"I'll bide if ye want me," exclaimed the mother.

"I'm much better alone, mother," exclaimed Katie, her voice for the first timefaltering. "I'll bear it. Never fear me, mother; but I'm best alone fora bit. Ye'll give my warm love to Elspie, an' send her down here to meto stay till she's married. I'll help her best if she's here. There'llbe much to be done. I'll do 't, mother; never fear me."

"Are ye countin' too much on yer strength, bairn?" asked the now weepingmother. "I'd rather look at ye give way like."

"No, no," cried Katie, impatiently. "Each one has his own way, mother;let me have mine. I'll work for Donald and Elspie all I can. Ye know shewas always like my own bairn more than a sister. The quicker she comesthe much better for me, mother. It'll be all over then. Eh, but she'll be abonny bride!" And at these words Katie's tears at last flowed.

"There, there, bairn! Have out the tears; they're healin' to grief,"exclaimed her mother, folding her arms tight around her and drawing herhead down on her shoulder as she had done inside her infanthood.