it had led David. Both these educations, however, were nearly
unknown to the student of books. But he was still more astonished
to hear from the lips of Margaret, who was sitting by:

"That's it, father; that's it! I was jist ettlin' efter that same
thing mysel, or something like it, but ye put it in the richt words
exackly."

The sound of her voice drew Hugh's eyes upon her: he was astonished
at the alteration in her countenance. While she spoke it was
absolutely beautiful. As soon as she ceased speaking, it settled
back into its former shadowless calm. Her father gave her one
approving glance and nod, expressive of no surprise at her having
approached the same discovery as himself, but testifying pleasure at
the coincidence of their opinions. Nothing was left for Hugh but to
express his satisfaction with the interpretation of the difficulty,
and to add, that the poem would henceforth possess fresh interest
for him.

After this, his visits became more frequent; and at length David
made a request which led to their greater frequency still. It was
to this effect:

"Do ye think, Mr. Sutherlan', I could do onything at my age at the
mathematics? I unnerstan' weel eneuch hoo to measur' lan', an' that
kin' o' thing. I jist follow the rule. But the rule itsel's a
puzzler to me. I dinna understan' it by half. Noo it seems to me
that the best o' a rule is, no to mak ye able to do a thing, but to
lead ye to what maks the rule richt--to the prenciple o' the thing.
It's no 'at I'm misbelievin' the rule, but I want to see the richts