\"I\'meighty-four，\"hewenton，\"andterriblebadwiththerheumaticsandmychest。Maybeit\'llnotbelongbeforetheLordremembersme。\"
Thechildcreptcloseandputastickylittlehandconfidinglyintothetiredoldpalm。Thetwolookedstrangelyalike，fortheworldseemsmuchthesametothosewholeaveitbehindastothosewhohavebuttakenthefirststeponitscircularpathway。
\"\'Ookatmykitty，\"shesaid，pointingtothesmallcreatureinherlap。Then，astheoldmantoucheditwithtremblingfingersshewenton-\"\'Ooisn\'tmygrandad；he\'sawayinthesky，butI\'llkiss\'oo。\"
Iworkedon，hearingatintervalstheoldpipingvoiceandthechild-treble，muchofanote；andthinkingoftheblessingsvouchsafedtothesimpleoldagewhichcrownsaharmlessworking-
lifespentinthefields。Thetwounderthehedgehadeverythingincommonandwereboundlesslycontenttogether，thestingoftheknowledgeofgoodandevilpastfortheone，andfortheotherstilltocome；whileIstoodonthebattlefieldoftheworld，theflesh，andthedevil，though，thankGod，withmyfacetothefoe。
Theoldmansatresting:Ihadpromisedhimaliftwithmyfriendthedriveroftheflour-cart，andhewasalmostduewhenthechild\'sgrandmothercamedowntheroad。
Whenshesawmyothervisitorshestoodamazed。
\"What，RichardHunton，thatworkedwithmyoldmanyearsagoupatDitton，whateverareyoudoin\'allthesemilesfromyourownplace？\"
\"IsitElizaJakes？\"
Helookedatherdazed，doubtful。
\"An\'whoelseshoulditbe？Where\'syourmemorygone，RichardHunton，andyounotsuchagreatageeither？Whereareyoustayin\'？\"
Shameovercamehim；hislipstrembled，hismildblueeyesfilledwithtears。ItoldthetaleasIhadheardit，andMrsJakes\'sindignationwasgoodtosee。
\"Notkeepyouon\'alfacrown！SendyoutotheHouse！MaytheLordforgivethem！Youwouldn\'teatnomorethanafair-sizedcat，andnotlongforthisworldeither，that\'splaintosee。No，RichardHunton，youdon\'tgototheHousewhileI\'maboveground；
it\'dmakemygoodmanturntothinkofit。You\'llcome\'omewithmeandthelittle\'unthere。I\'vemywashin\'，andabitputbyforarainyday，andabedtospare，andtheLordandtheparsonwillseeIdon\'tcometowant。\"
Shestoppedbreathless，herdefensivemotherhoodinarms。
Theoldmansaidquaveringly，inthepathetic，grudgingphraseofthepoor，whichveilstheirgratitudewhileittestifiestheirindependence，\"MaybeImightaswell。\"Herosewithdifficulty，pickeduphisbundleandstick，thesmallchildreplacedthekitteninitsbasket，andthrustherhandinhernewfriend\'s。
\"Then\'ooISgrandadtumback，\"shesaid。
MrsJakeshadbeenfumblinginherpocket，andextractedapenny，whichshepressedonme。
\"It\'slittleenough，mister，\"shesaid。
Then，asItriedtoreturnit:\"Nay，I\'veenough，andyoursispoorpaidwork。\"
IhopeIshallalwaysbeabletokeepthatpenny；andasIwatchedthethreegoingdownthedustywhiteroad，withthechildinthemiddle，IthankedGodfortheBrotherhoodofthePoor。
CHAPTERIV
YESTERDAYafuneralpassed，fromthework-houseatN-，aquaintsepulturewithoutsolemnities。Therough，ungarnishedcoffinofstaineddeallaybareandunsightlyonthefloorofanoldmarket-
cart；awomansatbeside，steadyingitwithherfeet。Thehusbanddrove；andthemostdepressedofthethreewasthehorse，abroken-
kneed，flea-bittengrey。Itwaspathetic，thisbringinghomeindeathoftheoldfatherwhom，whilehelived，theyhadbeentoopoortohouse；itwasatnosmallsacrificethattheyhadsparedhimthatterrorofoldage，apauper\'sgrave，andbroughthimtoliebyhiswifeinourquietchurchyard。Theyfeltnoemotion，thishusbandandwife，onlyadullsenseoffilialdutydone，respectabilitypreserved；andaboveandthroughall，thebitterbutnecessarycountingthecostofthislastbed。
Itisstrangehowpaganmanyofusareinourbeliefs。True，thefunerallibationshavemadewayforthecomfortablebake-meats；
still，tothelargemajorityDeathisPluto，kingofthedarkUnknownwhencenotravellerreturns，ratherthanAzrael，brotherandfriend，lordofthismansionoflife。Strangehowmenshunhimashewaitsintheshadow，watchingourpunystrainingafterimmortality，sendinghiscomradesleeptoprepareusforhimself。
Whenthehourstrikeshecomes-verygently，verytenderly，ifwewillbuthaveitso-foldsthetiredhandstogether，takestheway-wornfeetinhisbroadstrongpalm；andliftingusinhiswonderfularmshebearsusswiftlydownthevalleyandacrossthewatersofRemembrance。
Verypleasantartthou，OBrotherDeath，thyloveiswonderful，passingtheloveofwomen。
******
To-dayIhavelivedinawhirlofdust。To-morrowisthegreatannualCattleFairatE-，andthroughthelonghothoursthebeastsfromallthedistrictroundhavestreamedinbrokenprocessionalongmyroad，tochangehandsortodie。Surelythelordshipovercreationimplieswiseandgentleruleforintelligentuse，notthepursuitofamereimmediateend，withoutanythoughtofcommunityinthegreatsacramentoflife。
ForthemostpartmysteryhasceasedforthisworkingWesternworld，andwithitreverence。CoventryPatmoresays:\"GodclothesHimselfactuallyandliterallywithHiswholecreation。Herbstakeupandassimilateminerals，beastsassimilateherbs，andGod，intheIncarnationanditsproperSacrament，assimilatesus，who，saysStAugustine，\'areGod\'sbeasts。\'\"Itismaninhisblindself-
seekingwhoseparateswooffromweftinthelivinggarmentofGod，andlosesthemoreasheneglectstheoutwardandvisiblesignsofaworld-widegrace。
Inoldendaystheherdledhisflock，goingfirstinthepostofdangertodefendthecreatureshehadweanedfromtheirnaturalhabitsforhisvarioususes。Nowthatgoodrelationshiphasceasedforustoexist，mandrivesthebeastsbeforehim，meanstohisend，butwithnoharmonybetweenendandmeans。Alldaylongthedrovesofsheeppassmeontheirlameandpatientway，nolongerfreelyandinstinctivelyfollowingaprotectorandforerunner，butDRIVEN，impelledbyforceandresistlesswill-thesamewillwhichoncewentbeforewithoutforce。Theyarealltrimmedasmuchaspossibletoonepattern，andallmakethesamesadplaint。ItisadayonwhichtothankGodfortheunknowntongue。Thedroverandhisladindustybluecoatsplodalongstolidly，deafandblindtoallbutthewaybeforethem；nolongerwieldingthecrook，instrumentofdeliverance，oratmostofgentlecompulsion，butarmedwithaheavystickandmechanicallydealingblowsontheshortthickfleeces；withoutevilintentbecausewithoutthought-
itistheritualofthetrade。
Ofallthepoordumbpilgrimsoftheroadthebullocksarethemostterribletosee。Theyarenotpatient，butgomostunwillinglywithloweredheadandfurtivesidewaysmotion，intheireyesahorrorofgreatfear。Thesleekcattle，kneedeepinpasture，massedatthegate，andstaredmild-eyedandwithinquiringbellowattheretreatingdrove；butthesepassedwithoutanswerontotheUnknown，andforthemitspeltdeath。
Behindasquadronofsleek，well-fedcart-horses，formedinfours，withstrawbraidinmaneandtail，cametheponies，forthemostpartamerrycompany。Longstringsofrusty，shaggytwo-year-olds，unbroken，unkempt，theshortDowngrassstillsweetontheirtongues；fulloffun，frolic，andwickedness，bitingandpulling，castinglongingeyesatthehedgerows。Theboysappeartorecognisethemaskindredspirits，andarecuriouslyforbearingandpatient。Soonbothponiesandboysvanishinawhitewhirl，andalonglineofcarts，whichhadevidentlywaitedforthedusttosubside，comesslowlyuptheincline。Forthemostparttheycarrythepigsandfowls，carriagefolkoftheroad。Thelatterarehot，crowded，anddustyundertheopennetting；theformerforthemostpartcheerfullyremonstrative。
Idrewabreathofreliefasthenoiseofwheelsdiedawayandmyroadsankintosilence。Thehedgerowsarenolongergreenbutwhiteandchokedwithdust，asighttomovegoodsisterRaintowelcometears。Thebirdsseemtohavefledbeforethenoisyconfusion。Iwonderwhethermysnakehasseenandsmiledattheclumsyrulingofthelordhesolittleheeds？Iturnedasidethroughthegatetoplungefaceandhandsintothecooloftheshelteredgrassthatsidethehedge，andthenrestedmyeyesonthestretchofgreenIhadlackedallday。Therabbitshadapparentlyplayedandbrowsedunmindfulofthestir，andwerestillflirtingtheirwhitetailsalongthehedgerows；alarkrose，anotherandanother，andIwentbacktomyroad。Peacestillreigned，fortheshadowswerelengthening，andtherewouldbelittlemoretrafficforthefair。Iturnedtomywork，gratefulforthestillness，andsawonthewhitestretchofroadaloneoldmanandapig。SurelyIknewthattallfigureinthequaintgreysmock，surelyIknewtheface，furrowedlikenature\'sfaceinspringtime，andcrownedbyaround，softhat？Andthepig，theblackpigwalkingdecorouslyfree？Ay，Iknewthem。
IntheearlyspringItookawholeholidayandalongtramp；andtowardsafternoon，tiredandthirsty，soughtwateratalittlelonelycottagewhosewindowspeeredandblinkedunderoverhangingbrowsofthatch。Ihad，notthewaterIaskedfor，butmilkandabowlofsweetporridgeforwhichIpaidonlythanks；andstayedforachatwithmykindlyhosts。Theywereaquaintoldcoupleofthekindrarelymetwithnowadays。TheyenjoyedalittlepensionfromtheSquireandagardeninwhichvegetablesandflowerslivedsidebysideinfriendliestfashion。Beesworkedandsangoverthethymeandmarjoram，bloomingearlyinasunnynook；andinahomelystylivedasolemnblackpig，apigwithahistory。
Itwasnocommonutilitarianpig，butthehonouredguestoftheoldcouple，anditknewit。Ayearbefore，theiryoungestandonlysurvivingchild，thenamanoffive-and-twenty，hadbroughthismothertheresultofhissavingsintheshapeofafineyoungpig:
aweeklaterhelaydeadofthetyphoidthatscourgedMaidstone。
Hencethepigwassacred，caredforandlovedbythisDarbyandJoan。
\"Eebemos\'likeachildtomeandthemother，an\'mos\'assensibleasaChristian，eebe，\"theoldmanhadsaid；andIcouldhardlycreditmyeyeswhenIsawthetallbentfiguresidebysidewiththeblackpig，comingalongmyroadonsuchaday。
Ihailedtheoldman，andbothturnedaside；buthegazedatmewithoutremembrance。
Ispokeofthepiganditshistory。Henoddedwearily。\"Ay，ay，lad，you\'vegotit；\'tispoorDick\'spigrightenow。\"
\"Butyou\'renevergoingtotakeittoE-？\"
\"Ay，butIbe，andcomin\'backalone，iftheLordbemarciful。Themissushasbeenterriblebadthistwomouthsandmore；Squire\'sinforeignparts；andfood-stuffssuchastheoldwomanwantsishardbuyingforpoorfolks。Thestocking\'sempty，now\'tisthepigmustgo，andIbelievehe\'dbegladfortodothemissusaturn；shewereterriblegoodtohim，werethemissus，andfond，too。I
dursn\'ttellherhewastogo；she\'dsoonerstarvethanlosepoorDick\'spig。Well，we\'dbestbemovin\'；\'tisafairishstep。\"
Thepigfollowedcomprehendinganddocile，andasthequaintcouplepassedfromsightIthoughtIheardBrotherDeathstirintheshadow。Heisastrongangelandofgreatpity。
CHAPTERV
THEREisalwaysalittlefireofwoodontheopenhearthinthekitchenwhenIgethomeatnight；theoldladysaysitis\"company\"
forher，andsitsinthelonelytwilight，herknottedhandslyingquietonherlap，herlisteningeyesfixedontheburningsticks。
Iwondersometimeswhethershehearsmusicintheleapandlickofthefierytongues，musicsuchasheofBayreuthdrawsfromtheviolinstillthehotenergyofthefirespiritisonus，embodiedinsound。
Surelyshehearssomevoice，thatlonelyoldwomanonwhomissetthesealofgreatsilence？
ItisagreattruthtenderlysaidthatGodbuildsthenestfortheblindbird；andmayitnotbethatHeopensclosedeyesandunstopsdeafearstosightsandsoundsfromwhichothersbytheseverysensesaredebarred？
Herethebestofusseethroughamistoftearsmenastreeswalking；itisonlyinthelandwhichisveryfaroffandyetverynearthatweshallhavefulnessofsightandseetheKinginHisbeauty；andIcannotthinkthatanylisteningearslisteninvain。
Thecoppiceatourbackisfullofbirds，foritisfarfromtheroadandtheynestthereundisturbedyearafteryear。ThroughthestillnightIheardthenightingalescalling，calling，untilI
couldbearitnolongerandwentsoftlyoutintotheluminousdark。
Thelittlewoodwasmanifoldwithsound，Iheardmylittlebrotherswhomovebynightrustlingingrassandtree。Ahedgehogcrossedmypathwithadullsqueak，thebatsshrilledhightothestars，awhiteowlsweptpastmecryinghishuntingnote，abeetleboomedsuddenlyinmyface；andaboveandthroughitallthenightingalessang-andsang！
Thenightwindbentthelisteningtrees，andthestarsyearnedearthwardtohearthesongofdeathlesslove。Louderandlouderthewonderfulnotesroseandfellinapassionofmelody；andthensanktorestonthatlowthrillingcallwhichitissaidDeathonceheard，andstayedhishand。
Theywillscarcelysingagainthisyear，thesenightingales，fortheyarelateonthewingasitis。Itseemsasifonsuchnightstheysangastheswansings，knowingittobethelasttime-withthelavishnoteofonewhobidsaneternalfarewell。
Atlasttherewassilence。Sittingunderthebigbeechtree，thegiantofthecoppice，Irestedmytiredselfinthelapofmotherearth，breathedofherbreathandlistenedtohervoiceinthequickeningsilenceuntilmyfleshcameagainasthefleshofalittlechild，foritistruerecreationtositatthefootstoolofGodwrappedinafoldofHislivingrobe，thewhilenightsmoothesourtiredfacewithherhealinghands。
Thegreydawnawokeandstolewithtrailingrobesacrossearth\'sfloor。Atherfootstepsthebirdsrousedfromsleepandcriedagreeting；theskyflushedandpaledconsciousofcomingsplendour；
andoverheadafileofswanspassedwithbroadstrongflighttothereededwatersofthesequesteredpool。
Anotherhourofsilencewhilethelightthrobbedandflamedintheeast；thenthelarksroseharmoniousfromaneighbouringfield，therabbitsscurriedwithearsalerttotheirmorningmeal，thedayhadbegun。
Ipassedthroughthecoppiceandoutintothefieldsbeyond。Thedewlayheavyonleafandbladeandgossamer，acoolfreshwindsweptclearoverdaleanddownfromthesea，andthecloverfieldrippledlikeasilverylakeinthebreeze。
Thereissomethinginexpressiblybeautifulintheunusedday，somethingbeautifulinthefactthatitisstilluntouched，unsoiled；andtownandcountrysharealikeinthisloveliness。Athalf-pastthreeonaJunemorningevenLondonhasnotassumedherresponsibilities，butsmilesandglowslightheartedandsmokelessunderthecaressesofthemorningsun。
Fiveo\'clock。ThebellringsoutcrispandclearfromthemonasterywheretheBedesmenofStHughwatchandprayforthesoulsonthislabouringforgetfulearth。Everyhourthenoteofcomfortandwarningcriesacrosstheland，tellstheSanctus，theAngelus，andtheHoursofthePassion，andcallstoremembranceandprayer。
Whenthewindisnorth，thesoundcarriesasfarasmyroad，andcompaniesmethroughtheday；andiftoHisdumbchildrenGodinHismercyreckonsworkasprayer，mostcertainlythosewhohaveforgedthroughtheagesanunbrokenchainofsupplicationandthanksgivingwillbecountedamongthestalwartlabourersofthehouseoftheLord。
Sunandbelltogetheraremyonlyclock:itistimeformywaterdrawing；andgatheringapileofmushrooms，childrenofthenight，Ihastenhome。
Thecottageisdeartomeinitsquaintuntidinessandwantofrectitude，dearbecausewearetobeitslastdenizens，lastofthelonglineoftoilerswhohavesweatedandsownthatothersmightreap，andhavepassedawayleavingnotrace。
Ioncesawatallcrossinaseaboardchurchyard，inscribed，\"Tothememoryoftheunknowndeadwhohaveperishedinthesewaters。\"
Theremightbeoneineveryvillagesleeping-placetotheunhonouredmanywhomadefruitfulthelandwithsweatandtears。
Itisaconsolationtothinkthatwhenwelookbackonthisstretchoflife\'sroadfrombeyondthefirstmilestone，which，itisinstructivetoremember，isalwaysagrave，wemayhopetoseetheworkofthisworldwithopeneyes，andtojudgeofitwithaduesenseofproportion。
Abeewithladenhoney-baghummedandbuzzedinthehedgeasIgotreadyforwork，importuningtheflowersforthatwhichhecouldnotcarry，andfinallygivinguptheattemptindespairfellasleeponabuttercup，thebestplaceforhiswearylittlevelvetbody。Infiveminutes-theymayhavebeenfivehourstohim-heawokeanewbee，sensibleandclear-sighted，andflewblithelyawaytothehivewithhissufficiency-anexamplethiswearyworldwouldbewisetofollow。
Myroadhasbeenlonelyto-day。Aparsoncamebyintheafternoon，astrangerintheneighbourhood，forheaskedhisway。Hetalkedawhile，andwithkindlyrebukesaiditwassadtoseeamanofmyeducationbroughtsolow，whichshowshowtheoutsideappearancemaymisleadtheprejudicedobserver。\"Wasitmisfortune？\"\"Nay，thebestofgoodluck，\"Ianswered，gaily。
Thegoodmanwithbeautifulreadinesssatdownonaheapofstonesandbademesayon。\"Readmeasermoninstone，\"hesaid，simply；
andIstayedmyhandtoread。
Helistenedwithcourteousintelligence。
\"Youholdaroadmenderhasavocation？\"heasked。
\"Asthemonkortheartist，for，likeboth，heisuniversal。Theworldishishome；heservesallmenalike，ay，andforhimthebeastshaveequalhonourwiththemen。Hissoulis\'boundupinthebundleoflife\'withallothersouls，heseeshisfather，hismother，hisbrethreninthechildrenoftheroad。Forhimthereisnothingunclean，nothingcommon；theverystonescryoutthattheyserve。\"
Parsonnoddedhishead。