but for some 'at kenned him whan he was yet in honour an'
poverty. Noo, wad ye no say this was a veesitin' o' the sins o' the
father upo' the children?"

"Ay, doobtless!"

"Weel, whan I h'ard last aboot them, they were a' like eneuch to turn
oot honest lads an' lasses."

"Ow, I daursay!"

"An' what micht ye think the probability gien they had come intil a lot
o' siller whan their father dee'd?"

"Maybe they micht hae gane the same gait he gaed!"

"Was there injustice than, or was there favour i' that veesitation o'
the sins o' their father upo' them?"

There was no answer. The toddy went down their throats and the smoke
came out of their mouths, but no one dared acknowledge it might be a
good thing to be born poor instead of rich. So entirely was the
subject dropped that Donal feared he had failed to make himself
understood. He did not know the general objection to talking of things
on eternal principles. We set up for judges of right while our very
selves are wrong! He saw that he had cast a wet blanket over the
company, and judged it better to take his leave.

Borrowing a wheelbarrow, he trundled his chest home, and unpacking it
in the archway, carried his books and clothes to his room.

CHAPTER X

THE PARISH CLERGYMAN.

The next day, Donal put on his best coat, and went to call on the
minister. Shown into the study, he saw seated there the man he had met
on his first day's journey, the same who had parted from him in such
displeasure. He presented his letter.

Mr. Carmichael gave him a keen glance, but uttered no word until he had
read it.

"Well, young man," he said, looking up at him with concentrated
severity, "what would you have me do?"

"Tell me of any situation you may happen to know or hear of, sir," said
Donal. "That is all I could expect."

"All!" repeated the clergyman, with something very like a sneer; "--but
what if I think that all a very great deal? What if I imagine myself
set in charge over young minds and hearts? What if I know you better
than the good man whose friendship for your parents gives him a kind
interest in you? You little thought how you were undermining your
prospects last Friday! My old friend would scarcely have me welcome to
my parish one he may be glad to see out of his own! You can go to the
kitchen and have your dinner--I have no desire to render evil for
evil--but I will not bid you God-speed. And the sooner you take
yourself out of this, y