CHAPTERXV。
DONALGRANT。
Hungeringmindscomeofpeasantpeopleasoftenasofany，andhaveappearedinScotlandasoften，Ifancy，asinanynation;noteveryScotsman，therefore，whomaynothimselfhaveknownonelikeDonal，willrefusetobelieveinsuchaherd-laddie。Besides，therearestillthoseinScotland，aswellasinothernations，towhomthesimpleandnoble，notthecommonplaceandselfish，isthetruetypeofhumanity。OfsuchasDonal，whetherEnglishorScotch，istheclasscominguptopreservethehonourandtruthofourBritain，tobetheoilofthelampofherlife，whenthosewhoplacehergloryinknowledge，orinriches，shallhavepassedfromherhistoryasthesmokefromherchimneys。
CheapaseducationthenwasinScotland，theparentsofDonalGranthadneverdreamedofsendingasontocollege。Itwasdifficultforthemtosaveeventhefewquarterlyshillingsthatpaidthefeesoftheparishschoolmaster：forDonal，indeed，theywouldhavefailedeveninthis，butforthehelphisbrothersandsistersafforded。
Afterheleftschool，however，andgotaplaceasherd，hefaredbetterthananyoftherest，forattheMainshefoundafriendandhelperinFergusDuff，hismaster’ssecondson，whowasthenathomefromcollege，whichhehadnowattendedtwowinters。Partlythathewasdelicateinhealth，partlythathewassomethingofafinegentleman，hetooknosharewithhisfatherandelderbrotherintheworkofthefarm，althoughhewasattheMainsfromthebeginningofApriltotheendofOctober。Hewasahumankindofsoulnotwithstanding，andwouldhavebeenmuchmoreofamanifhehadthoughtlessofbeingagentleman。HehadtakenalikingtoDonal，andhavingfoundinhimastrongdesireaftereverykindofknowledgeofwhichhehimselfhadanyshare，hadsoughttoenliventhetediumofanexistencerenderednotalittleflabbyfromwantofsufficientwork，byimpartingtohimofthetreasureshehadgathered。Theywerenotgreat，andhecouldneverhavecarriedhimfar，forhewashimselfonlyarespectablestudent，notalittlelackinginperseverance，andgiventodreamingdreamsofwhichhewashimselfthehero。Happily，however，Donalwasofanothersort，andfromthefirstneededbuttohavetheoutermostshellofathingbrokenforhim，andthatFerguscoulddo：byandbyDonalwouldbreakashellforhimself。
ButperhapsthebestthingFergusdidforhimwasthelendinghimbooks。Donalhadanaltogetherunappeasablehungeraftereveryformofliteraturewithwhichhehadasyetmadeacquaintance，andthishungerFergusfedwiththebooksofthehouse，andmanybesidesofsuchashepurchasedorborrowedforhisownreading——theselastchieflypoetry。ButFergusDuff，whileherevelledinthewritingsofcertainofthepoetsoftheage，wasincapableoffindingpoetryforhimselfinthethingsaroundhim：DonalGrant，ontheotherhand，whileheseizedonthepoemsFerguslenthim，withanavidityevengreaterthanhis，receivedfromthenaturearoundhiminfluencessimilartothosewhichexhaledfromthewordsofthepoet。Insomesense，then，Donalwasoriginal;thatis，hereceivedatfirsthandwhatFergusrequiredtohave“puton“him，toquoteCelia，inAsyoulikeit，“aspigeonsfeedtheiryoung。”，Therefore，fiercelyasitwouldhaveharrowedtheprideofFergustobeinformedofthefact，hewasinthekingdomofartonlyasonewhoateofwhatfellfromthetable，whilehisfather’sherd-boywasoneofthefamily。ThiswasasfarfromDonal’sthought，however，asfromthatofFergus;thecondescension，therefore，ofthelatterdidnotimpairthegratitudeforwhichtheformerhadsuchlargereason;
andDonallookeduptoFergusastooneofthelordsoftheworld。
Tofindhimselfnowinthereversedrelationofsuperiorandteachertothelittleoutcast，whosewholeworldlyhavingmightbesummedinthestatementthathewasnotabsolutelynaked，wokeinDonalanaltogethernewandstrangefeeling;yetgratitudetohismasterhadbutturneditselfround，andbecometendernesstohispupil。
AfterDonallefthiminthefield，andwhilehewasministering，firsttohisbeastsandthentohimself，Gibbielayonthegrass，ashappyaschildcouldwellbe。Alovinghandlaidonhisfeetorlegswouldhavefoundthemlikeice;butwherewasthemattersolongasheneverthoughtofthem？，Hecouldhavesuppedahugebickerofsowens，andeatenadozenpotatoes;butofwhatmightyconsequenceishunger，solongasitneitherabsorbsthethought，norcausesfaintness？，Thesun，however，wasgoingdownbehindagreatmountain，anditshugeshadow，madeofdarkness，andhauntedwithcold，cameslidingacrosstheriver，andovervalleyandfield，nothingstayingitssilentwave，untilitcoveredGibbiewiththeblanketofthedark，underwhichhecouldnotlongforgetthathewasinabodytowhichcoldisunfriendly。Atthefirstbreathofthenight-windthatcameaftertheshadow，heshivered，andstartingtohisfeet，begantotrot，increasinghisspeeduntilhewasscuddingupanddownthefieldlikeawildthingofthenight，whosetimewasathand，waitinguntiltheworldshouldlieopentohim。
Suddenlyheperceivedthatthedaisies，whichalldaylonghadbeenfull-facingthesun，liketruesoulsconfessingtothefatherofthem，hadfoldedtheirpetalstogethertopoints，andheldthemlikespear-headstippedwiththreateningcrimson，againsttheonsetofthenightandhershadows，whilewithinitswhiteconeeachfoldedinthegoldenheartofitslife，untilthegreatfathershouldreturn，and，shakingthewickedoutofthefoldsofthenight，rendertheworldoncemoresafewithanothergloriousday。Gibbiegazedandwondered;andwhilehegazed——slowly，glidingly，backtohismindcametheghost-motheroftheballad，andineverydaisyhesawherfoldingherneglectedorphanstoherbosom，whilethedarknessandthemiseryrolledbydefeated。Hewishedheknewaghostthatwouldputherarmsroundhim。Hemusthavehadamotheronce，hesupposed，buthecouldnotrememberher，andofcourseshemusthaveforgottenhim。Hedidnotknowthatabouthimwerefoldedtheeverlastingarmsofthegreat，theoneGhost，whichistheDeathofdeath——thelifeandsoulofallthingsandallthoughts。ThePresence，indeed，waswithhim，andhefeltit，butheknewitonlyasthewindandshadow，theskyandcloseddaisies：inallthesethingsandtherestittookshapethatitmightcomenearhim。Yea，thePresencewasinhisverysoul，elsehecouldneverhaverejoicedinfriend，ordesiredghosttomotherhim：stillheknewnotthePresence。Butitwasdrawingnearerandnearertohisknowledge——eveninsunandairandnightandcloud，inbeastandflowerandherd-boy，untilatlastitwouldrevealitselftohim，inhim，asLifeHimself。Thenthemanwouldknowthatinwhichthechildhadrejoiced。Thestarscameout，toGibbietheheavenlyherd，feedingatnight，andgatheringgoldinthebluepastures。Hesawthem，lookingupfromthegrasswherehehadthrownhimselftogazemorecloselyatthedaisies;andthesleepthatpresseddownhiseyelidsseemedtodescendfromthespacesbetweenthestars。
Butitwastoocoldthatnighttosleepinthefields，whenheknewwheretofindwarmth。Likeafoxintohishole，thechildwouldcreepintothecornerwhereGodhadstoredsleepforhim：backhewenttothebarn，gentlytrotting，andwormedhimselfthroughthecat-hole。
Thestrawwasgone！，Butherememberedthehay。Andhappily，forhewastired，therestoodtheladderagainsttheloft。Uphewent，norturnedasidetothecheese;butsleepwascommonpropertystill。Hegropedhiswayforwardthroughthedarkloftuntilhefoundthehay，whenatonceheburrowedintoitlikeasand-fishintothewetsand。
Allnightthewhitehorse，agloryvanishedinthedark，wouldbeclosetohim，behindthethinpartitionofboards。Hecouldhearhisverybreathasheslept，andtothemusicofit，audiblesignofcompanionship，hefellfastasleep，andsleptuntilthewakinghorseswokehim。
CHAPTERXVI。
APPRENTICESHIP。
Hescrambledoutonthetopofthehay，andlookeddownonthebeautifulcreaturebelowhim，dawningradiantagainwiththemorning，asitissuedundimmedfromtheblackbosomofthenight。
Hewasnot，perhaps，justsowellgroomedaswhitesteedmightbe;
itwasnotastablewheretheykeptablue-bagfortheirgreyhorses;buttoGibbie’seyeshewassopure，thathebegan，forthefirsttimeinhislife，todoubtwhetherhewashimselfquiteascleanasheoughttobe。Hedidnotknow，buthewouldmakeanexperimentforinformationwhenhegotdowntotheburn。Meantimewastherenothinghecoulddoforthesplendidcreature？，Fromabove，leaningover，hefilledhisrackwithhay;buthehadeatensomuchgrassthenightbefore，thathewouldnotlookatit，andGibbiewasdisappointed。Whatshouldhedonext？，Thethinghewouldlikebestwouldbetolookthroughtheceilingagain，andwatchthewomanatherwork。Then，too，hewouldagainsmelltheboilingporridge，andtheburningofthelittlesprinklesofmealthatfellintothefire。Hedragged，therefore，theladdertotheoppositeendofthebarn，andgradually，withnolittleeffort，raiseditagainstthewall。Carefullyhecreptthroughthehole，andsoftlyroundtheshelf，thedangerouspartofthepass，andsoontotheceiling，whencehepeepedoncemoredownintothekitchen。
Hisprecautionshadbeensofarunnecessary，forasyetitlayunvisited，aswitnessedbyitsdisorder。SuddenlycametoGibbiethethoughtthatherewasachanceforhim——hereapathbacktotheworld。Rendereddaringbytheeagernessofhishope，hegotagainupontheshelf，andwitheveryprecautionlestheshouldeventouchamilkpan，descendedbythelowershelvestothefloor。Therefindingthedooronlylatched，heenteredthekitchen，andproceededtodoeverythinghehadseenthewomando，asnearlyinherstyleashecould。Hesweptthefloor，anddustedtheseats，thewindowsill，thetable，withanapronhefoundleftonachair，thenarrangedeverythingtidily，rousedtherestedfire，andhadjustconcludedthattheonlywaytogetthegreatpotfullofwateruponit，wouldbetohangfirstthepotonthechain，andthenfillitwiththewater，whenhissharpearscaughtsoundsandthenheardapproachingfeet。Hedartedintothedairy，andinafewseconds，forhewasgettingusedtothethingnow，hadclamberedupontheceiling，andwaslyingflatacrossthejoists，withhiseyestothemostcommandingcrackhehaddiscovered：hewasanxioustoknowhowhisservicewouldbereceived。WhenJeanMavor——shewasthefarmer’shalf-sister——openedthedoor，shestoppedshortandstared;
thekitchenwasnotasshehadleftitthenightbefore！，Sheconcludedshemustbemistaken，forwhocouldhavetouchedit？andentered。Thenitbecameplainbeyonddisputethatthefloorhadbeenswept，thetablewiped，theplacereddup，andthefireroused。
“Hoot！，Imaunhaebeenwalkin’i’mysleep！”saidJeantoherselfaloud。“OrmaybethatguidladdieDonalGrant’sbeenwullin’togiemeahelpin’han’for’smither’ssake，honestwuman！，Theladdie’sguideneuchforonything！——ay，gien’twartomak’aministero’！”
Eagerly，greedily，Gibbienowwatchedhereverymotion，and，bentuponlearning，nothingescapedhim：hewoulddomuchbetternextmorning！——Atlengththemencameintobreakfast，andhethoughttoenjoythesight;but，alas！itwroughtsowithhishungerastomakehimfeelsick，andhecreptawaytothebarn。Hewouldgladlyhavelaindowninthehayforawhile，butthatwouldrequiretheladder，andhedidnotnowfeelabletomoveit。Onthefloorofthebarnhewasnotsafe，andhegotoutofitintothecornyard，wherehesoughtthehenhouse。Buttherewasnofoodthereyet，andhemustnotlingernear;for，ifhewerediscovered，theywoulddrivehimaway，andhewouldloseDonalGrant。Hehadnotseenhimatbreakfast，forindeedheseldom，duringthesummer，hadamealexceptsupperinthehouse。Gibbie，therefore，ashecouldnoteat，rantotheburnanddrank——buthadnoheartthatmorningforhisprojectedinquiryintothestateofhisperson。HemustgotoDonal。Thesightofhimwouldhelphimtobearhishunger。
ThefirstindicationDonalhadofhisproximitywastherushofHorniepasthiminflightoutofthecorn。Gibbiewaspursuingherwithstonesforlackofastick。Thoroughlyashamedofhimself，Donalthrewhisbookfromhim，andrantomeetGibbie。
“Yemaunnaflingstanes，cratur，“hesaid。“Haith！it’snoformetofin’fau’t，though，“headded，“sittin’readin’buikslikeagowk’atIam，an’lattin’thebeastsrinwullamo’thecorn，’at’sweelpeyedtohaudthemooto’’t！，I’mcleanaffrontitwi’mysel’，cratur。”
Gibbie’sresponsewastosetoffatfullspeedfortheplacewhereDonalhadbeensitting。Hewasbackinamomentwiththebook，whichhepressedintoDonal’shand，whilefromtheotherhewithdrewhisclub。Thishebrandishedaloftonceortwice，thenstartingatasteadytrot，speedilycircledtheherd，andreturnedtohisadoptedmaster——onlytostartagain，however，andattackHornie，whomhedrovefromthecorn-sideofthemeadowrightovertotheother：shewasalreadyafraidofhim。Afterwatchinghimforatime，DonalcametotheconclusionthathecouldnotdomorethanthecraturifhehadasmanyeyesasArgus，andgavenotevenoneofthemtohisbook。HethereforeleftalltoGibbie，anddidnotoncelookupforawholehour。Everythingwentjustasitshould;andnotonce，allthatday，didHornieagaingetamouthfulofthebraird。ItwasratheraheavymorningforGibbie，though，whohadeatennothing，andeverytimehecamenearDonal，sawthehandkerchiefbulginginthegrass，whichalittlegirlhadbroughtandleftforhim。Buthewasarareonebothatwaitingandatgoingwithout。
Atlast，however，Donaleithergrewhungryofhimself，orwasmovedbycertainunderstoodrelationsbetweenthesunandthenecessitiesofhismortalframe;forhelaiddownhisbook，calledouttoGibbie，“Cratur，it’sdenner-time，“andtookhisbundle。Gibbiedrewnearwithsparklingeyes。Therewasnoselfishnessinhishunger，for，attheworstpasshehadeverreached，hewouldhavesharedwhathehadwithanother，buthelookedsoeager，thatDonal，whohimselfknewnothingofwant，perceivedthathewasravenous，andmadehastetoundotheknotsofthehandkerchief，whichMistressJeanappearedthatdaytohavetiedwithmorethanordinaryvigour，eresheintrustedthebundletotheforeman’sdaughter。Whenthelastknotyielded，hegazedwithastonishmentattheamountandvarietyofprovisiondisclosed。
“Losh！”heexclaimed，“themistressmaunhaekennedtherewastwoo’
’s。”
Helittlethoughtthatwhatshehadgivenhimbeyondtheusualsupplywasanacknowledgmentofservicesrenderedbythosesamehandsintowhichhenowdeliveredashare，onthegroundofotherservicealtogether。Itisnotalways，evenwherethereisnomistakeastothepersonwhohasdeservedit，thattherewardreachesthedoersodirectly。
Beforethedaywasover，Donalgavehishelpermoreandotherpayforhisservice。Choosingafittime，whenthecattlewerewelltogetherandingoodposition，Hornieawayatthestonedyke，hetookfromhispocketasomewhatwastedvolumeofballads——ballants，hecalledthem——andsaid，“Sityedoon，cratur。Nevermin’thenowt。I’mgaein’toreadtillye。”
Gibbiedroppedonhiscrossedlegslikealarktotheground，andsatmotionless。Donal，afterdeliberatesearch，begantoread，andGibbietolisten;anditwouldbehardtodeterminewhichfoundthemorepleasureinhispart。ForDonalhadseldomhadalistener——andneveronesoutterlyabsorbed。
Whenthehourcameforthecattletogohome，Gibbieagainremainedbehind，waitinguntilallshouldbestillatthefarm。Helayonthedyke，broodingoverwhathehadheard，andwonderinghowitwasthatDonalgotallthosestrangebeautifulwordsandsoundsandstoriesoutofthebook。
CHAPTERXVII。
SECRETSERVICE。
Imustnotlingeroverdegreesandphases。Everymorning，Gibbiegotintothekitcheningoodtime;andnotonlydidmoreandmoreofthework，butdiditmoreandmoretothesatisfactionofJean，until，shortoftheactualmakingoftheporridge，hedideverythingantecedenttothemen’sbreakfast。WhenJeancamein，shehadbuttotakethelidfromthepot，putinthesalt，assumethespurtle，and，graspingthefirsthandfulofthemeal，whichstoodreadywaitinginthebossieonthestonecheekofthefire，throwitin，thuscommencingthesimplecookeryofthebeetofalldishestoatrue-heartedandhealthyScotsman。Withoutfurtherquestionsheattributedalltheaidshereceivedtothegoodness，“enoughforanything，“ofDonalGrant，andcontinuedtomakeacknowledgmentofthesameinbothsortandquantityofvictuals，whence，ashasbeenshown，thereallabourerreceivedhisduereward。
Untilhehadthoroughlymasteredhiswork，Gibbiepersistedinregardingmatterseconomic“fromhisloopholeintheceiling;“andhavingatlengthlearnedtheartofmakingbutter，soonarrivedatsomedegreeofperfectioninit。Butwhenatlastonemorninghenotonlychurned，butwashedandmadeitupentirelytoJean’ssatisfaction，shedidbegintowonderhowamereboycouldbothhavesuchperseverance，andbesocleveratawoman’swork。Fornowsheenteredthekitcheneverymorningwithoutaquestionoffindingthefireburning，thewaterboiling，theplacecleanandtidy，thesupperdisheswellwashedanddisposedonshelfandrack：herownpartwasmerelytoseethatproperclothswerehandytosothoroughauserofthem。Shetooknooneintoherconfidenceonthematter：
itwasenough，shejudged，thatsheandDonalunderstoodeachother。
AndnowifGibbiehadcontentedhimselfwithrenderingthishouse-serviceinreturnfortheshelterofthebarnanditshay，hemighthaveenjoyedbothlonger;butfromthepositionofhisnight-quarters，hecamegraduallytounderstandtheworkofthestablealso;andbeforelong，themen，whowerequiteignorantofanythingsimilartakingplaceinthehouse，begantoobserve，moretotheirwonderthansatisfaction，thatoneorotheroftheirhorseswasgenerallygroomedbeforehismancametohim;thatoftentherewashayintheirrackswhichtheyhadnotgiventhem;andthatthemaster’swhitehorseeverymorningshowedsignsofhavinghadsomeattentionpaidhimthatcouldnotbeaccountedfor。Theresultwasmuchtalkandspeculation，suspicionandoffence;forallwerejealousoftheirrights，theirduty，andtheirdignity，inrelationtotheirhorses：nomanwasatlibertytodoathingtoorforanybuthisownpair。Eventhebrighteningoftheharness-brass，inwhichGibbiesometimesindulged，wasanoffence;fordiditnotimplyareproach？，Manyweretheuselesstrapslaidfortheoffender，manythefutileattemptstosurprisehim：asGibbieneverdidanythingexceptforhalfanhourorsowhilethemenweresoundasleeporatbreakfast，heescapeddiscovery。
Buthecouldnotholdcontinuedintercoursewiththesplendourofthewhitehorse，andneglectcarryingouttheexperimentonwhichhehadresolvedwithregardtotheeffectofwateruponhisownskin;
andhavingfoundtheresultalittlesurprising，hesoongotintothehabitofdailyandthoroughablution。Butmanyanimalsthatneverwashareyetcleanerthansomethatdo;and，whatwiththescantinessofhisclothing，hisconstantexposuretotheatmosphere，andhisgenerallylyinginafreshlair，Gibbiehadalwaysbeencomparativelyclean。Besides，beingniceinhismind，hewasnaturallyniceinhisbody。
ThenewpersonalregardthusrousedbythepresenceofSnowball，haditsdevelopmentgreatlyassistedbythescrupulositywithwhichmostthingsinthekitchen，andchiefofallinthisrespect，thechurn，werekept。ItrequiredmuchefforttocomeuptothenicetyconsideredbyJeanindispensableinthechurn;andthecroucherontheceiling，whenhesawthelongnoseadvancetoprosecuteinquiryintoitscondition，mentallytrembledlestthenextmovementshouldcondemnhisendeavourasafailure。Withhisclotheshecoulddonothing，alas！buthebathedeverynightintheLorrieassoonasDonalhadgonehomewiththecattle。Oncehegotintoadeephole，butmanagedtogetoutagain，andsolearnedthathecouldswim。
AlldayhewaswithDonal，andtookfromhimbymuchthegreaterpartofhislabour：Donalhadneverhadsuchtimeforreading。Inreturnhegavehimhisdinner，andGibbiecoulddoverywellupononemealaday。Hepaidhimalsoinpoetry。Itnevercameintohishead，seeingheneverspoke，toteachhimtoread。Hesoongaveupattemptingtolearnanythingfromhimastohisplaceorpeopleorhistory，fortoallquestionsinthatdirectionGibbieonlylookedgraveandshookhishead。Asoften，ontheotherhand，ashetriedtolearnwherehespentthenight，hereceivedforansweronlyoneofhismerriestlaughs。
NorwaslargertimeforreadingthesolebenefitGibbieconferreduponDonal。Suchwastheavidityandgrowingintelligencewithwhichthelittlenakedtown-savagelistenedtowhatDonalreadtohim，thathispresencewasjustsomuchaddedtoDonal’sownlivesoulofthoughtandfeeling。FromlisteningtohisownlipsthroughGibbie’sears，henotonlyunderstoodmanythingsbetter，but，perceivingwhatthingsmustpuzzleGibbie，camesometimes，rathertohisastonishment，toseethatinfacthedidnotunderstandthemhimself。Thusthebondbetweentheboyandthechildgrewcloser——farcloser，indeedthanDonalimagined;for，althoughstill，nowandthen，hehadareturnofthefancythatGibbiemightbeacreatureofsomespeechlessraceotherthanhuman，ofwhomhewasnevertoknowwhencehecameorwhitherhewent——amessenger，perhaps，cometounveiltohimthedepthsofhisownspirit，andmakeupforthehumanteachingdeniedhim，thiswasonlyinhismorepoeticmoods，andhisordinarymentalpositiontowardshimwasoneofkindcondescension。
Itwasnotallfineweatherupthereamongthemountainsinthebeginningofsummer。InthefirstweekofJuneeven，therewassleetandsnowinthewind——thetearsofthevanquishedWinter，blown，ashefled，acrossthesea，fromNorwayorIceland。ThenwouldDonal’sheartbesoreforGibbie，whenhesawhispoorragsblownaboutlikestreamersinthewind，andthewhitespotsmeltingonhisbareskin。Hisownconditionwouldthentomanyhaveappearedpitifulenough，butsuchanideaDonalwouldhavelaughedtoscorn，andjustly。Thenmost，perhapsthenonly，doesthetrulygenerousnaturefeelpoverty，whenheseesanotherinneedandcandolittleornothingtohelphim。Donalhadneithergreatcoat，plaid，norumbrella，wherewithtoshieldGibbie’sloopedandwindowedraggedness。Once，ingreatpity，hepulledoffhisjacket，andthrewitonGibbie’sshoulders。Buttheshoutoflaughterthatburstfromtheboy，asheflungthejacketfromhim，andrushedawayintothemiddleofthefeedingherd，ashoutthatcamefromnocaveofrudeness，butfromtheverydepthsofdelight，stirredbythelovingkindnessoftheact，startledDonaloutofhispityintobriefanger，andherushedafterhiminindignation，withfullpurposetoteachhimproperbehaviourbyaboxoneachear。ButGibbiedivedunderthebellyofafavouritecow，andpeeringoutsidewaysfromunderherneckandbetweenherforelegs，hisarmsgraspingeachaleg，whilethecowwentontwistingherlongtongueroundthegrassandpluckingitundisturbed，showedsuchaninnocentcountenanceofholymerriment，thattheprideofDonal’shurtbenevolencemeltedaway，andhislaughteremulatedGibbie’s。ThatsortofdaywasintruthdrearierforDonalthanforGibbie，forthebookshehadwerenothisown，andhedarednotexposethemtotherain;someofthemindeedcamefromGlashruach——theMuckleHoose，theygenerallycalledit！，Whenhelefthim，itwastowanderdisconsolatelyaboutthefield;whileGibbie，shelteredunderawholecow，defiedthechillandthesleet，andhadnobooksofwhichtomisstheuse。Hecouldnot，itistrue，shieldhislegsfromtheinsidiousattacksofsuchsneakingblastsaswillalwaysfindouttheundefendedspots;buthisgreatheartwassowell-to-dointheinsideofhim，that，unlikeTouchstone，hisspiritsnotbeingweary，hecarednotforhislegs。Theworststormintheworldcouldnothavemadethatheartquail。For，think！therehadjustbeenthestrong，thewell-dressed，thelearned，thewise，thealtogethermightyandconsiderableDonal，thecowherd，actuallydesiringhim，weeSirGibbieGalbraith，thecinderofthecityfurnace，thenaked，andgenerallythehungrylittletramp，towearhisjackettocoverhimfromthestorm！，Theideawasoneofeternaltriumph;andGibbie，exultingintheunheard-ofdevotionandcondescensionofthething，keptonlaughinglikeablessedcherubunderthecow’sbelly。
Norwasthereinhisdelightthesmallestadmixtureofpridethatheshouldhavedrawnforthsuchkindness;itwassimplegloryinginthebeauteousfact。Astothecoldandthesleet，sofarasheknewtheyneverhurtanybody。Theywerenotaltogetherpleasantcreatures，buttheycouldnothelpthemselves，andwouldsoongiveovertheirteasing。Byto-morrowtheywouldhavewanderedawayintootherfields，andleftthesunfreetocomebacktoDonalandthecattle，whenGibbie，atpresentshieldedlikeanylordbythefriendliestofcows，wouldcomeinforashareofthelightandthewarmth。Gibbiewassoconfidentwiththeanimals，thattheywerealreadyevenmorefriendlywithhimthanwithDonal——allexceptHornie，who，beingofalowspirit，thereforeincapableofobedience，wasfriendliestwiththeonewhogaveherthehardestblows。
CHAPTERXVIII。
THEBROONIE。
Thingshadgoneoninthiswayforseveralweeks——ifGibbiehadnotbeensuchasmallcreature，Ihardlyseehowtheycouldforsolong——whenonemorningthemencameintobreakfastalloutoftempertogether，complainingloudlyofthepersonunknownwhowouldpersistininterferingwiththeirwork。TheywerethelouderthattheirsuspicionsflutteredaboutFergus，whowasratheroverbearingwiththem，andthereforenotafavourite。Hewasinrealitynotatallalikelypersontobendbackordefilehandsoversuchlabour，andtheirpitchinguponhimfortheobjectoftheirsuspicion，showedhowmuchatalosstheywere。Theironlygroundforsuspectinghim，beyondthefactthattherewasnootherwhombyanyviolenceofimaginationtheycouldsuspect，was，that，whateverelsewasdoneorleftundoneinthestable，Snowball，whomFerguswasfondof，androdealmosteveryday，was，asalreadymentioned，suretohavesomethingdoneforhim。Hadhebeeningoododourwiththem，theywouldhavethoughtnoharmofmostofthethingstheythoughthedid，especiallyastheyeasedtheirwork;buthecarriedhimselfhigh，theysaid，doingnothingbutrideoverthefarmandpickouteveryfaulthecouldfind——toshowhowsharphewas，andlookasifhecoulddobetterthananyofthem;andtheyfanciedthathecarriedtheirevilreporttohisfather，andthatthisunderhandworkinthestablemustbepartofsomeslyschemeforbringingthemintodisgrace。Andnowatlasthadcometheworstthingofall：Gibbiehaddiscoveredthecorn-bin，andhavingnonotionbutthateverythinginthestablewasforthedelectationofthehorses，hadbeenfeedingthemlargelywithoats——adelicacywithwhich，intheplentyofotherprovisions，theywereverysparinglysupplied;andtheconsequenceshadbeguntoshowthemselvesintheincreasedunrulinessofthemorewaywardamongstthem。Gibbiehadlonggivenupresortingtotheceiling，andremainedinutterignoranceofthestormthatwasbrewingbecauseofhim。
Thesamedaybroughtthingsnearlytoacrisis;fortheoverfedSnowball，provingtoomuchforFergus’shorsemanship，camerushinghomeatafiercegallopwithouthim，havingindeedlefthiminaditchbytheroadside。Theremarkthereuponmadebythemeninhishearing，thatitwashisownfault，ledhimtoaskquestions，whenhecamegraduallytoknowwhattheyattributedtohim，andwasindignantattheimputationofsuchanemploymentofhismorningstoonewhohadhisstudiestoattendto——scarcelyawiselineofdefencewherethetruthwouldhavebeenmorecredibleaswellasconvincing——namely，thatatthetimewhenthoseworksofsupererogationcouldalonebeeffected，helayaslostacreatureaseversleepcouldmakeofaman。
Intheevening，JeansoughtawordwithDonal，andexpressedhersurprisethatheshouldbeabletodoeverybody’sworkabouttheplace，warninghimitwouldbesaidhediditattheexpenseofhisown。Butwhatcouldhemean，shesaid，bywastingthegoodcorntoputdevilryintothehorses？，Donalstaredinutterbewilderment。
Heknewperfectlythattothemensuspicionofhimwasasimpossibleasofoneofthemselves。Didhenotsleepinthesamechamberwiththem？，CoulditbeallusiontothewayhespenthistimewhenoutwiththecattlethatMistressJeanintended？，Hewassoconfused，lookedsoguiltyaswellasastray，andansweredsofarfromanypointinJean’smind，thatsheatlastbecamealtogetherbewilderedalso，outofwhichchaosofcommonvoidgraduallydawnedonhermindtheconvictionthatshehadbeenwastingboththanksandmaterialrecognitionofservice，whereshewasundernoobligation。
Herfirstfeelingthereuponwas，notunnaturallyhoweverunreasonably，oneofresentment——asifDonal，innotdoingherthekindnessherfancyhadbeenattributingtohim，hadallthetimebeendoingheraninjury;buttheboy’shonestbearingandherowngoodsensemadeher，almostatonce，dismisstheabsurdity。
Thencameanewthequestion，utterlyunanswerablenow——whocoulditbethatdidnotonlyallhermorningwork，but，withapassionforlabourinsatiable，partofthatofthemenalso？，Sheknewhernephewbetterthantoimagineforamoment，withthemen，itcouldbehe。Agoodenoughladshejudgedhim，butnotgoodenoughforthat。Hewastoofondofhisowncomforttodreamofhelpingotherpeople！，Butnow，havingbetrayedherselftoDonal，shewiselywentfarther，andsecuredherselfbyplacingfullconfidenceinhim。Shelaidopenthewholematter，confessingthatshehadimaginedherministeringangeltobeDonalhimself：nowshehadnotevenaconjecturetothrowatrandomafterthepersonofhersecretservant。Donal，beingaCelt，andapoet，wouldhavebeenabruteifhehadfailedofbeingagentleman，andansweredthathewasashameditshouldbeanotherandnothimselfwhohadbeenherservantandgainedhercommendation;buthefeared，ifhehadmadeanysuchattempt，hewouldbuthavefaredlikethehusbandintheoldballadwhoinsistedthathiswife’sworkwasmucheasiertodothanhisown。Butashespoke，hesawasuddenchangecomeoverJean’scountenance。Wasitfear？orwhatwasit？，Shegazedwithbigeyesfixedonhisface，heedingneitherhimnorhiswords，andDonal，strucksilent，gazedinreturn。Atlength，afterapauseofstrangeimport，hersoulseemedtoreturnintoherdeep-setgreyeyes，andinabrokenvoice，low，andsolemn，andfraughtwithmystery，shesaid，“Donal，it’sthebroonie！”
Donal’smouthopenedwideattheword，butthetenorofhisthoughtitwouldhavebeenhardforhimtodetermine。Celticinkindredandeducation，hehadlistenedinhistimetoamultitudeofstrangetales，bothindigenousandexotic，and，Celticinblood，hadbeeninclinedtobelieveeveryoneofthemforwhichhecouldfindtheleastraisond’阾re。Butatschoolhehadbeentaughtthatsuchstoriesdeservednothingbetterthanmockery，thattobelievethemwascontrarytoreligion，andamarkofsuchweaknessasinvolvedblame。Nevertheless，whenheheardthewordbroonieissuefromafacewithsuchanexpressionasJean’sthenwore，hisheartseemedtogiveagapeinhisbosom，anditrushedbackuponhismemoryhowhehadheardcertainoldpeopletalkofthebrowniethatused，whentheirmothersandgrandmotherswereyoung，tohaunttheMainsofGlashruach。Hismotherdidnotbelievesuchthings，butshebelievednothingbutherNewTestament！——andwhatifthereshouldbesomethinginthem？，Theideaofservicerenderedbythehandofabeingtooclumsy，awkward，ugly，toconsenttobeseenbythemorefinishedraceofhisfellow-creatures，whomyethesurpassedinstrengthandenduranceandlongevity，hadatleastinitforDonaltheattractionofacertaingrotesqueyethomelypoeticelement。HerememberedtoothehonoursuchatypeofcreaturehadhadinbeinglaptaroundforeverintheairyfoldsofL’Allegro。AndtothinkthatMistressJean，forwhomeverybodyhadsucharespect，shouldspeakofthecreatureinsuchatone！——itsentathrillofhorrificwonderanddelightthroughthewholeframeoftheboy：might，couldtherebesuchcreatures？，Andthereuponbegantoopentohisimaginationvistaaftervistaintotherealmsofmight-bepossibility——wheredweltwholeclansandkinsofcreatures，differingfromusandourkin，yetoccasionally，atthecross-roadsofcreation，comingintocontactwithus，andinfluencingusnotgreatly，perhaps，yetstrangelyandnotably。Notoncedidtherealbrownieoccurtohim——thesmall，nakedGibbie，farmoremarvellousandadmirablethananybrownieoflegendaryfableorfact，whethercelebratedinrudeoldScotsballadforhistaelessfeet，ordesignatedinnobleEnglishpoemofperfectart，aslubberfiendofhairylength。
JeanMavorcamefromavalleyfarwithdrawninthefoldsoftheGormgarnetmountains，whereinheryouthshehadheardyetstrangertalesthanhadevercometoDonal’sears，ofwhichsomehadperhapskepttheirholdthemorefirmlythatshehadneverheardthemevenalludedtosincesheleftherhome。Herbrother，ahard-headedhighlander，ascannyasanylowlandScot，wouldhavelaughedtoscornthemostpassingreferencetosuchanexistence;andFergus，whohadhadalowlandmother——andnowhereistherelessofso-calledsuperstitionthaninmostpartsofthelowlandsofScotland——wouldhavejoinedheartilyinhismockery。Forthecowherd，however，asI
say，theideahadnosmallattraction，andhisstarewasthereflectionofMistressJean’sown——forthesoulisalivemirror，atoncereceivingintoitscentre，andreflectingfromitssurface。
“Divyeraillythinkit，mem？”saidDonalatlast。
“Thinkwhat？”retortedJean，sharply，jealousinstantlyofbeingcompromised，andperhapsnotcertainthatshehadspokenaloud。
“Divyeraillythink’atthereissiccratursasbroonies，MistressJean？”saidDonal。
“Whakenswhatthereisan’whatthereisna？”returnedJean：shewasnotgoingtocommitherselfeitherway。Evenhadsheimaginedherselfabovebelievingsuchthings，shewouldnothavedaredtosayso;fortherewasatimestillnearinhermemory，thoughunknowntoanynowuponthefarmexceptherbrother，whentheMainsofGlashruachwasthetalkofDaursidebecauseofcertaininexplicablenightlydisordersthatfelloutthere;theslangrows，ortheScotchremishs(aformoftheEnglishromage)，wouldperhapscomenearesttoadesignationofthem，consistingastheydidofconfusednoises，rumblings，ejaculations;andthefactitselfwasareasonforsilence，seeingawordmightbringtheplaceagainintomen’smouthsinlikefashion，andseriouslyaffecttheserviceofthefarm;sucharumourwouldcertainlybemadeinthemarketagroundfordemandingmorewagestofeetotheMains。“Yehaudyertongue，laddie，“shewenton;“it’stheleastyecaneftera’’at’scomean’
gane;an’leastsaid’ssunestmendit，Gangtoyerwark。”
ButeitherMistressJean’sinfluxofcautioncametoolate，andsomeonehadoverheardhersuggestion，ortheideawasalreadyabroadinthemindbucolicandgeorgic，forthatverynightitbegantobereporteduponthenearerfarms，thattheMainsofGlashruachwashauntedbyabrowniewhodidalltheworkforbothmenandMaids——acircumstanceproductiveofdifferentopinionswithregardtothedesirablenessofasituationthere，someassertingtheywouldnotfeetoitforanyamountofwages，andothersaverringtheycoulddesirenothingbetterthanaplacewheretheworkwasalldoneforthem。
QuickatdisappearingasGibbiewas，averylittlecunningonthepartofJeanmightsoonhaveentrappedthebrownie;butaconsiderabletouchoffearwasnowaddedtoherothermotivesforcontinuingtospendacoupleofhourslongerinbedthanhadformerlybeenhercustom。Sothatforyetafewdaysthingswentonmuchasusual;Gibbiesawnosignthathispresencewassuspected，orthathisdoingswereoffensive;andlifebeingtohimaconstantpresent，henevertroubledhimselfaboutanythingbeforeitwastheretoanswerforitself。
OnemorningthelongthickmaneofSnowballwasfoundcarefullyplaitedupininnumerablelocks。Thiswasproperlyelf-work，butnofairieshadbeenheardofonDaursideformanyalongyear。Thebrownie，ontheotherhand，wasalreadyineveryone’smouth——onlyastrayone，probably，thathadwanderedfromsomeoldvalleyawayinthemountains，wheretheywerestillbelievedin——butnotthelessabrownie;andifitwasnotthebrowniewhoplaitedSnowball’smane，whoorwhatwasit？，Aphenomenonmustbeaccountedfor，andhewhowillnotacceptatheoryoffered，orevenawordapplied，isindebtedinafullexplanation。Therumourspreadinlongslowripples，tillatlastoneofthemstruckthemembranatympaniofthelaird，wherehesatatluncheonintheHouseofGlashruach。
CHAPTERXIX。
THELAIRD。
ThomasGalbraithwasbybirthThomasDurrant，buthadmarriedanheiressbywhomhecameintopossessionofGlashruach，andhad，accordingtopreviousagreement，takenhername。Whenshediedhemournedherlossaswellashecould，butwasconsoledbyfeelinghimselfnowfirstmasterofbothpositionandpossession，whentheladderbywhichhehadattainedthemwasremoved。Itwasnotthatshehadevergivenhimoccasiontofeelthatmarriageandnotinheritancewasthesourceofhisdistinctionintheland，butthathavingasoulaskeenlysensitivetosmallmaterialrightsasitwasobtusetogreatspiritualones，heneverfeltthepropertyquitehisownuntilhiswifewasnolongerwithinsight。Hadhebeenalittlemoresensitivestill，hewouldhavefeltthatthepropertywasthenhisdaughter’s，andhisonlythroughher;butthishefailedtoconsider。
Mrs。Galbraithwasagentlesweetwoman，wholovedherhusband，butwascapableoflovingagreatermanbetter。Hadshelivedlongenoughtoallowoftheiropinionsconfrontinginthematteroftheirchild’seducation，seriousdifferenceswouldprobablyhavearisenbetweenthem;asitwas，theyhadneverquarrelledexceptaboutthenamesheshouldbear。Thefather，havingforhersake——sohesaidtohimself——sacrificedhispatronymic，wasanxiousthatinordertoherretainingsomerudimentarytraceofhimselfintheearsofmen，sheshouldbeovershadowedwithhisChristianname，andcalledThomasina。Butthemotherwashereinallthemother，andobdurateforherdaughter’sfuture;and，aswasrightbetweenthetwo，shehadherway，andherchildaprettyname。Beingmoresentimentalthanartistic，however，shedidnotperceivehowimperfectlythesweetItalianGinevraconcordedwiththestrongScotchGalbraith。
Herfatherhatedthename，thereforeinvariablyabbreviateditaftersuchfashionasrendereditinoffensivetothemostconservativeofScotishears;andforhisownpart，atlength，neversaidGinny，withoutseeingandhearingandmeaningJenny。AsJenny，indeed，headdressedherintheoneortwoletterswhichwereallheeverwrotetoher;andthusheperpetuatedtheonematrimonialdifferenceacrossthegrave。
Havingnonaturalbenttoliterature，buthavinginhisyouthstudiedforandpractisedattheScotishbar，hehadbroughtwithhimintothecountryatasteforcertainkindsofdryreading，judgedpre-eminentlyrespectable，andforitsindulgencehadbroughtalsoanotinsufficientstoreofsuchprovenderashissoulmildlyhungeredafter，intheshapeofbooksboundmostlyinyellow-calf——booksoflaw，history，anddivinity。Whatthebooksoflawwere，Iwouldnotfoolhardilyaddtomymanyrisksofblunderingbypresumingtorecall;thehistorywasmostlyScotish，orconnectedwithScotishaffairs;thetheologywasentirelyoftheNewEnglandtypeofcorruptedCalvinism，withwhichinScotlandtheysaddlethememoryofgreat-souled，hard-heartedCalvinhimself。Thoroughlyrespectable，andalittledevout，Mr。GalbraithwasagooddealmoreofaScotchmanthanaChristian;growthwasadoctrineunembodiedinhiscreed;heturnedfromeverythingnew，nomatterhowharmoniouswiththeold，infreezingdisapprobation;herecognizednoelementinGodornaturewhichcouldnotbereasonedaboutaftertheformsoftheScotchphilosophy。HewouldnothavesaidanEpiscopaliancouldnotbesaved，foratthebarhehadknownmorethanonegoodlawyeroftheepiscopalparty;buttosayaRomanCatholicwouldnotnecessarilybedamned，wouldtohisjudgmenthaverevealedatoncetheimpendingfateoftherashasserter。Inreligionheregardedeverythingnotonlyassettledbutasunderstood;butseemedawareofnocallinrelationtotruth，buttobarkatanyonewhoshowedtheleastanxietytodiscoverit。Whattruthheheldhimself，heheldasasackholdscorn——notevenasawormholdsearth。
Tohisservantsandtenantshewaswhathethoughtjust——nevercondescendingtotalkoverathingwithanyoftheformerbutthegame-keeper，andnevermakinganyallowancetothelatterformisfortune。Ingeneralexpressionhelookeddispleased，butmeanttolookdignified。Noonehadeverseenhimwrathful;nordidhecareenoughforhisfellow-mortalsevertobegreatlyvexed——atleasthenevermanifestedvexationotherwisethanbyasilencethatshowedmoreofcontemptthansuffering。
Inperson，hewasverytallandverythin，withaheadmuchtoosmallforhisheight;anarrowforehead，abovewhichthebrownhairlookedlikeawig;pale-blue，ill-seteyes，thatseemedtoolargefortheirsockets，consequentlytumbledaboutalittle，andwereneveratoncebroughttofocus;alarge，butsoft-lookingnose;aloose-lippedmouth，andverylittlechin。Healwayslookedasifconsciouslytryingtokeephimselftogether。Heworehisshirt-collarunusuallyhigh，yetoutofitfarshothislongneck，notwithstandingthesmallnessofwhich，hiswordsalwaysseemedtocomefromathroatmuchtoobigforthem。Hehadgreatlythelookofahen，proudofhermaternalexperiences，andsilentfromconceitofwhatshecouldsayifshewould。Somuchbetterwouldhehavedoneasanunderlingthanasaruler——asajourneymaneven，thanamaster，thattoknowhimwasalmosttodisbelieveinthegoodofwhatisgenerallycallededucation。Hislearningseemedtohavetakenthewrongfermentation，andturnedtofollyinsteadofwisdom。
Buthedidnotdomuchharm，forhehadagreatrespectforhisrespectability。Perhapsifhehadbeenacraftsman，hemightevenhavedonemoreharm——makingricketywheelbarrows，asthmaticpumps，ill-fittingwindow-frames，orbootswithalurkingdivorceineachwelt。Hehadnoturnforfarming，andthereforeletallhisland，yetlikedtointerfere，andasmuchaspossiblekeptapersonaljurisdiction。
Therewasonething，however，which，ifitdidnotthrowthelairdintoapassion——nothing，asIhavesaid，didthat——broughthimnearertotheoutervergeofdispleasurethananyother，andthatwas，anythingwhatevertowhichhecouldaffixthenameofsuperstition。Theindignationofbettermenthanthelairdwithevenaconfessedlyharmlesssuperstition，issometimesveryamusing;
anditwasapointofMr。Galbraith’spoverty-strickenreligiontodenounceallsuperstitions，howeverdiverseincharacter，withequalseverity。Tobelieveinthesecondsight，forinstance，orinanyformoflifeashavingtheslightestrelationtothisworld，exceptthatofmen，thatofanimals，andthatofvegetables，waswithhimwicked，antagonistictotheChurchofScotland，andinconsistentwithherperfectdoctrine。Theverywordghostwouldbringuponhisfaceanexpressionhemeantforwitheringscorn，andindeeditwitheredhisface，renderingityetmoreunpleasanttobehold。
Comingtothebenightedcountry，then，withallthegatheredwisdomofEdinburghinhisgallinaceouscranium，andwhathecountedavastexperienceofworldlyaffairsbesides，hebroughtwithhimalsothefirmresolvetobethedeathofsuperstition，atleastuponhisownproperty。Hewasnotonlyunaware，butincapableofbecomingaware，thatheprofessedtobelieveanumberofthings，anyoneofwhichwasinfinitelymorehostiletothetruthoftheuniverse，thanallthefanciesandfablesofacountryside，handeddownfromgrandmothertograndchild。When，therefore，withinayearofhissettlingatGlashruach，therearosealoudtalkoftheMains，hisbestfarm，ashauntedbypresencesmakingallkindsoftumultuousnoises，andeventhrowingutensilsbodilyabout，hewasnearerthebordersofarage，althoughhekept，asbecameagentleman，acalmexterior，thaneverhehadbeeninhislife。Forwerenotignorantclodhoppersassertingasfactswhatheknewnevercouldtakeplace！
Atoncehesethimself，withallhisexperienceasalawyertoaidhim，todiscoverthebuffooningauthorsofthemischief;wherethereweredeedsthereweredoers，andwherethereweredoerstheywerediscoverable。Buthisendeavours，uninterrmittedforthespaceofthreeweeks，afterwhichthedisturbancesceased，provedsoutterlywithoutresult，thathecouldneverbearthesmallestallusiontothehatefulbusiness。Forhehadnotonlybeenunhorsed，butbyhisdearesthobby。
Hewasseatedwithagamepieinfrontofhim，overthetopofwhichGinevrawasvisible。Thegirlneversatnearerherfatheratmealsthanthewholelengthofthetable，wheresheoccupiedhermother’splace。Shewasasolemn-lookingchild，ofeightornine，dressedinabrownmerinofrockoftheplainestdescription。Herhair，whichwasnearlyofthesamecolourasherfrock，wasdoneupintwotripleplaits，whichhungdownherback，andweretiedatthetipswithblackribbon。Tothefirstglanceshedidnotlookaveryinterestingorattractivechild;butlookedattwice，shewassuretodrawtheeyesathirdtime。Shewasundeniablylikeherfather，andthatwasmuchagainstheratfirstsight;butitrequiredonlyalittleacquaintancewithherfacetoremovetheprejudice;forinitscomposed，almostresignedexpression，everyfeatureofherfather’sseemedcomparativelyfinished，andsettledintoharmonywiththerest;itschaoswassubdued，andnotalittleoftheoriginalunderlyingdesignbroughtout。Thenosewasfirm，themouthmodelled，thechinlarger，theeyesalittlesmaller，andfulloflifeandfeeling。Thelongeritwasregardedbyanyseeingeye，thechild’scountenanceshowedfullerofpromise，oratleastofhope。Graduallythelookwouldappearinitofalatentsensitiveanxiety——thenwoulddawnaglimmeroflongingquestion;andthen，allatonce，itwouldslipbackintotheoriginalordinarylook，which，withoutseemingattractive，hadyetattracted。Herfatherwasneverharshtoher，yetshelookedratherfrightenedathim;butthenhewascold，verycold，andmostchildrenwouldratherbestruckandkissedalternatelythanneither。Andthebondcannotbeveryclosebetweenfatherandchild，whenthefatherhasforsakenhischildhood。Thebondbetweenanytwoistheoneintheother;itisthefatherinthechild，andthechildinthefather，thatreachtoeachothereternalhands。IttroubledGinevragreatlythat，whensheaskedherselfwhethershelovedherfatherbetterthananybodyelse，asshebelievedsheought，shebecameimmediatelydoubtfulwhethershelovedhimatall。
Shewaseatingporridgeandmilk：withspoonarrestedinmid-passage，shestoppedsuddenly，andsaid：——
“Papa，what’sabroonie？”
“Ihavetoldyou，Jenny，thatyouarenevertotalkbroadScotchinmypresence，“returnedherfather。“Iwouldlayseverercommandsuponyou，wereitnotthatIfeartemptingyoutodisobeyme，butI
willhavenovulgarityinthedining-room。”
Hiswordscameoutslowly，andsoundedasifeachwasabulletwrappedroundwithcottonwooltomakeitfitthebarrel。Ginevralookedperplexedforamoment。
“ShouldIsaybrownie，papa？”sheasked。
“HowcanItellyouwhatyoushouldcallacreaturethathasnoexistence？”rejoinedherfather。
“Ifitbeacreature，papa，itmusthaveaname！”retortedthelittlelogician，withgreatsolemnity。
Mr。Galbraithwasnotpleased，foralthoughthelogicwasgood，itwasagainsthim。
“Whatfoolishpersonhasbeeninsinuatingsuchcontemptiblesuperstitionintoyoursillyhead？”heasked。“Tellme，child，“hecontinued，“thatImayputastoptoitatonce。”
Hewasrisingtoringthebell，thathemightgivetheordersconsequentontheinformationheexpected：hewouldhaveaskedMammontodinnerinblackclothesandawhitetie，butonSuperstitionintheloveliestgarbwouldhaveloosedallthedogsofGlashruach，tohuntherfromtheproperty。Hernextwords，however，arrestedhim，andjustassheended，thebutlercameinwithfreshtoast。
“Theysay，“saidGinevra，anxioustoavoidtheforbiddenScotch，thereforestumblingsadlyinherutterance，“there’sabroonie——brownie——attheMains，whodisa’——doesallthework。”
“Whatisthemeaningofthis，Joseph？”saidMr。Galbraith，turningfromhertothebutler，withtheairofrebuke，whichwasalmosthabitualtohim，agooddealheightened。
“Themeanin’o’what，sir？”returnedJoseph，nowiseabashed，fortohimhismasterwasnotthegreatestmanintheworld，oreveninthehighlands。“He’snoaGalbraith，“heusedtosay，whenmorethancommonlyprovokedwithhim。
“Iaskyou，Joseph，“answeredthelaird，“whatthis——thisoutbreakofsuperstitionimports？，YoumustbeawarethatnothingintheworldcouldannoymemorethanthatMissGalbraithshouldlearnfollyinherfather’shouse。Thatstaidservants，suchasIhadsupposedminetobe，shouldusetheirtonguesasiftheirheadshadnomoreinthemthansomanybellshunginasteeple，istomeamortifyingreflection。”
“Tonguesasweel’sclapperswasmadetowag，sir;an，wagtheywull，sir，saelang’sthetow(string)hingsootatbaithlugs，“answeredJoseph。Theformsofspeechheemployedwerenotunfrequentlyobscuretohismaster，andinthatobscuritylaymoreofJoseph’simpunitythanheknew。“Forby(besides)，sir，“hewenton，“gientonguesdidnawag，whatw’ywadyou，’athastoseta’thingricht，cometokenwhatwaswrang？”
“Thatisnotabadremark，Joseph，“repliedthelaird，withwoollycondescension。“Prayacquaintmewiththewholematter。”
“Ihaenaethingtillacquaintyerhonourwi’，sir，buttheting-a-lingo’tongues，“repliedJoseph;“an’ye’llhaetillarreenge’tlike，tillyerainsettisfaction。”
Therewithheproceededtoreportwhathehadheardreported，whichwasinthemainthetruth，considerablyexaggerated——thattheworkofthehousewasdoneovernightbyinvisiblehands——andtheworkofthestables，too;butthatinthelatter，cantripswereplayedaswell;thatsomeofthementalkedofleavingtheplace;andthatMr。
Duff’sownhorse，Snowball，wasnearlyoutofhismindwithfear。
Thelairdclenchedhisteeth，andforawholeminutesaidnothing。
Herewereeitherhisoldenemiesagain，orsomewhohadheardtheoldstory，andintheirturnwerebeatingthedrumofconsternationintheearsofsuperstition。
“Itisoneofthementhemselves，“hesaidatlast，withoutwardfrigidity。“Orsomeill-designedneighbour，“headded。“ButIshallsoonbeatthebottomofit。GototheMainsatonce，Joseph，andaskyoungFergusDufftobesogoodasstepover，assoonasheconvenientlycan。”
Ferguswaspleasedenoughtobesentforbythelaird，andsoontoldhimallheknewfromhisauntandthemen，confessingthathehadhimselfbeentoolazyofamorningtotakeanystepstowardspersonalacquaintancewiththefacts，butaddingthat，asMr。
Galbraithtookaninterestinthematter，“hewouldbeonlytoohappytocarryoutanysuggestionhemightthinkpropertomakeonthesubject。
“Fergus，“returnedthelaird，“doyouimaginethingsinanimatecanofthemselveschangetheirrelationsinspace？，Inotherwords，aretheutensilsinyourkitchenendowedwithpowersoflocomotion？，Cantheytaketothemselveswingsandfly？，Ortouseafiguremoretothepoint，aretheyprovidedwithmembersnecessarytothewashingoftheirown——persons，shallIsay？，Answermethosepoints，Fergus。”
“Certainlynot，sir，“answeredFergussolemnly，forthelaird’sfacewassolemn，andhisspeechwasverysolemn。
“Then，Fergus，letmeassureyou，thattodiscoverbywhatagencytheseapparentwondersareeffected，youhavemerelytowatch。Ifyoufail，Iwillmyselfcometoyourassistance。Dependuponit，thethingwhenexplainedwillprovesimplicityitself。”
Fergusatonceundertooktowatch，butwenthomenotquitesocomfortableashehadgone;forhedidnotaltogether，notwithstandinghisunbeliefintheso-calledsupernatural，relishtheapproachingsituation。Beliefandunbeliefarenotalwaysquiteplainlydistinguishablefromeachother，andFearisnotalwayscertainwhichofthemishismother。Hewasnotthelessresolved，however，tocarryoutwhathehadundertaken——thatwas，tositupallnight，ifnecessary，inordertohaveaninterviewwiththeextravagantanderring——spirit，surely，whetherembodiedornot，thatdaredthuswrong“domesticawe，night-rest，andneighbourhood，“
bydoingpeople’sworkforthemunbidden。Noteventohimselfdidheconfessthathefeltfrightened，forhewasayouthofnearlyeighteen;buthecouldnotquitehidefromhimselfthefactthatheanticipatednopleasureinthedutywhichlaybeforehim。
CHAPTERXX。
THEAMBUSH。
Formorereasonsthanone，FergusjudgeditprudenttotellnotevenauntieJeanofhisintention;but，waitinguntilthehousewasquiet，stolesoftlyfromhisroomandrepairedtothekitchen——attheotherendofthelongstragglinghouse，wherehesatdown，andtakinghisbook，anannualofthebeginningofthecentury，begantoreadthestoryofKathedandEurelia。Havingfinishedit，hereadanother。Hereadandread，butnobrowniecame。Hiscandleburnedintothesocket。Helightedanother，andreadagain。Stillnobrownieappeared，and，hardandstraightaswasthewoodenchaironwhichhesat，bebegantodoze。Presentlyhestartedwideawake，fancyingheheardanoise;butnothingwasthere。Heraisedhisbookoncemore，andreaduntilhehadfinishedthestoriesinit：
fortheversehehadnoinclinationthatnight。Assoonastheywereallconsumed，hebegantofeelveryeerie：hiscouragehadbeenshelteringitselfbehindhisthoughts，whichthetaleshehadbeenreadinghadkeptturnedawayfromtheobjectofdread。Stilldeeperanddeepergrewthenightaroundhim，untilthebare，soullesswasteofitcameatlast，whenabravemanmightwelcomeanyghostforthelifeitwouldbring。Andeverasitcame，thetideoffearflowedmorerapidly，untilatlastitroseoverhisheart，andthreatenedtostiflehim。Thedirestfoeofcourageisthefearitself，nottheobjectofit;andthemanwhocanovercomehisownterrorisaheroandmore。InthisFergushadnotyetdeservedtobesuccessful。Thatkindofvictorycomesonlyoffaith。Still，hedidnotflythefield;hewasnocoward。Atthesametime，prizingcourage，scorningfear，andindeeddisbelievingineverynocturnalobjectofterrorexceptrobbers，hecameatlasttosuchanallbutabandonmentofdread，thathedarednotlookoverhisshoulder，lestheshouldseethebrowniestandingathisback;hewouldratherbeseizedfrombehindandstrangledinhishairygrasp，thanturnanddieoftheseeing。Thenightwasdark——nomoonandmanyclouds。
Notasoundcamefromtheclose。Thecattle，thehorses，thepigs，thecocksandhens，theverycatsandratsseemedasleep。Therewasnotarustleinthethatch，acreakinthecouples。Itwaswell，fortheslightestnoisewouldhavebroughthisheartintohismouth，andhewouldhavebeeningreatdangerofscaringthehousehold，andforeverdisgracinghimself，withashriek。Yethelongedtohearsomethingstir。Oh！forthestampofahorsefromthestableorthelowofacowfromthebyre！，Buttheywereallunderthebrownie’sspell，andhewascoming——toelessfeet，andthumbedbutfingerlesshands！asifhewasmadewithstockings，andhum’lemittens！，Wasitthewantoftoesthatmadehimabletocomeandgosoquietly？——Anotherhourcreptby;whenlo，amightysun-trumpetblewinthethroatoftheblackcock！，Fergussprangtohisfeetwiththestartitgavehim——butthenextmomentgladnessrushedupinhisheart：themorningwasonitsway！and，foetosuperstitionashewas，andmuchashehadmockedatDonalforwhathecountedsomeofhistendenciesinthatdirection，hebeganinstantlytocomforthimselfwiththeoldbeliefthatallthingsofthedarknessfleefromthecrowingofthecock。Thesamemomenthiscouragebegantoreturn，andthenexthewaslaughingathisterrors，morefoolishthanwhenhefeltthem，seeinghewasthesamemanoffearasbefore，andthesamecircumstanceswouldwraphiminthesamegarmentofdireapprehension。Inhisfollyheimaginedhimselfquitereadytowatchthenextnightwithoutevenrepugnance——foritwasthemorning，notthenight，thatcamefirst！
Whenthegreyofthedawnappeared，hesaidtohimselfhewouldliedownonthebenchawhile，hewassotiredofsitting;hewouldnotsleep。Helaydown，andinamomentwasasleep。Thelightgrewandgrew，andthebrowniecame——adifferentbrownieindeedfromtheonehehadpictured——withthedaintiest-shapedhandsandfeetcomingoutofthemidstofrags，andwithnohairexceptroughlypartedcurlsoverthefaceofacherub——forthecombingofSnowball’smaneandtailhadtaughtGibbietousethesamecombuponhisownthatch。
Butassoonasheopenedthedoorofthedairy，hewaswarnedbytheloudbreathingofthesleeper，andlookingabout，espiedhimonthebenchbehindthetable，andswiftlyretreated。ThesameinstantFerguswoke，stretchedhimself，sawitwasbroaddaylight，and，withhisbrainmuddledbyfatigueandsleepcombined，crawledshiveringtobed。Thenincamethebrownieagain;andwhenJeanMavorentered，therewasherworkdoneasusual。
Ferguswashourslateforbreakfast，andwhenhewentintothecommonroom，foundhisauntalonethere。
“Weel，auntie。”hesaid，“IthinkIfleggityerbroonie！”
“Didyethat，man？，Ay！——An’syneyesettee，an’didthewarkyerseltosaveyerauntieJean’sauldbanes？”
“Na，na！，Iwaso’ertiretforthat。Saewadyehaebeenyersel’，gienyehadsittenupa’nicht。”
“Whadidit，than？”
“Ow，jistyersel’，I’mthinkin’，auntie。”
“Neverafingero’minewaslaidtill’t，Fergus。Gienyefleggitaebroonie，anithercam;forthere’sthewarkdone，thesame’sever。！”
“Damnthecratur！”criedFergus。
“Whisht，whisht，laddie！he’smaybehearin’yethismeenute。An’
gienhebinna，there’sane’atis，an’likesnasweirin’。”
“Ibegyerpardon，auntie，butit’sjistprovokin’！”returnedFergus，andtherewithrecountedthetaleofhisnight’swatch，omittingmentiononlyofhisfeelingsthroughoutthevigil。
Assoonashehadhadhisbreakfast，hewenttocarryhisreporttoGlashruach。
Thelairdwasvexed，andtoldhimhemustsleepwellbeforenight，andwatchtobetterpurpose。
Thenextnight，Fergus’sterrorreturnedinfullforce;buthewatchedthoroughlynotwithstanding，andwhenhisauntentered，shefoundhimthere，andherkitcheninamess。Hehadcaughtnobrownie，itwastrue，butneitherhadastrokeofherworkbeendone。Thefloorwasunswept;notadishhadbeenwashed;itwaschurning-day，butthecreamstoodinthejarinthedairy，notthebutterinthepanonthekitchen-dresser。Jeancouldnotquiteseethegoodorthegainofit。Shehadbeguntofeellikealady，shesaidtoherself，andnowshemusttuckuphersleevesandsettoworkasbefore。Itwasacome-downintheworld，andshedidnotlikeit。Sheconnedhernephewlittlethanks，andnotbeinginthehabitofdissembling，lethimfeelthesame。Hecrepttobedrathermortified。Whenhewokefromalongsleep，hefoundnomealwaitinghim，andhadtocontenthimselfwithcakes1andmilkbeforesettingoutfor“theMuckleHoose。”
“Youmustaddcunningtocourage，myyoungfriend，“saidMr。
Galbraith;andtheresultoftheirconferencewasthatFerguswenthomeresolvedonyetanotherattempt。
HefeltmuchinclinedtoassociateDonalwithhiminhiswatchthistime，butwastoodesirousofprovinghiscouragebothtohimselfandtotheworld，toyieldtothesuggestionofhisfear。Hewenttobedwithabookimmediatelyafterthenoon-daymealandroseintimeforsupper。
Therewasalargewoodenpressinthekitchen，standingoutfromthewall;thiswiththenextwallmadealittlerecess，inwhichtherewasjustroomforachair;andinthatrecessFergusseatedhimself，intheeasiestchairhecouldgetintoit。Hethenopenedwidethedoorofthepress，anditcoveredhimentirely。
Thisnightwouldhavebeenthedreariestofallforhim，thelairdhavinginsistedthatheshouldwatchinthedark，hadhenotspeedilyfallenfastasleep，andsleptallnight——sowellthathewokeatthefirstnoiseGibbiemade。
Itwasbroadclearmorning，buthisheartbeatsoloudandfastwithapprehensionandcuriositymingled，thatforafewmomentsFergusdarenotstir，butsatlisteningbreathlesstothemovementbesidehim，nonethelessappallingthatitwassoquiet。Recoveringhimselfalittlehecautiouslymovedthedoorofthepress，andpeepedout。
Hesawnothingsofrightfulashehad，inspiteofhimself，anticipated，butwasnottherefore，perhaps，thelessastonished。
Thedreadbrownieofhisideashrunktoatinyraggedurchin，withawonderfulheadofhair，azureeyes，anddefthands，noiselesslybustlingaboutonbarefeet。Hewatchedhimathisleisure，watchedhimkeenly，assuredthatanymomenthecouldspringuponhim。
Ashewatched，hiswondersank，andhegrewdisappointedatthecollapsingofthelubber-fiendintoapoorhalf-nakedchilduponwhombothhiscourageandhisfearhadbeenwasted。Ashecontinuedtowatch，anevilcloudofangeratthepresumptionoftheunknownminimusbegantogatherinhismentalatmosphere，andwasprobablythecauseofsomemovementbywhichhischairgavealoudcreak。
Withoutevenlookinground，Gibbiedartedintothedairy，andshutthedoor。InstantlyFerguswasafterhim，butonlyintimetoseethevanishingofhislastheelthroughtheholeinthewall，andthatwayFerguswasmuchtoolargetofollowhim。Herushedfromthehouse，andacrossthecorneroftheyardtothebarn-door。
Gibbie，whodidnotbelievehehadbeenseen，stoodlaughingonthefloor，whensuddenlyheheardthekeyenteringthelock。Heboltedthroughthecat-hole——butagainjustonemomenttoolate，leavingbehindhimonFergus’sretinathelightfromthesolesoftwobarefeet。Thekeyofthedoortotherick-yardwasinside，andFerguswasafterhiminamoment，buttherickscameclosetothebarn-door，andthenexthesawofhimwastheflutteringofhisragsinthewind，andtheflashingofhiswhiteskininthesun，ashefledacrossthecloverfield;andbeforeFerguswasoverthewall，GibbiewasagoodwayaheadtowardstheLorrie。GibbiewasabetterrunnerforhissizethanFergus，andinbettertrainingtoo;but，alas！，Fergus’slegswerenearlytwiceaslongasGibbie’s。ThelittleonereachedtheLorrie，first，anddashingacrossit，ranupthesideoftheGlashburn，withavagueideaofGlashgarinhishead。Fergusbehindhimwasgrowingmoreandmoreangryashegaineduponhimbutfelthisbreathfailinghim。JustatthebridgetotheirongatetoGlashruach，hecaughthimatlast，andsunkontheparapetexhausted。ThesmilewithwhichGibbie，toomuchoutofbreathtolaugh，confessedhimselfvanquished，wouldhavedisarmedoneharder-heartedthanFergus，hadhenotlosthistemperinthedreadoflosinghislabour;andtheanswerGibbiereceivedtohissmilewasaboxontheearthatbewilderedhim。Helookedpitifullyinhiscaptor’sface，thesmilenotyetfadedfromhis，onlytoreceiveaboxontheotherear，which，thoughacontraryandsimilarbothatonce，wasnotacure，andthewatergatheredinhiseyes。
Fergus，alittleeasedinhistemperbytheinfliction，andinhisbreathbythewallofthebridge，begantoplyhimwithquestions;
butnoanswerfollowing，hiswrathroseagain，andagainheboxedbothhisears——withoutbetterresult。
Thencamethequestionwhatwashetodowiththeredoubtedbrownie，nowthathehadhim。Hewasashamedtoshowhimselfasthecaptorofsuchamiserableculprit，butthelittlerascaldeservedpunishment，andthelairdwouldrequirehimathishands。Heturneduponhisprisonerandtoldhimhewasanimpudentrascal。Gibbiehadrecoveredagain，andwasableoncemoretosmilealittle。Hehadbeenguiltyofburglary，saidFergus;andGibbiesmiled。Hecouldbesenttoprisonforit，saidFergus;andGibbiesmiled——butthistimeaverygravesmile。Fergustookhimbythecollar，whichamountedtonearlyathirdpartofthejacket，andshookhimtillhehadhalftornthatthirdfromtheothertwo;thenopenedthegate，and，holdinghimbythebackoftheneck，walkedhimupthedrive，everynowandthengivinghimafierceshakethatjarredhisteeth。
Thus，overtheoldgravel，mossyanddampandgrassy，andcooltohislittlebarefeet，betweenrowanandbirkandpineandlarch，likeamalefactor，andlookingeveryinchtheoutcasthewas，didSirGilbertGalbraithapproachthehouseofhisancestorsforthefirsttime。Individually，weeGibbiewasanythingbutaprodigal;
ithadneverbeenpossibletohimtobeone;butnonethelesswashethetypeandresultandrepresentativeofhisprodigalrace，inhimnowoncemorelookinguponthehousetheyhadlostbytheirvicesandweaknesses，andinhimnowbeginningtoreapthebenefitsofpunishment。Butofviceandloss，ofhouseandfathersandpunishment，Gibbiehadnosmallestcognition。Hishistorywasabouthimandinhim，yetofitallhesuspectednothing。Itwouldhavemadelittledifferencetohimifhehadknownitall;hewouldnonethelesshaveacceptedeverythingthatcame，justaspartofthestoryinwhichhefoundhimself。
CHAPTERXXI。
THEPUNISHMENT。
Thehousehewasapproaching，hadalittlethelookofaprison。Ofthemoreancientportionthewindowswereverysmall，andeverycornerhadaturretwithaconicalcap-roof。Thatpartwasallrough-cast，thereforegrey，asifwithage。Themoremodernpartwasbuiltofallkindsofhardstone，roughlyclovenorblastedfromthemountainanditsboulders。Graniteredandgrey，bluewhinstone，yellowironstone，wereallmingledanyhow，fitnessofsizeandshapealoneregardedintheirconjunctions;buttheresultastocolourwasratherpleasingthanotherwise，andGibbieregardeditwithsomeadmiration。Nor，althoughhehadreceivedfromFergussuchconvincingproofthathewasregardedasaculprit，hadheanydreadofevilawaitinghim。Thehighestembodimentofthelawwithwhichhehadacquaintancewasthepolice，andfromnotoneoftheminallthecityhadheeverhadaharshword;hisconsciencewasasvoidofoffenceaseverithadbeen，andthelawconsequently，notwithstandingthethreatsofFergus，hadforhimnoterrors。
Thelairdwasanearlyriser，andthereforeregardedthemeregettingupearlyasavirtue，altogetherirrespectiveofhowthetime，thusredeemed，ashecalledit，wasspent。Thismorning，asitturnedout，itwouldhavebeenbetterspentinsleep。Hewastalkingtohisgamekeeper，aheavy-browedman，bythecoach-housedoor，whenFergusappearedholdingthedwindledbrowniebythehugecollarofhistatters。Amoreinnocent-lookingmalefactorsureneverappearedbeforeawfulJustice！，Onlyhewasinrags，andthereareothersbesidesdogswhosejudgmentsgobyappearance。Mr。
Galbraithwasoneofthem，andsmiledagrim，anuglysmile。
“Sothisisyourvauntedbrownie，Mr。Duff！”hesaid，andstoodlookingdownuponGibbie，asifinhissmallpersonhesawsuperstitionatthepointofdeath，mockedthitherbythearrowsofhiscontemptuouswit。
“It’sallthebrownieIcouldlayhandson，sir，“answeredFergus。
“Itookhimintheact。”
“Boy，“saidthelaird，rollinghiseyes，moreunsteadythanusualwithindignation，inthedirectionofGibbie，“whathaveyoutosayforyourself？”
Gibbiehadnosay——andnothingtosaythathisquestionercouldeitherhaveunderstoodorbelieved;thetruthfromhislipswouldbuthavepresentedhimalyinghypocritetothewisdomofhisjudge。
Asitwas，hesmiled，lookingupfearlessinthefaceofthemagistrate，soawfulinhisownesteem。
“Whatisyourname？”askedthelaird，speakingyetmoresternly。
Gibbiestillsmiledandwassilent，lookingstraightinhisquestioner’seyes。Hedreadednothingfromthelaird。Fergushadbeatenhim，butFergusheclassedwiththebiggerboyswhohadoccasionallytreatedhimroughly;thiswasaman，andmen，excepttheywereforeignsailors，ordrunk，wereneverunkind。Hehadnoideaofhissilencecausingannoyance。Everybodyinthecityhadknownhecouldnotanswer;andnowwhenFergusandthelairdpersistedinquestioninghim，hethoughttheyweremakingkindlygameofhim，andsmiledthemore。NorwastheremuchaboutMr。
Galbraithtorouseasuspicionofthecontrary;forhemadeagreatvirtueofkeepinghistemperwhenmosthecausedotherpeopletolosetheirs。
“Iseetheyoungvagabondisasimpertinentasheisvicious，“hesaidatlast，findingthattonointerrogationcouldhedrawforthanyotherresponsethanasmile。“HereAngus，“——andheturnedtothegamekeeper——“takehimintothecoach-house，andteachhimalittlebehaviour。Atouchortwoofthewhipwillfindhistongueforhim。”
Angusseizedthelittlegentlemanbytheneck，asifhehadbeenapolecat，andatarm’slengthwalkedhimunresistinglyintothecoach-house。There，withonevigoroustug，hetorethejacketfromhisback，andhisonlyothergarment，dependentthereuponbysomedeviceknownonlytoGibbie，fellfromhim，andhestoodinhelplessnakedness，smilingstill：hehadneverdoneanythingshameful，thereforehadnoacquaintancewithshame。Butwhenthescowlingkeeper，towhompovertywasfirstcousintopoaching，andwhohatedtrampsashehatedvermin，approachedhimwithaheavycartwhipinhishand，hecasthiseyesdownathiswhitesides，verywhitebetweenhisbrownarmsandbrownlegs，andthenliftedtheminamuteappeal，whichsomehowlookedasifitwereforsomebodyelse，againstwhathecouldnolongerfailtoperceivetheman’sintent。
Buthehadnonotionofwhatthethingthreatenedamountedto。Hehadhadfewhardblowsinhistime，andhadneverfeltawhip。
“Yedeil’sglaur！”criedthefellow，clenchingthecruelteethofonewholovednothisbrother，“Is’latyekenwhatcomeso’
brakin’intohonesthooses，an’takin’what’snoyerain！”
Avisionofthegnawedcheese，whichhehadnevertouchedsincetheideaofitsbeingpropertyawokeinhim，rosebeforeGibbie’smentaleyes，andinwardlyhebowedtothepunishment。ButthelookhehadfixedonAnguswasnotwithouteffect，forthemanwasafather，thoughasevereone，andwasnotallabrute：heturnedandchangedthecartwhipforagigonewithabrokenshaft，whichlaynear。Itwaswellforhimselfthathedidso，fortheotherwouldprobablyhavekilledGibbie。Whentheblowfellthechildshiveredallover，hisfaceturnedwhite，andwithoututteringevenamoan，hedoubledupanddroppedsenseless。Aswollencincture，likearedsnake，hadrisenallroundhiswaist，andfromonespotinitthebloodwasoozing。Itlookedasifthelashhadcuthimintwo。
Theblowhadstunghisheartandithadceasedtobeat。Butthegamekeeperunderstoodvagrants！theyoungblackguardwasonlyshamming！
“Upwi’ye，yedeevil！orIs’garye，“hesaidfrombetweenhisteeth，liftingthewhipforasecondblow。
Justasthestrokefell，markinghimfromthenapealldownthespine，sothathenowboreuponhisbackinredthesigntheasscarriesinblack，apiercingshriekassailedAngus’sears，andhisarm，whichhadmechanicallyraiseditselfforathirdblow，hungarrested。
Thesamemoment，inatthecoach-housedoorshotGinevra，aswhiteasGibbie。Shedartedtowherehelay，andtherestoodoverhim，armsrigidandhandsclenchedhard，shiveringashehadshivered，andsendingfromherbodyshriekaftershriek，asifherverysoulwerethebreathofwhichhercrieswerefashioned。Itwasasifthewoman’sheartinherfeltitsrootstornfromtheirhomeinthebosomofGod，andquiveringinagony，andconfrontedbythestareofaneternalimpossibility，shriekedagainstSatan。
“Gangawa，missie，“criedAngus，whohadrespecttothischild，thoughhehadnotyetlearnedtorespectchildhood;“he’sacoorsecratur，an’maunhae’swhups。”
ButGinevrawasdeaftohisevilcharming。Shestoppedhercries，however，tohelpGibbieup，andtookoneofhishandstoraisehim。
Buthisarmhunglimpandmotionless;sheletitgo;itdroppedlikeastick，andagainshebegantoshriek。Anguslaidhishandonhershoulder。Sheturnedonhim，andopeninghermouthwide，screamedathimlikeawildanimal，withallthehatredofmingledloveandfear;thenthrewherselfontheboy，andcoveredhisbodywithherown。Angus，stoopingtoremoveher，sawGibbie’sface，andbecameuncomfortable。
