The brownie, on the other hand, was already in every one's mouth--only a stray one, probably, that had wandered from some old valley away in the mountains, where they were still believed in--but not the less a brownie; and if it was not the brownie who plaited Snowball's mane, who or what was it?
A phenomenon must be accounted for, and he who will not accept a theory offered, or even a word applied, is indebted in a full explanation.

The rumour spread in long slow ripples, till at last one of them struck the membrana tympani of the laird, where he sat at luncheon in the House of Glashruach..