ing. It's no' pretty in her to amuse herself so openly at
his expense, poor man, though there's some excuse, too--when he shows so
little discretion."

"But, amusing herself, Janet! That is rather hard on Rosie. It is not
that, I think."

"Is it not? What is it, then? The bairn is not in earnest. I hope it
may all come to a good ending."

"Oh! Janet! I hope it may. But I don't like to think of endings.
Rosie must belong to some one else some day, I suppose. The best thing
I can wish for her is that I may lose her--for her sake, but it is not a
happy thing to think of for mine."

"Miss Graeme, my dear, that is not like you."

"Indeed, Janet, it is just like me. I can't bear to think about it. As
for the minister--" Graeme shrugged her shoulders.

"You needna trouble yourself about the minister, my dear. It will no'
be him. If your friend yonder would but take heart of grace--I have my
own thoughts."

"Oh! I don't know. We need not be in a hurry."

"But, dear, think what you were telling me the other day, about your
sister going out by herself to seek her fortune. Surely, that would be
far worse."

"But she would not have to go by herself. I should go with her, and
Janet, I have sometimes the old dread of change upon me, as I used to
have long ago."

"But, my dear, why should you? All the changes in our lot are in good
hands. I dinna need to tell you that, after all these years. And as
for the minister, you needna be afraid for him."

Graeme laughed; and though the entrance of Rose prevented any more being
said, she laughed again to herself, in a way to excite her sister's
astonishment.

"I do believe Janet is pitying me a little, because of the minister's
inconstancy," she said to herself. "Why am I laughing at it, Rosie?
You must ask Mrs Snow."

"My dear, how can I tell your sister's thoughts? It is at them, she is
laughing, and I think the minister has something to do with it, though
it is not like her, either, to laugh at folk in an unkindly way."

"It is more like me, you think," said Rose, pouting. "And as for the
minister, she is very welcome to him, I am sure."

"Nonsense, Rose! Let him rest. I am sure Deacon Snow would think us
very irreverent to speak about the minister in that way. Tell me what
you are going to do to-day?"

Rosie had plenty to do, and by and by she became absorbed in the
elaborate pattern which she was working on a frock for wee Rosie, and
was ra