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