The minister would have preferred to continue to discuss the character of Deity. He turned heavily. "I was in company, not long ago, with some gentlemen who were wondering why you stayed on at Glenfernie House. They said that you had good offers elsewhere—much better than with a Scots laird."
"I promised Mrs. Jardine that I would stay."
"While the laird lived?"
"No, not just that—though I think that she would have liked me to do so. But so long as the laird would keep Jamie with him at home."
"What will he do now—Jamie?"
"He has set his heart on the army. He's strong of body, with a kind of big, happy-go-luckiness—"
A horseman came up behind them. It proved to be Robin Greenlaw, of Littlefarm. He checked his gray and exchanged greetings with the minister and the tutor. "How does the laird find himself the day?" he asked Strickland.
"No better, I think, Mr. Greenlaw."
"I'm sorry. It's the end, I jalouse! Is Mr. Alexander come?"
"We look for him to-morrow."