Kilmeny of the Orchard

“ No, not a great deal, though some of her ways are very like his. She looks like her grandmother—Margaret’s mother, Master. Her name was Kilmeny too, and she was a handsome, sweet woman. I was very fond of my step- mother, Master. When she died she gave her baby to me, and asked me to be a mother to it. Ah well, I tried; but I couldn’t fence the sorrow out of Mar- garet’s life, and it sometimes comes to my mind that maybe I’ll not be able to fence it out of Kilmeny’s either.”

“ That will be my task,” said Eric.

“ You’ll do your best, I do not doubt. But maybe it will be through you that sorrow will come to her after all.”

“ Not through any fault of mine, Aunt Janet.”

“ No, no, I’m not saying it will be your fault. But my heart misgives me at times. Oh, I dare say I am only a foolish old woman, Master. Go your ways and bring your lass here to look at your play-

.184.