But as for the young ones, there was no end to the talk they had as to Jacob Holt and his plans, not that they knew much about them, or were in the least afraid of them. Katie was troubled sometimes, but Davie made light of her fears, and the rest followed Davie’s lead. Davie was of Mr Green’s opinion:
“It will never amount to anything, all that he’ll do to my grandfather. He’ll stop before he gets to the end. Mind, I don’t say that he won’t be as great a rogue as he knows how to be, but he is a small man, is Jacob, and he’ll make a muddle of it. He couldn’t do his worst with the eyes of all Gershom on him. He hasn’t pluck to take even what is his own against the general opinion.”
But Katie thought him hard on Jacob.
“He is not a fool, Davie; and surely he’s not a rogue altogether. But I’m not caring for him; I’m only thinking of grandfather.”
And though Katie did not say it, she was thinking that her grandfather’s silence and gloom might do him more harm than even the loss of half of Ythan. But Davie did not know her thoughts, and he answered the words a little scornfully:
“Of course it is grandfather that we all think of. Who thinks of Jacob, or what may happen to him? And where is your faith, Katie lass? What do you suppose the Lord would be thinking of to take sides with Jacob Holt against such a man as our grandfather? ‘He will not suffer his feet to be moved.’ That’s what the Psalm says, and after that we’ll just wait and see.”
“But, Davie,” said Katie, her eyes wide with surprise and something that felt like dismay, “I doubt that it is not what it means. The Lord doesna take sides that way. And do you think that grandfather would let go his hold—of the Lord even if—even if—and what would become of him then?” added Katie, appalled.
“But that is just what I am saying can never happen. We’ll wait and see.”
Katie was not satisfied.
“But, Davie, even if trouble should come—the worst that could come, it would not be the Lord taking sides against us. The Lord has let trouble, great trouble, fall on grandfather already. And you mind the other Psalm:—