My Lord thinks the old man is throwing away his own life and those of his family, but Walter is more hopeful. He says the land over there is good, and the harbors excellent, and he believes the new colony may in time become a place of importance. He tells me the colonists have begun by establishing schools, and have even founded a college, which seems odd enough. What will they do with a collage out there, among the savages? [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XII. _EBENEZER._ _January 3._ HOW ill have I treated this poor faithful journal of mine! And I fear 'tis like to fare even worse, in the future. I can hardly realize it, but such is the fact. I am going to be married the day after to-morrow. Whereas I had not expected such an event before June, at the nearest, and my poor dear child, Lady Betty, is the good fairy who has brought all this about. But I will go back and tell my story in an orderly manner. There was great bustle and interest in making ready for the holidays—more even than usual, for my Lord meant to celebrate the birth of his sons, by giving a good piece of beef, and a fine pudding to each one of the cottagers. He was to have had a feast for them at the Court, but on account of my Lady's health, and for some other reasons, that is put off till next summer. Then the school children were to be feasted at my Lady's expense, and a Christmas gift made to each, and all the maid servants were to have new gowns; all of which involved a good deal of work for some of us. Most of the shopping fell upon Lady Jemima, and myself, and we had a fine time going to Biddeford, and selecting gowns, ribbons, and the like. And I was surprised to see how much interest dear Lady Jemima took in the purchase. I could not have thought it was in her, to care so much for such a matter. She is a great deal more cheerful than I have ever seen her, and really grows pretty and plump, now that she has left off her fasting and sitting up of nights. Every one sees the change. I am sure she is very good to love me as she does. I don't believe I could do it, in her place. Betty was very grave and thoughtful for two or three days before Christmas, and I wondered what was in her head. On Christmas-Eve, as she and I were sitting in my Lady's room—my Lady nursing one of the babes, and Betty holding the other, I was glad to sit still, for I was thoroughly tired, and the quiet was very grateful to me. We had been silent for some minutes, when Betty spoke: "Mamma, why don't Margaret and Walter get married? I thought that was the next thing, when people were betrothed." "And so it is, my dear one!" answered her mother. "But then you see Margaret has a little nursling whom she does not like to leave. What do you think you would do without her?" "But she would not go so very far-away. She would only be at Corby-End," said Betty. Then, after a little silence, "Mamma, I should like to see Margaret married."