XIII. White Magic

           Themanupstairssleptforaroundoftheclock,andthenawokeandclamouredforfood.Isobelreportedthathewascuredofhisweakness,andthatthepikewoundinhisshoulderwasnomorethanascratch."Forbyehisleg,he’sasweelasyouorme,andhehasthehungero’acadger’spowny.Itwasanawesomesichttoseehimrivin’mybannocks.He’sspeirin’toseeye,fornaedoubthehasmuckleonhismind."Theoldwomanwasinthebestoftempers,andherwizenedfacewaspuckeredinasecretsmile,forsheandhermasterwerenowrestoredtofriendshipaspartnersinconspiracy.

           Davidfoundhisguestcladinoneofhisownbedgowns,thehueofhealthoncemoreonhisunshavencheeks.Hisfirstrequestwasforarazorandforshears,andwhenIsobelhadshornhishair,andhehadgotridofathreedays’beard,itwasaheadofanotablepoweranddignitythatrestedonthepillow.Thehigh-boned,weather-beatenface,theaquilinenose,thelongpointedchinwerenocommontrooper’s,andthelinesaboutmouthandeyeswerelikethepagesofabookwhereinthemostcasualcouldreadofripeexperience.Thebrowneyesweredancingandmirthful,andthecastintheleftonedidnotsomuchmartheexpressionasmakeitfantasticallyboldanddaring.Herewasonewhohadlivedinstrangeplacesandwasnotusedtofear.

           "It’sasoreburdenI’vebroughtonyou,Mr.Sempill,"hecried,"andit’syouthat’sthegoodSamaritan.