e any month. I don't understand
your desolation, Charlie."

Charlie laughed. "When is Will coming?"

"It does not seem to be decided yet," said Graeme. "He may come in the
spring, but if he decides to travel first, as he seems to have an
opportunity to do, he will not be here till next autumn, at the soonest.
It seems a long time to put it off; but we ought not to grudge the
delay, especially as he may never get another chance to go so easily and
pleasantly."

"What if Will should think like Mr Ruthven, that a life at home is to
be desired? How would you like that, girls?" said Harry.

"Oh! but he never could have the same reason for thinking so. There is
no family estate in his case," said Rose, laughing.

"Who knows?" said Arthur. "There may be a little dim kirk and a
low-roofed manse waiting him somewhere. That would seem to be the most
appropriate inheritance for his father's youngest son. What would you
say to that Graeme?"

"I would rather say nothing--think nothing about it," said Graeme,
hastily. "It is not likely that could ever happen. It will all be
arranged for us, doubtless."

"It was very stupid of you, Harry, to say anything of that sort to
Graeme," said Rose. "Now, she will vex herself about her boy, as though
it were possible that he could stay there. He never will, I know."

"I shall not vex myself, indeed, Rosie--at least I shall not until I
have some better reason for doing so, than Harry's foolish speeches.
Mr Millar, you said you might go home next summer. Is that something
new? Or is it only new to us?"

"It is possible that I may go. Indeed, it is very likely. I shall know
soon."

"It depends on circumstances over which he has no control," said Harry,
impressively. "He has my best wishes, and he would have yours, Graeme,
I think, if you knew about it."

"He has them, though I don't know about it," said Graeme. "I have
confidence in him that he deserves success."

"Yes, it is safe to wish him success--if not in one thing, in another.
I am not sure that he quite knows what he wants yet, but I think I know
what is good for him."

"Rosie," said Fanny, suddenly, "Mr Millar can set us right now. I am
glad I thought of it. Mr Millar, is Mrs Roxbury your aunt, or only
your brother's?"

"I am afraid it is only Allan who can claim so close a relationship as
that. I don't think I can claim any relationship at all. I should have
to consider, before I could make it cle