man, but the Thrums ways
took hold of him again at once. He even inquired for his mother in a
tone that was meant to deceive me into thinking he did not care how she
was.

Hendry would have had a talk out of him on the spot, but was reminded
of the luggage. We took the heavy farm road, and soon we were at the
saw-mill. I am naturally leisurely, but we climbed the commonty at a
stride. Jamie pretended to be calm, but in a dark place I saw him take
Leeby's hand, and after that he said not a word. His eyes were fixed
on the elbow of the brae, where he would come into sight of his
mother's window. Many, many a time, I know, that lad had prayed to God
for still another sight of the window with his mother at it. So we
came to the corner where the stile is that Sam'l Dickie jumped in the
race for T'nowhead's Bell, and before Jamie was the house of his
childhood and his mother's window, and the fond, anxious face of his
mother herself. My eyes are dull, and I did not see her, but suddenly
Jamie cried out, "My mother!" and Leeby and I were left behind. When I
reached the kitchen Jess was crying, and her son's arms were round her
neck. I went away to my attic.

There was only one other memorable event of that day. Jamie had
finished his tea, and we all sat round him, listening to his adventures
and opinions. He told us how the country should be governed, too, and
perhaps put on airs a little. Hendry asked the questions, and Jamie
answered them as pat as if he and his father were going through the
Shorter Catechism. When Jamie told anything marvellous, as how many
towels were used at the shop in a day, or that twopence was the charge
for a single shave, his father screwed his mouth together as if
preparing to whistle, and then instead made a curious clucking noise
with his tongue, which was reserved for the expression of absolute
amazement. As for Jess, who was given to making much of me, she
ignored my remarks and laughed hilariously at jokes of Jamie's which
had been received in silence from me a few minutes before.

Slowly it came to me that Leeby had something on her mind, and that
Jamie was talking to her with his eyes. I learned afterwards that they
were plotting how to get me out of the kitchen, but were too impatient
to wait. Thus it was that the great event happened in my presence.
Jamie rose and stood near Jess--I daresay he had planned the scene
frequently. Then he produced from his pocket a purse,