"It was only a childish name I gave them," I hesitated.

"I forgot you wouldn't understand.

I dare say it sounds silly." He looked at me so quickly.
"No! no! no!" he exclaimed.

"You mustn't think that! Certainly not silly." I do not think he knew that he put out his hand and gently touched my arm, as one might touch a child to make it feel one wanted it to listen.
"You don't know," he said in his low, slow voice, "how glad I am that you have talked to me.

Sir Ian said you were not fond of talking to people, and I wanted to know you." "You care about places like Muircarrie.