Ronald and I followed in equal
silence.
There was a door in that same high wall on the top of which I had
sat perched no longer gone than yesterday morning. This the old
lady set open with a key; and on the other side we were aware of a
rough-looking, thick-set man, leaning with his arms (through which
was passed a formidable staff) on a dry-stone dyke. Him the old
lady immediately addressed.
'Sim,' said she, 'this is the young gentleman.'
Sim replied with an inarticulate grumble of sound, and a movement
of one arm and his head, which did duty for a salutation.
'Now, Mr. St. Ives,' said the old lady, 'it's high time for you to
be taking the road. But first of all let me give the change of
your five-guinea bill. Here are four pounds of it in British Linen
notes, and the balance in small silver, less sixpence. Some charge
a shilling, I believe, but I have given you the benefit of the
doubt. See and guide it with all the sense that you possess.'
'And here, Mr. St. Ives,' said Flora, speaking for the first time,
'is a plaid which you will find quite necessary on so rough a
journey. I hope you will take it from the hands of a Scotch
friend,' she added, and her voice trembled.
'Genuine holly: I cut it myself,' said Ronald, and gave me as good
a cudgel as a man could wish for in a row.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124