COURTIN’ CHRISTINA J. J. BELL COURTIN’ CHRISTINA BY J. J. BELL AUTHOR OF “WEE MACGREGOR,” “JIM,” “OH! CHRISTINA,” ETC. [Illustration: Printer’s Logo] HODDER & STOUGHTON NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY Copyright, 1913 BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY TO J. E. HODDER WILLIAMS WHO SUGGESTED IT COURTIN’ CHRISTINA CHAPTER ONE Mrs. Robinson conveyed sundry dishes from the oven, also the teapot from the hob, to the table. “Come awa’,” she said briskly, seating herself. “We’ll no’ wait for Macgreegor.” “Gi’e him five minutes, Lizzie,” said Mr. Robinson. “I’m in nae hurry,” remarked Gran’paw Purdie, who had come up from the coast that afternoon. “I’m awfu’ hungry, Maw,” piped a young voice. “Whisht, Jimsie,” whispered daughter Jeannie. Said Mrs. Robinson, a little impatiently: “Come awa’, come awa’, afore everything gets spiled. Macgreegor has nae business to be that late.” She glanced at the clock. “He’s been the same a’ week. Haste ye, John.” John opened his mouth, but catching his wife’s eye, closed it again without speech. Excepting Jimsie, they came to the table rather reluctantly. “Ask a blessin’, fayther,” murmured Lizzie. “Shut yer eyes,” muttered Jeannie to her little brother, while she restrained his eager paw from reaching a cookie. Mr. Purdie’s white head shook slightly as he said grace; he had passed his five and seventieth birthday, albeit his spirit was cheerful as of yore; in his case old age seemed to content itself with an occasional mild reminder. John distributed portions of stewed finnan haddie, Lizzie poured out the tea, while Jeannie methodically prepared a small feast for the impatient Jimsie. Gran’paw Purdie beamed on the four, but referred surreptitiously at brief intervals to his fat silver watch. * * * * * It is eight years since last we saw the Robinson family. Naturally we find the greatest changes in the younger members. Jimsie from an infant has become a schoolboy; he is taller, more scholarly, less disposed to mischief, more subdued of nature than was Macgregor at the same age; yet he is the frank, animated young query that his brother was, though, to be sure, he has a sister as well as parents to puzzle with his questions. At thirteen Jeannie is a comely, fair-haired little maid, serious for her years, devoted to Jimsie, very proud of Macgregor, and a blessing to her parents who, strangely enough, rarely praise her; her chief end seems to be to serve those she loves without making any fuss about it.