Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/45

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BUSH HOSPITALITY.
41

with her, and said good morning, and then went to the master of the house with the same salutation. The ceremony was new to him, and at first he thought she meant to go away.

"Ye're no to leave us, my dear," said he. "Ye behove to bide at Branxholm for a bit. We're no going to part with you on a sudden. That is no the way we entertain strangers in the bush."

When Amy took the seat beside Allan which was left vacant for her, and wished him good morning without meeting with the expected response, she began to fear that she had made some blunder. "Have I done anything wrong" said she in a low voice; "are you not pleased with me?"

"Oh aye, pleased enough," said Mrs. Lindsay, whose quick ear no whisper could escape, "But we are na used to thae fashions. They seem to me to be just an off-put of time. Sit down, my dear, and have your breakfast. I hope we'll find something that you can eat, for not a bit passed your mouth that I saw yestere'en."

The large violet-coloured eyes filled with tears. There was no father now to wish good morning to, no morning kiss to receive from him. She was among strangers in a strange land, who had strange and unknown ways.

Allan knew what she was thinking of, and