Wehadbeensteadilyapproachingthefarm-steadingofDrumglass,whereitsitspleasantlyunderthehilllookingdownoverthewater-meadows,thewhileNathanGemmelltoldmehisgrandfather’staleshowinghowamanoughttoruletheparishofBalmaghie.
Wehadgottenalmosttothedoorofthefarmwhenwesawahorseandridertoptheheatheryfelltotheleft,andsweepdownuponusatatearinggallop.
Theoldman,hearingtheclatterofstones,turnedquickly.
“Alexander-Jonita!”heexclaimed,shakinghisheadwithfondblametowardsthedaringrider,“Ideclarethatlassiewillbreakneck-bonesomeo’thaedays.Andthatwillbeseen!”
Withdarkhairflyinginthewind,eyesgleaminglikestars,shortkirtledrivenback{}fromherkneesbytherushofthehorse’sstride,cameagirlofeighteenortwentyonthebackofahalteredbutsaddle-freemare.
Whether,asherfatherhadboasted,thegirlwasridingastride,orwhethershesatinthenew-fangledwayofthecityladies,Icannotventuretodecide.Forwithasharpturnofthehempenbridleshereinedherbeastwithinafewyardsofus,andsohadleapednimblytothegroundbeforethestartledsensescouldtakeinallthepicture.
“Lassie,”criedtheelder,withanotintolerantreproofinhistones,“wherehaeyebeenthatthekirkandtheserviceofGodsawyenotthisday?”
Thegirlcamefearlesslyforward,lookingmedirectlyintheeyes.Thereinswereyetinherhand.
“Father,”shesaid,gentlyenough,butwithoutlookingathim,“Ihadthemarchestoride,the‘aval’sheeptoturn,thebittenewestodresswithtar,theoxentokeepinbound,thehorsestowater;besideswhich,JeanwantedmystockingsandSundaygeartobebrawthedayatthekirk.SoIhade’entobideathame!”
“Thingshameo’yoursel’,Alexander-Jonita!”{}criedherfather,“yeareyourmither’sdochter.Yetak’notafterthedoucewayso’yourfaither.Spiteo’a’excuses,yeshouldhaebeenatthekirk.”
“Isthistheyoungministerlad?”saidAlexander-Jonita,lookingatmemorewiththeassureddirectgazeofamanthanwiththecustomarybashfulnessofamaid.Singularlyfearlessandforthlookingwashereveryglance.
“Evenso,”saidherfather,“theladhasspokenweelthisday!”
Shelookedmethroughandthrough,tillIfeltthemanhoodinmestirtovexation,notwithshynessalone,butforveryshametobethusoutfacedandmadeintoabairn.
Shespokeagain,still,however,keepinghereyesonme.
“Iamnokirk-goer—no,noryetgreatkirk-lover.ButIkenamanwhenIseehim,”saidthestrangemaid,holdingoutherhandfrankly.And,curiouslyenough,Itookitwithanoddsenseofgratitudeand白癜风的治疗方法有哪些北京中科忽悠