Part 36 (2/2)

Marion's face fell so decidedly that Mr Dawson laughed and insisted that Marion must come also, and Miss Jean had nothing to urge against it since both were pleased.

”Mrs Petrie is very kind, but she canna really care very much; and I see some of them every day,” said Marion, fearing to appear ungrateful.

”Miss Jean will be all the better o' her company when ye're in the toon,” said Nannie privately to Mr Dawson. ”And as to thae Petrie's-- we ha'e eneuch o' some o' them at a' conscience;” which was Marion's opinion also.

The days pa.s.sed happily at Saughleas. Marion enjoyed the garden and the woods and fields, and every growing thing in them, as only they who have been long shut up in a dull house in a dull city street can do, and her delight in all that Saughleas had to offer was pleasant to see. Mr Dawson went to the town every day, but some days he did not stay there long, and Marion and he grew as friendly among the flowers and fields, as they had been among the wonderful sights of London during the first days of their acquaintance. The shyness which old a.s.sociations had brought back since she came to Portie, pa.s.sed quite away, and the frankness which had been her chief charm to the old man returned, and they took pleasure in each other's company.

”I'm going over to the brae to see a fine new plough that Mr Maclean has got. Have ye a mind for a walk, my la.s.sie?” said Mr Dawson as they met one afternoon in the kitchen garden behind the house.

Marion had been longing for a walk and was delighted to go. There was a cold wind blowing from the sea, and she went to the house for a shawl, but came back in a minute with a clouded face.

”The Petrie's--at least young Mr Petrie is at the gate,” said she.

”And ye would rather bide at home? Weel--”

”Oh! no! But if I go in for the shawl he will see me; and it is not so very cold.”

”I doubt ye may find it some cold on the hill, but run ye away through the wood, and I'll ask Phemie for a wrap of some kind.”

”And it winna be rude?--to Miss Jean, I mean--I'm no' caring for Jamie Petrie.”

Mr Dawson laughed.

”He'll think the mair o' your company when ye come back,” said he.

It was a successful afternoon on the whole. They walked quickly at first through the fields, but when they got over the hill, they took it leisurely. Then Mr Dawson said a word about young Mr Petrie's disappointment, and Marion looked grave.

”He is very kind--they are all very kind, and I am afraid you will think me ungrateful. Oh! yes, I like him well enough, but it was only the other night that he was at Miss Jean's--”

”And I dare say he will come back again.”

”Oh! yes, I dare say he will. Oh! I like him well enough, but I get tired of him whiles.”

”Well, never think about it.”

”I'm no' caring for _him_. But I hope Miss Jean winna be ill-pleased.”

”She needna ken that ye saw him,” said Mr Dawson much amused.

Marion shook her head.

”I doubt I'll need to tell her.”

”Nonsense! It was my fault. Ye would ha'e stayed if I had bidden you.”

”Yes, that is true. And Miss Jean must see that I would far rather please you than Jamie Petrie.”

”That's as may be, but for once in a way you may be excused.”

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