"Friends," he said weakly, and his eyes filled with tears. Then I knew that I had not been mistaken in thinking that there was much good in the boy. Having made it up with Dickie I set off with a light heart to attend a meeting of the Gifts for Local Soldiers Committee. The chairman was absent and I was invited to take the chair. Bill Watson brought forward a motion that the Committee should get up a concert to provide funds. "Mr. Watson's proposal is that we arrange a concert," I said. "Is there any seconder?" "Aweel," said Andrew Findlay, "Aw think that a concert wud be a verra guid thing. The nichts is beginnin' to draw in, and it wud be best to hae it as soon as possible. The tatties will be on in twa three days." "The proposal is seconded. Any amendment, gentlemen?" "Man," said Peter MacMannish the cobbler, "man, Aw was just lookin' at Lappiedub's tatties the nicht. Man, yon's a dawmed guid crap." "Them that's in the wast field is better," said Andrew. "But the best crap o' wheat Aw seen the year," said Dauvid Peters, "was Torrydyke's." "Any amendment, gentlemen?" "Torrydyke ay has graund wheat," said Peter. "D'ye mind yon year--ninety-sax ... or was it ninety-seeven?--man, they tell me that he made a pile o' siller that year." "Ninety-sax," growled William Mackenzie the farmer of Brigend, "it was ninety-sax, for Aw mind that my broon coo dee'd that summer." "Aw mind o' her," nodded Andrew, "grass disease, wasn't it?" "Aye," said Mackenzie. "Aw sent to Lochars for the vet but he was awa frae hame. Syne Aw sent a telegram to the Wanners vet, and when he cam he says to me, says he--" "Any amendment, gentlemen?" I said. "Goad, lads," said Andrew sitting up in his chair, "we'll hae to get on wi' the business." "No amendment," I said. "Are we all agreed about this concert?" and they grunted their assent. "And now we'll settle the date," I said briskly. Peter MacMannish looked over at Mackenzie. "When are ye thinkin' o' killin' that black swine o' yours, John?" he asked. Mackenzie growled and shook his head. "She's no fattenin' up as Aw cud wish to see her, Peter," he replied. There followed an animated discussion of the merits and demerits of various feeding-stuffs. After a two hours' sitting the Committee unanimously appointed me secretary and organiser of the concert. I was given authority to fix a date and arrange a programme. Attendance at many democratic meetings of this kind has led me to a complete understanding of Parliament. * * * It is Sunday to-day. I sat reading in the afternoon and a knock came at my bothy door. "Come in!" I shouted, and Annie walked in. "Me and Janet and Ellen are going for a walk over the hill, and we thocht you might like to come too." "Certainly!" I cried, and I threw Shaw's latest volume of plays into the bed. "Margaret's wi' us too," said Annie as if it were an afterthought. There was a fight for my arms.