When the footsteps were heard , therefore , between the outer door and the inner one , the whole family rose up , grandmother , children and all , as if about to welcome some one who belonged to them , and whose fate was linked with theirs . The door was opened by a young man . His face at first wore the melancholy expression , almost despondency , of one who travels a wild and bleak road at nightfall and alone , but soon brightened up when he saw the kindly warmth of his reception . He felt his heart spring forward to meet them all , from the old woman who wiped a chair with her apron to the little child that held out its arms to him . One glance and smile placed the stranger on a footing of innocent familiarity with the eldest daughter . `` Ah ! this fire is the right thing , '' cried he , `` especially when there is such a pleasant circle round it . I am quite benumbed , for the Notch is just like the pipe of a great pair of bellows ; it has blown a terrible blast in my face all the way from Bartlett . '' `` Then you are going toward Vermont ? '' said the master of the house as he helped to take a light knapsack off the young man 's shoulders . `` Yes , to Burlington , and far enough beyond , '' replied he . `` I meant to have been at Ethan Crawford 's to-night , but a pedestrian lingers along such a road as this . It is no matter ; for when I saw this good fire and all your cheerful faces , I felt as if you had kindled it on purpose for me and were waiting my arrival . So I shall sit down among you and make myself at home . '' The frank-hearted stranger had just drawn his chair to the fire when something like a heavy footstep was heard without , rushing down the steep side of the mountain as with long and rapid strides , and taking such a leap in passing the cottage as to strike the opposite precipice . The family held their breath , because they knew the sound , and their guest held his by instinct . `` The old mountain has thrown a stone at us for fear we should forget him , '' said the landlord , recovering himself . `` He sometimes nods his head and threatens to come down , but we are old neighbors , and agree together pretty well , upon the whole . Besides , we have a sure place of refuge hard by if he should be coming in good earnest . '' Let us now suppose the stranger to have finished his supper of bear 's meat , and by his natural felicity of manner to have placed himself on a footing of kindness with the whole family ; so that they talked as freely together as if he belonged to their mountain-brood .
He was of a proud yet gentle spirit , haughty and reserved among the rich and great , but ever ready to stoop his head XXXXX the lowly cottage door and be like a brother or a son at the poor man 's fireside .
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