X. What the Moon Saw

           TherewasgreatheatattheendofJuly--sultry,thunderousweather,whenthehillsdrowsedunderahazeandthesun’sbeamsseemedtobethemoretorridforthescreenofvapourthroughwhichtheyfell.TheheavenswerebankingupfortheLammasrains.Buteacheveningtheskiescleared,andthenightwasanamethystdomesprinkledwithstars.

           Davidmadeagreatto-doabouthisvisittoNewbiggin.OntheMondaymorningheannouncedittoIsobel,andinanhourthewordhadgonethroughthevillage.Hishousekeeperseemedtoreceivethenewswithrelief."BlitheIamtohearit,sir.Folksuldwhileschangetheirgroundlikebestial,andye’vebeenowerlangtetheredtothisparochine.Newbigginwillbeacallerbitinthislownweather,andwhileye’reawa’I’llgetyourchambercleanedandthestairswasheddoun.Dinnahastetocomeback,forI’llnolookforyeorSetterday."

           HesetoffontheTuesdayaftermidday,andthereweremanyeyesinWoodileetomarkhisgoing.ThatnighthedulysleptatNewbiggin,butthenextday,whichwasLammasEve,helefthiscousin’shouseandrodeupClydewaterintothefarthestmoors.Itwasawidecircuit,whichbroughthimintheafternoontotheuplandswhichseparateRoodfromAnnan.Alldayhehadbeenoutofsightofhumandwelling,andthefirsthesawwasinthedusk,whenhedescendeduponthetowerofCalidonbytheglenoftheCalidonburn.AtCalidonhelefthishorsewiththegrieve,promisingtoreturnforitonthemorrow,and,withonelookatthelitwindowsofthetower,hesetoutonfoottofordtheRood.