For another moment the girl continued silent; then she said—
“Ye maun be i’ the richt, father! I believe ’t, though I canna jist see ’t. A body canna like a’body, and the minister’s jist the ae man I canna bide.”
“Ay could ye, gi’en ye lo’ed the ane as he oucht to be lo’ed, and as ye maun learn to lo’e him.”
“Weel I’m no come to that wi’ the minister yet!”
“It’s a trowth—but a sair pity, my dautie (daughter—darling).”
“He provokes me the w’y that he speaks to ye, father—him ’at’s no fit to tie the thong o’ your shee!”
“The Maister would lat him tie his, and say thank ye!”
“It aye seems to me he has sic a scrimpit way o’ believin’! It’s no like believin’ at a’! He winna trust him for naething that he hasna his ain word, or some ither body’s for! Ca’ ye that lippenin’ til him?”
It was now the father’s turn to be silent for a moment. Then he said,—
“Lea’ the judgin’ o’ him to his ain maister, lassie. I ha’e seen him whiles sair concernt for ither fowk.”