CHAPTERXII。
CHARITY。
Knowledgeblowethup，butcharitybuildethup。
LORDBACON\'Srenderingof1Cor。viii。I。
Thingswentonasusualforafewdays，whenHughbegantoencounterasourceofsufferingofaverymaterialandunromantickind，butwhich，nevertheless，hadbeenablebeforenow，namely，atthecommencementofhistutorship，tocausehimaverysufficientdegreeofdistress。Itwasthis；thathehadnoroominwhichhecouldpursuehisstudiesinprivate，withouthavingtoendureamostundesirabledegreeofcold。Insummerthiswasamatteroflittlemoment，fortheuniversemightthenbehissecretchamber；butinaScotchspringorautumn，nottosaywinter，abedroomwithoutafire-place，which，strangetosay，wastheconditionofhis，wasnotastudyinwhichthoughtcouldoperatetomuchsatisfactoryresult。
Indeed，painisafarlesshurtfulenemytothinkingthancold。
Andtohavetofightsuchsufferinganditsbenumbinginfluences，aswellastofollowoutatrainofreasoning，difficultatanytime，andrequiringcloseattention——istoomuchforanymachinewhosethinkingwheelsaredrivenbynervousgear。Sometimes——forhemustmaketheattempt——hecamedowntohismealsquitebluewithcold，ashispupilsremarkedtotheirmother；buttheirobservationneverseemedtosuggesttohermindthenecessityofmakingsomebetterprovisionforthepoortutor。AndHugh，afterthewayinwhichshehadbehavedtohim，wasfartooproudtoaskherafavour，evenifhehadhadhopesofreceivinghisrequest。Heknew，too，that，inthehouse，thelaird，tointerfereinthesmallestdegree，mustimperilfarmorethanhedared。Theprospect，therefore，ofthecomingwinter，inacountrywheretherewasscarcelyanyafternoon，andwherethesnowmightliefeetdeepforweeks，wasnotatallagreeable。Hehad，asIhavesaid，beguntosufferalready，forthemorningsandeveningswerecoldenoughnow，althoughitwasabright，dryOctober。OneeveningJanetremarkedthathehadcaughtcold，forhewas\'hostin\'sair；\'andthisledHughtostatethediscomforthewascondemnedtoexperienceupattheha\'house。
“Weel，“saidDavid，aftersomesilentdeliberation，“thatsattles\'t；
wemaunsetabootitimmedantly。“
OfcourseHughwasquiteatalosstounderstandwhathemeant，andbeggedhimtoexplain。
“Yesee，“repliedDavid，“wehaeverralittlehoose-roomi\'thisbitcot；for，excepthiskitchen，wehaebutthebenwhaurJanetandmesleeps；andsaelastyearIspak\'tothelairdtolatmehaemuckletimmerasIwadneedtobigakin\'o\'alean-totothehouseahin\'，so\'atwemichthaeakin\'o\'abitparlourlike，orratheraroomie\'atonyo\'usmichtretiretillforabit，ginwewantedtobeoorlanes。Hehadnaeobjections，honestman。ButsomehoooritherI
neversathan\'till\'t；butnoothewa\'smaunbeupaforethewatweathersetsin。SaeI\'sebeatitthemorn，an\'maybeye\'lllen\'
meahan\'，Mr。Sutherlan\'，andtak\'ootyerwagesinhouse-rooman\'
firin\'efterit\'sdune。“
“Thankyouheartily！”saidHugh；thatwouldbedelightful。Itseemstoogoodtobepossible。ButwillnotwoodenwallsberatherapoorprotectionagainstsuchwintersasIsupposeyouhaveintheseparts？”
“Hootoot，Mr。Sutherlan\'，yemichtgiemecreditforraithermairrumgumptionnorthatcomestill。TimmerwastheonlythingInot(needed)tospierfor；thelaveliestoonybody\'shan\'——afewcart-fu\'so\'sodsfraethehillahintthehoose，an\'ahan\'fu\'ortwao\'stanesforthechimlaooto\'thequarry——there\'seneuchthereforoorturnohnblastitmair；an\'we\'llsawthewoodoorsels；an\'
ginwehadancethewa\'sup，wecancarryontheinsideatoorleisur\'。That\'stheway\'attheMakerdoeswi\'oorsels；hegie\'susthewa\'san\'thematerial，an\'awholelifetime，maybemair，tofurnishthehouse。“
“Capital！”exclaimedHugh。“I\'llworklikeahorse，andwe\'llbeatitthemorn。“
“I\'sebeatitaforedaylicht，an\'aneortwao\'thelads\'lllen\'meahan\'efterwark-hours；andthere\'syersel\'，Mr。Sutherlan\'，worthanean\'ahalfo\'ordinaryworkers；an\'we\'llhaetruffaneuchforthewa\'sinajiffey。I\'llmarkafeowsaplin\'si\'thewudhereatdenner-time，an\'we\'llhaethemforbauks，an\'couples，an\'things；
an\'there\'splentydryeneuchforbeurdsi\'theshed，an\'bein\'butalean-to，there\'llbebuthalfwark，yeken。“
Theywentoutdirectly，inthemoonlight，tochoosethespot；andsooncametotheresolutiontobuilditso，thatacertainbackdoor，whichaddedmoretothecoldinwinterthantotheconvenienceinsummer，shouldbetheentrancetothenewchamber。Thechimneywasthechiefdifficulty；butallthematerialsbeingintheimmediateneighbourhood，andDavidcapableofturninghishandstoanything，noobstructionwasfeared。Indeed，hesetaboutthatpartfirst，aswasnecessary；andhadsoonbuiltasmallchimney，chieflyofstonesandlime；while，underhisdirections，thewallsweremakingprogressatthesametime，bythelabourofHughandtwoorthreeoftheyoungmenfromthefarm，whoweremostreadytoobligeDavidwiththeirhelp，althoughtheywerestillratherunfriendlytothecolliginer，astheycalledhim。ButHugh\'sfranknesssoonwonthemover，andtheyallformedwithinadayortwoaverycomfortablepartyoflabourers。Theyworkedveryhard；foriftherainshouldsetinbeforetheroofwason，theirlabourwouldbealmostlostfromthesoakingofthewalls。Theybuiltthemofturf，verythick，withaslightslopeontheoutsidetowardstheroof；
beforecommencingwhich，theypartiallycutthewindowsoutofthewalls，puttingwoodacrosstosupportthetop。Ishouldhaveexplainedthattheturfusedinbuildingwastheupperandcoarserpartofthepeat，whichwasplentifulintheneighbourhood。Thethatch-eavesofthecottageitselfprojectedoverthejoiningofthenewroof，soastoprotectitfromthedrip；andDavidsoonputathickthatchofnewstrawuponthelittlebuilding。Second-handwindowswereprocuredatthevillage，andtheholesinthewallscuttotheirsize。Theynextproceededtothesaw-pitontheestate——foralmosteverythingnecessaryforkeepinguptheofficeswasdoneonthefarmitself——wheretheysawedthinplanksofdeal，tofloorandlinetheroom，andmakeitmorecosie。TheseDavidplanedupononeside；andwhentheywerenailedagainstslightpostsallroundthewalls，andthejointsfilledinwithputty，theroombegantolookmostenticinglyhabitable。Theroofhadnotbeenthatchedtwodaysbeforetherainsetin；butnowtheycouldworkquitecomfortablyinside；andasthespacewassmall，andtheforenightswerelong，theyhaditquitefinishedbeforetheendofNovember。Davidboughtanoldtableinthevillage，andoneortwochairs；mendedthemup；madeakindofrusticsofaorsettle；putafewbookshelvesagainstthewall；hadapeatfirelightedontheheartheveryday；andatlength，oneSaturdayevening，theyhadsupperintheroom，andtheplacewasconsecratedhenceforthtofriendshipandlearning。Fromthistime，everyevening，assoonaslessons，andthemealwhichimmediatelyfollowedthem，wereover，Hughbetookhimselftothecottage，ontheshelvesofwhichallhisbooksbydegreescollectedthemselves；andtherespentthewholelongevening，generallytillteno\'clock；thefirstpartalonereadingorwriting；thelastincompanywithhispupils，who，diligentasever，nowofcoursemademorerapidprogressthanbefore，inasmuchasthelessonswerebothlongerandmorefrequent。
Theonlydrawbacktotheircomfortwas，thattheyseemedtohaveshutJanetout；butshesoonremediedthis，bycontrivingtogetthroughwithherhouseworkearlierthanshehadeverdonebefore；
and，takingherplaceonthesettlebehindthem，knittedawaydiligentlyatherstocking，which，toinexperiencedeyes，seemedalwaysthesame，andalwaysinthesamestateofprogress，notwithstandingthatsheprovidedthehoseofthewholefamily，blueandgrey，ribbedandplain。Heroccasionalwithdrawings，toobservetheprogressofthesupper，wereonlyacheerfulbreakinthecontinuityoflabour。Littlewouldthepasser-byimaginethatbeneaththatroof，whichseemedworthyonlyofthenameofashed，theresat，inasnuglittlehomelyroom，suchayouthasHugh，suchagirlasMargaret，suchagrandpeasantkingasDavid，andsuchatrue-heartedmothertothemallasJanet。Therewerenopicturesandnomusic；forMargaretkepthersongsforsolitaryplaces；butthesoundofversewasoftenthelivingwindwhichseta-wavingthetopsofthetreesofknowledge，fastgrowinginthesunlightofTruth。Thethatchofthatshed-roofwaslikethegrizzledhairofDavid，beneathwhichlaythetemplenotonlyofholybutofwiseandpoeticthought。Itwaslikethesylvanabodeofthegods，wherethearchitectureandmusicarealloftheirownmaking，intheirkindthemorebeautiful，themoresimpleandrude；andifmoredoubtfulintheirintent，andlesspreciseintheirfinish，yetthereinthefulleroflifeanditsgrace，andthemoresuggestiveofdeeperharmonies。
CHAPTERXIII。
HERALDRY。
Andlikehisfatheroffaceandofstature，Andfalseoflove——itcamehimofnature；
AsdoththefoxRenard，thefox\'sson；
Ofkinde，hecoudhisoldfather\'swone，Withoutlore，ascanadrakeswim，Whenitiscaught，andcarriedtothebrim。
CHAUCER——LegendofPhillis。
Ofcourse，theyetmorelengthenedabsencesofHughfromthehouseweresubjectsofremarkasatthefirst；butHughhadmadeuphismindnottotroublehimselftheleastaboutthat。ForsometimeMrs。Glasfordtooknonoticeofthemtohimself；butoneevening，justasteawasfinished，andHughwasrisingtogo，herrestraintgaveway，andsheutteredonespitefulspeech，thinkingit，nodoubt，sowittythatitoughttoseethelight。
“Ye\'readay-laboureritseems，Mr。Sutherlan\'，andganghameatnight。“
“Exactlyso，madam，“rejoinedHugh。“Thereisnootherrelationbetweenyouandme，thanthatofworkandwages。Youhavedoneyourbesttoconvincemeofthat，bymakingitimpossibleformetofeelthatthishouseisinanysensemyhome。“
Withthisgrandspeechhelefttheroom，andfromthattimetillthedayofhisfinaldeparturefromTurriepuffit，therewasnotasingleallusionmadetothesubject。
Hesoonreachedthecottage。Whenheenteredthenewroom，whichwasalwayscalledMr。Sutherland\'sstudy，themutewelcomeaffordedhimbythesignsofexpectation，intheglowofthewaitingfire，andtheoutspreadarmsoftheelbow-chair，whichwasnowcalledhis，aswellastheroom，madeampleamendstohimfortheunfriendlinessofMrs。Glasford。Goingtotheshelvestofindthebookshewanted，hesawthattheyhadbeencarefullyarrangedononeshelf，andthattheotherswereoccupiedwithbooksbelongingtothehouse。Helookedatafewofthem。Theywerealmostalloldbooks，andsuchasmaybefoundinmanyScotchcottages；forinstance，Boston\'sFourfoldState，inwhichthewaysofGodandmanmaybeseenthroughafourfoldfog；Erskine\'sDivineSonnets，whichwillrepaythereaderinlaughterforthepainitcostshisreverence，producingmuchthesameeffectthataGothiccathedralmight，reproducedbythepencilandfromtheremembranceofaChineseartist，whohadseenitonce；DrelincourtonDeath，withthefamousghost-hoaxofDeFoe，tohelpthebooksellertothesaleoftheunsaleable；theScotsWorthies，openingofitselfatthememoirofMr。AlexanderPeden；
thePilgrim\'sProgress，thatwonderfulinspiration，failingneversavewhenthetheologianwouldsometimessnatchthepenfromthehandofthepoet；TheronandAspasio；VillageDialogues；andothersofalikeclass。TothesemustbeaddedarareeditionofBlindHarry。ItwascleartoHugh，unableashewasfullytoappreciatethewisdomofDavid，thatitwasnotfromsuchbooksasthesethathehadgatheredit；yetsuchbooksastheseformedallhisstore。
Heturnedfromthem，foundhisown，andsatdowntoread。ByandbyDavidcamein。
“I\'mowersune，Idoubt，Mr。Sutherlan\'。I\'mdisturbin\'ye。“
“Notatall，“answeredHugh。“Besides，Iamnotmuchinareadingmoodthisevening：Mrs。Glasfordhasbeenannoyingmeagain。“
“Poorbody！What\'sshebeensayin\'noo？”
ThinkingtoamuseDavid，Hughrecountedtheshortpassagebetweenthemrecordedabove。David，however，listenedwithaverydifferentexpressionofcountenancefromwhatHughhadanticipated；and，whenhehadfinished，tookuptheconversationinakindofapologetictone。
“Weel，butyesee，“saidhe，foldinghispalmstogether，“shehasna\'
jisthada\'thegitherfairplay。Shedoesnacomeo\'aguidbreed。
Man，it\'safinethingtocomeo\'aguidbreed。Theyhaeahantletoanswerfor\'atcomeo\'decentforbears。“
“Ithoughtshebroughtthelairdagoodproperty，“saidHugh，notquiteunderstandingDavid。
“Ow，ay，shebrochthimgowpenfu\'so\'siller；buthoowas\'tgotten？
An\'yekenit\'snoriches\'at\'illmak\'aguidbreed——\'cep\'itbeo\'maggots。Therichercheesethemairmaggots，yeken。Yemaunnaspeyko\'this；butthemistress\'sfatherwasweelkenttohaemadehissillerbyfardinsandbawbees，increepin\'，craftyways。Hewasabitmerchan\'inAberdeen，an\'ayekeepithisthoomweelahintthepeinto\'theellwan\'，sae\'athemadeaninchortwaupo\'ilkayardhesauld。Saehetookfraehissoul，andpatintillhissiller-bag，an\'hadlittletogiehisdochterbutaguidtocher。Mr。
Sutherlan\'，it\'safinethingtocomeo\'dacentfowk。Noo，toluikatyersel\'：Ikennaethingabootyerfamily；butyeseemateesichttocomeo\'aguidbreedforthebodilyparto\'ye。That\'sasma\'
matter；butfraewhatIha\'eseen——an\'ItrustinGodI\'mno\'
mista\'en——yecomeo\'therichtbreedforthemin\'asweel。I\'mnoflatterin\'ye，Mr。Sutherlan\'；butjistlayin\'itupo\'ye，\'atginyehadanhonestfatherandgran\'father，an\'especiallyaguidmither，yehaeaheaptoanswerfor；an\'yeoughtnevertobehardupo\'them\'at\'ssma\'creepin\'creatures，fortheycannahelpitsaeweelasthelikeo\'youandmecan。“
Davidwasnotgiventoboasting。Hughhadneverheardanythingsuggestingitfromhislipsbefore。Heturnedfullroundandlookedathim。Onhisfacelayasolemnquiet，eitherfromafeelingofhisownresponsibility，orasenseoftheexcusethatmustbemadeforothers。WhathehadsaidaboutthesignsofbreedinHugh\'sexterior，certainlyappliedtohimselfaswell。Hiscarriagewasfullofdignity，andacertainrusticrefinement；hisvoicewaswonderfullygentle，butdeep；andslowestwhenmostimpassioned。Heseemedtohavecomeofsomegiganticantediluvianbreed：therewassomethingoftheTitanslumberingabouthim。Hewouldhavebeenasternman，butforanunusualamountofreverencethatseemedtooverfloodthesternness，andchangeitintostronglove。Noonehadeverseenhimthoroughlyangry；hissimpledispleasurewithanyofthelabourers，thequalityofwhoseworkwasdeficient，wouldgofurtherthanthelaird\'soaths。
HughsatlookingatDavid，whosupportedthelookwiththatperfectcalmnessthatcomesofunconscioussimplicity。AtlengthHugh\'seyesankbeforeDavid\'s，ashesaid：
“IwishIhadknownyourfather，then，David。“
“MyfatherwassicaaneasItauldyetheitherday，Mr。
Sutherlan\'。I\'ma\'richtthere。Apuir，semple，God-fearin\'
shepherd，\'atnevergaehisdoganill-deservedword，nortooktheskino\'onypuirlammie，wha\'swoo\'hewasclippin\'，atweentheshears。Hewasweelworthyo\'thegrave\'athewantillatlast。
An\'mymitherwasjistsiclike，wi\'aiblinsraithermairheidnormyfather。They\'reherbeuksmaistlyupo\'theskelfthereabuneyerain，Mr。Sutherlan\'。Ihonourthemforhersake，thoughIseldomtroublethemmysel\'。Shegaemeakin\'o\'ascunneratthem，honestwoman，wi\'garrin\'mereadatthemo\'Sundays，tilltheynearscomfishta\'theguid\'atwasinmebynater。There\'sdoctrineforye，Mr。Sutherlan\'！”addedDavid，withaqueerlaugh。
“Ithoughttheycouldhardlybeyourbooks，“saidHugh。
“ButIhaeaeoddbeuk，an\'thatbringsmeupo\'mypedigree，Mr。
Sutherlan\'；forthepuirestmanhasaslangapedigreeasthegreatest，onlyhekenslessabootit，that\'sa\'。An\'Iwat，foryerlordsandladies，it\'snoa\'totheircredit\'at\'stauldo\'theirhither-come；an\'that\'sa\'againstthebreed，yeken。Awilfu\'sininthefathermaybeasinfu\'weaknessi\'theson；an\'that\'swhatI
ca\'nofairplay。“
Sosaying，Davidwenttohisbedroom，whencehereturnedwithaveryold-lookingbook，whichhelaidonthetablebeforeHugh。Heopenedit，andsawthatitwasavolumeofJacobB渉men，intheoriginallanguage。Hefoundoutafterwards，uponfurtherinquiry，thatitwasinfactacopyofthefirsteditionofhisfirstwork，TheAurora，printedin1612。Onthetitle-pagewaswrittenaname，eitherinGermanoroldEnglishcharacter，hewasnotsurewhich；
buthewasabletoreadit——MartinElginbrodde。David，havinggivenhimtimetoseeallthis，wenton：
“ThatbuikhasbeeninoorfamilyfarlangernorIken。IneednasayIcannareadawordo\'t，norIneverheardo\'ane\'atcould。
ButIcannahelptellin\'yeacuriousthing，Mr。Sutherlan\'，inconnexionwi\'thenameonthatbuik：there\'sagravestane，averraauldane——hooauldIcannaweelmak\'out，thoughIgaedends-errandtoAberdeentosee\'t——an\'thenameupo\'thatgravestaneisMartinElginbrod，butmadementiono\'inastrangefashion；an\'I\'mnosurea\'thegitheraboothooye\'lltak\'it，foritsoun\'sratherfearsomeatfirsthearin\'o\'t。Butye\'sehae\'tasIreadit：
“\'HerelieI，MartinElginbrodde：
Haemercyo\'mysoul，LordGod；
AsIwaddo，wereILordGod，AndyewereMartinElginbrodde。\'“
CertainlyHughcouldnothelpaslightshudderatwhatseemedtohimtheirreverenceoftheepitaph，ifindeeditwasnotdeservingofaworseepithet。Buthemadenoremark；and，afteramoment\'spause，Davidresumed：
“Iwasuncoill-pleasedwi\'tatthefirst，asyemaysuppose，Mr。
Sutherlan\'；but，afterawhile，Ibegude(began)an\'gaedthroughtwaorthreebitso\'reasonin\'sabootit，inthisway：Bythenatur\'
o\'t，thismaunbetheman\'sainmakin\'，thisepitaph；fornoitherbodycudha\'dune\'t；andhehadleftitin\'swilltobepittenupo\'
thedeid-stane，naedoot：I\'thecontemplationo\'deith，amanwadnobelik\'lytodesiretheperpetuationo\'ablasphemyupo\'atableo\'stone，tostan\'againsthimforcenturiesi\'thefaceo\'Godan\'
man：thereforeitcudnaha\'bornetheluiktohimo\'thepresumptuouswordo\'aproudmanevenin\'himsel\'wi\'theAlmichty。
Saewhatwas\'t，then，\'atmadehimmak\'it？Itseemstome——thoughIconfess，Mr。Sutherlan\'，Imaybeledastraybythenateraldesire\'atamanhastothinkweelo\'hisainforbears——for\'athewasaforbearo\'myain，Icannaweeldoot，thenamebein\'bynomeansacommonane，inScotlandonyway——I\'msayin\'，itseemstome，thatit\'sjistadarin\'way，maybeachildlikeway，o\'judgin\'，asJobmichtha\'dune，\'theLordbyhimsel\'；\'an\'sayin\'，\'atginhe，MartinElginbrod，wadhaemercy，surelytheLordwasnotlessmercifu\'thanhewas。Theoffspringo\'theMostHighwas，asitwere，awareo\'thesamespiriti\'thefathero\'him，asmuvedinhimsel\'。Hefelt\'atthemercyinhimsel\'wasaneo\'thebestthings；an\'hecudnathink\'attherewadbelesso\'ti\'thefathero\'lichts，fraewhomcomethilkaguidan\'perfeckgift。An\'maybeheremembered\'attheSaviourhimsel\'said：\'BeyeperfectasyourfatherinHeavenisperfect；\'andthattheperfectiono\'God，asHehadjistpintedootafore，consistedincausin\'hisbonnysuntoshineontheevilan\'thegood，an\'hiscallerraintofa\'upo\'thejustan\'theunjust。“
ItmaywellbedoubtedwhetherDavid\'sinterpretationoftheepitaphwasthecorrectone。Itwillappeartomostofmyreaderstobreatheratherofdoubtlightedupbyhope，thanofthatstrongfaithwhichDavidreadinit。Butwhetherfromfamilypartiality，andconsequentunwillingnesstobelievethathisancestorhadbeenamanwho，havingledawild，erring，andevillife，turnedatlasttowardsthemercyofGodashisonlyhope，whichthewordsmightimply；orsimplythathesawthismeaningtobethebest；thiswastheinterpretationwhichDavidhadadopted。
“But，“interposedHugh，“supposinghethoughtallthat，whyshouldhethereforehaveitcarvedonhistombstone？”
“Ihaethochtabootthattoo，“answeredDavid。“Foraething，abodyhasbutfeowwayso\'sayin\'hissaytohisbrithermen。RobbieBurnscuddo\'tinsangeftersang；butmaybethisepitaphwasa\'thatauldMartinwasabletomak\'。Hemichtnahaehadthegifto\'utterance。
Buttheremaybemairin\'tnorthat。Gintheclergyo\'thaetimeswarnaageyhantlemairenlichtenednorafowtho\'theclergyhereabouts，hewadhaeheardaheapabootthegloryo\'God，asthething\'atGodhimsel\'wasmaistanxiousabootuphaudin\'，jistlikeaproodcreatero\'aking；an\'thathewadmak\'men，an\'feedthem，an\'cleedthem，an\'giethembrawwivesan\'toddlin\'bairnies，an\'
synedamnthem，a\'for\'sainglory。Maybeyewadnagetmonyo\'them\'atwadspeyksaefair-ootnoo-a-days，fortheygangwi\'thetidejistlikethelave；buti\'myauldminny\'sbuiks，Ihaereadjiltasmuckleasthat，an\'waurtoo。Monyane\'atspaklikethat，hadnaedootaguidmeanin\'in\'t；but，hechman！it\'sanawesomedeevilichwayo\'sayin\'aholything。Noo，whatbettercouldpuirauldMartindo，seein\'hehadnoaewordtosayi\'thekirka\'hislifelang，norjistsayhisaeword，aspithilyasmightbe，i\'thekirkyard，efterhewasdeid；an\'oweran\'oweragain，wi\'atongueo\'stane，letthemtak\'itorlatitalane\'atlikit？That\'sa\'mydefenceo\'myauldluckie-daddy——Heavenresthisbraveauldsoul！”
“Butarewenotindanger，“saidHugh，“ofthinkingtoolightlyandfamiliarlyoftheMaker，whenweproceedtojudgehimsobyourselves？”
“Mr。Sutherlan\'，“repliedDavid，verysolemnly，“IdinnathenkIcanbeinmuckledangero\'lichtlyin\'him，whanIkeninmyainsel\'，asweelasshe\'atwashealedo\'herplague，\'atIwadbeahorsei\'
thatpleuch，orapiginthatstye，notmerelyifitwashiswill——forwhacanstan\'againstthat——butifitwasforhisglory；
ay，an\'comfortmysel\'，a\'thetimethechangewaspassin\'upo\'me，wi\'thethochtthat，efteran\'a\'，hisblessedhan\'smadethepigstoo。“
“But，amomentago，David，youseemedtometobemakingratherlittleofhisglory。“
“O\'hisglory，astheyconsiderglory——ay；efterawarldlyfashionthat\'snobetternorpride，an\'inhimwouldonlybeagreaterpride。Buthisglory！consistin\'inhistrowthan\'
lovin\'kindness——(man！that\'sabonnyword)——an\'grandself-forgettin\'devotiontohiscreaters——lord！man，it\'sunspeakable。Icarelittleforhisgloryeither，ginbythatyemeanthepraiseo\'men。Aheapo\'theanxietyforthespreado\'hisglory，seemstometobebutadesireforthesempathyo\'itherfowk。There\'snofearbutmen\'llpraisehim，a\'inguidtime——thatis，whantheycan。But，Mr。Sutherlan\'，forthegloryo\'God，raitherthan，ifitwerepossible，onejotoronetittleshouldfailofhisentireperfectionofholybeauty，IcallGodtowitness，I
wouldgladlygotohellitsel\'；fornoevilworththefullnamecanbefalltheearthoronycreaterin\'t，aslongasGodiswhatheis。
Forthegloryo\'God，Mr。Sutherlan\'，Iwaddiethedeith。Forthewillo\'God，I\'mreadyforonythinghelikes。Icannasurelybeinmuckledangero\'lichtlyin\'him。IgloryinmyGod。“
ThealmostpassionateearnestnesswithwhichDavidspoke，wouldalonehavemadeitimpossibleforHughtoreplyatonce。Afterafewmoments，however，heventuredtoaskthequestion：
“WouldyoudonothingthatotherpeopleshouldknowGod，then，David？”
“Onything\'athelikes。ButIwouldtak\'tento\'interferin\'。He\'satithimsel\'fraemornin\'tonicht，fraeyear\'sen\'toyear\'sen\'。“
“ButyouseemtometomakeoutthatGodisnothingbutlove！”
“Ay，naethingbutlove。Whatforno？”
“Becausewearetoldheisjust。“
“Wouldhebelangjustifhedidnalo\'eus？”
“Butdoeshenotpunishsin？”
“Woulditbeonykin\'nessnotopunishsin？Notousa\'meanstopitawa\'theaeillthingfraeus？Whatevermaybemeantbytheplaceo\'meesery，depen\'upo\'t，Mr。Sutherlan\'，it\'sonlyanitherformo\'love，loveshinin\'throughthefogso\'ill，an\'saegartleuksomethingverradifferentthereby。Man，raithernorseemyMaggy——an\'ye\'llnodoot\'atIlo\'eher——raithernorseemyMaggydoanillthing，I\'dseeherlyin\'deidatmyfeet。Butsupposin\'theillthingancedune，it\'snoatmyfeetIwadlayher，butupo\'myheart，wi\'myauldarmsaboother，tohandthefurtherillaffo\'
her。An\'shallmortalmanbemorejustthanGod？ShallamanbemorepurethanhisMaker？OmyGod！myGod！”
TheentranceofMargaretwouldhavepreventedtheprosecutionofthisconversation，evenifithadnotalreadydrawntoanaturalclose。NotthatDavidwouldnothavetalkedthusbeforehisdaughter，butsimplythatminds，likeinstruments，needtobebroughtuptothesamepitch，beforetheycan“atonetogether，“andthatonefeelsthisinstinctivelyontheentranceofanotherwhohasnotgonethroughthesameimmediateprocessofgradualelevationoftone。
Theirbooksandslatesweregotout，andtheysatdowntotheirwork；butHughcouldnothelpobservingthatDavid，inthemidstofhislinesandanglesandalgebraiccomputations，would，everynowandthen，glanceupatMargaret，withalookoftendernessinhisfaceyetdeeperandmoredelicateinitsexpressionthanordinary。
Margaretwas，however，quiteunconsciousofit，pursuingherworkwithherordinaryevendiligence。ButJanetobservedit。
“Whatailsthebairn，Dawvid，\'atyeleukatherthatget？saidshe。
“Naethingailsher，woman。Doyeneverleukatabodybutwhensomethingailsthem？”
“Ow，ay——butnothatget。“
“Weel，maybeIwasthinkin\'hooIwadleukatherginonythingdidailher。“
“Hoot！hoot！dinnafurthertheillhitherbymakin\'abiendoonsittin\'an\'abedfor\'t。“
AllDavid\'sanswertothiswasoneofhisownsmiles。
Atsupper，forithappenedtobeSaturday，Hughsaid：
“I\'vebeenbusy，betweenwhiles，inventing，orperhapsdiscovering，anetymologicalpedigreeforyou，David！”
“Weel，lat\'shear\'t，“saidDavid。
“First——doyouknowthatthatvolumewithyourancestor\'snameonit，waswrittenbyanoldGermanshoemaker，perhapsonlyacobbler，foranythingIknow？”
“Iknownothingabootit，moreorless，“answeredDavid。
“Hewasawonderfulman。Somepeoplethinkhewasalmostinspired。“
“Maybe，maybe，“wasallDavid\'sdoubtfulresponse。
“Atallevents，thoughIknownothingaboutitmyself，hemusthavewrittenwonderfullyforacobbler。“
“Formypairt，“repliedDavid，“ifIseenowonderintheman，Icanseebutlittleinthecobbler。Whatforshouldnaacobblerwritewonnerfully，asweelasanither？It\'satrade\'atfurthersmeditation。Mygrandfatherwasacobbler，asyeca\'t；an\'theysayhewasnofuleinhisainwayeither。“
“Thenitdoesgointhefamily！”criedHugh，triumphantly。
“Iwasindoubtatfirstwhetheryournamereferredtothebreadthofyourshoulders，David，astransmittedfromsomeancientsire，whosebackwasanEllwand-broad；forthegmightcomefromaworv，foranythingIknowtothecontrary。Butitwouldhavebeenbraidinthatcase。And，now，IamquiteconvincedthatthatMartinorhisfatherwasaGerman，afriendofoldJacobB渉men，whogavehimthebookhimself，andwasbesidesofthesamecraft；andhecomingtothiscountrywithanamehardtobepronounced，theyfoundaresemblanceinthesoundofittohisoccupation；andsograduallycorruptedhisname，tothemuncouth，intoElsynbrod，Elshinbrod，thenceElginbrod，withasoftg，andlastlyElginbrod，asyoupronounceitnow，withahardg。Thisname，turnedfromScotchintoEnglish，wouldthenbesimplyMartinAwlbore。Thecobblerisinthefamily，David，descendedfromJacobB渉menhimself，bythemother\'sside。“
Thisheraldicblazonamusedthemallverymuch，andDavidexpressedhisentireconcurrencewithit，declaringittobeincontrovertible。
Margaretlaughedheartily。
Besidesitsownbeauty，twothingsmadeMargaret\'slaughofsomeconsequence；onewas，thatitwasveryrare；andtheother，thatitrevealedhertworegularrowsofdaintywhiteteeth，suitingwelltothewholebuildofthemaiden。Shewasgracefulandrathertall，withaheadwhich，butforitssmallness，mighthaveseemedtooheavyfortheneckthatsupportedit，soreadyitalwayswastodrooplikeasnowdrop。TheonlypartsaboutherwhichHughdisliked，wereherhandsandfeet。Theformercertainlyhadbeenreddenedandroughenedbyhouseholdwork：buttheywerewellformednotwithstanding。Thelatterhehadneverseen，notwithstandingthebare-foothabitsofScotchmaidens；forhesawMargaretrarelyexceptintheevenings，andthenshewasdressedtoreceivehim。
Certainly，however，theywereveryfarfromfollowingtheshapeoftheclumsycountryshoes，bywhichhemisjudgedtheirproportions。
Hadheseenthem，ashemighthaveseenthemsomepartofanydayduringthesummer，theirformatleastwouldhavesatisfiedhim。
CHAPTERXIV。
WINTER。
Outofwhosewombcametheice？andthehoaryfrostofheaven，whohathgenderedit？Thewatersarehidaswithastone，andthefaceofthedeepisfrozen。
Hegivethsnowlikewool；hescattereththehoarfrostlikeashes。
JOBxxxviii。29，30；PSALMcxlvii。16。
Winterwasfairlycomeatlast。Ablackfrosthadboundtheearthformanydays；andatlengthapeculiarsensation，almostasmellofsnowintheair，indicatedanapproachingstorm。Thesnowfellatfirstinafewlargeunwillingflakes，thatflutteredslowlyandheavilytotheearth，wheretheylaylikethefoundationofthesuperstructurethatwasabouttofollow。Fasterandfastertheyfell——wonderfulmultitudesofdelicatecrystals，adheringinshapesofbeautywhichoutviedallthatjewellercouldinventorexecuteofethereal，starryforms，structuresofevanescentyetprodigalloveliness——tillthewholeairwasobscuredbythem，andnightcameon，hastenedbyanhour，fromthegatheringoftheirwhitedarkness。
Inthemorning，allthelandscapewastransfigured。Thesnowhadceasedtofall；butthewholeearth，houses，fields，andfences，pondsandstreams，werechangedtowhiteness。Butmostwonderfullookedthetrees——everyboughandeverytwigthickened，andbentearthwardwithitsownindividualloadofthefairyghost-birds。
Eachretainedthesemblanceofitsownform，wonderfully，magicallyalteredbyitsthickgarmentofradiantwhiteness，shininggloriouslyinthesunlight。Itwastheshroudofdeadnature；butashroudthatseemedtoprefigurealovelyresurrection；fortheverydeath-robewasunspeakably，witchinglybeautiful。Againatnightthesnowfell；andagainandagain，withinterveningdaysofbrightsunshine。Everymorning，thefirstfreshfootprintswereanewwondertothelivingcreatures，theyoung-heartedamongstthematleast，wholivedandmovedinthisdeath-world，thissepulchralplanet，buriedintheshiningairbeforetheeyesofitssister-starsintheblue，deathlessheavens。Pathshadtobeclearedineverydirectiontowardstheout-houses，andagainclearedeverymorning；tillatlastthewallsofsolidrainstoodhigherthantheheadoflittleJohnnie，ashewasstillcalled，thoughhewastwelveyearsold。Itwasagreatdelighttohimtowanderthroughthesnow-avenuesineverydirection；andgreatfunitwas，bothtohimandhisbrother，whentheyweretiredofsnowballingeachotherandeverylivingthingabouttheplaceexcepttheirparentsandtutor，tohollowoutmysteriouscavesandvaultedpassages。Sometimestheywouldcarrythesepassagesonfromonepathtowithinaninchortwoofanother，andtherelieinwaittillsomepasser-by，unweetingofharm，wasjustoppositetheirlurkingcave；whentheywoulddashthroughthesolidwallofsnowwithahideousyell，almostendangeringthewitsofthemaids，andcausingarecoilandstartledejaculationevenofthestrongmanonwhomtheychancedtotrytheirpowersofalarm。Hughhimselfwasoncegladtocovertheconfusionofhisownfrightwiththeheartyfitoflaughterintowhichtheperturbationoftheboys，upondiscoveringwhomtheyhadstartled，threwhim。Itwasrarefuntothem；butnottothewomenaboutthehouse，whomovedfromplacetoplaceinastateofchronicalarm，scaredbythefearofbeingscared；tilloneofthemgoingintohysterics，realorpretended，itwasfoundnecessarytoputastoptothepractice；not，however，beforeMargarethadhadhershareofthejest。Hughhappenedtobelookingoutofhiswindowatthemoment——watchingher，indeed，asshepassedtowardsthekitchenwithsomemessagefromhermother；whenanindescribablemonster，achaoticmassoflegsandsnow，burst，asifoutoftheearth，uponher。Sheturnedpaleasthesnowaroundher(andHughhadneverobservedbeforehowdarkhereyeswere)，asshesprangbackwiththegraceofastartleddeer。Sheutterednocry，however，perceivinginamomentwhoitwas，gaveatroubledlittlesmile，andpassedonherwayasifnothinghadhappened。Hughwasnotsorrywhenmaternalorderswereissuedagainstthepracticaljoke。Theboysdidnotrespecttheirmotherverymuch，buttheydarednotdisobeyher，whenshespokeinacertaintone。
TherewasnopathwaycuttoDavid\'scottage；andnotracktrodden，exceptwhatDavid，comingtothehousesometimes，andHughgoingeveryafternoontothecottage，madebetweenthem。Hughoftenwenttothekneesinsnow，butwaswelldriedandwarmedbyJanet\'scarewhenhearrived。Shehadalwaysapairofstockingsandslippersreadyforhimatthefire，tobeputonthemomentofhisarrival；
andexchangedagainforhisown，dryandwarm，beforehefootedoncemoretheghostlywaste。Whenneithermoonwasupnorstarswereout，therewasastrangeeerieglimmerfromthesnowthatlightedthewayhome；andhethoughttheremustbemorelightfromitthancouldbeaccountedformerelybythereflectionofeveryparticleoflightthatmightfalluponitfromothersources。
Margaretwasnotkepttothehousebythesnow，evenwhenitwasfalling。Shewentoutasusual——notofcoursewanderingfar，forwalkingwasdifficultnow。Butshewasinlittledangeroflosingherway，forsheknewthecountryaswellasanyone；andalthoughitsfacewasgreatlyalteredbythefillingupofitsfeatures，andtheuniformityofthecolour，yetthosefeatureswerediscernibletoherexperiencedeyethroughthesheetthatcoveredthem。Itwasonlynecessarytowalkonthetopsofdykes，andotherelevatedridges，tokeepclearofthedeepsnow。
Thereweremanypathsbetweenthecottagesandthefarmsintheneighbourhood，inwhichshecouldwalkwithcomparativeeaseandcomfort。Butshepreferredwanderingawaythroughthefieldsandtowardthehills。Sometimesshewouldcomehomelikeacreatureofthesnow，bornofit，andlivinginit；socoveredwasshefromheadtofootwithitsflakes。Davidusedtosmileatherwithpeculiarcomplacencyonsuchoccasions。ItwasevidentthatitpleasedhimsheshouldbetheplaymateofNature。Janetwasnotaltogetherindulgenttothesefreaks，assheconsideredthem，ofMarget——shehadquitegivenupcallingherMeg，“sin\'shetooktothebeuksoeident。“Butwhateverhermothermightthinkofit，Margaretwasinthiswaylayingupastorenotonlyofbodilyandmentalhealth，butofresourcesforthoughtandfeeling，ofsecretunderstandingsandcommunionswithNature，andeverythingsimple，andstrong，andpurethroughNature，thanwhichshecouldhaveaccumulatednothingmoreprecious。
Thiskindofweathercontinuedforsometime，tillthepeopledeclaredtheyhadneverknownastormlastsolong“ohneverdevallt，“thatis，withoutintermission。Butthefrostgrewharder；
andthenthesnow，insteadoffallinginlargeadhesiveflakes，fellinsmalldryflakes，ofwhichtheboyscouldmakenosnaw-ba\'s。Allthetime，however，therewasnowind；andthisnotbeingasheepcountry，therewaslittleuneasinessorsufferingoccasionedbytheseverityoftheweather，beyondwhatmustbefallthepoorerclassesineverynortherncountryduringthewinter。
Oneday，Davidheardthatapooroldmanofhisacquaintancewasdying，andimmediatelysetouttovisithim，atadistanceoftwoorthreemiles。Hereturnedintheevening，onlyintimeforhisstudies；fortherewasofcourselittleornothingtobedoneatpresentinthewayoflabour。Ashesatdowntothetable，hesaid：
“Ihaeseenawonnerfu\'sichtsin\'Isawyou，Mr。Sutherlan\'。I
gaedtoseeanauldChristian，whasebodyan\'brainarenighwornoot。Hewasneveronythingremarkableforintellec，andjisttookwhattheministertellthimfortrue，an\'keepittheguido\'t；forhishertwasayericht，an\'hisfaithahantlestrongerthanmaybeithadonyrichttobe，accordin\'tohisainopingans；but，hech！
there\'ssomethingfarbetternorhisopingansi\'theherto\'ilkaGod-fearin\'body。WhanIgaedbuttthehoose，hewassittin\'in\'sauldarm-chairbythesideo\'thefire，an\'hisfaceluikitdazedlike。Therewasnolichtin\'tbutwhatcam\'nooan\'thanfraealowi\'thefire。Thesnawwasdriftin\'aweeabootthebitwinnock，an\'
hisauldeenwasfixedupo\'t；an\'a\'\'athesaid，takin\'nonoticeo\'me，wasjist，\'Thebirdiesisflutterin\'；thebirdiesisflutterin\'。\'Ispak\'tillhim，an\'triedtoroosehim，wi\'aethingafteranither，bitImichtasweelhaespokentothedoor-cheek，fora\'thenoticethathetook。Neverawordhespak\'，butaye\'Thebirdiesisflutterin\'。\'Atlast，itcam\'tomymin\'\'atthebodywasayefu\'o\'aneo\'thepsalmsinparticler；an\'saeIjistsaidtillhimatlast：\'John，haeyeforgottenthetwenty-thirdpsalm？\'
\'Forgottenthetwenty-thirdpsalm！\'quo\'he；an\'hisfacelightedupinamomentfraetheinside：\'TheLord\'smyshepherd，——an\'IhaefollowedHimthrougha\'thesmorin\'drifto\'thewarl\'，an\'he\'llbringmetothegreenpasturesan\'thestillwaterso\'Hissummer-kingdomatthelanglast。Ishallnotwant。An\'Ihaewantedfornaething，naething。\'Hehadbeenashepherdhimsel\'in\'syoungdays。Andsoonhegaed，wi\'akin\'o\'apersonalcommentaryonthehaillpsalmfraebeginnin\'toen\'，andsynehejistfellbackintotheauldcroonin\'sang，\'Thebirdiesisflutterin\'；thebirdiesisflutterin\'。\'Thelichtdeedooto\'hisface，an\'a\'thatIcouldsaycouldna\'bringbackthelichttohisface，northesensetohistongue。He\'llsunebeinabetterwarl\'。SaeIwasjistforcedtoleavehim。ButIpromisedhisdochter，puirbody，thatIwouldca\'
againan\'seehimthemorn\'safternoon。It\'suncodowiewarkforher；fortheyhaescarceaneeborwithinreacho\'them，incaseo\'achange；an\'therehadhardlybeenacreatur\'insideo\'theirdoorforaweek。“
Thefollowingafternoon，Davidsetoutaccordingtohispromise。
Beforehisreturn，thewind，whichhadbeenthreateningtowakeallday，hadrisenrapidly，andnowblewasnowstormofitsown。WhenHughopenedthedoortotakehisusualwalktothecottage，justasdarknesswasbeginningtofall，thesighthesawmadehisyoungstrongheartdancewithdelight。Thesnowthatfellmadebutasmallpartofthewild，confusedturmoilanduproaroftheten-foldstorm。Forthewind，ravingoverthesurfaceofthesnow，which，asIhavealreadyexplained，laynearlyaslooseasdrysand，sweptitinthickfiercecloudsalongwithit，tearingitupandcastingitdownagainnoonecouldtellwhere——forthewholeairwasfilledwithdrift，astheycallthesnowwhenthusdriven。Afewhoursofthiswouldalterthefaceofthewholecountry，leavingsomepartsbare，andothersburiedbeneathheapsonheapsofsnow，calledheresnaw-wreaths。Forthewordsnow-wreathsdoesnotmeanthelovelygarlandshunguponeverytreeandbushinitsfeatheryfall；butawfulmoundsofdriftedsnow，thatmaybethesmooth，soft，whitesepulchresofdeadmen，smotheredinthelappingfoldsofthealmostsolidwind。Pathorwaywasnonebeforehim。Hecouldseenothingbutthesurfaceofaseaoffrothandfoam，asitappearedtohim，withthespraytornfromit，whirledinallshapesandcontortions，anddrivenineverydirection；butchiefly，inthemaindirectionofthewind，inlongslopingspiresofmistywhiteness，swiftasarrows，andaskeenuponthefaceofhimwhodaredtoopposethem。
Hughplungedintoitwithawildsenseoflifeandjoy。Inthecourseofhisshortwalk，however，ifwalkitcouldbecalled，whichwasonechainofplungingsandemergings，struggleswiththesnow，andwrestleswiththewind，hefeltthatitneedednotastoutheartonly，butsoundlungsandstronglimbsaswell，tobattlewiththestorm，evenforsuchadistance。Whenhereachedthecottage，hefoundJanetinconsiderableanxiety，notonlyaboutDavid，whohadnotyetreturned，butaboutMargaretaswell，whomshehadnotseenforsometime，andwhomustbeoutsomewhereinthestorm——“thewullhizzie。“Hughsuggestedthatshemighthavegonetomeetherfather。
“TheLordforbid！”ejaculatedJanet。“Theroadliesowerthetapo\'
theHalshach，aseerieandbareaplaceaseverwashill-moss，wi\'
neverascougorbieldin\'t，fraethetaesidetothetither。Thewin\'therejistgangscleanwuda\'thegither。An\'there\'smonyawell-eeforbye，thatginyefellintill\'t，yewudnevercomeattheboddomo\'t。TheLordpreserve\'s！Iwis\'Dawvidwashame。“
“Howcouldyoulethimgo，Janet？”
“Lathimgang，laddie！It\'sastrangtow\'atwadhaudorbin\'
Dawvid，whanheconsidershebudtogang，an\'\'twereintilladeil\'sbyke。ButI\'mnothatfearedaboothim。Imaistbelievehe\'sunderspecialprotection，ifevermanwasorouchttobe；an\'he\'snomorefearedatthestorm，norginthesnawwasangels\'feathersflauchterin\'ooto\'theirwingsa\'aboothim。ButI\'mnoeasyi\'mymin\'abootMaggy——thewullhizzie！Ginshebemeetin\'herfather，an\'chancetomisshim，theLordkenswhatmaycomeo\'her。“
Hughtriedtocomforther，butallthatcouldbedonewastowaitDavid\'sreturn。Thestormseemedtoincreaseratherthanabateitsforce。ThefootprintsHughhadmade，hadallbutvanishedalreadyattheverydoorofthehouse，whichstoodquiteintheshelterofthefir-wood。Astheylookedout，adarkfigureappearedwithinayardortwoofthehouse。
“TheLordgrantitbemybairn！”prayedpoorJanet。ButitwasDavid，andalone。Janetgaveashriek。
“Dawvid，whaur\'sMaggie？”
“Ihaenaseenthebairn，“repliedDavid，inrepressedperturbation。
“She\'snotheroot，isshe，thenicht？”
“She\'snoathame，Dawvid，that\'sa\'\'atIken。“
“Whaurgaedshe？”
“TheLordkens。She\'ssmooredi\'thesnawbythistime。“
“She\'si\'theLord\'shan\'s，Janet，besheaneathasnaw-vraith。
Dinnaforgetthat，wuman。Hoolangis\'tsin\'yemissedher？”
“Anhouran\'mair——Idinnakenhoolang。I\'mcleandoititwi\'
dreid。“
“I\'llawa\'an\'leukforher。JusthaudthehertinhertillIcomeback，Mr。Sutherlan\'。“
“Iwon\'tbeleftbehind，David。I\'mgoingwithyou。“
“Yedinnakenwhatye\'resayin\'，Mr。Sutherlan\'。Iwadsunehaetwao\'yetoseekinplaceo\'ane。“
“Neverheedme；I\'mgoingonmyownaccount，comewhatmay。“
“Weel，weel；Idownabidetodiffer。I\'mgaeinuptheburn-side；
baudyeowertothefarm，andspierginonybody\'sseenher；an\'thelads\'llbeouttoleukforherinajiffey。Mypuirlassie！”
Thesighthatmusthaveaccompaniedthelastwords，waslostinthewind，astheyvanishedinthedarkness。Janetfellonherkneesinthekitchen，withthedoorwideopen，andthewinddriftinginthepowderysnow，andscatteringitwiththeashesfromthehearthoverthefloor。Apictureofmorethoroughdesolationcanhardlybeimagined。Shesooncametoherself，however；andreflectingthat，ifthelostchildwasfound，theremustbeawarmbedtoreceiveher，elseshemightbeasecondtimelost，sheroseandshutthedoor，andmendedthefire。Itwasasifthedumbattitudeofherprayerwasanswered；forthoughshehadneverspokenoreventhoughtaword，strengthwasrestoredtoherdistractedbrain。Whenshehadmadeeverypreparationshecouldthinkof，shewenttothedooragain，openedit，andlookedout。Itwasaregionofhowlingdarkness，tossedaboutbypalesnow-drifts；outofwhichitseemedscarcemorehopefulthatwelcomefaceswouldemerge，thanthattheyshouldreturntooureyesfromthevastunknowninwhichtheyvanishatlast。Sheclosedthedooroncemore，andknowingnothingelsetobedone，satdownonachair，withherhandsonherknees，andhereyesfixedonthedoor。Theclockwentonwithitsslowswing，tic——tac，tic——tac，anutterlyinhumantime-measurer；butsheheardthesoundofeverysecond，throughthemidstoftheuproarinthefir-trees，whichbenttheirtallheadshissingtotheblast，andswingingaboutintheagonyoftheirstrife。Theminuteswentby，tillanhourwasgone，andtherewasneithersoundnorhearing，butofthestormandtheclock。Stillshesatandstared，hereyesfixedonthedoor-latch。Suddenly，withoutwarningitwaslifted，andthedooropened。Herheartboundedandflutteredlikeastartledbird；butalas！thefirstwordssheheardwere：“Isshenocomeyet？”Itwasherhusband，followedbyseveralofthefarmservants。Hehadmadeacircuittothefarm，andfindingthatHughhadneverbeenthere，hoped，thoughwithtrembling，thatMargarethadalreadyreturnedhome。ThequestionfelluponJanet\'sheartlikethesoundoftheearthonthecoffin-lid，andhersilentstarewastheonlyanswerDavidreceived。
Butatthatverymoment，likeadeadmanburstfromthetomb，enteredfrombehindthepartyattheopendoor，silentandwhite，withrigidfeaturesandfixedeyes，Hugh。Hestumbledin，leaningforwardwithlongstrides，anddraggingsomethingbehindhim。Hepushedandstaggeredthroughthemasifhesawnothingbeforehim；
andastheypartedhorror-stricken，theysawthatitwasMargaret，orherdeadbody，thathedraggedafterhim。Hedroppedherathermother\'sfeet，andfellhimselfonthefloor，beforetheywereabletogivehimanysupport。David，whowasquitecalm，gotthewhiskybottleout，andtriedtoadministersometoMargaretfirst；butherteethwerefirmlyset，andtoallappearanceshewasdead。OneoftheyoungmensucceededbetterwithHugh，whomatDavid\'sdirectiontheytookintothestudy；whileheandJanetgotMargaretundressedandputtobed，withhotbottlesallabouther；forinwarmthlaytheonlyhopeofrestoringher。Aftershehadlainthusforawhile，shegaveasigh；andwhentheyhadsucceededingettinghertoswallowsomewarmmilk，shebegantobreathe，andsoonseemedtobeonlyfastasleep。Afterhalfanhour\'srestandwarming，Hughwasabletomoveandspeak。Davidwouldnotallowhimtosaymuch，however，butgothimtobed，sendingwordtothehousethathecouldnotgohomethatnight。HeandJanetsatbythefiresideallnight，listeningtothestormthatstillravedwithout，andthankingGodforbothofthelives。Everyfewminutesatip-toeexcursionwasmadetothebedside，andnowandthentotheotherroom。Boththepatientssleptquietly。TowardsmorningMargaretopenedhereyes，andfaintlycalledhermother；butsoonfellasleeponcemore，anddidnotawakeagaintillnearlynoon。Whensufficientlyrestoredtobeabletospeak，theaccountshegavewas，thatshehadsetouttomeetherfather；butthestormincreasing，shehadthoughtitmoreprudenttoturn。Itgrewinviolence，however，sorapidly，andbeatsodirectlyinherface，thatshewassoonexhaustedwithstruggling，andbenumbedwiththecold。Thelastthingsherememberedwas，dropping，asshethought，intoahole，andfeelingasifsheweregoingtosleepinbed，yetknowingitwasdeath；andthinkinghowmuchsweeteritwasthansleep。Hugh\'saccountwasverystrangeanddefective，buthewasneverabletoaddanythingtoit。Hesaidthat，whenherushedoutintothedark，thestormseizedhimlikeafury，beatinghimabouttheheadandfacewithicywings，tillhewasalmoststunned。Hetooktheroadtothefarm，whichlaythroughthefir-wood；buthesoonbecameawarethathehadlosthiswayandmighttrampaboutinthefir-woodtilldaylight，ifhelivedaslong。Then，thinkingofMargaret，helosthispresenceofmind，andrushedwildlyalong。Hethoughthemusthaveknockedhisheadagainstthetrunkofatree，buthecouldnottell；forherememberednothingmorebutthathefoundhimselfdraggingMargaret，withhisarmsroundher，throughthesnow，andnearingthelightinthecottage-window。Whereorhowhehadfoundher，orwhatthelightwasthathewasapproaching，hehadnottheleastidea。HehadonlyavaguenotionthathewasrescuingMargaretfromsomethingdreadful。Margaret，forherpart，hadnorecollectionofreachingthefir-wood，andas，longbeforemorning，alltraceswereobliterated，thefactsremainedamystery。JanetthoughtthatDavidhadsomewonderfulpersuasionaboutit；buthewasneverheardeventospeculateonthesubject。Certainitwas，thatHughhadsavedMargaret\'slife。Heseemedquitewellnextday，forhewasofaverypowerfulandenduringframeforhisyears。Sherecoveredmoreslowly，andperhapsneveraltogetherovercametheeffectsofDeath\'sembracethatnight。FromthemomentwhenMargaretwasbroughthome，thestormgraduallydiedaway，andbythemorningallwasstill；butmanystarryandmoonlitnightsglimmeredandpassed，beforethatsnowwasmeltedawayfromtheearth；andmanyanightJanetawokefromhersleepwithacry，thinkingsheheardherdaughtermoaning，deepinthesmoothoceanofsnow，andcouldnotfindwhereshelay。
TheoccurrencesofthisdreadfulnightcouldnotlessentheinteresthiscottagefriendsfeltinHugh；andalongwinterpassedwithdailyandlengtheningcommunionbothinstudyandingeneralconversation。Ifearsomeofmyyoungerreaderswillthinkmystoryslow；andsay：“What！aretheynotgoingtofallinlovewitheachotheryet？Wehavebeenexpectingiteversolong。“Ihavetwoanswerstomaketothis。Thefirstis：“Idonotpretendtoknowsomuchaboutloveasyou——excuseme——thinkyoudo；andmustconfess，I
donotknowwhethertheywereinlovewitheachotherornot。“Thesecondis：“ThatIdarenotpretendtounderstandthoroughlysuchasacredmysteryastheheartofMargaret；andIshouldfeelitratherworsethanpresumptuoustotalkasifIdid。EvenHugh\'sisknowntomeonlybygleamsoflightthrown，nowandthen，andhereandthere，uponit。“Perhapsthetwoanswersareonlythesameanswerindifferentshapes。
Mrs。Glasford，however，wouldeasilyanswerthequestion，ifananswerisallthatiswanted；forshe，notwithstandingthefactsofthestory，whichshecouldnotfailtohaveheardcorrectlyfromthebestauthority，andnotwithstandingthenatureofthenight，whichmighthaveseemedsufficienttooverthrowherconclusions，uniformlyremarked，asoftenastheirescapewasalludedtoinherhearing，“Latthemtak\'itTheyhadnobusinesstobeootabootthegither。“
CHAPTERXV。
TRANSITION。
Tellme，brightboy，tellme，mygoldenlad，Whitherawaysofrolic？Whysoglad？
Whatallthywealthincouncil？allthystate？
Arehuskssodear？troth，\'tisamightyrate。
RICHARDCRASHAW。
ThelongScotchwinterpassedbywithoutanyinterruptiontothegrowingfriendship。Butthespringbroughtachange；andHughwasseparatedfromhisfriendssoonerthanhehadanticipated，bymorethansixmonths。Forhismotherwrotetohimingreatdistress，inconsequenceofaclaimmadeuponherforsomedebtwhichhisfatherhadcontracted，veryprobablyforHugh\'sownsake。Hughcouldnotbearthatanysuchshouldremainundischarged，orthathisfather\'snameshouldnotrestinpeaceaswellashisbodyandsoul。Herequested，therefore，fromthelaird，theamountduetohim，anddespatchedalmostthewholeofitfortheliquidationofthisdebt，sothathewasnowasunprovidedasbeforefortheexpensesofthecomingwinteratAberdeen。But，aboutthesametime，afellow-studentwrotetohimwithnewsofasituationforthesummer，worththreetimesasmuchashispresentone，andtobeprocuredthroughhisfriend\'sinterest。Hughhavingengagedhimselftothelairdonlyforthewinter，althoughhehadintendedtostaytillthecommencementofthefollowingsession，feltthat，althoughhewouldmuchratherremainwherehewas，hemustnothesitateamomenttoaccepthisfriend\'soffer；andthereforewroteatonce。
Iwillnotattempttodescribetheparting。Itwasveryquiet，butverysolemnandsad。JanetshowedfarmoredistressthanMargaret，forsheweptoutright。ThetearsstoodinDavid\'seyes，ashegraspedtheyouth\'shandinsilence。Margaretwasverypale；thatwasall。AssoonasHughdisappearedwithherfather，whowasgoingtowalkwithhimtothevillagethroughwhichthecoachpassed，shehurriedaway，andwenttothefir-woodforcomfort。
HughfoundhisnewsituationinPerthshireverydifferentfromthelast。Theheadsofthefamilybeingthemselvesaladyandagentleman，hefoundhimselfagentlemantoo。Hehadmoretodo，buthisworklefthimplentyofleisurenotwithstanding。Agoodportionofhissparetimehedevotedtoverse-making，towhichhefeltagrowingimpulse；andwhatevermayhavebeenthemeritofhiscompositions，theydidhimintellectualgoodatleast，ifitwereonlythroughtheprocessoftheirconstruction。HewrotetoDavidafterhisarrival，tellinghimallabouthisnewsituation；andreceivedinreturnaletterfromMargaret，writtenatherfather\'sdictation。Themechanicalpartofletter-writingwasratherlaborioustoDavid；butMargaretwrotewell，inconsequenceofthenumberofpapers，ofonesortandanother，whichshehadwrittenforHugh。Threeorfourlettersmorepassedbetweenthematlengtheningintervals。Thentheyceased——onHugh\'ssidefirst；until，whenonthepointofleavingforAberdeen，feelingsomewhatconscience-strickenatnothavingwrittenforsolong，hescribbledanotetoinformthemofhisapproachingdeparture，promisingtoletthemknowhisaddressassoonashefoundhimselfsettled。Willitbebelievedthatthesessionwentbywithouttheredemptionofthispledge？Surelyhecouldnothavefelt，toanyapproximatedegree，theamountofobligationhewasundertohishumblefriends。
Perhaps，indeed，hemayhavethoughtthattheobligationwasprincipallyontheirside；asitwouldhavebeen，ifintellectualassistancecouldoutweighheart-kindness，andspiritualimpulseandenlightenment；for，unconsciouslyinagreatmeasuretohimself，hehadlearnedfromDavidtoregardinanewandmorerealaspect，manyofthosetruthswhichhehadhithertoreceivedastrue，andwhichyethadtillthenproducedinhimnootherthanafeelingofthecommon-placeanduninterestingatthebest。
Besidesthis，andmanycognateadvantages，athousandseedsoftruthmusthavesurelyremainedinhismind，droppedtherefromthesametongueofwisdom，andonlywaitingthefriendlyaidofahardwinter，breakingupthecold，selfishclodsofclay，toshareinthelovelinessofanewspring，andbeperfectedinthebeautyofanewsummer。
Howeverthismayhavebeen，itiscertainthatheforgothisoldfriendsfarmorethanhehimselfcouldhavethoughtitpossibleheshould；for，tomakethebestofit，youthiseasilyattractedandfilledwiththepresentshow，andeasilyforgetsthatwhich，fromdistanceintimeorspace，hasnoshowtoshow。Spendinghiseveningsinthemidstofmerryfaces，andreadytonguesfluentwiththetonesofjollity，ifnotalwaysofwit，whichglidedsometimesintonotooearnestdiscussionofthedifficultsubjectsoccupyingtheirstudenthours；surroundedbythevapoursofwhisky-toddy，andthesmokeofcuttypipes，tillfarintotheshorthours；thenhurryinghome，andlapsingintounrefreshingslumbersoverintendedstudy；orsittingupallnighttopreparethetaskswhichhadbeenneglectedforaballoraneveningwithWilson，thegreatinterpreterofScottishsong——itishardlytobewonderedatthatheshouldlosethefinerconsciousnessofhigherpowersanddeeperfeelings，notfromanybehaviourinitselfwrong，butfromthehurry，noise，andtumultinthestreetsoflife，that，penetratingtoodeepintothehouseoflife，dazedandstupefiedthesilentandlonelywatcherinthechamberofconscience，farapart。Hehadnotimetothinkorfeel。
Thesessiondrewtoaclose。Heeschewedallidleness；shuthimselfup，afterclasshours，withhisbooks；atelittle，studiedhard，sleptirregularly，workingalwaysbestbetweenmidnightandtwointhemorning；carriedthefirsthonoursinmostofhisclasses；andatlengthbreathedfreely，butwithadizzybrain，andafacethatrevealed，inpalecheeks，andred，wearyeyes，theresultsofanexcessofmentallabour——anexcesswhichisasinjuriousasanyotherkindofintemperance，themoraldegradationalonekeptoutofview。Proudofhissuccess，hesatdownandwroteashortnote，withasimplestatementofit，toDavid；hoping，inhissecretmind，thathewouldattributehisprevioussilencetoanabsorptioninstudywhichhadnotexistedbeforetheendofthesessionwasquiteathand。Nowthathehadmoretimeforreflection，hecouldnotbeartheideathatthatnoblerusticfaceshouldlookdisapprovinglyor，stillworse，coldlyuponhim；andhecouldnothelpfeelingasiftheoldploughmanhadtakentheplaceofhisfather，astheonlymanofwhomhemuststandinawe，andwhohadarighttoreprovehim。Hedidreprovehimnow，thoughunintentionally。ForDavidwasdelightedathavingsuchgoodnewsfromhim；andtheuneasinesswhichhehadfelt，butneverquiteexpressed，wasalmostsweptawayintheconclusion，thatitwasunreasonabletoexpecttheyoungmantogivehistimetothembothabsentandpresent，especiallywhenhehadbeenoccupiedtosuchgoodpurposeasthislettersignified。Sohewasnearlyatpeaceabouthim——thoughnotquite。Hughreceivedfromhimthefollowingletterinreplytohis；dictated，asusual，tohissecretary，Margaret：——
“MYDEARSIR，“Ye\'llbeagreatmansomeday，ginyehaudatit。Butthingsmaunnabegottenattheoutlayo\'mairthanthey\'reworth。Ye\'llkenwhatImean。An\'there\'sbetterthingsnorbein\'agreatman，eftera\'。ForgiethelibertyItak\'inremin\'in\'yeo\'siclike。
I\'monlyremin\'in\'yeo\'whatyekenweelaneuch。Butye\'reabravelad，an\'yehaebeenanuncofrien\'tomean\'mine；an\'IpraytheLordtothankyeforme，foryehaedunemuckleguidtohisbairns——meanin\'mean\'mine。It\'sverrakin\'o\'yetovritetill\'sintheverramomento\'victory；butweelyekentthatamida\'yerfrien\'s——an\'yecannafailtohaemonyaane，wi\'aheadan\'afacelikeyours——therewasnaane——na，noane，thatwadrejoicemairoweryoursuccessthanJanet，ormydoo，Maggie，oryerainauldobleegedfrien\'an\'servant，“DAVIDELGINBROD。
“P。S——We\'rea\'weel，an\'uncoblytheatyourletter。
Maggy——
“P。S。2——DearMr。Sutherland，——Iwrotealltheaboveatmyfather\'sdictation，andjustashesaidit，forIthoughtyouwouldlikehisScotchbetterthanmyEnglish。MymotherandImyselfarerejoicedatthegoodnews。Mymotherfairlygratoutright。IgaedouttothetreewhereImetyoufirst。IwondersairsometimesifyouwastheangelIwastomeetinthefir-wood。Iam，“Yourobedientservant，“MARGARETELGINBROD。“
ThislettercertainlytouchedHugh。ButhecouldnothelpfeelingratheroffendedthatDavidshouldwritetohiminsuchawarningtone。Hehadneveraddressedhiminthisfashionwhenhesawhimeveryday。Indeed，Davidcouldnotveryeasilyhavespokentohimthus。Butwritingisadifferentthing；andmenwhoarenotmuchaccustomedtouseapen，oftenassumeamoresolemntoneindoingso，asifitwereaceremonythatrequiredstate。AsforDavid，havingbeenalittleuneasyaboutHugh，andnotmuchafraidofoffendinghim——forhedidnotknowhisweaknessesverythoroughly，anddidnottakeintoaccounttheeffectoftheveryfallingawaywhichhedreaded，inincreasinginhimpride，andthatimpatienceofthegentlestreproofnaturaltoeveryman——hefeltconsiderablyrelievedafterhehaddischargedhisdutyinthismementovivere。
Butoneoftheresults，andaveryunexpectedone，was，thatayetlongerperiodelapsedbeforeHughwroteagaintoDavid。Hemeanttodoso，andmeanttodoso；but，asoftenasthethoughtoccurredtohim，wascheckedbothbyconsciousnessandbypride。Somuchcontributes，nottheevilalonethatisinus，butthegoodalsosometimes，toholdusbackfromdoingthethingweoughttodo。
ItnowremainedforHughtolookaboutforsomeoccupation。Thestateofhisfundsrenderedimmediateemploymentabsolutelynecessary；andastherewasonlyonewayinwhichhecouldearnmoneywithoutyetfurtherpreparation，hemustbetakehimselftothatway，ashehaddonebefore，inthehopethatitwouldleadtosomethingbetter。Atallevents，itwouldgivehimtimetolookabouthim，andmakeuphismindforthefuture。Manyaone，towhomtheoccupationofatutorisfarmoreirksomethanitwastoHugh，iscompelledtoturnhisacquirementstothisimmediateaccount；
and，oncegoinginthisgroove，cannevergetoutofitagain。ButHughwashopefulenoughtothink，thathisreputationattheuniversitywouldstandhiminsomestead；and，howevermuchhewouldhavedislikedthethoughtofbeingatutorallhisdays，occupyingakindofneutralterritorybetweenthepositionofagentlemanandthatofamenial，hehadenoughofstrongSaxongoodsensetopreventhim，despitehisHighlandpride，fromseeinganygreathardshipinlabouringstillforalittlewhile，ashehadlabouredhitherto。Buthehopedtofindasituationmoredesirablethaneitherofthosehehadoccupiedbefore；and，withthisexpectation，lookedtowardstheSouth，asmostScotchmendo，indulgingthenationalimpulsetospoiltheEgyptians。Nordidhelooklong，sendinghistentaclesafloatineverydirection，beforeheheard，throughmeansofacollegefriend，ofjustsuchasituationashewanted，inthefamilyofagentlemanoffortuneinthecountyofSurrey，notmuchmorethantwentymilesfromLondon。Thishewasfortunateenoughtoobtainwithoutdifficulty。
Margaretwaslikewiseontheeveofachange。Shestoodlikeayoungfledgedbirdontheedgeofthenest，readytotakeitsfirstlongflight。Itwasnecessarythatsheshoulddosomethingforherself，notsomuchfromthecompulsionofimmediatecircumstances，asinprospectofthefuture。Herfatherwasnotanoldman，butatbesthecouldleaveonlyatrifleathisdeath；andifJanetoutlivedhim，shewouldprobablyrequireallthat，andwhatlabourshewouldthenbecapableofaswell，tosupportherself。Margaretwasanxious，too，thoughnottobeindependent，yet，nottobeburdensome。BothDavidandJanetsawthat，byherpeculiartastesandhabits，shehadseparatedherselfsofarfromthecirclearoundher，thatshecouldneverhopetobequitecomfortableinthatneighbourhood。Itwasnotthatbyanymeansshedespisedorrefusedthelabourscommontotheyoungwomenofthecountry；but，allthingsconsidered，theythoughtthatsomethingmoresuitableforhermightbeprocured。
Thelaird\'sladycontinuedtobehavetoherinthemostsuperciliousfashion。TheverydayofHugh\'sdeparture，shehadchancedtomeetMargaretwalkingalonewithabook，thistimeunopened，inherhand。
Mrs。Glasfordstopped。Margaretstoppedtoo，expectingtobeaddressed。Theladylookedather，allover，fromheadtofoot，asifcriticallyexaminingtheappearanceofananimalshethoughtofpurchasing；then，withoutaword，butwithacontemptuoustossofthehead，passedon，leavingpoorMargaretbothangryandashamed。
ButDavidwasmuchrespectedbythegentryoftheneighbourhood，withwhomhisposition，asthelaird\'ssteward，broughthimnotunfrequentlyintocontact；andtoseveralofthemhementionedhisdesireoffindingsomesituationforMargaret。Janetcouldnotbeartheideaofherlady-bairnleavingthem，toencountertheworldalone；butDavid，thoughhecouldnothelpsometimesfeelingasimilarpang，wasabletotaketohimselfheartycomfortfromthethought，thatiftherewasanysafetyforherinherfather\'shouse，therecouldnotbelessinherheavenlyFather\'s，inanynookofwhichshewasasfullinHiseye，andasnearHisheart，asintheirowncottage。Hefeltthatanxietyinthiscase，asineveryother，wouldjustbealackofconfidenceinGod，tosupposewhichjustifiablewouldbeequivalenttosayingthatHehadnotfixedthefoundationsoftheearththatitshouldnotbemoved；thatHewasnottheLordofLife，northeFatherofHischildren；inshort，thatasparrowcouldfalltothegroundwithoutHim，andthatthehairsofourheadarenotnumbered。Janetadmittedallthis，butsighednevertheless。SodidDavidtoo，attimes；forheknewthatthesparrowmustfall；thatmanyadivinetruthishardtolearn，all-blessedasitiswhenlearned；andthatsorrowandsufferingmustcometoMargaret，ereshecouldbefashionedintotheperfectionofachildofthekingdom。Still，shewasassafeabroadasathome。
Anelderlyladyoffortunewasonavisittooneofthefamiliesintheneighbourhood。Shewasinwantofalady\'s-maid，anditoccurredtothehousekeeperthatMargaretmightsuither。Thiswasnotquitewhatherparentswouldhavechosen，buttheyallowedhertogoandseethelady。Margaretwasdelightedwiththebenevolent-lookinggentlewoman；andshe，onherpart，wasquitecharmedwithMargaret。Itwastruesheknewnothingofthedutiesoftheoffice；butthepresentmaid，whowasleavingonthebestofterms，wouldsooninitiateherintoitsmysteries。AndDavidandJanetweresomuchpleasedwithMargaret\'saccountoftheinterview，thatDavidhimselfwenttoseethelady。ThesightofhimonlyincreasedherdesiretohaveMargaret，whomshesaidshewouldtreatlikeadaughter，ifonlyshewerehalfasgoodasshelooked。
BeforeDavidlefther，thematterwasarranged；andwithinamonth，Margaretwasborneinhermistress\'scarriage，awayfromfatherandmotherandcottage-home。
ENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK。
