\"Holdyourjaw，yougosling，orI’llhityouinstead，\"retortedtheman.
Butbythattimeoneoftheroyalgroomshadmadehisappearanceandthebrutedidnotdarecarryouthisthreat.Whilethegroomstrovetoquietthemare，agreattumultaroseinsomeotherpartofthemarket—place.Therewasawhinnying，plunging，rearing，andscreaming，asifthewholefieldhadgonemad.Theblackmarejoinedintheconcert，andstoodwithherearsprickedupandherheadraisedinanattitudeofpanickyexpectation.QuitefearlesslyErikwalkeduptoher，pattedherontheneckandspokesoothinglytoher.
\"Lookout，\"yelledthegroom，\"orshe’lltrampleyoutojelly！\"
Butinsteadofthat，themarerubbedhersoftnoseagainsttheboy’scheek，withalow，friendlyneighing，asifshewishedtothankhimforhisgallantconduct.AndatthatmomentErik’sheartwentouttothatdumbcreaturewithanaffectionwhichhehadneverfelttowardanylivingthingbefore.Hedetermined，whatevermighthappen，tobidonherandtobuyher，whatevershemightprovetobeworth.Heknewhehadafewthousanddollarsinthebank——hisinheritancefromhismother，whohaddiedwhenhewasababy——andhemight，perhaps，beabletopersuadehisfathertosanctionthepurchase.Atanyrate，hewouldhavesometimetoinventwaysandmeans;forhisfather，CaptainCarstens，wasnowawayonthegreatannualdrill，andwouldnotreturnforsomeweeks.
Asamerematterofform，heresolvedtotrythemarebeforebiddingonher;andslippingacoinintothegroom’shandheaskedforasaddle.Itturnedout，however，thatallthesaddleswereinuse，andErikhadnochoicebuttomountbareback.
\"Rideheronthesnaffle.Shewon’tstandthecurb，\"shoutedthegroom，asthemare，afterplungingtotherightandtotheleft，dartedthroughthegatetothetrack，and，afterkickingupavastdealoftan—bark，spedlikeabulletdowntherace—course.
\"Goodgracious，howrecklesslythatboyrides！\"onejockeyobservedtoanother;\"buthehasgotagoodgripwithhiskneesallthesame.\"
\"Yes，hesitslikeadaisy，\"thesecondreplied，critically;\"butmindmyword，LadyClarewillthrowhimyet.Shenevercouldstandanybodybuttheprincessonherback：andthatwasthereasonherRoyalHighnesswassofondofher.MotherofMoses，won’ttherebeagrandrumpuswhenshecomesbackagainandfindsLadyClaregone！IshouldnotliketobeintheshoesofthemanwhohasorderedLadyClareunderthehammer.\"
\"Butlookatthelad！ItoldyouLadyClarewouldn’tstandnomannerofnonsensefromboys.\"
\"SheiskickinglikeaTrojan！She’llmakehashofhimifheloseshisseat.\"
\"Yes，buthestickslikeaburr.That’sajewelofalad，Itellye.Heoughttohavebeenajockey.\"
UpthetrackcameLadyClare，blackastheaceofspades，actingliketheOldHarry.Somethinghaddispleasedher，obviously，andsheheldErikresponsibleforit.Possiblyshehadjustwakeduptothefactthatshe，whohadbeenthepetofaprincess，wasnowbeingriddenbyanordinarycommoner.Atallevents，shehadmadeuphermindtogetridofthecommonerwithoutfurtherceremony.Puttingherfineearsbackanddilatinghernostrils，shesuddenlygaveasnortandawhiskwithhertail，andupwentherheelstowardtheeternalstars——thatis，iftherehadbeenanystarsvisiblejustthen.Everybody’sheartstuckinhisthroat;forfleet—footedracerswerespeedingroundandround，andthefellowwhogotthrowninthemidstofallthesetramplinghoofswouldhavesmallchanceoflookinguponthesunagain.
Peopleinstinctivelytossedtheirheadsuptoseehowhighhewouldgobeforecomingdownagain;but，forawonder，theysawnothing，exceptacloudofdustmixedwithtan—bark，andwhenthathadclearedawaytheydiscoveredtheblackmareandherrider，apparentlyonthebestofterms，dashingupthetrackatabreakneckpace.
Erikwasdrippingwithperspirationwhenhedismounted，andLadyClare’sglossycoatwasfleckedwithfoam.Shewasnotaware，apparently，thatifshehadanyreputationtoruinshehaddamageditmosteffectually.Herbehavioronthetrackandhertreatmentofthehorse—dealerwerebythistimecommonproperty，andeverydealerandfanciermadeamentalnotethatLadyClarewasthenumberinthecataloguewhichhewouldnotbidon.Allherbeautyandherdistinguishedancestrycountedfornothing，aslongasshehadsouncertainatemper.Hersire，Potiphar，itappeared，hadalsobeensubjecttothesameinfirmitiesoftemper，andtherewasastrainofsavageryinherbloodwhichmightcropoutwhenyouleastexpectedit.
Accordingly，whenadozenfinehorseshadbeenknockeddownatgoodprices，andLadyClare’sturncame，noonecameforwardtoinspecther，andnoonecouldbefoundtomakeabid.
\"Well，well，gentlemen，\"criedtheauctioneer，\"herewehaveabeautifulthoroughbredmare，thefavoritemountofHerRoyalHighnessthePrincess，andnotabiddoIhear.She’sabeauty，gentlemen，siredbythefamousPotipharwhowontheEpsomHandicapandnoendofminorstakes.Takealookather，gentlemen！Didyoueverseeahorsebeforethatwasravenblackfromnosetotail？Ireckonyouneverdid.ButsuchahorseisLadyClare.Themanwhocanfindasinglewhitehaironhercanhaveherforagift.Comeforward，gentlemen，comeforward.Whowillstarther——sayatfivehundred？\"
Aderisivelaughranthroughthecrowd，andavoicewasheardtocry，\"Fifty.\"
\"Fifty！\"repeatedtheauctioneer，inadeeplygrievedandinjuredtone;\"fiftydidyousay，sir？Fifty？DidIhearrightly？Ihope，forthesakeofthehonorofthisfaircity，thatmyearsdeceivedme.\"
Herecamealongandimpressivepause，duringwhichtheauctioneer，suddenlyabandoninghisdramaticmanner，chattedfamiliarlywithagentlemanwhostoodnearhim.TheonlyoneinthecrowdwhomhehadimpressedwiththefactthatthehonorofthecitywasatstakeinthissalewasErikCarstens.Hehadhappilydiscoveredayoungandrichlieutenantofhisfather’scompany，andwastryingtopersuadehimtobidinthemareforhim.
\"But，mydearboy，\"LieutenantThickerexclaimed，\"whatdoyousupposethecaptainwillsaytomeifIaidandabethissonindefyingthepaternalauthority？\"
\"Oh，youneedn’tbotheraboutthat，\"Erikrejoinedeagerly.\"Iffatherwasathome，Ibelievehewouldallowmetobuythismare.
ButIamaminoryet，andtheauctioneerwouldnotacceptmybid.
ThereforeIthoughtyoumightbekindenoughtobidforme.\"
Thelieutenantmadenoanswer，butlookedattheearnestfaceoftheboywithunmistakablesympathy.Theauctioneerassumedagainaninsulted，affronted，patheticallyentreatingorscornfullyrepellingtone，accordingasitsuitedhispurpose;andthepriceofLadyClarecrawledslowlyandreluctantlyupfromfiftytoseventydollars.Thereitstopped，andneithertheauctioneer’stearsnorhisprayerscouldapparentlycoaxithigher.
\"Seventydollars！\"hecried，asifhewerereallytooshockedtospeakatall;\"seven—tydollars！Makeiteighty！Oh，itisasinandashame，gentlemen，andthefairfameofthisbeautifulcityiseternallyruined.Itwillbecomeawaggingoftheheadandabywordamongthenations.Sev—en—tydollars！\"——thenhotlyandindignantly——\"seventydollars！——fifthandlasttime，seventydollars！\"——hereheraisedhishammerthreateningly——\"seventydollars！\"
\"Onehundred！\"criedahighboyishvoice，andinaninstanteveryneckwascranedandeveryeyewasturnedtowardthecornerwhereErikCarstenswasstanding，halfhiddenbehindthebroadfigureofLieutenantThicker.
\"DidIhearahundred？\"repeatedtheauctioneer，wonderingly.
\"MayIaskwhowasthegentlemanwhosaidahundred？\"
Anembarrassingsilencefollowed.Erikknewthatifheacknowledgedthebidhewouldsuffertheshameofhavingitrefused.Buthisexcitementandhissolicitudeforthefairfameofhisnativecityhadcarriedhimawaysocompletelythatthewordshadescapedfromhislipsbeforehewasfullyawareoftheirimport.
\"MayIask，\"repeatedthewielderofthehammer，slowlyandemphatically，\"mayIaskthegentlemanwhoofferedonehundreddollarsforLadyClaretocomeforwardandgivehisname？\"
HenowlookedstraightatErik，whoblushedtotheedgeofhishair，butdidnotstirfromthespot.Fromsheerembarrassmentheclutchedthelieutenant’sarm，andalmostpinchedit.
\"Oh，Ibegyourpardon，\"theofficerexclaimed，addressingtheauctioneer，asifhehadsuddenlybeenarousedfromafitofabstraction;\"Imadethebidofonehundreddollars，or——or——atanyrate，Imakeitnow.\"
Thesameperformance，intendedtoforceuptheprice，wasrepeatedoncemore，butwithnoavail，andattheendoftwominutesLadyClarewasknockeddowntoLieutenantThicker.
\"NowIhavegoneanddoneitlikethebloomingidiotthatIam，\"
observedthelieutenant，whenLadyClarewasledintohisstablebyaliveriedgroom.\"Whatanoverhaulingthecaptainwillgivemewhenhegetshome.\"
\"Youneedhavenofear，\"Erikreplied.\"I’llsoundfatherassoonashegetshome;andifhemakesanytroubleI’llpayyouthatonehundreddollars，withinterest，thedayIcomeofage.\"
Well，thecaptaincamehome，andhavinglonghadtheintentiontopresenthissonwithasaddle—horse，heallowedhimselftobecajoledintoapprovingofthebargain.Themarewasanexquisitecreature，ifevertherewasone，andhecouldwellunderstandhowErikhadbeencarriedaway;LieutenantThicker，insteadofbeinghauledoverthecoals，ashehadexpected，receivedthanksforhiskindandgenerousconducttowardthesonofhissuperiorofficer.AsforErikhimself，hehadneverhadanyideathataboy’slifecouldbesogloriousashiswasnow.Mountedonthatsplendid，coal—blackmare，herodethroughthecityandfaroutintothecountryathisfather’sside;andneverdiditseemtohimthathehadlovedhisfathersowellashedidduringtheseafternoonrides.ThecaptainwasfarfromsuspectingthatinthatepisodeofthepurchaseofLadyClarehisownrelationtohissonhadbeenatstake.NotthatErikwouldnothaveobeyedhisfather，evenifhehadturnedouthisroughsideandtakenthelieutenanttotaskforhiskindness;buttheirrelationwouldinthatcasehavelackedthewarmintimacy（whichinnowiseexcludesobedienceandrespect）andthatlasttouchofdevotedadmirationwhichnowboundthemtogether.
Thatfinetouchofsympathyinthecaptain’sdispositionwhichhadenabledhimtosmileindulgentlyathisson’senthusiasmforthehorsemadethesondoublyanxiousnottoabusesuchkindness，andtodoeverythinginhispowertodeservetheconfidencewhichmadehislifesorichandhappy.Though，asIhavesaid，CaptainCarstenslackedtheacutenesstodiscoverhowmuchheowedtoLadyClare，heacknowledgedhimselfinquiteadifferentwayherdebtor.Hehadneverreallybeenawarewhatasplendidspecimenofaboyhissonwasuntilhesawhimonthebackofthatspiritedmare，whichcutupwithhimliketheOldHarry，andyetneversucceededinflurrying，farlessinunseatinghim.Thecaptainfeltaglowofaffectionwarminghisbreastatthesightofthis，andhisprideinErik’shorsemanshipprovedaconsolationtohimwhentheboy’slessdistinguishedperformancesatschoolcausedhimfretandworry.
\"Aboysofullofpluckmustamounttosomething，evenifhedoesnottakekindlytoLatin，\"hereflectedmanyatime.\"IamafraidIhavemadeamistakeinhavinghimpreparedforcollege.
Inthearmynow，andparticularlyinthecavalry，hewouldmakeareputationintwentyminutes.\"
AndacavalrymanErikmight，perhaps，havebecomeifhisfatherhadnotbeentransferredtoanotherpost，andcompelledtotakeuphisresidenceinthecountry.Itwasnominallyapromotion，butCaptainCarstenswasillpleasedwithit，andevenhadsomethoughtofresigningratherthangiveuphisdelightfulcitylife，andmovefarnorthwardintotheregionofcodandherring.
However，hewastooyoungamantoretireonapension，asyet，andsohegraduallyreconciledhimselftothethought，andsailednorthwardinthemonthofAprilwithhissonandhisentirehousehold.IthadlongbeenaquestionwhetherLadyClareshouldmakethejourneywiththem;forCaptainCarstensmaintainedthatsohigh—bredananimalwouldbeverysensitivetoclimaticchangesandmightevendieontheway.Again，hearguedthatitwasanabsurditytobringsofineahorseintoaroughcountry，wheretheroadsarepoorandwherenature，inmercy，providesallbeastswithrough，shaggycoatstoprotectthemfromthecold.
HowwouldLadyClare，withherglossysatincoat，herslenderlegsthatpirouettedsodaintilyovertheground，andherexquisitehead，whichshecarriedsoproudly——howwouldshelookandwhatkindoffigurewouldshecutamongtheshaggy，stunted，sedate—lookingnagsoftheSognefiorddistrict？Butthecaptain，thoughwhathesaidwasirrefutable，hadtosuspendallargumentwhenhesawhowutterlywretchedErikbecameatthemerethoughtoflosingLadyClare.Sohetookhischances;and，afterhavingorderedblanketsofthreedifferentthicknessesforthreedifferentkindsofweather，shippedthemarewiththerestofhisfamilyforhisnewnorthernhome.
AstheweatherprovedunusuallymildduringthenorthwardvoyageLadyClarearrivedinSognwithoutaccidentoradventure.Andneverinallherlifehadshelookedmorebeautifulthanshedidwhenshecameoffthesteamer，andhalfthepopulationofthevalleyturnedouttoseeher.Itisnousedenyingthatshewasasvainasanyotherprofessionalbeauty，andthewayshedancedandpirouettedonthegangplank，whenErikledherontothepier，filledtherusticswithamazement.Theyhadcometolookatthenewcaptainandhisfamily;butwhenLadyClareappearedsheeclipsedtherestofthecompanysocompletelythatnoonehadeyesforanybodybuther.Asthesunwasshiningandthewindwasmild，Erikhadtakenoffherstripedovercoat（whichcoveredherfromnosetotail），forhefeltineveryfibreofhisbodythesensationshewasmaking，andblushedwithpleasureasiftheadmiringexclamationshadbeenintendedforhimself.
\"Lookatthathorse，\"criedyoungandold，witheyesasbigassaucers，pointingwiththeirfingersatLadyClare.
\"Handsomecarcassthatmarehas，\"remarkedastoutishman，whoknewwhathewastalkingabout;\"andheadandlegstomatch.\"
\"ShebeatsyourValders—Roanallhollow，JohnGarvestad，\"saidayoungteasewhostoodnexttohiminthecrowd.
\"MyValders—Roanhasneverseenhismatchyet，andneverwill，accordingtomyreckoning，\"answeredJohnGarvestad.
\"Ho！ho！\"shoutedtheyoungfellow，withamockinglaugh;\"thatblackmareisahandtallerattheveryleast，andIbetyoushe’sahigh—flyer.ShehasgottheprettiestlegsIeverclappedeyeson.\"
\"They’dsnaplikeclaypipesinthemountains，\"repliedGarvestad，contemptuously.
Erik，asheblushinglyascendedtheslopetohisnewhome，leadingLadyClarebyahalter，hadnosuspicionofthesentimentswhichshehadarousedinJohnGarvestad’sbreast.Hewasonlyblissfullyconsciousoftheadmirationshehadexcited;
andhepromisedhimselfagooddealoffuninfutureinshowingoffhishorsemanship.HetookLadyClaretothestable，whereanewbox—stallhadbeenmadeforher，examinedthepremisescarefullyandnailedaboardoveracreviceinthewallwherehesuspectedadraught.HeinstructedAnders，thegroom，withemphaticandanxiousrepetitionsregardinghercare，showedhimhowtomakeLadyClare’sbed，howtocombhermane，howtobrushher（forsherefusedtoendurecurrying），howtoblankether，andhowtoreadthethermometerwhichhenailedtooneofthepostsofthestall.Thelatterprovedtobeamoredifficulttaskthanhehadanticipated;andtheworstofitwasthathewasnotsurethatAndersknewanymoreonthesubjectofhisinstructionattheendofthelessonthanhehadatthebeginning.Tomakesurethathehadunderstoodhimheaskedhimtoenterthestallandbegintheprocessofgrooming.ButnosoonerhadtheunhappyfellowputhisnoseinsidethedoorthanLadyClarelaidbackherearsinaveryuglyfashion，andwithaviciouswhiskofhertailwaltzedaroundandplantedtwohoof—marksinthedoor，justwherethegroom’snosehadthatveryinstantvanished.Asecondandathirdtrialhadsimilarresults;andasthebox—stallwasnewandofhardwood，Erikhadnowishtoseeitfurtherdamaged.
\"Iwon’thavenothin’todowiththathoss，that’sascertainasmynameisAnders，\"thegroomdeclared;andErik，knowingthatpersuasionwouldbeuseless，hadhenceforthtobehisowngroom.
ThefactwashecouldnothelpsympathizingwiththatfastidiousnessofLadyClarewhichmadeherobjecttobehandledbycoarsefingersandroughlycurried，combed，andwashedlikeacommonplebeiannag.Onedoesnotcommencelifeassociatingwithaprincessfornothing.LadyClare，feelingineverynerveherhighdescentandbreeding，hadperhapsasenseofhavingcomedownintheworld，and，likemanyanotherirrationalcreatureofhersex，shekickedmadlyagainstfateandexhibitedtheunloveliestsideofhercharacter.Butwithallherskittishnessandcapriceshewassteadfastinonething，andthatwasherloveforErik.Asthedayswentbyincountrymonotony，hebegantofeelitasaprivilegeratherthanaburdentohavetheexclusivecareofher.Thelow，friendlyneighingwithwhichshealwaysgreetedhim，assoonasheopenedthestable—door，wasasintelligibleanddeartohimasthewarmwelcomeofafriend.
Andwhenwithdaintyalertnesssheliftedhersmall，beautifulhead，overwhichthefinenet—workofveinsmeandered，abovethetopofthestall，andrubbedhernosecaressinglyagainsthischeek，beforebeginningtosnuffathisvariouspocketsfortheaccustomedlumpofsugar，hefeltaglowofaffectionspreadfromhisheartandpervadehiswholebeing.Yes，helovedthisbeautifulanimalwithadevotionwhich，ayearago，hewouldscarcelyhavethoughtitpossibletobestowuponahorse.NoonecouldhavepersuadedhimthatLadyClarehadnotasoulwhich（whetheritwasimmortalornot）was，atallevents，asdistinctandclearlydefinedasthatofanypersonwithwhomhewasacquainted.Shewastohimapersonality——adear，charmingfriend，withcertaindefectsofcharacter（aswhohasnot？）whichwere，however，morethancompensatedforbyherdevotiontohim.
Shewasfastidious，quick—tempered，utterlyunreasonablewhereherfeelingswereinvolved;fullofaristocraticprejudice，whichonlyhersexcouldexcuse;andwhimsical，proud，andcapricious.
Itwasabsurd，ofcourse，tocontendthatthesequalitieswereinthemselvesadmirable;but，ontheotherhand，fewofuswouldnotconsenttooverlooktheminafriendwholovedusaswellasLadyClarelovedErik.
ThefameofLadyClarespreadthroughtheparishlikefireinwitheredgrass.Peoplecamefromafartolookather，anddepartedfullofwonderatherbeauty.WhenthecaptainandhissonrodetogethertochurchonSundaymorning，men，women，andchildrenstoodinrowsattheroadsidestaringatthewonderfulmareasifshehadbeenadromedaryorarhinoceros.Andwhenshewastiedintheclergyman’sstablealargenumberofthemenignoredtheadmonitionofthechurchbellsandmissedthesermon，beingunabletotearthemselvesawayfromLadyClare’scharms.
Butwoetohimwhoattemptedtotakelibertieswithher;thereweretwoorthreehorsyyoungmenwhohadnarrowescapesfrombearingtheimprintofherironshoesfortherestoftheirdays.
Thattaughttheothersalesson，andnowLadyClaresufferedfromnoannoyingfamiliarities，butwasadmiredatarespectfuldistance，untilthepastor，vexedatherrivalrywithhissermon，issuedorderstohavethestable—doorlockedduringservice.
TherewasonepersonbesidesthepastorwhowasillpleasedatthereputationLadyClarewasmaking.ThatwasJohnGarvestad，theownerofValders—Roan.Johnwastherichestmanintheparish，andalwaysmadeapointofkeepingfinehorses.
Valders—Roan，aheavilybuilt，powerfulhorse，withatremendousneckandchestandlongtasselsonhisfetlocks，butrathersquatinthelegs，hadhithertoheldundisputedrankasthefinesthorseinallSogn.BythesideofLadyClarehelookedasastout，good—lookingpeasantladwithcoltishmannersmighthavelookedbythesideofthedaughterofahundredearls.
ButJohnGarvestad，whowasnaturallyprejudicedinfavorofhisownhorse，couldscarcelybeblamedforfailingtorecognizehersuperiority.Heknewthatformerly，onSundays，themenwerewonttogatherwithadmiringcommentaboutValders—Roan;whilenowtheystoodcraningtheirnecks，peeringthroughthewindowsoftheparson’sstable，inordertocatchaglimpseofLadyClare，andallthetimeValders—Roanwasstandingtiedtothefence，infullviewofall，utterlyneglected.Thisspectaclefilledhimwithsuchirethathehardlycouldcontrolhimself.
HisfirstimpulsewastopickaquarrelwithErik;butasecondandfarbrighterideapresentlystruckhim.HewouldbuyLadyClare.Accordingly，whenthecaptainandhissonhadmountedtheirhorsesandwereabouttostartontheirhomewardway，Garvestad，puttingValders—Roantohistrumps，dughisheelsintohissidesandrodeupwithagreatflourishinfrontofthechurchyardgate.
\"Howmuchwillyoutakeforthatmareofyours，captain？\"heasked，ashecheckedhischargerwithunnecessaryvigorclosetoLadyClare.
\"Sheisnotminetosell，\"thecaptainreplied.\"LadyClarebelongstomyson.\"
\"Well，whatwillyoutakeforher，then？\"Garvestadrepeated，swaggeringly，turningtoErik.
\"Notallthegoldintheworldcouldbuyher，\"retortedErik，warmly.
Valders—Roan，unabletoresistthecharmsofLadyClare，hadinthemeanwhilebeenmakingsomecautiousoverturestowardanacquaintance.Hearchedhismightyneck，roseonhishindlegs，whilehistremendousforehoofswerebeatingtheair，andcutupgenerally——allforLadyClare’sbenefit.
She，however，havingregardedhisperformancesforawhilewithamildandsomewhatcondescendinginterest，grewalittletiredofthemandlookedoutoverthefiord，asabellemightdo，withasuppressedyawn，whenhercavalierfailstoentertainher.
Valders—Roan，perceivingtheslight，nowconcludedtomakemoredecidedadvances.SoheputforwardhisnoseuntilitnearlytouchedLadyClare’s，asifhemeanttokissher.Butthatwasmorethanherladyshipwaspreparedtoputupwith.Quickasaflashsheflungherselfbackonherhaunches，downwentherears，andherswastheangriesthorse’sheadthateverhadbeenseeninthatparish.Withanindignantsnortshewheeledaround，kickingupacloudofdustbythesuddennessofthemanoeuvre.AlessskilledriderthanErikwouldinevitablyhavebeenthrownbytwosuchunforeseenjerks;andthefactwashehadallhecoulddotokeephisseat.
\"Oho！\"shoutedGarvestad，\"yourmareshies;she’llbreakyournecksomeday，aslikelyasnot.Youhadbettersellherbeforeshegetsyouintotrouble.\"
\"ButIshouldn’tliketohaveyourbrokenneckonmyconscience，\"
Erikreplied;\"ifnecksaretobebrokenbyLadyClareIshouldprefertohaveitbemyown.\"
Thepeasantwasnotcleverenoughtomakeoutwhetherthiswasjestorearnest.Withapuzzledfrownhestaredattheyouthandfinallybrokeout：
\"Thenyouwon’tsellheratnoprice？Anyway，thedayyouchangeyourminddon’tforgettonotifyJohnGarvestad.Ifit’sspondulixyouareafter，thenhere’swherethere’splentyof’em.\"
Heslappedhisleftbreast—pocketwithagreatswagger，lookingaroundtoobservetheimpressionhewasmakingonhisaudience;
then，jerkingthebridleviolently，soastomakehishorserear，herodeofflikeAlexanderonBucephalus，andswungdownuponthehighway.
ItwasbutafewweeksafterthisoccurrencethatCaptainCarstensandhissonwereinvitedtohonorJohnGarvestadbytheirpresenceathiswedding.Theywereindoubt，atfirst，astowhethertheyoughttoaccepttheinvitation;forsomeunpleasantrumorshadreachedthem，showingthatGarvestadentertainedunfriendlyfeelingstowardthem.Hewasanintenselyvainman;andthethoughtthatErikCarstenshadafinerhorsethanValders—Roanlefthimnopeace.Hehadbeenheardtosayrepeatedlythat，ifthathigh—nosedyouthpersistedinhisrefusaltosellthemare，hewoulddiscoverhismistakewhen，perhaps，itwouldbetoolatetohaveitremedied.Whateverthatmeant，itsufficedtomakebothErikandhisfatheruneasy.But，ontheotherhand，itwouldbetheworstpolicypossible，undersuchcircumstances，torefusetheinvitation.Forthatwouldbeinterpretedeitherasfearorasaristocraticexclusiveness;andthecaptain，whilehewasnewinthedistrict，wasasanxioustoavoidtheappearanceoftheoneasoftheother.AccordinglyheacceptedtheinvitationandontheappointeddayrodewithhissonintothewideyardofJohnGarvestad’sfarm，stoppingatthepump，wheretheywateredtheirhorses.Itwasearlyintheafternoon，andboththehouseandthebarnwerethrongedwithwedding—guests.Fromthesitting—roomthestrainsoftwofiddleswereheard，mingledwiththescrapingandstampingofheavyfeet.
Anothermusicalperformancewasinprogressinthebarn;andallovertheyardelderlymenandyouthswerestandinginsmallerandlargergroups，smokingtheirpipesandtastingthebeer—jugs，whichwerepassedfromhandtohand.ButthemomentLadyClarewasseenallinterestinminorconcernsceased，andwithoneaccordthecrowdmovedtowardher，completelyencirclingher，andviewingherwithadmiringglancesthatappreciatedallherperfections.
\"Didyoueverseecleaner—shapedlegsonahorse？\"someonewasheardtosay，andinstantlyhisneighborinthecrowdjoinedthechorusofpraise，andadded：\"Whatasnapandspringthereisineverybendofherkneeandturnofherneckandflashofhereye！\"
Itwaswhilethischorusofadmirationwasbeingsunginallkeysandtonesofthewholegamut，thatthebridegroomcameoutofthehouse，alittlebittipsy，perhaps，fromthemanytoastshehadbeenobligedtodrink，andbristlingwithpugnacitytotheendsofhisfingersandthetipsofhishair.Everywordofpraisethatheheardsoundedinhisearslikeajeerandaninsulttohimself.Withruthlessthrustsheelbowedhiswaythroughthethrongofguestsandsoonstoodinfrontofthetwohorses，fromwhichthecaptainandErikhadnotyethadachancetodismount.
Hereturnedtheirgreetingwithscantcourtesyandplungedinstantlyintothematterwhichhehadonhismind.
\"Ireckonyouhavethoughtbetterofmyofferbythistime，\"hesaid，withasurlyswagger，toErik.\"Whatdoyouholdyourmareatto—day？\"
\"Ithoughtwehadsettledthatmatteronceforall，\"theboyreplied，quietly.\"IhavenomoreintentionofsellingLadyClarenowthanIeverhad.\"
\"ThenwillyetradeheroffforValders—Roan？\"ejaculatedGarvestad，eagerly.
\"No，Iwon’ttradeherforValders—Roanoranyotherhorseincreation.\"
\"Don’tbecantankerous，now，youngfellow，oryoumightrepentofit.\"
\"Iamnotcantankerous.ButIbegofyoukindlytodropthismatter.Icamehere，atyourinvitation，asaguestatyourwedding，notforthepurposeoftradinghorses.\"
Itwasanincautiousspeech，andwasinterpretedbyeveryonepresentasarebuketothebridegroomforhisviolationoftherulesofhospitality.Thecaptain，anxioustoavoidarow，thereforebrokein，inavoiceoffriendlyremonstrance：\"MydearMr.Garvestad，doletusdropthismatter.Ifyouwillpermitus，weshouldliketodismountanddrinkatoasttoyourhealth，wishingyoualonglifeandmuchhappiness.\"
\"Ah，yes，Iunderstandyoursmoothpalaver，\"thebridegroomgrowledbetweenhisteeth.\"Ihavestoodyourinsolencelongenough，and，byjingo，Iwon’tstanditmuchlonger.Whatwillyetakeforyourmare，Isay，orhowmuchdoyouwanttoboot，ifyoutradeherforValders—Roan？\"
Heshoutedthelastwordswithfuriousemphasis，holdinghisclinchedfistuptowardErik，andglaringathimsavagely.
ButnowLadyClare，whobecamefrightenedperhapsbytheloudtalkandviolentgestures，begantorearandplunge，andbyanunforeseenmotionknockedagainstthebridegroom，sothathefellbackwardintothehorse—troughunderthepump，whichwasfullofwater.Thewedding—guestshadhardlytimetorealizewhatwashappeningwhenagreatsplashsentthewaterflyingintotheirfaces，andtheburlyformofJohnGarvestadwasseensprawlinghelplesslyinthehorse—trough.Butthen——thentheyrealizeditwithavengeance.Andalaughwentup——averitablestormoflaughter——whichsweptthroughtheentirecrowdandre—echoedwithaghostlyhilarityfromthemountains.JohnGarvestadinthemeanwhilehadmanagedtopickhimselfoutofthehorse—trough，andwhilehestoodsnorting，spitting，anddripping，CaptainCarstensandhissonpolitelyliftedtheirhatstohimandrodeaway.Butastheytrottedoutofthegatetheysawtheirhoststretchabigclinchedfisttowardthem，andheardhimscreamwithhoarsefury：\"I’llmakeyesmartforthatsomeday，sohelpmeGod！\"
LadyClarewasnotsenttothemountainsinthesummer，asarenearlyallhorsesintheNorwegiancountrydistricts.Shewasleftuntetheredinanenclosedhomepastureabouthalfamilefromthemansion.Hereshegrazed，rolled，kickedupherheels，andgambolledtoherheart’scontent.Duringthelong，brightsummernights，whenthesunscarcelydipsbeneaththehorizonandreappearsinanhour，clothedinthebreezygarmentsofmorning，shewaspermittedtofrolic，race，andplayallsortsofimprovisedgameswithashaggy，little，plebeianthree—year—oldcoltwhomshehadcondescendedtohonorwithheracquaintance.
Thiscoltmusthavehadsomefinefeelingunderhisroughcoat，forheneverpresumedintheleastupontheacquaintance，beingperhapsawareofthehonoritconferreduponhim.Heallowedhimselftobeabused，ignored，orpetted，asitmightsuitthepleasureofherroyalhighness，withapatient，even—temperedgood—naturewhichwasadmirable.WhenLadyClare（perhapsforfearofmakinghimconceited）tooknonoticeofhim，heshowedneitherresentmentnorsurprise，butwalkedoffwithasheepishshakeofhishead.Thusheslowlylearnedthelessontomakenoexhibitionoffeelingatthesightofhissuperior;nottorunupandgreetherwithadisrespectfullyjoyouswhinny;butcalmlywaitforhertorecognizehimbeforeappearingtobeawareofherpresence.IttookLadyClareseveralmonthstoaccustomShag（forthatwasthecolt’sname）toherways.Shetaughthimunconsciouslytherudimentsofgoodmanners;butheprovedhimselfdocile，andwhenheoncehadbeenreducedtohisproperplaceheprovedafairlyacceptablecompanion.
DuringthefirstandsecondweekafterJohnGarvestad’sweddingErikhadkeptLadyClarestabled，havingavaguefearthattheangrypeasantmightintendtodoherharm.Butshewhinniedsopitifullythroughthelonglightnightsthatfinallyheallowedhiscompassiontogetthebetterofhisanxiety，andoncemoreshewasseenracingmadlyaboutthefieldwithShag，whomshealwaysbeatsoignominiouslythatshefelthalfsorryforhim，andasaconsolationallowedhimgentlytoclawhermanewithhisteeth.ThiswasaprivilegewhichShagcouldnotfailtoappreciate，thoughsheneverofferedtoreturnthefavorbyclawinghim.Atanyrate，assoonasLadyClarereappearedinthemeadowShag’scupofblissseemedtobefull.
Aweekpassedinthisway，nothinghappened，andErik’svigilancewasrelaxed.HewenttobedontheeveningofJuly10thwithaneasymind，withouttheremotestapprehensionofdanger.Thesunsetaboutteno’clock，andLadyClareandShaggreeteditslastdepartingrayswithawhinny，accompaniedbyawantonkickupfromtherear——forwhateverLadyClaredidShagfeltinhonorboundtodo，andwasconsciousofnodisgraceinhisabjectandape—likeimitation.Theyhadspentanhour，perhaps，insuchdelightfulperformances，whenallofasuddentheywerestartledbyadeepbasswhinny，whichrumbledandshooklikedistantthunder.Thencamethetramp，tramp，trampofheavyhoof—beats，whichmadethegroundtremble.LadyClareliftedherbeautifulheadandlookedwithfearlesscuriosityinthedirectionwhencethesoundcame.
Shag，ofcourse，didasnearlyashecouldexactlythesame.
Whattheysawwasabigroanhorsewithanenormousarchedneck，squatfeet，andlong—tasselledfetlocks.
LadyClarehadnodifficultyinrecognizingValders—Roan.Buthowbigandheavyandominoushelookedintheblood—redafter—glowoftheblood—redsunset.ForthefirsttimeinherlifeLadyClarefeltacoldshiveroffearrunthroughher.
Therewas，happily，afencebetweenthem，andshedevoutlyhopedthatValders—Roanwasnotajumper.Atthatmoment，however，twomenappearednexttothehugehorse，andLadyClareheardthesoundofbreakingfence—rails.Thedeephoarsewhinnyoncemoremadetheairshake，anditmadepoorLadyClareshaketoo，fornowshesawValders—Roancomelikeawhirlwindoverthefield，andsopowerfulwerehishoof—beatsthataclodofearthwhichhadstucktooneofhisshoesshotlikeabulletthroughtheair.
Helookedsogigantic，sobrimmingwithrestrainedstrength，andsomehowLadyClare，asshestoodquakingatthesightofhim，hadneverseemedtoherselfsodainty，frail，anddelicateassheseemedinthismoment.Shefeltherselfsoentirelyathismercy;shewasnomatchforhimsurely.Shag，anxiousasevertotakehiscuefromher，hadstationedhimselfatherside，andshookhisheadandwhiskedhistailinanon—committalmanner.
NowValders—Roanhadclearedthefencewherethemenhadbrokenitdown;thenonhecameagain，tramp，tramp，tramp，untilhewaswithinhalfadozenpacesfromLadyClare.Therehestopped，forbackwentLadyClare’sprettyears，whileshethrewherselfuponherhaunchesinanattitudeofdefence.Shewasdimlyawarethatthiswasafoolishthingtodo，butherinbreddisdainandhorrorofeverythingroughmadeheractoninstinctinsteadofreason.
Valders—Roan，irritatedbythisuncalled—foraction，nowthrewceremonytothewinds，andwithoutfurtheradotrottedupandrubbedhisnoseagainsthers.ThatwasmorethanLadyClarecouldstand.Withanhystericalsnortsheflungherselfabout，andupflewherheelsstraightintotheoffendingnose，inflictingconsiderabledamage.Shag，beingnowquiteclearthattheprogrammewasfight，whiskedaboutinexactlythesamemanner，withascloseanimitationofLadyClare’ssnortashecouldproduce，andasecondpairofsteel—shodheelscamewithinahairofreducingtheenemy’sleftnostriltothesameconditionastheright.Butalasforthegenerousfollyofyouth！Shaghadtopaydearlyforthatexhibitionofdevotion.Valders—Roan，enragedbythiswantoninsult，madeadashatShag，andbythemereimpetusofhishugebulknearlyknockedhimsenseless.Thecoltrolledover，flungallhisfourlegsintotheair，andassoonashecouldrecoverhisfootingreeledsidewayslikeadrunkenmanandmadehastetoretiretoasafedistance.
Valders—RoanhadnowaclearfieldandcouldturnhisundividedattentiontoLadyClare.IamnotsurethathehadnotmadeanexampleofShagmerelytofrightenher.Boundingforwardwithhismightychestexpandedandtheblooddrippingfromhisnostrils，hestruckoutwithatremendoushindlegandwouldhavereturnedLadyClare’sblowwithinterestifshehadnotleapedhighintotheair.Shehadjustmanagedbyhersuperioralertnesstododgethatdeadlyhoof，andwasperhapsnotpreparedforaninstantrenewaloftheattack.Butshehadbarelygottenherfourfeetincontactwiththesodwhentworowsofterrificteethplungedintoherwithers.Thepainwasfrightful，andwithalong，pitifulscreamLadyClaresankdownupontheground，and，writhingwithagony，beattheairwithherhoofs.Shag，whohadbythistimerecoveredhissenses，heardthenoiseofthebattle，and，pluckinguphiscourage，trottedbravelyforwardagainstthevictoriousValders—Roan.Hewassofrightenedthathisheartshotupintohisthroat.ButtherelayLadyClaremangledandbleeding.Hecouldnotleaveherinthelurch，soforwardhecame，trembling，justasLadyClarewastryingtoscrambletoherfeet.LedawaybyhissympathyShagbenthisheaddowntowardherandtherebypreventedherfromrising.Andinthesameinstantastunningblowhithimstraightintheforehead，ashowerofsparksdancedbeforehiseyes，andthenShagsawandheardnomore.Aconvulsivequiverranthroughhisbody，thenhestretchedouthisneckonthebloodygrass，heavedasigh，anddied.
LadyClare，seeingShagkilledbytheblowwhichhadbeenintendedforherself，feltherbloodruncold.Shewasstronglyinclinedtorun，forshecouldeasilybeattheheavyValders—Roanatarace，andherfleetlegsmightyetsaveher.Icannotsaywhetheritwasagenerouswrathatthekillingofherhumblechampionoramereblindfurywhichovercamethisinclination.
Butsheknewnowneitherpainnorfear.WithashrillscreamsherushedatValders—Roan，andforfiveminutesawhirlingcloudofearthandgrassandlumpsofsodmovedirregularlyoverthefield，andtails，heads，andlegswereseenflungandtossedmadlyabout，whileanoccasionalshriekofrageorofpainstartledthenight，andre—echoedwithaweirdresonancebetweenthemountains.
Itwasaboutfiveo’clockinthemorningofJuly11th，thatErikawoke，withavaguesensethatsomethingterriblehadhappened.
Hisgroomwasstandingathisbedsidewithaterrifiedface，doubtfulwhethertoarousehisyoungmasterorallowhimtosleep.
\"Whathashappened，Anders？\"criedErik，tumblingoutofbed.
\"LadyClare，sir————\"
\"LadyClare！\"shoutedtheboy.\"Whatabouther？Hasshebeenstolen？\"
\"No，Ireckonnot，\"drawledAnders.
\"Thenshe’sdead！Quick，tellmewhatyouknoworIshallgocrazy！\"
\"No;Ican’tsayforsureshe’sdeadeither，\"thegroomstammered，helplessly.
Erik，beingtoostunnedwithgriefandpain，tumbledinadazedfashionabouttheroom，andscarcelyknewhowhemanagedtodress.Hefeltcold，shivery，andbenumbed;andthedaylighthadacruelglareinitwhichhurthiseyes.Accompaniedbyhisgroom，hehastenedtothehomepasture，andsawtheretheevidenceofthefiercebattlewhichhadragedduringthenight.
Along，black，serpentinetrack，wherethesodhadbeentornupbyfurioushoof—beats，startedfromthedeadcarcassofthefaithfulShagandmovedwithirregularbreaksandcurvesuptowardthegatethatconnectedthepasturewiththeunderbrushofbirchandalder.Herethefencehadbeenbrokendown，andthetrackofthefightsuddenlyceased.Apoolofbloodhadsoakedintotheground，showingthatoneofthehorses，andprobablythevictor，musthavestoodstillforawhile，allowingthevanquishedtoescape.
ErikhadnoneedofbeingtoldthatthehorsewhichhadattackedLadyClarewasValders—Roan;andthoughhewouldscarcelyhavebeenabletoproveit，hefeltpositivethatJohnGarvestadhadarrangedandprobablywatchedthefight.Havingawholesomedreadofjail，hehadnotdaredtostealLadyClare;buthehadchosenthiscontemptiblemethodtosatisfyhissenselessjealousy.Itwasallsocunninglydevisedastobafflelegalinquiry.Valders—Roanhadgottenastray，andbeingaheavybeast，hadbrokenintoaneighbor’sfieldandfoughtwithhisfilly，chasingherawayintothemountains.Thatwasthestoryhewouldtell，ofcourse，andastherehadbeennowitnessespresent，therewasnowayofdisprovingit.
Abandoning，however，forthetimebeingallthoughtofrevenge，ErikdeterminedtobendallhisenergiestotherecoveryofLadyClare.Hefeltconfidentthatshehadrunawayfromherassailant，andwasnowroamingaboutinthemountains.Hethereforeorganizedasearchpartyofallthemaleservantsontheestate，besidesacoupleofvolunteers，makinginallnine.
Ontheeveningofthefirstday’ssearchtheyputupatasaeterormountainchalet.HeretheymetayoungmannamedTollefMorud，whohadoncebeenagroomatJohnGarvestad’s.Thismanhadabadreputation;andastheideaoccurredtosomeofthemthathemightknowsomethingaboutLadyClare’sdisappearance，theyquestionedhimatgreatlength，without，however，elicitingasinglecrumbofinformation.
Foraweekthesearchwascontinued，buthadfinallytobegivenup.Weary，footsore，andheavyhearted，Erikreturnedhome.HisgriefatthelossofLadyClarebegantotellonhishealth;andhisperpetualplansforgettingevenwithJohnGarvestadamountedalmosttoamania，andcausedhisfatherbothtroubleandanxiety.Itwasthereforedeterminedtosendhimtothemilitaryacademyinthecapital.
FourorfiveyearspassedandErikbecamealieutenant.ItwasduringthefirstyearafterhisgraduationfromthemilitaryacademythathewasinvitedtospendtheChristmasholidayswithafriend，whoseparentslivedonafineestateabouttwentymilesfromthecity.Seatedintheirnarrowsleighs，whichweredrawnbybriskhorses，theydrovemerrilyalong，shoutingtoeachothertomaketheirvoicesheardabovethejinglingofthebells.
Abouteighto’clockintheevening，whenthemoonwasshiningbrightlyandthesnowsparkling，theyturnedinatawaysidetaverntoordertheirsupper.Hereagreatcrowdoflumbermenhadcongregated，andallalongthefencestheiroverworked，half—
broken—downhorsesstood，shakingtheirnose—bags.TheairinthepublicroomwassofilledwiththefumesofdampclothesandbadtobaccothatErikandhisfriend，whilewaitingfortheirmeal，preferredtospendthetimeundertheradiantsky.Theyweresaunteringabout，talkinginadesultoryfashion，whenallofasuddenawild，joyouswhinnyrangoutuponthestartledair.
Itcamefromarusty，black，decrepit—lookingmarehitchedtoalumbersleighwhichtheyhadjustpassed.Erik，growingveryserious，pausedabruptly.
Asecondwhinny，lowerthanthefirst，butalmostalluringandcajoling，wassodirectlyaddressedtoErikthathecouldnothelpsteppinguptothemareandpattingheronthenose.
\"Youoncehadahorseyoucaredagreatdealfor，didn’tyou？\"
hisfriendremarked，casually.
\"Oh，don’tspeakaboutit，\"answeredErik，inavoicethatshookwithemotion;\"IlovedLadyClareasIneverlovedanycreatureinthisworld——exceptmyfather，ofcourse，\"headded，reflectively.
Butwhatwasthematterwiththeoldlumbernag？AtthesoundofthenameLadyClaresheprickedupherears，andliftedherheadwithapatheticattemptatalertness.Withalow，insinuatingneighingsherubbedhernoseagainstthelieutenant’scheek.Hehadlethishandglideoverherlong，thinneck，whenquitesuddenlyhisfingersslidintoadeepscarinthewithers.
\"MyGod！\"hecried，whilethetearsstartedtohiseyes，\"amI
awake，oramIdreaming？\"
\"Whatintheworldisthematter？\"inquiredhiscomrade，anxiously.
\"ItisLadyClare！Bytheheavens，itisLadyClare！\"
\"Thatoldramshackleofalumbernagwhoseeveryribyoucancountthroughherskinisyourbeautifulthoroughbred？\"
ejaculatedhisfriend，incredulously.\"Comenow，don’tbeagoose.\"
\"I’lltellyouofitsomeothertime，\"saidErik，quietly;\"butthere’snotashadowofadoubtthatthisisLadyClare.\"
Yes，strangeasitmayseem，itwasindeedLadyClare.Butoh，whowouldhaverecognizedinthisskeleton，coveredwitharusty—blackskinandtousledmaneandforelockinwhichchaffanddirtwereentangled——whowouldhaverecognizedinthisdroopingandricketycreaturetheproud，thedainty，theexquisiteLadyClare？Herbeautifultail，whichhadoncebeenherpride，wasnowamerescantywisp;andasharp，gnarledridgerunningalongtheentirelengthofherbackshowedeveryvertebraofherspinethroughthenotchedandscarredskin.PoorLadyClare，shehadseenhardusage.Butnowthedaysofhertribulationsareatanend.ItdidnottakeEriklongtofindthehalf—tipsylumbermanwhowasLadyClare’sowner;nortoagreewithhimonthepriceforwhichhewaswillingtopartwithher.
Thereisbutlittlemoretorelate.Byinterviewsandcorrespondencewiththedifferentpartiesthroughwhosehandsthemarehadpassed，EriksucceededintracinghertoTollefMorud，theex—groomofJohnGarvestad.Onbeingpromisedimmunityfromprosecution，hewasinducedtoconfessthathehadbeenhiredbyhisformermastertoarrangethenocturnalfightbetweenLadyClareandValders—Roan，andhadbeenpaidtendollarsforstealingthemarewhenshehadbeensufficientlydamaged.JohnGarvestadhadhimselfwatchedthefightfrombehindthefence，andhadlaughedfittosplithissides，untilValders—Roanseemedonthepointofbeingworsted.Thenhehadinterferedtoseparatethem，andTollefhadledLadyClareaway，bleedingfromadozenwounds，andhadhiddenherinadesertedlumberman’sshednearthesaeterwherethesearchershadovertakenhim.
Havingobtainedthesefacts，EriktookpainstoletJohnGarvestadknowthatthechainofevidenceagainsthimwascomplete，andifhehadhadhisownwayhewouldnothaveresteduntilhisenemyhadsufferedthefullpenaltyofthelaw.ButJohnGarvestad，suspectingwhatwasintheyoungman’smind，suddenlydivestedhimselfofhispride，andcringingdikeawhippeddog，cameandaskedErik’spardon，entreatinghimnottoprosecute.
AsforLadyClare，sheneverrecoveredherlostbeauty.Aprettyfair—lookingmareshebecame，tobesure，whengoodfeedingandcarefulgroominghadmadeherfatandglossyoncemore.Alongandcontentedoldageis，nodoubt，instoreforher.Havingknownevildays，sheappreciatestheblessingswhichthechangeinherfatehasbroughther.Thecaptaindeclaressheisthebest—temperedandsteadiesthorseinhisstable.
BONNYBOY
I.
\"Oh，youneverwillamounttoanything，Bonnyboy！\"saidBonnyboy’sfather，whenhehadvainlytriedtoshowhimhowtouseagouge;forBonnyboyhadjustsucceededingougingapieceoutofhishand，andwasstandinghelplessly，lettinghisblooddroponanengravingofNapoleonatAusterlitz，whichhadbeensenttohisfatherforframing.ThetroublewithBonnyboywasthathewasnotonlyawkward——left—handedineverythingheundertook，ashisfatherputit——buthewassoverygood—naturedthatitwasimpossibletogetangrywithhim.Hislargeblueinnocenteyeshadachildlikewonderinthem，whenhehaddoneanythingparticularlystupid，andhewassowillingandanxioustolearn，thathisill—successseemedareasonforpityratherthanforwrath.GrimNorvold，Bonnyboy’sfather，wasbytradeacarpenter，andhandyashewasatallkindsoftinkering，hefounditparticularlyexasperatingtohaveasonwhowassoleft—handed.TherewasscarcelyanythingGrimcouldnotdo.Hecouldtakeawatchapartandputittogetheragain;hecouldmendaharnessifnecessary;hecouldmakeawagon;nay，hecouldevendoctorahorsewhenitgotspavinorglanders.Hewasasortofjack—of—all—trades，andaveryusefulmaninavalleywheremechanicswerefewandtransportationdifficult.Helovedworkforitsownsake，andwasillateasewhenhehadnotatoolinhishand.Theexerciseofhisskillgavehimapleasureakintothatwhichthefishfeelsinswimming，theeagleinsoaring，andthelarkinsinging.Afinlessfish，awinglesseagle，oradumblarkcouldnothavebeenmoremiserablethanGrimwaswhenasuccessionofholidays，likeEasterorChristmas，compelledhimtobeidle.
Whenhissonwasbornhischiefdelightwastothinkofthetimewhenheshouldbeoldenoughtohandleatool，andlearnthesecretsofhisfather’strade.Therefore，fromthetimetheboywasoldenoughtositortocrawlintheshavingswithoutgettinghismouthandeyesfullofsawdust，hegavehimaplaceundertheturningbench，andtalkedorsangtohimwhileheworked.AndBonnyboy，inthemeanwhileamusedhimselfbygettingintoallsortsofmischief.Ifithadnotbeenforthebeliefthatagoodworkmanmustgrowupintheatmosphereoftheshop，Grimwouldhavelostpatiencewithhissonandsenthimbacktohismother，whohadbetterfacilitiesfortakingcareofhim.Butthefactwashewastoofondoftheboytobeabletodispensewithhim，andhewouldratherbearthelossresultingfromhismischiefthanmisshisprattleandhisprettydimpledface.
ItwaswhenthechildwaseighteenornineteenmonthsoldthatheacquiredthenameBonnyboy.Awomanoftheneighborhood，whohadcalledattheshopwithsomearticleoffurniturewhichshewantedtohavemended，discoveredtheinfantintheactofinvestigatingapotofbluepaint，withapartofwhichhehadaccidentallydecoratedhisface.
\"Goodgracious！whatisthatuglythingyouhavegotunderyourturningbench？\"shecried，staringatthechildinamazement.