He was a Lanark man by birth, but had come to Edinburgh to try his fortunes, and by steady well-doing and shrewd business capacity was likely to succeed. "And how are they all at Inverburn? Come, tell me about every man, woman, and child in the parish, Andrew," said the merchant. "It’s like a gliff of the heather-scented wind to look upon your faces, bairns, and to think you were reared in the shade of the birks of Inverburn!" The merchant spoke lightly, but a tear started in his honest eye, as he lifted Agnes on his knee, and drew David to his side. "’Deed they must have something to eat first, Edward, my man," interrupted Mistress Kilgour. "Come, bairns, to your milk and bread. It’s no like the milk and home-made scones at the manse, but it’s the best I have, an’ ye get it wi’ Auntie Jean’s kind, kind love." They drew in their chairs to the table, and after the minister had asked a fervent blessing on the board, they ate with a will, for their mode of travelling had given them all appetites. "You are never asking for _our_ bairn, Andrew," said the fond mother slily, when presently the little one stirred slightly in its cradle. "Truly I forgot, Jean," said the minister, with a smile; "and yet it was among Ailie’s last messages--sympathy and love to you about the little one. God grant she may grow up a blessing to you both." The little Agnes presently slipped from her chair, and, stealing over to the cradle, looked in upon the smiling face of the infant. Her own was suffused with a glow of tender wondering pleasure, which made her aunt look at her again. And when, presently, Mistress Kilgour lifted the child, Agnes kept close by her side, as if the babe were a magnet from which she could not separate herself. The conversation during supper turned chiefly upon topics connected with the parish of Inverburn, in which both the merchant and his wife were deeply and affectionately interested, for, though they had built up a home in Edinburgh, their hearts were knit to their native glen in the bonds of a deep, enduring love.