her to
follow her own instincts, and therefore went with her to see the poor
fellow, who was in a consumption, and would never drink any more. When
he saw his worn face, and the bones with hands at the ends of them, his
heart smote him that he had ever been harsh to him; and although he had
gone with the intention of rousing him to a sense of his danger beyond
the grave, he found that for very pity he could not open the prophetic
mouth. From self-accusation he took shelter behind Annie, saying to
himself: "Babes can best declare what's best revealed to them;" and
left Peter to her ministrations.

A little money went far to make his last days comfortable; and ere she
had been visiting him for more than a month, he loved her so that he
was able to believe that God might love him, though he knew perfectly
(wherein perhaps his drunkenness had taught him more than the prayers
of many a pharisee) that he could not deserve it.

This was the beginning of a new relation between Annie and the poor of
Glamerton. And the soul of the maiden grew and blossomed into divine
tenderness, for it was still more blessed to give than to receive. But
she was only allowed to taste of this blessedness, for she had soon to
learn that even giving itself must be given away cheerfully.

After three months Bruce called again with the quarter's interest.
Before the next period arrived he had an interview with James Dow, to
whom he represented that, as he was now paying the interest down in
cash, he ought not to be exposed to the inconvenience of being called
upon at any moment to restore the principal, but should have the money
secured to him for ten years. After consultation, James Dow consented
to a three years' loan, beyond which he would not yield. Papers to this
effect were signed, and one quarter's interest more was placed in
Annie's willing hand.

In the middle of summer Mr Cupples made his appearance, and was warmly
welcomed. He had at length completed the catalogue of the library, had
got the books arranged to his mind, and was brimful of enjoyment. He
ran about the fields like a child; gathered bunches of white clover;
made a great kite, and bought an unmeasureable length of string, with
which he flew it the first day the wind was worthy of the honour; got
out Alec's boat, and upset himself in the Glamour; was run away with by
one of the plough-horses in the attempt to ride him to the water; was
laughed at and loved by everybody about