Shealwaysexplainedthatthecountrywasdreadfuldullforher，butgoodforthehens;theyalwayslaidsomuchbetterinthewintertime。
Lyddylikedtheplaceallthebetterforitsloneliness。
Shehadneverhadenoughofsolitude，andthisquiethome，withthesongoftheriverforcompany，ifoneneededmorecompanythanchickensandacat，satisfiedallherdesires，particularlyasitwasaccompaniedbyasnuglittleincomeoftwohundreddollarsayear，ameagresumthatseemedtoopenupmysteriousavenuesofjoytoherstarved，impatientheart。
Whenshewasamereinfant，herbrotherwasholdingheronhiskneebeforethegreatold-fashionedfireplaceheapedwithburninglogs。Asuddennoisestartledhim，andthecrowing，restlessbabygaveanunexpectedlurch，andslipped，facedownward，intotheglowingembers。Itwasafullminutebeforethehorror-strickenboycouldextricatethelittlecreaturefromthecruelflamethathadalreadydoneitsfatalwork。
Thebabyescapedwithherlife，butwasdisfiguredforever。
Asshegrewolder，thegentlehandoftimecouldnotentirelyeffacetheterriblescars。Onecheekwaswrinkledandcrimson，whileoneeyeandthemouthweredrawndownpathetically。
Theaccidentmighthavechangedthedispositionofanychild，butLyddychancedtobeasensitive，introspectivebitoffemininehumanity，inwhosememorytheburningflamewasneverquenched。
Hermother，partlytoconcealherownwoundedvanity，andpartlytoshieldthetimid，morbidchild，keptheroutofsightasmuchaspossible;sothatatsixteen，whenshewasleftanorphan，shehadlivedalmostentirelyinsolitude。
Shebecame，incourseoftime，akindofgeneralnurserygovernessinalargefamilyofmotherlesschildren。
Thefatherwasalmostalwaysawayfromhome;hissisterkeptthehouse，andLyddystayedinthenursery，bathingthebroodandputtingthemtobed，dressingtheminthemorning，andplayingwiththeminthesafeprivacyofthebackgardenortheopenattic。
Theylovedher，disfiguredasshewas，forthechilddespisesmereexternals，andexplorestheheartofthingstoseewhetheritbegoodorevil，——buttheycouldneverinducehertoseestrangers，nortojoinanygatheringofpeople。
Thechildrenweregrownandmarriednow，andLyddywasnearlyfortywhenshecameintopossessionofhouseandlandsandfortune;
forty，withtwentyyearsofunexpendedfeelingpentwithinher。
Forty，thatisratheroldtobeinteresting，butageisarelativematter。
Haven’tyouseengirlsoffour-and-twentywhohavenibbledandbeennibbledateversincetheyweresixteen，butwhohaveneithercaughtanythingnorbeencaught？Theyareold，ifyoulike，butLyddywasfortyandstillyoung，withhersusceptibilitiescherished，notdulled，andwithallthe"languageofpassionfreshandrootedasthelovelyleafageaboutaspring。"
IV。
"HeshalldailyjoydispenseHidinsong’ssweetinfluence。"
Emerson’s_Merlin。_
LyddyhadveryfewcallersduringherfirstmonthasapropertyownerinEdgewood。Herappearancewouldhavebeenagainstherwinningfriendseasilyinanycase，evenifshehadnotacquiredthehabitsofarecluse。
Ittookacertainamountoftime，too，forthecommunitytogetusedtothefactthatoldMrs。Butterfieldwasdead，andhernieceLyddyAnnlivinginthecottageontheriverroad。
TherewerenumbersofpeoplewhohadnotyetheardthatoldMrs。ButterfieldhadboughtthehousefromtheThatcherboys，andthatwasfifteenyearsago;butthiswasnotstrange，for，notwithstandingauntHitty’svaluableservicesindisseminatinggeneralinformation，therewasamanlivingontheBonnyEagleroadwhowassurprisedtohearthatDanielWebsterwasdead，andcomplainedthatfolkswerenotsolong-livedastheyusedtobe。
AuntHittythoughtLyddyaGothandaVandalbecauseshetookdownthetwentysilvercoffinplatesandlaidthemreverentlyaway。
"Mis’Butterfieldwouldturninhergrave，"shesaid，"ifsheknewit。
Sheain’tmuchofahousekeeper，Iguess，"shewenton，asshecutoverDr。Berry’soldtrousersintobrieferonesforTommyBerry。
"Shegivesconsiderablestufftoherhensthatshe’dasightbetterheatoverandeatherself，inthesehardtimeswhenthemissionarysocietiescan’thardlykeeptheheathenfedandclothedandwarmed——no，Idon’tmeanwarmed，formosto’theheathensliveinhotclimates，somehowor’nother。
Mybackdoor’sjestoppositehers;it’sacrosstheriver，tobesure，butit’sthenarrerpart，andIcanseeeverythingshedoesasplainasdaylight。ShewashedaMonday，andsheain’ttakenherclothesinyet，andit’sThursday。Shemaybebleachin’of’emout，butitlooksslack。
IsaidtoSilastnightIshouldstandittill’boutFriday，——seein’’emlayonthegrassthere，butifshedidn’ttake’eminthen，Ishouldgooverandoffertohelpher。Shehasafireinthesettin’-room’mosteverynight，thoughweain’thadafrostyet;andasnear’sIcanmakeout，she’sgotfullredcurtainshangin’uptoherwindows。
Iain’tsure，forshedon’topentheblindsinthatroomtillI
getawayinthemorning，andsheshuts’embeforeIgetbackatnight。
Sidon’tknowredfromgreen，sohe’suselessinsuchmatters。
I’mgoinghomelateto-night，andwalkdownonthatsideo’theriver，so’tIcancallinafterdarkandseewhatmakesherhouselightupasifthesunwassettin’insideofit。"
Asamatteroffact，Lyddywasrevelinginhouse-furnishingofahumblesort。Shehadapassionforcolor。Therewasared-and-whitestrawmattingonthesitting-roomfloor。
Recklessinthecertainpossessionoftwentydollarsamonth，shepurchasedyardsuponyardsofturkeyredcotton;
enoughtocoveramattressforthehigh-backedsettle，forlongcurtainsatthewindows，andforcushionstotherockers。
Sheknottedwhitefringesforthetablecoversandcurtains，paintedtheinsideofthefireplacered，putsomepots，ofscarletgeraniumsonthewindow-sills，fillednewspaperrackwithfernsandtackeditoveranuglyspotinthewall，edgedherwork-basketwithatuftedtrimmingofscarletworsted，andmadeanelaboratephotographcaseofwhitecrashandredcottonthatstretchedtheentirelengthoftheold-fashionedmantelshelf，andheldpicturesofMr。Reynolds，MissElviraReynolds，George，Susy，Anna，John，Hazel，Ella，andRufusReynolds，herformercharges。Whenallthiswasdone，shelightedalittleblazeonthehearth，tooktheredcurtainsfromtheirhands，letthemfallgracefullytothefloor，andsatdowninherrocking-chair，reconciledtoherexistenceforabsolutelythefirsttimeinherfortyyears。
IhopeMrs。ButterfieldwashappyenoughinParadisetoappreciateandfeelLyddy’sjoy。Icanevenbelieveshewasgladtohavedied，sinceherdyingcouldbringsuchcontenttoanywretchedlivinghumansoul。
AsLydiasatinthefirelight，theleftsideofherpoorfaceinshadow，yousawthatshewasdistinctlyharmonious。Herfigure，cladinplainblack-and-whitecalicodress，wasagraceful，womanlyone。
Shehadbeautifullyslopingshouldersandasweetwrist。Herhairwassoftandplentiful，andherhandswerefine，strong，andsensitive。
Thispossibilityofrarebeautymadeherscarsandburnsmorepitiful，forifacheapchromehassmirchacrossitsface，wethinkitamatterofnomoment，butwedeplorethesmallestscratchorbluronanyworkofrealart。
Lydiafeltalittlelessbitterandhopelessaboutlifewhenshesatinfrontofherownopenfire，afterherusualtwilightwalk。
Itwasherhabittowanderdownthewoodedroadafterhersimplefive-o’clocksupper，gatheringsfernsorgoldenrodorfrostflowersforhervases;andonenightsheheard，abovetheripplingoftheriver，thestrange，sweet，piercingsoundofAnthonyCroft’sviolin。
Shedrewnearer，andsawa，middle-agedmansittinginthekitchendoorway，withaladoftenortwelveyearsleaningagainsthisknees。
Shecouldtelllittleofhisappearance，savethathehadahighforehead，andhairthatwavedwellbackfromitinratheranunusualfashion。
Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves，buttheginghamwasscrupulouslyclean，andhehadtheuncommonrefinementofacollarandnecktie。
Outofsightherself，Lyddydrewnearenoughtohear;andthisshedideverynightwithoutrecognizingthatthemusicianwasblind。
Themusichadacuriouseffectuponher。Itwasahithertounknowninfluenceinherlife，anditinterpretedher，sotospeak，toherself。
Asshesatonthebedofbrownpineneedles，underafriendlytree，herheadrestingagainstitstrunk，hereyeshalfclosed，thetoneofAnthony’sviolincamelikeaheavenlymessagetoatired，despairingsoul。
RememberthatinhersecludedlifeshehadheardonlysuchharmonyasElviraReynoldsevokedfromherpianoorGeorgeReynoldsfromhisflute，andtheReynoldstemperamentwasdistinctlyinartistic。
Lyddylivedthroughalifetimeofemotioninthesetwilightconcerts。
Sometimesshewasfilledwithanexquisitemelancholyfromwhichtherewasnoescape;atothers，theetherealpurityofthestrainstirredherheartwithastrange，sweetvisionofmysteriousjoy;joythatshehadneverpossessed，wouldneverpossess;joywhosebareexistencesheneverbeforerealized。
Whenthelownotessanklowerandlowerwiththeirsoftwailofdeliciouswoe，shebentforwardintothedark，dreadingthatsomethingwouldbelostintheverystruggleoflistening;then，aftera，pause，apurehumantonewouldbreakthestillness，andsoaring，bird-like，higherandhigher，seemtomounttoheavenitself，and，"piercingitsstarryfloors，"
liftpoorscarredLydia’ssoultotheverygratesofinfinitebliss。
Inthegentlemoodsthatstoleuponherinthosesummertwilightsshebecameadifferentwoman，softerinherprosperitythanshehadeverbeeninheradversity;forsomeplantsonlyblossominsunshine。
Whatwonderiftoherthemusicandthemusicianbecameone？
Itissometimesadangerousthingtofusethemanandhistalentsinthisway;butitdidnoharmhere，forAnthonyCroftwashismusic，andthemusicwasAnthonyCroft。Whenheplayedonhisviolin，itwasasifthemiracleofitsfashioningwereagainenacted;asifthebirdonthequiveringbough，themellowsunshinestreamingthroughthelatticeofgreenleaves，thetinkleofthewoodlandstream，spokeineverytone;
andmorethanthis，thehearth-glowinwhoselightthepatienthandshadworked，thebreathofthesoulbendingitselfinpassionateprayerforperfection，these，too，seemedtohavewroughttheirblessedinfluenceonthewillingstringsuntilthetonewasladenwithspiritualharmony。
Onemightindeedhavesungofthislittleredviolin——thatlookedtoLyddy，inthesunsetglow，asifitwereveneeredwithrubies——allthatShelleysangofanotherperfectinstrument：——
"TheartistwhothisviolwroughtToechoallharmoniousthought，Fell’datree，whileonthesteepThewoodswereintheirwintersleep，Rock’dinthatreposedivineOfthewind-sweptApennine;
Anddreaming，someofAutumnpast，AndsomeofSpringapproachingfast，AndsomeofAprilbudsandshowers，AndsomeofsongsinJulybowers，Andalloflove;andsothistree——
Othatsuchourdeathmaybe！——
Diedinsleep，andfeltnopain，Toliveinhappierformagain。"
Theviol"whispersinenamouredtone："——
"Sweetoraclesofwoodsanddells，Andsummerwindyillsylvancells;……
Theclearestechoesofthehills，Thesoftestnotesoffallingrills，Themelodiesofbirdsandbees，Themurmuringofsummerseas，Andpatteringrain，andbreathingdew，Andairsofevening;allitknew……
——Allthisitknows，butwillnottellTothosewhocannotquestionwellThespiritthatinhabitsit;……
But，sweetlyasitsanswerswillFlatterhandsofperfectskill，Itkeepsitshighest，holiesttoneForonebelovedFriendalone。"
Lyddyheardtheviolinandtheman’svoiceashetalkedtothechild，——
heardthemnightafternight;andwhenshewenthometothelittlebrownhousetolightthefireonthehearthandletdownthewarmredcurtains，shefellintosweet，sadreveries;andwhensheblewouthercandleforthenight，shefellasleepanddreamednewdreams，andherheartwasstirredwiththerustlingofnew-bornhopesthatroseandtookwinglikebirdsstartledfromtheirnests。
V。
"Norscourtheseas，norsiftmankind，Apoetorafriendtofind：
Behold，hewatchesatthedoor！
Beholdhisshadowonthefloor！"
Emerson’s_Saadi。_
LyddyButterfield’shenturkeywasofarovingdisposition。
ShehadneverappreciatedherluxuriouscountryquartersinEdgewood，andwasseeminglyanxioustoreturntothemodestbackyardinhernativecity。
Atanyrate，shewasinthehabitofstrayingfarfromhome，andthehabitwasgrowinguponhertosuchanextentthatshewouldevenleadherdocilelittlegobblersdowntovisitAnthonyCroft’shensandsharetheircorn。
Lyddyhadcaughtheratitonce，andwasnowpursuinghertothatendforthesecondtime。Shepausedinfrontofthehouse，buttherewerenoturkeystobeseen。Couldtheyhavewanderedupthehillroad，——thediscontented，"traipsing，"exasperatingthings？
Shestartedinthatdirection，whensheheardacrashintheCroftkitchen，andthenthesoundofaboy’svoicecomingfromaninnerroom，——
aweakandquerulousvoice，asifthechildwereill。
Shedrewnearer，inspiteofherdreadofmeetingpeople，oraboveallofintruding，andsawAnthonyCroftstandingoverthestove，withanexpressionofutterhelplessnessonhisusuallyplacidface。
Shehadneverreallyseenhimbeforeinthedaylight，andtherewassomethingabouthisappearancethatstartledher。
Theteakettlewasonthefloor，andaseaofwaterwasfloodingtheman’sfeet，yetheseemedtobegazingintovacancy。
Presentlyhestooped，andfumbledgropinglyforthekettle。
Itwastoohottobetouchedwithimpunity，andhefinallyleftitinadespairingsortofway，andwalkedinthedirectionofashelf，fromunderwhicharowofcoatswashanging。Theboycalledagaininalouderandmoreinsistenttone，endinginawhimperofrestlesspain。
Thisseemedtomakethemanmorenervousthanever。
Hishandswentpatientlyoverandovertheshelf，thenpausedateachseparatenail。
"Blessthepoordear！"thoughtLyddy。"Ishetryingtofindhishat，orwhatishetryingtodo？Iwonderifheismusicmad？"
andshedrewstillnearerthesteps。
Atthismomentheturnedandcamerapidlytowardthedoor。
Shelookedstraightinhisface。Therewasnomistakingit：
hewasblind。Themagicianwhohadtoldherthroughhisviolinsecretsthatshehadscarcelydreamedof，thewizardwhohadsetherhearttothrobbingandachingandlongingasithadneverthrobbedandachedandlongedbefore，thebeingwhohadwornahaloofromanceandgeniustohersimplemind，wasstone-blind！Awaveofimpetuousanguish，assharpandpassionateasanyshehadeverfeltforherownmisfortunes，sweptoverhersoulatthespectacleoftheman’shelplessness。Hissightlesseyesstruckherlikeablow。
Buttherewasnotimetolose。Shewasdirectlyinhispath：
ifshestoodstillhewouldcertainlywalkoverher，andifshemovedhewouldhearher，so，onthespurofthemoment，shegaveanervouscoughandsaid，"Good-morning，Mr。Croft。"
Hestoppedshort。"Whoisit？"heasked。
"Iam——itis——Iam——yournewneighbor，"saidLyddy，withatremblingattemptatcheerfulness。
"Oh，MissButterfield！Ishouldhavecalleduptoseeyoubeforethisifithadn’tbeenfortheboy’ssickness。
ButIamagood-for-nothingneighbor，asyouhavedoubtlessheard。
Nobodyexpectsanythingofme。"
（"Nobodyexpectsanythingofme。"Herownplaint，utteredinherowntone！）
"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"sheansweredswiftly。
"You’vegivenme，forone，agreatdealofpleasurewithyourwonderfulmusic。Ioftenhearyouasyouplayaftersupper，andithaskeptmefrombeinglonesome。Thatisn’tverymuch，tobesure。"
"Youarefondofmusic，then？"
"Ididn’tknowIwas;Ineverheardanybefore，"saidLyddysimply;
"butitseemstohelppeopletosaythingstheycouldn’tsayforthemselves，don’tyouthinkso？Itcomfortsmeeventohearit，andIthinkitmustbestillmorebeautifultomakeit。"
Now，LyddyAnnButterfieldhadnosoonerutteredthiscommonplacespeechthanthereflectiondartedthroughhermindlikealightningflashthatshehadneverspokenabitofherheartoutlikethisinallherlifebefore。
Thereasoncametoherinthesameflash：shewasnotbeinglookedat;herdisfiguredfacewashidden。Thisman，atleast，couldnotshrink，turnaway，shiver，affectindifference，fixhiseyesonherswithafascinatedhorror，asothershaddone。
Herheartwasdividedbetweenagreatthrobofpityandsympathyforhimandanirresistiblesenseofgratitudeforherself。
Sureofprotectionandcomprehension，herlovelysoulcameoutofherpooreyesandsatinthesunshine。
Shespokehermindatease，asweuttersacredthingssometimesundercoverofdarkness。
"Youseemtohavehadanaccident;whatcanIdotohelpyou？"sheasked。
"Nothing，thankyou。Theboyhasbeensickforsomedays，butheseemsworsesincelastnight。Nothingisinitsrightplaceinthehouse，soIhavegivenuptryingtofindanything，andamjustgoingtoEdgewoodtoseeifsomebodywillhelpmeforafewdays。"
"UncleTony！UncleTo-ny！whereareyou？Dogivemeanotherdrink，I’msohot！"cametheboy’svoicefromwithin。
"Coming，laddie！Idon’tbelieveheoughttodrinksomuchwater，butwhatcanIdo？Heisburningupwithfever。"
"Nowlookhere，Mr。Croft，"andLydia’stonewascheerfullydecisive。
"Yousitdowninthatrocker，please，andletmecommandtheshipforawhile。Thisisoneofthecaseswhereawomanisnecessary。
Firstandforemost，whatwereyouhuntingfor？"
"Myhatandthebutter，"saidAnthonymeekly，andatthisuniquecombinationtheybothlaughed。
Lyddy’slaughwasparticularlyfresh，childlike，andpleased;
onethatwouldhaveastonishedtheReynoldschildren。
ShehadseldomlaughedheartilysincelittleRufushadcriedandtoldhershefrightenedhimwhenshetwistedherfaceso。
"Yourhatisinthewood-box，andI’llfindthebutterinthetwinklingofaneye，thoughwhyyouwantitnowismorethan——Mypatience，Mr。Croft，yourhandisburnedtoablister！"
"Don’tmindme。Begoodenoughtolookattheboyandtellmewhatailshim;nothingelsemattersmuch。"
"Iwillwithpleasure，butletmeeaseyoualittlefirst。
Here’saragthatwillbejustthething，"andLyddy，suitingtheprettyactiontothemendaciousworn，tookagoodhandkerchieffromherpocketandtoreitinthreestrips，afterspreadingitwithtallowfromacandleheatedoverthestove。
Thisdone，shehounduptheburnedhandskillfully，and，crossingthedining-room，disappearedwithinthelittlechamberdoorbeyond。
Shecameoutpresently，andsaidhalfhesitatingly，"Wouldyou——mindgoingoutintheorchardforanhourorso？
Youseemtoberatherinthewayhere，andIshouldliketheplacetomyself，ifyou’llexcusemeforsayingso。
I’meversomuchmorecapablethanMrs。Buck;won’tyougivemeatrial，sir？Here’syourviolinandyourhat。
I’llcallyouifyoucanhelporadviseme。"
"ButIcan’tletastrangercomeinanddomyhousework，"heobjected。
"Ican’t，youknow，thoughIappreciateyourkindnessallthesame。"
"Iamyournearestneighbor，andyouronlyone，forthatmatter，"
saidLyddyfirmly;"itsnothingmorethanrightthatIshouldlookafterthatsickchild，andImustdoit。Ihaven’tgotathingtodoinmyownhouse。
Iamnothingbutapoorlonelyoldmaid，who’sbeenusedtochildrenallherlife，andlikesnothingbetterthantoworkoverthem。"
AcalmsettleduponAnthony’sperturbedspirit，ashesatundertheapple-treesandheardLyddygoingtoandfrointhecottage。
"Sheisn’tanyoldmaid，"hethought;"shedoesn’tsteplikeone;
shehassoftshoesandaspringywalk。Shemustbeaveryhandsomewoman，withahandlikethat;andsuchavoice！
Iknewthemomentshespokethatshedidn’tbelonginthisvillage。"
Asamatteroffact，hiskeenearhadcaughtthemelodyinLyddy’svoice，avoicefullofdignity，sweetness，andreservepower。
Hissenseoftouch，too，hadcapturedthebeautyofherhand，andhelditinremembrance，——thesoftpalm，thefineskin，supplefingers，smoothnails，andfirmroundwrist。
ThesecharmswouldneverhavebeennotedbyanyseeingmaninEdgewood，buttheywererevealedtoAnthonyCroftwhileLyddy，likethegoodSamaritan，bounduphiswounds。
Itisthesesavingstarsthatlighttheeternaldarknessoftheblind。
LyddythoughtshehadmetherWaterloowhen，witharmsakimbo，shegazedabouttheCroftestablishment，whichwasasceneofdesolationforthemoment。Anthony’scousinfromBridgtonwasinthehabitofvisitinghimeverytwomonthsforasolemnhouse-cleaning，andMrs。BuckfromPleasantRivercameeverySaturdayandMondayforbakingandwashing。
BetweentimesDavyandhisuncledidthehouseworktogether;
andalthoughitwasrespectablydone，therewasnopink-and-whitedaintinessaboutit，youmaybesure。
Lyddycameouttotheapple-treesinaboutanhour，laughingalittlenervouslyasshesaid，"I’msorrytohavetakenameanadvantageofyou，Mr。Croft，butIknoweverythingyou’vegotinyourhouse，andexactlywhereitis。
Icouldn’thelpit，yousee，whenIwasmakingthingstidy。
Itwoulddoyougoodtoseetheboy。Hisroomwastoolight，andthefliesweredevouringhim。Iswepthimanddustedhim，putoncleansheetsandpillowslips，spongedhimwithbayrum，brushedhishair，droveouttheflies，andtackedagreencurtainuptothewindow。Fifteenminutesafterhewassleepinglikeakitten。Hehasasorethroatandconsiderablefever。
Couldyou——canyou——atleast，willyou，gouptomyhouseonanerrand？"
"CertainlyIcan。Iknowitinsideandoutaswellasmyown。"
"Verygood。Ontheclockshelfinthesitting-roomthereisabottleofsweetspiritsofnitre;it’stheonlybottlethere，soyoucan’tmakeanymistake。Itwillhelpuntilthedoctorcomes。
Iwonderyoudidn’tsendforhimyesterday？"
"Davywouldn’thavehim，"apologizedhisuncle。
"Wouldn’the？"saidLyddywithcheerfulscorn。
"Hehasyouunderprettygoodcontrol，hasn’the？
Butchildrenareunmercifultyrants。"
"Couldn’tyoucoaxhimintoitbeforeyougohome？"askedAnthonyinawheedlingvoice。
"Icantry;butitisn’tlikelyIcaninfluencehim，ifyoucan’t。Still，ifwebothfail，Ireallydon’tseewhat’stopreventoursendingforthedoctorinspiteofhim。
Heisasweakasababy，youknow，andcan’tsitupinbed：
whatcouldhedo？Iwillrisktheconsequences，ifyouwill！"
Therewasanoteofsuchamiableandwinningsarcasminallthis，suchacheery，invinciblecourage，suchafriendlyneighborlinessandcooperation，aboveallsuchadifferenttonefromanyhewasaccustomedtohearinEdgewood，thatAnthonyCroftfeltwarmedthroughtothecore。
Ashewalkedquicklyalongtheroad，heconjuredupavisionofautumnbeautyfromthefewhintsnaturegaveeventohersightlessonesonthisgloriousmorning，——therustleofafewfallenleavesunderhisfeet，theclearwineoftheair，thefullrushoftheswollenriver，thewhiskingofthesquirrelsintheboughs，thecrunchoftheirteethonthenuts，thespicyodoroftheappleslyingunderthetrees。
Hemissedhismotherthatmorningmorethanhehadmissedherforyears。
Howneatshewas，howthrifty，howcomfortable，andhowcomforting！
Hislifewassodrearyandaimless;andwasitthebestortherightoneforDavy，withhistalentanddawningambition？WoulditnotbebettertohaveMrs。Bucklivewiththemaltogether，insteadofcomingtwiceaweek，asheretofore？No;heshrankfromthatwithahopelessaversionbornofSaturdayandMondaydinnersinhercompany。Hecouldhearherpourhercoffeeintothesaucer;hearthescrapingofthecupontherim，andknowthatshewassettingitsloppilydownonthecloth。Hecouldrememberhernoisydrinking，theweightofherelbowonthetable，thecreakingofhercalicodressunderthepressureofsuperabundantflesh。
Besides，shehadtriedtoscrubhisfavoriteviolinwithsapolio。
No，anythingwasbetterthanMrs。Buckasaconstancy。
HetookoffhishatunconsciouslyasheenteredLyddy’ssitting-room。
Agentlebreezeblewoneofthefullredcurtainstowardshimtillitflutteredabouthisshoulderslikeafrolicsome，teasinghand。
Therewasasweet，pungentodorofpineboughs，acanarysanginthewindow，theclockwastrimmedwithablackberryvine;heknewtheprickles，andtheycalleduptohismindtheglowingtintshehadlovedsowell。
Hissensitivehand，thatcarriedadiviningrodineveryfinger-tip，metavaseontheshelf，and，travelingupward，touchedafullbranchofalderberriestiedaboutwitharibbon。Theribbonwouldbered;
thewomanwhoarrangedthisroomwouldmakenomistake;forinonemorningAnthonyCrofthadpenetratedthesecretofLyddy’struepersonality，andinameasurehadsoundedtheshallowsthatledtothedepthsofhernature。
Lyddywenthomeatseveno’clockthatnightratherreluctantly。
ThedoctorhadsaidMr。Croftcouldsitupwiththeboyunlesshegrewmuchworse，andtherewasnoproprietyinherstayinglongerunlesstherewasdanger。
"Youhavebeenverygoodtome，"Anthonysaidgravely，asheshookherhandatparting，——"verygood。"
Theystoodtogetheronthedoorstep。Adistantbell，calledtoeveningprayer-meeting;therestlessmurmuroftheriverandthewhisperofthewindinthepinesbrokethetwilightstillness。
Thelong，quietdaytogether，partofitspentbythesickchild’sbedside，hadbroughtthetwostrangerscuriouslyneartoeachother。
"Thehousehasn’tseemedsosweetandfreshsincemymotherdied，"
hewenton，ashedroppedherhand，"andIhaven’thadsomanyflowersandgreenthingsinitsinceIlostmyeyesight。"
"Wasitlongago？"
"Tenyears。Isthatlong？"
"Longtobearaburden。"
"Ihopeyouknowlittleofburden-bearing？"
"Iknowlittleelse。"
"ImighthaveguesseditfromthealacritywithwhichyoutookupDavy’sandmine。Youmustbeveryhappytohavethepowertomakethingsstraightandsunnyandwholesome;
tobreatheyourstrengthintohelplessnesssuchasmine。
Ithankyou，andIenvyyou。Good-night。"
Lyddyturnedonherheelwithoutaword;hermindwasbeyondandabovewords。Theskyseemedtohavedescendedupon，envelopedher，caughtherupintoitsheaven，assheroseintounaccustomedheightsoffeeling，likeElijahinhischariotoffire。Sheveryhappy！
Shewithpower，powertomakethingsstraightandsunnyandwholesome！
Sheabletobreathestrengthintohelplessness，evenaconsecrated，Godsmittenhelplessnesslikehis！Shenotonlytobethanked，butenvied！
Herhouseseemedstrangetoherthatnight。
Shewenttobedinthedark，dreadingeventhelightofacandle;
andbeforesheturneddownhercounterpanesheflungherselfonherknees，andpouredouthersoulinaprayerthathadbeengrowing，waiting，andwaitedfor，perhaps，foryears：——
"OLord，IthankTheeforhealthandstrengthandlife。
Inevercoulddoitbefore，butIthankTheeto-nightforlifeonanyterms。IthankTheeforthishome;forthechanceofhelpinganotherhumancreature，strickenlikemyself;
fortheprivilegeofministeringtoamotherlesschild。
Makemetolongonlyforthebeautyofholiness，andtobesatisfiedifIattaintoit。Washmysoulpureandclean，andletthatbetheonlymirrorinwhichIseemyface。
Ihavetriedtobeuseful。Forgivemeifitalwaysseemedsohardanddrearyalife。ForgivemeifIamtoohappybecauseforoneshortdayIhavereallyhelpedinabeautifulway，andfoundafriendwhosaw，becausehewasblind，therealmeunderneath;themethatneverwasburnedbythefire;
themethatisn’tdisfigured，unlessmywickeddiscontenthasdoneit;themethathaslivedonandonandon，starvingtodeathforthefriendshipandsympathyandlovethatcometootherwomen。Ihavespentmyfortyyearsinthewilderness，feedingonwrathandbitternessandtears。
Forgiveme，Lord，andgivemeonemorevisionoftheblessedlandofCanaan，evenifIneverdwellthere。"
VI。
"NorlesstheeternalpolesOftendencydistributesouls。
ThereneednovowstobindWhomnoteachotherseek，butfind。"
Emerson’s_CelestialLove。_
Davy’ssicknesswasalingeringone。Mrs。Buckcamefortwoorthreehoursaday，butLyddywastheself-installedangelofthehouse;
andbeforeaweekhadpassedtheboy’sthinarmswerearoundherneck，hisheadonherlovingshoulder，andhischeekpressedagainsthers。
Anthonycouldhearthemtalk，ashesatinthekitchenbusyathiswork。Musicalinstrumentswerestillbroughthimtorepair，thoughlessfrequentlythanofyore，andhecouldstillmakemanypartsofviolinsfarbetterthanhisseeingcompetitors。
Afriendandpupilsatbyhissideinthewintereveningsandsupplementedhisweakness，helpingandlearningalternately，whilehisblindmaster’sskillfilledhimwithwonderanddespair。
Theyearsofstruggleforperfectionhadnotbeenwasted;
andthoughtheeyethatoncedetectedthedeviationofahair’sbreadthcouldnolongertellthetruefromthefalse，yetnaturehadbeenbusywithherdivineworkofcompensation。
Theonesensestrickenwithdeath，shepouredfloodsofnewlifeandvigorintotheothers。Touchbecamesomethingmorethanthestupid，emptygraspofthingsweseeingmortalsknow，andinplaceofthetwoeyeshehadlosthenowhadtenineveryfinger-tip。Asforodors，letotherfolksbeproudofsmellingmuskandlavender，butlethimtellyoubyaquiverofthenostrilsthevariouskindsofso-calledscentlessflowers，andlethimbendhisearandinterpretsecretsthattheuniverseiseverwhisperingtouswhoarepentinpartialdeafnessbecause，forsooth，wesee。
HeoftenpausedtohearLydia’slow，soothingtonesandtheboy’sweaktreble。Anthonyhadsaidtohimonce，"MissButterfieldisverybeautiful，isn’tshe，Davy？Youhaven’tpaintedmeapictureofheryet。
Howdoesshelook？"
Davywasstrickenatfirstwithsilentembarrassment。
Hewasatruthfulchild，butinthishecouldnomorehavetoldthewholetruththanhecouldhavecutoffhishand。
HewasknittoLyddybyeverytieofgratitudeandaffection。
Hewouldsitforhourswithhisexpectantfacepressedagainstthewindow-pane，andwhenhesawhercomingdowntheshadyroadhewasfilledwithasenseofimpendingcomfortandjoy。
"NO，"hesaidhesitatingly，"sheisn’tpretty，nunky，butshe’ssweetandniceanddear，Everythingonhershines，it’ssoclean;andwhenshecomesthroughthetrees，withherwhiteapronandherpurplecalicodress，yourheartjumps，becauseyouknowshe’sgoingtomakeeverythingpleasant。
Herhairhasaprettywaveinit，andherhandissoftonyourforehead;
andit’smostworthwhilebeingsickjusttohaveherinthehouse。"
Meanwhile，sotrulyis"praiseourfructifyingsun，"Lydiabloomedintoahundredhithertounsuspectedgracesofmindandheartandspeech。
Aslysenseofhumorwokeintolife，andapositivetalentforconversation，latenthithertobecauseshehadneverknownanyonewhocaredtodropaplummetintothecrystalspringsofherconsciousness。
Whentheviolinwaslaidaway，shewouldsitinthetwilight，byDavy’ssofa，histhinhandinhers，andtalkwithAnthonyaboutbooksandflowersandmusic，andaboutthemeaningoflife，too，——itsburdensandmistakes，andjoysandsorrows;gropingwithhiminthedarknesstofindacluetoGod’spurposes。
DavyhadlongafternoonsatLyddy’shouseastheautumngrewintowinter。Hereadtoherwhileshesewedragsforanewsitting-roomcarpet，andtheyplayeddominoesandcheckerstogetherinthetwilightbeforesuppertime，——
suppersthatwereafeasttotheboy，afterMrs。Buck’scookery。
Anthonybroughthisviolinsometimesofanevening，andAlmiraBerry，thenextneighborontheroadtotheMills，woulddropinandjointhelittleparty。AlmirausedtosingAuldRobinGray，WhatWillYouDo，Love，andRobinAdair，tothegreatenjoymentofeverybody;andshepersuadedLyddytobuytheoldchurchmelodeon，andlearntosingaltoinOh，WertThouintheCauldBlast，Gently，GentlySighstheBreeze，andIknowaBank。Nobodysighedforthegayetiesandadvantagesofagreatcitywhen，theseconcertsbeingover，Lyddywouldpasscrispseedcakesandraspberryshrub，doughnutsandcider，orhotpoppedcornandmolassescandy。
"Butthere，shecanaffordto，"saidauntHittyTarbox;
"she’sprettymiddlin’wealthyforEdgewood。Andit’sluckysheis，forshe’boutfeedsthatboyo’Croft’s。Nowonderhewantshertofillhimup，aftersixyearsoftheWidderBuck’svictuals。AureliaBuckcantakegoodflourandsugar，sweetbutterandfresheggs，andintenstrokesofherhandshecanmake’emintosomethingtheveryhogs’llturnawayfrom。
Ideclare，itbringsthetearstomyeyessometimeswhenIseehercomingoutofCroft’sSaturdayafternoons，andthinkofthestonecrocksfullofnastymessesshe’sleftbehindherforthatinnocentmanandboytoeatup……
AnthonygoestoseeMissButterfieldconsid’ableoften。
Ofcourseit’sawstensiblytowalkhomewithDavy，ordoanerrandorsomething，buteverybodyknowsbetter。
ShewentdowntoCroft’sprettynearlyeverydaywhenhiscousinfromBridgtoncometohouse-clean。Shesuspicionedsomething，Iguess。Anyhow，sheaskedmeifMissButterfield’stwohundredayearwasingov’mentbonds。Anthony’seyesightain’tgood，butIguesshecouldmakeouttocutcowponsoff……Itwouldbestrangeifthemtwoleft-oversshouldtakean’
marryeachother;though，cometothinkofit，Idon’tknow’s’twouldneither。He’sblind，tobesure，andcan’tseeherscarredface。It’sapitysheain’tdeef，so’tshecan’thearhiseverlastin’fiddle。She’sluckytogetanykindofahusband;she’stoohumblytochoose。
Ideclare，sheremindsmeofaJack-o’-lantern，thoughifyoulookatthebackofher，orseeherinmeetin’
withathickveilon，she’saboutthebestappearin’womaninEdgewood……IneverseeanybodystiffenupasAnthonyhas。
Hehadmemakehimthreewhiteshirtsandthreeginghamones，withcollarsandcuffsonallof’em。Itseemsasifsixshirtsatonetimemustmeansomethingouto’thecommon！"
AuntHittywasright;itdidmeansomethingoutofthecommon。
Itmeantthegrowthofanall-engrossing，grateful，divinelytenderpassionbetweentwolove-starvedsouls。
Ontheonehand，Lyddy，whothoughshehadscarcelyknownthemeaningofloveinallherdrearylife，yetwasasfulltothebrimofallsweet，womanlypossibilitiesoflovingandgivingasanyprettywoman;ontheother，theblindviolin-maker，whohadneverlovedanywomanbuthismother，andwhowasinthedirestneedofwomanlysympathyandaffection。
AnthonyCroft，beingministereduntobyLyddy’skindhands，hearinghersweetvoiceandhersoftfootstep，sawherasGodsees，knowingthebest;forgivingtheworst，likeGod，andforgettingit，stillmorelikeGod，Ithink。
AndLyddy？ThereisnopenworthytowriteofLyddy。
Herjoylaydeepinherheartlikeajewelatthebottomofaclearpool，sodeepthatnorippleorruffleonthesurfacecoulddisturbthehiddentreasure。IfGodhadsmittenthesetwowithonehand，hehadheldouttheotherintenderbenediction。
TherehadbeenapitifulsceneofunspeakablesolemnitywhenAnthonyfirsttoldLyddythathelovedher，andaskedhertobehiswife。Hehadheardallhersadhistorybythistime，thoughnotfromherownlips，andhisheartwentouttoherallthemorefortheheavycrossthathadbeenlaiduponher。
Hehadthewitandwisdomtoputherafflictionquiteoutofthequestion，andalludeonlytohersacrificeinmarryingablindman，hopelesslyandhelplesslydependentonhersweetofficesfortherestofhislife，ifshe，inherwomanlymercy，wouldlovehimandhelphimbearhisburdens。
WhenhistenderwordsfelluponLyddy’sdazedbrainshesankbesidehischair，and，claspinghisknees，sobbed：
"Iloveyou，Icannothelplovingyou，IcannothelptellingyouIloveyou！Butyoumusthearthetruth;
youhavehearditfromothers，butperhapstheysoftenedit。
IfImarryyou，peoplewillalwaysblamemeandpityyou。
Youwouldneveraskmetobeyourwifeifyoucouldseemyface;
youcouldnotlovemeaninstantifyouwerenotblind。"
"ThenIthankGodunceasinglyformyinfirmity，"saidAnthonyCroft，asheraisedhertoherfeet……
AnthonyandLyddyCroftsatintheappleorchard，onewarmdayinlatespring。
Anthony’sworkwouldhavepuzzledacasualon-looker。Tenstoutwireswerestretchedbetweentwotrees，fifteenortwentyfeetapart，andeachgroupoffiverepresentedthelinesofthemusicalstaff。
Woodenbarscrossedthewiresatregularintervals，dividingthestaffintomeasures。Aboxwithmanycompartmentssatonastoolbesidehim，andthisheldbitsofwoodthatlookedlikepegs，butwereinrealitywhole，half，quarter，andeighthnotes，rests，flats，sharps，andthelike。
Thesewerecleftinsuchawaythathecouldfitthemonthewiresalmostasrapidlyashismusicalthemecametohim，andLyddyhadlearnedtotranscribewithpenandinkthemusicshefoundinwoodandwire，Hecouldwriteonlysimpleairsinthisway，butwhenheplayedthemontheviolintheyweretransportedintoaloftierregion，suchgeniuslayintheharmony，thearabesque，thedelicatelaceworkofembroiderywithwhichthetunewasinwrought;nowhigh，nowlow，nowmajor，nowminor，nowsad，nowgay，withtheonethrilling，hauntingcadencerecurringagainandagain，tobewatchedfor，longedfor，andgreetedwithathrobofdelight。
Davywasreadingatthewindow，hiscurlyheadburiedinawell-wornShakespeareopenedatMidsummerNight’sDream。
Lyddywassittingunderherfavoritepinkapple-tree，amassoffragrantbloom，morebeautifulthanAurora’smorninggown。
Shewassewing;liningwithsnowylawninnumerablepocketsinasquarebasketthatsheheldinherlap。Thepocketsweresmall，theneedleswerefine，thethreadwasalengthofcobweb。
Everythingaboutthebasketwassmallexceptthehopesthatshewasstitchingintoit;theyweresogreatthatherheartcouldscarcelyholdthem。Naturewasstirringeverywhere。
Theseedswerespringinginthewarmearth。Thehenswerecluckingtotheirdownychicksjustoutoftheegg。
Thebirdswereflyinghitherandthitherintheappleboughs，andtherewasonelittlehomeofstrawsohungthatLyddycouldlookintoitandseethepatientmotherbroodinghernestlings。
Thesightofherbrighteyes，alertforeverysignofdanger，sentarushoffeelingthroughLyddy’sveinsthatmadeherlongtoclaspthelittlefeatheredmothertoherownbreast。
Asweetgravityandconsecrationofthoughtpossessedher，andthepinkblossomsfallingintoherbasketwerenotmoredelicatethantherose-coloreddreamsthatflushedhersoul。
Anthonyputinthelastwoodenpeg，andtakinguphisviolincalled，"Davy，lad，comeoutandtellmewhatthismeans！"
Davywasusedtothis;fromaweeboyhehadbeenaskedtopaintthechanginglandscapeofeachday，andtoputintowordshisuncle’smusic。
Lyddydroppedherneedle，thebirdsstoppedtolisten，andAnthonyplayed。
"ItisthisappleorchardinMaytime，"saidDavy;
"itisthesongofthegreenthingsgrowing，isn’tit？"
"Whatdoyousay，dear？"askedAnthony，turningtohiswife。
LoveandhopehadmadeapoetofLyddy。"IthinkDavyisright，"
shesaid。"Itisadreamofthefuture，thestoryofallnewandbeautifulthingsgrowingoutoftheold。Itisfullofthesweetnessofpresentjoy，butthereispromiseandhopeinitbesides。
ItisliketheSpringsittinginthelapofWinter，andholdingababySummerinherbosom。"
Davydidnotquiteunderstandthis，thoughhethoughtitpretty;
butLyddy’shusbanddid，andwhentheboywentbacktohisbooks，hetookhiswifeinhisarmsandkissedhertwice，——onceforherself，andthenonceagain。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
THEEVENTFULTRIPOFTHEMIDNIGHTCRY。
InthelittlevillagesalongtheSacoRiver，intheyear1850orthereabouts，thearrivalanddepartureofthestage-coachwastheoneexcitingincidentoftheday。
Itdidnotrunonscheduletimeinthosedays，butstartedfromLimingtonorSaco，asthecasemightbe，ataboutorsomewherenearacertainhour，andarrivedattheotherendoftheroutewheneveritgotthere。Therewerenotrainstomeet（therailwaypopularlyknownasthe"YorkandYank’em"wasnotbuilttill1862）;theroadswereoccasionallygoodandgenerallybad;
andthusitwasoftendusk，andsometimeslateintheevening，whenthelumberingvehicleneareditsfinaldestinationanddrewuptothelittlepost-officesalongtheway。
Howeverlateitmightbe，thevillagepostmasterhadtobeonhandtoreceiveandopenthemailbags;afterwhichhedistributedthenewspapersandlettersinaprimitivesetofpinepigeon-holesonthewall，turnedouttheloafers，"bankedup"
thefire，andwenthometobed。
"Life"Lanewasajollygoodfellow，——justthemantositontheboxseatanddrivethethreehorsesthroughrutsand"thank-you-ma’ams，"
slushandmudandsnow。Therewasaperennialtwinkleinhiseye，hisruddycheekswerewrinkledwithlaughter，andhehadagoodstoryforeveronthetipofhistongue。Hestoodsixfeettwoinhisstockings（hismotherusedtosayshehadthelongestLifeofanywomanintheStateo’Maine）;hisshoulderswerebroadinproportion，andhislungsjustthesorttofillamplyhisnoblechest。Therefore，whenhehadwhatwascalledinthevernacular"turriblebadgoin’，"andwhenanyotherstage-driverinYorkCountywouldhaveshrunkintohismufflerandsnappedandsnarledontheslightestprovocation，LifeLaneopenedhisgreatthroatwhenhepassedoverthebridgesatModerationorBonnyEagle，andsentforthagolden，sonorous"Yoho！halloo！"intothestillair。
Thelateritwasandthestormieritwas，themorevigorheputintothenote，anditwasadrowsypostmasterindeedwhodidnotstartfromhisbenchbythefireatthesoundofthatringinghalloo。
Thustheoldstage-coach，inLifeLane’stime，wasgenerallycalled"TheMidnightCry，"andnotsuchabadnameeither，whetherthetermwasderisivelyappliedbecausethestagewasalwayslate;orwhetherLife’s"Yoho！"
hadcaughtthepopularfancy。
TherewasaprettygirlinPleasantRiver（and，alas！anotherinBonnyEagle）whowenttobedeverynightwiththechickens，butstayedawaketillsheheardfirsttherumbleofheavywheelsonabridge，thenafaint，bell-liketonethatmighthavecomeoutofthemouthofasilverhorn;
whereuponsheblushedasifitwereanofferofmarriage，andturnedoverandwenttosleep。
Ifthestagearrivedingoodseason，Lifewouldhaveafewminutestositontheloafers’beachbesidethebigopenfire;andwhatafeaturehewas，withhistalesculledfromallsortsofpassengers，whowereneversofluentaswhensittingbesidehim"upinfront！"
Therewasatallowdiportwo，andnootherlightsavethatofthefire。
WhothatevertoldastorycouldwishamoreinspiringauditorthanJacobBean，aliteral，honestoldfellowwhotookthemostvitalinterestineverydetailofthestoriestold，lookingupontheirheroesandtheirvillainsaspersonalfriendsorfoes。
Healwayssatinonecornerofthefireplace，pokerinhand，andthecrowdtacitlyallowedhimtheroleofGreekchorus。
Indeed，nobodycouldhavetoldastoryproperlywithoutJakeBean’sparenthesesandpunctuationmarkspokedinatexcitingjunctures。
"That’ssoeverytime！"hewouldsay，withalungeattheforestick。
"I’llbatehewasgladthen！"withanotherstickflungoninjusttherightspot。"Golly！butthatserved’emright！"withathrustatthebacklog。
TheNewEnglandstoryseemedtoflourishundertheseconditions：
acoupleofgoodhardbenchesinastoreortavern，whereyoucouldnotonlysmokeandchewbutcouldkeeponyourhat（therewasnotamaninYorkCountyinthosedayswhocouldsayanythingworthhearingwithhishatoff）;theblazinglogstopoke;andacavernousfireplaceintowhichtobaccojuicecouldbeneatlyandjudiciouslydirected。
Thoseweregoodoldtimes，andthestage-coachwasamightythingwhenschoolchildrenweretaughttotakeofftheirhatsandmakeabowastheUnitedStatesmailpassedtheoldstagetavern。
LifeLane’scoachingdayswereoverlongbeforethisstorybegins，buttheMidnightCrywasstillinprettyfaircondition，andwasdrivenostensiblybyJeremiahTodd，wholivedonthe"back-nippin’"roadfromBonnyEagletoLimington。
WhenIsayostensiblydriven，Ibutfollowtheleadofthevillagers，whodeclaredthat，thoughJerryheldthereins，Mrs。Todddrovethestage，asshedroveeverythingelse。
Asaproofofthislady’sstrongindividuality，shewasstillgenerallyspokenofas"theWidderBixby，"thoughshehadbeensixyearsweddedtoJeremiahTodd。TheWidderBixby，then，wasstrong，self-reliant，valiant，indomitable。JerryToddwas，tousehiswife’sowncharacterization，sosoftyoucouldstickacat’stailintohimwithoutrufflingthefur。
Hewasalwaysalludedtoas"theWidderBixby’shusband;"
butthatwasnoneworspecialmortification，forhehadbeenknownsuccessivelyasMrs。Todd’syoungestbaby，theWidderTodd’sonlyson，SusanTodd’sbrother，and，whenSusanTodd’soldestboyfoughtatChapultepec，WilliamPeck’suncle。
TheWidderBixby’srecordwasfardifferent。
ShewasthemildestofthefourStoversistersofScarboro，andthequartettewassupposedtohavefurnishedmorekindsoftemperthanhadeverbeforecomefromonehousehold。
WhenPeace，theeldest，wasmad，shefrequentlykickedthechurnoutofthekitchendoor，creamandall，——andthatlostherahusband。
Love，thesecond，married，andaccordingtolocaltraditiononcekickedherhusbandallthewayupFoolscapHillwithadriedcod-fish。
Charity，thethird，marriedtoo，——fortheStoversofScarborowerehandsomegirls，butshegotafitmateinherspouse。Shefailedtointimidatehim，forhewasafoemanworthyofhersteel;
butshelefthisbedandboard，andleftinamannerthatkeptupthecreditoftheStoverfamilyofScarboro。
TheyhadhadastormybreakfastonemorningbeforehestartedtoPortlandwithaloadofhay。"Good-by，"shecalled，asshestoodinthedoor，"you’veseenthelastofme！"
"Nosuchluck！"hesaid，andwhippeduphishorse。
Charitybakedagreatpileofbiscuits，andleftthemonthekitchentablewithapitcherofskimmedmilk。
（Shewouldn’tgivehimanythingtocomplainof，notshe！）
Shethenputafewclothesinabundle，and，tyingonhershaker，preparedtowalktoPleasantRiver，twelvemilesdistant。
Asshelockedthedoorandputthekeyinitsaccustomedplaceunderthemat，apleasantyoungmandroveupandexplainedthathewastheadvanceagentoftheSypher’sTwo-in-OneMenagerieandCircus，soontoappearinthatvicinity。
Headdedthatheshouldbegladtogiveherfiveticketstotheentertainmentifshewouldallowhimtopasteafewhandsomepostersonthatsideofherbarnnexttheroad;
thattheirremovalwasattendedwithtriflingdifficulty，owingtothenatureofaverysuperiorpasteinventedbyhimself;
thatanysmallboy，infact，couldtearthemoffinanhour，andbewellpaidbythegiftofaticket。
ThedevilenteredintoCharity（notbyanymeansforthefirsttime），andshetoldthemancomposedlythatifhewouldgivehertenticketshemightpaperoverthecottageaswellasthebarn，fortheyweregoingtotearitdownshortlyandbuildalargerone。
Theadvanceagentwasdelighted，andtheypassedapleasanthourtogether;Charityholdingthepaste-pot，whilethetalkativegentlemangluedsixlionsandanelephantontheroof，afatladyonthefrontdoor，atattooedmanbetweenthewindows，livingskeletonsontheblinds，andladiesinsufficientlyclothedinallthevacantspacesandonthechimneys。
Nobodywentbyduringtheoperation，andtheagentremarked，asheunhitchedhishorse，thathehadneverdoneaneaterjob。
"Why，they’llcomeasfartoseeyourhouseastheywilltothecircus！"heexclaimed。
"Icalculatetheywill，"saidCharity，asshelatchedthegateandstartedforPleasantRiver。
IamnottellingCharityStover’sstory，soIwillonlyaddthatthebill-posterwasmistakeninthenatureofhispaste，andgreatlyundervalueditsadhesiveproperties。
ThetemperofPrudence，theyoungestsister，nowMrs。Todd，paledintoinsignificancebesidethatoftheothers，butitwasaveryprettythingintempersnevertheless，andwouldhavebeenthoughtremarkableinanyotherfamilyinScarboro。
Youmayhavenotedthefactthatitisaperson’svirtuesasoftenashisvicesthatmakehimdifficulttolivewith。
Mrs。Todd’smasterfulnessandevenherjealousymighthavebeenendured，bytheaidoffastingandprayer，butherneatness，hereconomy，andherforehandednessmadeacombinationthatonlythegraceofGodcouldhaveabidedwithcomfortably，sothatJerryTodd’scomparativesuccessisamatteroflocaltradition。Punctualityisapraiseworthyvirtueenough，butastheyearswenton，Mrs。Toddblewherbreakfasthornatsoearlyanhourthattheneighborswereinsomedoubtastowhetheritmightnotheraldthesupperofthedaybefore。
Theyalsopredictedthatshewouldhaveherfuneralbeforeshewasfairlydead，andrelatedwithgreatgustothatwhensheheardtherewastobeaneclipseofthesunonMonday，the26thofJuly，shewishedtheycouldhaveitthe25th，asSundaywouldbesomuchmoreconvenientthanwash-day。
Shehadoilclothonherkitchentosavethefloor，andoilclothmatstosavetheoilcloth;yetJerry’sbootshadtobetakenoffintheshed，andhewasrequiredtowalkthroughinhisstockingfeet。
Sheblackenedherstovethreetimesaday，washedherdishesinthewoodhouse，inordertokeephersinkclean，andkeptonepairofblindsopeninthesitting-room，butspreadnewspapersoverthecarpetwhereverthesunshonein。
ItwasthedesireofJerry’shearttogiveupthefatiguesandexposuresofstage-driving，and"keepstore，"
butMrs。Todddeemeditmuchbetterforhimtobeintheopenairthandealingoutrumandmolassestoaroysteringcrew。
Thisbeingherviewofthecase，itisunnecessarytostatethathewentondrivingthestage。
"Doyouwearaflannelshirt，Jerry？"askedPelFrostonce。
"Idon’know，"hereplied，"askMis’Todd;shekeepsthebooks。"
"Women-folks"（heusedtosaytoacasualpassenger），"likeallotheranimiles，hastobetrainedupbeforethey’rerealgoodcomp’ny。
Youhavetobeginwith’emearly，andbeginasyoumeantoholdout。
Whentheyoncegitinthehabitoftakin’thebitintheirteethandrunnin’，it’stoolateforyoutohold’emin。"
Itwasonlytostrangersthatheairedhisconvictionsonthetrainingof"womenfolks，"thoughforthatmatterhemightsafelyhavedoneitevenathome;foreverybodyinLimingtonknewthatitwouldalwayshavebeentoolatetobeginwiththeWidderBixby，since，likealltheStoversofScarboro，shehadbeenbornwiththebitinherteeth。
Jerryhadneverdoneanythinghewantedtosincehehadmarriedher，andhehadn’treallywantedtodothat。
Hehadbeenrathercandidwithheronthispoint（ascandidasatender-heartedandobligingmancanbewithawomanwhoisdeterminedtomarryhim，andhastwogoodreasonswhysheshouldtoeveryoneofhiswhyheshouldn’t），andthismayhavebeenthereasonforherjealousy。Althoughbyhersuperiorforceshehadoverbornehisvisiblereluctance，she，beingawoman，oratalleventsofthefemalegender，couldneverquiteforgetthatshehaddonethewooing。
Certainlyhischarmswerenotofthesorttotemptwomenfromthestrictandnarrowpath，yetthefactremainedthattheWidderBixbywasjealous，andmorethanonepersoninLimingtonwasawareofit。
Pelatiah，otherwise"Pel"Frost，knewmoreaboutthematterthanmostotherfolks，becausehehadunlimitedtimetodevotetogeneralculture。
Thoughnotyetthirtyyearsold，hewasthelaziestmaninYorkCounty。
（JabeSlocumhadnotthenestablishedhisrecord;andJotBascomhadruinedhisbycuttinghishaybeforeitwasdeadinthesummerof’49，alwaysalludedtoafterwardsinPleasantRiverastheyearwhengoldwasdiscoveredandJotBascomcuthishay。）
Pelwasageneralfavoriteinhalfadozenvillages，wherehewasthelifeoftheloafers’bench。Anenergeticloafercanattendproperlytoonebench，butittakesgeniusaswellasassiduitytodojusticetosixofthem。
Hishabitsweredecidedlyconvivial，andhespentagooddealoftimeatthegeneralmusters，drinkingandcarousingwiththeotherne’er-do-weels。YoumaybesurehewasnofavoriteofMrs。Todd’s;andsherepresentedtohimallthatismostundesirableinwomankind，histasterunningdecidedlytorosy，smiling，easy-goingoneswhohadnoregularhoursformeals，butcouldhaveadinneronthetableanytimeinfifteenminutesafteryougotthere。
Now，acertainladywithanoticeablegreenfrockandawhite"drawn-in"capebonnethadgracedtheMidnightCryonitsjourneyfromLimingtontoSacoonthreeoccasionsduringthemonthofJuly。
Reportsaidthatshewasastrangerwhohadappearedatthepost-officeinawagondrivenbyasmall，freckledboy。
Thefirsttrippassedwithoutcomment;thesecondprovokedsomediscussion;ontheoccasionofthethird，Mrs。Toddsaidnothing，becausethereseemednothingtosay，butshefeltsoout-of-sortsthatshecutJerry’shairclosetohishead，thoughheparticularlyfanciedthethinfringeofcurlsatthenapeofhisneck。
PelFrostwentovertoTodd’sonemorningtoborrowanaxe，andseizedafavorableopportunitytoaskcasually，"Oh，Mis’
Todd，didJerryfindoutthenameo’thatwomaninagreendressandwhitebunnitthatridtoSacowithhimlastweek？"
"Mr。Todd’sgotsomethingbettertodothangetacquaintedwithhisladypassengers，"snappedMrs。Todd，"’speciallyastheyalwaysrideinside。"
"Iknowtheygen’allydo，"saidPel，shoulderingtheaxe（itwasforhismother’suse），butthisoneridesupinfrontparto’
theway，soIthoughtmebbeJerry’dfindoutsomething’bouther。
She’shan’someasapicture，butshemusthaveagoodstrongbacktomakethetripdown’n’upinoneday。"
Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreeffectiveormoreeffectualthanthisblowdealtwithconsummateskill。
HavingthusdriventheironintoMrs。Todd’ssoul，Pelentertainedhismotherwithanaccountoftheinterviewwhileshechoppedthekindling-wood。Hehadnospecialendinviewwhen，Iago-like，hedroppedhisfirstpoisonedseedinMrs。Todd’sfertilemind，or，atmost，nothingworsethanthehopethatmattersmightreachanunendurablepoint，andJerrymightstrikeforhisaltarsandhisfires。
Jerrywasamanandabrother，andpetticoatgovernmentmustbediscouragedwheneverandwhereverpossible，ortheworldwouldsoonceasetobeasafeplacetolivein。Pel’sideagrewuponhiminthenightwatches，andthenextmorninghesearchedhismother’sgarrettillhefoundagreendressandawhitebonnet。
Puttingtheminabasket，hewalkedoutontheroadalittledistancetillhemetthestage，when，findingnopassengersinside，heaskedJerrytolethimjumpinand"rideapiece。"
Oncewithin，hehastilydonnedthegreenwrapperandtell-taleheadgear，and，whentheMidnightCryrattleddownthestonyhillpasttheToddhouse，Peltookgoodcaretoexposealargegreensleeveandthesideofawhitebonnetatthestagewindow。
Itwaseasyenoughtocramthethingsbackintothebasket，jumpout，andcallacordialthankyoutotheunsuspectingJerry。
Hewasrewardedforhisingenuityandenterpriseatnight，whenhereturnedMrs。Todd’saxe，forjustashereachedthebackdoorhedistinctlyheardhersaythatifshesawthatgreenwomanonthestageagain，shewouldknockheroffwithabroomstickassureasshewasaStoverofScarboro。
Asamatteroffactshewasequaltoit。Hergreat-grandmotherhadbeenbornonasoilwherethebroomstickisaprominentfactorinsettlingconnubialdifferences;andifitoccurredtoheratthisjuncture，itisasatisfactoryproofofthetheoryofatavism。
Pelintendedtoseethisdomestictragedythroughtotheend，andaccordinglytookanotherbrieftripincostumetheverynextweek，hopingtobethewitnessofasceneofbloodandcarnage。
ButMrs。Todddidnotstirfromherhouse，althoughhewasconfidentshehadseen"myladygreen-sleeves"fromherpostatthewindow。
Puzzledbyherapathy，andmuchdisappointedinhertemper，hetookoffthedress，and，climbingupinfront，rodetoModeration，wherehereceivedanurgentinvitationtogoovertothecountyfairatGorham。ThelastideawasalwaysthemostcaptivatingtoPel，andhedepartedserenelyforastayofseveraldayswithoutsomuchluggageasahairbrush。Hismother’sbestclothespinbasket，tosaynothingofitscontents，appearedatthisjuncturetobeanunexpectedincumbrance;soonthespurofthemomenthehandedituptoJerryjustasthestagewasstarting，saying，"IfMis’
Toddhasabrashto-night，youcanclearyourselfbyshowingherthisbasket，butformassysakesdon’tlayitontome！
Youcanstan’itbetter’nIcan，——you’remoreusedtoit！"
Jerrytookthebasket，andwhenhewaswelloutontheroadhelookedinsideandsawabrightgreencalicowrapper，awhitecapebonnet，awhite"fallveil，"andapairofwhitecottongloves。
Hehadampletimeforreflection，foritwasahotday，andthoughhedroveslowly，thehorsesweresweatingateverypore。
PelFrost，then，musthaveoverheardhiswife’sstormofreproaches，perhapsevenherthreatsofviolence。Ithadcometothis，thathewasthevillagelaughing-stock，abuttofridiculeatthestoreandtavern。
Now，twoyearsbeforethis，JerryToddhadforthefirstandonlytimeinhismarriedlife"puthisfootdown。"
Mrs。Toddhadinsistedonmakinghimasuitofclothesmuchagainsthiswishes。Whenfinishedsheputthemonhimalmostbymainforce，thoughhisplaintiveappealswouldhavemeltedanybutaStover-of-Scarboroheart。
Thestuffwasalargeplaid，theelbowsandkneescameinthewrongplaces，theseatwaslinedwithenameledcloth，andthesleevescuthiminthearmholes。
Mr。Toddsaidnothingforamoment，butthepent-upslaveryofyearsstirredinhim，and，mountingtohisbrain，gavehimamomentarycouragethatresembledintoxication。
Heretired，tookoffthesuit，hungitoverhisarm，and，stalkingintothesitting-roominhisundergarments，laiditonthetablebeforehisastonishedspouse，and，thumpingitdramatically，saidfirmly，"I——will——not——wear——them——clo’es！"whereuponhefellintosilenceagainandwenttobed。
Thejokeofthematterwas，that，allunknowntohimself，hehadabsolutelyfrightenedMrs。Todd。Ifonlyhecouldhaverealizedtheimpressivenessandthethoroughsuccessofhisfirstrebellion！
Butifhehadrealizedithecouldnothaverepeateditoften，forsomuchvirtuewentoutofhimonthatoccasionthathefelthardlyabletodrivethestagefordaysafterward。
"Ishallhavetoputdownmyfootagin，"hesaidtohimselfontheeventfulmorningwhenPelpresentedhimwiththebasket。
"Dernmyluck，I’vegottodoitagin，whenIain’thardlygotovertheothertime。"So，afteranhour’splottingandplanning，hemadesomepurchasesinBiddefordandstartedonhisreturntrip。
Hewasverylowinhismind，thinking，ifhiswifereallymeditateduponwarfare，shewaslikelytoinspectthestagethatnight，butgivinghercreditinhisinmostheartfortoomuchcommonsensetouseabroomstick，——awomanwithhertongue！
TheMidnightCryrattledonlumberingly。Itsroutehadbeenshortened，andMrs。Toddwanteditsnamechangedtosomethinglessoutlandish，suchastheRisingSun，ortheBreakingDawn，ortheHighNoon，butherideametwithnovotaries;ithadbeen，was，andevershouldbe，theMidnightCry，nomatterwhattimeitsetoutorgotback。
Ithadseenitsbestdays，Jerrythought，andsohadhe，forthatmatter。
Yethehadbeencalled"alikelyfeller"whenhemarriedtheWidderBixby，orratherwhenshemarriedhim。Well，themischiefwasdone;
allthatremainedwastosavearemnantofhisself-respect，andmakeanoccasionaldashforliberty。
Hedidallhiserrandswithhisusualcare，droppingablueribbonforDoxyMorton’sSundayhat，fourcents’worthofgum-camphorforAlmiraBerry，aspoolofcottonforMrs。Wentworth，andapairof"galluses"forLivingBean。Hefinallyturnedintothe"back-nippin’"roadfromBonnyEagletoLimington，andwhenhewaswithinfortyrodsofhisownhousehestoppedtowaterhishorses。
Ifhefearedascenehehadgoodreason，forasthehorsesclimbedthecrestofthelonghilltheladyingreenwasbyhissideonthebox。
Helookedanxiouslyahead，andthere，inahedgeofyoungalderbushes，hesawsomethingstirring，and，unlesshewasgreatlymistaken，abirchbroomlayonthegroundnearthehedge。
Notwithstandingthesedangersignals，Jerry’sarmencircledtheplumpwaistoftheladyingreen，and，emboldenedbytheshadesoftwilight，hislipssoughttheidenticalspotunderthewhite"fallveil"whereherincendiarymouthmightbesupposedtolurk，quite"fitfortreasons，stratagems，andspoils。"Thisdone，heputonthebrakeandheadedhishorsestowardthefence。
Hewasnonetoosoon，fortheWidderBixby，broominhand，dartedoutfromthealdersandapproachedthestagewithobjurgationswhich，hadsheratedthemattheirpropervalue，needednosupplementinthewayofblows。Jerrygaveoneterror-strickenlook，woundhisreinsroundthewhipstock，and，leapingfromhisseat，disappearedbehindaconvenienttree。
AtthismomentofblindrageMrs。Toddwouldhavepreferredtochastisebothhervictimsatonce;but，beingrobbedofonebyJerry’scowardlyflight，herweapondescendedupontheotherwithdoubleforce。
Therewasnolackofcouragehereatleast。Whethertheladyingreenwasborneupbytheconsciousnessofvirtue，whethershewastooproudtoretreat，orwhatevermayhavebeenheranimatingreason，theblowfell，yetshestoodhergroundandgavenoansweringshriek。
Enragedasmuchbyherrival’scoolresistanceasbyherownsenseofinjury，theWidderBixbyaimedfullatthebonnetbeneathwhichwerethecharmsthathadbefuddledJerryTodd’sbrain。
ToblastthefatalbeautythathadcaptivatedherweddedhusbandwastheWidderBixby’sidea，andthebroomdescended。
Ashowerofseedsandpulp，acopiousspatteringofpumpkinjuice，andtheladyingreenfellresistlesslyintoherassailant’sarms;
herstrawbody，herwoodenarmsandpumpkinhead，decoratingtheearthatherfeet！Mrs。Toddstaredhelplesslyatthewreckshehadmade，notaltogethercomprehendingtherusethathadledtoherdiscomfiture，butfullyconsciousthatherempirewasshakentoitsfoundations。
Sheglancedineverydirection，andthenhurlingthehatefulgreen-and-whiteliveryintothestage，shegatheredupalltracesoftheshamefulfray，andsweepingthemintoherginghamapronranintothehouseinastormoftearsandbaffledrage。
Jerrystayedbehindthetreeforsomeminutes，andwhenthecoastwasclearhemountedtheseatanddrovetothestoreandthestable。
Whenhehadputuphishorseshewentintotheshed，tookoffhisbootsasusual，but，despiteallhisphilosophy，brokeintoacoldsweatofterrorashecrossedthekitchenthreshold。
"Ican’tstandmanymoreofthesetimeswhenIputmyfootdown，"
hethought，"they’retooweakening！"
Butheneednothavefeared。Therewasagoodsupperunderthemosquitonettingonthetable，and，mostunusualluxury，apotofhottea。
Mrs。Toddhadgonetobedandlefthimapotoftea！
Whichwasthemoreeloquentapology！
Jerryneverreferredtotheladyingreen，thenorafterwards;
hewaswillingtoletwellenoughalone;butwheneverhisspousepassedacertainline，which，beingaStoverofScarboro，shewaslikelytodoaboutonceinsixmonths，hehadonlytosummonhisrecreantcourageandglancemeaninglybehindthekitchendoor，wherethebirchbroomhungonanail。Itwasasimpleremedytooutwardappearances，butmadehisdecliningyearsmorecomfortable。
IcanhardlybelievethatheevertookPelFrostintohisconfidence，butPelcertainlywasnevermoreinterestingtotheloafers’
benchthanwhenhetoldthestoryoftheeventfultripoftheMidnightCryand"thebreakinginoftheWidderBixby。"
NOTES：
1。Onpage20，reenteredisspelledwithdiaeresisoverthesecond"e"。
2。Onpages153&154theversesbeginningrespectively"Rebelmourner"
and"Thisgro-o-oanin’world"areaccompaniedwithstavesofmusicinthetrebleclef。