wheat--and to sow it too, for that
matter?"

"I don't think you had better call him by _that_ name, if you want him
to do you a favour," said Hamish, laughing. "But why ask John Firinn of
all the folk in the world?"

("Firinn" is the Gaelic name for "truth," and it was added to the name
of one of the many John McDonalds of the neighbourhood; not, I am sorry
to say, because he always spoke the truth, but because he did not.)

Shenac laughed.

"No; it's not likely. But I'm doing it for him because his wife has
been sick all the summer, and has not a thread of her wool spun yet, and
I am going to change work with them."

"But, Shenac," said Hamish gravely, "does our mother know? I am sure
she will think you have enough to do at home, without going to spin at
John Firinn's."

"I should not go there, of course; they must let me bring the wool home.
And there's no use in telling my mother till I see whether they'll
agree. It would only vex her. And, Hamish, it's all nonsense about my
having too much to do. There's only the potatoes; and Hugh can bide at
home from the school to gather them and the turnips, and Dan will be as
well pleased if I leave them to him. I am only afraid that he has been
fancying he is to plough, and he's not fit for it."

"No, he's not fit for it," said Hamish. "But I don't like John Firinn.
Is there no one else?"

"No; for if we speak to the Camerons or Angus Dhu, it will just be the
same as saying we want them to make a bee. I hate bees,--for us, I
mean. It was well enough when they all thought it was just for the
summer, and that then Allister would be home. But now we must do as
other folk do, and be independent. So I must speak to John. He's not
very trustworthy, I'm afraid; but that's maybe because few trust him. I
don't think he'll wrong my mother, if he promises to do the land."

"Perhaps you are right, Shenac," said Hamish with a sigh.

"But, Hamish," said Shenac eagerly, "_you_ could not do this work, even
if you were well and strong." She was not answering his words, but the
thoughts which she knew were in his heart. "Come with me, Hamish. It
will do you good, and it would be far better for you to make a bargain
with John Firinn than for me. Shenac yonder is going. Come with us,
Hamish."

"No," said Hamish. "The children are at the school, and maybe Dan will
go to the mill; and my mother must not be left alone. And you are the
one to make the bargain about