CHAPTERVI。
DOORY。
Shewasaverysmall，sparewoman，inablueprintwithlittlewhitespots——straight，notbowedlikeherhusband。Otherwisesheseemedatfirstexactlylikehim。Buteretheeveningwasover，Donalsawtherewasnofeaturalresemblancebetweenthetwofaces，andwaspuzzledtounderstandhowthetwoexpressionscametobesolike：astheysatitseemedinthesilenceasiftheywerethesamepersonthinkingintwoshapesandtwoplaces。
Followingtheoldwoman，Donalascendedasteepandnarrowstair，whichsoonbroughthimtoalandingwherewaslight，comingmainlythroughgreenleaves，forthewindowinthelittlepassagewasfilledwithplants。Hisguideledhimintowhatseemedtohimanenchantingroom——homelyenoughitwas，butluxuriouscomparedtowhathehadbeenaccustomedto。Hesawwhitewallsandabrown-huedbutclean-sweptwoodenfloor，onwhichshoneakeen-eyedlittlefirefromalowgrate。Twoeasychairs，coveredwithsomeparty-colouredstripedstuff，stoodoneoneachsideofthefire。Akettlewassingingonthehob。Thewhitedeal-tablewassetfortea——withafatbrownteapot，andcupsofagorgeouspatterninbronze，thatshoneinthefirelightlikeredgold。Inoneofthewallswasabox-bed。
“I\'lllatyeseewhataccommodationwehaeatyerservice，sir，“
saidDoory，“an\'gienthat\'llshuitye，yes\'bewelcome。“
Sosaying，sheopenedwhatlookedlikethedoorofacupboardatthesideofthefireplace。Itdisclosedaneatlittleparlour，withasweetairinit。Thefloorwassanded，andsomuchthecleanerthanifithadbeencarpeted。Asmallmahoganytable，blackwithage，stoodinthemiddle。Onaside-tablecoveredwithaclothoffadedgreen，layalargefamilybible；behinditwereafewbooksandatea-caddy。Inthesideofthewalloppositethewindow，wasagainabox-bed。Totheeyesoftheshepherd-bornlad，itlookedthemostdesirableshelterhehadeverseen。Heturnedtohishostessandsaid，“I\'mfeartit\'sowerguidforme。Whatcouldyelatmehae\'tforbytheweek？Iwadfainbidewi\'ye，butwhauran\'whanImaygetwarkIcannatell；saeImaunnatakitonygaitformairnoraweek。“
“Makyersel\'ateasetillthemornbeby，“saidtheoldwoman。“Yecannadunaethingtillthatbeower。Upo\'theMonondaymornin\'wes\'haudacooncilthegither——youan\'mean\'myman：Icandunaethingwantin\'myman；weayepu\'thegitherornoata\'。“
Wellcontent，andwithheartythanks，Donalcommittedhispresentfateintothehandsofthehumblepair，hisheaven-senthelpers；andaftermuchwashingandbrushing，allthatwaspossibletohiminthewayofdressing，reappearedinthekitchen。Theirteawasready，andthecobblerseatedinthewindowwithabookinhishand，leavingforDonalhiseasychair。
“Icannatakyeraincheirfraeye，“saidDonal。
“Hoots！”returnedthecobbler，“what\'sonythingoorsforbuttogietheneeper\'atstan\'si\'needo\'\'t。“
“Butyehaehadasairday\'swark！”
“An\'youasairday\'straivel！”
“ButI\'myoong！”
“An\'I\'mauld，an\'mylabourthenearerower。“
“ButI\'mstrong！”
“There\'snanethelessneedyesudbehaudensae。Sityedoon，an\'
wastenayerbackbane。Mybusinessistoluiktothebodieso\'men，an\'speciallytotheirpuirfeet\'athastobidetheweicht，an\'getsairpressedtherein。Life\'sashardupo\'thefeeto\'amanasupo\'onypairto\'\'m！Whantheygangwrang，thereisnamuckletobedunetilltheybesetrichtagain。I\'msairhonourt，Isaytomysel\'whiles，tobesetowerthefeeto\'men。It\'safineministration！——fullbetterthanbein\'adoor-keeperi\'thehooseo\'
theLord！Forthefeet\'atgangootan\'inatit\'smairnorthedoor！”
“TheLordbepraist！”saidDonaltohimself；“there\'smairi\'thewarl\'likemyfatheran\'mither！”
Hetooktheseatappointedhim。
“Cometothetable，Anerew，“saidtheoldwoman，“giensaebeyecanpairtwi\'thatbuiko\'yours，an\'latyersowlgieplacetoyerboady\'srichts——Idoobt，sir，gienhewadaitordrinkgienIwasnaathiselbuck。“
“Doory，“returnedherhusband，“yecannadenyIgieyeabitnooan\'
than，speciallywhanIcomeupo\'onythingbyord\'nar\'tasty！”
“Thatyedu，Anerew，orIdinnakenwhatwudcomeo\'mysowlonymairnoro\'yourboady！Saeyesee，sir，we\'relikeJohnSpratan\'
hiswife：——ye\'llkenthebairns\'sayabootthem？”
“Ay，finethat，“repliedDonal。“Yecouldnaweelbebetterfittit。“
“Godgrantit！”shesaid。“ButwewadfitbetteryetgienIhadbutawheenmairbrains。“
“TheLordkennedwhatbrainsyehadwhanhebrouchtyethegither，“
saidDonal。
“Yeneveruttertatruerword，“repliedthecobbler。“GientheLordbecontentwi\'thebrainshe\'sgienye，an\'Ibecontentwi\'thebrainsyegieme，whatrichthaeyetobediscontentitwi\'thebrainsyehae，Doory？——answermethat。ButIs\'cometothetable——Wudyealloometospeirefteryername，sir？”
“Myname\'sDonalGrant，“repliedDonal。
“Ithankye，sir，an\'I\'llhauditinrespec\'，“returnedthecobbler。“MaisterGrant，wullyeaskablessin\'？”
“Iwadraitherj\'ini\'youraskin\'，“repliedDonal。
Thecobblersaidalittleprayer，andthentheybegantoeat——firstofoat-cakes，bakedbytheoldwoman，thenofloaf-breid，astheycalledit。
“I\'msorryIhaenaejeallyorjamtosetaforeye，sir，“saidDoory，“we\'rebutsemplefowk，yesee——contenttohaudoorearthlytaibernaclesinahaibitableconditiontillwehaenoticetoquit。“
“It\'safinethingtoken，“saidthecobbler，withaqueerlook，“\'atwhanyelea\'\'t，yerhoosefa\'sdoon，an\'yehaenatothinko\'
onydamagestopey——forby\'atgienitlaistitonytimeefteryewasooto\'\'t，theremichtbeawheendeevilstakin\'uptheirabodeintil\'t。“
“Hoot，Anerew！”interposedhiswife，“there\'snaethinglikethati\'
scriptur\'！”
“Hoot，Doory！”returnedAndrew，“whatkenyeabootwhat\'snoi\'
scriptur\'？Yekenaheap，Ialloo，abootwhat\'sinscriptur\'，butyekenlittleabootwhat\'snointil\'t！”
“Weel，isna\'tbesttokenwhat\'sintil\'t？”
“\'Ayontadoobt。“
“Weel！”shereturnedinplayfultriumph。
Donalsawthathehadgotholdofapairoforiginals：itwasajoytohisheart：hewashimselfanoriginal——one，namely，thatlivedclosetothesimplicitiesofexistence！
AndrewComin，beforeofferinghimhouse-room，wouldneverhaveaskedanyonewhathewas；buthewouldhavethoughtitanequallapseinbreedingnottoshowinterestinthehistoryaswellasthepersonofaguest。Afteralittlemoretalk，sofarfromcommonplacethatthecommonwouldhavefounditmirth-provoking，thecobblersaid：
“An\'whatofficemayyehaudyersel\'，sir，i\'theministryo\'thetemple？”
“IthinkIun\'erstan\'ye，“repliedDonal；“mymothersayscuriousthingslikeyou。“
“Curiousthingsiswhilesnothatcurious，“remarkedAndrew。
Apausefollowing，heresumed：
“Gienonythinggieyereasontoprefarwaitin\'tillyekenDooryan\'
meabitbetter，sir，“hesaid，“coontmyill-mainnertquestonnospeirt。“
“There\'snaething，“answeredDonal。“I\'lltellyeonythingora\'thingabootmysel\'。“
“Tellwhatyewull，sir，an\'keepwhatyewull，“saidthecobbler。
“Iwasbrouchtupaherd-laddie，“proceededDonal，“an\'whilesashepherdane。FormonyayearIkentmairabootthehill-sidenortheingle-neuk。Butit\'sthesameGodan\'Fatherupo\'thehill-sidean\'i\'theking\'spailace。“
“An\'ye\'llkena\'abootthewin\'，an\'thecloods，an\'thew\'yso\'
Godootsidethehoose！Ikensomethinghoohehaudsthingsgaein\'
insidethehoose——inabody\'shert，Imean——inminean\'Doory\'sthere，butIkenlittleabootthew\'yhegarsthingswork\'athe\'snosaefarbenin。“
“YedinnasurelythinkGodfillsnaa\'thing？”exclaimedDonal。
“Na，na；Ikenbetternorthat，“answeredthecobbler；“butyemaunallooatod\'shole\'snosaedeepasthethro\'to\'aburnin\'
m\'untain！Godhimsel\'cannawinsaefarbeninashallowplaceasinadeepplace；hecannabesaefarbeni\'thewin\'s，thoughhegarsthemduashelikes，asheis，orsudbe，i\'yourhertan\'
mine，sir！”
“Isee！”respondedDonal。“CouldthathaebeenhootheLordhadtorebukethewin\'san\'thewawves，asgientheyhadbeengaein\'attheirainfreewull，i\'steado\'thewullo\'him\'atmadetheman\'
setthemgaein\'？”
“Maybe；butIwudhaetothinkabootit\'aforeIanswert，“repliedthecobbler。
Asilenceintervened。ThensaidAndrew，thoughtfully，“Ithoucht，whenIsawyefirst，yewasmaybealadfraeashopi\'
themuckletoon——oraclerk，astheyca\'them，\'atsitsmakin\'upaccoonts。“
“Na，I\'mnothat，IthankGod，“saidDonal。
“WhatforthankyeGodforthat？”askedAndrew。“A\'placeishis。I
wudnahaeyethankGodye\'renoacobblerlikeme！Yemicht，though，forit\'slittleyecankeno\'theguido\'thecallin\'！”
“I\'lltellyewhatfor，“answeredDonal。“Ikenweeltoon-fowkthinkitaheapbettertohaetoduwi\'figuresnorwi\'sheep，butI\'mnoo\'theirmin\'；an\'foraething，thesheep\'salive。Icouldweelfancyanangelashepherd——an\'hewadcoontmyfatherguidcompany！
Troth，hewadwantwingsan\'airmsan\'feetan\'a\'toluikefterthelambswhiles！Butgiensicaanewasaclerkinacoontin\'
hoose，hewadhaetostowawathewings；Icannotseewhatusehewadhaeforthemthere。Hemichtbeanangela\'thetime，an\'thatnoafallenane，buthebudetolayasidesomethingtofittheplace。“
“Butye\'renoashepherdthenoo？”saidthecobbler。
“Na，“repliedDonal，“——\'cep\'itbeI\'msettoluikefteranithergradeo\'lamb。Afreen\'——yemay\'a\'h\'ardhisname——sirGilbertGalbraith——madethebeginnin\'o\'ascholaro\'me，an\'nooIhaemydegreefraetheaulduniversityo\'Inverdaur。“
“DidnaIthinkasmuckle！”criedmistressComintriumphant。“Ihadnatimetosay\'ttoye，Anerew，butIwassurehewasfraethecollege，an\'thatwashoohisfeetwarsaemucklewaurfurnishtnorhisheid。“
“Ihaeapairo\'shunei\'mykist，though——whanthatcomes！”saidDonal，laughing。
“Ionlyhoupitwinnabeowermuckletowinupoorstair！”
“Idinnathinkit。Butwe\'lllea\'\'ti\'thestreetaforeits\'come\'atween\'s！”saidDonal。“Gienye\'llhaeme，saelang\'sI\'mi\'thetoon，Is\'gangnaeithergait。“
“An\'ye\'lldoobtlessreadtheGreeklikeyermither-tongue？”saidthecobbler，withalongingadmirationinhistone。
“Na，nolikethat；butweeleneuchtogetguido\'\'t。“
“Weel，that\'sjisttheaethingIgrutchye——na，nogrutch——I\'mglaidyehae\'t——buttheaethingIwudfainbeascholarformysel\'！
TothinkIkennaacheepo\'thewordspokenbytheWordhimsel\'！”
“Butthelettero\'thewordhemadelittleo\'comparetwi\'thespeerit！”saidDonal。
“Ay，that\'strue！an\'yetit\'swhauramanmayweelbegreedyan\'
wanttohaea\'thing：whahasthespeeritwadfainhaethelettertu！
Butitdisnamaitter；Is\'settolearnin\'\'tthefirstthingwhanIgangupthestair——thatis，gienitbetheLord\'swull。“
“Hoots！”saidhiswife，“whatwadyeduwi\'Greekupthere！Is\'
warran\'thefowkthere，ay，an\'themaisterhimsel\'，speyksplainScotch！Whatforno！Whatwadtheydutherewi\'Greek，\'atabodywadhaetowarstlewi\'fraemornin\'tonicht，an\'nomakootthethirdpairto\'\'t！”
Herhusbandlaughedmerrily，butDonalsaid，“\'Deedmaybeye\'renasaefarwrang，guidwife！I\'mthinkin\'theremaunbeagran\'mither-tonguethere，\'at\'llsoopupa\'thelave，an\'bebettertoun\'erstan\'norabody\'sain——forit\'llbeyetmairhisain。“
“Heartilhim！”criedthecobbler，withheartyapprobation。
“Yeken，“Donalwenton，“a\'thelanguageso\'theearthcam，orluikasgientheyhadcome，fraeane，thoughwe\'renojistdogsureo\'
that。There\'smymither\'sainGaelic，forenstance：it\'sasauld，maybeauldernortheGreek；onygait，ithasmairGreeknorLaitinwordsintil\'t，an\'yekentheGreek\'sanauldertonguenortheLaitin。Weel，gienwecouldworkoorw\'ybacktotheauldestgrit-gran\'mither-tongueo\'a\'，I\'mthinkin\'itwadcomeakino\'saeeasytil\'s，\'at，wi\'theimpruvtfacultieso\'oorh\'avenlycondition，wemichtbeableinafeowdaystohaudcommunicationwi\'
aneanitheri\'thatsame，ohnstammertorhummtan\'hawt。“
“Butthere\'sbeensicaheapo\'thingsf\'un\'ootsin\'syne，i\'themin\'o\'man，asweel\'si\'thewarl\'ootside，“saidAndrew，“thatsicalanguagewadbemairlikeabairn\'stonguenoramither\'s，I\'mthinkin\'，whansetagainsta\'\'atwadbetospeykaboot！”
“Ye\'reverrarichtthere，Idinnadoobt。Buthooeasywaditbeforilkanetobringinthenewwordhewantit，haein\'eneuchcommonaforetoexplain\'twi\'！Aforelangthelanguagewadhaeintil\'tilkaword\'atwasworthhaein\'inonylanguage\'ateverwasspokensin\'thetooro\'Babel。“
“Eh，sirs，butit\'sdreidfu\'tothinko\'haein\'tolearnsaemuckle！”saidtheoldwoman。“I\'mowerauldan\'dottlet！”
Herhusbandlaughedagain。
“Idinnaseewhatyehaetolauchat！”shesaid，laughingtoo。
“Ye\'llbedottletyersel\'gienyelivelangeneuch！”
“I\'mthinkin\'，“saidAndrew，“butIdinnaken——\'atitmaunbeaman\'sainwytegienagemakshimdottlet。Gienhe\'sayebeenhaudin\'bythetrowth，Idinnathinkhe\'llfin\'thetrowth，hasnahaudenbyhim——ButwhatIwaslauchin\'atwasthethouchto\'
onybodybein\'auldupthere。We\'lla\'beyoongthere，lass！”
“ItsallbeastheLordwulls，“returnedhiswife。
“Itsall。Wewantnaemair；an\'eh，wewantnaeless！”respondedherhusband。
Sotheeveningworeaway。ThetalkwastotheverymindofDonal，whoneverlovedwisdomsomuchaswhensheappearedinpeasant-garb。
Inthatgarbhehadfirstknownher，andintheformofhismother。
“Iwon\'er，“saidDooryatlength，“\'atyoongEppy\'snoputtin\'inherappearance！Iwassureo\'herthenicht：shehasnabeennear\'sa\'theweek！”
ThecobblerturnedtoDonaltoexplain。Hewouldnottalkofthingstheirguestdidnotunderstand；thatwouldbelikeshuttinghimoutaftertakinghimin！
“YoongEppy\'sagran\'child，sir——theonlyanewehae。She\'saweelbehavetlass，thoughta\'enupwi\'thethingso\'thiswarl\'mairnorhergranniean\'mecouldwuss。She\'sinaplacenofarfraehere——noaneasyane，maybe，togiesatisfactionin，butshe\'sduin\'
nothatill。“
“Hoot，Anerew！she\'sduin\'jistaswellasonylassieo\'heryearscouldinjusticebeexpeckit，“interposedthegrandmother。“It\'sseldomtheLord\'atsetsauldheidupo\'yoongshoothers。“
Thewordswerehardlyspokenwhenalightfootwasheardcomingupthestair。
“——Buthereshecomestoanswerforhersel\'！”sheaddedcheerily。
Thedooroftheroomopened，andagood-lookinggirlofabouteighteencamein。
“Weel，yoongEppy，hoo\'sa\'wi\'ye？”saidtheoldman。
Thegrandmother\'snamewasElspeth，thegrand-daughter\'shadthereforealwaystheprefix。
“Brawly，thankye，gran\'father，“sheanswered。“Hoo\'sa\'wi\'
yersel\'？”
“Ow，weelcobblet！”hereplied。
“Sityedoon，“saidthegrandmother，“bythesparko\'fire；thenicht\'ssomeairylike。“
“Na，grannie，Iwantnaefire，“saidthegirl。“Ihaeruna\'thero\'dtogetaglimp\'o\'ye\'aforetheweekwasoot。“
“Hoo\'sthingsgaein\'upatthecastel？”
“Ow，sic-like\'susual——onlythehoosekeeper\'ssomedowy，an\'thatputsmairupo\'thelaveo\'\'s：whanshe\'sweel，she\'snoanetosparehersel\'——oritherfowkaither！——Iwadnacare，gienshewudbutlippentilabody！”concludedyoungEppy，withatossofherhead。
“Wemaunnaspeykevilo\'dignities，yoongEppy！”saidthecobbler，withatwinkleinhiseye。
“Ca\'yemistressBrookesadignity，gran\'father！”saidthegirl，withalaughthatwasnowiserude。
“Ido，“heanswered。“Isnasheowerye？Haenayetoduasshetellsye？\'Atweenheran\'youthat\'seneuch：she\'saneo\'thedignitiesspokeno\'。“
“Iwinnadisputeit。But，eh，it\'squeerwarkyon\'er！”
“Takyecare，yoongEppy！wemaunhaudoortonguesabootthingscommittittiloortrust。Anepeyttoserveinahoosemaunnatre\'ttheaffairso\'thathooseasgientheywarherain。“
“Itwadbeweelgiena\'bodyaboutthehoosewasaspartic\'larasyewadhaeme，gran\'father！”
“Hoo\'smylord，lass？”
“Ow，mucklethesame——ayeupthestairan\'doonthestairtheforepairto\'thenicht，an\'maistinveesiblea\'day。“
ThegirlcastashyglancenowandthenatDonal，asifsheclaimedhimonherside，thoughtheolderpeoplemustbehumoured。Donalwasnottoosimpletounderstandher：hegaveherlooknoreception。
Bethinkinghimselfthattheymighthavematterstotalkabout，herose，andturningtohishostess，said，“Wi\'yerleave，gudewife，Iwadgangtomybed。Ihaetraiveltamaittero\'thirtymilethedayupo\'mybarefeet。“
“Eh，sir！”sheanswered，“Iouchttohaeconsidertthat！——Come，yoongEppy，wemaungetthegentleman\'sbedmadeupforhim。“
Withatossofherprettyhead，Eppyfollowedhergrandmothertothenextroom，castingaglancebehindherthatseemedtoaskwhatshemeantbycallingaladwithoutshoesorstockingsagentleman。Notthelessreadilyoractively，however，didsheassisthergrandmotherinpreparingthetiredwayfarer\'scouch。Inafewminutestheyreturned，andtellinghimtheroomwasquitereadyforhim，Dooryaddedahopethathewouldsleepassoundasifhisownmotherhadmadethebed。
Heheardthemtalkingforawhileafterthedoorwasclosed，butthegirlsoontookherleave。Hewasjustfallingasleepintheluxuryofconsciousrepose，whenthesoundofthecobbler\'shammerforamomentrousedhim，andheknewtheoldmanwasagainatworkonhisbehalf。AmomentmoreandhewastoofastasleepforanyCyclops\'
hammertowakehim。
CHAPTERVII。
ASUNDAY。
NotwithstandinghiswearinessDonalwokeearly，forhehadsleptthoroughly。Heroseanddressedhimself，drewasidethelittlecurtainthatshroudedthewindow，andlookedout。Itwasalovelymorning。Hisprospectwasthecuriousoldmainstreetofthetown。
Thesunthathadshoneintoitwasnowshiningfromtheotherside，butnotashadowoflivingcreaturefellupontheroughstones！
Yes——therewasacatshootingacrossthemliketheculpritheprobablywas！Iftherewasagardentothehouse，hewouldgoandreadinthefreshmorningair！
Hestolesoftlythroughtheouterroom，anddownthestair；foundtheback-doorandawater-butt；thenagardenconsistingoftwoorthreeplotsofflowerswellcaredfor；andendedhisdiscoverieswithaseatsurroundedandalmostcanopiedwithhoneysuckle，wheredoubtlessthecobblersometimessmokedhispipe！“Whydoeshenotworkhereratherthaninthearchway？”thoughtDonal。But，dearlyashelovedflowersandlightandthefreeairofthegarden，theoldcobblerlovedthefacesofhiskindbetter。Hisprayerforfortyyearshadbeentobemadelikehismaster；andifthatprayerwasnotanswered，howwasitthat，everyyearhelived，hefoundhimselflovingthefacesofhisfellowsmoreandmore？Everastheypassed，insteadofinterferingwithhiscontemplations，theygavehimmoreandmoretothink：werethesefaces，heasked，thesymbolsofacelestiallanguageinwhichGodtalkedtohim？
Donalsatdown，andtookhisGreekTestamentfromhispocket。Butallatonce，brilliantaswasthesun，thelightofhislifewentout，andthevisionroseofthegrayquarry，andthegirlturningfromhiminthewanmoonlight。Thenswiftasthoughtfollowedthevisionofthewomenweepingabouttheforsakentomb；andwithhisrisenLordherosealso——intoaregionfar“abovethesmokeandstirofthisdimspot，“aregionwherelifeisgoodevenwithitssorrow。
Themanwhoseeshisdisappointmentbeneathhim，ismoreblessedthanhewhorejoicesinfruition。Thenprayerawoke，andinthelightofthatmorningofpeacehedrewnighthelivingone，andknewhimasthesourceofhisbeing。Wearywithblessednessheleanedagainsttheshadowinghoneysuckle，gaveagreatsighofcontent，smiled，wipedhiseyes，andwasreadyforthedayandwhatitshouldbring。Buttheblisswentnotyet；hesatforawhileinthejoyofconsciouslossinthehigherlife。Withhismeditationsandfeelingsminglednowandthenafewmuffledblowsofthecobbler\'shammer：hewasoncemoreatworkonhisdisabledshoe。
“Hereisatrueman！”hethought，“——aGodlikehelperofhisfellow！”
Whenthehammerceased，thecobblerwasstitching；whenDonalceasedthinking，hewentonfeeling。Againandagaincamealittlerollofthecobbler\'sdrum，givingglorytoGodbydoinghiswill：thesweetestandmostacceptablemusicisthatwhichrisesfromworkadoing；itsincenseascendsasfromtheriverinitsflowing，fromthewindinitsblowing，fromthegrassinitsgrowing。Allatonceheheardthevoicesoftwowomeninthenextgarden，closebehindhim，talkingtogether。
“Eh，“saidone，“there\'sthatgodlesscratur，An\'rewComin，athiswarkagainupo\'theSawbathmornin\'！”
“Ay，lass，“answeredtheother，“Ihearhim！Eh，butit\'llbeanilldayforhimwhanhehastoappearaforethejeedgeo\'a\'！Hewinnahaehiscomman\'mentsbrokenthatgait！”
“Troth，na！”returnedtheformer；“it\'llbeasairsattlindayforhim！”
Donalrose，andlookingabouthim，sawtwodecent，elderlywomenontheothersideofthelowstonewall。HewasapproachingthemwiththerequestonhislipstoknowwhichoftheLord\'scommandmentstheysupposedthecobblertobebreaking，when，seeingthathemusthaveoverheardthem，theyturnedtheirbacksandwalkedaway。
Andnowhishostess，havingdiscoveredhewasinthegarden，cametocallhimtobreakfast——thesimplestofmeals——porridge，withacupofteaafteritbecauseitwasSunday，andtherewasdangerofsleepinessatthekirk。
“Yershune\'swaitin\'ye，sir，“saidthecobbler。“Ye\'llfin\'themabetterjobnoryeexpeckit。They\'reabetterjob，onygait，norI
expeckit！”
Donalmadehastetoputthemon，andfeltdressedfortheSunday。
“Areyegaein\'tothekirktheday，Anerew？”askedtheoldwoman，adding，assheturnedtotheirguest，“Myman\'sraitherpecooliarabootgaein\'tothekirk！Somedayshe\'llgangthreetimes，an\'
somedayshewinnagangance！——Hekenshimsel\'whatfor！”sheaddedwithasmile，whosesweetnessconfessedthat，whateverwasthereason，itwastoherthebestintheworld。
“Ay，I\'mgaein\'theday：Iwanttogangwi\'oornewfreen\'，“heanswered。
“I\'lltakhimgienyedinnacaretogang，“rejoinedhiswife。
“Ow，I\'llgang！”hepersisted。“It\'llgie\'ssomethingtotalkaboot，an\'saekenaneanitherbetter，an\'maybecomeabitneareraneanither，an\'saeabitnearerthemaister。That\'swhatwe\'reherefor——comin\'an\'gaein\'。“
“Asyeplease，Anerew！What\'srichttoyou\'sayerichttome。O\'
myainsel\'Iwadbedoobtfu\'o\'sicarizzonforgaein\'tothekirk——togetsomethingtospeykaboot。“
“It\'saguderizzonwhauryehaenaabetter，“heanswered。“It\'saftenIgetatthekirknaethingbutwhatangersme——leesan\'leesagenmyLordan\'myGod。Butwhanthere\'sanetotalkitowerwi\'，ane\'athassomecareforGodasweel\'sforhimsel\'，there\'ssomeguidsuretocomeooto\'\'t——somerevelationo\'therealrichteousness——nowhatfowk\'atgangsbytheministersca\'srichteousness——Isyershunecomfortabletoyerfeet，sir？”
“Ay，thattheyare！an\'Ithankye：they\'refullbetternornew。“
“Weel，wewinnahaeworshipthismornin\'；whanyegangtothekirkit\'slikeaitin\'mairnor\'sguidforye。“
“Hoots，Anerew！yedinnathinkabodycanhaeowermuckleo\'theword！”saidhiswife，anxiousastotheimpressionhemightmakeonDonal。
“Owna，gienabodytakitin，an\'disgeistit！Butit\'snoabonnythingtohaethewordstickin\'aboutyermoo\'，an\'baggin\'ootyerpooches，notosaylyin\'cauldupo\'yerstamack，an\'itforthelifeo\'men。Thelessyetakabunewhatyeputinpracticethebetter；
an\'gienthethingsaidhaenaethingtoduwi\'practice，thelessyeheeditthebetter——Gienyehaeduneyerbrakfast，sir，we\'llgang——no\'atit\'sfreelykirk-timeyet，buttheSabbath\'s\'maisttheonlydayIgetabito\'awalk，an\'gienyehaenaeobjectiontilaturnaboottheLord\'smucklehooseaforewegangintilhislittleane——weca\'\'this，butIdoobtit——I\'llbereadyinameenute。“
Donalwillinglyagreed，andthecobbler，alreadyclothedinpartofhisSundaybest，apairofcorduroytrousersofamousecolour，havinginduedanancienttail-coatofbluewithgiltbuttons，theysetouttogether；andfortheirconversation，itwasjustthesameasitwouldhavebeenanyotherday：whereeverydayisnottheLord\'s，theSundayishisleastofall。
Theyleftthetown，andweresoonwalkinginmeadowsthroughwhichranaclearriver，shiningandspeedyinthemorningsun。Itsbankswerelargelyusedforbleaching，andthelonglinesofwhiteinthelovelygreenofthenaturalgrasswerepleasantbothtoeyeandmind。Allabout，therookswerefeedinginpeace，knowingtheirfreedomthatdayfromthepersecutiontowhich，likeallotherdoersofgood，theyareingeneralexposed。Beyondthestreamlayalevelplainstretchingtowardsthesea，dividedintonumberlessfields，anddottedwithfarmhousesandhamlets。Onthesidewherethefriendswerewalking，thegroundwasmorebroken，risinginplacesintosmallhills，manyofthemwooded。Halfamileawaywasoneofaconicalshape，onwhosetoptoweredacastle。Oldandgrayandsullen，itlifteditselffromthefoliagearounditlikeagreatrockfromasummersea，andstoodoutagainsttheclearblueskyoftheJunemorning。Thehillwascoveredwithwood，mostlyratheryoung，butatthebottomweresomeancientfirsandbeeches。Atthetop，roundthebaseofthecastle，thetreeswerechieflydelicatebircheswithmoonlightskin，andfeatherylarchesnotthrivingoverwell。
“Whatca\'theyyoncastel？”questionedDonal。“Itmaunbeaplaceo\'
someimportance！”
“Theymaistlyca\'\'tjistthecastel，“answeredthecobbler。“Itsauldname\'sGraham\'sGrip。It\'slordMorven\'splace，an\'theyca\'
\'tCastelGraham：thefaimily-name\'sGraham，yeken。Theyca，themsel\'sGraeme-Graham——jisttwaw\'yso\'spellin\'thenameputtenthegither。Thelastlord，noupo\'themainbrainch，theytellme，spelledhisnamewi\'thediphthong，an\'wasnawillin\'togie\'tupa\'thegither——saetuikthetwao\'them。You\'swhauryoongEppy\'satservice——An\'thatmin\'sme，sir，yehaenatelltmeyetwhatkin\'
o\'aplaceyewadhaeyersel。\'It\'sno\'atapuirbodylikemecanhelp，butit\'sayeweeltolatfowkkenwhatye\'reefter。Awordgangsspeirin\'langefterit\'sooto\'sicht——an\'theanswermaycomefraefar。TheLordwhilesbringsabootthingsi\'themaistoonliklyfashion。“
“I\'mreadyforonythingI\'mfittodo，“saidDonal；“butIhaehadwhat\'sca\'dagoodeducation——thoughIhaelearnedmairfraemyainneedsthanfraea\'mybuiks；saeiwadraithertillthehumanthantheearthlysoil，takin\'mairinteresti\'theschoolmaister\'scrapsthani\'thefairmer\'s。“
“Wadyeobjec\'tomaisteranebyhimsel\'——ormaybetwa？”
“Na，surely——gienIsawmysel\'fit。“
“Eppymentiontlastnicht\'attherewaswordabootthecastelo\'atutorfortheyoongest。Haeyeonyw\'yo\'approachin\'theplace？”
“Nottilltheministercomeshome，“answeredDonal。“Ihavealettertohim。“
“He\'llbebackbythemiddleo\'theweek，Ihearthemsay。“
“Canyoutellmeanythingaboutthepeopleatthecastle？”askedDonal。
“Icould，“answeredAndrew；“butsomethingsisbetterf\'un\'ootnorkenned\'aforehan\'。Ilkaplacehasitsainshape，an\'maistthingshastohaesomeparin\'togarthemfit。That\'swhatItellyoongEppy——mony\'sthetime！”
Herecameapause，andwhenAndrewspokeagain，itseemedonanewline。
“Diditeveroccurtoye，sir，“hesaid，“\'atmaybedeithmichtbethefirstwaukin\'tosomefowk？”
“Ithasoccurrttome，“answeredDonal；“butmonythingscomeintilabody\'sheid\'athe\'snoabletothinkoot！Theymaunliean\'bidetheirtime。“
“Latnaneo\'theloverso\'lawan\'letterperswaudyetheLordwadnahaeyethink——thoughnanebuthim\'atobeyscanthinkwi\'safety。
Wemaundofirstthething\'atweken，an\'synewemaythinkabootthething\'atwedinnaken。Ifancy\'atwhilestheLordwadnasayathingjistnotostopfowkthinkin\'abootit。Hewasayeatgettin\'
themtomakuseo\'thecan\'leo\'theLord。It\'smybeliefthemainobstaclestothegrowtho\'thekingdomarefirsttheoonbeliefo\'
believers，an\'synethew\'y\'attheylaydoonthelaw。\'Aforetheyhaelearnttherudimen\'so\'thetrowththemsel\'s，theybegintolaythegrievousburdeno\'theirdullnessan\'ill-conceivednotionso\'
holythingsupo\'themin\'san\'conscienceso\'theirneebours，fain，yewadthink，tohaudthemfraegrowin\'onymairnorthemsel\'s。Eh，man，buttheLord\'swon\'erfu\'！Yemaydauran\'daur，an\'nocomei\'sichto\'\'im！”
Thechurchstoodalittlewayoutofthetown，inachurchyardovergrownwithgrass，whichthewindblewlikeafieldofcorn。
Manyofthestoneswereoutofsightinit。Thechurch，arelicofoldcatholicdays，roseoutofitlikeonethathadtakentogrowingandsogotthebetterofhisills。Theywalkedintothemusty，dingy，brown-atmospheredhouse。Thecobblerledthewaytoahumbleplacebehindapillar；thereDoorywasseatedwaitingthem。TheservicewasnotsodrearytoDonalasusual；thesermonhadsomethoughtinit；andhisheartwasdrawntoamanwhowouldsayhedidnotunderstand。
“Yonwasafinediscoorse，“remarkedthecobblerastheywenthomeward。
Donalsawnothingfineinit，buthisexperiencewasnotsowideasthecobbler\'s：tohimthediscoursehadhintedmanythingswhichhadnotoccurredtoDonal。
Somepeopledemandfromthehouseholdernonebutnewthings，othersnonebutold；whereasweneedintruthofallthesortsinhistreasury。
“Ihaenaadoobtitwasa\'richtan\'asyesay，Anerew，“saidhiswife；“butformysel\'Icouldmaknaitherheidnortailo\'\'t。“
“Isaidna，Doory，itwasa\'richt，“returnedherhusband；“thatwouldbetosayaheapforonythinghuman！butitwasaguidhonestsermon。“
“Whatwasyon\'athesaidabootthemirraclesnobein\'teeps？”askedhiswife。
“ItwasGod\'strowth\'at，“hesaid。“
“Giemeashareo\'thesameIbego\'ye，AnerewComin。“
“Whatthemansaidwasthis——\'atthesea\'atPetergaedootupo\'
wasnafirstan\'foremosttobeluikituponasateepo\'theinwardan\'spiritualtroubleso\'thebeliever，stilllesso\'thetroubleso\'thechurcho\'Christ。TheLorddealswi\'fac\'snanetheless\'attheycannahelpbein\'teeps。Herewasterriblefac\'stoPeter。
Herewasangrywatteran\'roarin\'win\'；herewasdangeran\'fear：
themanhadtotrustorgangdoon。Gienthehoosebeonfirewemauntrust；gienthewattergangoweroorheidswemauntrust；gienthehorserinawa\'，wemauntrust。Him\'atcannatrustinsiclikeconditions，Iwadnagieaplackforonyitherkin\'o\'faithhemayhae。God\'snaeamerethouchti\'thewarl\'o\'thoucht，butaleevin\'pooerina\'warl\'salike。Him\'atgangstoGodwi\'asairheid\'illthesunergangtil\'imwi\'asairhert；an\'them\'atthinksnahecaresforthepainso\'theirbodies\'illillbelievehecaresforthedoobtsan\'perplexitieso\'theirinquirin\'speerits。
Tomymin\'hespakthebesto\'sense！”
“Ididnahearhimsayonythinglikethat！”saidDonal。
“Didyeno？Weel，Ithouchtitcamfraehimtome！”
“MaybeIwasnagiein\'thebestheed，“saidDonal。“Butwhatyesayisastrueasthesun。Itstan\'storizzon。“
Thedaypassedinpleasureandquiet。Donalhadfoundanotherfatherandmother。
CHAPTERVIII。
THEGATE。
Thenextday，afterbreakfast，Donalsaidtohishost——
“NooImaunpeyyeformyshune，forgienIdinnapeyatance，I
cannatellhoomuckletoca\'myain，an\'whatIhaetogangbytillIgetmair。“
“Na，na，“returnedthecobbler。“There\'sjistaepreejudiceIhaeleftconcernin\'theSawbath-day；Ifirmlybelieveitapreejudice，forsiller\'stheLord\'stu，butIcannawinower\'t：Icannabringmysel\'totaksillerforonywarkduneupo\'\'t！SaeyemaunjistbecontenttolatthatfleesticktotheLord\'swa\'。Ye\'llduasmuckleformesomeday！”
“There\'snaethingleftmebuttothankye，“saidDonal。“There\'stheludgin\'an\'theboord，though！——Imaunkenabootthem\'aforewegangfarther。“
“They\'renaneo\'mybusiness，“repliedAndrew。“Ilea\'a\'thattothegudewife，an\'Icoonselyetoduthesame。She\'sacapitalmanager，an\'winnachairgeyeowermuckle。“
Donalcouldbutyield，andpresentlywentoutforastroll。
Hewanderedalongthebankoftherivertillhecametothefootofthehillonwhichstoodthecastle。Seeingagate，heapproachedit，andfindingitopenwentin。Aslow-ascendingdrivewentthroughthetrees，roundandroundthehill。Hefolloweditalittleway。Anaromaticairnowblewandnowpausedashewent。
Thetreesseemedclimbinguptoattackthefortressabove，whichhecouldnotsee。Whenhehadgoneafewyardsoutofsightofthegate，hethrewhimselfdownamongthem，andfellintoareverie。
Theancienttimearosebeforehim，when，withoutatreetocovertheapproachofanenemy，thecastlerosedefiantandbareinitsstrength，likeanathletestrippedforthefight，andthelittletownhuddledcloseunderitsprotection。Whatwarshadthereblustered，whatrumoursblown，whatfearswhispered，whatsorrowsmoaned！Butweretherenotnowjustasmanyevilsasthen？Lettheworldimproveasitmay，thedeeperillonlybreaksoutafreshinnewforms。Timeitself，thestaring，vacant，unlovelytime，istomanytheonedreadfoe。Othershaveahouseemptyandgarnished，inwhichneitherLovenorHopedwells。Aself，withnoGodtoprotectfromit，aselfunrulable，insatiable，makesofexistencetosomethehellcalledmadness。Godlessmanisahorroroftheunfinished——ahopelessnecessityfortheunattainable！Themostdiscontentedarethosewhohaveallthetruthlessheartdesires。
ThoughtslikethesewerecomingandgoinginDonal\'sbrain，whenheheardaslightsoundsomewherenearhim——thelightestofsoundsindeed——theturningoftheleafofabook。Heraisedhisheadandlooked，butcouldseenoone。Atlast，upthroughthetree-bolesontheslopeofthehill，hecaughttheshineofsomethingwhite：itwasthehandthatheldanopenbook。Hetookitforthehandofalady。Thetrunkofalargetreehidtherecliningform。Hewouldgoback！Therewasthelovelycloth-stripedmeadowtoliein！
Herosequietly，butnotquietlyenoughtostealaway。Frombehindthetree，ayoungman，rathertallandslender，roseandcametowardshim。Donalstoodtoreceivehim。
“Ipresumeyouareunawarethatthesegroundsarenotopentothepublic！”hesaid，notwithoutatouchofhaughtiness。
“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal。“Ifoundthegateopen，andtheshadeofthetreeswasenticing。“
“Itisofnoconsequence，“returnedtheyouth，nowwithsomecondescension；“onlymyfatherisapttobeannoyedifheseesanyone——“
Hewasinterruptedbyacryfromfartherupthehill——
“Oh，thereyouare，Percy！”
“Andthereyouare，Davie！”returnedtheyouthkindly。
Aboyofabouttencametowardsthemprecipitately，jumpingstumps，anddartingbetweenstems。
“Takecare，takecare，Davie！”criedtheother：“youmaysliponarootandfall！”
“Oh，Iknowbetterthanthat！——Butyouareengaged！”
“Notintheleast。Comealong。“
Donallingered：theyouthhadnotfinishhisspeech！
“IwenttoArkie，“saidtheboy，“butshecouldn\'thelpme。Ican\'tmakesenseofthis！Iwouldn\'tcareifitwasn\'tastory。“
Hehadanoldfoliounderonearm，withafingeroftheotherhandinitsleaves。
“Itisacurioustasteforachild！”saidtheyouth，turningtoDonal，inwhomhehadrecognizedthepeasant-scholar：“thislittlebrotherofminereadsallthedulloldromanceshecanlayhishandson。“
“Perhaps，“suggestedDonal，“theyaretheonlyfictionswithinhisreach！CouldyounotturnhimlooseuponsirWalterScott？”
“Agoodsuggestion！”heanswered，castingakeenglanceatDonal。
“Willyouletmelookatthepassage？”saidDonaltotheboy，holdingouthishand。
Theboyopenedthebook，andgaveithim。OnthetopofthepageDonalread，“TheCountessofPembroke\'sArcadia。“Hehadreadofthebook，buthadneverseenit。
“That\'sagrandbook！”hesaid。
“Horriblydreary，“remarkedtheelderbrother。
Theyoungerreachedup，andlaidhisfingeronthepagenexthim。
“There，sir！”hesaid；“thatistheplace：dotellmewhatitmeans。“
“Iwilltry，“answeredDonal；“Imaynotheable。“
Hebegantoreadatthetopofthepage。
“That\'snottheplace，sir！”saidtheboy。“Itisthere。“
“Imustknowsomethingofwhatgoesbeforeitfirst，“returnedDonal。
“Oh，yes，sir；Isee！”heanswered，andstoodsilent。
Hewasafair-hairedboy，withruddycheeksandahealthylook——sweet-temperedevidently。
Donalpresentlysawbothwhatthesentencemeantandthecauseofhisdifficulty。Heexplainedthethingtohim。
“Thankyou！thankyou！NowIshallgeton！”hecried，andranupthehill。
“Youseemtounderstandboys！”saidthebrother。
“Ihavealwayshadasortofambitiontounderstandignorance。“
“Understandignorance？”
“Youknowwhatqueershapestheshadowsoftheplainestthingstake：
IneverseemtounderstandanythingtillIunderstanditsshadow。“
TheyouthglancedkeenlyatDonal。
“IwishIhadhadatutorlikeyou！”hesaid。
“Why？”askedDonal。
“Ishoulddonebetter——Wheredoyoulive？”
DonaltoldhimhewaslodgingwithAndrewComin，thecobbler。A
silencefollowed。
“Goodmorning！”saidtheyouth。
“Goodmorning，sir！”returnedDonal，andwentaway。
CHAPTERIX。
THEMORVENARMS。
OnWednesdayeveningDonalwenttoTheMorvenArmstoinquireforthethirdtimeifhisboxwascome。Thelandlordsaid，ifagreatheavytool-chestwasthethingheexpected，ithadcome。
“DonalGrantwadbethenameupo\'\'t，“saidDonal。
“\'Deed，Ididnaluik，“saidthelandlord。“Itsi\'thebackyard。“
AsDonalwentthroughthehousetotheyard，hepassedthedoorofaroomwheresomeofthetownsfolksat，andheardtheearlmentioned。
HehadnotaskedAndrewanythingabouttheyoungmanhehadspokenwith；forheunderstoodthathishostheldhimselfnotatlibertytotalkaboutthefamilyinwhichhisgranddaughterwasaservant。Butwhatwassaidinpublichesurelymighthear！Herequestedthelandlordtolethimhaveabottleofale，andwentintotheroomandsatdown。
Itwasadecentparlourwithasandedfloor。Thoseassembledwereamixedcompanyfromtownandcountry，havingatumblerofwhisky-toddytogetherafterthemarket。Oneofthemwasastrangerwhohadbeenreceivingfromtheothersvariouspiecesofinformationconcerningthetownanditsneighbourhood。
“Imin\'theauldmanweel，“awrinkledgray-hairedmanwassayingasDonalentered，“——avarradifferentmanfraethispresent。Hewudsitdoonasreadyasno——thatwudhe——wi\'onypuirbodylikemysel\'，an\'giehimhiscracks，an\'hearhisnews，an\'drinkhisglaiss，an\'
maknaethingo\'\'t。Butthisman，haith！whaeversawhimcheengewordwi\'britherman？”
“Ineverh\'ardhoohecametotheteetle：theysayhewasbutsomefarawa\'cousin！”remarkedafarmer-lookingman，floridandstout。
“Hoots！hewasainbrithertothelastyerl，wi\'richttotheteetle，thoughnanetotheproperty。Thathe\'sbuttakin\'careo\'
tillhisniececomeo\'age。Hewasaheapaboottheplaceaforehisbritherdee\'d，an\'theywarfreen\'sasweel\'sbrithers。Theysay\'attheladyArctoora——h\'ardyeeversicahathenishnameforalass！——isb\'un\'tomerrytheyoonglord。There\'sasichto\'
clapper-clashaboottheplace，an\'thefowk，an\'theirstrangew\'ys。
Theytellmenanecanbesaidtokentheyerlbuthisainman。Formysel\'Inevercami\'theircoonsel——no\'eventothebuyin\'orsellin\'o\'alamb。“
“Weel，“saidafair-haired，pale-facedman，“wekenfraescriptur\'atthesinso\'thefathersisveesititupo\'thechildrentothethirdan\'fourthgeneration——an\'whacantell？”
“Whacantell，“rejoinedanother，whohadajudiciallookabouthim，inspiteofanunshavenbeard，andacertaingeneraldisregardtoappearances，“whacantellbutthesinso\'oorfaithersmaybelyin\'
upo\'someo\'oorsel\'satthisvarramoment？”
“Inoorcase，Icannaseethethingwadbefair，“saidafifth：“wedinnaevenkenwhattheydid！”
“We\'renotointerferewi\'thewullo\'theAlmichty，“rejoinedtheformer。“Itgangsitsaingait，an\'mortalcannatellwhatthatgaitis。Hisjusticewinnabecontert。“
Donalfeltthattobesilentnowwouldbetodeclinewitnessing。Hefearedargument，lestheshouldfailandwrongtheright，buthemustnotthereforehangback。Hedrewhischairtowardsthetable。
“Wadyelatastrangerputinaword，freen\'s？”hesaid。
“Oway，an\'welcome！Wesetnaupforthemeno\'Gotham。“
“Weel，IwadspieraquestiongienImay。“
“Speirawa\'。AnswerIwinnainsure，“saidthemanunshaven。
“Weel，wadyepleasetellmewhatyeca\'thejusticeo\'God？”
“Onybodycouldtellyethat：itconsistsi\'thepunishmento\'sin。
Hegiesilkasinnerwhathissindeserves。“
“Thatseemstomeanuncoae-siditdefinitiono\'justice。“
“Weel，whatwadyemako\'\'t？”
“Iwadsayjusticemeansfairplay；an\'thejusticeo\'Godliesi\'
this，\'athegiesilkaman，beast，an\'deevil，fairplay。“
“I\'mdoobtfu\'abootthat！”saidadrover-lookingfellow。“Wemaungangbytheword；an\'thewordsaysheveesitstheineequitieso\'
thefathersupo\'thechildrentothethirdan\'fourthgeneration：I
nevercouldseethefairplayo\'that！”
“Dinnayemeddlewi\'things，John，\'atyedinnaun\'erstan\'；yemaywauki\'thewrangbox！”saidtheoldman。
“Iwanttoun\'erstan\'，“returnedJohn。“I\'mnosayin\'hedisnaduricht；I\'monlysayin\'Icannaseethefairplayo\'\'t。“
“Itmayweelberichtan\'younosee\'t！”
“Ay\'weelthat！ButwhatforsudInosayIdinnasee\'t？Isnatheblin\'mantosayhe\'sblin\'？”
Thiswasunanswerable，andDonalagainspoke。
“Itseemstome，“hesaid，“weneedfirsttoun\'erstan\'what\'sconteenedi\'theveesitin\'o\'thesinso\'thefathersupo\'thechildren，aforewedauronyjeedgmentconcernin\'\'t。“
“Ay，that\'ssenseeneuch！”confessedaresponsivemurmur。
“Ihaenaseenmuckleo\'thiswarl\'yet，comparedwi\'you，sirs，“
Donalwenton，“butIhaebeenaheapmylanewi\'nowtan\'sheep，whanaheapo\'thingsgaedthrouwmyheid；an\'Ihaeseensomethingasweel，thoughnothatmuckle。Ihaeseenaman，a\'hislife\'aforeadoucehonestman，cometilaheapo\'siller，an\'gangtothedogs！”
Asecondmurmurseemedtoindicatecorroboration。
“Hegaeda\'tothedogs，asIsay，“continuedDonal；“an\'thebairnsheleft\'ahinthimwhanhedee\'do\'drink，camupo\'theperris，orwadhaehungertbutforsome\'atkennedhimwhanhewasyetinhonouran\'poverty。Noo，wadyenosaythiswasaveesitin\'o\'thesinso\'thefatherupo\'thechildren？”
“Ay，doobtless！”
“Weel，whanIh\'ardlastabootthem，theywerea\'likeeneuchtoturnoothonestladsan\'lasses。“
“Ow，Idaursay！”
“An\'whatmichtyethinktheprobabilitygientheyhadcomeintilaloto\'sillerwhantheirfatherdee\'d？”
“Maybetheymichthaeganethesamegaithegaed！”
“Wasthereinjusticethan，orwastherefavouri\'thatveesitationo\'thesinso\'theirfatherupo\'them？”
Therewasnoanswer。Thetoddywentdowntheirthroatsandthesmokecameoutoftheirmouths，butnoonedaredacknowledgeitmightbeagoodthingtobebornpoorinsteadofrich。SoentirelywasthesubjectdroppedthatDonalfearedhehadfailedtomakehimselfunderstood。Hedidnotknowthegeneralobjectiontotalkingofthingsoneternalprinciples。Wesetupforjudgesofrightwhileourveryselvesarewrong！Hesawthathehadcastawetblanketoverthecompany，andjudgeditbettertotakehisleave。
Borrowingawheelbarrow，hetrundledhischesthome，andunpackingitinthearchway，carriedhisbooksandclothestohisroom。
CHAPTERX
THEPARISHCLERGYMAN。
Thenextday，Donalputonhisbestcoat，andwenttocallontheminister。Shownintothestudy，hesawseatedtherethemanhehadmetonhisfirstday\'sjourney，thesamewhohadpartedfromhiminsuchdispleasure。Hepresentedhisletter。
Mr。Carmichaelgavehimakeenglance，bututterednoworduntilhehadreadit。
“Well，youngman，“hesaid，lookingupathimwithconcentratedseverity，“whatwouldyouhavemedo？”
“Tellmeofanysituationyoumayhappentoknoworhearof，sir，“
saidDonal。“ThatisallIcouldexpect。“
“All！”repeatedtheclergyman，withsomethingverylikeasneer；
“——butwhatifIthinkthatallaverygreatdeal？WhatifI
imaginemyselfsetinchargeoveryoungmindsandhearts？WhatifI
knowyoubetterthanthegoodmanwhosefriendshipforyourparentsgiveshimakindinterestinyou？YoulittlethoughthowyouwereunderminingyourprospectslastFriday！Myoldfriendwouldscarcelyhavemewelcometomyparishonehemaybegladtoseeoutofhisown！Youcangotothekitchenandhaveyourdinner——Ihavenodesiretorenderevilforevil——butIwillnotbidyouGod-speed。
Andthesooneryoutakeyourselfoutofthis，youngman，thebetter！”
“Goodmorning，sir！”saidDonal，andlefttheroom。
Onthedoorstephemetayouthhehadknownbysightattheuniversity：itwastheminister\'sson——theworst-behavedofallthestudents。Wasthisacaseofthesinsofthefatherbeingvisitedonthechild？DoesGodnevervisitthevirtuesofthefatheronthechild？
Alittleruffled，andnotalittledisappointed，Donalwalkedaway。
Almostunconsciouslyhetooktheroadtothecastle，andcomingtothegate，leanedonthetopbar，andstoodthinking。
Suddenly，downthroughthetreescameDaviebounding，pushedhishandthroughbetweenthebars，andshookhandswithhim。
“Ihavebeenlookingforyouallday，“hesaid。
“Why？”askedDonal。
“Forguesentyoualetter。“
“Ihavehadnoletter。“
“Eppytookitthismorning。“
“Ah，thatexplains！Ihavenotbeenhomesincebreakfast。“
“Itwastosaymyfatherwouldliketoseeyou。“
“Iwillgoandgetit：thenIshallknowwhattodo。“
“Whydoyoulivethere？Thecobblerisadirtylittleman！Yourclotheswillsmellofleather！”
“Heisnotdirty，“saidDonal。“Hishandsdogetdirty——verydirtywithhiswork——andhisfacetoo；andIdaresaysoapandwatercan\'tgetthemquiteclean。Buthewillhaveaniceearth-bathoneday，andthatwilltakeallthedirtoff。Andifyoucouldseehissoul——thatisascleanascleancanbe——socleanitisquiteshining！”
“Haveyouseenit？”saidtheboy，lookingupatDonal，unsurewhetherhewasmakinggameofhim，ormeaningsomethingveryserious。
“Ihavehadaglimpseortwoofit。Ineversawacleaner——Youknow，mydearboy，there\'sacleannessmuchdeeperthantheskin！”
“Iknow！”saidDavie，butstaredasifhewonderedhewouldspeakofsuchthings。
Donalreturnedhisgaze。Outofthefullnessofhishearthiseyesshone。Daviewasreassured。
“Canyouride？”heasked。
“Yes，alittle。“
“Whotaughtyou？”
“AnoldmareIwasfondof。“
“Ah，youaremakinggameofme！Idonotliketobemadegameof，“
saidDavie，andturnedaway。
“Noindeed，“repliedDonal。“Inevermakegameofanybody——ButnowIwillgoandfindtheletter。“
“Iwouldgowithyou，“saidtheboy，“butmyfatherwillnotletmebeyondthegrounds。Idon\'tknowwhy。“
Donalhastenedhome，andfoundhimselfeagerlyexpected，fortheletteryoungEppyhadbroughtwasfromtheearl。ItinformedDonalthatitwouldgivehislordshippleasuretoseehim，ifhewouldfavourhimwithacall。
Inafewminuteshewasagainontheroadtothecastle。
CHAPTERXI。
THEEARL。
Hemetnooneonhiswayfromthegateupthroughthewood。Heascendedthehillwithitsdarkascendingfirs，toitscrownofsilverybirches，abovewhich，asoftenastheslowlycirclingroadbroughthimtotheotherside，hesawriselikeahelmetthegraymassofthefortress。Turretandtower，pinnacleandbattlement，appearedanddisappearedasheclimbed。Notuntilatlasthestoodalmostonthetop，andfromanopenspacebeheldnearlythewholefront，couldhetellwhatitwaslike。Itwasagrandpile，butlookedagloomyonetolivein。
Hestoodonabroadgrassyplatform，fromwhichroseagravelledterrace，andfromtheterracethecastle。Heranhiseyealongthefrontseekingadoorbutsawnone。Ascendingtheterracebyabroadflightofsteps，heapproachedadeeprecessinthefront，wheretwoportionsofthehouseofdifferingdatenearlymet。Insidethisrecesshefoundarathersmalldoor，flushwiththewall，thicklystuddedandplatedwithiron，surmountedbytheMorvenhorsescarvedingraystone，andsurroundedwithseveralmouldings。Lookingforsomemeansofannouncinghispresence，hesawahandleattheendofarodofiron，andpulled，butheardnothing：thesoundofthebellwassmotheredinawildernessofstonewalls。Byandby，however，appearedanoldservant，bowedandslow，withplentifulhairwhiteaswool，andamingledlookofchildishnessandcautioninhiswrinkledcountenance。
“Theearlwantstoseeme，“saidDonal。
“Whatname？”saidtheman。
“DonalGrant；buthislordshipwillbenothingthewiser，Isuspect；
Idon\'tthinkheknowsmyname。Tellhim——theyoungmanhesentfortoAndrewComin\'s。“
Themanlefthim，andDonalbegantolookabouthim。Theplacewherehestoodwasamereentry，acellinhugewalls，withasecond，alow，round-headeddoor，liketheentrancetoaprison，bywhichthebutlerhaddisappeared。Therewasnothingbutbarestonearoundhim，withagaintheMorvenarmscutdeepintoitononeside。
Theceilingwasneithervaultednorgroinednorflat，butseemeddeterminedbytheaccidentalconcurrenceofendsofstonestairsandcornersoffloorsondifferentlevels。Itwasfulltenminutesbeforethemanreturnedandrequestedhimtofollowhim。
ImmediatelyDonalfoundhimselfinalargerandlessirregularstone-case，adornedwithheadsandhornsandskinsofanimals。
Crossingthis，themanopenedadoorcoveredwithredcloth，whichlookedstrangeinthemidstofthecoldhardstone，andDonalenteredanoctagonalspace，itsdoorsofdarkshiningoak，withcarvedstonelintelsanddoorposts，anditswallsadornedwitharmsandarmouralmosttothedomedceiling。Intoit，asifitdescendedsuddenlyoutofsomefarheight，butdroppingatlastlikeagentlyalightingbird，cametheendofaturnpike-stair，ofslowsweepandenormousdiameter——suchastairasinwildestgothictalehehadneverimagined。Liketherevolvingcentreofahugeshell，itwentupoutofsight，withplainpromiseofendlessconvolutionsbeyond。
Itwasofancientstone，butnotwornaswouldhavebeenanarrowstair。Agreatropeofsilk，amodernaddition，ranupalongthewallforahand-rail；andwithslow-movingwitheredhanduponit，upthegloriousascentclimbedtheservingman，suggestingtoDonal\'seyethecrawlingofaninsect，tohishearttheredemptionofthesonsofGod。
Withthestairyetascendingabovethemasifitwouldneverstop，themanpauseduponastepnobroaderthantherest，andopeningadoorintheroundofthewell，said，“Mr。Grant，mylord，“andstoodasideforDonaltoenter。
Hefoundhimselfinthepresenceofatall，bowedman，withalarge-featuredwhiteface，thinandworn，andadeep-sunkeneyethatgleamedwithanunhealthylife。Hishairwasthin，butcoveredhishead，andwasonlystreakedwithgray。Hishandswerelongandthinandwhite；hisfeetinlargeshoes，lookingthelargerthattheycameoutfromnarrowtrousers，whichwereofshepherd-tartan。Hiscoatwasoflight-blue，withahighcollarofvelvet，andmuchtoowideforhim。Ablacksilkneckerchieftiedcarelesslyabouthisthroat，andawaistcoatofpineappleshawl-stuff，completedhisdress。OnonelonglittlefingershoneastonewhichDonaltookforanemerald。Hemotionedhisvisitortoaseat，andwentonwriting，witharudenessmorelikethatofasuccessfulcontractorthananobleman。ButitgaveDonaltheadvantageofbecomingalittleaccustomedtohissurroundings。Theroomwasnotlarge，waswainscoted，andhadagoodmanythingsonthewalls：Donalnotedtwoorthreeridingwhips，afishingrod，severalpairsofspurs，aswordwithgoldenhilt，astrangelookingdaggerlikeaflameoffire，oneortwooldengravings，andwhatseemedaplanoftheestate。Attheonewindow，small，withastonemullion，thesummersunwasstreamingin。Theearlsatinitsflood，andintheheartofitseemedcoldandbloodless。Helookedaboutsixtyyearsofage，andasifherarelyorneversmiled。Donaltriedtoimaginewhatasmilewoulddoforhisface，butfailed。Hewasnotintheleastawedbythepresenceofthegreatman。Whatisranktothemanwhohonourseverythinghuman，hasnodesiretolookwhatheisnot，hasnothingtoconcealandnothingtocompass，isfearfulofnoto-morrow，anddoesnotrespectriches！TowardsuchendsofbeingthetideofDonal\'slifewasatleastsetting。Sohesatneitherfidgetingnorstaring，butquietlytakingthingsin。
Theearlraisedhimself，pushedhiswritingfromhim，turnedtowardshim，andsaidwithcourtesy，“Excuseme，Mr。Grant；Iwishedtotalktoyouwiththeeaseofdutydone。“
Morepolitehisaddresscouldnothavebeen，buttherewasasomethingbetweenhimandDonalthatwasnottobepasseda——namelessgulfofthenegative。
“Mytimeisatyourlordship\'sservice，“repliedDonal，withtheeasethatcomesofsimplicity。
“YouhaveprobablyguessedwhyIsentforyou？”
“Ihavehoped，mylord。“