"
Matthew had turned over his cup to denote that his meal was finished.
The dame rose and resumed her seat by the fire. During the day she had
been more cheerful, but with the return of the night she grew again
silent, and rocked herself in her chair.
"It's just t'edge o' dark, lass," said Matthew to Rotha while filling
his pipe. "Wilt thoo fetch the cannels?"
The candles were brought, and the old man lit his pipe from one of
them and sat down with Mrs. Ray before the fire.
"Dus'ta mind when Angus coomt first to these parts?" he said. "_I_ do
reet weel. I can a' but fancy I see him now at the manor'al court at
Deer Garth Bottom. What a man he was, to be sure! Ralph's nobbut a bit
boy to what his father was then. Folks say father and son are as like
as peas, but nowt of the sort. Ye could nivver hev matched Angus in
yon days for limb and wind. Na, nor sin' nowther. And there was yan o'
the lasses frae Castenand had set een on Angus, but she nivver let
wit. As bonny a lass as there was in the country side, she was. They
say beauty withoot bounty's but bauch, but she was good a' roond.
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