Thereheseatedhimself，andforhalfanhoursatmotionless，aperfecttypeofdilapidation，moralandphysical，whilealittlewayoffstoodGibbie，lookingon，likeoneawaitingaresurrection。Atlengthheseemedtocometohimself——theexpectedsignofwhichwasthathereacheddownhishandtowardsthemeetingofroofandfloor，andtookupatinylastwithahalf-madebootuponit。Atsightofitinhisfather’shands，Gibbieclappedhiswithdelight——anolddelight，renewedeverySundaysincehecouldremember。Thatbootwasforhim！andthisbeingthesecond，thepairwouldbefinishedbeforenight！，Byslowdegreesofrevival，withmanypausesbetween，Georgegottowork。Hewantednobreakfast，andmadenoinquiryofGibbiewhetherhehadhadany。ButwhatcaredGibbieaboutbreakfast！，Withhisfatheralltohimself，andthatfatherworkingawayatanewbootforhim——forhimwhohadneverhadapairofanysortuponhisfeetsincethewoollenonesheworeinhismother’slap，breakfastornobreakfastwasmuchthesametohim。Itcouldneverhaveoccurredtohimthatitwashisfather’sparttoprovidehimwithbreakfast。Ifhewastohavenone，itwasSundaythatwastoblame：therewasnouseingoingtolookforanywhentheshopswereallshut，andeverybodyeitheratchurch，orclosedindomesticpenetralia，oroutforawalk。Morethancontented，therefore，whilebusilyhisfatherweddedweltandsolewithstitchesinfrangible，Gibbiesatonthefloor，preparingwaxedends，carefullystickinginthehog’sbristle，androllingthecombination，withquiteprofessionalaptitude，betweentheflatofhishandandwhatoftrouser-leghehadleft，gazingeagerlybetweenattheadvancingmasterpiece。Occasionallythetriumphofexpectationwouldexceedhiscontrol，whenhewouldspringfromthefloor，andcaperandstrutaboutlikeapigeon——softasashadow，forheknewhisfathercouldnotbearnoiseinthemorning——orbehindhisbackexecuteapantomimicdumbshowofdelight，inwhichheseemedwithdifficultytorestrainhimselffromjumpinguponhim，andhugginghiminhisecstasy。Oh，bestofparents！workingthusevenonaSundayforhisGibbie，wheneverybodyelsewasatchurchenjoyinghimself！，ButGibbieneverdaredhughisfatherexceptwhenhewasdrunk——why，hecouldhardlyhavetold。Relievedbyhisdumbshow，hewouldreturn，quiteasanagedgrimalkin，andagaindeposithimselfonthefloornearhisfatherwherehecouldseehisbusyhands。
AllthistimeSirGeorgeneverspokeaword。Incredibleasitmayseem，however，hewascontinually，offandon，tryinghishardesttothinkofsomeSundaylessontogivehischild。Manyofthosethatknewtheboy，regardedhimasasortofidiot，drawingtheconclusionfromGibbie’spracticalhonestyandhistooevidentloveforhiskind：itwasincrediblethatachildshouldbepoor，unselfish，loving，andnotdeficientinintellect！，Hisfatherknewhimbetter，yetheoftenquietedhisconscienceinregardtohiseducation，withthereflectionthatnotmuchcouldbedoneforhim。
Still，everynowandthenhewouldthinkperhapsheoughttodosomething：whocouldtellbutthechildmightbedamnedfornotunderstandingtheplanofsalvation？andbroodingoverthematterthismorning，aswellashisheadachewouldpermit，hecametotheresolution，ashehadoftendonebefore，tobuyaShorterCatechism;
theboycouldnotlearnit，buthewouldkeepreadingittohim，andsomethingmightstick。EvennowperhapshecouldbeginthecoursebyrecallingsomeofthequestionsandanswersthathadbeentheplagueofhislifeeverySaturdayatschool。Hesethisrecollectiontowork，therefore，inthelumber-roomofhismemory，andagainandagainsentitbacktothetask，butcouldfindnothingbelongingtothecatechismexceptthefirstquestionwithitsanswer，andafewincoherentfragmentsofothers。Moreover，hefoundhismindsoconfusedandincapableofcontinuousorconcentratedeffort，thathecouldnotevenkeep“man’schiefend“
andtherosinedendbetweenhisfingersfromtwistinguptogetherinthemostextraordinarymanner。Yetifthechildbut“hadthequestion，“hemightgetsomegoodofit。Thehourmightcomewhenhewouldsay，“Myfathertaughtmethat！”——whocouldtell？，Andheknewhehadthewordscorrect，whereverhehaddroppedtheirmeaning。ForthesakeofGibbie’simmortalpart，therefore，hewouldrepeattheanswertothatfirst，mostmomentousofquestions，overandoverasheworked，inthehopeofinsinuatingsomething——hecouldnotsaywhat——intothesmallmentalpocketoftheinnocent。
Thefirst，therefore，andalmosttheonlywordswhichGibbieheardfromhisfather’slipsthatmorning，werethese，dozensoftimesrepeated——“Man’schiefendistoglorifyGod，andtoenjoyHimforever。”，ButsofarwasGibbiefromperceivinginthemanymeaning，thatevenwithhisfather’spronunciationofchiefendaschifenn，theyrousedinhismindnosenseorsuspicionofobscurity。Thewordstuckthere，notwithstanding;butGibbiewasyearsamanbeforehefoundoutwhatachifennwas。Wherewasthegreatmatter？，Howmanywhohavelearnedtheircatechismanddeploretheignoranceofothers，maketheleastefforttoplacetheirchiefendeveninthedirectionofthatoftheircreation？，Isitnottheconstantthwartingoftheiraims，therenderingoftheirdesiresfutile，andtheirendsamockery，thatalonepreventsthemandtheirlivesfromprovinganabsolutefailure？，SirGeorge，withhisinveterate，consumingthirstforwhisky，wasbutthetypeofallwhowouldgaintheirblissaftertheschemeoftheirownfancies，insteadoftheschemeoftheirexistence;whowouldbuildtheirhouseaftertheirownchildishwilfulnessinsteadoftheground-planoftheirbeing。
HowwasSirGeorgetoglorifytheGodwhomhecouldhonestlythankfornothingbutwhisky，thesoleofhisgiftsthatheprized？，Overandoverthatdayherepeatedthewords，“Man’schiefendistoglorifyGod，andtoenjoyHimforever，“andallthetimehisimagination，hisdesire，hishope，werecentredonthebottle，whichwithhisverybackhefeltwhereitstoodbehindhim，awayonthefloorattheheadofhisbed。Neverthelesswhenhehadgoneoverthemascoreoftimesorso，andGibbiehadbegun，byamerrylookandnoddingofhishead，tomanifestthatheknewwhatwascomingnext，thefatherfeltmorecontentwithhimselfthanforyearspast;
andwhenhewassatisfiedthatGibbieknewallthewords，though，indeed，theywerehardlymorethansoundstohim，hesenthim，withagreatsenseofrelief，tofetchthebrothandbeefandpotatoesfromMistressCroale’s。
Eatingarealdinnerinhisfather’shouse，thoughwithoutatabletosetitupon，Gibbiefelthimselfamostprivilegedperson。Theonlythingthattroubledhimwasthathisfatheratesolittle。NotuntilthetwilightbegantoshowdidSirGeorgereallybegintorevive，butthedarkeritgrewwithout，thebrighterhisspiritburned。For，amongstnotafewothers，therewasthisstrangeremnantofrighteousnessintheman，thatheneverwouldtastedrinkbeforeitwasdarkinwinter，orinsummerbeforetheregularhourforceasingworkhadarrived;andtothisrulehekept，andthatunderfargreaterdifficulties，ontheSundayaswell。ForMistressCroalewouldnotselladropofdrink，notevenonthesly，ontheSabbath-day：shewouldfainhavesomestakeinthehiddenkingdom;
andGeorge，whohadnotaSundaystomachhecouldassumeforthedayanymorethanaSundaycoat，wastherebydriventoprovidehiswhiskyandthatdaydrinkitathome;when，withthebottlesonearhim，andthesensethathehadnottogoouttofindhisrelief，hisresolutionwasindeedsorelytried;buthefeltthattoyieldwouldbetocuthislastcableandbesweptonthelee-shoreofutterruin。
Breathlesswitheagerinterest，Gibbiewatchedhisfather’shands，andjustasthedarknessclosedin，thebootwasfinished。Hisfatherrose，andGibbie，glowingwithdelight，sprangupontheseathehadleft，whilehisfatherkneltuponthefloortotryupontheunaccustomedfoottheresultfromwhichhehadjustdrawnthelast。
Ah，pity！pity！，ButevenGibbiemightbythistimehavelearnedtoforeseeit！threetimesalreadyhadthesamethinghappened：thebootwouldnotgoonthefoot。Therealcauseofthefailureitwereuselesstoinquire。SirGeorgesaidthat，Sundaybeingtheonlydayhecouldgivetotheboots，beforehecouldfinishthem，Gibbie’sfeethadalwaysoutgrownthemeasure。ButitmaybeSirGeorgewasnotsogoodamakerascobbler。ThathemeanthonestlybytheboyIamsure，andnotthelesssurefortheconfessionIamforcedtomake，thatoneachoccasionwhenhethusfailedtofithim，hesoldthebootsthenextdayatafairpricetoaready-madeshop，anddranktheproceeds。Astrangerthingstillwas，that，althoughGibbiehadneveryetwornbootorshoe，hisfather’sconsciencewasgreatlyrelievedbytheknowledgethathespenthisSundaysinmakingbootsforhim。Hadhebeenanordinarychild，andgivenhimtrouble，hewouldpossiblyhavehatedhim;asitwas，hehadagreatthoughsadlyinoperativeaffectionfortheboy，whichwasanendlessgoodtothemboth。
Aftermanybootlesstrials，bootlessthefeetmustremain，andGeorge，layingthefailuredownindespair，rosefromhisknees，andleftGibbieseatedonthechestmorelikeakingdiscrowned，thanabeggarunshod。Andlikeakingthelittlebeggarborehispain。Heheavedonesigh，andaslowmoisturegatheredinhiseyes，butitdidnotoverflow。Oneminuteonlyhesatandhuggedhisdesolation——then，missinghisfather，jumpedofftheboxtofindhim。
Hesatontheedgeofthebed，lookinginfinitelymoredisconsolatethanGibbiefelt，hisheadandhandshangingdown，apictureofutterdejection。Gibbieboundedtohim，climbedonthebed，andnearlystrangledhiminthesharpembraceofhislittlearms。SirGeorgetookhimonhiskneesandkissedhim，andthetearsroseinhisdulleyes。Hegotupwithhim，carriedhimtothebox，placedhimonitoncemore，andfetchedapieceofbrownpaperfromunderthebed。Fromthishetorecarefullyseveralslips，withwhichhethenproceededtotakeamostthoughtfulmeasurementofthebafflingfoot。HewasfarmoretobepitiedthanGibbie，whowouldnothavewornthebootsanhourhadtheybeenthebestfitinshoedom。Thesolosofhisfeetwereverynearlyequalinresistancetoleather，andatleastuntilthesnowandhardfrostcame，hewasbetterwithoutboots。
Butnowthedarknesshadfallen，andhisjoywasatthedoor。Buthewasalwaystoomuchashamedtobegintodrinkbeforethechild：
hehatedtouncorkthebottlebeforehim。WhatfollowedwasinregularSundayroutine。
“GangowertoMistressCroale’s，Gibbie，“hesaid，“wi’mycompliments。”
AwayranGibbie，nothingloath，andathisknockwasadmitted。
MistressCroalesatintheparlour，takinghertea，andexpectinghim。Shewasalwayskindtothechild。Shecouldnothelpfeelingthatnosmallpartofwhatoughttobespentonhimcametoher;andonSundays，therefore，partlyforhissake，partlyforherown，shealwaysgavehimhistea——nominallytea，reallybluecity-milk——withasmuchdrybreadashecouldeat，andabitofbutteredtoastfromherplatetofinishoffwith。Asheate，hestoodattheothersideofthetable;helookedsomiserableinhereyesthat，evenbeforeherservant，shewasashamedtohavehimsitwithher;butGibbiewasquitecontent，neverthoughtofsitting，andateingladness，everynowandthenlookingupwithloving，gratefuleyes，whichmusthavegonerighttothewoman’sheart，haditnotbeenforavaguesenseshehadofbeingallthetimehisenemy——andthatalthoughshespentmuchtimeinpersuadingherselfthatshedidherbestbothforhisfatherandhim。
Whenhereturned，greatlyrefreshed，andthebootsallbutforgotten，hefoundhisfather，asheknewhewould，alreadystartedonthebusinessoftheevening。Hehaddrawnthechest，theonlyseatintheroom，tothesideofthebed，againstwhichheleanedhisback。Apennycandlewasburninginastoneblackingbottleonthechimneypiece，andonthefloorbesidethecheststoodthebottleofwhisky，ajugofwater，astonewaremug，andawineglass。
Therewasnofireandnokettle，whencehisdrinkingwassad，asbecametheScotchSabbathindistinctionfromtheJewish。There，however，wasthedrink，andtherebyhissoulcouldlive——yea，expandhermouldywings！，Gibbiewasfarfromshocked;itwasallright，allintheorderofthings，andhewentuptohisfatherwithradiantcountenance。SirGeorgeputforthhishandsandtookhimbetweenhisknees。Anevilwindnowswelledhissails，butthecargoofthecrazyhumanhullwasnotthereforeevil。
“Gibbie，“hesaid，solemnly，“neveryedrinkadrapo’whusky。
Neveryeraxootthehan’totheboatle。Neveryedrinkanythingbutwatter，callerwatter，myman。”
Ashesaidthewords，hestretchedouthisownhandtothemug，liftedittohislips，andswallowedagreatgulp。
“Dinnado’t，Itellye，Gibbie，“herepeated。
Gibbieshookhisheadwithpositiverepudiation。
“That’sricht，myman，“respondedhisfatherwithsatisfaction。
“GieneverIseeyepree(taste)theboatle，I’llwarstlefraemygravean’flegyeooto’thesma’wutsyehae，myman。”
Herefollowedanothergulpfromthemug。
ThethreathadconveyednothingtoGibbie。Evenhadheunderstood，itwouldhavecarriedanythingbutterrortohisfather-worshippingheart。
“Gibbie，“resumedSirGeorge，afterabriefpause，“divyekenwhatfowk’llca’yewhanI’mdeid？”
Gibbieagainshookhishead——withexpressionthistimeofmereignorance。
“They’llca’yeSirGibbieGalbraith，myman，“saidhisfather，“an’
richtly，forit’llbenonickname，thoughsomemaylauch’causeyerfatherwasasutor，an’mair’at，fora’that，yehaenaasheetoyerfutyersel’，puirfallow！，Heednayewhattheysay，Gibbie。
Min’’atye’reSirGibbie，an’haethehonouro’thefaimilytohaudup，myman——an’thatyecannotdeean’drink。Thiscursitdrink’sbeentheruino’a’theGalbraithsasfarbackasIken。
’MaisttheonlythingIcanmin’o’mygran’father——abigbonnyman，wi’langwhitehair——twiseasbig’sme，Gibbie——isseein’himdeiddrunki’theguttero’thepump。Hedrank’maista’thingtherewas，Gibbie——lan’san’lordship，tilltherewashardlyanaccreleftupo’haillDaursidetocometomyfather——’maistnaethingbutawheensma’hooses。Hewasaguidman，myfather;buthisfatherlearnthimtodrinkaforehewas’maistooto’’scoaties，an’gaehimnaeschuilin’;an’gienheredhimsel’o’a’’atwasleft，itwassma’won’er——only，yesee，Gibbie，whatwastocomeo’me？，I
pitittillye，Gibbie——whatwastocomeo’me？——Gienakin’neiper，’atkentwhatitwastodrink，an’saehadafallow-feelin’，hadnata’enan’learntmemytrade，theLordkenswhatwadhaecomeo’youan’me，Gibbie，myman！——Gangtoyerbed，noo，an’lea’metomyainthouchts;no’’atthey’reayethebesto’company，laddie——Butwhilesthey’renothatill，“heconcluded，withaweaksmile，assomereflexofhimselfnotquiteunsatisfactorygloomedfaintlyinthebesmearedmirrorofhisuncertainconsciousness。
Gibbieobeyed，andgettingundertheGordontartan，layandlookedout，likeaweaselfromitshole，athisfather’sback。ForhalfanhourorsoSirGeorgewentondrinking。Allatoncehestartedtohisfeet，andturningtowardsthebedawhitefacedistortedwithagony，kneeleddownontheboxandgroanedout：
“OGod，thepainso’hellhaegottenhaudupo’me。OLord，I’mi’
thegrupo’Sawtan。Thedeevilo’drinkhasmebythehause。I
doobt，OLord，ye’regauin’todamnmedreidfu’。Whatguidthat’lldoye，OLord，Idinnaken，butIdoobtnaye’lldeewhat’sricht，onlyIwussIhednevercrossedyei’yerwull。IkennawhatI’mtodee，orwhat’stobedeenewi’me，orwhauronyhelp’stocomefrae。
Ihaetriedan’triedtomaisterthedrink，butIwasayewhumled。
Foryesee，Lord，kennin’a’thingasyedee，’atuntilIhaeadrapi’myskin，Icannaeventhink;Icannamin’thesangsIusedtosing，ortheprayersmymitherlearntmesittin’upo’herlap。
TillIhaeswallowedamou’fu’ortwa，thingsluiksaeawfu’-like’atI’mfittocutmythro’t;an’syneanceI’mbegun，there’snaemairthouchto’endeevourin’tobehaud(withhold)tillIcannadrinkadrapmair。OGod，whatgarredyemakthings’atwadmakwhusky，whanyekenneditwadmaksicabeasto’me？
Hepaused，stretcheddownhishandtothefloor，liftedthemug，anddrankahugemouthful;thenwithacoughthatsoundedapologetic，setitdown，andrecommenced：
“OLord，Idoobtthere’snaehoupforme，fortheverrarivero’thewattero’lifewadnabeguidtomewantin’adrapfraetheboatleintil’t。It’sthew’ywi’a’hiz’atdrinks。It’sno’atwe’redrunkards，Lord——owna！it’snothat，Lord;it’sonly’atwecannadeewantin’thedrink。We’resairdrinkers，Imaunconfess，butnojistdrunkards，Lord。I’mnodrunkthenoo;IkenwhatI’msayin’，an’it’ssairtrowth，butIcudnahaepraytawordtoyerlordshipgienIhadnahadajooggyortwafirst。OLord，delivermefraethepooero’Sawtan——OLord！，OLord！，Icannahelpmysel’。Dinnasen’
metotheillplace。Yelootthedeilsgangintiltheswine，latmetee。”
Withthisfrightfulpetition，hisutterancebegantogrowindistinct。Thenhefellforwarduponthebed，groaning，andhisvoicediedgraduallyaway。Gibbiehadlistenedtoallhesaid，buttheaweofhearinghisfathertalktooneunseen，madehissoulverystill，andwhenheceasedhefellasleep。
Alasforthehumansoulinhabitingadrink-fouledbrain！，Itisahumansoulstill，andwretchedinthemidstofallthatwhiskycandoforit。Fromthepitofhellitcriesout。Solongasthereisthatwhichcansin，itisaman。Andtheprayerofmiserycarriesitsownjustification，whenthesoberpetitionsoftheself-righteousandtheunkindarerejected。Hewhoforgivesnotisnotforgiven，andtheprayerofthePhariseeisasthewearybeatingofthesurfofhell，whilethecryofasouloutofitsfiresetstheheart-stringsoflovetrembling。Therearesinswhichmenmustleavebehindthem，andsinswhichtheymustcarrywiththem。
Societyscoutsthedrunkardbecauseheisloathsome，anditmattersnothingwhethersocietyberightorwrong，whileitcherishesinitsverybosomviceswhichare，totheGod-bornthingwecallthesoul，yetworsepoisons。Drunkardsandsinners，hardasitmaybeforthemtoenterintothekingdomofheaven，mustyetbeeasiertosavethanthemanwhoseposition，reputation，money，engrosshisheartandhiscare，whoseeksthepraiseofmenandnotthepraiseofGod。
WhenIammoreofaChristian，Ishallhavelearnttobesorrierforthemanwhoseendismoneyorsocialstandingthanforthedrunkard。
Butnowmyheart，recoilingfromtheone，issorefortheother——fortheagony，thehelplessness，thedegradation，thenightmarestruggle，thewrongsandcrueltiescommitted，thedutiesneglected，thesickeningruinofmindandheart。Sooften，too，thedrunkardisoriginallyastyleofmanimmeasurablynoblerthanthemoney-maker！，CompareaColeridge，SamuelTaylororHartley，with——no;thatmanhasnotyetpassedtohisaccount。Godhasinhisuniversefurnacesfortherefiningofgold，aswellasfortheburningofchaffandtaresandfruitlessbranches;and，howevertheymayhaveoffended，itistheelderbrotherwhoisthejudgeofalltheyoungerones。
Gibbiesleptsometime。Whenhewoke，itwaspitchdark，andhewasnotlyingonhisfather’sbosom，Hefeltaboutwithhishandstillhefoundhisfather’shead。Thenhegotupandtriedtorousehim，andfailingtogethimontothebed。Butinthattoohewassadlyunsuccessful：whatwiththedarknessandtheweightofhim，theresultoftheboy’sbestendeavourwas，thatSirGeorgehalfslipped，halfrolleddownuponthebox，andfromthattothefloor。
Assuredthenofhisownhelplessness，weeGibbiedraggedthemiserablebolsterfromthebed，andgotitunderhisfather’shead;
thencoveredhimwiththeplaid，andcreepingunderit，laidhimselfonhisfather’sbosom，wheresoonhesleptagain。
Hewokeverycold，andgettingup，turnedheels-over-headseveraltimestowarmhimself，butquietly，forhisfatherwasstillasleep。
Theroomwasnolongerdark，forthemoonwasshiningthroughtheskylight。Whenhehadgothimselfalittlewarmer，heturnedtohavealookathisfather。Thepalelightshonefulluponhisface，anditwasthat，Gibbiethought，whichmadehimlooksostrange。Hedartedtohim，andstaredaghast：hehadneverseenhimlooklikethatbefore，evenwhenmostdrunk！，Hethrewhimselfuponhim：hisfacewasdreadfullycold。Hepulledandshookhiminfear——hecouldnothavetoldofwhat，buthewouldnotwake。HewasgonetoseewhatGodcoulddoforhimthere，forwhomnothingmorecouldbedonehere。
ButGibbiedidnotknowanythingaboutdeath，andwentontryingtowakehim。Atlastheobservedthat，althoughhismouthwaswideopen，thebreathdidnotcomefromit。Thereuponhisheartbegantofailhim。Butwhenheliftedaneyelid，andsawwhatwasunderit，thehouserangwiththedespairingshriekofthelittleorphan。
CHAPTERVII。
THETOWN-SPARROW。
“This，too，willpass，“isaPersianword：Ishouldlikeitbetterifitwere“This，too，shallpass。”
Gibbie’sagonypassed，forGodisnottheGodofthedeadbutoftheliving。Throughtheimmortalessenceinhim，lifebecameagainlife，andheranaboutthestreetsasbefore。SomemaythinkthatweeSirGibbie——asmanynowcalledhim，someknowingthetruth，andothersinkindlymockery——wouldgetonallthebetterforthelossofsuchafather;butitwasnotso。InhisfatherhehadlosthisParadise，andwasnowacreatureexpelled。Hewasnotsomuchtobepitiedasmanyachilddismissedbysuddendecreefromahometoaschool;butthestreetsandthepeopleandtheshops，thehorsesandthedogs，eventhepenny-loavesthoughhewashungry，hadlosthalftheirpreciousdelight，whenhisfatherwasnolongerintheaccessiblebackground，theheartoftheblissfulcity。Astofoodandclothing，hedidneithermuchbetternoranyworsethanbefore：
peoplewerekindasusual，andkindnesswastoGibbietheverymilkofmotherNature。Whosethehandthatprofferedit，orwhattheformittook，hecarednomorethanastraykittencareswhetherthemilksetdowntoitbeinabluesaucerorawhite。Buthealwaysmadetherightreturn。Thefirstthingakindnessdeservesisacceptance，thenextistransmission：Gibbiegaveboth，withoutthinkingmuchabouteither。Forheneverhadtaken，andindeedneverlearnedtotake，athoughtaboutwhatheshouldeatorwhatheshoulddrink，orwherewithalheshouldbeclothed——afaultrenderinghim，intheeyesoftheeconomistofthisworld，utterlyunworthyofaplaceinit。Thereisaworld，however，andoneprettycloselymixedupwiththis，thoughitnevershowsitselftoonewhohasnoplaceinit，thebirdsofwhoseairhaveneitherstorehousenorbarn，butarejustsuchthoughtlesscherubs——thoughtlessforthemselves，thatis——asweeSirGibbie。Itwouldbeuselesstoattemptconvincingthemereeconomistthatthisgreatcitywasalittlebetter，alittlehappier，alittlemerrier，forthepresenceinitofthechild，becausehewouldnot，evenifconvincedofthefact，recognizethegain;butIventuretheassertiontohim，thattheconductofnotoneofitsinhabitantswastheworsefortheexampleofGibbie’sapparentidleness;andthatnotoneofthepoorwomenwhonowandthenpresentedthesmallbaronetwithapenny，orabitofbread，orascrapofmeat，orapairofoldtrousers——shoesnobodygavehim，andheneitherdesirednorneededany——everfeltthepoorerforthegift，orcomplainedthatsheshouldbesotaxed。
Positivelyornegatively，then，everybodywasgoodtohim，andGibbiefeltit;butwhatcouldmakeupforthelossofhisParadise，thebosomofafather？，Drunkenfatherashewas，Iknowofnothingthatcanoroughttomakeupforsuchaloss，exceptthatwhichcanrestoreit——thebosomoftheFatheroffathers。
Heroamedthestreets，asallhislifebefore，thewholeoftheday，andpartofthenight;hetookwhatwasgivenhim，andpickedupwhathefound。Thereweresomewhowouldgladlyhavebroughthimwithintheboundsofanorderedlife;hesoondrovethemtodespair，however，forthestreetshadbeenhisnursery，andnothingcouldkeephimoutofthem。Butthesparrowandtherookarejustasrespectableinreality，thoughnotintheeyesofthehen-wife，astheegg-layingfowl，orthedirt-gobblingduck;and，howeverGibbie’shabitsmightshocktheladiesofMr。Sclater’scongregationwhosoughttocivilizehim，theboywasnomoreaboutmischiefinthestreetsatmidnight，thantheywereintheirbeds。Theycollectedenoughforhisbehooftoboardhimforayearwithanoldwomanwhokeptaschool，andtheydidgethimtosleeponenightinherhouse。Butinthemorning，whenshewouldnotlethimrunout，broughthimintotheschool-room，herkitchen，andbegantoteachhimtowrite，Gibbiefailedtoseethegoodofit。Hemusthavespace，change，adventure，air，orlifewasnotworththenametohim。Aboveallhemustseefriendlyfaces，andthatoftheolddamewasnotsuch。Buthedesiredtobefriendlywithher，andonce，assheleanedoverhim，putuphishand——notaverycleanone，Iamboundtogivehertheadvantageofmyconfessing——tostrokehercheek：shepushedhimroughlyaway，roseinindignationuponhercrutch，andliftedhercanetochastisehimfortheinsult。Aclassofurchins，toGibbie’seyesatleastlookingunhappy，wereatthemomentblunderingthroughthetwenty-thirdpsalm。Everafter，evenwhennowSirGilbertmorethanunderstoodthegreatsong，thewords，“thyrodandthystaff，“likethespellofanecromancerwouldstillcallupthefigureofthedameirate，inherhornspectaclesandherblack-ribbonedcap，leaningwithonearmonhercrutch，andwiththeotherupliftingwhatwaswithhernomeresymbolofauthority。Likeashellfromamortar，hedepartedfromthehouse。Shehobbledtothedoorafterhim，buthisdiminutivefiguremanyyardsaway，hislittlebarelegsmistywithswiftnessasheran，wasthelastsheeversawofhim，andherpupilshadabadtimeofittherestoftheday。Heneverevenenteredthestreetagaininwhichshelived。
Thus，afteronenight’sbriefintervalofrespectability，hewasagainaroverofthecity，aflittinginsectthatlightedhereandthere，andspreadwingsofdeparturethemomentafreshdesireawoke。
Itwouldbedifficulttosaywhereheslept。Insummeranywhere;inwinterwherehecouldfindwarmth。Likeanimalsbettercladthanhe，yetlikehimabletoendurecold，herevelledinmereheatwhenhecouldcomebyit。Sometimeshestoodatthebackofabaker’soven，forheknewallthehauntsofheataboutthecity;sometimesheburiedhimselfinthesids(husksofoats)lyingreadytofeedthekilnofameal-mill;sometimeshelaybythefurnaceofthesteam-engineofthewater-works。Onemanemployedthere，whenhistimewasatnight，alwaysmadeabedforGibbie：hehadlosthisownonlychild，andthisoneofnobody’swasacomforttohim。
Eventhosewholookeduponwanderingaswicked，onlyscoldedintothesweetupturnedface，pouringgallintoacupofwinetoofulltoreceiveadropofit——anddidnothandhimovertothepolice。
Uselessverilythatwouldhavebeen，forthepolicewouldassoonhavethoughtoftakingupatownsparrowasGibbie，andwouldonlyhavelaughedattheidea。TheyknewGibbie’smeritsbetterthananyofthosegoodpeopleimaginedhisfaults。ItrequireseitherwisdomorlargeexperiencetoknowthatachildisnotnecessarilywickedevenifbornandbroughtupinafarvilerentouragethanwasGibbie。
Themeritsthepolicerecognizedinhimweremainlytwo——neitherofsmallconsequenceintheireyes;thefirst，thenegative，yetmoreimportantone，thatofutterharmlessness;thesecond，andpositiveone——apassionandpowerforrenderinghelp，takingnotableshapechieflyintwoways，uponbothofwhichIhavealreadymorethantouched。Thefirstwasthepeculiarfacultynowprettygenerallyknown——hisgreatgift，some，hisgreatluck，otherscalledit——forfindingthingslost。Itwasnowonderthetowncrierhadsoughthisacquaintance，andwhensecured，hadcultivatedit——neitheradifficulttask;fortheboy，eversincehecouldremember，hadbeeninthehabit，asoftenashesawthecrier，orheardhistuckofdruminthedistance，ofjoininghimandfollowing，untilhehadacquaintedhimselfwithallparticularsconcerningeverythingproclaimedasmissing。Themomenthehadmasteredthefactsannounced，hewoulddartawaytosearch，andnotunfrequentlytoreturnwiththethingsought。Butitwasnotbyanymeansonlythingssoughtthathefound。Hecontinuedtocomeuponthingsofwhichhehadnosimulacruminhisphantasy。These，havingnolongerafathertocarrythemto，henow，theirownersunknown，tooktothecrier，whoalwayspretendedtoreceivethemwithasuspicionwhichGibbieunderstoodaslittleastheotherreallyfelt，andatonceadvertisedthembydrumandcry。Whatbecameofthemafterthat，Gibbieneverknew。Iftheydidnotfindtheirowners，neitherdidtheyfindtheirwaybacktoGibbie;iftheirownerswerefound，thecriernevercommunicatedwithhimonthesubject。PlainlyheregardedGibbieasthefavouredjackal，whoseprivilegeitwastohuntforthecrier，theroyallionofthecityforest。Buthespokekindlytohim，aswellhemight，andnowandthengavehimapenny。
ThesecondofthepositivemeritsbywhichGibbiefoundacceptanceintheeyesofthepolice，wasayetmorepeculiarone，growingoutofhisloveforhisfather，andhisexperienceintheexerciseofthatlove。Itwas，however，unintelligibletothem，andsoremained，exceptonthetheorycommonlyadoptedwithregardtoGibbie，namely，thathewasnaa’there。Notthelesswasittothemasatisfactorywhimofhis，seeingitmitigatedtheirtroubleasguardiansofthenightlypeaceandsafety。Itwasindeedthemaincauseofhisbeing，likethemselves，somuchinthestreetatnight：
seldomdidGibbieseekhislair——Icannotcallitcouch——beforethelengtheninghoursofthemorning。Ifthefinding，ofthingswasagift，thisotherpeculiaritywasapassion——andarighthumanpassion——absolutelypossessingthechild：itwas，toplaytheguardianangeltodrunkfolk。Ifsuchadistressedhumancrafthoveinsight，hewouldinstantlybeardownuponandhoverabouthim，untilresolvedastohisrealcondition。Ifhewasinsuchdistressastorequireassistance，heneverlefthimtillhesawhimsafewithinhisowndoor。ThepoliceassertedthatweeSirGibbienotonlykneweverydrunkardinthecity，andwherehelived，butwherehegenerallygotdrunkaswell。Thatonewasinnodangeroftakingthewrongturning，uponwhomGibbiewasinattendance，todetermine，byashoveonthissideorthat，thedirectioninwhichthehesitating，uncertainmassofstultifiedhumanitywastogo。Heseemedavisibleembodimentofthatspecialprovidencewhichissaidtowatchoverdrunkpeopleandchildren，onlyhereachildwastheguardianofthedrunkard，andinthisbranchofhismission，waswellknowntoallwho，withoutqualifyingthemselvesforcomingunderhischerubiccognizance，wereinthehabitofnowandthenreturninghomelate。Hewasleastknowntothosetowhomherenderedmostassistance。Rarelyhadhethanksforit，neverhalfpence，butnotunfrequentlyblowsandabuse。Forthelasthecarednothing;theformer，owingtohisgreatagility，seldomvisitedhimwithanydirectness。Acertainreporterofhumorousscandal，afterhisthirdtumbler，wouldoccasionallygiveagraphicdescriptionofwhat，comingfromasupper-party，heoncesawabouttwoo’clockinthemorning。Inthegreatstreetofthecity，heoverhauledahugegalleon，whichproved，hedeclared，tobetheprovosthimself，notexactlywater-logged，andyetnotverybuoyant，butcarryingagooddealofsail。Hemightpossiblyhaveescapedveryparticularnotice，hesaid，butfortheassiduousattendanceuponhimofanabsurdlittlecock-boat，inthepersonofweeGibbie——thetworemindinghimrightludicrouslyofthestoryoftheSpanishArmada。Roundandroundthebulkyprovostgyratedthetinybaronet，likealittleheroofthering，pitchingintohim，onlywithopen-handedpushes，notwithblows，nowonthissideandnowonthat——notaftersuchfashionofsustentationasmighthavesufficedwithamanofordinarysize，butthrowingallhisforcenowagainsttheprovost’sbulgingbows，nowagainsthisover-leaningquarter，encounteringhimnowashelurched，nowasheheeled，untilatlengthhelandedhimhigh，thoughcertainlynotdry，onthetopofhisownsteps。Themomentthebutleropenedthedoor，andtheheavyhulkrolledintodock，Gibbiedartedoffasifhehadbeenthewickedonetormentingtherighteous，andindangerofbeingcaughtbyapairofholytongs。Whetherthetalewastrueornot，Idonotknow：withafter-dinnerhumouriststhereisreasonforcaution。
Gibbiewasnotofferedthepostofhenchmantotheprovost，andrarelycouldhavehadthechanceofclaimingsalvageforsodistinguishedavessel，seeinghegenerallycruisedinwaterswheresuchcraftseldomsailed。ThoughalmostnothingcouldnowhaveinducedhimtogodownJinkLane，yetaboutthetimethecompanyatMistressCroale’swouldbebreakingup，hewouldonmostnightsbelyinginwaitashortdistancedowntheWiddiehill，readytoministertothatoneofhisfather’soldcomradeswhomightprovemostinneedofhisassistance;andifheshowedhimnogratitude，Gibbiehadnotbeentrainedinaschoolwherehewastaughttoexpectoreventowishforany。
Icouldnowgiveawholechaptertothesettingforthofthepleasuresthesummerbroughthim，citysummerasitwas，butImustcontentmyselfwithsayingthatfirstofthese，andnotleast，wasthemereabsenceofthecoldoftheotherseasons，bringingwithitmanyprivileges。Hecouldliedownanywhereandsleepwhenhewould;orspend，ifhepleased，wholenightsawake，inachurchyard，oronthedeckofsomevesseldischarginghercargoatthequay，orrunningaboutthestill，sleepingstreets。Thushegottoknowtheshapesofsomeoftheconstellations，andnotafewoftheaspectsoftheheavens。Buteventhenheneverfeltalone，forhegazedatthevastfromthemidstofacityfulofhisfellows。Thentherewerethescentsofthelaylocksandtherosesandthecarnationsandthesweet-peas，thatcamefloatingoutfromthegardens，contendingsometimeswiththoseofthegrocers’andchemists’shops。Nowandthentoohecameinforasmallfeedofstrawberries，whichwereveryplentifulintheirseason。Sittingthenonahospitabledoorstep，withthefeetandfacesoffriendspassinghiminbothdirections，andloveembodiedinthewarmthofsummerallabouthim，hewouldeathisstrawberries，andinherittheearth。
CHAPTERVIII。
SAMBO。
NoonewassosorryforthedeathofSirGeorge，orhadsomanykindwordstosayinmemoryofhim，asMistressCroale。Neitherwashersorrowonlybecauseshehadlostsogoodacustomer，orevenbecauseshehadlikedtheman：Ibelieveitwasmuchenhancedbyavaguedoubtthatafterallshewastoblameforhisdeath。Invainshesaidtoherself，andsaidtruly，thatitwouldhavebeenfarworseforhim，andGibbietoo，hadhegoneelsewhereforhisdrink;shecouldnotgettheaccountsettledwithherconscience。Shetriedtorelieveherselfbybeingkinderthanbeforetotheboy;butshewasgreatlyhinderedinthisbythefactthat，afterhisfather’sdeath，shecouldnotgethiminsideherdoor。Thathisfatherwasnotthere——wouldnotbethereatnight，madetheplacedreadfultohim。
Thisadditiontothetroubleofmindshealreadyhadonaccountofthenatureofherbusiness，wasthecause，Ibelieve，why，afterSirGeorge’sdeath，shewentdownthehillwithacceleratedspeed。Shesippedmorefrequentlyfromherownbottle，sooncameto“tastingwith“hercustomers，andafterthatherdescentwasrapid。Shenolongerrefuseddrinktowomen，thoughforatimeshealwaysgaveitunderprotest;shewinkedatcard-playing;shegrewgenerallymorelaxinheradministration;andbydegreesamistofevilfamebegantogatheraboutherhouse。Thereuponherenemy，assheconsideredhim，theRev。ClementSclater，felthimselfjustifiedinmovingmoreenergeticallyforthewithdrawalofherlicense，which，withthesupportofoutragedneighbours，hefoundnodifficultyineffecting。
Shethereforeflittedtoanotherparish，andopenedaworsehouseinaworseregionofthecity——ontheriver-bank，namely，somelittledistanceabovethequay，nottoofartobewithineasyrangeofsailors，andthepeopleemployedaboutthevesselsloadingordischargingcargo。Itpretendedtobeonlyalodging-house，andhadnolicenseforthesaleofstrongdrink，butnevertheless，onewayandanother，agreatdealwasdrunkinthehouse，and，asalwayscard-playing，andsometimesworsethingsweregoingon，gettingmorevigorouseverasthedaylightwaned，frequentquarrelsandoccasionalbloodshedwastheconsequence。Forsometime，however，nothingveryseriousbroughttheplaceimmediatelywithintheconsciouskenofthemagistrates。
Inthesecondwinterafterhisfather’sdeath，Gibbie，wanderingeverywhereaboutthecity，encounteredLuckyCroaleintheneighbourhoodofhernewabode;downthereshewasMistressnolonger，but，withafamiliarityscarcelyremovedfromcontempt，wasbothmentionedandaddressedasLuckyCroale。TherepugnancewhichhadhithertokeptGibbiefromherhavingbeenaltogethertoherplaceandnottoherself，heatonceaccompaniedherhome，andafterthatwentoftentothehouse。Hewasconsiderablysurprisedwhenfirstheheardwordsfromhermouthforusingwhichshehadformerlybeeninthehabitofseverelyreprovingherguests;buthealwaystookthingsashefoundthem，andwhenerelonghehadtohearsuchoccasionallyaddressedtohimself，whenshehappenedtobemoreoutoftemperthanusual，heneverthereforequestionedherfriendship。
Whatmorethananythingelseattractedhimtoherhouse，however，wasthejollymannersandopen-heartedkindnessofmostofthesailorswhofrequentedit，withalmostallofwhomhewasafavourite;anditsooncameaboutthat，whenhisministrationstotheincapablewereover，hewouldspendtherestofthenightmorefrequentlytherethananywhereelse;untilatlasthegaveup，inagreatmeasure，hisguardianshipofthedrunkinthestreetsforthatofthosewhowerecertainlyinmuchmoredangerofmishapatLuckyCroale’s。Scarcelyanightpassedwhenhewasnotpresentatoneormoreofthequarrelsofwhichtheplacewasahot-bed;andasheneverbyanychancetookapart，orfavouredonesidemorethananother，butconfinedhimselftoanimpartialdistributionofsuchpeace-makingblandishmentsastheever-springingfountainofhisaffectiontookinstinctiveshapein，theweebaronetcametoberegarded，bythebettersortoftheroughfellows，almostastheveryidenticalsweetlittlecherub，sittingperchedupaloft，whosedepartmentinthesavingbusinessoftheuniverseitwas，totakecareofthelifeofpoorJack。Idonotsaythathewasalwayssuccessfulinhisendeavoursatatonement，butbeyondadoubtLuckyCroale’shouffwasagooddeallessofahellthroughthehauntingpresenceofthechild。Hewasnotshockedbythethingshesaw，evenwhenhelikedthemleast。Heregardedthedoingofthemmuchashehadlookeduponhisfather’sdrunkenness——asapitifulnecessitythatovertookmen——onefromwhichtherewasnoescape，andwhichcausedagreatneedforGibbies。Evillanguageandcoarsebehaviouralikepassedoverhim，withoutleavingthesmalleststainuponheartorconscience，desireorwill。Noonecoulddoubtitwhoconsideredtheclarityofhisfaceandeyes，inwhichtheoccasionalbutnotfrequentexpressionofkeennessandpromptitudescarcelyevenruffledtheprevailinglookofuncloudedheavenlybabyhood。
IfanyonethinksIamunfaithfultohumanfact，andoverchargethedescriptionofthischild，Ionmysidedoubttheextentoftheexperienceofthatmanorwoman。Iadmitthechildararity，butararityintherightdirection，andthereforeabeingwithwhomhumanityhasthegreaterneedtobemadeacquainted。Iadmitthatthebestthingsarethecommonest，butthehighesttypesandthebestcombinationsofthemaretherarest。Thereismoreloveintheworldthananythingelse，forinstance;butthebestloveandtheindividualinwhomloveissupremearetherarestofallthings。
Thatforwhichhumanityhasthestrongestclaimuponitsworkmen，istherepresentationofitsownbest;buttheloudestdemandofthepresentdayisfortherepresentationofthatgradeofhumanityofwhichmenseethemost——thattypeofthingswhichcouldneverhavebeenbutthatitmightpass。Thedemandmarksthecommonness，narrowness，low-levelledsatisfactionoftheage。Itlovesitsown——notthatwhichmightbe，andoughttobeitsown——notitsbetterself，infinitelyhigherthanitspresent，forthesakeofwhoseapproachitexists。Idonotthinkthattheageisworseinthisrespectthanthosewhichhaveprecededit，butthatvulgarity，andacertainvilecontentmentswellingtoself-admiration，havebecomemorevocalthanhitherto;justasunbelief，whichIthinkinrealitylessprevailingthaninformerages，hasbecomelargelymorearticulate，andtherebymoreloudandperemptory。Butwhateverthedemandoftheage，Iinsistthatthatwhichoughttobepresentedtoitsbeholding，isthecommongooduncommonlydeveloped，andthatnotbecauseofitsrarity，butbecauseitistruertohumanity。ShallI
admitthoseconditions，thosefacts，tobetrueexponentsofhumanity，which，excepttheybechanged，purified，orabandoned，mustsooncausethathumanitytoceasefromitsveryname，mustdestroyitsverybeing？，Tomaketheadmissionwouldbetoassertthatahousemaybedividedagainstitself，andyetstand。Itisthenoble，notthefailurefromthenoble，thatisthetruehuman;
andifImustshowthefailure，letiteverbewithaneyetothefinalpossible，yea，imperative，success。Butinourday，amanwhowillacceptanyoddityofidiosyncraticdevelopmentinmanners，tastes，orhabits，willrefuse，notonlyasimprobable，butasinconsistentwithhumannature，therepresentationofamantryingtobemerelyasnobleasisabsolutelyessentialtohisbeing——except，indeed，hebeatthesametimerepresentedasfailingutterlyintheattempt，andcompelledtofallbackupontheimperfectionsofhumanity，andacknowledgethemasitslaws。Itsimprobability，judgedbytheexperienceofmostmenIadmit;itsunrealityinfactIdeny;anditsabsoluteunitywiththetrueideaofhumanity，Ibelieveandassert。
Itishardlynecessaryformenowtoremark，seeingmynarrativemustalreadyhavesuggestedit，thatwhatkeptGibbiepureandhonestwastherarely-developed，ever-activeloveofhiskind。Thehumanfacewastheoneattractiontohimintheuniverse。Indeepfact，itissotoeveryone;Istatebutthecommonestrealityincreation;onlyinGibbiethefacthadcometothesurface;thecommonthingwashisinuncommondegreeandpotency。Gibbieknewnomusicexceptthevoiceofmanandwoman;atleastnootherhadasyetaffectedhim。Tobesurehehadneverheardmuch。Drunkensea-songsheheardeverynightalmost;andnowandthenonSundaysheranthroughazoneofpsalm-singing;butneitherofthosecouldwellbecalledmusic。Therehungacagedbirdhereandthereatadoorinthepoorerstreets;butGibbie’sloveembracedthelowercreationalso，andtootenderlyfortheenjoymentofitsmelody。
Thehumanbirdlovedlibertytoodearlytogatheranythingbutpainfromthesongofthelittlefeatheredbrotherwhohadlostit，andtowhomhecouldnotministerastothedrunkard。Ingeneralheranfromthepresenceofsuchaprisoner。ButsometimeshewouldstopandtrytocomfortthenakedlittleFreedom，disrobedofitsspace;
andononeoccasionwascaughtintheveryactofdeliveringacanarythathungoutsidealittleshop。AnyotherthanweeGibbiewouldhavebeenheartilycuffedfortheoffence，buttheownerofthebirdonlysmiledatthewould-beliberator，andhungthecageacoupleoffeethigheronthewall。Withsuchapassionofaffection，then，findingventinconstantaction，isitanywonderGibbie’sheartandhandsshouldbetoofullforeviltooccupythemevenalittle？
Onenightinthespring，enteringLuckyCroale’scommonroom，hesawthereforthefirsttimeanegrosailor，whomtherestcalledSambo，andwasatoncetakenwithhisbig，dark，radianteyes，andhiswhiteteethcontinuallyuncoveringthemselvesingood-humouredsmiles。Sambohadleftthevesselinwhichhehadarrived，waswaitingforanother，andhadtakenuphisquartersatLuckyCroale’s。Gibbie’sadvanceshemetinstantly，andinafewdaysastrongmutualaffectionhadsprungupbetweenthem。ToGibbieSambospeedilybecameabsolutelylovingandtender，andGibbiemadehimfullreturnofdevotion。
Thenegrowasamanofimmensemuscularpower，likenotafewofhisrace，and，likemostofthem，noteasilyprovoked，inheritingnotalittleoftheirhard-learnedlong-suffering。Heboreevenwiththosewhotreatedhimwithfarworsethantheordinarysuperciliousnessofwhitetoblack;andwhentherudestofcityboysmockedhim，onlyshowedhisteethbywayofsmile。Theill-conditionedamongLuckyCroale’scustomersandlodgerswereconstantlytakingadvantageofhisgoodnature，andpresuminguponhisforbearance;butsolongastheyconfinedthemselvestomereinsolence，orevenbare-facedcheating，heenduredwithmarvelloustemper。Itwaspossible，however，togotoofarevenwithhim。
OnenightSambowaslookingonatagameofcards，inwhichalltherestintheroomwereengaged。Happeningtolaughatsometurnittook，oneofthem，aMalay，whowaslosing，wasoffended，andabusedhim。Othersobjectedtohishavingfunwithoutriskingmoney，andrequiredhimtojoininthegame。Thisforsomereasonorotherhedeclined，andwhenthewholepartyatlengthinsisted，positivelyrefused。Thereupontheyalltookumbrage，nordidmostofthemmakemanystepsoftheascentfromdispleasuretoindignation，wrath，revenge;andthenensuedarow。Gibbiehadbeensittingallthetimeonhisfriend’sknee，everynowandthenstrokinghisblackface，inwhich，asinsultfollowedinsult，thesunnybloodkeptslowlyrising，makingtheballsofhiseyesandhisteethlookstillwhiter。AtlengthasavagefromGreenockthrewatumblerathim。
Sambo，quickasalizard，coveredhisfacewithhisarm。Thetumblerfallingfromit，struckGibbieonthehead——notseverely，buthardenoughtomakehimutteralittlecry。Atthatsound，thelatentfiercenesscamewideawakeinSambo。GentlyasanursingmotherhesetGibbiedowninacornerbehindhim，thenwithonerushsenteveryJackofthecompanysprawlingonthefloor，withthetableandbottlesandglassesatopofthem。Atthevisionoftheirplighthisgoodhumourinstantlyreturned，heburstintoagreatheartylaugh，andproceededatoncetoliftthetablefromoffthem。
Thateffected，hecaughtupGibbieinhisarms，andcarriedhimwithhimtobed。
InthemiddleofthenightGibbiehalfwoke，and，findinghimselfalone，soughthisfather’sbosom;then，intheconfusionbetweensleepingandwaking，imaginedhisfather’sdeathcomeagain。
PresentlyheremembereditwasinSambo’sarmshefellasleep，butwherehewasnowhecouldnottell：certainlyhewasnotinbed。
Groping，hepushedadoor，andaglimmeroflightcamein。HewasinaclosetoftheroominwhichSamboslept——andsomethingwastodoabouthisbed。Herosesoftlyandpeepedout，Therestoodseveralmen，andastrugglewasgoingon——nearlynoiseless。Gibbiewashalf-dazed，andcouldnotunderstand;buthehadlittleanxietyaboutSambo，inwhoseprowesshehadatriumphantconfidence。
Suddenlycamethesoundofagreatgush，andthegrouppartedfromthebedandvanished。Gibbiedartedtowardsit。Thewords，“OLordJesus！”cametohisears，andheheardnomore：theywerepoorSambo’slastinthisworld。Thelightofastreetlampfelluponthebed：thebloodwaswelling，ingreatthickthrobs，outofhishugeblackthroat。Theyhadbenthisheadback，andthegashgapedwide。
ForsomemomentsGibbiestoodinghastlyterror。Nosoundexceptalowgurglecametohisears，andthehorrorofthestillnessovermasteredhim。Henevercouldrecallwhatcamenext。Whenheknewhimselfagain，hewasinthestreet，runninglikethewind，heknewnotwhither。Itwasnotthathedreadedanyhurttohimself;
horror，notfear，wasbehindhim。
Hisnextrecollectionofhimselfwasinthefirstofthemorning，ontheloftychain-bridgeovertheriverDaur。Beforehimlayheknewnotwhat，onlyescapefromwhatwasbehind。Hisfaithinmenseemedruined。Thecity，hishome，wasfrightfultohim。Quarrelsandcursesandblowshehadbeenusedto，andamidstthemlifecouldbelived。Ifhedidnotconsciouslyweavethemintohistheories，heunconsciouslywrappedthemupinhisconfidence，andwasatpeace。
Butthelastnighthadrevealedsomethingunknownbefore。Itwasasifthedarknesshadbeencloven，andthroughtheclefthesawintohell。Athinghadbeendonethatcouldnotbeundone，andhethoughtitmustbewhatpeoplecalledmurder。AndSambowassuchagoodman！，HewasalmostasgoodamanasGibbie’sfather，andnowhewouldnotbreatheanymore！，WashegonewhereGibbie’sfatherwasgone？，Wasitthegoodmenthatstoppedbreathingandgrewcold？
ButitwasthosewickedmenthathaddeadedSambo！，Andwiththathisfirstvagueperceptionofevilandwrongintheworldbegantodawn。
Heliftedhisheadfromgazingdownonthedarkriver。Amanwasapproachingthebridge。Hecamefromtheawfulcity！，Perhapshewantedhim！，Hefledalongthebridgelikealow-flyingwater-bird。
Ifanothermanhadappearedattheotherend，hewouldhavegotthroughbetweentherods，andthrownhimselfintotheriver。Buttherewasnoonetoopposehisescape;andafterfollowingtheroadalittlewayuptheriver，heturnedasideintoathicketofshrubsonthenearlyprecipitousbank，andsatdowntorecoverthebreathhehadlostmorefromdismaythanexertion。
Thelightgrew。Allatoncehedescried，fardowntheriver，thesteeplesofthecity。Alas！alas！therelaypoorblackSambo，sodeartoweeSirGibbie，motionlessandcoveredwithblood！，Hehadtworedmouthsnow，butwasnotabletospeakawordwitheither！
Theywouldcarryhimtoachurchyardandlayhiminaholetoliethereforeverandever。WouldallthegoodpeoplebelaidintoholesandleaveGibbiequitealone？，Sittingandbroodingthus，hefellintoadreamystate，inwhich，brokenly，fromhereandthere，picturesofhisformerlifegrewoutuponhismemory。Suddenly，plainerthanalltherest，camethelasttimehestoodunderMistressCroale’swindow，waitingtohelphisfatherhome。Thesameinstant，backtotheearofhismindcamehisfather’stwowords，ashehadheardthemthroughthewindow——“UpDaurside。”
“UpDaurside！”——HerehewasuponDaurside——alittlewayuptoo：hewouldgofartherup。Heroseandwenton，whilethegreatriverkeptflowingtheotherway，darkandterrible，downtotheverydoorinsidewhichlaySambowiththehugegapeinhisbigthroat。
Meantimethemurdercametotheknowledgeofthepolice，MistressCroaleherselfgivingtheinformation，andallinthehousewerearrested。Inthecourseoftheirexamination，itcameoutthatweeSirGibbiehadgonetobedwiththemurderedman，andwasnownowheretobefound。Eithertheyhadmurderedhimtoo，orcarriedhimoff。Thenewsspread，andthewholecitywasincommotionabouthisfate。ItwascredibleenoughthatpersonscapableofcommittingsuchacrimeonsuchaninoffensivepersonasthetestimonyshowedpoorSambo，wouldbecapablealsoofthrowingthelifeofachildafterthatofthemantoprotecttheirown。Thecitywassearchedfromendtoend，fromsidetoside，andfromcellartogarret。Notatraceofhimwastobefound——butindeedGibbiehadalwaysbeeneasiertofindthantotrace，forhehadnobelongingsofanysorttobetrayhim。Noonedreamedofhishavingfledstraighttothecountry，andsearchwasconfinedtothecity。
Themurdererswereatlengthdiscovered，tried，andexecuted。Theyprotestedtheirinnocencewithregardtothechild，andthereinnothingappearedagainstthembeyondthefactthathewasmissing。
Theresult，sofarasconcernedGibbie，was，thatthetalkofthecity，wherealmosteveryoneknewhim，wasturned，inhisabsence，uponhishistory;andfromtheconfusedmassofhearsaythatreachedhim，Mr。Sclatersethimselftodiscoverandverifythefacts。ForthispurposeheburrowedaboutintheneighbourhoodsGibbiehadchieflyfrequented，andwassofarsuccessfulastosatisfyhimselfthatGibbie，ifhewasalive，wasSirGilbertGalbraith，Baronet;
buthisownlawyerwasabletoassurehimthatnotaninchofpropertyremainedanywhereattachedtothetitle。Therewereindeedrelationsoftheboy’smother，whowereofsomesmallconsequenceinaneighbouringcounty，alsooneinbusinessinGlasgow，oritsneighbourhood，reportedwealthy;butthesehadentirelydisownedherbecauseofhermarriage。AllMr。Sclaterdiscoveredbesideswas，inalumber-roomnextthegarretinwhichSirGeorgedied，aboxofpapers——aglanceatwhosecontentsshowedthattheymustatleastproveagreatdealofwhichhewasalreadycertainfromothersources。Afewofthemhadtodowiththehouseinwhichtheywerefound，stillknownastheAuldHooseo’Galbraith;butmostofthemreferredtopropertyinland，andmanywereofancientdate。Ifthepropertywereinthehandsofdescendantsoftheoriginalstock，thepaperswouldbeofvalueintheireyes;and，inanycase，itwouldbewelltoseetotheirsafety。Mr。Sclaterthereforehadthechestremovedtothegarretofthemanse，whereitstoodthereafter，littleregarded，butabletoanswerformorethanitself。
CHAPTERIX。
ADRIFT。
Gibbiewasnowwithoutahome。Hehadhadawholecityforhisdwelling，everystreetofwhichhadbeentohimasanotherhallinhisownhouse，everylaneasapassagefromonesetofroomstoanother，everycourtasacloset，everyhouseasasafe，guardingtheonlypossessionshehad，theonlypossessionsheknewhowtovalue——hisfellow-mortals，radiantwithfaces，andfriendlywithhandsandtongues。Greataswashisdelightinfreedom，adelightherevelledinfrommorningtonight，andsometimesfromnighttomorning，hehadneverhadanotionofitthatreachedbeyondthecity，heneverlongedforlargerspace，forwideroutlook。Spaceandoutlookhehadskyward——andseawardwhenhewould，butevenintotheseregionshehadneveryetdesiredtogo。Hisworldwastheworldofmen;thepresenceofmanywashisgreaterroom;hispeoplethemselveswerehisworld。Hehadnoideaoffreedomindissociationwithhumanfacesandvoicesandeyes。Butnowhehadleftallthese，andasheranfromthemaredpallseemedsettlingdownbehindhim，wrappingupandhidingawayhiscountry，hishome。
Forthefirsttimeinhislife，thefatherless，motherless，brotherless，sisterlessstrayofthestreetsfelthimselfalone。
Thesensationwasanawfulone。Hehadlostsomany，andhadnotoneleft！，ThatgashinSambo’sblackthroathadslain“awholecityful。”，Hislonelinessgrewuponhim，untilagainhedartedasidefromtheroadintothebush，thistimetohidefromtheSpectreoftheDesert——theNoMan。Deprivedofhumancountenances，thefaceofcreationwasamaskwithouteyes，andlibertyamerenegation。NotthatGibbiehadeverthoughtaboutliberty;hehadonlyenjoyed：notthathehadeverthoughtabouthumanfaces;hehadonlylovedthem，andlivedupontheirsmiles。“Gibbiewadnaneedtogangtoh’aven，“
saidMysie，thebaker’sdaughter，tohermother，onenight，astheywalkedhomefromamerry-making。“Whatforthat，lassie？”returnedhermother。“Causehewadbemeeserablewhaurtherewasnaedrunkfowk，“answeredMysie。Andnowitseemedtothepoor，shocked，heart-woundedcreature，asifthehumanfacewerejusttheonethinghecouldnomorelookupon。Onehauntedhim，theblackone，withthewhite，staringeyes，themouthinitsthroat，andthewhitegrinningteeth。
Itwasacold，freshmorning，cloudyandchangeful，towardstheendofApril。Ithadrained，andwouldrainagain;itmightsnow。
Heavyundefinedclouds，withsaffronbreaksandborders，hungabouttheeast，butwhatwasgoingtohappenthere——atleasthedidnotthink;hedidnotknoweastfromwest，andIdoubtwhether，althoughhehadoftenseenthesunset，hehadeverseenhimrise。Yeteventohim，city-creatureashewas，itwasplainsomethingwasgoingtohappenthere。Andhappenitdidpresently，andthatwithasplendourthatforamomentblindedGibbie。Forjustatthehorizontherewasalonghorizontalslipofbluesky，andthroughthatcrackthetopmostarcoftherisingsunshotsuddenlyathousandarrowsofradianceintothebrainoftheboy。Butthetoo-muchlightscorchedthereablacknessinstantly;andtothesoulofGibbieitwastheblacknessoftheroomfromwhichhehadfled，anduponitoutcamethewhiteeyeballsandthebrilliantteethofhisdeadSambo，andtheredburstfromhisthroatthatansweredtheknifeoftheMalay。
Heshrieked，andstruckwithhishandsagainstthesunfromwhichcametheterriblevision。Hadhebeenacommonchild，hisreasonwouldhavegivenway;butoneresultoftheoverflowofhislovewas，thathehadneveryetknownfearforhimself。Hissweetconfidentface，innocenteyes，andcaressingways，hadalmostalwaysdrawnaresponsemoreorlessinkind;andthatcertainsomeshouldnotrepelhim，wasafullerresponsefromthemthangiftsfromothers。Exceptnowandthen，rarely，astreetboyalittlebiggerthanhimself，noonehadeverhurthim，andthehurtupontheseoccasionshadnotgoneverydeep，forthechildwasbraveandhardy。
Sonowitwasnotfear，butthelossofoldconfidence，asicknesscomingovertheheartandbrainofhislove，thatunnervedhim。Itwasnotthehorridcrueltytohisfriend，andhisowngrievouslossthereby，buttherecoilofhislovingendeavourthat，jarringhimoutofeverygrooveofthought，everysocketofhabit，everyjointofaction，casthimfromthecity，andmadeofhimawandererindeed，notawandererinastrangecountry，butawandererinastrangeworld。
Tonotravellercouldonelandwellbesodifferentfromanother，astoGibbiethecountrywasfromthetown。Hehadseenbushesandtreesbefore，butonlyovergardenwalls，orinoneortwoofthechurchyards。Hehadlookedfromthequayacrosstothebareshoreontheotherside，withitssandyhills，anditstalllighthouseonthetopofthegreatrocksthatborderedthesea;but，solooking，hehadbeheldspaceasonelookingfromthisworldintothefaceofthemoon，asachildlooksuponvastnessandpossibledangersfromhisnurse’sarmswhereitcannotcomenearhim;forhousesbackedthequayallalong;thecitywasbehindhim，andspreadforthherprotectingarms。Hehad，onceortwice，runoutalongthepier，whichshotfarintotheimmensityofthesea，likeacausewaytoanotherworld——astormythreadofgranite，beatenuponbothsidesbythewavesoftheGermanOcean;butitwaswiththeseaandnotthecountryhethenmadethesmallacquaintance——andthatnotwithoutterror。Theseawasasdifferentfromthecityastheairintowhichhehadlookedupatnight——toodifferenttocompareagainstitandfeelthecontrast;onneithercouldhesetfoot;inneithercouldheberequiredtoliveandact——asnowinthiswasteofenterableandperviousextent。
Itsownhorrordrovethevisionaway，andGibbiesawtheworldagain——saw，butdidnotloveit。Thesunseemedbuttohavelookeduptomockhimandgodownagain，forhehadcrossedthecrack，andwasbehindathickmassofcloud;acolddampwind，spottedwithsparklesofrain，blewfitfullyfromtheeast;thelowbushesamongwhichhesat，sentforthachillsighingallabouthim，astheysiftedthewindintosound;thesmellofthedampearthwasstrangetohim——hedidnotknowthefreshness，thenewbirthofwhichitbreathed;belowhimthegloomyriver，heredeep，smooth，moody，sullen，therepuckeredwiththegreyripplesofashallowlaughterunderthecoldbreeze，wentflowingheedlesstothecity。Thereonlywas——orhadbeen，friendliness，comfort，home！，Thiswasemptiness——theabodeofthings，notbeings。YetneveroncedidGibbiethinkofreturningtothecity。Heroseandwanderedupthewideroadalongtheriverbank，fartherandfartherfromit——hisonlyguidethewordsofhisfather，“UpDaurside;“hissolecomfortthefeelingofhavingoncemoretodowithhisfathersolongdeparted，somerelationstillwiththeparadiseofhisoldworld。
Alongcultivatedfieldsandcopsesontheoneside，andontheotherasteepdescenttotheriver，coveredhereandtherewithtrees，butmostlywithroughgrassandbushesandstones，hefollowedtheking’shighway。Therewerebuttercupsandplentyofdaisieswithinhissight——primroses，too，ontheslopebeneath;buthedidnotknowflowers，andhiswasnotnowthemoodfordiscoveringwhattheywere。Theexerciserevivedhim，andhebegantobehungry。Buthowcouldtherebeanythingtoeatinthedesert，inhospitablesuccessionoftreesandfieldsandhedges，throughwhichtheroadwoundendlesslyalong，likeadeadstreet，havingneitherhousesnorpavingstones？，Hunger，however，wasfarlessenfeeblingtoGibbiethantooneaccustomedtoregularmeals，andhewasinnoanxietyabouteitherwhenorwhatheshouldeat。
Themorningadvanced，andby-and-byhebegantomeetafellow-creaturenowandthenupontheroad;butatsightofeveryoneafeelingroseinhimsuchashehadneverhadtowardshumanbeingbefore：theyseemedsomehowofadifferentkindfromthoseinthetown，andtheydidnotlookfriendlyastheypassed。Hedidnotknowthathepresentedtothemaverydifferentcountenancefromthatwhichhisfellow-citizenshadalwaysseenhimwear;forthemingledandconflictingemotionsofhisspirithadsentoutuponitanexpressionwhich，accompaniedbythemiseryofhisgarments，mightwell，tothesuperficialorinexperiencedobserver，conveytheideathathewasafugitiveandguilty。Hewassouncomfortableatlengthfromthewaythepeoplehemetscrutinizedhimthat，whenhesawanyonecoming，hewouldinstantlyturnasideandtakethecovertofthicket，orhedge，orstonewall，untilthebearerofeyeshadpassed。Hisaccustomedtrot，whichhekeptupforseveralhours，madehimlookthemoresuspicious;buthisfeet，hardenedfromveryinfancyastheywere，soonfoundthedifferencebetweenthesmoothflagsandthesharpstonesoftheroad，andbeforenoonhewaswalkingatquiteasober，althoughstillactive，pace。Doubtlessitslackenedthesoonerthatheknewnogoal，noendtohiswandering。
UpDaursidewastheonevaguenotionhehadofhiscalling，hisdestiny，andwithhisshort，quickstep，hisprogresswasconsiderable;hepassedhouseafterhouse，farmafterfarm;but，neverinthewayofaskingforanything，thoughaslittleinthewayofrefusing，hewentnearernoneofthemthantheroadledhim。
Besides，thehouseswereveryunlikethoseinthecity，andnotatallattractivetohim。Hecameatlengthtoafield，slopingtotheroad，whichwascoveredwithleaveslikesomehehadoftenseeninthemarket。Theydrewhim;andastherewasbutalowandimperfecthedgebetween，hegotover，andfounditwasacropofsmallyellowturnips。Hegatheredasmanyashecouldcarry，andatethemashewentalong。Happilynoagriculturalpersonencounteredhimforsomedistance，thoughGibbieknewnospecialcausetocongratulatehimselfuponthat，havingnottheslightestconscienceofoffenceinwhathedid。Hisnotionsofpropertywereallassociatedwithwell-knownvisibleorneighbouringowners，andinthecityhewouldneverhavedreamedoftouchinganythingthatwasnotgivenhim，exceptitlayplainlyalostthing。Buthere，whereeverythingwassodifferent，andhesawnoneofthesignsofownershiptowhichhewasaccustomed，theideaofpropertydidnotcometohim;hereeverythinglookedlost，oronthesamecategorywiththechipsandparingsandcruststhatwerethrownoutinthecity，andbecamecommonproperty。Besides，thelovewhichhadhithertorenderedcovetousnessimpossible，hadherenoobjectwhosepresencemighthavesuggestedadoubt，tosupplyinameasurethelackofknowledge;hunger，instead，wasbusyinhisworld。Itrusttherewerefewfarmersalongtheroadwhowouldhavefoundfaultwithhimfortakingoneortwo;butnone，Isuspect，wouldhavelikedtoseehimwithalltheturnipshecouldcarry，eatingthemlikeaveryrabbit：theyweretoonearacitytolookuponsuchaspectaclewithindifference。Gibbiemadenoattempttohidehisspoil;whatevercouldhavegivenbirthtothesensethatcautionwouldbenecessary，wouldhavepreventedhimfromtakingit。Whileyetbusyhecameuponalittlegirlfeedingacowbytheroadside。Shesawhowheatetheturnips，andofferedhimabitofoatmealbannock。Hereceiveditgladly，andwithbeamingeyesofferedheraturnip。Seerefuseditwithsomeindignation。Gibbie，disappointed，butnotungrateful，resumedhistramp，eatinghisbannock。Hecamesoonaftertoalittlestreamthatranintothegreatriver。Forafewmomentsheeyeditverydoubtfully，thinkingitmust，likethekennelsalongthesidesofthestreets，befartoodirtytodrinkof;butthewayitsparkledandsang——mostunscientificreasons——soonsatisfiedhim，andhedrankandwasrefreshed。Hehadstilltwoturnipsleft，but，afterthebannock，hedidnotseemtowantthem，andstowedthemintheendsofthesleevesofhisjacket，foldedbackintogreatcuffs。
Alldaythecoldspringweathercontinued，withmoreofthepastwinterinitthanofthecomingsummer。Thesunwouldshineoutforafewmoments，withagrey，weary，oldlight，thenretreatasifhehadtried，butreallycouldnot。Oncecameaslightfallofsnow，which，however，meltedthemomentittouchedtheearth。Thewindkeptblowingcheerlesslybyfits，andtheworldseemedgrowingtiredofthesamethingoveragainsooften。Atlengththeairbegantogrowdusk：then，first，fearsofthedarkness，toGibbieutterlyunknownbefore，andonlybornoftheprecedingnight，begantomakehimawareoftheirexistenceinthehumanworld。Theyseemedtoriseupfromhislonelyheart;theyseemedtodescenduponhimoutofthethickeningair;theyseemedtocatchathisbreath，andgatherbehindhimashewent。But，happily，beforeitwasquitedark，andwhileyethecoulddistinguishbetweenobjects，hecametothegateofafarmyard;itwakedinhimthehopeoffindingsomeplacewherehecouldsleepwarmerthanintheroad，andheclamberedoverit。Nearestofthebuildingstothegate，stoodanopenshed，andhecouldseetheshaftsofcartsprojectingfromit：perhapsinoneofthosecarts，orunderit，hemightfindaplacethatwouldservehimtosleepin：hedidnotyetknowwhatfacilitiesforreposethecountryaffords。Butjustasheenteredtheshed，hespiedatthefarthercornerofit，outside，awoodenstructure，likeasmallhouse，andthroughthearcheddoorofitsawthefloorcoveredwithnice-lookingstraw。Hesuspectedittobeadog’skennel;andpresentlythechainlyingbesideit，withacollarattheend，satisfiedhimitwas。Thedogwasabsent，anditlookedaltogetherenticing！，Hecreptin，gotunderasmuchofthestrawashecouldheapoverhim，andfellfastasleep。
Inafewminutes，asitseemedtohim，hewasrousedbythegreatvoiceofadoginconversationwithaboy：theboyseemed，bythesoundofthechain，tobefasteningthecollaronthedog’sneck，andpresentlylefthim。Thedog，whichhadbeenontherampagethewholeafternoon，immediatelyturnedtocreepinandresttillsuppertime，presentingtoGibbie，whohaddrawnhimselfupatthebackofthekennel，theintelligentcountenanceofalargeNewfoundland。
NowGibbiehadbeenhonouredwiththeacquaintanceofmanydogs，andthefriendshipofmostofthem，foraloverofhumanitycanhardlyfailtobealoverofcaninity。Evenamongdogs，however，thereareungraciousindividuals，andGibbiehadonceortwicebeenbittenbyquadrupedalworshippersoftherespectable。Hence，withthesightoftheownerofthedwelling，itdawneduponhimthathemustbestartledtofindastrangerinhishouse，andmight，regardinghimasanintruderratherthanaguest，worryhimbeforehehadtimetoexplainhimself。Hedartedforwardthereforetogetout，buthadscarcelyreachedthedoor，whenthedogputinhisnose，readytofollowwithallhewasandhad。Gibbie，thereupon，beganaloudbarking，asmuchastosay——“HereIam：pleasedonothingwithoutreflection。”，Thedogstartedbackinextremeastonishment，hisearserect，andakeenlookofquestiononhissagaciousvisage：whatstrangeanimal，speakinglike，andyetsounlike，anorthodoxdog，couldhavegotintohisverychamber？
Gibbie，amusedatthedog’sfright，andassuredbyhislooksthathewasbothagood-naturedandreasonableanimal，burstintoafitofmerrylaughterasloudashispreviousbarking，andagooddealmoremusical。Thedogevidentlylikeditbetter，andtookitasachallengetoplay：afteraseriesofsharpburstsofbarking，hiseyesflashingstraightinatthedoor，andhisearsliftedupliketwoplumesonthetopofthem，hedartedintothekennel，andbeganpokinghisnoseintohisvisitor。Gibbiefelltopattingandkissingandhugginghimasifhehadbeenahuman——aswhocantellbuthewas？——gladofanycompanionthatbelongedtotheregionofthelight;andtheywerefriendsatonce。Mankindhaddisappointedhim，butherewasadog！，Gibbiewasnottheonetorefusemercieswhichyethewouldnothavebeencontenttoprayfor。Bothweretired，however，forbothhadbeenactivethatday，andafewminutesofmingledwrestlingandendearment，towhich，perhaps，thenarrownessoftheirplay-groundgaveaspeedierconclusion，contentedboth，afterwhichtheylaysidebysideinpeace，Gibbiewithhisheadonthedog’sback，andthedogeverynowandthenturninghisheadoverhisshouldertolickGibbie’sface。
Againhewaswakedbyapproachingsteps，andthesamemomentthedogdartedfromunderhim，andwithmuchrattleoutofthekennel，infrontofwhichhestoodandwhinedexpectant。Itwasnotquitedark，forthecloudshaddriftedaway，andthestarswereshining，sothat，whenheputouthishead，hewasabletoseethedimformofawomansettingdownsomethingbeforethedog——intowhichheinstantlyplungedhisnose，andbegangobbling。ThesoundstirredupallthelatenthungerinGibbie，andheleapedout，eagertohaveashare。Alargewoodenbowlwasontheground，andthehalfofitscontentsofporridgeandmilkwasalreadygone;forthepoordoghadnotyethadexperienceenoughtobeperfectinhospitality，andhadforgottenhisguest’swantsinhisown：itwasplainthat，ifGibbiewastohaveany，hemustlosenotimeinconsideringthemeans。Hadhehadalongnoseandmouthallinonelikehim，hewouldhaveplungedtheminbesidethedog’s;buttheflatnessofhismouthcausingthenecessity，inthecaseofsuchanattempt，ofbringingthewholeofhisfaceintocontactwiththefood，therewasnotroominthedishforthetwotofeedtogetherafterthesamefashion，sothathewasdriventothesoleotherpossibleexpedient，thatofmakingaspoonofhishand。Thedogneithergrowlednorpushedawaythespoon，butinstantlybegantogobbletwiceasfastasbefore，andpresentlywaslickingthebottomofthedish。Gibbie’shand，therefore，madebutfewjourneystohismouth，butwhatitcarriedhimwasgoodfood——betterthananyhehadhadthatday。Whenallwasgonehecreptagainintothekennel;thedogfollowed，andsoontheywerebothfastasleepineachother’sarmsandlegs。
Gibbiewokeatsunriseandwentout。Hishostcameafterhim，andstoodwagginghistailandlookingwistfullyupinhisface。Gibbieunderstoodhim，and，asthesolereturnhecouldmakeforhishospitality，undidhiscollar。Instantlyherushedoff，hisbackgoinglikeaserpent，clearedthegateatabound，andscouringmadlyacrossafield，vanishedfromhissight;whereuponGibbietoosetouttocontinuehisjourneyupDaurside。
Thisdaywaswarmer;thespringhadcomeastepnearer;thedoghadbeenacomfortertohim，andthehorrorhadbeguntoassuage;hebegantogrowawareofthethingsabouthim，andtoopenhiseyestothem。Oncehesawaprimroseinalittledell，andlefttheroadtolookatit。Butashewent，hesethisfootinthewaterofachalybeatespring，whichwastricklingthroughthegrass，anddyeingthegroundredaboutit：filledwithhorrorhefled，andforsometimedarednevergonearaprimrose。Andstilluponhisrighthandwasthegreatriver，flowingdowntowardsthehomehehadleft;nowthroughlowmeadows，nowthroughupshoulderedfieldsofwheatandoats，nowthroughrockyheightscoveredwiththegracefulsilver-barkedbirch，themountainash，andthefir。EverytimeGibbie，havinglostsightofitbysometurnoftheroadorsomeinterposingeminence，caughtitsgleamafresh，hisfirstfeelingwasthatitwashurryingtothecity，wherethedeadmanlay，totellwhereGibbiewas。Whyhe，whohadfrominfancydonejustashepleased，shouldnowhavebeguntodreadinterferencewithhisliberty，hecouldnothimselfhavetold。Perhapsthefearwasbuttheshadowofhisnew-bornaversiontotheplacewherehehadseenthosebest-lovedcountenanceschangesosuddenlyandterribly——ceasetosmile，butnotceasetostare。
Thatseconddayhefaredbetter，too，thanthefirst;forhecameonafamilyofmongrelgipsies，whofedhimwelloutoftheirkettle，and，takenwithhislooks，thoughttokeephimforbeggingpurposes。
ButnowthatGibbie’sconfidenceinhumannaturehadbeensorudelyshaken，hehadalreadybegun，withanalysisunconscious，toreadthehumancountenance，questioningit;andhethoughthesawsomethingthatwouldhurt，intheeyesoftwoofthemenandoneofthewomen。
Therefore，inthemiddleofthenight，heslippedsilentlyoutofthetentofrags，inwhichhehadlaindownwiththegipsychildren，anderethemotherswoke，wasamileuptheriver。
ButImustnotattemptthedetailofthispartofhisjourney。Itisenoughthathegotthroughit。Hemetwithsomeadventures，andsufferedagooddealfromhungerandcold。Hadhenotbeenhardyaswellasfearlesshemusthavedied。But，nowfromthisquarter，nowfromthat，hegotallthatwasneedfulforoneofGod’sbirds。Oncehefoundinahedgethenestofanerrantandsecretivehen，andrecognizingtheeggsasfoodauthorizedbytheshopwindowsandmarketofthecity，soonqualifiedhimselftohaveanopinionoftheirworth。Anothertimehecameuponagirlmilkingacowinashed，andhisastonishmentatthemarvelsoftheprocesswassuch，thatheforgoteventhehungerthatwasrenderinghimfaint。Hehadoftenseencowsinthecity，buthadneversuspectedwhattheywerecapableof。Whenthegirlcaughtsightofhim，staringwithopenmouth，shewastakenwithsuchafitoflaughter，thatthecow，whichwasill-tempered，kickedout，andoverturnedthepail。Nowbecauseofhertroublesomenessthiscowwasnotmilkedbesidetherest，andtheshedwhereshestoodwasusedforfarm-implementsonly。Thefloorofitwastheearth，beatenhard，andwornintohollows。Whenthemilksettledinoneofthese，Gibbiesawthatitwaslosttothegirl，andfoundtohim：undeterredbytheastoundingnatureofthespringfromwhichhehadjustseenitflow，hethrewhimselfdown，anddranklikeacalf。Herlaughterended，thegirlwastroubled：shewouldbescoldedforherclumsinessinallowingHawkietokickoverthepail，buttheeagernessoftheboyafterthemilktroubledhermore。Shetoldhimtowait，andrunningtothehouse，returnedwithtwolargepiecesofoatcake，whichshegavehim。
Thus，onewayandanother，foodcametoGibbie。Drinkwastobehadinalmostanyhollow。Sleepwasscatteredeverywhereovertheworld。Forwarmth，onlymotionandaseasonedskinwerenecessary：
thelatterGibbiehad;theformer，alreadyahabitlearnedinthestreets，hadnowbecomealmostapassion。
