CHAPTERX。
THEBARN。
BythistimeGibbiehadgotwelluptowardstherootsofthehillsofGormgarnet，andtheriverhaddwindledgreatly。Hewasnolongerafraidofit，butwouldlieforhourslisteningtoitsmurmursoveritspebblybed，andsometimesevensleepinthehollowsofitsbanks，orbelowthewillowsthatoverhungit。Everyhereandthere，abrownrivuletfromsomepeat-bogonahill——brownandclear，likesmoke-crystalsmoltentogether，flowedintoit，andwhenhehadlostit，guidedhimbacktohisguide。Farmafterfarmhepassed，hereonewidelyborderingavalleystream，thereanotherstretchingitsskirtsupthehillsidestilltheywerelostinmereheather，wherethesheepwanderedabout，croppingwhatstraygrass-bladesandothereatablestheycouldfind。Lowerdownhehadpassedthroughsmalltownsandlargevillages：herefarmsandcottages，withanoccasionalcountry-seatandlittlevillageoflowthatchedhouses，madeuptheabodesofmen。BythistimehehadbecomegreatlyreconciledtothelonelinessofNature，andnomorewasafraidinhersolitarypresence。
Atthesametimehishearthadbeguntoacheandlongafterthecommunionofhiskind。Fornotoncesincehesetout——andthatseemedmonthswhereitwasonlyweeks，hadhehadanopportunityofdoinganythingforanybody——except，indeed，unfasteningthedog’scollar;andnottobeabletohelpwastoGibbielikebeingdead。
Everybody，downtothedogs，hadbeendoingforhim，andwhatwastobecomeofhim！，Itwasastatealtogetherofservitudeintowhichhehadfallen。
Mayhadnowsetin，butuphereamongthehillsshewasMaybycourtesyonly：orifshewasMay，shewouldneverbeMight。Shewas，indeed，onlyApril，withhershowersandsunshine，hertearful，childishlaughter，andagainthefrown，andthedespairirremediable。Nay，asifshestillkeptupasecretcorrespondencewithhercousinMarch，banishedforhisrudeness，shewouldnotveryseldomshakefromherskirtsasnowstorm，andoftenerthedancinghail。Thenoutwouldcomethesunbehindher，andlaugh，andsay——“Icouldnothelpthat;buthereIamallthesame，comingtoyouasfastasIcan！”Thegreencropsweregrowingdarker，andthetreeswereallgettingouttheirnetstocatchcarbon。Thelambswerefrolicking，andinshelteredplacestheflowerswereturningtheearthintoafirmament。AndnowameredaisywasenoughtodelighttheheartofGibbie。Hisjoyinhumanitysosuddenlychecked，andhisthirstforitleftunslaked，hehadbeguntoseethehumanlookinthefaceofthecommonestflowers，tolovethetrustingstareofthedaisy，thatgold-heartedboy，andthegentledespondencyofthegirlharebell，dreamingofhermother，theazure。
Thewind，ofwhichhehadscarcethoughtashemetitroamingthestreetslikehimself，wasnowafriendofhissolitude，bringinghimsweetodours，alivewiththesoulsofbees，andcoolingwithblisstheheatofthelongwalk。Evenwhenitblewcoldalongthewastemoss，wavingtheheadsofthecotton-grass，theonlylivethingvisible，itwasalover，andkissedhimontheforehead。NotthatGibbieknewwhatakisswas，anymorethanheknewaboutthesoulsofbees。Hedidnotremembereverhavingbeenkissed。Inthatgranitecity，thewomenwerenotmuchgiventokissingchildren，eventheirown，butiftheyhadbeen，whoofthemwouldhavethoughtofkissingGibbie！，Thebaker’swife，kindasshealwayswastohim，wouldhavethoughtitdefilementtopressherlipstothoseofthebeggarchild。Andhowisanychildtothrivewithoutkisses！，ThefirstcaressesGibbieeverknewassuch，weregivenhimbyMotherNatureherself。Itwasonly，however，bydegrees，thoughindeedrapiddegrees，thathebecamecapableofthem。Inthefirstpartofhisjourneyhewasstunned，stupid，lostinchange，distractedbetweenasuddenlyvanishedpast，andafutureslowdawninginthepresent。Hefeltlittlebeyondhunger，andthatvagueurgingupDaurside，withoccasionalshootsofpleasurefromkindness，mostlyofwomananddog。Hewaslessshyofthecountrypeoplebythistime，buthedidnotcaretoseekthem。Hethoughtthemnotnearlysofriendlyandgoodasthetown-people，forgettingthattheseknewhimandthosedidnot。ToGibbieanintroductionwasthelastthingnecessaryforanyonewhoworeaface，andhecouldnotunderstandwhytheylookedathimso。
Whateveriscapableofaspiring，mustbetroubledthatitmaywakeandaspire——thentroubledstill，thatitmayholdfast，beitself，andaspirestill。
Oneeveninghispathvanishedbetweentwilightandmoonrise，andjustasitbecamedarkhefoundhimselfataroughgate，throughwhichhesawafield。Therewasaprettytallhedgeoneachsideofthegate，andhewasnowasufficientlyexperiencedtravellertoconcludethathewasnotfarfromsomehumanabode。Heclimbedthegateandfoundhimselfinafieldofclover。Itwasasplendidbigbed，andevenhadthenightnotbeenwarm，hewouldnothavehesitatedtosleepinit。Hehadneverhadacold，andhadaslittlefearforhishealthasforhislife。Hewashungry，itistrue;butalthoughfoodwasdoubtlessmoredelicioustosuchhungerashis——thatofthewholebody，thanitcanbetothemerepalateandculinaryimaginationofanepicure，itwasnotsonecessarytohimthathecouldnotgotosleepwithoutit。Sodownhelayintheclover，andwasatonceunconscious。
Whenhewoke，themoonwashighintheheavens，andhadmeltedtheveilofthedarknessfromthesceneofstill，well-orderedcomfort。
Ashortdistancefromhiscouch，stoodalittlearmyofricks，betweentwentyandthirtyofthem，constructedperfectly——smoothanduprightandroundandlarge，eachwithitsconicaltopnettedinwithstraw-rope，andfinishedoffwithwhattheherd-boycalledatoupican——aneatlytiedandtrimtuftofthestrawwithwhichitwasthatched，answeringtothestone-ballonthetopofagable。Liketrianglestheirsummitsstoodoutagainstthepaleblue，moon-dilutedair。Theyweretreasure-caves，hollowedoutofspace，andstoredwiththebestofammunitionagainstthearmiesofhungerandwant;butGibbie，thoughhehadseenmanyofthem，didnotknowwhattheywere。Hehadseenstrawusedforthebeddingofcattleandhorses，andsupposedthatthechiefendofsuchricks。Norhadheanyclearideathatthecattlethemselveswerekeptforanyotherobjectthantomakethemcomfortableandhappy。Hehadstoodbehindtheirhousesinthedark，andheardthemmunchingandgrindingawayeveninthenight。Probablythecountrywasforthecattle，asthetownsforthemen;andthatwouldexplainwhythecountry-peopleweresoinferior。Whilehestoodgazing，awindarosebehindthehills，andcameblowingdownsomeglenthatopenednorthwards;
Gibbiefeltitcold，andsoughttheshelterofthericks。
Greatandsolemntheylookedashedrewnigh——neareachother，yetenoughapartforplentyofairtoflowandeddybetween。Overalowwallofunmortaredstones，heenteredtheirranks：abovehim，ashelookedupfromtheirbroadbase，theyascendedhugeaspyramids，andpeopledthewasteairwithgiantforms。Howwarmitwasintheround-windingpathsamongstthefruitfulpiles——tombsthese，nocenotaphs！，Hewanderedaboutthem，nowinaduskyyellowgloom，andnowinthecoldbluemoonlight，whichtheyseemedtowarm。Atlengthhediscoveredthatthehugethingswereflankedononesidebyalonglowhouse，inwhichtherewasadoor，horizontallydividedintotwoparts。Gibbiewouldfainhavegotin，totrywhethertheplacewasgoodforsleep;buthefoundbothhalvesfast。Inthelowerhalf，however，hespiedahole，which，thoughnotsolarge，remindedhimoftheentrancetothekennelofhisdoghost;butalas！ithadadoortoo，shutfromtheinside。Theremightbesomewayofopeningit。Hefeltabout，andsoondiscoveredthatitwasaslidingvalve，whichhecouldpushtoeitherside。Itwas，infact，thecat’sdoor，speciallyconstructedforherconvenienceofentranceandexit。Forthecatistheguardianofthebarn;thegrainwhichtemptstheratsandmiceisnotemptationtoher;theratsandmicethemselvesare;uponthemsheexecutesjustice，andremainsherselfanincorruptible，becauseuntempted，thereforearespectablememberofthefarm-community——onlythedairydoormustbekeptshut;thathasnocat-wicketinit。
Theholewasasmallone，buttemptingtotheweebaronet;hemightperhapsbeabletosqueezehimselfthrough。Hetriedandsucceeded，thoughwithsomelittledifficulty。Themoonwastherebeforehim，shiningthroughapaneortwoofglassoverthedoor，andbyherlightonthehardbrownclayfloor，Gibbiesawwherehewas，thoughifhehadbeentoldhewasinthebarn，hewouldneitherhavefeltnorbeenatallthewiser。Itwasaveryold-fashionedbarn。Aboutathirdofitwasflooredwithwood——darkwithage——almostasbrownastheclay——forthreshinguponwithflails。Atthatlabourtwomenhadbeenbusyduringthemostoftheprecedingday，andthatwashow，inthesameendofthebarn，roseagreatheapofoat-straw，showinginthelightofthemoonlikeamoundofpalegold。HadGibbiehadanyeducationinthemarvellous，hemightnow，inthemidnightandmoonlight，havewellimaginedhimselfinsometreasure-houseofthegnomes。Whathesawintheothercornerwasstilllikergold，andwasindeedgreaterthangold，foritwaslife——theheap，namely，ofcornthreshedfromthestraw：Gibbierecognizedthisaswhathehadseengiventohorses。Butnowthetemptationtosleep，withsuchfacilitiespresented，wasoverpowering，andtookfromhimalldesiretoexaminefurther：heshotintothemiddleofthelooseheapofstraw，andvanishedfromtheglimpsesofthemoon，burrowinglikeamole。Intheheartofthegoldenwarmth，helaysodryandcomfortablethat，notwithstandinghishungerhadwakedwithhim，hewaspresentlyinafastersleepthanbefore。Andindeedwhatmoreluxuriousbed，orwhatbedconducivetosofterslumberwasthereintheworldtofind！
“Themovingmoonwentdownthesky，“thecoldwindsoftenedandgrewstill;thestarsswelledoutlarger;theratscame，andthencamepuss，andtheratswentwithascuffleandsquatter;thepagangreycameinlikeasleep-walker，andmadethebarndrearyasadulldream;thenthehorsesbegantofidgetwiththeirbigfeet，thecattletolowwiththeirgreattrombonethroats，andthecockstocrowasiftogivewarningforthelasttimeagainstthedevil，theworld，andtheflesh;themenintheadjoiningchamberwoke，yawned，stretchedthemselvesmightily，androse;thegod-likesunroseafterthem，and，enteringthebarnwiththem，droveoutthegrey;andthroughitalltheorphanlaywarminGod’skeepingandhisnestofstraw，likethebutterflyofahugechrysalis。
WhenatlengthGibbiebecameoncemoreawareofexistence，itwasthroughastormyinvasionofthestillrealmofsleep;theblowsoftwoflailsfellpersistentandquick-following，firstonthethickheadofthesheafofoatsuntiedandcastdownbeforethem，thengrewlouderandmoredeafeningastheoatsflewandthechafffluttered，andthestrawflattenedandbrokeandthinnedandspread——untilatlasttheythunderedingreathardblowsonthewoodenfloor。ItwasthefirstoftheselastblowsthatshookGibbieawake。Whattheywereorindicatedhecouldnottell。Hewormedhimselfsoftlyroundinthestrawtolookoutandsee。
Nowwhetheritwasthatsleepwasyetheavyuponhim，andbewilderedhiseyes，orthathisimaginationhadindreamsbeenbusywithforegonehorrors，Icannottell;but，ashepeeredthroughthemeshesofthecrossingandblindingstraws，whatheseemedtoseewasthebodyofanoldmanwithdishevelledhair，whom，prostrateontheground，theywerebeatingtodeathwithgreatsticks。Histongueclavetotheroofofhismouth，notasoundcouldheutter，notafingercouldhemove;hehadnochoicebuttoliestill，andwitnessthefierceenormity。Butitisgoodthatwearecompelledtoseesomethings，lifeamongsttherest，towhatwecalltheendofthem。BydegreesGibbie’ssightcleared;theoldmanfadedaway;
andwhatwasleftofhimhecouldseetobeonlyanarmfulofstraw。
Thenextsheaftheythrewdown，heperceived，undertheirblows，thecornflyingoutofit，andbegantounderstandalittle。Whenitwasfinished，thecornthathadflowndancingfromitshome，likehailfromitscloud，wassweptasidetothecommonheap，andthestrawtosseduponthemoundthatharbouredGibbie。Itwaswellthatthemanwiththepitchforkdidnotspyhiseyespeeringoutfromthemidstofthestraw：hemighthavetakenhimforsomewildcreature，anddriventheprongsintohim。Asitwas，Gibbiedidnotaltogetherlikethelookofhim，andlaystillasastone。Thenanothersheafwasunboundandcastonthefloor，andtheblowsoftheflailsbeganagain。Itwentonthusforanhourandahalf，andGibbiealthoughhedroppedasleepseveraltimes，wasnearlystupidwiththenoise。Themenatlength，however，sweptupthecornandtossedupthestrawforthelasttime，andwentout。Gibbie，judgingbyhisowndesires，thoughttheymusthavegonetoeat，butdidnotfollowthem，havinggenerallybeenorderedawaythemomenthewasseeninafarmyard。Hecreptout，however，andbegantolookabouthim——firstofallforsomethinghecouldeat。Theoatslookedthemostlikely，andhetookamouthfulforatrial。Hegroundatthemseverely，but，hungryashewas，hefailedtofindoatsgoodforfood。Theirhardhusks，theirdryness，theirinstability，allslippingpasteachotherateveryattempttocrushthemwithhisteeth，togetherfoiledhimutterly。Hemustsearchfarther。
Lookingroundhimafresh，hesawanopenloft，andclimbingontheheapinwhichhehadslept，managedtoreachit。Itwasattheheightofthewalls，andthecouplesoftheroofroseimmediatelyfromit。Atthefartherendwasaheapofhay，whichhetookforanotherkindofstraw。Thenhespiedsomethingheknew;arowofcheeseslayonashelfsuspendedfromtherafters，ripening。Gibbieknewthemwellfromtheshopwindows——knewtheywerecheeses，andgoodtoeat，thoughwhenceandhowtheycamehedidnotknow，hisimpressionbeingthattheygrewinthefieldsliketheturnips。Hehadstillthenotionuncorrected，thatthingsinthecountrybelongedtonobodyinparticular，andweremostlyfortheuseofanimals，withwhich，sincehebecameawanderer，hehadalmostcometoclasshimself。Hewasveryhungry。Hepounceduponacheeseandlifteditbetweenhistwohands;itsmelledgood，butfeltveryhard。Thatwasnomatter：whatelsewereteethmadestrongandsharpfor？，Hetriedthemononeoftheroundedges，and，nibblingactively，soongotthroughtothesofterbodyofthecheese。Buthehadnotgotmuchfartherwhenheheardthemenreturning，anddesisted，afraidofbeingdiscoveredbythenoisehemade。Thereadiestwaytoconcealhimselfwastoliedownflatontheloft，andhedidsojustwherehecouldseethethreshing-floorovertheedgeofitbyliftinghishead。This，however，hescarcelyventuredtodo;andallhecouldseeashelaywasthetipoftheswing-barofoneoftheflails，everasitreachedthehighestpointofitsascent。Buttowatchforitverysoonceasedtobeinteresting;andalthoughhehadeatensolittleofthecheese，ithadyetbeenenoughtomakehimdreadfullythirsty，thereforehegreatlydesiredtogetaway。Buthedarednotgodown：withtheirsticksthosemenmightknockhimoverinamoment！，Sohelaytherethinkingofthepoorlittlehedgehoghehadseenontheroadashecame;howhestoodwatchingit，andwishinghehadasuitmadeallofgreatpins，whichhecouldsetupwhenhepleased;andhowthedriverofacart，catchingsightofhimatthefootofthehedge，gavehimablowwithhiswhip，and，poorfellow！notwithstandinghisclothesofpins，thatoneblowofawhipwastoomuchforhim！，Thereseemednothingintheworldbutkilling！
Atlengthhecould，unoccupiedwithsomethingelse，bearhisthirstnolonger，and，squirmingroundonthefloor，creptsoftlytowardstheotherendoftheloft，toseewhatwastobeseenthere。
Hefoundthattheheapofhaywasnotintheloftatall。Itfilledasmallchamberinthestable，infact;andwhenGibbieclambereduponit，whatshouldheseebelowhimontheotherside，butabeautifulwhitehorse，eatingsomeofthesamesortofstuffhewasnowlyingupon！，Beyondhecouldseethebacksofmorehorses，buttheywereverydifferent——bigandclumsy，andnotwhite。Theywerealleating，andthiswastheirfoodonwhichhelay！，Hewishedhetoocouldeatit——andtried，butfounditevenlesssatisfactorythantheoats，foritnearlychokedhim，andsethimcoughingsothathewasinconsiderabledangerofbetrayinghispresencetothemeninthebarn。Howdidthehorsesmanagetogetsuchdrystuffdowntheirthroats？，Butthecheesewasdrytoo，andhecouldeatthat！，Nodoubtthecheese，aswellasthefinestraw，wasthereforthehorses！，Hewouldliketoseethebeautifulwhitecreaturedownthereeatabitofit;butwithallhisbigteethhedidnotthinkhecouldmanageawholecheese，andhowtogetapiecebrokenoffforhim，withthosementhere，hecouldnotdevise。Itwouldwantalong-handledhammerlikethosewithwhichhehadseenmenbreakingstonesontheroad。
Adooropenedbeyond，andamancameinandledtwoofthehorsesout，leavingthedooropen。Gibbieclambereddownfromthetopofthehayintothestallbesidethewhitehorse，andranout。Hewasalmostinthefields，hadnotevenafencetocross。
Hecastaglancearound，andwentstraightforaneighbouringhollow，where，taughtbyexperience，hehopedtofindwater。
CHAPTERXI。
JANET。
Onceaway，Gibbiehadnothoughtofreturning。UpDaursidewasthesolepropulsiveforcewhoseexistenceherecognized。Butwhenheliftedhisheadfromdrinkingatthestream，whichwasoneofsomesize，and，greatlyrefreshed，lookedupitschannel，alongingseizedhimtoknowwhencecamethewateroflifewhichhadthusrestoredhimtobliss——howaburnfirstappearsupontheearth。Hethoughtitmightcomefromthefootofagreatconicalmountainwhichseemedbutalittlewayoff。Hewouldfollowitupandsee。
Soawayhewent，yieldingatonce，aswashiswont，tothefirstdesirethatcame。Hehadnottrottedfaralongthebank，however，before，atasharpturnittook，hesawthatitscoursewasamuchlongeronethanhehadimagined，foritturnedfromthemountain，andledupamongtherootsofotherhills;whilehereinfrontofhim，directfromthemountain，asitseemed，camedownasmallerstream，andtumblednoisilyintothis。ThelargerburnwouldleadhimtoofarfromtheDaur;hewouldfollowthesmallerone。Hefoundawideshallowplace，crossedthelarger，andwentupthesideofthesmaller。
Doublyfreeafterhisimprisonmentofthemorning，Gibbiespedjoyouslyalong。Alreadynature，herlargeness，heropenness，herloveliness，herchangefulness，heronenessinchange，hadbeguntohealthechild’sheart，andcomforthiminhisdisappointmentwithhiskind。Thestreamhewasnowascendingranalongaclawofthemountain，whichclawwascoveredwithalmostaforestofpine，protectinglittlecoloniesoflesshardytimber。Itsheavygreenwasvariedwiththepaledelicatefringesofthefreshfoliageofthelarches，fillingtheairwitharomaticbreath。Inthemidstoftheirsofttufts，eachtuftbuttonedwithabrownspot，hungtherichbrownknobsandtasselsoflastyear’scones。Butthetreeswereallontheoppositesideofthestream，andappearedtobemostlyontheothersideofawall。WhereGibbiewas，themountain-rootwaschieflyofrock，interspersedwithheather。
Alittlewayupthestream，hecametoabridgeoverit，closedatthefartherendbyirongatesbetweenpillars，eachsurmountedbyawolf’sheadinstone。Overthegateoneachsideleanedarowan-tree，withtrunkandbranchesagedandgnarledamidsttheirfreshfoliage。Hecrossedtheburntolookthroughthegate，andpressedhisfacebetweenthebarstogetabettersightofatamerabbitthathadgotoutofitshutch。Itsat，likeaDruidwhitewithage，inthemidstofagraveldrive，muchovergrownwithmoss，thatledthroughayounglarchwood，withhereandthereanancienttree，lonelyamidsttheyouthofitscompanions。Suddenlyfromthewoodalargespanielcameboundingupontherabbit。Gibbiegaveashriek，andtherabbitmadeonewhiteflashintothewood，withthedogafterhim。Heturnedawaysadatheart。
“Ilkacratur’atcan，“hesaidtohimself，“atesilkacratur’atcanna！”
Itwashisfirstgeneralization，butnotmanyyearspassedbeforehesupplementeditwithaconclusion：
“Buttheman’atwadbeaman，hemaunna。”
Resuminghisjourneyofinvestigation，hetrottedalongthebankoftheburn，fartherandfartherup，untilhecouldtrotnomore，butmustgoclamberingovergreatstones，orsinkingtothekneesinbog，patchesofitredwithiron，fromwhichhewouldturnawaywithashudder。Sometimeshewalkedinthewater，alongthebedoftheburnitself;sometimeshehadtoscrambleupitssteepside，topassoneofthemanylittlecataractsofitsdescent。Hereandthereasmallsilverbirch，oramountain-ash，orastuntedfir-tree，lookinglikeawizardchild，hungoverthestream。Itsbanksweremainlyofrockandheather，butnowandthenasmallpatchofcultivationintervened。Gibbiehadnothoughtthathewasgraduallyleavingtheabodesofmenbehindhim;heknewnoreasonwhyinascendingthingsshouldchange，andbenolongerasinplainerways。
Forwhatheknew，theremightbefarmafterfarm，upandupforever，tothegatesofheaven。Butitwouldnolongerhavetroubledhimgreatlytoleaveallhousesbehindhimforaseason。Agreatpurplefoxglovecoulddomuchnow——justatthisphaseofhisstory，tomakehimforget——notthehumanfacedivine，butthelossofit。
Alarkaloftintheblue，fromwhoseheart，asfromafountainwhoserootswerelostintheair，itsnaturalsource，issued，notastream，butaneverspreadinglakeofsong，wasnowmoretohimthanthememoryofanyhumanvoicehehadeverheard，excepthisfather’sandSambo’s。Buthewasnotyetquiteoutandawayfromthedwellingsofhiskind。
ImayaswellnowmaketheattempttogivesomeideaofGibbie’sappearance，asheshowedaftersolongwandering。Ofdresshehadhardlyenoughlefttocarrythename。Shoes，ofcourse，hehadnone。Oftheshapeoftrousersthereremainednothing，exceptthedivisionbeforeandbehindintheshortpetticoattowhichtheywerereduced;andthoserudimentarydivisionswerelostinthemultitudeofrentsofequalapparentsignificance。Hehadnever，sofarasheknew，hadashirtuponhisbody;andhissoleothergarmentwasajacket，somuchtoolargeforhim，thattoretaintheuseofhishandshehadfoldedbackthesleevesquitetohiselbows。Thusreversedtheybecamepockets，theonlyoneshehad，andinthemhestowedwhateverprovisionsweregivenhimofwhichhecouldnotmakeimmediateuse——porridgeandsowensandmashedpotatoesincluded：
theyservedhim，infact，likethefirstofthestomachsofthoseanimalswhichhavemorethanone——concerningwhichanimals，bytheway，Ishouldmuchliketoknowwhattheywerein“Pythagoras’
time。”，Hisheadhadplentifulprotectioninhisownnaturalcrop——hadnevereitherhadorrequiredanyother。Thatwouldhavebeenofthegoldorder，hadnotagreatpartofitscolourbeensunburnt，rained，andfrozenoutofit。Allwaysitpointed，asifsurchargedwithelectricfluid，crowninghimwithawildnesswhichwasinamusingcontrastwiththeplacidityofhiscountenance。
Perhapstheresultingqueernessintheexpressionofthelittlevagrant，alookasifhehadbeenhuntedtillhisbodyandsoulwerenearlyruffledasunder，andhadalreadypartedcompanyinaimandinterest，mighthavebeenthefirstthingtostrikeacarelessobserver。Butiftheheartwasnotacarelessone，theeyewouldlookagainanddiscoverastrongerstillnessthanmereplacidity——asortoflivepeaceabidinginthatweather-beatenlittlefaceunderitswildcrownofhumanherbage。Thefeaturesofitwerewell-shaped，andnotsmallerthanproportionedtothesmallwholeofhisperson。Hiseyes——partly，perhaps，becausetherewassolittlefleshuponhisbones——werelarge，andinreposehadmuchofasoftanimalexpression：therewasnotinthemthelookofYouandIknow。
Frequently，too，whenoccasionrousedtheneedfulinstinct，theyhadasharpexpressionofoutlookandreadiness，which，withoutatraceoffiercenessorgreed，wasyetequallyanimal。Onlyallthetimetherewaspresentsomethingelse，beyondcharacterization：
behindthemsomethingseemedtolieasleep。Hishandsandfeetweresmallandchildishlydainty，hiswholebodywell-shapedandwellputtogether——ofwhichthestyleofhisdressratherquashedtheevidence。
SuchwasGibbietotheeye，asherosefromDaursidetothelastcultivatedgroundonthebordersoftheburn，andthehighestdwellingonthemountain。Itwastheabodeofacottar，andwasadependencyofthefarmhehadjustleft。Thecottarwasanoldmanofseventy;hiswifewasnearlysixty。Theyhadrearedstalwartsonsandshapelydaughters，nowatservicehereandthereinthevalleysbelow——allreadytoseeGodinnature，andrecognizeHiminprovidence。Theybelongtoaclassnow，Ifear，extinct，butonce，ifmyloveprejudicenotmyjudgmenttoofar，thegloryandstrengthofScotland：theirlittleacresarenowswallowedupinthelargerfarms。
Itwasaveryhumbledwelling，builtofturfuponafoundationofstones，androofedwithturfandstraw——warm，andnearlyimpervioustothesearchingairsofthemountain-side。Onelittlewindowofafootandahalfsquarelookedoutontheuniverse。Atoneendstoodastackofpeat，halfasbigasthecottageitself，Allarounditwerehugerocks，someofthempeakswhosemasseswentdowntotheverycentralfires，othersonlyfragmentsthathadrolledfromabove。Hereandthereathincropwasgrowinginpatchesamongstthem，theredgreystoneliftingitsbaldnessinspotsnumberlessthroughthesoftwavinggreen。Afewofthecommonestflowersgrewaboutthedoor，buttherewasnogarden。Thedoor-stepwasliverock，andahugeprojectingrockbehindformedthebackandaportionofoneoftheendwalls。Thislatterrockhadbeentheattractiontothesite，becauseofahollowinit，whichnowservedasadairy。Foruptherewiththemlivedthelastcowofthevalley——thecowthatbreathedtheloftiestaironallDaurside——agoodcow，andgiftedinfeedingwelluponlittle。Facingthebroadsouth，andleaningagainstthehill，asagainstthebosomofGod，shelteringitfromthenorthandeast，thecottagelookedsohigh-humble，sostill，soconfident，thatitdrewGibbiewiththespellofheart-likeness。Heknockedattheold，weather-beaten，shrunkandrent，butwellpatcheddoor。Avoice，alivewiththesoftvibrationsofthoughtandfeeling，answered，“Comeyerwa’sin，whae’eryebe。”
Gibbiepulledthestringthatcamethroughaholeinthedoor，soliftingthelatch，andentered。
Awomansatonacreepie，herfaceturnedoverhershouldertoseewhocame。Itwasagreyface，withgoodsimplefeaturesandcleargreyeyes。Theplentifulhairthatgrewlowonherforehead，washalfgrey，mostlycoveredbyawhitecapwithfrills。Acleanwrapperandapron，bothofblueprint，overabluewinseypetticoat，bluestockings，andstrongshoescompletedherdress。Abooklayonherlap：alwayswhenshehadfinishedhermorning’swork，andmadeherhousetidy，shesatdowntohavehercomfort，asshecalledit。
ThemomentshesawGibbiesherose。HadhebeentheangelGabriel，cometotellhershewaswantedatthethrone，herattentioncouldnothavebeenmoreimmediateorthorough。Shewasratheralittlewoman，andcarriedherselfstraightandlight。
“Eh，yepuirootcast！”shesaid，inthepityingvoiceofamother，“hoocamyeheresicahicht？，Cratur，yehaeleftthewarl’ahin’
ye。Whatwadyehaehere？，Ihaenaething。”
Receivingnoanswerbutoneofthechild’sbetwitchingsmiles，shestoodforamomentregardinghim，notinmeresilence，butwithalookofdumbness。Shewasamother。Onewhoismotheronlytoherownchildrenisnotamother;sheisonlyawomanwhohasbornechildren。ButherewasoneofGod’smothers。
Lonelinessandsilence，andconstanthomelyfamiliaritywiththevastsimplicitiesofnature，assistmuchinthedevelopmentofthedeeperandmorewonderfulfacultiesofperception。Theperceptionsthemselvesmaytakethisorthatshapeaccordingtotheeducation——mayevenembodythemselvesfantastically，yetbenolessperceptions。NowtheverymomentbeforeGibbieentered，shehadbeenreadingthewordsoftheLord：“Inasmuchasyehavedoneituntooneoftheleastofthesemybrethren，yehavedoneituntome“;andwithherheartfullofthem，sheliftedhereyesandsawGibbie。Foronemoment，withthequickflashingresponseofthechildlikeimaginationoftheCelt，shefanciedshesawtheLordhimself。Anotherwomanmighthavemadeamoreseriousmistake，andseenthereonlyachild。OftenhadJanetpondered，asshesataloneonthegreatmountain，whileRobertwaswiththesheep，orshelayawakebyhissideatnight，withthewindhowlingaboutthecottage，whethertheLordmightnotsometimestakealonelywalktolookaftersuchsolitarysheepofhisflockasthey，andletthemknowhehadnotlostsightofthem，foralltheupsanddownsofthehills。
Therestoodthechild，andwhetherhewastheLordornot，hewasevidentlyhungry。Ah！whocouldtellbuttheLordwasactuallyhungryineveryoneofhishungeringlittleones！
Inthemeantime——onlyitwasbutthought-time，notclock-time——Gibbiestoodmotionlessinthemiddleofthefloor，smilinghisinnocentsmile，askingfornothing，hintingatnothing，butrestinghiswildcalmeyes，withasenseofsafetyandmother-presence，uponthegreythoughtfulfaceofthegazingwoman。
Herawedeepened;itseemedtodescenduponherandfoldherinaswithamantle。Involuntarilyshebowedherhead，andsteppingtohimtookhimbythehand，andledhimtothestoolshehadleft。
Thereshemadehimsit，whileshebroughtforwardhertable，whitewithscrubbing，tookfromaholeinthewallandsetuponitaplatterofoatcakes，carriedawoodenbowltoherdairyintherockthroughawhitewasheddoor，andbringingitbackfilled，halfwithcreamhalfwithmilk，setthatalsoonthetable。Thensheplacedachairbeforeit，andsaid——
“Sityedoon，an’tak。GinyewartheLordhimsel’，mybonnyman，an’yemaybeforouchtIken，foryeluikpuiran’despisedeneuch，Icudgienaebetter，forit’sa’Ihaetoofferye——’cepitmichtbeanegg，“sheadded，correctingherself，andturnedandwentout。
Presentlyshecamebackwithalookofsuccess，carryingtwoeggs，which，havingrakedoutaquantity，sheburiedinthehotashesofthepeats，andleftinfrontofthehearthtoroast，whileGibbiewentoneatingthethickoatcake，sweetandsubstantial，anddrinkingsuchmilkasthewildestimaginationoftown-boycouldneversuggest。Itwasindeedangels’food——foodsuchaswouldhavepleasedtheLordhimselfafteraharddaywithaxeandsawandplane，sogoodandsimpleandstrongwasit。Janetresumedherseatonthelowthree-leggedstool，andtookherknittingthathemightfeelneitherthathewaswatchedasheate，northatshewaswaitingforhimtofinish。Everyothermomentshegaveaglanceatthestrangershehadtakenin;butneverawordhespoke，andthesenseofmysterygrewuponher。
Presentlycameagreatbounceandscramble;thelatchjumpedup，thedoorflewopen，andafteramoment’spause，incameasheepdog——asplendidthorough-bredcollie，carryinginhismouthatiny，long-leggedlamb，whichhedroppedhalfdeadinthewoman’slap。Itwasalatelamb，bornofamotherwhichhadbeensoldfromthehill，buthadfoundherwaybackfromagreatdistance，inorderthathercomingyoungonemighthavetheprivilegeofbeingyeanedonthesamespotwhereshehadherselfawakedtoexistence。Anothermoment，andhermba-awasheardapproachingthedoor。Shetrottedin，andgoinguptoJanet，stoodcontemplatingtheconsequencesofhermaternalambition。Herudderwasfull，butthelambwastooweaktosuck。Janetrose，andgoingtothesideoftheroom，openedthedoorofwhatmighthaveseemedanoldpress，butwasabed。
Foldingbackthecounterpane，shelaidthelambinthebed，andcovereditover。Thenshegotacaup，awoodendishlikealargesaucer，andintoitmilkedtheewe。Nextshecarriedthecauptothebed;butwhatmeansshethereusedtoenablethelambtodrink，theboycouldnotsee，thoughhisbusyeyesandlovingheartwouldgladlyhavetakeninall。
Inthemeantimethecollie，havingdonehisdutybythelamb，andperhapsforgottenit，satonhistail，andstaredwithhistwobravetrustingeyesatthelittlebeggarthatsatinthemaster’schair，andateofthefatoftheland。Oscarwasagentleman，andhadnevergonetoschool，thereforeneitherfanciednorhadbeentaughtthatragsmakeanessentialdistinction，andoughttobebarkedat。
Gibbiewasastranger，andthereforeasastrangerOscargavehimwelcome——nowandthenstoopingtolickthelittlebrownfeetthathadwanderedsofar。
Likeallwildcreatures，Gibbieatefast，andhadfinishedeverythingsetbeforehimerethewomanhaddonefeedingthelamb。
Withoutanotionoftherudenessofit，hisheartfullofgentlegratitude，heroseandleftthecottage。WhenJanetturnedfromhershepherding，theresatOscarlookingupattheemptychair。
“What’scomeo’theladdie？”shesaidtothedog，whoansweredwithalowwhine，half-regretful，half-interrogative。Itmaybehewasonlyasking，likeEsau，iftherewasnoresiduumofblessingforhimalso;butperhapshetoowaspuzzledwhattoconcludeabouttheboy。
Janethastenedtothedoor，butalreadyGibbie’snimblefeetrefreshedtothepointofeverytoewiththefoodhehadjustswallowed，hadbornehimfarupthehill，behindthecottage，sothatshecouldnotgetaglimpseofhim。Thoughtfullyshereturned，andthoughtfullyremovedtheremnantsofthemeal。ShewouldthenhaveresumedherBible，butherhospitalityhadrendereditnecessarythatsheshouldputonhergirdle——notacinctureofleatheruponherbody，butadiscofirononthefire，tobakethereoncakesereherhusband’sreturn。Itwasasimpleenoughprocess，fortheoat-mealwantednothingbutwaterandfire;butherjointshadnotyetgotridofthewinter’srheumatism，andthelabourofthebakingwasthehardestpartofthesacrificeofherhospitality。Tomanyitiseasytogivewhattheyhave，buttheofferingofwearinessandpainisnevereasy。Theyareindeedatruesalttosaltsacrificeswithal。ThatitwasthelastofhermealtillheryoungestboyshouldbringherabagonhisbackfromthemillthenextSaturday，madenopointinhertrouble。
Whenatlastshehaddone，andputthethingsaway，andsweptupthehearth，shemilkedtheewe，sentherouttonibble，tookherBible，andsatdownoncemoretoread。Thelamblayatherfeet，withhislittleheadprojectingfromthefoldsofhernewflannelpetticoat;
andeverytimehereyefellfromthebookuponthelamb，shefeltasifsomehowthelambwastheboythathadeatenofherbreadanddrunkofhermilk。Aftershehadreadawhile，therecameachange，andthelambseemedtheLordhimself，bothlambandshepherd，whohadcometoclaimherhospitality。Then，divinelyinvadedwiththedreadlestinthefancysheshouldforgetthereality，shekneeleddownandprayedtothefriendofMarthaandMaryandLazarus，tocomeashehadsaid，andsupwithherindeed。
NotforyearsandyearshadJanetbeentochurch;shehadlongbeenunabletowalksofar;andhavingnobookbutthebest，andnohelptounderstanditbutthehighest，herfaithwassimple，strong，real，all-pervading。Daybydaysheporedoverthegreatgospel——I
meanjustthegoodnewsaccordingtoMatthewandMarkandLukeandJohn——untilshehadgrowntobeoneofthenobleladiesofthekingdomofheaven——oneofthosewhoinherittheearth，andareripeningtoseeGod。FortheMaster，andhismindinhers，washerteacher。Shehadlittleornotheologysavewhathetaughther，orrather，whatheis。Andofanyotherthanthat，thelessthebetter;fornotheology，excepttheTheoulogos，{compilersnote：spelledinGreek：Theta，Epsilon，Omicron，Upsilon;
Lambda，Omicronwithstress，Gamma，Omicron，Sigma}isworththelearning，nootherbeingtrue。ToknowhimistoknowGod。Andheonlywhoobeyshim，doesorcanknowhim;hewhoobeyshimcannotfailtoknowhim。ToJanet，JesusChristwasnoobjectofso-calledtheologicalspeculation，butalivingman，whosomehoworotherheardherwhenshecalledtohim，andsentherthehelpsheneeded。
CHAPTERXII。
GLASHGAR。
UpandupthehillwentGibbie。Thepathceasedaltogether;butwhenupisthewordinone’smind——anduphadgrownalmostafixedideawithGibbie——hecanseldombeindoubtwhetherheisgoingright，evenwherethereisnotrack。Indeedinallmorearduousways，menleavenotrackbehindthem，nofinger-post——thereisalwaysbutthesteepness。Heclimbedandclimbed。Themountaingrewsteeperandbarerashewent，andhebecameabsorbedinhisclimbing。Allatoncehediscoveredthathehadlostthestream，whereorwhenhecouldnottell。Allbelowandaroundhimwasredgraniterock，scatteredoverwiththechipsandsplintersdetachedbyairandwind，waterandstream，lightandheatandcold。
Glashgarwasonlyaboutthreethousandfeetinheight，butitwasthesteepestofitsgroup——ahugerockthat，eveninthemidstofmasses，suggestedsolidity。
Notoncewhileheascendedhadtheideacometohimthatbyandbyheshouldbeabletoclimbnofarther。Foraughtheknewtherewereoat-cakesandmilkandsheepandcolliedogseverhigherandhigherstill。Notuntilheactuallystooduponthepeakdidheknowthattherewastheearthlyhitherto——thefinalobstacleofunobstancy，theeverywherewhich，fromexcessofperviousness，wastohumanfootimpervious。Thesunwasabouttwohourstowardsthewest，whenGibbie，hislittlelegsalmostasactiveasever，surmountedthefinalslope。Runninguplikeachildthatwouldscaleheavenhestoodonthebareround，theheadofthemountain，andsaw，withaninvadingshockofamazement，andatfirstofdisappointment，thattherewasnogoinghigher：ineverydirectiontheslopewasdownward。Hehadneverbeenonthetopofanythingbefore。Hehadalwaysbeeninthehollowsofthings。Nowthewholeworldlaybeneathhim。Itwascold;insomeoftheshadowslaysnow——wearyexilefromboththeskyandtheseaandthewaysofthem——captiveinthefettersofthecold——prisonertothemountaintop;butGibbiefeltnocold。Inaglowwiththeclimb，whichatthelasthadbeenhard，hislungsfilledwiththeheavenlyair，andhissoulwiththefeelingthathewasaboveeverythingthatwas，upliftedontheverycrownoftheearth，hestoodinhisrags，aflutteringscarecrow，theconquerorofheight，thediscovererofimmensity，themonarchofspace。Nobodyknewofsuchmarvelbuthim！，Gibbiehadneverevenheardthewordpoetry，butnonethelesswashetheverystuffoutofwhichpoemsgrow，andnowallthelatentpoetryinhimwassetaswayingandheaving——anoceaninarticulatebecauseunobstructed——amightthatcouldmakenomusic，nothunderofwaves，becauseithadnoshore，norocksofthoughtagainstwhichtobreakinspeech。Hesatdownonthetopmostpoint;andslowly，inthesilenceandtheloneliness，fromtheunknownfountainsoftheeternalconsciousness，theheartofthechildfilled。Abovehimtoweredinfinitude，immensity，potentonhismindthroughshapetohiseyeinasoaringdomeofblue——theonevisiblesymbolinformedandinsouledoftheeternal，torevealitselfthereby。Init，centreandlife，lordedthegreatsun，beginningtocastshadowstothesouthandeastfromtheendlessheapsoftheworld，thatliftedthemselvesinalldirections。Downtheirsidesranthestreams，downbusily，hastingawaythrougheveryvalleytotheDaur，whichborethembacktotheocean-heart——throughwoodsandmeadows，parkandwaste，rocksandwillowymarsh。Behindthevalleysrosemountains;andbehindthemountains，othermountains，moreandmore，eachswathedinitsownmystery;andbeyondallhungthecurtain-depthofthesky-gulf。
Gibbiesatandgazed，anddreamedandgazed。Themightycitythathadbeentohimtheuniverse，wasdroppedandlost，likeathingthatwasnownobody’s，infarindistinguishabledistance;andhewhohadlostithadclimbeduponthethroneoftheworld。Theairwasstill;whenabreathawoke，itbuttouchedhischeeklikethedownofafeather，andthestillnesswasthereagain。Thestillnessgrewgreat，andslowlydescendeduponhim。Itdeepenedanddeepened。
Surelyitwoulddeepentoavoice！——itwasabouttospeak！，Itwasasifagreatsinglethoughtwasthesubstanceofthesilence，andwasalloverandaroundhim，andclosertohimthanhisclothes，thanhisbody，thanhishands。Iamdescribingtheindescribable，andcompelledtomakeittoodefiniteforbelief。Incolderspeech，anexperiencehadcometothechild;alinkinthechainofhisdevelopmentglidedoverthewindlassofhisuplifting;achangepasseduponhim。Inafteryears，whenGibbiehadtheideaofGod，whenhehadlearnedtothinkabouthim，todesirehispresence，tobelievethatawillofloveenvelopedhiswill，asthebroodinghenspreadsherwingsoverhereggs——asoftenasthethoughtofGodcametohim，itcameintheshapeofthesilenceonthetopofGlashgar。
Ashesat，withhiseyesonthepeakhehadjustchosenfromtherestastheloftiestofallwithinhissight，hesawacloudbegintogrowuponit。Thecloudgrew，andgathered，anddescended，coveringitssidesasitwent，untilthewholewashidden。Thenswiftly，ashegazed，thecloudopenedasitwerearoundwindowintheheartofit，andthroughthathesawthepeakagain。Thenextmomentaflashofbluelightningdartedacrosstheopening，andwhetherGibbiereallysawwhatfollows，henevercouldbesure，butalwaysafter，asoftenasthevisionreturned，intheflashhesawarockrollingdownthepeak。Thecloudsswepttogether，andthewindowclosed。Thenextthingwhichinafteryearsherememberedwas，thattheearth，mountains，meadows，andstreams，hadvanished;
everythingwasgonefromhissight，exceptafewyardsaroundhimoftherockuponwhichhesat，andthecloudthathidworldandheaven。
Thenagainburstforththelightning。Hesawnoflash，butanintensecloud-illumination，accompaniedbythedeafeningcrack，andfollowedbytheappallingroarandrollofthethunder。Norwasitnoisealonethatsurroundedhim，for，asifhewereintheheartandnestofthestorm，theverywind-wavesthatmadethethunderrushedindrivenbellowingoverhim，andhadnearlyswepthimaway。Heclungtotherockwithhandsandfeet。Thecloudwrithedandwroughtandbillowedandeddied，withalltheshapesofthewind，andseemeditselftobethefurnace-wombinwhichthethunderwascreated。Wasthisthenthevoiceintowhichthesilencehadbeenallthetimedeepening？——hadthePresencethustakenformanddeclareditself？，Gibbiehadyettolearnthatthereisadeepervoicestillintowhichsuchasilencemaygrow——andthesilencenotbebroken。Hewasnotdismayed。Hehadnoconscienceofwrong，andscarcelyknewfear。Itwasanawfuldelightthatfilledhisspirit。
MountSinaiwasnottohimaterror。Tohimtherewasnowrathinthethunderanymorethaninthegreetingofthedogthatfoundhiminhiskennel。Tohimtherewasnobeingintheskysorighteousastobemoredispleasedthanpitifuloverthewrongnessofthechildrenwhomhehadnotyetgottaughttheirchildhood。Gibbiesatcalm，awe-ful，but，Iimagine，withaclearforeheadandsmile-hauntedmouth，whilethestormroaredandbeatandflashedandranabouthim。Itwastheveryfountainoftempest。Fromthebarecrestofthemountainthewaterpoureddownitssides，asifitsspringswereintherockitself，andnotinthebosomofthecloudabove。ThetumultatlastseizedGibbielikeanintoxication;hejumpedtohisfeet，anddancedandflunghisarmsabout，asifhehimselfwerethestorm。Buttheuproardidnotlastlong。Almostsuddenlyitwasgone，asif，likeabirdthathadbeenflappingthegroundinagony，ithadatlastrecovereditself，andtakentoitsgreatwingsandflown。Thesunshoneoutclear，andinalltheblueabyssnotacloudwastobeseen，exceptfarawaytoleeward，whereonewasspreadlikeabannerinthelonelyair，fleetingaway，theensignofthechargingstorm——bearingforitsdeviceasegmentofthemany-colouredbow。
Andnowthatitsfiercenesswasover，thejubilationinthesoftervoicesofthestormbecameaudible。Asthesoulgivesthanksforthesufferingsthatareoverpast，offeringtheloveandfaithandhopewhichthepainhasstungintofreshlife，sofromthesidesofthemountainascendedthenoiseofthewatersthecloudhadleftbehind。Thesunhadkeptonhisjourney;thestormhadbeennodisastertohim;andnowhewasalongwaydownthewest，andTwilight，inhergreycloak，wouldsoonbetrackinghimfromtheeast，likesorrowdoggingdelight。Gibbie，wetandcold，begantothinkofthecottagewherehehadbeensokindlyreceived，ofthefriendlyfaceofitsmistress，andhercareofthelamb。Itwasnotthathewantedtoeat。Hedidnotevenimaginemoreeating，forneverinhislifehadheeatentwiceofthesamecharityinthesameday。Whathewantedwastofindsomedryholeinthemountain，andsleepasnearthecottageashecould。Soheroseandsetout。Buthelosthisway;cameupononeprecipiceafteranother，downwhichonlyacreepingthingcouldhavegone;wasrepeatedlyturnedasidebytorrentsandswampyplaces;andwhenthetwilightcame，wasstillwanderinguponthemountain。Atlengthhefound，ashethought，theburnalongwhosebankhehadascendedinthemorning，andfollowedittowardsthevalley，lookingoutforthefriendlycottage。Butthefirstindicationofabodehesaw，wasthewallofthegroundsofthehousethroughwhosegatehehadlookedinthemorning。Hewasthenalongwayfromthecottage，andnotfarfromthefarm;andthebestthinghecoulddowastofindagainthebarnwherehehadsleptsowellthenightbefore。Thiswasnotverydifficultevenintheduskynight。Heskirtedthewall，cametohisfirstguide，foundandcrossedthevalley-stream，anddescendedituntilhethoughtherecognizedtheslopeofcloverdownwhichhehadruninthemorning。
Heranupthebrae，andtherewerethesolemnconesofthecorn-ricksbetweenhimandthesky！，Aminutemoreandhehadcreptthroughthecat-hole，andwasfeelingaboutinthedarkbarn。
Happilytheheapofstrawwasnotyetremoved。Gibbieshotintoitlikeamole，andburrowedtotheverycentre，therecoiledhimselfup，andimaginedhimselflyingintheheartoftherockonwhichhesatduringthestorm，andlisteningtothethunderwindsoverhishead。Thefancyenticedthesleepwhichbeforewasreadyenoughtocome，andhewassoonfarstillerthanArielintheclovenpineofSycorax。
CHAPTERXIII。
THECEILING。
Hemighthavesleptlongerthenextmorning，fortherewasnothreshingtowakehim，inspiteofthecocksintheyardthatmadeittheirbusinesstorousesleeperstotheirwork，haditnotbeenforanotherkindofcockinsidehim，whichborethesamerelationtofoodthattheothersboretolight。Hepeepedfirst，thencreptout。Allwasstillexceptthevoicesofthosesameprophetcocks，cryinginthewildernessoftheyetsunlessworld;amoonowandthenfromthebyres;andtheoccasionalstampofagreathoofinthestable。Gibbieclamberedupintotheloft，andturningthecheesesaboutuntilhecameupontheonehehadgnawedbefore，againattackedit，andenlargedconsiderablytheholehehadalreadymadeinit。Ratherdangerousfooditwas，perhaps，eateninthatunmitigatedway，foritwasmadeofskimmedmilk，andwasverydryandhard;butGibbiewasapowerfullittleanimal，allbonesandsinews，smallhardmuscle，andfaultlessdigestion。Thenextideanaturallyrisingwastheburn;hetumbleddownoverthestrawheaptothefloorofthebarn，andmadeforthecat-hole。Butthemomentheputhisheadout，hesawthelegsofaman：thefarmerwaswalkingthroughhisricks，speculatingonthemoneytheyheld。Hedrewback，andlookedroundtoseewherebesthecouldbetakehimselfshouldhecomein。Hespiedthereuponaladderleaningagainsttheend-wallofthebarn，oppositetheloftandthestables，andnearitinthewallawoodenshutter，likethedoorofalittlecupboard。Hegotuptheladder，andopeningtheshutter，whichwasfastenedonlywithabutton，foundaholeinthewall，throughwhichpoppinghisheadtoocarelessly，heknockedfromashelfsomepieceofpottery，whichfellwithagreatcrashonapavedfloor。Lookingafterit，Gibbiebeheldbelowhimarichprospectofyellow-whitepoolsrangedinorderonshelves。Theyremindedhimofmilk，butwereofadifferentcolour。Ashegazed，adooropenedhastily，withsharpclickinglatch，andawomanentered，ejaculating，“Carewhatsetthatcat！”Gibbiedrewback，lestinhersearchforthecatshemightfindtheculprit。Shelookedallround，mutteringsuchtruncatedimprecationsasbefittedthemouthofaScotchwoman;
butasnoneofhermilkwastouched，herwrathgraduallyabated：shepickedupthefragmentsandwithdrew。
ThereuponGibbieventuredtoreconnoitrealittlefarther，andpoppinginhisheadagain，sawthatthedairywasopentotheroof，butthedoorwasinapartitionwhichdidnotrunsohigh。Theplacefromwhichthewomanentered，wasceiled，andtheceilingrestedonthepartitionbetweenitandthedairy;sothat，fromashelflevelwiththehole，hecouldeasilyenoughgetonthetopoftheceiling。This，urgedbytheinstinctofthehomelesstounderstandtheirsurroundings，hepresentlyeffected，bycreepinglikeacatalongthetopshelf。
Theceilingwasthatofthekitchen，andwasmerelyofboards，which，beingoldandshrunken，hadhereandthereaconsiderablecrackbetweentwo，andGibbie，peepingthroughoneafteranotherofthesecracks，soonsawseveralthingshedidnotunderstand。Ofsuchwasabarrel-churn，whichhetookforabarrel-organ，andwelcomedasasignofcivilization。Thewomanwassweepingtheroomtowardsthehearth，wherethepeatfirewasalreadyburning，withagreatpothangingoverit，coveredwithawoodenlid。Whenthewaterinitwashot，shepoureditintoalargewoodendish，inwhichshebegantowashotherdishes，thusgivingtheobservantGibbiehisfirstnotionofhousekeeping。Thenshescouredthedealtable，dustedthebenchandthechairs，arrangedthedishesonshelvesandrack，exceptafewwhichsheplacedonthetable，putmorewateronthefire，anddisappearedinthedairy。Thencepresentlyshereturned，carryingagreatjar，which，toGibbie’sastonishment，havingliftedalidinthetopofthechurn，sheemptiedintoit;hewasnot，therefore，anyfartherastonished，whenshebegantoturnthehandlevigorously，thatnomusicissued。Astowhatelsemightbeexpected，Gibbiehadnotevenamistakenidea。
Butthebuttercamequicklythatmorning，andthenhedidhaveanotherastonishment，forhesawagreatmassofsomethinghalf-solidtumbledoutwherehehadseenaliquidpouredin——northatalone，fortheliquidcameoutagaintoo！，Butwhenatlengthhesawthemass，afterbeingwellwashed，mouldedintocertainshapes，herecognizeditasbutter，suchashehadseenintheshops，andhadnowandthentastedonthepiecegivenhimbysomemorethanusuallygeneroushousekeeper。Surelyhehadwanderedintoaregionofplenty！，Onlynow，whenhesawthewomanbusyandcareful，theideaofthingsinthecountrybeingasortofcommonpropertybegantofadefromhismind，andtheperceptiontowakethattheywereasthethingsintheshops，whichmustnotbetouchedwithoutfirstpayingmoneyforthemoveracounter。
Thebutter-making，broughttoasuccessfulclose，thewomanproceededtomakeporridgeforthemen’sbreakfast，andwithhungryeyesGibbiewatchedthatprocessnext。Thewaterinthegreatpotboilinglikeawildvolcano，shetookhandfulafterhandfulofmealfromagreatwoodendish，calledabossie，andthrewitintothepot，stirringasshethrew，untilthemesswaspresentlysothickthatshecouldnomoremovethespurtleinit;andscarcelyhadsheemptieditintoanothergreatwoodenbowl，calledabicker，whenGibbieheardtheheavytrampofthemencrossingtheyardtoconsumeit。
Forthelastfewminutes，Gibbie’snostrils——alas！notGibbie——hadbeenregaledwiththedeliciousodouroftheboilingmeal;andnowhiseyeshadtheirturn——butstill，alas，notGibbie！，Prostrateontheceilinghelayandwatchedthesplendidspoonfulstumbleoutofsightintothecapaciousthroatsoffourmen;alltooktheirspoonfulsfromthesamedish，buteachdippedhisspoonfulintohisprivatecaupofmilk，erehecarriedittohismouth。Alittleapartsataboy，whomthewomanseemedtofavour，havingprovidedhimwithaplatefulofporridgebyhimself，butthefactwas，fourwereasmanyascouldbickercomfortably，orwithanychanceoffairplay。Theboy’scountenancegreatlyattractedGibbie。Itwasalong，solemnface，buttheeyeswerebright-blueandsparkling;andwhenhesmiled，whichwasnotveryoften，itwasagoodandmeaningfulsmile。
Whenthemealwasover，andhesawthelittlethatwasleft，withallthedropsofmilkfromthecaups，tumbledintoacommonreceptacle，tobekept，hethought，forthenextmeal，poorGibbiefeltveryemptyandforsaken。Hecrawledawaysadatheart，withnothingbeforehimexceptadrinkofwaterattheburn。Hemighthavegonetothedoorofthehouse，inthehopeofabitofcake，butnowthathehadseensomethingofthedoingsinthehouseandofthepeoplewholivedinit——assoon，thatis，ashehadlookedembodiedownershipintheface——hebegantobeawareofitsclaims，andthecheesehehadeatentolieheavyuponhisspiritualstomach;
hehaddonethatwhichhewouldnothavedonebeforeleavingthecity。Carefullyhecreptacrosstheceiling，hisheadhanging，likeadogscoldedofhismaster，carefullyalongtheshelfofthedairy，andthroughtheopeninginthewall，quicklydowntheladder，andthroughthecat-holeinthebarndoor。Therewasnooneinthecorn-yardnow，andhewanderedaboutamongtherickslooking，withlittlehope，forsomethingtoeat。Turningacornerhecameuponahen-house——andtherewasacrowdofhensandhalf-grownchickensabouttheverydishintowhichhehadseentheremnantsofthebreakfastthrown，allpeckingbillfulsoutofit。AsImayhavesaidbefore，healwaysfeltatlibertytosharewiththeanimals，partly，Isuppose，becausehesawtheyhadnoscrupulosityorceremonyamongstthemselves;sohedippedhishandintothedish：
whyshouldnotthebirdoftheairnowandthenpeckwiththemorerespectableofthebarn-door，ifonlytolearnhisinferiority？
Greatlyrefreshed，hegotupfromamongthehens，scrambledoverthedrystone-wall，andtrottedawaytotheburn。
CHAPTERXIV。
HORNIE。
ItwasnowtimeheshouldresumehisjourneyupDaurside，andhesetouttofollowtheburnthathemightregaintheriver。Itledhimintoafinemeadow，whereanumberofcattlewerefeeding。Themeadowwasnotfenced——littlemorethanmarkedoff，indeed，upononeside，fromafieldofgrowingcorn，byalowwallofearth，coveredwithmossandgrassandflowers。Thecattlewerethereforeherdedbyaboy，whomGibbierecognizedeveninthedistanceashimbywhosecountenancehehadbeensomuchattractedwhen，likeanolddeityonacloud，helayspyingthroughthecrackintheceiling。
Theboywasreadingabook，fromwhicheverynowandthenheliftedhiseyestoglancearoundhim，andseewhetheranyofthecowsorheifersorstirkswerewanderingbeyondtheirpastureofrye-grassandclover。Havingthemallbeforehim，thereforenooccasiontolookbehind，hedidnotseeGibbieapproaching。Butassoonasheseemedthoroughlyoccupied，acertainblackcow，withshortsharphornsandawickedlook，whichhadbeengradually，aswasherwont，edgingnearerandnearertothecorn，turnedsuddenlyandranforit，jumpedthedyke，andplungingintoamadrevelryofgreed，toreanddevouredwithallthehastenotmerelyofoneinsecure，butofonethatknewshewasstealing。NowGibbiehadbeenobservantenoughduringhistravelstolearnthatthiswasagainstthelawandcustomofthecountry——thatitwasnotpermittedtoacowtogointoafieldwheretherewerenoothers——andlikeashothewasaftertheblackmarauder。Thesameinstanttheherdboytoo，liftinghiseyesfromhisbook，sawher，andspringingtohisfeet，caughtuphisgreatstick，andranalso：hehadmorethanonereasontorun，forheunderstoodonlytoowellthedangeroustemperofthecow，andsawthatGibbiewasamerechild，andunarmed——anobjectmostprovocativeofattacktoHornie——sonamed，indeed，becauseofherreadinesstousetheweaponswithwhichNaturehadprovidedher。
Shewasinfactamaliciouscow，andbutthatshewasasplendidmilker，wouldhavebeenlongagofattedupandsenttothebutcher。
Theboyasheranfullspeedtotherescue，keptshoutingtowarnGibbiefromhispurpose，butGibbiewastoointenttounderstandthesoundsheuttered，andsupposedthemaddressedtothecow。Withthefearlessservicethatbelongedtohisverybeing，heranstraightatHornie，and，havingnothingtostrikeherwith，flunghimselfagainstherwithagreatshovetowardsthedyke。Hornie，absorbedinherdeliciousrobbery，neitherheardnorsawbeforeshefelthim，and，startledbythesuddenattack，turnedtail。Itwasbutforamoment。Inturning，shecaughtsightofherruler，sceptreinhand，atsomelittledistance，andturnedagain，eithertohaveanothermouthful，orinthemereinstincttoescapehim。Thenshecaughtsightoftheinsignificantobjectthathadscaredher，andincontemptuousindignationloweredherheadbetweenherforefeet，andwasjustmakingarushatGibbie，whenastonestruckheronahorn，andthenextmomenttheherdcameup，andwithastormoffiercestblows，deliveredwiththefullmightofhisarm，droveherinabsoluteroutbackintothemeadow。Drawinghimselfupintheunconsciousmajestyofsuccess，DonalGrantlookeddownuponGibbie，butwitheyesofadmiration。
“Haith，cratur！”hesaid，“ye’remairo’amannorye’llluikthissavenyear！，Whatgarredyerinupo’thedeevil’sverrahornsthatgait？”
Gibbiestoodsmiling。
“Gien’thadnabeenformyclubwewadbaithbeowrethemune’gainthistime。Whatca’theyye，man？”
StillGibbieonlysmiled。
“Whaurcomeyefrae？——Wha’syerfowk？——Whaurdivyebide？——Haenayeatonguei’yerheid，yerascal？”
Gibbieburstoutlaughing，andhiseyessparkledandshone：hewasdelightedwiththeherd-boy，anditwassolongsincehehadheardhumanspeechaddressedtohimself！
“Thecratur’sfeel(foolish)！”concludedDonaltohimselfpityingly。
“Puirthing！puirthing！”headdedaloud，andlaidhishandonGibbie’shead。
ItwasbutthesecondtouchofkindnessGibbiehadreceivedsincehewasthedog’sguest：hadhebeenacquaintedwiththebastardemotionofself-pity，hewouldhavewept;ashewasunawareofhardshipinhislot，discontentinhisheart，ordiscordinhisfeeling，hisemotionwasoneofunmingleddelight，andembodieditselfinaperfectsmile。
“Come，cratur，an’I’llgieyeapiece：ye’llaiblinsun’erstan’
that！”saidDonal，asheturnedtoleavethecornforthegrass，whereHorniewaseatingwiththerestlikethemostinnocentofhum’le(hornless)animals。Gibbieobeyed，andfollowed，as，withslowstepanddownbentface，Donalledtheway。Forhehadtuckedhisclubunderhisarm，andalreadyhisgreedyeyeswerefixedonthebookhehadcarriedallthetime，nordidhetakethemfromituntil，followedinfullandpatientcontentbyGibbie，hehadalmostreachedthemiddleofthefield，somedistancefromHornieandhercompanions，when，stoppingabruptlyshort，hebeganwithoutliftinghisheadtocastglancesonthissideandthat。
“Ihoupnaneo’them’sswallowedmynepkin！”hesaidmusingly。“I’mnosurewhaurIwassittin’。Ihaemyplacei’thebeuk，butI
doobtIhaetintmyplacei’thegerse。”
Longbeforehehadended，forhespokewithutterdeliberation，Gibbiewasyardsaway，flittinghitherandthitherlikeabutterfly。
AminutemoreandDonalsawhimpounceuponhisbundle，whichhebroughttohimintriumph。
“Fegs！ye’renothegowkItookyefor，“saidDonalmeditatively。
WhetherGibbietooktheremarkforacompliment，ormerelywasgratifiedthatDonalwaspleased，theresultwasamerrylaugh。
Thebundlehadinitapieceofhardcheese，suchasGibbiehadalreadymadeacquaintancewith，andafewquartersofcakes。OneoftheseDonalbrokeintwo，gaveGibbiethehalf，replacedtheother，andsatdownagaintohisbook——thistimewithhisbackagainstthefell-dykedividingthegrassfromthecorn。Gibbieseatedhimself，likeaTurk，withhisbarelegscrossedunderhim，afewyardsoff，where，insilenceandabsolutecontent，heatehispiece，andgravelyregardedhim。Hishumansoulhadoflatebeenstarved，evenmorethanhisbody——andthatfromnofastidiousness;anditwasparadiseagaintobeinsuchcompany。Neversincehisfather’sdeathhadhelookedonafacethatdrewhimasDonal’s。Itwasfairofcomplexionbynature，butthesunhadburneditbrown，anditwascoveredwithfreckles。Itsforeheadwashigh，withamassoffoxyhairoverit，andunderittwokeenhazeleyes，inwhichthegreenpredominatedoverthebrown。Itsnosewaslongandsolemn，overhiswell-mademouth，whichrarelysmiled，butnotunfrequentlytrembledwithemotion——overhisbook。Forage，Donalwasgettingtowardsfifteen，andwasstronglybuilt，andwellgrown。Agenerallookofhonesty，andanattractiveexpressionofreposefulfriendlinesspervadedhiswholeappearance。Conscientiousinregardtohiswork，hewasyetindangerofforgettinghisdutyforminutestogetherinhisbook。Thechiefevilthatresultedfromitwassuchanoccasionalinroadonthecornashadthatmorningtakenplace;andmanywereDonal’sself-reproacheserehegottosleepwhenthathadfallenoutduringtheday。Heknewhismasterwouldthreatenhimwithdismissalifhecameuponhimreadinginthefield，butheknewalsohismasterwaswellawarethathedidread，andthatitwaspossibletoreadandyetherdwell。Itwaseasyenoughinthissamemeadow：ononesiderantheLorrie;onanotherwasastonewall;andonthethirdaditch;onlythecornfieldlayvirtuallyunprotected，andtherehehadtobehimselftheboundary。Andnowhesatleaningagainstthedyke，asifheheldsoapositionofspecialdefence;
butheknewwellenoughthatthedullestcalfcouldoutflankhim，andinvade，forafewmomentsattheleast，theforbiddenpleasure-ground。Hehadgainedanally，however，whosefacultyandfaithfulnesshelittleknewyet。ForGibbiehadbeguntocomprehendthesituation。Hecouldnotcomprehendwhyorhowanyoneshouldbeabsorbedinabook，forallheknewofbookswasfromhisonemorningofdame-schooling;buthecouldcomprehendthat，ifone’sattentionweresooccupied，itmustbeagreatvextobeinterruptedcontinuallybytheever-wakingdesiresofhischargeafterdainties。
Therefore，asDonalwatchedhisbook，GibbieforDonal’ssakewatchedtheherd，and，ashedidso，gentlypossessedhimselfofDonal’sclub。NorhadmanyminutespassedbeforeDonal，raisinghisheadtolook，sawthecurstcowagaininthegreencorn，andGibbiemanfullyencounteringherwiththeclub，hittingherharduponheadandhorns，anddeftlyavoidingeveryrushshemadeathim。
“Gieher’tupo’thenose，“Donalshoutedinterror，asheranfullspeedtohisaid，abusingHornieintermsoffiercestvituperation。
Butheneedednothavebeensoapprehensive。Gibbieheardandobeyed，andthenextmomentHorniehadturnedtailandwasfleeingbacktothesafetyofthelawfulmeadow。
“Hech，cratur！butyemaunbecomeo’fechtin’fowk！”saidDonal，regardinghimwithfreshadmiration。
Gibbielaughed;buthehadbeensorelyputtoit，andthebigdropswerecoursingfastdownhissweetface。Donaltooktheclubfromhim，andrushingatHornie，belabouredherwell，anddroveherquitetotheothersideofthefield。Hethenreturnedandresumedhisbook，whileGibbieagainsatdownnearby，andwatchedbothDonalandhischarge——thekeeperofbothherdandcattle。SurelyGibbiehadatlastfoundhisvocationonDaurside，withbothmanandbeastforhisspecialcare！
ByandbyDonalraisedhisheadoncemore，butthistimeitwastoregardGibbieandnotthenowt。Ithadgraduallysunkintohimthattheappearanceandcharacterofthecraturwerepeculiar。Hehadregardedhimasalittletramp，whosepeoplewerenotfaroff，andwhowouldsoongettiredofherdingandrejoinhiscompanions;butwhileheread，astrangefeelingofthepresenceoftheboyhad，inspiteofthewitcheryofhisbook，beengrowinguponhim。Heseemedtofeelhiseyeswithoutseeingthem;andwhenGibbierosetolookhowthecattleweredistributed，hebecamevaguelyuneasylesttheboyshouldbegoingaway。Foralreadyhehadbeguntofeelhimahumblekindofguardianangel。Hehadalreadythatday，throughhim，enjoyedalongerspellofhisbook，thananydaysincehehadbeenherdattheMainsofGlashruach。Andnowthedesirehadcometoregardhimmoreclosely。
Foraminuteortwohesatandgazedathim。Gibbiegazedathiminreturn，andinhiseyestheherd-boylookedtheverytypeofpowerandgentleness。Howheadmiredevenhissuitofsmall-ribbed，greenish-colouredcorduroy，theribsmuchrubbedandobliterated！
Thenhisjackethadroundbrassbuttons！histrousershadpatchesinsteadofholesattheknees！theirshortlegsrevealedwarmwoollenstockings！andhisshoeshadtheirsolesfullofgreatbroad-headedirontacks！whileonhisheadhehadasmallroundbluebonnetwitharedtuft！，Thelittleoutcast，ontheotherhand，withhislovingfaceandpurecleareyes，biddingfairtobenakedaltogetherbeforelong，wokeinDonaladivinepity，atendernesslikethatnestlingattheheartofwomanhood。Theneglectedcreaturecouldsurelyhavenomothertoshieldhimfromfrostandwindandrain。Butastrangethingwas，thatoutofthispitifultendernessseemedtogrow，likeitsblossom，anotherunlikefeeling——namely，thathewasinthepresenceofabeingofsomeordersuperiortohisown，onetowhomhewouldhavetolistenifhespoke，whoknewmorethanhewouldtell。ButthenDonalwasaCelt，andmightbeapoet，andthesweetstillnessofthechild’satmospheremadethingsbudinhisimagination。
Myreadermustthinkhowvastly，inallhispoverty，DonalwasGibbie’ssuperiorinthesocialscale。Heearnedhisownfoodandshelter，andnearlyfourpoundsayearbesides;livedaswellashecouldwish，dressedwarm，wasableforhiswork，andimagineditnohardship。ThenhehadafatherandmotherwhomhewenttoseeeverySaturday，andofwhomhewasasproudassoncouldbe——afatherwhowasthepriestofthefamily，andfedsheep;amotherwhowastheprophetess，andkeptthehouseeveranopenrefugeforherchildren。
PoorGibbieearnednothing——neverhadearnedmorethanapennyatatimeinhislife，andhadneverdreamedofhavingaclaimtosuchpenny。Nobodyseemedtocareforhim，givehimanything，doanythingforhim。YettherehesatbeforeDonal’seyes，fullofservice，ofsmiles，ofcontentment。
Donaltookuphisbook，butlaiditdownagainandgazedatGibbie。
Severaltimeshetriedtoreturntohisreading，butasoftenresumedhiscontemplationoftheboy。Atlengthitstruckhimassomethingmorethanshynesswouldaccountfor，thathehadnotyetheardawordfromthelipsofthechild，evenwhenrunningafterthecows。Hemustwatchhimmoreclosely。
Bythisitwashisdinnertime。Againheuntiedhishandkerchief，andgaveGibbiewhathejudgedafairshareforhisbulk——namelyaboutathirdofthewhole。Philosopherashewas，however，hecouldnothelpsighingalittlewhenhegottotheendofhisdiminishedportion。ButhewasbetterthancomfortedwhenGibbieofferedhimallthatyetremainedtohim;andthesmilewithwhichherefuseditmadeGibbieashappyasaprincewouldliketobe。
WhatadayithadbeenforGibbie！，Awholehumanbeing，andsomefiveandtwentyfour-leggedcreaturesbesides，totakecareof！
Aftertheirdinner，Donalgravitatedtohisbook，andGibbieresumedtheexecutive。SometimehadpassedwhenDonal，glancingup，sawGibbielyingflatonhischest，staringatsomethinginthegrass。
Heslidhimselfquietlynearer，anddiscovereditwasadaisy——onebyitselfalone;therewerenotmanyinthefield。Likeamotherleaningoverherchild，hewasgazingatit。Thedaisywasnotacoldwhiteone，neitherwasitaredone;itwasjustaperfectdaisy：itlookedasifsomegentlehandhadtakenit，whileitsleptanditsstarpointswereallfoldedtogether，anddippedthem——justatinytouchydip，inamoltenruby，sothat，whenitopenedagain，therewasitscrownofsilverpointedwithrubiesallaboutitsgoldensun-heart。
“He’sbeenreadin’Burns！”saidDonal。HeforgotthatthedaisieswerebeforeBurns，andthathehimselfhadlovedthembeforeeverheheardofhim。Now，hehadnotheardofChaucer，whomadelovetothedaisiesfourhundredyearsbeforeBurns——Godonlyknowswhatgospellerstheyhavebeenonhismiddle-earth。Allitsdayshisdaisieshavebeencomingandgoing，andtheyarenotoldyet，norhavewornoutyettheirlovelygarments，thoughtheypatchanddarnjustaslittleastheytoilandspin。
“Canyeread，cratur？”askedDonal。
Gibbieshookhishead。
“Cannayespeyk，man？”
AgainGibbieshookhishead。
“Canyehear？”
Gibbieburstoutlaughing。Heknewthatheheardbetterthanotherpeople。
“Hearkentillthisthan，“saidDonal。
Hetookhisbookfromthegrass，andread，inachant，orratherinalilt，theDanishballadofChyldDyring，astranslatedbySirWalterScott。Gibbie’seyesgrewwiderandwiderashelistened;
theirpupilsdilated，andhislipsparted：itseemedasifhissoulwerelookingoutofdoorandwindowsatonce——butapuzzledsoulthatunderstoodnothingofwhatitsaw。Yetplainly，eitherthesounds，orthethought-mattervaguelyoperativebeyondthelinewhereintelligencebegins，or，itmaybe，thesparkleofindividualwordorphraseislandedinachaosofrhythmicmotion，wroughtsomehowuponhim，forhisattentionwasfixedasbyaspell。WhenDonalceased，heremainedopen-mouthedandmotionlessforatime;
then，drawinghimselfslidinglyoverthegrasstoDonal’sfeet，heraisedhisheadandpeepedabovehiskneesatthebook。Amomentonlyhegazed，anddrewbackwithahungrysigh：hehadseennothinginthebooklikewhatDonalhadbeendrawingfromit——asifoneshouldlookintothewellofwhichhehadjustdrunk，andseetherenothingbutdrypebblesandsand！，Thewindblewgentle，thesunshonebright，allnatureclosedsoftlyroundthetwo，andthesoulwhosechildrentheywerewasnearerthantheonetotheother，nearerthansunorwindordaisyorChyldDyring。Tohisamazement，DonalsawthetearsgatheringinGibbie’seyes。HewasasonewhogazesintotheabyssofGod’swill——seesonlytheabyss，cannotseethewill，andweeps。Thechildinwhomneithercoldnorhungernornakednessnorlonelinesscouldmoveathrobofself-pity，wasmovedtotearsthataloveliness，tohimstrangeandunintelligible，hadpassedaway，andhehadnopowertocallitback。
“Wadyeliketohear’tagain？”askedDonal，morethanhalfunderstandinghiminstinctively。
Gibbie’sfaceansweredwithaflash，andDonalreadthepoemagain，andGibbie’sdelightreturnedgreaterthanbefore，fornowsomethinglikeadawnbegantoappearamongthecloudywords。Donalreaditathirdtime，andclosedthebook，foritwasalmostthehourfordrivingthecattlehome。Hehadneveryetseen，andperhapsneveragaindidsee，suchalookofthankfuldevotiononhumancountenanceasmethisliftedeyes。
HowmuchGibbieeventhenunderstoodofthelovelyeerieoldballad，itisimpossibleformetosay。Hadheaglimmerofthereturnoftheburiedmother？，Didhethinkofhisown？，Idoubtifhehadeverthoughtthathehadamother;buthemayhaveassociatedthetalewithhisfather，andthebootshewasalwaysmakingforhim。
Certainlyitwasthebeginningofmuch。Butthewakingupofahumansoultoknowitselfinthemirrorofitsthoughtsandfeelings，itslovesanddelights，oppressesmewithsoheavyasenseofmarvelandinexplicablemystery，thatwhenIimaginemyselfsuchasGibbiethenwas，Icannotimaginemyselfcomingawake。Icanhardlybelievethat，frombeingsuchasGibbiewasthehourbeforeheheardtheballad，Ishouldeverhavecomeawake。YethereIam，capableofpleasureunspeakablefromthatandmanyanotherballad，oldandnew！somehow，atonetimeoranother，oratmanytimesinone，Ihaveatlastcomeawake！，When，byslowfilmyunveilings，lifegrewclearertoGibbie，andhenotonlyknew，butknewthatheknew，histhoughtsalwayswentbacktothatdayinthemeadowwithDonalGrantasthebeginningofhisknowledgeofbeautifulthingsintheworldofman。Thenfirsthesawnaturereflected，Narcissus-like，inthemirrorofherhumanity，herhighestself。
Butwhenorhowthechangeinhimbegan，theturnofthebalance，thefirstpushtowardslifeoftheevermoreinvisiblegerm——ofthatheremained，muchashewondered，oftenashesearchedhisconsciousness，asignoranttothelastasIamnow。Sometimeshewasinclinedtothinkthegloryofthenewexperiencemusthavestruckhimdazed，andthatwaswhyhecouldnotrecallwhatwentoninhimatthetime。
Donalroseandwentdrivingthecattlehome，andGibbielaywherehehadagainthrownhimselfuponthegrass。Whenheliftedhishead，Donalandthecowshadvanished。
Donalhadlookedallroundasheleftthemeadow，andseeingtheboynowhere，hadconcludedhehadgonetohispeople。Theimpressionhehadmadeuponhimfadedalittleduringtheevening。Forwhenhereachedhome，andhadwateredthem，hehadtotieuptheanimals，eachinitsstall，andmakeitcomfortableforthenight;next，eathisownsupper;thenlearnapropositionofEuclid，andgotobed。
