ere to tak'
the New Testament."

There was a tradition among the old scholars that, in the early days of
her experience as a teacher, the mistress used to make a little pause
before committing herself in the utterance of some of the long words in
the Bible; if it were so, that time was long past. But before Marjorie
had opened the book, Allison came in, to mend the fire and put things to
rights; and as the books had only been intended as a diversion from
unpleasant possibilities, they were gladly and quickly put aside.

"This is our Allie, mistress," said Marjorie, putting out her hand to
detain her friend as she passed.

"Ay, ay. I ken that. I hae seen her at the kirk and elsewhere," said
the mistress, rather stiffly.

"And she is so strong and kind," said the child, laying her cheek on the
hand that had been put forth to smooth her pillow, which had fallen
aside.

Mistress Jamieson had seen "the new lass" often, but she had never seen
on her face the look that came on it at the loving movement of the
child.

"Are ye wearyin' for your tea, dear? It's late, and I doubt they needed
to go on all the way to Slapp, as they thought they might, and maybe
they winna be home this while."

A shadow fell on the face of the child. Allison regarded her gravely.

"Never heed, my lammie. I'll take the wee laddies into the kitchen, and
ye can make tea for the mistress and your brothers if they come in.
You'll like that, dear."

Marjorie brightened wonderfully. She ay liked what made her think she
was able to do as other folk did. The mistress rose, excusing herself
for having been beguiled into staying so long.

"And what would my mistress say if we were to let ye away without your
tea?" asked Allison, with great respect and gravity.

Then Robin came in, and he added his word, and to tell the truth the
mistress was well pleased to be persuaded. She and Robin were on the
friendliest terms now, though there had been "many a tulzie" between
them in the old days. For Robin, though quieter than Jack, and having
the reputation of being "a douce and sensible laddie" elsewhere, had
been, during the last days of his subjection to Mistress Jamieson, "as
fou o' mischief as an egg is fou o' meat," and she had been glad enough
to see the last of him as a scholar. But all that had been long
forgotten and forgiven. Robin behaved to her with the greatest respect
and consideration, "now that he had gotten some sense," and dou