hand passed over his shoulder, and that his kisses were as welcome to
her as ever mine had been.

Then he set her down again, and I found that this had been their
parting; for, indeed, in another hundred paces they would have come in
view of the upper windows of the house. She walked slowly away, with a
wave back once or twice, and he stood looking after her. I waited until
she was some way off, and then down I came, but so taken up was he,
that I was within a hand's-touch of him before he whisked round upon me.
He tried to smile as is eye met mine.

"Ah, Jock," says he, "early afoot!"

"I saw you!" I gasped; and my throat had turned so dry that I spoke like
a man with a quinsy.

"Did you so?" said he, and gave a little whistle. "Well, on my life,
Jock, I'm not sorry. I was thinking of coming up to West Inch this very
day, and having it out with you. Maybe it's better as it is."

"You've been a fine friend!" said I.

"Well now, be reasonable, Jock," said he, sticking his hands into his
pockets and rocking to and fro as he stood. "Let me show you how it
stands. Look me in the eye, and you'll see that I don't lie. It's this
Way. I had met Edi--Miss Calder that is--before I came that morning,
and there were things which made me look upon her as free; and, thinking
that, I let my mind dwell on her. Then you said she wasn't free, but
was promised to you, and that was the worst knock I've had for a time.
It clean put me off, and I made a fool of myself for some days, and it's