Snow was as pleased to tell, as they were to hear.

And when Rose and Fanny were away, as they often were, and Graeme was
left alone with her friend, there were graver things discussed between
them. Graeme told her more of their family life, and of their first
experiences than she had ever heard before. She told her of her
illness, and home-sickness, and of the many misgivings she had had as to
whether it had been wise for them all to come to burden Arthur. She
told her of Harry, and her old terrors on his account, and how all these
had given place to hope, that was almost certainty now, that she need
never fear for him for the same cause more. They rejoiced together over
Hilda, and Norman, and recalled to one another their old pride in the
lad when he had saved the little German girl from the terrible fate that
had overtaken her family, and smiled at the misgivings they had had when
he refused to let her go with the friends who would have taken her.
This was all to be rejoiced over now. No doubt the care and pains which
Norman had needed to bestow on his little adopted sister, had done much
to correct the native thoughtlessness of his character, and no doubt her
love and care would henceforth make the happiness of his life. So they
said to one another with smiles, and not without grateful tears, in view
of the overruling love and care visible in all they had to remember of
one and all.

And Will, who seemed to be Graeme's own more than either of the other
brothers, because she had cared for him, and taught him, and watched
over him from the very first, she permitted herself to triumph a little
over him, in private with her friend, and Janet was nothing loth to hear
and triumph too, for in the lad his father lived again to her, and she
was not slow to believe in his sister's loving prophecy as to his
future. Graeme could not conceal, indeed she did not try to conceal,
from her friend, how much she feared the parting from him, and though
Janet chid her for the tears that fell so fast, it was with a gentle
tenderness that only quickened their flow.

And now and then, in these long talks and frequent silence, Janet
fancied that she caught a glimpse of the cloud that had cast a shadow
over Graeme's life, but she was never sure. It was not to be spoken
about, however, nothing could be clearer than that.

"For a cloud that can be blown away by a friend's word, will lift of
itself without help in a while. And if i