david elginbrod-第4章

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〃Ye're　verra　welcome　to　that　or　ony　ither　beuk　I　hae；〃　replied　Hugh；
who　began　to　feel　already　as　if　he　were　in　the　hands　of　a　superior。

〃Mony　thanks；　but　ye　see；　sir；　we　hae　eneuch　to　chow　upo'　for　an
aucht　days　or　so。〃

By　this　time　the　potatoes　wore　considered　to　be　cooked；　and　were
accordingly　lifted　off　the　fire。　　The　water　was　then　poured　away；
the　lid　put　aside；　and　the　pot　hung　once　more　upon　the　crook；　hooked
a　few　rings　further　up　in　the　chimney；　in　order　that　the　potatoes
might　be　thoroughly　dry　before　they　were　served。　　Margaret　was　now
very　busy　spreading　the　cloth　and　laying　spoon　and　plates　on　the
table。　　Hugh　rose　to　go。

〃Will　ye　no　bide；〃　said　Janet；　in　a　most　hospitable　tone；　〃an'　tak'
a　het　pitawta　wi'　us？〃

〃I'm　afraid　of　being　troublesome；〃　answered　he。

〃Nae　fear　o'　that；　gin　ye　can　jist　pit　up　wi'　oor　hamely　meat。〃

〃Mak　nae　apologies；　Janet；　my　woman；〃　said　David。　〃A　het　pitawta's
aye　guid　fare；　for　gentle　or　semple。　　Sit　ye　doun　again；　Maister
Sutherlan'。　　Maggy；　my　doo；　whaur's　the　milk？〃

〃I　thocht　Hawkie　wad　hae　a　drappy　o'　het　milk　by　this　time；〃　said
Margaret；　〃and　sae　I　jist　loot　it　be　to　the　last；　but　I'll　hae't
drawn　in　twa　minutes。〃　　And　away　she　went　with　a　jug；　commonly
called　a　decanter　in　that　part　of　the　north；　in　her　hand。

〃That's　hardly　fair　play　to　Hawkie；〃　said　David　to　Janet　with　a
smile。

〃Hoot！　　Dawvid；　ye　see　we　haena　a　stranger　ilka　nicht。〃

〃But　really；〃　said　Hugh；　〃I　hope　this　is　the　last　time　you　will
consider　me　a　stranger；　for　I　shall　be　here　a　great　many　timesthat
is；　if　you　don't　get　tired　of　me。〃

〃Gie　us　the　chance　at　least；　Maister　Sutherlan'。　　It's　no　sma'
preevilege　to　fowk　like　us　to　hae　a　frien'　wi'　sae　muckle　buik
learnin'　as　ye　hae；　sir。〃

〃I　am　afraid　it　looks　more　to　you　than　it　really　is。〃

〃Weel；　ye　see；　we　maun　a'　leuk　at　the　starns　frae　the　hicht　o'　oor
ain　een。　　An'　ye　seem　nigher　to　them　by　a　lang　growth　than　the　lave
o's。　　My　man；　ye　ought　to　be　thankfu'。〃

With　the　true　humility　that　comes　of　worshipping　the　Truth；　David
had　not　the　smallest　idea　that　he　was　immeasurably　nearer　to　the
stars　than　Hugh　Sutherland。

Maggie　having　returned　with　her　jug　full　of　frothy　milk；　and　the
potatoes　being　already　heaped　up　in　a　wooden　bowl　or　bossie　in　the
middle　of　the　table；　sending　the　smoke　of　their　hospitality　to　the
rafters；　Janet　placed　a　smaller　wooden　bowl；　called　a　caup；　filled
with　deliciously　yellow　milk　of　Hawkie's　latest　gathering；　for　each
individual　of　the　company；　with　an　attendant　horn…spoon　by　its　side。
They　all　drew　their　chairs　to　the　table；　and　David；　asking　no
blessing；　as　it　was　called；　but　nevertheless　giving　thanks　for　the
blessing　already　bestowed；　namely；　the　perfect　gift　of　food；　invited
Hugh　to　make　a　supper。　　Each；　in　primitive　but　not　ungraceful
fashion；　took　a　potatoe　from　the　dish　with　the　fingers；　and　ate　it；
〃bite　and　sup；〃　with　the　help　of　the　horn…spoon　for　the　milk。　　Hugh
thought　he　had　never　supped　more　pleasantly；　and　could　not　help
observing　how　far　real　good…breeding　is　independent　of　the　forms　and
refinements　of　what　has　assumed　to　itself　the　name　of　society。

Soon　after　supper　was　over；　it　was　time　for　him　to　go；　so；　after
kind　hand…shakings　and　good　nights；　David　accompanied　him　to　the
road；　where　he　left　him　to　find　his　way　home　by　the　star…light。　　As
he　went；　he　could　not　help　pondering　a　little　over　the　fact　that　a
labouring　man　had　discovered　a　difficulty；　perhaps　a　fault；　in　one
of　his　favourite　poems；　which　had　never　suggested　itself　to　him。　　He
soon　satisfied　himself；　however；　by　coming　to　the　conclusion　that
the　poet　had　not　cared　about　the　matter　at　all；　having　had　no
further　intention　in　the　poem　than　Hugh　himself　had　found　in　it；
namely；　witchery　and　loveliness。　　But　it　seemed　to　the　young　student
a　wonderful　fact；　that　the　intercourse　which　was　denied　him　in　the
laird's　family；　simply　from　their　utter　incapacity　of　yielding　it；
should　be　afforded　him　in　the　family　of　a　man　who　had　followed　the
plough　himself　once；　perhaps　did　so　still；　having　risen　only　to　be
the　overseer　and　superior　assistant　of　labourers。　　He　certainly
felt；　on　his　way　home；　much　more　reconciled　to　the　prospect　of　his
sojourn　at　Turriepuffit；　than　he　would　have　thought　it　possible　he
ever　should。

David　lingered　a　few　moments；　looking　up　at　the　stars；　before　he
re…entered　his　cottage。　　When　he　rejoined　his　wife　and　child；　he
found　the　Bible　already　open　on　the　table　for　their　evening
devotions。　　I　will　close　this　chapter；　as　I　began　the　first；　with
something　like　his　prayer。　　David's　prayers　were　characteristic　of
the　whole　man；　but　they　also　partook；　in　far　more　than　ordinary；　of
the　mood　of　the　moment。　　His　last　occupation　had　been　star…gazing：

〃O　thou；　wha　keeps　the　stars　alicht；　an'　our　souls　burnin'　wi'　a
licht　aboon　that　o'　the　stars；　grant　that　they　may　shine　afore　thee
as　the　stars　for　ever　and　ever。　　An'　as　thou　hauds　the　stars　burnin'
a'　the　nicht；　whan　there's　no　man　to　see；　so　haud　thou　the　licht
burnin'　in　our　souls；　whan　we　see　neither　thee　nor　it；　but　are
buried　in　the　grave　o'　sleep　an'　forgetfu'ness。　　Be　thou　by　us；　even
as　a　mother　sits　by　the　bedside　o'　her　ailin'　wean　a'　the　lang
nicht；　only　be　thou　nearer　to　us；　even　in　our　verra　souls；　an'　watch
ower　the　warl'　o'　dreams　that　they　mak'　for　themsels。　　Grant　that
more　an'　more　thochts　o'　thy　thinkin'　may　come　into　our　herts　day　by
day；　till　there　shall　be　at　last　an　open　road　atween　thee　an'　us；
an'　thy　angels　may　ascend　and　descend　upon　us；　so　that　we　may　be　in
thy　heaven；　e'en　while　we　are　upo'　thy　earth：　Amen。〃




CHAPTER　V。

THE　STUDENTS。

In　wood　and　stone；　not　the　softest；　but　hardest；　be　always　aptest
for　portraiture；　both　fairest　for　pleasure；　and　most　durable　for
profit。　　Hard　wits　be　hard　to　receive；　but　sure　to　keep；　painful
without　weariness；　heedful　without　wavering；　constant　without
new…fangleness；　bearing　heavy　things；　though　not　lightly；　yet
willingly；　entering　hard　things；　though　not　easily；　yet　deeply；　and
so　come　to　that　perfectness　of　learning　in　the　end；　that　quick　wits
seem　in　hope　but　do　not　in　deed；　or　else　very　seldom　ever　attain
unto。ROGER　ASCHAM。The　Schoolmaster。

Two　or　three　very　simple　causes　united　to　prevent　Hugh　from
repeating　his　visit　to　David　so　soon　as　he　would　otherwise　have
done。　　One　was；　that；　the　fine　weather　continuing；　he　was　seized
with　the　desire　of　exploring　the　neighbourhood。　　The　spring；　which
sets　some　wild　animals　to　the　construction　of　new　dwellings；　incites
man　to　the　enlarging　of　his；　making；　as　it　were；　by　discovery；　that
which　lies　around　him　his　own。　　So　he　spent　the　greater　parts　of
several　evenings　in　wandering　about　the　neighbourhood；　till　at
length　the　moonlight　failed　him。　　Another　cause　was；　that；　in　the
act　of　searching　for　some　books　for　his　boys；　in　an　old　garret　of
the　house；　which　was　at　once　lumber　room　and　library；　he　came　upon
some　stray　volumes　of　the　Waverley　novels；　with　which　he　was　as　yet
only　partially　acquainted。　　These　absorbed　many　of　his　spare　hours。
But　one　evening；　while　reading　the　Heart　of　Midlothian；　the　thought
struck　himwhat　a　character　David　would　have　been　for　Sir　Walter。
Whether　he　was　right　or　not　is　a　question；　but　the　notion　brought
David　so　vividly　before　him；　that　it　roused　the　desire　to　see　him。
He　closed　the　book　at　once；　and　went　to　the　cottage。

〃We're　no　lik'ly　to　ca'　ye　onything　but　a　stranger　yet；　Maister
Sutherlan'；〃　said　David；　as　he　entered。

〃I've　been　busy　since　I　saw　you；〃　was　all　the　excuse　Hugh　offered。

〃Weel；　ye'r　welcome　noo；　and　ye've　jist　come　in　time　after　a'；　for
it's　no　that　mony　hours　sin'　I　fand　it　oot　awthegither　to　my　ain
settisfaction。〃

〃Found　out　what？〃　said　Hugh；　for　he　had　forgotten　all　about　the
perplexity　in　which　he　had　left　David；　and　which　had　been　occupying
his　thoughts　ever　since　their　last　interview。

〃Aboot　the　cross…bow　an'　the　birdie；　ye　ken；〃　answered　David；　in　a
tone　of　surprise。

〃Yes；　to　be　sure。　　How　stupid　of　me！〃　said　Hugh。

〃Weel；　ye　see；　the　meanin'　o'　the　haill　ballant　is　no　that　ill　to
win　at；　seein'　the　poet　himsel'　tells　us　that。　　It's　jist　no　to　be
proud　or　ill…natured　to　oor　neebours；　the　beasts　and　birds；　for　God
made　ane　an'　a'　o's。　　But　there's　harder　things　in't　nor　that；　and
yon's　the　hardest。　　But　ye　see　it　was　jist　an　unlucky　thochtless
deed　o'　the　puir　auld　sailor's；　an'　I'm　thinkin'　he　was　sair
reprocht　in's　hert　the　minit　he　did　it。　　His　mates　was　fell　angry　at
him；　no　for　killin'　the　puir　innocent　craytur；　but　for　fear　o'　ill
luck　in　consequence。　　Syne　when　nane　followed；　they　turned　richt
roun'；　an'　took　awa'　the　character　o'　the　puir　beastie　efter　'twas
deid。　　They　appruved　o'　the　verra　thing　'at　he　was　nae　doot　sorry
for。But　onything　to　haud　aff　o'　themsels！　　Nae　suner　cam　the　calm；
than　roun'　they　gaed　again　like　the　weathercock；　an'　naething　wad
content　them　bit　hingin'　the　deid　craytur　about　the　auld　man's
craig；　an'　abusin'　him　forby。　　Sae　ye　see　hoo　they　war　a　wheen
selfish　crayturs；　an'　a　hantle　waur　nor　the　man　'at　was　led　astray
into　an　ill　deed。　　But　still　he　maun　rue't。　　Sae　Death　got　them；　an'
a　kin'　o'　leevin'　Death；　a　she　Death　as　'twar；　an'　in　some　respecks
may　be　waur　than　the　ither；　got　grips　o'　him；　puir　auld　body！　　It's
a'　fair　and　richt　to　the　backbane　o'　the　ballant；　Maister
Sutherlan'；　an'　that　I'se　uphaud。〃

Hugh　could　not　help　feeling　considerably　astonished　to　hear　this
criticism　from　the　lips　of　one　whom　he　considered　an　uneducated　man。
For　he　did　not　know　that　there　are　many　other　educations　besides　a
college　one；　some　of　them　tending　far　more　than　that　to　develope　the
common…sense；　or　faculty　of　judging　of　things　by　their　nature。　　Life
intelligently　met　and　honestly　passed；　is　the　best　education　of　all；
except　that　higher　one　to　which　it　is　intended　to　lead；　and　to　which
it　had　led　David。　　Both　these　educations；　however；　were　nearly
unknown　to　the　student　of　books。　　But　he　was　still　more　astonished
to　hear　from　the　lips　of　Margaret；　who　was　sitting　by：

〃That's　it；　father；　that's　it！　　I　was　jist　ettlin'　efter　that　same
thing　mysel；　or　something　like　it；　but　ye　put　it　in　the　richt　words
exackly。〃

The　sound　of　her　voice　drew　Hugh's　eyes　upon　her：　he　was　astonished
at　the　alteration　in　her　countenance。　　While　she　spoke　it　was
absolutely　beautiful。　　As　soon　as　she　ceased　speaking；　it　settled
back　into　its　former　shadowless　calm。　　Her　father　gave　her　one
approving　glance　and　nod；　expressive　of　no　surprise　at　her　having
approached　the　same　discovery　as　himself；　but　testifying　pleasure　at
the　coincidence　of　their　opinions。　　Nothing　was　left　for　Hugh　but　to
express　his　satisfaction　with　the　interpretation　of　the　difficulty；
and　to　add；　that　the　poem　would　henceforth　possess　fresh　interest
for　him。

After　this；　his　visits　became　more　frequent；　and　at　length　David
made　a　request　which　led　to　their　greater　frequency　still。　　It　was
to　this　effect：

〃Do　ye　think；　Mr。　Sutherlan'；　I　could　do　onything　at　my　age　at　the
mathematics？　　I　unnerstan'　weel　eneuch　hoo　to　measur'　lan'；　an'　that
kin'　o'　thing。　　I　jist　follow　the　rule。　　But　the　rule　itsel's　a
puzzler　to　me。　　I　dinna　understan'　it　by　half。