She was a general softener of shocks, foiler of encounters, and soother of angers.

She was not one of those housekeepers always in black silk and lace, but was mostly to be seen in a cotton gown--very clean, but by no means imposing.

She would put her hands to anything--show a young servant how a thing ought to be done, or relieve cook or housemaid who was ill or had a holiday.

Donal had taken to her, as like does to like.
He did not hurry her, but waited.
"I may as weel gie ye the haill story, sir!" she recommenced.

"Syne ye'll be whaur I am mysel'.
"I was oot i' the yard to luik efter my hens--I never lat onybody but mysel' meddle wi' them, for they're jist as easy sp'ilt as ither fowk's bairns; an' the twa doors o' the barn stan'in open, I took the straucht ro'd throuw the same to win the easier at my feathert fowk, as my auld minnie used to ca' them.