Drever's desk, and
took from his waistcoat pocket a large silver snuffbox.

"Well, Andrew," he cheerily exclaimed, taking a copious pinch
between his finger and thumb and handing the box to the master,
"here's a glorious morning for you, eh? Ay, man, and how are all
your bairns? I see ye aye keep up your number. And who have you at
the head of the class the day? Is it Thora again?"

"Yes," replied Andrew, giving a resounding sneeze and loudly
blowing his nose. "Yes, its just Thora again. She's kept it all the
morning. You see, sir, they all take the same places before the
day's out: whatever way they begin, the smartest are sure to get to
the top."

"Ay, ay, just so," mused the bailie, again opening his snuffbox.
"They're like a pack o' cards--shuffle them as ye will before the
game begins, the honours must still come together at the finish.

"Well, Thora, lassie," he continued, turning round to Thora Kinlay,
"and how are ye all up at Crua Breck?"

"Oh, we're all fine, thank you, sir," said the girl; "only Crumpie
fell over the Neban bank yestreen and broke her leg."

"Ah, indeed! but that's most serious; poor Crumpie!--and that's the
new cow, is it? or is it the old horse?"

"It's the old cow, sir," said Thora, apparently wondering at the
bailie's ignorance.

Then Mr. Duke thrust his hand deep into his pocket and brought it
out again full of keys and money. He selected one of the coins and
handed it to Thora, saying, "There's to you, Thora; that's for
getting to the head of the class."

From his seat he then questioned several of us regarding our
lessons and our homes, and finally he stood up and addressed us
all, saying: "I have come in this morning, bairns, to ask Mr.
Drever to give you all a half holiday. The whaling ships are to
sail by this afternoon's tide, and as many of you have brothers and
fathers aboard, I don't doubt that Mr. Drever will let you away;"
and he added, turning to the master, "What do you say, Andrew?"

"I'm sure, sir," said Mr. Drever, "I have no objections to offer;"
and he looked out through the window as though to satisfy himself
that the weather was suitable for an afternoon's fishing.

Mr. Duke then went into the inner room to have a gossip with old
Grace Drever. The schoolmaster pronounced the benediction, and we
flocked noisily outside.

As I was leaving with Robbie Rosson, Mr. Drever called me back.

"Don't leave the hooks here, Ericson," he said; "you'll be needing
t