I looked round, and there she was, not twenty yards from us, looking as cool and easy and placid as we were hot and fevered. "I was nearly home," said she, "when I saw you two boys very busy talking, so I came all the way back to know what it was about." Horscroft took a run forward and caught her by the wrist. She gave a little squeal at the sight of his face, but he pulled her towards where I was standing. "Now, Jock, we've had tomfoolery enough," said he. "Here she is. Shall we take her word as to which she likes? She can't trick us now that we're both together." "I am willing," said I. "And so am I. If she goes for you, I swear I'll never so much as turn an eye on her again. Will you do as much for me?" "Yes, I will." "Well then, look here, you! We're both honest men, and friends, and we tell each other no lies; and so we know your double ways. I know what you said last night. Jock knows what you said to-day. D'you see? Now then, fair and square! Here we are before you; once and have done. Which is it to be, Jock or me?" You would have thought that the woman would have been overwhelmed with shame, but instead of that her eyes were shining with delight; and I dare wager that it was the proudest moment of her life. As she looked from one to the other of us, with the cold morning sun glittering on her face, I had never seen her look so lovely. Jim felt it also, I am sure; for he dropped her wrist, and the harsh lines were softened upon his face. "Come, Edie! which is it to be?" he asked. "Naughty boys, to fall out like this!" she cried. "Cousin Jack, you know how fond I am of you." "Oh, then go to him!" said Horscroft. "But I love nobody but Jim. There is nobody that I love like Jim." She snuggled up to him, and laid her cheek against his breast. "You see, Jock!" said he, looking over her shoulder. I did see; and away I went for West Inch, another man from the time that I left it. CHAPTER V. THE MAN FROM THE SEA. Well, I was never one to sit groaning over a cracked pot. If it could not be mended, then it is the part of a man to say no more of it. For weeks I had an aching heart; indeed, it is a little sore now, after all these years and a happy marriage, when I think of it. But I kept a brave face on me; and, above all, I did as I had promised that day on the hillside. I was as a brother to her, and no more: though there were times when I had to put a hard curb upon myself; for even now she would come to me with her coaxing ways, and with tales about how rough Jim was, and how happy she had been when I was kind to her; for it was in her blood to speak like that, and she could not help it. But for the most part Jim and she were happy enough. It was all over the countryside that they were to be married when he had passed his degree, and he would come up to West Inch four nights a week to sit with us. My folk were pleased about it, and I tried to be pleased too.