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?"




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