ther more remiss than before, as to doing her part for the
entertainment of their guest. She had not done that from the beginning,
but her quietness and preoccupation were more apparent, because the rain
kept them within doors. Graeme saw it, and tried to break through it or
cover it as best she might. Mrs Snow saw it, and sometimes looked
grave, and sometimes amused, but she made no remarks about it. As for
Mr Millar, if he noticed her silence and preoccupation, he certainly
did not resent them, but gave to the few words she now and then put in,
an eager attention that went far beyond their worth; and had she been a
princess, and he but a humble vassal, he could not have addressed her
with more respectful deference.

And so the days passed on, till one morning something was said by Mr
Millar, about its being time to draw his visit to a close. It was only
a word, and might have fallen to the ground without remark, as he very
possibly intended it should do; but Mr Snow set himself to combat the
idea of his going away so soon, with an energy and determination that
brought them all into the discussion in a little while.

"Unless there is something particular taking you home, you may as well
stay for a while longer. At any rate, it ain't worth while to go before
Sunday. You ought to stay and hear our minister preach, now you've got
acquainted with him. Oughtn't he, Graeme?"

Graeme smiled.

"Oh! yes, he ought to stay for so good a reason as that is."

"There are worse preachers than Mr Perry," said Mrs Snow, gravely.

"Oh! come now, mother. That ain't saying much. There ain't a great
many better preachers in our part of the world, whatever they may be
where you live. To be sure, if you leave to-night after tea, you can
catch the night cars for Boston, and stay there over Sunday, and have
your pick of some pretty smart men. But you'd better stay.--Not but
what I could have you over to Rixford in time, as well as not, if it is
an object to you. But you better stay, hadn't he, girls? What do you
say, Rose?"

"And hear Mr Perry preach? Oh! certainly," said Rose, gravely.

"Oh! he will stay," said Graeme, laughing, with a little vexation. "It
is my belief he never meant to go, only he likes to be entreated. Now
confess, Charlie."

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

"Eh, bairns! is it no' a bonny day!" said Mrs Snow, breaking into
Scotch, as she was rather apt to do when she was speaking to the
sisters, or whe