to your father,
or anything to ask of him, it had better be now."

Effie gave a quick, startled look.

"Now?" she said. "So soon?"

"Effie, my bairn, for the sake of the rest," whispered her friend.

In a minute or two she was able to take her old place by the pillow. As
she bent over her father, the doctor came in. He stood for a moment
looking down on him.

"Speak to him," he said.

"Father," said Effie, stooping, with her face close to his. "Father."

He stirred a little at the sound of her voice, and his fingers wandered
aimlessly over the coverlet.

"Is it morning?" he asked.

"Father," repeated Effie, "Dr Grey is here."

He opened his eyes at that, and met the look of the doctor fixed on him.

"Oh, is the end come?" he asked. "I didna think it would be so soon.
Did I hear Effie's voice? I have so much to say to her! My poor
bairns!"

Effie bent her face again close to his. Her voice was low, but firm and
clear.

"Father, don't let any thought of us disturb you now. God is good. I
am not afraid."

"And your aunt, she has suffered much, sacrificed much for us. Consider
her first in all things. Be guided by her."

"Yes, father."

"There are other things. I didna think this was to be so soon; and now
it is too late. But you have some kind friends. Did I hear John
Nesbitt's voice?"

"Yes, father; he is here." And she beckoned to John to come nearer.
But he seemed to have forgotten him John stooped towards him, and said,
in a low voice:

"Is there anything I can say that would make it easier for you to leave
them?"

The eyes of the dying man turned towards him, slowly.

"John, you are a good man, and true. They will be very solitary. You
will be their friend?"

"Always. So help me God!"

The words were spoken like the words of a vow.

The dying man's mind seemed to wander a little after that; for he asked
again if it was morning, and what was to be done in the field to-day.
But Effie's pale face bending over him seemed to recall all.

"Effie," he said, "I leave them all with you--just as I would have left
them with your mother. Be to them what she would have been to you all.
You will ay be mindful of the little ones, Effie?"

"Father, with God's help, I will," she answered, firmly.

"Poor little ones! Poor wee Christie!" he murmured.

They brought them to him, guiding his hand till it rested on each head,
one after the other.

"Fear God, and love one another."