had a nice little trick of mimicry which greatly endeared him to a
school where delicate gifts were rare.

"S-silence, if you please," and Nestie held up his hand with Mr. Byles's
favourite polite deprecating gesture. "I hear a smile. Remember, d-dear
boys, that this is a serious s-subject. Do p-please sit quiet, Peter
McGuffie; your fidgetin' is very t-tryin' indeed, and I 'ope, I mean
h-hope, you will make an effort to l-learn. This, my l-lads, is a common
object of Nature which I 'old, that is hold, in my h-hands--Howieson, I
must ask you not to annoy Thomas John Dowbiggin--the c-colour is a
lovely gold, and yet--no talking, if you please, it is r-rude--we pass
it every day without n-notice. Each boy may take a dandelion h-home to
his sister. Now go hout ... or rather out, quietly."

"Gosh, it's just Byles to the ground!" cried Bauldie; and Johnston
passed a half stick of gundy to Nestie to refresh him after his labours.
"Are ony o' you chaps goin'? It wud be worth seein' Byles traking thro'
the Kilspindie Woods, with thae bleatin' sheep o' Dowbiggins at his
heels, carryin' an airmful o' roots and sic like."

"You'ill no catch me tramping oot at the tail o' Byles and a litter o'
Dowbiggins!"--and Jock was very emphatic. "Dod, it'ill just be like a
procession o' MacMuldrow's lassies, two and two, and maybe airm in
airm!"

This fearful and malignant suggestion settled the matter for the
Seminary, as a score of its worthies marching across the bridge in the
interests of science, like a boarding-school, would be a scandal for
ever. So it was agreed that a body of sympathisers should see the Byles
expedition off next morning, and then hold a field day of kites in the
meadow.

The deterioration of the best is the worst, and that means that when a
prim, conventional, respectable man takes in his head to dress as a
Bohemian, the effect will be remarkable. Byles had been anxious to show
that he could be quite the gay rustic when he pleased, and he was got up
in a cap, much crushed, and a grey flannel shirt, with a collar
corresponding, and no tie, and a suit of brown tweeds, much stained with
futile chemical experiments. He was also equipped with a large canvas
bag, slung over his shoulder, and a hammock net, which he explained
could be slung from a tree and serve as a resting-place if it were damp
beneath. The Dowbiggins had entered into the spirit of the thing, and
were in clothes reserved for their country holidays.