Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/258

 "But your father has forgiven you," said the minister; "he is ready to give you his blessing."

"And will you bless me?" said Sandie, "O my father, I dinna deserve your blessing; but let me anes mair hear your voice."

"God Almighty bless you, my son, and give you a heart to serve him, and to walk in his ways."-"Is it not Sandie that I hear," cried his mother, rushing to the bedside, and clasping her son in her arms; "O Sandie, what have ye brought upon us a'!"

There was no time to answer, for the exertion was so much beyond her strength, that she would have fallen lifeless on the ground, had not her son prevented it, by clasping her to his breast. "My mother! Have I killed my mother too!" exclaimed the affrighted youth, hanging over her with a look of inexpressible horror.

"Yes," uttered a loud and rough voice from behind, "you would rather kill twenty