t sight. Nobody will worry about
it, if I don't, and it's no use crying over spilt milk. But I guess
you'd better tell Emily how it happened. I'd a little rather what
borrowing there is between the two houses should be on t'other side. I
wouldn't have asked you, only I thought you'd rather go than not. That
walking up and down is about as shiftless a business as ever you
undertook. But don't you go if you don't want to."

Rose shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh! I'll go, and I'll tell Mrs Nasmyth how it happened, and that it
was my fault and the cat's. Mrs Snow," said she, presenting herself at
the window, "did you hear what Hannah has been saying? I have broken
Grandma Snow's yeast jug into forty pieces, and I am to go and confess
to Emily, and get some yeast."

"I thought it was the cat that did it; though, doubtless, it was your
fault not putting it in its place. However, there is no great harm
done, so that you get more yeast to Hannah."

"And let Emily know that it is my fault and not Hannah's that more yeast
is needed. Graeme, will you come and have a walk this bonny day?"

"You can go and do Hannah's errand, now, and I will stay with Mrs Snow,
and we will walk together later," said Graeme.

"And you might bring wee Rosie home with you, if her mother will spare
her, and if she wants to come. But there is no doubt of her wishing to
come with you."

"Is anything the matter with your sister, that you follow her with such
troubled e'en?" asked Mrs Snow, after a moment's silence.

"Troubled e'en!" repeated Graeme. "No, I don't think there is anything
the matter with her. Do you? Why should you think there is anything
the matter with her, Janet?"

"My dear, I was only asking you; and it was because of the look that you
sent after her--a look that contradicts your words--a thing that doesna
often happen with you, be it said."

"Did I look troubled? I don't think there is any reason for it on
Rosie's account--any that can be told. I mean I can only guess at any
cause of trouble she may have. Just for a minute, now and then, I have
felt a little anxious, perhaps; but it is not at all because I think
there is anything seriously wrong with Rosie, or indeed anything that
will not do her good rather than harm. But oh, Janet! it is sad that we
cannot keep all trouble away from those we love."

"I canna agree with you, my dear. It would be ill done to keep anything
from her that will do her good and no