e would have laid her head beneath Alex Elder's feet, if it would have
pleasured him; and you are none behind her. Such ways are neither for
your good nor his. There are plenty of folk that'll say to-day that
your father would have been a stronger man if he hadn't been so much
spared as a laddie."

"If Archie grows up to be such a man as my father was, I shall have no
more to wish for him!" exclaimed Lilias, rising, with more of spirit in
her voice and manner than Mrs Stirling had ever witnessed there before.

"Eh, sirs! did you ever hear the like of that in all your born days?"
(lifting her hands as if appealing to an invisible audience). "As
though I would say a word to make light of her father! It's well-known
there were few left like him in the countryside when he went away. And
for her to put herself in such a passion! Not that I'm caring, Lilias,
my dear. I think it has done you good. I haven't seen you with such a
colour in your face this good while. But it ill becomes you to be
offended with the like of me."

"I'm not angry. I didn't mean to be angry," said Lilias, meekly enough
now; "but I can't bear to think you should suppose I would do anything
that is not for Archie's good. I'm sure I wish to do what is right."

"I'm as sure of that as you are," said Nancy; "but Lilias, my dear, you
must mind that it's not the sapling that has the closest shelter that
grows to be the strongest tree. With you always to think and do for
him, your brother would never learn to think and do for himself. It is
not real kindness to think first of him. You must let him bear his
share of the burden."

"But he's such a child," said Lilias; "and he was never strong,
besides."

"Now, only hear her!" exclaimed Nancy, again appealing to an invisible
audience. "You would think, to hear her speak, she was three-score at
least. Lilias Elder, hear what I'm saying to you. You are just taking
the best way to ruin this brother of yours, with your petting. All the
care that you are lavishing on him now, he'll claim as his right before
long, and think himself well worthy of it, too. Do you not wonder
sometimes, that he is so blithe-like, when you have so much to make you
weary? I doubt the laddie is overfull of himself."

"You are wrong, Mrs Stirling!" exclaimed Lilias, the indignant colour
again flushing her face. "Archie is not full of himself. He would do
anything for my aunt or me. And why should he not be blithe