There was a wall and a stile which separated the royal domain, or King's Park, as it is called, from the public road; to this pass she frequently directed her attention, when she saw two persons appear there somewhat suddenly, as if they had walked close by the side of the wall to screen themselves from observation.

One of them, a man, drew back hastily; the other, a female, crossed the stile, and advanced towards her--It was Effie.

She met her sister with that affected liveliness of manner, which, in her rank, and sometimes in those above it, females occasionally assume to hide surprise or confusion; and she carolled as she came-- "The elfin knight sate on the brae, The broom grows bonny, the broom grows fair; And by there came lilting a lady so gay, And we daurna gang down to the broom nae mair." "Whisht, Effie," said her sister; "our father's coming out o' the byre." -- The damsel stinted in her song.--"Whare hae ye been sae late at e'en ?" "It's no late, lass," answered Effie.
"It's chappit eight on every clock o' the town, and the sun's gaun down ahint the Corstorphine hills--Whare can ye hae been sae late ?" "Nae gate," answered Effie.
"And wha was that parted wi' you at the stile ?" "Naebody," replied Effie once more.
"Nae gate ?--Naebody ?--I wish it may be a right gate, and a right body, that keeps folk out sae late at e'en, Effie." "What needs ye be aye speering then at folk ?" retorted Effie.

"I'm sure, if ye'll ask nae questions, I'll tell ye nae lees.

I never ask what brings the Laird of Dumbiedikes glowering here like a wull-cat (only his een's greener, and no sae gleg), day after day, till we are a' like to gaunt our charts aft." "Because ye ken very weel he comes to see our father," said Jeanie, in answer to this pert remark.
"And Dominie Butler--Does he come to see our father, that's sae taen wi' his Latin words ?" said Effie, delighted to find that by carrying the war into the enemy's country, she could divert the threatened attack upon herself, and with the petulance of youth she pursued her triumph over her prudent elder sister.