"And I will take good care of him." Once more Mrs.Murray found herself looking at Ranald as if seeing him for the first time.

He had the solemn voice and manner of a man making oath of allegiance, and she rode away with her heart at rest concerning her little boy.

With Ranald, at least, he would be safe.
* * * * * Those two days had been for Hughie long and weary, but at last the great day came for him, as all great days will come for those who can wait.
Ranald appeared at the manse before the breakfast was well begun, and Hughie, with the unconscious egoism of childhood, was for rushing off without thought of preparation for himself or of farewell for those left behind.

Indeed, he was for leaving his porridge untasted, declaring he "wasn't a bit hungry," but his mother brought him to his senses.
"No breakfast, no sugar bush to-day, Hughie," she said; "we cannot send men out to the woods that cannot eat breakfast, can we, Ranald ?" Hughie at once fell upon his porridge with vigor, while Ranald, who was much too shy to eat at the minister's table, sat and waited.
After breakfast was over, Jessie was called in for the morning worship, without which no day was ever begun in the manse.

At worship in the minister's house every one present took part.