" Her sympathy was enthusiastic, for
they shared a common wrath. And now came the tale of the factor's
cruelty to the fishers, his hatred of Malcolm, and his general
wildness of behaviour. The piper vowed to shed the last drop of his
blood in defence of his Mistress Partan. But when, to strengthen
the force of his asseveration, he drew the dangerous looking dirk
from its sheath, she threw herself upon him, wrenched it from his
hand, and testified that "fules sudna hae chappin' sticks, nor yet
teylors guns." It was days before Duncan discovered where she had
hidden it. But not the less heartily did she insist on his taking
up his abode with her; and the very next day he resumed his old
profession of lamp cleaner to the community.
When Miss Horn heard that he had come and where he was, old feud
with Meg Partan rendering it imprudent to call upon him, she watched
for him in the street, and welcomed him home, assuring him that,
if ever he should wish to change his quarters, her house was at
his service.
"I'm nae Cam'ell, ye ken, Duncan," she concluded, "an' what an auld
wuman like mysel' can du to mak ye coamfortable sail no fail, an'
that I promise ye."
The old man thanked her with the perfect courtesy of the Celt,
confessed that he was not altogether at ease where he was, but said
he must not hurt the feelings of Mistress Partan, "for she'll not
pe a paad womans," he added, "but her house will pe aalways in ta
flames, howefer.
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