Thechildreninhiscountrywerenottaughttothrowstonesatthosewhoaskedforcompassion。
　　Smith’sstrategyovercamehimcompletely。Thewood—lodgepresentedthehorribleaspectofadun—
　　geon。Whatwouldbedonetohimnext？……
　　NowonderthatAmyFosterappearedtohiseyeswiththeaureoleofanangeloflight。Thegirlhadnotbeenabletosleepforthinkingofthepoorman，andinthemorning，beforetheSmithswereup，sheslippedoutacrossthebackyard。Holdingthedoorofthewood—lodgeajar，shelookedinandextendedtohimhalfaloafofwhitebread——’suchbreadasthericheatinmycountry，’heusedtosay。
　　"Atthishegotupslowlyfromamongstallsortsofrubbish，stiff，hungry，trembling，miserable，anddoubtful。’Canyoueatthis？’sheaskedinhersoftandtimidvoice。Hemusthavetakenherfora’graciouslady。’Hedevouredferociously，andtearswerefallingonthecrust。Suddenlyhedroppedthebread，seizedherwrist，andim—
　　printedakissonherhand。Shewasnotfright—
　　ened。Throughhisforlornconditionshehadobservedthathewasgood—looking。Sheshutthedoorandwalkedbackslowlytothekitchen。
　　Muchlateron，shetoldMrs。Smith，whoshud—
　　deredatthebareideaofbeingtouchedbythatcreature。
　　"Throughthisactofimpulsivepityhewasbroughtbackagainwithinthepaleofhumanrela—
　　tionswithhisnewsurroundings。Heneverforgotit——never。
　　"ThatverysamemorningoldMr。Swaffer（Smith’snearestneighbour）cameovertogivehisadvice，andendedbycarryinghimoff。Hestood，unsteadyonhislegs，meek，andcakedoverinhalf—
　　driedmud，whilethetwomentalkedaroundhiminanincomprehensibletongue。Mrs。Smithhadre—
　　fusedtocomedownstairstillthemadmanwasoffthepremises；AmyFoster，farfromwithinthedarkkitchen，watchedthroughtheopenbackdoor；andheobeyedthesignsthatweremadetohimtothebestofhisability。ButSmithwasfullofmistrust。
　　’Mind，sir！Itmaybeallhiscunning，’hecriedrepeatedlyinatoneofwarning。WhenMr。
　　Swafferstartedthemare，thedeplorablebeingsit—
　　tinghumblybyhisside，throughweakness，nearlyfelloutoverthebackofthehightwo—wheeledcart。
　　Swaffertookhimstraighthome。AnditisthenthatIcomeuponthescene。
　　"IwascalledinbythesimpleprocessoftheoldmanbeckoningtomewithhisforefingeroverthegateofhishouseasIhappenedtobedrivingpast。
　　Igotdown，ofcourse。
　　"’I’vegotsomethinghere，’hemumbled，lead—
　　ingthewaytoanouthouseatalittledistancefromhisotherfarm—buildings。
　　"ItwastherethatIsawhimfirst，inalonglowroomtakenuponthespaceofthatsortofcoach—
　　house。Itwasbareandwhitewashed，withasmallsquareapertureglazedwithonecracked，dustypaneatitsfurtherend。Hewaslyingonhisbackuponastrawpallet；theyhadgivenhimacoupleofhorse—blankets，andheseemedtohavespenttheremainderofhisstrengthintheexertionofclean—
　　inghimself。Hewasalmostspeechless；hisquickbreathingundertheblanketspulleduptohischin，hisglittering，restlessblackeyesremindedmeofawildbirdcaughtinasnare。WhileIwasexamininghim，oldSwafferstoodsilentlybythedoor，passingthetipsofhisfingersalonghisshavenupperlip。
　　Igavesomedirections，promisedtosendabottleofmedicine，andnaturallymadesomeinquiries。
　　"’SmithcaughthiminthestackyardatNewBarns，’saidtheoldchapinhisdeliberate，unmovedmanner，andasiftheotherhadbeenindeedasortofwildanimal。’That’showIcamebyhim。
　　Quiteacuriosity，isn’the？Nowtellme，doctor——
　　you’vebeenallovertheworld——don’tyouthinkthat’sabitofaHindoowe’vegotholdofhere。’
　　"Iwasgreatlysurprised。Hislongblackhairscatteredoverthestrawbolstercontrastedwiththeolivepallorofhisface。ItoccurredtomehemightbeaBasque。Itdidn’tnecessarilyfollowthatheshouldunderstandSpanish；butItriedhimwiththefewwordsIknow，andalsowithsomeFrench。
　　ThewhisperedsoundsIcaughtbybendingmyeartohislipspuzzledmeutterly。ThatafternoontheyoungladiesfromtheRectory（oneofthemreadGoethewithadictionary，andtheotherhadstrug—
　　gledwithDanteforyears），comingtoseeMissSwaffer，triedtheirGermanandItalianonhimfromthedoorway。Theyretreated，justtheleastbitscaredbythefloodofpassionatespeechwhich，turningonhispallet，heletoutatthem。Theyad—
　　mittedthatthesoundwaspleasant，soft，musical——
　　but，inconjunctionwithhislooksperhaps，itwasstartling——soexcitable，soutterlyunlikeanythingonehadeverheard。Thevillageboysclimbedupthebanktohaveapeepthroughthelittlesquareaperture。EverybodywaswonderingwhatMr。
　　Swafferwoulddowithhim。
　　"Hesimplykepthim。
　　"Swafferwouldbecalledeccentricwerehenotsomuchrespected。TheywilltellyouthatMr。
　　Swaffersitsupaslateasteno’clockatnighttoreadbooks，andtheywilltellyoualsothathecanwriteachequefortwohundredpoundswithoutthinkingtwiceaboutit。HehimselfwouldtellyouthattheSwaffershadownedlandbetweenthisandDarnfordforthesethreehundredyears。
　　Hemustbeeighty—fiveto—day，buthedoesnotlookabitolderthanwhenIfirstcamehere。Heisagreatbreederofsheep，anddealsextensivelyincat—
　　tle。Heattendsmarketdaysformilesaroundineverysortofweather，anddrivessittingbowedlowoverthereins，hislankgreyhaircurlingoverthecollarofhiswarmcoat，andwithagreenplaidrugroundhislegs。Thecalmnessofadvancedagegivesasolemnitytohismanner。Heisclean—
　　shaved；hislipsarethinandsensitive；somethingrigidandmonarchalinthesetofhisfeatureslendsacertainelevationtothecharacterofhisface。Hehasbeenknowntodrivemilesintheraintoseeanewkindofroseinsomebody’sgarden，oramon—
　　strouscabbagegrownbyacottager。Helovestoheartellofortobeshownsomethingthathecalls’outlandish。’Perhapsitwasjustthatoutlandish—
　　nessofthemanwhichinfluencedoldSwaffer。Per—
　　hapsitwasonlyaninexplicablecaprice。AllI
　　knowisthatattheendofthreeweeksIcaughtsightofSmith’slunaticdigginginSwaffer’skitch—
　　engarden。Theyhadfoundouthecoulduseaspade。Hedugbarefooted。
　　"Hisblackhairflowedoverhisshoulders。I
　　supposeitwasSwafferwhohadgivenhimthestripedoldcottonshirt；butheworestillthena—
　　tionalbrownclothtrousers（inwhichhehadbeenwashedashore）fittingtothelegalmostliketights；wasbeltedwithabroadleathernbeltstud—
　　dedwithlittlebrassdiscs；andhadneveryetven—
　　turedintothevillage。Thelandhelookeduponseemedtohimkeptneatly，likethegroundsroundalandowner’shouse；thesizeofthecart—horsesstruckhimwithastonishment；theroadsresembledgardenwalks，andtheaspectofthepeople，espe—
　　ciallyonSundays，spokeofopulence。Hewon—
　　deredwhatmadethemsohardheartedandtheirchildrensobold。Hegothisfoodatthebackdoor，carrieditinbothhandscarefullytohisouthouse，and，sittingaloneonhispallet，wouldmakethesignofthecrossbeforehebegan。Besidethesamepal—
　　let，kneelingintheearlydarknessoftheshortdays，herecitedaloudtheLord’sPrayerbeforeheslept。
　　WheneverhesawoldSwafferhewouldbowwithvenerationfromthewaist，andstanderectwhiletheoldman，withhisfingersoverhisupperlip，sur—
　　veyedhimsilently。HebowedalsotoMissSwaffer，whokepthousefrugallyforherfather——abroad—
　　shouldered，big—bonedwomanofforty—five，withthepocketofherdressfullofkeys，andagrey，steadyeye。ShewasChurch——aspeoplesaid（whileherfatherwasoneofthetrusteesoftheBaptistChapel）——andworealittlesteelcrossatherwaist。Shedressedseverelyinblack，inmem—
　　oryofoneoftheinnumerableBradleysoftheneighbourhood，towhomshehadbeenengagedsometwenty—fiveyearsago——ayoungfarmerwhobrokehisneckouthuntingontheeveofthewed—
　　dingday。Shehadtheunmovedcountenanceofthedeaf，spokeveryseldom，andherlips，thinlikeherfather’s，astonishedonesometimesbyamyste—
　　riouslyironiccurl。
　　"Thesewerethepeopletowhomheowedalle—
　　giance，andanoverwhelminglonelinessseemedtofallfromtheleadenskyofthatwinterwithoutsun—
　　shine。Allthefacesweresad。Hecouldtalktonoone，andhadnohopeofeverunderstandinganybody。Itwasasifthesehadbeenthefacesofpeoplefromtheotherworld——deadpeople——heusedtotellmeyearsafterwards。Uponmyword，Iwonderhedidnotgomad。Hedidn’tknowwherehewas。Somewhereveryfarfromhismoun—
　　tains——somewhereoverthewater。WasthisAmer—
　　ica，hewondered？
　　"Ifithadn’tbeenforthesteelcrossatMissSwaffer’sbelthewouldnot，heconfessed，haveknownwhetherhewasinaChristiancountryatall。Heusedtocaststealthyglancesatit，andfeelcomforted。Therewasnothingherethesameasinhiscountry！Theearthandthewaterwerediffer—
　　ent；therewerenoimagesoftheRedeemerbytheroadside。Theverygrasswasdifferent，andthetrees。AllthetreesbutthethreeoldNorwaypinesonthebitoflawnbeforeSwaffer’shouse，andtheseremindedhimofhiscountry。Hehadbeendetectedonce，afterdusk，withhisforeheadagainstthetrunkofoneofthem，sobbing，andtalkingtohimself。Theyhadbeenlikebrotherstohimatthattime，heaffirmed。Everythingelsewasstrange。
　　Conceiveyouthekindofanexistenceovershad—
　　owed，oppressed，bytheeverydaymaterialappear—
　　ances，asifbythevisionsofanightmare。Atnight，whenhecouldnotsleep，hekeptonthinkingofthegirlwhogavehimthefirstpieceofbreadhehadeateninthisforeignland。Shehadbeenneitherfiercenorangry，norfrightened。Herfaceherememberedastheonlycomprehensiblefaceamongstallthesefacesthatwereasclosed，asmys—
　　terious，andasmuteasthefacesofthedeadwhoarepossessedofaknowledgebeyondthecompre—
　　hensionoftheliving。Iwonderwhetherthemem—
　　oryofhercompassionpreventedhimfromcuttinghisthroat。Butthere！IsupposeIamanoldsen—
　　timentalist，andforgettheinstinctiveloveoflifewhichittakesallthestrengthofanuncommonde—
　　spairtoovercome。
　　"HedidtheworkwhichwasgivenhimwithanintelligencewhichsurprisedoldSwaffer。By—and—
　　byitwasdiscoveredthathecouldhelpattheploughing，couldmilkthecows，feedthebullocksinthecattle—yard，andwasofsomeusewiththesheep。Hebegantopickupwords，too，veryfast；
　　andsuddenly，onefinemorninginspring，heres—
　　cuedfromanuntimelydeathagrand—childofoldSwaffer。
　　"Swaffer’syoungerdaughterismarriedtoWillcox，asolicitorandtheTownClerkofCole—
　　brook。Regularlytwiceayeartheycometostaywiththeoldmanforafewdays。Theironlychild，alittlegirlnotthreeyearsoldatthetime，ranoutofthehousealoneinherlittlewhitepinafore，and，toddlingacrossthegrassofaterracedgarden，pitchedherselfoveralowwallheadfirstintothehorsepondintheyardbelow。
　　"Ourmanwasoutwiththewaggonerandtheploughinthefieldnearesttothehouse，andashewasleadingtheteamroundtobeginafreshfur—
　　row，hesaw，throughthegapofthegate，whatforanybodyelsewouldhavebeenamereflutterofsomethingwhite。Buthehadstraight—glancing，quick，far—reachingeyes，thatonlyseemedtoflinchandlosetheiramazingpowerbeforetheimmensityofthesea。Hewasbarefooted，andlookingasout—
　　landishastheheartofSwaffercoulddesire。Leav—
　　ingthehorsesontheturn，totheinexpressibledis—
　　ustofthewaggonerheboundedoff，goingovertheploughedgroundinlongleaps，andsuddenlyappearedbeforethemother，thrustthechildintoherarms，andstrodeaway。
　　"Thepondwasnotverydeep；butstill，ifhehadnothadsuchgoodeyes，thechildwouldhaveperished——miserablysuffocatedinthefootorsoofstickymudatthebottom。OldSwafferwalkedoutslowlyintothefield，waitedtilltheploughcameovertohisside，hadagoodlookathim，andwith—
　　outsayingawordwentbacktothehouse。Butfromthattimetheylaidouthismealsonthekitch—
　　entable；andatfirst，MissSwaffer，allinblackandwithaninscrutableface，wouldcomeandstandinthedoorwayoftheliving—roomtoseehimmakeabigsignofthecrossbeforehefellto。Ibelievethatfromthatday，too，Swafferbegantopayhimreg—
　　ularwages。
　　"Ican’tfollowstepbystephisdevelopment。
　　Hecuthishairshort，wasseeninthevillageandalongtheroadgoingtoandfrotohisworklikeanyotherman。Childrenceasedtoshoutafterhim。
　　Hebecameawareofsocialdifferences，butre—
　　mainedforalongtimesurprisedatthebarepov—
　　ertyofthechurchesamongsomuchwealth。Hecouldn’tunderstandeitherwhytheywerekeptshutuponweekdays。Therewasnothingtostealinthem。Wasittokeeppeoplefromprayingtoooften？Therectorytookmuchnoticeofhimaboutthattime，andIbelievetheyoungladiesattemptedtopreparethegroundforhisconversion。Theycouldnot，however，breakhimofhishabitofcross—
　　inghimself，buthewentsofarastotakeoffthestringwithacoupleofbrassmedalsthesizeofasixpence，atinymetalcross，andasquaresortofscapularywhichheworeroundhisneck。Hehungthemonthewallbythesideofhisbed，andhewasstilltobeheardeveryeveningrecitingtheLord’sPrayer，inincomprehensiblewordsandinaslow，ferventtone，ashehadheardhisoldfatherdoattheheadofallthekneelingfamily，bigandlittle，oneveryeveningofhislife。Andthoughheworecorduroysatwork，andaslop—madepepper—and—
　　saltsuitonSundays，strangerswouldturnroundtolookafterhimontheroad。Hisforeignnesshadapeculiarandindeliblestamp。Atlastpeoplebe—
　　cameusedtoseehim。Buttheyneverbecameusedtohim。Hisrapid，skimmingwalk；hisswarthycomplexion；hishatcockedontheleftear；hishab—
　　it，onwarmevenings，ofwearinghiscoatoveroneshoulder，likeahussar’sdolman；hismannerofleapingoverthestiles，notasafeatofagility，butintheordinarycourseofprogression——allthesepeculiaritieswere，asonemaysay，somanycausesofscornandoffencetotheinhabitantsofthevil—
　　lage。Theywouldn’tintheirdinnerhourlieflatontheirbacksonthegrasstostareatthesky。
　　Neitherdidtheygoaboutthefieldsscreamingdis—
　　maltunes。ManytimeshaveIheardhishigh—
　　pitchedvoicefrombehindtheridgeofsomeslop—
　　ingsheep—walk，avoicelightandsoaring，likealark’s，butwithamelancholyhumannote，overourfieldsthathearonlythesongofbirds。AndI
　　shouldbestartledmyself。Ah！Hewasdifferent：
　　innocentofheart，andfullofgoodwill，whichno—
　　bodywanted，thiscastaway，that，likeamantrans—
　　plantedintoanotherplanet，wasseparatedbyanimmensespacefromhispastandbyanimmenseignorancefromhisfuture。Hisquick，ferventut—
　　terancepositivelyshockedeverybody。’Anexcit—
　　abledevil，’theycalledhim。Oneevening，inthetap—roomoftheCoachandHorses（havingdrunksomewhisky），heupsetthemallbysingingalovesongofhiscountry。Theyhootedhimdown，andhewaspained；butPreble，thelamewheelwright，andVincent，thefatblacksmith，andtheothernota—
　　blestoo，wantedtodrinktheireveningbeerinpeace。Onanotheroccasionhetriedtoshowthemhowtodance。Thedustroseincloudsfromthesandedfloor；heleapedstraightupamongstthedealtables，struckhisheelstogether，squattedononeheelinfrontofoldPreble，shootingouttheotherleg，utteredwildandexultingcries，jumpeduptowhirlononefoot，snappinghisfingersabovehishead——andastrangecarterwhowashavingadrinkintherebegantoswear，andclearedoutwithhishalf—pintinhishandintothebar。Butwhensud—
　　denlyhespranguponatableandcontinuedtodanceamongtheglasses，thelandlordinterfered。
　　Hedidn’twantany’acrobattricksinthetap—
　　room。’Theylaidtheirhandsonhim。Havinghadaglassortwo，Mr。Swaffer’sforeignertriedtoexpostulate：wasejectedforcibly：gotablackeye。
　　"Ibelievehefeltthehostilityofhishumansur—
　　roundings。Buthewastough——toughinspirit，too，aswellasinbody。Onlythememoryoftheseafrightenedhim，withthatvagueterrorthatisleftbyabaddream。Hishomewasfaraway；andhedidnotwantnowtogotoAmerica。Ihadoftenexplainedtohimthatthereisnoplaceonearthwheretruegoldcanbefoundlyingreadyandtobegotforthetroubleofthepickingup。Howthen，heasked，couldheeverreturnhomewithemptyhandswhentherehadbeensoldacow，twoponies，andabitoflandtopayforhisgoing？Hiseyeswouldfillwithtears，and，avertingthemfromtheimmenseshimmerofthesea，hewouldthrowhim—
　　selffacedownonthegrass。Butsometimes，cock—
　　inghishatwithalittleconqueringair，hewoulddefymywisdom。Hehadfoundhisbitoftruegold。ThatwasAmyFoster’sheart；whichwas’agoldenheart，andsofttopeople’smisery，’hewouldsayintheaccentsofoverwhelmingconvic—
　　tion。
　　"HewascalledYanko。HehadexplainedthatthismeantlittleJohn；butashewouldalsorepeatveryoftenthathewasamountaineer（somewordsoundinginthedialectofhiscountrylikeGoorall）
　　hegotitforhissurname。Andthisistheonlytraceofhimthatthesucceedingagesmayfindinthemarriageregisteroftheparish。Thereitstands——YankoGoorall——intherector’shandwrit—
　　ing。Thecrookedcrossmadebythecastaway，acrosswhosetracingnodoubtseemedtohimthemostsolemnpartofthewholeceremony，isallthatremainsnowtoperpetuatethememoryofhisname。
　　"Hiscourtshiphadlastedsometime——eversincehegothisprecariousfootinginthecommunity。ItbeganbyhisbuyingforAmyFosteragreensatinribboninDarnford。Thiswaswhatyoudidinhiscountry。YouboughtaribbonataJew’sstallonafair—day。Idon’tsupposethegirlknewwhattodowithit，butheseemedtothinkthathishonoura—
　　bleintentionscouldnotbemistaken。
　　"ItwasonlywhenhedeclaredhispurposetogetmarriedthatIfullyunderstoodhow，forahun—
　　dredfutileandinappreciablereasons，how——shallIsayodious？——hewastoallthecountryside。
　　Everyoldwomaninthevillagewasupinarms。
　　Smith，cominguponhimnearthefarm，promisedtobreakhisheadforhimifhefoundhimaboutagain。Buthetwistedhislittleblackmoustachewithsuchabellicoseairandrolledsuchbig，blackfierceeyesatSmiththatthispromisecametonoth—
　　ing。Smith，however，toldthegirlthatshemustbemadtotakeupwithamanwhowassurelywronginhishead。Allthesame，whensheheardhiminthegloamingwhistlefrombeyondtheorchardacoupleofbarsofaweirdandmournfultune，shewoulddropwhatevershehadinherhand——shewouldleaveMrs。Smithinthemiddleofasentence——andshewouldrunouttohiscall。Mrs。Smithcalledherashamelesshussy。Sheanswerednoth—
　　ing。Shesaidnothingatalltoanybody，andwentonherwayasifshehadbeendeaf。SheandIaloneallintheland，Ifancy，couldseehisveryrealbeauty。Hewasverygood—looking，andmostgracefulinhisbearing，withthatsomethingwildasofawoodlandcreatureinhisaspect。Hermoth—
　　ermoanedoverherdismallywheneverthegirlcametoseeheronherdayout。Thefatherwassurly，butpretendednottoknow；andMrs。Finnoncetoldherplainlythat’thisman，mydear，willdoyousomeharmsomedayyet。’Andsoitwenton。
　　Theycouldbeseenontheroads，shetrampingstol—
　　idlyinherfinery——greydress，blackfeather，stoutboots，prominentwhitecottonglovesthatcaughtyoureyeahundredyardsaway；andhe，hiscoatslungpicturesquelyoveroneshoulder，pacingbyherside，gallantofbearingandcastingtenderglancesuponthegirlwiththegoldenheart。I
　　wonderwhetherhesawhowplainshewas。Perhapsamongtypessodifferentfromwhathehadeverseen，hehadnotthepowertojudge；orperhapshewasseducedbythedivinequalityofherpity。
　　"Yankowasingreattroublemeantime。Inhiscountryyougetanoldmanforanambassadorinmarriageaffairs。Hedidnotknowhowtopro—
　　ceed。However，onedayinthemidstofsheepinafield（hewasnowSwaffer’sunder—shepherdwithFoster）hetookoffhishattothefatherandde—
　　claredhimselfhumbly。’Idaresayshe’sfoolenoughtomarryyou，’wasallFostersaid。’Andthen，’heusedtorelate，’heputshishatonhishead，looksblackatmeasifhewantedtocutmythroat，whistlesthedog，andoffhegoes，leavingmetodothework。’TheFosters，ofcourse，didn’tliketolosethewagesthegirlearned：Amyusedtogiveallhermoneytohermother。ButtherewasinFosteraverygenuineaversiontothatmatch。Hecon—
　　tendedthatthefellowwasverygoodwithsheep，butwasnotfitforanygirltomarry。Foronething，heusedtogoalongthehedgesmutteringtohimselflikeadam’fool；andthen，theseforeign—
　　ersbehaveveryqueerlytowomensometimes。Andperhapshewouldwanttocarryheroffsomewhere——orrunoffhimself。Itwasnotsafe。Hepreachedittohisdaughterthatthefellowmightill—useherinsomeway。Shemadenoanswer。Itwas，theysaidinthevillage，asifthemanhaddonesomethingtoher。Peoplediscussedthematter。Itwasquiteanexcitement，andthetwowenton’walkingout’togetherinthefaceofopposition。
　　Thensomethingunexpectedhappened。
　　"Idon’tknowwhetheroldSwaffereverunder—
　　stoodhowmuchhewasregardedinthelightofafatherbyhisforeignretainer。Anywaytherela—
　　tionwascuriouslyfeudal。SowhenYankoaskedformallyforaninterview——’andtheMisstoo’（hecalledthesevere，deafMissSwaffersimplyMiss）
　　——itwastoobtaintheirpermissiontomarry。
　　Swafferheardhimunmoved，dismissedhimbyanod，andthenshoutedtheintelligenceintoMissSwaffer’sbestear。Sheshowednosurprise，andonlyremarkedgrimly，inaveiledblankvoice，’Hecertainlywon’tgetanyothergirltomarryhim。’
　　"ItisMissSwafferwhohasallthecreditofthemunificence：butinaveryfewdaysitcameoutthatMr。SwafferhadpresentedYankowithacot—
　　tage（thecottageyou’veseenthismorning）andsomethinglikeanacreofground——hadmadeitovertohiminabsoluteproperty。Willcoxexpe—
　　ditedthedeed，andIrememberhimtellingmehehadagreatpleasureinmakingitready。Itre—
　　cited：’Inconsiderationofsavingthelifeofmybelovedgrandchild，BerthaWillcox。’
　　"Ofcourse，afterthatnopoweronearthcouldpreventthemfromgettingmarried。
　　"Herinfatuationendured。Peoplesawhergo—
　　ingouttomeethimintheevening。Shestaredwithunblinking，fascinatedeyesuptheroadwherehewasexpectedtoappear，walkingfreely，withaswingfromthehip，andhummingoneofthelove—
　　tunesofhiscountry。Whentheboywasborn，hegotelevatedatthe’CoachandHorses，’essayedagainasongandadance，andwasagainejected。
　　PeopleexpressedtheircommiserationforawomanmarriedtothatJack—in—the—box。Hedidn’tcare。
　　Therewasamannow（hetoldmeboastfully）towhomhecouldsingandtalkinthelanguageofhiscountry，andshowhowtodanceby—and—by。
　　"ButIdon’tknow。Tomeheappearedtohavegrownlessspringyofstep，heavierinbody，lesskeenofeye。Imagination，nodoubt；butitseemstomenowasifthenetoffatehadbeendrawncloserroundhimalready。
　　"OnedayImethimonthefootpathovertheTalfourdHill。Hetoldmethat’womenwerefun—
　　ny。’Ihadheardalreadyofdomesticdifferences。
　　PeopleweresayingthatAmyFosterwasbegin—
　　ningtofindoutwhatsortofmanshehadmarried。
　　Helookedupontheseawithindifferent，unseeingeyes。Hiswifehadsnatchedthechildoutofhisarmsonedayashesatonthedoorstepcrooningtoitasongsuchasthemotherssingtobabiesinhismountains。Sheseemedtothinkhewasdoingitsomeharm。Womenarefunny。Andshehadob—
　　jectedtohimprayingaloudintheevening。Why？
　　Heexpectedtheboytorepeattheprayeraloudafterhimby—and—by，asheusedtodoafterhisoldfatherwhenhewasachild——inhisowncountry。
　　AndIdiscoveredhelongedfortheirboytogrowupsothathecouldhaveamantotalkwithinthatlanguagethattoourearssoundedsodisturbing，sopassionate，andsobizarre。Whyhiswifeshoulddisliketheideahecouldn’ttell。Butthatwouldpass，hesaid。Andtiltinghisheadknow—
　　ingly，hetappedhisbreastbonetoindicatethatshehadagoodheart：nothard，notfierce，opentocom—
　　passion，charitabletothepoor！
　　"Iwalkedawaythoughtfully；Iwonderedwhetherhisdifference，hisstrangeness，werenotpenetratingwithrepulsionthatdullnaturetheyhadbegunbyirresistiblyattracting。Iwon—
　　dered……"
　　TheDoctorcametothewindowandlookedoutatthefrigidsplendourofthesea，immenseinthehaze，asifenclosingalltheearthwithalltheheartslostamongthepassionsofloveandfear。
　　"Physiologically，now，"hesaid，turningawayabruptly，"itwaspossible。Itwaspossible。"
　　Heremainedsilent。Thenwenton——
　　"Atallevents，thenexttimeIsawhimhewasill——lungtrouble。Hewastough，butIdaresayhewasnotacclimatisedaswellasIhadsupposed。Itwasabadwinter；and，ofcourse，thesemountain—
　　eersdogetfitsofhomesickness；andastateofde—
　　pressionwouldmakehimvulnerable。Hewaslyinghalfdressedonacouchdownstairs。
　　"Atablecoveredwithadarkoilclothtookupallthemiddleofthelittleroom。Therewasawickercradleonthefloor，akettlespoutingsteamonthehob，andsomechild’slinenlaydryingonthefender。Theroomwaswarm，butthedooropensrightintothegarden，asyounoticedperhaps。
　　"Hewasveryfeverish，andkeptonmutteringtohimself。Shesatonachairandlookedathimfixedlyacrossthetablewithherbrown，blurredeyes。’Whydon’tyouhavehimupstairs？’I
　　asked。Withastartandaconfusedstammershesaid，’Oh！ah！Icouldn’tsitwithhimupstairs，Sir。’
　　"Igavehercertaindirections；andgoingout—
　　side，Isaidagainthatheoughttobeinbedup—
　　stairs。Shewrungherhands。’Icouldn’t。I
　　couldn’t。Hekeepsonsayingsomething——Idon’tknowwhat。’Withthememoryofallthetalkagainstthemanthathadbeendinnedintoherears，Ilookedathernarrowly。Ilookedintohershort—
　　sightedeyes，atherdumbeyesthatonceinherlifehadseenanenticingshape，butseemed，staringatme，toseenothingatallnow。ButIsawshewasuneasy。
　　"’What’sthematterwithhim？’sheaskedinasortofvacanttrepidation。’Hedoesn’tlookveryill。Ineverdidseeanybodylooklikethisbe—
　　fore……’
　　"’Doyouthink，’Iaskedindignantly，’heisshamming？’
　　"’Ican’thelpit，sir，’shesaidstolidly。Andsuddenlysheclappedherhandsandlookedrightandleft。’Andthere’sthebaby。Iamsofright—
　　ened。Hewantedmejustnowtogivehimthebaby。Ican’tunderstandwhathesaystoit。’
　　"’Can’tyouaskaneighbourtocomeinto—
　　night？’Iasked。
　　"’Please，sir，nobodyseemstocaretocome，’shemuttered，dullyresignedallatonce。
　　"Iimpresseduponherthenecessityofthegreatestcare，andthenhadtogo。Therewasagooddealofsicknessthatwinter。’Oh，Ihopehewon’ttalk！’sheexclaimedsoftlyjustasIwasgo—
　　ingaway。
　　"Idon’tknowhowitisIdidnotsee——butI
　　didn’t。Andyet，turninginmytrap，Isawherlingeringbeforethedoor，verystill，andasifmed—
　　itatingaflightupthemiryroad。
　　"Towardsthenighthisfeverincreased。
　　"Hetossed，moaned，andnowandthenmutteredacomplaint。Andshesatwiththetablebetweenherandthecouch，watchingeverymovementandeverysound，withtheterror，theunreasonableter—
　　ror，ofthatmanshecouldnotunderstandcreepingoverher。Shehaddrawnthewickercradleclosetoherfeet。Therewasnothinginhernowbutthematernalinstinctandthatunaccountablefear。
　　"Suddenlycomingtohimself，parched，hede—
　　mandedadrinkofwater。Shedidnotmove。Shehadnotunderstood，thoughhemayhavethoughthewasspeakinginEnglish。Hewaited，lookingather，burningwithfever，amazedathersilenceandimmobility，andthenheshoutedimpatiently，’Water！Givemewater！’
　　"Shejumpedtoherfeet，snatchedupthechild，andstoodstill。Hespoketoher，andhispassion—
　　ateremonstrancesonlyincreasedherfearofthatstrangeman。Ibelievehespoketoherforalongtime，entreating，wondering，pleading，ordering，I
　　suppose。Shesayssheboreitaslongasshecould。
　　Andthenagustofragecameoverhim。
　　"Hesatupandcalledoutterriblyoneword——
　　someword。Thenhegotupasthoughhehadn’tbeenillatall，shesays。Andasinfevereddismay，indignation，andwonderhetriedtogettoherroundthetable，shesimplyopenedthedoorandranoutwiththechildinherarms。Sheheardhimcalltwiceafterherdowntheroadinaterriblevoice——
　　andfled……Ah！butyoushouldhaveseenstir—
　　ringbehindthedull，blurredglanceoftheseeyesthespectreofthefearwhichhadhuntedheronthatnightthreemilesandahalftothedoorofFos—
　　ter’scottage！Ididthenextday。
　　"AnditwasIwhofoundhimlyingfacedownandhisbodyinapuddle，justoutsidethelittlewicket—gate。
　　"Ihadbeencalledoutthatnighttoanurgentcaseinthevillage，andonmywayhomeatday—
　　breakpassedbythecottage。Thedoorstoodopen。
　　Mymanhelpedmetocarryhimin。Welaidhimonthecouch。Thelampsmoked，thefirewasout，thechillofthestormynightoozedfromthecheer—
　　lessyellowpaperonthewall。’Amy！’Icalledaloud，andmyvoiceseemedtoloseitselfintheemptinessofthistinyhouseasifIhadcriedinadesert。Heopenedhiseyes。’Gone！’hesaiddis—
　　tinctly。’Ihadonlyaskedforwater——onlyforalittlewater……’
　　"Hewasmuddy。Icoveredhimupandstoodwaitinginsilence，catchingapainfullygaspedwordnowandthen。Theywerenolongerinhisownlanguage。Thefeverhadlefthim，takingwithittheheatoflife。Andwithhispantingbreastandlustrouseyesheremindedmeagainofawildcreatureunderthenet；ofabirdcaughtinasnare。Shehadlefthim。Shehadlefthim——sick——helpless——thirsty。Thespearofthehunterhadenteredhisverysoul。’Why？’hecriedinthepen—
　　etratingandindignantvoiceofamancallingtoaresponsibleMaker。Agustofwindandaswishofrainanswered。
　　"AndasIturnedawaytoshutthedoorhepro—
　　nouncedtheword’Merciful！’andexpired。
　　"EventuallyIcertifiedheart—failureastheim—
　　mediatecauseofdeath。Hisheartmusthavein—
　　deedfailedhim，orelsehemighthavestoodthisnightofstormandexposure，too。Iclosedhiseyesanddroveaway。NotveryfarfromthecottageI
　　metFosterwalkingsturdilybetweenthedrippinghedgeswithhiscollieathisheels。
　　"’Doyouknowwhereyourdaughteris？’I
　　asked。
　　"’Don’tI！’hecried。’Iamgoingtotalktohimabit。Frighteningapoorwomanlikethis。’
　　"’Hewon’tfrightenheranymore，’Isaid。
　　’Heisdead。’
　　"Hestruckwithhisstickatthemud。
　　"’Andthere’sthechild。’
　　"Then，afterthinkingdeeplyforawhile——
　　"’Idon’tknowthatitisn’tforthebest。’
　　"That’swhathesaid。Andshesaysnothingatallnow。Notawordofhim。Never。Ishisim—
　　ageasutterlygonefromhermindashislitheandstridingfigure，hiscarollingvoicearegonefromourfields？Heisnolongerbeforehereyestoex—
　　citeherimaginationintoapassionofloveorfear；
　　andhismemoryseemstohavevanishedfromherdullbrainasashadowpassesawayuponawhitescreen。ShelivesinthecottageandworksforMissSwaffer。SheisAmyFosterforeverybody，andthechildis’AmyFoster’sboy。’ShecallshimJohnny——whichmeansLittleJohn。
　　"Itisimpossibletosaywhetherthisnamere—
　　callsanythingtoher。Doessheeverthinkofthepast？Ihaveseenherhangingovertheboy’scotinaverypassionofmaternaltenderness。Thelit—
　　tlefellowwaslyingonhisback，alittlefrightenedatme，butverystill，withhisbigblackeyes，withhisflutteredairofabirdinasnare。AndlookingathimIseemedtoseeagaintheotherone——thefather，castoutmysteriouslybytheseatoperishinthesupremedisasteroflonelinessanddespair。"