"Mind him!" said the martyr Tammie, pathetically, "ay, I have guid reason to mind him. Was I no confined to my bed, haill six weeks after that weary funeral wi' the ticdouleureux? the tae cheek swelled, and the tither cheek blistered. I ken naebody, Johann, that has guid reason to mind him as me." "Weel, weel," said Miss Crankie, "it was a strong plaister of guid mustard that cured ye. It's a comfort that ane needs nae advice to prepare that--its baith easy made and effectual." Mrs. Yammer was cowed into silence. Miss Crankie, with a triumphant chuckle, went on: "And since then there's been no word of them, Miss Ross, except an intimation in the newspapers, that the light-headed fuil of a woman had married again. Pity the poor bairn that has gotten a stepfather over him, for bye being keeped out of the knowledge o' his ain land. I was ance in England mysel. There's no an article in't but flat fields, and dead water, and dreary lines o' hedges. Ye may gang frae the tae end to the tither (a' but the north part, and its maistly our ain,) and never ken ye have made a mile's progress--its a' the same thing ower again--and sleek cattle, beasts and men, that ken about naething in this world but eating and drinking. To think of a callant being keeped there, out of the knowledge of his ain country, and it a country like this!" "It is a great pity, certainly," said Anne, smiling. "Pity! it's a downright wrong and injury to the lad--there's nae saying if his mind will ever get the better o't." "And is the house empty?" said Anne; "does no one live in it?" "Naebody that belangs to the house--but there are folk in't.--There's a brother and a sister o' them, and they're far frae common folk." "Is the sister tall and thin--with large, dark, melancholy eyes?" said Anne, anxiously. "Ay, Miss Ross," said Miss Crankie, casting a sharp inquisitive look at Anne; "where hae ye fa'en in with her? it's no often she has ony commerce with strangers." "I met her on the sands," said Anne, suppressing her agitation with an effort; "and was very much struck by her look." "I dinna wonder at that--she never was just like ither folk; and since her sister died--puir Kirstin!" "Have they a story then?" said Anne; she was trembling with interest and impatience--she could scarcely contain herself to ask the question. "Ay, nae doubt, ye'll be fond of stories, Miss Ross? the most of you young ladies are." "I do feel very much interested in that singular melancholy woman," said Anne, tremulously. Miss Crankie examined her face with an odd magpie-like curiosity. Anne smiled in spite of herself. The strange little head nodded, and Miss Crankie began: