e,
and I dare say the minister will be at leisure shortly."

Generally the visitor, by no means displeased, sat down in her bright
kitchen for a chat with her and the children. It was partly these
evening visits that won for Mrs Nasmyth her popularity. Even in her
gloomy days--and she had some days gloomy enough about this time--she
would exert herself on such an occasion, and with the help of the young
people the visitor was generally well entertained. Such singing of
songs, such telling of tales, such discussions as were carried on in the
pleasant firelight! There was no such thing as time lagging there, and
often the nine o'clock worship came before the visitor was aware.

Even Judge Merle and young Squire Greenleaf were sometimes detained in
the kitchen, if they happened to come in on a night when the minister
was more than usually engaged.

"For you see, sir," said she, on one occasion, "what with ae thing and
what with anither, the minister has had so many interruptions this week
already, that I dinna like to disturb him. But if you'll sit down here
for a minute or two, I daresay he'll be ben and I'll speak to Miss
Graeme."

"Mr Elliott seems a close student," said the Judge, as he took the
offered seat by the fire.

"Ay, is he. Though if you are like the lave o' the folk, you'll think
no more o' him for that. Folk o' my country judge o' a minister by the
time he spends in his study; but here he seems hardly to be thought to
be in the way of his duty, unless he's ca'ing about from house to house,
hearkening to ilka auld wife's tale."

"But," said the Judge, much amused, "the minister has been studying all
his life. It seems as though he might draw on old stores now."

"Ay, but out o' the old stores he must bring new matter. The minister's
no one that puts his people off with `cauld kail het again,' and he
canna make sermons and rin here and there at the same time."

"And he can't attend to visitors and make sermons at the same time.
That would be to the point at present," said the Judge, laughing, "I
think I'll be going."

"'Deed, no, sir," said Janet, earnestly, "I didna mean you. I'm aye
glad to see you or any sensible person to converse with the minister.
It cheers him. But this week it's been worse than ever. He has hardly
had an unbroken hour. But sit still, sir. He would be ill-pleased if
you went away without seeing him."

"I'll speak to papa, Judge Merle," said Graeme.

"Never m