"It’s been saft weather, and bad for travellin’, and ye hae come a far gait," she continued; and forthwith began to arrange her house. Almost at her heels the children arrived. There were two flaxen-haired girls, one ten and the other about twelve, with bare feet, and their locks tied up like sheaves of ripe golden grain. Then came in a stout lad of about seven, from school and play. All looked as fresh and full of life as young roe from the forest. "Gang awa’, bairns, and snod yersels," said Mrs. Hugh. "This man," said old Spence, who was jealous of his authority over the household, pointing to Jock, "wull tak’ his supper wi’ us. He’s tae sleep in the stable-laft." "He’s welcome, he’s welcome," said Mrs. Hugh. "The bed’s nae braw, but it’s clean, and it’s our best for strangers." The last to enter, as the sun was setting, was John, the eldest, a lad of about fourteen, the very picture of a pure-eyed, ruddy-complexioned, healthy, and happy lad. He had left school to assist his father in attending to his duties. "What luck, Johnnie?" asked his father, as the boy entered with his fishing basket over his shoulder. "Middlin’ only," replied John; "the water was raither laigh, and the tak’ wasna guid. There were plenty o’ rises, but the troots were unco shy. But I hae gotten, for a’ that, a guid wheen;" and he unslung his basket and poured out from it a number of fine trout. Jock’s attention was now excited. Here was evidence of an art which he flattered himself he understood, and could speak about with some authority. "Pretty fair," was his remark, as he rose and examined them; "whaur got ye them?" "In the Blackcraig water," replied the boy. "Let me luik at yer flee, laddie?" asked Jock. The boy produced it. "Heckle, bad!--ye should hae tried a teal’s feather on a day like this." Johnnie looked with respect at the stranger. "Are ye a fisher?" he asked. "I hae tried my han’," said Jock. And so the conversation began, until soon the two were seated together at the window. Then followed such a talk on the mysteries of the craft as none but students of the angle could understand:--the arrangement and effect of various "dressings", of wings, bodies, heckles, &c., being discussed with intense interest, until all acknowledged Jock as a master. "Ye seem tae understan’ the business weel," remarked Hugh. "I wad need," replied Jock. "When a man’s life, no’ to speak o’ his pleasure, depen’s on’t, he needs tae fish wi’ a watchfu’ e’e and canny han’. But at a’ times, toom or hungry, it’s a great diverteesement!" Both Johnnie and his father cordially assented to the truth of the sentiment.