\"Ut’stimetogo，Annie，\"hesaid。\"Thottrain’ullbestartun’。\"
Hewassilentonthetrainatfirst，dividedbetweenwatchingthewifewiththechildgoingtosleepinherarmsandlookingoutofthewindowatthetilledfieldsandgreenunforestedhillsvagueandindistinctinthedrivingdrizzlethathadsetin。Theyhadthecompartmenttothemselves。Whentheboysleptshelaidhimoutontheseatandwrappedhimwarmly。Andwhenthehealthofrelativesandfriendshadbeeninquiredafter，andthegossipofIslandMcGillnarrated，alongwiththeweatherandthepriceoflandandcrops，therewaslittlelefttotalkaboutsavethemselves，andCaptainMacElrathtookupthetalebroughthomeforthegoodwifefromallhisworld’s—endwandering。Butitwasnotataleofmarvelshetold，norofbeautifulflower—landsnormysteriousEasterncities。
\"WhatlikeisJava？\"sheaskedonce。
\"Fullo’fever。Halfthecrewdownwuthutan’luttlework。Utwasquininean’quininethewholeblessedtime。Eachmarnun’’twasquininean’ginforallhandsonanemptystomach。An’theywhowasnosickmadeutouttobehovun’utbaduztherest。\"
AnothertimesheaskedaboutNewcastle。
\"Coalsan’coal—dust—thot’sall。Noanicesutty。IlosttwoChinksthere，stokersthebothofthem。An’theownerspaidafinetulltheGovernmentofahundredpoundseachforthem。’Weregrettullnote，’theywrutme—IgotthelettertullOregon—’Weregrettullnotethelosso’twoChinesememberso’yercrewotNewcastle，an’werecommendgreatercarefulnessunthefuture。’
Greatercarefulness！AndIcouldnoa—beenmorecareful。TheChinkshodforty—fivepoundseachcomun’tulltheminwages，an’I
wasnoa—thunkun’they’udrun。
\"Butthot’stheirway—’weregrettullnote，’’webegtulladvise，’’werecommend，’’wecannaunderstand’—an’thelikeo’
thot。Domnedcargotank！An’theywouldthunkIcoulddriveherlikeaLucania，an’wi’outburnun’coals。Therewasthotpropeller。Iwasafterthemaguidwhileforut。Theoldonewasiron，thuckontheedges，an’wecouldnamakeourspeed。An’thenewonewasbronze—ninehundredpoundsutcost，an’thenwantun’
theirreturnsouto’ut，an’mewuthabodpassagean’lossin’timeeveryday。’WeregrettullnoteyourlongpassagefromVoloparaisotullSydneywuthanaveragedailyruno’onlyonehundredan’
suxty—seven。Wehodexpectedbetterresultswuththenewpropeller。Youshoulda—madeanaveragedailyruno’twohundredandsuxteen。’
\"An’meonawunterpassage，blowin’aluvin’galehalfthetime，wuthhurricaneforceinatweenwhiles，an’hovetosuxdays，wuthenginesstoppedan’bunkercoalrunnun’short，an’mewuthamatethotstupidhecouldnopassashup’slightotnightwi’outcallun’
metullthebrudge。Iwrutan’told’emso。An’then：’Ournauticaladvisersuggestsyoukepttoofarsouth，’an’’Wearelookun’forbetterresultsfromthotpropeller。’Nauticaladviser！
—shorepilot！UtwastheregularlatitudeforawunterpassagefromVoloparaisotullSydney。
\"An’whenIcomeuntullAucklandshorto’coal，afterlettun’herdruftsuxdayswuththefiresouttullsavethecoal，an’wuthonlytwentytonsinmybunkers，Iwasthunkun’o’thelossin’o’timean’theexpense，an’tullsavetheownersItookherunan’outwi’outpilotage。Pilotagewasnocompulsory。An’unYokohama，whoshouldImeetbutCaptunRobinsono’theDyapsic。Wegota—talkun’
aboutportsan’placesdownAustralia—way，an’firstthinghesays：
’Speakun’o’Auckland—ofcourse，Captun，youwasneverunAuckland？’’Yus，’Isays，’Iwasunthereveryrecent。’’Oh，ho，’
hesays，veryangry—like，’soyouwasthesmartAleckthotfetchedmethotletterfromtheowners：\"WenoteitemoffufteenpoundsforpilotageotAuckland。Ashupo’ourswasuntullAucklandrecentlyan’uncurrednosuchcharge。Webegtulladviseyouthotweconseederthuspilotageanonnecessaryexpensewhichshouldnobeuncurredunthefuture。’\"
\"ButdudtheysayawordtullmeforthefufteenpoundsIsavedtullthem？Noaword。TheysendalettertullCaptunRobinsonfornosavun’themthefufteenpounds，an’tullme：’Wenoteitemoftwoguineasdoctor’sfeeatAucklandforcrew。Pleaseexplainthusonusualexpunditure。’Utwastwoo’theChinks。Iwasthunkun’
theyhodberi—beri，an’thotwasthewhyo’sendun’forthedoctor。
Iburiedthetwoofthemotseanotaweekafter。Bututwas：
’Pleaseexplainthusonusualexpunditure，’an’tullCaptunRobinson，’Webegtulladviseyouthotweconseederthuspilotageanonnecessaryexpense。’
\"DudnaIcablethemfromNewcastle，tellun’themtheoldtankwasthotfoulsheneededdry—dock？Sevenmonthsouto’drydock，an’
theWestCoastthequickestplaceforfoulun’untheworld。Butfreightswasup，an’theyhodachartero’coalsforPortland。TheArrata，oneo’theWoorLine，leftportthesamedayuzus，boundforPortland，an’theoldTryapsicmakun’suxknots，sevenotthebest。An’utwasotComox，takun’unbunkercoal，Igottheletterfromtheowners。Thebosshumselfhodsignedut，an’otthebottomhewrutunhusownbond：’TheArratabeatyoubyfouran’ahalfdays。Amdusappointed。’Dusappointed！WhenIhadcabledthemfromNewcastle。WhenshedrydockedotPortland，therewaswhuskersonherafootlong，barnaclesthesizeo’mefust，oysterslikeyoungsauceplates。Uttookthemtwodaysafterwardtullcleanthedocko’shellsan’muck。
\"An’therewasthemottero’themfire—barsotNewcastle。Thefirmashoremadethemheavierthantheengineer’sspeecifications，an’
thenforgottullchargeforthedufference。Otthelastmoment，wuthmeashoregettun’meclearance，theycomewuththebill：
’Tullerroronfire—bars，suxpounds。’They’dbeentulltheshupan’MacPhersonhodO。K。’dut。Isaidutwasstrangean’wouldnopay。’Thenyouaredootun’thechiefengineer，’saysthey。’I’mnodootun’，’saysI，’butIcannaseemywaytullsign。Comewuthmetulltheshup。Thelaunchwullcostyenaughtan’ut’ullbrungyeback。An’wewullseewhatMacPhersonsays。’
\"Buttheywouldnocome。OtPortlandIgotthebillunaletter。
Itooknonotice。OtHong—KongIgotaletterfromtheowners。
Thebillhodbeensenttullthem。IwrutthemfromJavaexplainun’。AtMarseillestheownerswrutme：’Tullextraworkunengine—room，suxpounds。TheengineerhasO。K。’dut，an’youhavenoO。K。’dut。Areyoudootun’theengineer’shonesty？’Iwrutan’
toldthemIwasnodootun’hishonesty;thotthebillwasforextraweighto’fire—bars;an’thotutwasO。K。Dudtheypayut？Theynodud。Theymustunvestigate。An’someclerkuntheofficetooksick，an’thebillwaslost。An’therewasmoreletters。Igotlettersfromtheownersan’thefirm—’Tullerroronfire—bars，suxpounds’—otBaltimore，otDelagoaBay，otMoji，otRangoon，otRio，an’otMontevuddio。Utuznosettledyut。Itellye，Annie，theownersarehardtullplease。\"
Hecommunedwithhimselfforamoment，andthenmutteredindignantly：\"Tullerroronfire—bars，suxpounds。\"
\"HovyeheardofJamie？\"hiswifeaskedinthepause。
CaptainMacElrathshookhishead。
\"Hewaswashedoffthepoopwuththreeseamen。\"
\"Whereabouts？\"
\"OfftheHorn。’TwasontheThornsby。\"
\"Theywouldberunnun’homewardbound？\"
\"Aye，\"shenodded。\"Weonlygotthewordthreedaysgone。Hiswifeisgreetin’liketulldie。\"
\"Agoodlod，Jamie，\"hecommented，\"butastiffoneotcarryun’on。
ImindmewhenwewasmatestogetheruntheAbion。An’soJamie’sgone。\"
Againapausefell，tobebrokenbythewife。
\"An’yewillnoa—heardo’theBankshire？MacDougalllostherinMagellanStraits。’Twasonlyyesterdayutwasinthepaper。\"
\"Acruelplace，themMagellanStraits，\"hesaid。\"Dudnathotdomnedmate—fellownighputtmeashoretwiceontheonepassagethrough？Hewasaeediot，alunatuc。Iwouldnahavehumonthebrudgeamunut。Comun’tullNarrowReach，thuckweather，wuthsnowsqualls，meunthechart—room，dudnaIguvhumthechangedcourse？
’South—east—by—east，’Itoldhum。’South—east—by—east，sir，’sayshe。FufteenmunutsafterIcomesontullthebrudge。’Funny，’
saysthotmate—fellow，’I’mnorememberun’onyislandsunthemoutho’NarrowReach。Itookonelookottheislandsan’yells，’Puttyourwheelharda—starboard，’tullthemonotthewheel。An’yeshoulda—seentheoldTryapsicturnun’thesharpestcirclesheeverturned。Iwaitedforthesnowtullclear，an’therewasNarrowReach，niceuzyeplease，tulltheeast’ardan’theislandsunthemoutho’FalseBaytullthesouth’ard。’Whatcoursewasyesteerun’？’Isaystullthemonotthewheel。’South—by—east，sir，’
sayshe。Ilookedtullthemate—fellow。WhatcouldIsay？IwasthotwrothIcoulda—kulthum。Fourpointsdufference。Fivemunutsmorean’theoldTryapsicwoulda—beenfunushed。
\"An’wasutnothesamewhenweclearedtheStraitstulltheeast’ard？Fourhourswoulda—seenusguidan’clear。Iwasfortyhoursthenonthebrudge。Iguvthematehiscourse，an’thebearun’o’theAsktharLightastern。’Don’tletherbearmoretullthenorth’ardthanwest—by—north，’Isaidtullhum，’an’yewullbeallright。’An’Iwentbelowan’turnedun。ButIcouldnasleepforworryun’。Afterfortyhoursonthebrudge，whatwasfourhoursmore？Ithought。An’forthemfourhourswullyebelettun’thematelossheronye？’No，’Isaystomyself。An’wuththotIgotup，hodawashan’acupo’coffee，an’wenttullthebrudge。I
tookonelookotthebearun’o’AsktharLight。’Twasnor’west—by—
west，andtheoldTryapsicdownontheshoals。Hewasaeediot，thotmate—fellow。Yecouldlookoversidean’seetheduscolorationofthewatter。’TwasaclosecallfortheoldTryapsicI’mtellun’
ye。Twiceunthirtyhourshe’da—hodherashoreufuthodnobeenforme。\"
CaptainMacElrathfelltogazingatthesleepingchildwithmildwonderinhissmallblueeyes，andhiswifesoughttodiverthimfromhiswoes。
\"YerememberJummyMacCaul？\"sheasked。\"Yewenttullschoolwuthhustwoboys。OldJummyMacCaulthothozthefarmbeyondDoctorHaythorn’splace。\"
\"Oh，aye，an’whato’hum？Uzhedead？\"
\"No，buthewasafteraskun’yourfather，whenhesailedlasttimeforVoloparaiso，ufye’dbeenthereafore。An’whenyourfathersaysno，thenJummysays，’An’howwullhebeknowuna’tullfindhusway？’An’withthotyourfathersays：’Verrysumpleutuz，Jummy。Supposun’youwasgoin’tullthemainlandtullamonwholuvedunBelfast。Belfastuzabugsutty，Jummy，an’howwouldyebefindun’yourway？’’Bywayo’metongue，’saysJummy;’I’dbeaskun’thefolkImet。’’Itoldyeutwassumple，’saysyourfather。’Ut’stheverysamewaymyDonaldfindstheroadtullVoloparaiso。Heaskseveryshuphemeetsupontheseatullotlasthemeetswuthashupthot’sbeentullVoloparaiso，an’thecaptuno’thotshuptellshumtheway。’An’Jummyscratcheshusheadan’
saysheunderstandsan’thotut’saverysumplemotterafterall。\"
Theskipperchuckledatthejoke，andhistiredblueeyesweremerryforthemoment。
\"Hewasathunchap，thotmate—fellow，ozthunozyouan’meputttogether，\"heremarkedafteratime，aslighttwinkleinhiseyeofappreciationofthebull。Butthetwinklequicklydisappearedandtheblueeyestookonableakandwintrylook。\"WhatdudhedootVoloparaisobutlandsuxhundredfathomo’chaincablean’takeneverareceiptfromthelighter—mon。Iwasgettun’myclearanceotthetime。Whenwegottullsea，Ifoundhehodnoreceiptforthecable。
\"’An’yenotookareceiptforut？’saysI。
\"’No，’sayshe。’Wasnautgoin’directtulltheagents？’
\"’Howlongha’yebeengoin’tullsea，’saysI，’nottullbeknowin’themate’sdutyuztulldeluvernocargowuthoutreceiptforsame？An’ontheWestCoastotthot。What’stullstopthelighter—monfromstealun’afewlengthso’ut？’
\"An’utcomeoutuzIsaid。Suxhundredhundredwentovertheside，butfourhundredan’ninety—fivewasalltheagentsreceived。
Thelighter—monsworeutwasallhereceivedfromthemate—fourhundredan’ninety—fivefathom。IgotaletterfromtheownersotPortland。Theynoblamedthemateforut，butme，an’meashoreotthetimeonshup’sbuzz’ness。Icouldnobeinthetwoplacesottheonetime。An’thelettersfromtheownersan’theagentsuzstillcomun’tullme。
\"Thotmate—fellowwasnoapropersailor，an’noamontullworkforowners。DudnahewanttullbreakmewuththeBoardofTradeforbein’belowmymarks？Hesaidasmuchtullthebos’n。An’hetoldmetullmyfacehomewardboundthotI’dbeenhalfaninchundermymarks。’TwasatPortland，loadun’cargounfreshwatteran’goin’tullComoxtullloadbunkercoalunsaltwatter。Itellye，Annie，uttakesclosefuggerin’，an’IWAShalfaninchundertheload—linewhenthebunkercoalwasun。ButI’mnotellun’anyotherbodybutyou。An’thotmate—fellowuntendun’tullreportmetulltheBoardo’Trade，onlyforthothesawfuttullbesliceduntwopiecesonthesteam—pipecover。
\"Hewasafool。Afterloadun’otPortlandIhodtulltakeonsuxtytonso’coaltulllastmetullComox。Thechargesforlighterun’
washeavy，an’noroomotthecoaldock。AFrenchbarquewaslyin’
alongsidethedockan’Ispoketullthecaptun，askun’humwhathewouldchargewhenworkforthedaywasdone，tullhaulclearforacoupleo’hoursan’letmeun。’Twentydollars，’saidhe。Utwassavun’moneyonlighterstulltheowner，an’Igaveuttullhum。
An’thotnight，afterdark，Ihauledunan’tookonthecoal。ThenIstartedtullgooutunthestreaman’dropanchor—undermeownsteam，ofcourse。
\"Wehodtullgooutsternfirst，an’somethun’wentwrongwuththereversun’gear。OldMacPhersonsaidhecouldworkutbyhond，butveryslowotthot。An’Isaid’Allright。’Westarted。Thepilotwasonboard。Thetidewasebbun’stuffly，an’rightabreastan’abutbelowwasashuplyin’wuthalighteroneachside。Isawtheshup’sridun’lights，butneveralightonthelighters。Utwasclosequarterstoshuftabugvesselondersteam，wuthMacPhersonworkun’thereversun’gearbyhond。WehodtocomeclosedownupontheshupaforeIcouldgoaheadan’clearo’theshupsonthedock—
ends。An’westruckthelighterstern—on，justuzIrungtullMacPhersonhalfahead。
\"’Whatwasthot？’saysthepilot，whenwestruckthelighter。
\"’Idunnaknow，’saysI，’an’I’mwonderun’。’
\"Thepilotwasnokeen，yesee，tullhusjob。Iwentontullaguidplacean’droppedanchor，an’utwouldalla—beenwellbutforthotdomnedeediotmate。
\"’Wesmashedthotlighter，’sayshe，comun’uptheloddertullthebrudge—an’thepilotstondun’therewuthhisearscockedtullhear。
\"’Whatlighter？’saysI。
\"’Thotlighteralongsidetheshup，’saysthemate。
\"’Idudnaseenolighter，’saysI，andwuththotIstepsonhusfutguidan’hard。
\"AfterthepilotwasgoneIsaystullthemate：’Ufyoudunnaknowonythun’，oldmon，forHeaven’ssakekeepyourmouthshut。’
\"’Butyedudsmashthotlighter，dudn’tye？’sayshe。
\"’Ufwedud，’saysI，’ut’snoyourbuzz’nesstullbetellun’thepilot—though，mindye，I’mnoadmuttun’therewasonylighter。’
\"An’nextmarnun’，justuzI’mafterdressun’，thestewardsays，’A
montullseeye，sir。’’Fetchhumun，’saysI。An’unhecome。
’Sutdown，’saysI。An’hesotdown。
\"Hewastheownerofthelighter，an’whenhehodtoldhusstory，I
says，’Idudnaseeonylighter。’
\"’What，mon？’sayshe。’Noseeatwo—hundred—tonlighter，bugozahouse，alongsidethotshup？’
\"’Iwasgoin’bytheshup’slights，’saysI，’an’Idudnatouchtheshup，thotIknow。’
\"’Butyedudtouchthelighter，’sayshe。’Yesmashedher。
There’sathousanddollars’domagedone，an’I’llseeyepayforut。’
’Lookhere，muster，’saysI，’whenI’mshuftun’ashupotnightI
followthelaw，an’thelawdustunctlysaysImustregulatemeactionsbythelightso’theshuppun’。Yourlighterneverhodnoridun’light，nordudIlookforonylighterwuthoutlightstullshowut。’
\"’Thematesays—’hebeguns。
\"’Domnthemate，’saysI。’Dudyourlighterhovaridun’light？’
\"’No，utdudnot，’sayshe，’bututwasaclearnightwuththemoona—showun’。’
\"’Yeseemtullknowyourbuzz’ness，’saysI。’ButletmetellyethotIknowmybuzz’nessuzwell，an’thotI’mnoa—lookun’forlighterswuthoutlights。Ufyethunkyehovacase，goahead。Thestewardwillshowyeout。Guidday。’
\"An’thotwastheendo’ut。Bututwullshowyewhatapuirfellowthotmatewas。Icallutablessun’forallmastersthothewassliceduntwoonthotsteam—pipecover。Hehadapulluntheofficean’thotwasthewhyhewaskepton。\"
\"TheWekleyfarmwullsoonbeforsale，sotheagentsbetellun’
me，\"hiswiferemarked，slylywatchingwhateffectherannouncementwouldhaveuponhim。
Hiseyesflashedeagerlyontheinstant，andhestraightenedupasmightamanabouttoengageinsomeagreeabletask。Itwasthefarmofhisvision，adjoininghisfather’s，andherownpeoplefarmednotamileaway。
\"Wewullbebuyun’ut，\"hesaid，\"thoughwewullbenotellun’asoulofutontulut’sboughtan’themoneypaiddown。I’vesavun’
consuderablethesedays，thoughpickun’suznowhattheyusedtobe，an’wehovatidynest—egglaidby。Iwullseethefatheran’
hovethemoneyreadytullhushond，soufI’motseahecanbuywheneverthelandoffers。\"
Herubbedthefrostedmoisturefromtheinsideofthewindowandpeeredoutatthepouringrain，throughwhichhecoulddiscernnothing。
\"WhenIwasayoungmenIusedtullbeafeardthottheownerswouldguvmethesack。StullafeardIamofthesack。ButoncethotfarmismineIwullnobeafeardonylonger。Ut’sapuirjobthussea—farmun’。Memanagin’unallseasan’weatheran’perilso’thedeepashupworthfuftythousandpounds，wuthcargoesottimesworthfuftythousandmore—ahundredthousandpounds，halfamilliondollarsuztheYankeessay，an’mewuthalltheresponsubilitygettun’ascrewo’twentypoundsamonth。Whatmonashore，managin’abuz’nessworthahundredthousandpoundswullbegettun’uzsmallascrewuztwentypounds？An’wuthsuchmastersuzacaptunserves—theowners，theunderwriters，an’theBoardo’
Trade，allpullun’anwantun’dufferentthungs—theownerswantun’
quickpassagesan’domntherusk，theunderwriterswantun’safepassagesan’domnthedelay，an’theBoardo’Tradewantun’
cautiouspassagesan’cautionalwaysmeanun’delay。Threedufferentmasters，an’allthreeablean’wullun’tobreakyeufyedon’tservetheirdufferentwushes。\"
Hefeltthetrainslackeningspeed，andpeeredagainthroughthemistywindow。Hestoodup，buttonedhisovercoat，turnedupthecollar，andawkwardlygatheredthechild，stillasleep，inhisarms。
\"Iwullseethefather，\"hesaid，\"an’hovthemoneyreadytullhushondsoufI’motseawhenthelandoffershewullnomussthechancetullbuy。An’thentheownerscanguvmethesackuzsoonuztheylike。Utwillbeallnightun，an’Iwullbewuthyou，Annie，an’theseacangotullhell。\"
Happinesswasinboththeirfacesattheprospect，andforamomentbothsawthesamevisionofpeace。Annieleanedtowardhim，andasthetrainstoppedtheykissedeachotheracrossthesleepingchild。
SAMUEL
MargaretHenanwouldhavebeenastrikingfigureunderanycircumstances，butnevermoresothanwhenIfirstchanceduponher，asackofgrainoffullyahundredweightonhershoulder，asshewalkedwithsurethoughtotteringstridefromthecart—tailtothestable，pausingforaninstanttogatherstrengthatthefootofthesteepstepsthatledtothegrain—bin。Therewerefourofthesesteps，andshewentupthem，astepatatime，slowly，unwaveringly，andwithsodoggedcertitudethatitneverenteredmymindthatherstrengthcouldfailherandletthathundred—weightsackfallfromtheleanandwitheredframethatwellnighdoubledunderit。Forshewaspatentlyanoldwoman，anditwasheragethatmademelingerbythecartandwatch。
Sixtimesshewentbetweenthecartandthestable，eachtimewithafullsackonherback，andbeyondpassingthetimeofdaywithmeshetooknonoticeofmypresence。Then，thecartempty，shefumbledformatchesandlightedashortclaypipe，pressingdowntheburningsurfaceofthetobaccowithacallousedandapparentlynervelessthumb。Thehandswerenoteworthy。Theywerelarge—
knuckled，sinewyandmalformedbylabour，rimedwithcallouses，thenailsbluntandbroken，andwithhereandtherecutsandbruises，healedandhealing，suchasarecommontothehandsofhard—workingmen。Onthebackwerehuge，upstandingveins，eloquentofageandtoil。Lookingatthem，itwashardtobelievethattheywerethehandsofthewomanwhohadoncebeenthebelleofIslandMcGill。
Thislast，ofcourse，Ilearnedlater。AtthetimeIknewneitherherhistorynorheridentity。
Sheworeheavyman’sbrogans。Herlegswerestockingless，andI
hadnoticedwhenshewalkedthatherbarefeetwerethrustintothecrinkly，iron—likeshoesthatsloshedaboutherleananklesateverystep。Herfigure，shapelessandwaistless，wasgarbedinaroughman’sshirtandinaraggedflannelpetticoatthathadoncebeenred。Butitwasherface，wrinkled，witheredandweather—
beaten，surroundedbyanaureoleofunkemptandstragglingwispsofgreyishhair，thatcaughtandheldme。Neitherdriftedhairnorserriedwrinklescouldhidethesplendiddomeofaforehead，highandbroadwithoutvergingintheslightestontheabnormal。
Thesunkencheeksandpinchednosetoldlittleofthequalityofthelifethatflickeredbehindthoseclearblueeyesofhers。
Despitetheminutiaeofwrinkle—workthatsomehowfailedtoweazenthem，hereyeswereclearasagirl’s—clear，out—looking，andfar—seeing，andwithanopenandunblinkingsteadfastnessofgazethatwasdisconcerting。Theremarkablethingwasthedistancebetweenthem。Itisaluckymanorwomanwhohasthewidthofaneyebetween，butwithMargaretHenanthewidthbetweenhereyeswasfullythatofaneyeandahalf。Yetsosymmetricallymouldedwasherfacethatthisremarkablefeatureproducednouncannyeffect，and，forthatmatter，wouldhaveescapedthecasualobserver’snotice。Themouth，shapelessandtoothless，withdown—turnedcornersandlipsdryandparchment—like，neverthelesslackedthemuscularslacknesssousualwithage。Thelipsmighthavebeenthoseofamummy，saveforthatimpressionofrigidfirmnesstheygave。Notthattheywereatrophied。Onthecontrary，theyseemedtenseandsetwithamuscularandspiritualdetermination。There，andintheeyes，wasthesecretofthecertitudewithwhichshecarriedtheheavysacksupthesteepsteps，withneverafalsesteporoverbalance，andemptiedtheminthegrain—bin。
\"Youareanoldwomantobeworkinglikethis，\"Iventured。
Shelookedatmewiththatstrange，unblinkinggaze，andshethoughtandspokewiththeslowdeliberatenessthatcharacterizedeverythingabouther，asifwellawareofaneternitythatwashersandinwhichtherewasnoneedforhaste。AgainIwasimpressedbytheenormouscertitudeofher。Inthiseternitythatseemedsoindubitablyhers，therewastimeandtospareforsafe—footingandstableequilibrium—forcertitude，inshort。Nomoreinherspirituallifethanincarryingthehundredweightsofgrainwasthereapossibilityofamissteporanoverbalancing。Thefeelingproducedinmewasuncanny。Herewasahumansoulthat，saveforthemostglimmeringofcontacts，wasbeyondthehumannessofme。
AndthemoreIlearnedofMargaretHenanintheweeksthatfollowedthemoremysteriouslyremoteshebecame。Shewasasalienasafar—journeyerfromsomeotherstar，andnohintcouldshenorallthecountrysidegivemeofwhatformsofliving，whatheatsoffeeling，orrulesofphilosophiccontemplationactuatedherinallthatshehadbeenandwas。
\"Iwullbesuvunty—twocomeGuidFridayafortnight，\"shesaidinreplytomyquestion。
\"Butyouareanoldwomantobedoingthisman’swork，andastrongman’sworkatthat，\"Iinsisted。
Againsheseemedtoimmerseherselfinthatatmosphereofcontemplativeeternity，andsostrangelydiditaffectmethatI
shouldnothavebeensurprisedtohaveawakedacenturyorsolaterandfoundherjustbeginningtoenunciateherreply—
\"Theworkhoztullbedone，an’Iambeholdentullnoone。\"
\"Buthaveyounochildren，nofamily，relations？\"
\"Oh，aye，a—plentyo’them，buttheynoseefuttullbehelpun’
me。\"
Shedrewoutherpipeforamoment，thenadded，withanodofherheadtowardthehouse，\"Iluv’wuthmeself。\"
Iglancedatthehouse，straw—thatchedandcommodious，atthelargestable，andatthelargearrayoffieldsIknewmustbelongwiththeplace。
\"Itisabigbitoflandforyoutofarmbyyourself。\"
\"Oh，aye，abugbut，suvuntyacres。Utkeptmeoldmonbuzzy，alongwuthasonan’ahiredmon，tullsaynaughto’extrahondsuntheharvestan’amaid—servantunthehouse。\"
Sheclamberedintothecart，gatheredthereinsinherhands，andquizzedmewithherkeen，shrewdeyes。
\"Belikeyehailfromoverthewatter—Ameruky，I’mmeanun’？\"
\"Yes，I’maYankee，\"Ianswered。
\"Yewullnobefindun’monyIslandMcGillfolkstoppun’unAmeruky？\"
\"No;Idon’trememberevermeetingone，intheStates。\"
Shenoddedherhead。
\"Theyarehome—luvun’bodies，thoughIwullnobesayin’theyarenofair—travelled。Yettheycomehomeotthelast，themozarenolostotseaorkultbyfeversan’such—likeunforeignparts。\"
\"Thenyoursonswillhavegonetoseaandcomehomeagain？\"I
queried。
\"Oh，aye，allsavun’Samuelozwasdrownded。\"
AtthementionofSamuelIcouldhavesworntoastrangelightinhereyes，anditseemedtome，asbysometelepathicflash，thatI
divinedinheratremendouswistfulness，animmenseyearning。Itseemedtomethatherewasthekeytoherinscrutableness，thecluethatiffollowedproperlywouldmakeallherstrangenessplain。ItcametomethatherewasacontactandthatforthemomentIwasglimpsingintothesoulofher。Thequestionwasticklingonmytongue，butsheforestalledme。
SheTCHK’Dtothehorse，andwitha\"Guiddaytullyou，sir，\"droveoff。
Asimple，homelypeoplearethefolkofIslandMcGill，andIdoubtifamoresober，thrifty，andindustriousfolkistobefoundinalltheworld。Meetingthemabroad—andtomeetthemabroadonemustmeetthemonthesea，forahybridsea—faringandfarmerbreedarethey—onewouldnevertakethemtobeIrish。Irishtheyclaimtobe，speakingoftheNorthofIrelandwithprideandsneeringattheirScottishbrothers;yetScotchtheyundoubtedlyare，transplantedScotchoflongago，itistrue，butnonethelessScotch，withathousandtraits，tosaynothingoftheirtricksofspeechandwoollyutterance，whichnothinglessthantheirScotchclannishnesscouldhavepreservedtothislateday。
Anarrowloch，scarcelyhalfamilewide，separatesIslandMcGillfromthemainlandofIreland;and，onceacrossthisloch，onefindshimselfinanentirelydifferentcountry。TheScotchimpressionisstrong，andthepeople，tocommencewith，arePresbyterians。Whenitisconsideredthatthereisnopublic—houseinalltheislandandthatseventhousandsoulsdwelltherein，someideamaybegainedofthetemperatenessofthecommunity。Weddedtooldways，publicopinionandtheministersarepowerfulinfluences，whilefathersandmothersarereveredandobeyedasinfewotherplacesinthismodernworld。Courtinglastsneverlaterthantenatnight，andnogirlwalksoutwithheryoungmanwithoutherparents’knowledgeandconsent。
Theyoungmengodowntotheseaandsowtheirwildoatsinthewickedports，returningperiodically，betweenvoyages，tolivetheoldintensivemorality，tocourttillteno’clock，tositundertheministereachSunday，andtolistenathometothesamesternpreceptsthattheelderspreachedtothemfromthetimetheywereladdies。Muchtheylearnedofwomenintheendsoftheearth，theseseafaringsons，yetacannywisdomwastheirsandtheyneverbroughtwiveshomewiththem。Theonesolitaryexceptiontothishadbeentheschoolmaster，whohadbeenguiltyofbringingawifefromhalfamiletheothersideoftheloch。Forthishehadneverbeenforgiven，andherestedunderacloudfortheremainderofhisdays。Athisdeaththewifewentbackacrossthelochtoherownpeople，andtheblotontheescutcheonofIslandMcGillwaserased。
Intheendthesailor—menmarriedgirlsoftheirownhomelandandsettleddowntobecomeexemplarsofallthevirtuesforwhichtheislandwasnoted。
IslandMcGillwaswithoutahistory。Sheboastednoneoftheeventsthatgotomakehistory。Therehadneverbeenanywearingofthegreen，anyFenianconspiracies，anylanddisturbances。
Therehadbeenbutoneeviction，andthatpurelytechnical—atestcase，andonadviceofthetenant’slawyer。SoIslandMcGillwaswithoutannals。Historyhadpassedherby。Shepaidhertaxes，acknowledgedhercrownedrulers，andlefttheworldalone;allsheaskedinreturnwasthattheworldshouldleaveheralone。Theworldwascomposedoftwoparts—IslandMcGillandtherestofit。
AndwhateverwasnotIslandMcGillwasoutlandishandbarbarian;
andwellsheknew，fordidnotherseafaringsonsbringhomereportofthatworldanditsungodlyways？
ItwasfromtheskipperofaGlasgowtramp，aspassengerfromColombotoRangoon，thatIhadfirstlearnedoftheexistenceofIslandMcGill;anditwasfromhimthatIhadcarriedtheletterthatgavemeentrancetothehouseofMrs。Ross，widowofamastermariner，withadaughterlivingwithherandwithtwosons，mastermarinersthemselvesandoutuponthesea。Mrs。Rossdidnottakeinboarders，anditwasCaptainRoss’sletteralonethathadenabledmetogetfromherbedandboard。Intheevening，aftermyencounterwithMargaretHenan，IquestionedMrs。Ross，andIknewontheinstantthatIhadintruthstumbleduponmystery。
LikeallIslandMcGillfolk，asIwassoontodiscover，Mrs。RosswasatfirstaversetodiscussingMargaretHenanatall。YetitwasfromherIlearnedthateveningthatMargaretHenanhadoncebeenoneoftheislandbelles。Herselfthedaughterofawell—to—
dofarmer，shehadmarriedThomasHenan，equallywell—to—do。
Beyondtheusualhousewife’stasksshehadneverbeenaccustomedtowork。Unlikemanyoftheislandwomen，shehadneverlentahandinthefields。
\"Butwhatofherchildren？\"Iasked。
\"Twoo’thesons，Jamiean’Timothyuzmarriedan’begoun’tullsea。ThotbughouseclosetullthepostofficeuzJamie’s。Thedaughtersthotha’nomarriedbeluvun’wuththemasdudmarry。
An’therestbedead。\"
\"TheSamuels，\"Clarainterpolated，withwhatIsuspectedwasagiggle。
ShewasMrs。Ross’sdaughter，astrappingyoungwomanwithhandsomefeaturesandremarkablyhandsomeblackeyes。
\"’Tuznaughttobesmuckerun’ot，\"hermotherreprovedher。
\"TheSamuels？\"Iintervened。\"Idon’tunderstand。\"
\"Herfoursonsthotdied。\"
\"AndweretheyallnamedSamuel？\"
\"Aye。\"
\"Strange，\"Icommentedinthelaggingsilence。
\"Verystrange，\"Mrs。Rossaffirmed，proceedingstolidlywiththeknittingofthewoollensingletonherknees—oneofthecountlessunder—garmentsthatsheinterminablyknittedforherskippersons。
\"AnditwasonlytheSamuelsthatdied？\"Iqueried，infurtherattempt。
\"Theothersluved，\"wastheanswer。\"Afinefomuly—nofinerontheisland。NobetterlodseversailedoutofIslandMcGill。Themunusterheldthemupozmodelstullpotternafter。Norwaseverawhusperbreathedagain’thegirls。\"
\"Butwhyissheleftalonenowinheroldage？\"Ipersisted。\"Whydon’therownfleshandbloodlookafterher？Whydoesshelivealone？Don’ttheyevergotoseeherorcareforher？\"
\"Neveraoneuntwentyyearsan’morenow。Shefetchedutontullherself。ShedrovethemfromthehousejustozshedroveoldTomHenan，thotwasherhusband，tullhusdeath。\"
\"Drink？\"Iventured。
Mrs。Rossshookherheadscornfully，asifdrinkwasaweaknessbeneaththeweakestofIslandMcGill。
Alongpausefollowed，duringwhichMrs。Rossknittedstolidlyon，onlynoddingpermissionwhenClara’syoungman，mateononeoftheShireLinesailingships，cametowalkoutwithher。Istudiedthehalf—dozenostricheggs，hanginginthecorneragainstthewalllikeaclusterofsomemonstrousfruit。Oneachshellwerepaintedprecipitousandimpossibleseasthroughwhichfull—riggedshipsfoamedwithalackofperspectiveonlyequalledbytheirsharptechnicalperfection。Onthemantelpiecestoodtwolargepearlshells，obviouslyapair，intricatelycarvedbythepatienthandsofNewCaledonianconvicts。Inthecentreofthemantelwasastuffedbird—of—paradise，whileabouttheroomwerescatteredgorgeousshellsfromthesouthernseas，delicatespraysofcoralsproutingfrombarnacledPI—PIshellsandcasedinglass，assegaisfromSouthAfrica，stoneaxesfromNewGuinea，hugeAlaskantobacco—pouchesbeadedwithheraldictotemdesigns，aboomerangfromAustralia，diversshipsinglassbottles，acannibalKAI—KAI
bowlfromtheMarquesas，andfragilecabinetsfromChinaandtheIndiesandinlaidwithmother—of—pearlandpreciouswoods。
Igazedatthisvariedtrovebroughthomebysailorsons，andponderedthemysteryofMargaretHenan，whohaddrivenherhusbandtohisdeathandbeenforsakenbyallherkin。Itwasnotthedrink。Thenwhatwasit？—someshockingcruelty？someamazinginfidelity？orsomefearful，old—worldpeasant—crime？
Ibroachedmytheories，buttoallMrs。Rossshookherhead。
\"Utwasnothot，\"shesaid。\"Margaretwasaguidwifean’aguidmother，an’Idoubtshewouldharmafly。ShebroughtupherfomulyGod—fearin’an’decent—minded。Hertroublewasthotshetooklunatic—turnedeediot。\"
Mrs。Rosstappedsignificantlyonherforeheadtoindicateastateofaddlement。
\"ButItalkedwithherthisafternoon，\"Iobjected，\"andIfoundherasensiblewoman—remarkablybrightforoneofheryears。\"
\"Aye，an’I’mgrantun’allthotyousay，\"shewentoncalmly。\"ButIamnoreferrun’tullthot。Iamreferrun’tullherwucked—headedan’vuciousstubbornness。Nomorestubbornwomaneverluv’dthanMargaretHenan。Utwasallonaccounto’Samuel，whichwasthenameo’heryoungestan’theydosayherfavourutbrother—humozdiedbyhusownhondallthroughthemunuster’smustakeunnoregisterun’thenewchurchotDublin。Utwasalessonthotthenamewasmusfortunate，butshewouldnotakeut，an’therewastalkwhenshecalledherfirstchildSamuel—humthotdiedo’thecroup。An’wuththotwhatdoesshedobutcallthenextoneSamuel，an’humonlythreewhenhefelluntullthetubo’hotwatteran’wasplaincookedtulldeath。Utallcome，Itellyou，o’herwucked—headedan’foolushstubbornness。ForaSamuelshemusthov;an’utwasthedeathofthefourofhersons。Afterthefirst，dudnaherownmothergodownunthedirttullherfeet，a—
beggun’an’pleadun’wuthhernotullnamehernextoneSamuel？
Butshewasnotullbeturnedfromherpurpose。MargaretHenanwasalwayssetonherways，an’nevermoresothononthotnameSamuel。
\"ShewasfairlunatuconSamuel。Dudnaherneighbours’an’allkuthan’kunsavun’themthotluv’dunthehousewuthher，getupan’walkoutotthechristenun’ofthesecond—humthotwascooked？Thottheydud，an’ottheverymomentthemunusteraskedwhatwouldthebairn’snamebe。’Samuel，’saysshe;an’wuththottheygotupan’walkedoutan’leftthehouse。An’otthedoordudnaherAuntFannie，hermother’ssuster，turnan’sayloudforalltullhear：’Whatforwullshebewantun’tullmurdertheweething？’Themunusterheardfine，an’dudnalikeut，but，ozhetoldmyLarryafterward，whatcouldhedo？Utwasthewoman’swush，an’therewasnolawagain’amothercallun’herchildaccordun’tullherwush。
\"An’thenwastherenothethirdSamuel？An’whenhewaslostotseaofftheCape，dudnashebreakalllawso’naturetullhovafourth？Shewasforty—seven，I’mtellun’ye，an’shehodachildotforty—seven。Thunkonut！Otforty—seven！Utwasfairscand’lous。\"
FromClara，nextmorning，IgotthetaleofMargaretHenan’sfavouritebrother;andfromhereandthere，intheweekthatfollowed，IpiecedtogetherthetragedyofMargaretHenan。SamuelDundeehadbeentheyoungestofMargaret’sfourbrothers，and，asClaratoldme，shehadwell—nighworshippedhim。Hewasgoingtoseaatthetime，skipperofoneofthesailingshipsoftheBankLine，whenhemarriedAgnesHewitt。Shewasdescribedasaslenderwispofagirl，delicatelyfeaturedandwithanervousorganizationofthesupersensitiveorder。Theirshadbeenthefirstmarriageinthe\"new\"church，andafteratwo—weeks’honeymoonSamuelhadkissedhisbridegood—byeandsailedincommandoftheLoughbank，abigfour—mastedbarque。
Anditwasbecauseofthe\"new\"churchthattheminister’sblunderoccurred。Norwasittheblunderoftheministeralone，asoneoftheelderslaterexplained;foritwasequallytheblunderofthewholePresbyteryofCoughleen，whichincludedfifteenchurchesonIslandMcGillandthemainland。Theoldchurch，beyondrepair，hadbeentorndownandthenewonebuiltontheoriginalfoundation。
Lookinguponthefoundation—stonesassimilartoaship’skeel，itneverenteredtheminister’snorthePresbytery’sheadthatthenewchurchwaslegallyanyotherthantheoldchurch。
\"An’threecoupleswasmarriedthefirstweekunthenewchurch，\"
Clarasaid。\"Firstofall，SamuelDundeean’AgnesHewitt;thenextdayAlbertMahanan’MinnieDuncan;an’bytheweek—endEddieTroyandFloMackintosh—allsailor—men，an’unsuxweeks’timethelastofthembacktulltheirshipsan’awa’，an’nooneo’themdreamin’ofthewuckednessthey’dbeenot。\"
TheImpofthePerversemusthavechuckledatthesituation。Allthingsfavoured。ThemarriageshadtakenplaceinthefirstweekofMay，anditwasnottillthreemonthslaterthattheminister，asrequiredbylaw，madehisquarterlyreporttothecivilauthoritiesinDublin。Promptlycamebacktheannouncementthathischurchhadnolegalexistence，notbeingregisteredaccordingtothelaw’sdemands。Thiswasovercomebypromptregistration;
butthemarriageswerenottobesoeasilyremedied。Thethreesailorhusbandswereaway，andtheirwives，inshort，werenottheirwives。
\"Butthemunusterwasnoforalarmin’thebodies，\"saidClara。\"Hekepthuscouncilan’bidedhustime，waitun’forthelodstullbebackfromsea。Ozluckwouldhaveut，hewasawayacrosstheislandtullachristenun’whenAlbertMahanarriveshomeonexpected，husshupjustdockedotDublin。Ut’snineo’clockotnightwhenthemunuster，unhussluppersan’dressun’—gown，getsthenews。Uphejumpsan’callsforhorsean’saddle，an’awa’hegoeslikethewundforAlbertMahan’s。Albertuzjustgoun’tullbedan’hozoneshoeoffwhenthemunusterarrives。
\"’Comewuthme，thepairo’ye，’sayshe，breathless—like。’Whatfor，an’medeadwearyan’goun’tullbed？’saysAlbert。’Yullbelawfulmarried，’saysthemunuster。Albertlooksblackan’says，’Now，munuster，yewullbejokun’，’buttullhumself，ozI’veheardhumtellmonyatime，heuzwonderun’thotthemunustershoulda—
tooktullwhuskyothustimeo’life。
\"’Webenomarried？’saysMinnie。Heshookhishead。’An’IomnoMussusMahan？’’No，’sayshe，’yearenoMussusMahan。YeareplainMussDuncan。’’Butyemarried’usyoursel’，’saysshe。’I
dudan’Idudna，’sayshe。An’wuththothetellsthemthewholeupshot，an’Albertputsonhusshoe，an’theygowuththemunusteran’aremarriedproperan’lawful，an’ozAlbertMahansaysafterwardmony’sthetime，’’Tusnoeverymonthothoztwoweddun’
nightsonIslandMcGill。’\"
SixmonthslaterEddieTroycamehomeandwaspromptlyremarried。
ButSamuelDundeewasawayonathree—years’voyageandhisshipfelloverdue。Furthertocomplicatethesituation，ababyboy，pasttwoyearsold，waswaitingforhiminthearmsofhiswife。
Themonthspassed，andthewifegrewthinwithworrying。\"Ut’snomeselfI’mthunkun’on，\"sheisreportedtohavesaidmanytimes，\"butut’sthepuirfatherlessbairn。UfaughthappenedtullSamuelwherewullthebairnstond？\"
Lloyd’spostedtheLoughbankasmissing，andtheownersceasedthemonthlyremittanceofSamuel’shalf—paytohiswife。Itwasthequestionofthechild’slegitimacythatpreyedonhermind，and，whenallhopeofSamuel’sreturnwasabandoned，shedrownedherselfandthechildintheloch。Andhereentersthegreatertragedy。
TheLoughbankwasnotlost。Byaseriesofseadisastersanddelaystoointerminabletorelate，shehadmadeoneofthoselong，unsightedpassagessuchasoccuronceortwiceinhalfacentury。
HowtheImpmusthaveheldbothhissides！BackfromtheseacameSamuel，andwhentheybrokethenewstohimsomethingelsebrokesomewhereinhisheartorhead。Nextmorningtheyfoundhimwherehehadtriedtokillhimselfacrossthegraveofhiswifeandchild。NeverinthehistoryofIslandMcGillwastheresofearfuladeath—bed。Hespatintheminister’sfaceandreviledhim，anddiedblasphemingsoterriblythatthosethattendedonhimdidsowithavertedgazeandtremblinghands。
And，inthefaceofallthis，MargaretHenannamedherfirstchildSamuel。
Howaccountforthewoman’sstubbornness？OrwasitamorbidobsessionthatdemandedachildofhersshouldbenamedSamuel？
Herthirdchildwasagirl，namedafterherself，andthefourthwasaboyagain。Despitethestrokesoffatethathadalreadyberefther，anddespitethelossoffriendsandrelatives，shepersistedinherresolvetonamethechildafterherbrother。Shewasshunnedatchurchbythosewhohadgrownupwithher。Hermother，afterafinalappeal，leftherhousewiththewarningthatifthechildweresonamedshewouldneverspeaktoheragain。Andthoughtheoldladylivedthirty—oddyearslongershekeptherword。TheministeragreedtochristenthechildanynamebutSamuel，andeveryotherministeronIslandMcGillrefusedtochristenitbythenameshehadchosen。TherewastalkonthepartofMargaretHenanofgoingtolawatthetime，butintheendshecarriedthechildtoBelfastandtherehaditchristenedSamuel。
Andthennothinghappened。Thewholeislandwasconfuted。Theboygrewandprospered。Theschoolmasterneverceasedaverringthatitwasthebrightestladhehadeverseen。Samuelhadasplendidconstitution，atremendousgriponlife。Toeverybody’samazementheescapedtheusualrunofchildishafflictions。Measles，whooping—coughandmumpsknewhimnot。Hewasarmour—cladagainstgerms，immunetoalldisease。Headachesandearacheswerethingsunknown。\"Neversomuchozaboilorapumple，\"asoneoftheoldbodiestoldme，evermarredhishealthyskin。Hebrokeschoolrecordsinscholarshipandathletics，andwhippedeveryboyofhissizeoryearsonIslandMcGill。
ItwasatriumphforMargaretHenan。Thisparagonwashers，anditborethecherishedname。Withtheoneexceptionofhermother，friendsandrelativesdriftedbackandacknowledgedthattheyhadbeenmistaken;thoughtherewereoldcroneswhostillabidedbytheiropinionandwhoshooktheirheadsominouslyovertheircupsoftea。Theboywastoowonderfultolast。Therewasnoescapingthecurseofthenamehismotherhadwickedlylaiduponhim。TheyounggenerationjoinedMargaretHenaninlaughingatthem，buttheoldcronescontinuedtoshaketheirheads。
Otherchildrenfollowed。MargaretHenan’sfifthwasaboy，whomshecalledJamie，andinrapidsuccessionfollowedthreegirls，Alice，Sara，andNora，theboyTimothy，andtwomoregirls，FlorenceandKatie。Katiewasthelastandeleventh，andMargaretHenan，atthirty—five，ceasedfromherexertions。ShehaddonewellbyIslandMcGillandtheQueen。Ninehealthychildrenwerehers。Allprospered。Itseemedherill—luckhadshotitsboltwiththedeathsofherfirsttwo。Ninelived，andoneofthemwasnamedSamuel。
Jamieelectedtofollowthesea，thoughitwasnotsomuchamatterofelectionascompulsion，fortheeldestsonsonIslandMcGillremainedontheland，whileallothersonswenttothesalt—
ploughing。TimothyfollowedJamie，andbythetimethelatterhadgothisfirstcommand，asteamerintheBaytradeoutofCardiff，Timothywasmateofabigsailingship。Samuel，however，didnottakekindlytothesoil。Thefarmer’slifehadnoattractionforhim。Hisbrotherswenttosea，notoutofdesire，butbecauseitwastheonlywayforthemtogaintheirbread;andhe，whohadnoneedtogo，enviedthemwhen，returnedfromfarvoyages，theysatbythekitchenfire，andtoldtheirboldtalesofthewonderlandsbeyondthesea—rim。
Samuelbecameateacher，muchtohisfather’sdisgust，andeventookextracertificates，goingtoBelfastforhisexaminations。
Whentheoldmasterretired，Samueltookoverhisschool。
Secretly，however，hestudiednavigation，anditwasMargaret’sdelightwhenhesatbythekitchenfire，and，despitetheirmaster’stickets，tangleduphisbrothersinthetheoreticsoftheirprofession。TomHenanalonewasoutragedwhenSamuel，schoolteacher，gentleman，andheirtotheHenanfarm，shippedtoseabeforethemast。Margarethadanabidingfaithinherson’sstar，andwhateverhedidshewassurewasforthebest。Likeeverythingelseconnectedwithhisgloriouspersonality，therehadneverbeenknownsoswiftariseasinthecaseofSamuel。Barelywithtwoyears’seaexperiencebeforethemast，hewastakenfromtheforecastleandmadeaprovisionalsecondmate。ThisoccurredinafeverportontheWestCoast，andthecommitteeofskippersthatexaminedhimagreedthatheknewmoreofthescienceofnavigationthantheyhadrememberedorforgotten。TwoyearslaterhesailedfromLiverpool，mateoftheStarryGrace，withbothmaster’sandextra—master’sticketsinhispossession。Andthenithappened—
thethingtheoldcroneshadbeenshakingtheirheadsoverforyears。
ItwastoldmebyGavinMcNab，bos’noftheStarryGraceatthetime，himselfanIslandMcGillman。
\"WulldoIrememberut，\"hesaid。\"Wewasrunnin’ourEastun’
down，an’makun’heavyweatherofut。Ozfineasailor—monozeverwalkedwasSamuelHenan。Irememberthelookofhumwullthotlastmarnun’，a—watch—un’thembugseascurlun’upastern，an’a—
watchun’theoldgirlan’seeun’howshetookthem—theskupperdownbelowan’drunkun’fordays。UtwasotseventhotHenanbroughtherupontullthewund，notdarun’tullrunlongeronthotfearfulsea。Oteight，afterhavun’breakfast，heturnsun，an’ahalfhourafterupcomestheskupper，bleary—eyedan’shakyan’
holdun’ontullthecompanion。Utwasfairsmokun’，Iomtellun’
ye，an’therehestood，blunkun’an’noddun’an’talkun’tullhumsel’。’Keepoff，’saysheotlasttullthemonotthewheel。
’MyGod！’saysthesecondmate，standun’besidehum。Theskupperneverlookstullhumotall，butkeepsonmutterun\"an’jabberun’
tullhumsel’。Allofasuddent—likehestraightensupan’throwshusheadback，an’says：’Putyourwheelover，memon—nowdomnye！Areyedeefthotye’llnobehearun’me？’
\"Utwasadrunkenmon’sluck，fortheStarryGraceworeoffaforethotGod—Almightygalewuthoutshuppun’abucketo’watter，thesecondmateshoutun’ordersan’thecrewjumpun’likemod。An’
wuththottheskuppernodscontented—liketullhumselfan’goesbelowaftermorewhusky。Utwasplainmurdero’theliveso’allofus，forutwasnothetimeforthebuggestshupafloattullberunnun’。Run？NeverhovIseenthelike！Utwasbeyondallthunkun’，an’megoun’tullsea，boyan’men，forfortyyear。I
tellyouutwasfairawesome。
\"Thefaceo’thesecondmatewaswhiteozdeath，an’hestoodutaloneforhalfanhour，whenutwastoomuchforhuman’hewentbelowan’calledSamuelan’thethird。Aye，afinesailor—monthotSamuel，bututwastoomuchforhum。Helookedan’studied，andlookedan’studied，buthecouldnoseehusway。Hedurstnaheavetull。Shewouldha’beensweeputo’allhondsan’stucksan’
everythungaforeshecoulda—fetchedup。Therewasnaughttulldobutkeeponrunnun’。An’ufutworsenedwewerelostonyway，forsoonorlatethatovertakun’seawassuretullsweepusclearoverpoopan’all。
\"DudIsayutwasaGod—Almightygale？Utwasworsenorthot。Thedevilhimselfmustha’hodahondunthebrewun’o’ut，utwasthotfearsome。Iha’lookedonsomesights，butIomnocarun’tulllookonthelikeo’thotagain。Nomondaredtullbeunhusbunk。
No，nornomononthedecks。Allhondsofusstoodontopthehousean’heldonan’watched。Thethreemateswasonthepoop，withtwomenotthewheel，an’theonlymonbelowwasthotwhusky—
blightedcaptainsnorun’drunk。
\"An’thenIseeutcomun’，amileaway，risun’aboveallthewaveslikeanislandunthesea—thebuggestwaveeverIlookedupon。
Thethreematesstoodtulgetheran’watchedutcomun’，a—prayun’
likewethotshewouldnobreakunpassun’us。Bututwasnotullbe。Otthelast，whensheroseuplikeamountain，curlun’abovethesternan’blottun’outthesky，thematesscattered，thesecondan’thirdrunnun’forthemizzen—shroudsan’climbun’up，butthefirstrunnun’tullthewheeltulllendahond。Hewasabravemen，thotSamuelHenan。Herunstraightuntullthefaceo’thotfathero’allwaves，nothunkun’onhumselfbutthunkun’onlyo’theshup。
Thetwomenwaslashedtullthewheel，buthewouldbereadytullhondunthecasetheywaskult。An’thenshetookut。Weonthehousecouldnoseethepoopforthethousandtonso’watterthothodhutut。Thotwavecleanedthemout，tookeverythungalongwuthut—thetwomates，climbun’upthemizzen—ruggun’，SamuelHenanrunnun’tullthewheel，thetwomenotthewheel，aye，an’thewheelutself。Weneversawaughto’them，forshebroachedtullwhato’thewheelgoun’，an’twomeno’uswasdrowndedoffthehouse，notullmentionthecarpenterthotwepuckedupotthebreako’thepoopwutheveryboneo’husbodybroketullhewaslikesomuchjelly。\"
Andhereentersthemarvelofit，themiraculouswonderofthatwoman’sheroicspirit。MargaretHenanwasforty—sevenwhenthenewscamehomeofthelossofSamuel;anditwasnotlongafterthattheunbelievablerumourwentaroundIslandMcGill。Isayunbelievable。IslandMcGillwouldnotbelieve。DoctorHallpooh—
pooh’dit。Everybodylaughedatitasagoodjoke。TheytracedbackthegossiptoSaraDack，servanttotheHenans’，andwhoalonelivedwithMargaretandherhusband。ButSaraDackpersistedinherassertionandwascalledalow—mouthedliar。OneortwodaredquestionTomHenanhimself，butbeyondblacklooksandcursesfortheirpresumptiontheyelicitednothingfromhim。
Therumourdieddown，andtheislandfelltodiscussinginallitsramificationsthelossoftheGrenobleintheChinaseas，withallherofficersandhalfhercrewbornandmarriedonIslandMcGill。
Buttherumourwouldnotstaydown。SaraDackwaslouderinherassertions，thelooksTomHenancastabouthimwereblackerthanever，andDr。Hall，afteravisittotheHenanhouse，nolongerpooh—pooh’d。ThenIslandMcGillsatup，andtherewasatremendouswaggingoftongues。Itwasunnaturalandungodly。Thelikehadneverbeenheard。Andwhen，astimepassed，thetruthofSaraDack’sutteranceswasmanifest，theislandfolkdecided，likethebos’noftheStarryGrace，thatonlythedevilcouldhavehadahandinsountowardahappening。Andtheinfatuatedwoman，soSaraDackreported，insistedthatitwouldbeaboy。\"Elevenbairnsha’
Iborne，\"shesaid;\"suxo’themlossiesan’fiveo’themloddies。
An’suncetherebebalanceunallthungs，sowulltherebebalancewuthme。Suxo’onean’halfadozeno’theother—thereuzthebalance，an’ozsureozthesunrisesunthemarnun’，thotsurewullutbeaboy。\"
Andboyitwas，andaprodigy。Dr。Hallravedaboutitsunblemishedperfectionandmassivestrength，andwroteabrochureonitfortheDublinMedicalSocietyasthemostinterestingcaseofthesortinhislongcareer。WhenSaraDackgavethebabe’sunbelievableweight，IslandMcGillrefusedtobelieveandonceagaincalledherliar。ButwhenDoctorHallattestedthathehadhimselfweigheditandseenittipthatverynotch，IslandMcGillhelditsbreathandacceptedwhateverreportSaraDackmadeoftheinfant’sprogressorappetite。AndonceagainMargaretHenancarriedababetoBelfastandhaditchristenedSamuel。
\"Ozgoodozgoldutwas，\"saidSaraDacktome。
Sara，atthetimeImether，wasabuxom，phlegmaticspinsterofsixty，equippedwithanexperiencesotragicandunusualthatthoughhertongueranonfordecadesitsoutputwouldstillbeofimperishableinteresttohercronies。
\"Ozgoodozgood，\"saidSaraDack。\"Utneverfretted。Sututdownunthesunbythehouran’neverasoundutwouldmakeozlongozutwasnohungered！An’thotstrong！Thegrupo’utshondswaslikeamon’s。Imindme，whenutwasbuthoursold，utgruppedmesomightythotIfetchedascreamIwasthotfrightened。Utwasthepunko’health。Utsleptan’ate，an’grew。Utneverbothered。Neveranight’ssleeputlosttullnoone，noreveramunut’s，an’thotwuthcuttin’utsteethan’all。An’Margaretwoulddandleutonherkneean’askwasthereeversofinealoddieunthethreeKungdoms。
\"Thewayutgrew！Utwasunkeepun’wuththewayutate。Otayearutwasthesizeo’abairnoftwo。Utwasslowtullwalkan’
talk。Exceptun’forgurglynoisesunutsthroatan’forcreepun’
onallfours，utdudnamonagemuchunthewalkun’an’talkun’line。
Butthotwastullbeexpectedfromthewayutgrew。Utallwenttullgrowun’strongan’healthy。An’evenoldTomHenancheeredupotthemightofutan’saidwasthereeverthelikeo’utunthethreeKungdoms。UtwasDoctorHallthotfirstsuspicioned，Imindmewell，thoughutwasluttleIdreamtwhathewasuptullotthetime。Iseehumholdun’thungs’unfronto’luttleSammy’seyes，an’
a—makun’noises，loudan’soft，an’faran’near，unluttleSammy’sears。An’thenIseeDoctorHallgoaway，wrunklun’huseyebrowsan’shakun’husheadlikethebairnwasailun’。Buthewasnoailun’，ozIcouldsweartull，mea—seeun’humeatan’grow。ButDoctorHallnosaidawordtullMargaretan’Iwasnoforguessun’
thewhyhewassorepuzzled。
\"ImindmewhenluttleSammyfirstspoke。Hewastwoyearsoldan’
thesizeofachildofive，thoughhecouldnomonagethewalkun’
yetbutwentaroundonallfours，happyan’contented—likean’
makun’notroubleozlongozhewasfedpromptly，whichwasonusualoften。Iwashangun’thewashonthelineotthetimewhenouthecomes，onallfours，husbugheadwaggun’tullan’froan’blunkun’
unthesun。An’then，suddent，hetalked。Iwasthottooka—backIneardiedo’fright，an’fineIknewutthen，theshakun’o’
DoctorHall’shead。Talked？NeverabairnonIslandMcGilltalkedsoloudan’tullsuchpurpose。Therewasnomustakun’ut。Istoodtherealltremblun’an’shakun’。LittleSammywasbrayun’。Itellyou，sir，hewasbrayun’likeanass—justlikethot，—loudan’
longan’cheerfultullutseemedhuslungsudcrack。
\"Hewasaeediot—agreat，awful，monstereediot。UtwasafterhetalkedthotDoctorHalltoldMargaret，butshewouldnobelieve。
Utwouldallcomeright，shesaid。Utwasgrowun’toofastforaughtelse。Guvuttime，saidshe，an’wewouldsee。ButoldTomHenanknew，an’heneverhelduphusheadagain。Hecouldnoabidethethung，an’wouldnobrunghumsel’tulltouchut，thoughIomnodenyun’hewasfairfascinatedbyut。Monythetime，Iseehumwatchun’ofutaroundacorner，lookun’otuttullhuseyesfairbulgedwuththehorror;an’whenutbrayedoldTomudstuckhusfungerstullhusearsan’lookthotmiserableIcoulda—puttiedhum。
\"An’brayutcould！Utwastheonlythungutcoulddobesideseatan’grow。Wheneverutwashungryutbrayed，an’therewasnostoppun’utsavewuthfood。An’alwaysofamarnun’，whenfirstutcrawledtullthekutchen—dooran’blunkedoutotthesun，utbrayed。An’utwasbrayun’thatbroughtaboututsend。
\"Imindmewell。Utwasthreeyearsoldan’ozbugozaledo’
ten。OldTomhedbeengoun’frombedtullworse，ploughun’upan’
downthefieldsan’talkun’an’mutterun’tullhumself。Onthemarnun’o’thedayImindme，hewassuttun’onthebenchoutsidethekutchen，a—futtun’thehandletullapuck—axe。Unbeknown，themonstereediotcrawledtullthedooran’brayedafterhusfashionotthesun。IseeoldTomstartupan’look。An’therewasthemonstereediot，waggun’utsbugheadan’blunkun’an’brayun’likethegreatbugassutwas。UtwastoomuchforTom。Somethun’wentwrongwuthhumsuddent—like。Hejumpedtullhusfeetan’fetchedthepuck—handledownonthemonstereediot’shead。An’hehututagainan’againlikeutwasamoddogan’humafeardo’ut。An’hewentstraighttullthestablean’hunghumsel’tullarafter。An’
Iwasnoforstoppun’onaftersuch—like，an’IwenttullstayalongwuthmesusterthotwasmarriedtullJohnMartinan’
comfortable—off。\"
IsatonthebenchbythekitchendoorandregardedMargaretHenan，whilewithhercallousthumbshepresseddownthelivefireofherpipeandgazedoutacrossthetwilight—sombredfields。ItwastheverybenchTomHenanhadsatuponthatlastsanguinarydayoflife。
AndMargaretsatinthedoorwaywherethemonster，blinkingatthesun，hadsooftenwaggeditsheadandbrayed。Wehadbeentalkingforanhour，shewiththatslowcertitudeofeternitythatsobefittedher;and，forthelifeofme，Icouldlaynofingeronthemotivesthatranthroughthetangledwarpandwoofofher。WassheamartyrtoTruth？Didshehaveitinhertoworshipatsoabstractashrine？HadsheconceivedAbstractTruthtobetheonehighgoalofhumanendeavouronthatdayoflongagowhenshenamedherfirst—bornSamuel？Orwashersthestubbornobstinacyoftheox？thefixityofpurposeofthebalkyhorse？thestolidityoftheself—willedpeasant—mind？Wasitwhimorfancy？—theonestreakoflunacyinwhatwasotherwiseaneminentlyrationalmind？Or，reverting，washersthespiritofaBruno？Wassheconvincedoftheintellectualrightnessofthestandshehadtaken？Washersasteady，enlightenedoppositiontosuperstition？or—andasubtlerthought—wasshemasteredbysomevaster，profoundersuperstition，afetish—worshipofwhichtheAlphaandtheOmegawasthecrypticSAMUEL？
\"Wullyebetellun’me，\"shesaid，\"thotufthesecondSamuelhodbeennamedLarrythothewouldnohovfellunthehotwatteran’
drownded？Atweenyouan’me，sir，an’yeareuntellugent—lookun’
tulltheeye，wouldthenamehovmadeutonywaysdufferent？Wouldthewashun’nobedonethotdayufhehodbeenLarryorMichael？
Wouldhotwatternobehot，an’wouldhotwatternoburnufhehodhodonyothernamebutSamuel？\"
Iacknowledgedthejusticeofhercontention，andshewenton。
\"Doaweebutofanamechangetheplanso’God？Dotheworldrunbyhutormuss，an’beGodaweak，shully—shallyun’creaturethotudalterthefatean’destinyo’thungsbecausethewormMargaretHenanseenfuttullnameherbairnSamuel？TherebemysonJamie。
HewullnosignaRooshan—Funnunhuscrewbecauseo’believun’
thotRooshan—Funnsdobemonajun’thewundsan’hovthemakun’o’
bodweather。Wullyoubethunkun’so？Wullyoubethunkun’thotGodthotmakesthewundstullblowwullbendHusheadfromonhightulllussentullthewordo’agreasyRooshan—Funnunsomedirtyshup’sfo’c’sle？\"
Isaidno，certainlynot;butshewasnottobesetasidefrompressinghomethepointofherargument。
\"Thenwullyoubethunkun’thotGodthotdirectsthestarsuntheircourses，an’tullwhosemightyfoottheworlduzbutafootstool，wullyoubethunkun’thotHewulltakeaspiteagain’MargaretHenanan’sendabugwaveofftheCapetullwashhersonuntulleternity，allbecauseshewasfornamun’humSamuel？\"
\"ButwhySamuel？\"Iasked。
\"An’thotIdinnaknow。Iwantudutso。\"
\"ButWHYdidyouwantitso？\"
\"An’uzutmethotwouldbeanswerun’asuch—likequestion？Bethereonymonluvun’ordeadthotcananswer？WhocantelltheWHY
o’like？MyJamiewasfairdaftonbuttermilk，hewoulddrunkuttull，ozhesaidhumself，husbackteethwasawash。ButmyTumothycouldnoabidebuttermilk。Iliketulllussentullthethundergrowlun’an’roarun’，an’rampajun’。MyKatiecouldnoabidethenoiseofut，butmustscreaman’flutteran’gorunnun’forthemudmosto’afeather—bed。NeveryethovIheardtheanswertulltheWHYo’like，Godalonehozthotanswer。Youan’mebemortalan’wecannaknow。Enoughforustullknowwhatwelikean’whatweduslike。ILIKE—thotuzthefirstwordan’thelast。An’
behindthotlikenomencangoan’findtheWHYo’ut。ILIKE
Samuel，an’Ilikeutwell。Utuzasweetname，an’therebearollun’wonderunthesoundo’utthotpassesonderstandun’。\"
Thetwilightdeepened，andinthesilenceIgazeduponthatsplendiddomeofaforeheadwhichtimecouldnotmar，atthewidthbetweentheeyes，andattheeyesthemselves—clear，out—looking，andwide—seeing。Sherosetoherfeetwithanairofdismissingme，saying—
\"Utwullbeadarkwalkhome，an’therewullbemorethonasprunkleo’wetunthesky。\"
\"Haveyouanyregrets，MargaretHenan？\"Iasked，suddenlyandwithoutforethought。
Shestudiedmeamoment。
\"Aye，thotInoha’borneanotherson。\"
\"Andyouwould……？\"Ifaltered。
\"Aye，thotIwould，\"sheanswered。\"Utwouldha’beenhusname。\"
Iwentdownthedarkroadbetweenthehawthornhedgespuzzlingoverthewhyoflike，repeatingSAMUELtomyselfandaloudandlisteningtotherollingwonderinitssoundthathadcharmedhersoulandledherlifeintragicplaces。SAMUEL！Therewasarollingwonderinthesound。Aye，therewas！
