Immediately upon hearing of my fell design MacLachan, the tailor, paid a visit of protest to my bench.

“Is it true fact that I hear, Dominie?”

“What do you hear, MacLachan?”

“That ye’re to make one of yer silly histories about Barbran?”

“Perfectly true,” said I, passing over the uncomplimentary adjective.

“‘Tis a feckless waste of time.”

“Very likely.”

“‘Twill encourage the pair, when a man of yer age and influence in Our Square should be dissuadin’ them.”

“Perhaps they need a friendly word.”

MacLachan frowned. “Ye’re determined?”