"Holdyourjaw，yougosling，orI’llhityouinstead，"retortedtheman.
　　Butbythattimeoneoftheroyalgroomshadmadehisappearanceandthebrutedidnotdarecarryouthisthreat.Whilethegroomstrovetoquietthemare，agreattumultaroseinsomeotherpartofthemarket—place.Therewasawhinnying，plunging，rearing，andscreaming，asifthewholefieldhadgonemad.Theblackmarejoinedintheconcert，andstoodwithherearsprickedupandherheadraisedinanattitudeofpanickyexpectation.QuitefearlesslyErikwalkeduptoher，pattedherontheneckandspokesoothinglytoher.
　　"Lookout，"yelledthegroom，"orshe’lltrampleyoutojelly！"
　　Butinsteadofthat，themarerubbedhersoftnoseagainsttheboy’scheek，withalow，friendlyneighing，asifshewishedtothankhimforhisgallantconduct.AndatthatmomentErik’sheartwentouttothatdumbcreaturewithanaffectionwhichhehadneverfelttowardanylivingthingbefore.Hedetermined，whatevermighthappen，tobidonherandtobuyher，whatevershemightprovetobeworth.Heknewhehadafewthousanddollarsinthebank——hisinheritancefromhismother，whohaddiedwhenhewasababy——andhemight，perhaps，beabletopersuadehisfathertosanctionthepurchase.Atanyrate，hewouldhavesometimetoinventwaysandmeans;forhisfather，CaptainCarstens，wasnowawayonthegreatannualdrill，andwouldnotreturnforsomeweeks.
　　Asamerematterofform，heresolvedtotrythemarebeforebiddingonher;andslippingacoinintothegroom’shandheaskedforasaddle.Itturnedout，however，thatallthesaddleswereinuse，andErikhadnochoicebuttomountbareback.
　　"Rideheronthesnaffle.Shewon’tstandthecurb，"shoutedthegroom，asthemare，afterplungingtotherightandtotheleft，dartedthroughthegatetothetrack，and，afterkickingupavastdealoftan—bark，spedlikeabulletdowntherace—course.
　　"Goodgracious，howrecklesslythatboyrides！"onejockeyobservedtoanother;"buthehasgotagoodgripwithhiskneesallthesame."
　　"Yes，hesitslikeadaisy，"thesecondreplied，critically;"butmindmyword，LadyClarewillthrowhimyet.Shenevercouldstandanybodybuttheprincessonherback：andthatwasthereasonherRoyalHighnesswassofondofher.MotherofMoses，won’ttherebeagrandrumpuswhenshecomesbackagainandfindsLadyClaregone！IshouldnotliketobeintheshoesofthemanwhohasorderedLadyClareunderthehammer."
　　"Butlookatthelad！ItoldyouLadyClarewouldn’tstandnomannerofnonsensefromboys."
　　"SheiskickinglikeaTrojan！She’llmakehashofhimifheloseshisseat."
　　"Yes，buthestickslikeaburr.That’sajewelofalad，Itellye.Heoughttohavebeenajockey."
　　UpthetrackcameLadyClare，blackastheaceofspades，actingliketheOldHarry.Somethinghaddispleasedher，obviously，andsheheldErikresponsibleforit.Possiblyshehadjustwakeduptothefactthatshe，whohadbeenthepetofaprincess，wasnowbeingriddenbyanordinarycommoner.Atallevents，shehadmadeuphermindtogetridofthecommonerwithoutfurtherceremony.Puttingherfineearsbackanddilatinghernostrils，shesuddenlygaveasnortandawhiskwithhertail，andupwentherheelstowardtheeternalstars——thatis，iftherehadbeenanystarsvisiblejustthen.Everybody’sheartstuckinhisthroat;forfleet—footedracerswerespeedingroundandround，andthefellowwhogotthrowninthemidstofallthesetramplinghoofswouldhavesmallchanceoflookinguponthesunagain.
　　Peopleinstinctivelytossedtheirheadsuptoseehowhighhewouldgobeforecomingdownagain;but，forawonder，theysawnothing，exceptacloudofdustmixedwithtan—bark，andwhenthathadclearedawaytheydiscoveredtheblackmareandherrider，apparentlyonthebestofterms，dashingupthetrackatabreakneckpace.
　　Erikwasdrippingwithperspirationwhenhedismounted，andLadyClare’sglossycoatwasfleckedwithfoam.Shewasnotaware，apparently，thatifshehadanyreputationtoruinshehaddamageditmosteffectually.Herbehavioronthetrackandhertreatmentofthehorse—dealerwerebythistimecommonproperty，andeverydealerandfanciermadeamentalnotethatLadyClarewasthenumberinthecataloguewhichhewouldnotbidon.Allherbeautyandherdistinguishedancestrycountedfornothing，aslongasshehadsouncertainatemper.Hersire，Potiphar，itappeared，hadalsobeensubjecttothesameinfirmitiesoftemper，andtherewasastrainofsavageryinherbloodwhichmightcropoutwhenyouleastexpectedit.
　　Accordingly，whenadozenfinehorseshadbeenknockeddownatgoodprices，andLadyClare’sturncame，noonecameforwardtoinspecther，andnoonecouldbefoundtomakeabid.
　　"Well，well，gentlemen，"criedtheauctioneer，"herewehaveabeautifulthoroughbredmare，thefavoritemountofHerRoyalHighnessthePrincess，andnotabiddoIhear.She’sabeauty，gentlemen，siredbythefamousPotipharwhowontheEpsomHandicapandnoendofminorstakes.Takealookather，gentlemen！Didyoueverseeahorsebeforethatwasravenblackfromnosetotail？Ireckonyouneverdid.ButsuchahorseisLadyClare.Themanwhocanfindasinglewhitehaironhercanhaveherforagift.Comeforward，gentlemen，comeforward.Whowillstarther——sayatfivehundred？"
　　Aderisivelaughranthroughthecrowd，andavoicewasheardtocry，"Fifty."
　　"Fifty！"repeatedtheauctioneer，inadeeplygrievedandinjuredtone;"fiftydidyousay，sir？Fifty？DidIhearrightly？Ihope，forthesakeofthehonorofthisfaircity，thatmyearsdeceivedme."
　　Herecamealongandimpressivepause，duringwhichtheauctioneer，suddenlyabandoninghisdramaticmanner，chattedfamiliarlywithagentlemanwhostoodnearhim.TheonlyoneinthecrowdwhomhehadimpressedwiththefactthatthehonorofthecitywasatstakeinthissalewasErikCarstens.Hehadhappilydiscoveredayoungandrichlieutenantofhisfather’scompany，andwastryingtopersuadehimtobidinthemareforhim.
　　"But，mydearboy，"LieutenantThickerexclaimed，"whatdoyousupposethecaptainwillsaytomeifIaidandabethissonindefyingthepaternalauthority？"
　　"Oh，youneedn’tbotheraboutthat，"Erikrejoinedeagerly."Iffatherwasathome，Ibelievehewouldallowmetobuythismare.
　　ButIamaminoryet，andtheauctioneerwouldnotacceptmybid.
　　ThereforeIthoughtyoumightbekindenoughtobidforme."
　　Thelieutenantmadenoanswer，butlookedattheearnestfaceoftheboywithunmistakablesympathy.Theauctioneerassumedagainaninsulted，affronted，patheticallyentreatingorscornfullyrepellingtone，accordingasitsuitedhispurpose;andthepriceofLadyClarecrawledslowlyandreluctantlyupfromfiftytoseventydollars.Thereitstopped，andneithertheauctioneer’stearsnorhisprayerscouldapparentlycoaxithigher.
　　"Seventydollars！"hecried，asifhewerereallytooshockedtospeakatall;"seven—tydollars！Makeiteighty！Oh，itisasinandashame，gentlemen，andthefairfameofthisbeautifulcityiseternallyruined.Itwillbecomeawaggingoftheheadandabywordamongthenations.Sev—en—tydollars！"——thenhotlyandindignantly——"seventydollars！——fifthandlasttime，seventydollars！"——hereheraisedhishammerthreateningly——"seventydollars！"
　　"Onehundred！"criedahighboyishvoice，andinaninstanteveryneckwascranedandeveryeyewasturnedtowardthecornerwhereErikCarstenswasstanding，halfhiddenbehindthebroadfigureofLieutenantThicker.
　　"DidIhearahundred？"repeatedtheauctioneer，wonderingly.
　　"MayIaskwhowasthegentlemanwhosaidahundred？"
　　Anembarrassingsilencefollowed.Erikknewthatifheacknowledgedthebidhewouldsuffertheshameofhavingitrefused.Buthisexcitementandhissolicitudeforthefairfameofhisnativecityhadcarriedhimawaysocompletelythatthewordshadescapedfromhislipsbeforehewasfullyawareoftheirimport.
　　"MayIask，"repeatedthewielderofthehammer，slowlyandemphatically，"mayIaskthegentlemanwhoofferedonehundreddollarsforLadyClaretocomeforwardandgivehisname？"
　　HenowlookedstraightatErik，whoblushedtotheedgeofhishair，butdidnotstirfromthespot.Fromsheerembarrassmentheclutchedthelieutenant’sarm，andalmostpinchedit.
　　"Oh，Ibegyourpardon，"theofficerexclaimed，addressingtheauctioneer，asifhehadsuddenlybeenarousedfromafitofabstraction;"Imadethebidofonehundreddollars，or——or——atanyrate，Imakeitnow."
　　Thesameperformance，intendedtoforceuptheprice，wasrepeatedoncemore，butwithnoavail，andattheendoftwominutesLadyClarewasknockeddowntoLieutenantThicker.
　　"NowIhavegoneanddoneitlikethebloomingidiotthatIam，"
　　observedthelieutenant，whenLadyClarewasledintohisstablebyaliveriedgroom."Whatanoverhaulingthecaptainwillgivemewhenhegetshome."
　　"Youneedhavenofear，"Erikreplied."I’llsoundfatherassoonashegetshome;andifhemakesanytroubleI’llpayyouthatonehundreddollars，withinterest，thedayIcomeofage."
　　Well，thecaptaincamehome，andhavinglonghadtheintentiontopresenthissonwithasaddle—horse，heallowedhimselftobecajoledintoapprovingofthebargain.Themarewasanexquisitecreature，ifevertherewasone，andhecouldwellunderstandhowErikhadbeencarriedaway;LieutenantThicker，insteadofbeinghauledoverthecoals，ashehadexpected，receivedthanksforhiskindandgenerousconducttowardthesonofhissuperiorofficer.AsforErikhimself，hehadneverhadanyideathataboy’slifecouldbesogloriousashiswasnow.Mountedonthatsplendid，coal—blackmare，herodethroughthecityandfaroutintothecountryathisfather’sside;andneverdiditseemtohimthathehadlovedhisfathersowellashedidduringtheseafternoonrides.ThecaptainwasfarfromsuspectingthatinthatepisodeofthepurchaseofLadyClarehisownrelationtohissonhadbeenatstake.NotthatErikwouldnothaveobeyedhisfather，evenifhehadturnedouthisroughsideandtakenthelieutenanttotaskforhiskindness;buttheirrelationwouldinthatcasehavelackedthewarmintimacy（whichinnowiseexcludesobedienceandrespect）andthatlasttouchofdevotedadmirationwhichnowboundthemtogether.
　　Thatfinetouchofsympathyinthecaptain’sdispositionwhichhadenabledhimtosmileindulgentlyathisson’senthusiasmforthehorsemadethesondoublyanxiousnottoabusesuchkindness，andtodoeverythinginhispowertodeservetheconfidencewhichmadehislifesorichandhappy.Though，asIhavesaid，CaptainCarstenslackedtheacutenesstodiscoverhowmuchheowedtoLadyClare，heacknowledgedhimselfinquiteadifferentwayherdebtor.Hehadneverreallybeenawarewhatasplendidspecimenofaboyhissonwasuntilhesawhimonthebackofthatspiritedmare，whichcutupwithhimliketheOldHarry，andyetneversucceededinflurrying，farlessinunseatinghim.Thecaptainfeltaglowofaffectionwarminghisbreastatthesightofthis，andhisprideinErik’shorsemanshipprovedaconsolationtohimwhentheboy’slessdistinguishedperformancesatschoolcausedhimfretandworry.
　　"Aboysofullofpluckmustamounttosomething，evenifhedoesnottakekindlytoLatin，"hereflectedmanyatime."IamafraidIhavemadeamistakeinhavinghimpreparedforcollege.
　　Inthearmynow，andparticularlyinthecavalry，hewouldmakeareputationintwentyminutes."
　　AndacavalrymanErikmight，perhaps，havebecomeifhisfatherhadnotbeentransferredtoanotherpost，andcompelledtotakeuphisresidenceinthecountry.Itwasnominallyapromotion，butCaptainCarstenswasillpleasedwithit，andevenhadsomethoughtofresigningratherthangiveuphisdelightfulcitylife，andmovefarnorthwardintotheregionofcodandherring.
　　However，hewastooyoungamantoretireonapension，asyet，andsohegraduallyreconciledhimselftothethought，andsailednorthwardinthemonthofAprilwithhissonandhisentirehousehold.IthadlongbeenaquestionwhetherLadyClareshouldmakethejourneywiththem;forCaptainCarstensmaintainedthatsohigh—bredananimalwouldbeverysensitivetoclimaticchangesandmightevendieontheway.Again，hearguedthatitwasanabsurditytobringsofineahorseintoaroughcountry，wheretheroadsarepoorandwherenature，inmercy，providesallbeastswithrough，shaggycoatstoprotectthemfromthecold.
　　HowwouldLadyClare，withherglossysatincoat，herslenderlegsthatpirouettedsodaintilyovertheground，andherexquisitehead，whichshecarriedsoproudly——howwouldshelookandwhatkindoffigurewouldshecutamongtheshaggy，stunted，sedate—lookingnagsoftheSognefiorddistrict？Butthecaptain，thoughwhathesaidwasirrefutable，hadtosuspendallargumentwhenhesawhowutterlywretchedErikbecameatthemerethoughtoflosingLadyClare.Sohetookhischances;and，afterhavingorderedblanketsofthreedifferentthicknessesforthreedifferentkindsofweather，shippedthemarewiththerestofhisfamilyforhisnewnorthernhome.
　　AstheweatherprovedunusuallymildduringthenorthwardvoyageLadyClarearrivedinSognwithoutaccidentoradventure.Andneverinallherlifehadshelookedmorebeautifulthanshedidwhenshecameoffthesteamer，andhalfthepopulationofthevalleyturnedouttoseeher.Itisnousedenyingthatshewasasvainasanyotherprofessionalbeauty，andthewayshedancedandpirouettedonthegangplank，whenErikledherontothepier，filledtherusticswithamazement.Theyhadcometolookatthenewcaptainandhisfamily;butwhenLadyClareappearedsheeclipsedtherestofthecompanysocompletelythatnoonehadeyesforanybodybuther.Asthesunwasshiningandthewindwasmild，Erikhadtakenoffherstripedovercoat（whichcoveredherfromnosetotail），forhefeltineveryfibreofhisbodythesensationshewasmaking，andblushedwithpleasureasiftheadmiringexclamationshadbeenintendedforhimself.
　　"Lookatthathorse，"criedyoungandold，witheyesasbigassaucers，pointingwiththeirfingersatLadyClare.
　　"Handsomecarcassthatmarehas，"remarkedastoutishman，whoknewwhathewastalkingabout;"andheadandlegstomatch."
　　"ShebeatsyourValders—Roanallhollow，JohnGarvestad，"saidayoungteasewhostoodnexttohiminthecrowd.
　　"MyValders—Roanhasneverseenhismatchyet，andneverwill，accordingtomyreckoning，"answeredJohnGarvestad.
　　"Ho！ho！"shoutedtheyoungfellow，withamockinglaugh;"thatblackmareisahandtallerattheveryleast，andIbetyoushe’sahigh—flyer.ShehasgottheprettiestlegsIeverclappedeyeson."
　　"They’dsnaplikeclaypipesinthemountains，"repliedGarvestad，contemptuously.
　　Erik，asheblushinglyascendedtheslopetohisnewhome，leadingLadyClarebyahalter，hadnosuspicionofthesentimentswhichshehadarousedinJohnGarvestad’sbreast.Hewasonlyblissfullyconsciousoftheadmirationshehadexcited;
　　andhepromisedhimselfagooddealoffuninfutureinshowingoffhishorsemanship.HetookLadyClaretothestable，whereanewbox—stallhadbeenmadeforher，examinedthepremisescarefullyandnailedaboardoveracreviceinthewallwherehesuspectedadraught.HeinstructedAnders，thegroom，withemphaticandanxiousrepetitionsregardinghercare，showedhimhowtomakeLadyClare’sbed，howtocombhermane，howtobrushher（forsherefusedtoendurecurrying），howtoblankether，andhowtoreadthethermometerwhichhenailedtooneofthepostsofthestall.Thelatterprovedtobeamoredifficulttaskthanhehadanticipated;andtheworstofitwasthathewasnotsurethatAndersknewanymoreonthesubjectofhisinstructionattheendofthelessonthanhehadatthebeginning.Tomakesurethathehadunderstoodhimheaskedhimtoenterthestallandbegintheprocessofgrooming.ButnosoonerhadtheunhappyfellowputhisnoseinsidethedoorthanLadyClarelaidbackherearsinaveryuglyfashion，andwithaviciouswhiskofhertailwaltzedaroundandplantedtwohoof—marksinthedoor，justwherethegroom’snosehadthatveryinstantvanished.Asecondandathirdtrialhadsimilarresults;andasthebox—stallwasnewandofhardwood，Erikhadnowishtoseeitfurtherdamaged.
　　"Iwon’thavenothin’todowiththathoss，that’sascertainasmynameisAnders，"thegroomdeclared;andErik，knowingthatpersuasionwouldbeuseless，hadhenceforthtobehisowngroom.
　　ThefactwashecouldnothelpsympathizingwiththatfastidiousnessofLadyClarewhichmadeherobjecttobehandledbycoarsefingersandroughlycurried，combed，andwashedlikeacommonplebeiannag.Onedoesnotcommencelifeassociatingwithaprincessfornothing.LadyClare，feelingineverynerveherhighdescentandbreeding，hadperhapsasenseofhavingcomedownintheworld，and，likemanyanotherirrationalcreatureofhersex，shekickedmadlyagainstfateandexhibitedtheunloveliestsideofhercharacter.Butwithallherskittishnessandcapriceshewassteadfastinonething，andthatwasherloveforErik.Asthedayswentbyincountrymonotony，hebegantofeelitasaprivilegeratherthanaburdentohavetheexclusivecareofher.Thelow，friendlyneighingwithwhichshealwaysgreetedhim，assoonasheopenedthestable—door，wasasintelligibleanddeartohimasthewarmwelcomeofafriend.
　　Andwhenwithdaintyalertnesssheliftedhersmall，beautifulhead，overwhichthefinenet—workofveinsmeandered，abovethetopofthestall，andrubbedhernosecaressinglyagainsthischeek，beforebeginningtosnuffathisvariouspocketsfortheaccustomedlumpofsugar，hefeltaglowofaffectionspreadfromhisheartandpervadehiswholebeing.Yes，helovedthisbeautifulanimalwithadevotionwhich，ayearago，hewouldscarcelyhavethoughtitpossibletobestowuponahorse.NoonecouldhavepersuadedhimthatLadyClarehadnotasoulwhich（whetheritwasimmortalornot）was，atallevents，asdistinctandclearlydefinedasthatofanypersonwithwhomhewasacquainted.Shewastohimapersonality——adear，charmingfriend，withcertaindefectsofcharacter（aswhohasnot？）whichwere，however，morethancompensatedforbyherdevotiontohim.
　　Shewasfastidious，quick—tempered，utterlyunreasonablewhereherfeelingswereinvolved;fullofaristocraticprejudice，whichonlyhersexcouldexcuse;andwhimsical，proud，andcapricious.
　　Itwasabsurd，ofcourse，tocontendthatthesequalitieswereinthemselvesadmirable;but，ontheotherhand，fewofuswouldnotconsenttooverlooktheminafriendwholovedusaswellasLadyClarelovedErik.
　　ThefameofLadyClarespreadthroughtheparishlikefireinwitheredgrass.Peoplecamefromafartolookather，anddepartedfullofwonderatherbeauty.WhenthecaptainandhissonrodetogethertochurchonSundaymorning，men，women，andchildrenstoodinrowsattheroadsidestaringatthewonderfulmareasifshehadbeenadromedaryorarhinoceros.Andwhenshewastiedintheclergyman’sstablealargenumberofthemenignoredtheadmonitionofthechurchbellsandmissedthesermon，beingunabletotearthemselvesawayfromLadyClare’scharms.
　　Butwoetohimwhoattemptedtotakelibertieswithher;thereweretwoorthreehorsyyoungmenwhohadnarrowescapesfrombearingtheimprintofherironshoesfortherestoftheirdays.
　　Thattaughttheothersalesson，andnowLadyClaresufferedfromnoannoyingfamiliarities，butwasadmiredatarespectfuldistance，untilthepastor，vexedatherrivalrywithhissermon，issuedorderstohavethestable—doorlockedduringservice.
　　TherewasonepersonbesidesthepastorwhowasillpleasedatthereputationLadyClarewasmaking.ThatwasJohnGarvestad，theownerofValders—Roan.Johnwastherichestmanintheparish，andalwaysmadeapointofkeepingfinehorses.
　　Valders—Roan，aheavilybuilt，powerfulhorse，withatremendousneckandchestandlongtasselsonhisfetlocks，butrathersquatinthelegs，hadhithertoheldundisputedrankasthefinesthorseinallSogn.BythesideofLadyClarehelookedasastout，good—lookingpeasantladwithcoltishmannersmighthavelookedbythesideofthedaughterofahundredearls.
　　ButJohnGarvestad，whowasnaturallyprejudicedinfavorofhisownhorse，couldscarcelybeblamedforfailingtorecognizehersuperiority.Heknewthatformerly，onSundays，themenwerewonttogatherwithadmiringcommentaboutValders—Roan;whilenowtheystoodcraningtheirnecks，peeringthroughthewindowsoftheparson’sstable，inordertocatchaglimpseofLadyClare，andallthetimeValders—Roanwasstandingtiedtothefence，infullviewofall，utterlyneglected.Thisspectaclefilledhimwithsuchirethathehardlycouldcontrolhimself.
　　HisfirstimpulsewastopickaquarrelwithErik;butasecondandfarbrighterideapresentlystruckhim.HewouldbuyLadyClare.Accordingly，whenthecaptainandhissonhadmountedtheirhorsesandwereabouttostartontheirhomewardway，Garvestad，puttingValders—Roantohistrumps，dughisheelsintohissidesandrodeupwithagreatflourishinfrontofthechurchyardgate.
　　"Howmuchwillyoutakeforthatmareofyours，captain？"heasked，ashecheckedhischargerwithunnecessaryvigorclosetoLadyClare.
　　"Sheisnotminetosell，"thecaptainreplied."LadyClarebelongstomyson."
　　"Well，whatwillyoutakeforher，then？"Garvestadrepeated，swaggeringly，turningtoErik.
　　"Notallthegoldintheworldcouldbuyher，"retortedErik，warmly.
　　Valders—Roan，unabletoresistthecharmsofLadyClare，hadinthemeanwhilebeenmakingsomecautiousoverturestowardanacquaintance.Hearchedhismightyneck，roseonhishindlegs，whilehistremendousforehoofswerebeatingtheair，andcutupgenerally——allforLadyClare’sbenefit.
　　She，however，havingregardedhisperformancesforawhilewithamildandsomewhatcondescendinginterest，grewalittletiredofthemandlookedoutoverthefiord，asabellemightdo，withasuppressedyawn，whenhercavalierfailstoentertainher.
　　Valders—Roan，perceivingtheslight，nowconcludedtomakemoredecidedadvances.SoheputforwardhisnoseuntilitnearlytouchedLadyClare’s，asifhemeanttokissher.Butthatwasmorethanherladyshipwaspreparedtoputupwith.Quickasaflashsheflungherselfbackonherhaunches，downwentherears，andherswastheangriesthorse’sheadthateverhadbeenseeninthatparish.Withanindignantsnortshewheeledaround，kickingupacloudofdustbythesuddennessofthemanoeuvre.AlessskilledriderthanErikwouldinevitablyhavebeenthrownbytwosuchunforeseenjerks;andthefactwashehadallhecoulddotokeephisseat.
　　"Oho！"shoutedGarvestad，"yourmareshies;she’llbreakyournecksomeday，aslikelyasnot.Youhadbettersellherbeforeshegetsyouintotrouble."
　　"ButIshouldn’tliketohaveyourbrokenneckonmyconscience，"
　　Erikreplied;"ifnecksaretobebrokenbyLadyClareIshouldprefertohaveitbemyown."
　　Thepeasantwasnotcleverenoughtomakeoutwhetherthiswasjestorearnest.Withapuzzledfrownhestaredattheyouthandfinallybrokeout：
　　"Thenyouwon’tsellheratnoprice？Anyway，thedayyouchangeyourminddon’tforgettonotifyJohnGarvestad.Ifit’sspondulixyouareafter，thenhere’swherethere’splentyof’em."
　　Heslappedhisleftbreast—pocketwithagreatswagger，lookingaroundtoobservetheimpressionhewasmakingonhisaudience;
　　then，jerkingthebridleviolently，soastomakehishorserear，herodeofflikeAlexanderonBucephalus，andswungdownuponthehighway.
　　ItwasbutafewweeksafterthisoccurrencethatCaptainCarstensandhissonwereinvitedtohonorJohnGarvestadbytheirpresenceathiswedding.Theywereindoubt，atfirst，astowhethertheyoughttoaccepttheinvitation;forsomeunpleasantrumorshadreachedthem，showingthatGarvestadentertainedunfriendlyfeelingstowardthem.Hewasanintenselyvainman;andthethoughtthatErikCarstenshadafinerhorsethanValders—Roanlefthimnopeace.Hehadbeenheardtosayrepeatedlythat，ifthathigh—nosedyouthpersistedinhisrefusaltosellthemare，hewoulddiscoverhismistakewhen，perhaps，itwouldbetoolatetohaveitremedied.Whateverthatmeant，itsufficedtomakebothErikandhisfatheruneasy.But，ontheotherhand，itwouldbetheworstpolicypossible，undersuchcircumstances，torefusetheinvitation.Forthatwouldbeinterpretedeitherasfearorasaristocraticexclusiveness;andthecaptain，whilehewasnewinthedistrict，wasasanxioustoavoidtheappearanceoftheoneasoftheother.AccordinglyheacceptedtheinvitationandontheappointeddayrodewithhissonintothewideyardofJohnGarvestad’sfarm，stoppingatthepump，wheretheywateredtheirhorses.Itwasearlyintheafternoon，andboththehouseandthebarnwerethrongedwithwedding—guests.Fromthesitting—roomthestrainsoftwofiddleswereheard，mingledwiththescrapingandstampingofheavyfeet.
　　Anothermusicalperformancewasinprogressinthebarn;andallovertheyardelderlymenandyouthswerestandinginsmallerandlargergroups，smokingtheirpipesandtastingthebeer—jugs，whichwerepassedfromhandtohand.ButthemomentLadyClarewasseenallinterestinminorconcernsceased，andwithoneaccordthecrowdmovedtowardher，completelyencirclingher，andviewingherwithadmiringglancesthatappreciatedallherperfections.
　　"Didyoueverseecleaner—shapedlegsonahorse？"someonewasheardtosay，andinstantlyhisneighborinthecrowdjoinedthechorusofpraise，andadded："Whatasnapandspringthereisineverybendofherkneeandturnofherneckandflashofhereye！"
　　Itwaswhilethischorusofadmirationwasbeingsunginallkeysandtonesofthewholegamut，thatthebridegroomcameoutofthehouse，alittlebittipsy，perhaps，fromthemanytoastshehadbeenobligedtodrink，andbristlingwithpugnacitytotheendsofhisfingersandthetipsofhishair.Everywordofpraisethatheheardsoundedinhisearslikeajeerandaninsulttohimself.Withruthlessthrustsheelbowedhiswaythroughthethrongofguestsandsoonstoodinfrontofthetwohorses，fromwhichthecaptainandErikhadnotyethadachancetodismount.
　　Hereturnedtheirgreetingwithscantcourtesyandplungedinstantlyintothematterwhichhehadonhismind.
　　"Ireckonyouhavethoughtbetterofmyofferbythistime，"hesaid，withasurlyswagger，toErik."Whatdoyouholdyourmareatto—day？"
　　"Ithoughtwehadsettledthatmatteronceforall，"theboyreplied，quietly."IhavenomoreintentionofsellingLadyClarenowthanIeverhad."
　　"ThenwillyetradeheroffforValders—Roan？"ejaculatedGarvestad，eagerly.
　　"No，Iwon’ttradeherforValders—Roanoranyotherhorseincreation."
　　"Don’tbecantankerous，now，youngfellow，oryoumightrepentofit."
　　"Iamnotcantankerous.ButIbegofyoukindlytodropthismatter.Icamehere，atyourinvitation，asaguestatyourwedding，notforthepurposeoftradinghorses."
　　Itwasanincautiousspeech，andwasinterpretedbyeveryonepresentasarebuketothebridegroomforhisviolationoftherulesofhospitality.Thecaptain，anxioustoavoidarow，thereforebrokein，inavoiceoffriendlyremonstrance："MydearMr.Garvestad，doletusdropthismatter.Ifyouwillpermitus，weshouldliketodismountanddrinkatoasttoyourhealth，wishingyoualonglifeandmuchhappiness."
　　"Ah，yes，Iunderstandyoursmoothpalaver，"thebridegroomgrowledbetweenhisteeth."Ihavestoodyourinsolencelongenough，and，byjingo，Iwon’tstanditmuchlonger.Whatwillyetakeforyourmare，Isay，orhowmuchdoyouwanttoboot，ifyoutradeherforValders—Roan？"
　　Heshoutedthelastwordswithfuriousemphasis，holdinghisclinchedfistuptowardErik，andglaringathimsavagely.
　　ButnowLadyClare，whobecamefrightenedperhapsbytheloudtalkandviolentgestures，begantorearandplunge，andbyanunforeseenmotionknockedagainstthebridegroom，sothathefellbackwardintothehorse—troughunderthepump，whichwasfullofwater.Thewedding—guestshadhardlytimetorealizewhatwashappeningwhenagreatsplashsentthewaterflyingintotheirfaces，andtheburlyformofJohnGarvestadwasseensprawlinghelplesslyinthehorse—trough.Butthen——thentheyrealizeditwithavengeance.Andalaughwentup——averitablestormoflaughter——whichsweptthroughtheentirecrowdandre—echoedwithaghostlyhilarityfromthemountains.JohnGarvestadinthemeanwhilehadmanagedtopickhimselfoutofthehorse—trough，andwhilehestoodsnorting，spitting，anddripping，CaptainCarstensandhissonpolitelyliftedtheirhatstohimandrodeaway.Butastheytrottedoutofthegatetheysawtheirhoststretchabigclinchedfisttowardthem，andheardhimscreamwithhoarsefury："I’llmakeyesmartforthatsomeday，sohelpmeGod！"
　　LadyClarewasnotsenttothemountainsinthesummer，asarenearlyallhorsesintheNorwegiancountrydistricts.Shewasleftuntetheredinanenclosedhomepastureabouthalfamilefromthemansion.Hereshegrazed，rolled，kickedupherheels，andgambolledtoherheart’scontent.Duringthelong，brightsummernights，whenthesunscarcelydipsbeneaththehorizonandreappearsinanhour，clothedinthebreezygarmentsofmorning，shewaspermittedtofrolic，race，andplayallsortsofimprovisedgameswithashaggy，little，plebeianthree—year—oldcoltwhomshehadcondescendedtohonorwithheracquaintance.
　　Thiscoltmusthavehadsomefinefeelingunderhisroughcoat，forheneverpresumedintheleastupontheacquaintance，beingperhapsawareofthehonoritconferreduponhim.Heallowedhimselftobeabused，ignored，orpetted，asitmightsuitthepleasureofherroyalhighness，withapatient，even—temperedgood—naturewhichwasadmirable.WhenLadyClare（perhapsforfearofmakinghimconceited）tooknonoticeofhim，heshowedneitherresentmentnorsurprise，butwalkedoffwithasheepishshakeofhishead.Thusheslowlylearnedthelessontomakenoexhibitionoffeelingatthesightofhissuperior;nottorunupandgreetherwithadisrespectfullyjoyouswhinny;butcalmlywaitforhertorecognizehimbeforeappearingtobeawareofherpresence.IttookLadyClareseveralmonthstoaccustomShag（forthatwasthecolt’sname）toherways.Shetaughthimunconsciouslytherudimentsofgoodmanners;butheprovedhimselfdocile，andwhenheoncehadbeenreducedtohisproperplaceheprovedafairlyacceptablecompanion.
　　DuringthefirstandsecondweekafterJohnGarvestad’sweddingErikhadkeptLadyClarestabled，havingavaguefearthattheangrypeasantmightintendtodoherharm.Butshewhinniedsopitifullythroughthelonglightnightsthatfinallyheallowedhiscompassiontogetthebetterofhisanxiety，andoncemoreshewasseenracingmadlyaboutthefieldwithShag，whomshealwaysbeatsoignominiouslythatshefelthalfsorryforhim，andasaconsolationallowedhimgentlytoclawhermanewithhisteeth.ThiswasaprivilegewhichShagcouldnotfailtoappreciate，thoughsheneverofferedtoreturnthefavorbyclawinghim.Atanyrate，assoonasLadyClarereappearedinthemeadowShag’scupofblissseemedtobefull.
　　Aweekpassedinthisway，nothinghappened，andErik’svigilancewasrelaxed.HewenttobedontheeveningofJuly10thwithaneasymind，withouttheremotestapprehensionofdanger.Thesunsetaboutteno’clock，andLadyClareandShaggreeteditslastdepartingrayswithawhinny，accompaniedbyawantonkickupfromtherear——forwhateverLadyClaredidShagfeltinhonorboundtodo，andwasconsciousofnodisgraceinhisabjectandape—likeimitation.Theyhadspentanhour，perhaps，insuchdelightfulperformances，whenallofasuddentheywerestartledbyadeepbasswhinny，whichrumbledandshooklikedistantthunder.Thencamethetramp，tramp，trampofheavyhoof—beats，whichmadethegroundtremble.LadyClareliftedherbeautifulheadandlookedwithfearlesscuriosityinthedirectionwhencethesoundcame.
　　Shag，ofcourse，didasnearlyashecouldexactlythesame.
　　Whattheysawwasabigroanhorsewithanenormousarchedneck，squatfeet，andlong—tasselledfetlocks.
　　LadyClarehadnodifficultyinrecognizingValders—Roan.Buthowbigandheavyandominoushelookedintheblood—redafter—glowoftheblood—redsunset.ForthefirsttimeinherlifeLadyClarefeltacoldshiveroffearrunthroughher.
　　Therewas，happily，afencebetweenthem，andshedevoutlyhopedthatValders—Roanwasnotajumper.Atthatmoment，however，twomenappearednexttothehugehorse，andLadyClareheardthesoundofbreakingfence—rails.Thedeephoarsewhinnyoncemoremadetheairshake，anditmadepoorLadyClareshaketoo，fornowshesawValders—Roancomelikeawhirlwindoverthefield，andsopowerfulwerehishoof—beatsthataclodofearthwhichhadstucktooneofhisshoesshotlikeabulletthroughtheair.
　　Helookedsogigantic，sobrimmingwithrestrainedstrength，andsomehowLadyClare，asshestoodquakingatthesightofhim，hadneverseemedtoherselfsodainty，frail，anddelicateassheseemedinthismoment.Shefeltherselfsoentirelyathismercy;shewasnomatchforhimsurely.Shag，anxiousasevertotakehiscuefromher，hadstationedhimselfatherside，andshookhisheadandwhiskedhistailinanon—committalmanner.
　　NowValders—Roanhadclearedthefencewherethemenhadbrokenitdown;thenonhecameagain，tramp，tramp，tramp，untilhewaswithinhalfadozenpacesfromLadyClare.Therehestopped，forbackwentLadyClare’sprettyears，whileshethrewherselfuponherhaunchesinanattitudeofdefence.Shewasdimlyawarethatthiswasafoolishthingtodo，butherinbreddisdainandhorrorofeverythingroughmadeheractoninstinctinsteadofreason.
　　Valders—Roan，irritatedbythisuncalled—foraction，nowthrewceremonytothewinds，andwithoutfurtheradotrottedupandrubbedhisnoseagainsthers.ThatwasmorethanLadyClarecouldstand.Withanhystericalsnortsheflungherselfabout，andupflewherheelsstraightintotheoffendingnose，inflictingconsiderabledamage.Shag，beingnowquiteclearthattheprogrammewasfight，whiskedaboutinexactlythesamemanner，withascloseanimitationofLadyClare’ssnortashecouldproduce，andasecondpairofsteel—shodheelscamewithinahairofreducingtheenemy’sleftnostriltothesameconditionastheright.Butalasforthegenerousfollyofyouth！Shaghadtopaydearlyforthatexhibitionofdevotion.Valders—Roan，enragedbythiswantoninsult，madeadashatShag，andbythemereimpetusofhishugebulknearlyknockedhimsenseless.Thecoltrolledover，flungallhisfourlegsintotheair，andassoonashecouldrecoverhisfootingreeledsidewayslikeadrunkenmanandmadehastetoretiretoasafedistance.
　　Valders—RoanhadnowaclearfieldandcouldturnhisundividedattentiontoLadyClare.IamnotsurethathehadnotmadeanexampleofShagmerelytofrightenher.Boundingforwardwithhismightychestexpandedandtheblooddrippingfromhisnostrils，hestruckoutwithatremendoushindlegandwouldhavereturnedLadyClare’sblowwithinterestifshehadnotleapedhighintotheair.Shehadjustmanagedbyhersuperioralertnesstododgethatdeadlyhoof，andwasperhapsnotpreparedforaninstantrenewaloftheattack.Butshehadbarelygottenherfourfeetincontactwiththesodwhentworowsofterrificteethplungedintoherwithers.Thepainwasfrightful，andwithalong，pitifulscreamLadyClaresankdownupontheground，and，writhingwithagony，beattheairwithherhoofs.Shag，whohadbythistimerecoveredhissenses，heardthenoiseofthebattle，and，pluckinguphiscourage，trottedbravelyforwardagainstthevictoriousValders—Roan.Hewassofrightenedthathisheartshotupintohisthroat.ButtherelayLadyClaremangledandbleeding.Hecouldnotleaveherinthelurch，soforwardhecame，trembling，justasLadyClarewastryingtoscrambletoherfeet.LedawaybyhissympathyShagbenthisheaddowntowardherandtherebypreventedherfromrising.Andinthesameinstantastunningblowhithimstraightintheforehead，ashowerofsparksdancedbeforehiseyes，andthenShagsawandheardnomore.Aconvulsivequiverranthroughhisbody，thenhestretchedouthisneckonthebloodygrass，heavedasigh，anddied.
　　LadyClare，seeingShagkilledbytheblowwhichhadbeenintendedforherself，feltherbloodruncold.Shewasstronglyinclinedtorun，forshecouldeasilybeattheheavyValders—Roanatarace，andherfleetlegsmightyetsaveher.Icannotsaywhetheritwasagenerouswrathatthekillingofherhumblechampionoramereblindfurywhichovercamethisinclination.
　　Butsheknewnowneitherpainnorfear.WithashrillscreamsherushedatValders—Roan，andforfiveminutesawhirlingcloudofearthandgrassandlumpsofsodmovedirregularlyoverthefield，andtails，heads，andlegswereseenflungandtossedmadlyabout，whileanoccasionalshriekofrageorofpainstartledthenight，andre—echoedwithaweirdresonancebetweenthemountains.
　　Itwasaboutfiveo’clockinthemorningofJuly11th，thatErikawoke，withavaguesensethatsomethingterriblehadhappened.
　　Hisgroomwasstandingathisbedsidewithaterrifiedface，doubtfulwhethertoarousehisyoungmasterorallowhimtosleep.
　　"Whathashappened，Anders？"criedErik，tumblingoutofbed.
　　"LadyClare，sir————"
　　"LadyClare！"shoutedtheboy."Whatabouther？Hasshebeenstolen？"
　　"No，Ireckonnot，"drawledAnders.
　　"Thenshe’sdead！Quick，tellmewhatyouknoworIshallgocrazy！"
　　"No;Ican’tsayforsureshe’sdeadeither，"thegroomstammered，helplessly.
　　Erik，beingtoostunnedwithgriefandpain，tumbledinadazedfashionabouttheroom，andscarcelyknewhowhemanagedtodress.Hefeltcold，shivery，andbenumbed;andthedaylighthadacruelglareinitwhichhurthiseyes.Accompaniedbyhisgroom，hehastenedtothehomepasture，andsawtheretheevidenceofthefiercebattlewhichhadragedduringthenight.
　　Along，black，serpentinetrack，wherethesodhadbeentornupbyfurioushoof—beats，startedfromthedeadcarcassofthefaithfulShagandmovedwithirregularbreaksandcurvesuptowardthegatethatconnectedthepasturewiththeunderbrushofbirchandalder.Herethefencehadbeenbrokendown，andthetrackofthefightsuddenlyceased.Apoolofbloodhadsoakedintotheground，showingthatoneofthehorses，andprobablythevictor，musthavestoodstillforawhile，allowingthevanquishedtoescape.
　　ErikhadnoneedofbeingtoldthatthehorsewhichhadattackedLadyClarewasValders—Roan;andthoughhewouldscarcelyhavebeenabletoproveit，hefeltpositivethatJohnGarvestadhadarrangedandprobablywatchedthefight.Havingawholesomedreadofjail，hehadnotdaredtostealLadyClare;buthehadchosenthiscontemptiblemethodtosatisfyhissenselessjealousy.Itwasallsocunninglydevisedastobafflelegalinquiry.Valders—Roanhadgottenastray，andbeingaheavybeast，hadbrokenintoaneighbor’sfieldandfoughtwithhisfilly，chasingherawayintothemountains.Thatwasthestoryhewouldtell，ofcourse，andastherehadbeennowitnessespresent，therewasnowayofdisprovingit.
　　Abandoning，however，forthetimebeingallthoughtofrevenge，ErikdeterminedtobendallhisenergiestotherecoveryofLadyClare.Hefeltconfidentthatshehadrunawayfromherassailant，andwasnowroamingaboutinthemountains.Hethereforeorganizedasearchpartyofallthemaleservantsontheestate，besidesacoupleofvolunteers，makinginallnine.
　　Ontheeveningofthefirstday’ssearchtheyputupatasaeterormountainchalet.HeretheymetayoungmannamedTollefMorud，whohadoncebeenagroomatJohnGarvestad’s.Thismanhadabadreputation;andastheideaoccurredtosomeofthemthathemightknowsomethingaboutLadyClare’sdisappearance，theyquestionedhimatgreatlength，without，however，elicitingasinglecrumbofinformation.
　　Foraweekthesearchwascontinued，buthadfinallytobegivenup.Weary，footsore，andheavyhearted，Erikreturnedhome.HisgriefatthelossofLadyClarebegantotellonhishealth;andhisperpetualplansforgettingevenwithJohnGarvestadamountedalmosttoamania，andcausedhisfatherbothtroubleandanxiety.Itwasthereforedeterminedtosendhimtothemilitaryacademyinthecapital.
　　FourorfiveyearspassedandErikbecamealieutenant.ItwasduringthefirstyearafterhisgraduationfromthemilitaryacademythathewasinvitedtospendtheChristmasholidayswithafriend，whoseparentslivedonafineestateabouttwentymilesfromthecity.Seatedintheirnarrowsleighs，whichweredrawnbybriskhorses，theydrovemerrilyalong，shoutingtoeachothertomaketheirvoicesheardabovethejinglingofthebells.
　　Abouteighto’clockintheevening，whenthemoonwasshiningbrightlyandthesnowsparkling，theyturnedinatawaysidetaverntoordertheirsupper.Hereagreatcrowdoflumbermenhadcongregated，andallalongthefencestheiroverworked，half—
　　broken—downhorsesstood，shakingtheirnose—bags.TheairinthepublicroomwassofilledwiththefumesofdampclothesandbadtobaccothatErikandhisfriend，whilewaitingfortheirmeal，preferredtospendthetimeundertheradiantsky.Theyweresaunteringabout，talkinginadesultoryfashion，whenallofasuddenawild，joyouswhinnyrangoutuponthestartledair.
　　Itcamefromarusty，black，decrepit—lookingmarehitchedtoalumbersleighwhichtheyhadjustpassed.Erik，growingveryserious，pausedabruptly.
　　Asecondwhinny，lowerthanthefirst，butalmostalluringandcajoling，wassodirectlyaddressedtoErikthathecouldnothelpsteppinguptothemareandpattingheronthenose.
　　"Youoncehadahorseyoucaredagreatdealfor，didn’tyou？"
　　hisfriendremarked，casually.
　　"Oh，don’tspeakaboutit，"answeredErik，inavoicethatshookwithemotion;"IlovedLadyClareasIneverlovedanycreatureinthisworld——exceptmyfather，ofcourse，"headded，reflectively.
　　Butwhatwasthematterwiththeoldlumbernag？AtthesoundofthenameLadyClaresheprickedupherears，andliftedherheadwithapatheticattemptatalertness.Withalow，insinuatingneighingsherubbedhernoseagainstthelieutenant’scheek.Hehadlethishandglideoverherlong，thinneck，whenquitesuddenlyhisfingersslidintoadeepscarinthewithers.
　　"MyGod！"hecried，whilethetearsstartedtohiseyes，"amI
　　awake，oramIdreaming？"
　　"Whatintheworldisthematter？"inquiredhiscomrade，anxiously.
　　"ItisLadyClare！Bytheheavens，itisLadyClare！"
　　"Thatoldramshackleofalumbernagwhoseeveryribyoucancountthroughherskinisyourbeautifulthoroughbred？"
　　ejaculatedhisfriend，incredulously."Comenow，don’tbeagoose."
　　"I’lltellyouofitsomeothertime，"saidErik，quietly;"butthere’snotashadowofadoubtthatthisisLadyClare."
　　Yes，strangeasitmayseem，itwasindeedLadyClare.Butoh，whowouldhaverecognizedinthisskeleton，coveredwitharusty—blackskinandtousledmaneandforelockinwhichchaffanddirtwereentangled——whowouldhaverecognizedinthisdroopingandricketycreaturetheproud，thedainty，theexquisiteLadyClare？Herbeautifultail，whichhadoncebeenherpride，wasnowamerescantywisp;andasharp，gnarledridgerunningalongtheentirelengthofherbackshowedeveryvertebraofherspinethroughthenotchedandscarredskin.PoorLadyClare，shehadseenhardusage.Butnowthedaysofhertribulationsareatanend.ItdidnottakeEriklongtofindthehalf—tipsylumbermanwhowasLadyClare’sowner;nortoagreewithhimonthepriceforwhichhewaswillingtopartwithher.
　　Thereisbutlittlemoretorelate.Byinterviewsandcorrespondencewiththedifferentpartiesthroughwhosehandsthemarehadpassed，EriksucceededintracinghertoTollefMorud，theex—groomofJohnGarvestad.Onbeingpromisedimmunityfromprosecution，hewasinducedtoconfessthathehadbeenhiredbyhisformermastertoarrangethenocturnalfightbetweenLadyClareandValders—Roan，andhadbeenpaidtendollarsforstealingthemarewhenshehadbeensufficientlydamaged.JohnGarvestadhadhimselfwatchedthefightfrombehindthefence，andhadlaughedfittosplithissides，untilValders—Roanseemedonthepointofbeingworsted.Thenhehadinterferedtoseparatethem，andTollefhadledLadyClareaway，bleedingfromadozenwounds，andhadhiddenherinadesertedlumberman’sshednearthesaeterwherethesearchershadovertakenhim.
　　Havingobtainedthesefacts，EriktookpainstoletJohnGarvestadknowthatthechainofevidenceagainsthimwascomplete，andifhehadhadhisownwayhewouldnothaveresteduntilhisenemyhadsufferedthefullpenaltyofthelaw.ButJohnGarvestad，suspectingwhatwasintheyoungman’smind，suddenlydivestedhimselfofhispride，andcringingdikeawhippeddog，cameandaskedErik’spardon，entreatinghimnottoprosecute.
　　AsforLadyClare，sheneverrecoveredherlostbeauty.Aprettyfair—lookingmareshebecame，tobesure，whengoodfeedingandcarefulgroominghadmadeherfatandglossyoncemore.Alongandcontentedoldageis，nodoubt，instoreforher.Havingknownevildays，sheappreciatestheblessingswhichthechangeinherfatehasbroughther.Thecaptaindeclaressheisthebest—temperedandsteadiesthorseinhisstable.
　　BONNYBOY
　　I.
　　"Oh，youneverwillamounttoanything，Bonnyboy！"saidBonnyboy’sfather，whenhehadvainlytriedtoshowhimhowtouseagouge;forBonnyboyhadjustsucceededingougingapieceoutofhishand，andwasstandinghelplessly，lettinghisblooddroponanengravingofNapoleonatAusterlitz，whichhadbeensenttohisfatherforframing.ThetroublewithBonnyboywasthathewasnotonlyawkward——left—handedineverythingheundertook，ashisfatherputit——buthewassoverygood—naturedthatitwasimpossibletogetangrywithhim.Hislargeblueinnocenteyeshadachildlikewonderinthem，whenhehaddoneanythingparticularlystupid，andhewassowillingandanxioustolearn，thathisill—successseemedareasonforpityratherthanforwrath.GrimNorvold，Bonnyboy’sfather，wasbytradeacarpenter，andhandyashewasatallkindsoftinkering，hefounditparticularlyexasperatingtohaveasonwhowassoleft—handed.TherewasscarcelyanythingGrimcouldnotdo.Hecouldtakeawatchapartandputittogetheragain;hecouldmendaharnessifnecessary;hecouldmakeawagon;nay，hecouldevendoctorahorsewhenitgotspavinorglanders.Hewasasortofjack—of—all—trades，andaveryusefulmaninavalleywheremechanicswerefewandtransportationdifficult.Helovedworkforitsownsake，andwasillateasewhenhehadnotatoolinhishand.Theexerciseofhisskillgavehimapleasureakintothatwhichthefishfeelsinswimming，theeagleinsoaring，andthelarkinsinging.Afinlessfish，awinglesseagle，oradumblarkcouldnothavebeenmoremiserablethanGrimwaswhenasuccessionofholidays，likeEasterorChristmas，compelledhimtobeidle.
　　Whenhissonwasbornhischiefdelightwastothinkofthetimewhenheshouldbeoldenoughtohandleatool，andlearnthesecretsofhisfather’strade.Therefore，fromthetimetheboywasoldenoughtositortocrawlintheshavingswithoutgettinghismouthandeyesfullofsawdust，hegavehimaplaceundertheturningbench，andtalkedorsangtohimwhileheworked.AndBonnyboy，inthemeanwhileamusedhimselfbygettingintoallsortsofmischief.Ifithadnotbeenforthebeliefthatagoodworkmanmustgrowupintheatmosphereoftheshop，Grimwouldhavelostpatiencewithhissonandsenthimbacktohismother，whohadbetterfacilitiesfortakingcareofhim.Butthefactwashewastoofondoftheboytobeabletodispensewithhim，andhewouldratherbearthelossresultingfromhismischiefthanmisshisprattleandhisprettydimpledface.
　　ItwaswhenthechildwaseighteenornineteenmonthsoldthatheacquiredthenameBonnyboy.Awomanoftheneighborhood，whohadcalledattheshopwithsomearticleoffurniturewhichshewantedtohavemended，discoveredtheinfantintheactofinvestigatingapotofbluepaint，withapartofwhichhehadaccidentallydecoratedhisface.
　　"Goodgracious！whatisthatuglythingyouhavegotunderyourturningbench？"shecried，staringatthechildinamazement.