CHAPTER4。THECOMINGOFTHETIDE
Whilethecorngrew，schoolwentonand，likethecorn，Chad\'sschoolingputforthleavesandborefruitrapidly。Theboy\'smindwasasclearashiseyeand，likeamountain-pool，gavebackeveryimagethatpassedbeforeit。Notaworddroppedfromthemaster\'slipsthathefailedtohearandcouldn\'trepeat，and，inamonth，hehadputDolphandRube，who，bigastheywere，hadlittlemorethanlearnedthealphabet，toopenshame；andhewonimmunitywithhisfistsfromgibeandinsultfromeveryboywithinhisinchesinschool——includingTadDillon，whocameintimetoknowthatitwasgoodtolettheboyalone。Heworkedlikealittleslaveaboutthehouse，and，likeJack，wonhiswayintotheheartsofoldJoelandhiswife，andevenofDolphandRube，inspiteoftheirsorenessoverChad\'shavingspelledthembothdownbeforethewholeschool。AsforTallTom，hetookasmuchprideastheschool-
masterintheboy，andintown，atthegrist-mill，thecross-roads，orblacksmithshop，neverfailedtotellthestoryofthedogandtheboy，whenevertherewasasoultolisten。AndasforMelissa，whilesheruledhimlikeaqueenandChadpaidsturdyanduncomplaininghomage，shewouldhavescratchedouttheeyesofoneofherownbrothershadhedaredtolayafingerontheboy。ForChadhadGod\'sowngift——towinlovefromallbutenemiesandnothingbutrespectandfearfromthem。Everymorning，soonafterdaybreak，hestalkedaheadofthelittlegirltoschool，withDolphandRubeloungingalongbehind，and，anhourbeforesunset，stalkedbackinthesamewayhomeagain。
Whennotatschool，thetwofishedandplayedtogether——inseparable。
Cornwasripenow，andschoolclosedandChadwentwiththemenintothefieldsanddidhispart，strippingthegraybladesfromtheyellowstalks，bindingthemintosheaves，stowingthemawayunderthelowroofofthebigbarn，orstackingthemtent-likeinthefields——leavingeachearperchedlikeabigroostingbirdoneachlonestalk。Andwhentheautumncame，therewerehuskingpartiesanddancesandmuchmerriment；and，nightafternight，ChadsawSinthaandtheschool-masterinfrontofthefire——\"settin\'up\"——closetogetherwiththeirarmsabouteachother\'snecksandwhispering。Andtherewerequiltingpartiesandhousewarmingsandhouse-raisings——onethatwasofgreatimportancetoCalebHazelandtoChad。For，onemorning，Sinthadisappearedandcamebackwiththetallyounghunterinthedeerskinleggings——blushingfuriously——abride。AtonceoldJoelgavethemsomeclearedlandattheheadofacreek；theneighborscameintobuildthemacabin，andamongthemall，noneworkedharderthantheschool-master；andnoonebutChadguessedhowsorelyhithewas。