laughed at
her.

When Mr Fleming came in, and had heard all about the squire, and how
Cousin Betsey was staying with him while Elizabeth made her visit and
got a breath of fresh air, she took courage to present her petition that
Katie might be allowed to go home with her and stay a day or two. It
needed some courage to urge it, for she knew that her grandfather was
never quite at peace when Katie was not at home. "It was Cousin Betsey,
Mrs Fleming, that bade me ask you for Katie for a little while. She
said her coming would do me good, and Katie no harm; and she said you
would be sure to let her come since I was so lonesome at home."

Katie looked with wistful eyes at her grandmother, and she looked at the
old man.

"We might spare her a while to Miss Elizabeth, who is kept so close at
home with her father. And you must take your seam with you, Katie, my
lassie," added the old lady, as no dissenting frown from the grandfather
followed her first words. "And maybe Miss Elizabeth has a new stitch,
or some other new thing to teach you. These things are easy carried
about with a person, and they ay have a chance to come in use sometime.
Oh, ay, you can take a while with a book, too, now and then when Miss
Elizabeth is occupied with her father. Only be reasonable, and don't
forget all else, as is awhiles the way with you. And you can put on
your bonny blue frock, but be sure and take good care o' it," and many
more last words the happy Katie heard, and then they went away.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

TWO FRIENDS.

A day with Miss Elizabeth was one of Katie's chief pleasures, and it was
scarcely less a pleasure to Miss Elizabeth to have her with her; so the
faces of both were bright and smiling as they drove away from the door.

"It's no' often that you see two like these two," said Mrs Fleming, as
they all stood looking after them for a minute. "And it's only good
that they are like to do one another. May the Lord have them both in
His keeping. There is nothing else that can keep them safe and happy;
but that is enough, and I'm not afraid."

They drove slowly down the slope, and waited at the gate for a word with
Davie, who was coming from the wood with his great brown oxen, with the
last load for the night. He did not look more than half pleased to see
his sister at Miss Elizabeth's side.

"You are not to grudge her to me, Davie, for a little while," said Miss
Holt.

"Oh, she can please herself," said Da