his
words were intended to conceal the truth.

"But look how late it is!" he said as the clock struck twelve; "hadn't
we better go off to bed, all of us?"

"I think I must surely go off," said Mrs. Ray, and with Rotha she left
the kitchen. Willy soon followed them, leaving Ralph to eat his supper
alone. Laddie, who had entered with his master, was lying by the
smouldering fire, and after the one had finished eating, the other
came in for his liberal share of the plain meal. Then Ralph rose, and,
lifting up his hat and staff, walked quietly to his brother's room.
Willy was already in bed, but his candle was still burning. Sitting on
an old oak chest that stood near the door of the little room, Ralph
said,--

"I shall perhaps be off again before you are awake in the morning, but
all will be done in good time. The funeral will be on the day after
to-morrow. Robbie Anderson will see to everything."

"Robbie Anderson?" said Willy in an accent of surprise.

"You know it's the custom in the dale for a friend of the family to
attend to these offices."

"Yes; but Robbie Anderson of all men!"

"You may depend upon him," said Ralph.

"This is the first time I've heard that he can depend upon himself,
said Willy.

"True--true--but I'm satisfied about Robbie. No, you need fear
nothing. Robbie's a changed man, I think."

"Changed he must be, Ralph, if you would commit to his care what could
not be too well discharged by the most trustworthy friend of the
family."

"Yes, but Robbie will do as well as another--better. You know, Willy,
I have an old weakness for a sheep that strays. When I get it back I
fancy, somehow, it's the best of the flock."

"May your straggler justify your odd fancy this time, brother!"

"Rotha will see to what has to be done at home," said Ralph, rising
and turning to go.

"Ralph," said Willy, "do you know I--" He faltered and began again,
obviously changing the subject. "Have you been in there to-night?"
with a motion of the head towards the room wherein lay all that
remained of their father.

"No; have you?"

"No; I dare not go. I would not if I could. I wish to remember him as
he lived, and one, glance at his dead face would blot out the memory
forever."

Ralph could not understand this. There was no chord in his nature that
responded to such feelings; but he said nothing in reply.

"Ralph," continued Willy, "do you know I think Rotha--I almost
thin--do you not think that Rotha rath