tress got of the garden might be one to mind on
with pleasure."

"It's a bonny place," said Allison with a sigh. The old man looked up
quickly. "Do ye no' ken that it's ill for a young lass to sigh and sech
like that? Is it that this 'minds ye o' anither bonny place that ye
would fain see?" Allison smiled, but shook her head. "I never saw a
garden like this. But I ay liked to care for my own--"

"And ye have none now. Is that the reason that ye sigh?"

"Maybe I may have one again. If I do, I would like to have your advice
about it," said Allison, wondering a little at herself as she said it.

"Oh! I'll gie you advice, and seeds, and slips, and plants as weel, gin
ye are near at hand." Allison shook her head.

"I doubt if I ever have a garden of my own again, it will be on the
other side of the sea."

"In America? They have grand flowers there, I hear. But before ye go
there ye can ask me and I'll give ye seeds to take wi' ye, and maybe
slips and roots as well. They'll 'mind you o' hame in that far land. I
once heard o' a strong man over yonder that sat down and grat (wept) at
the sicht o' a gowan."

"Thank you," said Allison. There were tears in her eyes though she
smiled.

"Here's my lady," said Delvie, bending to his work again.

Mrs Esselmont came slowly toward them, leaning on the arm of her maid,
a woman several years older than herself.

"You may leave me here with Allison Bain," said she; "I will take a turn
or two and then I will be in again."

She had the minister's note in her hand, but she made no allusion to it
as they moved slowly up and down. They spoke about the flowers, and the
fair day, and about Marjorie and the new baby for a while, and then Mrs
Esselmont said:

"You have a strong arm, Allison, and a kind heart. I am sure of it. I
have something to say to you which I thought I could best say here. But
I have little strength, and am weary already. We will go into the house
first."

So into the house they went, and when Milne had stirred the fire and
made her mistress comfortable, she went away and left them together.

"Allison," said Mrs Esselmont, after a moment's silence, "I have
something to say to you."

And then she told her that she was going away for the winter because of
her ill-health, and spoke of the plan which she had proposed to
Marjorie's father and mother for the benefit of the child. This plan
could only be carried out with Allison's help, because