CHAPTERI
　　THEMOUNTAINHOME
　　Faruponthemountain-sidestoodaloneintheclearing。Itwasroughlyyetwarmlybuilt。Behinditjaggedcliffsbrokethenorthwind，andtoweredgray-whiteinthesunshine。Beforeitatinyexpanseofgreenslopedgentlyawaytoapointwherethemountaindroppedinanothersharpdescent，woodedwithscrubbyfirsandpines。Attheleftafootpathledintothecooldepthsoftheforest。ButattherightthemountainfellawayagainanddisclosedtoviewthepictureDavidlovedthebestofall：thefar-reachingvalley；thesilverpoolofthelakewithitsribbonofariverflungfarout；andaboveitthegraysandgreensandpurplesofthemountainsthatclimbedoneuponanother’sshouldersuntilthetopmostthrusttheirheadsintothewidedomeoftheskyitself。
　　Therewasnoroad，apparently，leadingawayfromthecabin。Therewasonlythefootpaththatdisappearedintotheforest。Neither，anywhere，wasthereahouseinsightnearerthanthewhitespecksfardowninthevalleybytheriver。
　　Withintheshackawidefireplacedominatedonesideofthemainroom。ItwasJunenow，andtheasheslaycoldonthehearth；butfromthetinylean-tointherearcamethesmellandthesputterofbaconsizzlingoverablaze。Thefurnishingsoftheroomweresimple，yet，inaway，outofthecommon。Thereweretwobunks，afewrudebutcomfortablechairs，atable，twomusic-racks，twoviolinswiththeircases，andeverywherebooks，andscatteredsheetsofmusic。Nowherewastherecushion，curtain，orknickknackthattoldofawoman’stasteortouch。Ontheotherhand，neitherwasthereanywheregun，pelt，orantleredheadthatspokeofaman’sstrengthandskill。FordecorationtherewereabeautifulcopyoftheSistineMadonna，severalphotographssignedwithnameswellknownoutinthegreatworldbeyondthemountains，andafestoonofpineconessuchasachildmightgatherandhang。
　　Fromthelittlelean-tokitchenthesoundofthesputteringsuddenlyceased，andatthedoorappearedapairofdark，wistfuleyes。
　　"Daddy！"calledtheowneroftheeyes。
　　Therewasnoanswer。
　　"Father，areyouthere？"calledthevoice，moreinsistently。
　　Fromoneofthebunkscameaslightstirandamurmuredword。Atthesoundtheboyatthedoorleapedsoftlyintotheroomandhurriedtothebunkinthecorner。Hewasaslenderladwithshort，crispcurlsathisears，andtheredofperfecthealthinhischeeks。Hishands，slim，long，andwithtaperingfingerslikeagirl’s，reachedforwardeagerly。
　　"Daddy，come！I’vedonethebaconallmyself，andthepotatoesandthecoffee，too。Quick，it’sallgettingcold！"
　　Slowly，withtheaidoftheboy’sfirmhands，themanpulledhimselfhalftoasittingposture。Hischeeks，liketheboy’s，werered——butnotwithhealth。Hiseyeswerealittlewild，buthisvoicewaslowandverytender，likeacaress。
　　"David——it’smylittlesonDavid！"
　　"Ofcourseit’sDavid！Whoelseshoulditbe？"laughedtheboy。
　　"Come！"Andhetuggedattheman’shands。
　　Themanrosethen，unsteadily，andbysheerwillforcedhimselftostandupright。Thewildlooklefthiseyes，andtheflushhischeeks。Hisfacelookedsuddenlyoldandhaggard。Yetwithfairlysurestepshecrossedtheroomandenteredthelittlekitchen。
　　Halfofthebaconwasblack；theotherhalfwastransparentandliketoughjelly。Thepotatoesweresoggy，andhadtheunmistakabletastethatcomesfromadishthathasboileddry。
　　Thecoffeewaslukewarmandmuddy。Eventhemilkwassour。
　　Davidlaughedalittleruefully。
　　"Thingsaren’tsoniceasyours，father，"heapologized。"I’mafraidI’mnothingbutadiscordinthatorchestrato-day！
　　Somehow，someofthestovewashotterthantherest，andburntupthebaconinspots；andallthewatergotoutofthepotatoes，too，——thoughTHATdidn’tmatter，forIjustputmorecoldin。I
　　forgotandleftthemilkinthesun，andittastesbadnow；butI’msurenexttimeit’llbebetter——allofit。"
　　Themansmiled，butheshookhisheadsadly。
　　"Butthereoughtnottobeany’nexttime，’David。"
　　"Whynot？Whatdoyoumean？Aren’tyouevergoingtoletmetryagain，father？"Therewasrealdistressintheboy’svoice。
　　Themanhesitated。Hislipspartedwithanindrawnbreath，asifbehindthemlayarushofwords。Buttheyclosedabruptly，thewordsstillunsaid。Then，verylightly，cametheseothers：——
　　"Well，son，thisisn’taverynicewaytotreatyoursupper，isit？Now，ifyouplease，I’lltakesomeofthatbacon。IthinkI
　　feelmyappetitecomingback。"
　　Ifthetruantappetite"cameback，"however，itcouldnothavestayed；forthemanatebutlittle。Hefrowned，too，ashesawhowlittletheboyate。Hesatsilentwhilehissonclearedthefoodanddishesaway，andhewasstillsilentwhen，withtheboy，hepassedoutofthehouseandwalkedtothelittlebenchfacingthewest。
　　Unlessitstormedveryhard，Davidneverwenttobedwithoutthislastlookathis"SilverLake，"ashecalledthelittlesheetofwaterfardowninthevalley。
　　"Daddy，it’sgoldto-night——allgoldwiththesun！"hecriedrapturously，ashiseyesfelluponhistreasure。"Oh，daddy！"
　　Itwasalong-drawncryofecstasy，andhearingit，themanwinced，aswithsuddenpain。
　　’Daddy，I’mgoingtoplayit——I’vegottoplayit！"criedtheboy，boundingtowardthecabin。Inamomenthehadreturned，violinathischin。
　　Themanwatchedandlistened；andashewatchedandlistened，hisfacebecameabattle-groundwhereonprideandfear，hopeanddespair，joyandsorrow，foughtforthemastery。
　　ItwasnonewthingforDavidto"play"thesunset。Always，whenhewasmoved，Davidturnedtohisviolin。Alwaysinitsquiveringstringshefoundthemeanstosaythatwhichhistonguecouldnotexpress。
　　Acrossthevalleythegraysandbluesofthemountainshadbecomeallpurplesnow。Above，theskyinonevastflameofcrimsonandgold，wasamoltenseaonwhichfloatedrose-pinkcloud-boats。
　　Below，thevalleywithitslakeandriverpickedoutinroseandgoldagainsttheshadowygreensoffieldandforest，seemedlikesomeenchantedfairylandofloveliness。
　　AndallthiswasinDavid’sviolin，andallthis，too，wasonDavid’suplifted，rapturousface。
　　Asthelastrose-glowturnedtograyandthelaststrainquiveredintosilence，themanspoke。Hisvoicewasalmostharshwithself-control。
　　"David，thetimehascome。We’llhavetogiveitup——youandI。"
　　Theboyturnedwonderingly，hisfacestillsoftlyluminous。
　　"Givewhatup？"
　　"This——allthis。"
　　"This！Why，father，whatdoyoumean？Thisishome！"
　　Themannoddedwearily。
　　"Iknow。Ithasbeenhome；but，David，youdidn’tthinkwecouldalwayslivehere，likethis，didyou？"
　　Davidlaughedsoftly，andturnedhiseyesoncemoretothedistantsky-line。
　　Whynot？"heaskeddreamily。"Whatbetterplacecouldtherebe？I
　　likeit，daddy。"
　　Themandrewatroubledbreath，andstirredrestlessly。Theteasingpaininhissidewasverybadto-night，andnochangeofpositioneasedit。Hewasill，veryill；andheknewit。Yethealsoknewthat，toDavid，sickness，pain，anddeathmeantnothing——or，atmost，wordsthathadalwaysbeenlightly，almostunconsciouslypassedover。Forthefirsttimehewonderedif，afterall，histraining——someofit——hadbeenwise。
　　Forsixyearshehadhadtheboyunderhisexclusivecareandguidance。Forsixyearstheboyhadeatenthefood，worntheclothing，andstudiedthebooksofhisfather’schoosing。Forsixyearsthatfatherhadthought，planned，breathed，moved，livedforhisson。Therehadbeennoothersinthelittlecabin。Therehadbeenonlytheoccasionaltripsthroughthewoodstothelittletownonthemountain-sideforfoodandclothing，tobreakthedaysofclosecompanionship。
　　Allthisthemanhadplannedcarefully。HehadmeantthatonlythegoodandbeautifulshouldhaveplaceinDavid’syouth。Itwasnotthatheintendedthatevil，unhappiness，anddeathshouldlackdefinition，onlydefiniteness，intheboy’smind。Itshouldbeacasewherethegoodandthebeautifulshouldsofillthethoughtsthattherewouldbenoroomforanythingelse。Thishadbeenhisplan。Andthusfarhehadsucceeded——succeededsowonderfullythathebegannow，inthefaceofhisownillness，andofwhathefearedwouldcomeofit，todoubtthewisdomofthatplanning。
　　Ashelookedattheboy’sraptface，herememberedDavid’ssurprisedquestioningatthefirstdeadsquirrelhehadfoundinthewoods。Davidwassixthen。
　　"Why，daddy，he’sasleep，andhewon’twakeup！"hehadcried。
　　Then，afteragentletouch："Andhe’scold——oh，socold！"
　　Thefatherhadhurriedhissonawayatthetime，andhadevadedhisquestions；andDavidhadseemedcontent。Butthenextdaytheboyhadgonebacktothesubject。Hiseyeswerewidethen，andalittlefrightened。
　　"Father，whatisittobe——dead？"
　　"Whatdoyoumean，David？"
　　"Theboywhobringsthemilk——hehadthesquirrelthismorning。
　　Hesaiditwasnotasleep。Itwas——dead。"
　　"Itmeansthatthesquirrel，therealsquirrelunderthefur，hasgoneaway，David。"
　　"Where？"
　　"Toafarcountry，perhaps。"
　　"Willhecomeback？"
　　"No。"
　　"Didhewanttogo？"
　　"We’llhopeso。"
　　"Buthelefthis——hisfurcoatbehindhim。Didn’theneed——that？"
　　"No，orhe’dhavetakenitwithhim。"
　　Davidhadfallensilentatthis。Hehadremainedstrangelysilentindeedforsomedays；then，outinthewoodswithhisfatheronemorning，hegaveajoyousshout。Hewasstandingbytheice-coveredbrook，andlookingatalittleblackholethroughwhichthehurryingwatercouldbeplainlyseen。
　　"Daddy，oh，daddy，Iknownowhowitis，aboutbeing——dead。"
　　"Why——David！"
　　"It’slikethewaterinthebrook，youknow；THAT’Sgoingtoafarcountry，anditisn’tcomingback。Anditleavesitslittlecoldice-coatbehinditjustasthesquirreldid，too。Itdoesn’tneedit。Itcangowithoutit。Don’tyousee？Andit’ssinging——listen！——it’ssingingasitgoes。ItWANTStogo！"
　　"Yes，David。"AndDavid’sfatherhadsighedwithreliefthathissonhadfoundhisownexplanationofthemystery，andonethatsatisfied。
　　Later，inhisbooks，Davidfounddeathagain。Itwasaman，thistime。Theboyhadlookedupwithstartledeyes。
　　"Dopeople，realpeople，likeyouandme，bedead，father？Dotheygotoafarcountry？
　　"Yes，sonintime——toafarcountryruledoverbyagreatandgoodKingtheytellus。
　　David’sfatherhadtrembledashesaidit，andhadwaitedfearfullyfortheresult。ButDavidhadonlysmiledhappilyasheanswered：
　　"Buttheygosinging，father，likethelittlebrook。YouknowI
　　heardit！"
　　Andtherethematterhadended。Davidwastennow，andnotyetforhimdiddeathspellterror。BecauseofthisDavid’sfatherwasrelieved；andyet——stillbecauseofthis——hewasafraid。
　　"David，"hesaidgently。"Listentome。"
　　Theboyturnedwithalongsigh。
　　"Yes，father。"
　　"Wemustgoaway。Outinthegreatworldtherearemenandwomenandchildrenwaitingforyou。You’veabeautifulworktodo；andonecan’tdoone’sworkonamountain-top。"
　　"Whynot？Ilikeithere，andI’vealwaysbeenhere。"
　　"Notalways，David；sixyears。YouwerefourwhenIbroughtyouhere。Youdon’tremember，perhaps。"
　　Davidshookhishead。Hiseyeswereagaindreamilyfixedonthesky。
　　"IthinkI’dlikeit——togo——ifIcouldsailawayonthatlittlecloud-boatupthere，"hemurmured。
　　Themansighedandshookhishead。
　　"Wecan’tgooncloud-boats。Wemustwalk，David，foraway——andwemustgosoon——soon，"headdedfeverishly。"Imustgetyouback——backamongfriends，before——"
　　Heroseunsteadily，andtriedtowalkerect。Hislimbsshook，andthebloodthrobbedathistemples。Hewasappalledathisweakness。Withafiercenessbornofhisterrorheturnedsharplytotheboyathisside。
　　"David，we’vegottogo！We’vegottogo——TO-MORROW！"
　　"Father！"
　　"Yes，yes，come！"Hestumbledblindly，yetinsomewayhereachedthecabindoor。
　　BehindhimDavidstillsat，inert，staring。Thenextminutetheboyhadsprungtohisfeetandwashurryingafterhisfather。
　　CHAPTERII
　　THETRAIL
　　Acuriousstrengthseemedtohavecometotheman。WithalmoststeadyhandshetookdownthephotographsandtheSistineMadonna，packingthemneatlyawayinaboxtobeleft。Frombeneathhisbunkhedraggedalarge，dustytraveling-bag，andinthishestowedalittlefood，afewgarments，andagreatdealofthemusicscatteredabouttheroom。
　　David，inthedoorway，staredindazedwonder。Graduallyintohiseyescreptalookneverseentherebefore。
　　"Father，wherearewegoing？"heaskedatlastinashakingvoice，ashecameslowlyintotheroom。
　　"Back，son；we’regoingback。"
　　"Tothevillage，wherewegetoureggsandbacon？"
　　"No，no，lad，notthere。Theotherway。Wegodownintothevalleythistime。"
　　"Thevalley——MYvalley，withtheSilverLake？"
　　"Yes，myson；andbeyond——farbeyond。"Themanspokedreamily。Hewaslookingataphotographinhishand。Ithadslippedinamongtheloosesheetsofmusic，andhadnotbeenputawaywiththeothers。Itwasthelikenessofabeautifulwoman。
　　ForamomentDavideyedhimuncertainly；thenhespoke。
　　"Daddy，whoisthat？Whoareallthesepeopleinthepictures？
　　You’venevertoldmeaboutanyofthemexceptthelittleroundonethatyouwearinyourpocket。Whoarethey？"
　　Insteadofanswering，themanturnedfarawayeyesontheboyandsmiledwistfully。
　　"Ah，David，lad，howthey’llloveyou！Howtheywillloveyou！
　　Butyoumustn’tletthemspoilyou，son。Youmustremember——rememberallI’vetoldyou。"
　　OnceagainDavidaskedhisquestion，butthistimethemanonlyturnedbacktothephotograph，mutteringsomethingtheboycouldnotunderstand。
　　AfterthatDaviddidnotquestionanymore。Hewastooamazed，toodistressed。Hehadneverbeforeseenhisfatherlikethis。
　　Withnervoushastethemanwassettingthelittleroomtorights，crowdingthingsintothebag，andpackingotherthingsawayinanoldtrunk。Hischeekswereveryred，andhiseyesverybright。Hetalked，too，almostconstantly，thoughDavidcouldunderstandscarcelyawordofwhatwassaid。Later，themancaughtuphisviolinandplayed；andneverbeforehadDavidheardhisfatherplaylikethat。Theboy’seyesfilled，andhisheartachedwithapainthatchokedandnumbed——thoughwhy，Davidcouldnothavetold。Stilllater，themandroppedhisviolinandsankexhaustedintoachair；andthenDavid，wornandfrightenedwithitall，crepttohisbunkandfellasleep。
　　InthegraydawnofthemorningDavidawoketoadifferentworld。
　　Hisfather，white-facedandgentle，wascallinghimtogetreadyforbreakfast。Thelittleroom，dismantledofitsdecorations，wasbareandcold。Thebag，closedandstrapped，restedonthefloorbythedoor，togetherwiththetwoviolinsintheircases，readytocarry。
　　"Wemusthurry，son。It’salongtrampbeforewetakethecars。"
　　"Thecars——therealcars？Dowegointhose？"Davidwasfullyawakenow。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andisthatallwe’retocarry？"
　　"Yes。Hurry，son。"
　　"Butwecomeback——sometime？"
　　Therewasnoanswer。
　　"Father，we’recomingback——sometime？"David’svoicewasinsistentnow。
　　Themanstoopedandtightenedastrapthatwasalreadyquitetightenough。Thenhelaughedlightly。
　　"Why，ofcourseyou’recomingbacksometime，David。Onlythinkofallthesethingswe’releaving！"
　　Whenthelastdishwasputaway，thelastgarmentadjusted，andthelastlookgiventothelittleroom，thetravelerspickedupthebagandtheviolins，andwentoutintothesweetfreshnessofthemorning。Ashefastenedthedoorthemansighedprofoundly；
　　butDaviddidnotnoticethis。Hisfacewasturnedtowardtheeast——alwaysDavidlookedtowardthesun。
　　"Daddy，let’snotgo，afterall！Let’sstayhere，"hecriedardently，drinkinginthebeautyofthemorning。
　　"Wemustgo，David。Come，son。"Andthemanledthewayacrossthegreenslopetothewest。
　　Itwasascarcelyperceptibletrail，butthemanfoundit，andfolloweditwithevidentconfidence。Therewasonlythepausenowandthentosteadyhisnone-too-surestep，ortoeasetheburdenofthebag。Verysoontheforestlayallaboutthem，withthebirdssingingovertheirheads，andwithnumberlesstinyfeetscurryingthroughtheunderbrushonallsides。Justoutofsightabrookbabblednoisilyofitsdelightinbeingalive；andawayupinthetreetopsthemorningsunplayedhide-and-seekamongthedancingleaves。
　　AndDavidleaped，andlaughed，andloveditall，norwasanyofitstrangetohim。Thebirds，thetrees，thesun，thebrook，thescurryinglittlecreaturesoftheforest，allwerefriendsofhis。Buttheman——themandidnotleaporlaugh，thoughhe，too，loveditall。Themanwasafraid。
　　Heknewnowthathehadundertakenmorethanhecouldcarryout。
　　Stepbystepthebaghadgrownheavier，andhourbyhourtheinsistent，teasingpaininhissidehadincreaseduntilnowitwasatorture。Hehadforgottenthatthewaytothevalleywassolong；hehadnotrealizedhownearlyspentwashisstrengthbeforeheevenstarteddownthetrail。Throbbingthroughhisbrainwasthequestion，whatif，afterall，hecouldnot——buteventohimselfhewouldnotsaythewords。
　　Atnoontheypausedforluncheon，andatnighttheycampedwherethechatteringbrookhadstoppedtorestinastill，blackpool。
　　Thenextmorningthemanandtheboypickedupthetrailagain，butwithoutthebag。Undersomeleavesinalittlehollow，themanhadhiddenthebag，andhadthensaid，asifcasually：——
　　"Ibelieve，afterall，Iwon’tcarrythisalong。There’snothinginitthatwereallyneed，youknow，nowthatI’vetakenouttheluncheonbox，andbynightwe’llbedowninthevalley。"
　　"Ofcourse！"laughedDavid。"Wedon’tneedthat。"Andhelaughedagain，forpurejoy。LittleusehadDavidforbagsorbaggage！
　　Theyweremorethanhalfwaydownthemountainnow，andsoontheyreachedagrass-grownroad，littletraveled，butyetaroad。
　　Stilllatertheycametowherefourwayscrossed，andtwoofthemborethemarksofmanywheels。Bysundownthelittlebrookattheirsidemurmuredsoftlyofquietfieldsandmeadows，andDavidknewthatthevalleywasreached。
　　Davidwasnotlaughingnow。Hewaswatchinghisfatherwithstartledeyes。Davidhadnotknownwhatanxietywas。Hewasfindingoutnow——thoughhebutvaguelyrealizedthatsomethingwasnotright。Forsometimehisfatherhadsaidbutlittle，andthatlittlehadbeeninavoicethatwasthickandunnatural-sounding。Hewaswalkingfast，yetDavidnoticedthateverystepseemedaneffort，andthateverybreathcameinshortgasps。Hiseyeswereverybright，andwerefixedlybentontheroadahead，asifeventhehastehewasmakingwasnothasteenough。TwiceDavidspoketohim，buthedidnotanswer；andtheboycouldonlytrudgealongonhiswearylittlefeetandsighforthedearhomeonthemountain-topwhichtheyhadleftbehindthemthemorningbefore。
　　Theymetfewfellowtravelers，andthosetheydidmeetpaidscantattentiontothemanandtheboycarryingtheviolins。Asitchanced，therewasnooneinsightwhentheman，walkinginthegrassatthesideoftheroad，stumbledandfellheavilytotheground。
　　Davidsprangquicklyforward。
　　"Father，whatisit？WHATISIT？"
　　Therewasnoanswer。
　　"Daddy，whydon’tyouspeaktome？See，it’sDavid！"
　　Withapainfuleffortthemanrousedhimselfandsatup。Foramomenthegazeddullyintotheboy’sface；thenahalf-forgottensomethingseemedtostirhimintofeverishaction。WithshakingfingershehandedDavidhiswatchandasmallivoryminiature。
　　Thenhesearchedhispocketsuntilonthegroundbeforehimlayashiningpileofgold-pieces——toDavidthereseemedtobeahundredofthem。
　　"Takethem——hidethem——keepthem。David，untilyou——needthem，"
　　pantedtheman。"Thengo——goon。Ican’t。"
　　"Alone？Withoutyou？"demurredtheboy，aghast。"Why，father，I
　　couldn’t！Idon’tknowtheway。Besides，I’dratherstaywithyou，"headdedsoothingly，asheslippedthewatchandtheminiatureintohispocket；"thenwecanbothgo。"Andhedroppedhimselfdownathisfather’sside。
　　Themanshookhisheadfeebly，andpointedagaintothegold-pieces。
　　"Takethem，David，——hidethem，"hechatteredwithpalelips。
　　Almostimpatientlytheboybeganpickingupthemoneyandtuckingitintohispockets。
　　"But，father，I’mnotgoingwithoutyou，"hedeclaredstoutly，asthelastbitofgoldslippedoutofsight，andahorseandwagonrattledaroundtheturnoftheroadabove。
　　Thedriverofthehorseglanceddisapprovinglyatthemanandtheboybytheroadside；buthedidnotstop。Afterhehadpassed，theboyturnedagaintohisfather。Themanwasfumblingoncemoreinhispockets。Thistimefromhiscoatheproducedapencilandasmallnotebookfromwhichhetoreapage，andbegantowrite，laboriously，painfully。
　　Davidsighedandlookedabouthim。Hewastiredandhungry，andhedidnotunderstandthingsatall。Somethingverywrong，veryterrible，mustbethematterwithhisfather。Hereitwasalmostdark，yettheyhadnoplacetogo，nosuppertoeat，whilefar，faruponthemountain-sidewastheirowndearhomesadandlonelywithoutthem。Upthere，too，thesunstillshone，doubtless，——atleastthereweretherose-glowandtheSilverLaketolookat，whiledownheretherewasnothing，nothingbutgrayshadows，alongdrearyroad，andastragglinghouseortwoinsight。Fromabove，thevalleymightlooktobeafairylandofloveliness，butinrealityitwasnothingbutadismalwasteofgloom，decidedDavid。
　　David’sfatherhadtornasecondpagefromhisbookandwasbeginninganothernote，whentheboysuddenlyjumpedtohisfeet。
　　Oneofthestragglinghouseswasneartheroadwheretheysat，anditspresencehadgivenDavidanidea。Withswiftstepshehurriedtothefrontdoorandknockeduponit。Inansweratall，unsmilingwomanappeared，andsaid，"Well？"
　　Davidremovedhiscapashisfatherhadtaughthimtodowhenoneofthemountainwomenspoketohim。
　　"Goodevening，lady；I’mDavid，"hebeganfrankly。"Myfatherissotiredhefelldownbackthere，andweshouldlikeverymuchtostaywithyouallnight，ifyoudon’tmind。"
　　Thewomaninthedoorwaystared。Foramomentshewasdumbwithamazement。Hereyesswepttheplain，ratherroughgarmentsoftheboy，thensoughtthehalf-recumbentfigureofthemanbytheroadside。Herchincameupangrily。
　　"Oh，wouldyou，indeed！Well，uponmyword！"shescouted。"Humph！
　　Wedon’taccommodatetramps，littleboy。"Andsheshutthedoorhard。
　　ItwasDavid’sturntostare。Justwhatatrampmightbe，hedidnotknow；butneverbeforehadarequestofhisbeensoangrilyrefused。Heknewthat。Afiercesomethingrosewithinhim——afiercenewsomethingthatsenttheswiftredtohisneckandbrow。Heraisedadeterminedhandtothedoorknob——hehadsomethingtosaytothatwoman！——whenthedoorsuddenlyopenedagainfromtheinside。
　　"Seehere，boy，"beganthewoman，lookingoutathimalittlelessunkindly，"ifyou’rehungryI’llgiveyousomemilkandbread。GoaroundtothebackporchandI’llgetitforyou。"Andsheshutthedooragain。
　　David’shanddroppedtohisside。Theredstillstayedonhisfaceandneck，however，andthatfiercenewsomethingwithinhimbadehimrefusetotakefoodfromthiswoman……Buttherewashisfather——hispoorfather，whowassotired；andtherewashisownstomachclamoringtobefed。No，hecouldnotrefuse。AndwithslowstepsandhangingheadDavidwentaroundthecornerofthehousetotherear。
　　Asthehalf-loafofbreadandthepailofmilkwereplacedinhishands，Davidrememberedsuddenlythatinthevillagestoreonthemountain，hisfatherpaidmoneyforhisfood。Davidwasglad，now，thathehadthosegold-piecesinhispocket，forhecouldpaymoney。Instantlyhisheadcameup。Oncemoreerectwithself-respect，heshiftedhisburdenstoonehandandthrusttheotherintohispocket。Amomentlaterhepresentedonhisoutstretchedpalmashiningdiskofgold。
　　"Willyoutakethis，topay，please，forthebreadandmilk？"heaskedproudly。
　　Thewomanbegantoshakeherhead；but，ashereyesfellonthemoney，shestarted，andbentclosertoexamineit。Thenextinstantshejerkedherselfuprightwithanangryexclamation。
　　"It’sgold！Aten-dollargold-piece！Soyou’reathief，too，areyou，aswellasatramp？Humph！Well，Iguessyoudon’tneedthisthen，"shefinishedsharply，snatchingthebreadandthepailofmilkfromtheboy’shand。
　　ThenextmomentDavidstoodaloneonthedoorstep，withthesoundofaquicklythrownboltinhisears。
　　Athief！Davidknewlittleofthieves，butheknewwhattheywere。Onlyamonthbeforeamanhadtriedtostealtheviolinsfromthecabin；andhewasathief，themilk-boysaid。Davidflushednowagain，angrily，ashefacedthecloseddoor。Buthedidnottarry。Heturnedandrantohisfather。
　　"Father，comeaway，quick！Youmustcomeaway，"hechoked。
　　Sourgentwastheboy’svoicethatalmostunconsciouslythesickmangottohisfeet。Withshakinghandshethrustthenoteshehadbeenwritingintohispocket。Thelittlebook，fromwhichhehadtorntheleavesforthispurpose，hadalreadydroppedunheededintothegrassathisfeet。
　　"Yes，son，yes，we’llgo，"mutteredtheman。"Ifeelbetternow。
　　Ican——walk。"
　　Andhedidwalk，thoughveryslowly，ten，adozen，twentysteps。
　　Frombehindcamethesoundofwheelsthatstoppedclosebesidethem。
　　"Hullo，there！Goingtothevillage？"calledavoice。
　　"Yes，sir。"David’sanswerwasunhesitating。Where"thevillage"
　　was，hedidnotknow；heknewonlythatitmustbesomewhereawayfromthewomanwhohadcalledhimathief。Andthatwasallhecaredtoknow。
　　"I’mgoing’mosttheremyself。Wantalift？"askedtheman，stillkindly。
　　"Yes，sir。Thankyou！"criedtheboyjoyfully。Andtogethertheyaidedhisfathertoclimbintotheroomywagon-body。
　　Therewerefewwordssaid。Themanatthereinsdroverapidly，andpaidlittleattentiontoanythingbuthishorses。Thesickmandozedandrested。Theboysat，wistful-eyedandsilent，watchingthetreesandhousesflitby。Thesunhadlongagoset，butitwasnotdark，forthemoonwasroundandbright，andtheskywascloudless。Wheretheroadforkedsharplythemandrewhishorsestoastop。
　　"Well，I’msorry，butIguessI’llhavetodropyouhere，friends。Iturnofftotheright；but’tain’tmore’naquarterofamileforyou，now"hefinishedcheerily，pointingwithhiswhiptoaclusteroftwinklinglights。
　　"Thankyou，sir，thankyou，"breathedDavidgratefully，steadyinghisfather’ssteps。"You’vehelpeduslots。Thankyou！"
　　InDavid’sheartwasawilddesiretolayathisgoodman’sfeetallofhisshininggold-piecesaspaymentforthistimelyaid。
　　Butcautionheldhimback：itseemedthatonlyinstoresdidmoneypay；outsideitbrandedoneasathief！
　　Alonewithhisfather，Davidfacedoncemorehisproblem。Whereshouldtheygoforthenight？Plainlyhisfathercouldnotwalkfar。Hehadbeguntotalkagain，too，——low，half-finishedsentencesthatDavidcouldnotunderstand，andthatvaguelytroubledhim。Therewasahousenearby，andseveralothersdowntheroadtowardthevillage；butDavidhadhadalltheexperiencehewantedthatnightwithstrangehouses，andstrangewomen。
　　Therewasabarn，abigone，whichwasnearestofall；anditwastowardthisbarnthatDavidfinallyturnedhisfather’ssteps。
　　"We’llgothere，daddy，ifwecangetin，"heproposedsoftly。
　　"Andwe’llstayallnightandrest。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEVALLEY
　　ThelongtwilightoftheJunedayhadchangedintoanightthatwasscarcelydarker，sobrightwasthemoonlight。Seenfromthehouse，thebarnandthelowbuildingsbeyondloomedshadowyandunreal，yetverybeautiful。OnthesideporchofthehousesatSimeonHollyandhiswife，contenttorestmindandbodyonlybecauseafullday’sworklaywelldonebehindthem。
　　ItwasjustasSimeonrosetohisfeettogoindoorsthatalongnotefromaviolinreachedtheirears。
　　"Simeon！"criedthewoman。"Whatwasthat？"
　　Themandidnotanswer。Hiseyeswerefixedonthebarn。
　　"Simeon，it’safiddle！"exclaimedMrs。Holly，asasecondtonequiveredontheair"Andit’sinourbarn！"
　　Simeon’sjawset。Withasternejaculationhecrossedtheporchandenteredthekitchen。
　　Inanotherminutehehadreturned，alightedlanterninhishand。
　　"Simeon，d——don’tgo，"beggedthewoman，tremulously。"You——youdon’tknowwhat’sthere。"
　　"Fiddlesarenotplayedwithouthands，Ellen，"retortedthemanseverely。"Wouldyouhavemegotobedandleaveahalf-drunken，ungodlyminstrelfellowinpossessionofourbarn？To-night，onmywayhome，Ipassedaprettypairofthemlyingbytheroadside——amanandaboywithtwoviolins。They’retheculprits，likely，——thoughhowtheygotthisfar，Idon’tsee。DoyouthinkIwanttoleavemybarntotrampslikethem？"
　　"N——no，Isupposenot，"falteredthewoman，assherosetremblinglytoherfeet，andfollowedherhusband’sshadowacrosstheyard。
　　OnceinsidethebarnSimeonHollyandhiswifepausedinvoluntarily。Themusicwasallaboutthemnow，fillingtheairwithrunsandtrillsandrollickingbitsofmelody。Givinganangryexclamation，themanturnedthentothenarrowstairwayandclimbedtothehayloftabove。Athisheelscamehiswife，andsohereyes，almostassoonashisfelluponthemanlyingbackonthehaywiththemoonlightfulluponhisface。
　　Instantlythemusicdroppedtoawhisper，andalowvoicecameoutofthegloombeyondthesquareofmoonlightwhichcamefromthewindowintheroof。
　　"Ifyou’llpleasebeasstillasyoucan，sir。Youseehe’sasleepandhe’ssotired，"saidthevoice。
　　Foramomentthemanandthewomanonthestairwaypausedinamazement，thenthemanliftedhislanternandstrodetowardthevoice。
　　"Whoareyou？Whatareyoudoinghere？"hedemandedsharply。
　　Aboy’sface，round，tanned，andjustnowabitanxious，flashedoutofthedark。
　　"Oh，please，sir，ifyouwouldspeaklower，"pleadedtheboy。
　　"He’ssotired！I’mDavid，sir，andthat’sfather。Wecameinheretorestandsleep。"
　　SimeonHolly’sunrelentinggazelefttheboy’sfaceandsweptthatofthemanlyingbackonthehay。Thenextinstantheloweredthelanternandleanednearer，puttingforthacautioushand。Atoncehestraightenedhimself，mutteringabrusquewordunderhisbreath。Thenheturnedwiththeangryquestion：——
　　"Boy，whatdoyoumeanbyplayingajigonyourfiddleatsuchatimeasthis？"
　　"Why，fatheraskedmetoplay"returnedtheboycheerily。"Hesaidhecouldwalkthroughgreenforeststhen，withtherippleofbrooksinhisears，andthatthebirdsandthesquirrels——"
　　"Seehere，boy，whoareyou？"cutinSimeonHollysternly。"Wheredidyoucomefrom？"
　　"Fromhome，sir。"
　　"Whereisthat？"
　　"Why，home，sir，whereIlive。Inthemountains，’wayup，up，up——oh，sofarup！Andthere’ssuchabig，bigsky，somuchnicerthandownhere。"Theboy’svoicequivered，andalmostbroke，andhiseyesconstantlysoughtthewhitefaceonthehay。
　　ItwasthenthatSimeonHollyawoketothesuddenrealizationthatitwastimeforaction。Heturnedtohiswife。
　　"Taketheboytothehouse，"hedirectedincisively。"We’llhavetokeephimto-night，Isuppose。I’llgoforHiggins。Ofcoursethewholethingwillhavetobeputinhishandsatonce。Youcan’tdoanythinghere，"headded，ashecaughtherquestioningglance。"Leaveeverythingjustasitis。Themanisdead。"
　　"Dead？"Itwasasharpcryfromtheboy，yettherewasmoreofwonderthanofterrorinit。"Doyoumeanthathehasgone——likethewaterinthebrook——tothefarcountry？"hefaltered。
　　SimeonHollystared。Thenhesaidmoredistinctly：——
　　"Yourfatherisdead，boy。"
　　"Andhewon’tcomebackanymore？"David’svoicebrokenow。
　　Therewasnoanswer。Mrs。Hollycaughtherbreathconvulsivelyandlookedaway。EvenSimeonHollyrefusedtomeettheboy’spleadingeyes。
　　WithaquickcryDavidsprangtohisfather’sside。
　　"Buthe’shere——righthere，"hechallengedshrilly。"Daddy，daddy，speaktome！It’sDavid！"Reachingouthishand，hegentlytouchedhisfather’sface。Hedrewbackthen，atonce，hiseyesdistendedwithterror。"Heisn’t！Heis——gone，"hechatteredfrenziedly。"Thisisn’tthefather-partthatKNOWS。It’stheother——thattheyleave。He’sleftitbehindhim——likethesquirrel，andthewaterinthebrook。"
　　Suddenlytheboy’sfacechanged。Itgrewraptandluminousasheleapedtohisfeet，cryingjoyously："Butheaskedmetoplay，sohewentsinging——singingjustashesaidthattheydid。AndI
　　madehimwalkthroughgreenforestswiththerippleofthebrooksinhisears！Listen——likethis！"Andoncemoretheboyraisedtheviolintohischin，andoncemorethemusictrilledandrippledabouttheshocked，amazedearsofSimeonHollyandhiswife。