"We must not be singing that to-day, father, for God iss fery goodto us, and I will be stronger every month, and perhaps you will besaying that we are thankful in your prayer."

Then I realised my baseness, and went off on tiptoe (had the dogsbeen at home it had not been so easy to escape); but first I heard,"0ur Father." It was a very recent word for Lachlan; he used to say Jehovah.

The physician paid his last visit one frosty winter day, and wasmerciless on Lachlan.

"What for are ye cockering up this lassie, and no getting her doontae the kirk? it's clean disgracefu' in an Elder, and if I were yirminister a' wud hae ye sessioned. Sall, ye're hard enough on itherfouk that are no kirk greedy."

"You will not be speaking that way next Sabbath, for it iss inside herpew Flora will be sitting with her portlyher," said Lachlan, in greatspirits.

Flora caught him studying her closely for some days, as if he weretaking her measure, and he announced that he had business inMuirtown on Friday.

When he came up in the market train he was carrying a large paperparcel, and attempted a joke with Peter at a window of the third.From a critical point of view it was beneath notice, but asLachlan's first effort it was much tasted.