wrong to risk the bringing on of a wakeful,
moaning, miserable night to her mother; and she was thinking she would
say no more till morning, when her mother spoke again.

"Yes, Elder McMillan is a good man. I would not be afraid for Hugh, and
he would be near at hand."

"Yes," said Shenac, making an effort to speak quietly, "if Hugh must go,
he might as well go to Elder McMillan's as anywhere--" She stopped.

"And Dan needs a firm hand, they say," continued the mother, her voice
breaking a little; "but I'm afraid for him. Angus Dhu is a stern man,
and Dan has been used to a hand gentle as well as firm. But he would
not be far away."

Shenac broke out impatiently,--

"Angus Dhu's hand was not firm enough to keep his own son at home, and
he could never guide our Dan. Mother, never heed them that tell you any
ill of Dan. Has he ever disobeyed you once since--since then?"
Shenac's voice failed a little, then she went on again, "Why should Dan
go away, or any of us? Why can't we bide all together, and do the best
we can, till Allister comes home?"

"But that must be a long time yet, if he ever comes," said the mother,
sighing.

"Yes, it may be long," said Shenac eagerly. "Of course it cannot be for
the spring work, and maybe not for the harvest, but he's sure to come,
mother; and think of Allister coming and finding no home! Yes, I know
you are to bide here; but the land would be gone, and it would be no
home long to Allister or any of us without the land. Angus Dhu should
be content with what he's got," continued Shenac bitterly. "Allister
will never be content to let my father's land go out of our hands; and
Angus Dhu promised my father to give it up to Allister. Mother, we must
do nothing till Allister comes home.--Hamish, why don't you tell my
mother to wait till Allister comes home?"

"Till Allister comes home! When Allister comes home!" This had been
the burden of all Shenac's comforting to her mother, even when she could
take no comfort from it herself. For a year seemed a long time to
Shenac; but three months of the year had passed already, and surely,
surely Allister would come.

Hamish raised his face as Shenac appealed to him, but it was anything
but a hopeful face, and Shenac was glad that her mother was looking the
other way.

"But what are we to do in the meantime?" he asked, and his voice was as
little hopeful as his face. For a moment Shenac was indignant at her
brother. It would