He was received in Sauchiehall Road with great eagerness, Archie hurrying to open the door for him, while both Mrs. Brown and Marion appeared at the window as soon as his step was heard, full of nods and becks and wreathed smiles. Mrs. Brown wore another and different “silk,” one that was brocaded, or flowered, as she called it, the foundation being brown and the flowers in various brilliant colours; and Marion had put on the trinkets he had bought to please her on the previous day in addition to those she had worn before, so that she too tinkled as she walked. Rowland received their salutations with as much heartiness as was possible. But he was scarcely prepared for the questions with which Marion assailed him, dumbly backed up by Archie from behind, with his mother’s eyes pleading for every indulgence. “Oh you’re walking, papa?” the girl cried with disappointment, “I thought you would have come in the carriage.” “It would be a great nuisance for me to have always to move about in a carriage,” he said. “Besides I can’t say that I am proud to be seen behind such horses, a pair of old screws from a hotel.” “Oh, you’re not pleased with them! I thought they were beautiful,” said Marion, “and they go so splendidly--far far better than a cab or a geeg. We were making up in our minds where we were to go to-day.” “Where you were to go?” “To show you everything, papa,” said Marion. “You must see all the sights now that you are here. Archie and me were thinking----” “I knew the sights,” he said interrupting her, “before you were born--but if you want the carriage, Archie can go and order it and take you where you please--I have many things to consult your aunt about.” “To consult--Aunty!” Marion opened her eyes wide, and elevated her brow, but this impertinence did not disconcert Mrs. Brown-- “They just take their fun out of me,” she said, with a broad smile; “they think I’m a’ of the old fashion, and ken naething. And deed it’s true. They’re far beyond me with their new fangled ways. But ye see your papaw is no altogether of your way of thinking, Mey.”