Janet McLaren | Page 9

Alec to come and stay with me, since you will na let him come here," said Donald.
"I could na deny him onything--so, if he wishes to come, he must come," said Janet.
"Then I will tell him," said Donald, "and I am sure he will not carry tales to the other boys."
The next morning Alec found out the house on his road to school, and made his way up to Janet's attic. He tapped gently at the door. Donald went out to meet him.
"I told you we did not live in a fine house, and so you see," he observed, pointing round the room. "But I am sure you do not think the worse of us, or our good nurse. We should have been starving if it was not for her--that's what I have got to tell you."
"No, indeed, I do not think the worse of you or her," answered Alec. "If I thought it would vex you I would not have come; and I promise you that I will not say a word to others which you would not wish me to say. But my mother desired me to call and invite your sister Margaret to spend the day with her, if Mistress Janet will give her leave."
"She will go, and gladly, as soon as the boys are off to school," said Janet, answering at once for Margaret.
"Come along then," exclaimed Alec to his companions. "My mother is longing to see Miss Margaret again, and we will not delay her."
As soon as the boys were away Janet set off with her charge. Mrs Galbraith received her with the greatest kindness, and would have had Janet to stay with her also.
"Thank ye, Mistress Galbraith," answered Janet. "But I ha' my household affairs to attend to, and they will na get on very weel unless I am present."
From that day forward Janet escorted Margaret to the house of her new friend every morning at the same hour.
Janet greatly missed her young companion, but she sat on in her solitude rejoicing in the thought that Margaret was gaining the instruction she so much desired her to obtain. As she span and span she turned in her mind various plans for supporting the children and for ultimately establishing them in life.
"Their claithes will soon be worn out. Donald is already too big for his, and though they may do for David for a few months longer, with patching and mending, I would na' like to ha' the poor boys pointed out by their school-mates as young gaberlunzies; and the siller I get for the yarn will only just pay the rent and find porridge for the bairns," she thought to herself. "The Bible says that it is the duty of Christians to support the fatherless and widows. I would na' beg for mysel' while I ha' got fingers to spin wee, but I maun nay let my pride stand in the way o' the bairns. They maun be clothed and fed, so I need find out those who ha' got the means, and gi'e them the privilege of helping the young orphans. The good lady, Mistress Galbraith, will look after Margaret, I ha' little fear o' that, but I canna let her ha' the charge of the boys."
Janet having made up her mind to act never lost time in setting about it. As yet she was unacquainted with the names of any of the people in the place, with the exception of Margaret's new friend. This knowledge she had to gain; but, as she said to herself, "wi' a tongue in her mouth, and lugs to listen wee, that was na' a difficult matter."
She first visited the few shops at which she dealt, and getting into conversation with the masters or mistresses, quickly gleaned from them some of the desired information. Having, with much acuteness, made up her mind as to those most likely to respond to her appeal, she went forth the next morning, having deposited Margaret with Mrs Galbraith, to commence the series of visits she proposed making.
The first was to Mr McTavish, the banker, an elder in the church, and a man much respected, she heard. He listened to her tale with his keen eyes fixed on her countenance. "You speak the truth," he said at length, putting his hand in his pocket and drawing out his purse.
"Na, na, sir, I dinna want the siller," said Janet. "If you ha' a mind, sir, to gie a jacket or a pair of breeks to the minister's son, or ony other article of dress ye think fit, I'll be grateful, but I dinna come to beg. It must be a free gift on your part. I dinna want any man's siller."
The banker, somewhat amused at the good woman's reply, promised to supply Donald