CHAPTERI
THEMOUNTAINHOME
Faruponthemountain-sidestoodaloneintheclearing。Itwasroughlyyetwarmlybuilt。Behinditjaggedcliffsbrokethenorthwind，andtoweredgray-whiteinthesunshine。Beforeitatinyexpanseofgreenslopedgentlyawaytoapointwherethemountaindroppedinanothersharpdescent，woodedwithscrubbyfirsandpines。Attheleftafootpathledintothecooldepthsoftheforest。ButattherightthemountainfellawayagainanddisclosedtoviewthepictureDavidlovedthebestofall：thefar-reachingvalley；thesilverpoolofthelakewithitsribbonofariverflungfarout；andaboveitthegraysandgreensandpurplesofthemountainsthatclimbedoneuponanother’sshouldersuntilthetopmostthrusttheirheadsintothewidedomeoftheskyitself。
Therewasnoroad，apparently，leadingawayfromthecabin。Therewasonlythefootpaththatdisappearedintotheforest。Neither，anywhere，wasthereahouseinsightnearerthanthewhitespecksfardowninthevalleybytheriver。
Withintheshackawidefireplacedominatedonesideofthemainroom。ItwasJunenow，andtheasheslaycoldonthehearth；butfromthetinylean-tointherearcamethesmellandthesputterofbaconsizzlingoverablaze。Thefurnishingsoftheroomweresimple，yet，inaway，outofthecommon。Thereweretwobunks，afewrudebutcomfortablechairs，atable，twomusic-racks，twoviolinswiththeircases，andeverywherebooks，andscatteredsheetsofmusic。Nowherewastherecushion，curtain，orknickknackthattoldofawoman’stasteortouch。Ontheotherhand，neitherwasthereanywheregun，pelt，orantleredheadthatspokeofaman’sstrengthandskill。FordecorationtherewereabeautifulcopyoftheSistineMadonna，severalphotographssignedwithnameswellknownoutinthegreatworldbeyondthemountains，andafestoonofpineconessuchasachildmightgatherandhang。
Fromthelittlelean-tokitchenthesoundofthesputteringsuddenlyceased，andatthedoorappearedapairofdark，wistfuleyes。
\"Daddy！\"calledtheowneroftheeyes。
Therewasnoanswer。
\"Father，areyouthere？\"calledthevoice，moreinsistently。
Fromoneofthebunkscameaslightstirandamurmuredword。Atthesoundtheboyatthedoorleapedsoftlyintotheroomandhurriedtothebunkinthecorner。Hewasaslenderladwithshort，crispcurlsathisears，andtheredofperfecthealthinhischeeks。Hishands，slim，long，andwithtaperingfingerslikeagirl’s，reachedforwardeagerly。
\"Daddy，come！I’vedonethebaconallmyself，andthepotatoesandthecoffee，too。Quick，it’sallgettingcold！\"
Slowly，withtheaidoftheboy’sfirmhands，themanpulledhimselfhalftoasittingposture。Hischeeks，liketheboy’s，werered——butnotwithhealth。Hiseyeswerealittlewild，buthisvoicewaslowandverytender，likeacaress。
\"David——it’smylittlesonDavid！\"
\"Ofcourseit’sDavid！Whoelseshoulditbe？\"laughedtheboy。
\"Come！\"Andhetuggedattheman’shands。
Themanrosethen，unsteadily，andbysheerwillforcedhimselftostandupright。Thewildlooklefthiseyes，andtheflushhischeeks。Hisfacelookedsuddenlyoldandhaggard。Yetwithfairlysurestepshecrossedtheroomandenteredthelittlekitchen。
Halfofthebaconwasblack；theotherhalfwastransparentandliketoughjelly。Thepotatoesweresoggy，andhadtheunmistakabletastethatcomesfromadishthathasboileddry。
Thecoffeewaslukewarmandmuddy。Eventhemilkwassour。
Davidlaughedalittleruefully。
\"Thingsaren’tsoniceasyours，father，\"heapologized。\"I’mafraidI’mnothingbutadiscordinthatorchestrato-day！
Somehow，someofthestovewashotterthantherest，andburntupthebaconinspots；andallthewatergotoutofthepotatoes，too，——thoughTHATdidn’tmatter，forIjustputmorecoldin。I
forgotandleftthemilkinthesun，andittastesbadnow；butI’msurenexttimeit’llbebetter——allofit。\"
Themansmiled，butheshookhisheadsadly。
\"Butthereoughtnottobeany’nexttime，’David。\"
\"Whynot？Whatdoyoumean？Aren’tyouevergoingtoletmetryagain，father？\"Therewasrealdistressintheboy’svoice。
Themanhesitated。Hislipspartedwithanindrawnbreath，asifbehindthemlayarushofwords。Buttheyclosedabruptly，thewordsstillunsaid。Then，verylightly，cametheseothers：——
\"Well，son，thisisn’taverynicewaytotreatyoursupper，isit？Now，ifyouplease，I’lltakesomeofthatbacon。IthinkI
feelmyappetitecomingback。\"
Ifthetruantappetite\"cameback，\"however，itcouldnothavestayed；forthemanatebutlittle。Hefrowned，too，ashesawhowlittletheboyate。Hesatsilentwhilehissonclearedthefoodanddishesaway，andhewasstillsilentwhen，withtheboy，hepassedoutofthehouseandwalkedtothelittlebenchfacingthewest。
Unlessitstormedveryhard，Davidneverwenttobedwithoutthislastlookathis\"SilverLake，\"ashecalledthelittlesheetofwaterfardowninthevalley。
\"Daddy，it’sgoldto-night——allgoldwiththesun！\"hecriedrapturously，ashiseyesfelluponhistreasure。\"Oh，daddy！\"
Itwasalong-drawncryofecstasy，andhearingit，themanwinced，aswithsuddenpain。
’Daddy，I’mgoingtoplayit——I’vegottoplayit！\"criedtheboy，boundingtowardthecabin。Inamomenthehadreturned，violinathischin。
Themanwatchedandlistened；andashewatchedandlistened，hisfacebecameabattle-groundwhereonprideandfear，hopeanddespair，joyandsorrow，foughtforthemastery。
ItwasnonewthingforDavidto\"play\"thesunset。Always，whenhewasmoved，Davidturnedtohisviolin。Alwaysinitsquiveringstringshefoundthemeanstosaythatwhichhistonguecouldnotexpress。
Acrossthevalleythegraysandbluesofthemountainshadbecomeallpurplesnow。Above，theskyinonevastflameofcrimsonandgold，wasamoltenseaonwhichfloatedrose-pinkcloud-boats。
Below，thevalleywithitslakeandriverpickedoutinroseandgoldagainsttheshadowygreensoffieldandforest，seemedlikesomeenchantedfairylandofloveliness。
AndallthiswasinDavid’sviolin，andallthis，too，wasonDavid’suplifted，rapturousface。
Asthelastrose-glowturnedtograyandthelaststrainquiveredintosilence，themanspoke。Hisvoicewasalmostharshwithself-control。
\"David，thetimehascome。We’llhavetogiveitup——youandI。\"
Theboyturnedwonderingly，hisfacestillsoftlyluminous。
\"Givewhatup？\"
\"This——allthis。\"
\"This！Why，father，whatdoyoumean？Thisishome！\"
Themannoddedwearily。
\"Iknow。Ithasbeenhome；but，David，youdidn’tthinkwecouldalwayslivehere，likethis，didyou？\"
Davidlaughedsoftly，andturnedhiseyesoncemoretothedistantsky-line。
Whynot？\"heaskeddreamily。\"Whatbetterplacecouldtherebe？I
likeit，daddy。\"
Themandrewatroubledbreath，andstirredrestlessly。Theteasingpaininhissidewasverybadto-night，andnochangeofpositioneasedit。Hewasill，veryill；andheknewit。Yethealsoknewthat，toDavid，sickness，pain，anddeathmeantnothing——or，atmost，wordsthathadalwaysbeenlightly，almostunconsciouslypassedover。Forthefirsttimehewonderedif，afterall，histraining——someofit——hadbeenwise。
Forsixyearshehadhadtheboyunderhisexclusivecareandguidance。Forsixyearstheboyhadeatenthefood，worntheclothing，andstudiedthebooksofhisfather’schoosing。Forsixyearsthatfatherhadthought，planned，breathed，moved，livedforhisson。Therehadbeennoothersinthelittlecabin。Therehadbeenonlytheoccasionaltripsthroughthewoodstothelittletownonthemountain-sideforfoodandclothing，tobreakthedaysofclosecompanionship。
Allthisthemanhadplannedcarefully。HehadmeantthatonlythegoodandbeautifulshouldhaveplaceinDavid’syouth。Itwasnotthatheintendedthatevil，unhappiness，anddeathshouldlackdefinition，onlydefiniteness，intheboy’smind。Itshouldbeacasewherethegoodandthebeautifulshouldsofillthethoughtsthattherewouldbenoroomforanythingelse。Thishadbeenhisplan。Andthusfarhehadsucceeded——succeededsowonderfullythathebegannow，inthefaceofhisownillness，andofwhathefearedwouldcomeofit，todoubtthewisdomofthatplanning。
Ashelookedattheboy’sraptface，herememberedDavid’ssurprisedquestioningatthefirstdeadsquirrelhehadfoundinthewoods。Davidwassixthen。
\"Why，daddy，he’sasleep，andhewon’twakeup！\"hehadcried。
Then，afteragentletouch：\"Andhe’scold——oh，socold！\"
Thefatherhadhurriedhissonawayatthetime，andhadevadedhisquestions；andDavidhadseemedcontent。Butthenextdaytheboyhadgonebacktothesubject。Hiseyeswerewidethen，andalittlefrightened。
\"Father，whatisittobe——dead？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，David？\"
\"Theboywhobringsthemilk——hehadthesquirrelthismorning。
Hesaiditwasnotasleep。Itwas——dead。\"
\"Itmeansthatthesquirrel，therealsquirrelunderthefur，hasgoneaway，David。\"
\"Where？\"
\"Toafarcountry，perhaps。\"
\"Willhecomeback？\"
\"No。\"
\"Didhewanttogo？\"
\"We’llhopeso。\"
\"Buthelefthis——hisfurcoatbehindhim。Didn’theneed——that？\"
\"No，orhe’dhavetakenitwithhim。\"
Davidhadfallensilentatthis。Hehadremainedstrangelysilentindeedforsomedays；then，outinthewoodswithhisfatheronemorning，hegaveajoyousshout。Hewasstandingbytheice-coveredbrook，andlookingatalittleblackholethroughwhichthehurryingwatercouldbeplainlyseen。
\"Daddy，oh，daddy，Iknownowhowitis，aboutbeing——dead。\"
\"Why——David！\"
\"It’slikethewaterinthebrook，youknow；THAT’Sgoingtoafarcountry，anditisn’tcomingback。Anditleavesitslittlecoldice-coatbehinditjustasthesquirreldid，too。Itdoesn’tneedit。Itcangowithoutit。Don’tyousee？Andit’ssinging——listen！——it’ssingingasitgoes。ItWANTStogo！\"
\"Yes，David。\"AndDavid’sfatherhadsighedwithreliefthathissonhadfoundhisownexplanationofthemystery，andonethatsatisfied。
Later，inhisbooks，Davidfounddeathagain。Itwasaman，thistime。Theboyhadlookedupwithstartledeyes。
\"Dopeople，realpeople，likeyouandme，bedead，father？Dotheygotoafarcountry？
\"Yes，sonintime——toafarcountryruledoverbyagreatandgoodKingtheytellus。
David’sfatherhadtrembledashesaidit，andhadwaitedfearfullyfortheresult。ButDavidhadonlysmiledhappilyasheanswered：
\"Buttheygosinging，father，likethelittlebrook。YouknowI
heardit！\"
Andtherethematterhadended。Davidwastennow，andnotyetforhimdiddeathspellterror。BecauseofthisDavid’sfatherwasrelieved；andyet——stillbecauseofthis——hewasafraid。
\"David，\"hesaidgently。\"Listentome。\"
Theboyturnedwithalongsigh。
\"Yes，father。\"
\"Wemustgoaway。Outinthegreatworldtherearemenandwomenandchildrenwaitingforyou。You’veabeautifulworktodo；andonecan’tdoone’sworkonamountain-top。\"
\"Whynot？Ilikeithere，andI’vealwaysbeenhere。\"
\"Notalways，David；sixyears。YouwerefourwhenIbroughtyouhere。Youdon’tremember，perhaps。\"
Davidshookhishead。Hiseyeswereagaindreamilyfixedonthesky。
\"IthinkI’dlikeit——togo——ifIcouldsailawayonthatlittlecloud-boatupthere，\"hemurmured。
Themansighedandshookhishead。
\"Wecan’tgooncloud-boats。Wemustwalk，David，foraway——andwemustgosoon——soon，\"headdedfeverishly。\"Imustgetyouback——backamongfriends，before——\"
Heroseunsteadily，andtriedtowalkerect。Hislimbsshook，andthebloodthrobbedathistemples。Hewasappalledathisweakness。Withafiercenessbornofhisterrorheturnedsharplytotheboyathisside。
\"David，we’vegottogo！We’vegottogo——TO-MORROW！\"
\"Father！\"
\"Yes，yes，come！\"Hestumbledblindly，yetinsomewayhereachedthecabindoor。
BehindhimDavidstillsat，inert，staring。Thenextminutetheboyhadsprungtohisfeetandwashurryingafterhisfather。
CHAPTERII
THETRAIL
Acuriousstrengthseemedtohavecometotheman。WithalmoststeadyhandshetookdownthephotographsandtheSistineMadonna，packingthemneatlyawayinaboxtobeleft。Frombeneathhisbunkhedraggedalarge，dustytraveling-bag，andinthishestowedalittlefood，afewgarments，andagreatdealofthemusicscatteredabouttheroom。
David，inthedoorway，staredindazedwonder。Graduallyintohiseyescreptalookneverseentherebefore。
\"Father，wherearewegoing？\"heaskedatlastinashakingvoice，ashecameslowlyintotheroom。
\"Back，son；we’regoingback。\"
\"Tothevillage，wherewegetoureggsandbacon？\"
\"No，no，lad，notthere。Theotherway。Wegodownintothevalleythistime。\"
\"Thevalley——MYvalley，withtheSilverLake？\"
\"Yes，myson；andbeyond——farbeyond。\"Themanspokedreamily。Hewaslookingataphotographinhishand。Ithadslippedinamongtheloosesheetsofmusic，andhadnotbeenputawaywiththeothers。Itwasthelikenessofabeautifulwoman。
ForamomentDavideyedhimuncertainly；thenhespoke。
\"Daddy，whoisthat？Whoareallthesepeopleinthepictures？
You’venevertoldmeaboutanyofthemexceptthelittleroundonethatyouwearinyourpocket。Whoarethey？\"
Insteadofanswering，themanturnedfarawayeyesontheboyandsmiledwistfully。
\"Ah，David，lad，howthey’llloveyou！Howtheywillloveyou！
Butyoumustn’tletthemspoilyou，son。Youmustremember——rememberallI’vetoldyou。\"
OnceagainDavidaskedhisquestion，butthistimethemanonlyturnedbacktothephotograph，mutteringsomethingtheboycouldnotunderstand。
AfterthatDaviddidnotquestionanymore。Hewastooamazed，toodistressed。Hehadneverbeforeseenhisfatherlikethis。
Withnervoushastethemanwassettingthelittleroomtorights，crowdingthingsintothebag，andpackingotherthingsawayinanoldtrunk。Hischeekswereveryred，andhiseyesverybright。Hetalked，too，almostconstantly，thoughDavidcouldunderstandscarcelyawordofwhatwassaid。Later，themancaughtuphisviolinandplayed；andneverbeforehadDavidheardhisfatherplaylikethat。Theboy’seyesfilled，andhisheartachedwithapainthatchokedandnumbed——thoughwhy，Davidcouldnothavetold。Stilllater，themandroppedhisviolinandsankexhaustedintoachair；andthenDavid，wornandfrightenedwithitall，crepttohisbunkandfellasleep。
InthegraydawnofthemorningDavidawoketoadifferentworld。
Hisfather，white-facedandgentle，wascallinghimtogetreadyforbreakfast。Thelittleroom，dismantledofitsdecorations，wasbareandcold。Thebag，closedandstrapped，restedonthefloorbythedoor，togetherwiththetwoviolinsintheircases，readytocarry。
\"Wemusthurry，son。It’salongtrampbeforewetakethecars。\"
\"Thecars——therealcars？Dowegointhose？\"Davidwasfullyawakenow。
\"Yes。\"
\"Andisthatallwe’retocarry？\"
\"Yes。Hurry，son。\"
\"Butwecomeback——sometime？\"
Therewasnoanswer。
\"Father，we’recomingback——sometime？\"David’svoicewasinsistentnow。
Themanstoopedandtightenedastrapthatwasalreadyquitetightenough。Thenhelaughedlightly。
\"Why，ofcourseyou’recomingbacksometime，David。Onlythinkofallthesethingswe’releaving！\"
Whenthelastdishwasputaway，thelastgarmentadjusted，andthelastlookgiventothelittleroom，thetravelerspickedupthebagandtheviolins，andwentoutintothesweetfreshnessofthemorning。Ashefastenedthedoorthemansighedprofoundly；
butDaviddidnotnoticethis。Hisfacewasturnedtowardtheeast——alwaysDavidlookedtowardthesun。
\"Daddy，let’snotgo，afterall！Let’sstayhere，\"hecriedardently，drinkinginthebeautyofthemorning。
\"Wemustgo，David。Come，son。\"Andthemanledthewayacrossthegreenslopetothewest。
Itwasascarcelyperceptibletrail，butthemanfoundit，andfolloweditwithevidentconfidence。Therewasonlythepausenowandthentosteadyhisnone-too-surestep，ortoeasetheburdenofthebag。Verysoontheforestlayallaboutthem，withthebirdssingingovertheirheads，andwithnumberlesstinyfeetscurryingthroughtheunderbrushonallsides。Justoutofsightabrookbabblednoisilyofitsdelightinbeingalive；andawayupinthetreetopsthemorningsunplayedhide-and-seekamongthedancingleaves。
AndDavidleaped，andlaughed，andloveditall，norwasanyofitstrangetohim。Thebirds，thetrees，thesun，thebrook，thescurryinglittlecreaturesoftheforest，allwerefriendsofhis。Buttheman——themandidnotleaporlaugh，thoughhe，too，loveditall。Themanwasafraid。
Heknewnowthathehadundertakenmorethanhecouldcarryout。
Stepbystepthebaghadgrownheavier，andhourbyhourtheinsistent，teasingpaininhissidehadincreaseduntilnowitwasatorture。Hehadforgottenthatthewaytothevalleywassolong；hehadnotrealizedhownearlyspentwashisstrengthbeforeheevenstarteddownthetrail。Throbbingthroughhisbrainwasthequestion，whatif，afterall，hecouldnot——buteventohimselfhewouldnotsaythewords。
Atnoontheypausedforluncheon，andatnighttheycampedwherethechatteringbrookhadstoppedtorestinastill，blackpool。
Thenextmorningthemanandtheboypickedupthetrailagain，butwithoutthebag。Undersomeleavesinalittlehollow，themanhadhiddenthebag，andhadthensaid，asifcasually：——
\"Ibelieve，afterall，Iwon’tcarrythisalong。There’snothinginitthatwereallyneed，youknow，nowthatI’vetakenouttheluncheonbox，andbynightwe’llbedowninthevalley。\"
\"Ofcourse！\"laughedDavid。\"Wedon’tneedthat。\"Andhelaughedagain，forpurejoy。LittleusehadDavidforbagsorbaggage！
Theyweremorethanhalfwaydownthemountainnow，andsoontheyreachedagrass-grownroad，littletraveled，butyetaroad。
Stilllatertheycametowherefourwayscrossed，andtwoofthemborethemarksofmanywheels。Bysundownthelittlebrookattheirsidemurmuredsoftlyofquietfieldsandmeadows，andDavidknewthatthevalleywasreached。
Davidwasnotlaughingnow。Hewaswatchinghisfatherwithstartledeyes。Davidhadnotknownwhatanxietywas。Hewasfindingoutnow——thoughhebutvaguelyrealizedthatsomethingwasnotright。Forsometimehisfatherhadsaidbutlittle，andthatlittlehadbeeninavoicethatwasthickandunnatural-sounding。Hewaswalkingfast，yetDavidnoticedthateverystepseemedaneffort，andthateverybreathcameinshortgasps。Hiseyeswereverybright，andwerefixedlybentontheroadahead，asifeventhehastehewasmakingwasnothasteenough。TwiceDavidspoketohim，buthedidnotanswer；andtheboycouldonlytrudgealongonhiswearylittlefeetandsighforthedearhomeonthemountain-topwhichtheyhadleftbehindthemthemorningbefore。
Theymetfewfellowtravelers，andthosetheydidmeetpaidscantattentiontothemanandtheboycarryingtheviolins。Asitchanced，therewasnooneinsightwhentheman，walkinginthegrassatthesideoftheroad，stumbledandfellheavilytotheground。
Davidsprangquicklyforward。
\"Father，whatisit？WHATISIT？\"
Therewasnoanswer。
\"Daddy，whydon’tyouspeaktome？See，it’sDavid！\"
Withapainfuleffortthemanrousedhimselfandsatup。Foramomenthegazeddullyintotheboy’sface；thenahalf-forgottensomethingseemedtostirhimintofeverishaction。WithshakingfingershehandedDavidhiswatchandasmallivoryminiature。
Thenhesearchedhispocketsuntilonthegroundbeforehimlayashiningpileofgold-pieces——toDavidthereseemedtobeahundredofthem。
\"Takethem——hidethem——keepthem。David，untilyou——needthem，\"
pantedtheman。\"Thengo——goon。Ican’t。\"
\"Alone？Withoutyou？\"demurredtheboy，aghast。\"Why，father，I
couldn’t！Idon’tknowtheway。Besides，I’dratherstaywithyou，\"headdedsoothingly，asheslippedthewatchandtheminiatureintohispocket；\"thenwecanbothgo。\"Andhedroppedhimselfdownathisfather’sside。
Themanshookhisheadfeebly，andpointedagaintothegold-pieces。
\"Takethem，David，——hidethem，\"hechatteredwithpalelips。
Almostimpatientlytheboybeganpickingupthemoneyandtuckingitintohispockets。
\"But，father，I’mnotgoingwithoutyou，\"hedeclaredstoutly，asthelastbitofgoldslippedoutofsight，andahorseandwagonrattledaroundtheturnoftheroadabove。
Thedriverofthehorseglanceddisapprovinglyatthemanandtheboybytheroadside；buthedidnotstop。Afterhehadpassed，theboyturnedagaintohisfather。Themanwasfumblingoncemoreinhispockets。Thistimefromhiscoatheproducedapencilandasmallnotebookfromwhichhetoreapage，andbegantowrite，laboriously，painfully。
Davidsighedandlookedabouthim。Hewastiredandhungry，andhedidnotunderstandthingsatall。Somethingverywrong，veryterrible，mustbethematterwithhisfather。Hereitwasalmostdark，yettheyhadnoplacetogo，nosuppertoeat，whilefar，faruponthemountain-sidewastheirowndearhomesadandlonelywithoutthem。Upthere，too，thesunstillshone，doubtless，——atleastthereweretherose-glowandtheSilverLaketolookat，whiledownheretherewasnothing，nothingbutgrayshadows，alongdrearyroad，andastragglinghouseortwoinsight。Fromabove，thevalleymightlooktobeafairylandofloveliness，butinrealityitwasnothingbutadismalwasteofgloom，decidedDavid。
David’sfatherhadtornasecondpagefromhisbookandwasbeginninganothernote，whentheboysuddenlyjumpedtohisfeet。
Oneofthestragglinghouseswasneartheroadwheretheysat，anditspresencehadgivenDavidanidea。Withswiftstepshehurriedtothefrontdoorandknockeduponit。Inansweratall，unsmilingwomanappeared，andsaid，\"Well？\"
Davidremovedhiscapashisfatherhadtaughthimtodowhenoneofthemountainwomenspoketohim。
\"Goodevening，lady；I’mDavid，\"hebeganfrankly。\"Myfatherissotiredhefelldownbackthere，andweshouldlikeverymuchtostaywithyouallnight，ifyoudon’tmind。\"
Thewomaninthedoorwaystared。Foramomentshewasdumbwithamazement。Hereyesswepttheplain，ratherroughgarmentsoftheboy，thensoughtthehalf-recumbentfigureofthemanbytheroadside。Herchincameupangrily。
\"Oh，wouldyou，indeed！Well，uponmyword！\"shescouted。\"Humph！
Wedon’taccommodatetramps，littleboy。\"Andsheshutthedoorhard。
ItwasDavid’sturntostare。Justwhatatrampmightbe，hedidnotknow；butneverbeforehadarequestofhisbeensoangrilyrefused。Heknewthat。Afiercesomethingrosewithinhim——afiercenewsomethingthatsenttheswiftredtohisneckandbrow。Heraisedadeterminedhandtothedoorknob——hehadsomethingtosaytothatwoman！——whenthedoorsuddenlyopenedagainfromtheinside。
\"Seehere，boy，\"beganthewoman，lookingoutathimalittlelessunkindly，\"ifyou’rehungryI’llgiveyousomemilkandbread。GoaroundtothebackporchandI’llgetitforyou。\"Andsheshutthedooragain。
David’shanddroppedtohisside。Theredstillstayedonhisfaceandneck，however，andthatfiercenewsomethingwithinhimbadehimrefusetotakefoodfromthiswoman……Buttherewashisfather——hispoorfather，whowassotired；andtherewashisownstomachclamoringtobefed。No，hecouldnotrefuse。AndwithslowstepsandhangingheadDavidwentaroundthecornerofthehousetotherear。
Asthehalf-loafofbreadandthepailofmilkwereplacedinhishands，Davidrememberedsuddenlythatinthevillagestoreonthemountain，hisfatherpaidmoneyforhisfood。Davidwasglad，now，thathehadthosegold-piecesinhispocket，forhecouldpaymoney。Instantlyhisheadcameup。Oncemoreerectwithself-respect，heshiftedhisburdenstoonehandandthrusttheotherintohispocket。Amomentlaterhepresentedonhisoutstretchedpalmashiningdiskofgold。
\"Willyoutakethis，topay，please，forthebreadandmilk？\"heaskedproudly。
Thewomanbegantoshakeherhead；but，ashereyesfellonthemoney，shestarted，andbentclosertoexamineit。Thenextinstantshejerkedherselfuprightwithanangryexclamation。
\"It’sgold！Aten-dollargold-piece！Soyou’reathief，too，areyou，aswellasatramp？Humph！Well，Iguessyoudon’tneedthisthen，\"shefinishedsharply，snatchingthebreadandthepailofmilkfromtheboy’shand。
ThenextmomentDavidstoodaloneonthedoorstep，withthesoundofaquicklythrownboltinhisears。
Athief！Davidknewlittleofthieves，butheknewwhattheywere。Onlyamonthbeforeamanhadtriedtostealtheviolinsfromthecabin；andhewasathief，themilk-boysaid。Davidflushednowagain，angrily，ashefacedthecloseddoor。Buthedidnottarry。Heturnedandrantohisfather。
\"Father，comeaway，quick！Youmustcomeaway，\"hechoked。
Sourgentwastheboy’svoicethatalmostunconsciouslythesickmangottohisfeet。Withshakinghandshethrustthenoteshehadbeenwritingintohispocket。Thelittlebook，fromwhichhehadtorntheleavesforthispurpose，hadalreadydroppedunheededintothegrassathisfeet。
\"Yes，son，yes，we’llgo，\"mutteredtheman。\"Ifeelbetternow。
Ican——walk。\"
Andhedidwalk，thoughveryslowly，ten，adozen，twentysteps。
Frombehindcamethesoundofwheelsthatstoppedclosebesidethem。
\"Hullo，there！Goingtothevillage？\"calledavoice。
\"Yes，sir。\"David’sanswerwasunhesitating。Where\"thevillage\"
was，hedidnotknow；heknewonlythatitmustbesomewhereawayfromthewomanwhohadcalledhimathief。Andthatwasallhecaredtoknow。
\"I’mgoing’mosttheremyself。Wantalift？\"askedtheman，stillkindly。
\"Yes，sir。Thankyou！\"criedtheboyjoyfully。Andtogethertheyaidedhisfathertoclimbintotheroomywagon-body。
Therewerefewwordssaid。Themanatthereinsdroverapidly，andpaidlittleattentiontoanythingbuthishorses。Thesickmandozedandrested。Theboysat，wistful-eyedandsilent，watchingthetreesandhousesflitby。Thesunhadlongagoset，butitwasnotdark，forthemoonwasroundandbright，andtheskywascloudless。Wheretheroadforkedsharplythemandrewhishorsestoastop。
\"Well，I’msorry，butIguessI’llhavetodropyouhere，friends。Iturnofftotheright；but’tain’tmore’naquarterofamileforyou，now\"hefinishedcheerily，pointingwithhiswhiptoaclusteroftwinklinglights。
\"Thankyou，sir，thankyou，\"breathedDavidgratefully，steadyinghisfather’ssteps。\"You’vehelpeduslots。Thankyou！\"
InDavid’sheartwasawilddesiretolayathisgoodman’sfeetallofhisshininggold-piecesaspaymentforthistimelyaid。
Butcautionheldhimback：itseemedthatonlyinstoresdidmoneypay；outsideitbrandedoneasathief！
Alonewithhisfather，Davidfacedoncemorehisproblem。Whereshouldtheygoforthenight？Plainlyhisfathercouldnotwalkfar。Hehadbeguntotalkagain，too，——low，half-finishedsentencesthatDavidcouldnotunderstand，andthatvaguelytroubledhim。Therewasahousenearby，andseveralothersdowntheroadtowardthevillage；butDavidhadhadalltheexperiencehewantedthatnightwithstrangehouses，andstrangewomen。
Therewasabarn，abigone，whichwasnearestofall；anditwastowardthisbarnthatDavidfinallyturnedhisfather’ssteps。
\"We’llgothere，daddy，ifwecangetin，\"heproposedsoftly。
\"Andwe’llstayallnightandrest。\"
CHAPTERIII
THEVALLEY
ThelongtwilightoftheJunedayhadchangedintoanightthatwasscarcelydarker，sobrightwasthemoonlight。Seenfromthehouse，thebarnandthelowbuildingsbeyondloomedshadowyandunreal，yetverybeautiful。OnthesideporchofthehousesatSimeonHollyandhiswife，contenttorestmindandbodyonlybecauseafullday’sworklaywelldonebehindthem。
ItwasjustasSimeonrosetohisfeettogoindoorsthatalongnotefromaviolinreachedtheirears。
\"Simeon！\"criedthewoman。\"Whatwasthat？\"
Themandidnotanswer。Hiseyeswerefixedonthebarn。
\"Simeon，it’safiddle！\"exclaimedMrs。Holly，asasecondtonequiveredontheair\"Andit’sinourbarn！\"
Simeon’sjawset。Withasternejaculationhecrossedtheporchandenteredthekitchen。
Inanotherminutehehadreturned，alightedlanterninhishand。
\"Simeon，d——don’tgo，\"beggedthewoman，tremulously。\"You——youdon’tknowwhat’sthere。\"
\"Fiddlesarenotplayedwithouthands，Ellen，\"retortedthemanseverely。\"Wouldyouhavemegotobedandleaveahalf-drunken，ungodlyminstrelfellowinpossessionofourbarn？To-night，onmywayhome，Ipassedaprettypairofthemlyingbytheroadside——amanandaboywithtwoviolins。They’retheculprits，likely，——thoughhowtheygotthisfar，Idon’tsee。DoyouthinkIwanttoleavemybarntotrampslikethem？\"
\"N——no，Isupposenot，\"falteredthewoman，assherosetremblinglytoherfeet，andfollowedherhusband’sshadowacrosstheyard。
OnceinsidethebarnSimeonHollyandhiswifepausedinvoluntarily。Themusicwasallaboutthemnow，fillingtheairwithrunsandtrillsandrollickingbitsofmelody。Givinganangryexclamation，themanturnedthentothenarrowstairwayandclimbedtothehayloftabove。Athisheelscamehiswife，andsohereyes，almostassoonashisfelluponthemanlyingbackonthehaywiththemoonlightfulluponhisface。
Instantlythemusicdroppedtoawhisper，andalowvoicecameoutofthegloombeyondthesquareofmoonlightwhichcamefromthewindowintheroof。
\"Ifyou’llpleasebeasstillasyoucan，sir。Youseehe’sasleepandhe’ssotired，\"saidthevoice。
Foramomentthemanandthewomanonthestairwaypausedinamazement，thenthemanliftedhislanternandstrodetowardthevoice。
\"Whoareyou？Whatareyoudoinghere？\"hedemandedsharply。
Aboy’sface，round，tanned，andjustnowabitanxious，flashedoutofthedark。
\"Oh，please，sir，ifyouwouldspeaklower，\"pleadedtheboy。
\"He’ssotired！I’mDavid，sir，andthat’sfather。Wecameinheretorestandsleep。\"
SimeonHolly’sunrelentinggazelefttheboy’sfaceandsweptthatofthemanlyingbackonthehay。Thenextinstantheloweredthelanternandleanednearer，puttingforthacautioushand。Atoncehestraightenedhimself，mutteringabrusquewordunderhisbreath。Thenheturnedwiththeangryquestion：——
\"Boy，whatdoyoumeanbyplayingajigonyourfiddleatsuchatimeasthis？\"
\"Why，fatheraskedmetoplay\"returnedtheboycheerily。\"Hesaidhecouldwalkthroughgreenforeststhen，withtherippleofbrooksinhisears，andthatthebirdsandthesquirrels——\"
\"Seehere，boy，whoareyou？\"cutinSimeonHollysternly。\"Wheredidyoucomefrom？\"
\"Fromhome，sir。\"
\"Whereisthat？\"
\"Why，home，sir，whereIlive。Inthemountains，’wayup，up，up——oh，sofarup！Andthere’ssuchabig，bigsky，somuchnicerthandownhere。\"Theboy’svoicequivered，andalmostbroke，andhiseyesconstantlysoughtthewhitefaceonthehay。
ItwasthenthatSimeonHollyawoketothesuddenrealizationthatitwastimeforaction。Heturnedtohiswife。
\"Taketheboytothehouse，\"hedirectedincisively。\"We’llhavetokeephimto-night，Isuppose。I’llgoforHiggins。Ofcoursethewholethingwillhavetobeputinhishandsatonce。Youcan’tdoanythinghere，\"headded，ashecaughtherquestioningglance。\"Leaveeverythingjustasitis。Themanisdead。\"
\"Dead？\"Itwasasharpcryfromtheboy，yettherewasmoreofwonderthanofterrorinit。\"Doyoumeanthathehasgone——likethewaterinthebrook——tothefarcountry？\"hefaltered。
SimeonHollystared。Thenhesaidmoredistinctly：——
\"Yourfatherisdead，boy。\"
\"Andhewon’tcomebackanymore？\"David’svoicebrokenow。
Therewasnoanswer。Mrs。Hollycaughtherbreathconvulsivelyandlookedaway。EvenSimeonHollyrefusedtomeettheboy’spleadingeyes。
WithaquickcryDavidsprangtohisfather’sside。
\"Buthe’shere——righthere，\"hechallengedshrilly。\"Daddy，daddy，speaktome！It’sDavid！\"Reachingouthishand，hegentlytouchedhisfather’sface。Hedrewbackthen，atonce，hiseyesdistendedwithterror。\"Heisn’t！Heis——gone，\"hechatteredfrenziedly。\"Thisisn’tthefather-partthatKNOWS。It’stheother——thattheyleave。He’sleftitbehindhim——likethesquirrel，andthewaterinthebrook。\"
Suddenlytheboy’sfacechanged。Itgrewraptandluminousasheleapedtohisfeet，cryingjoyously：\"Butheaskedmetoplay，sohewentsinging——singingjustashesaidthattheydid。AndI
madehimwalkthroughgreenforestswiththerippleofthebrooksinhisears！Listen——likethis！\"Andoncemoretheboyraisedtheviolintohischin，andoncemorethemusictrilledandrippledabouttheshocked，amazedearsofSimeonHollyandhiswife。