“Pine-tree Hollow! Well, and why not?” said grannie, too loyal to the old man to let Katie see that she was startled by her words. “It has been for a while’s peace, as you say. And now you’ll run up the brae after him, and take no heed, but wile him from his vexing thoughts, like a good bairn as you are.”
“And there’s nothing wrong, grannie?” said Katie, wistfully.
“Nothing more than usual; nothing the Lord doesna ken o’, my bairn. Run away and speak to him, and be blithe and douce, and he’ll forget his trouble with your hand in his.”
Katie’s voice was like a bird’s as she called: “Grandfather, grandfather, bide for me.”
The old man turned and waited for her.
“Doesna your grandmother need you, nor your mother, and can you come up the brae with that braw gown on?”
Katie smiled and took his hand.
“My gown will wash, and I’ll take care, and grannie gave me leave to come.”
And so the two went slowly up the hill, saying little, but content with the silence. When they came back again Mrs Fleming, who was waiting for them at the door, felt her burden lightened, for her first glance at her husband’s face told her he was comforted.
“My bonny Katie, gentle and wise, a bairn with the sense of a woman,” said she to herself, but she did not let her tenderness overflow. “We have gotten the milking over without you, Katie, my woman. And now haste you and take your supper, for it is time for the bairns’ catechism and we mustna keep your grandfather waiting.”