Janet's Love and Service Part 23

"I used to admire Graeme's patience on the 'Steadfast'," said Harry.

"I did that before the days of the 'Steadfast,'" said Arthur.

Rosie pouted her pretty lips.

"I must have been an awful creature."

"Oh! awful," said Norman.

"A spoilt bairn, if ever there was one," said Harry. "I think I see you hiding your face, and refusing to look at any of us."

"I never thought Graeme could make anything of you," said Norman.

"Graeme has though," said the elder sister, laughing. "I wouldna give my bonny Scottish Rose, for all your western lilies, Norman."

And so they went on, jestingly.

"Menie," said Arthur, suddenly, "what do you see in the fire?"

Menie was gazing with darkening eyes, in among the red embers. She started when her brother spoke.

"I see--Oh! many things. I see our old garden at home,--in Clayton, I mean--and--"

"It must be an imaginary garden, then. I am sure you canna mind that."

"Mind it! indeed I do. I see it as plainly as possible, just as it used to be. Only somehow, the spring and summer flowers all seem to be in bloom together. I see the lilies and the daisies, and the tall white rose-bushes blossoming to the very top."

"And the broad green walk," said Harry.

"And the summer-house."

"And the hawthorn hedge."

"And the fir trees, dark and high."

"And the two apple trees."

"Yes,--the tree of life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, I used to think them," said Norman.

"And I, too," said Menie. "Whenever I think of the garden of Eden, I fancy it like our garden at home."

"Your imagination is not very brilliant, if you can't get beyond _that_ for Paradise," said Arthur, laughing.

"Well, maybe not, but I always do think of it so. Oh! it was a bonny place. I wish I could see it again."

"Well, you must be ready to go home with me, in a year or two," said Norman. "You needna laugh, Graeme, I am going home as soon as I get rich."

"In a year or two! you're nae blate!"

"Oh! we winna need a great fortune, to go home for a visit. We'll come back again. It will be time enough to make our fortune then. So be ready, Menie, when I come for you."

"Many a thing may happen, before a year or two," said Marian, gravely.

"Many a thing, indeed," said Graeme and Norman, in a breath. But while Graeme gazed with sudden gravity into her sister's flushed face, Norman added, laughingly.

"I shouldn't wonder but you would prefer another escort, before that time comes. I say, Menie, did anybody ever tell you how bonny you are growing?"

Menie laughed, softly.

"Oh! yes. Emily told me when she came home; and so did Harry. And you have told me so yourself to-day, already."

"You vain fairy! and do you really think you're bonny?"

"Janet says, I'm like Aunt Marian, and she was bonnier even than mamma."

"Like Aunt Marian!" Graeme remembered Janet's words with a pang. But she strove to put the thought from her; and with so many bright faces round her, it was not difficult to do to-night. Surely if Marian were ill, and in danger, the rest would see it too. And even Janet's anxiety had been at rest for a while. Menie was better now. How merry she had been with her brothers for the last few days. And though she seemed very weary to-night, no wonder. So were they all. Even Rosie, the tireless, was half asleep on Arthur's knee, and when all the pleasant bustle was over, and they were settled down in their old quiet way, her sister would be herself again. Nothing so terrible could be drawing near, as the dread which Janet had startled herewith that day.

"Emily," said Harry, "why do you persist in going back to that horrid school? Why don't you stay at home, and enjoy yourself?"

"I'm not going to any horrid school," said Emily.

"You can't make me believe that you would rather be at school than at home, doing as you please, and having a good time with Rose and Menie here."

Emily laughed. "I would like that; but I like going back to school too."

"But you'll be getting so awfully wise that there will be no talking to you, if you stay much longer."

"In that case, it might do you good to listen," said Emily, laughing.

"But you are altogether too wise already," Harry persisted. "I really am quite afraid to open my lips in your presence."

"We have all been wondering at your strange silence, and lamenting it,"

said Arthur.

"But, indeed, I must have a word with the deacon about it," said Harry.

"I can't understand how he has allowed it so long already. I must bring my influence to bear on him."

"You needn't," said Emily. "I have almost prevailed upon Graeme, to let Menie go back with me. There will be two learned ladies then."

Graeme smiled, and shook her head.

"Not till summer. We'll see what summer brings. Many things may happen before summer," she added, gravely.

They all a.s.sented gravely too, but not one of them with any anxious thought of trouble drawing near. They grew quiet after that, and each sat thinking, but it was of pleasant things mostly; and if on anyone there fell a shadow for a moment, it was but with the thought of the morrow's parting, and never with the dread that they might not all meet on earth again.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.