“I’ll wait in the church for her to-day,” she said to herself. “I’m tired, and it’s later than usual. She’ll know if I’m not there by half-past ten, and she’ll come down. At any rate, I’m too tired to go up the hill.”
Yes, she was very tired. The fresh air did not brighten and enliven her as it usually did. The warm, moist wind that came in gusts from the south was not invigorating, and she went slowly up the church-steps, glad that her walk was over. There was no one in the church. Even the sexton was not visible; and Christie placed herself in her accustomed seat under the gallery, near the door, glad to rest in the pleasant stillness of the place. How quiet and peaceful it seemed! The sound of the moaning wind seemed to come from far-away, and the stillness within was all the deeper. After the noise and turmoil of six days, the silence was more grateful to her weary sense than the sound of sweetest music would have been; and closing her eyes, she leaned back, not to think, but to rest and be at peace.
Soon the congregation began to assemble, but her repose was too deep to be disturbed by the sound of footsteps or the rustling of garments. She neither stirred nor heard a sound till Annie laid her hand upon her arm. Then she awoke with a start, coming back to a realisation of time and place, with a flutter of confusion and pain.
“What ails you? Have you been sleeping? Are you not well?” whispered Annie, in alarm.
“Oh, yes, I’m well enough. I think I must have been sleeping, though,” said Christie, scarcely able to restrain a laugh at Annie’s astonishment.
“Sleeping! at this time of day, and in the kirk too!” exclaimed Annie.
“Well, never mind,” said Christie, smiling, and holding down her head to hide her confusion. “Did you see David McIntyre? I’m almost sure I saw him in the street.”
“Yes, I saw him. He brought this letter from Effie.”
Christie took it from her.
“Don’t read it now, in the kirk. There’s nothing in it that will not keep. There is a little note for yourself inside. They are all well. Why didna you come up to-day? I have something to tell you.”