“I hope I may; and then I’ll ask Alec to come and stay with me, since you will na let him come here,” said Donald.
“I could na deny him onything—so, if he wishes to come, he must come,” said Janet.
“Then I will tell him,” said Donald, “and I am sure he will not carry tales to the other boys.”
The next morning Alec found out the house on his road to school, and made his way up to Janet’s attic. He tapped gently at the door. Donald went out to meet him.
“I told you we did not live in a fine house, and so you see,” he observed, pointing round the room. “But I am sure you do not think the worse of us, or our good nurse. We should have been starving if it was not for her—that’s what I have got to tell you.”
“No, indeed, I do not think the worse of you or her,” answered Alec. “If I thought it would vex you I would not have come; and I promise you that I will not say a word to others which you would not wish me to say. But my mother desired me to call and invite your sister Margaret to spend the day with her, if Mistress Janet will give her leave.”
“She will go, and gladly, as soon as the boys are off to school,” said Janet, answering at once for Margaret.
“Come along then,” exclaimed Alec to his companions. “My mother is longing to see Miss Margaret again, and we will not delay her.”
As soon as the boys were away Janet set off with her charge. Mrs Galbraith received her with the greatest kindness, and would have had Janet to stay with her also.
“Thank ye, Mistress Galbraith,” answered Janet. “But I ha’ my household affairs to attend to, and they will na get on very weel unless I am present.”