As a rule, she herself preferred to
monopolise the larger share of a conversation, but to-night she was too
tired to do more than offer the necessary remarks by the way.

"Oh ay, that's right enough. I don't object to their marrying, so long
as it isn't one of my girls. I sent Isabel off on a visit to a school
friend when young Bailey began to grow particular. A mother can manage
these things, if she's any gumption, without letting the young people
suspect that there is any interference. They like their own way, young
people do, and Isabel is obstinate, like her father. Mr Macalister can
be led, but he'll never be driven. Ye have to ca' canny to get the
better of him."

Margot murmured a few words of polite but somewhat vague import, being
rather puzzled to decide in what light she was expected to view Mr
Macalister's characteristics. It occurred to her that as the good lady
was determined to talk, the conversation might be carefully directed
into more interesting channels, and valuable information gleaned
concerning the other guests of the house.

"Have you been staying here long? Are you going to make a long visit?"
she inquired; whereupon her companion began again with increased vigour.

"We've been a matter of a week, and as for the future, it just depends!
Mr Macalister's been failing for the past year. He's just unduly set
on his business, and his nerves," (she pronounced it "nearves") "are in
a terrible condition. The doctor warned him he would have a collapse if
he didn't get a rest at once. `Take him away where he can't get letters
and telegrams every hour of the day,' he told me. `Take him to the
quietest place you can find, and keep him there as long as ye can!' So
here we are; but how long he'll put up with it, is past my knowledge.
He begins to weary already, and of course no man will ever believe that
any one else will take his place. They're conceited creatures, my dear.
Mr Macalister--"

"It is nice for him having so many companions. I suppose you know the
other visitors quite well?" Margot felt that for one evening she had
heard as much as she cared for about Mr Macalister, and headed the
subject in the desired direction with unflinching determination. "The
Mr Elgood who took the head of the table seems very agreeable."

"Oh ay, he's a friendly wee body!" Mrs Macalister allowed,
patronisingly. "There's no harm in him, nor in his brother neither,
though he keeps himself to himse