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274 could be in the given time and space. You make out a very good case, Amy; but I am not to be won over," asid Allan.

"'Deed! I think Allan in the right o't," said Mrs. Lindsay, who came in during the conversation. "A wheen idle stories bred up out o' folk's ain heads, and it is a marvel to me how they ever could get there. For a' it gets printed it canna mak the thing true."

"Mrs. Troubridge asys she could not live in the bush without these books; they are her only amusement," said Amy.

"Weel, what does a woman with a house and a husband and bairns want wi' amusement? When a lassie marries she should asy good-day to sic things. No that Mr. Troubridge is extraordinary entsrtaining; but she keuned that when she took him. They asy she was a wild ane when he got the taming o' her; a douce sponsible man he looks, but no just the sort to tak a young lassie's e'e. And I suppose you and Iasbel behove to go next week to pay your visit that she keeps craiking about in her letters to you, Amy, and you'll see for yourselves what a dull life it is when a young thing takes up wi' a man that might be her father. It's a thing that I have nae opinion o' mysel'," said Mrs. Lindsay.