“And did the course of true love for once run smooth,” said Rose. Mrs Snow smiled at their eagerness.
“As for the love at first sight—it came very soon to my Sandy. I am no’ sure about Emily. As for its running smooth, there was a wee while it was hindered. They had their doubts and fears, as was natural, and their misunderstandings. But, oh! bairns, it was just wonderful to sit by and look at them. I saw their happy troubles coming on before they saw it themselves, I think. It was like a story out of a book, to watch them; or like one of the songs folk used to sing when I was young—the sweet old Scottish songs, that are passing out of mind now, I fear. I never saw the two together in our garden, but I thought of the song that begins,—”
“Ae simmer nicht when blobs o’ dew,
Garred ilka thing look bonny—”
“Ah! Well, God has been good to them, and to us all.”
“And Mr Snow was well pleased, of course,” said Fanny.
“Pleased is hardly the word for it. He had just set his heart on it from the very first, and I had, whiles, much ado to keep him from seeming to see things and to keep him from putting his hand to help them a wee, which never does, you ken. Folk must find out such things for themselves, and the canniest hand may hinder, rather than help, with the very best will. Oh ay, he was well pleased.”
“And it is so nice that they are to be so close beside you. I daresay we shall hardly know our old home, it will be so much improved.”
“It is improved, but no’ beyond your knowledge of it. It was ay a bonny place, you’ll mind. And it is improved, doubtless, for her father thinks there is nothing too good for Emily.”
“And Oh! bairns, we have a reason to be thankful. If we trust our affairs in God’s hand, He’ll ‘bring it to pass,’ as he has said. And if we are his, there is no’ fear but the very best thing for us will happen in the end.”