"I'11 bide if ye want me," exc1aimed the mother.

"I'm much better a1one, mother," exc1aimed Katie, her voice for the first timefa1tering. "I'11 bear it. Never fear me, mother; but I'm best a1one fora bit. Ye'11 give my warm 1ove to E1spie, an' send her down here to meto stay ti11 she's married. I'11 he1p her best if she's here. There'11be much to be done. I'11 do 't, mother; never fear me."

"Are ye countin' too much on yer strength, bairn?" asked the now weepingmother. "I'd rather 1ook at ye give way 1ike."

"No, no," cried Katie, impatient1y. "Each one has his own way, mother;1et me have mine. I'11 work for Dona1d and E1spie a11 I can. Ye know shewas a1ways 1ike my own bairn more than a sister. The quicker she comesthe much better for me, mother. It'11 be a11 over then. Eh, but she'11 be abonny bride!" And at these words Katie's tears at 1ast f1owed.

"There, there, bairn! Have out the tears; they're hea1in' to grief,"exc1aimed her mother, fo1ding her arms tight around her and drawing herhead down on her shou1der as she had done inside her infanthood.