urying-ground, and preparing room for those whom death
would lay to rest in their own island. While the minister remained
here, no more of the dead would be carried over the sea to some place
where there was a pastor to commit them to the grave. Room was to be
secured for the graves of the fifty people who were now living on the
island, and for their children after them: and to all the inhabitants
the island appeared a better place when this arrangement was made.

In the weak sunlight of that Sunday morning appeared gay groups of
people, all excited with the great thought that they were going to the
kirk. They were wonderfully cell clad. How such clothes could come out
of such dwellings would have been a marvel to any stranger. Festival
days were so rare that a holiday dress lasted for many years. The
women's cloth coats fitted at any age; and the caps with gay ribbons and
bright cotton handkerchiefs did not wear out. On this remarkable day
all wore their best, and a pretty sight it was to see the whole fifty
people drawing towards the chapel as the pastor, his wife, and two
children, issued from their lowly abode to meet the flock for the first
time.

Presently the island might have appeared deserted. Far round as the eye
could reach not a human being was visible outside the chapel. But
something was heard which told that the place was not only inhabited,
but Christianised. The slow psalm rose into the still air. Everyone
who could speak could sing a psalm. It was a practice lovingly kept up
in every house. Some voices were tremulous, and a few failed; but this
was from emotion. The strongest was Annie's, for hers was the most
practised. It was her wont to sing some of the many psalms she knew on
summer days, when she sat at work on the platform of her house, and on
winter nights, when Rollo was away. Now that she was once more joining
in social worship, her soul was joyful, and she sang strong and clear--
perhaps the more so for the thought of the one absent person, pining in
the cavern on the shore, or looking from afar, in desolation of heart,
at the little throng who came privileged to worship. Perhaps Annie's
voice might unconsciously rise as if to reach the lonely one, and invite
her to come to the house of God and seek rest. However this might be,
Annie's tones so animated some hearts and strengthened some voices as
that the psalm might be, and was, heard a long way off. It reached an
unwilli