shot sparks beneath the beetling
brows; he had long since discovered that he had the power to badger Mr.
Johnson; and divined that, as a usual thing, Johnson was a man not easily
ruffled. The old man enjoyed the situation mightily and made the most of
it. "When ye are come to your growth, you will be more patient of sma'
crossings. Here is no case for argle-bargle. You have taken yon twa brisk
lads into composition with you"--he nodded toward the brisk lads--"the
compact being that they were to provide fodder for yonder mine-beastie,
so far as in them lies, and, when they should grow short of siller, to
seek more for you. Weel, they need seek no farther, then. I have told
them that I will be their backer at need; I made the deal wi' them direct
and ye have nowt to do with it. You are ill to please, young man! You
come here with a very singular story, and nowt to back it but a glib
tongue and your smooth, innocent-like young face--and you go back hame
with a heaped gowpen of gold, and mair in the kist ahint of that. I
think ye do very weel for yoursel'."

"Don't mind him, Mr. Johnson," said Mary Selden. "He is only teasing
you."

Old McClintock covered her hand with his own and continued: "Listen to
her now! Was ne'er a lassie yet could bear to think ill of a bonny face!"
He drew down his brows at Pete, who writhed visibly.

Ferdie Sedgwick rose and presented a slip of pasteboard to McClintock,
with a bow.

"I have to-day heard with astonishment--ahem!--and with indignation, a
great many unseemly and disrespectful remarks concerning money, and more
particularly concerning money that runs to millions," he said, opposing
a grave and wooden countenance to the battery of eyes. "Allow me to
present you my card, Mr. McClintock, and to assure you that I harbor no
such sentiments. I can always be reached at the address given; and I beg
you to remember, sir, that I shall be most happy to serve you in the
event that--"

A rising gale of laughter drowned his further remarks, but he continued
in dumb show, with fervid gesticulations, and a mouth that moved rapidly
but produced no sound, concluding with a humble bow; and stalked back to
his chair with stately dignity, unmarred by even the semblance of a
smile. Young Peter Johnson howled with the rest, his sulks forgotten;
and even the withered serving-man relaxed to a smile--a portent hitherto
unknown.

"Come; we grow giddy," chided McClintock at last, wiping his own eyes as