However, after some further climbing, they reached certain drier altitudes; and there the hamper was deposited, while they looked out for such trunks or big stones as would make convenient seats. The old woman was speechless from exhaustion; Kate was laughing at her own breathlessness, or miscalling the place for having dirtied her boots and her skirts; while Ronald was bringing things together for their comfort, so that they could have their luncheon in peace. This was not quite the same kind of a luncheon party as that he had attended on the shores of the far northern loch—with Miss Carry complacently regarding the silver-clear salmon lying on the smooth, dry greensward; and the American talking in his friendly fashion of the splendid future that lay before a capable and energetic young fellow in the great country beyond the seas; while all around them the sweet air was blowing, and the clear light shining, and the white clouds sailing high over the Clebrig slopes. Things were changed with him since then—he did not himself know how much they had changed. But in all circumstances he was abundantly good-natured and grateful for any kindness shown him; and as Kate Menzies had projected this trip mainly on his account, he did his best to promote good-fellowship, and was serviceable and handy, and took her raillery in excellent part. ’Katie dear,’ whimpered old mother Paterson, as Ronald took out the things from the hamper, ’ye jist spoil every one that comes near ye. Such extravagance—such waste—many’s the time I wish ye would get married, and have a man to look after ye——’ ’Stop your havering—who would marry an auld woman like me?’ said Mrs. Menzies with a laugh. ’Ay, and what’s the extravagance, noo, that has driven ye oot o’ your mind?’ ’Champagne again!’ the old woman said, shaking her head. ’Champagne again! Dear me, it’s like a Duke’s house——’ ’What, ye daft auld craytur? Would ye have me take my cousin Ronald for his first trip to Campsie Glen, and bring out a gill o’ whisky in a soda-water bottle?’ ’Indeed, Katie, lass, ye needna have brought one thing or the other for me,’ he said. ’It’s a drop o’ water, and nothing else, that will serve my turn.’ ’We’ll see about that,’ she said confidently. Her provisioning was certainly of a sumptuous nature—far more sumptuous, indeed, than the luncheons the rich Americans used to have carried down for them to the lochside, and a perfect banquet as compared with the frugal bit of cold beef and bread that Lord Ailine and his friends allowed themselves on the hill. Then, as regards the champagne, she would take no refusal—he had to submit. She was in the gayest of moods; she laughed and joked; nay, at one point, she raised her glass aloft, and waved it round her head, and sang— _’O send Lewie Gordon hame,_ _And the lad I daurna name;_ _Though his back be at the wa’,_ _Here’s to him that’s far awa’!’_