"If，"saidthegirlslowly，"hehadwalkedforonlyonedayhisbootswouldnothavelookedso；andif——"
　　"If！"saidtheGermanstartingupinhischair，irritatedthatanyoneshoulddoubtsuchirrefragableevidence——"if！Why，hetoldmehimself！
　　Lookhowheliesthere，"addedtheGermanpathetically，"wornout——poorfellow！Wehavesomethingforhimthough，"pointingwithhisforefingeroverhisshouldertothesaucepanthatstoodonthefire。"Wearenotcooks——notFrenchcooks，notquite；butit’sdrinkable，drinkable，Ithink；
　　betterthannothing，Ithink，"headded，noddinghisheadinajocundmannerthatevincedhishighestimationofthecontentsofthesaucepanandhisprofoundsatisfactiontherein。"Bish！bish！mychicken，"hesaid，asLyndalltappedherlittlefootupanddownuponthefloor。"Bish！bish！mychicken，youwillwakehim。"
　　Hemovedthecandlesothathisownheadmightintervenebetweenitandthesleeper’sface；and，smoothinghisnewspaper，headjustedhisspectaclestoread。
　　Thechild’sgrey—blackeyesrestedonthefigureonthebed，thenturnedtotheGerman，thenrestedonthefigureagain。
　　"Ithinkheisaliar。Goodnight，UncleOtto，"shesaidslowly，turningtothedoor。
　　LongaftershehadgonetheGermanfoldedhispaperupmethodically，andputitinhispocket。
　　Thestrangerhadnotawakenedtopartakeofthesoup，andhissonhadfallenasleepontheground。Takingtwowhitesheepskinsfromtheheapofsacksinthecorner，theoldmandoubledthemup，andliftingtheboy’sheadgentlyfromtheslateonwhichitrested，placedtheskinsbeneathit。
　　"Poorlambie，poorlambie！"hesaid，tenderlypattingthegreatroughbear—
　　likehead；"tiredishe！"
　　Hethrewanovercoatacrosstheboy’sfeet，andliftedthesaucepanfromthefire。Therewasnoplacewheretheoldmancouldcomfortablyliedownhimself，soheresumedhisseat。Openingamuch—wornBible，hebegantoread，andashereadpleasantthoughtsandvisionsthrongedonhim。
　　"Iwasastranger，andyetookmein，"heread。
　　Heturnedagaintothebedwherethesleeperlay。
　　"Iwasastranger。"
　　Verytenderlytheoldmanlookedathim。Hesawnotthebloatedbodynortheevilfaceoftheman；but，asitwere，underdeepdisguiseandfleshlyconcealment，theformthatlongyearsofdreaminghadmadeveryrealtohim。"Jesus，lover，andisitgiventous，weakandsinful，frailanderring，toserveThee，totakeTheein！"hesaidsoftly，asherosefromhisseat。Fullofjoy，hebegantopacethelittleroom。NowandagainashewalkedhesangthelinesofaGermanhymn，ormutteredbrokenwordsofprayer。Thelittleroomwasfulloflight。ItappearedtotheGermanthatChristwasverynearhim，andthatatalmostanymomentthethinmistofearthlydarknessthatcloudedhishumaneyesmightbewithdrawn，andthatmademanifestofwhichthefriendsatEmmaus，beholdingit，said，"ItistheLord！"
　　Again，andyetagain，throughthelonghoursofthatnight，astheoldmanwalkedhelookeduptotheroofofhislittleroom，withitsblackenedrafters，andyetsawthemnot。Hisroughbeardedfacewasilluminatedwitharadiantgladness；andthenightwasnotshortertothedreamingsleepersthantohimwhosewakingdreamsbroughtheavennear。
　　Soquicklythenightfled，thathelookedupwithsurprisewhenatfouro’clockthefirstgreystreaksofsummerdawnshowedthemselvesthroughthelittlewindow。Thentheoldmanturnedtoraketogetherthefewcoalsthatlayundertheashes，andhisson，turningonthesheepskins，mutteredsleepilytoknowifitweretimetorise。
　　"Liestill，liestill！Iwouldonlymakeafire，"saidtheoldman。
　　"Haveyoubeenupallnight？"askedtheboy。
　　"Yes；butithasbeenshort，veryshort。Sleepagain，mychicken；itisyetearly。"
　　Andhewentouttofetchmorefuel。
　　Chapter1。IV。BlessedisHeThatBelieveth。
　　BonaparteBlenkinssatonthesideofthebed。Hehadwonderfullyrevivedsincethedaybefore，heldhisheadhigh，talkedinafullsonorousvoice，andategreedilyofalltheviandsofferedhim。Athissidewasabasinofsoup，fromwhichhetookadeepdraughtnowandagainashewatchedthefingersoftheGerman，whosatonthemudfloormendingthebottomofachair。
　　Presentlyhelookedout，where，intheafternoonsunshine，afewhalf—grownostrichesmightbeseenwanderinglistlesslyabout，andthenhelookedinagainatthelittlewhitewashedroom，andatLyndall，whosatinthedoorwaylookingatabook。Thenheraisedhischinandtriedtoadjustanimaginaryshirt—collar。Findingnone，hesmoothedthelittlegreyfringeatthebackofhishead，andbegan：
　　"Youareastudentofhistory，Iperceive，myfriend，fromthestudyofthesevolumesthatliescatteredaboutthisapartment；thisfacthasbeenmadeevidenttome。"
　　"Well——alittle——perhaps——itmaybe，"saidtheGermanmeekly。
　　"Beingastudentofhistorythen，"saidBonaparte，raisinghimselfloftily，"youwilldoubtlesshaveheardofmygreat，ofmycelebratedkinsman，NapoleonBonaparte？"
　　"Yes，yes，"saidtheGerman，lookingup。
　　"I，sir，"saidBonaparte，"wasbornatthishour，onanAprilafternoon，three—and—fiftyyearsago。Thenurse，sir——shewasthesamewhoattendedwhentheDukeofSutherlandwasborn——broughtmetomymother。’Thereisonlyonenameforthischild，’shesaid：’hehasthenoseofhisgreatkinsman；’andsoBonaparteBlenkinsbecamemyname——BonaparteBlenkins。
　　Yes，sir，"saidBonaparte，"thereisastreamonmymaternalsidethatconnectsmewithastreamonhismaternalside。"
　　TheGermanmadeasoundofastonishment。
　　"Theconnection，"saidBonaparte，"isonewhichcouldnotbeeasilycomprehendedbyoneunaccustomedtothestudyofaristocraticpedigrees；
　　buttheconnectionisclose。"
　　"Isitpossible！"saidtheGerman，pausinginhisworkwithmuchinterestandastonishment。"NapoleonanIrishman！"
　　"Yes，"saidBonaparte，"onthemother’sside，andthatishowwearerelated。Therewasn’tamantobeathim，"saidBonaparte，stretchinghimself——"notamanexcepttheDukeofWellington。Andit’sastrangecoincidence，"addedBonaparte，bendingforward，"buthewasaconnectionofmine。Hisnephew，theDukeofWellington’snephew，marriedacousinofmine。Shewasawoman！Seeheratoneofthecourtballs——ambersatin——
　　daisiesinherhair。Worthgoingahundredmilestolookather！Oftenseenhertheremyself，sir！"
　　TheGermanmovedtheleatherthongsinandout，andthoughtofthestrangevicissitudesofhumanlife，whichmightbringthekinsmanofdukesandemperorstohishumbleroom。
　　Bonaparteappearedlostamongoldmemories。
　　"Ah，thatDukeofWellington’snephew！"hebrokeforthsuddenly；"many’sthejokeI’vehadwithhim。OftencametovisitmeatBonaparteHall。
　　GrandplaceIhadthen——park，conservatory，servants。Hehadonlyonefault，thatDukeofWellington’snephew，"saidBonaparte，observingthattheGermanwasdeeplyinterestedineveryword，"Hewasacoward——whatyoumightcallacoward。You’veneverbeeninRussia，Isuppose？"saidBonaparte，fixinghiscrosswiselookingeyesontheGerman’sface。
　　"No，no，"saidtheoldmanhumbly。"France，England，Germany，alittleinthiscountry；itisallIhavetravelled。"
　　"I，myfriend，"saidBonaparte，"Ihavebeenineverycountryintheworld，andspeakeverycivilisedlanguage，exceptingonlyDutchandGerman。I
　　wroteabookofmytravels——noteworthyincidents。Publishergotit——
　　cheatedmeoutofit。Greatrascalsthosepublishers！UpononeoccasiontheDukeofWellington’snephewandIweretravellinginRussia。Allofasuddenoneofthehorsesdroppeddowndeadasadoornail。Therewewere——
　　coldnight——snowfourfeetthick——greatforest——onehorsenotbeingabletomovethesledge——nightcomingon——wolves。
　　"’Spree！’saystheDukeofWellington’snephew。
　　"’Spree，doyoucallit？saysI。’Lookout。’
　　"There，stickingoutunderabush，wasnothinglessthanthenoseofabear。TheDukeofWellington’snephewwasupatreelikeashot；Istoodquietlyontheground，ascoolasIamatthismoment，loadedmygun，andclimbedupthetree。Therewasonlyonebough。
　　"’Bon，’saidtheDukeofWellington’snephew，’you’dbettersitinfront。’
　　"’Allright，’saidI；’butkeepyourgunready。Therearemorecoming。’
　　He’dgothisfaceburiedinmyback。
　　"’Howmanyarethere？’saidhe。
　　"’Four，’saidI。
　　"’Howmanyaretherenow？’saidhe。
　　"’Eight，’saidI。
　　"’Howmanyaretherenow？’saidhe。
　　"’Ten，’saidI。
　　"’Ten！ten！’saidhe；anddowngoeshisgun。
　　"’Wallie，’Isaid，’whathaveyoudone？We’redeadmennow。’
　　"’Bon，myoldfellow，’saidhe，’Icouldn’thelpit；myhandstrembledso！’
　　"’Wall，’Isaid，turningroundandseizinghishand，’Wallie，mydearlad，good—bye。I’mnotafraidtodie。Mylegsarelong——theyhangdown——thefirstbearthatcomesandIdon’thithim，offgoesmyfoot。WhenhetakesitIshallgiveyoumygunandgo。Youmayyetbesaved；buttell，oh，tellMaryAnnthatIthoughtofher，thatIprayedforher。’
　　"’Good—bye，oldfellow，’saidhe。
　　"’Godblessyou，’saidI。
　　"Bythistimethebearsweresittinginacircleallaroundthetree。
　　Yes，"saidBonaparteimpressively，fixinghiseyesontheGerman，"aregular，exact，circle。Themarksoftheirtailswereleftinthesnow，andImeasureditafterward；adrawing—mastercouldn’thavedoneitbetter。
　　Itwasthatsavedme。Ifthey’drushedonmeatonce，pooroldBonwouldneverhavebeenheretotellthisstory。Buttheycameon，sir，systematically，onebyone。Alltherestsatontheirtailsandwaited。
　　Thefirstfellowcameup，andIshothim；thesecondfellow——Ishothim；
　　thethird——Ishothim。Atlastthetenthcame；hewasthebiggestofall——
　　theleader，youmaysay。
　　"’Wall，’Isaid，’givemeyourhand。Myfingersarestiffwiththecold；
　　thereisonlyonebulletleft。Ishallmisshim。Whileheiseatingmeyougetdownandtakeyourgun；andlive，dearfriend，livetorememberthemanwhogavehislifeforyou！’Bythattimethebearwasatme。Ifelthispawonmytrousers。
　　"’Oh，Bonnie！Bonnie！’saidtheDukeofWellington’snephew。ButIjusttookmygunandputthemuzzletothebear’sear——overhefell——dead！"
　　BonaparteBlenkinswaitedtoobservewhateffecthisstoryhadmade。Thenhetookoutadirtywhitehandkerchiefandstrokedhisforehead，andmoreespeciallyhiseyes。
　　"Italwaysaffectsmetorelatethatadventure，"heremarked，returningthehandkerchieftohispocket。"Ingratitude——base，vileingratitude——isrecalledbyit！Thatman，thatman，whobutformewouldhaveperishedinthepathlesswildsofRussia，thatmaninthehourofmyadversityforsookme。"TheGermanlookedup。"Yes，"saidBonaparte，"Ihadmoney，Ihadlands；Isaidtomywife：’ThereisAfrica，astrugglingcountry；theywantcapital；theywantmenoftalent；theywantmenofabilitytoopenupthatland。Letusgo。’
　　"Iboughteightthousandpounds’worthofmachinery——winnowing，plowing，reapingmachines；Iloadedashipwiththem。NextsteamerIcameout——
　　wife，children，all。GottotheCape。Whereistheshipwiththethings？
　　Lost——gonetothebottom！Andtheboxwiththemoney？Lost——nothingsaved！
　　"MywifewrotetotheDukeofWellington’snephew；Ididn’twishherto；
　　shediditwithoutmyknowledge。
　　"WhatdidthemanwhoselifeIsaveddo？Didhesendmethirtythousandpounds？say，’Bonaparte，mybrother，hereisacrumb？’No；hesentmenothing。
　　"Mywifesaid，’Write。’Isaid，’MaryAnn，NO。Whilethesehandshavepowertowork，NO。Whilethisframehaspowertoendure，NO。NevershallitbesaidthatBonaparteBlenkinsaskedofanyman。’"
　　Theman’snobleindependencetouchedtheGerman。
　　"Yourcaseishard；yes，thatishard，"saidtheGerman，shakinghishead。
　　Bonapartetookanotherdraughtofthesoup，leanedbackagainstthepillows，andsigheddeeply。
　　"Ithink，"hesaidafterawhile，rousinghimself，"Ishallnowwanderinthebenignair，andtastethegentlecoolofevening。Thestiffnesshoversovermeyet；exerciseisbeneficial。"
　　Sosaying，headjustedhishatcarefullyonthebaldcrownofhishead，andmovedtothedoor。AfterhehadgonetheGermansighedagainoverhiswork：
　　"Ah，Lord！Soitis！Ah！"
　　Hethoughtoftheingratitudeoftheworld。
　　"UncleOtto，"saidthechildinthedoorway，"didyoueverhearoftenbearssittingontheirtailsinacircle？"
　　"Well，notoftenexactly：butbearsdoattacktravellerseveryday。Itisnothingunheardof，"saidtheGerman。"Amanofsuchcourage，too！
　　Terribleexperiencethat！"
　　"Andhowdoweknowthatthestoryistrue，UncleOtto？"
　　TheGerman’sirewasroused。
　　"ThatiswhatIdohate！"hecried。"Knowthatistrue！Howdoyouknowthatanythingistrue？Becauseyouaretoldso。Ifwebegintoquestioneverything——proof，proof，proof，whatwillwehavetobelieveleft？HowdoyouknowtheangelopenedtheprisondoorforPeter，exceptthatPetersaidso？HowdoyouknowthatGodtalkedtoMoses，exceptthatMoseswroteit？
　　ThatiswhatIhate！"
　　Thegirlknitherbrows。PerhapsherthoughtsmadealongerjourneythantheGermandreamedof；for，markyou，theolddreamlittlehowtheirwordsandlivesaretextsandstudiestothegenerationthatshallsucceedthem。
　　Notwhatwearetaught，butwhatwesee，makesus，andthechildgathersthefoodonwhichtheadultfeedstotheend。
　　WhentheGermanlookedupnexttherewasalookofsupremesatisfactioninthelittlemouthandthebeautifuleyes。
　　"Whatdostsee，chicken？"heasked。
　　Thechildsaidnothing，andanagonizingshriekwasborneontheafternoonbreeze。
　　"Oh，God！myGod！Iamkilled！"criedthevoiceofBonaparte，ashe，withwideopenmouthandshakingflesh，fellintotheroom，followedbyahalf—
　　grownostrich，whoputitsheadinatthedoor，openeditsbeakathim，andwentaway。
　　"Shutthedoor！shutthedoor！Asyouvaluemylife，shutthedoor！"criedBonaparte，sinkingintoachair，hisfaceblueandwhite，withagreenishnessaboutthemouth。"Ah，myfriend，"hesaidtremulously，"eternityhaslookedmeintheface！Mylife’sthreadhunguponacord！
　　Thevalleyoftheshadowofdeath！"saidBonaparte，seizingtheGerman’sarm。
　　"Dear，dear，dear！"saidtheGerman，whohadclosedthelowerhalfofthedoor，andstoodmuchconcernedbesidethestranger，"youhavehadafright。
　　Ineverknewsoyoungabirdtochasebefore；buttheywilltakedislikestocertainpeople。Isentaboyawayoncebecauseabirdwouldchasehim。
　　Ah，dear，dear！"
　　"WhenIlookedround，"saidBonaparte，"theredandyawningcavitywasaboveme，andthereprehensiblepawraisedtostrikeme。Mynerves，"saidBonaparte，suddenlygrowingfaint，"alwaysdelicate——highlystrung——arebroken——broken！Youcouldnotgivealittlewine，alittlebrandymyfriend？"
　　TheoldGermanhurriedawaytothebookshelf，andtookfrombehindthebooksasmallbottle，halfofwhosecontentshepouredintoacup。
　　Bonapartedrainediteagerly。
　　"Howdoyoufeelnow？"askedtheGerman，lookingathimwithmuchsympathy。
　　"Alittle，slightly，better。"
　　TheGermanwentouttopickupthebatteredchimneypotwhichhadfallenbeforethedoor。
　　"Iamsorryyougotthefright。Thebirdsarebadthingstillyouknowthem，"hesaidsympathetically，asheputthehatdown。
　　"Myfriend，"saidBonaparte，holdingouthishand，"Iforgiveyou；donotbedisturbed。Whatevertheconsequences，Iforgiveyou。Iknow，I
　　believe，itwaswithnoill—intentthatyouallowedmetogoout。Givemeyourhand。Ihavenoill—feeling；none！"
　　"Youareverykind，"saidtheGerman，takingtheextendedhand，andfeelingsuddenlyconvincedthathewasreceivingmagnanimousforgivenessforsomegreatinjury，"youareverykind。"
　　"Don’tmentionit，"saidBonaparte。
　　Heknockedoutthecrownofhiscaved—inoldhat，placeditonthetablebeforehim，leanedhiselbowsonthetableandhisfaceinhishands，andcontemplatedit。
　　"Ah，myoldfriend，"hethusapostrophizedthehat，"youhaveservedmelong，youhaveservedmefaithfully，butthelastdayhascome。Nevermoreshallyoubeborneupontheheadofyourmaster。Nevermoreshallyouprotecthisbrowfromtheburningraysofsummerorthecuttingwindsofwinter。Henceforthbare—headedmustyourmastergo。Good—bye，good—bye，oldhat！"
　　AttheendofthisaffectingappealtheGermanrose。Hewenttotheboxatthefootofhisbed；outofithetookablackhat，whichhadevidentlybeenseldomwornandcarefullypreserved。
　　"It’snotexactlywhatyoumayhavebeenaccustomedto，"hesaidnervously，puttingitdownbesidethebatteredchimneypot，"butitmightbeofsomeuse——aprotectiontothehead，youknow。"
　　"Myfriend，"saidBonaparte，"youarenotfollowingmyadvice；youareallowingyourselftobereproachedonmyaccount。Donotmakeyourselfunhappy。No；Ishallgobare—headed。"
　　"No，no，no！"criedtheGermanenergetically。"Ihavenouseforthehat，noneatall。Itisshutupinthebox。"
　　"ThenIwilltakeit，myfriend。Itisacomforttoone’sownmindwhenyouhaveunintentionallyinjuredanyonetomakereparation。Iknowthefeeling。Thehatmaynotbeofthatrefinedcutofwhichtheoldonewas，butitwillserve，yes，itwillserve。Thankyou，"saidBonaparte，adjustingitonhishead，andthenreplacingitonthetable。"Ishallliedownnowandtakealittlerepose，"headded；"Imuchfearmyappetiteforsupperwillbelost。"
　　"Ihopenot，Ihopenot，"saidtheGerman，reseatinghimselfathiswork，andlookingmuchconcernedasBonapartestretchedhimselfonthebedandturnedtheendofthepatchworkquiltoverhisfeet。
　　"Youmustnotthinktomakeyourdeparture，notformanydays，"saidtheGermanpresently。"TantSanniegivesherconsent，and——"
　　"Myfriend，"saidBonaparte，closinghiseyessadly，"youarekind；butwereitnotthattomorrowistheSabbath，weakandtremblingasIliehere，Iwouldproceedonmyway。Imustseekwork；idlenessbutforadayispainful。Work，labour——thatisthesecretofalltruehappiness！"
　　Hedoubledthepillarunderhishead，andwatchedhowtheGermandrewtheleatherthongsinandout。
　　AfterawhileLyndallsilentlyputherbookontheshelfandwenthome，andtheGermanstoodupandbegantomixsomewaterandmealforroaster—cakes。
　　Ashestirredthemwithhishandshesaid：
　　"ImakealwaysadoublesupplyonSaturdaynight；thehandsarethenfreeasthethoughtsforSunday。"
　　"TheblessedSabbath！"saidBonaparte。
　　Therewasapause。Bonapartetwistedhiseyeswithoutmovinghishead，toseeifsupperwerealreadyonthefire。
　　"YoumustsorelymisstheadministrationoftheLord’swordinthisdesolatespot，"addedBonaparte。"Oh，howloveIThinehouse，andtheplacewhereThinehonourdwelleth！"
　　"Well，wedo；yes，"saidtheGerman；"butwedoourbest。Wemeettogether，andI——well，Isayafewwords，andperhapstheyarenotwhollylost，notquite。"
　　"Strangecoincidence，"saidBonaparte；"myplanalwayswasthesame。WasintheFreeStateonce——solitaryfarm——oneneighbour。EverySundayI
　　calledtogetherfriendandneighbour，childandservant，andsaid，’Rejoicewithme，thatwemayservetheLord，’andthenIaddressedthem。Ah，thosewereblessedtimes，"saidBonaparte；"wouldtheymightreturn。"
　　TheGermanstirredatthecakes，andstirred，andstirred，andstirred。Hecouldgivethestrangerhisbed，andhecouldgivethestrangerhishat，andhecouldgivethestrangerhisbrandy；buthisSundayservice！
　　Afteragoodwhilehesaid：
　　"ImightspeaktoTantSannie；Imightarrange；youmighttaketheserviceinmyplace，ifit——"
　　"Myfriend，"saidBonaparte，"itwouldgivemetheprofoundestfelicity，themostunboundedsatisfaction；butintheseworn—outhabiliments，inthesedeterioratedgarments，itwouldnotbepossible，itwouldnotbefittingthatIshouldofficiateinserviceofOnewhom，forrespect，weshallnotname。No，myfriend，Iwillremainhere；and，whileyouareassemblingyourselvestogetherinthepresenceoftheLord，I，inmysolitude，willthinkofandprayforyou。No；Iwillremainhere！"
　　Itwasatouchingpicture——thesolitarymanthereprayingforthem。TheGermanclearedhishandsfromthemeal，andwenttothechestfromwhichhehadtakentheblackhat。Afteralittlecarefulfeelingabout，heproducedablackclothcoat，trousers，andwaistcoat，whichhelaidonthetable，smilingknowingly。Theywereofnewshiningcloth，worntwiceayear，whenhewenttothetowntonachtmaal。Helookedwithgreatprideatthecoatasheunfoldeditandhelditup。
　　"It’snotthelatestfashion，perhaps，notaWestEndcut，notexactly；butitmightdo；itmightserveatapush。Tryiton，tryiton！"hesaid，hisoldgreyeyestwinklingwithpride。
　　Bonapartestoodupandtriedonthecoat。Itfittedadmirably；thewaistcoatcouldbemadetobuttonbyrippinguptheback，andthetrouserswereperfect；butbelowweretheraggedboots。TheGermanwasnotdisconcerted。Goingtothebeamwhereapairoftop—bootshung，hetookthemoff，dustedthemcarefully，andputthemdownbeforeBonaparte。Theoldeyesnowfairlybrimmedoverwithsparklingenjoyment。
　　"Ihaveonlywornthemonce。Theymightserve；theymightbeendured。"
　　Bonapartedrewthemonandstoodupright，hisheadalmosttouchingthebeams。TheGermanlookedathimwithprofoundadmiration。Itwaswonderfulwhatadifferencefeathersmadeinthebird。
　　Chapter1。V。SundayServices。