Aunt Margaret's cordial welcome and kind words did father good, and he left the house with a lighter heart than he had brought to it.
The dear old lady accompanied us to the gate and took leave of us there.
"Good night to you, Steenie; and good night to you, hinny; and come again soon," said she, as we left.
I looked back and saw her going to the poultry-yard to see that all was right there.
"Old age is not to be dreaded when one can be so blessed, so cheerful, and so helpful," remarked my father. "Christie, you maun make a woman like Aunt Margaret, and like your grandmother, whose blessed memory rests in the hearts of many people."
He pressed my hand as he said this, and I remember well I thought within myself, "I will try to be like them."
"Well, Stephen, you look quite cheered up again," said my mother, as we reached home.
"Aunt Margaret aye cheers a body," he replied, and he continued to talk more cheerfully than he had done for a long time. Mother had to remind him that he was weary with his walk and that it was time to seek rest in sleep. She bid Walter bring the Book to Kenneth, that he might read instead of his father.
"Read the hundred and forty-fifth Psalm," said my father.