\"Mrs。HollysaidIwastowalkrightin，David，sohereIam，\"
shebegan，inacheeryvoice。\"Oh，you’relookinglotsbetterthanwhenIsawyouMonday，youngman！\"
\"Iambetter，\"caroledDavid；\"andto-dayI’m’speciallybetter，becauseMr。Jackhasbeenhere。\"
\"Oh，hasMr。Jackbeentoseeyouto-day？\"TherewasanindefinablechangeinMissHolbrook’svoice。
\"Yes，rightnow。Why，hewasherewhenyouweredrivingintotheyard。\"
MissHolbrookgaveaperceptiblestartandlookedaboutheralittlewildly。
\"Herewhen——ButIdidn’tmeethimanywhere——inthehall。\"
\"Hedidn’tgothroughthehall，\"laughedDavidgleefully。\"Hewentrightthroughthatwindowthere。\"
\"Thewindow！\"AnangryflushmountedtoMissHolbrook’sforehead。\"Indeed，didhehavetoresorttothattoescape——\"Shebitherlipandstoppedabruptly。
David’seyeswidenedalittle。
\"Escape？Oh，HEwasn’ttheonethatwasescaping。ItwasPerry。
Mr。Jackwasafraidhe’dlosehim。Hesawhimoutthewindowthere，rightafterhe’dseenyou，andhesaidhewantedtospeaktohimandhewasafraidhe’dgetaway。Sohejumpedrightthroughthatwindowthere。See？\"
\"Oh，yes，I——see，\"murmuredMissHolbrook，inavoiceDavidthoughtwasalittlequeer。
\"Iwantedhimtostay，\"frownedDaviduncertainly。\"Iwantedhimtoseeyou。\"
\"Dearme，David，Ihopeyoudidn’ttellhimso。\"
\"Oh，yes，Idid。Buthecouldn’tstay，eventhen。Yousee，hewantedtocatchPerryLarson。\"
\"I’venodoubtofit，\"retortedMissHolbrook，withsomuchemphasisthatDavidagainlookedatherwithaslightlydisturbedfrown。
\"Buthe’llcomeagainsoon，I’msure，andthenmaybeyou’llbehere，too。Idosowanthimtoseeyou，LadyoftheRoses！\"
\"Nonsense，David！\"laughedMissHolbrookalittlenervously。
\"Mr。——Mr。Gurnseydoesn’twanttoseeme。He’sseenmedozensoftimes。\"
\"Oh，yes，hetoldmehe’dseenyoulongago，\"noddedDavidgravely；\"buthedidn’tactasifheremembereditmuch。\"
\"Didn’the，indeed！\"laughedMissHolbrook，againflushingalittle。\"Well，I’msure，dear，wewouldn’twanttotaxthepoorgentleman’smemorytoomuch，youknow。Come，supposeyouseewhatI’vebroughtyou，\"shefinishedgayly。
\"Oh，whatisit？\"criedDavid，as，underMissHolbrook’sswiftfingers，thewrappingsfellawayanddisclosedaboxwhich，uponbeingopened，wasfoundtobefilledwithquantitiesofoddlyshapedbitsofpicturedwood——ajumbleofconfusion。
\"It’sajig-sawpuzzle，David。Alltheselittlepiecesfittedtogethermakeapicture，yousee。ItriedlastnightandIcouldn’tdoit。Ibroughtitdowntoseeifyoucould。\"
\"Oh，thankyou！I’dloveto，\"rejoicedtheboy。Andinthefascinationofthemarveloffindingonefantasticbitthatfittedanother，DavidapparentlyforgotallaboutMr。Jack——whichseemednotunpleasingtohisLadyoftheRoses。
ItwasnotuntilnearlyaweeklaterthatDavidhadhiswishofseeinghisMr。JackandhisLadyoftheRosesmeetathisbedside。ItwasthedayMissHolbrookbroughttohimthewonderfulsetofhandsomelybound\"WaverleyNovels。\"Hewasstillgloryinginhisnewpossession，infact，whenMr。Jackappearedsuddenlyinthedoorway。
\"Hullomyboy，Ijust——Oh，Ibegyourpardon。Isupposedyouwere——alone，\"hestammered，lookingveryredindeed。
\"Heis——thatis，hewillbe，soon——exceptforyou，Mr。Gurnsey，\"
smiledMissHolbrook，verybrightly。Shewasalreadyonherfeet。
\"No，no，Ibegofyou，\"stammeredMr。Jack，growingstillmorered。\"Don’tletmedrive——thatis，Imean，don’tgo，please。I
didn’tknow。Ihadnowarning——Ididn’tsee——Yourcarriagewasnotatthedoorto-day。\"
MissHolbrook’seyebrowsrosethefractionofaninch。
\"Isentithome。Iamplanningtowalkback。Ihaveseveralcallstomakeontheway；andit’shightimeIwasstarting。Good-bye，David。\"
\"But，Lady，oftheRoses，please，please，don’tgo，\"besoughtDavid，whohadbeenlookingfromonetotheotherinworrieddismay。\"Why，you’vejustcome！\"
Butneithercoaxingnorargumentavailed；andbeforeDavidreallyknewjustwhathadhappened，hefoundhimselfalonewithMr。
Jack。
Eventhendisappointmentwaspiledondisappointment，forMr。
Jack’svisitwasnottheunalloyedhappinessitusuallywas。Mr。
Jackhimselfwasalmostcrossatfirst，andthenhewassilentandrestless，movingjerkilyabouttheroominawaythatdisturbedDavidverymuch。
Mr。Jackhadbroughtwithhimabook；buteventhatonlymademattersworse，forwhenhesawthebeautifullyboundvolumesthatMissHolbrookhadjustleft，hefrowned，andtoldDavidthatheguessedhedidnotneedhisgiftatall，withallthoseotherfinebooks。AndDavidcouldnotseemtomakehimunderstandthattheonebookfromhimwasjustexactlyasdearaswerethewholesetofbooksthathisLadyoftheRosesbrought。
Certainlyitwasnotasatisfactoryvisitatall，andforthefirsttimeDavidwasalmostgladtohaveMr。Jackgoandleavehimwithhisbooks。TheBOOKS，Davidtoldhimself，hecouldunderstand；Mr。Jackhecouldnot——to-day。
SeveraltimesafterthisDavid’sLadyoftheRosesandMr。Jackhappenedtocallatthesamehour；butnevercouldDavidpersuadethesetwofriendsofhistostaytogether。Always，ifonecameandtheotherwasthere，theotherwentaway，inspiteofDavid’sprotestationsthattwopeopledidnottirehimatallandhisassertionsthatheoftenentertainedasmanyasthatatonce。
Tractableastheywereinallotherways，anxiousastheyseemedtopleasehim，onthisonepointtheywereobdurate：neverwouldtheystaytogether。
Theywerenotangrywitheachother——Davidwassureofthat，fortheywerealwaysveryespeciallypolite，androse，andstood，andbowedinamostdelightfulfashion。Still，hesometimesthoughtthattheydidnotquitelikeeachother，foralways，aftertheonewentaway，theother，leftbehind，wassilentandalmoststern——ifitwasMr。Jack；andflushed-facedandnervous——ifitwasMissHolbrook。ButwhythiswassoDavidcouldnotunderstand。
ThespanofhandsomeblackhorsescameveryfrequentlytotheHollyfarmhousenow，andastimepassedtheyoftenboreawaybehindthemawhite-facedbuthappy-eyedboyontheseatbesideMissHolbrook。
\"My，butIdon’tseehoweveryonecanbesogoodtome！\"
exclaimedtheboy，oneday，tohisLadyoftheRoses。
\"Oh，that’seasy，David，\"shesmiled。\"Theonlytroubleistofindoutwhatyouwant——youaskforsolittle。\"
\"ButIdon’tneedtoask——youdoitallbeforehand，\"assertedthe，boy。\"youandMr。Jack，andeverybody。\"
\"Really？That’sgood。\"ForabriefmomentMissHolbrookhesitated；then，asifcasually，sheasked：\"Andhetellsyoustories，too，Isuppose，——thisMr。Jack，——justasheusedto，doesn’the？\"
\"Well，heneverdidtellmebutone，youknow，before；buthe’stoldmemorenow，sinceI’vebeensick。\"
\"Oh，yes，Iremember，andthatonewas’ThePrincessandthePauper，’wasn’tit？Well，hashetoldyouanymore——like——that？\"
Theboyshookhisheadwithdecision。
\"No，hedoesn’ttellmeanymorelikethat，and——andIdon’twanthimto，either。\"
MissHolbrooklaughedalittleoddly。
\"Why，David，whatisthematterwiththat？\"shequeried。
\"Theending；itwasn’tnice，youknow。\"
\"Oh，yes，I——Iremember。\"
\"I’veaskedhimtochangeit，\"wentonDavid，inagrievedvoice。
\"Iaskedhimjusttheotherday，buthewouldn’t。\"
\"Perhapshe——hedidn’twantto。\"MissHolbrookspokeveryquickly，butsolowthatDavidbarelyheardthewords。
\"Didn’twantto？Oh，yes，hedid！Helookedawfulsober，andasifhereallycared，youknow。Andhesaidhe’dgiveallhehadintheworldifhereallycouldchangeit，buthecouldn’t。\"
\"Didhesay——justthat？\"MissHolbrookwasleaningforwardalittlebreathlesslynow。
\"Yes——justthat；andthat’sthepartIcouldn’tunderstand，\"
commentedDavid。\"ForIdon’tseewhyastory——justastorymadeupoutofsomebody’shead——can’tbechangedanywayyouwantit。
AndItoldhimso。\"
\"Well，andwhatdidhesaytothat？\"
\"Hedidn’tsayanythingforaminute，andIhadtoaskhimagain。Thenhesatupsuddenly，justasifhe’dbeenasleep，youknow，andsaid，’Eh，what，David？’AndthenItoldhimagainwhatI’dsaid。Thistimeheshookhishead，andsmiledthatkindofasmilethatisn’treallyasmile，youknow，andsaidsomethingaboutareal，true-to-lifestory’sneverhavingbutoneending，andthatwasalogicalending。LadyoftheRoses，whatisalogicalending？\"
TheLadyoftheRoseslaughedunexpectedly。Thetwolittleredspots，thatDavidalwayslovedtosee，flamedintohercheeks，andhereyesshowedasuddensparkle。Whensheanswered，herwordscamedisconnectedly，withlittlelaughingbreathsbetween。
\"Well，David，I——I’mnotsureIcan——tellyou。ButperhapsI——canfindout。Thismuch，however，Iamsureof：Mr。Jack’slogicalendingwouldn’tbe——mine！\"
WhatshemeantDaviddidnotknow；norwouldshetellhimwhenheasked；butafewdayslatershesentforhim，andverygladlyDavid——ablenowtogowherehepleased——obeyedthesummons。
ItwasNovember，andthegardenwasbleakandcold；butinthelibraryabrightfiredancedonthehearth，andbeforethisMissHolbrookdrewuptwolowchairs。
Shelookedparticularlypretty，Davidthought。Therichredofherdresshadapparentlybroughtoutanansweringredinhercheeks。Hereyeswereverybrightandherlipssmiled；yetsheseemedoddlynervousandrestless。Shesewedalittle，withabitofyellowsilkonwhite——butnotforlong。Sheknittedwithtwolongivoryneedlesflashinginandoutofasilkymeshofblue——butthis，too，shesoonceaseddoing。OnalowstandatDavid’ssideshehadplacedbooksandpictures，andforatimeshetalkedofthose。Thenveryabruptlysheasked：——
\"David，whenwillyousee——Mr。Jackagain——doyousuppose？\"
\"Tomorrow。I’mgoinguptotheHousethatJackBuilttotea，andI’mtostayallnight。It’sHalloween——thatis，itisn’treallyHalloween，becauseit’stoolate。Ilostthat，beingsick，youknow。Sowe’regoingtopretend，andMr。Jackisgoingtoshowmewhatitislike。ThatiswhatMr。JackandJillalwaysdo；whensomethingailstherealthing，theyjustpretendwiththemake-believeone。He’splannedlotsofthingsforJillandmetodo；withnutsandapplesandcandles，youknow。It’sto-morrownight。soI’llseehimthen。\"
\"To-morrow？So——sosoon？\"falteredMissHolbrook。AndtoDavid，gazingatherwithwonderingeyes，itseemedforamomentalmostasifshewerelookingaboutforaplacetowhichshemightrunandhide。Thendeterminedly，asifsheweretakingholdofsomethingwithbothhands，sheleanedforward，lookedDavidsquarelyintheeyes，andbegantotalkhurriedly，yetverydistinctly。
\"David，listen。I’vesomethingIwantyoutosaytoMr。Jack，andIwantyoutobesureandgetitjustright。It’saboutthe——thestory，’ThePrincessandthePauper，’youknow。Youcanremember，Ithink，foryourememberedthatsowell。Willyousayittohim——whatI’mgoingtotellyou——justasIsayit？\"
\"Why，ofcourseIwill！\"David’spromisewasunhesitating，thoughhiseyeswerestillpuzzled。
\"It’saboutthe——theending，\"stammeredMissHolbrook。\"Thatis，itmay——itmayhavesomethingtodowiththeending——perhaps，\"
shefinishedlamely。AndagainDavidnoticedthatoddshiftingofMissHolbrook’sgazeasifsheweresearchingforsomemeansofescape。Then，asbefore，hesawherchinliftdeterminedly，asshebegantotalkfasterthanever。
\"Now，listen，\"sheadmonishedhim，earnestly。
AndDavidlistened。
CHAPTERXXIV
ASTORYREMODELED
ThepretendedHalloweenwasagreatsuceess。Soveryexcited，indeed，didDavidbecomeovertheswingingapplesandpoppingnutsthathequiteforgottotellMr。JackwhattheLadyoftheRoseshadsaiduntilJillhadgoneuptobedandhehimselfwasabouttotakefromMr。Jack’shandthelittlelightedlamp。
\"Oh，Mr。Jack，Iforgot，\"hecriedthen。\"TherewassomethingI
wasgoingtotellyou。\"
\"Nevermindto-night，David；it’ssolate。Supposeweleaveituntilto-morrow，\"suggestedMr。Jack，stillwiththelampextendedinhishand。
\"ButIpromisedtheLadyoftheRosesthatI’dsayitto-night，\"
demurredtheboy，inatroubledvoice。
Themandrewhislamphalfwaybacksuddenly。
\"TheLadyoftheRoses！Doyoumean——shesentamessage——toME？\"
hedemanded。
\"Yes；aboutthestory，’ThePrincessandthePauper，’youknow。\"
WithanabruptexclamationMr。Jacksetthelamponthetableandturnedtoachair。Hehadapparentlylosthishastetogotobed。
\"Seehere，David，supposeyoucomeandsitdown，andtellmejustwhatyou’retalkingabout。Andfirst——justwhatdoestheLadyoftheRosesknowaboutthat——that’PrincessandthePauper’？\"
\"Why，sheknowsitall，ofcourse，\"returnedtheboyinsurprise。
\"Itoldittoher。\"
\"You——told——it——toher！\"Mr。Jackrelaxedinhischair。\"David！\"
\"Yes。Andshewasjustasinterestedascouldbe。\"
\"Idon’tdoubtit！\"Mr。Jack’slipssnappedtogetheralittlegrimly。
\"Onlyshedidn’tliketheending，either。\"
Mr。Jacksatupsuddenly。
\"Shedidn’tlike——David，areyousure？DidsheSAYthat？\"
Davidfrownedinthought。
\"Well，Idon’tknowasIcantell，exactly，butI’msureshedidn’tlikeit，becausejustbeforeshetoldmeWHATtosaytoyou，shesaidthat——thatwhatshewasgoingtosaywouldprobablyhavesomethingtodowiththeending，anyway。Still——\"Davidpausedinyetdeeperthought。\"Cometothinkofit，therereallyisn’tanything——notinwhatshesaid——thatCHANGEDthatending，asI
cansee。Theydidn’tgetmarriedandlivehappyeverafter，anyhow。\"
\"Yes，butwhatdidshesay？\"askedMr。Jackinavoicethatwasnotquitesteady。\"Now，becareful，David，andtellitjustasshesaidit。\"
\"Oh，Iwill，\"noddedDavid。\"SHEsaidtodothat，too。\"
\"Didshe？\"Mr。Jackleanedfartherforwardinhischair。\"Buttellme，howdidshehappento——tosayanythingaboutit？Supposeyoubeginatthebeginning——awayback，David。Iwanttohearitall——all！\"
Davidgaveacontentedsigh，andsettledhimselfmorecomfortably。
\"Well，tobeginwith，yousee，Itoldherthestorylongago，beforeIwassick，andshewaseversointerestedthen，andaskedlotsofquestions。Thentheotherdaysomethingcameup——I’veforgottenhow——abouttheending，andItoldherhowhardI’dtriedtohaveyouchangeit，butyouwouldn’t。Andshespokerightupquickandsaidprobablyyoudidn’twanttochangeit，anyhow。ButofcourseIsettledTHATquestionwithoutanytrouble，\"wentonDavidconfidently，\"byjusttellingherhowyousaidyou’dgiveanythingintheworldtochangeit。\"
\"Andyoutoldherthat——justthat，David？\"criedtheman。
\"Why，yes，Ihadto，\"answeredDavid，insurprise，\"elseshewouldn’thaveknownthatyouDIDwanttochangeit。Don’tyousee？\"
\"Oh，yes！I——see——agooddealthatI’mthinkingyoudon’t，\"
mutteredMr。Jack，falligbackinhischair。
\"Well，theniswhenItoldheraboutthelogicalending——whatyousaid，youknow，——oh，yes！andthatwaswhenIfoundoutshedidn’tliketheending，becauseshelaughedsuchafunnylittlelaughandcoloredup，andsaidthatshewasn’tsureshecouldtellmewhatalogicalendingwas，butthatshewouldtrytofindout，andthat，anyhow，YOURendingwouldn’tbehers——shewassureofthat。\"
\"David，didshesaythat——really？\"Mr。Jackwasonhisfeetnow。
\"Shedid；andthenyesterdaysheaskedmetocomeover，andshesaidsomemorethings，——aboutthestory，Imean，——butshedidn’tsayanotherthingabouttheending。Shedidn’teversayanythingaboutthatexceptthatlittlebitItoldyouofaminuteago。\"
\"Yes，yes，butwhatdidshesay？\"demandedMr。Jack，stoppingshortinhiswalkupanddowntheroom。
\"Shesaid：’YoutellMr。JackthatIknowsomethingaboutthatstoryofhisthatperhapshedoesn’t。Inthefirstplace，IknowthePrincessalotbetterthanhedoes，andsheisn’tabitthekindofgirlhe’spicturedher。\"
\"Yes！Goon——goon！\"
\"’Now，forinstance，’shesays，’whentheboymadethatcall，afterthegirlfirstcameback，andwhentheboydidn’tlikeitbecausetheytalkedofcollegesandtravels，andsuchthings，youtellhimthatIhappentoknowthatthatgirlwasjusthopingandhopinghe’dspeakoftheolddaysandgames；butthatshecouldn’tspeak，ofcourse，whenhehadn’tbeenevenoncetoseeherduringallthoseweeks，andwhenhe’dactedineverywayjustasifhe’dforgotten。’\"
\"Butshehadn’twaved——thatPrincesshadn’twaved——once！\"
arguedMr。Jack；\"andhelookedandlookedforit。\"
\"Yes，SHEspokeofthat，\"returnedDavid。\"ButSHEsaidsheshouldn’tthinkthePrincesswouldhavewaved，whenshe’dgottobesuchagreatbiggirlasthat——WAVINGtoaBOY！Shesaidthatforherpartsheshouldhavebeenashamedofherifshehad！\"
\"Oh，didshe！\"murmuredMr。Jackblankly，droppingsuddenlyintohischair。
\"Yes，shedid，\"repeatedDavid，withalittlevirtuousupliftingofhischin。
ItwasplaintobeseenthatDavid’ssympathieshadunaccountablymetwithachangeofheart。
\"But——thePauper——\"
\"Oh，yes，andthat’sanotherthing，\"interruptedDavid。\"TheLadyoftheRosessaidthatshedidn’tlikethatnameonebit；thatitwasn’ttrue，anyway，becausehewasn’tapauper。Andshesaid，too，thatasforhispicturingthePrincessasbeingperfectlyhappyinallthatmagnificence，hedidn’tgetitrightatall。ForSHEknewthatthePrincesswasn’tonebithappy，becauseshewassolonesomeforthingsandpeopleshehadknownwhenshewasjustthegirl。\"
AgainMr。Jacksprangtohisfeet。Foraminutehestrodeupanddowntheroominsilence；theninashakingvoiceheasked：——
\"David，you——youaren’tmakingallthisup，areyou？You’resayingjustwhat——whatMissHolbrooktoldyouto？\"
\"Why，ofcourse，I’mnotmakingitup，\"protestedtheboyaggrievedly。\"ThisistheLadyoftheRoses’story——SHEmadeitup——onlyshetalkeditasif’twasreal，ofcourse，justasyoudid。Shesaidanotherthing，too。ShesaidthatshehappenedtoknowthatthePrincesshadgotallthatmagnificencearoundherinthefirstplacejusttoseeifitwouldn’tmakeherhappy，butthatithadn’t，andthatnowshehadoneplace——alittleroom——thatwasleftjustasitusedtobewhenshewasthegirl，andthatshewentthereandsatveryoften。Andshesaiditwasrightinsightofwheretheboylived，too，wherehecouldseeiteveryday；andthatifhehadn’tbeensoblindhecouldhavelookedrightthroughthosegraywallsandseenthat，andseenlotsofotherthings。Andwhatdidshemeanbythat，Mr。Jack？\"
\"Idon’tknow——Idon’tknow，David，\"half-groanedMr。Jack。
\"SometimesIthinkshemeans——andthenIthinkthatcan’tbe——true。\"
\"Butdoyouthinkit’shelpeditany——thestory？\"persistedtheboy。\"She’sonlytalkedalittleaboutthePrincess。Shedidn’treallychangethingsany——nottheending。\"
\"Butshesaiditmight，David——shesaiditmight！Don’tyouremember？\"criedthemaneagerly。AndtoDavid，hiseagernessdidnotseematallstrange。Mr。Jackhadsaidbefore——longago——thathewouldbeverygladindeedtohaveahappierendingtothistale。\"Thinknow，\"continuedtheman。\"Perhapsshesaidsomethingelse，too。Didshesayanythingelse，David？\"
Davidshookhisheadslowly。
\"No，only——yes，therewasalittlesomething，butitdoesn’tCHANGEthingsany，foritwasonlya’supposing。’Shesaid：’Justsupposing，afterlongyears，thatthePrincessfoundoutabouthowtheboyfeltlongago，andsupposeheshouldlookupatthetowersomeday，attheoldtime，andseeaONE——TWOwave，whichmeant，\"Comeovertoseeme。\"Justwhatdoyousupposehewoulddo？’Butofcourse，THATcan’tdoanygood，\"finishedDavidgloomily，asherosetogotobed，\"forthatwasonlya’supposing。’\"
\"Ofcourse，\"agreedMr。Jacksteadily；andDaviddidnotknowthatonlysternself-controlhadforcedthesteadinessintothatvoice，northat，forMr。Jack，thewholeworldhadburstsuddenlyintosong。
NeitherdidDavid，thenextmorning，knowthatlongbeforeeighto’clockMr。Jackstoodatacertainwindow，hiseyesunswervinglyfixedonthegraytowersofSunnycrest。WhatDaviddidknow，however，wasthatjustaftereight，Mr。JackstrodethroughtheroomwhereheandJillwereplayingcheckers，flunghimselfintohishatandcoat，andthenfairlyleapeddownthestepstowardthepaththatledtothefootbridgeatthebottomofthehill。
\"Why，whateverintheworldailsJack？\"gaspedJill。Then，afterastartledpause，sheasked。\"David，dofolksevergocrazyforjoy？Yesterday，yousee，Jackgottwosplendidpiecesofnews。
Onewasfromhisdoctor。Hewasexamined，andhe’sfine，thedoctorsays；allwell，sohecangoback，nowanytime，tothecityandwork。Ishallgotoschoolthen，youknow，——ayoungladies’school，\"shefinished，alittleimportantly。
\"He’swell？Howsplendid！Butwhatwastheothernews？Yousaidthereweretwo；onlyitcouldn’thavebeennicerthanthatwas；
tobewell——allwell！\"
\"Theother？Well，thatwasonlythathisoldplaceinthecitywaswaitingforhim。Hewaswithafirmofbiglawyers，youknow，andofcourseitisnicetohaveaplaceallwaiting。ButIcan’tseeanythinginthosethingstomakehimactlikethis，now。Canyou？\"
\"Why，yes，maybe，\"declaredDavid。\"He’sfoundhiswork——don’tyousee？——outintheworld，andhe’sgoingtodoit。IknowhowI’dfeelifIhadfoundminethatfathertoldmeof！OnlywhatI
can’tunderstandis，ifMr。Jackknewallthisyesterday，whydidn’theactlikethisthen，insteadofwaitingtillto-day？\"
\"Iwonder，\"saidJill。
CHAPTERXXV
THEBEAUTIFULWORLD
Davidfoundmanynewsongsinhisviolinthoseearlywinterdays，andtheywereverybeautifulones。Tobeginwith，therewereallthekindlylooksanddeedsthatwereshowereduponhimfromeveryside。Therewasthefirstsnowstorm，too，withthefeatheryflakesturningalltheworldtofairywhiteness。ThissongDavidplayedtoMr。Streeter，oneday，andgreatwashisdisappointmentthatthemancouldnotseemtounderstandwhatthesongsaid。
\"Butdon’tyousee？\"pleadedDavid。\"I’mtellingyouthatit’syourpear-treeblossomscomebacktosayhowgladtheyarethatyoudidn’tkillthemthatday。\"
\"Pear-treeblossoms——comeback！\"ejaculatedtheoldman。\"Well，no，Ican’tsee。Where’syerpear-treeblossoms？\"
\"Why，there——outofthewindow——everywhere，\"urgedtheboy。
\"THERE！Byginger！boy——yedon’tmean——yeCAN’TmeantheSNOW！\"
\"OfcourseIdo！Now，can’tyouseeit？Why，thewholetreewasjustagreatbigcloudofsnowflakes。Don’tyouremember？Well，nowit’sgoneawayandgotawholelotmoretrees，andallthelittlewhitepetalshavecomedancingdowntocelebrate，andtotellyoutheysurearecomingbacknextyear。\"
\"Well，byginger！\"exclaimedthemanagain。Then，suddenly，hethrewbackhisheadwithaheartylaugh。Daviddidnotquitelikethelaugh，neitherdidhecareforthefive-centpiecethatthemanthrustintohisfingersalittlelater；though——hadDavidbutknownit——boththelaughandthefive-centpiecegiftwere——fortheuncomprehendingmanwhogavethem——whitemilestonesalonganunfamiliarway。
ItwassoonafterthisthattherecametoDavidthegreatsurprise——hisbelovedLadyoftheRosesandhisnolessbelovedMr。JackweretobemarriedatthebeginningoftheNewYear。Soverysurprised，indeed，wasDavidatthis，thatevenhisviolinwasmute，andhadnothing，atfirst，tosayaboutit。ButtoMr。
Jack，asmantoman，Davidsaidoneday：——
\"Ithoughtmen，whentheymarriedwomen，wentcourting。Instory-bookstheydo。Andyou——youhardlyeversaidawordtomybeautifulLadyoftheRoses；andyouspokeonce——longago——asifyouscarcelyrememberedheratall。Now，whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"
AndMr。Jacklaughed，buthegrewred，too，——andthenhetolditall，——thatitwasjustthestoryof\"ThePrincessandthePauper，\"andthathe，David，hadbeentheone，asithappened，todopartoftheircourtingforthem。
AndhowDavidhadlaughedthen，andhowhehadfairlyhuggedhimselfforjoy！Andwhennexthehadpickeduphisviolin，whatabeautiful，beautifulsonghehadfoundaboutitinthevibrantstrings！
Itwasthissamesong，asitchanced，thathewasplayinginhisroomthatSaturdayafternoonwhentheletterfromSimeonHolly’slong-lostsonJohncametotheHollyfarmhouse。
Downstairsinthekitchen，SimeonHollystood，withtheletterinhishand。
\"Ellen，we’vegotaletterfrom——John，\"hesaid。ThatSimeonHollyspokeofitatallshowedhowveryfaralongHISunfamiliarwayhehadcomesincethelastletterfromJohnhadarrived。
\"From——John？Oh，Simeon！FromJohn？\"
\"Yes。\"
Simeonsatdownandtriedtohidetheshakingofhishandasheranthepointofhisknifeundertheflapoftheenvelope。\"We’llseewhat——hesays。\"Andtohearhim，onemighthavethoughtthatlettersfromJohnwereeverydayoccurrences。
DEARFATHER：TwicebeforeIhavewritten[rantheletter]，andreceivednoanswer。ButI’mgoingtomakeonemoreeffortforforgiveness。MayInotcometoyouthisChristmas？Ihavealittleboyofmyownnow，andmyheartachesforyou。IknowhowIshouldfeel，shouldhe，inyearstocome，doasIdid。
I’llnotdeceiveyou——Ihavenotgivenupmyart。Youtoldmeoncetochoosebetweenyouandit——andIchose，Isuppose；atleast，Iranaway。Yetinthefaceofallthat，Iaskyouagain，mayInotcometoyouatChristmas？Iwantyou，father，andI
wantmother。AndIwantyoutoseemyboy。
\"Well？\"saidSimeonHolly，tryingtospeakwithasteadycoldnessthatwouldnotshowhowdeeplymovedhewas。\"Well，Ellen？\"
\"Yes，Simeon，yes！\"chokedhiswife，aworldofmother-loveandlonginginherpleadingeyesandvoice。\"Yes——you’llletitbe——’Yes’！\"
\"UncleSimeon，AuntEllen，\"calledDavid，clatteringdownthestairsfromhisroom，\"I’vefoundsuchabeautifulsonginmyviolin，andI’mgoingtoplayitoverandoversoastobesureandrememberitforfather——foritisabeautifulworld，UncleSimeon，isn’tit？Now，listen！\"
AndSimeonHollylistened——butitwasnottheviolinthatheheard。Itwasthevoiceofalittlecurly-headedboyoutofthepast。
WhenDavidstoppedplayingsometimelater，onlythewomansatwatchinghim——themanwasoverathisdesk，peninhand。
John，John’swife，andJohn’sboycamethedaybeforeChristmas，andgreatwastheexcitementintheHollyfarmhouse。Johnwasfoundtobebig，strong，andbronzedwiththeoutdoorlifeofmanyasketchingtrip——asontobeproudof，andtobeleaneduponinone’soldage。Mrs。John，accordingtoPerryLarson，was\"theslickestlittlewomangoin’。\"AccordingtoJohn’smother，shewasanalmostunbelievableincarnationofalong-dreamed-of，long-despaired-ofdaughter——sweet，lovable，andcharminglybeautiful。LittleJohn——littleJohnwashimself；andhecouldnothavebeenmorehadhebeenanangel-cherubstraightfromheaven——which，infact，hewas，inhisdotinggrandparents’eyes。
JohnHollyhadbeenathisoldhomelessthanfourhourswhenhechanceduponDavid’sviolin。Hewaswithhisfatherandmotheratthetime。Therewasnooneelseintheroom。Withasidelongglanceathisparents，hepickeduptheinstrument——JohnHollyhadnotforgottenhisownyouth。Hisviolin-playingintheolddayshadnotbeenwelcome，heremembered。
\"Afiddle！Whoplays？\"heasked。
\"David。\"
\"Oh，theboy。Yousayyou——tookhimin？Bytheway，whatanoddlittleshaverheis！NeverdidIseeaBOYlikeHIM。\"SimeonHolly’sheadcameupalmostaggressively。
\"Davidisagoodboy——averygoodboy，indeed，John。Wethinkagreatdealofhim。\"
JohnHollylaughedlightly，yethisbrowcarriedapuzzledfrown。
TwothingsJohnHollyhadnotbeenablethusfartounderstand：
anindefinablechangeinhisfather，andthepositionoftheboyDavid，inthehousehold——JohnHollywasstillrememberinghisownrepressedyouth。
\"Hm-m，\"hemurmured，softlypickingthestrings，thendrawingacrossthematentativebow。\"I’veafiddleathomethatIplaysometimes。DoyoumindifI——tuneherup？\"
Aflickerofsomethingthatwasveryneartohumorflashedfromhisfather’seyes。
\"Oh，no。Weareusedtothat——now。\"AndagainJohnHollyrememberedhisyouth。
\"Jove！buthe’sgotthedandyinstrumenthere，\"criedtheplayer，droppinghisbowafterthefirsthalf-dozensuperblyvibranttones，andcarryingtheviolintothewindow。Amomentlaterhegaveanamazedejaculationandturnedonhisfatheradumfoundedface。
\"GreatScott，father！Wheredidthatboygetthisinstrument？I
KNOWsomethingofviolins，ifIcan’tplaythemmuch；andthis——！
WhereDIDhegetit？\"
\"Ofhisfather，Isuppose。Hehaditwhenhecamehere，anyway。\"
\"’Haditwhenhecame’！But，father，yousaidhewasatramp，and——oh，come，tellme，whatisthesecretbehindthis？HereI
comehomeandfindcalmlyreposingonmyfather’ssitting-roomtableaviolinthat’spriceless，forallIknow。Anyhow，Idoknowthatitsvalueisreckonedinthethousands，nothundreds：
andyetyou，withequalcalmness，tellmeit’sownedbythisboywho，it’ssafetosay，doesn’tknowhowtoplaysixteennotesonitcorrectly，tosaynothingofappreciatingthosehedoesplay；
andwho，byyourownaccount，isnothingbut——\"Aswiftlyupliftedhandofwarningstayedthewordsonhislips。HeturnedtoseeDavidhimselfinthedoorway。
\"Comein，David，\"saidSimeonHollyquietly。\"Mysonwantstohearyouplay。Idon’tthinkhehasheardyou。\"AndagainthereflashedfromSimeonHolly’seyesasomethingverymuchlikehumor。
WithobvioushesitationJohnHollyrelinquishedtheviolin。Fromtheexpressiononhisfaceitwasplaintobeseenthesortoftorturehedeemedwasbeforehim。But，asifconstrainedtoaskthequestion，hedidsay：——
\"Wheredidyougetthisviolin，boy？\"
\"Idon’tknow。We’vealwayshadit，eversinceIcouldremember——thisandtheotherone。\"
\"TheOTHERone！\"
\"Father’s。\"
\"Oh！\"Hehesitated；then，alittleseverely，heobserved：\"Thisisafineinstrument，boy，——averyfineinstrument。\"
\"Yes，\"noddedDavid，withacheerfulsmile。\"Fathersaiditwas。
Ilikeit，too。ThisisanAmati，buttheotherisaStradivarius。Idon’tknowwhichIdolikebest，sometimes，onlythisismine。\"
Withahalf-smotheredejaculationJohnHollyfellbacklimply。
\"Thenyou——do——know？\"hechallenged。
\"Know——what？\"
\"Thevalueofthatviolininyourhands。\"
Therewasnoanswer。Theboy’seyeswerequestioning。
\"Theworth，Imean，——whatit’sworth。\"
\"Why，no——yes——thatis，it’swortheverything——tome，\"answeredDavid，inapuzzledvoice。
WithanimpatientgestureJohnHollybrushedthisaside。
\"Buttheotherone——whereisthat？\"
\"AtJoeGlaspell’s。Igaveittohimtoplayon，becausehehadn’tany，andhelikedtoplaysowell。\"
\"YouGAVEittohim——aStradivarius！\"
\"Iloanedittohim，\"correctedDavid，inatroubledvoice。
\"Beingfather’s，Icouldn’tbeartogiveitaway。ButJoe——Joehadtohavesomethingtoplayon。\"
\"’Somethingtoplayon’！Father，hedoesn’tmeantheRiverStreetGlaspells？\"criedJohnHolly。
\"Ithinkhedoes。JoeisoldPelegGlaspell’sgrandson。\"JohnHollythrewupbothhishands。
\"AStradivarius——tooldPeleg’sgrandson！Oh，yegods！\"hemuttered。\"Well，I’llbe——\"Hedidnotfinishhissentence。AtanotherwordfromSimeonHolly，Davidhadbeguntoplay。
FromhisseatbythestoveSimeonHollywatchedhisson’sface——andsmiled。Hesawamazement，unbelief，anddelightstruggleforthemastery；butbeforetheplayinghadceased，hewassummonedbyPerryLarsontothekitchenonamatterofbusiness。SoitwasintothekitchenthatJohnHollyburstalittlelater，eyesandcheekaflame。
\"Father，whereinHeaven’snameDIDyougetthatboy？\"hedemanded。\"Whotaughthimtoplaylikethat？I’vebeentryingtofindoutfromhim，butI’ddefySherlockHolmeshimselftomakeheadortailofthesortoflingohetalks，aboutmountainhomesandtheOrchestraofLife！Father，whatDOESitmean？\"
ObedientlySimeonHollytoldthestorythen，morefullythanhehadtolditbefore。Hebroughtforwardtheletter，too，withitsmysterioussignature。
\"Perhapsyoucanmakeitout，son，\"helaughed。\"Noneoftherestofuscan，thoughIhaven’tshownittoanybodynowforalongtime。Igotdiscouragedlongagoofanybody’severmakingitout。\"
\"Makeitout——makeitout！\"criedJohnHollyexcitedly；\"IshouldsayIcould！It’sanameknowntheworldover。It’sthenameofoneofthegreatestvioliniststhateverlived。\"
\"Buthow——what——howcameheinmybarn？\"demandedSimeonHolly。
\"Easilyguessed，fromtheletter，andfromwhattheworldknows，\"
returnedJohn，hisvoicestillshakingwithexcitement。\"Hewasalwaysaqueerchap，theysay，andfullofhisnotions。Sixoreightyearsagohiswifedied。Theysayheworshipedher，andforweeksrefusedeventotouchhisviolin。Then，verysuddenly，he，withhisfour-year-oldson，disappeared——droppedquiteoutofsight。Somepeopleguessedthereason。Iknewamanwhowaswellacquaintedwithhim，andatthetimeofthedisappearancehetoldmequitealotabouthim。Hesaidhewasn’tabitsurprisedatwhathadhappened。Thatalreadyhalfadozenrelativeswereinterferingwiththewayhewantedtobringtheboyup，andthatDavidwasinafairwaytobespoiled，eventhen，withsomuchattentionandflattery。Thefatherhaddeterminedtomakeawonderfulartistofhisson，andhewasknowntohavesaidthathebelieved——asdosomanyothers——thatthefirstdozenyearsofachild’slifearethemakingoftheman，andthatifhecouldhavetheboytohimselfthatlonghewouldrisktherest。Soitseemshecarriedouthisnotionuntilhewastakensick，andhadtoquit——poorchap！\"
\"Butwhydidn’thetellusplainlyinthatnotewhohewas，then？\"fumedSimeonHolly，inmanifestirritation。
\"Hedid，hethought，\"laughedtheother。\"Hesignedhisname，andhesupposedthatwassowellknownthatjusttomentionitwouldbeenough。That’swhyhekeptitsosecretwhilehewaslivingonthemountain，yousee，andthat’swhyevenDavidhimselfdidn’tknowit。Ofcourse，ifanybodyfoundoutwhohewas，thatendedhisscheme，andheknewit。Sohesupposedallhehadtodoatthelastwastosignhisnametothatnote，andeverybodywouldknowwhohewas，andDavidwouldatoncebesenttohisownpeople。（There’sanauntandsomecousins，Ibelieve。）
Youseehedidn’treckononnobody’sbeingabletoREADhisname！Besides，beingsoill，heprobablywasn’tquitesane，anyway。\"
\"Isee，Isee，\"noddedSimeonHolly，frowningalittle。\"Andofcourseifwehadmadeitout，someofusherewouldhaveknownit，probably。NowthatyoucallittomindIthinkIhavehearditmyselfindaysgoneby——thoughsuchnamesmeanlittletome。
Butdoubtlesssomebodywouldhaveknown。However，thatisallpastandgonenow。\"
\"Oh，yes，andnoharmdone。Hefellintogoodhands，luckily。
You’llsoonseethelastofhimnow，ofcourse。\"
\"Lastofhim？Oh，no，IshallkeepDavid，\"saidSimeonHolly，withdecision。
\"Keephim！Why，father，youforgetwhoheis！Therearefriends，relatives，anadoringpublic，andamintofmoneyawaitingthatboy。Youcan’tkeephim。Youcouldneverhavekepthimthislongifthislittletownofyourshadn’tbeenburiedinthisforgottenvalleyupamongthesehills。You’llhavethewholeworldatyourdoorstheminutetheyfindoutheishere——hillsornohills！Besides，therearehispeople；theyhavesomeclaim。\"
Therewasnoanswer。Withasuddenlyold，drawnlookonhisface，theeldermanhadturnedaway。
HalfanhourlaterSimeonHollyclimbedthestairstoDavid’sroom，andasgentlyandplainlyashecouldtoldtheboyofthisgreat，goodthingthathadcometohim。
Davidwasamazed，butoverjoyed。Thathewasfoundtobethesonofafamousmanaffectedhimnotatall，onlysofarasitseemedtosethisfatherrightinothereyes——inDavid’sown，themanhadalwaysbeensupreme。Butthegoingaway——themarvelousgoingaway——filledhimwithexcitedwonder。
\"Youmean，Ishallgoawayandstudy——practice——learnmoreofmyviolin？\"
\"Yes，David。\"
\"Andhearbeautifulmusicliketheorganinchurch，onlymore——bigger——better？\"
\"Isupposeso。\"。
\"Andknowpeople——dearpeople——whowillunderstandwhatIsaywhenIplay？\"
SimeonHolly’sfacepaledalittle；still，heknewDavidhadnotmeanttomakeitsohard。
\"Yes。\"
\"Why，it’smy’start’——justwhatIwasgoingtohavewiththegold-pieces，\"criedDavidjoyously。Then，utteringasharpcryofconsternation，heclappedhisfingerstohislips。
\"Your——what？\"askedtheman。
\"N——nothing，really，Mr。Holly，——UncleSimeon，——n——nothing。\"
Something，eithertheboy’sagitation，orthelucklessmentionofthegold-piecessentasuddendismayedsuspicionintoSimeonHolly’seyes。
\"Your’start’？——the’gold-pieces’？David，whatdoyoumean？\"
Davidshookhishead。Hedidnotintendtotell。Butgently，persistently，SimeonHollyquestioneduntilthewholepiteouslittletalelaybarebeforehim：thehopes，thehouseofdreams，thesacrifice。
Davidsawthenwhatitmeanswhenastrongmanisshakenbyanemotionthathasmasteredhim；andthesightawedandfrightenedtheboy。
\"Mr。Holly，isitbecauseI’m——going——thatyoucare——somuch？I
neverthought——orsupposed——you’d——CARE，\"hefaltered。
Therewasnoanswer。SimeonHolly’seyeswereturnedquiteaway。
\"UncleSimeon——PLEASE！I——IthinkIdon’twanttogo，anyway。
I——I’msureIdon’twanttogo——andleaveYOU！\"
SimeonHollyturnedthen，andspoke。
\"Go？Ofcourseyou’llgo，David。DoyouthinkI’dtieyouheretome——NOW？\"hechoked。\"Whatdon’tIowetoyou——home，son，happiness！Go？——ofcourseyou’llgo。IwonderifyoureallythinkI’dletyoustay！Come，we’llgodowntomotherandtellher。I
suspectshe’llwanttostartinto-nighttogetyoursocksallmendedup！\"Andwithheaderectandadeterminedstep，SimeonHollyfacedthemightysacrificeinhisturn，andledthewaydownstairs……
Thefriends，therelatives，theadoringpublic，themintofmoney——theyareallDavid’snow。Butonceeachyear，mangrownthoughheis，hepicksuphisviolinandjourneystoalittlevillagefarupamongthehills。Thereinaquietkitchenheplaystoanoldmanandanoldwoman；andalwaystohimselfhesaysthatheispracticingagainstthetimewhen，hisviolinathischinandthebowdrawnacrossthestrings，heshallgotomeethisfatherinthefar-awayland，andtellhimofthebeautifulworldhehasleft。