COURTIN’
CHRISTINA
J. J. BELL
COURTIN’ CHRISTINA
BY
J. J. BELL
AUTHOR OF
“WEE MACGREGOR,” “JIM,”
“OH! CHRISTINA,” ETC.
HODDER & STOUGHTON
NEW YORK
GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
Copyright, 1913
By George H. Doran Company
TO
J. E. HODDER WILLIAMS
WHO SUGGESTED IT
COURTIN’ CHRISTINA
CHAPTER ONE
Mrs. Robinson conveyed sundry dishes fromthe oven, also the teapot from the hob, to thetable.
“Come awa’,” she said briskly, seating herself.“We’ll no’ wait for Macgreegor.”
“Gi’e him five minutes, Lizzie,” said Mr. Robinson.
“I’m in nae hurry,” remarked Gran’paw Purdie,who had come up from the coast that afternoon.
“I’m awfu’ hungry, Maw,” piped a young voice.
“Whisht, Jimsie,” whispered daughter Jeannie.
Said Mrs. Robinson, a little impatiently:“Come awa’, come awa’, afore everything getsspiled. Macgreegor has nae business to be thatlate.” She glanced at the clock. “He’s been thesame a’ week. Haste ye, John.”
John opened his mouth, but catching his wife’seye, closed it again without speech.
Excepting Jimsie, they came to the table ratherreluctantly.
“Ask a blessin’, fayther,” murmured Lizzie.
“Shut yer eyes,” muttered Jeannie to her littlebrother, while she restrained his eager paw fromreaching a cookie.
Mr. Purdie’s white head shook slightly as he saidgrace; he had passed his five and seventieth birthday,albeit his spirit was cheerful as of yore; in hiscase old age seemed to content itself with an occasionalmild reminder.
John distributed portions of stewed finnanhaddie, Lizzie poured out the tea, while Jeanniemethodically prepared a small feast for the impatientJimsie. Gran’paw Purdie beamed on thefour, but referred surreptitiously at brief intervalsto his fat silver watch.
* * * * *
It is eight years since last we saw the Robinsonfamily. Naturally we find the greatest changes inthe younger members. Jimsie from an infant hasbecome a schoolboy; he is taller, more scholarly,less disposed to mischief, more subdued of naturethan was Macgregor at the same age; yet he isthe frank, animated young query that his brotherwas, though, to be sure, he has a sister as well asparents to puzzle with his questions. At thirteenJeannie is a comely, fair-haired little maid, seriousfor her years, devoted to Jimsie, very proud ofMacgregor, and a blessing to her parents who,strangely enough, rarely praise her; her chief endseems to be to serve those she loves without makingany fuss about it.
As for John, he has grown stouter, and to hiswife’s dismay a bald spot has appeared on hiscrown; his laughter comes as readily as ever, andhe is just as prone to spoil his children. But bythis time Lizzie has become assured that her man’slight-hearted, careless ways do not extend to hiswork, that his employers have confidence in theirforeman, and that while he i