But you’ll maybe speak to her some of the things ye spak’ to us, Miss Cam’ell.  Ye’ll have one less at the school now, ye see,” he added, smiling sadly; and then turning with a look of tender pity on his grandmother, who watched him with wistful eyes, as if she knew that his lips were moving for her, he said, “Oh, tell her to listen to his voice, and let the sound into her heart.  He was aye able to mak’ deaf folk hear, wasn’t he, Miss Cam’ell?” said Geordie, with a bright smile as he turned to his young teacher.

They had now got ready a sort of litter, on which they meant to carry him to the farm; for Mistress Gowrie felt convinced that only more comfortable surroundings and a visit from the doctor was necessary for his complete recovery, and was resolved that no care of nursing on her part should be wanting to atone for any past indifference to the welfare of the little herd-boy with which she might reproach herself.

Geordie, seeing her anxiety to perform this deed of kindness, at last consented that they should take him from his lowly heather couch, and carry him to all the comforts of the best bedroom at Gowrie.  But each time they tried to lift him the boy got so deathly pale, and seemed to suffer so intensely, that even Mistress Gowrie was obliged to acknowledge that it might be best to wait till the doctor came.  Indeed, it soon became evident to all that Blackie’s blows had touched some vital part, and Geordie’s herding days were done.

He lay for a little while with closed eyes, seeming thankful to be undisturbed, and a silence fell on the group round him, not broken when Walter Campbell joined it; for a glance from Grace, and a look at Geordie’s face, told him all.  He stood there, in the freshness and strength of his youth, looking at the ebbing life of the boy whom he felt then as if he would have died to save.  How he longed to tell him of all the blessing his words had brought to his soul, of the life-long gratitude which must surround his memory; but it was too late.  Walter felt that he could not disturb the passing soul with anything so personal; but in the land where Geordie was going they would meet one day; and he would keep his thanks till then.

The silence had not been broken for several minutes.  Poor little Jean had been trying to keep very brave and quiet, since Grace explained to her how much her noisy grief would vex Geordie.  But Elsie, who had returned to her post at Geordie’s head, and was seated silently there, now gave a smothered sob, which seemed to fall on Geordie’s ear.  He opened his blue eyes, and looking wistfully about, said in a faint whisper, “Elsie, I didna know ye was here.  I saw you on the stepping-stones just when I was meetin’ Blackie, but I thought you had been away home before now; it surely must be far on in the gloamin’.  Eh, Elsie, but I’ll no be able to keep the tryst for the bramble gatherin’ wi’ you,” he said, in a mournful tone, turning towards her, and referring