Poor Willie Bain was but weak yet, and the tears were running down his cheeks, while John told him in few words what his sister had been doing, how she had won the respect of all who had known her, and how she had now gone away from Scotland with a good friend, but was looking forward to the time when she might join her brother, so that they might have again a home together.
“And, Willie, my lad,” added John, gravely, “if I had a sister like yours, I would make a man of myself for her sake.”
“You are a man already,” said Willie, with a sound which might have been either a laugh or a sob. “As for me—yes, I ken I havena been taking right care of myself for a while. I fell into ill hands down yonder. But now I have you, and I will be a man for Allie’s sake.”
There had been tokens visible of the fact that the young man had not been “taking care of himself,” but John had spoken no word which betrayed his knowledge.
They were in the garden at this time, sitting in a wide, green walk, between high rows of currant-bushes, a great apple-tree making a grateful shade around them. By and by they rose and walked up and down, John lending his strength to help his friend’s weakness; and he asked:
“Would you not like to stay here a little while?”
“Till I get my strength back again? Yes, I would like it well. I mean sometime to have land of my own, and could begin to learn here the new ways that are needed in a new country. Yes, I would like well to bide here for a while.”
He spoke eagerly and hopefully.
“I wish Allie were here. There would be no fear then,” said Willie, looking up at John with Allie’s wistful eyes.
“She cannot come for a time. It is likely that she might be sought for here—in Mr Hadden’s neighbourhood, I mean. But, Willie man, I think it is as well that she should not come just now, even for your sake. It is you who would be looking up to her, because she is wiser than you, and maybe stronger. She would lead, and you would follow. That might be well, in a way. But it would be better, it would be far more manly for you to learn to stand by your own strength—to walk by your own wisdom. Of course, I mean by the help of God, in all things,” said John, gravely.