was
not much too short and scant for the child. "Katie will need to have
it, after all. But what can we do for Nellie?" And Effie looked sorely
perplexed.

"It's no' often that folk look on the growing of bairns as a
misfortune," said Aunt Elsie, echoing her sigh. "If it werena that we
want that green tartan for a kilt for wee Willie, we might manage to get
Nellie a frock out of that."

Effie considered deeply.

"Oh, Effie," whispered Christie, when her aunt's back was turned, "never
mind that heap of trash just now. You promised to come down to the
burn-side with me; and it will soon be time for the milking."

"But I must mind," said Effie, gravely. "The bairns will need these
things before I can get two whole days at home again, and my aunt and
the girls have enough to do without this. Duty before pleasure,
Christie. See; you can help me by picking away this skirt. We must
make the best of things."

Christie applied herself to the task, but not without many a sigh and
many a longing look at the bright sunshine. If Effie once got fairly
engaged in planning and patching, there would be no use in thinking of a
walk before milking-time.

"Oh, dear!" she said, with a sigh. "I wish there was no such a thing as
old clothes in the world!"

"Well, if there were plenty of new ones in it, I wouldna object to your
wish being gratified," said Effie, laughing. "But as there are few
likely to come our way for a while, we must do the best we can with the
old. We might be worse off, Christie."

"Do you like to do it?" asked Christie.

"I like to see it when it's done, at any rate. There is a great deal of
pleasure in a patch of that kind," she said, holding up the sleeve she
had been mending. "You would hardly know there was a patch there."

Christie bent her short-sighted eyes to the work.

"Yes; it's very nice. I wonder you have the patience. Aunt Elsie might
do it, I'm sure."

Effie looked grave again.

"I am afraid Aunt Elsie won't do much this winter. Her hands are
getting bad again. I must be busy while I am here. Never mind the
walk. We'll get a long walk together if we go to the kirk."

"Yes, if it doesna rain, or if something doesna happen to hinder us."

But she looked as though she thought there was nothing so pleasant in
store for her as a long walk with Effie; and she worked away at the
faded little garment with many a sigh.

Sunday came, and, in spite of Christie's forebodings,