’Oh,’ said she (for she did not wish the gentleman to imagine that she thought over much of the smart young keeper), ’he ought to be ferry glad if he can be of use to any one. He is jist amusing himself with the other lads.’ Which was strictly true at this moment. On the little plateau outside Ronald’s cottage two or three of them were standing together. They had got a heavy iron ball, to which was attached about a yard and a half of rope, and one after another was trying who could launch this ball the farthest, after swinging it three or four times round his head. It came to Ronald’s turn. He was not the most thick-set of those young fellows; but he was wiry and muscular. He caught the rope with both hands, swung the heavy weight round his head some four or five times—his teeth getting ever and ever more firmly clenched the while—and then away went the iron ball through the air, not only far outstripping all previous efforts, but unluckily landing in a wheelbarrow and smashing sadly a jacket which one of the lads had thrown there when he entered upon this competition. When he somewhat ruefully took up the rent garment, there was much ironical laughing; perhaps that was the reason that none of them heard Nelly calling. ’Ronald!’ The tall, slim Highland maid was pretty angry by this time. She had come out of the house without any head-gear on; and the cold wind was blowing her yellow hair about her eyes; and she was indignant that she had to walk so far before attracting the attention of those idle lads. ’Ronald, do you hear!’ she called; and she would not move another yard towards them. And then he happened to notice her. ’Well, lass, what is’t ye want?’ ’Come away at once!’ she called, in not the most friendly way. ’The gentleman wants you to go down to the loch.’ But he was the most good-natured of all these young fellows; the lasses about ordered him this way or that just as they pleased. ’What!’ he called to her, ’hasna Fraser come down from Tongue yet?’ ’No, he has not.’ ’Bless us; the whisky must have been strong,’ said he, as he picked up his jacket. ’I’ll be there in a minute, Nelly.’ And so it was that when Mr. Hodson went into the little front hall, he found everything in trim readiness for getting down to the loch—the proper minnows selected; traces tried; luncheon packed; and his heavy waterproof coat slung over Ronald’s arm. ’Seems you think I can’t carry my own coat?’ Mr. Hodson said; for he did not like to see this man do anything in the shape of servant work; whereas Ronald performed these little offices quite naturally and as a matter of course. ’I’ll take it, sir,’ said he; ’and if you’re ready now we’ll be off. Come along, Duncan.’ And he was striding away with his long deerstalker step, when Mr. Hodson stopped him. ’Wait a bit, man; I will walk down to the loch with you.’ So Duncan went on, and the American and Ronald followed. ’Sharp this morning.’ ’Rayther sharp.’