doctor years back, if his brains had been as strong as his arm.
Why, heart alive, here is the very man himself!"

I had seen him through the kitchen window, and now I rushed out with my
half-eaten bannock in my hand to greet him. He ran forward too, with
his great hand out and his eyes shining.

"Ah! Jock," he cried, "it's good to see you again. There are no friends
like the old ones."

Then suddenly he stuck in his speech, and stared with his mouth open
over my shoulder. I turned, and there was Edie, with such a merry,
roguish smile, standing in the door. How proud I felt of her, and of
myself too, as I looked at her!

"This is my cousin, Miss Edie Calder, Jim," said I.

"Do you often take walks before breakfast, Mr. Horscroft?" she asked,
still with that roguish smile.

"Yes," said he, staring at her with all his eyes.

"So do I, and generally over yonder," said she. "But you are not very
hospitable to your friend, Jack. If you do not do the honours, I shall
have to take your place for the credit of West Inch."

Well, in another minute we were in with the old folk, and Jim had his
plate of porridge ladled out for him; but hardly a word would he speak,
but sat with his spoon in his hand staring at Cousin Edie. She shot
little twinkling glances across at him all the time, and it seemed to me