She can go in the morning." "What is it, Jessie ?" The minister's wife came into the kitchen.
"Oh, Ranald, I'm glad to see you back.

Hughie told me you had come.

But your father is ill, he said.

How is he ?" Ranald shook hands shyly, feeling much ashamed under Jessie's sharp reproof.
"Indeed, it was Aunt Kirsty that sent me," said Ranald, apologetically.
"Then she ought to have known better," said Jessie, sharply.
"Never mind, Jessie.

Ranald, tell me about your father." "He is very bad indeed, and my aunt is afraid that--" The boy's lip trembled.