The sun was high when I came to a place where the ways divided,
and, while I stood hesitating which road to take, I heard the
cool plash and murmur of a brook at no great distance.
Wherefore, being hot and thirsty, I scrambled through the hedge,
and, coming to the brook, threw myself face down beside it, and,
catching up the sweet pure water in my hands, drank my fill;
which done, I bathed my feet, and hands, and face, and became
much heartened and refreshed thereby. Now because I have ever
loved the noise of running waters, in a little while, I rose and
walked on beside the stream, listening to its blithesome melody.
So, by devious ways, for the brook wound prodigiously, I came at
length to a sudden declivity down which the water plunged in a
miniature cascade, sparkling in the sun, and gleaming with a
thousand rainbow hues. On I went, climbing down as best I might,
until I found myself in a sort of green basin, very cool after
the heat and glare of the roads, for the high, tree-clad sides
afforded much shade. On I went, past fragrant thickets and
bending willows, with soft lush grass underfoot and leafy arches
overhead, and the brook singing and chattering at my side; albeit
a brook of changeful mood, now laughing and dimpling in some
fugitive ray of sunshine, now sighing and whispering in the
shadows, but ever moving upon its appointed way, and never quite
silent. So I walked on beside the brook, watching the fish that
showed like darting shadows on the bottom, until, chancing to
raise my eyes, I stopped. And there, screened by leaves, shut in
among the green, stood a small cottage, or hut. My second glance
showed it to be tenantless, for the thatch was partly gone, the
windows were broken, and the door had long since fallen from its
hinges. Yet, despite its forlornness and desolation, despite the
dilapidation of broken door and fallen chimney, there was
something in the air of the place that drew me strangely. It was
somewhat roughly put together, but still very strong, and seemed,
save for the roof, weatherfast.
"A man might do worse than live here," thought I, "with the birds
for neighbors, and the brook to sing him to sleep at night.
Indeed, a man might live very happily in such a place."
I was still looking at the hut, with this in my mind, when I was
startled by hearing a thin, quavering voice behind me: "Be you 'm a-lookin' at t' cottage, master?"