16 THE SNOW GARDEN

‘Another?’ ;

‘Oh Myra, where did you get them from ?’

‘Ah, that I can’t tell you, said Myra, laughing
and turning very red.

Edmund frowned, and looked rather vexed ;
but luckily at that moment the grandmother came
in, and Myra held up the roses to her.

‘Those for us?’ said the old lady, hobbling
slowly in. ‘Well, I never saw the like. I was
just outside doing a bit of washing, and I did not
hear ye come in. Sit down, lassie, sit down. Ah,
what’s that yesay—going? I’m afraid he is, poor
lad—going very fast.’

‘No, granny, I meant I must be going. The
evenings close in so quickly, don’t they ?’

‘And you walking all that way back by your-
self. I wonder ye’re not afraid.’ :

‘I wish I could walk and take care of you,’ said
Edmund, with a sigh.

‘IT wish you could; but I shall try and think
about your plan of the mill all the way home, and
father will be looking out for me at the other end,
said Myra, laughing and kissing her hand to them
both in the doorway. ‘Good night!’

‘ There’s a brave lass for you, said the old lady
as she closed the door.