"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。"