“Come along, Johnson,” said Eddy; “don’t be shy. The nature of great scholars, Rankin, is that they’re dreadfully shy, don’t you know. A man that you couldn’t put out by the heaviest argument will give in at the sight of a young lady. That’s like our friend here: he thinks every woman he sees is going to bite him, or--marry him, perhaps, out of hand, as you do in Scotland, don’t you know.” “There is a great deal o’ nonsense prevalent about Scotch marriages,” said Rankin. “It’s nothing of the kind. Come away ben, Mr. Johnson, I’m real glad to see you. Dod! he’s no so lo’esome in his ain person that he should be frichtened for the leddies; but study’s mair embellishin’ for the mind than the body. Come in by, sir, and gi’e me a shake o’ your hand. You and me’s had mony a controversy, but nane sae bitter but that we may meet as friends.” “Eh! what’s the man saying? What have I got to do with him?” cried Johnson, stumbling in, with eyes as yet unaccustomed to the light. “I tell you,” said Eddy, “of course you never expected to find here the great Ros-beg, your opponent on the question of--What question was it, Rankin? Don’t attempt to hide your honours, Johnson, my boy. Everybody here knows you’re Johnson of St. Chad’s. You have only got to behave yourself as such, and recognise the power of learning wherever you see it. This, I tell you, is Ros-beg, your adversary on----” “I say, Eddy, none of your humbug! I’ve got to talk to you on serious business, and here you are agoing on with your pranks to drive a man out of his senses.” “I have nothing to do with it,” said Eddy. “This gentleman here in the bed, though you mightn’t think it, is a great scholar, Johnson. He’s driven you into a corner and holds you there. We know what you mean when you pretend ignorance. It’s because you’re shut up. You might find an argument if you were in your own study among all your books at St. Chad’s; but here, face to face with the great Ros-beg, you’ve not got a word to say.” “Be canny with him, be canny with him, sir,” said Rankin, a glow of complacency on his face. “A man’s no to be expected to be ready wi’ his weepons just at a moment’s notice. Coming into a Highland cottage, how was he to think he was to be confronted by an adversary? Na, na; great allowances must be made. Sit down, sir, and tak’ time and come to yourself.” “By Jove!” said Johnson, with most un-don-like force, “I think you mean to drive me mad, Eddy Saumarez! One day it’s with your ladies, and another day it’s with this old----” “Let him get it oot, let him get it oot,” cried Rankin. “Oh, ay! it’s easier to abuse your opponent than to answer him; that’s a trick weel kent in controversy. An auld--what, sir?--get it oot; it will ease your mind, and it will do me nae hairm.”