RAB AND HIS FRIENDS 



in the calm frosty air ; we were soon at the 

 gate. I could have helped him, but I saw he 

 was not to be meddled with, and he was strong, 

 and did not need it. He laid her down as 

 tenderly, as safely, as he had lifted her out ten 

 days before as tenderly as when he had her 

 first in his arms when she was only " A. G." 

 sorted her, leaving that beautiful sealed face 

 open to the heavens ; and then taking Jess by 

 the head, he moved away. He did not notice 

 me, neither did Rab, who presided behind the 

 cart. 



I stood till they passed through the long 

 shadow of the College, and turned up Nicol- 

 son Street. I heard the solitary cart sound 

 through the streets, and die away and come 

 again ; and I returned, thinking of that com- 

 pany going up Liberton Brae, then along Ros- 

 lin Muir, the morning light touching the 

 Pentlands, and making them like on-looking 

 ghosts ; then down the hill through Auchin- 

 dinny woods, past "haunted Woodhouselee " ; 

 and as daybreak came sweeping up the bleak 



