yours was gone before he could play
the tyrant over you. You pretend to speak with authority because this
cottage is yours, and your precious oil can, and your rotten old
bedstead. But, besides that, I can teach you many things. You may be
assured I can pay you for more oil than I shall burn to the end of my
days, and for more sleeps than I hope ever to have on your old bed. You
need not fear but that I shall pay for everything--pay more money than
you ever saw in your life."

"Money will not do, madam. I must have my oil can. Rollo will fetch
it. And you will lie down, my lady--lie down and rest on my old bed,
without thinking of money, or of anything but ease to your head and your
weary heart. Lie down in safety here, madam, for your head and your
heart are aching sadly."

"What do you know about my head and heart aching?"

"By more signs than one. When anyone is hunted like the deer upon the
hills--"

Lady Carse groaned.

"That is only for a while, however," said Annie, tenderly. "When there
is peace of mind, there is no one to hunt us--no one to hurt us. We
abide here or anywhere; for the shadow of the Almighty is everywhere.
No one can hunt us from it, nor hurt us within it. And I assure you, my
lady, this is the place of all places for peace of mind."

"I hurt you just now, however," said the lady; "and I left you little
peace of mind last night."

"If so, it must be my own fault," said Annie, cheerfully. "But never
mind that. I never have any troubles now hardly; and you, madam, have
so many, and such sad ones."

"That is true," said Lady Carse, as burning tears forced their way.
"You never knew--you cannot conceive--such misery as mine."

Annie kissed the hand which was wet with those scalding tears, and laid
her own hand on the head which was shaken on the pillow with sobs.

After a time, the lady murmured out, "This seems very childish: but it
is so long--so long since anyone--since I met with any tenderness--any
affection from anyone!"

"Is that it?" said the widow, cheerfully. "Well--this is a poor place
enough; and we are no companions for anybody beyond ourselves: but what
you speak of is ours to give. That you may always depend on here."

"In spite of anything I may say or do? You see how hasty I am at times.
Will you love me and caress me, through anything I may say or do?"

"No doubt," replied Annie, smiling. "It will be the happiest way if you
constrain us to love and