Therewassomethingofold-worldbreedingabouttheladthatcommendedhimtotheearl。SuchbreedingisnotrareamongCelt-bornpeasants。
“Mysonstoldmethattheyhadmetayoungmaninthegrounds——“
“ForwhichIbegyourlordship\'spardon，“saidDonal。“Ididnotknowtheplacewasforbidden。“
“Ihopeyouwillsoonbefamiliarwithit。Iamgladofyourmistake。Fromwhattheysaid，Isupposedyoumightbeastudentinwantofasituation，andIhadbeenlookingoutforayoungmantotakechargeoftheboy：itseemedpossibleyoumightservemypurpose。Idonotquestionyoucanshowyourselffitforsuchanoffice：Ipresumeitwouldsuityou。Doyoubelieveyourselfonetobesotrusted？”
Donalhadnotaglimmeroffalsemodesty；heansweredimmediately，“Ido，mylord。“
“Tellmesomethingofyourhistory：wherewereyouborn？whatwereyourparents？”
Donaltoldhimallhethoughtitofanyconsequenceheshouldknow。
Hislordshipdidnotonceinterrupthimwithquestionorremark。
Whenhehadended——
“Well，“hesaid，“Ilikeallyoutellme。Youhavetestimonials？”
“Ihavefromtheprofessors，mylord，andonefromtheministeroftheparish，whoknewmebeforeIwenttocollege。IcouldgetonefromMr。Sclatertoo，whosechurchIattendedwhilethere。“
“Showmewhatyouhave，“saidhislordship。
Donaltookthepapersfromthepocket-bookhismotherhadmadehim，andhandedthemtohim。Theearlreadthemwithsomeattention，returningeachtohimwithoutremarkashefinishedit，onlysayingwiththelast，“Quitesatisfactory。“
“But，“saidDonal，“thereisonethingIshouldbemoreateaseifI
toldyourlordship：Mr。Carmichael，theministerofthisparish，wouldtellyouIwasanatheist，orsomethingverylikeit——thereforeanaltogetherunsafeperson。Butheknowsnothingofme。“
“Onwhatgroundsthenwouldhesayso？”askedtheearl——showingnottheleastdiscomposure。“Ithoughtyouwereastrangertothisplace！”
Donaltoldhimhowtheyhadmet，whathadpassedbetweenthem，andhowtheministerhadbehavedinconsequence。Hislordshipheardhimgravely，wassilentforamoment，andthensaid，“ShouldMr。Carmichaeladdressmeonthesubject，whichIdonotthinklikely，hewillfindmealreadytoomuchprejudicedinyourfavour。ButIcanimaginehismistakingyourfreedomofspeech：youarescarcelyprudentenough。Whysayallyouthink？”
“Ifearnothing，mylord。“
Theearlwassilent；hisgrayfaceseemedtogrowgrayer，butitmightbethatjustthenthesunwentunderacloud，andhewassuddenlyfoldedinshadow。Afteramomenthespokeagain。
“Iamquitesatisfiedwithyousofar，Mr。Grant；andasIshouldnotliketoemployyouindirectoppositiontoMr。Carmichel——notthatIbelongtohischurch——wewillarrangemattersbeforehecanhearoftheaffair。Whatsalarydoyouwant？”
Donalrepliedhewouldpreferleavingthesalarytohislordship\'sjudgmentupontrial。
“Iamnotawealthyman，“returnedhislordship，“andwouldpreferanunderstanding。“
“Trymethenforthreemonths，mylord；givememyboardandlodging，theuseofyourlibrary，andattheendofthequarteraten-pound-note：bythattimeyouwillbeabletotellwhetherIsuityou。“
Theearlnoddedagreement，andDonalroseatonce。Withaheartfullofthankfulnessandhopehewalkedbacktohisfriends。Hehadbeforehimpleasantwork；plentyoftimeandbook-help；anabodefullofinterest；andsomethingforhislabour！
“\'Surelythewrathofmanshallpraisethee！\'“saidthecobbler，rejoicingagainsttheminister；“\'theremainderofwrathshaltthourestrain。\'“
IntheafternoonDonalwentintothetowntogetsometrifleshewantedbeforegoingtothecastle。Asheturnedtothedoorofadraper\'sshop，hesawatthecountertheministertalkingtohim。
Hewouldratherhavegoneelsewherebutforunwillingnesstoturnhisbackonanything：hewentin。Besidetheministerstoodayounglady，who，havingcompletedherpurchases，waslisteningtotheirconversation。Thedraperlookedupasheentered。Aglancepassedbetweenhimandtheminister。HecametoDonal，andhavingheardwhathewanted，lefthim，wentbacktotheminister，andtooknomorenoticeofhim。Donalfounditawkward，andlefttheshop。
“Highan\'michty！”saidthedraper，annoyedatlosingthecustomertowhosedispraisehehadbeenlistening。
“Farbeyonddissent，John！”saidtheminister，pursuingaremark。
“Doobtless，sir，itisthat！”answeredthedraper。“I\'mthankfu\'tosayIneverharbouredadoobtmysel\'，butayetookwhatIwastauld，ohnargle-barglet。Whathaewesicasyersel\'setower\'sfor，gienitbinnatohaud\'si\'thestraichtpatho\'whatwe\'retobelievean\'
notobelieve？It\'safinethingnotobeaccoontable！”
Theministerwasanhonestmansofarasheknewhimselfandhonesty，anddidnotrelishthisformofsubmission。Buthedidnotaskhimselfwherewasthedifferencebetweenacceptingthewordofmanandacceptingman\'sexplanationofthewordofGod！Hetookahugepinchfromhisblacksnuffboxandheldhispeace。
IntheeveningDonalwouldsettlehisaccountwithmistressComin：
hefoundherdemandsomuchlessthanhehadexpected，thatheexpostulated。Shewasfirm，however，andassuredhimshehadgained，notlost。Ashewasputtinguphisthings，“Lea\'abuikortwa，sir，“shesaid，“\'atwhanyeluikin，theplacemayluikhame-like。Wes\'ca\'theroomyours。Comeasaftenasyecan。ItdoesmyAnerew\'shertguidtohaeacrackwi\'ane\'atkenssomethingo\'whattheMaisterwadbeat。Monyane\'llca\'himLord，butfeow\'illtakthetribletokenwhathewadhaeo\'them。Butthere\'smyAnerew——he\'llsityon\'erathiswark，thinkin\'bythehoorthegitherowersomethingtheMaistersaid\'athecannawinattherichtso\'。\'Depen\'upo\'\'t，\'hesayswhiles，\'depen\'upo\'\'t，lass，whauronythinghesaysdisnaluikrichttohiz，itmaunbe\'atwehaenawonatit！\'“
Assheended，herhusbandcamein，andtookupwhathefanciedthethreadofthedialogue。
“An\'whatarewetothinko\'theman，“hesaid，“at\'scontentnotoun\'erstan\'whathewasatthetribletosay？Wadhesaythings\'athedidnameanfowktoun\'erstan\'whanhesaidthem？”“Weel，Anerew，“
saidhiswife，“there\'smonyathinghesaid\'atIcannotun\'erstan\'；naitheramImucklethebetterforyourexplainin\'o\'
thesame；Imaunjistlatitsit。“
Andrewlaughedhisquietpleasedlaugh。
“Weel，lass，“hesaid，“theduin\'o\'aething\'sbetternortheun\'erstan\'in\'o\'twenty。Norwullyebelangohnun\'erstan\'tmuckle\'at\'sdarktoyenoo；forthemaisterlikesnanebuttheduero\'theword，an\'herhelikesweel。Beblythe，lass；yes\'haeyerfillo\'
un\'erstan\'in\'yet！”
“I\'mfaintobelieveyespeykthetrowth，Anerew！”
“It\'sgreattrowth，“saidDonal。
CHAPTERXII。
THECASTLE。
Thenextmorningcameacartfromthecastletofetchhisbox；andafterbreakfasthesetoutforhisnewabode。
Hetookthepathbytheriver-side。Themorningwasglorious。Thesunandtheriverandthebirdswerejubilant，andthewindgavelifetoeverything。Itrippledthestream，andflutteredthelongwebsbleachinginthesun：theyroseandfelllikewhitewavesonthebrightgreenlake；andwomen，homelyNereidsofthegrassysea，werebesprinklingthemwithspray。Thereweredullsoundsofwoodenmachinerynear，buttheymadenodiscordwiththesweetnessofthehour，speakingonlyofactivity，notlabour。Fromthelongbleachingmeadowsbytheriver-siderosethewoodedbaseofthecastle。Donal\'sbosomswelledwithdelight；thencameasting：washealreadyforgettinghisinextinguishablegrief？“But，“heansweredhimself，“Godismoretomethananywoman！Whenheputsjoyinmyheart，shallInotbeglad？WhenhecallsmynameshallInotanswer？”
Hesteppedoutjoyfully，andwassoonclimbingthehill。Hewasagainadmittedbytheoldbutler。
“Iwillshowyouatonce，“hesaid，“howtogoandcomeatyourownwill。“
Heledhimthroughdoorsandalongpassagestoaposternopeningonalittlewalledgardenattheeastendofthecastle。
“Thisdoor，“hesaid，“is，youobserve，atthefootofBaliol\'stower，andinthattowerisyourroom；Iwillshowityou。“
Heledthewayupaspiralstairthatmightalmosthavegoneinsidethenewelofthegreatstaircase。Upanduptheywent，untilDonalbegantowonder，andstilltheywentup。
“You\'reyoung，sir，“saidthebutler，“andsoundofwindandlimb；
soyou\'llsoonthinknothingofit。“
“Ineverwasupsohighbefore，exceptonahill-side，“returnedDonal。“Thecollege-towerisnothingtothis！”
“Inadayortwoyou\'llbeshootingupanddownitlikeabird。I
usedtodosomyself。Igotintothewayofkeepingashoulderforemost，andscrewingupasifIwasablobofair！Oldagedoesmakefoolsofus！”
“Youdon\'tlikeitthen？”
“No，Idonot：whodoes？”
“It\'sonlythatyougetspentasyougoup。Thefreshairatthetopofthestairwillsoonreviveyou，“saidDonal。
Buthisconductordidnotunderstandhim。
“That\'sallverywellsolongasyou\'reyoung；butwhenithasgotyou，you\'llpantandgrumbleliketherestofus。“
InthedistanceDonalsawAgecomingslowlyafterhim，toclawhiminhisclutch，astheoldsongsays。“PleaseGod，“hethought，“bythetimehecomesup，I\'llbereadytotryafallwithhim！OThoueternallyyoung，theyearshavenoholdonthee；letthemhavenoneonthychild。Itooshallhavelifeeternal。“
Eretheyreachedthetopofthestair，themanhaltedandopenedadoor。Donalenteringsawasmallroom，nearlyround，aportionofthecircletakenoffbythestair。Ontheoppositesidewasawindowprojectingfromthewall，whencehecouldlookinthreedifferentdirections。Thewidecountrylayathisfeet。Hesawthewindingroadbywhichhehadascended，thegatebywhichhehadentered，themeadowwithitswhitestripesthroughwhichhehadcome，andtheriverflowingdown。Hefolloweditwithhiseyes：——lo，therewasthesea，shininginthesunlikeadiamondshield！ItwasbutthelittleGermanOcean，yetonewiththegreatworld-ocean。Heturnedtohisconductor。
“Yes，“saidtheoldman，answeringhislook，“it\'saglorioussight！
WhenfirstIlookedoutthereIthoughtIwasineternity。“
Thewallswerebareevenofplaster；hecouldhavecountedthestonesinthem；buttheyweredryasabone。
“Youarewondering，“saidtheoldman，“howyouaretokeepwarminthewinter！Lookhere：youshutthisdooroverthewindow！Seehowthickandstrongitis！Thereisyourfireplace；andforfuel，there\'splentybelow！Itisalabourtocarryitup，Igrant；butifIwasyou，Iwouldsettoo\'nightswhennobodywasabout，andcarrytillIhadastocklaidin！”
“But，“saidDonal，“Ishouldfillupmyroom。Iliketobeabletomoveaboutalittle！”
“Ah，“repliedtheoldman，“youdon\'tknowwhataspaceyouhaveupherealltoyourself！Comethisway。“
Twoturnsmoreupthestair，andtheycametoanotherdoor。Itopenedintowidespace：fromitDonalsteppedonaledgeorbartizan，withoutanyparapet，thatranroundthetower，passingabovethewindowofhisroom。Itwaswellhehadasteadybrain，forhefoundtheheightaffecthimmorethanthatofaprecipiceonGlashgar：doubtlesshewouldgetusedtoit，fortheoldmanhadsteppedoutwithoutthesmallesthesitation！Roundthetowerhefollowedhim。
Ontheothersideafewstepsrosetoawatch-tower——asortofornatesentry-boxinstone，whereonemightsitandregardwithwidevisionthewholecountry。Avoidingthis，anothersteportwoledthemtotheroofofthecastle——ofgreatstoneslabs。Abroadpassageranbetweentheriseoftheroofandabattlementedparapet。
Bythistimetheycametoaflatroof，ontowhichtheydescendedbyafewsteps。Herestoodtworoughsheds，withnothinginthem。
“There\'sstowage！”saidtheoldman。
“Yes，indeed！”answeredDonal，towhomtheideaofhisaeriewasgrowingmoreandmoreagreeable。“Butwouldtherebenoobjectiontomyusingtheplaceforsuchapurpose？”
“Whatobjection？”returnedhisguide。“Idoubtifasinglepersonbutmyselfknowsit。“
“AndshallIbeallowedtocarryupasmuchasIplease？”
“Iallowyou，“saidthebutler，withimportance。“Ofcourseyouwillnotwaste——Iamdeadagainstwaste！Butastowhatisneedful，useyourfreedom——Dinnerwillbereadyforyouintheschoolroomatseven。“
Atthedoorofhisroomtheoldmanlefthim，andafterlisteningforamomenttohisdescendingsteps，Donalre-enteredhischamber。
Whytheyputhimsoapart，Donalneveraskedhimself；thatheshouldhavesuchcommandofhisleisureasthisisolationpromisedhimwasaconsequenceverysatisfactory。Heproceededatoncetosettlehimselfinhisnewquarters。Findingsomeshelvesinarecessofthewall，hearrangedhisbooksuponthem，andlaidhisfewclothesinthechestofdrawersbeneath。Hethengotouthiswritingmaterial，andsatdown。
Thoughhiswindowwassohigh，thewarmpureaircameinfullofthearomaticodoursrisinginthehotsunshinefromtheyoungpinetreesfarbelow，andfromalarkfarabovedescendednewsofheaven-gate。
Thescentcameupandthesongcamedownallthetimehewaswritingtohismother——alongletter。Whenhehadclosedandaddressedit，hefellintoareverie。Apparentlyhewastohavehismealsbyhimself：hewasgladofit：hewouldbeabletoreadallthetime！Buthowwashetofindtheschoolroom！Someonewouldsurelyfetchhim！Theywouldrememberhedidnotknowhiswayabouttheplace！Itwantedyetanhourtodinner-timewhen，findinghimselfdrowsy，hethrewhimselfonhisbed，wherepresentlyhefellfastasleep。
Thenightdescended，andwhenhecametohimself，itssilencesweredeeparoundhim。Itwasnotdark：therewasnomoon，butthetwilightwasclear。Hecouldreadthefaceofhiswatch：itwastwelveo\'clock！Noonehadmissedhim！Hewasveryhungry！Buthehadbeenhungrierbeforeandsurvivedit！Inhiswalletwerestillsomeremnantsofoat-cake！Hetookitinhishand，andsteppingoutonthebartizan，creptwithcarefulstepsroundtothewatch-tower。
Thereheseatedhimselfinthestonechair，andatehisdrymorselsinthestarrypresences。Sleephadrefreshedhim，andhewaswideawake，yettherewasonhimthesenseofastrangeexistence。Neverbeforehadhesoknownhimself！Oftenhadhepassedthenightintheopenair，butneverbeforehadhisnight-consciousnessbeensuch！Neverhadhefeltthesamewayalone。Hewaspartedfromthewholeearth，liketheship-boyonthegiddymast！Nothingwasbelowbutadimness；theearthandallthatwasinitwasmassedintoavagueshadow。Itwasasifhehaddiedandgonewhereexistencewasindependentofsolidityandsense。Abovehimwasdomedthevastofthestarryheavens；hecouldneitherfleefromitnorascendtoit！
Foramomenthefeltitthesymboloflife，yetanunattainablehopelessthing。Hehungsuspendedbetweenheavenandearth，anoutcastofboth，adenizenofneither！Thetruelifeseemedevertoretreat，nevertoawaithisgrasp。NothingbutthebeholdingofthefaceoftheSonofMancouldsethimatrestastoitsreality；
nothinglessthantheassurancefromhisownmouthcouldsatisfyhimthatallwastrue，allwell：lifewasathingsoessentiallydivine，thathecouldnotknowitinitselftillhisownessencewaspure！
Butalas，howdream-likewastheoldstory！WasGodindeedtobereachedbytheprayers，affectedbytheneedsofmen？Howwashetofeelsureofit？Oncemore，asoftenheretofore，hefoundhimselfcryingintothegreatworldtoknowwhethertherewasaneartohear。Whatifthereshouldcometohimnoanswer？Howfrightfulthenwouldbehisloneliness！Buttoseemnottobeheardmightbepartofthedisciplineofhisdarkness！ItmightbefortheperfectingofhisfaiththathemustnotyetknowhownearGodwastohim！
“Lord，“hecried，“eternallifeistoknowtheeandthyFather；IdonotknowtheeandthyFather；Ihavenoteternallife；Ihavebutlifeenoughtohungerformore：showmeplainlyoftheFatherwhomthoualoneknowest。“
Andasheprayed，somethinglikeatouchofGodseemedtobeginandgrowinhimtillitwasmorethanhisheartcouldhold，andtheuniverseabouthimwasnotlargeenoughtoholdinitshollowtheheartthatswelledwithit。
“Godisenough，“hesaid，andsatinpeace。
CHAPTERXIII。
ASOUND。
Allatoncecametohisearthroughthenightastrangesomething。
Whenceorwhatitwashecouldnotevenconjecture。Wasitamoanoftheriverfrombelow？Wasitalostmusic-tonethathadwanderedfromafarandgrownfaint？Wasitoneofthosemysterioussoundshehadreadofasbornintheairitself，andnotyetexplainedofscience？Wasittheflutteredskirtofsomeangelicsongoflamentation？——foriftheangelsrejoice，theysurelymustlament！
Orwasitastilledhumanmoaning？Wasanywrongbeingdonefardowninthewhite-gleamingmeadowsbelow，bythebanksoftheriverwhoseplatinum-glimmerhecoulddescrythroughthemoltenamethystinedarknessofthestarrynight？
Presentlycamealong-drawnmusicalmoan：itmustbethesoundofsomemuffledinstrument！Verilynightwasthetimeforstrangethings！Couldsoundsbebegotteninthefirtreesbytheraysofthehotsun，andborninthestillnessofthefollowingdark，asthelightwhichthediamondreceivesinthedayglowsoutinthegloom？
Thereareparentsandtheirprogenythatneverexisttogether！
Againthesound——hardlytobecalledsound！Itresembledavibrationoforgan-pipetooslowanddeeptoaffectthehearing；
onlythisratherseemedtoohigh，asifonlyhissoulheardit。Hewouldstealsoftlydownthedumbstone-stair！Somecreaturemightbeintroubleandneedinghelp！
Hecreptbackalongthebartizan。Thestairwasdarkastheveryheartofthenight。Hegropedhiswaydown。Thespiralstairisthesafestofall：youcannottumblefarerebroughtupbytheinclosingcylinder。Arrivedatthebottom，andfeelingabout，hecouldnotfindthedoortotheouterairwhichthebutlerhadshownhim；itwaswallwhereverhishandsfell。Hecouldnotfindagainthestairhehadleft；hecouldnottellinwhatdirectionitlay。
Hehadgotintoalongwindowlesspassageconnectingtwowingsofthehouse，andinthishewasfeelinghisway，fearfuloffallingdownsomestairortrap。Hecameatlasttoadoor——low-browedlikealmostallinthehouse。Openingit——wasitathinnerdarknessorthefaintestgleamoflighthesaw？Andwasthatagainthesoundhehadfollowed，fainterandfartheroffthanbefore——adownywind-waftedplumefromtheskirtofsomestrayharmony？Atsuchatimeofthenightsurelyitwasstrange！Itmustcomefromonewhocouldnotsleep，andwassolacinghimselfwithsweetsounds，breathingasoulintotheuncompanionablesilence！Ifsoitwas，hehadnorighttosearchfarther！Buthowwashetoreturn？Hedaredhardlymove，lestheshouldbefoundwanderingoverthehouseinthedeadofnightlikeathief，oronesearchingafteritssecrets。Hemustsitdownandwaitforthemorning：itsearliestlightwouldperhapsenablehimtofindhiswaytohisquarters！
Feelingabouthimalittle，hisfootstruckagainstthestepofastair。Examiningitwithhishands，hebelieveditthesamehehadascendedinthemorning：eveninagreatcastle，couldtherebetwosuchroyalstairs？Hesatdownuponit，andleaninghisheadonhishands，composedhimselftoapatientwaitingforthelight。
Waitingpureisperhapsthehardestthingforfleshandbloodtodowell。Therelationsoftimetomindareverystrange。Someoftheirphenomenaseemtoprovethattimeisonlyofthemind——belongingtotheintellectasgoodandevilbelongtothespirit。Anyhow，ifitwerenotfortheclocksoftheuniverse，onemanwouldliveayear，acentury，whereanotherwouldlivebutaday。Butthemeremotionoftime，nottosaytheconsciousnessofemptytime，isfearful。Itisthisemptytimethatthefoolisalwaystryingtokill：hiseffortshouldbetofillit。YetnothingbutthelivingGodcanfillit——thoughitbebuttheshapeourexistencetakestous。Onlywhereheis，emptinessisnot。
EternitywillbebutanintensepresenttothechildwithwhomistheFather。
Suchthoughtsalighted，flitted，andpassed，forthefirstfewmoments，throughthemindofDonal，ashesathalfconsciouslywaitingforthedawn。Itwasthousandsofmilesaway，overthegreatroundofthesunward-turningearth！Hisimaginationwoke，andbegantopicturethegreathuntoftheshadows，fleeingbeforethearrowsofthesun，overthebroadfaceofthemightyworld——itsmountains，seas，andplainsinturnconfessingthelight，andsubmittingtohimwhoslaysforthemthehauntingdemonsoftheirdark。Thenagainthemomentswerethesmallcogsonthewheelsoftime，wherebythedarkcastleinwhichhesatwasrushingevertowardsthelight：thecogswerecaughtandthewheelsturnedswiftly，andthetimeandthedarknesssped。Heforgotthelabourofwaiting。Ifnowandthenhefanciedatonethroughthedarkness，itwastohismindthemusic-marchofthemorningtohisrescuefromthedungeonofthenight。
Butthatwasnomusicaltonewhichmadethedarknessshudderaroundhim！Hesprangtohisfeet。Itwasahumangroan——agroanasofoneindirepain，thepainofasoul\'sagony。Itseemedtohavedescendedthestairtohim。ThenextinstantDonalwasfeelinghiswayup——cautiously，asifoneachsucceedingstephemightcomeagainstthemanwhohadgroaned。Talesofhauntedhousesrushedintohismemory。Whatifhewerebutpursuingthegroanofanactorinthepast——acreaturetheslaveofhisownconsciousmemory——amerehaunterofthepresentwhichhecouldnotinfluence——onewithoutphysicalrelationtotheembodied，saveinthegroanshecouldyetutter！Butitwasmoreinawethaninfearthathewent。
Upanduphefelthisway，allabouthimasstillasdarknessandthenightcouldmakeit。Aghostlycoldcreptthroughhisskin；itwasdrawntogetherasbyagentlyfreezingprocess；andtherewasapullingatthemusclesofhischest，asifhismouthwerebeingdraggedopenbyamartingale。
Ashefelthiswayalongthewall，sweepingitsgreatendlesscircleroundandroundinspiralascent，allatoncehishandseemedtogothroughit；hestartedandstopped。Itwasthedooroftheroomintowhichhehadbeenshowntomeettheearl！Itstoodwideopen。
Afaintglimmercamethroughthewindowfromthestar-filledsky。
Hesteppedjustwithinthedoorway。Wasnotthatanotherglimmeronthefloor——fromthebackoftheroom——throughadoorhedidnotrememberhavingseenyesterday？Thereagainwasthegroan，andnighathand！Someonemustbeinsoreneed！Heapproachedthedoorandlookedthrough。Alamp，nearlyspent，hungfromtheceilingofasmallroomwhichmightbeanofficeorstudy，oraplacewherepaperswerekept。Ithadthelookofanantechamber，butthatitcouldnotbe，fortherewasbuttheonedoor！——Inthedimlighthedescriedavagueformleaningupagainstoneofthewalls，asiflisteningtosomethingthroughit！Ashegazeditgrewplainertohim，andhesawaface，itseyesstaringwide，whichyetseemednottoseehim。Itwasthefaceoftheearl。Donalfeltasifinthepresenceofthedisembodied；hestoodfascinated，normadeattempttoretireorconcealhimself。Thefigureturneditsfacetothewall，putthepalmsofitshandsagainstit，andmovedthemupanddown，andthiswayandthat；thenlookedatthem，andbegantorubthemagainsteachother。
Donalcametohimself。Heconcludeditwasacaseofsleepwalking。
Hehadreadthatitwasdangeroustowakethesleeper，butthatheseldomcametomischiefwhenleftalone，andwasabouttoslipawayashehadcome，whenthefaintsoundofafar-offchordcreptthroughthesilence。Theearlagainlaidhiseartothewall。Buttherewasonlysilence。Hewentthroughthesamedumbshowasbefore，thenturnedasiftoleavetheplace。Donalturnedalso，andhurriedlyfelthiswaytothestair。Thenfirsthewasindangerofterror；forinstealingthroughthedarknessfromonewhocouldfindhiswaywithouthiseyes，heseemedpursuedbyacreaturenotofthisworld。Onthestairhewentdownasteportwo，thenlingered，andheardtheearlcomeonitalso。Hecreptclosetothenewel，leavingthegreatwidthofthestairfree，butthestepsoftheearlwentupward。Donaldescended，satdownagainatthebottomofthestair，andbeganagaintowait。Nosoundcametohimthroughtherestofthenight。Theslowhoursrolledaway，andtheslowlightdrewnearer。Nowandthenhewasonthepointoffallingintoadoze，butwouldsuddenlystartwideawake，listeningthroughasilencethatseemedtofillthewholeuniverseanddeepenaroundthecastle。
Atlengthhewasawarethatthedarknesshad，unobservedofhim，grownweaker——thattheapproachofthelightwassickeningit：thedayspringwasabouttotakeholdoftheendsoftheearththatthewickedmightbeshakenoutofitslap。Hesoughtthelongpassagebywhichhehadcome，andfelthiswaytotheotherend：itwouldbesafertowaitthereifhecouldgetnofarther。Butsomehowhecametothefootofhisownstair，andspedupasifitweretheladderofheaven。Hethrewhimselfonhisbed，fellfastasleep，anddidnotwaketillthesunwashigh。
CHAPTERXIV。
THESCHOOLROOM。
OldSimmons，thebutler，wokehim。
“Iwasafraidsomethingwasthematter，sir。Theytellmeyoudidnotcomedownlastnight；andbreakfasthasbeenwaitingyoutwohours。“
“Ishouldnothaveknownwheretofindit，“saidDonal。“Theknowledgeofanoldcastleisnotintuitive。“
“Howlongwillyoutaketodress？”askedSimmons。
“Tenminutes，ifthereisanyhurry，“answeredDonal。
“Iwillcomeagainintwenty；or，ifyouarewillingtosaveanoldman\'sbones，Iwillbeatthebottomofthestairatthattimetotakechargeofyou。Iwouldhavelookedafteryouyesterday，buthislordshipwaspoorly，andIhadtobeinattendanceonhimtillaftermidnight。“
Donalthoughtitimpossibleheshouldofhimselfhavefoundhiswaytotheschoolroom。Withallhecoulddotoremembertheturnings，hefoundtheendeavourhopeless，andgaveitupwithanotunpleasingdespair。Throughstrangepassages，throughdoorsinalldirections，upstairsanddowntheywent，andatlastcametoalong，lowroom，barelyfurnished，withapleasantoutlook，andimmediateaccesstotheopenair。Thewindowswereuponasmallgrassycourt，withasundialinthecentre；adooropenedonapavedcourt。Atoneendoftheroomatablewaslaidwithtentimesasmanythingsashecoulddesiretoeat，thoughhecametoitwithagoodappetite。Thebutlerhimselfwaiteduponhim。Hewasagood-naturedoldfellow，withanosesomewhattooredfortheordinarywearofoneinhisresponsibleposition。
“Ihopetheearlisbetterthismorning，“saidDonal。
“Well，Ican\'tsay。He\'sbutadelicatemanistheearl，andhasbeen，solongasIhaveknownhim。HewaswiththearmyinIndia，andthesun，theysay，givehimastroke，andeversincehehaveheadachesthatbad！Butinbetweenheseemsprettywell，andnothingdispleaseshimmorethanaskafterhishealth，orhowheslepthenight。Buthe\'sagoodmaster，andIhopetoendmydayswithhim。I\'mnotoneaslikesnewfacesandnewplaces！Onegoodplaceisenoughforme，saysI——solongasitisagoodone——Takesomeofthisgamepie，sir。“
Donalmadehastewithhisbreakfast，andtoSimmons\'sastonishmenthadendedwhenhethoughthimjustwellbegun。
“HowshallIfindmasterDavie？”heasked。
“Heiswildtoseeyou，sir。WhenI\'veclearedaway，justhavethegoodnesstoringthisbelloutofthatwindow，andhe\'llbewithyouasfastashecanlayhisfeettotheground。“
Donalrangthehandbell。Ashoutmingledwiththeclangofit。
Thencametherunningofswiftfeetoverthestonesofthecourt，andDavieburstintotheroom。
“Oh，sir，“hecried，“Iamglad！Itisgoodofyoutocome！”
“Well，yousee，Davie，“returnedDonal，“everybodyhasgottodosomethingtocarrytheworldonabit：myworkistohelpmakeamanofyou。OnlyIcan\'tdomuchexceptyouhelpme；andifIfindIamnotmakingagoodjobofyou，Ishan\'tstopmanyhoursafterthediscovery。Ifyouwanttokeepme，youmustmindwhatIsay，andsohelpmetomakeamanofyou。“
“ItwillbelongbeforeIamaman！”saidDavieratherdisconsolately。
“Itdependsonyourself。Theboythatislongestinbecomingaman，istheboythatthinkshimselfamanbeforeheisabitlikeone。“
“Comethen，letusdosomething！”saidDavie。
“Comeaway，“rejoinedDonal。“Whatshallwedofirst？”
“Idon\'tknow：youmusttellme，sir。“
“Whatwouldyoulikebesttodo——Imeanifyoumightdowhatyoupleased？”
Daviethoughtalittle，thensaid：
“Ishouldliketowriteabook。“
“Whatkindofabook？”
“Abeautifulstory。“
“Isn\'titjustaswelltoreadsuchabook？Whyshouldyouwanttowriteone？”
“BecausethenIshouldhaveitgojustasIwantedit！Iamalways——almostalways——disappointedwiththethingthatcomesnext。
ButifIwroteitmyself，thenIshouldn\'tgettiredofit；itwouldbewhatpleasedme，andnotwhatpleasedsomebodyelse。“
“Well，“saidDonal，afterthinkingforamoment，“supposeyoubegintowriteabook！”
“Oh，thatwillbefun！——muchbetterthanlearningverbsandnouns！”
“Buttheverbsandnounsarejustthethingsthatgotomakeastory——withnotafewadjectivesandadverbs，andahostofconjunctions；and，ifitbeaverymovingstory，agoodmanyinterjections！Theseallyouhavegottoputtogetherwithgoodchoice，orthestorywillnotbeoneyouwouldcaretoread——PerhapsyouhadbetternotbegintillIseewhetheryouknowenoughaboutthoseverbsandnounstodothethingdecently。Showmeyourschool-books。“
“Theretheyallare——onthatshelf！Ihaven\'topenedoneofthemsincePercycamehome。Helaughedatthemall，andsoArkie——that\'sladyArctura，toldhimhemightteachmehimself。Andhewouldn\'t；
andshewouldn\'t——withhimtolaughather。AndI\'vehadsuchajollytimeeversince——readingbooksoutofthelibrary！Haveyouseenthelibrary，Mr。Grant？”
“No；I\'veseennothingyet。Supposewebeginwithaholiday，andyoubeginbyteachingme！”
“Teachingyou，sir！I\'mnotabletoteachyou！”
“Why，didn\'tyouasmuchasoffertoteachmethelibrary？Can\'tyouteachmethisgreatoldcastle？Andaren\'tyougoingtoteachyourselftome？”
“Thatwouldbeafunnylesson，sir！”
“Theleastfunny，themostseriouslessonyoucouldteachme！YouareabookGodhasbegun，andhehassentmetohelphimgoonwithit；soImustlearnwhathehaswrittenalreadybeforeItrytodoanything。“
“Butyouknowwhataboyis，sir！Whyshouldyouwanttolearnme？”
“Youmightaswellsaythat，becauseIhavereadoneortwobooks，I
mustknoweverybook。Tounderstandoneboyhelpstounderstandanother，buteveryboyisanewboy，differentfromeveryotherboy，andeveryonehastobeunderstood。“
“Yes——forsometimesArkiewon\'thearmeout，andIfeelsocrosswithherIshouldliketogiveheragoodboxontheear。Whatkingwasit，sir，thatmadethelawthatnolady，howeverdisagreeable，wastohaveherearsboxed？Doyouthinkitagoodlaw，sir？”
“Itisgoodforyouandmeanyhow。“
“AndwhenPercysays，\'Oh，goaway！don\'tbother，\'IfeelasifI
couldhithimhard！Yet，ifIhappentohurthim，Iamsosorry！
andwhythenshouldIwanttohurthim？”
“There\'ssomethinginthislittlefellow！”saidDonaltohimself。
“Ah，whyindeed？”heanswered。“Youseeyoudon\'tunderstandyourselfyet！”
“Noindeed！”
“ThenhowcouldyouthinkIshouldunderstandyouallatonce？——andaboymustbeunderstood，elsewhat\'stobecomeofhim！Fancyapoorboylivingallday，andsleepingallnight，andnobodyunderstandinghim！”
“Thatwouldbedreadful！Butyouwillunderstandme？”
“Onlyalittle：I\'mnotwiseenoughtounderstandanyboy。“
“Then——butisn\'tthatwhatyousaidyoucamefor？——Ithought——“
“Yes，“answeredDonal，“thatiswhatIcamefor；butifIfanciedI
quiteunderstoodanyboy，thatwouldbeasuresignIdidnotunderstandhim——Thereisonewhounderstandseveryboyaswellasiftherewerenootherboyinthewholeworld。“
“Thenwhydoesn\'teveryboygotohimwhenhecan\'tgetfairplay？”
“Ah，why？ThatisjustwhatIwantyoutodo。Hecandobetterthangiveyoufairplayeven：hecanmakeyougiveotherpeoplefairplay，anddelightinit。“
“Tellmewhereheis。“
“ThatiswhatIhavetoteachyou：meretellingisnotmuchuse。
Tellingiswhatmakespeoplethinktheyknowwhentheydonot，andmakesthemfoolish。“
“Whatishisname？”
“Iwillnottellyouthatjustyet；forthenyouwouldthinkyouknewhim，whenyouknewnexttonothingabouthim。Lookhere；lookatthisbook，“hewenton，pullingacopyofBoethiusfromhispocket；“lookatthenameonthebackofit：itisthenameofthemanthatwrotethebook。“
Daviespelleditout。
“Nowyouknowallaboutthebook，don\'tyou？”
“No，sir；Idon\'tknowanythingaboutit。“
“Wellthen，myfather\'snameisRobertGrant：youknownowwhatagoodmanheis！”
“No，Idon\'t。Ishouldliketoseehimthough！”
“Youwouldlovehimifyoudid！Butyouseenowthatknowingthenameofapersondoesnotmakeyouknowtheperson。“
“Butyousaid，sir，thatifyoutoldmethenameofthatperson，I
shouldfancyIknewallabouthim：Idon\'tfancyIknowallaboutyourfathernowyouhavetoldmehisname！”
“Youhavemethere！”answeredDonal。“IdidnotsayquitewhatI
oughttohavesaid。Ishouldhavesaidthatwhenweknowalittleaboutaperson，andareusedtohearinghisname，thenwearereadytothinkweknowallabouthim。Iheardamantheotherday——amanwhohadneverspokentoyourfather——talkasifheknewallabouthim。“
“IthinkIunderstand，“saidDavie。
Toconfessignoranceistoloserespectwiththeignorantwhowouldappeartoknow。Butthereisaworsethingthantolosetherespectevenofthewise——todeservetoloseit；andthathedoeswhowouldgainarespectthatdoesnotbelongtohim。Butaconfessionofignoranceisagroundofrespectwithawell-bredchild，andevenwithmanyordinaryboyswillraiseaman\'sinfluence：theyrecognizehisloyaltytothetruth。Act-truthisinfinitelymorethanfact-truth；theloveofthetruthinfinitelybeyondtheknowledgeofit。
Theywentouttogether，andwhentheyhadgonetheroundoftheplaceoutside，Daviewouldhavetakenhimoverthehouse；butDonalsaidtheywouldleavesomethingforanothertime，andmadehimliedownfortenminutes。Thistheboythoughtagreathardship，butDonalsawthatheneededtobetaughttorest。Tentimesinthosetenminuteshewasonthepointofjumpingup，butDonalfoundawordsufficienttorestrainhim。Whenthetenminuteswereover，hesethimanadditionsum。Theboyprotestedheknewalltherulesofarithmetic。
“But，“saidDonal，“Imustknowthatyouknowthem；thatismybusiness。Dothisone，howevereasyitis。“
Theboyobeyed，andbroughthimthesum——incorrect。
“Now，Davie，“saidDonal，“yousaidyouknewallaboutaddition，butyouhavenotdonethissumcorrectly。“
“Ihaveonlymadeablunder，sir。“
“Butaruleisnoruleifitisnotcarriedout。Everythinggoesonthesuppositionofitsbeingitself，andnotsomethingelse。Peoplethattalkaboutgoodthingswithoutdoingthemareleftout。Youarenotmasterofadditionuntilyouradditionistobedependedupon。“
Theboyfoundithardtofixhisattention：tofixitonsomethinghedidnotyetunderstand，wouldbetoohard！hemustlearntodosointhepursuitofaccuracywherehealreadyunderstood！thenhewouldnothavetofighttwodifficultiesatonce——thatofunderstanding，andthatoffixinghisattention。Butforalongtimeheneverkepthimmorethanaquarterofanhouratworkonthesamething。
Whenhehaddonethesumcorrectly，andasecondwithoutneedofcorrection，hetoldhimtolayhisslateaside，andhewouldtellhimafairy-story。Thereinhesucceededtolerably——intheopinionofDavie，wonderfully：whatatutorwasthis，wholetfairiesintotheschool-room！
Thetalewasofnoveryoriginalconstruction——theyoungestbrothergaininginthepathofrighteousnesswhattheelderbrotherslosethroughmasterfulselfishness。Amanmustdoathingbecauseitisright，evenifhedieforit；buttruthwerepoorindeedifitdidnotbringatlastallthingssubjecttoit！Asbeautyandtruthareone，soaretruthandstrengthone。MustGodbeeveronthecross，thatwepoorworshippersmaypayhimourhighesthonour？Isitnotenoughtoknowthatifthedevilwerethegreater，yetwouldnotGoddohimhomage，butwouldhangforeveronhiscross？Truthisjoyandvictory。Thetrueheroisadjudgedtobliss，norcaninthenatureofthings，thatis，ofGod，escapeit。Hewhoholdsbylifeandresistsdeath，mustbevictorious；hisverylifeisaslayingofdeath。Amanmaydieforhisopinion，andmayonlybelivingtohimself：amanwhodiesforthetruth，diestohimselfandtoallthatisnottrue。
“Whatabeautifulstory！”criedDaviewhenitceased。“Wheredidyougetit，Mr。Grant？”
“Whereallstoriescomefrom。“
“Whereisthat？”
“TheThink-book。“
“Whatafunnyname！Ineverheardit！Willitbeinthelibrary？”
“No；itisinnolibrary。ItisthebookGodisalwayswritingatoneend，andblottingoutattheother。Itismadeofthoughts，notwords。ItistheThink-book。“
“NowIunderstand！Yougotthestoryoutofyourownhead！”
“Yes，perhaps。Buthowdiditgetintomyhead？”
“Ican\'ttellthat。Nobodycantellthat！”
“Nobodycanthatnevergoesupabovehisownhead——thatnevershutstheThink-book，andstandsuponit。Whenonedoes，thentheThink-bookswellstoagreatmountainandliftshimupabovealltheworld：thenheseeswherethestoriescomefrom，andhowtheygetintohishead——Areyoutohavearideto-day？”
“IrideornotjustasIlike。“
“Well，wewillnowdojustaswebothlike，Ihope，anditwillbetwolikesinsteadofone——thatis，ifwearetruefriends。“
“Weshallhetruefriends——thatweshall！”
“Howcanthatbe——betweenalittleboylikeyou，andagrownmanlikeme？”
“Bymebeinggood。“
“Bybothofusbeinggood——nootherway。Ifoneofusonlywasgood，wecouldneverbetruefriends。Imustbegoodaswellasyou，elseweshallneverunderstandeachother！”
“Howkindyouare，Mr。Grant！Youtreatmejustlikeanotherone！”
saidDavie。
“ButwemustnotforgetthatIamthebigoneandyouthelittleone，andthatwecan\'tbetheotheronetoeachotherexceptthelittleonedoeswhatthebigonetellshim！That\'sthewaytofitintoeachother。“
“Oh，ofcourse！”answeredDavie，asiftherecouldnotbetwomindsaboutthat。
CHAPTERXV。
HORSEANDMAN。
Duringthefirstdayandthenext，Donaldidnotevencomeinsightofanyotherofthefamily；butonthethirdday，aftertheirshortearlyschool——forheseldomletDavieworktillhewastired，andneverafter——goingwithhimthroughthestable-yard，theycameuponlordForgueashemountedhishorse——anervous，fiery，thin-skinnedthoroughbred。Themomenthismasterwasonhim，hebegantobackandrear。Forguegavehimacutwithhiswhip。Hewentwild，plunginganddancingandkicking。Theyounglordwasahorsemaninthesenseofhavingagoodseat；butheknewlittleabouthorses；
theyweretohimcreaturestobecompelled，notfriendswithwhomtoholdsweetconcert。Hehadnotlearnedthattoruleillisworsethantoobeyill。Kingsmaybeworsethanitisinthepowerofanysubjecttobe。Ashewasraisinghisarmforaseconduseless，cruel，anddangerousblow，Donaldartedtothehorse\'shead。
“Youmustn\'tdothat，mylord！”hesaid。“You\'lldrivehimmad。“
ButtheworstpartofForgue\'snaturewasuppermost，inhisrageallthevicesofhisfamilyrushedtothetop。HelookeddownonDonalwithafurycheckedonlybycontempt。
“Keepoff，“hesaid，“oritwillbetheworseforyou。Whatdoyouknowabouthorses？”
“Enoughtoknowthatyouarenotfairtohim。Iwillnotletyoustrikethepooranimal。Justlookatthiswater-chain！”
“Holdyourtongue，andstandaway，or，by——“
“Yewinnafrichtme，sir，“saidDonal，whoseEnglishwould，foryears，uponanyexcitement，turncowardlyandrunaway，leavinghismother-tonguetobearthebrunt，“——I\'mnotimorsome。“
ForguebroughtdownhiswhipwithagreatstingingblowuponDonal\'sshoulderandback。ThefiercebloodofthehighlandCeltrushedtohisbrain，andhadnotthemaninhimheldbyGodandtrampledonthedevil，theremightthenhavebeenmiserablework。Butthoughheclenchedhisteeth，hefetteredhishands，andruledhistongue，andtheMasterofmenwasmasterstill。
“Mylord，“hesaid，afteroneinstant\'sthunderoussilence，“there\'sthati\'mewadthinkaslittleo\'throttlin\'yeasyeduo\'
ill-usin\'yerpuirbeast。ButI\'mnogaein\'todrophisquarrel，an\'takupmyain：thatwadbecooardly。“Herehepattedthecreature\'sneck，andrecoveringhiscomposureandhisEnglish，wenton。“Itellyou，mylord，thecurb-chainistootight！Theanimalissufferingasyoucanhavenoconceptionof，oryouwouldpityhim。“
“Lethimgo，“criedForgue，“orIwillmakeyou。“
Heraisedhiswhipagain，themoreenragedthatthegroomstoodlookingonwithhismouthopen。
“Itellyourlordship，“saidDonal，“itismyturntostrike；andifyouhittheanimalagainbeforethatchainisslackened，Iwillpitchyououtofthesaddle。“
ForanswerForguestruckthehorseoverthehead。Thesamemomenthewasontheground；Donalhadtakenhimbythelegandthrownhimoff。Hewasnothorsemanenoughtokeephisholdofthereins，andDonalledthehorsealittlewayoff，andlefthimtogetupinsafety。Thepooranimalwaspouringwithsweat，shiveringandtrembling，yetthrowinghisheadbackeverymoment。Donalcouldscarcelyundothechain；itwastwisted——hislordshiphadfastenedithimself——andsharpedgespressedhisjawattheleasttouchoftherein。Hehadnotyetrehookedit，whenForguewasuponhimwithasecondblowofhiswhip。Thehorsewasscaredafreshatthesound，anditwasallhecoulddotoholdhim，buthesucceededatlengthincalminghim。Whenhelookedabouthim，Forguewasgone。
Heledthehorseintothestable，puthiminhisstall，andproceededtounsaddlehim。Thenfirsthewasre-awareofthepresenceofDavie。Theboywasstamping——withfierceeyesandwhiteface——chokingwithsilentrage。
“Davie，mychild！”saidDonal，andDavierecoveredhispowerofspeech。
“I\'llgoandtellmyfather！”hesaid，andmadeforthestabledoor。
“Whichofusareyougoingtotellupon？”askedDonalwithasmile。
“Percy，ofcourse！”hereplied，almostwithascream。“Youareagoodman，Mr。Grant，andheisabadfellow。Myfatherwillgiveithimwell。Hedoesn\'toften——butoh，can\'thejust！Todaretostrikeyou！I\'llgotohimatonce，whetherhe\'sinbedornot！”
“No，youwon\'t，myboy！Listentome。Somepeoplethinkit\'sadisgracetobestruck：Ithinkitadisgracetostrike。Ihavearightoveryourbrotherbythatblow，andImeantokeepit——forhisgood。Youdidn\'tthinkIwasafraidofhim？”
“No，no；anybodycouldseeyouweren\'tabitafraidofhim。Iwouldhavestruckhimagainifhehadkilledmeforit！”
“Idon\'tdoubtyouwould。Butwhenyouunderstand，youwillnotbesoreadytostrike。Icouldhavekilledyourbrothermoreeasilythanheldhishorse。Youdon\'tknowhowstrongIam，orwhatablowofmyfistwouldbetoadelicatefellowlikethat。Ihopehisfallhasnothurthim。“
“Ihopeithas——alittle，Imean，onlyalittle，“saidtheboy，lookinginthefaceofhistutor。“Buttellmewhyyoudidnotstrikehim。Itwouldbegoodforhimtobewellbeaten。“
“Itwill，Ihope，bebetterforhimtobewellforgiven：hewillbeashamedofhimselfthesooner，Ithink。ButwhyIdidnotstrikehimwas，thatIamnotmyownmaster。“
“Butmyfather，Iamsure，wouldnothavebeenangrywithyou。Hewouldhavesaidyouhadarighttodoit。“
“Perhaps；buttheearlisnotthemasterImean。“
“Whois，then？”
“JesusChrist。“
“O——oh！”
“HesaysImustnotreturnevilforevil，ablowforablow。I
don\'tmindwhatpeoplesayaboutit：hewouldnothavemedisgracemyself！Henevereventhreatenedthosethatstruckhim。“
“Buthewasn\'taman，youknow！”
“Notaman！Whatwashethen？”
“HewasGod，youknow。“
“Andisn\'tGodaman——andeversomuchmorethanaman？”
Theboymadenoanswer，andDonalwenton。
“DoyouthinkGodwouldhavehischilddoanythingdisgraceful？
Why，Davie，youdon\'tknowyourownFather！WhatGodwantsofusistobedown-righthonest，anddowhathetellsuswithoutfear。“
Daviewassilent。Hisconsciencereprovedhim，astheconscienceofatrue-heartedboywillreprovehimattheverymentionofthenameofGod，untilhesetshimselfconsciouslytodohiswill。Donalsaidnomore，andtheywentfortheirwalk。
CHAPTERXVI。
COLLOQUIES。
IntheeveningDonalwenttoseeAndrewComin。
“Weel，hooareyegettin\'onwi\'theyerl？”askedthecobbler。
“Yousetmeagoodexampleofsayingnothingabouthim，“answeredDonal；“andIwillfollowit——atleasttillIknowmore：Ihavescarceseenhimyet。“
“That\'sright！”returnedthecobblerwithsatisfaction。“I\'mthinkin\'ye\'llbeaneo\'thefeow\'atcanruletheiranehoose——thatis，haudtheiraintonguestillthehoorforspeechbecome。Stickyetothat，mydearsir，an\'mairi\'llbeweelnoringeneralisweel。“
“I\'mcometoyeforabito\'helpthough；Iwantlichtuponaqueston\'at\'slangtribletme——Whatthinkye？——hoofardoesthecomman\'laidupo\'\'s，astowarfare\'atweenmanan\'man，reach？Arewenevertaraisethehan\'tohumanbein\'，thinkye？”
“Weel，Ihaethouchtaheapabootit，an\'Idaurnasay\'atI\'mjistabsoluteclearupo\'themaitter。Buttheremaybepairtclearwhaura\'\'snoclear；an\'bywhatweun\'erstan\'wecomethenearertowhatwedinnaun\'erstan\'。There\'saethinguncoplain——\'atwe\'reonnoaccoonttoreturnevilforevil：onybody\'atca\'shimsel\'aChristianmaunun\'erstan\'thatmuckle。We\'retogienoplacetorevenge，insideoroot。Thereforewe\'renotogieblowforblow。
Gienamanhitye，ye\'retotakeiti\'God\'sname。Butwhetherthingsmaynacometoap\'intwhauratye\'rebu\'n\'，stilli\'God\'sname，todefen\'thelifeGodhasgienye，Icannasay——Ihaenathelichttojustifeemeindenyin\'\'t。Theremaunsurely，Ihaesaidtomysel\'，beatimewhanamanmayhaetoduwhatGoddissaeaften——makuseo\'thestronghan\'！Butit\'sclearhemaunnado\'tinrage——that\'sowernearhate——an\'hate\'sthedeevil\'sain。Amanmay，gienhelivevarraneartheLord，bewhilesangryohnsinned：
butthewratho\'manworkethnottherichteousnesso\'God；an\'thewraththatrisesi\'themidso\'encoonter，isnoliketobeo\'thenaturo\'divinewrath。Towinatit，gien\'tbepossible，lat\'sconsidertheLord——hoohedid。There\'snowordo\'himeverliftin\'
han\'toprotec\'himsel\'。Theonlythinglikeitwasforithers。Togarthemlathisdisciplesalane——maybetilltheywarlikeeneuchtilhimsel\'notorin，hepatootmairnorhishan\'upo\'them\'atcamtotakhim：hestrakthemsairwi\'thepooeritsel\'\'atmuvsa\'
airms。Butnovarrasairnaither——hebutknockitthemdoon！——jisttolatthemkentheywartoduashebadethem，an\'lathisfowkbe；——an\'maybetolatthemken\'atgienhelootthemtakhim，itwasno\'athecouldnahin\'erthemgienhelikit。Icannahelpthinkin\'
wemaystan\'upforitherfowk。An\'I\'mnosayin\'\'atwearenatodefen\'oorselsfraeasetattackwi\'design——Butthere\'ssomethingo\'mairimportanceyetnorkennin\'therichto\'onyqueston。“
“Whatcanthatbe？Whatcanbeo\'mairimportancenordoin\'richti\'thesichto\'God？”saidDonal。
“Bein\'richtwi\'thevarrathouchto\'God，sae\'atwecannamistak，butmaunkenjistwhathewadhaedune。That\'sthebigRicht，themothero\'a\'thelaveo\'therichts。That\'stobeasthemaisterwas。Onygait，whateverwedu，itmaunbesicastobedune，an\'itmaunbedunei\'thenameo\'God；whanwedunaethingwemaunduthatnaethingi\'thenameo\'God。Abodymayweelsay，\'OLord，thoohasnalattenmeseewhatIouchttodu，saeI\'lldunaething！\'Gienamanoughttodefen\'himsel\'，butdisnadu\'t，\'causehethinksGodwadnahaehimdu\'t，wullGodlea\'himoondefentforthat？Orgienabodystan\'supi\'thenameo\'God，an\'frontsanairmyo\'enemies，divyethinkGod\'illforsakehim\'causehe\'smadeamistak？
Whatever\'sdunewantin\'faithmaunbesin——itcannahelpit；
whatever\'sduneinfaithcannabesin，thoughitmaybeamistak。
Onlylatnaamantakpresumptionforfaith！that\'safearsomemistak，forit\'sjisttheopposite。“
“Ithankye，“saidDonal。“I\'llconsiderwi\'mybestendeevourwhatyehaesaid。“
“Buto\'a\'things，“resumedthecobbler，“luik\'atyelo\'efairplay。
Fairplay\'sawon\'erfu\'word——agran\'thingconstantlylostsichto\'。Man，Ihaebeentryin\'towinattheduin\'o\'therichtthismonyayear，butIdaurnayetlatmysel\'ac\'upo\'thespuro\'themomentwhaurmyainenterest\'sconcernt：myainsidemichtyetblin\'metotheitherman\'ssideo\'thebusiness。Onybodycanun\'erstan\'hisainricht，butittakstriblean\'thouchttoun\'erstan\'whatanithercoontshisricht。Twarichtscannaweelclash。It\'sawrangan\'aricht，orpairtwrangan\'apairtricht\'atclashes。“
“Giena\'bodydidthat，Idoobttherewadbefeowfortinsmade！”saidDonal。
“AbootthatIcannasay，nokennin\'；IdaurnadiscoveralawwhaurI
haenaknowledge！Butthissamefairplaylies，alangwi\'love，atthevarraruteandf\'undationo\'theuniverse。Thetheologianshadaglimmero\'thefac\'whantheymadesaemuckleo\'justice，onlytheirjusticeissicameeserablesma\'bitplaistereemageo\'
justice，\'atitmaistgarsanhonestbodylauch。Theyseemtomelikeshepherds\'atrivedoonthedoor-posts，an\'syneblockupthedoorwi\'them。“
DonaltoldhimofthequarrelhehadhadwithlordForgue，andaskedhimwhetherhethoughthehaddoneright。
“Weel，“answeredthecobbler，“I\'masfarfraeblamin\'youasIamfraejustifeein\'theyoonglord。“
“Heseemstomeafinekin\'o\'alad，“saidDonal，“thoughsomeowerbeirin\'。“
“Thelikeso\'himaremairtobeexcusedforthatnoritherfowk，fortheyhaegreatdisadvantagesi\'thepositionan\'theupbringin\'。
It\'snoeasyforhim\'at\'sbrouchtupalordtobelievehe\'sjistanewi\'thelave。“
Donalwentforastrollthroughthetown，andmettheminister，buthetooknonoticeofhim。Hewasgreatlyannoyedatthemarchwhichhesaidthefellowhadstolenuponhim，andregardedhimasonewhohadtakenanunfairadvantageofhim。Buthehadlittleinfluenceatthecastle。Theearlneverbyanychancewenttochurch。Hisniece，ladyArctura，did，however，andheldtheministerforanauthorityatthingsspiritual——oneofwhomlivingwaterwastobehadwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice。Butwhatshecountedspiritualthingswereverycommonearthlystuff，andforthewater，itwasbutstagnantwaterfromtheditchesofashamtheology。Onlywhatwasapoorgirltodowhodidnotknowhowtofeedherself，butapplytoonewhopretendedtobeabletofeedothers？Howwasshetoknowthathecouldnotevenfeedhimself？Outofmanyadifficultyshethoughthehelpedher——onlythedifficultywouldpresentlyclaspheragain，andshemustdealwithitasshebestcould，untilanewonemadeherforgetit，andgototheminister，orrathertohisdaughter，again。Shewasoneofthosewhofeeltheneedofsomehelptolive——someupholdingthatisnotofthemselves，butwho，throughthestupidityofteachersunconsciouslyfalse，——mensounfitthattheydonotknowtheyareunfit，directtheirefforts，firsttowardshavingcorrectnotions，thentoworkupthefeelingsthatbelongtothosenotions。Shewasanhonestgirlsofarasshehadbeentaught——perhapsnotsofarasshemighthavebeenwithouthavingbeentaught。HowwasshetothinkarightwithscarceaglimmerofGod\'struth？HowwasshetopleaseGod，asshecalledit，whothoughtofhiminawayrepulsivetoeverylovingsoul？HowwasshetobeacceptedofGod，whodidnotacceptherownneighbour，butlookeddown，withoutknowingit，uponsomanyofherfellow-creatures？Howshouldsuchaoneeitherenjoyorrecommendherreligion？Itwouldhavebeentheworseforherifshehadenjoyedit——theworseforothersifshehadrecommendedit！
ReligionissimplythewayhometotheFather。Therewaslittleofthepathinherreligionexceptthedifficultyofit。Thetruewayisdifficultenoughbecauseofourunchildlikeness——uphill，steep，anddifficult，butthereisfreshlifeoneverysurmountedheight，apurerairgained，evermorelifeformoreclimbing。Butthepaththatisnotthetrueoneisnotthereforeeasy。Uphillishardwalking，butthroughabogisworse。ThosewhoseekGodwiththeirfacesnoteventurnedtowardshim，who，insteadofbeholdingtheFatherintheSon，takethestupidestopinionsconcerninghimandhiswaysfromothermen——whatshouldtheydobutgowanderingondarkmountains，spendingtheirstrengthinavoidingprecipicesandgettingoutofbogs，mourningandsighingovertheirsinsinsteadofleavingthembehindandfleeingtotheFather，whomtoknowiseternallife。DidtheybutsetthemselvestofindoutwhatChristknewandmeantandcommanded，andthentodoit，theywouldsoonforgettheirfalseteachers。Butalas！theygoonbowingbeforelong-faced，big-wordedauthority——themorefatallywhenitisembodiedinagoodmanwho，himselfavictimtofaithinmen，seestheSonofGodonlythroughthetheoriesofothers，andnotwiththesightofhisownspiritualeyes。
Donalhadnotyetseenthelady。Heneitherate，sat，norheldintercoursewiththefamily。AwayfromDavie，hespenthistimeinhistowerchamber，oroutofdoors。Allthegroundswereopentohimexceptawalledgardenonthesouth-easternslope，lookingtowardsthesea，whichtheearlkeptforhimself，thoughherarelywalkedinit。Onthesideofthehillawayfromthetown，wasalargeparkreachingdowntotheriver，andstretchingalongwayupitsbank——withfinetrees，andgloriousoutlookstotheseainonedirection，andtothemountainsintheother。HereDonalwouldoftenwander，nowwithabook，nowwithDavie。Theboy\'spresencewasrarelyaninterruptiontohisthoughtswhenhewantedtothink。