“You are feared she’ll tak’ you?”
“Just so, Maggie. Now what would you advise me to do?”
“You wouldna do the thing I told you. Whatna for then, should I say a word?”
“I think I should do what you told me. I have a great respect for your good sense, Maggie. I have never told my trouble to anyone but you.”
“To naebody?”
“Not to any one.”
“Wait a wee then, while I think it o’er. I must be sure to gie you true counsel, when you come to me sae trustful.”
She set the wheel going and turned her face to it for about five minutes. Then she stilled it, and Allan saw that the hand she laid upon it trembled violently.
“You should gae hame, sir; and you should be as plain and trustful wi’ your cousin, as you hae been wi’ me. Tell the leddy just hoo you love her, and ask her to tak’ you, even though you arena deserving o’ her. Your fayther canna blame you if she willna be your wife. And sae, whether she says ‘na,’ or ‘yes,’ there will be peace between you twa.”
“That is cutting a knot with a vengeance, Maggie.”