"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" cried
the enthusiast. "Surely their devices shall be brought to naught,
and their counsels to no effect. He that sitteth on the circle of the
heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and spurn them in His displeasure.
Because for Thy sake, I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my
face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my
mother's children."

He waited for no remark; he looked at no one; but taking up the pile
of baskets which were tied together, threw them upon his back, and
stalked over the ice in the direction of his cabin.

On their way home the young people discussed the events of the
afternoon, dwelling on the meeting with Holden as on that which most
occupied their minds.

"It is with a painful interest," said Pownal, "that I meet the old
man, nor can I think of him without a feeling of more than common
regard. I am sure it is not merely because he was lately of so great
service to me, that I cannot listen to the tones of his voice without
emotion. There is in them a wild melancholy, like the sighing of the
wind through pine trees, that affects me more than I can describe."

"I know the feeling," said Faith. "There is to me also a strange
pathos in his voice that brings the tears sometimes into my eyes
before I am aware. What is the cause, I do not know. I never heard
it spoken of till now, and did not suppose there was another affected
like myself."