I can weel
imagine the fluttering o' her heart when she spier'd of the woman
for ane Willie Robertson, and asked if he was at hame?'
"'Yes,' answered the wife gruffly. 'But he is not in from the fallow
yet - you may see him up yonder tending the blazing logs.'
"While Jeanie was striving to look in the direction which the woman
pointed out, and could na' see through the tears that blinded her
e'e, the driver jumped down from the cart, and asked the puir girl
where he should leave her trunks, as it was getting late, and he must
be off?
"'You need not bring these big chests in here,' said Mrs. Robertson,
'I have no room in my house for strangers and their luggage.'
"'Your house!' gasped Jeanie, catching her arm. 'Did ye na' tell me
that _he_ lived here? - and wherever Willie Robertson bides Jeanie
Burns sud be a welcome guest. Tell him,' she continued, trembling
all ower, for she told me afterwards that there was something in the
woman's look and tone that made the cold chills run to her heart,
'that an auld friend from Scotland has jist come off a lang
wearisome journey to see him.'
"'You may speak for yourself!' cried the woman angrily, 'for my
husband is now coming down the clearing.'
"The word husband was scarcely out o' her mouth than puir Jeanie
fell as ane dead across the door-step.
