In the afternoon Miss Cotton took her sewing, put a shawl over her head, and ran over to the Hamiltons'. She was lonely, and, besides, she had some news to tell.
"Here's 'Liza comin'," announced Maggie to the group sitting around the dining room stove. "Chuck full o' news, too, I know. I can tell by the way she's hoppin' along. Old Mother Fraser's jist gone away from there; she's been tellin' her something new about Mr. Egerton, I guess!"
She ran out to the hall and flung open the door. "Hello, 'Liza! Come along in; we're all here, Sarah'n all. It was too snowy for her to go to school. My, but you needn't bring all the snow in; leave a little outdoors for sleighin'."
"If you weren't such a lazy poke3, Maggie Hamilton, you'd have a path shovelled4 to your gate; it looks like the track to a wigwam!"
"It's jist too bad, 'Liza," said Mrs. Hamilton as she swept the snow from her visitor's feet and skirts. "If I've told them girls once to sweep that path, I've told them a dozen times. Where's Mary Fraser been?"
"Up to see old Duncan Polite." Miss Cotton spread her cold hands over the stove, and surveyed the four girls sharply. "My, but you're pretendin' to be awful busy! An' Maggie sewin', too, as I'm alive! The poor old man's got brownkaties, she says."
"Oh yes, smarty! You've got to snicker at somethin'. I s'pose they've learned you some new-fangled way o' sayin' it at the High School. But brownkaties is good enough for ordinary folks, an' bad enough, too. An' that's what the poor old fellow's got anyhow. They had a doctor out from Mapletown, an' Betsey Neil's been there three nights. He's had a cold all fall, Mrs. Fraser says, an' wouldn't look after it."
"Dear, dear," said Mrs. Hamilton in distress6. "One o' you girls must run up to-morrow with some beef-tea or something. That's too bad. Sit close to the fire, 'Liza, it's dreadful cold."
"You'd better send Jessie up with the stuff," remarked the visitor, planting two trim feet upon the stove damper. "Maybe she'll get news o' Donald."
"How d'ye know she don't get news anyhow?" demanded Maggie.
"Well, I got some news I'll bet she never got. Don's up sides with you now, Miss Jessie!"
Jessie looked at her with a startled expression in her grey eyes.
"I don't know what you mean," she said with attempted lightness.
"Well, Mrs. Fraser told me to-day that Annie got a letter from Allan yesterday and he said Donald Neil was jist gone crazy over a city lady, a real high-flier, too, rich as a Jew, mind you; she has a carriage and she calls at the college every afternoon for my gentleman Donald and drives him home, coachman and footman and everything. Now wouldn't that kill you? I guess nobody in Glenoro'll be good enough for Don, now; he'll be gittin' stuck up, like all the other folks that take to book-learnin'"—she cast a meaning glance at Sarah, who smiled good naturedly. She rather enjoyed being considered proud of her educational attainments7.
"Well, what do you think o' your old beau now, Jessie?" continued the visitor.
Jessie's cheeks were very pink, but she returned Miss Cotton's gaze steadily8. "Why, I guess he's got a right to do anything he likes," she said indifferently.
"Well I should hope so, specially9 when you've been carryin' on with the minister all fall. I guess Don thought two could play at that game." She looked sharply at the girl, in some doubt. She really hoped she did not care, for 'Liza Cotton's heart was a kindly10 one, and she never told her tales from malice11, but from a sheer inability to be quiet. "You'd better look out you don't lose both your beaux," she added. "You and the minister don't seem so chummy since Christmas. Did you have a tiff12?"
Jessie's eyes sparkled, and the garrulous13 visitor knew she had gone too far. "I think that's my affair," said the girl quietly.
Miss Cotton laughed easily. "There now, you needn't get mad over it. Goodness me, I always thought you were the good-tempered one o' the family; you'll soon be as bad as Sarah for firin' up."
Sarah flew to defend herself, and incidentally to establish more firmly her reputation as the bad-tempered14 member of the household, and in the war of words which ensued Jessie's embarrassment15 was forgotten. Mrs. Hamilton sat and stitched placidly16 through the altercation17, breaking in at last to ask if Mrs. Fraser had said Duncan Polite could eat anything. There was some chicken broth18 in the house she could send up with Babbie when she came home from school.
Jessie slipped away, when the conversation turned from her affairs and crept upstairs. So this was the reason of Don's silence. Someone else had her place in his heart. She realised with a sharp pang19 that it was her own fault. She had trifled with his love, because the minister's attentions flattered her, and now she was reaping her just reward. It was the first real trial of the girl's bright, easy life. But she came of a stock of pioneers, hardy20 folk, accustomed to shoulder the adversities of life, and she bore her burden bravely. Only her mother knew that the news of Donald meant more to her than wounded vanity.
Every day during Duncan Polite's illness, Mrs. Hamilton, as was her custom in all cases of sickness in the village, sent one of the girls to his house with some tempting21 delicacy22, jellies or custards or gruel23 or beef-tea, the best she could produce. Jessie had refused positively24, from the first, to take her turn at these errands of mercy; though she had always been very willing under such circumstances in the past. But 'Liza Cotton's words had aroused a feeling of delicacy regarding a visit to Donald's uncle.
But one day she found it impossible to refuse. Sarah and the little girls were at school, Bella and Maggie were away, and her mother was preparing to make the snowy journey up to Duncan Polite's house, when Jessie interfered25. She would go this once, she said, but never again.
The morning was clear and bright, the world a dazzling vision of white, with here and there intense blue shadows. Above, stretched a cloudless dome26 of the same deep azure27. The air was mild, and the girl let her dark coat fly open, revealing a jaunty28 scarlet29 blouse; her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright from the exercise. So it was no wonder that as she passed the McNabbs' a pair of admiring eyes watched her, their owner wishing he could find some plausible30 excuse for going up the hill that morning. But it was Friday, and his sermon was not yet commenced.
Duncan Polite saw Jessie coming. He was able to sit up at his window by this time and look over his little hedge of blooming geraniums at the glittering white world. One of the little girls had always come formerly31, and he had been able to reward her with a wonderful story of the fairies that danced on the heather in the old land, or of Bonnie Prince Charlie, or some other charming personage. But this young lady was different. Duncan had scarcely spoken to her since the days she used to sit on his knee and have her turn at the stories. But he had long known that she was Donald's sweetheart, and he saw her come with feelings of mingled32 embarrassment and joy.
He arose quickly with all the natural courtesy that had earned him his name, and had the door wide open, before Jessie reached the steps. "Oh indeed, indeed, it would be too kind of you and your mother to be troubling," he said deprecatingly, as he took the little tin pail. "Come away in, come away!"
"You should not come to the door when you are sick, Mr. McDonald," said the girl kindly. "Are you better to-day?"
"Oh, yes indeed, yes indeed, I will jist be all right," cried Duncan, sweeping33 the snow from her small, neat boots. "And now you will jist be sitting by the fire for a rest after your long walk."
His tone was so eager that Jessie's heart was touched. She took the proffered34 seat, and Duncan in his pleasure and overwhelming hospitality began to cram35 the stove full of wood.
"Oh, I'm not cold, Mr. McDonald," she said, "not a little bit. Why, I was hot coming up the hill, the sun is so strong."
Duncan smiled at the bright, beautiful face. "Ah, it will be good to be young," he said, sinking into his old rocking chair again. "Oh yes, indeed. Then you will be taking off your things for a little?" he questioned nervously36.
The girl slipped off her jacket and fur cap, and sat by the window, her curly head and her bright dress making a pretty picture in the bare little room. Duncan regarded her with a wistful admiration37.
"Oh yes, yes," he sighed. "You will be minding me o' the times when Betsey would be a lass, and my father and mother would be here."
Jessie's soft grey eyes were full of sympathy. "I suppose everything has changed for you since then, hasn't it?"
Duncan nodded. How sadly things had changed for him, the girl could not guess.
"Father always says," she continued, "that people aren't nearly as good now as they were in the old times, when Mr. McAlpine used to come here. He says we young folks have too good a time." She gave a little half-apologetic laugh.
Duncan looked up suddenly with a feeling of joyful38 surprise. He had not dreamed that this bright young creature would understand or appreciate his troubles, but she had touched the keynote at once. His sensitive nature opened to sympathy as a morning glory to the sunrise: his reticent39 tongue was immediately loosened.
"I will be afraid that sometimes us old folk will not be giving the young ones the credit they deserve," he said indulgently. "But indeed the lads and lasses in the Glen will be doing work in the church we would never be having in my young days. There will be this new society, whatever, the Christian40 Endeavour."
Jessie looked out through the red and green of the geraniums at the brilliant blue and silver of the landscape. She knew that the purpose of the new society was above reproach, but somehow she could not quite understand just what good it did. "Yes," she said vaguely41.
"And you will be a member of the church now," Duncan ventured gently. "And I would be very glad to see all the young folk that would be coming to the Lord's table at the last communion, for it will be a very holy consecration42 to God."
Jessie felt her cheeks growing hot; she looked down at the bare, white floor.
"It will be a fine thing to be giving up the life to the Lord's work in youth," continued Duncan softly.
The girl looked up with an effort. She knew that her joining the church had had nothing whatever to do with giving up her life to the Lord's work. She had taken that step at the last communion because Bella and a large number of the young people of the church were doing the same, and because she had arrived at the time of life when, in her opinion, everyone was supposed to join a church; and most of all, because Mr. Egerton had asked her. He had never said anything about a holy consecration. She knew her catechism perfectly43 and could repeat whole chapters of the Bible; she had never done anything wicked in her life, not even what she considered wicked, and she had supposed these qualifications were sufficient. Mr. Egerton had given her the impression that he had thought so at least. Duncan Polite's conception of the act seemed entirely44 different.
"I know we all joined the church, but it didn't seem,—I didn't think it was like that," she faltered45. "I don't think I'm any different."
"Oh, indeed, you will be a good lassie, yes indeed, oh, yes! But when the Lord calls His chosen to take of His broken body and His shed blood"—he whispered the sacred words tenderly—"He will be expecting them to do much for Him."
"I don't think I'm like that. I know I'm not," burst out the girl. "Mr. McDonald"—she looked at him, suddenly resolved to ask him some questions that puzzled her. She had never been able to bring herself to ask her father, and Mr. Egerton would not understand. "Is it wrong for all us girls and boys to belong to the church, and just go on acting46 the same? I—I like nice clothes, and fun, and—and it's just the same now, I don't see any difference." She stopped, overcome.
Duncan's brown eyes were radiating kindness. "My child," he said tenderly, "I will not be wise to tell you these things, but——" he hesitated a moment and a tenderer light came over his face; his voice sank to a whisper—"but if you would be having the vision, the vision of Calvary; if you would be seeing how the Lord Jesus put away His life for us, you would be knowing then that His work is all and these other things will be just nothing."
Jessie's bright head drooped47, her eyes filled with tears. She was looking at her half-hearted, worldly interest in the work of the Master in comparison with Duncan Polite's devotion. The old man's words were not all; piety48 creates its surrounding atmosphere, stronger than any verbal expression of it, and Duncan's manner said far more than his tongue. He saw her emotion and with his usual tact49 changed the conversation to lighter50 subjects. Jessie's face grew brighter after that, and she chatted away unreservedly until it was time for her to leave. Just before she rose, Duncan lifted his old leather-bound Bible from the table and glanced at her timidly. "Would you be minding if I would read jist a word?" he inquired eagerly.
"Oh, I should like it so much," said the girl gently.
Duncan opened the Book reverently51, his face glowing; then he paused and looked at her again. "Oh, but it is you will be the fine reader, and my eyes will not be so good, indeed, since this cold, and maybe you would jist be reading this now, and I would be much obliged, whatever."
Jessie took the Bible, and read where he had indicated. It was the sweet story of Mary, who sat at the Master's feet. She had read it many times before, but it had never seemed quite the same, for, when she finished, Duncan Polite said softly, "Yes, that will be it, oh yes, indeed, jist to sit at His feet and learn of Him."
That was the first of many visits the girl paid the old man. Duncan never left his own house, though his sister begged him to spend the winter with her. But the watchman must not leave his post, he felt, and his loneliness was more than compensated52 for by Jessie's visits. Through his long, weary convalescence53 the girl came regularly two or three times a week, with the dainties her mother was in the habit of lavishing54 upon the sick. At first her sisters teased her about her sudden change of mind regarding visiting Duncan Polite. Maggie declared she liked to go because she had to pass the McNabbs' and would likely see the minister, but Sarah gave it as her opinion that she went to get the latest news of Donald.
Jessie paid no heed55 to their raillery beyond smiling enigmatically. They little guessed her real motive56. She looked forward to her visits eagerly as the winter progressed. Gradually her heart was opening to the old man's teaching. He said very little, but every word he uttered the girl carried away in her heart. The visit always ended by their reading a few verses of the Bible together, and one day, before she left, Duncan laid his hand gently upon her curls and said softly, "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee!" and she went away feeling that a benediction57 had fallen upon her.
At the time of these visits to Duncan Polite, Jessie was studying, with the other members of the Christian Endeavour Society, the life of Christ. The meetings were well attended, and Mr. Egerton gave them a most graphic58 and interesting account of the historical and picturesque59 aspect of the wondrous60 season upon earth of the Son of the Most High. But Jessie went up to the little shanty61 on the hilltop for the spiritual side. Under Duncan's gentle, humble62 dealing63 with the divine mystery, the girl gradually came to comprehend, in a measure, what Duncan had termed "the vision." She understood, at last, the meaning of the Great Sacrifice, beside which all possible human sacrifice stands poor and mean. She caught a gleam of the light from Calvary, and in its searching effulgent64 blaze all the faint glitter of worldly achievement grew dim and disappeared.
Among other things which she saw for the first time in their proper light was her association with the young minister. She knew now that only her poor pride in the envy she excited had made her desire his attentions. She looked at the man himself with new eyes, and though slow to blame another in her new-found humility65, she could not help thinking how different it might have been with her and Donald had their pastor66 had more of the spirit of Duncan Polite.
But she did not criticise67 him; her own idle, careless life she found too full of faults to censure68 another. That life was gradually being turned to higher aims, for a new Jessie Hamilton had been born that winter, and one who was destined69 to help fulfil the old watchman's great desire.
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1
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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flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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poke
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| n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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shovelled
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| v.铲子( shovel的过去式和过去分词 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份 | |
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giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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8
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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12
tiff
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| n.小争吵，生气 | |
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13
garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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14
bad-tempered
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| adj.脾气坏的 | |
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15
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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18
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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gruel
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| n.稀饭，粥 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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25
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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32
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cram
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| v.填塞，塞满，临时抱佛脚，为考试而学习 | |
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36
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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38
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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39
reticent
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| adj.沉默寡言的；言不如意的 | |
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40
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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41
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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42
consecration
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| n.供献，奉献，献祭仪式 | |
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43
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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44
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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45
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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46
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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47
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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49
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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50
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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51
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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52
compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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53
convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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54
lavishing
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的现在分词 ) | |
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55
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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56
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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57
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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58
graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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59
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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60
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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61
shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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62
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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63
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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64
effulgent
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| adj.光辉的；灿烂的 | |
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65
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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66
pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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67
criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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68
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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69
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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