nset before they reached their aunt's home; and a pleasant
place it seemed to them, though so poor and small. It stood at a little
distance from the village of Kirklands. On one side was a plot of
garden-ground, which some former occupant of the cottage had redeemed
from the common beyond. It was sheltered on two sides by a hawthorn
hedge; and a low, whitewashed paling separated it from the highway.
There was little in it, except a few common vegetables, a border of
daisies and hearts-ease, and a rose-bush or two; but to Lilias it seemed
a charming place; and it was not without reluctance that she obeyed her
aunt's summons to come within when the dew began to fall.

It was, indeed, a new life that the brother and sister began at the
cottage. During the first few weeks, the greater part of the time, when
the days were fine, was passed out-of-doors. At first, Archie could not
get beyond the turf seat at the end of the cottage; but Lilias found her
way across the wide common and away to the hills and glens beyond.
After a time, Archie was able, by the help of his crutches, to go with
her; and many a pleasant path and quiet resting-place they found for
themselves.

Their favourite resort was at the most distant point to which Archie for
a while was able to go. A great grey rock, partly covered with heather
and wild creepers, jutted out into the dry bed of a mountain stream.
Passing round it, they found a low seat made by an abrupt rent in the
rock, over which hung a slender mountain-ash. In the winter, or after
heavy rains, this channel was filled with water; but now a tiny rivulet
only trickled down the middle of the bed, making a pleasant murmur among
the smooth, white pebbles over which it passed. Here the children spent
many a happy hour.

Their most common theme of conversation was their father and mother, and
the events of the past two years. The memory of the time before that
was more like a dream than like the recalling of events that had really
taken place. Of their mother they spoke oftenest,--sometimes with tears
and regret for their own loss, but sometimes, too, with joy at the
thought of her gain, and the blessed rest to which she had attained.

"Do you think she was glad to go?" asked Archie, one day, after they had
been talking a long time.

"Yes; I think she was very glad to go; but at first it grieved her
sorely to think of leaving us behind. I almost think she would have
gone sooner but for