第2章

"I"meighty-four，"hewenton，"andterriblebadwiththerheumaticsandmychest。Maybeit"llnotbelongbeforetheLordremembersme。"

Thechildcreptcloseandputastickylittlehandconfidinglyintothetiredoldpalm。Thetwolookedstrangelyalike，fortheworldseemsmuchthesametothosewholeaveitbehindastothosewhohavebuttakenthefirststeponitscircularpathway。

""Ookatmykitty，"shesaid，pointingtothesmallcreatureinherlap。Then，astheoldmantoucheditwithtremblingfingersshewenton-""Ooisn"tmygrandad；he"sawayinthesky，butI"llkiss"oo。"

Iworkedon，hearingatintervalstheoldpipingvoiceandthechild-treble，muchofanote；andthinkingoftheblessingsvouchsafedtothesimpleoldagewhichcrownsaharmlessworking-

lifespentinthefields。Thetwounderthehedgehadeverythingincommonandwereboundlesslycontenttogether，thestingoftheknowledgeofgoodandevilpastfortheone，andfortheotherstilltocome；whileIstoodonthebattlefieldoftheworld，theflesh，andthedevil，though，thankGod，withmyfacetothefoe。

Theoldmansatresting:Ihadpromisedhimaliftwithmyfriendthedriveroftheflour-cart，andhewasalmostduewhenthechild"sgrandmothercamedowntheroad。

Whenshesawmyothervisitorshestoodamazed。

"What，RichardHunton，thatworkedwithmyoldmanyearsagoupatDitton，whateverareyoudoin"allthesemilesfromyourownplace？"

"IsitElizaJakes？"

Helookedatherdazed，doubtful。

"An"whoelseshoulditbe？Where"syourmemorygone，RichardHunton，andyounotsuchagreatageeither？Whereareyoustayin"？"

Shameovercamehim；hislipstrembled，hismildblueeyesfilledwithtears。ItoldthetaleasIhadheardit，andMrsJakes"sindignationwasgoodtosee。

"Notkeepyouon"alfacrown！SendyoutotheHouse！MaytheLordforgivethem！Youwouldn"teatnomorethanafair-sizedcat，andnotlongforthisworldeither，that"splaintosee。No，RichardHunton，youdon"tgototheHousewhileI"maboveground；

it"dmakemygoodmanturntothinkofit。You"llcome"omewithmeandthelittle"unthere。I"vemywashin"，andabitputbyforarainyday，andabedtospare，andtheLordandtheparsonwillseeIdon"tcometowant。"

Shestoppedbreathless，herdefensivemotherhoodinarms。

Theoldmansaidquaveringly，inthepathetic，grudgingphraseofthepoor，whichveilstheirgratitudewhileittestifiestheirindependence，"MaybeImightaswell。"Herosewithdifficulty，pickeduphisbundleandstick，thesmallchildreplacedthekitteninitsbasket，andthrustherhandinhernewfriend"s。

"Then"ooISgrandadtumback，"shesaid。

MrsJakeshadbeenfumblinginherpocket，andextractedapenny，whichshepressedonme。

"It"slittleenough，mister，"shesaid。

Then，asItriedtoreturnit:"Nay，I"veenough，andyoursispoorpaidwork。"

IhopeIshallalwaysbeabletokeepthatpenny；andasIwatchedthethreegoingdownthedustywhiteroad，withthechildinthemiddle，IthankedGodfortheBrotherhoodofthePoor。

CHAPTERIV

YESTERDAYafuneralpassed，fromthework-houseatN-，aquaintsepulturewithoutsolemnities。Therough，ungarnishedcoffinofstaineddeallaybareandunsightlyonthefloorofanoldmarket-

cart；awomansatbeside，steadyingitwithherfeet。Thehusbanddrove；andthemostdepressedofthethreewasthehorse，abroken-

kneed，flea-bittengrey。Itwaspathetic，thisbringinghomeindeathoftheoldfatherwhom，whilehelived，theyhadbeentoopoortohouse；itwasatnosmallsacrificethattheyhadsparedhimthatterrorofoldage，apauper"sgrave，andbroughthimtoliebyhiswifeinourquietchurchyard。Theyfeltnoemotion，thishusbandandwife，onlyadullsenseoffilialdutydone，respectabilitypreserved；andaboveandthroughall，thebitterbutnecessarycountingthecostofthislastbed。

Itisstrangehowpaganmanyofusareinourbeliefs。True，thefunerallibationshavemadewayforthecomfortablebake-meats；

still，tothelargemajorityDeathisPluto，kingofthedarkUnknownwhencenotravellerreturns，ratherthanAzrael，brotherandfriend，lordofthismansionoflife。Strangehowmenshunhimashewaitsintheshadow，watchingourpunystrainingafterimmortality，sendinghiscomradesleeptoprepareusforhimself。

Whenthehourstrikeshecomes-verygently，verytenderly，ifwewillbuthaveitso-foldsthetiredhandstogether，takestheway-wornfeetinhisbroadstrongpalm；andliftingusinhiswonderfularmshebearsusswiftlydownthevalleyandacrossthewatersofRemembrance。

Verypleasantartthou，OBrotherDeath，thyloveiswonderful，passingtheloveofwomen。

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To-dayIhavelivedinawhirlofdust。To-morrowisthegreatannualCattleFairatE-，andthroughthelonghothoursthebeastsfromallthedistrictroundhavestreamedinbrokenprocessionalongmyroad，tochangehandsortodie。Surelythelordshipovercreationimplieswiseandgentleruleforintelligentuse，notthepursuitofamereimmediateend，withoutanythoughtofcommunityinthegreatsacramentoflife。

ForthemostpartmysteryhasceasedforthisworkingWesternworld，andwithitreverence。CoventryPatmoresays:"GodclothesHimselfactuallyandliterallywithHiswholecreation。Herbstakeupandassimilateminerals，beastsassimilateherbs，andGod，intheIncarnationanditsproperSacrament，assimilatesus，who，saysStAugustine，"areGod"sbeasts。""Itismaninhisblindself-

seekingwhoseparateswooffromweftinthelivinggarmentofGod，andlosesthemoreasheneglectstheoutwardandvisiblesignsofaworld-widegrace。

Inoldendaystheherdledhisflock，goingfirstinthepostofdangertodefendthecreatureshehadweanedfromtheirnaturalhabitsforhisvarioususes。Nowthatgoodrelationshiphasceasedforustoexist，mandrivesthebeastsbeforehim，meanstohisend，butwithnoharmonybetweenendandmeans。Alldaylongthedrovesofsheeppassmeontheirlameandpatientway，nolongerfreelyandinstinctivelyfollowingaprotectorandforerunner，butDRIVEN，impelledbyforceandresistlesswill-thesamewillwhichoncewentbeforewithoutforce。Theyarealltrimmedasmuchaspossibletoonepattern，andallmakethesamesadplaint。ItisadayonwhichtothankGodfortheunknowntongue。Thedroverandhisladindustybluecoatsplodalongstolidly，deafandblindtoallbutthewaybeforethem；nolongerwieldingthecrook，instrumentofdeliverance，oratmostofgentlecompulsion，butarmedwithaheavystickandmechanicallydealingblowsontheshortthickfleeces；withoutevilintentbecausewithoutthought-

itistheritualofthetrade。

Ofallthepoordumbpilgrimsoftheroadthebullocksarethemostterribletosee。Theyarenotpatient，butgomostunwillinglywithloweredheadandfurtivesidewaysmotion，intheireyesahorrorofgreatfear。Thesleekcattle，kneedeepinpasture，massedatthegate，andstaredmild-eyedandwithinquiringbellowattheretreatingdrove；butthesepassedwithoutanswerontotheUnknown，andforthemitspeltdeath。

Behindasquadronofsleek，well-fedcart-horses，formedinfours，withstrawbraidinmaneandtail，cametheponies，forthemostpartamerrycompany。Longstringsofrusty，shaggytwo-year-olds，unbroken，unkempt，theshortDowngrassstillsweetontheirtongues；fulloffun，frolic，andwickedness，bitingandpulling，castinglongingeyesatthehedgerows。Theboysappeartorecognisethemaskindredspirits，andarecuriouslyforbearingandpatient。Soonbothponiesandboysvanishinawhitewhirl，andalonglineofcarts，whichhadevidentlywaitedforthedusttosubside，comesslowlyuptheincline。Forthemostparttheycarrythepigsandfowls，carriagefolkoftheroad。Thelatterarehot，crowded，anddustyundertheopennetting；theformerforthemostpartcheerfullyremonstrative。

Idrewabreathofreliefasthenoiseofwheelsdiedawayandmyroadsankintosilence。Thehedgerowsarenolongergreenbutwhiteandchokedwithdust，asighttomovegoodsisterRaintowelcometears。Thebirdsseemtohavefledbeforethenoisyconfusion。Iwonderwhethermysnakehasseenandsmiledattheclumsyrulingofthelordhesolittleheeds？Iturnedasidethroughthegatetoplungefaceandhandsintothecooloftheshelteredgrassthatsidethehedge，andthenrestedmyeyesonthestretchofgreenIhadlackedallday。Therabbitshadapparentlyplayedandbrowsedunmindfulofthestir，andwerestillflirtingtheirwhitetailsalongthehedgerows；alarkrose，anotherandanother，andIwentbacktomyroad。Peacestillreigned，fortheshadowswerelengthening，andtherewouldbelittlemoretrafficforthefair。Iturnedtomywork，gratefulforthestillness，andsawonthewhitestretchofroadaloneoldmanandapig。SurelyIknewthattallfigureinthequaintgreysmock，surelyIknewtheface，furrowedlikenature"sfaceinspringtime，andcrownedbyaround，softhat？Andthepig，theblackpigwalkingdecorouslyfree？Ay，Iknewthem。

IntheearlyspringItookawholeholidayandalongtramp；andtowardsafternoon，tiredandthirsty，soughtwateratalittlelonelycottagewhosewindowspeeredandblinkedunderoverhangingbrowsofthatch。Ihad，notthewaterIaskedfor，butmilkandabowlofsweetporridgeforwhichIpaidonlythanks；andstayedforachatwithmykindlyhosts。Theywereaquaintoldcoupleofthekindrarelymetwithnowadays。TheyenjoyedalittlepensionfromtheSquireandagardeninwhichvegetablesandflowerslivedsidebysideinfriendliestfashion。Beesworkedandsangoverthethymeandmarjoram，bloomingearlyinasunnynook；andinahomelystylivedasolemnblackpig，apigwithahistory。

Itwasnocommonutilitarianpig，butthehonouredguestoftheoldcouple，anditknewit。Ayearbefore，theiryoungestandonlysurvivingchild，thenamanoffive-and-twenty，hadbroughthismothertheresultofhissavingsintheshapeofafineyoungpig:

aweeklaterhelaydeadofthetyphoidthatscourgedMaidstone。

Hencethepigwassacred，caredforandlovedbythisDarbyandJoan。

"Eebemos"likeachildtomeandthemother，an"mos"assensibleasaChristian，eebe，"theoldmanhadsaid；andIcouldhardlycreditmyeyeswhenIsawthetallbentfiguresidebysidewiththeblackpig，comingalongmyroadonsuchaday。

Ihailedtheoldman，andbothturnedaside；buthegazedatmewithoutremembrance。

Ispokeofthepiganditshistory。Henoddedwearily。"Ay，ay，lad，you"vegotit；"tispoorDick"spigrightenow。"

"Butyou"renevergoingtotakeittoE-？"

"Ay，butIbe，andcomin"backalone，iftheLordbemarciful。Themissushasbeenterriblebadthistwomouthsandmore；Squire"sinforeignparts；andfood-stuffssuchastheoldwomanwantsishardbuyingforpoorfolks。Thestocking"sempty，now"tisthepigmustgo，andIbelievehe"dbegladfortodothemissusaturn；shewereterriblegoodtohim，werethemissus，andfond，too。I

dursn"ttellherhewastogo；she"dsoonerstarvethanlosepoorDick"spig。Well，we"dbestbemovin"；"tisafairishstep。"

Thepigfollowedcomprehendinganddocile，andasthequaintcouplepassedfromsightIthoughtIheardBrotherDeathstirintheshadow。Heisastrongangelandofgreatpity。

CHAPTERV

THEREisalwaysalittlefireofwoodontheopenhearthinthekitchenwhenIgethomeatnight；theoldladysaysitis"company"

forher，andsitsinthelonelytwilight，herknottedhandslyingquietonherlap，herlisteningeyesfixedontheburningsticks。

Iwondersometimeswhethershehearsmusicintheleapandlickofthefierytongues，musicsuchasheofBayreuthdrawsfromtheviolinstillthehotenergyofthefirespiritisonus，embodiedinsound。

Surelyshehearssomevoice，thatlonelyoldwomanonwhomissetthesealofgreatsilence？

ItisagreattruthtenderlysaidthatGodbuildsthenestfortheblindbird；andmayitnotbethatHeopensclosedeyesandunstopsdeafearstosightsandsoundsfromwhichothersbytheseverysensesaredebarred？

Herethebestofusseethroughamistoftearsmenastreeswalking；itisonlyinthelandwhichisveryfaroffandyetverynearthatweshallhavefulnessofsightandseetheKinginHisbeauty；andIcannotthinkthatanylisteningearslisteninvain。

Thecoppiceatourbackisfullofbirds，foritisfarfromtheroadandtheynestthereundisturbedyearafteryear。ThroughthestillnightIheardthenightingalescalling，calling，untilI

couldbearitnolongerandwentsoftlyoutintotheluminousdark。

Thelittlewoodwasmanifoldwithsound，Iheardmylittlebrotherswhomovebynightrustlingingrassandtree。Ahedgehogcrossedmypathwithadullsqueak，thebatsshrilledhightothestars，awhiteowlsweptpastmecryinghishuntingnote，abeetleboomedsuddenlyinmyface；andaboveandthroughitallthenightingalessang-andsang！

Thenightwindbentthelisteningtrees，andthestarsyearnedearthwardtohearthesongofdeathlesslove。Louderandlouderthewonderfulnotesroseandfellinapassionofmelody；andthensanktorestonthatlowthrillingcallwhichitissaidDeathonceheard，andstayedhishand。

Theywillscarcelysingagainthisyear，thesenightingales，fortheyarelateonthewingasitis。Itseemsasifonsuchnightstheysangastheswansings，knowingittobethelasttime-withthelavishnoteofonewhobidsaneternalfarewell。

Atlasttherewassilence。Sittingunderthebigbeechtree，thegiantofthecoppice，Irestedmytiredselfinthelapofmotherearth，breathedofherbreathandlistenedtohervoiceinthequickeningsilenceuntilmyfleshcameagainasthefleshofalittlechild，foritistruerecreationtositatthefootstoolofGodwrappedinafoldofHislivingrobe，thewhilenightsmoothesourtiredfacewithherhealinghands。

Thegreydawnawokeandstolewithtrailingrobesacrossearth"sfloor。Atherfootstepsthebirdsrousedfromsleepandcriedagreeting；theskyflushedandpaledconsciousofcomingsplendour；

andoverheadafileofswanspassedwithbroadstrongflighttothereededwatersofthesequesteredpool。

Anotherhourofsilencewhilethelightthrobbedandflamedintheeast；thenthelarksroseharmoniousfromaneighbouringfield，therabbitsscurriedwithearsalerttotheirmorningmeal，thedayhadbegun。

Ipassedthroughthecoppiceandoutintothefieldsbeyond。Thedewlayheavyonleafandbladeandgossamer，acoolfreshwindsweptclearoverdaleanddownfromthesea，andthecloverfieldrippledlikeasilverylakeinthebreeze。

Thereissomethinginexpressiblybeautifulintheunusedday，somethingbeautifulinthefactthatitisstilluntouched，unsoiled；andtownandcountrysharealikeinthisloveliness。Athalf-pastthreeonaJunemorningevenLondonhasnotassumedherresponsibilities，butsmilesandglowslightheartedandsmokelessunderthecaressesofthemorningsun。

Fiveo"clock。ThebellringsoutcrispandclearfromthemonasterywheretheBedesmenofStHughwatchandprayforthesoulsonthislabouringforgetfulearth。Everyhourthenoteofcomfortandwarningcriesacrosstheland，tellstheSanctus，theAngelus，andtheHoursofthePassion，andcallstoremembranceandprayer。

Whenthewindisnorth，thesoundcarriesasfarasmyroad，andcompaniesmethroughtheday；andiftoHisdumbchildrenGodinHismercyreckonsworkasprayer，mostcertainlythosewhohaveforgedthroughtheagesanunbrokenchainofsupplicationandthanksgivingwillbecountedamongthestalwartlabourersofthehouseoftheLord。

Sunandbelltogetheraremyonlyclock:itistimeformywaterdrawing；andgatheringapileofmushrooms，childrenofthenight，Ihastenhome。

Thecottageisdeartomeinitsquaintuntidinessandwantofrectitude，dearbecausewearetobeitslastdenizens，lastofthelonglineoftoilerswhohavesweatedandsownthatothersmightreap，andhavepassedawayleavingnotrace。

Ioncesawatallcrossinaseaboardchurchyard，inscribed，"Tothememoryoftheunknowndeadwhohaveperishedinthesewaters。"

Theremightbeoneineveryvillagesleeping-placetotheunhonouredmanywhomadefruitfulthelandwithsweatandtears。

Itisaconsolationtothinkthatwhenwelookbackonthisstretchoflife"sroadfrombeyondthefirstmilestone，which，itisinstructivetoremember，isalwaysagrave，wemayhopetoseetheworkofthisworldwithopeneyes，andtojudgeofitwithaduesenseofproportion。

Abeewithladenhoney-baghummedandbuzzedinthehedgeasIgotreadyforwork，importuningtheflowersforthatwhichhecouldnotcarry，andfinallygivinguptheattemptindespairfellasleeponabuttercup，thebestplaceforhiswearylittlevelvetbody。Infiveminutes-theymayhavebeenfivehourstohim-heawokeanewbee，sensibleandclear-sighted，andflewblithelyawaytothehivewithhissufficiency-anexamplethiswearyworldwouldbewisetofollow。

Myroadhasbeenlonelyto-day。Aparsoncamebyintheafternoon，astrangerintheneighbourhood，forheaskedhisway。Hetalkedawhile，andwithkindlyrebukesaiditwassadtoseeamanofmyeducationbroughtsolow，whichshowshowtheoutsideappearancemaymisleadtheprejudicedobserver。"Wasitmisfortune？""Nay，thebestofgoodluck，"Ianswered，gaily。

Thegoodmanwithbeautifulreadinesssatdownonaheapofstonesandbademesayon。"Readmeasermoninstone，"hesaid，simply；

andIstayedmyhandtoread。

Helistenedwithcourteousintelligence。

"Youholdaroadmenderhasavocation？"heasked。

"Asthemonkortheartist，for，likeboth，heisuniversal。Theworldishishome；heservesallmenalike，ay，andforhimthebeastshaveequalhonourwiththemen。Hissoulis"boundupinthebundleoflife"withallothersouls，heseeshisfather，hismother，hisbrethreninthechildrenoftheroad。Forhimthereisnothingunclean，nothingcommon；theverystonescryoutthattheyserve。"

Parsonnoddedhishead。