I would na' wish him to be thankful, but it would be bad
for him to feel that he is supported by charity. And I will pray for
blessings on the head of the good gentleman, and the day may come when
he is able to show that he is sensible of his kindness," she observed.

The worthy clothier appreciated her motives. "You have another bairn, I
understand, to look after," he observed. "When he is in want of a suit
let me know, and I will try what I can do for him."

Janet thanked him for his kindness, and promised not to forget his
offer.

She was not always so successful as in these first instances. Some
people refused to believe her story, or declared that they had already
more people looking to them for assistance than they could support;
others again gave full credit to her tale, and admiring her faithfulness
and honesty, were glad of an opportunity of helping the destitute
orphans of whom she had nobly taken charge. Frequently she brought home
a supply of food, but not a particle of it would she touch herself. "It
was given for the fatherless bairns, and they alone have the right to
it," she would say, contenting herself with a bowl of brose, the usual
coarse fare on which she subsisted.

The sale of her yarn enabled her to pay her rent, and to find food for
herself, and a portion for the children. Her own rough garments
appeared never to wear out, while the roof of a neighbouring house below
the window of her attic afforded her a drying ground on washing days.
Money she would never receive; but as the history of the orphans became
known, she was amply supplied with clothing for them of all
descriptions.

Donald and David continued to make excellent progress at school,
obtaining the approbation of all their masters, and gaining, in addition
to Alec Galbraith, several friends among their school-mates.

"Your boys, if they continue as they have began, are sure to do well,
Mrs McLaren," said the head-master, when she went to pay their school
fees.

"Weel, sir, I am sure too o' that, for the prayers of the minister and
my dear mistress could na' have been offered in vain, and though I am
but an humble woman, it is the chief thing I ask o' God, and I ken He
will na' refuse my request."

Margaret went daily to Mrs Galbraith, but that lady did not offer to
take her entirely under her charge. She had her reasons for this; her
own health was failing, and she felt that should she be taken away, and
the young gir