Davidsighedalittleimpatientlyashecameforwardintothesunlight。
\"ButIwasjusttellingyou，\"heremonstrated，\"andyouwouldnotletmefinish。\"
\"Tellingme！\"
\"Yes，withmyviolin。COULDn’tyouunderstand？\"appealedtheboywistfully。\"Youlookedasifyoucould！\"
\"LookedasifIcould！\"
\"Yes。Joeunderstood，yousee，andIwassurprisedwhenHEdid。
ButIwasjustsureyoucould——withallthistolookat。\"
Theladyfrowned。Half-unconsciouslysheglancedaboutherasifcontemplatingflight。Thensheturnedbacktotheboy。
\"Buthowcameyouhere？Whoareyou？\"shecried。
\"I’mDavid。Iwalkedherethroughthelittlepathbackthere。I
didn’tknowwhereitwentto，butI’msogladnowIfoundout！\"
\"Oh，areyou！\"murmuredthelady，withslightlyupliftedbrows。
Shewasabouttotellhimverycoldlythatnowthathehadfoundhiswaytherehemightoccupyhimselfinfindingithomeagain，whentheboyinterposedrapturously，hiseyessweepingthescenebeforehim：——
\"Yes。Ididn’tsuppose，anywhere，downhere，therewasaplaceonehalfsobeautiful！\"
Anoddfeelingofuncanninesssentaswiftexclamationtothelady’slips。
\"’Downhere’！Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Youspeakasifyoucamefrom——above，\"shealmostlaughed。
\"Idid，\"returnedDavidsimply。\"ButevenupthereIneverfoundanythingquitelikethis，\"——withasweepofhishands，——\"norlikeyou，OLadyoftheRoses，\"hefinishedwithanadmirationthatwasasopenasitwasardent。
Thistimetheladylaughedoutright。Sheevenblushedalittle。
\"Veryprettilyput，SirFlatterer\"sheretorted；\"butwhenyouareolder，youngman，youwon’tmakeyourcomplimentsquitesobroad。IamnoLadyoftheRoses。IamMissHolbrook；and——andI
amnotinthehabitofreceivinggentlemencallerswhoareuninvitedand——unannounced，\"sheconcluded，alittlesharply。
PointlesstheshaftfellatDavid’sfeet。Hehadturnedagaintothebeautiesabouthim，andatthatmomenthespiedthesundial——somethinghehadneverseenbefore。
\"Whatisit？\"hecriedeagerly，hurryingforward。\"Itisn’texactlypretty，andyetitlooksasif’tweremeantfor——something。\"
\"Itis。Itisasundial。Itmarksthetimebythesun。\"
Evenasshespoke，MissHolbrookwonderedwhysheansweredthequestionatall；whyshedidnotsendthissmallpieceofnonchalantimpertinenceabouthisbusiness，ashesorichlydeserved。Thenextinstantshefoundherselfstaringattheboyinamazement。Withunmistakableease，andwiththetrainedaccentofthescholar，hewasreadingaloudtheLatininscriptiononthedial：\"’Horasnonnumeronisiserenas，’’Icount——no——hoursbut——uncloudedones，’\"hetranslatedthen，slowly，thoughwithconfidence。\"That’spretty；butwhatdoesitmean——about’counting’？\"
MissHolbrookrosetoherfeet。
\"ForHeaven’ssake，boy，who，andwhatareyou？\"shedemanded。
\"CanYOUreadLatin？\"
\"Why，ofcourse！Can’tyou？\"WithadisdainfulgestureMissHolbrooksweptthisaside。
\"Boy，whoareyou？\"shedemandedagainimperatively。
\"I’mDavid。Itoldyou。\"
\"ButDavidwho？Wheredoyoulive？\"
Theboy’sfaceclouded。
\"I’mDavid——justDavid。IliveatFarmerHolly’snow；butIdidliveonthemountainwith——father，youknow。\"
AgreatlightofunderstandingbrokeoverMissHolbrook’sface。
Shedroppedbackintoherseat。
\"Oh，Iremember，\"shemurmured。\"You’rethelittle——er——boywhomhetook。Ihaveheardthestory。SoTHATiswhoyouare，\"sheadded，theoldlookofaversioncomingbacktohereyes。Shehadalmostsaid\"thelittletrampboy\"——butshehadstoppedintime。
\"Yes。Andnowwhatdotheymean，please，——thosewords，——’Icountnohoursbutuncloudedones’？\"
MissHolbrookstirredinherseatandfrowned。
\"Why，itmeanswhatitsays，ofcourse，boy。Asundialcountsitshoursbytheshadowthesunthrows，andwhenthereisnosunthereisnoshadow；henceit’sonlythesunnyhoursthatarecountedbythedial，\"sheexplainedalittlefretfully。
David’sfaceradiateddelight。
\"Oh，butIlikethat！\"heexclaimed。
\"Youlikeit！\"
\"Yes。Ishouldliketobeonemyself，youknow。\"
\"Well，really！Andhow，pray？\"InspiteofherselfafaintgleamofinterestcameintoMissHolbrook’seyes。
Davidlaughedanddroppedhimselfeasilytothegroundatherfeet。Hewasholdinghisviolinonhiskneesnow。
\"Why，itwouldbesuchfun，\"hechuckled，\"tojustforgetallaboutthehourswhenthesundidn’tshine，andrememberonlythenice，pleasantones。Nowforme，therewouldn’tbeanyhours，really，untilafterfouro’clock，exceptlittlespecksofminutesthatI’dgetinbetweenwhenIDIDseesomethinginteresting。\"
MissHolbrookstaredfrankly。
\"Whatanextraordinaryboyyouare，tobesure，\"shemurmured。
\"Andwhat，mayIask，isitthatyoudoeverydayuntilfouro’clock，thatyouwishtoforget？\"
Davidsighed。
\"Well，therearelotsofthings。Ihoedpotatoesandcorn，first，butthey’retoobignow，mostly；andIpulledupweeds，too，tilltheyweregone。I’vebeenpickingupstones，lately，andclearinguptheyard。Then，ofcourse，there’salwaysthewoodboxtofill，andtheeggstohunt，besidesthechickenstofeed，——thoughI
don’tmindTHEMsomuch；butIdotheotherthings，’speciallytheweeds。TheyweresomuchprettierthanthethingsIhadtoletgrow，’mostalways。\"
MissHolbrooklaughed。
\"Well，theywere；andreally\"persistedtheboy，inanswertothemerrimentinhereyes；\"nowwouldn’titbenicetobelikethesundial，andforgeteverythingthesundidn’tshineon？Wouldn’tyoulikeit？Isn’tthereanythingYOUwanttoforget？\"
MissHolbrooksoberedinstantly。Thechangeinherfacewassoverymarked，indeed，thatinvoluntarilyDavidlookedaboutforsomethingthatmighthavecastuponitsogreatashadow。Foralongminuteshedidnotspeak；thenveryslowly，verybitterly，shesaidaloud——yetasiftoherself：——
\"Yes。IfIhadmywayI’dforgetthemeveryone——thesehours；
everysingleone！\"
\"Oh，LadyoftheRoses！\"expostulatedDavidinavoicequiveringwithshockeddismay。\"Youdon’tmean——youcan’tmeanthatyoudon’thaveANY——sun！\"
\"Imeanjustthat，\"bowedMissHolbrookwearily，hereyesonthesombershadowsofthepool；\"justthat！\"
Davidsatstunned，confounded。Acrossthemarblestepsandtheterracestheshadowslengthened，andDavidwatchedthemasthesundippedbehindthetree-tops。Theyseemedtomakemorevividthechillandthegloomofthelady’swords——morerealthedaythathadnosun。Afteratimetheboypickeduphisviolinandbegantoplay，softly，andatfirstwithevidenthesitation。Evenwhenhistouchbecamemoreconfident，therewasstillinthemusicaquestioningappealthatseemedtofindnoanswer——anappealthateventheplayerhimselfcouldnothaveexplained。
Forlongminutestheyoungwomanandtheboysatthusinthetwilight。Thensuddenlythewomangottoherfeet。
\"Come，come，boy，whatcanIbethinkingof？\"shecriedsharply。
\"Imustgoinandyoumustgohome。Good-night。\"Andshesweptacrossthegrasstothepaththatledtowardthehouse。
CHAPTERXI
JACKANDJILL
DavidwastemptedtogoforasecondvisittohisLadyoftheRoses，butsomethinghecouldnotdefineheldhimback。Theladywasinhismindalmostconstantly，however；andveryvividtohimwasthepictureofthegarden，thoughalwaysitwasashehadseenitlastwiththehushandshadowoftwilight，andwiththelady’sfacegloomilyturnedtowardthesunlesspool。Davidcouldnotforgetthatforhertherewerenohourstocount；shehadsaiditherself。Hecouldnotunderstandhowthiscouldbeso；
andthethoughtfilledhimwithvagueunrestandpain。
PerhapsitwasthisrestlessnessthatdroveDavidtoexploreevenmorepersistentlythevillageitself，sendinghimintonewstreetsinsearchofsomethingstrangeandinteresting。Onedaythesoundofshoutsandlaughterdrewhimtoanopenlotbackofthechurchwheresomeboyswereatplay。
Davidstillknewverylittleofboys。Inhismountainhomehehadneverhadthemforplaymates，andhehadnotseenmuchofthemwhenhewentwithhisfathertothemountainvillageforsupplies。Therehadbeen，itistrue，theboywhofrequentlybroughtmilkandeggstothecabin；buthehadbeenveryquietandshy，appearingalwaysafraidandanxioustogetaway，asifhehadbeentoldnottostay。Morerecently，sinceDavidhadbeenattheHollyfarmhouse，hisexperiencewithboyshadbeenevenlesssatisfying。Theboys——withtheexceptionofblindJoe——hadveryclearlyletitbeunderstoodthattheyhadlittleuseforayouthwhocouldfindnothingbettertodothantotrampthroughthewoodsandthestreetswithafiddleunderhisarm。
To-day，however，therecameachange。Perhapstheyweremoreusedtohim；orperhapstheyhaddecidedsuddenlythatitmightbegoodfuntosatisfytheircuriosity，anyway，regardlessofconsequences。Whateveritwas，theladshailedhisappearancewithwildshoutsofglee。
\"Golly，boys，look！Here’sthefiddlin’kid，\"yelledone；andtheothersjoinedinthe\"Hurrah！\"hegave。
Davidsmileddelightedly；oncemorehehadfoundsomeonewhowantedhim——anditwassonicetobewanted！Truthtotell，Davidhadfeltnotalittlehurtatthepersistentavoidanceofallthoseboysandgirlsofhisownage。
\"How——howdoyoudo？\"hesaiddiffidently，butstillwiththatbeamingsmile。
Againtheboysshoutedgleefullyastheyhurriedforward。Severalhadshortsticksintheirhands。Onehadanoldtomatocanwithastringtiedtoit。Thetallestboyhadsomethingthathewastryingtoholdbeneathhiscoat。
\"’H——howdoyoudo？’\"theymimicked。\"Howdoyoudo，fiddlin’
kid？\"
\"I’mDavid；mynameisDavid。\"Thereminderwasgraciouslygiven，withasmile。
\"David！David！HisnameisDavid，\"chantedtheboys，asiftheywereacomic-operachorus。
Davidlaughedoutright。
\"Oh，singitagain，singitagain！\"hecrowed。\"Thatsoundedfine！\"
Theboysstared，thensniffeddisdainfully，andcastderisiveglancesintoeachother’seyes——itappearedthatthislittlesissytrampboydidnotevenknowenoughtodiscoverwhenhewasbeinglaughedat！
\"David！David！HisnameisDavid，\"theyjeeredintohisfaceagain。\"Comeon，tuneherup！Wewantterdance。\"
\"Play？OfcourseI’llplay，\"criedDavidjoyously，raisinghisviolinandtestingastringforitstone。
\"Here，holdon，\"yelledthetallestboy。\"TheQueeno’theBalletain’tready\"。Andhecautiouslypulledfrombeneathhiscoatastrugglingkittenwithaperforatedbagtiedoveritshead。
\"Sure！Wewantherinthemiddle，\"grinnedtheboywiththetincan。\"HoldontillIgethertraintiedtoher，\"hefinished，tryingtocapturetheswishing，fluffytailofthefrightenedlittlecat。
Davidhadbeguntoplay，buthestoppedhismusicwithadiscordantstrokeofthebow。
\"Whatareyoudoing？Whatisthematterwiththatcat？\"hedemanded。
\"’Matter’！\"calledaderisivevoice。\"Sure，nothin’’sthematterwithher。She’stheQueeno’theBallet——sheis！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"criedDavid。Atthatmomentthestringbithardintothecapturedtail，andthekittencriedoutwiththepain。\"Lookout！You’rehurtingher，\"cautionedDavidsharply。
Onlyalaughandajeeringwordanswered。Thenthekitten，withthebagonitsheadandthetincantiedtoitstail，wasletwarilytotheground，thetallboystillholdingitsbackwithbothhands。
\"Ready，now！Comeon，play，\"heordered；\"thenwe’llsetherdancing。\"
David’seyesflashed。
\"Iwillnotplay——forthat。\"
Theboysstoppedlaughingsuddenly。
\"Eh？What？\"Theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmoresurprisedifthekittenitselfhadsaidthewords。
\"IsayIwon’tplay——Ican’tplay——unlessyouletthatcatgo。\"
\"Hoity-toity！Won’tyehearthatnow？\"laughedamockingvoice。
\"Andwhatifwesaywewon’tlethergo，eh？\"
\"ThenI’llmakeyou，\"vowedDavid，aflamewithanewbornsomethingthatseemedtohavesprungfull-grownintobeing。
\"Yow！\"hootedthetallestboy，removingbothhandsfromthecaptivekitten。
Thekitten，released，begantobackfrantically。Thecan，danglingatitsheels，rattledandbangedandthumped，untilthefrightenedlittlecreature，crazedwithterror，becamenothingbutawhirlingmassofmisery。Theboys，formednowintoacrowingcircleofdelight，keptthekittenwithinbounds，andfloutedDavidmercilessly。
\"Ah，ha！——stopus，willye？Whydon’tyestopus？\"theygibed。
ForamomentDavidstoodwithoutmovement，hiseyesstaring。Thenextinstantheturnedandran。Thejeersbecameachorusoftriumphantshoutsthen——butnotforlong。Davidhadonlyhurriedtothewoodpiletolaydownhisviolin。Hecamebackthen，ontherun——andbeforethetallestboycouldcatchhisbreathhewasfelledbyastingingblowonthejaw。
Overbythechurchasmallgirl，red-hairedandred-eyed，clamberedhastilyoverthefencebehindwhichforlongminutesshehadbeencryingandwringingherhands。
\"He’llbekilled，he’llbekilled，\"shemoaned。\"Andit’smyfault，’causeit’smykitty——it’smykitty，\"shesobbed，straininghereyestocatchaglimpseofthekitten’sprotectorinthesquirmingmassoflegsandarms。
Thekitten，unheedednowbytheboys，waspursuingitsbackwardwhirltodestructionsomedistanceaway，andverysoonthelittlegirldiscoveredher。Withaboundandachokingcryshereachedthekitten，removedthebagandunboundthecruelstring。Then，sittingontheground，asafedistanceaway，shesoothedthepalpitatinglittlebunchofgrayfur，andwatchedwithfearfuleyesthefight。
Andwhatafightitwas！Therewasnoquestion，ofcourse，astoitsfinaloutcome，withsixagainstone；butmeanwhiletheonewasgivingthesixthesurpriseoftheirlivesintheshapeofwell-dealtblowsandskillfultwistsandturnsthatcausedtheirownstrengthandweighttoreactuponthemselvesinamostastonishingfashion。Theoneunmistakablywasgettingtheworstofit，however，whenthelittlegirl，afterahurrieddashtothestreet，broughtbackwithhertotherescueatall，smooth-shavenyoungmanwhomshehadhailedfromafaras\"Jack。\"
Jackputastoptothingsatonce。Withvigorousjerksandpullsheunsnarledthewrithingmass，boybyboy，eachoneofwhom，uponcatchingsightofhisface，slunkhurriedlyaway，asifgladtoescapesolightly。TherewasleftfinallyuponthegroundonlyDavidalone。ButwhenDaviddidatlastappear，thelittlegirlburstintotearsanew。
\"Oh，Jack，he’skilled——Iknowhe’skilled，\"shewailed。\"Andhewassoniceand——andpretty。Andnow——lookathim！Ain’theasight？\"
Davidwasnotkilled，buthewas——asight。Hisblousewastorn，histiewasgone，andhisfaceandhandswerecoveredwithdirtandblood。Aboveoneeyewasanugly-lookinglump，andbelowtheotherwasaredbruise。Somewhatdazedlyherespondedtotheman’shelpfulhand，pulledhimselfupright，andlookedabouthim。
Hedidnotseethelittlegirlbehindhim。
\"Where’sthecat？\"heaskedanxiously。
Theunexpectedhappenedthen。Withasobbingcrythelittlegirlflungherselfuponhim，catandall。
\"Here，righthere，\"shechoked。\"Anditwasyouwhosavedher——myJuliette！AndI’llloveyou，loveyou，loveyoualwaysforit！\"
\"There，there，Jill，\"interposedthemanalittlehurriedly。
\"Supposewefirstshowourgratitudebyseeingifwecan’tdosomethingtomakeouryoungwarriorheremorecomfortable。\"Andhebegantobrushoffwithhishandkerchiefsomeoftheaccumulateddirt。
\"Whycan’twetakehimhome，Jack，andcleanhimup’foreotherfolksseehim？\"suggestedthegirl。
Theboyturnedquickly。
\"Didyoucallhim’Jack’？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andhecalledyou，Jill’？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thereal’JackandJill’that’wentupthehill’？\"Themanandthegirllaughed；butthegirlshookherheadassheanswered，——
\"Notreally——thoughwedogoupahill，allright，everyday。Butthosearen’tevenourownnames。Wejustcalleachotherthatforfun。Don’tYOUevercallthings——forfun？\"
David’sfacelightedupinspiteofthedirt，thelump，andthebruise。
\"Oh，doyoudothat？\"hebreathed。\"Say，IjustknowI’dliketoplaytoyou！You’dunderstand！\"
\"Oh，yes，andheplays，too，\"explainedthelittlegirl，turningtothemanrapturously。\"Onafiddle，youknow，likeyou。\"
ShehadnotfinishedhersentencebeforeDavidwasaway，hurryingalittleunsteadilyacrossthelotforhisviolin。Whenhecamebackthemanwaslookingathimwithananxiousfrown。
\"Supposeyoucomehomewithus，boy，\"hesaid。\"Itisn’tfar——throughthehillpasture，’crosslots，——andwe’lllookyouoverabit。Thatlumpoveryoureyeneedsattention。\"
\"Thankyou，\"beamedDavid。\"I’dliketogo，and——I’mgladyouwantme！\"Hespoketotheman，buthelookedatthelittlered-headedgirl，whostillheldthegraykitteninherarms。
CHAPTERXII
ANSWERSTHATDIDNOTANSWER
\"JackandJill，\"itappeared，wereabrotherandsisterwholivedinatinyhouseonahilldirectlyacrossthecreekfromSunnycrest。BeyondthisDavidlearnedlittleuntilafterbumpsandbruisesanddirthadbeencarefullyattendedto。Hehadthen，too，somequestionstoanswerconcerninghimself。
\"Andnow，ifyouplease，\"beganthemansmilingly，ashesurveyedtheboywithaneyethatcouldseenofurtherservicetoberendered，\"doyoumindtellingmewhoyouare，andhowyoucametobethecenterofattractionfortheblowsandcuffsofsixboys？\"
\"I’mDavid，andIwantedthecat，\"returnedtheboysimply。
\"Well，that’sdirectandtothepoint，tosaytheleast，\"laughedtheman。\"Evidently，however，you’reinthehabitofbeingthat。
But，David，thereweresixofthem，——thoseboys，——andsomeofthemwerelargerthanyou。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Andtheyweresobadandcruel，\"chimedinthelittlegirl。
Themanhesitated，thenquestionedslowly。
\"AndmayIaskyouwhereyou——er——learnedto——fightlikethat？\"
\"Iusedtoboxwithfather。HesaidImustfirstbewellandstrong。Hetaughtmejiujitsu，too，alittle；butIcouldn’tmakeitworkverywell——withsomany\"
\"Ishouldsaynot，\"adjudgedthemangrimly。\"Butyougavethemasurpriseortwo，I’llwarrant，\"headded，hiseyesonthecauseofthetrouble，nowcurledinalittlegraybunchofcontentonthewindowsill。\"ButIdon’tknowyetwhoyouare。Whoisyourfather？Wheredoeshelive？\"
Davidshookhishead。Aswasalwaysthecasewhenhisfatherwasmentioned，hisfacegrewwistfulandhiseyesdreamy。
\"Hedoesn’tlivehereanywhere，\"murmuredtheboy。\"InthefarcountryheiswaitingformetocometohimandtellhimofthebeautifulworldIhavefound，youknow。\"
\"Eh？What？\"stammeredtheman，notknowingwhethertobelievehiseyes，orhisears。Thisboywhofoughtlikeademonandtalkedlikeasaint，andwho，thoughbatteredandbruised，prattledofthe\"beautifulworld\"hehadfound，wasmostdisconcerting。
\"Why，Jack，don’tyouknow？\"whisperedthelittlegirlagitatedly。\"He’stheboyatMr。Holly’sthattheytook。\"Then，stillmoresoftly：\"He’sthelittletrampboy。Hisfatherdiedinthebarn。\"
\"Oh，\"saidtheman，hisfaceclearing，andhiseyesshowingaquicksympathy。\"You’retheboyattheHollyfarmhouse，areyou？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Andheplaysthefiddleeverywhere，\"volunteeredthelittlegirl，withardentadmiration。\"Ifyouhadn’tbeenshutupsickjustnow，you’dhaveheardhimyourself。Heplayseverywhere——everywherehegoes。\"
\"Isthatso？\"murmuredJackpolitely，shudderingalittleatwhathefanciedwouldcomefromaviolinplayedbyaboyliketheonebeforehim。（Jackcouldplaytheviolinhimselfalittle——enoughtoknowitsome，andloveitmore。）\"Hm-m；well，andwhatelsedoyoudo？\"
\"Nothing，excepttogoforwalksandread。\"
\"Nothing！——abigboylikeyou——andonSimeonHolly’sfarm？\"VoiceandmannershowedthatJackwasnotunacquaintedwithSimeonHollyandhismethodsandopinions。
Davidlaughedgleefully。
\"Oh，ofcourse，REALLYIdolotsofthings，onlyIdon’tcountthoseanymore。’Horasnonnumeronisiserenas，’youknew，\"hequotedpleasantly，smilingintotheman’sastonishedeyes。
\"Jack，whatwasthat——whathesaid？\"whisperedthelittlegirl。
\"Itsoundedforeign。ISheforeign？\"
\"You’vegotme，Jill，\"retortedtheman，withalaughinggrimace。\"Heavenonlyknowswhatheis——Idon’t。WhatheSAIDwasLatin；Idohappentoknowthat。Still\"——heturnedtotheboyironically——\"ofcourseyouknowthetranslationofthat，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，yes。’Icountnohoursbutuncloudedones’——andIlikedthat。’Twasonasundial，youknow；andI’Mgoingtobeasundial，andnotcount，thehoursIdon’tlike——whileI’mpullingupweeds，andhoeingpotatoes，andpickingupstones，andallthat。Don’tyousee？\"
Foramomentthemanstareddumbly。Thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughed。
\"Well，byGeorge！\"hemuttered。\"ByGeorge！\"Andhelaughedagain。Then：\"Anddidyourfatherteachyouthat，too？\"heasked。
\"Oh，no，——well，hetaughtmeLatin，andsoofcourseIcouldreaditwhenIfoundit。Butthose’specialwordsIgotoffthesundialwheremyLadyoftheRoseslives。\"
\"Your——LadyoftheRoses！Andwhoisshe？\"
\"Why，don’tyouknow？Youliverightinsightofherhouse，\"
criedDavid，pointingtothetowersofSunnycrestthatshowedabovethetrees。\"It’soverthereshelives。Iknowthosetowersnow，andIlookforthemwhereverIgo。Ilovethem。Itmakesmeseealloveragaintheroses——andher。\"
\"Youmean——MissHolbrook？\"
ThevoicewassodifferentfromthegenialtonesthathehadheardbeforethatDavidlookedupinsurprise。
\"Yes；shesaidthatwashername，\"heanswered，wonderingattheindefinablechangethathadcometotheman’sface。
Therewasamoment’spause，thenthemanrosetohisfeet。
\"How’syourhead？Doesitache？\"heaskedbriskly。
\"Notmuch——some。I——IthinkI’llbegoing，\"repliedDavid，alittleawkwardly，reachingforhisviolin，andunconsciouslyshowingbyhismannerthesuddenchillintheatmosphere。
Thelittlegirlspokethen。Sheoverwhelmedhimagainwiththanks，andpointedtothecontentedkittenonthewindowsill。
True，shedidnottellhimthistimethatshewouldlove，love，lovehimalways；butshebeameduponhimgratefullyandsheurgedhimtocomesoonagain，andoften。
Davidbowedhimselfoff，withmanyabackwardwaveofthehand，andmanyapromisetocomeagain。Notuntilhehadquitereachedthebottomofthehilldidherememberthattheman，\"Jack，\"hadsaidalmostnothingatthelast。AsDavidrecollectedhim，indeed，hehadlastbeenseenstandingbesideoneoftheverandaposts，withgloomyeyesfixedonthetowersofSunnycrestthatshowedred-goldabovethetree-topsinthelastraysofthesettingsun。
Itwasabadhalf-hourthatDavidspentattheHollyfarmhouseinexplanationofhistornblouseandbruisedface。FarmerHollydidnotapproveoffights，andhesaidso，verysternlyindeed。EvenMrs。Holly，whowasusuallysokindtohim，letDavidunderstandthathewasindeepdisgrace，thoughshewasverytendertohiswounds。
Daviddidventuretoaskher，however，beforehewentupstairstobed：——
\"Mrs。Holly，whoarethosepeople——JackandJill——thatweresogoodtomethisafternoon？\"
\"TheyareJohnGurnseyandhissister，Julia；butthewholetownknowsthembythenamestheylongagogavethemselves，’Jack’and’Jill。’\"
\"Anddotheyliveallaloneinthelittlehouse？\"
\"Yes，exceptfortheWidowGlaspell，whocomesinseveraltimesaweek，Ibelieve，tocookandwashandsweep。Theyaren’tveryhappy，I’mafraid，David，andI’mgladyoucouldrescuethelittlegirl’skittenforher——butyoumustn’tfight。Nogoodcancomeoffighting！\"
\"Igotthecat——byfighting。\"
\"Yes，yes，Iknow；but——\"Shedidnotfinishhersentence，andDavidwasonlywaitingforapausetoaskanotherquestion。
\"Whyaren’ttheyhappy，Mrs。Holly？\"
\"Tut，tut，David，it’salongstory，andyouwouldn’tunderstanditifItoldit。It’sonlythatthey’reallaloneintheworld，andJackGurnseyisn’twell。Hemustbethirtyyearsoldnow。Hehadbrighthopesnotsolongagostudyinglaw，orsomethingofthesort，inthecity。Thenhisfatherdied，andhismother，andhelosthishealth。Somethingailshislungs，andthedoctorssenthimheretobeoutofdoors。Heevensleepsoutofdoors，theysay。Anyway，he’shere，andhe’smakingahomeforhissister；but，ofcourse，withhishopesandambitions——Butthere，David，youdon’tunderstand，ofcourse！\"
\"Oh，yes，Ido，\"breathedDavid，hiseyespensivelyturnedtowardashadowycorner。\"Hefoundhisworkoutintheworld，andthenhehadtostopandcouldn’tdoit。PoorMr。Jack！\"
CHAPTERXIII
ASURPRISEFORMR。JACK
LifeattheHollyfarmhousewasnotwhatithadbeen。ThecomingofDavidhadintroducednewelementsthatpromisedcomplications。
Notbecausehewasanothermouthtofeed——SimeonHollywasnotworryingaboutthatpartanylonger。Cropsshowedgoodpromise，andallreadyinthebankevennowwasthenecessarymoneytocoverthedreadednote，duethelastofAugust。ThecomplicatingelementsinregardtoDavidwereofquiteanothernature。
ToSimeonHollytheboywasariddletobesternlysolved。ToEllenHollyhewasaneverpresentreminderofthelittleboyoflongago，andassuchwastobelovedandtrainedintoasemblanceofwhatthatboymighthavebecome。ToPerryLarson，Davidwasthe\"derndestcheckerboardofsensean’nonsensegoin’\"——agameoverwhichtochuckle。
AttheHollyfarmhousetheycouldnotunderstandaboywhowouldleaveasupperforasunset，orwhopreferredabooktoatoypistol——asPerryLarsonfoundoutwasthecaseontheFourthofJuly；whopickedflowers，likeagirl，forthetable，yetwhounhesitatinglystruckthefirstblowinafightwithsixantagonists：whowouldnotgofishingbecausethefisheswouldnotlikeit，norhuntingforanysortofwildthingthathadlife；whohungentrancedforanhouroverthe\"millionsoflovelystripedbugs\"inafieldofearlypotatoes，andwhopromptlyandstubbornlyrefusedtosprinklethosesame\"lovelybugs\"withParisgreenwhendiscoveredathisworship。Allthiswasmostperplexing，tosaytheleast。
YetDavidworked，andworkedwell，andinmostcasesheobeyedorderswillingly。Helearnedmuch，too，thatwasinterestingandprofitable；norwashetheonlyonethatmadestrangediscoveriesduringthoseJulydays。TheHollysthemselveslearnedmuch。Theylearnedthattheroseofsunsetandthegoldofsunrisewereworthlookingat；andthatthemassingofthethunderheadsinthewestmeantmorethanjustashower。Theylearned，too，thatthegreenofthehilltopandofthefar-reachingmeadowwasmorethangrass，andthatthepurplehazealongthehorizonwasmorethanthemountainsthatlaybetweenthemandthenextState。TheywerebeginningtoseetheworldwithDavid’seyes。
Therewere，too，thelongtwilightsandeveningswhenDavid，onthewingsofhisviolin，wouldspeedawaytohismountainhome，leavingbehindhimamanandawomanwhoseemedtothemselvestobelisteningtothevoiceofacurly-headed，rosy-cheekedladwhoonceplayedattheirkneesandnestledintheirarmswhenthedaywasdone。Andhere，too，theHollyswerelearning；thoughthethingthuslearnedwashiddendeepintheirhearts。
ItwasnotlongafterDavid’sfirstvisitthattheboywentagainto\"TheHousethatJackBuilt，\"astheGurnseyscalledtheirtinyhome。（ThoughinrealityithadbeenJack’sfatherwhohadbuiltthehouse。JackandJill，however，didnotalwaysdealwithrealities。）Itwasnotapleasantafternoon。Therewasalightmistintheair，andDavidwaswithouthisviolin。
\"Icameto——toinquireforthecat——Juliette，\"hebegan，alittlebashfully。\"IthoughtI’dratherdothatthanreadto-day，\"heexplainedtoJillinthedoorway。
\"Good！I’msoglad！Ihopedyou’dcome，\"thelittlegirlwelcomedhim。\"Comeinand——andseeJuliette，\"sheaddedhastily，rememberingatthelastmomentthatherbrotherhadnotlookedwithentirefavoronheravowedadmirationforthisstrangelittleboy。
Juliette，rousedfromhernap，wasatfirstinclinedtoresenthervisitor’spresence。Infiveminutes，however，shewaspurringinhislap。
Theconquestofthekittenonceaccomplished，Davidlookedabouthimalittlerestlessly。Hebegantowonderwhyhehadcome。HewishedhehadgonetoseeJoeGlaspellinstead。HewishedthatJillwouldnotsitandstareathimlikethat。Hewishedthatshewouldsaysomething——anything。ButJill，apparentlystruckdumbwithembarrassment，wasnervouslytwistingthecornerofherapronintoalittleknot。Davidtriedtorecollectwhathehadtalkedaboutafewdaysbefore，andhewonderedwhyhehadsoenjoyedhimselfthen。Hewishedthatsomethingwouldhappen——anything！——andthenfromaninnerroomcamethesoundofaviolin。
Davidraisedhishead。
\"It’sJack，\"stammeredthelittlegirl——whoalsohadbeenwishingsomethingwouldhappen。\"Heplays，sameasyoudo，ontheviolin。\"
\"Doeshe？\"beamedDavid。\"But——\"Hepaused，listening，aquickfrownonhisface。
Overandovertheviolinwasplayingasinglephrase——andthevariationsinthephraseshowedtheindecisionofthefingersandofthemindthatcontrolledthem。Againandagainwithirritatingsameness，yetwithastillmoreirritatingdifference，camethesuccessionofnotes。AndthenDavidsprangtohisfeet，placingJuliettesomewhatunceremoniouslyonthefloor，muchtothatpettedyoungautocrat’sdisgust。
\"Here，whereishe？Letmeshowhim，\"criedtheboy，andatthenoteofcommandinhisvoice，JillinvoluntarilyroseandopenedthedoortoJack’sden。
\"Oh，please，Mr。Jack，\"burstoutDavid，hurryingintotheroom。
\"Don’tyousee？Youdon’tgoatthatthingright。Ifyou’lljustletmeshowyouaminute，we’llhaveitfixedinnotime！\"
Themanwiththeviolinstared，andloweredhisbow。Aslowredcametohisface。Thephrasewaspeculiarlyadifficultone，andbeyondhim，asheknew；butthatdidnotmakethepresentintrusionintohisprivacyanythemorewelcome。
\"Oh，willwe，indeed！\"heretorted，alittlesharply。\"Don’ttroubleyourself，Ibegofyou，boy。\"
\"Butitisn’tamiteoftrouble，truly，\"urgedDavid，withanardorthatignoredthesarcasmintheother’swords。\"IWANTtodoit。\"
Despitehisannoyance，themangaveashortlaugh。
\"Well，David，Ibelieveyou。AndI’llwarrantyou’dtacklethisBrahmsconcertoasnonchalantlyasyoudidthosesixhoodlumswiththecattheotherday——andexpecttowinout，too！\"
\"But，truly，thisiseasy，whenyouknowhow，\"laughedtheboy。
\"See！\"
Tohissurprise，themanfoundhimselfrelinquishingtheviolinandbowintotheslim，eagerhandsthatreachedforthem。Thenextmomenthefellbackinamazement。Clear，distinct，yetconnectedlikeastringofroundedpearlsfellthetroublesomenotesfromDavid’sbow。\"Yousee，\"smiledtheboyagain，andplayedthephraseasecondtime，moreslowly，andwithdeliberateemphasisatthedifficultpart。Then，asifinanswertosomeirresistiblesummonswithinhim，hedashedintothenextphraseand，withmarveloustechnique，playedquitethroughtheripplingcadenzathatcompletedthemovement。
\"Well，byGeorge！\"breathedthemandazedly，ashetooktheofferedviolin。Thenextmomenthehaddemandedvehemently：\"ForHeaven’ssake，whoAREyou，boy？\"
David’sfacewrinkledingrievedsurprise。
\"Why，I’mDavid。Don’tyouremember？Iwasherejusttheotherday！\"
\"Yes，yes；butwhotaughtyoutoplaylikethat？\"
\"Father。\"
\"’Father’！\"Themanechoedthewordwithagestureofcomicdespair。\"FirstLatin，thenjiujitsu，andnowtheviolin！Boy，whowasyourfather？\"
Davidliftedhisheadandfrownedalittle。Hehadbeenquestionedsooften，andsounsympathetically，abouthisfatherthathewasbeginningtoresentit。
\"Hewasdaddy——justdaddy；andIlovedhimdearly。\"
\"Butwhatwashisname？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Wedidn’tseemtohaveanamelike——likeyoursdownhere。Anyway，ifwedid，Ididn’tknowwhatitwas。\"
\"But，David，\"——themanwasspeakingverygentlynow。Hehadmotionedtheboytoalowseatbyhisside。Thelittlegirlwasstandingnear，hereyesalightwithwonderinginterest。\"Hemusthavehadaname，youknow，justthesame。Didn’tyoueverhearanyonecallhimanything？Think，now。\"
\"No。\"Davidsaidthesingleword，andturnedhiseyesaway。Ithadoccurredtohim，sincehehadcometoliveinthevalley，thatperhapshisfatherdidnotwanttohavehisnameknown。Herememberedthatoncethemilk-and-eggsboyhadaskedwhattocallhim；andhisfatherhadlaughedandanswered：\"Idon’tseebutyou’llhavetocallme’TheOldManoftheMountain，’astheydodowninthevillage。\"ThatwastheonlytimeDavidcouldrecollecthearinghisfathersayanythingabouthisname。AtthetimeDavidhadnotthoughtmuchaboutit。Butsincethen，downherewheretheyappearedtothinkanamewassoimportant，hehadwonderedifpossiblyhisfatherhadnotpreferredtokeephistohimself。Ifsuchwerethecase，hewasgladnowthathedidnotknowthisname，sothathemightnothavetotellalltheseinquisitivepeoplewhoaskedsomanyquestionsaboutit。Hewasglad，too，thatthosemenhadnotbeenabletoreadhisfather’snameattheendofhisothernotethatfirstmorning——ifhisfatherreallydidnotwishhisnametobeknown。