_Hither._"Letusgosomewherewherewecanquizthenativeswithoutbeingtoonearthem."
　　_LadyBar._"Iamtiredofthisunbrokensolitude，Imustgoandthinktothesea，"addedshe，inamocksoliloquy;andoutsheglidedwiththesameunconsciousairashislordshiphadworn.
　　Theothersmovedoffslowlytogether.
　　"Mamma，"saidMissVere，"Ican’tunderstandhalfBarbaraSinclairsays."
　　"Itisnotnecessary，mylove，"repliedmamma;"sheisrathereccentric，andIfearsheisspoilingLordIpsden."
　　"PoorLordIpsden，"murmuredthelovelyVere，"heusedtobesonice，anddolikeeverybodyelse.Mamma，Ishallbringsomeworkthenexttime."
　　"Do，mylove."
　　PICNICNO.2.
　　Inahouse，twohundredyardsfromthisscene，amerrydance，succeedingamerrysong，hadended，andtheywereinthemidstofaninterestingstory;ChristieJohnstonewasthenarrator.Shehadfoundthetaleinoneoftheviscount’sbooks——ithadmadeagreatimpressiononher.
　　Therestwerelisteningintently.Inaroomwhichhadlatelybeenallnoise，notasoundwasnowtobeheardbutthenarrator’svoice.
　　"Aweel，lasses，herearethethreeweekistsset，theladsaretochuse——theanethatchusesreichtistogetPorsha，an’thelavetogetthebag，anddeebaitchelars——FluckerJohnstone，youthat’ssaeclever——areyeforgowd，orsiller，orleed？"
　　_1stFishwife._"Gowdforme！"
　　_2dditto._"Thewhitesiller’smytaste."
　　_Flucker._"Na！there’sayesomedeevelishtrickinthirlassie’sstories.Ishallhato，tilltheitherladshaechused;themairpartwillputthemselsoot，anewillhititoffreichtmaybe，thenIshallgiehimahidin’an’carryoffthelass.You—hoo！"
　　_JeanCarnie._"That’syou，Flucker."
　　_ChristieJohnstone._"Anddivyereallythinkwearegawntoletyouseea’theworldchuse？Na，lad，yeareputtenooto’theroom，likewitnesses."
　　_Flucker._"ThenI’dtossapenny;forgienyetrusttoluck，shewhilesfavorsye，butgienyecommencetoreasonandargefy——ye’redone！"
　　_Christie._"Thesuitorshadnayourwit，mymanny，ormaybetheyhadnaapennytotoss，saeanechusedthegowd，anethesiller;buttheygotanawfu’affront.Thegoldkisthadjustaskullintil’t，andthesilleradeedcuddy’shead！"
　　_ChorusofFemales._"He！he！he！"
　　_DittoofMales._"Haw！haw！haw！haw！Ho！"
　　_Christie._"An’Porshaputtitthepairofgowkstothedoor.ThencameBassanio，theladfraVeeneece，thatPorshaloedinsecret.Veeneece，lasses，isawonderfulcity;thestreetso’’tarewater，andthecarriagesareboats——that’sinChambers’."
　　_Flucker._"Whaareyemakingafoolo’？"
　　_Christie._"What’swrang？"
　　_Flucker._"Yon’sjustasbigaleeaseverIheerd."
　　Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismoutherehehadreasontoregretthem;asevereboxontheearwasadministeredbyhisindignantsister.
　　Nobodypitiedhim.
　　_Christie._"I’lllaernyet’affrontmebeforea’thecompany."
　　_JeanCarnie._"Supposeit’salee，there’snaesilvertopayforit，Flucker."
　　_Christie._"Jean，Ineverteltaleeina’mydays."
　　_Jean._"There’sanetobeginwi’then.Goahead，Custy."
　　_Christie._"Shebadethemusicplayforhim，formusicbrightensthoucht;onyway，hechosetheleedkist.Open’standwasn’ttherePorsha’spictur，andaposy，thatsaid：
　　’Ifyoubewellpleasedwiththis，Andholdyourfortuneforyourbliss;
　　Turnyouwhereyourleddyiss，Andgreetherwi’aloving——"’_（Pause）._
　　"Kess，"roaredthecompany.
　　_Chorus，ledbyFlucker._"Hurraih！"
　　_Christie（pathetically）._"Flucker，behave！"
　　_SandyListon（drunk）._"Hur—raih！"Hethensolemnlyreflected."Na！butit’snahurraih，decencyrequiresamenfirstan’hurraihafterward;
　　here’skissinplenty，butIhearnaewordo’theminister.Ye’llobsairve，youngwoman，thatkissin’stheprologuetosin，andI’madecentmon，an’agray—headedmon，an’yourlichtstoriesarenoforme;
　　saeiftheminister’snoexpeckitIshallretire——an’takmyquietgillmylane."
　　_JeanCarnie._"AnddivyereallythinkadecentcummerlikeCustywadlettheladandlassmisbehavethirsels？Na！lad，theminister’satthedoor，but"（sinkinghervoicetoaconfidentialwhisper）"Idaurnalethimin，forfearhe’dseeyehaeputtentheenemyinyourmoothsaeaerly.（That’sCusty’sword.）"
　　"JemmyDrysel，"repliedSandy，addressingvacancy，forJemmywasmysteriouslyatworkinthekitchen，"yehaegottenathoughtfu’wife."
　　（Then，withastrongrevulsionoffeeling.）"Dinnalettheblackguard*inhere，"criedhe，"tospoiltheyoungfolk’ssporrt."
　　*AtpresentthisisaspondeeinEngland——atrocheeinScotlandThepronunciationofthisimportantwordoughttobefixed，representing，asitdoes，solargeaportionofthecommunityinbothcountries.
　　_Christie._"Aweel，lassies，comesalettertoBassanio;hereadsit，andturnsaspaleasdeeth."
　　_AFishwife._"Gudehelpus."
　　_Christie._"Poorshabehoovedtokenhisgrief，whahadabetterreicht？
　　’Here’saletter，leddy，’sayshe，’thepaper’stheboedyofmyfreend，like，andeverywordinitagapingwound.’"
　　_AFisherman._"Maircyonus."
　　_Christie._"Lad，itwasfrapuirAntonio，yemindo’him，Lasses.Hech！
　　theilllucko’yonman，noashipcomehame;anefounderedatsea，comingfraTri—po—lis;thepiratesscuttledanother，an’aneranashoreontheGoodwins，nearBright—helm—stane，that’sinEnglanditsel’，Idaursay.Saehecouldnapaythethreethoosandducats，an’Shylockhadgrippithim，an’soughtthepundo’fleshaffthebreesto’him，puirbody."
　　_SandyListon._"Hewouldnabethewauro’aweebithiding，yonthunderingurang—utang;letthemanalane，yecursedoldcannibal."
　　_Christie._"Poorshakeepithermanbutaehoortilltheywereunited，an’thensenthimwi’apuckleo’herainsillertoVeeneece，andAntonio——thinko’that，lassies——pairtedontheirwedding—day."
　　_LizzyJohnstone，aFishwife，aged12._"Hech！hech！it’slamentable."
　　_JeanCarnie._"I’msaying，mairriageisquickwark，insomepairts——herethere’sanawfu’troubletogetaman."
　　_AyoungFishwife._"Ay，isthere."
　　_Omnes._"Haw！haw！haw！"（Thefish—wifehides.）
　　_Christie._"Fillyourtaupsels，ladsandlasses，andawatoVeneece."
　　_SandyListon（sturdily）._"I’llnogangtoseathisday."
　　_Christie._"Noo，weareinthehallo’judgment.Herearesetthejudges，awfu’tobehold;there，onhisthrone，presidestheJuke."
　　_Flucker._"She’sawatoherEnnglish."
　　_LizzyJohnstone._"DidwecometoVeeneecetospeakScoetch，yeuselessfule？"
　　_Christie._"Here，paleandhopeless，butresigned，standsthebrokenmairchant，Antonio;there，wiscalesandknives，andrevengeinhismurderin’eye，standsthecrewelJewShylock."
　　"Aweel，"mutteredSandy，considerately，"I’llnomakadisturbanceonaweddingday."
　　_Christie._"TheywaitforBell——Idinnamindhismind——alaernedlawyer，onyway;he’ssick，butsendsanemairlaernedstill，and，whenthisanecomes，helooksnotoldernorwiserthanmysel."
　　_Flucker._"Nopossible！"
　　_Christie._"Yeneednabesaesarcy，Flucker，forwhenhecomestohiswarkhesoonlets’emken——runshiseenlikelighteningowertheboend.
　　’Thisbond’sforfeit.IsAntonionotabletodischairgethemoney？’’Ay！’
　　criesBassanio，’here’sthesumthricetold.’SaystheyoungjudgeinabitwhispertoShylock，’Shylock，there’sthricethymoneyofferedthee.
　　Bemairceful，’sayshe，outloud.’Wha’llmakme？’saystheJewbody.
　　’Makye！’sayshe;’maircyisnoathingyestrainthroughasieve，mon;
　　itdroppethlikethegentledewfra’heavenupontheplacebeneath;itblesseshimthatgivesandhimthattaks;itbecomesthekingbetterthanhisthrone，andairthlypowerismaistlikeGod’spowerwhenmaircyseasonsjustice.’"
　　_RobertHaw，Fisherman._"Dinnaspeaklikethattome，onybody，orI
　　shallgieyemyboat，andflingmynetsintilit，asyesailawawi’
　　her."
　　_JeanCarnie._"Saeheletthepuirdeevilgo.Oh！yekenwhacouldstandupagainstsiccanashowero’Ennglishasthaat."
　　_Christie._"Hejustsaid，’Mydeedsuponmyheed.Iclaimthelaw，’sayshe;’thereisnopowerinthetongueo’mantoalterme.Istayhereonmyboend.’"
　　_SandyListon._"Ihaesatquiet！——quietIhaesatagainstmywill，notodisturbJamieDrysel’sweddin’;butyecarrythegameowerfar，Shylock，mylad.I’lljustgiveyonbluidy—mindedurang—utangahidin’，andbringTonyoff，thegude，puir—spiritedcreature.Andhim，an’me，an’
　　Bassanee，an’Porshee，we’llallhaeagillthegither."
　　Herose，andwasinstantlyseizedbytwoofthecompany，fromwhomheburstfuriously，afterastruggle，andthenextmomentwasheardtofallcleanfromthetoptothebottomofthestairs.FluckerandJeanranout;
　　therestappealedagainsttheinterruption.
　　_Christie._"Hech！he’skilled.SandyListon’sbrakehisneck."
　　"Whatabootit，lassy？"saidayoungfisherman;"it’sAntonioI’mfearedfor;savehim，lassy，ifpoessible;butIdootye’llnogethimclearo’
　　yondeevelichheathen.
　　"AuldSandy’scheapsairved，"addedhe，withalltheindifferenceahumantonecouldconvey.
　　"Oh，Cursty，"saidLizzieJohnstone，withapeevishaccent，"dinnabreakthebonnyyarnfornaething."
　　_Flucker（returning）._"He’sa’reicht."
　　_Christie._"Ishenodead？"
　　_Flucker._"Himdeed？he’ssober——that’sa’thechangeIsee."
　　_Christie._"Canhespeak？I’maskingye."
　　_Flucker._"Yes，hecanspeak."
　　_Christie._"Whatdoeshesay，puirbody？"
　　_Flucker._"Hesatup，an’soughtagillfra’thewife——puirbody！"
　　_Christie._"Hech！hech！hewasmypupilintheairto’sobriety！——aweel，theyoungjudgerisestodeliverthesentenceofthecoort.Silence！"
　　thunderedChristie.Aladandalassthatwereslightlyflirtingwerediscountenanced.
　　_Christie._"’Apundo’thatsamemairchant’sfleshisthine！thecoortawardsit，andthelawdoesgiveit.’"
　　_AyoungFishwife._"There，Ithouchtsae;he’sgauntocuthim，he’sgauntocuthim;I’llnocanbide."_（Exibat.）_
　　_Christie._"There’safulishgoloshen.’Havebyadoctortostoptheblood.’——’Iseenaedoctorintheboend，’saystheJewbody."
　　_Flucker._"Baityourhookwi’aboend，andyeshallcatchyoncarle’ssaul，Satin，mylad."
　　_Christie（withdismalpathos）._"Oh，Flucker，dinnaspeakevilo’
　　deegneties——that’smaybefishingforyoursel’thenoo！———’An’yeshallcutthefleshfraeoffhisbreest.’——’Asentence，’saysShylock，’come，prepare.’"
　　Christiemadeadash_enShylock，_andthecompanytrembled.
　　_Christie._"’Bideawee，’saysthejudge，’thisboendgiesyenaadrapo’bluid;thewordsexpresslyare，apundo’flesh！’"
　　_（ADramaticPause.）_
　　_JeanCarnie（drawingherbreath）._"That’sintoyourmutton，Shylock"
　　_Christie（withdismalpathos）._"Oh，Jean！yon’sanawfu’voolgarexprassiontocomefra’awoman’smooth."
　　"Couldyenohaesaid，’intilhisbacon’？"saidLizzieJohnstone，confirmingtheremonstrance.
　　_Christie._"’Thentakyourboend，an’yourpundo’flesh，butincuttingo’’t，ifthoudostshedonedropofChristianbluid，thoudiest！’"
　　_JeanCarnie._"Hech！"
　　_Christie._"’ThygoodsarebythelawsVeneececon—fis—cate，confiscate！’"
　　Then，likeanartfulnarrator，shebegantowindupthestorymorerapidly.
　　"SaeShylockgottobenosaesaucy.’Paytheboendthrice，’sayshe，’andletthepuirdeevilgo.’——’Hereit’s，’saysBassanio.——Na！theyoungjudgewadnalethim.——’Hehasrefuseditinopencoort;noabawbeeforShylockbutjusttheforfeiture;an’hedaurnatakit.’——’I’mawa’，’
　　sayshe.’Thedeiviltakyea’.’——Na！hewasnatowinclearsae;ancethey’dgottentheJewonthehep，theyworriedhim，likegoodChristians，that’safact.Thejudgefandalawthatfittedhim，forconspiringagainstthelifeofacitizen;an’hebehoovedtogiveuphoosean’
　　lands，andbeaChristian;yonwasasoordrap——hetarnednoweel，puirauldvillain，an’scairtit;an’thelawyerssentaneo’theirwearyparchmentstillhishoose，andthepuirauldheathensignedawa’hissiller，an’Abraham，an’Isaac，an’Jacob，ontheheedo’’t.Ipityhim，anauld，auldman;andhisdochterhadrinoffwi’aChristianlad——theyca’herJessica，anddidn’tshestealhisverydiamondringthathisainlassgiedhimwhenhewasyoung，an’maybenosaehard—hairted？"
　　_JeanCarnie._"Oh，thejaud！supposehewasaJew，itwasnaherbusinesstocleanhimoot."
　　_AyoungFishwife._"Aweel，itwasonlyaJewbody，that’smycomfort."
　　_Christie._"YespeakasaJewwasnaaman;hasnotaJeweyes，ifyeplease？"
　　_LizzyJohnstone._"Ay，hashe！——andtheawfuestlangnebatween’em."
　　_Christie._"HasnotaJewaffections，paassions，organs？"
　　_Jean._"Na！Christie;thirladscomesfr’Italy！"
　　_Christie._"Ifyouprickhim，doeshenotbleed？ifyouticklehim，doesnahelauch？"
　　_AyoungFishwife（pertly）._"IneverkittletaJew，formypairt——saeI’llnocantellye."
　　_Christie._"Ifyoupoisonhim，doeshenotdie？andifyouwranghim"
　　（withfury）"shallhenotrevenge？"
　　_LizzieJohnstone._"Oh！butye’reafearsomelass."
　　_Christie._"Wha’llgivemeasangformybonnyyarn？"
　　LordIpsden，whohadbeenanunobservedauditorofthelatterpartofthetale，hereinquiredwhethershehadbroughtherbook.
　　"What’nbuik？"
　　"Yourmusic—book！"
　　"Here’smymusic—book，"saidJean，roughlytappingherhead.
　　"Andhere’smines，"saidChristie，birdly，touchingherbosom.
　　"Richard，"saidshe，thoughtfully，"Iwishyemaynohaebeengettinginvoolgarcompany.Divyethinkwehaemindslikerinningwater？"
　　_Flucker（avecmalice）._"Andtongueslikethemill—clackabuneit？
　　Becauseifyethinksae，captain——ye’renofarwrang！"
　　_Christie._"Na！wehaenamucklegowdmaybe;butourmindsaregowdenvessels."
　　_Jean._"Aha！lad."
　　_Christie._"Theyarenotsaxpennysieves，toletmusican’meterthrough，andleaveusnonethewiserorbetter.Dinnaganginlowvoolgarcompany，oryoualostladdy."
　　_Ipsden._"Vulgar，again！everybodyhasadifferentsenseforthatword，Ithink.Whatisvulgar？"
　　_Christie._"Voolgarfolksitonanchair，ane，twa，whilesthreehours，eatin’an’abunedrinkin’，asstillashoegs，orgruntin’puirevery—dayclashes，goessip，rubbich;whenyeareasidethem，yemightasweelbeasideacuddy;theycannagieyeasang，theycannagieyeastory，theycannathinkyeathoucht，tosavetheiruselesslives;that’svoolgarfolk."
　　Shesings."Acaallerherrin’！"
　　_Jean._"Acaallerherrin’！"
　　_Omnes._
　　"Comebuymybonnycaallerherrin’，Sixapennycaallerfromthesea，"
　　etc.
　　Themusicchimedin，andthemomentthesongwasdone，withoutpause，oranythingtoseparateorchillthesuccessionofthearts，thefiddlesdivergedwithagallantplungeinto"TheDustyMiller."Thedancersfoundtheirfeetbyaninstinctasrapid，andarattlingreelshookthefloorlikethunder.JeanCarnieassumedtheprivilegeofabride，andseizedhislordship;Christie，whohadamindtodancewithhimtoo，tookFluckercaptive，andthesefourwereonereel！Thereweresevenothers.
　　Theprincipleofreeldancingisarticulation;thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_accented_note（and，bytheby，itistheirweaknessofaccentwhichmakesallEnglishreelandhornpipeplayerssuchfailures）.
　　Andinthebeststepsofall，whichithasincommonwiththehornpipe，suchasthequick"heelandtoe，""thesailor’sfling，"andthe"doubleshuffle，"thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_single_noteoftheinstrument.
　　Allgooddancingisbeautiful.
　　Butthisarticulatedancing，comparedwiththeloose，lawlessdiffluenceofmotionthatgoesbythatname，givesme（Imustconfessit）asmuchmorepleasureasarticulatesingingissuperiortotunesplayedonthevoicebyayounglady：
　　Orthecleanplayingofmymothertothepiano—fortesplashingofmydaughter;thoughthelatterdoesattacktheinstrumentasawasherwomanhersoapsuds，andtheformerworkslikealady.
　　Orskatingtosliding：
　　OrEnglishversetodactylsinEnglish：
　　Orpaintingtodaubing：
　　Orpreservedstrawberriestostrawberryjam.
　　WhatsaysGoldsmithofthetwostyles？"Theyswam，sprawled，frisked，andlanguished;butOlivia’sfootwasaspattothemusicasitsecho."——_VicarofWakefield._
　　Newhavendancingaimsalsoatfun;laughtermingleswithagility;
　　grotesqueyetgracefulgesturesareflungin，andlittleinspiringcriesflungout.
　　Hislordshipsoonenteredintothespiritofit.Deepinthemysteryofthehornpipe，hedancedoneortwostepsJeanandChristiehadneverseen，buttheireyeswereinstantlyonhisfeet，andtheycaughtinaminuteandexecutedthesesamesteps.
　　ToseeChristieJohnstonedothedouble—shufflewithherarmssosaucilyakimbo，andherquickelasticfootatanangleofforty—five，wasatreat.
　　Thedancebecameinspiriting，inspiring，intoxicating;and，whenthefiddlesatlastleftoff，thefeetwentonanothersevenbarsbytheenthusiasticimpulse.
　　Andso，alternatelyspinningyarns，singingsongs，dancing，andmakingfun，andminglingsomethingofheartandbraininall，thesebenightedcreaturesmadethemselveshappyinsteadofpeevish，andwithadayofstout，vigorous，healthypleasure，refreshed，indemnified，andwarmedthemselvesformanyadayoftoil.
　　SuchwerethetwopicnicsofInchCoombe，andtheserivalcliques，agreeinginnothingelse，wouldhaveagreedinthis：each，ifallowed（butwewon’talloweither）tojudgetheother，wouldhavepronouncedthesameverdict：
　　_"Ilsnesaventpasvivrecesgens—l’a."_
　　CHAPTERXI.
　　TwoofourpersonagesleftInchCoombelesshappythanwhentheycametoit.
　　LordIpsdenencounteredLadyBarbarawithMr.————，whohadjoinedherupontheisland.
　　Hefoundthemdiscoursing，asusual，abouttheshamsofthepresentday，andthesincerityofCromwellandMahomet，andhefoundhimself_detrop._
　　Theymadehim，forthefirsttime，regretthelossofthoseearnesttimeswhen，"toavoidtheinconvenienceofbothaddressingthesamelady，"youcouldcutarival’sthroatatonce，andbesmiledonbythefairandsociety.
　　Thatabook—makershouldblasphemehighcivilization，bywhichaloneheexists，andoneofwhosediseasesandflyingpainsheis，neithersurprisednormovedhim;butthatanyhumanbeing’sactionsshouldbeaffectedbysuchtempestuoustwaddlewasridiculous.
　　AndthatthewittyLadyBarbarashouldbecaughtbythischaffwasintolerable;hebegantofeelbitter.
　　Hehadtheblessingsofthepoor，thegoodopinionoftheworld;everylivingcreaturewasprepossessedinhisfavorbutone，andthatonedespisedhim;itwasadiabolicalprejudice;itwasthespitefulcapriceofhisfate.
　　Hisheart，foramoment，wasindangerofdeteriorating.Hewasmiserable;theDevilsuggestedtohim，"makeothersmiserabletoo;"andhelistenedtotheadvice.
　　Therewasafinebreeze，butinsteadofsailingonawind，ashemighthavedone，hemadeaseriesoftacks，andallwereill.
　　Theearnestmanfirst;andFluckerannouncedtheskipper’sinsanitytothewholetownofNewhaven，for，ofcourse，thesetackswereallmarinesolecisms.
　　TheotherdiscontentedPicnicianwasChristieJohnstone.Gattynevercame;andthis，coupledwithfiveorsixdays’previousneglect，couldnolongerpassunnoticed.
　　Hergayetyfailedherbeforetheafternoonwasended;andthelasttwohourswerespentbyheralone，watchingthewateronallsidesforhim.
　　Atlast，longafterthedepartureofhislordship’syacht，theNewhavenboatsailedfromInchCoombewiththeweddingparty.Therewasnowastrongbreeze，andthewatereverynowandthencameonboard.Sothemensettheforesailwithtworeefs，anddrewthemainsailoverthewomen;
　　andthere，astheyhuddledtogetherinthedark，JeanCarniediscoveredthatourgaystory—teller’seyeswerewetwithtears.
　　Jeansaidnothing;sheembracedher;andmadethemflowfaster.
　　But，whentheycamealongsidethepier，Jean，whowasthefirsttogetherheadfromunderthesail，whippeditbackagainandsaidtoChristie：
　　"Hereheis，Christie;dinnaspeaktillhim."
　　Andsureenoughtherewas，inthetwilight，withapalefaceandanuneasylook——Mr.CharlesGatty！
　　Hepeeredtimidlyintotheboat，and，whenhesawChristie，an"Ah！"thatseemedtomeantwentydifferentthingsatonce，burstfromhisbosom.Heheldouthisarmtoassisther.
　　Shecastonhimoneglanceofmutereproach，and，placingherfootontheboat’sgunwale，spranglikeanantelopeuponthepier，withoutacceptinghisassistance.
　　Beforegoingfurther，wemustgobackforthisboy，andconducthimfromwherewelefthimuptothepresentpoint.
　　ThemomenthefoundhimselfalonewithJeanCarnie，inhisownhouse，hebegantotellherwhattroublehewasin;howhismotherhadconvincedhimofhisimprudenceinfallinginlovewithChristieJohnstone;andhowsheinsistedonaconnectionbeingbrokenoffwhichhadgivenhimhisfirstglimpseofheavenuponearth，andwascontrarytocommonsense.
　　Jeanheardhimout，andthen，withtheairofalunatic—asylumkeepertoarhodomontadingpatient，toldhim"hewasonefool，andhismotherwasanother."Firstshetookhimuponthescoreofprudence.
　　"You，"saidshe，"areabeggarlypainter，withoutarap;Christiehashouses，boats，nets，andmoney;youareindebt;shelaysbymoneyeveryweek.Itisnotprudentonherparttotakeupwithyou——thebetteryourbargain，mylad."
　　Undertheheadofcommonsense，whichshemaintainedwasallonthesamesideofthequestion，shecalmlyinquired：
　　"Howcouldanoldwomanofsixtybecompetenttojudgehowfarhumanhappinessdependsonlove，whenshehasnoexperienceofthatpassion，andthereminiscencesofheryouthhavebecomedimanddark？Youmightaswellsetajudgeincourt，thathasforgottenthelaw——commonsense，"
　　saidshe，"theoldwifeissixty，andyouaretwenty——whatcanshedoforyouthefortyyearsyoumayreckontooutliveher？Whoistokeepyouthroughthosewearyyearsbutthewifeofyourownchoice，notyourmother’s？YouEnglishdoesnareadtheBible，orye’dkenthataladisto’leavehisfatherandmother，andcleaveuntilhiswife，’"addedshe;
　　thenwithgreatcontemptsherepeated，"commonsense，indeed！ye’refouwi’yourcommonsense;yehaethenameo’’tpateneuch——butthere’snamuckleo’thatmairchandiseinyourharns."
　　Gattywasastonished.What！wastherereallycommonsenseonthesideofbliss？andwhenJeantoldhimtojoinherpartyatInchCoombe，orneverlookherinthefaceagain，scalesseemedtofallfromhiseyes;and，withaheartthatturnedinamomentfromleadtoafeather，hevowedhewouldbeatInchCoombe.
　　HethenbeggedJeanonnoaccounttotellChristiethestrugglehehadbeensubjectedto，sincehisscrupleswerenowentirelyconquered.
　　Jeanacquiescedatonce，andsaid："Indeed，shewouldbeverysorrytogivethelassthatmucklepain."
　　Shehinted，moreover，thatherneebor’sspiritwassohigh，shewasquitecapableofbreakingwithhimatonceuponsuchanintimation;andshe，Jean，was"naemischief—maker."
　　Intheenergyofhisgratitude，hekissedthisdark—browedbeauty，professingtoseeinherasister.
　　Andshemadenoresistancetothiswayofshowinggratitude，butmutteredbetweenherteeth，"He’sjustabairn！"
　　Andsoshewentaboutherbusiness.
　　Onherretreat，hismotherreturnedtohim，and，withasadair，hopednothingthatthatrudegirlhadsaidhadweakenedhisfilialduty.
　　"No，mother，"saidhe.
　　Shethen，withoutexplaininghowshecameacquaintedwithJean’sarguments，proceededtodemolishthemonebyone.
　　"Ifyourmotherisoldandexperienced，"saidshe，"benefitbyherageandexperience.Shehasnotforgottenlove，northeillsitleadsto，whennotfortifiedbyprudence.Scripturesaysamanshallcleavetohiswifewhenhehaslefthisparents;butinmakingthat，themostimportantstepoflife，wheredoyoureadthatheistobreakthefifthcommandment？ButIdoyouwrong，Charles，younevercouldhavelistenedtothatvulgargirlwhenshetoldyouyourmotherwasnotyourbestfriend."
　　"N——no，mother，ofcoursenot."
　　"Thenyouwillnotgotothatplacetobreakmyheart，andundoallyouhavedonethisweek."
　　"Ishouldliketogo，mother."
　　"Youwillbreakmyheartifyoudo."
　　"Christiewillfeelherselfslighted，andshehasnotdeservedthistreatmentfromme."
　　"Theotherwillexplaintoher，andifsheisasgoodagirlasyousay——"
　　"Sheisanangel！"
　　"Howcanafishwifebeanangel？Well，then，shewillnotsetasontodisobeyhismother."
　　"Idon’tthinkshewould！butisallthegoodnesstobeonherside？"
　　"No，Charles，youdoyourpart;denyyourself，beanobedientchild，andyourmother’sblessingandtheblessingofHeavenwillrestuponyou."
　　Inshort，hewasnottogotoInchCoombe.
　　Hestayedathome，hismothersethimtowork;hemadeapoorhandofit，hewassowretched.Sheatlasttookcompassiononhim，andintheevening，whenitwasnowtoolateforasailtoInchCoombe，sheherselfrecommendedawalktohim.
　　Thepoorboy’sfeettookhimtowardNewhaven，notthathemeanttogotohislove，buthecouldnotforbearfromlookingattheplacewhichheldher.
　　Hewasabouttoreturn，whenaspaciousbluejackethailedhim.SomewhereinsidethisjacketwasMasterFlucker，whohadreturnedintheyacht，leavinghissisterontheisland.
　　Gattyinstantlypouredoutafloodofquestions.
　　Thebaddishboyreciprocatedfluency.Heinformedhim"thathissisterhadbeenthestarofagoodlycompany，andthat，herownladhavingstayedaway，shehadcondescendedtomakeaconquestoftheskipperhimself.
　　"Hehadcomeinquiteatthetag—endofoneofherstories，butithadbeensufficienttodohisbusiness——hehaddancedwithher，hadevenwhistledwhileshesung.（Hech，itwasbonny！）
　　"Andwhenthecuttersailed，he，Flucker，hadseenherperchedonarock，likeamermaid，watchingtheirprogress，whichhadbeenslow，becausetheskipper，infatuatedwithsosuddenapassion，hadmadeaseriesofungrammaticaltacks."
　　"Forhisparthewasglad，"saidthegraciousFlucker;"thelasswasapridefulhussy，thathadgivensometwentyladsasoreheartandhimmanyasoreback;andhehopedhisskipper，withwhomhenaturallyidentifiedhimselfratherthanwithhissister，wouldavengethemalesexuponher."
　　Inshort，hewentuponthistacktillhedrovepoorGattynearlymad.
　　Herewasanewfeelingsuperadded;atfirsthefeltinjured，butonreflectionwhatcauseofcomplainthadhe？
　　Hehadneglectedher;hemighthavebeenherpartner——hehadlefthertofindonewhereshecould.
　　Fool，tosupposethatsobeautifulacreaturewouldeverbeneglected——exceptbyhim！
　　Itwasmorethanhecouldbear.
　　Hedeterminedtoseeher，toaskherforgiveness，totellhereverything，tobeghertodecide，and，forhispart，hewouldabidebyherdecision.
　　ChristieJohnstone，aswehavealreadyrelated，declinedhisarm，spranglikeadeeruponthepier，andwalkedtowardherhome，aquarterofamiledistant.
　　Gattyfollowedher，disconsolately，hardlyknowingwhattodo.
　　Atlast，observingthatshedrewnearenoughtothewalltoallowroomforanotheronthecauseway，hehadjustnousenoughtocreepalongsideandpullhersleevesomewhattimidly.
　　"Christie，Iwanttospeaktoyou："
　　"Whatcanyehaetosaytillme？"
　　"Christie，Iamveryunhappy;andIwanttotellyouwhy，butIhavehardlythestrengthorthecourage."
　　"Yeshallcomebenmyhooseifyeareunhappy，andwe’llhearyourstory;
　　comeaway.
　　Hehadneverbeenadmittedintoherhousebefore.
　　Theyfounditcleanasasnowdrift.
　　Theyfoundabrightfire，andFluckerfryinginnumerablesteaks.
　　Thebaddishboyhadobtainedtheminhissister’snameandatherexpense，attheflesher’s，andclaimedcreditforhisaffection.
　　Potatoeshehadboiledintheirjackets，andsoskillfully，thatthosejacketshungbyathread.
　　Christielaidanunbleachedtable—cloth，thatsomehowlookedsweeterthanawhiteone，asbrownbreadissweeterthanwhite.
　　Butlo！Gattycouldnoteat;sothenChristiewouldnot，becauseherefusedhercheer.
　　Thebaddishboychuckled，andaddressedhimselftothenicebrownsteakswiththeirrichgravy.
　　OnsuchoccasionsasoloontheknifeandforkseemedbetterthanatriotothegraciousFlucker.
　　Christiemovedabouttheroom，doinglittlehouseholdmatters;Gatty’seyefollowedher.
　　Herbeautylostnothinginthissmallapartment;shewashere，likeabrilliantinsomequaint，roughsetting，whichallearth’sjewelersshoulddespise，andallitspoetsadmire，anditshouldshowoffthestoneandnotitself.
　　Herbeautyfilledtheroom，andalmostmadethespectatorsill.
　　Gattyaskedhimselfwhetherhecouldreallyhavebeensuchafoolastothinkofgivingupsopeerlessacreature.
　　Suddenlyanideaoccurredtohim，abrightone，andnotinconsistentwithatrueartist’scharacter——hewoulddeclinetoactinsodoubtfulacase.
　　Hewouldfloatpassivelydownthetideofevents——hewouldneitherdeserther，nordisobeyhismother;hewouldtakeeverythingasitcame，andtobegin，ashewasthere，hewouldforthepresentsaynothingbutwhathefelt，andwhathefeltwasthathelovedher.
　　Hetoldhersoaccordingly.
　　Shereplied，concealinghersatisfaction，"that，ifhelikedher，hewouldnothaverefusedtoeatwhensheaskedhim."
　　Butourhero’sappetitehadreturnedwithhischangeofpurpose，andheinstantlyvolunteeredtogivetherequiredproofofaffection.
　　Accordinglytwopoundofsteaksfellbeforehim.Poorboy，hehadhardlyeatenagenuinemealforaweekpast.
　　Christiesatoppositehim，andeverytimehelookedoffhisplatehesawherrichblueeyesdwellingonhim.
　　Everythingcontributedtowarmhisheart，heyieldedtothespell，hebecamecontented，happy，gay.
　　Fluckerginger—cordialedhim，hissisterbewitchedhim.
　　Sherelatedtheday’seventsinamerrymood.
　　Mr.Gattyburstforthintosinging.
　　Hesungtwolightandsombertrifles，suchasinthepresentdayaredeemedgenerallyencouragingtospirits，andparticularlyinaccordancewiththesentimentofsupper——theywereaboutDeathandIvyGreen.
　　Thedog’svoicewasnotverypowerful，butsweetandroundashoneydroppingfromthecomb.
　　Histwohearerswereentranced，forthecreaturesangwithaninspirationgoodsingersdarenotindulge.
　　HeconcludedbyinformingChristiethattheivywassymbolicalofher，andtheoakprefiguredCharlesGatty，Esq.
　　Hemighthaveinvertedthesimilewithmoretruth.
　　Inshort，heneversaidawordtoChristieaboutpartingwithher，butseveralaboutbeingburiedinthesamegravewithher，sixtyyearshence，forwhichthespotheselectedwasWestminsterAbbey.
　　Andawayhewent，leavinggoldenopinionsbehindhim.
　　ThenextdayChristiewassoaffectedwithhisconduct，comingasitdidafteranapparentcoolness，thatsheconqueredherbashfulnessandcalledonthe"vilecount，"andwithsomeblushesandhesitationinquired，"Whetherapainterladwasafitsubjectofcharity."
　　"Whynot？"saidhislordship.
　　ShetoldhimGatty’scase，andheinstantlypromisedtoseethatartist’spictures，particularlyan"awfu’bonnyane;"theheroofwhichshedescribedasanEnglishministerblessingthebairnswithonehand，andgivingorderstokillthepuirScoetchwiththeother.
　　"C’este’gal，"saidChristieinScotch，"it’sawfu’bonny."
　　Gattyreachedhomelate;hismotherhadretiredtorest.
　　Butthenextmorningshedrewfromhimwhathadhappened，andthenensuedanotherofthosedialogueswhichIamashamedagaintogivethereader.
　　Sufficeittosay，thatsheoncemoreprevailed，thoughwithfargreaterdifficulty;timewastobegivenhimtounsewaconnectionwhichhecouldnotcutasunder，andhe，withtearfuleyesandaheavyheart，agreedtotakesomesteptheveryfirstopportunity.
　　Thisconcessionwashardlyoutofhismouth，erehismothermadehimkneeldownandbestowedherblessinguponhim.
　　Hereceiveditcoldlyanddully，andexpressedalanguidhopeitmightproveacharmtosavehimfromdespair;andsad，bitter，anddejected，forcedhimselftositdownandworkonthepicturethatwastomeethisunrelentingcreditor’sdemand.
　　Hewasworkingonhispicture，andhismother，withherneedle，atthetable，whenaknockwasheard，andgayasalark，andfreshasthedewontheshamrock，ChristieJohnstonestoodinpersonintheapartment.
　　Shewasevidentlythebearerofgoodtidings;but，beforeshecouldexpressthem，Mrs.Gattybeckonedhersonaside，andannouncing，"sheshouldbewithinhearing，"badehimtaketheoccasionthatsohappilypresenteditself，andmakethefirststep.
　　Atanothertime，Christie，whohadlearnedfromJeanthearrivalofMrs.
　　Gatty，wouldhavebeenstruckwiththeoldlady’ssilence;butshecametotellthedepressedpainterthatthecharitableviscountwasabouttovisithimandhispicture;andshewassofullofthegoodfortunelikelytoensue，thatshewasneglectfulofminorconsiderations.
　　Itsohappened，however，thatcertaininterruptionspreventedherfromeverdeliveringherselfofthenewsinquestion.
　　First，Gattyhimselfcametoher，and，castinguneasyglancesatthedoorbywhichhismotherhadjustgoneout，said：
　　"Christie！"
　　"Mylad！"
　　"Iwanttopaintyourlikeness."
　　Thiswasfora_souvenir，_poorfellow！
　　"Hech！Iwadlikefinetobepainted."
　　"Itmustbeexactlythesamesizeasyourself，andsolikeyou，that，shouldwebeparted，Imayseemnottobequitealoneintheworld."
　　Herehewasobligedtoturnhisheadaway.
　　"Butwe’llnopairt，"repliedChristie，cheerfully."Supposeye’repuir，I’mrich，andit’sa’one;dinnabesocastdownforauchtypund."
　　Atthis，aslipshodservantentered，andsaid："There’safisherlad，inquiringforChristieJohnstone."
　　"ItwillbeFlucker，"saidChristie;"showhimben.What’swrangthenooIwonder！"
　　Thebaddishboyentered，tookupapositionandremainedapparentlypassive，handsinpockets.
　　_Christie._"Aweel，whatest？"
　　_Flucker._"Custy."
　　_Christie._"What’syourwill，mymanny？"
　　_Flucker._"Custy，IwasatInchKeiththeday."
　　_Christie._"AndhaeyereallycometoEdinbro’totellmethaat？"
　　_Flucker（dryly）._"Oh！yekenthelassesareahantlewiserthanweare——willyehearme？SouthInchKeith，Iplayedabowli’thewater，justfordivairsion——andIcatchedtwarreefish！"
　　_Christie._"Floonders，Ibet."
　　_Flucker._"Doesfloondersswimhigh？I’llletyouseehisgills，andifyeareareichtfishwifeye’llsmellbluid."
　　Hereheopenedhisjacket，andshowedabrightlittlefish.
　　InamomentallChristie’snonchalancegavewaytoafieryanimation.ShedartedtoFlucker’sside.
　　"Yehaenabeensaedaftastell？"askedshe.
　　Fluckershookhisheadcontemptuously.
　　"Onybirdsattheisland，Flucker？"
　　"Sea—maws，plenty，andabirdIdinnaken;hemoontedsaehigh，thendoonlikethunderintilthesea，andgartthewaterfleeashighasHaman，andporpoisesasbigasmyboat."
　　"Porr—poises，fulishladdy——yehaeseentheherrinwhaleathiswark，andthesolantguseyehaeseenheratwark;andbeneaththesea，Flucker，everycoedflshanddoegfish，andfishthathasteeth，isafterthem;andhalfScotlandwadbeatInchKeithIslandiftheykennedwhatyehaetell’tme——dinnaspeaktome."
　　Duringthis，Gatty，whodidnotcomprehendthissuddenexcitement，orthoughtitchildish，hadtriedinvaintowinherattention.
　　Atlasthesaid，alittlepeevishly，"Willyounotattendtome，andtellmeatleastwhenyouwillsittome？"
　　Set！"criedshe."Whenthere’snaewarktobedonestanning."
　　Andwiththisshewasgone.
　　Atthefootofthestairs，shesaidtoherbrother：
　　"Puirlad！I’llsunedrawauchtypundsfra’theseaforhim，withmyfeyther’snets."
　　Asshedisappeared，Mrs.Gattyappeared."Andthisisthewomanwhosemindwasnotinherdirtybusiness，"criedshe."Doesnotthatopenyoureyes，Charles？"
　　"Ah！Charles，"addedshe，tenderly，"there’snofriendlikeamother."
　　Andoffshecarriedtheprize——hisvanityhadbeenmortified.
　　AndsothathappenedtoChristieJohnstonewhichhasbefallenmanyawoman——thegreatnessofherlovemadethatloveappearsmalltoherlover.
　　"Ah！mother，"criedhe，"Imustliveforyouandmyart;IamnotsodeartoherasIthought."
　　Andso，withasadheart，heturnedawayfromher;whileshe，withalightheart，dartedawaytothinkandactforhim.
　　CHAPTERXII.
　　ITwassometwohoursafterthisthatagentleman，plainlydressed，butwhoseclothesseemedapartofhimself（whereasmineIhaveobservedhanguponme;andtheRev.JosiahSplitall’ssticktohim）——glidedintothepainter’sroom，withaninquirywhetherhehadnotapictureortwodisposable.
　　"Ihaveonefinishedpicture，sir，"saidthepoorboy;"butthepriceishigh！"
　　Hebroughtit，inafaint—heartedway;forhehadshownittofivepicture—dealers，andallfiveagreeditwashard.
　　Hehadpaintedalime—tree，distantfiftyyards，andsopainteditthatitlookedsomethinglikealime—treefiftyyardsoff.
　　"Thatwas_mesquin，"_saidhisjudges;"thepoetryofpaintingrequiredabstracttrees，atmetaphysicaldistance，notthevarioustreesofnature，astheyappearunderpositiveaccidents."
　　OnthisMr.Gattyhaddelugedthemwithwords.
　　"Whenitisart，truth，orsensetofuseacow，ahorse，andacriticintooneundistinguishablequadruped，withsixlegs，thenitwillbearttomeltanash，anelm，andalime，thingsthatdiffermorethanquadrupeds，intowhatyoucallabstracttrees，thatanymanwhohasseenatree，aswellaslookedatone，wouldcalldrunkenstinging—nettles.
　　You，whoneverlookatnature，howcanyoujudgethearts，whichareallbutcopiesofnature？Attwohundredyards’distance，full—growntreesaremoredistinguishablethantheanimaltribe.Paintmeanabstracthumanbeing，neithermannorawoman，"saidhe，"andthenIwillagreetopaintatreethatshallbenotree;and，ifnomanwillbuyit，perhapsthefatheroflieswilltakeitoffmyhands，andhangitintheonlyplaceitwouldnotdisgrace."
　　Inshort，heneverleftofftillhehadcrushedthenon—buyerswitheloquenceandsatire;buthecouldnotcrushthemintobuyers——theybeathimatthepassiveretort.
　　PoorGatty，whenthemomentaryexcitementofargumenthadsubsided，drankthebittercupallmustdrinkawhile，whosebarkisaliveandstrongenoughtostemthecurrentdownwhichthedead，weakthingsoftheworldaredrifting，manyofthemintosafeharbors.
　　Andnowhebroughtouthispicturewithaheavyheart.
　　"Now，"saidhetohimself，"thisgentlemanwilltalkmedead，andleavemenoricherincoin，andpoorerintimeandpatience."
　　Thepicturewasplacedinalight，thevisitorsatdownbeforeit.
　　Alongpauseensued.
　　"Hashefainted？"thoughtGatty，ironically;"hedoesn’tgabble."
　　"Ifyoudonotmindpaintingbeforeme，"saidthevisitor，"IshouldbegladifyouwouldcontinuewhileIlookintothispicture."
　　Gattypainted.
　　Thevisitorheldhistongue.
　　Atfirstthesilencemadetheartistuneasy，butbydegreesitbegantogivehimpleasure;whoeverthiswas，itwasnotoneofthefliesthathadhithertostunghim，northejackdawsthathadchatteredhimdead.
　　Glorioussilence！hebegantopaintunderitsinfluencelikeoneinspired.
　　Halfanhourpassedthus.
　　"Whatisthepriceofthisworkofart？"
　　"Eightypounds."
　　"Itakeit，"saidhisvisitor，quietly.
　　What，nomoredifficultythanthat？Hefeltalmostdisappointedatgaininghisobjectsoeasily.
　　"Iamobligedtoyou，sir;muchobligedtoyou，"headded，forhereflectedwhateightypoundsweretohimjustthen.
　　"Itismydescendantswhoareobligedtoyou，"repliedthegentleman;
　　"thepictureisimmortal！"
　　Thesewordswereanepochinthepainter’slife.
　　Thegrave，silentinspectionthathadprecededthem，thecool，deliberate，masterlytoneinwhichtheyweresaid，madethemoraculartohim.
　　Wordsofsuchimporttookhimbysurprise.
　　Hehadthirstedforaveragepraiseinvain.
　　Ahandhadtakenhim，andplacedhimatthetopofthetree.
　　Heretiredabruptly，orhewouldhaveburstintotears.
　　Herantohismother.
　　"Mother，"saidhe，"Iamapainter;Ialwaysthoughtsoatbottom，butI
　　supposeitistheheightofmyideasmakesmediscontentedwithmywork."
　　"Whathashappened？’
　　"Thereisacriticinmyroom.Ihadnoideatherewasacriticinthecreation，andthereisoneinmyroom.
　　"Hasheboughtyourpicture，mypoorboy？"saidMrs.Gatty，distrustfully.
　　Tohersurprisehereplied：
　　"Yes！hehasgotit;onlyeightypoundsforanimmortalpicture."
　　Mrs.Gattywasoverjoyed，Gattywasalittlesad;but，reviving，heprofessedhimselfglad;thepicturewasgoingtoajudge.
　　"Itisnotmuchmoney，"saidhe，"butthemanhasspokenwordsthataretenthousandpoundstome."
　　Hereturnedtotheroom;hisvisitor，hatinhand，wasabouttogo;afewwordswerespokenabouttheartofpainting，thisledtoaconversation，andthentoashortdiscussion.
　　ThenewcomersoonshowedMr.CharlesGattyhisignoranceoffacts.
　　Thismanhadsatquietlybeforeamultitudeofgreatpictures，newandold，inEngland.
　　HecooleddownCharlesGatty，Esq.，monopolistofnatureandtruth.
　　HequotedtohimthirtypaintersinGermany，whopainteverystrokeofalandscapeintheopenair，andfortyinvariousnationswhohaddoneitintimespast.
　　"You，sir，"hewenton，"appeartohangontheskirtsofacertainclique，whohandlethebrushwell，butdrawill，andlookatnaturethroughthespectaclesofcertainignorantpainterswhospoiledcanvasfourhundredyearsago.
　　"Gonofurtherinthatdirection.
　　"Thoseboys，likeallquacks，haveonegreattruthwhichtheydisfigurewithmorethanonefalsehood.
　　"Holdfasttheirtruth，whichisatruththeworldhasalwayspossessed，thoughitspracticehasbeenconfinedtothehonestandlaboriousfew.
　　"Eschewtheirwantofmindandtaste.
　　"Shrinkwithhorrorfromthatprofane_cultedelaideur，_that’loveofthelopsided，’theyhaverecoveredfromthefoulreceptaclesofdecayedart."
　　Heremindedhimfurther，that"Artisnotimitation，butillusion;thataplumberandglazierofourdayandamedievalpainteraremorealikethananytworepresentativesofgeneralstylesthatcanbefound;andforthesamereason，namely，thatwitheachoftheseartisinitsinfancy;thesetwosetsofbunglershavenotlearnedhowtoproducetheillusionsofart."
　　Toallthisheaddedafewwordsofcomplimentonthemind，aswellasmechanicaldexterity，ofthepurchasedpicture，badehimgoodmorning，andglidedawaylikeapassingsunbeam.
　　"Amother’sblessingisagreatthingtohave，andtodeserve，"saidMrs.
　　Gatty，whohadrejoinedherson.
　　"Itis，indeed，"saidCharles.Hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbythecoincidence.
　　Hehadmadeasacrificetohismother，andinafewhoursoneofhistroubleshadmeltedaway.
　　InthemidstofthesereflectionsarrivedMr.Saunderswithanote.
　　Thenotecontainedacheckforonehundredandfiftypounds，withtheselines，inwhichthewriterexcusedhimselffortheamendment："Iamapaintermyself，"saidhe，"anditisimpossiblethateightypoundscanremuneratethetimeexpendedonthispicture，tosaynothingoftheskill."
　　Wehavetreatedthispoorboy’spicturehithertowithjustcontempt，butnowthatitisgoneintoafamouscollection，mind，wealwaysadmiredit;
　　wealwayssaidso，wetakeouroathwedid;ifwehavehithertodeferredframingit，thatwasmerelybecauseitwasnotsold.
　　MR.GATTY’SPICTURE，ATPRESENTINTHECOLLECTIONOFLORDIPSDEN！
　　Therewas，hundredsofyearsago，acertainBishopofDurham，whousedtofightinpersonagainsttheScotch，anddefeatthem.Whenhewasnotwithhisflock，thenorthernwolvessometimesscatteredit;butwhentheholyfatherwastherewithhisprayersandhisbattle—ax，Englandwontheday！
　　ThisnettledtheScottishking，sohepenetratedoneday，withalargeband，asfarasDurhamitself，andforashorttimeblockedtheprelateupinhisstronghold.ThiswastheperiodofMr.Gatty’spicture.
　　Whosetitlewas：
　　_"HalfChurchofGod，halfToweragainsttheScot."_
　　Inthebackgroundwasthecathedral，onthetowersofwhichpacedtoandfromeninarmor，withthewesternsunglitteringthereon.Inthecenter，ahorseandcart，ledbyaboy，werecarryingasheafofarrows，tiedwithastrawband.Inpartoftheforegroundwastheprelate，inahalfsuitofarmor，butbareheaded;hewasturningawayfromtheboytowhomhissinkinghandhadindicatedhiswayintotheholycastle，andhisbenignantglancerestedonachild，whomitsmotherwasholdingupforhisbenediction.Intheforegroundtheafternoonbeamssprinkledgoldonalonggrassyslope，correspondingtotheelevationonwhichthecathedralstood，separatedbytheriverWearfromthegroup;andthesecalmbeautiesofNature，withthemotherandchild，werethepeacefulsideofthistwofoldstory.
　　Sucharethedrydetails.Butthesoulofitscharmnopencanflingonpaper.Forthestatelycathedralstoodandlived;thelittleleavesslumberedyetlived;andthestoryfloatedandlived，inthepotablegoldofsummerafternoon.
　　Tolookatthispaintedpoemwastofeelathrillofpleasureinbareexistence;itwentthroughtheeyes，wherepaintingsstop，andwarmedthedepthsandrecessesoftheheartwithitssunshineanditsgloriousair.
　　CHAPTERXIII.
　　"WHATisinthewindthisdarknight？SixNewhavenboatsandtwentyboysandhobbledehoys，hiredbytheJohnstonesathalfacrowneachforanight’sjob."
　　"Secretservice！"
　　"Whatisitfor？"
　　"Ithinkitisasmugglinglay，"suggestedFlucker，"butweshallknowallingoodtime."
　　"Smuggling！"Theircountenancesfell;theyhadhopedforsomethingmorenearlyapproachingtheillegal.
　　"Maybeshehasfandtheherrin’，"saidaten—year—old.
　　"Haw！haw！haw！"wenttheothers."Shefindtheherrin’，whenthere’sfivehundredfishermenafterthembaithsidestheFirrth."
　　Theyoungsterwasdiscomfited.
　　Infacttheexpeditionborenosignsoffishing.
　　Thesixboatssailedatsundown，ledbyFlucker.HebroughttoonthesouthsideofInchKeith，andnothinghappenedforaboutanhour.
　　ThensuchboysaswereawakesawtwogreateyesoflightcomingupfromGranton;rattlewentthechaincable，andLordIpsden’scutterswungatanchorinfourfathomwater.
　　AthousandquestionstoFlucker.
　　Asinglepuffoftobacco—smokewashisanswer.
　　AndnowcreptupasingleeyeoflightfromLeith;shecameamongtheboats;theboysrecognizedacrazyoldcutterfromLeithharbor，withChristieJohnstoneonboard.
　　"Whatisthatbrownheaponherdeck？"
　　"Amountainofnets——fiftystoutherring—nets."
　　_Tuncmanifestafides._
　　Ayellburstfromalltheboys.
　　"He’sgauntotakustoDunbar."
　　"Halfacrown！ye’renoblate."
　　Christieorderedtheboatsalongsidehercutter，andfivenetsweredroppedintoeachboat，sixintoFlucker’s.
　　Thedepthofthewaterwasgiventhem，andtheywereinstructedtoshoottheirnetssoastokeepafathomandahalfabovetherockybottom.
　　Aherringnetissimplyawallofmeshestwelvefeetdeep，fiftyfeetlong;itsinkstoaverticalpositionbytheweightofnettwine，andiskeptfromsinkingtothebottomoftheseabybladdersorcorks.Thesenetsaretiedtooneanother，andpaidoutatthesternoftheboat.Boatandnetsdriftwiththetide;if，therefore，thenetstouchedtherockstheywouldbetorntopieces，andthefishermanruined.
　　Andthissavestheherring——thatfishlieshoursandhoursattheverybottomofthesealikeastone，andthepoorfishermanshalldrivewithhisnetsayardortwooverasquaremileoffish，andnotcatchaherringtail;ontheotherhand，iftheyrisetoplayforfiveminutes，inthatfiveminutestheyshallfillsevenhundredboats.
　　Atnineo’clockalltheboatshadshottheirnets，andChristiewentalongsidehislordship’scutter;heaskedhermanyquestionsaboutherringfishery，towhichshegaveclearanswers，derivedfromherfather，whohadalwaysbeenwhatthefishermencallaluckyfisherman;
　　thatis，hehadopenedhiseyesandjudgedforhimself.
　　LordIpsdenthengaveherbluelightstodistributeamongtheboats，thatthefirstwhichcaughtherringmightsignalallhands.
　　Thiswasdone，andallwasexpectation.Eleveno’clockcame——nosignalfromanyboat.
　　Christiebecameanxious.Atlastshewentroundtotheboats;foundtheboysallasleepexceptthebaddishboy;wakedthemup，andmadethemallhaulintheirfirstnet.Thenetscameinasblackasink，nosignofaherring.
　　Therewasbutoneopinion;therewasnoherringatInchKeith;theyhadnotbeentherethissevenyears.
　　Atlast，Flucker，towhomshecameinturn，toldherhewasgoingintotwofathomwater，wherehewouldletoutthebladdersanddropthenetsontheircursedbacks.
　　AstrongremonstrancewasmadebyChristie，butthebaddishboyinsistedthathehadanequalrightinallhernets，and，settinghissail，heranintoshoalwater.
　　Christiebegantobesorrowful;insteadofmakingmoney，shewasgoingtothrowitaway，andthene’er—do—weelFluckerwouldtearsixnetsfromtheropes.
　　Fluckerhauleddownhissail，andunsteppedhismastintwofathomwater;
　　buthewasnotsuchafoolastoriskhissixnets;hedevotedonetohisexperiment，anddiditwell;heletouthisbladderlineafathom，sothatonehalfhisnetwouldliterallybehiggledy—piggledywiththerocks，unlessthefishwerethere_enmasse._
　　Nolongtimewasrequired.
　　Infiveminuteshebegantohaulinthenet;first，theboyshauledintherope，andthenthenetbegantoapproachthesurface.Fluckerlookedanxiouslydown，theotherladsincredulously;suddenlytheyallgaveayelloftriumph——anappearanceofsilverandlightningmixedhadglancedupfromthebottom;incamethefirsttwoyardsofthenet——therewerethreeherringsinit.ThesethreeprovedFlucker’spointaswellasthreemillion.
　　Theyhauledinthenet.Beforetheyhadaquarterofitin，thenetcameuptothesurface，andtheseawasalivewithmoltensilver.Theupperhalfofthenetwasempty，butthelowerhalfwasonesolidmassoffish.
　　Theboyscouldnotfindamesh，theyhadnothingtohandlebutfish.
　　Atthismomenttheeasternmostboatshowedabluelight.
　　"Thefisharerising，"saidFlucker，"we’llnarisknaemairnets."
　　Soonafterthisasortofsongwasheardfromtheboatthathadshowedalight.Flucker，whohadgothisnetin，randowntoher，andfound，ashesuspected，thattheboyshadnotpowertodrawtheweightoffishoverthegunwale.
　　Theyweresinging，assailorsdo，thattheymightallpulltogether;hegavethemtwoofhiscrew，andrandowntohisownskipper.
　　Thesaidskippergavehimfourmen.
　　Anotherbluelight！
　　Christieandhercrewcamealittlenearertheboats，andshottwelvenets.
　　Theyachtsmenenteredthesportwithzeal，sodidhislordship.
　　Theboatswereallfullinafewminutes，andnetsstillout.
　　ThenFluckerbegantofearsomeofthesenetswouldsinkwiththeweightoffish;fortheherringdieafterawhileinanet，andadeadherringsinks.
　　Whatwastobedone？
　　Theygottwoboatsalongsidethecutter，andunloadedthemintoheraswellastheycould;butbeforetheycouldhalfdothistheotherboatshailedthem.
　　Theycametooneofthem;theboyswerestrugglingwithathingwhichnostrangerwouldhavedreamedwasanet.
　　Imagineawhitesheet，fiftyfeetlong，varnishedwithred—hotsilver.
　　Thereweretwentybarrelsinthissinglenet.Bydintoffreshhandstheygothalfofherin，andthenthemeshesbegantobreak;themenleanedoverthegunwale，andputtheirarmsroundblocksandmassesoffish，andsoflungthemonboard;andthecodfishanddogfishsnappedthemalmostoutofthemen’shandsliketigers.
　　Atlasttheycametoanetwhichwasadoublewallofherring;ithadbeensometimeinthewater，andmanyofthefishweredead;theytriedtheirbest，butitwasimpracticable;theylaidholdofthesolidherring，andwhentheyliftedupahundred—weightclearofthewater，awayitalltore，andsankbackagain.
　　Theywereobligedtocutawaythisnet，withtwentypoundssterlinginher.Theycutawaythetwinefromthehead—ropes，andnetandfishwenttothebottom.
　　Allhandswerenowaboutthecutter;Christie’snetswereallstrongandnew;theyhadbeensometimeinthewater;inhaulingthemupherside，quantitiesoffishfelloutofthenetintothewater，buttherewereenoughleft.
　　Sheaveragedtwelvebarrelsanet.
　　Suchoftheyawlsaswerenotquitefullcreptbetweenthecutterandthenets，andcaughtalltheywanted.
　　Theprojectorofthisfortunatespeculationsuddenlyannouncedthatshewasverysleepy.
　　Fluckerrolledherupinasail，andshesleptthesleepofinfancyonboardhercutter.
　　Whensheawokeitwasseveno’clockinthemorning，andhercutterwascreepingwithasmartbreezeabouttwomilesanhour，amilefromNewhavenpier.
　　TheyachthadreturnedtoGranton，andtheyawls，verylowinthewater，werecreepingalonglikesnails，withbothsailsset.
　　ThenewswasinEdinburghlongbeforetheylanded.TheyhadbeendiscernedunderInchKeithatthedawn.
　　Andthemanneroftheircreepingalong，whentherewassuchabreeze，toldthetaleatoncetothekeen，experiencedeyesthataresuretobescanningthesea.
　　Donkey—cartscamerattlingdownfromthecapital.
　　MerchantscamepeltingdowntoNewhavenpier.