Kirstie was a woman in a thousand, clean, capable, notable; once a moorland Helen, and still comely as a blood horse and healthy as the hill wind.

High in flesh and voice and colour, she ran the house with her whole intemperate soul, in a bustle, not without buffets.

Scarce more pious than decency in those days required, she was the cause of many an anxious thought and many a tearful prayer to Mrs.Weir.

Housekeeper and mistress renewed the parts of Martha and Mary; and though with a pricking conscience, Mary reposed on Martha's strength as on a rock.

Even Lord Hermiston held Kirstie in a particular regard.