Shewasnearingherfifteenthbirthday，andthoughalmosteveryletterbroughtaninvitationtovisitthemanseinthebackwoods，itwasonlywhenthegirl\'spalecheekandlanguidairawakenedherfather\'sanxietythatshewasallowedtoaccepttheinvitationtospendsomeweeksinthecountry。
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WhenRanaldandHughiedroveuptothemanseonSaturdayeveninginthejumperthewholehouseholdrushedforthtoseethem。Theywereworthseeing。BurnedblackwiththesunandtheMarchwinds，theywouldhaveeasilypassedforyoungIndians。Hughie\'sclotheswereamelancholyandflutteringruin；andwhileRanald\'sstouthomespunsmockandtrousershadsuccessfullydefiedthebush，hisdarkfaceandunkempthair，hisroughdressandheavyshantyboots，madehimappear，toMaimie\'seyes，anuncouth，ifnotpitiable，object。
\"Oh，mother！\"criedHughie，throwinghimselfuponher，\"I\'mhomeagain，andwe\'vehadasplendidtime，andwemadeheapsofsugar，andI\'vebroughtyouawholelot。\"Hedrewoutofhispocketsthreeorfourcakesofmaplesugar。\"Thereisoneforeach，\"hesaid，handingthemtohismother。
\"Here，Hughie，\"shereplied，\"speaktoyourcousinMaimie。\"
Hughiewentupshylytohiscousinandofferedagrimyhand。
Maimie，lookingattheraggedlittlefigure，couldhardlyhideherdisgustasshetookthedirty，stickylittlehandverygingerlyinherfingers。ButHughiewasdeterminedtodohisdutytothefull，eventhoughRanaldwaspresent，andshakinghiscousin\'shandwithgreatheartiness，hehelduphisfacetobekissed。Hewasmuchsurprised，andnotalittlerelieved，whenMaimierefusedtonoticehisofferandturnedtolookatRanald。
Shefoundhimscanningherwithastraight，searchinglook，asifseekingtodiscoverofwhatsortshewas。ShefelthehadnoticedhershrinkingfromHughie，andwasannoyedtofindherselfblushingunderhiskeengaze。ButwhenMrs。MurraypresentedRanaldtoherniece，itwashisturntoblushandfeelawkward，ashecameforwardwithatriangularsortofmovementandofferedhishand，saying，withanaccessofhisHighlandaccent，\"Itisafineday，ma\'am。\"ItrequiredallMaimie\'sgoodmannerstokeepbackthelaughthatfluttereduponherlips。
Slightasitwas，Ranaldnoticedthesmile，andturningfromherabruptlytoMrs。Murray，said：\"WewerethinkingthatFridaywouldbeagooddayforthesugaring-off，ifthatwilldoyou。\"
\"Quitewell，Ranald，\"saidtheminister\'swife；\"anditisverygoodofyoutohaveus。\"
She，too，hadnotedMaimie\'ssmile，andseeingthedarkflushonRanald\'scheek，sheknewwellwhatitmeant。
\"Comeandsitdownalittle，Ranald，\"shesaid，kindly；\"IhavegotsomebookshereforyouandDontoread。\"
ButRanaldwouldnotsit，norwouldhewaitamoment。\"Thankyou，ma\'am，\"hesaid，\"butIwillneedtobegoing。\"
\"Wait，Ranald，amoment，\"criedMrs。Murray。Sheranintothenextroom，andinafewmomentsreturnedwithtwoorthreebooksandsomemagazines。\"These，\"shesaid，handinghimthebooks，\"aresomeofWalterScott\'s。Theywillbegoodforweek-days；andthese，\"givinghimthemagazines，\"youcanreadafterchurchonSabbath。\"
Theboy\'seyeslightedupashethankedMrs。Murray，andheshookhandswithherverywarmly。Then，withabowtothecompany，andwithoutlookingatMaimieagain，helefttheroom，withHughiefollowingathisheels。InashorttimeHughiecamebackfullofenthusiasticpraiseofhishero。
\"Oh，mother！\"hecried，\"heisawfulsmart。Hecanjustdoanything。
Hecanmakeasplendidbedofbalsambrush，andporridge，andpancakes，and——and——and——everything。\"
\"Abedofbalsambrushandporridge！Whatawonderfulboyhemustbe，Hughie，\"saidMaimie，teasinghim。\"Butisn\'thejustalittlequeer？\"
\"He\'snotabitqueer，\"saidHughie，stoutly。\"Heisthebest，best，bestboyinalltheworld。\"
\"Indeed！howextraordinary！\"saidMaimie；\"youwouldn\'tthinksotolookathim。\"
\"Ithinkheisjustsplendid，\"saidHughie；\"don\'tyou，mother？\"
\"Indeed，heisferybrownwhatever，\"mockedMaimie，mimickingRanald\'sHighlandtongue，atrickatwhichshewasveryclever，\"and——notjustferyclean。\"
\"You\'rejustamean，mean，red-headedsnip！\"criedHughie，inarage，\"andIdon\'tlikeyouonebit。\"
ButMaimiewasproudofhergoldenhair，soHughie\'sshotfellharmless。
\"Andwhenwillyoubegoingtothesugaring-off，MistressMurray？\"
wentonMaimie，mimickingRanaldsocleverlythatinspiteofherselfMrs。Murraysmiled。
Itwashismother\'ssmilethatperfectedHughie\'sfury。Withoutawordofthreatorwarning，heseizedadipperofwaterandthrewitoverMaimie，soakingherprettyribbonsandcollar，andwaspromptlysentupstairstorepent。
\"PoorHughie！\"saidhismother，afterhehaddisappeared；\"Ranaldishishero，andhecannotbearanycriticismofhim。\"
\"Hedoesn\'tlookmuchofahero，auntie，\"saidMaimie，dryingherfaceandcurls。
\"Veryfewheroesdo，\"saidheraunt，quietly。\"Ranaldhasnoblequalities，buthehashadveryfewadvantages。\"
ThenMrs。MurraytoldherniecehowRanaldhadputhimselfbetweenherandthepursuingwolves。Maimie\'sblueeyeswerewidewithhorror。
\"But，auntie，\"shecried，\"whyintheworlddoyougotosuchplaces？\"
\"Whatplaces，Maimie？\"saidtheminister，whohadcomeintotheroom。
\"Why，thoseawfulplaceswherethewolvesare。\"
\"Indeed，youmayaskwhy，\"saidtheminister，gravely。Hehadheardthestoryfromhiswifethenightbefore。\"Butitwouldneedamantobeonguarddayandnighttokeepyourauntfrom\'thoseplaces。\'\"
\"Yes，andyouruncle，too，\"saidMrs。Murray，shakingherheadatherhusband。\"Yousee，Maimie，welivein\'thoseplaces\'；andafterall，theyareassafeasany。Weareingoodkeeping。\"
\"AndwasHughieoutallnightwiththosetwoboysinthosewoods，auntie？\"
\"Oh，therewasnodanger。Thewolveswillnotcomenearafire，andtheboyshavetheirdogsandguns，\"saidMrs。Murray；\"besides，Ranaldistobetrusted。\"
\"Trusted？\"saidtheminister；\"indeed，Iwouldnottrusthimtoofar。Heisjustwildenough，likehisfatherbeforehim。\"
\"Oh，papa，youdon\'tknowRanald，\"saidhiswife，warmly；\"norhisfathereither，forthatmatter。Ineverdidtillthislastweek。
Theyhavekeptalooffromeverything，andreally——\"
\"Andwhosefaultisthat？\"interruptedtheminister。\"Whyshouldtheykeepalooffromthemeansofgrace？Theyareagodlesslot，that\'swhattheyare。\"Theminister\'sindignationwasrising。
\"But，mydear，\"persistedMrs。Murray，\"Ibelieveiftheyhadachance——\"
\"Chance！\"exclaimedtheminister；\"whatmorechancedotheywant？
Havetheynotallthatotherpeoplehave？MacdonaldDubhisrarelyseenattheservicesontheLord\'sday，andasforRanald，hecomesandgoesathisownsweetwill。\"
\"Letushope，\"saidhiswife，gently，\"theywillimprove。I
believeRanaldwouldcometoBibleclasswerehenotsoshy。\"
\"Shy！\"laughedtheminister，scornfully；\"heisnottooshytostanduponthetablebeforeahundredmenafteralogginganddancetheHighlandfling，andbeautifullyhedoesit，too，\"headded。
\"Butforallthat，\"saidhiswife，\"heisveryshy。\"
\"Idon\'tlikeshypeople，\"saidMaimie；\"theyaresoawkwardanddreadfultodowith。\"
\"Well，\"saidheraunt，quietly，\"Iratherlikepeoplewhoarenottoosureofthemselves，andIthinkallthemoreofRanaldforhisshynessandmodesty。\"
\"Oh，Ranald\'smodestywon\'tdisablehim，\"saidtheminister。\"Formypart，Ithinkheisadaringyoungrascal；andindeed，ifthereisanymischiefgoinginthecountrysideyoumaybesureRanaldisnotfaraway。\"
\"Oh，papa，Idon\'tthinkRanaldisaBADboy，\"saidhiswife，almostpleadingly。
\"Bad？I\'msureIdon\'tknowwhatyoucallit。Wholetoffthedamlastyearsothatthesaw-millcouldnotrunforaweek？WhoabusedpoorDuncieMacBainsothathewascarriedhomegroaning？\"
\"DuncieMacBain！\"exclaimedhiswife，contemptuously；\"great，big，softlump，thatheis。Why，he\'saman，asbigaseverhe\'llbe。\"
\"WhobroketheLittleChurchwindowstilltherewasn\'tapaneleft？\"pursuedtheminister，unheedinghiswife\'sinterruption。
\"Itwasn\'tRanaldthatbrokethechurchwindows，papa，\"pipedHughiefromabove。
\"Howdoyouknow，sir？Whodidit，then？\"demandedhisfather。
\"Itwasn\'tRanald，anyway，\"saidHughie，stoutly。
\"Whowasit，then？Tellmethat，\"saidhisfatheragain。
\"Hughie，gotoyourroomandstaythere，asItoldyou，\"saidhismother，fearinganinvestigationintothewindow-breakingepisode，ofwhichHughiehadmadefullconfessiontoherashisownparticularachievement，inrevengeforabrokenwindowinthenewchurch。
\"Ithink，\"continuedMr。Murray，asifclosingthediscussion，\"you\'llfindthatyourRanaldisnotthemodest，shy，gentleyoungmanyouthinkhimtobe，butaparticularlyboldyoungrascal。\"
\"PoorRanald，\"sighedhiswife；\"hehasnomother，andhisfatherhasjustlethimgrowupwild。\"
\"Aye，that\'strueenough，\"assentedherhusband，passingintohisstudy。
ButhecouldhaveadoptednobettermeansofawakeningMaimie\'sinterestinRanaldthanbytherecitalofhisvariousescapades。
Womenlovegoodmen，butareinterestedinmenwhosegoodnessismoreorlessimpaired。SoMaimiewasdeterminedthatshewouldknowmoreofRanald，andhencetookeveryopportunityofencouragingHughietosingthepraisesofhisheroandrecounthismanyadventures。Shewasglad，too，thatheraunthadfixedthesugaring-offforatimewhenshecouldbepresent。ButneitheratchurchonSundaynorduringtheweekthatfolloweddidshecatchsightofhisface，andthoughHughiecameinwithexcitedreportsnowandthenofhavingseenorheardofRanald，Maimiehadtocontentherselfwiththese；and，indeed，wereitnotthattheinvitationhadalreadybeengiven，andthedayfixedforhervisittothecamp，thechancesarethatMaimie\'sacquaintancewithRanaldwouldhaveendedwhereitbegan，inwhichcasebothhadbeensavedmanybitterdays。
CHAPTERVIII
THESUGARING-OFF
Thesugartimeis，inmanyways，thebestofalltheyear。Itisthetimeofcrispmornings，when\"thecrustbears，\"andtheboysgocrunchingoverallthefieldsandthroughthewoods；thetime，too，ofsunnynoonsandchillynights。Winterisstillnear，buthehaslostmostofhisgrip，andallhisterror。Fortheearthhasheardthecallofspringfromafar，andknowsthatsoonshewillbeseen，dancinghershydances，inthesunnyspacesoftheleaflesswoods。
Then，byandby，fromalltheopenfieldsthesnowisdrivenbackintothefencecorners，andliesthereinsoiledandsullenheaps。
Inthewoodsitstillliesdeep；butthereiseverywherethetinkleofrunningwater，anditisnotlongtillthebrownleafcarpetbeginstoshowinpatchesthroughthewhite。Then，overhead，thebudsbegintoswellandthrillwiththenewlife，andwhenitisbroadnoon，allthroughthewoodsathousandvoicespassthegladwordthatwinter\'sdayisgoneandthatalllivingthingsarefree。
Butwhennightdrawsupoverthetreetops，andtheshadowsstealdowntheforestaisles，thejubilantvoicesdiedownandachillfearcreepsoverallthegleeful，swellingbudsthattheyhavebeentoosureandtoohappy；andallthemoreif，fromthenortheast，theresweepsdown，asoftenhappens，astingingstormofsleetandsnow，winter\'slastsavageslap。Butwhatmattersthat？Theverynextday，whenthebright，warmraystrickledownthroughtheinterlacingbranches，bathingthebudsandtwigsandlimbsandtrunksandfloodingallthewoods，theworldgrowssurerofitsnewjoy。Andso，inalternatinghopeandfear，thedaysandnightsgoby，tillaneveningfallswhentheairislanguidandasoftraincomesupfromthesouth，fallingallnightlongoverthebudsandtreeslikewarm，lovingfingers。Thenthebudsbreakforveryjoy，andtimidgreenthingspushupthroughtheleaf-mold；andfromtheswampsthelittlefrogsbegintopipe，atfirstinsolo，butsooninexultantchorus，tillthewholemoistnightisvocal，andtheneveryoneknowsthatthesugartimeisover，andtroughsandspilesaregatheredup，andwithsap-barrelsandkettles，arestoredinthebackshedforanotheryear。
Butnoraincamebeforethenightfixedforthesugaring-off。Itwasaperfectsugarday，warm，bright，andstill，followinganightofsharpfrost。ThelongsunnyafternoonwasdeepeningintotwilightwhentheCameronsdroveuptothesugar-campintheirbigsleigh，bringingwiththemthemanseparty。RanaldandDon，withAuntKirsty，weretheretoreceivethem。ItwasoneofthoserareeveningsoftheearlyCanadianspring。Thebarewoodswerefilledwiththetangledraysoflightfromthesettingsun。Hereandthereahillsidefacingtheeastlayinshadowthatgrewblackwherethebalsamsandcedarsstoodinclumps。Buteverywhereelsethelightfellsweetandsilentaboutthebaretrunks，fillingthelongavenuesunderthearchingmaplelimbswithayellowhaze。
Infrontoftheshantythekettleshungoverthefireonalongpolewhichstoodinanuprightcrutchateitherend。Underthebigkettlethefirewasroaringhigh，forthefreshsapneededmuchboilingbeforethesyrupandtaffycouldcome。Butunderthelittlekettlethefireburnedlow，forthatmustnotbehurried。
OverthefireandthekettlesRanaldpresided，black，grimy，andsilent，andtoDonfellthedutyofdoingthehonorsofthecamp；
andrightworthilydidhedohispart。Hegreetedhismotherwithreverence，cuffedhisyoungbrother，kissedhislittlesisterJennie，tossingherhigh，andwelcomedwithwarmheartinessMrs。
Murrayandherniece。TheAirdshadnotyetcome，butalltherestwerethere。TheFinlaysonsandtheMcKerachers，DanCampbell\'sboys，andtheirsisterBetsy，whomeveryonecalled\"BetsyDan，\"
redheaded，freckled，andirrepressible；theMcGregors，andadozenormoreofthewildestyoungstersthatcouldbefoundinalltheIndianLands。Depositingtheirbasketsintheshanty，fortheyhadnothoughtoffasting，theycrowdedaboutthefire。
\"Attention！\"criedDon，whohada\"giftofthegab，\"ashismothersaid。\"Ladiesandgentlemen，theprogramforthiseveningisasfollows：games，tea，andtaffy，intheordermentioned。Inthefirst，allMUSTtakepart；inthesecond，allMAYtakepart；butinthethird，noneNEEDtakepart。\"
Afterthelaughterandthechorusof\"Ohs\"hadsubsided，Donproceeded：\"Thecaptainsfortheeveningare，ElizabethCampbell，betterknownas\'BetsyDan，\'andJohnFinlayson，familiartousallas\'JohnnietheWidow，\'twoyoungpeopleofexcellentcharacter，andIbelieve，slightlyknowntoeachother。\"
Againashoutwentupfromthecompany，butBetsyDan，whocarednotatallforDon\'sbanter，contentedherselfwithpushingoutherlowerlipathimwithscorn，inthatindescribablemannernaturaltogirls，buttoboysimpossible。
Thenthechoosingbegan。BetsyDan，claimingfirstchoicebyvirtueofhersex，immediatelycalledout，\"RanaldMacdonald。\"
ButRanaldshookhishead。\"Icannotleavethefire，\"hesaid，blushing；\"takeDonthere。\"
ButBetsydemurred。\"Idon\'twantDon，\"shecried。\"Comeon，Ranald；thefirewilldoquitewell。\"Betsy，asindeeddidmostoftheschool-girls，adoredRanaldinhersecretheart，thoughshescornedtoshowit。
ButRanaldstillrefused，tillDonsaid，\"Itistoobad，Betsy，butyou\'llhavetotakeme。\"
\"Oh，comeon，then！\"laughedBetsy；\"youwillbebetterthannobody。\"
ThenitwasJohnnietheWidow\'schoice：\"MaimieSt。Clair。\"
Maimiehesitatedandlookedatheraunt，whosaid，\"Yes，go，mydear，ifyouwouldlike。\"
\"MargetAird！\"criedBetsy，spyingMargetandherbrotherscomingdowntheroad。\"Comealong，Marget；youareonmyside——onDon\'sside，Imean。\"AtwhichpoorMarget，atall，fairgirl，withsweetfaceandshymanner，blushedfuriously，but，aftergreetingtheminister\'swifeandtherestoftheolderpeople，shetookherplacebesideDon。
Thechoosingwentontilleveryonepresentwastaken，notevenAuntKirstybeingallowedtoremainneutralinthecominggames。
Foranhourthesportswenton。Racing，jumping，bear，Londonbridge，crackthewhip，andlastly，forfeits。
MeantimeRanaldsuperintendedthesap-boiling，keepingontheoppositesideofthefirefromtheladies，andansweringinmonosyllablesanyquestionsaddressedtohim。Butwhenitwastimetomakethetea，Mrs。CameronandKirstyinsistedontakingchargeofthis，andMrs。Murray，comingroundtoRanald，said：\"Now，Ranald，Icametolearnallaboutsugar-making，andwhiletheothersaremakingtea，Iwantyoutoteachmehowtomakesugar。\"
Ranaldgladlyagreedtoshowherallheknew。Hehadbeenfeelingawkwardandmiserableinthenoisycrowd，butespeciallyinthepresenceofMaimie。Hehadnotforgottenthesmileofamusementwithwhichshehadgreetedhimatthemanse，andhiswoundedpridelongedforanopportunitytopouruponherthevialsofhiscontempt。Butsomehow，inherpresence，contemptwouldnotarisewithinhim，andhewasdrivenintowretchedsilenceandself-
abasement。Itwas，therefore，withpeculiargratitudethatheturnedtoMrs。Murrayastoonewhobothunderstoodandtrustedhim。
\"Ithankyouforthebooks，Mrs。Murray，\"hebegan，inalow，hurriedvoice。\"Theyarejustwonderful。ThatRobRoyandIvanhoe，oh！theyarethegrandbooks。\"Hisfacewasfairlyblazingwithenthusiasm。\"Ineverknewthereweresuchbooksatall。\"
\"Iamverygladyoulikethem，Ranald，\"saidMrs。Murray，intonesofwarmsympathy，\"andIshallgiveyouasmanyasyoulike。\"
\"Icannotthankyouenough。Ihavenotthewords，\"saidtheboy，lookingasifhemightfalldownatherfeet。Mrs。Murraywasgreatlytouchedbothbyhisenthusiasmandhisgratitude。
\"Itisagreatpleasuretome，Ranald，thatyoulikethem，\"shesaid，earnestly。\"Iwantyoutolovegoodbooksandgoodmenandnobledeeds。\"
Ranaldstoodlisteninginsilence。
\"Thensomedayyouwillbeagoodandgreatmanyourself，\"sheadded，\"andyouwilldosomenoblework。\"
Theboystoodlookingfarawayintothewoods，hisblackeyesfilledwithamysteriousfire。Suddenlyhethrewbackhisheadandsaid，asifhehadforgottenMrs。Murray\'spresence，\"Yes，somedayIwillbeagreatman。Iknowitwell。\"
\"Andgood，\"softlyaddedMrs。Murray。
Heturnedandlookedatheramomentasifinadream。Then，recallinghimself，heanswered，\"Isupposethatisthebest。\"
\"Yes，itisthebest，Ranald，\"shereplied。\"Nomanisgreatwhoisnotgood。Butcomenowandgivememylesson。\"
Ranaldsteppedoutintothebush，andfromatreenearbyheliftedatroughofsapandemptieditintothebigkettle。
\"That\'sthefirstthingyoudowiththesap，\"hesaid。
\"How？Carryeverytroughtothekettle？\"
\"Oh，Isee，\"laughedRanald。\"Youmusthaveeverystep。\"
\"Yes，indeed，\"shereplied，withdetermination。
\"Well，hereitis。\"
Heseizedabucket，wenttoanothertree，emptiedthesapfromthetroughintothebucket，andthenceintothebarrel，andfromthebarrelintothebigkettle。
\"Thenfromthebigkettleintothelittleone，\"hesaid，catchingupabigdippertiedtoalongpole，andtransferringtheboilingsapashespokefromonekettletoanother。
\"Buthowcanyoutellwhenitisready？\"askedMrs。Murray。
\"Onlybytasting。Whenitisverysweetitmustgointothelittlekettle。\"
\"Andthen？\"
Hereagerdeterminationtoknowallthedetailsdelightedhimbeyondmeasure。
\"Thenyoumustbeverycarefulindeed，oryouwillloseallyourday\'swork，andyoursugarbesides，foritisveryeasytoburn。\"
\"Buthowcanyoutellwhenitisready？\"
\"Oh，youmustjustkeeptastingeveryfewminutestillyouthinkyouhavethesyrup，andthenforthesugaryoumustjustboilitalittlelonger。\"
\"Well，\"saidMrs。Murray，\"whenitisreadywhatdoyoudo？\"
\"Then，\"hesaid，\"youmustquicklyknockthefirefromunderit，andpouritintothepans，stirringittillitgetsnearlycool。\"
\"Andwhydoyoustirit？\"sheasked。
\"Oh，tokeepitfromgettingtoohard。\"
\"NowIhavelearnedsomethingIneverknewbefore，\"saidtheminister\'swife，delightedly，\"andIamverygratefultoyou。
Wemusthelpeachother，Ranald。\"
\"Indeed，itislittleIcandoforyou，\"hesaid，shyly。
\"YoudonotknowhowmuchIamgoingtoaskyoutodo，\"shesaid，lightly。\"Waitandsee。\"
Atthatmomentaseriesofshrieksrosehighabovetheshoutingandlaughterofthegames，andMaimiecameflyingdowntowardthecamp，pursuedbyDon，withtheothersfollowing。
\"Oh，auntie！\"shepanted，he\'sgoingto——goingto——\"shepaused，withcheeksburning。
\"It\'sforfeits，Mrs。Murray，\"explainedDon。
\"Hoot，lassie，\"saidMrs。Cameron；\"itwillnotmuchhurtyou，anyway。Theythatkissinthelightwillnotkissinthedark。\"
\"Sheplayed，andlostherforfeit，\"saidDon，unwillingtobejeeredatbytheothersforfaint-heartedness。\"Sheoughttopay。\"
\"I\'mafraid，Don，shedoesnotunderstandourways，\"saidMrs。
Murray，apologetically。
\"Beoff，Don，\"saidhismother。\"KissMargetthere，ifyoucan——itwillnothurther——andleavetheyoungladyalone。\"
\"It\'sjusthorridofthem，auntie，\"saidMaimie，indignantly，astheotherswentbacktotheirgames。
\"Indeed，\"saidMrs。Cameron，warmly，\"ifyouwillneverdoworsethankissaladdieinagame，it\'slittleharmwillbecomingtoyou。\"
ButMaimieignoredher。
\"Isitnothorrid，auntie？\"shesaid。
\"Well，mydear，ifyouthinkso，itis。Butnotforthesegirls，whoplaythegamewithneverathoughtofimproprietyandwithnoshocktotheirmodesty。Muchdependsonhowyouthinkaboutthesethings。\"
ButMaimiewasnotsatisfied。ShewasindignantatDonforofferingtokissher，butasshestoodandwatchedthegamesgoingonunderthetrees——thetag，thechase，thecatch，andthekiss——
shesomehowbegantofeelasifitwerenotsoterribleafterall，andtothinkthatperhapsthesegirlsmightplaythegameandstillbeniceenough。Butshehadnothoughtofgoingbacktothem，andsosheturnedherattentiontothepreparationsfortea，nowalmostcomplete。HerauntandRanaldweretoastingslicesofbreadatthebigblazingfire，onforksmadeoutoflongswitches。
\"Letmetry，auntie，\"shesaid，pushinguptothefirebetweenherauntandRanald。\"IamsureIcandothat。\"
\"Becarefulofthatfire，\"saidRanald，sharply，pullingbackherskirt，thathadblowndangerouslyneartheblaze。\"Standbackfurther，\"hecommanded。
Mamielookedathim，surprise，indignation，andfearstrugglingforthemastery。Wasthistheawkwardboythathadblushedandstammeredbeforeheraweekago？
\"It\'sverydangerous，\"heexplainedtoMrs。Murray，\"thewindblowsouttheflames。\"
AshespokehehandedMaimiehistoastingstickandretiredtotheothersideofthefire，andbegantoattendtotheboilingsap。
\"Heneedn\'tbesuchabear，\"poutedMaimie。
\"Mydear，\"repliedheraunt，\"whatRanaldsaysisquitetrue。Youcannotbetoocarefulinmovingaboutthefire。\"
\"Well，heneedn\'tbesocrossaboutit，\"saidMaimie。Shehadneverbeenorderedaboutbeforeinherlife，andshedidnotenjoytheexperience，andallthemoreatthehandsofanuncouthcountryboy。ShewatchedRanaldattendingtothefireandthekettles，however，withanewrespect。Hecertainlyhadnofearofthefire，butmovedaboutitandhandleditwiththeutmostsang-froid。Hehadacertaingrace，too，inhismovementsthatcaughthereye，andshewishedhewouldcomenearersothatshecouldspeaktohim。
Shehadconsiderableconfidenceinherpowersofattraction。Asiftoanswerherwish，Ranaldcamestraighttowhereherauntandshewerestanding。
\"Ithinkitwillbetimeforteanow，\"hesaid，withasuddenreturnofhisawkwardmanner，thatmadeMaimiewonderwhyshehadeverbeenafraidofhim。\"IwilltellDon，\"headded，stridingofftowardthegroupofboysandgirls，stillbusywiththeirgamesunderthetrees。
SoonDon\'sshoutwasheard：\"Tea，ladiesandgentlemen；takeyourseatsatthetables。\"Andspeedilytherewasarushandscramble，andinafewmomentsthegreatheapsofgreenbalsamboughsarrangedaroundthefirewerefullofboysandgirlspulling，pinching，andtumblingoveroneanotherinwildglee。
Thetoaststoodinbrownheapsonbirch-barkplatesbesidethefire，andbasketswerecarriedoutoftheshantybulgingwithcakes；theteawasbubblinginthebigtintea-pail，andeverythingwasreadyforthefeast。ButRanaldhadcaughtMrs。Murray\'seye，andatasignfromher，stoodwaitingwiththetea-pailinhishand。
\"Comeonwiththetea，Ranald，\"criedDon，seizingaplateoftoast。
\"Waitaminute，Don，\"saidRanald，inalowtone。
\"What\'sthematter？\"
ButRanaldstoodstill，lookingsilentlyattheminister\'swife。
Then，asalleyesturnedtowardher，shesaid，inagentle，sweetvoice，\"IthinkweoughttogivethankstoourFatherinheavenforallthisbeautyaboutusandforallourjoy。\"
AtonceRanaldtookoffhishat，andastheboysfollowedhisexample，Mrs。Murraybowedherheadandinafew，simplewordslifteduptheheartsofallwithherowninthanksgivingforthebeautyofthewoodsandskyabovethem，andallthemanygiftsthatcametofilltheirliveswithjoy。
ItwasnotthefirsttimethatRanaldhadheardhervoiceinprayer，butsomehowitsoundeddifferentintheopenairunderthetreesandinthemidstofallthejollityofthesugaring-off。
WithallotherpeoplethatRanaldknewreligionseemedtobesomethingapartfromcommondays，commonpeople，andcommonthings，andseemed，besides，asolemnandterribleexperience；butwiththeminister\'swife，religionwasapartofherevery-dayliving，andseemedtobeaseasilyassociatedwithherpleasureaswithanythingelseabouther。Itwassoeasy，sosimple，sonatural，thatRanaldcouldnothelpwonderingif，afterall，itwastherightkind。Itwassounlikethereligionoftheeldersandallthegoodpeopleinthecongregation。ItwasagreatpuzzletoRanald，astomanyothers，bothbeforeandsincehistime。
Afterteawasoverthegreatbusinessoftheeveningcameon。
Ranaldannouncedthatthetaffywasready，andDon，asmasterofceremonies，immediatelycriedout：\"Thegentlemenwillprovidetheladieswithplates。\"
\"Plates！\"echoedtheboys，withalaughofderision。
\"Plates，\"repeatedDon，steppingbacktoagreatsnowbank，nearabalsamclump，andreturningwithapieceof\"crust。\"Atoncetherewasascurrytothesnowbank，andsooneveryonehadasnowplateready。ThenRanaldandDonslidthelittlekettlealongthepoleoffthefire，andwithtindippersbegantopourthehotsyrupuponthesnowplates，whereitimmediatelyhardenedintotaffy。Thenthepullingbegan。Whatfuntherewas，whatlarks，whatshrieks，whatrompingandtumbling，tillallwereheartilytired，bothofthetaffyandthefun。
Thenfollowedthesugar-molding。Thelittlekettlewassetbackonthefireandkeptcarefullystirred，whiletindishesofallsorts，shapes，andsizes——milk-pans，pattie-pans，mugs，andcups——wellgreasedwithporkrind，weresetoutinorder，imbeddedinsnow。
Thelastactofallwasthemakingof\"hens\'nests。\"Adozenorsoofhens\'eggs，blownempty，andthreegooseeggsforthegrown-ups，weresetinsnownests，andcarefullyfilledfromthelittlekettle。Inafewminutesthenestswerefilledwithsugareggs，andthesugaring-offwasover。
Thereremainedstillagooseeggprovidedagainstanymishap。
\"Whowantsthegooseegg？\"criedDon，holdingitup。
\"Me！\"\"me！\"\"me！\"coaxedthegirlsoneveryside。
\"Willyougiveittome，Don，fortheminister？\"saidMrs。Murray。
\"Oh，yes！\"criedMaimie，\"andletmefillit。\"
Asshespoke，sheseizedthedipper，andranforthekettle。
\"Lookoutforthatfire，\"criedDon，droppingtheeggintoitssnowbed。Hewastoolate。Alittletongueofflameleapedoutfromunderthekettle，nippedholdofherfrock，andinamomentshewasinablaze。Withawildscreamshesprangbackandturnedtofly，butbeforeshehadgonemorethanasinglestepRanald，dashingthecrowdrightandleft，hadseizedandflungherheadlongintothesnow，beatingouttheflameswithhisbarehands。Inamomentalldangerwasover，andRanaldliftedherup。Stillscreaming，sheclungtohim，whilethewomenallrantoher。Herauntreachedherfirst。
\"Hush，Maimie；hush，dear。Youarequitesafenow。Letmeseeyourface。Therenow，bequiet，child。Thedangerisallover。\"
StillMaimiekeptscreaming。Shewasthoroughlyterrified。
\"Listentome，\"herauntsaid，inaneven，firmvoice。\"Donotbefoolish。Letmelookatyou。\"
Thequiet，firmvoicesoothedher，andMaimie\'sscreamsceased。
Herauntexaminedherface，neck，andarmsforanysignsoffire，butcouldfindnone。Shewashardlytouched，soswifthadbeenherrescue。ThenMrs。Murray，suddenlyputtingherarmsroundaboutherniece，andholdinghertight，cried：\"ThankGod，mydarling，forhisgreatkindnesstoyouandtousall。ThankGod！thankGod！\"
Hervoicebroke，butinamoment，recoveringherself，shewenton，\"AndRanald，too！noblefellow！\"
Ranaldwasstandingatthebackofthecrowd，lookingpale，disturbed，andawkward。Mrs。Murray，knowinghowhatefultohimwouldbeanydemonstrationsoffeeling，wenttohim，andquietlyheldoutherhand，saying：\"Itwasbravelydone，Ranald。Frommyheart，Ithankyou。\"
Foramomentortwoshelookedsteadilyintohisfacewithtearsstreamingdownhercheeks。Thenputtingherhandsuponhisshoulders，shesaid，softly：
\"Forherdear，deadmother\'ssake，Ithankyou。\"
ThenMaimie，whohadbeenstandinginakindofstuporallthiswhile，seemedsuddenlytoawake，andrunningswiftlytowardRanald，sheputoutbothhands，crying：\"Oh，Ranald，Icanneverthankyouenough！\"
Hetookherhandsinanagonyofembarrassment，notknowingwhattodoorsay。ThenMaimiesuddenlydroppedhishands，andthrowingherarmsabouthisneck，kissedhim，andranbacktoheraunt\'sside。
\"Ithoughtyoudidn\'tplayforfeits，Maimie，\"saidDon，inagrievedvoice。Andeveryonewasgladtolaugh。
Thentheminister\'swife，lookingrounduponthemall，said：\"Dearchildren，Godhasbeenverygoodtous，andIthinkweoughttogivehimthanks。\"
Andstandingtherebythefire，theybowedtheirheadsinanewthanksgivingtoHimwhosekeepingneverfailsbydayornight。Andthen，withheartsandvoicessubdued，andwithquietgoodnights，theywenttheirwayshome。
ButastheCameronsleighdroveoffwithitsload，Maimielookedback，andseeingRanaldstandingbythefire，shewhisperedtoheraunt：\"Oh，auntie！Isn\'thejustsplendid？\"
Butherauntmadenoreply，seeinganewdangerforthemboth，greaterthanthattheyhadescaped。
CHAPTERIX
ASABBATHDAY\'SWORK
TheSabbaththatfollowedthesugaring-offwastoMaimiethemostremarkableSabbathofherlifeuptothatday。ItwastotallyunliketheSabbathofherhome，which，aftertheformal\"churchparade，\"asHarrycalledit，inthemorning，herfatherspentinloungingwithhismagazineandpipe，herauntinsleepingorinsocialgossipwithsuchfriendsasmightdropin，andHarryandMaimieasbesttheycould。
TheSabbathintheminister\'shouse，asinthehomesofhispeople，wasadaysosetapartfromotherdaysthatithadtobeapproached。
TheSaturdayafternoonandeveningcaughtsomethingofitsatmosphere。Nofrivolity，indeednolightamusement，wasproperontheeveningthatputaperiodtotheworldlyoccupationsandengagementsoftheweek。Thateveningwasoneofpreparation。Thehouse，andespeciallythekitchen，wasthoroughly\"reddup。\"Wood，water，andkindlingswerebroughtin，clotheswerebrushed，bootsgreasedorpolished，dinnerprepared，andineverywaypossiblethewholehouse，itsdwellers，anditsbelongings，madereadyforthemorrow。So，whentheSabbathmorningdawned，peopleawokewithafeelingthatoldthingshadpassedawayandthatthewholeworldwasnew。Thesunshonewitharadiancenotknownonotherdays。Hewasshininguponholythings，andlightingmenandwomentoholyduties。
Throughallthefarmsthefieldslaybathedinhisgenialglow，atrest，andtheverytreesstoodinsilentworshipofthebendingheavens。Upfromstableandfromkitchencamenosoundsofwork。
Thehorsesknewthatnowheelwouldturnthatdayinlabor，andthedogslaysleepinginsunnynooks，knowingaswellasanythattherewastobenohuntingorroamingforthemthatday，unlesstheychosetogoonafreehunt；whichnonebutlight-headedpuppiesordissipatedandreprobatedogswouldcaretodo。
Overallthingsrestbrooded，andoutoftherestgrewholythoughtsandhopes。Itwasadayofbeginnings。Forthepast，brokenandstained，therewasanewofferofoblivionandhealing，andtheheartwassummonedtolookforwardtonewlifeandtohopeforbetterthings，andtodrinkinallthosesoothing，healinginfluencesthatmemoryandfaithcombinetogive；sothatwhenthedaywasdone，wearyanddiscouragedmenandwomenbegantofeelthat，perhapsafteralltheymightbeabletoendureandeventohopeforvictory。
TheministerroseearlieronSabbaththanonotherdays，theresponsibilityofhisofficepressingharduponhim。Breakfastwasmoresilentthanusual，ordinarysubjectsofconversationbeingdiscouraged。Theministerwaspreoccupiedandimpatientofanyinterruptionofhisthoughts。Buthiswifecametothetablewithasweeterserenitythanusual，andacalmuponherfacethattoldofhiddenstrength。EvenMaimiecouldnoticethedifference，butshecouldonlywonder。Thesecretofitwashiddenfromher。Herauntwaslikenootherwomanthatsheknew，andthereweremanythingsabouthertoodeepforMaimie\'sunderstanding。
Afterworship，whichwasbriefbutsolemnandintense，Lamberthurriedtobringroundtothefrontthebigblackhorse，hitchedupinthecarryall，andtheyallmadespeedtopackthemselvesin，Maimieandherauntinfront，andHughieonthefloorbehindwithhislegsundertheseat；forwhenoncetheministerwashimselfquiteready，andhadgothisgreatmeerschaumpipegoing，itwasunsafeforanyonetodelayhimasingleinstant。
Thedrivetothechurchwasanexperiencehardlyinkeepingwiththespiritoftheday。Itwasmoreexcitingthanrestful。Blackwasahorsewithasingleaim，whichwastodevourthespacethatstretchedoutbeforehim，withafinedisregardofconsequence。
ThefirstpartoftheroaduptothechurchhillanddownagaintotheswampwastoBlack，astotheothers，anunmixedjoy，forhewasfreshfromhisoatsandeagertogo，andhisdriverwasaseagertolethimhavehiswill。
Butwhentheswampwasreached，andthebuggybegantoleapfromlogtologofthecorduroy，Blackbegantochafeinimpatienceofthereinwhichcommandedcaution。Indeed，thepassageoftheswampwasalwaysmoreorlessofanadventure，theresultofwhichnoonecouldforetell，andittookallMrs。Murray\'ssteadinessofnervetorepressanexclamationofterroratcriticalmoments。ThecorduroywasBlack\'sabomination。Helongedtodashthroughandbedonewithit；but，howevermuchtheministersympathizedwithBlack\'sdesire，prudenceforbadethathismethodshouldbeadopted。
Sofromlogtolog，andfromholetohole，Blackplungedandsteppedwithallthecarehecouldbepersuadedtoexercise，everylurchofthecarryallbringingascreamfromMaimieinfrontandadelightedchucklefromHughiebehind。Hisdelightintheadventurewasmateriallyincreasedbyhiscousin\'sterror。
Butoncetheswampwascrossed，andBlackfoundhimselfonthefirmroadthatwoundoverthesand-hillsandthroughtheopenpinewoods，hetossedhisgreatmanebackfromhiseyes，andgettinghisheadsetoffatapacethatforebodeddisastertoanythingtryingtokeepbeforehim，andinashorttimedrewupatthechurchgates，hisflankssteamingandhisgreatchestwhitewithfoam。
\"My！\"saidMaimie，whenshehadrecoveredherbreathsufficientlytospeak，\"isthatthechurch？\"Shepointedtoahugewoodenbuildingaboutwhosedooragroupofmenwerestanding。
\"Huh-huh，that\'sit，\"saidHughie；\"butwewillsoonbedonewiththeuglyoldthing。\"
Themostenthusiasticmemberofthecongregationcouldscarcelycalltheoldchurchbeautiful，andtoMaimie\'seyesitwaspositivelyhideous。Nosteepleortowergaveanyhintofitssacredcharacter。Itsweather-beatenclapboardexterior，spottedwithblackknots，asifstrickenwithsomedisfiguringdisease，hadnothingbutitsrowofuncurtainedwindowstodistinguishitfromanordinarybarn。
Theyenteredbythedoorattheendofthechurch，andproceededdownthelongaislethatranthefulllengthofthebuilding，tilltheycametoacrossaislethatledthemtotheminister\'spewattheleftsideofthepulpit，andcommandingaviewofthewholecongregation。Themainbodyofthechurchwasseatedwithlongboxpewswithhingeddoors。Butthegallerythatranroundthreesideswasfittedwithsimplebenches。Immediatelyinfrontofthepulpitwasasquarepewwhichwassetapartfortheuseoftheelders，andcloseuptothepulpit，andindeedaspartofthisstructure，wasaprecentor\'sdesk。Thepulpitwas，toMaimie\'seyes，awonder。Itwasanoctagonalboxplacedhighononesideofthechurchonalevelwiththegallery，andreachedbyaspiralstaircase。Aboveithungthehighlyornateandaltogetherextraordinarysounding-
boardandcanopy。Therewasnosignofpaintanywhere，buttheyellowpine，ofwhichseats，gallery，andpulpitwereallmade，haddeepenedwithageintoarichbrown，notunpleasanttotheeye。
Thechurchwasfull，fortheIndianLandspeoplebelievedingoingtochurch，andtherewasnotahouseformanymilesaroundbutwasrepresentedinthechurchthatday。Theretheysat，rowuponrowofmen，brawnyandbrownwithwindandsun，anotablecompany，worthyoftheirancestryandworthyoftheirheritage。Besidethemsattheirwives，brown，too，andweather-beaten，butstrong，deep-
bosomed，andwithfacesofcalmcontent，worthytobemothersoftheirhusbands\'sons。Thegirlsandyoungerchildrensatwiththeirparents，modest，shy，andreverent，buttheyoungmen，forthemostpart，filledthebackseatsunderthegallery。Andahardylottheywere，asbrownandbrawnyastheirfathers，buttinglingwithlifetotheirfinger-tips，readyforanything，andimpossibleofcontrolexceptbyonewhomtheyfearedaswellasreverenced。AndsuchamanwasAlexanderMurray，fortheyknewwellthat，litheandbrawnyastheywere，therewasnotamanofthembuthecouldflingoutofthedoorandoverthefenceifhesowished；andtheyknew，too，thathewouldbeprompttodoitifoccasionarose。HencetheywaitedforthewordofGodwithallduereverenceandfear。
Inthesquarepewinfrontofthepulpitsattheelders，hoary，massive，andvenerable。TheIndianLandsSessionwereworthseeing。Greatmentheywere，everyoneofthem，excepting，perhaps，KennethCampbell，\"KennyCrubach，\"ashewascalled，fromhishaltingstep。Kennywasneitherhoarynormassivenorvenerable。Hewasashort，grizzledmanwithsnappingblackeyesandatongueforclever，bitingspeech；andwhileheboreastainlesscharacter，noonethoughtofhimasaneminentlygodlyman。Inpublicprayerheneverattainedanygreatlength，nordidheemploythattoneofunctiondeemedsuitableinthissacredexercise。Heseldom\"spoketothequestion，\"butwhenhedidpeopleleanedforwardtolisten，andmoreespeciallytherowsofthecarelessandungodlyunderthegallery。Kennyhadnotthelookofanelder，andindeed，manywonderedhowhehadevercometobechosenfortheoffice。Buttheothersallhadthelookofelders，andcarriedwiththemthefullrespectandaffectionofthecongregation。Eventheyoungmenunderthegalleryregardedthemwithreverencefortheirgodlycharacter，butforotherthingsaswell；fortheseoldmenhadbeenfamousintheirday，andtaleswerestilltoldaboutthefiresidesofthepeopleoftheirprowessinthewoodsandontheriver。
Therewas，forinstance，FinlayMcEwen，orMcKeowen，astheyallpronounceditinthatcountry，who，forawager，hadcarriedafour-hundred-poundbarreluponeachhipacrossthelongbridgeovertheScotchRiver。AndnexthimsatDonaldRoss，whoseveryface，withitshaloofwhitehair，borebenedictionwithitwhereverhewent。Whatamanhemusthavebeeninhisday！Sixfeetfourincheshestoodinhisstockingsoles，andwith\"abacklikeabarndoor，\"ashissonDanny，or\"Curly，\"nowintheshantywithMacdonaldBhain，usedtosay，inaffectionatepride。ThentherewasFarquharMcNaughton，big，kindly，andgood-natured，amightymanwiththeaxinhistime。\"Kirsty\'sFarquhar\"theycalledhim，forobviousreasons。AndagoodthingforFarquharitwasthathehadhadKirstyathissideduringtheseyearstomakehisbargainsforhimandtokeephimandallotherstothem，elsehewouldneverhavebecomethesubstantialmanhewas。
NexttoFarquharwasPeterMcRae，thechiefofalargeclanofrespectable，andnonetoorespectable，families，whomallalikeheldinfear，forPeterruledwitharodofiron，andhiswordranaslawthroughouttheclan。ThentherewasIanMoreMacgregor，or\"BigJohnMacgregor，\"astheyoungergenerationcalledhim，almostasbigasDonaldRossandquiteaskindly，butwithadarker，sadderface。Somethingfromhiswilderyouthhadcastitsshadowoverhislife。Noonebuthisministerandtwoothersknewthatstory，buttheoldmanknewithimself，andthatwasenough。Oneofthosewhosharedhissecretwashisneighborandcrony，DonaldRoss，anditwasworthajourneyofsomelengthtoseethesetwogreatoldmen，onewiththesadandtheotherwiththesunnyface，strideofftogether，staffinhand，atthecloseoftheGaelicservice，toDonald\'shome，wheretheafternoonwouldbespentindiscoursefittingtheLord\'sdayandinprayer。
TheonlyotherelderwasRoderickMcCuiag，whosat，notintheelders\'pew，butintheprecentor\'sbox，forhewastheLeaderofPsalmody。\"StraightRory，\"ashewascalledbytheirreverent，wastall，spare，andstraightasaramrod。Hewasdevotedtohisoffice，jealousofitsdignity，andstrenuousinhisoppositiontoallinnovationsinconnectionwiththeServiceofPraise。Hewasespeciallyopposedtotheintroductionofthose\"new-fangledranting\"tuneswhichwerebeingtaughttheyoungpeoplebyJohn\"Alec\"Fraserintheweeklysinging-schoolintheNineteenth，andwhichweresungatMrs。Murray\'sSabbatheveningBibleclassintheLittleChurch。StraightRoryhadbeeneducatedforateacherinScotland，andwassomethingofascholar。Helovedschoolexaminations，wherehewastheterrorofpupilsandteachersalike。
Hisacutemindreveledinthemetaphysicsoftheology，whichmadehimthedreadofallcandidateswhoappearedbeforethesessiondesiring\"tocomeforward。\"ItwastomanyanimpressivesighttoseeStraightRoryriseintheprecentor\'sbox，feelround，withmuchfacialcontortion，forthepitch——hedespisedatuning-fork——
andthen，straighteninghimselfuptillhebentoverbackwards，raisethechantthatintroducedthetunetothecongregation。Buttotheyoungmenunderthegalleryhewasmorehumorousthanimpressive，anditistobefearedthattheywaitedfortheprecentor\'sweeklyperformancewithadelightedexpectationthatneverflaggedandthatwasneverdisappointed。Itwasonlytheflashoftheminister\'sblueeyethatheldtheirfacesrigidinpreternaturalsolemnity，andforcedthemtocontentthemselveswithwinksandnudgesfortheexpressionoftheirdelight。
AsMaimie\'seyewentwanderingshylyovertherowsofbrownfacesthatturnedinsolemnandsteadfastregardtotheminister\'spew，Hughienudgedherandwhispered：\"There\'sDon。See，inthebackseatbythewindow，nexttoPeterRuaghyonder；thered-headedfellow。\"
HepointedtoPeterMcRae，grandsonof\"PetertheElder。\"Therewasnomistakingthatlandmark。
\"Look，\"criedHughie，eagerly，pointingwithterribledirectnessstraightatDon，toMaimie\'sconfusion。
\"Whisht，Hughie，\"saidhismothersoftly。
\"There\'sRanald，mother，\"saidthediplomaticHughie，knowingwellthathismotherwouldrejoicetohearthatbitofnews。\"See，mother，justinfrontofDon，there。\"
AgainHughie\'sterriblefingerpointedstraightintothefaceofthegazingcongregation。
\"Hush，Hughie，\"saidhismother，severely。
Maimieknewahundredeyeswerelookingstraightattheminister\'spew，butforthelifeofhershecouldnotpreventhereyefollowingthepointingfinger，tillitfoundthesteadygazeofRanaldfasteneduponher。Itwasonlyforamoment，butinthatmomentshefeltherheartjumpandherfacegrowhot，anditdidnothelpherthatsheknewthatthepeoplewereallwonderingatherfuriousblushes。Ofcoursethestoryofthesugaring-offhadgonethelengthofthelandandhadformedthesubjectofconversationatthechurchdoorthatmorning，whereRanaldhadtobearagooddealofchaffabouttheyounglady，andherdislikeofforfeits，tillhewasreadytofightifachanceshouldbutoffer。
Withunspeakablerageandconfusion，henoticedHughie\'spointingfinger。Hecaught，too，Maimie\'squicklook，withthevividblushthatfollowed。Unfortunately，othersbesideshimselfhadnoticedthis，andDonandPeterRuagh，intheseatbehindhim，madeitthesubjectofcongratulatoryremarkstoRanald。
Atthispointtheministerroseinthepulpit，andallwaitedwithearnestandreverentmienfortheannouncingofthepsalm。
TheRev。AlexanderMurraywasamantoberegardedinanycompanyandunderanycircumstances，butwhenhestoodupinhispulpitandfacedhiscongregationhewastrulysuperb。Hewasabovetheaverageheight，offaultlessformandbearing，athletic，active，andwitha\"springineverymuscle。\"Hehadcoal-blackhairandbeard，andaflashingblueeyethatheldhispeopleinuttersubjectionandputthefearofdeathuponevil-doersunderthegallery。Ineverymovement，tone，andglancetherebreathedimperialcommand。
\"LetusworshipGodbysingingtoHispraiseintheonehundredandtwenty-firstpsalm：
\'Itothehillswillliftmineeyes，Fromwhencedothcomemineaid。\'\"
Hisvoicerangoutoverthecongregationlikeasilverbell，andMaimiethoughtshehadneverseenamanofsuchnoblepresence。
Afterthereadingofthepsalmtheministersatdown，andStraightRoryroseinhisbox，andafterhismanner，beganfeelingaboutforthefirstnoteofthechantthatwouldintroducethenobleoldtune\"St。Paul\'s。\"Afewmomentshespenttwistinghisfaceandshouldersinamannerthatthreatenedtoruinthesolemnityoftheworshipersunderthegallery，tillfinallyheseemedtohituponthepitchdesired，andthrowingbackhisheadandclosingoneeye，heproceededonhisway。Eachlinehechantedalone，aftertheancientScottishcustom，afterwhichthecongregationjoinedwithhiminthetune。Thecustomsurvivedfromthetimewhenpsalm-
bookswereinthehandsofbutfewandthe\"lining\"ofthepsalmwasthereforenecessary。
Therewasnohastetobedonewiththepsalm。Whyshouldtherebe？
TheyhadonlyoneSabbathintheweek，andthewholedaywasbeforethem。ThepeoplesurrenderedthemselvestotheleadofStraightRorywithunmistakabledelightinthatpartof\"theexercises\"ofthedayinwhichtheywerepermittedtoaudiblyjoin。Butofallthecongregation，noneenjoyedthesingingmorethanthedearoldwomenwhosatinthefrontseatsnearthepulpit，theirquietoldfaceslookingsosweetandpureundertheirsnow-white\"mutches。\"
Theretheysatandsangandquavered，swayingtheirbodieswiththetuneinanecstasyofrestfuljoy。
MaimiehadoftenheardSt。Paul\'sbefore，butneverasitwaschantedbyStraightRoryandsungbytheIndianLandscongregationthatday。Theextraordinaryslidesandslursalmostobliteratedthenotesoftheoriginaltune，andthe\"littlekick，\"asMaimiecalledit，attheendofthesecondline，gaveheralittlestart。
\"Auntie，\"shewhispered，\"isn\'titawfullyqueer？\"
\"Isn\'titbeautiful？\"herauntanswered，withanuncertainsmile。
Shewasrememberinghowthesewinding，sliding，slurringoldtuneshadaffectedherwhenfirstsheheardtheminherhusband\'schurchyearsago。Thestatelymovement，theweirdquavers，andthepatheticcadenceshadinsomemysteriouswayreachedthedeepplacesinherheart，andbeforesheknew，shehadfoundthetearscoursingdownhercheeksandherbreathcatchinginsobs。Indeed，asshelistenedto-day，rememberingtheseoldimpressions，thetearsbegantoflow，tillHughie，notunderstanding，creptovertohismother，andtocomforther，slippedhishandintohers，lookingfiercelyatMaimieasifsheweretoblame。Maimie，too，noticedthetearsandsatwondering，andasthecongregationswungonthroughtheversesofthegrandoldpsalmtherecreptintoherheartanewanddeeperemotionthanshehadeverknown。
\"Listentothewords，Maimiedear，\"whisperedheraunt。AndasMaimielistened，thenoblewords，borneonthemightyswingofSt。
Paul\'s，liftedupbysixhundredvoices——formen，women，andchildrenweresingingwithalltheirhearts——awakenedechoesfromgreatdeepswithinherasyetunsounded。Thedaysforsuchsingingare，alas！longgone。Thenoblerhythm，thestatelymovement，thecontinuouscurvingstreamofmelody，thatoncemarkedthepraiseserviceoftheoldScottishchurch，havegivenplacetothelight，staccatotinkleoftherevivalchorus，ortheshornandmutilatedskeletonoftheancientpsalmtune。
Butwhilethepsalmhadbeenmovingoninitssolemnandstatelyway，RanaldhadbeenenduringagonyatthehandsofPeterRuaghsittingjustbehindhim。Peter，whosehuge，clumsybodywasafittingtabernacleforthesoulwithin，laboredundertheimpressionthathewasahumorist，andindulgedahabitofponderousjoking，tryingenoughtomostpeople，buttooneofRanald\'stemperamentexasperatingtoahighdegree。HisthemewasRanald\'srescueofMaimie，andthepausesofthesinginghefilledinwithhumorouscommentsthat，outside，wouldhaveproducedonlyweariness，butinthechurch，owingtothestrangeperversityofhumannature，sentasnickeralongtheseat。Unfortunatelyforhim，Ranald\'sfacewassoturnedthathecouldnotseeit，andsohehadnohintofthewraththatwassteadilyboilinguptothepointofoverflow。
Theywerenearingthecloseofthelastverseofthepsalm，whenHughie，whoseeyesneverwanderedlongfromRanald\'sdirection，utteredasharp\"Oh，my！\"Therewasashufflingconfusionunderthegallery，andwhenMaimieandherauntlooked，PeterRuagh\'splacewasvacant。
Bythistimetheministerwasstandingupforprayer。Hiseye，too，caughtthemovementinthebackseat。
\"Youngmen，\"hesaid，sternly，\"rememberyouareinGod\'shouse。
Letmenothavetomentionyournamesbeforethecongregation。Letuspray。\"
Asthecongregationroseforprayer，Mrs。MurraynoticedPeterRuaghappearfrombeneaththebook-boardandquietlyslipoutbythebackdoorwithhishandtohisfaceandthebloodstreamingbetweenhisfingers；andthoughRanaldwasstandingupstraightandstiffinhisplace，Mrs。MurraycouldreadfromhisrigidlooktheexplanationofPeter\'sbloodyface。Shegavehermindtotheprayerwithasoreheart，forshehadlearnedenoughofthosewild，hot-headedyouthstoknowthatbeforePeterRuagh\'sfacewouldbehealedmorebloodwouldhavetoflow。
Theprayerproceededinitsleisurelyway，indulginghereandthereinquietreverie，orinexultantjubilationoverthe\"attributes，\"
embracinginitsworldwidesweep\"theinterestsofthekingdom\"farandnear，andofthatpartofhumanityincludedthereinpresentandtocome，andbuttressingitspetitionswiththeologicalargument，systematicandunassailable。Beforetheclose，however，theministercametodealwiththeneedsofhisownpeople。Oldandyoung，absentandpresent，thesick，theweary，thesin-burdened——
allwererememberedwithawarmthofsympathy，withadirectnessofpetition，andwithanearnestnessofappealthatthrilledandsubduedtheheartsofall，andmadeeventheboys，whohadbornewithdifficultythelasthalf-hourofthelongprayer，forgettheirweariness。
ThereadingofScripturefollowedtheprayer。Inthistheministerexcelled。Hisfinevoiceandhisdramaticinstinctcombinedtomakethisanimpressiveandbeautifulportionoftheservice。Butto-daymuchofthebeautyandimpressivenessofthereadingwaslostbythefrequentinterruptionscausedbytheentranceoflatecomers，ofwhom，owingtothebadroads，therewerealargernumberthanusual。Theministerwasevidentlyannoyed，notsomuchbytheopeningandshuttingofthedoorasbytheinattentionofhishearers，whokeptturningroundtheirheadstoseewhothenewarrivalswere。Atlengththeministercouldbearitnolonger。
\"Mydearpeople，\"hesaid，pausinginthereading，\"nevermindthosecomingin。GiveyouheedtothereadingofGod\'sWord，andifyoumustknowwhoareentering，Iwilltellyou。Yes，\"headded，deliberately，\"giveyouheedtome，andIwillletyouknowwhotheselatecomersare。\"
Withthatstartlingdeclaration，heproceededwiththereading，buthadnotgonemorethanafewverseswhen\"click\"wentthedoor-
latch。Notaheadturned。ItwasMalcolmMonroe，slow-goingandgood-natured，withhisquietlittlewifefollowinghim。
Theministerpaused，lookingtowardthedoor，andannounced：\"Mydearpeople，herecomesourfriendMalcolmMonroe，andhisgoodwifewithhim，andalongwalktheyhavehad。Comeaway，Malcolm；
comeaway；wewilljustwaitforyou。\"
Malcolm\'sfacewasapicture。Surprise，astonishment，andconfusionfollowedeachotheracrosshisstolidcountenance；andwithquickerpacethanhewaseverknowntouseinhislifebefore，hemadehiswaytohisseat。Nosoonerhadthereadingbeganagainwhenoncemorethedoorclicked。Truetohispromise，theministerpausedandcheerfullyannouncedtohispeople：\"This，myfriends，isJohnCampbell，whomyouallknowas\'JohnnieSarah，\'andweareverygladtoseehim，for，indeed，hehasnotbeenhereforsometime。Comeaway，John；comeaway，man，\"headded，impatiently，\"forweareallwaitingforyou。\"
JohnnieSarahstoodparalyzedwithamazementandseemeduncertainwhethertoadvanceortoturnandflee。Theminister\'simpatientcommand，however，decidedhim，andhedroppedintothenearestseatwithallspeed，andgazedabouthimasiftodiscoverwherehewas。
Hehadnosoonertakenhisseatthanthedooropenedagain，andsomehalf-dozenpeopleentered。Theministerstoodlookingatthemforsomemomentsandthensaid，inavoiceofresignation：
\"Friends，thesearesomeofourpeoplefromtheIsland，andtherearesomestrangerswiththem。Butifyouwanttoknowwhotheyare，youwilljusthavetolookatthemyourselves，forImustgetonwiththereading。\"
Needlesstosay，notasoulofthecongregation，howeverconsumedwithcuriosity，daredtolookaround，andthereadingofthechapterwentgravelyontotheclose。TosaythatMaimiesatinutterastonishmentduringthisextraordinaryproceedingwouldgivebutafaintideaofherstateofmind。EvenMrs。Murrayherself，whohadbecomeaccustomedtoherhusband\'seccentricities，satinastateofutterbewilderment，notknowingwhatmighthappennext；
nordidshefeelquitesafeuntilthetextwasannouncedandthesermonfairlybegun。
Importantasweretheexercisesofreading，praise，andprayer，theywereonlythe\"openingservices，\"andmerelyleduptotheeventoftheday，whichwasthesermon。Anditwastheevent，notonlyoftheday，butoftheweek。Itwouldformthethemeofconversationandaffordfoodfordiscussionineverygatheringofthepeopleuntilanothercametotakeitsplace。To-dayitlastedafullhourandahalf，andwasanextraordinaryproduction。Calm，deliberatereasoning，flightsofvividimagination，passionatedenunciation，andfervidappeal，markeditscourse。ItssubjectwasthegreatdoctrineofJustificationbyFaith，anditcontainedacompletesystemoftheologyarrangedwithreferencetothatdoctrine。Ancientheresieswereattackedandexposedwithcompletenessamountingtoannihilation。Modernerrors，intowhichour\"friends\"ofthedifferentdenominationshadfallen，weredeploredandcorrected，andallpossiblemisapplicationsofthedoctrinetopracticallifeguardedagainst。Onthepositivesidetheneed，theground，themeans，themethod，theagent，theresults，ofJustification，werefullysetforthandillustrated。
Therewerenoanecdotesandnopoetry。Thesubjectwasmuchtoomassiveandtremendoustopermitofanysuchtrifling。
Asthesermonrolledonitsmajesticcourse，thecongregationlistenedwithanattentiveanddiscriminatingappreciationthattestifiedtotheirearnestnessandintelligence。True，onehereandtheredroppedintoamomentarydoze，buthisslumberwasnevereasy，forhewasharassedbytheterriblefearofasuddensummonsbynamefromthepulpitto\"awakeandgiveheedtothemessage，\"
whichforthenextfewminuteswouldhaveanapplicationsopersonalandpungentthatitwouldeffectuallypreventsleepforthatandsomesuccessiveSabbaths。TheonlyapparentlapseofattentionoccurredwhenDonaldRossopenedhishornsnuff-box，andaftertappingsolemnlyuponitslid，drewforthahugepinchofsnuffandpassedittohisneighbor，who，afterhelpinghimselfinlikemanner，passedtheboxon。Thatthelapsewasonlyapparentwasmadeevidentbytheairofabstractionwithwhichthisoperationwascarriedon，thesnuffbeingheldbetweenthethumbandforefingerforsomemoments，untilasuitableresting-placeinthesermonwasreached。
Whentheministerhadarrivedatthemiddleofthesecondhead，hemadethediscovery，aswasnotfrequentlythecase，thattheremotestlimitsoftheallotedtimehadbeenpassed，andannouncingthatthesubjectwouldbeconcludedonthefollowingSabbath，hesummarilybroughttheEnglishservicetoaclose，anddismissedthecongregationwithabriefprayer，twoversesofapsalm，andthebenediction。
WhenMaimierealizedthattheservicewasreallyover，shefeltasifshehadbeeninchurchforaweek。Afterthebenedictionthecongregationpassedoutintothechurchyardanddisposedthemselvesingroupsaboutthegateandalongthefencesdiscussingthesermonandmakingbriefinquiriesastothe\"wealandill\"ofthemembersoftheirfamilies。Mrs。Murray，leavingHughieandMaimietowanderatwill，passedfromgrouptogroup，welcomedbyallwithequalrespectandaffection。Youngmenandoldmen，womenandgirlsalike，weregladtogetherword。To-day，however，theyoungmenwerenotatfirsttobeseen，butMrs。Murrayknewthemwellenoughtosuspectthattheywouldbefoundatthebackofthechurch，soshepassedslowlyaroundthechurch，greetingthepeopleasshewent，anduponturningthecornershesawacrowdunderthebigmaple，therendezvousfortheyoungerportionofthecongregationbefore\"churchwentin。\"InthecenterofthegroupstoodRanaldandDon，withMurdie，Don\'seldestbrother，ahuge，good-naturedman，besidethem，andPeterRuagh，withhiscousinAleck，andothersoftheclan。Ranaldwasstanding，paleandsilent，withhisheadthrownback，ashismannerwaswheninpassion。ThetalkwasmainlybetweenAleckandMurdie，theotherscrowdingeagerlyaboutandputtinginawordastheycould。Murdiewasreasoninggood-humoredly，Aleckreplyingfiercely。
\"Itwasgoodenoughforhim，\"Mrs。MurrayheardDoninterject，inatriumphanttone，toMurdie。ButMurdieshuthimoffsternly。
\"Whisht，Don，youarenottalkingjustnow。\"
DonwasabouttoreplywhenhecaughtsightofMrs。Murray。
\"Here\'stheminister\'swife，\"hesaid，inalowtone，andatoncethegrouppartedinshamefacedconfusion。ButMurdiekepthisfaceunmoved，andasMrs。Murraydrewslowlynear，said，inaquietvoiceofeasygood-humor，toAleck，whowasstandingwithafacelikethatofadetectedcriminal：\"Well，wewillseeaboutitto-
morrownight，Aleck，atthepost-office，\"andhefacedabouttomeetMrs。Murraywithaneasysmile，whileAleckturnedaway。ButMrs。Murraywasnotdeceived，andshewentstraighttothepoint。
\"Murdie，\"shesaid，quietly，whenshehadansweredhisgreeting，\"willyoujustcomewithmealittle；Iwanttoaskyouaboutsomething。\"AndMurdiewalkedawaywithher，followedbythewinksandnodsoftheothers。
WhatshesaidMurdienevertold，buthecamebacktothemmoredetermineduponpeacethanever。Thedifficultylay，notwiththegood-naturedPeter，whowasreadyenoughtosettlewithRanald，butwiththefieryAleck，whorepresentedthenon-respectablesectionoftheclanMcRae，wholivedsouthoftheSixteenth，andhadareputationforwildness。Fightingwastheirglory，andnoonecaredtoenteruponafeudwithanyoneofthem。MurdiehadinterferedonRanald\'sbehalf，chieflybecausehewasDon\'sfriend，butalsobecausehewasunwillingthatRanaldshouldbeinvolvedinaquarrelwiththeMcRaes，whichheknewwouldbeaseriousaffairforhim。Butnowhisstrongestreasonfordesiringpeacewasthathehadpledgedhimselftotheminister\'swifetobringitaboutinsomewayorother。SohetookPeteroffbyhimself，andwithoutmuchdifficulty，persuadedhimtoactthemagnanimouspartanddropthequarrel。
WithRanaldhehadahardertask。Thatyoungmanwaspreparedtoseehisquarrelthroughatwhateverconsequencestohimself。HeknewtheMcRaes，andknewwelltheirreputation，butthatonlymadeitmoreimpossibleforhimtoretreat。ButMurdieknewbetterthantoarguewithhim，soheturnedawayfromhimwithanindifferentair，saying：\"Oh，verywell。Peteriswillingtoletitdrop。
Youcandoasyouplease，onlyIknowtheminister\'swifeexpectsyoutomakeitup。\"
\"Whatdidshesaytoyou，then？\"askedRanald，fiercely。
\"Shesaidanumberofthingsthatyoudon\'tneedtoknow，butshesaidthis，whatever，\'Hewillmakeitupformysake，Iknow。\'\"
Ranaldstoodamomentsilent，thensaid，suddenly：\"Iwill，too，\"
andwalkingstraightovertoPeter，heofferedhishand，saying，\"I
wastooquick，Peter，andIamwillingtotakeasmuchasIgave。
Youcangoon。\"
ButPeterwasfartoosoft-heartedtoacceptthatinvitation，andseizingRanald\'shand，said，heartily：\"Nevermind，Ranald，itwasmyownfault。Wewilljustsaynothingmoreaboutit。\"