What is kail, Mrs Dolly?" asked Rhoda, laughing.

"'Tis Scots broth, my dear, whereof King Charles was very fond, and old
David had been fetched from Scotland on purpose to make it for him."

"What a droll old man!" exclaimed Rhoda.

"Ah, he was one of the best men ever I knew," said Mrs Dorothy. "But,
my dear, look at the clock!"

"I declare!" cried Rhoda. "Phoebe, we have but just time to run home
ere supper, if so much as that. Good evening, Mrs Dolly, and thank
you. What will Madam say?"

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Note: David Armstrong is a historical person, and this anecdote is true.
The surname given to him only is fictitious, as history does not record
any name but "David."

CHAPTER FOUR.

THROUGH THORNY PATHS.

"I do repent me now too late of each impatient thought,
That would not let me tarry out God's leisure as I ought."

_Caroline Bowles_.

"Is it long since Madam woke, Baxter?" cried Rhoda in a breathless
whisper, as she came in at the side door.

"But this minute, Mrs Rhoda," answered he.

"That's good!" said Rhoda aside to Phoebe, and slipping off her shoes,
she ran lightly and silently upstairs, beckoning her cousin to follow.

Phoebe, having no idea of the course of Rhoda's thoughts, obeyed, and
followed her example in doffing her hood and smoothing her hair.

"Be quick!" said Rhoda, her own rapid movements over, and putting on her
shoes again.

They found Madam looking barely awake, and staring hard at her book, as
if wishful to persuade herself that she had been reading.

"I hope, child, you were not out all this time," said she to Rhoda.

"Oh no, Madam!" glibly answered that trustworthy young lady. "We only
had a dish of tea with Mrs Dolly, and I made my compliments to the
other gentlewomen."

"And where were you since, child?"

"We have been upstairs, Madam," said Rhoda, unblushingly.

"Not diverting yourselves, I hope?" was Madam's next question.

"Oh no, not at all, Madam. We were not doing anything particular."

"Talking, I suppose, as maids will," responded Madam. "Phoebe,
to-morrow after breakfast bring all your clothes to my chamber. I must
have you new apparelled."

"Oh, Madam, give me leave to come also!" exclaimed Rhoda, with as much
eagerness as she ever dared to show in her grandmother's presence. "I
would so dearly like to hear what Phoebe is to have! Only, please, not
a musk-coloured damas