She had sat rigidly upright on one of the old chairs under Margaret Gordon 's insistent picture , with her knotted , toil-worn hands grasping the carved arms tightly , and her eyes fastened on Eric 's face . At first their expression had been guarded and hostile , but as the conversation proceeded they lost this gradually and became almost kindly . Now , when her brother appealed to her , she leaned forward and said eagerly , `` Do you know that there is a stain on Kilmeny 's birth , Master ? '' `` I know that her mother was the innocent victim of a very sad mistake , Miss Gordon . I admit no real stain where there was no conscious wrong doing . Though , for that matter , even if there were , it would be no fault of Kilmeny 's and would make no difference to me as far as she is concerned . '' A sudden change swept over Janet Gordon 's face , quite marvelous in the transformation it wrought . Her grim mouth softened and a flood of repressed tenderness glorified her cold gray eyes . `` Well , then . '' she said almost triumphantly , `` since neither that nor her dumbness seems to be any drawback in your eyes I do n't see why you should not have the chance you want . Perhaps your world will say she is not good enough for you , but she is -- she is '' -- this half defiantly . `` She is a sweet and innocent and true-hearted lassie . She is bright and clever and she is not ill looking . Thomas , I say let the young man have his will . '' Thomas Gordon stood up , as if he considered the responsibility off his shoulders and the interview at an end . `` Very well , Janet , woman , since you think it is wise . And may God deal with him as he deals with her . Good evening , Master . I 'll see you again , and you are free to come and go as suits you . But I must go to my work now .
I left my horses standing XXXXX the field . ''
At for if in of on over since that with