dearie. An' wha's keepin' ye sae late, my bonnie lassie?"
"Oh, I have been a good ways, grandmother, dear. Just let me get my things off, and I'll tell you all."
"But where awa' hae ye bin, lassie? Tell me?"
"I have been up to Nurse's Farm, grannie."
"Nurse's Farm? Wha'! na' up to the village, lassie? Sure, ye dinna mean that?"
"I do, then; I mean just that, grannie."
"My certies! An' wha' for did ye na' tell me, Allie? I hae been sair fashed aboot ye. An' why wa' na' ye tellin' me gin ye wa' goin' there?"
"I did not know it myself, grandmother; but I sent you word though. Did not little Mary English come in and tell you where I was?"
"Niver a whit. I hae na' seen Mary English the day."
"The careless little gipsy! And she promised me so fair, too! Well, never mind; I am sorry if you fretted, though;" and, as she spoke, the girl threw her soft arms
