minister's place there for a while.
He had a great respect for Mr Stewart, and some curiosity, now that he
was an ordained minister, to hear him preach; and having heard him, he
acknowledged to himself, though he was slow to speak of it to others,
that the word of God was held forth with power, and he began to think
that, after all, the scores of young people who flocked to hear him were
as well while listening here as when sleeping quietly under the
monotonous voice of the good old minister; and very soon no objection
was made when his own Evan and Shenac Dhu went with the rest.

Mr Stewart had changed much since he came among them first. His health
was broken then, and he was struggling with a fear that he was not to be
permitted to work the work for which he had all his lifetime been
preparing. That fear had passed away. He was well now, and well-fitted
to declare God's gospel to men. It was a labour of love to him, all
could see. The grave, quiet man seemed transformed when he stood in the
pulpit He spoke with authority, as one who knew from deep, blessed
experience the things which he made known, and no wonder that all
listened eagerly.

Hamish was very happy in the renewal of their friendship, and Allister
was almost as happy in coming to know the minister. He came sometimes
to see them, but not very often, for he had many engagements, and his
visits made "white days" for them all. Hamish saw much more of him than
the rest, for he was comparatively idle this summer, and drove the
minister to his different preaching stations, and on his visits to the
people, with much profit to himself and much pleasure to both.

It was a very pleasant summer, for many reasons, to Shenac and them all.
The only drawback was the state of the mother. She was not getting
better--would probably never be better, the doctor said, whom Allister
had brought from far to see her. But she might live a long time in her
present state. She did not suffer, and was almost always quite content.
All that the tenderest care could do for her was done, and her
uneventful days were made happy by her children's watchful love.

The entire renewal of confidence and intercourse between the two
families was a source of pleasure to all, but especially to Shenac, who
had never been quite able to believe herself forgiven by her uncle
before. Two of Angus Dhu's daughters were married in the spring, and
left their father's house; and partly because s