"What foolishness, Willie!"
"'Deed, sir, it is just an invite to misfortune to bring the kirk into the
boats. There's naething so unlucky around them as a minister, if it be nae
a black cat, or a pair o' tongs."
Allan laughed; he could not help laughing, he was so happy. Maggie was
growing nearer to him every moment; and it was a real joy to be again upon
the sea, to feel the fresh wind blowing through his hair, and the cradling
motion of the wide swell of the waves. Early in the morning they arrived at
Pittenloch. There was the brown pier, and the blue water, and the spaces of
yellow sand, and the sea-weed and tangle all populous with birds whose
shrill cries filled the air. There were the white cottages, and the men
strolling off to the boats and the women in the open doors watching them
away.
There was the Promoters cottage. It was closed and Allan was disappointed.
Surely Maggie should have felt him coming. Every moment as he went toward
it, he expected the door to open, and a sense of unkindness was chilling
his heart, when he heard a swift, light step behind him. He turned, and
there stood Maggie. She had the dew of the sea on her face, her cheeks
were like a rose, pink and wet before sunrise. Her eyes had a glint as of
the morning star in them, she was trembling and panting with her surprise
and rapid motion.
He had thought of the sweetest words to greet her with, he had imagined
that he might find it possible to take her in his arms and kiss his
welcome from her lips. But in spite of her evident gladness, something in
her manner restrained him; also, there was Christie Buchan, and half a
dozen other women watching them. So what he said and did, was only to hold
out his hand, and ask, "Are you well, Maggie? Are you glad to see me?"
"Weel, and right happy, sir."
"And David?"
"He is weel and happy too, sir. He likes the early hours for study, and I
aye try to tak' a walk and let him hae the house place quiet, and to
himsel'."
"He should have used my room. Students are tyrants, Maggie, if you give in
to them, they will stop the clock and make you breathe with your fingers
on your lips."
Smiling, she opened the door and said, "Step inside, sir; there's nae foot
welcomer."
"I thocht you wad come! I said you wad come!" cried David joyfully. "Noo
I'm the proudest man in Fife! Maggie, let us hae some tea, and a kippered
herring, and toast the oat cake crisp. I'll no call the king my cousin
to-day! Mr. Campbell, you are just the answer to my heart's desire."