THEEARRING。
“Comeooto’thegutter，yenickum！”cried，inharsh，half-masculinevoice，awomanstandingonthecurbstoneofashort，narrow，dirtylane，atrightanglestoanimportantthoroughfare，itselfnoneofthewidestorcleanest。Shewasdressedindarkpetticoatandprintwrapper。Oneofhershoeswasdownattheheel，anddiscoveredagreatholeinherstocking。Hadherblackhairbeenbrushedanddisplayed，itwouldhaverevealedathreadyglitterofgrey，butallthatwasnowvisibleofitwasonlytwoorthreeuntidytressesthatdroppedfromunderacapofblacknetandgreenribbons，whichlookedasifshehadsleptinit。Herfacemusthavebeenhandsomewhenitwasyoungandfresh;butwasnowbeginningtolooktattooed，thoughwhetherthecolourwasfromwithoutorfromwithin，itwouldhavebeenhardtodetermine。Herblackeyeslookedresolute，almostfierce，aboveherstraight，well-formednose。Yetevidentlycircumstanceclavefasttoher。Shehadneverrisenaboveit，andwasnowplainlysubjectedtoit。
Aboutthirtyyardsfromher，onthefarthersideofthemainstreet，andjustoppositethemouthofthelane，achild，apparentlyaboutsix，butinrealityabouteight，wasdownonhiskneesrakingwithbothhandsinthegreydirtofthekennel。Atthewoman’scryheliftedhishead，ceasedhissearch，raisedhimself，butwithoutgettingup，andlookedather。Theywerenotableeyesoutofwhichhelooked——ofsuchadeepbluewerethey，andhavingsuchlonglashes;butmorenotablefarfromtheirexpression，thenatureofwhich，althoughacertainwitcheryofconfidencewasatoncediscoverable，wasnottobedeterminedwithoutthehelpofthewholeface，whosediffusedmeaningseemedinthemtodeepenalmosttospeech。Whateverwasattheheartofthatexpression，itwassomethingthatenticedquestionandmightwantinvestigation。Thefaceaswellastheeyeswaslovely——notveryclean，andnottooregularforhopeofafinedevelopment，butchieflyremarkablefromageneraleffectofsomethingIcanonlycallluminosity。Thehair，whichstuckoutfromhisheadineverydirection，likearoundfurcap，wouldhavebeenofthered-goldkind，haditnotbeensunburnedintoasortofhumanhay。Anoddcreaturealtogetherthechildappeared，as，shakingthegutter-dropsfromhislittledirtyhands，hegazedfromhisbarekneesonthecurbstoneatthewomanofrebuke。Itwasbutforamoment。Thenexthewasdown，rakinginthegutteragain。
Thewomanlookedangry，andtookastepforward;butthesoundofasharpimperativelittlebellbehindher，madeherturnatonce，andre-entertheshopfromwhichshehadjustissued，followingamanwhosepushingthedoorwiderhadsetthebellringing。Abovethedoorwasasmallboard，nearlysquare，uponwhichwaspaintedinlead-colouronablackgroundthewords，“Licensedtosellbeer，spirits，andtobaccotobedrunkonthepremises。”，Therewasnoothersign。“Them’atlikesmywhusky’illnoayebespeerin’myname，“saidMistressCroale。Asthedaywentonshewouldhavemoreandmorecustomers，andintheeveningontomidnight，herparlourwouldbewellfilled。Thenshewouldbealwaysathand，andthespringofthebellwouldbeturnedasidefromtheimpactoftheopeningdoor。Nowthebellwasneedfultorecallherfromhouseaffairs。
“Thelikin’’atcraturshisforcleandirt！，He’sbeenatitthishalehalf-hoor！”shemurmuredtoherselfasshepouredfromablackbottleintoapewtermeasureagillofwhiskyforthepale-facedtoperwhostoodontheothersideofthecounter：fargoneinconsumption，hecouldnotgetthroughtheforenoonwithouthismorning。“Iwadlike，“shewenton，asshereplacedthebottlewithouthavingspokenawordtohercustomer，whosedeparturewasnowannouncedwiththesameboisterousalacrityashisarrivalbytheshrill-tonedbell——“Iwadlike，for’sfather’ssake，honestman！
tothrawGibbie’slug。Thatlikin’fordirtIcannafathomnorbide。”
Meantimetheboysattentionseemedentirelyabsorbedinthegutter。
Whatevervehiclepassedbeforehim，whateverfootstepsbehind，heneverliftedhishead，butwentcreepingslowlyonhiskneesalongthecurbstillsearchingdowntheflowofthesluggish，nearlymotionlesscurrent。
Itwasagreymorningtowardsthecloseofautumn。Thedaysbeganandendedwithafog，butoftenbetween，asgoldenasunshineglorifiedthestreetsofthegreycityasanythatripenedpurplegrapes。To-daythemisthadlastedlongerthanusual——hadriseninsteadofdispersing;butnowitwasthinning，andatlength，likeaslowblossomingofthesky-flower，thesuncamemeltingthroughthecloud。Betweenthegablesoftwohouses，arayfelluponthepavementandthegutter。Itlaythereaverytypeofpurity，sopurethat，restwhereitmight，itdestroyedeveryshadowofdefilementthatsoughttominglewithit。Suddenlytheboymadeadartuponallfours，andpouncedlikeacreatureofpreyuponsomethinginthekennel。Hehadfoundwhathehadbeenlookingforsolong。Hesprangtohisfeetandboundedwithitintothesun，rubbingitasheranuponwhathehadfortrousers，ofwhichtherewasnothingbelowthekneesbutafewstreamers，andnothingabovethekneesbutthebodyofthegarment，whichhadbeen——Iwillnotsaymadefor，butlastwornbyaboythreetimeshissize。Hisfeet，ofcourse，werebareaswellashiskneesandlegs。Butthoughtheyweredirty，red，andrough，theywerenicelyshapedlittlelegs，andthefeetweredainty。
ThesunbeamshesoughtcamedownthroughthesmokyairlikeaJacob’sladder，andhestoodatthefootofitlikealittleprodigalangelthatwantedtogohomeagain，butfeareditwastoomuchinclinedforhimtomanagetheascentinthepresentconditionofhiswings。Butallhedidwantwastoseeinthelightofheavenwhatthegutterhadyieldedhim。Hehelduphisfindintheradianceandregardeditadmiringly。Itwasalittleearringofamethyst-colouredglass，andinthesunlookedlovely。Theboywasinanecstasyoverit。Herubbeditonhissleeve，suckedittoclearitfromthelastofthegutter，andheldituponcemoreinthesun，where，forafewblissfulmoments，hecontemplateditspeechless。Hethencausedittodisappearsomewhereabouthisgarments——Iwillnotventuretosayinapocket——andranoff，hislittlebarefeetsoundingthud，thud，thudonthepavement，andthecollarofhisjacketstickinghalfwayupthebackofhishead，andthreateningtorubitbareasheran。Throughstreetafterstreethesped——allbuiltofgranite，allwithflaggedfootways，andallpavedwithgraniteblocks——ahard，severecity，notbeautifulorstatelywithitsthick，grey，sparklingwalls，forthehouseswerenothigh，andthewindowsweresmall，yetinthebetterparts，nevertheless，handsomeaswellasmassiveandstrong。
Totheboythegreatcitywasbutahouseofmanyrooms，allforhisuse，hissport，hislife。Hedidnotknowmuchofwhatlaywithinthehouses;butthatonlyaddedthejoyofmysterytopossession：
theywerejewel-closets，treasure-caves，indeed，withsecretfountainsoflife;andeverystreetwasachannelintowhichtheyoverflowed。
Itwasinoneofquiteathird-ratesortthattheurchinatlengthceasedhistrot，anddrewupatthedoorofabaker’sshop——adivideddoor，openinginthemiddlebyalatchofbrightbrass。Butthechilddidnotliftthelatch——onlyraisedhimselfontiptoebythehelpofitshandle，tolookthroughtheupperhalfofthedoor，whichwasofglass，intothebeautifulshop。Thefloorwasofflags，freshsanded;thecounterwasofdeal，scrubbedaswhitealmostasflour;ontheshelveswereheapedtheloavesofthemorning’sbaking，alongwithalargestoreofsconesandrollsandbaps——thelast，thebestbreadintheworld——biscuitshardandsoft，andthosebrowndiscsofdelicateflakypiecrust，knownasbuns。
Andthesmellthatcamethroughtheveryglass，itseemedtothechild，wasasthatofthetreeoflifeintheParadiseofwhichhehadneverheard。Butmostenticingofalltotheeyesofthelittlewandererofthestreetwerethepenny-loaves，hotsmokingfromtheoven——whichfactisourfirstwindowintotheorderednatureofthechild。Forthemainpointwhichmadethemmoreattractivethanalltheresttohimwas，thatsometimeshedidhaveapenny，andthatapennyloafwasthelargestthingthatcouldbehadforapennyintheshop。Sothat，lawlessashelooked，thedesiresofthechildweremoderate，andhisimaginationwroughtwithintheboundsofreason。Butnoonewhohasneverbeenblessedwithonlyapennytospendandamightyhungerbehindit，canunderstandtheinterestwithwhichhestoodthereandthroughtheglasswatchedthebread，havingnopennyandonlythehunger。Thereisatleastonepowerfulbond，thoughitmaynotalwaysawakesympathy，betweenmudlarkandmonarch——thatofhunger。Noonehasyetwrittenthepoetryofhunger——hasbuiltupinverseitsstairsofgrandascent——fromsuchhungerasGibbie’sforapenny-loafup——no，no，nottoanalderman’sfeast;thatisthewaydownthemouldycellar-stair——butupthewhitemarblescaletothehungerafterrighteousnesswhoseverylongingsarebliss。
Behindthecountersatthebaker’swife，astout，fresh-colouredwoman，lookingratherdull，butsimpleandhonest。Shewasknitting，andifnotdreaming，atleastdozingoverherwork，forsheneversawtheforeheadandeyeswhich，likeayoungascendingmoon，gazedatheroverthehorizonoftheopaquehalfofherdoor。
Therewasnogreedinthoseeyes——onlymuchquietinterest。Hedidnotwanttogetin;hadtowait，andwhilewaitingbeguiledthetimebybeholding。HeknewthatMysie，thebaker’sdaughter，wasatschool，andthatshewouldbehomewithinhalfanhour。Hehadseenherwithtear-filledeyesasshewent，hadlearnedfromherthecause，andhadinconsequenceunwittinglyrousedMrs。Croale’sanger，andbraveditwhenaroused。Butthoughhewaswaitingforher，suchwastheabsorbingpowerofthespectaclebeforehimthatheneverheardherapproachingfootsteps。
“Latmein，“saidMysie，withconsciousdignityandatouchofindignationatbeingimpededontheverythresholdofherfather’sshop。
Theboystartedandturned，butinsteadofmovingoutoftheway，begansearchinginsomemysteriousreceptaclehidintherecessesofhisrags。Alookofanxietyonceappeared，butthesamemomentitvanished，andheheldoutinhishandthelittledropofamethystinesplendour。Mysie’sfacechanged，andsheclutchediteagerly。
“That’sraleguido’ye，weeGibbie！”shecried。“Whaurdidyegetit？”
Hepointedtothekennel，anddrewbackfromthedoor。
“Ithankye，“shesaidheartily，andpressingdownthethumbstallofthelatch，wentin。
“Wha’sthatye’recolloguin’wi’，Mysie？”askedhermother，somewhatseverely，butwithoutliftinghereyesfromherwires。“Yemaunnabespeykin’toloonsi’thestreet。”
“It’sonlyweeGibbie，mither，“answeredthegirlinatoneofconfidence。
“Ouweel！”returnedthemother，“he’snolikethelaveo’loons。”
“Butwhathadyetosaytillhim？”sheresumed，asifafraidherleniencymightbetakenadvantageof。“He’snofitcompanyforthelikeso’you，’athisafatheran’mither，an’achopshop。Yemaunhaelittletosaytosicrintherootladdies。”
“Gibbiehasafather，thoughtheysayheneverhidnaemither，“saidthechild。
“Troth，afinefather！”rejoinedthemother，withasmallscornfullaugh。“Na，buthe’ssomethingtomakmentiono’！，Sicafather，lassie，asitwadbetellin’himhehadnane！，Whatsaidyetill’im？”
“Ibitthankit’im，’causeItintmydropasIgaedtotheschuili’
themornin’，an’hefan’ttillme，an’wasatthechopdoorwaitin’
togieme’tback。Theysayhe’sayefin’in’things。”
“He’saguid-hertitcratur！”saidthemother，——“forane，thatis，’at’sbeensaeillbrouchtup。”
Sherose，tookfromtheshelfalargepieceofbread，composedofmanyadheringpenny-loaves，detachedone，andwenttothedoor。
“Here，Gibbie！”shecriedassheopenedit;“here’safinepiecetoye。”
ButnoGibbiewasthere。Upanddownthestreetnotachildwastobeseen。Asandboywithadonkeycartwasthesolehumanarrangementinit。Thebaker’swifedrewback，shutthedoorandresumedherknitting。
CHAPTERII。
SIRGEORGE。
Thesunwashotforanhourortwointhemiddleoftheday，buteventhenintheshadowdweltacoldbreath——ofthewinter，orofdeath——ofsomethingthathumanityfeltunfriendly。ToGibbie，however，bare-legged，bare-footed，almostbare-bodiedashewas，sunorshadowmadesmalldifference，exceptasoneofthemusicalintervalsoflifethatmakethemelodyofexistence。Hisbarefeetknewthedifferenceontheflags，andhisheartrecognizedunconsciouslythesecretasitwereofameaningandasymbol，inthechangefromtheonetotheother，buthewasalmostashappyinthedullasinthebrightday。Hardythroughhardship，heknewnothingbetterthanaconstantgood-humouredsparringwithnatureandcircumstancefortheprivilegeofbeing，enjoyedwhatcametohimthoroughly，nevermournedoverwhathehadnot，and，liketheanimals，wasatpeace。Fortheblissoftheanimalsliesinthis，that，ontheirlowerlevel，theyshadowtheblissofthose——fewatanymomentontheearth——whodonot“lookbeforeandafter，andpineforwhatisnot，“butliveintheholycarelessnessoftheeternalnow。Gibbiebynomeansbelongedtothehigherorder，wasasyet，indeed，notmuchbetterthanaveryblessedlittleanimal。
Tohimthecitywasallashow。Heknewmanyofthepeople——someofthemwhothoughtnosmallthingsofthemselves——betterthantheywouldhavechosenheoranyoneelseshouldknowthem。Heknewalltheperipateticvendors，mostofthebakers，mostofthesmallgrocersandtradespeople。Animalashewas，hewaslayinginagreatstockforthetimewhenhewouldbesomethingmore，forthetimeofreflection，wheneverthatmightcome。Chiefly，hisexperiencewasawonderfulprovisionforthefutureperceptionofcharacter;fornowheknewtoanicetyhowanyoneofhislargeacquaintancewouldbehavetohimincircumstanceswithinthescopeofthatexperience。Ifanysuchlittlevagabondrisesinthescaleofcreation，hecarrieswithhimfromthestreetanamountofmaterialservingtotheknowledgeofhumannature，humanneed，humanaims，humanrelationsinthebusinessoflife，suchashardlyanothercanpossess。Eventhepoet，greatlywiseinvirtueofhissympathy，willscarcelyunderstandagivenhumanconditionsowellasthemanwhosevitaltentacleshavebeenincontactwithitforyears。
WhenGibbiewasnotlookinginatashop-window，orturningononeheeltotakeinallatasweep，hewasoftenestseentrotting。
Seldomhewalked。Agentletrotwasoneofhisnaturalmodesofbeing。Andthoughthisdayhehadbeenonthetrotallthesunshinethrough，nevertheless，whenthesunwasgoingdowntherewasweeGibbieuponthetrotinthechillinganddarkeningstreets。Hehadnothadmuchtoeat。Hehadbeenverynearhavingapennyloaf。
Halfacookie，whichastormychildhadthrownawaytoeasehistemper，haddonefurtherandperhapsbetterserviceineasingGibbie’shunger。Thegreen-grocerwomanattheentranceofthecourtwherehisfatherlived，agoodwaydownthesamestreetinwhichhehadfoundthelostearring，hadgivenhimasmallyellowturnip——toGibbienearlyaswelcomeasanapple。AfishwifefromFinstonewithacreelonherback，hadgivenhimallhishandscouldholdofthesea-weedcalleddulse，presumablynotfromitssweetness，althoughitisgoodeating。Shehadaddedtothegiftasmallcrab，butthathehadcarriedtotheseashoreandsetfree，becauseitwasalive。These，thehalf-cookie，theturnip，andthedulse，withthesmellofthebaker’sbread，wasallhehadhad。Ithadbeenratheroneofhismeagredays。Butitiswonderfuluponhowlittlethoserarenaturescapableofmakingthemostofthingswillliveandthrive。Thereisagreatdealmoretobegotoutofthingsthanisgenerallygotoutofthem，whetherthethingbeachapteroftheBibleorayellowturnip，andthemarvelisthatthosewhousethemostmaterialshouldsooftenbethosethatshowtheleastresultinstrengthorcharacter。Asuperstitiouspriest-riddenCatholicmay，inthekingdomofheaven，behighbeyondsightofonewhocountshimselfthebroadestofEnglishchurchmen。
TrulyGibbiegotnofatoutofhisfood，buthegotwhatwasfarbetter。Whathecarried——Icanhardlysayunderorin，butalongwiththoseragsofhis，wasallmuscle——small，buthard，andhealthy，andknottinguplikewhipcord。Therearealldegreesofhealthinpovertyaswellasinriches，andGibbie’shealthwassplendid。Hissensesalsoweremarvellouslyacute。Ihavealreadyhintedathisgiftforfindingthings。Hiseyesweresharp，quick，androving，andthentheywentneartheground，hewassuchalittlefellow。Hissuccess，however，notalltheseconsiderationscouldwellaccountfor，andhewasregardedasbornwithaspecialluckinfinding。Idoubtifsufficientweightwasgiventothefactthat，evenwhenhewasnotsoturninghisminditstrayedinthatdirection，whence，ifanyobjectcastitsreflectedraysonhisretina，thoseraysneverfailedtoreachhismindalso。Ononeoccasionhepickedupthepocket-bookagentlemanhadjustdropped，and，inmingledfunanddelight，wastryingtoputitinitsowner’spocketunseen，whenhecollaredhim，and，haditnotbeenforthetestimonyofayoungwomanwho，comingbehind，hadseenthewhole，wouldhavehandedhimovertothepolice。Afterall，heremainedindoubt，thethingseemedsoincredible。Hedidgivehimapenny，however，whichGibbieatoncespentuponaloaf。
Itwasnotfromanynotionsofhonesty——heknewnothingaboutit——thathealwaysdidwhathecouldtorestorethethingshefound;
thehabitcamefromquiteanothercause。Whenhehadnocluetotheowner，hecarriedthethingfoundtohisfather，whogenerallyletitlieawhile，andatlength，ifitwasofnatureconvertible，turneditintodrink。
WhileGibbiethuslivedinthestreetslikeatownsparrow——aslikeahumanbirdwithoutstorehouseorbarnasboycouldwellbe——thehumanfatherofhimwouldalldaybesittinginacertaindarkcourt，ashardatworkasanachingheadandabloodlesssystemwouldafford。Thesaidcourtwasoffthenarrowestpartofalong，poverty-strickenstreet，bearinganameofevilomen，foritwascalledtheWiddiehill——theplaceofthegallows。Itwasenteredbyalowarchwayinthemiddleofanoldhouse，aroundwhichyetclungamustyfameofdepartedgrandeurandancientnote。Inthecourt，againstawingofthesamehouse，roseanoutsidestair，leadingtothefirstfloor;underthestairwasaricketywoodenshed;andintheshedsatthefatherofGibbie，andcobbledbootsandshoesaslongas，atthistimeoftheyear，thelightlasted。Upthatstair，andtwomoreinsidethehouse，hewenttohislodging，forhesleptinthegarret。Butwhenorhowhegottobed，GeorgeGalbraithneverknew，forthen，invariably，hewasdrunk。Inthemorning，however，healwaysfoundhimselfinit——generallywithanachinghead，andalwayswithamingleddisgustatanddesirefordrink。
Duringtheday，alas！thedisgustdeparted，whilethedesireremained，andstrengthenedwiththeapproachofevening。Alldayheworkedwithmightandmain，suchmightandmainashehad——workedasifforhislife，andalltoprocurethemeansofdeath。Nooneeversoughttotreathim，andfromnoonewouldheacceptdrink。Hewasamanofsuchinbornhonesty，thattheusurpingdemonofavilethirsthadnotevenyet，attheageofforty，beenabletocastitout。Thelastlittleglory-cloudofhisoriginwastrailingbehindhim——butyetittrailed。Doubtlessitneedsbuttimetomakeofadrunkardathief，butnotyet，evenwhenlongingwasatthehighest，wouldhehavestolenaforgottenglassofwhisky;andstill，ofteninspiteofsicknessandachesinnumerable，Georgelabouredthathemighthavewherewithtomakehimselfdrunkhonestly。Strangehonesty！，WeeGibbiewashisonlychild，butabouthimorhiswell-beinghegavehimselfalmostaslittletroubleasGibbiecausedhim！，Notthathewashard-hearted;ifhehadseenthechildinwant，hewould，atthedrunkest，havesharedhiswhiskywithhim;ifhehadfanciedhimcold，hewouldhaveputhislastgarmentuponhim;buttohiswhisky-dimmedeyesthechildscarcelyseemedtowantanything，andthethoughtneverenteredhismindthat，whileGibbiealwayslookedsmilingandcontented，hisfatherdidsolittletomakehimso。Hehadatthesametimeaverylowopinionofhimselfandhisdeservings，andjustly，forhisconsciousnesshaddwindledintolittlemorethanalivethirst。Hedidnotdowellforhimself，neitherdidmenpraisehim;andheshamefullyneglectedhischild;butinonerespect，andthatamostimportantone，hedidwellbyhisneighbours：hegavethebestofwork，andmadethelowestofcharges。Innootherwaywasheformuchgood。AndyetI
wouldratherbethatdrunkencobblerthanmanya“fairprofessor，“
asBunyancallshim。Agraspingmerchantranksinfinitelylowerthansuchadrunkencobbler。ThankGod，theSonofManisthejudge，andtohimwillwepleadthecauseofsuch——yea，andofworsethanthey——forHewilldoright。Itmaybewellfordrunkardsthattheyaresocialoutcasts，butistherenointercessiontobemadeforthem——noexcusetobepleaded？，Alas！thepoorwretcheswouldstormthekingdomofpeacebytheinspirationoftheenemy。LetustrytounderstandGeorgeGalbraith。Hisveryexistencethesenseofasunless，dreary，cold-windeddesert，hewasevermoreconfronted，inallhisresolvesafterbetterment，bytheknowledgethatwiththefirsteagermouthfulofthestrangeelement，arosydawnwouldbegintoflushthesky，amistofgreentocoverthearidwaste，awindofsongtorippletheair，andatlengththemiseryofthedaywouldvanishutterly，andthenightthrobwithdreams。ForGeorgewasbynaturenocommonman。Athearthewasapoet——weakenough，butcapableofendlessdelight。Thetimehadbeenwhennowandthenhereadagoodbookanddreamednobledreams。Evenyetthestuffofwhichsuchdreamsaremade，flutteredinparticolouredragsabouthislife;andcolouriscolourevenonascarecrow。
Hehadhadagoodmother，andhisfatherwasamanofsomecharacter，bothintellectuallyandsocially。Nowandthen，itistootrue，hehadterribleboutsofdrinking;butallthetimebetweenhewasperfectlysober。Hehadgivenhissonmorethanafaireducation;andGeorge，forhispart，hadtrottedthroughthecurriculumofElphinstoneCollegenotaltogetherwithoutdistinction。Butbeyondthishisfatherhadentirelyneglectedhisfuture，notevenrevealingtohimthefact——ofwhich，indeed，hewashimselfbutdimlyaware——thatfromwilfuloversightonhispartanddesignonthatofothers，hispropertyhadallbutentirelyslippedfromhispossession。
Whilehisfatherwasyetalive，Georgemarriedthedaughterofasmalllairdinaneighbouringcounty——awomanofsomeeducation，andgreatnaturalrefinement。Hetookherhometotheancientfamilyhouseinthecity——thesameinwhichhenowoccupiedagarret，andunderwhoseouterstairhenowcobbledshoes。There，duringhisfather’slife，theylivedinpeaceandtolerablecomfort，thoughinapoorenoughway。Itwasall，eventhen，thatthewifecoulddotomakebothendsmeet;norwouldherrelations，whomshehadgrievouslyoffendedbyhermarriage，affordherthesmallestassistance。Eventhen，too，herhusbandwasontheslipperyincline;butaslongasshelivedshemanagedtokeephimwithintheboundsofwhatiscalledrespectability。Shedied，however，soonafterGibbiewasborn;andthenGeorgebegantolosehimselfaltogether。Thenextyearhisfatherdied，andcreditorsappearedwhoclaimedeverything。Mortgagedlandandhouses，withalluponandinthem，weresold，andGeorgeleftwithoutapennyoranymeansofwinningalivelihood，whilealreadyhehadlostthereputationthatmighthaveintroducedhimtoemployment。Forheavyworkhewasaltogetherunfit;andhaditnotbeenforabottlecompanion——amerry，hard-drinkingshoemaker——hewouldhavediedofstarvationorsunkintobeggary。
Thismantaughthimhistrade，andGeorgewasgladenoughtoworkatit，bothtodeadenthestingsofconscienceandmemory，andtoprocurethemeansofdeadeningthemstillfurther。Butevenherewassomethinginthewayofimprovement，forhithertohehadappliedhimselftonothing，hisbeingoneofthosedreamfulnaturescapableofbusyexertionforatime，butreadytocollapseintodisgustwitheverykindofeffort。
HowGibbiehadgotthusfaralivewasapuzzlenotacreaturecouldhavesolved。Itmusthavebeenbycharityandministrationofmorethanonehumblewoman，butnoonenowclaimedanyparticularinterestinhim——exceptMrs。Croale，andherswasnotverytender。
Itwasasadsighttosomeeyestoseehimrovingthestreets，butaninfinitelysaddersightwashisfather，evenwhenbentoverhiswork，withhishandsandarmsandkneesgoingasifforverysalvation。Whatthoughtsmightthenbevisitinghispoorworn-outbrainIcannottell;buthelookedthepalepictureofmisery。
Doinghisbesttorestoretoservicethenearlyshapelessbootsofcarterorbeggar，hewashimselffastlosingtheveryideaofhismaking，consumedheartandsoulwithahellishthirst。Forthethirstofthedrunkardisevenmoreofthesoulthanofthebody。
WhenthepoorfellowsatwithhisdrinkingcompanionsinMistressCroale’sparlour，seldomaflashbrokefromthereverieinwhichheseemedsunk，toshowinwhatregionoffancyhisspiritwandered，ortolightenthedulnessthatwouldnotunfrequentlyinvadethatforecourtofhell。Foreventhedamnedmustattimesbecomeawareofwhattheyare，andthensurelyaterriblethoughmomentaryhushmustfallupontheforsakenregion。YetthosedrinkingcompanionswouldhavemissedGeorgeGalbraith，silentashewas，andbutpoorlyresponsivetothewitandhumouroftherest;forhewasalwayscourteous，alwaysreadytosharewhathehad，neverlookingbeyondthepresenttumbler——altogetheragenial，kindly，honestnature。
Sometimes，whentwoorthreeofthemhappenedtomeetelsewhere，theywouldfalltowonderingwhythesilentmansoughttheircompany，seeinghebothcontributedsolittletothehilarityoftheevening，andseemedtoderivesolittleenjoymentfromit。ButI
believetheircompanywasnecessaryaswellasthedrinktoenablehimtoeludehisconscienceandfeastwithhisimagination。Wasitthatheknewtheyalsofoughtmiserybyinvestmentsinherbonds——thattheyalsowereofthosewhobyBeelzebubwouldcastoutBeelzebub——thereforefeltathome，andwithhisown？
CHAPTERIII。
MISTRESSCROALE。
Thehouseatwhichtheymethadyetnotalittlecharacterremaining。MistressCroalehadcomeinforaderivedworthiness，inthememory，yetlingeringabouttheplace，ofaworthyauntdeceased，andalwaysencouragedinherselfavagueideaofobligationtoliveuptoit。Henceshehadmadeitaruletosupplydrinkonlysolongashercustomerskeptdecent——thatis，solongastheydidnotquarrelaloud，andputherindangerofavisitfromthepolice;tellsuchtalesasoffendedhermodesty;utteroathsofanypeculiarlyatrociousquality;ordefametheSabbathDay，theKirk，ortheBible。Ontheseterms，andsolongastheypaidforwhattheyhad，theymightgetasdrunkastheypleased，withoutthesmallestoffencetoMistressCroale。Butiftheleastunquestionableinfringementofherrulesoccurred，shewouldpounceupontheshamelessonewithsuddenandsharpreproof。Idoubtnotthat，sodoing，shecherishedahopeofrecommendingherselfabove，andmakingdepositsinviewofacomingbalance-sheet。Theresultforthislifesofarwas，that，bytheseclaimstorespectability，shehadgatheredaclient鑜eofdouce，well-disposeddrunkards，whorarelygaveheranytroublesolongastheywereinthehousethoughsometimesshehadreasontobeanxiousaboutthefateofindividualsofthemaftertheyleftit。
Anotherpeculiarityinhergovernmentwasthatshewouldrarelygivedrinktoawoman。“Na，na，“shewouldsay，“whathasawumantodeewi’strongdrink！，Latthemendeeastheylike，wecannahelpthem。”，Shemadeexceptioninbehalfofherpersonalfriends;and，forherself，wasinthewayofsipping——onlysipping，privately，onaccountofher“trouble，“shesaid——bywhichshemeantsomecomplaint，speakingofitasifitweregenerallyknown，althoughofthenatureofitnobodyhadanidea。Thetruthwasthat，likehercustomers，shealsowasgoingdownthehill，justifyingtoherselfeverystepofherdescent。Untillately，shehadbeeninthewayofgoingregularlytochurch，andshedidgooccasionallyyet，andalwaystooktheyearlysacrament;buttheonlyresultseemedtobethatsheaboundedthemoreinfindingjustifications，or，wheretheywerenottobehad，excuses，forallshedid。Probablythestirringofherconsciencemadethisthemorenecessarytoherpeace。
IftheLordweretoappearinpersonamongstus，howmuchwouldthesightofhimdoforthesinnersofourday？，IamnotsurethatmanylikeMistressCroalewouldnotgotohim。Shewasnotabadwoman，butslowlyandsurelygrowingworse。
Thatmorning，assoonasthecustomerwhoseentrancehadwithdrawnherfromherdescentonGibbie，hadgulpeddownhisdram，wipedhismouthwithhisbluecottonhandkerchief，settledhisfaceintotheexpressionofadrinkofwater，gonedemurelyout，andcrossedtotheothersideofthestreet，shewouldhavereturnedtothecharge，butwaspreventedbytheimmediatelyfollowingentranceoftheRev。
ClementSclater——theministerofherparish，recentlyappointed。Hewasamanbetweenyoungandmiddle-aged，anhonestfellow，zealoustoperformthedutiesofhisoffice，butwithnotionsofreligionverybeggarly。HowcoulditbeotherwisewhenheknewfarmoreofwhathecalledtheDivinedecreesthanhedidofhisownheart，ortheneedsandmiseriesofhumannature？，Atthemoment，MistressCroalewasstandingwithherbacktothedoor，reachinguptoreplacetheblackbottleonitsshelf，anddidnotseethemansheheardenter。
“What’syerwull？”shesaidindifferently。
Mr。Sclatermadenoanswer，waitingforhertoturnandfacehim，whichshedidthesoonerforhissilence。Thenshesawamanunknowntoher，evidently，fromhiswhiteneckclothandfunerealgarments，aminister，standingsolemn，withwide-spreadlegs，androundeyesofdispleasure，expectingherattention。
“What’syerwull，sir？”sherepeated，withmorerespect，butlesscordialitythanatfirst。
“Ifyouaskmywill，“hereplied，withsomepomposity，forwhothathasjustgainedanobjectofambitioncanbehumble？——“itisthatyoushutupthiswhiskyshop，andbetakeyourselftoamoredecentwayoflifeinmyparish。”
“Mycertie！butye’renoblateover-modesttocrawsaeloodi’myhoose，an’that’sanearerfitnoraperris！”shecried，flaringupinwrathbothatthenatureandrudenessoftheaddress。“Alloometotellye，sir，ye’rethefirst’ateverdauredthreepmyhoosewasnoadacentane。”
“Isaidnothingaboutyourhouse。ItwasyourshopIspokeof，“
saidtheminister，notguiltlessofsubterfuge。
“An’what’smychopbutmyhoose？，Haith！myhoosewadbeo’fellsma’considerationwantin’thechop。Takyeheedo’beirin’fausewitness，sir。”
“Isaidnothing，andknownothing，againstyoursmorethananyothershopforthesaleofdrinkinmyparish。”
“TheLord’smyshepherd！，WadyeevencomparemyhoosetoJockThamson’sorJeemieDeuk’s，baithi’thisperris？”
“Mygoodwoman，——“
“Naitherbetternorwaurnormyneepers，“interruptedMistressCroale，forgettingwhatshehadjustimplied：“abodymaunlive。”
“Therearelimitseventothatmostgenerallyacceptedofallprinciples，“returnedMr。Sclater;“andIgiveyoufairwarningthatImeantodowhatIcantoshutupallsuchhousesasyoursinmyparish。Itellyouofit，notfromtheleasthopethatyouwillanticipatemebyclosing，butmerelythatnoonemaysayIdidanythinginanunderhandfashion，“
ThecalmnesswithwhichheutteredthethreatalarmedMistressCroale。Hemightrouseunmeritedsuspicion，andcausehermuchtroublebyvexatiouscomplaint，eventotheperilofherlicense。
Shemusttakeheed，andnotirritateherenemy。Instantly，therefore，shechangedhertonetooneofexpostulation。
“It’sasairpeety，doobtless，“shesaid，“’attheresudbesaemonydrouthiethrapplesi’thekingdom，sir;butdrouthmaundrink，an’
yeken，sir，gienitwarhaudenfraethem，theywadbutseedeilsan’cuttheirthrots。”
“They’reliketoseedeilsonygaiter’lang，“retortedtheminister，relapsingintothevernacularforamoment。
“Ow，deedmaybe，sir！bute’enthedeilsthemselswarjustifeedi’
theirobjectiontobein’committedtotheiraincompanyaforetheirtime。”
Mr。Sclatercouldnothelpsmilingatthewoman’sreadiness，andthatwasapointgainedbyher。AnacquaintancewithScripturegoesfarwithaScotchecclesiastic。Besides，themanhadaredeemingsenseofhumour，thoughhedidnotknowhowtoprizeit，notbelievingitagiftofGod。
“It’strue，mywoman，“heanswered。“Ay！itsaidsomethingforthem，deils’attheywar，’attheypreferredtheswine。Buteventheswinecudnabidethem！”
Encouragedbythecondescensionoftheremark，butdisinclinedtofollowthepathofreflectionitindicated，MistressCroaleventuredalittlefartheruponherown。
“Yesee，sir，“shesaid，“aslang’sthere’swhusky，itwulltakthethrot-ro’d。It’sthenaitralw’yo’’t，yesee，torindoon，an’
it’snomainnero’usegangin’againnatur。Sae，allooin’thethingmaunbe，ye’llhaetillalloolikewise，an’it’satrouthI’mtellin’ye，sir，’atit’so’naesma’consequencetothetoon’atthedruckencraturssudfillthemselswi’dacency——an’that’swhatI
seetill。Gangnatothemagistrate，sir;butassune’syehaegottentestimony——guidtestimonythough，sir——’atthere’sbeendisorderorimmorawlityi’myhoose，comeyetome，an’I’llgieyemyhan’topaperon’tthismeenute，’atI’llgieupmychop，an’
lea’yerperris——an’mayyesunegetabetteri’myplace。Sir，I’mlikeamithertothepuirbodies！，An’ginyedrivethemtoJockThamson’s，orJeemieDeuk’s，it’llbejustlike——savin’theword，I
dinnainten’’tforsweirin’，guidkens！——Isayit’lljustbedammin’themaforetheirtime，likethepuirdeils。Hech！butit’llcomesuneeneuch，an’they’remuckletobepeetied！”
“Andwhenthosevictimsofyourvileministrations，“saidtheclergyman，againmountinghiswoodenhorse，andsettingitrocking，“findthemselveswheretherewillbenowhiskytorefreshthem，wheredoyouthinkyouwillbe，MistressCroale？”
“WhaurtheLordwulls，“answeredthewoman。“Whaurthatmaybe，I
confessI’mwhileslaithtothink。OnlygienIwasyou，MaisterSclater，IwadthinktwiseaforeImadeillwaur。”
“Buthearme，MistressCroale：it’snotyourbesottedcustomersonlyIhavetocarefor。YoursoulisaspreciousinmysightasanyofwhichIshallhavetorenderanaccount。”
“AsMistressBonniman’s，forenstance？”suggestedMrs。Croale，interrogatively，andwithjusttheleasttraceofpawkinessinthetone。
Thecity，largeasitwas，wasyetnotlargeenoughtopreventaportionoftheprivateaffairsofindividualsfromcomingtobetreatedaspublicproperty，andMrs。Bonnimanwasahandsomeandrichyoungwidow，therumourofwhoseacceptablenesstoMr。SclaterhadreachedMistressCroale’searbeforeevershehadseentheministerhimself。Anunmistakableshadowofconfusioncrossedhiscountenance;whereuponwithconsiderationbothforherselfandhim，thewomanmadehastetogoon，asifshehadbutchosenherinstanceatmerestrandom。
“Na，na，sir！whatmysowlmaybeintheeyeso’myMaker，Ihaeilltellin’，“shesaid，“butdinnayethreipupo’me’atit’so’thesamevailuei’youreyesasthesowlo’sicafinebonny，winsomeleddyasyon。Introuth，“sheadded，andshookherheadmournfully，“Ihaenahadsaemonypreevileeges;an’maybeit’llbeseentill，an’mepassedowerawheeneasiernorsomefowk。”
“Iwouldn’thaveyoubuildtoomuchuponthat，MistressCroale，“
saidMr。Sclater，gladtofollowthetalkdownanotherturning，butconsiderablymoreafraidofrousingthewomanthanhehadbeenbefore。
Theremarkdroveherbehindthecategoricalstockadeofherreligiousmerits。
“Ipeymyw’y，“shesaid，withmodestfirmness。“Iputmypenny，andwhilesmysaxpence，intiltheplateatthedoorwhenIgangtothekirk——an’Iwasjistthinkin’Iwadwintherethemorn’snichtatfarest，whanIturntan’sawyestan’inthere，sir;an’littleI
thoucht——butthat’sneitherherenorthere，I’mthinkin’。ItellasfeowleesasIcan;Ineversweir，nortakthenameo’theLordinvain，angerme’atlikes;Isellnaethingbutthebestwhusky;I
neverhaebutbrothtomydennerupo’theLord’sday，an’brothcannabraktheSawbath，simmerin’awa’upo’thebaro’thegrate，an’haudin’nolassfraethekirk;Iconfess，gienyewullbespeirin’，’atIdinnareadmybuiksaeaftenasmaybeIsud;but，’deed，sir，tho’Isays’t’atsudhaudmytongue，yehaewaurfolki’yerperrisnorBenjieCroale’swidow;an’gienyewunnahaeadraptoweetyerainwhustlefortheholywarkyehaeaforeyethemorn’smornin’，Imaungangan’makmybed，forthelassislaidupwi’abealtthoom，an’Imaunnalata’thinggangtodirtan’greenbree;thoughI’msureit’sralekin’o’yetocometoluikefterme，an’that’smairnorMaisterRennie，honestgentleman，everdidmethefawvouro’，a’thetimeheministeredtheperris。Ihaenaanillnamewi’them’atkensme，sir;thatIcansaywi’acleanconscience;an’yemaykenmeweelgienyewull。An’there’sjistaethingmair，sir：IgieyemyBible-word，’atnever，gienIsawsigno’repentanceorturnin’upo’aneo’them’atpitstheirlegs’anethmytable——Wadyeluikintiltheparlour，sir？，No！——asIwassayin’，neverdidI，sin’Ikeepithoose，an’neverwadIsetmysel’
toquenchthesmokin’flax;Iwadhaenoman’sdeith，sowlorbody，lieatmydoor。”
“Well，well，MistressCroale，“saidtheminister，somewhatdazedbythecataracthehadbroughtuponhisbrain，andratherperplexedwhattosayinreplywithanyhopeofreachingher，“Idon’tdoubtawordofwhatyoutellme;butyouknowworkscannotsaveus;ourbestrighteousnessisbutasfilthyrags。”
“It’sweelIkenthat，Mr。Sclater。An’I’msureI’llbeglaidtoseeye，sir，onytimeyewaddeemethefawvourtoluikinasye’repassin’by。It’llbenonetoyershame，sir，formine’sanhonesthoose。”
“I’lldothat，MistressCroale，“answeredtheminister，gladtoescape。“Butmind，“headded，“Idon’tgiveupmypointforallthat;andIhopeyouwillthinkoverwhatIhavebeensayingtoyou——andthatseriously。”
Withthesewordshelefttheshopratherhurriedly，inevidentdreadofareply。
MistressCroaleturnedtotheshelvesbehindher，tookagainthebottleshehadreplaced，pouredoutalargehalf-glassofwhisky，andtosseditoff。Shehadbeencompelledtothinkandtalkofthingsunpleasant，andithadputher，asshesaid，a’inatrim’le。
Shewasbutoneofthemanywhogetthefueloftheirlifeinatthewrongdoor，theircomfortfromtheworld-sideoftheuniverse。
IcannottellwhetherMr。Sclaterorshewasthefartherfromthecentralheat。Thewomanhadtheadvantageinthis，thatshehadtoexpendallherforceonmereself-justification，andhadnoenergyleftforvain-glory。Itwaswithasadsighshesetabouttheworkofthehouse。Norwouldithavecomfortedhermuchtoassureherthatherswasabetterdefencethananydistillerinthecountrycouldmake。Eventhewhiskyitselfgaveherlittlerelief;itseemedtoscaldbothstomachandconscience，andshevowednevertotakeitagain。Butalas！thistimeisneverthetimeforself-denial;itisalwaysthenexttime。Abstinenceissomuchmorepleasanttocontemplateupontheothersideofindulgence！，Yetthestrugglesafterbettermentthatmanyadrunkardhasmadeinvain，would，hadhisaimbeenhighenough，havesavedhissoulfromdeath，andturnedthecharnelofhislifeintoatemple。Abjectasheis，foiledanddespised，suchaonemaynotyetbehalfsocontemptibleasmanyaso-countedrespectablememberofsociety，wholooksdownonhimfromaheighttooloftyevenforscorn。Itisnotthefirstandthelastonly，ofwhommanywillhavetochangeplaces;butthoseaswellthatcomeeverywherebetween。
CHAPTERIV。
THEPARLOUR。
Thedaywenton，andwentout，itsshortautumnalbrightnessquenchedinachillyfog。AllalongtheWiddiehill，thegaswasalightinthelow-broweddingyshops。Tothewell-to-docitizenhasteninghometothetopmostbusinessoftheday，hisdinner，theselookedtheabodesofunlovelypovertyandmeanstruggle。Eventothosebehindtheircounters，intheirbackparlours，andintheirroomsabove，everythingaboutthemlookedcommon，tomostofthem，savetheowners，wearisome。Buttoyonpale-facedstudent，glidingintheglowofhisredgown，throughthegreymistbacktohislodging，andpeepinginateveryopendoorashepasses，theyaresofullofmystery，thatgladlywouldheyieldallhehasgatheredfrombooks，foronegenuineglanceofinsightintothevitalmovementoftheheartsandhouseholdsofwhichthoseopenshopsarethesoleoutwardandvisiblesigns。Eachhouseistohimanestofhumanbirds，overwhichbroodtheeternalwingsofloveandpurpose。Onlysuchdifferentbirdsarehatchedfromthesamenest！，Andwhatanestwasthenthecityitself！——withitsuniversity，itsschools，itschurches，itshospitals，itsmissions;itshomes，itslodging-houses，itshotels，itsdrinkingshops，itshousesvilerstill;itsfactories，itsships，itsgreatsteamers;andthesamehumanitybusyinall！——herethesicklyladywalkinginthepanoplyofloveunharmedthroughthehorrorsofvicioussuffering;therethestrongmothercursingherownchildalonghalfastreetwithanintensityandvilenessofexecrationunheardelsewhere！，Thewillofthebroodingspiritmustbeagrandone，indeed，toenclosesomuchofwhatcannotbeitswill，andturnalltoitspurposeofeternalgood！，Ourknowledgeofhumanity，howmuchmoreourknowledgeoftheFatherofit，ismovingasyetbutinthefirstelements。
Inhisshedunderthestairithadbeendarkforsometime——toodarkforwork，thatis，andGeorgeGalbraithhadlightedacandle：heneverfeltatlibertytoleaveoffsolongasamanwasrecognizableinthestreetbydaylight。Butnowatlast，withasighofrelief，herose。Thehourofhisredemptionwascome，themomentofitathand。Outwardlycalm，hewaswithineagerasalovertoreachLuckyCroale’sbackparlour。Hishandtrembledwithexpectationashelaidfromittheawl，tookfrombetweenhiskneesthegreatbootonthetoeofwhichhehadbeenstitchingapatch，liftedtheyokeofhisleatherapronoverhishead，andthrewitaside。Withonehastyglancearound，asifhefearedsomeenemylurkingneartopreventhisescape，hecaughtupahatwhichlookedasifithadbeenbrushedwithgrease，pulleditonhisheadwithbothhands，steppedoutquickly，closedthedoorbehindhim，turnedthekey，leftitinthelock，andmadestraightforhisearthlyparadise——butwithchastenedstep。AllMistressCroale’scustomersmadeapointoflookingdecentinthestreet——strove，intheirveryconsciousness，tocarrytheexpressionofbeingontheirwaytotheirtea，nottheirtoddy——oriftheirtoddy，thennotthattheydesiredit，butmerelythatitwastheircustomalwaysofanafternoon：manhadnochoice——hemustfillspace，hemustoccupyhimself;andifso，whynotMistressCroale’stheplace，andtheconsumptionofwhiskytheoccupation？，Butalasfortheirwould-beseemingindifference！
Everybodyinthelane，almostintheWiddiehill，kneweveryoneofthem，andknewhimforwhathewas;knewthateverydropoftoddyhedrankwastohimastoamiserhiscountedsovereign;knewthat，asthehartforthewater-brooks，sothirstedhissouleverafteranothertumbler;thathemadehastetoswallowthelastdropsofthepresent，thathemightbeholdtheplenitudeofthenextsteamingbeforehim;that，likethemiser，healwaysunderstatedtheamountofthetreasurehehadsecured，becausethelessheacknowledged，themorehethoughthecouldclaim。
Georgewasatallman，ofgoodfigure，loosenedandbowed。Hisfacewaswellfavoured，butnotalittlewrongedbythebeardanddirtofaweek，throughwhichitgloomedhaggardandwhite。Beneathhisprojectingblackbrows，hiseyesgleameddoubtful，asawood-firewherewhiteashdimstheglow。Helookedneithertorightnorleft，butwalkedonwithmovelessdullgaze，notingnothing。
“Yon’shisainwarstenemy，“saidthekindlygrocer-wife，ashepassedherdoor。
“Ay，“respondedhercustomer，whokeptashopnearbyforoldfurniture，oranythingthathadbeenalreadyoncepossessed——“ay，I
daursay。Buteh！toseethatpuirnegleckitbairno’hisrinscoorin’abootthetoonyongait——wi’littleo’ajacketbutthecollar，an’naethingo’thebreeksbutthedoup——eh，wuman！itmaksamither’shertsairtoluikupo’’t。It’saprovidence’athismither’sweelawa’an’cannasee’t;itwadgarherturninhergrave。”
GeorgewasthefirstarrivalatMistressCroale’sthatnight。Heopenedthedooroftheshoplikeathief，andglidedsoftlyintothedimparlour，wherethecandleswerenotyetlit。Therewaslightenough，however，fromthebusylittlefireinthegratetoshowthecleansandedfloorwhichitcrossedwithflickeringshadows，thecolouredprintsandcasesofstuffedbirdsonthewalls，thefull-riggedbarquesuspendedfromthecentreoftheceiling，and，chiefofallshowsofheavenorearth，theblackbottleonthetable，withthetumblers，eachholdingitsladle，anditswineglassturnedbottomupwards。NormustIomitapartwithoutwhichtherestcouldnothavebeenawhole——thekettleofwaterthatsatonthehob，softlycrooning。ComparedwiththeplacewhereGeorgehadbeenatworkallday，thiswasindeedanearthlyparadise。NorwasthepresenceandappearanceofMistressCroaleaninsignificantelementintheparadisialcharacteroftheplace。Shewasnowinacleanwhitecapwithblueribbons。Herhairwasneatlydivided，anddrawnbackfromherforehead。Everytraceofdirtanduntidinesshaddisappearedfromherperson，whichwasoneofimportancebothinsizeandinbearing。Sheworeagownofsomedarkstuffwithbrightflowersonit，andablacksilkapron。Herfacewascomposed，almosttosadness，andthroughouttheevening，duringwhichshewaitedinpersonuponhercustomers，shecomportedherselfwithsuchdignity，thatherslowstepandstatelycarriageseemedrathertobelongtotheassistantatsomereligiousceremonythantoonewhoministeredattheorgiesofafewdrunkentradespeople。
Shewasseatedonthehorsehairsofainthefire-twilight，waitingforcustomers，whenthefaceofGalbraithcamepeeringroundthedoor-cheek。
“Comeawa’ben，“shesaid，hospitably，androse。Butasshedidso，sheaddedwithalittlechangeoftone，“ButI’mthinkin’yemaunhaeforgotten，SirGeorge。ThisisSetterdaynicht，yeken;an’
gienitwartobeSundaymornin’aforeyewantoyerbed，itwadnabethefirsttime，an’yemichtnabeupeareneuchtogetyerselshavedaforekirktime。”
SheknewaswellasGeorgehimselfthatneverbyanychancedidhegotochurch;butitwashercustom，asIfancyitisthatofsomeotherbulwarksofsocietyandpillarsofthechurch，“forthesakeofexample，“Ipresume，tomakenotunfrequentallusiontocertainobservances，moral，religious，orsanatoryasiftheywerelawsthateverybodykept。
Galbraithliftedhishand，black，andembossedwithcobbler’swax，andrubbeditthoughtfullyoverhischin：heacceptedthefictionofferedhim;itwasbutthewell-knownprologuetoahebdomadalpassagebetweenthem。Whatifhedidnotintendgoingtochurchthenextday？，Wasthatanyreasonwhyheshouldnotlookalittletidierwhenhishardweek’s-workwasover，andhisnightlyhabitwasturnedintothecomparativelyharmlessindulgenceofaSaturday，insurehopeofthedayofrestbehind。
“Troth，Ididnamin’’atitwasSetterday，“heanswered。“IwussI
hadpittenonacleansark，an’washenmyface。ButIs’jistgangowertothebarber’san’getascrape，an’maybesomeo’them’illbehereorIcomeback。”
MistressCroaleknewperfectlythattherewasnocleanshirtinGeorge’sgarret。Sheknewalsothattheshirthethenwore，whichprobably，inconsiderationofhermaid’sfesteredhand，shewouldwashforhimherself，wasoneofherlatehusband’swhichshehadgivenhim。ButGeorge’sspeechwasoneofthoseformsofsoundwordsheldfastbyallwhofrequentedMistressCroale’sparlour，andbyherselfestimatedatmorethantheirworth。
ThewomanhadagenuineregardforGalbraith。Neitherthecharacternorfateofoneoftherestgaveheramoment’strouble;butinhersecretmindshedeploredthatGeorgeshoulddrinksoinordinately，andsoutterlyneglecthischildastolethimspendhislifeinthestreets。Shecomfortedherself，however，withthereflection，thatseeinghewoulddrink，hedrankwithnobadcompanions——drankatalleventswherewhatnaturalwickednessmightbeinthem，wassuppressedbythesternnessofherrule。Werehetoleaveherfold——forafoldinverytruth，andnotasty，itappearedtoher——andwanderawaytoJockThamson’sorJeemieDeuk’s，hewouldbedrawnintoloudandindecoroustalk，probablyintoquarrelanduproar。
InafewminutesGeorgereturned，anoddcontrastvisiblebetweentheupperandlowerhalvesofhisface。Hearinghisapproachshemethimatthedoor。
“Noo，SirGeorge，“shesaid，“jistganguptomyrooman’haeawash，an’pitonthesarkye’llseelyin’upo’thebed;synecomedoonan’haeyertum’lercomfortable。”
George’swholesoulwasbentuponhisdrink，butheobeyedasifshehadbeentwicehismother。Bythetimehehadfinishedhistoilet，theusualcompanywasassembled，andheappearedamongsttheminalltherespectabilityofacleanshirtandwhatpuritybesidesthegeneraladhesivenessofhistrade-materialwouldyieldtoasingleablutionlongdelayed。Theywelcomedhimall，withnod，orgrin，ormerryword，inindividualfashion，aseachsatmeasuringouthiswhisky，orpoundingattheslow-dissolvingsugar，ortastingthemixturewithcriticalsoulseatedbetweentongueandpalate。
Theconversationwasforsometimeverydull，withastrongtendencytothecensorious。Forintheircircle，notonlyweretheclaimsofrespectabilitysilentlyadmitted，buttheconductofthisandthatmanoftheiracquaintance，orofpublicnote，waspronounceduponwithunderstoodreferencetothoseclaims——nowwithsmileofincredulityorpity，nowwithheadshakeregretfulorcondemnatory——andthisallthetimethateachwasdoinghisbesttoreducehimselftoaconditioninwhichthewordconductcouldnolongerhavemeaninginreferencetohim。
Allofthem，asdidtheirhostess，addressedGalbraithasSirGeorge，andheacceptedthetitlewithacertainunassumingdignity。
For，ifitwasnotuniversallyknowninthecity，itwasknowntothebestlawyersinit，thathewasabaronetbydirectderivationfromthehandofKingJamestheSixth。
Thefireburnedcheerfully，andthekettlemakingmanyjourneysbetweenitandthetable，thingsgraduallygrewmorelively。
Storiesweretold，oftenwithoutanypoint，butnotthereforewithouteffect;reminiscences，sorelypulpyandbrokenattheedges，wereofferedandacceptedwithalaughterinwhichsoberearsmighthavedetectedastrangelyaliensound;andadventureswererelatedinwhichtruthwasnonecessaryelementtoreception。Inthecaseofthepostman，forinstance，whohadbeendismissedforlosingabagofletterstheweekbefore，notoneofthosepresentbelievedawordhesaid;yetashehappenedtobeendowedwithasmallstockofgenuinehumour，hisstorieswereregardedwithmuchthesamefavourasiftheyhadbeenauthentic。ButtherevivalscarcelyreachedSirGeorge。Hesaidlittleornothing，but，betweenhisslowgulpsoftoddy，satlookingvacantlyintohisglass。Itistruehesmiledabsentlynowandthenwhentheotherslaughed，butthatwasonlyformanners。Doubtlesshewasseeingsomewherethesaddestofallvisions——thethingsthatmighthavebeen。Thewretchedcravingofthelowerorgansstilled，andsomethingsparedforhisbrain，I
believethechiefjoyhisdrinkgavehimlayinthepoweroncemoretofeelhimselfagentleman。Thewashedhands，theshavenface，thecleanshirt，hadsomethingtodowithit，nodoubt，butthenecromanticwhiskyhadfarmore。
WhatfadedghostsofancestraldignityandworthandstorytheevilpotioncalledupinthemindofSirGeorge！——whohimselfhungreadytofall，thelast，orallbutthelast，mildewedfruitofthetreeofGalbraith！，Ah！ifthisoneandthatofhisancestorshadbutlivedtohisconscience，andwithsomethoughtofthosethatweretocomeafterhim，hewouldnothavetransmittedtopoorSirGeorge，inhorribleadditiontomoralweakness，thatphysicalproclivitywhichhadnowgrowntosuchahideouscraving。Tothemiserablewretchhimselfitseemedthathecouldnomorekeepfromdrinkingwhiskythanhecouldfrombreathingair。
CHAPTERV。
GIBBIE’SCALLING。
Iamnotsurethathisfather’sneglectwasnotonthewholebetterforGibbiethanwouldhavebeenthekindnessofsuchafatherpersistentlyembodyingitself。ButthepictureofSirGeorge，bythehelpofwhiskyandthemildhatchingovenofMistressCroale’sparlour，softlybreakingfromtheshellofthecobbler，andfloatingamildgentlemanintheairofhislukewarmimagination，andpoorweeGibbietrottingoutsideinthefrostydarkoftheautumnnight，throughwhichthemoonkeepsstaringdown，vagueanddisconsolate，ishardlythereforethelesspathetic。Underthewindowoftheparlourwherethelightofrevelshoneradiantthrougharedcurtain，hewouldstandlisteningforamoment，then，dartingoffafewyardssuddenlyandswiftlylikeascaredbird，fallatonceintohisownsteadytrot——upthelaneanddown，tillhereachedthewindowagain，whereagainhewouldstandandlisten。Whetherhemadethisdepartureandreturntwentyorahundredtimesinanight，henoranyoneelsecouldhavetold。SometimeshewouldforachangeextendhistrotalongtheWiddiehill，sometimesalongtheparallelVennel，butneverfarfromJinkLaneanditsglowingwindow。Nevermothhauntedlampsopersistently。Everasheran，upthispavementanddownthat，onthesoft-soundingsolesofhisbarefeet，thesmileontheboy’sfacegrewmoreandmoresleepy，butstillhesmiledandstillhetrotted，stillpausedatthewindow，andstillstartedafresh。
Hewasnotsomuchtobepitiedasmyreadermaythink。Neverinhislifehadheyetpitiedhimself。Thethoughtofhardshiporwronghadnotoccurredtohim。Itwouldhavebeendifficult——impossible，Ibelieve——togettheideaintohisheadthatexistenceboretohimanyothershapethanitought。Thingswerewithhimastheyhadalwaysbeen，andwhencewashetotakeafreshstart，andquestionwhathadbeenfromthebeginning？，Hadanyauthorityinterfered，withadecreethatGibbieshouldnomorescourthemidnightstreets，nomorepassandrepassthatfar-shiningsplendourofred，thenindeedwouldbitter，thoughinarticulate，complainthaveburstfromhisbosom。Buttherewasnoevilpowertoissuesuchacommand，andGibbie’speacewasnotinvaded。
Itwasnowlate，andthosestreetswereempty;neithercarriagenorcart，wheelbarrownortruck，wentanymorebumpingandclatteringovertheirstones。Theywerewelllightedwithgas，butmostoftheborderinghousesweredark。Nowandthenasinglefoot-farerpassedwithloud，hollow-soundingbootsalongthepavement;ortwogirlswouldcomelaughingalong，theirmerrimentechoingrudeinthewidestillness。Acoldwind，asmall，forsaken，solitarywind，moistwithathinfog，seemed，aswellasweeGibbie，toberoamingthenight，foritmethimatvariouscorners，andfromalldirections。
Butithadnothingtodo，andnowheretogo，andthereitwasnotlikeGibbie，thebusinessofwhoselifewasevennowuponhim，themightiesthopeofwhoseconsciousbeingwasnowawake。
Allheexpected，oreverdesiredtodiscover，bylisteningatthewindow，wassimplywhethertherewereyetsignsofthecompany’sbreakingup;andhisconclusionsonthatpointwerenevermistaken：
howhearrivedatthemitwouldbehardtosay。Seldomhadhethereheardthevoiceofhisfather，stillseldomeranythingbeyonditstone。Thisnight，however，asthetimedrewnearwhentheymustgo，lesttheSabbathshouldbebrokeninMistressCroale’sdecenthouse，andGibbiestoodoncemoreontiptoe，withhisheadjustonthelevelofthewindowsill，heheardhisfatheruttertwowords：“UpDaurside“cametohimthroughthewindow，inthevoiceheloved，plainanddistinct。Thewordsconveyedtohimnothingatall;themerehearingofthemmadethemmemorable。Forthetime，however，heforgotthem，for，byindicationsbestknowntohimself，heperceivedthatthecompanywasonthepointofseparating，andfromthatmomentdidnottakehiseyesoffthedooruntilheheardthefirstsoundsofitsopening。As，however，itwasalwayshardforGibbietostandstill，andespeciallyhardonamidnightsocoldthathisfeetthreatenedtogrowindistinguishablefromtheslabsofthepavement，hewasdriven，inordernottolosesightofit，topractisetheart，alreadycultivatedbyhimtoacrab-likeperfection，ofrunningfirstbackwards，thenforwardswithscarcelysuperiorspeed。ButitwasnotlongerethemuchexpectedsoundofMistressCroale’svoiceheraldedthehourforpatiencetoblossomintopossession。Thevoicewasneitherloudnorharsh，butclearandfirm;thenoisethatfollowedwasbothloudandstrident。
Voiceshadapartinit，butthemovementofchairsandfeetandthesuddencontactofdifferentportionsofthebodywithwallsandtables，hadalarger。Theguestswereobeyingthevoiceoftheirhostessallinonelikeaflockofsheep，butitwaspoorshepherd-worktoturnthemoutofthefoldatmidnight。Gibbieboundedupandstoodstillasastatueattheverydoor-cheek，untilheheardMistressCroale’shanduponthelock，whenhebolted，tremblingwitheagerness，intotheentryofacourtafewhousesnearertotheWiddiehill。
Oneafteronethepitiablecompanyissuedfromitsparadise，andeachstumbledaway，toofargoneforleave-taking。MostofthempassedGibbiewherehestood，buthetooknoheed;hisfatherwasalwaysthelast——andtheleastcapable。But，oftenasheleftherdoor，neverdiditclosebehindhimuntilwithherowneyesMistressCroalehadseenGibbiedartlikeanimpoutofthecourt——totakehimincharge，and，allthewearywayhome，hover，notverylikeaguardianangel，butnotthelessoneintruth，aroundtheunstableequilibriumofhisfather’stallandswayingform。AndthereuponcommencedaseriesofmarvellousgymnasticsonthepartofweeGibbie。Imagineasmallboywithagigantictop，which，sixtimeshisownsize，hekeepserectonitspeg，notbywhippingitround，butbyrunningroundithimself，unfailinglyapplying，attheveryspotandattheverymoment，theprecisemeasureofimpactnecessarytocounterbalanceitsperpetualtendencytofallinonedirectionoranother，sothatthetwohavealltheairofasingleinvention——suchaninventionasonemightmeetwithinanancientclock，contrivedwhenmenhadtimetomingleplaywithearnest——andyouwillhaveinyourmind’seyeareallikenessofSirGeorgeattended，anymidnightintheweek，byhissonGilbert。Homethebigonestaggered，reeled，gyrated，andtumbled;roundandroundhimwentthelittleone，nowbehind，nowbefore，nowonthisside，nowonthat，hisfeetnevermorethantouchingthegroundbutdancingaboutlikethoseofaprize-fighter，hislittlearmsupandhishandswellforward，likeflyingbuttresses。Andsuchindeedtheywere——buttresseswhichflewandflewallaboutauniversallyleaningtower。Theyproppedithere，theyproppeditthere;withwonderfuljudgmentandskillandgraduationofforcetheyappliedthemselves，andwithperfectsuccess。Notonce，forthelastyearandahalf，duringwhichtimeweeGibbiehadbeenthenightlyguideofSirGeorge’shomewardsteps，hadtheself-disabledmassfallenprostrateinthegutter，theretosnoreoutthenight。
Thefirstspecialdifficulty，thatofturningthecornerofJinkLaneandtheWiddiehill，successfullyovercome，thetwainwentreelingandrevolvingalongthestreet，muchlikeawhirlwindthathadhalfforgottenthelawsofgyration，untilatlengthitspunintothecourt，anduptothefootoftheoutsidestairoverthebaronet’sworkshop。ThencommencedtherealstruggleoftheeveningforGibbie——andforhisfathertoo，thoughthelatterwasawareofitonlyinthemomentaryandevanescentflashesofsuchenlightenmentasmadehimjustcapableofyieldingtothepushesandpullsoftheformer。Alluptheoutsideandthetwoinsidestairs，hiswakingandsleepingwereasthealternatetictacofapendulum;
butGibbiestucktohisbusinesslikeaman，andhisresolutionandperseverancewereatlength，asalways，crownedwithvictory。
Thehouseinwhichlordsandladieshadoftenreposedwasnowfilledwithveryhumblefolk，whowereallasleepwhenGibbieandhisfatherentered;butthenoisetheymadeinascendingcausednogreatdisturbanceoftheirrest;for，ifanyofthemwererousedforamoment，itwasbuttorecognizeatoncethecauseofthetumult，andwiththeremark，“It’sonlyweeGibbieluggin’hameSirGeorge，“toturnontheothersideandfallasleepagain。
Arrivedatlastatthegarretdoor，whichstoodwideopen，Gibbiehadsmallneedoflightinthenearlypitchdarknessoftheplace，fortherewaspositivelynothingtostumbleoveroragainstbetweenthedoorandtheancientfour-postbed，whichwasallofhisfather’shousethatremainedtoSirGeorge。Withheavyshufflingfeetthedrunkardlumberedlaboriouslybedward;andthebarepostsandcrazyframegroanedandcreakedashefellupontheoat-chaffthatlaywaitinghiminplaceofthevanishedluxuryoffeathers。
WeeGibbieflewathislegs，norresteduntil，theoneaftertheother，hehadgotthemonthebed;ifthentheywerenotverycomfortablydeposited，heknewthat，inhisfirstturn，theirownerwouldgetthemallright。
AndnowrosetheculmenofGibbie’sday！itscycle，roundedthroughregionsofbanishment，returnedtoitsnodusofbliss。Intriumphhespreadoverhissleepingfatherhisdeadmother’soldplaidofGordontartan，allthebeddingtheyhad，andwithoutamoment’sfurtherdelay——noshoeseventoputoff——creptunderit，andnestledcloseuponthebosomofhisunconsciousparent。Avictorymore！
anotherdayendedwithsuccess！hisfathersafe，andallhisown！
thecanopyofthedarknessandtheplaidoverthem，asiftheyweretheoneonlytwointheuniverse！hisfatherunabletoleavehim——hisforwholedarkhourstocome！，ItwasGibbie’sparadisenow！，Hisheavenwashisfather’sbosom，towhichheclungasnoinfantyeteverclungtohismother’s。Heneverthoughttopityhimselfthattheembracewasallonhisside，thatnoansweringpressurecamebackfromtheprostrateform。Heneversaidtohimself，“Myfatherisadrunkard，butImustmakethebestofit;
heisallIhave！”Heclungtohisonepossession——onlyclung：thiswashisfather——allinalltohim。Whatmustbetheblissofsuchaheart——ofanyheart，whenitcomestoknowthatthereisafatheroffathers，yea，afatheroffatherhood！afatherwhoneverslumbersnorsleeps，butholdsallthesleepinginhiseverwakingbosom——abosomwhosewakefulnessisthesolefountainoftheirslumber！
Theconsciousblissofthechildwasofshortduration，forinafewminuteshewasfastasleep;butforthegainofthosefewminutesonly，thedayhadbeenwellspent。
CHAPTERVI。
ASUNDAYATHOME。
Suchweretheeventsofeverynight，andsuchhadtheybeensinceGibbiefirstassumedthisofficeofguardian——atimesolonginproportiontohislifethatitseemedtohimasoneofthelawsofexistencethatfathersgotdrunkandGibbiestookcareofthem。ButSaturdaynightwasalwaysoneofspecialbliss;forthenthejoytocomespreaditsarmsbeneathandaroundthepresentdelight：allSundayhisfatherwouldbehis。Onthathappiestdayofalltheweek，heneversethisfootoutofdoors，excepttoruntwicetoMistressCroale’s，oncetofetchthedinnerwhichshesuppliedfromherowntable，andforwhichSirGeorgeregularlypaidinadvanceonSaturdaybeforecommencinghispotations。
ButindeedthestreetswerenotattractivetothechildonSundays：
therewerenoshopsopen，andthepeopleintheirSundayclothes，manyofthemwiththeirfacesstudiouslysettledintomasksintendedtoexpressrighteousness，werefarlessinteresting，becauselessalive，thanthesamepeopleintheirwork-dayattire，intheirshops，orseatedattheirstalls，ordrivingtheircarts，andlookingthoroughlyhuman。Astogoingtochurchhimself，suchanideahadneverenteredhishead。Hehadnotonceforamomentimaginedthatanybodywouldlikehimtogotochurch，thatsuchasheeverwenttochurch，thatchurchwasatallaplacetowhichGibbieswithfatherstolookaftershouldhaveanydesiretogo。Astowhatchurch，goingmeant，hehadnotthevaguestidea;ithadnotevenwakedtheglimmerofaquestioninhismind。AllheknewwasthatpeoplewenttochurchonSundays。Itwasanotherofthelawsofexistence，thereasonofwhichheknewnomorethanwhyhisfatherwenteverynighttoJinkLaneandgotdrunk。George，however，althoughhehadtaughthissonnothing，wasnotwithoutreligion，andhadnotionsofdutyinrespectoftheSabbath。Notevenwiththeprizeofwhiskyinview，wouldhehaveconsentedtoearnasovereignonthatdaybythelightestofwork。
Gibbiewasawakesometimebeforehisfather，andlayrevellinginlove’sblissofproximity。AtlengthSirGeorge，themerestbubbleofnature，awoke，andpushedhimfromhim。
Thechildgotupatonce，butonlytostandbythebed-side。Hesaidnoword，didnoteventhinkanimpatientthought，yethisfatherseemedtofeelthathewaswaitingforhim。Aftertwoorthreehugeyawns，hespreadouthisarms，but，unabletostretchhimself，yawnedagain，rolledhimselfoffthebed，andcreptfeeblyacrosstheroomtoanemptychestthatstoodundertheskylight。