"Now, perhaps, you'll believe me." "I don't know," said Mhor, still doubtful.

"Of course Quentin Durward had his sword--but you know that way Charlie has with a stick ?" "Well, anyway, go to bed," said Jean, "and stop talking about that horrible little man.

He oughtn't to be mentioned in the same breath as Quentin Durward." Mhor went out of the room still arguing.
The next day David came home.
The whole family, including Peter, were waiting on the platform to welcome him, but Mhor was too interested in the engine and Jock too afraid of showing sentiment to pay much attention to him, and it was left to Jean and Peter to express joy at his return.
At first it seemed to Jean that it was a different David who had come back.

There was an indefinable change even in his appearance.

True, he wore the same Priorsford clothes that he had gone away in, but he carried himself better, with more assurance.