Dozens of babies, who were born at the time when the works were resumed, had never yet breathed the outer air.
This made Jack Ryan remark, "It's eighteen months since they were weaned, and they have not yet seen daylight!" It may be mentioned here, that one of the first to run at the engineer's call was Jack Ryan.

The merry fellow had thought it his duty to return to his old trade.

But though Melrose farm had lost singer and piper it must not be thought that Jack Ryan sung no more.

On the contrary, the sonorous echoes of New Aberfoyle exerted their strong lungs to answer him.
Jack Ryan took up his abode in Simon Ford's new cottage.

They offered him a room, which he accepted without ceremony, in his frank and hearty way.