d they will
crowd you," said Beatrice, smiling; "but I know so much better than that,
that I am going to send Gertrude along with them. You will give her
house-room, I know."

"Hoose-room, is't; there's plenty o' that; but hoo shune can ye a' come
up?" he anxiously inquired.

"Well, not till next week, Mr. McDonald. We have planned to go for a picnic
to Brackly Point, but you can tell the girls at home to look out for them
next Wednesday; you need not take the trouble to come in for them, Mr.
McDonald; I know how busy you are on the farm, and Gertrude knows the road.
You must not let them run wild," she laughingly said, "but keep them well
in order. But I must hurry home or I shall not be in time to give cook
these vegetables for dinner. You must call in and see us on your way out of
town, Mr. McDonald," and promising to do so he walked with them to where
the carriage was waiting, and they drove home discussing the proposed visit
as they went. Dexie then explained how she became acquainted with the
farmer, and gave them a short account of the troubles he had experienced
while visiting Nova Scotia.

"He shows to better advantage when he is at home on his own farm," said
Beatrice. "He told us how he fell among thieves when he was in Halifax, and
how a kind gentleman befriended him, but I did not expect I would ever know
any of the family that he praised so highly when he told us the story. He
supplies us with winter vegetables, and we are quite friendly, I assure
you."

"How strange things do happen! I never expected to set eyes on the man
again, and here we are planning to visit his home. A chain of
circumstances, linked together, stretches a long way, even though the links
are small and insignificant in themselves."

"Yes; it would have been a great disappointment to him had you refused his
invitation. He loves to have visitors in the house. I can speak from
experience, for I have been there with Gertrude. I expect Mr. McDonald did
not impress you favorably when he was in Halifax, but in his own place you
will not find a finer man anywhere."

"I can well believe it, but--oh! Beatrice, what is that?"

As they turned a corner they came upon a man standing in the centre of the
street ringing a bell which he held in his hand, and instantly the doors
and windows in the neighborhood were peopled, and pedestrians within
earshot all stopped at the sound.

"Oh! who is it? What is he saying?" cried the girls.

"Listen,