letter from the United
Societies, written in their name, from a place called Panbreck, where
their meeting was held. First it told me of the sadness that was on
Scotland, for the many headings, hangings, hidings, chasings,
outcastings, and weary wanderings. Then the letter called me, as the
branch of a worthy family, to come over and take my part, which, indeed,
I was somewhat loath to do. But with the letter there came a line from
Maisie Lennox, which said that they were in sore trouble at the
Earlstoun, sometimes altogether dispossessed, and again for a time
permitted to abide in safety. Yet for my mother's sake she asked me to
think of returning, for she thought that for me the shower was surely
slacked and the on-ding overpast. So I took my way to ship-board with
some desire to set my foot again on the heather, and see the hills of
Kells run blue against the lift of heaven, from the links of the Ken to
the headend of Carsphairn.

It was the high time of the killing when I came again to Scotland, and
landed at Newcastle. I made for Galloway on foot by the tops of the
Cheviots and the Border hills. Nor did I bide more than a night
anywhere, and that only in herds' huts. Till I saw, from the moors above
Lochinkit, the round top of the Millyea, which some ill-set people call
an ugly mountain, but which is to me the fairest hill that the sun
shines on. So at least it appeared, now returning from the Lowlands of
Holland, where one can make the highest hill with a spade in an
afternoon. Ay, for I knew that it looked on Earlstoun, where my mother
was--whom I greatly desired to see, as was most natural.

Yet it was not right that I should recklessly go near Earlstoun to bring
trouble on my mother without knowing how the land lay. So I came down
the west side of the water of Ken, by the doachs, or roaring linn, where
the salmon sulk and leap. And I looked at the house from afar till my
heart filled, thinking that I should never more dwell there, nor look
any more from my mother's window in the quiet hour of even, when the
maids were out milking the kye.

Even as I looked I could see the glint of scarlet cloth, and the sun
sparkling on shining arms, as the sentry paced from the wall-gate to the
corner of the wall and back again. Once I saw him go within the
well-house for a drink, and a great access of desire took me in my
stomach. I remembered the coolness that was there. For the day was
exceedingly hot, and I weary and we