’Here’s a bit thing,’ said he, ’I wish ye would take, if it’s of any use to you. Or if ye could tell me anything ye wished it made into, I could have that done when I go south. And if your mother would like one or two of the deer-skins, I’m sure she’s welcome to them; they’re useful about a house.’ ’Indeed, you are very kind, Ronald,’ said she, flushing somewhat, ’and too kind, indeed—for you know that ever since we have known you all these kindnesses have always been on one side—and—and—we have never had a chance of doing anything in return for you——’ ’Oh, nonsense,’ said he good-naturedly. ’Well, there is one thing your father could do for me—if he would take my gun, and my rifle, and rods and reels, and just keep them in good working order, that would be better than taking them to Glasgow and getting them spoiled with rust and want of use. I don’t want to part with them altogether; for they’re old friends; and I would like to have them left in safe keeping—— She laughed lightly. ’And that is your way of asking a favour—to offer my father the loan of all these things. Well, I am sure he will be very glad to take charge of them——’ ’And to use them,’ said he, ’to use them; for that is the sure way of keeping them in order.’ ’But perhaps the new keeper may not be so friendly?’ ’Oh, I will take care about that,’ said he confidently; ’and in any case you know it was his lordship said your father might have a day on the Mudal-Water whenever he liked. And what do you think, now, about the little skin there?’ ’I think I will keep it as it is—just as you have given it to me,’ she said simply. In due course they had tea together; but that afternoon or evening meal is a substantial affair in the north-cold beef, ham, scones, oatmeal cake, marmalade, jam, and similar things all making their appearance—and one not to be lightly hurried over. And Meenie was so much at home now; and there was so much to talk over; and she was so hopeful. Of course, Ronald must have holiday-times, like other people; and where would he spend these, if he did not come back to his old friends? And he would have such chances as no mere stranger could have, coming through on the mail-cart and asking everywhere for a little trout-fishing. Ronald would have a day or two’s stalking from Lord Ailine; and there was the loch; and Mudal-Water; and if the gentlemen were after the grouse, would they not be glad to have an extra gun on the hill for a day or two, just to make up a bag for them? ’And then,’ said Meenie, with a smile, ’who knows but that Ronald may in time be able to have a shooting of his own? Stranger things have happened.’