Theponyregardedthemwithindifference，butthecoltshiedandplunged。
\"Whoa，Liz！\"LizwasRanald\'scontractionforLizette，thenameoftheFrenchhorse-trainerandbreeder，JulesLaRocque，gavetohermother，whoinherdaywasqueenoftheiceatL\'OriginalChristmasraces。
\"Bequate，Nigger，willyou！\"Thedogs，whoknewRanaldwell，ceasedtheirclamor，butnotbeforethekitchendooropenedandDonCameroncameout。
DonwasaboutayearolderthanRanaldandwashisfriendandcomrade。
\"It\'sme，Don——andMrs。Murraythere。\"
Dongazedspeechless。
\"Andwhat——\"hebegan。
\"Fatherisnotwell。Heishurted，andMrs。Murrayisgoingtoseehim，andwemustgo。\"
Ranaldhurriedthroughhisstory，impatienttogeton。
\"Butareyougoingupthroughthebush？\"askedDon。
\"Yes，whatelse，Don？\"askedMrs。Murray。\"Itisagoodroad，isn\'tit？\"
\"Oh，yes，Isupposeitisgoodenough，\"saidDon，doubtfully，\"butIheard——\"
\"Wewillcomeoutatourownclearingattheback，youknow，\"
Ranaldhurriedtosay，givingDonakick。\"Whist，man！Sheissetupongoing。\"Atthatmomentawayofftowardtheswamp，whichtheywereavoiding，thelong，heart-chillingcryofamotherwolfquaveredonthestillnightair。Inspiteofherself，Mrs。Murrayshivered，andtheboyslookedateachother。
\"Thereisonlyone，\"saidRanaldinalowvoicetoDon，buttheybothknewthatwheretheshewolfisthereisapacknotfaroff。
\"Andwewillbethroughthebushinfiveminutes。\"
\"Come，Ranald！Comeaway，youcantalktoDonanytime。Goodnight，Don。\"Andsosayingsheheadedherponytowardtheclearingandwasoffatagallop，andRanald，shakinghisheadathisfriend，ejaculated：
\"Manalive！whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"andwasoffafterthepony。
Togethertheyenteredthebush。Theroadwaswellbeatenandthehorseswerekeentogo，sothatbeforemanyminuteswereovertheywerehalfthroughthebush。Ranald\'sspiritsroseandhebegantotakesomeinterestinhiscompanion\'sobservationsuponthebeautyofthelightsandshadowsfallingacrosstheirpath。
\"Lookatthatverydarkshadowfromthesprucethere，Ranald，\"shecried，pointingtoadeep，blackturnintheroad。Foranswertherecamefrombehindthemthelong，mournfulhunting-cryofthewolf。Hewasontheirtrack。Immediatelyitwasansweredbyachorusofhowlsfromthebushontheswampside，butstillfaraway。Therewasnoneedofcommand；theponysprangforwardwithasnortandthecoltfollowed，andafterafewminutes\'running，passedher。
\"Whow-oo-oo-oo-ow\"rosethelongcryofthepursuer，summoninghelp，anddrawingnearer。
\"Wow-ee-wow，\"cametheshorter，sharperanswerfromtheswamp，butmuchnearerthanbeforeandmoreinfront。Theyweretryingtoheadofftheirprey。
Ranaldtuggedathiscolttillhegothimbackwiththepony。
\"Itisagoodroad，\"hesaid，quietly；\"youcanlettheponygo。I
willfollowyou。\"Heswunginbehindthepony，whowasnowrunningfordearlifeandsnortingwithterrorateveryjump。
\"Godpreserveus！\"saidRanaldtohimself。Hehadcaughtsightofadarkformasitdartedthroughthegleamoflightinfront。
\"Whatdidyousay，Ranald？\"Thevoicewasquietandclear。
\"Itisagreatponytorunwhatever，\"saidRanald，ashamedofhimself。
\"Isshenot？\"
Ranaldglancedoverhisshoulder。Downtheroad，runningwithsilent，awfulswiftness，hesawthelong，lowbodyoftheleadingwolfflashingthroughthebarsofmoonlightacrosstheroad，andthepackfollowinghard。
\"Lethergo，Mrs。Murray，\"criedRanald。\"Whipherandneverstop。\"Buttherewasnoneed；theponywaswildwithfear，andwasdoingherbestrunning。
Ranaldmeantimewasgraduallyholdinginthecolt，andtheponydrewawayrapidly。Butasrapidlythewolveswereclosinginbehindhim。Theywerenotmorethanahundredyardsaway，andgainingeverysecond。Ranald，rememberingthesuspiciousnatureofthebrutes，loosenedhiscoatanddroppeditontheroad；withachorusofyelpstheypaused，thenthrewthemselvesuponit，andinanotherminutetookupthechase。
Butnowtheclearingwasinsight。Theponywasfarahead，andRanaldshookouthiscoltwithayell。Hewasnonetoosoon，forthepursuingpack，nowutteringshort，shrillyelps，werecloseatthecolt\'sheels。Lizette，fleetasthewind，couldnotshakethemoff。Closerandeverclosertheycame，snappingandsnarling。
Ranaldcouldseethemoverhisshoulder。Ahundredyardsmoreandhewouldreachhisownbacklane。Theleaderofthepackseemedtofeelthathischanceswereslippingswiftlyaway。WithaspurthegaineduponLizette，reachedthesaddle-girths，gatheredhimselfintwoshortjumps，andsprangforthecolt\'sthroat。InstinctivelyRanaldstoodupinhisstirrups，andkickinghisfootfree，caughtthewolfunderthejaw。Thebrutefellwithahowlunderthecolt\'sfeet，andnextmomenttheywereinthelaneandsafe。
Thesavagebrutes，discouragedbytheirleader\'sfall，sloweddowntheirfiercepursuit，andhearingthedeepbayoftheMacdonalds\'
greatdeerhound，Bugle，upatthehouse，theypaused，sniffedtheairafewminutes，thenturnedandswiftlyandsilentlyslidintothedarkshadows。Ranald，knowingthattheywouldhardlydareenterthelane，checkedthecolt，andwheeling，watchedthemdisappear。
\"I\'llhavesomeofyourhidessomeday，\"hecried，shakinghisfistafterthem。Hehatedtobemadetorun。
Hehadhardlysetthecolt\'sfacehomewardwhenheheardsomethingtearingdownthelanetomeethim。Thecoltsnorted，swerved，andthendroppinghisears，stoodstill。ItwasBugle，andafterhimcameMrs。Murrayonthepony。
\"Oh，Ranald！\"shepanted，\"thankGodyouaresafe。Iwasafraidyou——you——\"Hervoicebrokeinsobs。Herhoodhadfallenbackfromherwhiteface，andhereyeswereshiningliketwostars。ShelaidherhandonRanald\'sarm，andhervoicegrewsteadyasshesaid：\"ThankGod，myboy，andthankyouwithallmyheart。Youriskedyourlifeformine。Youareabravefellow！Icanneverforgetthis！\"
\"Oh，pshaw！\"saidRanald，awkwardly。\"YouarebetterstuffthanI
am。YoucamebackwithBugle。AndIknewLizcouldbeattheponywhatever。Thentheywalkedtheirhorsesquietlytothestable，andnothingmorewassaidbyeitherofthem；butfromthathourRanaldhadafriendreadytoofferlifeforhim，thoughhedidnotknowitthennortillyearsafterward。
CHAPTERV
FORGIVEUSOURDEBTS
MacdonaldDubh\'sfarmlayaboutthreemilesnorthandwestfromthemanse，andthehousestoodfarbackfromthecross-roadinasmallclearingencircledbythickbush。Itwasahardfarmtoclear，thetimberwasheavy，thelandlaylow，andMacdonaldDubhdidnotmakeasmuchprogressashisneighborsinhisconflictwiththeforest。
Notbutthathewasahardworkerandagoodmanwiththeax，butsomehowhedidnotsucceedasafarmer。Itmayhavebeenthathisheartwasmoreintheforestthaninthefarm。Hewasafamoushunter，andinthedeerseasonwasnevertobefoundathome，butwaseverrangingthewoodswithhisrifleandhisgreatdeerhound，Bugle。
Hemademoneyattheshanties，butmoneywouldnotsticktohisfingers，andbythetimethesummerwasovermostofhismoneywouldbegone，withthegovernmentmortgageonhisfarmstillunlifted。Hishabitsoflifewroughtakindofwildnessinhimwhichsethimapartfromthethrifty，steady-goingpeopleamongwhomhelived。True，theshanty-menwerehisstanchfriendsandadmirers，butthentheshanty-men，thoughwell-doing，couldhardlybecalledsteady，exceptthebossoftheMacdonaldgang，MacdonaldBhain，whowasaregularattendantandstanchsupporterofthechurch，andindeedhadbeenspokenofforanelder。ButfromthechurchMacdonaldDubhheldaloof。Hebelongeddistinctlytothe\"careless，\"thoughhecouldnotbecalledirreligious。Hehadallthereverencefor\"theWordofGod，andtheSabbathday，andthechurch\"thatcharacterizedhispeople。Alltheseheldahighplaceinhisesteem；andthoughhewouldnotpresumeto\"takethebooks，\"
notbeingamemberofthechurch，yetontheSabbathdaywhenhewasathomeitwasthecustomofthehouseholdtogatherforthereadingoftheWordbeforebreakfast。HewouldnevertakehisriflewithhimthroughthewoodsontheSabbath，andevenwhenabsentfromhomeonahuntingexpedition，whentheSabbathdaycameround，hereligiouslykeptcamp。Itistrue，hedidnotoftengotochurch，andwhentheministerspoketohimaboutthis，healwaysagreedthatitwasagoodthingtogotochurch。Whenhehadnobetterexcuse，hewouldapologizeforhisabsenceupontheground\"thathehadnottheclothes。\"Thegreaterpartofthetroublewasthathewasshyandproud，andfelthimselftobedifferentfromthechurch-goingpeopleofthecommunity，andshrankfromthesurprisedlooksofmembers，andevenfromthewordsofapprovingwelcomethatoftengreetedhispresenceinchurch。
ItwasnotaccordingtohisdesirethatRanaldwassenttothemanse。Thatwasthedoingofhissister，Kirsty，whoforthelasttenyearshadkepthouseforhim。NotthattherewasmuchhousekeepingskillaboutKirsty，asindeedanyonemightseeevenwithoutenteringMacdonaldDubh\'shouse。Kirstywasbigandstrongandwilling，butshehadnotthemostelementalideasoftidiness。
Herred，bushyhairhunginwispsaboutherface，afterthegreaterpartofithadbeengatheredintoatightknobatthebackofherhead。Shewasamartyrtothe\"neuralagy，\"andsufferedfromaperennialcoldinthehead，whichmadeitnecessaryforhertowearacloud，whichwasonlyremovedwhenitcouldbereplacedbyhernightcap。Herfacealwaysborethemarksofherlabors，andfromitonecouldgatherwhethershewasamongthepotsorbusywiththebaking。Butshewaskindhearted，and，uptoherlight，soughttofilltheplaceleftemptybythedeathofthewifeandmotherinthathome，tenyearsbefore。
Whentheminister\'swifeopenedthedoor，ahot，close，foulsmellrushedforthtomeether。Uponthekitchenstovealargepotofpig\'sfoodwasboiling，andthesteamandsmellfromthepotmadetheatmosphereoftheroomoverpoweringlyfetid。Offthekitchenorliving-roomweretwosmallbedrooms，inoneofwhichlayMacdonaldDubh。
Kirstymettheminister\'swifewithawarmwelcome。Shehelpedheroffwithherhoodandcoat，pattingherontheshoulderthewhile，andmurmuringwordsofendearment。
\"Ah，M\'eudail！M\'eudailbheg！anddidyoucomethroughthenightalltheway，anditisashamedthatIamtohavesentforyou，buthewasverybadandIwasafraid。Comeaway！comeaway！Iwillmakeyouacupoftea。\"Buttheminister\'swifeassuredKirstythatshewasgladtocome，anddecliningthecupoftea，wenttotheroomwhereMacdonaldDubhlaytossingandmoaningwiththedeliriumoffeveruponhim。Itwasnotlongbeforesheknewwhatwasrequired。
Withhotfomentationssheproceededtoallaythepain，andinhalfanhourMacdonaldDubhgrewquiet。Histossingsandmutteringsceasedandhefellintoasleep。
Kirstystoodbyadmiring。
\"Mercyme！Lookatthatnow；anditisyourselfthatisthegreatdoctor！\"
\"Now，Kirsty，\"saidMrs。Murray，inaverymatter-of-facttone，\"wewilljustmakehimalittlemorecomfortable。\"
\"Yes，\"saidKirsty，notquitesurehowthefeatwastobeachieved。
\"Alittlehotsomethingforhisinsidewillbegood，butindeed，many\'sthedrinkIhavegivenhim，\"shesuggested。
\"Whathaveyoubeengivinghim，Kirsty？\"
\"Sennyanddandylion，andalittlewhisky。Theywillbetellingmeitisferrygoodwhateverforthestomachandbow\'ls。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkIwouldgivehimanymoreofthat；butwewilltryandmakehimfeelalittlemorecomfortable。\"
Mrs。Murrayknewshewastreadingondelicateground。TheHighlandprideisquicktotakeoffense。
\"Sickpeople，yousee，\"sheproceededcarefully，\"needveryfrequentchanges——sheetsandclothing，youunderstand。\"
\"Aye，\"saidKirsty，suspiciously。
\"Iamsureyouhaveplentyofbeautifulsheets，andwewillchangethesewhenhewakesfromhissleep。\"
\"Indeed，theyareveryclean，forthereisnoonebutmyselfhassleptinthemsincehewentawaylastfalltotheshanties。\"
Mrs。Murrayfeltthedelicacyofthepositiontobesensiblyincreased。
\"Indeed，thatisright，Kirsty；onecannevertelljustwhatsortofpeoplearetravelingaboutnowadays。\"
\"Indeed，andit\'strue，\"saidKirsty，heartily，\"butIneverlettheminhere。Ijustkeepthemtothebunk。\"
\"But，\"pursuedMrs。Murray，returningtothesubjectinhand，\"itisveryimportantthatforsickpeoplethesheetsshouldbethoroughlyairedandwarmed。Why，inthehospitalinMontrealtheytaketheverygreatestcaretoairandchangethesheetseveryday。
Youseesomuchpoisoncomesthroughtheporesoftheskin。\"
\"Doyouhearthatnow？\"saidKirsty，amazed。\"Indeed，IwouldbeoftenhearingthatthoseFrenchpeoplearejustfullofpoisonandsuch，andindeed，itisnowonder，forthefoodtheyputinsideofthem。\"
\"O，no，\"saidMrs。Murray，\"itisthesamewithallpeople，butespeciallysowithsickpeople。\"
Kirstylookedasdoubtfulaswasconsistentwithherrespectfortheminister\'swife，andMrs。Murraywenton。
\"Soyouwilljustgetthesheetsreadytochange，and，Kirsty，acleannight-shirt。\"
\"Night-shirt！andindeed，hehasnotsuchathingtohisname。\"
Kirsty\'stonebetrayedherthankfulnessthatherbrotherwasfreefromtheeffeminacyofanight-shirt；butnotingthedismayandconfusiononMrs。Murray\'sface，shesuggested，hesitatingly，\"Hemighthaveoneofmyown，butIamthinkingitwillbesmallforhimacrosstheback。\"
\"Iamafraidso，Kirsty，\"saidtheminister\'swife，strugglinghardwithasmile。\"Wewilljustuseoneofhisownwhiteshirts。\"ButthisscandalizedKirstyasanunnecessaryandwastefulluxury。
\"Indeed，thereisplentyoftheminthechist，buthewillbekeepingthemforthecommunionseason，andthefunerals，andsuch。
Hewillnotbewearingtheminhisbed，fornoonewillbeseeinghimthereatall。\"
\"Buthewillfeelsomuchbetter，\"saidMrs。Murray，andhersmilewassosweetandwinningthatKirsty\'soppositioncollapsed，andwithoutmorewordsbothsheetsandshirtwereproduced。
AsKirstylaidthemoutsheobservedwithasigh：\"Aye，aye，shewasthecleverwoman——thewife，Imean。Shewasgoodwiththeneedle，andindeed，atanythingshetriedtodo。\"
\"Ididnotknowher，\"saidMrs。Murray，softly，\"buteveryonetellsmeshewasagoodhousekeeperandagoodwoman。\"
\"Shewasthat，\"saidKirsty，emphatically，\"andshewasthelightofhiseyes，anditwasabaddayforHughwhenshewentaway。\"
\"Now，Kirsty，\"saidMrs。Murray，afterapause，\"beforeweputonthesecleanthings，wewilljustgivehimaspongebath。\"
Kirstygasped。
\"Mercysakes！Hewillnotbeneedingthatinthewinter，andhewillbegettingacoldfromit。Inthesummer-timehewillbegoingtotheriverhimself。Andhowwillyoubegivinghimabathwhatever？\"
Mrs。Murraycarefullyexplainedtheprocess，againfortifyingherpositionbyreferringtothepracticesoftheMontrealhospital，till，asaresultofherpersuasionsandinstructions，inanhourafterMacdonaldhadawakenedfromhissleephewaslyinginhisSabbathwhiteshirtandbetweenfreshsheets，andfeelingcleanerandmorecomfortablethanhehadformanyaday。Thefeverwasmuchreduced，andhefellagainintoadeepsleep。
Thetwowomenwatchedbesidehim，forneitherwouldleavetheothertowatchalone。AndRanald，whocouldnotbepersuadedtogouptohisloft，layonthebunkinthekitchenanddozed。Afteranhourhadpassed，Mrs。MurrayinquiredastothenourishmentKirstyhadgivenherbrother。
\"Indeed，hewillnotbetakinganythingwhatever，\"saidKirsty，inavexedtone。\"AnditisnomatterwhatIwillbegivinghim。\"
\"Andwhatdoeshelike，Kirsty？\"
\"Indeed，hewillbetakinganythingwhenheisnotseek，andheisthatfondofbuckwheatpancakesandporkgravywithmaplesyrupoverthem，butwouldhelookatit！AndImadehimnewporridgeto-night，buthewouldnottouchthem。\"
\"Didyoutryhimwithgruel，Kirsty？\"
\"Mercyme，andisitMacdonaldDubhandgruel？Hewouldbeflingingthe\'feushionless\'stuffoutofthewindow。\"
\"ButIamsureitwouldbegoodforhimifhecouldbepersuadedtotryit。Ishouldliketotryhim。\"
\"Indeed，andyoumaytry。Itwillbeeasyenough，fortheporridgearestillinthepot。\"
Kirstytookthepotfromthebench，withtheremainsoftheporridgethathadbeenmadeforsupperstillinit，setitonthefire，andpouringsomewaterinit，begantostiritvigorously。
Itwasthickandslimy，andaltogetheramostrepulsive-lookingmixture，andMrs。MurraynolongerwonderedatMacdonaldDubh\'sdistasteforgruel。
\"IthinkIwillmakesomefresh，ifyouwillletme，Kirsty——inthewayImakeitfortheminister，youknow。\"
Kirsty，bythistime，hadcompletelysurrenderedtoMrs。Murray\'sguidance，andproducingtheoatmeal，allowedhertohaveherway；
sothatwhenMacdonaldawokehefoundMrs。Murraystandingbesidehimwithabowlofthenicestgruelandasliceofthindrytoast。
Hegreetedtheminister\'swifewithgravecourtesy，drankthegruel，andthenlaydownagaintosleep。
\"Willyoulookatthatnow？\"saidKirsty，amazedatMacdonaldDubh\'sforbearance。\"Hewouldnotliketobeoffendingyou。\"
ThenMrs。MurraybesoughtKirstytogoandliedownforanhour，whichKirstyveryunwillinglyagreedtodo。
ItwasnotlongbeforeMacdonaldbegantotossandmutterinhissleep，breakingforthnowandthenintowildcriesandcurses。HewasfightingoncemorehisgreatfightintheGlengarryline，andbeatingbackLeNoir。
\"Back，yedevil！Wouldye？Takethat，then。Comeback，Mack！\"
ThenfollowedacrysowildthatRanaldawokeandcameintotheroom。
\"Bringinsomesnow，Ranald，\"saidtheminister\'swife；\"wewilllaysomeonhishead。\"
Shebathedthehotfaceandhandswithice-coldwater，andthenlaidasnowcompressonthesickman\'shead，speakingtohiminquiet，gentletones，tillhewassoothedagaintosleep。
Whenthegraylightofthemorningcameinthroughthelittlewindow，Macdonaldwokesaneandquiet。
\"Youarebetter，\"saidMrs。Murraytohim。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"Iamverywell，thankyou，exceptforthepainhere。\"Hepointedtohischest。
\"Youhavebeenbadlyhurt，Ranaldtellsme。Howdidithappen？\"
\"Well，\"saidMacdonald，slowly，\"itisveryhardtosay。\"
\"Didthetreefallonyou？\"askedMrs。Murray。
Macdonaldglancedatherquickly，andthenanswered：\"Itisverydangerousworkwiththetrees。Itiswonderfulhowquicktheywillfall。\"
\"Yourfaceandbreastseemverybadlybruisedandcut。\"
\"Aye，yes，\"saidMacdonald。\"Thebreastisbadwhatever。\"
\"IthinkyouhadbettersendforDoctorGrant，\"Mrs。Murraysaid。
\"Theremaybesomeinternalinjury。\"
\"No，no，\"saidMacdonald，decidedly。\"Iwillhavenodoctoratme，andIwillsoonberoundagain，iftheLordwill。Whenwilltheministerbehome？\"
ButMrs。Murray，ignoringhisattempttoescapethesubject，wenton：\"Yes，but，Mr。Macdonald，IamanxioustohaveDoctorGrantseeyou，andIwishyouwouldsendforhimto-morrow。\"
\"Ah，well，\"saidMacdonald，notcommittinghimself，\"wewillbeseeingaboutthat。Butthedoctorhasnotbeeninthishouseformanyaday。\"Then，afterapause，headded，inalowvoice，\"Notsincethedayshewastakenfromme。\"
\"Wassheilllong？\"
\"Indeed，no。Itwasjustonenight。Therewasnodoctor，andthewomencouldnothelpher，andshewasverybad——andwhenitcameitwasagirl——anditwasdead——andthenthedoctorarrived，buthewastoolate。\"MacdonaldDubhfinishedwithagreatsigh，andtheminister\'swifesaidgentlytohim：
\"Thatwasaverysadday，andagreatlosstoyouandRanald。\"
\"Aye，youmaysayit；shewasabonniewomanwhatever，andgrandatthespinningandthebutter。And，oich-hone，itwasasaddayforus。\"
Theminister\'swifesatsilent，knowingthatsuchgriefcannotbecomforted，andpityingfromherheartthelonelyman。Afteratimeshesaidgently，\"Sheisbetteroff。\"
AlookofdoubtandpainandfearcameintoMacdonald\'seyes。
\"Shenevercameforward，\"hesaid，hesitatingly。\"Shewasafraidtocome。\"
\"Ihaveheardofheroften，Mr。Macdonald，andIhaveheardthatshewasagoodandgentlewoman。\"
\"Aye，shewasthat。\"
\"Andkindtothesick。\"
\"Youmaybelieveit。\"
\"AndshelovedthehouseofGod。\"
\"Aye，andneitherrainnorsnownormudwouldbekeepingherfromit，butshewouldbegoingeverySabbathday，bringingherstockingswithher。\"
\"Herstockings？\"
\"Aye，tochangeherfeetinthechurch。Whatelse？Herstockingswouldbewetwiththesnowandwater。\"
Mrs。Murraynodded。\"AndshelovedherSaviour，Mr。Macdonald。\"
\"Indeed，Ibelieveitwell，butshewasafraidshewouldnotbehaving\'themarks。\'\"
\"Neveryoufear，Mr。Macdonald，\"saidMrs。Murray。\"IfshelovedherSavioursheiswithhimnow。\"
Heturnedaroundtoherandliftedhimselfeagerlyonhiselbow。
\"Anddoyoureallythinkthat？\"hesaid，inavoicesubduedandanxious。
\"IndeedIdo，\"saidMrs。Murray，inatoneofcertainconviction。
Macdonaldsankbackonhispillow，andafteramoment\'ssilence，said，inavoiceofpain：\"Oh，butitisapeetyshedidnotknow！
Itisapeetyshedidnotknow。Formany\'sthetimebefore——
before——herhourcameonher，shewouldbeafraid。\"
\"Butshewasnotafraidatthelast，Mr。Macdonald？\"
\"Indeed，no。Iwonderedather。Shewaslikeababeinitsmother\'sarms。Therewasalightonherface，andImindwellwhatshesaid。\"Macdonaldpaused。Therewasastirinthekitchen，andMrs。Murray，glancingbehindher，sawRanaldstandingnearthedoorintentlylistening。ThenMacdonaldwenton。\"Imindwellthewords，asifitwasyesterday。\'Hugh，myman，\'shesaid，\'amnofeared\'shewasfromtheLowlands，butshewasafinewoman；\'I
haenathemarks，but\'mnofearedbutHe\'llkenme。Ye\'lltak\'
careo\'Ranald，for，oh，Hugh！Iha\'gi\'enhimtotheLord。TheLordhelpyoutomak\'aguidmano\'him。\'\"Macdonald\'svoicefalteredintosilence，then，afterafewmoments，hecried，\"Andoh！MistressMurra\'，Icannottellyoutheoftenthesewordsdokeepcomingtome；anditismyselfthathasnotkeptthepromiseI
madetoher，andmaytheLordforgiveme。\"
ThelookofmiseryinthedarkeyestouchedMrs。Murraytotheheart。ShelaidherhandonMacdonald\'sarm，butshecouldnotfindwordstospeak。SuddenlyMacdonaldrecalledhimself。
\"Youwillforgiveme，\"hesaid；\"andyouwillnotbetellinganyone。\"
Bythistimethetearswerestreamingdownherface，andMrs。
Murraycouldonlysay，brokenly，\"YouknowIwillnot。\"
\"Aye，Ido，\"saidMacdonald，withasighofcontent，andheturnedhisfaceawayfromhertothewall。
\"Andnowyouletmereadtoyou，\"shesaid，softly，andtakingfromherbagtheGaelicBible，whichwithmuchtoilshehadlearnedtoreadsincecomingtothisHighlandcongregation，shereadtohimfromtheoldPsalmthosewords，brave，tender，andbeautiful，thathavesooftencomfortedthewearyandwanderingchildrenofmen，\"TheLordismyShepherd，\"andsoontotheend。Thenfrompsalmtopsalmshepassed，selectingsuchpartsassuitedherpurpose，untilMacdonaldturnedtoheragainandsaid，admiringly：
\"ItisyourselfthathasthebonnieGaelic。\"
\"Iamafraid，\"shesaid，withasmile，\"itisnotreallygood，butitisthebestasouthcountrywomancando。\"
\"Indeed，itisverypretty，\"hesaid，earnestly。
Thentheminister\'swifesaid，timidly，\"IcannotprayintheGaelic。\"
\"Oh，theEnglishwillbeverygood，\"saidMacdonald，andshekneltdownandinsimplewordspouredoutherheartinprayer。BeforesherosefromherkneessheopenedtheGaelicBible，andturnedtothewordsoftheLord\'sPrayer。
\"Wewillsaythisprayertogether，\"shesaid，gently。
Macdonald，bowinghisheadgravely，answered：\"Itiswhatshewouldoftenbedoingwithme。\"
Therewasstillonlyonewomantothislonelyheartedman，andwithasuddenrushofpitythatshoweditselfinherbreakingvoice，theminister\'swifebeganinGaelic，\"OurFatherwhichartinheaven。\"
Macdonaldfollowedherinawhisperthroughthepetitionsuntiltheycametothewords，\"Andforgiveusourdebtsasweforgiveourdebtors，\"whenhepausedandwouldsaynomore。Mrs。Murrayrepeatedthewordsofthepetition，butstilltherewasnoresponse。Thentheminister\'swifeknewthatshehadherfingeruponasorespot，andshefinishedtheprayeralone。
Foratimeshesatsilent，unwillingtoprobethewound，andyettoobravetoflinchfromwhatshefelttobeduty。
\"Wehavemuchtobeforgiven，\"shesaid，gently。\"Morethanwecaneverforgive。\"Stilltherewassilence。
\"AndtheheartthatcannotforgiveaninjuryisclosedtotheforgivenessofGod。\"
Themorningsunwasgleamingthroughthetreetops，andMrs。Murraywaswornwithhernight\'svigil，andanxioustogethome。Sherose，andofferingMacdonaldherhand，smileddownintohisface，andsaid：\"Goodby！Wemusttrytoforgive。\"
Ashetookherhand，Macdonald\'sdarkfacebegantowork，andhebrokeforthintoabittercry。
\"Hetookmeunawares！Anditwasacoward\'sblow！andIwillnotforgivehimuntilIhavegivenhimwhathedeserves，iftheLordsparesme！\"Andthenhepouredforth，inhotandbitterwords，thestoryofthegreatfight。BythetimehehadfinishedhistaleRanaldhadcomeinfromthekitchen，andwasstandingwithclenchedfistsandfacepalewithpassionatthefootofthebed。
AsMrs。Murraylistenedtothisstoryhereyesbegantoburn，andwhenitwasover，sheburstforth：\"Oh，itwasacruelandcowardlyandbrutalthingformentodo！Anddidyoubeatthemoff？\"sheasked。
\"Aye，andthatwedid，\"burstinRanald。AndinbreathlesshasteandwithflashingeyehetoldthemofMacdonaldBhain\'spartinthefight。
\"Splendid！\"criedtheminister\'swife，forgettingherselfforthemoment。
\"Buthelethimgo，\"saidRanald，sadly。\"Hewouldnotstrikehim，butjustlethimgo。\"
Thentheminister\'swifecriedagain：\"Ah，heisagreatman，youruncle！AndagreatChristian。GreaterthanIcouldhavebeen，forIwouldhaveslainhimthenandthere。\"Hereyesflashed，andthecolorflamedinherfaceassheutteredthesewords。
\"Aye，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，regardingherwithdeepsatisfaction。
Histoneandlookrecalledtheminister\'swife，andturningtoRanald，sheadded，sadly：
\"Butyourunclewasright，Ranald，andwemustforgiveevenashedid。\"
\"That，\"criedRanald，withfierceemphasis，\"Iwillneverdo，untilonceIwillbehavingmyhandsonhisthroat。\"
\"Hush，Ranald！\"saidtheminister\'swife。\"Iknowitishard，butwemustforgive。YouseeweMUSTforgive。AndwemustaskHimtohelpus，whohasmoretoforgivethananyother。\"
ButshesaidnomoretoMacdonaldDubhonthatsubjectthatmorning。
Thefireofthebattlewasinherheart，andshefeltshecouldmoreeasilysympathizewithhisdesireforvengeancethanwiththeChristiangraceofforgiveness。Butastheyrodehometogetherthroughthebush，wheredeathhadtrailedthemsocloselythenightbefore，thesweetsunlightandthecrisp，freshair，andallthestillbeautyofthemorning，workingwiththememoryoftheirsaving，rebukedandsoothedandcomfortedher，andwhenRanaldturnedbackfromthemansedoor，shesaidsoftly：\"OurFatherinheavenwasverygoodtous，Ranald，andweshouldbelikehim。Heforgivesandloves，andweshould，too。\"
AndRanald，lookingintothesweetface，palewiththelongnight\'strials，buttingednowwiththefaintesttouchofcolorfromthemorning，feltsomehowthatitmightbepossibletoforgive。
Butmanydayshadtocomeandgo，andmanywatersflowoverthesoulsofMacdonaldDubhandhissonRanald，beforetheywereabletosay，\"Forgiveusourdebtsasweforgiveourdebtors。\"
CHAPTERVI
ANEWFRIEND
ThenightracewiththewolvesbegananewphaseoflifeforRanald，forinthathourhegainedafriendsuchasitfallstofewladstohave。Mrs。Murray\'shighcourageinthebush，herskillinthesick-room，andthatfinespiritualairshecarriedwithhermadeforheraplaceinhisimaginationwheremensettheirdivinities。Theheroandthesaintinherstirredhispoeticandferventsoulandsetitaglowwithafeelingneartoadoration。ToMrs。MurrayalsotheeventsofthatnightsetforthRanaldinanewlight。Intheshy，awkward，almostsullenladtherehadsuddenlybeenrevealedinthosemomentsofperilthecool，daringman，fullofresourceandcapableofself-sacrifice。Herheartwentouttowardhim，andshesetherselftowinhisconfidenceandtoestablishafirmfriendshipwithhim；butthiswasnoeasymatter。
MacdonaldDubhandhisson，livingahalf-savagelifeintheirlonelybackclearing，wereregardedbytheirneighborswithacertaindegreeofdistrustandfear。Theywerenotlikeotherpeople。Theyseldommingledinthesocialfestivitiesofthecommunity，andconsequentlyweremoreorlessexcludedfromfriendshipandfreeintercoursewiththeirneighbors。Ranald，shy，proud，andsensitive，feltthisexclusion，andinreturnkepthimselfaloofevenfromtheboys，andespeciallyfromthegirls，ofhisownage。Hisattendanceatschoolwasofafragmentaryandspasmodicnature，andheneverreallycametobeonfriendlytermswithhisfellow-pupils。HisonefriendwasDonCameron，whomtheboyscalled\"Wobbles，\"fromhisgaitinrunning，whosefather\'sfarmbackedthatofMacdonaldDubh。AndthoughDonwasayearolder，hegavetoRanaldahomagealmostamountingtoworship，forinallthosequalitiesthatgotoestablishleadershipamongboys，Ranaldwaseasilyfirst。Inthesportthatcalledforspeed，courage，andenduranceRanaldwaschiefofall。Fleetoffoot，therewasnorunnerfromtheTwelfthtotheTwentieththatcouldkeephiminsight，andwhenhestooduptofight，themereblazeofhiseyesoftenwonhimvictorybeforeablowwasstruck。ToDon，Ranaldopenedhisheartmorethantoanyoneelse；allothershekeptatadistance。
ItwasinvainthatMrs。Murray，inherdailyvisitstoMacdonaldDubh，soughttofindoutRanaldandtocometospeechwithhim。
AuntKirstyneverknewwherehewas，andtohercalls，longandloud，fromthebackdoorandfromthefront，noresponseevercame。
ItwasHughieMurraywhofinallybroughtRanaldoncemoreintotouchwiththeminister\'swife。
Theyhadcomeoneearlymorning，HughiewithFido\"hitched\"inasleddrivingoverthe\"crust\"onthesnowbanksbytheroadside，andhismotheronthepony，tomaketheircalluponthesickman。
Astheydrewnearthehousetheyheardasoundofhammering。
\"That\'sRanald，mother！\"exclaimedHughie。\"Letmegoandfindhim。Idon\'twanttogoin。\"
\"Besureyoudon\'tgofaraway，then，Hughie；youknowwemusthurryhometo-day\"；andHughiefaithfullypromised。ButalasforHughie\'spromises！whenhismothercameoutofthehousewithKirsty，hewaswithinneithersightnorhearing。
\"Theywilljustbeatthecamp，\"saidKirsty。
\"Thecamp？\"
\"Aye，thesugaringcampdownyonderinthesugarbush。Itisnotfarofffromthewoodroad。Iwillbegoingwithyou。\"
\"Notatall，Kirsty，\"saidtheminister\'swife。\"IthinkIknowwhereitis，andIcangohomethatwayquitewell。Besides，I
wanttoseeRanald。\"Shedidnotsayshewouldratherseehimalone。
\"Indeed，heisthequarelad，andheisworsesincecomingbackfromtheshanties。\"KirstywasevidentlymuchworriedaboutRanald。
\"Nevermind，\"saidtheminister\'swife，kindly；\"wemustjustbepatient。Ranaldisgoingonfasttowardmanhood，andhecanbeheldonlybytheheart。\"
\"Aye，\"saidKirsty，withasigh，\"Idoubthisfatherwillneverbeableanymoretotakeastraptohim。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Murray，smiling，\"I\'mafraidheisfarbeyondthat。\"
\"Beyondit！\"exclaimedKirsty，astonishedatsuchadoctrine。
\"Indeed，andhisfatherandhisunclewouldbegettingitthen，whentheywereasbeegastheywilleverbe，andmuchthebetterweretheyforit。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkitwoulddoforRanald，\"saidtheminister\'swife，smilingagainasshesaidgoodbytoKirsty。Thenshetookherwaydownthewoodroadintothebush。Shefoundthecamproadeasily，andafteraquarterofanhour\'sride，sheheardthesoundofanax，andsooncameuponthesugarcamp。Ranaldwasputtingthefinishingtouchestoalittleshantyofcedarpolesandinterwovenbalsambrush，andHughiewaslookingoninadmirationandblissfuldelight。
\"Why，that\'sbeautiful，\"saidMrs。Murray；\"Ishouldliketoliveinahouselikethatmyself。\"
\"Oh，mother！\"shoutedHughie，\"isn\'titsplendid？RanaldandDonaregoingtoliveinitallthesugaringtime，andRanaldwantsmetocome，too。Mayn\'tI，mother？Aw，doletme。\"
Themotherlookeddownupontheeagerface，smiled，andshookherhead。\"Whataboutthenight，Hughie？\"shesaid。\"Itwillbeverydarkinthewoodshere，andverycold，too。RanaldandDonarebigboysandstrong，butI\'mafraidmylittleboywouldnotbeverycomfortablesleepingoutside。\"
\"Oh，mother，we\'llbeinside，andit\'llbeawfulwarm——andoh，youmightletme！\"Hughie\'stearswererestrainedonlybytheshameofweepingbeforehishero，Ranald。
\"Well，wewillseewhatyourfathersayswhenhecomeshome。\"
\"Oh，mother，hewilljustsay\'no\'rightoff，and——\"
Ashadowcrossedhismother\'sface，butsheonlyansweredquietly，\"Nevermindjustnow，Hughie；wewillthinkofit。Besides，\"sheadded，\"Idon\'tknowhowmuchRanaldwantstobebotheredwithaweeboylikeyou。\"
Ranaldgaveheraquick，shyglanceandanswered：
\"Hewillbenotrouble，Mrs。Murray\"；andthen，noticingHughie\'simploringface，heventuredtoadd，\"andindeed，Ihopeyouwilllethimcome。Iwilltakegoodcareofhim。\"
Mrs。Murrayhesitated。
\"Oh，mother！\"criedHughie，seeingherhesitation，\"justonenight；
Iwon\'tbeabitafraid。\"
\"No，Idon\'tbelieveyouwould，\"lookingdownintothebraveyoungface。\"Butwhataboutyourmother，Hughie？\"
\"Oh，pshaw！youwouldn\'tbeafraid。\"Hughie\'sconfidenceinhismother\'scouragewasunbounded。
\"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"shereplied；andthenturningtoRanald，\"Howaboutourfriendsoftheothernight？\"shesaid。\"Willtheynotbeabout？\"Hughiehadnotheardaboutthewolves。
\"Oh，thereisnofearofthem。Wewillkeepabigfireallnight，andbesides，wewillhaveourgunsandthedogs。\"
\"Guns！\"criedMrs。Murray。Thiswasanewterrorforherboy。
\"I\'mafraidIcannottrustHughiewherethereareguns。Hemight——\"
\"Indeed，letmecatchhimtouchingagun！\"saidRanald，quickly，andfromhistoneandthelookinhisface，Mrs。MurrayfeltsurethatHughiewouldbesafefromself-destructionbytheguns。
\"Well，well，comeaway，Hughie，andwewillsee，\"saidMrs。Murray；
butHughiehungbacksulking，unwillingtomovetillhehadgothismother\'spromise。
\"Come，Hughie。GetFidoready。Wemusthurry，\"saidhismotheragain。
StillHughiehesitated。ThenRanaldturnedswiftlyonhim。\"Didyehearyourmother？Come，getoutofthis。\"HismannerwassofiercethatHughiestartedimmediatelyforhisdog，andwithoutanotherwordofentreatymadereadytogo。Themothernotedhisquickobedience，andsmilingatRanald，said：\"IthinkImighttrusthimwithyouforanightortwo，Ranald。Whendoyouthinkyoucouldcomeforhim？\"
\"Wewillfinishthetappingto-morrow，andIcouldcomethedayafterwiththejumper，\"saidRanald，pointingtothestout，home-
madesleighusedforgatheringthesapandthewoodforthefire。
\"Oh，Iseeyouhavebeguntapping，\"saidMrs。Murray；\"anddoyoudoityourself？\"
\"Why，yes，mother；don\'tyouseeallthosetrees？\"criedHughie，pointingtoanumberofmaplesthatstoodbehindtheshanty。
\"RanaldandDondidallthose，andmadethespiles，too。See！\"Hecaughtupaspilefromaheaplyingnearthedoor。\"Ranaldmadeallthese。\"
\"Why，that\'sfine，Ranald。Howdoyoumakethem？Ihaveneverseenonemade。\"
\"Oh，mother！\"Hughie\'svoicewasfullofpityforherignorance。
Hehadseenhisfirstthatafternoon。
\"AndIhaveneverseenthetappingofatree。IbelieveIshalllearnjustnow，ifRanaldwillonlyshowme，fromtheverybeginning。\"
HereagerinterestinhisworkwonRanaldfromhisreserve。\"Thereisnotmuchtosee，\"hesaid，apologetically。\"Youjustcutanatchinthetree，anddriveinthespile，and——\"
\"Oh，butwait，\"shecried。\"That\'sjustwhatIwantedtosee。Howdoyoumakethespile？\"
\"Oh，thatiseasy，\"saidRanald。Hetookupaslightlyconcavechiselorgouge，andslitaslimslabfromoffablockofcedaraboutafootlong。
\"Thisisaspile，\"heexclaimed。\"Wedriveitintothetree，andthesaprunsdownintothetrough，yousee。\"
\"No，Idon\'tsee，\"saidtheminister\'swife。Shewastoothoroughgoingtodothingsbyhalves。\"Howdoyoudrivethisintothetree，andhowdoyougetthesaptorundownit？\"
\"Iwillshowyou，\"hesaid，andtakingwithhimagougeandax，heapproachedamaplestilluntapped。\"Youfirstmakeagashlikethis。\"Sosaying，withtwoorthreeblowsofhisax，hemadeaslantingnotchinthetree。\"Andthenyoumakeaplaceforthespilethisway。\"Withthebackofhisaxhedrovehisgougeintothecornerofthenotch，andthenfittedhisspileintotheincisionsomade。
\"Ah，nowIsee。Andyouputthetroughunderthedripfromthespile。Buthowdoyoumakethetroughs？\"
\"Ididnotmakethem，\"saidRanald。\"Someofthemfathermade，andsomeofthembelongtotheCamerons。Butitiseasyenough。Youjusttakeathickslabofbasswoodandhollowitoutwiththeadze。\"
Mrs。Murraywasgreatlypleased。\"I\'mverymuchobligedtoyou，Ranald，\"shesaid，\"andIamgladIcamedowntoseeyourcamp。
Now，ifyouwillaskme，Ishouldliketoseeyoumakethesugar。\"
Hadherrequestbeenmadebeforethenightoftheirfamousride，Ranaldwouldhavefoundsomepolitereasonforrefusal，butnowhewasrathersurprisedtofindhimselfurginghertocometoasugaring-offatthecloseoftheseason。
\"Ishallbedelightedtocome，\"criedMrs。Murray，\"anditisverygoodofyoutoaskme，andIshallbringmyniece，whoiscomingwithMr。Murrayfromtowntospendsomeweekswithme。\"
Ranald\'sfacefell，buthisHighlandcourtesyforbaderetreat。\"Ifshewouldcare，\"hesaid，doubtfully。
\"Oh，Iamsureshewouldbeveryglad！Shehasneverbeenoutsideofthecity，andIwanthertolearnallshecanofthecountryandthewoods。Itispositivelypainfultoseetheignoranceofthesecitychildreninregardtoalllivingthings——beastsandbirdsandplants。Why，manyofthemcouldn\'ttellabeechfromabasswood。\"
\"Oh，mother！\"protestedHughie，aghastatsuchignorance。
\"Yes，indeed，itisdreadful，Iassureyou，\"saidhismother，smiling。\"Why，Iknowagrown-upwomanwhodidn\'tknowtillaftershewasmarriedthedifferencebetweenaspruceandapine。\"
\"Butyouknowthemallnow，\"saidHughie，alittleanxiousforhismother\'sreputation。
\"Yes，indeed，\"saidhismother，proudly；\"everyone，Ithink，atleastwhentheleavesareout。SoIwantMaimietolearnallshecan。\"
Ranalddidnotliketheideaanytoowell，butaftertheyhadgonehisthoughtskeptturningtotheproposedvisitofMrs。Murrayandherniece。
\"Maimie，\"saidRanaldtohimself。\"Sothatishername。\"Ithadamusicalsound，andwasdifferentfromthenamesofthegirlsheknew——BetsyandKirstyandJessieandMargetandJinny。Itwasfinersomehowthanthese，andseemedtosuitbetteracitygirl。
Hewonderedifshewouldbenice，buthedecidedthatdoubtlessshewouldbe\"proud。\"Tobe\"proud\"wastheunpardonablesinwiththeGlengarryboy。Theboyorgirlconvictedofthiscrimeearnedthecontemptofallself-respectingpeople。Onthewhole，Ranaldwassorryshewascoming。Eveninschoolhewasshywiththegirls，andkeptawayfromthem。Theywerealwaysgigglingandblushingandmakingonefeelqueer，andtheynevermeantwhattheysaid。HehadnodoubtMaimiewouldbeliketherest，andperhapsalittleworse。Ofcourse，beingMrs。Murray\'sniece，shemightbesomethinglikeher。Still，thatcouldhardlybe。Nogirlcouldeverbeliketheminister\'swife。HeresolvedhewouldturnMaimieovertoDon。Heremembered，withgreatrelief，thatDondidnotmindgirls；indeed，hesuspectedDonratherenjoyedplayingthe\"forfeit\"gamesatschoolwiththem，inwhichthepenaltieswerepaidinkisses。Howoftenhadheshudderedandadmiredfromadistance，whileDonandtheothersplayedthosedaringgames！Yes，DonwoulddothehonorsforMaimie。PerhapsDonwouldevenventuretoplay\"forfeits\"withher。Ranaldfelthisfacegrowhotatthisthought。Then，withsuddenself-detection，hecried，angrily，aloud：\"Idon\'tcare；lethim；hemayforallIcare。\"
\"Whomaywhat？\"criedavoicebehindhim。ItwasDonhimself。
\"Nothing，\"saidRanald，blushingshamefacedly。
\"Why，whatareyoumadabout？\"askedDon，noticinghisflushedface。
\"Whoismad？\"saidRanald。\"Iamnotmadwhatever。\"
\"Well，youlookmightylikeit，\"saidDon。\"Youlookmadenoughtofight。\"
ButRanald，ignoringhim，simplysaid，\"Wewillneedtobegatheringthesapthisevening，forthetroughswillbefull。\"
\"Huh-huh，\"saidDon。\"Iguesswecancarryallthereisto-day，butwewillhavetogetthecoltto-morrow。Gotthespilesready？\"
\"Enoughforto-day，\"saidRanald，wonderinghowhecouldtellDonoftheproposedvisitofMrs。Murrayandherniece。Takingeachabundleofspilesandanax，theboyssetoutforthepartofthesugarbushasyetuntapped，andbegantheirwork。
\"Theminister\'swifeandHughiewereherejustnow，\"beganRanald。
\"Huh-huh，Imetthemdowntheroad。Hughiesaidhewascomingdayafterto-morrow。\"
\"DidMrs。Murraytellyou——\"
\"Tellmewhat？\"
\"Didshetellyoushewouldliketoseeasugaring-off？\"
\"No；theydidn\'tstoplongenoughtotellmeanything。Hughieshoutedatmeastheypassed。\"
\"Well，\"saidRanald，speakingslowlyandwithdifficulty，\"shewantedbadtoseethesugar-making，andIaskedhertocome。\"
\"Youdid，eh？Iwonderatyou。\"
\"Andshewantedtobringherniece，and——and——Ilether，\"saidRanald。
\"Herniece！Jee-roo-sa-LEM！\"criedDon。\"Doyouknowwhohernieceis？\"
\"NotI，\"saidRanald，lookingratheralarmed。
\"Well，sheisthedaughterofthebiglumberman，St。Clair，andsheisagreatswell。\"
Ranaldstoodspeechless。
\"Thatdoesbeatall，\"pursuedDon；\"andyouaskedhertoourcamp？\"
ThenRanaldgrewangry。\"Andwhynot？\"hesaid，defiantly。\"Whatiswrongaboutthat？\"
\"O，nothingmuch，\"laughedDon，\"ifIhaddoneit，butforyou，Ranald！Why，whatwillyoudowiththatswellyoungladyfromthecity？\"
\"Iwilljustdonothing，\"saidRanald。\"TherewillbeyouandMrs。
Murray，and——\"
\"Oh，Isay，\"burstinDon，\"that\'sbully！Let\'sasksomeoftheboys，and——youraunt，and——mymother，and——someofthegirls。\"
\"Oh，shucks！\"saidRanald，angrily。\"YoujustwantMargetAird。\"
\"Yougetout！\"criedDon，indignantly；\"MargetAird！\"Then，afterapause，headded，\"Allright，Idon\'twantanybodyelse。I\'lllookafterMrs。Murray，andyouandMaimiecandowhatyoulike。\"
ThiscombinationsoundedsoterribletoRanaldthathesurrenderedatonce；anditwasarrangedthatthereshouldbeagrandsugaring-
off，andthatothersbesidestheminister\'swifeandhernieceshouldbeinvited。
ButMrs。MurrayhadnoticedthefallingofRanald\'sfaceatthementionofMaimie\'svisittothecamp，andfeelingthatshehadtakenhimatadisadvantage，shedeterminedthatshewouldtheverynextdayputherselfrightwithhim。ShewaseagertofollowuptheadvantageshehadgainedthedaybeforeinestablishingtermsoffriendshipwithRanald，forherheartwentouttotheboy，inwhosedeep，passionatenatureshesawvastpossibilitiesforgoodorill。OnherreturnfromherdailyvisittoMacdonaldDubh，shetookthecamproad，andhadthegoodfortunetofindRanaldalone，\"riggingup\"hiskettlespreparatorytotheboiling。Butshehadnotimeforkettlesto-day，andshewentstraighttoherbusiness。
\"Icametoseeyou，Ranald，\"shesaid，aftershehadshakenhandswithhim，\"aboutoursugaring-off。I\'vebeenthinkingthatitwouldperhapsbebettertohavenostrangers，butjustoldfriends，youandDonandHughieandme。\"
Ranaldatoncecaughthermeaning，butfoundhimselfstrangelyunwillingtobeextricatedfromhispredicament。
\"Imean，\"saidMrs。Murray，frankly，\"wemightenjoyitbetterwithoutmyniece；andso，perhaps，wecouldhavethesugaringwhenIcometobringHughiehomeonFriday。MaimiedoesnotcometillSaturday。\"
HerfranknessdisarmedRanaldofhisreserve。\"Iknowwellwhatyoumean，\"hesaid，withouthisusualawkwardness，\"butIdonotmindnowatallhavingyourniececome；andDonisgoingtohaveaparty。\"Thequiet，gravetonewasthatofaman，andMrs。Murraylookedattheboywithneweyes。Shedidnotknowthatitwasherownfrankconfidencethathadwonlikeconfidencefromhim。
\"Howoldareyou，Ranald？\"shesaid，inherwonder。
\"Iwillbegoingoneighteen。\"
\"Youwillsoonbeaman，Ranald。\"Ranaldremainedsilent，andshewentonearnestly：\"Astrong，good，braveman，Ranald。\"
Thebloodrushedtotheboy\'sfacewithasuddenflood，butstillhestoodsilent。
\"I\'mgoingtogiveyouHughiefortwodays，\"shecontinued，inthesameearnestvoice；andleaningdownoverherpony\'snecktowardhim：\"Iwanthimtoknowstrongandmanlyboys。Heisveryfondofyou，Ranald。Hethinksyouarebetterthananymanintheworld。\"Shepaused，herlipspartinginasmilethatmadeRanald\'sheartbeatquick。Thenshewentonwithashyhesitancy：\"Ranald，Iknowtheboyssometimesdropwordstheyshouldnotandtellstoriesunfittohear\"；thebloodwasbeginningtoshowinhercheek；\"andIwouldnotlikemylittleboy——\"Hervoicebrokesuddenly，butrecoveringquicklyshewentoningrave，sweettones：
\"Itrusthimtoyou，Ranald，forthistimeandafterward。Helooksuptoyou。Iwanthimtobeagood，braveman，andtokeephisheartpure。\"Ranaldcouldnotspeak，buthelookedsteadilyintoMrs。Murray\'seyesashetookthehandsheoffered，andsheknewhewaspledginghimselftoher。
\"You\'llcomeforhimto-morrow，\"shesaid，assheturnedaway。BythistimeRanaldhadfoundhisvoice。
\"Yes，ma\'am，\"hereplied。\"AndIwilltakegoodcareofhim。\"
OncemoreMrs。MurrayfoundherselflookingatRanaldasifseeinghimforthefirsttime。Hehadthesolemnvoiceandmannerofamanmakingoathofallegiance，andsherodeawaywithherheartatrestconcerningherlittleboy。WithRanald，atleast，hewouldbesafe。
*****
ThosetwodayshadbeenforHughielongandweary，butatlastthegreatdaycameforhim，asallgreatdayswillcomeforthosewhocanwait。Ranaldappearedatthemansebeforethebreakfastwaswellbegun，andHughie，withtheunconsciousegoismofchildhood，wasforrushingoffwithoutthoughtofpreparationforhimselforoffarewellforthoseleftbehind。Indeed，hewasforleavinghisporridgeuntasted，declaringhe\"wasn\'tabithungry，\"buthismotherbroughthimtohissenses。
\"Nobreakfast，nosugarbushto-day，Hughie，\"shesaid；\"wecannotsendmenouttothewoodsthatcannoteatbreakfast，canwe，Ranald？\"
Hughieatoncefelluponhisporridgewithvigor，whileRanald，whowasmuchtooshytoeatattheminister\'stable，satandwaited。
Afterbreakfastwasover，Jessiewascalledinforthemorningworship，withoutwhichnodaywaseverbeguninthemanse。Atworshipintheminister\'shouseeveryonepresenttookpart。ItwasHughie\'sspecialjoytoleadthesingingofthepsalm。Hisvoicerosehighandclear，evenabovehismother\'s，forhelovedtosing，andRanald\'spresenceinspiredhimtodohisbest。Ranaldhadoftenheardthepsalmsunginthechurch——
Itothehillswillliftmineeyes，Fromwhencedothcomemineaid；
andthetunewastheold，familiar\"French，\"butsomehowitwasallnewtohimthatday。Thefreshvoicesandthecrisp，promptmovementofthetunemadeRanaldfeelasifhehadneverheardthepsalmsungbefore。Inthereadinghetookhisversewiththeothers，stumblingalittle，notbecausethewordsweretoobigforhim，butbecausetheyseemedtorunintooneanother。ThechapterforthedaycontainedPaul\'sinjunctiontoTimothy，urginghimtofidelityandcourageasagoodsoldierofJesusChrist。
Whenthereadingwasdone，Mrs。MurraytoldthemastoryofayoungmanwhohadshedhisblooduponaScottishmoorbecausehewastoobravetobeuntruetohislord，andthen，inafewwords，madethemallseethatstillsomeconflictwasbeingwaged，andthattherewasstillopportunityforeachtodisplayloyalcourageandfidelity。
Intheprayerthatfollowed，thefirstthingthatsurprisedRanaldwastheabsenceofthesetformsandtonesofprayer，withwhichhewasfamiliar。Itwasallsosimpleandreal。ThemotherwastellingthegreatFatherinheavenhercaresandanxieties，andtheday\'sneedsforthemall，surethathewouldunderstandandanswer。
Everyonewasremembered——theabsentheadofthefamilyandthosepresent；theyoungmanworshipingwiththem，thathemightbeatruemanandagoodsoldierofJesusChrist；andattheclose，thelittleladgoingawaythismorning，thathemightbekeptfromallharmandfromallevilthoughtsanddeeds。Thesimplebeautyofthewords，themusicinthevoice，andthetender，trustfulfeelingthatbreathedthroughtheprayerawakenedinRanald\'sheartemotionsandlongingshehadneverknownbefore，andherosefromhiskneesfeelinghowwickedandhowcruelathingitwouldbetocauseoneoftheselittleonestostumble。
Aftertheworshipwasover，HughieseizedhisScotchbonnetandrushedforthejumper，andinafewminuteshismotherhadallthespacenottakenupbyhimandRanaldpackedwithblanketsandbaskets。
\"Jessiethinksthatevengreatshanty-menlikeyouandDonandHughiewillnotobjecttosomethingbetterthanbreadandpork。\"
\"Indeed，wewillnot，\"saidRanald，heartily。
ThenHughiesuddenlyrememberedthathewasactuallyleavinghome，andclimbingoutofthejumper，herushedathismother。
\"Oh，mother，goodby！\"hecried。
Hismotherstoopedandputherarmsabouthim。\"Goodby，mydarling，\"shesaid，inalowvoice；\"Itrustyoutobeagoodboy，and，Hughie，don\'tforgetyourprayers。\"
ThencametoHughie，forthefirsttime，thethoughtthathadbeeninthemother\'sheartallthemorning，thatwhennightcamehewouldliedowntosleep，forthefirsttimeinhislife，withoutthenightlystoryandhergood-nightkiss。
\"Mother，\"whisperedthelittlelad，holdinghertightabouttheneck，\"won\'tyoucome，too？Idon\'tthinkIliketogoaway。\"
Hecouldhavesaidnomorecomfortingword，andthemother，whosehearthadbeensoreenoughwithherfirstpartingfromherboy，wasmorethangladtofindthatthepainwasnotallonherside；soshekissedhimagain，andsaid，inacheeryvoice：\"Nowhaveagoodtime。Don\'ttroubleRanaldtoomuch，andbringmebacksomesugar。\"Herlastwordbracedtheladasnothingelsecould。
\"Oh，mother，I\'llbringyouheaps！\"hecried，andwiththevisionofwhathewouldbringhomeagainshiningvividlybeforehiseyes，hegotthroughthepartingwithouttears，andwassoonspeedingdownthelanebesideRanald，inthejumper。
ThemotherstoodandwatchedthelittlefigureholdingtighttoRanaldwithonehand，andwiththeotherwavingfranticallyhisbonnetbythetails，tillatlastthebushhidhimfromhersight。
Thensheturnedbackagaintothehousethatseemedsoempty，withherhandpressedhardagainsthersideandherlipquiveringaswithsharppain。
\"Howfoolish！\"shesaid，impatientlytoherself；\"hewillbehomeintwodays。\"Butinspiteofherselfshewentagaintothedoor，andlookedlongatthespotwherethebushswalloweduptheroad。
Thenshewentupstairsandshutherdoor，andwhenshecamedownagaintherewasthatinherfacethattoldthatherhearthadhaditsfirsttouchoftheswordthat，soonerorlater，mustpierceallmothers\'hearts。
CHAPTERVII
MAIMIE
BeforeHughiecamebackfromthesugarcamp，theministerhadreturnedfromthepresbytery，bringingwithhimhiswife\'sniece，MaimieSt。Clair，whohadcomefromherhomeinaWesterncitytomeethim。Herfather，EugeneSt。Clair，waspresidentofRaymondandSt。ClairLumberCompany。NineteenyearsbeforethistimehehadmarriedMrs。Murray\'seldestsister，andestablishedhishomewitheveryprospectofaprosperousandhappylife，butafterthreeshort，brightyearsofalmostperfectjoy，hisyoungwife，hisheart\'sidol，aftertwodays\'illness，flutteredoutfromherbeautifulhome，leavingwithherbroken-heartedhusbandherlittleboyandababygirltwoweeksold。ThenEugeneSt。ClairbesoughthissistertocomeoutfromEnglandandpresideoverhishomeandcareforhischildren；andthathemightforgethisgrief，hegavehimself，heartandmind，tohisbusiness。Wealthcametohim，andunderhissister\'srulehishomebecameaplaceofculturedeleganceandacenteroffashionablepleasure。
MissFrancesSt。Clairwasawomanoftheworld，proudofherfamily-tree，whoserootdisappearedinthedepthsofpastcenturies，anddevotedtothepursuitandcultivationofthosegracesandmannersthataresupposedtodistinguishpeopleofbirthandbreedingfromthecommonsort。Indeed，fromcommonmenandthingssheshrankalmostwithhorror。Theentranceof\"trade\"intothesocialsphereofherlifeshewouldregardasanimpertinentintrusion。Itwasasmuchasshecouldbeartoallowtheapproachof\"commerce，\"whichherbrotherrepresented。Shesupposed，ofcourse，theremustbepeopletocarryonthetradesandindustriesofthecountry——veryworthypeople，too——butthesewerepeopleonecouldnotbeexpectedtoknow。MissSt。ClairthankedheaventhatshehadhadtheadvantagesofanEnglisheducationandup-bringing，andshelamentedthestubborndemocraticopinionsofherbrother，whoinsistedthatHarryshouldattendthepublicschool。Shewasnotsurprised，therefore，thoughgreatlygrieved，thatHarrychosehisfriendsinschoolwithafinedisregardof\"theirpeople。\"ItwaswithsurpriseamountingtopainthatshefoundherselfonedayintroducedbyhernephewtoBillieBarclay，whoturnedouttobethesonofHarry\'sfavoriteconfectioner。Tohisaunt\'sremonstranceitseemedtoHarryasufficientreplythatBillywasa\"brick\"andashining\"quarter\"ontheschoolRugbyteam。
\"But，Harry，thinkofhispeople！\"urgedhisaunt。
\"Oh，rot！\"repliedherirreverentnephew；\"Idon\'tplaywithhispeople。\"
\"Yes，butHarry，youdon\'texpecttomakehimyourfriend？\"
\"Butheismyfriend，andIdon\'tcarewhathispeopleare。
Besides，Ithinkhisgovernorisafineoldboy，andIknowhegivesusjollygoodtaffy。\"
\"But，Harry，\"answeredhisaunt，indespair，\"youarepositivelydreadful。Whycan\'tyoumakefriendsinyourownset？ThereisHubertEvansandtheLangfordboys。\"
\"Evans！\"snortedHarry，withcontempt；\"beastlysnob，andtheLangfordsareregularMollies！\"WhereuponMissSt。Clairgaveuphernephewasimpossible。ButBilliedidnotrepeathisvisittohisfriendHarry\'shome。MissFrancesSt。Clairhadawayoflookingthroughherpince-nezthatevenaboycouldunderstandandwouldseektoavoid。
WithMaimie，MissSt。Clairachievedbetterresults。Shewasagentlegirl，withanaffectionate，yieldingdisposition，tendingtowardsindolenceandself-indulgence。Heraunt\'schiefconcernaboutherwasthatsheshouldbefrockedandmanneredasbecameherposition。Hereducationwascommittedtoaveryselectyoungladies\'school，whereonlythedaughtersofthefirstfamilieseverentered。Whatorhowtheyweretaught，herauntneverinquired。
Shefeltquitesurethattheladyprincipalwouldresent，asindeedsheought，anysuchinquiry。HenceMaimiecametohaveasmatteringoftheEnglishpoets，couldtalkinconversation-bookFrench，andcoulddashoffmostofthenotesofafewwaltzesandmarchesfromthebestcomposers，herpiecederesistance，however，being\"LaPriered\'uneVierge。\"Shecarriedwithherfromschoolaportfolioofcrayonsofapparentlyveryancientandverybatteredcastles；andwater-colorsoflandscapes，wherethewaterwasquiteassolidastheland。True，shewasquiteunabletokeepherownsmallaccounts，andwhenherfatherchancedtoaskheronedaytodoforhimasimpleaddition，hewasamazedtofindthatonlyafterthethirdattemptdidshegetitright；but，intheeyesofheraunt，thesewerequiteunimportantdeficiencies，andforyoungladiesshewasnotsurebutthatthekeepingofaccountsandtheaddingoffigureswerealmostvulgaraccomplishments。Herfatherthoughtotherwise，buthewasabusyman，andbesides，heshrankfromenteringintoaregionstrangetohim，butwherehissistermovedwithassuredtread。Hecontentedhimselfwithgratifyinghisdaughter\'sfanciesandindulgingherineverywayallowedhimbyhersystemoftrainingandeducation。Themainmarvelintheresultwasthatthegirldidnotgrowmoreselfish，superficial，andignorantthanshedid。Somethinginherbloodhelpedher，butmore，itwasheraunt\'stouchuponherlife。Foreveryweekalettercamefromthecountrymanse，bringingwithitsomeofthesweetsimplicityofthecountryandsomethinglikeabreathofheaven。