RAB AND HIS FRIENDS 



Lammermuirs, and fell on his own door, the 

 company would stop, and James would take 

 the key, and lift Ailie up again, laying her on 

 her own bed, and, having put Jess up, would 

 return with Rab and shut the door. 



James buried his wife, with his neighbours 

 mourning, Rab watching the proceedings from 

 a distance. It was snow, and that black ragged 

 hole would look strange in the midst of the 

 swelling, spotless cushion of white. James 

 looked after everything ; then rather suddenly 

 fell ill, and took to bed ; was insensible when 

 the doctor came, and soon died. A sort of 

 low fever was prevailing in the village, and his 

 want of sleep, his exhaustion, and his misery 

 made him apt to take it. The grave was not 

 difficult to re-open. A fresh fall of snow had 

 again made all things white and smooth ; Rab 

 once more looked on, and slunk home to the 

 stable. 



And what of Rab ? I asked for him next 

 week at the new carrier who got the goodwill 



