Jimmy looked at his father, who made no sign, and afterwards at Euphie with a shamefaced air. She did not speak, but gave him a quiet, friendly smile that offended Moir. It was not for nothing he had disowned his son, and now the women had, without asking a question, re-instated him. Janet helped the lad to take off his wet coat, which he dropped upon the floor, and then, after telling Euphie to bring hot water, took him away. Euphie sat down silently when she returned, and Moir, who disliked untidiness, picked up the coat and, after washing the sleeve, hung it near the door. By and by mother and son came back, but Jimmy now wore a different suit that Moir remembered. It was an old one he had once left behind, but Janet had cleaned and pressed it and kept it for three years. Moir began to realise that he did not know his wife yet. He turned to Euphie when Jimmy sat down without looking at him. ‘It’s getting late and ye’d be better at home,’ he said. ‘No,’ she answered with firm quietness. ‘I was promised to Jimmy and I’ll hear what he has to tell.’ Moir made a sign of acquiescence and gave his son a stern commanding look. ‘What brought ye here?’ he asked. ‘I was hurt and had nowhere else to go,’ Jimmy answered in a strained voice. ‘I only want shelter for a few hours; not to stay.’ ‘How did ye get hurt?’ ‘A Territorial stopped me at a gate. He tore my arm with his bayonet, but the cut’s not very deep.’ ‘Ye were hard put to it when ye tried to pass the soldier,’ Moir remarked. ‘I had to pass him. It was very dark, and there was a hole in the dyke not far off. I thought the others were after me.’ ‘What ithers? But ye’ll go back and begin at the first o’ it. I sent ye the price o’ a third-class passage to Canada. Why did ye not go?’ ‘The money was stolen.’ ‘Ay,’ said Moir grimly, ‘I will not ask ye where! Gang on.’ Jimmy hesitated, but pulled himself together and told his tale. Soon after he was left penniless and disgraced, he found a friend in Fritz, one of the boon companions who had brought about his downfall. Fritz lent him a few small sums and by and by took him to see another man, who sent him to Leith. Jimmy did not mention what he did there, but stated awkwardly that he had got in too deep to draw back when he found out what his employer’s business really was. Then he stopped and said his arm was hurting him. The women looked puzzled, but Moir’s face set like flint. ‘So ye stayed and helped the Gairman spies!’ There was silence for a few moments. Euphie’s face was flushed and she fixed her eyes on the fire, while Janet nervously moved her hands. ‘Weel,’ Moir resumed, ‘ye can noo tell us how ye cam’ to visit this pairt o’ the country.’ Jimmy roused himself with an effort and went on in a low voice: ‘I came with them in the car now and then, by the old green road; you see I knew the way. They met another party at the waterfoot by Barennan Sands.’