"—that I am afraid of answering you out of the soreness of my pride, and Ian says the Truth is never angry."
"I am quite willing you should do nothing in a hurry," said the mother.
She did not understand that he feared lest, in his indignation for
Mercy, he should answer his mother as her son ought not.
"I will take time," he replied. "And here is Ian to help me!"
"Ah! if only your father were here!"
"He may be, mother! Anyhow I trust I shall do nothing he would not like!"
"He would sooner see son of his marry the daughter of a cobbler than of a brewer!"
"So would I, mother!" said Alister.
"I too," said Ian, "would much prefer that my sister-in-law's father were not a brewer."
"I suppose you are splitting some hair, Ian, but I don't see it," remarked his mother, who had begun to gather a little hope. "You will be back by supper-time, Alister, I suppose?"