_Hither._\"Letusgosomewherewherewecanquizthenativeswithoutbeingtoonearthem.\"
_LadyBar._\"Iamtiredofthisunbrokensolitude，Imustgoandthinktothesea，\"addedshe，inamocksoliloquy;andoutsheglidedwiththesameunconsciousairashislordshiphadworn.
Theothersmovedoffslowlytogether.
\"Mamma，\"saidMissVere，\"Ican’tunderstandhalfBarbaraSinclairsays.\"
\"Itisnotnecessary，mylove，\"repliedmamma;\"sheisrathereccentric，andIfearsheisspoilingLordIpsden.\"
\"PoorLordIpsden，\"murmuredthelovelyVere，\"heusedtobesonice，anddolikeeverybodyelse.Mamma，Ishallbringsomeworkthenexttime.\"
\"Do，mylove.\"
PICNICNO.2.
Inahouse，twohundredyardsfromthisscene，amerrydance，succeedingamerrysong，hadended，andtheywereinthemidstofaninterestingstory;ChristieJohnstonewasthenarrator.Shehadfoundthetaleinoneoftheviscount’sbooks——ithadmadeagreatimpressiononher.
Therestwerelisteningintently.Inaroomwhichhadlatelybeenallnoise，notasoundwasnowtobeheardbutthenarrator’svoice.
\"Aweel，lasses，herearethethreeweekistsset，theladsaretochuse——theanethatchusesreichtistogetPorsha，an’thelavetogetthebag，anddeebaitchelars——FluckerJohnstone，youthat’ssaeclever——areyeforgowd，orsiller，orleed？\"
_1stFishwife._\"Gowdforme！\"
_2dditto._\"Thewhitesiller’smytaste.\"
_Flucker._\"Na！there’sayesomedeevelishtrickinthirlassie’sstories.Ishallhato，tilltheitherladshaechused;themairpartwillputthemselsoot，anewillhititoffreichtmaybe，thenIshallgiehimahidin’an’carryoffthelass.You—hoo！\"
_JeanCarnie._\"That’syou，Flucker.\"
_ChristieJohnstone._\"Anddivyereallythinkwearegawntoletyouseea’theworldchuse？Na，lad，yeareputtenooto’theroom，likewitnesses.\"
_Flucker._\"ThenI’dtossapenny;forgienyetrusttoluck，shewhilesfavorsye，butgienyecommencetoreasonandargefy——ye’redone！\"
_Christie._\"Thesuitorshadnayourwit，mymanny，ormaybetheyhadnaapennytotoss，saeanechusedthegowd，anethesiller;buttheygotanawfu’affront.Thegoldkisthadjustaskullintil’t，andthesilleradeedcuddy’shead！\"
_ChorusofFemales._\"He！he！he！\"
_DittoofMales._\"Haw！haw！haw！haw！Ho！\"
_Christie._\"An’Porshaputtitthepairofgowkstothedoor.ThencameBassanio，theladfraVeeneece，thatPorshaloedinsecret.Veeneece，lasses，isawonderfulcity;thestreetso’’tarewater，andthecarriagesareboats——that’sinChambers’.\"
_Flucker._\"Whaareyemakingafoolo’？\"
_Christie._\"What’swrang？\"
_Flucker._\"Yon’sjustasbigaleeaseverIheerd.\"
Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismoutherehehadreasontoregretthem;asevereboxontheearwasadministeredbyhisindignantsister.
Nobodypitiedhim.
_Christie._\"I’lllaernyet’affrontmebeforea’thecompany.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Supposeit’salee，there’snaesilvertopayforit，Flucker.\"
_Christie._\"Jean，Ineverteltaleeina’mydays.\"
_Jean._\"There’sanetobeginwi’then.Goahead，Custy.\"
_Christie._\"Shebadethemusicplayforhim，formusicbrightensthoucht;onyway，hechosetheleedkist.Open’standwasn’ttherePorsha’spictur，andaposy，thatsaid：
’Ifyoubewellpleasedwiththis，Andholdyourfortuneforyourbliss;
Turnyouwhereyourleddyiss，Andgreetherwi’aloving——\"’_（Pause）._
\"Kess，\"roaredthecompany.
_Chorus，ledbyFlucker._\"Hurraih！\"
_Christie（pathetically）._\"Flucker，behave！\"
_SandyListon（drunk）._\"Hur—raih！\"Hethensolemnlyreflected.\"Na！butit’snahurraih，decencyrequiresamenfirstan’hurraihafterward;
here’skissinplenty，butIhearnaewordo’theminister.Ye’llobsairve，youngwoman，thatkissin’stheprologuetosin，andI’madecentmon，an’agray—headedmon，an’yourlichtstoriesarenoforme;
saeiftheminister’snoexpeckitIshallretire——an’takmyquietgillmylane.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"AnddivyereallythinkadecentcummerlikeCustywadlettheladandlassmisbehavethirsels？Na！lad，theminister’satthedoor，but\"（sinkinghervoicetoaconfidentialwhisper）\"Idaurnalethimin，forfearhe’dseeyehaeputtentheenemyinyourmoothsaeaerly.（That’sCusty’sword.）\"
\"JemmyDrysel，\"repliedSandy，addressingvacancy，forJemmywasmysteriouslyatworkinthekitchen，\"yehaegottenathoughtfu’wife.\"
（Then，withastrongrevulsionoffeeling.）\"Dinnalettheblackguard*inhere，\"criedhe，\"tospoiltheyoungfolk’ssporrt.\"
*AtpresentthisisaspondeeinEngland——atrocheeinScotlandThepronunciationofthisimportantwordoughttobefixed，representing，asitdoes，solargeaportionofthecommunityinbothcountries.
_Christie._\"Aweel，lassies，comesalettertoBassanio;hereadsit，andturnsaspaleasdeeth.\"
_AFishwife._\"Gudehelpus.\"
_Christie._\"Poorshabehoovedtokenhisgrief，whahadabetterreicht？
’Here’saletter，leddy，’sayshe，’thepaper’stheboedyofmyfreend，like，andeverywordinitagapingwound.’\"
_AFisherman._\"Maircyonus.\"
_Christie._\"Lad，itwasfrapuirAntonio，yemindo’him，Lasses.Hech！
theilllucko’yonman，noashipcomehame;anefounderedatsea，comingfraTri—po—lis;thepiratesscuttledanother，an’aneranashoreontheGoodwins，nearBright—helm—stane，that’sinEnglanditsel’，Idaursay.Saehecouldnapaythethreethoosandducats，an’Shylockhadgrippithim，an’soughtthepundo’fleshaffthebreesto’him，puirbody.\"
_SandyListon._\"Hewouldnabethewauro’aweebithiding，yonthunderingurang—utang;letthemanalane，yecursedoldcannibal.\"
_Christie._\"Poorshakeepithermanbutaehoortilltheywereunited，an’thensenthimwi’apuckleo’herainsillertoVeeneece，andAntonio——thinko’that，lassies——pairtedontheirwedding—day.\"
_LizzyJohnstone，aFishwife，aged12._\"Hech！hech！it’slamentable.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"I’msaying，mairriageisquickwark，insomepairts——herethere’sanawfu’troubletogetaman.\"
_AyoungFishwife._\"Ay，isthere.\"
_Omnes._\"Haw！haw！haw！\"（Thefish—wifehides.）
_Christie._\"Fillyourtaupsels，ladsandlasses，andawatoVeneece.\"
_SandyListon（sturdily）._\"I’llnogangtoseathisday.\"
_Christie._\"Noo，weareinthehallo’judgment.Herearesetthejudges，awfu’tobehold;there，onhisthrone，presidestheJuke.\"
_Flucker._\"She’sawatoherEnnglish.\"
_LizzyJohnstone._\"DidwecometoVeeneecetospeakScoetch，yeuselessfule？\"
_Christie._\"Here，paleandhopeless，butresigned，standsthebrokenmairchant，Antonio;there，wiscalesandknives，andrevengeinhismurderin’eye，standsthecrewelJewShylock.\"
\"Aweel，\"mutteredSandy，considerately，\"I’llnomakadisturbanceonaweddingday.\"
_Christie._\"TheywaitforBell——Idinnamindhismind——alaernedlawyer，onyway;he’ssick，butsendsanemairlaernedstill，and，whenthisanecomes，helooksnotoldernorwiserthanmysel.\"
_Flucker._\"Nopossible！\"
_Christie._\"Yeneednabesaesarcy，Flucker，forwhenhecomestohiswarkhesoonlets’emken——runshiseenlikelighteningowertheboend.
’Thisbond’sforfeit.IsAntonionotabletodischairgethemoney？’’Ay！’
criesBassanio，’here’sthesumthricetold.’SaystheyoungjudgeinabitwhispertoShylock，’Shylock，there’sthricethymoneyofferedthee.
Bemairceful，’sayshe，outloud.’Wha’llmakme？’saystheJewbody.
’Makye！’sayshe;’maircyisnoathingyestrainthroughasieve，mon;
itdroppethlikethegentledewfra’heavenupontheplacebeneath;itblesseshimthatgivesandhimthattaks;itbecomesthekingbetterthanhisthrone，andairthlypowerismaistlikeGod’spowerwhenmaircyseasonsjustice.’\"
_RobertHaw，Fisherman._\"Dinnaspeaklikethattome，onybody，orI
shallgieyemyboat，andflingmynetsintilit，asyesailawawi’
her.\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Saeheletthepuirdeevilgo.Oh！yekenwhacouldstandupagainstsiccanashowero’Ennglishasthaat.\"
_Christie._\"Hejustsaid，’Mydeedsuponmyheed.Iclaimthelaw，’sayshe;’thereisnopowerinthetongueo’mantoalterme.Istayhereonmyboend.’\"
_SandyListon._\"Ihaesatquiet！——quietIhaesatagainstmywill，notodisturbJamieDrysel’sweddin’;butyecarrythegameowerfar，Shylock，mylad.I’lljustgiveyonbluidy—mindedurang—utangahidin’，andbringTonyoff，thegude，puir—spiritedcreature.Andhim，an’me，an’
Bassanee，an’Porshee，we’llallhaeagillthegither.\"
Herose，andwasinstantlyseizedbytwoofthecompany，fromwhomheburstfuriously，afterastruggle，andthenextmomentwasheardtofallcleanfromthetoptothebottomofthestairs.FluckerandJeanranout;
therestappealedagainsttheinterruption.
_Christie._\"Hech！he’skilled.SandyListon’sbrakehisneck.\"
\"Whatabootit，lassy？\"saidayoungfisherman;\"it’sAntonioI’mfearedfor;savehim，lassy，ifpoessible;butIdootye’llnogethimclearo’
yondeevelichheathen.
\"AuldSandy’scheapsairved，\"addedhe，withalltheindifferenceahumantonecouldconvey.
\"Oh，Cursty，\"saidLizzieJohnstone，withapeevishaccent，\"dinnabreakthebonnyyarnfornaething.\"
_Flucker（returning）._\"He’sa’reicht.\"
_Christie._\"Ishenodead？\"
_Flucker._\"Himdeed？he’ssober——that’sa’thechangeIsee.\"
_Christie._\"Canhespeak？I’maskingye.\"
_Flucker._\"Yes，hecanspeak.\"
_Christie._\"Whatdoeshesay，puirbody？\"
_Flucker._\"Hesatup，an’soughtagillfra’thewife——puirbody！\"
_Christie._\"Hech！hech！hewasmypupilintheairto’sobriety！——aweel，theyoungjudgerisestodeliverthesentenceofthecoort.Silence！\"
thunderedChristie.Aladandalassthatwereslightlyflirtingwerediscountenanced.
_Christie._\"’Apundo’thatsamemairchant’sfleshisthine！thecoortawardsit，andthelawdoesgiveit.’\"
_AyoungFishwife._\"There，Ithouchtsae;he’sgauntocuthim，he’sgauntocuthim;I’llnocanbide.\"_（Exibat.）_
_Christie._\"There’safulishgoloshen.’Havebyadoctortostoptheblood.’——’Iseenaedoctorintheboend，’saystheJewbody.\"
_Flucker._\"Baityourhookwi’aboend，andyeshallcatchyoncarle’ssaul，Satin，mylad.\"
_Christie（withdismalpathos）._\"Oh，Flucker，dinnaspeakevilo’
deegneties——that’smaybefishingforyoursel’thenoo！———’An’yeshallcutthefleshfraeoffhisbreest.’——’Asentence，’saysShylock，’come，prepare.’\"
Christiemadeadash_enShylock，_andthecompanytrembled.
_Christie._\"’Bideawee，’saysthejudge，’thisboendgiesyenaadrapo’bluid;thewordsexpresslyare，apundo’flesh！’\"
_（ADramaticPause.）_
_JeanCarnie（drawingherbreath）._\"That’sintoyourmutton，Shylock\"
_Christie（withdismalpathos）._\"Oh，Jean！yon’sanawfu’voolgarexprassiontocomefra’awoman’smooth.\"
\"Couldyenohaesaid，’intilhisbacon’？\"saidLizzieJohnstone，confirmingtheremonstrance.
_Christie._\"’Thentakyourboend，an’yourpundo’flesh，butincuttingo’’t，ifthoudostshedonedropofChristianbluid，thoudiest！’\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Hech！\"
_Christie._\"’ThygoodsarebythelawsVeneececon—fis—cate，confiscate！’\"
Then，likeanartfulnarrator，shebegantowindupthestorymorerapidly.
\"SaeShylockgottobenosaesaucy.’Paytheboendthrice，’sayshe，’andletthepuirdeevilgo.’——’Hereit’s，’saysBassanio.——Na！theyoungjudgewadnalethim.——’Hehasrefuseditinopencoort;noabawbeeforShylockbutjusttheforfeiture;an’hedaurnatakit.’——’I’mawa’，’
sayshe.’Thedeiviltakyea’.’——Na！hewasnatowinclearsae;ancethey’dgottentheJewonthehep，theyworriedhim，likegoodChristians，that’safact.Thejudgefandalawthatfittedhim，forconspiringagainstthelifeofacitizen;an’hebehoovedtogiveuphoosean’
lands，andbeaChristian;yonwasasoordrap——hetarnednoweel，puirauldvillain，an’scairtit;an’thelawyerssentaneo’theirwearyparchmentstillhishoose，andthepuirauldheathensignedawa’hissiller，an’Abraham，an’Isaac，an’Jacob，ontheheedo’’t.Ipityhim，anauld，auldman;andhisdochterhadrinoffwi’aChristianlad——theyca’herJessica，anddidn’tshestealhisverydiamondringthathisainlassgiedhimwhenhewasyoung，an’maybenosaehard—hairted？\"
_JeanCarnie._\"Oh，thejaud！supposehewasaJew，itwasnaherbusinesstocleanhimoot.\"
_AyoungFishwife._\"Aweel，itwasonlyaJewbody，that’smycomfort.\"
_Christie._\"YespeakasaJewwasnaaman;hasnotaJeweyes，ifyeplease？\"
_LizzyJohnstone._\"Ay，hashe！——andtheawfuestlangnebatween’em.\"
_Christie._\"HasnotaJewaffections，paassions，organs？\"
_Jean._\"Na！Christie;thirladscomesfr’Italy！\"
_Christie._\"Ifyouprickhim，doeshenotbleed？ifyouticklehim，doesnahelauch？\"
_AyoungFishwife（pertly）._\"IneverkittletaJew，formypairt——saeI’llnocantellye.\"
_Christie._\"Ifyoupoisonhim，doeshenotdie？andifyouwranghim\"
（withfury）\"shallhenotrevenge？\"
_LizzieJohnstone._\"Oh！butye’reafearsomelass.\"
_Christie._\"Wha’llgivemeasangformybonnyyarn？\"
LordIpsden，whohadbeenanunobservedauditorofthelatterpartofthetale，hereinquiredwhethershehadbroughtherbook.
\"What’nbuik？\"
\"Yourmusic—book！\"
\"Here’smymusic—book，\"saidJean，roughlytappingherhead.
\"Andhere’smines，\"saidChristie，birdly，touchingherbosom.
\"Richard，\"saidshe，thoughtfully，\"Iwishyemaynohaebeengettinginvoolgarcompany.Divyethinkwehaemindslikerinningwater？\"
_Flucker（avecmalice）._\"Andtongueslikethemill—clackabuneit？
Becauseifyethinksae，captain——ye’renofarwrang！\"
_Christie._\"Na！wehaenamucklegowdmaybe;butourmindsaregowdenvessels.\"
_Jean._\"Aha！lad.\"
_Christie._\"Theyarenotsaxpennysieves，toletmusican’meterthrough，andleaveusnonethewiserorbetter.Dinnaganginlowvoolgarcompany，oryoualostladdy.\"
_Ipsden._\"Vulgar，again！everybodyhasadifferentsenseforthatword，Ithink.Whatisvulgar？\"
_Christie._\"Voolgarfolksitonanchair，ane，twa，whilesthreehours，eatin’an’abunedrinkin’，asstillashoegs，orgruntin’puirevery—dayclashes，goessip，rubbich;whenyeareasidethem，yemightasweelbeasideacuddy;theycannagieyeasang，theycannagieyeastory，theycannathinkyeathoucht，tosavetheiruselesslives;that’svoolgarfolk.\"
Shesings.\"Acaallerherrin’！\"
_Jean._\"Acaallerherrin’！\"
_Omnes._
\"Comebuymybonnycaallerherrin’，Sixapennycaallerfromthesea，\"
etc.
Themusicchimedin，andthemomentthesongwasdone，withoutpause，oranythingtoseparateorchillthesuccessionofthearts，thefiddlesdivergedwithagallantplungeinto\"TheDustyMiller.\"Thedancersfoundtheirfeetbyaninstinctasrapid，andarattlingreelshookthefloorlikethunder.JeanCarnieassumedtheprivilegeofabride，andseizedhislordship;Christie，whohadamindtodancewithhimtoo，tookFluckercaptive，andthesefourwereonereel！Thereweresevenothers.
Theprincipleofreeldancingisarticulation;thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_accented_note（and，bytheby，itistheirweaknessofaccentwhichmakesallEnglishreelandhornpipeplayerssuchfailures）.
Andinthebeststepsofall，whichithasincommonwiththehornpipe，suchasthequick\"heelandtoe，\"\"thesailor’sfling，\"andthe\"doubleshuffle，\"thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_single_noteoftheinstrument.
Allgooddancingisbeautiful.
Butthisarticulatedancing，comparedwiththeloose，lawlessdiffluenceofmotionthatgoesbythatname，givesme（Imustconfessit）asmuchmorepleasureasarticulatesingingissuperiortotunesplayedonthevoicebyayounglady：
Orthecleanplayingofmymothertothepiano—fortesplashingofmydaughter;thoughthelatterdoesattacktheinstrumentasawasherwomanhersoapsuds，andtheformerworkslikealady.
Orskatingtosliding：
OrEnglishversetodactylsinEnglish：
Orpaintingtodaubing：
Orpreservedstrawberriestostrawberryjam.
WhatsaysGoldsmithofthetwostyles？\"Theyswam，sprawled，frisked，andlanguished;butOlivia’sfootwasaspattothemusicasitsecho.\"——_VicarofWakefield._
Newhavendancingaimsalsoatfun;laughtermingleswithagility;
grotesqueyetgracefulgesturesareflungin，andlittleinspiringcriesflungout.
Hislordshipsoonenteredintothespiritofit.Deepinthemysteryofthehornpipe，hedancedoneortwostepsJeanandChristiehadneverseen，buttheireyeswereinstantlyonhisfeet，andtheycaughtinaminuteandexecutedthesesamesteps.
ToseeChristieJohnstonedothedouble—shufflewithherarmssosaucilyakimbo，andherquickelasticfootatanangleofforty—five，wasatreat.
Thedancebecameinspiriting，inspiring，intoxicating;and，whenthefiddlesatlastleftoff，thefeetwentonanothersevenbarsbytheenthusiasticimpulse.
Andso，alternatelyspinningyarns，singingsongs，dancing，andmakingfun，andminglingsomethingofheartandbraininall，thesebenightedcreaturesmadethemselveshappyinsteadofpeevish，andwithadayofstout，vigorous，healthypleasure，refreshed，indemnified，andwarmedthemselvesformanyadayoftoil.
SuchwerethetwopicnicsofInchCoombe，andtheserivalcliques，agreeinginnothingelse，wouldhaveagreedinthis：each，ifallowed（butwewon’talloweither）tojudgetheother，wouldhavepronouncedthesameverdict：
_\"Ilsnesaventpasvivrecesgens—l’a.\"_
CHAPTERXI.
TwoofourpersonagesleftInchCoombelesshappythanwhentheycametoit.
LordIpsdenencounteredLadyBarbarawithMr.————，whohadjoinedherupontheisland.
Hefoundthemdiscoursing，asusual，abouttheshamsofthepresentday，andthesincerityofCromwellandMahomet，andhefoundhimself_detrop._
Theymadehim，forthefirsttime，regretthelossofthoseearnesttimeswhen，\"toavoidtheinconvenienceofbothaddressingthesamelady，\"youcouldcutarival’sthroatatonce，andbesmiledonbythefairandsociety.
Thatabook—makershouldblasphemehighcivilization，bywhichaloneheexists，andoneofwhosediseasesandflyingpainsheis，neithersurprisednormovedhim;butthatanyhumanbeing’sactionsshouldbeaffectedbysuchtempestuoustwaddlewasridiculous.
AndthatthewittyLadyBarbarashouldbecaughtbythischaffwasintolerable;hebegantofeelbitter.
Hehadtheblessingsofthepoor，thegoodopinionoftheworld;everylivingcreaturewasprepossessedinhisfavorbutone，andthatonedespisedhim;itwasadiabolicalprejudice;itwasthespitefulcapriceofhisfate.
Hisheart，foramoment，wasindangerofdeteriorating.Hewasmiserable;theDevilsuggestedtohim，\"makeothersmiserabletoo;\"andhelistenedtotheadvice.
Therewasafinebreeze，butinsteadofsailingonawind，ashemighthavedone，hemadeaseriesoftacks，andallwereill.
Theearnestmanfirst;andFluckerannouncedtheskipper’sinsanitytothewholetownofNewhaven，for，ofcourse，thesetackswereallmarinesolecisms.
TheotherdiscontentedPicnicianwasChristieJohnstone.Gattynevercame;andthis，coupledwithfiveorsixdays’previousneglect，couldnolongerpassunnoticed.
Hergayetyfailedherbeforetheafternoonwasended;andthelasttwohourswerespentbyheralone，watchingthewateronallsidesforhim.
Atlast，longafterthedepartureofhislordship’syacht，theNewhavenboatsailedfromInchCoombewiththeweddingparty.Therewasnowastrongbreeze，andthewatereverynowandthencameonboard.Sothemensettheforesailwithtworeefs，anddrewthemainsailoverthewomen;
andthere，astheyhuddledtogetherinthedark，JeanCarniediscoveredthatourgaystory—teller’seyeswerewetwithtears.
Jeansaidnothing;sheembracedher;andmadethemflowfaster.
But，whentheycamealongsidethepier，Jean，whowasthefirsttogetherheadfromunderthesail，whippeditbackagainandsaidtoChristie：
\"Hereheis，Christie;dinnaspeaktillhim.\"
Andsureenoughtherewas，inthetwilight，withapalefaceandanuneasylook——Mr.CharlesGatty！
Hepeeredtimidlyintotheboat，and，whenhesawChristie，an\"Ah！\"thatseemedtomeantwentydifferentthingsatonce，burstfromhisbosom.Heheldouthisarmtoassisther.
Shecastonhimoneglanceofmutereproach，and，placingherfootontheboat’sgunwale，spranglikeanantelopeuponthepier，withoutacceptinghisassistance.
Beforegoingfurther，wemustgobackforthisboy，andconducthimfromwherewelefthimuptothepresentpoint.
ThemomenthefoundhimselfalonewithJeanCarnie，inhisownhouse，hebegantotellherwhattroublehewasin;howhismotherhadconvincedhimofhisimprudenceinfallinginlovewithChristieJohnstone;andhowsheinsistedonaconnectionbeingbrokenoffwhichhadgivenhimhisfirstglimpseofheavenuponearth，andwascontrarytocommonsense.
Jeanheardhimout，andthen，withtheairofalunatic—asylumkeepertoarhodomontadingpatient，toldhim\"hewasonefool，andhismotherwasanother.\"Firstshetookhimuponthescoreofprudence.
\"You，\"saidshe，\"areabeggarlypainter，withoutarap;Christiehashouses，boats，nets，andmoney;youareindebt;shelaysbymoneyeveryweek.Itisnotprudentonherparttotakeupwithyou——thebetteryourbargain，mylad.\"
Undertheheadofcommonsense，whichshemaintainedwasallonthesamesideofthequestion，shecalmlyinquired：
\"Howcouldanoldwomanofsixtybecompetenttojudgehowfarhumanhappinessdependsonlove，whenshehasnoexperienceofthatpassion，andthereminiscencesofheryouthhavebecomedimanddark？Youmightaswellsetajudgeincourt，thathasforgottenthelaw——commonsense，\"
saidshe，\"theoldwifeissixty，andyouaretwenty——whatcanshedoforyouthefortyyearsyoumayreckontooutliveher？Whoistokeepyouthroughthosewearyyearsbutthewifeofyourownchoice，notyourmother’s？YouEnglishdoesnareadtheBible，orye’dkenthataladisto’leavehisfatherandmother，andcleaveuntilhiswife，’\"addedshe;
thenwithgreatcontemptsherepeated，\"commonsense，indeed！ye’refouwi’yourcommonsense;yehaethenameo’’tpateneuch——butthere’snamuckleo’thatmairchandiseinyourharns.\"
Gattywasastonished.What！wastherereallycommonsenseonthesideofbliss？andwhenJeantoldhimtojoinherpartyatInchCoombe，orneverlookherinthefaceagain，scalesseemedtofallfromhiseyes;and，withaheartthatturnedinamomentfromleadtoafeather，hevowedhewouldbeatInchCoombe.
HethenbeggedJeanonnoaccounttotellChristiethestrugglehehadbeensubjectedto，sincehisscrupleswerenowentirelyconquered.
Jeanacquiescedatonce，andsaid：\"Indeed，shewouldbeverysorrytogivethelassthatmucklepain.\"
Shehinted，moreover，thatherneebor’sspiritwassohigh，shewasquitecapableofbreakingwithhimatonceuponsuchanintimation;andshe，Jean，was\"naemischief—maker.\"
Intheenergyofhisgratitude，hekissedthisdark—browedbeauty，professingtoseeinherasister.
Andshemadenoresistancetothiswayofshowinggratitude，butmutteredbetweenherteeth，\"He’sjustabairn！\"
Andsoshewentaboutherbusiness.
Onherretreat，hismotherreturnedtohim，and，withasadair，hopednothingthatthatrudegirlhadsaidhadweakenedhisfilialduty.
\"No，mother，\"saidhe.
Shethen，withoutexplaininghowshecameacquaintedwithJean’sarguments，proceededtodemolishthemonebyone.
\"Ifyourmotherisoldandexperienced，\"saidshe，\"benefitbyherageandexperience.Shehasnotforgottenlove，northeillsitleadsto，whennotfortifiedbyprudence.Scripturesaysamanshallcleavetohiswifewhenhehaslefthisparents;butinmakingthat，themostimportantstepoflife，wheredoyoureadthatheistobreakthefifthcommandment？ButIdoyouwrong，Charles，younevercouldhavelistenedtothatvulgargirlwhenshetoldyouyourmotherwasnotyourbestfriend.\"
\"N——no，mother，ofcoursenot.\"
\"Thenyouwillnotgotothatplacetobreakmyheart，andundoallyouhavedonethisweek.\"
\"Ishouldliketogo，mother.\"
\"Youwillbreakmyheartifyoudo.\"
\"Christiewillfeelherselfslighted，andshehasnotdeservedthistreatmentfromme.\"
\"Theotherwillexplaintoher，andifsheisasgoodagirlasyousay——\"
\"Sheisanangel！\"
\"Howcanafishwifebeanangel？Well，then，shewillnotsetasontodisobeyhismother.\"
\"Idon’tthinkshewould！butisallthegoodnesstobeonherside？\"
\"No，Charles，youdoyourpart;denyyourself，beanobedientchild，andyourmother’sblessingandtheblessingofHeavenwillrestuponyou.\"
Inshort，hewasnottogotoInchCoombe.
Hestayedathome，hismothersethimtowork;hemadeapoorhandofit，hewassowretched.Sheatlasttookcompassiononhim，andintheevening，whenitwasnowtoolateforasailtoInchCoombe，sheherselfrecommendedawalktohim.
Thepoorboy’sfeettookhimtowardNewhaven，notthathemeanttogotohislove，buthecouldnotforbearfromlookingattheplacewhichheldher.
Hewasabouttoreturn，whenaspaciousbluejackethailedhim.SomewhereinsidethisjacketwasMasterFlucker，whohadreturnedintheyacht，leavinghissisterontheisland.
Gattyinstantlypouredoutafloodofquestions.
Thebaddishboyreciprocatedfluency.Heinformedhim\"thathissisterhadbeenthestarofagoodlycompany，andthat，herownladhavingstayedaway，shehadcondescendedtomakeaconquestoftheskipperhimself.
\"Hehadcomeinquiteatthetag—endofoneofherstories，butithadbeensufficienttodohisbusiness——hehaddancedwithher，hadevenwhistledwhileshesung.（Hech，itwasbonny！）
\"Andwhenthecuttersailed，he，Flucker，hadseenherperchedonarock，likeamermaid，watchingtheirprogress，whichhadbeenslow，becausetheskipper，infatuatedwithsosuddenapassion，hadmadeaseriesofungrammaticaltacks.\"
\"Forhisparthewasglad，\"saidthegraciousFlucker;\"thelasswasapridefulhussy，thathadgivensometwentyladsasoreheartandhimmanyasoreback;andhehopedhisskipper，withwhomhenaturallyidentifiedhimselfratherthanwithhissister，wouldavengethemalesexuponher.\"
Inshort，hewentuponthistacktillhedrovepoorGattynearlymad.
Herewasanewfeelingsuperadded;atfirsthefeltinjured，butonreflectionwhatcauseofcomplainthadhe？
Hehadneglectedher;hemighthavebeenherpartner——hehadlefthertofindonewhereshecould.
Fool，tosupposethatsobeautifulacreaturewouldeverbeneglected——exceptbyhim！
Itwasmorethanhecouldbear.
Hedeterminedtoseeher，toaskherforgiveness，totellhereverything，tobeghertodecide，and，forhispart，hewouldabidebyherdecision.
ChristieJohnstone，aswehavealreadyrelated，declinedhisarm，spranglikeadeeruponthepier，andwalkedtowardherhome，aquarterofamiledistant.
Gattyfollowedher，disconsolately，hardlyknowingwhattodo.
Atlast，observingthatshedrewnearenoughtothewalltoallowroomforanotheronthecauseway，hehadjustnousenoughtocreepalongsideandpullhersleevesomewhattimidly.
\"Christie，Iwanttospeaktoyou：\"
\"Whatcanyehaetosaytillme？\"
\"Christie，Iamveryunhappy;andIwanttotellyouwhy，butIhavehardlythestrengthorthecourage.\"
\"Yeshallcomebenmyhooseifyeareunhappy，andwe’llhearyourstory;
comeaway.
Hehadneverbeenadmittedintoherhousebefore.
Theyfounditcleanasasnowdrift.
Theyfoundabrightfire，andFluckerfryinginnumerablesteaks.
Thebaddishboyhadobtainedtheminhissister’snameandatherexpense，attheflesher’s，andclaimedcreditforhisaffection.
Potatoeshehadboiledintheirjackets，andsoskillfully，thatthosejacketshungbyathread.
Christielaidanunbleachedtable—cloth，thatsomehowlookedsweeterthanawhiteone，asbrownbreadissweeterthanwhite.
Butlo！Gattycouldnoteat;sothenChristiewouldnot，becauseherefusedhercheer.
Thebaddishboychuckled，andaddressedhimselftothenicebrownsteakswiththeirrichgravy.
OnsuchoccasionsasoloontheknifeandforkseemedbetterthanatriotothegraciousFlucker.
Christiemovedabouttheroom，doinglittlehouseholdmatters;Gatty’seyefollowedher.
Herbeautylostnothinginthissmallapartment;shewashere，likeabrilliantinsomequaint，roughsetting，whichallearth’sjewelersshoulddespise，andallitspoetsadmire，anditshouldshowoffthestoneandnotitself.
Herbeautyfilledtheroom，andalmostmadethespectatorsill.
Gattyaskedhimselfwhetherhecouldreallyhavebeensuchafoolastothinkofgivingupsopeerlessacreature.
Suddenlyanideaoccurredtohim，abrightone，andnotinconsistentwithatrueartist’scharacter——hewoulddeclinetoactinsodoubtfulacase.
Hewouldfloatpassivelydownthetideofevents——hewouldneitherdeserther，nordisobeyhismother;hewouldtakeeverythingasitcame，andtobegin，ashewasthere，hewouldforthepresentsaynothingbutwhathefelt，andwhathefeltwasthathelovedher.
Hetoldhersoaccordingly.
Shereplied，concealinghersatisfaction，\"that，ifhelikedher，hewouldnothaverefusedtoeatwhensheaskedhim.\"
Butourhero’sappetitehadreturnedwithhischangeofpurpose，andheinstantlyvolunteeredtogivetherequiredproofofaffection.
Accordinglytwopoundofsteaksfellbeforehim.Poorboy，hehadhardlyeatenagenuinemealforaweekpast.
Christiesatoppositehim，andeverytimehelookedoffhisplatehesawherrichblueeyesdwellingonhim.
Everythingcontributedtowarmhisheart，heyieldedtothespell，hebecamecontented，happy，gay.
Fluckerginger—cordialedhim，hissisterbewitchedhim.
Sherelatedtheday’seventsinamerrymood.
Mr.Gattyburstforthintosinging.
Hesungtwolightandsombertrifles，suchasinthepresentdayaredeemedgenerallyencouragingtospirits，andparticularlyinaccordancewiththesentimentofsupper——theywereaboutDeathandIvyGreen.
Thedog’svoicewasnotverypowerful，butsweetandroundashoneydroppingfromthecomb.
Histwohearerswereentranced，forthecreaturesangwithaninspirationgoodsingersdarenotindulge.
HeconcludedbyinformingChristiethattheivywassymbolicalofher，andtheoakprefiguredCharlesGatty，Esq.
Hemighthaveinvertedthesimilewithmoretruth.
Inshort，heneversaidawordtoChristieaboutpartingwithher，butseveralaboutbeingburiedinthesamegravewithher，sixtyyearshence，forwhichthespotheselectedwasWestminsterAbbey.
Andawayhewent，leavinggoldenopinionsbehindhim.
ThenextdayChristiewassoaffectedwithhisconduct，comingasitdidafteranapparentcoolness，thatsheconqueredherbashfulnessandcalledonthe\"vilecount，\"andwithsomeblushesandhesitationinquired，\"Whetherapainterladwasafitsubjectofcharity.\"
\"Whynot？\"saidhislordship.
ShetoldhimGatty’scase，andheinstantlypromisedtoseethatartist’spictures，particularlyan\"awfu’bonnyane;\"theheroofwhichshedescribedasanEnglishministerblessingthebairnswithonehand，andgivingorderstokillthepuirScoetchwiththeother.
\"C’este’gal，\"saidChristieinScotch，\"it’sawfu’bonny.\"
Gattyreachedhomelate;hismotherhadretiredtorest.
Butthenextmorningshedrewfromhimwhathadhappened，andthenensuedanotherofthosedialogueswhichIamashamedagaintogivethereader.
Sufficeittosay，thatsheoncemoreprevailed，thoughwithfargreaterdifficulty;timewastobegivenhimtounsewaconnectionwhichhecouldnotcutasunder，andhe，withtearfuleyesandaheavyheart，agreedtotakesomesteptheveryfirstopportunity.
Thisconcessionwashardlyoutofhismouth，erehismothermadehimkneeldownandbestowedherblessinguponhim.
Hereceiveditcoldlyanddully，andexpressedalanguidhopeitmightproveacharmtosavehimfromdespair;andsad，bitter，anddejected，forcedhimselftositdownandworkonthepicturethatwastomeethisunrelentingcreditor’sdemand.
Hewasworkingonhispicture，andhismother，withherneedle，atthetable，whenaknockwasheard，andgayasalark，andfreshasthedewontheshamrock，ChristieJohnstonestoodinpersonintheapartment.
Shewasevidentlythebearerofgoodtidings;but，beforeshecouldexpressthem，Mrs.Gattybeckonedhersonaside，andannouncing，\"sheshouldbewithinhearing，\"badehimtaketheoccasionthatsohappilypresenteditself，andmakethefirststep.
Atanothertime，Christie，whohadlearnedfromJeanthearrivalofMrs.
Gatty，wouldhavebeenstruckwiththeoldlady’ssilence;butshecametotellthedepressedpainterthatthecharitableviscountwasabouttovisithimandhispicture;andshewassofullofthegoodfortunelikelytoensue，thatshewasneglectfulofminorconsiderations.
Itsohappened，however，thatcertaininterruptionspreventedherfromeverdeliveringherselfofthenewsinquestion.
First，Gattyhimselfcametoher，and，castinguneasyglancesatthedoorbywhichhismotherhadjustgoneout，said：
\"Christie！\"
\"Mylad！\"
\"Iwanttopaintyourlikeness.\"
Thiswasfora_souvenir，_poorfellow！
\"Hech！Iwadlikefinetobepainted.\"
\"Itmustbeexactlythesamesizeasyourself，andsolikeyou，that，shouldwebeparted，Imayseemnottobequitealoneintheworld.\"
Herehewasobligedtoturnhisheadaway.
\"Butwe’llnopairt，\"repliedChristie，cheerfully.\"Supposeye’repuir，I’mrich，andit’sa’one;dinnabesocastdownforauchtypund.\"
Atthis，aslipshodservantentered，andsaid：\"There’safisherlad，inquiringforChristieJohnstone.\"
\"ItwillbeFlucker，\"saidChristie;\"showhimben.What’swrangthenooIwonder！\"
Thebaddishboyentered，tookupapositionandremainedapparentlypassive，handsinpockets.
_Christie._\"Aweel，whatest？\"
_Flucker._\"Custy.\"
_Christie._\"What’syourwill，mymanny？\"
_Flucker._\"Custy，IwasatInchKeiththeday.\"
_Christie._\"AndhaeyereallycometoEdinbro’totellmethaat？\"
_Flucker（dryly）._\"Oh！yekenthelassesareahantlewiserthanweare——willyehearme？SouthInchKeith，Iplayedabowli’thewater，justfordivairsion——andIcatchedtwarreefish！\"
_Christie._\"Floonders，Ibet.\"
_Flucker._\"Doesfloondersswimhigh？I’llletyouseehisgills，andifyeareareichtfishwifeye’llsmellbluid.\"
Hereheopenedhisjacket，andshowedabrightlittlefish.
InamomentallChristie’snonchalancegavewaytoafieryanimation.ShedartedtoFlucker’sside.
\"Yehaenabeensaedaftastell？\"askedshe.
Fluckershookhisheadcontemptuously.
\"Onybirdsattheisland，Flucker？\"
\"Sea—maws，plenty，andabirdIdinnaken;hemoontedsaehigh，thendoonlikethunderintilthesea，andgartthewaterfleeashighasHaman，andporpoisesasbigasmyboat.\"
\"Porr—poises，fulishladdy——yehaeseentheherrinwhaleathiswark，andthesolantguseyehaeseenheratwark;andbeneaththesea，Flucker，everycoedflshanddoegfish，andfishthathasteeth，isafterthem;andhalfScotlandwadbeatInchKeithIslandiftheykennedwhatyehaetell’tme——dinnaspeaktome.\"
Duringthis，Gatty，whodidnotcomprehendthissuddenexcitement，orthoughtitchildish，hadtriedinvaintowinherattention.
Atlasthesaid，alittlepeevishly，\"Willyounotattendtome，andtellmeatleastwhenyouwillsittome？\"
Set！\"criedshe.\"Whenthere’snaewarktobedonestanning.\"
Andwiththisshewasgone.
Atthefootofthestairs，shesaidtoherbrother：
\"Puirlad！I’llsunedrawauchtypundsfra’theseaforhim，withmyfeyther’snets.\"
Asshedisappeared，Mrs.Gattyappeared.\"Andthisisthewomanwhosemindwasnotinherdirtybusiness，\"criedshe.\"Doesnotthatopenyoureyes，Charles？\"
\"Ah！Charles，\"addedshe，tenderly，\"there’snofriendlikeamother.\"
Andoffshecarriedtheprize——hisvanityhadbeenmortified.
AndsothathappenedtoChristieJohnstonewhichhasbefallenmanyawoman——thegreatnessofherlovemadethatloveappearsmalltoherlover.
\"Ah！mother，\"criedhe，\"Imustliveforyouandmyart;IamnotsodeartoherasIthought.\"
Andso，withasadheart，heturnedawayfromher;whileshe，withalightheart，dartedawaytothinkandactforhim.
CHAPTERXII.
ITwassometwohoursafterthisthatagentleman，plainlydressed，butwhoseclothesseemedapartofhimself（whereasmineIhaveobservedhanguponme;andtheRev.JosiahSplitall’ssticktohim）——glidedintothepainter’sroom，withaninquirywhetherhehadnotapictureortwodisposable.
\"Ihaveonefinishedpicture，sir，\"saidthepoorboy;\"butthepriceishigh！\"
Hebroughtit，inafaint—heartedway;forhehadshownittofivepicture—dealers，andallfiveagreeditwashard.
Hehadpaintedalime—tree，distantfiftyyards，andsopainteditthatitlookedsomethinglikealime—treefiftyyardsoff.
\"Thatwas_mesquin，\"_saidhisjudges;\"thepoetryofpaintingrequiredabstracttrees，atmetaphysicaldistance，notthevarioustreesofnature，astheyappearunderpositiveaccidents.\"
OnthisMr.Gattyhaddelugedthemwithwords.
\"Whenitisart，truth，orsensetofuseacow，ahorse，andacriticintooneundistinguishablequadruped，withsixlegs，thenitwillbearttomeltanash，anelm，andalime，thingsthatdiffermorethanquadrupeds，intowhatyoucallabstracttrees，thatanymanwhohasseenatree，aswellaslookedatone，wouldcalldrunkenstinging—nettles.
You，whoneverlookatnature，howcanyoujudgethearts，whichareallbutcopiesofnature？Attwohundredyards’distance，full—growntreesaremoredistinguishablethantheanimaltribe.Paintmeanabstracthumanbeing，neithermannorawoman，\"saidhe，\"andthenIwillagreetopaintatreethatshallbenotree;and，ifnomanwillbuyit，perhapsthefatheroflieswilltakeitoffmyhands，andhangitintheonlyplaceitwouldnotdisgrace.\"
Inshort，heneverleftofftillhehadcrushedthenon—buyerswitheloquenceandsatire;buthecouldnotcrushthemintobuyers——theybeathimatthepassiveretort.
PoorGatty，whenthemomentaryexcitementofargumenthadsubsided，drankthebittercupallmustdrinkawhile，whosebarkisaliveandstrongenoughtostemthecurrentdownwhichthedead，weakthingsoftheworldaredrifting，manyofthemintosafeharbors.
Andnowhebroughtouthispicturewithaheavyheart.
\"Now，\"saidhetohimself，\"thisgentlemanwilltalkmedead，andleavemenoricherincoin，andpoorerintimeandpatience.\"
Thepicturewasplacedinalight，thevisitorsatdownbeforeit.
Alongpauseensued.
\"Hashefainted？\"thoughtGatty，ironically;\"hedoesn’tgabble.\"
\"Ifyoudonotmindpaintingbeforeme，\"saidthevisitor，\"IshouldbegladifyouwouldcontinuewhileIlookintothispicture.\"
Gattypainted.
Thevisitorheldhistongue.
Atfirstthesilencemadetheartistuneasy，butbydegreesitbegantogivehimpleasure;whoeverthiswas，itwasnotoneofthefliesthathadhithertostunghim，northejackdawsthathadchatteredhimdead.
Glorioussilence！hebegantopaintunderitsinfluencelikeoneinspired.
Halfanhourpassedthus.
\"Whatisthepriceofthisworkofart？\"
\"Eightypounds.\"
\"Itakeit，\"saidhisvisitor，quietly.
What，nomoredifficultythanthat？Hefeltalmostdisappointedatgaininghisobjectsoeasily.
\"Iamobligedtoyou，sir;muchobligedtoyou，\"headded，forhereflectedwhateightypoundsweretohimjustthen.
\"Itismydescendantswhoareobligedtoyou，\"repliedthegentleman;
\"thepictureisimmortal！\"
Thesewordswereanepochinthepainter’slife.
Thegrave，silentinspectionthathadprecededthem，thecool，deliberate，masterlytoneinwhichtheyweresaid，madethemoraculartohim.
Wordsofsuchimporttookhimbysurprise.
Hehadthirstedforaveragepraiseinvain.
Ahandhadtakenhim，andplacedhimatthetopofthetree.
Heretiredabruptly，orhewouldhaveburstintotears.
Herantohismother.
\"Mother，\"saidhe，\"Iamapainter;Ialwaysthoughtsoatbottom，butI
supposeitistheheightofmyideasmakesmediscontentedwithmywork.\"
\"Whathashappened？’
\"Thereisacriticinmyroom.Ihadnoideatherewasacriticinthecreation，andthereisoneinmyroom.
\"Hasheboughtyourpicture，mypoorboy？\"saidMrs.Gatty，distrustfully.
Tohersurprisehereplied：
\"Yes！hehasgotit;onlyeightypoundsforanimmortalpicture.\"
Mrs.Gattywasoverjoyed，Gattywasalittlesad;but，reviving，heprofessedhimselfglad;thepicturewasgoingtoajudge.
\"Itisnotmuchmoney，\"saidhe，\"butthemanhasspokenwordsthataretenthousandpoundstome.\"
Hereturnedtotheroom;hisvisitor，hatinhand，wasabouttogo;afewwordswerespokenabouttheartofpainting，thisledtoaconversation，andthentoashortdiscussion.
ThenewcomersoonshowedMr.CharlesGattyhisignoranceoffacts.
Thismanhadsatquietlybeforeamultitudeofgreatpictures，newandold，inEngland.
HecooleddownCharlesGatty，Esq.，monopolistofnatureandtruth.
HequotedtohimthirtypaintersinGermany，whopainteverystrokeofalandscapeintheopenair，andfortyinvariousnationswhohaddoneitintimespast.
\"You，sir，\"hewenton，\"appeartohangontheskirtsofacertainclique，whohandlethebrushwell，butdrawill，andlookatnaturethroughthespectaclesofcertainignorantpainterswhospoiledcanvasfourhundredyearsago.
\"Gonofurtherinthatdirection.
\"Thoseboys，likeallquacks，haveonegreattruthwhichtheydisfigurewithmorethanonefalsehood.
\"Holdfasttheirtruth，whichisatruththeworldhasalwayspossessed，thoughitspracticehasbeenconfinedtothehonestandlaboriousfew.
\"Eschewtheirwantofmindandtaste.
\"Shrinkwithhorrorfromthatprofane_cultedelaideur，_that’loveofthelopsided，’theyhaverecoveredfromthefoulreceptaclesofdecayedart.\"
Heremindedhimfurther，that\"Artisnotimitation，butillusion;thataplumberandglazierofourdayandamedievalpainteraremorealikethananytworepresentativesofgeneralstylesthatcanbefound;andforthesamereason，namely，thatwitheachoftheseartisinitsinfancy;thesetwosetsofbunglershavenotlearnedhowtoproducetheillusionsofart.\"
Toallthisheaddedafewwordsofcomplimentonthemind，aswellasmechanicaldexterity，ofthepurchasedpicture，badehimgoodmorning，andglidedawaylikeapassingsunbeam.
\"Amother’sblessingisagreatthingtohave，andtodeserve，\"saidMrs.
Gatty，whohadrejoinedherson.
\"Itis，indeed，\"saidCharles.Hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbythecoincidence.
Hehadmadeasacrificetohismother，andinafewhoursoneofhistroubleshadmeltedaway.
InthemidstofthesereflectionsarrivedMr.Saunderswithanote.
Thenotecontainedacheckforonehundredandfiftypounds，withtheselines，inwhichthewriterexcusedhimselffortheamendment：\"Iamapaintermyself，\"saidhe，\"anditisimpossiblethateightypoundscanremuneratethetimeexpendedonthispicture，tosaynothingoftheskill.\"
Wehavetreatedthispoorboy’spicturehithertowithjustcontempt，butnowthatitisgoneintoafamouscollection，mind，wealwaysadmiredit;
wealwayssaidso，wetakeouroathwedid;ifwehavehithertodeferredframingit，thatwasmerelybecauseitwasnotsold.
MR.GATTY’SPICTURE，ATPRESENTINTHECOLLECTIONOFLORDIPSDEN！
Therewas，hundredsofyearsago，acertainBishopofDurham，whousedtofightinpersonagainsttheScotch，anddefeatthem.Whenhewasnotwithhisflock，thenorthernwolvessometimesscatteredit;butwhentheholyfatherwastherewithhisprayersandhisbattle—ax，Englandwontheday！
ThisnettledtheScottishking，sohepenetratedoneday，withalargeband，asfarasDurhamitself，andforashorttimeblockedtheprelateupinhisstronghold.ThiswastheperiodofMr.Gatty’spicture.
Whosetitlewas：
_\"HalfChurchofGod，halfToweragainsttheScot.\"_
Inthebackgroundwasthecathedral，onthetowersofwhichpacedtoandfromeninarmor，withthewesternsunglitteringthereon.Inthecenter，ahorseandcart，ledbyaboy，werecarryingasheafofarrows，tiedwithastrawband.Inpartoftheforegroundwastheprelate，inahalfsuitofarmor，butbareheaded;hewasturningawayfromtheboytowhomhissinkinghandhadindicatedhiswayintotheholycastle，andhisbenignantglancerestedonachild，whomitsmotherwasholdingupforhisbenediction.Intheforegroundtheafternoonbeamssprinkledgoldonalonggrassyslope，correspondingtotheelevationonwhichthecathedralstood，separatedbytheriverWearfromthegroup;andthesecalmbeautiesofNature，withthemotherandchild，werethepeacefulsideofthistwofoldstory.
Sucharethedrydetails.Butthesoulofitscharmnopencanflingonpaper.Forthestatelycathedralstoodandlived;thelittleleavesslumberedyetlived;andthestoryfloatedandlived，inthepotablegoldofsummerafternoon.
Tolookatthispaintedpoemwastofeelathrillofpleasureinbareexistence;itwentthroughtheeyes，wherepaintingsstop，andwarmedthedepthsandrecessesoftheheartwithitssunshineanditsgloriousair.
CHAPTERXIII.
\"WHATisinthewindthisdarknight？SixNewhavenboatsandtwentyboysandhobbledehoys，hiredbytheJohnstonesathalfacrowneachforanight’sjob.\"
\"Secretservice！\"
\"Whatisitfor？\"
\"Ithinkitisasmugglinglay，\"suggestedFlucker，\"butweshallknowallingoodtime.\"
\"Smuggling！\"Theircountenancesfell;theyhadhopedforsomethingmorenearlyapproachingtheillegal.
\"Maybeshehasfandtheherrin’，\"saidaten—year—old.
\"Haw！haw！haw！\"wenttheothers.\"Shefindtheherrin’，whenthere’sfivehundredfishermenafterthembaithsidestheFirrth.\"
Theyoungsterwasdiscomfited.
Infacttheexpeditionborenosignsoffishing.
Thesixboatssailedatsundown，ledbyFlucker.HebroughttoonthesouthsideofInchKeith，andnothinghappenedforaboutanhour.
ThensuchboysaswereawakesawtwogreateyesoflightcomingupfromGranton;rattlewentthechaincable，andLordIpsden’scutterswungatanchorinfourfathomwater.
AthousandquestionstoFlucker.
Asinglepuffoftobacco—smokewashisanswer.
AndnowcreptupasingleeyeoflightfromLeith;shecameamongtheboats;theboysrecognizedacrazyoldcutterfromLeithharbor，withChristieJohnstoneonboard.
\"Whatisthatbrownheaponherdeck？\"
\"Amountainofnets——fiftystoutherring—nets.\"
_Tuncmanifestafides._
Ayellburstfromalltheboys.
\"He’sgauntotakustoDunbar.\"
\"Halfacrown！ye’renoblate.\"
Christieorderedtheboatsalongsidehercutter，andfivenetsweredroppedintoeachboat，sixintoFlucker’s.
Thedepthofthewaterwasgiventhem，andtheywereinstructedtoshoottheirnetssoastokeepafathomandahalfabovetherockybottom.
Aherringnetissimplyawallofmeshestwelvefeetdeep，fiftyfeetlong;itsinkstoaverticalpositionbytheweightofnettwine，andiskeptfromsinkingtothebottomoftheseabybladdersorcorks.Thesenetsaretiedtooneanother，andpaidoutatthesternoftheboat.Boatandnetsdriftwiththetide;if，therefore，thenetstouchedtherockstheywouldbetorntopieces，andthefishermanruined.
Andthissavestheherring——thatfishlieshoursandhoursattheverybottomofthesealikeastone，andthepoorfishermanshalldrivewithhisnetsayardortwooverasquaremileoffish，andnotcatchaherringtail;ontheotherhand，iftheyrisetoplayforfiveminutes，inthatfiveminutestheyshallfillsevenhundredboats.
Atnineo’clockalltheboatshadshottheirnets，andChristiewentalongsidehislordship’scutter;heaskedhermanyquestionsaboutherringfishery，towhichshegaveclearanswers，derivedfromherfather，whohadalwaysbeenwhatthefishermencallaluckyfisherman;
thatis，hehadopenedhiseyesandjudgedforhimself.
LordIpsdenthengaveherbluelightstodistributeamongtheboats，thatthefirstwhichcaughtherringmightsignalallhands.
Thiswasdone，andallwasexpectation.Eleveno’clockcame——nosignalfromanyboat.
Christiebecameanxious.Atlastshewentroundtotheboats;foundtheboysallasleepexceptthebaddishboy;wakedthemup，andmadethemallhaulintheirfirstnet.Thenetscameinasblackasink，nosignofaherring.
Therewasbutoneopinion;therewasnoherringatInchKeith;theyhadnotbeentherethissevenyears.
Atlast，Flucker，towhomshecameinturn，toldherhewasgoingintotwofathomwater，wherehewouldletoutthebladdersanddropthenetsontheircursedbacks.
AstrongremonstrancewasmadebyChristie，butthebaddishboyinsistedthathehadanequalrightinallhernets，and，settinghissail，heranintoshoalwater.
Christiebegantobesorrowful;insteadofmakingmoney，shewasgoingtothrowitaway，andthene’er—do—weelFluckerwouldtearsixnetsfromtheropes.
Fluckerhauleddownhissail，andunsteppedhismastintwofathomwater;
buthewasnotsuchafoolastoriskhissixnets;hedevotedonetohisexperiment，anddiditwell;heletouthisbladderlineafathom，sothatonehalfhisnetwouldliterallybehiggledy—piggledywiththerocks，unlessthefishwerethere_enmasse._
Nolongtimewasrequired.
Infiveminuteshebegantohaulinthenet;first，theboyshauledintherope，andthenthenetbegantoapproachthesurface.Fluckerlookedanxiouslydown，theotherladsincredulously;suddenlytheyallgaveayelloftriumph——anappearanceofsilverandlightningmixedhadglancedupfromthebottom;incamethefirsttwoyardsofthenet——therewerethreeherringsinit.ThesethreeprovedFlucker’spointaswellasthreemillion.
Theyhauledinthenet.Beforetheyhadaquarterofitin，thenetcameuptothesurface，andtheseawasalivewithmoltensilver.Theupperhalfofthenetwasempty，butthelowerhalfwasonesolidmassoffish.
Theboyscouldnotfindamesh，theyhadnothingtohandlebutfish.
Atthismomenttheeasternmostboatshowedabluelight.
\"Thefisharerising，\"saidFlucker，\"we’llnarisknaemairnets.\"
Soonafterthisasortofsongwasheardfromtheboatthathadshowedalight.Flucker，whohadgothisnetin，randowntoher，andfound，ashesuspected，thattheboyshadnotpowertodrawtheweightoffishoverthegunwale.
Theyweresinging，assailorsdo，thattheymightallpulltogether;hegavethemtwoofhiscrew，andrandowntohisownskipper.
Thesaidskippergavehimfourmen.
Anotherbluelight！
Christieandhercrewcamealittlenearertheboats，andshottwelvenets.
Theyachtsmenenteredthesportwithzeal，sodidhislordship.
Theboatswereallfullinafewminutes，andnetsstillout.
ThenFluckerbegantofearsomeofthesenetswouldsinkwiththeweightoffish;fortheherringdieafterawhileinanet，andadeadherringsinks.
Whatwastobedone？
Theygottwoboatsalongsidethecutter，andunloadedthemintoheraswellastheycould;butbeforetheycouldhalfdothistheotherboatshailedthem.
Theycametooneofthem;theboyswerestrugglingwithathingwhichnostrangerwouldhavedreamedwasanet.
Imagineawhitesheet，fiftyfeetlong，varnishedwithred—hotsilver.
Thereweretwentybarrelsinthissinglenet.Bydintoffreshhandstheygothalfofherin，andthenthemeshesbegantobreak;themenleanedoverthegunwale，andputtheirarmsroundblocksandmassesoffish，andsoflungthemonboard;andthecodfishanddogfishsnappedthemalmostoutofthemen’shandsliketigers.
Atlasttheycametoanetwhichwasadoublewallofherring;ithadbeensometimeinthewater，andmanyofthefishweredead;theytriedtheirbest，butitwasimpracticable;theylaidholdofthesolidherring，andwhentheyliftedupahundred—weightclearofthewater，awayitalltore，andsankbackagain.
Theywereobligedtocutawaythisnet，withtwentypoundssterlinginher.Theycutawaythetwinefromthehead—ropes，andnetandfishwenttothebottom.
Allhandswerenowaboutthecutter;Christie’snetswereallstrongandnew;theyhadbeensometimeinthewater;inhaulingthemupherside，quantitiesoffishfelloutofthenetintothewater，buttherewereenoughleft.
Sheaveragedtwelvebarrelsanet.
Suchoftheyawlsaswerenotquitefullcreptbetweenthecutterandthenets，andcaughtalltheywanted.
Theprojectorofthisfortunatespeculationsuddenlyannouncedthatshewasverysleepy.
Fluckerrolledherupinasail，andshesleptthesleepofinfancyonboardhercutter.
Whensheawokeitwasseveno’clockinthemorning，andhercutterwascreepingwithasmartbreezeabouttwomilesanhour，amilefromNewhavenpier.
TheyachthadreturnedtoGranton，andtheyawls，verylowinthewater，werecreepingalonglikesnails，withbothsailsset.
ThenewswasinEdinburghlongbeforetheylanded.TheyhadbeendiscernedunderInchKeithatthedawn.
Andthemanneroftheircreepingalong，whentherewassuchabreeze，toldthetaleatoncetothekeen，experiencedeyesthataresuretobescanningthesea.
Donkey—cartscamerattlingdownfromthecapital.
MerchantscamepeltingdowntoNewhavenpier.
