The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

i6S The Highland MontJUy.
turned upon the webs in which they might happen to be
interested ; and this subject, along with the management of
their children and cattle, formed the main topics of dis-
course.
Now, Ishbal was profoundly skilled in all matters
appertaining to the dressing of flax and wool. The weaver
at Duncairn fingered no thread so finely spun as hers.
Consequently, she was held in high estimation in those
houses where she chose to give her services.
The old creature was deeply grateful to Mark Teviot
for having built for her a bit bield which she could call her
home, on a little b9.y where the united streams from Glenbeltane
and Corrie Goblin had their issue into Lochgoy.
But Ishbal passed the greater portion of her time in the
Spinning Garret of Glenbeltane, and here she blithely
turned her wheel day after day and week after week. No
one knew when she ceased her toil, or whether she ever
really ceased. Long after all the rest of the household had
retired to sleep, the flapping and humming whir from the
garret told that Ishbal was still sitting, with rowans on lap,
plying her busy foot and skilful fingers.
Some of the company, whose amusements in the
kitchen I have tried to describe, would be sure by and bye
to make for the Spinning Garret. This could be reached
by going for a few yards along the Black Passage, and then
turning to the left, up a narrow stair, that led to no other
apartment than Ishbal's. Here, according to an old legend,
a rich hunchback had been murdered and robbed ; and it
was said that at midnight sounds indicative of a man going
on crutches might be heard on the stair. Ishbal gave no
countenance to this tale ; but it used to make me shudder
with fear in passing the place of evil repute.
One or two of the women-servants assisted Ishbal for
some hours every day. Although always glad to see
casual visitors besides, the old lady would have no idler in
her presence ; and whoever entered the sphere of her labour
was very willing to give a hand at teasing, carding, winding,
and so forth, for the sake of her company, which was not a