“I think that can safely be said of all your family,” returned Agnes, as she stepped into the little skiff. “Good-by, Jerry. I hope we shall soon be nearer neighbors.” “I’ll give ye my hand on that,” Jerry answered, as he gave her boat a push off. It was now late in the day, and as Agnes climbed the hilly steep, she felt the strain of the morning had told upon her, and when she came in looking fagged and pale, her mother took alarm. “Why, my bairn,” she cried, “what ails you? Has it been so serious a thing?” “It was serious, very,” Agnes responded, sinking down on the settle. “It has been an exciting day, mother. I told you the truth when I said I might be needed, for I was, but I did mislead you a little, though some one really was ill. I will tell you all about it and I think you will not blame me. I could not tell you at the time, for I had promised Uncle Dod I would not, but now, as it has come out, he thinks I should let you know.” And she poured forth her tale to her mother’s attentive ears. When she had finished, her mother’s face wore a startled, pained expression. “It is terrible, Agnes,” she exclaimed. “What a lawless country that we have come to! I shall fear to go from the protection of Jimmy O’Neill’s big fist.” “You needn’t be,” returned Agnes, lightly, “for there is Uncle Dod Hunter and all his three big sons on one side and Parker Willett on the other. What chiefly concerns us now is the whereabouts of the will. I don’t believe Hump Muirhead has it, for he seemed really in earnest about his disappointment in not finding it. I believe in Mr. Willett’s impression that he gave it to some one, and I think he will remember who it is, so don’t let us trouble ourselves just yet to say anything about it to Jimmy or Polly.” “Another thing that worries me,” Mrs. Kennedy went on, “is our obligation to Mr. Willett; in trying to do us a service he has suffered, and I do not feel comfortable over it.” “Never mind, don’t fash yourself; he is safe, and let us hope the will is, too. Besides, now Hump will not want to do him any further harm because of Honey; so a blessing came out of that,” she added softly. “Now, mother, tell me what has been going on to-day since I left. Who has been here?” “Your friend, Jean M’Clean, for one. She came to bid us all to her wedding. It will take place next week.” “Why, that is a month sooner than she expected.” “Yes; but Jeanie says David is persistent, and that he cannot see any reason for waiting, and as there is no real reason, they may as well be married at once.” “Then you will see a true backwoods wedding, mother, and you may expect a roystering time. David went to Marietta on Wednesday, and I know now what was his errand. I wonder when he is coming back. He is a good David, though rather an obstinate one sometimes.”