Hamish was just then in a little trouble on his own account: he knew
very well that _his_ funds were wanted in another quarter.

"Constance, dear, do not look at me so wistfully. I will try with all
my might and main, to help my father; but I fear I cannot do anything
yet. I mean to draw in my expenses," he went on, laughing: "to live
like any old screw of a miser, and never squander a halfpenny where a
farthing will suffice."

He took his books and went in to Mr. Channing. Constance began training
the honeysuckle, her mind busy, and a verse of Holy Writ running
through it--"Commit thy way unto the Lord, and put thy trust in Him,
and He shall bring it to pass."

"Ay!" she murmured, glancing upwards at the blue evening sky: "our
whole, whole trust in patient reliance; and whatsoever is best for us
will be ours."

Annabel stole up to Constance, and entwined her arms caressingly round
her. Constance turned, and parted the child's hair upon her forehead
with a gentle hand.

"Am I to find a little rebel in you, Annabel? Will you not try and make
things smooth for me?"

"Oh, Constance, dear!" was the whispered answer: "it was only my fun
last night, when I said you should not take me for lessons in an
evening. I will study all day by myself, and get my lessons quite ready
for you, so as to give you no trouble in the evening. Would you like to
hear me my music now?"