He stood, at sixty-five, lean and strong, gray-haired, but with decrepitude far away.

Elder of the kirk, sternly religious, able at his own affairs, he read his Bible and prospered in his earthly living.

Now he listened to the laird's message, nodding his head, but saying little.

His staff was in his hand; he was on his way to kirk session; tell the laird that the account was correct.

He stood without his door as though he waited for the youths to give good day and depart.