And I'll tell
ye, grannie, it's needless to sit rhyming ower the style of a' your
kith, kin, and allies, as if there was a charm in their braw names to do
us good; the grandees hae forgotten us, and those of our ain degree hae
just little eneugh to gang on wi' themsells; ne'er a friend hae we that
can, or will, help us to stock the farm again."
"Then, Hobbie, me maun trust in Him that can raise up friends and
fortune out o' the bare moor, as they say."
Hobbie sprung upon his feet. "Ye are right, grannie!" he exclaimed; "ye
are right. I do ken a friend on the bare moor, that baith can and will
help us--The turns o' this day hae dung my head clean hirdie-girdie.
I left as muckle gowd lying on Mucklestane-Moor this morning as would
plenish the house and stock the Heugh-foot twice ower, and I am certain
sure Elshie wadna grudge us the use of it."
"Elshie!" said his grandmother in astonishment; "what Elshie do you
mean?"
"What Elshie should I mean, but Canny Elshie, the Wight o' Mucklestane,"
replied Hobbie.
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