It sometimes was two miles before Jess composed her mind, and the physician andshe could discuss it quietly together.

"A' can hardly believe ma ears, Jess, an' the Sabbath tae; theirverra jidgment hes gane frae the fouk o' Drumtochty.

"They've heard about Saunders, a'm skinnykin', wumman, and they'repleased we brocht him roond; he's fairly on the mend, ye ken, noo.

"A' never expeckit the like o' this, though, and it wes juist a weethingie mair than a' cud hae stude.

"Ye hev yir share in't tae, lass; we've hed mony a hard nicht andday thegither, an' yon wes oor reward. No mony men in this warld'ill ever get a much better, for it cam frae the hert o' honest fouk."

IV