ming good-nature all
round, though he said very little except "Aye, oh aye," in a reflective
tone. But, during a lull in the lively conversation at the other end
of the table, he leaned over towards the minister with a question, "An'
what are ye, Mr. Egerton? Of course, we all ken ye're part Highland
Scotch, but not all, Ah hope."

The whole tableful was silent now and every eye was turned towards the
young man addressed. The question was one of great importance. John
Egerton laughed. "Oh, don't be alarmed," he said gaily, "I have plenty
of Lowland blood, too, Mr. Hamilton; the Highland Scotch is only the
McAlpine side. The Egertons are English, though."

Mr. Hamilton looked doubtful. "Oh aye," he said. "They never taught
you the Gaelic, though. Man, the Oa folk would a' been pleased if ye
could speak it."

The young man raised his eyebrows with a comical affectation of despair.

"Don't I wish I could!" he exclaimed. "But I'm not so ignorant as they
think. I know more than ten words of Gaelic. You fellows from the Oa
remember to tell that!"

There was a hearty laugh round the table. "By Jove, I will tell it,"
said Donald Neil, when the conversation had become general again, "I'll
tell Catchach!"

"Tell him what?" inquired Wee Andra.

"That the minister speaks Gaelic."

A shriek of laughter from those who heard greeted this announcement,
and Wee Andra thumped his chum upon the back in the exuberance of his
delight.

"Great head, Don!" he roared. "Catchach'll swallow him with joy before
he has time to deny it."

"Don Neil," cried Jessie, "you surely wouldn't play a trick on a
minister!"

"It would be fearful wicked," put in Sandy piously.

"He'll never know," laughed Donald. "We'll let Catchach foam a while
and then bring him down to earth before he does any damage."

"Well, a minister should be considered above such things," said Sarah
loftily.

"Not this minister," said Don with conviction, "he's able to take care
of himself. Eh, Andra?"

"You bet. There's nothin' o' the old hearse about him. He's jist like
the rest of us. It'll be a howlin' circus--" and he chuckled
prodigiously.

"If you boys are up to any mischief about the minister," warned Bella,
"I'll tell your father. Andra--Hish!"

For the minister had arisen and was returning thanks for the food of
which they had partaken. The noise was hushed and every head instantly
lowered.

The company broke up with the unanimo