Free Twelve Great Black Cats by Sorche Nic Leodhas

tied to the tops of loads, and what livestock there was in the sheds behind the shielings was tied on behind the carts. A place was found for everything—even the shepherd’s old dog and the women’s cats. Finally, all the cottages stood forlorn and empty but one. That last one was Auld Jeanie’s, she who had been nurse to the last two Lairds of Kennaquhaur. She stood at the door, blocking the way against the kindly townsmen who were trying to get into the shieling to fetch out her belongings.
    â€œYou’ll not be moving one stick o’ my gear out, young Geordie!” she said to their leader. “My young laird put me in the house here when I grew too auld for work. The laird would be wroth, I tell ye, could he but know what this Sassenach upstart has done this sorry day! I’ll nae be flittin’. Dinna ye think it!”
    â€œOch, come now, mistress,” Geordie coaxed. “My mither’s got a cozy wee room for you in our ain hoose, and a warm nook by the fire is waiting for you. Let me but get your gear on the cart, and you and me’ll be going hame.”
    â€œI’ll nae be flittin’!” Jeanie said firmly.
    The factor rode up to the door. “What goes on here?” he blustered. “Why have you not emptied this house, my man?”
    Geordie looked up at him. “The auld cailleach does not like to leave here,” he said. “Happen she could stay a wee bit longer? She’d gi’e ye no bother. She’s awful auld to make sic a change.”
    â€œThe devil take the stubborn old hag,” exclaimed the factor. “Whether she likes to leave or not, she’ll have to go. I’m going to burn down the houses.”
    â€œCome, mistress, mo graidh ,” Geordie coaxed. “You canna bide here. Come along hame wi’ Geordie, will ye not?”
    The old woman took a firm grip on the doorposts at either side. “I’ll nae be flittin’,” she said.
    The factor alit from his horse and strode up to the door.
    â€œI’ll have no more impertinence from you, old woman!” he shouted. “Let this fellow in to bring your furnishings out, or I’ll burn them with the house.”
    Auld Jeanie looked him straight in the eye. “I’ll nae be flittin’,” she said.
    The factor, furious because she dared to defy him, caught the old body by the shoulder and, hauling her away from the doorway, thrust her aside so roughly that she fell sprawling in the middle of the road.
    Young Geordie ran out in alarm and lifted her up, brushing the dust from her skirts. “Come away, now, come to the cart,” he begged.
    Jeanie set him aside, and turned to face the factor. She fixed her eyes on his, and he stared back as if unable to turn away.
    â€œI lay a curse upon you, factor,” she said, speaking not very loud but very clear. “I lay a curse upon you! Hark to me! As ye have sowed, so shall ye reap. Evil you have sowed and evil shall be your harvest. I lay a curse upon you that the day will come when you shall hunger, with food within sight, and you not able to touch it. You shall thirst with water near, and you not able to take it and drink. You shall call for help and because of your own folly no help will come. When that time comes you will remember this day.”
    â€œThe old woman’s gone mad!” the factor muttered, half to himself, and turned away at last. With a curse, he sent the man whom he had brought along with him to fire the other shielings but Auld Jeanie’s house he himself set aburning, with all her little treasures inside. Jeanie turned her back to the flames springing up behind her. Leaning upon Geordie’s arm she walked with him to the cart, and let him lift her up to the high seat. Geordie climbed up to sit beside her, and the little procession of loaded carts and barrows moved slowly down the road toward the town.
    The factor glanced at his workmen, who had come