d; she was quiet and unobtrusive. She made no attempt to
break down the wall thus established between us. And I was determined, on
the whole, to be more than just with Rebecca. I would be kind to her in
her disgrace. I would palliate her weakness as far as I could
consistently with a pure and high standard of action. I even
congratulated myself on the magnanimity of my intentions, except when I
met the clear, sad gaze of those dispassionate eyes. Then I experienced
an unaccountable sensation, as though I had received a blow inwardly,
that staggered me, for an instant, in my fine conceptions of honor, and
set my conclusions out of order.

The Wallencampers were quick to note the estrangement between us, and
affirmed that "Beck was mad, and wouldn't speak to teacher, along o'
teacher's goin' with Beck's beau."

This gratuitous solution of the mystery was not evolved in my presence.
Still I knew, that all through those lonely, suffering days, it was often
repeated to Rebecca; that those who had borne the girl any grudge, or
deemed that she was taking airs above them, took pains, now, that the
taunt should reach her ears; and even the children, who had always loved
her, uttered it before her with childish thoughtlessness.

But, for the Cradlebow; his bright dream of seeking his fortune over wide
seas and in distant lands, his dreadless enthusiasm in the belief that he
should find so much waiting for him in that unsounded world, his
determination, above all, to acquit himself truthfully and bravely--all
these made him, to my mind, ever an object of more inspiring and romantic
interest.

He seemed, somehow, to have divested himself entirely of the old,
heedless irresolution. His speech expressed little of doubt or hesitancy.
It was full of a bold, bright affirmation; and his step, in these days,
had none of the ordinary slow, smiling, philosophical Wallencamp shuffle.
He brought to my weariness and dejection such an atmosphere of vigorous,
tireless life; he was so confident, helpful, unselfish; I was so
faithless and disheartened a burden-bearer; that I grew almost
unconsciously to find for myself a certain rest in his strength, which,
whatever high and heroic qualities it may have lacked, developed, at
least, rare resources of patience, constancy, and forbearance.

He did not say: "You have changed your mind, you will wait for me,
teacher, till I come back from over the seas?" but his eyes were
eloquent. What if I was m