Kilmeny of the Orchard

believe that it was visited in this fashion on his innocent child! ”

“ No, I am not meaning that, Master. That wasn’t where Margaret did wrong; and though I never liked Ronald Fraser over much, I must say this in his defence —I believe he thought himself a free man when he married Margaret. No, it’s something else — something far worse. It gives me a shiver whenever; :I think of it. Oh, Master, the Good Book is right when it says the sins of the par— ents are visited on the children. There isn’t a truer word in it than that from cover to cover.”

“ What, in heaven’s name, is the mean- ing of all this? ” exclaimed Eric. “ Tell me what it is. I must know the whole truth about Kilmeny. Do not torment me.”

“ I am going to tell you the story, Mas- ter, though it will be like opening an old wound. No living person knows it but Thomas and me. When you hear it you

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