That same morning then, going along a
narrow lane, and hearing a cobbler's hammer, she glanced through a window
close to the path, and at once recognized the soutar. He looked up as she
obscured his light, and could scarce believe his eyes when, so early in
the day, he saw before him Mistress Blatherwick's maid, concerning whom
there had been such a talk and such a marvelling for weeks. She looked
ill, and he was amazed to see her about so soon, and so far from home. She
smiled to him feebly, and passed from his range with a respectful nod. He
sprang to his feet, bolted out, and overtook her at once.
"I'm jist gaein to drop my wark, mem, and hae my brakfast: wull ye no come
in and share wi' an auld man and a yoong lass? Ye hae come a gey bit, and
luik some fatiguit!"
"Thank ye kindly, sir," returned Isy. "I _am_ a bit tired!--But I won'er ye
kenned me!"
"Weel, I canna jist say I ken ye by the name fowk ca' ye; and still less
div I ken ye by the name the Lord ca's ye; but nowther maitters muckle to
her that kens He has a name growin for her--or raither, a name she's growin
til! Eh, what a day will that be whan ilk habitant o' the holy city 'ill
tramp the streets o' 't weel kenned and weel kennin!"
"Ay, sir! I 'maist un'erstan' ye ootricht, for I h'ard ye ance sayin
something like that to the mistress, the nicht ye broucht hame the
maister's shune to Stanecross.
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