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Date Posted: Tue, March 28 2023, 21:22:06
Author: Cait
Subject: QOTD for Wednesday, March 29th 2023

The following quotation is taken from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 1991 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 11, Conversations With A Lawyer

"And then," Mr. Gowan went on with a sigh, "he rose from his bed too soon, and took a tumble down the stairs that broke the other leg. He lay in his bed close on a year, but it soon became clear that the damage was permanent. And that was when Jacob died, unfortunately"

The little man paused to marshall his thoughts. He glanced ahead again as though looking for someone. Failing to find them he settled back into the saddle.

"That was about the time there was all the fuss about his sister's marriage too," he said. "And Dougal...well, I'm afraid Dougal did not acquit himself so verra weel over that affair. "Otherwise, d'ye see, Dougal might have been made Chief at the time, but 'twas felt he'd not the judgment for it yet." He shook his head. "Oh, there was a great stramash about it all. There were cousins and uncles and tacksmen, and a great Gathering to decide the matter."

"But they did choose Colum, after all?" I said. I marveled once again at the force of personality of Colum Mackenzie. And, casting an eye at the withered little man who rode beside me, I rather thought Colum had also had some luck in choosing his allies.

"They did, but only because the brothers stood firm together. There was nae doubt, you see, of Colum's courage, nor yet of his mind, but only of his body. 'Twas clear he'd never be able to lead his men into battle again. But there was Dougal, sound and whole, if a bit reckless and hot headed. And he stood behind his brother's chair and vowed to follow Colum's word and be his legs and his sword-arm in the field. So a suggestion was made that Colum be allowed to become laird, as he should in the ordinary way, and Dougal be made war chieftain, to lead the clan in time of battle. It was a situation not without precedent," he added primly.

The modesty with which he had said "A suggestion was made..." made it clear just who's suggestion it had been.

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Replies:

[> This quote may be a little longer than normal but I had to grab all the important parts :) and I was so excited to share today's quote I'm posting early! :) -- Cait, Tue, March 28 2023, 21:23:52


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[> [> I forgot all about this exchange and all the subtleties in it. Ned Gowan was such a likable fellow and a prime example of the pen being mightier than the sword. And I really liked him because he was on Claire’s side right from the start. -- Kathy in PA, Wed, March 29 2023, 3:52:06


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[> [> [> Yes! I've always loved Ned for the same reasons! When he reappeared in Voyager to help with Jamie's separation from LegHair I was so thrilled! So many of the classic characters had been killed off by that point that it was reassuring to see Ned again -- Cait, Wed, March 29 2023, 14:30:50


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[> [> [> [> And the line, "Has she brought a gun?" "No, a lawyer!" -- DianaH, Thu, March 30 2023, 10:17:19


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