Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume III)Black, William
General
Stand Fast, Craig-Royston! (Volume III)
Black, William
Families -- Fiction; Grandfathers -- Fiction; Older people -- Fiction; Scotland -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
He glanced towards the door.
"Keep Maisrie out," said he. "Poor lass—poor lass—I thought I was doing
well for her—but when I found her crying— Take care she does not come
back for a minute or two——"
"She won’t come until you send for her," Vincent interposed.
"Then I must make haste—and you must listen. The money—that I was
persuaded to take from your family—that must be paid back—to the last
farthing; and it will not be difficult—oh, no, not difficult—not much of
it has been used—Bevan and Morris will tell you—Bevan and Morris, Pall
Mall, London. And indeed I meant to do what I promised—when I went
away—but when I got ill—I could not bear the idea of being buried out of
Scotland—I was like the Swiss soldier—in the trenches—who heard the
Alphorn—something arose in my breast—and Maisrie, she was always a
biddable lass—she was just as willing to come away. But the money—well,
is there one who knows me who does not know how I have scorned that—that
delight of the ignoble and base-born?—and yet this is different—this
must be paid back—for Maisrie’s sake—every farthing—to your family. She
must be no beggar—in their eyes. And you must not tell her anything—I
trust you—if I can trust you to take care of her I can trust you in
smaller things—so take a pencil now—quick—when I remember it—and write
down his address—Daniel Thompson——"
"Of Toronto?" said Vincent. "I know him."
At this moment George Bethune turned his head a little on one side, and
wearily closed his eyes. Vincent, assuming that he now wished for
rest—that perhaps he might even have sunk into sleep, which was the
all-important thing for him—thought it an opportune moment to retire;
and on tiptoe made for the door. But even that noiseless movement was
sufficient to arouse those abnormally sensitive faculties; those
restless eyes held him again.
"No—no—do not go," the old man said, in the same half-incoherent, eager
fashion. "I must have all put in order—Daniel
Thompson—banker—Toronto—he will make all that straight with your family.
For Maisrie’s sake—and more than that he would do for her—and be proud
and glad to do it too. He will be her friend—and you—well, I leave her
to you—you must provide a house for her."
"It is ready," said Vincent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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