Mr.Faggus had won the goodwill of Lizzie by his hatred of the Doones, and vows that if he could get a dozen men of any courage to join him, he would pull their stronghold about their ears without any more ado.

This malice of his seemed strange to me, as he had never suffered at their hands, so far at least as I knew; was it to be attributed to his jealousy of outlaws who excelled him in his business?
Not being good at repartee, I made no answer to Lizzie, having found this course more irksome to her than the very best invective: and so we entered the house together; and mother sent at once for me, while I was trying to console my darling sister Annie.
'Oh, John! speak one good word for me,' she cried with both hands laid in mine, and her tearful eyes looking up at me.
'Not one, my pet, but a hundred,' I answered, kindly embracing her: 'have no fear, little sister: I am going to make your case so bright, by comparison, I mean, that mother will send for you in five minutes, and call you her best, her most dutiful child, and praise Cousin Tom to the skies, and send a man on horseback after him; and then you will have a harder task to intercede for me, my dear.' 'Oh, John, dear John, you won't tell her about Lorna--oh, not to-day, dear.' 'Yes, to-day, and at once, Annie.

I want to have it over, and be done with it.' 'Oh, but think of her, dear.

I am sure she could not bear it, after this great shock already.' 'She will bear it all the better,' said I; 'the one will drive the other out.

I know exactly what mother is.