and,
signifying that her will, which was in Mr Bethune's keeping, was to be
opened just a year from the day of her death. In the meantime Deborah
Stone was to live in her house and take care of it and what property
there was about it. Her clothes and bedding were in part for Debby, and
the rest to be divided among certain persons named. Mrs Inglis was
requested to leave her late husband's library where it was for one year,
unless she should see some good reason for taking it away. And that was
all.

Everybody looked surprised, except Debby, who had known the contents of
the paper from Miss Bethia.

"I suppose it'll be Mr Bethune's business to look up Bethia's relations
within the year. Folks generally _do_ leave their property to their
relations, even if they don't know much about them. But I rather
expected she'd do something for the cause among us," said Deacon Spry,
in a slightly aggrieved tone.

"I thought she'd at least new paint the meeting house," said Sam Jones.

"Or put a new fence round the grave-yard."

"Well! may be she has! We'll see when the year's out."

"No, folks most always leave their property to their own relations.
They seem nearest, come toward the end."

"I don't suppose she's left a great deal besides the house, anyway. I
wonder just how much Debby Stone knows?"

It was not pleasant to listen to all this. Debby had nothing to tell,
not knowing anything; nor Mr Bethune, though he doubtless knew all. So
there was nothing better to do than just wait till the right time came.

"I suppose we may count upon the books, mamma, or she would not have
asked you to leave them here?" said David.

"Yes, I think so. She never called them hers, you know. She will have
explained it to Mr Bethune, I suppose. I think you may count on the
books."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

Another year passed quietly over the Inglis household. Jem and David
both did good service, each in his special calling, and made some
progress in other things besides. David kept the plan of his life
steadily before him, but this year did not, to all appearance, bring its
fulfillment any nearer. It did not seem impossible to him that their
life should go on in the same quiet routine, without break or change,
for a long time, nor did this seem impossible to his mother.

There was this difference in their thoughts, however. While Davie, with
the impatience of youth, grew anxious now and then, as though the sowing
time