ch your Maker has putten you are better
than a' the uncanny wisdom that men gather from books, whether you
believe it or not, Davie, my man. I canna say that I have any special
fear for you myself, but one can never ken. And your grandfather, he
canna forget; it's no' his nature. There was once one like you, Davie
lad, that lost himself through ill-doing folk, and--I canna speak about
it--and what must it be to him?"

"But, grannie," said Davie after a little, "it's different. Nobody will
follow after me because I am so handsome and clever and kindly. And
folk say it needna have been so bad with him, if my grandfather hadna
been hard on him."

"Whisht, laddie," said his grandmother, with a gasp. Katie looked at
him with beseeching eyes, and Davie hung his head.

"Davie, my laddie, have patience," said his grandmother in a little;
"what is a year or two out of a young life like yours compared with
giving a sore heart to an old man like your grandfather? He has had
sore trouble to thole in his lifetime, some that you can guess, and some
that you will never ken, and his heart is just set on Katie and you."

"But, grannie, there's no fear of me. I'll have no time for ill
company. I'm no to be an idle gowk like Clifton Holt, to throw away my
chances. And here's Katie ay to take care of me and keep me out of
mischief."

"My lad, speak no ill of your neighbours. You'll need all the sense you
have before you get far through the world. And you'll need grace and
wisdom from above, as well, whether your work lie in high places with
the great men of the earth, or just sowing and reaping in Ythan Brae.
And as for Katie and her care of you, there's many a true word spoken in
jest, and you maun be a good laddie, Davie."

It was all settled with fewer words than the grandmother feared would be
needed, and a happy winter began to the brother and sister. They were
young and strong and hopeful. No serious trouble was pressing on them
or theirs. Just to be alive in such circumstances is happiness, only it
is a kind of happiness that is seldom realised while the time is going
on. When it is looked back upon over years of pain or care, it is seen
clearly and valued truely, and sometimes--oh, how bitterly regretted.

They had their troubles. There was the mortgage about which they
fancied they were anxious and afraid. They were just enough anxious
about it to find in it an endless theme for planning and
castle-buildi