“You owe me thanks for sending you out yonder,” said he.
“And so do we,” said Robin.
“It was a good day for me,” said Allison, and her eyes said more than that.
“Yes, better than you know,” said the doctor. “And for you, too, my wee pale lily, if all I hear be true. And so Allison Bain is going to carry you away and to bring you home again a bonny, blooming rose, is she? May God grant it,” added the doctor reverently.
“I will try to take good care of her,” said Allison.
“I am sure of that.”
When the visit was over, Allison followed the doctor to the door.
“I would be glad if I were sure that my name would not be named over yonder,” said she, casting down her eyes.
“Be glad then, for your name shall not be spoken. Yes, one man has come to inquire about you, and more than once. When I saw his face and heard his voice, I understood how you might well wish to keep out of his sight. Stay in the house while you remain here. There may be others who would speak, though I keep silence. God bless you.” And then he went away.
“I may be doing the man a wrong, since he says she is his lawfully wedded wife, but I cannot—I have not the heart to betray her into his hands.”