Foratimeneitherthemannorthewomancouldspeak。Therewasnothingintheirhumdrum，habit-smoothedtillingofthesoilandwashingofpotsandpanstopreparethemforascenelikethis——amoonlitbarn，astrangedeadman，andthatdeadman’ssonbabblingofbrooksandsquirrels，andplayingjigsonafiddleforadirge。Atlast，however，Simeonfoundhisvoice。
"Boy，boy，stopthat！"hethundered。"Areyoumad——cleanmad？Gointothehouse，Isay！"Andtheboy，dazedbutobedient，putuphisviolin，andfollowedthewoman，who，withtear-blindedeyes，wasleadingthewaydownthestairs。
Mrs。Hollywasfrightened，butshewasalsostrangelymoved。Fromthelongagothesoundofanotherviolinhadcometoher——aviolin，too，playedbyaboy’shands。Butofthis，allthis，Mrs。
Hollydidnotliketothink。
Inthekitchennowsheturnedandfacedheryoungguest。
"Areyouhungry，littleboy？"
Davidhesitated；hehadnotforgottenthewoman，themilk，andthegold-piece。
"Areyouhungry——dear？"stammeredMrs。Hollyagain；andthistimeDavid’sclamorousstomachforceda"yes"fromhisunwillinglips；
whichsentMrs。Hollyatonceintothepantryforbreadandmilkandaheaped-upplateofdoughnutssuchasDavidhadneverseenbefore。
LikeanyhungryboyDavidatehissupper；andMrs。Holly，inthefaceofthisveryordinarysightofhungerbeingappeasedathertable，breathedmorefreely，andventuredtothinkthatperhapsthisstrangelittleboywasnotsoverystrange，afterall。
"Whatisyourname？"shefoundcouragetoaskthen。
"David。"
"Davidwhat？"
"JustDavid。"
"Butyourfather’sname？"Mrs。Hollyhadalmostasked，butstoppedintime。Shedidnotwanttospeakofhim。"Wheredoyoulive？"sheaskedinstead。
"Onthemountain，’wayup，uponthemountainwhereIcanseemySilverLakeeveryday，youknow。"
"Butyoudidn’tlivetherealone？"
"Oh，no；withfather——beforehe——wentaway"falteredtheboy。
Thewomanflushedredandbitherlip。
"No，no，Imean——weretherenootherhousesbutyours？"shestammered。
"No，ma’am。"
"But，wasn’tyourmother——anywhere？"
"Oh，yes，infather’spocket。"
"YourMOTHER——inyourfather’sPOCKET！"
SoplainlyaghastwasthequestionerthatDavidlookednotalittlesurprisedasheexplained。
"Youdon’tunderstand。Sheisanangel-mother，andangel-mothersdon’thaveanythingonlytheirpicturesdownherewithus。Andthat’swhatwehave，andfatheralwayscarrieditinhispocket。"
"Oh————h，"murmuredMrs。Holly，aquickmistinhereyes。Then，gently："Anddidyoualwayslivethere——onthemountain？"
"Sixyears，fathersaid。"
"Butwhatdidyoudoallday？Weren’tyouever——lonesome？"
"Lonesome？"Theboy’seyeswerepuzzled。
"Yes。Didn’tyoumissthings——people，otherhouses，boysofyourownage，and——andsuchthings？"
David’seyeswidened。
"Why，howcouldI？"hecried。"WhenIhaddaddy，andmyviolin，andmySilverLake，andthewholeofthegreatbigwoodswitheverythinginthemtotalkto，andtotalktome？"
"Woods，andthingsinthemto——toTALKtoyou！"
"Why，yes。Itwasthelittlebrook，youknow，afterthesquirrel，thattoldmeaboutbeingdead，and——"
"Yes，yes；butnevermind，dear，now，"stammeredthewoman，risinghurriedlytoherfeet——theboywasalittlewild，afterall，shethought。"You——youshouldgotobed。Haven’tyoua——abag，or——oranything？"
"No，ma’am；weleftit，"smiledDavidapologetically。"Yousee，wehadsomuchinitthatitgottooheavytocarry。Sowedidn’tbringit。"
"Somuchinityoudidn’tbringit，indeed！"repeatedMrs。
Holly，underherbreath，throwingupherhandswithagestureofdespair。"Boy，whatareyou，anyway？"
Itwasnotmeantforaquestion，but，tothewoman’ssurprise，theboyanswered，frankly，simply：——
"FathersaysthatI’monelittleinstrumentinthegreatOrchestraofLife，andthatImustseetoitthatI’malwaysintune，anddon’tdragorhitfalsenotes。"
"Myland！"breathedthewoman，droppingbackinherchair，hereyesfixedontheboy。Then，withaneffort，shegottoherfeet。
"Come，youmustgotobed，"shestammered。"I’msurebedis——isthebestplaceyou。IthinkIcanfindwhat——whatyouneed，"shefinishedfeebly。
Inasnuglittleroomoverthekitchensomeminuteslater，Davidfoundhimselfatlastalone。Theroom，thoughithadoncebelongedtoaboyofhisownage，lookedverystrangetoDavid。
Onthefloorwasarag-carpetrug，thefirsthehadeverseen。Onthewallswereafishing-rod，atoyshotgun，andacasefullofbugsandmoths，eachlittlebodyimpaledonapin，toDavid’sshudderinghorror。Thebedhadfourtallpostsatthecorners，andaverypuffytopthatfilledDavidwithwonderastohowhewastoreachit，orstaythereifhedidgainit。Acrossachairlayaboy’slongyellow-whitenightshirtthatthekindladyhadleft，afterhurriedlywipinghereyeswiththeedgeofitshem。
InallthecircleofthecandlelighttherewasjustonefamiliarobjecttoDavid’shomesickeyes——thelongblackviolincasewhichhehadbroughtinhimself，andwhichheldhisbelovedviolin。
Withhisbackcarefullyturnedtowardtheimpaledbugsandmothsonthewall，Davidundressedhimselfandslippedintotheyellow-whitenightshirt，whichhesniffedatgratefully，solikepinewoodswastheperfumethathungaboutitsfolds。Thenheblewoutthecandleandgropedhiswaytotheonewindowthelittleroomcontained。
Themoonstillshone，butlittlecouldbeseenthroughthethickgreenbranchesofthetreeoutside。Fromtheyardbelowcamethesoundofwheels，andofmen’sexcitedvoices。Therecamealsothetwinkleoflanternsbornebyhurryinghands，andthetrampofshufflingfeet。InthewindowDavidshivered。Therewerenowidesweepofmountain，hill，andvalley，noSilverLake，norestfulhush，nodaddy，——nobeautifulThingsthatWere。Therewasonlythedreary，hollowmockeryoftheThingstheyhadBecome。
Longminuteslater，David，withtheviolininhisarms，laydownupontherug，and，forthefirsttimesincebabyhood，sobbedhimselftosleep——butitwasasleepthatbroughtnorest；forinithedreamedthathewasabig，white-wingedmothpinnedwithastartoanink-blacksky。
CHAPTERIV
TWOLETTERS
IntheearlygraydawnDavidawoke。Hisfirstsensationwasthephysicalnumbnessandstiffnessthatcamefromhishardbedonthefloor。
"Why，daddy，"hebegan，pullinghimselfhalf-erect，"Isleptallnighton——"Hestoppedsuddenly，brushinghiseyeswiththebacksofhishands。"Why，daddy，where——"Thenfullconsciousnesscametohim。
Withalowcryhesprangtohisfeetandrantothewindow。
Throughthetreeshecouldseethesunriseglowoftheeasternsky。Downintheyardnoonewasinsight；butthebarndoorwasopen，and，withaquickindrawingofhisbreath，Davidturnedbackintotheroomandbegantothrusthimselfintohisclothing。
Thegoldinhissaggingpocketsclinkedandjingledmusically；
andoncehalfadozenpiecesrolledoutuponthefloor。Foramomenttheboylookedasifheweregoingtoletthemremainwheretheywere。Butthenextminute，withanimpatientgesture，hehadpickedthemupandthrustthemdeepintooneofhispockets，silencingtheirjinglingwithhishandkerchief。
Oncedressed，Davidpickeduphisviolinandsteppedsoftlyintothehall。Atfirstnosoundreachedhisears；thenfromthekitchenbelowcametheclatterofbriskfeetandtherattleoftinsandcrockery。Tighteninghisclaspontheviolin，Davidslippedquietlydownthebackstairsandouttotheyard。Itwasonlyafewsecondsthenbeforehewashurryingthroughtheopendoorwayofthebarnandupthenarrowstairwaytotheloftabove。
Atthetop，however，hecametoasharppause，withalowcry。
Thenextmomentheturnedtoseeakindly-facedmanlookingupathimfromthefootofthestairs。
"Oh，sir，please——please，whereishe？Whathaveyoudonewithhim？"appealedtheboy，almostplungingheadlongdownthestairsinhishastetoreachthebottom。
Intotheman’sweather-beatenfacecamealookofsincerebutawkwardsympathy。
"Oh，hullo，sonny！Soyou’retheboy，areye？"hebegandiffidently。
"Yes，yes，I’mDavid。Butwhereishe——myfather，youknow？I
meanthe——theparthe——heleftbehindhim？"chokedtheboy。"Thepartlike——theice-coat？"
Themanstared。Then，involuntarily，hebegantobackaway。
"Well，yesee，I——I——"
"But，maybeyoudon’tknow，"interruptedDavidfeverishly。"Youaren’tthemanIsawlastnight。Whoareyou？Whereishe——theotherone，please？"
"No，I——Iwa’n’there——thatis，notatthefirst，"spokeupthemanquickly，stillunconsciouslybackingaway。"Me——I’monlyLarson，PerryLarson，yeknow。’TwasMr。Hollyyouseelastnight——himthatIworksfor。"
"Then，whereisMr。Holly，please？"falteredtheboy，hurryingtowardthebarndoor。"Maybehewouldknow——aboutfather。Oh，thereheis！"AndDavidranoutofthebarnandacrosstheyardtothekitchenporch。
ItwasanunhappytenminutesthatDavidspentthen。BesidesMr。
Holly，therewereMrs。Holly，andtheman，PerryLarson。Andtheyalltalked。ButlittleofwhattheysaidcouldDavidunderstand。
Tononeofhisquestionscouldheobtainananswerthatsatisfied。
Neither，onhispart，couldheseemtoreplytotheirquestionsinawaythatpleasedthem。
Theywentintobreakfastthen，Mr。andMrs。Holly，andtheman，PerryLarson。TheyaskedDavidtogo——atleast，Mrs。Hollyaskedhim。ButDavidshookhisheadandsaid"No，no，thankyouverymuch；I’drathernot，ifyouplease——notnow。"Thenhedroppedhimselfdownonthestepstothink。AsifhecouldEAT——withthatgreatchokinglumpinhisthroatthatrefusedtobeswallowed！
Davidwasthoroughlydazed，frightened，anddismayed。Heknewnowthatneveragaininthisworldwouldheseehisdearfather，orhearhimspeak。Thismuchhadbeenmadeverycleartohimduringthelasttenminutes。Whythisshouldbeso，orwhathisfatherwouldwanthimtodo，hecouldnotseemtofindout。Notuntilnowhadherealizedatallwhatthisgoingawayofhisfatherwastomeantohim。Andhetoldhimselffranticallythathecouldnothaveitso。HECOULDNOTHAVEITSO！Butevenashesaidthewords，heknewthatitwasso——irrevocablyso。
Davidbeganthentolongforhismountainhome。Thereatleasthewouldhavehisdearforestallabouthim，withthebirdsandthesquirrelsandthefriendlylittlebrooks。TherehewouldhavehisSilverLaketolookat，too，andallofthemwouldspeaktohimofhisfather。Hebelieved，indeed，thatupthereitwouldalmostseemasifhisfatherwerereallywithhim。And，anyway，ifhisfatherevershouldcomeback，itwouldbetherethathewouldbesuretoseekhim——upthereinthelittlemountainhomesodeartothemboth。Backtothecabinhewouldgonow，then。
Yes；indeedhewould！
Withalowwordandapassionatelyintentexpression，Davidgottohisfeet，pickeduphisviolin，andhurried，firm-footed，downthedrivewayandoutuponthemainhighway，turninginthedirectionfromwhencehehadcomewithhisfatherthenightbefore。
TheHollyshadjustfinishedbreakfastwhenHiggins，thecoroner，droveintotheyardaccompaniedbyWilliamStreeter，thetown’smostprominentfarmer，——andthemostmiserlyone，ifreportwastobecredited。
"Well，couldyougetanythingoutoftheboy？"demandedHiggins，withoutceremony，asSimeonHollyandLarsonappearedonthekitchenporch。
"Verylittle。Reallynothingofimportance，"answeredSimeonHolly。
"Whereishenow？"
"Why，hewashereonthestepsafewminutesago。"SimeonHollylookedabouthimabitimpatiently。
"Well，Iwanttoseehim。I’vegotaletterforhim。"
"Aletter！"exclaimedSimeonHollyandLarsoninamazedunison。
"Yes。Founditinhisfather’spocket，"noddedthecoroner，withallthetantalizingbrevityofamanwhoknowshehasachoicemorselofinformationthatiseagerlyawaited。"It’saddressedto’MyboyDavid，’soIcalculatedwe’dbettergiveittohimfirstwithoutreadingit，seeingit’shis。Afterhereadsit，though，I
wanttoseeit。Iwanttoseeifwhatitsaysisanynearerbeinghorse-sensethantheotheroneis。"
"Theotherone！"exclaimedtheamazedchorusagain。
"Oh，yes，there’sanotherone，"spokeupWilliamStreetertersely。"AndI’vereadit——allbutthescrawlattheend。Therecouldn’tanybodyreadthat！"Higginslaughed。
"Well，I’mfreetoconfess’tisasticker——thatname，"headmitted。"Andit’sthenamewewant，ofcourse，totelluswhotheyare——sinceitseemstheboydon’tknow，fromwhatyousaidlastnight。Iwasinhopes，bythismorning，you’dhavefoundoutmorefromhim。"
SimeonHollyshookhishead。
"’Twasimpossible。"
"Gosh！Ishouldsay’twas，"cutinPerryLarson，withemphasis。
"An’queerain’tnonameforit。Oneminutehe’dbetalkin’goodcommonsenselikeanybody：an’thenexthe’dbechatterin’ofcoatsmadeo’ice，an’birdsan’squirrelsan’babblingbrooks。
Hesureisdippy！Listen。Heactuallydon’tseemterknowthediff’rencebetweenhimselfan’hisfiddle。Wewastryin’terfindoutthismornin’whathecoulddo，an’whathewantedterdo，whenifhedidn’tupan’saythathisfathertoldhimitdidn’tmakesomuchdiff’renceWHAThedidsolongashekepthisselfintunean’didn’tstrikefalsenotes。Now，whatdoyerthinko’
that？"
"Yes，I，know"noddedHigginsmusingly。"ThereWASsomethingqueeraboutthem，andtheyweren’tjustordinarytramps。DidI
tellyou？IovertookthemlastnightawayupontheFairbanksroadbytheTaylorplace，andIgave’emalift。Iparticularlynoticedwhatadecentsorttheywere。Theywerecleanandquiet-spoken，andtheirclothesweregood，eveniftheywererough。Yettheydidn’thaveanybaggagebutthemfiddles。"
"Butwhatwasthatsecondletteryoumentioned？"askedSimeonHolly。
Higginssmiledoddly，andreachedintohispocket。
"Theletter？Oh，you’rewelcometoreadtheletter，"hesaid，ashehandedoverabitoffoldedpaper。
Simeontookitgingerlyandexaminedit。
Itwasaleaftornapparentlyfromanotebook。Itwasfoldedthreetimes，andboreontheoutsidethesuperscription"Towhomitmayconcern。"Thehandwritingwaspeculiar，irregular，andnotverylegible。Butasnearasitcouldbedeciphered，thenoteranthus：——
NowthatthetimehascomewhenImustgiveDavidbacktotheworld，Ihavesetoutforthatpurpose。
ButIamill——veryill，andshouldDeathhaveswifterfeetthanI，Imustleavemytaskforotherstocomplete。Dealgentlywithhim。Heknowsonlythatwhichisgoodandbeautiful。Heknowsnothingofsinnorevil。
Thenfollowedthesignature——athingofscrawlsandflourishesthatconveyednosortofmeaningtoSimeonHolly’spuzzledeyes。
"Well？"promptedHigginsexpectantly。
SimeonHollyshookhishead。
"Icanmakelittleofit。Itcertainlyisamostremarkablenote。"
"Couldyoureadthename？"
"No。"
"Well，Icouldn’t。Neithercouldhalfadozenothersthat’sseenit。Butwhere’stheboy？Mebbehisnote’lltalksense。"
"I’llgofindhim，"volunteeredLarson。"Hemustbesomewheres’round。"
ButDavidwasveryevidentlynot"somewheres’round。"Atleasthewasnotinthebarn，theshed，thekitchenbedroom，noranywhereelsethatLarsonlooked；andthemanwasjustcomingbackwithacrestfallen，perplexedfrown，whenMrs。Hollyhurriedoutontotheporch。
"Mr。Higgins，"shecried，inobviousexcitement，"yourwifehasjusttelephonedthathersisterMolliehasjusttelephonedHER
thatthatlittletrampboywiththeviolinisatherhouse。"
"AtMollie’s！"exclaimedHiggins。"Why，that’samileormorefromhere。"
"Sothat’swhereheis！"interposedLarson，hurryingforward。
"Doggonethelittlerascal！Hemust’a’slippedawaywhilewewaseatinbreakfast。"
"Yes。But，Simeon，——Mr。Higgins，——wehadn’toughttolethimgolikethat，"appealedMrs。Hollytremulously。"YourwifesaidMolliesaidshefoundhimcryingatthecrossroads，becausehedidn’tknowwhichwaytotake。Hesaidhewasgoingbackhome。
Hemeanstothatwretchedcabinonthemountain，youknow；andwecan’tlethimdothatalone——achildlikethat！"
"Whereishenow？"demandedHiggins。
"InMollie’skitcheneatingbreadandmilk；butshesaidshehadanawfultimegettinghimtoeat。Andshewantstoknowwhattodowithhim。That’swhyshetelephonedyourwife。Shethoughtyououghttoknowhewasthere。"
"Yes，ofcourse。Well，tellhertotellhimtocomeback。"
"Molliesaidshetriedtohavehimcomeback，butthathesaid，no，thankyou，he’drathernot。Hewasgoinghomewherehisfathercouldfindhimifheshouldeverwanthim。Mr。Higgins，we——weCAN’Tlethimgoofflikethat。Why，thechildwoulddieuptherealoneinthosedreadfulwoods，evenifhecouldgetthereinthefirstplace——whichIverymuchdoubt。"
"Yes，ofcourse，ofcourse，"mutteredHiggins，withathoughtfulfrown。"There’shisletter，too。Say！"headded，brightening，"what’llyoubetthatletterwon’tfetchhim？Heseemstothinktheworldandallofhisdaddy。Here，"hedirected，turningtoMrs。Holly，"youtellmywifetotell——betteryet，youtelephoneMollieyourself，please，andtellhertotelltheboywe’vegotaletterhereforhimfromhisfather，andhecanhaveitifhe’llcomeback。"。
"Iwill，Iwill，"calledMrs。Holly，overhershoulder，asshehurriedintothehouse。Inanunbelievablyshorttimeshewasback，herfacebeaming。
"He’sstarted，sosoon，"shenodded。"He’scrazywithjoy，Molliesaid。Heevenleftpartofhisbreakfast，hewasinsuchahurry。
SoIguesswe’llseehimallright。"
"Oh，yes，we’llseehimallright，"echoedSimeonHollygrimly。
"Butthatisn’ttellingwhatwe’lldowithhimwhenwedoseehim。"
"Oh，well，maybethisletterofhiswillhelpusoutonthat，"
suggestedHigginssoothingly。"Anyhow，evenifitdoesn’t，I’mnotworryingany。Iguesssomeonewillwanthim——agoodhealthyboylikethat。"
"Didyoufindanymoneyonthebody？"askedStreeter。
"Alittlechange——afewcents。Nothingtocount。Iftheboy’sletterdoesn’ttelluswhereanyoftheirfolksare，it’llbeuptothetowntoburyhimallright。"
"Hehadafiddle，didn’the？Andtheboyhadone，too。Wouldn’ttheybringanything？"Streeter’sroundblueeyesgleamedshrewdly。
Higginsgaveaslowshakeofhishead。
"Maybe——iftherewasamarketfor’em。Butwho’dbuy’em？Thereain’tasoulintownplaysbutJackGurnsey；andhe’sgotone。
Besides，he’ssick，andgotallhecandotobuybreadandbutterforhimandhissisterwithouttakinginmorefiddles，Iguess。
HEwouldn’tbuy’em。"
"Hm——m；maybenot，maybenot，"gruntedStreeter。"An’，asyousay，he’stheonlyonethat’sgotanyusefor’emhere；an’likeenoughtheyain’tworthmuch，anyway。SoIguess’tisuptothetownallright。"
"Yes；but——ifyer’lltakeitfromme，"——interruptedLarson，——"you’llbewiseifyekeepstillbeforetheboy。It’snouseASKIN’himanythin’。We’veprovedthatfastenough。An’ifheonceturns’roundan’beginsteraskYOUquestions，yerdonefor！"
"Iguessyou’reright，"noddedHiggins，withaquizzicalsmile。
"AndaslongasquestioningCAN’Tdoanygood，why，we’lljustkeepwhistbeforetheboy。MeanwhileIwishthelittlerascalwouldhurryupandgethere。IwanttoseetheinsideofthatlettertoHIM。I’mrelyingonthatbeingsomehelptounsnarlthistangleoftellingwhotheyare。"
"Well，he’sstarted，"reiteratedMrs。Holly，assheturnedbackintothehouse；"soIguesshe’llgethereifyouwaitlongenough。"
"Oh，yes，he’llgethereifwewaitlongenough，"echoedSimeonHollyagain，crustily。
Thetwomeninthewagonsettledthemselvesmorecomfortablyintheirseats，andPerryLarson，afterahalf-uneasy，half-apologeticglanceathisemployer，droppedhimselfontothebottomstep。SimeonHollyhadalreadysatdownstifflyinoneoftheporchchairs。SimeonHollynever"droppedhimself"anywhere。
Indeed，accordingtoPerryLarson，iftherewereahardwaytodoathing，SimeonHollyfoundit——anddidit。Thefactthat，thismorning，hehadallowed，andwasstillallowing，thesacredroutineoftheday’sworktobethusinterrupted，fornothingmoreimportantthantheexpectedarrivalofastrollingurchin，wassomethingLarsonwouldnothavebelievedhadhenotseenit。
Evennowhewasconsciousonceortwiceofaninvoluntarydesiretorubhiseyestomakesuretheywerenotdeceivinghim。
ImpatientasthewaitingmenwereforthearrivalofDavid，theywereyetalmostsurprised，sosoondidheappear，runningupthedriveway。
"Oh，whereisit，please？"hepanted。"Theysaidyouhadaletterformefromdaddy！"
"You’reright，sonny；wehave。Andhereitis，"answeredHigginspromptly，holdingoutthefoldedpaper。
Plainlyeagerashewas，Daviddidnotopenthenotetillhehadfirstcarefullysetdownthecaseholdinghisviolin；thenhedevoureditwitheagereyes。
Asheread，thefourmenwatchedhisface。Theysawfirstthequicktearsthathadtobeblinkedaway。Thentheysawtheradiantglowthatgrewanddeepeneduntilthewholeboyishfacewasaflamewiththesplendorofit。Theysawtheshiningwonderofhiseyes，too，ashelookedupfromtheletter。
"Anddaddywrotethistomefromthefarcountry？"hebreathed。
SimeonHollyscowled。Larsonchokedoverastifledchuckle。
WilliamStreeterstaredandshruggedhisshoulders；butHigginsflushedadullred。
"No，sonny，"hestammered。"Wefounditonthe——er——Imean，it——er——yourfatherleftitinhispocketforyou，"finishedtheman，alittleexplosively。
Aswiftshadowcrossedtheboy’sface。
"Oh，IhopedI’dheard——"hebegan。Thensuddenlyhestopped，hisfaceoncemorealight。"Butit’s’mostthesameasifhewroteitfromthere，isn’tit？Heleftitforme，andhetoldmewhattodo。"
"What’sthat，what’sthat？"criedHiggins，instantlyalert。"DID
hetellyouwhattodo？Then，let’shaveit，soWE’LLknow。Youwillletusreadit，won’tyou，boy？"
"Why，y——yes，"stammeredDavid，holdingitoutpolitely，butwithevidentreluctance。
"Thankyou，"noddedHiggins，ashereachedforthenote。
David’sletterwasverydifferentfromtheotherone。Itwaslonger，butitdidnothelpmuch，thoughitwaseasilyread。Inhisletter，inspiteofthewaveringlines，eachwordwasformedwithacarethattoldofafather’sthoughtfortheyoungeyesthatwouldreadit。Itwaswrittenontwoofthenotebook’sleaves，andattheendcamethesingleword"Daddy。"
David，myboy[readHigginsaloud]，inthefarcountryIamwaitingforyou。Donotgrieve，forthatwillgrieveme。Ishallnotreturn，butsomedayyouwillcometome，yourviolinatyourchin，andthebowdrawnacrossthestringstogreetme。Seethatittellsmeofthebeautifulworldyouhaveleft——foritisabeautifulworld，David；neverforgetthat。Andifsometimeyouaretemptedtothinkitisnotabeautifulworld，justrememberthatyouyourselfcanmakeitbeautifulifyouwill。
Youareamongnewfaces，surroundedbythingsandpeoplethatarestrangetoyou。Someofthemyouwillnotunderstand；someofthemyoumaynotlike。Butdonotfear，David，anddonotpleadtogobacktothehills。Rememberthis，myboy，——inyourviolinlieallthethingsyoulongfor。Youhaveonlytoplay，andthebroadskiesofyourmountainhomewillbeoveryou，andthedearfriendsandcomradesofyourmountainforestswillbeaboutyou。
DADDY。
"Gorry！that’sworsethantheother，"groanedHiggins，whenhehadfinishedthenote。"There’sactuallynothinginit！Wouldn’tyouthink——ifamanwroteanythingatsuchatime——thathe’d’a’
wrotesomethingthathadsomesensetoit——somethingthatonecouldgetholdof，andfindoutwhotheboyis？"
Therewasnoansweringthis。Theassembledmencouldonlygruntandnodinagreement，which，afterall，wasnorealhelp。
CHAPTERV
DISCORDS
ThedeadmanfoundinFarmerHolly’sbarncreatedadecidedstirinthevillageofHinsdale。Thecasewasapeculiaroneformanyreasons。First，becauseoftheboy——Hinsdalesupposeditknewboys，butitfeltinclinedtochangeitsmindafterseeingthisone。Second，becauseofthecircumstances。Theboyandhisfatherhadenteredthetownliketramps，yetHiggins，whotalkedfreelyofhishavinggiventhepaira"lift"onthatveryevening，didnothesitatetodeclarethathedidnotbelievethemtobeordinarytrampsatall。
Astherehadbeenlittlefoundinthedeadman’spockets，savethetwonotes，andasnobodycouldbefoundwhowantedtheviolins，thereseemedtobenothingtodobuttoturnthebodyovertothetownforburial。NothingwassaidofthistoDavid；
indeed，aslittleaspossiblewassaidtoDavidaboutanythingafterthatmorningwhenHigginshadgivenhimhisfather’sletter。Atthattimethemenhadmadeonemoreeffortto"gettrackofSOMETHING，"asHigginshaddespairinglyputit。Buttheboy’sanswerstotheirquestionswereanythingbutsatisfying，anythingbuthelpful，andwereoftenmostdisconcerting。Theboywas，infact，regardedbymostofthemen，afterthatmorning，asbeing"alittleoff"；andwashenceletseverelyalone。
Whothemanwasthetownauthoritiescertainlydidnotknow，neithercouldtheyapparentlyfindout。Hisname，aswrittenbyhimself，wasunreadable。Hisnotestoldnothing；hissoncouldtelllittlemore——ofconsequence。Areport，tobesure，didcomefromthevillage，farupthemountain，thatsuchamanandboyhadlivedinahutthatwasalmostinaccessible；buteventhisdidnothelpsolvethemystery。
DavidwasleftattheHollyfarmhouse，thoughSimeonHollymentallydeclaredthatheshouldlosenotimeinlookingaboutforsomeonetotaketheboyaway。
OnthatfirstdayHiggins，pickingupthereinspreparatorytodrivingfromtheyard，hadsaid，withanodofhisheadtowardDavid：——
"Well，howaboutit，Holly？Shallweleavehimheretillwefindsomebodythatwantshim？"
"Why，y——yes，Isupposeso，"hesitatedSimeonHolly，withuncordialaccent。
Buthiswife，hoveringinthebackground，hastenedforwardatonce。
"Oh，yes；yes，indeed，"sheurged。"I’msurehe——hewon’tbeamiteoftrouble，Simeon。"
"Perhapsnot，"concededSimeonHollydarkly。"Neither，itissafetosay，willhebeanythingelse——worthanything。"
"That’sitexactly，"spokeupStreeter，fromhisseatinthewagon。"IfIthoughthe’dbeworthhissalt，now，I’dtakehimmyself；but——well，lookathimthisminute，"hefinished，withadisdainfulshrug。
David，ontheloweststep，wasveryevidentlynothearingawordofwhatwasbeingsaid。Withhissensitivefaceillumined，hewasagainporingoverhisfather’sletter。
Somethinginthesuddenquietcutthroughhisabsorptionasthenoisyhumofvoiceshadnotbeenabletodo，andheraisedhishead。Hiseyeswerestarlike。
"I’msogladfathertoldmewhattodo，"hebreathed。"It’llbeeasiernow。"
Receivingnoanswerfromthesomewhatawkwardlysilentmen，hewenton，asifinexplanation：——
"Youknowhe’swaitingforme——inthefarcountry，Imean。Hesaidhewas。Andwhenyou’vegotsomebodywaiting，youdon’tmindstayingbehindyourselfforalittlewhile。Besides，I’veGOTtostaytofindoutaboutthebeautifulworld，youknow，soIcantellhim，when_I_go。That’sthewayIusedtodobackhomeonthemountain，yousee，——tellhimaboutthings。Lotsofdayswe’dgotowalk；then，whenwegothome，he’dhavemetellhim，withmyviolin，whatI’dseen。AndnowhesaysI’mtostayhere。"
"Here！"Itwasthequick，sternvoiceofSimeonHolly。
"Yes，"noddedDavidearnestly；"tolearnaboutthebeautifulworld。Don’tyouremember？AndhesaidIwasnottowanttogobacktomymountains；thatIwouldnotneedto，anyway，becausethemountains，andthesky，andthebirdsandsquirrelsandbrooksarereallyinmyviolin，youknow。And——"ButwithanangryfrownSimeonHollystalkedaway，motioningLarsontofollowhim；andwithamerryglanceandalowchuckleHigginsturnedhishorseaboutanddrovefromtheyard。AmomentlaterDavidfoundhimselfalonewithMrs。Holly，whowaslookingathimwithwistful，thoughslightlyfearfuleyes。
"Didyouhaveallthebreakfastyouwanted？"sheaskedtimidly，resorting，asshehadresortedthenightbefore，totheeverydaythingsofherworldinthehopethattheymightmakethisstrangelittleboyseemlesswild，andmorenearlyhuman。
"Oh，yes，thankyou。"David’seyeshadstrayedbacktothenoteinhishand。Suddenlyhelookedup，anewsomethinginhiseyes。
"Whatisittobea——atramp？"heasked。"ThosemensaiddaddyandIweretramps。"
"Atramp？Oh——er——why，justa——atramp，"stammeredMrs。Holly。
"Butnevermindthat，David。I——Iwouldn’tthinkanymoreaboutit。"
"Butwhatisatramp？"persistedDavid，asmoulderingfirebeginningtoshowinhiseyes。"BecauseiftheymeantTHIEVES——"
"No，no，David，"interruptedMrs。Hollysoothingly。"Theynevermeantthievesatall。"
"Then，whatisittobeatramp？"
"Why，it’sjustto——totramp，"explainedMrs。Hollydesperately；——"walkalongtheroadfromonetowntoanother，and——andnotliveinahouseatall。"
"Oh！"David’sfacecleared。"That’sallright，then。I’dlovetobeatramp，andso’dfather。Andweweretramps，sometimes，too，’causelotsoftimes，inthesummer，wedidn’tstayinthecabinhardlyany——justlivedoutofdoorsalldayandallnight。Why，I
neverknewreallywhatthepinetreesweresayingtillIheardthematnight，lyingunderthem。YouknowwhatImean。You’veheardthem，haven’tyou？"
"Atnight？Pinetrees？"stammeredMrs。Hollyhelplessly。
"Yes。Oh，haven’tyoueverheardthematnight？"criedtheboy，inhisvoiceaverygenuinesympathyasforagrievousloss。
"Why，then，ifyou’veonlyheardthemdaytimes，youdon’tknowabitwhatpinetreesreallyare。ButIcantellyou。Listen！Thisiswhattheysay，"finishedtheboy，whippinghisviolinfromitscase，and，afteraswifttestingofthestrings，plungingintoaweird，hauntinglittlemelody。
Inthedoorway，Mrs。Holly，bewildered，yetbewitched，stoodmotionless，hereyeshalf-fearfully，half-longinglyfixedonDavid’sglorifiedface。ShewasstillinthesamepositionwhenSimeonHollycamearoundthecornerofthehouse。
"Well，Ellen，"hebegan，withquietscorn，afteramoment’ssternwatchingofthescenebeforehim，"haveyounothingbettertodothismorningthantolistentothisminstrelfellow？"
"Oh，Simeon！Why，yes，ofcourse。I——Iforgot——whatIwasdoing，"
falteredMrs。Holly，flushingguiltilyfromnecktobrowassheturnedandhurriedintothehouse。
David，ontheporchsteps，seemedtohaveheardnothing。Hewasstillplaying，hisraptgazeonthedistantsky-line，whenSimeonHollyturneduponhimwithdisapprovingeyes。
"Seehere，boy，can’tyoudoanythingbutfiddle？"hedemanded。
Then，asDavidstillcontinuedtoplay，headdedsharply："Didn’tyouhearme，boy？"
Themusicstoppedabruptly。Davidlookedupwiththeslightlydazedairofonewhohasbeensummonedasfromanotherworld。
"Didyouspeaktome，sir？"heasked。
"Idid——twice。Iaskedifyouneverdidanythingbutplaythatfiddle。"
"Youmeanathome？"David’sfaceexpressedmildwonderwithoutatraceofangerorresentment。"Why，yes，ofcourse。Icouldn’tplayALLthetime，youknow。Ihadtoeatandsleepandstudymybooks；andeverydaywewenttowalk——liketramps，asyoucallthem，"heelucidated，hisfacebrighteningwithobviousdelightatbeingable，foronce，toexplainmattersintermsthathefeltsurewouldbeunderstood。
"Tramps，indeed！"mutteredSimeonHolly，underhisbreath。Then，sharply："Didyouneverperformanyusefullabor，boy？Wereyourdaysalwaysspentinthisungodlyidleness？"
AgainDavidfrownedinmildwonder。
"Oh，Iwasn’tidle，sir。FathersaidImustneverbethat。HesaideveryinstrumentwasneededinthegreatOrchestraofLife；
andthatIwasone，youknow，evenifIwasonlyalittleboy。
AndhesaidifIkeptstillanddidn’tdomypart，theharmonywouldn’tbecomplete，and——"
"Yes，yes，butnevermindthatnow，boy，"interruptedSimeonHolly，withharshimpatience。"Imean，didheneversetyoutowork——realwork？"
"Work？"Davidmeditatedagain。Thensuddenlyhisfacecleared。
"Oh，yes，sir，hesaidIhadabeautifulworktodo，andthatitwaswaitingformeoutintheworld。That’swhywecamedownfromthemountain，youknow，tofindit。Isthatwhatyoumean？"
"Well，no，"retortedtheman，"Ican’tsaythatitwas。Iwasreferringtowork——realworkaboutthehouse。Didyouneverdoanyofthat？"
Davidgavearelievedlaugh。
"Oh，youmeangettingthemealsandtidyingupthehouse，"hereplied。"Oh，yes，Ididthatwithfather，only"——hisfacegrewwistful——"I’mafraidIdidn’tdoitverywell。Mybaconwasneverasniceandcrispasfather’s，andthefirewasalwaysspoilingmypotatoes。"
"Humph！baconandpotatoes，indeed！"scornedSimeonHolly。"Well，boy，wecallthatwomen’sworkdownhere。Wesetmentosomethingelse。Doyouseethatwoodpilebythesheddoor？"
"Yes，sir。"
"Verygood。Inthekitchenyou’llfindanemptywoodbox。Doyouthinkyoucouldfillitwithwoodfromthatwoodpile？You’llfindplentyofshort，smallsticksalreadychopped。"
"Oh，yes，sir，I’dliketo，"noddedDavid，hastilybutcarefullytuckinghisviolinintoitscase。Aminutelaterhehadattackedthewoodpilewithawill；andSimeonHolly，afterasharplywatchfulglance，hadturnedaway。
Butthewoodbox，afterall，wasnotfilled。Atleast，itwasnotfilledimmediately。forattheverybeginningofgatheringthesecondarmfulofwood，Davidpickedupastickthathadlonglaininonepositionontheground，therebydisclosingsundryanddiversecrawlingthingsofmanylegs，whichfilledDavid’ssoulwithdelight，anddroveawayeverythoughtoftheemptywoodbox。
Itwasonlyamatterofsomestrengthandmorepatience，andstillmoretime，tooverturnotherandbiggersticks，tofindotherandbiggerofthemany-legged，many-jointedcreatures。One，indeed，wassoverywonderfulthatDavid，withawhoopofglee，summonedMrs。Hollyfromthesheddoorwaytocomeandsee。
SourgentwashispleathatMrs。Hollycamewithhurriedsteps——butshewentawaywithstepsevenmorehurried；andDavid，sittingbackonhiswoodpileseat，waslefttowonderwhysheshouldscreamandshudderandsay"Ugh-h-h！"atsuchabeautiful，interestingthingaswasthislittlecreaturewholivedinherwoodpile。
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