第4章

Shealwaysexplainedthatthecountrywasdreadfuldullforher，butgoodforthehens;theyalwayslaidsomuchbetterinthewintertime。

Lyddylikedtheplaceallthebetterforitsloneliness。

Shehadneverhadenoughofsolitude，andthisquiethome，withthesongoftheriverforcompany，ifoneneededmorecompanythanchickensandacat，satisfiedallherdesires，particularlyasitwasaccompaniedbyasnuglittleincomeoftwohundreddollarsayear，ameagresumthatseemedtoopenupmysteriousavenuesofjoytoherstarved，impatientheart。

Whenshewasamereinfant，herbrotherwasholdingheronhiskneebeforethegreatold-fashionedfireplaceheapedwithburninglogs。Asuddennoisestartledhim，andthecrowing，restlessbabygaveanunexpectedlurch，andslipped，facedownward，intotheglowingembers。Itwasafullminutebeforethehorror-strickenboycouldextricatethelittlecreaturefromthecruelflamethathadalreadydoneitsfatalwork。

Thebabyescapedwithherlife，butwasdisfiguredforever。

Asshegrewolder，thegentlehandoftimecouldnotentirelyeffacetheterriblescars。Onecheekwaswrinkledandcrimson，whileoneeyeandthemouthweredrawndownpathetically。

Theaccidentmighthavechangedthedispositionofanychild，butLyddychancedtobeasensitive，introspectivebitoffemininehumanity，inwhosememorytheburningflamewasneverquenched。

Hermother，partlytoconcealherownwoundedvanity，andpartlytoshieldthetimid，morbidchild，keptheroutofsightasmuchaspossible;sothatatsixteen，whenshewasleftanorphan，shehadlivedalmostentirelyinsolitude。

Shebecame，incourseoftime，akindofgeneralnurserygovernessinalargefamilyofmotherlesschildren。

Thefatherwasalmostalwaysawayfromhome;hissisterkeptthehouse，andLyddystayedinthenursery，bathingthebroodandputtingthemtobed，dressingtheminthemorning，andplayingwiththeminthesafeprivacyofthebackgardenortheopenattic。

Theylovedher，disfiguredasshewas，forthechilddespisesmereexternals，andexplorestheheartofthingstoseewhetheritbegoodorevil，——buttheycouldneverinducehertoseestrangers，nortojoinanygatheringofpeople。

Thechildrenweregrownandmarriednow，andLyddywasnearlyfortywhenshecameintopossessionofhouseandlandsandfortune;

forty，withtwentyyearsofunexpendedfeelingpentwithinher。

Forty，thatisratheroldtobeinteresting，butageisarelativematter。

Haven’tyouseengirlsoffour-and-twentywhohavenibbledandbeennibbledateversincetheyweresixteen，butwhohaveneithercaughtanythingnorbeencaught？Theyareold，ifyoulike，butLyddywasfortyandstillyoung，withhersusceptibilitiescherished，notdulled，andwithallthe"languageofpassionfreshandrootedasthelovelyleafageaboutaspring。"

IV。

"HeshalldailyjoydispenseHidinsong’ssweetinfluence。"

Emerson’s_Merlin。_

LyddyhadveryfewcallersduringherfirstmonthasapropertyownerinEdgewood。Herappearancewouldhavebeenagainstherwinningfriendseasilyinanycase，evenifshehadnotacquiredthehabitsofarecluse。

Ittookacertainamountoftime，too，forthecommunitytogetusedtothefactthatoldMrs。Butterfieldwasdead，andhernieceLyddyAnnlivinginthecottageontheriverroad。

TherewerenumbersofpeoplewhohadnotyetheardthatoldMrs。ButterfieldhadboughtthehousefromtheThatcherboys，andthatwasfifteenyearsago;butthiswasnotstrange，for，notwithstandingauntHitty’svaluableservicesindisseminatinggeneralinformation，therewasamanlivingontheBonnyEagleroadwhowassurprisedtohearthatDanielWebsterwasdead，andcomplainedthatfolkswerenotsolong-livedastheyusedtobe。

AuntHittythoughtLyddyaGothandaVandalbecauseshetookdownthetwentysilvercoffinplatesandlaidthemreverentlyaway。

"Mis’Butterfieldwouldturninhergrave，"shesaid，"ifsheknewit。

Sheain’tmuchofahousekeeper，Iguess，"shewenton，asshecutoverDr。Berry’soldtrousersintobrieferonesforTommyBerry。

"Shegivesconsiderablestufftoherhensthatshe’dasightbetterheatoverandeatherself，inthesehardtimeswhenthemissionarysocietiescan’thardlykeeptheheathenfedandclothedandwarmed——no，Idon’tmeanwarmed，formosto’theheathensliveinhotclimates，somehowor’nother。

Mybackdoor’sjestoppositehers;it’sacrosstheriver，tobesure，butit’sthenarrerpart，andIcanseeeverythingshedoesasplainasdaylight。ShewashedaMonday，andsheain’ttakenherclothesinyet，andit’sThursday。Shemaybebleachin’of’emout，butitlooksslack。

IsaidtoSilastnightIshouldstandittill’boutFriday，——seein’’emlayonthegrassthere，butifshedidn’ttake’eminthen，Ishouldgooverandoffertohelpher。Shehasafireinthesettin’-room’mosteverynight，thoughweain’thadafrostyet;andasnear’sIcanmakeout，she’sgotfullredcurtainshangin’uptoherwindows。

Iain’tsure，forshedon’topentheblindsinthatroomtillI

getawayinthemorning，andsheshuts’embeforeIgetbackatnight。

Sidon’tknowredfromgreen，sohe’suselessinsuchmatters。

I’mgoinghomelateto-night，andwalkdownonthatsideo’theriver，so’tIcancallinafterdarkandseewhatmakesherhouselightupasifthesunwassettin’insideofit。"

Asamatteroffact，Lyddywasrevelinginhouse-furnishingofahumblesort。Shehadapassionforcolor。Therewasared-and-whitestrawmattingonthesitting-roomfloor。

Recklessinthecertainpossessionoftwentydollarsamonth，shepurchasedyardsuponyardsofturkeyredcotton;

enoughtocoveramattressforthehigh-backedsettle，forlongcurtainsatthewindows，andforcushionstotherockers。

Sheknottedwhitefringesforthetablecoversandcurtains，paintedtheinsideofthefireplacered，putsomepots，ofscarletgeraniumsonthewindow-sills，fillednewspaperrackwithfernsandtackeditoveranuglyspotinthewall，edgedherwork-basketwithatuftedtrimmingofscarletworsted，andmadeanelaboratephotographcaseofwhitecrashandredcottonthatstretchedtheentirelengthoftheold-fashionedmantelshelf，andheldpicturesofMr。Reynolds，MissElviraReynolds，George，Susy，Anna，John，Hazel，Ella，andRufusReynolds，herformercharges。Whenallthiswasdone，shelightedalittleblazeonthehearth，tooktheredcurtainsfromtheirhands，letthemfallgracefullytothefloor，andsatdowninherrocking-chair，reconciledtoherexistenceforabsolutelythefirsttimeinherfortyyears。

IhopeMrs。ButterfieldwashappyenoughinParadisetoappreciateandfeelLyddy’sjoy。Icanevenbelieveshewasgladtohavedied，sinceherdyingcouldbringsuchcontenttoanywretchedlivinghumansoul。

AsLydiasatinthefirelight，theleftsideofherpoorfaceinshadow，yousawthatshewasdistinctlyharmonious。Herfigure，cladinplainblack-and-whitecalicodress，wasagraceful，womanlyone。

Shehadbeautifullyslopingshouldersandasweetwrist。Herhairwassoftandplentiful，andherhandswerefine，strong，andsensitive。

Thispossibilityofrarebeautymadeherscarsandburnsmorepitiful，forifacheapchromehassmirchacrossitsface，wethinkitamatterofnomoment，butwedeplorethesmallestscratchorbluronanyworkofrealart。

Lydiafeltalittlelessbitterandhopelessaboutlifewhenshesatinfrontofherownopenfire，afterherusualtwilightwalk。

Itwasherhabittowanderdownthewoodedroadafterhersimplefive-o’clocksupper，gatheringsfernsorgoldenrodorfrostflowersforhervases;andonenightsheheard，abovetheripplingoftheriver，thestrange，sweet，piercingsoundofAnthonyCroft’sviolin。

Shedrewnearer，andsawa，middle-agedmansittinginthekitchendoorway，withaladoftenortwelveyearsleaningagainsthisknees。

Shecouldtelllittleofhisappearance，savethathehadahighforehead，andhairthatwavedwellbackfromitinratheranunusualfashion。

Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves，buttheginghamwasscrupulouslyclean，andhehadtheuncommonrefinementofacollarandnecktie。

Outofsightherself，Lyddydrewnearenoughtohear;andthisshedideverynightwithoutrecognizingthatthemusicianwasblind。

Themusichadacuriouseffectuponher。Itwasahithertounknowninfluenceinherlife，anditinterpretedher，sotospeak，toherself。

Asshesatonthebedofbrownpineneedles，underafriendlytree，herheadrestingagainstitstrunk，hereyeshalfclosed，thetoneofAnthony’sviolincamelikeaheavenlymessagetoatired，despairingsoul。

RememberthatinhersecludedlifeshehadheardonlysuchharmonyasElviraReynoldsevokedfromherpianoorGeorgeReynoldsfromhisflute，andtheReynoldstemperamentwasdistinctlyinartistic。

Lyddylivedthroughalifetimeofemotioninthesetwilightconcerts。

Sometimesshewasfilledwithanexquisitemelancholyfromwhichtherewasnoescape;atothers，theetherealpurityofthestrainstirredherheartwithastrange，sweetvisionofmysteriousjoy;joythatshehadneverpossessed，wouldneverpossess;joywhosebareexistencesheneverbeforerealized。

Whenthelownotessanklowerandlowerwiththeirsoftwailofdeliciouswoe，shebentforwardintothedark，dreadingthatsomethingwouldbelostintheverystruggleoflistening;then，aftera，pause，apurehumantonewouldbreakthestillness，andsoaring，bird-like，higherandhigher，seemtomounttoheavenitself，and，"piercingitsstarryfloors，"

liftpoorscarredLydia’ssoultotheverygratesofinfinitebliss。

Inthegentlemoodsthatstoleuponherinthosesummertwilightsshebecameadifferentwoman，softerinherprosperitythanshehadeverbeeninheradversity;forsomeplantsonlyblossominsunshine。

Whatwonderiftoherthemusicandthemusicianbecameone？

Itissometimesadangerousthingtofusethemanandhistalentsinthisway;butitdidnoharmhere，forAnthonyCroftwashismusic，andthemusicwasAnthonyCroft。Whenheplayedonhisviolin，itwasasifthemiracleofitsfashioningwereagainenacted;asifthebirdonthequiveringbough，themellowsunshinestreamingthroughthelatticeofgreenleaves，thetinkleofthewoodlandstream，spokeineverytone;

andmorethanthis，thehearth-glowinwhoselightthepatienthandshadworked，thebreathofthesoulbendingitselfinpassionateprayerforperfection，these，too，seemedtohavewroughttheirblessedinfluenceonthewillingstringsuntilthetonewasladenwithspiritualharmony。

Onemightindeedhavesungofthislittleredviolin——thatlookedtoLyddy，inthesunsetglow，asifitwereveneeredwithrubies——allthatShelleysangofanotherperfectinstrument：——

"TheartistwhothisviolwroughtToechoallharmoniousthought，Fell’datree，whileonthesteepThewoodswereintheirwintersleep，Rock’dinthatreposedivineOfthewind-sweptApennine;

Anddreaming，someofAutumnpast，AndsomeofSpringapproachingfast，AndsomeofAprilbudsandshowers，AndsomeofsongsinJulybowers，Andalloflove;andsothistree——

Othatsuchourdeathmaybe！——

Diedinsleep，andfeltnopain，Toliveinhappierformagain。"

Theviol"whispersinenamouredtone："——

"Sweetoraclesofwoodsanddells，Andsummerwindyillsylvancells;……

Theclearestechoesofthehills，Thesoftestnotesoffallingrills，Themelodiesofbirdsandbees，Themurmuringofsummerseas，Andpatteringrain，andbreathingdew，Andairsofevening;allitknew……

——Allthisitknows，butwillnottellTothosewhocannotquestionwellThespiritthatinhabitsit;……

But，sweetlyasitsanswerswillFlatterhandsofperfectskill，Itkeepsitshighest，holiesttoneForonebelovedFriendalone。"

Lyddyheardtheviolinandtheman’svoiceashetalkedtothechild，——

heardthemnightafternight;andwhenshewenthometothelittlebrownhousetolightthefireonthehearthandletdownthewarmredcurtains，shefellintosweet，sadreveries;andwhensheblewouthercandleforthenight，shefellasleepanddreamednewdreams，andherheartwasstirredwiththerustlingofnew-bornhopesthatroseandtookwinglikebirdsstartledfromtheirnests。

V。

"Norscourtheseas，norsiftmankind，Apoetorafriendtofind：

Behold，hewatchesatthedoor！

Beholdhisshadowonthefloor！"

Emerson’s_Saadi。_

LyddyButterfield’shenturkeywasofarovingdisposition。

ShehadneverappreciatedherluxuriouscountryquartersinEdgewood，andwasseeminglyanxioustoreturntothemodestbackyardinhernativecity。

Atanyrate，shewasinthehabitofstrayingfarfromhome，andthehabitwasgrowinguponhertosuchanextentthatshewouldevenleadherdocilelittlegobblersdowntovisitAnthonyCroft’shensandsharetheircorn。

Lyddyhadcaughtheratitonce，andwasnowpursuinghertothatendforthesecondtime。Shepausedinfrontofthehouse，buttherewerenoturkeystobeseen。Couldtheyhavewanderedupthehillroad，——thediscontented，"traipsing，"exasperatingthings？

Shestartedinthatdirection，whensheheardacrashintheCroftkitchen，andthenthesoundofaboy’svoicecomingfromaninnerroom，——

aweakandquerulousvoice，asifthechildwereill。

Shedrewnearer，inspiteofherdreadofmeetingpeople，oraboveallofintruding，andsawAnthonyCroftstandingoverthestove，withanexpressionofutterhelplessnessonhisusuallyplacidface。

Shehadneverreallyseenhimbeforeinthedaylight，andtherewassomethingabouthisappearancethatstartledher。

Theteakettlewasonthefloor，andaseaofwaterwasfloodingtheman’sfeet，yetheseemedtobegazingintovacancy。

Presentlyhestooped，andfumbledgropinglyforthekettle。

Itwastoohottobetouchedwithimpunity，andhefinallyleftitinadespairingsortofway，andwalkedinthedirectionofashelf，fromunderwhicharowofcoatswashanging。Theboycalledagaininalouderandmoreinsistenttone，endinginawhimperofrestlesspain。

Thisseemedtomakethemanmorenervousthanever。

Hishandswentpatientlyoverandovertheshelf，thenpausedateachseparatenail。

"Blessthepoordear！"thoughtLyddy。"Ishetryingtofindhishat，orwhatishetryingtodo？Iwonderifheismusicmad？"

andshedrewstillnearerthesteps。

Atthismomentheturnedandcamerapidlytowardthedoor。

Shelookedstraightinhisface。Therewasnomistakingit：

hewasblind。Themagicianwhohadtoldherthroughhisviolinsecretsthatshehadscarcelydreamedof，thewizardwhohadsetherhearttothrobbingandachingandlongingasithadneverthrobbedandachedandlongedbefore，thebeingwhohadwornahaloofromanceandgeniustohersimplemind，wasstone-blind！Awaveofimpetuousanguish，assharpandpassionateasanyshehadeverfeltforherownmisfortunes，sweptoverhersoulatthespectacleoftheman’shelplessness。Hissightlesseyesstruckherlikeablow。

Buttherewasnotimetolose。Shewasdirectlyinhispath：

ifshestoodstillhewouldcertainlywalkoverher，andifshemovedhewouldhearher，so，onthespurofthemoment，shegaveanervouscoughandsaid，"Good-morning，Mr。Croft。"

Hestoppedshort。"Whoisit？"heasked。

"Iam——itis——Iam——yournewneighbor，"saidLyddy，withatremblingattemptatcheerfulness。

"Oh，MissButterfield！Ishouldhavecalleduptoseeyoubeforethisifithadn’tbeenfortheboy’ssickness。

ButIamagood-for-nothingneighbor，asyouhavedoubtlessheard。

Nobodyexpectsanythingofme。"

（"Nobodyexpectsanythingofme。"Herownplaint，utteredinherowntone！）

"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"sheansweredswiftly。

"You’vegivenme，forone，agreatdealofpleasurewithyourwonderfulmusic。Ioftenhearyouasyouplayaftersupper，andithaskeptmefrombeinglonesome。Thatisn’tverymuch，tobesure。"

"Youarefondofmusic，then？"

"Ididn’tknowIwas;Ineverheardanybefore，"saidLyddysimply;

"butitseemstohelppeopletosaythingstheycouldn’tsayforthemselves，don’tyouthinkso？Itcomfortsmeeventohearit，andIthinkitmustbestillmorebeautifultomakeit。"

Now，LyddyAnnButterfieldhadnosoonerutteredthiscommonplacespeechthanthereflectiondartedthroughhermindlikealightningflashthatshehadneverspokenabitofherheartoutlikethisinallherlifebefore。

Thereasoncametoherinthesameflash：shewasnotbeinglookedat;herdisfiguredfacewashidden。Thisman，atleast，couldnotshrink，turnaway，shiver，affectindifference，fixhiseyesonherswithafascinatedhorror，asothershaddone。

Herheartwasdividedbetweenagreatthrobofpityandsympathyforhimandanirresistiblesenseofgratitudeforherself。

Sureofprotectionandcomprehension，herlovelysoulcameoutofherpooreyesandsatinthesunshine。

Shespokehermindatease，asweuttersacredthingssometimesundercoverofdarkness。

"Youseemtohavehadanaccident;whatcanIdotohelpyou？"sheasked。

"Nothing，thankyou。Theboyhasbeensickforsomedays，butheseemsworsesincelastnight。Nothingisinitsrightplaceinthehouse，soIhavegivenuptryingtofindanything，andamjustgoingtoEdgewoodtoseeifsomebodywillhelpmeforafewdays。"

"UncleTony！UncleTo-ny！whereareyou？Dogivemeanotherdrink，I’msohot！"cametheboy’svoicefromwithin。

"Coming，laddie！Idon’tbelieveheoughttodrinksomuchwater，butwhatcanIdo？Heisburningupwithfever。"

"Nowlookhere，Mr。Croft，"andLydia’stonewascheerfullydecisive。

"Yousitdowninthatrocker，please，andletmecommandtheshipforawhile。Thisisoneofthecaseswhereawomanisnecessary。

Firstandforemost，whatwereyouhuntingfor？"

"Myhatandthebutter，"saidAnthonymeekly，andatthisuniquecombinationtheybothlaughed。

Lyddy’slaughwasparticularlyfresh，childlike，andpleased;

onethatwouldhaveastonishedtheReynoldschildren。

ShehadseldomlaughedheartilysincelittleRufushadcriedandtoldhershefrightenedhimwhenshetwistedherfaceso。

"Yourhatisinthewood-box，andI’llfindthebutterinthetwinklingofaneye，thoughwhyyouwantitnowismorethan——Mypatience，Mr。Croft，yourhandisburnedtoablister！"

"Don’tmindme。Begoodenoughtolookattheboyandtellmewhatailshim;nothingelsemattersmuch。"

"Iwillwithpleasure，butletmeeaseyoualittlefirst。

Here’saragthatwillbejustthething，"andLyddy，suitingtheprettyactiontothemendaciousworn，tookagoodhandkerchieffromherpocketandtoreitinthreestrips，afterspreadingitwithtallowfromacandleheatedoverthestove。

Thisdone，shehounduptheburnedhandskillfully，and，crossingthedining-room，disappearedwithinthelittlechamberdoorbeyond。

Shecameoutpresently，andsaidhalfhesitatingly，"Wouldyou——mindgoingoutintheorchardforanhourorso？

Youseemtoberatherinthewayhere，andIshouldliketheplacetomyself，ifyou’llexcusemeforsayingso。

I’meversomuchmorecapablethanMrs。Buck;won’tyougivemeatrial，sir？Here’syourviolinandyourhat。

I’llcallyouifyoucanhelporadviseme。"

"ButIcan’tletastrangercomeinanddomyhousework，"heobjected。

"Ican’t，youknow，thoughIappreciateyourkindnessallthesame。"

"Iamyournearestneighbor，andyouronlyone，forthatmatter，"

saidLyddyfirmly;"itsnothingmorethanrightthatIshouldlookafterthatsickchild，andImustdoit。Ihaven’tgotathingtodoinmyownhouse。

Iamnothingbutapoorlonelyoldmaid，who’sbeenusedtochildrenallherlife，andlikesnothingbetterthantoworkoverthem。"

AcalmsettleduponAnthony’sperturbedspirit，ashesatundertheapple-treesandheardLyddygoingtoandfrointhecottage。

"Sheisn’tanyoldmaid，"hethought;"shedoesn’tsteplikeone;

shehassoftshoesandaspringywalk。Shemustbeaveryhandsomewoman，withahandlikethat;andsuchavoice！

Iknewthemomentshespokethatshedidn’tbelonginthisvillage。"

Asamatteroffact，hiskeenearhadcaughtthemelodyinLyddy’svoice，avoicefullofdignity，sweetness，andreservepower。

Hissenseoftouch，too，hadcapturedthebeautyofherhand，andhelditinremembrance，——thesoftpalm，thefineskin，supplefingers，smoothnails，andfirmroundwrist。

ThesecharmswouldneverhavebeennotedbyanyseeingmaninEdgewood，buttheywererevealedtoAnthonyCroftwhileLyddy，likethegoodSamaritan，bounduphiswounds。

Itisthesesavingstarsthatlighttheeternaldarknessoftheblind。

LyddythoughtshehadmetherWaterloowhen，witharmsakimbo，shegazedabouttheCroftestablishment，whichwasasceneofdesolationforthemoment。Anthony’scousinfromBridgtonwasinthehabitofvisitinghimeverytwomonthsforasolemnhouse-cleaning，andMrs。BuckfromPleasantRivercameeverySaturdayandMondayforbakingandwashing。

BetweentimesDavyandhisuncledidthehouseworktogether;

andalthoughitwasrespectablydone，therewasnopink-and-whitedaintinessaboutit，youmaybesure。

Lyddycameouttotheapple-treesinaboutanhour，laughingalittlenervouslyasshesaid，"I’msorrytohavetakenameanadvantageofyou，Mr。Croft，butIknoweverythingyou’vegotinyourhouse，andexactlywhereitis。

Icouldn’thelpit，yousee，whenIwasmakingthingstidy。

Itwoulddoyougoodtoseetheboy。Hisroomwastoolight，andthefliesweredevouringhim。Iswepthimanddustedhim，putoncleansheetsandpillowslips，spongedhimwithbayrum，brushedhishair，droveouttheflies，andtackedagreencurtainuptothewindow。Fifteenminutesafterhewassleepinglikeakitten。Hehasasorethroatandconsiderablefever。

Couldyou——canyou——atleast，willyou，gouptomyhouseonanerrand？"

"CertainlyIcan。Iknowitinsideandoutaswellasmyown。"

"Verygood。Ontheclockshelfinthesitting-roomthereisabottleofsweetspiritsofnitre;it’stheonlybottlethere，soyoucan’tmakeanymistake。Itwillhelpuntilthedoctorcomes。

Iwonderyoudidn’tsendforhimyesterday？"

"Davywouldn’thavehim，"apologizedhisuncle。

"Wouldn’the？"saidLyddywithcheerfulscorn。

"Hehasyouunderprettygoodcontrol，hasn’the？

Butchildrenareunmercifultyrants。"

"Couldn’tyoucoaxhimintoitbeforeyougohome？"askedAnthonyinawheedlingvoice。

"Icantry;butitisn’tlikelyIcaninfluencehim，ifyoucan’t。Still，ifwebothfail，Ireallydon’tseewhat’stopreventoursendingforthedoctorinspiteofhim。

Heisasweakasababy，youknow，andcan’tsitupinbed：

whatcouldhedo？Iwillrisktheconsequences，ifyouwill！"

Therewasanoteofsuchamiableandwinningsarcasminallthis，suchacheery，invinciblecourage，suchafriendlyneighborlinessandcooperation，aboveallsuchadifferenttonefromanyhewasaccustomedtohearinEdgewood，thatAnthonyCroftfeltwarmedthroughtothecore。

Ashewalkedquicklyalongtheroad，heconjuredupavisionofautumnbeautyfromthefewhintsnaturegaveeventohersightlessonesonthisgloriousmorning，——therustleofafewfallenleavesunderhisfeet，theclearwineoftheair，thefullrushoftheswollenriver，thewhiskingofthesquirrelsintheboughs，thecrunchoftheirteethonthenuts，thespicyodoroftheappleslyingunderthetrees。

Hemissedhismotherthatmorningmorethanhehadmissedherforyears。

Howneatshewas，howthrifty，howcomfortable，andhowcomforting！

Hislifewassodrearyandaimless;andwasitthebestortherightoneforDavy，withhistalentanddawningambition？WoulditnotbebettertohaveMrs。Bucklivewiththemaltogether，insteadofcomingtwiceaweek，asheretofore？No;heshrankfromthatwithahopelessaversionbornofSaturdayandMondaydinnersinhercompany。Hecouldhearherpourhercoffeeintothesaucer;hearthescrapingofthecupontherim，andknowthatshewassettingitsloppilydownonthecloth。Hecouldrememberhernoisydrinking，theweightofherelbowonthetable，thecreakingofhercalicodressunderthepressureofsuperabundantflesh。

Besides，shehadtriedtoscrubhisfavoriteviolinwithsapolio。

No，anythingwasbetterthanMrs。Buckasaconstancy。

HetookoffhishatunconsciouslyasheenteredLyddy’ssitting-room。

Agentlebreezeblewoneofthefullredcurtainstowardshimtillitflutteredabouthisshoulderslikeafrolicsome，teasinghand。

Therewasasweet，pungentodorofpineboughs，acanarysanginthewindow，theclockwastrimmedwithablackberryvine;heknewtheprickles，andtheycalleduptohismindtheglowingtintshehadlovedsowell。

Hissensitivehand，thatcarriedadiviningrodineveryfinger-tip，metavaseontheshelf，and，travelingupward，touchedafullbranchofalderberriestiedaboutwitharibbon。Theribbonwouldbered;

thewomanwhoarrangedthisroomwouldmakenomistake;forinonemorningAnthonyCrofthadpenetratedthesecretofLyddy’struepersonality，andinameasurehadsoundedtheshallowsthatledtothedepthsofhernature。

Lyddywenthomeatseveno’clockthatnightratherreluctantly。

ThedoctorhadsaidMr。Croftcouldsitupwiththeboyunlesshegrewmuchworse，andtherewasnoproprietyinherstayinglongerunlesstherewasdanger。

"Youhavebeenverygoodtome，"Anthonysaidgravely，asheshookherhandatparting，——"verygood。"

Theystoodtogetheronthedoorstep。Adistantbell，calledtoeveningprayer-meeting;therestlessmurmuroftheriverandthewhisperofthewindinthepinesbrokethetwilightstillness。

Thelong，quietdaytogether，partofitspentbythesickchild’sbedside，hadbroughtthetwostrangerscuriouslyneartoeachother。

"Thehousehasn’tseemedsosweetandfreshsincemymotherdied，"

hewenton，ashedroppedherhand，"andIhaven’thadsomanyflowersandgreenthingsinitsinceIlostmyeyesight。"

"Wasitlongago？"

"Tenyears。Isthatlong？"

"Longtobearaburden。"

"Ihopeyouknowlittleofburden-bearing？"

"Iknowlittleelse。"

"ImighthaveguesseditfromthealacritywithwhichyoutookupDavy’sandmine。Youmustbeveryhappytohavethepowertomakethingsstraightandsunnyandwholesome;

tobreatheyourstrengthintohelplessnesssuchasmine。

Ithankyou，andIenvyyou。Good-night。"

Lyddyturnedonherheelwithoutaword;hermindwasbeyondandabovewords。Theskyseemedtohavedescendedupon，envelopedher，caughtherupintoitsheaven，assheroseintounaccustomedheightsoffeeling，likeElijahinhischariotoffire。Sheveryhappy！

Shewithpower，powertomakethingsstraightandsunnyandwholesome！

Sheabletobreathestrengthintohelplessness，evenaconsecrated，Godsmittenhelplessnesslikehis！Shenotonlytobethanked，butenvied！

Herhouseseemedstrangetoherthatnight。

Shewenttobedinthedark，dreadingeventhelightofacandle;

andbeforesheturneddownhercounterpanesheflungherselfonherknees，andpouredouthersoulinaprayerthathadbeengrowing，waiting，andwaitedfor，perhaps，foryears：——

"OLord，IthankTheeforhealthandstrengthandlife。

Inevercoulddoitbefore，butIthankTheeto-nightforlifeonanyterms。IthankTheeforthishome;forthechanceofhelpinganotherhumancreature，strickenlikemyself;

fortheprivilegeofministeringtoamotherlesschild。

Makemetolongonlyforthebeautyofholiness，andtobesatisfiedifIattaintoit。Washmysoulpureandclean，andletthatbetheonlymirrorinwhichIseemyface。

Ihavetriedtobeuseful。Forgivemeifitalwaysseemedsohardanddrearyalife。ForgivemeifIamtoohappybecauseforoneshortdayIhavereallyhelpedinabeautifulway，andfoundafriendwhosaw，becausehewasblind，therealmeunderneath;themethatneverwasburnedbythefire;

themethatisn’tdisfigured，unlessmywickeddiscontenthasdoneit;themethathaslivedonandonandon，starvingtodeathforthefriendshipandsympathyandlovethatcometootherwomen。Ihavespentmyfortyyearsinthewilderness，feedingonwrathandbitternessandtears。

Forgiveme，Lord，andgivemeonemorevisionoftheblessedlandofCanaan，evenifIneverdwellthere。"

VI。

"NorlesstheeternalpolesOftendencydistributesouls。

ThereneednovowstobindWhomnoteachotherseek，butfind。"

Emerson’s_CelestialLove。_

Davy’ssicknesswasalingeringone。Mrs。Buckcamefortwoorthreehoursaday，butLyddywastheself-installedangelofthehouse;

andbeforeaweekhadpassedtheboy’sthinarmswerearoundherneck，hisheadonherlovingshoulder，andhischeekpressedagainsthers。

Anthonycouldhearthemtalk，ashesatinthekitchenbusyathiswork。Musicalinstrumentswerestillbroughthimtorepair，thoughlessfrequentlythanofyore，andhecouldstillmakemanypartsofviolinsfarbetterthanhisseeingcompetitors。

Afriendandpupilsatbyhissideinthewintereveningsandsupplementedhisweakness，helpingandlearningalternately，whilehisblindmaster’sskillfilledhimwithwonderanddespair。

Theyearsofstruggleforperfectionhadnotbeenwasted;

andthoughtheeyethatoncedetectedthedeviationofahair’sbreadthcouldnolongertellthetruefromthefalse，yetnaturehadbeenbusywithherdivineworkofcompensation。

Theonesensestrickenwithdeath，shepouredfloodsofnewlifeandvigorintotheothers。Touchbecamesomethingmorethanthestupid，emptygraspofthingsweseeingmortalsknow，andinplaceofthetwoeyeshehadlosthenowhadtenineveryfinger-tip。Asforodors，letotherfolksbeproudofsmellingmuskandlavender，butlethimtellyoubyaquiverofthenostrilsthevariouskindsofso-calledscentlessflowers，andlethimbendhisearandinterpretsecretsthattheuniverseiseverwhisperingtouswhoarepentinpartialdeafnessbecause，forsooth，wesee。

HeoftenpausedtohearLydia’slow，soothingtonesandtheboy’sweaktreble。Anthonyhadsaidtohimonce，"MissButterfieldisverybeautiful，isn’tshe，Davy？Youhaven’tpaintedmeapictureofheryet。

Howdoesshelook？"

Davywasstrickenatfirstwithsilentembarrassment。

Hewasatruthfulchild，butinthishecouldnomorehavetoldthewholetruththanhecouldhavecutoffhishand。

HewasknittoLyddybyeverytieofgratitudeandaffection。

Hewouldsitforhourswithhisexpectantfacepressedagainstthewindow-pane，andwhenhesawhercomingdowntheshadyroadhewasfilledwithasenseofimpendingcomfortandjoy。

"NO，"hesaidhesitatingly，"sheisn’tpretty，nunky，butshe’ssweetandniceanddear，Everythingonhershines，it’ssoclean;andwhenshecomesthroughthetrees，withherwhiteapronandherpurplecalicodress，yourheartjumps，becauseyouknowshe’sgoingtomakeeverythingpleasant。

Herhairhasaprettywaveinit，andherhandissoftonyourforehead;

andit’smostworthwhilebeingsickjusttohaveherinthehouse。"

Meanwhile，sotrulyis"praiseourfructifyingsun，"Lydiabloomedintoahundredhithertounsuspectedgracesofmindandheartandspeech。

Aslysenseofhumorwokeintolife，andapositivetalentforconversation，latenthithertobecauseshehadneverknownanyonewhocaredtodropaplummetintothecrystalspringsofherconsciousness。

Whentheviolinwaslaidaway，shewouldsitinthetwilight，byDavy’ssofa，histhinhandinhers，andtalkwithAnthonyaboutbooksandflowersandmusic，andaboutthemeaningoflife，too，——itsburdensandmistakes，andjoysandsorrows;gropingwithhiminthedarknesstofindacluetoGod’spurposes。

DavyhadlongafternoonsatLyddy’shouseastheautumngrewintowinter。Hereadtoherwhileshesewedragsforanewsitting-roomcarpet，andtheyplayeddominoesandcheckerstogetherinthetwilightbeforesuppertime，——

suppersthatwereafeasttotheboy，afterMrs。Buck’scookery。

Anthonybroughthisviolinsometimesofanevening，andAlmiraBerry，thenextneighborontheroadtotheMills，woulddropinandjointhelittleparty。AlmirausedtosingAuldRobinGray，WhatWillYouDo，Love，andRobinAdair，tothegreatenjoymentofeverybody;andshepersuadedLyddytobuytheoldchurchmelodeon，andlearntosingaltoinOh，WertThouintheCauldBlast，Gently，GentlySighstheBreeze，andIknowaBank。Nobodysighedforthegayetiesandadvantagesofagreatcitywhen，theseconcertsbeingover，Lyddywouldpasscrispseedcakesandraspberryshrub，doughnutsandcider，orhotpoppedcornandmolassescandy。

"Butthere，shecanaffordto，"saidauntHittyTarbox;

"she’sprettymiddlin’wealthyforEdgewood。Andit’sluckysheis，forshe’boutfeedsthatboyo’Croft’s。Nowonderhewantshertofillhimup，aftersixyearsoftheWidderBuck’svictuals。AureliaBuckcantakegoodflourandsugar，sweetbutterandfresheggs，andintenstrokesofherhandshecanmake’emintosomethingtheveryhogs’llturnawayfrom。

Ideclare，itbringsthetearstomyeyessometimeswhenIseehercomingoutofCroft’sSaturdayafternoons，andthinkofthestonecrocksfullofnastymessesshe’sleftbehindherforthatinnocentmanandboytoeatup……

AnthonygoestoseeMissButterfieldconsid’ableoften。

Ofcourseit’sawstensiblytowalkhomewithDavy，ordoanerrandorsomething，buteverybodyknowsbetter。

ShewentdowntoCroft’sprettynearlyeverydaywhenhiscousinfromBridgtoncometohouse-clean。Shesuspicionedsomething，Iguess。Anyhow，sheaskedmeifMissButterfield’stwohundredayearwasingov’mentbonds。Anthony’seyesightain’tgood，butIguesshecouldmakeouttocutcowponsoff……Itwouldbestrangeifthemtwoleft-oversshouldtakean’

marryeachother;though，cometothinkofit，Idon’tknow’s’twouldneither。He’sblind，tobesure，andcan’tseeherscarredface。It’sapitysheain’tdeef，so’tshecan’thearhiseverlastin’fiddle。She’sluckytogetanykindofahusband;she’stoohumblytochoose。

Ideclare，sheremindsmeofaJack-o’-lantern，thoughifyoulookatthebackofher，orseeherinmeetin’

withathickveilon，she’saboutthebestappearin’womaninEdgewood……IneverseeanybodystiffenupasAnthonyhas。

Hehadmemakehimthreewhiteshirtsandthreeginghamones，withcollarsandcuffsonallof’em。Itseemsasifsixshirtsatonetimemustmeansomethingouto’thecommon！"

AuntHittywasright;itdidmeansomethingoutofthecommon。

Itmeantthegrowthofanall-engrossing，grateful，divinelytenderpassionbetweentwolove-starvedsouls。

Ontheonehand，Lyddy，whothoughshehadscarcelyknownthemeaningofloveinallherdrearylife，yetwasasfulltothebrimofallsweet，womanlypossibilitiesoflovingandgivingasanyprettywoman;ontheother，theblindviolin-maker，whohadneverlovedanywomanbuthismother，andwhowasinthedirestneedofwomanlysympathyandaffection。

AnthonyCroft，beingministereduntobyLyddy’skindhands，hearinghersweetvoiceandhersoftfootstep，sawherasGodsees，knowingthebest;forgivingtheworst，likeGod，andforgettingit，stillmorelikeGod，Ithink。

AndLyddy？ThereisnopenworthytowriteofLyddy。

Herjoylaydeepinherheartlikeajewelatthebottomofaclearpool，sodeepthatnorippleorruffleonthesurfacecoulddisturbthehiddentreasure。IfGodhadsmittenthesetwowithonehand，hehadheldouttheotherintenderbenediction。

TherehadbeenapitifulsceneofunspeakablesolemnitywhenAnthonyfirsttoldLyddythathelovedher，andaskedhertobehiswife。Hehadheardallhersadhistorybythistime，thoughnotfromherownlips，andhisheartwentouttoherallthemorefortheheavycrossthathadbeenlaiduponher。

Hehadthewitandwisdomtoputherafflictionquiteoutofthequestion，andalludeonlytohersacrificeinmarryingablindman，hopelesslyandhelplesslydependentonhersweetofficesfortherestofhislife，ifshe，inherwomanlymercy，wouldlovehimandhelphimbearhisburdens。

WhenhistenderwordsfelluponLyddy’sdazedbrainshesankbesidehischair，and，claspinghisknees，sobbed：

"Iloveyou，Icannothelplovingyou，IcannothelptellingyouIloveyou！Butyoumusthearthetruth;

youhavehearditfromothers，butperhapstheysoftenedit。

IfImarryyou，peoplewillalwaysblamemeandpityyou。

Youwouldneveraskmetobeyourwifeifyoucouldseemyface;

youcouldnotlovemeaninstantifyouwerenotblind。"

"ThenIthankGodunceasinglyformyinfirmity，"saidAnthonyCroft，asheraisedhertoherfeet……

AnthonyandLyddyCroftsatintheappleorchard，onewarmdayinlatespring。

Anthony’sworkwouldhavepuzzledacasualon-looker。Tenstoutwireswerestretchedbetweentwotrees，fifteenortwentyfeetapart，andeachgroupoffiverepresentedthelinesofthemusicalstaff。

Woodenbarscrossedthewiresatregularintervals，dividingthestaffintomeasures。Aboxwithmanycompartmentssatonastoolbesidehim，andthisheldbitsofwoodthatlookedlikepegs，butwereinrealitywhole，half，quarter，andeighthnotes，rests，flats，sharps，andthelike。

Thesewerecleftinsuchawaythathecouldfitthemonthewiresalmostasrapidlyashismusicalthemecametohim，andLyddyhadlearnedtotranscribewithpenandinkthemusicshefoundinwoodandwire，Hecouldwriteonlysimpleairsinthisway，butwhenheplayedthemontheviolintheyweretransportedintoaloftierregion，suchgeniuslayintheharmony，thearabesque，thedelicatelaceworkofembroiderywithwhichthetunewasinwrought;nowhigh，nowlow，nowmajor，nowminor，nowsad，nowgay，withtheonethrilling，hauntingcadencerecurringagainandagain，tobewatchedfor，longedfor，andgreetedwithathrobofdelight。

Davywasreadingatthewindow，hiscurlyheadburiedinawell-wornShakespeareopenedatMidsummerNight’sDream。

Lyddywassittingunderherfavoritepinkapple-tree，amassoffragrantbloom，morebeautifulthanAurora’smorninggown。

Shewassewing;liningwithsnowylawninnumerablepocketsinasquarebasketthatsheheldinherlap。Thepocketsweresmall，theneedleswerefine，thethreadwasalengthofcobweb。

Everythingaboutthebasketwassmallexceptthehopesthatshewasstitchingintoit;theyweresogreatthatherheartcouldscarcelyholdthem。Naturewasstirringeverywhere。

Theseedswerespringinginthewarmearth。Thehenswerecluckingtotheirdownychicksjustoutoftheegg。

Thebirdswereflyinghitherandthitherintheappleboughs，andtherewasonelittlehomeofstrawsohungthatLyddycouldlookintoitandseethepatientmotherbroodinghernestlings。

Thesightofherbrighteyes，alertforeverysignofdanger，sentarushoffeelingthroughLyddy’sveinsthatmadeherlongtoclaspthelittlefeatheredmothertoherownbreast。

Asweetgravityandconsecrationofthoughtpossessedher，andthepinkblossomsfallingintoherbasketwerenotmoredelicatethantherose-coloreddreamsthatflushedhersoul。

Anthonyputinthelastwoodenpeg，andtakinguphisviolincalled，"Davy，lad，comeoutandtellmewhatthismeans！"

Davywasusedtothis;fromaweeboyhehadbeenaskedtopaintthechanginglandscapeofeachday，andtoputintowordshisuncle’smusic。

Lyddydroppedherneedle，thebirdsstoppedtolisten，andAnthonyplayed。

"ItisthisappleorchardinMaytime，"saidDavy;

"itisthesongofthegreenthingsgrowing，isn’tit？"

"Whatdoyousay，dear？"askedAnthony，turningtohiswife。

LoveandhopehadmadeapoetofLyddy。"IthinkDavyisright，"

shesaid。"Itisadreamofthefuture，thestoryofallnewandbeautifulthingsgrowingoutoftheold。Itisfullofthesweetnessofpresentjoy，butthereispromiseandhopeinitbesides。

ItisliketheSpringsittinginthelapofWinter，andholdingababySummerinherbosom。"

Davydidnotquiteunderstandthis，thoughhethoughtitpretty;

butLyddy’shusbanddid，andwhentheboywentbacktohisbooks，hetookhiswifeinhisarmsandkissedhertwice，——onceforherself，andthenonceagain。

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

THEEVENTFULTRIPOFTHEMIDNIGHTCRY。

InthelittlevillagesalongtheSacoRiver，intheyear1850orthereabouts，thearrivalanddepartureofthestage-coachwastheoneexcitingincidentoftheday。

Itdidnotrunonscheduletimeinthosedays，butstartedfromLimingtonorSaco，asthecasemightbe，ataboutorsomewherenearacertainhour，andarrivedattheotherendoftheroutewheneveritgotthere。Therewerenotrainstomeet（therailwaypopularlyknownasthe"YorkandYank’em"wasnotbuilttill1862）;theroadswereoccasionallygoodandgenerallybad;

andthusitwasoftendusk，andsometimeslateintheevening，whenthelumberingvehicleneareditsfinaldestinationanddrewuptothelittlepost-officesalongtheway。

Howeverlateitmightbe，thevillagepostmasterhadtobeonhandtoreceiveandopenthemailbags;afterwhichhedistributedthenewspapersandlettersinaprimitivesetofpinepigeon-holesonthewall，turnedouttheloafers，"bankedup"

thefire，andwenthometobed。

"Life"Lanewasajollygoodfellow，——justthemantositontheboxseatanddrivethethreehorsesthroughrutsand"thank-you-ma’ams，"

slushandmudandsnow。Therewasaperennialtwinkleinhiseye，hisruddycheekswerewrinkledwithlaughter，andhehadagoodstoryforeveronthetipofhistongue。Hestoodsixfeettwoinhisstockings（hismotherusedtosayshehadthelongestLifeofanywomanintheStateo’Maine）;hisshoulderswerebroadinproportion，andhislungsjustthesorttofillamplyhisnoblechest。Therefore，whenhehadwhatwascalledinthevernacular"turriblebadgoin’，"andwhenanyotherstage-driverinYorkCountywouldhaveshrunkintohismufflerandsnappedandsnarledontheslightestprovocation，LifeLaneopenedhisgreatthroatwhenhepassedoverthebridgesatModerationorBonnyEagle，andsentforthagolden，sonorous"Yoho！halloo！"intothestillair。

Thelateritwasandthestormieritwas，themorevigorheputintothenote，anditwasadrowsypostmasterindeedwhodidnotstartfromhisbenchbythefireatthesoundofthatringinghalloo。

Thustheoldstage-coach，inLifeLane’stime，wasgenerallycalled"TheMidnightCry，"andnotsuchabadnameeither，whetherthetermwasderisivelyappliedbecausethestagewasalwayslate;orwhetherLife’s"Yoho！"

hadcaughtthepopularfancy。

TherewasaprettygirlinPleasantRiver（and，alas！anotherinBonnyEagle）whowenttobedeverynightwiththechickens，butstayedawaketillsheheardfirsttherumbleofheavywheelsonabridge，thenafaint，bell-liketonethatmighthavecomeoutofthemouthofasilverhorn;

whereuponsheblushedasifitwereanofferofmarriage，andturnedoverandwenttosleep。

Ifthestagearrivedingoodseason，Lifewouldhaveafewminutestositontheloafers’beachbesidethebigopenfire;andwhatafeaturehewas，withhistalesculledfromallsortsofpassengers，whowereneversofluentaswhensittingbesidehim"upinfront！"

Therewasatallowdiportwo，andnootherlightsavethatofthefire。

WhothatevertoldastorycouldwishamoreinspiringauditorthanJacobBean，aliteral，honestoldfellowwhotookthemostvitalinterestineverydetailofthestoriestold，lookingupontheirheroesandtheirvillainsaspersonalfriendsorfoes。

Healwayssatinonecornerofthefireplace，pokerinhand，andthecrowdtacitlyallowedhimtheroleofGreekchorus。

Indeed，nobodycouldhavetoldastoryproperlywithoutJakeBean’sparenthesesandpunctuationmarkspokedinatexcitingjunctures。

"That’ssoeverytime！"hewouldsay，withalungeattheforestick。

"I’llbatehewasgladthen！"withanotherstickflungoninjusttherightspot。"Golly！butthatserved’emright！"withathrustatthebacklog。

TheNewEnglandstoryseemedtoflourishundertheseconditions：

acoupleofgoodhardbenchesinastoreortavern，whereyoucouldnotonlysmokeandchewbutcouldkeeponyourhat（therewasnotamaninYorkCountyinthosedayswhocouldsayanythingworthhearingwithhishatoff）;theblazinglogstopoke;andacavernousfireplaceintowhichtobaccojuicecouldbeneatlyandjudiciouslydirected。

Thoseweregoodoldtimes，andthestage-coachwasamightythingwhenschoolchildrenweretaughttotakeofftheirhatsandmakeabowastheUnitedStatesmailpassedtheoldstagetavern。

LifeLane’scoachingdayswereoverlongbeforethisstorybegins，buttheMidnightCrywasstillinprettyfaircondition，andwasdrivenostensiblybyJeremiahTodd，wholivedonthe"back-nippin’"roadfromBonnyEagletoLimington。

WhenIsayostensiblydriven，Ibutfollowtheleadofthevillagers，whodeclaredthat，thoughJerryheldthereins，Mrs。Todddrovethestage，asshedroveeverythingelse。

Asaproofofthislady’sstrongindividuality，shewasstillgenerallyspokenofas"theWidderBixby，"thoughshehadbeensixyearsweddedtoJeremiahTodd。TheWidderBixby，then，wasstrong，self-reliant，valiant，indomitable。JerryToddwas，tousehiswife’sowncharacterization，sosoftyoucouldstickacat’stailintohimwithoutrufflingthefur。

Hewasalwaysalludedtoas"theWidderBixby’shusband;"

butthatwasnoneworspecialmortification，forhehadbeenknownsuccessivelyasMrs。Todd’syoungestbaby，theWidderTodd’sonlyson，SusanTodd’sbrother，and，whenSusanTodd’soldestboyfoughtatChapultepec，WilliamPeck’suncle。

TheWidderBixby’srecordwasfardifferent。

ShewasthemildestofthefourStoversistersofScarboro，andthequartettewassupposedtohavefurnishedmorekindsoftemperthanhadeverbeforecomefromonehousehold。

WhenPeace，theeldest，wasmad，shefrequentlykickedthechurnoutofthekitchendoor，creamandall，——andthatlostherahusband。

Love，thesecond，married，andaccordingtolocaltraditiononcekickedherhusbandallthewayupFoolscapHillwithadriedcod-fish。

Charity，thethird，marriedtoo，——fortheStoversofScarborowerehandsomegirls，butshegotafitmateinherspouse。Shefailedtointimidatehim，forhewasafoemanworthyofhersteel;

butshelefthisbedandboard，andleftinamannerthatkeptupthecreditoftheStoverfamilyofScarboro。

TheyhadhadastormybreakfastonemorningbeforehestartedtoPortlandwithaloadofhay。"Good-by，"shecalled，asshestoodinthedoor，"you’veseenthelastofme！"

"Nosuchluck！"hesaid，andwhippeduphishorse。

Charitybakedagreatpileofbiscuits，andleftthemonthekitchentablewithapitcherofskimmedmilk。

（Shewouldn’tgivehimanythingtocomplainof，notshe！）

Shethenputafewclothesinabundle，and，tyingonhershaker，preparedtowalktoPleasantRiver，twelvemilesdistant。

Asshelockedthedoorandputthekeyinitsaccustomedplaceunderthemat，apleasantyoungmandroveupandexplainedthathewastheadvanceagentoftheSypher’sTwo-in-OneMenagerieandCircus，soontoappearinthatvicinity。

Headdedthatheshouldbegladtogiveherfiveticketstotheentertainmentifshewouldallowhimtopasteafewhandsomepostersonthatsideofherbarnnexttheroad;

thattheirremovalwasattendedwithtriflingdifficulty，owingtothenatureofaverysuperiorpasteinventedbyhimself;

thatanysmallboy，infact，couldtearthemoffinanhour，andbewellpaidbythegiftofaticket。

ThedevilenteredintoCharity（notbyanymeansforthefirsttime），andshetoldthemancomposedlythatifhewouldgivehertenticketshemightpaperoverthecottageaswellasthebarn，fortheyweregoingtotearitdownshortlyandbuildalargerone。

Theadvanceagentwasdelighted，andtheypassedapleasanthourtogether;Charityholdingthepaste-pot，whilethetalkativegentlemangluedsixlionsandanelephantontheroof，afatladyonthefrontdoor，atattooedmanbetweenthewindows，livingskeletonsontheblinds，andladiesinsufficientlyclothedinallthevacantspacesandonthechimneys。

Nobodywentbyduringtheoperation，andtheagentremarked，asheunhitchedhishorse，thathehadneverdoneaneaterjob。

"Why，they’llcomeasfartoseeyourhouseastheywilltothecircus！"heexclaimed。

"Icalculatetheywill，"saidCharity，asshelatchedthegateandstartedforPleasantRiver。

IamnottellingCharityStover’sstory，soIwillonlyaddthatthebill-posterwasmistakeninthenatureofhispaste，andgreatlyundervalueditsadhesiveproperties。

ThetemperofPrudence，theyoungestsister，nowMrs。Todd，paledintoinsignificancebesidethatoftheothers，butitwasaveryprettythingintempersnevertheless，andwouldhavebeenthoughtremarkableinanyotherfamilyinScarboro。

Youmayhavenotedthefactthatitisaperson’svirtuesasoftenashisvicesthatmakehimdifficulttolivewith。

Mrs。Todd’smasterfulnessandevenherjealousymighthavebeenendured，bytheaidoffastingandprayer，butherneatness，hereconomy，andherforehandednessmadeacombinationthatonlythegraceofGodcouldhaveabidedwithcomfortably，sothatJerryTodd’scomparativesuccessisamatteroflocaltradition。Punctualityisapraiseworthyvirtueenough，butastheyearswenton，Mrs。Toddblewherbreakfasthornatsoearlyanhourthattheneighborswereinsomedoubtastowhetheritmightnotheraldthesupperofthedaybefore。

Theyalsopredictedthatshewouldhaveherfuneralbeforeshewasfairlydead，andrelatedwithgreatgustothatwhensheheardtherewastobeaneclipseofthesunonMonday，the26thofJuly，shewishedtheycouldhaveitthe25th，asSundaywouldbesomuchmoreconvenientthanwash-day。

Shehadoilclothonherkitchentosavethefloor，andoilclothmatstosavetheoilcloth;yetJerry’sbootshadtobetakenoffintheshed，andhewasrequiredtowalkthroughinhisstockingfeet。

Sheblackenedherstovethreetimesaday，washedherdishesinthewoodhouse，inordertokeephersinkclean，andkeptonepairofblindsopeninthesitting-room，butspreadnewspapersoverthecarpetwhereverthesunshonein。

ItwasthedesireofJerry’shearttogiveupthefatiguesandexposuresofstage-driving，and"keepstore，"

butMrs。Todddeemeditmuchbetterforhimtobeintheopenairthandealingoutrumandmolassestoaroysteringcrew。

Thisbeingherviewofthecase，itisunnecessarytostatethathewentondrivingthestage。

"Doyouwearaflannelshirt，Jerry？"askedPelFrostonce。

"Idon’know，"hereplied，"askMis’Todd;shekeepsthebooks。"

"Women-folks"（heusedtosaytoacasualpassenger），"likeallotheranimiles，hastobetrainedupbeforethey’rerealgoodcomp’ny。

Youhavetobeginwith’emearly，andbeginasyoumeantoholdout。

Whentheyoncegitinthehabitoftakin’thebitintheirteethandrunnin’，it’stoolateforyoutohold’emin。"

Itwasonlytostrangersthatheairedhisconvictionsonthetrainingof"womenfolks，"thoughforthatmatterhemightsafelyhavedoneitevenathome;foreverybodyinLimingtonknewthatitwouldalwayshavebeentoolatetobeginwiththeWidderBixby，since，likealltheStoversofScarboro，shehadbeenbornwiththebitinherteeth。

Jerryhadneverdoneanythinghewantedtosincehehadmarriedher，andhehadn’treallywantedtodothat。

Hehadbeenrathercandidwithheronthispoint（ascandidasatender-heartedandobligingmancanbewithawomanwhoisdeterminedtomarryhim，andhastwogoodreasonswhysheshouldtoeveryoneofhiswhyheshouldn’t），andthismayhavebeenthereasonforherjealousy。Althoughbyhersuperiorforceshehadoverbornehisvisiblereluctance，she，beingawoman，oratalleventsofthefemalegender，couldneverquiteforgetthatshehaddonethewooing。

Certainlyhischarmswerenotofthesorttotemptwomenfromthestrictandnarrowpath，yetthefactremainedthattheWidderBixbywasjealous，andmorethanonepersoninLimingtonwasawareofit。

Pelatiah，otherwise"Pel"Frost，knewmoreaboutthematterthanmostotherfolks，becausehehadunlimitedtimetodevotetogeneralculture。

Thoughnotyetthirtyyearsold，hewasthelaziestmaninYorkCounty。

（JabeSlocumhadnotthenestablishedhisrecord;andJotBascomhadruinedhisbycuttinghishaybeforeitwasdeadinthesummerof’49，alwaysalludedtoafterwardsinPleasantRiverastheyearwhengoldwasdiscoveredandJotBascomcuthishay。）

Pelwasageneralfavoriteinhalfadozenvillages，wherehewasthelifeoftheloafers’bench。Anenergeticloafercanattendproperlytoonebench，butittakesgeniusaswellasassiduitytodojusticetosixofthem。

Hishabitsweredecidedlyconvivial，andhespentagooddealoftimeatthegeneralmusters，drinkingandcarousingwiththeotherne’er-do-weels。YoumaybesurehewasnofavoriteofMrs。Todd’s;andsherepresentedtohimallthatismostundesirableinwomankind，histasterunningdecidedlytorosy，smiling，easy-goingoneswhohadnoregularhoursformeals，butcouldhaveadinneronthetableanytimeinfifteenminutesafteryougotthere。

Now，acertainladywithanoticeablegreenfrockandawhite"drawn-in"capebonnethadgracedtheMidnightCryonitsjourneyfromLimingtontoSacoonthreeoccasionsduringthemonthofJuly。

Reportsaidthatshewasastrangerwhohadappearedatthepost-officeinawagondrivenbyasmall，freckledboy。

Thefirsttrippassedwithoutcomment;thesecondprovokedsomediscussion;ontheoccasionofthethird，Mrs。Toddsaidnothing，becausethereseemednothingtosay，butshefeltsoout-of-sortsthatshecutJerry’shairclosetohishead，thoughheparticularlyfanciedthethinfringeofcurlsatthenapeofhisneck。

PelFrostwentovertoTodd’sonemorningtoborrowanaxe，andseizedafavorableopportunitytoaskcasually，"Oh，Mis’

Todd，didJerryfindoutthenameo’thatwomaninagreendressandwhitebunnitthatridtoSacowithhimlastweek？"

"Mr。Todd’sgotsomethingbettertodothangetacquaintedwithhisladypassengers，"snappedMrs。Todd，"’speciallyastheyalwaysrideinside。"

"Iknowtheygen’allydo，"saidPel，shoulderingtheaxe（itwasforhismother’suse），butthisoneridesupinfrontparto’

theway，soIthoughtmebbeJerry’dfindoutsomething’bouther。

She’shan’someasapicture，butshemusthaveagoodstrongbacktomakethetripdown’n’upinoneday。"

Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreeffectiveormoreeffectualthanthisblowdealtwithconsummateskill。

HavingthusdriventheironintoMrs。Todd’ssoul，Pelentertainedhismotherwithanaccountoftheinterviewwhileshechoppedthekindling-wood。Hehadnospecialendinviewwhen，Iago-like，hedroppedhisfirstpoisonedseedinMrs。Todd’sfertilemind，or，atmost，nothingworsethanthehopethatmattersmightreachanunendurablepoint，andJerrymightstrikeforhisaltarsandhisfires。

Jerrywasamanandabrother，andpetticoatgovernmentmustbediscouragedwheneverandwhereverpossible，ortheworldwouldsoonceasetobeasafeplacetolivein。Pel’sideagrewuponhiminthenightwatches，andthenextmorninghesearchedhismother’sgarrettillhefoundagreendressandawhitebonnet。

Puttingtheminabasket，hewalkedoutontheroadalittledistancetillhemetthestage，when，findingnopassengersinside，heaskedJerrytolethimjumpinand"rideapiece。"

Oncewithin，hehastilydonnedthegreenwrapperandtell-taleheadgear，and，whentheMidnightCryrattleddownthestonyhillpasttheToddhouse，Peltookgoodcaretoexposealargegreensleeveandthesideofawhitebonnetatthestagewindow。

Itwaseasyenoughtocramthethingsbackintothebasket，jumpout，andcallacordialthankyoutotheunsuspectingJerry。

Hewasrewardedforhisingenuityandenterpriseatnight，whenhereturnedMrs。Todd’saxe，forjustashereachedthebackdoorhedistinctlyheardhersaythatifshesawthatgreenwomanonthestageagain，shewouldknockheroffwithabroomstickassureasshewasaStoverofScarboro。

Asamatteroffactshewasequaltoit。Hergreat-grandmotherhadbeenbornonasoilwherethebroomstickisaprominentfactorinsettlingconnubialdifferences;andifitoccurredtoheratthisjuncture，itisasatisfactoryproofofthetheoryofatavism。

Pelintendedtoseethisdomestictragedythroughtotheend，andaccordinglytookanotherbrieftripincostumetheverynextweek，hopingtobethewitnessofasceneofbloodandcarnage。

ButMrs。Todddidnotstirfromherhouse，althoughhewasconfidentshehadseen"myladygreen-sleeves"fromherpostatthewindow。

Puzzledbyherapathy，andmuchdisappointedinhertemper，hetookoffthedress，and，climbingupinfront，rodetoModeration，wherehereceivedanurgentinvitationtogoovertothecountyfairatGorham。ThelastideawasalwaysthemostcaptivatingtoPel，andhedepartedserenelyforastayofseveraldayswithoutsomuchluggageasahairbrush。Hismother’sbestclothespinbasket，tosaynothingofitscontents，appearedatthisjuncturetobeanunexpectedincumbrance;soonthespurofthemomenthehandedituptoJerryjustasthestagewasstarting，saying，"IfMis’

Toddhasabrashto-night，youcanclearyourselfbyshowingherthisbasket，butformassysakesdon’tlayitontome！

Youcanstan’itbetter’nIcan，——you’remoreusedtoit！"

Jerrytookthebasket，andwhenhewaswelloutontheroadhelookedinsideandsawabrightgreencalicowrapper，awhitecapebonnet，awhite"fallveil，"andapairofwhitecottongloves。

Hehadampletimeforreflection，foritwasahotday，andthoughhedroveslowly，thehorsesweresweatingateverypore。

PelFrost，then，musthaveoverheardhiswife’sstormofreproaches，perhapsevenherthreatsofviolence。Ithadcometothis，thathewasthevillagelaughing-stock，abuttofridiculeatthestoreandtavern。

Now，twoyearsbeforethis，JerryToddhadforthefirstandonlytimeinhismarriedlife"puthisfootdown。"

Mrs。Toddhadinsistedonmakinghimasuitofclothesmuchagainsthiswishes。Whenfinishedsheputthemonhimalmostbymainforce，thoughhisplaintiveappealswouldhavemeltedanybutaStover-of-Scarboroheart。

Thestuffwasalargeplaid，theelbowsandkneescameinthewrongplaces，theseatwaslinedwithenameledcloth，andthesleevescuthiminthearmholes。

Mr。Toddsaidnothingforamoment，butthepent-upslaveryofyearsstirredinhim，and，mountingtohisbrain，gavehimamomentarycouragethatresembledintoxication。

Heretired，tookoffthesuit，hungitoverhisarm，and，stalkingintothesitting-roominhisundergarments，laiditonthetablebeforehisastonishedspouse，and，thumpingitdramatically，saidfirmly，"I——will——not——wear——them——clo’es！"whereuponhefellintosilenceagainandwenttobed。

Thejokeofthematterwas，that，allunknowntohimself，hehadabsolutelyfrightenedMrs。Todd。Ifonlyhecouldhaverealizedtheimpressivenessandthethoroughsuccessofhisfirstrebellion！

Butifhehadrealizedithecouldnothaverepeateditoften，forsomuchvirtuewentoutofhimonthatoccasionthathefelthardlyabletodrivethestagefordaysafterward。

"Ishallhavetoputdownmyfootagin，"hesaidtohimselfontheeventfulmorningwhenPelpresentedhimwiththebasket。

"Dernmyluck，I’vegottodoitagin，whenIain’thardlygotovertheothertime。"So，afteranhour’splottingandplanning，hemadesomepurchasesinBiddefordandstartedonhisreturntrip。

Hewasverylowinhismind，thinking，ifhiswifereallymeditateduponwarfare，shewaslikelytoinspectthestagethatnight，butgivinghercreditinhisinmostheartfortoomuchcommonsensetouseabroomstick，——awomanwithhertongue！

TheMidnightCryrattledonlumberingly。Itsroutehadbeenshortened，andMrs。Toddwanteditsnamechangedtosomethinglessoutlandish，suchastheRisingSun，ortheBreakingDawn，ortheHighNoon，butherideametwithnovotaries;ithadbeen，was，andevershouldbe，theMidnightCry，nomatterwhattimeitsetoutorgotback。

Ithadseenitsbestdays，Jerrythought，andsohadhe，forthatmatter。

Yethehadbeencalled"alikelyfeller"whenhemarriedtheWidderBixby，orratherwhenshemarriedhim。Well，themischiefwasdone;

allthatremainedwastosavearemnantofhisself-respect，andmakeanoccasionaldashforliberty。

Hedidallhiserrandswithhisusualcare，droppingablueribbonforDoxyMorton’sSundayhat，fourcents’worthofgum-camphorforAlmiraBerry，aspoolofcottonforMrs。Wentworth，andapairof"galluses"forLivingBean。Hefinallyturnedintothe"back-nippin’"roadfromBonnyEagletoLimington，andwhenhewaswithinfortyrodsofhisownhousehestoppedtowaterhishorses。

Ifhefearedascenehehadgoodreason，forasthehorsesclimbedthecrestofthelonghilltheladyingreenwasbyhissideonthebox。

Helookedanxiouslyahead，andthere，inahedgeofyoungalderbushes，hesawsomethingstirring，and，unlesshewasgreatlymistaken，abirchbroomlayonthegroundnearthehedge。

Notwithstandingthesedangersignals，Jerry’sarmencircledtheplumpwaistoftheladyingreen，and，emboldenedbytheshadesoftwilight，hislipssoughttheidenticalspotunderthewhite"fallveil"whereherincendiarymouthmightbesupposedtolurk，quite"fitfortreasons，stratagems，andspoils。"Thisdone，heputonthebrakeandheadedhishorsestowardthefence。

Hewasnonetoosoon，fortheWidderBixby，broominhand，dartedoutfromthealdersandapproachedthestagewithobjurgationswhich，hadsheratedthemattheirpropervalue，needednosupplementinthewayofblows。Jerrygaveoneterror-strickenlook，woundhisreinsroundthewhipstock，and，leapingfromhisseat，disappearedbehindaconvenienttree。

AtthismomentofblindrageMrs。Toddwouldhavepreferredtochastisebothhervictimsatonce;but，beingrobbedofonebyJerry’scowardlyflight，herweapondescendedupontheotherwithdoubleforce。

Therewasnolackofcouragehereatleast。Whethertheladyingreenwasborneupbytheconsciousnessofvirtue，whethershewastooproudtoretreat，orwhatevermayhavebeenheranimatingreason，theblowfell，yetshestoodhergroundandgavenoansweringshriek。

Enragedasmuchbyherrival’scoolresistanceasbyherownsenseofinjury，theWidderBixbyaimedfullatthebonnetbeneathwhichwerethecharmsthathadbefuddledJerryTodd’sbrain。

ToblastthefatalbeautythathadcaptivatedherweddedhusbandwastheWidderBixby’sidea，andthebroomdescended。

Ashowerofseedsandpulp，acopiousspatteringofpumpkinjuice，andtheladyingreenfellresistlesslyintoherassailant’sarms;

herstrawbody，herwoodenarmsandpumpkinhead，decoratingtheearthatherfeet！Mrs。Toddstaredhelplesslyatthewreckshehadmade，notaltogethercomprehendingtherusethathadledtoherdiscomfiture，butfullyconsciousthatherempirewasshakentoitsfoundations。

Sheglancedineverydirection，andthenhurlingthehatefulgreen-and-whiteliveryintothestage，shegatheredupalltracesoftheshamefulfray，andsweepingthemintoherginghamapronranintothehouseinastormoftearsandbaffledrage。

Jerrystayedbehindthetreeforsomeminutes，andwhenthecoastwasclearhemountedtheseatanddrovetothestoreandthestable。

Whenhehadputuphishorseshewentintotheshed，tookoffhisbootsasusual，but，despiteallhisphilosophy，brokeintoacoldsweatofterrorashecrossedthekitchenthreshold。

"Ican’tstandmanymoreofthesetimeswhenIputmyfootdown，"

hethought，"they’retooweakening！"

Butheneednothavefeared。Therewasagoodsupperunderthemosquitonettingonthetable，and，mostunusualluxury，apotofhottea。

Mrs。Toddhadgonetobedandlefthimapotoftea！

Whichwasthemoreeloquentapology！

Jerryneverreferredtotheladyingreen，thenorafterwards;

hewaswillingtoletwellenoughalone;butwheneverhisspousepassedacertainline，which，beingaStoverofScarboro，shewaslikelytodoaboutonceinsixmonths，hehadonlytosummonhisrecreantcourageandglancemeaninglybehindthekitchendoor，wherethebirchbroomhungonanail。Itwasasimpleremedytooutwardappearances，butmadehisdecliningyearsmorecomfortable。

IcanhardlybelievethatheevertookPelFrostintohisconfidence，butPelcertainlywasnevermoreinterestingtotheloafers’

benchthanwhenhetoldthestoryoftheeventfultripoftheMidnightCryand"thebreakinginoftheWidderBixby。"

NOTES：

1。Onpage20，reenteredisspelledwithdiaeresisoverthesecond"e"。

2。Onpages153&154theversesbeginningrespectively"Rebelmourner"

and"Thisgro-o-oanin’world"areaccompaniedwithstavesofmusicinthetrebleclef。