r little sister in her arms and seated herself on the
floor again. Janet went out, and Graeme heard her father's voice in the
passage. She held her breath to listen, but he did not come in as she
hoped he would. She heard them both go up-stairs again, and heedless of
the prattle of her baby sister, she still listened eagerly. Now and
then the sound of footsteps overhead reached her, and in a little Janet
came into the kitchen again, but she did not stay to be questioned.
Then the street door opened, and some one went out, and it seemed to
Graeme a long time before she heard another sound. Then Janet came in
again, and this time she seemed to have forgotten that there was any one
to see her, for she was wringing her hands, and the tears were streaming
down her cheeks. Graeme's heart stood still, and her white lips could
scarcely utter a sound.

"Janet!--tell me!--my mother."

"Save us lassie! I had no mind of you. Bide still, Miss Graeme. You
munna go there," for Graeme with her little sister in her arms was
hastening away. "Your mamma's no waur than she's been afore. It's only
me that doesna ken about the like o' you. The minister keeps up a gude
heart. Gude forgie him and a' mankind."

Graeme took a step toward the door, and the baby, frightened at Janet's
unwonted vehemence, sent up a shrill cry. But Janet put them both
aside, and stood with her back against the door.

"No' ae step, Miss Graeme. The auld fule that I am; 'gin the lassie had
been but in her bed. No, I'll no' take the bairn, sit down there,
you'll be sent for if you're needed. I'll be back again soon; and
you'll promise me that you'll no leave this till I bid you. Miss
Graeme, I wouldna deceive you if I was afraid for your mamma. Promise
me that you'll bide still."

Graeme promised, awed by the earnestness of Janet, and by her own vague
terror as to her mother's mysterious sorrow, that could claim from one
usually so calm, sympathy so intense and painful. Then she sat down
again to listen and to wait. How long the time seemed! The lids fell
down over the baby's wakeful eyes at last, and Graeme, gathering her own
frock over the little limbs, and murmuring loving words to her darling,
listened still.

The flames ceased to leap and glow on the hearth, the shadows no longer
danced upon the wall, and gazing at the strange faces and forms that
smiled and beckoned to her from the dying embers, still she listened.
The red embers fade