osie, smiling
brightly.

"It is safe enough, mother, you may be sure of that. And as for what
the village folk may think, that's a new thing for you to ask. It is
the best and pleasantest way in the world for both Rosie and me." And
looking at the proud, young father and the happy child sitting before
him, it was not to be for a moment doubted.

"It must be delightful," said Rose, laughing. "I should like a ride
myself, wee Rosie."

"And why not?" said Mrs Snow. "Sandy, man, it is a wonder to me that
you havena thought about it before. Have you your habit here, my dear?
Why should you no' bring young Major or Dandy over, saddled for Miss
Rose? It would do her all the good in the world to get a gallop in a
day like this."

"There is no reason in the world why I should not, if Miss Rose, would
like it."

"I would like it very much. Not that I need the good of it especially,
but I shall enjoy the pleasure of it. And will you let wee Rosie come
with me."

"If grandma has no objections," said Sandy, laughing. "But it must be
_old_ Major, if you take her."

"Did ever anybody hear such nonsense?" said Mrs Snow, impatiently.
"But you'll need to haste, Sandy, man, or we shall be having visitors,
and then she winna get away."

"Yes, I should not wonder. I saw Mr Perry coming up the way with a
book in his hand. But I could bring young Major and Dandy too, and Miss
Rose needn't be kept at home then."

Rose laughed merrily.

"Who? The minister? Oh! fie, Sandy man, you shouldna speak such
nonsense. Wee Rosie, are you no' going to stay the day with Miss Graeme
and me?" said Mrs Snow.

Graeme held up her arms for the little girl, but she did not offer to
move.

"Will you bide with grannie, wee Rosie?" asked her father, pulling back
her sun-bonnet, and letting a mass of tangled, yellow curls fall over
her rosy face.

"Tum adain Grannie," said the little girl, gravely. She was too well
pleased with her place to wish to leave it. Her father laughed.

"She shall come when I bring over Dandy for Miss Rose. In the meantime,
I have something for some one here."

"Letters," said Graeme and Rose, in a breath.

"One a piece. Good news, I hope. I shall soon be back again, Miss
Rose, with Dandy."

Graeme's letter was from Will, written after having heard of his sisters
being in Merleville, before he had heard of Mrs Snow's recovery. He
had thought once of coming home with Mr Millar, he said, but had
c