eat dread
on me. I have a mind not to go to my uncle at all, but seek my fortune
here."

"But your mother wouldna be pleased," said Graeme, gravely.

"No. She has great hopes of what my uncle may do for me. But it would
be more agreeable to me not to be confined to one course. I should like
to look about me a little, before I get fairly into the treadmill of
business."

In her heart Graeme thought it an excellent thing for Allan that he had
his uncle to go to. She had her own ideas about young people's looking
about them, with nothing particular to do, and quite agreed with Janet
and Dr Watts as to the work likely to be found for them to do. But she
thought it would be very nice for them all, if instead of setting off at
once for Canada, Allan might have gone with them for a little while.
Before she could say this, however, Janet spoke.

"Ay, that's bairn-like, though you hae a man's stature. I dare say you
would think it a braw thing to be at naebody's bidding; but, my lad,
it's ae' thing to hae a friend's house, and a welcome waiting you in a
strange land like this, and it's anither thing to sit solitary in a bare
lodging, even though you may hae liberty to come and go at your ain
will. If you're like the lads that I ken' maist about, you'll be none
the worse of a little wholesome restraint. Be thankful for your
mercies."

Allan laughed good-humouredly.

"But really, Mrs Nasmyth, you are too hard on me. Just think what a
country this is. Think of the mountains, and rivers and lakes, and of
all these wonderful forests and prairies that Norman reads about, and is
it strange that I should grudge myself to a dull counting-room, with all
these things to enjoy? It is not the thought of the restraint that
troubles me. I only fear I shall become too soon content with the
routine, till I forget how to enjoy anything but the making and counting
of money. I am sure anything would be better than to come to that."

"You'll hae many things between you and the like o' that, if you do your
duty. You have them you are going to, and them you hae left--your
mother and brother. And though you had none o' them, you could aye find
some poor body to be kind to, to keep your heart soft. Are you to bide
in your uncle's house?"

"I don't know. Mrs Peter Stone, that was home last year, told us that
my uncle lives in the country, and his clerks live in the town anywhere
they like. I shall do as the rest do I suppose.