She's no workin', ye see." Whereupon Willie shut the door, and Annie found herself very comfortable indeed.

There she sat, in perfect contentment, watching the progress of the boat--a progress not very perceptible to her inexperienced eyes, for the building of a boat is like the building of a city or the making of a book: it turns out a boat at last.

But after she had sat for a good while in silence, she looked up at Alec, and said: "Is there naething I can do to help ye, Alec ?" "Naething, Annie.

Lassies canna saw or plane, ye ken.

Ye wad tak' aff yer ain lugs in a jiffey." Again she was silent for a long time; and then, with a sigh, she looked up and said: "Alec, I'm so cauld!" "I'll bring my plaid to row ye in the morn's nicht." Annie's heart bounded for joy; for here was what amounted to an express invitation for to-morrow.
"But," Alec went on, "come wi' me, and we'll sune get ye warm again.
Gie's yer han'." Annie gave Alec her hand; and he lifted her out of her heap of spales, and led her away.