"The thing is a' settled between her and oursel's. Maggie and I talked it
o'er and o'er. There wasna any other thing to do. All o' oor kin but Aunt
Janet hae big families o' their ain to look after. Maggie willna hear tell
o' leaving the cottage, and she canna stay in it her lane. Sae, she must
tak' the ill and gude thegither."

"For my own sake I am glad she stays in the cottage, because I wish to
keep possession of my room. Your face need not cloud, David; I am not
coming here at all; but it is inconvenient for me to remove my books, and
the many sea-treasures I gathered during my stay with you. If I did remove
them, I should have to store them in some other place, so it will be a
kindness, if you will continue to rent me the room."

"Your foot is aye welcome in my house, sir; and when you are wanting a
week's fishing, there is naething to prevent you taking it, if Aunt Janet
is here. She is a vera strict pairson; the deil himsel' wouldna be
suspected o' wrang-doing, if she were watching him."

"Poor Maggie! David, it does seem a hard lookout for her; especially when
you will be so happy with your books, and I am going on a two years'
pleasure trip to America."

David's face brightened involuntarily, and Allan could see that the
thought of his certain absence was not at all displeasing. But he did not
blame him for a fear so brotherly and natural; he was, however,
dissatisfied with the arrangements made for Maggie's comfort, and he
asked, "Can she not go to Glasgow with you, David? It would be a fine
thing to have a little home for yourself there, and Maggie to look after
your comfort. You would study better."