Beaton. "She will be glad to hear about her, though I daresay they have
had a letter by this time."

"Surely, I'll go to tell them," said John.

But he grew silent after that. He said a few words about how busy he
had been of late, and then he owned that he was very tired, and bade his
mother good-night cheerfully enough.

"For," said he, "why should my mother be vexed by any trouble of mine,
that is so sure soon to pass away?"

And his mother was saying, as she had said before:

"If he needs me, he will tell me, and if I cannot help him, silence is
best between us. For oh! I fear if all were told, there might be some
things said that his mother would grieve to hear."

The next day passed as Sabbath-days at home usually passed. They went
to the kirk together in the morning, and John went alone in the
afternoon. He led the singing, and shook hands with a good many people,
and was perhaps more friendly with some of them than was usual with him.

He went to the manse in the gloaming to tell them how he had seen the
last of Marjorie, how she had been happy and bright, and how she had
promised to write a letter to him and to many more; but he never
mentioned Allison's name, Mrs Hume noticed, nor did she.

He found his mother sitting by the light of the fire. She gave him her
usual greeting.

"Well, John?" said she, cheerfully.

"Well, mother?" said he cheerfully also.

There was not much more said for a while. John's thoughts were faraway,
his mother saw, and she sat waiting with patience till they should come
back again--with a patience which might have failed at last.

"He maybe needs a sharp word," she thought.

It could wait, however; and in a little she said gently:

"You are looking tired, John; you have been overworking yourself, I
doubt."

John laughed.

"Oh! no, mother; far from that. I have plenty of work before me,
however, and must buckle to it with a will. You are thinking of coming
with me, mother? I hope your heart is not failing you at the thought of
the change?"

"Failing me! by no means. Surely, I have been thinking of it and
preparing for it, and it is full time the change were made, for the
winter is drawing on."

"Yes, the winter is drawing on."

"But, John, I have been taking a second thought about the house. I must
go to the town with you for the winter, and that for various reasons.
Chiefly because you cannot come here often without losing your time, and
I weary