CHAPTERI
THEMOUNTAINHOME
Faruponthemountain-sidestoodaloneintheclearing。Itwasroughlyyetwarmlybuilt。Behinditjaggedcliffsbrokethenorthwind，andtoweredgray-whiteinthesunshine。Beforeitatinyexpanseofgreenslopedgentlyawaytoapointwherethemountaindroppedinanothersharpdescent，woodedwithscrubbyfirsandpines。Attheleftafootpathledintothecooldepthsoftheforest。ButattherightthemountainfellawayagainanddisclosedtoviewthepictureDavidlovedthebestofall：thefar-reachingvalley；thesilverpoolofthelakewithitsribbonofariverflungfarout；andaboveitthegraysandgreensandpurplesofthemountainsthatclimbedoneuponanother’sshouldersuntilthetopmostthrusttheirheadsintothewidedomeoftheskyitself。
Therewasnoroad，apparently，leadingawayfromthecabin。Therewasonlythefootpaththatdisappearedintotheforest。Neither，anywhere，wasthereahouseinsightnearerthanthewhitespecksfardowninthevalleybytheriver。
Withintheshackawidefireplacedominatedonesideofthemainroom。ItwasJunenow，andtheasheslaycoldonthehearth；butfromthetinylean-tointherearcamethesmellandthesputterofbaconsizzlingoverablaze。Thefurnishingsoftheroomweresimple，yet，inaway，outofthecommon。Thereweretwobunks，afewrudebutcomfortablechairs，atable，twomusic-racks，twoviolinswiththeircases，andeverywherebooks，andscatteredsheetsofmusic。Nowherewastherecushion，curtain，orknickknackthattoldofawoman’stasteortouch。Ontheotherhand，neitherwasthereanywheregun，pelt，orantleredheadthatspokeofaman’sstrengthandskill。FordecorationtherewereabeautifulcopyoftheSistineMadonna，severalphotographssignedwithnameswellknownoutinthegreatworldbeyondthemountains，andafestoonofpineconessuchasachildmightgatherandhang。
Fromthelittlelean-tokitchenthesoundofthesputteringsuddenlyceased，andatthedoorappearedapairofdark，wistfuleyes。
"Daddy！"calledtheowneroftheeyes。
Therewasnoanswer。
"Father，areyouthere？"calledthevoice，moreinsistently。
Fromoneofthebunkscameaslightstirandamurmuredword。Atthesoundtheboyatthedoorleapedsoftlyintotheroomandhurriedtothebunkinthecorner。Hewasaslenderladwithshort，crispcurlsathisears，andtheredofperfecthealthinhischeeks。Hishands，slim，long，andwithtaperingfingerslikeagirl’s，reachedforwardeagerly。
"Daddy，come！I’vedonethebaconallmyself，andthepotatoesandthecoffee，too。Quick，it’sallgettingcold！"
Slowly，withtheaidoftheboy’sfirmhands，themanpulledhimselfhalftoasittingposture。Hischeeks，liketheboy’s，werered——butnotwithhealth。Hiseyeswerealittlewild，buthisvoicewaslowandverytender，likeacaress。
"David——it’smylittlesonDavid！"
"Ofcourseit’sDavid！Whoelseshoulditbe？"laughedtheboy。
"Come！"Andhetuggedattheman’shands。
Themanrosethen，unsteadily，andbysheerwillforcedhimselftostandupright。Thewildlooklefthiseyes，andtheflushhischeeks。Hisfacelookedsuddenlyoldandhaggard。Yetwithfairlysurestepshecrossedtheroomandenteredthelittlekitchen。
Halfofthebaconwasblack；theotherhalfwastransparentandliketoughjelly。Thepotatoesweresoggy，andhadtheunmistakabletastethatcomesfromadishthathasboileddry。
Thecoffeewaslukewarmandmuddy。Eventhemilkwassour。
Davidlaughedalittleruefully。
"Thingsaren’tsoniceasyours，father，"heapologized。"I’mafraidI’mnothingbutadiscordinthatorchestrato-day！
Somehow，someofthestovewashotterthantherest，andburntupthebaconinspots；andallthewatergotoutofthepotatoes，too，——thoughTHATdidn’tmatter，forIjustputmorecoldin。I
forgotandleftthemilkinthesun，andittastesbadnow；butI’msurenexttimeit’llbebetter——allofit。"
Themansmiled，butheshookhisheadsadly。
"Butthereoughtnottobeany’nexttime，’David。"
"Whynot？Whatdoyoumean？Aren’tyouevergoingtoletmetryagain，father？"Therewasrealdistressintheboy’svoice。
Themanhesitated。Hislipspartedwithanindrawnbreath，asifbehindthemlayarushofwords。Buttheyclosedabruptly，thewordsstillunsaid。Then，verylightly，cametheseothers：——
"Well，son，thisisn’taverynicewaytotreatyoursupper，isit？Now，ifyouplease，I’lltakesomeofthatbacon。IthinkI
feelmyappetitecomingback。"
Ifthetruantappetite"cameback，"however，itcouldnothavestayed；forthemanatebutlittle。Hefrowned，too，ashesawhowlittletheboyate。Hesatsilentwhilehissonclearedthefoodanddishesaway，andhewasstillsilentwhen，withtheboy，hepassedoutofthehouseandwalkedtothelittlebenchfacingthewest。
Unlessitstormedveryhard，Davidneverwenttobedwithoutthislastlookathis"SilverLake，"ashecalledthelittlesheetofwaterfardowninthevalley。
"Daddy，it’sgoldto-night——allgoldwiththesun！"hecriedrapturously，ashiseyesfelluponhistreasure。"Oh，daddy！"
Itwasalong-drawncryofecstasy，andhearingit，themanwinced，aswithsuddenpain。
’Daddy，I’mgoingtoplayit——I’vegottoplayit！"criedtheboy，boundingtowardthecabin。Inamomenthehadreturned，violinathischin。
Themanwatchedandlistened；andashewatchedandlistened，hisfacebecameabattle-groundwhereonprideandfear，hopeanddespair，joyandsorrow，foughtforthemastery。
ItwasnonewthingforDavidto"play"thesunset。Always，whenhewasmoved，Davidturnedtohisviolin。Alwaysinitsquiveringstringshefoundthemeanstosaythatwhichhistonguecouldnotexpress。
Acrossthevalleythegraysandbluesofthemountainshadbecomeallpurplesnow。Above，theskyinonevastflameofcrimsonandgold，wasamoltenseaonwhichfloatedrose-pinkcloud-boats。
Below，thevalleywithitslakeandriverpickedoutinroseandgoldagainsttheshadowygreensoffieldandforest，seemedlikesomeenchantedfairylandofloveliness。
AndallthiswasinDavid’sviolin，andallthis，too，wasonDavid’suplifted，rapturousface。
Asthelastrose-glowturnedtograyandthelaststrainquiveredintosilence，themanspoke。Hisvoicewasalmostharshwithself-control。
"David，thetimehascome。We’llhavetogiveitup——youandI。"
Theboyturnedwonderingly，hisfacestillsoftlyluminous。
"Givewhatup？"
"This——allthis。"
"This！Why，father，whatdoyoumean？Thisishome！"
Themannoddedwearily。
"Iknow。Ithasbeenhome；but，David，youdidn’tthinkwecouldalwayslivehere，likethis，didyou？"
Davidlaughedsoftly，andturnedhiseyesoncemoretothedistantsky-line。
Whynot？"heaskeddreamily。"Whatbetterplacecouldtherebe？I
likeit，daddy。"
Themandrewatroubledbreath，andstirredrestlessly。Theteasingpaininhissidewasverybadto-night，andnochangeofpositioneasedit。Hewasill，veryill；andheknewit。Yethealsoknewthat，toDavid，sickness，pain，anddeathmeantnothing——or，atmost，wordsthathadalwaysbeenlightly，almostunconsciouslypassedover。Forthefirsttimehewonderedif，afterall，histraining——someofit——hadbeenwise。
Forsixyearshehadhadtheboyunderhisexclusivecareandguidance。Forsixyearstheboyhadeatenthefood，worntheclothing，andstudiedthebooksofhisfather’schoosing。Forsixyearsthatfatherhadthought，planned，breathed，moved，livedforhisson。Therehadbeennoothersinthelittlecabin。Therehadbeenonlytheoccasionaltripsthroughthewoodstothelittletownonthemountain-sideforfoodandclothing，tobreakthedaysofclosecompanionship。
Allthisthemanhadplannedcarefully。HehadmeantthatonlythegoodandbeautifulshouldhaveplaceinDavid’syouth。Itwasnotthatheintendedthatevil，unhappiness，anddeathshouldlackdefinition，onlydefiniteness，intheboy’smind。Itshouldbeacasewherethegoodandthebeautifulshouldsofillthethoughtsthattherewouldbenoroomforanythingelse。Thishadbeenhisplan。Andthusfarhehadsucceeded——succeededsowonderfullythathebegannow，inthefaceofhisownillness，andofwhathefearedwouldcomeofit，todoubtthewisdomofthatplanning。
Ashelookedattheboy’sraptface，herememberedDavid’ssurprisedquestioningatthefirstdeadsquirrelhehadfoundinthewoods。Davidwassixthen。
"Why，daddy，he’sasleep，andhewon’twakeup！"hehadcried。
Then，afteragentletouch："Andhe’scold——oh，socold！"
Thefatherhadhurriedhissonawayatthetime，andhadevadedhisquestions；andDavidhadseemedcontent。Butthenextdaytheboyhadgonebacktothesubject。Hiseyeswerewidethen，andalittlefrightened。
"Father，whatisittobe——dead？"
"Whatdoyoumean，David？"
"Theboywhobringsthemilk——hehadthesquirrelthismorning。
Hesaiditwasnotasleep。Itwas——dead。"
"Itmeansthatthesquirrel，therealsquirrelunderthefur，hasgoneaway，David。"
"Where？"
"Toafarcountry，perhaps。"
"Willhecomeback？"
"No。"
"Didhewanttogo？"
"We’llhopeso。"
"Buthelefthis——hisfurcoatbehindhim。Didn’theneed——that？"
"No，orhe’dhavetakenitwithhim。"
Davidhadfallensilentatthis。Hehadremainedstrangelysilentindeedforsomedays；then，outinthewoodswithhisfatheronemorning，hegaveajoyousshout。Hewasstandingbytheice-coveredbrook，andlookingatalittleblackholethroughwhichthehurryingwatercouldbeplainlyseen。
"Daddy，oh，daddy，Iknownowhowitis，aboutbeing——dead。"
"Why——David！"
"It’slikethewaterinthebrook，youknow；THAT’Sgoingtoafarcountry，anditisn’tcomingback。Anditleavesitslittlecoldice-coatbehinditjustasthesquirreldid，too。Itdoesn’tneedit。Itcangowithoutit。Don’tyousee？Andit’ssinging——listen！——it’ssingingasitgoes。ItWANTStogo！"
"Yes，David。"AndDavid’sfatherhadsighedwithreliefthathissonhadfoundhisownexplanationofthemystery，andonethatsatisfied。
Later，inhisbooks，Davidfounddeathagain。Itwasaman，thistime。Theboyhadlookedupwithstartledeyes。
"Dopeople，realpeople，likeyouandme，bedead，father？Dotheygotoafarcountry？
"Yes，sonintime——toafarcountryruledoverbyagreatandgoodKingtheytellus。
David’sfatherhadtrembledashesaidit，andhadwaitedfearfullyfortheresult。ButDavidhadonlysmiledhappilyasheanswered：
"Buttheygosinging，father，likethelittlebrook。YouknowI
heardit！"
Andtherethematterhadended。Davidwastennow，andnotyetforhimdiddeathspellterror。BecauseofthisDavid’sfatherwasrelieved；andyet——stillbecauseofthis——hewasafraid。
"David，"hesaidgently。"Listentome。"
Theboyturnedwithalongsigh。
"Yes，father。"
"Wemustgoaway。Outinthegreatworldtherearemenandwomenandchildrenwaitingforyou。You’veabeautifulworktodo；andonecan’tdoone’sworkonamountain-top。"
"Whynot？Ilikeithere，andI’vealwaysbeenhere。"
"Notalways，David；sixyears。YouwerefourwhenIbroughtyouhere。Youdon’tremember，perhaps。"
Davidshookhishead。Hiseyeswereagaindreamilyfixedonthesky。
"IthinkI’dlikeit——togo——ifIcouldsailawayonthatlittlecloud-boatupthere，"hemurmured。
Themansighedandshookhishead。
"Wecan’tgooncloud-boats。Wemustwalk，David，foraway——andwemustgosoon——soon，"headdedfeverishly。"Imustgetyouback——backamongfriends，before——"
Heroseunsteadily，andtriedtowalkerect。Hislimbsshook，andthebloodthrobbedathistemples。Hewasappalledathisweakness。Withafiercenessbornofhisterrorheturnedsharplytotheboyathisside。
"David，we’vegottogo！We’vegottogo——TO-MORROW！"
"Father！"
"Yes，yes，come！"Hestumbledblindly，yetinsomewayhereachedthecabindoor。
BehindhimDavidstillsat，inert，staring。Thenextminutetheboyhadsprungtohisfeetandwashurryingafterhisfather。
CHAPTERII
THETRAIL
Acuriousstrengthseemedtohavecometotheman。WithalmoststeadyhandshetookdownthephotographsandtheSistineMadonna，packingthemneatlyawayinaboxtobeleft。Frombeneathhisbunkhedraggedalarge，dustytraveling-bag，andinthishestowedalittlefood，afewgarments，andagreatdealofthemusicscatteredabouttheroom。
David，inthedoorway，staredindazedwonder。Graduallyintohiseyescreptalookneverseentherebefore。
"Father，wherearewegoing？"heaskedatlastinashakingvoice，ashecameslowlyintotheroom。
"Back，son；we’regoingback。"
"Tothevillage，wherewegetoureggsandbacon？"
"No，no，lad，notthere。Theotherway。Wegodownintothevalleythistime。"
"Thevalley——MYvalley，withtheSilverLake？"
"Yes，myson；andbeyond——farbeyond。"Themanspokedreamily。Hewaslookingataphotographinhishand。Ithadslippedinamongtheloosesheetsofmusic，andhadnotbeenputawaywiththeothers。Itwasthelikenessofabeautifulwoman。
ForamomentDavideyedhimuncertainly；thenhespoke。
"Daddy，whoisthat？Whoareallthesepeopleinthepictures？
You’venevertoldmeaboutanyofthemexceptthelittleroundonethatyouwearinyourpocket。Whoarethey？"
Insteadofanswering，themanturnedfarawayeyesontheboyandsmiledwistfully。
"Ah，David，lad，howthey’llloveyou！Howtheywillloveyou！
Butyoumustn’tletthemspoilyou，son。Youmustremember——rememberallI’vetoldyou。"
OnceagainDavidaskedhisquestion，butthistimethemanonlyturnedbacktothephotograph，mutteringsomethingtheboycouldnotunderstand。
AfterthatDaviddidnotquestionanymore。Hewastooamazed，toodistressed。Hehadneverbeforeseenhisfatherlikethis。
Withnervoushastethemanwassettingthelittleroomtorights，crowdingthingsintothebag，andpackingotherthingsawayinanoldtrunk。Hischeekswereveryred，andhiseyesverybright。Hetalked，too，almostconstantly，thoughDavidcouldunderstandscarcelyawordofwhatwassaid。Later，themancaughtuphisviolinandplayed；andneverbeforehadDavidheardhisfatherplaylikethat。Theboy’seyesfilled，andhisheartachedwithapainthatchokedandnumbed——thoughwhy，Davidcouldnothavetold。Stilllater，themandroppedhisviolinandsankexhaustedintoachair；andthenDavid，wornandfrightenedwithitall，crepttohisbunkandfellasleep。
InthegraydawnofthemorningDavidawoketoadifferentworld。
Hisfather，white-facedandgentle，wascallinghimtogetreadyforbreakfast。Thelittleroom，dismantledofitsdecorations，wasbareandcold。Thebag，closedandstrapped，restedonthefloorbythedoor，togetherwiththetwoviolinsintheircases，readytocarry。
"Wemusthurry，son。It’salongtrampbeforewetakethecars。"
"Thecars——therealcars？Dowegointhose？"Davidwasfullyawakenow。
"Yes。"
"Andisthatallwe’retocarry？"
"Yes。Hurry，son。"
"Butwecomeback——sometime？"
Therewasnoanswer。
"Father，we’recomingback——sometime？"David’svoicewasinsistentnow。
Themanstoopedandtightenedastrapthatwasalreadyquitetightenough。Thenhelaughedlightly。
"Why，ofcourseyou’recomingbacksometime，David。Onlythinkofallthesethingswe’releaving！"
Whenthelastdishwasputaway，thelastgarmentadjusted，andthelastlookgiventothelittleroom，thetravelerspickedupthebagandtheviolins，andwentoutintothesweetfreshnessofthemorning。Ashefastenedthedoorthemansighedprofoundly；
butDaviddidnotnoticethis。Hisfacewasturnedtowardtheeast——alwaysDavidlookedtowardthesun。
"Daddy，let’snotgo，afterall！Let’sstayhere，"hecriedardently，drinkinginthebeautyofthemorning。
"Wemustgo，David。Come，son。"Andthemanledthewayacrossthegreenslopetothewest。
Itwasascarcelyperceptibletrail，butthemanfoundit，andfolloweditwithevidentconfidence。Therewasonlythepausenowandthentosteadyhisnone-too-surestep，ortoeasetheburdenofthebag。Verysoontheforestlayallaboutthem，withthebirdssingingovertheirheads，andwithnumberlesstinyfeetscurryingthroughtheunderbrushonallsides。Justoutofsightabrookbabblednoisilyofitsdelightinbeingalive；andawayupinthetreetopsthemorningsunplayedhide-and-seekamongthedancingleaves。
AndDavidleaped，andlaughed，andloveditall，norwasanyofitstrangetohim。Thebirds，thetrees，thesun，thebrook，thescurryinglittlecreaturesoftheforest，allwerefriendsofhis。Buttheman——themandidnotleaporlaugh，thoughhe，too，loveditall。Themanwasafraid。
Heknewnowthathehadundertakenmorethanhecouldcarryout。
Stepbystepthebaghadgrownheavier，andhourbyhourtheinsistent，teasingpaininhissidehadincreaseduntilnowitwasatorture。Hehadforgottenthatthewaytothevalleywassolong；hehadnotrealizedhownearlyspentwashisstrengthbeforeheevenstarteddownthetrail。Throbbingthroughhisbrainwasthequestion，whatif，afterall，hecouldnot——buteventohimselfhewouldnotsaythewords。
Atnoontheypausedforluncheon，andatnighttheycampedwherethechatteringbrookhadstoppedtorestinastill，blackpool。
Thenextmorningthemanandtheboypickedupthetrailagain，butwithoutthebag。Undersomeleavesinalittlehollow，themanhadhiddenthebag，andhadthensaid，asifcasually：——
"Ibelieve，afterall，Iwon’tcarrythisalong。There’snothinginitthatwereallyneed，youknow，nowthatI’vetakenouttheluncheonbox，andbynightwe’llbedowninthevalley。"
"Ofcourse！"laughedDavid。"Wedon’tneedthat。"Andhelaughedagain，forpurejoy。LittleusehadDavidforbagsorbaggage！
Theyweremorethanhalfwaydownthemountainnow，andsoontheyreachedagrass-grownroad，littletraveled，butyetaroad。
Stilllatertheycametowherefourwayscrossed，andtwoofthemborethemarksofmanywheels。Bysundownthelittlebrookattheirsidemurmuredsoftlyofquietfieldsandmeadows，andDavidknewthatthevalleywasreached。
Davidwasnotlaughingnow。Hewaswatchinghisfatherwithstartledeyes。Davidhadnotknownwhatanxietywas。Hewasfindingoutnow——thoughhebutvaguelyrealizedthatsomethingwasnotright。Forsometimehisfatherhadsaidbutlittle，andthatlittlehadbeeninavoicethatwasthickandunnatural-sounding。Hewaswalkingfast，yetDavidnoticedthateverystepseemedaneffort，andthateverybreathcameinshortgasps。Hiseyeswereverybright，andwerefixedlybentontheroadahead，asifeventhehastehewasmakingwasnothasteenough。TwiceDavidspoketohim，buthedidnotanswer；andtheboycouldonlytrudgealongonhiswearylittlefeetandsighforthedearhomeonthemountain-topwhichtheyhadleftbehindthemthemorningbefore。
Theymetfewfellowtravelers，andthosetheydidmeetpaidscantattentiontothemanandtheboycarryingtheviolins。Asitchanced，therewasnooneinsightwhentheman，walkinginthegrassatthesideoftheroad，stumbledandfellheavilytotheground。
Davidsprangquicklyforward。
"Father，whatisit？WHATISIT？"
Therewasnoanswer。
"Daddy，whydon’tyouspeaktome？See，it’sDavid！"
Withapainfuleffortthemanrousedhimselfandsatup。Foramomenthegazeddullyintotheboy’sface；thenahalf-forgottensomethingseemedtostirhimintofeverishaction。WithshakingfingershehandedDavidhiswatchandasmallivoryminiature。
Thenhesearchedhispocketsuntilonthegroundbeforehimlayashiningpileofgold-pieces——toDavidthereseemedtobeahundredofthem。
"Takethem——hidethem——keepthem。David，untilyou——needthem，"
pantedtheman。"Thengo——goon。Ican’t。"
"Alone？Withoutyou？"demurredtheboy，aghast。"Why，father，I
couldn’t！Idon’tknowtheway。Besides，I’dratherstaywithyou，"headdedsoothingly，asheslippedthewatchandtheminiatureintohispocket；"thenwecanbothgo。"Andhedroppedhimselfdownathisfather’sside。
Themanshookhisheadfeebly，andpointedagaintothegold-pieces。
"Takethem，David，——hidethem，"hechatteredwithpalelips。
Almostimpatientlytheboybeganpickingupthemoneyandtuckingitintohispockets。
"But，father，I’mnotgoingwithoutyou，"hedeclaredstoutly，asthelastbitofgoldslippedoutofsight，andahorseandwagonrattledaroundtheturnoftheroadabove。
Thedriverofthehorseglanceddisapprovinglyatthemanandtheboybytheroadside；buthedidnotstop。Afterhehadpassed，theboyturnedagaintohisfather。Themanwasfumblingoncemoreinhispockets。Thistimefromhiscoatheproducedapencilandasmallnotebookfromwhichhetoreapage，andbegantowrite，laboriously，painfully。
Davidsighedandlookedabouthim。Hewastiredandhungry，andhedidnotunderstandthingsatall。Somethingverywrong，veryterrible，mustbethematterwithhisfather。Hereitwasalmostdark，yettheyhadnoplacetogo，nosuppertoeat，whilefar，faruponthemountain-sidewastheirowndearhomesadandlonelywithoutthem。Upthere，too，thesunstillshone，doubtless，——atleastthereweretherose-glowandtheSilverLaketolookat，whiledownheretherewasnothing，nothingbutgrayshadows，alongdrearyroad，andastragglinghouseortwoinsight。Fromabove，thevalleymightlooktobeafairylandofloveliness，butinrealityitwasnothingbutadismalwasteofgloom，decidedDavid。
David’sfatherhadtornasecondpagefromhisbookandwasbeginninganothernote，whentheboysuddenlyjumpedtohisfeet。
Oneofthestragglinghouseswasneartheroadwheretheysat，anditspresencehadgivenDavidanidea。Withswiftstepshehurriedtothefrontdoorandknockeduponit。Inansweratall，unsmilingwomanappeared，andsaid，"Well？"
Davidremovedhiscapashisfatherhadtaughthimtodowhenoneofthemountainwomenspoketohim。
"Goodevening，lady；I’mDavid，"hebeganfrankly。"Myfatherissotiredhefelldownbackthere，andweshouldlikeverymuchtostaywithyouallnight，ifyoudon’tmind。"
Thewomaninthedoorwaystared。Foramomentshewasdumbwithamazement。Hereyesswepttheplain，ratherroughgarmentsoftheboy，thensoughtthehalf-recumbentfigureofthemanbytheroadside。Herchincameupangrily。
"Oh，wouldyou，indeed！Well，uponmyword！"shescouted。"Humph！
Wedon’taccommodatetramps，littleboy。"Andsheshutthedoorhard。
ItwasDavid’sturntostare。Justwhatatrampmightbe，hedidnotknow；butneverbeforehadarequestofhisbeensoangrilyrefused。Heknewthat。Afiercesomethingrosewithinhim——afiercenewsomethingthatsenttheswiftredtohisneckandbrow。Heraisedadeterminedhandtothedoorknob——hehadsomethingtosaytothatwoman！——whenthedoorsuddenlyopenedagainfromtheinside。
"Seehere，boy，"beganthewoman，lookingoutathimalittlelessunkindly，"ifyou’rehungryI’llgiveyousomemilkandbread。GoaroundtothebackporchandI’llgetitforyou。"Andsheshutthedooragain。
David’shanddroppedtohisside。Theredstillstayedonhisfaceandneck，however，andthatfiercenewsomethingwithinhimbadehimrefusetotakefoodfromthiswoman……Buttherewashisfather——hispoorfather，whowassotired；andtherewashisownstomachclamoringtobefed。No，hecouldnotrefuse。AndwithslowstepsandhangingheadDavidwentaroundthecornerofthehousetotherear。
Asthehalf-loafofbreadandthepailofmilkwereplacedinhishands，Davidrememberedsuddenlythatinthevillagestoreonthemountain，hisfatherpaidmoneyforhisfood。Davidwasglad，now，thathehadthosegold-piecesinhispocket，forhecouldpaymoney。Instantlyhisheadcameup。Oncemoreerectwithself-respect，heshiftedhisburdenstoonehandandthrusttheotherintohispocket。Amomentlaterhepresentedonhisoutstretchedpalmashiningdiskofgold。
"Willyoutakethis，topay，please，forthebreadandmilk？"heaskedproudly。
Thewomanbegantoshakeherhead；but，ashereyesfellonthemoney，shestarted，andbentclosertoexamineit。Thenextinstantshejerkedherselfuprightwithanangryexclamation。
"It’sgold！Aten-dollargold-piece！Soyou’reathief，too，areyou，aswellasatramp？Humph！Well，Iguessyoudon’tneedthisthen，"shefinishedsharply，snatchingthebreadandthepailofmilkfromtheboy’shand。
ThenextmomentDavidstoodaloneonthedoorstep，withthesoundofaquicklythrownboltinhisears。
Athief！Davidknewlittleofthieves，butheknewwhattheywere。Onlyamonthbeforeamanhadtriedtostealtheviolinsfromthecabin；andhewasathief，themilk-boysaid。Davidflushednowagain，angrily，ashefacedthecloseddoor。Buthedidnottarry。Heturnedandrantohisfather。
"Father，comeaway，quick！Youmustcomeaway，"hechoked。
Sourgentwastheboy’svoicethatalmostunconsciouslythesickmangottohisfeet。Withshakinghandshethrustthenoteshehadbeenwritingintohispocket。Thelittlebook，fromwhichhehadtorntheleavesforthispurpose，hadalreadydroppedunheededintothegrassathisfeet。
"Yes，son，yes，we’llgo，"mutteredtheman。"Ifeelbetternow。
Ican——walk。"
Andhedidwalk，thoughveryslowly，ten，adozen，twentysteps。
Frombehindcamethesoundofwheelsthatstoppedclosebesidethem。
"Hullo，there！Goingtothevillage？"calledavoice。
"Yes，sir。"David’sanswerwasunhesitating。Where"thevillage"
was，hedidnotknow；heknewonlythatitmustbesomewhereawayfromthewomanwhohadcalledhimathief。Andthatwasallhecaredtoknow。
"I’mgoing’mosttheremyself。Wantalift？"askedtheman，stillkindly。
"Yes，sir。Thankyou！"criedtheboyjoyfully。Andtogethertheyaidedhisfathertoclimbintotheroomywagon-body。
Therewerefewwordssaid。Themanatthereinsdroverapidly，andpaidlittleattentiontoanythingbuthishorses。Thesickmandozedandrested。Theboysat，wistful-eyedandsilent，watchingthetreesandhousesflitby。Thesunhadlongagoset，butitwasnotdark，forthemoonwasroundandbright，andtheskywascloudless。Wheretheroadforkedsharplythemandrewhishorsestoastop。
"Well，I’msorry，butIguessI’llhavetodropyouhere，friends。Iturnofftotheright；but’tain’tmore’naquarterofamileforyou，now"hefinishedcheerily，pointingwithhiswhiptoaclusteroftwinklinglights。
"Thankyou，sir，thankyou，"breathedDavidgratefully，steadyinghisfather’ssteps。"You’vehelpeduslots。Thankyou！"
InDavid’sheartwasawilddesiretolayathisgoodman’sfeetallofhisshininggold-piecesaspaymentforthistimelyaid。
Butcautionheldhimback：itseemedthatonlyinstoresdidmoneypay；outsideitbrandedoneasathief！
Alonewithhisfather，Davidfacedoncemorehisproblem。Whereshouldtheygoforthenight？Plainlyhisfathercouldnotwalkfar。Hehadbeguntotalkagain，too，——low，half-finishedsentencesthatDavidcouldnotunderstand，andthatvaguelytroubledhim。Therewasahousenearby，andseveralothersdowntheroadtowardthevillage；butDavidhadhadalltheexperiencehewantedthatnightwithstrangehouses，andstrangewomen。
Therewasabarn，abigone，whichwasnearestofall；anditwastowardthisbarnthatDavidfinallyturnedhisfather’ssteps。
"We’llgothere，daddy，ifwecangetin，"heproposedsoftly。
"Andwe’llstayallnightandrest。"
CHAPTERIII
THEVALLEY
ThelongtwilightoftheJunedayhadchangedintoanightthatwasscarcelydarker，sobrightwasthemoonlight。Seenfromthehouse，thebarnandthelowbuildingsbeyondloomedshadowyandunreal，yetverybeautiful。OnthesideporchofthehousesatSimeonHollyandhiswife，contenttorestmindandbodyonlybecauseafullday’sworklaywelldonebehindthem。
ItwasjustasSimeonrosetohisfeettogoindoorsthatalongnotefromaviolinreachedtheirears。
"Simeon！"criedthewoman。"Whatwasthat？"
Themandidnotanswer。Hiseyeswerefixedonthebarn。
"Simeon，it’safiddle！"exclaimedMrs。Holly，asasecondtonequiveredontheair"Andit’sinourbarn！"
Simeon’sjawset。Withasternejaculationhecrossedtheporchandenteredthekitchen。
Inanotherminutehehadreturned，alightedlanterninhishand。
"Simeon，d——don’tgo，"beggedthewoman，tremulously。"You——youdon’tknowwhat’sthere。"
"Fiddlesarenotplayedwithouthands，Ellen，"retortedthemanseverely。"Wouldyouhavemegotobedandleaveahalf-drunken，ungodlyminstrelfellowinpossessionofourbarn？To-night，onmywayhome，Ipassedaprettypairofthemlyingbytheroadside——amanandaboywithtwoviolins。They’retheculprits，likely，——thoughhowtheygotthisfar，Idon’tsee。DoyouthinkIwanttoleavemybarntotrampslikethem？"
"N——no，Isupposenot，"falteredthewoman，assherosetremblinglytoherfeet，andfollowedherhusband’sshadowacrosstheyard。
OnceinsidethebarnSimeonHollyandhiswifepausedinvoluntarily。Themusicwasallaboutthemnow，fillingtheairwithrunsandtrillsandrollickingbitsofmelody。Givinganangryexclamation，themanturnedthentothenarrowstairwayandclimbedtothehayloftabove。Athisheelscamehiswife，andsohereyes，almostassoonashisfelluponthemanlyingbackonthehaywiththemoonlightfulluponhisface。
Instantlythemusicdroppedtoawhisper，andalowvoicecameoutofthegloombeyondthesquareofmoonlightwhichcamefromthewindowintheroof。
"Ifyou’llpleasebeasstillasyoucan，sir。Youseehe’sasleepandhe’ssotired，"saidthevoice。
Foramomentthemanandthewomanonthestairwaypausedinamazement，thenthemanliftedhislanternandstrodetowardthevoice。
"Whoareyou？Whatareyoudoinghere？"hedemandedsharply。
Aboy’sface，round，tanned，andjustnowabitanxious，flashedoutofthedark。
"Oh，please，sir，ifyouwouldspeaklower，"pleadedtheboy。
"He’ssotired！I’mDavid，sir，andthat’sfather。Wecameinheretorestandsleep。"
SimeonHolly’sunrelentinggazelefttheboy’sfaceandsweptthatofthemanlyingbackonthehay。Thenextinstantheloweredthelanternandleanednearer，puttingforthacautioushand。Atoncehestraightenedhimself，mutteringabrusquewordunderhisbreath。Thenheturnedwiththeangryquestion：——
"Boy，whatdoyoumeanbyplayingajigonyourfiddleatsuchatimeasthis？"
"Why，fatheraskedmetoplay"returnedtheboycheerily。"Hesaidhecouldwalkthroughgreenforeststhen，withtherippleofbrooksinhisears，andthatthebirdsandthesquirrels——"
"Seehere，boy，whoareyou？"cutinSimeonHollysternly。"Wheredidyoucomefrom？"
"Fromhome，sir。"
"Whereisthat？"
"Why，home，sir，whereIlive。Inthemountains，’wayup，up，up——oh，sofarup！Andthere’ssuchabig，bigsky，somuchnicerthandownhere。"Theboy’svoicequivered，andalmostbroke，andhiseyesconstantlysoughtthewhitefaceonthehay。
ItwasthenthatSimeonHollyawoketothesuddenrealizationthatitwastimeforaction。Heturnedtohiswife。
"Taketheboytothehouse，"hedirectedincisively。"We’llhavetokeephimto-night，Isuppose。I’llgoforHiggins。Ofcoursethewholethingwillhavetobeputinhishandsatonce。Youcan’tdoanythinghere，"headded，ashecaughtherquestioningglance。"Leaveeverythingjustasitis。Themanisdead。"
"Dead？"Itwasasharpcryfromtheboy，yettherewasmoreofwonderthanofterrorinit。"Doyoumeanthathehasgone——likethewaterinthebrook——tothefarcountry？"hefaltered。
SimeonHollystared。Thenhesaidmoredistinctly：——
"Yourfatherisdead，boy。"
"Andhewon’tcomebackanymore？"David’svoicebrokenow。
Therewasnoanswer。Mrs。Hollycaughtherbreathconvulsivelyandlookedaway。EvenSimeonHollyrefusedtomeettheboy’spleadingeyes。
WithaquickcryDavidsprangtohisfather’sside。
"Buthe’shere——righthere，"hechallengedshrilly。"Daddy，daddy，speaktome！It’sDavid！"Reachingouthishand，hegentlytouchedhisfather’sface。Hedrewbackthen，atonce，hiseyesdistendedwithterror。"Heisn’t！Heis——gone，"hechatteredfrenziedly。"Thisisn’tthefather-partthatKNOWS。It’stheother——thattheyleave。He’sleftitbehindhim——likethesquirrel，andthewaterinthebrook。"
Suddenlytheboy’sfacechanged。Itgrewraptandluminousasheleapedtohisfeet，cryingjoyously："Butheaskedmetoplay，sohewentsinging——singingjustashesaidthattheydid。AndI
madehimwalkthroughgreenforestswiththerippleofthebrooksinhisears！Listen——likethis！"Andoncemoretheboyraisedtheviolintohischin，andoncemorethemusictrilledandrippledabouttheshocked，amazedearsofSimeonHollyandhiswife。
返回顶部