Ridiculous as it was in many ways, he was falling in love with Grace Osborn.

Moreover, he had met her an hour since and she had talked with a friendly confidence that made his heart beat.

The girl liked and trusted him, and although he durst not look for more, this in itself was much.

It was plain that he ought to conquer his infatuation, but he doubted if he could.
Listening to the others mechanically, he was silent and absorbed until one asked, "Weel, what's to be done aboot coal noo?
Are we gan t' buy ?" "I dinna ken," said another.

"My womenfolk are grumelling an' it's lang sin' we had good light bread, but they're none for letting Bell have his way." "He's come doon five shillings, and we've peat enough to fall back on if he puts up price again," somebody else remarked.