Now Mr.John happened to be away at the fishing, and a reckless maid showed them into the presence of a strange man, who was no other than his brother Ivie, home for a year's holiday from India, and naturally this extraordinary occurrence so agitated them that Miss Ailie had told half her story before she realized that Miss Kitty was titting at her dress.

Then indeed she sought to withdraw, but Ivie, with the alarming yet not unpleasing audacity of his sex, said he had heard enough to convince him that in this matter he was qualified to take his brother's place.

But he was not, for he announced, "My advice to you is not to give T.a halfpenny," which showed that he did not even understand what they had come about.
They begged permission to talk to each other behind the door, and presently returned, troubled but brave.

Miss Kitty whispered "Courage!" and this helped Miss Ailie to the deed.
"We have quite made up our minds to let T.have the money," she said, "but--but the difficulty is the taking it to him.

Must we take it in person ?" "Why not ?" asked Ivie, bewildered.
"It would be such a painful meeting to us." said Miss Ailie.
"And to him," added simple Miss Kitty.
"You see we have thought it best not to--not to know him," said Miss Ailie, faintly.
"Mother--" faltered Miss Kitty, and at the word the eyes of both ladies began to fill.
Then, of course, Mr.McLean discovered the object of their visit, and promised that his brother should take this delicate task off their hands, and as he bowed them out he said, "Ladies, I think you are doing a very foolish thing, and I shall respect you for it all my life." At least Miss Kitty insisted that respect was the word, Miss Ailie thought he said esteem.
That was how it began, and it progressed for nearly a year at a rate that will take away your breath.