EventhenDaviddidnotthinkofthatemptywoodboxwaitingbehindthekitchenstove。Thistimeitwasabutterfly，abigblackbutterflybandedwithgold；anditdancedandflutteredallthroughthebackyardandoutintothegarden，Daviddelightedlyfollowingwithsoft-treadingsteps，andmovementsthatwouldnotstartle。Fromthegardentotheorchard，andfromtheorchardbacktothegardendancedthebutterfly——andDavid；andinthegarden，nearthehouse，DavidcameuponMrs。Holly’spansy-bed。
Eventhebutterflywasforgottenthen，fordowninthepathbythepansy-bedDaviddroppedtohiskneesinveritableworship。
\"Why，you’rejustlikelittlepeople，\"hecriedsoftly。\"You’vegotfaces；andsomeofyouarehappy，andsomeofyouaresad。
Andyou——youbigspottedyellowone——you’relaughingatme。Oh，I’mgoingtoplayyou——allofyou。You’llmakesuchaprettysong，you’resodifferentfromeachother！\"AndDavidleapedlightlytohisfeetandranaroundtothesideporchforhisviolin。
Fiveminuteslater，SimeonHolly，comingintothekitchen，heardthesoundofaviolinthroughtheopenwindow。Atthesamemomenthiseyesfellonthewoodbox，emptysaveforafewsmallsticksatthebottom。Withanangryfrownhestrodethroughtheouterdoorandaroundthecornerofthehousetothegarden。AtoncethenhecameuponDavid，sittingTurk-fashioninthemiddleofthepathbeforethepansy-bed，hisviolinathischin，andhiswholefaceaglow。
\"Well，boy，isthisthewayyoufillthewoodbox？\"demandedthemancrisply。
Davidshookhishead。
\"Oh，no，sir，thisisn’tfillingthewoodbox，\"helaughed，softeninghismusic，butnotstoppingit。\"DidyouthinkthatwaswhatIwasplaying？It’stheflowersherethatI’mplaying——thelittlefaces，likepeople，youknow。See，thisisthatbigyellowoneovertherethat’slaughing，\"hefinished，lettingthemusicunderhisfingersburstintoagaylittlemelody。
SimeonHollyraisedanimperioushand；andatthegestureDavidstoppedhismelodyinthemiddleofarun，hiseyesflyingwideopeninplainwonderment。
\"Youmean——I’mnotplaying——right？\"heasked。
\"I’mnottalkingofyourplaying，\"retortedSimeonHollyseverely。\"I’mtalkingofthatwoodboxIaskedyoutofill。\"
David’sfacecleared。
\"Oh，yes，sir。I’llgoanddoit，\"henodded，gettingcheerfullytohisfeet。
\"ButItoldyoutodoitbefore。\"
David’seyesgrewpuzzledagain。
\"Iknow，sir，andIstartedto，\"heanswered，withtheobviouspatienceofonewhofindshimselfobligedtoexplainwhatshouldbeaself-evidentfact；\"butIsawsomanybeautifulthings，oneafteranother，andwhenIfoundthesefunnylittleflower-peopleIjusthadtoplaythem。Don’tyousee？\"
\"No，Ican’tsaythatIdo，whenI’dalreadytoldyoutofillthewoodbox，\"rejoinedtheman，withuncompromisingcoldness。
\"Youmean——eventhenthatIoughttohavefilledthewoodboxfirst？\"
\"Icertainlydo。\"
David’seyesflewwideopenagain。
\"Butmysong——I’dhavelostit！\"heexclaimed。\"Andfathersaidalwayswhenasongcametometoplayitatonce。Songsarelikethemistsofthemorningandtherainbows，youknow，andtheydon’tstaywithyoulong。Youjusthavetocatchthemquick，beforetheygo。Now，don’tyousee？\"
ButSimeonHolly，withadespairinglyscornfulgesture，hadturnedaway；andDavid，afteramoment’sfollowinghimwithwistfuleyes，soberlywalkedtowardthekitchendoor。Twominuteslaterhewasindustriouslyworkingathistaskoffillingthewoodbox。
ThatforDavidtheaffairwasnotsatisfactorilysettledwasevidencedbyhisthoughtfulcountenanceandpreoccupiedair，however；norweremattershelpedanybythequestionDavidputtoMr。Hollyjustbeforedinner。
\"Doyoumean，\"heasked，\"thatbecauseIdidn’tfillthewoodboxrightaway，Iwasbeingadiscord？\"
\"Youwerewhat？\"demandedtheamazedSimeonHolly。
\"Beingadiscord——playingoutoftune，youknow，\"explainedDavid，withpatientearnestness。\"Fathersaid——\"ButagainSimeonHollyhadturnedirritablyaway；andDavidwasleftwithhisperplexedquestionsstillunanswered。
CHAPTERVI
NUISANCES，NECESSARYANDOTHERWISE
Forsometimeafterdinner，thatfirstday，DavidwatchedMrs。
Hollyinsilencewhilesheclearedthetableandbegantowashthedishes。
\"Doyouwantmeto——help？\"heaskedatlast，alittlewistfully。
Mrs。Holly，withadubiousglanceattheboy’sbrownlittlehands，shookherhead。
\"No，Idon’t。No，thankyou，\"sheamendedheranswer。
ForanothersixtysecondsDavidwassilent；then，stillmorewistfully，heasked：——
\"Areallthesethingsyou’vebeendoingallday’usefullabor’？\"
Mrs。Hollylifteddrippinghandsfromthedishpanandheldthemsuspendedforanamazedinstant。
\"Arethey——Why，ofcoursetheyare！Whatasillyquestion！Whatputthatideaintoyourhead，child？\"
\"Mr。Holly；andyouseeit’ssodifferentfromwhatfatherusedtocallthem。\"
\"Different？\"
\"Yes。Hesaidtheywereanecessarynuisance，——dishes，andgettingmeals，andclearingup，——andhedidn’tdohalfasmanyofthemasyoudo，either。\"
\"Nuisance，indeed！\"Mrs。Hollyresumedherdishwashingwithsomeasperity。\"Well，Ishouldthinkthatmighthavebeenjustaboutlikehim。\"
\"Yes，itwas。Hewasalwaysthatway，\"noddedDavidpleasantly。
Then，afteramoment，hequeried：\"Butaren’tyougoingtowalkatallto-day？\"
\"Towalk？Where？\"
\"Why，throughthewoodsandfields——anywhere。\"
\"Walkinginthewoods，NOW——JUSTWALKING？Land’ssake，boy，I’vegotsomethingelsetodo！\"
\"Oh，that’stoobad，isn’tit？\"David’sfaceexpressedsympatheticregret。\"Andit’ssuchaniceday！Maybeit’llrainbytomorrow。\"
\"Maybeitwill，\"retortedMrs。Holly，withslightlyupliftedeyebrowsandanexpressiveglance。\"Butwhetheritdoesordoesn’twon’tmakeanydifferenceinmygoingtowalk，Iguess。\"
\"Oh，won’tit？\"beamedDavid，hisfacechanging。\"I’msoglad！I
don’tmindtherain，either。FatherandIusedtogointherainlotsoftimes，only，ofcourse，wecouldn’ttakeourviolinsthen，soweusedtolikethepleasantdaysbetter。Buttherearesomethingsyoufindonrainydaysthatyoucouldn’tfindanyothertime，aren’tthere？Thedanceofthedropsontheleaves，andtherushoftherainwhenthewindgetsbehindit。Don’tyoulovetofeelit，outintheopenspaces，wherethewindjustgetsagoodchancetopush？\"
Mrs。Hollystared。Thensheshiveredandthrewupherhandswithagestureofhopelessabandonment。
\"Land’ssake，boy！\"sheejaculatedfeebly，assheturnedbacktoherwork。
Fromdishestosweeping，andfromsweepingtodusting，hurriedMrs。Holly，goingatlastintothesomberparlor，alwayscarefullyguardedfromsunandair。Watchingher，mutely，Davidtrailedbehind，hiseyesstaringalittleastheyfelluponthemultitudeofobjectsthatparlorcontained：thehairclothchairs，thelongsofa，themarble-toppedtable，thecurtains，cushions，spreads，and\"throws，\"theinnumerablematsandtidies，thehair-wreath，thewaxflowersundertheirglassdome，thedriedgrasses，themarvelousbouquetsofscarlet，green，andpurpleeverlastings，thestonesandshellsandmany-sized，many-shapedvasesarrangedasifinlineofbattlealongthecornershelves。
\"Y——yes，youmaycomein，\"calledMrs。Holly，glancingbackatthehesitatingboyinthedoorway。\"Butyoumustn’ttouchanything。I’mgoingtodust。\"
\"ButIhaven’tseenthisroombefore，\"ruminatedDavid。
\"Well，no，\"deignedMrs。Holly，withjustatouchofsuperiority。
\"Wedon’tusethisroomcommon，littleboy，northebedroomthere，either。Thisisthecompanyroom，forministersandfunerals，and——\"Shestoppedhastily，withaquicklookatDavid；
buttheboydidnotseemtohaveheard。
\"Anddoesn’tanybodylivehereinthishouse，butjustyouandMr。Holly，andMr。PerryLarson？\"heasked，stilllookingwonderinglyabouthim。
\"No，not——now。\"Mrs。Hollydrewinherbreathwithalittlecatch，andglancedattheframedportraitofalittleboyonthewall。
\"Butyou’vegotsuchalotofroomsand——andthings，\"remarkedDavid。\"Why，daddyandIonlyhadtworooms，andnothardlyanyTHINGS。Itwasso——different，youknow，inmyhome。\"
\"Ishouldsayitmighthavebeen！\"Mrs。Hollybegantodusthurriedly，butcarefully。Hervoicestillcarrieditshintofsuperiority。
\"Oh，yes，\"smiledDavid。\"Butyousayyoudon’tusethisroommuch，sothathelps。\"
\"Helps！\"InherstupefactionMrs。Hollystoppedherworkandstared。
\"Why，yes。Imean，you’vegotsomanyotherroomsyoucanliveinthose。Youdon’tHAVEtoliveinhere。\"
\"’Havetoliveinhere’！\"ejaculatedthewoman，stilltoouncomprehendingtobeanythingbutamazed。
\"Yes。ButdoyouhavetoKEEPallthesethings，andcleanthemandcleanthem，likethis，everyday？Couldn’tyougivethemtosomebody，orthrowthemaway？\"
\"Throw——these——things——away！\"Withawildsweepofherarms，thehorrifiedwomanseemedtobetryingtoencompassinaprotectiveembraceeachlastendangeredtreasureofmatandtidy。\"Boy，areyoucrazy？Thesethingsare——arevaluable。Theycostmoney，andtimeand——andlabor。Don’tyouknowbeautifulthingswhenyouseethem？\"
\"Oh，yes，IloveBEAUTIFULthings，\"smiledDavid，withunconsciouslyrudeemphasis。\"AnduponthemountainIhadthemalways。Therewasthesunrise，andthesunset，andthemoonandthestars，andmySilverLake，andthecloud-boatsthatsailed——\"
ButMrs。Holly，withavexedgesture，stoppedhim。
\"Nevermind，littleboy。Imighthaveknown——broughtupasyouhavebeen。Ofcourseyoucouldnotappreciatesuchthingsasthese。Throwthemaway，indeed！\"Andshefelltoworkagain；butthistimeherfingerscarriedasomethingintheirtouchthatwasalmostlikethecaressamothermightbestowuponanaggrievedchild。
David，vaguelydisturbedanduncomfortable，watchedherwithtroubledeyes；then，apologetically，heexplained：——
\"ItwasonlythatIthoughtifyoudidn’thavetocleansomanyofthesethings，youcouldmaybegotowalkmore——to-day，andotherdays，youknow。Yousaid——youdidn’thavetime，\"heremindedher。
ButMrs。Hollyonlyshookherheadandsighed：——
\"Well，well，nevermind，littleboy。Idaresayyoumeantallright。Youcouldn’tunderstand，ofcourse。\"
AndDavid，afteranothermoment’swistfuleyeingofthecaressingfingers，turnedaboutandwanderedoutontothesideporch。A
minutelater，havingseatedhimselfontheporchsteps，hehadtakenfromhispockettwosmallpiecesoffoldedpaper。Andthen，throughtear-dimmedeyes，hereadoncemorehisfather’sletter。
\"HesaidImustn’tgrieve，forthatwouldgrievehim，\"murmuredtheboy，afteratime，hiseyesonthefar-awayhills。\"AndhesaidifI’dplay，mymountainswouldcometomehere，andI’dreallybeathomeupthere。HesaidinmyviolinwereallthosethingsI’mwanting——sobad！\"
Withalittlechokingbreath，Davidtuckedthenotebackintohispocketandreachedforhisviolin。
Sometimelater，Mrs。Holly，dustingthechairsintheparlor，stoppedherwork，tiptoedtothedoor，andlistenedbreathlessly。
Whensheturnedback，stilllater，toherwork，hereyeswerewet。
\"Iwonderwhy，whenheplays，Ialwaysgettothinkingof——John，\"
shesighedtoherself，asshepickedupherdusting-cloth。
Aftersupperthatnight，SimeonHollyandhiswifeagainsatonthekitchenporch，restingfromthelaboroftheday。Simeon’seyeswereclosed。Hiswife’swereonthedimoutlinesoftheshed，thebarn，theroad，orapassinghorseandwagon。David，sittingonthesteps，waswatchingthemoonclimbhigherandhigherabovethetree-tops。Afteratimeheslippedintothehouseandcameoutwithhisviolin。
Atthefirstlong-drawnnoteofsweetness，SimeonHollyopenedhiseyesandsatup，stern-lipped。Buthiswifelaidatimidhandonhisarm。
\"Don’tsayanything，please，\"sheentreatedsoftly。\"Lethimplay，justforto-night。He’slonesome——poorlittlefellow。\"AndSimeonHolly，withafrowningshrugofhisshoulders，satbackinhischair。
Later，itwasMrs。Hollyherselfwhostoppedthemusicbysaying：
\"Come，David，it’sbedtimeforlittleboys。I’llgoupstairswithyou。\"Andsheledthewayintothehouseandlightedthecandleforhim。
Upstairs，inthelittleroomoverthekitchen，Davidfoundhimselfoncemorealone。Asbefore，thelittleyellow-whitenightshirtlayoverthechair-back；andasbefore，Mrs。Hollyhadbrushedawayatearasshehadplaceditthere。Asbefore，too，thebigfour-postedbedloomedtallandformidableinthecorner。
Butthistimethecoverletandsheetwereturnedbackinvitingly——Mrs。HollyhadbeenmuchdisturbedtofindthatDavidhadsleptonthefloorthenightbefore。
Oncemore，withhisbackcarefullyturnedtowardtheimpaledbugsandmothsonthewall，Davidundressedhimself。Then，beforeblowingoutthecandle，hewenttothewindowkneeleddown，andlookedupatthemoonthroughthetrees。
Davidwassorelypuzzled。Hewasbeginningtowonderjustwhatwastobecomeofhimself。
Hisfatherhadsaidthatoutintheworldtherewasabeautifulworkforhimtodo；butwhatwasit？Howwashetofindit？Orhowwashetodoitifhedidfindit？Andanotherthing；wherewashetolive？Couldhestaywherehewas？Itwasnothome，tobesure；buttherewasthelittleroomoverthekitchenwherehemightsleep，andtherewasthekindwomanwhosmiledathimsometimeswiththesad，far-awaylookinhereyesthatsomehowhurt。Hewouldnotlike，now，toleaveher——withdaddygone。
Therewerethegold-pieces，too；andconcerningtheseDavidwasequallypuzzled。Whatshouldhedowiththem？Hedidnotneedthem——thekindwomanwasgivinghimplentyoffood，sothathedidnothavetogotothestoreandbuy；andtherewasnothingelse，apparently，thathecouldusethemfor。Theywereheavy，anddisagreeabletocarry；yethedidnotliketothrowthemaway，nortoletanybodyknowthathehadthem：hehadbeencalledathiefjustforonelittlepiece，andwhatwouldtheysayiftheyknewhehadallthoseothers？
Davidrememberednow，suddenly，thathisfatherhadsaidtohidethem——tohidethemuntilheneededthem。Davidwasrelievedatonce。Whyhadhenotthoughtofitbefore？Heknewjusttheplace，too，——thelittlecupboardbehindthechimneythereinthisveryroom！Andwithasatisfiedsigh，Davidgottohisfeet，gatheredallthelittleyellowdisksfromhispockets，andtuckedthemwelloutofsightbehindthepilesofbooksonthecupboardshelves。There，too，hehidthewatch；butthelittleminiatureoftheangel-motherheslippedbackintooneofhispockets。
David’ssecondmorningatthefarmhousewasnotunlikethefirst，exceptthatthistime，whenSimeonHollyaskedhimtofillthewoodbox，Davidresolutelyignoredeveryenticingbugandbutterfly，andkeptrigorouslytothetaskbeforehimuntilitwasdone。
Hewasinthekitchenwhen，justbeforedinner，PerryLarsoncameintotheroomwithaworriedfrownonhisface。
\"Mis’Holly，wouldyemindjuststeppin’tothesidedoor？
There’sawomanan’alittleboythere，an’somethin’ails’em。
Shecan’ttalkEnglish，an’I’mblestifIcanmakeheadnortailoutofthelingosheDOEStalk。Butmaybeyoucan。\"
\"Why，Perry，Idon’tknow——\"beganMrs。Holly。Butsheturnedatoncetowardthedoor。
Ontheporchstepsstoodaverypretty，butfrightened-lookingyoungwomanwithaboyperhapstenyearsoldatherside。UponcatchingsightofMrs。Hollysheburstintoatorrentofunintelligiblewords，supplementedbynumerousandvehementgestures。
Mrs。Hollyshrankback，andcastappealingeyestowardherhusbandwhoatthatmomenthadcomeacrosstheyardfromthebarn。
\"Simeon，canyoutellwhatshewants？\"
Atsightofthenewcomeronthescene，thestrangewomanbeganagain，withevenmorevolubility。
\"No，\"saidSimeonHolly，afteramoment’sscowlingscrutinyofthegesticulatingwoman。\"She’stalkingFrench，Ithink。Andshewants——something。\"
\"Gosh！Ishouldsayshedid，\"mutteredPerryLarson。\"An’
whatever’tis，shewantsitpowerfulbad。\"
\"Areyouhungry？\"questionedMrs。Hollytimidly。
\"Can’tyouspeakEnglishatall？\"demandedSimeonHolly。
Thewomanlookedfromonetotheotherwiththepiteous，pleadingeyesofthestrangerinthestrangelandwhocannotunderstandormakeothersunderstand。Shehadturnedawaywithadespairingshakeofherhead，whensuddenlyshegaveawildcryofjoyandwheeledabout，herwholefacealight。
TheHollysandPerryLarsonsawthenthatDavidhadcomeoutontotheporchandwasspeakingtothewoman——andhiswordswerejustasunintelligibleasthewoman’shadbeen。
Mrs。HollyandPerryLarsonstared。SimeonHollyinterruptedDavidwithasharp——
\"Doyou，then，understandthiswoman，boy？\"
\"Why，yes！Didn’tyou？She’slostherway，and——\"ButthewomanhadhurriedforwardandwaspouringherstoryintoDavid’sears。
AtitsconclusionDavidturnedtofindthelookofstupefactionstillontheothers’faces。
\"Well，whatdoesshewant？\"askedSimeonHollycrisply。
\"ShewantstofindthewaytoFrancoisLavelle’shouse。He’sherhusband’sbrother。Shecameinonthetrainthismorning。Herhusbandstoppedoffaminutesomewhere，shesays，andgotleftbehind。HecouldtalkEnglish，butshecan’t。She’sonlybeeninthiscountryaweek。ShecamefromFrance。\"
\"Gorry！Won’tyelistenterthat，now？\"criedPerryLarsonadmiringly。\"Readsherjustlikeabook，don’the？There’saFrenchfamilyoverinWestHinsdale——twoof’em，Ithink。What’llyebet’tain’toneo’them？\"
\"Verylikely，\"accededSimeonHolly，hiseyesbentdisapprovinglyonDavid’sface。ItwasplaintobeseenthatSimeonHolly’sattentionwasoccupiedbyDavid，notthewoman。
\"An’，say，Mr。Holly，\"resumedPerryLarson，alittleexcitedly，\"youknowIwasgoin’overterWestHinsdaleinadayortwoterseeHarlowaboutthemsteers。Whycan’tIgothisafternoonan’
toteheran’thekidalong？\"
\"Verywell，\"noddedSimeonHollycurtly，hiseyesstillonDavid’sface。
PerryLarsonturnedtothewoman，andbyaflourishofhisarmsandajumbleofbrokenEnglishattemptedtomakeherunderstandthathewastotakeherwheresheundoubtedlywishedtogo。Thewomanstilllookeduncomprehending，however，andDavidpromptlycametotherescue，sayingafewrapidwordsthatquicklybroughtafloodofdelightedunderstandingtothewoman’sface。
\"Can’tyouaskherifshe’shungry？\"venturedMrs。Holly，then。
\"Shesaysno，thankyou，\"translatedDavid，withasmile，whenhehadreceivedhisanswer。\"Buttheboysaysheis，ifyouplease。\"
\"Then，tellthemtocomeintothekitchen，\"directedMrs。Holly，hurryingintothehouse。
\"Soyou’reFrench，areyou？\"saidSimeonHollytoDavid。
\"French？Oh，no，sir，\"smiledDavid，proudly。\"I’manAmerican。
FathersaidIwas。HesaidIwasborninthiscountry。\"
\"ButhowcomesityoucanspeakFrenchlikethat？\"
\"Why，Ilearnedit。\"Then，diviningthathiswordswerestillunconvincing，headded：\"SameasIlearnedGermanandotherthingswithfather，outofbooks，youknow。Didn’tyoulearnFrenchwhenyouwerealittleboy？\"
\"Humph！\"vouchsafedSimeonHolly，stalkingawaywithoutansweringthequestion。
ImmediatelyafterdinnerPerryLarsondroveawaywiththewomanandthelittleboy。Thewoman’sfacewaswreathedwithsmiles，andherlastadoringglancewasforDavid，wavinghishandtoherfromtheporchsteps。
IntheafternoonDavidtookhisviolinandwentofftowardthehillbehindthehouseforawalk。HehadaskedMrs。Hollytoaccompanyhim，butshehadrefused，thoughshewasnotsweepingordustingatthetime。Shewasdoingnothingmoreimportant，apparently，thanmakingholesinapieceofwhitecloth，andsewingthemupagainwithaneedleandthread。
DavidhadthenaskedMr。Hollytogo；buthisrefusalwasevenmorestrangelyimpatientthanhiswife’shadbeen。
\"Andwhy，pray，shouldIgoforauselesswalknow——oranytime，forthatmatter？\"hedemandedsharply。
Davidhadshrunkbackunconsciously，thoughhehadstillsmiled。
\"Oh，butitwouldn’tbeauselesswalk，sir。Fathersaidnothingwasuselessthathelpedtokeepusintune，youknow。\"
\"Intune！\"
\"Imean，youlookedasfatherusedtolooksometimes，whenhefeltoutoftune。Andhealwayssaidtherewasnothinglikeawalktoputhimbackagain。I——Iwasfeelingalittleoutoftunemyselfto-day，andIthought，bythewayyoulooked，thatyouwere，too。SoIaskedyoutogotowalk。\"
\"Humph！Well，I——Thatwilldo，boy。Noimpertinence，youunderstand！\"Andhehadturnedawayinveryobviousanger。
David，withapuzzledsorrowinhishearthadstartedalonethen，onhiswalk。
CHAPTERVII
\"YOU’REWANTED——YOU’REWANTED！\"
ItwasSaturdaynight，andtheendofDavid’sthirddayatthefarmhouse。Upstairs，inthehotlittleroomoverthekitchen，theboykneltatthewindowandtriedtofindabreathofcoolairfromthehills。DownstairsontheporchSimeonHollyandhiswifediscussedtheeventsofthepastfewdays，andtalkedofwhatshouldbedonewithDavid。
\"Butwhatshallwedowithhim？\"moanedMrs。Hollyatlast，breakingalongsilencethathadfallenbetweenthem。\"Whatcanwedowithhim？Doesn’tanybodywanthim？\"
\"No，ofcourse，nobodywantshim，\"retortedherhusbandrelentlessly。
Andatthewordsasmallfigureinayellow-whitenightshirtstoppedshort。David，violininhand，hadfledfromthelittlehotroom，andstoodnowjustinsidethekitchendoor。
\"Whocanwantachildthathasbeenbroughtupinthatheathenishfashion？\"continuedSimeonHolly。\"Accordingtohisownstory，evenhisfatherdidnothingbutplaythefiddleandtrampthroughthewoodsdayinanddayout，withanoccasionaltriptothemountainvillagetogetfoodandclothingwhentheyhadabsolutelynothingtoeatandwear。Ofcoursenobodywantshim！\"
David，atthekitchendoor，caughthisbreathchokingly。Thenhespedacrossthefloortothebackhall，andonthroughthelongshedstothehayloftinthebarn——theplacewherehisfatherseemedalwaysnearest。
Davidwasfrightenedandheartsick。NOBODYWANTEDHIM。Hehadhearditwithhisownears，sotherewasnomistake。Whatnowaboutallthoselongdaysandnightsaheadbeforehemightgo，violininhand，tomeethisfatherinthatfar-awaycountry？Howwashetolivethosedaysandnightsifnobodywantedhim？Howwashisviolintospeakinavoicethatwastrueandpureandfull，andtellofthebeautifulworld，ashisfatherhadsaidthatitmustdo？Davidquitecriedaloudatthethought。Thenhethoughtofsomethingelsethathisfatherhadsaid：\"Rememberthis，myboy，——inyourviolinlieallthethingsyoulongfor。
Youhaveonlytoplay，andthebroadskiesofyourmountainhomewillbeoveryou，andthedearfriendsandcomradesofyourmountainforestswillbeallaboutyou。\"WithaquickcryDavidraisedhisviolinanddrewthebowacrossthestrings。
BackontheporchatthatmomentMrs。Hollywassaying：——
\"Ofcoursethere’stheorphanasylum，ormaybethepoorhouse——ifthey’dtakehim；but——Simeon，\"shebrokeoffsharply，\"where’sthatchildplayingnow？\"
Simeonlistenedwithintentears。
\"Inthebarn，Ishouldsay。\"
\"Buthe’dgonetobed！\"
\"Andhe’llgotobedagain，\"assertedSimeonHollygrimly，asherosetohisfeetandstalkedacrossthemoonlityardtothebarn。
Asbefore，Mrs。Hollyfollowedhim，andasbefore，bothinvoluntarilypausedjustinsidethebarndoortolisten。Norunsandtrillsandrollickingbitsofmelodyfloateddownthestairwayto-night。Thenoteswerelong-drawn，andplaintivelysweet；andtheyroseandswelledanddiedalmostintosilencewhilethemanandthewomanbythedoorstoodlistening。
Theywerebackinthelongago——SimeonHollyandhiswife——backwithaboyoftheirownwhohadmadethosesameraftersringwithshoutsoflaughter，andwho，also，hadplayedtheviolin——thoughnotlikethis；andthesamethoughthadcometoeach：\"Whatif，afterall，itwereJohnplayingallaloneinthemoonlight！\"
Ithadnotbeentheviolin，intheend，thathaddrivenJohnHollyfromhome。Ithadbeenthepossibilitiesinapieceofcrayon。Allthroughchildhoodtheboyhaddrawnhisbeloved\"pictures\"oneveryinvitingspacethatoffered，——whetheritwerethe\"best-room\"wall-paper，ortheflyleafofthebigplushalbum，——andateighteenhehadannouncedhisdeterminationtobeanartist。ForayearafterthatSimeonHollyfoughtwithallthestrengthofastubbornwill，banishedchalkandcrayonfromthehouse，andsettheboytohomelytasksthatleftnotimeforanythingbutfoodandsleep——thenJohnranaway。
Thatwasfifteenyearsago，andtheyhadnotseenhimsince；
thoughtwounansweredlettersinSimeonHolly’sdesktestifiedthatperhapsthis，atleast，wasnottheboy’sfault。
Itwasnotofthegrown-upJohn，thewillfulboyandrunawayson，however，thatSimeonHollyandhiswifewerethinking，astheystoodjustinsidethebarndoor；itwasofBabyJohn，thelittlecurly-headedfellowthathadplayedattheirknees，frolickedinthisverybarn，andnestledintheirarmswhenthedaywasdone。
Mrs。Hollyspokefirst——anditwasnotasshehadspokenontheporch。
\"Simeon，\"shebegantremulously，\"thatdearchildmustgotobed！\"Andshehurriedacrossthefloorandupthestairs，followedbyherhusband。\"Come，David，\"shesaid，asshereachedthetop；\"it’stimelittleboyswereasleep！Come！\"
Hervoicewaslow，andnotquitesteady。ToDavidhervoicesoundedashereyeslookedwhentherewasinthemthefar-awaysomethingthathurt。Veryslowlyhecameforwardintothemoonlight，hisgazesearchingthewoman’sfacelongandearnestly。
\"Anddoyou——wantme？\"hefaltered。
Thewomandrewinherbreathwithalittlesob。Beforeherstoodtheslenderfigureintheyellow-whitegown——John’sgown。Intohereyeslookedthoseothereyes，darkandwistful，——likeJohn’seyes。Andherarmsachedwithemptiness。
\"Yes，yes，formyveryown——andforalways！\"shecriedwithsuddenpassion，claspingthelittleformclose。\"Foralways！\"
AndDavidsighedhiscontent。
SimeonHolly’slipsparted，buttheyclosedagainwithnowordssaid。Themanturnedthen，withacuriouslybaffledlook，andstalkeddownthestairs。
Ontheporchlongminuteslater，whenoncemoreDavidhadgonetobed，SimeonHollysaidcoldlytohiswife：——
\"Isupposeyourealize，Ellen，justwhatyou’vepledgedyourselfto，bythatabsurdoutburstofyoursinthebarnto-night——andallbecausethatungodlymusicandthemoonshinehadgonetoyourhead！\"
\"ButIwanttheboy，Simeon。He——hemakesmethinkof——John。\"
Harshlinescametotheman’smouth，buttherewasaperceptibleshakeinhisvoiceasheanswered：——
\"We’renottalkingofJohn，Ellen。We’retalkingofthisirresponsible，hardlysaneboyupstairs。Hecanwork，Isuppose，ifhe’staught，andinthatwayhewon’tperhapsbeadeadloss。
Still，he’sanothermouthtofeed，andthatcountsnow。There’sthenote，youknow，——it’sdueinAugust。\"
\"Butyousaythere’smoney——almostenoughforit——inthebank。\"
Mrs。Holly’svoicewasanxiouslyapologetic。
\"Yes，Iknow\"vouchsafedtheman。\"Butalmostenoughisnotquiteenough。\"
\"Butthere’stime——morethantwomonths。Itisn’tduetillthelastofAugust，Simeon。\"
\"Iknow，Iknow。Meanwhile，there’stheboy。Whatareyougoingtodowithhim？\"
\"Why，can’tyouusehim——onthefarm——alittle？\"
\"Perhaps。Idoubtit，though，\"gloomedtheman。\"Onecan’thoecornnorpullweedswithafiddle-bow——andthat’sallheseemstoknowhowtohandle。\"
\"Buthecanlearn——andhedoesplaybeautifully，\"murmuredthewoman；wheneverbeforehadEllenHollyventuredtousewordsofargumentwithherhusband，andinextenuation，too，ofanactofherown！
Therewasnoreplyexceptamuttered\"Humph！\"underthebreath。
ThenSimeonHollyroseandstalkedintothehouse。
ThenextdaywasSunday，andSundayatthefarmhousewasathingofsternrepressionandsolemnsilence。InSimeonHolly’sveinsranthebloodofthePuritans，andhewasmorethanstrictastowhatheconsideredrightandwrong。Whenhalf-trainedfortheministry，ill-healthhadforcedhimtoresorttoalessconfininglife，thoughneverhadittakenfromhimtheuncompromisingrigorofhisviews。Itwasadistinctshocktohim，therefore，onthisSundaymorningtobeawakenedbyapealofmusicsuchasthelittlehousehadneverknownbefore。Allthewhilethathewasthrustinghisindignantselfintohisclothing，therunsandturnsandcrashingchordswhirledabouthimuntilitseemedthatawholeorchestramustbeimprisonedinthelittleroomoverthekitchen，soskillfulwastheboy’sdoublestopping。SimeonHollywaswhitewithangerwhenhefinallyhurrieddownthehallandthrewopenDavid’sbedroomdoor。
\"Boy，whatdoyoumeanbythis？\"hedemanded。
Davidlaughedgleefully。
\"Anddidn’tyouknow？\"heasked。\"Why，Ithoughtmymusicwouldtellyou。Iwassohappy，soglad！Thebirdsinthetreeswokemeupsinging，’You’rewanted——you’rewanted；’andthesuncameoverthehillthereandsaid，’You’rewanted——you’rewanted；’andthelittletree-branchtappedonmywindowpaneandsaid\"You’rewanted——you’rewanted！’AndIjusthadtotakeupmyviolinandtellyouaboutit！\"
\"Butit’sSunday——theLord’sDay，\"remonstratedthemansternly。
Davidstoodmotionless，hiseyesquestioning。
\"Areyouquiteaheathen，then？\"catechisedthemansharply。
\"HavetheynevertoldyouanythingaboutGod，boy？\"
\"Oh，’God’？——ofcourse，\"smiledDavid，inopenrelief。\"Godwrapsupthebudsintheirlittlebrownblankets，andcoverstherootswith——\"
\"Iamnottalkingaboutbrownblanketsnorroots，\"interruptedthemanseverely。\"ThisisGod’sday，andassuchshouldbekeptholy。\"
\"’Holy’？\"
\"Yes。Youshouldnotfiddlenorlaughnorsing。\"
\"Butthosearegoodthings，andbeautifulthings，\"defendedDavid，hiseyeswideandpuzzled。
\"Intheirplace，perhaps，\"concededtheman，stiffly。\"butnotonGod’sday。\"
\"Youmean——Hewouldn’tlikethem？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Oh！\"——andDavid’sfacecleared。\"That’sallright，then。YourGodisn’tthesameone，sir，forminelovesallbeautifulthingseverydayintheyear。\"
Therewasamoment’ssilence。ForthefirsttimeinhislifeSimeonHollyfoundhimselfwithoutwords。
\"Wewon’ttalkofthisanymore，David，\"hesaidatlast；\"butwe’llputitanotherway——Idon’twishyoutoplayyourfiddleonSunday。Now，putituptillto-morrow。\"Andheturnedandwentdownthehall。
Breakfastwasaveryquietmealthatmorning。MealswereneverthingsofhilariousjoyattheHollyfarmhouse，asDavidhadalreadyfoundout；buthehadnotseenonebeforequitesosomberasthis。Itwasfollowedimmediatelybyahalf-hourofScripture-readingandprayer，withMrs。HollyandPerryLarsonsittingverystiffandsolemnintheirchairs，whileMr。Hollyread。Davidtriedtositverystiffandsolemninhischair，also；buttherosesatthewindowwerenoddingtheirheadsandbeckoning；andthebirdsinthebushesbeyondweresendingtohimcoaxinglittlechirpsof\"Comeout，comeout！\"Andhowcouldoneexpecttositstiffandsolemninthefaceofallthat，particularlywhenone’sfingersweretinglingtotakeuptheinterruptedsongofthemorningandtellthewholeworldhowbeautifulitwastobewanted！
YetDavidsatverystill，——orasstillashecouldsit，——andonlythetappingofhisfoot，andtherovingofhiswistfuleyestoldthathismindwasnotwithFarmerHollyandtheChildrenofIsraelintheirwanderingsinthewilderness。
Afterthedevotionscameanhourofsubduedhasteandconfusionwhilethefamilypreparedforchurch。Davidhadneverbeentochurch。HeaskedPerryLarsonwhatitwaslike；butPerryonlyshruggedhisshouldersandsaid，tonobody，apparently：——\"
Sugar！Won’tyehearthat，now？\"——whichtoDavidwascertainlynoansweratall。
Thatonemustbespickandspantogotochurch，Davidsoonfoundout——neverbeforehadhebeensoscrubbedandbrushedandcombed。
Therewas，too，broughtoutforhimtowearalittlecleanwhiteblouseandaredtie，overwhichMrs。Hollycriedalittleasshehadoverthenightshirtthatfirstevening。
Thechurchwasinthevillageonlyaquarterofamileaway；andinduetimeDavid，open-eyedandinterested，wasfollowingMr。
andMrs。Hollydownitslongcenteraisle。TheHollyswereearlyasusual，andservicehadnotbegun。Eventheorganisthadnottakenhisseatbeneaththegreatpipesofblueandgoldthattoweredtotheceiling。
Itwastheprideofthetown——thatorgan。Ithadbeengivenbyagreatman（outintheworld）whosebirthplacethetownwas。Morethanthat，ayearlydonationfromthissamegreatmanpaidfortheskilledorganistwhocameeverySundayfromthecitytoplayit。To-day，astheorganisttookhisseat，henoticedanewfaceintheHollypew，andhealmostgaveafriendlysmileashemetthewonderinggazeofthesmallboythere；thenhelosthimself，asusual，inthemusicbeforehim。
DownintheHollypewthesmallboyheldhisbreath。Ascoreofviolinsweresinginginhisears；andascoreofotherinstrumentsthathecouldnotname，crashedoverhishead，andbroughthimtohisfeetinecstasy。Beforeadetaininghandcouldstophim，hewasoutintheaisle，hiseyesontheblue-and-goldpipesfromwhichseemedtocomethosewondroussounds。Thenhisgazefellonthemanandonthebanksofkeys；
andwithsoftstepshecreptalongtheaisleandupthestairstotheorgan-loft。
Forlongminuteshestoodmotionless，listening；thenthemusicdiedintosilenceandtheministerrosefortheinvocation。Itwasaboy’svoice，andnotaman’s，however，thatbrokethepause。
\"Oh，sir，please，\"itsaid，\"wouldyou——couldyouteachMEtodothat？\"
Theorganistchokedoveracough，andthesopranoreachedoutanddrewDavidtoherside，whisperingsomethinginhisear。Theminister，afteradazedsilence，bowedhishead；whiledownintheHollypewanangrymanandasorelymortifiedwomanvowedthat，beforeDavidcametochurchagain，heshouldhavelearnedsomethings。
CHAPTERVIII
THEPUZZLING\"DOS\"AND\"DON’TS\"
WiththecomingofMondayarrivedanewlifeforDavid——acuriouslifefullof\"don’ts\"and\"dos。\"Davidwonderedsometimeswhyallthepleasantthingswere\"don’ts\"andalltheunpleasantones\"dos。\"Corntobehoed，weedstobepulled，woodboxestobefilled；withalltheseitwas\"dothis，dothis，dothis。\"Butwhenitcametolyingundertheappletrees，exploringthebrookthatranbythefield，orevenwatchingthebugsandwormsthatonefoundintheearth——allthesewere\"don’ts。\"
AstoFarmerHolly——FarmerHollyhimselfawoketosomenewexperiencesthatMondaymorning。Oneofthemwasthedifficultyinsuccessfullycombatingthecheerfullyexpressedopinionthatweedsweresoprettygrowingthatitwasapitytopullthemupandletthemallwitheranddie。Anotherwastheequallygreatdifficultyofkeepingasmallboyatusefullaborofanysortinthefaceoftheattractionsdisplayedbyapassingcloud，ablossomingshrub，orabirdsingingonatree-branch。