“What ken I aboot it?” she returned angrily. “What sud I ken?”
“Ye micht ken whether the wuman’s been sayin’ ’t or no.”
“Wha has ony doobt aboot that?”
“Mistress Stewart has been sayin’ she’s my mither, than?”
“Ay—what for no?” returned Miss Horn, with a piercing glower at the youth.
“Guid forfen’!” exclaimed Malcolm.
“Say ye that, laddie?” cried Miss Horn, and, starting up, she grasped his arm and stood gazing in his face.
“What ither sud I say?” rejoined Malcolm, surprised.
“God be laudit!” exclaimed Miss Horn. “The limmer may say ’at she likes noo.”
“Ye dinna believe ’t than, mem?” cried Malcolm. “Tell me ye dinna, an’ haud me ohn curst like a cadger.”