human
Weel, bairns, she said, as she drew near,
gpt
No, said Lilias.
human
Archie liked better to bide out here. This is a bonny place.
gpt
Oh, ay, it's a bonny place enow, said Mrs Stirling. Then, turning to Archie, she said,
human
And so you liked better to bide out here than to go in to your dinner at the manse? Well, it's a good bairn that likes to do what it's bidden. I dare say Mrs Blair would have felt some delicacy in taking you both into the manse parlour; though why she should, is more than the like of me knows.
gpt
And when are you going to the manse as nurse, my dear?
human
No! Where then? To Pentlands? I told your aunt that Mrs Jones, the housekeeper, wanted a lassie to help in the kitchen; but it's a place full of temptations for a young thing like you. I wonder at Mrs Blair.
gpt
Well, well, my dear, you needn't be angry at my asking; though there's little wonder that the daughter of Alexander Elder shouldn't like to have it said that she ought to go and gain her bread as a servant. We can't always part with our pride when we part with our money. Nobody knows that better than I do.
human
It's not pride that keeps me at home, said Lilias, in a low voice.
gpt
I would go gladly if my aunt thought it needful; but she says it is not.
human
Oh, well, my dear, I dare say your aunt knows best. She may have money that I didn't know of. Maybe you wasn't so ill off as is said.
gpt
Whisht! do you not see that you are vexing the bairns? Never mind her, my dear, said the pleasant-looking young woman whom Lilias had called Ellen Wilson, sitting down on the stone beside her.
human
I think this part of the country seems to agree with you both. Your brother looks much better than he did when he came first.
gpt
Looks better, does he? I wonder how he could have looked before? Such a whitefaced creature I have seldom seen. He reminds me of the laddie that died at Pentlands, of a decline, a month since. I doubt he isn't long for this world.
human
Whisht! again interrupted Ellen,
gpt
Archie is much better, said Lilias, eagerly.
human
He couldn't set his foot to the ground when we first came here; and now he can walk miles.
gpt
Oh, ay; change of air is ay thought good for the like of him. But it's a deceitful complaint. We all ken that your father died of consumption,--and your mother too, it's likely.
human
No, said Lilias, in a low voice.
gpt
She died of fever.
human
Mrs Stirling, exclaimed Ellen Wilson,
gpt
I canna but wonder that one that has had the troubles you have had, should have so little consideration for other folks. Do you not see that you are vexing the bairns?
human
Weel, it's not my design nor my desire to vex them,--poor things! It never harmed me to get a friend's sympathy; though it's little ever I got. I'll not trouble them.