o help." She was content with no such evidence of happiness or
goodness as lay on the surface of their pleasant life, so she waited,
and watched, seeing without seeming to see, many things that less loving
eyes might have overlooked. She saw the unquiet light that gleamed at
times in Graeme's eyes, and the shadow of the cloud that now and then
rested on her brow, even in their most mirthful moments. She smiled, as
they all did, at the lively sallies, and pretty wilfulness of Rose, but
she knew full well, that that which made mirth in the loving home
circle, might make sorrow for the household darling, when the charm of
love was no longer round her. And so she watched them all, seeing in
trifles, in chance words and unconscious deeds, signs and tokens for
good or for evil, that would never have revealed themselves to one who
loved them less.

For Will she had no fear. He was his father's own son, with his
father's work awaiting him. All would be well with Will. And for
Arthur, too, the kind and thoughtful elder brother--the father and
brother of the little household, both in one, her hopes were stronger
than her doubts or fears. It would have given her a sore heart, indeed,
to believe him far from the way in which his father walked.

"He has a leaven of worldliness in him, I'll no deny," said she to her
husband one night, when they were alone in the privacy of their own
apartment. "And there is more desire for wealth in his heart, and for
the honour that comes from man, than he himself kens. He'll maybe get
them, and maybe no'. But if he gets them, they'll no' satisfy him, and
if he gets them not, he'll get something better. I have small fear for
the lad. He minds his father's ways and walk too well to be long
content with his own halting pace. It's a fine life just now, with folk
looking up to him, and patting trust in him, but he'll weary of it.
There is nothing in it to fill, for long, the heart of his father's
son."

And in her quiet waiting and watching, Janet grew assured for them all
at last. Not that they were very wise or good, but her faith that they
were kept of God grew stronger every day; and to be ever in God's
keeping, meant to this humble, trustful, Christian woman, to have all
that even her yearning love could crave for her darlings. It left her
nothing to fear for them, nothing to wish in their behalf; so she came
to be at peace about them all; and gently checked the wilful words and