one to you, why pay me back when you get a kirk and a good stipend."

"I hear you, sir, and I'm gratefu' as man can be."

"Very likely Professor Laird may wish you to stay a week with him. He will
want to find out what you know, and what studies you can be pursuing this
summer. If he does so, I shall take that opportunity to visit my friends.
Then we can return to Pittenloch until the classes open. I look forward to
some calm, happy weeks, David; and perhaps I shall be able to help you
with your Latin and Greek. I wasn't a bad scholar two years ago."

"Is your hame far awa', sir?"

"I dare say, David, you think it strange I do not ask you to go with me
there."

"It wad ill set me to hae such thochts, sir. I hope you dinna put them to
me."

"The truth is, David, I have had a little trouble with my family. If you
won't mind my secrecy, I should prefer not to speak of it."

"I hae naething to do wi' your private affairs, sir. I wad think it the
height o' dishonor to mak' any inquiry concerning them."

Then the subject was readily turned, for David's mind and imagination was
full of the lovely and grand city in which he found himself. He had never
been beyond the small fishing towns of Fife, and the ancient castle and
palace, the fine terraces of handsome houses, the marching to and fro of
soldiers, the streets and kirks made sacred by the sufferings of the