really helped in a beautiful way, and found a friend who saw, because
he was blind, the real ME underneath; the me that never was burned by
the fire; the me that isn't disfigured, unless my wicked discontent
has done it; the me that has lived on and on and on, starving to
death for the friendship and sympathy and love that come to other
women. I have spent my forty years in the wilderness, feeding on
wrath and bitterness and tears. Forgive me, Lord, and give me one
more vision of the blessed land of Canaan, even if I never dwell
there."



CHAPTER VI



"Nor less the eternal poles
Of tendency distribute souls.
There need no vows to bind
Whom not each other seek, but find."
EMERSON's Celestial Love.

Davy's sickness was a lingering one. Mrs. Buck came for two or three
hours a day, but Lyddy was the self-installed angel of the house; and
before a week had passed the boy's thin arms were around her neck,
his head on her loving shoulder, and his cheek pressed against hers.
Anthony could hear them talk, as he sat in the kitchen busy at his
work. Musical instruments were still brought him to repair, though
less frequently than of yore, and he could still make many parts of
violins far better than his seeing competitors. A friend and pupil