ing back to a realisation of time and
place, with a flutter of confusion and pain.

"What ails you? Have you been sleeping? Are you not well?" whispered
Annie, in alarm.

"Oh, yes, I'm well enough. I think I must have been sleeping, though,"
said Christie, scarcely able to restrain a laugh at Annie's
astonishment.

"Sleeping! at this time of day, and in the kirk too!" exclaimed Annie.

"Well, never mind," said Christie, smiling, and holding down her head to
hide her confusion. "Did you see David McIntyre? I'm almost sure I saw
him in the street."

"Yes, I saw him. He brought this letter from Effie."

Christie took it from her.

"Don't read it now, in the kirk. There's nothing in it that will not
keep. There is a little note for yourself inside. They are all well.
Why didna you come up to-day? I have something to tell you."

Christie listened eagerly.

"I canna tell you now," said her sister. "See, the people are nearly
all in. But I'll come down to-night, if I can."

At that moment a hard-featured man, a little in front, turned his sharp
eyes towards them, with a look that was intended to warn and reprove; so
nothing more was said.

As Annie was walking home with Christie, "I'm thinking of changing my
place," she said.

"Changing!" repeated Christie. "I thought you were quite content."

"Oh, it's not that. Mrs Vinton wishes it. Her younger sister is going
to be married, it seems, and her mother, who is an invalid--something
like Aunt Elsie, I should think--wants some one to be with her always.
She lives with a son, somewhere in the far West. Miss Emma--that's the
sister--has been down. She thinks I should suit her mother, and Mrs
Vinton is willing to spare me. I think I should like to go, for some
things. The wages are higher."

"But so far-away," said Christie, in consternation; "and to leave me!"

"Yes, that's what disturbs me. You mustna stay when I go."

Christie shook her head. "I suppose there's the same need of my staying
now that there was before," said she, quietly.

"But Effie was never quite willing that you should come, you know; and
besides, your place is too hard for you."

"Just now it is, perhaps," interrupted Christie; "but Mr Lee is better,
and we'll soon get into our old way again."

"But what I want is this," said Annie; "I want Sarah to come and take my
place at Mrs Vinton's. I have told her about Sarah. And then you
could go home and be with Effie."