There was infinite import in the question alike
for her and him.
"Ay," she said. "I couldna bear the roof either. It's a habit of mine
to come up here about the gloaming when it's quaiet and caller."
"It was a habit of my mother's also," he said gravely. The recollection
half startled him as he expressed it. He looked around. "I have scarce
been here since. It's peaceful," he said, with a long breath.
"It's no like Glasgow," she replied. "A weary place, yon Glasgow! But
what a day have I had for my homecoming, and what a bonny evening!"
"Indeed, it was a wonderful day," said Archie. "I think I will remember
it years and years until I come to die. On days like this - I do not
know if you feel as I do - but everything appears so brief, and fragile,
and exquisite, that I am afraid to touch life. We are here for so short
a time; and all the old people before us - Rutherfords of Hermiston,
Elliotts of the Cauldstaneslap - that were here but a while since riding
about and keeping up a great noise in this quiet corner - making love
too, and marrying - why, where are they now? It's deadly commonplace,
but, after all, the commonplaces are the great poetic truths.
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