“He was to rule this parish, and he was to do as he pleased with honest men; we 'll see who comes off best before the day is done,” and the Doctor struck his stick, the stick of office with the golden head, on the gravel in triumph.
“You v'e just come in time, Mrs. Baxter”—for Jean had been putting herself in order—“for I want to give you a bit of advice. Do not lift any more of your plants—it 's bad for their growth; and I rather think you 'll have to put them back.”
Jean came close to Burnbrae's side, and watched the Doctor without breathing while he placed the stick against a bush, and put on his eye-glasses with deliberation, and opened out a telegram and read aloud: “'Paris. Your letter found me at last; leave London for home Thursday morning; tell Burnbrae to meet me in Muirtown on Friday. Kilspindie.'
“My letter went to Egypt and missed him, but better late than never, Burnbrae... that's a wonderful plant you have there, Mrs. Baxter,” and he turned aside to study a hydrangea Jean had set out in the sun; for with all his pompous and autocratic ways, the Doctor was a gentleman of the old school.
When he departed and Jean had settled down, Burnbrae thought it wise to moderate her joy lest it should end in bitter disappointment.
“The Doctor hes dune his pairt, and it wes kind o' him tae come up himsel ane's errand tae tell us. Ye didna see his face aifter he read the message, but it wes worth seein'. There 's no a soonder hert in the Glen.
“A' kent this thing wudna hae happened gin his Lordship hed been at hame, an' a 'm thinkin he wud dae his best tae repair it.
“Maybe he'ill gie's the first chance o' a vacant fairm, but a' doot we maun leave Burn-brae; they say 'at it 's as gude as let tae a Netheraird man.”
“Dinna say that, John, for it's no anither fairm, it's Burnbrae a' want. A 'll be watchin' the mornin's evening when ye come up the road, an' a 'll see ye turnin' the corner. Ye 'll wave yir airm tae me gin a' be richt, an' Jean-nie's floors 'ill be back in their beds afore ye be hame.”
When Burnbrae appeared at Kildrummie station next morning, Drumtochty, who happened to be there in force on their last Muirtown visit before harvest, compassed him with observances, putting him in the corner seat, and emphasising his territorial designation.