Oh, it was the sair nicht for those twa, yell ken withoot ma tellin' ye! Come three o' the clock next afternoon and there was the sound o' wheels ootside the wee hoose.

Jamie started and looked at Annie, and the tears sprang to their een as they turned to the wean.

In came the doctor, and wi' him a nurse, all starched and clean.
"Weel, Jamie, an' hoo are the patients the day?
None so braw, Annie, I'm fearin'.

'Tis a hard thing, my lassie, but the best in the end.
We'll hae ye on yer feet again in no time the noo, and ye can gie yer man a bonnier bairn next time! It's glad I am ye'll let me tak' the wean and care for him." Annie could not answer.

She was clasping the bairn close to her, and the tears were running down her twa cheeks.