There are other reasons," she added, "good reasons." She had carried it home triumphantly, and little Morva had never after missed a mother's love and tenderness.

The seventeen years that followed had glided happily over her head; in fact she was so perfect an embodiment of health and happiness, that she sometimes excited the envy of the somewhat sombre dwellers on those lonely hillsides; and when in the golden sunset, she suddenly rose from the gorse bloom to greet Will's sight, she had never appeared brighter or more brimful of joy.
"Well, indeed," said Will, casting a furtive glance behind him, to make sure that no one from Garthowen was following in his footsteps, "Morva, lass, where hast come from?
I will begin to think thou art one of the spirits thy mother says she sees.

I thought thee wast busy in the dairy at home!" Morva laughed merrily.
"I had some milk to bring home, and Ann sent me early to help mother a bit.

I was going now to gather dry furze and bracken to boil the porridge.

Will you come and have supper with us, Will ?" "I have just had my tea," he said, "and a supper of bitter herbs into the bargain, for my father angered me by something he said.