RAB AND HIS FRIENDS 



she was gone, James, in his old-fashioned 

 way, held the mirror to her face. After a long 

 pause, one small spot of dimness was breathed 

 out ; it vanished away, and never returned, 

 leaving the blank clear darkness without a stain. 

 " What is our life ? it is even a vapour, which 

 appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth 

 away." 



Rab all this time had been full awake and 

 motionless : he came forward beside us : Ailie's 

 hand, which James had held, was hanging 

 down ; it was soaked with his tears ; Rab licked 

 it all over carefully, looked at her, and re- 

 turned to his place under the table. 



James and I sat, I don't know how long, 

 but for some time, saying nothing ; he started 

 up abruptly, and with some noise went to the 

 table, and putting his right fore and middle 

 fingers each into a shoe, pulled them out, and 

 put them on, breaking one of the leather 

 latchets, and muttering in anger, " I never did 

 the like o' that afore ! " 



I believe he never did ; nor after either. 



