order. She enjoyed her garden and her neighbours'
good-natured envy on account of its superiority to their own. And, much
more than people supposed, she enjoyed doing a good turn to any one who
really needed it. It is true that her favours were, as a general thing,
conferred ungraciously; but even those who had the least patience with
her infirmities of temper availed themselves of her good offices,
acknowledging that, after all, "her bark was worse than her bite."

During the last few months of their intercourse, Lilias had seen
comparatively little of Mrs Stirling's characteristic ungraciousness,
and she felt very grateful to her for her many kindnesses during the
winter. Unconsciously to herself, in seeking her advice she was making
the return which her friend could best appreciate.

Mrs Stirling was standing at the door, with her water-bucket in her
hand, as Lilias came in sight that Saturday afternoon.

"Eh! yon's Lilias Elder coming up the hill. What can bring her here? I
don't know the day when I have seen her so far from home. Eh, but she's
a bonny, genteel little lassie! There's no doubt of that."

It could not have been her apparel that called forth Mrs Stirling's
audible acknowledgment of Lilias' gentility; for her black frock was
faded and scant, and far too short, though the last tuck had been let
down in the skirt; and her little straw bonnet was not of this nor of
last year's fashion. But Nancy's declaration was not a mistake, for all
these disadvantages. Her greeting was characteristic.

"What made you come up the hill at that pace, you thoughtless lassie?
Anybody to see you might think you had breath enough and to spare; and,
if I'm not mistaken, you need it all."

Lilias laughed as she shook hands, and then sat down wearily on the
door-step.

"Ah, sit down and rest yourself. You'll be going to meet your brother,
or, maybe, to take your tea at the manse?" said Mrs Stirling,
inquiringly.

"No: Archie's not coming home till the evening. He's going to Broyra
with Davie Graham. I'm going no farther to-day. I came to see you,
Mrs Stirling. I want you to advise me."

Nancy would not acknowledge to herself, and certainly she would not
acknowledge to Lilias, that she was a good deal surprised and flattered
by this announcement; and she merely said:

"Well, sit still and rest yourself first. I'm going down to the burn to
get a drop of soft water to make my tea. It makes it best. Sit