“Weel, I’m obleeged to ye,” replied the old woman. “There’s been but feow o’ yer kin, be their fau’ts what they micht, wad forget ony ’at luikit for a kin’ word or a kin’ deed!--Aggie, lass, ye’ll convoy him a bittock, willna ye?” All the few in whom yet lingered any shadow of retainership towards the fast-fading chieftainship of Glenwarlock, seemed to cherish the notion that the heir of the house had to be tended and cared for like a child--that was what they were in the world for. Doubtless a pitying sense of the misfortunes of the family had much to do with the feeling. “There’s nae occasion,” and “I’ll du that,” said the two young people in a breath. Cosmo rose, and began to put on his plaid, crossing it over back and chest to leave his arms free: that way the wind would get least hold on him. Agnes went to the closet for her plaid also--of the same tartan, and drawing it over her head and pinning it under her chin, was presently ready for the stormy way. Then she turned to Cosmo, and was pinning his plaid together at the throat, when the wind came with a sudden howl, rushed down the chimney, and drove the level smoke into the middle of the room. It could not shake the cottage--it was too lowly: neither could it rattle its windows-- they were not made to open; but it bellowed over it like a wave over a rock, and as in contempt blew its smoke back into its throat. “It’ll be a wull nicht, I’m doobtin’, Cosmo,” said Agnes; “an’ I wuss ye safe i’ the ingle-neak wi’ yer fowk.” Cosmo laughed. “The win’ kens me,” he said. “Guid farbid!” cried the old woman from the bed. “Kenna ye wha’s the prence o’ ’t, laddie? Makna a jeist o’ the pooers ’at be.” [Illustration: THE CLOCK AND THE PIPE SEEMED TO BE HOLDING A SILENT TALK.] “Gien they binna ordeent o’ God, what are they but a jeist?” returned Cosmo. “Eh, but ye wad mak a bonny munsie o’ me, Grannie, to hae me feart at the deil an’ a’! I canna a’ thegither help it wi’ the ghaists, an’ I’m ashamed o’ mysel’ for that; but I _am not_ gaein to heed the deil. I defy him an’ a’ his works. He’s but a cooerd, ye ken, Grannie, for whan ye resist him, he rins.” She made no answer. Cosmo shook hands with her, and went, followed by Agnes, who locked the door behind her, and put the key in her pocket.