hile the sparrows chirruped in
the hedges. The hawthorn was bursting into leaf, all bright and green,
and here and there the wild flowers were showing themselves, the
buttercup and the speedwell. But while the charm of Nature made James
anxious to linger, to lean on a gate and look for a while at the cows
lazily grazing, Mary had too sound a constitution to find in it anything
but a stimulus to renewed activity.

"We mustn't dawdle, you lazy creature!" she cried merrily. "I shall
never get through my round before one o'clock if we don't put our best
foot foremost."

"Can't you see them some other time?"

The limpid air softened his heart; he thought for a moment that if he
could wander aimlessly with Mary, gossiping without purpose, they might
end by understanding one another. The sun, the wild flowers, the
inconstant breeze, might help to create a new feeling.

But Mary turned to him with grave tenderness.

"You know I'd do anything to please you, Jamie. But even for you I
cannot neglect my duty."

James froze.

"Of course, you're quite right," he said. "It really doesn't matter."

They came to another cottage, and this time Mary took James in.

"It's a poor old man," she said. "I'm so sorry for him; he's always so
grateful for what I do."

They found him lying in bed, writhing with pain, his head supported by a
pillow.

"Oh, how uncomfortable you look!" cried Mary. "You poor thing! Who on
earth arranged your pillows like that?"

"My daughter, miss."

"I must talk to her; she ought to know better."

Miss Clibborn drew away the pillows very gently, smoothed them out, and
replaced them.

"I can't bear 'em like that, miss. The other is the only way I'm
comfortable."

"Nonsense, John!" cried Mary, brightly. "You couldn't be comfortable
with your head all on one side; you're much better as you are."

James saw the look of pain in the man's face, and ventured to
expostulate.

"Don't you think you'd better put them back in the old way? He seemed
much easier."

"Nonsense, Jamie. You must know that the head ought to be higher than
the body."

"Please, miss, I can't bear the pillow like this."

"Oh, yes, you can. You must show more forbearance and fortitude.
Remember that God sends you pain in order to try you. Think of Our Lord
suffering silently on the Cross."

"You're putting him to quite unnecessary torture, Mary," said James. "He
must know best how he's comfortable."

"It's only because he's