第6章

"Butwhatofyourfriend，Arnfinn？"exclaimedInga，assheranupthestairsofthepier。"Heofwhomyouhavewrittensomuch。

Ihavebeenbusyallthemorningmakingtheblueguest—chamberreadyforhim。"

"Please，cousin，"answeredthestudent，inatoneofmockentreaty，"onlyanhour’srespite！

IfwearetotalkaboutStrandwemustmakeadayofit，youknow。Andjustnowitseemssograndtobeathome，andwithyou，thatI

wouldrathernotadmitevensogenialasubjectasStrandtosharemyselfishhappiness。"

"Ah，yes，youareright。Happinessistoooftenselfish。Buttellmeonlywhyhedidn’tcomeandI’llreleaseyou。"

"HeIScoming。"

"Ah！Andwhen？"

"ThatIdon’tknow。Hepreferredtotakethejourneyonfoot，andhemaybehereatalmostanytime。But，asIhavetoldyou，heisveryuncertain。Ifheshouldhappentomaketheacquaintanceofsomeinterestingsnipe，orcrane，orplover，hemaypreferitscompanytoours，andthenthereisnocountingonhimanylonger。HemaybeaslikelytoturnupattheNorthPoleasattheGranParsonage。"

"Howverysingular。Youdon’tknowhowcuriousIamtoseehim。"

AndIngawalkedoninsilenceunderthesunnybircheswhichgrewalongtheroad，tryingvainlytopicturetoherselfthisstrangephenomenonofaman。

"Ibroughthisbook，"remarkedArnfinn，makingagiganticefforttobegenerous，forhefeltdimstirringsofjealousywithinhim。"Ifyoucaretoreadit，IthinkitwillexplainhimtoyoubetterthananythingIcouldsay。"

II。

TheOddsonswerecertainlyahappyfamilythoughnotbyanymeansaharmoniousone。

Theexcellentpastor，whowashimselfneutrallygood，orthodox，andkind—hearted，hadoften，intheprivacyofhisownthought，wonderedwhathiddenancestralinfluencestheremighthavebeenatworkingivingamansopeaceableandinoffensiveashimselftwodaughtersofsuchstronglydefinedindividuality。TherewasAugusta，theelder，whowaswhatArnfinncalled"indiscriminatelyreformatory，"andhadauniversaldesiretoimproveeverything，fromtheGovernmentdowntoagriculturalimplementsandpreservejars。Aslongasshewascontenttoexpendthesurplusenergy，whichseemedtoaccumulatewithinherthroughthelongeventlesswinters，upontheZuluMission，andotherlegitimateobjects，thepastorthoughtitallharmlessenough;although，tobesure，herenthusiasmforthosenakedandhowlingsavagesdidattimesstrikehimasbeingsomewhatextravagant。Butwhenoccasionally，inherowninnocentway，sheputbothhispatienceandhisorthodoxytothetestbyherexceedinglypuzzlingquestions，thenhecouldnot，inthedepthofhisheart，restrainthewishthatshemighthavebeenmorelikeotheryounggirls，andlessardentlysolicitousaboutthefateofherkind。

Affectionateandindulgent，however，asthepastorwas，hewouldoften，inthenextmoment，dopenanceforhisunregeneratethought，andthankGodforhavingmadehersofairtobehold，sopure，andsonoble—hearted。

TowardArnfinn，Augustahad，althoughofhisownage，earlyassumedakindofelder—sisterlyrelation;shehadbeenhiscomforterduringallthetrialsofhisboyhood;hadyieldedhimhersympathywiththateagerimpulsewhichlaysodeepinhernature，andhadfeltforlornwhenlifehadcalledhimawaytowhereherwordsofcomfortcouldnotreachhim。Butwhenonceshehadhintedthistoherfather，hehadpedanticallyconvincedherthatherfeelingwasunchristian，andIngahadplayfullyremarkedthatthehopethatsomeonemightsoonfindtheopenPolarSeawouldgofartowardconsolingherforherloss;forAugustahadgloriousvisionsatthattimeoftheopenPolarSea。

Now，thePolarSea，andmanyotherthings，farneareranddearer，hadbeenforcedintouneasyforgetfulness;andArnfinnwasoncemorewithher，nolongerachild，andnolongerappealingtoherforaidandsympathy;manenough，ap—

parently，tohaveoutgrownhisboyishneedsandstillboyenoughtobeashamedofhavingeverhadthem。

ItwasthethirdSundayafterArnfinn’sreturn。HeandAugustawereclimbingthehillsidetothe"Giant’sHood，"fromwhencetheyhadawideviewofthefjord，andcouldseethesuntrailingitslongbridgeofflameuponthewater。ItwasInga’sweekinthekitchen，thereforehersisterwasArnfinn’scompanion。

Astheyreachedthecrestofthe"Hood，"

Augustaseatedherselfonaflatbowlder，andtheyoungstudentflunghimselfonapatchofgreenswardatherfeet。Theintenselightofthelatesunfelluponthegirl’sunconsciousface，andArnfinnlay，gazingupintoit，andwonderingatitsrarebeauty;buthesawonlythecleancutofitsfeaturesandthepurityofitsform，beingtooshallowtorecognizethestrongandheroicsoulwhichhadstruggledsolongforutteranceinthelifeofwhichhehadbeenablindandunmindfulwitness。

"Gracious，howbeautifulyouare，cousin！"

hebrokeforth，heedlessly，strikinghislegwithhisslendercane;"pityyouwerenotbornaqueen;youwouldbeequaltoalmostanything，evenifitweretodiscoverthePolarSea。"

"Ithoughtyouwerelookingatthesun，Arnfinn，"answeredshe，smilingreluctantly。

"AndsoIam，cousin，"laughedhe，withanother—emphaticslapofhisboot。

"Thatcomplimentisratherstale。"

"Buttheopportunitywastootempting。"

"Nevermind，Iwillexcuseyoufromfurtherefforts。Turnaroundandnoticethatwonderfulpurplehalowhichishoveringovertheforestsbelow。Isn’titglorious？"

"No，don’tletusbesolemn，pray。ThesunI

haveseenathousandtimesbefore，butyouI

haveseenveryseldomoflate。Somehow，sinceIreturnedthistime，youseemtokeepmeatadistance。Younolongerconfidetomeyourgreatplansfortheabolishmentofwar，andtheimprovementofmankindgenerally。Whydon’tyoutellmewhetheryouhaveasyetsucceededinconvincingthepeasantsthatcleanlinessisacardinalvirtue，thathawthornhedgesaremorepicturesquethanrailfences，andthatsaltmeatisaveryindigestiblearticle？"

"Youknowthefateofmyreforms，fromlongexperience，"sheanswered，withthesamesad，sweetsmile。"Iamafraidtheremustbesomethingradicallywrongaboutmymethods;and，moreover，Iknowthatyouraspirationsandminearenolongerthesame，iftheyeverhavebeen，andIamnotungenerousenoughtoforceyoutofeignaninterestwhichyoudonotfeel。"

"Yes，Iknowyouthinkmeflippantandboyish，"retortedhe，withsuddenenergy，andtossingastonedownintothegulfbelow。

"But，bytheway，myfriendStrand，ifheevercomes，wouldbejustthemanforyou。Hehasquiteasmanyhobbiesasyouhave，and，whatismore，hehasaprofoundrespectforhobbiesingeneral，andisuniversallycharitabletowardthoseofothers。"

"Yourfriendisagreatman，"saidthegirl，earnestly。"Ihavereadhisbookon`TheWadingBirdsoftheNorwegianHighlands，’

andnonebutagreatmancouldhavewrittenit。"

"Heisanoddstick，but，forallthat，acapitalfellow;andIhavenodoubtyouwouldgetonadmirablywithhim。"

Atthismomenttheconversationwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofthepastor’sman，Hans，whocametotellthe"youngmiss"thattherewasabigtramphoveringaboutthebarnsinthe"out—fields，"wherehehadbeensleepingduringthelastthreenights。Hewasadangerouscharacter，Hansthought，atleastjudgingfromhislooks，anditwashardlysafefortheyoungmisstoberoamingaboutthefieldsatnightaslongashewasintheneighborhood。

"Whydon’tyouspeaktothepastor，andhavehimarrested？"saidArnfinn，impatientofHans’slong—windedrecital。

"No，no，saynothingtofather，"demandedAugusta，eagerly。"Whyshouldyouarrestapoormanaslongashedoesnothingworsethansleepinthebarnsintheout—fields？"

"Asyousay，miss，"retortedHans，anddeparted。

Themooncameuppaleandmist—likeovertheeasternmountainridges，struggledforafewbriefmomentsfeeblywiththesunlight，andthenvanished。

"Itisstrange，"saidArnfinn，"howeverythingremindsmeofStrandto—night。Whatgloriouslyabsurdapostrophestothemoonhecouldmake！Ihavenottoldyou，cousin，ofaverysingulargiftwhichhepossesses。Hecanattractallkindsofbirdsandwildanimalstohimself;hecanimitatetheirvoices，andtheyflockaroundhim，asifhewereoneofthem，withoutfearofharm。"

"Howdelightful，"criedAugusta，withsuddenanimation。"Whatagloriousmanyourfriendmustbe！"

"Becausethesnipesandthewildduckslikehim？

Youseemtohavegreaterconfidenceintheirjudgmentthaninmine。"

"OfcourseIhave——atleastaslongasyoupersistinjoking。But，jestingaside，whatawondrouslybeautifullifehemustleadwhomNaturetakesthusintoherconfidence;whohas，asitwere，aninnerandsubtlersense，correspondingtoeachgrosserandexternalone;whoiskeen—sightedenoughtoreadthecharacterofeveryindividualbeast，andhasearssensitivetothefullpathosofjoyorsorrowinthesongofthebirdsthatinhabitourwoodlands。"

"Whetherhehasanysuchsecondsetofsensesasyouspeakof，Idon’tknow;buttherecanbenodoubtthathisfamiliarity，nottosayintimacy，withbirdsandbeastsgiveshimagreatadvantageasanaturalist。IsupposeyouknowthathislittlebookhasbeentranslatedintoFrench，andrewardedwiththegoldmedaloftheAcademy。"

"Hush！Whatisthat？"Augustasprangup，andheldherhandtoherear。

"Somelove—lornmountain—cockplayingyonderinthepinecopse，"suggestedArnfinn，amusedathiscousin’seagerness。

"Yousillyboy！Don’tyouknowthemountain—

cockneverplaysexceptatsunrise？"

"Hewouldhaveasorrytimeofitnow，then，whenthereISnosunrise。"

"Andsohehas;hedoesnotplayexceptinearlyspring。"

Thenoise，atfirstfaint，nowgrewlouder。Itbeganwithaseriesofmellow，plaintiveclucksthatfollowedthicklyoneuponanother，likesmoothpearlsofsoundthatrolledthroughthethroatinacontinuouscurrent;thencameafewsharpnotesasofalargebirdthatsnapshisbill;thenalong，half—melodiousrumbling，intermingledwithcacklingsandsnaps，andatlast，asortofdiminuendomovementofthesameround，pearlyclucks。Therewasawhizzingofwing—beatsintheair;twolargebirdssweptovertheirheadsandstruckdownintothecopsewhencethesoundhadissued。

"Thisisindeedamostsingularthing，"saidAugusta，underherbreath，andwithwide—eyedwonder。

"Letusgonearer，andseewhatitcanbe。"

"IamsureIcangoifyoucan，"respondedArnfinn，notanytooeagerly。"Givemeyourhand，andwecanclimbthebetter。"

Astheyapproachedthepinecopse，whichprojectedlikeapromontoryfromthelineofthedenserforest，thenoiseceased，andonlytheplaintivewhistlingofamountain—hen，callingherscatteredyoungtogether，andnowandthentheshrillresponseofasnipetothecryofitslonelymate，felluponthesummernight，notasaninterruption，butasanoutgrowthoftheverysilence。Augustastolewithsoundlesstreadthroughthetransparentgloomwhichlingeredunderthosehugeblackcrowns，andArnfinnfollowedimpatientlyafter。Suddenlyshemotionedtohimtostandstill，andherselfbentforwardinanattitudeofsurpriseandeagerobservation。

Ontheground，somefiftystepsfromwhereshewasstationed，shesawamanstretchedoutfulllength，withaknapsackunderhishead，andsurroundedbyaflockofdowny，half—grownbirds，whichrespondedwithalow，anxiouspipingtohisalluringcluck，thenscatteredwithsuddenalarm，onlytoreturnagaininthesamecurious，cautiousfashionasbefore。

Nowandthentherewasagreatflappingofwingsinthetreesoverhead，andaheavybrownandblackspeckledmountain—henalightedclosetotheman’shead，stretchedouthernecktowardhim，cockedherhead，calledherscatteredbroodtogether，anddepartedwithslowanddeliberatewing—beats。

Againtherewasafrightenedflutterover—

head，ashrillanxiouswhistleroseintheair，andallwassilence。Augustahadsteppedonadrybranch——ithadbrokenunderherweight——

hencethesuddenconfusionandflight。Theunknownmanhadsprungup，andhiseye，afteramoment’ssearch，hadfoundthedark，beautifulfacepeeringforthbehindtheredfir—trunk。

Hedidnotspeakorsaluteher;hegreetedherwithsilentjoy，asonegreetsawondrousvisionwhichistoofrailandbrightforconsciousnesstograsp，whichislosttheveryinstantoneisconsciousofseeing。But，whiletothegirlthesight，asitwere，hungtremblingintherangeofmerephysicalperception，whileitssuddennesshelditalooffrommoralreflection，therecameagreatshoutfrombehind，andArnfinn，whominhersurpriseshehadquiteforgotten，cameboundingforward，graspingthestrangerbythehandwithmuchvigor，laughingheartily，andpouringforthaconfusedstreamofdelightedinterjections，borrowedfromallmannerofclassicalandunclassicaltongues。

"Strand！Strand！"hecried，whenthefirsttumultofexcitementhadsubsided;"youmostmarvelousandincomprehensibleStrand！Fromwhatregionofheavenorearthdidyoujumpdownintoourprosaicneighborhood？Andwhatintheworldpossessedyoutochooseourbarnsasthecentreofyouroperations，andnearlyputmetothenecessityofhavingyouarrestedforvagrancy？HowIdoregretthatCousinAugusta’sentreatiesmollifiedmyhearttowardyou。Pardonme，Ihavenotintroducedyou。Thisismycousin，MissOddson，andthisismymiraculousfriend，theworld—renownedauthor，vagrant，andnaturalist，Mr。MarcusStrand。"

Strandsteppedforward，madeadeepbutsomewhatawkwardbow，andwasdimlyawarethatasmallsofthandwasextendedtohim，and，inthenextmoment，wasenclosedinhisownbroadandvoluminouspalm。Hegraspeditfirmly，and，inoneofthoseprofoundabstractionsintowhichhewasapttofallwhenundertheswayofastrongimpression，presseditwithincreasingcordiality，whileheendeavoredtofindfittinganswerstoArnfinn’smultifariousquestions。

"Totellthetruth，Vording，"hesaid，inadeep，full—ringingbass，"Ididn’tknowthatthesewereyourcousin’sbarns——Imeanthatyouruncle"——givingtheunhappyhandanemphaticshake——"inhabitedthesebarns。"

"No，thankheaven，wearenotquitereducedtothat，"criedArnfinn，gayly;"westillboastaparsonage，asyouwillpresentlydiscover，andaverybrightandcozyone，toboot。But，whateveryoudo，havethegoodnesstoreleaseAugusta’shand。Don’tyouseehowdesperatelysheisstruggling，poorthing？"

Stranddroppedthehandasifithadbeenahotcoal，blushedtotheedgeofhishair，andmadeanotherprofoundreverence。Hewasatall，huge—limbedyouth，withaframeofgiganticmold，andalarge，blonde，shaggyhead，likethatofsomegood—naturedantediluviananimal，whichmightfeelthedisadvantagesofitssizeamidthepunybeingsofthislaterstageofcreation。Therewasafrankdirectnessinhisgaze，andanunconsciousnessofself，whichmadehimverywinning，andwhichcouldnotfailofitseffectuponagirlwho，likeAugusta，wasfondoftheuncommon，andhatedsmooth，facileandwell—tailoredyoungmen，withthelabelsofsocietyandfashionupontheircoats，theirmustaches，andtheirspeech。AndStrand，withhislargesun—burnedface，hiswild—growingbeard，bluewoolenshirt，topboots，andunkemptappearancegenerally，wasasufficientlystartlingphenomenontosatisfyevensoexactingafancyashers;for，afterreadinghisbookabouttheWadingBirds，shehadmadeuphermindthathemusthavefewpointsofresemblancetothemenwhohadhithertoformedpartofherownsmallworld，althoughshehadnotuntilnowdecidedjustinwhatwayhewastodiffer。

"SupposeIhelpyoucarryyourknapsack，"

saidArnfinn，whowasflittingaboutlikeasmallnimblespanieltryingtomakefriendswithsomelarge，good—naturedNewfoundland。"Youmustbeverytired，havingroamedaboutinthisQuixoticfashion！"

"No，Ithankyou，"respondedStrand，withanincredulouslaugh，glancingalternatelyfromArnfinntotheknapsack，asifestimatingtheirproportionateweight。"IamafraidyouwouldrueyourbargainifIacceptedit。"

"Isupposeyouhaveagreatmanystuffedbirdsathome，"remarkedthegirl，lookingwithself—forgetfuladmirationatthelargebrawnyfigure。

"No，Ihavehardlyany，"answeredhe，seatinghimselfontheground，andpullingathicknote—bookfromhispocket。"Ipreferlivecreatures。Theiranatomicalandphysiologicalpeculiaritieshavebeenstudiedbyothers，andvolumeshavebeenwrittenaboutthem。Itistheirpsychologicaltraits，iiyouwillallowtheexpression，whichinterestme，andthoseIcanonlygetatwhiletheyarealive。"

"Howdelightful！"

SomeminuteslatertheywereallontheirwaytotheParsonage。Thesun，inspiteofitsmid—

summerwakefulness，wasgettingred—eyedanddrowsy，andthepurplemistswhichhunginscatteredfragmentsupontheforestbelowhadlostsomethingoftheirdeep—tingedbrilliancy。

ButAugusta，quiteblindtotheweakenedlighteffects，lookedoutuponthebroadlandscapeinecstasy，and，appealingtohermoreapatheticcompanions，invitedthemtoshareherjoyatthebeautyofthefaint—flushedsummernight。

"Youaregettingquitedithyrambic，mydear，"remarkedArnfinn，withanairofcousinlysuperiority，whichhefeltwaseminentlybecomingtohim;andAugustalookedupwithquicksurprise，thensmiledinanabsentway，andforgotwhatshehadbeensaying。Shehadnosuspicionbutthatherenthusiasmhadbeenallforthesunset。

III。

InalifesooutwardlybarrenandmonotonousasAugusta’s——alifeinwhichthesmallexternaleventsweresofirmlyinterwovenwiththesubtlerthreadsofyearnings，wants，anddesires——theintroductionofsolargeandnovelafactasMarcusStrandwouldnaturallyproducesomeperceptibleresult。Itwasthatdeplorableinwardrestlessnessofhers，shereasoned，whichhadhithertomadeherexistenceseemsoemptyandunsatisfactory;butnowhispresencefilledthehours，andthenewnessofhiswords，hismanner，andhiswholepersonaffordedinexhaustiblematerialforthought。Itwasnowaweeksincehisarrival，andwhileArnfinnandIngachattedatleisure，drewcaricatures，orreadaloudtoeachotherinsomeshadynookofthegarden，sheandStrandwouldroamalongthebeach，fillingthevastuncloudedhorizonwithlargeglowingimagesofthefutureofthehumanrace。Healwayslistenedinsympatheticsilencewhilesheunfoldedtohimheroftenchildishlydaringschemesfortheameliorationofsufferingandtherightingofsocialwrongs;andwhenshehadfinished，andhemettheearnestappealofherdarkeye，therewouldoftenbeapause，duringwhicheach，withahalfunconsciouslapsefromtheimpersonal，wouldfeelmorekeenlythejoyofthisnewanddeliciousmentalcompanionship。Andwhenatlengthheanswered，sometimesgentlyrefutingandsometimesassentingtoherproposition，itwasalwayswithaslow，deliberateearnestness，asifhefeltbutherdeepsincerity，andforgotforthemomenthersex，heryouth，andherinexperience。Itwasjustthiskindoffellowshipforwhichshehadhungeredsolong，andherheartwentoutwithagreatgratitudetowardthisstrongandgenerousman，whowaswillingtorecognizeherhumanity，andtorespondwithanever—readyfrankness，unmixedwithpettysuspicionsandsecondthoughts，totheeagerneedsofherhalf—

starvednature。Itisquitecharacteristic，too，ofthetypeofwomanhoodwhichAugustarepresents（andwithwhichthisbroadcontinentofoursabounds），that，withherhabitualdisregardofappearances，shewouldhavescornedthenotionthattheirintercoursehadanyultimateendbeyondthatofmutualpleasureandinstruction。

ItwasearlyinthemorninginthethirdweekofStrand’sstayattheParsonage。Aheavydewhadfallenduringthenight，andeachtinygrass—bladeglistenedinthesun，bendingundertheweightofitsliquiddiamond。Thebirdswereimprovisingaminiaturesymphonyinthebirchesattheendofthegarden;thesong—

thrushwarbledwithasweetmelancholyhislong—drawncontraltonotes;thelark，likeaprimadonna，hoveringconspicuouslyinmidair，pouredforthherjoyoussopranosolo;andtherobin，quiteunmindfulofthetempo，filledoutthepauseswithhisthoughtlessstaccatochirp。Augusta，whowasherselftheearlybirdofthepastor’sfamily，hadpaidavisittothelittlebath—housedownatthebrook，andwasnowhurryinghomeward，herheavyblackhairconfinedinadelicatemuslinhood，andherlitheformhastilywrappedinaloosemorninggown。

Shehadpausedforamomentunderthebirchestolistentothesongofthelark，whensuddenlyalow，halfarticulatesound，veryunlikethevoiceofabird，arrestedherattention;sheraisedhereyes，andsawStrandsittinginthetopofatree，apparentlyconversingwithhimself，orwithsometinythingwhichheheldinhishands。

"Ah，yes，youpoorlittlesicklything！"sheheardhimmutter。"Don’tyoumakesuchanadonow。Youshallsoonbequitewell，ifyouwillonlymindwhatItellyou。Stop，stop！

Takeiteasy。Itisallforyourowngood，youknow。Ifyouhadonlybeenprudent，andnotsteppedonyourlameleg，youmighthavebeensparedthisaffliction。But，afterall，itwasnotyourfault——itwasthatfoolishlittlemotherofyours。Shewillremembernowthataskeinofhempthreadisnotthethingtolinehernestwith。Ifshedoesn’t，youmaytellherthatitwasIwhosaidso。"

Augustastoodgazingoninmuteastonishment;

then，suddenlyrememberingherhastytoilet，shestartedtorun;but，aschancewouldhaveit，adrybranch，whichhungratherlow，caughtatherhood，andherhairfellinablackwavystreamdownoverhershoulders。Shegavealittlecry，thetreeshookviolently，andStrandwasatherside。Sheblushedcrimsonoverneckandface，and，inherutterbewilderment，stoodlikeaculpritbeforehim，unabletomove，unabletospeak，andonlyreturningwithasilentbowhiscordialgreeting。Itseemedtoherthatshehadungenerouslyintrudeduponhisprivacy，watchinghim，whilehethoughthimselfunobserved。AndAugustawasquiteunskilledinthosesocialaccomplishmentswhichenableyoungladiestohidetheirinwardemotionsunderashowofpoliteindifference，for，howeverhardshestrove，shecouldnotsuppressaslightquiveringofherlips，andherintenseself—reproachmadeStrand’swordsfalldimlyonherears，andpreventedherfromgatheringthemeaningofwhathewassaying。Heheldinhishandsayoungbirdwithayellowlinealongtheedgeofitsbill（andtherewassomethingbeautifullysoftandtenderinthewaythoselargepalmsofhishandledanylivingthing），andhelookedpityinglyatitwhilehespoke。

"Themotherofthislittlelinnet，"hesaid，smiling，"didwhatmanyfoolishyoungmothersareapttodo。Shetookuponhertheresponsibilityofraisingoffspringwithouthavingacquiredthenecessaryknowledgeofhousekeeping。

Soshelinedhernestwithhemp，andtheconsequencewas，thatherfirst—borngothislegsentangled，andwasobligedtoremaininthenestlongafterhiswingshadreachedtheirfulldevelopment。Isawherfeedinghimaboutaweekago，and，asmycuriositypromptedmetolookintothecase，Ireleasedthelittlecripple，cleansedthedeepwoundwhichthethreadshadcutinhisflesh，andhavesincebeenwatchinghimduringhisconvalescence。Nowheisquiteinafairway，butIhadtoapplysomesalve，andtocutoffthefeathersaboutthewound，andthelittlefoolsquirmedunderthepain，andgrewrebellious。Onlynoticethisscar，ifyouplease，MissOddson，andyoumayimaginewhatthepoorthingmusthavesuffered。"

Augustagaveastart;shetimidlyraisedhereyes，andsawStrand’sgravegazefixeduponher。Shefeltasifsomeintolerablespellhadcomeoverher，and，asheragitationincreased，herpowerofspeechseemedutterlytodeserther。

"Ah，youhavenotbeenlisteningtome？"

saidStrand，inatoneofwonderinginquiry。

"Pardonmeforpresumingtobelievethatmylittleinvalidcouldbeasinterestingtoyouasheistome。"

"Mr。Strand，"stammeredthegirl，whiletheinvisibletearscamenearchokinghervoice。

"Mr。Strand——Ididn’tmean——really——"

Sheknewthatifshesaidanotherwordsheshouldburstintotears。Withaviolenteffort，shegatheredupherwrapper，whichsomehowhadgotunbuttonedattheneck，and，withheedlesslyhurryingsteps，dartedawaytowardthehouse。

Strandstoodlookingafterher，quiteunmindfulofhisfeatheredpatient，whichflewchirpingabouthiminthegrass。TwohourslaterArnfinnfoundhimsittingunderthebircheswithhishandsclaspedoverthetopofhishead，andhissurgicalinstrumentsscatteredonthegroundaroundhim。

"CorpodiBaccho，"exclaimedthestudent，stoopingtopickuptheprecioustools;"haveyoubeenamputatingyourownhead，orisitI

whoamdreaming？"

"Ah，"murmuredStrand，liftingalarge，strangegazeuponhisfriend，"isityou？"

"Whoelseshoulditbe？Icometocallyoutobreakfast。"

IV。

"IwonderwhatisupbetweenStrandandAugusta？"saidArnfinntohiscousinInga。Thequestionerwaslyinginthegrassatherfeet，restinghischinonhispalms，andgazingwithroguishlytendereyesupintoherfresh，bloomingface;butInga，whowasreadingaloudfrom"DavidCopperfield，"andwasdeepinthematrimonialtribulationsofthatnoblehero，onlysaid"hush，"andcontinuedreading。Arnfinn，afteraminute’ssilence，repeatedhisremark，whereuponhisfaircousinwrenchedhiscaneoutofhishand，andhelditthreateninglyoverhishead。

"Willyoubeagoodboyandlisten？"sheexclaimed，playfullyemphasizingeachwordwithalightraponhiscurlypate。

"Ouch！thathurts，"criedArnfinn，anddodged。

"Itwasmeanttohurt，"repliedInga，withmockseverity，andreturnedto"Copperfield。"

Presentlytheseedofacorn—flowerstruckthetipofhernose，andagainthecanewaslifted;

butDora’shousekeepingexperiencesweretooabsorbinglyinteresting，andtheblueeyescouldnotresisttheirfascination。

"CousinInga，"saidArnfinn，andthistimewithasnearanapproachtoearnestnessashewascapableofatthatmoment，"IdobelievethatStrandisinlovewithAugusta。"

Ingadroppedthebook，andsenthimwhatwasmeanttobeaglanceofsevererebuke，andthensaid，inherownamusinglyemphaticway：

"Idowishyouwouldn’tjokewithsuchthings，Arnfinn。"

"Joke！IndeedIamnotjoking。IwishtoheaventhatIwere。Whatapityitisthatshehastakensuchadisliketohim！"

"Dislike！Oh，youareaprofoundphilosopher，youare！Youthinkthatbecausesheavoids——"

HereIngaabruptlyclappedherhandoverhermouth，and，withsuddenchangeofvoiceandexpression，said：

"Iamassilentasthegrave。"

"Yes，youarewonderfullydiscreet，"criedArnfinn，laughing，whilethegirlbitherunderlipwithanairofpenitenceandmortificationwhich，inanyotherbosomthanacousin’swouldhavearousedcompassion。

"Aha！Sosteht’s！"hebrokeforth，withanotherburstofmerriment;then，softenedbythesightofatearthatwasslowlygatheringbeneathhereyelashes，hecheckedhislaughter，creptuptoherside，andinahalfchildishlycoaxing，halfcaressingtone，hewhispered：

"Dearlittlecousin，indeedIdidn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings。Youarenotangrywithme，areyou？Andifyouwillonlypromisemenottotell，IhavesomethingherewhichIshouldliketoshowyou。"

HewellknewthattherewasnothingwhichwouldsoonersootheInga’swraththanconfidingasecrettoher;andwhilehewasaboy，hehad，incasesofsoreneed，inventedsecretslesthislifeshouldbemademiserablebythesensethatshewasdispleasedwithhim。Inthisinstanceherangerwasnotstrongenoughtoresisttheanticipationofasecret，probablyrelatingtothatlittledramawhichhad，duringthelastweeks，beeninprogressunderherveryeyes。

Witharesolutemovement，shebrushedhertearsaway，benteagerlyforward，and，inthenextmoment，herfacewasallexpectancyandanimation。

Arnfinnpulledathickblacknote—bookfromhisbreastpocket，openeditinhislap，andread：

"August3，5A。M。——Mylittleinvalidisdoingfinely;heseemedtorelishmuchafewdozenflieswhichIbroughthiminmyhand。Hispulseisto—day，forthefirsttime，normal。Heisbeginningtostepontheinjuredlegwithoutapparentpain。

"10A。M。——MissAugusta’seyeshaveastrange，lustrousbrilliancywhenevershespeaksofsubjectswhichseemtoagitatethedepthsofherbeing。Howandwhyisitthatanexcessiveamountoffeelingalwaysfindsitsfirstexpressionintheeye？Onekindofemotionseemstowidenthepupil，anotherkindtocontractit。TObenoticedinfuture，howparticularemotionsaffecttheeye。

"6P。M。——Imetaploveronthebeachthisafternoon。Byimitatinghiscry，Iinducedhimtocomewithinafewfeetofme。Theplover，ashiscryindicates，isaverymelancholybird。

InfactIbelievethemelancholytemperamenttobeprevailingamongthewadingbirds，asthephlegmaticamongbirdsofprey。Thesingingbirdsarecholericorsanguine。Teaseathrush，orevenalark，andyouwillsoonbeconvinced。

Asnipe，orplover，asfarasmyexperiencegoes，seldomshowsanger;youcannotteasethem。

Tobeconsidered，howfarthevoiceofabirdmaybeindicativeofitstemperament。

"August5，9P。M。——Sincetheunfortunatemeetingyesterdaymorning，whenmyintensepre—occupationwithmylinnet，whichhadtornitswoundopenagain，probablymademecommitsomebreachofetiquette，MissAugustaavoidsme。

"August7——Iaminamostsingularstate。

Mypulsebeats85，whichisamostunheard—ofthingforme，asmypulseisnaturallyfullandslow。And，strangelyenough，Idonotfeelatallunwell。Onthecontrary，myphysicalwell—

beingisratherheightenedthanotherwise。

Thelifeofawholeweekiscrowdedintoaday，andthatofadayintoanhour。"

Inga，who，atseveralpointsofthisnarrative，hadbeenstrugglinghardtopreservehergravity，hereburstintoaringinglaugh。

"ThatiswhatIcallscientificlove—making，"

saidArnfinn，lookingupfromthebookwithanexpressionofsubduedamusement。

"ButArnfinn，"criedthegirl，whilethelaughterquicklydiedoutofherface，"doesMr。

Strandknowthatyouarereadingthis？"

"Tobesurehedoes。Andthatisjustwhattomymindmakesthesituationsoexcessivelycomical。Hehashimselfnosuspicionthatthisbookcontainsanythingbutscientificnotes。Heappearstoprefertheempiricmethodinloveasinphilosophy。Iverilybelievethatheisinnocentlyexperimentingwithhimself，withaviewtomakingsomegreatphysiologicaldiscovery。"

"Andsohewill，perhaps，"rejoinedthegirl，themixtureofgayetyandgravesolicitudemakingherface，ashercousinthought，particularlycharming。

"Onlynotaphysiological，butpossiblyapsychologicalone，"remarkedArnfinn。"Butlistentothis。Hereissomethingrich：

"August9——MissAugustaoncesaidsomethingaboutthepossibilityofanimalsbeingimmortal。

Hereyesshonewithabeautifulanimationasshespoke。Iamlongingtocontinuethesubjectwithher。Ithauntsmethewholedaylong。Theremaybemoreintheideathanappearstoasuperficialobserver。"

"Oh，howcharminglyheunderstandshowtodeceivehimself，"criedInga。

"Merelyaquidproquo，"saidArnfinn。

"IknowwhatIshalldo！"

"AndsodoI。"

"Won’tyoutellme，please？"

"No。"

"ThenIsha’n’ttellyoueither。"

Andtheyflewapartliketwothoughtlesslittlebirds（"sanguine，"asStrandwouldhavecalledthem），eachtoponderonsomeformidableplotforthereconciliationoftheestrangedlovers。

V。

Duringtheweekthatensued，themultifarioussub—currentsofStrand’spassionseemedslowlytogatherthemselvesintooneclearlydefinedstream，and，aftermuchscientificspeculation，hecametotheconclusionthathelovedAugusta。Inamomentofextremediscouragement，hemadeacleanbreastofittoArnfinn，atthesametimeinforminghimthathehadpackedhisknapsack，andwouldstartonhiswanderingsagainthenextmorning。Allhisfriend’sentreatieswereinvain;hewouldandmustgo。Strandwasanexasperatinglyhead—

strongfellow，andpersuasionsneverprevailedwithhim。Hehadconfirmedhimselfinthebeliefthathewasveryunattractivetowomen，andthatAugusta，ofallwomen，forsomereasonwhichwasnotquitecleartohim，hatedandabhorredhim。Inexperiencedashewas，hecouldseenoreasonwhysheshouldavoidhim，ifshedidnothatehim。Theysattalkinguntilmid—

night，eachentanglinghimselfinthosepassionateparadoxesandcontradictionspeculiartopassionateandimpulsiveyouth。Strandpacedthefloorwithlargesteps，pouringouthislongpent—upemotioninviolenttiradesofself—

accusationandregret;whileArnfinnsatonthebed，tryingtosoothehisexcitementbyassuringhimthathewasnotsuchamonsteras，forthemoment，hehadbelievedhimselftobe，butonlysucceeding，inspiteofallhisefforts，inpouringoilontheflames。StrandwasscientificallyconvincedthatNature，inaccordancewithsomeinscrutablelawofequilibrium，hadfounditnecessarytomakehimphysicallyunattractive，perhapstoindemnifymankindforthatexcessofintellectualgiftswhich，attheexpenseoftheraceatlarge，shehadbestoweduponhim。

Earlythenextmorning，asakindofetherealizedsunshinebrokethroughthewhitemuslincurtainsofArnfinn’sroom，andlongstreaksofsun—illuminedduststolethroughtheairtowardthesleeper’spillow，therewasasharprapatthedoor，andStrandentered。Hisknapsackwasstrappedoverhisshoulders，hislongstaffwasinhishand，andtherewasanexpressionofconsciousmartyrdominhisfeatures。Arnfinnraisedhimselfonhiselbows，andrubbedhiseyeswithadesperatedeterminationtogetawake，butonlysucceededingainingaverydimimpressionofabeard，abluewoolenshirt，andadisproportionatelylargeshoebuckle。Thefigureadvancedtothebed，extendedabroad，sun—burnedhand，andadeepbassvoicewasheardtosay：

"Good—bye，brother。"

Arnfinn，whowasahardsleeper，gaveanotherrub，and，inaquerulouslysleepytone，managedtomutter：

"Why，——isitaslateasthat——already？"

Thewordsofpartingweremoreremotelyrepeated，thehandclosedaboutArnfinn’shalf—

unfeelingfingers，thelockonthedoorgavealittlesharpclick，andallwasstill。Butthesunshinedrovethedustinadumb，confuseddancethroughtheroom。

Somefourhourslater，Arnfinnwokeupwithavaguefeelingasifsomegreatcalamityhadhappened;hewasnotsurebutthathehadsleptafortnightormore。Hedressedwithasleepy，recklesshaste，beingbutdimlyconsciousofthelogicofthevariousprocessesofablutionwhichheunderwent。HehurrieduptoStrand’sroom，but，ashehadexpected，founditempty。

Duringalltheafternoon，thereadingof"DavidCopperfield"wasinterruptedbyfrequentmutualcondolences，andattimesInga’shandwouldstealuptohereyetobrushawayatreacheroustear。Butthensheonlyreadthefaster，andDavidandAgneswerealreadysafeinthehavenofmatrimonybeforeeithersheorArnfinnwasawarethattheyhadstruggledsuccessfullythroughtheperilousreefsandquick—

sandsofcourtship。

Augustaexcusedherselffromsupper，Inga’sforceddevicesatmerrimentweretootransparent，Arnfinn’stable—talkwasofarambling，incoherentsort，andheanswereddreadfullymalapropos，ifachancewordwasaddressedtohim，andeventhegood—naturedpastorbegan，atlast，togrumble;fortheinmatesoftheGranParsonageseemedtohavebutonelifeandonesoulincommon，andanyindividualdisturbanceimmediatelydisturbedthepeaceandhappinessofthewholehousehold。Nowgloomhad，insomeunaccountablefashion，obscuredthecommonatmosphere。Ingashookhersmallwisehead，andtriedtoextractsomelittleconsolationfromtheconsciousnessthatsheknewatleastsomethingswhichArnfinndidnotknow，andwhichitwouldbeveryunsafetoconfidetohim。

VI。

FourweeksafterStrand’sdeparture，asthesummerhadalreadyassumedthattingeofsadnesswhichimpressesoneasaforebodingofcomingdeath，Augustawaswalkingalongthebeach，watchingtheflightofthesea—birds。Herlatest"aberration，"asArnfinncalledit，wasanextraordinaryinterestinthehabitsoftheeider—

ducks，auks，andsea—gulls，thenoisymonotonyofwhoseexistencehad，butafewmonthsago，appearedtoherthesymbolofallthatwasvulgarandcoarseinhumanandanimallife。Nowshehadevenprovidedherselfwithanote—book，and（touseoncemorethelanguageofherunbelievingcousin）affectedahalf—scientificinterestintheirclamorouspursuits。Shehadmademanyvainattemptstoimitatetheirvoicesandtobeguilethemintocloserintimacy，andhadfoundithardattimestosuppressherindignationwhentheypersistedinviewingherinthelightofanintruder，andinreturningheramiableapproacheswithshysuspicion，asiftheydoubtedthesincerityofherintentions。

Shewasalittlepalernow，perhaps，thanbefore，buthereyeshadstillthesamelustrousdepth，andthesamesweetserenitywasstilldiffusedoverherfeatures，andsoftened，likeapervadingtingeofwarmcolor，thegrandsimplicityofherpresence。Shesatdownonalargerock，pickedupacuriouslytwistedshell，andseeingaploverwadinginthesurf，gaveasoft，lowwhistle，whichmadethebirdturnroundandgazeatherwithstartleddistrust。

Sherepeatedthecall，butperhapsalittletooeagerly，andthebirdspreaditswingswithafrightenedcry，andskimmed，halfflying，halfrunning，outovertheglitteringsurfaceofthefjord。Butfromtherocksclosebycamealongmelancholywhistlelikethatofabirdindistress，andthegirlroseandhastenedwitheagerstepstowardthespot。Sheclimbeduponastone，fringedallaroundwithgreenslimysea—

weeds，inordertogainawiderviewofthebeach。Thensuddenlysomehugefigurestartedupbetweentherocksatherfeet;shegavealittlescream，herfootslipped，andinthenextmomentshelay——inStrand’sarms。Heofferednoapology，butsilentlycarriedherovertheslipperystones，anddepositedhertenderlyuponthesmoothwhitesand。Thereitoccurredtoherthathisattentionwasquiteneedless，butatthemomentshewastoostartledtomakeanyremonstrance。

"Buthowintheworld，Mr。Strand，didyoucomehere？"shemanagedatlasttostammer。

"Weallthoughtthatyouhadgoneaway。"

"Ihardlyknowmyself，"saidStrand，inabeseechingundertone，quitedifferentfromhisusualconfidentbass。"Ionlyknowthat——thatIwasverywretched，andthatIhadtocomeback。"

Thentherewasapause，whichtobothseemedquiteinterminable，and，inordertofillitoutinsomeway，Strandbegantomovehisheadandarmsuneasily，andatlengthseatedhimselfatAugusta’sside。Thebloodwasbeatingwithfeverishvehemenceinhertemples，andforthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltsomethingakintopityforthislarge，strongman，whosestrengthandcheerfulself—reliancehadhithertoseemedtoraisehimabovetheneedofawoman’saidandsympathy。Nowtheveryshabbinessofhisappearance，andthelookofappealingmiseryinhisfeatures，openedinherbosomthegatethroughwhichcompassioncouldenter，and，withthatgenerousself—forgetfulnesswhichwasthechieffactorofhercharacter，sheleanedovertowardhim，andsaid：

"Youmusthavebeenverysick，Mr。Strand。

Whydidyounotcometousandallowustotakecareofyou，insteadofroamingabouthereinthisstonywilderness？"

"Yes;Ihavebeensick，"criedStrand，withsuddenvehemence，seizingherhand;"butitisasicknessofwhichIshallnever，neverbehealed。"

Andwiththatworld—oldeloquencewhichisyetevernew，hepouredforthhispassionateconfessioninherear，andshelistened，hungrilyatfirst，thenwithserene，wide—eyedhappiness。

Hetoldherhow，drivenbyhisinwardrestlessness，hehadwanderedaboutinthemountains，untiloneeveningatasaeter，hehadheardapeasantladsingingasong，inwhichthisstanzaoccurred：

"Awoman’sfrown，awoman’ssmile，Norhatenorfondnessprove;

Formaidenssmileonhimtheyhate，Andflyfromhimtheylove。"