w of
them? They may be black with sin for all I can tell. No doubt Barbara
Ballantree's daughter would be just as ready to accept help from such
hands."

"As a painter, I try to keep mine clean," said Somerled. "I tell you
that in earnest, not in joke, because for the present I've constituted
myself your granddaughter's guardian. My plan is to take her in my
motor-car to Edinburgh, where I shall deliver her safely to Mrs.
Bal--Mrs. Ballantree MacDonald. In the car will be Mrs. West and her
brother, Basil Norman. Have you anything to say against the plan? If you
have, kindly speak now."

"If I did speak, would it prevent your doing what you've made up your
mind to do?"

"Perhaps not, unless your reasons appealed to my judgment," Somerled
admitted.

"You're no prevaricator, anyhow."

"I don't come of prevaricating stock."

"You don't, if you're David MacDonald's son. He was a humble,
God-respecting man. But you have no humble air. You hold your crest
high."

Somerled was minded to be impudent and say that in that case he must get
his hair cut; but he refrained. "The atmosphere of this house does not
conduce to humility, madam," he answered instead--and always as they
talked the two looked one another straight and full in the face.

"H'm!" the old woman grunted. Yet there was something vaguely resembling
a twinkle in the glass-gray eyes, a gleam which Barrie and few others
now living had ever seen; for not more than one or two of her
fellow-beings had ever had the slightest idea how to manage Mrs.
MacDonald, _nee_ Ann (scorning an "e") Hillard.

"Go on your motor trip, then, so far as I care," said she, a permission
which from her was well-nigh a blessing. "It will probably end in a
smash-up before Edinburgh."

"I think not," said Somerled. "I drive myself, and I know how to drive
rather well."

"I was not referring to physical results."

"So I presumed. Nor was I," he retorted.

If she found the reply enigmatical she did not say so.

They had not sat down during the conversation. Now, Somerled took a step
toward the door. "I'm obliged to you for receiving me, madam," he said
as a prelude to departure.

"I received you on the strength of your name," she reminded him.

"Which I don't intend to disgrace in your eyes."

"Why in my eyes? They will not long be looking your way."

"I think they will, as long as I'm in charge of your granddaughter.
That's what I mean."

"I do not thank you for the assur