“Ah, yes. But, mother, you have not heard. Such a wonderful thing I must tell you. There was a will, after all.” And Agnes told her the whole story, her mother listening eagerly. “And now,” she said, as she concluded, “Mr. Willett will take steps to see that we get our rights.” “Thank God!” ejaculated her mother. “Ah, my dear lass, I was sore hearted to know what we would do, for the space here is main small for all of us.” “Yes, but it is coming summer, and we need not mind. Ah, mother, I am used now to this backwoods way of living, and you will be, too, soon. I am afraid, it will be some time before we can get possession of the house, for Humphrey Muirhead will stay till he is put out. Did you know about him, mother?” “Yes,” she answered slowly. “My father told me the last time that I saw him alive. ‘He’s no credit to us, daughter,’ he said, ‘and will likely never cross your path. I’d have more for you but for him, and it’s but right that what is left should be yours, although he is the eldest and bears my name. I have made my will,’ he said--” “Did he tell you that?” “He told me that.” “But he did not sign it. I think that ruffian uncle of mine must have known about it.” “If he did not sign it, of course it was of no value. Your grandfather had a housekeeper after my mother’s death; the woman was a half-breed, but quite a good creature. I don’t know what has become of her. The house is a good one, your grandfather said, and the farm was well stocked.” “I’m afraid, from all accounts, that it is going to be hard work to get anything, but we shall see. It is a good thing to have friends, mother.” “And this Mr. Willett, he is a good friend? You remember I haven’t seen him.” “He is a good friend,” Agnes answered slowly, “and so are the M’Cleans. You saw Archie?” “Yes, a fine lad.” She laid her hand gently on Agnes’s head. “What did he tell me but that my little girl would have the chance of becoming a meenister’s wife?” “He told you that?” “Yes.” “And what did you say?” “I said, ‘My little lass is far too young.’” “Am I so young? Seventeen, mother.” “So you are. I did not count in the years you have been away from me, but you will not leave me now, my lamb? Not yet?” “Oh, mother, I have no thought of such a thing. Archie is a good laddie and has been kinder than I can tell you, but I do not think of him in that way. He will be away long enough to forget, I think.” “Not forget, boyish though his love may be, but he may learn to care for some other with whom he may be thrown. Yet, I would not object to giving my little girl to a good man, and I might like the honor of becoming mother-in-law to a meenister.” “You’ll be no one’s mother-in-law yet awhile.” Agnes gave her mother a fervent hug. “I shall help you to raise the children, and you know, you have much to learn of me, for I am a pioneer this long time, while you are quite new to it.”