hat ye are obliged to
her. And what do you think of the big house and the great people?" she
asked, turning to Donald.

"It's all very braw and fine; but I would rather hae a house of my ain,
and you in it, Janet," answered Donald.

"May be you will get that, laddie, some day."

"I hope I may; and then I'll ask Alec to come and stay with me, since
you will na let him come here," said Donald.

"I could na deny him onything--so, if he wishes to come, he must come,"
said Janet.

"Then I will tell him," said Donald, "and I am sure he will not carry
tales to the other boys."

The next morning Alec found out the house on his road to school, and
made his way up to Janet's attic. He tapped gently at the door. Donald
went out to meet him.

"I told you we did not live in a fine house, and so you see," he
observed, pointing round the room. "But I am sure you do not think the
worse of us, or our good nurse. We should have been starving if it was
not for her--that's what I have got to tell you."

"No, indeed, I do not think the worse of you or her," answered Alec.
"If I thought it would vex you I would not have come; and I promise you
that I will not say a word to others which you would not wish me to say.
But my mother desired me to call and invite your sister Margaret to
spend the day with her, if Mistress Janet will give her leave."

"She will go, and gladly, as soon as the boys are off to school," said
Janet, answering at once for Margaret.

"Come along then," exclaimed Alec to his companions. "My mother is
longing to see Miss Margaret again, and we will not delay her."

As soon as the boys were away Janet set off with her charge. Mrs
Galbraith received her with the greatest kindness, and would have had
Janet to stay with her also.

"Thank ye, Mistress Galbraith," answered Janet. "But I ha' my household
affairs to attend to, and they will na get on very weel unless I am
present."

From that day forward Janet escorted Margaret to the house of her new
friend every morning at the same hour.

Janet greatly missed her young companion, but she sat on in her solitude
rejoicing in the thought that Margaret was gaining the instruction she
so much desired her to obtain. As she span and span she turned in her
mind various plans for supporting the children and for ultimately
establishing them in life.

"Their claithes will soon be worn out. Donald is already too big for
his, and though they may do for David for