“He’sdeid！he’sdeid！，Ye’vekillthim，Angus！，Ye’reanillman！”
shecriedfiercely。“Ihateye。I’lltellonye。I’lltellmypapa。”
“Hoot！whisht，missie！”saidAngus。“Itwasbyyerpapa’sainordersIgaehimthewhup，an’heweeldeserveditforby。An’gienyedinnagangawa，an’beaguidyoongleddy，I’llgie’immairyet。”
“I’lltellGod，“shriekedGinevrawithfreshenergyofdefensiveloveandwrath。
Againhesoughttoremoveher，butsheclungso，withbothlegsandarms，totheinsensibleGibbie，thathecouldbutliftbothtogether，andhadtoleaveheralone。
“Gienyedaurtotouch’imagain，Angus，I’llbiteye——biteye——BITE
YE，“shescreamed，inapassagewildlycrescendo。
ThelairdandFergushadwalkedawaytogether，perhapsneitherofthemquitecomfortableattheordersgiven，buttheonetooself-sufficienttorecallthem，andtheothertoosubmissivetointerfere。Theyheardthecries，nevertheless，andhadtheyknownthemforGinevra’s，wouldhaverushedtothespot;butfierceemotionhadsoutterlychangedhervoice——andindeedshehadneverinherlifecriedoutbefore——thattheytookthemforGibbie’sandsupposedthewhiphadhadthedesiredeffectandloosedhistongue。
Astotherestofthehousehold，whichwouldbythistimehavebeenallgatheredinthecoach-house，thelairdhadtakenhisstandwherehecouldinterceptthem：hewouldnothavetheexecutionofthedecreesofjusticeinterferedwith。
ButGinevra’sshrieksbroughtGibbietohimself。Faintlyheopenedhiseyes，andstared，stupidwithgrowingpain，atthetear-blurredfacebesidehim。IntheconfusionofhisthoughtshefanciedthepainhefeltwasGinevra’s，nothis，andsoughttocomforther，strokinghercheekwithfeeblehand，andputtinguphismouthtokissher。ButAngus，utterlyscandalizedattheproceeding，andrestoredtoenergybyseeingthattheboywasalive，caughtherupsuddenlyandcarriedheroff——struggling，writhing，andscratchinglikeacat。Indeedshebithisarm，andthatseverely，butthemannevereventoldhiswife。LittleMissiewasaqueen，andlittleGibbiewasavermin，buthewasashamedtoletthemotherofhischildrenknowthattheformerhadbittenhimforthesakeofthelatter。
Themomentshethusdisappeared，Gibbiebegantoapprehendthatshewassufferingforhim，notheforher。Hiswholebodyboretestimonytofrightfulabuse。ThiswassomehorribleplaceinhabitedbymensuchasthosethatkilledSambo！，Hemustfly。Butwouldtheyhurtthelittlegirl？，Hethoughtnot——shewasathome。
Hestartedtospringtohisfeet，butfellbackalmostpowerless;
thentriedmorecautiouslyandgotupwearily，forthepainandtheterribleshockseemedtohavetakenthestrengthoutofeverylimb。
Onceonhisfeet，hecouldscarcelystooptopickuphisremnantoftrowserswithoutagainfalling，andtheeffortmadehimgroanwithdistress。Hewasintheactoftryinginvaintostandononefoot，soastogettheotherintothegarment，whenhefanciedheheardthestepofhisexecutioner，returningdoubtlesstoresumehistorture。Hedroppedtherag，anddartedoutofthedoor，forgettingachesandstiffnessandagony。Allnakedashewas，hefledlikethewind，unseen，oratleastunrecognized，ofanyeye。Fergusdidcatchaglimpseofsomethingwhitethatflashedacrossavistathroughtheneighbouringwood，buthetookitforawhitepeacock，ofwhichthereweretwoorthreeabouttheplace。Thethreemenweredisgustedwiththelittlewretchwhentheyfoundthathehadactuallyfledintotheopendaywithouthisclothes。PoorGibbie！
itwassuchasmalldifference！，Itneededaslittlechangetomakeasavageasanangelofhim。Alldependedontheeyesthatsawhim。
Heranheknewnotwhither，feelingnothingbutthedesirefirsttogetintosomecovert，andthentorunfarther。Hisfirstrushwasfortheshubbery，hisnextacrossthelittleparktothewoodbeyond。Hedidnotfeelthewindofhisrunningonhisbareskin。
Hedidnotfeelthehungerthathadmadehimsounabletobearthelash。Onandonheran，fancyingeverheheardthecruelAngusbehindhim。Ifadrytwigsnapped，hethoughtitwasthecrackofthewhip;andasmallwindthatrosesuddenlyinthetopofapine，seemedthehisswithwhichitwasabouttodescenduponhim。Heranandran，butstillthereseemednothingbetweenhimandhispersecutors。Hefeltnosafety。Atlengthhecamewhereahighwalljoiningsomewater，formedaboundary。Thewaterwasabrookfromthemountain，herewidenedanddeepenedintoastillpool。Hehadbeenonceoutofhisdepthbefore：hethrewhimselfin，andswamstraightacross：everafterthat，swimmingseemedtohimasnaturalaswalking。
Thenfirstawokeafaintsenseofsafety;forontheothersidehewaskneedeepinheather。Hewasonthewildhill，withmilesonmilesofcover！，Heretheunmancouldnotcatchhim。ItmustbethesamethatDonalpointedouttohimonedayatadistance;hehadagun，andDonalsaidhehadonceshotapoacherandkilledhim。Hedidnotknowwhatapoacherwas：perhapshewasonehimself，andthemanwouldshoothim。Theycouldseehimquitewellfromtheotherside！hemustcrosstheknollfirst，andthenhemightliedownandrest。Hewouldgetrightintotheheather，andliewithitallaroundandoverhimtillthenightcame。Wherehewouldgothen，hedidnotknow。Butitwasallone;hecouldgoanywhere。Donalmustmindhiscows，andthemenmustmindthehorses，andMistressJeanmustmindherkitchen，butSirGibbiecouldgowherehepleased。HewouldgoupDaurside;buthewouldnotgojustatonce;thatmanmightbeontheoutlookforhim，andhewouldn’tliketobeshot。
Peoplewhowereshotlaystill，andwereputintoholesintheearth，andcoveredup，andhewouldnotlikethat。
Thushecommunedwithhimselfashewentovertheknoll。Ontheothersidehechoseatallpatchofheather，andcreptunder。Howniceandwarmandkindtheheatherfelt，thoughitdidhurtthewealsdreadfullysometimes。Ifheonlyhadsomethingtocoverjustthem！，Thereseemedtobeonedownhisbackaswellasroundhiswaist！
AndnowSirGibbie，thoughnotmuchpoorerthanhehadbeen，reallypossessednothingseparable，excepthishairandhisnails——nothingthereforethathecouldcallhis，asdistinguishedfromhim。Hissoleotherpossessionwasanegativequantity——hishunger，namely，forhehadnotevenamealinhisbody：hehadeatennothingsincetheprecedingnoon。Iamwrong——hehadonepossessionbesides，thoughhardlyaseparableone——aballadaboutafairladyandherpage，whichDonalhadtaughthim。Thathenowbegantorepeattohimself，butwasdisappointedtofinditagooddealwithered。Hewasnotnearlyreducedtoextremityyetthough——thislittleheiroftheworld：inhisbodyhehadsplendidhealth，inhisheartagreatcourage，andinhissoulanever-throbbinglove。Itwashislovetotheveryimageofman，thatmadethehorrorofthetreatmenthehadreceived。Anguswasandwasnotaman！，Afterall，Gibbiewasstillonetoberegardedwithholyenvy。
PoorGinnywassenttobedforinterferingwithherfather’sorders;
andwhatwithrageandhorrorandpity，aninexplicablefeelingofhopelessnesstookpossessionofher，whileheraffectionforherfatherwasgreatly，perhapsforthisworldirretrievably，injuredbythatmorning’sexperience;asomethingremainedthatneverpassedfromher，andthatsomething，asoftenasitstirred，rosebetweenhimandher。
Fergustoldhisauntwhathadtakenplace，andmademuchgameofherbrownie。ButthemoreJeanthoughtabouttheaffair，thelessshelikedit。Itwassheuponwhomitallcame！，Whatdiditmatterwhoorwhatherbrowniewas？，Andwhathadtheywhippedthecreaturefor？，Whatharmhadhedone？，Ifindeedhewasalittleraggedurchin，thethingwasonlythemoreinexplicable！，Hehadtakennothing！，Shehadnevermissedsomuchasabarleyscon！，Thecreamhadalwaysbroughthertherightquantityofbutter！，Notevenabannock，sofarassheknew，wasevergonefromthepress，oraneggfromthebossiewheretheylayheaped！，Therewasmoreinitthanshecouldunderstand！，Hernephew’smightyfeat，sofarfromexplaininganything，hadonlysealedupthemystery。Shecouldnothelpcherishingashadowyhopethat，whenthingshadgrownquiet，hewouldagainrevealhispresencebyhiswork，ifnotbyhisvisibleperson。Itwasmortifyingtothinkthathehadgoneashecame，andshehadneverseteyesuponhim。ButFergus’saccountofhisdisappearancehadalso，inherjudgment，adecidedelementofthemarvellousinit。ShewasstronglyinclinedtobelievethatthebrowniehadcastaglamouroverhimandthelairdandAngus，allthree，andhadbeenmakinggameofthemforhisownamusement。
IndeedDaursidegenerallyrefusedtheexplanationofthebrowniepresentedforitsacceptance，andthelairdscorednothingagainstthearch-enemySuperstition。
DonalGrant，missinghis“cratur“thatdayforthefirsttime，heardenoughwhenhecamehometosatisfyhimthathehadbeenactingthebrownieinthehouseandthestableaswellasinthefield，incredibleasitmightwellappearthatsuchachildshouldhavehadevenmerestrengthforwhathedid。Thenfirstalso，afterhehadthuslosthim，hebegantounderstandhisworth，andtoseehowmuchheowedhim。Whilehehadimaginedhimselfkindtotheurchin，theurchinhadbeenlayinghimunderendlessobligation。Forhelefthimwitheversomuchmoreinhisbrainsthanwhenhecame。Thisbookandthat，throughhisaid，hehadreadthoroughly;andascoreorsoofpropositionshadbeenaddedtohisstockinEuclid。Hisfirstfeelingaboutthechildrevivedashepondered——namely，thathewasnotofthisworld。ButeventhenDonaldidnotknowthebestGibbiehaddoneforhim。Hedidnotknowofwhatfardeeperandbetterthingshehad，throughhisgentleness，histrust，hislovingservice，hisabsoluteunselfishness，sowntheseedsinhismind。Ontheotherhand，DonalhadinreturndonemoreforGibbiethanheknew，thoughwhathehaddoneforhim，namely，sharedhisdinnerswithhim，hadbeenlessofagiftthanhethought，andDonalhadratherbeensharinginGibbie’sdinner，thanGibbieinDonal’s。
CHAPTERXXII。
REFUGE。
ItwasalovelySaturdayeveningonGlashgar。Thefewflowersaboutthesmallturfcottagescentedtheairinthehotwesternsun。Theheatherwasnotinbloomyet，andtherewerenotrees;buttherewererocks，andstones，andabrawlingburnthathalfsurroundedalittlefieldofoats，oneofpotatoes，andasmallspotwithafewstocksofcabbageandkail，onthebordersofwhichgrewsomebushesofdoubledaisies，andprimroses，andcarnations。TheseJanettendedaspartofherhousehold，whileherhusbandsawtotheoatsandpotatoes。RoberthadchargeofthefewsheeponthemountainwhichbelongedtothefarmerattheMains，andforhistroublehadthecottageandtheland，mostofwhichhehadhimselfreclaimed。
Hehadalsoacertainallowanceofmeal，whichwaspaidinportions，ascornwentfromthefarmtothemill。Iftheyhappenedtofallshort，themillerwouldalwaysadvancethemasmuchastheyneeded，repayinghimself——andnotverystrictly——thenexttimethecornwassentfromtheMains。Theywereneverinanywant，andneverhadanymoney，exceptwhattheirchildrenbroughtthemoutoftheirsmallwages。Butthatwasplentyfortheireveryneed，norhadtheythefaintestfeelingthattheywerepersonstobepitied。
Itwasverycoldupthereinwinter，tobesure，andtheybothsufferedfromrheumatism;buttheyhadnodebt，nofear，muchlove，andbetweenthem，thisbeingmostlyJanet’s，alargehopeforwhatlayontheothersideofdeath：astotherheumatism，thatwasnecessary，Janetsaid，toteachthempatience，fortheyhadnoothertrouble。Theywereindeedgrowingold，butneitherhadbeguntofeelageaburdenyet，andwhenitshouldprovesuch，theyhadadaughterpreparedtogiveupserviceandgohometohelpthem。
Theirthoughtsaboutthemselveswerenearlylostintheirthoughtsabouteachother，theirchildren，andtheirfriends。Janet’smaincarewasheroldman，andRobertturnedtoJanetastheonestayofhislife，nexttotheGodinwhomhetrusted。HedidnotthinksomuchaboutGodasshe：hewasnotable;nordidhereadsomuchofhisBible;butsheoftenreadtohim;andwhenanyofhischildrenwerethereofanevening，healways“tookthebook。”，WhileJanetprayedathome，hisclosetwasthemountain-side，wherehewouldkneelintheheather，andpraytoHimwhosawunseen，theKingeternal，immortal，invisible，theonlywiseGod。Thesheeptooknoheedofhim，butsometimeswhenherosefromhiskneesandsawOscargazingathimwithdeepestregard，hewouldfeelalittleasifhehadnotquiteenteredenoughintohiscloset，andwouldwonderwhatthedogwasthinking。Allday，fromthemountainandskyandpreachingburns，fromthesheepandhisdog，fromwinterstorms，springsunandwinds，orsummerwarmthandglow，butmorethanall，whenhewenthome，fromthepresenceandinfluenceofhiswife，cametohimsomehow——whocanexplainhow！——spiritualnourishmentandvitalgrowth。Onegreatthinginitwas，thathekeptgrowingwiserandbetterwithoutknowingit。IfSt。Paulhadtogiveupjudginghisownself，perhapsRobertGrantmightgetthroughwithouteverbeginningit。Helovedlife，butifhehadbeenaskedwhy，hemightnothavefoundareadyanswer。Helovedhiswife——justbecauseshewasJanet。Blithelyhelefthiscottageinthemorning，deepbreathingthemountainair，asifitwerehisfirstintheblissfulworld;andalldaytheessentialblissofbeingwashis;buttheimmediatehopeofhisheartwasnottheheavenlycity;itwashishomeandhisoldwoman，andhertalkofwhatshehadfoundinherBiblethatday。Strangelymingled——mingledeventoconfusionwithhisfaithinGod，washisabsolutetrustinhiswife——aconfidencenotverydifferentinkindfromthefaithwhichsomanyChristiansplaceinthemotherofourLord。ToRobert，Janetwasonewhoknew——onewhowasfarbenwiththeFatheroflights。Sheperceivedhisintentions，understoodhiswords，didhiswill，dweltinthesecretplaceoftheMostHigh。WhenJanetenteredintothekingdomofherFather，shewouldseethathewasnotleftoutside。Hewasassureofherlovetohimself，ashewasofGod’slovetoher，andwascertainshecouldneverbecontentwithoutheroldman。Hewashimselfadullsoul，hethought，andcouldnotexpectthegreatGodtotakemuchnoticeofhim，buthewouldallowJanettolookafterhim。Hehadavagueconvictionthathewouldnotbeveryhardtosave，forheknewhimselfreadytodowhateverwasrequiredofhim。
Noneofallthiswasplaintohisconsciousness，however，orI
daresayhewouldhavebegunatoncetocombatthefeeling。
Hissoleanxiety，ontheotherhand，wasneitheraboutlifenordeath，aboutthisworldnorthenext，butthathischildrenshouldbehonestandhonourable，fearGodandkeephiscommandments。
Aroundthem，allandeach，thethoughtsoffatherandmotherwereconstantlyhovering——asiftowatchthem，andwardoffevil。
Almostfromtheday，nowmanyyearsago，when，becauseofdistanceanddifficulty，sheceasedtogotochurch，JanethadtakentoherNewTestamentinanewfashion。
Shepossessedaninstinctivepowerofdiscriminatingcharacter，whichhaditsrootandgrowthinthesimplicityofherown;shehadalwaysbeenastudentofthosephasesofhumanitythatcamewithinherken;shehadalargeshareofthatinterestinherfellowsandtheiraffairswhichistheverybloomuponripehumanity：withthesequalifications，andtheinterpretativelightaffordedbyherowncalmpracticalwayofliving，shecametounderstandmenandtheiractions，especiallywherethelatterdifferedfromwhatmightordinarilyhavebeenexpected，inamarvellousway：herfacultyamountedalmosttosympatheticcontactwiththeveryhumanity。
When，therefore，shefoundherselfinthisremotespot，whereshecouldseesolittleofherkind，shebegan，shehardlyknewbywhatinitiation，toturnherstudyuponthestoryofourLord’slife。
Norwasitlongbeforeitpossessedherutterly，sothatsheconcentrateduponitallthelightandpowerofvisionshehadgatheredfromherexperienceofhumanity。Itoughtnotthereforetobewonderfulhowmuchshenowunderstoodofthetruehumanity——withwhatsimpledirectnesssheknewwhatmanyofthewordsoftheSonofManmeant，andperceivedmanyofthegermsofhisindividualactions。Henceitfollowednaturallythatthethoughtofhim，andthehopeofonedayseeinghim，becameheroneinformingidea。Shewasnowsuchanotherasthosewomenwhoministeredtohimontheearth。
Acertaingentleindifferencesheallowedtothingsconsideredimportant，theneighboursattributedtoweaknessofcharacter，andcalledsoftness;whilethehonesty，energy，anddirectnesswithwhichsheacteduponinsightstheydidnotpossess，theyattributedtointellectualderangement。Shewas“owereasy，“theysaid，whenthetalkhadbeenofprudenceorworldlyprospect;shewas“owerhard，“theysaid，whenthequestionhadbeenofrightandwrong。
Thesameafternoon，aneighbour，onherwayovertheshoulderofthehilltothenextvillage，hadcalleduponherandfoundherbrushingtheraftersofhercottagewithabroomattheendofalongstick。
“Save’sa’，Janet！whatareyeefter？，Ineversawsicathing！”
sheexclaimed。
“IkennahooIneverthouchto’sicathingafore，“answeredJanet，leaningherbroomagainstthewall，anddustingachairforhervisitor;“butthismornin’，whanmymanan’mewassittin’atoorbrakfast，therecam’sicaclapo’thunner，’atitjistgarredthebithoosietrim’le;an’doonfellasnoto’sootintiltheveryspune’atmymanwascairryin’till’shonestmoo。Thatcudnabeasthingswarinten’it，yeken;saewhatwastobesaidbutsetthemricht？”
“Ow，weel！butyemichthaewaitittillDonalcam’hame;hewadhaedune’tinhalfthetime，an’noraxedhisjints。”
“Icudnapititaff，“answeredJanet。“WhakennedwhantheLordmichtcome？——Hecannacomeatcock-crawin’theday，buthemaybehereaforenicht。”
“Weel，I’sawa，“saidhervisitorrising。“I’mgauin’owertothetoontobuyafeowhankso’worsettoweyveapairo’stockinstomyman。Guiddaytoye，Janet——Whatneist，Iwon’er？”sheaddedtoherselfassheleftthehouse。“Thewuman’scleandementit！”
Themomentshewasgone，Janetcaughtupherbroomagain，andwentspyingaboutovertheroof——ceilingtherewasnone——afterlongtanglesofagglomeratedcobwebandsmoke。
“Ay！”shesaidtoherself，“whakenswhanhemaybeatthedoor？an’
Iwadnaliketohearhimsay——’Janet，yemichthaehadyerhooseabitcleaner，whanyekennedImichtbeathan’！’“
Withallthecleaningshecouldgiveit，hercottagewouldhavelookedbutaplaceofmiserytomanyabenevolentwoman，who，ifshehadlivedthere，wouldnothavebeensobenevolentasJanet，orhavekepttheplacehalfsoclean。Forhersoulwasaliveandrich，andoutofhersoul，noteducationorhabit，camethesmallestofhervirtues——Havingfinishedatlast，shetookherbesomtothedoor，andbeatitagainstastone。Thatdone，shestoodlookingalongthepathdownthehill。Itwasthatbywhichhersonsanddaughters，everySaturday，cameclimbing，oneaftertheother，toherbosom，fromtheirvariouslaboursinthevalleybelow，throughthesunset，throughthelongtwilight，throughthemoonlight，eachurgedbyahearteagertolookagainuponfatherandmother。
Thesunwasnowfardownhiswesternarc，andnearlyonalevelwithhereyes;andasshegazedintothedarknessofthetoomuchlight，suddenlyemergedfromit，roseupward，staggeredtowardsher——wasitanangel？wasitaspectre？，Didheroldeyesdeceiveher？orwasthesecondsightborninhernowfirstinheroldage？——Itseemedachild——reeling，andspreadingouthandsthatgroped。Shecoveredhereyesforamoment，foritmightbeavisioninthesun，notontheearth——andlookedagain。Itwasindeedanakedchild！and——wasshestillsodazzledbytheredsunastoseeredwhereredwasnone？——orwerethoseindeedblood-redstreaksonhiswhiteskin？
Straightnow，thoughslow，hecametowardsher。Itwasthesamechildwhohadcomeandgonesostrangelybefore！，Heheldouthishandstoher，andfellonhisfaceatherfeetlikeonedead。Then，withahorrorofpitifulamazement，shesawagreatcrossmarkedintwocruelstripesonhisback;andthethoughtsthatthereuponwentcoursingthroughherlovingimagination，itwouldbehardtosetforth。CoulditbethattheLordwasstill，childandman，sufferingforhisrace，todeliverhisbrothersandsistersfromtheirsins？——wandering，enduring，beaten，blessingstill？acceptingtheevil，slayingit，andreturningnone？hispatiencetheonerockwheretheevilwordfindsnoecho;hishearttheonegulfintowhichthedead-seawaverusheswithnorecoil——fromwhicheverflowsbackonlypurestwater，sweetandcool;theoneabyssofdestroyinglove，intowhichallwrongtumbles，andfindingnoreaction，islost，ceasesforevermore？there，initsowncradle，theprimalorderisstillnursed，stillrestored;thenceisstillsentforthafresh，toleavenwithnewlifetheworldeverageing！，Shadowyandvaguetheywere——butvaguelyshadowedwerethoughtsliketheseinJanet’smind，asshestoodhalf-stunned，regardingforonemomentmotionlesstheprostratechildandhiswrongs。Thenextsheliftedhiminherarms，andholdinghimtenderlytohermother-heart，carriedhimintothehouse，murmuringoverhimdove-likesoundsofpityandendearmentmingledwithindignation。Thereshelaidhimonhissideinherbed，coveredhimgentlyover，andhastenedtothelittlebyreattheendofthecottage，togethimsomewarmmilk。Whenshereturned，hehadalreadyliftedhisheavyeyelids，andwaslookingwearilyabouttheplace。Butwhenhesawher，dideversobrightasunshineasthatsmileofhis！，EyesandmouthandwholefaceflasheduponJanet！，Shesetdownthemilk，andwenttothebedside。
Gibbieputuphisarms，threwthemroundherneck，andclungtoherasifshehadbeenhismother。Andfromthatmomentshewashismother：herheartwasbigenoughtomotherallthechildrenofhumanity。ShewaslikeCharityherself，withherbabesinnumerable。
“Whathavetheydonetoye，mybairn？”shesaid，intonespitifulwiththepityoftheShepherdofthesheephimself。
Noreplycameback——onlyanotherheavenlysmile，asmileofabsolutecontent。ForwhatwerestripesandnakednessandhungertoGibbie，nowthathehadawomantolove！，Gibbie’snecessitywastolove;
butherewasmore;herewasLoveofferingherselftohim！，ExceptinblackSambohehadscarcelycaughtagoodsightofherbefore。HehadneverbeforebeenkissedbythatmightofGod’sgrace，atruewoman。Shewasanoldwomanwhokissedhim;butnonewhohavedrunkoftheoldwineoflove，straightwaydesirethenew，fortheyknowthattheoldisbetter。Matchsuchasherswiththylove，maidenoftwenty，andwherewiltthoufindthemanIsaynotworthy，butfittomatewiththee？，Forherswasloveindeed——nottheloveoflove——buttheloveofLife。AlreadyGibbie’sfaintnesswasgone——andallhisillswithit。Sheraisedhimwithonearm，andheldthebowltohismouth，andhedrank;butallthetimehedrank，hiseyeswerefixeduponhers。Whenshelaidhimdownagain，heturnedonhisside，offhisscoredback，andinamomentwasfastasleep。Shestoodgazingathim。Sostillwashe，thatshebegantofearhewasdead，andlaidherhandonhisheart。Itwasbeatingsteadily，andshelefthim，tomakesomegruelforhimagainsthiswaking。Hersoulwasglad，forshewasministeringtoherMaster，notthelessinhisownself，thatitwasinthepersonofoneofhislittleones。Gruel，assuchaonemakesit，isnocommonfare，butdelicateenoughforaqueen。Shesetitdownbythefire，andproceededtolaythesupperforherexpectedchildren。Thecleanyellow-whitetableofsoftsmoothfir，needednocloth——onlyhornspoonsandwoodencaups。
Atlengthahandcametothelatch，andmotheranddaughtergreetedasmotheranddaughteronlycan;thencameason，andmotherandsongreetedasmotherandsononlycan。Theykeptonarrivingsinglytothenumberofsix——twodaughtersandfoursons，theyoungestsomelittletimeaftertherest。Each，asheorshecame，Janettooktothebed，andshowedherseventhchildwhereheslept。Eachtimesheshowedhim，tosecurelikepitywithherown，sheturneddownthebedclothes，andrevealedthelittleback，smittenwiththeeternalmemorialofthedivineperfection。Thewomenwept。Theyoungmenwerefurious，eachafterhisfashion。
“Goddamntherascal’atdidit！”criedoneofthem，clenchinghisteeth，andforgettinghimselfquiteintherageofthemoment。
“Laddie，takbacktheword，“saidhismothercalmly。“Gienyedinnaforgieyerenemies，ye’llnobeforgi’enyersel’。”
“That’ssomehard，mither，“answeredtheoffender，withanattemptedsmile。
“Hard！”sheechoed;“itmayweelbehard，foritcannabehelpit。
Whatwadbetheuseo’forgiein’ye，orhoocuditwinatye，orwhatwadyecarefor’t，ormako’t，cairryin’ahello’hatei’yerverrahert？，ForgienGodbelove，hellmaunbehate。Mybairn，them’atwinnaforgietheirenemies，cairriessicanesto’deevilryi’theirainboasoms，’attheverraspeerito’Godhimsel’cannawinintill’tforbein’scomfishedwi’smellan’reik。Muckleguidwadonlypardondeetosic！，Butancelatthemun’erstan’’athecannaforgiethem，an’maybethey’llbefleyt，an’turnagain’theSawtan’at’si’them。”
“Weel，buthe’snomyenemy，“saidtheyouth。
“Noyourenemy！”returnedhismother;“——noyourenemy，an’sair(serve)abairnlikethat！，Mycerty！buthe’stheenemyo’thehaillraceo’mankin’。Hetrespassesuncosairagainstme，I’mweelsureo’that！，An’I’mglaido’’t。I’mglaid’athehasmeforaneo’’senemies，forIforgiehimforane;an’wusshimsaeaffrontitwi’himsel’er’a’bedune，’athewadfainhidehisheidinamidden。”
“Noo，noo，mither！”saidtheeldestson，whohadnotyetspoken，butwhosecountenancehadbeenshowingamightyindignation，“that’ssurelyassairabannin’asyon’atJocksaid。”
“What，laddie！，Wadyehaeafellow-craturlivetoa’eternityohnbeenashamedo’sicathing’sthat？，Wadthatbetowusshimweel？
Kennaye’atthemairshamethemairgrace？，Mywordwasthebestbeginnin’o’better’atIcudwusshim。Na，na，laddie！fraemyverrahert，Iwusshemaybethataffrontitwi’himsel’’athecannasaemuckleasliftup’seentoh’aven，butmaunsmiteupo’’sbreistan’say，’Godbemercifu’tomeasinner！’，That’smycurseupo’
him，forIwadnahae’imadeevil。Whanhecomestothinkthatshameo’himsel’，I’lltakhimtomyhert，asItakthebairnhemisguidit。OnlyIdoobtI’llbelangawaaforethat，forittakstimetofessamanlikethattill’sholysenses。”
Thesixthofthefamilynowentered，andhismotherledhimuptothebed。
“TheLordpreserve’s！”criedDonalGrant，“it’sthecratur！——An’isthatthegaittheyhaeguidithim！，Thequaietestcraturan’thewillin’est！”
Donalbegantochoke。
“Yekenhimthan，laddie？”saidhismother。
“Weelthat，“answeredDonal。“He’sbeenwi’mean’thenowtilkadayforweekstilltheday。”
WiththathehurriedintothestoryofhisacquaintancewithGibbie;
andthefableofthebrowniewouldsoonhavedisappearedfromDaurside，haditnotbeenthatJanetdesiredthemtosaynothingabouttheboy，butlethimbeforgottenbyhisenemies，tillhegrewabletotakecareofhimself。Besides，shesaid，theirfathermightgetintotroublewiththemasterandthelaird，ifitwereknowntheyhadhim。
Donalvowedtohimself，that，ifFergushadhadahandintheabuse，hewouldneverspeakcivilwordtohimagain。
Heturnedtowardsthebed，andtherewereGibbie’sazureeyeswideopenandfixeduponhim。
“Eh，yecratur！”hecried;anddartingtothebed，hetookGibbie’sfacebetweenhishands，andsaid，inavoicetowhichpityandsympathygaveatonelikehismother’s，“Whatenadeevilwas’t’atlickityelikethat？，Eh！，IwussIhadthetrimmin’o’him！”
Gibbiesmiled。
“Hastheill-guideshipta’enthetonguefrae’im，thinkye？”askedthemother。
“Na，na，“answeredDonal;“he’sbeenlikethatsin’everIkennedhim。Ineverh’ardwordfraethemoo’o’’im。”
“He’llbeaneo’thedeifan’dumb，“saidJanet。
“He’snodeif，mither;thatIkenweel;butdumbhemaunbe，I’mthinkin’——Cratur，“hecontinued，stoopingovertheboy，“gienyehearwhatI’msayin’，takhaudo’mynose。”
Thereupon，withalaughlikethatofanamusedinfant，Gibbieraisedhishand，andwiththumbandforefingergentlypinchedDonal’slargenose，atwhichtheyallburstoutlaughingwithjoy。Itwasasiftheyhadfoundanangel’sbabyinthebushes，andbeenafraidhewasanidiot，butwerenowrelieved。AwaywentJanet，andbroughthimhisgruel。Itwaswithnosmalldifficultyandnotwithoutamoanortwo，thatGibbiesatupinthebedtotakeit。Therewassomethingverypatheticinthefullcontentwithwhichhesatthereinhisnakedness，andlookedsmilingatthemall。Itwasmorethancontent——itwasblissthatshoneinhiscountenance。Hetookthewoodenbowl，andbegantoeat;andthelookhecastonJanetseemedtosayhehadnevertastedsuchdeliciousfood。Indeedheneverhad;andthepoorcottage，whereoncemorehewasastrangerandtakenin，appearedtoGibbieaplaceofwondrouswealth。Andsoitwas——notonlyinthebesttreasures，thoseoflovingkindness，butinallhomelyplentyaswellfortheneedsofthebody——averytempleoftheGodofsimplicityandcomfort——richinwarmthandrestandfood。
Janetwenttoherkist，whenceshebroughtoutagarmentofherown，andaireditatthefire。Ithadnolaceattheneckorcuffs，noembroiderydownthefront;butwhensheputitonhim，amidthetearfullaughterofthewomen，andhadtieditroundhiswaistwithapieceoflistthathadservedasagarter，itmadeadressmostbecomingintheireyes，andgaveGibbieindescribablepleasurefromitswhiteness，anditscoolnesstohisinflamedskin。
Theyhadjustfinishedclothinghimthus，whenthegoodmancamehome，andthemother’snarrationhadtobegivenafresh，withDonal’snotesexplanatoryandcompletive。Asthelatterreportedthedoingsoftheimaginedbrownie，andthecommotiontheyhadcausedattheMainsandalongDaurside，Gibbie’scountenanceflashedwithpleasureandfun;andatlasthebrokeintosuchapealoflaughterashadnever，forpuremerriment，beenheardbeforesohighonGlashgar。Alljoinedinvoluntarilyinthelaugh——eventheoldman，whohadbeenlisteningwithhisgreyeyebrowsknit，andhanginglikeboskyprecipicesoverthetarnsofhisdeepseteyes，takingineveryword，bututteringnotone。Whenatlasthiswifeshowedhimthechild’sback，heliftedhistwohands，andmovedthemslowlyupanddown，asinpitifulappealformanagainstmantothesireoftherace。Butstillhesaidnotaword。Astoutteranceofwhatlayinthedeepsoulofhim，theoldman，exceptsometimestohiswife，wasnearlyasdumbasGibbiehimself。
Theysatdowntotheirhomelymeal。Simplestthingswillcarrytheresultofhonestattentionasplainlyasmoreelaboratedishes;and，whichitmightbewelltoconsider，theywillcarrynomorethantheyareworth：ofJanet’ssupperitisenoughtosaythatitwassuchasbecameherheart。Inthejudgmentofallherguests，theporridgewassuchasnonecouldmakebutmother，themilksuchasnonebutmother’scowcouldyield，thecakessuchassheonlycouldbake。
Gibbiesatinthebedlikeakingonhisthrone，gazingonhiskingdom。Forhethatloveshas，asnooneelsehas。Itisthedivinepossession。Picturethedelightofthechild，inhispassionforhiskind，lookingoutuponthiscompanyoftruehearts，honestfaces，humanforms——allstrongandhealthy，lovingeachotherandgeneroustothetakinginoftheworld’soutcast！，Gibbiecouldnot，atthatperiodofhishistory，haveinventedaheavenmoretohismind，andasoftenasoneofthemturnedeyestowardsthebed，hisfaceshoneupwithloveandmerrygratitude，likeabettersun。
Itwasnowalmosttimeforthesonsanddaughterstogodownthehillagain，andleavethecottageandtheblessedoldparentsandtheharbouredchildtothenight，themountain-silence，andthelivingGod。Thesunhadlongbeendown;butfarawayinthenorth，thefaintthinfringeofhislight-garmentwasstillvisible，movingwiththeunseenbodyofhisglorysoftlyeastward，dreamingalongthehorizon，growingfainterandfainterasitwent，butatthefaintestthenbeginningtoreviveandgrow。Ofthenorthernlandsinsummer，itmaybesaid，asoftheheavenofheavens，thatthereisnonightthere。Andbyandbythemoonalsowouldattendthestepsofthereturningchildrenoflabour。
“Noo，ladsan’lasses，aforewehaeworship，rin，ilkaneo’ye，“
saidthemother，“an’pu’heathertomakabedtotheweeman——i’
theneukthere，attheheido’oors。He’llsleeptherebonny，an’
noill’illcomenear’im。”
Shewasobeyedinstantly。Theheatherwaspulled，andsettogetheruprightasitgrew，onlymuchcloser，sothatthetopsmadeadensesurface，andthemanystalks，eachweak，astrongupbearingwhole。
Theyboxedtheminbelowwithaboardortwoforthepurpose，andboundthemtogetherabovewithablanketoverthetop，andawhitesheetoverthat——alinensheetitwas，andlargeenoughtobedoubled，andreceiveGibbiebetweenitsfolds。Thenanotherblanketwasadded，andthebed，aperfectone，wasready。TheeldestofthedaughterstookGibbieinherarms，and，tenderlycarefuloverhishurts，liftedhimfromtheoldfolks’bed，andplacedhiminhisown——onemoreluxurious，forheathermakesastillbetterstratumforreposethanoat-chaff——andGibbiesankintoitwithasighthatwasbutasmilegrownvocal。
ThenDonal，astheyoungest，gotdownthebigBible，andhavinglaiditbeforehisfather，lightedtherush-pith-wickprojectingfromthebeakofthelittleironlampthathungagainstthewall，itsshapedescendedfromRomantimes。Theoldmanputonhisspectacles，tookthebook，andfoundthepassagethatfell，incontinuousprocess，tothatevening。
Nowhewasnotaverygoodreader，and，whatwithblindnessandspectacles，andpoorlight，wouldsometimeslosehisplace。Butitnevertroubledhim，forhealwaysknewthesenseofwhatwascoming，andbeingnoidolateroftheletter，usedthewordthatfirstsuggesteditself，andsorecoveredhisplacewithoutpausing。ItremindedhissonsanddaughtersofthetimewhenheusedtotellthemBiblestoriesastheycrowdedabouthisknees;andsoundingthereforemerelylikethesubstitutionofamorefamiliarwordtoassisttheircomprehension，wokenosurprise。Andevennow，thewordsupplied，beinginthevernacular，wasrathertothebenefitthanthedisadvantageofhishearers。ThewordofChristisspiritandlife，andwheretheheartisaglow，thetonguewillfollowthatspiritandlifefearlessly，andwillnoterr。
OnthisoccasionhewasreadingofourLord’scureoftheleper;andhavingread，“putforthhishand，“losthisplace，andwentstraightonwithoutit，fromhismemoryofthefacts。
“Heputforthhishan’——an’grippithim，andsaid，Awwull——beclean。”
Afterthereadingfollowedaprayer，verysolemnanddevout。Itwasthenonly，whenbeforeGod，withhiswifebyhisside，andhisfamilyaroundhim，thattheoldmanbecamearticulate。Hewouldscarcelyhavebeensothen，andwouldhaveflounderedgreatlyinthemarshesofhismentalchaos，butforthestepping-stonesofcertaintheologicalformsandphrases，whichwereofendlessservicetohiminthattheyhelpedhimtoutterwhatinhimwasfarbetter，andsorealisemoretohimselfhisownfeelings。ThoseformsandphraseswouldhaveshockedanydevoutChristianwhohadnotbeenbroughtupinthesameschool;buttheydidhimlittleharm，forhesawonlythegoodthatwasinthem，andindeeddidnotunderstandthemsaveinsofarastheywordedthatliftingupoftheheartafterwhichhewaseverstriving。
Bythetimetheprayerwasover，Gibbiewasfastasleepagain。Whatitallmeanthehadnotanidea;andthesoundlulledhim——aserviceoftensorenderedinlieuofthatintended。Whenhewokenext，fromtheachingofhisstripes，thecottagewasdark。Theoldpeoplewerefastasleep。Ahairythinglaybyhisside，which，withouttheleastfear，heexaminedbypalpation，andfoundtobeadog，whereuponhefellfastasleepagain，ifpossiblehappierthanever。
Andwhilethecottagewasthusquiet，thebrothersandsisterswerestilltrampingalongthemoonlightpathsofDaurside。Theyhadallsetouttogether，butatonepointafteranothertherehadbeenaparting，andnowtheywereonsixdifferentroads，eachdrawingnearertothelabourofthenewweek。
CHAPTERXXIII。
MORESCHOOLING。
ThefirstopportunityDonalhad，hequestionedFergusastohisshareintheill-usageofGibbie。Fergustreatedtheinquiryasanimpertinentinterference，andmountedhishighhorseatonce。Whatrighthadhisfather’sherd-boytoquestionhimastohisconduct？
Heputitsotohimandinnearlyjustasmanywords。ThereuponansweredDonal——
“It’sthis，yesee，Fergus：yehaebeenuncoguidtome，an’I’mmairobligatittillyenorIcansay。Butitwadbeascunnerfu’
thingtotakthelen’o’buiksfraeye，an’spierquest’onsatye’atIcannamakootmysel’，an’synegangawadespisin’yei’myhertforcrueltyan’wrang。Whatwasthecraturpunishedfor？，Tellmethat。Accordin’tillyeraunt’sainaccoont，hehadtaennaething，an’haddunenaethingbutguid。”
“Whydidn’thespeakupthen，anddefendhimself，andnotbesodamnedobstinate？”returnedFergus。“Hewouldn’topenhismouthtotellhisname，orwherehecamefromeven。Icouldn’tgethimtoutterasingleword。Asforhispunishment，itwasbythelaird’sordersthatAngusMacPholptookthewhiptohim。Ihadnothingtodowithit——“Fergusdidnotconsiderthepunishmenthehadhimselfgivenhimasworthmentioning——asindeed，exceptforhonesty’ssake，itwasnot，besidetheother。
“Weel，I’llbeamansomeday，an’Angus’llhaetosattlewi’me！”
saidDonalthroughhisclenchedteeth。“Man，Fergus！thecratur’sasdumb’saworum。Idinnabelieve’ateverhespakawordin’slife。”
ThiscutFergustotheheart，forhewasfarfrombeingwithoutgenerosityorpity。Howmanythingsamanwhoisnotawaketosidestrenuouslywiththegoodinhimagainsttheevil，whoisnotonhisguardlesthimselfshouldmisleadhimself，maydo，ofwhichhewillonedaybebitterlyashamed！——atriteremark，itmaybe，but，reader，thatwillmakethethingitselfnoeasiertobear，shouldyouevercometoknowyouhavedoneathingofthesort。Ifear，however，fromwhatIknowofFergusafterwards，thathenow，insteadofseekingabouttomakesomeamends，turnedthestrengththatshouldhavegoneinthatdirection，tothejustifyingofhimselftohimselfinwhathehaddone。Anyhow，hewasfartooproudtoconfesstoDonalthathehaddonewrong——toomuchoffendedatbeingrebukedbyonehecountedsoimmeasurablyhisinferior，todotherightthinghisrebukesetbeforehim。Whatdidthemightybusinessmatter！，Thelittlerascalwasnothingbutatramp;andifhedidn’tdeservehispunishmentthistime，hehaddeserveditahundredtimeswithouthavingit，andwouldtenthousandtimesagain。SoreasonedFergus，whilethefeelinggrewuponDonalthatthecraturwasofsomesuperiorrace——camefromsomeotherandnoblerworld。IwouldremindmyreaderthatDonalwasaCelt，withanatureopentoeveryfancyofloveorawe——oneofthesamebreedwiththefoolishGalatians，andlikethemreadytobebewitched;butbearingaheartthatwelcomedthelightwithgladrebound——lovedthelovely，norloveditonly，butturnedtowardsitwithdesiretobecomelikeit。
FergustoowasaCeltinthemain，butwasspoiledbythepaltryambitionofbeingdistinguished。Hewasnotinlovewithloveliness，butinlovewithpraise。Hesawnotalittleofwhatwasgoodandnoble，andwouldfainbesuch，butmainlythatmenmightregardhimforhisgoodnessandnobility;hencehispracticalnotionofthegoodwasweak，andofthenoble，paltry。Hisonedesireindoinganything，wastobeapprovedoforadmiredinthesame——approvedofintheopinionsheheld，intheplanshepursued，inthedoctrineshetaught;admiredinthepoemsinwhichhewenthaltingafterByron，andintheeloquencewithwhichhemeantonedaytoastonishgreatcongregations。Therewasnothingoriginalasyetdiscoverableinhim;nothingtodeliverhimfromthepoorimitativeaperyinwhichheimaginedhimselfapoet。Hedidpossessoneinvaluablegift——thatofperceivingandadmiringmorethanalittle，certainformsofthebeautiful;butitwasrenderedmerelyridiculousbybeingconjoinedwiththemiserableambition——poorasthatofanymountebankemperor——tobehimselfadmiredforthatadmiration。Hemistookalsosensibilityforfaculty，norperceivedthatitwasatbestbutaprobablesignthathemightbeabletodosomethingorotherwithpleasure，perhapswithsuccess。Ifanyonejudgeithardthatmenshouldbemadewithambitionstowhoseobjectstheycanneverattain，Ianswer，ambitionisbuttheevilshadowofaspiration;andnomaneverfollowedthetruth，whichistheonepathofaspiration，andintheendcomplainedthathehadbeenmadethiswayorthat。Manismadetobethatwhichheismademostcapableofdesiring——butitgoeswithoutsayingthathemustdesirethethingitselfandnotitsshadow。Manisofthetruth，andwhilehefollowsalie，noindicationhisnatureyieldswillhold，exceptthefear，thediscontent，thesicknessofsoul，thattellhimheiswrong。Ifhesay，“Icarenotforwhatyoucallthesubstance——itistometheshadow;Iwantwhatyoucalltheshadow，“
theonlyansweris，that，toalleternity，hecanneverhaveit：ashadowcanneverbehad。
Ginevrawashardlythesamechildaftertheexperienceofthatterriblemorning。Atnotimeverymuchathomewithherfather，somethinghadnowcomebetweenthem，toremovewhichallherstrugglestolovehimasbeforewereunavailing。Thefatherwastoostupid，toounsympathetic，totakenoteofthelookoffearthatcrossedherfaceifeverheaddressedhersuddenly;andwhenshewasabsorbedinfightingthethoughtsthatwouldcome，hetookherconstraintforsullenness。
WithacoldspotinhisheartwhereoncehaddweltsomegenuineregardforDonal，Ferguswentbacktocollege。Donalwentonherdingthecattle，cudgelingHornie，andreadingwhatbookshecouldlayhishandson：therewasnosupplythroughFergusanymore，alas！，Theyearbefore，erehetookhisleave，hehadbeencarefultoseeDonalprovidedwithatleastbooksforstudy;butthistimehelefthimtoshiftforhimself。Hewassmallbecausehewasproud，spitefulbecausehewasconceited。HewouldletDonalknowwhatitwastohavelosthisfavour！，ButDonaldidnotsuffermuch，exceptinthelossofthefriendshipitself。HemanagedtogettheloanofacopyofBurns——bettermeatforastrongspiritthanthepoetryofByronorevenScott。Aninnatecleanlinessofsoulrenderedtheoccasionalcoarsenesstohimharmless，andthemightytorrentoftheman’slife，brokenbyoccasionalpoolsreflectingthestars;itsheadlonghatredofhypocrisyandfalsereligion;itsgenerosity，andstrugglingconscientiousness;itsfailuresanditsrepentances，rousedmuchintheheartofDonal。Happilythecopyhehadborrowed，hadinitatolerablebiography;andthat，readalongwiththeman’swork，enabledhim，youngashewas，toseesomethingofwhereandhowhehadfailed，andtoshadowouttohimself，notaltogethervaguely，theperilstowhichthegreatestmustbeexposedwhocannotrulehisownspirit，but，likeamerechild，reelsfromonemoodintoanother——atthewillof——what？
>FromreadingBurns，Donallearnedalsonotalittleofthecapabilitiesofhisownlanguage;for，Celtashewasbybirthandcountryandmentalcharacter，hecouldnotspeaktheGaelic：thatlanguage，softasthespeechofstreamsfromruggedmountains，andwildasthatofthewindinthetopsoffir-trees，thelanguageatonceofbardsandfightingmen，hadsofarebbedfromtheregion，lingeringonlyhereandthereinthehollowpoolsofoldmemories，thatDonalhadneverlearnedit;andthelowlandScotch，anancientbranchofEnglish，dryandgnarled，butstillflourishinginitsoldage，hadbecomeinstead，hismother-tongue;andthemanwholovestheantiquespeech，oreventhemerepatois，ofhischildhood，andknowshowtouseit，possessesthereinacertainkindofpowerovertheheartsofmen，whichthemostrefinedandperfectoflanguagescannotgive，inasmuchasithastravelledfartherfromtheoriginalsourcesoflaughterandtears。ButtheoldScotishitselfis，alas！
rapidlyvanishingbeforeapoor，shabbyimitationofmodernEnglish——itselfaweakerlanguageinsound，howeverenrichedinwords，sincethedaysofShakspere，whenitwasfarmorelikeScotchinitsutterancethanitisnow。
Mymother-tongue，howsweetthytone！
Howneartogoodallied！
Wereevenmyheartofsteelorstone，Thouwouldstdriveoutthepride。
SosingsKlausGroth，inandconcerninghisownPlattdeutsch——sonearlyakintotheEnglish。
Toapoetespeciallyisitaninestimableadvantagetobeabletoemploysuchalanguageforhispurposes。Notonlywasitthespeechofhischildhood，whenhesaweverythingwithfresh，trueeyes，butitisitselfachild-speech;andthechildwayofsayingmustalwayslienearerthechildwayofseeing，whichisthepoeticway。
Therefore，asthepoeticfacultywasnowslowlyassertingitselfinDonal，itwasofvastimportancethatheshouldknowwhatthegeniusofScotlandhadbeenabletodowithhishomelymother-tongue，forthroughthattonguealone，couldwhatpoetryhehadinhimhavethoroughlyfairplay，andinturndoitsbesttowardshisdevelopment——whichisthefirstandgreatestuseofpoetry。Itisaruinousmisjudgment——toocontemptibletobeasserted，butnottoocontemptibletobeactedupon，thattheendofpoetryispublication。Itstrueendistohelpfirstthemanwhomakesitalongthepathtothetruth：helpforotherpeoplemayormaynotbeinit;that，ifitbecomeaquestionatall，mustbeanafterone。
Tothemanwhohasit，thegiftisinvaluable;and，inproportionasithelpshimtobeabetterman，itisofvaluetothewholeworld;butitmay，initself，besonearlyworthless，thatthepublishingofitwouldbemoreforharmthangood。Askanyonewhohashadtoperformtheunenviabledutyofeditortoamagazine：hewillcorroboratewhatIsay——thatthequantityofversegoodenoughtobeitsownreward，butwithoutthesmallestclaimtobeutteredtotheworld，isenormous。
Notyet，however，hadDonalwrittenasinglestanza。Aline，oratmosttwo，wouldnowandthencomeintohisheadwithabuzz，likeawanderinghoney-beethathadmistakenitshive——generallyintheshapeofahumorousmaledictiononHornie——butthatwasall。
InthemeantimeGibbiesleptandwakedandsleptagain，nightafternight——withtheloveliestdaysbetween，atthecottageonGlashgar。
Themorningafterhisarrival，thefirstthinghewasawareofwasJanet’sfacebeamingoverhim，withalookinitseyesmorelikeworshipthenbenevolence。Herhusbandwasgone，andshewasabouttomilkthecow，andwasanxiouslest，whileshewasaway，heshoulddisappearasbefore。Butthelightthatrushedintohiseyeswasinfullresponsetothatwhichkindledthelightinhers，andhermisgivingvanished;hecouldnotloveherlikethatandleaveher。
Shegavehimhisbreakfastofporridgeandmilk，andwenttohercow。
Whenshecameback，shefoundeverythingtidyinthecottage，thefloorswept，everydishwashedandsetaside;andGibbiewasexamininganoldshoeofRobert’s，toseewhetherhecouldnotmendit。Janet，havingthereforeleisure，proceededatoncewithjoytotheconstructionofagarmentshehadbeendevisingforhim。Thedesignwassimple，anditsexecutioneasy。Takingabluewinseypetticoatofherown，drawingitinroundhiswaist，andtyingitoverthechemisewhichwashisonlygarment，shefound，asshehadexpected，thatitshemreachedhisfeet：shepartlydivideditupthemiddle，beforeandbehind，andhadbuttobackstitchtwoshortseams，andtherewasapairofsailor-liketrousers，astidyascomfortable！，Gibbiewasdelightedwiththem。True，theyhadnopockets，butthenhehadnothingtoputinpockets，andonemightcometothinkofthatasanadvantage。Gibbieindeedhadneverhadpockets，forthepocketsofthegarmentshehadhadwerealwayswornoutbeforetheyreachedhim。ThenJanetthoughtaboutacap;butconsideringhimamomentcritically，andseeinghowhishairstoodoutlikethatch-eavesroundhishead，sheconcludedwithherself“Theremaunbesomemenasweel’swomenfowk，I’mthinkin’，whausehair’sgienthemforacoverin’，“andbetookherselfinsteadtoherNewTestament。
Gibbiestoodbyasshereadinsilence，gazingwithdelight，forhethoughtitmustbeabookofballadslikeDonal’sthatshewasreading。ButJanetfoundhispresence，hisunrestingattitude，andhisgaze，discomposing。Toworshipfreely，onemustbealone，orelsewithfellow-worshippers。AndreadingandworshippingwereoftensomingledwithJanet，astoformbutonementalconsciousness。Shelookedupthereforefromherbook，andsaid——
“Canyeread，laddie？”
Gibbieshookhishead。
“Sityedoonthan，an’Is’readtillye。”
Gibbieobeyedmorethanwillingly，expectingtohearsomeancientScotstaleofloveorchivalry。Instead，itwasoneofthoselove-awful，glory-sadchaptersintheendoftheGospelofJohn，overwhichhangsthedarkestcloudofhumansorrow，shotthroughandthroughwiththeradianceoflighteternal，essential，invincible。
WhetheritwastheuncertainresponsetoJanet’stonemerely，ortotruthtooloudtobeheard，saveasathrill，ofsomechordinhisownspirit，havingitsoneendindeedtwistedaroundanearthlypeg，buttheotherloopedtoatail-piecefarintheunknown——Icannottell;itmayhavebeenthatthenamenowandthenrecurringbroughttohismindthelastwordsofpoorSambo;anyhow，whenJanetlookedup，shesawthetearsrollingdownthechild’sface。Atthesametime，fromtheexpressionofhiscountenance，shejudgedthathisunderstandinghadgraspednothing。Sheturnedthereforetotheparableoftheprodigalson，andreadit。EventhathadnotafewwordsandphrasesunknowntoGibbie，buthedidnotfailtocatchthedriftoftheperfectstory。ForhadnotGibbiehimselfhadafather，towhosebosomhewenthomeeverynight？，Letbutlovebetheinterpreter，andwhatmostwretchedtypewillnotservetheturnforthecarriageofprofoundesttruth！，Theprodigal’slowestdegradation，Gibbiedidnotunderstand;butJanetsawtheexpressionoftheboy’sfacealterwitheverytoneofthetale，throughallthegamutbetweentheswine’stroughandthearmsofthefather。Thenatlastheburst——notintotears——Gibbiewasnotmuchacquaintedwithweeping——butintoalaughofloudtriumph。Heclappedhishands，andinashiverofecstasy，stoodlikeastorkupononeleg，asifsomuchofhimwasallthatcouldbesparedforthislowerworld，andscrewedhimselftogether。
Janetwaswellsatisfiedwithherexperiment。MostScotchwomen，andmorethanmostScotchmen，wouldhaverebukedhimforlaughing，butJanetknewinherselfacertaintensionofdelightwhichnothingservedtorelievebutawildlaughterofholiestgladness;andneverintearsofdeepestemotiondidherheartappealmoredirectlytoitsGod。ItistheheartthatisnotyetsureofitsGod，thatisafraidtolaughinhispresence。
ThushadGibbiehisfirstlessonintheonlythingworthlearning，inthatwhich，tobelearnedatall，demandstheunitedenergyofheartandsoulandstrengthandmind;andfromthatdayhewentonlearningit。Icannottellhow，orwhatweretheslowstagesbywhichhismindbuddedandswelleduntilitburstintotheflowerofhumanity，theknowledgeofGod。IcannottelltheshapeofthedoorbywhichtheLordenteredintothathouse，andtookeverlastingpossessionofit。IcannoteventellinwhatshapeheappearedhimselfinGibbie’sthoughts——fortheLordcantakeanyshapethatishuman。IonlyknowitwasnotanyunhumanshapeofearthlytheologythatheboretoGibbie，whenhesawhimwith“thatinwardeye，whichistheblissofsolitude。”，ForhappilyJanetneversuspectedhowutterwasGibbie’signorance。SheneverdreamedthathedidnotknowwhatwasgenerallysaidaboutJesusChrist。Shethoughthemustknowaswellasshetheoutlinesofhisstory，andthepurposeofhislifeanddeath，ascommonlytaught，andthereforeneverattemptedexplanationsforthesakeofwhichshewouldprobablyhavefoundherselfdriventousetermsandphraseswhichmerelysubstitutethatwhichisintelligiblebecauseitappealstowhatinusislow，andisitselfbothlowandfalse，forthatwhich，ifunintelligible，issobecauseofitsgrandeurandtruth。
Gibbie’sideasofGodhegotallfromthemouthofTheologyhimself，theWordofGod;andtothetheologianwhowillnotbecontentwithhisteaching，thediscipleofJesusmustjustturnhisback，thathisfacemaybetohisMaster。
So，teachinghimonlythatwhichsheloved，notthatwhichshehadbeentaught，JanetreadtoGibbieofJesus，talkedtohimofJesus，dreamedtohimaboutJesus;untilatlength——Gibbiedidnotthinktowatch，andknewnothingoftheprocessbywhichitcameabout——hiswholesoulwasfulloftheman，ofhisdoings，ofhiswords，ofhisthoughts，ofhislife。JesusChristwasinhim——hewaspossessedbyhim。Almostbeforeheknew，hewastryingtofashionhislifeafterthatofhisMaster。
Betweenthetwo，itwasasweetteaching，asweetlearning。UnderJanet，Gibbiewassavedthethousandagoniesthatbefalltheconscientiousdisciple，fromtheforcinguponhim，asthethoughtsandwilloftheeternalFatherofourspirits，oftheillexpressedandworseunderstoodexperiences，thecrudeconjectures，thevulgarimaginationsofwould-beteachersofthemultitude。Containingtruthenoughtosavethoseofsufficientlylowdevelopmenttoreceivesuchteachingwithoutdisgust，itcontainsfalsehoodenough，butfortheSpiritofGod，toruinallnobler——Imeanallchildlikenatures，utterly;andmanysuchithasgonefartoruin，drivingthemeventoamadnessinwhichtheyhavedied。JesusaloneknowstheFather，andcanrevealhim。JanetstudiedonlyJesus，andasamanknowshisfriend，soshe，onlyinfinitelybetter，knewhermorethanfriend——herLordandherGod。DoIspeakofapoorScotchpeasantwomantoolargelyforthereaderwhosetestoftruthisthenotionofprobabilityhedrawsfromhisownexperience？，Letmeputonequestiontomaketherealprobabilityclearer。Shoulditbeanywonder，ifChristbeindeedthenaturalLordofeveryman，woman，andchild，thatasimple，capablenature，layingitselfentirelyopentohimandhisinfluences，shouldunderstandhim？，HowshouldhebetheLordofthatnatureifsuchathingwerenotpossible，orwereatallimprobable——nay，ifsuchathingdidnotnecessarilyfollow？，Amongwomen，wasitnotalwaystopeasantwomenthatheavenlymessagescame？，SeerevelationculminateinElizabethandMary，themothersofJohntheBaptistandJesus。Thinkhowmuchfitterthatitshouldbeso;——thattheytowhomthewordofGodcomesshouldbewomenbredinthedignityofanaturallife，andfamiliaritywiththelargewaysoftheearth;womenofsimpleandfewwants，withoutdistraction，andwithtimeforreflection——compelledtoreflection，indeed，fromtheenduringpresenceofanunsulliedconsciousness：forwhereverthereisahumble，thoughtfulnature，intothatnaturethedivineconsciousness，thatis，theSpiritofGod，pressesasintoitsownplace。Holywomenaretobefoundeverywhere，buttheprophetessisnotsolikelytobefoundinthecityasinthehill-country。
WhateverJanet，then，might，perhaps——Idonotknow——haveimagineditherdutytosaytoGibbiehadshesurmisedhisignorance，havinglongceasedtotroubleherownhead，shehadnownoinclinationtotroubleGibbie’sheartwithwhatmencalltheplanofsalvation。ItwasenoughtohertofindthathefollowedherMaster。Beinginthelightsheunderstoodthelight，andhadnoneedofsystem，eithertrueorfalse，toexplainittoher。ShelivedbythewordproceedingoutofthemouthofGod。Whenlifebeginstospeculateuponitself，Isuspectithasbeguntodie。Andseldomhastherebeenafittersoul，oneclearerfromevil，fromfolly，fromhumandevice——apurercisternforsuchwateroflifeasroseintheheartofJanetGranttopouritselfinto，thanthesoulofSirGibbie。
ButImustnotcallanytruesoulacistern：whereverthewateroflifeisreceived，itsinksandsoftensandhollows，untilitreaches，fardown，thespringsoflifetherealso，thatcomestraightfromtheeternalhills，andthenceforththereisinthatsoulawellofwaterspringingupintoeverlastinglife。
CHAPTERXXIV。
THESLATE。
>Fromthatverynextday，then，afterhewasreceivedintothecottageonGlashgar，Gibbie，asamatterofcourse，tookuponhimtheworkhishandcouldfindtodo，andJanetaverredtoherhusbandthatneverhadanyofherdaughtersbeenmoreusefultoher。Atthesametime，however，sheinsistedthatRobertshouldtaketheboyoutwithhim。Shewouldnothavehimdowoman’swork，especiallyworkforwhichshewasherselfperfectlyable。Shehadnotcometoheryears，shesaid，tolearnidleset;andtheboywouldsaveRobertmanyawearystepamongthehills。
“Hecannaspeyktothedog，“objectedRobert，givingutterancetothefirstdifficultythatsuggesteditself。
“Thedogcannaspeykhimsel’，“returnedJanet，“an’thewon’erishecanun’erstan’：whakensbuthemaycomefullnigherane’at’sspeechlesslikehimsel’！，Yegiethecraturthechance，an’Is’
warran’he’llmakhimsel’plaintothedog。Yejisttry’im。Tellyehimtotellthedogsaeandsae，an’seewhat’llcomeo’’t。”
Robertmadetheexperiment，anditprovedsatisfactory。AssoonashehadreceivedRobert’sorders，GibbieclaimedOscar’sattention。
Thedoglookedupinhisface，notedeveryglanceandgesture，and，partlyfromsympatheticinstinct，thatgiftlyingsoneartheveryessenceoflife，partlyfromobservationofthestateofaffairsinrespectofthesheep，divinedwithcertaintywhatthedutyrequiredofhimwas，andwasofflikeashot。
“Thetwadumbcratursun’erstan’aneanitherbetternorIun’erstan’
aithero’them，“saidRoberttohiswifewhentheycamehome。
AndnowindeeditwasablessedtimeforGibbie。Ithadbeenpleasantdowninthevalley，withthecattleandDonal，andfoulweathersometimes;butnowitwasthefullglowofsummer;thesweetkeenairofthemountainbathedhimasheran，enteredintohim，filledhimwithlifelikethenewwineofthekingdomofGod，andthewholeworldroseinitsgloryaroundhim。Surelyitisnottheoutspreadsea，howeverthesightofitsstormsanditslabouringshipsmayenhancethesenseofsafetytotheonlooker，buttheoutspreadlandofpeaceandplenty，withitsnestlinghouses，itswell-stockedyards，itscattlefeedinginthemeadows，anditsmenandhorsesatlabourinthefields，thatgivesthedeepestdelighttotheheartofthepoet！，Gibbiewasoneofthemeek，andinheritedtheearth。Thronedonthemountain，hebeheldthemultiform“goingsonoflife，“andinlovepossessedthewhole。Hewasofthepoet-kindalso，andnowthathewasashepherd，saweverythingwithshepherd-eyes。Onemoment，tohisfancy，thegreatsunaboveplayedtheshepherdtotheworld，thewindswerethedogs，andthemenandwomenthesheep。Thenext，inhighermood，hewouldrememberthegoodshepherdofwhomJanethadreadtohim，andpattheheadofthecolliethatlaybesidehim：Oscartoowasashepherdandnohireling;hefedthesheep;heturnedthemfromdangerandbarrenness;andhebarkedwell。
“I’mthedumbdog！”saidGibbietohimself，notknowingthathewasreallyacopyinsmallofthegoodshepherd;“butmaybetheremaybemairnoraegaito’barkin’。”
Thenwhatajoyitwastotheheaven-bornobedienceofthechild，tohearkentoeveryword，watcheverylook，divineeverywishoftheoldman！，ChildHerculescouldnothavewaitedonmightyoldSaturnasGibbiewaitedonRobert。Forhewastohimtheembodimentofallthatwasreverendandworthy，averygulfofwisdom，amountainofrectitude。Gibbiewasoneofthosefewelectnaturestowhomobedienceisadelight——acreaturesodifferentfromthevulgarthattheyhavebutonetentacletheycanreachsuchwith——thatofcontempt。
“Ijistlo’ethebairnastheverraaippleo’myee。”saidRobert。
“Icanscarceconsaiveawuss，butthere’sthecraturwi’agripo’
’t！，Heseemstokenwhat’srisin’i’mymin’，an’inamomenthe’suplikethedogtobeready，an’luiksatmewaitin’。”
Norwasitlongbeforethetown-bredchildgrewtolovetheheavensalmostasdearlyastheearth。Hewouldgazeandgazeatthecloudsastheycameandwent，andwatchingthemandthewind，weighingtheheatandthecold，andmarkingmanyindications，knownsomeofthemperhapsonlytohimself，understoodthesignsoftheearthlytimesatlengthnearlyaswellasaninsectoraswallow，andfarbetterthanlong-experiencedoldRobert。ThemountainwasGibbie’sveryhome;yettoseehimfaruponit，intheredglowofthesettingsun，withhisdog，asobedientashimself，hanginguponhiseverysignal，onecouldhavefanciedhimashepherdboycomedownfromtheplainsofheaventolookafteralostlamb。Often，whenthetwooldpeoplewereinbedandasleep，Gibbiewouldbeoutwatchingthemoonrise——seated，stillasruinedgodofEgypt，onastoneofthemountain-side，islandedinspace，nothingaliveandvisiblenearhim，perhapsnotevenasolitarynight-windblowingandceasinglikethebreathofaman’slife，andtheawfullysilentmoonslidingupfromthehollowofavalleybelow。Iftherebeindeedaonespirit，everawakeandaware，shoulditbehardtobelievethatthatspiritshouldthenholdcommonthoughtwithalittlespiritofitsown？，Ifthenightlymountainwastheprayer-closetofhimwhosaidhewouldbewithhisdisciplestotheendoftheworld，canitbefollytothinkhewouldholdtalkwithsuchachild，aloneundertheheaven，inthepresenceofthefatherofboth？，Gibbieneverthoughtabouthimself，thereforewastherewideroomfortheentranceofthespirit。Doesthequestioningthoughtarisetoanyreader：Howcouldamanbeconsciousofblisswithoutthethoughtofhimself？，I
answerthedoubt：Whenamanturnstolookathimself，thatmomenttheglowoftheloftiestblissbeginstofade;thepulsingfire-fliesthrobpalerinthepassionatenight;anunseenvapoursteamsupfromthemarshanddimsthestar-crowdedskyandtheazuresea;andthenextmomenttheveryblissitselflooksasifithadneverbeenmorethanaphosphorescentgleam——thesummerlightningofthebrain。Forthenthemanseeshimselfbutinhisowndimmirror，whereasereheturnedtolookinthat，heknewhimselfintheabsoluteclarityofGod’spresentthoughtout-bodyinghim。Theshootsofgladconsciousnessthatcometotheobedientman，surpassinblisswholedaysandyearsofsuchravinedraptureashegainswhosewearinessiseverspurringthesidesofhisintenttowardstheeverretreatinggoalofhisdesires。IamatraitoreventomyselfifIwouldlivewithoutmylife。
ButIwithholdmypen;forvainwerethefancy，bytreatiseorsermonorpoemortale，topersuadeamantoforgethimself。Hecannotifhewould。Soonerwillheforgetthepresenceofaragingtooth。Thereisnoforgettingofourselvesbutinthefindingofourdeeper，ourtrueself——God’sideaofuswhenhedevisedus——theChristinus。Nothingbutthatselfcandisplacethefalse，greedy，whiningself，ofwhich，mostofusaresofondandproud。Andthatselfnomancanfindforhimself;seeingofhimselfhedoesnotevenknowwhattosearchfor。“Butasmanyasreceivedhim，tothemgavehepowertobecomethesonsofGod。”
Thentherewasthedelight，fresheveryweek，oftheSaturdaygatheringofthebrothersandsisters，whomGibbiecouldhardlyhavelovedmore，hadtheybeenofhisownimmediatekin。DearestofallwasDonal，whosegreeting——“Weel，cratur，“washeavenlyinGibbie’sears。Donalwouldhavehadhimgodownandspendaday，everynowandthen，withhimandthenowt，asinoldtimes——sosoonthetimesgrowoldtotheyoung！——butJanetwouldnothearofit，untilthefoolishtaleofthebrownieshouldhavequiteblownover。
“Eh，butIwuss，“sheadded，asshesaidso，“Icudwinatsomethingaboothisfowk，oraivenwhaurhecamfrae，orwhattheyca’dhim！
Neveraewordhasthecraturspoken！”
“Yesudlearnhimtoread，mither，“saidDonal。
“HoowadIduthat，laddie？，Iwadhaetolearnhimtospeykfirst，“
returnedJanet。
“Lathimcomedoontome，an’I’lltrymyhan’，“saidDonal。
Janet，notwithstanding，persistedinherrefusal——forthepresent。
ByDonal’swordssetthinkingofthematter，however，shenowponderedthequestiondayafterday，howshemightteachhimtoread;andatlasttheideadawneduponhertosubstitutewritingforspeech。
ShetooktheShorterCatechism，which，inthosedays，hadalwaysanalphabetasjanitortothegatesofitsmysteries——who，withthecatechismasaconsequenceevendimlyforeboded，wouldevenhavelearnedit？——andshowedGibbietheletters，namingeachseveraltimes，andgoingoverthemrepeatedly。ThenshegavehimDonal’sschool-slate，withasklet-pike，andsaid，“Noo，makamuckleA，cratur。”
Gibbiedidso，andwelltoo：shefoundthatalreadyheknewabouthalftheletters。
“He’snofule！”shesaidtoherselfintriumph。
Theotherhalfsoonfollowed;andshethenbegantoshowhimwords——notintheCatechism，butintheNewTestament。Havingtoldhimwhatanywordwas，andledhimtoconsidertheletterscomposingit，shewoulddesirehimtomakeitontheslate，andhewoulddosowithtolerableaccuracy：shewasnotverysevereaboutthespelling，ifonlyitwasplainheknewtheword。Erelonghebegantodeviseshortwaysofmakingtheletters，andsoonwrotewithremarkablefacilityinacharactermodifiedfromtheprintedletters。WhenatlengthJanetsawhimtakethebookbyhimself，andsitponderingoverit，shehadnotadoubthewasunderstandingit，andherheartleaptforjoy。Hehadtoaskheragoodmanywordsatfirst，andoftenthemeaningofoneandanother;butheseldomaskedaquestiontwice;andashisunderstandingwasfaraheadofhisreading，hewasabletotestaconjecturedmeaningbythesenseornonsenseitmadeofthepassage。
Onedaysheturnedhimtotheparaphrases。2Atonce，tohisastonishment，hefoundthere，allsilent，yetstillthesamedelightwhichDonalusedtodividetohimfromthebookofballants。Hisjoywasunbounded。Hejumpedfromhisseat;hedanced，andlaughed，andfinallystoodupononeleg：noothermodeofexpressionbutthis，theexpressionofutterfailuretoexpress，wasofavailtothereliefofhisfeeling。
Oneday，afewweeksafterGibbiehadbeguntoreadbyhimself，Janetbecameawarethathewassittingonhisstool，inwhathadcometobecalledthecratur’scorner，morethanusuallyabsorbedinsomeattemptwithslateandpencil——nowceasing，lostinthought，andnowcommencinganew。Shewentnearandpeepedoverhisshoulder。Atthetopoftheslatehehadwrittenthewordgive，thenthewordgiving，andbelowthem，gib，thengibing;uponthesefollowedgibagain，andhewasnowplainlymeditatingsomethingfurther。Suddenlyheseemedtofindwhathewanted，forinhaste，almostasifhefeareditmightescapehim，headdeday，makingthewordgiby——thenfirstliftedhishead，andlookedround，evidentlyseekingher。Shelaidherhandonhishead。Hejumpedupwithoneofhismostradiantsmiles，andholdingouttheslatetoher，pointedwithhispenciltothewordhehadjustcompleted。Shedidnotknowitforaword，butsoundeditasitseemedtostand，makingthegsoft，asIdaresaysomeofmyreaders，notrecognizinginGibbiethediminutiveofGilbert，mayhavetreateditsmoreaccurateform。Heshookhisheadsharply，andlaidthepointofhispenciluponthegofthegivewrittenabove。Janethadbeenhisteachertoolongnottoseewhathemeant，andimmediatelypronouncedthewordashewouldhaveit。Uponthishebeganawilddance，butsoberingsuddenly，satdown，andwasinstantlyagainabsorbedinfurtherattempt。ItlastedsolongthatJanetresumedherprevioushouseholdoccupation。Atlengthherose，andwiththoughtful，doubtfulcontemplationofwhathehaddone，broughthertheslate。
There，underthefore-gonesuccess，hehadwrittenthewordsgalatiansandbreath，andunderthem，galbreath。Shereadthemall，andatthelast，which，witnessingtohissuccess，shepronouncedtohissatisfaction，hebegananotherdance，whichagainheendedabruptly，todrawherattentiononcemoretotheslate。Hepointedtothegibyfirst，andthegalbreathnext，andshereadthemtogether。Thistimehedidnotdance，butseemedwaitingsomeresult。UponJanettheideawasdawningthathemeanthimself，butshewasthrownoutbythecognomen’scorrespondencewiththatofthelaird，whichsuggestedthattheboyhadbeenmerelyattemptingthenameofthegreatmanofthedistrict。Withthisinhermind，anddoubtfullyfeelingherway，sheessayedthetentativeofsettinghimrightintheChristianname，andsaid：“Thomas——ThomasGalbraith。”
Gibbieshookhisheadasbefore，andagainresumedhisseat。
Presentlyhebroughthertheslate，withalltherestrubbedout，andthesewordsstandingalone——sirgibygalbreath。Janetreadthemaloud，whereuponGibbiebeganstabbinghisforeheadwiththepointofhisslate-pencil，anddancingoncemoreintriumph：hehad，hehoped，forthefirsttimeinhislife，conveyedafactthroughwords。
“That’swhattheyca’ye，is’t？”saidJanet，lookingmotherlyathim：“——SirGibbieGalbraith？”
Gibbienoddedvehemently。
“It’llbesomenicknamethebairnshaegienhim，“saidJanettoherself，butcontinuedtogazeathim，inquestioningdoubtofherownsolution。ShecouldnotrecallhavingeverheardofaSirinthefamily;butghostsofthingsforgottenkeptrisingformlessandthinintheskyofhermemory：hadsheneverheardofaSirSomebodyGalbraithsomewhere？，Andstillshestaredatthechild，tryingtograspwhatshecouldnotevensee。BythistimeGibbiewasstandingquitestill，staringatherinreturn：hecouldnotthinkwhatmadeherstaresoathim。
“Whaca’dyethat？”saidJanetatlength，pointingtotheslate。
Gibbietooktheslate，droppeduponhisseat，andafterconsiderablecogitationandeffort，broughtherthewords，gibysefapher。Janetforamomentwaspuzzled，butwhenshethoughtofcorrectingthepwithat，Gibbieentirelyapproved。
“Whatwasyerfather，cratur？”sheasked。
Gibbie，afteralongerpause，andmoreevidentlabourthanhitherto，broughthertheenigmaticalword，asootr，which，theSirrunningaboutinherhead，quitedefeatedJanet。Perceivinghisfailure，hejumpeduponachair，andreachingafteroneofRobert’sSundayshoesonthecrapo’thewa’，thenaturalshelfrunningallroundthecottage，formedbythetopofthewallwheretheraftersrested，caughtholdofit，tumbledwithituponhiscreepie，tookitbetweenhisknees，andbeganapantomimeofthemakingormendingofthesamewithsuchverisimilitudeofimitation，thatitwascleartoJanethemusthavebeenfamiliarwiththeprocessescollectivelycalledshoemaking;andtherewithsherecognizedthewordontheslate——asutor。Shesmiledtoherselfattheassociationofnameandtrade，andconcludedthattheSiratleastwasanickname。Andyet——andyet——whetherfromthepresenceofsomerudimentofanoldmemory，orfromsomethingabouttheboythatbelongedtoahigherstylethanhispresentshowing，hermindkeptswayinginanuncertaintywhoseveryobjecteludedher。
“Whatis’tyerwull’atweca’ye，than，cratur？”sheasked，anxioustomeetthechild’sownideaofhimself。
Hepointedtothegiby。
“Weel，Gibbie，“respondedJanet，——andattheword，nowforthefirsttimeaddressedbyhertohimself，hebegandancingmorewildlythanever，andendedwithstandingmotionlessononeleg：nowfirstandatlasthewasfullyrecognizedforwhathewas！——“Weel，Gibbie，I
s’ca’yewhatyethinkfit，“saidJanet。“An’noogangyerwa’s，Gibbie，an’see’atCrummie’snoowerfarooto’sicht。”
FromthathourGibbiehadhisnamefromthewholefamily——hisChristiannameonly，however，RobertandJanethavingagreeditwouldbewisetoavoidwhatevermightpossiblybringtheboyagainunderthenoticeofthelaird。Thelatterhalfofhisnametheylaidasideforhim，asparentsdoadangerousorover-valuablegifttoachild。
