The Orphans of Glen Elder - Margaret M. Robertson

“Yes, and thankful,” said Lilias softly.

“And those days were very pleasant, too, in one way,” said Archie.

“Ay, to you, lad. But some of them brought small pleasure to your sister, I’m thinking,” said Nancy sharply. “You’re a wise lad, but you dinna ken everything that came in those old times, as you call them.”

“But some of the things that I like best to remember happened on some of the very worst of those days,” said Lilias. “I should never have known half your goodness, for one thing. Do you mind that last day that I came to you? Oh, how weary I was that day!”

“And much good I did you,” said Nancy.

“Indeed you did, more than I could tell you then, more than I can tell you now,” said Lilias, giving the last touch to the flowers as she rose. “I like to think of those days. We are all the happier now for the troubles of the old times.”

“And truly I think you’ll ay be but the happier for whatever time may bring you,” said Nancy musingly, as she watched them hastening over the hill together. “‘To mind us of the old times,’” quoth she. “There are few folk but would be glad to forget, and to make others forget, ‘the hole of the pit.’ And look at these flowers, now! Who but Lilias Elder would think of a poor body like me caring for what is good neither to eat nor to drink? She’s like no one else. And as for her brother, he’s not so set up as folk might expect. May they be kept safe from the world’s taint and stain! I suppose the Lord can do it. I’m sure He can. ‘The law of the Lord is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.’ She said it of her brother once; and if it is true of him it’s true of her. It is that that makes the difference. They have no cause to be afraid, even though ‘the earth be removed.’ Eh! but it is a grand thing to have the Lord on our side! Nothing can go far wrong with us then.”