His civility came from two sources???-the one hope, the other fear. Alec
was going away and might never return. That was the hope. For although
Bruce had spread the report of Annie's engagement to Curly, he believed
that Alec was the real obstacle to his plans. At the same time he was
afraid of him, believing in his cowardly mind that Alec would not stop
short of personal reprisals if he should offend him; and now he was a
great six-foot fellow, of whose prowess at college confused and
exaggerated stories were floating about the town.???-Bruce was a man who
could hatch and cherish plans, keeping one in reserve behind the other,
and beholding their result from afar.
"Ay! ay! Mr Forbes???-sae ye're gaun awa' amo' the train-ile, are ye? Hae
ye ony share i' the tak' no?"
"I don't think the doctor has any share," answered Alec.
"But I warran' ye'll put to yer han', and help at the catchin'."
"Very likely."
"Weel, gin ye come in for a barrel or twa, ye may coont upo' me to tak
it aff yer han', at the ordinar' price???-to the _wholesale_ merchan's,
ye ken???-wi' maybe a sma' discoont for orderin' 't afore the whaul was
ta'en."
The day drew near.
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