The shop and their own children, chiefly the former occupied their thoughts, and the less trouble they had from the presence of Annie, the better pleased they were--always provided they could escape the censure of neglect.

Hence it came that Annie's absences were but little inquired into.

All the attention they did show her, seemed to them to be of free grace and to the credit of their charity.
But Bruce did not like the influence that James Dow had with her; and before they retired for the night, he had another lecture ready for Annie.
"Annie," he said, "it's no becomin' for ane i' your station to be sae familiar.

Ye'll be a young leddy some day, and it's no richt to tak up wi' servan's.

There's Jeames Doo, jist a labourin' man, and aneath your station a'thegether, and he taks ye up in's airms, as gin ye war a bairn o' 's ain.