ynoox (for such an outlandish name was ever a
trial) is far through wi't; the doctor says he never had much to come
an' go on, and noo this whup o' inflammation is the feenish.

"The doctor doesna expect him to see mornin', an' he's verra sober
(weak); but his head's clear, an' the laddie's wi' him. Ma hert is wae
(sorry) for him, for the twa hev been that bund up thegither that a'm
dootin' Nestie 'ill never get ower the pairtin'."

The gentle little minister was not far from his end, and Nestie was
nursing him as best he could. He sponged his father's face--threatening
to let the soap get into his eyes if he were not obedient--and dried it
with a soft towel; then he brushed the soft, thin brown hair slowly and
caressingly, as he had often done on Sundays when his father was weary.
Turning round, he saw Bulldog, and instead of being afraid, Nestie
smiled a pathetic welcome, which showed either what a poor actor the
master was, with all his canings, or that his English scholar was a very
shrewd little man.

"Th-thank you f-for coming to see father, sir; he was n-naughty and got
cold, and he has been so ill; but he must get better, for you know there
are ... just the two of us, and ... I would be ... lonely without the
pater."

"Nestie does not wish to part with me, Mr. MacKinnon, for we h-have been
... dear friends, that's how it was, and we loved ... mother; but he is
a ... brave little man, as you know, and mother and I will not forget
him ... you came to ask for Nestie, and it was God's will, for I h-have
a f-favour to ask of you."

Bulldog went over and sat down by the bed, but said nothing. Only he
took the minister's hand in his and waited. He also put his other arm
round Nestie, and never did he look fiercer.

"I have no relatives, and his m-mother's family are all dead; there is
nobody to be g-guardian to Nestie, and he cannot live alone. C-could you
get some family who would be ... where he might be at ... h-home?

"You know we are not rich, but we've s-saved a little, for Nestie is a
famous little house-k-keeper; and maybe there's enough to keep him ...
till he grows big; and I'll give you the receipt at the bank, and you'll
... manage for him, won't you?"

Bulldog cleared his throat to speak, but could not find his voice--for a
wonder, but his hand tightened on the minister's, and he drew Nestie
nearer to him.

"Of course, Mr. MacKinnon, I know that we have no c-claim on you, for we
are strangers in