Inspiteofallthis，however，Davidsoevidentlydidhisbesttocarryoutthe"dos"andavoidthe"don’ts，"thatatfouro’clockthatfirstMondayhewonfromthesternbutwould-be-justFarmerHollyhisfreedomfortherestoftheday；andverygaylyhesetoffforawalk。Hewentwithouthisviolin，astherewasthesmellofrainintheair；buthisfaceandhisstepandtheveryswingofhisarmsweresinging（toDavid）thejoyoussongofthemorningbefore。Evenyet，inspiteofthevicissitudesoftheday’swork，thewholeworld，toDavid’shomesick，lonelylittleheart，wasstillcarolingthatblessed"You’rewanted，you’rewanted，you’rewanted！"
　　Andthenhesawthecrow。
　　Davidknewcrows。Inhishomeonthemountainhehadhadseveralofthemforfriends。Hehadlearnedtoknowandanswertheircalls。Hehadlearnedtoadmiretheirwisdomandtorespecttheirmoodsandtempers。Helovedtowatchthem。Especiallyhelovedtoseethegreatbirdscutthroughtheairwithawidesweepofwings，soalive，sogloriouslyfree！
　　Butthiscrow——
　　Thiscrowwasnotcuttingthroughtheairwithawidesweepofwing。Itwasinthemiddleofacornfield，anditwasrisingandfallingandfloppingaboutinamostextraordinaryfashion。VerysoonDavid，runningtowardit，sawwhy。Byalongleatherstripitwasfastenedsecurelytoastakeintheground。
　　"Oh，oh，oh！"exclaimedDavid，insympatheticconsternation。
　　"Here，youjustwaitaminute。I’llfixit。"
　　WithconfidentcelerityDavidwhippedouthisjackknifetocutthethong；buthefoundthenthatto"fixit"andtosayhewould"fixit"weretwodifferentmatters。
　　ThecrowdidnotseemtorecognizeinDavidafriend。Hesawinhim，apparently，butanotherofthestone-throwing，gun-shooting，torturinghumanswhowereresponsibleforhispresenthatefulcaptivity。Withbeakandclawandwing，therefore，hefoughtthisnewevilthathadcomepresumedlytotorment；andnotuntilDavidhadhitupontheexpedientoftakingoffhisblouse，andthrowingitovertheangrybird，couldtheboygetnearenoughtoaccomplishhispurpose。EventhenDavidhadtoleaveupontheslenderlegatwistofleather。
　　Amomentlater，withawhirofwingsandafrightenedsquawkthatquicklyturnedintoasurprisedcawoftriumphantrejoicing，thecrowsoaredintotheairandmadestraightforadistanttree-top。David，afteraminute’sgladsurveyingofhiswork，donnedhisblouseagainandresumedhiswalk。
　　Itwasalmostsixo’clockwhenDavidgotbacktotheHollyfarmhouse。InthebarndoorwaysatPerryLarson。
　　"Well，sonny，"themangreetedhimcheerily，"didyegetyerweedin’done？"
　　"Y——yes，"hesitatedDavid。"Igotitdone；butIdidn’tlikeit。"
　　"’Tiskinderhotwork。"
　　"Oh，Ididn’tmindthatpart，"returnedDavid。"WhatIdidn’tlikewaspullingupallthoseprettylittleplantsandlettingthemdie。"
　　"Weeds——’prettylittleplants’！"ejaculatedtheman。"Well，I’llbejiggered！"
　　"ButtheyWEREpretty，"defendedDavid，readingarightthescorninPerryLarson’svoice。"Theveryprettiestandbiggesttherewere，always。Mr。Hollyshowedme，youknow，——andIhadtopullthemup。"
　　"Well，I’llbejiggered！"mutteredPerryLarsonagain。
　　"ButI’vebeentowalksince。Ifeelbetternow。"
　　"Oh，yedo！"
　　"Oh，yes。Ihadasplendidwalk。Iwent’wayupinthewoodsonthehillthere。Iwassingingallthetime——inside，youknow。I
　　wassogladMrs。Holly——wantedme。Youknowwhatitis，whenyousinginside。"
　　PerryLarsonscratchedhishead。
　　"Well，no，sonny，Ican’treallysayIdo，"heretorted。"Iain’tmuchonsingin’。"
　　"Oh，butIdon’tmeanaloud。Imeaninside。Whenyou’rehappy，youknow。"
　　"WhenI’m——oh！"Themanstoppedandstared，hismouthfallingopen。Suddenlyhisfacechanged，andhegrinnedappreciatively。
　　"Well，ifyouain’tthebeat’em，boy！’Tiskinderlikesingin’——thewayyefeelinside，whenyer’speciallyhappy，ain’tit？ButIneverthoughtofitbefore。"
　　"Oh，yes。Why，that’swhereIgetmysongs——insideofme，youknow——thatIplayonmyviolin。AndImadeacrowsing，too。OnlyHEsangoutside。"
　　"SING——ACROW！"scoffedtheman。"Shucks！It’lltakemore’nyoutermakemethinkacrowcansing，mylad。"
　　"Buttheydo，whenthey’rehappy，"maintainedtheboy。"Anyhow，itdoesn’tsoundthesameasitdoeswhenthey’recross，orplaguedoversomething。Yououghttohaveheardthisoneto-day。
　　Hesang。Hewassogladtogetaway。Ilethimloose，yousee。"
　　"Youmean，youCAUGHTacrowupthereinthemwoods？"Theman’svoicewasskeptical。
　　"Oh，no，Ididn’tcatchit。Butsomebodyhad，andtiedhimup。
　　Andhewassounhappy！"
　　"Acrowtiedupinthewoods！"
　　"Oh，Ididn’tfindTHATinthewoods。ItwasbeforeIwentupthehillatall。"
　　"Acrowtiedup——Looka-here，boy，whatareyoutalkin’about？
　　Wherewasthatcrow？"PerryLarson’swholeselfhadbecomesuddenlyalert。
　　"Inthefield’Wayoverthere。Andsomebody——"
　　"Thecornfield！Jingo！Boy，youdon’tmeanyoutouchedTHAT
　　crow？"
　　"Well，hewouldn’tletmeTOUCHhim，"half-apologizedDavid。"Hewassoafraid，yousee。Why，Ihadtoputmyblouseoverhisheadbeforehe’dletmecuthimlooseatall。"
　　"Cuthimloose！"PerryLarsonsprangtohisfeet。"Youdidn’t——youDIDn’tletthatcrowgo！"
　　Davidshrankback。
　　"Why，yes；heWANTEDtogo。He——"Butthemanbeforehimhadfallenbackdespairinglytohisoldposition。
　　"Well，sir，you’vedoneitnow。Whattheboss’llsay，Idon’tknow；butIknowwhatI’dliketersaytoye。Iwasawholeweek，offan’on，gettin’holdofthatcrow，an’Iwouldn’thavegothimatallifIhadn’thidhalfthenightan’allthemornin’inthatclumpo’bushes，watchin’achanceterwinghim，jestenoughan’nottoomuch。An’eventhenthejobwa’n’tdone。Letmetellyer，’twa’n’tnosmallthingtergethimhitched。I’mwearin’
　　themarksoftherascal’sbeakyet。An’nowyou’vegonean’lethimgo——justlikethat，"hefinished，snappinghisfingersangrily。
　　InDavid’sfacetherewasnocontrition。Therewasonlyincreduloushorror。
　　"Youmean，YOUtiedhimthere，onpurpose？"
　　"SureIdid！"
　　"Buthedidn’tlikeit。Couldn’tyouseehedidn’tlikeit？"
　　criedDavid。
　　"Likeit！Whatifhedidn’t？Ididn’tliketerhavemycornpulledup，either。Seehere，sonny，younoneedterlookatmeinthattoneo’voice。Ididn’thurtthevarmintnoneterspeakof——yeseehecouldfly，didn’tye？——an’hewa’n’tstarvin’。I
　　sawtoitthathehadenoughtereatan’adisho’waterhandy。
　　An’ifhedidn’tflopan’pullan’trytergetawayheneedn’t’a’hurthisselfnever。Iain’tterblameforwhatpullin’hedone。"
　　"Butwouldn’tyoupullifyouhadtwobigwingsthatcouldcarryyoutothetopofthatbigtreethere，andawayup，upinthesky，whereyoucouldtalktothestars？——wouldn’tyoupullifsomebodyahundredtimesbigger’nyoucamealongandtiedyourlegtothatpostthere？"
　　Theman，Perry，flushedanangryred。
　　"Seehere，sonny，Iwa’n’taskin’youterdonopreachin’。WhatI
　　didain’tnomore’nanyman’roundheredoes——ifhe’ssmartenoughtercatchone。Rigged-upbroomsticksain’tinitwithalivebirdwhenitcomesterdrivin’awaythempesky，thievin’
　　crows。Thereain’tafarmer’roundherethathain’tbeengreenwithenvy，eversinceIcaughtthecritter。An’nowterhaveyoucomealongan’withoneflipo’yerknifespileitall，I——Well，itjestmakesmemad，cleanthrough！That’sall。"
　　"Youmean，youtiedhimtheretofrightenawaytheothercrows？"
　　"Sure！Thereain’tnothin’likeit。"
　　"Oh，I’msosorry！"
　　"Well，you’dbetterbe。Butthatwon’tbringbackmycrow！"
　　David’sfacebrightened。
　　"No，that’sso，isn’tit？I’mgladofthat。Iwasthinkingofthecrows，yousee。I’msosorryforthem！Onlythinkhowwe’dhatetobetiedlikethat——"ButPerryLarson，withastareandanindignantsnort，hadgottohisfeet，andwasrapidlywalkingtowardthehouse。
　　Veryplainly，thatevening，Davidwasindisgrace，andittookallofMrs。Holly’stactandpatience，andsomeprivatepleading，tokeepageneralexplosionfromwreckingallchancesofhisstayinglongeratthefarmhouse。Evenasitwas，Davidwassorrowfullyawarethathewasprovingtobeagreatdisappointmentsosoon，andhisviolinplayingthateveningcarriedamoaningplaintivenessthatwouldhavebeenverysignificanttoonewhoknewDavidwell。
　　Veryfaithfully，thenextday，theboytriedtocarryoutallthe"dos，"andthoughhedidnotalwayssucceed，yethiseffortsweresoobvious，thateventheindignantowneroftheliberatedcrowwassomewhatmollified；andagainSimeonHollyreleasedDavidfromworkatfouro’clock。
　　Alas，forDavid’speaceofmind，however；foronhiswalkto-day，thoughhefoundnocaptivecrowtodemandhissympathy，hefoundsomethingelsequiteasheartrending，andasincomprehensible。
　　Itwasontheedgeofthewoodsthathecameupontwoboys，eachcarryingarifle，adeadsquirrel，andadeadrabbit。Thethreatenedrainofthedaybeforehadnotmaterialized，andDavidhadhisviolin。Hehadbeenplayingsoftlywhenhecameupontheboyswherethepathenteredthewoods。
　　"Oh！"AtsightoftheboysandtheirburdenDavidgaveaninvoluntarycry，andstoppedplaying。
　　Theboys，scarcelylesssurprisedatsightofDavidandhisviolin，pausedandstaredfrankly。
　　"It’sthetrampkidwithhisfiddle，"whisperedonetotheotherhuskily。
　　David，hisgrievedeyesonthemotionlesslittlebodiesintheboys’hands，shuddered。
　　"Arethey——dead，too？"
　　Thebiggerboynoddedself-importantly。
　　"Sure。Wejustshot’em——thesquirrels。Benheretrappedtherabbits。"Hepaused，manifestlywaitingfortheproperawedadmirationtocomeintoDavid’sface。
　　ButinDavid’sstartledeyestherewasnoawedadmiration，therewasonlydisbelievinghorror。
　　"Youmean，youSENTthemtothefarcountry？"
　　"We——what？"
　　"Sentthem。Madethemgoyourselves——tothefarcountry？"
　　Theyoungerboystillstared。Theolderonegrinneddisagreeably。
　　"Sure，"heansweredwithlaconicindifference。"Wesent’emtothefarcountry，allright。"
　　"But——howdidyouknowtheyWANTEDtogo？"
　　"Wanted——Eh？"explodedthebigboy。Thenhegrinnedagain，stillmoredisagreeably。"Well，yousee，mydear，wedidn’task’em，"
　　hegibed。
　　RealdistresscameintoDavid’sface。
　　"Thenyoudon’tknowatall。AndmaybetheyDIDn’twanttogo。
　　Andiftheydidn’t，howCOULDtheygosinging，asfathersaid？
　　Fatherwasn’tsent。HeWENT。Andhewentsinging。Hesaidhedid。Butthese——HowwouldYOUliketohavesomebodycomealongandsendYOUtothefarcountry，withoutevenknowingifyouwantedtogo？"
　　Therewasnoanswer。Theboys，withagrowingfearintheireyes，asatsightofsomethinginexplicableanduncanny，weresidlingaway；andinamomenttheywerehurryingdownthehill，not，however，withoutabackwardglanceortwo，ofsomethingveryliketerror。
　　David，leftalone，wentonhiswaywithtroubledeyesandathoughtfulfrown。
　　Davidoftenwore，duringthosefirstfewdaysattheHollyfarmhouse，athoughtfulfaceandatroubledfrown。Thereweresomany，manythingsthatweredifferentfromhismountainhome。
　　Overandover，asthosefirstlongdayspassed，hereadhisletteruntilheknewitbyheart——andhehadneedto。Washenotalreadysurroundedbythingsandpeoplethatwerestrangetohim？
　　Andtheyweresoverystrange——thesepeople！Thereweretheboysandmenwhoroseatdawn——yetneverpausedtowatchthesunfloodtheworldwithlight；whostayedinthefieldsallday——yetneverraisedtheireyestothebigfleecycloudsoverhead；whoknewbirdsonlyasthievesafterfruitandgrain，andsquirrelsandrabbitsonlyascreaturestobetrappedorshot。Thewomen——theywereevenmoreincomprehensible。Theyspentthelonghoursbehindscreeneddoorsandwindows，washingthesamedishesandsweepingthesamefloorsdayafterday。They，too，neverraisedtheireyestotheblueskyoutside，noreventothecrimsonrosesthatpeepedinatthewindow。Theyseemedrathertobelookingalwaysfordirt，yetnotpleasedwhentheyfoundit——especiallyifithadbeentrackedinontheheelofasmallboy’sshoe！
　　MoreextraordinarythanallthistoDavid，however，wasthefactthatthesepeopleregardedHIM，notthemselves，asbeingstrange。
　　Asifitwerenotthemostnaturalthingintheworldtolivewithone’sfatherinone’shomeonthemountain-top，andspendone’sdaystrailingthroughtheforestpaths，orlyingwithabookbesidesomebabblinglittlestream！Asifitwerenotequallynaturaltotakeone’sviolinwithoneattimes，andlearntocatchuponthequiveringstringsthewhisperofthewindsthroughthetrees！Eveninwinter，whenthecloudsthemselvescamedownfromtheskyandcoveredtheearthwiththeirsoftwhiteness，——eventhentheforestwasbeautiful；andthesongofthebrookunderitsicycoatcarriedacharmandmysterythatwerequitewantinginthechatteringfreedomofsummer。Surelytherewasnothingstrangeinallthis，andyetthesepeopleseemedtothinktherewas！
　　CHAPTERIX
　　JOE
　　Daybyday，however，astimepassed，Daviddiligentlytriedtoperformthe"dos"andavoidthe"don’ts"；anddaybydayhecametorealizehowimportantweedsandwoodboxeswere，ifheweretoconformtowhatwasevidentlyFarmerHolly’sideaof"playingin，tune"inthisstrangenewOrchestraofLifeinwhichhefoundhimself。
　　But，tryashewould，therewasyetanunrealityaboutitall，apersistentfeelingofuselessnessandwaste，thatwouldnotbesetaside。Sothat，afterall，theonlypartofthisstrangenewlifeofhisthatseemedrealtohimwasthetimethatcameafterfouro’clockeachday，whenhewasreleasedfromwork。
　　Andhowfullhefilledthosehours！Therewassomuchtosee，somuchtodo。Forsunnydaystherewerefieldandstreamandpasturelandandthewholewidetowntoexplore。Forrainydays，ifhedidnotcaretogotowalk，therewashisroomwiththebooksinthechimneycupboard。SomeofthemDavidhadreadbefore，butmanyofthemhehadnot。Oneortwowereoldfriends；
　　butnotso"DareDevilDick，"and"ThePiratesofPigeonCove"
　　（whichhefoundhiddeninanobscurecornerbehindalooseboard）。Sidebysidestood"TheLadyoftheLake，""TreasureIsland，"and"DavidCopperfield"；andcoverlessanddogearedlay"RobinsonCrusoe，""TheArabianNights，"and"Grimm’sFairyTales。"Thereweremore，manymore，andDaviddevouredthemallwitheagereyes。Thegoodinthemheabsorbedasheabsorbedthesunshine；theevilhecastasideunconsciously——itrolledoff，indeed，liketheproverbialwaterfromtheduck’sback。
　　Davidhardlyknewsometimeswhichhelikedthebetter，hisimaginativeadventuresbetweenthecoversofhisbooksorhisrealadventuresinhisdailystrolls。True，itwasnothismountainhome——thisplaceinwhichhefoundhimself；neitherwasthereanywherehisSilverLakewithitsfar，far-reachingskyabove。Moredeplorableyet，nowherewastherethedearfatherhelovedsowell。Butthesunstillsetinroseandgold，andthesky，thoughsmall，stillcarriedthesnowysailsofitscloud-boats；whileastohisfather——hisfatherhadtoldhimnottogrieve，andDavidwastryingveryhardtoobey。
　　WithhisviolinforcompanyDavidstartedouteachday，unlessheelectedtostayindoorswithhisbooks。Sometimesitwastowardthevillagethatheturnedhissteps；sometimesitwastowardthehillsbackofthetown。Whicheverwayitwas，therewasalwayssuretobesomethingwaitingattheendforhimandhisviolintodiscover，ifitwasnothingmorethanabigwhiteroseinbloom，orasquirrelsittingbytheroadside。
　　Verysoon，however，Daviddiscoveredthattherewassomethingtobefoundinhiswanderingsbesidessquirrelsandroses；andthatwas——people。Inspiteofthestrangenessofthesepeople，theywerewonderfullyinteresting，Davidthought。Andafterthatheturnedhisstepsmoreandmorefrequentlytowardthevillagewhenfouro’clockreleasedhimfromtheday’swork。
　　AtfirstDaviddidnottalkmuchtothesepeople。Heshranksensitivelyfromtheirboldstaresandunpleasantlyaudiblecomments。Hewatchedthemwithroundeyesofwonderandinterest，however，——whenhedidnotthinktheywerewatchinghim。Andintimehecametoknownotalittleaboutthemandaboutthestrangewaysinwhichtheypassedtheirtime。
　　Therewasthegreenhouseman。Itwouldbepleasanttospendone’sdaygrowingplantsandflowers——butnotunderthathot，stiflingglassroof，decidedDavid。Besides，hewouldnotwantalwaystopickandsendawaytheveryprettiestonestothecityeverymorning，asthegreenhousemandid。
　　Therewasthedoctorwhorodealldaylongbehindthegraymare，makingsickfolkswell。Davidlikedhim，andmentallyvowedthathehimselfwouldbeadoctorsometime。Still，therewasthestage-driver——Davidwasnotsurebuthewouldprefertofollowthisman’sprofessionforalife-work；forinhis，onecouldstillhavethefreedomoflongdaysintheopen，andyetnotbesaddenedbythesightofthesickbeforetheyhadbeenmadewell——whichwaswherethestage-driverhadthebetterofthedoctor，inDavid’sopinion。Thereweretheblacksmithandthestorekeepers，too，buttotheseDavidgavelittlethoughtorattention。
　　Thoughhemightnotknowwhathedidwanttodo，heknewverywellwhathedidnot。AllofwhichmerelygoestoprovethatDavidwasstillonthelookoutforthatgreatworkwhichhisfatherhadsaidwaswaitingforhimoutintheworld。
　　MeanwhileDavidplayedhisviolin。Ifhefoundacrimsonramblerinbloominadoor-yard，heputitintoalittlemelodyofpuredelight——thatawomaninthehousebehindtheramblerheardthemusicandwascheeredathertask，Daviddidnotknow。Ifhefoundakittenatplayinthesunshine，heputitintoariotousabandonmentoftumblingturnsandtrills——thatafretfulbabyheardandstoppeditswailing，Davidalsodidnotknow。Andonce，justbecausetheskywasblueandtheairwassweet，anditwassogoodtobealive，Davidliftedhisbowandputitallintoarapturouspaeanofringingexultation——thatasickmaninadarkenedchamberabovethestreetliftedhishead，drewinhisbreath，andtooksuddenlyanewleaseoflife，Davidstillagaindidnotknow。AllofwhichmerelygoestoprovethatDavidhadperhapsfoundhisworkandwasdoingit——althoughyetstillagainDaviddidnotknow。
　　ItwasinthecemeteryoneafternoonthatDavidcameupontheLadyinBlack。Shewasonherkneesputtingflowersonalittlemoundbeforeher。ShelookedupasDavidapproached。Foramomentshegazedwistfullyathim；thenasifimpelledbyahiddenforce，shespoke。
　　"Littleboy，whoareyou？"
　　"I’mDavid。"
　　"David！Davidwho？Doyoulivehere？I’veseenyouherebefore。"
　　"Oh，yes，I’vebeenherequitealotoftimes。"Purposelytheboyevadedthequestions。Davidwasgettingtiredofquestions——especiallythesequestions。
　　"Andhaveyou——lostonedeartoyou，littleboy？"
　　"Lostsomeone？"
　　"Imean——isyourfatherormother——here？"
　　"Here？Oh，no，theyaren’there。Mymotherisanangel-mother，andmyfatherhasgonetothefarcountry。Heiswaitingformethere，youknow。"
　　"But，that’sthesame——thatis——"Shestoppedhelplessly，bewilderedeyesonDavid’ssereneface。Thensuddenlyagreatlightcametoherown。"Oh，littleboy，IwishIcouldunderstandthat——justthat，"shebreathed。"Itwouldmakeitsomucheasier——ifIcouldjustrememberthattheyaren’there——thatthey’reWAITING——overthere！"
　　ButDavidapparentlydidnothear。Hehadturnedandwasplayingsoftlyashewalkedaway。SilentlytheLadyinBlackknelt，listening，lookingafterhim。Whensherosesometimelaterandleftthecemetery，thelightonherfacewasstillthere，deeper，moreglorified。
　　Towardboysandgirls——especiallyboys——ofhisownage，Davidfrequentlyturnedwistfuleyes。Davidwantedafriend，afriendwhowouldknowandunderstand；afriendwhowouldseethingsashesawthem，whowouldunderstandwhathewassayingwhenheplayed。ItseemedtoDavidthatinsomeboyofhisownageheoughttofindsuchafriend。Hehadseenmanyboys——buthehadnotyetfoundthefriend。Davidhadbeguntothink，indeed，thatofallthesestrangebeingsinthisnewlifeofhis，boyswerethestrangest。
　　Theystaredandnudgedeachotherunpleasantlywhentheycameuponhimplaying。Theyjeeredwhenhetriedtotellthemwhathehadbeenplaying。TheyhadneverheardofthegreatOrchestraofLife，andtheyfellintomostdisconcertingfitsoflaughter，orelsebackedawayasifafraid，whenhetoldthemthattheythemselveswereinstrumentsinit，andthatiftheydidnotkeepthemselvesintune，therewassuretobeadiscordsomewhere。
　　Thenthereweretheirgamesandfrolics。Suchaswereplayedwithballs，bats，andbagsofbeans，Davidthoughthewouldlikeverymuch。Buttheboysonlyscoffedwhenheaskedthemtoteachhimhowtoplay。Theylaughedwhenadogchasedacat，andtheythoughtitvery，veryfunnywhenTony，theoldblackman，trippedonthestringtheydrewacrosshispath。Theylikedtothrowstonesandshootguns，andthemorecreeping，crawling，orflyingcreaturesthattheycouldsendtothefarcountry，thehappiertheywere，apparently。Nordidtheylikeitatallwhenheaskedthemiftheyweresureallthesecreeping，crawling，flyingcreatureswantedtoleavethisbeautifulworldandtobemadedead。Theysneeredandcalledhimasissy。Daviddidnotknowwhatasissywas；butfromthewaytheysaidit，hejudgeditmustbeevenworsetobeasissythantobeathief。
　　AndthenhediscoveredJoe。
　　Davidhadfoundhimselfinaverystrange，veryunlovelyneighborhoodthatafternoon。Thestreetwasfullofpapersandtincans，thehouseswereunspeakablyforlornwithsaggingblindsandlackofpaint。Untidywomenandblear-eyedmenleanedoverthedilapidatedfences，orlolledonmud-trackeddoorsteps。
　　David，hisshrinkingeyesturningfromonesidetotheother，passedslowlythroughthestreet，hisviolinunderhisarm。
　　NowherecouldDavidfindherethetiniestspotofbeautyto"play。"Hehadreachedquitethemostforlornlittleshantyonthestreetwhenthepromiseinhisfather’sletteroccurredtohim。Withasuddenlyilluminedface，heraisedhisviolintopositionandplungedintoaveritablewhirloftrillsandrunsandtrippingmelodies。
　　"IfIdidn’tjustentirelyforgetthatIdidn’tNEEDtoSEE
　　anythingbeautifultoplay，"laughedDavidsoftlytohimself。
　　"Why，it’salreadyrighthereinmyviolin！"
　　Davidhadpassedthetumble-downshanty，andwashesitatingwheretwostreetscrossed，whenhefeltalighttouchonhisarm。Heturnedtoconfrontasmallgirlinapatchedandfadedcalicodress，obviouslyoutgrown。Hereyeswerewideandfrightened。Inthemiddleofheroutstretcheddirtylittlepalmwasacoppercent。
　　"Ifyouplease，Joesentthis——toyou，"shefaltered。
　　"Tome？Whatfor？"Davidstoppedplayingandloweredhisviolin。
　　Thelittlegirlbackedawayperceptibly，thoughshestillheldoutthecoin。
　　"Hewantedyoutostayandplaysomemore。Hesaidtotellyouhe’d’a’sentmoremoneyifhecould。Buthedidn’thaveit。Hejusthadthiscent。"
　　David’seyesflewwideopen。
　　"YoumeanheWANTSmetoplay？Helikesit？"heaskedjoyfully。
　　"Yes。Hesaidheknew’twa’n’tmuch——thecent。Buthethoughtmaybeyou’dplayaLITTLEforit。"
　　"Play？OfcourseI’llplay"criedDavid。"Oh，no，Idon’twantthemoney，"headded，wavingtheagain-profferedcoinaside。"I
　　don’tneedmoneywhereI’mlivingnow。Whereishe——theonethatwantedmetoplay？"hefinishedeagerly。
　　"Intherebythewindow。It’sJoe。He’smybrother。"Thelittlegirl，inspiteofherevidentsatisfactionattheaccomplishmentofherpurpose，yetkeptquitealooffromtheboy。Nordidthefactthatherefusedthemoneyappeartobringheranythingbutuneasysurprise。
　　InthewindowDavidsawaboyapparentlyabouthisownage，aboywithsandyhair，palecheeks，andwide-open，curiouslyintentblueeyes。
　　"Ishecoming？Didyougethim？Willheplay？"calledtheboyatthewindoweagerly。
　　"Yes，I’mrighthere。I’mtheone。Can’tyouseetheviolin？
　　ShallIplayhereorcomein？"answeredDavid，notonewhitlesseagerly。
　　Thesmallgirlopenedherlipsasiftoexplainsomething；buttheboyinthewindowdidnotwait。
　　"Oh，comein。WILLyoucomein？"hecriedunbelievingly。"Andwillyoujustletmetouchit——thefiddle？Come！YouWILLcome？
　　See，thereisn’tanybodyhome，onlyjustBettyandme。"
　　"OfcourseIwill！"Davidfairlystumbledupthebrokenstepsinhisimpatiencetoreachthewide-opendoor。"Didyoulikeit——whatIplayed？AnddidyouknowwhatIwasplaying？Didyouunderstand？Couldyouseethecloud-boatsupinthesky，andmySilverLakedowninthevalley？Andcouldyouhearthebirds，andthewindsinthetrees，andthelittlebrooks？Couldyou？Oh，didyouunderstand？I’vesowantedtofindsomeonethatcould！ButI
　　wouldn’tthinkthatYOU——HERE——"Withagesture，andanexpressiononhisfacethatwereunmistakable，Davidcametoahelplesspause。
　　"There，Joe，what’dItellyou，"criedthelittlegirl，inahuskywhisper，dartingtoherbrother’sside。"Oh，whydidyoumakemegethimhere？Everybodysayshe’scrazyasaloon，and——"
　　Buttheboyreachedoutaquicklysilencinghand。Hisfacewascuriouslyalight，asiffromaninwardglow。Hiseyes，stillwidelyintent，werestaringstraightahead。
　　"Stop，Betty，wait，"hehushedher。"Maybe——IthinkIDO
　　understand。Boy，youmean——INSIDEofyou，youseethosethings，andthenyoutrytomakeyourfiddletellwhatyouareseeing。Isthatit？"
　　"Yes，yes，"criedDavid。"Oh，youDOunderstand。AndIneverthoughtyoucould。Ineverthoughtthatanybodycouldthatdidn’thaveanythingtolookatbuthim——butthesethings。"
　　"’Anythingbutthesetolookat’！"echoedtheboy，withasuddenanguishinhisvoice。"Anythingbutthese！IguessifIcouldseeANYTHING，Iwouldn’tmindWHATIsee！An’youwouldn’t，neither，ifyouwas——blind，likeme。"
　　"Blind！"Davidfellback。Faceandvoicewerefullofhorror。
　　"Youmeanyoucan’tsee——anything，withyoureyes？"
　　"Nothin’。"
　　"Oh！Ineversawanyoneblindbefore。Therewasoneinabook——butfathertookitaway。Sincethen，inbooksdownhere，I’vefoundothers——but——"
　　"Yes，yes。Well，nevermindthat，"cutintheblindboy，growingrestiveunderthepityintheother’svoice。"Play。Won’tyou？"
　　"ButhowareyouEVERgoingtoknowwhatabeautifulworlditis？"shudderedDavid。"Howcanyouknow？Andhowcanyoueverplayintune？You’reoneoftheinstruments。Fathersaideverybodywas。AndhesaideverybodywasplayingSOMETHINGallthetime；andifyoudidn’tplayintune——"
　　"Joe，Joe，please，"beggedthelittlegirl"Won’tyoulethimgo？
　　I’mafraid。Itoldyou——"
　　"Shucks，Betty！Hewon’thurtye，"laughedJoe，alittleirritably。ThentoDavidheturnedagainwithsomesharpness。
　　"Play，won’tye？YouSAIDyou’dplay！"
　　"Yes，oh，yes，I’llplay，"falteredDavid，bringinghisviolinhastilytoposition，andtestingthestringswithfingersthatshookalittle。
　　"There！"breathedJoe，settlingbackinhischairwithacontentedsigh。"Now，playitagain——whatyoudidbefore。"
　　ButDaviddidnotplaywhathedidbefore——atfirst。Therewerenoairycloud-boats，nofar-reachingsky，nobirds，ormurmuringforestbrooksinhismusicthistime。Therewereonlythepoverty-strickenroom，thedirtystreet，theboyaloneatthewindow，withhissightlesseyes——theboywhonever，neverwouldknowwhatabeautifulworldhelivedin。
　　ThensuddenlytoDavidcameanewthought。Thisboy，Joe，hadsaidbeforethatheunderstood。Hehadseemedtoknowthathewasbeingtoldofthesunnyskiesandtheforestwinds，thesingingbirdsandthebabblingbrooks。Perhapsagainnowhewouldunderstand。
　　Whatif，forthosesightlesseyes，onecouldcreateaworld？
　　PossiblyneverbeforehadDavidplayedasheplayedthen。Itwasasifuponthosefourquiveringstrings，hewaslayingthepurpleandgoldofathousandsunsets，theroseandamberofathousandsunrises，thegreenofaboundlessearth，theblueofaskythatreachedtoheavenitself——tomakeJoeunderstand。
　　"Gee！"breathedJoe，whenthemusiccametoanendwithacrashingchord。"Say，wa’n’tthatjustgreat？Won’tyouletme，please，justtouchthatfiddle？"AndDavid，lookingintotheblindboy’sexaltedface，knewthatJoehadindeed——understood。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THELADYOFTHEROSES
　　Itwasanewworld，indeed，thatDavidcreatedforJoeafterthat——aworldthathadtodowithentrancingmusicwhereoncewassilence；delightfulcompanionshipwhereoncewasloneliness；andtoothsomecookiesanddoughnutswhereoncewashunger。
　　TheWidowGlaspell，Joe’smother，workedoutbytheday，scrubbingandwashing；andJoe，perforce，waslefttothesomewhaterraticanddecidedlyunskillfulministrationsofBetty。
　　Bettywasnoworse，andnobetter，thananyotheruntaught，irresponsibletwelve-year-oldgirl，anditwasnottobeexpected，perhaps，thatshewouldcaretospendallthebrightsunnyhoursshutupwithhersorelyafflictedandsomewhatfretfulbrother。True，atnoonsheneverfailedtoappearandpreparesomethingthatpassedforadinnerforherselfandJoe。
　　ButtheGlaspelllarderwasfrequentlyalmostasemptyaswerethehungrystomachsthatlookedtoitforrefreshment；anditwouldhavetakenafarmoreskillfulcookthanwasthefly-awayBettytoevolveanythingfromitthatwaseitherpalatableorsatisfying。
　　WiththecomingofDavidintoJoe’slifeallthiswaschanged。
　　First，therewerethemusicandthecompanionship。Joe’sfatherhad"playedintheband"inhisyouth，and（accordingtotheWidowGlaspell）hadbeena"powerfulhandformusic。"Itwasfromhim，presumably，thatJoehadinheritedhispassionformelodyandharmony；anditwasnowonderthatDavidrecognizedsosoonintheblindboythespiritthatmadethemkin。AtthefirststrokeofDavid’sbow，indeed，thedingywallsaboutthemwouldcrumbleintonothingness，andtogetherthetwoboyswereoffinafairyworldoflovelinessandjoy。
　　NorwaslisteningalwaysJoe’spart。From"justtouching"theviolin——hisfirstlongingplea——hecametodrawingatimidbowacrossthestrings。Inanincrediblyshorttime，then，hewaspickingoutbitsofmelody；andbytheendofafortnightDavidhadbroughthisfather’sviolinforJoetopracticeon。
　　"Ican’tGIVEittoyou——notforkeeps，"Davidhadexplained，abittremulously，"becauseitwasdaddy’s，youknow；andwhenI
　　seeit，itseemsalmostasifIwasseeinghim。Butyoumaytakeit。Thenyoucanhaveitheretoplayonwheneveryoulike。"
　　Afterthat，inJoe’sownhandslaythepowertotransporthimselfintoanotherworld，forwiththeviolinforcompanyheknewnoloneliness。
　　NorwastheviolinallthatDavidbroughttothehouse。Therewerethedoughnutsandthecookies。VeryearlyinhisvisitsDavidhaddiscovered，muchtohissurprise，thatJoeandBettywereoftenhungry。
　　"Butwhydon’tyougodowntothestoreandbuysomething？"hehadqueriedatonce。
　　Uponbeingtoldthattherewasnomoneytobuywith，David’sfirstimpulsehadbeentobringseveralofthegold-piecesthenexttimehecame；butuponsecondthoughtsDaviddecidedthathedidnotdare。Hewasnotwishingtobecalledathiefasecondtime。Itwouldbebetter，heconcluded，tobringsomefoodfromthehouseinstead。
　　Inhismountainhomeeverythingthehouseaffordedinthewayoffoodhadalwaysbeenfreelygiventothefewstrangersthatfoundtheirwaytothecabindoor。SonowDavidhadnohesitationingoingtoMrs。Holly’spantryforsupplies，upontheoccasionofhisnextvisittoJoeGlaspell’s。
　　Mrs。Holly，comingintothekitchen，foundhimmergingfromthepantrywithbothhandsfullofcookiesanddoughnuts。
　　"Why，David，whatintheworlddoesthismean？"shedemanded。
　　"They’reforJoeandBetty，"smiledDavidhappily。
　　"ForJoeand——Butthosedoughnutsandcookiesdon’tbelongtoyou。They’remine！"
　　"Yes，Iknowtheyare。Itoldthemyouhadplenty，"noddedDavid。
　　"Plenty！WhatifIhave？"remonstratedMrs。Holly，ingrowingindignation。"Thatdoesn’tmeanthatyoucantake——"SomethinginDavid’sfacestoppedthewordshalf-spoken。
　　"Youdon’tmeanthatICAN’TtakethemtoJoeandBetty，doyou？
　　Why，Mrs。Holly，they’rehungry！JoeandBettyare。Theydon’thavehalfenoughtoeat。Bettysaidso。Andwe’vegotmorethanwewant。There’sfoodleftonthetableeveryday。Why，ifYOU
　　werehungry，wouldn’tyouwantsomebodytobring——"
　　ButMrs。Hollystoppedhimwithadespairinggesture。
　　"There，there，nevermind。Runalong。Ofcourseyoucantakethem。I’m——I’mGLADtohaveyou，"shefinished，inadesperateattempttodrivefromDavid’sfacethatlookofshockedincredulitywithwhichhewasstillregardingher。
　　NeveragaindidMrs。HollyattempttothwartDavid’sgenerositytotheGlaspells；butshedidtrytoregulateit。Shesawtoitthatthereafter，uponhisvisitstothehouse，hetookonlycertainthingsandacertainamount，andinvariablythingsofherownchoosing。
　　ButnotalwaystowardtheGlaspellshantydidDavidturnhissteps。Veryfrequentlyitwasinquiteanotherdirection。HehadbeenattheHollyfarmhousethreeweekswhenhefoundhisLadyoftheRoses。
　　Hehadpassedquitethroughthevillagethatday，andhadcometoaroadthatwasnewtohim。Itwasabeautifulroad，smooth，white，andfirm。Twohugegranitepoststoppedwithflamingnasturtiumsmarkedthepointwhereitturnedofffromthemainhighway。Beyondthese，asDavidsoonfound，itranbetweenwide-spreadinglawnsandfloweringshrubs，leadingupthegentleslopeofahill。Whereitledto，Daviddidnotknow，butheproceededunhesitatinglytotrytofindout。Forsometimeheclimbedtheslopeinsilence，hisviolin，mute，underhisarm；
　　butthewhiteroadstilllayintantalizingmysterybeforehimwhenaby-pathofferedthegreatertemptation，andluredhimtoexploreitscoolshadowydepthsinstead。
　　HadDavidbutknownit，hewasatSunny-crest，Hinsdale’sone"showplace，"thecountryhomeofitsonereallyrichresident，MissBarbaraHolbrook。Hadhealsobutknownit，MissHolbrookwasnotcelebratedforhergraciousnesstoanyvisitors，certainlynottothosewhoventuredtoapproachherotherwisethanbyaconventionalringatherfrontdoorbell。ButDaviddidnotknowallthis；andhethereforeveryhappilyfollowedtheshadypathuntilhecametotheWonderattheendofit。
　　TheWonder，inHinsdaleparlance，wasonlyMissHolbrook’sgarden，butinDavid’seyesitwasfairylandcometrue。Foronewholeminutehecouldonlystandlikeaveryordinarylittleboyandstare。Attheendoftheminutehebecamehimselfoncemore；
　　andbeinghimself，heexpressedhisdelightatonceintheonlywayheknewhowtodo——byraisinghisviolinandbeginningtoplay。
　　Hehadmeanttotellofthelimpidpoolandofthearchofthebridgeitreflected；oftheterracedlawnsandmarblesteps，andofthegleamingwhiteofthesculpturednymphsandfauns；ofthesplashesofgloriouscrimson，yellow，blush-pink，andsnowywhiteagainstthegreen，wheretherosesriotedinluxuriousbloom。Hehadmeant，also，totelloftheQueenRoseofthemall——thebeauteousladywithhairlikethegoldofsunrise，andagownliketheshimmerofthemoononwater——ofallthishehadmeanttotell；buthehadscarcelybeguntotellitatallwhentheBeauteousLadyoftheRosessprangtoherfeetandbecamesoverymuchlikeanangryyoungwomanwhoisseriouslydispleasedthatDavidcouldonlylowerhisviolinindismay。
　　"Why，boy，whatdoesthismean？"shedemanded。