When with characteristic self-satisfaction the packman had extolled his own intelligence, he lapsed into silence. As for me, the telling of my tale had reawakened so many sad memories that for a time I sat gazing before me, unable through my tears to see the other side of the road. Hector knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and sighed.
"It is," he said, "ane o’ the saddest stories I ha’e ever heard. Sic an experience is enough to mak’ a man bitter for the rest o’ his days. But if Mary was only half o’ what you ha’e tellt me she was, that’s no’ what she wu’d like to see. It’s the prood woman she wu’d be if she knew ye were minded to throw in your lot wi’ the Cause. What are ye gaun to dae?"
Hector shook his head sadly. "I’ve noticed the same afore," he said, and paused.
"What have you noticed?" I asked. "I do not understand you."
He looked into the distance, and spoke as though to himself.
"Ay! It’s the auld story. Queer but awfu’ human. There was Moses and Peter: the ane the meekest o’ men, but he lost his temper twice; the ither the bravest and lealest o’ the disciples, but he turned coward."
"Explain yourself," I said. "I cannot follow you."
"I mean nae offence, but I thocht ye wad hae been quicker i’ the uptak’. D’ye no see that men fail maist often on their strongest point? Man, when a man prides himsel’ on his strong points it’s time to get down on his knees. Ye tell me ye lo’ed the lass--and nae doot ye did. But ye’re turning yer back on love, and rinnin’ awa’. I’m surprised at ye. If sic a fate as has befallen Mary were to befa’ the widda at Locharbriggs, dae ye think I should rest until I had dune something to avenge her. Mind ye I’m no’ counsellin’ violence, for I’m a man that loves peace. Bloodshed is the revenge o’ the foolish. There are better ways than that, and if ye’ll throw your lot in wi’ mine, I’ll show ye hoo ye can dae something for the sake o’ her ye loved and for the cause o’ the Covenant." I listened in silence and shame. His words were biting into my heart.
He looked at me with eyes that seemed to peer into the depths of my soul. Then I found speech. "Mary," I said, "was to me the most precious thing in all the world. If you can show me how I can render service to the Cause she loved, I am ready to do your bidding."