in my mind to doubts and wonders; but I was only a little child who had
lived a life quite apart from the rest of the world. I was too silent by
nature to talk and ask questions, even if I had had others to talk to. I
had only Jean and Angus, and, as I found out years later, they knew what
I did not, and would have put me off with adroit explanations if I had
been curious. But I was not curious. I accepted everything as it came
and went.



CHAPTER II

I only six when Wee Brown Elspeth was brought to me. Jean and Angus were
as fond of each other in their silent way as they were of me, and they
often went together with me when I was taken out for my walks. I was
kept in the open air a great deal, and Angus would walk by the side of
my small, shaggy Shetland pony and lead him over rough or steep places.
Sheltie, the pony, was meant for use when we wished to fare farther than
a child could walk; but I was trained to sturdy marching and climbing
even from my babyhood. Because I so loved the moor, we nearly always
rambled there. Often we set out early in the morning, and some simple
food was carried, so that we need not return to the castle until we
chose. I would ride Sheltie and walk by turns until we found a place
I liked; then Jean and Angus would sit down among the heather, Sheltie
would be secured, and I would wander about and play in my own way. I do
not think it was in a strange way. I think I must have played as almost
any lonely little girl might have played. I used to find a corner among
the bushes and pretend it was my house and that I had little friends who
came to play with me. I only remember one thing which was not like the
ordinary playing of children. It was a habit I had of sitting quite