l be again thrown back on Janet's hands she would feel the
change more than if she continued to reside with her kind nurse.
Although she had never visited Janet, she guessed the limited
accommodation her attic must afford, and had, therefore, engaged, giving
Janet the money to pay the rent, another small chamber on the same
floor, which was devoted to the use of the two boys. Janet gladly
accepted the offer. She felt that as the children were growing up such
an arrangement was absolutely necessary for their comfort, though it
might have been beyond her means to supply it.

When the days shortened the two boys might have been seen in their
little room, seated on their three-legged stools, with a table,
manufactured by themselves, between them, their heads bent down close
together over their books, to obtain as much light as the farthing
candle, placed in the most advantageous position, could afford. When
the cold of winter came on they were compelled to seek Janet's
fire-side, where she would sit silent as a mouse, watching them with
fond eyes, as they conned their tasks, while Margaret, on the other
side, actively plied her needle, either making her own clothes, or
performing some work for her kind patroness. Margaret had lost the
bloom of childhood, and though her features were not sufficiently
regular to allow her to be considered decidedly pretty, she had grown
into an interesting girl, with an amiable expression of countenance--a
faithful index of her mind. Donald had become a strong active fine
looking lad, with features which betokened firmness and decision of
character, while David, though not so robust as his brother, was
handsomer, and a stranger, seeing the two together, would at once have
pronounced him possessed of more mildness and gentleness than his elder
brother, and less able to buffet with the rude world.

CHAPTER FOUR.

DONALD HAVING RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM MR. TODD OF AN APPOINTMENT IN
CANADA, ACCEPTS IT, AND PREPARES FOR HIS DEPARTURE.--MRS. GALBRAITH'S
UNHAPPINESS ABOUT HER SON'S RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES.--ALEC RECEIVING AN
APPOINTMENT IN CANADA, SAILS WITHOUT RETURNING HOME, TO HIS MOTHER'S AND
MARGARET'S GRIEF.--DONALD ALSO LEAVES HOME FOR HIS DESTINATION.

Janet and David were the sole occupants of the attic. The lad was
seated at his little table with his hooks and papers before him, Janet
looking on wondering at the strange figures he rapidly formed as he
worked away at his mathematic