CHAUCER。
TOTHEMEMORYOF
LADYNOELBYRON，THISBOOKISDEDICATED，WITHALOVESTRONGERTHANDEATH。
BOOKI。
TURRIEPUFFIT。
WithhimtherewasaPloughman，washisbrother。
Atrew？swinker，andagoodwashe，Livinginpeaceandperfectcharity。
Godlovedhebestwithallhistrew？heart，Atall？tim閟，wereitgainorsmart，Andthenhisneigh閎ourrightashimselve。
CHAUCER——ProloguetotheCanterburyTales。
CHAPTERI。
THEFIR-WOOD。
Ofalltheflowersinthemead，ThenloveIroosttheseflowerswhiteandrede，Suchthatmencallendaisiesinourtown。
IrenneblitheAssoonaseverthesunginnethwest，Toseethisflower，howitwillgotorest，Forfearofnight，sohatethshedarkness；
HercheerisplainlyspreadinthebrightnessOfthesunne，forthereitwillunclose。
CHAUCER——ProloguetotheLegendofGoodWomen。
“Meg！whaurareyegaein\'thatget，likeawullshuttle？Comeintothebeuk。“
Meg\'smotherstoodatthecottagedoor，witharmsakimboandcloudedbrow，callingthroughthebolesofalittleforestoffir-treesafterherdaughter。Onewouldnaturallypresumethatthephrasesheemployed，comparingherdaughter\'smotionstothoseofashuttlethathad“ganewull，“orlostitsway，impliedthatshewaswatchingherasshethreadedherwaythroughthetrees。Butalthoughshecouldnotseeher，thefir-woodwascertainlythelikeliestplaceforherdaughtertobein；andthefiguresheemployedwasnotintheleastinapplicabletoMeg\'susualmodeofwanderingthroughthetrees，thatoperationbeingcommonlyperformedinthemosterraticmannerpossible。ItwastheordinaryoccupationofthefirsthourofalmosteverydayofMargaret\'slife。Assoonasshewokeinthemorning，thefir-wooddrewhertowardsit，andsheroseandwent。
Throughitscrowdofslenderpillars，shestrayedhitherandthither，inanaimlessmanner，asifresignedlyhauntingtheneighbourhoodofsomethingshehadlost，or，hopefully，thatofatreasuresheexpectedonedaytofind。
Itdidnotseemthatshehadheardhermother\'scall，fornoresponsefollowed；andJanetElginbrodreturnedintothecottage，whereDavidofthesamesurname，whowasalreadyseatedatthewhitedealtablewith“thebeuk，“orlargefamilybiblebeforehim，straightwaycommencedreadingachapterintheusualroutinefromtheOldTestament，theNewbeingreservedfortheeveningdevotions。
ThechapterwasthefortiethoftheprophetIsaiah；andasthevoiceofthereaderre-utteredthewordsofoldinspiration，onemighthavethoughtthatitwasthevoiceoftheancientprophethimself，pouringforththeexpressionofhisownfaithinhisexpostulationswiththeunbeliefofhisbrethren。Thechapterfinished——itisnoneoftheshortest，andMeghadnotyetreturned——thetwoknelt，andDavidprayedthus：
“OThouwhoholdestthewatersinthehollowofaehan\'，andcarriestthelambso\'thyownmakinginthybosomwiththeotherhan\'，itwouldbealtogetherunworthyo\'thee，ando\'thyMaijestyo\'love，torequireo\'usthatwhichthouknowestwecannotbringuntothee，untilthouenrichuswiththatsame。Therefore，likethineownbairns，weboodoonaforethee，an\'praythatthouwouldsttak\'thywullo\'us，thyholyan\'perfectan\'blessedwullo\'us；
for，OGod，wearea\'thineain。An\'foroorlassie，wha\'sootamo\'
thytrees，an\'wha\'wedinnathinkforgetsherMaker，thoughshemaywhilesforgetherprayers，Lord，keepherabonnielassieinthysicht，aswhiteandcleaninthyeenassheisfairan\'halesomeinoors；an\'oh！wethankthee，Fatherinheaven，forgiein\'hertous。
An\'noo，fora\'oorwrang-duinsan\'ill-min\'ins，fora\'oorsinsandtrespasseso\'monysorts，dinnaforgetthem，OGod，tillthoupitsthema\'richt，an\'syneexerceesethymichtypowere\'enowerthineainsel，an\'cleanforgetthema\'thegither；castthemahintthyback，whaure\'enthineaineenshallne\'erseethemagain，thatwemaywalkboldan\'uprichtaforetheeforevermore，an\'seethefaceo\'HimwhawasasmuckleGodindoin\'thybiddin\'，asginhehadbeenordering\'a\'thingHimsel。Forhissake，Ahmen。“
IhopemyreaderswillnotsupposethatIgivethisasaspecimenofScotchprayers。Iknowbetterthanthat。Davidwasanunusualman，andhisprayerswereunusualprayers。Thepresentwasalittlemoresoinitsstyle，fromthefactthatoneofthesubjectsofitwasabsent，acircumstancethatrarelyhappened。Butthedegreeofdifferencewastoosmalltobedetectedbyanybutthosewhowerequiteaccustomedtohisformsofthoughtandexpression。HowmuchofitJanetunderstoodorsympathizedwith，itisdifficulttosay；
foranythingthatcouldbecalledathoughtrarelycrossedthethresholdofherutterance。Onthisoccasion，themomenttheprayerwasended，sherosefromherknees，smootheddownhercheckapron，andwenttothedoor；where，shadinghereyesfromthesunwithherhand，shepeeredfromunderitspenthouseintothefir-wood，andsaidinavoicesoftenedapparentlybytheexerciseinwhichshehadtakenasilentshare，“Whaurcanthelassiebe？”
Andwherewasthelassie？Inthefir-wood，tobesure，withthethousandshadows，andthesunlightthroughitall；foratthismomentthelightfelluponherfarinitsdepths，andrevealedherhasteningtowardsthecottageinasstraightalineasthetreeswouldpermit，nowblottedoutbyacrossingshadow，andanonradiantinthesunlight，appearingandvanishingasshethreadedtheuprightwarpofthefir-wood。Itwasmorningallaroundher；andonemightseethatitwasmorningwithinhertoo，as，emergingatlastinthesmallopenspacearoundthecottage，Margaret——IcannotcallherMeg，althoughhermotherdoes——herfatheralwayscalledher“Maggy，mydoo，“Anglic？dove——Margaretapproachedhermotherwithabrighthealthfulface，andtheleastpossibleexpressionofuneasinessonherfairforehead。Shecarriedabookinherhand。
“Whatgarsyegangstravaguin\'thatget，Meg，whanyekenweeleneuchyesuda\'beenintoworshiplangsyne？Ansaewemaunhaeworshipourlanesforwanto\'you，yehizzy！”
“Ididnakenitwassaelate，mither，“repliedMargaret，inasubmissivetone，musicalinspiteoftheruggeddialectintowhichthesoundswerefashioned。
“Naedout！Yehadyerbrakfast，an\'yewarnathathungryfortheword。Butherecomesyerfather，andye\'llnomendforhisflytin\'，I\'sepromise。“
“Hoots！latthebairnalane，Janet，mywoman。Theword\'llbemairtoheraforelang。“
“Iwatshehasawordo\'hernainthere。Whatbeukhaeyegottenthere，Meg？Whaurgotye\'t？”
Haditnotbeenforthehandsomebindingofthebookinherdaughter\'shand，itwouldneitherhavecaughttheeye，norrousedthesuspicionsofJanet。Davidglancedatthebookinhisturn，andafaintexpressionofsurprise，embodiedchieflyintheopeningofhiseyelidsalittlewiderthanusual，crossedhisface。Butheonlysaidwithasmile：
“Ididnakenthatthetreeo\'knowledge，wi\'sicfairfruit，grewinourwud，Maggy，mydoo。“
“Whaurgatyethebeuk？”reiteratedJanet。
Margaret\'sfacewasbythistimethecolourofthecrimsonboardsofthevolumeinherhand，butsherepliedatonce：
“IgotitfraeMaisterSutherlan\'，Ireckon。“
Janet\'sfirstresponsewasaninvertedwhistle；hernext，anotherquestion：
“MaisterSutherlan\'！wha\'sthato\'t？”
“Hoot，lass！”interposedDavid，“yekenweelaneuch。It\'sthenewtutorlad，upatthehoose；afine，douce，honestchield，an\'
weel-faured，forby。Lat\'sseethebitbeuky，lassie。“
Margarethandedittoherfather。
“Col-e-ridge\'sPoems，“readDavid，withsomedifficulty。
“Tak\'ithamedireckly，“saidJanet。
“Na，na，“saidDavid；“a\'theappleso\'thetreeo\'knowledgearenostappitwisutanstew；an\'ginthisanebe，she\'llsunekenbythetasteo\'twhat\'scomin\'。It\'snomuckleo\'anillbeuk\'atye\'llread，Maggy，mydoo。“
“Guidpreserve\'s，man！I\'mnosayin\'it\'sanillbeuk。Butit\'snorichttomakappintmentswi\'strangerladsi\'thewudsaeear\'i\'
themornin\'。Is\'tnoo，yersel，Meg？”
“Mither！mither！”saidMargaret，andhereyesflashedthroughthewateryveilthattriedtohidethem，“hoocanye？YekenyerselI
hadnaeappintmentwi\'himoronyman。“
“Weel，weel！”saidJanet；and，apparentlyeithersatisfiedwithorovercomebytheemotionshehadexcited，sheturnedandwentintopursueherusualhouse-avocations；whileDavid，handingthebooktohisdaughter，wentawaydownthepaththatledfromthecottagedoor，inthedirectionofaroadtobeseenatalittledistancethroughthetrees，whichsurroundedthecottageonallsides。
Margaretfollowedhermotherintothecottage，andwassoonasbusyasshewithhershareofthedutiesofthehousehold；butitwasagoodmanyminutesbeforethecloudcausedbyhermother\'shastywordsentirelydisappearedfromaforeheadwhichmightwithespecialjusticebecalledtheskyofherface。
MeantimeDavidemergeduponthemoreopenroad，andbenthiscourse，stillthroughfir-trees，towardsahouseforwhosesakealonetheroadseemedtohavebeenconstructed。
CHAPTERII。
DAVIDELGINBRODANDTHENEWTUTOR。
ConcordbetweenourwitandwillWherehighestnotestogodlinessareraised，Andlowestsinknotdowntojotofill。
WhatLanguetustaughtSirPhilipSidney。
THEARCADIA——ThirdEclogue。
TheHouseofTurriepuffitstoodaboutafurlongfromDavid\'scottage。ItwastheabodeoftheLaird，orlandedproprietor，inwhoseemploymentDavidfilledseveralofficesordinarilydistinct。
Theestatewasasmallone，andalmostentirelyfarmedbytheownerhimself；who，withDavid\'shelp，managedtoturnittogoodaccount。
Uponweek-days，heappearedonhorsebackinacostumemorefittedforfollowingtheplough；buthedidnotworkwithhisownhands；
andonSundayswasatoncerecognizableasacountrygentleman。
Davidwashisbailifforgrieve，tooverlookthelabourersontheestate；hisstewardtopaythem，andkeepthefarmaccounts；hisheadgardener——forlittlelabourwasexpendedinthatdirection，therebeingonlyonelady，themistressofthehouse，andshenopatronessofuselessflowers：Davidwasinfactthelaird\'sgeneraladviserandexecutor。
Thelaird\'sfamily，besidestheladyalreadymentioned，consistedonlyoftwoboys，oftheagesofelevenandfourteen，whomhewishedtoenjoythesameprivilegeshehadhimselfpossessed，andtowhom，therefore，hewasgivingaclassicalandmathematicaleducation，inviewoftheUniversity，bymeansofprivatetutors；thelastofwhom——forthechangeswerenotfew，seeingthesalarywasofthesmallest——wasHughSutherland，theyoungmanconcerningwhomDavidElginbrodhasalreadygivenhisopinion。Butnotwithstandingthefreedomhealwaysgrantedhisdaughter，andhisgoodopinionofHughaswell，Davidcouldnothelpfeelingalittleanxious，inhiswalkalongtheroadtowardsthehouse，astowhattheapparentacquaintancebetweenherandthenewtutormightevolve；buthegotridofallthedifficulty，asfarashewasconcerned，bysayingatlast：
“WhatrichthaeItointerfere？evensupposin\'Iwantedtointerfere。ButIcanlippenweeltomybonnydoo；an\'fortherest，shemauntak\'herchancelikethelaveo\'s。An\'wha\'kensbutitmichtjistbestan\'in\'aforeHim，i\'theverygetthatHemeanttogang。TheLordforgiemeforspeakin\'o\'chance，asginIbelievedinonysichavers。There\'snofearo\'thelassie。Gudemornin\'
t\'ye，MaisterSutherlan\'。That\'sabrawbeuko\'ballantsyegaethelen\'o\'tomyMaggy，thismornin\'，sir。“
Sutherlandwasjustenteringaside-doorofthehousewhenDavidaccostedhim。HewasnotoldenoughtokeepfromblushingatDavid\'swords；but，havingagoodconscience，hewasreadywithagoodanswer。
“It\'sagoodbook，Mr。Elginbrod。Itwilldohernoharm，thoughitbeballads。“
“I\'minnodreedo\'that，sir。Bairnsmaunhaeballants。An\'，totellthetruth，sir，I\'mnomucklemairnorabairninthatrespeckmysel\'。Infac，thisverramornin\'，atthebeuk，IjistthochtI
wasreadin\'agran\'godlyballant，an\'itsoundetnanethewaurforthenotiono\'t。“
“Youshouldhavebeenapoetyourself，Mr。Elginbrod。“
“Na，na；Ikennaethingabootyerpoetry。IhaereadauldJohnMiltonoweran\'ower，thoughIdinnabelievethehalfo\'t；but，oh！
weelIlikesomeo\'thebonnybittiesattheen\'o\'t。“
“IlPenseroso，forinstance？”
“Isthathooyeca\'t？Iken\'tweelbythesicht，buthardlybythesoun\'。Iayemissedthenameo\'t，an\'tooktothethingitsel\'。
Eh，man！——Ibegyerpardon，sir——butitswonnerfu\'bonny！”
“I\'llcomeinsomeevening，andwe\'llhaveachataboutit，“repliedSutherland。“Imustgotomyworknow。“
“We\'lla\'beverrahappytoseeyou，sir。Goodmornin\'，sir。“
“Goodmorning。“
Davidwenttothegarden，wheretherewasnotmuchtobedoneinthewayofeducationatthisseasonoftheyear；andSutherlandtotheschool-room，wherehewasbusy，alltherestofthemorningandpartoftheafternoon，withCaesarandVirgil，AlgebraandEuclid；fooduponwhichintellectualbabesarerearedtothestatureofcollegeyouths。
Sutherlandwashimselfonlyayouth；forhehadgoneearlytocollege，andhadnotyetquitecompletedthecurriculum。Hewasnowfillingupwithteaching，therecessbetweenhisthirdandhisfourthwinteratoneoftheAberdeenUniversities。Hewasthesonofanofficer，belongingtotheyoungerbranchofafamilyofsomehistoricdistinctionandconsiderablewealth。Thisofficer，thoughnotfarremovedfromtheestateandtitleaswell，hadnothingtoliveuponbuthishalf-pay；for，tothedisgustofhisfamily，hehadmarriedaWelshgirlofancientdescent，inwhoselinethepovertymusthavebeenatleastcoevalwiththehistory，tojudgefromtheperfectionofitsdevelopmentinthecaseofherfather；
andhisrelationsmadethistheexcuseforquarrellingwithhim；sorelievingthemselvesfromanyobligationstheymighthavebeensupposedtolieunder，ofrenderinghimassistanceofsomesortorother。This，however，rathersuitedthetemperamentofMajorRobertSutherland，whowasprouderinhispovertythantheyintheirriches。Sohedisownedthemforever，andaccommodatedhimself，withthebestgraceintheworld，tohisyetmorestraitenedcircumstances。Heresolved，however，costwhatitmightinpinchingandsqueezing，tosendhissontocollegebeforeturninghimouttoshiftforhimself。InthisMrs。Sutherlandwasreadytosupporthimtotheutmost；andsotheyhadmanagedtokeeptheirboyatcollegeforthreesessions；afterthelastofwhich，insteadofreturninghome，ashehaddoneonpreviousoccasions，hehadlookedabouthimforatemporaryengagementastutor，andsoonfoundthesituationhenowoccupiedinthefamilyofWilliamGlasford，Esq。，ofTurriepuffit，whereheintendedtoremainnolongerthanthecommencementofthesession，whichwouldbehisfourthandlast。Towhatheshouldafterwardsdevotehimselfhehadbynomeansmadeuphismind，exceptthatitmustofnecessitybehardworkofsomekindorother。Sohehadatleastthevirtueofdesiringtobeindependent。Hisothergoodsandbadsmustcomeoutinthecourseofthestory。Hispupilswereratherstupidandrathergood-natured；sothattheirtemperamentoperatedtoconfirmtheirintellectualcondition，andtorenderthelabourofteachingthemconsiderablyirksome。Buthedidhisworktolerablywell，andwasnotsomuchinterestedintheresultastobepainedatthemoderatedegreeofhissuccess。AtthetimeofwhichIwrite，however，theprobabilityastohissuccesswasscarcelyascertained，forhehadbeenonlyafortnightatthetask。
ItwasthemiddleofthemonthofApril，inaratherbackwardseason。Theweatherhadbeenstormy，withfrequentshowersofsleetandsnow。OldwinterwasdoinghisbesttoholdyoungSpringbackbytheskirtsofhergarment，andveryfewofthewildflowershadyetventuredtolookoutoftheirwarmbedsinthemould。
Sutherland，therefore，hadmadebutfewdiscoveriesintheneighbourhood。Notthattheweatherwouldhavekepthimtothehouse，hadhehadanyparticulardesiretogoout；but，likemanyotherstudents，hehadnopredilectionforobjectlessexertion，andpreferredthechoiceofhisownweatherindoors，namely，frombooksandhisownimaginings，toanencounterwiththekeenblastsoftheNorth，chargedastheyoftenwerewithsharpbulletsofhail。Whenthesundidshineoutbetweentheshowers，hiscoldglitteruponthepoolsofrainormeltedsnow，andonthewetevergreensandgravelwalks，alwaysdrovehimbackfromthewindowwithashiver。Thehouse，whichwasofverymoderatesizeandcomfort，stoodinthemidstofplantations，principallyofScotchfirsandlarches，someoftheformeroldandofgreatgrowth，sothattheyhadarrivedatthetrueconditionofthetree，whichseemstorequireoldagefortheperfectionofitsidea。Therewasverylittletobeseenfromthewindowsexceptthiswood，which，somewhatgloomyatalmostanyseason，wasatthepresentcheerlessenough；andSutherlandfounditverydrearyindeed，asexchangedforthewideviewfromhisownhomeonthesideofanopenhillintheHighlands。
Inthemidstofcircumstancessouninteresting，itisnottobewonderedat，thattheglimpseofaprettymaidenshould，onemorning，occasionhimsomewelcomeexcitement。Passingdownstairstobreakfast，heobservedthedrawing-roomdoorajar，andlookedintoseewhatsortofaroomitwas；forsoseldomwasitusedthathehadneveryetenteredit。Therestoodayounggirl，peeping，withmingledcuriosityandreverence，intoasmallgilt-leavedvolume，whichshehadliftedfromthetablebywhichshestood。Hewatchedherforamomentwithsomeinterest；whenshe，seemingtobecomemesmericallyawarethatshewasnotalone，lookedup，blusheddeeply，putdownthebookinconfusion，andproceededtodustsomeofthefurniture。ItwashisfirstsightofMargaret。Someoftheneighbourswereexpectedtodinner，andheraidwasinrequisitiontogetthegrandroomofthehousepreparedfortheoccasion。Hesupposedhertobelongtothehousehold，till，oneday，feelingcompelledtogooutforastroll，hecaughtsightofhersooccupiedatthedoorofherfather\'scottage，thatheperceivedatoncethatmustbeherhome：shewas，infact，seateduponastool，paringpotatoes。Shesawhimaswell，and，apparentlyashamedattherecollectionofhavingbeendiscoveredidlinginthedrawing-room，roseandwentin。HehadmetDavidonceortwiceaboutthehouse，and，attractedbyhisappearance，hadhadsomeconversationwithhim；buthedidnotknowwherehelived，northathewasthefatherofthegirlwhomhehadseen。
CHAPTERIII。
THEDAISYANDTHEPRIMROSE。
DearsecretGreenness，nursedbelowTempestsandwindsandwinternights！
Vexnotthatbutoneseestheegrow；
ThatOnemadealltheselesserlights。
HENRYVAUGHAN。
Itwas，ofcourse，quitebyaccidentthatSutherlandhadmetMargaretinthefir-wood。Thewindhadchangedduringthenight，andsweptallthecloudsfromthefaceofthesky；andwhenhelookedoutinthemorning，hesawthefir-topswavinginthesunlight，andheardthesoundofasouth-westwindsweepingthroughthemwiththetuneofrunningwatersinitscourse。Itisawell-practisedearthatcantellwhetherthesoundithearsbethatofgentlyfallingwaters，orofwindflowingthroughthebranchesoffirs。Sutherland\'sheart，revivinglikeadormouseinitshole，begantobejoyfulatthesightofthegenialmotionsofNature，tellingofwarmthandblessednessathand。Somegoaloflife，vaguebutsure，seemedtoglimmerthroughtheappearancesaroundhim，andtostimulatehimtoaction。Bedressedinhaste，andwentouttomeettheSpring。Hewanderedintotheheartofthewood。Thesunlightshonelikeasunsetupontheredtrunksandboughsoftheoldfir-trees，butlikethefirstsunriseoftheworlduponthenewgreenfringesthatedgedtheyoungshootsofthelarches。Highup，hungthememorialsofpastsummersintherichbrowntasselsoftheclusteringcones；whilethegroundunderfootwasdappledwithsunshineonthefallenfir-needles，andthegreatfallenconeswhichhadopenedtoscattertheirautumnalseed，andnowlaywaitingfordecay。Overhead，thetopswhencetheyhadfallen，wavedinthewind，asinwelcomeoftheSpring，withthatpeculiarswingingmotionwhichmadethepoetsofthesixteenthcenturycallthem“sailingpines。“Thewindblewcool，butnotcold；andwasfilledwithadeliciousodourfromtheearth，whichSutherlandtookasasignthatshewascomingaliveatlast。AndtheSpringhewentouttomeet，methim。For，first，atthefootofatree，hespiedatinyprimrose，peepingoutofitsrough，carefulleaves；andhewonderedhow，byanymetamorphosis，suchleavescouldpassintosuchaflower。Hadheseenthemotherofthenextspring-messengerhewasabouttomeet，thesamethoughtwouldhavereturnedinanotherform。For，next，ashepassedonwiththeprimroseinhishand，thinkingitwasalmostcrueltopluckit，theSpringmethim，asifinherownshape，inthepersonofMargaret，whomhespiedalittlewayoff，leaningagainstthestemofaScotchfir，andlookinguptoitstopswayingoverheadinthefirstbillowsoftheoutburstoceanoflife。Hewentuptoherwithsomeshyness；forthepresenceofevenachild-maidenwasenoughtomakeSutherlandshy——partlyfromthefearofstartlinghershyness，asonefeelswhendrawingnearacouchingfawn。Butshe，whensheheardhisfootsteps，droppedhereyesslowlyfromthetree-top，and，asifshewereinherownsanctuary，waitedhisapproach。Hesaidnothingatfirst，butofferedher，insteadofspeech，theprimrosehehadjustplucked，whichshereceivedwithasmileoftheeyesonly，andthesweetest“thankyou，sir，“hehadeverheard。Butwhilesheheldtheprimroseinherhand，hereyeswanderedtothebookwhich，accordingtohiscustom，Sutherlandhadcaughtupasheleftthehouse。Itwastheonlywell-boundbookinhispossession；andtheeyesofMargaret，notyettutoredbyexperience，naturallyexpectedanentrancingpagewithinsuchbeautifulboards；forthegayestbindingsshehadseen，werethoseofafewoldannualsupatthehouse——andweretheynotfullofthemostlovelytalesandpictures？
Inthiscase，however，herexpectationwasnotvain；forthevolumewas，asIhavealreadydisclosed，Coleridge\'sPoems。
Seeinghereyesfixeduponthebook——“Wouldyouliketoreadit？”
saidhe。
“Ifyouplease，sir，“answeredMargaret，hereyesbrighteningwiththeexpectationofdeliglit。
“Areyoufondofpoetry？”
Herfacefell。TheonlypoetrysheknewwastheScotchPsalmsandParaphrases，andsuchlast-centuryversesasformedthechiefpartoftheselectionsinherschool-books；forthiswasaveryretiredparish，andthenewerbookshadnotyetreacheditsschool。Shehadhopedchieflyfortales。
“Idinnakenmuchaboutpoetry，“sheanswered，tryingtospeakEnglish。“There\'sanoldbooko\'tonmyfather\'sshelf；buttheletterso\'tareauld-fashioned，an\'Idinnacareabootit。“
“Butthisisquiteeasytoread，andverybeautiful，“saidHugh。
Thegirl\'seyesglistenedforamoment，andthiswasallherreply。
“Wouldyouliketoreadit？”resumedHugh，seeingnofurtheranswerwasontheroad。
Sheheldoutherhandtowardsthevolume。Whenhe，inhisturn，heldthevolumetowardsherhand，shealmostsnatcheditfromhim，andrantowardsthehouse，withoutawordofthanksorleave-taking——whetherfromeagerness，ordoubtoftheproprietyofacceptingtheoffer，Hughcouldnotconjecture。Hestoodforsomemomentslookingafterher，andthenretracedhisstepstowardsthehouse。
Itwouldhavebeensomething，inthemonotonyofoneofthemosttryingofpositions，tomeetonewhosnatchedattheofferedmeansofspiritualgrowth，evenifthatdisciplehadnotbeenalovelygirl，withthewomanwakinginhereyes。Hecommencedthedutiesofthedaywithconsiderablymoreofenergythanhehadyetbroughttobearonhisuninterestingpupils；andthisenergydidnotflagbeforeitseffectsupontheboysbegantoreactinfreshimpulseuponitself。
CHAPTERIV。
THECOTTAGE。
OlittleBethlem！poorinwalls，Butrichinfurniture。
JOHNMASON\'SSpiritualSongs。
TherewasonegreatalleviationtothevariousdiscomfortsofSutherland\'stutor-life。Itwas，that，exceptduringschool-hours，hewasexpectedtotakenochargewhateverofhispupils。Theyranwildallothertimes；whichwasfarbetter，ineveryway，bothforthemandforhim。Consequently，hewasentirelyhisownmasterbeyondthefixedmarginofscholasticduties；andhesoonfoundthathisabsence，evenfromthetable，wasamatterofnointeresttothefamily。Tobesure，itinvolvedhisownfastingtillthenextmeal-timecameround——fortheladywasquiteahouseholdmartinet；
butthatwashisownconcern。
Thatveryevening，hemadehiswaytoDavid\'scottage，aboutthecountrysupper-time，whenhethoughtheshouldmostlikelyfindhimathome。Itwasaclear，still，moonlitnight，withjustanairoffrost。Therewaslightenoughforhimtoseethatthecottagewasveryneatandtidy，looking，inthemidstofitslittleforest，morelikeanEnglishthanaScotchhabitation。Hehadhadtheadvantageofafewmonths\'residenceinaleafyregionontheothersideoftheTweed，andsowasabletomakethecomparison。Butwhatadifferentleafagethatwasfromthis！Thatwassoft，floating，billowy；thishard，stiff，andstraight-lined，interferingsolittlewiththeskeletonform，thatitneedednottobeputoffinthewintryseasonofdeath，tomakethetreesinharmonywiththelandscape。Alightwasburninginthecottage，visiblethroughtheinnercurtainofmuslin，andtheouteroneoffrost。Asheapproachedthedoor，heheardthesoundofavoice；andfromtheevenpitchofthetone，heconcludedatoncethatitsownerwasreadingaloud。Themeasuredcadencesoonconvincedhimthatitwasversethatwasbeingread；andthevoicewasevidentlythatofDavid，andnotofMargaret。Heknockedatthedoor。Thevoiceceased，chairswerepushedback，andaheavystepapproached。Davidopenedthedoorhimself。
“Eh！MaisterSutherlan\'，“saidhe，“Ithochtitmichtaiblinsbeyersel。Ye\'rewelcome，sir。Comebuttthehoose。Ourplaceisbutsma\'，butye\'llnomin\'sitttin\'doonwi\'ourainsels。Janet，ooman，thisisMaisterSutherlan\'。Maggy，mydoo，he\'safrien\'o\'
yours，o\'adayauld，already。Ye\'rekindlywelcome，MaisterSutherlan\'。I\'msureit\'sverrakin\'o\'youtocomean\'seethelikeo\'huz。“
AsHughentered，hesawhisownbrightvolumelyingonthetable，evidentlythatfromwhichDavidhadjustbeenreading。
Margarethadalreadyplacedforhimacushionedarm-chair，theonlycomfortableoneinthehouse；andpresently，thetablebeingdrawnback，theywereallseatedroundthepeat-fireonthehearth，thebestsortforkeepingfeetwarmatleast。Onthecrook，orhookediron-chainsuspendedwithinthechimney，hungathree-footedpot，inwhichpotatoeswereboilingawaymerrilyforsupper。Bythesideofthewidechimney，ormoreproperlylum，hunganironlamp，ofanoldclassicalformcommontothecountry，fromthebeakofwhichprojected，almosthorizontally，thelightedwick——thepithofarush。Thelightpercheduponitwassmallbutclear，andbyitDavidhadbeenreading。Margaretsatrightunderit，uponacreepie，orsmallthree-leggedwoodenstool。Sittingthus，withthelightfallingonherfromabove，Hughcouldnothelpthinkingshelookedverypretty。Almosttheonlyobjectinthedistancefromwhichthefeeblelightwasreflected，wasthepatch-workcounterpaneofalittlebedfillingarecessinthewall，fittedwithdoorswhichstoodopen。ItwasprobablyMargaret\'srefugeforthenight。
“Well，“saidthetutor，aftertheyhadbeenseatedafewminutes，andhadhadsometalkabouttheweather——surelynodespicablesubjectaftersuchamorning——thefirstofSpring——“well，howdoyouliketheEnglishpoet，Mr。Elginbrod？”
“Spierthatatmethisdayweek，MaisterSutherlan\'，an\'I\'llaiblinsanswerye；butnothenicht，nothenicht。“
“Whatforno？”saidHugh，takingupthedialect。
“Foraething，we\'renaecleanthroughwi\'theauldsailor\'sstoryyet；an\'ginIhaelearntaethingaboonanither，itsnotopassjeedgmentupo\'halves。Ihaeseenillweatherhalfthesimmer，an\'
athrangcorn-yardafteran\'a\'，an\'thato\'thebest。NothatI\'millpleasedwi\'thebonnyballantaither。“
“Weel，willyejistlatmereadthelaveo\'ttillye？”
“Wi\'mucklepleesur，sir，an\'monythanks。“
HeshowedHughhowfartheyhadgotinthereadingofthe“AncientMariner“；whereuponhetookupthetale，andcarrieditontotheend。Hehadsomefacilityinreadingwithexpression，andhisfewaffectations——foritmustbeconfessedhewasnotfreeofsuchfaults——werenotofanaturetostrikeuncriticalhearers。Whenhehadfinished，helookedup，andhiseyechancingtolightuponMargaretfirst，hesawthathercheekwasquitepale，andhereyesoverspreadwiththefilm，notofcomingtears，butofemotionnotwithstanding。
“Well，“saidHugh，again，willingtobreakthesilence，andturningtowardsDavid，“whatdoyouthinkofitnowyouhavehearditall？”
WhetherJanetinterruptedherhusbandornot，Icannottell；butshecertainlyspokefirst：
“Tsh鈜ah！”——equivalenttopshaw——“it\'sa\'lees。Whatforareyeknittin\'yerbroosoweraleein\'ballant——a\'haversasweelaslees？”
“I\'mnojistpreparedtosaysaemuckle，Janet，“repliedDavid；
“there\'smonyathing\'at\'slees，asyeca\'t，\'at\'snoleesa\'
through。Yesee，MaisterSutherlan\'，I\'mnoglegattheuptak，an\'
itjisttaksmetwiseaslangasitherfowktoseetotheootsideo\'
athing。Whilesasentence\'illleuktomecleannonsensea\'thegither；an\'maybeahaillookefter，it\'llcomeupo\'mea\'atance；an\'fegs！it\'sthebestthingina\'thebeuk。“
Margaret\'seyeswerefixedonherfatherwithalookwhichIcanonlycallfaithfulness，asifeverywordhespokewastruth，whethershecouldunderstanditornot。
“Butperhapswemaylooktoofarformeaningssometimes，“suggestedSutherland。
“Maybe，maybe；butwhenabodyhasasuspeeciono\'atrowth，hesudneverlatsittillhe\'sgotteneytherhit，oranassurancethatthere\'snothingthere。Butthere\'sjistaething，inthepoem\'atI
canpitmyfingerupo\'，an\'say\'atit\'snorichtcleartomewhetherit\'sa\'straucht-foretorno？”
“What\'sthat，Mr。Elginbrod？”
“It\'sjistthis——whatfora\'thaesailor-menfelldoondeid，an\'thechield\'atshotthebonnieburdie，an\'dida\'themischeef，cam\'tolittlehurti\'the\'en——comparateevely。“
“Well，“saidHugh，“IconfessI\'mnotpreparedtoanswerthequestion。Ifyougetanylightonthesubject“——
“Ow，IdaursayImay。Aheapo\'thingscomestomeasI\'mtakin\'adaunderbymysel\'i\'thegloamin\'。I\'llnosayathing\'swrangtillIhaetrieditoweran\'ower；formaybeIhaenaarichtgripo\'thethingava。“
“Whatcanyeexpec，Dawvid，o\'aleevin\'corp，an\'a\'that？——ay，twahunnercorps——fowertimesfifty\'stwahunner——an\'angelsturnin\'
sailors，an\'sangsgaeinfleein\'abootlikelaverocks，andtummelin\'
doonagain，tiredlike？——Gudepreserve\'sa\'！”
“Janet，doyebelieve\'ateveraserpentspak？”
“Hoot！Dawvid，thedeilwasinhim，yeken。“
“Thedeilawordo\'that\'si\'theworditsel，though，“rejoinedDavidwithasmile。
“Dawvid，“saidJanet，solemnly，andwithsomeconsternation，“ye\'renogaein\'totellme，sittin\'there，atyedinnabelieveilkaword\'at\'sprentitatweenthetwabrodso\'theBible？WhatwillMaisterSutherlan\'thinko\'ye？”
“Janet，mybonnielass——“andhereDavid\'seyesbeameduponhiswife——“Ibelieveasmonyo\'themasyedo，an\'maybeawheenmair，mydawtie。Keepyermin\'easyabootthat。Butyejistsee\'atfowkwarnaa\'thegithersaitisfeedabootasairpentspeikin\'，an\'saetheyleukitabootandaboottillatlasttheyfandthedeilinhim。Gudekenswhetherhewasthereorno。Noo，yeseehoo，ginwewastoleukweelabootthaecorps，an\'thaeangels，an\'a\'thatqueerstuff——butoh！it\'sbonnystufftee！——wemichtfa\'inwi\'somethingwedidnaawthegitherexpec，thoughwewasleukin\'for\'ta\'thetime。
SaeImaunjistthinkabootit，Mr。Sutherlan\'；an\'Iwadfainreaditoweragain，aforeIlippenongiein\'myopinganonthemaitter。
Yecudlavethebitbeukie，sir？We\'setak\'guidcareo\'t。“
“Ye\'reverrawelcometothatoronyitherbeukIhae，“repliedHugh，whobegantofeelalreadyasifhewereinthehandsofasuperior。
“Monythanks；butyesee，sir，wehaeeneuchtochowupo\'foranauchtdaysorso。“
Bythistimethepotatoesworeconsideredtobecooked，andwereaccordinglyliftedoffthefire。Thewaterwasthenpouredaway，thelidputaside，andthepothungoncemoreuponthecrook，hookedafewringsfurtherupinthechimney，inorderthatthepotatoesmightbethoroughlydrybeforetheywereserved。Margaretwasnowverybusyspreadingtheclothandlayingspoonandplatesonthetable。Hughrosetogo。
“Willyenobide，“saidJanet，inamosthospitabletone，“an\'tak\'
ahetpitawtawi\'us？”
“I\'mafraidofbeingtroublesome，“answeredhe。
“Naefearo\'that，ginyecanjistpitupwi\'oorhamelymeat。“
“Maknaeapologies，Janet，mywoman，“saidDavid。“Ahetpitawta\'sayeguidfare，forgentleorsemple。Sityedounagain，MaisterSutherlan\'。Maggy，mydoo，whaur\'sthemilk？”
“IthochtHawkiewadhaeadrappyo\'hetmilkbythistime，“saidMargaret，“andsaeIjistlootitbetothelast；butI\'llhae\'tdrawnintwaminutes。“Andawayshewentwithajug，commonlycalledadecanterinthatpartofthenorth，inherhand。
“That\'shardlyfairplaytoHawkie，“saidDavidtoJanetwithasmile。
“Hoot！Dawvid，yeseewehaenaastrangerilkanicht。“
“Butreally，“saidHugh，“Ihopethisisthelasttimeyouwillconsidermeastranger，forIshallbehereagreatmanytimes——thatis，ifyoudon\'tgettiredofme。“
“Gieusthechanceatleast，MaisterSutherlan\'。It\'snosma\'
preevilegetofowklikeustohaeafrien\'wi\'saemucklebuiklearnin\'asyehae，sir。“
“Iamafraiditlooksmoretoyouthanitreallyis。“
“Weel，yesee，wemauna\'leukatthestarnsfraethehichto\'ooraineen。An\'yeseemnighertothembyalanggrowththanthelaveo\'s。Myman，yeoughttobethankfu\'。“
WiththetruehumilitythatcomesofworshippingtheTruth，DavidhadnotthesmallestideathathewasimmeasurablynearertothestarsthanHughSutherland。
Maggiehavingreturnedwithherjugfulloffrothymilk，andthepotatoesbeingalreadyheapedupinawoodenbowlorbossieinthemiddleofthetable，sendingthesmokeoftheirhospitalitytotherafters，Janetplacedasmallerwoodenbowl，calledacaup，filledwithdeliciouslyyellowmilkofHawkie\'slatestgathering，foreachindividualofthecompany，withanattendanthorn-spoonbyitsside。
Theyalldrewtheirchairstothetable，andDavid，askingnoblessing，asitwascalled，butneverthelessgivingthanksfortheblessingalreadybestowed，namely，theperfectgiftoffood，invitedHughtomakeasupper。Each，inprimitivebutnotungracefulfashion，tookapotatoefromthedishwiththefingers，andateit，“biteandsup，“withthehelpofthehorn-spoonforthemilk。Hughthoughthehadneversuppedmorepleasantly，andcouldnothelpobservinghowfarrealgood-breedingisindependentoftheformsandrefinementsofwhathasassumedtoitselfthenameofsociety。
Soonaftersupperwasover，itwastimeforhimtogo；so，afterkindhand-shakingsandgoodnights，Davidaccompaniedhimtotheroad，wherehelefthimtofindhiswayhomebythestar-light。Ashewent，hecouldnothelpponderingalittleoverthefactthatalabouringmanhaddiscoveredadifficulty，perhapsafault，inoneofhisfavouritepoems，whichhadneversuggesteditselftohim。Hesoonsatisfiedhimself，however，bycomingtotheconclusionthatthepoethadnotcaredaboutthematteratall，havinghadnofurtherintentioninthepoemthanHughhimselfhadfoundinit，namely，witcheryandloveliness。Butitseemedtotheyoungstudentawonderfulfact，thattheintercoursewhichwasdeniedhiminthelaird\'sfamily，simplyfromtheirutterincapacityofyieldingit，shouldbeaffordedhiminthefamilyofamanwhohadfollowedtheploughhimselfonce，perhapsdidsostill，havingrisenonlytobetheoverseerandsuperiorassistantoflabourers。Hecertainlyfelt，onhiswayhome，muchmorereconciledtotheprospectofhissojournatTurriepuffit，thanhewouldhavethoughtitpossibleheevershould。
Davidlingeredafewmoments，lookingupatthestars，beforehere-enteredhiscottage。Whenherejoinedhiswifeandchild，hefoundtheBiblealreadyopenonthetablefortheireveningdevotions。Iwillclosethischapter，asIbeganthefirst，withsomethinglikehisprayer。David\'sprayerswerecharacteristicofthewholeman；buttheyalsopartook，infarmorethanordinary，ofthemoodofthemoment。Hislastoccupationhadbeenstar-gazing：
“Othou，whakeepsthestarsalicht，an\'oursoulsburnin\'wi\'alichtaboonthato\'thestars，grantthattheymayshineaforetheeasthestarsforeverandever。An\'asthouhaudsthestarsburnin\'
a\'thenicht，whanthere\'snomantosee，sohaudthouthelichtburnin\'inoursouls，whanweseeneithertheenorit，butareburiedinthegraveo\'sleepan\'forgetfu\'ness。Bethoubyus，evenasamothersitsbythebedsideo\'herailin\'weana\'thelangnicht；onlybethounearertous，eveninourverrasouls，an\'watchowerthewarl\'o\'dreamsthattheymak\'forthemsels。Grantthatmorean\'morethochtso\'thythinkin\'maycomeintoourhertsdaybyday，tillthereshallbeatlastanopenroadatweentheean\'us，an\'thyangelsmayascendanddescenduponus，sothatwemaybeinthyheaven，e\'enwhileweareupo\'thyearth：Amen。“
CHAPTERV。
THESTUDENTS。
Inwoodandstone，notthesoftest，buthardest，bealwaysaptestforportraiture，bothfairestforpleasure，andmostdurableforprofit。Hardwitsbehardtoreceive，butsuretokeep；painfulwithoutweariness，heedfulwithoutwavering，constantwithoutnew-fangleness；bearingheavythings，thoughnotlightly，yetwillingly；enteringhardthings，thoughnoteasily，yetdeeply；andsocometothatperfectnessoflearningintheend，thatquickwitsseeminhopebutdonotindeed，orelseveryseldomeverattainunto——ROGERASCHAM——TheSchoolmaster。
TwoorthreeverysimplecausesunitedtopreventHughfromrepeatinghisvisittoDavidsosoonashewouldotherwisehavedone。Onewas，that，thefineweathercontinuing，hewasseizedwiththedesireofexploringtheneighbourhood。Thespring，whichsetssomewildanimalstotheconstructionofnewdwellings，incitesmantotheenlargingofhis，making，asitwere，bydiscovery，thatwhichliesaroundhimhisown。Sohespentthegreaterpartsofseveraleveningsinwanderingabouttheneighbourhood；tillatlengththemoonlightfailedhim。Anothercausewas，that，intheactofsearchingforsomebooksforhisboys，inanoldgarretofthehouse，whichwasatoncelumberroomandlibrary，hecameuponsomestrayvolumesoftheWaverleynovels，withwhichhewasasyetonlypartiallyacquainted。Theseabsorbedmanyofhissparehours。
Butoneevening，whilereadingtheHeartofMidlothian，thethoughtstruckhim——whatacharacterDavidwouldhavebeenforSirWalter。
Whetherhewasrightornotisaquestion；butthenotionbroughtDavidsovividlybeforehim，thatitrousedthedesiretoseehim。
Heclosedthebookatonce，andwenttothecottage。
“We\'renolik\'lytoca\'yeonythingbutastrangeryet，MaisterSutherlan\'，“saidDavid，asheentered。
“I\'vebeenbusysinceIsawyou，“wasalltheexcuseHughoffered。
“Weel，ye\'rwelcomenoo；andye\'vejistcomeintimeaftera\'，forit\'snothatmonyhourssin\'Ifanditootawthegithertomyainsettisfaction。“
“Foundoutwhat？”saidHugh；forhehadforgottenallabouttheperplexityinwhichhehadleftDavid，andwhichhadbeenoccupyinghisthoughtseversincetheirlastinterview。
“Abootthecross-bowan\'thebirdie，yeken，“answeredDavid，inatoneofsurprise。
“Yes，tobesure。Howstupidofme！”saidHugh。
“Weel，yesee，themeanin\'o\'thehaillballantisnothatilltowinat，seein\'thepoethimsel\'tellsusthat。It\'sjistnotobeproudorill-naturedtooorneebours，thebeastsandbirds，forGodmadeanean\'a\'o\'s。Butthere\'sharderthingsin\'tnorthat，andyon\'sthehardest。Butyeseeitwasjistanunluckythochtlessdeedo\'thepuirauldsailor\'s，an\'I\'mthinkin\'hewassairreprochtin\'sherttheminithedidit。Hismateswasfellangryathim，noforkillin\'thepuirinnocentcraytur，butforfearo\'illluckinconsequence。Synewhennanefollowed，theyturnedrichtroun\'，an\'tookawa\'thecharactero\'thepuirbeastieefter\'twasdeid。Theyappruvedo\'theverrathing\'athewasnaedootsorryfor——Butonythingtohaudaffo\'themsels！Naesunercamthecalm，thanroun\'theygaedagainliketheweathercock，an\'naethingwadcontentthembithingin\'thedeidcrayturabouttheauldman\'scraig，an\'abusin\'himforby。Saeyeseehootheywarawheenselfishcrayturs，an\'ahantlewaurnortheman\'atwasledastrayintoanilldeed。Butstillhemaunrue\'t。SaeDeathgotthem，an\'
akin\'o\'leevin\'Death，asheDeathas\'twar，an\'insomerespecksmaybewaurthantheither，gotgripso\'him，puirauldbody！It\'sa\'fairandrichttothebackbaneo\'theballant，MaisterSutherlan\'，an\'thatI\'seuphaud。“
Hughcouldnothelpfeelingconsiderablyastonishedtohearthiscriticismfromthelipsofonewhomheconsideredanuneducatedman。
Forhedidnotknowthattherearemanyothereducationsbesidesacollegeone，someofthemtendingfarmorethanthattodevelopethecommon-sense，orfacultyofjudgingofthingsbytheirnature。Lifeintelligentlymetandhonestlypassed，isthebesteducationofall；
exceptthathigheronetowhichitisintendedtolead，andtowhichithadledDavid。Boththeseeducations，however，werenearlyunknowntothestudentofbooks。ButhewasstillmoreastonishedtohearfromthelipsofMargaret，whowassittingby：
“That\'sit，father；that\'sit！Iwasjistettlin\'efterthatsamethingmysel，orsomethinglikeit，butyeputitintherichtwordsexackly。“
ThesoundofhervoicedrewHugh\'seyesuponher：hewasastonishedatthealterationinhercountenance。Whileshespokeitwasabsolutelybeautiful。Assoonassheceasedspeaking，itsettledbackintoitsformershadowlesscalm。Herfathergaveheroneapprovingglanceandnod，expressiveofnosurpriseatherhavingapproachedthesamediscoveryashimself，buttestifyingpleasureatthecoincidenceoftheiropinions。NothingwasleftforHughbuttoexpresshissatisfactionwiththeinterpretationofthedifficulty，andtoadd，thatthepoemwouldhenceforthpossessfreshinterestforhim。
Afterthis，hisvisitsbecamemorefrequent；andatlengthDavidmadearequestwhichledtotheirgreaterfrequencystill。Itwastothiseffect：
“Doyethink，Mr。Sutherlan\'，Icoulddoonythingatmyageatthemathematics？Iunnerstan\'weeleneuchhootomeasur\'lan\'，an\'thatkin\'o\'thing。Ijistfollowtherule。Buttheruleitsel\'sapuzzlertome。Idinnaunderstan\'itbyhalf。Nooitseemstomethatthebesto\'aruleis，notomakyeabletodoathing，buttoleadyetowhatmakstherulericht——totheprencipleo\'thething。
It\'sno\'atI\'mmisbelievin\'therule，butIwanttoseetherichtso\'t。“
“I\'venodoubtyoucouldlearnfastenough，“repliedHugh。“Ishallbeveryhappytohelpyouwithit。“
“Na，na；I\'mnogaeintotroubleyou。Yehaeeneuchtodointhatway。Butifyecouldjistsparemeaneortwao\'yerbeukswhiles——onyo\'them\'atyethinkproper，Isudbemuckleobleegedteye。“
Hughpromisedandfulfilled；buttheresultwas，that，beforelong，boththefatherandthedaughterwereseatedatthekitchen-table，everyevening，busywithEuclidandAlgebra；andthat，onmostevenings，Hughwaspresentastheirinstructor。Itwasquiteanewpleasuretohim。Fewdelightssurpassthoseofimpartingknowledgetotheeagerrecipient。WhatmadeHugh\'stutor-lifeirksome，waspartlytheexcessofhisdesiretocommunicate，overthedesireofhispupilstopartake。Butheretherewasnolabour。Allthequestionswereaskedbythescholars。Asinglelessonhadnotpassed，however，beforeDavidputquestionswhichHughwasunabletoanswer，andconcerningwhichhewasobligedtoconfesshisignorance。Insteadofbeingdiscouraged，aseagerquestionersareveryreadytobewhentheyreceivenoanswer，Davidmerelysaid，“Weel，weel，wemaunbideawee，“andwentonwithwhathewasabletomaster。MeantimeMargaret，thoughforcedtolagagoodwaybehindherfather，andtoapplymuchmorefrequentlytotheirtutorforhelp，yetsecuredallshegot；andthatisgreatpraiseforanystudent。Shewasnotbyanymeansremarkablyquick，butsheknewwhenshedidnotunderstand；andthatisasureandindispensablesteptowardsunderstanding。Itisindeedararergiftthanthepowerofunderstandingitself。
ThegratitudeofDavidwastoodeeptobeexpressedinanyformalthanks。Itbrokeoutattimesintwoorthreesimplewordswhentheconversationpresentedanopportunity，orinthemidstoftheirwork，asbyitsownself-birth，ungeneratedbyassociation。
Duringthelesson，whichoftenlastedmorethantwohours，Janetwouldbebusyabouttheroom，andinandoutofit，withamanifestcaretosuppressallunnecessarybustle。AssoonasHughmadehisappearance，shewouldputoffthestoutshoes——man\'sshoes，asweshouldconsiderthem——whichshealwaysworeatothertimes，andputonapairofbauchles；thatis，anoldpairofherSundayshoes，putdownatheel，andsoconvertedintoslippers，withwhichshecouldmoveaboutlessnoisily。Attimesherremarkswouldseemtoimplythatsheconsidereditratherabsurdinherhusbandtotroublehimselfwithbook-learning；butevidentlyonthegroundthathekneweverythingalreadythatwasworthyofthehonourofhisacquaintance；whereas，withregardtoMargaret，herheartwasasevidentlyfullofprideattheideaoftheeducationherdaughterwasgettingfromthelaird\'sowntutor。
Nowandthenshewouldstandstillforamoment，andgazeatthem，withherbrightblackeyes，fromunderthewhitefrillsofhermutch，herbarebrownarmsakimbo，andalookofprideuponherequallybrownhonestface。
Herdressconsistedofawrapper，orshortloosejacket，ofprintedcalico，andabluewinseypetticoat，whichshehadahabitoftuckingbetweenherknees，tokeepitoutofharm\'sway，asoftenasshestoopedtoanywetwork，or，moreespecially，whendoinganythingbythefire。Margaret\'sdresswas，inordinary，likehermother\'s，withtheexceptionofthecap；but，everyevening，whentheirmasterwasexpected，sheputoffherwrapper，andsubstitutedagownofthesamematerial，acottonprint；andso，withherplentifuldarkhairgatheredneatlyunderanetofbrownsilk，theusualhead-dressofgirlsinherposition，bothinandoutofdoors，satdowndressedforthesacramentofwisdom。Davidmadenootherpreparationthantheusualeveningwashingofhislargewell-wroughthands，andbathingofhishead，coveredwiththickdarkhair，plentifullylinedwithgrey，inatubofcoldwater；fromwhichhisface，whichwas“cremsindyedingrayne“bytheweather，emergedglowing。Hesatdownatthetableinhisusualroughbluecoatandplainbrassbuttons；withhisbreechesofbroad-stripedcorduroy，hisblue-ribbedstockings，andleathergaiters，orcuiticans，disposedunderthetable，andhisshoes，withfiverowsofbroad-headednailsinthesoles，projectingfrombeneathitontheotherside；forhewasatallman——sixfeetstill，althoughfive-and-fifty，andconsiderablybentintheshoulderswithhardwork。Sutherland\'sstylewasthatofagentlemanwhomustwearouthisdress-coat。
Suchwasthegroupwhich，threeorfoureveningsintheweek，mightbeseeninDavidElginbrod\'scottage，seatedaroundthewhitedealtable，withtheirbooksandslatesuponit，andsearching，bythelightofatallowcandle，substitutedasmoreconvenient，fortheordinarylamp，afterthemysteriesoftheuniverse。
TheinfluencesofrevivingnatureandofgenialcompanionshipoperatedveryfavourablyuponHugh\'sspirits，andconsequentlyuponhiswholepowers。Forsometimehehad，asIhavealreadyhinted，succeededininterestinghisboy-pupilsintheirstudies；andnowtheprogresstheymadebegantobeappreciabletothemselvesaswellastotheirtutor。Thisofcoursemadethemmorehappyandmorediligent。Therewerenoattemptsnowtoworkupontheirparentsforaholiday；norealorpretendedheadortooth-aches，whosedisabilitywasurgedagainstthegreatertortureofill-concededmentallabour。Theybeganinfacttounderstand；and，inproportiontothebeautyandvalueofthethingunderstood，tounderstandistoenjoy。Thereforethelairdandhisladycouldnothelpseeingthattheboysweredoingwell，farbetterinfactthantheyhadeverdonebefore；andconsequentlybegannotonlytoprizeHugh\'sservices，buttothinkmorehighlyofhisofficethanhadbeentheirwont。
Thelairdwouldnowandtheninvitehimtojoinhiminatumbleroftoddyafterdinner，orinarideroundthefarmafterschoolhours。
ButitmustbeconfessedthattheseapproachestofriendlinesswereratherirksometoHugh；forwhateverthelairdmighthavebeenasacollegian，hewascertainlynownothingmorethanafarmer。WhereDavidElginbrodwouldhavedescribedmanya“bonnysicht，“thelairdonlysawtheprobableresultsofharvest，intheshapeoffiguresinhisbankingbook。Ononeoccasion，Hughrousedhisindignationbyventuringtoexpresshisadmirationofthedelightfulminglingofcoloursinafieldwhereagoodmanyscarletpoppiesgrewamongthegreenbladesofthecorn，indicating，totheagriculturaleye，thepovertyofthesoilwheretheywerefound。Thisfaultinthesoil，thelaird，likeachild，resenteduponthepoppiesthemselves。
“Nasty，uglyweyds！We\'llhaeyeadmirin\'thesmutneist，“saidhe，contemptuously；“\'causethebairnscanbleckaneanither\'sfaceswi\'t。“
“Butsurely，“saidHugh，“puttingotherconsiderationsaside，youmustallowthatthecolour，especiallywhenmingledwiththatofthecorn，isbeautiful。“
“Deilhae\'t！It\'sjistthere\'atIcannabidethesichto\'t。
Beautyyemayca\'\'t！Iseenaneo\'t。I\'dassunehaeareid-heeditbairn，asseethaereid-coatitrascalsi\'mycorn。I
houpye\'renogaentocramstufflikethatintotheheedso\'thetwaladdies。Faith！we\'llhaethemsawin\'thaeill-fauredweydsamangthewheytneist。Poapiesca\'yethem？WeelIwatthey\'rethePopp\'sainbairns，an\'thescarletwummantothemithero\'them。
Ha！ha！ha！”
HavingmanifestedbothwitandProtestantismintheclosingsentenceofhisobjurgation，thelairdrelapsedintogoodhumourandstupidity。HughwouldgladlyhavespentsuchhoursinDavid\'scottageinstead；buthewashardlypreparedtorefusehiscompanytoMr。Glasford。
CHAPTERVI。
THELAIRD\'SLADY。
Yearchewyves，standithatdefence，Sinyebeenstrong，asisagreatcamayle；
Nesuffernotthatmenyoudonoffence。
Andslenderwives，fellasinbattaile，Betheager，asisatiger，yondinInde；
Ayeclappithasamill，Iyoucounsaile。
CHAUCER——TheClerk\'sTale。
ThelengthandfrequencyofHugh\'sabsences，carelessasshewasofhispresence，hadalreadyattractedtheattentionofMrs。Glasford；
andverylittletroublehadtobeexpendedonthediscoveryofhishaunt。Fortheservantsknewwellenoughwherehewent，andofcoursehadcometotheirownconclusionsastotheobjectofhisvisits。SotheladychosetothinkitherdutytoexpostulatewithHughonthesubject。Accordingly，onemorningafterbreakfast，thelairdhavinggonetomounthishorse，andtheboystohaveafewminutes\'playbeforelessons，Mrs。Glasford，whohadkeptherseatattheheadofthetable，waitingfortheopportunity，turnedtowardsHughwhosatreadingtheweek\'snews，foldedherhandsonthetablecloth，drewherselfupyetalittlemorestifflyinherchair，andthusaddressedhim：
“It\'smyduty，Mr。Sutherland，seein\'yehavenomothertolookafterye——“
Hughexpectedsomethingmatronlyabouthislinenorhissocks，andputdownhisnewspaperwithasmile；but，tohisastonishment，shewenton——
“Toremonstratewi\'ye，ontheimproprietyofgoingsooftentoDavidElginbrod\'s。They\'renotcompanyforayounggentlemanlikeyou，Mr。Sutherland。“
“They\'regoodenoughcompanyforapoortutor，Mrs。Glasford，“
repliedHugh，foolishlyenough。
“Notatall，notatall，“insistedthelady。“Withyourconnexions——“
“Goodgracious！whoeversaidanythingaboutmyconnexions？Ineverpretendedtohaveany。“Hughwasgettingangryalready。
Mrs。Glasfordnoddedherheadsignificantly，asmuchastosay，“I
knowmoreaboutyouthanyouimagine，“andthenwenton：
“Yourmotherwillneverforgivemeifyougetintoascrapewiththatsmooth-facedhussy；andifherfather，honestmanhasn\'teyesenoughinhishead，otherpeoplehave——ay，an\'tonguestoo，Mr。
Sutherland。“
Hughwasonthepointofforgettinghismanners，andconsigningalltheabovementionedorganstoperdition；buthemanagedtorestrainhiswrath，andmerelysaidthatMargaretwasoneofthebestgirlshehadeverknown，andthattherewasnopossibledangerofanykindofscrapewithher。Thismodeofargument，however，wasnotcalculatedtosatisfyMrs。Glasford。Shereturnedtothecharge。
“She\'saslypuss，withhershyairsandgraces。Herfather\'sjistdaftwi\'conceito\'her，an\'it\'snotobesurprisedifshecastaglamouroweryou。Mr。Sutherland，ye\'rebutyoungyet。“
Hugh\'spridepresentedanyalliancewithalassiewhohadherdedthelaird\'scowsbarefoot，andevennowtendedtheirowncow，asanallbutinconceivableabsurdity；andheresented，morethanhecouldhavethoughtpossible，theentertainmentofsuchadegradingideainthemindofMrs。Glasford。Indignationpreventedhimfromreplying；
whileshewenton，gettingmorevernacularassheproceeded。
“It\'snoforlacko\'company\'atyerdriventoseektheirs，I\'msure。There\'stwaasfineladsan\'gudescholarsasye\'llfin\'inthehaillkintra-side，notomentionthelairdandmysel\'。“
ButHughcouldbearitnolonger；norwouldhecondescendtoexcuseorexplainhisconduct。
“Madam，Ibegyouwillnotmentionthissubjectagain。“
“ButIwillmention\'t，Mr。Sutherlan\'；an\'ifye\'llnolistentorizzon，I\'llgotothem\'atmaundo\'t。“
“Iamaccountabletoyou，madam，formyconductinyourhouse，andforthewayinwhichIdischargemydutytoyourchildren——nofurther。“
“Doyeca\'thatdischairgin\'yerdutytomybairns，tosetthemtheexampleo\'hingin\'ataquean\'s鈖ron-strings，andfillin\'herlugwi\'idlehavers？Ca\'yethatdischairgin\'yerduty？Mycertie！abonnydischairgin\'！”
“Ineverseethegirlbutinherfatherandmother\'spresence。“
“Weel，weel，Mr。Sutherlan\'，“saidMrs。Glasford，inafinaltone，andtryingtosmothertheangerwhichshefeltshehadallowedtocarryherfurtherthanwasdecorous，“we\'llsaynaemairabootitatpresent；butImaunjistspeaktothelairdhimsel\'，an\'seewhathesaystill\'t。“
And，withthisthreat，shewalkedoutoftheroominwhatsheconsideredadignifiedmanner。
Hughwasexceedinglyannoyedatthistreatment，andthought，atfirst，ofthrowinguphissituationatonce；buthegotcalmerbydegrees，andsawthatitwouldbetohisownloss，andperhapstotheinjuryofhisfriendsatthecottage。SohetookhisrevengebyrecallingtheexcitedfaceofMrs。Glasford，whosenosehadgotasredwithpassionastheprotuberanceofaturkey-cockwhengobblingoutitsunutterablefeelingsofdisdain。Hedweltuponthissoothingcontemplationtillafitoflaughterrelievedhim，andhewasabletogoandjoinhispupilsasifnothinghadhappened。
MeanwhiletheladysentforDavid，whowasatworkinthegarden，intonolessanaudience-chamberthanthedrawing-room，thereveredabodeofallthetutelardeitiesofthehouse；chiefamongstwhichweretheportraitsofthelairdandherself：he，plethoricandwrappedinvoluminousfoldsofneckerchief——shelong-necked，andlean，andbare-shouldered。Theoriginalofthelatterworkofartseatedherselfinthemostimportantchairintheroom；andwhenDavid，aftercarefullywipingtheshoeshehadalreadywipedthreetimesonhiswayup，enteredwitharespectfulbutnowiseobsequiousbow，sheorderedhim，withtheairofanempress，toshutthedoor。Whenhehadobeyed，sheorderedhim，inasimilartone，tobeseated；forshesoughttominglecondescensionandconciliationwithseverity。
“David，“shethenbegan，“IaminformedthatyekeepopendoortoourMr。Sutherland，andthathespendsmostforenichtsinyourcompany。“
“Weel，mem，it\'sverratrue，“wasallDavid\'sanswer。Hesatinanexpectantattitude。
“Dawvid，Iwonneratye！”returnedMrs。Glasford，forgettingherdignity，andbecomingconfidentiallyremonstrative。“Here\'sayounggentlemano\'talans，wi\'ilkaprospecko\'waggin\'hisheidinapoopitsomeday；an\'yeaidan\'abethiminidlin\'awa\'histimeatyourchimla-lug，duin\'waurnornaethingava！I\'msurprisedatye，Dawvid。Ithochtyehadmairsense。“
Davidlookedoutofhisclear，blue，untroubledeyes，upontheruffledcountenanceofhismistress，withanalmostpaternalsmile。
“Weel，mem，ImaunsayIdinnajistthinktheyoungman\'sinthewarsto\'company，whenhe\'satouringle-neuk。An\'foridlin\'o\'
histimeawa\'，it\'sweelwaurdforhimsel\'，forbyforus，ginholywordsbinnalees。“
“Whatdoyemean，Dawvid？”saidtheladyrathersharply，forshelovednoriddles。
“Imeanthis，mem：thattheyoungmanisjistactin\'thepairto\'
Peteran\'Johnatthebonnygateo\'thetemple，whantheysaid：
\'SuchasIhave，gieIthee；\'an\'gin\'itbemoreblessedtogiethantoreceive，asSantPaulsays\'attheMaisterhimsel\'said，theyoungman\'illnobethewauraffin\'sainlearnin\'，thatheimpairtso\'ttothemthathungerfor\'t。“
“Yemeanbythis，Dawvid，ginyecouldexpressyersel\'tothepint，\'attheyoungman，wha\'sowerweelpaidtoinstruckmybairns，neglecksthem，an\'layshimsel\'ootupo\'itherfowk\'sweans，whahaenorichttoettleaboonthestationinwhichtheirMakerpatthem。“
Thiswasutteredwithquiteareligiousfervourofexpostulation；
forthelady\'snaturalindignationatthethoughtofMegElginbrodhavinglessonsfromherboys\'tutor，wascowedbeneaththequietsteadygazeofthenoble-mindedpeasantfather。
“Helayshimsel\'ootmairupo\'theitherfowkthemsels\'thanupo\'
theirweans，mem；though，naedoubt，myMaggycomesinforagudeshare。Butfornegleckin\'o\'hisdutytoyou，mem，I\'msureIkennahoothatcanbe；foritwasonlyyestreen\'atthelairdhimsel\'saidtome，\'athoothebairnshadnevergottenonnaethinglikeitwi\'
onyitherbody。“
“Thelaird\'sowerreadywi\'sclavers，“quoththelaird\'swife，nettledtofindherselfinthewrong，andforgetfulofherownandherlord\'sdignityatonce。“But，“shepursued，“allIcansayis，thatIconsideritverraimpropero\'you，wi\'ayounglass-bairn，toencouragethenichtlyveesitso\'ayounggentleman，wha\'ssaefaraboonherinstation，an\'dootlesswillsomedaybefartheryet。“
“Mem！”saidDavid，withdignity，“I\'mwillin\'notounderstan\'whatyemean。MyMaggy\'snoane\'atneedsluikin\'efter；an\'abodyhadneedtobecarefu\'an\'nointerferewi\'theLord\'sherdin\'，forheca\'shimsel\'theShepherdo\'thesheep，an\'wee！asIloeherImaunlea\'himtoleadthemwhafollowhimwhereverhegoeth。She\'llbenoillguidit，andI\'mnogaeingtokepheratilkaturn。“
“Weel，weel！that\'syerainaffair，Dawvid，myman，“rejoinedMrs。
Glasford，withrisingvoiceandcomplexion。“A\'\'atIhaetoaddisjistthis：\'ataslangasmytutorveesitsher“——
“Heveesitshernomorethanme，mem，“interposedDavid；buthismistresswentonwithdignifieddisregardoftheinterruption——
“Veesitsher，Icanna，forthesakeo\'myownbairns，an\'themoralso\'myhoosehold，employherabootthehoose，asIwasinthewayo\'
doin\'afore。Goodmornin\'，Dawvid。I\'llspeaktothelairdhimsel\'，sin\'ye\'llnoheedme。“
“It\'smoretomylassie，mem，excuseme，tolearntounnerstan\'theworkso\'herMaker，thanitistobeemployedinyourhousehold。
Monythanks，mem，forwhatyehev\'doneinthatwayafore；an\'goodmornin\'toye，mem。I\'msorryweshouldhaeonymisunderstandin\'，butIcannahelpitformypairt。“
WiththesewordsDavidwithdrew，ratheranxiousabouttheconsequencestoHughofthisunpleasantinterferenceonthepartofMrs。Glasford。Thatlady\'swrathkeptwarmwithoutmuchnursing，tillthelairdcamehome；whensheturnedthewholeofherbatteryuponhim，andkeptupasteadyfireuntilheyielded，andpromisedtoturnhisuponDavid。Buthehadmorecommon-sensethanhiswifeinsomethings，andsawatoncehowridiculousitwouldbetotreattheaffairasofimportance。So，thenexttimehesawDavid，headdressedhimhalfjocularly：
“Weel，Dawvid，youan\'themistresshaebeenhaein\'abito\'adisputethegither，eh？”
“Weel，sir，wewarnaa\'thegithero\'aemin\'，“saidDavid，withasmile。
“Weel，weel，wemaunhumourher，yeken，oritmaybethewaurforusa\'，yeken。“Andthelairdnoddedwithhumoroussignificance。
“I\'msureIsudbeglaid，sir；butthisisnosma\'maittertomean\'
myMaggie，forwe\'rejistgettin\'foodfortheverrasowl，sir，fraehiman\'hisbeuks。“
“Cudnayebecontentwithebeukswi\'outtheman，Dawvid？”
“Wesudmak\'butsma\'progress，sir，thatget。“
ThelairdbegantobealittlenettledhimselfatDavid\'sstiffnessaboutsuchasmallmatter，andheldhispeace。Davidresumed：
“Besides，sir，that\'samaitterfortheyoungmantosattle，an\'noforme。Itwadillbecomeme，eftera\'he\'sduneforus，tosteekthedoorin\'sface。Na，na；aslang\'sIhaeadoortohaudopen，it\'snotobesteekittohim。“
“Eftera\'，thedoor\'smine，Dawvid，“saidthelaird。
“Aslang\'sI\'minyourhoosean\'inyourservice，sir，thedoor\'smine，“retortedDavid，quietly。
Thelairdturnedandrodeawaywithoutanotherword。Whatpassedbetweenhimandhiswifenevertranspired。NothingmorewassaidtoHughaslongasheremainedatTurriepuffit。ButMargaretwasneversentfortotheHouseafterthis，uponanyoccasionwhatever。Thelairdgaveheranodasoftenashesawher；butthelady，iftheychancedtomeet，tooknonoticeofher。Margaret，onherpart，stoodorpassedwithhereyesontheground，andnofurtherchangeofcountenancethanaslightflushofdiscomfort。
Thelessonswentonasusual，andhappyhourstheywereforallthoseconcerned。Often，inafteryears，andinfardifferentcircumstances，thethoughtsofHughreverted，withapainfulyearning，tothedim-lightedcottage，withitsclayflooranditsdealtable；totheearnestpairseatedwithhimatthelaboursthatunfoldthemotionsofthestars；andeventothehomely，thickset，butactiveformofJanet，andthatpeculiarsmileofherswithwhich，afteranapparentlysnappishspeech，spokenwithherbacktothepersonaddressed，shewouldturnroundherhonestfacehalf-apologetically，andshinefulluponsomeoneorotherofthethree，whomshehonouredwithherwholeheartandsoul，andwho，shefeared，mightbeoffendedatwhatshecalledher“hame-owerfashionofspeaking。“Indeeditwaswonderfulwhatasharethemotherhoodofthiswoman，incapableasshewasofenteringintotheintellectualoccupationsoftheothers，hadinproducingthatsenseofhome-blessedness，whichinwraptHughalsointhefoldsofitshospitality，anddrewhimtowardsitsheart。CertainitisthatnotoneofthethreewouldhaveworkedsowellwithoutthesenseofthepresenceofJanet，hereandthereabouttheroom，orintheimmediateneighbourhoodofit——lovewatchingoverlabour。Onceaweek，alwaysonSaturdaynights，Hughstayedtosupperwiththem：
andontheseoccasions，Janetcontrivedtohavesomethingbetterthanordinaryinhonouroftheirguest。Stillitwasofthehomeliestcountryfare，suchasHughcouldpartakeofwithouttheleastfearthathispresenceoccasionedanyinconveniencetohisentertainers。NorwasHughtheonlygiverofspiritualfood。
Puttingasidetherichgiftsofhumanaffectionandsympathy，whichgrewmoreandmorepleasant——Icanhardlyuseastrongerwordyet——toHugheveryday，manythingswerespokenbythesimplewisdomofDavid，whichwouldhaveenlightenedHughfarmorethantheydid，hadhebeensufficientlyadvancedtoreceivethem。Buttheirverysimplicitywasoftenfarbeyondthegraspofhisthoughts；forthehigherwerise，thesimplerwebecome；andDavidwasoneofthoseofwhomisthekingdomofHeaven。Thereisachildhoodintowhichwehavetogrow，justasthereisachildhoodwhichwemustleavebehind；achildlikenesswhichisthehighestgainofhumanity，andachildishnessfromwhichbutfewofthosewhoarecountedthewisestamongmen，havefreedthemselvesintheirimaginedprogresstowardstherealityofthings。