t much that was unpleasant, for the kind and watchful eyes
of Mrs Snow were quite capable of keeping in view the interests of two
households, and though no longer one of the family, she was still the
ruling spirit in their domestic affairs. With her usual care for the
welfare of the bairns, she had sent the experienced Hannah Lovejoy up
the brae, while she contented herself with "breaking in" Sephronia,
Hannah's less helpful younger sister. There was a great difference
between the service of love that had all their life long shielded them
from trouble and annoyance, and Miss Lovejoy's abrupt and rather
familiar ministrations. But Hannah was faithful and capable, indeed, "a
treasure," in these days of destitution in the way of help; and if her
service was such as money could well pay, she did not grudge it, while
her wages were secure; and housekeeping and its responsibilities were
not so disagreeable to Graeme as she had feared. Indeed, by the time
the first letter from Norman came, full of mock sympathy for her under
her new trials, she was quite as ready to laugh at herself as any of the
rest. Her faith in Hannah was becoming fixed, and it needed some
expostulations from Mrs Snow to prevent her from letting the supreme
power, as to household matters, pass into the hands of her energetic
auxiliary.

"My dear," said she, "there's many a thing that Hannah could do well
enough, maybe better than you could, for that matter; but you should do
them yourself, notwithstanding. It's better for her, and it's better
for you, too. Every woman should take pleasure in these household
cares. If they are irksome at first they winna be when you are used to
them; and, my dear, it may help you through many an hour of trouble and
weariness to be able to turn your hand to these things. There is great
comfort in it sometimes."

Graeme laughed, and suggested other resources that might do as well to
fall back upon in a time of trouble, but Mrs Snow was not to be moved.

"My dear, that may be all true. I ken books are fine things to keep
folk from thinking, for a time; but the trouble that is put away that
way comes back on one again; and it's only when folk are doing their
duty that the Lord gives them abiding comfort. I ken by myself. There
have been days in my life when my heart must have been broken, or my
brain grown crazed, if I hadna needed to do this and to do that, to go
here and to go there. My dear, woman's work, that