Second Sermon Against Women 169

thinks all his life that he did not propose until he
blurted out; “I love you.”

It was later than it should have been when the
minister left the mud house, and even then he
only put on his hat because Babbie said that she
must go.

“ But not your way,” she added. “TI go into
the wood and vanish. You know, Nanny, I live
up a tree.”

“ Dinna say that,” said Nanny, anxiously, “ or
I'll be fleid about the siller.”

“Don’t fear about it. Mr. Dishart will get
some of it to-morrow at the Kaims. I would
bring it here, but I cannot come so far to-
morrow.

“Then I'll hae peace to the end o’ my days,”
said the old woman, “and, Babbie, I wish the
same to you wi’ all my heart.”

“ Ah,” Babbie replied, mournfully, “I have
read my fortune, Nanny, and there is not much
happiness in it.”

“I hope that is not true,” Gavin said, simply.

They were standing at the door, and she was
looking towards the hill, perhaps without seeing it.
All at once it came to Gavin that this fragile girl
might have a history far sadder and more turbu-
lent than his.

“Do you really care?” she asked, without
looking at him.

“ Ves," he said; stoutly, 1 cares’

‘* Because you do not know me,” she said.

“ Because I do know you,” he answered.

Now she did look at him.

“T believe,” she said, making a discovery, “ that