“Yes—the boys will write; we will all write. I can hardly believe that six weeks ago we had never seen you. Oh! I wish you were going with us,” said Graeme.
“Allan will see Arthur when he comes. Arthur will want to see all the country,” said Norman.
“And maybe he will like the Queen’s dominions best, and wish to settle there,” said Allan.
“Oh! but we shall see you long before Arthur comes,” said Graeme. “Is it very far to Canada?”
“I don’t know—not very far, I suppose. I don’t feel half so hopeful now that I am about to know what my fate is to be. I have a great dread on me. I have a mind not to go to my uncle at all, but seek my fortune here.”
“But your mother wouldna be pleased,” said Graeme, gravely.
“No. She has great hopes of what my uncle may do for me. But it would be more agreeable to me not to be confined to one course. I should like to look about me a little, before I get fairly into the treadmill of business.”
In her heart Graeme thought it an excellent thing for Allan that he had his uncle to go to. She had her own ideas about young people’s looking about them, with nothing particular to do, and quite agreed with Janet and Dr Watts as to the work likely to be found for them to do. But she thought it would be very nice for them all, if instead of setting off at once for Canada, Allan might have gone with them for a little while. Before she could say this, however, Janet spoke.
“Ay, that’s bairn-like, though you hae a man’s stature. I dare say you would think it a braw thing to be at naebody’s bidding; but, my lad, it’s ae’ thing to hae a friend’s house, and a welcome waiting you in a strange land like this, and it’s anither thing to sit solitary in a bare lodging, even though you may hae liberty to come and go at your ain will. If you’re like the lads that I ken’ maist about, you’ll be none the worse of a little wholesome restraint. Be thankful for your mercies.”
Allan laughed good-humouredly.