Before the winter set in, the laird had seen that she was provided with peats--that much he could do, because it cost him nothing but labour; and indeed each of the several cart-loads Cosmo himself had taken, with mare Linty between the shafts.

But no amount of fire could keep the frost out of the old woman's body, or the sorrow out of her bones.
Hence she had to be a good deal in bed, and needed her great-grandchild, Agnes, to help her to bear her burden.

When the bitter weather came, soon after Christmas, Agnes had to be with her almost constantly.

She had grown a little graver, but was always cheerful, and, except for anxiety lest her mother should be overworked, or her father take cold, seemed as happy with her grandmother as at home.
One afternoon, when the clouds were rising, and the wind blew keen from the north, Cosmo left Glenwarlock to go to the village--mainly to see Grannie.

He tramped the two miles and a half in all the joy of youthful conflict with wind and weather, and reached the old woman's cottage radiant.