\"Butwhatofyourfriend,Arnfinn?\"exclaimedInga,assheranupthestairsofthepier。\"Heofwhomyouhavewrittensomuch。
Ihavebeenbusyallthemorningmakingtheblueguest—chamberreadyforhim。\"
\"Please,cousin,\"answeredthestudent,inatoneofmockentreaty,\"onlyanhour’srespite!
IfwearetotalkaboutStrandwemustmakeadayofit,youknow。Andjustnowitseemssograndtobeathome,andwithyou,thatI
wouldrathernotadmitevensogenialasubjectasStrandtosharemyselfishhappiness。\"
\"Ah,yes,youareright。Happinessistoooftenselfish。Buttellmeonlywhyhedidn’tcomeandI’llreleaseyou。\"
\"HeIScoming。\"
\"Ah!Andwhen?\"
\"ThatIdon’tknow。Hepreferredtotakethejourneyonfoot,andhemaybehereatalmostanytime。But,asIhavetoldyou,heisveryuncertain。Ifheshouldhappentomaketheacquaintanceofsomeinterestingsnipe,orcrane,orplover,hemaypreferitscompanytoours,andthenthereisnocountingonhimanylonger。HemaybeaslikelytoturnupattheNorthPoleasattheGranParsonage。\"
\"Howverysingular。Youdon’tknowhowcuriousIamtoseehim。\"
AndIngawalkedoninsilenceunderthesunnybircheswhichgrewalongtheroad,tryingvainlytopicturetoherselfthisstrangephenomenonofaman。
\"Ibroughthisbook,\"remarkedArnfinn,makingagiganticefforttobegenerous,forhefeltdimstirringsofjealousywithinhim。\"Ifyoucaretoreadit,IthinkitwillexplainhimtoyoubetterthananythingIcouldsay。\"
II。
TheOddsonswerecertainlyahappyfamilythoughnotbyanymeansaharmoniousone。
Theexcellentpastor,whowashimselfneutrallygood,orthodox,andkind—hearted,hadoften,intheprivacyofhisownthought,wonderedwhathiddenancestralinfluencestheremighthavebeenatworkingivingamansopeaceableandinoffensiveashimselftwodaughtersofsuchstronglydefinedindividuality。TherewasAugusta,theelder,whowaswhatArnfinncalled\"indiscriminatelyreformatory,\"andhadauniversaldesiretoimproveeverything,fromtheGovernmentdowntoagriculturalimplementsandpreservejars。Aslongasshewascontenttoexpendthesurplusenergy,whichseemedtoaccumulatewithinherthroughthelongeventlesswinters,upontheZuluMission,andotherlegitimateobjects,thepastorthoughtitallharmlessenough;although,tobesure,herenthusiasmforthosenakedandhowlingsavagesdidattimesstrikehimasbeingsomewhatextravagant。Butwhenoccasionally,inherowninnocentway,sheputbothhispatienceandhisorthodoxytothetestbyherexceedinglypuzzlingquestions,thenhecouldnot,inthedepthofhisheart,restrainthewishthatshemighthavebeenmorelikeotheryounggirls,andlessardentlysolicitousaboutthefateofherkind。
Affectionateandindulgent,however,asthepastorwas,hewouldoften,inthenextmoment,dopenanceforhisunregeneratethought,andthankGodforhavingmadehersofairtobehold,sopure,andsonoble—hearted。
TowardArnfinn,Augustahad,althoughofhisownage,earlyassumedakindofelder—sisterlyrelation;shehadbeenhiscomforterduringallthetrialsofhisboyhood;hadyieldedhimhersympathywiththateagerimpulsewhichlaysodeepinhernature,andhadfeltforlornwhenlifehadcalledhimawaytowhereherwordsofcomfortcouldnotreachhim。Butwhenonceshehadhintedthistoherfather,hehadpedanticallyconvincedherthatherfeelingwasunchristian,andIngahadplayfullyremarkedthatthehopethatsomeonemightsoonfindtheopenPolarSeawouldgofartowardconsolingherforherloss;forAugustahadgloriousvisionsatthattimeoftheopenPolarSea。
Now,thePolarSea,andmanyotherthings,farneareranddearer,hadbeenforcedintouneasyforgetfulness;andArnfinnwasoncemorewithher,nolongerachild,andnolongerappealingtoherforaidandsympathy;manenough,ap—
parently,tohaveoutgrownhisboyishneedsandstillboyenoughtobeashamedofhavingeverhadthem。
ItwasthethirdSundayafterArnfinn’sreturn。HeandAugustawereclimbingthehillsidetothe\"Giant’sHood,\"fromwhencetheyhadawideviewofthefjord,andcouldseethesuntrailingitslongbridgeofflameuponthewater。ItwasInga’sweekinthekitchen,thereforehersisterwasArnfinn’scompanion。
Astheyreachedthecrestofthe\"Hood,\"
Augustaseatedherselfonaflatbowlder,andtheyoungstudentflunghimselfonapatchofgreenswardatherfeet。Theintenselightofthelatesunfelluponthegirl’sunconsciousface,andArnfinnlay,gazingupintoit,andwonderingatitsrarebeauty;buthesawonlythecleancutofitsfeaturesandthepurityofitsform,beingtooshallowtorecognizethestrongandheroicsoulwhichhadstruggledsolongforutteranceinthelifeofwhichhehadbeenablindandunmindfulwitness。
\"Gracious,howbeautifulyouare,cousin!\"
hebrokeforth,heedlessly,strikinghislegwithhisslendercane;\"pityyouwerenotbornaqueen;youwouldbeequaltoalmostanything,evenifitweretodiscoverthePolarSea。\"
\"Ithoughtyouwerelookingatthesun,Arnfinn,\"answeredshe,smilingreluctantly。
\"AndsoIam,cousin,\"laughedhe,withanother—emphaticslapofhisboot。
\"Thatcomplimentisratherstale。\"
\"Buttheopportunitywastootempting。\"
\"Nevermind,Iwillexcuseyoufromfurtherefforts。Turnaroundandnoticethatwonderfulpurplehalowhichishoveringovertheforestsbelow。Isn’titglorious?\"
\"No,don’tletusbesolemn,pray。ThesunI
haveseenathousandtimesbefore,butyouI
haveseenveryseldomoflate。Somehow,sinceIreturnedthistime,youseemtokeepmeatadistance。Younolongerconfidetomeyourgreatplansfortheabolishmentofwar,andtheimprovementofmankindgenerally。Whydon’tyoutellmewhetheryouhaveasyetsucceededinconvincingthepeasantsthatcleanlinessisacardinalvirtue,thathawthornhedgesaremorepicturesquethanrailfences,andthatsaltmeatisaveryindigestiblearticle?\"
\"Youknowthefateofmyreforms,fromlongexperience,\"sheanswered,withthesamesad,sweetsmile。\"Iamafraidtheremustbesomethingradicallywrongaboutmymethods;and,moreover,Iknowthatyouraspirationsandminearenolongerthesame,iftheyeverhavebeen,andIamnotungenerousenoughtoforceyoutofeignaninterestwhichyoudonotfeel。\"
\"Yes,Iknowyouthinkmeflippantandboyish,\"retortedhe,withsuddenenergy,andtossingastonedownintothegulfbelow。
\"But,bytheway,myfriendStrand,ifheevercomes,wouldbejustthemanforyou。Hehasquiteasmanyhobbiesasyouhave,and,whatismore,hehasaprofoundrespectforhobbiesingeneral,andisuniversallycharitabletowardthoseofothers。\"
\"Yourfriendisagreatman,\"saidthegirl,earnestly。\"Ihavereadhisbookon`TheWadingBirdsoftheNorwegianHighlands,’
andnonebutagreatmancouldhavewrittenit。\"
\"Heisanoddstick,but,forallthat,acapitalfellow;andIhavenodoubtyouwouldgetonadmirablywithhim。\"
Atthismomenttheconversationwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofthepastor’sman,Hans,whocametotellthe\"youngmiss\"thattherewasabigtramphoveringaboutthebarnsinthe\"out—fields,\"wherehehadbeensleepingduringthelastthreenights。Hewasadangerouscharacter,Hansthought,atleastjudgingfromhislooks,anditwashardlysafefortheyoungmisstoberoamingaboutthefieldsatnightaslongashewasintheneighborhood。
\"Whydon’tyouspeaktothepastor,andhavehimarrested?\"saidArnfinn,impatientofHans’slong—windedrecital。
\"No,no,saynothingtofather,\"demandedAugusta,eagerly。\"Whyshouldyouarrestapoormanaslongashedoesnothingworsethansleepinthebarnsintheout—fields?\"
\"Asyousay,miss,\"retortedHans,anddeparted。
Themooncameuppaleandmist—likeovertheeasternmountainridges,struggledforafewbriefmomentsfeeblywiththesunlight,andthenvanished。
\"Itisstrange,\"saidArnfinn,\"howeverythingremindsmeofStrandto—night。Whatgloriouslyabsurdapostrophestothemoonhecouldmake!Ihavenottoldyou,cousin,ofaverysingulargiftwhichhepossesses。Hecanattractallkindsofbirdsandwildanimalstohimself;hecanimitatetheirvoices,andtheyflockaroundhim,asifhewereoneofthem,withoutfearofharm。\"
\"Howdelightful,\"criedAugusta,withsuddenanimation。\"Whatagloriousmanyourfriendmustbe!\"
\"Becausethesnipesandthewildduckslikehim?
Youseemtohavegreaterconfidenceintheirjudgmentthaninmine。\"
\"OfcourseIhave——atleastaslongasyoupersistinjoking。But,jestingaside,whatawondrouslybeautifullifehemustleadwhomNaturetakesthusintoherconfidence;whohas,asitwere,aninnerandsubtlersense,correspondingtoeachgrosserandexternalone;whoiskeen—sightedenoughtoreadthecharacterofeveryindividualbeast,andhasearssensitivetothefullpathosofjoyorsorrowinthesongofthebirdsthatinhabitourwoodlands。\"
\"Whetherhehasanysuchsecondsetofsensesasyouspeakof,Idon’tknow;buttherecanbenodoubtthathisfamiliarity,nottosayintimacy,withbirdsandbeastsgiveshimagreatadvantageasanaturalist。IsupposeyouknowthathislittlebookhasbeentranslatedintoFrench,andrewardedwiththegoldmedaloftheAcademy。\"
\"Hush!Whatisthat?\"Augustasprangup,andheldherhandtoherear。
\"Somelove—lornmountain—cockplayingyonderinthepinecopse,\"suggestedArnfinn,amusedathiscousin’seagerness。
\"Yousillyboy!Don’tyouknowthemountain—
cockneverplaysexceptatsunrise?\"
\"Hewouldhaveasorrytimeofitnow,then,whenthereISnosunrise。\"
\"Andsohehas;hedoesnotplayexceptinearlyspring。\"
Thenoise,atfirstfaint,nowgrewlouder。Itbeganwithaseriesofmellow,plaintiveclucksthatfollowedthicklyoneuponanother,likesmoothpearlsofsoundthatrolledthroughthethroatinacontinuouscurrent;thencameafewsharpnotesasofalargebirdthatsnapshisbill;thenalong,half—melodiousrumbling,intermingledwithcacklingsandsnaps,andatlast,asortofdiminuendomovementofthesameround,pearlyclucks。Therewasawhizzingofwing—beatsintheair;twolargebirdssweptovertheirheadsandstruckdownintothecopsewhencethesoundhadissued。
\"Thisisindeedamostsingularthing,\"saidAugusta,underherbreath,andwithwide—eyedwonder。
\"Letusgonearer,andseewhatitcanbe。\"
\"IamsureIcangoifyoucan,\"respondedArnfinn,notanytooeagerly。\"Givemeyourhand,andwecanclimbthebetter。\"
Astheyapproachedthepinecopse,whichprojectedlikeapromontoryfromthelineofthedenserforest,thenoiseceased,andonlytheplaintivewhistlingofamountain—hen,callingherscatteredyoungtogether,andnowandthentheshrillresponseofasnipetothecryofitslonelymate,felluponthesummernight,notasaninterruption,butasanoutgrowthoftheverysilence。Augustastolewithsoundlesstreadthroughthetransparentgloomwhichlingeredunderthosehugeblackcrowns,andArnfinnfollowedimpatientlyafter。Suddenlyshemotionedtohimtostandstill,andherselfbentforwardinanattitudeofsurpriseandeagerobservation。
Ontheground,somefiftystepsfromwhereshewasstationed,shesawamanstretchedoutfulllength,withaknapsackunderhishead,andsurroundedbyaflockofdowny,half—grownbirds,whichrespondedwithalow,anxiouspipingtohisalluringcluck,thenscatteredwithsuddenalarm,onlytoreturnagaininthesamecurious,cautiousfashionasbefore。
Nowandthentherewasagreatflappingofwingsinthetreesoverhead,andaheavybrownandblackspeckledmountain—henalightedclosetotheman’shead,stretchedouthernecktowardhim,cockedherhead,calledherscatteredbroodtogether,anddepartedwithslowanddeliberatewing—beats。
Againtherewasafrightenedflutterover—
head,ashrillanxiouswhistleroseintheair,andallwassilence。Augustahadsteppedonadrybranch——ithadbrokenunderherweight——
hencethesuddenconfusionandflight。Theunknownmanhadsprungup,andhiseye,afteramoment’ssearch,hadfoundthedark,beautifulfacepeeringforthbehindtheredfir—trunk。
Hedidnotspeakorsaluteher;hegreetedherwithsilentjoy,asonegreetsawondrousvisionwhichistoofrailandbrightforconsciousnesstograsp,whichislosttheveryinstantoneisconsciousofseeing。But,whiletothegirlthesight,asitwere,hungtremblingintherangeofmerephysicalperception,whileitssuddennesshelditalooffrommoralreflection,therecameagreatshoutfrombehind,andArnfinn,whominhersurpriseshehadquiteforgotten,cameboundingforward,graspingthestrangerbythehandwithmuchvigor,laughingheartily,andpouringforthaconfusedstreamofdelightedinterjections,borrowedfromallmannerofclassicalandunclassicaltongues。
\"Strand!Strand!\"hecried,whenthefirsttumultofexcitementhadsubsided;\"youmostmarvelousandincomprehensibleStrand!Fromwhatregionofheavenorearthdidyoujumpdownintoourprosaicneighborhood?Andwhatintheworldpossessedyoutochooseourbarnsasthecentreofyouroperations,andnearlyputmetothenecessityofhavingyouarrestedforvagrancy?HowIdoregretthatCousinAugusta’sentreatiesmollifiedmyhearttowardyou。Pardonme,Ihavenotintroducedyou。Thisismycousin,MissOddson,andthisismymiraculousfriend,theworld—renownedauthor,vagrant,andnaturalist,Mr。MarcusStrand。\"
Strandsteppedforward,madeadeepbutsomewhatawkwardbow,andwasdimlyawarethatasmallsofthandwasextendedtohim,and,inthenextmoment,wasenclosedinhisownbroadandvoluminouspalm。Hegraspeditfirmly,and,inoneofthoseprofoundabstractionsintowhichhewasapttofallwhenundertheswayofastrongimpression,presseditwithincreasingcordiality,whileheendeavoredtofindfittinganswerstoArnfinn’smultifariousquestions。
\"Totellthetruth,Vording,\"hesaid,inadeep,full—ringingbass,\"Ididn’tknowthatthesewereyourcousin’sbarns——Imeanthatyouruncle\"——givingtheunhappyhandanemphaticshake——\"inhabitedthesebarns。\"
\"No,thankheaven,wearenotquitereducedtothat,\"criedArnfinn,gayly;\"westillboastaparsonage,asyouwillpresentlydiscover,andaverybrightandcozyone,toboot。But,whateveryoudo,havethegoodnesstoreleaseAugusta’shand。Don’tyouseehowdesperatelysheisstruggling,poorthing?\"
Stranddroppedthehandasifithadbeenahotcoal,blushedtotheedgeofhishair,andmadeanotherprofoundreverence。Hewasatall,huge—limbedyouth,withaframeofgiganticmold,andalarge,blonde,shaggyhead,likethatofsomegood—naturedantediluviananimal,whichmightfeelthedisadvantagesofitssizeamidthepunybeingsofthislaterstageofcreation。Therewasafrankdirectnessinhisgaze,andanunconsciousnessofself,whichmadehimverywinning,andwhichcouldnotfailofitseffectuponagirlwho,likeAugusta,wasfondoftheuncommon,andhatedsmooth,facileandwell—tailoredyoungmen,withthelabelsofsocietyandfashionupontheircoats,theirmustaches,andtheirspeech。AndStrand,withhislargesun—burnedface,hiswild—growingbeard,bluewoolenshirt,topboots,andunkemptappearancegenerally,wasasufficientlystartlingphenomenontosatisfyevensoexactingafancyashers;for,afterreadinghisbookabouttheWadingBirds,shehadmadeuphermindthathemusthavefewpointsofresemblancetothemenwhohadhithertoformedpartofherownsmallworld,althoughshehadnotuntilnowdecidedjustinwhatwayhewastodiffer。
\"SupposeIhelpyoucarryyourknapsack,\"
saidArnfinn,whowasflittingaboutlikeasmallnimblespanieltryingtomakefriendswithsomelarge,good—naturedNewfoundland。\"Youmustbeverytired,havingroamedaboutinthisQuixoticfashion!\"
\"No,Ithankyou,\"respondedStrand,withanincredulouslaugh,glancingalternatelyfromArnfinntotheknapsack,asifestimatingtheirproportionateweight。\"IamafraidyouwouldrueyourbargainifIacceptedit。\"
\"Isupposeyouhaveagreatmanystuffedbirdsathome,\"remarkedthegirl,lookingwithself—forgetfuladmirationatthelargebrawnyfigure。
\"No,Ihavehardlyany,\"answeredhe,seatinghimselfontheground,andpullingathicknote—bookfromhispocket。\"Ipreferlivecreatures。Theiranatomicalandphysiologicalpeculiaritieshavebeenstudiedbyothers,andvolumeshavebeenwrittenaboutthem。Itistheirpsychologicaltraits,iiyouwillallowtheexpression,whichinterestme,andthoseIcanonlygetatwhiletheyarealive。\"
\"Howdelightful!\"
SomeminuteslatertheywereallontheirwaytotheParsonage。Thesun,inspiteofitsmid—
summerwakefulness,wasgettingred—eyedanddrowsy,andthepurplemistswhichhunginscatteredfragmentsupontheforestbelowhadlostsomethingoftheirdeep—tingedbrilliancy。
ButAugusta,quiteblindtotheweakenedlighteffects,lookedoutuponthebroadlandscapeinecstasy,and,appealingtohermoreapatheticcompanions,invitedthemtoshareherjoyatthebeautyofthefaint—flushedsummernight。
\"Youaregettingquitedithyrambic,mydear,\"remarkedArnfinn,withanairofcousinlysuperiority,whichhefeltwaseminentlybecomingtohim;andAugustalookedupwithquicksurprise,thensmiledinanabsentway,andforgotwhatshehadbeensaying。Shehadnosuspicionbutthatherenthusiasmhadbeenallforthesunset。
III。
InalifesooutwardlybarrenandmonotonousasAugusta’s——alifeinwhichthesmallexternaleventsweresofirmlyinterwovenwiththesubtlerthreadsofyearnings,wants,anddesires——theintroductionofsolargeandnovelafactasMarcusStrandwouldnaturallyproducesomeperceptibleresult。Itwasthatdeplorableinwardrestlessnessofhers,shereasoned,whichhadhithertomadeherexistenceseemsoemptyandunsatisfactory;butnowhispresencefilledthehours,andthenewnessofhiswords,hismanner,andhiswholepersonaffordedinexhaustiblematerialforthought。Itwasnowaweeksincehisarrival,andwhileArnfinnandIngachattedatleisure,drewcaricatures,orreadaloudtoeachotherinsomeshadynookofthegarden,sheandStrandwouldroamalongthebeach,fillingthevastuncloudedhorizonwithlargeglowingimagesofthefutureofthehumanrace。Healwayslistenedinsympatheticsilencewhilesheunfoldedtohimheroftenchildishlydaringschemesfortheameliorationofsufferingandtherightingofsocialwrongs;andwhenshehadfinished,andhemettheearnestappealofherdarkeye,therewouldoftenbeapause,duringwhicheach,withahalfunconsciouslapsefromtheimpersonal,wouldfeelmorekeenlythejoyofthisnewanddeliciousmentalcompanionship。Andwhenatlengthheanswered,sometimesgentlyrefutingandsometimesassentingtoherproposition,itwasalwayswithaslow,deliberateearnestness,asifhefeltbutherdeepsincerity,andforgotforthemomenthersex,heryouth,andherinexperience。Itwasjustthiskindoffellowshipforwhichshehadhungeredsolong,andherheartwentoutwithagreatgratitudetowardthisstrongandgenerousman,whowaswillingtorecognizeherhumanity,andtorespondwithanever—readyfrankness,unmixedwithpettysuspicionsandsecondthoughts,totheeagerneedsofherhalf—
starvednature。Itisquitecharacteristic,too,ofthetypeofwomanhoodwhichAugustarepresents(andwithwhichthisbroadcontinentofoursabounds),that,withherhabitualdisregardofappearances,shewouldhavescornedthenotionthattheirintercoursehadanyultimateendbeyondthatofmutualpleasureandinstruction。
ItwasearlyinthemorninginthethirdweekofStrand’sstayattheParsonage。Aheavydewhadfallenduringthenight,andeachtinygrass—bladeglistenedinthesun,bendingundertheweightofitsliquiddiamond。Thebirdswereimprovisingaminiaturesymphonyinthebirchesattheendofthegarden;thesong—
thrushwarbledwithasweetmelancholyhislong—drawncontraltonotes;thelark,likeaprimadonna,hoveringconspicuouslyinmidair,pouredforthherjoyoussopranosolo;andtherobin,quiteunmindfulofthetempo,filledoutthepauseswithhisthoughtlessstaccatochirp。Augusta,whowasherselftheearlybirdofthepastor’sfamily,hadpaidavisittothelittlebath—housedownatthebrook,andwasnowhurryinghomeward,herheavyblackhairconfinedinadelicatemuslinhood,andherlitheformhastilywrappedinaloosemorninggown。
Shehadpausedforamomentunderthebirchestolistentothesongofthelark,whensuddenlyalow,halfarticulatesound,veryunlikethevoiceofabird,arrestedherattention;sheraisedhereyes,andsawStrandsittinginthetopofatree,apparentlyconversingwithhimself,orwithsometinythingwhichheheldinhishands。
\"Ah,yes,youpoorlittlesicklything!\"sheheardhimmutter。\"Don’tyoumakesuchanadonow。Youshallsoonbequitewell,ifyouwillonlymindwhatItellyou。Stop,stop!
Takeiteasy。Itisallforyourowngood,youknow。Ifyouhadonlybeenprudent,andnotsteppedonyourlameleg,youmighthavebeensparedthisaffliction。But,afterall,itwasnotyourfault——itwasthatfoolishlittlemotherofyours。Shewillremembernowthataskeinofhempthreadisnotthethingtolinehernestwith。Ifshedoesn’t,youmaytellherthatitwasIwhosaidso。\"
Augustastoodgazingoninmuteastonishment;
then,suddenlyrememberingherhastytoilet,shestartedtorun;but,aschancewouldhaveit,adrybranch,whichhungratherlow,caughtatherhood,andherhairfellinablackwavystreamdownoverhershoulders。Shegavealittlecry,thetreeshookviolently,andStrandwasatherside。Sheblushedcrimsonoverneckandface,and,inherutterbewilderment,stoodlikeaculpritbeforehim,unabletomove,unabletospeak,andonlyreturningwithasilentbowhiscordialgreeting。Itseemedtoherthatshehadungenerouslyintrudeduponhisprivacy,watchinghim,whilehethoughthimselfunobserved。AndAugustawasquiteunskilledinthosesocialaccomplishmentswhichenableyoungladiestohidetheirinwardemotionsunderashowofpoliteindifference,for,howeverhardshestrove,shecouldnotsuppressaslightquiveringofherlips,andherintenseself—reproachmadeStrand’swordsfalldimlyonherears,andpreventedherfromgatheringthemeaningofwhathewassaying。Heheldinhishandsayoungbirdwithayellowlinealongtheedgeofitsbill(andtherewassomethingbeautifullysoftandtenderinthewaythoselargepalmsofhishandledanylivingthing),andhelookedpityinglyatitwhilehespoke。
\"Themotherofthislittlelinnet,\"hesaid,smiling,\"didwhatmanyfoolishyoungmothersareapttodo。Shetookuponhertheresponsibilityofraisingoffspringwithouthavingacquiredthenecessaryknowledgeofhousekeeping。
Soshelinedhernestwithhemp,andtheconsequencewas,thatherfirst—borngothislegsentangled,andwasobligedtoremaininthenestlongafterhiswingshadreachedtheirfulldevelopment。Isawherfeedinghimaboutaweekago,and,asmycuriositypromptedmetolookintothecase,Ireleasedthelittlecripple,cleansedthedeepwoundwhichthethreadshadcutinhisflesh,andhavesincebeenwatchinghimduringhisconvalescence。Nowheisquiteinafairway,butIhadtoapplysomesalve,andtocutoffthefeathersaboutthewound,andthelittlefoolsquirmedunderthepain,andgrewrebellious。Onlynoticethisscar,ifyouplease,MissOddson,andyoumayimaginewhatthepoorthingmusthavesuffered。\"
Augustagaveastart;shetimidlyraisedhereyes,andsawStrand’sgravegazefixeduponher。Shefeltasifsomeintolerablespellhadcomeoverher,and,asheragitationincreased,herpowerofspeechseemedutterlytodeserther。
\"Ah,youhavenotbeenlisteningtome?\"
saidStrand,inatoneofwonderinginquiry。
\"Pardonmeforpresumingtobelievethatmylittleinvalidcouldbeasinterestingtoyouasheistome。\"
\"Mr。Strand,\"stammeredthegirl,whiletheinvisibletearscamenearchokinghervoice。
\"Mr。Strand——Ididn’tmean——really——\"
Sheknewthatifshesaidanotherwordsheshouldburstintotears。Withaviolenteffort,shegatheredupherwrapper,whichsomehowhadgotunbuttonedattheneck,and,withheedlesslyhurryingsteps,dartedawaytowardthehouse。
Strandstoodlookingafterher,quiteunmindfulofhisfeatheredpatient,whichflewchirpingabouthiminthegrass。TwohourslaterArnfinnfoundhimsittingunderthebircheswithhishandsclaspedoverthetopofhishead,andhissurgicalinstrumentsscatteredonthegroundaroundhim。
\"CorpodiBaccho,\"exclaimedthestudent,stoopingtopickuptheprecioustools;\"haveyoubeenamputatingyourownhead,orisitI
whoamdreaming?\"
\"Ah,\"murmuredStrand,liftingalarge,strangegazeuponhisfriend,\"isityou?\"
\"Whoelseshoulditbe?Icometocallyoutobreakfast。\"
IV。
\"IwonderwhatisupbetweenStrandandAugusta?\"saidArnfinntohiscousinInga。Thequestionerwaslyinginthegrassatherfeet,restinghischinonhispalms,andgazingwithroguishlytendereyesupintoherfresh,bloomingface;butInga,whowasreadingaloudfrom\"DavidCopperfield,\"andwasdeepinthematrimonialtribulationsofthatnoblehero,onlysaid\"hush,\"andcontinuedreading。Arnfinn,afteraminute’ssilence,repeatedhisremark,whereuponhisfaircousinwrenchedhiscaneoutofhishand,andhelditthreateninglyoverhishead。
\"Willyoubeagoodboyandlisten?\"sheexclaimed,playfullyemphasizingeachwordwithalightraponhiscurlypate。
\"Ouch!thathurts,\"criedArnfinn,anddodged。
\"Itwasmeanttohurt,\"repliedInga,withmockseverity,andreturnedto\"Copperfield。\"
Presentlytheseedofacorn—flowerstruckthetipofhernose,andagainthecanewaslifted;
butDora’shousekeepingexperiencesweretooabsorbinglyinteresting,andtheblueeyescouldnotresisttheirfascination。
\"CousinInga,\"saidArnfinn,andthistimewithasnearanapproachtoearnestnessashewascapableofatthatmoment,\"IdobelievethatStrandisinlovewithAugusta。\"
Ingadroppedthebook,andsenthimwhatwasmeanttobeaglanceofsevererebuke,andthensaid,inherownamusinglyemphaticway:
\"Idowishyouwouldn’tjokewithsuchthings,Arnfinn。\"
\"Joke!IndeedIamnotjoking。IwishtoheaventhatIwere。Whatapityitisthatshehastakensuchadisliketohim!\"
\"Dislike!Oh,youareaprofoundphilosopher,youare!Youthinkthatbecausesheavoids——\"
HereIngaabruptlyclappedherhandoverhermouth,and,withsuddenchangeofvoiceandexpression,said:
\"Iamassilentasthegrave。\"
\"Yes,youarewonderfullydiscreet,\"criedArnfinn,laughing,whilethegirlbitherunderlipwithanairofpenitenceandmortificationwhich,inanyotherbosomthanacousin’swouldhavearousedcompassion。
\"Aha!Sosteht’s!\"hebrokeforth,withanotherburstofmerriment;then,softenedbythesightofatearthatwasslowlygatheringbeneathhereyelashes,hecheckedhislaughter,creptuptoherside,andinahalfchildishlycoaxing,halfcaressingtone,hewhispered:
\"Dearlittlecousin,indeedIdidn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings。Youarenotangrywithme,areyou?Andifyouwillonlypromisemenottotell,IhavesomethingherewhichIshouldliketoshowyou。\"
HewellknewthattherewasnothingwhichwouldsoonersootheInga’swraththanconfidingasecrettoher;andwhilehewasaboy,hehad,incasesofsoreneed,inventedsecretslesthislifeshouldbemademiserablebythesensethatshewasdispleasedwithhim。Inthisinstanceherangerwasnotstrongenoughtoresisttheanticipationofasecret,probablyrelatingtothatlittledramawhichhad,duringthelastweeks,beeninprogressunderherveryeyes。
Witharesolutemovement,shebrushedhertearsaway,benteagerlyforward,and,inthenextmoment,herfacewasallexpectancyandanimation。
Arnfinnpulledathickblacknote—bookfromhisbreastpocket,openeditinhislap,andread:
\"August3,5A。M。——Mylittleinvalidisdoingfinely;heseemedtorelishmuchafewdozenflieswhichIbroughthiminmyhand。Hispulseisto—day,forthefirsttime,normal。Heisbeginningtostepontheinjuredlegwithoutapparentpain。
\"10A。M。——MissAugusta’seyeshaveastrange,lustrousbrilliancywhenevershespeaksofsubjectswhichseemtoagitatethedepthsofherbeing。Howandwhyisitthatanexcessiveamountoffeelingalwaysfindsitsfirstexpressionintheeye?Onekindofemotionseemstowidenthepupil,anotherkindtocontractit。TObenoticedinfuture,howparticularemotionsaffecttheeye。
\"6P。M。——Imetaploveronthebeachthisafternoon。Byimitatinghiscry,Iinducedhimtocomewithinafewfeetofme。Theplover,ashiscryindicates,isaverymelancholybird。
InfactIbelievethemelancholytemperamenttobeprevailingamongthewadingbirds,asthephlegmaticamongbirdsofprey。Thesingingbirdsarecholericorsanguine。Teaseathrush,orevenalark,andyouwillsoonbeconvinced。
Asnipe,orplover,asfarasmyexperiencegoes,seldomshowsanger;youcannotteasethem。
Tobeconsidered,howfarthevoiceofabirdmaybeindicativeofitstemperament。
\"August5,9P。M。——Sincetheunfortunatemeetingyesterdaymorning,whenmyintensepre—occupationwithmylinnet,whichhadtornitswoundopenagain,probablymademecommitsomebreachofetiquette,MissAugustaavoidsme。
\"August7——Iaminamostsingularstate。
Mypulsebeats85,whichisamostunheard—ofthingforme,asmypulseisnaturallyfullandslow。And,strangelyenough,Idonotfeelatallunwell。Onthecontrary,myphysicalwell—
beingisratherheightenedthanotherwise。
Thelifeofawholeweekiscrowdedintoaday,andthatofadayintoanhour。\"
Inga,who,atseveralpointsofthisnarrative,hadbeenstrugglinghardtopreservehergravity,hereburstintoaringinglaugh。
\"ThatiswhatIcallscientificlove—making,\"
saidArnfinn,lookingupfromthebookwithanexpressionofsubduedamusement。
\"ButArnfinn,\"criedthegirl,whilethelaughterquicklydiedoutofherface,\"doesMr。
Strandknowthatyouarereadingthis?\"
\"Tobesurehedoes。Andthatisjustwhattomymindmakesthesituationsoexcessivelycomical。Hehashimselfnosuspicionthatthisbookcontainsanythingbutscientificnotes。Heappearstoprefertheempiricmethodinloveasinphilosophy。Iverilybelievethatheisinnocentlyexperimentingwithhimself,withaviewtomakingsomegreatphysiologicaldiscovery。\"
\"Andsohewill,perhaps,\"rejoinedthegirl,themixtureofgayetyandgravesolicitudemakingherface,ashercousinthought,particularlycharming。
\"Onlynotaphysiological,butpossiblyapsychologicalone,\"remarkedArnfinn。\"Butlistentothis。Hereissomethingrich:
\"August9——MissAugustaoncesaidsomethingaboutthepossibilityofanimalsbeingimmortal。
Hereyesshonewithabeautifulanimationasshespoke。Iamlongingtocontinuethesubjectwithher。Ithauntsmethewholedaylong。Theremaybemoreintheideathanappearstoasuperficialobserver。\"
\"Oh,howcharminglyheunderstandshowtodeceivehimself,\"criedInga。
\"Merelyaquidproquo,\"saidArnfinn。
\"IknowwhatIshalldo!\"
\"AndsodoI。\"
\"Won’tyoutellme,please?\"
\"No。\"
\"ThenIsha’n’ttellyoueither。\"
Andtheyflewapartliketwothoughtlesslittlebirds(\"sanguine,\"asStrandwouldhavecalledthem),eachtoponderonsomeformidableplotforthereconciliationoftheestrangedlovers。
V。
Duringtheweekthatensued,themultifarioussub—currentsofStrand’spassionseemedslowlytogatherthemselvesintooneclearlydefinedstream,and,aftermuchscientificspeculation,hecametotheconclusionthathelovedAugusta。Inamomentofextremediscouragement,hemadeacleanbreastofittoArnfinn,atthesametimeinforminghimthathehadpackedhisknapsack,andwouldstartonhiswanderingsagainthenextmorning。Allhisfriend’sentreatieswereinvain;hewouldandmustgo。Strandwasanexasperatinglyhead—
strongfellow,andpersuasionsneverprevailedwithhim。Hehadconfirmedhimselfinthebeliefthathewasveryunattractivetowomen,andthatAugusta,ofallwomen,forsomereasonwhichwasnotquitecleartohim,hatedandabhorredhim。Inexperiencedashewas,hecouldseenoreasonwhysheshouldavoidhim,ifshedidnothatehim。Theysattalkinguntilmid—
night,eachentanglinghimselfinthosepassionateparadoxesandcontradictionspeculiartopassionateandimpulsiveyouth。Strandpacedthefloorwithlargesteps,pouringouthislongpent—upemotioninviolenttiradesofself—
accusationandregret;whileArnfinnsatonthebed,tryingtosoothehisexcitementbyassuringhimthathewasnotsuchamonsteras,forthemoment,hehadbelievedhimselftobe,butonlysucceeding,inspiteofallhisefforts,inpouringoilontheflames。StrandwasscientificallyconvincedthatNature,inaccordancewithsomeinscrutablelawofequilibrium,hadfounditnecessarytomakehimphysicallyunattractive,perhapstoindemnifymankindforthatexcessofintellectualgiftswhich,attheexpenseoftheraceatlarge,shehadbestoweduponhim。
Earlythenextmorning,asakindofetherealizedsunshinebrokethroughthewhitemuslincurtainsofArnfinn’sroom,andlongstreaksofsun—illuminedduststolethroughtheairtowardthesleeper’spillow,therewasasharprapatthedoor,andStrandentered。Hisknapsackwasstrappedoverhisshoulders,hislongstaffwasinhishand,andtherewasanexpressionofconsciousmartyrdominhisfeatures。Arnfinnraisedhimselfonhiselbows,andrubbedhiseyeswithadesperatedeterminationtogetawake,butonlysucceededingainingaverydimimpressionofabeard,abluewoolenshirt,andadisproportionatelylargeshoebuckle。Thefigureadvancedtothebed,extendedabroad,sun—burnedhand,andadeepbassvoicewasheardtosay:
\"Good—bye,brother。\"
Arnfinn,whowasahardsleeper,gaveanotherrub,and,inaquerulouslysleepytone,managedtomutter:
\"Why,——isitaslateasthat——already?\"
Thewordsofpartingweremoreremotelyrepeated,thehandclosedaboutArnfinn’shalf—
unfeelingfingers,thelockonthedoorgavealittlesharpclick,andallwasstill。Butthesunshinedrovethedustinadumb,confuseddancethroughtheroom。
Somefourhourslater,Arnfinnwokeupwithavaguefeelingasifsomegreatcalamityhadhappened;hewasnotsurebutthathehadsleptafortnightormore。Hedressedwithasleepy,recklesshaste,beingbutdimlyconsciousofthelogicofthevariousprocessesofablutionwhichheunderwent。HehurrieduptoStrand’sroom,but,ashehadexpected,founditempty。
Duringalltheafternoon,thereadingof\"DavidCopperfield\"wasinterruptedbyfrequentmutualcondolences,andattimesInga’shandwouldstealuptohereyetobrushawayatreacheroustear。Butthensheonlyreadthefaster,andDavidandAgneswerealreadysafeinthehavenofmatrimonybeforeeithersheorArnfinnwasawarethattheyhadstruggledsuccessfullythroughtheperilousreefsandquick—
sandsofcourtship。
Augustaexcusedherselffromsupper,Inga’sforceddevicesatmerrimentweretootransparent,Arnfinn’stable—talkwasofarambling,incoherentsort,andheanswereddreadfullymalapropos,ifachancewordwasaddressedtohim,andeventhegood—naturedpastorbegan,atlast,togrumble;fortheinmatesoftheGranParsonageseemedtohavebutonelifeandonesoulincommon,andanyindividualdisturbanceimmediatelydisturbedthepeaceandhappinessofthewholehousehold。Nowgloomhad,insomeunaccountablefashion,obscuredthecommonatmosphere。Ingashookhersmallwisehead,andtriedtoextractsomelittleconsolationfromtheconsciousnessthatsheknewatleastsomethingswhichArnfinndidnotknow,andwhichitwouldbeveryunsafetoconfidetohim。
VI。
FourweeksafterStrand’sdeparture,asthesummerhadalreadyassumedthattingeofsadnesswhichimpressesoneasaforebodingofcomingdeath,Augustawaswalkingalongthebeach,watchingtheflightofthesea—birds。Herlatest\"aberration,\"asArnfinncalledit,wasanextraordinaryinterestinthehabitsoftheeider—
ducks,auks,andsea—gulls,thenoisymonotonyofwhoseexistencehad,butafewmonthsago,appearedtoherthesymbolofallthatwasvulgarandcoarseinhumanandanimallife。Nowshehadevenprovidedherselfwithanote—book,and(touseoncemorethelanguageofherunbelievingcousin)affectedahalf—scientificinterestintheirclamorouspursuits。Shehadmademanyvainattemptstoimitatetheirvoicesandtobeguilethemintocloserintimacy,andhadfoundithardattimestosuppressherindignationwhentheypersistedinviewingherinthelightofanintruder,andinreturningheramiableapproacheswithshysuspicion,asiftheydoubtedthesincerityofherintentions。
Shewasalittlepalernow,perhaps,thanbefore,buthereyeshadstillthesamelustrousdepth,andthesamesweetserenitywasstilldiffusedoverherfeatures,andsoftened,likeapervadingtingeofwarmcolor,thegrandsimplicityofherpresence。Shesatdownonalargerock,pickedupacuriouslytwistedshell,andseeingaploverwadinginthesurf,gaveasoft,lowwhistle,whichmadethebirdturnroundandgazeatherwithstartleddistrust。
Sherepeatedthecall,butperhapsalittletooeagerly,andthebirdspreaditswingswithafrightenedcry,andskimmed,halfflying,halfrunning,outovertheglitteringsurfaceofthefjord。Butfromtherocksclosebycamealongmelancholywhistlelikethatofabirdindistress,andthegirlroseandhastenedwitheagerstepstowardthespot。Sheclimbeduponastone,fringedallaroundwithgreenslimysea—
weeds,inordertogainawiderviewofthebeach。Thensuddenlysomehugefigurestartedupbetweentherocksatherfeet;shegavealittlescream,herfootslipped,andinthenextmomentshelay——inStrand’sarms。Heofferednoapology,butsilentlycarriedherovertheslipperystones,anddepositedhertenderlyuponthesmoothwhitesand。Thereitoccurredtoherthathisattentionwasquiteneedless,butatthemomentshewastoostartledtomakeanyremonstrance。
\"Buthowintheworld,Mr。Strand,didyoucomehere?\"shemanagedatlasttostammer。
\"Weallthoughtthatyouhadgoneaway。\"
\"Ihardlyknowmyself,\"saidStrand,inabeseechingundertone,quitedifferentfromhisusualconfidentbass。\"Ionlyknowthat——thatIwasverywretched,andthatIhadtocomeback。\"
Thentherewasapause,whichtobothseemedquiteinterminable,and,inordertofillitoutinsomeway,Strandbegantomovehisheadandarmsuneasily,andatlengthseatedhimselfatAugusta’sside。Thebloodwasbeatingwithfeverishvehemenceinhertemples,andforthefirsttimeinherlifeshefeltsomethingakintopityforthislarge,strongman,whosestrengthandcheerfulself—reliancehadhithertoseemedtoraisehimabovetheneedofawoman’saidandsympathy。Nowtheveryshabbinessofhisappearance,andthelookofappealingmiseryinhisfeatures,openedinherbosomthegatethroughwhichcompassioncouldenter,and,withthatgenerousself—forgetfulnesswhichwasthechieffactorofhercharacter,sheleanedovertowardhim,andsaid:
\"Youmusthavebeenverysick,Mr。Strand。
Whydidyounotcometousandallowustotakecareofyou,insteadofroamingabouthereinthisstonywilderness?\"
\"Yes;Ihavebeensick,\"criedStrand,withsuddenvehemence,seizingherhand;\"butitisasicknessofwhichIshallnever,neverbehealed。\"
Andwiththatworld—oldeloquencewhichisyetevernew,hepouredforthhispassionateconfessioninherear,andshelistened,hungrilyatfirst,thenwithserene,wide—eyedhappiness。
Hetoldherhow,drivenbyhisinwardrestlessness,hehadwanderedaboutinthemountains,untiloneeveningatasaeter,hehadheardapeasantladsingingasong,inwhichthisstanzaoccurred:
\"Awoman’sfrown,awoman’ssmile,Norhatenorfondnessprove;
Formaidenssmileonhimtheyhate,Andflyfromhimtheylove。\"