w every Sunday, that she
might attend the Presbyterian church there. She put him up at a
livery-stable near her church and always paid for him herself. Anthony
Ross usually had hired a motor for the summer months. Now they would
depend entirely on Placid and a couple of bicycles for getting about.
All round the walled garden did they go, and Meg played horses with the
children up and down the broad paths while Jan discussed vegetables with
Earley. And last of all they went to the back door to ask Hannah for
milk and scones, for the keen, fresh air had made them all hungry.

Refreshed and very crumby, they were starting out again when Hannah laid
a detaining hand on Jan's arm: "Could you speak a minute, Miss Jan?"

The children and Meg gone, Hannah led the way into the kitchen with an
air of great mystery; but she did not shut the doors, as Anne Chitt was
busy upstairs.

"What is it, Hannah?" Jan asked nervously, for she saw that this
summons portended something serious.

"It's about Miss Morton I want to speak, Miss Jan. I was in hopes she'd
never wear they play-acting claes down here ..." (when Hannah was deeply
earnest she always became very Scotch), "but it seems I hoped in vain.
And what am I to say to ither folk when they ask me about her?"

"What is there to say, Hannah, except that she is my dear friend, and by
her own wish is acting as nurse to my sister's children?"

"I ken that; I'm no sayin' a word against that; but first of all she
goes and crops her hair--fine hair she had too, though an awfu-like
colour--and not content with flying in the face of Providence that way,
she must needs dress like a servant. And no a weiss-like servant,
either, but one o' they besoms ye see on the hoardings in London wha act
in plays. Haven't I seen the pictures mysel'? 'The Quaker Gerrl,' or
some such buddy."

"Oh, I assure you, Hannah, Miss Morton in no way resembles those ladies,
and I can't see that it's any business of ours what she wears. You know
that she certainly does what she has undertaken to do in the best way
possible."

"I'm no saying a word against her wi' the children, and there never was
a young lady who gave less trouble, save in the way o' tobacco ash, and
was more ready to help--but yon haverals is very difficult to explain.
_You_ may understand, Miss Jan. I may _say_ I understand--though I
don't--but who's to make the like o' that Anne Chitt understand? Only
this morning she keeps on at me wi' her