"The Lord be thankit, I have little reason to complain!" said Sam's mother, wiping her eyes with her apron; "and it's a rael handsome uniform, though it's no so gaudy as your redcoats. I took my Sam for an officer and a grand gentleman when he came in at the door, before I saw his honest face," cried the good woman, with a sob of pride; "and the Cornel's good word is as good as a fortin', and he's uncommon kind is the young Squire. I wish them all comfort and prosperity now and evermore," she concluded, with a little solemn curtsey, giving emphasis to her good wishes--"and Miss and Mr. Horry, as well; though he's no more like the Cornel than you or me." "He takes after the faither's family--he's no like none of our folk," said Patchey; "but, though I wouldna say the Cornel altogether approves of him, he's much concerned about the young gentleman the noo. He's showed great feeling after a', that young man; he was like a lad out of his mind when the faither was ill; and the day of the death, what does the Cornel find but Maister Horace dead on his face, fainted off in the study, and in a high fever ever since. The like of that, ye ken, shows feeling in a young man." "Feeling? They were none such good friends in life, if awl tales be true," said Mrs. Gilsland. "My man, John, was all but put to the door when he went for Mr. Kerry's things; and a lad like him, that was never greatly knawn for a loving heart, and was coming into a fortin' besides--feeling here or feeling there, I don't see no occasion for Mr. Horry fainting away." "Nor me," said the Sergeant, emphatically; "but I ever said, and I'll ever say, that though he's the Cornel's nevvy, and doubtless well connected, and good blood on wan side of the house, I'll ever say yon's an inscrutable lad." "That may be," said the solemn Patchey; "but scrutable or no, he's in a brain fever, and craves guid guiding, and here's me come for the medicine, if I hadna fallen in with ower guid company. Weel, weel--an hour mair or less will do the lad nae harm. I've little faith in physic for such like disorders. If ye've a good constitution and a clear conscience, and the help of Providence, ye'll fight through: if ye havena, ye must e'en drop out of the ranks, and anither man'll take your place. But I have Mr. Horace's bottle in my pocket a' this time; so, with your leave, I'll bid you good day."