Білі люди

           MacNairntellsmeyoutraveledtogetherthisafternoonwithoutknowingeachother,”hesaid.“HehasheardsomethingofMuircarrieandwouldliketohearmore,Ysobel.Sheliveslikealittleghostallaloneinherfeudalcastle,Mr.MacNairn.Wecan’tpersuadehertolikeLondon.”

           Ithinkheleftusalonetogetherbecauseherealizedthatweshouldgetonbetterwithoutacompanion.

           Mr.MacNairnsatdownnearmeandbegantotalkaboutMuircarrie.Therewereveryfewplaceslikeit,andheknewabouteachoneofthem.HeknewthekindofthingsAngusMacayreknew—thethingsmostpeoplehadeitherneverheardoforhadonlythoughtofaslegends.Hetalkedashewrote,andIscarcelyknewwhenheledmeintotalkingalso.AfterwardIrealizedthathehadaskedmequestionsIcouldnothelpansweringbecausehiseyesweredrawingmeonwiththatquiet,deepinterest.Itseemedasifhesawsomethinginmyfacewhichmadehimcurious.

           IthinkIsawthisexpressionfirstwhenwebegantospeakofourmeetingintherailwaycarriage,andImentionedthepoorlittlefairchildmyhearthadachedsofor.

           “Itwassuchalittlethinganditdidsowanttocomforther!Itswhitelittleclinginghandsweresopatheticwhentheystrokedandpattedher,”Isaid.“Andshedidnotevenlookatit.”

           Hedidnotstart,buthehesitatedinawaywhichalmostproducedtheeffectofastart.LongafterwardIrememberedit.

           “Thechild!”hesaid.“Yes.ButIwassittingontheotherside.AndIwassoabsorbedinthepoormotherthatIamafraidIscarcelysawit.Tellmeaboutit.