of a brewer!"

"So would I, mother!" said Alister.

"I too," said lan, "would much prefer that my sister-in-law's father
were not a brewer."

"I suppose you are splitting some hair, lan, but I don't see it,"
remarked his mother, who had begun to gather a little hope. "You
will be back by supper-time, Alister, I suppose?"

"Certainly, mother. We are only going to the village."

The brothers went.

"I knew everything you were thinking," said lan.

"Of course you did!" answered Alister.

"But I am very sorry!"

"So am I! It is a terrible bore!"

A pause followed. Alister burst into a laugh that was not merry.

"It makes me think of the look on my father's face," he said, "once
at the market, as he was putting in his pocket a bunch of more than
usually dirty bank-notes. The look seemed almost to be making
apology that he was rny father--the notes were SO DIRTY! 'They're
better than they look, lad!' he said."