From his pulse and the character of his sleep he judged he was doing well.

He had heard all about the affair before, but heard all now as for the first time, assured the laird there was no danger, said he would call again, and recommended him to go home.

The boy must remain where he was for the night, he said, and if the least ground for uneasiness should show itself, he would ride over, and make his report.
"I don't know what to think," returned the laird: "it would be trouble and inconvenience to Grannie." "'Deed, laird, ye sud be ashamt to say sic a thing: it'll be naething o' the kin'!" cried the old woman." Here he s' bide--wi' yer leave, sir, an' no muv frae whaur he lies! There's anither bed i' the cloaset there.

But, troth, what wi' the rheumatics, an'-- an'-- the din o' the rottans, we s' ca' 't, mony's the nicht I gang to nae bed ava'; an' to hae the yoong laird sleepin' i' my bed, an' me keepin' watch ower 'im,'ill be jist like haein' an angel i' the hoose to luik efter.

I'll be somebody again for ae nicht, I can tell ye! An' oh! it's a lang time, sir, sin' I was onybody i' this warl'! I houp sair they'll hae something for auldfowk to du i' the neist." "Hoots, mistress Forsyth," returned the laird, "the' 'll be naebody auld there!" "Hoo am I to win in than, sir?
I'm auld, gien onybody ever was auld! An' hoo's yersel' to win in, sir--for ye maun be some auld yersel' by this time, thof I min' weel yer father a bit loonie in a tartan kilt." "What wad ye say to be made yoong again, auld frien' ?" suggested the laird, with a smile of wonderful sweetness.
"Eh, sir! there's naething to that effec' i' the word." "Hoot!" rejoined the laird, "wad ye hae me plaguit to tell the laddie there a' thing I wad du for him, as gien he hadna a hert o' his ain to tell 'im a score o'things--ay, hun'ers o' things?
Dinna ye ken 'at the speerit o' man's the can'le o' the Lord ?" "But sae mony for a' that follows but their ain fancies!--That ye maun alloo, laird; an' what comes o' yer can'le than ?" "That' sic as never luik whaur the licht fa's, but aye some ither gait, for they carena to walk by the same.