"I'meighty-four，"hewenton，"andterriblebadwiththerheumaticsandmychest。Maybeit'llnotbelongbeforetheLordremembersme。"
　　Thechildcreptcloseandputastickylittlehandconfidinglyintothetiredoldpalm。Thetwolookedstrangelyalike，fortheworldseemsmuchthesametothosewholeaveitbehindastothosewhohavebuttakenthefirststeponitscircularpathway。
　　"'Ookatmykitty，"shesaid，pointingtothesmallcreatureinherlap。Then，astheoldmantoucheditwithtremblingfingersshewenton-"'Ooisn'tmygrandad；he'sawayinthesky，butI'llkiss'oo。"
　　Iworkedon，hearingatintervalstheoldpipingvoiceandthechild-treble，muchofanote；andthinkingoftheblessingsvouchsafedtothesimpleoldagewhichcrownsaharmlessworking-
　　lifespentinthefields。Thetwounderthehedgehadeverythingincommonandwereboundlesslycontenttogether，thestingoftheknowledgeofgoodandevilpastfortheone，andfortheotherstilltocome；whileIstoodonthebattlefieldoftheworld，theflesh，andthedevil，though，thankGod，withmyfacetothefoe。
　　Theoldmansatresting:Ihadpromisedhimaliftwithmyfriendthedriveroftheflour-cart，andhewasalmostduewhenthechild'sgrandmothercamedowntheroad。
　　Whenshesawmyothervisitorshestoodamazed。
　　"What，RichardHunton，thatworkedwithmyoldmanyearsagoupatDitton，whateverareyoudoin'allthesemilesfromyourownplace？"
　　"IsitElizaJakes？"
　　Helookedatherdazed，doubtful。
　　"An'whoelseshoulditbe？Where'syourmemorygone，RichardHunton，andyounotsuchagreatageeither？Whereareyoustayin'？"
　　Shameovercamehim；hislipstrembled，hismildblueeyesfilledwithtears。ItoldthetaleasIhadheardit，andMrsJakes'sindignationwasgoodtosee。
　　"Notkeepyouon'alfacrown！SendyoutotheHouse！MaytheLordforgivethem！Youwouldn'teatnomorethanafair-sizedcat，andnotlongforthisworldeither，that'splaintosee。No，RichardHunton，youdon'tgototheHousewhileI'maboveground；
　　it'dmakemygoodmanturntothinkofit。You'llcome'omewithmeandthelittle'unthere。I'vemywashin'，andabitputbyforarainyday，andabedtospare，andtheLordandtheparsonwillseeIdon'tcometowant。"
　　Shestoppedbreathless，herdefensivemotherhoodinarms。
　　Theoldmansaidquaveringly，inthepathetic，grudgingphraseofthepoor，whichveilstheirgratitudewhileittestifiestheirindependence，"MaybeImightaswell。"Herosewithdifficulty，pickeduphisbundleandstick，thesmallchildreplacedthekitteninitsbasket，andthrustherhandinhernewfriend's。
　　"Then'ooISgrandadtumback，"shesaid。
　　MrsJakeshadbeenfumblinginherpocket，andextractedapenny，whichshepressedonme。
　　"It'slittleenough，mister，"shesaid。
　　Then，asItriedtoreturnit:"Nay，I'veenough，andyoursispoorpaidwork。"
　　IhopeIshallalwaysbeabletokeepthatpenny；andasIwatchedthethreegoingdownthedustywhiteroad，withthechildinthemiddle，IthankedGodfortheBrotherhoodofthePoor。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　YESTERDAYafuneralpassed，fromthework-houseatN-，aquaintsepulturewithoutsolemnities。Therough，ungarnishedcoffinofstaineddeallaybareandunsightlyonthefloorofanoldmarket-
　　cart；awomansatbeside，steadyingitwithherfeet。Thehusbanddrove；andthemostdepressedofthethreewasthehorse，abroken-
　　kneed，flea-bittengrey。Itwaspathetic，thisbringinghomeindeathoftheoldfatherwhom，whilehelived，theyhadbeentoopoortohouse；itwasatnosmallsacrificethattheyhadsparedhimthatterrorofoldage，apauper'sgrave，andbroughthimtoliebyhiswifeinourquietchurchyard。Theyfeltnoemotion，thishusbandandwife，onlyadullsenseoffilialdutydone，respectabilitypreserved；andaboveandthroughall，thebitterbutnecessarycountingthecostofthislastbed。
　　Itisstrangehowpaganmanyofusareinourbeliefs。True，thefunerallibationshavemadewayforthecomfortablebake-meats；
　　still，tothelargemajorityDeathisPluto，kingofthedarkUnknownwhencenotravellerreturns，ratherthanAzrael，brotherandfriend，lordofthismansionoflife。Strangehowmenshunhimashewaitsintheshadow，watchingourpunystrainingafterimmortality，sendinghiscomradesleeptoprepareusforhimself。
　　Whenthehourstrikeshecomes-verygently，verytenderly，ifwewillbuthaveitso-foldsthetiredhandstogether，takestheway-wornfeetinhisbroadstrongpalm；andliftingusinhiswonderfularmshebearsusswiftlydownthevalleyandacrossthewatersofRemembrance。
　　Verypleasantartthou，OBrotherDeath，thyloveiswonderful，passingtheloveofwomen。
　　******
　　To-dayIhavelivedinawhirlofdust。To-morrowisthegreatannualCattleFairatE-，andthroughthelonghothoursthebeastsfromallthedistrictroundhavestreamedinbrokenprocessionalongmyroad，tochangehandsortodie。Surelythelordshipovercreationimplieswiseandgentleruleforintelligentuse，notthepursuitofamereimmediateend，withoutanythoughtofcommunityinthegreatsacramentoflife。
　　ForthemostpartmysteryhasceasedforthisworkingWesternworld，andwithitreverence。CoventryPatmoresays:"GodclothesHimselfactuallyandliterallywithHiswholecreation。Herbstakeupandassimilateminerals，beastsassimilateherbs，andGod，intheIncarnationanditsproperSacrament，assimilatesus，who，saysStAugustine，'areGod'sbeasts。'"Itismaninhisblindself-
　　seekingwhoseparateswooffromweftinthelivinggarmentofGod，andlosesthemoreasheneglectstheoutwardandvisiblesignsofaworld-widegrace。
　　Inoldendaystheherdledhisflock，goingfirstinthepostofdangertodefendthecreatureshehadweanedfromtheirnaturalhabitsforhisvarioususes。Nowthatgoodrelationshiphasceasedforustoexist，mandrivesthebeastsbeforehim，meanstohisend，butwithnoharmonybetweenendandmeans。Alldaylongthedrovesofsheeppassmeontheirlameandpatientway，nolongerfreelyandinstinctivelyfollowingaprotectorandforerunner，butDRIVEN，impelledbyforceandresistlesswill-thesamewillwhichoncewentbeforewithoutforce。Theyarealltrimmedasmuchaspossibletoonepattern，andallmakethesamesadplaint。ItisadayonwhichtothankGodfortheunknowntongue。Thedroverandhisladindustybluecoatsplodalongstolidly，deafandblindtoallbutthewaybeforethem；nolongerwieldingthecrook，instrumentofdeliverance，oratmostofgentlecompulsion，butarmedwithaheavystickandmechanicallydealingblowsontheshortthickfleeces；withoutevilintentbecausewithoutthought-
　　itistheritualofthetrade。
　　Ofallthepoordumbpilgrimsoftheroadthebullocksarethemostterribletosee。Theyarenotpatient，butgomostunwillinglywithloweredheadandfurtivesidewaysmotion，intheireyesahorrorofgreatfear。Thesleekcattle，kneedeepinpasture，massedatthegate，andstaredmild-eyedandwithinquiringbellowattheretreatingdrove；butthesepassedwithoutanswerontotheUnknown，andforthemitspeltdeath。
　　Behindasquadronofsleek，well-fedcart-horses，formedinfours，withstrawbraidinmaneandtail，cametheponies，forthemostpartamerrycompany。Longstringsofrusty，shaggytwo-year-olds，unbroken，unkempt，theshortDowngrassstillsweetontheirtongues；fulloffun，frolic，andwickedness，bitingandpulling，castinglongingeyesatthehedgerows。Theboysappeartorecognisethemaskindredspirits，andarecuriouslyforbearingandpatient。Soonbothponiesandboysvanishinawhitewhirl，andalonglineofcarts，whichhadevidentlywaitedforthedusttosubside，comesslowlyuptheincline。Forthemostparttheycarrythepigsandfowls，carriagefolkoftheroad。Thelatterarehot，crowded，anddustyundertheopennetting；theformerforthemostpartcheerfullyremonstrative。
　　Idrewabreathofreliefasthenoiseofwheelsdiedawayandmyroadsankintosilence。Thehedgerowsarenolongergreenbutwhiteandchokedwithdust，asighttomovegoodsisterRaintowelcometears。Thebirdsseemtohavefledbeforethenoisyconfusion。Iwonderwhethermysnakehasseenandsmiledattheclumsyrulingofthelordhesolittleheeds？Iturnedasidethroughthegatetoplungefaceandhandsintothecooloftheshelteredgrassthatsidethehedge，andthenrestedmyeyesonthestretchofgreenIhadlackedallday。Therabbitshadapparentlyplayedandbrowsedunmindfulofthestir，andwerestillflirtingtheirwhitetailsalongthehedgerows；alarkrose，anotherandanother，andIwentbacktomyroad。Peacestillreigned，fortheshadowswerelengthening，andtherewouldbelittlemoretrafficforthefair。Iturnedtomywork，gratefulforthestillness，andsawonthewhitestretchofroadaloneoldmanandapig。SurelyIknewthattallfigureinthequaintgreysmock，surelyIknewtheface，furrowedlikenature'sfaceinspringtime，andcrownedbyaround，softhat？Andthepig，theblackpigwalkingdecorouslyfree？Ay，Iknewthem。
　　IntheearlyspringItookawholeholidayandalongtramp；andtowardsafternoon，tiredandthirsty，soughtwateratalittlelonelycottagewhosewindowspeeredandblinkedunderoverhangingbrowsofthatch。Ihad，notthewaterIaskedfor，butmilkandabowlofsweetporridgeforwhichIpaidonlythanks；andstayedforachatwithmykindlyhosts。Theywereaquaintoldcoupleofthekindrarelymetwithnowadays。TheyenjoyedalittlepensionfromtheSquireandagardeninwhichvegetablesandflowerslivedsidebysideinfriendliestfashion。Beesworkedandsangoverthethymeandmarjoram，bloomingearlyinasunnynook；andinahomelystylivedasolemnblackpig，apigwithahistory。
　　Itwasnocommonutilitarianpig，butthehonouredguestoftheoldcouple，anditknewit。Ayearbefore，theiryoungestandonlysurvivingchild，thenamanoffive-and-twenty，hadbroughthismothertheresultofhissavingsintheshapeofafineyoungpig:
　　aweeklaterhelaydeadofthetyphoidthatscourgedMaidstone。
　　Hencethepigwassacred，caredforandlovedbythisDarbyandJoan。
　　"Eebemos'likeachildtomeandthemother，an'mos'assensibleasaChristian，eebe，"theoldmanhadsaid；andIcouldhardlycreditmyeyeswhenIsawthetallbentfiguresidebysidewiththeblackpig，comingalongmyroadonsuchaday。
　　Ihailedtheoldman，andbothturnedaside；buthegazedatmewithoutremembrance。
　　Ispokeofthepiganditshistory。Henoddedwearily。"Ay，ay，lad，you'vegotit；'tispoorDick'spigrightenow。"
　　"Butyou'renevergoingtotakeittoE-？"
　　"Ay，butIbe，andcomin'backalone，iftheLordbemarciful。Themissushasbeenterriblebadthistwomouthsandmore；Squire'sinforeignparts；andfood-stuffssuchastheoldwomanwantsishardbuyingforpoorfolks。Thestocking'sempty，now'tisthepigmustgo，andIbelievehe'dbegladfortodothemissusaturn；shewereterriblegoodtohim，werethemissus，andfond，too。I
　　dursn'ttellherhewastogo；she'dsoonerstarvethanlosepoorDick'spig。Well，we'dbestbemovin'；'tisafairishstep。"
　　Thepigfollowedcomprehendinganddocile，andasthequaintcouplepassedfromsightIthoughtIheardBrotherDeathstirintheshadow。Heisastrongangelandofgreatpity。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEREisalwaysalittlefireofwoodontheopenhearthinthekitchenwhenIgethomeatnight；theoldladysaysitis"company"
　　forher，andsitsinthelonelytwilight，herknottedhandslyingquietonherlap，herlisteningeyesfixedontheburningsticks。
　　Iwondersometimeswhethershehearsmusicintheleapandlickofthefierytongues，musicsuchasheofBayreuthdrawsfromtheviolinstillthehotenergyofthefirespiritisonus，embodiedinsound。
　　Surelyshehearssomevoice，thatlonelyoldwomanonwhomissetthesealofgreatsilence？
　　ItisagreattruthtenderlysaidthatGodbuildsthenestfortheblindbird；andmayitnotbethatHeopensclosedeyesandunstopsdeafearstosightsandsoundsfromwhichothersbytheseverysensesaredebarred？
　　Herethebestofusseethroughamistoftearsmenastreeswalking；itisonlyinthelandwhichisveryfaroffandyetverynearthatweshallhavefulnessofsightandseetheKinginHisbeauty；andIcannotthinkthatanylisteningearslisteninvain。
　　Thecoppiceatourbackisfullofbirds，foritisfarfromtheroadandtheynestthereundisturbedyearafteryear。ThroughthestillnightIheardthenightingalescalling，calling，untilI
　　couldbearitnolongerandwentsoftlyoutintotheluminousdark。
　　Thelittlewoodwasmanifoldwithsound，Iheardmylittlebrotherswhomovebynightrustlingingrassandtree。Ahedgehogcrossedmypathwithadullsqueak，thebatsshrilledhightothestars，awhiteowlsweptpastmecryinghishuntingnote，abeetleboomedsuddenlyinmyface；andaboveandthroughitallthenightingalessang-andsang！
　　Thenightwindbentthelisteningtrees，andthestarsyearnedearthwardtohearthesongofdeathlesslove。Louderandlouderthewonderfulnotesroseandfellinapassionofmelody；andthensanktorestonthatlowthrillingcallwhichitissaidDeathonceheard，andstayedhishand。
　　Theywillscarcelysingagainthisyear，thesenightingales，fortheyarelateonthewingasitis。Itseemsasifonsuchnightstheysangastheswansings，knowingittobethelasttime-withthelavishnoteofonewhobidsaneternalfarewell。
　　Atlasttherewassilence。Sittingunderthebigbeechtree，thegiantofthecoppice，Irestedmytiredselfinthelapofmotherearth，breathedofherbreathandlistenedtohervoiceinthequickeningsilenceuntilmyfleshcameagainasthefleshofalittlechild，foritistruerecreationtositatthefootstoolofGodwrappedinafoldofHislivingrobe，thewhilenightsmoothesourtiredfacewithherhealinghands。
　　Thegreydawnawokeandstolewithtrailingrobesacrossearth'sfloor。Atherfootstepsthebirdsrousedfromsleepandcriedagreeting；theskyflushedandpaledconsciousofcomingsplendour；
　　andoverheadafileofswanspassedwithbroadstrongflighttothereededwatersofthesequesteredpool。
　　Anotherhourofsilencewhilethelightthrobbedandflamedintheeast；thenthelarksroseharmoniousfromaneighbouringfield，therabbitsscurriedwithearsalerttotheirmorningmeal，thedayhadbegun。
　　Ipassedthroughthecoppiceandoutintothefieldsbeyond。Thedewlayheavyonleafandbladeandgossamer，acoolfreshwindsweptclearoverdaleanddownfromthesea，andthecloverfieldrippledlikeasilverylakeinthebreeze。
　　Thereissomethinginexpressiblybeautifulintheunusedday，somethingbeautifulinthefactthatitisstilluntouched，unsoiled；andtownandcountrysharealikeinthisloveliness。Athalf-pastthreeonaJunemorningevenLondonhasnotassumedherresponsibilities，butsmilesandglowslightheartedandsmokelessunderthecaressesofthemorningsun。
　　Fiveo'clock。ThebellringsoutcrispandclearfromthemonasterywheretheBedesmenofStHughwatchandprayforthesoulsonthislabouringforgetfulearth。Everyhourthenoteofcomfortandwarningcriesacrosstheland，tellstheSanctus，theAngelus，andtheHoursofthePassion，andcallstoremembranceandprayer。
　　Whenthewindisnorth，thesoundcarriesasfarasmyroad，andcompaniesmethroughtheday；andiftoHisdumbchildrenGodinHismercyreckonsworkasprayer，mostcertainlythosewhohaveforgedthroughtheagesanunbrokenchainofsupplicationandthanksgivingwillbecountedamongthestalwartlabourersofthehouseoftheLord。
　　Sunandbelltogetheraremyonlyclock:itistimeformywaterdrawing；andgatheringapileofmushrooms，childrenofthenight，Ihastenhome。
　　Thecottageisdeartomeinitsquaintuntidinessandwantofrectitude，dearbecausewearetobeitslastdenizens，lastofthelonglineoftoilerswhohavesweatedandsownthatothersmightreap，andhavepassedawayleavingnotrace。
　　Ioncesawatallcrossinaseaboardchurchyard，inscribed，"Tothememoryoftheunknowndeadwhohaveperishedinthesewaters。"
　　Theremightbeoneineveryvillagesleeping-placetotheunhonouredmanywhomadefruitfulthelandwithsweatandtears。
　　Itisaconsolationtothinkthatwhenwelookbackonthisstretchoflife'sroadfrombeyondthefirstmilestone，which，itisinstructivetoremember，isalwaysagrave，wemayhopetoseetheworkofthisworldwithopeneyes，andtojudgeofitwithaduesenseofproportion。
　　Abeewithladenhoney-baghummedandbuzzedinthehedgeasIgotreadyforwork，importuningtheflowersforthatwhichhecouldnotcarry，andfinallygivinguptheattemptindespairfellasleeponabuttercup，thebestplaceforhiswearylittlevelvetbody。Infiveminutes-theymayhavebeenfivehourstohim-heawokeanewbee，sensibleandclear-sighted，andflewblithelyawaytothehivewithhissufficiency-anexamplethiswearyworldwouldbewisetofollow。
　　Myroadhasbeenlonelyto-day。Aparsoncamebyintheafternoon，astrangerintheneighbourhood，forheaskedhisway。Hetalkedawhile，andwithkindlyrebukesaiditwassadtoseeamanofmyeducationbroughtsolow，whichshowshowtheoutsideappearancemaymisleadtheprejudicedobserver。"Wasitmisfortune？""Nay，thebestofgoodluck，"Ianswered，gaily。
　　Thegoodmanwithbeautifulreadinesssatdownonaheapofstonesandbademesayon。"Readmeasermoninstone，"hesaid，simply；
　　andIstayedmyhandtoread。
　　Helistenedwithcourteousintelligence。
　　"Youholdaroadmenderhasavocation？"heasked。
　　"Asthemonkortheartist，for，likeboth，heisuniversal。Theworldishishome；heservesallmenalike，ay，andforhimthebeastshaveequalhonourwiththemen。Hissoulis'boundupinthebundleoflife'withallothersouls，heseeshisfather，hismother，hisbrethreninthechildrenoftheroad。Forhimthereisnothingunclean，nothingcommon；theverystonescryoutthattheyserve。"
　　Parsonnoddedhishead。