"Nonsense!" said I sternly, "nonsense! This talk of ghosts and
devils is sheer folly. I am a man, like the rest of you, and
could not wish you ill--even if I would come, let us all shake
hands, and forget this folly!" and I extended my hand to Old Amos.
He glanced from it to my face, and immediately, lowering his
eyes, shook his head.
"'Tis the Evil Eye'!" said he, and drew across upon the floor
with his stick, "the 'Evil Eye'!"
"Nonsense!" said I again; "my eye is no more evil than yours or
Job's. I never wished any man harm yet, nor wronged one, and I
hope I never may. As for Mr. Dutton's pigs, if he take better
care of them, and keep them out of the damp, they will probably
thrive better than ever--come, shake hands!"
But, one by one, they edged their way to the door after Old Amos,
until only John Pringle was left; he, for a moment, stood
hesitating, then, suddenly reaching out, he seized my hand, and
shook it twice.
"I'll call for they 'orseshoes in the marnin', Peter," said he,
and vanished.
"Arter all," I heard him say, as he joined the others, "'tis
summat to ha' shook 'ands wi' a chap as fights wi' demons!"