donal grant-第7章

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〃Ow；　sic…like　's　usualonly　the　hoosekeeper　's　some　dowy；　an'　that
puts　mair　upo'　the　lave　o'　's：　whan　she's　weel；　she's　no　ane　to
spare　hersel'or　ither　fowk　aither！I　wadna　care；　gien　she　wud　but
lippen　til　a　body！〃　concluded　young　Eppy；　with　a　toss　of　her　head。

〃We　maunna　speyk　evil　o'　dignities；　yoong　Eppy！〃　said　the　cobbler；
with　a　twinkle　in　his　eye。

〃Ca'　ye　mistress　Brookes　a　dignity；　gran'father！〃　said　the　girl；
with　a　laugh　that　was　nowise　rude。

〃I　do；〃　he　answered。　〃Isna　she　ower　ye？　　Haena　ye　to　du　as　she　tells
ye？　'Atween　her　an'　you　that's　eneuch：　she's　ane　o'　the　dignities
spoken　o'。〃

〃I　winna　dispute　it。　　But；　eh；　it's　queer　wark　yon'er！〃

〃Tak　ye　care；　yoong　Eppy！　we　maun　haud　oor　tongues　aboot　things
committit　til　oor　trust。　　Ane　peyt　to　serve　in　a　hoose　maunna　tre't
the　affairs　o'　that　hoose　as　gien　they　war　her　ain。〃

〃It　wad　be　weel　gien　a'body　about　the　hoose　was　as　partic'lar　as　ye
wad　hae　me；　gran'father！〃

〃Hoo's　my　lord；　lass？〃

〃Ow；　muckle　the　sameaye　up　the　stair　an'　doon　the　stair　the
forepairt　o'　the　nicht；　an'　maist　inveesible　a'　day。〃

The　girl　cast　a　shy　glance　now　and　then　at　Donal；　as　if　she　claimed
him　on　her　side；　though　the　older　people　must　be　humoured。　　Donal
was　not　too　simple　to　understand　her：　he　gave　her　look　no　reception。
Bethinking　himself　that　they　might　have　matters　to　talk　about；　he
rose；　and　turning　to　his　hostess；　said；

〃Wi'　yer　leave；　gudewife；　I　wad　gang　to　my　bed。　　I　hae　traivelt　a
maitter　o'　thirty　mile　the　day　upo'　my　bare　feet。〃

〃Eh；　sir！〃　she　answered；　〃I　oucht　to　hae　considert　that！Come；
yoong　Eppy；　we　maun　get　the　gentleman's　bed　made　up　for　him。〃

With　a　toss　of　her　pretty　head；　Eppy　followed　her　grandmother　to　the
next　room；　casting　a　glance　behind　her　that　seemed　to　ask　what　she
meant　by　calling　a　lad　without　shoes　or　stockings　a　gentleman。　　Not
the　less　readily　or　actively；　however；　did　she　assist　her
grandmother　in　preparing　the　tired　wayfarer's　couch。　　In　a　few
minutes　they　returned；　and　telling　him　the　room　was　quite　ready　for
him；　Doory　added　a　hope　that　he　would　sleep　as　sound　as　if　his　own
mother　had　made　the　bed。

He　heard　them　talking　for　a　while　after　the　door　was　closed；　but　the
girl　soon　took　her　leave。　　He　was　just　falling　asleep　in　the　luxury
of　conscious　repose；　when　the　sound　of　the　cobbler's　hammer　for　a
moment　roused　him；　and　he　knew　the　old　man　was　again　at　work　on　his
behalf。　　A　moment　more　and　he　was　too　fast　asleep　for　any　Cyclops'
hammer　to　wake　him。




CHAPTER　VII。

A　SUNDAY。

Notwithstanding　his　weariness　Donal　woke　early；　for　he　had　slept
thoroughly。　　He　rose　and　dressed　himself；　drew　aside　the　little
curtain　that　shrouded　the　window；　and　looked　out。　　It　was　a　lovely
morning。　　His　prospect　was　the　curious　old　main　street　of　the　town。
The　sun　that　had　shone　into　it　was　now　shining　from　the　other　side；
but　not　a　shadow　of　living　creature　fell　upon　the　rough　stones！
Yesthere　was　a　cat　shooting　across　them　like　the　culprit　he
probably　was！　　If　there　was　a　garden　to　the　house；　he　would　go　and
read　in　the　fresh　morning　air！

He　stole　softly　through　the　outer　room；　and　down　the　stair；　found
the　back…door　and　a　water…butt；　then　a　garden　consisting　of　two　or
three　plots　of　flowers　well　cared　for；　and　ended　his　discoveries
with　a　seat　surrounded　and　almost　canopied　with　honeysuckle；　where
doubtless　the　cobbler　sometimes　smoked　his　pipe！　〃Why　does　he　not
work　here　rather　than　in　the　archway？〃　thought　Donal。　　But；　dearly
as　he　loved　flowers　and　light　and　the　free　air　of　the　garden；　the
old　cobbler　loved　the　faces　of　his　kind　better。　　His　prayer　for
forty　years　had　been　to　be　made　like　his　master；　and　if　that　prayer
was　not　answered；　how　was　it　that；　every　year　he　lived；　he　found
himself　loving　the　faces　of　his　fellows　more　and　more？　　Ever　as　they
passed；　instead　of　interfering　with　his　contemplations；　they　gave
him　more　and　more　to　think：　were　these　faces；　he　asked；　the　symbols
of　a　celestial　language　in　which　God　talked　to　him？

Donal　sat　down；　and　took　his　Greek　Testament　from　his　pocket。　　But
all　at　once；　brilliant　as　was　the　sun；　the　light　of　his　life　went
out；　and　the　vision　rose　of　the　gray　quarry；　and　the　girl　turning
from　him　in　the　wan　moonlight。　　Then　swift　as　thought　followed　the
vision　of　the　women　weeping　about　the　forsaken　tomb；　and　with　his
risen　Lord　he　rose　alsointo　a　region　far　〃above　the　smoke　and　stir
of　this　dim　spot；〃　a　region　where　life　is　good　even　with　its　sorrow。
The　man　who　sees　his　disappointment　beneath　him；　is　more　blessed
than　he　who　rejoices　in　fruition。　　Then　prayer　awoke；　and　in　the
light　of　that　morning　of　peace　he　drew　nigh　the　living　one；　and　knew
him　as　the　source　of　his　being。　　Weary　with　blessedness　he　leaned
against　the　shadowing　honeysuckle；　gave　a　great　sigh　of　content；
smiled；　wiped　his　eyes；　and　was　ready　for　the　day　and　what　it　should
bring。　　But　the　bliss　went　not　yet；　he　sat　for　a　while　in　the　joy　of
conscious　loss　in　the　higher　life。　　With　his　meditations　and
feelings　mingled　now　and　then　a　few　muffled　blows　of　the　cobbler's
hammer：　he　was　once　more　at　work　on　his　disabled　shoe。

〃Here　is　a　true　man！〃　he　thought；　〃a　Godlike　helper　of　his
fellow！〃

When　the　hammer　ceased；　the　cobbler　was　stitching；　when　Donal　ceased
thinking；　he　went　on　feeling。　　Again　and　again　came　a　little　roll　of
the　cobbler's　drum；　giving　glory　to　God　by　doing　his　will：　the
sweetest　and　most　acceptable　music　is　that　which　rises　from　work　a
doing；　its　incense　ascends　as　from　the　river　in　its　flowing；　from
the　wind　in　its　blowing；　from　the　grass　in　its　growing。　　All　at　once
he　heard　the　voices　of　two　women　in　the　next　garden；　close　behind
him；　talking　together。

〃Eh；〃　said　one；　〃there's　that　godless　cratur；　An'rew　Comin；　at　his
wark　again　upo'　the　Sawbath　mornin'！〃

〃Ay；　lass；〃　answered　the　other；　〃I　hear　him！　　Eh；　but　it　'll　be　an
ill　day　for　him　whan　he　has　to　appear　afore　the　jeedge　o'　a'！　　He
winna　hae　his　comman'ments　broken　that　gait！〃

〃Troth；　na！〃　returned　the　former；　〃it'll　be　a　sair　sattlin　day　for
him！〃

Donal　rose；　and　looking　about　him；　saw　two　decent；　elderly　women　on
the　other　side　of　the　low　stone　wall。　　He　was　approaching　them　with
the　request　on　his　lips　to　know　which　of　the　Lord's　commandments
they　supposed　the　cobbler　to　be　breaking；　when；　seeing　that　he　must
have　overheard　them；　they　turned　their　backs　and　walked　away。

And　now　his　hostess；　having　discovered　he　was　in　the　garden；　came　to
call　him　to　breakfastthe　simplest　of　mealsporridge；　with　a　cup
of　tea　after　it　because　it　was　Sunday；　and　there　was　danger　of
sleepiness　at　the　kirk。

〃Yer　shune　's　waitin'　ye；　sir；〃　said　the　cobbler。　〃Ye'll　fin'　them　a
better　job　nor　ye　expeckit。　　They're　a　better　job；　onygait；　nor　I
expeckit！〃

Donal　made　haste　to　put　them　on；　and　felt　dressed　for　the　Sunday。

〃Are　ye　gaein'　to　the　kirk　the　day；　Anerew？〃　asked　the　old　woman；
adding；　as　she　turned　to　their　guest；　〃My　man's　raither　pecooliar
aboot　gaein'　to　the　kirk！　　Some　days　he'll　gang　three　times；　an'
some　days　he　winna　gang　ance！He　kens　himsel'　what　for！〃　she　added
with　a　smile；　whose　sweetness　confessed　that；　whatever　was　the
reason；　it　was　to　her　the　best　in　the　world。

〃Ay；　I'm　gaein'　the　day：　I　want　to　gang　wi'　oor　new　freen'；〃　he
answered。

〃I'll　tak　him　gien　ye　dinna　care　to　gang；〃　rejoined　his　wife。

〃Ow；　I'll　gang！〃　he　persisted。　〃It'll　gie's　something　to　talk　aboot；
an'　sae　ken　ane　anither　better；　an'　maybe　come　a　bit　nearer　ane
anither；　an'　sae　a　bit　nearer　the　maister。　　That's　what　we're　here
forcomin'　an'　gaein'。〃

〃As　ye　please；　Anerew！　　What's　richt　to　you's　aye　richt　to　me。　　O'
my　ain　sel'　I　wad　be　doobtfu'　o'　sic　a　rizzon　for　gaein'　to　the
kirkto　get　something　to　speyk　aboot。〃

〃It's　a　gude　rizzon　whaur　ye　haena　a　better；〃　he　answered。　〃It's
aften　I　get　at　the　kirk　naething　but　what　angers　melees　an'　lees
agen　my　Lord　an'　my　God。　But　whan　there's　ane　to　talk　it　ower　wi'；
ane　'at　has　some　care　for　God　as　weel's　for　himsel'；　there's　some
guid　sure　to　come　oot　o'　'tsome　revelation　o'　the　real
richteousnessno　what　fowk　'at　gangs　by　the　ministers　ca's
richteousness。Is　yer　shune　comfortable　to　yer　feet；　sir？〃

〃Ay；　that　they　are！　an'　I　thank　ye：　they're　full　better　nor　new。〃

〃Weel；　we　winna　hae　worship　this　mornin'；　whan　ye　gang　to　the　kirk
it's　like　aitin'　mair　nor's　guid　for　ye。〃

〃Hoots；　Anerew！　ye　dinna　think　a　body　can　hae　ower　muckle　o'　the
word！〃　said　his　wife；　anxious　as　to　the　impression　he　might　make　on
Donal。

〃Ow　na；　gien　a　body　tak　it　in；　an'　disgeist　it！　　But　it's　no　a　bonny
thing　to　hae　the　word　stickin'　about　yer　moo'；　an'　baggin'　oot　yer
pooches；　no　to　say　lyin'　cauld　upo'　yer　stamack；　an'　it　for　the　life
o'　men。　　The　less　ye　tak　abune　what　ye　put　in　practice　the　better；
an'　gien　the　thing　said　hae　naething　to　du　wi'　practice；　the　less　ye
heed　it　the　better。Gien　ye　hae　dune　yer　brakfast；　sir；　we'll
gangno　'at　it's　freely　kirk…time　yet；　but　the　Sabbath　's　'maist
the　only　day　I　get　a　bit　o'　a　walk；　an'　gien　ye　hae　nae　objection
til　a　turn　aboot　the　Lord's　muckle　hoose　afore　we　gang　intil　his
little　anewe　ca'　't　his；　but　I　doobt　itI'll　be　ready　in　a
meenute。〃

Donal　willingly　agreed；　and　the　cobbler；　already　clothed　in　part　of
his　Sunday　best；　a　pair　of　corduroy　trousers　of　a　mouse　colour；
having　indued　an　ancient　tail…coat　of　blue　with　gilt　buttons；　they
set　out　together；　and　for　their　conversation；　it　was　just　the　same
as　it　would　have　been　any　other　day：　where　every　day　is　not　the
Lord's；　the　Sunday　is　his　least　of　all。

They　left　the　town；　and　were　soon　walking　in　meadows　through　which
ran　a　clear　river；　shining　and　speedy　in　the　morning　sun。　　Its　banks
were　largely　used　for　bleaching；　and　the　long　lines　of　white　in　the
lovely　green　of　the　natural　grass　were　pleasant　both　to　eye　and
mind。　　All　about；　the　rooks　were　feeding　in　peace；　knowing　their
freedom　that　day　from　the　persecution　to　which；　like　all　other　doers
of　good；　they　are　in　general　exposed。　　Beyond　the　stream　lay　a　level
plain　stretching　towards　the　sea；　divided　into　numberless　fields；
and　dotted　with　farmhouses　and　hamlets。　　On　the　side　where　the
friends　were　walking；　the　ground　was　more　broken；　rising　in　places
into　small　hills；　many　of　them　wooded。　　Half　a　mile　away　was　one　of
a　conical　shape；　on　whose　top　towered　a　castle。　　Old　and　gray　and
sullen；　it　lifted　itself　from　the　foliage　around　it　like　a　great
rock　from　a　summer　sea；　and　stood　out　against　the　clear　blue　sky　of
the　June　morning。　　The　hill　was　covered　with　wood；　mostly　rather
young；　but　at　the　bottom　were　some　ancient　firs　and　beeches。　　At　the
top；　round　the　base　of　the　castle；　the　trees　were　chiefly　delicate
birches　with　moonlight　skin；　and　feathery　larches　not　thriving　over
well。

〃What　ca'　they　yon　castel？〃　questioned　Donal。　〃It　maun　be　a　place　o'
some　importance！〃

〃They　maistly　ca'　't　jist　the　castel；〃　answered　the　cobbler。　〃Its
auld　name　's　Graham's　Grip。　It's　lord　Morven's　place；　an'　they　ca'
't　Castel　Graham：　the　faimily…name　's　Graham；　ye　ken。　　They　ca；
themsel's　Graeme…Grahamjist　twa　w'ys　o'　spellin'　the　name　putten
thegither。　　The　last　lord；　no　upo'　the　main　brainch；　they　tell　me；
spelled　his　name　wi'