He stepped across and shut it.

"I'm no' wantin' that auld wife to hear," he said.

Then he squatted down on the patchwork rug by the hearth, and warmed his blue-black shins.

Looking into the glow of the fire, he observed, "I seen you two up by the Big Hoose the night." "The devil you did," said Heritage, roused to a sudden attention.

"And where were you ?" "Seven feet from your head, up a tree.