Guide the upward striving soul,
Still evolving higher beauty
—AGNES MAULE MACHAR.
The next day Scotty found that he was not yet through with his lionising. With the morning sun up came Dan from the Flats with the news that "the boys" were to meet at Store Thompson's that evening, and they must both go down and show themselves. At first Scotty was for refusing, but his grandfather decided2 for him. Big Malcolm, who was no better at dissembling than his wife, suddenly remembered that he had urgent reasons for going into the Glen that evening and promised that he would bring his grandson with him.
So there was nothing for Scotty to do, as Monteith, who was still with him, explained, but to be a real lion and roar properly. Granny made them an early tea and, the schoolmaster accompanying them, they drove off in the old buckboard.
On the way Big Malcolm regaled the two exiles with tales of the great events that had transpired3 since their absence. The most important one related to Store Thompson's latest achievement in the philological4 field. This time he had routed completely young Mike Murphy. Mike had never received anything through the post office in his life, but never a day passed but he poked5 his head in at the little wicket and demanded in a loud voice, "Anythin' for Murphy the day?" Store Thompson had endured the youth's uncouthness6 with his usual serenity7, but one day Mike asked twice at the wicket. That was once too often, and Store Thompson fell back on his reserve forces. "Murphy?" he queried8. "Young man, ye're jist ambeeguous like, aye, ye're jist ambeeguous." Mike had never inquired for letters since. He retired9 in a rage, under the impression that Store Thompson had called him some insulting name, but, like many another brave man, overawed by the mystery of the unknown. Ever since, Store Thompson had been free from his tormentor10 and the young man was known between the Oa and the Flats as "Ambiguous Mike." Big Malcolm chuckled11 audibly and jerked the lines in delight over the remembrance of his old friend's victory.
The way seemed very short to Scotty, there was so much of interest to see. Soon they left the Highlands and began to descend12 into the Glen, and he found his eyes growing misty13 again as they dwelt on the winding14 white road, the silver curves of the river between the faint green of the hills, and the cosy15 homesteads nestled in the budding orchards16.
The place was so little changed in the two years he could almost believe he had never left it. He noticed only one radical17 difference. Pete Nash's establishment had disappeared. The tavern18 had not been able to withstand the united progress of commerce and righteousness; Mr. Cameron's advent19 had heralded20 its downfall, and the toot of the railway train through Oro had sounded its death knell21.
Big Malcolm had not finished dilating22 upon the blessing23 its departure had been to the community, when they reached the post office. A crowd stood collected about it, eager but quiet. They hid their concern in the true rural fashion and stood leaning against every available support with supreme24 indifference25, shoulders high, hands in pockets, caps on one side. Store Thompson was more ceremonious. Before Scotty could alight, out he came with hands outstretched in greeting. He had prepared an elaborate speech of welcome, adorned26 with all the available polysyllables in the dictionary; but, when he saw Scotty's familiar face, his eyes shining with the joy of his home-coming, and Big Malcolm, erect27 and full of fire as though he had suddenly dropped twenty years of his life, his heart got the better of his head and he could only shake the voyageur's hand again and again and say:
"Aye, ye're home again. Aye, ye've jist come home, like!"
And then out bustled28 Store Thompson's wife, who was as blithe29 and brisk as she had been twenty years before, and she had no difficulty in kissing Scotty this time, though she had to stand on tip-toe to do it.
And at last the crowd flung off its lethargy and one by one came forward in greeting. Dan had already arrived and was resplendent amid the whole population of the Flats; and not the Flats only, for such a cosmopolitan30 crowd had not been seen in the Glen since the old days of the fights. There were all the Murphys and the Caldwells and, of course, every MacDonald from far and near. And Hash Tucker had brought over a goodly representation of the Tenth to do honour to his old schoolmates. Scotty had got through only half the hand shakes when the minister came up from the manse to welcome the boys and tell them they had made him proud of Canada.
Scotty found, somewhat to the dismay of his reticent31 soul, that Dan had been spreading abroad the story of his gallant32 rescue of an English officer against overwhelming odds33, and the ovation34 he received was particularly trying.
"It's a pity you couldn't have kept your long, Irish tongue still for a day!" he grumbled35, and Dan laughed and thumped36 him soundly upon the chest for an ungrateful and stony-hearted old Scotchman.
The two were standing37, the centre of a breathless ring, while Dan, with true Irish fluency38, described the fight at Kirbekan, when the sound of rapidly approaching wheels partly diverted the attention of the audience.
"Eh, yon must be the Captain an' his family jist gettin' home," said Store Thompson, turning away to welcome the new arrivals. For, since the departure of the tavern, Store Thompson was public host in the Glen. Scotty heard and felt his heart leap into his mouth. Would she be there?
The wheels were stopping. "That'll be his son most like, the young man," he heard someone say above the buzzing in his ears. "He's been away in the wars."
Captain Herbert's voice came next, "No, thank you, James, not to-night; we just want to water the horses. But what's all this? You haven't lapsed39 into the old warlike days in my absence, I hope?"
And then Scotty shoved Dan aside and looked up. Yes, there she was, and not at all pale and ill as his heart had feared, but smiling and flushed like a wild rose. And her eyes were looking a welcome straight into his, over the heads of the people; such a welcome as not all the love of his own kin40 had been able to give.
And the next instant a marvellous thing happened, a thing that astounded41 all the spectators and left them amazed and gaping42. For the pale young man at Captain Herbert's side suddenly leaped to his feet as though he had gone mad. He gave a shout, "Big Scalper!" and the same moment he had cleared the carriage wheels and several people's heads and had flung himself upon Scotty and delivered him a blow that sent him staggering back against the verandah. And instead of resenting such outrageous43 treatment, as any right-minded descendant of the Fighting MacDonalds should, Scotty submitted very meekly44. In a laughing, half-ashamed manner he allowed himself to be pounded and shaken, and when his assailant had almost wrung45 his hands off, even permitted himself to be dragged up to the carriage wheels.
"Father!" cried the young man, his voice high with excitement, "it's the very fellow himself! It's Big Scalper!"
At that Dan Murphy uttered a yell that made the topmost pine on the Oro banks ring.
"It's the English spalpeen!" he roared to the dumbfounded crowd. "It's the cratur Scotty pulled out o' the black divils in Agypt. Oh, hooray!"
It seemed as if all the township of Oro joined him in one mighty46 shout. Some said afterwards that even Store Thompson cheered, though most people believed that the excitement of the moment gave birth to that wild rumour47. But certain it is that an equally wonderful thing happened, for at the sound of the uproar48 the minister turned back from the manse gate, and when he was made aware of the cause, he actually waved his hat in the air and made everyone give three more cheers.
And such a prodigious49 handshaking ensued that Scotty was almost overcome. Captain Herbert acted as if he could never let him go; and there was Store Thompson and the minister and half the crowd to shake hands with again, and it seemed to Scotty that every second man was the young Egyptian officer, and he found to his amusement that even that absurd Dan was greeting him as though they had not met for years!
But he was only half-conscious of it all, only half realised what it meant even when Miss Herbert took both his hands in hers and whispered softly: "God bless you, my boy." For he could see nothing but Isabel's face and her blue eyes swimming in happy tears, and felt only her clinging hands as she whispered brokenly: "Oh, Scotty, isn't it wonderful, wonderful?" And Scotty knew that even she did not quite realise just how wonderful it was.
Then, amid all the expressions of good will, Big Malcolm stepped forward and held out his hand to Captain Herbert. It was grasped warmly and the old man felt, with a great uplifting of his spirit, that his last forgiveness was accomplished50 and his last feud51 buried.
It was very late that night when the company broke up and Scotty found himself at home once more. Monteith had returned with him, and as he took his leave the young man accompanied him to the gate.
"I wanted a chance to tell you, before I go," he said, as they paused in the moonlight, "that you were right, after all, Ralph."
"In giving up?" asked Scotty eagerly. "Is it because of what you saw this afternoon?"
"No; the reward of a right act doesn't always come so suddenly; but because I have learned something since you went away, something that your grandmother taught me up there under the Silver Maple52. I know now that when a man has once realised what the Great Sacrifice means he cannot choose his own way."
And Scotty went up to his old bed in the loft53 and lay listening to the branches of the Silver Maple softly caressing54 the roof, unable to sleep for joy and thankfulness.
The days that followed were very busy ones. Scotty was often at the Grange; not altogether because inclination55 turned his feet thither56, but because there was much business to settle. Lieutenant57 Herbert wanted to return soon to England, and he would not leave until his new friend had received due restitution58 and more. Scotty wanted nothing; the look in Isabel's eyes was enough, but Harold would not listen. No, he must have the Grange and all that pertained59 to it, he declared; for the Captain and his sister had long thought of going back to England to end their days. "So," he concluded, "when you are through that college course, which it appears you must take, you and Bluebell60 can settle down here to farming; and good luck go with you, because I don't envy you your lot!"
But Scotty and Isabel cared very little whether they were envied or not. Their own happiness was sufficient.
And so Ralph Stanwell came into his inheritance at last, and by the right road, the road of truth and equity61, which, though it may often descend by the way of the cross, is sure and straight and leadeth unto life eternal.
The day before he left to take up his studies in the city, Scotty went down to the Grange and brought Isabel up, ostensibly to spend the day with Kirsty, but really because they wanted to say farewell among their old haunts. The girl had spent the afternoon at Big Malcolm's and as evening fell and Scotty prepared to take her home, they went round to the side of the house and sat for a few moments under the Silver Maple. Lake Oro was a sea of gems62 flashing between the dusky points of the fir trees. The hilltops were flushed with rose, the valleys steeped in purple, and the vesper sparrows filled the golden twilight63 with their music.
"Scotty," said the girl softly, "I've been reminded all day of the psalm64 Granny Malcolm taught us here—'Thou hast beset65 me behind and before and hast laid Thine Hand upon me!'"
And Scotty, whose mind held the vivid remembrance of a great temptation, to which he had almost yielded and from which he had been saved that wonderful night in the wilderness66, added: "'Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. It is high. I cannot attain67 unto it.'"
And a little breeze, dancing up from the golden bosom68 of Lake Oro, tossed the green canopy69 above their heads and showed that every dark emerald leaf had its silver lining70.
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1
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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philological
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| adj.语言学的，文献学的 | |
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poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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uncouthness
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serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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8
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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10
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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11
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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13
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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14
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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15
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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16
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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17
radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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18
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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dilating
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的现在分词 ) | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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28
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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29
blithe
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| adj.快乐的，无忧无虑的 | |
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cosmopolitan
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| adj.世界性的，全世界的，四海为家的，全球的 | |
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reticent
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| adj.沉默寡言的；言不如意的 | |
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32
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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33
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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ovation
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| n.欢呼，热烈欢迎，热烈鼓掌 | |
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35
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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36
thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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fluency
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| n.流畅，雄辩，善辩 | |
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39
lapsed
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| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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40
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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41
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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42
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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43
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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44
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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45
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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46
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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47
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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48
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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49
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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50
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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51
feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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52
maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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53
loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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54
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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55
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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56
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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57
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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58
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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59
pertained
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| 关于( pertain的过去式和过去分词 )； 有关； 存在； 适用 | |
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60
bluebell
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| n.风铃草 | |
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61
equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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62
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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63
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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64
psalm
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| n.赞美诗，圣诗 | |
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65
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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66
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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67
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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68
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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69
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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70
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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