All the better--I
shall be the more able to do what I like with my leisure."

"Ay, it's aye liberty that the like o' you delight in. Weel, see that
you make a good use of it, that's the chief thing. Read your Bible and
gang to the kirk, and there's no fear o' you. And dinna forget to write
to your mother. She's had many a weary thought about you 'ere this
time, I'll warrant."

"I daresay I shall be content enough. But it seems like parting from
home again, to think of leaving you all. My bonnie wee Rosie, what
shall I ever do without you?" said Allan, caressing the little one who
had clambered on his knee.

"And what shall we do without you?" exclaimed a chorus of voices; and
Norman added,--

"What is the use of your going all the way to Canada, when there's
enough for you to do here. Come with us, Allan, man, and never mind
your uncle."

"And what will you do for him, in case he should give his uncle up for
you?" demanded Janet, sharply.

"Oh! he'll get just what we'll get ourselves, a chance to make his own
way, and I doubt whether he'll get more where he's going. I've no faith
in rich uncles." Allan laughed.

"Thank you, Norman, lad. I must go to Canada first, however, whether I
stay there or not. Maybe you will see me again, sooner than I think
now. Surely, in the great town before us, there might be found work,
and a place for me."

Far-away before them, stretched the twinkling lights of the town, and
silence fell upon them as they watched them. In another day they would
be among the thousands who lived, and laboured, and suffered in it.
What awaited them there? Not that they feared the future, or doubted a
welcome. Indeed, they were too young to think much of possible evils.
A new life was opening before them, no fear but it would be a happy one.
Graeme had seen more trouble than the rest, being older, and she was
naturally less hopeful, but then she had no fear for them all, only the
thought that they were about to enter on a new, untried life, made her
excited and anxious, and the thought of parting with their friend made
her sad.

As for Janet, she was herself again. Her courage returned when the
sea-sickness departed, and now she was ready "to put a stout heart to a
stiff brae" as of old. "Disjaskit looking" she was, and not so strong
as she used to be, but she was as active as ever, and more than thankful
to be able to keep her feet again. "She had been busy all the morning,"