"Why do you live there? The cobbler is a dirty little man! Your
clothes will smell of leather!"

"He is not dirty," said Donal. "His hands do get dirty--very dirty
with his work--and his face too; and I daresay soap and water can't
get them quite clean. But he will have a nice earth-bath one day,
and that will take all the dirt off. And if you could see his
soul--that is as clean as clean can be--so clean it is quite
shining!"

"Have you seen it?" said the boy, looking up at Donal, unsure
whether he was making game of him, or meaning something very
serious.

"I have had a glimpse or two of it. I never saw a cleaner.--You
know, my dear boy, there's a cleanness much deeper than the skin!"

"I know!" said Davie, but stared as if he wondered he would speak of
such things.

Donal returned his gaze. Out of the fullness of his heart his eyes
shone. Davie was reassured.

"Can you ride?" he asked.

"Yes, a little."

"Who taught you?"

"An old mare I was fond of."