"Yes. I'm starting very soon."
"It's na said oot—but a kind of whisper's been gaeing around." She hesitated, then, "Are you gaeing after him, Glenfernie?"
"Yes."
Jenny put down her knife and apple. She drew a long breath, so that her bosom heaved under her striped gown. A bright color came into her cheeks. She laughed. "Aweel, I wadna spare him if I were you!"
He sat with her longer than he had done with Mrs. Alison. He felt nearer to her. He could be friends with her, while he moved from the other as from a bloodless wraith. Here breathed freely all the strong vindications! He sat, sincere and strong, and sincere and strong was the countrywoman beside him.
"Oh aye!" said Jenny. "He's a villain, and I wad gie him all that he gave of villainy!"
"That is right," said Alexander, "to look at it simply!" He felt that those were his friends who felt in this as did he.
On the moor, riding homeward, he saw before him Jarvis Barrow. Dismounting, he met the old man beside a cairn, placed there so long ago that there was only an elfin story for the deeds it commemorated.
"Gude day, Glenfernie! So that Hieland traitor did not slay ye?"
"No."