It was the lament of the conservative for vanished days and manners.

'Over in Skye wass the fine land for black cattle, and every man had his bit herd on the hillside.

But the lairds said it wass better for sheep, and then they said it wass not good for sheep, so they put it under deer, and now there is no black cattle anywhere in Skye.' I tell you it was like sad music on the bagpipes hearing that old fellow.

The war and all things modern meant nothing to him; he lived among the tragedies of his youth and his prime.
I'm a Tory myself and a bit of a land-reformer, so we agreed well enough.

So well, that I got what I wanted without asking for it.