4.06 The Little Minister

moaned; “and if the mistress hears, she’ll tell
me to let him in.”

‘You shall open to me,” cried a hoarse voice.

“That’s no Tammas’s word,’ Jean said, in
bewilderment.

“It is Lord Rintoul,” Babbie whispered.

““ What? Then it’s truth you telled me.”

The knocking continued; a door up-stairs
opened, and Margaret spoke over the banisters.

“‘ Flave you gone to bed, Jean? Some one is
knocking at the door, and a minute ago I thought
I heard a carriage stop close by. Perhaps the
farmer has driven Mr. Dishart home.”

“[’m putting on my things, ma’am,” Jean
answered ; then whispered to Babbie, “ What’s
to be done?”

“‘ Fe won’t go away,” Babbie answered. “ You
will have to let him into the parlour, Jean. Can
she see the door from up there?”

“No; but though he was in the parlour?”

“I shall go to him there.”

“ Make haste, Jean,’ Margaret called. “If it
is any persons wanting shelter, we must give it
them on such a night.”

“A minute, ma’am,” Jean answered. To Bab-
bie, she whispered, “ What shall I say to
her?”

“J—TI don’t know,” answered Babbie, rue-
fully. “Think of something, Jean. But open
the door now. Stop, let me into the parlour
first.”

The two women stole into the parlour.

“ Tell me what will be the result o’ his coming
here,” entreated Jean.