e winter passed away.

"Oh, so differently from the last!" thought Lilias, many a time.

It was long a matter of earnest discussion between them whether the
school should be kept up through the winter, or not. Mr Blair was
fearful that it would be too much for the child; but, hoping day by day
to be better, and able to take her accustomed place among them, she
yielded to Lilias' entreaties, and consented that they should come for
awhile.

Lilias made a new discovery about this time. After her aunt's illness
the housekeeping affairs fell altogether into her hands; and she was
startled to find how very small the sum was that must cover their
expenses from year's end to year's end. The trifle received from the
school-children, paltry as it was, seemed quite too precious to be given
up. Her aunt's comforts were few, but they must be fewer still without
this. No: the school must be kept up, at any cost of labour and pains
to her.

"Let me just try it a while, aunt," she pleaded; "I am sure I can get on
with you to advise me; and the days will seem shorter with the bairns
coming and going."

And so her aunt yielded, though only half convinced that she did right.
There is no better promoter of cheerfulness than constant and earnest
occupation; and so Lilias found it. She had no time during the day to
think of the troubles that seemed gathering over them, and at night she
was too weary to do so. But, though weary in body, her patience and
energy never flagged. Indeed, never were so many children so easily
taught and governed before. The gentle firmness of their young teacher
wrought wonders among them. Her grave looks were punishment enough for
the most unruly, and no greater reward of good behaviour could be given
than to be permitted to go on an errand or do her some other little
favour when school was over.

But her chief dependence for help was on Elsie Ray. Her gratitude for
Lilias' kindness when she first came to the school was unbounded; and
she could not do too much to prove it. It was Elsie who brought in the
water from the well and the fuel from the heap. It was Elsie who went
far and near for anything which the varying appetite of the invalid
might crave. Lilias quite learnt to depend on her; and the day was
darker and longer than usual, that failed to bring Elsie to the school.

Mrs Stirling's visits, too, became more frequent as the winter wore
away; and there was seldom a Saturday afternoon,