ll work whether they're fit or no.'

'Well, at all events, you write, Robert, and give him the hint that he's
not to fash himself about money, for I have more than he'll want. And
you may just take the hint yourself at the same time, Robert, my boy,'
he added in, if possible, a yet kinder tone.

Robert's way of showing gratitude was the best way of all. He returned
kindness with faith.

'Gin I be in ony want, doctor, I'll jist rin to ye at ance. An' gin I
want ower muckle ye maun jist say na.'

'That's a good fellow. You take things as a body means them.'

'But hae ye naething ye wad like me to do for ye this session, sir?'

'No. I won't have you do anything but your own work. You have more to
do than you had last year. Mind your work; and as often as you get tired
over your books, shut them up and come to me. You may bring Shargar with
you sometimes, but we must take care and not make too much of him all at
once.'

'Ay, ay, doctor. But he's a fine crater, Shargar, an' I dinna think
he'll be that easy to blaud. What do you think he's turnin' ower i' that
reid heid o' his noo?'

'I can't tell that. But there's something to come out of the red head, I
do believe. What is he thinking of?'

'Whether it be possible for him ever to be a gentleman. Noo I tak that
for a good sign i' the likes o' him.'

'No doubt of it. What did you say to him?'

'I tellt him 'at hoo I didna think ye wad hae ta'en sae muckle fash gin
ye hadna had some houps o' the kin' aboot him.'

'You said well. Tell him from me that I expect him to be a gentleman.
And by the way, Robert, do try a little, as I think I said to you once
before, to speak English. I don't mean that you should give up Scotch,
you know.'

'Weel, sir, I hae been tryin'; but what am I to do whan ye speyk to me
as gin ye war my ain father? I canna min' upo' a word o' English whan ye
do that.'

Dr. Anderson laughed, but his eyes glittered.

Robert found Shargar busy over his Latin version. With a 'Weel,
Shargar,' he took his books and sat down. A few moments after, Shargar
lifted his head, stared a while at Robert, and then said,

'Duv you railly think it, Robert?'

'Think what? What are ye haverin' at, ye gowk?'

'Duv ye think 'at I ever could grow intil a gentleman?'

'Dr. Anderson says he expecs 't o' ye.'

'Eh, man!'

A long pause followed, and Shargar spoke again.

'Hoo am I to begin, Robert?'

'Begin what?'

'To be a gentleman.'

Robert scratched