s own
loss and his changed life and his unhopeful prospects.

He had more days of leisure that winter than well pleased him, but not
one of them was spent in wandering aimlessly about the dreary hills. He
had company, most days, wherever he went. If he had not Robin or Jack,
there was always Davie, who seemed to think he had a special claim upon
him. Davie had not yet been promoted to a seat in the parish school,
but was beginning to think himself, at eight, too big a boy for Mistress
Jamieson's rule, since he could say the Catechism from end to end,
proofs and petitions and all. With Davie trotting along at his side,
John had little chance for brooding. Besides, he had taken to his books
again, and meant to employ his leisure and make up for lost time if such
a thing might be. It was not likely that he would have much use for
Latin or Logic in the life that lay before him, he told himself; but he
might as well make the most of the idle days, and keep his mind from
stagnation.

And he had less of leisure after a while. It was about this time that
he began to try his hand at the making of "headstones" for the kirkyard.
Chance put such work in his way, and being ready of hand and quick of
eye, and having long patience and much need of a job, he set to work
with a will. He did not succeed in pleasing himself, but he pleased his
employer, which answered the purpose; and he did more at the work, at
odd times, when he could get nothing else to do.

The life which he saw lived in the manse did something for him, and the
Word as it was held forth in the little kirk did more; but that came
long afterward. The minister was the busiest of men, either among his
books or among his people, or in his garden or his land; but he was
never too busy for a cheery word to John, or for help or counsel to any
one who needed them. And the same might be said of the minister's wife.
She was active and had enough to do at home, but she was glad to help
those who needed help anywhere. She had good sense and good judgment,
and was ready with sweet words or sharp words, as the case presented
seemed to demand. She was firm where firmness seemed to be required,
but had long patience and unfailing gentleness in her dealings with the
weak and even with the wilful; and as the days passed, John took heed of
her words and ways with ever-growing interest.

She had not an easy life, but she had usually firm health and she had a
cheerful natur