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