“Has any one ever seen it?”
Peterkin laughed below his breath.
“Ivor Maclean the boatman, told me that ‘an Dan’ was only a shadow before and behind, and that none need trouble about a shadow.”
“And what do you think, Peterkin?”
“I think that ‘an Dan’ is only a shadow before and behind; and I laugh to see my shadow, but I do not fear it. It is only a shadow.”
“Peterkin is right, Ian,” said Eilidh, in a low voice. “And do you remember what was said long ago about wisdom coming out of the mouths of little children?”
“Yes,” Ian answered slowly and gravely, “Peterkin is right.”
But Peterkin only laughed merrily, as suddenly he sprang up.
“See,” he exclaimed, “my shadow has leapt from beside me, till now it is fading along the wall. When I laughed it leapt away.”