of the sea?"

Her grandfather shook his head.

"It's a bonny sight, but it is no like the waves of the sea."

And thus a word dropped here and there till they came to the
pasture-bars. The sheep and the young lambs crowded together close to
the bars over which they leaned, expecting the usual taste of salt from
their hands, and old Kelso and her colt neighed their welcome. It was a
peaceful, pleasant scene, and would do her grandfather good, Katie said
to herself joyfully. But in a minute her heart gave a sudden throb, as
with a look at her face, from which neither the water of the burn, nor
the mild sweet air had quite effaced the traces of tears, he said
gravely:

"And what was it that Davie was saying to you as you came up the brae?"

Katie gave a quick look into his face, and her eyes fell, and she could
not utter a word.

"Was he vexing you with his nonsense? Was he scolding you, my lassie?"

"Davie! Oh, grandfather! I would never heed Davie. And besides, it is
I who scolded Davie," added she with a laugh, much relieved.

"I dare say he's no' out of the need of it whiles, though he maybe needs
it less than he once did."

"Yes, indeed! grandfather. Is he not steady now? As good as gold?"

"As gold? Well, gold is good in its place, if it could be kept there.
And what were you two discoursing about, down yonder by the burn?"

It never came into Katie's mind that she could answer him otherwise than
indirectly.

"We were speaking--about you, grandfather, and about--Jacob Holt."

"Well?"

"And Davie was saying how impossible it was that anything that that man
can do could hurt you, grandfather."

"He thinks he kens, does he?"

"But he says everybody kens that, though Jacob is a greedy man, he is
but a poor creature, and wouldna dare to harm you, because all Gershom
would cry out against him if he were to do his will."

"I'm no' sure of that. But, indeed, I think he has done his worst on me
already." And the look, the dark look, that always brought the shadow
to grannie's eyes came over his face as he said it. Katie's heart beat
hard, but her courage rose to the occasion, and she said softly and
reverently:

"It was God's will, grandfather, and surely Jacob must be sorry now."

The old man uttered a sound between a groan and a cry.

"Was it God's will? It was a great sin, and God has never punished him
for it. Lassie, you little ken."

"No, grandfather, but God kens. And it was H