“And you’ll just go to your dinner with the minister and the bairns, and I’ll rest myself a wee while, for, oh! I have little strength. But I’ll soon have more.”
After dinner Mr Maxwell came in to say a few words to Mrs Fleming, and “to give thanks,” as she said, and then the old people were left alone together again. Whether they slept or not, grannie could not tell.
“But we didna think long, my dear,” said she to Katie, with her faint, glad smile.
Mr Maxwell would have liked to lie all the afternoon on the orchard grass, with Davie and his mother sitting near, and Katie and the rest coming and going, as the work permitted, for it was sweet and restful there. But the old squire might wish to see him. He had visited him almost daily for a while, and so after a little he rose and said he must go.
“And grannie is better, but Miss Elizabeth will have no glad morning. Oh, if we could comfort her,” said Katie, gravely.
“And don’t you think that all that has comforted you all to-day, will comfort her also?” said Mr Maxwell.
“Miss Elizabeth has always rejoiced with the joyful, and sympathised with those who were in sorrow,” said Katie’s mother.
“And that is why she is loved so dearly,” said Katie.
“And she was ay fond of grannie,” said Davie.
“She will be comforted,” said the minister.