Jimmy laughed. “Ye’ve no call to say that, ma’am; it stirs up the blood to be havin’ a bit av adventure, an’ there’s no wan av us but’s glad to sarve you. It puts naebody in a pother at all. We’ll have ye settled in your own corner gin ye know it, Mrs. Kennedy. By the way, Nancy,” he turned to the girl who was eagerly taking in all the talk, “I saw Davy Campbell the morn; he was up for me to shoe his mare, an’ he says Jeanie would like to see ye; she’s a bit av news for ye.” “Then I’ll go over.” Agnes looked at her mother for approval. “Certainly go,” said Mrs. Kennedy. And that afternoon Agnes set forth. She had been eager to see Jeanie in her new establishment, and was not surprised to find her singing blithely and looking as happy as possible. She ran out to meet Agnes and drew her indoors. Everything was spick-and-span about the little cabin, and David’s thought for his bride was evidenced by the many useful little helps toward her housekeeping that his busy hands had provided for her. “He is so good, is Davy,” said Jeanie, showing off her various possessions with much pride. “I wish ye had a man of your ain, Nancy.” Agnes laughed. “’Tis always the way of those who’re married; they’re soon ready to entice others into the trap into which they have fallen.” “Ah but, Nancy, that’s no way to speak of matrimony. See how happy I am, and is it strange that I should want a like happiness to come to you?” “A girl might well envy you, Jeanie, for you’ve everything very comfortable,” Agnes confessed. “David has even planted a flower garden for me,” the bride told her friend, “and he gets up bright and early to weed it. Did you ever hear of a man like that? Most think there’s more than enough to do, but there’s not a lazy bone in David’s body.” “But what’s the news you have to tell me, Jeanie?” “Ah, that’s the best yet; Archie is coming home for a spell, an’ he’ll study here with the meenister, and then go to the academy at Canonsburg, and that’ll be no so far from home. Are you not glad, Nancy?” “I am very glad for Archie.” “And you will be glad to see him?” “Of course, Jeanie, why shouldn’t I be?” But she spoke without much enthusiasm, then realizing her spiritless speech, she added: “We’re old friends, Archie and I, and we’ve had many a good time together. I hope we’ll have many another.” “I can echo that wish,” Jeanie responded heartily. “Sit down, now, Nancy, and tell me all that has been going on your way.” Agnes drew her knitting from her pocket, and the two sat on the doorsill, their fingers busy with their clicking needles and their tongues going quite as fast. Agnes related Jimmy’s account of Bill Spear, and as this was a matter in which both Jeanie and David were greatly interested, her piece of news was received with much attention. “David will be glad to hear that it is all cleared up. How everything is smoothing out, Agnes! I am so glad for you all. Must you go?” for Agnes had risen, and was putting away her knitting.