"And Mack, too," she whispered to her happy heart.
"And are ye sure the news is true?
And are ye sure he's weel?
Is this a time to think o' wark?
Ye jades, fling by your wheel.
"For there's nae luck aboot the hoose, There's nae luck ava, There's little pleesure in the hoose When oor gude man's awa." So she sang, not too loud; for the boys were at the barn and she would never hear the end of it.
"Well, Bella, you are getting your cows home.

How are you, my dear ?" Bella turned with a scarlet face to meet the minister's wife, and her blushes only became deeper when she saw Ranald, for she felt quite certain that Ranald would understand the meaning of her song.
"I will go on with the cows," said Ranald, in a hoarse voice, and Mrs.
Murray, alighting, gave him her pony to lead.
Peter McGregor was a stern man to his own family, and to all the world, with the single exception of his only daughter, Bella.

His six boys he kept in order with a firm hand, and not one of them would venture to take a liberty with him.

But Bella had no fear of his grim face and stern ways, and "just twiddled her father round her finger," as her mother said, with a great show of impatience.

But, in spite of all her petting from her big brothers and her father, Bella remained quite unspoiled, the light of her home and the joy of her father's heart.