Finlay began his work and went on diligently with it that he might be ready at the end of the year to return home, and MacLeod came frequently where he was, more to hear what he had to say than to see the progress he was making with his work. One day, happening to find him at his breakfast, and observing that Finlay began at the back with a shape of butter (_measgan-ìme_) that was set before him, MacLeod asked him when he had finished, why he did not begin at the front of it. “I took it just from back to front as was wont at MacLean’s table, where the measures were round (_far nach biodh na measgain ’n am bloidhean_)” On another occasion MacLeod found him paring a remnant of cheese (_cùl càise_), and asked him when he had learned to pare cheese. “Since I came to MacLeod’s Castle,” he said: “it was not the custom to put a remnant on the inviting, merry, bountiful table in MacLean’s house (_air bòrd fiughaireach, aighearach, fialaidh Mhic’illeathain_).” When the year had expired, MacLean, as had been agreed on, went to bring Finlay home. He was cordially received by MacLeod and was enjoying, after his journey, the usual hospitalities prepared for guests of his rank, when he heard the sound of Finlay’s hammer: “My loss! (_mo chreach!_),” he said, “I have too long delayed going where Finlay is.” When he reached him, he said, “Excuse me, Finlay, I have been rather a long time of coming where you are.” “I know that, MacLean,” he said, “The object of my contempt is the small table Where meanness would be (found): The object of my praise was the well filled table Where proud heroes sat. You did not take in Finlay Guivnac Nor remember him till the last.” (“B’e mo laochan am bòrd suaile Air am bitheadh na laoich mheamnach: Cha d’ thug thusa stigh do ghobhainn Guibhneach, ’S cha do chuimhnich thu e gu anmoch.”) MacLean then asked after his welfare during the year, and said among other things, he would like to hear what were his opinions of the women of the MacLeod country since his coming among them. “Well, I will tell you that,” Finlay said, “If all the women of the Clan MacLeod, Small and great, old and young, Were gathered in one body, It would be one right one I would make out of them.” (“Ged bhiodh mnathan Sìol Leòid, Beag is mòr, sean ’s crìon, Air an càradh ’an aona bhodhaig ’S e aona bhean chòir a dheanainn dhiubh.”) “They will not be well pleased with your words.” “They will be better pleased with my words than I have been with their ways,” Finlay said; “I see it is time to return to Tiree,” MacLean said.