And they never say poor Harry--never except when they are commenting with full hearts and eyes upon some new proof of Harry’s kindness--and then it is said in applauding, grateful love, and not in pity. No longer poor Harry--for is he not a great landed proprietor, making such a stir in his district as no Allenders has done before him for a hundred years? and has not Sir John Dunlop invited Allenders of Allenders to dine with him on Christmas-day? They are very glad it is Christmas-day and not the new year--the Scottish family holy-tide--and Harry comes home greatly elated from Sir John Dunlop’s where they have treated him with the greatest distinction, like a guest of special honour. Lady Dunlop, too, promises to call on Mrs. Allenders, and Agnes blushes deep for pleasure, and is fluttered and excited, and sings to the baby such a song of triumph, that instead of being lulled to sleep as she intends, he opens his blue eyes wide, and seizing on the lace about her pretty neck, tears it with exultation and delight. Happy baby! young enough to do mischief with impunity! Little Harry, now two full years old, who does not at all admire this supplanting baby, and is still sore about his own dethronement, clenches his fist at him in anger and envy, and is the only person in the fireside circle who has sympathy with Agnes’s tribulation about her perished lace. Next week Cuthbert Charteris is coming for a single day to pay them a visit, for Cuthbert is very busy now, laying the foundation of a great business; and in honour of Cuthbert there is to be a party--the first which they have attempted--when the covers are to be taken off the drawing-room chairs, and Agnes and Rose are to appear in full costume. Youthful and inexperienced as they all are, this is a great event to them, and Agnes innocently reports to Harry various elegancies which she would like to have for her table and her pretty drawing-room, before the notable day; and Harry lays before them a plan of Miss Dunlop’s for a conservatory, which she herself has strongly recommended to him. Harry thinks he will set about it immediately, and it will not cost much, and Agnes and Rose are delighted and cannot sufficiently admire the artistic talent of Miss Dunlop. But to-morrow Harry has to pay fifty labourers--to-morrow a quarter’s salary falls due to the farm manager--to-morrow he has promised to pay for some fine Ayrshire cows, now luxuriating in the byre at Allender Mains--and to-morrow, alas! there are two separate dividends of interest, which cannot be postponed--Miss Jean’s, and a heavier creditor than Miss Jean.