The New World 259

Poor Babbie put her hand to her heart, but
the innocent lad continued, mercilessly :

“Tf ony shame comes to the minister, his auld
mither’ll die. How have you sic an ill-will at
the minister?”

Babbie held up her hands like a supplicant.

“T’ll gie you my rabbit,’ Micah said, “if
you'll gang awa. I’ve juist the ane.” She shook
her head, and, misunderstanding her, he cried,
with his knuckles in his eye, “I'll gie you them
baith, though I’m michty sweer to part wi
Spotty.”

Then at last Babbie found her voice.

“Keep your rabbits, laddie,”’ she said, “and
greet no more. I’m gaen awa.”

“ And you'll never come back no more a’ your
life?’ pleaded Micah.

“Never no more a’ my life,” repeated Babbie.

“And ye’ll leave the minister alane for ever
and ever?”

“Wor ever and ever.”

Micah rubbed his face dry, and said, “ Will
you let me stand on the Standing Stane and
watch you gaen awa for ever and ever?”

At that a sob broke from Babbie’s heart, and
looking at her doubtfully, Micah said:

“ Maybe you’re gey ill for what you’ve done?”

“Ay,” Babbie answered, “I’m gey ill for what
[ve done.”

A minute passed, and in her anguish she did
not know that still she was standing at the dyke.
Micah’s voice roused her :

“You said you would gang awa, and you’re no
gaen.”