Thestalk’sgottobegreen，andhereistheverygreensilkmotherwalkedbridein，andLoveyandIhadroundaboutsofitafterwards。
　　Shehadthechicken-poxwhenwewasaboutfouryearsold，andoneofthefirstthingsIcanrememberisclimbingupandlookingovermother’sfootboardatLovey，allspeckled。
　　Motherhadlethersliponhernewgreenroundaboutoverhernightgown，justtopacifyher，andthereshesetplayingwiththekittenReubenGrangerhadbroughther。
　　Hewasonlytenyearsoldthen，buthe’dbeguncourtingLovice。
　　"TheGrangers’farmjoinedours。Theyhadelevenchildren，andmotherandfatherhadthirteen，andwewasalwaysplayingtogether。
　　Motherusedtotellafunnystoryaboutthat。Wewerealllittleyoungonesandlookedprettymuchalike，soshedidn’ttakemuchnoticeofusinthedaytimewhenwewasrunningout’n’in;butatnightwhentheturn-upbedsteadinthekitchenwastakendownandthetrundle-bedswerefull，sheusedtocountusover，toseeifwewereallthere。
　　Onenight，whenshe’dcountedthirteenandsetdowntohersewing，fathercomeinandaskedifMoseswasallright，foroneoftheneighborshadseenhimplayingsideoftheriveraboutsupper-time。Motherknewshe’dcountedusstraight，butshewentroundwithacandletomakesure。
　　Now，Mr。Grangerhadaheadasredasashumacbush;andwhenshecarriedthecandleclosetothebedstotakeanothertally，therewasthirteenchildren，sureenough，butiftherewa’n’tared-headedGrangerrightinamongstourboysintheturn-upbedstead！
　　WhilefathersetoutonahuntforourMoses，motheryankedthesleepylittlered-headedGrangerouto’themiddleandtookhimhome，andfatherfoundMosesasleeponapileofshavingsunderthejoiner’sbench。
　　"Theydon’thavesuchfamiliesnowadays。Onetimewhenmeasleswentalloverthevillage，theynevercametous，andJabeSlocumsaidtherewa’n’tenoughmeaslestogothroughtheDennettfamily，sotheydidn’tstartinon’em。There，Iain’tgoingtofinishthestalk;
　　I’mgoingtodrawinalittlehereandthereallovertherug，whileI’minthesperitofplannin’it，andthenitwillbeplainworkofmatchingcolorsandfillingout。
　　"Youseethestalkismother’sdress，andtheoutsidegreenofthemossrosesisthesamegoods，onlyit’sourroundabouts。
　　Imeanttomake’emred，whenImarkedthepattern，andthenfilloutround’emwithalightcolor;butnowI
　　ain’tsatisfiedwithanythingbutwhite，fornothingwilldointhemiddleoftherugbutourwhiteweddingdresses。
　　Ishallhavetofillindark，then，ormixed。Well，thatwon’tbeoutoftheway，ifit’sgoingtobeatrueragstory;
　　forLovey’slifewentoutaltogether，andminehasn’tbeenanytoogay。
　　"I’llbeginonLovey’srosefirst。Shewastheprettiestandtheliveliestgirlinthevillage，andshehadmorebeauxthanyoucouldshakeastickat。Igenerallyhadtotakewhatsheleftover。
　　ReubenGrangerwascrazyaboutherfromthetimeshewasknee-high;
　　butwhenhewentawaytoBangortostudyfortheministry，theothershaditalltheirownway。Shewasonlyseventeen;
　　shehadn’teverexperiencedreligion，andshewasmischeevousasakitten。
　　"Yourememberyoulaughed，thismorning，whenMr。BascomtoldaboutHogsheadJowett？Well，heusedtowanttokeepcompanywithLovey;butshecouldn’tabidehim，andwheneverhecometocourthersheclim’intoahogshead，andhidtillafterhe’dgone。
　　Theboysfounditout，andusedtocallhim’HogsheadJowett。"
　　HewasthebiggestfoolinFoxboro’FourCorners;andthat’ssayingconsid’able，forFoxboro’isfamousforitsfools，andalwayshasbeen。Therewasthirteenof’emthereoneyear。
　　TheysayamancomeoutfromPortland，andwhenhegotasfurasFoxboro’hekep’inquiringthewaytoDunstan;andIdeclareifhedidn’tmeetthemthirteenfools，oneafteranother，standingintheirfrontdooryardsreadytoanswerquestions。
　　WhenhegottoDunstan，sayshe，’FortheLord’ssake，whatkindofavillageisthatI’vejustwentthrough？
　　Bethey_all_foolsthere？’
　　"HogsheadwasscairttodeathwheneverhecometoseeLovice。
　　Onenight，whenhe’dbeenthereonce，andshe’dhid，asshealwaysdone，hecomebackasecondtime，andshewenttothedoor，notmistrustingitwashim。’Didyouforgetanything？’
　　saysshe，sparklingoutathimthroughalittlecrack。
　　Hewasalltakenabackbyseeingher，andhestammeredout，’Yes，Iforgotmyhan’k’chief;butitdon’tmakenoodds，forIdidn’tpayoutbutfifteencentsforittwoyearago，andIdon’tmakenouseofit’ceptinstowipemynoseon。’
　　Howwedidlaughoverthat！Well，hehadaconvictionofsinprettysoonafterwards，andp’r’apsithelpedhisheadsome;
　　atanyratehequitfarming，andbecomeaBullockitepreacher。
　　"Itseemsodd，whenLovicewa’n’taperfessorherself，sheshouldhavedrawedthemostpiousyoungmeninthevillage，butshedid：shehadgoodOrthodoxbeaux，FreeandCloseBaptists，MilleritesandAdventists，allonherstringtogether;
　　sheevenhadoneCochranite，thoughthesecthadmostlydiedout。
　　ButwhenReubenGrangercomehome，afull-feathered-outminister，heseemedtostrikeherfancyasheneverhadbefore，thoughtheywerealwaysgoodfriendsfromchildren。Hehadlighthairandblueeyesandfairskin（hisbusinessbeingundercoverkep’
　　himbleachedout），andheandLoveymadetheprettiestcoupleyoueversee;forshewasdarkcomplected，andhercheeksnootherwaysthanscarlitthewholedurin’time。Shehadachangeofheartthatwinter;infactshehadtwoof’em，forshechangedhersforReuben’s，andfoundahopeatthesametime。
　　’Twasagoodhonestconversion，too，thoughshedidsaytomeshewasafraidthatifReubenhadn’ttaughtherwhatlovewasormightbe，she’dneverhavefoundoutenoughaboutittoloveGodasshe’doughtto。
　　"There，I’vebegunbothroses，andhersis’boutfinished。
　　Isha’n’thavemore’nenoughwhitealapaca。It’sluckythemothssparedonebreadthoftheweddingdresses;
　　wewasmarriedonthesameday，youknow，anddressedjustalike。
　　Jotwa’n’tquitereadytobemarried，forhewa’n’tanymoreforehanded’boutthatthanhewas’boutotherthings;
　　butItoldhimLoveyandIhadkeptupwitheachotherfromthestart，andhe’dgottofallintolineordropouto’
　　thepercession。——Nowwhatnext？"
　　"Wasn’tthereanybodyattheweddingbutyouandLovice？"
　　askedPriscilla，withanamusedsmile。
　　"Land，yes！Themeeting-housewascramjamfull。Oh，tobesure！
　　Iknowwhatyou’redrivingat！Well，IhavetolaughtothinkIshouldhaveforgotthehusbands！They’llhavetobeworkedintothestory，certain;butit’llbeconsid’ableofachore，forIcan’tmakeflowersoutofcoatandpantsstuff，andthereain’tanymoreflowersonthisbranchanyway。"
　　Diademasatforafewminutesinraptthought，andthenmadeasuddeninspireddashupstairs，whereMissHollispresentlyheardherrummaginginanoldchest。
　　Shesooncamedown，triumphant。
　　"Wa’n’titaprovidenceIsavedJot’sandReuben’sweddingties！
　　Andheretheyare，——oneyellowandgreenmixed，andonebrown。
　　DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodo？I’mgoingtodrawinabutterflyhoveringoverthemtworoses，andmakeitoutoftheneckties，——
　　greenwithbrownspots。That’llbringinthehusbands;andland！
　　Iwouldn’thaveeitherof’emknowitfortheworld。I’lltakeapatternofthatlunarmothyoupinnedonthecurtainyesterday。"
　　MissHollissmiledinspiteofherself。"Youhavesomeveryingeniousideasandsomeveryprettythoughts，Mrs。Bascom，doyouknowit？"
　　"It’sthefirsttimeIeverheardtellofit，"
　　saidDiademacheerfully。"Loveywasthepretty-spoken，pretty-appearingone;Iwasalwaysplainandpractical。WhileIthinkofit，I’lldrawinalittlemiteofthisredintomycarnationpink。
　　ItwasaredscarfReubenbroughtLoveyfromPortland。
　　Itwasthefirstthingheevergiveher，andauntHittysaidifoneoftheAbelGrangersgiveawayanythingthatcostmoney，itmeantbusiness。Thatwasallfol-de-rol，forthereneverwasamoreliberalhusband，thoughhewasapoorminister;
　　butthentheyalways_are_poor，withoutthey’rerich;
　　theredon’tseemtobeanyhalfwayinministers。
　　"Wewasbothluckythatway。Thereain’tastingyboneinJotBascom’sbody。Hedon’tmakemuchmoney，butwhathedoesmakegoesintothebureaudrawer，andtheonethatneedsitmosttakesitout。
　　HeneverasksmewhatIdonewiththelastfivecentshegiveme。
　　You’veneverbeenmarriedMissHollis，andyouain’tengaged，soyoudon’tknowmuchaboutit;butItellyouthere’saheapo’
　　foolishnesstalkedabouthusbands。Ifyougettheoneyoulikeyourself，Idon’tknowasitmattersifalltheotherwomenfolksintowndon’thappentolikehimaswellasyoudo;theyain’tcalledontodothat。
　　Theyseethefaceheturnstothem，nottheoneheturnstoyou。
　　Jotain’taverygoodprovider，norheain’tamanthat’smuchuseroundafarm，buthe’ssuchafav’riteIcan’tblamehim。
　　There’sonething：whenhedoescomehomehe’sgotsomethingtosay，andhe’salwaysaslivelyasacricket，andsmilingasabasketofchips。
　　Ilikeamanthat’sgoodcomp’ny，evenifheain’tsoforehanded。
　　Thereain’tanythingspeciallylovableaboutforehandedness，whenyoucometothat。Ishouldn’teverfeeldrawedtoamanbecausehewasontimewithhiswork。He’sgotsuchpleasantways，Jothas！
　　Theotherafternoonhedidn’tgethomeearlyenoughtomilk;
　　andafterIdonethetwocows，Isplitthekindlingandbroughtinthewood，forIknewhe’dwanttogotothetavernandtelltheboys’bouttherobberyuptoBoylston。Thereain’tanybodybutJotinthisvillagethathaswitenoughtofindoutwhat’sgoingon，andtellitinanint’restingwayroundthetavernfire。
　　Andhecandoitwithoutbeingfullofcider，too;hedon’tneedanyapplejuicetolimber_his_tongue！
　　"Well，whenhecomein，heseethepailsofmilk，andthefullwood-box，andthesupperlaidoutunderthescreenclothonthekitchentable，andhecomeuptomeatthesink，andsayshe，’Diademy，you’rethebestwifeinthiscounty，andthebrightestjewelinmycrown，——that’swhat_you_are！’
　　（HegotthatideaoutofaduethesingswithAlmiryBerry。）
　　NowI’dliketoknowwhetherthatain’tpleasanterthan’tistohaveamandoalltheshed’n’barnworkupsmart，andthensetroundthestovelookingasdolefulasalastyear’sbird’snest？Takemyadvice，MissHollis：
　　getagoodproviderifyoucan，butanyhowtrytofindyouahusbandthat’llkeeponcourtingalittlenowandthen，whenheain’ttoobusy;itsmoothsthingsconsid’ableroundthehouse。
　　"There，Igotsoint’restedinwhatIwassaying，I’vewentonandfinishedthecarnation，andsomeofthestem，too。
　　Nowwhatcomesnext？Why，thethingthathappenednext，ofcourse，andthatwaslittleJot。
　　"I’llworkinabudonmyroseandoneonLovey’s，andmybud’llbemadeofJot’sfirsttrousers。Thegoodsain’tveryappropriateforarosebud，butit’llhavetodo，fortheideeisthemostimportantthinginthisrug。
　　WhenIputhimintopants，Ihadn’tanyclothinthehouse，anditwassuchbadgoingJotcouldn’tgettoWarehamtobuymeanything;soImade’emoutofanoldgraycashmereskirt，andlined’emwithflannel。"
　　"Budsaregenerallythesamecolorastheroses，aren’tthey？"venturedPriscilla。
　　"Idon’tcareiftheybe，"saidDiademaobstinately。
　　"What’stohenderthisbud’sbein’graftedon？Mrs。GrangerwasasblackasanInjun，butthelittleGrangerchildrenwereallred-headed，fortheytookaftertheirfather。
　　ButIdon’tknow;you’vekindo’gotmeouto’conceitwithit。
　　Is’poseIcouldhavetakenapieceofhisbabyblanket;
　　butthemothsneveretamiteo’that，andit’stoogoodtocutup。
　　There’sonethingIcando：Icanmakethebudupwithalongstem，andhaveitgrowingrightupalongsideofmine，——wouldyou？"
　　"No，itmustbestalkofyourstalk，boneofyourbone，fleshofyourflesh，sotospeak。Iagreewithyou，theideaisthefirstthing。Besides，thegrayisaverylightshade，andIdaresayitwilllooklikeabluishwhite。"
　　"I’lltryitandsee，butIwishtothelandthemoths_had_eatthepinning-blanket，andthenIcouldhaveusedit。
　　Loveyworkedthescallopsontheaidgeforme。
　　Mygrief！whatint’restshetookinmybabyclothes！
　　LittleJotwasbornatThanksgivingtime，andshecomeoverfromSkowhegan，whereReubenwassettledpastorofhisfirstchurch。
　　Ishallneverforgetthemtwoweekstothelastdayofmylife。
　　Therewasdeepsnowontheground。Ihadthatchamberthere，withthedooropeningintothesetting-room。MotherandfatherBascomkep’outinthedining-roomandkitchen，wheretheworkwasgoingon，andLoveyandthebabyandmehadthefrontpartofthehousetoourselves，withJotcominginontiptoe，heapingupwoodinthefireplaceso’the’mostroastedusout。
　　Hedon’tforgethischoresintimeo’sickness。
　　"Inevertooksomuchcomfortinallmydays。
　　JotgotoneoftheBillingsgirlstocomeoverandhelpinthehousework，so’tIcouldlayeasy’slongasI
　　wantedto;andIneverhadsucharestbeforenorsince。
　　Thereain’tanyheaveninthebooko’Revelationsthat’sanybetterthanthemtwoweekswas。Iusedtolayquietinmygoodfeatherbed，fingeringthepatternofmybestcrochetquilt，andlookingatthefire-lightshiningonLoveyandthebaby。
　　She’dhardlyleavehiminthecradleaminute。WhenIdidn’twanthiminbedwithme，she’dhavehiminherlap。
　　Babiesarecommonenoughtomostfolks，butLoveywasdiff’rent。
　　She’dneverhadanyexperiencewithchildren，either，forwewastheyoungestinourfamily;anditwa’n’tlongbeforewecomenearbeingtheoldest，too，formotherburiedsevenofusbeforeshewentherself。Anyway，Ineversawnobodyelselookasshedonewhensheheldmybaby。
　　Idon’tmeannothingblasphemiouswhenIsay’twasforalltheworldlikeyourphotographofMary，themotherofJesus。
　　"Thenightscomeinearly，soitwas’mostdarkatfouro’clock。Thelittlechamberwassopeaceful！
　　IcouldhearJotrattlingthemilk-pails，butI’ddrawadeepbreatho’comfort，forIknewthemilkwouldbestrainedandsetawaywithoutmysteppingfoottothefloor。
　　Loveyusedtosetbythefire，withatallcandleonthelight-standbehindher，andalittlewhiteknitcapeoverhershoulders。
　　Shehadthepinkestcheeks，andthelongesteyelashes，andamouthlikealittleredbuttonhole;andwhenshebentoverthebaby，andsungtohim，——thoughhisearswa’n’topen，Iguessforhiseyeswa’n’t，——thetearso’joyusedtoraindownmycheeks。
　　Itwaspennyrialhymnssheusedtosingmostly，andtheoneI
　　rememberbestwas"’Daniel’swisdommayIknow，Stephen’sfaithandspiritshow;
　　John’sdivinecommunionfeel，Moses’meekness，Joshua’szeal，RunliketheunweariedPaul，Winthedayandconquerall。
　　"’Mary’slovemayIpossess，Lydia’stender-heartedness，Peter’sferventspiritfeel，James’sfaithbyworksreveal，LikeyoungTimothymayI
　　Everysinfulpassionfly。’
　　"’OhDiademy，’she’dsay，’youwasalwaysthebest，andit’snothingmore’nrightthebabyshouldhavecometoyou。
　　P’r’apsGodwillthinkI’mgoodenoughsometime;andifhedoes，Diademy，I’llofferupasacrificeeverymorningandeveryevening。
　　ButI’mafraid，’saysshe，’hethinksIcan’tstandanymorehappiness，andbeafaithfulfollowerofthecross。TheBiblesayswe’vegottowadethroughfieryfloodsbeforewecanenterthekingdom。
　　Idon’thardlyknowhowReubenandIaregoingtofindanywaytowadethrough;we’rebothsohappy，they’dhavetobeconsid’ablehotbeforewetooknotice，’saysshe，withthedimplesallbreakingoutinhercheeks。
　　"Andthatwastrueasgospel。ShethoughteverythingReubendonewasjustright，andhethoughteverythingshedonewasjustright。
　　Therewa’n’tnobodyelse;theworldwasallReuben’n’allLoveytothem。
　　IfyoucouldhaveseenherwhenshewaslookingforhimtocomefromSkowhegan！Sheusedtowatchattheatticwindow;andwhensheseenhimatthefootofthehillshe’duplikeasquirrel，andrundowntheroadwithoutstoppingforanythingbuttothrowashawloverherhead。
　　AndReubenwouldketchherupasifshewasachild，andscoldherfornotputtingahaton，andtakeherunderhiscoatcomingupthehill。
　　Theywasasightfortheneighbors，Imustconfess，butitwa’n’toneyoucouldhardlydisapproveof，neither。AuntHittysaiditwastemptingProvidenceandcouldn’tlast，andGodwouldvisithiswrathon’emformakingidolsofsinfulhumanflesh。
　　"Shewasrightoneway，——itdidn’tlast;butnobodycantellmeGodwaspunishingof’emforbeingtoohappy。
　　Iguesshe’ain’tgotnoobjectiontofolksbeinghappyherebelow，iftheydon’tforgetitain’tthewholestory。
　　"Well，ImustmarkinabudonLovey’sstalknow，andI’mgoingtomakeitofherbaby’slongwhitecloak。
　　Iearnedthemoneyforitmyself，makingcoats，andputfouryardsofthefinestcashmereintoit;forthreeyearsafterlittleJotwasbornIwentovertoSkowhegantohelpLoveythroughhertimeo’trial。Timeo’trial！IthoughtI
　　washappy，butIdidn’tknowhowtobeashappyasLoveydid;
　　Iwa’n’tmadeonthatpattern。
　　"WhenIfirstshowedherthebaby（itwasaboy，sameasmine），hereyesshoneliketwoeveningstars。
　　Sheheldupherweakarms，andgatheredthelittlebundleo’
　　warmflanneninto’em;andwhenshegotitclosesheshuthereyesandmovedherlips，andIknewshewastakingherlambtothealtarandofferingitupasasacrifice。
　　ThenReubencomein。Iseenhimgiveonelookatthetwodarkheadslayingclosetogetheronthewhitepiller，andthengodownonhiskneesbythesideofthebed。
　　’Twa’n’tnoplaceforme;Iwentoff，andleft’emtogether。
　　Wedidn’tmistrustitthen，buttheyonlyhadthreedaysmoreofhappiness，andI’mgladIgive’emeveryminute。"
　　TheroomgrewduskyastwilightstolegentlyoverthehillsofPleasantRiver。Priscilla’sliptrembled;
　　Diadema’stearsfellthickandfastonthewhiterosebud，andshehadtokeepwipinghereyesasshefollowedthepattern。
　　"Iain’tsaidasmuchasthisaboutitforfiveyears，"shewenton，withatell-talequiverinhervoice，"butnowI’vegotgoingIcan’tstop。
　　I’llhavetogettheweightouto’myheartsomehow。
　　"ThreedaysafterIputLovey’sbabyintoherarmstheLordcalledherhome。’WhenIprayedsohardforthislittlenewlife，Reuben，’sayssheholdingthebabyasifshecouldneverletitgo，’Ididn’tthinkI’dgottogiveupmyowninplaceofit;
　　butit’sthefirstfieryfloodwe’vehad，dear，andthoughitburnstomyfeetI’lltreaditasbraveasIknowhow。’
　　"Shedidn’tspeakawordafterthat;shejustfadedawaylikeasnowdrop，hourbyhour。AndReubenandIstaredatoneanotherinthefaceasifwewasdeadinsteadofher，andwewentaboutthathouseo’mourninglikesleep-walkersfordaysandsays，notknowingwhetherweetorslept，orwhatwedone。
　　"Asforthebaby，thepoorlittlemitedidn’tlivemanyhoursafteritsmother，andweburied’emtogether。
　　ReubenandIknewwhatLoveywouldhaveliked。Shegaveherlifeforthebaby’s，anditwasauselesssacrifice，afterall。
　　No，itwa’n’tneither;it_could_n’thavebeen！
　　Youneedn’ttellmeGod’llletsuchsacrificesasthatcomeoutuseless！Butanyhow，wehadonecoffinfor’emboth，andIopenedLovey’sarmsandlaidthebabyin’em。
　　WhenReubenandItookourlastlook，wethoughtsheseemedmore’neverlikeMary，themotherofJesus。
　　Thereneverwasanotherlikeher，andthereneverwillbe。
　　’Nonesuch，’Reubenusedtocallher。"
　　Therewassilenceintheroom，brokenonlybythetickingoftheoldclockandthetinkleofadistantcowbell。
　　Priscillamadeanimpetuousmovement，flungherselfdownbythebasketofrags，andburiedherheadinDiadema’sginghamapron。
　　"DearMrs。Bascom，don’tcry。I’msorry，asthechildrensay。"
　　"No，Iwon’tmore’naminute。Jotcan’tstandittoseemegiveway。Yougoandtouchamatchtothekitchenfire，so’tthekettlewillbeboiling，andI’llhaveaminutetomyself。
　　Idon’tknowwhattheneighborswouldthinktoketchmecryingovermydrawing-inframe;butthespell’sovernow，or’boutover，andwhenI
　　canmusterupcourageI’lltaketherestofthebaby’scloakandputaborderofwhiteeverlastingsroundtheoutsideoftherug。
　　I’llalwaysmeanthebaby’sbirthandLovey’sdeathtome;
　　buttheflowerswillremindmeit’slifeeverlastingforbothof’em，andsoit’sthemostcomfortingendIcanthinkof。"
　　Itwasindeedabeautifulrugwhenitwasfinishedandlaidinfrontofthesofainthefore-room。Diademawasverychoiceofit。
　　Whencompanywasexpectedsheremoveditfromitsaccustomedplace，andspreaditinacorneroftheroomwherenoprofanefootcouldpossiblytreadonit。Unexpectedcallersweremanagedbyadifferentmethod。
　　Iftheyseatedthemselvesonthesofa，shewouldfeartheydidnot"seteasy"
　　or"restcomfortable"there，andsuggesttheirmovingtothestuffedchairbythewindow。TheneighborsthoughtthissolicitudemerelyanothersignofDiadema’s"p’isonneatness，"excusableinthiscaseastherewassomuchwhiteinthenewrug。
　　Thefore-roomblindswereordinarilyclosed，andthechillnessofdeathpervadedthesacredapartment;butongreatoccasions，whenthesunwasallowedtopenetratethethirty-twotinypanesofglassineachwindow，andablazewaslightedinthefire-place，MissHolliswouldlookinasshewentupstairs，andmuseamomentoverthepatheticlittleromanceofrags，thestoryoftwolivesworkedintoabouquetofold-fashionedposies，whosegaytintswerebroughtoutbyasettingofsombrethreads。
　　Existencehadgonesoquietlyinthisremotecorneroftheworldthatallitsimportantevents，babyhood，childhood，betrothal，marriage，motherhood，withalltheirmysteriesofloveandlifeanddeath，werechronicledinthisnarrowspacenottwoyardssquare。
　　Diademacameinbehindthelittleschool-teacheroneafternoon。
　　"Ical’late，"shesaid，"thatbeingkep’inadarkroom，andneverbeingtreadon，itwilllastlonger’nIdo。Ifitdoes，Priscilla，youknowthatwhitecrepeshawlofmineIweartomeetinghotSundays：
　　thatwouldmakeasecondrowofeverlastingsroundtheborder。
　　Youcouldpieceouttheliningsgoodandsmoothontheunderside，drawinthewhiteflowers，andfill’emroundwithblacktoset’emoff。
　　Therugwouldbehan’somerthaneverthen，andthestory——
　　wouldbefinished。"
　　——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
　　AVILLAGESTRADIVARIUS。
　　I。
　　"Goodfellow，Puckandgoblins，Knowmorethananybook。
　　Downwithyourdolefulproblems，Andcourtthesunnybrook。
　　Thesouth-windsarequick-witted，Theschoolsaresadandslow，ThemastersquiteomittedThelorewecaretoknow。"
　　Emerson’s_April。_
　　"Findthe317thpage，Davy，andbeginatthetopoftheright-handcolumn。"
　　Theboyturnedtheleavesoftheoldinstructionbookobediently，andthenbegantoreadinasing-song，monotonoustone：——
　　"’OneofPag-pag’"——
　　"Pag-a-ni-ni’s。"
　　"’OneofPaggernyner’s’（Iwishallthefellersinyourstoriesdidn’thavesuchtougholdnames！）’mostdis-as-ter-oustriumphshehadwhenplayingatLordHolland’s。’（WhowasLordHolland，uncleTony？）’Someoneaskedhimtoim-pro-viseontheviolinthestoryofasonwhokillshisfather，runsa-way，becomesahighway-man，fallsinlovewithagirlwhowillnotlistentohim;
　　soheleadshertoawildcountrysite，suddenlyjumpingwithherfromarockintoana-b-y-double-s’"——
　　"Abyss。"
　　"’——a——rock——into——an——abyss，weretheydisappearforever。
　　Paggernynerlistenedquietly，andwhenthestorywasatanendheaskedthatallthelightsshouldbedistinguished。’"
　　"Lookcloser，Davy。"
　　"’Shouldbeextinguished。Hethenbeganplaying，andsoterriblewasthemusicalin-ter-pre-ta-tionoftheideawhichhadbeengivenhimthatseveraloftheladiesfainted，andthesal-salon-s_a_lon，whenrelighted，lookedlikeabattle-field。’Cracky！Wouldn’tyouliketohavebeenthere，uncleTony？
　　ButIdon’tbelieveanybodyeverplayedthatway，doyou？"
　　"Yes，"saidthelistener，dreamilyraisinghissightlesseyestotheelm-treethatgrewbythekitchendoor。"Ibelieveit，andIcanhearitmyselfwhenyoureadthestorytome。
　　Ifeelthatthesecretofeverythingintheworldthatisbeautiful，ortrue，orterrible，ishiddeninthestringsofmyviolin，Davy，butonlyamastercandrawitfromcaptivity。"
　　"Youmakestoriesonyourviolin，too，uncleTony，eveniftheladiesdon’tfaintawayinheaps，andifthekitchendoesn’tlooklikeabattle-fieldwhenyou’vefinished。
　　I’mgladitdoesn’t，formypart，forIshouldhavemorehouseworktodothanever。"
　　"PoorDavy！youcouldn’thatehouseworkanyworseifyouwereawoman;
　　butitisalldoneforto-day。Nowpaintmeoneofyourpictures，laddie;
　　makemeseewithyoureyes。"
　　Theboyputdownthebookandleapedoutoftheopendoor，barelytouchingtheoldmillstonethatservedforastep。
　　Takingastandinthewell-wornpath，herestedhishandsonhiships，sweptthelandscapewiththeglanceofaneagle，andbeganlikeayoungimprovisator：——
　　"ThesunisjustdroppingbehindBrigadierHill。"
　　"Whatcolorisit？"
　　"Redasfire，andthereisn’tanythingnearit，——it’salmostaloneinthesky;there’sonlyteentylittlewhitefeathercloudshereandthere。
　　Thebridgelooksasifitwasasilverstringtyingthetwosidesoftherivertogether。Thewaterispinkwherethesunshinesintoit。
　　Alltheleavesofthetreesarekindofswimmingintheredlight，——
　　Itellyou，nunky，justasifIwaslookingthroughredglass。
　　TheweathervaneonSquireBean’sbarndazzlessotheroosterseemstobeshootinggoldarrowsintotheriver。IcanseethetiptopofMountWashingtonwherethepeakofitssnow-captouchesthepinksky。
　　Thehen-housedoorisopen。Thechickensareallontheirroost，withtheirheadscuddledundertheirwings。"
　　"Didyoufeedthem？"
　　Theboyclappedhishandoverhismouthwithacomicalgestureofpenitence，anddashedintotheshedforapanfulofcorn，whichhescatteredovertheground，enticingthesleepyfowlsbyinsinuatingcallsof"Chick，chick，chick，chick！"_Come，_biddy，biddy，biddy，biddy！
　　_Come，_chick，chick，chick，chick，chick！"
　　Themaninthedoorwaysmiledasoverthemisdemeanorofsomebodyverydearandlovable，andrisingfromhischairfelthiswaytoacornershelf，tookdownabox，anddrewfromitaviolinswathedinasilkbag。
　　Heremovedthecoveringwithreverentialhands。Thetendernessofthefacewaslikethatofayoungmotherdressingorundressingherchild。
　　Ashefingeredtheinstrumenthishandsseemedtohavebecomealleyes。
　　Theywanderedcaressinglyoverthepolishedsurfaceasifenamoredoftheperfectthingthattheyhadcreated，lingeringhereandtherewithrapturoustendernessonsomespecialbeauty，——thegracefularchoftheneck，themeltingcurvesofthecheeks，thedeliciousswellofthebreasts。
　　Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfforthemoment，hetookthebow，andliftingtheviolinunderhischin，inclinedhisheadfondlytowarditandbegantoplay。
　　Thetuneatfirstseemedmuffled，buthadacuriousbite，thatbeganindistantechoes，butafterafewminutes’theplayinggrewfirmerandclearer，ringingoutatlastwithvelvetyrichnessandstrengthuntiltheatmospherewassatiatedwithharmony。
　　Nomoreetherealnoteeverflewoutofabird’sthroatthanAnthonyCroftsetfreefromthisviolin，his_liebling_，his"swansong，"
　　madeintheyearhehadlosthiseyesight。
　　AnthonyCrofthadbeentheonlysonofhismother，andsheawidow。
　　HisboyhoodhadbeenexactlylikethatofalltheotherboysinEdgewood，savethathehatedschoolatriflemore，ifpossible，thananyoftheothers;thoughtherewasaunanimityofaversioninthismatterthatsurprisedandwoundedteachersandparents。
　　Theschoolwastheordinary"deestrick"schoolofthattime;therewerenotenoughscholarsforwhatCyseHigginscalleda"degraded"school。
　　ThedifferencebetweenAnthonyandtheotherboyslayinthereasonaswellasthedegreeofhisabhorrence。
　　Hehadcomeintotheworldanaked，starvinghumansoul;helongedtoclothehimself，andhewashungryandeverhungrierforknowledge;
　　butneverwithinthefourwallsofthevillageschoolhousecouldhegetholdofonefactthatwouldyieldhimitssecretsense，oneglimpseofclearlightthatwouldshineinuponthe"darknesswhichmaybefelt"
　　inhismind，onethoughtorwordthatwouldfeedhissoul。
　　Theonlyplacewherehislongingswereeverstilled，whereheseemedatpeacewithhimself，whereheunderstoodwhathewasmadefor，wasoutofdoorsinthewoods。
　　Whenheshouldhavebeenporingoverthesweet，palpitatingmysteriesofthemultiplicationtable，hisvagrantgazewasalwaysontheopenwindownearwhichhesat。
　　Hecouldneverstudywhenaflybuzzedonthewindow-pane;
　　hewasalwaysstandingonthetoesofhisbarefeet，tryingtolocateandunderstandthebuzzthatpuzzledhim。
　　Thebookwasamute，soullessthingthathadnorelationtohisinnerworldofthoughtandfeeling。Heturnedeverfromthedeadseven-times-sixtothemysteryoflifeabouthim。
　　Hewasneveraspecialfavoritewithhisteachers;thatwasscarcelytobeexpected。Inhisveryearlyyears，hispocketsweregonethroughwitheverymorningwhenheenteredtheschooldoor，andthecontents，whenconfiscated，wouldcompriseajew’s-harp，abitofcatgut，screwswhittledoutofwood，tacks，spools，pins，andthelike。
　　Butwhenrobbedofallthesehecouldgenerallysecreteapieceofelastic，which，whenputbetweenhisteethandstretchedtoitsutmostcapacity，wouldyieldadelightfultwangwhenplayeduponwiththeforefinger。
　　Hecouldalsofashionaninterestingmusicalinstrumentinhisdeskbymeansofspoolsandcatgutandbitsofbrokenglass。Thechiefjoyofhislifewasanoldtuning-forkthattheteacherofthesingingschoolhadgivenhim，but，owingtothedegradingandarbitrarycensorshipofpocketsthatprevailed，heneverdaredbringitintotheschoolroom。Therewereways，however，ofevadinginexorablelawandcircumventingbaseinjustice。
　　Hehidthepreciousthingunderathistlejustoutsidethewindow。
　　Theteacherhadsometimesabriefseasonofapathyonhotafternoons，whenshewashearingtheprimerclassread，"_Iseeapig。Thepigisbig。
　　Thebigpigcandig;_"whichstirringinphraseswerealwayspunctuatedbythesnoresoftheHanksbaby，whokeptsinkingdownonhisfatlittlelegsinthelineandgivingwaytoslumberduringthelesson。
　　AtsuchamomentAnthonyslippedoutofthewindowandsnappedthetuning-forkseveraltimes，——justenoughtosavehissoulfromdeath，——
　　andthenslippedinagain。Hewascaughtoccasionally，butnotoften;
　　andevenwhenhewas，thereweremitigatingcircumstances，forhewasgenerallyputundertheteacher’sdeskforpunishment。
　　Itwasadark，close，sultryspot，butwhenhewaswellseated，andhadgrowntiedoflookingatthetriangleofelasticintheteacher’scongressboot，andtiredofwishingitwashisinsteadofhers，hewouldtieoneendofabitofthreadtothebuttonofhisginghamshirt，and，carryingitroundhisleftearseveraltimes，makebelievehewasPaganinilanguishinginprisonandplayingonaviolinwithasinglestring。
　　Ashegrewoldertherewasnomarkedimprovement，andTonyCroftwasbygeneralassentcountedthelaziestboyinthevillage。
　　Thathewaslazyincertainmattersmerelybecausehewasinafrenzyofindustrytopursuecertainothershadnothingtodowiththecase，ofcourse。
　　Ifanyonehadevergivenhimataskinwhichhecouldhaveseencauseworkingtoeffect，inwhichhecouldhavefoundbypersonalexperimentasinglefactthatbelongedtohim，hisownbydivinerightofdiscovery，hewouldhavecountedlabororstudyalljoy。
　　HewasoneincarnateWhyandHow，onebroodingwonderandinterrogationpoint。"Whydoesthesundriveawaythestars？
　　Whydotheleavesturnredandgold？Whatmakestheseedswellintheearth？
　　>Fromwhencecomesthelifehiddenintheeggunderthebird’sbreast？
　　Whatholdsthemooninthesky？Whoregulateshershining？
　　Whomovesthewind？Whomademe，andwhatamI？Who，why，howwhither？
　　IfIcamefromGodbutonlylately，teachmehislessonsfirst，putmeintovitalrelationwithlifeandlaw，andthengivemeyourdeadsignsandequivalentsforrealthings，thatImaylearnmoreandmore，andevermoreandevermore。"
　　TherewasnospiritinEdgewoodboldenoughtoconceivethatTonylearnedanythinginthewoods，butastherewasneversufficientschoolmoneytokeepthevillageseatoflearningopenmorethanhalftheyeartheboyeducatedhimselfatthefountainheadofwisdom，andknowledgeoftheotherhalf。
　　Hismother，whoownedhimforaducklinghatchedfromahen’segg，andwasneverquitesurehewouldnotturnoutablacksheepandacrookedsticktoboot，wasobligedtoconfessthatTonyhadmoreuselessinformationthananyboyinthevillage。
　　HeknewjustwheretofindthefirstMayflowers，andwouldbringhomethewaxenbeautieswhenotherpeoplehadscarcelybeguntothinkaboutthespring。Hecouldtellwheretolookfortherarefringedgentian，theyellowviolet，theIndianpipe。
　　TherewerecleftsintherocksoftheIndianCellarwhere，wheneveryoneelsefailed，hecouldfindharebellsandcolumbines。
　　Whenhistasksweredone，andtheotherboyswereamusingthemselveseachinhisownway，youwouldfindTonylyingflatonthepineneedlesinthewoods，listeningtothenotesofthewildbirds，andimitatingthempatiently，tilyoucouldscarcelytellwhichwasboyandwhichwasbird;andifyoucould，thebirdscouldn’t，formanyatimehecoaxedthebobolinksandthrushestoperchonthelowboughsabovehisheadandchirptohimasifhewereafeatheredbrother。Therewasnothingaboutthebuildingofnestswithwhichhewasnotfamiliar。
　　Hecouldhavetakenholdandhelpedifthebirdshadnotbeensoshy，andifhehadhadbeakandclawinsteadofclumsyfingers。
　　Hewouldsitnearabeehiveforhourswithoutmoving，orlieproneinthesandyroad，underthefullglareofthesun，watchingtheantsactingouttheirhumancomedy;
　　sometimessurroundingafavoritehillwithstones，thatthecomedymightnotbeturnedintoatragedybyacarelessfootfall。
　　Thecottageontheriverroadgrewmoreandmoretoresembleamuseumandherbariumastheyearswentby，andtheWidowCroft’sweeklyhouse-cleaningwasamatterthatcalledfortheexerciseofChristiangrace。
　　Still，Tonywasagoodson，affectionate，considerate，andobedient。
　　Hismotherhadnoideathathewouldeverbeable，orindeedwilling，tomakealiving;buttherewasaforestofyoungtimbergrowingup，asmallhayfarmtodependupon，andalittlehoardthatwouldkeephimoutofthepoorhousewhenshediedandlefthimtohisowndevices。
　　Itneveroccurredtoherthathewasinanywayremarkable。
　　Ifheweredifficulttounderstand，itreflectedmoreuponhiseccentricitythanuponherdensity。Whatwasawomantodowithaboyoftwelvewho，whensheurgedhimtodroptheoldguitarhewastakingapartandhurryofftoschool，cried，"Oh，mother！whenthereissomuchtolearninthisworld，itiswicked，wickedtowastetimeinschool。"
　　AboutthisperiodTonyspenthoursintheatticarrangingbottlesandtumblersintoamusicalscale。
　　Healsoinventedaninstrumentmadeofsmallandgreat，longandshortpins，drivenintosoftboardtodifferentdepths，andwhenthewidowpassedhisdooronthewaytobedsheinvariablesawthisbarbaricthinglockeduptotheboy’sbreast，forheoftenplayedhimselftosleepwithit。
　　Atfifteenhehadtakentopiecesandputtogetheragain，strengthened，soldered，tinkered，mended，andbracedeveryaccordion，guitar，melodeon，dulcimer，andfiddleinEdgewood，PleasantRiver，andtheneighboringvillages。
　　Therewasalittlemoneytobeearnedinthisway，butverylittle，aspeopleingeneralregardedthis"tinkering"asapleasingdiversioninwhichtheycouldindulgehimwithoutdanger。Asanexampleofthisattitude，Dr。Berry’swife’smelodeonhadlosttwostops，thepedalshadseveredconnectionwiththerestoftheworks，itwheezedlikeanasthmatic，andtwoblackkeysweremissing。
　　Anthonyworkedmorethanaweekonitsrehabilitation，andreceivedinreturnMrs。Berry’spromisethatthedoctorwouldpullatoothforhimsometime！This，ofcourse，wasaguerdonforthefuture，butitseemedpatheticallydistanttotheladwhohadneverhadatoothacheinhislife。
　　HehadtopleadwithCyseHigginsforaweekbeforethatprudentyoungfarmerwouldallowhimtotouchhisfive-dollarfiddle。
　　HeobtainedpermissionatlastonlybecausebyofferingtogiveCysehiscalfincasehespoiledtheviolin。"Thatseemssquare，"
　　saidCysedoubtfully，"butafterall，youcan’tplayonacalf！"
　　"Neitherwillyourfiddlegivemilk，ifyoukeepitlongenough，"
　　retortedTony;andthisargumentwasconvincing。
　　SogreatwashisconfidenceinTony’sskillthatSquireBeantrustedhisfather’sviolintohim，onethathadbeenboughtinBerlinseventyyearsbefore。
　　Ithadbeenhangingontheatticwallforahalfcentury，sothatthebackwassplitintwain，thesound-postlost，theneckandthetailpiececracked。Theladtookithome，andstudieditfortwowholeeveningsbeforetheopenfire。
　　Theproblemofrestoringitwasquitebeyondhisabilities。
　　Hefinallytookthesavingsoftwosummers’"blueberrymoney"
　　andwalkedsixteenmilestoPortland，whereheboughtabookcalledThePracticalViolinist。TheSupplementprovedtobeamineofwealth。Eventheheadingsappealedtohisimaginationandintoxicatedhimwiththeirsuggestions，——
　　OnScraping，Splitting，andRepairingViolins，ViolinPlayers，GreatViolinists，SoloPlaying，etc。;andattheveryendaTreatiseontheConstruction，Preservation，Repair，andImprovementoftheViolin，byJacobAugustusFriedheim，InstrumentMakertotheCourtoftheArchdukeofWeimar。
　　Therewasagooddealofmoraladviceintheprefacethatsadlypuzzledtheboy，whowasalwaysinaconditionofchronicamazementatthevillagedisapprobationofhisfavoritefiddle。
　　Thattheviolindidnotinsomewayreceivetheconfidenceenjoyedbyothermusicalinstruments，heperceivedfromvariousparagraphswrittenbytheworthyauthorofThePracticalViolinist，asforexample：——
　　"SomeveryexcellentChristianpeopleholdastrongprejudiceagainsttheviolinbecausetheyhavealwaysknownitassociatedwithdancinganddissipation。
　　Letitbeunderstoodthatyourviolinis’converted，’
　　andsuchanobligationwillnolongerlieagainstit……Manydelightfulhoursmaybeenjoyedbyayoungman，ifhehasobtainedarespectableknowledgeofhisinstrument，whootherwisewouldfindthetimehangheavyonhishands;
　　or，forwantofsomebetteramusement，wouldfrequentthedangerousanddestructivepathsofviceandberuinedforever……Iaminhopes，therefore，mydearyoungpupil，thatyourviolinwilloccupyyourattentionatjustthoseverytimeswhen，ifyouwereimmoralordissipated，youwouldbeatthegrogshop，gaming-table，oramongviciousfemales。
　　Suchauseoftheviolin，notwithstandingtheprejudicesmanyholdagainstit，mustcontributetovirtue，andfurnishabundanceofinnocentandentirelyunobjectionableamusement。
　　ThesearetheviewswithwhichIhopeyouhaveadoptedit，andwillcontinuetocherishandcultivateit。"
　　II。
　　"Thereisnobardinallthechoir，……
　　Notoneofallcanputinverse，OrtothispresencecouldrehearseThesightsandvoicesravishingTheboyknewonthehillsinspring，WhenpacingthroughtheoaksheheardSharpqueriesofthesentry-bird，Theheavygrouse’ssuddenwhir，Therattleofthekingfisher。"
　　Emerson’s_Harp。_
　　Nowbegananeraofinfinitehappiness，ofdaysthatwereneverlongenough，ofeveningswhenbedtimecamealltoosoon。
　　OhthattherehadbeensomegoodangelwhowouldhavetakeninhandAnthonyCrofttheboy，and，trainingthepowersthatpointedsounmistakablyincertaindirections，giventotheworldthegeniusofAnthonyCroft，potentialinstrumentmakertothecourtofSt。Cecilia;
　　foritwasnotonlythathehadthefingersofawizard;hisearcaughtthefaintestbreathofharmonyorhintofdiscord，as"Fairyfolka-listeningHeartheseedsproutinthespring，AndformusictotheirdanceHearthehedge-rowswakefromtrance;
　　SapthattremblesintobudsSendinglittlerhythmicfloodsOffairysoundinfairyears。
　　ThusallbeautythatappearsHasbirthassoundtofinersenseAndlighter-cladintelligence。"
　　Astheuniverseisallmechanismtooneman，allformandcolortoanother，sotoAnthonyCrofttheworldwasallmelody。
　　Notwithstandingallthesegiftsandpossibilities，thedoctor’swifeadvisedtheWidowCrofttomakeaplumberofhim，intimatingdelicatelythatthesefreaksofnature，whileplayingnoapparentpartinthedivineeconomy，couldsometimesbemadeself-supporting。
　　Theseventeenthyearofhislifemarkedadefiniteepochinhisdevelopment。HestudiedJacobFriedheim’streatiseuntilheknewthecharacteristicsofallthegreatviolinmodels，fromtheAmatis，Hieronymus，Antonius，andNicolas，tothoseofStradivarius，Guarnerius，andSteiner。
　　Itwasinthisyear，also，thathemadeaverypreciousdiscovery。
　　WhilebrowsingintherubbishinSquireBean’sgarrettoseeifhecouldfindthemissingsound-postoftheoldviolin，hecameuponabilletofwoodwrappedinclothandpaper。
　　Whenunwrapped，itwasplainlylabeled"WoodfromtheBeanMapleatPleasantPoint;thebiggestmapleinYorkCounty，andbelievedtobeoneofthebiggestintheStateofMaine。"
　　AnthonyfoundthattheoldestinhabitantofPleasantRiverrememberedthestumpofthetree，andthattheboysusedtojumpoveritandadmireitsproportionswhenevertheywentfishingatthePoint。
　　Thewood，therefore，wasperhapseightyorninetyyearsold。
　　Thesquireagreedwillinglythatitshouldbeusedtomendtheoldviolin，andtoldTonyheshouldhavewhatwasleftforhimself。
　　When，bycarefulcalculation，hefoundthattheremainderwouldmakeawholeviolin，helaiditreverentlyawayforanothertwentyyears，sothatheshouldbesureithadcompleteditscenturyofpatientwaitingforservice，andfallingonhiskneesbyhisbedsidesaid，"IthankThee，HeavenlyFather，forthispreciousgift，andIpromisefromthismomenttogatherthemostbeautifulwoodIcanfind，andlayitbywhereitcanbeusedsometimetomakeperfectviolins，sothatifanycreatureaspoorandhelplessasIamneedsthewherewithaltodogoodwork，IshallhavehelpedhimasThouhasthelpedme。"
　　Andaccordingtohispromisesohedid，andthepiecesofrichlycurledmaple，ofsycamore，andofsprucebegantoaccumulate。
　　Theywerecutfromthesunnysideofthetrees，injusttherightseasonoftheyear，splitsoastohaveafullinchthicknesstowardsthebark，andaquarterinchtowardstheheart。
　　TheywerethenlaidforweeksunderoneofthefallsinWineBrook，wherethemusicaltinkle，tinkleofthestreamfellonthewoodalreadywroughtuponbyyearsofsunshineandchorusesofsingingbirds。
　　Thisboy，toilingnotaloneforhimself，butwithfullandconsciouspurposeforposterityalso，washenotworthytowearthemantleofAntoniusStradivarius？
　　"Thatplainwhite-apronedmanwhostoodatworkPatientandaccuratefullfourscoreyears，Cherishedhissightandtouchbytemperance，Andsincekeensenseisloveofperfectness，Madeperfectviolins，theneededpathsForinspirationandhighmastery。"
　　Andasiftheyearwerenotfullenoughofglory，theschool-teachersenthimabookwithawonderfulpoeminit。
　　Thatsummer’steachinghadbeenthefreakofacollegestudent，whohadgonebacktohissenioryearstrengthenedbyhisexperienceofvillagelife。
　　AnthonyCroft，whowasonlythreeorfouryearshisjunior，hadbeenhisfavoritepupilandcompanion。
　　"HowdoesTonygetalong？"askedtheWidowCroftwhentheteachercametocall。
　　"Tony？Oh，Ican’tteachhimanything。"
　　Tearssprangtothemother’seyes。
　　"Iknowheain’tmuchonbooklearning，"shesaidapologetically，"butI’mboundhedon’tmakeyounotroubleindeportment。"
　　"Imean，"saidtheschool-teachergravely，"thatIcanshowhimhowtoreadalittleLatinanddoalittlegeometry，butheknowsasmuchinonedayasIshalleverknowinayear。"
　　Tonycrouchedbytheoldfireplaceinthewinterevenings，droppinghisknifeorhiscompassesamomenttoreadaloudtohismother，whosatintheoppositecornerknitting：——
　　"OfoldAntonioStradivari，——himWhoagoodquartercenturyandahalfagoPuthistrueworkinthebrowninstrument，AndbytheniceadjustmentofitsframeGaveitresponsivelife，continuousWiththemaster’sfinger-tips，andperfectedLikethembydelicaterectitudeofuse。"
　　Themotherlistenedwithpainfulintentness。"Ilikethesoundofit，"
　　shesaid，"butIcan’thardlysayItakeinthefullsense。"
　　"Whymother，"saidthelad，inararemomentofself-expression，"youknowthepoetrysayshecherishedhissightandtouchbytemperance;
　　thatanidiotmightseeastragglinglineandbecontent，buthehadaneyethatwincedatfalsework，andlovedthetrue。
　　Whenitsayshisfinger-tipswereperfectedbydelicaterectitudeofuse，Ithinkitmeansdoingeverythingasitisdoneinheaven，andthatanybodywhowantstomakeaperfectviolinmustkeephiseyeopentoallthebeautifulthingsGodhasmade，andhisearopentoallthemusichehasputintotheworld，andthenneverlethishandstouchapieceofworkthatiscrookedorstragglingorfalse，till，afteryearsandyearsofrightness，theyarefittomakeaviolinlikethesquire’s，aviolinthatcansayeverything，aviolinthatanangelwouldn’tbeashamedtoplayon。"
　　Dothesewordsseemlikelyonestofallfromthelipsofaladwhohadbeenatthetailofhisclasseversincehisprimerdays？Well，Anthonywasseventeennow，andhewas"educated，"inspiteofsorryrecitations，——educated，theLordknowshow！Yes，inpointoffacttheLorddoesknowhow！
　　Heknowshowthedrillandpressureofthedailytask，stillmorethepresenceofthehighideal，theinspirationworkingfromwithin，howtheseeducateus。
　　TheblindAnthonyCroftsittinginthekitchendoorwayhadseeminglymissedtheheightsoflifehemighthavetrod，andhadwalkedhiscloseonfiftyyearsthroughlevelmeadowsofmediocrity，awitchineveryfinger-tipwaitingtobesettowork，headamongtheclouds，feetstumbling，eyesandearsopentohearGod’ssecretthought;
　　seeingandhearingit，too，butlackingforcetospeakitforthagain;
　　forwhileimperiousgeniussurmountsallobstacles，brusheslawsandformulasfromitshorizon，andwithitsownfreesoulseesits"pathandtheoutletsofthesky，"potentialgeniusforeverneedsanangelofdeliverancetosetitfree。
　　PoorAnthonyCroft，orblessedAnthonyCroft，Iknownotwhich，——
　　Godknows！Poorhecertainlywas，yetblessedafterall。
　　"OnethingIdo，"saidPaul。"OnethingIdo，"saidAnthony。
　　Hewasnotabletorealizehisideals，buthehadthe"angelaim"
　　bywhichheidealizedhisreals。
　　OwaitingheartofGod！howsoonwouldthykingdomcomeifwealldidourallottedtasks，humbleorsplendid，inthisconsecratedfashion！
　　III。
　　"ThereinIheartheParcaereelThethreadsofmanattheirhummingwheel，Thethreadsoflifeandpowerandpain，Sosweetandmournfulfallsthestrain。"
　　Emerson’s_Harp。_
　　OldMrs。Butterfieldhadhadherthirdstrokeofparalysis，anddiedofaSundaynight。Shewasallaloneinherlittlecottageontheriverbank，withnoneighbornearerthanCroft’s，andnobodytherebutablindmanandasmallboy。
　　Everybodyhadtoldheritwasfoolishtolivealoneinahouseontheriverroad，andeverybodywaspleasedinadiscreetandchastenedfashionofcourse，thatithadturnedoutexactlyastheyhadpredicted。
　　AuntMehitableTarboxwaswalkinguptoMilliken’sMills，withherlittleblackreticulehangingoverherarm，andnoticingthattherewasnosmokecomingoutofthechimney，andthatthehensweregatheredaboutthekitchendoorclamoringfortheirbreakfast，shethoughtitbesttostopandknock。
　　Noresponsefollowedtherepeatedblowsfromherhardknuckles。
　　ShethentappedsmartlyonMrs。Butterfield’sbedroomwindowwithherthimblefinger。Thisprovingofnoavail，shewasobligedtopryopenthekitchenshutter，splitopenamosquitonettingwithhershears，andcrawlintothehouseoverthesink。
　　Thiswasaconsiderablefeatforasomewhatrheumaticelderlylady，butthisonenevergrudgedtroublewhenshewantedtofindoutanything。
　　Whenshediscoveredthatherpremonitionswerecorrect，andthatoldMrs。Butterfieldwasindeeddead，hergriefatlosingapleasantacquaintancewaslargelymitigatedbyhersenseofimportanceatbeingfirstonthespot，andchosenbyProvidencetotakecommandofthesituation。
　　Therewerenorelationsinthevillage;therewasnowomanneighborwithinamile：itwasthereforeherobviousChristiandutynotonlytotakechargeoftheremains，buttoconductsuchafuneralastheremainswouldhavewishedforherself。
　　ThefortunateVice-Presidentsuddenlycalleduponbydestinytoguidetheshipofstate，thegeneralwhoseesapossibleVictoriaCrossinahazardousengagement，canhaveafaintconceptionofauntHitty’sfeelingonthismomentousoccasion。
　　Funeralsweretheverybreathofherlife。Therewasnoceremony，eitherofpublicorprivateimport，that，tohermind，approachedafuneralinrealsatisfyinginterest。
　　Yet，withdistincttalentinthisdirection，shehadalwaysbeen"cabined，cribbed，confined"withinhopelesslimitations。
　　Shehadassistedinasecondarycapacityatfuneralsinthefamiliesofotherpeople，butshewouldhavereveledinpersonallyconductedones。Themembersofherownfamilystubbornlyrefusedtodie，however，eventhedistantconnectionslivingonandontoaridiculousoldage;andiftheyeverdiddie，byreasonofafallingroof，shipwreck，orconflagration，theygenerallydiedinTexasorIowa，orsomeremoteStatewhereauntHittycouldnotfollowthehearseinthefirstcarriage。
　　Thisblightedambitionwasaheartsorrowofsodeepandsacredacharacterthatshedidnotevenconfessitto"Si，"asherappendageofahusbandwascalled。
　　Nowatlastherchanceforplanningafuneralhadcome。
　　Mrs。Butterfieldhadnokithorkinsaveherniece，LyddyAnn，wholivedinAndover，orLawrence，orHaverhillMassachusetts，——
　　auntHittycouldn’trememberwhich，andhopednobodyelsecould。
　　Theniecewouldbesentforwhentheyfoundoutwhereshelived;
　　meanwhilethefuneralcouldnotbeputoff。
　　SheglancedroundthehousepreparatorytolockingitupandstartingtonotifyAnthonyCroft。Shewouldjustrunoverandtalktohimaboutorderingthecoffin;thenshecouldattendtoallothernecessarypreliminariesherself。
　　Theremainshadbeenwell-to-do，andtherewasnooccasionforsordideconomy，soauntHittydeterminedinherownmindtohavethelatestfashionineverything，includingasilvercoffinplate。
　　TheButterfieldcoffinplateswereathingtobeproudof。
　　Theyhadbeensacredlypreservedforyearsandyears，andtheentirecollection——numberingnineteeninallhadbeenframed，andadornedthewallsofthedeceasedlady’sbestroom。
　　Theywerenotofsolidsilver，itistrue，butevensoitwasamatterofdistinctiontohavebelongedtoafamilythatcouldaffordtohavenineteencoffinplatesofanysort。
　　AuntHittyplannedcertaindramaticdetailsasshewalkedtowntheroadtoCroft’s。Itcametoherinaburstofinspirationthatshewouldhavetwoministers：oneforthelongprayer，andonefortheshortprayerandtheremarks。
　　ShehopedthatElderWeekswouldbeadequateinthelatterdirection。Sheknewshecouldn’tforthelifeofherthinkofanythinginterestingaboutMrs。Butterfield，savethatshepossessednineteencoffinplates，andbroughtherhenstoEdgewoodeverysummerfortheirhealth;butshehadheardElderWeeksmakeamovingdiscourseoutoflessthanthat。
　　Tobesure，heneededpriming，butshewasequaltothat。
　　TherewasIvoryBrown’sfuneral：howwouldthathavegoneonifithadn’tbeenforher？Wasn’ttheeldertenminuteslate，andwhatwouldhisremarkshaveamountedtowithouthersuggestions？
　　Youmightalmostsayshewastheauthorofthediscourse，forshegavehimalltheappropriateideas。Asshehadhelpedhimoutofthewagonshehadsaid："Areyouprepared？Ithoughtnot;
　　butthere’snotimetolose。Rememberthereareagedparents;
　　twobrothersliving，onerailroadinginSpokaneFalls，theotherclerkinginWashington，D。C。Don’tmentiontheUniversalists，——there’sbentwointhefam’ly;norinsanity，——
　　there’sbenoneo’them。Thegirlinthecornerbytheclockistheonethattheremainshasbeenkeepingcomp’nywith。
　　Ifyoucanmakesomegenteelallusionstoher，it’llbemuchappreciatedbyhisfolks。"
　　Astothelongprayer，sheknewthattheRev。Mr。FordcouldbereliedontoprayuntilauntBeckyBurnhamshouldtwitchhimbythecoattails。
　　Shehaddoneitmorethanonce。Shehadalso，ononeoccasion，gotupandstraightenedhisministerialneckerchief，whichhehadgradually"prayed"aroundhissaintlyneckuntilitwasbehindtherightear。
　　TheseplansprovedsofascinatingtoauntHittythatshewalkedquitehalfamilebeyondCroft’s，andwasobligedtoretracehersteps。
　　Sheconceivedbandsofblackalpacaforthesleevesandhatsofthepallbearers，andafestoonofthesameoverthefrontgate，ifthereshouldbeanyleftover。Sheplannedthesingingbythechoir。
　　Therehadbeennorealchoir-singingatanyfuneralinEdgewoodsincetheRev。JoshuaBeckwithhaddied。Shewouldaskthemtoopenwith——
　　Rebelmourner，ceaseyourweepin’。
　　Youtoomustdie。
　　Thiswasafavoritefuneralhymn。TheonlydifficultywouldbeinkeepingauntBeckyBurnhamfrompitchingitinakeywherenobodybutasopranoskylark，accustomedtowarbleatagreatheight，couldpossiblysingit。
　　Itwasgenerallygivenatthegrave，whenElderWeeksofficiated;
　　butitneversatisfiedauntHitty，becausethegoodelderalwayslookedsounpicturesquewhenhethrewaredbandannahandkerchiefoverhisheadbeforebeginningthetwenty-sevenverses。
　　Afterthelongprayer，shewouldhaveAlmiraBerrygiveforasolo——
　　Thisgro-o-oanin’world’stoodarkanddre-e-arforthesaints’e-ter-nalrest，Thishymn，ifitdidnotwhollyreconcileonetodeath，enabledonetolookuponlifewithsufficientsolemnity。
　　Itwasathousandpities，shethought，thattheoldhearsewassoshabbyandrickety，andthatGoolyEldridge，whodroveit，wouldinsistonwearingafadedpeach-blowovercoat。
　　ItwasexasperatingtothinkofthepublicspiritatEgypt，andcontrastitwiththestateofthingsatPleasantRiver。
　　InEgypttheyhadsoldtheoldhearsehouseforasausageshop，andnowtheywerehavinghearsesociableseverymonthtoraisemoneyforanewone。
　　AllthesedetailsflewthroughauntHitty’smindinfascinatingprocession。Thereshouldn’tbe"ahitch"anywhere。
　　Therehadbeenahitchatherlastfuneral，butshehadbeenonlyanassistantthere。MattHendersonhadbeenstruckbylightningatthefootofSquireBean’soldnooningtree，andcertaincircumstancescombinedtomakethefuneraloneofunusualinterest，somuchsothatfatoldMrs。PotterfromDeerwandercreatedasensationatthecemetery。
　　Shewassoanxioustogetwhereshecouldseeeverythingtothebestadvantagethatshecrowdedtoonearthebier，steppedontheslidingearth，andpitchedintothegrave。
　　Assheweighedovertwohundredpounds，andwasinapositionofsomedisadvantage，ittookfivementoextricateherfromthedilemma，andtheoperationmadealongandsomewhatawkwardbreakinthereligiousservices。AuntHittyalwayssaidofthiscatastrophe，"IfI’d’a’benMis’Potter，I’d’a’
　　bensomortifiedIbelieveI’d’a’said，’Iwa’n’tplannin’
　　tobeburied，butnowI’minhereIdeclareI’llstop！’"
　　OldMrs。Butterfield’sfuneralwasnotonlyvotedanentiresuccessbythevillagers，butthesealofprofessionalapprovalwassetuponitbyanundertakerfromSaco，whodeclaredthatMrs。Tarboxcouldmakeahandsomelivinginthefunerallineanywhere。Providence，whoalwaysassiststhosewhoassistthemselves，decreedthatthenieceLyddyAnnshouldnotarriveuntiltheauntwassafelyburied;so，therebeingnonetoresistherrightorgrudgehertheprivilegeauntHitty，forthefirsttimeinherlife，rodeinthenextbuggytothehearse。Si，inhisbestsuit，abroadweedandweepers，droveCyseHiggins’sblackcolt，andauntHittywasdressedindeepmourning，withtheWidowBuzzell’scrapeveiloverherface，andinherhandapalmleaffantiedwithablackribbon。
　　HercommenttoSi，asshewenttohervirtuouscouchthatnight，was：
　　"Itwasanawfuldryfuneral，butthatwastheonlyflawinit。
　　Itwould’a’benperfectifthere’benanybodytoshedtears。
　　Icomeprettynighitmyself，thoughIain’tnorelation，whenElderWeekssaid，’You’llgoroundthehouse，mysisters，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’theorchard，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’
　　thebarnandMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’
　　theshed，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’
　　thehencoop，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere！’
　　Thatwould’a’drawedtearsfromastonemost，’speciallysenceMis’
　　Butterfieldsetsuchstorebyherhens。"
　　AndthisisthewaythatLyddyButterfieldcameintoherkingdom，alittlelonebrownhouseontheriver’sbrim。
　　ShehadseenitonlyoncebeforewhenshehaddrivenoutfromPortland，yearsago，withheraunt。Mrs。ButterfieldlivedinPortland，butspenthersummersinEdgewoodonaccountofherchickens。