donal grant-第4章

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father；　we　need　mair　the　licht　that　shines　i'　the　darker　place。　　We
need　the　dawn　o'　a　spiritual　day　inside　's；　or　the　bonny　day　ootside
winna　gang　for　muckle。　　Lord；　oor　micht；　speyk　a　word　o'　peacefu'
recall　to　ony　dog　o'　thine　'at　may　be　worryin'　at　the　hert　o'　ony
sheep　o'　thine　'at's　run　awa；　but　dinna　ca'　him　back　sae　as　to　lea'
the　puir　sheep　'ahint　him；　fess　back　dog　an'　lamb　thegither；　O　Lord。
Haud　's　a'　frae　ill；　an'　guide　's　a'　to　guid；　an'　oor　mornin'　prayer
's　ower。　　Amen。〃

They　rose　from　their　knees；　and　sat　silent　for　a　moment。　　Then　the
guidwife　put　the　pot　on　the　fire　with　the　water　for　the　porridge。
But　Donal　rose；　and　walked　out　of　the　cottage；　half　wondering　at
himself　that　he　had　dared　as　he　had；　yet　feeling　he　had　done　but　the
most　natural　thing　in　the　world。

〃Hoo　a　body　's　to　win　throuw　the　day　wantin'　the　lord　o'　the　day　an'
the　hoor　an'　the　minute；　's　'ayont　me！〃　he　said　to　himself；　and
hastened　away。

Ere　noon　the　blue　line　of　the　far　ocean　rose　on　the　horizon。




CHAPTER　IV。

THE　TOWN。

Donal　was　queer；　some　of　my　readers　will　think；　and　I　admit　it；　for
the　man　who　regards　the　affairs　of　life　from　any　other　point　than
his　own　greedy　self；　must　be　queer　indeed　in　the　eyes　of　all　who　are
slaves　to　their　imagined　necessities　and　undisputed　desires。

It　was　evening　when　he　drew　nigh　the　place　whither　he　had　directed
his　stepsa　little　country　town；　not　far　from　a　famous　seat　of
learning：　there　he　would　make　inquiry　before　going　further。　　The
minister　of　his　parish　knew　the　minister　of　Auchars；　and　had　given
him　a　letter　of　introduction。　　The　country　around　had　not　a　few
dwellings　of　distinction；　and　at　one　or　another　of　these　might　be
children　in　want　of　a　tutor。

The　sun　was　setting　over　the　hills　behind　him　as　he　entered　the
little　town。　　At　first　it　looked　but　a　village；　for　on　the
outskirts；　through　which　the　king's　highway　led；　were　chiefly
thatched　cottages；　with　here　and　there　a　slated　house　of　one　story
and　an　attic；　but　presently　began　to　appear　houses　of　larger
sizefew　of　them；　however；　of　more　than　two　stories。　　Most　of　them
looked　as　if　they　had　a　long　and　not　very　happy　history。　　All　at
once　he　found　himself　in　a　street；　partly　of　quaint　gables　with
corbel　steps；　they　called　them　here　corbie…steps；　in　allusion；
perhaps；　to　the　raven　sent　out　by　Noah；　for　which　lazy　bird　the
children　regarded　these　as　places　to　rest。　　There　were　two　or　three
curious　gateways　in　it　with　some　attempt　at　decoration；　and　one
house　with　the　pepperpot　turrets　which　Scotish　architecture　has
borrowed　from　the　French　chateau。　　The　heart　of　the　town　was　a　yet
narrower；　close…built　street；　with　several　short　closes　and　wynds
opening　out　of　itall　of　which　had　ancient　looking　houses。　　There
were　shops　not　a　few；　but　their　windows　were　those　of　dwellings；　as
the　upper　parts　of　their　buildings　mostly　were。　　In　those　shops　was
as　good　a　supply　of　the　necessities　of　life　as　in　a　great　town；　and
cheaper。　　You　could　not　get　a　coat　so　well　cut；　nor　a　pair　of　shoes
to　fit　you　so　tight　without　hurting；　but　you　could　get　first…rate
work。　　The　streets　were　unevenly　paved　with　round；　water…worn
stones：　Donal　was　not　sorry　that　he　had　not　to　walk　far　upon　them。

The　setting　sun　sent　his　shadow　before　him　as　he　entered　the　place。
He　kept　the　middle　of　the　street；　looking　on　this　side　and　that　for
the　hostelry　whither　he　had　despatched　his　chest　before　leaving
home。　　A　gloomy　building；　apparently　uninhabited；　drew　his
attention；　and　sent　a　strange　thrill　through　him　as　his　eyes　fell
upon　it。　　It　was　of　three　low　stories；　the　windows　defended　by　iron
stanchions；　the　door　studded　with　great　knobs　of　iron。　　A　little　way
beyond　he　caught　sight　of　the　sign　he　was　in　search　of。　　It　swung　in
front　of　an　old…fashioned；　dingy　building；　with　much　of　the
old…world　look　that　pervaded　the　town。　　The　last　red　rays　of　the　sun
were　upon　it；　lighting　up　a　sorely　faded　coat　of　arms。　　The
supporters；　two　red　horses　on　their　hind　legs；　were　all　of　it　he
could　make　out。　　The　crest　above　suggested　a　skate；　but　could　hardly
have　been　intended　for　one。　　A　greedy…eyed　man　stood　in　the　doorway；
his　hands　in　his　trouser…pockets。　　He　looked　with　contemptuous
scrutiny　at　the　bare…footed　lad　approaching　him。　　He　had　black　hair
and　black　eyes；　his　nose　looked　as　if　a　heavy　finger　had　settled
upon　its　point；　and　pressed　it　downwards：　its　nostrils　swelled　wide
beyond　their　base；　underneath　was　a　big　mouth　with　a　good　set　of
teeth；　and　a　strong　upturning　chinan　ambitious　and　greedy　face。
But　ambition　is　a　form　of　greed。

〃A　fine　day；　landlord！〃　said　Donal。

〃Ay；〃　answered　the　man；　without　changing　the　posture　of　one　taking
his　ease　against　his　own　door…post；　or　removing　his　hands　from　his
pockets；　but　looking　Donal　up　and　down　with　conscious　superiority；
then　resting　his　eyes　on　the　bare　feet　and　upturned　trousers。

〃This'll　be　the　Morven　Arms；　I'm　thinkin'？〃　said　Donal。

〃It　taksna　muckle　thoucht　to　think　that；〃　returned　the　inn…keeper；
〃whan　there　they　hing！〃

〃Ay；〃　rejoined　Donal；　glancing　up；　〃there　is　something　therean'
it's　airms　I　doobtna；　but　it's　no　a'body　has　the　preevilege　o'　a
knowledge　o'　heraldry　like　yersel'；　lan'lord！　　I'm　b'un'　to　confess；
for　what　I　ken　they　micht　be　the　airms　o'　ony　ane　o'　ten　score　Scots
faimilies。〃

There　was　one　weapon　with　which　John　Glumm　was　assailable；　and　that
was　ridicule：　with　all　his　self…sufficiency　he　stood　in　terror　of
itand　the　more　covert　the　ridicule；　so　long　as　he　suspected　it；
the　more　he　resented　as　well　as　dreaded　it。　　He　stepped　into　the
street；　and　taking　a　hand　from　a　pocket；　pointed　up　to　the　sign。

〃See　til't！〃　he　said。　〃Dinna　ye　see　the　twa　reid　horse？〃

〃Ay；〃　answered　Donal；　〃I　see　them　weel　eneuch；　but　I'm　nane　the
wiser　nor　gien　they　war　twa　reid　whauls。Man；〃　he　went　on；　turning
sharp　round　upon　the　fellow；　〃ye're　no　cawpable　o'　conceivin'　the
extent　o'　my　ignorance！　　It's　as　rampant　as　the　reid　horse　upo'　your
sign！　　I'll　yield　to　naebody　i'　the　amoont　o'　things　I　dinna　ken！〃

The　man　stared　at　him　for　a　moment。

〃I　s'　warran'；〃　he　said；　〃ye　ken　mair　nor　ye　care　to　lat　on！〃

〃An'　what　may　that　be　ower　the　heid　o'　them？A　crest；　ca'　ye　't？〃
said　Donal。

〃It's　a　base　pearl…beset；〃　answered　the　landlord。

He　had　not　a　notion　of　what　a　base　meant；　or　pearl…beset；　yet　prided
himself　on　his　knowledge　of　the　words。

〃Eh；〃　returned　Donal；　〃I　took　it　for　a　skate！〃

〃A　skate！〃　repeated　the　landlord　with　offended　sneer；　and　turned
towards　the　house。

〃I　was　thinkin'　to　put　up　wi'　ye　the　nicht；　gien　ye　could
accommodate　me　at　a　rizzonable　rate；〃　said　Donal。

〃I　dinna　ken；〃　replied　Glumm；　hesitating；　with　his　back　to　him；
between　unwillingness　to　lose　a　penny；　and　resentment　at　the
supposed　badinage；　which　was　indeed　nothing　but　humour；　〃what　wad　ye
ca'　rizzonable？〃

〃I　wadna　grudge　a　saxpence　for　my　bed；　a　shillin'　I　wad；〃　answered
Donal。

〃Weel；　ninepence　thanfor　ye　seemna　owercome　wi'　siller。〃

〃Na；〃　answered　Donal；　〃I'm　no　that。　　Whatever　my　burden；　yon's　no
hit。　　The　loss　o'　what　I　hae　wad　hardly　mak　me　lichter　for　my　race。〃

〃Ye're　a　queer　customer！〃　said　the　man。

〃I'm　no　sae　queer　but　I　hae　a　kist　comin'　by　the　carrier；〃　rejoined
Donal；　〃direckit　to　the　Morven　Airms。　　It'll　be　here　in　time
doobtless。〃

〃We'll　see　whan　it　comes；〃　remarked　the　landlord；　implying　the　chest
was　easier　invented　than　believed　in。

〃The　warst　o'　't　is；〃　continued　Donal；　〃I　canna　weel　shaw　mysel'
wantin'　shune。　　I　hae　a　pair　i'　my　kist；　an'　anither　upo'　my
back；but　nane　for　my　feet。〃

〃There's　sutors　enew；〃　said　the　innkeeper。

〃Weel　we'll　see　as　we　gang。　　I　want　a　word　wi'　the　minister。　　Wad　ye
direc'　me　to　the　manse？〃

〃He's　frae　hame。　　But　it's　o'　sma'　consequence；　he　disna　care　aboot
tramps；　honest　man！　　He　winna　waur　muckle　upo'　the　likes　o'　you。〃

The　landlord　was　recovering　himselftherefore　his　insolence。

Donal　gave　a　laugh。　　Those　who　are　content　with　what　they　are；　have
the　less　concern　about　what　they　seem。　　The　ambitious　like　to　be
taken　for　more　than　they　are；　and　may　well　be　annoyed　when　they　are
taken　for　less。

〃I'm　thinkin'　ye　wadna　waur　muckle　on　a　tramp　aither！〃　he　said。

〃I　wad　not；〃　answered　Glumm。　〃It's　the　pairt　o'　the　honest　to
discoontenance　lawlessness。〃

〃Ye　wadna　hang　the　puir　craturs；　wad　ye？〃　asked　Donal。

〃I　wad　hang　a　wheen　mair　o'　them。〃

〃For　no　haein'　a　hoose　ower　their　heads？　　That's　some　hard！　　What
gien　ye　was　ae　day　to　be　in　want　o'　ane　yersel'！〃

〃We'll　bide　till　the　day　comes。But　what　are　ye　stan'in'　there　for？
Are　ye　comin'　in；　or　are　ye　no？〃

〃It's　a　some　cauld　welcome！〃　said　Donal。　〃I　s'　jist　tak　a　luik　aboot
afore　I　mak　up　my　min'。　　A　tramp；　ye　ken；　needsna　stan'　upo'
ceremony。〃

He　turned　away　and　walked　further　along　the　street。




CHAPTER　V。

THE　COBBLER。

At　the　end　of　the　street　he　came　to　a　low…arched　gateway　in　the
middle　of　a　poor…looking　house。　　Within　it　sat　a　little　bowed　man；
cobbling　diligently　at　a　boot。　　The　sun　had　left　behind　him　in　the
west　a　heap　of　golden　refuse；　and　cuttings　of　rose　and　purple；　which
shone　right　in　at　the　archway；　and　let　him　see　to　work。　　Here　was
the　very　man　for　Donal！　　A　respectable　shoemaker　would　have
disdained　to　patch　up　the　shoes　he　carriedespecially　as　the　owner
was　in　so　much　need　of　them。

〃It's　a　bonny　nicht；〃　he　said。

〃Ye　may　weel　mak　the　remark；　sir！〃　replied　the　cobbler　without
looking　up；　for　a　critical　stitch　occupied　him。　〃It's　a　balmy
nicht。〃

〃That's　raither　a　bonny　word　to　put　til't！〃　returned　Donal。　〃There's
a　kin'　o'　an　air　aboot　the　place　I　wad　hardly　hae　thoucht　balmy！
But　troth　it's　no　the　fau't　o'　the　nicht！〃

〃Ye're　richt　there　also；〃　returned　the　cobblerhis　use　of　the
conjunction　impressing　Donal。　〃Still；　the　weather　has　to　du　wi'　the
smellwi'　the　mair　or　less　o'　't；　that　is。　　It　comes　frae　a
tanneree　nearby。　　It's　no　an　ill　smell　to　them　'at's　used　til't；　and
ye　wad　hardly　believe　me；　sir；　but　I　smell　the　clover　throuw　't。
Maybe　I'm　preejudized；　seein'　but　for　the　tan…pits　I　couldna　weel
drive　my　trade；　but　sittin'　here　frae　mornin'　to　nicht；　I　get　a　kin'
o'　a　habit　o'　luikin'　oot　for　my　blessin's。　　To　recognize　an　auld
blessin'　's　'maist　better　nor　to　get　a　new　ane。　　A　pair　o'　shune
weel　cobblet　's　whiles　full　better　nor　a　new　pair。〃

〃They　are　that；〃　said　Donal；　〃but　I　dinna　jist　see　hoo　yer　seemile
applies。〃

〃Isna　gettin'　on　a　pair　o'　auld　weel…kent　an'　weel　men'it　shune；　'at
winna　nip　yer　feet　nor　yet　shochle；　like　waukin'　up　til　a　blessin'
ye　hae　been　haein'　for　years；　only　ye　didna　ken　't　for　ane？〃

As　he　spoke；　the　cobbler　lifted　a　little　wizened　face　and　a　pair　of
twinkling　eyes　to　those　of　the　student；　revealing　a　soul　as　original
as　his　own。　　He　was　one　of　the　inwardly　inseparable；　outwardly　far
divided　company　of　Christian　philosophers；　among　whom　individuality
as　well　as　patience　is　free　to　work　its　perfect　work。　　In　that
glance　Donal　saw　a　ripe　soul　looking　out　of　its　tent　door；　ready　to
rush　into　the　sunshine　of　the　new　life。

He　stood　for　a　moment　lost　in　eternal　regard　of　the　man。　　He　seemed
to　have　known　him　for　ages。　　The　cobbler　looked　up　again。

〃Ye'll　be　wantin'　a　h