Jamieson? Or has Alan forgotten what he did at Mr.
Jamieson's request--a most disloyal act--for which, by the letter
of the law, he might be hanged--no less than drinking the king's
health ACROSS THE WATER? These were strange doings in a good Whig
house! But Mr. Jamieson is a man privileged, and might set fire to
my corn-barn; and the name they know him by now in France is the
Chevalier Stewart.
As for Davie and Catriona, I shall watch you pretty close in the
next days, and see if you are so bold as to be laughing at papa and
mamma. It is true we were not so wise as we might have been, and
made a great deal of sorrow out of nothing; but you will find as
you grow up that even the artful Miss Barbara, and even the valiant
Mr. Alan, will be not so very much wiser than their parents. For
the life of man upon this world of ours is a funny business. They
talk of the angels weeping; but I think they must more often be
holding their sides as they look on; and there was one thing I
determined to do when I began this long story, and that was to tell
out everything as it befell.
Footnotes
{1} Conspicuous.
{2} Country.
{3} The Fairies.
{4} Flatteries.
{5} Trust to.
{6} This must have reference to Dr. Cameron on his first visit.--
D. B.
{7} Sweetheart.
{8} Child.
{9} Palm.
{10} Gallows.
{11} My Catechism.
{12} Now Prince's Street.
{13} A learned folklorist of my acquaintance hereby identifies
Alan's air. It has been printed (it seems) in Campbell's Tales of
the West Highlands, Vol. II., p. 91. Upon examination it would
really seem as if Miss Grant's unrhymed doggrel (see Chapter V.)
would fit with little humouring to the notes in question.
{14} A ball placed upon a little mound for convenience of
striking.
{15} Patched shoes.
{16} Shoemaker.
{17} Tamson's mere--to go afoot.
{18} Beard.
{19} Ragged.
{20} Fine things.
{21} Catch.
{22} Victuals.
{23} Trust.
{24} Sea fog.
{25} Bashful.
{26} Rest.