human
It's Lilias Elder and Archie. She'll have nothing left to wish for now that she has him home again. Eh! but she's a bonnie lassie, and a good! And Archie, too, is a well-grown lad, and not so set up as he might be, considering.
gpt
Well, bairns, she said, after the first greetings were over,
human
Very glad, said Archie.
gpt
I never was so glad before.
human
You said that last time,
gpt
Well, maybe I did. But it's true all the same. I'm more glad every time.
human
And you didna come home before it was time, said Nancy.
gpt
You're thinner and paler than your aunt likes to see you, I'm thinking.
human
I'm perfectly well, I assure you,
gpt
He will have a rest and the fresh country air again, said Lilias.
human
He has been very close at his books.
gpt
Well, it may be that, said Mrs Stirling.
human
And so you're glad to be home again? You havena been letting that daft laddie, Davie Graham, lead you into any mischief that you would be afraid to tell your sister about, I hope?
gpt
Oh no, indeed. Even John says they have done wonderfully well: and after that you need have no fear.
human
It's not unlikely that two or three things might happen in such a place, and John Graham be none the wiser. And it's not likely that he'll say any ill of your brother in your hearing, said Nancy drily.
gpt
Not that I'm misdoubting you, Archie, man; and may you be kept safe, for your sister's sake!
human
For a better reason than that, I hope, Mrs Stirling,
gpt
Well, so be it; though his sister is a good enough reason for him, I hope. But where have you been? To see Bell Ray? How is she to-day, poor body?
human
We have not been there, said Lilias.
gpt
We meant to go when we came from home; but we stayed so long down yonder that we had no time. I am going some day soon.
human
And where's `down yonder,' if I may ask?
gpt
At the moor cottage, said Lilias.
human
We came over the hills to see it again, just to mind us of old times.
gpt
And we stayed so long, speaking about these old times, that we are likely to be late home, said Archie;
human
Yes; and we stayed a while at the old seat under the rowan-tree. We could only just reach it, the burn is so full. And look at all the flowers I found in the cottage-garden--heart's-ease, and daisies, and sweet-brier, and thyme. It seemed a pity to leave them, with nobody to see them. Give me something to put them in, Mrs Stirling, and I'll leave some of them for you. We will have time enough for that, Archie, never fear.
gpt
And wherefore should you be caring to mind yourselves of the old times, I wonder? said Nancy, as she sat down beside her, holding the jug for the flowers in her hand.
human
Some of those days were sad enough, I'm sure. Maybe it's to make you humble?
gpt
Yes, and thankful,
human
And those days were very pleasant, too, in one way,
gpt
Ay, to you, lad. But some of them brought small pleasure to your sister, I'm thinking, said Nancy sharply.
human
You're a wise lad, but you dinna ken everything that came in those old times, as you call them.
gpt
But some of the things that I like best to remember happened on some of the very worst of those days, said Lilias.
human
I should never have known half your goodness, for one thing. Do you mind that last day that I came to you? Oh, how weary I was that day!
gpt
And much good I did you,
human
Indeed you did, more than I could tell you then, more than I can tell you now, said Lilias, giving the last touch to the flowers as she rose.
gpt
I like to think of those days. We are all the happier now for the troubles of the old times.
human
And truly I think you'll ay be but the happier for whatever time may bring you, said Nancy musingly, as she watched them hastening over the hill together.
gpt
quoth she.
human
There are few folk but would be glad to forget, and to make others forget, `the hole of the pit.' And look at these flowers, now! Who but Lilias Elder would think of a poor body like me caring for what is good neither to eat nor to drink? She's like no one else. And as for her brother, he's not so set up as folk might expect. May they be kept safe from the world's taint and stain! I suppose the Lord can do it. I'm sure He can. `The law of the Lord is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.' She said it of her brother once; and if it is true of him it's true of her. It is that that makes the difference. They have no cause to be afraid, even though `the earth be removed.' Eh! but it is a grand thing to have the Lord on our side! Nothing can go far wrong with us then.