Chapter V. A MAN'S SON

THE storm, long threatened, having once burst, M'Adam allowed
loose rein to his bitter animosity against James Moore.

The two often met. For the little man frequently returned home
from the village by the footpath across Kenmuir. It was out of his
way, but he preferred it in order to annoy his enemy and keep a
watch upon his doings.

He haunted Kenmuir like its evil genius. His sallow face was
perpetually turning up at inopportune moments. When Kenmuir
Queen, the prize short-horn heifer, calved unexpectedly and
unattended in the dip by the lane, Tammas and the Master,
summoned hurriedly by Owd Bob, came running up to find the
little man leaning against the stile, and shaking with silent
merriment. Again, poor old Staggy, daring still in his dotage, took
a fall while scrambling on the steep banks of the Stony Bottom.
There he lay for hours, unnoticed and kicking, until James Moore
and Owd Bob came upon him at length, nearly exhausted. But
M'Adam was before them. Standing on the far bank with Red Wull
by his side, he called across the gulf with apparent concern: "He's
bin so sin' yesternight." Often James Moore, with all his great
strength of character, could barely control himself.

There were two attempts to patch up the feud. Jim Mason, who
went about the world seeking to do good, tried in his shy way to
set things right. But M'Adam and his Red Wull between them soon
shut him and Betsy up.