“'It wes her throat, an' the doctor wes feared frae the first day; the nicht she didna come she wes carried (delirious); she... said “Jamie, Jamie,” ower an' ower again, an' wanted tae rise. “'Aboot daybreak she cam tae hersel, and knew oor faces. “A'm deein',” she said, “an' a' didna keep ma tryst last nicht. It's ower late noo, an' a 'll no see him on earth again. “'“Tell James Soutar that it wesna ma blame a' failed, an' gie him ma Bible,” an' a while aifter she said, “A 'll keep the tryst wi' him some day,” an'... that 's a'.' “Her brither gied me the book an' waited, expeckin' me tae say somethin', but a' hed nae words, an' he left me on the road, coontin' me hard o' hert; a' wes a' that nicht... at the stile. “Doctor, wull ye obleege me by gaein' tae that cupboard and bringin' me ma Sabbath hat?” Jamie took off the ring of crape, thin and faded with the years, and held it for a moment in his hand. “Pit it in the fire, doctor, whar a' can see it burn; a've worn it forty-four years laist spring, but a 'll no need it again, for a 'm gaein' oot o' mournin' sune. “Here's her Bible,” and Jamie brought it from a shelf in his box bed; “gin ye come tae ma chestin' (coffining), wull ye see it be pit in? There's naethin' else a' want tae cairry wi' me tae the ither side, an'... a 'll juist bid ye gude-bye, doctor; ye 're an honest man ootside an' in.” “Would you like.. said the doctor, evidently moved. “A' wud be obleeged,” and Jamie took off his night-cap. Doctor Davidson prayed: “Heavenly Father, who only art the source of love and the giver of every good gift, we thank Thee for the love wherewith the soul of Thy servant clave unto this woman as Jacob unto Rachel, which many years have not quenched. Remember the faithfulness of this true heart, and disappoint not its expectation. May the tryst that was broken on earth be kept in heaven, and be pleased to give Thy... give Jamie a good home-coming. Amen.” “Thank ye, doctor; ye 've said what I wantit, an'... it wes kind o' ye tae pit in Jamie,” and his hand came out from the bed for a last grasp. He watched the minister go, and when Elspeth returned he said, “Yon's a richt man.” The upland children returning home from school in the afternoon came to the cottage door, and Jamie, who had been dozing, heard their whispering. “There's some o' thae prodigals oot there in the gairden; bring them in, Elspeth, or a' give them a hearin'; they 've juist been the torment o' ma life.” They came in warily, as those who had some experience of former tricks, but there was no fear even among the girls. Had it not been known how Jamie detested children, you would have imagined that he had been their playmate.