the man from glengarry-第14章

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and　in　a　few　moments　the　great　heaps　of　green　balsam　boughs
arranged　around　the　fire　were　full　of　boys　and　girls　pulling；
pinching；　and　tumbling　over　one　another　in　wild　glee。

The　toast　stood　in　brown　heaps　on　birch…bark　plates　beside　the
fire；　and　baskets　were　carried　out　of　the　shanty　bulging　with
cakes；　the　tea　was　bubbling　in　the　big　tin　tea…pail；　and　everything
was　ready　for　the　feast。　　But　Ranald　had　caught　Mrs。　Murray's　eye；
and　at　a　sign　from　her；　stood　waiting　with　the　tea…pail　in　his
hand。

〃Come　on　with　the　tea；　Ranald；〃　cried　Don；　seizing　a　plate　of
toast。

〃Wait　a　minute；　Don；〃　said　Ranald；　in　a　low　tone。

〃What's　the　matter？〃

But　Ranald　stood　still；　looking　silently　at　the　minister's　wife。
Then；　as　all　eyes　turned　toward　her；　she　said；　in　a　gentle；　sweet
voice；　〃I　think　we　ought　to　give　thanks　to　our　Father　in　heaven　for
all　this　beauty　about　us　and　for　all　our　joy。〃

At　once　Ranald　took　off　his　hat；　and　as　the　boys　followed　his
example；　Mrs。　Murray　bowed　her　head　and　in　a　few；　simple　words
lifted　up　the　hearts　of　all　with　her　own　in　thanksgiving　for　the
beauty　of　the　woods　and　sky　above　them；　and　all　the　many　gifts　that
came　to　fill　their　lives　with　joy。

It　was　not　the　first　time　that　Ranald　had　heard　her　voice　in
prayer；　but　somehow　it　sounded　different　in　the　open　air　under　the
trees　and　in　the　midst　of　all　the　jollity　of　the　sugaring…off。
With　all　other　people　that　Ranald　knew　religion　seemed　to　be
something　apart　from　common　days；　common　people；　and　common　things；
and　seemed；　besides；　a　solemn　and　terrible　experience；　but　with　the
minister's　wife；　religion　was　a　part　of　her　every…day　living；　and
seemed　to　be　as　easily　associated　with　her　pleasure　as　with
anything　else　about　her。　　It　was　so　easy；　so　simple；　so　natural；
that　Ranald　could　not　help　wondering　if；　after　all；　it　was　the
right　kind。　　It　was　so　unlike　the　religion　of　the　elders　and　all
the　good　people　in　the　congregation。　　It　was　a　great　puzzle　to
Ranald；　as　to　many　others；　both　before　and　since　his　time。

After　tea　was　over　the　great　business　of　the　evening　came　on。
Ranald　announced　that　the　taffy　was　ready；　and　Don；　as　master　of
ceremonies；　immediately　cried　out：　　〃The　gentlemen　will　provide　the
ladies　with　plates。〃

〃Plates！〃　echoed　the　boys；　with　a　laugh　of　derision。

〃Plates；〃　repeated　Don；　stepping　back　to　a　great　snowbank；　near　a
balsam　clump；　and　returning　with　a　piece　of　〃crust。〃　　At　once　there
was　a　scurry　to　the　snowbank；　and　soon　every　one　had　a　snow　plate
ready。　　Then　Ranald　and　Don　slid　the　little　kettle　along　the　pole
off　the　fire；　and　with　tin　dippers　began　to　pour　the　hot　syrup　upon
the　snow　plates；　where　it　immediately　hardened　into　taffy。　　Then
the　pulling　began。　　What　fun　there　was；　what　larks；　what　shrieks；
what　romping　and　tumbling；　till　all　were　heartily　tired；　both　of
the　taffy　and　the　fun。

Then　followed　the　sugar…molding。　　The　little　kettle　was　set　back　on
the　fire　and　kept　carefully　stirred；　while　tin　dishes　of　all　sorts；
shapes；　and　sizesmilk…pans；　pattie…pans；　mugs；　and　cupswell
greased　with　pork　rind；　were　set　out　in　order；　imbedded　in　snow。

The　last　act　of　all　was　the　making　of　〃hens'　nests。〃　　A　dozen　or　so
of　hens'　eggs；　blown　empty；　and　three　goose　eggs　for　the　grown…ups；
were　set　in　snow　nests；　and　carefully　filled　from　the　little
kettle。　　In　a　few　minutes　the　nests　were　filled　with　sugar　eggs；
and　the　sugaring…off　was　over。

There　remained　still　a　goose　egg　provided　against　any　mishap。

〃Who　wants　the　goose　egg？〃　cried　Don；　holding　it　up。

〃Me！〃　〃me！〃　〃me！〃　coaxed　the　girls　on　every　side。

〃Will　you　give　it　to　me；　Don；　for　the　minister？〃　said　Mrs。　Murray。

〃Oh；　yes！〃　cried　Maimie；　〃and　let　me　fill　it。〃

As　she　spoke；　she　seized　the　dipper；　and　ran　for　the　kettle。

〃Look　out　for　that　fire；〃　cried　Don；　dropping　the　egg　into　its
snowbed。　　He　was　too　late。　　A　little　tongue　of　flame　leaped　out
from　under　the　kettle；　nipped　hold　of　her　frock；　and　in　a　moment
she　was　in　a　blaze。　　With　a　wild　scream　she　sprang　back　and　turned
to　fly；　but　before　she　had　gone　more　than　a　single　step　Ranald；
dashing　the　crowd　right　and　left；　had　seized　and　flung　her　headlong
into　the　snow；　beating　out　the　flames　with　his　bare　hands。　　In　a
moment　all　danger　was　over；　and　Ranald　lifted　her　up。　　Still
screaming；　she　clung　to　him；　while　the　women　all　ran　to　her。　　Her
aunt　reached　her　first。

〃Hush；　Maimie；　hush；　dear。　　You　are　quite　safe　now。　　Let　me　see
your　face。　　There　now；　be　quiet；　child。　　The　danger　is　all　over。〃

Still　Maimie　kept　screaming。　　She　was　thoroughly　terrified。

〃Listen　to　me；〃　her　aunt　said；　in　an　even；　firm　voice。　　〃Do　not　be
foolish。　　Let　me　look　at　you。〃

The　quiet；　firm　voice　soothed　her；　and　Maimie's　screams　ceased。
Her　aunt　examined　her　face；　neck；　and　arms　for　any　signs　of　fire；
but　could　find　none。　　She　was　hardly　touched；　so　swift　had　been　her
rescue。　　Then　Mrs。　Murray；　suddenly　putting　her　arms　round　about
her　niece；　and　holding　her　tight；　cried：　　〃Thank　God；　my　darling；
for　his　great　kindness　to　you　and　to　us　all。　　Thank　God！　thank
God！〃

Her　voice　broke；　but　in　a　moment；　recovering　herself；　she　went　on；
〃And　Ranald；　too！　noble　fellow！〃

Ranald　was　standing　at　the　back　of　the　crowd；　looking　pale；
disturbed；　and　awkward。　　Mrs。　Murray；　knowing　how　hateful　to　him
would　be　any　demonstrations　of　feeling；　went　to　him；　and　quietly
held　out　her　hand；　saying：　　〃It　was　bravely　done；　Ranald。　　From　my
heart；　I　thank　you。〃

For　a　moment　or　two　she　looked　steadily　into　his　face　with　tears
streaming　down　her　cheeks。　　Then　putting　her　hands　upon　his
shoulders；　she　said；　softly：

〃For　her　dear；　dead　mother's　sake；　I　thank　you。〃

Then　Maimie；　who　had　been　standing　in　a　kind　of　stupor　all　this
while；　seemed　suddenly　to　awake；　and　running　swiftly　toward　Ranald；
she　put　out　both　hands；　crying：　　〃Oh；　Ranald；　I　can　never　thank　you
enough！〃

He　took　her　hands　in　an　agony　of　embarrassment；　not　knowing　what　to
do　or　say。　　Then　Maimie　suddenly　dropped　his　hands；　and　throwing
her　arms　about　his　neck；　kissed　him；　and　ran　back　to　her　aunt's
side。

〃I　thought　you　didn't　play　forfeits；　Maimie；〃　said　Don；　in　a
grieved　voice。　　And　every　one　was　glad　to　laugh。

Then　the　minister's　wife；　looking　round　upon　them　all；　said：　　〃Dear
children；　God　has　been　very　good　to　us；　and　I　think　we　ought　to
give　him　thanks。〃

And　standing　there　by　the　fire；　they　bowed　their　heads　in　a　new
thanksgiving　to　Him　whose　keeping　never　fails　by　day　or　night。　　And
then；　with　hearts　and　voices　subdued；　and　with　quiet　good　nights；
they　went　their　ways　home。

But　as　the　Cameron　sleigh　drove　off　with　its　load；　Maimie　looked
back；　and　seeing　Ranald　standing　by　the　fire；　she　whispered　to　her
aunt：　　〃Oh；　auntie！　　Isn't　he　just　splendid？〃

But　her　aunt　made　no　reply；　seeing　a　new　danger　for　them　both；
greater　than　that　they　had　escaped。



CHAPTER　IX

A　SABBATH　DAY'S　WORK


The　Sabbath　that　followed　the　sugaring…off　was　to　Maimie　the　most
remarkable　Sabbath　of　her　life　up　to　that　day。　　It　was　totally
unlike　the　Sabbath　of　her　home；　which；　after　the　formal　〃church
parade；〃　as　Harry　called　it；　in　the　morning；　her　father　spent　in
lounging　with　his　magazine　and　pipe；　her　aunt　in　sleeping　or　in
social　gossip　with　such　friends　as　might　drop　in；　and　Harry　and
Maimie　as　best　they　could。

The　Sabbath　in　the　minister's　house；　as　in　the　homes　of　his　people；
was　a　day　so　set　apart　from　other　days　that　it　had　to　be　approached。
The　Saturday　afternoon　and　evening　caught　something　of　its
atmosphere。　　No　frivolity；　indeed　no　light　amusement；　was　proper
on　the　evening　that　put　a　period　to　the　worldly　occupations　and
engagements　of　the　week。　　That　evening　was　one　of　preparation。　　The
house；　and　especially　the　kitchen；　was　thoroughly　〃redd　up。〃　　Wood；
water；　and　kindlings　were　brought　in；　clothes　were　brushed；　boots
greased　or　polished；　dinner　prepared；　and　in　every　way　possible　the
whole　house；　its　dwellers；　and　its　belongings；　made　ready　for　the
morrow。　　So；　when　the　Sabbath　morning　dawned；　people　awoke　with　a
feeling　that　old　things　had　passed　away　and　that　the　whole　world　was
new。　　The　sun　shone　with　a　radiance　not　known　on　other　days。　　He　was
shining　upon　holy　things；　and　lighting　men　and　women　to　holy　duties。
Through　all　the　farms　the　fields　lay　bathed　in　his　genial　glow；　at
rest；　and　the　very　trees　stood　in　silent　worship　of　the　bending
heavens。　　Up　from　stable　and　from　kitchen　came　no　sounds　of　work。
The　horses　knew　that　no　wheel　would　turn　that　day　in　labor；　and　the
dogs　lay　sleeping　in　sunny　nooks；　knowing　as　well　as　any　that　there
was　to　be　no　hunting　or　roaming　for　them　that　day；　unless　they　chose
to　go　on　a　free　hunt；　which　none　but　light…headed　puppies　or
dissipated　and　reprobate　dogs　would　care　to　do。

Over　all　things　rest　brooded；　and　out　of　the　rest　grew　holy
thoughts　and　hopes。　　It　was　a　day　of　beginnings。　　For　the　past；
broken　and　stained；　there　was　a　new　offer　of　oblivion　and　healing；
and　the　heart　was　summoned　to　look　forward　to　new　life　and　to　hope
for　better　things；　and　to　drink　in　all　those　soothing；　healing
influences　that　memory　and　faith　combine　to　give；　so　that　when　the
day　was　done；　weary　and　discouraged　men　and　women　began　to　feel
that；　perhaps　after　all　they　might　be　able　to　endure　and　even　to
hope　for　victory。

The　minister　rose　earlier　on　Sabbath　than　on　other　days；　the
responsibility　of　his　office　pressing　hard　upon　him。　　Breakfast　was
more　silent　than　usual；　ordinary　subjects　of　conversation　being
discouraged。　　The　minister　was　preoccupied　and　impatient　of　any
interruption　of　his　thoughts。　　But　his　wife　came　to　the　table　with
a　sweeter　serenity　than　usual；　and　a　calm　upon　her　face　that　told
of　hidden　strength。　　Even　Maimie　could　notice　the　difference；　but
she　could　only　wonder。　　The　secret　of　it　was　hidden　from　her。　　Her
aunt　was　like　no　other　woman　that　she　knew；　and　there　were　many
things　about　her　too　deep　for　Maimie's　understanding。

After　worship；　which　was　brief　but　solemn　and　intense；　Lambert
hurried　to　bring　round　to　the　front　the　big　black　horse；　hitched　up
in　the　carryall；　and　they　all　made　speed　to　pack　themselves　in；
Maimie　and　her　aunt　in　front；　and　Hughie　on　the　floor　behind　with
his　legs　under　the　seat；　for　when　once　the　minister　was　himself
quite　ready；　and　had　got　his　great　meerschaum　pipe　going；　it　was
unsafe　for　any　one　to　delay　him　a　single　instant。

The　drive　to　the　church　was　an　experience　hardly　in　keeping　with
the　spirit　of　the　day。　　It　was　more　exciting　than　restful。　　Black
was　a　horse　with　a　single　aim；　which　was　to　devour　the　space　that
stretched　out　before　him；　with　a　fine　disregard　of　consequence。
The　first　part　of　the　road　up　to　the　church　hill　and　down　again　to
the　swamp　was　to　Black；　as　to　the　others；　an　unmixed　joy；　for　he
was　fresh　from　his　oats　and　eager　to　go；　and　his　driver　was　as
eager　to　let　him　have　his　will。

But　when　the　swamp　was　reached；　and　the　buggy　began　to　leap　from
log　to　log　of　the　corduroy；　Black　began　to　chafe　in　impatience　of
the　rein　which　commanded　caution。　　Indeed；　the　passage　of　the　swamp
was　always　more　or　less　of　an　adventure；　the　result　of　which　no　one
could　foretell；　and　it　took　all　Mrs。　Murray's