and this said, I revert to my interrupted excuses. I assure him that it
is only within the last few moments that my traveling companion and
I have become aware of the liberty which our guide has taken in
introducing us, on his own sole responsibility, to the house. Mr.
Dunross looks at me, as if he, like the guide, failed entirely to
understand what my scruples and excuses mean. After a while the truth
dawns on him. A faint smile flickers over his face; he lays his hand in
a gentle, fatherly way on my shoulder.

"We are so used here to our Shetland hospitality," he says, "that we
are slow to understand the hesitation which a stranger feels in taking
advantage of it. Your guide is in no respect to blame, gentlemen. Every
house in these islands which is large enough to contain a spare room has
its Guests' Chamber, always kept ready for occupation. When you travel
my way, you come here as a matter of course; you stay here as long as
you like; and, when you go away, I only do my duty as a good Shetlander
in accompanying you on the first stage of your journey to bid you
godspeed. The customs of centuries past elsewhere are modern customs
here. I beg of you to give my servant all the directions which are
necessary to your comfort, just as freely as you could give them in your
own house."

He turns aside to ring a hand-bell on the table as he speaks; and
notices in the guide's face plain signs that the man has taken offense
at my disparaging allusion to him.

"Strangers cannot be expected to understand our ways, Andrew," says
The Master of Books. "But you and I understand one another--and that is
enough."

The guide's rough face reddens with pleasure. If a crowned king on a
throne had spoken condescendingly to him, he could hardly have looked
more proud of the honor conferred than he looks now. He makes a clumsy
attempt to take the Master's hand and kiss it. Mr. Dunross gently repels
the attempt, and gives him a little pat on the head. The guide looks at
me and my friend as if he had been honored with the highest distinction
that an earthly being can receive. The Master's hand had touched him
kindly!

In a moment more, the gardener-groom appears at the door to answer the
bell.

"You will move the medicine-chest into this room, Peter," says Mr.
Dunross. "And you will wait on this gentleman, who is confined to his
bed by an accident, exactly as you would wait on me if I were ill. If
we both happen to ring for you togeth