Maclachlan accepted with alacrity an offer I made to go ahead and join
our advance. He ordered Donald to accompany me, giving as his reason: "For
he kens the English fine when the spirit of understanding is on him, and
ye'll easy get it on him by raxing him a crack in the wame, same as ye did
back yonder at the yill-house."
The Highlander maintained the expression of a wooden doll throughout this
explanation, but, as I leaped hard after him across the brook, I overtook
a grin on his face that promised well for my future entertainment.
"She pe recovert," he said. "Tat was a foine shump."
Before I could reply Margaret was upon us.
"The mare is quite frisky. She thinks me a mere _fardello_ after
Donald. You're sure you're all right, Oliver?"
"So near right, madam, that I beg you not to worry about me further,"
said I.
"Worry about you or worry you?"
It hurt me to have her go so chilly all of a sudden, but I replied
frankly, "Both. It does indeed worry me to have you breakfastless in these
wilds through my doings."
"Yes," she said, smiling down on me, "I ken fine the distinction between
water-brose and ham and eggs.
Pages:
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280