Inspiteofallthis，however，Davidsoevidentlydidhisbesttocarryoutthe\"dos\"andavoidthe\"don’ts，\"thatatfouro’clockthatfirstMondayhewonfromthesternbutwould-be-justFarmerHollyhisfreedomfortherestoftheday；andverygaylyhesetoffforawalk。Hewentwithouthisviolin，astherewasthesmellofrainintheair；buthisfaceandhisstepandtheveryswingofhisarmsweresinging（toDavid）thejoyoussongofthemorningbefore。Evenyet，inspiteofthevicissitudesoftheday’swork，thewholeworld，toDavid’shomesick，lonelylittleheart，wasstillcarolingthatblessed\"You’rewanted，you’rewanted，you’rewanted！\"
Andthenhesawthecrow。
Davidknewcrows。Inhishomeonthemountainhehadhadseveralofthemforfriends。Hehadlearnedtoknowandanswertheircalls。Hehadlearnedtoadmiretheirwisdomandtorespecttheirmoodsandtempers。Helovedtowatchthem。Especiallyhelovedtoseethegreatbirdscutthroughtheairwithawidesweepofwings，soalive，sogloriouslyfree！
Butthiscrow——
Thiscrowwasnotcuttingthroughtheairwithawidesweepofwing。Itwasinthemiddleofacornfield，anditwasrisingandfallingandfloppingaboutinamostextraordinaryfashion。VerysoonDavid，runningtowardit，sawwhy。Byalongleatherstripitwasfastenedsecurelytoastakeintheground。
\"Oh，oh，oh！\"exclaimedDavid，insympatheticconsternation。
\"Here，youjustwaitaminute。I’llfixit。\"
WithconfidentcelerityDavidwhippedouthisjackknifetocutthethong；buthefoundthenthatto\"fixit\"andtosayhewould\"fixit\"weretwodifferentmatters。
ThecrowdidnotseemtorecognizeinDavidafriend。Hesawinhim，apparently，butanotherofthestone-throwing，gun-shooting，torturinghumanswhowereresponsibleforhispresenthatefulcaptivity。Withbeakandclawandwing，therefore，hefoughtthisnewevilthathadcomepresumedlytotorment；andnotuntilDavidhadhitupontheexpedientoftakingoffhisblouse，andthrowingitovertheangrybird，couldtheboygetnearenoughtoaccomplishhispurpose。EventhenDavidhadtoleaveupontheslenderlegatwistofleather。
Amomentlater，withawhirofwingsandafrightenedsquawkthatquicklyturnedintoasurprisedcawoftriumphantrejoicing，thecrowsoaredintotheairandmadestraightforadistanttree-top。David，afteraminute’sgladsurveyingofhiswork，donnedhisblouseagainandresumedhiswalk。
Itwasalmostsixo’clockwhenDavidgotbacktotheHollyfarmhouse。InthebarndoorwaysatPerryLarson。
\"Well，sonny，\"themangreetedhimcheerily，\"didyegetyerweedin’done？\"
\"Y——yes，\"hesitatedDavid。\"Igotitdone；butIdidn’tlikeit。\"
\"’Tiskinderhotwork。\"
\"Oh，Ididn’tmindthatpart，\"returnedDavid。\"WhatIdidn’tlikewaspullingupallthoseprettylittleplantsandlettingthemdie。\"
\"Weeds——’prettylittleplants’！\"ejaculatedtheman。\"Well，I’llbejiggered！\"
\"ButtheyWEREpretty，\"defendedDavid，readingarightthescorninPerryLarson’svoice。\"Theveryprettiestandbiggesttherewere，always。Mr。Hollyshowedme，youknow，——andIhadtopullthemup。\"
\"Well，I’llbejiggered！\"mutteredPerryLarsonagain。
\"ButI’vebeentowalksince。Ifeelbetternow。\"
\"Oh，yedo！\"
\"Oh，yes。Ihadasplendidwalk。Iwent’wayupinthewoodsonthehillthere。Iwassingingallthetime——inside，youknow。I
wassogladMrs。Holly——wantedme。Youknowwhatitis，whenyousinginside。\"
PerryLarsonscratchedhishead。
\"Well，no，sonny，Ican’treallysayIdo，\"heretorted。\"Iain’tmuchonsingin’。\"
\"Oh，butIdon’tmeanaloud。Imeaninside。Whenyou’rehappy，youknow。\"
\"WhenI’m——oh！\"Themanstoppedandstared，hismouthfallingopen。Suddenlyhisfacechanged，andhegrinnedappreciatively。
\"Well，ifyouain’tthebeat’em，boy！’Tiskinderlikesingin’——thewayyefeelinside，whenyer’speciallyhappy，ain’tit？ButIneverthoughtofitbefore。\"
\"Oh，yes。Why，that’swhereIgetmysongs——insideofme，youknow——thatIplayonmyviolin。AndImadeacrowsing，too。OnlyHEsangoutside。\"
\"SING——ACROW！\"scoffedtheman。\"Shucks！It’lltakemore’nyoutermakemethinkacrowcansing，mylad。\"
\"Buttheydo，whenthey’rehappy，\"maintainedtheboy。\"Anyhow，itdoesn’tsoundthesameasitdoeswhenthey’recross，orplaguedoversomething。Yououghttohaveheardthisoneto-day。
Hesang。Hewassogladtogetaway。Ilethimloose，yousee。\"
\"Youmean，youCAUGHTacrowupthereinthemwoods？\"Theman’svoicewasskeptical。
\"Oh，no，Ididn’tcatchit。Butsomebodyhad，andtiedhimup。
Andhewassounhappy！\"
\"Acrowtiedupinthewoods！\"
\"Oh，Ididn’tfindTHATinthewoods。ItwasbeforeIwentupthehillatall。\"
\"Acrowtiedup——Looka-here，boy，whatareyoutalkin’about？
Wherewasthatcrow？\"PerryLarson’swholeselfhadbecomesuddenlyalert。
\"Inthefield’Wayoverthere。Andsomebody——\"
\"Thecornfield！Jingo！Boy，youdon’tmeanyoutouchedTHAT
crow？\"
\"Well，hewouldn’tletmeTOUCHhim，\"half-apologizedDavid。\"Hewassoafraid，yousee。Why，Ihadtoputmyblouseoverhisheadbeforehe’dletmecuthimlooseatall。\"
\"Cuthimloose！\"PerryLarsonsprangtohisfeet。\"Youdidn’t——youDIDn’tletthatcrowgo！\"
Davidshrankback。
\"Why，yes；heWANTEDtogo。He——\"Butthemanbeforehimhadfallenbackdespairinglytohisoldposition。
\"Well，sir，you’vedoneitnow。Whattheboss’llsay，Idon’tknow；butIknowwhatI’dliketersaytoye。Iwasawholeweek，offan’on，gettin’holdofthatcrow，an’Iwouldn’thavegothimatallifIhadn’thidhalfthenightan’allthemornin’inthatclumpo’bushes，watchin’achanceterwinghim，jestenoughan’nottoomuch。An’eventhenthejobwa’n’tdone。Letmetellyer，’twa’n’tnosmallthingtergethimhitched。I’mwearin’
themarksoftherascal’sbeakyet。An’nowyou’vegonean’lethimgo——justlikethat，\"hefinished，snappinghisfingersangrily。
InDavid’sfacetherewasnocontrition。Therewasonlyincreduloushorror。
\"Youmean，YOUtiedhimthere，onpurpose？\"
\"SureIdid！\"
\"Buthedidn’tlikeit。Couldn’tyouseehedidn’tlikeit？\"
criedDavid。
\"Likeit！Whatifhedidn’t？Ididn’tliketerhavemycornpulledup，either。Seehere，sonny，younoneedterlookatmeinthattoneo’voice。Ididn’thurtthevarmintnoneterspeakof——yeseehecouldfly，didn’tye？——an’hewa’n’tstarvin’。I
sawtoitthathehadenoughtereatan’adisho’waterhandy。
An’ifhedidn’tflopan’pullan’trytergetawayheneedn’t’a’hurthisselfnever。Iain’tterblameforwhatpullin’hedone。\"
\"Butwouldn’tyoupullifyouhadtwobigwingsthatcouldcarryyoutothetopofthatbigtreethere，andawayup，upinthesky，whereyoucouldtalktothestars？——wouldn’tyoupullifsomebodyahundredtimesbigger’nyoucamealongandtiedyourlegtothatpostthere？\"
Theman，Perry，flushedanangryred。
\"Seehere，sonny，Iwa’n’taskin’youterdonopreachin’。WhatI
didain’tnomore’nanyman’roundheredoes——ifhe’ssmartenoughtercatchone。Rigged-upbroomsticksain’tinitwithalivebirdwhenitcomesterdrivin’awaythempesky，thievin’
crows。Thereain’tafarmer’roundherethathain’tbeengreenwithenvy，eversinceIcaughtthecritter。An’nowterhaveyoucomealongan’withoneflipo’yerknifespileitall，I——Well，itjestmakesmemad，cleanthrough！That’sall。\"
\"Youmean，youtiedhimtheretofrightenawaytheothercrows？\"
\"Sure！Thereain’tnothin’likeit。\"
\"Oh，I’msosorry！\"
\"Well，you’dbetterbe。Butthatwon’tbringbackmycrow！\"
David’sfacebrightened。
\"No，that’sso，isn’tit？I’mgladofthat。Iwasthinkingofthecrows，yousee。I’msosorryforthem！Onlythinkhowwe’dhatetobetiedlikethat——\"ButPerryLarson，withastareandanindignantsnort，hadgottohisfeet，andwasrapidlywalkingtowardthehouse。
Veryplainly，thatevening，Davidwasindisgrace，andittookallofMrs。Holly’stactandpatience，andsomeprivatepleading，tokeepageneralexplosionfromwreckingallchancesofhisstayinglongeratthefarmhouse。Evenasitwas，Davidwassorrowfullyawarethathewasprovingtobeagreatdisappointmentsosoon，andhisviolinplayingthateveningcarriedamoaningplaintivenessthatwouldhavebeenverysignificanttoonewhoknewDavidwell。
Veryfaithfully，thenextday，theboytriedtocarryoutallthe\"dos，\"andthoughhedidnotalwayssucceed，yethiseffortsweresoobvious，thateventheindignantowneroftheliberatedcrowwassomewhatmollified；andagainSimeonHollyreleasedDavidfromworkatfouro’clock。
Alas，forDavid’speaceofmind，however；foronhiswalkto-day，thoughhefoundnocaptivecrowtodemandhissympathy，hefoundsomethingelsequiteasheartrending，andasincomprehensible。
Itwasontheedgeofthewoodsthathecameupontwoboys，eachcarryingarifle，adeadsquirrel，andadeadrabbit。Thethreatenedrainofthedaybeforehadnotmaterialized，andDavidhadhisviolin。Hehadbeenplayingsoftlywhenhecameupontheboyswherethepathenteredthewoods。
\"Oh！\"AtsightoftheboysandtheirburdenDavidgaveaninvoluntarycry，andstoppedplaying。
Theboys，scarcelylesssurprisedatsightofDavidandhisviolin，pausedandstaredfrankly。
\"It’sthetrampkidwithhisfiddle，\"whisperedonetotheotherhuskily。
David，hisgrievedeyesonthemotionlesslittlebodiesintheboys’hands，shuddered。
\"Arethey——dead，too？\"
Thebiggerboynoddedself-importantly。
\"Sure。Wejustshot’em——thesquirrels。Benheretrappedtherabbits。\"Hepaused，manifestlywaitingfortheproperawedadmirationtocomeintoDavid’sface。
ButinDavid’sstartledeyestherewasnoawedadmiration，therewasonlydisbelievinghorror。
\"Youmean，youSENTthemtothefarcountry？\"
\"We——what？\"
\"Sentthem。Madethemgoyourselves——tothefarcountry？\"
Theyoungerboystillstared。Theolderonegrinneddisagreeably。
\"Sure，\"heansweredwithlaconicindifference。\"Wesent’emtothefarcountry，allright。\"
\"But——howdidyouknowtheyWANTEDtogo？\"
\"Wanted——Eh？\"explodedthebigboy。Thenhegrinnedagain，stillmoredisagreeably。\"Well，yousee，mydear，wedidn’task’em，\"
hegibed。
RealdistresscameintoDavid’sface。
\"Thenyoudon’tknowatall。AndmaybetheyDIDn’twanttogo。
Andiftheydidn’t，howCOULDtheygosinging，asfathersaid？
Fatherwasn’tsent。HeWENT。Andhewentsinging。Hesaidhedid。Butthese——HowwouldYOUliketohavesomebodycomealongandsendYOUtothefarcountry，withoutevenknowingifyouwantedtogo？\"
Therewasnoanswer。Theboys，withagrowingfearintheireyes，asatsightofsomethinginexplicableanduncanny，weresidlingaway；andinamomenttheywerehurryingdownthehill，not，however，withoutabackwardglanceortwo，ofsomethingveryliketerror。
David，leftalone，wentonhiswaywithtroubledeyesandathoughtfulfrown。
Davidoftenwore，duringthosefirstfewdaysattheHollyfarmhouse，athoughtfulfaceandatroubledfrown。Thereweresomany，manythingsthatweredifferentfromhismountainhome。
Overandover，asthosefirstlongdayspassed，hereadhisletteruntilheknewitbyheart——andhehadneedto。Washenotalreadysurroundedbythingsandpeoplethatwerestrangetohim？
Andtheyweresoverystrange——thesepeople！Thereweretheboysandmenwhoroseatdawn——yetneverpausedtowatchthesunfloodtheworldwithlight；whostayedinthefieldsallday——yetneverraisedtheireyestothebigfleecycloudsoverhead；whoknewbirdsonlyasthievesafterfruitandgrain，andsquirrelsandrabbitsonlyascreaturestobetrappedorshot。Thewomen——theywereevenmoreincomprehensible。Theyspentthelonghoursbehindscreeneddoorsandwindows，washingthesamedishesandsweepingthesamefloorsdayafterday。They，too，neverraisedtheireyestotheblueskyoutside，noreventothecrimsonrosesthatpeepedinatthewindow。Theyseemedrathertobelookingalwaysfordirt，yetnotpleasedwhentheyfoundit——especiallyifithadbeentrackedinontheheelofasmallboy’sshoe！
MoreextraordinarythanallthistoDavid，however，wasthefactthatthesepeopleregardedHIM，notthemselves，asbeingstrange。
Asifitwerenotthemostnaturalthingintheworldtolivewithone’sfatherinone’shomeonthemountain-top，andspendone’sdaystrailingthroughtheforestpaths，orlyingwithabookbesidesomebabblinglittlestream！Asifitwerenotequallynaturaltotakeone’sviolinwithoneattimes，andlearntocatchuponthequiveringstringsthewhisperofthewindsthroughthetrees！Eveninwinter，whenthecloudsthemselvescamedownfromtheskyandcoveredtheearthwiththeirsoftwhiteness，——eventhentheforestwasbeautiful；andthesongofthebrookunderitsicycoatcarriedacharmandmysterythatwerequitewantinginthechatteringfreedomofsummer。Surelytherewasnothingstrangeinallthis，andyetthesepeopleseemedtothinktherewas！
CHAPTERIX
JOE
Daybyday，however，astimepassed，Daviddiligentlytriedtoperformthe\"dos\"andavoidthe\"don’ts\"；anddaybydayhecametorealizehowimportantweedsandwoodboxeswere，ifheweretoconformtowhatwasevidentlyFarmerHolly’sideaof\"playingin，tune\"inthisstrangenewOrchestraofLifeinwhichhefoundhimself。
But，tryashewould，therewasyetanunrealityaboutitall，apersistentfeelingofuselessnessandwaste，thatwouldnotbesetaside。Sothat，afterall，theonlypartofthisstrangenewlifeofhisthatseemedrealtohimwasthetimethatcameafterfouro’clockeachday，whenhewasreleasedfromwork。
Andhowfullhefilledthosehours！Therewassomuchtosee，somuchtodo。Forsunnydaystherewerefieldandstreamandpasturelandandthewholewidetowntoexplore。Forrainydays，ifhedidnotcaretogotowalk，therewashisroomwiththebooksinthechimneycupboard。SomeofthemDavidhadreadbefore，butmanyofthemhehadnot。Oneortwowereoldfriends；
butnotso\"DareDevilDick，\"and\"ThePiratesofPigeonCove\"
（whichhefoundhiddeninanobscurecornerbehindalooseboard）。Sidebysidestood\"TheLadyoftheLake，\"\"TreasureIsland，\"and\"DavidCopperfield\"；andcoverlessanddogearedlay\"RobinsonCrusoe，\"\"TheArabianNights，\"and\"Grimm’sFairyTales。\"Thereweremore，manymore，andDaviddevouredthemallwitheagereyes。Thegoodinthemheabsorbedasheabsorbedthesunshine；theevilhecastasideunconsciously——itrolledoff，indeed，liketheproverbialwaterfromtheduck’sback。
Davidhardlyknewsometimeswhichhelikedthebetter，hisimaginativeadventuresbetweenthecoversofhisbooksorhisrealadventuresinhisdailystrolls。True，itwasnothismountainhome——thisplaceinwhichhefoundhimself；neitherwasthereanywherehisSilverLakewithitsfar，far-reachingskyabove。Moredeplorableyet，nowherewastherethedearfatherhelovedsowell。Butthesunstillsetinroseandgold，andthesky，thoughsmall，stillcarriedthesnowysailsofitscloud-boats；whileastohisfather——hisfatherhadtoldhimnottogrieve，andDavidwastryingveryhardtoobey。
WithhisviolinforcompanyDavidstartedouteachday，unlessheelectedtostayindoorswithhisbooks。Sometimesitwastowardthevillagethatheturnedhissteps；sometimesitwastowardthehillsbackofthetown。Whicheverwayitwas，therewasalwayssuretobesomethingwaitingattheendforhimandhisviolintodiscover，ifitwasnothingmorethanabigwhiteroseinbloom，orasquirrelsittingbytheroadside。
Verysoon，however，Daviddiscoveredthattherewassomethingtobefoundinhiswanderingsbesidessquirrelsandroses；andthatwas——people。Inspiteofthestrangenessofthesepeople，theywerewonderfullyinteresting，Davidthought。Andafterthatheturnedhisstepsmoreandmorefrequentlytowardthevillagewhenfouro’clockreleasedhimfromtheday’swork。
AtfirstDaviddidnottalkmuchtothesepeople。Heshranksensitivelyfromtheirboldstaresandunpleasantlyaudiblecomments。Hewatchedthemwithroundeyesofwonderandinterest，however，——whenhedidnotthinktheywerewatchinghim。Andintimehecametoknownotalittleaboutthemandaboutthestrangewaysinwhichtheypassedtheirtime。
Therewasthegreenhouseman。Itwouldbepleasanttospendone’sdaygrowingplantsandflowers——butnotunderthathot，stiflingglassroof，decidedDavid。Besides，hewouldnotwantalwaystopickandsendawaytheveryprettiestonestothecityeverymorning，asthegreenhousemandid。
Therewasthedoctorwhorodealldaylongbehindthegraymare，makingsickfolkswell。Davidlikedhim，andmentallyvowedthathehimselfwouldbeadoctorsometime。Still，therewasthestage-driver——Davidwasnotsurebuthewouldprefertofollowthisman’sprofessionforalife-work；forinhis，onecouldstillhavethefreedomoflongdaysintheopen，andyetnotbesaddenedbythesightofthesickbeforetheyhadbeenmadewell——whichwaswherethestage-driverhadthebetterofthedoctor，inDavid’sopinion。Thereweretheblacksmithandthestorekeepers，too，buttotheseDavidgavelittlethoughtorattention。
Thoughhemightnotknowwhathedidwanttodo，heknewverywellwhathedidnot。AllofwhichmerelygoestoprovethatDavidwasstillonthelookoutforthatgreatworkwhichhisfatherhadsaidwaswaitingforhimoutintheworld。
MeanwhileDavidplayedhisviolin。Ifhefoundacrimsonramblerinbloominadoor-yard，heputitintoalittlemelodyofpuredelight——thatawomaninthehousebehindtheramblerheardthemusicandwascheeredathertask，Daviddidnotknow。Ifhefoundakittenatplayinthesunshine，heputitintoariotousabandonmentoftumblingturnsandtrills——thatafretfulbabyheardandstoppeditswailing，Davidalsodidnotknow。Andonce，justbecausetheskywasblueandtheairwassweet，anditwassogoodtobealive，Davidliftedhisbowandputitallintoarapturouspaeanofringingexultation——thatasickmaninadarkenedchamberabovethestreetliftedhishead，drewinhisbreath，andtooksuddenlyanewleaseoflife，Davidstillagaindidnotknow。AllofwhichmerelygoestoprovethatDavidhadperhapsfoundhisworkandwasdoingit——althoughyetstillagainDaviddidnotknow。
ItwasinthecemeteryoneafternoonthatDavidcameupontheLadyinBlack。Shewasonherkneesputtingflowersonalittlemoundbeforeher。ShelookedupasDavidapproached。Foramomentshegazedwistfullyathim；thenasifimpelledbyahiddenforce，shespoke。
\"Littleboy，whoareyou？\"
\"I’mDavid。\"
\"David！Davidwho？Doyoulivehere？I’veseenyouherebefore。\"
\"Oh，yes，I’vebeenherequitealotoftimes。\"Purposelytheboyevadedthequestions。Davidwasgettingtiredofquestions——especiallythesequestions。
\"Andhaveyou——lostonedeartoyou，littleboy？\"
\"Lostsomeone？\"
\"Imean——isyourfatherormother——here？\"
\"Here？Oh，no，theyaren’there。Mymotherisanangel-mother，andmyfatherhasgonetothefarcountry。Heiswaitingformethere，youknow。\"
\"But，that’sthesame——thatis——\"Shestoppedhelplessly，bewilderedeyesonDavid’ssereneface。Thensuddenlyagreatlightcametoherown。\"Oh，littleboy，IwishIcouldunderstandthat——justthat，\"shebreathed。\"Itwouldmakeitsomucheasier——ifIcouldjustrememberthattheyaren’there——thatthey’reWAITING——overthere！\"
ButDavidapparentlydidnothear。Hehadturnedandwasplayingsoftlyashewalkedaway。SilentlytheLadyinBlackknelt，listening，lookingafterhim。Whensherosesometimelaterandleftthecemetery，thelightonherfacewasstillthere，deeper，moreglorified。
Towardboysandgirls——especiallyboys——ofhisownage，Davidfrequentlyturnedwistfuleyes。Davidwantedafriend，afriendwhowouldknowandunderstand；afriendwhowouldseethingsashesawthem，whowouldunderstandwhathewassayingwhenheplayed。ItseemedtoDavidthatinsomeboyofhisownageheoughttofindsuchafriend。Hehadseenmanyboys——buthehadnotyetfoundthefriend。Davidhadbeguntothink，indeed，thatofallthesestrangebeingsinthisnewlifeofhis，boyswerethestrangest。
Theystaredandnudgedeachotherunpleasantlywhentheycameuponhimplaying。Theyjeeredwhenhetriedtotellthemwhathehadbeenplaying。TheyhadneverheardofthegreatOrchestraofLife，andtheyfellintomostdisconcertingfitsoflaughter，orelsebackedawayasifafraid，whenhetoldthemthattheythemselveswereinstrumentsinit，andthatiftheydidnotkeepthemselvesintune，therewassuretobeadiscordsomewhere。
Thenthereweretheirgamesandfrolics。Suchaswereplayedwithballs，bats，andbagsofbeans，Davidthoughthewouldlikeverymuch。Buttheboysonlyscoffedwhenheaskedthemtoteachhimhowtoplay。Theylaughedwhenadogchasedacat，andtheythoughtitvery，veryfunnywhenTony，theoldblackman，trippedonthestringtheydrewacrosshispath。Theylikedtothrowstonesandshootguns，andthemorecreeping，crawling，orflyingcreaturesthattheycouldsendtothefarcountry，thehappiertheywere，apparently。Nordidtheylikeitatallwhenheaskedthemiftheyweresureallthesecreeping，crawling，flyingcreatureswantedtoleavethisbeautifulworldandtobemadedead。Theysneeredandcalledhimasissy。Daviddidnotknowwhatasissywas；butfromthewaytheysaidit，hejudgeditmustbeevenworsetobeasissythantobeathief。
AndthenhediscoveredJoe。
Davidhadfoundhimselfinaverystrange，veryunlovelyneighborhoodthatafternoon。Thestreetwasfullofpapersandtincans，thehouseswereunspeakablyforlornwithsaggingblindsandlackofpaint。Untidywomenandblear-eyedmenleanedoverthedilapidatedfences，orlolledonmud-trackeddoorsteps。
David，hisshrinkingeyesturningfromonesidetotheother，passedslowlythroughthestreet，hisviolinunderhisarm。
NowherecouldDavidfindherethetiniestspotofbeautyto\"play。\"Hehadreachedquitethemostforlornlittleshantyonthestreetwhenthepromiseinhisfather’sletteroccurredtohim。Withasuddenlyilluminedface，heraisedhisviolintopositionandplungedintoaveritablewhirloftrillsandrunsandtrippingmelodies。
\"IfIdidn’tjustentirelyforgetthatIdidn’tNEEDtoSEE
anythingbeautifultoplay，\"laughedDavidsoftlytohimself。
\"Why，it’salreadyrighthereinmyviolin！\"
Davidhadpassedthetumble-downshanty，andwashesitatingwheretwostreetscrossed，whenhefeltalighttouchonhisarm。Heturnedtoconfrontasmallgirlinapatchedandfadedcalicodress，obviouslyoutgrown。Hereyeswerewideandfrightened。Inthemiddleofheroutstretcheddirtylittlepalmwasacoppercent。
\"Ifyouplease，Joesentthis——toyou，\"shefaltered。
\"Tome？Whatfor？\"Davidstoppedplayingandloweredhisviolin。
Thelittlegirlbackedawayperceptibly，thoughshestillheldoutthecoin。
\"Hewantedyoutostayandplaysomemore。Hesaidtotellyouhe’d’a’sentmoremoneyifhecould。Buthedidn’thaveit。Hejusthadthiscent。\"
David’seyesflewwideopen。
\"YoumeanheWANTSmetoplay？Helikesit？\"heaskedjoyfully。
\"Yes。Hesaidheknew’twa’n’tmuch——thecent。Buthethoughtmaybeyou’dplayaLITTLEforit。\"
\"Play？OfcourseI’llplay\"criedDavid。\"Oh，no，Idon’twantthemoney，\"headded，wavingtheagain-profferedcoinaside。\"I
don’tneedmoneywhereI’mlivingnow。Whereishe——theonethatwantedmetoplay？\"hefinishedeagerly。
\"Intherebythewindow。It’sJoe。He’smybrother。\"Thelittlegirl，inspiteofherevidentsatisfactionattheaccomplishmentofherpurpose，yetkeptquitealooffromtheboy。Nordidthefactthatherefusedthemoneyappeartobringheranythingbutuneasysurprise。
InthewindowDavidsawaboyapparentlyabouthisownage，aboywithsandyhair，palecheeks，andwide-open，curiouslyintentblueeyes。
\"Ishecoming？Didyougethim？Willheplay？\"calledtheboyatthewindoweagerly。
\"Yes，I’mrighthere。I’mtheone。Can’tyouseetheviolin？
ShallIplayhereorcomein？\"answeredDavid，notonewhitlesseagerly。
Thesmallgirlopenedherlipsasiftoexplainsomething；buttheboyinthewindowdidnotwait。
\"Oh，comein。WILLyoucomein？\"hecriedunbelievingly。\"Andwillyoujustletmetouchit——thefiddle？Come！YouWILLcome？
See，thereisn’tanybodyhome，onlyjustBettyandme。\"
\"OfcourseIwill！\"Davidfairlystumbledupthebrokenstepsinhisimpatiencetoreachthewide-opendoor。\"Didyoulikeit——whatIplayed？AnddidyouknowwhatIwasplaying？Didyouunderstand？Couldyouseethecloud-boatsupinthesky，andmySilverLakedowninthevalley？Andcouldyouhearthebirds，andthewindsinthetrees，andthelittlebrooks？Couldyou？Oh，didyouunderstand？I’vesowantedtofindsomeonethatcould！ButI
wouldn’tthinkthatYOU——HERE——\"Withagesture，andanexpressiononhisfacethatwereunmistakable，Davidcametoahelplesspause。
\"There，Joe，what’dItellyou，\"criedthelittlegirl，inahuskywhisper，dartingtoherbrother’sside。\"Oh，whydidyoumakemegethimhere？Everybodysayshe’scrazyasaloon，and——\"
Buttheboyreachedoutaquicklysilencinghand。Hisfacewascuriouslyalight，asiffromaninwardglow。Hiseyes，stillwidelyintent，werestaringstraightahead。
\"Stop，Betty，wait，\"hehushedher。\"Maybe——IthinkIDO
understand。Boy，youmean——INSIDEofyou，youseethosethings，andthenyoutrytomakeyourfiddletellwhatyouareseeing。Isthatit？\"
\"Yes，yes，\"criedDavid。\"Oh，youDOunderstand。AndIneverthoughtyoucould。Ineverthoughtthatanybodycouldthatdidn’thaveanythingtolookatbuthim——butthesethings。\"
\"’Anythingbutthesetolookat’！\"echoedtheboy，withasuddenanguishinhisvoice。\"Anythingbutthese！IguessifIcouldseeANYTHING，Iwouldn’tmindWHATIsee！An’youwouldn’t，neither，ifyouwas——blind，likeme。\"
\"Blind！\"Davidfellback。Faceandvoicewerefullofhorror。
\"Youmeanyoucan’tsee——anything，withyoureyes？\"
\"Nothin’。\"
\"Oh！Ineversawanyoneblindbefore。Therewasoneinabook——butfathertookitaway。Sincethen，inbooksdownhere，I’vefoundothers——but——\"
\"Yes，yes。Well，nevermindthat，\"cutintheblindboy，growingrestiveunderthepityintheother’svoice。\"Play。Won’tyou？\"
\"ButhowareyouEVERgoingtoknowwhatabeautifulworlditis？\"shudderedDavid。\"Howcanyouknow？Andhowcanyoueverplayintune？You’reoneoftheinstruments。Fathersaideverybodywas。AndhesaideverybodywasplayingSOMETHINGallthetime；andifyoudidn’tplayintune——\"
\"Joe，Joe，please，\"beggedthelittlegirl\"Won’tyoulethimgo？
I’mafraid。Itoldyou——\"
\"Shucks，Betty！Hewon’thurtye，\"laughedJoe，alittleirritably。ThentoDavidheturnedagainwithsomesharpness。
\"Play，won’tye？YouSAIDyou’dplay！\"
\"Yes，oh，yes，I’llplay，\"falteredDavid，bringinghisviolinhastilytoposition，andtestingthestringswithfingersthatshookalittle。
\"There！\"breathedJoe，settlingbackinhischairwithacontentedsigh。\"Now，playitagain——whatyoudidbefore。\"
ButDaviddidnotplaywhathedidbefore——atfirst。Therewerenoairycloud-boats，nofar-reachingsky，nobirds，ormurmuringforestbrooksinhismusicthistime。Therewereonlythepoverty-strickenroom，thedirtystreet，theboyaloneatthewindow，withhissightlesseyes——theboywhonever，neverwouldknowwhatabeautifulworldhelivedin。
ThensuddenlytoDavidcameanewthought。Thisboy，Joe，hadsaidbeforethatheunderstood。Hehadseemedtoknowthathewasbeingtoldofthesunnyskiesandtheforestwinds，thesingingbirdsandthebabblingbrooks。Perhapsagainnowhewouldunderstand。
Whatif，forthosesightlesseyes，onecouldcreateaworld？
PossiblyneverbeforehadDavidplayedasheplayedthen。Itwasasifuponthosefourquiveringstrings，hewaslayingthepurpleandgoldofathousandsunsets，theroseandamberofathousandsunrises，thegreenofaboundlessearth，theblueofaskythatreachedtoheavenitself——tomakeJoeunderstand。
\"Gee！\"breathedJoe，whenthemusiccametoanendwithacrashingchord。\"Say，wa’n’tthatjustgreat？Won’tyouletme，please，justtouchthatfiddle？\"AndDavid，lookingintotheblindboy’sexaltedface，knewthatJoehadindeed——understood。
CHAPTERX
THELADYOFTHEROSES
Itwasanewworld，indeed，thatDavidcreatedforJoeafterthat——aworldthathadtodowithentrancingmusicwhereoncewassilence；delightfulcompanionshipwhereoncewasloneliness；andtoothsomecookiesanddoughnutswhereoncewashunger。
TheWidowGlaspell，Joe’smother，workedoutbytheday，scrubbingandwashing；andJoe，perforce，waslefttothesomewhaterraticanddecidedlyunskillfulministrationsofBetty。
Bettywasnoworse，andnobetter，thananyotheruntaught，irresponsibletwelve-year-oldgirl，anditwasnottobeexpected，perhaps，thatshewouldcaretospendallthebrightsunnyhoursshutupwithhersorelyafflictedandsomewhatfretfulbrother。True，atnoonsheneverfailedtoappearandpreparesomethingthatpassedforadinnerforherselfandJoe。
ButtheGlaspelllarderwasfrequentlyalmostasemptyaswerethehungrystomachsthatlookedtoitforrefreshment；anditwouldhavetakenafarmoreskillfulcookthanwasthefly-awayBettytoevolveanythingfromitthatwaseitherpalatableorsatisfying。
WiththecomingofDavidintoJoe’slifeallthiswaschanged。
First，therewerethemusicandthecompanionship。Joe’sfatherhad\"playedintheband\"inhisyouth，and（accordingtotheWidowGlaspell）hadbeena\"powerfulhandformusic。\"Itwasfromhim，presumably，thatJoehadinheritedhispassionformelodyandharmony；anditwasnowonderthatDavidrecognizedsosoonintheblindboythespiritthatmadethemkin。AtthefirststrokeofDavid’sbow，indeed，thedingywallsaboutthemwouldcrumbleintonothingness，andtogetherthetwoboyswereoffinafairyworldoflovelinessandjoy。
NorwaslisteningalwaysJoe’spart。From\"justtouching\"theviolin——hisfirstlongingplea——hecametodrawingatimidbowacrossthestrings。Inanincrediblyshorttime，then，hewaspickingoutbitsofmelody；andbytheendofafortnightDavidhadbroughthisfather’sviolinforJoetopracticeon。
\"Ican’tGIVEittoyou——notforkeeps，\"Davidhadexplained，abittremulously，\"becauseitwasdaddy’s，youknow；andwhenI
seeit，itseemsalmostasifIwasseeinghim。Butyoumaytakeit。Thenyoucanhaveitheretoplayonwheneveryoulike。\"
Afterthat，inJoe’sownhandslaythepowertotransporthimselfintoanotherworld，forwiththeviolinforcompanyheknewnoloneliness。
NorwastheviolinallthatDavidbroughttothehouse。Therewerethedoughnutsandthecookies。VeryearlyinhisvisitsDavidhaddiscovered，muchtohissurprise，thatJoeandBettywereoftenhungry。
\"Butwhydon’tyougodowntothestoreandbuysomething？\"hehadqueriedatonce。
Uponbeingtoldthattherewasnomoneytobuywith，David’sfirstimpulsehadbeentobringseveralofthegold-piecesthenexttimehecame；butuponsecondthoughtsDaviddecidedthathedidnotdare。Hewasnotwishingtobecalledathiefasecondtime。Itwouldbebetter，heconcluded，tobringsomefoodfromthehouseinstead。
Inhismountainhomeeverythingthehouseaffordedinthewayoffoodhadalwaysbeenfreelygiventothefewstrangersthatfoundtheirwaytothecabindoor。SonowDavidhadnohesitationingoingtoMrs。Holly’spantryforsupplies，upontheoccasionofhisnextvisittoJoeGlaspell’s。
Mrs。Holly，comingintothekitchen，foundhimmergingfromthepantrywithbothhandsfullofcookiesanddoughnuts。
\"Why，David，whatintheworlddoesthismean？\"shedemanded。
\"They’reforJoeandBetty，\"smiledDavidhappily。
\"ForJoeand——Butthosedoughnutsandcookiesdon’tbelongtoyou。They’remine！\"
\"Yes，Iknowtheyare。Itoldthemyouhadplenty，\"noddedDavid。
\"Plenty！WhatifIhave？\"remonstratedMrs。Holly，ingrowingindignation。\"Thatdoesn’tmeanthatyoucantake——\"SomethinginDavid’sfacestoppedthewordshalf-spoken。
\"Youdon’tmeanthatICAN’TtakethemtoJoeandBetty，doyou？
Why，Mrs。Holly，they’rehungry！JoeandBettyare。Theydon’thavehalfenoughtoeat。Bettysaidso。Andwe’vegotmorethanwewant。There’sfoodleftonthetableeveryday。Why，ifYOU
werehungry，wouldn’tyouwantsomebodytobring——\"
ButMrs。Hollystoppedhimwithadespairinggesture。
\"There，there，nevermind。Runalong。Ofcourseyoucantakethem。I’m——I’mGLADtohaveyou，\"shefinished，inadesperateattempttodrivefromDavid’sfacethatlookofshockedincredulitywithwhichhewasstillregardingher。
NeveragaindidMrs。HollyattempttothwartDavid’sgenerositytotheGlaspells；butshedidtrytoregulateit。Shesawtoitthatthereafter，uponhisvisitstothehouse，hetookonlycertainthingsandacertainamount，andinvariablythingsofherownchoosing。
ButnotalwaystowardtheGlaspellshantydidDavidturnhissteps。Veryfrequentlyitwasinquiteanotherdirection。HehadbeenattheHollyfarmhousethreeweekswhenhefoundhisLadyoftheRoses。
Hehadpassedquitethroughthevillagethatday，andhadcometoaroadthatwasnewtohim。Itwasabeautifulroad，smooth，white，andfirm。Twohugegranitepoststoppedwithflamingnasturtiumsmarkedthepointwhereitturnedofffromthemainhighway。Beyondthese，asDavidsoonfound，itranbetweenwide-spreadinglawnsandfloweringshrubs，leadingupthegentleslopeofahill。Whereitledto，Daviddidnotknow，butheproceededunhesitatinglytotrytofindout。Forsometimeheclimbedtheslopeinsilence，hisviolin，mute，underhisarm；
butthewhiteroadstilllayintantalizingmysterybeforehimwhenaby-pathofferedthegreatertemptation，andluredhimtoexploreitscoolshadowydepthsinstead。
HadDavidbutknownit，hewasatSunny-crest，Hinsdale’sone\"showplace，\"thecountryhomeofitsonereallyrichresident，MissBarbaraHolbrook。Hadhealsobutknownit，MissHolbrookwasnotcelebratedforhergraciousnesstoanyvisitors，certainlynottothosewhoventuredtoapproachherotherwisethanbyaconventionalringatherfrontdoorbell。ButDaviddidnotknowallthis；andhethereforeveryhappilyfollowedtheshadypathuntilhecametotheWonderattheendofit。
TheWonder，inHinsdaleparlance，wasonlyMissHolbrook’sgarden，butinDavid’seyesitwasfairylandcometrue。Foronewholeminutehecouldonlystandlikeaveryordinarylittleboyandstare。Attheendoftheminutehebecamehimselfoncemore；
andbeinghimself，heexpressedhisdelightatonceintheonlywayheknewhowtodo——byraisinghisviolinandbeginningtoplay。
Hehadmeanttotellofthelimpidpoolandofthearchofthebridgeitreflected；oftheterracedlawnsandmarblesteps，andofthegleamingwhiteofthesculpturednymphsandfauns；ofthesplashesofgloriouscrimson，yellow，blush-pink，andsnowywhiteagainstthegreen，wheretherosesriotedinluxuriousbloom。Hehadmeant，also，totelloftheQueenRoseofthemall——thebeauteousladywithhairlikethegoldofsunrise，andagownliketheshimmerofthemoononwater——ofallthishehadmeanttotell；buthehadscarcelybeguntotellitatallwhentheBeauteousLadyoftheRosessprangtoherfeetandbecamesoverymuchlikeanangryyoungwomanwhoisseriouslydispleasedthatDavidcouldonlylowerhisviolinindismay。
\"Why，boy，whatdoesthismean？\"shedemanded。