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