ng Lauchie's own sons,
and the assistance they received from Big Malcolm's boys, the place had
long been a rival of Pete Nash's establishment for noise, though,
happily, it was of a much more innocent character.

The room they entered, kitchen, dining-room and living-room, was
furnished, like all the pioneers' homes, with the plainest necessities;
but Long Lauchie's family had grown-up girls in it, and the place
showed the touch of their fingers; a few bright rugs on the floor, and
on the wall some pictures in homemade frames. Then there were some oil
lamps, replacing the candles, and the house was so far in the van of
progress as to possess a stove, which added not a little to the
comfort, and detracted much from the picturesqueness, of the room.

The family consisted of a troop of boys and girls, all ages and sizes,
from big, six-foot Hector to little tangle-haired Betty. They were
already gathered, and several of the neighbours' families had arrived
and were seated on the improvised benches along the wall. There were
Praying Donald's family, Store Thompson and his wife, several others
representative of the Oa and the Glen, and, of course, Weaver Jimmie.

Jimmie's face shone with soap and excitement, and his manner was a
series of embarrassed convulsions; for Kirsty John, the cruel object of
his hopeless love, was there. A fine, big, strapping young woman she
was, with a strong face, and a pair of fearless, black eyes. She sat
bolt upright against the log wall, talking to Mary Lauchie, a sweet,
pale-faced girl; and occasionally casting a withering glance in the
direction of the bench behind the stove, where the Weaver was
alternately striving to efface himself and to attract her attention.

Scotty soon managed to slip away from his grandmother, and join Betty
and Peter in a corner. He found them in the same state of subdued
excitement as he was himself. Peter informed him in a joyous whisper
that there was a big cheese in the cupboard, and a johnny cake and
blackberry preserves for the visitors, before they left. Scotty's
interest in this delightful disclosure did not prevent his noticing
Callum's entrance. Callum had gone with Hector to put up the team and
now came marching in, the object of many admiring glances.

He displayed none of Weaver Jimmie's diffidence; but went straight over
to where Mary Lauchie sat, and whispered in her ear, and Mary flushed
and smiled and her plain face grew quite pretty.