her cap was silvery white,
her teeth for strength and beauty, might have been the envy of many a
woman of half her years. She was smaller than Janet, and her whole
appearance indicated the possession of more activity and less strength
of body and mind than her daughter had, but the resemblance between them
was still striking. She had seen many trials, as who that has lived for
sixty years, has not? but she had borne them better than most, and was
cheerful and hopeful still. When they were fairly seated, with the
little table between them, she startled Janet, by coming to the point at
once.

"And so they say the minister is for awa' to America after all. Is that
true?"

"Oh, ay! it is true, as ill news oftenest is," said Janet, gravely. "He
spoke to me about it before he went away. It's all settled, or will be
before he comes hame the morn."

"Ay, as you say, it's ill news to them that he's leaving. But I hope it
may be for the good o' his young family. There's many a one going that
road now."

"Ay, there's more going than will better themselves by the change, I
doubt. It's no like that all the fine tales, we hear o' yon country can
be true."

"As you say. But, it's like the minister has some other dependence,
than what's ca'ed about the country for news. What's this I hear about
a friend o' his that's done weel there?"

Janet made a movement of impatience.

"Wha' should he be, but some silly, book-learned body that bides in a
college there awa'. I dare say there would be weel pleased in any
country, where he could get plenty o' books, and a house to hold them
in. But what can the like o' him ken o' a young family and what's
needed for them. If he had but held his peace, and let the minister
bide where he is, it would hae been a blessing, I'm sure."

Janet suddenly paused in confusion, to find herself arguing on the wrong
side of the question. Her mother said nothing, and in a minute she
added,--

"There's one thing to be said for it, the mistress aye thought weel o'
the plan. Oh! if she had been but spared to them," and she sighed
heavily.

"You may weel say that," said her mother, echoing her sigh. "But I'm no
sure but they would miss her care as much to bide here, as to go there.
And Janet, woman, there's aye a kind Providence. He that said, `Leave
thy fatherless children to me,' winna forsake the motherless. There's
no fear but they'll be brought through."

"I hae been saying that