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IX. Before Lammas
Katrinehadclearlyneverspokenofhim(atwhichhewasglad),butsheknewhimbyreputeandbyhisconnectionwiththemilleroftheRoodfoot.Sheentertainedhimwithshortcakeofherownbakingandelderwineofherownbrewing,andhertonemingledthedeferenceofagoodwomantowardsaspiritualguideandthefreedomofanoldwomantowardsayoungman.
"Thatgilpieo’minesuldhavebeenhere,butshe’sawa’tothehill.AsweeltrytokeepayoungjukefraethewaterasKatrinefraestravaigin’thecountryside.AndherbreddentyinFranceandEnglandwhaurtherearenaehills!Ifshehadajoe[sweetheart]Iwadsaynocht,butshehasnaejoebutthewhaups."
HeaskedconcerningNicholasHawkshaw.
"Andthat’sspeirin’!"shecried."He’sfechtin’andhimalameter,butwhaurhe’sfechtin’andinwhatcausetheLordalonekens!Sincehegaedoffwi’TamPurvesthreemonthssynesorrowawordhascomefraehim.He’smaybeinEnglandandmaybeinFrance,andmayberyngin’withMontrose,andI’llwager,whereverheis,himandhisswirdandTamandhisfirelockareintheheto’t.Ye’llnofetteraHawkshaw,andtheycannaemairbideintheaeplacethanapuddockonabrae,asmypuirsisterthatwasmarriedonhimkennedowerweel.Andthesamebluid’sinKatrine,whasuldhaebeenaladdie,andatinklerladdie,forit’snoherthatwillmindherseamorwatchthepotwhenthesun’sshinin’.She’safinelassiefora’that,butbyordinar’forgetfu’.IwishIsawherwed."
OfWoodileeshehadmanyquestionstoask.
