But I'm thinkin' that'll be
ower ear' for ye to see him."
"I'll send for him when I want him. Go on with your brazen serpent
there, only mind you don't give her too much supper."
"Jist look at her ribs, my lord! she winna rive!" was the youth's
response; and the marquis was moving off with a smile, when Malcolm
called after him.
"Gien yer lordship likes to see yer ain ferlies, I ken whaur some
o' them lie," he said.
"What do you mean by ferlies?" asked the marquis.
"Ow! keeriosities, ye ken. For enstance, there's some queer
caves alang the cost--twa or three o' them afore ye come to the
Scaurnose. They say the water bude till ha' howkit them ance upon
a time, an' they maun hae been fu' o' partans, an' lobsters, an'
their frien's an' neebours; but they're heigh an' dreigh noo, as the
fule said o' his minister, an' naething intill them but foumarts,
an' otters, an' sic like."
"Well, well, my lad, we'll see," said his lordship kindly and
turning once more, he resumed his walk.
"At yer lordship's will," answered Malcolm in a low voice as he
lifted his bonnet and again bent to the swivel.
The next morning, he was rowing slowly along in the bay, when he
was startled by the sound of his grandfather's pipes, wafted clear
and shrill on a breath of southern wind, from the top of the town.
He looked at his watch: it was not yet five o'clock. The expectation
of a summons to play at Lossie House, had so excited the old man's
brain that he had waked long before his usual time, and Portlossie
must wake also.
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