The widow received them most graciously; and very sumptuous indeed was the entertainment she had provided for them. She knew that the drinking song would be successful—if the folk had common sense and ears. And he had sung ’The MacGregors’ Gathering’ too?—well, had they ever heard singing like that before? ’But they have been worrying you?’ she said, glancing shrewdly at him. ’Or, what’s the matter—ye look down in the mouth—indeed, Ronald, ye’ve never looked yoursel’ since the night ye came in here just before the grouse-shooting began. Here, man, drink a glass o’ champagne; that’ll rouse ye up.’ Old mother Paterson was at this moment opening a bottle. ’Not one other drop of anything, Katie, lass, will I drink this night,’ Ronald said. ’What? A lively supper we’re likely to have, then!’ the widow cried. ’Where’s your spunk, man? I think ye’re broken-hearted about some lassie—that’s what it is! Here, now.’ She brought him the foaming glass of champagne; but he would not look at it. ’And if I drink to your health out o’ the same glass?’ She touched the glass with her lips.’ ’There, now, if you’re a man, ye’ll no refuse noo.’ Nor could he. And then the supper came along; and there was eating and talking and laughing and further drinking, until a kind of galvanised hilarity sprang up once more amongst them. And she would have Ronald declare to them which of the lasses in Sutherlandshire it was who had broken his heart for him; and, in order to get her away from that subject, he was very amenable in her hands, and would do anything she bade him, singing first one song and then another, and not refusing the drinking of successive toasts. As for the others, they very prudently declined having anything to do with champagne. But Ronald was her pet, her favourite; and she had got a special box of cigars for him—all wrapped up in silverfoil and labelled; and she would have them tell her over and over again how Ronald’s voice sounded in the long hall when he sang— _’Glenstrae and Glen Lyon no longer are ours?_ and she would have them tell her again of the thunders of cheering that followed— _’Well, well; we’ll have, if that be so,_ _Another glass before we go.’_ Nay, she would have them try a verse or two of it there and then—led by Mr. Jaap; and she herself joined in the chorus; and they clinked their glasses together, and were proud of their vocalisation and their good comradeship. Indeed, they prolonged this jovial evening as late as the law allowed them; and then the widow said gaily—