“I have heard of them.”
“McLeod has a large trading fleet, and he has interfered with the business of Boris in many ways.”
“Hast thou ever seen him? Tell me what he is like.”
“I have seen him many times. He is a complete Highlander; tall, broad-shouldered and apparently very strong, also very graceful. He has high cheekbones, and a red beard, but all talk about him, and many think him altogether handsome.”
“And thou? What dost thou think?”
“When I saw him, he was in earnest discussion with one of his men, and he was not using English but sputtering a torrent of shrill Gaelic, shrugging his shoulders, throwing his arms about, thrilling 41 with excitement––but for all that, he was the picture of a man that most women would find irresistible.”
“I have heard that he wears the Highland dress.”
“Not on the street. They have many entertainments; he may wear it in some of them; but I think he is too wise to wear it in public. The Norseman is much indebted to the Scot––but it would not do to flaunt the feathered cap and philabeg too much––on Kirkwall streets.”
“You ought to know.”
“Yes, I am Highland Scotch, thank God! I understand this man, though I have never spoken to him. I know little about the Lowland Scot. He is a different race, and is quite a different man. You would not like him, Adam.”