FOOT-FARING。
　　Itwasalovelymorninginthefirstofsummer。DonalGrantwasdescendingapathonahillsidetothevalleybelow——asheep-trackofwhichhekneweverywindingaswellasanyboyhishalf-miletoandfromschool。Buthehadneverbeforegonedownthehillwiththefeelingthathewasnotabouttogoupagain。Hewasonhiswaytopasturesverynew，andinthedistanceonlynegativelyinviting。
　　Buthisheartwastoofulltobetroubled——norwashisahearttoharbouracare，thenextthingtoanevilspirit，thoughnotquitesobad；foronecaremaydriveoutanother，whileonedevilissuretobringinanother。
　　Agreatbillowywasteofmountainslaybeyondhim，amongstwhichplayedtheshadowattheirgamesofhideandseek——graciouslymerryintheeyesofthehappyman，butsadlysolemnintheeyesofhiminwhoseheartthedrearythoughtsofthepastareatalikegame。
　　BehindDonallayaworldofdreamsintowhichhedarednotturnandlook，yetfromwhichhecouldscarceaverthiseyes。
　　Hewasnearingthefootofthehillwhenhestumbledandalmostfell，butrecoveredhimselfwiththeagilityofamountaineer，andtheunpleasantknowledgethatthesoleofoneofhisshoeswasallbutoff。Neverhadhelefthomeforcollegethathisfatherhadnotmadepersonalinspectionofhisshoestoseethattheywerefitforthejourney，butonthisdeparturetheyhadbeenforgotten。Hesatdownandtookoffthefailingequipment。Itwastoofargonetodoanythingtemporarywithit；andofdiscomfortsaloosesoletoone'sshoeinwalkingisoftheworst。Theonlythingwastotakeofftheothershoeandbothstockingsandgobarefoot。Hetiedalltogetherwithapieceofstring，madethemfasttohisdeerskinknapsack，andresumedhiswalk。Thethingdidnottroublehimmuch。Tohavewhatwewantisriches，buttobeabletodowithoutispower。Tohaveshoesisagoodthing；tobeabletowalkwithoutthemisabetter。
　　ButitwaslongsinceDonalhadwalkedbarefoot，andhefoundhisfeetlikehisshoe，weakerinthesolethanwaspleasant。
　　“It'stime，“hesaidtohimself，whenhefoundhewassteppinggingerly，“Iga'emyfeetaturnattheauldaccomplishment。It'sapitytogrownaesofitforonythingsunernoryeneed。Iwadliketoliedoonatlastwi'hardsoles！”
　　Ineverystreamhecametohebathedhisfeet，andoftenonthewayrestedthem，whenotherwiseableenoughtogoon。Hehadnocertaingoal，thoughheknewhisdirection，andwasinnohaste。HehadconfidenceinGodandinhisownpowersasthegiftofGod，andknewthatwhereverhewentheneedednotbehungrylong，evenshouldthelittlemoneyinhispocketbespent。Itisbettertotrustinworkthaninmoney：Godneverbuysanything，andisforeveratwork；butifanyonetrustinwork，hehastolearnthathemusttrustinnothingbutstrength——theself-existent，originalstrengthonly；andDonalGranthadlongbeguntolearnthat。Themanhasbeguntobestrongwhoknowsthat，separatedfromlifeessential，heisweaknessitself，that，onewithhisorigin，hewillbeofstrengthinexhaustible。Donalwasnowdescendingtheheightsofyouthtowalkalongtheking'shighroadofmanhood：happyhewho，ashissunisgoingdownbehindthewestern，ishimselfascendingtheeasternhill，returningthrougholdagetothesecondandbetterchildhoodwhichshallnotbetakenfromhim！Hewhoturnshisbackonthesettingsungoestomeettherisingsun；hewholoseshislifeshallfindit。Donalhadlosthispast——butnotsoastobeashamed。
　　Therearemanywaysoflosing！Hispasthadbutcrept，likethedead，backtoGodwhogaveit；inbettershapeitwouldbehisbyandby！Alreadyhehadbeguntoforeshadowthistruth：Godwouldkeepitforhim。
　　Hehadsetoutbeforethesunwasup，forhewouldnotbemetbyfriendsoracquaintances。Avoidingthewell-knownfarmhousesandoccasionalvillage，hetookhiswayuptheriver，andaboutnooncametoahamletwherenooneknewhim——aclusterofstraw-roofedcottages，lowandwhite，withtwolittlewindowseach。Hewalkedstraightthroughitnotmeaningtostop；but，spyinginfrontofthelastcottagearoughstoneseatunderalow，widespreadingeldertree，wastemptedtositdownandrestalittle。Thedaywasnowhot，andtheshadowofthetreeinviting。
　　Hehadbutseatedhimselfwhenawomancametothedoorofthecottage，lookedathimforamoment，andprobablythinkinghim，fromhisbarefeet，poorerthanhewas，said——
　　“Wadyelikeadrink？”
　　“Ay，wadI，“answeredDonal，“——adrinko'watter，gienyeplease。“
　　“Whatfornomilk？”askedthewoman。
　　“'CauseI'mabletopeyfor't，“answeredDonal。
　　“Iwantnaepeyment，“sherejoined，perceivinghisdriftaslittleasprobablymyreader。
　　“An'Iwantnaemilk，“returnedDonal。
　　“Weel，yemaypeyfor'tgienyelike，“sherejoined。
　　“ButIdinnalike，“repliedDonal。
　　“Weel，ye'reasomequeercustomer！”sheremarked。
　　“Ithankye，butI'mnaecustomer，'cep'foradrinko'watter，“hepersisted，lookinginherfacewithasmile；“an'watterhasayebeengr鈚issin'thedayso'Adam——'cep'maybei'toonsi'thehetpairtso'thewarl'。“
　　Thewomanturnedintothecottage，andcameoutagainpresentlywithadelftbasin，holdingaboutapint，fullofmilk，yellowandrich。
　　“There！”shesaid；“drinkan'bethankfu'。“
　　“I'llbethankfu'ohndrunken，“saidDonal。“Ithankyewi'a'myheart。ButIcannabidetotakfornaethingwhatIcanpeyfor，an'
　　IdinnaliketolayootmysilleruponaluxuryIcanweeleneuchduwantin'，forIhaenamuckle。Iwadnabeshabbynoryetgreedy。“
　　“Drinkfortheloveo'God，“saidthewoman。
　　Donaltookthebowlfromherhand，anddranktillallwasgone。
　　“Wullyehaeadrapmair？”sheasked。
　　“Na，noadrap，“answeredDonal。“I'llgangi'thestren'tho'thatyehaegi'enme——maybenojistfortydays，gudewife，butmairnorfortyminutes，an'that'sagudepairto'aday。Ithankyehertily。Yonwasthemilko'humankin'ness，gieneverwasony。“
　　Ashespokeherose，andstooduprefreshedforhisjourney。
　　“Ihaeasodgerladdieawa'i'thehetpairtsyespako'，“saidthewoman：“gienyehadnata'enthemilk，yewadhaegi'enmeasairhert。“
　　“Eh，gudewife，itwadhaegi'enmeanetothinkIhad！”returnedDonal。“TheLordgieyebackyersodgerladdiesafean'soon'！
　　MaybeI'llhaetogangefter'im，sodgermysel'。“
　　“Na，na，thatwadnado。Ye'reascholar——that'seasytosee，fora'
　　ye'resaeplainspoken。Itdisabody'shertguidtohearaman'atun'erstan'sthingssaythemplainooti'thetonguehismithertauchthim。Sicaane'illgangstrauchttill'smakker，an'fin'
　　a'thingtherehame-like。Lord，Iwussminnisterswadspeyklikeitherfowk！”
　　“Yewadsairpleasemymithersayin'that，“remarkedDonal。“Yemaunbejistsicanitherasher！”
　　“Weel，comein，an'sityedoonooto'thesin，an'haesomethingtoait。“
　　“Na，I'lltaknaemairfraeyetheday，an'Ithankye，“repliedDonal；“Icannaweelbide。“
　　“Whatforno？”
　　“It'snosaemuckle'atI'minahurryas'atImaunbeduin'。“
　　“Whaurareyeb'un'for，gienabodymayspeir？”
　　“I'mgaein'toseek——nomyfortin，butmydailybreid。GienIspakasarichtman，IwadsayIwasgaein'toluikforthewarksetme。
　　I'mfearttosaythatstrauchtoot；Ihaenawonsaefarasthatyet。Iwinnadunaethingthough'athewadnahaemedu。Idaurtosaythat——saebeIun'erstan'。Mymithersaystheday'illcomewhanI'llcarefornaethingbuthiswull。“
　　“Yermither'illbeJanetGrant，I'mthinkin'！Therecannabetwasicinaecountry-side！”
　　“Ye'rei'thericht，“answeredDonal。“Kenyemymither？”
　　“Ihaeseenher；an'toseeher'stokenher。“
　　“Ay，gienwhaseesherbesiclike'shersel'。“
　　“Icannapreten'tothat；butshe'sweelkentthrou'a'thecountryforaGod-fearin'wuman——An'whaur'llyebeforthenoo？”
　　“I'mjistupo'thetramp，luikin'forwark。“
　　“An'whatmayyebepleasttoca'wark？”
　　“Ow，jistthecommunicationo'whatIhaetheun'erstan'in'o'。“
　　“Aweel，gienye'llcondescen'toadvicefraeanauldwife，I'llgieyeabitwi'ye：taknailkalassyeseeforabornangel。Misdoobtheraweetobeginwi'。Hingupyerjeedgmento'herawee。Luiktothemoo'an'thee'eno'her。“
　　“Ithankye，“saidDonal，withasmile，inwhichthewomanspiedthesadness；“I'mnoliketoneedtheadvice。“
　　Shelookedathimpitifully，andpaused。
　　“Gienyecomethisgaitagain，“shesaid，“ye'llnogangbymydoor？”
　　“Iwullno，“repliedDonal，andwishinghergood-byewithagratefulheart，betookhimselftohisjourney。
　　Hehadnotgonefarwhenhefoundhimselfonawidemoor。Hesatdownonabigstone，andbegantoturnthingsoverinhismind。
　　Thisishowhisthoughtswent：
　　“IcanneverbethemanIwas！Thethouchto'myheart'sta'enfraeme！IcannathinkabootthingsasIused。There'snaethingsaebonnyasafore。Whanthelifeslipsfraehim，hoocanamangangonlivin'！YetI'mnodeid——that'swhatmaksthediffeecletyo'thesituation！GienIwardeid——weel，Ikennawhatthan！I
　　doobttherewadbetriblestill，thoughsomethingsmichtbelichter。Butthat'sneitherherenorthere；Imaunlive；Ihaenaech'ice；Ididnamakmysel'，an'I'mnogaein'tomeddlewi'mysel'！
　　Ithinkmairo'mysel'nordaurthat！
　　“Butthere'saequestionImaunsattleaforeIgangfarther——an'
　　that'sthis：amItobelessormairnorIwasafore？It'sagreedI
　　cannabethesame：ifIcannabethesame，ImaunaitherbelessorgreaterthanIwasafore：whilko'themis'ttobe？Iwinnahaethatquestontospeirmairnorance！I'llbemairnorIwas。Tosinktolesswadbetolowsegripo'mypastasweel'so'myfutur！
　　An'hoowadIeverluikheri'thefacegienIgrewlessbecauseo'
　　her！Achiel'likemelatabonnylassiethinkhersel'toblameforwhatIgrewtil！An'there'sagreaternorthelasstobeconsidert！'CauseheseesnafittogiemeherIwadhae，ishenotohaehiswullo'me？It'sagran'thingtokenalassielikeyon，an'agran'erthingyettobeallooedtolo'eher：tositdownan'
　　greit'causeI'mnotomerryher，wadbemostoongratefu'！WhatforsudIthreip'atIouchttohaeher？WhatforsudnaIbedisapp'intitasweelasanither？Ihaeasguidarichttoonyguid'at'stocomeo'that，Ifancy！Gienitbeaman'spairttocairryasairhert，itcannabehispairttositdoonwi''tupo'thero'd-side，an'lay'tupo'hislap，an'greitower't，likeabairnwi'acuttitfinger：hemaunhaudonhisro'd。WhaamItodifferfraethelaveo'myfowk！Is'belikethelave，an'gienIgreitI
　　winnagirn。TheLordhimsel'hadtobecroontwi'pain。Eh，mybonniedoo！Butyelo'eabetterman，an'that'sasaircomfort！
　　Gienithadbeenitherwise，IdivnotthinkIcouldhaebornethepainatmyhert。Butasit'sguidan'noill'at'scometoye，I
　　haenayouan'mysel'tutogreitfor，an'that'sasaircomfort！
　　Lord，I'llclim'tothee，an'gaithero'thehealin''atgrowsforthenationsi'thygairden。
　　“Iseethethingasplain'sthingcanbe：thecureo'a'ill'sjistmairlife！That'sit！Lifeabunean'ayontthelife'attookthestroke！An'gienthrou'thishert-brakIcomebymairlife，it'llbejistaneo'thethroeso'myh'avenlybirth——i'thewhilkthebairnhasasmonyo'thepainsasthemither：that'smaybeadiffer'atweenthetwa——theearthlyan'theh'avenly！
　　“SaenooIhaetobeginfresh，an'latthething'at'spastan'ganeslipefteritherdreams。Eh，butit'sabonnydreamyet！Itliesclose'ahin'me，notobeforgotten，notobeluikitat——likeaneo'
　　thaedreamso'watteran'munelicht'athasnaewarki'them：abodywadnaliea'nichtan'a'daytuinadreamo'thesowl'sgloamin'！
　　Na，Lord；mako'meastrongman，an'synegiemeasmuckleo'thebonnyasmaypleasethee。WhaamItolippentil，giennotothee，myainfatheran'mitheran'gran'fatheran'a'bodyinane，forthoogiedstmethema'！
　　“NooI'mtobeginagain——afreshlifefraethisminute！I'mtosetootfraethisverrap'int，likeaneo'theyoungestsonsi'thefairytales，toseekmyportion，an'seewhat'scomin'tomeetmeasIgangtomeethit。Thewarl'aforeme'smystory-buik。IcannaseeowertheleaftillIcometotheen'o''t。WhanIwasabairn，jistable，wi'sairendeevour，towinattheherto'print，Ineverwadluikonafore！TheaetimeIdidit，IthouchtIhadduneashamefu'thing，likeluikin'inatakeyhole——asIdidjistancetu，whanIthankGodmymithergaemesicablessedlickin''atIkentitmaunbesomethingdreidfu'Ihaddune。Saehere'sforwhat'scomin'！Ikenwhauritmauncomefrae，an'Is'makeitwelcome。
　　Mymithersaysthemainmischeefi'thewarl'is，'atfowkwinnalattheLordhaehisainw'y，an'saehehasjisttotakit，whilkmaksitasairthingforthem。“
　　Therewithherosetoencounterthatwhichwasonitswaytomeethim。Heisafoolwhostandsandletslifemovepasthimlikeapanorama。Healsoisafoolwhowouldlayhandsonitsmotion，andchangeitspictures。Hecanbutdistortandinjure，ifhedoesnotruinthem，andcomeuponawfulshadowsbehindthem。
　　Andlo！asheglancedaroundhim，alreadysomethingoftheoldmysteriousloveliness，nowforsolongvanishedfromthefaceofthevisibleworld，hadreturnedtoit——notyetasitwasbefore，butwithdawningpromiseofanewcreation，afreshbeauty，inwelcomingwhichhewasnotturningfromtheold，butreceivingthenewthatGodsenthim。Hemightyetbemanyatimesad，buttolamentwouldbetoactasifhewerewronged——wouldbeatbestweakandfoolish！
　　Hewouldlookthenewlifeintheface，andbewhatitshouldpleaseGodtomakehim。Thescentsthewindbroughthimfromfieldandgardenandmoor，seemedsweeterthaneverwind-bornescentsbefore：theywereseekingtocomforthim！Hesighed——butturnedfromthesightoGod，andfoundfreshgladnessandwelcome。Thewindhoveredabouthimasifitwouldfainhavesomethingtodointhematter；theriverrippledandshoneasifitknewsomethingworthknowingasyetunrevealed。Thedelightofcreationisverilyinsecrets，butinsecretsastruthsontheway。Allsecretsareembryorevelations。Onthefarhorizonheavenandearthmetasoldfriends，who，thoughneverparted，wereeverrenewingtheirfriendship。Theworld，liketheangels，wasrejoicing——ifnotoverasinnerthathadrepented，yetoveramanthathadpassedfromalowertoahigherconditionoflife——outofitsearthintoitsair：
　　hewasgoingtoliveabove，andlookdownontheinferiorworld！
　　EretheshadesofeveningfellthatdayaroundDonalGrant，hewasinthenewchildhoodofanewworld。
　　Idonotmeansuchthoughtshadneverbeenpresenttohimbefore；
　　buttothinkathingisonlytolookatitinaglass；toknowitasGodwouldhaveusknowit，andaswemustknowittolive，istoseeitasweseeloveinafriend'seyes——tohaveitasthelovethefriendseesinours。Tomakethingsrealtous，istheendandthebattle-causeoflife。Weoftenthinkwebelievewhatweareonlypresentingtoourimaginations。Theleastthingcanoverthrowthatkindoffaith。Theimaginationisanendlesshelptowardsfaith，butitisnomorefaiththanadreamoffoodwillmakeusstrongforthenextday'swork。ToknowGodasthebeginningandend，therootandcause，thegiver，theenabler，theloveandjoyandperfectgood，thepresentoneexistenceinallthingsanddegreesandconditions，islife；andfaith，initssimplest，truest，mightiestformis——todohiswill。
　　Donalwasmakinghiswaytowardstheeasterncoast，inthecertainhopeoffindingworkofonekindoranother。Hecouldhavebeenwellcontenttopasshislifeasashepherdlikehisfatherbutfortwothings：heknewwhatitwouldbewellforotherstoknow；andhehadahungerafterthesocietyofbooks。Amanmustbeabletodowithoutwhateverisdeniedhim，butwhenhisheartishungryforanhonestthing，hemayusehonestendeavourtoobtainit。Donaldesiredtobeusefulandliveforhisgeneration，alsotobewithbooks。Tobewherewasagoodlibrarywouldsuithimbetterthanbuyingbooks，forwithoutaplaceinwhichtokeepthem，theyareamongtheimpedimentaoflife。AndDonalknewthatinregardtobookshewasindangeroflovingafterthefashionofthisworld：
　　bookshehadastronginclinationtoaccumulateandhoard；thereforetheuseofalibrarywasbetterthanthemeansofbuyingthem。
　　Booksaspossessionsarealsoofthethingsthatpassandperish——assurelyasanyotherformofearthlyhaving；theyareoftheplaythingsGodletsmenhavethattheymaylearntodistinguishbetweenapparentandrealpossession：ifhavingwillnotteachthem，lossmay。
　　Butwhowouldhavethought，meetingtheyouthashewalkedtheroadwithshoelessfeet，thathesoughttheharbourofagreatlibraryinsomeoldhouse，soasdayafterdaytofeastonthethoughtsofmenwhohadgonebeforehim！Forhiswasnoantiquariansoul；itwasasoulhungryafterlife，notafterthemummyclothsenwrappingthedead。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　ASPIRITUALFOOT-PAD。
　　Hewasnowwalkingsouthward，butwouldsoon，whenthemountainswerewellbehindhim，turntowardtheeast。Hecarriedasmallwallet，filledchieflywithoatcakeandhardskim-milkcheese：abouttwoo'clockhesatdownonastone，andproceededtomakeameal。A
　　brookfromthehillsrannear：forthathehadchosenthespot，hisfarebeingdry。Heseldomtookanyotherdrinkthanwater：hehadlearnedthatstrongdrinkatbestbutdiscountedtohimhisownatahighrate。
　　Hedrewfromhispocketasmallthickvolumehehadbroughtasthecompanionofhisjourney，andreadasheate。Hisseatwasonthelastslopeofagrassyhill，wheremanyhugestonesroseoutofthegrass。Afewyardsbeneathwasacountryroad，andontheothersideoftheroadasmallstream，inwhichthebrookthatranswiftlypast，almostwithinreachofhishand，eagerlylostitself。Onthefurtherbankofthestream，perfumingtheair，grewmanybushesofmeadow-sweet，orqueen-of-the-meadow，asitiscalledinScotland；
　　andbeyondlayalovelystretchofnearlylevelpasture。Farthereastwardallwasaplain，fulloffarms。Behindhimrosethehill，shuttingouthispast；beforehimlaytheplain，opentohiseyesandfeet。Godhadwalleduphispast，andwasdisclosinghisfuture。
　　Whenhehadeatenhisdinner，itsdrynessforgotteninthecondimenthisbooksupplied，herose，andtakinghiscapfromhishead，filleditfromthestream，anddrankheartily；thenemptiedit，shookthelastdropsfromit，andputitagainuponhishead。
　　“Ho，ho，youngman！”criedavoice。
　　Donallooked，andsawamaninthegarbofaclergymanregardinghimfromtheroad，andwipinghisfacewithhissleeve。
　　“Youshouldmind，“hecontinued，“howyouscatteryourfavours。“
　　“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidDonal，takingoffhiscapagain；“I
　　hadnaanotiontherewasleevin'craturnearme。“
　　“It'safineday！”saidtheminister。
　　“Itisthat，sir！”answeredDonal。
　　“Whichwayareyougoing？”askedtheminister，adding，asifinapologyforhisseemingcuriosity，“——You'reascholar，I
　　see！”——withaglancetowardsthebookhehadleftopenonhisstone。
　　“NaesaemuckleasIwadfainbe，sir，“answeredDonal——thencalledtomindaresolvehehadmadetospeakEnglishforthefuture。
　　“Amodestyouth，Isee！”returnedtheclergyman；butDonalhardlylikedthetoneinwhichhesaidit。
　　“Thatdependsonwhatyoumeanbyascholar，“hesaid。
　　“Oh！”answeredtheminister，notthinkingmuchabouthisreply，butinabanteringhumourwillingtodrawtheladout，“thelearnedmanmodestlycallshimselfascholar。“
　　“ThentherewasnomodestyinsayingIwasnotsomuchofascholarasIshouldliketobe；everyscholarwouldsaythesame。“
　　“Averygoodanswer！”saidtheclergymanpatronizingly，“You'llbealearnedmansomeday！”Andhesmiledashesaidit。
　　“Whenwouldyoucallamanlearned？”askedDonal。
　　“Thatishardtodetermine，seeingthosethatclaimtobecontradicteachotherso。“
　　“Whatgoodthencantherebeinwantingtobelearned？”
　　“Yougetthementaldisciplineofstudy。“
　　“Itseemstome，“saidDonal，“apitytogetabody'sdisciplineonwhatmaybeworthless。It'sjustasgooddisciplinetomyteethtodineonbreadandcheese，asitwouldbetoexercisethemonsheep'sgrass。“
　　“I'vegotholdofahumorist！”saidtheclergymantohimself。
　　Donalpickeduphiswalletandhisbook，andcamedowntotheroad。
　　Thenfirsttheclergymansawthathewasbarefooted。Inhischildhoodhehadhimselfoftengonewithoutshoesandstockings，yettheyouth'slackofthemprejudicedhimagainsthim。
　　“Itmustbethefellow'sownfault！”hesaidtohimself。“Heshan'tcatchmewithhischaff！”
　　Donalwouldratherhavefordedtheriver，andgonetoinquirehiswayatthenearestfarm-house，buthethoughtitpolitetowalkalittlewaywiththeclergyman。
　　“Howfarareyougoing？”askedtheministeratlength。
　　“AsfarasIcan，“repliedDonal。
　　“Wheredoyoumeantopassthenight？”
　　“Insomebarnperhaps，oronsomehill-side。“
　　“Iamsorrytohearyoucandonobetter。“
　　“Youdon'tthink，sir，whatadecentbedcosts；andabarnisgenerally，ahill-sidealwaysclean。Infactthehill-side'sthebest。Many'sthetimeIhavesleptonone。It'sastrangenotionsomepeoplehave，thatit'smorerespectabletosleepunderman'sroofthanGod's。“
　　“Tohavenosettledabode，“saidtheclergyman，andpaused。
　　“LikeAbraham？”suggestedDonalwithasmile。“Anabidingcityseemshardlynecessarytopilgrimsandstrangers！IfellasleeponceonthetopofGlashgar：whenIwokethesunwaslookingovertheedgeofthehorizon。IroseandgazedaboutmeasifIwerebutthatmomentcreated。IfGodhadcalledme，Ishouldhardlyhavebeenastonished。“
　　“Orfrightened？”askedtheminister。
　　“No，sir；whyshouldamanfearthepresenceofhissaviour？”
　　“YousaidGod！”answeredtheminister。
　　“Godismysaviour！Intohispresenceitismydesiretocome。“
　　“Undershelteroftheatonement，“supplementedtheminister。
　　“Gienyemeanbythat，sir，“criedDonal，forgettinghisEnglish，“onythingtocome'atweenmyGodan'me，I'llha'enaneo''t。I'llhaenaethinghidemefraehimwhamademe！Iwadnahideathouchtfraehim。Thewauritis，themairneedhesee't。“
　　“Whatbookisthatyouarereading？”askedtheministersharply。
　　“It'snotyourbible，I'llbebound！Younevergotsuchnotionsfromit！”
　　Hewasangrywiththepresumptuousyouth——andnowonder；forthegospeltheministerpreachedwasagospelbuttotheslavishandunfilial。
　　“It'sShelley，“answeredDonal，recoveringhimself。
　　TheministerhadneverreadawordofShelley，buthadaverydecidedopinionofhim。Hegavealoudrudewhistle。
　　“So！that'swhereyougoforyourtheology！Iwaspuzzledtounderstandyou，butnowallisplain！Youngman，youareonthebrinkofperdition。Thatbookwillpoisonyourveryvitals！”
　　“Indeed，sir，itwillnevergodeepenoughforthat！ButitcameneartouchingthemasIsateatingmybreadandcheese。“
　　“He'saninfidel！”saidtheministerfiercely。
　　“Akindofone，“returnedDonal，“butnotoftheworstsort。It'sthepeoplewhocallthemselvesbelieversthatdrivethelikeofpoorShelleytothemouthofthepit。“
　　“Hehatedthetruth，“saidtheminister。
　　“Hewasalwaysseekingafterit，“saidDonal，“thoughtobesurehedidn'tgettotheendofthesearch。Justlistentothis，sir，andsaywhetheritbeveryfarfromChristian。“
　　Donalopenedhislittlevolume，andsoughthispassage。Theministerbutforcuriosityandthedreadofseemingabsurdwouldhavestoppedhisearsandrefusedtolisten。Hewasamanofnotmerelydryorstale，butofdeadlydoctrines。HewouldhaveamanloveChristforprotectinghimfromGod，notforleadinghimtoGodinwhomaloneisbliss，outofwhomallisdarknessandmisery。HehadnotaglimmerofthetruththateternallifeistoknowGod。Heimaginedjusticeandlovedwellingineternaloppositioninthebosomofeternalunity。HeknewnexttonothingaboutGod，andmisrepresentedhimhideously。IfGodweresuchasheshowedhim，itwouldbetheworstpossiblemisfortunetohavebeencreated。
　　Donalhadfoundthepassage。ItwasinTheMaskofAnarchy。Hereadthefollowingstanzas：——
　　Letavastassemblybe，AndwithgreatsolemnityDeclarewithmeasuredwordsthatyeAre，asGodhasmadeye，free。
　　BeyourstrongandsimplewordsKeentowoundassharpenedswords，Andwideastargesletthembe，Withtheirshadetocoverye。
　　Andifthenthetyrantsdare，Letthemrideamongyouthere，Slash，andstab，andmaim，andhew——
　　Whattheylike，thatletthemdo。
　　Withfoldedarmsandsteadyeyes，Andlittlefear，andlesssurprise，Lookuponthemastheyslay，Tilltheirragehasdiedaway。
　　AndthatslaughtertotheNationShallsteamuplikeinspiration，Eloquent，oracular——
　　Avolcanoheardafar。
　　Ending，thereaderturnedtothelistener。Butthelistenerhadunderstoodlittleofthemeaning，andlessofthespirit。Hehatedoppositiontothepowersonthepartofanybelowhimself，yetscornedtheideaofsubmittingtopersecution。
　　“Whatthinkyouofthat，sir？”askedDonal。
　　“Sheernonsense！”answeredtheminister。“WherewouldScotlandbenowbutforresistance？”
　　“There'smorethanonewayofresisting，though，“returnedDonal。
　　“EnduringevilwastheLord'sway。Idon'tknowaboutScotland，butIfancytherewouldbemoreChristians，andofabetterstamp，intheworld，ifthathadbeenthemodeofresistancealwaysadoptedbythosethatcalledthemselvessuch。Anyhowitwashisway。“
　　“Shelley's，youmean！”
　　“Idon'tmeanShelley's，ImeanChrist's。InspiritShelleywasfarnearerthetruththanthosewhomadehimdespisetheverynameofChristianitywithoutknowingwhatitreallywas。ButGodwillgiveeverymanfairplay。“
　　“Youngman！”saidtheminister，withanassumptionofgreatsolemnityandnolessauthority，“IamboundtowarnyouthatyouareinastateofrebellionagainstGod，andhewillnotbemocked。
　　Goodmorning！”
　　Donalsatdownontheroadside——hewouldlettheministerhaveagoodstartofhim——tookagainhisshabbylittlevolume，heldmoretalkwiththebook-embodiedspiritofShelley，andsawmoreandmoreclearlyhowhewasmisledinhiseverynotionofChristianity，andhowdifferentthosewhogavehimhisnotionsmusthavebeenfromtheevangelistsandapostles。Hesawinthepoetaboyishnaturestrivingafterliberty，withscarceanotionofwhatlibertyreallywas：heknewnothingofthelawofliberty——onenesswiththewillofourexistence，whichwouldhaveusfreewithitsownfreedom。
　　Whentheclergymanwaslongoutofsightheroseandwenton，andsooncametoabridgebywhichhecrossedtheriver。Thenonhewentthroughthecultivatedplain，hisspiritsneverflagging。Hewasapilgrimonhiswaytohisdivinefate！
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　THEMOOR。
　　Thenightbegantodescendandhetobeweary，andlookabouthimforaplaceofrepose。Buttherewasalongtwilightbeforehim，anditwaswarm。
　　Forsometimetheroadhadbeenascending，andbyandbyhefoundhimselfonabaremoor，amongheathernotyetinbloom，andaforestofbracken。Herewasagreat，beautifulchamberforhim！andwhatbetterbedthanGod'sheather！whatbettercanopythanGod'shigh，star-studdednight，withitsairycurtainsofduskydarkness！WasitnotinthisverychamberthatJacobhadhisvisionofthemightystairleadinguptothegateofheaven！WasitnotundersucharoofJesusspenthislastnightsontheearth！Forcomfortandprotectionhesoughtnohumanshelter，butwentoutintohisFather'shouse——outunderhisFather'sheaven！Thesmallandnarrowwerenottohimthesafe，butthewideandopen。Thickwallscovermenfromtheenemiestheyfear；theLordsoughtspace。Theretheangelscomeandgomorefreelythanwhereroofsgatherdistrust。Ifeverwehearafar-offrumourofangel-visit，itisnotfromsomesolitaryplainwithlonelychildren？
　　Donalwalkedalongthehightable-landtillhewasweary，andrestlookedblissful。Thenheturnedasidefromtheroughtrackintotheheatherandbracken。Whenhecametoalittledryhollow，withayetthickergrowthofheather，itstopsalmostcloseasthoseofhisbedathisfather'scottage，hesoughtnofurther。Takinghisknife，hecutaquantityofheatherandferns，andheapeditonthetopofthethickestbush；thencreepinginbetweenthecutandthegrowing，heclearedtheformerfromhisfacethathemightseetheworldsoverhim，andputtinghisknapsackunderhishead，fellfastasleep。
　　Whenhewokenoteventheshadowofadreamlingeredtolethimknowwhathehadbeendreaming。Hewokewithsuchaclearmind，suchanimmediateupliftingofthesoul，thatitseemedtohimnolessthantoJacobthathemusthavesleptatthefootoftheheavenlystair。
　　Thewindcameroundhimlikethestuffofthoughtunshaped，andeverybreathhedrewseemedlikeGodbreathingafreshintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife。Whoknowswhatthethingwecallairis？Weknowaboutit，butitwedonotknow。Thesunshoneasifsmilingattheself-importanceofthesulkydarknesshehaddrivenaway，andtheworldseemedcontentwithaheavenlycontent。SofreshwasDonal'ssensethathefeltasifhissleepwithinandthewindwithouthadbeenwashinghimallthenight。Sopeaceful，soblissfulwashisheartthatitlongedtoshareitsbliss；buttherewasnoonewithinsight，andhesetoutagainonhisjourney。
　　Hehadnotgonefarwhenhecametoadipinthemoorland——aroundhollow，withacottageofturfinthemiddleofit，fromwhosechimneycamealittlesmoke：theretoothedaywasbegun！Hewasgladhehadnotseenitbefore，forthenhemighthavemissedthereposeoftheopennight。Atthedoorstoodalittlegirlinabluefrock。Shesawhim，andranin。Hewentdownanddrewneartothedoor。Itstoodwideopen，andhecouldnothelpseeingin。
　　Amansatatthetableinthemiddleofthefloor，hisforeheadonhishand。Donaldidnotseehisface。Heseemedwaiting，likehisfatherfortheBook，whilehismothergotitfromthetopofthewall。Hesteppedoverthethreshold，andinthesimplicityofhisheart，said：——
　　“Ye'llbegaein'tohaeworship！”
　　“Na，na！”returnedtheman，raisinghishead，andtakingabrief，hardstareathisvisitor；“wedinnasetupforprayin'fowki'thishoose。“Weleythattothem'atkenswhattheyhaetobethankfu'
　　for。“
　　“Imadeamistak，“saidDonal。“Ithouchtyemichthaebeengaein'
　　tosaygudemornin'toyermakker，an'wadhaelikittoj'inwi'ye；
　　forIkennawhatIhaenatobethankfu'for。Guiddaytoye。“
　　“Yecanbidean'takyerparritchgienyelike。“
　　“Ow，na，Ithankye。YemichtthinkIcamfortheparritch，an'nofortheprayers。IlikeasilltobecoontitahypocriteasgienI
　　warane。“
　　“Yecanbidean'haeworshipwi''s，gienyetakthebuikyersel'。“
　　“Icannaleadwhaur'snanetofollow。Na；I'lldubetteronthemuirmylane。“
　　Butthegudewifewasareligionswomanafterherfashion——whocanbeafteranyoneelse's？Shecamewithabibleinherhand，andsilentlylaiditonthetable。Donalhadneveryetprayedaloudexceptinamurmurbyhimselfonthehill，but，thusinvited，couldnotrefuse。Hereadapsalmoftrouble，breakingintohopeattheclose，thenspokeasfollows：——
　　“Freens，I'mbutyoong，asyesee，an'neveraforedauredopenmymooi'sicfashion，butitcomestometospeyk，an'wi'yerleavespeykIwull。Icannahelpthinkin'thegudeman'si'sometrible——siclike，maybe，asKingDawvidwhanhemadethepsalmIhaebeenreadin'i'yerhearin'。Yeobservthooitbeganlikeastormymornin'，butyeh'ardhooitchangedora'wasdune。Thesuncomesootbonnyi'theen'，an'yehearthebirdsbeginnin'tosing，tellin'Natur'togieowerhergreitin'。An'whatbringstheguidmantil'ssenses，divyethink？Whatbutjistthethouchto'him'atmadehim，him'atcaresaboothim，him'atmauncometoillhimsel''aforehelatonythinghemadecometoill。Sir，lat'sgangdoonupo'oorknees，an'committhekeepin'o'oorsowlstohimastilafaithfu'creator，whawinnamisshispairt'atweenhiman'
　　hiz。“
　　Theywentdownontheirknees，andDonalsaid，“OLord，oorainfatheran'saviour，thedayyehaesent'shasarrivedbonnyan'gran'，an'weblessyeforsen'in''t；buteh，oorfather，weneedmairthelichtthatshinesi'thedarkerplace。Weneedthedawno'aspiritualdayinside's，orthebonnydayootsidewinnagangformuckle。Lord，oormicht，speykawordo'peacefu'
　　recalltoonydogo'thine'atmaybeworryin'attheherto'onysheepo'thine'at'srunawa；butdinnaca'himbacksaeastolea'
　　thepuirsheep'ahinthim；fessbackdogan'lambthegither，OLord。
　　Haud'sa'fraeill，an'guide'sa'toguid，an'oormornin'prayer'sower。Amen。“
　　Theyrosefromtheirknees，andsatsilentforamoment。Thentheguidwifeputthepotonthefirewiththewaterfortheporridge。
　　ButDonalrose，andwalkedoutofthecottage，halfwonderingathimselfthathehaddaredashehad，yetfeelinghehaddonebutthemostnaturalthingintheworld。
　　“Hooabody'stowinthrouwthedaywantin'thelordo'thedayan'
　　thehooran'theminute，'s'ayontme！”hesaidtohimself，andhastenedaway。
　　Erenoonthebluelineofthefaroceanroseonthehorizon。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　THETOWN。
　　Donalwasqueer，someofmyreaderswillthink，andIadmitit；forthemanwhoregardstheaffairsoflifefromanyotherpointthanhisowngreedyself，mustbequeerindeedintheeyesofallwhoareslavestotheirimaginednecessitiesandundisputeddesires。
　　Itwaseveningwhenhedrewnightheplacewhitherhehaddirectedhissteps——alittlecountrytown，notfarfromafamousseatoflearning：therehewouldmakeinquirybeforegoingfurther。TheministerofhisparishknewtheministerofAuchars，andhadgivenhimaletterofintroduction。Thecountryaroundhadnotafewdwellingsofdistinction，andatoneoranotherofthesemightbechildreninwantofatutor。
　　Thesunwassettingoverthehillsbehindhimasheenteredthelittletown。Atfirstitlookedbutavillage，forontheoutskirts，throughwhichtheking'shighwayled，werechieflythatchedcottages，withhereandthereaslatedhouseofonestoryandanattic；butpresentlybegantoappearhousesoflargersize——fewofthem，however，ofmorethantwostories。Mostofthemlookedasiftheyhadalongandnotveryhappyhistory。Allatoncehefoundhimselfinastreet，partlyofquaintgableswithcorbelsteps；theycalledthemherecorbie-steps，inallusion，perhaps，totheravensentoutbyNoah，forwhichlazybirdthechildrenregardedtheseasplacestorest。Thereweretwoorthreecuriousgatewaysinitwithsomeattemptatdecoration，andonehousewiththepepperpotturretswhichScotisharchitecturehasborrowedfromtheFrenchchateau。Theheartofthetownwasayetnarrower，close-builtstreet，withseveralshortclosesandwyndsopeningoutofit——allofwhichhadancientlookinghouses。Therewereshopsnotafew，buttheirwindowswerethoseofdwellings，astheupperpartsoftheirbuildingsmostlywere。Inthoseshopswasasgoodasupplyofthenecessitiesoflifeasinagreattown，andcheaper。Youcouldnotgetacoatsowellcut，norapairofshoestofityousotightwithouthurting，butyoucouldgetfirst-ratework。Thestreetswereunevenlypavedwithround，water-wornstones：Donalwasnotsorrythathehadnottowalkfaruponthem。
　　Thesettingsunsenthisshadowbeforehimasheenteredtheplace。
　　Hekeptthemiddleofthestreet，lookingonthissideandthatforthehostelrywhitherhehaddespatchedhischestbeforeleavinghome。Agloomybuilding，apparentlyuninhabited，drewhisattention，andsentastrangethrillthroughhimashiseyesfelluponit。Itwasofthreelowstories，thewindowsdefendedbyironstanchions，thedoorstuddedwithgreatknobsofiron。Alittlewaybeyondhecaughtsightofthesignhewasinsearchof。Itswunginfrontofanold-fashioned，dingybuilding，withmuchoftheold-worldlookthatpervadedthetown。Thelastredraysofthesunwereuponit，lightingupasorelyfadedcoatofarms。Thesupporters，tworedhorsesontheirhindlegs，wereallofithecouldmakeout。Thecrestabovesuggestedaskate，butcouldhardlyhavebeenintendedforone。Agreedy-eyedmanstoodinthedoorway，hishandsinhistrouser-pockets。Helookedwithcontemptuousscrutinyatthebare-footedladapproachinghim。Hehadblackhairandblackeyes；hisnoselookedasifaheavyfingerhadsettleduponitspoint，andpresseditdownwards：itsnostrilsswelledwidebeyondtheirbase；underneathwasabigmouthwithagoodsetofteeth，andastrongupturningchin——anambitiousandgreedyface。
　　Butambitionisaformofgreed。
　　“Afineday，landlord！”saidDonal。
　　“Ay，“answeredtheman，withoutchangingthepostureofonetakinghiseaseagainsthisowndoor-post，orremovinghishandsfromhispockets，butlookingDonalupanddownwithconscioussuperiority，thenrestinghiseyesonthebarefeetandupturnedtrousers。
　　“This'llbetheMorvenArms，I'mthinkin'？”saidDonal。
　　“Ittaksnamucklethouchttothinkthat，“returnedtheinn-keeper，“whantheretheyhing！”
　　“Ay，“rejoinedDonal，glancingup；“thereissomethingthere——an'
　　it'sairmsIdoobtna；butit'snoa'bodyhasthepreevilegeo'aknowledgeo'heraldrylikeyersel'，lan'lord！I'mb'un'toconfess，forwhatIkentheymichtbetheairmso'onyaneo'tenscoreScotsfaimilies。“
　　TherewasoneweaponwithwhichJohnGlummwasassailable，andthatwasridicule：withallhisself-sufficiencyhestoodinterrorofit——andthemorecoverttheridicule，solongashesuspectedit，themoreheresentedaswellasdreadedit。Hesteppedintothestreet，andtakingahandfromapocket，pointeduptothesign。
　　“Seetil't！”hesaid。“Dinnayeseethetwareidhorse？”
　　“Ay，“answeredDonal；“Iseethemweeleneuch，butI'mnanethewisernorgientheywartwareidwhauls——Man，“hewenton，turningsharprounduponthefellow，“ye'renocawpableo'conceivin'theextento'myignorance！It'sasrampantasthereidhorseupo'yoursign！I'llyieldtonaebodyi'theamoonto'thingsIdinnaken！”
　　Themanstaredathimforamoment。
　　“Is'warran'，“hesaid，“yekenmairnoryecaretolaton！”
　　“An'whatmaythatbeowertheheido'them？——Acrest，ca'ye't？”
　　saidDonal。
　　“It'sabasepearl-beset，“answeredthelandlord。
　　Hehadnotanotionofwhatabasemeant，orpearl-beset，yetpridedhimselfonhisknowledgeofthewords。
　　“Eh，“returnedDonal，“Itookitforaskate！”
　　“Askate！”repeatedthelandlordwithoffendedsneer，andturnedtowardsthehouse。
　　“Iwasthinkin'toputupwi'yethenicht，gienyecouldaccommodatemeatarizzonablerate，“saidDonal。
　　“Idinnaken，“repliedGlumm，hesitating，withhisbacktohim，betweenunwillingnesstoloseapenny，andresentmentatthesupposedbadinage，whichwasindeednothingbuthumour；“whatwadyeca'rizzonable？”
　　“Iwadnagrudgeasaxpenceformybed；ashillin'Iwad，“answeredDonal。
　　“Weel，ninepencethan——foryeseemnaowercomewi'siller。“
　　“Na，“answeredDonal，“I'mnothat。Whatevermyburden，yon'snohit。Thelosso'whatIhaewadhardlymakmelichterformyrace。“
　　“Ye'reaqueercustomer！”saidtheman。
　　“I'mnosaequeerbutIhaeakistcomin'bythecarrier，“rejoinedDonal，“direckittotheMorvenAirms。It'llbehereintimedoobtless。“
　　“We'llseewhanitcomes，“remarkedthelandlord，implyingthechestwaseasierinventedthanbelievedin。
　　“Thewarsto''tis，“continuedDonal，“Icannaweelshawmysel'
　　wantin'shune。Ihaeapairi'mykist，an'anitherupo'myback，——butnaneformyfeet。“
　　“There'ssutorsenew，“saidtheinnkeeper。
　　“Weelwe'llseeaswegang。Iwantawordwi'theminister。Wadyedirec'metothemanse？”
　　“He'sfraehame。Butit'so'sma'consequence；hedisnacareaboottramps，honestman！Hewinnawaurmuckleupo'thelikeso'you。“
　　Thelandlordwasrecoveringhimself——thereforehisinsolence。
　　Donalgavealaugh。Thosewhoarecontentwithwhattheyare，havethelessconcernaboutwhattheyseem。Theambitiousliketobetakenformorethantheyare，andmaywellbeannoyedwhentheyaretakenforless。
　　“I'mthinkin'yewadnawaurmuckleonatrampaither！”hesaid。
　　“Iwadnot，“answeredGlumm。“It'sthepairto'thehonesttodiscoontenancelawlessness。“
　　“Yewadnahangthepuircraturs，wadye？”askedDonal。
　　“Iwadhangawheenmairo'them。“
　　“Fornohaein'ahooseowertheirheads？That'ssomehard！Whatgienyewasaedaytobeinwanto'aneyersel'！”
　　“We'llbidetillthedaycomes——Butwhatareyestan'in'therefor？
　　Areyecomin'in，orareyeno？”
　　“It'sasomecauldwelcome！”saidDonal。“Is'jisttakaluikabootaforeImakupmymin'。Atramp，yeken，needsnastan'upo'
　　ceremony。“
　　Heturnedawayandwalkedfurtheralongthestreet。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　THECOBBLER。
　　Attheendofthestreethecametoalow-archedgatewayinthemiddleofapoor-lookinghouse。Withinitsatalittlebowedman，cobblingdiligentlyataboot。Thesunhadleftbehindhiminthewestaheapofgoldenrefuse，andcuttingsofroseandpurple，whichshonerightinatthearchway，andlethimseetowork。HerewastheverymanforDonal！Arespectableshoemakerwouldhavedisdainedtopatchuptheshoeshecarried——especiallyastheownerwasinsomuchneedofthem。
　　“It'sabonnynicht，“hesaid。
　　“Yemayweelmaktheremark，sir！”repliedthecobblerwithoutlookingup，foracriticalstitchoccupiedhim。“It'sabalmynicht。“
　　“That'sraitherabonnywordtoputtil't！”returnedDonal。“There'sakin'o'anairaboottheplaceIwadhardlyhaethouchtbalmy！
　　Buttrothit'snothefau'to'thenicht！”
　　“Ye'rerichttherealso，“returnedthecobbler——hisuseoftheconjunctionimpressingDonal。“Still，theweatherhastoduwi'thesmell——wi'themairorlesso''t，thatis。Itcomesfraeatannereenearby。It'snoanillsmelltothem'at'susedtil't；andyewadhardlybelieveme，sir，butIsmellthecloverthrouw't。
　　MaybeI'mpreejudized，seein'butforthetan-pitsIcouldnaweeldrivemytrade；butsittin'herefraemornin'tonicht，Igetakin'
　　o'ahabito'luikin'ootformyblessin's。Torecognizeanauldblessin''s'maistbetternortogetanewane。Apairo'shuneweelcobblet'swhilesfullbetternoranewpair。“
　　“Theyarethat，“saidDonal；“butIdinnajistseehooyerseemileapplies。“
　　“Isnagettin'onapairo'auldweel-kentan'weelmen'itshune，'atwinnanipyerfeetnoryetshochle，likewaukin'uptilablessin'
　　yehaebeenhaein'foryears，onlyyedidnaken'tforane？”
　　Ashespoke，thecobblerliftedalittlewizenedfaceandapairoftwinklingeyestothoseofthestudent，revealingasoulasoriginalashisown。Hewasoneoftheinwardlyinseparable，outwardlyfardividedcompanyofChristianphilosophers，amongwhomindividualityaswellaspatienceisfreetoworkitsperfectwork。InthatglanceDonalsawaripesoullookingoutofitstentdoor，readytorushintothesunshineofthenewlife。
　　Hestoodforamomentlostineternalregardoftheman。Heseemedtohaveknownhimforages。Thecobblerlookedupagain。
　　“Ye'llbewantin'ahan'fraemei'myainline，I'mthinkin'！”hesaid，withakindlynodtowardsDonal'sshoelessfeet。
　　“Sma'doobt！”returnedDonal。“Ihadscarcestartit，butwasowerfartogangback，whanthesoleo'aeshuecamaff，an'Ihadtotrampitwi'baithmyain。“
　　“An'yethankittheLordfortheauldblessin'o'bein'bornan'
　　brouchtupwi'soleso'yerain！”
　　“Totellthetrowth，“answeredDonal，“Ihaesaemonythingstobethankfu'for，it'sbutsma'won'erIforgetmonyaneo'them。Butnoo，an'Ithankyefortheexhortation，theLord'snamebepraist'athegaemefeetfitforgangin'upo'！”
　　Hetookhisshoesfromhisback，anduntyingthestringthatboundthem，presentedtheailingonetothecobbler。
　　“That'swhatwemayca'deith！”remarkedthecobbler，slowlyturningtheinvalidedshoe。
　　“Ay，deithitis，“answeredDonal；“it'sasairdivorceo'solean'
　　body。“
　　“It'sasomeauld-farrandjoke，“saidthecobbler，“butthefunintilathingdoesnaweirootonymairnorthepoetryorthetrowthintil't。“
　　“Whowillsaytherewasnoprovidenceinthelossofmyshoe-sole！”
　　remarkedDonaltohimself。“HereIamwithafriendalready！”
　　Thecobblerwassubmittingtheshoes，firstthesicklyone，nowthesoundone，toathoroughscrutiny。
　　“Yedinnathinkthemworthmen'in'，Idoobt！”saidDonal，withatouchofanxietyinhistone。
　　“Ineverthouchtthatwhaurtheleatherwadhaudthesteik，“repliedthecobbler。“Butwhiles，Iconfess，I'mjistawheentribledtokenhootochairgeformywark。It'snobarelytoconsiderthetimeit'lltakmetoclootapair，butwhattheweirer'sliketogitooto'them。Icannatakmairnorthejob'illbeworthtotheweirer。
　　An'yetthewaurtheshune，an'thelesstobemadeo'them，themairtimetheytaktomakthemworthonythingava'！”
　　“Surelyyeouchttobepaidinproportiontoyourlabour。“
　　“I'thatcaseIwadwhileshaetosaytilapuirbody'athadnaanitherpairi'thewarl'，'atheraepairo'shunewasnaworthmen'in'；an'thatwadbeahertbrak，an'sairfeetforby，tosicascouldna，likeyersel'，sir，gangupo'theLord'sainshune。“
　　“Buthoomakyealivin'thatw'y？”suggestedDonal。
　　“Hoots，themaistero'thetradeseestomywauges！”
　　“An'whamayhebe？”askedDonal，wellforeseeingtheanswer。
　　“Hewasnevercobblerhimsel'，buthewasancecarpenter；an'noohe'sliftituptobeheido'a'thetrades。An'there'saethinghecannabide，an'that'scloseparin'。“
　　Hestopped。ButDonalheldhispeace，waiting；andhewenton。
　　“Tothem'atmakslittle，forreasonsgood，bytheirneebour，hegiesthebetterwaugeswhantheyganghame。Tothem'atmaksa''attheycan，hesays，'Yehelpityersel'；helpawa'；yehaeyerreward。
　　Onlycomenanearme，forIcannabideye'——Butabootthaeshuneo'
　　yours，Idinnaweelken！They'reweeleneuchworthduin'thebestI
　　canforthem；butthemorn'sSunday，an'whathaeyetoputon？”
　　“Naething——tillmykistcomes；an'that，Idoobt，winnabeaforeMonday，ormaybethedayefter。“
　　“An'yewinnabeabletogangtothekirk！”
　　“I'mnopartic'larabootgaein'tothekirk；butgienIwantittogang，orgienIthouchtIwasb'un'togang，thinkyeIwadbideathame'causeIhadnashunetogangin！WadIfancytheLordaffrontitwi'thebarefeethemadehimsel'！”
　　Thecobblercaughtuptheworstshoeandbeganuponitatonce。
　　“Yes'hae't，sir，“hesaid，“gienIsita'nichtatit！Theane'lldutillMonday。Yes'hae'taforekirk-time，butyemauncomeintilthehoosetogetit，forthefowkwudbescunnerttoseemeworkin'upo'theSabbath-day。Theydinnaun'erstan''attheMaisterworksSundayan'Setterday——an'hisFatherasweel！”
　　“Yedinnathink，than，there'sonythingwranginmen'in'apairo'
　　shuneontheSabbath-day？”
　　“Wrang！——inobeyin'myMaister，whaseistheday，asweel'sa'thedays？TheywadfaintakitfraetheSono'Man，wha'sthelordo'
　　't，buttheycanna！”
　　Helookedupovertheoldshoewitheyesthatflashed。
　　“Butthen——excuseme，“saidDonal，“——whyshouldnayehaudyerfacetil't，an'workopenly，i'thenameo'God？”
　　“We'reteltnaithertoduoorgudewarksaforementobeseeno'
　　them，noryettocastoorpearlsaforeswine。Icoontcobblin'yourshoes，sir，afarbetterwarknorgaein'tothekirk，an'Iwadnahae'tseeno'men。GienIwarwarkin'forpoverty，itwadbeanitherthing。“
　　ThislastDonaldidnotunderstand，butlearnedafterwardswhatthecobblermeant：thedaybeingforrest，thenextdutytohelpinganotherwastoresthimself。ToworkforfearofstarvingwouldbetodistrusttheFather，andactasifmanlivedbybreadalone。
　　“WhanIthinko''t，“heresumedafterapause，“bein'Sunday，I'lltakthemhametoye。Whaurwullyebe？”
　　“That'swhatIwadfainhaeyetellme，“answeredDonal。“IhadthouchttoputupattheMorvenAirms，butthere'ssomethingIdinnalikeabootthelan'lord。Kenyeonydacent，cleanplace，whaurtheywadgiemearoomtomysel'，an'noseekmairnorIcouldpeythem？”
　　“Wehaeabitroomieoorsel's，“saidthecobbler，“attheserviceo'
　　onydacentwayfarin'manthatcanstan'thesmell，an'putupwi'
　　oorw'ys。Forpeyment，yecanpeywhatyethinkit'sworth。We'renevervarrapartic'lar。“
　　“Itakyerofferwi'thankfu'ness，“answeredDonal。
　　“Weel，gangyeinatthatdoorjist'aforeye，an'ye'llseetheguidwife——there'snaneithertilsee。Iwadgangwi'yemysel'，butIcanna，wi'thisshueo'yourstoturnintilaSundayane！”
　　Donalwenttothedoorindicated。Itstoodwideopen；forwhilethecobblersatoutsideathiswork，hiswifewouldnevershutthedoor。
　　Heknocked，buttherecamenoanswer。
　　“She'ssomedullo'hearin'，“saidthecobbler，andcalledherbyhisownnameforher。
　　“Doory！Doory！”hesaid。
　　“Shecannabethatdeifgienshehearsye！”saidDonal；forhespokehardlylouderthanusual。
　　“WhanGodgiesyouawife，mayshebeanetohearyerlichtestword！”answeredthecobbler。
　　Sureenough，hehadscarcelyfinishedthesentence，whenDooryappearedatthedoor。
　　“Didyecry，guidman？”shesaid。
　　“Na，Doory：IcannasayIcried；butIspak，an'ye，asisyercustom，hearkenttilmyword！——Here'sabelievin'lad——I'mthinkin'
　　hemaunbeagentleman，butI'mnosure；it'shardforacobblertokenagentleman'atcomestilhimwantin'shune；buthemaybeagentlemanfora'that，an'there'snaehurrytoken。He'swelcometome，gienhebewelcometoyou。Canyegiehimanicht'slodgin'？”
　　“Weelthat！an'wi'a'myhert！”saidDoory。“He'swelcometowhatwehae。“
　　Turning，sheledthewayintothehouse。