“Well, bairns,” she said, after the first greetings were over, “will you come in, or will you sit down here at the door? It’s such a bonny day. So you’re home again, Archie, lad, and glad to be, I hope?”
“Very glad,” said Archie. “I never was so glad before.”
“You said that last time,” said Lilias, laughing.
“Well, maybe I did. But it’s true all the same. I’m more glad every time.”
“And you didna come home before it was time,” said Nancy. “You’re thinner and paler than your aunt likes to see you, I’m thinking.”
“I’m perfectly well, I assure you,” said Archie.
“He will have a rest and the fresh country air again,” said Lilias. “He has been very close at his books.”
“Well, it may be that,” said Mrs Stirling. “And so you’re glad to be home again? You havena been letting that daft laddie, Davie Graham, lead you into any mischief that you would be afraid to tell your sister about, I hope?”
Archie laughed, and shook his head. Lilias laughed a little, too, as she said—
“Oh no, indeed. Even John says they have done wonderfully well: and after that you need have no fear.”