d the new year came in, and a month or two more went
by, and then one night Shenac said to her brother,--

"Allister, when are you going to bring Shenac home?"

Allister had been the gravest and quietest of them all during the time
that had passed since their mother's death. He was silent, though he
started a little when his sister spoke. In a moment she came close to
him, and standing behind him, laid her hand on his shoulder, and said
softly,--

"It would be no disrespect to the memory of our mother, coming now.
Hamish says so too. Shenac is not like a stranger; and it might be very
quiet." Allister turned and touched with his lips the hand that lay on
his shoulder, and then drew her down on the seat beside him. This was
one of the things which made Allister so different from other people in
Shenac's eyes. Even Hamish, loving and kind as he was, had not
Allister's gentle, caressing ways. A touch, a smile, a fond word, came
so naturally from him; and these were all the more sweet to Shenac
because she was shy of giving such tokens herself, even where she loved
best.

"If Shenac would come," said Allister.

Shenac smiled. "And will she not?"

"Should I ask it now, dear?"

"Yes, I think so," said his sister gravely. "The spring will soon be
here, and the busy time. I think it should be soon. Have you spoken to
Shenac since?"

"No; I have not. Though I may wish it, and Shenac might consent, there
is more to be thought of. We will not have you troubled, after all you
have gone through, till you are quite ready for it--you and Hamish."

"But surely Shenac cannot doubt I will speak to her myself; and I think
it should be soon," said his sister.

They were sitting in the new, bright kitchen, and it was growing dark.
There was a stove in it, one of the latest kind, for use; but there was
a great wide fireplace too, for pleasure; and all the light that was in
the room came from the great maple logs and glowing embers. Little
Flora had gone to the mill with Dan, Hamish was at his uncle's, and the
other lads were not come in; so they had the house to themselves. There
was silence between them for a little while, and then his sister said
again,--

"I'll speak to Shenac."

The chance to do so was nearer than she thought; for there was a touch
at the door-latch, and a voice said softly,--

"Are you here, Cousin Shenac? I want to speak to you. Hamish told me
you were quite alone."

"Yes, she's quit