nute; then burst into a joyous barking, and
sprang several feet off the ground, turning round in the air before
once more alighting upon his paws; then he tore up and down the pier
like a dog out of his senses.

In the midst of his excitement the gangway was thrown across, and the
sailors stood aside to let the laird and his son leave the vessel.

Immediately Laddie bounded forward and danced around them, barking
until the rocks echoed, and waving his bushy tail in an ecstasy of
welcome.

'Down, Laddie, down,' said Mr. Stewart sternly; and Laddie, after
looking up pathetically for a minute or two, contented himself with
following Allan as closely as he could.

'How do you do, Marjorie?' said Allan. 'Hulloa, Hamish; glad to see
you! Hulloa, Reggie!--Tricksy, why don't you keep your dog in better
order?'

Tricksy looked hurt.

'He's a very well-trained dog,' she declared. 'He only barks because
he is glad to see you.'

'Tricksy thinks she owns a dog,' said her father, smiling down at the
little girl, 'but in reality the dog owns her.'

'Daddy, you are always teasing me,' said Laddie's eight-year-old
mistress; 'he's a _most_ obedient dog.--Laddie, come here.'

Laddie glanced at her and then looked up adoringly at Allan without
stirring from his side.

'That is so like a dog,' observed Marjorie; 'they always make more fuss
about a boy, even if he hardly notices them, than over a girl who is
always petting them. It's too bad.'

Tricksy looked mortified.

'It's because he's so glad that Allan has come home,' she said. 'Just
wait, Daddy; he'll obey me sometime.'

Mr. Stewart and Hamish smiled; but the others were clustering round
Allan, asking questions.

'Had you a good journey, Allan? The steamer's very late. How are the
measles? Are many of the boys ill? Lucky you didn't take it.'

'It's very jolly that you've got such long holidays, Allan,' said
Tricksy, who was walking on her tip-toes with pleasurable anticipation.
'We've got such a jolly game at present; and Neil's helping us.'

'How is old Neil?' asked Allan.

'First-rate,' said Reggie. 'He was with us this morning, gathering
eggs.'

'Gathering eggs!' said Allan; 'you've been up very early.'

'Yes,' replied Marjorie; 'Reggie and Tricksy heard that you were
expected at six in the morning, so they rode over to ask us to be sure
to come and meet you at the steamer. We got up ever so early--I don't
know when; and what do you think? Afte