EventhenDaviddidnotthinkofthatemptywoodboxwaitingbehindthekitchenstove。Thistimeitwasabutterfly，abigblackbutterflybandedwithgold；anditdancedandflutteredallthroughthebackyardandoutintothegarden，Daviddelightedlyfollowingwithsoft-treadingsteps，andmovementsthatwouldnotstartle。Fromthegardentotheorchard，andfromtheorchardbacktothegardendancedthebutterfly——andDavid；andinthegarden，nearthehouse，DavidcameuponMrs。Holly’spansy-bed。
Eventhebutterflywasforgottenthen，fordowninthepathbythepansy-bedDaviddroppedtohiskneesinveritableworship。
"Why，you’rejustlikelittlepeople，"hecriedsoftly。"You’vegotfaces；andsomeofyouarehappy，andsomeofyouaresad。
Andyou——youbigspottedyellowone——you’relaughingatme。Oh，I’mgoingtoplayyou——allofyou。You’llmakesuchaprettysong，you’resodifferentfromeachother！"AndDavidleapedlightlytohisfeetandranaroundtothesideporchforhisviolin。
Fiveminuteslater，SimeonHolly，comingintothekitchen，heardthesoundofaviolinthroughtheopenwindow。Atthesamemomenthiseyesfellonthewoodbox，emptysaveforafewsmallsticksatthebottom。Withanangryfrownhestrodethroughtheouterdoorandaroundthecornerofthehousetothegarden。AtoncethenhecameuponDavid，sittingTurk-fashioninthemiddleofthepathbeforethepansy-bed，hisviolinathischin，andhiswholefaceaglow。
"Well，boy，isthisthewayyoufillthewoodbox？"demandedthemancrisply。
Davidshookhishead。
"Oh，no，sir，thisisn’tfillingthewoodbox，"helaughed，softeninghismusic，butnotstoppingit。"DidyouthinkthatwaswhatIwasplaying？It’stheflowersherethatI’mplaying——thelittlefaces，likepeople，youknow。See，thisisthatbigyellowoneovertherethat’slaughing，"hefinished，lettingthemusicunderhisfingersburstintoagaylittlemelody。
SimeonHollyraisedanimperioushand；andatthegestureDavidstoppedhismelodyinthemiddleofarun，hiseyesflyingwideopeninplainwonderment。
"Youmean——I’mnotplaying——right？"heasked。
"I’mnottalkingofyourplaying，"retortedSimeonHollyseverely。"I’mtalkingofthatwoodboxIaskedyoutofill。"
David’sfacecleared。
"Oh，yes，sir。I’llgoanddoit，"henodded，gettingcheerfullytohisfeet。
"ButItoldyoutodoitbefore。"
David’seyesgrewpuzzledagain。
"Iknow，sir，andIstartedto，"heanswered，withtheobviouspatienceofonewhofindshimselfobligedtoexplainwhatshouldbeaself-evidentfact；"butIsawsomanybeautifulthings，oneafteranother，andwhenIfoundthesefunnylittleflower-peopleIjusthadtoplaythem。Don’tyousee？"
"No，Ican’tsaythatIdo，whenI’dalreadytoldyoutofillthewoodbox，"rejoinedtheman，withuncompromisingcoldness。
"Youmean——eventhenthatIoughttohavefilledthewoodboxfirst？"
"Icertainlydo。"
David’seyesflewwideopenagain。
"Butmysong——I’dhavelostit！"heexclaimed。"Andfathersaidalwayswhenasongcametometoplayitatonce。Songsarelikethemistsofthemorningandtherainbows，youknow，andtheydon’tstaywithyoulong。Youjusthavetocatchthemquick，beforetheygo。Now，don’tyousee？"
ButSimeonHolly，withadespairinglyscornfulgesture，hadturnedaway；andDavid，afteramoment’sfollowinghimwithwistfuleyes，soberlywalkedtowardthekitchendoor。Twominuteslaterhewasindustriouslyworkingathistaskoffillingthewoodbox。
ThatforDavidtheaffairwasnotsatisfactorilysettledwasevidencedbyhisthoughtfulcountenanceandpreoccupiedair，however；norweremattershelpedanybythequestionDavidputtoMr。Hollyjustbeforedinner。
"Doyoumean，"heasked，"thatbecauseIdidn’tfillthewoodboxrightaway，Iwasbeingadiscord？"
"Youwerewhat？"demandedtheamazedSimeonHolly。
"Beingadiscord——playingoutoftune，youknow，"explainedDavid，withpatientearnestness。"Fathersaid——"ButagainSimeonHollyhadturnedirritablyaway；andDavidwasleftwithhisperplexedquestionsstillunanswered。
CHAPTERVI
NUISANCES，NECESSARYANDOTHERWISE
Forsometimeafterdinner，thatfirstday，DavidwatchedMrs。
Hollyinsilencewhilesheclearedthetableandbegantowashthedishes。
"Doyouwantmeto——help？"heaskedatlast，alittlewistfully。
Mrs。Holly，withadubiousglanceattheboy’sbrownlittlehands，shookherhead。
"No，Idon’t。No，thankyou，"sheamendedheranswer。
ForanothersixtysecondsDavidwassilent；then，stillmorewistfully，heasked：——
"Areallthesethingsyou’vebeendoingallday’usefullabor’？"
Mrs。Hollylifteddrippinghandsfromthedishpanandheldthemsuspendedforanamazedinstant。
"Arethey——Why，ofcoursetheyare！Whatasillyquestion！Whatputthatideaintoyourhead，child？"
"Mr。Holly；andyouseeit’ssodifferentfromwhatfatherusedtocallthem。"
"Different？"
"Yes。Hesaidtheywereanecessarynuisance，——dishes，andgettingmeals，andclearingup，——andhedidn’tdohalfasmanyofthemasyoudo，either。"
"Nuisance，indeed！"Mrs。Hollyresumedherdishwashingwithsomeasperity。"Well，Ishouldthinkthatmighthavebeenjustaboutlikehim。"
"Yes，itwas。Hewasalwaysthatway，"noddedDavidpleasantly。
Then，afteramoment，hequeried："Butaren’tyougoingtowalkatallto-day？"
"Towalk？Where？"
"Why，throughthewoodsandfields——anywhere。"
"Walkinginthewoods，NOW——JUSTWALKING？Land’ssake，boy，I’vegotsomethingelsetodo！"
"Oh，that’stoobad，isn’tit？"David’sfaceexpressedsympatheticregret。"Andit’ssuchaniceday！Maybeit’llrainbytomorrow。"
"Maybeitwill，"retortedMrs。Holly，withslightlyupliftedeyebrowsandanexpressiveglance。"Butwhetheritdoesordoesn’twon’tmakeanydifferenceinmygoingtowalk，Iguess。"
"Oh，won’tit？"beamedDavid，hisfacechanging。"I’msoglad！I
don’tmindtherain，either。FatherandIusedtogointherainlotsoftimes，only，ofcourse，wecouldn’ttakeourviolinsthen，soweusedtolikethepleasantdaysbetter。Buttherearesomethingsyoufindonrainydaysthatyoucouldn’tfindanyothertime，aren’tthere？Thedanceofthedropsontheleaves，andtherushoftherainwhenthewindgetsbehindit。Don’tyoulovetofeelit，outintheopenspaces，wherethewindjustgetsagoodchancetopush？"
Mrs。Hollystared。Thensheshiveredandthrewupherhandswithagestureofhopelessabandonment。
"Land’ssake，boy！"sheejaculatedfeebly，assheturnedbacktoherwork。
Fromdishestosweeping，andfromsweepingtodusting，hurriedMrs。Holly，goingatlastintothesomberparlor，alwayscarefullyguardedfromsunandair。Watchingher，mutely，Davidtrailedbehind，hiseyesstaringalittleastheyfelluponthemultitudeofobjectsthatparlorcontained：thehairclothchairs，thelongsofa，themarble-toppedtable，thecurtains，cushions，spreads，and"throws，"theinnumerablematsandtidies，thehair-wreath，thewaxflowersundertheirglassdome，thedriedgrasses，themarvelousbouquetsofscarlet，green，andpurpleeverlastings，thestonesandshellsandmany-sized，many-shapedvasesarrangedasifinlineofbattlealongthecornershelves。
"Y——yes，youmaycomein，"calledMrs。Holly，glancingbackatthehesitatingboyinthedoorway。"Butyoumustn’ttouchanything。I’mgoingtodust。"
"ButIhaven’tseenthisroombefore，"ruminatedDavid。
"Well，no，"deignedMrs。Holly，withjustatouchofsuperiority。
"Wedon’tusethisroomcommon，littleboy，northebedroomthere，either。Thisisthecompanyroom，forministersandfunerals，and——"Shestoppedhastily，withaquicklookatDavid；
buttheboydidnotseemtohaveheard。
"Anddoesn’tanybodylivehereinthishouse，butjustyouandMr。Holly，andMr。PerryLarson？"heasked，stilllookingwonderinglyabouthim。
"No，not——now。"Mrs。Hollydrewinherbreathwithalittlecatch，andglancedattheframedportraitofalittleboyonthewall。
"Butyou’vegotsuchalotofroomsand——andthings，"remarkedDavid。"Why，daddyandIonlyhadtworooms，andnothardlyanyTHINGS。Itwasso——different，youknow，inmyhome。"
"Ishouldsayitmighthavebeen！"Mrs。Hollybegantodusthurriedly，butcarefully。Hervoicestillcarrieditshintofsuperiority。
"Oh，yes，"smiledDavid。"Butyousayyoudon’tusethisroommuch，sothathelps。"
"Helps！"InherstupefactionMrs。Hollystoppedherworkandstared。
"Why，yes。Imean，you’vegotsomanyotherroomsyoucanliveinthose。Youdon’tHAVEtoliveinhere。"
"’Havetoliveinhere’！"ejaculatedthewoman，stilltoouncomprehendingtobeanythingbutamazed。
"Yes。ButdoyouhavetoKEEPallthesethings，andcleanthemandcleanthem，likethis，everyday？Couldn’tyougivethemtosomebody，orthrowthemaway？"
"Throw——these——things——away！"Withawildsweepofherarms，thehorrifiedwomanseemedtobetryingtoencompassinaprotectiveembraceeachlastendangeredtreasureofmatandtidy。"Boy，areyoucrazy？Thesethingsare——arevaluable。Theycostmoney，andtimeand——andlabor。Don’tyouknowbeautifulthingswhenyouseethem？"
"Oh，yes，IloveBEAUTIFULthings，"smiledDavid，withunconsciouslyrudeemphasis。"AnduponthemountainIhadthemalways。Therewasthesunrise，andthesunset，andthemoonandthestars，andmySilverLake，andthecloud-boatsthatsailed——"
ButMrs。Holly，withavexedgesture，stoppedhim。
"Nevermind，littleboy。Imighthaveknown——broughtupasyouhavebeen。Ofcourseyoucouldnotappreciatesuchthingsasthese。Throwthemaway，indeed！"Andshefelltoworkagain；butthistimeherfingerscarriedasomethingintheirtouchthatwasalmostlikethecaressamothermightbestowuponanaggrievedchild。
David，vaguelydisturbedanduncomfortable，watchedherwithtroubledeyes；then，apologetically，heexplained：——
"ItwasonlythatIthoughtifyoudidn’thavetocleansomanyofthesethings，youcouldmaybegotowalkmore——to-day，andotherdays，youknow。Yousaid——youdidn’thavetime，"heremindedher。
ButMrs。Hollyonlyshookherheadandsighed：——
"Well，well，nevermind，littleboy。Idaresayyoumeantallright。Youcouldn’tunderstand，ofcourse。"
AndDavid，afteranothermoment’swistfuleyeingofthecaressingfingers，turnedaboutandwanderedoutontothesideporch。A
minutelater，havingseatedhimselfontheporchsteps，hehadtakenfromhispockettwosmallpiecesoffoldedpaper。Andthen，throughtear-dimmedeyes，hereadoncemorehisfather’sletter。
"HesaidImustn’tgrieve，forthatwouldgrievehim，"murmuredtheboy，afteratime，hiseyesonthefar-awayhills。"AndhesaidifI’dplay，mymountainswouldcometomehere，andI’dreallybeathomeupthere。HesaidinmyviolinwereallthosethingsI’mwanting——sobad！"
Withalittlechokingbreath，Davidtuckedthenotebackintohispocketandreachedforhisviolin。
Sometimelater，Mrs。Holly，dustingthechairsintheparlor，stoppedherwork，tiptoedtothedoor，andlistenedbreathlessly。
Whensheturnedback，stilllater，toherwork，hereyeswerewet。
"Iwonderwhy，whenheplays，Ialwaysgettothinkingof——John，"
shesighedtoherself，asshepickedupherdusting-cloth。
Aftersupperthatnight，SimeonHollyandhiswifeagainsatonthekitchenporch，restingfromthelaboroftheday。Simeon’seyeswereclosed。Hiswife’swereonthedimoutlinesoftheshed，thebarn，theroad，orapassinghorseandwagon。David，sittingonthesteps，waswatchingthemoonclimbhigherandhigherabovethetree-tops。Afteratimeheslippedintothehouseandcameoutwithhisviolin。
Atthefirstlong-drawnnoteofsweetness，SimeonHollyopenedhiseyesandsatup，stern-lipped。Buthiswifelaidatimidhandonhisarm。
"Don’tsayanything，please，"sheentreatedsoftly。"Lethimplay，justforto-night。He’slonesome——poorlittlefellow。"AndSimeonHolly，withafrowningshrugofhisshoulders，satbackinhischair。
Later，itwasMrs。Hollyherselfwhostoppedthemusicbysaying：
"Come，David，it’sbedtimeforlittleboys。I’llgoupstairswithyou。"Andsheledthewayintothehouseandlightedthecandleforhim。
Upstairs，inthelittleroomoverthekitchen，Davidfoundhimselfoncemorealone。Asbefore，thelittleyellow-whitenightshirtlayoverthechair-back；andasbefore，Mrs。Hollyhadbrushedawayatearasshehadplaceditthere。Asbefore，too，thebigfour-postedbedloomedtallandformidableinthecorner。
Butthistimethecoverletandsheetwereturnedbackinvitingly——Mrs。HollyhadbeenmuchdisturbedtofindthatDavidhadsleptonthefloorthenightbefore。
Oncemore，withhisbackcarefullyturnedtowardtheimpaledbugsandmothsonthewall，Davidundressedhimself。Then，beforeblowingoutthecandle，hewenttothewindowkneeleddown，andlookedupatthemoonthroughthetrees。
Davidwassorelypuzzled。Hewasbeginningtowonderjustwhatwastobecomeofhimself。
Hisfatherhadsaidthatoutintheworldtherewasabeautifulworkforhimtodo；butwhatwasit？Howwashetofindit？Orhowwashetodoitifhedidfindit？Andanotherthing；wherewashetolive？Couldhestaywherehewas？Itwasnothome，tobesure；buttherewasthelittleroomoverthekitchenwherehemightsleep，andtherewasthekindwomanwhosmiledathimsometimeswiththesad，far-awaylookinhereyesthatsomehowhurt。Hewouldnotlike，now，toleaveher——withdaddygone。
Therewerethegold-pieces，too；andconcerningtheseDavidwasequallypuzzled。Whatshouldhedowiththem？Hedidnotneedthem——thekindwomanwasgivinghimplentyoffood，sothathedidnothavetogotothestoreandbuy；andtherewasnothingelse，apparently，thathecouldusethemfor。Theywereheavy，anddisagreeabletocarry；yethedidnotliketothrowthemaway，nortoletanybodyknowthathehadthem：hehadbeencalledathiefjustforonelittlepiece，andwhatwouldtheysayiftheyknewhehadallthoseothers？
Davidrememberednow，suddenly，thathisfatherhadsaidtohidethem——tohidethemuntilheneededthem。Davidwasrelievedatonce。Whyhadhenotthoughtofitbefore？Heknewjusttheplace，too，——thelittlecupboardbehindthechimneythereinthisveryroom！Andwithasatisfiedsigh，Davidgottohisfeet，gatheredallthelittleyellowdisksfromhispockets，andtuckedthemwelloutofsightbehindthepilesofbooksonthecupboardshelves。There，too，hehidthewatch；butthelittleminiatureoftheangel-motherheslippedbackintooneofhispockets。
David’ssecondmorningatthefarmhousewasnotunlikethefirst，exceptthatthistime，whenSimeonHollyaskedhimtofillthewoodbox，Davidresolutelyignoredeveryenticingbugandbutterfly，andkeptrigorouslytothetaskbeforehimuntilitwasdone。
Hewasinthekitchenwhen，justbeforedinner，PerryLarsoncameintotheroomwithaworriedfrownonhisface。
"Mis’Holly，wouldyemindjuststeppin’tothesidedoor？
There’sawomanan’alittleboythere，an’somethin’ails’em。
Shecan’ttalkEnglish，an’I’mblestifIcanmakeheadnortailoutofthelingosheDOEStalk。Butmaybeyoucan。"
"Why，Perry，Idon’tknow——"beganMrs。Holly。Butsheturnedatoncetowardthedoor。
Ontheporchstepsstoodaverypretty，butfrightened-lookingyoungwomanwithaboyperhapstenyearsoldatherside。UponcatchingsightofMrs。Hollysheburstintoatorrentofunintelligiblewords，supplementedbynumerousandvehementgestures。
Mrs。Hollyshrankback，andcastappealingeyestowardherhusbandwhoatthatmomenthadcomeacrosstheyardfromthebarn。
"Simeon，canyoutellwhatshewants？"
Atsightofthenewcomeronthescene，thestrangewomanbeganagain，withevenmorevolubility。
"No，"saidSimeonHolly，afteramoment’sscowlingscrutinyofthegesticulatingwoman。"She’stalkingFrench，Ithink。Andshewants——something。"
"Gosh！Ishouldsayshedid，"mutteredPerryLarson。"An’
whatever’tis，shewantsitpowerfulbad。"
"Areyouhungry？"questionedMrs。Hollytimidly。
"Can’tyouspeakEnglishatall？"demandedSimeonHolly。
Thewomanlookedfromonetotheotherwiththepiteous，pleadingeyesofthestrangerinthestrangelandwhocannotunderstandormakeothersunderstand。Shehadturnedawaywithadespairingshakeofherhead，whensuddenlyshegaveawildcryofjoyandwheeledabout，herwholefacealight。
TheHollysandPerryLarsonsawthenthatDavidhadcomeoutontotheporchandwasspeakingtothewoman——andhiswordswerejustasunintelligibleasthewoman’shadbeen。
Mrs。HollyandPerryLarsonstared。SimeonHollyinterruptedDavidwithasharp——
"Doyou，then，understandthiswoman，boy？"
"Why，yes！Didn’tyou？She’slostherway，and——"ButthewomanhadhurriedforwardandwaspouringherstoryintoDavid’sears。
AtitsconclusionDavidturnedtofindthelookofstupefactionstillontheothers’faces。
"Well，whatdoesshewant？"askedSimeonHollycrisply。
"ShewantstofindthewaytoFrancoisLavelle’shouse。He’sherhusband’sbrother。Shecameinonthetrainthismorning。Herhusbandstoppedoffaminutesomewhere，shesays，andgotleftbehind。HecouldtalkEnglish，butshecan’t。She’sonlybeeninthiscountryaweek。ShecamefromFrance。"
"Gorry！Won’tyelistenterthat，now？"criedPerryLarsonadmiringly。"Readsherjustlikeabook，don’the？There’saFrenchfamilyoverinWestHinsdale——twoof’em，Ithink。What’llyebet’tain’toneo’them？"
"Verylikely，"accededSimeonHolly，hiseyesbentdisapprovinglyonDavid’sface。ItwasplaintobeseenthatSimeonHolly’sattentionwasoccupiedbyDavid，notthewoman。
"An’，say，Mr。Holly，"resumedPerryLarson，alittleexcitedly，"youknowIwasgoin’overterWestHinsdaleinadayortwoterseeHarlowaboutthemsteers。Whycan’tIgothisafternoonan’
toteheran’thekidalong？"
"Verywell，"noddedSimeonHollycurtly，hiseyesstillonDavid’sface。
PerryLarsonturnedtothewoman，andbyaflourishofhisarmsandajumbleofbrokenEnglishattemptedtomakeherunderstandthathewastotakeherwheresheundoubtedlywishedtogo。Thewomanstilllookeduncomprehending，however，andDavidpromptlycametotherescue，sayingafewrapidwordsthatquicklybroughtafloodofdelightedunderstandingtothewoman’sface。
"Can’tyouaskherifshe’shungry？"venturedMrs。Holly，then。
"Shesaysno，thankyou，"translatedDavid，withasmile，whenhehadreceivedhisanswer。"Buttheboysaysheis，ifyouplease。"
"Then，tellthemtocomeintothekitchen，"directedMrs。Holly，hurryingintothehouse。
"Soyou’reFrench，areyou？"saidSimeonHollytoDavid。
"French？Oh，no，sir，"smiledDavid，proudly。"I’manAmerican。
FathersaidIwas。HesaidIwasborninthiscountry。"
"ButhowcomesityoucanspeakFrenchlikethat？"
"Why，Ilearnedit。"Then，diviningthathiswordswerestillunconvincing，headded："SameasIlearnedGermanandotherthingswithfather，outofbooks，youknow。Didn’tyoulearnFrenchwhenyouwerealittleboy？"
"Humph！"vouchsafedSimeonHolly，stalkingawaywithoutansweringthequestion。
ImmediatelyafterdinnerPerryLarsondroveawaywiththewomanandthelittleboy。Thewoman’sfacewaswreathedwithsmiles，andherlastadoringglancewasforDavid，wavinghishandtoherfromtheporchsteps。
IntheafternoonDavidtookhisviolinandwentofftowardthehillbehindthehouseforawalk。HehadaskedMrs。Hollytoaccompanyhim，butshehadrefused，thoughshewasnotsweepingordustingatthetime。Shewasdoingnothingmoreimportant，apparently，thanmakingholesinapieceofwhitecloth，andsewingthemupagainwithaneedleandthread。
DavidhadthenaskedMr。Hollytogo；buthisrefusalwasevenmorestrangelyimpatientthanhiswife’shadbeen。
"Andwhy，pray，shouldIgoforauselesswalknow——oranytime，forthatmatter？"hedemandedsharply。
Davidhadshrunkbackunconsciously，thoughhehadstillsmiled。
"Oh，butitwouldn’tbeauselesswalk，sir。Fathersaidnothingwasuselessthathelpedtokeepusintune，youknow。"
"Intune！"
"Imean，youlookedasfatherusedtolooksometimes，whenhefeltoutoftune。Andhealwayssaidtherewasnothinglikeawalktoputhimbackagain。I——Iwasfeelingalittleoutoftunemyselfto-day，andIthought，bythewayyoulooked，thatyouwere，too。SoIaskedyoutogotowalk。"
"Humph！Well，I——Thatwilldo，boy。Noimpertinence，youunderstand！"Andhehadturnedawayinveryobviousanger。
David，withapuzzledsorrowinhishearthadstartedalonethen，onhiswalk。
CHAPTERVII
"YOU’REWANTED——YOU’REWANTED！"
ItwasSaturdaynight，andtheendofDavid’sthirddayatthefarmhouse。Upstairs，inthehotlittleroomoverthekitchen，theboykneltatthewindowandtriedtofindabreathofcoolairfromthehills。DownstairsontheporchSimeonHollyandhiswifediscussedtheeventsofthepastfewdays，andtalkedofwhatshouldbedonewithDavid。
"Butwhatshallwedowithhim？"moanedMrs。Hollyatlast，breakingalongsilencethathadfallenbetweenthem。"Whatcanwedowithhim？Doesn’tanybodywanthim？"
"No，ofcourse，nobodywantshim，"retortedherhusbandrelentlessly。
Andatthewordsasmallfigureinayellow-whitenightshirtstoppedshort。David，violininhand，hadfledfromthelittlehotroom，andstoodnowjustinsidethekitchendoor。
"Whocanwantachildthathasbeenbroughtupinthatheathenishfashion？"continuedSimeonHolly。"Accordingtohisownstory，evenhisfatherdidnothingbutplaythefiddleandtrampthroughthewoodsdayinanddayout，withanoccasionaltriptothemountainvillagetogetfoodandclothingwhentheyhadabsolutelynothingtoeatandwear。Ofcoursenobodywantshim！"
David，atthekitchendoor，caughthisbreathchokingly。Thenhespedacrossthefloortothebackhall，andonthroughthelongshedstothehayloftinthebarn——theplacewherehisfatherseemedalwaysnearest。
Davidwasfrightenedandheartsick。NOBODYWANTEDHIM。Hehadhearditwithhisownears，sotherewasnomistake。Whatnowaboutallthoselongdaysandnightsaheadbeforehemightgo，violininhand，tomeethisfatherinthatfar-awaycountry？Howwashetolivethosedaysandnightsifnobodywantedhim？Howwashisviolintospeakinavoicethatwastrueandpureandfull，andtellofthebeautifulworld，ashisfatherhadsaidthatitmustdo？Davidquitecriedaloudatthethought。Thenhethoughtofsomethingelsethathisfatherhadsaid："Rememberthis，myboy，——inyourviolinlieallthethingsyoulongfor。
Youhaveonlytoplay，andthebroadskiesofyourmountainhomewillbeoveryou，andthedearfriendsandcomradesofyourmountainforestswillbeallaboutyou。"WithaquickcryDavidraisedhisviolinanddrewthebowacrossthestrings。
BackontheporchatthatmomentMrs。Hollywassaying：——
"Ofcoursethere’stheorphanasylum，ormaybethepoorhouse——ifthey’dtakehim；but——Simeon，"shebrokeoffsharply，"where’sthatchildplayingnow？"
Simeonlistenedwithintentears。
"Inthebarn，Ishouldsay。"
"Buthe’dgonetobed！"
"Andhe’llgotobedagain，"assertedSimeonHollygrimly，asherosetohisfeetandstalkedacrossthemoonlityardtothebarn。
Asbefore，Mrs。Hollyfollowedhim，andasbefore，bothinvoluntarilypausedjustinsidethebarndoortolisten。Norunsandtrillsandrollickingbitsofmelodyfloateddownthestairwayto-night。Thenoteswerelong-drawn，andplaintivelysweet；andtheyroseandswelledanddiedalmostintosilencewhilethemanandthewomanbythedoorstoodlistening。
Theywerebackinthelongago——SimeonHollyandhiswife——backwithaboyoftheirownwhohadmadethosesameraftersringwithshoutsoflaughter，andwho，also，hadplayedtheviolin——thoughnotlikethis；andthesamethoughthadcometoeach："Whatif，afterall，itwereJohnplayingallaloneinthemoonlight！"
Ithadnotbeentheviolin，intheend，thathaddrivenJohnHollyfromhome。Ithadbeenthepossibilitiesinapieceofcrayon。Allthroughchildhoodtheboyhaddrawnhisbeloved"pictures"oneveryinvitingspacethatoffered，——whetheritwerethe"best-room"wall-paper，ortheflyleafofthebigplushalbum，——andateighteenhehadannouncedhisdeterminationtobeanartist。ForayearafterthatSimeonHollyfoughtwithallthestrengthofastubbornwill，banishedchalkandcrayonfromthehouse，andsettheboytohomelytasksthatleftnotimeforanythingbutfoodandsleep——thenJohnranaway。
Thatwasfifteenyearsago，andtheyhadnotseenhimsince；
thoughtwounansweredlettersinSimeonHolly’sdesktestifiedthatperhapsthis，atleast，wasnottheboy’sfault。
Itwasnotofthegrown-upJohn，thewillfulboyandrunawayson，however，thatSimeonHollyandhiswifewerethinking，astheystoodjustinsidethebarndoor；itwasofBabyJohn，thelittlecurly-headedfellowthathadplayedattheirknees，frolickedinthisverybarn，andnestledintheirarmswhenthedaywasdone。
Mrs。Hollyspokefirst——anditwasnotasshehadspokenontheporch。
"Simeon，"shebegantremulously，"thatdearchildmustgotobed！"Andshehurriedacrossthefloorandupthestairs，followedbyherhusband。"Come，David，"shesaid，asshereachedthetop；"it’stimelittleboyswereasleep！Come！"
Hervoicewaslow，andnotquitesteady。ToDavidhervoicesoundedashereyeslookedwhentherewasinthemthefar-awaysomethingthathurt。Veryslowlyhecameforwardintothemoonlight，hisgazesearchingthewoman’sfacelongandearnestly。
"Anddoyou——wantme？"hefaltered。
Thewomandrewinherbreathwithalittlesob。Beforeherstoodtheslenderfigureintheyellow-whitegown——John’sgown。Intohereyeslookedthoseothereyes，darkandwistful，——likeJohn’seyes。Andherarmsachedwithemptiness。
"Yes，yes，formyveryown——andforalways！"shecriedwithsuddenpassion，claspingthelittleformclose。"Foralways！"
AndDavidsighedhiscontent。
SimeonHolly’slipsparted，buttheyclosedagainwithnowordssaid。Themanturnedthen，withacuriouslybaffledlook，andstalkeddownthestairs。
Ontheporchlongminuteslater，whenoncemoreDavidhadgonetobed，SimeonHollysaidcoldlytohiswife：——
"Isupposeyourealize，Ellen，justwhatyou’vepledgedyourselfto，bythatabsurdoutburstofyoursinthebarnto-night——andallbecausethatungodlymusicandthemoonshinehadgonetoyourhead！"
"ButIwanttheboy，Simeon。He——hemakesmethinkof——John。"
Harshlinescametotheman’smouth，buttherewasaperceptibleshakeinhisvoiceasheanswered：——
"We’renottalkingofJohn，Ellen。We’retalkingofthisirresponsible，hardlysaneboyupstairs。Hecanwork，Isuppose，ifhe’staught，andinthatwayhewon’tperhapsbeadeadloss。
Still，he’sanothermouthtofeed，andthatcountsnow。There’sthenote，youknow，——it’sdueinAugust。"
"Butyousaythere’smoney——almostenoughforit——inthebank。"
Mrs。Holly’svoicewasanxiouslyapologetic。
"Yes，Iknow"vouchsafedtheman。"Butalmostenoughisnotquiteenough。"
"Butthere’stime——morethantwomonths。Itisn’tduetillthelastofAugust，Simeon。"
"Iknow，Iknow。Meanwhile，there’stheboy。Whatareyougoingtodowithhim？"
"Why，can’tyouusehim——onthefarm——alittle？"
"Perhaps。Idoubtit，though，"gloomedtheman。"Onecan’thoecornnorpullweedswithafiddle-bow——andthat’sallheseemstoknowhowtohandle。"
"Buthecanlearn——andhedoesplaybeautifully，"murmuredthewoman；wheneverbeforehadEllenHollyventuredtousewordsofargumentwithherhusband，andinextenuation，too，ofanactofherown！
Therewasnoreplyexceptamuttered"Humph！"underthebreath。
ThenSimeonHollyroseandstalkedintothehouse。
ThenextdaywasSunday，andSundayatthefarmhousewasathingofsternrepressionandsolemnsilence。InSimeonHolly’sveinsranthebloodofthePuritans，andhewasmorethanstrictastowhatheconsideredrightandwrong。Whenhalf-trainedfortheministry，ill-healthhadforcedhimtoresorttoalessconfininglife，thoughneverhadittakenfromhimtheuncompromisingrigorofhisviews。Itwasadistinctshocktohim，therefore，onthisSundaymorningtobeawakenedbyapealofmusicsuchasthelittlehousehadneverknownbefore。Allthewhilethathewasthrustinghisindignantselfintohisclothing，therunsandturnsandcrashingchordswhirledabouthimuntilitseemedthatawholeorchestramustbeimprisonedinthelittleroomoverthekitchen，soskillfulwastheboy’sdoublestopping。SimeonHollywaswhitewithangerwhenhefinallyhurrieddownthehallandthrewopenDavid’sbedroomdoor。
"Boy，whatdoyoumeanbythis？"hedemanded。
Davidlaughedgleefully。
"Anddidn’tyouknow？"heasked。"Why，Ithoughtmymusicwouldtellyou。Iwassohappy，soglad！Thebirdsinthetreeswokemeupsinging，’You’rewanted——you’rewanted；’andthesuncameoverthehillthereandsaid，’You’rewanted——you’rewanted；’andthelittletree-branchtappedonmywindowpaneandsaid"You’rewanted——you’rewanted！’AndIjusthadtotakeupmyviolinandtellyouaboutit！"
"Butit’sSunday——theLord’sDay，"remonstratedthemansternly。
Davidstoodmotionless，hiseyesquestioning。
"Areyouquiteaheathen，then？"catechisedthemansharply。
"HavetheynevertoldyouanythingaboutGod，boy？"
"Oh，’God’？——ofcourse，"smiledDavid，inopenrelief。"Godwrapsupthebudsintheirlittlebrownblankets，andcoverstherootswith——"
"Iamnottalkingaboutbrownblanketsnorroots，"interruptedthemanseverely。"ThisisGod’sday，andassuchshouldbekeptholy。"
"’Holy’？"
"Yes。Youshouldnotfiddlenorlaughnorsing。"
"Butthosearegoodthings，andbeautifulthings，"defendedDavid，hiseyeswideandpuzzled。
"Intheirplace，perhaps，"concededtheman，stiffly。"butnotonGod’sday。"
"Youmean——Hewouldn’tlikethem？"
"Yes。"
"Oh！"——andDavid’sfacecleared。"That’sallright，then。YourGodisn’tthesameone，sir，forminelovesallbeautifulthingseverydayintheyear。"
Therewasamoment’ssilence。ForthefirsttimeinhislifeSimeonHollyfoundhimselfwithoutwords。
"Wewon’ttalkofthisanymore，David，"hesaidatlast；"butwe’llputitanotherway——Idon’twishyoutoplayyourfiddleonSunday。Now，putituptillto-morrow。"Andheturnedandwentdownthehall。
Breakfastwasaveryquietmealthatmorning。MealswereneverthingsofhilariousjoyattheHollyfarmhouse，asDavidhadalreadyfoundout；buthehadnotseenonebeforequitesosomberasthis。Itwasfollowedimmediatelybyahalf-hourofScripture-readingandprayer，withMrs。HollyandPerryLarsonsittingverystiffandsolemnintheirchairs，whileMr。Hollyread。Davidtriedtositverystiffandsolemninhischair，also；buttherosesatthewindowwerenoddingtheirheadsandbeckoning；andthebirdsinthebushesbeyondweresendingtohimcoaxinglittlechirpsof"Comeout，comeout！"Andhowcouldoneexpecttositstiffandsolemninthefaceofallthat，particularlywhenone’sfingersweretinglingtotakeuptheinterruptedsongofthemorningandtellthewholeworldhowbeautifulitwastobewanted！
YetDavidsatverystill，——orasstillashecouldsit，——andonlythetappingofhisfoot，andtherovingofhiswistfuleyestoldthathismindwasnotwithFarmerHollyandtheChildrenofIsraelintheirwanderingsinthewilderness。
Afterthedevotionscameanhourofsubduedhasteandconfusionwhilethefamilypreparedforchurch。Davidhadneverbeentochurch。HeaskedPerryLarsonwhatitwaslike；butPerryonlyshruggedhisshouldersandsaid，tonobody，apparently：——"
Sugar！Won’tyehearthat，now？"——whichtoDavidwascertainlynoansweratall。
Thatonemustbespickandspantogotochurch，Davidsoonfoundout——neverbeforehadhebeensoscrubbedandbrushedandcombed。
Therewas，too，broughtoutforhimtowearalittlecleanwhiteblouseandaredtie，overwhichMrs。Hollycriedalittleasshehadoverthenightshirtthatfirstevening。
Thechurchwasinthevillageonlyaquarterofamileaway；andinduetimeDavid，open-eyedandinterested，wasfollowingMr。
andMrs。Hollydownitslongcenteraisle。TheHollyswereearlyasusual，andservicehadnotbegun。Eventheorganisthadnottakenhisseatbeneaththegreatpipesofblueandgoldthattoweredtotheceiling。
Itwastheprideofthetown——thatorgan。Ithadbeengivenbyagreatman（outintheworld）whosebirthplacethetownwas。Morethanthat，ayearlydonationfromthissamegreatmanpaidfortheskilledorganistwhocameeverySundayfromthecitytoplayit。To-day，astheorganisttookhisseat，henoticedanewfaceintheHollypew，andhealmostgaveafriendlysmileashemetthewonderinggazeofthesmallboythere；thenhelosthimself，asusual，inthemusicbeforehim。
DownintheHollypewthesmallboyheldhisbreath。Ascoreofviolinsweresinginginhisears；andascoreofotherinstrumentsthathecouldnotname，crashedoverhishead，andbroughthimtohisfeetinecstasy。Beforeadetaininghandcouldstophim，hewasoutintheaisle，hiseyesontheblue-and-goldpipesfromwhichseemedtocomethosewondroussounds。Thenhisgazefellonthemanandonthebanksofkeys；
andwithsoftstepshecreptalongtheaisleandupthestairstotheorgan-loft。
Forlongminuteshestoodmotionless，listening；thenthemusicdiedintosilenceandtheministerrosefortheinvocation。Itwasaboy’svoice，andnotaman’s，however，thatbrokethepause。
"Oh，sir，please，"itsaid，"wouldyou——couldyouteachMEtodothat？"
Theorganistchokedoveracough，andthesopranoreachedoutanddrewDavidtoherside，whisperingsomethinginhisear。Theminister，afteradazedsilence，bowedhishead；whiledownintheHollypewanangrymanandasorelymortifiedwomanvowedthat，beforeDavidcametochurchagain，heshouldhavelearnedsomethings。
CHAPTERVIII
THEPUZZLING"DOS"AND"DON’TS"
WiththecomingofMondayarrivedanewlifeforDavid——acuriouslifefullof"don’ts"and"dos。"Davidwonderedsometimeswhyallthepleasantthingswere"don’ts"andalltheunpleasantones"dos。"Corntobehoed，weedstobepulled，woodboxestobefilled；withalltheseitwas"dothis，dothis，dothis。"Butwhenitcametolyingundertheappletrees，exploringthebrookthatranbythefield，orevenwatchingthebugsandwormsthatonefoundintheearth——allthesewere"don’ts。"
AstoFarmerHolly——FarmerHollyhimselfawoketosomenewexperiencesthatMondaymorning。Oneofthemwasthedifficultyinsuccessfullycombatingthecheerfullyexpressedopinionthatweedsweresoprettygrowingthatitwasapitytopullthemupandletthemallwitheranddie。Anotherwastheequallygreatdifficultyofkeepingasmallboyatusefullaborofanysortinthefaceoftheattractionsdisplayedbyapassingcloud，ablossomingshrub，orabirdsingingonatree-branch。
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