. This
was literally their first glimpse of Merleville, for the rain had kept
them within doors, and the mist had hidden all things the day before and
now they looked a little anxiously for the city they had pictured to
themselves.

"But Norman! Harry! I think this is far better than a town," said
Marian, eagerly. "Eh, Graeme, isna yon a bonny water?"

"Ay, it's grand," said Graeme. "Norman, this is far better than a
town."

The people were beginning to gather to service by this time; but the
children were too eager and too busy to heed them for a while. With an
interest that was half wonder, half delight, Graeme gazed to the hills
and the water and the lovely sky. It might be the "bonny day"--the mild
air and the sunshine, and the new fair scene before her, or it might be
the knowledge that after much care, and many perils, they were all safe
together in this quiet place where they were to find a home; she scarce
knew what it was, but her heart felt strangely light, and lips and eyes
smiled as she stood there holding one of Marian's hands in hers, while
the other wandered through the curls of Will's golden hair. She did not
speak for a long time; but the others were not so quiet, but whispered
to each other, and pointed out the objects that pleased them most.

"Yon's Merle river, I suppose, where we see the water glancing through
the trees."

"And yonder is the kirkyard," said Marian, gravely. "It's no' a bonny
place."

"It's bare and lonely looking," said Harry.

"They should have yew trees and ivy and a high wall, like where mamma
is," said Marian.

"But this is a new country; things are different here," said Norman.

"But surely they might have trees."

"And look, there are cows in it. The gate is broken. It's a pity."

"Look at yon road that goes round the water, and then up between the
hills through the wood. That's bonny, I'm sure."

"And there's a white house, just where the road goes out of sight. I
would like to live there."

"Yes, there are many trees about it, and another house on this side."

And so they talked on, till a familiar voice accosted them. Their
friend Mr Snow was standing beside them, holding a pretty, but delicate
little girl, by the hand. He had been watching them for some time.

"Well how do you like the looks of things?"

"It's bonny here," said Marian.

"Where's the town?" asked Harry, promptly.

Mr Snow made a motion with his head, intended to indicat