Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/365

 upon their labours, and they may then pity the idle and the useless."

"If you could but get my poor gudeman to think in that way," said Peggy, "your coming to us would indeed be a blessing to our family."

"Fear not," said Mrs Mason; "as his health amends, his spirits will return, and in the good providence of God he will find some useful opening for his industry. Who ever saw the righteous man forsaken, or the righteous man's children either, so long as they walked in their father's steps? But now I must give some directions to my two little handmaids, whose attendance I shall take week about. I see they are willing, and they will soon be able to do all that I require,"

"I'll answer for their being willing," cried their mother, looking fondly at the girls, "but ye winna tak it ill, if they should no just fa' at ance into your ways."

"If they are willing," said Mrs Mason, "they will soon learn to do every