thought Gavie did all the chores," said Auntie Flora, looking up as
she finished only the first stanza of the song. Auntie Elspie said
nothing. She bent over the hospital shirt she was sewing, as though to
look for a flaw in her work. She was winking away the tears that her
sisters must not see.

She put on an old coat of Gavin's and slipped out after him to the barn.

She found there was little to do. He had recovered his composure, and
scolded her lovingly for coming out in the cold. He had a momentary
picture of his Aunts' going out to the stable on sharp nights like
these to feed the cattle and bed the horses, and he tried to believe he
was glad he was not going.

The next day at dinner Auntie Elspie remarked casually that she thought
she would take a run over to Hughie's and see if little Elspie was
better of her cold, and have a cup of tea with Hughie's wife.

Gavin had an errand to Orchard Glen Mill, and on his way drove her over
in the old box sleigh, promising to call for her early on his return.
Auntie Janet had a few purchases she wanted him to make at the store in
Orchard Glen, and when he had come back from the mill, Gavin tied his
horse and ran into the store.

Marmaduke was sitting tilted back on a chair behind the stove making
love to Tilly. Life had been but a dreary business for Duke since
Trooper went to the war. Old Tory Brown and old Willie Henderson, who
had been bitter enemies ever since the disastrous day the Piper took
his music to the wrong meeting, were sitting waiting for the mail on
opposite sides of the stove. Mr. Holmes was slowly and carefully
putting the letters and papers into their proper compartments, at the
back of the store, looking up over his spectacles as each newcomer
entered.

"Hello, Gavin," called Marmaduke, "Cold day. Reg'lar Tory weather
we're gettin' these days."

"It'd be hot enough times if yous folks and Quebec was runnin' the
country," remarked old Tory Brown, while Mrs. Holmes, who had come in
to give a hand at distributing the mail, gave a warning before her
departure into the house, "Now, Pa, don't let the folks talk politics.
It's bad enough to have our boys goin' to the war without havin' war at
home."

Tilly ran forward and took Gavin's list and began to put up his
parcels. She stopped to stare out of the frosty window as a smart
cutter dashed up to the store veranda. A portly gentleman in the
uniform of a Major stepped out of it. He was not