“Wrong-doing,” repeated she, with a start. Then she rose impatiently, but sat down again in a moment. Was it “wrong-doing” in a woman to let her heart slip unawares and unasked from her own keeping? If this was indeed the thing that had happened to Rose? Or was it “wrong-doing” to come to the knowledge of one’s heart too late, as Harry had once hinted might be the end of Rosie’s foolish love of admiration?
“Wrong-doing,” she repeated again, with a sudden stir of indignation at her heart. “No, that must never be said of Rose. It must be one of the small tribulations that sooner or later fall to the lot of most women, as you said yourself Janet, a little ago. And it won’t do to discuss it, anyway. See, Rose has opened the gate for some one. Who is coming in?”
“My dear,” said Mrs Snow, gravely, “it was far from my thought to wish to know about anything that I should not. It is Sandy she is opening the gate for, and wee Rosie. He has been down for the papers, it seems, and he may have gotten letters as well.”
“But, Janet,” said Graeme, eagerly, “you know I could not mean that I could not tell you if I were ever so willing. I do not know. I can only guess; but as for ‘wrong-doing’—”
“My dear, you needna tell me that. Sandy, man, it must seem a strange-like thing to the folk in the village to see you carrying the child that way on your horse before you—you that have wagons of one kind or another, and plenty of them, at your disposal. Is it safe for the bairn, think you? Do you like that way of riding, my wee Rosie?”
“Yes, gamma, I ’ike it,” lisped the two years old Rosie, smiling brightly.
“It is safe enough, mother, you may be sure of that. And as for what the village folk may think, that’s a new thing for you to ask. It is the best and pleasantest way in the world for both Rosie and me.” And looking at the proud, young father and the happy child sitting before him, it was not to be for a moment doubted.
“It must be delightful,” said Rose, laughing. “I should like a ride myself, wee Rosie.”
“And why not?” said Mrs Snow. “Sandy, man, it is a wonder to me that you havena thought about it before. Have you your habit here, my dear? Why should you no’ bring young Major or Dandy over, saddled for Miss Rose? It would do her all the good in the world to get a gallop in a day like this.”
“There is no reason in the world why I should not, if Miss Rose, would like it.”