CHAPTERVI。
DOORY。
Shewasaverysmall，sparewoman，inablueprintwithlittlewhitespots——straight，notbowedlikeherhusband。Otherwisesheseemedatfirstexactlylikehim。Buteretheeveningwasover，Donalsawtherewasnofeaturalresemblancebetweenthetwofaces，andwaspuzzledtounderstandhowthetwoexpressionscametobesolike：astheysatitseemedinthesilenceasiftheywerethesamepersonthinkingintwoshapesandtwoplaces。
Followingtheoldwoman，Donalascendedasteepandnarrowstair，whichsoonbroughthimtoalandingwherewaslight，comingmainlythroughgreenleaves，forthewindowinthelittlepassagewasfilledwithplants。Hisguideledhimintowhatseemedtohimanenchantingroom——homelyenoughitwas，butluxuriouscomparedtowhathehadbeenaccustomedto。Hesawwhitewallsandabrown-huedbutclean-sweptwoodenfloor，onwhichshoneakeen-eyedlittlefirefromalowgrate。Twoeasychairs，coveredwithsomeparty-colouredstripedstuff，stoodoneoneachsideofthefire。Akettlewassingingonthehob。Thewhitedeal-tablewassetfortea——withafatbrownteapot，andcupsofagorgeouspatterninbronze，thatshoneinthefirelightlikeredgold。Inoneofthewallswasabox-bed。
“I'lllatyeseewhataccommodationwehaeatyerservice，sir，“
saidDoory，“an'gienthat'llshuitye，yes'bewelcome。“
Sosaying，sheopenedwhatlookedlikethedoorofacupboardatthesideofthefireplace。Itdisclosedaneatlittleparlour，withasweetairinit。Thefloorwassanded，andsomuchthecleanerthanifithadbeencarpeted。Asmallmahoganytable，blackwithage，stoodinthemiddle。Onaside-tablecoveredwithaclothoffadedgreen，layalargefamilybible；behinditwereafewbooksandatea-caddy。Inthesideofthewalloppositethewindow，wasagainabox-bed。Totheeyesoftheshepherd-bornlad，itlookedthemostdesirableshelterhehadeverseen。Heturnedtohishostessandsaid，“I'mfeartit'sowerguidforme。Whatcouldyelatmehae'tforbytheweek？Iwadfainbidewi'ye，butwhauran'whanImaygetwarkIcannatell；saeImaunnatakitonygaitformairnoraweek。“
“Makyersel'ateasetillthemornbeby，“saidtheoldwoman。“Yecannadunaethingtillthatbeower。Upo'theMonondaymornin'wes'haudacooncilthegither——youan'mean'myman：Icandunaethingwantin'myman；weayepu'thegitherornoata'。“
Wellcontent，andwithheartythanks，Donalcommittedhispresentfateintothehandsofthehumblepair，hisheaven-senthelpers；andaftermuchwashingandbrushing，allthatwaspossibletohiminthewayofdressing，reappearedinthekitchen。Theirteawasready，andthecobblerseatedinthewindowwithabookinhishand，leavingforDonalhiseasychair。
“Icannatakyeraincheirfraeye，“saidDonal。
“Hoots！”returnedthecobbler，“what'sonythingoorsforbuttogietheneeper'atstan'si'needo''t。“
“Butyehaehadasairday'swark！”
“An'youasairday'straivel！”
“ButI'myoong！”
“An'I'mauld，an'mylabourthenearerower。“
“ButI'mstrong！”
“There'snanethelessneedyesudbehaudensae。Sityedoon，an'
wastenayerbackbane。Mybusinessistoluiktothebodieso'men，an'speciallytotheirpuirfeet'athastobidetheweicht，an'getsairpressedtherein。Life'sashardupo'thefeeto'amanasupo'onypairto''m！Whantheygangwrang，thereisnamuckletobedunetilltheybesetrichtagain。I'msairhonourt，Isaytomysel'whiles，tobesetowerthefeeto'men。It'safineministration！——fullbetterthanbein'adoor-keeperi'thehooseo'
theLord！Forthefeet'atgangootan'inatit'smairnorthedoor！”
“TheLordbepraist！”saidDonaltohimself；“there'smairi'thewarl'likemyfatheran'mither！”
Hetooktheseatappointedhim。
“Cometothetable，Anerew，“saidtheoldwoman，“giensaebeyecanpairtwi'thatbuiko'yours，an'latyersowlgieplacetoyerboady'srichts——Idoobt，sir，gienhewadaitordrinkgienIwasnaathiselbuck。“
“Doory，“returnedherhusband，“yecannadenyIgieyeabitnooan'
than，speciallywhanIcomeupo'onythingbyord'nar'tasty！”
“Thatyedu，Anerew，orIdinnakenwhatwudcomeo'mysowlonymairnoro'yourboady！Saeyesee，sir，we'relikeJohnSpratan'
hiswife：——ye'llkenthebairns'sayabootthem？”
“Ay，finethat，“repliedDonal。“Yecouldnaweelbebetterfittit。“
“Godgrantit！”shesaid。“ButwewadfitbetteryetgienIhadbutawheenmairbrains。“
“TheLordkennedwhatbrainsyehadwhanhebrouchtyethegither，“
saidDonal。
“Yeneveruttertatruerword，“repliedthecobbler。“GientheLordbecontentwi'thebrainshe'sgienye，an'Ibecontentwi'thebrainsyegieme，whatrichthaeyetobediscontentitwi'thebrainsyehae，Doory？——answermethat。ButIs'cometothetable——Wudyealloometospeirefteryername，sir？”
“Myname'sDonalGrant，“repliedDonal。
“Ithankye，sir，an'I'llhauditinrespec'，“returnedthecobbler。“MaisterGrant，wullyeaskablessin'？”
“Iwadraitherj'ini'youraskin'，“repliedDonal。
Thecobblersaidalittleprayer，andthentheybegantoeat——firstofoat-cakes，bakedbytheoldwoman，thenofloaf-breid，astheycalledit。
“I'msorryIhaenaejeallyorjamtosetaforeye，sir，“saidDoory，“we'rebutsemplefowk，yesee——contenttohaudoorearthlytaibernaclesinahaibitableconditiontillwehaenoticetoquit。“
“It'safinethingtoken，“saidthecobbler，withaqueerlook，“'atwhanyelea''t，yerhoosefa'sdoon，an'yehaenatothinko'
onydamagestopey——forby'atgienitlaistitonytimeefteryewasooto''t，theremichtbeawheendeevilstakin'uptheirabodeintil't。“
“Hoot，Anerew！”interposedhiswife，“there'snaethinglikethati'
scriptur'！”
“Hoot，Doory！”returnedAndrew，“whatkenyeabootwhat'snoi'
scriptur'？Yekenaheap，Ialloo，abootwhat'sinscriptur'，butyekenlittleabootwhat'snointil't！”
“Weel，isna'tbesttokenwhat'sintil't？”
“'Ayontadoobt。“
“Weel！”shereturnedinplayfultriumph。
Donalsawthathehadgotholdofapairoforiginals：itwasajoytohisheart：hewashimselfanoriginal——one，namely，thatlivedclosetothesimplicitiesofexistence！
AndrewComin，beforeofferinghimhouse-room，wouldneverhaveaskedanyonewhathewas；buthewouldhavethoughtitanequallapseinbreedingnottoshowinterestinthehistoryaswellasthepersonofaguest。Afteralittlemoretalk，sofarfromcommonplacethatthecommonwouldhavefounditmirth-provoking，thecobblersaid：
“An'whatofficemayyehaudyersel'，sir，i'theministryo'thetemple？”
“IthinkIun'erstan'ye，“repliedDonal；“mymothersayscuriousthingslikeyou。“
“Curiousthingsiswhilesnothatcurious，“remarkedAndrew。
Apausefollowing，heresumed：
“Gienonythinggieyereasontoprefarwaitin'tillyekenDooryan'
meabitbetter，sir，“hesaid，“coontmyill-mainnertquestonnospeirt。“
“There'snaething，“answeredDonal。“I'lltellyeonythingora'thingabootmysel'。“
“Tellwhatyewull，sir，an'keepwhatyewull，“saidthecobbler。
“Iwasbrouchtupaherd-laddie，“proceededDonal，“an'whilesashepherdane。FormonyayearIkentmairabootthehill-sidenortheingle-neuk。Butit'sthesameGodan'Fatherupo'thehill-sidean'i'theking'spailace。“
“An'ye'llkena'abootthewin'，an'thecloods，an'thew'yso'
Godootsidethehoose！Ikensomethinghoohehaudsthingsgaein'
insidethehoose——inabody'shert，Imean——inminean'Doory'sthere，butIkenlittleabootthew'yhegarsthingswork'athe'snosaefarbenin。“
“YedinnasurelythinkGodfillsnaa'thing？”exclaimedDonal。
“Na，na；Ikenbetternorthat，“answeredthecobbler；“butyemaunallooatod'shole'snosaedeepasthethro'to'aburnin'
m'untain！Godhimsel'cannawinsaefarbeninashallowplaceasinadeepplace；hecannabesaefarbeni'thewin's，thoughhegarsthemduashelikes，asheis，orsudbe，i'yourhertan'
mine，sir！”
“Isee！”respondedDonal。“CouldthathaebeenhootheLordhadtorebukethewin'san'thewawves，asgientheyhadbeengaein'attheirainfreewull，i'steado'thewullo'him'atmadetheman'
setthemgaein'？”
“Maybe；butIwudhaetothinkabootit'aforeIanswert，“repliedthecobbler。
Asilenceintervened。ThensaidAndrew，thoughtfully，“Ithoucht，whenIsawyefirst，yewasmaybealadfraeashopi'
themuckletoon——oraclerk，astheyca'them，'atsitsmakin'upaccoonts。“
“Na，I'mnothat，IthankGod，“saidDonal。
“WhatforthankyeGodforthat？”askedAndrew。“A'placeishis。I
wudnahaeyethankGodye'renoacobblerlikeme！Yemicht，though，forit'slittleyecankeno'theguido'thecallin'！”
“I'lltellyewhatfor，“answeredDonal。“Ikenweeltoon-fowkthinkitaheapbettertohaetoduwi'figuresnorwi'sheep，butI'mnoo'theirmin'；an'foraething，thesheep'salive。Icouldweelfancyanangelashepherd——an'hewadcoontmyfatherguidcompany！
Troth，hewadwantwingsan'airmsan'feetan'a'toluikefterthelambswhiles！Butgiensicaanewasaclerkinacoontin'
hoose，hewadhaetostowawathewings；Icannotseewhatusehewadhaeforthemthere。Hemichtbeanangela'thetime，an'thatnoafallenane，buthebudetolayasidesomethingtofittheplace。“
“Butye'renoashepherdthenoo？”saidthecobbler。
“Na，“repliedDonal，“——'cep'itbeI'msettoluikefteranithergradeo'lamb。Afreen'——yemay'a'h'ardhisname——sirGilbertGalbraith——madethebeginnin'o'ascholaro'me，an'nooIhaemydegreefraetheaulduniversityo'Inverdaur。“
“DidnaIthinkasmuckle！”criedmistressComintriumphant。“Ihadnatimetosay'ttoye，Anerew，butIwassurehewasfraethecollege，an'thatwashoohisfeetwarsaemucklewaurfurnishtnorhisheid。“
“Ihaeapairo'shunei'mykist，though——whanthatcomes！”saidDonal，laughing。
“Ionlyhoupitwinnabeowermuckletowinupoorstair！”
“Idinnathinkit。Butwe'lllea''ti'thestreetaforeits'come'atween's！”saidDonal。“Gienye'llhaeme，saelang'sI'mi'thetoon，Is'gangnaeithergait。“
“An'ye'lldoobtlessreadtheGreeklikeyermither-tongue？”saidthecobbler，withalongingadmirationinhistone。
“Na，nolikethat；butweeleneuchtogetguido''t。“
“Weel，that'sjisttheaethingIgrutchye——na，nogrutch——I'mglaidyehae't——buttheaethingIwudfainbeascholarformysel'！
TothinkIkennaacheepo'thewordspokenbytheWordhimsel'！”
“Butthelettero'thewordhemadelittleo'comparetwi'thespeerit！”saidDonal。
“Ay，that'strue！an'yetit'swhauramanmayweelbegreedyan'
wanttohaea'thing：whahasthespeeritwadfainhaethelettertu！
Butitdisnamaitter；Is'settolearnin''tthefirstthingwhanIgangupthestair——thatis，gienitbetheLord'swull。“
“Hoots！”saidhiswife，“whatwadyeduwi'Greekupthere！Is'
warran'thefowkthere，ay，an'themaisterhimsel'，speyksplainScotch！Whatforno！Whatwadtheydutherewi'Greek，'atabodywadhaetowarstlewi'fraemornin'tonicht，an'nomakootthethirdpairto''t！”
Herhusbandlaughedmerrily，butDonalsaid，“'Deedmaybeye'renasaefarwrang，guidwife！I'mthinkin'theremaunbeagran'mither-tonguethere，'at'llsoopupa'thelave，an'bebettertoun'erstan'norabody'sain——forit'llbeyetmairhisain。“
“Heartilhim！”criedthecobbler，withheartyapprobation。
“Yeken，“Donalwenton，“a'thelanguageso'theearthcam，orluikasgientheyhadcome，fraeane，thoughwe'renojistdogsureo'
that。There'smymither'sainGaelic，forenstance：it'sasauld，maybeauldernortheGreek；onygait，ithasmairGreeknorLaitinwordsintil't，an'yekentheGreek'sanauldertonguenortheLaitin。Weel，gienwecouldworkoorw'ybacktotheauldestgrit-gran'mither-tongueo'a'，I'mthinkin'itwadcomeakino'saeeasytil's，'at，wi'theimpruvtfacultieso'oorh'avenlycondition，wemichtbeableinafeowdaystohaudcommunicationwi'
aneanitheri'thatsame，ohnstammertorhummtan'hawt。“
“Butthere'sbeensicaheapo'thingsf'un'ootsin'syne，i'themin'o'man，asweel'si'thewarl'ootside，“saidAndrew，“thatsicalanguagewadbemairlikeabairn'stonguenoramither's，I'mthinkin'，whansetagainsta''atwadbetospeykaboot！”
“Ye'reverrarichtthere，Idinnadoobt。Buthooeasywaditbeforilkanetobringinthenewwordhewantit，haein'eneuchcommonaforetoexplain'twi'！Aforelangthelanguagewadhaeintil'tilkaword'atwasworthhaein'inonylanguage'ateverwasspokensin'thetooro'Babel。“
“Eh，sirs，butit'sdreidfu'tothinko'haein'tolearnsaemuckle！”saidtheoldwoman。“I'mowerauldan'dottlet！”
Herhusbandlaughedagain。
“Idinnaseewhatyehaetolauchat！”shesaid，laughingtoo。
“Ye'llbedottletyersel'gienyelivelangeneuch！”
“I'mthinkin'，“saidAndrew，“butIdinnaken——'atitmaunbeaman'sainwytegienagemakshimdottlet。Gienhe'sayebeenhaudin'bythetrowth，Idinnathinkhe'llfin'thetrowth，hasnahaudenbyhim——ButwhatIwaslauchin'atwasthethouchto'
onybodybein'auldupthere。We'lla'beyoongthere，lass！”
“ItsallbeastheLordwulls，“returnedhiswife。
“Itsall。Wewantnaemair；an'eh，wewantnaeless！”respondedherhusband。
Sotheeveningworeaway。ThetalkwastotheverymindofDonal，whoneverlovedwisdomsomuchaswhensheappearedinpeasant-garb。
Inthatgarbhehadfirstknownher，andintheformofhismother。
“Iwon'er，“saidDooryatlength，“'atyoongEppy'snoputtin'inherappearance！Iwassureo'herthenicht：shehasnabeennear'sa'theweek！”
ThecobblerturnedtoDonaltoexplain。Hewouldnottalkofthingstheirguestdidnotunderstand；thatwouldbelikeshuttinghimoutaftertakinghimin！
“YoongEppy'sagran'child，sir——theonlyanewehae。She'saweelbehavetlass，thoughta'enupwi'thethingso'thiswarl'mairnorhergranniean'mecouldwuss。She'sinaplacenofarfraehere——noaneasyane，maybe，togiesatisfactionin，butshe'sduin'
nothatill。“
“Hoot，Anerew！she'sduin'jistaswellasonylassieo'heryearscouldinjusticebeexpeckit，“interposedthegrandmother。“It'sseldomtheLord'atsetsauldheidupo'yoongshoothers。“
Thewordswerehardlyspokenwhenalightfootwasheardcomingupthestair。
“——Buthereshecomestoanswerforhersel'！”sheaddedcheerily。
Thedooroftheroomopened，andagood-lookinggirlofabouteighteencamein。
“Weel，yoongEppy，hoo'sa'wi'ye？”saidtheoldman。
Thegrandmother'snamewasElspeth，thegrand-daughter'shadthereforealwaystheprefix。
“Brawly，thankye，gran'father，“sheanswered。“Hoo'sa'wi'
yersel'？”
“Ow，weelcobblet！”hereplied。
“Sityedoon，“saidthegrandmother，“bythesparko'fire；thenicht'ssomeairylike。“
“Na，grannie，Iwantnaefire，“saidthegirl。“Ihaeruna'thero'dtogetaglimp'o'ye'aforetheweekwasoot。“
“Hoo'sthingsgaein'upatthecastel？”
“Ow，sic-like'susual——onlythehoosekeeper'ssomedowy，an'thatputsmairupo'thelaveo''s：whanshe'sweel，she'snoanetosparehersel'——oritherfowkaither！——Iwadnacare，gienshewudbutlippentilabody！”concludedyoungEppy，withatossofherhead。
“Wemaunnaspeykevilo'dignities，yoongEppy！”saidthecobbler，withatwinkleinhiseye。
“Ca'yemistressBrookesadignity，gran'father！”saidthegirl，withalaughthatwasnowiserude。
“Ido，“heanswered。“Isnasheowerye？Haenayetoduasshetellsye？'Atweenheran'youthat'seneuch：she'saneo'thedignitiesspokeno'。“
“Iwinnadisputeit。But，eh，it'squeerwarkyon'er！”
“Takyecare，yoongEppy！wemaunhaudoortonguesabootthingscommittittiloortrust。Anepeyttoserveinahoosemaunnatre'ttheaffairso'thathooseasgientheywarherain。“
“Itwadbeweelgiena'bodyaboutthehoosewasaspartic'larasyewadhaeme，gran'father！”
“Hoo'smylord，lass？”
“Ow，mucklethesame——ayeupthestairan'doonthestairtheforepairto'thenicht，an'maistinveesiblea'day。“
ThegirlcastashyglancenowandthenatDonal，asifsheclaimedhimonherside，thoughtheolderpeoplemustbehumoured。Donalwasnottoosimpletounderstandher：hegaveherlooknoreception。
Bethinkinghimselfthattheymighthavematterstotalkabout，herose，andturningtohishostess，said，“Wi'yerleave，gudewife，Iwadgangtomybed。Ihaetraiveltamaittero'thirtymilethedayupo'mybarefeet。“
“Eh，sir！”sheanswered，“Iouchttohaeconsidertthat！——Come，yoongEppy，wemaungetthegentleman'sbedmadeupforhim。“
Withatossofherprettyhead，Eppyfollowedhergrandmothertothenextroom，castingaglancebehindherthatseemedtoaskwhatshemeantbycallingaladwithoutshoesorstockingsagentleman。Notthelessreadilyoractively，however，didsheassisthergrandmotherinpreparingthetiredwayfarer'scouch。Inafewminutestheyreturned，andtellinghimtheroomwasquitereadyforhim，Dooryaddedahopethathewouldsleepassoundasifhisownmotherhadmadethebed。
Heheardthemtalkingforawhileafterthedoorwasclosed，butthegirlsoontookherleave。Hewasjustfallingasleepintheluxuryofconsciousrepose，whenthesoundofthecobbler'shammerforamomentrousedhim，andheknewtheoldmanwasagainatworkonhisbehalf。AmomentmoreandhewastoofastasleepforanyCyclops'
hammertowakehim。
CHAPTERVII。
ASUNDAY。
NotwithstandinghiswearinessDonalwokeearly，forhehadsleptthoroughly。Heroseanddressedhimself，drewasidethelittlecurtainthatshroudedthewindow，andlookedout。Itwasalovelymorning。Hisprospectwasthecuriousoldmainstreetofthetown。
Thesunthathadshoneintoitwasnowshiningfromtheotherside，butnotashadowoflivingcreaturefellupontheroughstones！
Yes——therewasacatshootingacrossthemliketheculpritheprobablywas！Iftherewasagardentothehouse，hewouldgoandreadinthefreshmorningair！
Hestolesoftlythroughtheouterroom，anddownthestair；foundtheback-doorandawater-butt；thenagardenconsistingoftwoorthreeplotsofflowerswellcaredfor；andendedhisdiscoverieswithaseatsurroundedandalmostcanopiedwithhoneysuckle，wheredoubtlessthecobblersometimessmokedhispipe！“Whydoeshenotworkhereratherthaninthearchway？”thoughtDonal。But，dearlyashelovedflowersandlightandthefreeairofthegarden，theoldcobblerlovedthefacesofhiskindbetter。Hisprayerforfortyyearshadbeentobemadelikehismaster；andifthatprayerwasnotanswered，howwasitthat，everyyearhelived，hefoundhimselflovingthefacesofhisfellowsmoreandmore？Everastheypassed，insteadofinterferingwithhiscontemplations，theygavehimmoreandmoretothink：werethesefaces，heasked，thesymbolsofacelestiallanguageinwhichGodtalkedtohim？
Donalsatdown，andtookhisGreekTestamentfromhispocket。Butallatonce，brilliantaswasthesun，thelightofhislifewentout，andthevisionroseofthegrayquarry，andthegirlturningfromhiminthewanmoonlight。Thenswiftasthoughtfollowedthevisionofthewomenweepingabouttheforsakentomb；andwithhisrisenLordherosealso——intoaregionfar“abovethesmokeandstirofthisdimspot，“aregionwherelifeisgoodevenwithitssorrow。
Themanwhoseeshisdisappointmentbeneathhim，ismoreblessedthanhewhorejoicesinfruition。Thenprayerawoke，andinthelightofthatmorningofpeacehedrewnighthelivingone，andknewhimasthesourceofhisbeing。Wearywithblessednessheleanedagainsttheshadowinghoneysuckle，gaveagreatsighofcontent，smiled，wipedhiseyes，andwasreadyforthedayandwhatitshouldbring。Buttheblisswentnotyet；hesatforawhileinthejoyofconsciouslossinthehigherlife。Withhismeditationsandfeelingsminglednowandthenafewmuffledblowsofthecobbler'shammer：hewasoncemoreatworkonhisdisabledshoe。
“Hereisatrueman！”hethought，“——aGodlikehelperofhisfellow！”
Whenthehammerceased，thecobblerwasstitching；whenDonalceasedthinking，hewentonfeeling。Againandagaincamealittlerollofthecobbler'sdrum，givingglorytoGodbydoinghiswill：thesweetestandmostacceptablemusicisthatwhichrisesfromworkadoing；itsincenseascendsasfromtheriverinitsflowing，fromthewindinitsblowing，fromthegrassinitsgrowing。Allatonceheheardthevoicesoftwowomeninthenextgarden，closebehindhim，talkingtogether。
“Eh，“saidone，“there'sthatgodlesscratur，An'rewComin，athiswarkagainupo'theSawbathmornin'！”
“Ay，lass，“answeredtheother，“Ihearhim！Eh，butit'llbeanilldayforhimwhanhehastoappearaforethejeedgeo'a'！Hewinnahaehiscomman'mentsbrokenthatgait！”
“Troth，na！”returnedtheformer；“it'llbeasairsattlindayforhim！”
Donalrose，andlookingabouthim，sawtwodecent，elderlywomenontheothersideofthelowstonewall。HewasapproachingthemwiththerequestonhislipstoknowwhichoftheLord'scommandmentstheysupposedthecobblertobebreaking，when，seeingthathemusthaveoverheardthem，theyturnedtheirbacksandwalkedaway。
Andnowhishostess，havingdiscoveredhewasinthegarden，cametocallhimtobreakfast——thesimplestofmeals——porridge，withacupofteaafteritbecauseitwasSunday，andtherewasdangerofsleepinessatthekirk。
“Yershune'swaitin'ye，sir，“saidthecobbler。“Ye'llfin'themabetterjobnoryeexpeckit。They'reabetterjob，onygait，norI
expeckit！”
Donalmadehastetoputthemon，andfeltdressedfortheSunday。
“Areyegaein'tothekirktheday，Anerew？”askedtheoldwoman，adding，assheturnedtotheirguest，“Myman'sraitherpecooliarabootgaein'tothekirk！Somedayshe'llgangthreetimes，an'
somedayshewinnagangance！——Hekenshimsel'whatfor！”sheaddedwithasmile，whosesweetnessconfessedthat，whateverwasthereason，itwastoherthebestintheworld。
“Ay，I'mgaein'theday：Iwanttogangwi'oornewfreen'，“heanswered。
“I'lltakhimgienyedinnacaretogang，“rejoinedhiswife。
“Ow，I'llgang！”hepersisted。“It'llgie'ssomethingtotalkaboot，an'saekenaneanitherbetter，an'maybecomeabitneareraneanither，an'saeabitnearerthemaister。That'swhatwe'reherefor——comin'an'gaein'。“
“Asyeplease，Anerew！What'srichttoyou'sayerichttome。O'
myainsel'Iwadbedoobtfu'o'sicarizzonforgaein'tothekirk——togetsomethingtospeykaboot。“
“It'saguderizzonwhauryehaenaabetter，“heanswered。“It'saftenIgetatthekirknaethingbutwhatangersme——leesan'leesagenmyLordan'myGod。Butwhanthere'sanetotalkitowerwi'，ane'athassomecareforGodasweel'sforhimsel'，there'ssomeguidsuretocomeooto''t——somerevelationo'therealrichteousness——nowhatfowk'atgangsbytheministersca'srichteousness——Isyershunecomfortabletoyerfeet，sir？”
“Ay，thattheyare！an'Ithankye：they'refullbetternornew。“
“Weel，wewinnahaeworshipthismornin'；whanyegangtothekirkit'slikeaitin'mairnor'sguidforye。“
“Hoots，Anerew！yedinnathinkabodycanhaeowermuckleo'theword！”saidhiswife，anxiousastotheimpressionhemightmakeonDonal。
“Owna，gienabodytakitin，an'disgeistit！Butit'snoabonnythingtohaethewordstickin'aboutyermoo'，an'baggin'ootyerpooches，notosaylyin'cauldupo'yerstamack，an'itforthelifeo'men。Thelessyetakabunewhatyeputinpracticethebetter；
an'gienthethingsaidhaenaethingtoduwi'practice，thelessyeheeditthebetter——Gienyehaeduneyerbrakfast，sir，we'llgang——no'atit'sfreelykirk-timeyet，buttheSabbath's'maisttheonlydayIgetabito'awalk，an'gienyehaenaeobjectiontilaturnaboottheLord'smucklehooseaforewegangintilhislittleane——weca''this，butIdoobtit——I'llbereadyinameenute。“
Donalwillinglyagreed，andthecobbler，alreadyclothedinpartofhisSundaybest，apairofcorduroytrousersofamousecolour，havinginduedanancienttail-coatofbluewithgiltbuttons，theysetouttogether；andfortheirconversation，itwasjustthesameasitwouldhavebeenanyotherday：whereeverydayisnottheLord's，theSundayishisleastofall。
Theyleftthetown，andweresoonwalkinginmeadowsthroughwhichranaclearriver，shiningandspeedyinthemorningsun。Itsbankswerelargelyusedforbleaching，andthelonglinesofwhiteinthelovelygreenofthenaturalgrasswerepleasantbothtoeyeandmind。Allabout，therookswerefeedinginpeace，knowingtheirfreedomthatdayfromthepersecutiontowhich，likeallotherdoersofgood，theyareingeneralexposed。Beyondthestreamlayalevelplainstretchingtowardsthesea，dividedintonumberlessfields，anddottedwithfarmhousesandhamlets。Onthesidewherethefriendswerewalking，thegroundwasmorebroken，risinginplacesintosmallhills，manyofthemwooded。Halfamileawaywasoneofaconicalshape，onwhosetoptoweredacastle。Oldandgrayandsullen，itlifteditselffromthefoliagearounditlikeagreatrockfromasummersea，andstoodoutagainsttheclearblueskyoftheJunemorning。Thehillwascoveredwithwood，mostlyratheryoung，butatthebottomweresomeancientfirsandbeeches。Atthetop，roundthebaseofthecastle，thetreeswerechieflydelicatebircheswithmoonlightskin，andfeatherylarchesnotthrivingoverwell。
“Whatca'theyyoncastel？”questionedDonal。“Itmaunbeaplaceo'
someimportance！”
“Theymaistlyca''tjistthecastel，“answeredthecobbler。“Itsauldname'sGraham'sGrip。It'slordMorven'splace，an'theyca'
'tCastelGraham：thefaimily-name'sGraham，yeken。Theyca，themsel'sGraeme-Graham——jisttwaw'yso'spellin'thenameputtenthegither。Thelastlord，noupo'themainbrainch，theytellme，spelledhisnamewi'thediphthong，an'wasnawillin'togie'tupa'thegither——saetuikthetwao'them。You'swhauryoongEppy'satservice——An'thatmin'sme，sir，yehaenatelltmeyetwhatkin'
o'aplaceyewadhaeyersel。'It'sno'atapuirbodylikemecanhelp，butit'sayeweeltolatfowkkenwhatye'reefter。Awordgangsspeirin'langefterit'sooto'sicht——an'theanswermaycomefraefar。TheLordwhilesbringsabootthingsi'themaistoonliklyfashion。“
“I'mreadyforonythingI'mfittodo，“saidDonal；“butIhaehadwhat'sca'dagoodeducation——thoughIhaelearnedmairfraemyainneedsthanfraea'mybuiks；saeiwadraithertillthehumanthantheearthlysoil，takin'mairinteresti'theschoolmaister'scrapsthani'thefairmer's。“
“Wadyeobjec'tomaisteranebyhimsel'——ormaybetwa？”
“Na，surely——gienIsawmysel'fit。“
“Eppymentiontlastnicht'attherewaswordabootthecastelo'atutorfortheyoongest。Haeyeonyw'yo'approachin'theplace？”
“Nottilltheministercomeshome，“answeredDonal。“Ihavealettertohim。“
“He'llbebackbythemiddleo'theweek，Ihearthemsay。“
“Canyoutellmeanythingaboutthepeopleatthecastle？”askedDonal。
“Icould，“answeredAndrew；“butsomethingsisbetterf'un'ootnorkenned'aforehan'。Ilkaplacehasitsainshape，an'maistthingshastohaesomeparin'togarthemfit。That'swhatItellyoongEppy——mony'sthetime！”
Herecameapause，andwhenAndrewspokeagain，itseemedonanewline。
“Diditeveroccurtoye，sir，“hesaid，“'atmaybedeithmichtbethefirstwaukin'tosomefowk？”
“Ithasoccurrttome，“answeredDonal；“butmonythingscomeintilabody'sheid'athe'snoabletothinkoot！Theymaunliean'bidetheirtime。“
“Latnaneo'theloverso'lawan'letterperswaudyetheLordwadnahaeyethink——thoughnanebuthim'atobeyscanthinkwi'safety。
Wemaundofirstthething'atweken，an'synewemaythinkabootthething'atwedinnaken。Ifancy'atwhilestheLordwadnasayathingjistnotostopfowkthinkin'abootit。Hewasayeatgettin'
themtomakuseo'thecan'leo'theLord。It'smybeliefthemainobstaclestothegrowtho'thekingdomarefirsttheoonbeliefo'
believers，an'synethew'y'attheylaydoonthelaw。'Aforetheyhaelearnttherudimen'so'thetrowththemsel's，theybegintolaythegrievousburdeno'theirdullnessan'ill-conceivednotionso'
holythingsupo'themin'san'conscienceso'theirneebours，fain，yewadthink，tohaudthemfraegrowin'onymairnorthemsel's。Eh，man，buttheLord'swon'erfu'！Yemaydauran'daur，an'nocomei'sichto''im！”
Thechurchstoodalittlewayoutofthetown，inachurchyardovergrownwithgrass，whichthewindblewlikeafieldofcorn。
Manyofthestoneswereoutofsightinit。Thechurch，arelicofoldcatholicdays，roseoutofitlikeonethathadtakentogrowingandsogotthebetterofhisills。Theywalkedintothemusty，dingy，brown-atmospheredhouse。Thecobblerledthewaytoahumbleplacebehindapillar；thereDoorywasseatedwaitingthem。TheservicewasnotsodrearytoDonalasusual；thesermonhadsomethoughtinit；andhisheartwasdrawntoamanwhowouldsayhedidnotunderstand。
“Yonwasafinediscoorse，“remarkedthecobblerastheywenthomeward。
Donalsawnothingfineinit，buthisexperiencewasnotsowideasthecobbler's：tohimthediscoursehadhintedmanythingswhichhadnotoccurredtoDonal。
Somepeopledemandfromthehouseholdernonebutnewthings，othersnonebutold；whereasweneedintruthofallthesortsinhistreasury。
“Ihaenaadoobtitwasa'richtan'asyesay，Anerew，“saidhiswife；“butformysel'Icouldmaknaitherheidnortailo''t。“
“Isaidna，Doory，itwasa'richt，“returnedherhusband；“thatwouldbetosayaheapforonythinghuman！butitwasaguidhonestsermon。“
“Whatwasyon'athesaidabootthemirraclesnobein'teeps？”askedhiswife。
“ItwasGod'strowth'at，“hesaid。“
“Giemeashareo'thesameIbego'ye，AnerewComin。“
“Whatthemansaidwasthis——'atthesea'atPetergaedootupo'
wasnafirstan'foremosttobeluikituponasateepo'theinwardan'spiritualtroubleso'thebeliever，stilllesso'thetroubleso'thechurcho'Christ。TheLorddealswi'fac'snanetheless'attheycannahelpbein'teeps。Herewasterriblefac'stoPeter。
Herewasangrywatteran'roarin'win'；herewasdangeran'fear：
themanhadtotrustorgangdoon。Gienthehoosebeonfirewemauntrust；gienthewattergangoweroorheidswemauntrust；gienthehorserinawa'，wemauntrust。Him'atcannatrustinsiclikeconditions，Iwadnagieaplackforonyitherkin'o'faithhemayhae。God'snaeamerethouchti'thewarl'o'thoucht，butaleevin'pooerina'warl'salike。Him'atgangstoGodwi'asairheid'illthesunergangtil'imwi'asairhert；an'them'atthinksnahecaresforthepainso'theirbodies'illillbelievehecaresforthedoobtsan'perplexitieso'theirinquirin'speerits。
Tomymin'hespakthebesto'sense！”
“Ididnahearhimsayonythinglikethat！”saidDonal。
“Didyeno？Weel，Ithouchtitcamfraehimtome！”
“MaybeIwasnagiein'thebestheed，“saidDonal。“Butwhatyesayisastrueasthesun。Itstan'storizzon。“
Thedaypassedinpleasureandquiet。Donalhadfoundanotherfatherandmother。
CHAPTERVIII。
THEGATE。
Thenextday，afterbreakfast，Donalsaidtohishost——
“NooImaunpeyyeformyshune，forgienIdinnapeyatance，I
cannatellhoomuckletoca'myain，an'whatIhaetogangbytillIgetmair。“
“Na，na，“returnedthecobbler。“There'sjistaepreejudiceIhaeleftconcernin'theSawbath-day；Ifirmlybelieveitapreejudice，forsiller'stheLord'stu，butIcannawinower't：Icannabringmysel'totaksillerforonywarkduneupo''t！SaeyemaunjistbecontenttolatthatfleesticktotheLord'swa'。Ye'llduasmuckleformesomeday！”
“There'snaethingleftmebuttothankye，“saidDonal。“There'stheludgin'an'theboord，though！——Imaunkenabootthem'aforewegangfarther。“
“They'renaneo'mybusiness，“repliedAndrew。“Ilea'a'thattothegudewife，an'Icoonselyetoduthesame。She'sacapitalmanager，an'winnachairgeyeowermuckle。“
Donalcouldbutyield，andpresentlywentoutforastroll。
Hewanderedalongthebankoftherivertillhecametothefootofthehillonwhichstoodthecastle。Seeingagate，heapproachedit，andfindingitopenwentin。Aslow-ascendingdrivewentthroughthetrees，roundandroundthehill。Hefolloweditalittleway。Anaromaticairnowblewandnowpausedashewent。
Thetreesseemedclimbinguptoattackthefortressabove，whichhecouldnotsee。Whenhehadgoneafewyardsoutofsightofthegate，hethrewhimselfdownamongthem，andfellintoareverie。
Theancienttimearosebeforehim，when，withoutatreetocovertheapproachofanenemy，thecastlerosedefiantandbareinitsstrength，likeanathletestrippedforthefight，andthelittletownhuddledcloseunderitsprotection。Whatwarshadthereblustered，whatrumoursblown，whatfearswhispered，whatsorrowsmoaned！Butweretherenotnowjustasmanyevilsasthen？Lettheworldimproveasitmay，thedeeperillonlybreaksoutafreshinnewforms。Timeitself，thestaring，vacant，unlovelytime，istomanytheonedreadfoe。Othershaveahouseemptyandgarnished，inwhichneitherLovenorHopedwells。Aself，withnoGodtoprotectfromit，aselfunrulable，insatiable，makesofexistencetosomethehellcalledmadness。Godlessmanisahorroroftheunfinished——ahopelessnecessityfortheunattainable！Themostdiscontentedarethosewhohaveallthetruthlessheartdesires。
ThoughtslikethesewerecomingandgoinginDonal'sbrain，whenheheardaslightsoundsomewherenearhim——thelightestofsoundsindeed——theturningoftheleafofabook。Heraisedhisheadandlooked，butcouldseenoone。Atlast，upthroughthetree-bolesontheslopeofthehill，hecaughttheshineofsomethingwhite：itwasthehandthatheldanopenbook。Hetookitforthehandofalady。Thetrunkofalargetreehidtherecliningform。Hewouldgoback！Therewasthelovelycloth-stripedmeadowtoliein！
Herosequietly，butnotquietlyenoughtostealaway。Frombehindthetree，ayoungman，rathertallandslender，roseandcametowardshim。Donalstoodtoreceivehim。
“Ipresumeyouareunawarethatthesegroundsarenotopentothepublic！”hesaid，notwithoutatouchofhaughtiness。
“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal。“Ifoundthegateopen，andtheshadeofthetreeswasenticing。“
“Itisofnoconsequence，“returnedtheyouth，nowwithsomecondescension；“onlymyfatherisapttobeannoyedifheseesanyone——“
Hewasinterruptedbyacryfromfartherupthehill——
“Oh，thereyouare，Percy！”
“Andthereyouare，Davie！”returnedtheyouthkindly。
Aboyofabouttencametowardsthemprecipitately，jumpingstumps，anddartingbetweenstems。
“Takecare，takecare，Davie！”criedtheother：“youmaysliponarootandfall！”
“Oh，Iknowbetterthanthat！——Butyouareengaged！”
“Notintheleast。Comealong。“
Donallingered：theyouthhadnotfinishhisspeech！
“IwenttoArkie，“saidtheboy，“butshecouldn'thelpme。Ican'tmakesenseofthis！Iwouldn'tcareifitwasn'tastory。“
Hehadanoldfoliounderonearm，withafingeroftheotherhandinitsleaves。
“Itisacurioustasteforachild！”saidtheyouth，turningtoDonal，inwhomhehadrecognizedthepeasant-scholar：“thislittlebrotherofminereadsallthedulloldromanceshecanlayhishandson。“
“Perhaps，“suggestedDonal，“theyaretheonlyfictionswithinhisreach！CouldyounotturnhimlooseuponsirWalterScott？”
“Agoodsuggestion！”heanswered，castingakeenglanceatDonal。
“Willyouletmelookatthepassage？”saidDonaltotheboy，holdingouthishand。
Theboyopenedthebook，andgaveithim。OnthetopofthepageDonalread，“TheCountessofPembroke'sArcadia。“Hehadreadofthebook，buthadneverseenit。
“That'sagrandbook！”hesaid。
“Horriblydreary，“remarkedtheelderbrother。
Theyoungerreachedup，andlaidhisfingeronthepagenexthim。
“There，sir！”hesaid；“thatistheplace：dotellmewhatitmeans。“
“Iwilltry，“answeredDonal；“Imaynotheable。“
Hebegantoreadatthetopofthepage。
“That'snottheplace，sir！”saidtheboy。“Itisthere。“
“Imustknowsomethingofwhatgoesbeforeitfirst，“returnedDonal。
“Oh，yes，sir；Isee！”heanswered，andstoodsilent。
Hewasafair-hairedboy，withruddycheeksandahealthylook——sweet-temperedevidently。
Donalpresentlysawbothwhatthesentencemeantandthecauseofhisdifficulty。Heexplainedthethingtohim。
“Thankyou！thankyou！NowIshallgeton！”hecried，andranupthehill。
“Youseemtounderstandboys！”saidthebrother。
“Ihavealwayshadasortofambitiontounderstandignorance。“
“Understandignorance？”
“Youknowwhatqueershapestheshadowsoftheplainestthingstake：
IneverseemtounderstandanythingtillIunderstanditsshadow。“
TheyouthglancedkeenlyatDonal。
“IwishIhadhadatutorlikeyou！”hesaid。
“Why？”askedDonal。
“Ishoulddonebetter——Wheredoyoulive？”
DonaltoldhimhewaslodgingwithAndrewComin，thecobbler。A
silencefollowed。
“Goodmorning！”saidtheyouth。
“Goodmorning，sir！”returnedDonal，andwentaway。
CHAPTERIX。
THEMORVENARMS。
OnWednesdayeveningDonalwenttoTheMorvenArmstoinquireforthethirdtimeifhisboxwascome。Thelandlordsaid，ifagreatheavytool-chestwasthethingheexpected，ithadcome。
“DonalGrantwadbethenameupo''t，“saidDonal。
“'Deed，Ididnaluik，“saidthelandlord。“Itsi'thebackyard。“
AsDonalwentthroughthehousetotheyard，hepassedthedoorofaroomwheresomeofthetownsfolksat，andheardtheearlmentioned。
HehadnotaskedAndrewanythingabouttheyoungmanhehadspokenwith；forheunderstoodthathishostheldhimselfnotatlibertytotalkaboutthefamilyinwhichhisgranddaughterwasaservant。Butwhatwassaidinpublichesurelymighthear！Herequestedthelandlordtolethimhaveabottleofale，andwentintotheroomandsatdown。
Itwasadecentparlourwithasandedfloor。Thoseassembledwereamixedcompanyfromtownandcountry，havingatumblerofwhisky-toddytogetherafterthemarket。Oneofthemwasastrangerwhohadbeenreceivingfromtheothersvariouspiecesofinformationconcerningthetownanditsneighbourhood。
“Imin'theauldmanweel，“awrinkledgray-hairedmanwassayingasDonalentered，“——avarradifferentmanfraethispresent。Hewudsitdoonasreadyasno——thatwudhe——wi'onypuirbodylikemysel'，an'giehimhiscracks，an'hearhisnews，an'drinkhisglaiss，an'
maknaethingo''t。Butthisman，haith！whaeversawhimcheengewordwi'britherman？”
“Ineverh'ardhoohecametotheteetle：theysayhewasbutsomefarawa'cousin！”remarkedafarmer-lookingman，floridandstout。
“Hoots！hewasainbrithertothelastyerl，wi'richttotheteetle，thoughnanetotheproperty。Thathe'sbuttakin'careo'
tillhisniececomeo'age。Hewasaheapaboottheplaceaforehisbritherdee'd，an'theywarfreen'sasweel'sbrithers。Theysay'attheladyArctoora——h'ardyeeversicahathenishnameforalass！——isb'un'tomerrytheyoonglord。There'sasichto'
clapper-clashaboottheplace，an'thefowk，an'theirstrangew'ys。
Theytellmenanecanbesaidtokentheyerlbuthisainman。Formysel'Inevercami'theircoonsel——no'eventothebuyin'orsellin'o'alamb。“
“Weel，“saidafair-haired，pale-facedman，“wekenfraescriptur'atthesinso'thefathersisveesititupo'thechildrentothethirdan'fourthgeneration——an'whacantell？”
“Whacantell，“rejoinedanother，whohadajudiciallookabouthim，inspiteofanunshavenbeard，andacertaingeneraldisregardtoappearances，“whacantellbutthesinso'oorfaithersmaybelyin'
upo'someo'oorsel'satthisvarramoment？”
“Inoorcase，Icannaseethethingwadbefair，“saidafifth：“wedinnaevenkenwhattheydid！”
“We'renotointerferewi'thewullo'theAlmichty，“rejoinedtheformer。“Itgangsitsaingait，an'mortalcannatellwhatthatgaitis。Hisjusticewinnabecontert。“
Donalfeltthattobesilentnowwouldbetodeclinewitnessing。Hefearedargument，lestheshouldfailandwrongtheright，buthemustnotthereforehangback。Hedrewhischairtowardsthetable。
“Wadyelatastrangerputinaword，freen's？”hesaid。
“Oway，an'welcome！Wesetnaupforthemeno'Gotham。“
“Weel，IwadspieraquestiongienImay。“
“Speirawa'。AnswerIwinnainsure，“saidthemanunshaven。
“Weel，wadyepleasetellmewhatyeca'thejusticeo'God？”
“Onybodycouldtellyethat：itconsistsi'thepunishmento'sin。
Hegiesilkasinnerwhathissindeserves。“
“Thatseemstomeanuncoae-siditdefinitiono'justice。“
“Weel，whatwadyemako''t？”
“Iwadsayjusticemeansfairplay；an'thejusticeo'Godliesi'
this，'athegiesilkaman，beast，an'deevil，fairplay。“
“I'mdoobtfu'abootthat！”saidadrover-lookingfellow。“Wemaungangbytheword；an'thewordsaysheveesitstheineequitieso'
thefathersupo'thechildrentothethirdan'fourthgeneration：I
nevercouldseethefairplayo'that！”
“Dinnayemeddlewi'things，John，'atyedinnaun'erstan'；yemaywauki'thewrangbox！”saidtheoldman。
“Iwanttoun'erstan'，“returnedJohn。“I'mnosayin'hedisnaduricht；I'monlysayin'Icannaseethefairplayo''t。“
“Itmayweelberichtan'younosee't！”
“Ay'weelthat！ButwhatforsudInosayIdinnasee't？Isnatheblin'mantosayhe'sblin'？”
Thiswasunanswerable，andDonalagainspoke。
“Itseemstome，“hesaid，“weneedfirsttoun'erstan'what'sconteenedi'theveesitin'o'thesinso'thefathersupo'thechildren，aforewedauronyjeedgmentconcernin''t。“
“Ay，that'ssenseeneuch！”confessedaresponsivemurmur。
“Ihaenaseenmuckleo'thiswarl'yet，comparedwi'you，sirs，“
Donalwenton，“butIhaebeenaheapmylanewi'nowtan'sheep，whanaheapo'thingsgaedthrouwmyheid；an'Ihaeseensomethingasweel，thoughnothatmuckle。Ihaeseenaman，a'hislife'aforeadoucehonestman，cometilaheapo'siller，an'gangtothedogs！”
Asecondmurmurseemedtoindicatecorroboration。
“Hegaeda'tothedogs，asIsay，“continuedDonal；“an'thebairnsheleft'ahinthimwhanhedee'do'drink，camupo'theperris，orwadhaehungertbutforsome'atkennedhimwhanhewasyetinhonouran'poverty。Noo，wadyenosaythiswasaveesitin'o'thesinso'thefatherupo'thechildren？”
“Ay，doobtless！”
“Weel，whanIh'ardlastabootthem，theywerea'likeeneuchtoturnoothonestladsan'lasses。“
“Ow，Idaursay！”
“An'whatmichtyethinktheprobabilitygientheyhadcomeintilaloto'sillerwhantheirfatherdee'd？”
“Maybetheymichthaeganethesamegaithegaed！”
“Wasthereinjusticethan，orwastherefavouri'thatveesitationo'thesinso'theirfatherupo'them？”
Therewasnoanswer。Thetoddywentdowntheirthroatsandthesmokecameoutoftheirmouths，butnoonedaredacknowledgeitmightbeagoodthingtobebornpoorinsteadofrich。SoentirelywasthesubjectdroppedthatDonalfearedhehadfailedtomakehimselfunderstood。Hedidnotknowthegeneralobjectiontotalkingofthingsoneternalprinciples。Wesetupforjudgesofrightwhileourveryselvesarewrong！Hesawthathehadcastawetblanketoverthecompany，andjudgeditbettertotakehisleave。
Borrowingawheelbarrow，hetrundledhischesthome，andunpackingitinthearchway，carriedhisbooksandclothestohisroom。
CHAPTERX
THEPARISHCLERGYMAN。
Thenextday，Donalputonhisbestcoat，andwenttocallontheminister。Shownintothestudy，hesawseatedtherethemanhehadmetonhisfirstday'sjourney，thesamewhohadpartedfromhiminsuchdispleasure。Hepresentedhisletter。
Mr。Carmichaelgavehimakeenglance，bututterednoworduntilhehadreadit。
“Well，youngman，“hesaid，lookingupathimwithconcentratedseverity，“whatwouldyouhavemedo？”
“Tellmeofanysituationyoumayhappentoknoworhearof，sir，“
saidDonal。“ThatisallIcouldexpect。“
“All！”repeatedtheclergyman，withsomethingverylikeasneer；
“——butwhatifIthinkthatallaverygreatdeal？WhatifI
imaginemyselfsetinchargeoveryoungmindsandhearts？WhatifI
knowyoubetterthanthegoodmanwhosefriendshipforyourparentsgiveshimakindinterestinyou？YoulittlethoughthowyouwereunderminingyourprospectslastFriday！Myoldfriendwouldscarcelyhavemewelcometomyparishonehemaybegladtoseeoutofhisown！Youcangotothekitchenandhaveyourdinner——Ihavenodesiretorenderevilforevil——butIwillnotbidyouGod-speed。
Andthesooneryoutakeyourselfoutofthis，youngman，thebetter！”
“Goodmorning，sir！”saidDonal，andlefttheroom。
Onthedoorstephemetayouthhehadknownbysightattheuniversity：itwastheminister'sson——theworst-behavedofallthestudents。Wasthisacaseofthesinsofthefatherbeingvisitedonthechild？DoesGodnevervisitthevirtuesofthefatheronthechild？
Alittleruffled，andnotalittledisappointed，Donalwalkedaway。
Almostunconsciouslyhetooktheroadtothecastle，andcomingtothegate，leanedonthetopbar，andstoodthinking。
Suddenly，downthroughthetreescameDaviebounding，pushedhishandthroughbetweenthebars，andshookhandswithhim。
“Ihavebeenlookingforyouallday，“hesaid。
“Why？”askedDonal。
“Forguesentyoualetter。“
“Ihavehadnoletter。“
“Eppytookitthismorning。“
“Ah，thatexplains！Ihavenotbeenhomesincebreakfast。“
“Itwastosaymyfatherwouldliketoseeyou。“
“Iwillgoandgetit：thenIshallknowwhattodo。“
“Whydoyoulivethere？Thecobblerisadirtylittleman！Yourclotheswillsmellofleather！”
“Heisnotdirty，“saidDonal。“Hishandsdogetdirty——verydirtywithhiswork——andhisfacetoo；andIdaresaysoapandwatercan'tgetthemquiteclean。Buthewillhaveaniceearth-bathoneday，andthatwilltakeallthedirtoff。Andifyoucouldseehissoul——thatisascleanascleancanbe——socleanitisquiteshining！”
“Haveyouseenit？”saidtheboy，lookingupatDonal，unsurewhetherhewasmakinggameofhim，ormeaningsomethingveryserious。
“Ihavehadaglimpseortwoofit。Ineversawacleaner——Youknow，mydearboy，there'sacleannessmuchdeeperthantheskin！”
“Iknow！”saidDavie，butstaredasifhewonderedhewouldspeakofsuchthings。
Donalreturnedhisgaze。Outofthefullnessofhishearthiseyesshone。Daviewasreassured。
“Canyouride？”heasked。
“Yes，alittle。“
“Whotaughtyou？”
“AnoldmareIwasfondof。“
“Ah，youaremakinggameofme！Idonotliketobemadegameof，“
saidDavie，andturnedaway。
“Noindeed，“repliedDonal。“Inevermakegameofanybody——ButnowIwillgoandfindtheletter。“
“Iwouldgowithyou，“saidtheboy，“butmyfatherwillnotletmebeyondthegrounds。Idon'tknowwhy。“
Donalhastenedhome，andfoundhimselfeagerlyexpected，fortheletteryoungEppyhadbroughtwasfromtheearl。ItinformedDonalthatitwouldgivehislordshippleasuretoseehim，ifhewouldfavourhimwithacall。
Inafewminuteshewasagainontheroadtothecastle。
CHAPTERXI。
THEEARL。
Hemetnooneonhiswayfromthegateupthroughthewood。Heascendedthehillwithitsdarkascendingfirs，toitscrownofsilverybirches，abovewhich，asoftenastheslowlycirclingroadbroughthimtotheotherside，hesawriselikeahelmetthegraymassofthefortress。Turretandtower，pinnacleandbattlement，appearedanddisappearedasheclimbed。Notuntilatlasthestoodalmostonthetop，andfromanopenspacebeheldnearlythewholefront，couldhetellwhatitwaslike。Itwasagrandpile，butlookedagloomyonetolivein。
Hestoodonabroadgrassyplatform，fromwhichroseagravelledterrace，andfromtheterracethecastle。Heranhiseyealongthefrontseekingadoorbutsawnone。Ascendingtheterracebyabroadflightofsteps，heapproachedadeeprecessinthefront，wheretwoportionsofthehouseofdifferingdatenearlymet。Insidethisrecesshefoundarathersmalldoor，flushwiththewall，thicklystuddedandplatedwithiron，surmountedbytheMorvenhorsescarvedingraystone，andsurroundedwithseveralmouldings。Lookingforsomemeansofannouncinghispresence，hesawahandleattheendofarodofiron，andpulled，butheardnothing：thesoundofthebellwassmotheredinawildernessofstonewalls。Byandby，however，appearedanoldservant，bowedandslow，withplentifulhairwhiteaswool，andamingledlookofchildishnessandcautioninhiswrinkledcountenance。
“Theearlwantstoseeme，“saidDonal。
“Whatname？”saidtheman。
“DonalGrant；buthislordshipwillbenothingthewiser，Isuspect；
Idon'tthinkheknowsmyname。Tellhim——theyoungmanhesentfortoAndrewComin's。“
Themanlefthim，andDonalbegantolookabouthim。Theplacewherehestoodwasamereentry，acellinhugewalls，withasecond，alow，round-headeddoor，liketheentrancetoaprison，bywhichthebutlerhaddisappeared。Therewasnothingbutbarestonearoundhim，withagaintheMorvenarmscutdeepintoitononeside。
Theceilingwasneithervaultednorgroinednorflat，butseemeddeterminedbytheaccidentalconcurrenceofendsofstonestairsandcornersoffloorsondifferentlevels。Itwasfulltenminutesbeforethemanreturnedandrequestedhimtofollowhim。
ImmediatelyDonalfoundhimselfinalargerandlessirregularstone-case，adornedwithheadsandhornsandskinsofanimals。
Crossingthis，themanopenedadoorcoveredwithredcloth，whichlookedstrangeinthemidstofthecoldhardstone，andDonalenteredanoctagonalspace，itsdoorsofdarkshiningoak，withcarvedstonelintelsanddoorposts，anditswallsadornedwitharmsandarmouralmosttothedomedceiling。Intoit，asifitdescendedsuddenlyoutofsomefarheight，butdroppingatlastlikeagentlyalightingbird，cametheendofaturnpike-stair，ofslowsweepandenormousdiameter——suchastairasinwildestgothictalehehadneverimagined。Liketherevolvingcentreofahugeshell，itwentupoutofsight，withplainpromiseofendlessconvolutionsbeyond。
Itwasofancientstone，butnotwornaswouldhavebeenanarrowstair。Agreatropeofsilk，amodernaddition，ranupalongthewallforahand-rail；andwithslow-movingwitheredhanduponit，upthegloriousascentclimbedtheservingman，suggestingtoDonal'seyethecrawlingofaninsect，tohishearttheredemptionofthesonsofGod。
Withthestairyetascendingabovethemasifitwouldneverstop，themanpauseduponastepnobroaderthantherest，andopeningadoorintheroundofthewell，said，“Mr。Grant，mylord，“andstoodasideforDonaltoenter。
Hefoundhimselfinthepresenceofatall，bowedman，withalarge-featuredwhiteface，thinandworn，andadeep-sunkeneyethatgleamedwithanunhealthylife。Hishairwasthin，butcoveredhishead，andwasonlystreakedwithgray。Hishandswerelongandthinandwhite；hisfeetinlargeshoes，lookingthelargerthattheycameoutfromnarrowtrousers，whichwereofshepherd-tartan。Hiscoatwasoflight-blue，withahighcollarofvelvet，andmuchtoowideforhim。Ablacksilkneckerchieftiedcarelesslyabouthisthroat，andawaistcoatofpineappleshawl-stuff，completedhisdress。OnonelonglittlefingershoneastonewhichDonaltookforanemerald。Hemotionedhisvisitortoaseat，andwentonwriting，witharudenessmorelikethatofasuccessfulcontractorthananobleman。ButitgaveDonaltheadvantageofbecomingalittleaccustomedtohissurroundings。Theroomwasnotlarge，waswainscoted，andhadagoodmanythingsonthewalls：Donalnotedtwoorthreeridingwhips，afishingrod，severalpairsofspurs，aswordwithgoldenhilt，astrangelookingdaggerlikeaflameoffire，oneortwooldengravings，andwhatseemedaplanoftheestate。Attheonewindow，small，withastonemullion，thesummersunwasstreamingin。Theearlsatinitsflood，andintheheartofitseemedcoldandbloodless。Helookedaboutsixtyyearsofage，andasifherarelyorneversmiled。Donaltriedtoimaginewhatasmilewoulddoforhisface，butfailed。Hewasnotintheleastawedbythepresenceofthegreatman。Whatisranktothemanwhohonourseverythinghuman，hasnodesiretolookwhatheisnot，hasnothingtoconcealandnothingtocompass，isfearfulofnoto-morrow，anddoesnotrespectriches！TowardsuchendsofbeingthetideofDonal'slifewasatleastsetting。Sohesatneitherfidgetingnorstaring，butquietlytakingthingsin。
Theearlraisedhimself，pushedhiswritingfromhim，turnedtowardshim，andsaidwithcourtesy，“Excuseme，Mr。Grant；Iwishedtotalktoyouwiththeeaseofdutydone。“
Morepolitehisaddresscouldnothavebeen，buttherewasasomethingbetweenhimandDonalthatwasnottobepasseda——namelessgulfofthenegative。
“Mytimeisatyourlordship'sservice，“repliedDonal，withtheeasethatcomesofsimplicity。
“YouhaveprobablyguessedwhyIsentforyou？”
“Ihavehoped，mylord。“
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