Before the autumn rains the stock of peats was brought from the hill, where they had been drying through the hot weather, and a splendid stack they made.

Coal was carted from the nearest sea-port, though not in such quantity as the laird would have liked, for money was as scarce as ever, and that is to put its lack pretty strongly.

Everything available for firewood was collected, and, if of any size, put under saw and axe, then stored in the house.

Good preparation was thus made for the siege of the winter.
In their poverty, partly no doubt from consideration, they seemed to be much forgotten.

The family was like an old thistle-head, withering on its wintry stalk, alone in a wind-swept field.