e others turned on him as he entered. But with the
thought there came to-night the consciousness that the change was not
such a one as was to be deplored. He had grown older and graver, and
more silent than he used to be, but he had grown to something higher,
purer, holier than of old, and like a sudden gleam of light breaking
through the darkness, there flashed into Janet's mind the promise, "All
things shall work together for good to them that love God." Her lips
had often spoken the words before, but now her eyes saw the fulfilment,
and her failing faith was strengthened. If that bitter trial, beyond
which she had vainly striven to see aught but evil, had indeed wrought
good, for her beloved friend and master; need she fear any change or any
trial which the future might have in store for her?

"It will work for good, this pain and separation," murmured she. "I'm
no' like the minister, but frail and foolish, and wilful too whiles, but
I humbly hope that I am one of those who love the Lord."

"Well, bairns!" said the father. There was a gentle stir and movement
among them, though there was no need, for Graeme had already set her
father's chair and opened the Bible at the place. She pushed aside the
cradle a little that he might pass, and he sat down among them.

"We'll take a Psalm, to-night," said he, after a minute's turning of the
leaves from a "namey chapter" in Chronicles, the usual place. He chose
the forty-sixth.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

"Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, though the
mountains be cast into the midst of the sea."

And thus on through the next.

"He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob, whom
he loved."

And still on through the next till the last verse,--

"This God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide, even unto
death," seemed like the triumphant ending of a song of praise.

Then there was a momentary hush and pause. Never since the mother's
voice had grown silent in death had the voice of song risen at worship
time. They had tried it more than once, and failed in bitter weeping.
But Janet, fearful that their silence was a sin, had to-night brought
the hymn-books which they always used, and laid them at Arthur's side.
In the silence that followed the reading Graeme looked from him to them,
but Arthur shook his head. He was not sure that his voice would make
its way through