It was a long speech for Sir Tom to make, and at the end he cleared his throat and dashed something from his eyes. He was glad to have got this off his chest--as he might have expressed it. It had lain heavily there for some time; in fact, ever since he had been able to grasp the full significance of his nephew’s action. To him it seemed disastrous, unnecessary, and foolish in the extreme. For if a man cannot afford to live on his estate, or if it does not offer him sufficient occupation, surely it were infinitely better for him to take up some honourable calling in which he would have a chance to rise and to distinguish himself. The Mackinnons, at least the handful that was left, had all been proud of the gallant old General, and, now that it was open to his son to carry on the fine traditions of the race, it seemed incredible and discreditable that he should not be willing and eager to do it. "I can’t do that, Uncle Tom," said Malcolm, shifting uneasily from one foot to another. "I’ve left the army for good." "But that’s no reason why you shouldn’t go back. If representations to the proper quarter were made, I can’t see any insuperable obstacles in the way. Can you, Isla?" She made no answer, and he went on. "I’ll do what I can. I’ll go to the Commander-in-Chief myself, if you’re such a baby over it, Malcolm, and lay the whole facts of the case before him. No reasonable man would refuse to make an open door somewhere for you, and I don’t believe he would--eh, Malcolm?" "I can’t go back, Uncle Tom. Please, say no more about it." "I’d like to hear a word from Isla on the subject," said Uncle Tom. "I can’t make you out, lassie. I have never thought of you as a person without opinions. You have an opinion about this, of course, and a pretty strong one, I could take my affidavit. Let us hear it. Now’s the time, for if you won’t travel with me to London, I must go south to-morrow." "It is a matter for Malcolm entirely, Uncle Tom," she said, rising with a sudden sweep to her feet. "Do you mind if I say good-night? I am very tired, and last night I had no sleep. I’ll be up bright and early for you to-morrow morning, though, of course, it will only be the two o’clock train you want to catch at Stirling. It will set you down in London before eleven." "That will do. You’re in a hurry, however--and my last night, too! But certainly you look tired, lass," said the old man, and he kissed her with a very real tenderness. She nodded to Malcolm, said good-night briefly, and went to the door, which her uncle opened for her. When he had closed it he turned full face to Malcolm. "There’s something the matter with the bairn, Malcolm. What is there between her and you? Have you quarrelled about anything?" "Nothing special--only we don’t hit it off, Uncle Tom," said Malcolm, turning round with evident relief and reaching for the cigars.