ell, maybe I did. But it's true all the same. I'm more glad every
time."

"And you didna come home before it was time," said Nancy. "You're
thinner and paler than your aunt likes to see you, I'm thinking."

"I'm perfectly well, I assure you," said Archie.

"He will have a rest and the fresh country air again," said Lilias. "He
has been very close at his books."

"Well, it may be that," said Mrs Stirling. "And so you're glad to be
home again? You havena been letting that daft laddie, Davie Graham,
lead you into any mischief that you would be afraid to tell your sister
about, I hope?"

Archie laughed, and shook his head. Lilias laughed a little, too, as
she said--

"Oh no, indeed. Even John says they have done wonderfully well: and
after that you need have no fear."

"It's not unlikely that two or three things might happen in such a
place, and John Graham be none the wiser. And it's not likely that
he'll say any ill of your brother in your hearing," said Nancy drily.
"Not that I'm misdoubting you, Archie, man; and may you be kept safe,
for your sister's sake!"

"For a better reason than that, I hope, Mrs Stirling," said Lilias
gravely.

"Well, so be it; though his sister is a good enough reason for him, I
hope. But where have you been? To see Bell Ray? How is she to-day,
poor body?"

"We have not been there," said Lilias. "We meant to go when we came
from home; but we stayed so long down yonder that we had no time. I am
going some day soon."

"And where's `down yonder,' if I may ask?" demanded Mrs Stirling.

"At the moor cottage," said Lilias. "We came over the hills to see it
again, just to mind us of old times."

"And we stayed so long, speaking about these old times, that we are
likely to be late home," said Archie; "and they are all coming up from
the manse, to have tea in the Glen. We must make haste home, Lily."

"Yes; and we stayed a while at the old seat under the rowan-tree. We
could only just reach it, the burn is so full. And look at all the
flowers I found in the cottage-garden--heart's-ease, and daisies, and
sweet-brier, and thyme. It seemed a pity to leave them, with nobody to
see them. Give me something to put them in, Mrs Stirling, and I'll
leave some of them for you. We will have time enough for that, Archie,
never fear."

She sat down on the door-step, and laid the flowers on her lap.

"And wherefore should you be caring to mind yourselves of the old times,
I wo