ried Christina in dismay. "Has Granny----"

"B-b-Burke!" sobbed Mitty, "'E-e's a reservist."

"A what?" cried Christina in alarm. She had some vague idea that the
steady, hard working Burke must have joined some sort of disreputable
gang.

"A--a reservist," repeated Mitty between her sobs. "An' they've sent
for 'im an' 'e's goin' to the war. An' me an' Granny'll be left all
alone!"

"Do you mean he belongs to the army?" asked Christina bewildered by
this strange new thing which had come into their peaceful lives.

Mitty nodded. "Burke was always a grite feller for the solderin', an'
'e joined wen 'e was only a bit o' a lad. But 'e never feared after 'e
come out 'ere as anybody would ever send for 'im. An' now 'e'll go to
the wars an be shot down an' we'll be left without 'im."

This was really a terrible calamity, something so big one feared to
face it, and Christina could only sit and hold Mitty's hand. She was
soon reinforced by the neighbours, many of whom had heard the sad news
earlier, and had been in to console them. Dr. McGarry had already
called twice to see Granny, though he had not been sent for, and he had
left her some new powders. Mrs. Sutherland had brought over a little
book of poems on Strength in Adversity. Tilly Holmes had brought a
dozen oranges from the store, and Mrs. Sinclair came in while Christina
was there with a bowl of soup.

Christina, mindful of her many duties at home, went back soon and sent
her mother down, for Mrs. Lindsay was a wonder at bringing comfort and
cheer.

Mrs. Holmes was there, having come over to supplement the dozen oranges
with a half-dozen bananas. Joanna had come over early in the morning
and carried off Mitty's ironing and was just returning with the basket
filled with beautifully ironed clothes. Joanna hardly ever rejoiced
with them that did rejoice, being rather of the opinion that they
required a little wholesome adversity to temper their glee; but her
heart was very warm towards those who were in sorrow. And though she
had never taken much interest in Mitty's happiness, and had said many
sarcastic things when Burke married her, still she was all sympathy
with her in the day of her trial.

"Now, just let's cheer up and don't worry about it at all," she
exclaimed bustling about with an air that was a real tonic. "Mitty,
you just shut up your crying right now, and come and help me put away
these clothes, or you'll have to send Burke away in hi