bein"butalean-to，there"llbebuthalfwark，yeken。“
Theywentoutdirectly，inthemoonlight，tochoosethespot；andsooncametotheresolutiontobuilditso，thatacertainbackdoor，whichaddedmoretothecoldinwinterthantotheconvenienceinsummer，shouldbetheentrancetothenewchamber。Thechimneywasthechiefdifficulty；butallthematerialsbeingintheimmediateneighbourhood，andDavidcapableofturninghishandstoanything，noobstructionwasfeared。Indeed，hesetaboutthatpartfirst，aswasnecessary；andhadsoonbuiltasmallchimney，chieflyofstonesandlime；while，underhisdirections，thewallsweremakingprogressatthesametime，bythelabourofHughandtwoorthreeoftheyoungmenfromthefarm，whoweremostreadytoobligeDavidwiththeirhelp，althoughtheywerestillratherunfriendlytothecolliginer，astheycalledhim。ButHugh"sfranknesssoonwonthemover，andtheyallformedwithinadayortwoaverycomfortablepartyoflabourers。Theyworkedveryhard；foriftherainshouldsetinbeforetheroofwason，theirlabourwouldbealmostlostfromthesoakingofthewalls。Theybuiltthemofturf，verythick，withaslightslopeontheoutsidetowardstheroof；
beforecommencingwhich，theypartiallycutthewindowsoutofthewalls，puttingwoodacrosstosupportthetop。Ishouldhaveexplainedthattheturfusedinbuildingwastheupperandcoarserpartofthepeat，whichwasplentifulintheneighbourhood。Thethatch-eavesofthecottageitselfprojectedoverthejoiningofthenewroof，soastoprotectitfromthedrip；andDavidsoonputathickthatchofnewstrawuponthelittlebuilding。Second-handwindowswereprocuredatthevillage，andtheholesinthewallscuttotheirsize。Theynextproceededtothesaw-pitontheestate——foralmosteverythingnecessaryforkeepinguptheofficeswasdoneonthefarmitself——wheretheysawedthinplanksofdeal，tofloorandlinetheroom，andmakeitmorecosie。TheseDavidplanedupononeside；andwhentheywerenailedagainstslightpostsallroundthewalls，andthejointsfilledinwithputty，theroombegantolookmostenticinglyhabitable。Theroofhadnotbeenthatchedtwodaysbeforetherainsetin；butnowtheycouldworkquitecomfortablyinside；andasthespacewassmall，andtheforenightswerelong，theyhaditquitefinishedbeforetheendofNovember。Davidboughtanoldtableinthevillage，andoneortwochairs；mendedthemup；madeakindofrusticsofaorsettle；putafewbookshelvesagainstthewall；hadapeatfirelightedontheheartheveryday；andatlength，oneSaturdayevening，theyhadsupperintheroom，andtheplacewasconsecratedhenceforthtofriendshipandlearning。Fromthistime，everyevening，assoonaslessons，andthemealwhichimmediatelyfollowedthem，wereover，Hughbetookhimselftothecottage，ontheshelvesofwhichallhisbooksbydegreescollectedthemselves；andtherespentthewholelongevening，generallytillteno"clock；thefirstpartalonereadingorwriting；thelastincompanywithhispupils，who，diligentasever，nowofcoursemademorerapidprogressthanbefore，inasmuchasthelessonswerebothlongerandmorefrequent。
Theonlydrawbacktotheircomfortwas，thattheyseemedtohaveshutJanetout；butshesoonremediedthis，bycontrivingtogetthroughwithherhouseworkearlierthanshehadeverdonebefore；
and，takingherplaceonthesettlebehindthem，knittedawaydiligentlyatherstocking，which，toinexperiencedeyes，seemedalwaysthesame，andalwaysinthesamestateofprogress，notwithstandingthatsheprovidedthehoseofthewholefamily，blueandgrey，ribbedandplain。Heroccasionalwithdrawings，toobservetheprogressofthesupper，wereonlyacheerfulbreakinthecontinuityoflabour。Littlewouldthepasser-byimaginethatbeneaththatroof，whichseemedworthyonlyofthenameofashed，theresat，inasnuglittlehomelyroom，suchayouthasHugh，suchagirlasMargaret，suchagrandpeasantkingasDavid，andsuchatrue-heartedmothertothemallasJanet。Therewerenopicturesandnomusic；forMargaretkepthersongsforsolitaryplaces；butthesoundofversewasoftenthelivingwindwhichseta-wavingthetopsofthetreesofknowledge，fastgrowinginthesunlightofTruth。Thethatchofthatshed-roofwaslikethegrizzledhairofDavid，beneathwhichlaythetemplenotonlyofholybutofwiseandpoeticthought。Itwaslikethesylvanabodeofthegods，wherethearchitectureandmusicarealloftheirownmaking，intheirkindthemorebeautiful，themoresimpleandrude；andifmoredoubtfulintheirintent，andlesspreciseintheirfinish，yetthereinthefulleroflifeanditsgrace，andthemoresuggestiveofdeeperharmonies。
CHAPTERXIII。
HERALDRY。
Andlikehisfatheroffaceandofstature，Andfalseoflove——itcamehimofnature；
AsdoththefoxRenard，thefox"sson；
Ofkinde，hecoudhisoldfather"swone，Withoutlore，ascanadrakeswim，Whenitiscaught，andcarriedtothebrim。
CHAUCER——LegendofPhillis。
Ofcourse，theyetmorelengthenedabsencesofHughfromthehouseweresubjectsofremarkasatthefirst；butHughhadmadeuphismindnottotroublehimselftheleastaboutthat。ForsometimeMrs。Glasfordtooknonoticeofthemtohimself；butoneevening，justasteawasfinished，andHughwasrisingtogo，herrestraintgaveway，andsheutteredonespitefulspeech，thinkingit，nodoubt，sowittythatitoughttoseethelight。
“Ye"readay-laboureritseems，Mr。Sutherlan"，andganghameatnight。“
“Exactlyso，madam，“rejoinedHugh。“Thereisnootherrelationbetweenyouandme，thanthatofworkandwages。Youhavedoneyourbesttoconvincemeofthat，bymakingitimpossibleformetofeelthatthishouseisinanysensemyhome。“
Withthisgrandspeechhelefttheroom，andfromthattimetillthedayofhisfinaldeparturefromTurriepuffit，therewasnotasingleallusionmadetothesubject。
Hesoonreachedthecottage。Whenheenteredthenewroom，whichwasalwayscalledMr。Sutherland"sstudy，themutewelcomeaffordedhimbythesignsofexpectation，intheglowofthewaitingfire，andtheoutspreadarmsoftheelbow-chair，whichwasnowcalledhis，aswellastheroom，madeampleamendstohimfortheunfriendlinessofMrs。Glasford。Goingtotheshelvestofindthebookshewanted，hesawthattheyhadbeencarefullyarrangedononeshelf，andthattheotherswereoccupiedwithbooksbelongingtothehouse。Helookedatafewofthem。Theywerealmostalloldbooks，andsuchasmaybefoundinmanyScotchcottages；forinstance，Boston"sFourfoldState，inwhichthewaysofGodandmanmaybeseenthroughafourfoldfog；Erskine"sDivineSonnets，whichwillrepaythereaderinlaughterforthepainitcostshisreverence，producingmuchthesameeffectthataGothiccathedralmight，reproducedbythepencilandfromtheremembranceofaChineseartist，whohadseenitonce；DrelincourtonDeath，withthefamousghost-hoaxofDeFoe，tohelpthebooksellertothesaleoftheunsaleable；theScotsWorthies，openingofitselfatthememoirofMr。AlexanderPeden；
thePilgrim"sProgress，thatwonderfulinspiration，failingneversavewhenthetheologianwouldsometimessnatchthepenfromthehandofthepoet；TheronandAspasio；VillageDialogues；andothersofalikeclass。TothesemustbeaddedarareeditionofBlindHarry。ItwascleartoHugh，unableashewasfullytoappreciatethewisdomofDavid，thatitwasnotfromsuchbooksasthesethathehadgatheredit；yetsuchbooksastheseformedallhisstore。
Heturnedfromthem，foundhisown，andsatdowntoread。ByandbyDavidcamein。
“I"mowersune，Idoubt，Mr。Sutherlan"。I"mdisturbin"ye。“
“Notatall，“answeredHugh。“Besides，Iamnotmuchinareadingmoodthisevening：Mrs。Glasfordhasbeenannoyingmeagain。“
“Poorbody！What"sshebeensayin"noo？”
ThinkingtoamuseDavid，Hughrecountedtheshortpassagebetweenthemrecordedabove。David，however，listenedwithaverydifferentexpressionofcountenancefromwhatHughhadanticipated；and，whenhehadfinished，tookuptheconversationinakindofapologetictone。
“Weel，butyesee，“saidhe，foldinghispalmstogether，“shehasna"
jisthada"thegitherfairplay。Shedoesnacomeo"aguidbreed。
Man，it"safinethingtocomeo"aguidbreed。Theyhaeahantletoanswerfor"atcomeo"decentforbears。“
“Ithoughtshebroughtthelairdagoodproperty，“saidHugh，notquiteunderstandingDavid。
“Ow，ay，shebrochthimgowpenfu"so"siller；buthoowas"tgotten？
An"yekenit"snoriches"at"illmak"aguidbreed——"cep"itbeo"maggots。Therichercheesethemairmaggots，yeken。Yemaunnaspeyko"this；butthemistress"sfatherwasweelkenttohaemadehissillerbyfardinsandbawbees，increepin"，craftyways。Hewasabitmerchan"inAberdeen，an"ayekeepithisthoomweelahintthepeinto"theellwan"，sae"athemadeaninchortwaupo"ilkayardhesauld。Saehetookfraehissoul，andpatintillhissiller-bag，an"hadlittletogiehisdochterbutaguidtocher。Mr。
Sutherlan"，it"safinethingtocomeo"dacentfowk。Noo，toluikatyersel"：Ikennaethingabootyerfamily；butyeseemateesichttocomeo"aguidbreedforthebodilyparto"ye。That"sasma"
matter；butfraewhatIha"eseen——an"ItrustinGodI"mno"
mista"en——yecomeo"therichtbreedforthemin"asweel。I"mnoflatterin"ye，Mr。Sutherlan"；butjistlayin"itupo"ye，"atginyehadanhonestfatherandgran"father，an"especiallyaguidmither，yehaeaheaptoanswerfor；an"yeoughtnevertobehardupo"them"at"ssma"creepin"creatures，fortheycannahelpitsaeweelasthelikeo"youandmecan。“
Davidwasnotgiventoboasting。Hughhadneverheardanythingsuggestingitfromhislipsbefore。Heturnedfullroundandlookedathim。Onhisfacelayasolemnquiet，eitherfromafeelingofhisownresponsibility，orasenseoftheexcusethatmustbemadeforothers。WhathehadsaidaboutthesignsofbreedinHugh"sexterior，certainlyappliedtohimselfaswell。Hiscarriagewasfullofdignity，andacertainrusticrefinement；hisvoicewaswonderfullygentle，butdeep；andslowestwhenmostimpassioned。Heseemedtohavecomeofsomegiganticantediluvianbreed：therewassomethingoftheTitanslumberingabouthim。Hewouldhavebeenasternman，butforanunusualamountofreverencethatseemedtooverfloodthesternness，andchangeitintostronglove。Noonehadeverseenhimthoroughlyangry；hissimpledispleasurewithanyofthelabourers，thequalityofwhoseworkwasdeficient，wouldgofurtherthanthelaird"soaths。
HughsatlookingatDavid，whosupportedthelookwiththatperfectcalmnessthatcomesofunconscioussimplicity。AtlengthHugh"seyesankbeforeDavid"s，ashesaid：
“IwishIhadknownyourfather，then，David。“
“MyfatherwassicaaneasItauldyetheitherday，Mr。
Sutherlan"。I"ma"richtthere。Apuir，semple，God-fearin"
shepherd，"atnevergaehisdoganill-deservedword，nortooktheskino"onypuirlammie，wha"swoo"hewasclippin"，atweentheshears。Hewasweelworthyo"thegrave"athewantillatlast。
An"mymitherwasjistsiclike，wi"aiblinsraithermairheidnormyfather。They"reherbeuksmaistlyupo"theskelfthereabuneyerain，Mr。Sutherlan"。Ihonourthemforhersake，thoughIseldomtroublethemmysel"。Shegaemeakin"o"ascunneratthem，honestwoman，wi"garrin"mereadatthemo"Sundays，tilltheynearscomfishta"theguid"atwasinmebynater。There"sdoctrineforye，Mr。Sutherlan"！”addedDavid，withaqueerlaugh。
“Ithoughttheycouldhardlybeyourbooks，“saidHugh。
“ButIhaeaeoddbeuk，an"thatbringsmeupo"mypedigree，Mr。
Sutherlan"；forthepuirestmanhasaslangapedigreeasthegreatest，onlyhekenslessabootit，that"sa"。An"Iwat，foryerlordsandladies，it"snoa"totheircredit"at"stauldo"theirhither-come；an"that"sa"againstthebreed，yeken。Awilfu"sininthefathermaybeasinfu"weaknessi"theson；an"that"swhatI
ca"nofairplay。“
Sosaying，Davidwenttohisbedroom，whencehereturnedwithaveryold-lookingbook，whichhelaidonthetablebeforeHugh。Heopenedit，andsawthatitwasavolumeofJacobB渉men，intheoriginallanguage。Hefoundoutafterwards，uponfurtherinquiry，thatitwasinfactacopyofthefirsteditionofhisfirstwork，TheAurora，printedin1612。Onthetitle-pagewaswrittenaname，eitherinGermanoroldEnglishcharacter，hewasnotsurewhich；
buthewasabletoreadit——MartinElginbrodde。David，havinggivenhimtimetoseeallthis，wenton：
“ThatbuikhasbeeninoorfamilyfarlangernorIken。IneednasayIcannareadawordo"t，norIneverheardo"ane"atcould。
ButIcannahelptellin"yeacuriousthing，Mr。Sutherlan"，inconnexionwi"thenameonthatbuik：there"sagravestane，averraauldane——hooauldIcannaweelmak"out，thoughIgaedends-errandtoAberdeentosee"t——an"thenameupo"thatgravestaneisMartinElginbrod，butmadementiono"inastrangefashion；an"I"mnosurea"thegitheraboothooye"lltak"it，foritsoun"sratherfearsomeatfirsthearin"o"t。Butye"sehae"tasIreadit：
“"HerelieI，MartinElginbrodde：
Haemercyo"mysoul，LordGod；
AsIwaddo，wereILordGod，AndyewereMartinElginbrodde。"“
CertainlyHughcouldnothelpaslightshudderatwhatseemedtohimtheirreverenceoftheepitaph，ifindeeditwasnotdeservingofaworseepithet。Buthemadenoremark；and，afteramoment"spause，Davidresumed：
“Iwasuncoill-pleasedwi"tatthefirst，asyemaysuppose，Mr。
Sutherlan"；but，afterawhile，Ibegude(began)an"gaedthroughtwaorthreebitso"reasonin"sabootit，inthisway：Bythenatur"
o"t，thismaunbetheman"sainmakin"，thisepitaph；fornoitherbodycudha"dune"t；andhehadleftitin"swilltobepittenupo"
thedeid-stane，naedoot：I"thecontemplationo"deith，amanwadnobelik"lytodesiretheperpetuationo"ablasphemyupo"atableo"stone，tostan"againsthimforcenturiesi"thefaceo"Godan"
man：thereforeitcudnaha"bornetheluiktohimo"thepresumptuouswordo"aproudmanevenin"himsel"wi"theAlmichty。
Saewhatwas"t，then，"atmadehimmak"it？Itseemstome——thoughIconfess，Mr。Sutherlan"，Imaybeledastraybythenateraldesire"atamanhastothinkweelo"hisainforbears——for"athewasaforbearo"myain，Icannaweeldoot，thenamebein"bynomeansacommonane，inScotlandonyway——I"msayin"，itseemstome，thatit"sjistadarin"way，maybeachildlikeway，o"judgin"，asJobmichtha"dune，"theLordbyhimsel"；"an"sayin"，"atginhe，MartinElginbrod，wadhaemercy，surelytheLordwasnotlessmercifu"thanhewas。Theoffspringo"theMostHighwas，asitwere，awareo"thesamespiriti"thefathero"him，asmuvedinhimsel"。Hefelt"atthemercyinhimsel"wasaneo"thebestthings；an"hecudnathink"attherewadbelesso"ti"thefathero"lichts，fraewhomcomethilkaguidan"perfeckgift。An"maybeheremembered"attheSaviourhimsel"said："BeyeperfectasyourfatherinHeavenisperfect；"andthattheperfectiono"God，asHehadjistpintedootafore，consistedincausin"hisbonnysuntoshineontheevilan"thegood，an"hiscallerraintofa"upo"thejustan"theunjust。“
ItmaywellbedoubtedwhetherDavid"sinterpretationoftheepitaphwasthecorrectone。Itwillappeartomostofmyreaderstobreatheratherofdoubtlightedupbyhope，thanofthatstrongfaithwhichDavidreadinit。Butwhetherfromfamilypartiality，andconsequentunwillingnesstobelievethathisancestorhadbeenamanwho，havingledawild，erring，andevillife，turnedatlasttowardsthemercyofGodashisonlyhope，whichthewordsmightimply；orsimplythathesawthismeaningtobethebest；thiswastheinterpretationwhichDavidhadadopted。
“But，“interposedHugh，“supposinghethoughtallthat，whyshouldhethereforehaveitcarvedonhistombstone？”
“Ihaethochtabootthattoo，“answeredDavid。“Foraething，abodyhasbutfeowwayso"sayin"hissaytohisbrithermen。RobbieBurnscuddo"tinsangeftersang；butmaybethisepitaphwasa"thatauldMartinwasabletomak"。Hemichtnahaehadthegifto"utterance。
Buttheremaybemairin"tnorthat。Gintheclergyo"thaetimeswarnaageyhantlemairenlichtenednorafowtho"theclergyhereabouts，hewadhaeheardaheapabootthegloryo"God，asthething"atGodhimsel"wasmaistanxiousabootuphaudin"，jistlikeaproodcreatero"aking；an"thathewadmak"men，an"feedthem，an"cleedthem，an"giethembrawwivesan"toddlin"bairnies，an"
synedamnthem，a"for"sainglory。Maybeyewadnagetmonyo"them"atwadspeyksaefair-ootnoo-a-days，fortheygangwi"thetidejistlikethelave；buti"myauldminny"sbuiks，Ihaereadjiltasmuckleasthat，an"waurtoo。Monyane"atspaklikethat，hadnaedootaguidmeanin"in"t；but，hechman！it"sanawesomedeevilichwayo"sayin"aholything。Noo，whatbettercouldpuirauldMartindo，seein"hehadnoaewordtosayi"thekirka"hislifelang，norjistsayhisaeword，aspithilyasmightbe，i"thekirkyard，efterhewasdeid；an"oweran"oweragain，wi"atongueo"stane，letthemtak"itorlatitalane"atlikit？That"sa"mydefenceo"myauldluckie-daddy——Heavenresthisbraveauldsoul！”
“Butarewenotindanger，“saidHugh，“ofthinkingtoolightlyandfamiliarlyoftheMaker，whenweproceedtojudgehimsobyourselves？”
“Mr。Sutherlan"，“repliedDavid，verysolemnly，“IdinnathenkIcanbeinmuckledangero"lichtlyin"him，whanIkeninmyainsel"，asweelasshe"atwashealedo"herplague，"atIwadbeahorsei"
thatpleuch，orapiginthatstye，notmerelyifitwashiswill——forwhacanstan"againstthat——butifitwasforhisglory；
ay，an"comfortmysel"，a"thetimethechangewaspassin"upo"me，wi"thethochtthat，efteran"a"，hisblessedhan"smadethepigstoo。“
“But，amomentago，David，youseemedtometobemakingratherlittleofhisglory。“
“O"hisglory，astheyconsiderglory——ay；efterawarldlyfashionthat"snobetternorpride，an"inhimwouldonlybeagreaterpride。Buthisglory！consistin"inhistrowthan"
lovin"kindness——(man！that"sabonnyword)——an"grandself-forgettin"devotiontohiscreaters——lord！man，it"sunspeakable。Icarelittleforhisgloryeither，ginbythatyemeanthepraiseo"men。Aheapo"theanxietyforthespreado"hisglory，seemstometobebutadesireforthesempathyo"itherfowk。There"snofearbutmen"llpraisehim，a"inguidtime——thatis，whantheycan。But，Mr。Sutherlan"，forthegloryo"God，raitherthan，ifitwerepossible，onejotoronetittleshouldfailofhisentireperfectionofholybeauty，IcallGodtowitness，I
wouldgladlygotohellitsel"；fornoevilworththefullnamecanbefalltheearthoronycreaterin"t，aslongasGodiswhatheis。
Forthegloryo"God，Mr。Sutherlan"，Iwaddiethedeith。Forthewillo"God，I"mreadyforonythinghelikes。Icannasurelybeinmuckledangero"lichtlyin"him。IgloryinmyGod。“
ThealmostpassionateearnestnesswithwhichDavidspoke，wouldalonehavemadeitimpossibleforHughtoreplyatonce。Afterafewmoments，however，heventuredtoaskthequestion：
“WouldyoudonothingthatotherpeopleshouldknowGod，then，David？”
“Onything"athelikes。ButIwouldtak"tento"interferin"。He"satithimsel"fraemornin"tonicht，fraeyear"sen"toyear"sen"。“
“ButyouseemtometomakeoutthatGodisnothingbutlove！”
“Ay，naethingbutlove。Whatforno？”
“Becausewearetoldheisjust。“
“Wouldhebelangjustifhedidnalo"eus？”
“Butdoeshenotpunishsin？”
“Woulditbeonykin"nessnotopunishsin？Notousa"meanstopitawa"theaeillthingfraeus？Whatevermaybemeantbytheplaceo"meesery，depen"upo"t，Mr。Sutherlan"，it"sonlyanitherformo"love，loveshinin"throughthefogso"ill，an"saegartleuksomethingverradifferentthereby。Man，raithernorseemyMaggy——an"ye"llnodoot"atIlo"eher——raithernorseemyMaggydoanillthing，I"dseeherlyin"deidatmyfeet。Butsupposin"theillthingancedune，it"snoatmyfeetIwadlayher，butupo"myheart，wi"myauldarmsaboother，tohandthefurtherillaffo"
her。An"shallmortalmanbemorejustthanGod？ShallamanbemorepurethanhisMaker？OmyGod！myGod！”
TheentranceofMargaretwouldhavepreventedtheprosecutionofthisconversation，evenifithadnotalreadydrawntoanaturalclose。NotthatDavidwouldnothavetalkedthusbeforehisdaughter，butsimplythatminds，likeinstruments，needtobebroughtuptothesamepitch，beforetheycan“atonetogether，“andthatonefeelsthisinstinctivelyontheentranceofanotherwhohasnotgonethroughthesameimmediateprocessofgradualelevationoftone。
Theirbooksandslatesweregotout，andtheysatdowntotheirwork；butHughcouldnothelpobservingthatDavid，inthemidstofhislinesandanglesandalgebraiccomputations，would，everynowandthen，glanceupatMargaret，withalookoftendernessinhisfaceyetdeeperandmoredelicateinitsexpressionthanordinary。
Margaretwas，however，quiteunconsciousofit，pursuingherworkwithherordinaryevendiligence。ButJanetobservedit。
“Whatailsthebairn，Dawvid，"atyeleukatherthatget？saidshe。
“Naethingailsher，woman。Doyeneverleukatabodybutwhensomethingailsthem？”
“Ow，ay——butnothatget。“
“Weel，maybeIwasthinkin"hooIwadleukatherginonythingdidailher。“
“Hoot！hoot！dinnafurthertheillhitherbymakin"abiendoonsittin"an"abedfor"t。“
AllDavid"sanswertothiswasoneofhisownsmiles。
Atsupper，forithappenedtobeSaturday，Hughsaid：
“I"vebeenbusy，betweenwhiles，inventing，orperhapsdiscovering，anetymologicalpedigreeforyou，David！”
“Weel，lat"shear"t，“saidDavid。
“First——doyouknowthatthatvolumewithyourancestor"snameonit，waswrittenbyanoldGermanshoemaker，perhapsonlyacobbler，foranythingIknow？”
“Iknownothingabootit，moreorless，“answeredDavid。
“Hewasawonderfulman。Somepeoplethinkhewasalmostinspired。“
“Maybe，maybe，“wasallDavid"sdoubtfulresponse。
“Atallevents，thoughIknownothingaboutitmyself，hemusthavewrittenwonderfullyforacobbler。“
“Formypairt，“repliedDavid，“ifIseenowonderintheman，Icanseebutlittleinthecobbler。Whatforshouldnaacobblerwritewonnerfully，asweelasanither？It"satrade"atfurthersmeditation。Mygrandfatherwasacobbler，asyeca"t；an"theysayhewasnofuleinhisainwayeither。“
“Thenitdoesgointhefamily！”criedHugh，triumphantly。
“Iwasindoubtatfirstwhetheryournamereferredtothebreadthofyourshoulders，David，astransmittedfromsomeancientsire，whosebackwasanEllwand-broad；forthegmightcomefromaworv，foranythingIknowtothecontrary。Butitwouldhavebeenbraidinthatcase。And，now，IamquiteconvincedthatthatMartinorhisfatherwasaGerman，afriendofoldJacobB渉men，whogavehimthebookhimself，andwasbesidesofthesamecraft；andhecomingtothiscountrywithanamehardtobepronounced，theyfoundaresemblanceinthesoundofittohisoccupation；andsograduallycorruptedhisname，tothemuncouth，intoElsynbrod，Elshinbrod，thenceElginbrod，withasoftg，andlastlyElginbrod，asyoupronounceitnow，withahardg。Thisname，turnedfromScotchintoEnglish，wouldthenbesimplyMartinAwlbore。Thecobblerisinthefamily，David，descendedfromJacobB渉menhimself，bythemother"sside。“
Thisheraldicblazonamusedthemallverymuch，andDavidexpressedhisentireconcurrencewithit，declaringittobeincontrovertible。
Margaretlaughedheartily。
Besidesitsownbeauty，twothingsmadeMargaret"slaughofsomeconsequence；onewas，thatitwasveryrare；andtheother，thatitrevealedhertworegularrowsofdaintywhiteteeth，suitingwelltothewholebuildofthemaiden。Shewasgracefulandrathertall，withaheadwhich，butforitssmallness，mighthaveseemedtooheavyfortheneckthatsupportedit，soreadyitalwayswastodrooplikeasnowdrop。TheonlypartsaboutherwhichHughdisliked，wereherhandsandfeet。Theformercertainlyhadbeenreddenedandroughenedbyhouseholdwork：buttheywerewellformednotwithstanding。Thelatterhehadneverseen，notwithstandingthebare-foothabitsofScotchmaidens；forhesawMargaretrarelyexceptintheevenings，andthenshewasdressedtoreceivehim。
Certainly，however，theywereveryfarfromfollowingtheshapeoftheclumsycountryshoes，bywhichhemisjudgedtheirproportions。
Hadheseenthem，ashemighthaveseenthemsomepartofanydayduringthesummer，theirformatleastwouldhavesatisfiedhim。
CHAPTERXIV。
WINTER。
Outofwhosewombcametheice？andthehoaryfrostofheaven，whohathgenderedit？Thewatersarehidaswithastone，andthefaceofthedeepisfrozen。
Hegivethsnowlikewool；hescattereththehoarfrostlikeashes。
JOBxxxviii。29，30；PSALMcxlvii。16。
Winterwasfairlycomeatlast。Ablackfrosthadboundtheearthformanydays；andatlengthapeculiarsensation，almostasmellofsnowintheair，indicatedanapproachingstorm。Thesnowfellatfirstinafewlargeunwillingflakes，thatflutteredslowlyandheavilytotheearth，wheretheylaylikethefoundationofthesuperstructurethatwasabouttofollow。Fasterandfastertheyfell——wonderfulmultitudesofdelicatecrystals，adheringinshapesofbeautywhichoutviedallthatjewellercouldinventorexecuteofethereal，starryforms，structuresofevanescentyetprodigalloveliness——tillthewholeairwasobscuredbythem，andnightcameon，hastenedbyanhour，fromthegatheringoftheirwhitedarkness。
Inthemorning，allthelandscapewastransfigured。Thesnowhadceasedtofall；butthewholeearth，houses，fields，andfences，pondsandstreams，werechangedtowhiteness。Butmostwonderfullookedthetrees——everyboughandeverytwigthickened，andbentearthwardwithitsownindividualloadofthefairyghost-birds。
Eachretainedthesemblanceofitsownform，wonderfully，magicallyalteredbyitsthickgarmentofradiantwhiteness，shininggloriouslyinthesunlight。Itwastheshroudofdeadnature；butashroudthatseemedtoprefigurealovelyresurrection；fortheverydeath-robewasunspeakably，witchinglybeautiful。Againatnightthesnowfell；andagainandagain，withinterveningdaysofbrightsunshine。Everymorning，thefirstfreshfootprintswereanewwondertothelivingcreatures，theyoung-heartedamongstthematleast，wholivedandmovedinthisdeath-world，thissepulchralplanet，buriedintheshiningairbeforetheeyesofitssister-starsintheblue，deathlessheavens。Pathshadtobeclearedineverydirectiontowardstheout-houses，andagainclearedeverymorning；tillatlastthewallsofsolidrainstoodhigherthantheheadoflittleJohnnie，ashewasstillcalled，thoughhewastwelveyearsold。Itwasagreatdelighttohimtowanderthroughthesnow-avenuesineverydirection；andgreatfunitwas，bothtohimandhisbrother，whentheyweretiredofsnowballingeachotherandeverylivingthingabouttheplaceexcepttheirparentsandtutor，tohollowoutmysteriouscavesandvaultedpassages。Sometimestheywouldcarrythesepassagesonfromonepathtowithinaninchortwoofanother，andtherelieinwaittillsomepasser-by，unweetingofharm，wasjustoppositetheirlurkingcave；whentheywoulddashthroughthesolidwallofsnowwithahideousyell，almostendangeringthewitsofthemaids，andcausingarecoilandstartledejaculationevenofthestrongmanonwhomtheychancedtotrytheirpowersofalarm。Hughhimselfwasoncegladtocovertheconfusionofhisownfrightwiththeheartyfitoflaughterintowhichtheperturbationoftheboys，upondiscoveringwhomtheyhadstartled，threwhim。Itwasrarefuntothem；butnottothewomenaboutthehouse，whomovedfromplacetoplaceinastateofchronicalarm，scaredbythefearofbeingscared；tilloneofthemgoingintohysterics，realorpretended，itwasfoundnecessarytoputastoptothepractice；not，however，beforeMargarethadhadhershareofthejest。Hughhappenedtobelookingoutofhiswindowatthemoment——watchingher，indeed，asshepassedtowardsthekitchenwithsomemessagefromhermother；whenanindescribablemonster，achaoticmassoflegsandsnow，burst，asifoutoftheearth，uponher。Sheturnedpaleasthesnowaroundher(andHughhadneverobservedbeforehowdarkhereyeswere)，asshesprangbackwiththegraceofastartleddeer。Sheutterednocry，however，perceivinginamomentwhoitwas，gaveatroubledlittlesmile，andpassedonherwayasifnothinghadhappened。Hughwasnotsorrywhenmaternalorderswereissuedagainstthepracticaljoke。Theboysdidnotrespecttheirmotherverymuch，buttheydarednotdisobeyher，whenshespokeinacertaintone。
TherewasnopathwaycuttoDavid"scottage；andnotracktrodden，exceptwhatDavid，comingtothehousesometimes，andHughgoingeveryafternoontothecottage，madebetweenthem。Hughoftenwenttothekneesinsnow，butwaswelldriedandwarmedbyJanet"scarewhenhearrived。Shehadalwaysapairofstockingsandslippersreadyforhimatthefire，tobeputonthemomentofhisarrival；
andexchangedagainforhisown，dryandwarm，beforehefootedoncemoretheghostlywaste。Whenneithermoonwasupnorstarswereout，therewasastrangeeerieglimmerfromthesnowthatlightedthewayhome；andhethoughttheremustbemorelightfromitthancouldbeaccountedformerelybythereflectionofeveryparticleoflightthatmightfalluponitfromothersources。
Margaretwasnotkepttothehousebythesnow，evenwhenitwasfalling。Shewentoutasusual——notofcoursewanderingfar，forwalkingwasdifficultnow。Butshewasinlittledangeroflosingherway，forsheknewthecountryaswellasanyone；andalthoughitsfacewasgreatlyalteredbythefillingupofitsfeatures，andtheuniformityofthecolour，yetthosefeatureswerediscernibletoherexperiencedeyethroughthesheetthatcoveredthem。Itwasonlynecessarytowalkonthetopsofdykes，andotherelevatedridges，tokeepclearofthedeepsnow。
Thereweremanypathsbetweenthecottagesandthefarmsintheneighbourhood，inwhichshecouldwalkwithcomparativeeaseandcomfort。Butshepreferredwanderingawaythroughthefieldsandtowardthehills。Sometimesshewouldcomehomelikeacreatureofthesnow，bornofit，andlivinginit；socoveredwasshefromheadtofootwithitsflakes。Davidusedtosmileatherwithpeculiarcomplacencyonsuchoccasions。ItwasevidentthatitpleasedhimsheshouldbetheplaymateofNature。Janetwasnotaltogetherindulgenttothesefreaks，assheconsideredthem，ofMarget——shehadquitegivenupcallingherMeg，“sin"shetooktothebeuksoeident。“Butwhateverhermothermightthinkofit，Margaretwasinthiswaylayingupastorenotonlyofbodilyandmentalhealth，butofresourcesforthoughtandfeeling，ofsecretunderstandingsandcommunionswithNature，andeverythingsimple，andstrong，andpurethroughNature，thanwhichshecouldhaveaccumulatednothingmoreprecious。
Thiskindofweathercontinuedforsometime，tillthepeopledeclaredtheyhadneverknownastormlastsolong“ohneverdevallt，“thatis，withoutintermission。Butthefrostgrewharder；
andthenthesnow，insteadoffallinginlargeadhesiveflakes，fellinsmalldryflakes，ofwhichtheboyscouldmakenosnaw-ba"s。Allthetime，however，therewasnowind；andthisnotbeingasheepcountry，therewaslittleuneasinessorsufferingoccasionedbytheseverityoftheweather，beyondwhatmustbefallthepoorerclassesineverynortherncountryduringthewinter。
Oneday，Davidheardthatapooroldmanofhisacquaintancewasdying，andimmediatelysetouttovisithim，atadistanceoftwoorthreemiles。Hereturnedintheevening，onlyintimeforhisstudies；fortherewasofcourselittleornothingtobedoneatpresentinthewayoflabour。Ashesatdowntothetable，hesaid：
“Ihaeseenawonnerfu"sichtsin"Isawyou，Mr。Sutherlan"。I
gaedtoseeanauldChristian，whasebodyan"brainarenighwornoot。Hewasneveronythingremarkableforintellec，andjisttookwhattheministertellthimfortrue，an"keepittheguido"t；forhishertwasayericht，an"hisfaithahantlestrongerthanmaybeithadonyrichttobe，accordin"tohisainopingans；but，hech！
there"ssomethingfarbetternorhisopingansi"theherto"ilkaGod-fearin"body。WhanIgaedbuttthehoose，hewassittin"in"sauldarm-chairbythesideo"thefire，an"hisfaceluikitdazedlike。Therewasnolichtin"tbutwhatcam"nooan"thanfraealowi"thefire。Thesnawwasdriftin"aweeabootthebitwinnock，an"
hisauldeenwasfixedupo"t；an"a""athesaid，takin"nonoticeo"me，wasjist，"Thebirdiesisflutterin"；thebirdiesisflutterin"。"Ispak"tillhim，an"triedtoroosehim，wi"aethingafteranither，bitImichtasweelhaespokentothedoor-cheek，fora"thenoticethathetook。Neverawordhespak"，butaye"Thebirdiesisflutterin"。"Atlast，itcam"tomymin""atthebodywasayefu"o"aneo"thepsalmsinparticler；an"saeIjistsaidtillhimatlast："John，haeyeforgottenthetwenty-thirdpsalm？"
"Forgottenthetwenty-thirdpsalm！"quo"he；an"hisfacelightedupinamomentfraetheinside："TheLord"smyshepherd，——an"IhaefollowedHimthrougha"thesmorin"drifto"thewarl"，an"he"llbringmetothegreenpasturesan"thestillwaterso"Hissummer-kingdomatthelanglast。Ishallnotwant。An"Ihaewantedfornaething，naething。"Hehadbeenashepherdhimsel"in"syoungdays。Andsoonhegaed，wi"akin"o"apersonalcommentaryonthehaillpsalmfraebeginnin"toen"，andsynehejistfellbackintotheauldcroonin"sang，"Thebirdiesisflutterin"；thebirdiesisflutterin"。"Thelichtdeedooto"hisface，an"a"thatIcouldsaycouldna"bringbackthelichttohisface，northesensetohistongue。He"llsunebeinabetterwarl"。SaeIwasjistforcedtoleavehim。ButIpromisedhisdochter，puirbody，thatIwouldca"
againan"seehimthemorn"safternoon。It"suncodowiewarkforher；fortheyhaescarceaneeborwithinreacho"them，incaseo"achange；an"therehadhardlybeenacreatur"insideo"theirdoorforaweek。“
Thefollowingafternoon，Davidsetoutaccordingtohispromise。
Beforehisreturn，thewind，whichhadbeenthreateningtowakeallday，hadrisenrapidly，andnowblewasnowstormofitsown。WhenHughopenedthedoortotakehisusualwalktothecottage，justasdarknesswasbeginningtofall，thesighthesawmadehisyoungstrongheartdancewithdelight。Thesnowthatfellmadebutasmallpartofthewild，confusedturmoilanduproaroftheten-foldstorm。Forthewind，ravingoverthesurfaceofthesnow，which，asIhavealreadyexplained，laynearlyaslooseasdrysand，sweptitinthickfiercecloudsalongwithit，tearingitupandcastingitdownagainnoonecouldtellwhere——forthewholeairwasfilledwithdrift，astheycallthesnowwhenthusdriven。Afewhoursofthiswouldalterthefaceofthewholecountry，leavingsomepartsbare，andothersburiedbeneathheapsonheapsofsnow，calledheresnaw-wreaths。Forthewordsnow-wreathsdoesnotmeanthelovelygarlandshunguponeverytreeandbushinitsfeatheryfall；butawfulmoundsofdriftedsnow，thatmaybethesmooth，soft，whitesepulchresofdeadmen，smotheredinthelappingfoldsofthealmostsolidwind。Pathorwaywasnonebeforehim。Hecouldseenothingbutthesurfaceofaseaoffrothandfoam，asitappearedtohim，withthespraytornfromit，whirledinallshapesandcontortions，anddrivenineverydirection；butchiefly，inthemaindirectionofthewind，inlongslopingspiresofmistywhiteness，swiftasarrows，andaskeenuponthefaceofhimwhodaredtoopposethem。
Hughplungedintoitwithawildsenseoflifeandjoy。Inthecourseofhisshortwalk，however，ifwalkitcouldbecalled，whichwasonechainofplungingsandemergings，struggleswiththesnow，andwrestleswiththewind，hefeltthatitneedednotastoutheartonly，butsoundlungsandstronglimbsaswell，tobattlewiththestorm，evenforsuchadistance。Whenhereachedthecottage，hefoundJanetinconsiderableanxiety，notonlyaboutDavid，whohadnotyetreturned，butaboutMargaretaswell，whomshehadnotseenforsometime，andwhomustbeoutsomewhereinthestorm——“thewullhizzie。“Hughsuggestedthatshemighthavegonetomeetherfather。
“TheLordforbid！”ejaculatedJanet。“Theroadliesowerthetapo"
theHalshach，aseerieandbareaplaceaseverwashill-moss，wi"
neverascougorbieldin"t，fraethetaesidetothetither。Thewin"therejistgangscleanwuda"thegither。An"there"smonyawell-eeforbye，thatginyefellintill"t，yewudnevercomeattheboddomo"t。TheLordpreserve"s！Iwis"Dawvidwashame。“
“Howcouldyoulethimgo，Janet？”
“Lathimgang，laddie！It"sastrangtow"atwadhaudorbin"
Dawvid，whanheconsidershebudtogang，an""twereintilladeil"sbyke。ButI"mnothatfearedaboothim。Imaistbelievehe"sunderspecialprotection，ifevermanwasorouchttobe；an"he"snomorefearedatthestorm，norginthesnawwasangels"feathersflauchterin"ooto"theirwingsa"aboothim。ButI"mnoeasyi"mymin"abootMaggy——thewullhizzie！Ginshebemeetin"herfather，an"chancetomisshim，theLordkenswhatmaycomeo"her。“
Hughtriedtocomforther，butallthatcouldbedonewastowaitDavid"sreturn。Thestormseemedtoincreaseratherthanabateitsforce。ThefootprintsHughhadmade，hadallbutvanishedalreadyattheverydoorofthehouse，whichstoodquiteintheshelterofthefir-wood。Astheylookedout，adarkfigureappearedwithinayardortwoofthehouse。
“TheLordgrantitbemybairn！”prayedpoorJanet。ButitwasDavid，andalone。Janetgaveashriek。
“Dawvid，whaur"sMaggie？”
“Ihaenaseenthebairn，“repliedDavid，inrepressedperturbation。
“She"snotheroot，isshe，thenicht？”
“She"snoathame，Dawvid，that"sa""atIken。“
“Whaurgaedshe？”
“TheLordkens。She"ssmooredi"thesnawbythistime。“
“She"si"theLord"shan"s，Janet，besheaneathasnaw-vraith。
Dinnaforgetthat，wuman。Hoolangis"tsin"yemissedher？”
“Anhouran"mair——Idinnakenhoolang。I"mcleandoititwi"
dreid。“
“I"llawa"an"leukforher。JusthaudthehertinhertillIcomeback，Mr。Sutherlan"。“
“Iwon"tbeleftbehind，David。I"mgoingwithyou。“
“Yedinnakenwhatye"resayin"，Mr。Sutherlan"。Iwadsunehaetwao"yetoseekinplaceo"ane。“
“Neverheedme；I"mgoingonmyownaccount，comewhatmay。“
“Weel，weel；Idownabidetodiffer。I"mgaeinuptheburn-side；
baudyeowertothefarm，andspierginonybody"sseenher；an"thelads"llbeouttoleukforherinajiffey。Mypuirlassie！”
Thesighthatmusthaveaccompaniedthelastwords，waslostinthewind，astheyvanishedinthedarkness。Janetfellonherkneesinthekitchen，withthedoorwideopen，andthewinddriftinginthepowderysnow，andscatteringitwiththeashesfromthehearthoverthefloor。Apictureofmorethoroughdesolationcanhardlybeimagined。Shesooncametoherself，however；andreflectingthat，ifthelostchildwasfound，theremustbeawarmbedtoreceiveher，elseshemightbeasecondtimelost，sheroseandshutthedoor，andmendedthefire。Itwasasifthedumbattitudeofherprayerwasanswered；forthoughshehadneverspokenoreventhoughtaword，strengthwasrestoredtoherdistractedbrain。Whenshehadmadeeverypreparationshecouldthinkof，shewenttothedooragain，openedit，andlookedout。Itwasaregionofhowlingdarkness，tossedaboutbypalesnow-drifts；outofwhichitseemedscarcemorehopefulthatwelcomefaceswouldemerge，thanthattheyshouldreturntooureyesfromthevastunknowninwhichtheyvanishatlast。Sheclosedthedooroncemore，andknowingnothingelsetobedone，satdownonachair，withherhandsonherknees，andhereyesfixedonthedoor。Theclockwentonwithitsslowswing，tic——tac，tic——tac，anutterlyinhumantime-measurer；butsheheardthesoundofeverysecond，throughthemidstoftheuproarinthefir-trees，whichbenttheirtallheadshissingtotheblast，andswingingaboutintheagonyoftheirstrife。Theminuteswentby，tillanhourwasgone，andtherewasneithersoundnorhearing，butofthestormandtheclock。Stillshesatandstared，hereyesfixedonthedoor-latch。Suddenly，withoutwarningitwaslifted，andthedooropened。Herheartboundedandflutteredlikeastartledbird；butalas！thefirstwordssheheardwere：“Isshenocomeyet？”Itwasherhusband，followedbyseveralofthefarmservants。Hehadmadeacircuittothefarm，andfindingthatHughhadneverbeenthere，hoped，thoughwithtrembling，thatMargarethadalreadyreturnedhome。ThequestionfelluponJanet"sheartlikethesoundoftheearthonthecoffin-lid，andhersilentstarewastheonlyanswerDavidreceived。
Butatthatverymoment，likeadeadmanburstfromthetomb，enteredfrombehindthepartyattheopendoor，silentandwhite，withrigidfeaturesandfixedeyes，Hugh。Hestumbledin，leaningforwardwithlongstrides，anddraggingsomethingbehindhim。Hepushedandstaggeredthroughthemasifhesawnothingbeforehim；
andastheypartedhorror-stricken，theysawthatitwasMargaret，orherdeadbody，thathedraggedafterhim。Hedroppedherathermother"sfeet，andfellhimselfonthefloor，beforetheywereabletogivehimanysupport。David，whowasquitecalm，gotthewhiskybottleout，andtriedtoadministersometoMargaretfirst；butherteethwerefirmlyset，andtoallappearanceshewasdead。OneoftheyoungmensucceededbetterwithHugh，whomatDavid"sdirectiontheytookintothestudy；whileheandJanetgotMargaretundressedandputtobed，withhotbottlesallabouther；forinwarmthlaytheonlyhopeofrestoringher。Aftershehadlainthusforawhile，shegaveasigh；andwhentheyhadsucceededingettinghertoswallowsomewarmmilk，shebegantobreathe，andsoonseemedtobeonlyfastasleep。Afterhalfanhour"srestandwarming，Hughwasabletomoveandspeak。Davidwouldnotallowhimtosaymuch，however，butgothimtobed，sendingwordtothehousethathecouldnotgohomethatnight。HeandJanetsatbythefiresideallnight，listeningtothestormthatstillravedwithout，andthankingGodforbothofthelives。Everyfewminutesatip-toeexcursionwasmadetothebedside，andnowandthentotheotherroom。Boththepatientssleptquietly。TowardsmorningMargaretopenedhereyes，andfaintlycalledhermother；butsoonfellasleeponcemore，anddidnotawakeagaintillnearlynoon。Whensufficientlyrestoredtobeabletospeak，theaccountshegavewas，thatshehadsetouttomeetherfather；butthestormincreasing，shehadthoughtitmoreprudenttoturn。Itgrewinviolence，however，sorapidly，andbeatsodirectlyinherface，thatshewassoonexhaustedwithstruggling，andbenumbedwiththecold。Thelastthingsherememberedwas，dropping，asshethought，intoahole，andfeelingasifsheweregoingtosleepinbed，yetknowingitwasdeath；andthinkinghowmuchsweeteritwasthansleep。Hugh"saccountwasverystrangeanddefective，buthewasneverabletoaddanythingtoit。Hesaidthat，whenherushedoutintothedark，thestormseizedhimlikeafury，beatinghimabouttheheadandfacewithicywings，tillhewasalmoststunned。Hetooktheroadtothefarm，whichlaythroughthefir-wood；buthesoonbecameawarethathehadlosthiswayandmighttrampaboutinthefir-woodtilldaylight，ifhelivedaslong。Then，thinkingofMargaret，helosthispresenceofmind，andrushedwildlyalong。Hethoughthemusthaveknockedhisheadagainstthetrunkofatree，buthecouldnottell；forherememberednothingmorebutthathefoundhimselfdraggingMargaret，withhisarmsroundher，throughthesnow，andnearingthelightinthecottage-window。Whereorhowhehadfoundher，orwhatthelightwasthathewasapproaching，hehadnottheleastidea。HehadonlyavaguenotionthathewasrescuingMargaretfromsomethingdreadful。Margaret，forherpart，hadnorecollectionofreachingthefir-wood，andas，longbeforemorning，alltraceswereobliterated，thefactsremainedamystery。JanetthoughtthatDavidhadsomewonderfulpersuasionaboutit；buthewasneverheardeventospeculateonthesubject。Certainitwas，thatHughhadsavedMargaret"slife。Heseemedquitewellnextday，forhewasofaverypowerfulandenduringframeforhisyears。Sherecoveredmoreslowly，andperhapsneveraltogetherovercametheeffectsofDeath"sembracethatnight。FromthemomentwhenMargaretwasbroughthome，thestormgraduallydiedaway，andbythemorningallwasstill；butmanystarryandmoonlitnightsglimmeredandpassed，beforethatsnowwasmeltedawayfromtheearth；andmanyanightJanetawokefromhersleepwithacry，thinkingsheheardherdaughtermoaning，deepinthesmoothoceanofsnow，andcouldnotfindwhereshelay。
TheoccurrencesofthisdreadfulnightcouldnotlessentheinteresthiscottagefriendsfeltinHugh；andalongwinterpassedwithdailyandlengtheningcommunionbothinstudyandingeneralconversation。Ifearsomeofmyyoungerreaderswillthinkmystoryslow；andsay：“What！aretheynotgoingtofallinlovewitheachotheryet？Wehavebeenexpectingiteversolong。“Ihavetwoanswerstomaketothis。Thefirstis：“Idonotpretendtoknowsomuchaboutloveasyou——excuseme——thinkyoudo；andmustconfess，I
donotknowwhethertheywereinlovewitheachotherornot。“Thesecondis：“ThatIdarenotpretendtounderstandthoroughlysuchasacredmysteryastheheartofMargaret；andIshouldfeelitratherworsethanpresumptuoustotalkasifIdid。EvenHugh"sisknowntomeonlybygleamsoflightthrown，nowandthen，andhereandthere，uponit。“Perhapsthetwoanswersareonlythesameanswerindifferentshapes。
Mrs。Glasford，however，wouldeasilyanswerthequestion，ifananswerisallthatiswanted；forshe，notwithstandingthefactsofthestory，whichshecouldnotfailtohaveheardcorrectlyfromthebestauthority，andnotwithstandingthenatureofthenight，whichmighthaveseemedsufficienttooverthrowherconclusions，uniformlyremarked，asoftenastheirescapewasalludedtoinherhearing，“Latthemtak"itTheyhadnobusinesstobeootabootthegither。“
CHAPTERXV。
TRANSITION。
Tellme，brightboy，tellme，mygoldenlad，Whitherawaysofrolic？Whysoglad？
Whatallthywealthincouncil？allthystate？
Arehuskssodear？troth，"tisamightyrate。
RICHARDCRASHAW。
ThelongScotchwinterpassedbywithoutanyinterruptiontothegrowingfriendship。Butthespringbroughtachange；andHughwasseparatedfromhisfriendssoonerthanhehadanticipated，bymorethansixmonths。Forhismotherwrotetohimingreatdistress，inconsequenceofaclaimmadeuponherforsomedebtwhichhisfatherhadcontracted，veryprobablyforHugh"sownsake。Hughcouldnotbearthatanysuchshouldremainundischarged，orthathisfather"snameshouldnotrestinpeaceaswellashisbodyandsoul。Herequested，therefore，fromthelaird，theamountduetohim，anddespatchedalmostthewholeofitfortheliquidationofthisdebt，sothathewasnowasunprovidedasbeforefortheexpensesofthecomingwinteratAberdeen。But，aboutthesametime，afellow-studentwrotetohimwithnewsofasituationforthesummer，worththreetimesasmuchashispresentone，andtobeprocuredthroughhisfriend"sinterest。Hughhavingengagedhimselftothelairdonlyforthewinter，althoughhehadintendedtostaytillthecommencementofthefollowingsession，feltthat，althoughhewouldmuchratherremainwherehewas，hemustnothesitateamomenttoaccepthisfriend"soffer；andthereforewroteatonce。
Iwillnotattempttodescribetheparting。Itwasveryquiet，butverysolemnandsad。JanetshowedfarmoredistressthanMargaret，forsheweptoutright。ThetearsstoodinDavid"seyes，ashegraspedtheyouth"shandinsilence。Margaretwasverypale；thatwasall。AssoonasHughdisappearedwithherfather，whowasgoingtowalkwithhimtothevillagethroughwhichthecoachpassed，shehurriedaway，andwenttothefir-woodforcomfort。
HughfoundhisnewsituationinPerthshireverydifferentfromthelast。Theheadsofthefamilybeingthemselvesaladyandagentleman，hefoundhimselfagentlemantoo。Hehadmoretodo，buthisworklefthimplentyofleisurenotwithstanding。Agoodportionofhissparetimehedevotedtoverse-making，towhichhefeltagrowingimpulse；andwhatevermayhavebeenthemeritofhiscompositions，theydidhimintellectualgoodatleast，ifitwereonlythroughtheprocessoftheirconstruction。HewrotetoDavidafterhisarrival，tellinghimallabouthisnewsituation；andreceivedinreturnaletterfromMargaret，writtenatherfather"sdictation。Themechanicalpartofletter-writingwasratherlaborioustoDavid；butMargaretwrotewell，inconsequenceofthenumberofpapers，ofonesortandanother，whichshehadwrittenforHugh。Threeorfourlettersmorepassedbetweenthematlengtheningintervals。Thentheyceased——onHugh"ssidefirst；until，whenonthepointofleavingforAberdeen，feelingsomewhatconscience-strickenatnothavingwrittenforsolong，hescribbledanotetoinformthemofhisapproachingdeparture，promisingtoletthemknowhisaddressassoonashefoundhimselfsettled。Willitbebelievedthatthesessionwentbywithouttheredemptionofthispledge？Surelyhecouldnothavefelt，toanyapproximatedegree，theamountofobligationhewasundertohishumblefriends。
Perhaps，indeed，hemayhavethoughtthattheobligationwasprincipallyontheirside；asitwouldhavebeen，ifintellectualassistancecouldoutweighheart-kindness，andspiritualimpulseandenlightenment；for，unconsciouslyinagreatmeasuretohimself，hehadlearnedfromDavidtoregardinanewandmorerealaspect，manyofthosetruthswhichhehadhithertoreceivedastrue，andwhichyethadtillthenproducedinhimnootherthanafeelingofthecommon-placeanduninterestingatthebest。
Besidesthis，andmanycognateadvantages，athousandseedsoftruthmusthavesurelyremainedinhismind，droppedtherefromthesametongueofwisdom，andonlywaitingthefriendlyaidofahardwinter，breakingupthecold，selfishclodsofclay，toshareinthelovelinessofanewspring，andbeperfectedinthebeautyofanewsummer。
Howeverthismayhavebeen，itiscertainthatheforgothisoldfriendsfarmorethanhehimselfcouldhavethoughtitpossibleheshould；for，tomakethebestofit，youthiseasilyattractedandfilledwiththepresentshow，andeasilyforgetsthatwhich，fromdistanceintimeorspace，hasnoshowtoshow。Spendinghiseveningsinthemidstofmerryfaces，andreadytonguesfluentwiththetonesofjollity，ifnotalwaysofwit，whichglidedsometimesintonotooearnestdiscussionofthedifficultsubjectsoccupyingtheirstudenthours；surroundedbythevapoursofwhisky-toddy，andthesmokeofcuttypipes，tillfarintotheshorthours；thenhurryinghome，andlapsingintounrefreshingslumbersoverintendedstudy；orsittingupallnighttopreparethetaskswhichhadbeenneglectedforaballoraneveningwithWilson，thegreatinterpreterofScottishsong——itishardlytobewonderedatthatheshouldlosethefinerconsciousnessofhigherpowersanddeeperfeelings，notfromanybehaviourinitselfwrong，butfromthehurry，noise，andtumultinthestreetsoflife，that，penetratingtoodeepintothehouseoflife，dazedandstupefiedthesilentandlonelywatcherinthechamberofconscience，farapart。Hehadnotimetothinkorfeel。
Thesessiondrewtoaclose。Heeschewedallidleness；shuthimselfup，afterclasshours，withhisbooks；atelittle，studiedhard，sleptirregularly，workingalwaysbestbetweenmidnightandtwointhemorning；carriedthefirsthonoursinmostofhisclasses；andatlengthbreathedfreely，butwithadizzybrain，andafacethatrevealed，inpalecheeks，andred，wearyeyes，theresultsofanexcessofmentallabour——anexcesswhichisasinjuriousasanyotherkindofintemperance，themoraldegradationalonekeptoutofview。Proudofhissuccess，hesatdownandwroteashortnote，withasimplestatementofit，toDavid；hoping，inhissecretmind，thathewouldattributehisprevioussilencetoanabsorptioninstudywhichhadnotexistedbeforetheendofthesessionwasquiteathand。Nowthathehadmoretimeforreflection，hecouldnotbeartheideathatthatnoblerusticfaceshouldlookdisapprovinglyor，stillworse，coldlyuponhim；andhecouldnothelpfeelingasiftheoldploughmanhadtakentheplaceofhisfather，astheonlymanofwhomhemuststandinawe，andwhohadarighttoreprovehim。Hedidreprovehimnow，thoughunintentionally。ForDavidwasdelightedathavingsuchgoodnewsfromhim；andtheuneasinesswhichhehadfelt，butneverquiteexpressed，wasalmostsweptawayintheconclusion，thatitwasunreasonabletoexpecttheyoungmantogivehistimetothembothabsentandpresent，especiallywhenhehadbeenoccupiedtosuchgoodpurposeasthislettersignified。Sohewasnearlyatpeaceabouthim——thoughnotquite。Hughreceivedfromhimthefollowingletterinreplytohis；dictated，asusual，tohissecretary，Margaret：——
“MYDEARSIR，“Ye"llbeagreatmansomeday，ginyehaudatit。Butthingsmaunnabegottenattheoutlayo"mairthanthey"reworth。Ye"llkenwhatImean。An"there"sbetterthingsnorbein"agreatman，eftera"。ForgiethelibertyItak"inremin"in"yeo"siclike。
I"monlyremin"in"yeo"whatyekenweelaneuch。Butye"reabravelad，an"yehaebeenanuncofrien"tomean"mine；an"IpraytheLordtothankyeforme，foryehaedunemuckleguidtohisbairns——meanin"mean"mine。It"sverrakin"o"yetovritetill"sintheverramomento"victory；butweelyekentthatamida"yerfrien"s——an"yecannafailtohaemonyaane，wi"aheadan"afacelikeyours——therewasnaane——na，noane，thatwadrejoicemairoweryoursuccessthanJanet，ormydoo，Maggie，oryerainauldobleegedfrien"an"servant，“DAVIDELGINBROD。
“P。S——We"rea"weel，an"uncoblytheatyourletter。
Maggy——
“P。S。2——DearMr。Sutherland，——Iwrotealltheaboveatmyfather"sdictation，andjustashesaidit，forIthoughtyouwouldlikehisScotchbetterthanmyEnglish。MymotherandImyselfarerejoicedatthegoodnews。Mymotherfairlygratoutright。IgaedouttothetreewhereImetyoufirst。IwondersairsometimesifyouwastheangelIwastomeetinthefir-wood。Iam，“Yourobedientservant，“MARGARETELGINBROD。“
ThislettercertainlytouchedHugh。ButhecouldnothelpfeelingratheroffendedthatDavidshouldwritetohiminsuchawarningtone。Hehadneveraddressedhiminthisfashionwhenhesawhimeveryday。Indeed，Davidcouldnotveryeasilyhavespokentohimthus。Butwritingisadifferentthing；andmenwhoarenotmuchaccustomedtouseapen，oftenassumeamoresolemntoneindoingso，asifitwereaceremonythatrequiredstate。AsforDavid，havingbeenalittleuneasyaboutHugh，andnotmuchafraidofoffendinghim——forhedidnotknowhisweaknessesverythoroughly，anddidnottakeintoaccounttheeffectoftheveryfallingawaywhichhedreaded，inincreasinginhimpride，andthatimpatienceofthegentlestreproofnaturaltoeveryman——hefeltconsiderablyrelievedafterhehaddischargedhisdutyinthismementovivere。
Butoneoftheresults，andaveryunexpectedone，was，thatayetlongerperiodelapsedbeforeHughwroteagaintoDavid。Hemeanttodoso，andmeanttodoso；but，asoftenasthethoughtoccurredtohim，wascheckedbothbyconsciousnessandbypride。Somuchcontributes，nottheevilalonethatisinus，butthegoodalsosometimes，toholdusbackfromdoingthethingweoughttodo。
ItnowremainedforHughtolookaboutforsomeoccupation。Thestateofhisfundsrenderedimmediateemploymentabsolutelynecessary；andastherewasonlyonewayinwhichhecouldearnmoneywithoutyetfurtherpreparation，hemustbetakehimselftothatway，ashehaddonebefore，inthehopethatitwouldleadtosomethingbetter。Atallevents，itwouldgivehimtimetolookabouthim，andmakeuphismindforthefuture。Manyaone，towhomtheoccupationofatutorisfarmoreirksomethanitwastoHugh，iscompelledtoturnhisacquirementstothisimmediateaccount；
and，oncegoinginthisgroove，cannevergetoutofitagain。ButHughwashopefulenoughtothink，thathisreputationattheuniversitywouldstandhiminsomestead；and，howevermuchhewouldhavedislikedthethoughtofbeingatutorallhisdays，occupyingakindofneutralterritorybetweenthepositionofagentlemanandthatofamenial，hehadenoughofstrongSaxongoodsensetopreventhim，despitehisHighlandpride，fromseeinganygreathardshipinlabouringstillforalittlewhile，ashehadlabouredhitherto。Buthehopedtofindasituationmoredesirablethaneitherofthosehehadoccupiedbefore；and，withthisexpectation，lookedtowardstheSouth，asmostScotchmendo，indulgingthenationalimpulsetospoiltheEgyptians。Nordidhelooklong，sendinghistentaclesafloatineverydirection，beforeheheard，throughmeansofacollegefriend，ofjustsuchasituationashewanted，inthefamilyofagentlemanoffortuneinthecountyofSurrey，notmuchmorethantwentymilesfromLondon。Thishewasfortunateenoughtoobtainwithoutdifficulty。
Margaretwaslikewiseontheeveofachange。Shestoodlikeayoungfledgedbirdontheedgeofthenest，readytotakeitsfirstlongflight。Itwasnecessarythatsheshoulddosomethingforherself，notsomuchfromthecompulsionofimmediatecircumstances，asinprospectofthefuture。Herfatherwasnotanoldman，butatbesthecouldleaveonlyatrifleathisdeath；andifJanetoutlivedhim，shewouldprobablyrequireallthat，andwhatlabourshewouldthenbecapableofaswell，tosupportherself。Margaretwasanxious，too，thoughnottobeindependent，yet，nottobeburdensome。BothDavidandJanetsawthat，byherpeculiartastesandhabits，shehadseparatedherselfsofarfromthecirclearoundher，thatshecouldneverhopetobequitecomfortableinthatneighbourhood。Itwasnotthatbyanymeansshedespisedorrefusedthelabourscommontotheyoungwomenofthecountry；but，allthingsconsidered，theythoughtthatsomethingmoresuitableforhermightbeprocured。
Thelaird"sladycontinuedtobehavetoherinthemostsuperciliousfashion。TheverydayofHugh"sdeparture，shehadchancedtomeetMargaretwalkingalonewithabook，thistimeunopened，inherhand。
Mrs。Glasfordstopped。Margaretstoppedtoo，expectingtobeaddressed。Theladylookedather，allover，fromheadtofoot，asifcriticallyexaminingtheappearanceofananimalshethoughtofpurchasing；then，withoutaword，butwithacontemptuoustossofthehead，passedon，leavingpoorMargaretbothangryandashamed。
ButDavidwasmuchrespectedbythegentryoftheneighbourhood，withwhomhisposition，asthelaird"ssteward，broughthimnotunfrequentlyintocontact；andtoseveralofthemhementionedhisdesireoffindingsomesituationforMargaret。Janetcouldnotbeartheideaofherlady-bairnleavingthem，toencountertheworldalone；butDavid，thoughhecouldnothelpsometimesfeelingasimilarpang，wasabletotaketohimselfheartycomfortfromthethought，thatiftherewasanysafetyforherinherfather"shouse，therecouldnotbelessinherheavenlyFather"s，inanynookofwhichshewasasfullinHiseye，andasnearHisheart，asintheirowncottage。Hefeltthatanxietyinthiscase，asineveryother，wouldjustbealackofconfidenceinGod，tosupposewhichjustifiablewouldbeequivalenttosayingthatHehadnotfixedthefoundationsoftheearththatitshouldnotbemoved；thatHewasnottheLordofLife，northeFatherofHischildren；inshort，thatasparrowcouldfalltothegroundwithoutHim，andthatthehairsofourheadarenotnumbered。Janetadmittedallthis，butsighednevertheless。SodidDavidtoo，attimes；forheknewthatthesparrowmustfall；thatmanyadivinetruthishardtolearn，all-blessedasitiswhenlearned；andthatsorrowandsufferingmustcometoMargaret，ereshecouldbefashionedintotheperfectionofachildofthekingdom。Still，shewasassafeabroadasathome。
Anelderlyladyoffortunewasonavisittooneofthefamiliesintheneighbourhood。Shewasinwantofalady"s-maid，anditoccurredtothehousekeeperthatMargaretmightsuither。Thiswasnotquitewhatherparentswouldhavechosen，buttheyallowedhertogoandseethelady。Margaretwasdelightedwiththebenevolent-lookinggentlewoman；andshe，onherpart，wasquitecharmedwithMargaret。Itwastruesheknewnothingofthedutiesoftheoffice；butthepresentmaid，whowasleavingonthebestofterms，wouldsooninitiateherintoitsmysteries。AndDavidandJanetweresomuchpleasedwithMargaret"saccountoftheinterview，thatDavidhimselfwenttoseethelady。ThesightofhimonlyincreasedherdesiretohaveMargaret，whomshesaidshewouldtreatlikeadaughter，ifonlyshewerehalfasgoodasshelooked。
BeforeDavidlefther，thematterwasarranged；andwithinamonth，Margaretwasborneinhermistress"scarriage，awayfromfatherandmotherandcottage-home。
ENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK。