ight and the lips trembled.

'But does Mrs Macintyre consent?' she said at last. 'Your proposal
truly amazes me; but, oh, am I worthy?'

'I feel you _are worthy_. Mrs Macintyre was loath at first to lose the
boys, but the lads cannot stay in a mixed school. If you agree, you
have only to say the word, and your sons will return to you. But
please understand that they must look on you as their _mother, not_ as
their teacher. The Reverend James Cadell of the neighbouring parish
will come to you every morning to instruct them in Latin and Greek. I
will get other teachers for you from Mrs Macintyre's, and there is no
earthly reason for keeping the boys and the girls apart. Only I
protest that they shall not live in the same school. Why, now, there's
Alan Anderson, and there's Davie Maclure, my own first cousin. Alan
Anderson and Davie can live in the house, and Mr Cadell will come over
every morning. He 'll ride his bicycle and be with you in good time.
If you know of anything better, which I doubt, you have but to say the
word. Now, then, I have my motor-car at the door. We 'll drive right
away to The Paddock and see the rooms for the lads and teachers. Don't
you fear, my dear; I'll help you with your Annex as heartily as I'll
help Elsie Macintyre with her great school.'

'I must go and ask Mrs Macintyre's leave,' said Mrs Constable. 'This
sounds like a wonderful and delightful dream.'

'My only dread,' thought Mrs Maclure to herself whilst waiting for Mrs
Constable to join her, 'is that that good man, James Cadell, will lose
his heart to her. I must give her a word of warning. He is a bit
susceptible, and she's a rare and beautiful woman.'

On their way to The Paddock Mrs Maclure did impart her fears to Mrs
Constable, but that dear lady's sweetest and gravest of eyes looked at
her so reproachfully that she felt sorry she had spoken, and only
pressed her hand.

The Paddock was large and roomy, and all arrangements for the Annex
school could quickly be made. The boys were to be informed that they
were not going home, but to an adjacent school; only the school was to
be, for five of them, _mother's house_. Oh, was not that delightful?

So it came about that the Annex was established, and Cecilia Constable
knelt down and thanked God most earnestly for His great mercies. Oh,
how more than happy she would be once again! Now there was only one
little black sheep to be put right. Poor, lonely, prickly H