The Waverley Novels 25 Vols Author:Walter Scott Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: his father, that even Baby resisted his wish to reassume his wet garments, and pressed him (at the risk of an expensive supper being added to the charges of the ... more »day) to tarry with them till the next morning. But what Norna had said excited the youth's wish to reach home, nor, however far the hospitality of Stourburgh was extended in his behalf, did the house present any particular temptations to induce him to remain there longer. He therefore accepted the loan of the factor's clothes, promising to return them and send for his own ; and took a civil leave of his host and Mrs Baby, the latter of whom, however affected by the loss of her goose, could not but think the cost well bestowed (since it was to be expended at all) upon so handsome and cheerful a youth. CHAPTER VII. She does no work by halves, yon raving ocean ; Ingulphing those she strangles, her wild womb Affords the marmers whom she hath dealt on, Their death at once, and sepulchre. Old Play. There were ten " lang Scots miles " betwixt Stourburgh and Jarlshof ; and though the pedestrian did not number all the impediments which crossed Tam o' Shanter's path,—for, in a country where there are neither hedges nor stone enclosures, there can be neither " slaps nor stiles,"—yet the number and nature of the "mosses and waters" which he had to cross in his peregrination were fully sufficient t balance the account, and to render his journey as toilsome and dangerous as Tam o' Shanter's celebrated retreat from Ayr. Neither witch nor warlock crossed Mordaunt's path, however. The length of the day was already considerable, and he arrived safe at Jarlshof by eleven o'clock at night. All was still and dark round the mansion ; and it was not till he had whistled twice or thrice beneath Swertha's window that she replied to th...« less