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136 him," said Mrs. Lindsay. "And as for what ye say about learning to teach and being independent, you're not to think that when we took you, we didna tak' you for good an a'. As I said to Mrs. Hammond, the pot that boils for eight may weel boil for nine, and if it boils owre, as our pot does, for as the Psalmist says, our cup of prosperity overflows, it will be for your behoof as weel as for Jessie's, and Isabel's, and Phemie's. Ye shall have your dwelling with us and your providing just as if you were ane of our ain, when ye see fit to leave us for a house of your ain, but let there be nae seeking o' service among fremmet folk. When your aunt—Mrs. Evans do they call her?—wrote that she was glad you had met wi' sick kindness in a foreign country, and never made the offer to tak' you hame, the goodman and me felt that you were given up fairly to us, and we will deal fairly by you. So if you find the lassies owre troublesome a'thegither, just say so, an' ye'll no be burdened wi' them ony longer, and they'll go back to the schule."

This threat had its effect; the girls knew their mother would act on it, and they worked very fairly under their young teacher.

It was easier, however, for Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay to do large and generous things than to change family arrangements or old habits out of