Chapter II

           IonlysixwhenWeeBrownElspethwasbroughttome.JeanandAnguswereasfondofeachotherintheirsilentwayastheywereofme,andtheyoftenwenttogetherwithmewhenIwastakenoutformywalks.Iwaskeptintheopenairagreatdeal,andAnguswouldwalkbythesideofmysmall,shaggyShetlandponyandleadhimoverroughorsteepplaces.Sheltie,thepony,wasmeantforusewhenwewishedtofarefartherthanachildcouldwalk;butIwastrainedtosturdymarchingandclimbingevenfrommybabyhood.BecauseIsolovedthemoor,wenearlyalwaysrambledthere.Oftenwesetoutearlyinthemorning,andsomesimplefoodwascarried,sothatweneednotreturntothecastleuntilwechose.IwouldrideSheltieandwalkbyturnsuntilwefoundaplaceIliked;thenJeanandAnguswouldsitdownamongtheheather,Sheltiewouldbesecured,andIwouldwanderaboutandplayinmyownway.Idonotthinkitwasinastrangeway.IthinkImusthaveplayedasalmostanylonelylittlegirlmighthaveplayed.IusedtofindacorneramongthebushesandpretenditwasmyhouseandthatIhadlittlefriendswhocametoplaywithme.Ionlyrememberonethingwhichwasnotliketheordinaryplayingofchildren.ItwasahabitIhadofsittingquitestillalongtimeandlistening.ThatwaswhatIcalledit—“listening.”IwaslisteningtohearifthelifeonthemoormadeanysoundIcouldunderstand.Ifeltasifitmight,ifIwereverystillandlistenedlongenough.

           AngusandJeanandIwerenotafraidofrainandmistandchangeofweather.Ifwehadbeenwecouldhavehadlittleoutdoorlife.