"Ever since I was a very little boy, Maddy. I remember when I was so small that I could scarcely talk plain, that my mother used to lay her hand upon my head, and ask the dear Saviour to bless her boy. Then, when I was older, she used to take me every night to bed, and that was the time when she led my young heart up to Heaven. She has had many trials, Maddy; but she is always happy, for she is always looking up, and she tries to make me just as hopeful." "I wish that I had such a mother, Roland; nobody ever talks so to me. Aunt Matilda taught me the catechism and the creed, but it was just like saying parrot words; I do not know what they mean. I believe in Jesus, but not the way you do. I believe more in Roland, I think!" and the child smiled. "Why; what do you mean, Maddy?" "Why when I want to do something wrong, I don't ask, how would Jesus like it; but I often ask, how would Roland like it?" "Just pray, Maddy, every night, 'Open thou mine eyes,' and 'Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.'" "What is that rock, Roland?" "That rock is Christ, Maddy; if we keep our hearts fixed on him, we shall walk in the blessed way safely." While talking thus, Elsie Gibson joined them. "What are ye talking aboot, children?" asked the woman. "Roland was showing me how to find the blessed way, Elsie." "He can lead you, Miss Madeline; he has a holy mother, he is a chiel o' prayer; and his ancestors were maist o' them holy men. In the bloody days that tried men's souls, Roland's race was foremost in bearing their testimony to gospel truth." "You like Roland, Elsie, don't you?" "Yes, my little bairn, I luve him for his ain, and for his father's sake. I kenned his father, Miss Madeline, when I wore the snood o' a Scottish maiden." "Wasn't his father a relation of the great Bruce, Elsie? I have often thought so, but Roland laughs at me." "I dinna ken, Miss Madeline, for ye ken that was mony years syne, and we canna find kinship back so far awa'." "Elsie, is Roland's father really dead? sometimes I think that he may be alive yet;" asked the child suddenly, fixing an earnest look upon Elsie Gibson's face. The question was evidently unexpected, but after a moment's silence, Elsie replied: "The vessel was lost, Madeline, and it has aye been said that ilka soul went doon." The shadows of the setting sun were deepening, and Maddy, Roland, and Elsie walked together to the widow's cottage. Mrs. Bruce invited Maddy in. "Will you take a seat among us this evening, Madeline? It is the time of our family worship." Maddy sat down on a low chair by the side of Mrs. Bruce, much sobered by the conversation in the cemetery.