ng them. Almost unconsciously they gain through all
these a wisdom which is better than book lore, a discipline of heart and
mind and temper which tends to soften and elevate the whole nature,
leaving them less open to the temptations incident to youth and evil
companionships.

They were very happy together, these two fast and true friends, as they
never might have become had they had at this time more frequent
intercourse with other young people; and true friendship between brother
and sister is the perfect ideal of friendship. It does not always exist
even between brothers and sisters who love each other dearly. It is
something more than the natural affection which strengthens (as children
grow older) into brotherly and sisterly love. It implies something that
is not always found where the ties of blood and kindred are most warmly
cherished, not a blindness to each other's faults or defects of
character, but a full and loving appreciation of all admirable qualities
both of mind and heart, a harmony of feeling, sentiments, and tastes
which does not exist between brothers and sisters generally.

Day by day Mrs Fleming grew more and more at ease about Davie, seeing
the love between the brother and sister.

"A year or two and the laddie's restless time will be over, and all that
makes us anxious about him now, his plans and fancies, his craze for
books, and his longing to put his hand to the guiding of his ain life
will be modified by the knowledge that comes with experience. But, eh
me! What is the use of speaking o' experience? If only the good Father
above would take him in hand! And who shall say that He is not doing it
even now, and making our bonny Katie the instrument of His will for her
brother's good? And, Dawvid, we mustna be hard on the laddie, but just
let him have his fancies about things, and let him carry them out when
they are harmless, and when they dinna cost ower muckle money," added
grannie, with prudent afterthought, for some of Davie's fancies would
have cost money if he had been allowed "to go the full length of his
tether."

"And after all is said, there is sense in his fancies. It would be a
grand thing to have a hundredweight or two of honey, as he says we
might, and never kill the bees. Think of that now! And nothing spent
on them, but all the blossom on the trees, and all the flowers of the
field theirs for the taking. And as for the new milk-house, with ice in
it, and running