But now first he understood the real state of the affair in the purport of the old man's absence; also how he was himself potently concerned in the business: if the offence had been committed against Gibbie, then with Gibbie lay the power, therefore the duty of forgiveness.

But verily Gibbie's merit and his grace were in inverse ratio.

Few things were easier to him than to love his enemies, and his merit in obeying the commandment was small indeed.

No enemy had as yet done him, in his immediate person, the wrong he could even imagine it hard to forgive.

No sooner had Janet ceased than he was on his way back to the cottage: on its floor lay one who had to be waited upon with forgiveness.
Wearied with futile struggles, Angus found himself compelled to abide his fate, and was lying quite still when Gibbie re-entered.
The boy thought he was asleep, but on the contrary he was watching his every motion, full of dread.