"But then there's Mirren, and she wad fair break her heart," protested Vara.
"Bring her too!" said Cleg practically.
He had thought the whole subject over. They were now coming near the old house of Barnbogle, which its new owner had doomed to destruction. Cleg glanced up at the tall grey mass of it.
"I'm some dootfu' that we will never touch that siller," he said.
"Then," said Vara firmly, "we can work for mair. If we dinna get it, it's a sign that we are better wantin' it."
She glanced at the youth by her side as she spoke.
"Vara," said Cleg quickly, "ye are awesome bonny when ye speak like that."
Perhaps he remembered Tam Fraser, for he said no more.
Vara walked on with her eyes still demurely on the ground. They were just where the high path looks down on the corner of the ancient orchard.