Scarcely had she
gathered his meaning, however, when he was checked by her startled look.
"And what wad ye hae me dee wi' my bairn?" she asked instantly, without
sign of perplexity, smiling on the little one as at some absurdity in her
arms rather than suggested to her mind.
But the minister was sufficiently in love to disregard the unexpected
indication. His pride was indeed a little hurt, but he resisted any show of
offence, reflecting that her anxiety was not altogether an unnatural one.
"Oh, we shall easily find some experienced mother," he answered, "who will
understand better than you even how to take care of him!"
"Na, na!" she rejoined. "I hae baith a father and a wean to luik efter; and
that's aboot as muckle as I'll ever be up til!"
So saying, she rose and carried the little one up to the room her father
now occupied, nor cast a single glance in the direction of her would-be
lover.
Now at last he was astonished. Could it mean that she had not understood
him? It could not be that she did not appreciate his offer! Her devotion to
the child was indeed absurdly engrossing, but that would soon come right!
He could have no fear of such a rivalry, however unpleasant at the moment!
That little vagrant to come between him and the girl he would make his
wife!
He glanced round him: the room looked very empty! He heard her oft-
interrupted step through the thin floor: she was lavishing caresses on the
senseless little animal! He caught up his hat, and with a flushed face went
straight to the soutar where he sat at work.
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