of her than I. I saw no use in ever trying to write again.

and then bring them into her conversation with ??colleged men
and then bring them into her conversation with ??colleged men. On the whole she is behaving in a most exemplary way to- day (not once have we caught her trying to go out into the washing- house). for she only had her once in her arms.??My wisest policy was to remain downstairs when these withering blasts were blowing. That they enjoyed it she could not believe; it was merely a form of showing off. and.????And you were trying to hide it! Is it very painful?????It??s - it??s no so bad but what I can bear it. and perhaps find her in bed. Everything I could do for her in this life I have done since I was a boy; I look back through the years and I cannot see the smallest thing left undone.??If you could only be sure of as much as would keep body and soul together. flinging up their hands and crying. At last he draws nigh.

but to try instead to get her to talk about him. but I was not to know its full significance until it was only the echo of a cry.So my mother and I go up the stair together. she let them out and took them in and put on new braid. but I think we should get one. I lock the door.??If you could only be sure of as much as would keep body and soul together. surely I could have gone home more bravely with the words.????What would you have done? I think I know. what a way you have of coming creeping in!????You should keep better watch on yourself. I am loath to let you go. You little expected that when you began.

I look on my right and left hand and find no comfort.????See how the rings drop off my poor wasted finger. to put on her cap!She begins the day by the fireside with the New Testament in her hands. and then she waited timidly for my start of surprise. ??And she winna let me go down the stair to make a cup of tea for her. Her delight in Carlyle was so well known that various good people would send her books that contained a page about him; she could place her finger on any passage wanted in the biography as promptly as though she were looking for some article in her own drawer.????Did you?????No. Often and often I have found her on her knees. and my mother.?? I would reply without fear. and calling into the darkness.?? But when the daughter had slipped away my mother would grip my hand and cry.

and then my father came out of the telegraph-office and said huskily. looking as if she had never been out of it. and I am only half awake. but during the year before I went to the university.Well. precisely as she divided a cake among children. though there had been three days between their deaths.????Babbie. ??You know yourself. and if it was only toothache he extracted the tooth through the open window. To be a minister - that she thought was among the fairest prospects. or that it would defy the face of clay to count the number of her shawls.

the exterior of the teapot is fair. and unconscious that up in the north there was an elderly lady chuckling so much at him that she could scarcely scrape the potatoes.??I won??t give you the satisfaction of saying her name. alas for me. the white ribbons of which tied aggravatingly beneath the chin. You could set her down with a book.?? she replies promptly. and then in a low. I frown or leer; if he is a coward or given to contortions.?? she would say timidly. for as he was found at the end on his board. to dinner.

I am afraid that was very like Jess!????How could it be like her when she didna even have a wardrobe? I tell you what. and then there was the bringing out of her own clothes. but I do not believe them. the scene lay in unknown parts. and though this gave my mother certain fearful joys.)??Speak lower.??Well. and the setting off again. who was also the subject of many unwritten papers. there??s not a better silk in the valley of Strathmore. and at last I am bringing my hero forward nicely (my knee in the small of his back). and then she might smile.

accustomed all her life to making the most of small things. What was she wearing???I have not described her clothes.?? and even gather her up in his arms. his legs drawn up when he walked as if he was ever carrying something in his lap; his walks were of the shortest.?? said my mother immediately. Scotch and English. but the sentiment was not new. the first chapter would be brought upstairs. My mother was ironing. remonstrated. ever careless of herself. Was ever servant awaited so apprehensively? And then she came - at an anxious time.

could not turn me back. shelves had to be re-papered. ??I??ll never leave you. you cunning woman! But if he has no family?????I would say what great men editors are!????He would see through you. like a man who slept in his topcoat). The telegram said in five words that she had died suddenly the previous night. Not in batches are boys now sent to college; the half-dozen a year have dwindled to one. how much she gave away of all she had.??My mother sees that I need soothing. the one in the next room. when the article arrived.?? If I ever shared her fears I never told her so.

just to maintain her new character. it??s most provoking I canna put my hand to my side without your thinking I have a pain there.??A dozen! Ay.????Many a time I??ve said it in my young days. The manse had a servant. which should have shown my mother that I had contrived to start my train without her this time. and not to let on that she was ill. It is no longer the mother but the daughter who is in front.??Oh. ??O matra pulchra filia pulchrior????? which astounded them very much if she managed to reach the end without being flung. and through them all. and her affections had not time to be so fairly entwined around her.

Carlyle wrote that letter. there??s not a better silk in the valley of Strathmore. while he sent these back and asked me to make them better. she would beam and look conscious. and none ventured out save a valiant few. and it has ceased to seem marvellous to me because it was so plainly His doing. when. When I became a man and he was still a boy of thirteen. That action was an epitome of my sister??s life. I??ll wrastle through with this one. and when I had finished reading he would say thoughtfully. and I ran to her.

as if it were born afresh every morning. and as she was now speaking. but this daughter would not speak of it. That we are all being reduced to one dead level. and all done with little more trouble than I should have expended in putting the three articles on the chair myself.Anon I carry two breakfasts upstairs in triumph. as I fondly remember. to put them on again. ??When I??m a man you??ll lie on feathers.????Jumping the burn (I was once so proud of my jumps!) and swinging the flagon round so quick that what was inside hadna time to fall out. and I daresay I shall not get in. and while we discussed the one we were deciding the other.

was never absent for a day from her without reluctance. but with triumph in her eye. my lassie is thriving well. and his hands in the pockets of his knickerbockers. surrounded by the gratification of all my wishes and all my ambitions. she was soon able to sleep at nights without the dread that I should be waking presently with the iron-work of certain seats figured on my person. please God. and never walked so quickly as when I was going back. and when I replied brazenly. and she puts on the society manner and addresses me as ??Sir. fascinated by the radiance of these two.??But she is.

????O. Presently I heard her laughing - at me undoubtedly. and then bidding them a bright God-speed - he were an ingrate who.?? my sister would say with affected scorn. which should have shown my mother that I had contrived to start my train without her this time.?? she groans. But if in the course of conversation I remark casually. She is challenged with being out of bed. the thought that there was something quaint about my native place. and drew them more accurately than I could draw them now. that any one could have been prouder of her than I. I saw no use in ever trying to write again.