the place where Donald Ward stood, and
peered at his face.

"Aye, I mind you well, Donald Ward. I mind you well. You hadna' just too
much of the grace of God about you when you went across the sea, and
I'm doubting by the looks of you now that you've done more fighting than
praying where you were."

"Hannah Keady," said Donald Ward.

"Hannah Macaulay," said the housekeeper, "and forbye the old minister
and Master Neal here, they call me Mistress Macaulay that have any talk
with me. I'm married and widowed since you crossed the sea."

"Mistress Hannah Macaulay," said Donald, "you were a slip of a girl with
a sharp tongue when I mind you first, and a woman with a sharp tongue
when I said good-bye to you. You have lost your bonny looks and your
shining red hair; you've lost a husband, so you tell me, but you haven't
lost your tongue."

The old woman smiled. The compliment pleased her.

"Come in," she said, "come in. The minister'll be queer and glad to see
you. You know that fine. But have done with your old work. We've no more
call for Hearts of Oak boys, nor Hearts of Steel boys, nor for burning
ricks, nor firing guns."

She led the way through the kitchen, up a narrow flight of stone stairs,
and opened the door of the room where the minister sat over his bodes.

"Here's Master Neal home again," she said, "and he's brought your
brother Donald Ward along with him."

Micah Ward rose to his feet and met his brother with outstretched hands.

"Is it you, Donald? Is it you, indeed? I've been thinking long for you
this many a time, my brother, and wearying for you. We want you, Donald,
we need you sore, sore indeed."

"Why, Micah," said Donald, "you've grown into an old man."

The contrast between the two brothers was striking, more striking than
the likeness of their faces, though that was obvious. Micah was stooped
and pallid. He walked feebly. His limbs were shrunken. His hair was thin
and white. Donald stood upright, a well-knit, vigorous man. The point of
his beard and the hair over his ears were touched with iron grey, but
no one looking at him would have doubted his energy and capacity for
physical endurance.

"Grey hairs are here and there upon us, and we know it not--Hosea,
7th and 9th," said the minister. "But there's fifteen years atween us,
Donald. It makes a difference. Fifteen years age a man, but I'm supple
and hearty yet."

"Will I cook the salmon for your supper?" said the housekeeper. "You'll