Davidsighedalittleimpatientlyashecameforwardintothesunlight。
　　"ButIwasjusttellingyou，"heremonstrated，"andyouwouldnotletmefinish。"
　　"Tellingme！"
　　"Yes，withmyviolin。COULDn’tyouunderstand？"appealedtheboywistfully。"Youlookedasifyoucould！"
　　"LookedasifIcould！"
　　"Yes。Joeunderstood，yousee，andIwassurprisedwhenHEdid。
　　ButIwasjustsureyoucould——withallthistolookat。"
　　Theladyfrowned。Half-unconsciouslysheglancedaboutherasifcontemplatingflight。Thensheturnedbacktotheboy。
　　"Buthowcameyouhere？Whoareyou？"shecried。
　　"I’mDavid。Iwalkedherethroughthelittlepathbackthere。I
　　didn’tknowwhereitwentto，butI’msogladnowIfoundout！"
　　"Oh，areyou！"murmuredthelady，withslightlyupliftedbrows。
　　Shewasabouttotellhimverycoldlythatnowthathehadfoundhiswaytherehemightoccupyhimselfinfindingithomeagain，whentheboyinterposedrapturously，hiseyessweepingthescenebeforehim：——
　　"Yes。Ididn’tsuppose，anywhere，downhere，therewasaplaceonehalfsobeautiful！"
　　Anoddfeelingofuncanninesssentaswiftexclamationtothelady’slips。
　　"’Downhere’！Whatdoyoumeanbythat？Youspeakasifyoucamefrom——above，"shealmostlaughed。
　　"Idid，"returnedDavidsimply。"ButevenupthereIneverfoundanythingquitelikethis，"——withasweepofhishands，——"norlikeyou，OLadyoftheRoses，"hefinishedwithanadmirationthatwasasopenasitwasardent。
　　Thistimetheladylaughedoutright。Sheevenblushedalittle。
　　"Veryprettilyput，SirFlatterer"sheretorted；"butwhenyouareolder，youngman，youwon’tmakeyourcomplimentsquitesobroad。IamnoLadyoftheRoses。IamMissHolbrook；and——andI
　　amnotinthehabitofreceivinggentlemencallerswhoareuninvitedand——unannounced，"sheconcluded，alittlesharply。
　　PointlesstheshaftfellatDavid’sfeet。Hehadturnedagaintothebeautiesabouthim，andatthatmomenthespiedthesundial——somethinghehadneverseenbefore。
　　"Whatisit？"hecriedeagerly，hurryingforward。"Itisn’texactlypretty，andyetitlooksasif’tweremeantfor——something。"
　　"Itis。Itisasundial。Itmarksthetimebythesun。"
　　Evenasshespoke，MissHolbrookwonderedwhysheansweredthequestionatall；whyshedidnotsendthissmallpieceofnonchalantimpertinenceabouthisbusiness，ashesorichlydeserved。Thenextinstantshefoundherselfstaringattheboyinamazement。Withunmistakableease，andwiththetrainedaccentofthescholar，hewasreadingaloudtheLatininscriptiononthedial："’Horasnonnumeronisiserenas，’’Icount——no——hoursbut——uncloudedones，’"hetranslatedthen，slowly，thoughwithconfidence。"That’spretty；butwhatdoesitmean——about’counting’？"
　　MissHolbrookrosetoherfeet。
　　"ForHeaven’ssake，boy，who，andwhatareyou？"shedemanded。
　　"CanYOUreadLatin？"
　　"Why，ofcourse！Can’tyou？"WithadisdainfulgestureMissHolbrooksweptthisaside。
　　"Boy，whoareyou？"shedemandedagainimperatively。
　　"I’mDavid。Itoldyou。"
　　"ButDavidwho？Wheredoyoulive？"
　　Theboy’sfaceclouded。
　　"I’mDavid——justDavid。IliveatFarmerHolly’snow；butIdidliveonthemountainwith——father，youknow。"
　　AgreatlightofunderstandingbrokeoverMissHolbrook’sface。
　　Shedroppedbackintoherseat。
　　"Oh，Iremember，"shemurmured。"You’rethelittle——er——boywhomhetook。Ihaveheardthestory。SoTHATiswhoyouare，"sheadded，theoldlookofaversioncomingbacktohereyes。Shehadalmostsaid"thelittletrampboy"——butshehadstoppedintime。
　　"Yes。Andnowwhatdotheymean，please，——thosewords，——’Icountnohoursbutuncloudedones’？"
　　MissHolbrookstirredinherseatandfrowned。
　　"Why，itmeanswhatitsays，ofcourse，boy。Asundialcountsitshoursbytheshadowthesunthrows，andwhenthereisnosunthereisnoshadow；henceit’sonlythesunnyhoursthatarecountedbythedial，"sheexplainedalittlefretfully。
　　David’sfaceradiateddelight。
　　"Oh，butIlikethat！"heexclaimed。
　　"Youlikeit！"
　　"Yes。Ishouldliketobeonemyself，youknow。"
　　"Well，really！Andhow，pray？"InspiteofherselfafaintgleamofinterestcameintoMissHolbrook’seyes。
　　Davidlaughedanddroppedhimselfeasilytothegroundatherfeet。Hewasholdinghisviolinonhiskneesnow。
　　"Why，itwouldbesuchfun，"hechuckled，"tojustforgetallaboutthehourswhenthesundidn’tshine，andrememberonlythenice，pleasantones。Nowforme，therewouldn’tbeanyhours，really，untilafterfouro’clock，exceptlittlespecksofminutesthatI’dgetinbetweenwhenIDIDseesomethinginteresting。"
　　MissHolbrookstaredfrankly。
　　"Whatanextraordinaryboyyouare，tobesure，"shemurmured。
　　"Andwhat，mayIask，isitthatyoudoeverydayuntilfouro’clock，thatyouwishtoforget？"
　　Davidsighed。
　　"Well，therearelotsofthings。Ihoedpotatoesandcorn，first，butthey’retoobignow，mostly；andIpulledupweeds，too，tilltheyweregone。I’vebeenpickingupstones，lately，andclearinguptheyard。Then，ofcourse，there’salwaysthewoodboxtofill，andtheeggstohunt，besidesthechickenstofeed，——thoughI
　　don’tmindTHEMsomuch；butIdotheotherthings，’speciallytheweeds。TheyweresomuchprettierthanthethingsIhadtoletgrow，’mostalways。"
　　MissHolbrooklaughed。
　　"Well，theywere；andreally"persistedtheboy，inanswertothemerrimentinhereyes；"nowwouldn’titbenicetobelikethesundial，andforgeteverythingthesundidn’tshineon？Wouldn’tyoulikeit？Isn’tthereanythingYOUwanttoforget？"
　　MissHolbrooksoberedinstantly。Thechangeinherfacewassoverymarked，indeed，thatinvoluntarilyDavidlookedaboutforsomethingthatmighthavecastuponitsogreatashadow。Foralongminuteshedidnotspeak；thenveryslowly，verybitterly，shesaidaloud——yetasiftoherself：——
　　"Yes。IfIhadmywayI’dforgetthemeveryone——thesehours；
　　everysingleone！"
　　"Oh，LadyoftheRoses！"expostulatedDavidinavoicequiveringwithshockeddismay。"Youdon’tmean——youcan’tmeanthatyoudon’thaveANY——sun！"
　　"Imeanjustthat，"bowedMissHolbrookwearily，hereyesonthesombershadowsofthepool；"justthat！"
　　Davidsatstunned，confounded。Acrossthemarblestepsandtheterracestheshadowslengthened，andDavidwatchedthemasthesundippedbehindthetree-tops。Theyseemedtomakemorevividthechillandthegloomofthelady’swords——morerealthedaythathadnosun。Afteratimetheboypickeduphisviolinandbegantoplay，softly，andatfirstwithevidenthesitation。Evenwhenhistouchbecamemoreconfident，therewasstillinthemusicaquestioningappealthatseemedtofindnoanswer——anappealthateventheplayerhimselfcouldnothaveexplained。
　　Forlongminutestheyoungwomanandtheboysatthusinthetwilight。Thensuddenlythewomangottoherfeet。
　　"Come，come，boy，whatcanIbethinkingof？"shecriedsharply。
　　"Imustgoinandyoumustgohome。Good-night。"Andshesweptacrossthegrasstothepaththatledtowardthehouse。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　JACKANDJILL
　　DavidwastemptedtogoforasecondvisittohisLadyoftheRoses，butsomethinghecouldnotdefineheldhimback。Theladywasinhismindalmostconstantly，however；andveryvividtohimwasthepictureofthegarden，thoughalwaysitwasashehadseenitlastwiththehushandshadowoftwilight，andwiththelady’sfacegloomilyturnedtowardthesunlesspool。Davidcouldnotforgetthatforhertherewerenohourstocount；shehadsaiditherself。Hecouldnotunderstandhowthiscouldbeso；
　　andthethoughtfilledhimwithvagueunrestandpain。
　　PerhapsitwasthisrestlessnessthatdroveDavidtoexploreevenmorepersistentlythevillageitself，sendinghimintonewstreetsinsearchofsomethingstrangeandinteresting。Onedaythesoundofshoutsandlaughterdrewhimtoanopenlotbackofthechurchwheresomeboyswereatplay。
　　Davidstillknewverylittleofboys。Inhismountainhomehehadneverhadthemforplaymates，andhehadnotseenmuchofthemwhenhewentwithhisfathertothemountainvillageforsupplies。Therehadbeen，itistrue，theboywhofrequentlybroughtmilkandeggstothecabin；buthehadbeenveryquietandshy，appearingalwaysafraidandanxioustogetaway，asifhehadbeentoldnottostay。Morerecently，sinceDavidhadbeenattheHollyfarmhouse，hisexperiencewithboyshadbeenevenlesssatisfying。Theboys——withtheexceptionofblindJoe——hadveryclearlyletitbeunderstoodthattheyhadlittleuseforayouthwhocouldfindnothingbettertodothantotrampthroughthewoodsandthestreetswithafiddleunderhisarm。
　　To-day，however，therecameachange。Perhapstheyweremoreusedtohim；orperhapstheyhaddecidedsuddenlythatitmightbegoodfuntosatisfytheircuriosity，anyway，regardlessofconsequences。Whateveritwas，theladshailedhisappearancewithwildshoutsofglee。
　　"Golly，boys，look！Here’sthefiddlin’kid，"yelledone；andtheothersjoinedinthe"Hurrah！"hegave。
　　Davidsmileddelightedly；oncemorehehadfoundsomeonewhowantedhim——anditwassonicetobewanted！Truthtotell，Davidhadfeltnotalittlehurtatthepersistentavoidanceofallthoseboysandgirlsofhisownage。
　　"How——howdoyoudo？"hesaiddiffidently，butstillwiththatbeamingsmile。
　　Againtheboysshoutedgleefullyastheyhurriedforward。Severalhadshortsticksintheirhands。Onehadanoldtomatocanwithastringtiedtoit。Thetallestboyhadsomethingthathewastryingtoholdbeneathhiscoat。
　　"’H——howdoyoudo？’"theymimicked。"Howdoyoudo，fiddlin’
　　kid？"
　　"I’mDavid；mynameisDavid。"Thereminderwasgraciouslygiven，withasmile。
　　"David！David！HisnameisDavid，"chantedtheboys，asiftheywereacomic-operachorus。
　　Davidlaughedoutright。
　　"Oh，singitagain，singitagain！"hecrowed。"Thatsoundedfine！"
　　Theboysstared，thensniffeddisdainfully，andcastderisiveglancesintoeachother’seyes——itappearedthatthislittlesissytrampboydidnotevenknowenoughtodiscoverwhenhewasbeinglaughedat！
　　"David！David！HisnameisDavid，"theyjeeredintohisfaceagain。"Comeon，tuneherup！Wewantterdance。"
　　"Play？OfcourseI’llplay，"criedDavidjoyously，raisinghisviolinandtestingastringforitstone。
　　"Here，holdon，"yelledthetallestboy。"TheQueeno’theBalletain’tready"。Andhecautiouslypulledfrombeneathhiscoatastrugglingkittenwithaperforatedbagtiedoveritshead。
　　"Sure！Wewantherinthemiddle，"grinnedtheboywiththetincan。"HoldontillIgethertraintiedtoher，"hefinished，tryingtocapturetheswishing，fluffytailofthefrightenedlittlecat。
　　Davidhadbeguntoplay，buthestoppedhismusicwithadiscordantstrokeofthebow。
　　"Whatareyoudoing？Whatisthematterwiththatcat？"hedemanded。
　　"’Matter’！"calledaderisivevoice。"Sure，nothin’’sthematterwithher。She’stheQueeno’theBallet——sheis！"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"criedDavid。Atthatmomentthestringbithardintothecapturedtail，andthekittencriedoutwiththepain。"Lookout！You’rehurtingher，"cautionedDavidsharply。
　　Onlyalaughandajeeringwordanswered。Thenthekitten，withthebagonitsheadandthetincantiedtoitstail，wasletwarilytotheground，thetallboystillholdingitsbackwithbothhands。
　　"Ready，now！Comeon，play，"heordered；"thenwe’llsetherdancing。"
　　David’seyesflashed。
　　"Iwillnotplay——forthat。"
　　Theboysstoppedlaughingsuddenly。
　　"Eh？What？"Theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmoresurprisedifthekittenitselfhadsaidthewords。
　　"IsayIwon’tplay——Ican’tplay——unlessyouletthatcatgo。"
　　"Hoity-toity！Won’tyehearthatnow？"laughedamockingvoice。
　　"Andwhatifwesaywewon’tlethergo，eh？"
　　"ThenI’llmakeyou，"vowedDavid，aflamewithanewbornsomethingthatseemedtohavesprungfull-grownintobeing。
　　"Yow！"hootedthetallestboy，removingbothhandsfromthecaptivekitten。
　　Thekitten，released，begantobackfrantically。Thecan，danglingatitsheels，rattledandbangedandthumped，untilthefrightenedlittlecreature，crazedwithterror，becamenothingbutawhirlingmassofmisery。Theboys，formednowintoacrowingcircleofdelight，keptthekittenwithinbounds，andfloutedDavidmercilessly。
　　"Ah，ha！——stopus，willye？Whydon’tyestopus？"theygibed。
　　ForamomentDavidstoodwithoutmovement，hiseyesstaring。Thenextinstantheturnedandran。Thejeersbecameachorusoftriumphantshoutsthen——butnotforlong。Davidhadonlyhurriedtothewoodpiletolaydownhisviolin。Hecamebackthen，ontherun——andbeforethetallestboycouldcatchhisbreathhewasfelledbyastingingblowonthejaw。
　　Overbythechurchasmallgirl，red-hairedandred-eyed，clamberedhastilyoverthefencebehindwhichforlongminutesshehadbeencryingandwringingherhands。
　　"He’llbekilled，he’llbekilled，"shemoaned。"Andit’smyfault，’causeit’smykitty——it’smykitty，"shesobbed，straininghereyestocatchaglimpseofthekitten’sprotectorinthesquirmingmassoflegsandarms。
　　Thekitten，unheedednowbytheboys，waspursuingitsbackwardwhirltodestructionsomedistanceaway，andverysoonthelittlegirldiscoveredher。Withaboundandachokingcryshereachedthekitten，removedthebagandunboundthecruelstring。Then，sittingontheground，asafedistanceaway，shesoothedthepalpitatinglittlebunchofgrayfur，andwatchedwithfearfuleyesthefight。
　　Andwhatafightitwas！Therewasnoquestion，ofcourse，astoitsfinaloutcome，withsixagainstone；butmeanwhiletheonewasgivingthesixthesurpriseoftheirlivesintheshapeofwell-dealtblowsandskillfultwistsandturnsthatcausedtheirownstrengthandweighttoreactuponthemselvesinamostastonishingfashion。Theoneunmistakablywasgettingtheworstofit，however，whenthelittlegirl，afterahurrieddashtothestreet，broughtbackwithhertotherescueatall，smooth-shavenyoungmanwhomshehadhailedfromafaras"Jack。"
　　Jackputastoptothingsatonce。Withvigorousjerksandpullsheunsnarledthewrithingmass，boybyboy，eachoneofwhom，uponcatchingsightofhisface，slunkhurriedlyaway，asifgladtoescapesolightly。TherewasleftfinallyuponthegroundonlyDavidalone。ButwhenDaviddidatlastappear，thelittlegirlburstintotearsanew。
　　"Oh，Jack，he’skilled——Iknowhe’skilled，"shewailed。"Andhewassoniceand——andpretty。Andnow——lookathim！Ain’theasight？"
　　Davidwasnotkilled，buthewas——asight。Hisblousewastorn，histiewasgone，andhisfaceandhandswerecoveredwithdirtandblood。Aboveoneeyewasanugly-lookinglump，andbelowtheotherwasaredbruise。Somewhatdazedlyherespondedtotheman’shelpfulhand，pulledhimselfupright，andlookedabouthim。
　　Hedidnotseethelittlegirlbehindhim。
　　"Where’sthecat？"heaskedanxiously。
　　Theunexpectedhappenedthen。Withasobbingcrythelittlegirlflungherselfuponhim，catandall。
　　"Here，righthere，"shechoked。"Anditwasyouwhosavedher——myJuliette！AndI’llloveyou，loveyou，loveyoualwaysforit！"
　　"There，there，Jill，"interposedthemanalittlehurriedly。
　　"Supposewefirstshowourgratitudebyseeingifwecan’tdosomethingtomakeouryoungwarriorheremorecomfortable。"Andhebegantobrushoffwithhishandkerchiefsomeoftheaccumulateddirt。
　　"Whycan’twetakehimhome，Jack，andcleanhimup’foreotherfolksseehim？"suggestedthegirl。
　　Theboyturnedquickly。
　　"Didyoucallhim’Jack’？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andhecalledyou，Jill’？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Thereal’JackandJill’that’wentupthehill’？"Themanandthegirllaughed；butthegirlshookherheadassheanswered，——
　　"Notreally——thoughwedogoupahill，allright，everyday。Butthosearen’tevenourownnames。Wejustcalleachotherthatforfun。Don’tYOUevercallthings——forfun？"
　　David’sfacelightedupinspiteofthedirt，thelump，andthebruise。
　　"Oh，doyoudothat？"hebreathed。"Say，IjustknowI’dliketoplaytoyou！You’dunderstand！"
　　"Oh，yes，andheplays，too，"explainedthelittlegirl，turningtothemanrapturously。"Onafiddle，youknow，likeyou。"
　　ShehadnotfinishedhersentencebeforeDavidwasaway，hurryingalittleunsteadilyacrossthelotforhisviolin。Whenhecamebackthemanwaslookingathimwithananxiousfrown。
　　"Supposeyoucomehomewithus，boy，"hesaid。"Itisn’tfar——throughthehillpasture，’crosslots，——andwe’lllookyouoverabit。Thatlumpoveryoureyeneedsattention。"
　　"Thankyou，"beamedDavid。"I’dliketogo，and——I’mgladyouwantme！"Hespoketotheman，buthelookedatthelittlered-headedgirl，whostillheldthegraykitteninherarms。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　ANSWERSTHATDIDNOTANSWER
　　"JackandJill，"itappeared，wereabrotherandsisterwholivedinatinyhouseonahilldirectlyacrossthecreekfromSunnycrest。BeyondthisDavidlearnedlittleuntilafterbumpsandbruisesanddirthadbeencarefullyattendedto。Hehadthen，too，somequestionstoanswerconcerninghimself。
　　"Andnow，ifyouplease，"beganthemansmilingly，ashesurveyedtheboywithaneyethatcouldseenofurtherservicetoberendered，"doyoumindtellingmewhoyouare，andhowyoucametobethecenterofattractionfortheblowsandcuffsofsixboys？"
　　"I’mDavid，andIwantedthecat，"returnedtheboysimply。
　　"Well，that’sdirectandtothepoint，tosaytheleast，"laughedtheman。"Evidently，however，you’reinthehabitofbeingthat。
　　But，David，thereweresixofthem，——thoseboys，——andsomeofthemwerelargerthanyou。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Andtheyweresobadandcruel，"chimedinthelittlegirl。
　　Themanhesitated，thenquestionedslowly。
　　"AndmayIaskyouwhereyou——er——learnedto——fightlikethat？"
　　"Iusedtoboxwithfather。HesaidImustfirstbewellandstrong。Hetaughtmejiujitsu，too，alittle；butIcouldn’tmakeitworkverywell——withsomany"
　　"Ishouldsaynot，"adjudgedthemangrimly。"Butyougavethemasurpriseortwo，I’llwarrant，"headded，hiseyesonthecauseofthetrouble，nowcurledinalittlegraybunchofcontentonthewindowsill。"ButIdon’tknowyetwhoyouare。Whoisyourfather？Wheredoeshelive？"
　　Davidshookhishead。Aswasalwaysthecasewhenhisfatherwasmentioned，hisfacegrewwistfulandhiseyesdreamy。
　　"Hedoesn’tlivehereanywhere，"murmuredtheboy。"InthefarcountryheiswaitingformetocometohimandtellhimofthebeautifulworldIhavefound，youknow。"
　　"Eh？What？"stammeredtheman，notknowingwhethertobelievehiseyes，orhisears。Thisboywhofoughtlikeademonandtalkedlikeasaint，andwho，thoughbatteredandbruised，prattledofthe"beautifulworld"hehadfound，wasmostdisconcerting。
　　"Why，Jack，don’tyouknow？"whisperedthelittlegirlagitatedly。"He’stheboyatMr。Holly’sthattheytook。"Then，stillmoresoftly："He’sthelittletrampboy。Hisfatherdiedinthebarn。"
　　"Oh，"saidtheman，hisfaceclearing，andhiseyesshowingaquicksympathy。"You’retheboyattheHollyfarmhouse，areyou？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Andheplaysthefiddleeverywhere，"volunteeredthelittlegirl，withardentadmiration。"Ifyouhadn’tbeenshutupsickjustnow，you’dhaveheardhimyourself。Heplayseverywhere——everywherehegoes。"
　　"Isthatso？"murmuredJackpolitely，shudderingalittleatwhathefanciedwouldcomefromaviolinplayedbyaboyliketheonebeforehim。（Jackcouldplaytheviolinhimselfalittle——enoughtoknowitsome，andloveitmore。）"Hm-m；well，andwhatelsedoyoudo？"
　　"Nothing，excepttogoforwalksandread。"
　　"Nothing！——abigboylikeyou——andonSimeonHolly’sfarm？"VoiceandmannershowedthatJackwasnotunacquaintedwithSimeonHollyandhismethodsandopinions。
　　Davidlaughedgleefully。
　　"Oh，ofcourse，REALLYIdolotsofthings，onlyIdon’tcountthoseanymore。’Horasnonnumeronisiserenas，’youknew，"hequotedpleasantly，smilingintotheman’sastonishedeyes。
　　"Jack，whatwasthat——whathesaid？"whisperedthelittlegirl。
　　"Itsoundedforeign。ISheforeign？"
　　"You’vegotme，Jill，"retortedtheman，withalaughinggrimace。"Heavenonlyknowswhatheis——Idon’t。WhatheSAIDwasLatin；Idohappentoknowthat。Still"——heturnedtotheboyironically——"ofcourseyouknowthetranslationofthat，"hesaid。
　　"Oh，yes。’Icountnohoursbutuncloudedones’——andIlikedthat。’Twasonasundial，youknow；andI’Mgoingtobeasundial，andnotcount，thehoursIdon’tlike——whileI’mpullingupweeds，andhoeingpotatoes，andpickingupstones，andallthat。Don’tyousee？"
　　Foramomentthemanstareddumbly。Thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughed。
　　"Well，byGeorge！"hemuttered。"ByGeorge！"Andhelaughedagain。Then："Anddidyourfatherteachyouthat，too？"heasked。
　　"Oh，no，——well，hetaughtmeLatin，andsoofcourseIcouldreaditwhenIfoundit。Butthose’specialwordsIgotoffthesundialwheremyLadyoftheRoseslives。"
　　"Your——LadyoftheRoses！Andwhoisshe？"
　　"Why，don’tyouknow？Youliverightinsightofherhouse，"
　　criedDavid，pointingtothetowersofSunnycrestthatshowedabovethetrees。"It’soverthereshelives。Iknowthosetowersnow，andIlookforthemwhereverIgo。Ilovethem。Itmakesmeseealloveragaintheroses——andher。"
　　"Youmean——MissHolbrook？"
　　ThevoicewassodifferentfromthegenialtonesthathehadheardbeforethatDavidlookedupinsurprise。
　　"Yes；shesaidthatwashername，"heanswered，wonderingattheindefinablechangethathadcometotheman’sface。
　　Therewasamoment’spause，thenthemanrosetohisfeet。
　　"How’syourhead？Doesitache？"heaskedbriskly。
　　"Notmuch——some。I——IthinkI’llbegoing，"repliedDavid，alittleawkwardly，reachingforhisviolin，andunconsciouslyshowingbyhismannerthesuddenchillintheatmosphere。
　　Thelittlegirlspokethen。Sheoverwhelmedhimagainwiththanks，andpointedtothecontentedkittenonthewindowsill。
　　True，shedidnottellhimthistimethatshewouldlove，love，lovehimalways；butshebeameduponhimgratefullyandsheurgedhimtocomesoonagain，andoften。
　　Davidbowedhimselfoff，withmanyabackwardwaveofthehand，andmanyapromisetocomeagain。Notuntilhehadquitereachedthebottomofthehilldidherememberthattheman，"Jack，"hadsaidalmostnothingatthelast。AsDavidrecollectedhim，indeed，hehadlastbeenseenstandingbesideoneoftheverandaposts，withgloomyeyesfixedonthetowersofSunnycrestthatshowedred-goldabovethetree-topsinthelastraysofthesettingsun。
　　Itwasabadhalf-hourthatDavidspentattheHollyfarmhouseinexplanationofhistornblouseandbruisedface。FarmerHollydidnotapproveoffights，andhesaidso，verysternlyindeed。EvenMrs。Holly，whowasusuallysokindtohim，letDavidunderstandthathewasindeepdisgrace，thoughshewasverytendertohiswounds。
　　Daviddidventuretoaskher，however，beforehewentupstairstobed：——
　　"Mrs。Holly，whoarethosepeople——JackandJill——thatweresogoodtomethisafternoon？"
　　"TheyareJohnGurnseyandhissister，Julia；butthewholetownknowsthembythenamestheylongagogavethemselves，’Jack’and’Jill。’"
　　"Anddotheyliveallaloneinthelittlehouse？"
　　"Yes，exceptfortheWidowGlaspell，whocomesinseveraltimesaweek，Ibelieve，tocookandwashandsweep。Theyaren’tveryhappy，I’mafraid，David，andI’mgladyoucouldrescuethelittlegirl’skittenforher——butyoumustn’tfight。Nogoodcancomeoffighting！"
　　"Igotthecat——byfighting。"
　　"Yes，yes，Iknow；but——"Shedidnotfinishhersentence，andDavidwasonlywaitingforapausetoaskanotherquestion。
　　"Whyaren’ttheyhappy，Mrs。Holly？"
　　"Tut，tut，David，it’salongstory，andyouwouldn’tunderstanditifItoldit。It’sonlythatthey’reallaloneintheworld，andJackGurnseyisn’twell。Hemustbethirtyyearsoldnow。Hehadbrighthopesnotsolongagostudyinglaw，orsomethingofthesort，inthecity。Thenhisfatherdied，andhismother，andhelosthishealth。Somethingailshislungs，andthedoctorssenthimheretobeoutofdoors。Heevensleepsoutofdoors，theysay。Anyway，he’shere，andhe’smakingahomeforhissister；but，ofcourse，withhishopesandambitions——Butthere，David，youdon’tunderstand，ofcourse！"
　　"Oh，yes，Ido，"breathedDavid，hiseyespensivelyturnedtowardashadowycorner。"Hefoundhisworkoutintheworld，andthenhehadtostopandcouldn’tdoit。PoorMr。Jack！"
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　ASURPRISEFORMR。JACK
　　LifeattheHollyfarmhousewasnotwhatithadbeen。ThecomingofDavidhadintroducednewelementsthatpromisedcomplications。
　　Notbecausehewasanothermouthtofeed——SimeonHollywasnotworryingaboutthatpartanylonger。Cropsshowedgoodpromise，andallreadyinthebankevennowwasthenecessarymoneytocoverthedreadednote，duethelastofAugust。ThecomplicatingelementsinregardtoDavidwereofquiteanothernature。
　　ToSimeonHollytheboywasariddletobesternlysolved。ToEllenHollyhewasaneverpresentreminderofthelittleboyoflongago，andassuchwastobelovedandtrainedintoasemblanceofwhatthatboymighthavebecome。ToPerryLarson，Davidwasthe"derndestcheckerboardofsensean’nonsensegoin’"——agameoverwhichtochuckle。
　　AttheHollyfarmhousetheycouldnotunderstandaboywhowouldleaveasupperforasunset，orwhopreferredabooktoatoypistol——asPerryLarsonfoundoutwasthecaseontheFourthofJuly；whopickedflowers，likeagirl，forthetable，yetwhounhesitatinglystruckthefirstblowinafightwithsixantagonists：whowouldnotgofishingbecausethefisheswouldnotlikeit，norhuntingforanysortofwildthingthathadlife；whohungentrancedforanhouroverthe"millionsoflovelystripedbugs"inafieldofearlypotatoes，andwhopromptlyandstubbornlyrefusedtosprinklethosesame"lovelybugs"withParisgreenwhendiscoveredathisworship。Allthiswasmostperplexing，tosaytheleast。
　　YetDavidworked，andworkedwell，andinmostcasesheobeyedorderswillingly。Helearnedmuch，too，thatwasinterestingandprofitable；norwashetheonlyonethatmadestrangediscoveriesduringthoseJulydays。TheHollysthemselveslearnedmuch。Theylearnedthattheroseofsunsetandthegoldofsunrisewereworthlookingat；andthatthemassingofthethunderheadsinthewestmeantmorethanjustashower。Theylearned，too，thatthegreenofthehilltopandofthefar-reachingmeadowwasmorethangrass，andthatthepurplehazealongthehorizonwasmorethanthemountainsthatlaybetweenthemandthenextState。TheywerebeginningtoseetheworldwithDavid’seyes。
　　Therewere，too，thelongtwilightsandeveningswhenDavid，onthewingsofhisviolin，wouldspeedawaytohismountainhome，leavingbehindhimamanandawomanwhoseemedtothemselvestobelisteningtothevoiceofacurly-headed，rosy-cheekedladwhoonceplayedattheirkneesandnestledintheirarmswhenthedaywasdone。Andhere，too，theHollyswerelearning；thoughthethingthuslearnedwashiddendeepintheirhearts。
　　ItwasnotlongafterDavid’sfirstvisitthattheboywentagainto"TheHousethatJackBuilt，"astheGurnseyscalledtheirtinyhome。（ThoughinrealityithadbeenJack’sfatherwhohadbuiltthehouse。JackandJill，however，didnotalwaysdealwithrealities。）Itwasnotapleasantafternoon。Therewasalightmistintheair，andDavidwaswithouthisviolin。
　　"Icameto——toinquireforthecat——Juliette，"hebegan，alittlebashfully。"IthoughtI’dratherdothatthanreadto-day，"heexplainedtoJillinthedoorway。
　　"Good！I’msoglad！Ihopedyou’dcome，"thelittlegirlwelcomedhim。"Comeinand——andseeJuliette，"sheaddedhastily，rememberingatthelastmomentthatherbrotherhadnotlookedwithentirefavoronheravowedadmirationforthisstrangelittleboy。
　　Juliette，rousedfromhernap，wasatfirstinclinedtoresenthervisitor’spresence。Infiveminutes，however，shewaspurringinhislap。
　　Theconquestofthekittenonceaccomplished，Davidlookedabouthimalittlerestlessly。Hebegantowonderwhyhehadcome。HewishedhehadgonetoseeJoeGlaspellinstead。HewishedthatJillwouldnotsitandstareathimlikethat。Hewishedthatshewouldsaysomething——anything。ButJill，apparentlystruckdumbwithembarrassment，wasnervouslytwistingthecornerofherapronintoalittleknot。Davidtriedtorecollectwhathehadtalkedaboutafewdaysbefore，andhewonderedwhyhehadsoenjoyedhimselfthen。Hewishedthatsomethingwouldhappen——anything！——andthenfromaninnerroomcamethesoundofaviolin。
　　Davidraisedhishead。
　　"It’sJack，"stammeredthelittlegirl——whoalsohadbeenwishingsomethingwouldhappen。"Heplays，sameasyoudo，ontheviolin。"
　　"Doeshe？"beamedDavid。"But——"Hepaused，listening，aquickfrownonhisface。
　　Overandovertheviolinwasplayingasinglephrase——andthevariationsinthephraseshowedtheindecisionofthefingersandofthemindthatcontrolledthem。Againandagainwithirritatingsameness，yetwithastillmoreirritatingdifference，camethesuccessionofnotes。AndthenDavidsprangtohisfeet，placingJuliettesomewhatunceremoniouslyonthefloor，muchtothatpettedyoungautocrat’sdisgust。
　　"Here，whereishe？Letmeshowhim，"criedtheboy，andatthenoteofcommandinhisvoice，JillinvoluntarilyroseandopenedthedoortoJack’sden。
　　"Oh，please，Mr。Jack，"burstoutDavid，hurryingintotheroom。
　　"Don’tyousee？Youdon’tgoatthatthingright。Ifyou’lljustletmeshowyouaminute，we’llhaveitfixedinnotime！"
　　Themanwiththeviolinstared，andloweredhisbow。Aslowredcametohisface。Thephrasewaspeculiarlyadifficultone，andbeyondhim，asheknew；butthatdidnotmakethepresentintrusionintohisprivacyanythemorewelcome。
　　"Oh，willwe，indeed！"heretorted，alittlesharply。"Don’ttroubleyourself，Ibegofyou，boy。"
　　"Butitisn’tamiteoftrouble，truly，"urgedDavid，withanardorthatignoredthesarcasmintheother’swords。"IWANTtodoit。"
　　Despitehisannoyance，themangaveashortlaugh。
　　"Well，David，Ibelieveyou。AndI’llwarrantyou’dtacklethisBrahmsconcertoasnonchalantlyasyoudidthosesixhoodlumswiththecattheotherday——andexpecttowinout，too！"
　　"But，truly，thisiseasy，whenyouknowhow，"laughedtheboy。
　　"See！"
　　Tohissurprise，themanfoundhimselfrelinquishingtheviolinandbowintotheslim，eagerhandsthatreachedforthem。Thenextmomenthefellbackinamazement。Clear，distinct，yetconnectedlikeastringofroundedpearlsfellthetroublesomenotesfromDavid’sbow。"Yousee，"smiledtheboyagain，andplayedthephraseasecondtime，moreslowly，andwithdeliberateemphasisatthedifficultpart。Then，asifinanswertosomeirresistiblesummonswithinhim，hedashedintothenextphraseand，withmarveloustechnique，playedquitethroughtheripplingcadenzathatcompletedthemovement。
　　"Well，byGeorge！"breathedthemandazedly，ashetooktheofferedviolin。Thenextmomenthehaddemandedvehemently："ForHeaven’ssake，whoAREyou，boy？"
　　David’sfacewrinkledingrievedsurprise。
　　"Why，I’mDavid。Don’tyouremember？Iwasherejusttheotherday！"
　　"Yes，yes；butwhotaughtyoutoplaylikethat？"
　　"Father。"
　　"’Father’！"Themanechoedthewordwithagestureofcomicdespair。"FirstLatin，thenjiujitsu，andnowtheviolin！Boy，whowasyourfather？"
　　Davidliftedhisheadandfrownedalittle。Hehadbeenquestionedsooften，andsounsympathetically，abouthisfatherthathewasbeginningtoresentit。
　　"Hewasdaddy——justdaddy；andIlovedhimdearly。"
　　"Butwhatwashisname？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Wedidn’tseemtohaveanamelike——likeyoursdownhere。Anyway，ifwedid，Ididn’tknowwhatitwas。"
　　"But，David，"——themanwasspeakingverygentlynow。Hehadmotionedtheboytoalowseatbyhisside。Thelittlegirlwasstandingnear，hereyesalightwithwonderinginterest。"Hemusthavehadaname，youknow，justthesame。Didn’tyoueverhearanyonecallhimanything？Think，now。"
　　"No。"Davidsaidthesingleword，andturnedhiseyesaway。Ithadoccurredtohim，sincehehadcometoliveinthevalley，thatperhapshisfatherdidnotwanttohavehisnameknown。Herememberedthatoncethemilk-and-eggsboyhadaskedwhattocallhim；andhisfatherhadlaughedandanswered："Idon’tseebutyou’llhavetocallme’TheOldManoftheMountain，’astheydodowninthevillage。"ThatwastheonlytimeDavidcouldrecollecthearinghisfathersayanythingabouthisname。AtthetimeDavidhadnotthoughtmuchaboutit。Butsincethen，downherewheretheyappearedtothinkanamewassoimportant，hehadwonderedifpossiblyhisfatherhadnotpreferredtokeephistohimself。Ifsuchwerethecase，hewasgladnowthathedidnotknowthisname，sothathemightnothavetotellalltheseinquisitivepeoplewhoaskedsomanyquestionsaboutit。Hewasglad，too，thatthosemenhadnotbeenabletoreadhisfather’snameattheendofhisothernotethatfirstmorning——ifhisfatherreallydidnotwishhisnametobeknown。