“Do you think she was glad to go?” asked Archie, one day, after they had been talking a long time.
“Yes; I think she was very glad to go; but at first it grieved her sorely to think of leaving us behind. I almost think she would have gone sooner but for that. After Aunt Janet came, it was different. After that she seemed willing to go at any time.”
There was a pause, and then Archie said:
“It is a pity that she didn’t know, before she went away, how we should come here, and what a bonny place it is. Lily, do you think she sees us now?”
“I don’t know. She may. Anyway, after that night she was willing to leave us. Indeed, she told me the night she died that she didn’t fear for us.”
The remembrance of that night always made Lilias’ cheek grow pale; and she did not speak again for some time. At last she said:
“Yes, this is a bonny place, and we have been very happy here; but there is one thing I am grieved for. You know, Archie, Aunt Janet is poor, and I fear in this place I shall not be able to find anything to do to help her. I fear I can’t bide here long.”
The thought of having to part from his sister had never come into Archie’s mind, and he looked at her in astonishment, as he said:
“But where would you go?”
“Oh, I don’t know yet. Only I think it’s not right to burden Aunt Janet more than can be helped. I heard Mrs Stirling say that Mrs Graham, at the manse, wanted some one to sew and help among the children; and maybe I would do for her.”