frae far. The Lord whiles brings aboot things i' the maist oonlikly
fashion."

"I'm ready for onything I'm fit to do," said Donal; "but I hae had
what's ca'd a good education--though I hae learned mair frae my ain
needs than frae a' my buiks; sae i wad raither till the human than
the earthly soil, takin' mair interest i' the schoolmaister's craps
than i' the fairmer's."

"Wad ye objec' to maister ane by himsel'--or maybe twa?"

"Na, surely--gien I saw mysel' fit."

"Eppy mentiont last nicht 'at there was word aboot the castel o' a
tutor for the yoongest. Hae ye ony w'y o' approachin' the place?"

"Not till the minister comes home," answered Donal. "I have a letter
to him."

"He'll be back by the middle o' the week, I hear them say."

"Can you tell me anything about the people at the castle?" asked
Donal.

"I could," answered Andrew; "but some things is better f'un' oot nor
kenned 'afore han'. Ilka place has its ain shape, an' maist things
has to hae some parin' to gar them fit. That's what I tell yoong
Eppy--mony 's the time!"

Here came a pause, and when Andrew spoke again, it seemed on a new