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           "Youhaveapairoflegsthatmightmakealongpathseemshort!youjourneysometimes,Ifancy,withtidingsforthegeneral."

           "Never;Ifollownootherthanmyownhighvocation,whichisinstructioninsacredmusic!"

           "’Tisastrangecalling!"mutteredHawkeye,withaninwardlaugh,"togothroughlife,likeacatbird,mockingalltheupsanddownsthatmayhappentocomeoutofothermen’sthroats.Well,friend,Isupposeitisyourgift,andmustn’tbedeniedanymorethanif’twasshooting,orsomeotherbetterinclination.Letushearwhatyoucandointhatway;’twillbeafriendlymannerofsayinggood-night,for’tistimethattheseladiesshouldbegettingstrengthforahardandalongpush,intheprideofthemorning,aforetheMaquasarestirring!"

           "WithjoyfulpleasuredoIconsent,"saidDavid,adjustinghisiron-rimmedspectacles,andproducinghisbelovedlittlevolume,whichheimmediatelytenderedtoAlice."Whatcanbemorefittingandconsolatory,thantoofferupeveningpraise,afteradayofsuchexceedingjeopardy!"

           Alicesmiled;butregardingHeyward,sheblushedandhesitated.

           "Indulgeyourself,"hewhispered:"oughtnotthesuggestionoftheworthynamesakeofthePsalmisttohaveitsweightatsuchamoment?"

           Encouragedbyhisopinion,Alicedidwhatherpiousinclinationsandherkeenrelishforgentlesounds,hadbeforesostronglyurged.