"He has brought me something at all events," said Norman, "for he told me so, and I hope that he will bring them, when he comes downstairs, or perhaps he would give them to me if I went to his room." "Pray, don't do that," said Fanny. "It will appear as if you were more eager to learn what he has brought than to see him, and he may not have time before breakfast to unpack his large portmanteau." Norman felt vexed that his sister should give him this advice, and somewhat unwillingly accompanied her downstairs. Mrs Maclean, who was in the breakfast-room, received Fanny in her usually affectionate way. "Good-morrow to you, young gentleman; I hope you have slept yourself into a pleasanter humour than you went to bed with," she said, as she held out her hand, and made him a formal curtsey. Norman did not like her salutation, but the awe he felt for her, prevented him from making a rude answer which rose to his lips. "I hope Norman will be a good boy to-day, Mrs Maclean," said Fanny, wishing to apologise for him. "He was tired last night, and did not know exactly what he was about." "But little boys should know what they are about," observed the lady. "However, we will hope for the best, and I shall be glad to see him eat his porridge with an appetite." "Are you prepared, Fanny, for an excursion to-day? We have been asked to join some friends in a picnic at Glen Corpach, and as there are several young people among the families who have promised to come, you will have companions of your own age." "I shall be delighted. What a lovely day for it too," exclaimed Fanny, "and I am sure Norman will like it very much." Norman wondered what a picnic could mean. "Is there to be fun of any sort? What are we to do?" he asked. "My idea of a picnic," answered Fanny, "is, that people collect at a beautiful spot, and bring pies and chickens and all sorts of things to eat, and spread them out on a table-cloth on the grass; and sit round it on the ground, and talk merrily, and laugh; and that some facetious old gentleman makes a funny speech; and songs are sung; and that here in Scotland there is a bag-piper; and that people get up and dance, and the young ladies have their sketch-books, and when tired of dancing make sketches and ramble about among the rocks. That then a gipsy-fire is lighted, and tea is made, and that after that, perhaps there is more dancing. At last the time comes for people to start, and they all drive home again. I went with granny to a picnic like that last year, and she enjoyed it very much, and I am sure I did." "You have given a very good description of what, I daresay, our proposed picnic will be like," said Mrs Maclean; "and I hope you will enjoy it as much as you did yours last year. I have no doubt there will be a piper, and, perhaps, two or three, and that they will do their best to make the hills resound with their music."