stood, and two days
afterward he entered the judge's office again. This time the judge was
sober and busy.

"Glad to see you, Angus," he greeted cheerfully, "sit down and have a
chat."

Angus sat down and, taking fifty dollars in bills from his pocket,
handed the money across the desk. The judge did not take it. He frowned
at the tenderer.

"What is this?" he demanded.

"Your fee," Angus explained.

"For what?"

"For telling me what I want to know."

"Indeed!" rasped the judge. "And how the devil do you know that I can or
will tell you what you want to know? And who gave you the authority to
fix my fee?"

"You fixed it yourself," Angus reminded him. "When I was here two days
ago you told me your fee for advice was fifty dollars; and now I have
brought the money for the advice."

A dull color rose in the old lawyer's cheeks.

"You mean I was too drunk to give it," he said. "I remember that you
were here, but nothing about fifty dollars. Put it back in your pocket,
and tell me what you want to know."

"But I want to pay for what I get."

"Well, you won't," the judge snapped.

"Why not?"

"Because I regulate my own charges," the judge told him. "I've enjoyed
your father's hospitality and yours, and not a cent would you Mackays
ever accept for the time you lost, or for the hire of horses or their
feed, or mine. Damned proud Highland Scotch, that must always give and
never take! Put your money in your pocket, I tell you, and let me know
what's worrying you."

So, seeing that he meant it, Angus put his money back and stated his
case.

"H'm," said the judge. "So Braden wants to rent the ranch, does he, and
sell some stock. Under certain circumstances that might be expedient. An
executor's powers are broad enough, within certain limits, which you
probably wouldn't understand. But what do you want to do yourself? What
do you think is the best thing for you and your sister and brother?"

"I want to stay on the ranch. I can make a living there. Jean and Turkey
are going to school now, and it will be some years before they are
through with it. Then it will be time enough to think of another
school."

"How about yourself?" the judge queried. "You are at the age when you
should be laying the foundations of more education if you are to get it
at all."

"I have thought of that," Angus replied, "and I do not think I have the
head for books, like Jean. I might spend years learning things that
might be well en