Mrs。Sclater，lateMrs。Bonniman，wasthewidowofamerchantwhohadmadehismoneyinforeigntrade，andtoherhouseMr。Sclaterhadflittedwhenhemarriedher。Shewasawell-bredwoman，muchthesuperiorofhersecondhusbandinthesmalldutiesandgracesofsociallife，and，alreadyasuffererinsomeofhisnotveryseriousgrossi鑢et閟，regardedwithnosmallapprehensionthearrivalofoneinwhomsheexpectedthesamekindofthinginlargelyexaggerateddegree。Shedidnotmuchcaretoplaythemothertoabearcub，shesaidtoherfriends，withagood-humouredlaugh。“Justthink，“sheadded，“withsuchachildhoodasthepoorboyhad，whatamassofvulgaritymustbelyinginthatuncultivatedbrainofhis！，Itisnosmallmercy，asMr。Sclatersays，thatourearsatleastaresafe。
Poorboy！”——Shewasawomanofaboutforty，rathertall，ofgoodcomplexiontendingtotheruddy，withblacksmoothshininghairpartedoverawhiteforehead，blackeyes，nosealittleaquiline，goodmouth，andfinewhiteteeth——altogetherahandsomewoman——somenotionofwhosestylemaybegatheredfromthefactthat，uponthetestimonyofherchevalglass，shepreferredsatintotherichestofsilks，andalmostalwaysworeit。Nowandthenshewouldattemptachange，butwasalwaysdefeatedanddrivenbackintosatin。Shewaspreciseinherpersonalrules，butnotstiffinthemannerswhereinsheembodiedthem：thesewereindeedjustalittlefloridandwavy，atrifleprofuseintheirgrace。Shekeptanexcellenttable，andeveryappointmentaboutthehousewasingoodstyle——afavouritephrasewithher。Shewasherownhousekeeper，anexactmistress，butconsiderate，sothatherservantshadnobadtimeofit。Shewassensible，kind，alwaysresponsivetoappeal，hadscarcelyathreadofpoetryorartinheruppertexture，lovedfairplay，wasseldominthewrong，andneverconfesseditwhenshewas。Butwhenshesawit，shetooksomepainstoavoidbeingsoinasimilarwayagain。Sheheldhardbyherownopinion;wascapableofamildadmirationoftruthandrighteousnessinanother;hadoneortwopetcommandmentstowhichshepaidmoreattentionthantotherest;wasasafememberofsociety，nevercarryingtales;waskindwithcondescensiontothepoor，andaltogetheragoodwifeforaministerofMr。Sclater’ssort。Sheknewhowtoholdherownwithanywhowouldhaveestablishedsuperiority。Alittlemorecoldness，pride，indifference，andcarelessrestraint，withjustatouchofrudeness，wouldhavegivenherthefreedomofthebestsociety，ifshecouldhavegotintoit。AltogetheritwouldnothavebeeneasytofindonewhocoulddomoreforGibbieinrespectforthesocialrapportsthatseemedtoawaithim。Evensomewhowouldgladlythemselveshaveundertakenthetask，admittedthathemighthavefallenintomuchlessqualifiedhands。Herhusbandwasconfidentthat，ifanybodycould，hiswifewouldmakeagentlemanofSirGilbert;andheoughttoknow，forshehaddoneagooddealofpolishinguponhim。
Shewasnowseatedonalowchairattheothersideofthefire，leaningbackatalargeangle，slowlycontemplatingoutofherblackeyestheladonthefootstool，whoseblueeyesshesawwanderingabouttheroom，inamannerneithervaguenorunintelligent，butshowingmoreofinterestthanofeithersurpriseoradmiration。
Suddenlyheturnedthemfulluponher;theymethers，andthelightrushedintothemlikeatorrent，breakingforthafteritswayinasoulfulsmile。IhopemyreadersarenottiredofthementionofGibbie’ssmiles：Icanhardlyavoidit;theywereallGibbiehadforthesmallcoinofintercourse;andifmyreaderscaretobejust，theywillpleasetorememberthattheyhavebeensparedmanyahesaidandshesaid。Unhappilyformethereisnowayofgivingthedelicatedifferencesofthosesmiles。MuchofwhatGibbieperhapsfeltthemorethathecouldnotsayit，hadgotintotheplacewherethesmilesaremade，and，likeavarietyofpollens，hadimpregnatedthemwithallshadesandcoloursofexpression，whosevariedsignificancethosewhohadknownhimlongest，dividinganddistinguishing，hadgonefartowardsbeingabletointerpret。InthatwhichnowshoneonMrs。Sclater，therewassomething，shesaidthenextdaytoafriend，whichnowomancouldresist，andwhichmustcomeofhisgentleblood。Ifshecouldhaveseenafewofhislaterancestorsatleast，shewouldhavedoubtediftheyhadanythingtodowiththatsmilebeyonditsmeretransmissionfrom“thefirststock-fatherofgentleness。”，Sheresponded，andfromthatmomenttheladyandtheshepherdladwerefriends，Nowthatarealintroductionhadtakenplacebetweenthem，andinheransweringsmileGibbiehadmettheladyherself，heproceeded，inmostnaturalsequence，withoutthesmallestshynessorsuspicionofrudeness，tomakehimselfacquaintedwiththephenomenapresentingher。Ashewouldhavegazeduponarainbow，tryingperhapstodistinguishtheundistinguishableinthemeetingandpartingofitscolours，onlythatherebehindwastheall-powerfulloveofhisown，hebegantoexaminethelady’sfaceandform，dwellingandcontemplatingwitheyesinnocentasanybaby’s。Thislasted;butdidnotlastlongbeforeitbegantoproduceintheladyacertainuncertainembarrassment，asomethingshedidnotquiteunderstand，thereforecouldnotaccountfor，anddidnotlike。WhyshouldshemindeyessuchasthosemakingacquaintancewithwhatawholecongregationmightseeanySundayatchurch，orforthatmatter，thewholecityonMonday，ifitpleasedtolookuponherasshewalkedshoppinginPearl-street？，Whyindeed？，Yetshebegantogrowrestless，andfeelasifshewantedtoletdownherveil。Shecouldhaverisenandlefttheroom，butshehad“nonotion“ofbeingthusputtoflightbyherbear-cub;shewasashamedthatawomanofherageandexperienceshouldbesofoolish;andbesides，shewantedtocometoanunderstandingwithherselfastowhatherselfmeantbyit。Shedidnotfeelthattheboywasrude;shewasnotangrywithhimaswithonetakingaliberty;yetshedidwishhewouldnotlookatherlikethat;andpresentlyshewasrelieved。
Herhands，whichhadbeenlyingallthetimeinherlap，whiteuponblack，hadatlengthdrawnandfixedGibbie’sattention。Theywereverylady-likehands，long-fingered，andwiththeorthodoxlong-ovalnails，eachwithaquartersegmentofapalerisingmoonattheroot——handsnearlyfaultless，and，Isuspect，consideredbytheirownerentirelysuch——butareallyfaultlesshand，whohaseverseen？——ToGibbie’seyestheyweresuchbeautifulthings，that，afteramomentortwospentinregardingthemacrossthelengthofthehairyhearthrug，hegotup，tookhisfootstool，crossedwithittotheothersideofthefire，setitdownbyMrs。Sclater，andreseatedhimself。Withoutmovingmorethanherfineneck，shelookeddownonhimcuriously，wonderingwhatwouldcomenext;andwhatdidcomenextwas，thathelaidoneofhishandsononeofthosethatlayinthesatinlap;then，struckwiththecontrastbetweenthem，burstoutlaughing。Butheneitherwithdrewhishand，norshowedtheleastshameofthehard，brown，tarry-seamed，strong，thoughrathersmallprehensilemember，withitswornandblackenednails，butletitcalmlyremainoutspread，sidebysidewiththewhite，shapely，spotless，graciousandgracefulthing，adorned，insignofthehonouritpossessedinbeingthehandofMrs。
Sclater，——itwasherfavouritehand，——withahalfhoopoffineblue-greenturkises，andalimpidactivityofmanydiamonds。Shelaughedalso——whocouldhavehelpedit？thatlaughwouldhavesetsilverbellsringinginresponsivesympathy！——andpattedthelumpythingwhich，oddasthefactmightbe，wasalsocalledahand，withshortlittlepeckingpats;shedidnotaltogetherliketouchingsopainfuladegeneracyfromtheideal。Buthisveryevidentadmirationofhers，wentfartoreconcilehertohis，——aswasbutright，seeingaman’sadmirationsgofarthertodenotehimtruly，thanthesortofhandsorfeeteitherhemayhappentohavereceivedfromthisorthatvanishedancestor。Stillshefoundhispresence——morethanhisproximity——discomposing，andwasgladwhenMr。Sclater，who，Iforgottomention，hadlefttheroom，returnedandtookGibbieawaytoshowhimhis，andinstructhimwhatchangeshemustmakeuponhispersoninpreparationfordinner。
WhenMrs。Sclaterwenttobedthatnightshelayawakeagoodwhilethinking，andhermainthoughtwas——whatcouldbethenatureofthepeculiarfeelingwhichthestareoftheboyhadrousedinher？，Norwasitlongbeforeshebegantosuspectthat，unlikeherhandbesidehis，sheshowedtosomekindofdisadvantagebesidetheshepherdlad。Wasitdissatisfactionthenwithherselfthathislookhadwaked？，Shewasawareofnothinginwhichshehadfailedorbeeninthewrongoflate。Sheneverdidanythingtobecalledwrong——byherself，thatis，orindeedbyherneighbours。Shehadneverdoneanythingverywrong，shethought;andanythingwrongshehaddone，wasnowafarawayandsonearlyforgotten，thatitseemedtohaveleftheralmostquiteinnocent;yetthelookofthoseblueeyes，searching，searching，withoutseemingtoknowit，madeherfeelsomethinglikethediscomfortofadreamofexpectedvisitors，withherhousenotquiteinaconditiontoreceivethem。Shemustseetoherhiddenhouse。Shemusttakedust-panandbroomandgoaboutalittle。Fortherearepurificationsinwhichkingandcowboymusteachservehimself。Thethingsthatcomeoutofamanaretheythatdefilehim，andtogetridofthem，amanmustgointohimself，beaconvict，andscrubthefloorofhiscell。Mrs。Sclater’scellwasverytidyandrespectableforacell，butnohumanconsciousnesscanbeclean，untilitlieswideopentotheeternalsun，andtheall-potentwind;until，fromadim-lightedcellaritbecomesamountain-top。
CHAPTERXLI。
INITIATION。
Mrs。Sclater’sfirstpieceofbusinessthefollowingmorningwastotakeGibbietothemostfashionabletailorinthecity，andhavehimmeasuredforsuchclothesasshejudgedsuitableforagentleman’sson。Astheywentthroughthestreets，goingandreturning，thehandsomeladywalkingwiththeyouthinthequeercountry-madeclothes，attractednolittleattention，andmostoftheinhabitantswhosawthem，havingbythistimeheardofthesuddenimportanceoftheiroldacquaintance，weeSirGibbie，andthesearchafterhim，werenotlongindiviningthesecretofthestrangeconjunction。
ButalthoughGibbieseemedasmuchathomewiththehandsomeladyasifshehadbeenhisownmother，andwalkedbyhersidewithastepandairasfreeasthewindfromGlashgar，hefeltanythingbutcomfortableinhisperson。ForhereandthereTammyBreeks’sseamscametooclosetohisskin，andtherearecertainkindsofhardshipwhich，thoughthesuffererbecapableofthepatienceofJob，willyetfret。Gibbiecouldendurecoldorwetorhunger，andsinglikeamavis;hehadbornepainuponoccasionwithatleastcompletesubmission;butthetightarm-holesofhisjacketcouldhardlybesuchadecreeofProvidenceasitwasrebelliontointerferewith;
andthereforeIdonotrelatewhatfollows，asapureoutcomeofthatbenevolenceinhimwhichwasyetequaltothesacrificeofthebestfittingofgarments。AstheywalkedalongPearl-street，thehandsomeststreetofthecity，hedartedsuddenlyfromMrs。
Sclater’sside，andcrossedtotheoppositepavement。Shestoodandlookedafterhimwondering，hithertohehadbrokenoutinnovagaries！，Asheran，worseandworse！hebegantuggingathisjacket，andhadjustsucceededingettingitoffashearrivedattheotherside，intimetostopaladofabouthisownsize，whowaswalkingbare-footedandinhisshirtsleeves——ifshirtorsleevesbeatermapplicabletoanythingvisibleuponhim。Withsomethingoftheairofthetailorwhohadjustbeenwaitinguponhimself，butwithasmuchkindnessandattentionasiftheboyhadbeenDonalGrantinsteadofastranger，heheldthejacketforhimtoputon。
Theladlostnotimeinobeying，gavehimonelookandnodofgratitude，andrandownaflightofstepstoastreetbelow，neverdoubtinghisbenefactoranidiot，anddreadingsomeonetowhomhebelongedwouldbeafterhimpresentlytoreclaimthegift。Mrs。
Sclatersawtheproceedingwithsomeamusementandalittleforeboding。Shedidnotmournthefateofthejacket;haditbeentheoneshehadjustordered，oranythinglikeit，thelosswouldhavebeentohernotinsignificant：butwastheboyaltogetherinhisrightmind？，Sheinherblacksatinontheoppositepavement，andtheladscuddingdownthestairinthejacket，wereofsimilarmindconcerningtheboy，who，inshirtsleevesindubitable，nowcameboundingbackacrossthewidestreet。Hetookhisplacebyhersideasifnothinghadhappened，onlythathewentalongswinginghisarmsasifhehadjustbeendeliveredfrommanacles。Havingforsomanyyearsroamedthestreetswithscarcelyanyclothesatall，hehadnoideaoflookingpeculiar，andthoughtnothingmoreofthematter。
ButMrs。Sclatersoonbegantofindthateveninregardtosocialexternals，shecouldneverhavehadareadierpupil。Hewatchedhersoclosely，andwithsuchanappreciationofthedifferenceinthingsofthekindbetweenherandherhusband，thatforashortperiodhewasindangeroffallingintohabitsofmovementandmanipulationtoodaintyforaman，afaulthappilynonethelessobjectionableintheeyesofhisinstructress，thatshe，onherownpart，carriedthefemininealittlebeyondthelimitsofthenatural。Butherealsoshefoundhimsoreadilysetright，thatsheimaginedshewasgoingtodoanythingwithhimshepleased，andwasnotalittleproudofherconquest，andthepowershehadovertheyoungsavage。ShehadyettodiscoverthatGibbiehadhisownideastoo，thatitwasthegeneralnobleteachablenessandaffectionofhisnaturethathadbroughtaboutsospeedyanunderstandingbetweenthemineverythingwhereinhesawshecouldshowhimthebetterway，butthatnowhereelsewouldhefeelboundorinclinedtofollowherinjunctions。Muchandstronglyashewasdrawntoherbyherladyhood，andthesenseshegavehimofrefinementandfamiliaritywiththeniceties，hehadnofeelingthatshehadauthorityoverhim。Soneglectedinhischildhood，soabsolutelytrustedbythecottagers，whohadneverfoundinhimtheslightestoccasionfortheexerciseofauthority，hehadnotanideaofowingobediencetoanybuttheOne。Giftedfromthefirstwithaheartofdevotion，thewilloftheMastersetthewilloftheboyuponthethroneofservice，andwhathehaddonefrominclinationhewasnowcapableofdoingagainstit，andwouldmostassuredlydoagainstitifeveroccasionshouldarise：whatotherobediencewasnecessarytohisperfection？，ForhisfatherandmotherandDonalhehadreverence——profoundandtender，andfornooneelseasyetamongmen;butatthesametimesomethingfarbeyondrespectforeveryhumanshapeandshow。Hewouldnot，couldnotmakeanyofthesocialdistinctionswhichtoMr。andMrs。Sclaterseemedtobelongtoexistenceitself，andtheirrecognitionessentialtothelivingoftheirlives;whenceitnaturallyresultedthatuponoccasionheseemedtothemdevoidofthefirstrudimentsofbreeding，withoutrespectoranynotionofsubordination。
Mr。Sclaterwasconscientiousinhistreatmentofhim。Theverydayfollowingthatoftheirarrival，hesettoworkwithhim。Hehadbeenatutor，wasagoodscholar，andasensibleteacher，andsoondiscoveredhowtomakethemostofGibbie’sfacilityinwriting。HewasalreadypossessedofalittleLatin，andafterhavingforsometimeaccustomedhimtotranslatefromeachlanguageintotheother，theministerbegantothinkitmightbeofadvantagetolearningingeneral，ifatleasthalftheboysandgirlsatschool，andthreepartsofeverySundaycongregation，wereasdumbasSirGilbertGalbraith。WhenatlengthhesethimtoGreek，hewasastonishedattheaviditywithwhichhelearnedit！，Hehadhardlygothimovertupto，{compilersnote：spelledinGreek：Tau，Upsilonwithstress，Pi，Tau，Omega}whenhefoundhimonedaysointentupontheGreekTestament，that，exceptionallykeenofhearingashewas，hewasquiteunawarethatanyonehadenteredtheroom。
WhatGibbiemadeofMr。Sclater’sprayers，eitherincongregationalorfamilydevotion，Iamatsomelosstoimagine。BesidehismemoriesofthedirectfervidoutpouringandappealofJanet，inwhichsheseemedtotalkfacetofacewithGod，theymusthaveseemedtohimliketheutterancesofsomecuriouslyconstructedwoodenautomaton，doingitsbesttopray，withoutanysoultobesaved，anyweaknesstobemadestrong，anydoubttobecleared，anyhungertobefilled。Whatcanbelesslikereligionthantheprayersofamanwhosereligionishisprofession，andwho，ifhewerenot“inthechurch，“wouldprobablyneverprayatall？，Gibbie，however，beingthereverseofcritical，must，Icanhardlydoubt，haveseeninthemagooddealmorethanwasthere——apitifulfacultytothemanwhocultivatesthatofseeingineverythinglessthanisthere。
ToMrs。Sclater，itwasatfirstratherdepressing，andforatimegrewmoreandmorepainful，tohavealivesilencebyherside。Butwhenshecameintorapportwiththenaturalutteranceoftheboy，hispresencegrewmorelikeaconstantspeech，andthatwhichwasbestinherwasnotunfrequentlyabletosayfortheboywhathewouldhavesaidcouldhehavespoken：thenoblerpartofhernaturewasinsecretalliancewiththethoughtsandfeelingsofGibbie。
Butthisrelationbetweenthem，thoughperceptible，didnotbecomeatallplaintoheruntilaftershehadestablishedmoredefinitemeansofcommunication。Gibbie，forhispart，fulloftheholysimplicitiesofthecottage，hadagoodmanythingstomeetwhichdisappointed，perplexed，andshockedhim。Middlinggoodpeopleareshockedatthewickednessofthewicked;Gibbie，whoknewbothsowell，andwhatoughttobeexpected，wasshockedonlyatthewickednessoftherighteous。HenevercamequitetounderstandMr。
Sclater：theinconsistentnevercanbeunderstood。Thatonlywhichhasabsolutereasoninitcanbeunderstoodofman。Thereisabewildermentabouttheverynatureofevilwhichonlyhewhomadeuscapableofevilthatwemightbegood，cancomprehend。
CHAPTERXLII。
DONAL’SLODGING。
DonalhadnotaccompaniedMr。Sclaterandhisward，ashegenerallystyledhim，tothecity，butcontinuedattheMainsuntilanotherherd-boyshouldbefoundtotakehisplace。Allweresorrytopartwithhim，butnoonedesiredtostandinthewayofhisgoodfortunebyclaiminghisservicetotheendofhishalf-year。ItwasaboutafortnightafterGibbie’sdeparturewhenhefoundhimselffree。HislastnighthespentwithhisparentsonGlashgar，andthenextmorningsetoutinthemoonlighttojointhecoach，withsomecakesandabitoffreshbuttertiedupinacottonhandkerchief。Heweptatleavingthem，norwastoomuchexcitedwiththeprospectbeforehimtolayuphismother’spartingwordsinhisheart。Foritisnoteverysonthatwillnotlearnofhismother。HewhowillnotgoestotheschoolofGideon。ThoselastwordsofJanettoherDonalwere，“Noo，min’yernoawin’lestrae(astrawdriedonitsroot)，butagrowin’stalk’atmaunluiktill’tscorn。”
Whenhereachedthespotappointed，therealreadywasthecartfromtheMains，withhiskistcontainingallhisearthlypossessions。
Theydidnothalffillit，andwouldhavetumbledaboutinthegreatchest，hadnotthebountyofMistressJeancomplementeditsspacewithprovision——acheese，abagofoatmeal，someoatcakes，andapoundortwoofthebestbutterintheworld;fornowthathewasleavingthem，aherd-boynomore，butacolliginer，andgoingtobeagentleman，itwasrighttobeliberal。Thebox，whoseponderositywasunintelligibletoitsowner，havingbeenhoisted，amidthesmilesofthepassengers，tothemidregionoftheroofofthecoach，Donalclamberedafterit，andtook，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hisplacebehindfourhorses——togosoftlyrushingthroughtheairtowardsendlessliberty。Itwastotheyoungpoetanhourofgloriousbirth——inwhichthereseemednothingtoostrange，nothingbutwhatshouldhavecome。Ifancy，whentheydie，manywillfindthemselvesmoreathomethanevertheywereinthisworld。ButDonalisnotthesubjectofmystory，andImustnotspenduponhim。
Iwillonlysaythathisfeelingsonthisgrandoccasionwerethelesssatisfactorytohimself，that，notbeingpoetmerely，butphilosopheraswell，hesoughttounderstandthem：themerepoet，theman-bird，wouldhavebeencontentwiththeminthemselves。Butifhewhoisbothdoesnotriseabovebothbylearningobedience，hewillhaveafinetimeofitbetweenthem。
Thestreetsofthecityatlengthreceivedthemwithnoiseandecho。
Atthecoach-officeMr。Sclaterstoodwaiting，welcomedhimwithdignityratherthankindness，hiredaporterwithhistruckwhomhetoldwheretotakethechest，saidSirGilbertwoulddoubtlesscallonhimthenextday，andlefthimwiththeporter。
Itwasacoldafternoon，theairhalfmist，halftwilight。Donalfollowedtherattling，bumpingtruckoverthestones，walkingclosebehindit，almostinthegutter。Theymadeoneturning，wentalongwaythroughthenarrow，sometimescrowded，Widdiehill，andstopped。
Themanopenedadoor，returnedtothetruck，andbegantopulltheboxfromit。Donalgavehimeffectiveassistance，andtheyenteredwithitbetweenthem。Therewasjustlightenoughfromatallowcandlewithawicklikeared-hotmushroom，toseethattheywereinwhatappearedtoDonalahouseinmostappallingdisorder，butwasinfactafurnitureshop。Theporterledthewayupadarkstair，andDonalfollowedwithhisendofthetrunk。Atthetopwasalargeroom，intowhichthelastofthedayglimmeredthroughwindowscoveredwiththesmokeanddustofyears，showingthisalsofulloffurniture，chieflyold。Alanethroughthefurnitureledalongtheroomtoadoorattheotherend。ToDonal’seyesitlookedadrearyplace;butwhentheporteropenedtheotherdoor，hesawaneatlittleroomwithacurtainedbed，acarpetedfloor，afireburninginthegrate，akettleonthehob，andthetablelaidfortea：thiswaslikeabitofapalace，forhehadneverinhislifeevenlookedintosuchachamber。Theportersetdownhisendofthechest，said“Guidnichttoye，“andwalkedout，leavingthedooropen。
Knowingnothingabouttownsandthewaysofthem，Donalwasyetalittlesurprisedthattherewasnobodytoreceivehim。Heapproachedthefire，andsatdowntowarmhimself，takingcarenottosethishobnailedshoesonthegrandeurofthelittlehearthrug。
Afewmomentsandhewasstartledbyaslightnoise，asofsuppressedlaughter。Hejumpedup。Oneofthecurtainsofhisbedwasstrangelyagitated。OutleapedGibbiefrombehindit，andthrewhisarmsabouthim。
“Eh，cratur！yegaemesicafleg！”saidDonal。“But，losh！theyhaemadeagentlemano’yea’ready！”headded，holdinghimatarmslength，andregardinghimwithwonderandadmiration。
AnotablechangehadindeedpasseduponGibbie，mereexternalsconsidered，inthatfortnight。Hewascertainlynotsopicturesqueasbefore，yetthealterationwasentirelydelightfultoDonal。
Perhapshefeltitgaveagoodhopeforthefutureofhisownperson。Mrs。Sclaterhadhadhishaircut;hisshirtwasofthewhitestoflinen，hisnecktieoftherichestofblacksilk，hisclotheswereofthenewestcutandbestpossiblefit，andhisbootsperfect：theresultwasaltogethereventohersatisfaction。Inonethingonlywasshefoiled：shecouldnotgethimtoweargloves。Hehadputonapair，butfoundthemsomiserablyuncomfortablethat，inmerrywrath，hepulledthemoffonthewayhome，andthrewthem——“Thebestkid！”exclaimedMrs。Sclater——overthePearlBridge。
Prudentlyfearfulofover-strainingherinfluence，sheyieldedforthepresent，andlethimgowithout。
Mr。SclateralsohadhithertoexercisedprudenceinhisdemandsuponGibbie——notthathedesiredanythinglessthanunlimitedauthoritywithhim，but，knowingitwouldbehardtoenforce，hesoughttoestablishitbyagradualtighteningoftherein，aslowencroachmentoflawupontherealmsofdisorderedlicense。Hehadneveryetrefusedtodoanythingherequiredofhim，hadexecutedentirelythetaskshesethim，wasmorethanrespectful，andalwaysready;yetsomehowMr。Sclatercouldneverfeelthattheladwasexactlyobeyinghim。Hethoughtitover，butcouldnotunderstandit，anddidnotlikeit，forhewasfondofauthority。Gibbieinfactdidwhateverwasrequiredofhimfromhisowndelightinmeetingthewishexpressed，notfromanysenseofdutyorofobligationtoobedience。Theministerhadnoperceptionofwhattheboywas，andbutaverysmallcapacityforappreciatingwhatwasbestinhim，andhadaforebodingsuspicionthatthetimewouldcomewhentheywoulddiffer。
Hehadnottoldhimthathewasgoingtomeetthecoach，butGibbiewasgladtolearnfromMrs。Sclaterthatsuchwashisintention，forhepreferredmeetingDonalathislodging。Hehadrecognizedtheplaceatoncefromtheminister’smentionofittohiswife，havingknowntheshopanditsownersinceeverhecouldrememberhimself。
HeloiterednearuntilhesawDonalarrive，thencreptafterhimandtheporterupthestair，andwhenDonalsatdownbythefire，gotintotheroomandbehindthecurtain。
Theboyshadthenajollytimeofit。Theymadetheirtea，forwhicheverythingwaspresent，andateasboysknowhow，Donalenjoyingtherarityofthewhitebreadofthecity，Gibbie，whohadnottastedoatmealsincehecame，devouring“mother’scakes。”，Whentheyhaddone，Gibbie，whohad，learnedmuchsincehecame，lookedabouttheroomtillhefoundabell-rope，andpulledit，whereupontheoddest-lookingoldwoman，notahairalteredfromwhatGibbierememberedher，entered，and，withfriendlychatter，proceededtoremovethetray。Suddenlysomethingarrestedher，andshebegantoregardGibbiewithcuriouslooks;inamomentshewassureofhim，andatorrentofexclamationsandreminiscencesandappealsfollowed，whichlasted，thetwoladsnowlaughing，nowallbutcryingfornearlyanhour，while，allthetime，theoldwomankeptdoingandundoingaboutthehearthandtheteatable。Donalaskedmanyquestionsabouthisfriend，andsheansweredfreely，exceptasoftenasoneapproachedhisfamily，whenshewouldfallsilent，andbustleaboutasifshehadnotheard。ThenGibbiewouldlookthoughtfulandstrangeandalittlesad，andafar-awaygazewouldcomeintohiseyes，asifheweresearchingforhisfatherintheotherworld。
Whenthegoodwomanatlengthleftthem，theyuncordedDonal’skist，discoveredthecauseofitsportentousweight，tookouteverything，puttheprovisionsinacupboard，arrangedthefewbooks，andthensatdownbythefirefor“aread“together。
Thehoursslippedaway;itwasnight;andstilltheysatandread。
Itmusthavebeenafterteno’clockwhentheyheardfootstepscomingthroughtheadjoiningroom;thedooropenedswiftly;inwalkedMr。Sclater，andcloseditbehindhim。Hislookwasangry——severeenoughforboyscaughtcard-playing，ordrinking，orreadingsomethingthatwasnotdivinityonaSunday。Gibbiehadabsentedhimselfwithoutpermission，hadstayedawayforhours，hadnotreturnedevenwhenthehourofworshiparrived;andtheseweresinsagainsttherespectabilityofhishousewhichnoministerlikeMr。Sclatercouldpassby。Itmatterednothingwhattheyweredoing！itwasallonewhenitgottomidnight！thenitbecamerevelling，andwassinfulanddangerous，vulgarandungentlemanly，givingtheworstpossibleexampletothosebeneaththem！，Whatcouldtheirlandladythink？——theveryfirstnight？——andalodgerwhomhehadrecommended？，SuchwasthesortofthingwithwhichMr。Sclateroverwhelmedthetwoboys。Donalwouldhavepleadedinjustification，oratleastexcuse，buthesilencedhimperemptorily。
IsuspecttherehadbeensomedifferencebetweenMrs。Sclaterandhimjustbeforeheleft：howotherwisecouldhehavesoentirelyforgottenhiswiseresolvesanentGibbie’sgradualsubjugation？
Whenfirstheentered，Gibbierosewithhisusualsmileofgreeting，andgothimachair。Buthewavedasidetheattentionwithindignantindifference，andwentonwithhisfoolishreproof——unworthyofrecordexceptforGibbie’sfollowingbehaviour。
Beatendownbythesuddennessofthestorm，Donalhadneverrisenfromhischair，butsatgloweringintothefire。Hewasannoyed，vexed，half-ashamed;withthatreadinessofthepoeticnaturetofititselftoanyposition，especiallyonesuggestedbyanunjustjudgment，hefelt，withtheworthyparsonthusstormingathim，almostasifguiltyineverythinglaidtotheirjointcharge。
Gibbieonhisfeetlookedtheministerstraightintheface。Hissmileofwelcome，whichhadsuddenlymingleditselfwithbewilderment，graduallyfadedintooneofconcern，thenofpity，andbydegreesdiedawayaltogether，leavinginitsplacealookofquestion。Moreandmoresettledhiscountenancegrew，whileallthetimehenevertookhiseyesoffMr。Sclater’s，untilitsexpressionatlengthwasthatofpitifulunconsciousreproof，mingledwithsympatheticshame。Hehadnevermetanythinglikethisbefore。
Nothinglowlikethis——forallinjustice，andespeciallyallthatsortofthingwhichJanetcalled“dingin’themoteswi’thebeam，“
iseternallylow——hadGibbieseenintheholytempleofGlashgar！
Hehadnowayofunderstandingorinterpretingitsavebycallingtohisaidthesadknowledgeofevil，gatheredinhisearliestyears。ExceptinthelairdandFergusandthegamekeeper，hehadnot，sincefleeingfromLuckyCroale’shouff，seenatraceofunreasonableangerinanyoneheknew。RobertorJanethadneverscoldedhim。Hemightgoandcomeashepleased。Thenightwassacredasthedayinthatdearhouse。Hisfather，evenwhenmostovercomebythewickedthing，hadneverscoldedhim！
Theboysremainingabsolutelysilent，theministerhaditallhisownway。Butbeforehehadbeguntodrawtoaclose，acrosstheblindingmistsofhisfog-breedingwrathhebegantobeawareoftheshiningoftwoheavenlylights，theeyes，namely，ofthedumbboyfixeduponhim。Theyjarredhimalittleinhisonwardcourse;theyshookhimasifwithadoubt;thefeelingundefinedslowlygrewtoanotion，firstobscure，thenplain：theywereeyesofreproofthatwerefasteneduponhis！，Atthefirstsuspicion，hisangerflaredupmorefiercethanever;butitwasaflareofadoomedflame;slowlytherebuketold，wastelling;theself-satisfiedin-the-rightness——averydifferentthingfromrighteousness——ofthemanwassinkingbeforetheinnocentdifferenceoftheboy;hebegantofeelawkward，hehesitated，heceased：forthemomentGibbie，unconsciously，hadconquered;withoutknowingit，hewasthesuperiorofthetwo，andMr。Sclaterhadbeguntolearnthathecouldneverexerciseauthorityoverhim。Butthewordly-wisemanwillnotseemtobedefeatedevenwhereheknowsheis。Ifhedogivein，hewillmakeitlookasifitcameofthepropermotionofhisowngoodness。
Afteraslightpause，theministerspokeagain，butwiththechangedtoneofonewhohashadanapologymadetohim，whoseangerisappeased，andwhothereforeactstheNeptuneoverthebillowsofhisownsea。Thatwasthewayhewouldslideoutofit。
“DonalGrant，“hesaid，“youhadbettergotobedatonce，andgetfitforyourworkto-morrow。Iwillgowithyoutocallupontheprincipal。TakecareyouarenotoutofthewaywhenIcomeforyou——Getyourcap，SirGilbert，andcome。Mrs。SclaterwasalreadyveryuneasyaboutyouwhenIlefther。”
GibbietookfromhispocketthelittleivorytabletsMrs。Sclaterhadgivenhim，wrotethefollowingwords，andhandedthemtotheminister：
“Dearsir，IamgoingtoslepethisnightwithDonal。Thebedisbiggenuffor2。Goodnight，sir。”
Foramomenttheminister’swrathseethedagain。Likeavolcano，however，thathassentoutapuffofsteam，butholdsbackitslava，hethoughtbetterofit：herewasachanceofretiringwithgrace——inwell-conductedretreat，insteadofheadlongrout。
“Thenbesureyouarehomebylesson-time，“hesaid。“Donalcancomewithyou。Goodnight。Mindyoudon’tkeepeachotherawake。”
Donalsaid“Goodnight，sir，“andGibbiegavehimaseriousandrespectfulnod。Helefttheroom，andtheboysturnedandlookedateachother。Donal’scountenanceexpressedanindignantsenseofwrong，butGibbie’srevealedamoreprofoundconcern。Hestoodmotionless，intentontherecedingstepsoftheminister。Themomentthesoundofthemceased，hedartedsoundlessafterhim。
Donal，whofromMr。Sclater’sreplyhadunderstoodwhatGibbiehadwritten，wasastonished，andstartingtohisfeetfollowedhim。Bythetimehereachedthedoor，Gibbiewaspastthesecondlamp，hisshadowdescribingahugehalf-circlearoundhim，ashestolefromlamptolampaftertheminister，keepingalwaysalamp-poststillbetweenthem。Whentheministerturnedacorner，Gibbiemadeasoundlessdarttoit，andpeepedround，lingeredamomentlooking，thenfollowedagain。OnandonwentMr。Sclater，andonandonwentGibbie，carefulconstantlynottobeseenbyhim;andonandonwentDonal，carefultobeseenofneither。Theywentalongwayashethought，fortothecountryboydistancebetweenhousesseemedmuchgreaterthanbetweendykesorhedges。Atlasttheministerwentupthestepsofahandsomehouse，tookakeyfromhispocket，andopenedthedoor。Fromsomeimpulseorother，ashesteppedin，heturnedsharpround，andsawGibbie。
“Comein，“hesaid，inaloudauthoritativetone，probablytakingtheboy’sappearancefortheeffectofrepentanceandadesiretoreturntohisownbed。
Gibbieliftedhiscap，andwalkedquietlyontowardstheotherendofDaur-street。Donaldarednotfollow，forMr。Sclaterstoodbetween，lookingout。Presentlyhoweverthedoorshutwithagreatbang，andDonalwasafterGibbielikeahound。ButGibbiehadturnedacorner，andwasgonefromhissight。Donalturnedacornertoo，butitwasawrongcorner。ConcludingthatGibbiehadturnedanothercorneraheadofhim，heranonandon，inthevanishinghopeofcatchingsightofhimagain;buthewassoonsatisfiedhehadlosthim，——norhimonly，buthimselfaswell，forhehadnotthesmallestideahowtoreturn，evenasfarastheminister’shouse。
Itrenderedthematterconsiderablyworsethat，havingneverheardthenameofthestreetwherehelodgedbutonce——whentheministergavedirectiontotheporter，hehadutterlyforgottenit。Sotherehewas，outinthenight，astrayinthestreetsofacityofmanytensofthousands，inwhichhehadnevertillthatdaysetfoot——neverbeforehavingbeeninanylargerabodeofmenthanascatteredvillageofthatchedroofs。Buthewasnottired，andsolongasamanisnottired，hecandowell，eveninpain。Butacityisadrearyplaceatnight，eventoonewhoknowshiswayinit——muchdreariertoonelost——insomerespectsdrearierthanaheath——excepttherebeoldmine-shaftsinit。
“It’sasgiena’thebirdso’acountryhadcreepitintiltheirbiteggsagain，an’thedaywasleftbareo’sang！”saidthepoettohimselfashewalked。Nightamongsthouseswasanewthingtohim。
Nightonthehillsidesandinthefieldsheknewwell;butthiswaslikeaplaceoftombs——whatelse，whenallweredeadforthenight？
Thenightistheworld’sgraveyard，andthecitiesareitscatacombs。Herepeatedtohimselfallhisownfewballads，thenrepeatedthemaloudashewalked，indulgingthefancythathehadalongaudienceoneachsideofhim;buthedroppedintosilencethemomentanynight-wandererappeared。Presentlyhefoundhimselfontheshoreoftheriver，andtriedtogettotheedgeofthewater;
butitwaslowtide，thelampsdidnotthrowmuchlightsofar，themoonwasclouded，hegotamonglogsandmud，andregainedthestreetbemired，andbeginningtofeelweary。Hewassayingtohimselfwhateverwashetodoallthenightlong，whenroundacorneralittlewayoffcameawoman。Itwasnouseaskingcounselofher，however，orofanyone，hethought，solongashedidnotknoweventhenameofthestreethewanted——astreetwhichashewalkedalongithadseemedinterminable。Thewomandrewnear。Shewasrathertall，erectintheback，butbowedintheshoulders，withfierceblackeyes，whichwereallthathecouldseeofherface，forshehadalittletartanshawloverherhead，whichsheheldtogetherwithonehand，whileintheothershecarriedabasket。Butthoseeyeswereenoughtomakehimfancyhemusthaveseenherbefore。Theywerejustpassingeachother，underalamp，whenshelookedhardathim，andstopped。
“Man，“shesaid，“Ihaesete’enupo’yourfaceafore！”
“Gienthatbethecase，“answeredDonal，“yesete’enupo’’tagain。”
“Whaurcomeyefrae？”sheasked。
“That’swhatIwadfainspeirmysel’，“hereplied。“But，wuman，“hewenton，“IfancyIhaesete’enupo’youre’enafore——Icannaweelsayforyerface。Whaurcomeyefrae？”
“Kenyeaplacetheyca’——Daurside？”sherejoined。
“Daurside’sageylangplace，“answeredDonal;“an’thismaunbeabootthetaeen’o’’t，I’mthinkin’。”
“Ye’renofarwrangthere，“shereturned;“an’yehaeageyglegtonguei’yerheidforalaadfraeDaurside。”
“Ineverh’ard’attongueswarcuttitshortertherenorithergaits，“saidDonal;“butIdidnameanyeonyoffence。”
“There’snaneta’en，norliketobe，“answeredthewoman——“Kenyeaplacetheyca’Mainso’Glashruach？”
Asshespokesheletgohershawl，anditopenedfromherfaceliketwocurtains。
“Lord！it’sthewitch-wife！”criedDonal，retreatingapaceinhisastonishment。
Thewomanburstintoagreatlaugh，ahard，unmusical，butnotunmirthfullaugh。
“Ay！”shesaid，“wasthathoothefowkwadhae’to’me？”
“Itwasnamucklewon’er，efteryecamwydin’throu’watteryairdsdeep，an’synegaeddoonthespateonabran’er。”
“Weel，itwasthemaddestthing！”shereturned，withanotherlaughwhichstoppedabruptly。“——Iwadnadeethelikeagaintosavemylife。ButtheMichtycairriedmethrou’——An’hoo’sweeSirGibbie？——Comein——Idinnakenyername——butwe’rejistatthedooro’mybitgarret。Comequaietupthestair，an’tellmea’abootit。”
“Weel，Iwadnabesorrytoristabit，forIhaetintmysela’thegither，an’I’msometiret，“answeredDonal。“IbutlefttheMainsthestreen。”
“Comeinan’walcome;anwhanye’reristit，an’I’mrido’mybasket，I’llsunepityei’thegaito’hame。”
Donalwastootired，andtoogladtobeoncemoreinthecompanyofahumanbeing，topursuefurtherexplanationatpresent。Hefollowedher，asquietlyashecould，upthedarkstair。Whenshestruckalight，hesawalittlegarret-room——betterthandecentlyfurnished，itseemedtotheyouthfromthehills，thoughhismotherwouldhavethoughtitfarfromtidy。Themomentthewomangotacandlelighted，shewenttoacupboard，andbroughtthenceabottleandaglass。WhenDonaldeclinedthewhiskyshepouredout，sheseemeddisappointed，andsettingdowntheglass，letitstand。Butwhenshehadseatedherself，andbeguntorelateheradventuresinquestofGibbie，shedrewittowardsher，andsippedasshetalked。
Somedayshewouldtellhim，shesaid，thewholestoryofhervoyageonthebrander，whichwouldmakehimlaugh;itmadeherlaugh，evennow，whenitcamebacktoherinherbedatnight，thoughshewasfarenoughfromlaughingatthetime。ThenshetoldhimagreatdealaboutGibbieandhisfather。
“An’noo，“remarkedDonal，“he’llbethinkin’’ta’oweragain，asherinsabootthetoonthisverrameenute，luikin’forme！”
“Dinnayetribleyersel’aboothim，“saidthewoman。“Hekensthetoonasweel’sonyrottankensthedrainso’’t——Butwhaurdivyepitup？”sheadded，“forit’stimedacentfowkwasgauin’totheirbeds。”
Donalexplainnedthatheknewneitherthenameofthestreetnorofthepeoplewherehewaslodging。
“Tellmethisorthat——something——onythingabootthehooseorthefowk，orwhatthey’relike，an’itmaybe’atI’llkenthem，“shesaid。
Butscarcelyhadhebegunhisdescriptionofthehousewhenshecried，“Hoot，man！it’satLuckyMurkison’syeare，i’theWuddiehill。
Comeawa’，an’Is’takyehameinajiffey。”
Sosaying，sherose，tookthecandle，showedhimdownthestair，andfollowed。
Itwaspastmidnight，andthemoonwasdown，butthestreet-lampswerenotyetextinguished，andtheywalkedalongwithoutanythingtointerrupttheirconversation——chieflyaboutSirGibbieandSirGeorge。ButperhapsifDonalhadknownthecauseofGibbie’sescapefromthecity，andthatthedreadthinghadtakenplaceinthiswoman’shouse，hewouldnothavewalkedquitesoclosetoher。
PoorMistressCroale，however，hadbeennowisetoblameforthat，andtheshockitgaveherhadevendonesomethingtochecktherateofherdownhillprogress。Itlethersee，withalightningflashfromthepit，howwidetherentnowyawnedbetweenherandherformerrespectability。Shecontinued，asweknow，todrinkwhisky，andwasnotunfrequentlyovercomebyit;butinherfollowinglifeaspeddler，shemeasuredhermadnessmore;and，muchintheopenairandwalkingagreatdeal，withabasketsometimesheavy，herindulgencedidherlessphysicalharm;hertemperrecoveredalittle，sheregainedaportionofherself-command;andatthecloseofthoseyearsofwandering，shewaslessofaruin，bothmentallyandspiritually，thanattheircommencement。
WhenshereceivedherhundredpoundsforthefindingofSirGibbie，sherentedalittleshopinthegalleryofthemarket，whereshesoldsuchthingsasshehadcarriedaboutthecountry，addingtoherstock，uponthelikelihoodofdemand，withoutrespecttounityeitherconventionalorreal，inthecharacterofthewaressheassociated。Theinterestandrespectabilityofthisnewstartinlife，madealittlefreshoppositiontotheinroadsofherbesettingsin;sothatnowshedidnotconsumeasmuchwhiskyinthreedaysasshedidinonewhenshehadherhouffontheshore。Somepeopleseemtohavebeendrinkingalltheirlives，ofnecessitygettingmoreandmoreintothepoweroftheenemy，butwithoutsuccumbingatarapidrate，havingeventheirtimesofupliftingandbetterment。
MistressCroale’scomplexionwasalittleclearer;hereyeswerelessfierce;herexpressionwasmorecomposed;someofthewomenwholikeherhadshopsinthemarket，hadgrownalittlefriendlywithher;and，whichwasofmorevaluablesignificance，shehadcometobenotalittleregardedbythepoorwomenofthelowerpartsbehindthemarket，whowereinthewayofdealingwithher。Forthemomentacustomerofthisclass，andshehadbutfewofanyother，appearedathershop，orcoveredstall，rather，sheseemedinspirittogooutsidethecounterandbuywithher，givingherthebestcounselshehad，nowadvisingthecheaper，nowthedeareroftwoarticles;
whilenowandthenonecouldtellofhavingbeensentbyhertoanothershop，where，intheparticularcase，shecoulddobetter。A
loveofaffairs，nodoubt，boreapartinthispeculiarity，butthereisallthedifferencebetweenthetwowaysofembodyingactivity——toone’sownadvantageonly，and——totheadvantageofone’sneighbouraswell。Formypart，ifIknewawomanbehavedtoherneighboursasMistressCroaledidtohers，wereshetheworstofdrunkardsinbetween，Icouldnothelpbothrespectingandlovingher。Alasthatsuchvirtueissoportentouslyscarce！，Therearesomanythataresoberforonethatishonest！，Deeparethedepthsofsocialdegradationtowhichtheclean，purifyinglightyetreaches，andloftyaretheheightsofsocialhonourwhereyetthelightisnothingbutdarkness。AnythoughtfulpersonwhoknewMistressCroale’shistory，wouldhavefearedmuchforher，andhopedalittle：herso-calledfatewasstillundecided。Inthemeantimeshemadealiving，didnotgetintodebt，spentaninordinateportionofherprofitsindrink，buthadregainedandwaskeepingupakindandmeasureofrespectability。
BeforetheyreachedtheWiddiehill，Donal，withtheopenheartofthepoet，wasfulloffriendlinesstoher，andrejoicedinthemischancethathadledhimtomakeheracquaintance。
“Yeken，ofcoorse，“hehappenedtosay，“’atGibbie’swi’MaisterSclater？”
“Weeleneuch，“sheanswered。“Ihaeseenhimtee;buthe’sagran’
gentlemangrown，an’Iwadnaliketobeaffrontitlayin’claimtill’sacquaintance，——walcomeasheancewastomyhoose！”
ShehadmorereasonforthedoubtandhesitationshethusexpressedthanDonalknew。Buthisanswerwasnonethelessthetrueoneasregardedhisfriend。
“YelittlekenGibbie，“hesaid“gienyethinkthatgaito’’im！
Gangyetotheminister’sdoorandspeirfor’im！，He’llbedoonthestairlikeashot——But’deedmaybehe’scomeback，an’’si’mychaumerthenoo！，Ye’llcomeupthestairan’see？”
“Na，Iwunnadeethat，“saidMistressCroale，whodidnotwishtofaceMistressMurkison，wellknowntoherinthedaysofhercomparativeprosperity。
Shepointedoutthedoortohim，butherselfstoodontheothersideofthewaytillshesawitopenedbyheroldfriendinhernight-cap，andheardhermakejubileeoverhisreturn。
Gibbiehadcomehomeandgoneoutagaintolookforhim，shesaid。
“Weel，“remarkedDonal，“therewadbesma’guidinmygaein’toluikforhim。Itwadbebutthesheepgaein’toluikfortheshepherd。”
“Ye’rerichtthere，“saidhislandlady。“Atintbairnsudayesitdoonan’sitstill。”
“Weel，yegangtillyerbed，mem，“returnedDonal。“Latmeseehooyerdoorworks，an’I’lllathiminwhanhecomes。”
Gibbiecamewithinanhour，andallwaswell。Theymadetheircommunication，ofwhichDonal’swasfarthemoreinteresting，hadtheirlaughovertheaffair，andwenttobed。
CHAPTERXLIII。
THEMINISTER’SDEFEAT。
Theminister’swrath，whenhefoundhehadbeenfollowedhomebyGibbiewhoyetwouldnotenterthehouse，instantlyroseinredoubledstrength。HewasashamedtoreporttheaffairtoMrs。
Sclaterjustasithadpassed。Hewasbutamarriedoldbachelor，andfanciedhemustkeepuphisdignityintheeyesofhiswife，nothavingyetlearnedthat，ifamanbetrue，hisfriendsandloverswillseetohisdignity。Sohisangerwentonsmoulderingallnightlong，andallthroughhissleep，withoutatouchofcoolassuagement，andinthemorningherosewithhistemperveryfeverish。Duringbreakfasthewasgloomy，butwouldconfesstonoinwardannoyance。Whataddedtohisunrestwas，that，althoughhefeltinsulted，hedidnotknowwhatpreciselythenatureoftheinsultwas。EveninhiswrathhecouldscarcelysetdownGibbie’sfollowingofhimtoagloryingmockeryofhisdefeat。Doubtless，foramanaccustomedtodealwithaffairs，toruleoveraparish——foronewhogenerallyhadhiswayinthekirk-session，andtowhomhiswifeshowedbecomingrespect，itwasscarcelyfittingthattherudebehaviourofanignorantcountrydummyshouldaffecthimsomuch：heoughttohavebeenabovesuchinjury。Buttheladwhomhesoregarded，hadfirstwithhismerelooksloweredhiminhisowneyes，thenshowedhimselfbeyondthereachofhisreproofbycalmlyrefusingtoobeyhim，andthenbecomeunintelligiblebyfollowinghimlikeacreatureoverwhomsurveillancewasneedful！
Themorehethoughtofthislast，themoreinexplicableitseemedtobecome，exceptonthenotionofdeliberateinsult。Andtheworstwas，thathenceforthhecouldexpecttohavenopoweratallovertheboy！，Ifitwaslikethisalready，howwoulditbeinthetimetocome？，If，ontheotherhand，heweretore-establishhisauthorityatthecostofmakingtheboyhatehim，then，themomenthewasofage，hisbehaviourwouldbethatofaliberatedenemy：hewouldgostraighttothedogs，andhismoneywithhim！——Themanofinfluenceandschemedidwelltobeannoyed。
Gibbiemadehisappearanceatteno’clock，andwentstraighttothestudy，whereatthathourtheministerwasalwayswaitinghim。Heenteredwithhisownsmile，bendinghisheadinmorningsalutation。
Theministersaid“Goodmorning，“butgruffly，andwithoutraisinghiseyesfromthelastpublicationoftheSpaldingClub。Gibbieseatedhimselfinhisusualplace，arrangedhisbookandslate，andwasreadytocommence——whentheminister，havingnowsummonedresolution，liftedhishead，fixedhiseyesonhim，andsaidsternly——
“SirGilbert，whatwasyourmeaninginfollowingme，afterrefusingtoaccompanyme？”
Gibbie’sfaceflushed。Mr。Sclaterbelievedhesawhimforthefirsttimeashamedofhimself;hishoperose;hiscouragegrew;heauguredvictoryandare-establishedthrone：hegatheredhimselfupindignity，preparedtooverwhelmhim。ButGibbieshowednohesitation;hetookhisslateinstantly，foundhispencil，wrote，andhandedtheslatetotheminister。Therestoodthesewords：
“Ithougtyouwasdrunnk。”
Mr。Sclaterstartedtohisfeet，thehandwhichheldtheoffendingdocumentuplifted，hiseyesflaming，hischeckswhitewithpassion，andwiththeflatoftheslatecamedownagreatblowonthetopofGibbie’shead。Happilythelatterwastheharderofthetwo，andtheformerbroke，flyingmostlyoutoftheframe。IttookGibbieterriblybysurprise。Half-stunned，hestartedtohisfeet，andforonemomentthewildbeastwhichwasinhim，asitisineverybody，rushedtothefrontofitscage。Itwouldhavegoneillthenwiththeminister，hadnotassuddenachangefollowed;theverysameinstant，itwasasifaninvisibleveil，wovenofgraciousairandodouranddew，haddescendeduponhim;theflameofhiswrathwentout，quenchedutterly;asmileofbenignestcompassionoverspreadhiscountenance;inhisoffenderhesawonlyabrother。ButMr。
Sclatersawnobrotherbeforehim，forwhenGibbierosehedrewbacktobetterhisposition，andsodoingmadeitanawkardoneindeed。
Forithappenedoccasionallythat，thestudybeingawarmroom，Mrs。Sclater，onawinterevening，sattherewithherhusband，whenceitcamethatonthefloorsquattedalowfoot-stool，subjecttonotunfrequentclericalimprecation：whenhesteppedback，hetrodontheedgeofit，stumbled，andfell。Gibbiedartedforward。
Apartoftheminister’sbodyresteduponthestool，anditselevation，madethefirstmovementnecessarytorisingratherdifficult，sothathecouldnotatoncegetoffhisback。
WhatfollowedwasthestrangestactforaScotchboy，butitmustbekeptinmindhowlimitedwerehismeansofexpression。Hejumpedovertheprostrateminister，whothenextmomentseeinghisfacebentoverhimfrombehind，andseized，likethegamekeeper，withsuspicionbornofhisviolence，raisedhishandstodefendhimself，andmadeablowathim。Gibbieavoidedit，laidholdofhisarmsinsideeachelbow，clampedthemtothefloor，kissedhimonforeheadandcheek，andbegantohelphimuplikeachild。
Havingregainedhislegs，theministerstoodforamoment，confusedandhalf-blinded。ThefirstthinghesawwasadropofbloodstealingdownGibbie’sforehead。Hewasshockedatwhathehaddone。Intruthhehadbeenfrightfullyprovoked，butitwasnotforaclergymansotoavengeaninsult，andasmerechastisementitwasbrutal。WhatwouldMrs。Sclatersaytoit？，Therascalwassuretomakehiscomplainttoher！，Andtheretoowashisfriend，theherd-lad，inthedrawing-roomwithher！
“Goandwashyourface，“hesaid，“andcomebackagaindirectly。”
Gibbieputhishandtohisface，andfeelingsomethingwet，looked，andburstintoamerrylaugh。
“IamsorryIhavehurtyou，“saidtheminister，notalittlerelievedatthesound;“buthowdaredyouwritesucha——suchaninsolence？，Aclergymannevergetsdrunk。”
Gibbiepickeduptheframewhichtheministerhaddroppedinhisfall：apieceoftheslatewasstillstickinginoneside，andhewroteuponit：
Iwillknobetterthenexttime。Ithoutitwasalwaiswhiskythatmadepeeplelikethat。Ibeggyourpardon，sir。
Hehandedhimthefragment，rantohisownroom，returnedpresently，lookingallright，andwhenMr。Sclaterwouldhaveattendedtohiswound，wouldnotlethimevenlookatit，laughingattheidea。
Stillfurtherrelievedtofindtherewasnothingtoattractobservationtotheinjury，andyetmoreashamedofhimself，theministermadehastetotherefugeoftheirwork;butitdidnotrequirethegleamofthepapersubstitutedfortheslate，tokeephimthatmorninginremembranceofwhathehaddone;indeedithoveredabouthimlongafterthegrayofthenewslatehadpassedintoadarkblue。
>Fromthattime，afterluncheon，whichfollowedimmediatelyuponlessons，Gibbiewentandcameashepleased。Mrs。Sclaterbeggedhewouldneverbeoutafterteno’clockwithouthavingletthemknowthathemeanttostayallnightwithhisfriend：notoncedidheneglectthisrequest，andtheysooncametohaveperfectconfidencenotonlyinanyindividualpromisehemightmake，butinhisgeneralpunctuality。Mrs。Sclaternevercametoknowanythingofhiswoundedhead，anditgavetheministerasharpstingofcompunction，aswellasincreasedhissenseofmoralinferiority，whenhesawthatforafortnightorsohenevertookhisfavouriteplaceatherfeet，evidentlythatsheshouldnotlookdownonhishead。
Thesameeveningtheyhadfriendstodinner。AlreadyGibbiewassofarcivilized，astheycalledit，thathemighthavesatatanydining-tablewithoutattractingtheleastattention，butthateveningheattractedagreatdeal。Forhecouldscarcelyeathisowndinnerforwatchingtheneedsofthoseatthetablewithhim，readytospringfromhischairandsupplytheleastlack。Thisbehaviournaturallyharassedthehostess，andatlast，upononeofthoseoccasions，theservantshappeningtobeoutoftheroom，shecalledhimtoherside，andsaid，“Youwerequiterighttodothatnow，Gilbert，butpleaseneverdosuchathingwhentheservantsareintheroom。Itconfusesthem，andmakesusalluncomfortable。”
Gibbieheardwithobedientear，buttookthewordsascontainingexpresspermissiontowaituponthecompanyintheabsenceofotherministration。Whenthereforetheservantsfinallydisappeared，aswasthecustomthereinsmallhouseholds，immediatelyafterplacingthedessert，Gibbiegotup，and，muchtotheamusementoftheguests，waitedonthemasquiteamatterofcourse。Buttheywouldhavewonderedcouldtheyhavelookedintotheheartoftheboy，andbeheldthespiritinwhichthethingwasdone，thesoilinwhichwashidtherootoftheservice;fortohimthewholethingwassacredasanaltar-ritetothepriestwhoministers。Roundandroundthetable，deftandnoiseless，hewent，altogetherawareofthepleasureofthething，notatallofitsoddity——which，however，hadheunderstooditperfectly，hewouldnotintheleasthaveminded。
Allthismay，bothinGibbieandthenarrative，seemtrifling，butI
morethandoubtwhether，untiloursmallservicesaresweetwithdivineaffection，ourgreatones，ifsuchwearecapableof，willeverhavethetrueChristianflavouraboutthem。AndthensucheagernesstopounceuponeverysmallestopportunityofdoingthewilloftheMaster，couldnotfailtofurtherproficiencyintheservicethroughout。
Presentlytheladiesrose，andwhentheyhadlefttheroom，thehostaskedGibbietoringthebell。Heobeyedwithalacrity，andaservantappeared。Sheplacedtheutensilsformakinganddrinkingtoddy，afterScotchcustom，uponthetable。AshadowfelluponthesoulofGibbie：forthefirsttimesinceheranfromthecity，hesawthewell-knownappointmentsofmidnightorgy，associatedinhismindwithallthehorrorsfromwhichhehadfled。Thememoryofoldnightsinthestreet，ashewatchedforhisfather，andthenhelpedhimhome;ofhisfather’slastprayer，drinkingandimploring;ofhiswhite，motionlessfacethenextmorning;oftherowatLuckyCroale’s，andpoorblackSambo’sgapingthroat——alltheseterriblethingscamebackuponhim，ashestoodstaringatthetumblersandthewineglassesandthesteamingkettle。
“Whatisthegirlthinkingof！”exclaimedtheminister，whohadbeentalkingtohisnextneighbour，whenheheardthedoorclosebehindtheservant。“Shehasactuallyforgottenthewhisky！——SirGilbert，“
hewenton，withaglanceattheboy，“asyouaresogood，willyouobligemebybringingthebottlefromthesideboard？”
Gibbiestartedatthesoundofhisname，butdidnotmovefromtheplace。Afteramoment，theminister，whohadresumedtheconversation，thinkinghehadnotheardhim，lookedup。There，betweenthefootofthetableandthesideboard，stoodGibbieasiffixedtothefloorgazingoutofhisblueeyesattheminister——thoseeyesfilmywithgatheringtears，thesmileutterlyfadedfromhiscountenance——WouldtheMasterhavedrunkoutofthatbottle？hewasthinkingwithhimself。Imaginingsomechanceremarkhadhurttheboy’spride，andnotaltogethersorry——itgavehopeofthegentlemanhewantedtomakehim——Mr。Sclaterspokeagain：
“It’sjustbehindyou，SirGilbert——thewhiskybottle——thatpurpleonewiththesilvertop。”
Gibbienevermoved，buthiseyesbegantorunover。AfearfulremembranceoftheblowhehadgivenhimontheheadrushedbackonMr。Sclater：coulditbetheconsequenceofthat？，Wastheboyparalyzed？，Hewasonthepointofhurryingtohim，butrestrainedhimself，andrisingwithdeliberation，approachedthesideboard。A
nearersightoftheboy’sfacereassuredhim。
“Ibegyourpardon，SirGilbert，“hesaid;“Ithoughtyouwouldnotmindwaitingonusaswellasontheladies。Itisyourownfault，youknow——There，“headded，pointingtothetable;“takeyourplace，andhavealittletoddy。Itwon’thurtyou。”
TheeyesofalltheguestswerebythistimefixedonGibbie。Whatcouldbethematterwiththecuriouscreature？theywondered。Hisgentlemerrimentandquietdelightinwaitinguponthem，hadgivenapleasantconcussiontothespiritsoftheparty，whichhadatfirstthreatenedtoberatherastiffanddullone;andtherenowwastheboyallatoncelookingasifhehadreceivedablow，orsomecuttinginsultwhichhedidnotknowhowtoresent！
Betweentheagonyofrefusingtoserve，andtheimpossibilityofputtinghishandtouncleanministration，Gibbiehadstoodasifspell-bound。HewouldhavethoughtlittleofsuchhorrorsinLuckyCroale’shouff，butthesightofthethingshereterrifiedhim。HefeltasaCorinthianChristianmust，catchingasightofoneoftheeldersofthechurchfeastinginatemple。Butthelastwordsoftheministerbrokethepainfulcharm。Heburstintotears，anddartingfromtheroom，notalittletohisguardian’srelief，hurriedtohisown。
Theguestsstaredbewildered。
“He’llbegonetotheladies，“saidtheirhost。“He’sanoddcreature。Mrs。SclaterunderstandshimbetterthanIdo。He’smoreathomewithher。”
Therewithheproceededtotellthemhishistory，andwhencetheinteresthehadinhim，notbringingdownhisnarrativebeyondtheafternoonoftheprecedingday。
Thenextmorning，Mrs。Sclaterhadatalkwithhimconcerninghiswhimofwaitingattable，tellinghimhemustnotdosoagain;itwasnotthecustomforgentlementodothethingsthatservantswerepaidtodo;itwasnotfairtotheservants，andsoon——happeningtoendwithanutteranceofmildwonderathisfancyforsuchapeculiarity。ThisexclamationGibbietookforaquestion，oratleasttheexpressionofadesiretounderstandthereasonofthething。Hewenttoaside-table，andhavingstoodthereamomentortwo，returnedwithaNewTestament，inwhichhepointedoutthewords，“ButIamamongyouashethatserveth。”，Givingherjusttimetoreadthem，hetookthebookagain，andinadditionpresentedthewords，“Thediscipleisnotabovehismaster，buteveryonethatisperfectshallbeashismaster。”
Mrs。Sclaterwasasmuchputoutasifhehadbeenguiltyofanotherandworseindiscretion。Theideaofanybodyorderinghiscommondoings，nottosayhisoddities，byprinciplesdrawnfromasourcefartoosacredtobepracticallyregarded，wastoopreposteroustohaveeverbecomeevenanotiontoher。Henceforth，however，itwasamotetotroublehermind’seye，amoteshedidnotgetridofuntilitbegantoturntoaglimmeroflight。IneedhardlyaddthatGibbiewaitedatherdinner-tablenomore。
CHAPTERXLIV。
THESINNER。
Nomancanorderhislife，foritcomesflowingoverhimfrombehind。Butifitlaybeforeus，andwecouldwatchitscurrentapproachingfromalongdistance，whatcouldwedowithitbeforeithadreachedthenow？，Inlikewiseamanthinksfoolishlywhoimagineshecouldhavedonethisandthatwithhisowncharacteranddevelopment，ifhehadbutknownthisandthatintime。Wereheasgoodashethinkshimselfwisehecouldbutatbesthaveproducedafinecameoinverylowrelief：withaworkintheround，whichheismeanttobe，hecouldhavedonenothing。Theonesecretoflifeanddevelopment，isnottodeviseandplan，buttofallinwiththeforcesatwork——todoeverymoment’sdutyaright——thatbeingthepartintheprocessallottedtous;andletcome——notwhatwill，forthereisnosuchthing——butwhattheeternalThoughtwillsforeachofus，hasintendedineachofusfromthefirst。Ifmenwouldbutbelievethattheyareinprocessofcreation，andconsenttobemade——letthemakerhandlethemasthepotterhisclay，yieldingthemselvesinrespondentmotionandsubmissivehopefulactionwiththeturningofhiswheel，theywoulderelongfindthemselvesabletowelcomeeverypressureofthathanduponthem，evenwhenitwasfeltinpain，andsometimesnotonlytobelievebuttorecognizethedivineendinview，thebringingofasonintoglory;whereas，behavinglikechildrenwhostruggleandscreamwhiletheirmotherwashesanddressesthem，theyfindtheyhavetobewashedanddressed，notwithstanding，andwiththemorediscomfort：theymayevenhavetofindthemselvessethalfnakedandbuthalfdriedinacorner，tocometotheirrightminds，andasktobefinished。
AtthistimeneitherGibbienorDonalstroveagainsthiscreation——whatthewiseofthisworldcalltheirfate。IntruthGibbieneverdid;andforDonal，theprocesswasatpresentinastagemuchtooagreeabletorouseanyinclinationtoresist。Heenjoyedhisnewphaseoflifeimmensely。Ifhedidnotdistinguishhimselfasascholar，itwasnotbecauseheneglectedhiswork，butbecausehewasatthesametimedoingthatbywhichalonethewatercouldeverriseinthewellhewasdigging：hewashimselfgrowing。
Fartooeagerafterknowledgetoindulgeinemulation，hegainednoprizes：whathadhetodowithhowmuchorhowlittlethosearoundhimcouldeatascomparedwithhimself？，Noworknobleorlastinglygoodcancomeofemulationanymorethanofgreed：Ithinkthemotivesarespirituallythesame。Toexciteitisworthyonlyofthecommonplacevulgarschoolmaster，whoseambitionistoshowwhatfinescholarshecanturnout，thathemaygetthemorepupils。
Emulationisthedevil-shadowofaspiration。Thesetofthecurrentintheschoolsisatpresenttowardsaboundlessswamp，butthewiseamongthescholarsseeit，andwisdomisthetortoisewhichshallwintherace。Inthemeantimehowmany，withthelegsandthebrainofthehare，willthinktheyaregainingit，whiletheyarelosingthingswhoselosswillmakeanyprizeunprized！，TheresultofDonal’sworkappearedbutverypartiallyinhisexaminations，whichwerehonestandhonourabletohim;itwashiddeninhisthoughts，hisaspirations，hisgrowth，andhisverse——allwhichmaybeseenshouldIonedaytellDonal’sstory。ForGibbie，theministerhadnotbeenlongteachinghim，beforehebegantodesiretomakeascholarofhim。Partlyfrombeingcompelledtospendsomelabouruponit，theboywasgraduallydevelopinganunusualfacilityinexpression。Histeacher，compactofconventionalities，wouldhavemodelledtheresultuponsomewriterimaginedbyhimamasterofstyle;butthehurtfulfollynevergotanyholdofGibbie：allheevercaredaboutwastosaywhathemeant，andavoidsayingsomethingelse;toknowwhenhehadnotsaidwhathemeant，andtosetthewordsright。Itresultedthat，whenpeopledidnotunderstandwhathemeant，thecausegenerallylaywiththemnotwithhim;andthat，iftheysometimessmiledoverhismode，itwasbecauseitlayclosertonaturethantheirs：theywouldhavefounditahardtasktoimproveit。
Whatthefaultwithhisorgansofspeechwas，Icannottell。Hisguardianlostnotimeinhavingthemexaminedbyasurgeoninhighrepute，aprofessoroftheuniversity，butDr。Skinner’sopinionputanendtoquestionandhopetogether。Gibbiewasnotintheleastdisappointed。Hehadgotonverywellasyetwithoutspeech。Itwasnotlikesightorhearing。Theonlyvoicehecouldnothearwashisown，andthatwasjusttheonehehadneitheroccasionnordesiretohear。Astohisfriends，thosewhohadknownhimthelongestmindedhisdumbnesstheleast。Butthemomentthedefectwasunderstoodtobeirreparable，Mrs。Sclaterverywiselyproceededtolearnthefinger-speech;andasshelearnedit，shetaughtittoGibbie。
Astohismanners，whichhadbeenandcontinuedtobeherchiefcare，acertaindisappoinmentfollowedherfirstrapidsuccess：shenevercouldgetthemtotakeonthecase-hardeningneedfulforwhatshecountedthefinalpolish。Theyalwaysretainedacertainsimplicitywhichshecalledchildishness。Itcameinfactofchildlikeness，buttheladywasnotchildenoughtodistinguishthedifference——asgreatasthatbetweenthebackandthefrontofahead。As，then，theministerfoundhimincapableofformingastyle，thoughtimesoonprovedhimcapableofproducingone，sotheminister’swifefoundhimasincapableofputtingoncompanymannersofanysort，asmostpeopleareincapableofputtingthemoff——withoutbeingrude。ItwasdisappointingtoMrs。Sclater，butGibbiewasjustascontenttoappearwhathewas，ashewasunwillingtoremainwhathewas。Beingdumb，shewouldsaytoherselfhewouldpassinanysociety;butifhehadhadhisspeech，shenevercouldhavesucceededinmakinghimathoroughgentleman：
hewouldhavealwaysbeensayingtherightthinginthewrongplace。
Bythewrongplaceshemeanttheplacewherealonethethingcouldhaveanypertinence。Inafteryears，however，Gibbie’smannerswere，whetherpronouncedsuchornot，almostuniversallyfelttobecharming。ButGibbieknewnothingofhismannersanymorethanofthestyleinwhichhewrote。
Onenightontheirwayhomefromaneveningparty，theministerandhiswifehadasmalldifference，probablyaboutsomethingofaslittlerealconsequencetothemastheknowledgeofitistous，butbythetimetheyreachedhome，theyhadgottotheverysummitofpolitenesswitheachother。Gibbiewasinthedrawing-room，asithappened，waitingtheirreturn。Atthefirstsoundoftheirvoices，heknew，beforeasyllablereachedhimthatsomethingwaswrong。
Whentheyentered，theyweretoomuchengrossedindifferencetoheedhispresence，andwentondisputing——withtheutmostexternalproprietyofwordsanddemeanour，butwithbothinjuryandasenseofinjuryineverytone。HadtheylookedatGibbie，Icannotthinktheywouldhavebeensilenced;butwhileneitherofthemdaredturneyesthewayofhim，neitherhadmoralstrengthsufficienttocheckthewordsthatrosetothelips。Adiscreet，sociallywiseboywouldhavelefttheroom，buthowcouldGibbieabandonhisfriendstothefierydartsofthewickedone！，Herantotheside-tablebeforementioned。Withavaguepresentimentofwhatwascoming，Mrs。Sclater，feelingratherthanseeinghimmoveacrosstheroomlikeashadow，satindreadexpectation;andpresentlyherfeararrived，intheshapeofalargeNewTestament，andafaceoflovingsadness，andkeendiscomfort，suchasshehadneverbeforeseenGibbiewear。Heheldoutthebooktoher，pointingwithafingertothewords——shecouldnotrefusetolethereyesfalluponthem——“Havesaltinyourselves，andhavepeaceonewithanother。”
WhatGibbiemadeofthesalt，Idonotknow;andwhetherheunderstooditornotwasoflittleconsequence，seeinghehadit;
buttherestofthesentenceheunderstoodsowellthathewouldfainhavethewrithingyoke-fellowsthinkofit。
Thelady’scheekshadbeenredbefore，butnowtheywereredder。
Sherose，castanangrylookatthedumbprophet，alookwhichseemedtosay“Howdareyousuggestsuchathing？”andlefttheroom。
“Whathaveyougotthere？”askedtheminister，turningsharplyuponhim。Gibbieshowedhimthepassage。
“Whathaveyougottodowithit？”heretorted，throwingthebookonthetable。“Gotobed。”
“Adetestableprig！”yousay，reader？——ThatisjustwhatMr。andMrs。Sclaterthoughthimthatnight，buttheyneverquarrelledagainbeforehim。Intruth，theywerenotgiventoquarrelling。Manycoupleswholoveeachothermore，quarrelmore，andwithlesspoliteness。ForGibbie，hewenttobed——puzzled，andafraidtheremustbeabeaminhiseye。
TheveryfirsttimeDonalandhecouldmanageit，theysetouttogethertofindMistressCroale。DonalthoughthehadnothingtodobutwalkstraightfromMistressMurkison’sdoortohers，but，tohisownannoyance，andthedisappointmentofboth，hesoonfoundhehadnotanotionleftastohowtheplacelay，exceptthatitwasbytheriver。So，asitwasalreadyratherlate，theyputofftheirvisittoanothertime，andtookawalkinstead。
ButMistressCroale，hauntedbyoldmemories，mostofthemfarfrompleasant，grewmoreandmoredesirousoflookingupontheobjectofperhapstheleastdisagreeableamongstthem：shesummonedresolutionatlast，wenttothemarketalittlebetterdressedthanusual，andwhenbusinesstherewasover，andshehadshutupherlittleboxofashop，walkedtoDaur-streettotheminister’shouse。
“He’safteneneuchcrossedmydoor，“shesaidtoherself，speakingofMr。Sclater;“an’though，weelIwat，thesichto’’imneverboditmeonythingbutill，Ineverloothimkenhewaslessnorwalcome;an’gienbein’aministergiesthefreedomo’puirfowk’shooses，itouchtintheniffer(exchange)togiethemthefreedomo’
his。”
Therewithencouragingherself，shewalkedupthestepsandrangthebell。Itwasacold，frostywintereveningandasshestoodwaitingforthedoortobeopened，muchthepoorwomanlongedforherownfiresideandadram。Herperiodofexpectationwasdrawnoutnotalittlethroughthefactthattheservantwhosedutyitwastoanswerthebellwasjustthenwaitingattable：becauseofapublicengagement，theministerhadtodineearlierthanusual。Theywereinthemiddleoftheirsoup——cockie-leekie，niceandhot，whenthemaidinformedhermasterthatawomanwasatthedoor，wantingtoseeSirGilbert。
Gibbielookedup，putdownhisspoon，andwasrisingtogo，whentheminister，layinghishandonhisarm，pressedhimgentlybacktohischair，andGibbieyielded，waiting。
“Whatsortofawoman？”heaskedthegirl。
“Adecent-lookin’workin’-likebody，“sheanswered。“Icouldnaseeherverraweel，it’ssaefoggythenichtabootthedoor。”
“Tellherwe’reatdinner;shemaycallagaininanhour。Orifshelikestoleaveamessage——Stay：tellhertocomeagainto-morrowmorning——Iwonderwhosheis，“headded，turning，hethought，toGibbie。
ButGibbiewasgone。Hehadpassedbehindhischair，andallhesawofhimwashisbackashefollowedthegirlfromtheroom。Inhiseagernessheleftthedooropen，andtheysawhimdarttothevisitor，shakehandswithherinevidentdelight，andbeginpullinghertowardstheroom。
NowMistressCroale，thoughnowiseinclinedtoquailbeforetheminister，wouldnotwillinglyhaveintrudedherselfuponhim，especiallywhilehesatatdinnerwithhisratherformidablelady;
butshefancied，forshestoodwhereshecouldnotseeintothedining-room，thatGibbiewastakingherwheretheymighthaveaquietnewstogether，and，occupiedwithherbonnetorsomeothersourceoffemininedisquiet，remainedthusmistakenuntilshestoodonthethreshold，when，lookingup，shestarted，stopped，madeanobediencetotheminister，andanothertotheminister’slady，andstooddoubtful，ifnotalittleabashed。
“Nothere！mygoodwoman，“saidMr。Sclater，rising。“——Oh，it’syou，MistressCroale！——Iwillspeaktoyouinthehall。”
Mrs。Croale’sfaceflushed，andshedrewbackastep。ButGibbiestillheldher，andwithalooktoMr。Sclaterthatshouldhavesentstraighttohisheartthefactthatshewasdeartohissoul，keptdrawingherintotheroom;hewantedhertotakehischairatthetable。ItpassedswiftlythroughhermindthatonewhohadbeensointimatebothwithSirGeorgeandSirGibbieintheoldtime，andhadgiventhelatterhisteaeverySundaynightforsolong，mightsurely，eveninsuchchangedcircumstances，beallowedtoenterthesameroomwithhim，howevergranditmightbe;andinvoluntarilyalmostsheyieldedhalfadoubtfulstep，whileMr。Sclater，afraidofoffendingSirGilbert，hesitatedontheadvancetopreventher。
