Chapter 17 - Page 2

you account it for nothing, Halbert, that I should have the
power of giving you a lesson of patience, and submission to the
destinies of Providence? Methinks there is use for the grey hairs on
the old scalp, were it but to instruct the green head by precept and
by example."

Halbert held down his face, and remained silent for a minute or two, and
then resumed his discourse: "Martin, seest thou aught changed in me of
late?"

"Surely," said Martin. "I have always known you hasty, wild, and
inconsiderate, rude, and prompt to speak at the volley and without
reflection; but now, methinks, your bearing, without losing its
natural fire, has something in it of force and dignity which it had
not before. It seems as if you had fallen asleep a carle, and awakened
a gentleman."

"Thou canst judge, then, of noble bearing?" said Halbert.

"Surely," answered Martin, "in some sort I can; for I have travelled
through court, and camp, and city, with my master, Walter Avenel,
although he could do nothing for me in the long run, but give me room
for two score of sheep on the hill--and surely even now, while I speak
with you, I feel sensible that my language is more refined than it is
my wont to use, and that--though I know not the reason--the rude
northern dialect, so familiar to my tongue, has given place to a more
town-bred speech."

"And this change in thyself and me, thou canst by no means account
for?" said young Glendinning.

"Change!" replied Martin, "by our Lady it is not so much a change
which I feel, as a recalling and renewing sentiments and expressions
which I had some thirty years since, ere Tibb and I set up our humble
household. It is singular, that your society should have this sort of
influence over me, Halbert, and that I should never have experienced
it ere now."

"Thinkest thou," said Halbert, "thou seest in me aught that can raise
me from this base, low, despised state, into one where I may rank with
those proud men, who now despise my clownish poverty?"

Martin paused an instant, and then answered, "Doubtless you may,
Halbert; as broken a ship has come to land. Heard ye never of Hughie
Dun, who left this Halidome some thirty-five years gone by? A
deliverly fellow was Hughie--could read and write like a priest, and
could wield brand and buckler with the best of the riders. I mind
him--the like of him was never seen in the Halidome of Saint Mary's,
and so was seen of the preferment that God sent him."

"And what was that?" said Halbert, his eyes sparkling with eagerness.

"Nothing less," answered Martin, "than