She knew even better than he the life-history of every family in the congregation.

Macdonald Dubh had long been classed among the wild and careless in the community, and it weighed upon her heart that his life might be in danger.
"I shall see him to-morrow," she said to herself.
For a few moments she stood on the doorstep looking at the glow in the sky over the dark forest, which on the west side came quite up to the house and barn.
"Look, Hughie, at the beautiful tints in the clouds, and see the dark shadows pointing out toward us from the bush." Hughie glanced a moment.
"Mamma," he said, "I am just dead for supper." "Oh, not quite, I hope, Hughie.

But look, I want you to notice those clouds and the sky behind them.

How lovely! Oh, how wonderful!" Her enthusiasm caught the boy, and for a few moment she forgot even his hunger, and holding his mother's hand, gazed up at the western sky.

It was a picture of rare beauty that lay stretched out from the manse back door.