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between her and the late farmer, as a trial of her plan, had nearly expired, she informed them, that, for reasons on which she should not now enter, she thought it best for both parties, that her stay should not extend beyond it. Robert looked surprised, and even vexed; but it was the vexation of pride. He, however, remained silent. His mother, though much at a loss in what way to take Mrs Mason's notice, thought it necessary to speak for both; but she did not speak much to the purpose. Jealous of Mrs Mason's superior sense, and at the same time conscious of the obligations she owed to her unwearied benevolence, she felt her presence as a burthen; but not being able to trace the cause of this feeling to its true and real source, which was no other than her own ignorance and pride, she durst not, even to herself, own that she disliked her.
"I'm sure," said she,—"I hope—I'm sure—for my part—I say, I'm sure—that, as far as I ken, we have done a' in oor
