CHAPTERXXIX。
THEBEAST-BOY。
Onemorningtheyfound，onreachingthemanse，thattheministerwasveryunwell，andthatinconsequenceMissMacharcouldnotattendtoGinevra;theyturned，therefore，towalkhomeagain。Nowthemanse，uponanotherrootofGlashgar，wasnearerthanGlashruachtoNicie’shome，andmanyatimeasshewentandcame，didsheliftlongingeyestotheridgethathiditfromherview。Thismorning，Ginevraobservedthat，everyothermoment，Niciewaslookingupthesideofthemountain，asifshesawsomethingunusualuponit——occasionally，indeed，whenthewindingoftheroadturnedtheirbackstoit，stoppingandturningroundtogaze。
“Whatisthematterwithyou，Nicie？”sheasked。“Whatareyoulookingatupthere？”
“I’mwon’erin’whatmymother’llbedeein’，“answeredNicie：“she’supthere。”
“Upthere！”exclaimedGinny，and，turning，staredatthemountaintoo，expectingtoperceiveNicie’smothersomewhereuponthefaceofit。
“Na，na，missie！yecannaseeher，“saidthegirl;“she’snoinsicht。She’sowerayontthere。Onlygienwewarupwhauryeseeyontwathreesheepagain’thelift(sky)，wecudseethebithoosiewhaurheran’myfatherbides。”
“HowIshouldliketoseeyourfatherandmother，Nicie！”exclaimedGinevra。
“Weel，I’msuretheywadberichtglaidtoseeyersel’，missie，onytime’atyelikittogangan’seethem。”
“Whyshouldn’twegonow，Nicie？，It’snotadangerousplace，isit？”
“No，missie。Glashgar’sasquaietan’weel-behavedahillasonyina’thecweentry，“answeredNicie，laughing。“She’ssomepuir，likethelaveo’’s，an’hasnamuckletospare，butthesheepgetafeownibblesuponher，herean’there;an’mymithermanagestokeepacoo，an’getplentyo’milkfraehertee。”
“Come，then，Nicie。Wehaveplentyoftime。Nobodywantseitheryouorme，andweshallgethomebeforeanyonemissesus。”
Niciewasgladenoughtoconsent;theyturnedatoncetothehill，andbeganclimbing。ButNiciedidnotknowthispartofitnearlysowellasthatwhichlaybetweenGlashruachandthecottage，andaftertheyhadclimbedsomedistance，oftenstoppingandturningtolookdownonthevalleybelow，theprospectofwhich，withitsstreamsandriver，keptstillwideningandchangingastheyascended，theyarrivedataplacewherethepathgrewverydoubtful，andshecouldnottellinwhichoftwodirectionstheyoughttogo。
“I’lltakethisway，andyoutakethat，Nicie，“saidGinevra，“andifIfindthereisnopathmyway，Iwillcomebacktoyours;andifyoufindthereisnopathyourway，youwillcomebacktomine。”
Itwasachildishproposal，andonetowhichNicieshouldnothaveconsented，butshewaslittlemorethanachildherself。Advancingashortdistanceindoubt，andthepathre-appearingquiteplainly，shesatdown，expectingherlittlemistresstoreturndirectly。Nothoughtofanxietycrossedhermind：howshouldone，inbroadsunlight，onamountain-side，inthefirstofsummer，andwiththelongdaybeforethem？，So，theresittinginpeace，Niciefellintoamaidenlyreverie，andsothereNiciesatforalongtime，halfdreaminginthegreatlight，withoutoncereallythinkingaboutanything。Allatonceshecametoherself：somelatentfearhadexplodedinherheart：yes！whatcouldhavebecomeofherlittlemistress？，Shejumpedtoherfeet，andshouted“Missie！，MissieGalbraith！，Ginny！”butnoanswercameback。Themountainwasasstillasatmidnight。Sherantothespotwheretheyhadparted，andalongtheotherpath：itwasplainerthanthatwhereshehadbeensoidlyforgettingherself。Shehurriedon，wildlycallingassheran。
InthemeantimeGinevra，havingfoundthepathindubitable，andimaginingitledstraighttothedoorofNicie’smother’scottage，andthatNiciewouldbeafterherinamoment，thinkingalsotohaveabitoffullwithher，setoffdancingandrunningsofast，thatbythetimeNiciecametoherself，shewasagoodmilefromher。Whatadelightitwastobethusaloneuponthegrandmountain！withtheearthbanishedsofarbelow，andthegreatrockyheapclimbingandleadingandclimbingupanduptowardsthesky！
GinnywasnotinthewayofthinkingmuchaboutGod。Littlehadbeentaughtherconcerninghim，andnothingalmostthatwaspleasanttomeditateupon——nothingthatshecouldhideinherheart，andbedreadfullygladaboutwhenshelayaloneinherlittlebed，listeningtothesoundoftheburnthatranunderherwindow。Buttherewasinhersoulalargewildernessreadyforthevoicethatshouldcomecryingtopreparethewayoftheking。
Thepathwasafterallameresheep-track，andledheratlengthintoalonelyhollowinthehill-side，withaswampypeat-bogatthebottomofit。Shestopped。Theplacelookedunpleasant，remindingherofhowshealwaysfeltwhenshecameunexpectedlyuponAngusMacPholp。Shewouldgonofurtheralone;shewouldwaittillNicieovertookher。Itmusthavebeenjustinsuchplacesthatthepeoplepossessedwithdevils——onlyMissMacharalwaysmadeherreadtheword，demons——ranabout！，Asshethoughtthus，alone-heartedbirdutteredasingle，wailingcry，strangetoherear。Thecryremainedsolitary，unanswered，andthenfirstsuddenlyshefeltthattherewasnobodytherebutherself，andthefeelinghadinitapangofuneasiness。Butshewasabravechild;nothingfrightenedhermuchexceptherfather;sheturnedandwentslowlybacktotheedgeofthehollow：Niciemustbythistimebevisible。
Inherhasteandanxiety，however，Niciehadstruckintoanothersheep-track，andwasnowhigherupthehill;sothatGinnycouldseenolivingthingnearerthaninthevalleybelow：fardownthere——anditwassomecomfort，inthedesolationthatnowbegantoinvadeher——shesawupontheroad，sodistantthatitseemedmotionless，acartwithamaninit，drawnbyawhitehorse。Neverinherlifebeforehadshefeltthatshewasalone。Shehadoftenfeltlonely，butshehadalwaysknownwheretofindthebodilypresenceofsomebody。Nowshemightcryandscreamthewholeday，andnobodyanswer！，Herheartswelledintoherthroat，thensankaway，leavingawidehollow。Itwassoeerie！，ButNiciewouldsooncome，andthenallwouldbewell。
Shesatdownonastone，whereshecouldseethepathshehadcomealongwayback。But“neverandnever“didanyNicieappear。Atlastshebegantocry。ThisprocesswithGinnywasaveryslowone，andneverbroughthermuchrelief。Thetearswouldmountintohereyes，andremainthere，littlepoolsofBaca，alongtimebeforethecryingwentanyfurther。Butwithtimethepoolswouldgrowdeeper，andswelllarger，andatlast，whentheyhadbecometwohugelittlelakes，thelargerfromtheslownessoftheirgathering，twomightytearswouldtumbleovertheedgesoftheirembankments，androlldownherwhitemournfulcheeks。Thistimemanymorefollowed，andhereyeswerefastbecomingfountains，whenallatonceaverseshehadheardtheSundaybeforeatchurchseemedtocomeofitselfintoherhead：“CalluponmeinthetimeoftroubleandIwillanswerthee。”，ItmustmeanthatshewastoaskGodtohelpher：wasthatthesameassayingprayers？，Butshewasn’tgood，andhewouldn’thearanybodythatwasn’tgood。Then，ifhewasonlytheGodofthegoodpeople，whatwastobecomeoftherestwhentheywerelostonmountains？，Shehadbettertry;itcouldnotdomuchharm。Evenifhewouldnothearher，hewouldnotsurelybeangrywithherforcallinguponhimwhenshewasinsuchtrouble。Sothinking，shebegantopraytowhatdimdistortedreflectionofGodtherewasinhermind。TheyalonepraytotherealGod，themakeroftheheartthatprays，whoknowhissonJesus。IfourprayerswereheardonlyinaccordancewiththeideaofGodtowhichweseemtoourselvestopray，howmiserablywouldourinfinitewantsbemet！，Buteveryhonestcry，evenifsentintothedeafearofanidol，passesontotheearsoftheunknownGod，theheartoftheunknownFather。
“OGod，helpmehomeagain，“criedGinevra，andstoodupinhergreatlonelinesstoreturn。
Thesameinstantshespied，seateduponastone，alittlewayoff，butclosetoherpath，thebeast-boy。Therecouldbenomistake。
Hewasjustasshehadheardhimdescribedbythechildrenatthegamekeeper’scottage。Thatwashishairstickingalloutfromhishead，thoughthesuninitmadeitlooklikeacrownofgoldorashiningmist。Thosewerehisbarearms，andthatwasdreadfulindeed！，Barelegsandfeetshewasusedto;butbarearms！，Worstofall，makingitabsolutelycertainhewasthebeast-boy，hewasplayinguponacuriouskindofwhistlingthing，makingdreadfullysweetmusictoenticehernearerthathemightcatchherandtearhertopieces！，WasthistheanswerGodsenttotheprayershehadofferedinhersoreneed——thebeast-boy？，Sheaskedhimforprotectionanddeliverance，andherewasthebeast-boy！，Sheaskedhimtohelpherhome，andthere，rightinthemiddleofherpath，satthebeast-boy，waitingforher！，Well，itwasjustlikewhattheysaidabouthimonSundaysinthechurches，andinthebooksMissMacharmadeherread！，Butthehorridcreature’smusicshouldnothaveanypoweroverher！，Shewouldratherrundowntotheblackwater，gloominginthoseholes，andbedrowned，thanthebeast-boyshouldhavehertoeat！
Mostgirlswouldhavescreamed，butsuchwasnotGinny’snaturalmodeofmeetingadifficulty。Withfear，shewasfarmorelikelytochokethantocryout。Soshesatdownagainandstaredathim。
Perhapshewouldgoawaywhenhefoundhecouldnotenticeher。Hedidnotmove，butkeptplayingonhiscuriousinstrument。Perhaps，byreturningintothehollow，shecouldmakeacircuit，andsopasshim，lowerdownthehill。Sheroseatonceandran。
NowGibbiehadseenherlongbeforeshesawhim，but，fromexperience，wasafraidoffrighteningher。Hehadthereforedrawngraduallynear，andsatasifunawareofherpresence。Treatingherashewouldabirdwithwhichhewantedtomakebetteracquaintance，hewouldhavehergetaccustomedtothelookofhimbeforehemadeadvances。Butwhenhesawherruninthedirectionoftheswamp，knowingwhatadangerousplaceitwas，hewasterrified，sprungtohisfeet，anddartedofftogetbetweenherandthedanger。Sheheardhimcominglikethewindatherback，and，whetherfrombewilderment，orthatshedidintendthrowingherselfintothewatertoescapehim，insteadofpursuingherformerdesign，shemadestraightfortheswamp。Butwasthebeast-boyubiquitous？，Assheapproachedtheplace，therehewas，ontheedgeofagreatholehalffullofwater，asifhehadbeensittingthereforanhour！，Washegoingtodrownherinthathole？，Sheturnedagain，andrantowardsthedescentofthemountain。ButthereGibbiefearedacertainprecipitousspot;and，besides，therewasnopathinthatdirection。
SoGinevrahadnotrunfarbeforeagainshesawhimrightinherway。Shethrewherselfonthegroundindespair，andhidherface。
Afterthushuntingherasacatmightamouse，oralionaman，whatcouldshelookforbutthathewouldpounceuponher，andtearhertopieces？，Fearfullyexpectantofthehorriblegrasp，shelaybreathless。Butnothingcame。Stillshelay，andstillnothingcame。Coulditbethatshewasdreaming？，Indreamsgenerallythehideousthingneverarrived。Butshedarednotlookup。Shelayandlay，wearyandstill，withtheterrorslowlyebbingawayoutofher。Atlengthtoherearscameastrangesweetvoiceofsinging——suchasoundasshehadneverheardbefore。Itseemedtocomefromfaraway：whatifitshouldbeanangelGodwassending，inanswerafteralltoherprayer，todeliverherfromthebeast-boy！，Hewouldofcoursewantsometimetocome，andcertainlynoharmhadhappenedtoheryet。Thesoundgrewandgrew，andcamenearerandnearer。Butalthoughitwassong，shecoulddistinguishnovowel-melodyinit，nothingbutatone-melody，acrooning，asitwere，everupononevowelinaminorkey。Itcamequitenearatlength，andyeteventhenhadsomethingofthefarawaysoundleftinit。Itwaslikethewindofasummernightinsideagreatchurchbellinadesertedtower。Itcameclose，andceasedsuddenly，asif，likealark，theangelceasedtosingthemomenthelighted。
Sheopenedhereyesandlookedup。Overherstoodthebeast-boy，gazingdownuponher！，Coulditreallybethebeast-boy？，Ifso，thenhewasfascinatingher，todevourherthemoreeasily，asshehadreadofsnakesdoingtobirds;butshecouldnotbelieveit。
Still——shecouldnottakehereyesoffhim——thatwascertain。Butnomarvel！，Fromunderagreatcrownofreddishgold，lookedouttwoeyesofheaven’sownblue，andthroughtheeyeslookedoutsomethingthatdwellsbehindtheskyandeverybluething。Whatiftheangel，totryher，hadtakentohimselftheformofthebeast-boy？，Nobeast-boycouldsinglikewhatshehadheard，orlooklikewhatshenowsaw！，Shelaymotionless，flatontheground，herfaceturnedsidewaysuponherhands，andhereyesfixedontheheavenlyvision。
Thenacuriousfeelingbegantowakeinherofhavingseenhimbefore——somewhere，eversolongago——andthatsightofhimaswellasthishadtodowithmisery——withsomethingthatmadeastainthatwouldnotcomeout。Yes——itwastheveryface，onlylarger，andstillsweeter，ofthelittlenakedchildwhomAngushadsocruellylashed！，Thatwasagesago，butshehadnotforgotten，andnevercouldforgeteitherthechild’sback，orthelovelyinnocentwhitefacethatheturnedrounduponher。Ifitwasindeedhe，perhapshewouldrememberher。Inanycase，shewasnowcertainhewouldnothurther。
Whileshelookedathimthus，Gibbie’sfacegrewgrave：seldomwashisgravewhenfrontingthefaceofafellow-creature，butnowhetoowasremembering，andtryingtorecollect;asthroughadreamofsicknessandpainhesawafaceliketheonebeforehim，yetnotthesame。
Ginevrarecollectedfirst，andasweetslowdiffidentsmilecreptlikeadawnupfromthedepthofherunder-worldtotheskyofherface，butsettledinhereyes，andmadetwostarsofthem。ThenrosetheverysunhimselfinGibbie’s，andflashedafullresponseofdaylight——asmilethatnowoman，girl，ormatron，couldmistrust。
>Frombrowtochinhisfacewasradiant。Thesunofthisworldhadmadehisnestinhishair，butthesmilebelowitseemedtodimtheaureolehewore。TimidlyyettrustinglyGinevratookonehandfromunderhercheek，andstretchedituptohim。Heclaspeditgently。
Shemoved，andhehelpedhertorise。
“I’velostNicie，“shesaid。
Gibbienodded，butdidnotlookconcerned，“Nicieismymaid，“saidGinevra。
Gibbienoddedseveraltimes。HeknewwhoNiciewasratherbetterthanhermistress。
“Ileftherawaybackthere，along，longtimeago，andshehasnevercometome，“shesaid。
Gibbiegaveashrillloudwhistlethatstartledher。Inafewseconds，fromsomewhereunseen，adogcameboundingtohimoverstonesandheather。Howhespoketothedog，orwhathetoldhimtodo，shehadnotanidea;butthenextinstantOscarwasrushingalongthepathshehadcome，andwaspresentlyoutofsight。SofulloflifewasGibbie，soquickanddecidedwashiseverymotion，sofullofexpressionhiseveryglanceandsmile，thatshehadnotyetbeguntowonderhehadnotspoken;indeedshewashardlyyetawareofthefact。Sheknewhimnowforamortal，but，justasithadbeenwithDonalandhismother，hecontinuedtoaffectherasacreatureofsomehigherworld，comedownonamissionofgood-willtomen。Atthesametimeshehad，oddlyenough，afeelingasifthebeast-boywerestillsomewherenotfaroff，heldaloofonlybythepresenceoftheangelwhohadassumedhisshape。
Gibbietookherhand，andledhertowardsthepathshehadleft;sheyieldedwithoutamovementofquestion。Buthedidnotleadherfarinthatdirection;heturnedtotheleftupthemountain。Itgrewwilderastheyascended。Buttheairwassothinandinvigorating，thechangessocuriousandinteresting，asnowtheyskirtedtheedgeofaprecipitousrock，nowscrambledupthesteepestofpathsbythehelpoftheheatherthatnearlyclosedoverit，andthereactionofrelieffromtheterrorshehadsufferedsoexciting，thatsheneverforamomentfelttired。Thentheywentdownthesideofalittleburn——atorrentwhenthesnowwasdissolving，andevennowagoodstream，whosedanceandsongdelightedher：itwasthesame，asshelearnedafterwards，towhosesongunderherwindowshelistenedeverynightinbed，tryinginvaintomakeoutthemeltedtune。
Everaftersheknewthis，itseemed，asshelistened，tocomestraightfromthemountaintoherwindow，withnewsofthestarsandtheheatherandthesheep。Theycrossedtheburnandclimbedtheoppositebank。ThenGibbiepointed，andtherewasthecottage，andtherewasNiciecomingupthepathtoit，withOscarboundingbeforeher！，Thedogwasmerry，butNiciewasweepingbitterly。Theywereagoodwayoff，withanotherlargerburnbetween;butGibbiewhistled，andOscarcameflyingtohim。Nicielookedup，gaveacry，andlikeasheeptoherlostlambcamerunning。
“Oh，missie！”shesaid，breathless，asshereachedtheoppositebankoftheburn，andhertonehadmorethanatouchofsorrowfulreproachinit，“whatgarredyerinawa’？”
“Therewasaroad，Nicie，andIthoughtyouwouldcomeafterme。”
“Iwasamucklegeese，missie;buteh！，I’mglaidIhaegottenye。
Comeawa’an’seemymother。”
“Yes，Nicie。We’lltellherallaboutit。YouseeIhaven’tgotamothertotell，soIwilltellyours。”
>FromthathourNicie’smotherwasamothertoGinnyaswell。
“Anithero’’slambstofeed！”shesaidtoherself。
Ifawomanbeamothershemayhaveplentyofchildren。
NeverbeforehadGinnyspentsuchahappyday，drunksuchmilkasCrummie’s，oreatensuchcakesasJanet’s。ShesawnomoreofGibbie：themomentshewassafe，heandOscarwereoffagaintothesheep，forRobertwasbusycuttingpeatsthatday，andGibbiewasinsolecharge。Eagertoknowabouthim，GinevragatheredallthatJanetcouldtellofhisstory，andinreturntoldthelittleshehadseenofit，whichwastheonedreadfulpoint。
“Isheagoodboy，MistressGrant？”sheasked。
“ThebestboyeverIkenned——betternormyainDonal，an’hewasthebestaforehim，“answeredJanet。
Ginnygavealittlesigh，andwishedsheweregood。
“WhansawyeDonal？”askedJanetofNicie。
“Nothislangtime——nosin’Iwasherelast，“answeredNicie，whodidnotnowgethomesooftenastherest。
“Iwasthinkin’，“returnedhermother，“yesud’maistseehimnoofraethebacko’themucklehoose;forhewastellin’mehewaswi’
thenowt’i’thenewmeadowupo’theLorriebank，’atmissie’spapabouchtfraeJeamesGlass。”
“Ow，ishethere？”saidNicie。“I’llmaybegetsicht，gienIdinnagetwordo’him。Hecamancetothekitchen-doortoseeme，butMistressMacFarlanewadnalathimin。Shewadhaenaeloonscomin’
aboottheplaceshesaid。Isaid’athoohewasmybrither。Shesaid，saysshe，thatwasnaethingtoher，an’shewadhaenobrithers。Mysistermichtcomewhiles，shesaid，gienshecamnaoweraften;butlasseshadnaethingtodeewi’brithers。Whawastotellwhawasorwhawasnamybrither？，Itellther’ata’mybritherswasweelkennedfordoucelaads;an’shetelltmetohaudmytongue，an’nospeykup;an’Icudhaejistgienheraguidclooto’thelug——Iwasthatangertwi’her。”
“She’llbesoaryfor’tsomeday，“saidJanet，withaquietsmile;
“an’whatabody’ssuretobesoaryfor，yemayasweelforgiethematance。”
“Hookenye，mither，she’llbesoaryfor’t？”askedNicie，notverywillingtoforgiveMistressMacFarlane。
“’CausetheMaistersays’atwe’llhaetopeytheuttermostfardin’。
There’snaebody’illbelattenaff。Wemaundeeoorneiperricht。”
“ButmichtnatheMaisterhimsel’forgieher？”suggestedNicie，alittlepuzzled。
“Lassie，“saidhermothersolemnly，“yedinnasurelythink’attheLord’sforgifnessistolatfowkaffohnrepentit？，Thatwadbeastrangefawvourtograntthem！，Hewinnahurtmairnorhecanhelp;
butthegrue(horror)maunmakw’yforthegrace。I’msureitwassaewhanIgiedyouyerwhups，lass。I’llnosayabootsomeo’thefirsto’ye，foratthattimeIdidnakensaeweelwhatIwasaboot，an’wasmairangertwhilesnortherewasonyoccasionfor——tuikmybeamtodangtheirmotes。Ihaebeensairtribledabootit，mony’sthetime。”
“Eh，mither！”saidNicie，shockedattheideaofherreproachingherselfaboutanythingconcerningherchildren，“I’mweelsurethere’snoaneo’themwadthink，notosaysay，sicathing。”
“Idaursayye’rerichtthere，lass。Ithinkwhilesawoman’sbairnsareliketheGodtheycamfrae——ayereadytoforgieheronything。”
Ginevrawenthomewithagoodmanythingstothinkabout。
CHAPTERXXX。
THELORRIEMEADOW。
Itwashightime，accordingtoagriculturaleconomics，thatDonalGrantshouldbepromotedastepintheranksoflabour。Ayouthlikehimwasfitforhorsesandtheirwork，andlookedidleinafieldwithcattle。ButDonalwasnotambitious，atleastinthatdirection。Hewasmoreandmoreinlovewithbooks，andlearningandthemusicofthoughtandword;andheknewwellthatnoonedoingaman’sworkuponafarmcouldhavemuchtimeleftforstudy——certainlynotaquarterofwhattheherd-boycouldcommand。
Therefore，withhisparentsapproval，hecontinuedtofillthehumbleroffice，andreceivethescantierwagesbelongingtoit。
ThedayfollowingtheiradventureonGlashgar，intheafternoon，Niciebeinginthegroundswithherlittlemistress，proposedthattheyshouldlookwhethertheycouldseeherbrotherdowninthemeadowofwhichhermotherhadspoken。Ginevrawillinglyagreed，andtheytooktheirwaythroughtheshrubberytoacertaintallhedgewhichdividedthegroundsfromalittlegroveoflarchesontheslopeofasteepbankdescendingtotheLorrie，ontheothersideofwhichlaythemeadow。Itwasahawthornhedge，veryold，andnearthegroundverythin，sothattheyeasilyfoundaplacetocreepthrough。Buttheywerenobetterontheotherside，forthelarcheshidthemeadow。Theywentdownthroughthem，therefore，tothebankofthelittleriver——thelargesttributaryoftheDaurfromtherootsofGlashgar。
“Thereheis！”criedNicie。
“Iseehim，“respondedGinny，“——withhiscowsallaboutthemeadow。”
Donalsatalittlewayfromtheriver，reading。
“He’sayeat’sbuik！”saidNicie。
“Iwonderwhatbookitis，“saidGinny。
“Thatwadbeilltosay，“answeredNicie。“Donalreadsahantleo’
buiks——mair，hismithersays，norshedoobtshecanweelgettheguido’。”
“Doyouthinkit’sLatin，Nicie？”
“Ow！，Idaursay。Butno;itcannabeLaitin——for，leuk！he’slauchin’，an’hecudnadeethatgien’twarLaitin。I’mthinkin’
it’llbeastory：there’saheapo’themprentitnoo，theytellme。
Or’deedmaybeitmaybeasang。Hethinksaheapo’sangs。I
h’ardmymitherancesayshewassomefearedDonalmichthaeta’entomakin’sangshimsel’;no’attherewasonyilli’that，shesaid，gientherewasnaonyilli’thesangsthemsel’s;butitwasjistsometrifflin’like，shesaid，an’theyluikitforbetterfraeDonal，wi’a’hisbuiklear，an’hisEuclid——orwhatca’
they’t？——normakin’sangs。”
“What’sEuclid，Nicie？”
“Yemayweelspeir，missie！butIhaeilltellin’ye。It’sakeeriousnametillabuik，an’min’smeo’naethingbutwhanthelido’yere’eyeuks(itches);an’astowhatliesatweenthetwabrodso’’t，Ikennomorenorthemani’themeen。”
“IshouldliketoaskDonalwhatbookhehasgot，“saidGinny。
“I’llcrytill’im，an’yecanspeir，“saidNicie——“Donal！——Donal！”
Donallookedup，andseeinghissister，camerunningtothebankofthestream。
“Cannayecomeower，Donal？”saidNicie。“Here’sMissGalbraithwantstospieryeaquestion。”
Donalwasacrossinamoment，forherethewaterwasnowhereoverafootortwoindepth。
“Oh，Donal！you’vewetyourfeet！”criedGinevra。
Donallaughed。
“Whatill’illthatdeeme，mem？”
“None，Ihope，“saidGinny;“butitmight，youknow。”
“Imichthaebeendroont，“saidDonal。
“Nicie，“saidGinny，withdignity，“yourbrotherislaughingatme。”
“Na，na，mem，“saidDonal，apologetically。“Iwasonlysoglaidtoseeyouan’Nicie’atIforgotmymainners。”
“Then，“returnedGinny，quitesatisfied，“wouldyoumindtellingmewhatbookyouwerereading？”
“It’sabuiko’ballants，“answeredDonal。“I’llreadaneo’themtillye，gienyelike，mem。”
“Ishouldlikeverymuch，“respondedGinny。“I’vereadallmyownbookstillI’mtiredofthem，andIdon’tlikepapa’sbooks——And，doyouknow，Donal！”——Herethechild-woman’svoicegrewsolemnsad——“——I’mverysorry，andI’mfrightenedtosayit;andifyouweren’tNicie’sbrother，Icouldn’tsayittoyou;——butIamverytiredoftheBibletoo。”
“That’sapeety，mem，“repliedDonal。“Iwadhaeyenotellonybodythat;forthem’atlikes’tnoahairbetterthemsel’s，’illtakyeforwaurnorahaithenforsayin’’t。Jistgangyeuptomymither，an’tellhera’abootit。She’sayefairtoa’body，an’neverthinksillo’onybody’atsaysthetrowth——whanit’snoforcontrariness。Shesays’ataheapo’illcomeso’fowknospeykin’
ootwhattheyken，orwhatthey’rethinkin’，butayeguissin’atwhattheydinnaken，an’whatitherfowk’sthinkin’。”
“Ay！”saidNicie，“itwadbeageycheengedwarl’gienfowkgaedtomymither，an’didasshewadhaethem。Shesaysfowksudnevertellbuttheilltheykeno’themsel’s，an’theguidtheykeno’
itherfowk;an’that’sjistthecontrar’，yeken，missie，towhatfowkmaistlydisdee。”
Apausenaturallyfollowed，whichGinnybroke。
“Idon’tthinkyoutoldmethenameofthebookyouwerereading，Donal，“shesaid。
“Gienyewadsitdoonameenute，mem，“returnedDonal，“——here’sabonniegowanyspot——Iwadreadabittillye，an’seegienyelikitit，aforeItelltyethenameo’’t。”
Shedroppedatonceonthelittlegowanybed，gatheredherfrockaboutherankles，andsaid，“Sitdown，Nicie。It’ssokindofDonaltoreadsomethingtous！，I
wonderwhatit’sgoingtobe。”
Sheutteredeverythinginadeliberate，old-fashionedway，withprecisearticulation，andacertainmannerthatanEnglishmotherwouldhavecalledpriggish，butwhichwasonlytheoutcomeofScotchstiffness，herfather’srebukes，andherownsenseofpropriety。
DonalreadtheballadofKempOwen。
“Ithink——Ithink——Idon’tthinkIunderstandit，“saidGinevra。“Itisverydreadful，and——and——Idon’tknowwhattothink。Tellmeaboutit，Donal——Doyouknowwhatitmeans，Nicie？”
“Noaeglimp，missie，“answeredNicie。
Donalproceededatoncetoanexposition。Hetoldthemthattheserpentwasalady，enchantedbyawickedwitch，who，aftershehadchangedher，twistedherthreetimesroundthetree，sothatshecouldnotundoherself，andlaidthespelluponherthatsheshouldneverhavetheshapeofawoman，untilaknightkissedherasoftenasshewastwistedroundthetree。Then，whentheknightdidcome，ateverykissacoilofherbodyunwounditself，until，atthelastkiss，shestoodbeforehimthebeautifulladyshereallywas。”
“Whatagood，kind，braveknight！”saidGinevra。
“Butit’snotrue，yeken，missie，“saidNicie，anxiousthatsheshouldnotbemisled。“It’snaethingbutDonal’snonsense。”
“Nonsensehere，nonsensethere！”saidDonal，“Iseeaheapo’senseintil’t。Butnonsenseorno，Nicie，itsnaneo’mynonsense：I
wussitwar。It’shun’erso’yearsauld，thatballant，Is’
warran’。”
“It’sbeautiful，“saidGinevra，withdecisionanddignity。“Ihopehemarriedthelady，andtheylivedhappyeverafter。”
“Idinnaken，mem。Theman’atmadetheballant，Idaursay，thouchthimweelpayedgienthebonnyleddysaidthankyetillhim。”
“Oh！but，Donal，thatwouldn’tbeenough！——Wouldit，Nicie？”
“Weel，yesee，missie，“answeredNicie，“hebutgaeherthreekisses——thatwasnasaemuckletowur(layout)uponabody。”
“Butaserpent！——aserpent’smouth，Nicie！”
Here，unhappily，Donalhadtorushthroughtheburnwithoutleave-taking，forHorniewasattemptingatrespass;andthetwogirls，thinkingitwastimetogohome，rose，andclimbedtothehouseattheirleisure。
TherestofthedayGinevratalkedoflittleelsethantheserpentladyandthebraveknight，sayingnowandthenwhataniceboythatDonalofNicie’swas。NorwasmorethanthegentlesthintnecessarytomakeNicieremark，thenextmorning，thatperhaps，iftheywentdownagaintotheLorrie，Donalmightcome，andbringthebook。Butwhentheyreachedthebankandlookedacross，theysawhimoccupiedwithGibbie。Theyhadtheirheadsclosetogetheroveraslate，uponwhichnowtheone，nowtheother，seemedtobedrawing。Thiswentonandon，andtheyneverlookedup。Ginnywouldhavegonehome，andcomeagainintheafternoon，butNicieinstantlycalledDonal。
Hesprangtohisfeetandcametothem，followedbyGibbie。Donalcrossedtheburn，butGibbieremainedontheotherside，andwhenpresentlyDonaltookhis“buiko’ballants“fromhispocket，andthelittlecompanyseatedthemselves，stoodwithhisbacktothem，andhiseyesonthenowt。Thatmorningtheywerenotinterrupted。
Donalreadtothemforawholehour，concerningwhichreading，andGinevra’sreceptionofit，Niciedeclaredshecouldnotseewhatfortheymadesicawarkabootawheenauldballants，aneefteranither——“They’renohalfsaebonnieastheparaphrases，Donal，“
shesaid。
Afterthis，GinevrawentfrequentlywithNicietoseehermother，andlearnedmuchofthebestfromher。OftenalsotheywentdowntotheLorrie，andhadaninterviewwithDonal，whichwaslongerorshorterasGibbiewasthereornottoreleasehim。
Ginny’slifewasnowfarhappierthanithadeverbeen。Newchannelsofthoughtandfeelingwereopened，newquestionswerestarted，newinterestsawaked;sothat，insteadoflosingbyMissMachar’scontinuedinabilitytoteachher，shewaslearningfarmorethanshecouldgiveher，learningit，too，withthepleasurewhichinvariablyaccompaniestruelearning。
Littlemorethanchildasshewas，Donalfeltfromthefirstthecharmofhersociety;andshebynomeansreceivedwithoutgiving，forhismentaldevelopmentwasgreatlyexpeditedthereby。Fewweekspassedbeforehewasherhumblesquire，devotedtoherwithallthechivalryofayouthforagirlwhomhesupposesasmuchhissuperiorinkindassheisinworldlyposition;hissoleadvantage，inhisownjudgment，andthatwhichaloneprocuredhimtheprivilegeofhersociety，being，thathewasolder，andthereforeknewalittlemore。
Sopotentandgenialwasherinfluenceonhisimagination，that，withoutoncethinkingofherastheirobject，henowfirstfoundhimselfcapableofmakingverses——suchastheywere;andoneday，withhisbookbeforehim——itwasBurns，andhehadbeenreadingtheGowanpoemtoGinevraandhissister——heventuredtorepeat，asifhereadthemfromthebook，thefollowing：theyhaltedalittle，nodoubt，inrhythm，neitherwereperfectlyrimed，butforabeginning，theyhadpromise。Gibbie，whohadthrownhimselfdownontheotherbank，andlaylistening，atoncedetectedthechangeinthetoneofhisutterance，andbeforeheceasedhadconcludedthathewasnotreadingthem，andthattheywerehisown。
Rin，burnie！clatter;
Totheseawin：
GienIwasawatter，SaewadIrin。
Blaw，win’，caller，clean！
Herean’hyneawa’：
GienIwasawin’，WadnaIblaw！
Shine，auldsun，Shinestrangan’fine：
GienIwasthesun’sson，HertyIwadshine。
Hardlyhadheended，whenGibbie’spipesbeganfromtheoppositesideofthewater，and，truetotimeandcadenceandfeeling，followedwithjusttheoneairtosuitthesong——fromwhichDonal，tohisnosmallcomfort，understoodthatoneatleastofhisaudiencehadreceivedhislilt。Ifthepoorestnatureintheworldrespondswiththetunetothemightiestmaster’ssong，heknows，ifnotanotherechoshouldcomeback，thathehasutteredatruecry。
ButGinevrahadnotreceivedit，andbeingthereforeofherownmind，andnotofthesong’s，wascritical。Itisofthetruethingsitdoesnot，perhapscannotreceive，thathumannatureismostcritical。
“Thatoneisnonsense，Donal，“shesaid。“Isn’titnow？，Howcouldamanbeaburn，orawind，orthesun？，Butpoetsaresilly。Papasaysso。”
InhismindDonaldidnotknowwhichwaytolook;physically，heregardedtheground。HappilyatthatverymomentHorniecausedadiversion，andGibbieunderstoodwhatDonalwasfeelingtoowelltomakeevenapretenceofgoingafterher。Imust，tohispraise，recordthefactthat，insteadofwreakinghismortificationuponthecow，Donalsparedherseveralblowsoutofgratitudeforthedeliverancehermisbehaviourhadwroughthim。Hewasinnohastetoreturntohisaudience。Tohavehisfirstpoemthusrejectedwaskilling。Shewasbutachildwhohadsounkindlycriticizedit，butshewasthechildhewantedtoplease;andforafewmomentslifeitselfseemedscarcelyworthhaving。Hecalledhimselfafool，andresolvednevertoreadanotherpoemtoagirlsolongashelived。
Bythetimehehadagainwalkedthroughtheburn，however，hewascalmandcomparativelywise，andknewwhattosay。
“Divyehearyonburnefteryegangtoyerbed，mem？”heaskedGenevra，asheclimbedthebank，pointingalittlelowerdownthestreamtothemountainbrookwhichtherejoinedit。
“Always，“sheanswered。“Itrunsrightundermywindow。”
“Whatkin’o’adindis’tmak’？”heaskedagain。
“Itisdifferentatdifferenttimes，“sheanswered。“Itsingsandchattersinsummer，andgrowlsandcriesandgrumblesinwinter，orafterrainupinGlashgar。”
“Divyethinktheburn’sonyhappieri’thesummer，mem？”
“No，Donal;theburnhasnolifeinit，andthereforecan’tbehappieronetimethananother。”
“Weel，mem，Iwadjistliketospeirwhatwauritistofancyyersel’aburn，thantofancytheburnabody，aetimesingin’an’
chatterin’，an’theneistgrowlin’an’grum’lin’。”
“Well，but，Donal，canamanbeaburn？”
“Weel，mem，no——atleastnoi’thiswarl’，an’at’isainwull。Butwhanye’relyin’hearkenin’totheburn，didyeneverimagineyersel’rinnin’doonwi’’t——doontothesea？”
“No，Donal;Ialwaysfancymyselfgoingupthemountainwhereitcomesfrom，andrunningaboutwildthereinthewind，whenallthetimeIknowI’msafeandwarminbed。”
“Weel，maybethat’sbetteryet——Iwadnasay，“answeredDonal;“butjistthenicht，foracheengelike，yeturnan’gangdoonwi’’t——i’
yerthouchts，Imean。Liean’hearkenhe’rtytill’tthenicht，whanye’rei’yerbed;hearkenan’hearkentillthesoon’rinsawa’
wi’yelike，an’yeforgeta’abootyersel’，an’thinkyersel’awa’
wi’theburn，rinnin’，rinnin’，throu’thisan’throu’that，throu’
stanesan’birksan’bracken，throu’heather，an’plooedlan’an’
corn，an’wudsan’gairdens，ayesingin’，an’ayecheengin’yertuneaccordin’，tillitwinstothemuckleroarin’sea，an’’sa’tint。
An’thefirstnicht’atthewin’’supan’awa’，deethesame，mem，wi’thewin’。Getupupo’thebacko’’t，like，asgienitwasyermucklehorse，an’jistridehimtothedeith;an’efterthat，gienyedinnamaybejistwuss’atyewasaburnorablawin’win’——aitherwadbeasairlosstotheuniverse——yewunna，I’mthinkin’，besaereadytofin’fau’twi’thechield’atmadeyonbitsangy。”
“Areyouvexedwithme，Donal？——I’msosorry！”saidGinevra，takingtheearnestnessofhistonefordispleasure。
“Na，na，mem。Ye’reowerguidan’owerbonny，“answeredDonal，“tobeavextoonybody;butitwadbeavextohearsicacraturasyouspeykin’likeaneo’thefuleso’thewarl’，’atbelievei’naethingbutwhatcomesinattheholesi’theirheid。”
Ginevrawassilent。ShecouldnotquiteunderstandDonal，butshefeltshemustbewrongsomehow;andofthisshewasthemoreconvincedwhenshesawthebeautifuleyesofGibbiefixedinadmiration，andbrimfuloflove，uponDonal。
ThewayDonalkepthisvownevertoreadanotherpoemofhisowntoagirl，wastoproceedthatverynighttomakeanotherfortheexpresspurpose，ashelayawakeinthedarkness。
Thelastoneheeverreadtoherinthatmeadowwasthis：
Whatgarsyesing，saidtheherdladdie，Whatgarsyesingsaelood？
Toticethemooto’theyerd，laddie，Theworms，formydailyfood。
An’ayehesang，an’betterhesang，An’thewormscreepitinan’oot;
An’anehetuik，an’twahelootgang，Butstillhecarolledstoot。
It’snofortheworms，sir，saidtheherd，Theycomenaforyersang。
Thinkyesae，sir？answeredthebird，Maybeye’renoi’thewrang。
Butaye&c。
SingyeyoongsorrowtobeguileOrtogieauldfeartheflegs？
Na，quo’themavis;it’sbuttowileMyweethingsooto’hereggs。
An’aye&c。
Themistressisplentyforthatsamegear，Thoughyesangnaear’norlate。
It’stodrawthedeidfraethemoul’saedrear，An’openthekirkyardgate。
An’aye&c。
Na，na;it’sabettersangnoryerain，Thoughyehaeo’notesafeck，’AtwadmakauldBarebanestheresaefainAstoliftthemucklesneck！
Butaye&c。
Betteryesingnoraburni’themune，Norawaveowersan’thatflows，Norawin’wi’theglintin’starsabune，An’aneththerosesinrows;
An’aye&c。
ButI’llspeiryenaemair，sir，saidtheherd。
Ifearwhatyemichtsayneist。
Yewadbutwon’erthemair，saidthebird，Toseethethouchtsi’mybreist。
Andayehesang，an’betterhesang，An’thewormscreepitinan’oot;
An’anehetuik，an’twahelootgang，Butstillhecarolledstoot。
IdoubtwhetherGinevraunderstoodthissongbetterthanthefirst，butshewasnowmorecarefulofcriticizing;andwhenbydegreesitdawneduponherthathewasthemakeroftheseandotherversesheread，shegrewhalfafraidofDonal，andbegantoregardhimwithbigeyes;hebecame，fromaherd-boy，anunintelligibleperson，thereforeawonder。For，broughtthusfacetofacewiththemakerofverses，shecouldnothelptryingtothinkhowhedidthething;
andasshefeltnopossibilityofmakingversesherself，itremainedamysteryandanastonishment，causingagreatrespectforthepoettominglewiththekindnessshefelttowardsNicie’sbrother。
CHAPTERXXXI。
THEIRREWARD。
BydegreesGibbiehadcometobewellknownabouttheMainsandGlashruach。Angus’sonlyrecognitionofhimwasascowlinreturnforhissmile;but，asIhavesaid，hegavehimnofartherannoyance，andthetalesaboutthebeast-loonweredyingoutfromDaurside。JeanMavorwasaspecialfriendtohim：forsheknewnowwellenoughwhohadbeenherbrownie，andmadehimwelcomeasoftenasheshowedhimselfwithDonal。Ferguswassometimesathome;
sometimesaway;buthewasnowquiteafinegentleman，astudentoftheology，andonlycondescendinglycognizantoftheexistenceofDonalGrant。Allhesaidtohimwhenhecamehomeamasterofarts，was，thathehadexpectedbetterofhim：heoughttobesomethingmorethanherdbythistime。Donalsmiledandsaidnothing。Hehadjustfinishedalittlesongthatpleasedhim，andcouldaffordtobepatronized。Iamafraid，however，hewasnotcontentedwiththat，butinhismind’seyemeasuredFergusfromtoptotoe。
Intheautumn，Mr。GalbraithreturnedtoGlashruach，butdidnotremainlong。Hisschemeswerepromisingwell，andhisself-importancewasscrewedyetalittlehigherinconsequence。ButhewaskinderthanusualtoGinevra。Beforehewenthesaidtoherthat，asMr。Macharhadsunkintoaconditionrequiringhisdaughter’sconstantattention，hewouldfindheranEnglishgovernessassoonashereachedLondon;meantimeshemustkeepupherstudiesbyherselfaswellasshecould。Probablyheforgotallaboutit，forthegovernesswasnotheardofatGlashruach，andthingsfellintotheiroldway。Therewasnospiritualtrafficbetweenthefatheranddaughter，consequentlyGinevraneversaidanythingaboutDonalorGibbie，orherfriendshipforNicie。Hehadhimselftoblamealtogether;hehadmadeitimpossibleforhertotalktohim。Butitwaswellheremainedinignorance，andsodidnotputastoptothebesteducationshecouldatthistimeofherlifehavebeenhaving——suchasneitherhenoranyfriendofhiscouldhavegivenher。
Itwasinterrupted，however，bythearrivalofthewinter——awildtimeinthatregion，fiercestormalternatingwiththecalmofdeath。Afterhowlingnights，inwhichitseemedasifallthepolter-geisteroftheuniversemustbeoutonadisembodiedlark，themountainsstoodthereinthemorningsolemnstill，eachwithhiswhiteturbanofsnowunrumpledonhishead，intheprofoundestsilenceofblueair，asifhehadneverinhislifepassedamorethoughtful，peacefultimethantheverylastnightofall。TosuchfeetasGinevra’sthecottageonGlashgarwasformonthsalmostasinaccessibleasifithadbeeninSirius。MorethanoncetheDaurwasfrozenthick;forweekseverybeastwasanabsoluteprisonertothebyre，andformonthswasfedwithstrawandturnipsandpotatoesandoilcake。Thenwasthetimeforstories;andofteninthelongdark，whileyetitwashourstooearlyforbed，wouldGinevragowithNicie，whowasnotmuchofaraconteuse，tothekitchen，togetoneoftheotherservantstotellheranoldtale。Foreveninhisowndaughterandhisownkitchen，thegreatlairdcouldnotextinguishtheaccursedsuperstition。NotaglimpsedidGinevragetallthistimeofDonalorofGibbie。
Atlast，likeoneofitsownflowersinitsownbosom，thespringbeganagaintowakeinGod’sthoughtofhisworld;andthesnow，likeallotherdeaths，hadtomeltandrun，leavingroomforhope;
thenthesummerwokesmiling，asifsheknewshehadbeenasleep;
andthetwoyouthsandthetwomaidensmetyetagainonLorriebank，withthebrownwaterfallingoverthestones，thegoldnuggetsofthebroomhangingoverthewater，andtheyounglarch-woodscentingtheairallupthebraesidebetweenthemandthehouse，whichthetallhedgehidfromtheirview。Thefourwereayearolder，ayearnearertrouble，andayearnearergettingoutofit。Ginevrawasmoreofawoman，Donalmoreofapoet，Nicieasniceandmuchthesame，andGibbie，ifpossible，moreafoundlingoftheuniversethanever。Hewasgrowingsteadily，andshowedsuchfreedomandease，andhismotionswereallsorapidanddirect，thatitwasplainataglancethebeautyofhiscountenancewasinnomannerormeasureassociatedwithweakness。Themountainwasagrandnurseryforhim，andtheresult，bothphysicalandspiritual，corresponded。Janet，who，betterthananyoneelse，knewwhatwasinthemindoftheboy，reveredhimasmuchashereveredher;thefirstimpressionhemadeuponherhadneverwornoff——hadonlychangeditscolouralittle。
Moreeventhanaknowledgeofthetruth，isareadinesstoreceiveit;andJanetsawfromthefirstthatGibbie’signoranceatitsworstwasbutroomvacantforthetruth：whenitcameitfoundboltnorbarondoororwindow，buthadimmediateentrance。Thesecretofthispowerofreceptionwas，thattoseeatruthandtodoitwasoneandthesamethingwithGibbie。Toknowandnotdowouldhaveseemedtohimanimpossibility，asitisinvitalideaamonstrosity。
Thisunityofvisionandactionwasthemaincausealsoofacertaindaringsimplicityintheexerciseoftheimagination，whichsofarfrommisleadinghimreactedonlyinobedience——whichisthetruthofthewill——thetruth，therefore，ofthewholebeing。Hedidnotdothelesswellforhissheep，thathefanciedtheyknewwhenJesusChristwasonthemountain，andalwaysatsuchtimesbothfedbetterandweremorefrolicsome。HethoughtOscarknewitalso，andinterpretedacertainlookofthedogbythesuppositionthathehadcaughtasignofthebodilypresenceofhisMaker。Thedirectioninwhichhisimaginationranforward，wasalwaysthatinwhichhisreasonpointed;andsolongasGibbie’sfancieswerebud-bloomsuponhisobedience，hisimaginationcouldnotbeotherwisethaninharmonywithhisreason。Imaginationisapoorroot，butaworthyblossom，andinanaturelikeGibbie’sitsflowerscannotfailtobelovely。Fornooutcomeofaman’snatureissolikehimselfashisimaginations，exceptitbehisfancies，indeed。Perhapshisimaginationsshowwhatheismeanttobe，hisfancieswhatheismakingofhimself。
Inthesummer，Mr。Galbraith，allunannounced，reappearedatGlashruach，butsochangedthat，startledatthesightofhim，Ginevrastoppedmidwayinheradvancetogreethim。Thelongthinmanwasnowhaggardandworn;helookedsourertoo，andmoresuspicious——eitherthatexperiencehadmadehimso，orthathewaslessequaltotheveilingofhisfeelingsindignifiedindifference。
Hewasannoyedthathisdaughtershouldrecognizeanalterationinhim，and，turningaway，leanedhisheadonthehandwhosearmwasalreadysupportedbythemantelpiece，andtooknofurthernoticeofherpresence;butperhapsconsciencealsohadsomethingtodowiththisbehaviour。Ginevraknewfromexperiencethatthesightoftearswouldenragehim，andwithallhermightrepressedthoseshefeltbeginningtorise。Shewentuptohimtimidly，andtookthehandthathungbyhisside。Hedidnotrepelher——thatis，hedidnotpushheraway，orevenwithdrawhishand，butheleftithanginglifeless，andreturnedwithitnopressureuponhers——whichwasmuchworse。
“Isanythingthematter，papa？”sheaskedwithtremblingvoice。
“IamnotawarethatIhavebeeninthehabitofcommunicatingwithyouonthesubjectofmyaffairs，“heanswered;“noramIlikelytobegintodoso，wheremyreturnaftersolonganabsenceseemstogivesolittlesatisfaction。”
“Oh，papa！，Iwasfrightenedtoseeyoulookingsoill。”
“Sucharemarkuponmypersonalappearanceisbutapoorrecognitionofmylaboursforyourbenefit，Iventuretothink，Jenny，“hesaid。
Hewasatthemomentcontemplating，asanecessity，thesaleofeveryfootofthepropertyhermotherhadbroughthim。Nothinglesswouldservetokeepuphiscredit，andgaintimetodisguisemorethanonefailingscheme。Everythinghadoflatebeengoingsobadly，thathehadlostagooddealofhisconfidenceandself-satisfaction;buthehadgainednohumilityinstead。Ithadnotdawneduponhimyetthathewasnotunfortunate，butunworthy。
Thegainofsuchaconvictionistoamanenoughtooutweighinfinitelyanylossthatevenhisunworthinesscanhavecausedhim;
foritinvolvessomeperceptionoftheworthinessofthetruth，andmakeswayfortheutterconsolationwhichthebirthofthattruthinhimselfwillbring。AsyetMr。Galbraithwasbutoverwhelmedwithcareforaselfwhich，sofarashehadtodowiththemakingofit，wasofsmallvalueindeed，althoughinthepossibility，whichisthebirthrightofeverycreature，itwas，notlessthanthatofthewretchedestofdog-lickedLazaruses，ofavaluebyhimselfunsuspectedandinappreciable。Thatheshouldbehavesocruellytohisonechild，wasnotunnaturaltothatselfwithwhichhewassomuchoccupied：failurehadweakenedthatcommandofbehaviourwhichsofrequentlygainsthecreditbelongingonlytojusticeandkindness，andatemperwhichneverwasgood，butalwaysfeelingthechain，wasreadyatoncetoshowitsuglyteeth。Hewasaproudman，whosepridewasalwayscatchingcoldfromhisheart。Hemighthavelivedahundredyearsinthesamehousewithachildthatwasnothisown，withoutfeelingforherasinglemovementofaffection。
TheservantsfoundmorechangeinhimthanGinevradid;hisrelationswiththem，ifnotbetterconceivedthanhispaternalones，hadbeenlessevidentlydefective。Nowhefoundfaultwitheveryone，sothatevenJosephdaredhardlyopenhismouth，andsaidhemustgivewarning。Thedayafterhisarrival，havingspentthemorningwithAnguswalkingovercertainfields，muchdesired，heknew，ofaneighbouringproprietor，inwardlycalculatingtheutmosthecouldventuretoaskforthemwithachanceofselling，hescoldedGinevraseverelyonhisreturnbecauseshehadnothadlunch，buthadwaitedforhim;whereasalittlereflectionmighthaveshownhimshedarednottakeitwithouthim。Naturally，therefore，shecouldnotnoweat，becauseofacertainsensationinherthroat。Theinstanthesawshewasnoteating，heorderedheroutoftheroom：hewouldhavenosuchairsinhisfamily！，Bytheendoftheweek——hearrivedontheTuesday——suchasenseofestrangementpossessedGinevra，thatshewouldturnonthestairandrunupagain，ifsheheardherfather’svoicebelow。Heraversiontomeetinghim，hebecameawareof，andfeltrelievedinregardtothewronghewasdoinghiswife，byreflectinguponherdaughter’sbehaviourtowardshim;forhehadastrongconstitutionalsenseofwhatwasfair，andaconsciencedisobeyedbecomesacancer。
Inthisevilmoodhereceivedfromsomeone——allhislifeDonalbelieveditwasFergus——ahintconcerningtherelationsbetweenhisdaughterandhistenant’sherd-boy。Todescribehisfeelingsatthebarefactthatsuchahintwaspossible，wouldbemorelabourthantheresultwouldrepay——What！hisownfleshandblood，theheiressofGlashruach，derivepleasurefromtheboorishtalkofsuchacompanion！，Itcouldnotbetrue，whenthemerethought，withoutthebeliefofit，filledhimwithsuchindignation！，Hewasoverwhelmedwitharighteousdisgust。Hedidhimselfthejusticeofmakinghimselfcertainbeforehetookmeasures;butheneverthoughtofdoingthemthejusticeofacquaintinghimselffirstwiththenatureoftheintercoursetheyheld。Butitmatteredlittle;forhewouldhavefoundnothinginthattogivehimsatisfaction，evenifthethingitselfhadnotbeenoutrageous。Hewatchedandwaited，andmorethanoncepretendedtogofromhome：atlastonemorning，fromthelarch-wood，hesawtheunnaturalgirlseatedwithhermaidonthebankoftheriver，thecow-herdreadingtothem，andontheothersidethedumbidiotlyinglistening。Hewasalmostbesidehimself——withwhat，Icanhardlydefine。Inaloudvoiceofbarecommandhecalledtohertocometohim。WithaglanceofterroratNiciesherose，andtheywentupthroughthelarchestogether。
Iwillnotspendmylabouruponareproductionoftheverbaltorrentofwrath，woundeddignity，disgust，andcontempt，withwhichthefatherassailedhisshrinking，delicate，honest-mindedwoman-child。
ForNicie，hedismissedheronthespot。Notanothernightwouldheendureherinthehouse，afterherabominablebreachofconfidence！，Shehadtodepartwithoutevenagood-byefromGinevra，andwenthomeweepingingreatdreadofwhathermotherwouldsay。
“Lassie，“saidJanet，whensheheardherstory，“gienonybodybetoblameit’smysel’;foryelootmekenyegaedwhileswi’yerbonniemissietohaeanewswi’Donal，an’Isawan’seenoucht’at’swrangintill’t。Butthefowko’thiswarl’hasitherw’yso’jeedgin’o’
things，an’Imaunbethinkmysel’whatlessono’theserpent’swisdomIhaetolearnfrae’t。Ye’rewalcomehame，mybonnielass。
YekenIayekeeptheweeclosetreadyforonyo’ye’atmichtcomeohnexpeckit。”
Nicie，however，hadnotlongtooccupythecloset，forthoseofherbreedwereindemandinthecountry。
CHAPTERXXXII。
PROLOGUE。
EversincehebecameadwellerintheairofGlashgar，Gibbie，mindfulofhisfirstvisitthereto，andofhisgrandexperienceonthatoccasion，hadbeeninthehabit，asoftenashesawreasontoexpectathunder-storm，andhisdutieswouldpermit，ofascendingthemountain，andthereonthecrestofthegranitepeak，awaitingthearrivalofthetumult。Everythingantagonisticintheboy，everythingthatcouldnaturallyfindrelief，orpleasure，orsimpleoutcome，inresistanceorcontention，debarredasitwasbytheexuberanceofhislovingkindnessfromobtainingsatisfactionoralleviationinstrifewithhisfellows，founditwhereverhecouldencountertheforcesofNature，inpersonalwrestlewiththemwherepossible，andalwaysinwildestsympathywithanyuproaroftheelements。Theabsenceofpersonalityinthemallowedtheco-existenceofsympathyandantagonisminrespectofthem。Exceptthosetruthsawakingdelightatoncecalmandprofound，ofwhichsofewknowthepower，andthedirectinfluenceofhumanrelation，Gibbie’semotionaljoywasmorestirredbystormthanbyanythingelse;andwithallformsofithewassofamiliarthat，youngashewas，hehadunconsciouslybeguntogeneralizeonitsphases。
TowardstheeveningofawondrouslyfinedayinthebeginningofAugust——aperfectdayofsummerinhermatronlybeauty，itbegantorain。AllthenextdaytheslopesandstairsofGlashgarwerealternatelyglowinginsunshine，andsweptwithheavyshowers，drivenslantinginstronggustsofwindfromthenorthwest。Howoftenhewaswetthroughanddriedagainthatday，Gibbiecouldnothavetold。Heworesolittlethateithertookbutafewmoments，andhewasalwaysreadyforachange。Thewindandtheraintogetherwerecold，butthatonlyservedtoletthesunshinedeeperintohimwhenitreturned。
Intheafternoontherewaslesssun，morerain，andmorewind;andatlastthesunseemedtogiveitup;thewindgrewtoahurricane，andtherainstrovewithitwhichshouldinhabitthespace。Thewholeupperregionwaslikeahugemortar，inwhichthewindwasthepestle，and，withinnumerablegyres，vainlygroundattherain。
Gibbiedrovehissheeptotherefugeofapenonthelowerslopeofavalleythatranatrightanglestothewind，wheretheywereshelteredbyarockbehind，formingonesideoftheenclosure，anddykesofloosestones，formingtheothers，ataheighttherewasnotraditionofanyfloodhavingreached。Hethenwenthome，andhavingtoldRobertwhathehaddone，andhadhissupper，setoutintheearly-failinglight，toascendthemountain。Agreatthunder-stormwasathand，andwascallinghim。Itwasalmostdarkbeforehereachedthetop，butheknewthesurfaceofGlashgarnearlyaswellasthefloorofthecottage。Justashehadfoughthiswaytothecrestofthepeakinthefaceofoneofthefiercestoftheblastsabroadthatnight，asuddenrushoffiremadetheheavenslikethesmoke-filledvaultofanoven，andatoncethethunderfollowed，inasuccessionofsinglesharpexplosionswithoutanyrollbetween。Themountainshookwiththewindyshocks，butthefirstofthethunder-stormwastheworst，anditsoonpassed。Thewindandtheraincontinued，andthedarknesswasfilledwiththerushofthewatereverywherewildlytearingdownthesidesofthemountain。Thusheavenandearthheldcommunicationintorrentsallthenight。Downthesteepsofthelimpidairtheyrantothehardsidesofthehills，whereatonce，asiftheywerenolongerathome，anddidnotlikethechange，theybegantoworkmischief。TotheearsandheartofGibbietheirnoiseswereamassofbrokenmusic。Everyspringandautumnthefloodscame，andheknewthem，andtheywerewelcometohimintheirseasons。
Itrequiredsomecaretofindhiswaydownthroughthedarknessandthewaterstothecottage，butashewasneitherinfearnorinhaste，hewasinlittledanger，andhishandsandfeetcouldpickoutthepathwherehiseyeswereuseless。Whenatlengthhereachedhisbed，itwasnotforalongtimetosleep，buttolieawakeandlistentotheragingofthewindallaboutandaboveandbelowthecottage，andtherushingofthestreamsdownpastitoneveryside。
Tohisimaginationitwasasifhelayintheverybedofthechannelbywhichthewatersofheavenwereshootingtothevalleysoftheearth;andwhenhefellasleepatlast，hisdreamwasoftherushoftheriverofthewateroflifefromunderthethroneofGod;
andhesawmendrinkthereof，andeveryoneashedrankstraightwayknewthathewasonewiththeFather，andonewitheverychildofhisthroughouttheinfiniteuniverse。
Hewoke，andwhatremainedofhisdreamwasloveinhisheart，andinhisearsthesoundofmanywaters。Itwasmorning。Herose，and，dressinghastily，openedthedoor。Whatapictureofgreystormroseoutspreadbeforehim！，Thewindfiercelyinvadedthecottage，thickchargedwithwater-drops，andsteppingoutheshutthedoorinhaste，lestitshouldblowupontheoldpeopleinbedandwakethem。Hecouldnotseefaronanyside，fortherainthatfell，andthemistandsteamthatrose，uponwhichthewindseemedtohavenopower;butwhereverhedidsee，therewaterwasrunningdown。Upthemountainhewent——hecouldhardlyhavetoldwhy。
Once，foramoment，asheascended，theveilofthevapoureitherrose，orwastornasunder，andhesawthegreatwetgleamoftheworldbelow。Bythetimehereachedthetop，itwasaslightasitwasalltheday;butitwaswithadullyellowglare，asifthesunwereobscuredbythesmokeandvaporousfumesofaburningworldwhichtherainhadbeensenttoquench。Itwasawild，hopelessscene——asifGodhadturnedhisfaceawayfromtheworld，andallNaturewasthereforedrownedintears——noRachelweepingforherchildren，butthewholecreationcryingfortheFather，andrefusingtobecomforted。Gibbiestoodgazingandthinking。DidGodliketolookatthestormhemade？，IfJesusdid，wouldhehaveleftitallandgonetosleep，whenthewindandwaveswerehowling，andflingingtheboataboutlikeatoybetweenthem？，Hemusthavebeentired，surely！，Withwhat？，ThenfirstGibbiesawthatperhapsittiredJesustohealpeople;thateverytimewhatcuredmanorwomanwaslifethatwentoutofhim，andthathemissedit，perhaps——notfromhisheart，butfromhisbody;andifitwereso，thenitwasnowonderifhesleptinthemidstofarightsplendidstorm。AnduponthatGibbierememberedwhatSt。Matthewsaysjustbeforehetellsaboutthestorm——that“hecastoutthespiritswithhisword，andhealedallthatweresick，thatitmightbefulfilledwhichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet，saying，Himselftookourinfirmities，andbareoursicknesses。”
Thatmomentitseemedasifhemustbehimselfinsomewave-tossedboat，andnotuponamountainofstone，forGlashgargaveagreatheaveunderhim，thenrockedandshookfromsidetosidealittle，andsettleddownsostillandsteady，thatmotionandthemountainseemedagaintwoideasthatnevercouldbepresenttogetherinanymind。Thenextinstantcameanexplosion，followedbyafrightfulroaringandhurling，asofmingledwaterandstones;andonthesideofthemountainbeneathhimhesawwhat，throughthemist，lookedlikeacloudofsmokeordustrisingtoaheight。Hedartedtowardsit。Ashedrewnearer，thecloudseemedtocondense，andpresentlyhesawplainlyenoughthatitwasagreatcolumnofwatershootingupandoutfromthefaceofthemountain。Itsankandroseagain，withthealternationofahugepulse：themountainwascracked，andthroughthecrack，witheverythrobofitsheart，thelife-bloodofthegreathulloftheworldseemedbeatingout。Alreadyithadscatteredmassesofgravelonallsides，anddownthehillariverwasshootinginsheercataract，ravingandtearing，andcarryingstonesandrockswithitlikefoam。Stillandstillitpulsedandrushedandran，born，likeanotherXanthus，ariverfull-grown，fromtheheartofthemountain。
SuddenlyGibbie，inthemidstofhisastonishmentandawfuldelight，notedthepathofthenewstream，andfromhisknowledgeofthefaceofthemountain，perceivedthatitscoursewasdirectforthecottage。Downthehillheshotafterit，asifitwereawildbeastthathisfaulthadfreedfromitscage。Hewasnotterrified。OnebelievinglikehimintheperfectLoveandperfectWillofaFatherofmen，asthefactoffacts，fearsnothing。Fearisfaithlessness。
Butthereissolittlethatisworthythenameoffaith，thatsuchaconfidencewillappeartomostnotmerelyincrediblebutheartless。TheLordhimselfseemsnottohavebeenveryhopefulaboutus，forhesaid，WhentheSonofmancometh，shallhefindfaithontheearth？，Aperfectfaithwouldliftusabsolutelyabovefear。Itisinthecracks，crannies，andgulfyfaultsofourbelief，thegapsthatarenotfaith，thatthesnowofapprehensionsettles，andtheiceofunkindnessforms。
Thetorrenthadalreadywornforitselfachannel：whatearththerewas，ithadsweptcleanawaytotherock，andtheloosestonesithadthrownupaside，orhurledwithitinitsheadlongcourse。ButasGibbieboundedalong，followingitwithaspeedalmostequaltoitsown，hewascheckedinthemidstofhisheartyhastebythesight，afewyardsaway，ofanotherliketerror——anothertorrentissuingfromthesideofthehill，andrushingtoswellthevalleystream。Anotherandanotherhesaw，withgrowingwonder，asheran;
beforehereachedhomehepassedsomesixoreight，andhadbeguntothinkwhetheraseconddelugeofthewholeworldmightnotbeathand，commencingthistimewithScotland。Twoofthemjoinedtheonehewasfollowing，andhehadtocrossthemashecould;theothershesawnearandfartheroff——onefoamingdeliveranceafteranother，issuingfromtheentrailsofthemountain，likeimprisoneddemons，that，brokenfromtheirbonds，rantoravagetheworldwiththeaccumulatedhateofdreariestcenturies。Nowandthenahugeboulder，loosenedfromitsbedbythetrailofthisorthatwateryserpent，wouldgorolling，leaping，boundingdownthehillbeforehim，andjustintimeheescapedonethatcamespringingafterhimasifitwerealivingthingthatwantedtodevourhim。NorwasGlashgartheonlytorrent-bearingmountainofGormgarnetthatday，thoughtherainpreventedGibbiefromseeinganythingofwhattherestofthemweredoing。Thefountainsofthegreatdeepwerebrokenup，andseemedrushingtogethertodrowntheworld。Andstillthewindwasraging，andtheraintumblingtotheearth，ratherinsheetsthaninstreams。
Gibbieatlengthforsookthebankofthenewtorrenttotakethenearestwayhome，andsoonreachedthepointwhencefirst，returninginthatdirection，healwayslookedtoseethecottage。Foramomenthewasutterlybewildered：nocottagewastobeseen。Fromthetopoftherockagainstwhichitwasbuilt，shotthewholemassofthewaterhehadbeenpursuing，nowdarkwithstonesandgravel，nowgreywithfoam，orglassyintheluridlight。
“OJesusChrist！”hecried，anddartedtotheplace。Whenhecamenear，tohisamazementtherestoodthelittlehouseunharmed，theverycentreofthecataract！，Forafewyardsonthetopoftherock，thetorrenthadanearlyhorizontalchannel，alongwhichitrushedwithunabatedspeedtotheedge，andthenceshotcleanoverthecottage，droppingonlyadribbleofrainontherooffromtheundersideofitshalf-arch。Thegardengroundwasgone，sweptcleanfromthebarerock，whichmadeafinesmoothshootforthewateralongdistanceinfront。Hedartedthroughthedrizzleandspray，reachedthedoor，andliftedthehatch。ThesamemomentheheardJanet’svoiceinjoyfulgreeting。
“Noo，noo！comeawa’，laddie，“shesaid。“Whawadhaethouchtwewadhaetolea’therocktowinooto’thewater？，We’rebutwaitin’youtogang——Come，Robert，we’llawa’doonthehill。”
Shestoodinthemiddleoftheroominherbestgown，asifshehadbeengoingtochurch，herBible，agood-sizedoctavo，underherarm，withawhitehandkerchieffoldedroundit，andherumbrellainherhand。
“Hethatbelievethshallnotmakehaste，“shesaid，“buthemaunnatempttheLord，aither。Drinkthatmilk，Gibbie，an’pitabannocki’yerpooch，an’comeawa’。”
Robertrosefromtheedgeofthebed，staffinhand，readytoo。HealsowasinhisSundayclothes。Oscar，whocouldmakenochangeofattire，butwasalwaysready，andhadbeenstandinglookingupinhisfaceforthelasttenminutes，waggedhistailwhenhesawhimrise，andgotoutofhisway。Onthetableweretheremainsoftheirbreakfastofoat-cakeandmilk——thefireJanethadleftonthehearthwasaspongymassofpeat，aswetasthewinterbeforeitwasdugfromthebog，sotheyhadhadnoporridge。Thewaterkeptcominginsplashesdownthelum，thehillocksofthefloorwereslimy，andinthehollowslittlelakesweregathering：thelowestfilmofthetorrent-waterrandowntherockbehind，andmakingitswaybetweenrockandroof，threatenedsoontorendertheplaceuninhabitable。
“What’stheeeseo’lo’denin’yersel’wi’theumbrell？”saidRobert。
“Ye’llgetita’drookit(drenched)。”
“Ow，I’lljisttakit，“repliedJanet，withalaughinacknowledgmentofherhusband’sfun;“it’llhaudtherainohnblin’tme。”
“That’sgienyebeabletohauditup。Idoobtthewin’’llbeowersairupo’’t。I’mthinkin’，though，it’llbemairtohaudyerbeukdry！”
Janetsmiledandmadenodenial。
“Noo，Gibbie，“shesaid，“yegangan’lowseCrummie。Butye’llhaetoleadher。Shewinnabetocawinsicawin’’sthis，an’noplainro’daforeher。”
“Whaurdivyethinko’gauin’？”askedRobert，who，satisfiedasusualwithwhatevermightbeinhiswife’smind，hadnottillthismomentthoughtofaskingherwhereshemeanttotakerefuge。
“Ow，we’lljistmakfortheMains，gienyebeagreeable，Robert，“
sheanswered。“It’stherewebelangtill，an’inwatherlikethisnaebodywadrefeesebieldtillabeggar，notosayMistressJeantillherainfowk。”
Withthatsheledthewaytothedoorandopenedit。
