The thing should be done! They would go together, in the hope of persuading the chief to change the site of his new village!
When it was dark they walked to the cottage, and knocking at the door, asked Nancy if the chief were at home. The girl invited them to enter, though not with her usual cordiality; but Mrs. Palmer declined, requesting her to let the chief know they were there, desirous of a word with him.
Alister was at the door in a moment, and wanted them to go in and see his mother, but an instant's reflection made him glad of their refusal.
"I am so sorry for all that has happened!" said Mrs. Palmer. "You know I can have had nothing to do with it! There is not a man I should like for a son-in-law better than yourself, Macruadh; but I am helpless."
"I quite understand," replied the chief, "and thank you heartily for your kindness. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Mercy has something she wants to speak to you about."
"It was so good of you to bring her!—What is it, Mercy?"
Without the least hesitation, Mercy told him her father's fancy that he was building the new village to spite him, seeing it could not be a pleasure to himself to have the smoke from its chimneys blowing in at door and windows as often as the wind was from the sea.
"I am sorry but not surprised your father should think so, Mercy. To trouble him is as much against my feelings as my interests. And certainly it is for no convenience or comfort to ourselves, that my mother and I have determined on having the village immediately below us."
"I thought," said Mercy, "that if you knew how it vexed papa, you would—But I am afraid it may be for some reason that cannot be helped!"