But I didna say them beeblically; I said them for sweir words--that's the truth of it.' 'Hout, ye silly bairn!' said the father, 'dinna do it nae mair, and come in by to your supper.' And he took the boy, and drew him close to him a moment, as they went through the door, with something very fond and secret, like a caress between a pair of lovers.
The next day M'Brair was abroad in the afternoon, and had a long advising with Janet on the braes where she herded cattle.

What passed was never wholly known; but the lass wept bitterly, and fell on her knees to him among the whins.

The same night, as soon as it was dark, he took the road again for Balweary.

In the Kirkton, where the dragoons quartered, he saw many lights, and heard the noise of a ranting song and people laughing grossly, which was highly offensive to his mind.

He gave it the wider berth, keeping among fields; and came down at last by the water-side, where the manse stands solitary between the river and the road.