"But，David，think。Whereyoulived，wasn’tthereeveranybodywhocalledhimbyname？"
　　Davidshookhishead。
　　"Itoldyou。Wewereallalone，fatherandI，inthelittlehousefaruponthemountain。"
　　"And——yourmother？"AgainDavidshookhishead。
　　"Sheisanangel-mother，andangel-mothersdon’tliveinhouses，youknow。"
　　Therewasamoment’spause；thengentlythemanasked：——
　　"Andyoualwayslivedthere？"
　　"Sixyears，fathersaid。"
　　"Andbeforethat？"
　　"Idon’tremember。"Therewasatouchofinjuredreserveintheboy’svoicewhichthemanwasquicktoperceive。Hetookthehintatonce。
　　"Hemusthavebeenawonderfulman——yourfather！"heexclaimed。
　　Theboyturned，hiseyesluminouswithfeeling。
　　"Hewas——hewasperfect！Butthey——downhere——don’tseemtoknow——orcare，"hechoked。
　　"Oh，butthat’sbecausetheydon’tunderstand，"soothedtheman。
　　"Now，tellme——youmusthavepracticedalottoplaylikethat。"
　　"Idid——butIlikedit。"
　　"Andwhatelsedidyoudo？andhowdidyouhappentocome——downhere？"
　　OnceagainDavidtoldhisstory，morefully，perhaps，thistimethaneverbefore，becauseofthesympatheticearsthatwerelistening。
　　"Butnow"hefinishedwistfully，"it’sall，sodifferent，andI’mdownherealone。Daddywent，youknow，tothefarcountry；andhecan’tcomebackfromthere。"
　　"Whotoldyou——that？"
　　"Daddyhimself。Hewroteittome。"
　　"Wroteittoyou！"criedtheman，sittingsuddenlyerect。
　　"Yes。Itwasinhispocket，yousee。They——foundit。"David’svoicewasverylow，andnotquitesteady。
　　"David，mayIsee——thatletter？"
　　Theboyhesitated；thenslowlyhedrewitfromhispocket。
　　"Yes，Mr。Jack。I’llletYOUseeit。"
　　Reverently，tenderly，butveryeagerlythemantookthenoteandreaditthrough，hopingsomewheretofindanamethatwouldhelpsolvethemystery。Withasighhehandeditback。Hiseyeswerewet。
　　"Thankyou，David。Thatisabeautifulletter，"hesaidsoftly。
　　"AndIbelieveyou’lldoitsomeday，too。You’llgotohimwithyourviolinatyourchinandthebowdrawnacrossthestringstotellhimofthebeautifulworldyouhavefound。"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidDavidsimply。Then，withasuddenlyradiantsmile："AndNOWIcan’thelpfindingitabeautifulworld，youknow，’causeIdon’tcountthehoursIdon’tlike。"
　　"Youdon’twhat？——oh，Iremember，"returnedMr。Jack，aquickchangecomingtohisface。
　　"Yes，thesundial，youknow，wheremyLadyoftheRoseslives。"
　　"Jack，whatisasundial？"brokeinJilleagerly。
　　Jackturned，asifinrelief。
　　"Hullo，girlie，youthere？——andsostillallthistime？AskDavid。He’lltellyouwhatasundialis。Suppose，anyhow，thatyoutwogooutonthepiazzanow。I’vegot——er-someworktodo。
　　Andthesunitselfisout；see？——throughthetreesthere。Itcameoutjusttosay’good-night，’I’msure。Runalong，quick！"Andheplayfullydrovethemfromtheroom。
　　Alone，heturnedandsatdownathisdesk。Hisworkwasbeforehim，buthedidnotdoit。HiseyeswereoutofthewindowonthegoldentopsofthetowersofSunnycrest。Motionless，hewatchedthemuntiltheyturnedgray-whiteinthetwilight。Thenhepickeduphispencilandbegantowritefeverishly。Hewenttothewindow，however，asDavidsteppedofftheveranda，andcalledmerrily：——
　　"Remember，boy，thatwhenthere’sanothernotethatbafflesme，I’mgoingtosendforyou。"
　　"He’scominganyhow。Iaskedhim，"announcedJill。
　　AndDavidlaughedbackahappy"OfcourseIam！"
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THETOWERWINDOW
　　Itisnottobeexpectedthatwhenone’sthoughtsleadsopersistentlytoacertainplace，one’sfeetwillnotfollow，iftheycan；andDavid’scould——sohewenttoseekhisLadyoftheRoses。
　　Atfouro’clockoneafternoon，withhisviolinunderhisarm，hetraveledthefirmwhiteroaduntilhecametotheshadowedpaththatledtothegarden。Hehaddecidedthathewouldgoexactlyashewentbefore。Heexpected，inconsequence，tofindhisLadyexactlyashehadfoundherbefore，sittingreadingundertheroses。Greatwashissurpriseanddisappointment，therefore，tofindthegardenwithnooneinit。
　　Hehadtoldhimselfthatitwasthesundial，theroses，theshimmeringpool，thegardenitselfthathewantedtosee；butheknewnowthatitwasthelady——hisLadyoftheRoses。Hedidnotevencaretoplay，thoughallaroundhimwasthebeautythathadatfirstsocharmedhiseye。Veryslowlyhewalkedacrossthesunlit，emptyspace，andenteredthepaththatledtothehouse。
　　Inhismindwasnodefiniteplan；yethewalkedonandon，untilhecametothewidelawnssurroundingthehouseitself。Hestoppedthen，entranced。
　　Stoneuponstonethemajesticpileraiseditselfuntilitwasetched，clean-cut，againstthedeepblueofthesky。Thetowers——histowers——broughttoDavid’slipsacryofdelight。
　　Theywereevenmoreenchantingherethanwhenseenfromafaroverthetree-tops，andDavidgazedupattheminawedwonder。Fromsomewherecamethesoundofmusic——acurioussortofmusicthatDavidhadneverheardbefore。Helistenedintently，tryingtoplaceit；thenslowlyhecrossedthelawn，ascendedtheimposingstonesteps，andsoftlyopenedoneofthenarrowscreendoorsbeforethewide-openFrenchwindow。
　　OncewithintheroomDaviddrewalongbreathofecstasy。Beneathhisfeethefeltthevelvetsoftnessofthegreenmossofthewoods。Abovehisheadhesawasky-likecanopyofbluecarryingfleecycloudsonwhichfloatedlittlepink-and-whitechildrenwithwings，justasDavidhimselfhadsooftenwishedthathecouldfloat。Onallsidessilkenhangings，likethegreenofswayingvines，half-hidotherhangingsoffeathery，snowflakelace。EverywheremirroredwallscaughtthelightandreflectedthepottedfernsandpalmssothatDavidlookeddownendlessvistasoflovelinessthatseemedforalltheworldlikethelongsunfleckedaislesbeneaththetallpinesofhismountainhome。
　　ThemusicthatDavidhadheardatfirsthadlongsincestopped；
　　butDavidhadnotnoticedthat。Hestoodnowinthecenteroftheroom，awed，andtrembling，butenraptured。Thenfromsomewherecameavoice——avoicesocoldthatitsoundedasifithadsweptacrossafieldofice。
　　"Well，boy，whenyouhavequitefinishedyourinspection，perhapsyouwilltellmetowhatIamindebtedforTHISvisit，"itsaid。
　　Davidturnedabruptly。
　　"OLadyoftheRoses，whydidn’tyoutellmeitwaslikethis——inhere？"hebreathed。
　　"Well，really，"murmuredtheladyinthedoorway，stiffly，"ithadnotoccurredtomethatthatwashardly——necessary。"
　　"Butitwas！——don’tyousee？Thisisnew，allnew。Ineversawanythinglikeitbefore；andIdosolovenewthings。Itgivesmesomethingnewtoplay；don’tyouunderstand？"
　　"New——toplay？"
　　"Yes——onmyviolin，"explainedDavid，alittlebreathlessly，softlytestinghisviolin。"There’salwayssomethingnewinthis，youknow，"hehurriedon，ashetightenedoneofthestrings，"whenthere’sanythingnewoutside。Now，listen！YouseeIdon’tknowmyselfjusthowit’sgoingtosound，andI’malwayssoanxioustofindout。"Andwithajoyouslyraptfacehebegantoplay。
　　"But，seehere，boy，——youmustn’t！You——"Thewordsdiedonherlips；and，toherunboundedamazement，MissBarbaraHolbrook，whohadintendedperemptorilytosendthispersistentlittletrampboyabouthisbusiness，foundherselflisteningtoamelodysocompellinginitssonorousbeautythatshewasleftalmostspeechlessatitsclose。Itwastheboywhospoke。
　　"There，Itoldyoumyviolinwouldknowwhattosay！"
　　"’Whattosay’！——well，that’smorethanIdo"laughedMissHolbrook，alittlehysterically。"Boy，comehereandtellmewhoyouare。"Andsheledthewaytoalowdivanthatstoodnearaharpatthefarendoftheroom。
　　Itwasthesamestory，toldasDavidhadtoldittoJackandJillafewdaysbefore，onlythistimeDavid’seyeswererovingadmiringlyallabouttheroom，restingoftenestontheharpsonearhim。
　　"DidthatmakethemusicthatIheard？"heaskedeagerly，assoonasMissHolbrook’squestionsgavehimopportunity。"It’sgotstrings。"
　　"Yes。Iwasplayingwhenyoucamein。Isawyouenterthewindow。
　　Really，David，areyouinthehabitofwalkingintopeople’shouseslikethis？Itismostdisconcerting——totheirowners。"
　　"Yes——no——well，sometimes。"David’seyeswerestillontheharp。
　　"LadyoftheRoses，won’tyoupleaseplayagain——onthat？"
　　"David，youareincorrigible！Whydidyoucomeintomyhouselikethis？"
　　"Themusicsaid’come’；andthetowers，too。Yousee，IKNOWthetowers。"
　　"YouKNOWthem！"
　　"Yes。Icanseethemfromsomanyplaces，andIalwayswatchforthem。Theyshowbestofanywhere，though，fromJackandJill’s。
　　Andnowwon’tyouplay？"
　　MissHolbrookhadalmostrisentoherfeetwhensheturnedabruptly。
　　"From——where？"sheasked。
　　"FromJackandJill’s——theHousethatJackBuilt，youknow。"
　　"Youmean——Mr。JohnGurnsey’shouse？"AdeepercolorhadcomeintoMissHolbrook’scheeks。
　　"Yes。Overthereatthetopofthelittlehillacrossthebrook，youknow。Youcan’tseeTHEIRhousefromhere，butfromovertherewecanseethetowersfinely，andthelittlewindow——Oh，LadyoftheRoses，"hebrokeoffexcitedly，atthenewthoughtthathadcometohim，"ifwe，now，wereinthatlittlewindow，weCOULDseetheirhouse。Let’sgoup。Can’twe？"
　　Explicitasthiswas，MissHolbrookevidentlydidnothear，oratleastdidnotunderstand，thisrequest。Shesettledbackonthedivan，indeed，almostdeterminedly。Hercheekswereveryrednow。
　　"Anddoyouknow——thisMr。Jack？"sheaskedlightly。
　　"Yes，andJill，too。Don’tyou？Ilikethem，too。DOyouknowthem？"
　　AgainMissHolbrookignoredthequestionputtoher。"Anddidyouwalkintotheirhouse，unannouncedanduninvited，likethis？"shequeried。
　　"No。Heaskedme。Youseehewantedtogetoffsomeofthedirtandbloodbeforeotherfolkssawme。"
　　"Thedirtand——and——why，David，whatdoyoumean？Whatwasit——anaccident？"
　　Davidfrownedandreflectedamoment。
　　"No。Ididitonpurpose。IHADto，yousee，"hefinallyelucidated。"Butthereweresixofthem，andIgottheworstofit。"
　　"David！"MissHolbrook’svoicewashorrified。"Youdon’tmean——afight！"
　　"Yes’m。Iwantedthecat——andIgotit，butIwouldn’thaveifMr。Jackhadn’tcometohelpme。"
　　"Oh！SoMr。Jack——fought，too？"
　　"Well，hepulledtheothersoff，andofcoursethathelpedme，"
　　explainedDavidtruthfully。"Andthenhetookmehome——heandJill。"
　　"Jill！Wassheinit？"
　　"No，onlyhercat。Theyhadtiedabagoveritsheadandatincantoitstail，andofcourseIcouldn’tletthemdothat。Theywerehurtingher。Andnow，LadyoftheRoses，won’tyoupleaseplay？"
　　ForamomentMissHolbrookdidnotspeak。ShewasgazingatDavidwithanoddlookinhereyes。Atlastshedrewalongsigh。
　　"David，youarethe——theLIMIT！"shebreathed，assheroseandseatedherselfattheharp。
　　Davidwasmanifestlydelightedwithherplaying，andbeggedformorewhenshehadfinished；butMissHolbrookshookherhead。Sheseemedtohavegrownsuddenlyrestless，andshemovedabouttheroomcallingDavid’sattentiontosomethingneweachmoment。
　　Then，veryabruptly，shesuggestedthattheygoupstairs。Fromroomtoroomshehurriedtheboy，scarcelylisteningtohisardentcomments，oransweringhisstillmoreardentquestions。
　　Notuntiltheyreachedthehighesttowerroom，indeed，didshesinkwearilyintoachair，andseemforamomentatrest。
　　Davidlookedabouthiminsurprise。Evenhisuntrainedeyecouldseethathehadenteredadifferentworld。Therewerenosumptuousrugs，nosilkenhangings；nomirrors，nosnowflakecurtains。Therewerebooks，tobesure，butbesidesthosetherewereonlyaplainlowtable，awork-basket，andthreeorfourwooden-seatedthoughcomfortablechairs。WithincreasingwonderhelookedintoMissHolbrook’seyes。
　　"Isitherethatyoustay——allday？"heaskeddiffidently。
　　MissHolbrook’sfaceturnedavividscarlet。
　　"Why，David，whataquestion！Ofcoursenot！WhyshouldyouthinkIdid？"
　　"Nothing；onlyI’vebeenwonderingallthetimeI’vebeenherehowyoucould——withallthosebeautifulthingsaroundyoudownstairs——saywhatyoudid。"
　　"Saywhat？——when？"
　　"Thatotherdayinthegarden——aboutALLyourhoursbeingcloudyones。SoIdidn’tknowto-daybutwhatyouLIVEDuphere，sameasMrs。Hollydoesn’tuseherbestrooms；andthatwaswhyyourhourswereallcloudyones。"
　　WithasuddenmovementMissHolbrookrosetoherfeet。
　　"Nonsense，David！Youshouldn’talwaysremembereverythingthatpeoplesaytoyou。Come，youhaven’tseenoneoftheviewsfromthewindowsyet。Weareinthelargertower，youknow。YoucanseeHinsdalevillageonthisside，andthere’safineviewofthemountainsoverthere。Ohyes，andfromtheothersidethere’syourfriend’shouse——Mr。Jack’s。Bytheway，howisMr。Jackthesedays？"MissHolbrookstoopedassheaskedthequestionandpickedupabitofthreadfromtherug。
　　DavidranatoncetothewindowthatlookedtowardtheHousethatJackBuilt。Fromthetowerthelittlehouseappearedtobesmallerthanever。Itwasintheshadow，too，andlookedstrangelyaloneandforlorn。Unconsciously，ashegazedatit，Davidcompareditwiththemagnificencehehadjustseen。Hisvoicechokedasheanswered。
　　"Heisn’twell，LadyoftheRoses，andhe’sunhappy。He’sawfullyunhappy。"
　　MissHolbrook’sslenderfigurecameupwithajerk。
　　"Whatdoyoumean，boy？Howdoyouknowhe’sunhappy？Hashesaidso？"
　　"No；butMrs。Hollytoldmeabouthim。He’ssick；andhe’djustfoundhisworktodooutintheworldwhenhehadtostopandcomehome。But——oh，quick，thereheis！See？"
　　InsteadofcomingnearerMissHolbrookfellbacktothecenteroftheroom；buthereyeswerestillturnedtowardthelittlehouse。
　　"Yes，Isee，"shemurmured。ThenextinstantshehadsnatchedahandkerchieffromDavid’soutstretchedhand。"No——no——Iwouldn’twave，"sheremonstratedhurriedly。"Come——comedownstairswithme。"
　　"ButIthought——Iwassurehewaslookingthisway，"assertedDavid，turningreluctantlyfromthewindow。"AndifheHADseenmewavetohim，he’dhavebeensoglad；now，wouldn’the？"
　　Therewasnoanswer。TheLadyoftheRosesdidnotapparentlyhear。Shehadgoneondownthestairway。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　SECRETS
　　DavidhadsomuchtotellJackandJillthathewenttoseethemtheverynextdayafterhissecondvisittoSunnycrest。Hecarriedhisviolinwithhim。Hefound，however，onlyJillathome。Shewassittingontheverandasteps。
　　Therewasnotsomuchembarrassmentbetweenthemthistime，perhapsbecausetheywereinthefreedomofthewideout-of-doors，andDavidfeltmoreatease。Hewasplainlydisappointed，however，thatMr。Jackwasnotthere。
　　"ButIwantedtoseehim！Iwantedtoseehim’specially，"helamented。
　　"You’dbetterstay，then。He’llbehomebyandby，"comfortedJill。"He’sgonepot-boiling。"
　　"Pot-boiling！What’sthat？"
　　Jillchuckled。
　　"Well，yousee，reallyit’sthisway：hesellssomethingtoboilinotherpeople’spotssohecanhavesomethingtoboilinours，hesays。It’sstufffromthegarden，youknow。Weraiseittosell。PoorJack——andhedoeshateitso！"
　　Davidnoddedsympathetically。
　　"Iknow——anditmustbeawful，justhoeingandweedingallthetime。"
　　"Still，ofcourseheknowshe’sgottodoit，becauseit’soutofdoors，andhejusthastobeoutofdoorsallhecan，"rejoinedthegirl。"He’ssick，youknow，andsometimeshe’ssounhappy！Hedoesn’tsaymuch。Jackneversaysmuch——onlywithhisface。ButIknow，andit——itjustmakesmewanttocry。"
　　AtDavid’sdismayedexclamationJilljumpedtoherfeet。Itownedtohersuddenlythatshewastellingthisunknownboyaltogethertoomanyofthefamilysecrets。Sheproposedatoncearacetothefootofthehill；andthen，todriveDavid’smindstillfartherawayfromthesubjectunderrecentconsideration，shedeliberatelylost，andproclaimedhimthevictor。
　　Verysoon，however，therearosenewcomplicationsintheshapeofalittlegatethatledtoapathwhich，initsturn，ledtoafootbridgeacrossthenarrowspanofthelittlestream。
　　AbovethetreesontheothersidepeepedthetopofSunnycrest’shighesttower。
　　"TotheLadyoftheRoses！"criedDavideagerly。"Iknowitgoesthere。Come，let’ssee！"
　　Thelittlegirlshookherhead。
　　"Ican’t。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Jackwon’tletme。"
　　"Butitgoestoabeautifulplace；Iwasthereyesterday，"arguedDavid。"AndIwasupinthetowerandalmostwavedtoMr。Jackonthepiazzabackthere。Isawhim。Andmaybeshe’dletyouandmegoupthereagainto-day。"
　　"ButIcan’t，Isay，"repeatedJill，alittleimpatiently。"Jackwon’tletmeevenstart。"
　　"Whynot？Maybehedoesn’tknowwhereitgoesto。"
　　Jillhungherhead。Thensheraiseditdefiantly。
　　"Oh，yes，hedoes，’causeItoldhim。IusedtogowhenIwaslittlerandhewasn’there。Iwentonce，afterhecame，——halfway，——andhesawmeandcalledtome。Ihadgothalfwayacrossthebridge，butIhadtocomeback。Hewasveryangry，yetsortof——queer，too。Hisfacewasallsternandwhite，andhislipssnappedtightshutaftereveryword。Hesaidnever，never，nevertolethimfindmetheothersideofthatgate。"
　　Davidfrownedastheyturnedtogoupthehill。UnhesitatinglyhedeterminedtoinstructMr。Jackinthislittlematter。HewouldtellhimwhatabeautifulplaceSunnycrestwas，andhewouldtrytoconvincehimhowverydesirableitwasthatheandJill，andevenMr。Jackhimself，shouldgoacrossthebridgeattheveryfirstopportunitythatoffered。
　　Mr。Jackcamehomebeforelong，butDavidquiteforgottospeakofthefootbridgejustthen，chieflybecauseMr。JackgotouthisviolinandaskedDavidtocomeinandplayaduetwithhim。Theduet，however，soonbecameasolo，forsogreatwasMr。Jack’sdelightinDavid’splayingthatheplacedbeforetheboyonesheetofmusicafteranother，beggingandstillbeggingformore。
　　David，nothingloath，playedonandon。Mostofthemusicheknew，havingalreadylearneditinhismountainhome。Likeoldfriendsthemelodiesseemed，andsogladwasDavidtoseetheirnotesagainthathefinishedeachproductionwithalittleimprovisedcadenzaofecstaticwelcome——toMr。Jack’sincreasingsurpriseanddelight。
　　"GreatScott！you’reawonder，David，"heexclaimed，atlast。
　　"Pooh！asifthatwasanythingwonderful，"laughedtheboy。"Why，Iknewthoseagesago，Mr。Jack。It’sonlythatI’msogladtoseethemagain——thenotes，youknow。Yousee，Ihaven’tanymusicnow。Itwasallinthebag（whatwebrought），andweleftthatontheway。"
　　"Youleftit！"
　　"Yes，’twasso，heavy"murmuredDavidabstractedly，hisfingersbusywiththepileofmusicbeforehim。"Oh，andhere’sanotherone，"hecriedexultingly。"Thisiswherethewindsighs，’oou——OOU——OOU’throughthepines。Listen！"Andhewasawayagainonthewingsofhisviolin。WhenhehadreturnedMr。Jackdrewalongbreath。
　　"David，youareawonder，"hedeclaredagain。"Andthatviolinofyoursisawonder，too，ifI’mnotmistaken，——thoughIdon’tknowenoughtotellwhetherit’sreallyarareoneornot。Wasityourfather’s？"
　　"Oh，no。Hehadone，too，andtheybotharegoodones。Fathersaidso。Joe’sgotfather’snow。"
　　"Joe？"
　　"JoeGlaspell。"
　　"Youdon’tmeanWidowGlaspell’sJoe，theblindboy？Ididn’tknowhecouldplay。"
　　"Hecouldn’ttillIshowedhim。Buthelikestohearmeplay。
　　Andheunderstood——rightaway，Imean。"
　　"UNDERSTOOD！"
　　"WhatIwasplaying，youknow。Andhewasalmostthefirstonethatdid——sincefatherwentaway。AndnowIplayeverytimeIgothere。Joesaysheneverknewbeforehowtreesandgrassandsunsetsandsunrisesandbirdsandlittlebrooksdidlook，tillI
　　toldhimwithmyviolin。NowhesayshethinkshecanseethembetterthanIcan，becauseaslongashisOUTSIDEeyescan’tseeanything，theycan’tseethoseuglythingsallaroundhim，andsohecanjustmakehisINSIDEeyesseeonlythebeautifulthingsthathe’dLIKEtosee。Andthat’sthekindhedoesseewhenI
　　play。That’swhyIsaidheunderstood。"
　　Foramomenttherewassilence。InMr。Jack’seyestherewasanoddlookastheyrestedonDavid’sface。Then，abruptly，hespoke。
　　"David，IwishIhadmoney。I’dputyouthenwhereyoubelonged，"
　　hesighed。
　　"Doyoumean——whereI’dfindmyworktodo？"askedtheboysoftly。
　　"Well——yes；youmightsayitthatway，"smiledtheman，afteramoment’shesitation——notyetwasMr。Jackquiteusedtothisboywhowasattimessoveryun-boylike。
　　"Fathertoldme’twaswaitingforme——somewhere。"
　　Mr。Jackfrownedthoughtfully。
　　"Andhewasright，David。Theonlytroubleis，weliketopickitoutforourselves，prettywell，——toowell，aswefindoutsometimes，whenwe’recalledoff——foranotherjob。"
　　"Iknow，Mr。Jack，Iknow，"breathedDavid。Andtheman，lookingintotheglowingdarkeyes，wonderedatwhathefoundthere。Itwasalmostasiftheboyreallyunderstoodabouthisownlife’sdisappointment——andcared；thoughthat，ofcourse，couldnotbe！
　　"Andit’sallthehardertokeepourselvesintunethen，too，isn’tit？"wentonDavid，alittlewistfully。
　　"Intune？"
　　"WiththerestoftheOrchestra。"
　　"Oh！"AndMr。Jack，whohadalreadyheardaboutthe"OrchestraofLife，"smiledabitsadly。"That’sjustit，myboy。Andifwe’rehandedanotherinstrumenttoplayonthantheoneweWANT
　　toplayon，we’reaptto——toletflyadiscord。Anyhow，Iam。
　　But"——hewentonmorelightly——"now，inyourcase，David，littleasIknowabouttheviolin，Iknowenoughtounderstandthatyououghttobewhereyoucantakeupyourstudyofitagain；whereyoucanheargoodmusic，andwhereyoucanbeamongthosewhoknowenoughtoappreciatewhatyoudo。"
　　David’seyessparkled。
　　"Andwheretherewouldn’tbeanypullingweedsorhoeingdirt？"
　　"Well，Ihadn’tthoughtofincludingeitherofthosepastimes。"
　　"My，butIwouldlikethat，Mr。Jack！——butTHATwouldn’tbeWORK，sothatcouldn’tbewhatfathermeant。"David’sfacefell。
　　"Hm-m；well，Iwouldn’tworryaboutthe’work’part，"laughedMr。Jack，"particularlyasyouaren’tgoingtodoitjustnow。
　　There’sthemoney，youknow，——andwehaven’tgotthat。"
　　"Andittakesmoney？"
　　"Well——yes。Youcan’tgetthosethingshereinHinsdale，youknow；andittakesmoney，togetaway，andtoliveawayafteryougetthere。"
　　AsuddenlighttransfiguredDavid’sface。
　　"Mr。Jack，wouldgolddoit？——lotsoflittleroundgold-pieces？"
　　"Ithinkitwould，David，iftherewereenoughofthem。"
　　"Manyasahundred？"
　　"Sure——iftheywerebigenough。Anyway，David，they’dstartyou，andI’mthinkingyouwouldn’tneedbutastartbeforeyou’dbecoininggold-piecesofyourownoutofthatviolinofyours。Butwhy？Anybodyyouknowgotas’manyasahundred’gold-pieceshewantstogetridof？"
　　ForamomentDavid，hisdelightedthoughtsflyingtothegold-piecesinthechimneycupboardofhisroom，wastemptedtotellhissecret。Thenherememberedthewomanwiththebreadandthepailofmilk，anddecidednotto。Hewouldwait。WhenheknewMr。Jackbetter——perhapsthenhewouldtell；butnotnow。NOW
　　Mr。Jackmightthinkhewasathief，andthathecouldnotbear。
　　Sohetookuphisviolinandbegantoplay；andinthecharmofthemusicMr。Jackseemedtoforgetthegold-pieces——whichwasexactlywhatDavidhadintendedshouldhappen。
　　NotuntilDavidhadsaidgood-byesometimelater，didherememberthepurpose——thespecialpurpose——forwhichhehadcome。
　　Heturnedbackwitharadiantface。
　　"Oh，andMr。Jack，I’mostforgot，"hecried。"Iwasgoingtotellyou。Isawyouyesterday——Idid，andIalmostwavedtoyou。"
　　"Didyou？Wherewereyou？"
　　"Overthereinthewindow——thetowerwindow"hecrowedjubilantly。
　　"Oh，youwentagain，then，Isuppose，toseeMissHolbrook。"
　　Theman’svoicesoundedsooddlycoldanddistantthatDavidnoticeditatonce。HewasremindedsuddenlyofthegateandthefootbridgewhichJillwasforbiddentocross；buthedarednotspeakofitthen——notwhenMr。Jacklookedlikethat。Hedidsay，however：——
　　"Oh，but，Mr。Jack，it’ssuchabeautifulplace！Youdon’tknowwhatabeautifulplaceitis。"
　　"Isit？Then，youlikeitsomuch？"
　　"Oh，somuch！But——didn’tyouever——seeit？"
　　"Why，yes，IbelieveIdid，David，longago，"murmuredMr。JackwithwhatseemedtoDavidamazingindifference。
　　"AnddidyouseeHER——myLadyoftheRoses？"
　　"Why，y——yes——Ibelieveso。"
　　"AndisTHATallyourememberaboutit？"resentedDavid，highlyoffended。
　　Themangavealaugh——alittleshort，hardlaughthatDaviddidnotlike。
　　"But，letmesee；yousaidyoualmostwaved，didn’tyou？Whydidn’tyou，quite？"askedtheman。
　　Daviddrewhimselfsuddenlyerect。InstinctivelyhefeltthathisLadyoftheRosesneededdefense。
　　"BecauseSHEdidn’twantmeto；soIdidn’t，ofcourse，"herejoinedwithdignity。"Shetookawaymyhandkerchief。"
　　"I’llwarrantshedid，"mutteredtheman，behindhisteeth。Aloudheonlylaughedagain，asheturnedaway。
　　Davidwentondownthesteps，dissatisfiedvaguelywithhimself，withMr。Jack，andevenwiththeLadyoftheRoses。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　DAVID’SCASTLEINSPAIN
　　OnhisreturnfromtheHousethatJackBuilt，Daviddecidedtocounthisgold-pieces。Hegotthemoutatoncefrombehindthebooks，andstackedthemupinlittleshiningrows。Ashehadsurmised，therewereahundredofthem。Therewere，indeed，ahundredandsix。Hewaspleasedatthat。Onehundredandsixweresurelyenoughtogivehima"start。"
　　Astart！Davidclosedhiseyesandpicturedit。Togoonwithhisviolin，toheargoodmusic，tobewithpeoplewhounderstoodwhathesaidwhenheplayed！ThatwaswhatMr。Jackhadsaida"start"
　　was。Andthisgold——theseroundshiningbitsofgold——couldbringhimthis！Davidsweptthelittlepilesintoajinglingheap，andsprangtohisfeetwithbothfistsfullofhissuddenlybelovedwealth。Withboyishgleehecaperedabouttheroom，jinglingthecoinsinhishands。Then，verysoberly，hesatdownagain，andbegantogatherthegoldtoputaway。
　　Hewouldbewise——hewouldbesensible。Hewouldwatchhischance，andwhenitcamehewouldgoaway。First，however，hewouldtellMr。JackandJoe，andtheLadyoftheRoses；yes，andtheHollys，too。Justnowthereseemedtobework，realworkthathecoulddotohelpMr。Holly。Butlater，possiblywhenSeptembercameandschool，——theyhadsaidhemustgotoschool，——hewouldtellthemthen，andgoawayinstead。Hewouldsee。Bythattimetheywouldbelievehim，perhaps，whenheshowedthegold-pieces。
　　Theywouldnotthinkhehad——STOLENthem。ItwasAugustnow；hewouldwait。Butmeanwhilehecouldthink——hecouldalwaysbethinkingofthewonderfulthingthatthisgoldwasonedaytobringtohim。
　　Evenwork，toDavid，didnotseemworknow。Inthemorninghewastorakehaybehindthemenwiththecart。Yesterdayhehadnotlikeditverywell；butnow——nothingmatterednow。AndwithasatisfiedsighDavidputhispreciousgoldawayagainbehindthebooksinthecupboard。
　　Davidfoundanewsonginhisviolinthenextmorning。Tobesure，hecouldnotplayit——muchofit——untilfouro’clockintheafternooncame；forMr。Hollydidnotlikeviolinstobeplayedinthemorning，evenondaysthatwerenotespeciallytheLord’s。
　　Therewastoomuchworktodo。SoDavidcouldonlysnatchastrainortwovery，verysoftly，whilehewasdressing；butthatwasenoughtoshowhimwhatabeautifulsongitwasgoingtobe。
　　Heknewwhatitwas，atonce，too。Itwasthegold-pieces，andwhattheywouldbring。Allthroughthedayittrippedthroughhisconsciousness，anddancedtantalizinglyjustoutofreach。Yethewaswonderfullyhappy，andthedayseemedshortinspiteoftheheatandtheweariness。
　　Atfouro’clockhehurriedhomeandputhisviolinquicklyintune。Itcamethen——thatdancingspriteoftantalization——andjoyouslyabandoneditselftothestringsoftheviolin，sothatDavidknew，ofasurety，whatabeautifulsongitwas。
　　ItwasthissongthatsenthimthenextafternoontoseehisLadyoftheRoses。Hefoundherthistimeoutofdoorsinhergarden。
　　Unceremoniously，asusual，herushedheadlongintoherpresence。
　　"Oh，Lady——LadyoftheRoses，"hepanted。"I’vefoundout，andI
　　camequicklytotellyou。"
　　"Why，David，what——whatdoyoumean？"MissHolbrooklookedunmistakablystartled。
　　"Aboutthehours，youknow，——theuncloudedones，"explainedDavideagerly。"YouknowyousaidtheywereALLcloudytoyou。"
　　MissHolbrook’sfacegrewverywhite。
　　"Youmean——you’vefoundoutWHYmyhoursare——areallcloudyones？"shestammered。
　　"No，oh，no。Ican’timaginewhytheyare，"returnedDavid，withanemphaticshakeofhishead。"It’sjustthatI’vefoundawaytomakeallmyhourssunnyones，andyoucandoit，too。SoI
　　cametotellyou。Youknowyousaidyourswereallcloudy。"
　　"Oh，"ejaculatedMissHolbrook，fallingbackintoheroldlistlessattitude。Then，withsomeasperity："Dearme，David！Didn’tItellyounottoberememberingthatallthetime？"
　　"Yes，Iknow，butI’veLEARNEDsomething，"urgedtheboy；
　　"somethingthatyououghttoknow。Yousee，Ididthink，once，thatbecauseyouhadallthesebeautifulthingsaroundyou，thehoursoughttobeallsunnyones。ButnowIknowitisn’twhat’saroundyou；it’swhatisINyou！"
　　"Oh，David，David，youcuriousboy！"
　　"No，butreally！Letmetellyou，"pleadedDavid。"YouknowI
　　haven’tlikedthem，——allthosehourstillfouro’clockcame，——andIwassoglad，afterIsawthesundial，tofindoutthattheydidn’tcount，anyhow。Butto-daytheyHAVE
　　counted——they’veallcounted，LadyoftheRoses；andit’sjustbecausetherewassomethinginsideofmethatshoneandshone，andmadethemallsunny——thosehours。"
　　"Dearme！Andwhatwasthiswonderfulthing？"
　　Davidsmiled，butheshookhishead。
　　"Ican’ttellyouthatyet——inwords；butI’llplayit。Yousee，Ican’talwaysplaythemtwicealike，——thoselittlesongsthatI
　　find，——butthisoneIcan。Itsangsolonginmyhead，beforemyviolinhadachancetotellmewhatitreallywas，thatIsortoflearnedit。Now，listen！"Andbebegantoplay。
　　Itwas，indeed，abeautifulsong，andMissHolbrooksaidsowithpromptnessandenthusiasm；yetstillDavidfrowned。
　　"Yes，yes，"heanswered，"butdon’tyousee？Thatwastellingyouaboutsomethinginsideofmethatmadeallmyhourssunshinyones。Now，whatyouwantissomethinginsideofyoutomakeyourssunshiny，too。Don’tyousee？"
　　AnoddlookcameintoMissHolbrook’seyes。
　　"That’sallverywellforyoutosay，David，butyouhaven’ttoldmeyet，youknow，justwhatitisthat’smadeallthisbrightnessforyou。"
　　Theboychangedhisposition，andpuckeredhisforeheadintoadeeperfrown。
　　"Idon’tseemtoexplainsoyoucanunderstand，"hesighed。"Itisn’ttheSPECIALthing。It’sonlythatit’sSOMETHING。Andit’sthinkingaboutitthatdoesit。Now，minewouldn’tmakeyoursshine，but——still，"——hebrokeoff，ahappyreliefinhiseyes，——"yourscouldbeLIKEmine，inoneway。Mineissomethingthatisgoingtohappentome——somethingjustbeautiful；andyoucouldhavethat，youknow，——somethingthatwasgoingtohappentoyou，tothinkabout。"
　　MissHolbrooksmiled，butonlywithherlips，Hereyeshadgrownsomber。
　　"Butthereisn’tanything’justbeautiful’goingtohappentome，David，"shedemurred。
　　"Therecould，couldn’tthere？"
　　MissHolbrookbit，herlip；thenshegaveanoddlittlelaughthatseemed，insomeway，togowiththeswiftredthathadcometohercheeks。
　　"Iusedtothinktherecould——once，"sheadmitted；"butI’vegiventhatuplongago。It——itdidn’thappen。"
　　"Butcouldn’tyoujustTHINKitwasgoingto？"persistedtheboy。"YouseeIfoundoutyesterdaythatit’stheTHINKINGthatdoesit。AlldaylongIwasthinking——onlythinking。Iwasn’tDOINGit，atall。Iwasreallyrakingbehindthecart；butthehoursallweresunny。"
　　MissHolbrooklaughednowoutright。
　　"Whatapersistentlittlemental-sciencepreacheryouare！"sheexclaimed。"Andthere’struth——moretruththanyouknow——initall，too。ButIcan’tdoit，David，——notthat——notthat。’TwouldtakemorethanTHINKING——tobringthat，"sheadded，underherbreath，asiftoherself。
　　"Butthinkingdoesbringthings，"maintainedDavidearnestly。
　　"There’sJoe——JoeGlaspell。Hismotherworksoutallday；andhe’sblind。"
　　"Blind？Oh-h！"shudderedMissHolbrook。
　　"Yes；andhehastostayallalone，exceptforBetty，andsheisn’ttheremuch。HeTHINKSALLhisthings。Hehasto。Hecan’tSEE
　　anythingwithhisoutsideeyes。Butheseeseverythingwithhisinsideeyes——everythingthatIplay。Why，LadyoftheRoses，he’sevenseenthis——allthishere。Itoldhimaboutit，youknow，rightawayafterI’dfoundyouthatfirstday：thebigtreesandthelongshadowsacrossthegrass，andtheroses，andtheshiningwater，andthelovelymarblepeoplepeepingthroughthegreenleaves；andthesundial，andyousobeautifulsittinghereinthemiddleofitall。ThenIplayeditforhim；andhesaidhecouldseeitalljustasplain！AndTHATwaswithhisinsideeyes！Andso，ifJoe，shutupthereinhisdarklittleroom，canmakehisTHINKbringhimallthat，IshouldthinkthatYOU，hereinthisbeautiful，beautifulplace，couldmakeyourthinkbringyouanythingyouwanteditto。"
　　ButMissHolbrooksighedagainandshookherhead。
　　"Notthat，David，notthat，"shemurmured。"Itwouldtakemorethanthinkingtobring——that。"Then，withaquickchangeofmanner，shecried："Come，come，supposewedon’tworryanymoreaboutMYhours。Let’sthinkofyours。Tellme，whathaveyoubeendoingsinceIsawyoulast？Perhapsyouhavebeenagainto——toseeMr。Jack，forinstance。"
　　"Ihave；butIsawJillmostly，tillthelast。"Davidhesitated，thenheblurteditout："LadyoftheRoses，doyouknowaboutthegateandthefootbridge？"
　　MissHolbrooklookedupquickly。
　　"Know——what，David？"
　　"Knowaboutthem——thatthey’rethere？"
　　"Why——yes，ofcourse；atleast，Isupposeyoumeanthefootbridgethatcrossesthelittlestreamatthefootofthehilloverthere。"
　　"That’stheone。"AgainDavidhesitated，andagainheblurtedouttheburdenofhisthoughts。"LadyoftheRoses，didyouever——crossthatbridge？"
　　MissHolbrookstirreduneasily。
　　"Not——recently。"
　　"Butyoudon’tMINDfolkscrossingit？"
　　"Certainlynot——iftheywishto。"
　　"There！Iknew’twasn’tyourblame，"triumphedDavid。
　　"MYblame！"
　　"Yes；thatMr。Jackwouldn’tletJillcomeacross，youknow。Hecalledherbackwhenshe’dgothalfwayoveronce。"MissHolbrook’sfacechangedcolor。
　　"ButIdoobject，"shecriedsharply，"totheircrossingitwhentheyDON’Twantto！Don’tforgetthat，please。"
　　"ButJilldidwantto。"
　　"Howaboutherbrother——didhewantherto？"
　　"N——no。"
　　"Verywell，then。Ididn’t，either。"
　　Davidfrowned。NeverhadheseenhisbelovedLadyoftheRoseslooklikethisbefore。HewasremindedofwhatJillhadsaidaboutJack："Hisfacewasallsternandwhite，andhislipssnappedtightshutaftereveryword。"So，too，lookedMissHolbrook’sface；so，too，hadherlipssnappedtightshutafterherlastwords。Davidcouldnotunderstandit。Hesaidnothingmore，however；but，aswasusuallythecasewhenhewasperplexed，hepickeduphisviolinandbegantoplay。Andasheplayed，theregraduallycametoMissHolbrook’seyesasofterlight，andtoherlipslineslesstightlydrawn。NeitherthefootbridgenorMr。Jack，however，wasmentionedagainthatafternoon。