\"If，\"saidthegirlslowly，\"hehadwalkedforonlyonedayhisbootswouldnothavelookedso；andif——\"
\"If！\"saidtheGermanstartingupinhischair，irritatedthatanyoneshoulddoubtsuchirrefragableevidence——\"if！Why，hetoldmehimself！
Lookhowheliesthere，\"addedtheGermanpathetically，\"wornout——poorfellow！Wehavesomethingforhimthough，\"pointingwithhisforefingeroverhisshouldertothesaucepanthatstoodonthefire。\"Wearenotcooks——notFrenchcooks，notquite；butit’sdrinkable，drinkable，Ithink；
betterthannothing，Ithink，\"headded，noddinghisheadinajocundmannerthatevincedhishighestimationofthecontentsofthesaucepanandhisprofoundsatisfactiontherein。\"Bish！bish！mychicken，\"hesaid，asLyndalltappedherlittlefootupanddownuponthefloor。\"Bish！bish！mychicken，youwillwakehim。\"
Hemovedthecandlesothathisownheadmightintervenebetweenitandthesleeper’sface；and，smoothinghisnewspaper，headjustedhisspectaclestoread。
Thechild’sgrey—blackeyesrestedonthefigureonthebed，thenturnedtotheGerman，thenrestedonthefigureagain。
\"Ithinkheisaliar。Goodnight，UncleOtto，\"shesaidslowly，turningtothedoor。
LongaftershehadgonetheGermanfoldedhispaperupmethodically，andputitinhispocket。
Thestrangerhadnotawakenedtopartakeofthesoup，andhissonhadfallenasleepontheground。Takingtwowhitesheepskinsfromtheheapofsacksinthecorner，theoldmandoubledthemup，andliftingtheboy’sheadgentlyfromtheslateonwhichitrested，placedtheskinsbeneathit。
\"Poorlambie，poorlambie！\"hesaid，tenderlypattingthegreatroughbear—
likehead；\"tiredishe！\"
Hethrewanovercoatacrosstheboy’sfeet，andliftedthesaucepanfromthefire。Therewasnoplacewheretheoldmancouldcomfortablyliedownhimself，soheresumedhisseat。Openingamuch—wornBible，hebegantoread，andashereadpleasantthoughtsandvisionsthrongedonhim。
\"Iwasastranger，andyetookmein，\"heread。
Heturnedagaintothebedwherethesleeperlay。
\"Iwasastranger。\"
Verytenderlytheoldmanlookedathim。Hesawnotthebloatedbodynortheevilfaceoftheman；but，asitwere，underdeepdisguiseandfleshlyconcealment，theformthatlongyearsofdreaminghadmadeveryrealtohim。\"Jesus，lover，andisitgiventous，weakandsinful，frailanderring，toserveThee，totakeTheein！\"hesaidsoftly，asherosefromhisseat。Fullofjoy，hebegantopacethelittleroom。NowandagainashewalkedhesangthelinesofaGermanhymn，ormutteredbrokenwordsofprayer。Thelittleroomwasfulloflight。ItappearedtotheGermanthatChristwasverynearhim，andthatatalmostanymomentthethinmistofearthlydarknessthatcloudedhishumaneyesmightbewithdrawn，andthatmademanifestofwhichthefriendsatEmmaus，beholdingit，said，\"ItistheLord！\"
Again，andyetagain，throughthelonghoursofthatnight，astheoldmanwalkedhelookeduptotheroofofhislittleroom，withitsblackenedrafters，andyetsawthemnot。Hisroughbeardedfacewasilluminatedwitharadiantgladness；andthenightwasnotshortertothedreamingsleepersthantohimwhosewakingdreamsbroughtheavennear。
Soquicklythenightfled，thathelookedupwithsurprisewhenatfouro’clockthefirstgreystreaksofsummerdawnshowedthemselvesthroughthelittlewindow。Thentheoldmanturnedtoraketogetherthefewcoalsthatlayundertheashes，andhisson，turningonthesheepskins，mutteredsleepilytoknowifitweretimetorise。
\"Liestill，liestill！Iwouldonlymakeafire，\"saidtheoldman。
\"Haveyoubeenupallnight？\"askedtheboy。
\"Yes；butithasbeenshort，veryshort。Sleepagain，mychicken；itisyetearly。\"
Andhewentouttofetchmorefuel。
Chapter1。IV。BlessedisHeThatBelieveth。
BonaparteBlenkinssatonthesideofthebed。Hehadwonderfullyrevivedsincethedaybefore，heldhisheadhigh，talkedinafullsonorousvoice，andategreedilyofalltheviandsofferedhim。Athissidewasabasinofsoup，fromwhichhetookadeepdraughtnowandagainashewatchedthefingersoftheGerman，whosatonthemudfloormendingthebottomofachair。
Presentlyhelookedout，where，intheafternoonsunshine，afewhalf—grownostrichesmightbeseenwanderinglistlesslyabout，andthenhelookedinagainatthelittlewhitewashedroom，andatLyndall，whosatinthedoorwaylookingatabook。Thenheraisedhischinandtriedtoadjustanimaginaryshirt—collar。Findingnone，hesmoothedthelittlegreyfringeatthebackofhishead，andbegan：
\"Youareastudentofhistory，Iperceive，myfriend，fromthestudyofthesevolumesthatliescatteredaboutthisapartment；thisfacthasbeenmadeevidenttome。\"
\"Well——alittle——perhaps——itmaybe，\"saidtheGermanmeekly。
\"Beingastudentofhistorythen，\"saidBonaparte，raisinghimselfloftily，\"youwilldoubtlesshaveheardofmygreat，ofmycelebratedkinsman，NapoleonBonaparte？\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidtheGerman，lookingup。
\"I，sir，\"saidBonaparte，\"wasbornatthishour，onanAprilafternoon，three—and—fiftyyearsago。Thenurse，sir——shewasthesamewhoattendedwhentheDukeofSutherlandwasborn——broughtmetomymother。’Thereisonlyonenameforthischild，’shesaid：’hehasthenoseofhisgreatkinsman；’andsoBonaparteBlenkinsbecamemyname——BonaparteBlenkins。
Yes，sir，\"saidBonaparte，\"thereisastreamonmymaternalsidethatconnectsmewithastreamonhismaternalside。\"
TheGermanmadeasoundofastonishment。
\"Theconnection，\"saidBonaparte，\"isonewhichcouldnotbeeasilycomprehendedbyoneunaccustomedtothestudyofaristocraticpedigrees；
buttheconnectionisclose。\"
\"Isitpossible！\"saidtheGerman，pausinginhisworkwithmuchinterestandastonishment。\"NapoleonanIrishman！\"
\"Yes，\"saidBonaparte，\"onthemother’sside，andthatishowwearerelated。Therewasn’tamantobeathim，\"saidBonaparte，stretchinghimself——\"notamanexcepttheDukeofWellington。Andit’sastrangecoincidence，\"addedBonaparte，bendingforward，\"buthewasaconnectionofmine。Hisnephew，theDukeofWellington’snephew，marriedacousinofmine。Shewasawoman！Seeheratoneofthecourtballs——ambersatin——
daisiesinherhair。Worthgoingahundredmilestolookather！Oftenseenhertheremyself，sir！\"
TheGermanmovedtheleatherthongsinandout，andthoughtofthestrangevicissitudesofhumanlife，whichmightbringthekinsmanofdukesandemperorstohishumbleroom。
Bonaparteappearedlostamongoldmemories。
\"Ah，thatDukeofWellington’snephew！\"hebrokeforthsuddenly；\"many’sthejokeI’vehadwithhim。OftencametovisitmeatBonaparteHall。
GrandplaceIhadthen——park，conservatory，servants。Hehadonlyonefault，thatDukeofWellington’snephew，\"saidBonaparte，observingthattheGermanwasdeeplyinterestedineveryword，\"Hewasacoward——whatyoumightcallacoward。You’veneverbeeninRussia，Isuppose？\"saidBonaparte，fixinghiscrosswiselookingeyesontheGerman’sface。
\"No，no，\"saidtheoldmanhumbly。\"France，England，Germany，alittleinthiscountry；itisallIhavetravelled。\"
\"I，myfriend，\"saidBonaparte，\"Ihavebeenineverycountryintheworld，andspeakeverycivilisedlanguage，exceptingonlyDutchandGerman。I
wroteabookofmytravels——noteworthyincidents。Publishergotit——
cheatedmeoutofit。Greatrascalsthosepublishers！UpononeoccasiontheDukeofWellington’snephewandIweretravellinginRussia。Allofasuddenoneofthehorsesdroppeddowndeadasadoornail。Therewewere——
coldnight——snowfourfeetthick——greatforest——onehorsenotbeingabletomovethesledge——nightcomingon——wolves。
\"’Spree！’saystheDukeofWellington’snephew。
\"’Spree，doyoucallit？saysI。’Lookout。’
\"There，stickingoutunderabush，wasnothinglessthanthenoseofabear。TheDukeofWellington’snephewwasupatreelikeashot；Istoodquietlyontheground，ascoolasIamatthismoment，loadedmygun，andclimbedupthetree。Therewasonlyonebough。
\"’Bon，’saidtheDukeofWellington’snephew，’you’dbettersitinfront。’
\"’Allright，’saidI；’butkeepyourgunready。Therearemorecoming。’
He’dgothisfaceburiedinmyback。
\"’Howmanyarethere？’saidhe。
\"’Four，’saidI。
\"’Howmanyaretherenow？’saidhe。
\"’Eight，’saidI。
\"’Howmanyaretherenow？’saidhe。
\"’Ten，’saidI。
\"’Ten！ten！’saidhe；anddowngoeshisgun。
\"’Wallie，’Isaid，’whathaveyoudone？We’redeadmennow。’
\"’Bon，myoldfellow，’saidhe，’Icouldn’thelpit；myhandstrembledso！’
\"’Wall，’Isaid，turningroundandseizinghishand，’Wallie，mydearlad，good—bye。I’mnotafraidtodie。Mylegsarelong——theyhangdown——thefirstbearthatcomesandIdon’thithim，offgoesmyfoot。WhenhetakesitIshallgiveyoumygunandgo。Youmayyetbesaved；buttell，oh，tellMaryAnnthatIthoughtofher，thatIprayedforher。’
\"’Good—bye，oldfellow，’saidhe。
\"’Godblessyou，’saidI。
\"Bythistimethebearsweresittinginacircleallaroundthetree。
Yes，\"saidBonaparteimpressively，fixinghiseyesontheGerman，\"aregular，exact，circle。Themarksoftheirtailswereleftinthesnow，andImeasureditafterward；adrawing—mastercouldn’thavedoneitbetter。
Itwasthatsavedme。Ifthey’drushedonmeatonce，pooroldBonwouldneverhavebeenheretotellthisstory。Buttheycameon，sir，systematically，onebyone。Alltherestsatontheirtailsandwaited。
Thefirstfellowcameup，andIshothim；thesecondfellow——Ishothim；
thethird——Ishothim。Atlastthetenthcame；hewasthebiggestofall——
theleader，youmaysay。
\"’Wall，’Isaid，’givemeyourhand。Myfingersarestiffwiththecold；
thereisonlyonebulletleft。Ishallmisshim。Whileheiseatingmeyougetdownandtakeyourgun；andlive，dearfriend，livetorememberthemanwhogavehislifeforyou！’Bythattimethebearwasatme。Ifelthispawonmytrousers。
\"’Oh，Bonnie！Bonnie！’saidtheDukeofWellington’snephew。ButIjusttookmygunandputthemuzzletothebear’sear——overhefell——dead！\"
BonaparteBlenkinswaitedtoobservewhateffecthisstoryhadmade。Thenhetookoutadirtywhitehandkerchiefandstrokedhisforehead，andmoreespeciallyhiseyes。
\"Italwaysaffectsmetorelatethatadventure，\"heremarked，returningthehandkerchieftohispocket。\"Ingratitude——base，vileingratitude——isrecalledbyit！Thatman，thatman，whobutformewouldhaveperishedinthepathlesswildsofRussia，thatmaninthehourofmyadversityforsookme。\"TheGermanlookedup。\"Yes，\"saidBonaparte，\"Ihadmoney，Ihadlands；Isaidtomywife：’ThereisAfrica，astrugglingcountry；theywantcapital；theywantmenoftalent；theywantmenofabilitytoopenupthatland。Letusgo。’
\"Iboughteightthousandpounds’worthofmachinery——winnowing，plowing，reapingmachines；Iloadedashipwiththem。NextsteamerIcameout——
wife，children，all。GottotheCape。Whereistheshipwiththethings？
Lost——gonetothebottom！Andtheboxwiththemoney？Lost——nothingsaved！
\"MywifewrotetotheDukeofWellington’snephew；Ididn’twishherto；
shediditwithoutmyknowledge。
\"WhatdidthemanwhoselifeIsaveddo？Didhesendmethirtythousandpounds？say，’Bonaparte，mybrother，hereisacrumb？’No；hesentmenothing。
\"Mywifesaid，’Write。’Isaid，’MaryAnn，NO。Whilethesehandshavepowertowork，NO。Whilethisframehaspowertoendure，NO。NevershallitbesaidthatBonaparteBlenkinsaskedofanyman。’\"
Theman’snobleindependencetouchedtheGerman。
\"Yourcaseishard；yes，thatishard，\"saidtheGerman，shakinghishead。
Bonapartetookanotherdraughtofthesoup，leanedbackagainstthepillows，andsigheddeeply。
\"Ithink，\"hesaidafterawhile，rousinghimself，\"Ishallnowwanderinthebenignair，andtastethegentlecoolofevening。Thestiffnesshoversovermeyet；exerciseisbeneficial。\"
Sosaying，headjustedhishatcarefullyonthebaldcrownofhishead，andmovedtothedoor。AfterhehadgonetheGermansighedagainoverhiswork：
\"Ah，Lord！Soitis！Ah！\"
Hethoughtoftheingratitudeoftheworld。
\"UncleOtto，\"saidthechildinthedoorway，\"didyoueverhearoftenbearssittingontheirtailsinacircle？\"
\"Well，notoftenexactly：butbearsdoattacktravellerseveryday。Itisnothingunheardof，\"saidtheGerman。\"Amanofsuchcourage，too！
Terribleexperiencethat！\"
\"Andhowdoweknowthatthestoryistrue，UncleOtto？\"
TheGerman’sirewasroused。
\"ThatiswhatIdohate！\"hecried。\"Knowthatistrue！Howdoyouknowthatanythingistrue？Becauseyouaretoldso。Ifwebegintoquestioneverything——proof，proof，proof，whatwillwehavetobelieveleft？HowdoyouknowtheangelopenedtheprisondoorforPeter，exceptthatPetersaidso？HowdoyouknowthatGodtalkedtoMoses，exceptthatMoseswroteit？
ThatiswhatIhate！\"
Thegirlknitherbrows。PerhapsherthoughtsmadealongerjourneythantheGermandreamedof；for，markyou，theolddreamlittlehowtheirwordsandlivesaretextsandstudiestothegenerationthatshallsucceedthem。
Notwhatwearetaught，butwhatwesee，makesus，andthechildgathersthefoodonwhichtheadultfeedstotheend。
WhentheGermanlookedupnexttherewasalookofsupremesatisfactioninthelittlemouthandthebeautifuleyes。
\"Whatdostsee，chicken？\"heasked。
Thechildsaidnothing，andanagonizingshriekwasborneontheafternoonbreeze。
\"Oh，God！myGod！Iamkilled！\"criedthevoiceofBonaparte，ashe，withwideopenmouthandshakingflesh，fellintotheroom，followedbyahalf—
grownostrich，whoputitsheadinatthedoor，openeditsbeakathim，andwentaway。
\"Shutthedoor！shutthedoor！Asyouvaluemylife，shutthedoor！\"criedBonaparte，sinkingintoachair，hisfaceblueandwhite，withagreenishnessaboutthemouth。\"Ah，myfriend，\"hesaidtremulously，\"eternityhaslookedmeintheface！Mylife’sthreadhunguponacord！
Thevalleyoftheshadowofdeath！\"saidBonaparte，seizingtheGerman’sarm。
\"Dear，dear，dear！\"saidtheGerman，whohadclosedthelowerhalfofthedoor，andstoodmuchconcernedbesidethestranger，\"youhavehadafright。
Ineverknewsoyoungabirdtochasebefore；buttheywilltakedislikestocertainpeople。Isentaboyawayoncebecauseabirdwouldchasehim。
Ah，dear，dear！\"
\"WhenIlookedround，\"saidBonaparte，\"theredandyawningcavitywasaboveme，andthereprehensiblepawraisedtostrikeme。Mynerves，\"saidBonaparte，suddenlygrowingfaint，\"alwaysdelicate——highlystrung——arebroken——broken！Youcouldnotgivealittlewine，alittlebrandymyfriend？\"
TheoldGermanhurriedawaytothebookshelf，andtookfrombehindthebooksasmallbottle，halfofwhosecontentshepouredintoacup。
Bonapartedrainediteagerly。
\"Howdoyoufeelnow？\"askedtheGerman，lookingathimwithmuchsympathy。
\"Alittle，slightly，better。\"
TheGermanwentouttopickupthebatteredchimneypotwhichhadfallenbeforethedoor。
\"Iamsorryyougotthefright。Thebirdsarebadthingstillyouknowthem，\"hesaidsympathetically，asheputthehatdown。
\"Myfriend，\"saidBonaparte，holdingouthishand，\"Iforgiveyou；donotbedisturbed。Whatevertheconsequences，Iforgiveyou。Iknow，I
believe，itwaswithnoill—intentthatyouallowedmetogoout。Givemeyourhand。Ihavenoill—feeling；none！\"
\"Youareverykind，\"saidtheGerman，takingtheextendedhand，andfeelingsuddenlyconvincedthathewasreceivingmagnanimousforgivenessforsomegreatinjury，\"youareverykind。\"
\"Don’tmentionit，\"saidBonaparte。
Heknockedoutthecrownofhiscaved—inoldhat，placeditonthetablebeforehim，leanedhiselbowsonthetableandhisfaceinhishands，andcontemplatedit。
\"Ah，myoldfriend，\"hethusapostrophizedthehat，\"youhaveservedmelong，youhaveservedmefaithfully，butthelastdayhascome。Nevermoreshallyoubeborneupontheheadofyourmaster。Nevermoreshallyouprotecthisbrowfromtheburningraysofsummerorthecuttingwindsofwinter。Henceforthbare—headedmustyourmastergo。Good—bye，good—bye，oldhat！\"
AttheendofthisaffectingappealtheGermanrose。Hewenttotheboxatthefootofhisbed；outofithetookablackhat，whichhadevidentlybeenseldomwornandcarefullypreserved。
\"It’snotexactlywhatyoumayhavebeenaccustomedto，\"hesaidnervously，puttingitdownbesidethebatteredchimneypot，\"butitmightbeofsomeuse——aprotectiontothehead，youknow。\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidBonaparte，\"youarenotfollowingmyadvice；youareallowingyourselftobereproachedonmyaccount。Donotmakeyourselfunhappy。No；Ishallgobare—headed。\"
\"No，no，no！\"criedtheGermanenergetically。\"Ihavenouseforthehat，noneatall。Itisshutupinthebox。\"
\"ThenIwilltakeit，myfriend。Itisacomforttoone’sownmindwhenyouhaveunintentionallyinjuredanyonetomakereparation。Iknowthefeeling。Thehatmaynotbeofthatrefinedcutofwhichtheoldonewas，butitwillserve，yes，itwillserve。Thankyou，\"saidBonaparte，adjustingitonhishead，andthenreplacingitonthetable。\"Ishallliedownnowandtakealittlerepose，\"headded；\"Imuchfearmyappetiteforsupperwillbelost。\"
\"Ihopenot，Ihopenot，\"saidtheGerman，reseatinghimselfathiswork，andlookingmuchconcernedasBonapartestretchedhimselfonthebedandturnedtheendofthepatchworkquiltoverhisfeet。
\"Youmustnotthinktomakeyourdeparture，notformanydays，\"saidtheGermanpresently。\"TantSanniegivesherconsent，and——\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidBonaparte，closinghiseyessadly，\"youarekind；butwereitnotthattomorrowistheSabbath，weakandtremblingasIliehere，Iwouldproceedonmyway。Imustseekwork；idlenessbutforadayispainful。Work，labour——thatisthesecretofalltruehappiness！\"
Hedoubledthepillarunderhishead，andwatchedhowtheGermandrewtheleatherthongsinandout。
AfterawhileLyndallsilentlyputherbookontheshelfandwenthome，andtheGermanstoodupandbegantomixsomewaterandmealforroaster—cakes。
Ashestirredthemwithhishandshesaid：
\"ImakealwaysadoublesupplyonSaturdaynight；thehandsarethenfreeasthethoughtsforSunday。\"
\"TheblessedSabbath！\"saidBonaparte。
Therewasapause。Bonapartetwistedhiseyeswithoutmovinghishead，toseeifsupperwerealreadyonthefire。
\"YoumustsorelymisstheadministrationoftheLord’swordinthisdesolatespot，\"addedBonaparte。\"Oh，howloveIThinehouse，andtheplacewhereThinehonourdwelleth！\"
\"Well，wedo；yes，\"saidtheGerman；\"butwedoourbest。Wemeettogether，andI——well，Isayafewwords，andperhapstheyarenotwhollylost，notquite。\"
\"Strangecoincidence，\"saidBonaparte；\"myplanalwayswasthesame。WasintheFreeStateonce——solitaryfarm——oneneighbour。EverySundayI
calledtogetherfriendandneighbour，childandservant，andsaid，’Rejoicewithme，thatwemayservetheLord，’andthenIaddressedthem。Ah，thosewereblessedtimes，\"saidBonaparte；\"wouldtheymightreturn。\"
TheGermanstirredatthecakes，andstirred，andstirred，andstirred。Hecouldgivethestrangerhisbed，andhecouldgivethestrangerhishat，andhecouldgivethestrangerhisbrandy；buthisSundayservice！
Afteragoodwhilehesaid：
\"ImightspeaktoTantSannie；Imightarrange；youmighttaketheserviceinmyplace，ifit——\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidBonaparte，\"itwouldgivemetheprofoundestfelicity，themostunboundedsatisfaction；butintheseworn—outhabiliments，inthesedeterioratedgarments，itwouldnotbepossible，itwouldnotbefittingthatIshouldofficiateinserviceofOnewhom，forrespect，weshallnotname。No，myfriend，Iwillremainhere；and，whileyouareassemblingyourselvestogetherinthepresenceoftheLord，I，inmysolitude，willthinkofandprayforyou。No；Iwillremainhere！\"
Itwasatouchingpicture——thesolitarymanthereprayingforthem。TheGermanclearedhishandsfromthemeal，andwenttothechestfromwhichhehadtakentheblackhat。Afteralittlecarefulfeelingabout，heproducedablackclothcoat，trousers，andwaistcoat，whichhelaidonthetable，smilingknowingly。Theywereofnewshiningcloth，worntwiceayear，whenhewenttothetowntonachtmaal。Helookedwithgreatprideatthecoatasheunfoldeditandhelditup。
\"It’snotthelatestfashion，perhaps，notaWestEndcut，notexactly；butitmightdo；itmightserveatapush。Tryiton，tryiton！\"hesaid，hisoldgreyeyestwinklingwithpride。
Bonapartestoodupandtriedonthecoat。Itfittedadmirably；thewaistcoatcouldbemadetobuttonbyrippinguptheback，andthetrouserswereperfect；butbelowweretheraggedboots。TheGermanwasnotdisconcerted。Goingtothebeamwhereapairoftop—bootshung，hetookthemoff，dustedthemcarefully，andputthemdownbeforeBonaparte。Theoldeyesnowfairlybrimmedoverwithsparklingenjoyment。
\"Ihaveonlywornthemonce。Theymightserve；theymightbeendured。\"
Bonapartedrewthemonandstoodupright，hisheadalmosttouchingthebeams。TheGermanlookedathimwithprofoundadmiration。Itwaswonderfulwhatadifferencefeathersmadeinthebird。
Chapter1。V。SundayServices。