as a
beginning indeed, which gave him good reason for thankfulness and for
hope.

"Oh! yes. America is a fine country. But after all, the chief thing
is, that there is room for folk out there. When one comes to speak
about success, courage and patience and strength and hard work are as
necessary to ensure it there as they are here in Scotland. But there is
this to be said. When a man's land is his own, and he kens that every
stroke of his axe and every furrow of his plough is to tell to his own
advantage, it makes a wonderful difference." And so on, to the pleasure
and profit of all who heard it.

Allison did not hear the lecture, nor Marjorie. They were at Mrs
Esselmont's. Marjorie enjoyed the visit and had much to say of it, when
she came home. Allison did not enjoy it so well. She was a little
doubtful as to how John would be pleased when he came to hear all. That
was what troubled Allison,--that, and the fear that Mrs Esselmont and
Mrs Douglas might see her trouble.

For it seemed that it was not to be left to John to supply all the rest
that was needed in the way of Allison's "providing." For a glimpse was
given her of a great many beautiful things,--"naiprie," and bed linen,
and gowns and shawls, and other things which a bride is supposed to
require. And something was said of china and silver, that were waiting
to be sent away to the ship when the time for sailing came. And Allison
was not sure how John might like all this. But she need not have been
afraid.

Mrs Esselmont had a word with John that night, when he came after his
"lecture" to take Allison home. On their way thither, he said to her:

"What did Mrs Esselmont mean when she said to me, that she had at one
time hoped that you would come home to her, to be to her a daughter in
her old age?"

"Did she say that? It was friend and companion that she said to me. It
was at the worst time of all, when Willie had written to me that he was
going away to the far West. I was longing to get away, but I couldna
go, not knowing that Willie wanted me, and because--until--Oh! yes, I
was sad and lonely, and not very strong, and Mrs Esselmont asked me.
But it was not daughter she said to me, but companion and friend."

"And what answer did you give her?"

"I thanked her, but I couldna promise, since I _must_ go to my brother
sooner or later."

"And was it only of your brother that you thought, Allison?"

"I had no right to think of any one