FOOT-FARING。
Itwasalovelymorninginthefirstofsummer。DonalGrantwasdescendingapathonahillsidetothevalleybelow——asheep-trackofwhichhekneweverywindingaswellasanyboyhishalf-miletoandfromschool。Buthehadneverbeforegonedownthehillwiththefeelingthathewasnotabouttogoupagain。Hewasonhiswaytopasturesverynew，andinthedistanceonlynegativelyinviting。
Buthisheartwastoofulltobetroubled——norwashisahearttoharbouracare，thenextthingtoanevilspirit，thoughnotquitesobad；foronecaremaydriveoutanother，whileonedevilissuretobringinanother。
Agreatbillowywasteofmountainslaybeyondhim，amongstwhichplayedtheshadowattheirgamesofhideandseek——graciouslymerryintheeyesofthehappyman，butsadlysolemnintheeyesofhiminwhoseheartthedrearythoughtsofthepastareatalikegame。
BehindDonallayaworldofdreamsintowhichhedarednotturnandlook，yetfromwhichhecouldscarceaverthiseyes。
Hewasnearingthefootofthehillwhenhestumbledandalmostfell，butrecoveredhimselfwiththeagilityofamountaineer，andtheunpleasantknowledgethatthesoleofoneofhisshoeswasallbutoff。Neverhadhelefthomeforcollegethathisfatherhadnotmadepersonalinspectionofhisshoestoseethattheywerefitforthejourney，butonthisdeparturetheyhadbeenforgotten。Hesatdownandtookoffthefailingequipment。Itwastoofargonetodoanythingtemporarywithit；andofdiscomfortsaloosesoletoone'sshoeinwalkingisoftheworst。Theonlythingwastotakeofftheothershoeandbothstockingsandgobarefoot。Hetiedalltogetherwithapieceofstring，madethemfasttohisdeerskinknapsack，andresumedhiswalk。Thethingdidnottroublehimmuch。Tohavewhatwewantisriches，buttobeabletodowithoutispower。Tohaveshoesisagoodthing；tobeabletowalkwithoutthemisabetter。
ButitwaslongsinceDonalhadwalkedbarefoot，andhefoundhisfeetlikehisshoe，weakerinthesolethanwaspleasant。
“It'stime，“hesaidtohimself，whenhefoundhewassteppinggingerly，“Iga'emyfeetaturnattheauldaccomplishment。It'sapitytogrownaesofitforonythingsunernoryeneed。Iwadliketoliedoonatlastwi'hardsoles！”
Ineverystreamhecametohebathedhisfeet，andoftenonthewayrestedthem，whenotherwiseableenoughtogoon。Hehadnocertaingoal，thoughheknewhisdirection，andwasinnohaste。HehadconfidenceinGodandinhisownpowersasthegiftofGod，andknewthatwhereverhewentheneedednotbehungrylong，evenshouldthelittlemoneyinhispocketbespent。Itisbettertotrustinworkthaninmoney：Godneverbuysanything，andisforeveratwork；butifanyonetrustinwork，hehastolearnthathemusttrustinnothingbutstrength——theself-existent，originalstrengthonly；andDonalGranthadlongbeguntolearnthat。Themanhasbeguntobestrongwhoknowsthat，separatedfromlifeessential，heisweaknessitself，that，onewithhisorigin，hewillbeofstrengthinexhaustible。Donalwasnowdescendingtheheightsofyouthtowalkalongtheking'shighroadofmanhood：happyhewho，ashissunisgoingdownbehindthewestern，ishimselfascendingtheeasternhill，returningthrougholdagetothesecondandbetterchildhoodwhichshallnotbetakenfromhim！Hewhoturnshisbackonthesettingsungoestomeettherisingsun；hewholoseshislifeshallfindit。Donalhadlosthispast——butnotsoastobeashamed。
Therearemanywaysoflosing！Hispasthadbutcrept，likethedead，backtoGodwhogaveit；inbettershapeitwouldbehisbyandby！Alreadyhehadbeguntoforeshadowthistruth：Godwouldkeepitforhim。
Hehadsetoutbeforethesunwasup，forhewouldnotbemetbyfriendsoracquaintances。Avoidingthewell-knownfarmhousesandoccasionalvillage，hetookhiswayuptheriver，andaboutnooncametoahamletwherenooneknewhim——aclusterofstraw-roofedcottages，lowandwhite，withtwolittlewindowseach。Hewalkedstraightthroughitnotmeaningtostop；but，spyinginfrontofthelastcottagearoughstoneseatunderalow，widespreadingeldertree，wastemptedtositdownandrestalittle。Thedaywasnowhot，andtheshadowofthetreeinviting。
Hehadbutseatedhimselfwhenawomancametothedoorofthecottage，lookedathimforamoment，andprobablythinkinghim，fromhisbarefeet，poorerthanhewas，said——
“Wadyelikeadrink？”
“Ay，wadI，“answeredDonal，“——adrinko'watter，gienyeplease。“
“Whatfornomilk？”askedthewoman。
“'CauseI'mabletopeyfor't，“answeredDonal。
“Iwantnaepeyment，“sherejoined，perceivinghisdriftaslittleasprobablymyreader。
“An'Iwantnaemilk，“returnedDonal。
“Weel，yemaypeyfor'tgienyelike，“sherejoined。
“ButIdinnalike，“repliedDonal。
“Weel，ye'reasomequeercustomer！”sheremarked。
“Ithankye，butI'mnaecustomer，'cep'foradrinko'watter，“hepersisted，lookinginherfacewithasmile；“an'watterhasayebeengr鈚issin'thedayso'Adam——'cep'maybei'toonsi'thehetpairtso'thewarl'。“
Thewomanturnedintothecottage，andcameoutagainpresentlywithadelftbasin，holdingaboutapint，fullofmilk，yellowandrich。
“There！”shesaid；“drinkan'bethankfu'。“
“I'llbethankfu'ohndrunken，“saidDonal。“Ithankyewi'a'myheart。ButIcannabidetotakfornaethingwhatIcanpeyfor，an'
IdinnaliketolayootmysilleruponaluxuryIcanweeleneuchduwantin'，forIhaenamuckle。Iwadnabeshabbynoryetgreedy。“
“Drinkfortheloveo'God，“saidthewoman。
Donaltookthebowlfromherhand，anddranktillallwasgone。
“Wullyehaeadrapmair？”sheasked。
“Na，noadrap，“answeredDonal。“I'llgangi'thestren'tho'thatyehaegi'enme——maybenojistfortydays，gudewife，butmairnorfortyminutes，an'that'sagudepairto'aday。Ithankyehertily。Yonwasthemilko'humankin'ness，gieneverwasony。“
Ashespokeherose，andstooduprefreshedforhisjourney。
“Ihaeasodgerladdieawa'i'thehetpairtsyespako'，“saidthewoman：“gienyehadnata'enthemilk，yewadhaegi'enmeasairhert。“
“Eh，gudewife，itwadhaegi'enmeanetothinkIhad！”returnedDonal。“TheLordgieyebackyersodgerladdiesafean'soon'！
MaybeI'llhaetogangefter'im，sodgermysel'。“
“Na，na，thatwadnado。Ye'reascholar——that'seasytosee，fora'
ye'resaeplainspoken。Itdisabody'shertguidtohearaman'atun'erstan'sthingssaythemplainooti'thetonguehismithertauchthim。Sicaane'illgangstrauchttill'smakker，an'fin'
a'thingtherehame-like。Lord，Iwussminnisterswadspeyklikeitherfowk！”
“Yewadsairpleasemymithersayin'that，“remarkedDonal。“Yemaunbejistsicanitherasher！”
“Weel，comein，an'sityedoonooto'thesin，an'haesomethingtoait。“
“Na，I'lltaknaemairfraeyetheday，an'Ithankye，“repliedDonal；“Icannaweelbide。“
“Whatforno？”
“It'snosaemuckle'atI'minahurryas'atImaunbeduin'。“
“Whaurareyeb'un'for，gienabodymayspeir？”
“I'mgaein'toseek——nomyfortin，butmydailybreid。GienIspakasarichtman，IwadsayIwasgaein'toluikforthewarksetme。
I'mfearttosaythatstrauchtoot；Ihaenawonsaefarasthatyet。Iwinnadunaethingthough'athewadnahaemedu。Idaurtosaythat——saebeIun'erstan'。Mymithersaystheday'illcomewhanI'llcarefornaethingbuthiswull。“
“Yermither'illbeJanetGrant，I'mthinkin'！Therecannabetwasicinaecountry-side！”
“Ye'rei'thericht，“answeredDonal。“Kenyemymither？”
“Ihaeseenher；an'toseeher'stokenher。“
“Ay，gienwhaseesherbesiclike'shersel'。“
“Icannapreten'tothat；butshe'sweelkentthrou'a'thecountryforaGod-fearin'wuman——An'whaur'llyebeforthenoo？”
“I'mjistupo'thetramp，luikin'forwark。“
“An'whatmayyebepleasttoca'wark？”
“Ow，jistthecommunicationo'whatIhaetheun'erstan'in'o'。“
“Aweel，gienye'llcondescen'toadvicefraeanauldwife，I'llgieyeabitwi'ye：taknailkalassyeseeforabornangel。Misdoobtheraweetobeginwi'。Hingupyerjeedgmento'herawee。Luiktothemoo'an'thee'eno'her。“
“Ithankye，“saidDonal，withasmile，inwhichthewomanspiedthesadness；“I'mnoliketoneedtheadvice。“
Shelookedathimpitifully，andpaused。
“Gienyecomethisgaitagain，“shesaid，“ye'llnogangbymydoor？”
“Iwullno，“repliedDonal，andwishinghergood-byewithagratefulheart，betookhimselftohisjourney。
Hehadnotgonefarwhenhefoundhimselfonawidemoor。Hesatdownonabigstone，andbegantoturnthingsoverinhismind。
Thisishowhisthoughtswent：
“IcanneverbethemanIwas！Thethouchto'myheart'sta'enfraeme！IcannathinkabootthingsasIused。There'snaethingsaebonnyasafore。Whanthelifeslipsfraehim，hoocanamangangonlivin'！YetI'mnodeid——that'swhatmaksthediffeecletyo'thesituation！GienIwardeid——weel，Ikennawhatthan！I
doobttherewadbetriblestill，thoughsomethingsmichtbelichter。Butthat'sneitherherenorthere；Imaunlive；Ihaenaech'ice；Ididnamakmysel'，an'I'mnogaein'tomeddlewi'mysel'！
Ithinkmairo'mysel'nordaurthat！
“Butthere'saequestionImaunsattleaforeIgangfarther——an'
that'sthis：amItobelessormairnorIwasafore？It'sagreedI
cannabethesame：ifIcannabethesame，ImaunaitherbelessorgreaterthanIwasafore：whilko'themis'ttobe？Iwinnahaethatquestontospeirmairnorance！I'llbemairnorIwas。Tosinktolesswadbetolowsegripo'mypastasweel'so'myfutur！
An'hoowadIeverluikheri'thefacegienIgrewlessbecauseo'
her！Achiel'likemelatabonnylassiethinkhersel'toblameforwhatIgrewtil！An'there'sagreaternorthelasstobeconsidert！'CauseheseesnafittogiemeherIwadhae，ishenotohaehiswullo'me？It'sagran'thingtokenalassielikeyon，an'agran'erthingyettobeallooedtolo'eher：tositdownan'
greit'causeI'mnotomerryher，wadbemostoongratefu'！WhatforsudIthreip'atIouchttohaeher？WhatforsudnaIbedisapp'intitasweelasanither？Ihaeasguidarichttoonyguid'at'stocomeo'that，Ifancy！Gienitbeaman'spairttocairryasairhert，itcannabehispairttositdoonwi''tupo'thero'd-side，an'lay'tupo'hislap，an'greitower't，likeabairnwi'acuttitfinger：hemaunhaudonhisro'd。WhaamItodifferfraethelaveo'myfowk！Is'belikethelave，an'gienIgreitI
winnagirn。TheLordhimsel'hadtobecroontwi'pain。Eh，mybonniedoo！Butyelo'eabetterman，an'that'sasaircomfort！
Gienithadbeenitherwise，IdivnotthinkIcouldhaebornethepainatmyhert。Butasit'sguidan'noill'at'scometoye，I
haenayouan'mysel'tutogreitfor，an'that'sasaircomfort！
Lord，I'llclim'tothee，an'gaithero'thehealin''atgrowsforthenationsi'thygairden。
“Iseethethingasplain'sthingcanbe：thecureo'a'ill'sjistmairlife！That'sit！Lifeabunean'ayontthelife'attookthestroke！An'gienthrou'thishert-brakIcomebymairlife，it'llbejistaneo'thethroeso'myh'avenlybirth——i'thewhilkthebairnhasasmonyo'thepainsasthemither：that'smaybeadiffer'atweenthetwa——theearthlyan'theh'avenly！
“SaenooIhaetobeginfresh，an'latthething'at'spastan'ganeslipefteritherdreams。Eh，butit'sabonnydreamyet！Itliesclose'ahin'me，notobeforgotten，notobeluikitat——likeaneo'
thaedreamso'watteran'munelicht'athasnaewarki'them：abodywadnaliea'nichtan'a'daytuinadreamo'thesowl'sgloamin'！
Na，Lord；mako'meastrongman，an'synegiemeasmuckleo'thebonnyasmaypleasethee。WhaamItolippentil，giennotothee，myainfatheran'mitheran'gran'fatheran'a'bodyinane，forthoogiedstmethema'！
“NooI'mtobeginagain——afreshlifefraethisminute！I'mtosetootfraethisverrap'int，likeaneo'theyoungestsonsi'thefairytales，toseekmyportion，an'seewhat'scomin'tomeetmeasIgangtomeethit。Thewarl'aforeme'smystory-buik。IcannaseeowertheleaftillIcometotheen'o''t。WhanIwasabairn，jistable，wi'sairendeevour，towinattheherto'print，Ineverwadluikonafore！TheaetimeIdidit，IthouchtIhadduneashamefu'thing，likeluikin'inatakeyhole——asIdidjistancetu，whanIthankGodmymithergaemesicablessedlickin''atIkentitmaunbesomethingdreidfu'Ihaddune。Saehere'sforwhat'scomin'！Ikenwhauritmauncomefrae，an'Is'makeitwelcome。
Mymithersaysthemainmischeefi'thewarl'is，'atfowkwinnalattheLordhaehisainw'y，an'saehehasjisttotakit，whilkmaksitasairthingforthem。“
Therewithherosetoencounterthatwhichwasonitswaytomeethim。Heisafoolwhostandsandletslifemovepasthimlikeapanorama。Healsoisafoolwhowouldlayhandsonitsmotion，andchangeitspictures。Hecanbutdistortandinjure，ifhedoesnotruinthem，andcomeuponawfulshadowsbehindthem。
Andlo！asheglancedaroundhim，alreadysomethingoftheoldmysteriousloveliness，nowforsolongvanishedfromthefaceofthevisibleworld，hadreturnedtoit——notyetasitwasbefore，butwithdawningpromiseofanewcreation，afreshbeauty，inwelcomingwhichhewasnotturningfromtheold，butreceivingthenewthatGodsenthim。Hemightyetbemanyatimesad，buttolamentwouldbetoactasifhewerewronged——wouldbeatbestweakandfoolish！
Hewouldlookthenewlifeintheface，andbewhatitshouldpleaseGodtomakehim。Thescentsthewindbroughthimfromfieldandgardenandmoor，seemedsweeterthaneverwind-bornescentsbefore：theywereseekingtocomforthim！Hesighed——butturnedfromthesightoGod，andfoundfreshgladnessandwelcome。Thewindhoveredabouthimasifitwouldfainhavesomethingtodointhematter；theriverrippledandshoneasifitknewsomethingworthknowingasyetunrevealed。Thedelightofcreationisverilyinsecrets，butinsecretsastruthsontheway。Allsecretsareembryorevelations。Onthefarhorizonheavenandearthmetasoldfriends，who，thoughneverparted，wereeverrenewingtheirfriendship。Theworld，liketheangels，wasrejoicing——ifnotoverasinnerthathadrepented，yetoveramanthathadpassedfromalowertoahigherconditionoflife——outofitsearthintoitsair：
hewasgoingtoliveabove，andlookdownontheinferiorworld！
EretheshadesofeveningfellthatdayaroundDonalGrant，hewasinthenewchildhoodofanewworld。
Idonotmeansuchthoughtshadneverbeenpresenttohimbefore；
buttothinkathingisonlytolookatitinaglass；toknowitasGodwouldhaveusknowit，andaswemustknowittolive，istoseeitasweseeloveinafriend'seyes——tohaveitasthelovethefriendseesinours。Tomakethingsrealtous，istheendandthebattle-causeoflife。Weoftenthinkwebelievewhatweareonlypresentingtoourimaginations。Theleastthingcanoverthrowthatkindoffaith。Theimaginationisanendlesshelptowardsfaith，butitisnomorefaiththanadreamoffoodwillmakeusstrongforthenextday'swork。ToknowGodasthebeginningandend，therootandcause，thegiver，theenabler，theloveandjoyandperfectgood，thepresentoneexistenceinallthingsanddegreesandconditions，islife；andfaith，initssimplest，truest，mightiestformis——todohiswill。
Donalwasmakinghiswaytowardstheeasterncoast，inthecertainhopeoffindingworkofonekindoranother。Hecouldhavebeenwellcontenttopasshislifeasashepherdlikehisfatherbutfortwothings：heknewwhatitwouldbewellforotherstoknow；andhehadahungerafterthesocietyofbooks。Amanmustbeabletodowithoutwhateverisdeniedhim，butwhenhisheartishungryforanhonestthing，hemayusehonestendeavourtoobtainit。Donaldesiredtobeusefulandliveforhisgeneration，alsotobewithbooks。Tobewherewasagoodlibrarywouldsuithimbetterthanbuyingbooks，forwithoutaplaceinwhichtokeepthem，theyareamongtheimpedimentaoflife。AndDonalknewthatinregardtobookshewasindangeroflovingafterthefashionofthisworld：
bookshehadastronginclinationtoaccumulateandhoard；thereforetheuseofalibrarywasbetterthanthemeansofbuyingthem。
Booksaspossessionsarealsoofthethingsthatpassandperish——assurelyasanyotherformofearthlyhaving；theyareoftheplaythingsGodletsmenhavethattheymaylearntodistinguishbetweenapparentandrealpossession：ifhavingwillnotteachthem，lossmay。
Butwhowouldhavethought，meetingtheyouthashewalkedtheroadwithshoelessfeet，thathesoughttheharbourofagreatlibraryinsomeoldhouse，soasdayafterdaytofeastonthethoughtsofmenwhohadgonebeforehim！Forhiswasnoantiquariansoul；itwasasoulhungryafterlife，notafterthemummyclothsenwrappingthedead。
CHAPTERII。
ASPIRITUALFOOT-PAD。
Hewasnowwalkingsouthward，butwouldsoon，whenthemountainswerewellbehindhim，turntowardtheeast。Hecarriedasmallwallet，filledchieflywithoatcakeandhardskim-milkcheese：abouttwoo'clockhesatdownonastone，andproceededtomakeameal。A
brookfromthehillsrannear：forthathehadchosenthespot，hisfarebeingdry。Heseldomtookanyotherdrinkthanwater：hehadlearnedthatstrongdrinkatbestbutdiscountedtohimhisownatahighrate。
Hedrewfromhispocketasmallthickvolumehehadbroughtasthecompanionofhisjourney，andreadasheate。Hisseatwasonthelastslopeofagrassyhill，wheremanyhugestonesroseoutofthegrass。Afewyardsbeneathwasacountryroad，andontheothersideoftheroadasmallstream，inwhichthebrookthatranswiftlypast，almostwithinreachofhishand，eagerlylostitself。Onthefurtherbankofthestream，perfumingtheair，grewmanybushesofmeadow-sweet，orqueen-of-the-meadow，asitiscalledinScotland；
andbeyondlayalovelystretchofnearlylevelpasture。Farthereastwardallwasaplain，fulloffarms。Behindhimrosethehill，shuttingouthispast；beforehimlaytheplain，opentohiseyesandfeet。Godhadwalleduphispast，andwasdisclosinghisfuture。
Whenhehadeatenhisdinner，itsdrynessforgotteninthecondimenthisbooksupplied，herose，andtakinghiscapfromhishead，filleditfromthestream，anddrankheartily；thenemptiedit，shookthelastdropsfromit，andputitagainuponhishead。
“Ho，ho，youngman！”criedavoice。
Donallooked，andsawamaninthegarbofaclergymanregardinghimfromtheroad，andwipinghisfacewithhissleeve。
“Youshouldmind，“hecontinued，“howyouscatteryourfavours。“
“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal，takingoffhiscapagain；“I
hadnaanotiontherewasleevin'craturnearme。“
“It'safineday！”saidtheminister。
“Itisthat，sir！”answeredDonal。
“Whichwayareyougoing？”askedtheminister，adding，asifinapologyforhisseemingcuriosity，“——You'reascholar，I
see！”——withaglancetowardsthebookhehadleftopenonhisstone。
“NaesaemuckleasIwadfainbe，sir，“answeredDonal——thencalledtomindaresolvehehadmadetospeakEnglishforthefuture。
“Amodestyouth，Isee！”returnedtheclergyman；butDonalhardlylikedthetoneinwhichhesaidit。
“Thatdependsonwhatyoumeanbyascholar，“hesaid。
“Oh！”answeredtheminister，notthinkingmuchabouthisreply，butinabanteringhumourwillingtodrawtheladout，“thelearnedmanmodestlycallshimselfascholar。“
“ThentherewasnomodestyinsayingIwasnotsomuchofascholarasIshouldliketobe；everyscholarwouldsaythesame。“
“Averygoodanswer！”saidtheclergymanpatronizingly，“You'llbealearnedmansomeday！”Andhesmiledashesaidit。
“Whenwouldyoucallamanlearned？”askedDonal。
“Thatishardtodetermine，seeingthosethatclaimtobecontradicteachotherso。“
“Whatgoodthencantherebeinwantingtobelearned？”
“Yougetthementaldisciplineofstudy。“
“Itseemstome，“saidDonal，“apitytogetabody'sdisciplineonwhatmaybeworthless。It'sjustasgooddisciplinetomyteethtodineonbreadandcheese，asitwouldbetoexercisethemonsheep'sgrass。“
“I'vegotholdofahumorist！”saidtheclergymantohimself。
Donalpickeduphiswalletandhisbook，andcamedowntotheroad。
Thenfirsttheclergymansawthathewasbarefooted。Inhischildhoodhehadhimselfoftengonewithoutshoesandstockings，yettheyouth'slackofthemprejudicedhimagainsthim。
“Itmustbethefellow'sownfault！”hesaidtohimself。“Heshan'tcatchmewithhischaff！”
Donalwouldratherhavefordedtheriver，andgonetoinquirehiswayatthenearestfarm-house，buthethoughtitpolitetowalkalittlewaywiththeclergyman。
“Howfarareyougoing？”askedtheministeratlength。
“AsfarasIcan，“repliedDonal。
“Wheredoyoumeantopassthenight？”
“Insomebarnperhaps，oronsomehill-side。“
“Iamsorrytohearyoucandonobetter。“
“Youdon'tthink，sir，whatadecentbedcosts；andabarnisgenerally，ahill-sidealwaysclean。Infactthehill-side'sthebest。Many'sthetimeIhavesleptonone。It'sastrangenotionsomepeoplehave，thatit'smorerespectabletosleepunderman'sroofthanGod's。“
“Tohavenosettledabode，“saidtheclergyman，andpaused。
“LikeAbraham？”suggestedDonalwithasmile。“Anabidingcityseemshardlynecessarytopilgrimsandstrangers！IfellasleeponceonthetopofGlashgar：whenIwokethesunwaslookingovertheedgeofthehorizon。IroseandgazedaboutmeasifIwerebutthatmomentcreated。IfGodhadcalledme，Ishouldhardlyhavebeenastonished。“
“Orfrightened？”askedtheminister。
“No，sir；whyshouldamanfearthepresenceofhissaviour？”
“YousaidGod！”answeredtheminister。
“Godismysaviour！Intohispresenceitismydesiretocome。“
“Undershelteroftheatonement，“supplementedtheminister。
“Gienyemeanbythat，sir，“criedDonal，forgettinghisEnglish，“onythingtocome'atweenmyGodan'me，I'llha'enaneo''t。I'llhaenaethinghidemefraehimwhamademe！Iwadnahideathouchtfraehim。Thewauritis，themairneedhesee't。“
“Whatbookisthatyouarereading？”askedtheministersharply。
“It'snotyourbible，I'llbebound！Younevergotsuchnotionsfromit！”
Hewasangrywiththepresumptuousyouth——andnowonder；forthegospeltheministerpreachedwasagospelbuttotheslavishandunfilial。
“It'sShelley，“answeredDonal，recoveringhimself。
TheministerhadneverreadawordofShelley，buthadaverydecidedopinionofhim。Hegavealoudrudewhistle。
“So！that'swhereyougoforyourtheology！Iwaspuzzledtounderstandyou，butnowallisplain！Youngman，youareonthebrinkofperdition。Thatbookwillpoisonyourveryvitals！”
“Indeed，sir，itwillnevergodeepenoughforthat！ButitcameneartouchingthemasIsateatingmybreadandcheese。“
“He'saninfidel！”saidtheministerfiercely。
“Akindofone，“returnedDonal，“butnotoftheworstsort。It'sthepeoplewhocallthemselvesbelieversthatdrivethelikeofpoorShelleytothemouthofthepit。“
“Hehatedthetruth，“saidtheminister。
“Hewasalwaysseekingafterit，“saidDonal，“thoughtobesurehedidn'tgettotheendofthesearch。Justlistentothis，sir，andsaywhetheritbeveryfarfromChristian。“
Donalopenedhislittlevolume，andsoughthispassage。Theministerbutforcuriosityandthedreadofseemingabsurdwouldhavestoppedhisearsandrefusedtolisten。Hewasamanofnotmerelydryorstale，butofdeadlydoctrines。HewouldhaveamanloveChristforprotectinghimfromGod，notforleadinghimtoGodinwhomaloneisbliss，outofwhomallisdarknessandmisery。HehadnotaglimmerofthetruththateternallifeistoknowGod。Heimaginedjusticeandlovedwellingineternaloppositioninthebosomofeternalunity。HeknewnexttonothingaboutGod，andmisrepresentedhimhideously。IfGodweresuchasheshowedhim，itwouldbetheworstpossiblemisfortunetohavebeencreated。
Donalhadfoundthepassage。ItwasinTheMaskofAnarchy。Hereadthefollowingstanzas：——
Letavastassemblybe，AndwithgreatsolemnityDeclarewithmeasuredwordsthatyeAre，asGodhasmadeye，free。
BeyourstrongandsimplewordsKeentowoundassharpenedswords，Andwideastargesletthembe，Withtheirshadetocoverye。
Andifthenthetyrantsdare，Letthemrideamongyouthere，Slash，andstab，andmaim，andhew——
Whattheylike，thatletthemdo。
Withfoldedarmsandsteadyeyes，Andlittlefear，andlesssurprise，Lookuponthemastheyslay，Tilltheirragehasdiedaway。
AndthatslaughtertotheNationShallsteamuplikeinspiration，Eloquent，oracular——
Avolcanoheardafar。
Ending，thereaderturnedtothelistener。Butthelistenerhadunderstoodlittleofthemeaning，andlessofthespirit。Hehatedoppositiontothepowersonthepartofanybelowhimself，yetscornedtheideaofsubmittingtopersecution。
“Whatthinkyouofthat，sir？”askedDonal。
“Sheernonsense！”answeredtheminister。“WherewouldScotlandbenowbutforresistance？”
“There'smorethanonewayofresisting，though，“returnedDonal。
“EnduringevilwastheLord'sway。Idon'tknowaboutScotland，butIfancytherewouldbemoreChristians，andofabetterstamp，intheworld，ifthathadbeenthemodeofresistancealwaysadoptedbythosethatcalledthemselvessuch。Anyhowitwashisway。“
“Shelley's，youmean！”
“Idon'tmeanShelley's，ImeanChrist's。InspiritShelleywasfarnearerthetruththanthosewhomadehimdespisetheverynameofChristianitywithoutknowingwhatitreallywas。ButGodwillgiveeverymanfairplay。“
“Youngman！”saidtheminister，withanassumptionofgreatsolemnityandnolessauthority，“IamboundtowarnyouthatyouareinastateofrebellionagainstGod，andhewillnotbemocked。
Goodmorning！”
Donalsatdownontheroadside——hewouldlettheministerhaveagoodstartofhim——tookagainhisshabbylittlevolume，heldmoretalkwiththebook-embodiedspiritofShelley，andsawmoreandmoreclearlyhowhewasmisledinhiseverynotionofChristianity，andhowdifferentthosewhogavehimhisnotionsmusthavebeenfromtheevangelistsandapostles。Hesawinthepoetaboyishnaturestrivingafterliberty，withscarceanotionofwhatlibertyreallywas：heknewnothingofthelawofliberty——onenesswiththewillofourexistence，whichwouldhaveusfreewithitsownfreedom。
Whentheclergymanwaslongoutofsightheroseandwenton，andsooncametoabridgebywhichhecrossedtheriver。Thenonhewentthroughthecultivatedplain，hisspiritsneverflagging。Hewasapilgrimonhiswaytohisdivinefate！
CHAPTERIII。
THEMOOR。
Thenightbegantodescendandhetobeweary，andlookabouthimforaplaceofrepose。Buttherewasalongtwilightbeforehim，anditwaswarm。
Forsometimetheroadhadbeenascending，andbyandbyhefoundhimselfonabaremoor，amongheathernotyetinbloom，andaforestofbracken。Herewasagreat，beautifulchamberforhim！andwhatbetterbedthanGod'sheather！whatbettercanopythanGod'shigh，star-studdednight，withitsairycurtainsofduskydarkness！WasitnotinthisverychamberthatJacobhadhisvisionofthemightystairleadinguptothegateofheaven！WasitnotundersucharoofJesusspenthislastnightsontheearth！Forcomfortandprotectionhesoughtnohumanshelter，butwentoutintohisFather'shouse——outunderhisFather'sheaven！Thesmallandnarrowwerenottohimthesafe，butthewideandopen。Thickwallscovermenfromtheenemiestheyfear；theLordsoughtspace。Theretheangelscomeandgomorefreelythanwhereroofsgatherdistrust。Ifeverwehearafar-offrumourofangel-visit，itisnotfromsomesolitaryplainwithlonelychildren？
Donalwalkedalongthehightable-landtillhewasweary，andrestlookedblissful。Thenheturnedasidefromtheroughtrackintotheheatherandbracken。Whenhecametoalittledryhollow，withayetthickergrowthofheather，itstopsalmostcloseasthoseofhisbedathisfather'scottage，hesoughtnofurther。Takinghisknife，hecutaquantityofheatherandferns，andheapeditonthetopofthethickestbush；thencreepinginbetweenthecutandthegrowing，heclearedtheformerfromhisfacethathemightseetheworldsoverhim，andputtinghisknapsackunderhishead，fellfastasleep。
Whenhewokenoteventheshadowofadreamlingeredtolethimknowwhathehadbeendreaming。Hewokewithsuchaclearmind，suchanimmediateupliftingofthesoul，thatitseemedtohimnolessthantoJacobthathemusthavesleptatthefootoftheheavenlystair。
Thewindcameroundhimlikethestuffofthoughtunshaped，andeverybreathhedrewseemedlikeGodbreathingafreshintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife。Whoknowswhatthethingwecallairis？Weknowaboutit，butitwedonotknow。Thesunshoneasifsmilingattheself-importanceofthesulkydarknesshehaddrivenaway，andtheworldseemedcontentwithaheavenlycontent。SofreshwasDonal'ssensethathefeltasifhissleepwithinandthewindwithouthadbeenwashinghimallthenight。Sopeaceful，soblissfulwashisheartthatitlongedtoshareitsbliss；buttherewasnoonewithinsight，andhesetoutagainonhisjourney。
Hehadnotgonefarwhenhecametoadipinthemoorland——aroundhollow，withacottageofturfinthemiddleofit，fromwhosechimneycamealittlesmoke：theretoothedaywasbegun！Hewasgladhehadnotseenitbefore，forthenhemighthavemissedthereposeoftheopennight。Atthedoorstoodalittlegirlinabluefrock。Shesawhim，andranin。Hewentdownanddrewneartothedoor。Itstoodwideopen，andhecouldnothelpseeingin。
Amansatatthetableinthemiddleofthefloor，hisforeheadonhishand。Donaldidnotseehisface。Heseemedwaiting，likehisfatherfortheBook，whilehismothergotitfromthetopofthewall。Hesteppedoverthethreshold，andinthesimplicityofhisheart，said：——
“Ye'llbegaein'tohaeworship！”
“Na，na！”returnedtheman，raisinghishead，andtakingabrief，hardstareathisvisitor；“wedinnasetupforprayin'fowki'thishoose。“Weleythattothem'atkenswhattheyhaetobethankfu'
for。“
“Imadeamistak，“saidDonal。“Ithouchtyemichthaebeengaein'
tosaygudemornin'toyermakker，an'wadhaelikittoj'inwi'ye；
forIkennawhatIhaenatobethankfu'for。Guiddaytoye。“
“Yecanbidean'takyerparritchgienyelike。“
“Ow，na，Ithankye。YemichtthinkIcamfortheparritch，an'nofortheprayers。IlikeasilltobecoontitahypocriteasgienI
warane。“
“Yecanbidean'haeworshipwi''s，gienyetakthebuikyersel'。“
“Icannaleadwhaur'snanetofollow。Na；I'lldubetteronthemuirmylane。“
Butthegudewifewasareligionswomanafterherfashion——whocanbeafteranyoneelse's？Shecamewithabibleinherhand，andsilentlylaiditonthetable。Donalhadneveryetprayedaloudexceptinamurmurbyhimselfonthehill，but，thusinvited，couldnotrefuse。Hereadapsalmoftrouble，breakingintohopeattheclose，thenspokeasfollows：——
“Freens，I'mbutyoong，asyesee，an'neveraforedauredopenmymooi'sicfashion，butitcomestometospeyk，an'wi'yerleavespeykIwull。Icannahelpthinkin'thegudeman'si'sometrible——siclike，maybe，asKingDawvidwhanhemadethepsalmIhaebeenreadin'i'yerhearin'。Yeobservthooitbeganlikeastormymornin'，butyeh'ardhooitchangedora'wasdune。Thesuncomesootbonnyi'theen'，an'yehearthebirdsbeginnin'tosing，tellin'Natur'togieowerhergreitin'。An'whatbringstheguidmantil'ssenses，divyethink？Whatbutjistthethouchto'him'atmadehim，him'atcaresaboothim，him'atmauncometoillhimsel''aforehelatonythinghemadecometoill。Sir，lat'sgangdoonupo'oorknees，an'committhekeepin'o'oorsowlstohimastilafaithfu'creator，whawinnamisshispairt'atweenhiman'
hiz。“
Theywentdownontheirknees，andDonalsaid，“OLord，oorainfatheran'saviour，thedayyehaesent'shasarrivedbonnyan'gran'，an'weblessyeforsen'in''t；buteh，oorfather，weneedmairthelichtthatshinesi'thedarkerplace。Weneedthedawno'aspiritualdayinside's，orthebonnydayootsidewinnagangformuckle。Lord，oormicht，speykawordo'peacefu'
recalltoonydogo'thine'atmaybeworryin'attheherto'onysheepo'thine'at'srunawa；butdinnaca'himbacksaeastolea'
thepuirsheep'ahinthim；fessbackdogan'lambthegither，OLord。
Haud'sa'fraeill，an'guide'sa'toguid，an'oormornin'prayer'sower。Amen。“
Theyrosefromtheirknees，andsatsilentforamoment。Thentheguidwifeputthepotonthefirewiththewaterfortheporridge。
ButDonalrose，andwalkedoutofthecottage，halfwonderingathimselfthathehaddaredashehad，yetfeelinghehaddonebutthemostnaturalthingintheworld。
“Hooabody'stowinthrouwthedaywantin'thelordo'thedayan'
thehooran'theminute，'s'ayontme！”hesaidtohimself，andhastenedaway。
Erenoonthebluelineofthefaroceanroseonthehorizon。
CHAPTERIV。
THETOWN。
Donalwasqueer，someofmyreaderswillthink，andIadmitit；forthemanwhoregardstheaffairsoflifefromanyotherpointthanhisowngreedyself，mustbequeerindeedintheeyesofallwhoareslavestotheirimaginednecessitiesandundisputeddesires。
Itwaseveningwhenhedrewnightheplacewhitherhehaddirectedhissteps——alittlecountrytown，notfarfromafamousseatoflearning：therehewouldmakeinquirybeforegoingfurther。TheministerofhisparishknewtheministerofAuchars，andhadgivenhimaletterofintroduction。Thecountryaroundhadnotafewdwellingsofdistinction，andatoneoranotherofthesemightbechildreninwantofatutor。
Thesunwassettingoverthehillsbehindhimasheenteredthelittletown。Atfirstitlookedbutavillage，forontheoutskirts，throughwhichtheking'shighwayled，werechieflythatchedcottages，withhereandthereaslatedhouseofonestoryandanattic；butpresentlybegantoappearhousesoflargersize——fewofthem，however，ofmorethantwostories。Mostofthemlookedasiftheyhadalongandnotveryhappyhistory。Allatoncehefoundhimselfinastreet，partlyofquaintgableswithcorbelsteps；theycalledthemherecorbie-steps，inallusion，perhaps，totheravensentoutbyNoah，forwhichlazybirdthechildrenregardedtheseasplacestorest。Thereweretwoorthreecuriousgatewaysinitwithsomeattemptatdecoration，andonehousewiththepepperpotturretswhichScotisharchitecturehasborrowedfromtheFrenchchateau。Theheartofthetownwasayetnarrower，close-builtstreet，withseveralshortclosesandwyndsopeningoutofit——allofwhichhadancientlookinghouses。Therewereshopsnotafew，buttheirwindowswerethoseofdwellings，astheupperpartsoftheirbuildingsmostlywere。Inthoseshopswasasgoodasupplyofthenecessitiesoflifeasinagreattown，andcheaper。Youcouldnotgetacoatsowellcut，norapairofshoestofityousotightwithouthurting，butyoucouldgetfirst-ratework。Thestreetswereunevenlypavedwithround，water-wornstones：Donalwasnotsorrythathehadnottowalkfaruponthem。
Thesettingsunsenthisshadowbeforehimasheenteredtheplace。
Hekeptthemiddleofthestreet，lookingonthissideandthatforthehostelrywhitherhehaddespatchedhischestbeforeleavinghome。Agloomybuilding，apparentlyuninhabited，drewhisattention，andsentastrangethrillthroughhimashiseyesfelluponit。Itwasofthreelowstories，thewindowsdefendedbyironstanchions，thedoorstuddedwithgreatknobsofiron。Alittlewaybeyondhecaughtsightofthesignhewasinsearchof。Itswunginfrontofanold-fashioned，dingybuilding，withmuchoftheold-worldlookthatpervadedthetown。Thelastredraysofthesunwereuponit，lightingupasorelyfadedcoatofarms。Thesupporters，tworedhorsesontheirhindlegs，wereallofithecouldmakeout。Thecrestabovesuggestedaskate，butcouldhardlyhavebeenintendedforone。Agreedy-eyedmanstoodinthedoorway，hishandsinhistrouser-pockets。Helookedwithcontemptuousscrutinyatthebare-footedladapproachinghim。Hehadblackhairandblackeyes；hisnoselookedasifaheavyfingerhadsettleduponitspoint，andpresseditdownwards：itsnostrilsswelledwidebeyondtheirbase；underneathwasabigmouthwithagoodsetofteeth，andastrongupturningchin——anambitiousandgreedyface。
Butambitionisaformofgreed。
“Afineday，landlord！”saidDonal。
“Ay，“answeredtheman，withoutchangingthepostureofonetakinghiseaseagainsthisowndoor-post，orremovinghishandsfromhispockets，butlookingDonalupanddownwithconscioussuperiority，thenrestinghiseyesonthebarefeetandupturnedtrousers。
“This'llbetheMorvenArms，I'mthinkin'？”saidDonal。
“Ittaksnamucklethouchttothinkthat，“returnedtheinn-keeper，“whantheretheyhing！”
“Ay，“rejoinedDonal，glancingup；“thereissomethingthere——an'
it'sairmsIdoobtna；butit'snoa'bodyhasthepreevilegeo'aknowledgeo'heraldrylikeyersel'，lan'lord！I'mb'un'toconfess，forwhatIkentheymichtbetheairmso'onyaneo'tenscoreScotsfaimilies。“
TherewasoneweaponwithwhichJohnGlummwasassailable，andthatwasridicule：withallhisself-sufficiencyhestoodinterrorofit——andthemorecoverttheridicule，solongashesuspectedit，themoreheresentedaswellasdreadedit。Hesteppedintothestreet，andtakingahandfromapocket，pointeduptothesign。
“Seetil't！”hesaid。“Dinnayeseethetwareidhorse？”
“Ay，“answeredDonal；“Iseethemweeleneuch，butI'mnanethewisernorgientheywartwareidwhauls——Man，“hewenton，turningsharprounduponthefellow，“ye'renocawpableo'conceivin'theextento'myignorance！It'sasrampantasthereidhorseupo'yoursign！I'llyieldtonaebodyi'theamoonto'thingsIdinnaken！”
Themanstaredathimforamoment。
“Is'warran'，“hesaid，“yekenmairnoryecaretolaton！”
“An'whatmaythatbeowertheheido'them？——Acrest，ca'ye't？”
saidDonal。
“It'sabasepearl-beset，“answeredthelandlord。
Hehadnotanotionofwhatabasemeant，orpearl-beset，yetpridedhimselfonhisknowledgeofthewords。
“Eh，“returnedDonal，“Itookitforaskate！”
“Askate！”repeatedthelandlordwithoffendedsneer，andturnedtowardsthehouse。
“Iwasthinkin'toputupwi'yethenicht，gienyecouldaccommodatemeatarizzonablerate，“saidDonal。
“Idinnaken，“repliedGlumm，hesitating，withhisbacktohim，betweenunwillingnesstoloseapenny，andresentmentatthesupposedbadinage，whichwasindeednothingbuthumour；“whatwadyeca'rizzonable？”
“Iwadnagrudgeasaxpenceformybed；ashillin'Iwad，“answeredDonal。
“Weel，ninepencethan——foryeseemnaowercomewi'siller。“
“Na，“answeredDonal，“I'mnothat。Whatevermyburden，yon'snohit。Thelosso'whatIhaewadhardlymakmelichterformyrace。“
“Ye'reaqueercustomer！”saidtheman。
“I'mnosaequeerbutIhaeakistcomin'bythecarrier，“rejoinedDonal，“direckittotheMorvenAirms。It'llbehereintimedoobtless。“
“We'llseewhanitcomes，“remarkedthelandlord，implyingthechestwaseasierinventedthanbelievedin。
“Thewarsto''tis，“continuedDonal，“Icannaweelshawmysel'
wantin'shune。Ihaeapairi'mykist，an'anitherupo'myback，——butnaneformyfeet。“
“There'ssutorsenew，“saidtheinnkeeper。
“Weelwe'llseeaswegang。Iwantawordwi'theminister。Wadyedirec'metothemanse？”
“He'sfraehame。Butit'so'sma'consequence；hedisnacareaboottramps，honestman！Hewinnawaurmuckleupo'thelikeso'you。“
Thelandlordwasrecoveringhimself——thereforehisinsolence。
Donalgavealaugh。Thosewhoarecontentwithwhattheyare，havethelessconcernaboutwhattheyseem。Theambitiousliketobetakenformorethantheyare，andmaywellbeannoyedwhentheyaretakenforless。
“I'mthinkin'yewadnawaurmuckleonatrampaither！”hesaid。
“Iwadnot，“answeredGlumm。“It'sthepairto'thehonesttodiscoontenancelawlessness。“
“Yewadnahangthepuircraturs，wadye？”askedDonal。
“Iwadhangawheenmairo'them。“
“Fornohaein'ahooseowertheirheads？That'ssomehard！Whatgienyewasaedaytobeinwanto'aneyersel'！”
“We'llbidetillthedaycomes——Butwhatareyestan'in'therefor？
Areyecomin'in，orareyeno？”
“It'sasomecauldwelcome！”saidDonal。“Is'jisttakaluikabootaforeImakupmymin'。Atramp，yeken，needsnastan'upo'
ceremony。“
Heturnedawayandwalkedfurtheralongthestreet。
CHAPTERV。
THECOBBLER。
Attheendofthestreethecametoalow-archedgatewayinthemiddleofapoor-lookinghouse。Withinitsatalittlebowedman，cobblingdiligentlyataboot。Thesunhadleftbehindhiminthewestaheapofgoldenrefuse，andcuttingsofroseandpurple，whichshonerightinatthearchway，andlethimseetowork。HerewastheverymanforDonal！Arespectableshoemakerwouldhavedisdainedtopatchuptheshoeshecarried——especiallyastheownerwasinsomuchneedofthem。
“It'sabonnynicht，“hesaid。
“Yemayweelmaktheremark，sir！”repliedthecobblerwithoutlookingup，foracriticalstitchoccupiedhim。“It'sabalmynicht。“
“That'sraitherabonnywordtoputtil't！”returnedDonal。“There'sakin'o'anairaboottheplaceIwadhardlyhaethouchtbalmy！
Buttrothit'snothefau'to'thenicht！”
“Ye'rerichttherealso，“returnedthecobbler——hisuseoftheconjunctionimpressingDonal。“Still，theweatherhastoduwi'thesmell——wi'themairorlesso''t，thatis。Itcomesfraeatannereenearby。It'snoanillsmelltothem'at'susedtil't；andyewadhardlybelieveme，sir，butIsmellthecloverthrouw't。
MaybeI'mpreejudized，seein'butforthetan-pitsIcouldnaweeldrivemytrade；butsittin'herefraemornin'tonicht，Igetakin'
o'ahabito'luikin'ootformyblessin's。Torecognizeanauldblessin''s'maistbetternortogetanewane。Apairo'shuneweelcobblet'swhilesfullbetternoranewpair。“
“Theyarethat，“saidDonal；“butIdinnajistseehooyerseemileapplies。“
“Isnagettin'onapairo'auldweel-kentan'weelmen'itshune，'atwinnanipyerfeetnoryetshochle，likewaukin'uptilablessin'
yehaebeenhaein'foryears，onlyyedidnaken'tforane？”
Ashespoke，thecobblerliftedalittlewizenedfaceandapairoftwinklingeyestothoseofthestudent，revealingasoulasoriginalashisown。Hewasoneoftheinwardlyinseparable，outwardlyfardividedcompanyofChristianphilosophers，amongwhomindividualityaswellaspatienceisfreetoworkitsperfectwork。InthatglanceDonalsawaripesoullookingoutofitstentdoor，readytorushintothesunshineofthenewlife。
Hestoodforamomentlostineternalregardoftheman。Heseemedtohaveknownhimforages。Thecobblerlookedupagain。
“Ye'llbewantin'ahan'fraemei'myainline，I'mthinkin'！”hesaid，withakindlynodtowardsDonal'sshoelessfeet。
“Sma'doobt！”returnedDonal。“Ihadscarcestartit，butwasowerfartogangback，whanthesoleo'aeshuecamaff，an'Ihadtotrampitwi'baithmyain。“
“An'yethankittheLordfortheauldblessin'o'bein'bornan'
brouchtupwi'soleso'yerain！”
“Totellthetrowth，“answeredDonal，“Ihaesaemonythingstobethankfu'for，it'sbutsma'won'erIforgetmonyaneo'them。Butnoo，an'Ithankyefortheexhortation，theLord'snamebepraist'athegaemefeetfitforgangin'upo'！”
Hetookhisshoesfromhisback，anduntyingthestringthatboundthem，presentedtheailingonetothecobbler。
“That'swhatwemayca'deith！”remarkedthecobbler，slowlyturningtheinvalidedshoe。
“Ay，deithitis，“answeredDonal；“it'sasairdivorceo'solean'
body。“
“It'sasomeauld-farrandjoke，“saidthecobbler，“butthefunintilathingdoesnaweirootonymairnorthepoetryorthetrowthintil't。“
“Whowillsaytherewasnoprovidenceinthelossofmyshoe-sole！”
remarkedDonaltohimself。“HereIamwithafriendalready！”
Thecobblerwassubmittingtheshoes，firstthesicklyone，nowthesoundone，toathoroughscrutiny。
“Yedinnathinkthemworthmen'in'，Idoobt！”saidDonal，withatouchofanxietyinhistone。
“Ineverthouchtthatwhaurtheleatherwadhaudthesteik，“repliedthecobbler。“Butwhiles，Iconfess，I'mjistawheentribledtokenhootochairgeformywark。It'snobarelytoconsiderthetimeit'lltakmetoclootapair，butwhattheweirer'sliketogitooto'them。Icannatakmairnorthejob'illbeworthtotheweirer。
An'yetthewaurtheshune，an'thelesstobemadeo'them，themairtimetheytaktomakthemworthonythingava'！”
“Surelyyeouchttobepaidinproportiontoyourlabour。“
“I'thatcaseIwadwhileshaetosaytilapuirbody'athadnaanitherpairi'thewarl'，'atheraepairo'shunewasnaworthmen'in'；an'thatwadbeahertbrak，an'sairfeetforby，tosicascouldna，likeyersel'，sir，gangupo'theLord'sainshune。“
“Buthoomakyealivin'thatw'y？”suggestedDonal。
“Hoots，themaistero'thetradeseestomywauges！”
“An'whamayhebe？”askedDonal，wellforeseeingtheanswer。
“Hewasnevercobblerhimsel'，buthewasancecarpenter；an'noohe'sliftituptobeheido'a'thetrades。An'there'saethinghecannabide，an'that'scloseparin'。“
Hestopped。ButDonalheldhispeace，waiting；andhewenton。
“Tothem'atmakslittle，forreasonsgood，bytheirneebour，hegiesthebetterwaugeswhantheyganghame。Tothem'atmaksa''attheycan，hesays，'Yehelpityersel'；helpawa'；yehaeyerreward。
Onlycomenanearme，forIcannabideye'——Butabootthaeshuneo'
yours，Idinnaweelken！They'reweeleneuchworthduin'thebestI
canforthem；butthemorn'sSunday，an'whathaeyetoputon？”
“Naething——tillmykistcomes；an'that，Idoobt，winnabeaforeMonday，ormaybethedayefter。“
“An'yewinnabeabletogangtothekirk！”
“I'mnopartic'larabootgaein'tothekirk；butgienIwantittogang，orgienIthouchtIwasb'un'togang，thinkyeIwadbideathame'causeIhadnashunetogangin！WadIfancytheLordaffrontitwi'thebarefeethemadehimsel'！”
Thecobblercaughtuptheworstshoeandbeganuponitatonce。
“Yes'hae't，sir，“hesaid，“gienIsita'nichtatit！Theane'lldutillMonday。Yes'hae'taforekirk-time，butyemauncomeintilthehoosetogetit，forthefowkwudbescunnerttoseemeworkin'upo'theSabbath-day。Theydinnaun'erstan''attheMaisterworksSundayan'Setterday——an'hisFatherasweel！”
“Yedinnathink，than，there'sonythingwranginmen'in'apairo'
shuneontheSabbath-day？”
“Wrang！——inobeyin'myMaister，whaseistheday，asweel'sa'thedays？TheywadfaintakitfraetheSono'Man，wha'sthelordo'
't，buttheycanna！”
Helookedupovertheoldshoewitheyesthatflashed。
“Butthen——excuseme，“saidDonal，“——whyshouldnayehaudyerfacetil't，an'workopenly，i'thenameo'God？”
“We'reteltnaithertoduoorgudewarksaforementobeseeno'
them，noryettocastoorpearlsaforeswine。Icoontcobblin'yourshoes，sir，afarbetterwarknorgaein'tothekirk，an'Iwadnahae'tseeno'men。GienIwarwarkin'forpoverty，itwadbeanitherthing。“
ThislastDonaldidnotunderstand，butlearnedafterwardswhatthecobblermeant：thedaybeingforrest，thenextdutytohelpinganotherwastoresthimself。ToworkforfearofstarvingwouldbetodistrusttheFather，andactasifmanlivedbybreadalone。
“WhanIthinko''t，“heresumedafterapause，“bein'Sunday，I'lltakthemhametoye。Whaurwullyebe？”
“That'swhatIwadfainhaeyetellme，“answeredDonal。“IhadthouchttoputupattheMorvenAirms，butthere'ssomethingIdinnalikeabootthelan'lord。Kenyeonydacent，cleanplace，whaurtheywadgiemearoomtomysel'，an'noseekmairnorIcouldpeythem？”
“Wehaeabitroomieoorsel's，“saidthecobbler，“attheserviceo'
onydacentwayfarin'manthatcanstan'thesmell，an'putupwi'
oorw'ys。Forpeyment，yecanpeywhatyethinkit'sworth。We'renevervarrapartic'lar。“
“Itakyerofferwi'thankfu'ness，“answeredDonal。
“Weel，gangyeinatthatdoorjist'aforeye，an'ye'llseetheguidwife——there'snaneithertilsee。Iwadgangwi'yemysel'，butIcanna，wi'thisshueo'yourstoturnintilaSundayane！”
Donalwenttothedoorindicated。Itstoodwideopen；forwhilethecobblersatoutsideathiswork，hiswifewouldnevershutthedoor。
Heknocked，buttherecamenoanswer。
“She'ssomedullo'hearin'，“saidthecobbler，andcalledherbyhisownnameforher。
“Doory！Doory！”hesaid。
“Shecannabethatdeifgienshehearsye！”saidDonal；forhespokehardlylouderthanusual。
“WhanGodgiesyouawife，mayshebeanetohearyerlichtestword！”answeredthecobbler。
Sureenough，hehadscarcelyfinishedthesentence，whenDooryappearedatthedoor。
“Didyecry，guidman？”shesaid。
“Na，Doory：IcannasayIcried；butIspak，an'ye，asisyercustom，hearkenttilmyword！——Here'sabelievin'lad——I'mthinkin'
hemaunbeagentleman，butI'mnosure；it'shardforacobblertokenagentleman'atcomestilhimwantin'shune；buthemaybeagentlemanfora'that，an'there'snaehurrytoken。He'swelcometome，gienhebewelcometoyou。Canyegiehimanicht'slodgin'？”
“Weelthat！an'wi'a'myhert！”saidDoory。“He'swelcometowhatwehae。“
Turning，sheledthewayintothehouse。
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