e butler looked more severe than ever, and left the room.

"He's always grumbling, Max--here, have some marmalade."

Max took a little of the golden preserve, and began to spread it on a
piece of bread.

"You are a fellow," said Kenneth mockingly; "that isn't the way to eat
marmalade. Put a lot of butter on first."

"What, with jam?"

"Of course," said Kenneth, with a grin, as he gave a piece of bread a
thick coating of yellow butter, and then plastered it with the golden
red-rinded sweet. "That's the way to eat marmalade!" he cried, taking,
out a fine half-moon from the slice. "That's the economical way."

"Extravagant, you mean?"

"No, I don't; I mean economical. Don't you see it saves the bread? One
piece does for both butter and marmalade."

"I don't know how you manage to eat so much. You had a fried herring
and--"

"A piece of salmon, and some game pie, and etceteras. That's nothing.
I often have a plate of porridge as well. You'll eat as much as I do
when you've been down here a week."

"I hope not."

"Nonsense! Why, it's just what you want. Here, you let me take you in
hand, and I'll soon make a difference in you. See how white and thin
you are."

"Am I?"

"Yes, horrid! You shall have some porridge and milk to-morrow morning.
That's the stuff, as Long Shon says, to lean your back against for the
day."

"I don't understand you!"

"Lean it against forwards," said Kenneth, laughing. "Besides, we only
have two meals here a day."

"Only two?" cried Max, staring. "Why, we always have four at home!"

"That's because you don't know any better, I suppose. You can have
lunch and tea here if you like," said Kenneth contemptuously, "but we
never do--we haven't time."

"Haven't time?"

"No. Who's going to come back miles from shooting or fishing for the
sake of a bit of lunch. I always take mine with me."

"Oh, then you do take lunch?" said Max, with a look of relief.

"Yes, always," said Kenneth, showing his white teeth. "I'm taking it
now--inside. And old Grant's always grumbling to me about having so
much to do now father does not keep any other men-servants indoors.
Only two meals a day to see to, and we very seldom have any company
now."

"I hope Mr Blande is making a good breakfast, Kenneth," said The
Mackhai, laying down his newspaper.

"No, father, not half a one."

"Oh, thank you, I am indeed."

"I hope Mr Blande will," said The Mackhai stiffly. "Pray do not let