The month was May.

The laird of Glenfernie, who had walked to the Kelpie's Pool, now came down the glen.

Mother Binning was yet in her cot, though an older woman now and somewhat broken.
"Oh aye, my bonny man! All things die and all things live.

To and fro gaes the shuttle!" Glenfernie sat on the door-stone.

She took all the news he could bring, and had her own questions to put.
"How's the house and all in it ?" "Well." "Ye've got a bonny sister! Whom will she marry?
There's Abercrombie and Fleming and Ferguson." "I do not know.