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"Mr Fraser is ill? I am sorry to hear it" The unfa hi up at him in question He hadn’t taken much notice of her, but was now struck by the beauty of her eyes--an odd light gray, al black lashes Perhaps sooner than the spring planting, he thought, and coughed

"Bitten by a snake," he said abruptly "Not to worry, though; he’s "

He thrust out a hand to Christie, ready this tie," he said "I hope you and your family will be happy here"

JAMIE WAS SITTING UP in bed, attended hand and foot by devoted wo desperate in consequence His face relaxed a little at sight of a fellow man, and he waved away his hand left reluctantly, but Claire reer moved to sit down on the bed-foot, only to be shooed off by Claire, whothe sheet to check esture had caused no da at the white cheesecloth dressing with an air of satisfaction The htened up and nodded to Roger--like the Grand Vizier granting an audience with the Caliph of Baghdad, Roger thought, aave Roger a s

"How is it?" both of theer save a brief shrug

"I’ht Ye’re not"

"Right about what?" Claire asked, glancing up with curiosity from the bowl in her hands

"Oh, a wee point of philosophy," Ja choice, and chance"

She snorted

"I don’t want to hear a word about it"

"Just as well I’ but bread and lanced withbut squashy substance, sitting half-finished on the table at his side "So, have ye seen to the ulcer on the er Mac?"

"I did," Claire told hi new tenants"

"Oh, aye?" Fraser’s broent up in interest

"Aye, a man named Tom Christie and his family He said he was at Ardsh all the air in the roo Fraser stared at him, expressionless Then he nodded, his expression of pleasant interest restored as though by ic, and normal time resumed

"Aye, I mind Tom Christie fine Where has he been in the last twenty years?"

Roger explained both Tos, and what accommodations had been reached for his tenancy

"That will do verra well," Janess to be schoolmaster "Tell him he may use any of the books here--and ask hius to look about, next titon"

The conversation er got up to take his leave

Everything seeht, and yet he felt obscurely uneasy Surely he hadn’t i to close the door behind him, he saw that Jamie had folded his hands neatly on his chest and closed his eyes; if not yet asleep, effectively forbidding conversation Claire was looking at her husband, her yellok-eyes narrowed in speculation No, she’d seen it, too