pter from the Bible had been
read, which Janet never omitted doing, she, with her young flock around
her, knelt in prayer, as had been the custom at the manse, and she did
not fail to ask for guidance and direction in the matter which had so
sorely perplexed her mind.

CHAPTER TWO.

THE BOYS OBTAIN PRIZES.--JANET DECLINES RECEIVING VISITS FROM ALEC
GALBRAITH, OR ANY OF THEIR SCHOOL-MATES.--MARGARET'S ILLNESS.--IS
ORDERED FRESH AIR AND SEA-BATHING.--CARRIED OFF BY A WAVE, AND SAVED BY
ALEC GALBRAITH.--MARGARET AND HER BROTHERS ARE INTRODUCED TO HIS MOTHER.

It gave joy to the loving heart of Janet, when one day her two bairns
came home, each with a prize under his arm.

"But mine is only the second in my form; David got the first prize in
his," said Donald, as they exhibited their books to the eager eyes of
their nurse and sister.

"Weel, they are bonny--they are bonny," exclaimed Janet, as still
mechanically spinning away, she bent over the books which Margaret, with
sisterly eagerness, was examining.

"I thought I should have had the first, but another fellow ran me hard
and gained it," said Donald.

"Who was he?" asked Margaret, looking up, inclined to quarrel with the
boy who had deprived her brother of the honour which she thought ought
to have been his.

"A very fine fellow--one Alec Galbraith--he beat me fairly; and there's
as much in him as any boy at school." Margaret felt that she had been
too hasty in her conclusions. "I intended to bring him here for you to
see, Margaret," continued Donald. "Though he lives in a fine house, and
has a father and mother, and several big brothers away in foreign parts,
I am not going to let him suppose that I am ashamed of my home. He has
often asked me, and I am determined to be able to say, `That's where I
live, and now what do you think of me?'"

"Nay, nay, my bairn, dinna ye bring him here," exclaimed Janet. She
thought she knew more of the world than her young charge, and scarcely
comprehended his independent spirit, though her own in reality was very
similar. "He will just be laughing at you afterwards, and tell others
that ye live in an attic with a poor old woman."

"He had better not," exclaimed Donald, in an angry tone. "But I ken he
will na do ony sic thing--he is an honest fellow, and if he likes me it
is for what I am, and not for where I live."

"Dinna ask Galbraith to come here," put in David. "Though he may be the
same to you, he may be