e believe that you would rather be at school than at
home, doing as you please, and having a good time with Rose and Menie
here."

Emily laughed. "I would like that; but I like going back to school
too."

"But you'll be getting so awfully wise that there will be no talking to
you, if you stay much longer."

"In that case, it might do you good to listen," said Emily, laughing.

"But you are altogether too wise already," Harry persisted. "I really
am quite afraid to open my lips in your presence."

"We have all been wondering at your strange silence, and lamenting it,"
said Arthur.

"But, indeed, I must have a word with the deacon about it," said Harry.
"I can't understand how he has allowed it so long already. I must bring
my influence to bear on him."

"You needn't," said Emily. "I have almost prevailed upon Graeme, to let
Menie go back with me. There will be two learned ladies then."

Graeme smiled, and shook her head.

"Not till summer. We'll see what summer brings. Many things may happen
before summer," she added, gravely.

They all assented gravely too, but not one of them with any anxious
thought of trouble drawing near. They grew quiet after that, and each
sat thinking, but it was of pleasant things mostly; and if on anyone
there fell a shadow for a moment, it was but with the thought of the
morrow's parting, and never with the dread that they might not all meet
on earth again.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

They all went away--the lads and Emily, and quietness fell on those that
remained. The reaction from the excitement in which they had been
living for the last few weeks was very evident in all. Even Will and
Rosie needed coaxing to go back to the learning of lessons, and the
enjoyment of their old pleasures; and so Graeme did not wonder that
Marian was dull, and did not care to exert herself. The weather had
changed, too, and they quite agreed in thinking it was much nicer to
stay within doors than to take their usual walks and drives. So Marian
occupied the arm-chair or the sofa, with work in her hand, or without
it, as the case might be, and her sister's fears with regard to her
were, for a time, at rest. For she did not look ill; she was as
cheerful as ever, entering into all the new arrangements which Janet's
departure rendered necessary with interest, and sharing with Graeme the
light household tasks that fell to her lot when the "help" was busy with
heavier matters.

There was no