Therewassomethingofold-worldbreedingabouttheladthatcommendedhimtotheearl。SuchbreedingisnotrareamongCelt-bornpeasants。
“Mysonstoldmethattheyhadmetayoungmaninthegrounds——“
“ForwhichIbegyourlordship'spardon，“saidDonal。“Ididnotknowtheplacewasforbidden。“
“Ihopeyouwillsoonbefamiliarwithit。Iamgladofyourmistake。Fromwhattheysaid，Isupposedyoumightbeastudentinwantofasituation，andIhadbeenlookingoutforayoungmantotakechargeoftheboy：itseemedpossibleyoumightservemypurpose。Idonotquestionyoucanshowyourselffitforsuchanoffice：Ipresumeitwouldsuityou。Doyoubelieveyourselfonetobesotrusted？”
Donalhadnotaglimmeroffalsemodesty；heansweredimmediately，“Ido，mylord。“
“Tellmesomethingofyourhistory：wherewereyouborn？whatwereyourparents？”
Donaltoldhimallhethoughtitofanyconsequenceheshouldknow。
Hislordshipdidnotonceinterrupthimwithquestionorremark。
Whenhehadended——
“Well，“hesaid，“Ilikeallyoutellme。Youhavetestimonials？”
“Ihavefromtheprofessors，mylord，andonefromtheministeroftheparish，whoknewmebeforeIwenttocollege。IcouldgetonefromMr。Sclatertoo，whosechurchIattendedwhilethere。“
“Showmewhatyouhave，“saidhislordship。
Donaltookthepapersfromthepocket-bookhismotherhadmadehim，andhandedthemtohim。Theearlreadthemwithsomeattention，returningeachtohimwithoutremarkashefinishedit，onlysayingwiththelast，“Quitesatisfactory。“
“But，“saidDonal，“thereisonethingIshouldbemoreateaseifI
toldyourlordship：Mr。Carmichael，theministerofthisparish，wouldtellyouIwasanatheist，orsomethingverylikeit——thereforeanaltogetherunsafeperson。Butheknowsnothingofme。“
“Onwhatgroundsthenwouldhesayso？”askedtheearl——showingnottheleastdiscomposure。“Ithoughtyouwereastrangertothisplace！”
Donaltoldhimhowtheyhadmet，whathadpassedbetweenthem，andhowtheministerhadbehavedinconsequence。Hislordshipheardhimgravely，wassilentforamoment，andthensaid，“ShouldMr。Carmichaeladdressmeonthesubject，whichIdonotthinklikely，hewillfindmealreadytoomuchprejudicedinyourfavour。ButIcanimaginehismistakingyourfreedomofspeech：youarescarcelyprudentenough。Whysayallyouthink？”
“Ifearnothing，mylord。“
Theearlwassilent；hisgrayfaceseemedtogrowgrayer，butitmightbethatjustthenthesunwentunderacloud，andhewassuddenlyfoldedinshadow。Afteramomenthespokeagain。
“Iamquitesatisfiedwithyousofar，Mr。Grant；andasIshouldnotliketoemployyouindirectoppositiontoMr。Carmichel——notthatIbelongtohischurch——wewillarrangemattersbeforehecanhearoftheaffair。Whatsalarydoyouwant？”
Donalrepliedhewouldpreferleavingthesalarytohislordship'sjudgmentupontrial。
“Iamnotawealthyman，“returnedhislordship，“andwouldpreferanunderstanding。“
“Trymethenforthreemonths，mylord；givememyboardandlodging，theuseofyourlibrary，andattheendofthequarteraten-pound-note：bythattimeyouwillbeabletotellwhetherIsuityou。“
Theearlnoddedagreement，andDonalroseatonce。Withaheartfullofthankfulnessandhopehewalkedbacktohisfriends。Hehadbeforehimpleasantwork；plentyoftimeandbook-help；anabodefullofinterest；andsomethingforhislabour！
“'Surelythewrathofmanshallpraisethee！'“saidthecobbler，rejoicingagainsttheminister；“'theremainderofwrathshaltthourestrain。'“
IntheafternoonDonalwentintothetowntogetsometrifleshewantedbeforegoingtothecastle。Asheturnedtothedoorofadraper'sshop，hesawatthecountertheministertalkingtohim。
Hewouldratherhavegoneelsewherebutforunwillingnesstoturnhisbackonanything：hewentin。Besidetheministerstoodayounglady，who，havingcompletedherpurchases，waslisteningtotheirconversation。Thedraperlookedupasheentered。Aglancepassedbetweenhimandtheminister。HecametoDonal，andhavingheardwhathewanted，lefthim，wentbacktotheminister，andtooknomorenoticeofhim。Donalfounditawkward，andlefttheshop。
“Highan'michty！”saidthedraper，annoyedatlosingthecustomertowhosedispraisehehadbeenlistening。
“Farbeyonddissent，John！”saidtheminister，pursuingaremark。
“Doobtless，sir，itisthat！”answeredthedraper。“I'mthankfu'tosayIneverharbouredadoobtmysel'，butayetookwhatIwastauld，ohnargle-barglet。Whathaewesicasyersel'setower'sfor，gienitbinnatohaud'si'thestraichtpatho'whatwe'retobelievean'
notobelieve？It'safinethingnotobeaccoontable！”
Theministerwasanhonestmansofarasheknewhimselfandhonesty，anddidnotrelishthisformofsubmission。Buthedidnotaskhimselfwherewasthedifferencebetweenacceptingthewordofmanandacceptingman'sexplanationofthewordofGod！Hetookahugepinchfromhisblacksnuffboxandheldhispeace。
IntheeveningDonalwouldsettlehisaccountwithmistressComin：
hefoundherdemandsomuchlessthanhehadexpected，thatheexpostulated。Shewasfirm，however，andassuredhimshehadgained，notlost。Ashewasputtinguphisthings，“Lea'abuikortwa，sir，“shesaid，“'atwhanyeluikin，theplacemayluikhame-like。Wes'ca'theroomyours。Comeasaftenasyecan。ItdoesmyAnerew'shertguidtohaeacrackwi'ane'atkenssomethingo'whattheMaisterwadbeat。Monyane'llca'himLord，butfeow'illtakthetribletokenwhathewadhaeo'them。Butthere'smyAnerew——he'llsityon'erathiswark，thinkin'bythehoorthegitherowersomethingtheMaistersaid'athecannawinattherichtso'。'Depen'upo''t，'hesayswhiles，'depen'upo''t，lass，whauronythinghesaysdisnaluikrichttohiz，itmaunbe'atwehaenawonatit！'“
Assheended，herhusbandcamein，andtookupwhathefanciedthethreadofthedialogue。
“An'whatarewetothinko'theman，“hesaid，“at'scontentnotoun'erstan'whathewasatthetribletosay？Wadhesaythings'athedidnameanfowktoun'erstan'whanhesaidthem？”“Weel，Anerew，“
saidhiswife，“there'smonyathinghesaid'atIcannotun'erstan'；naitheramImucklethebetterforyourexplainin'o'
thesame；Imaunjistlatitsit。“
Andrewlaughedhisquietpleasedlaugh。
“Weel，lass，“hesaid，“theduin'o'aething'sbetternortheun'erstan'in'o'twenty。Norwullyebelangohnun'erstan'tmuckle'at'sdarktoyenoo；forthemaisterlikesnanebuttheduero'theword，an'herhelikesweel。Beblythe，lass；yes'haeyerfillo'
un'erstan'in'yet！”
“I'mfaintobelieveyespeykthetrowth，Anerew！”
“It'sgreattrowth，“saidDonal。
CHAPTERXII。
THECASTLE。
Thenextmorningcameacartfromthecastletofetchhisbox；andafterbreakfasthesetoutforhisnewabode。
Hetookthepathbytheriver-side。Themorningwasglorious。Thesunandtheriverandthebirdswerejubilant，andthewindgavelifetoeverything。Itrippledthestream，andflutteredthelongwebsbleachinginthesun：theyroseandfelllikewhitewavesonthebrightgreenlake；andwomen，homelyNereidsofthegrassysea，werebesprinklingthemwithspray。Thereweredullsoundsofwoodenmachinerynear，buttheymadenodiscordwiththesweetnessofthehour，speakingonlyofactivity，notlabour。Fromthelongbleachingmeadowsbytheriver-siderosethewoodedbaseofthecastle。Donal'sbosomswelledwithdelight；thencameasting：washealreadyforgettinghisinextinguishablegrief？“But，“heansweredhimself，“Godismoretomethananywoman！Whenheputsjoyinmyheart，shallInotbeglad？WhenhecallsmynameshallInotanswer？”
Hesteppedoutjoyfully，andwassoonclimbingthehill。Hewasagainadmittedbytheoldbutler。
“Iwillshowyouatonce，“hesaid，“howtogoandcomeatyourownwill。“
Heledhimthroughdoorsandalongpassagestoaposternopeningonalittlewalledgardenattheeastendofthecastle。
“Thisdoor，“hesaid，“is，youobserve，atthefootofBaliol'stower，andinthattowerisyourroom；Iwillshowityou。“
Heledthewayupaspiralstairthatmightalmosthavegoneinsidethenewelofthegreatstaircase。Upanduptheywent，untilDonalbegantowonder，andstilltheywentup。
“You'reyoung，sir，“saidthebutler，“andsoundofwindandlimb；
soyou'llsoonthinknothingofit。“
“Ineverwasupsohighbefore，exceptonahill-side，“returnedDonal。“Thecollege-towerisnothingtothis！”
“Inadayortwoyou'llbeshootingupanddownitlikeabird。I
usedtodosomyself。Igotintothewayofkeepingashoulderforemost，andscrewingupasifIwasablobofair！Oldagedoesmakefoolsofus！”
“Youdon'tlikeitthen？”
“No，Idonot：whodoes？”
“It'sonlythatyougetspentasyougoup。Thefreshairatthetopofthestairwillsoonreviveyou，“saidDonal。
Buthisconductordidnotunderstandhim。
“That'sallverywellsolongasyou'reyoung；butwhenithasgotyou，you'llpantandgrumbleliketherestofus。“
InthedistanceDonalsawAgecomingslowlyafterhim，toclawhiminhisclutch，astheoldsongsays。“PleaseGod，“hethought，“bythetimehecomesup，I'llbereadytotryafallwithhim！OThoueternallyyoung，theyearshavenoholdonthee；letthemhavenoneonthychild。Itooshallhavelifeeternal。“
Eretheyreachedthetopofthestair，themanhaltedandopenedadoor。Donalenteringsawasmallroom，nearlyround，aportionofthecircletakenoffbythestair。Ontheoppositesidewasawindowprojectingfromthewall，whencehecouldlookinthreedifferentdirections。Thewidecountrylayathisfeet。Hesawthewindingroadbywhichhehadascended，thegatebywhichhehadentered，themeadowwithitswhitestripesthroughwhichhehadcome，andtheriverflowingdown。Hefolloweditwithhiseyes：——lo，therewasthesea，shininginthesunlikeadiamondshield！ItwasbutthelittleGermanOcean，yetonewiththegreatworld-ocean。Heturnedtohisconductor。
“Yes，“saidtheoldman，answeringhislook，“it'saglorioussight！
WhenfirstIlookedoutthereIthoughtIwasineternity。“
Thewallswerebareevenofplaster；hecouldhavecountedthestonesinthem；buttheyweredryasabone。
“Youarewondering，“saidtheoldman，“howyouaretokeepwarminthewinter！Lookhere：youshutthisdooroverthewindow！Seehowthickandstrongitis！Thereisyourfireplace；andforfuel，there'splentybelow！Itisalabourtocarryitup，Igrant；butifIwasyou，Iwouldsettoo'nightswhennobodywasabout，andcarrytillIhadastocklaidin！”
“But，“saidDonal，“Ishouldfillupmyroom。Iliketobeabletomoveaboutalittle！”
“Ah，“repliedtheoldman，“youdon'tknowwhataspaceyouhaveupherealltoyourself！Comethisway。“
Twoturnsmoreupthestair，andtheycametoanotherdoor。Itopenedintowidespace：fromitDonalsteppedonaledgeorbartizan，withoutanyparapet，thatranroundthetower，passingabovethewindowofhisroom。Itwaswellhehadasteadybrain，forhefoundtheheightaffecthimmorethanthatofaprecipiceonGlashgar：doubtlesshewouldgetusedtoit，fortheoldmanhadsteppedoutwithoutthesmallesthesitation！Roundthetowerhefollowedhim。
Ontheothersideafewstepsrosetoawatch-tower——asortofornatesentry-boxinstone，whereonemightsitandregardwithwidevisionthewholecountry。Avoidingthis，anothersteportwoledthemtotheroofofthecastle——ofgreatstoneslabs。Abroadpassageranbetweentheriseoftheroofandabattlementedparapet。
Bythistimetheycametoaflatroof，ontowhichtheydescendedbyafewsteps。Herestoodtworoughsheds，withnothinginthem。
“There'sstowage！”saidtheoldman。
“Yes，indeed！”answeredDonal，towhomtheideaofhisaeriewasgrowingmoreandmoreagreeable。“Butwouldtherebenoobjectiontomyusingtheplaceforsuchapurpose？”
“Whatobjection？”returnedhisguide。“Idoubtifasinglepersonbutmyselfknowsit。“
“AndshallIbeallowedtocarryupasmuchasIplease？”
“Iallowyou，“saidthebutler，withimportance。“Ofcourseyouwillnotwaste——Iamdeadagainstwaste！Butastowhatisneedful，useyourfreedom——Dinnerwillbereadyforyouintheschoolroomatseven。“
Atthedoorofhisroomtheoldmanlefthim，andafterlisteningforamomenttohisdescendingsteps，Donalre-enteredhischamber。
Whytheyputhimsoapart，Donalneveraskedhimself；thatheshouldhavesuchcommandofhisleisureasthisisolationpromisedhimwasaconsequenceverysatisfactory。Heproceededatoncetosettlehimselfinhisnewquarters。Findingsomeshelvesinarecessofthewall，hearrangedhisbooksuponthem，andlaidhisfewclothesinthechestofdrawersbeneath。Hethengotouthiswritingmaterial，andsatdown。
Thoughhiswindowwassohigh，thewarmpureaircameinfullofthearomaticodoursrisinginthehotsunshinefromtheyoungpinetreesfarbelow，andfromalarkfarabovedescendednewsofheaven-gate。
Thescentcameupandthesongcamedownallthetimehewaswritingtohismother——alongletter。Whenhehadclosedandaddressedit，hefellintoareverie。Apparentlyhewastohavehismealsbyhimself：hewasgladofit：hewouldbeabletoreadallthetime！Buthowwashetofindtheschoolroom！Someonewouldsurelyfetchhim！Theywouldrememberhedidnotknowhiswayabouttheplace！Itwantedyetanhourtodinner-timewhen，findinghimselfdrowsy，hethrewhimselfonhisbed，wherepresentlyhefellfastasleep。
Thenightdescended，andwhenhecametohimself，itssilencesweredeeparoundhim。Itwasnotdark：therewasnomoon，butthetwilightwasclear。Hecouldreadthefaceofhiswatch：itwastwelveo'clock！Noonehadmissedhim！Hewasveryhungry！Buthehadbeenhungrierbeforeandsurvivedit！Inhiswalletwerestillsomeremnantsofoat-cake！Hetookitinhishand，andsteppingoutonthebartizan，creptwithcarefulstepsroundtothewatch-tower。
Thereheseatedhimselfinthestonechair，andatehisdrymorselsinthestarrypresences。Sleephadrefreshedhim，andhewaswideawake，yettherewasonhimthesenseofastrangeexistence。Neverbeforehadhesoknownhimself！Oftenhadhepassedthenightintheopenair，butneverbeforehadhisnight-consciousnessbeensuch！Neverhadhefeltthesamewayalone。Hewaspartedfromthewholeearth，liketheship-boyonthegiddymast！Nothingwasbelowbutadimness；theearthandallthatwasinitwasmassedintoavagueshadow。Itwasasifhehaddiedandgonewhereexistencewasindependentofsolidityandsense。Abovehimwasdomedthevastofthestarryheavens；hecouldneitherfleefromitnorascendtoit！
Foramomenthefeltitthesymboloflife，yetanunattainablehopelessthing。Hehungsuspendedbetweenheavenandearth，anoutcastofboth，adenizenofneither！Thetruelifeseemedevertoretreat，nevertoawaithisgrasp。NothingbutthebeholdingofthefaceoftheSonofMancouldsethimatrestastoitsreality；
nothinglessthantheassurancefromhisownmouthcouldsatisfyhimthatallwastrue，allwell：lifewasathingsoessentiallydivine，thathecouldnotknowitinitselftillhisownessencewaspure！
Butalas，howdream-likewastheoldstory！WasGodindeedtobereachedbytheprayers，affectedbytheneedsofmen？Howwashetofeelsureofit？Oncemore，asoftenheretofore，hefoundhimselfcryingintothegreatworldtoknowwhethertherewasaneartohear。Whatifthereshouldcometohimnoanswer？Howfrightfulthenwouldbehisloneliness！Buttoseemnottobeheardmightbepartofthedisciplineofhisdarkness！ItmightbefortheperfectingofhisfaiththathemustnotyetknowhownearGodwastohim！
“Lord，“hecried，“eternallifeistoknowtheeandthyFather；IdonotknowtheeandthyFather；Ihavenoteternallife；Ihavebutlifeenoughtohungerformore：showmeplainlyoftheFatherwhomthoualoneknowest。“
Andasheprayed，somethinglikeatouchofGodseemedtobeginandgrowinhimtillitwasmorethanhisheartcouldhold，andtheuniverseabouthimwasnotlargeenoughtoholdinitshollowtheheartthatswelledwithit。
“Godisenough，“hesaid，andsatinpeace。
CHAPTERXIII。
ASOUND。
Allatoncecametohisearthroughthenightastrangesomething。
Whenceorwhatitwashecouldnotevenconjecture。Wasitamoanoftheriverfrombelow？Wasitalostmusic-tonethathadwanderedfromafarandgrownfaint？Wasitoneofthosemysterioussoundshehadreadofasbornintheairitself，andnotyetexplainedofscience？Wasittheflutteredskirtofsomeangelicsongoflamentation？——foriftheangelsrejoice，theysurelymustlament！
Orwasitastilledhumanmoaning？Wasanywrongbeingdonefardowninthewhite-gleamingmeadowsbelow，bythebanksoftheriverwhoseplatinum-glimmerhecoulddescrythroughthemoltenamethystinedarknessofthestarrynight？
Presentlycamealong-drawnmusicalmoan：itmustbethesoundofsomemuffledinstrument！Verilynightwasthetimeforstrangethings！Couldsoundsbebegotteninthefirtreesbytheraysofthehotsun，andborninthestillnessofthefollowingdark，asthelightwhichthediamondreceivesinthedayglowsoutinthegloom？
Thereareparentsandtheirprogenythatneverexisttogether！
Againthesound——hardlytobecalledsound！Itresembledavibrationoforgan-pipetooslowanddeeptoaffectthehearing；
onlythisratherseemedtoohigh，asifonlyhissoulheardit。Hewouldstealsoftlydownthedumbstone-stair！Somecreaturemightbeintroubleandneedinghelp！
Hecreptbackalongthebartizan。Thestairwasdarkastheveryheartofthenight。Hegropedhiswaydown。Thespiralstairisthesafestofall：youcannottumblefarerebroughtupbytheinclosingcylinder。Arrivedatthebottom，andfeelingabout，hecouldnotfindthedoortotheouterairwhichthebutlerhadshownhim；itwaswallwhereverhishandsfell。Hecouldnotfindagainthestairhehadleft；hecouldnottellinwhatdirectionitlay。
Hehadgotintoalongwindowlesspassageconnectingtwowingsofthehouse，andinthishewasfeelinghisway，fearfuloffallingdownsomestairortrap。Hecameatlasttoadoor——low-browedlikealmostallinthehouse。Openingit——wasitathinnerdarknessorthefaintestgleamoflighthesaw？Andwasthatagainthesoundhehadfollowed，fainterandfartheroffthanbefore——adownywind-waftedplumefromtheskirtofsomestrayharmony？Atsuchatimeofthenightsurelyitwasstrange！Itmustcomefromonewhocouldnotsleep，andwassolacinghimselfwithsweetsounds，breathingasoulintotheuncompanionablesilence！Ifsoitwas，hehadnorighttosearchfarther！Buthowwashetoreturn？Hedaredhardlymove，lestheshouldbefoundwanderingoverthehouseinthedeadofnightlikeathief，oronesearchingafteritssecrets。Hemustsitdownandwaitforthemorning：itsearliestlightwouldperhapsenablehimtofindhiswaytohisquarters！
Feelingabouthimalittle，hisfootstruckagainstthestepofastair。Examiningitwithhishands，hebelieveditthesamehehadascendedinthemorning：eveninagreatcastle，couldtherebetwosuchroyalstairs？Hesatdownuponit，andleaninghisheadonhishands，composedhimselftoapatientwaitingforthelight。
Waitingpureisperhapsthehardestthingforfleshandbloodtodowell。Therelationsoftimetomindareverystrange。Someoftheirphenomenaseemtoprovethattimeisonlyofthemind——belongingtotheintellectasgoodandevilbelongtothespirit。Anyhow，ifitwerenotfortheclocksoftheuniverse，onemanwouldliveayear，acentury，whereanotherwouldlivebutaday。Butthemeremotionoftime，nottosaytheconsciousnessofemptytime，isfearful。Itisthisemptytimethatthefoolisalwaystryingtokill：hiseffortshouldbetofillit。YetnothingbutthelivingGodcanfillit——thoughitbebuttheshapeourexistencetakestous。Onlywhereheis，emptinessisnot。
EternitywillbebutanintensepresenttothechildwithwhomistheFather。
Suchthoughtsalighted，flitted，andpassed，forthefirstfewmoments，throughthemindofDonal，ashesathalfconsciouslywaitingforthedawn。Itwasthousandsofmilesaway，overthegreatroundofthesunward-turningearth！Hisimaginationwoke，andbegantopicturethegreathuntoftheshadows，fleeingbeforethearrowsofthesun，overthebroadfaceofthemightyworld——itsmountains，seas，andplainsinturnconfessingthelight，andsubmittingtohimwhoslaysforthemthehauntingdemonsoftheirdark。Thenagainthemomentswerethesmallcogsonthewheelsoftime，wherebythedarkcastleinwhichhesatwasrushingevertowardsthelight：thecogswerecaughtandthewheelsturnedswiftly，andthetimeandthedarknesssped。Heforgotthelabourofwaiting。Ifnowandthenhefanciedatonethroughthedarkness，itwastohismindthemusic-marchofthemorningtohisrescuefromthedungeonofthenight。
Butthatwasnomusicaltonewhichmadethedarknessshudderaroundhim！Hesprangtohisfeet。Itwasahumangroan——agroanasofoneindirepain，thepainofasoul'sagony。Itseemedtohavedescendedthestairtohim。ThenextinstantDonalwasfeelinghiswayup——cautiously，asifoneachsucceedingstephemightcomeagainstthemanwhohadgroaned。Talesofhauntedhousesrushedintohismemory。Whatifhewerebutpursuingthegroanofanactorinthepast——acreaturetheslaveofhisownconsciousmemory——amerehaunterofthepresentwhichhecouldnotinfluence——onewithoutphysicalrelationtotheembodied，saveinthegroanshecouldyetutter！Butitwasmoreinawethaninfearthathewent。
Upanduphefelthisway，allabouthimasstillasdarknessandthenightcouldmakeit。Aghostlycoldcreptthroughhisskin；itwasdrawntogetherasbyagentlyfreezingprocess；andtherewasapullingatthemusclesofhischest，asifhismouthwerebeingdraggedopenbyamartingale。
Ashefelthiswayalongthewall，sweepingitsgreatendlesscircleroundandroundinspiralascent，allatoncehishandseemedtogothroughit；hestartedandstopped。Itwasthedooroftheroomintowhichhehadbeenshowntomeettheearl！Itstoodwideopen。
Afaintglimmercamethroughthewindowfromthestar-filledsky。
Hesteppedjustwithinthedoorway。Wasnotthatanotherglimmeronthefloor——fromthebackoftheroom——throughadoorhedidnotrememberhavingseenyesterday？Thereagainwasthegroan，andnighathand！Someonemustbeinsoreneed！Heapproachedthedoorandlookedthrough。Alamp，nearlyspent，hungfromtheceilingofasmallroomwhichmightbeanofficeorstudy，oraplacewherepaperswerekept。Ithadthelookofanantechamber，butthatitcouldnotbe，fortherewasbuttheonedoor！——Inthedimlighthedescriedavagueformleaningupagainstoneofthewalls，asiflisteningtosomethingthroughit！Ashegazeditgrewplainertohim，andhesawaface，itseyesstaringwide，whichyetseemednottoseehim。Itwasthefaceoftheearl。Donalfeltasifinthepresenceofthedisembodied；hestoodfascinated，normadeattempttoretireorconcealhimself。Thefigureturneditsfacetothewall，putthepalmsofitshandsagainstit，andmovedthemupanddown，andthiswayandthat；thenlookedatthem，andbegantorubthemagainsteachother。
Donalcametohimself。Heconcludeditwasacaseofsleepwalking。
Hehadreadthatitwasdangeroustowakethesleeper，butthatheseldomcametomischiefwhenleftalone，andwasabouttoslipawayashehadcome，whenthefaintsoundofafar-offchordcreptthroughthesilence。Theearlagainlaidhiseartothewall。Buttherewasonlysilence。Hewentthroughthesamedumbshowasbefore，thenturnedasiftoleavetheplace。Donalturnedalso，andhurriedlyfelthiswaytothestair。Thenfirsthewasindangerofterror；forinstealingthroughthedarknessfromonewhocouldfindhiswaywithouthiseyes，heseemedpursuedbyacreaturenotofthisworld。Onthestairhewentdownasteportwo，thenlingered，andheardtheearlcomeonitalso。Hecreptclosetothenewel，leavingthegreatwidthofthestairfree，butthestepsoftheearlwentupward。Donaldescended，satdownagainatthebottomofthestair，andbeganagaintowait。Nosoundcametohimthroughtherestofthenight。Theslowhoursrolledaway，andtheslowlightdrewnearer。Nowandthenhewasonthepointoffallingintoadoze，butwouldsuddenlystartwideawake，listeningthroughasilencethatseemedtofillthewholeuniverseanddeepenaroundthecastle。
Atlengthhewasawarethatthedarknesshad，unobservedofhim，grownweaker——thattheapproachofthelightwassickeningit：thedayspringwasabouttotakeholdoftheendsoftheearththatthewickedmightbeshakenoutofitslap。Hesoughtthelongpassagebywhichhehadcome，andfelthiswaytotheotherend：itwouldbesafertowaitthereifhecouldgetnofarther。Butsomehowhecametothefootofhisownstair，andspedupasifitweretheladderofheaven。Hethrewhimselfonhisbed，fellfastasleep，anddidnotwaketillthesunwashigh。
CHAPTERXIV。
THESCHOOLROOM。
OldSimmons，thebutler，wokehim。
“Iwasafraidsomethingwasthematter，sir。Theytellmeyoudidnotcomedownlastnight；andbreakfasthasbeenwaitingyoutwohours。“
“Ishouldnothaveknownwheretofindit，“saidDonal。“Theknowledgeofanoldcastleisnotintuitive。“
“Howlongwillyoutaketodress？”askedSimmons。
“Tenminutes，ifthereisanyhurry，“answeredDonal。
“Iwillcomeagainintwenty；or，ifyouarewillingtosaveanoldman'sbones，Iwillbeatthebottomofthestairatthattimetotakechargeofyou。Iwouldhavelookedafteryouyesterday，buthislordshipwaspoorly，andIhadtobeinattendanceonhimtillaftermidnight。“
Donalthoughtitimpossibleheshouldofhimselfhavefoundhiswaytotheschoolroom。Withallhecoulddotoremembertheturnings，hefoundtheendeavourhopeless，andgaveitupwithanotunpleasingdespair。Throughstrangepassages，throughdoorsinalldirections，upstairsanddowntheywent，andatlastcametoalong，lowroom，barelyfurnished，withapleasantoutlook，andimmediateaccesstotheopenair。Thewindowswereuponasmallgrassycourt，withasundialinthecentre；adooropenedonapavedcourt。Atoneendoftheroomatablewaslaidwithtentimesasmanythingsashecoulddesiretoeat，thoughhecametoitwithagoodappetite。Thebutlerhimselfwaiteduponhim。Hewasagood-naturedoldfellow，withanosesomewhattooredfortheordinarywearofoneinhisresponsibleposition。
“Ihopetheearlisbetterthismorning，“saidDonal。
“Well，Ican'tsay。He'sbutadelicatemanistheearl，andhasbeen，solongasIhaveknownhim。HewaswiththearmyinIndia，andthesun，theysay，givehimastroke，andeversincehehaveheadachesthatbad！Butinbetweenheseemsprettywell，andnothingdispleaseshimmorethanaskafterhishealth，orhowheslepthenight。Buthe'sagoodmaster，andIhopetoendmydayswithhim。I'mnotoneaslikesnewfacesandnewplaces！Onegoodplaceisenoughforme，saysI——solongasitisagoodone——Takesomeofthisgamepie，sir。“
Donalmadehastewithhisbreakfast，andtoSimmons'sastonishmenthadendedwhenhethoughthimjustwellbegun。
“HowshallIfindmasterDavie？”heasked。
“Heiswildtoseeyou，sir。WhenI'veclearedaway，justhavethegoodnesstoringthisbelloutofthatwindow，andhe'llbewithyouasfastashecanlayhisfeettotheground。“
Donalrangthehandbell。Ashoutmingledwiththeclangofit。
Thencametherunningofswiftfeetoverthestonesofthecourt，andDavieburstintotheroom。
“Oh，sir，“hecried，“Iamglad！Itisgoodofyoutocome！”
“Well，yousee，Davie，“returnedDonal，“everybodyhasgottodosomethingtocarrytheworldonabit：myworkistohelpmakeamanofyou。OnlyIcan'tdomuchexceptyouhelpme；andifIfindIamnotmakingagoodjobofyou，Ishan'tstopmanyhoursafterthediscovery。Ifyouwanttokeepme，youmustmindwhatIsay，andsohelpmetomakeamanofyou。“
“ItwillbelongbeforeIamaman！”saidDavieratherdisconsolately。
“Itdependsonyourself。Theboythatislongestinbecomingaman，istheboythatthinkshimselfamanbeforeheisabitlikeone。“
“Comethen，letusdosomething！”saidDavie。
“Comeaway，“rejoinedDonal。“Whatshallwedofirst？”
“Idon'tknow：youmusttellme，sir。“
“Whatwouldyoulikebesttodo——Imeanifyoumightdowhatyoupleased？”
Daviethoughtalittle，thensaid：
“Ishouldliketowriteabook。“
“Whatkindofabook？”
“Abeautifulstory。“
“Isn'titjustaswelltoreadsuchabook？Whyshouldyouwanttowriteone？”
“BecausethenIshouldhaveitgojustasIwantedit！Iamalways——almostalways——disappointedwiththethingthatcomesnext。
ButifIwroteitmyself，thenIshouldn'tgettiredofit；itwouldbewhatpleasedme，andnotwhatpleasedsomebodyelse。“
“Well，“saidDonal，afterthinkingforamoment，“supposeyoubegintowriteabook！”
“Oh，thatwillbefun！——muchbetterthanlearningverbsandnouns！”
“Buttheverbsandnounsarejustthethingsthatgotomakeastory——withnotafewadjectivesandadverbs，andahostofconjunctions；and，ifitbeaverymovingstory，agoodmanyinterjections！Theseallyouhavegottoputtogetherwithgoodchoice，orthestorywillnotbeoneyouwouldcaretoread——PerhapsyouhadbetternotbegintillIseewhetheryouknowenoughaboutthoseverbsandnounstodothethingdecently。Showmeyourschool-books。“
“Theretheyallare——onthatshelf！Ihaven'topenedoneofthemsincePercycamehome。Helaughedatthemall，andsoArkie——that'sladyArctura，toldhimhemightteachmehimself。Andhewouldn't；
andshewouldn't——withhimtolaughather。AndI'vehadsuchajollytimeeversince——readingbooksoutofthelibrary！Haveyouseenthelibrary，Mr。Grant？”
“No；I'veseennothingyet。Supposewebeginwithaholiday，andyoubeginbyteachingme！”
“Teachingyou，sir！I'mnotabletoteachyou！”
“Why，didn'tyouasmuchasoffertoteachmethelibrary？Can'tyouteachmethisgreatoldcastle？Andaren'tyougoingtoteachyourselftome？”
“Thatwouldbeafunnylesson，sir！”
“Theleastfunny，themostseriouslessonyoucouldteachme！YouareabookGodhasbegun，andhehassentmetohelphimgoonwithit；soImustlearnwhathehaswrittenalreadybeforeItrytodoanything。“
“Butyouknowwhataboyis，sir！Whyshouldyouwanttolearnme？”
“Youmightaswellsaythat，becauseIhavereadoneortwobooks，I
mustknoweverybook。Tounderstandoneboyhelpstounderstandanother，buteveryboyisanewboy，differentfromeveryotherboy，andeveryonehastobeunderstood。“
“Yes——forsometimesArkiewon'thearmeout，andIfeelsocrosswithherIshouldliketogiveheragoodboxontheear。Whatkingwasit，sir，thatmadethelawthatnolady，howeverdisagreeable，wastohaveherearsboxed？Doyouthinkitagoodlaw，sir？”
“Itisgoodforyouandmeanyhow。“
“AndwhenPercysays，'Oh，goaway！don'tbother，'IfeelasifI
couldhithimhard！Yet，ifIhappentohurthim，Iamsosorry！
andwhythenshouldIwanttohurthim？”
“There'ssomethinginthislittlefellow！”saidDonaltohimself。
“Ah，whyindeed？”heanswered。“Youseeyoudon'tunderstandyourselfyet！”
“Noindeed！”
“ThenhowcouldyouthinkIshouldunderstandyouallatonce？——andaboymustbeunderstood，elsewhat'stobecomeofhim！Fancyapoorboylivingallday，andsleepingallnight，andnobodyunderstandinghim！”
“Thatwouldbedreadful！Butyouwillunderstandme？”
“Onlyalittle：I'mnotwiseenoughtounderstandanyboy。“
“Then——butisn'tthatwhatyousaidyoucamefor？——Ithought——“
“Yes，“answeredDonal，“thatiswhatIcamefor；butifIfanciedI
quiteunderstoodanyboy，thatwouldbeasuresignIdidnotunderstandhim——Thereisonewhounderstandseveryboyaswellasiftherewerenootherboyinthewholeworld。“
“Thenwhydoesn'teveryboygotohimwhenhecan'tgetfairplay？”
“Ah，why？ThatisjustwhatIwantyoutodo。Hecandobetterthangiveyoufairplayeven：hecanmakeyougiveotherpeoplefairplay，anddelightinit。“
“Tellmewhereheis。“
“ThatiswhatIhavetoteachyou：meretellingisnotmuchuse。
Tellingiswhatmakespeoplethinktheyknowwhentheydonot，andmakesthemfoolish。“
“Whatishisname？”
“Iwillnottellyouthatjustyet；forthenyouwouldthinkyouknewhim，whenyouknewnexttonothingabouthim。Lookhere；lookatthisbook，“hewenton，pullingacopyofBoethiusfromhispocket；“lookatthenameonthebackofit：itisthenameofthemanthatwrotethebook。“
Daviespelleditout。
“Nowyouknowallaboutthebook，don'tyou？”
“No，sir；Idon'tknowanythingaboutit。“
“Wellthen，myfather'snameisRobertGrant：youknownowwhatagoodmanheis！”
“No，Idon't。Ishouldliketoseehimthough！”
“Youwouldlovehimifyoudid！Butyouseenowthatknowingthenameofapersondoesnotmakeyouknowtheperson。“
“Butyousaid，sir，thatifyoutoldmethenameofthatperson，I
shouldfancyIknewallabouthim：Idon'tfancyIknowallaboutyourfathernowyouhavetoldmehisname！”
“Youhavemethere！”answeredDonal。“IdidnotsayquitewhatI
oughttohavesaid。Ishouldhavesaidthatwhenweknowalittleaboutaperson，andareusedtohearinghisname，thenwearereadytothinkweknowallabouthim。Iheardamantheotherday——amanwhohadneverspokentoyourfather——talkasifheknewallabouthim。“
“IthinkIunderstand，“saidDavie。
Toconfessignoranceistoloserespectwiththeignorantwhowouldappeartoknow。Butthereisaworsethingthantolosetherespectevenofthewise——todeservetoloseit；andthathedoeswhowouldgainarespectthatdoesnotbelongtohim。Butaconfessionofignoranceisagroundofrespectwithawell-bredchild，andevenwithmanyordinaryboyswillraiseaman'sinfluence：theyrecognizehisloyaltytothetruth。Act-truthisinfinitelymorethanfact-truth；theloveofthetruthinfinitelybeyondtheknowledgeofit。
Theywentouttogether，andwhentheyhadgonetheroundoftheplaceoutside，Daviewouldhavetakenhimoverthehouse；butDonalsaidtheywouldleavesomethingforanothertime，andmadehimliedownfortenminutes。Thistheboythoughtagreathardship，butDonalsawthatheneededtobetaughttorest。Tentimesinthosetenminuteshewasonthepointofjumpingup，butDonalfoundawordsufficienttorestrainhim。Whenthetenminuteswereover，hesethimanadditionsum。Theboyprotestedheknewalltherulesofarithmetic。
“But，“saidDonal，“Imustknowthatyouknowthem；thatismybusiness。Dothisone，howevereasyitis。“
Theboyobeyed，andbroughthimthesum——incorrect。
“Now，Davie，“saidDonal，“yousaidyouknewallaboutaddition，butyouhavenotdonethissumcorrectly。“
“Ihaveonlymadeablunder，sir。“
“Butaruleisnoruleifitisnotcarriedout。Everythinggoesonthesuppositionofitsbeingitself，andnotsomethingelse。Peoplethattalkaboutgoodthingswithoutdoingthemareleftout。Youarenotmasterofadditionuntilyouradditionistobedependedupon。“
Theboyfoundithardtofixhisattention：tofixitonsomethinghedidnotyetunderstand，wouldbetoohard！hemustlearntodosointhepursuitofaccuracywherehealreadyunderstood！thenhewouldnothavetofighttwodifficultiesatonce——thatofunderstanding，andthatoffixinghisattention。Butforalongtimeheneverkepthimmorethanaquarterofanhouratworkonthesamething。
Whenhehaddonethesumcorrectly，andasecondwithoutneedofcorrection，hetoldhimtolayhisslateaside，andhewouldtellhimafairy-story。Thereinhesucceededtolerably——intheopinionofDavie，wonderfully：whatatutorwasthis，wholetfairiesintotheschool-room！
Thetalewasofnoveryoriginalconstruction——theyoungestbrothergaininginthepathofrighteousnesswhattheelderbrotherslosethroughmasterfulselfishness。Amanmustdoathingbecauseitisright，evenifhedieforit；buttruthwerepoorindeedifitdidnotbringatlastallthingssubjecttoit！Asbeautyandtruthareone，soaretruthandstrengthone。MustGodbeeveronthecross，thatwepoorworshippersmaypayhimourhighesthonour？Isitnotenoughtoknowthatifthedevilwerethegreater，yetwouldnotGoddohimhomage，butwouldhangforeveronhiscross？Truthisjoyandvictory。Thetrueheroisadjudgedtobliss，norcaninthenatureofthings，thatis，ofGod，escapeit。Hewhoholdsbylifeandresistsdeath，mustbevictorious；hisverylifeisaslayingofdeath。Amanmaydieforhisopinion，andmayonlybelivingtohimself：amanwhodiesforthetruth，diestohimselfandtoallthatisnottrue。
“Whatabeautifulstory！”criedDaviewhenitceased。“Wheredidyougetit，Mr。Grant？”
“Whereallstoriescomefrom。“
“Whereisthat？”
“TheThink-book。“
“Whatafunnyname！Ineverheardit！Willitbeinthelibrary？”
“No；itisinnolibrary。ItisthebookGodisalwayswritingatoneend，andblottingoutattheother。Itismadeofthoughts，notwords。ItistheThink-book。“
“NowIunderstand！Yougotthestoryoutofyourownhead！”
“Yes，perhaps。Buthowdiditgetintomyhead？”
“Ican'ttellthat。Nobodycantellthat！”
“Nobodycanthatnevergoesupabovehisownhead——thatnevershutstheThink-book，andstandsuponit。Whenonedoes，thentheThink-bookswellstoagreatmountainandliftshimupabovealltheworld：thenheseeswherethestoriescomefrom，andhowtheygetintohishead——Areyoutohavearideto-day？”
“IrideornotjustasIlike。“
“Well，wewillnowdojustaswebothlike，Ihope，anditwillbetwolikesinsteadofone——thatis，ifwearetruefriends。“
“Weshallhetruefriends——thatweshall！”
“Howcanthatbe——betweenalittleboylikeyou，andagrownmanlikeme？”
“Bymebeinggood。“
“Bybothofusbeinggood——nootherway。Ifoneofusonlywasgood，wecouldneverbetruefriends。Imustbegoodaswellasyou，elseweshallneverunderstandeachother！”
“Howkindyouare，Mr。Grant！Youtreatmejustlikeanotherone！”
saidDavie。
“ButwemustnotforgetthatIamthebigoneandyouthelittleone，andthatwecan'tbetheotheronetoeachotherexceptthelittleonedoeswhatthebigonetellshim！That'sthewaytofitintoeachother。“
“Oh，ofcourse！”answeredDavie，asiftherecouldnotbetwomindsaboutthat。
CHAPTERXV。
HORSEANDMAN。
Duringthefirstdayandthenext，Donaldidnotevencomeinsightofanyotherofthefamily；butonthethirdday，aftertheirshortearlyschool——forheseldomletDavieworktillhewastired，andneverafter——goingwithhimthroughthestable-yard，theycameuponlordForgueashemountedhishorse——anervous，fiery，thin-skinnedthoroughbred。Themomenthismasterwasonhim，hebegantobackandrear。Forguegavehimacutwithhiswhip。Hewentwild，plunginganddancingandkicking。Theyounglordwasahorsemaninthesenseofhavingagoodseat；butheknewlittleabouthorses；
theyweretohimcreaturestobecompelled，notfriendswithwhomtoholdsweetconcert。Hehadnotlearnedthattoruleillisworsethantoobeyill。Kingsmaybeworsethanitisinthepowerofanysubjecttobe。Ashewasraisinghisarmforaseconduseless，cruel，anddangerousblow，Donaldartedtothehorse'shead。
“Youmustn'tdothat，mylord！”hesaid。“You'lldrivehimmad。“
ButtheworstpartofForgue'snaturewasuppermost，inhisrageallthevicesofhisfamilyrushedtothetop。HelookeddownonDonalwithafurycheckedonlybycontempt。
“Keepoff，“hesaid，“oritwillbetheworseforyou。Whatdoyouknowabouthorses？”
“Enoughtoknowthatyouarenotfairtohim。Iwillnotletyoustrikethepooranimal。Justlookatthiswater-chain！”
“Holdyourtongue，andstandaway，or，by——“
“Yewinnafrichtme，sir，“saidDonal，whoseEnglishwould，foryears，uponanyexcitement，turncowardlyandrunaway，leavinghismother-tonguetobearthebrunt，“——I'mnotimorsome。“
ForguebroughtdownhiswhipwithagreatstingingblowuponDonal'sshoulderandback。ThefiercebloodofthehighlandCeltrushedtohisbrain，andhadnotthemaninhimheldbyGodandtrampledonthedevil，theremightthenhavebeenmiserablework。Butthoughheclenchedhisteeth，hefetteredhishands，andruledhistongue，andtheMasterofmenwasmasterstill。
“Mylord，“hesaid，afteroneinstant'sthunderoussilence，“there'sthati'mewadthinkaslittleo'throttlin'yeasyeduo'
ill-usin'yerpuirbeast。ButI'mnogaein'todrophisquarrel，an'takupmyain：thatwadbecooardly。“Herehepattedthecreature'sneck，andrecoveringhiscomposureandhisEnglish，wenton。“Itellyou，mylord，thecurb-chainistootight！Theanimalissufferingasyoucanhavenoconceptionof，oryouwouldpityhim。“
“Lethimgo，“criedForgue，“orIwillmakeyou。“
Heraisedhiswhipagain，themoreenragedthatthegroomstoodlookingonwithhismouthopen。
“Itellyourlordship，“saidDonal，“itismyturntostrike；andifyouhittheanimalagainbeforethatchainisslackened，Iwillpitchyououtofthesaddle。“
ForanswerForguestruckthehorseoverthehead。Thesamemomenthewasontheground；Donalhadtakenhimbythelegandthrownhimoff。Hewasnothorsemanenoughtokeephisholdofthereins，andDonalledthehorsealittlewayoff，andlefthimtogetupinsafety。Thepooranimalwaspouringwithsweat，shiveringandtrembling，yetthrowinghisheadbackeverymoment。Donalcouldscarcelyundothechain；itwastwisted——hislordshiphadfastenedithimself——andsharpedgespressedhisjawattheleasttouchoftherein。Hehadnotyetrehookedit，whenForguewasuponhimwithasecondblowofhiswhip。Thehorsewasscaredafreshatthesound，anditwasallhecoulddotoholdhim，buthesucceededatlengthincalminghim。Whenhelookedabouthim，Forguewasgone。
Heledthehorseintothestable，puthiminhisstall，andproceededtounsaddlehim。Thenfirsthewasre-awareofthepresenceofDavie。Theboywasstamping——withfierceeyesandwhiteface——chokingwithsilentrage。
“Davie，mychild！”saidDonal，andDavierecoveredhispowerofspeech。
“I'llgoandtellmyfather！”hesaid，andmadeforthestabledoor。
“Whichofusareyougoingtotellupon？”askedDonalwithasmile。
“Percy，ofcourse！”hereplied，almostwithascream。“Youareagoodman，Mr。Grant，andheisabadfellow。Myfatherwillgiveithimwell。Hedoesn'toften——butoh，can'thejust！Todaretostrikeyou！I'llgotohimatonce，whetherhe'sinbedornot！”
“No，youwon't，myboy！Listentome。Somepeoplethinkit'sadisgracetobestruck：Ithinkitadisgracetostrike。Ihavearightoveryourbrotherbythatblow，andImeantokeepit——forhisgood。Youdidn'tthinkIwasafraidofhim？”
“No，no；anybodycouldseeyouweren'tabitafraidofhim。Iwouldhavestruckhimagainifhehadkilledmeforit！”
“Idon'tdoubtyouwould。Butwhenyouunderstand，youwillnotbesoreadytostrike。Icouldhavekilledyourbrothermoreeasilythanheldhishorse。Youdon'tknowhowstrongIam，orwhatablowofmyfistwouldbetoadelicatefellowlikethat。Ihopehisfallhasnothurthim。“
“Ihopeithas——alittle，Imean，onlyalittle，“saidtheboy，lookinginthefaceofhistutor。“Buttellmewhyyoudidnotstrikehim。Itwouldbegoodforhimtobewellbeaten。“
“Itwill，Ihope，bebetterforhimtobewellforgiven：hewillbeashamedofhimselfthesooner，Ithink。ButwhyIdidnotstrikehimwas，thatIamnotmyownmaster。“
“Butmyfather，Iamsure，wouldnothavebeenangrywithyou。Hewouldhavesaidyouhadarighttodoit。“
“Perhaps；buttheearlisnotthemasterImean。“
“Whois，then？”
“JesusChrist。“
“O——oh！”
“HesaysImustnotreturnevilforevil，ablowforablow。I
don'tmindwhatpeoplesayaboutit：hewouldnothavemedisgracemyself！Henevereventhreatenedthosethatstruckhim。“
“Buthewasn'taman，youknow！”
“Notaman！Whatwashethen？”
“HewasGod，youknow。“
“Andisn'tGodaman——andeversomuchmorethanaman？”
Theboymadenoanswer，andDonalwenton。
“DoyouthinkGodwouldhavehischilddoanythingdisgraceful？
Why，Davie，youdon'tknowyourownFather！WhatGodwantsofusistobedown-righthonest，anddowhathetellsuswithoutfear。“
Daviewassilent。Hisconsciencereprovedhim，astheconscienceofatrue-heartedboywillreprovehimattheverymentionofthenameofGod，untilhesetshimselfconsciouslytodohiswill。Donalsaidnomore，andtheywentfortheirwalk。
CHAPTERXVI。
COLLOQUIES。
IntheeveningDonalwenttoseeAndrewComin。
“Weel，hooareyegettin'onwi'theyerl？”askedthecobbler。
“Yousetmeagoodexampleofsayingnothingabouthim，“answeredDonal；“andIwillfollowit——atleasttillIknowmore：Ihavescarceseenhimyet。“
“That'sright！”returnedthecobblerwithsatisfaction。“I'mthinkin'ye'llbeaneo'thefeow'atcanruletheiranehoose——thatis，haudtheiraintonguestillthehoorforspeechbecome。Stickyetothat，mydearsir，an'mairi'llbeweelnoringeneralisweel。“
“I'mcometoyeforabito'helpthough；Iwantlichtuponaqueston'at'slangtribletme——Whatthinkye？——hoofardoesthecomman'laidupo''s，astowarfare'atweenmanan'man，reach？Arewenevertaraisethehan'tohumanbein'，thinkye？”
“Weel，Ihaethouchtaheapabootit，an'Idaurnasay'atI'mjistabsoluteclearupo'themaitter。Buttheremaybepairtclearwhaura''snoclear；an'bywhatweun'erstan'wecomethenearertowhatwedinnaun'erstan'。There'saethinguncoplain——'atwe'reonnoaccoonttoreturnevilforevil：onybody'atca'shimsel'aChristianmaunun'erstan'thatmuckle。We'retogienoplacetorevenge，insideoroot。Thereforewe'renotogieblowforblow。
Gienamanhitye，ye'retotakeiti'God'sname。Butwhetherthingsmaynacometoap'intwhauratye'rebu'n'，stilli'God'sname，todefen'thelifeGodhasgienye，Icannasay——Ihaenathelichttojustifeemeindenyin''t。Theremaunsurely，Ihaesaidtomysel'，beatimewhanamanmayhaetoduwhatGoddissaeaften——makuseo'thestronghan'！Butit'sclearhemaunnado'tinrage——that'sowernearhate——an'hate'sthedeevil'sain。Amanmay，gienhelivevarraneartheLord，bewhilesangryohnsinned：
butthewratho'manworkethnottherichteousnesso'God；an'thewraththatrisesi'themidso'encoonter，isnoliketobeo'thenaturo'divinewrath。Towinatit，gien'tbepossible，lat'sconsidertheLord——hoohedid。There'snowordo'himeverliftin'
han'toprotec'himsel'。Theonlythinglikeitwasforithers。Togarthemlathisdisciplesalane——maybetilltheywarlikeeneuchtilhimsel'notorin，hepatootmairnorhishan'upo'them'atcamtotakhim：hestrakthemsairwi'thepooeritsel''atmuvsa'
airms。Butnovarrasairnaither——hebutknockitthemdoon！——jisttolatthemkentheywartoduashebadethem，an'lathisfowkbe；——an'maybetolatthemken'atgienhelootthemtakhim，itwasno'athecouldnahin'erthemgienhelikit。Icannahelpthinkin'
wemaystan'upforitherfowk。An'I'mnosayin''atwearenatodefen'oorselsfraeasetattackwi'design——Butthere'ssomethingo'mairimportanceyetnorkennin'therichto'onyqueston。“
“Whatcanthatbe？Whatcanbeo'mairimportancenordoin'richti'thesichto'God？”saidDonal。
“Bein'richtwi'thevarrathouchto'God，sae'atwecannamistak，butmaunkenjistwhathewadhaedune。That'sthebigRicht，themothero'a'thelaveo'therichts。That'stobeasthemaisterwas。Onygait，whateverwedu，itmaunbesicastobedune，an'itmaunbedunei'thenameo'God；whanwedunaethingwemaunduthatnaethingi'thenameo'God。Abodymayweelsay，'OLord，thoohasnalattenmeseewhatIouchttodu，saeI'lldunaething！'Gienamanoughttodefen'himsel'，butdisnadu't，'causehethinksGodwadnahaehimdu't，wullGodlea'himoondefentforthat？Orgienabodystan'supi'thenameo'God，an'frontsanairmyo'enemies，divyethinkGod'illforsakehim'causehe'smadeamistak？
Whatever'sdunewantin'faithmaunbesin——itcannahelpit；
whatever'sduneinfaithcannabesin，thoughitmaybeamistak。
Onlylatnaamantakpresumptionforfaith！that'safearsomemistak，forit'sjisttheopposite。“
“Ithankye，“saidDonal。“I'llconsiderwi'mybestendeevourwhatyehaesaid。“
“Buto'a'things，“resumedthecobbler，“luik'atyelo'efairplay。
Fairplay'sawon'erfu'word——agran'thingconstantlylostsichto'。Man，Ihaebeentryin'towinattheduin'o'therichtthismonyayear，butIdaurnayetlatmysel'ac'upo'thespuro'themomentwhaurmyainenterest'sconcernt：myainsidemichtyetblin'metotheitherman'ssideo'thebusiness。Onybodycanun'erstan'hisainricht，butittakstriblean'thouchttoun'erstan'whatanithercoontshisricht。Twarichtscannaweelclash。It'sawrangan'aricht，orpairtwrangan'apairtricht'atclashes。“
“Giena'bodydidthat，Idoobttherewadbefeowfortinsmade！”saidDonal。
“AbootthatIcannasay，nokennin'；IdaurnadiscoveralawwhaurI
haenaknowledge！Butthissamefairplaylies，alangwi'love，atthevarraruteandf'undationo'theuniverse。Thetheologianshadaglimmero'thefac'whantheymadesaemuckleo'justice，onlytheirjusticeissicameeserablesma'bitplaistereemageo'
justice，'atitmaistgarsanhonestbodylauch。Theyseemtomelikeshepherds'atrivedoonthedoor-posts，an'syneblockupthedoorwi'them。“
DonaltoldhimofthequarrelhehadhadwithlordForgue，andaskedhimwhetherhethoughthehaddoneright。
“Weel，“answeredthecobbler，“I'masfarfraeblamin'youasIamfraejustifeein'theyoonglord。“
“Heseemstomeafinekin'o'alad，“saidDonal，“thoughsomeowerbeirin'。“
“Thelikeso'himaremairtobeexcusedforthatnoritherfowk，fortheyhaegreatdisadvantagesi'thepositionan'theupbringin'。
It'snoeasyforhim'at'sbrouchtupalordtobelievehe'sjistanewi'thelave。“
Donalwentforastrollthroughthetown，andmettheminister，buthetooknonoticeofhim。Hewasgreatlyannoyedatthemarchwhichhesaidthefellowhadstolenuponhim，andregardedhimasonewhohadtakenanunfairadvantageofhim。Buthehadlittleinfluenceatthecastle。Theearlneverbyanychancewenttochurch。Hisniece，ladyArctura，did，however，andheldtheministerforanauthorityatthingsspiritual——oneofwhomlivingwaterwastobehadwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。Butwhatshecountedspiritualthingswereverycommonearthlystuff，andforthewater，itwasbutstagnantwaterfromtheditchesofashamtheology。Onlywhatwasapoorgirltodowhodidnotknowhowtofeedherself，butapplytoonewhopretendedtobeabletofeedothers？Howwasshetoknowthathecouldnotevenfeedhimself？Outofmanyadifficultyshethoughthehelpedher——onlythedifficultywouldpresentlyclaspheragain，andshemustdealwithitasshebestcould，untilanewonemadeherforgetit，andgototheminister，orrathertohisdaughter，again。Shewasoneofthosewhofeeltheneedofsomehelptolive——someupholdingthatisnotofthemselves，butwho，throughthestupidityofteachersunconsciouslyfalse，——mensounfitthattheydonotknowtheyareunfit，directtheirefforts，firsttowardshavingcorrectnotions，thentoworkupthefeelingsthatbelongtothosenotions。Shewasanhonestgirlsofarasshehadbeentaught——perhapsnotsofarasshemighthavebeenwithouthavingbeentaught。HowwasshetothinkarightwithscarceaglimmerofGod'struth？HowwasshetopleaseGod，asshecalledit，whothoughtofhiminawayrepulsivetoeverylovingsoul？HowwasshetobeacceptedofGod，whodidnotacceptherownneighbour，butlookeddown，withoutknowingit，uponsomanyofherfellow-creatures？Howshouldsuchaoneeitherenjoyorrecommendherreligion？Itwouldhavebeentheworseforherifshehadenjoyedit——theworseforothersifshehadrecommendedit！
ReligionissimplythewayhometotheFather。Therewaslittleofthepathinherreligionexceptthedifficultyofit。Thetruewayisdifficultenoughbecauseofourunchildlikeness——uphill，steep，anddifficult，butthereisfreshlifeoneverysurmountedheight，apurerairgained，evermorelifeformoreclimbing。Butthepaththatisnotthetrueoneisnotthereforeeasy。Uphillishardwalking，butthroughabogisworse。ThosewhoseekGodwiththeirfacesnoteventurnedtowardshim，who，insteadofbeholdingtheFatherintheSon，takethestupidestopinionsconcerninghimandhiswaysfromothermen——whatshouldtheydobutgowanderingondarkmountains，spendingtheirstrengthinavoidingprecipicesandgettingoutofbogs，mourningandsighingovertheirsinsinsteadofleavingthembehindandfleeingtotheFather，whomtoknowiseternallife。DidtheybutsetthemselvestofindoutwhatChristknewandmeantandcommanded，andthentodoit，theywouldsoonforgettheirfalseteachers。Butalas！theygoonbowingbeforelong-faced，big-wordedauthority——themorefatallywhenitisembodiedinagoodmanwho，himselfavictimtofaithinmen，seestheSonofGodonlythroughthetheoriesofothers，andnotwiththesightofhisownspiritualeyes。
Donalhadnotyetseenthelady。Heneitherate，sat，norheldintercoursewiththefamily。AwayfromDavie，hespenthistimeinhistowerchamber，oroutofdoors。Allthegroundswereopentohimexceptawalledgardenonthesouth-easternslope，lookingtowardsthesea，whichtheearlkeptforhimself，thoughherarelywalkedinit。Onthesideofthehillawayfromthetown，wasalargeparkreachingdowntotheriver，andstretchingalongwayupitsbank——withfinetrees，andgloriousoutlookstotheseainonedirection，andtothemountainsintheother。HereDonalwouldoftenwander，nowwithabook，nowwithDavie。Theboy'spresencewasrarelyaninterruptiontohisthoughtswhenhewantedtothink。
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