ildering prophecies
and analogies, in which there was something about Lake Simcoe's being
the Red Sea, and the Oa, Mount Pisgah.

It was well that Mary Sandy merited her mistress's oft-repeated
declaration that she was "jist the smartest, tidiest girl in the Oa,
indeed." The multitude had to be fed, in accordance with the laws of
Canadian hospitality, which alter not, no matter what the circumstances
may be, and without Kirsty's and Mary Lauchie's help even Mrs.
MacDonald's paragon might have found herself inadequate.

Big Malcolm and his wife were quite helpless with excess of happiness.
The latter moved about in a happy daze, making ineffectual efforts to
assist her friends, picking up articles and putting them down again in
a haphazard fashion.

At last Kirsty declared that they must all clear out and let her do
some work. Yes, and Mrs. Malcolm was to go too, for how could she be
of any use with a big gomeril like Scotty clattering after her every
step, as if he was a bairn, and mostly with Big Malcolm and Rory's wee
Callum trailing behind. It was enough to put a body fair daft.

Thus banished, Scotty laughingly followed his grandmother out of doors.
He was well pleased, for he was longing to get a word with her alone.
He knew that her tender eyes had long ago read his heart's secret, and
if she had any news for him she would surely give it without asking.

There was a new stone milk-house a few yards from the door, built since
his departure; and he must needs see it, Granny said. So she took him
with her when she went for a jug of buttermilk for the guests. And
when he had admired the place and the buttermilk had been procured,
they stood in the cool, sweet dampness, and Granny told him how all the
friends had asked for him so often. The minister, indeed, came up
several times just to inquire if they had had a letter, and Store
Thompson's wife had said that whenever the Captain himself came to the
Glen he always asked for him. Then she went to the farther end of the
little chamber and commenced a diligent search for something that was
not there, and, with her back turned to him, remarked with elaborate
carelessness that the Captain's family were expected at the Grange any
day now. The Captain had been away nearly all the time since he lost
the election, he had been that disappointed, poor body. They had spent
the last winter in Toronto. The wee Isabel hadn't been jist very well
all winter, Kirsty had