"No, deary, not to-day."
"Nor to-morrow?" asked Ailie.
"Nor to-morrow, deary."
"Nor next day?"
"Maybe not next day, neither."
"Nor till mother comes?"
"We'll see," said Job soothingly. "I'll keep ye on a while, if I can."
"I won't be hungry," said Ailie. "I'll eat ever so little—an' I'll be so useful—and—and—I do like you ever so much."
"I'd like you to love me," said Job. "Maybe ye'll call me gran'father—eh?"
Ailie's face brightened yet more at this suggestion, and she gave vent to her feelings in a wild gambol round the room, which rather startled Job at the moment, though he took it placidly.