"
Malcolm was even too simple to feel flattered by the girl's confidence,
though to be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.
"Hearken, Lizzy!" he said. "I canna e'en think, wi' this brute ready
ilka meenute to ate me up. I maun tak' her hame. Efter that, gien
ye wad like to tell me onything, I s' be at yer service. Bide aboot
here--or, luik ye: here's the key o' yon door; come throu' that
intil the park--throu' aneth the toll ro'd, ye ken. There ye'll
get into the lythe (lee) wi' the bairnie; an' I'll be wi' ye in a
quarter o' an hoor. It'll tak' me but twa meenutes to gang hame.
Stoat 'ill put up the mere, and I'll be back--I can du't in ten
meenutes."
"Eh! dinna hurry for me, Ma'colm: I'm no worth it," said Lizzy.
But Malcolm was already at full speed along the top of the dune.
"Lord preserve 's!" cried Lizzy, when she saw him clear the brass
swivel. "Sic a laad as that is! Eh, he maun ha'e a richt lass to
lo'e him some day! It's a' ane to him, boat or beast. He wadna turn
frae the deil himsel'. An syne he's jist as saft's a deuk's neck
when he speyks till a wuman or a bairn--ay, or an auld man aither!"
And full of trouble as it was about another, Lizzy's heart yet
ached at the thought that she should be so unworthy of one like
him.
CHAPTER V: LIZZY FINDLAY
From the sands she saw him gain the turnpike road with a bound and
a scramble.
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