The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

A Strange Revenoe. 717
worth living ?— a question which can never be answered by
human lips, for death alone can yield the reply !
These reflections were interrupted by the entrance of
John—dressed in his Sunday blacks, and looking as
funereal as his smirking face made possible—with the night
lamp.
" Only one light to-night, John."
"Yes, sir," was John's whispered response ;
" an' I'll nae
mak' the lowe ower big."
From his prolonged manipulation of the lamp, and the
repeated glances he threw in David's direction, it was
apparent that John had something to say, but was
undecided whether the solemnity of the occasion warranted
his entering into conversation. At last, the light would
admit of no further adjustment, and he stood irresolute.
" Don't speak about her, John," said David quietly, " I
cannot bear it."
" It's aboot her, an' it's no aboot her," said John, with a
sigh.
"Then tell me what's not about her; is there anything
startlingly new ?"
" It'§' aboot the Witch, Master David—her ongaun's are
simply awfu'."
" What's wrong with poor Elspeth?"
" She's gane clean dementit, an' kickin' up a shindie a'
ower the country side."
" Is she intoxicated ?"
" She takes a drappie, there's nae doot ; but it's no the
speerit this time—at least it's no the speerit o' whusky.''
" Well, John, I'm not interested in the doings of the
crazy old creature."
" Ah ! sir, but it's the terrible things she's sayin'—
dinna mean the curses, sir, 'cause she's gane "the hale
length o' her tether in that line. She's running aboot
yellin' that she is being hunted wi' a ghaist."
"Then she is quite daft."
I