"Well, anyhow, Aunt Christian is going all over the world and seeing everything, and I never have a chance."
"Indeed, Marie—Well, there, child! I won't say it again if I can help it. I think you have a good many," said Miss Barbara.
"But can't I take French lessons, grandfather?" persisted Marion.
"No, child, not now," answered her grandfather, kindly but decidedly. "If harvest comes in well, and we get a good price for the butter, we'll see what can be done, but now I can't take on any new expense. I'd like to please you, child, but it's just impossible. What have you there, Baby?"
"The chessmen, father. I am trying to make Alick rut up his chess against Duncan and Christian come home. You know Duncan was always so fond of chess."
"It's odd we don't hear again," said the old man. "I dare say they are on their way home. Marie, woman, there's a chance for you. Get your aunt to teach you chess. It is a fine game, and good mental discipline, they say. Take care, man Alick; look out for your knight with yon queen. Look on now, Marie, and you'll see a fine battle."
But Marion would not be interested. She worked away at her knitting in sullen silence till bedtime and went to bed thinking herself very ill used.
"There goes her father over again," said Alick to his sister when Marion left the room, "always missing the present chance, always going to do some great thing or other when something else happens, and doing nothing in the mean time."
"Oh, she is but a child still, and you must have patience with her," said Miss Barbara. "She does vex me sometimes, as she did to-night, but she'll mend as she grows older, you'll see."
"I hope I shall, but there is small chance of her mending so long as she cannot see a fault in herself. Things don't often mend simply by growing older."