for you, I certainly would rather
you accompanied him," said Mrs Vallery, and going to the door without
waiting to hear what Fanny had to say on the subject, she told Sandy
that the children would soon be ready, if Mr Maclean approved of their
going.

"That's jolly," cried Norman. "Mr Maclean can you lend me one of your
rods? I want to catch some fish for you."

"You would find it a hard matter even to hold one," answered the laird,
"but I will get a long thin stick cut, which you will be able to manage
better than one of my rods. And let me advise you to sit quiet in the
boat, and do what Sandy tells you, or you will get into mischief. If
you promise me this you may go."

"Oh yes, I promise to sit quiet," answered Norman, "and you may be sure
I will not get into mischief."

Fanny though she liked going on the water, would much rather have paid a
visit to old Alec, but she was always ready to give up her wishes to
please others, and as Norman seemed so eager to take a row in the boat,
she agreed to accompany him.

Sandy undertook to dig for some worms for bait, and to cut a rod. When
he brought it back, Mr Maclean fastened a line with a float and a hook
to it.

"There, young gentleman, you are fitted out as an angler," he observed,
as he gave it him. "Would you like a very large basket to bring back
your fish in, or will a small one do?"

"I think I had better take a large one," answered Norman. "Fanny can
carry it down to the boat, and Sandy and I will bring it back slung on a
thick stick when it's full of fish."

The laird laughed heartily. "You must not blame your fishing-rod if you
are not successful, for you will catch quite as many with it, as you
would were I to lend you one of mine," he observed. "Now good-bye, and
remember your promise to behave properly, and Sandy will do his part in
looking after you."

Fanny came down ready to set off.

While she walked on by the side of the old man, Norman frequently
started ahead, flourishing his fishing-rod in the way he had seen Mr
Maclean flourish his, and eager to begin drawing in the fish he expected
to catch.

They soon reached the boat.

"Now, Miss Fanny, do you sit in the stern, and Master Norman, you keep
by me in the middle of the boat, and take care that you do not hook your
sister when you are whisking about your rod. We will gang to the end of
the loch first, where I promised to take you, and then you can begin to
fish on the way bac