XIV. The Counterblast

           Hedreamedthatnightthathewasbeingspiedupon,andnextday--withnomoremeetingswithKatrinebeforehimtofirehisfancy--hiscoldreasonjustifiedthefear.TheconvictionwaspresentlyconfirmedbyadiscoveryofIsobel’s.MarkKerr’scastclotheshadbeenhiddenatfirstinthegloomoftheraftersinDavid’scamceiledbedroom,butthecomingofLeslie’stroopscompelledhertochangethisplaceofdisposaltothestable,where,inthespacebetweenthewallandthethatch,shebestowedthem,wrappedstoutlyinsacking.Shekeptaneyeonthebundle,andonemorningithaddisappeared.More,ithadclearlybeenstolenandhurriedlyopened,forthesackingandatarryropewhichbounditwerefoundamongthenettlesbeyondthekirkyardwall.Compromisinggoodsindeedtocomeforthofaminister’shouse!

           ThatsamedayIsobelreturnedfromavisittohercousinwithaqueertale.

           "Something’sgottenout,sir.Thewivesinthekirktonareclatterin’likedaws.’What’sthistheytellme,gossip,’saysone,’aboutBabylonishgarmentsfoundinthemanse?’’Faith,Ikenna,’saysI.’They’renaneo’myfindin’,butwi’roarin’sodgersquarteredinilkachamberye’llnosurprisemeifsomeuncogearwereleftbehind.’’Butit’snaehonestgearo’DavieLeslie’slads,’shesays,’butthelacedcoatsandplumithatso’themalignants.Andthere’sareportthatithershaesleepitinthemansethispastse’nnightthanourainCovenantsodgers.’’Whatell’tyethat,mywumman,’Isays,’wasablackleear,andathiefforbye.