I was afraid she might be long before she could bring herself to part from you." "She had made up her mind to it so long, sir, that she was prepared for it; and indeed, I think that she did her best to hurry me off as soon as possible, not only because your letter was somewhat urgent, but because it gave her less time to think." "That was right and sensible, lad, as indeed Maggie always was, from a child.
"She did not speak too strongly about you, for indeed I should have taken you for fully two years older than you are.

You have lost no time in growing, lad, and if you lose no more in climbing, you will not be long before you are well up the tree.
"Now, sit you down, and let me first hear all about your mother, and how she fares." "In the first place, sir, she charged me to give you her love and affection, and to thank you for your good remembrance of her, and for writing to her so often, when you must have had so many other matters on your mind." "I was right glad when I heard that they had given her back Kilgowrie.

It is but a corner of your father's lands; but I remember the old house well, going over there once, when I was staying with your grandfather, to see his mother, who was then living there.

How much land goes with it ?" "About a thousand acres, but the greater part is moor and mountain.
Still, the land suffices for her to live on, seeing that she keeps up no show, and lives as quietly as if she had never known anything better." "Aye, she was ever of a contented spirit.

I mind her, when she was a tiny child; if no one would play with her, she would sit by the hour talking with her dolls, till someone could spare time to perch her on his shoulder, and take her out." Marshal Keith was a tall man, with a face thoughtful in repose, but having a pleasant smile, and an eye that lit up with quiet humour when he spoke.