of the sentiments of
one, and some of the other. Even Robert sat with a smile on his face
and his eye on the speakers, as though he were enjoying it all--as
indeed he was--and waiting till a few words from his father should
reconcile common sense and metaphysics again.

What did it all mean? And what did it matter what it might mean? And
where was the use of so many words about it? Allison looked from one
face to another in amaze. Then Marjorie's little hand touched her
cheek.

"Which side do you take, Allie?" said she softly.

But Allie shook her head, and the ghost of a smile parted her lips for
an instant.

"I ken naething about it," said she.

"Well, I'm no' just sure about it myself to-night. But wait you, till
my father takes them in hand. He'll put them both right and bring them
to see the same way. At least they'll say nae mair about it _this_
time," said Marjorie, and then she added gravely, a little anxious
because of her friend's indifference. "It's very important, Allie, if
we could understand it all."

"Oh! ay, I daur say," said Allie with a sigh, coming back to her own sad
thoughts again.

But the gloom had lightened a little, Mrs Hume thought, for she had not
lost one of the changes on Allison's face, as she looked and listened,
nor the smile, nor the doubtful lock with which she had answered the
child.

CHAPTER SIX.

"Do thy duty, that is best,
Leave unto the Lord the rest."

That year there was through all the North an open winter, and the "green
yule," which is said to make "a full kirkyard." The weather was mild
and moist, with heavy fogs in the morning, which sometimes stayed all
day, and all night as well. There was serious illness in many houses,
and much discomfort in others, even where there was not danger.

Poor old folk who had sat by the door, or "daundered" about the streets
and lanes in comfort during the summertime, now sat coughing and
wheezing in the chimney-corner, or went, bowed and stiff, about the work
which must not be neglected, though pain made movement difficult. Some
who had lingered beyond the usual term of life "dropped away," and their
place knew them no more. And death, the Reaper, not content with the
"bearded grain," gathered a flower or two as well.

Measles came first among the bairns, and whooping-cough followed, and
Mrs Hume would have liked to wrap up her little daughter and carry her
away from the danger which threatened her. Fo