"A boy, is he?" laughed Aleck. "That may be, but he is very fond of
you, whatever, and indeed, I don't wonder at that. Anybody would be," he
added, boldly.

"You don't know a bit about it," said Maimie, with cheeks glowing.

"About what?"

"About Ranald and--and--what you said."

"What I said? About being fond of you? Indeed, I know all about that.
The boys are all broke up, not to speak of myself."

This was going a little too fast for Maimie. She knew nothing, as yet,
of the freedom of country banter. She was new to the warfare, but she
was not going to lower her flag or retreat. She changed the subject.
"Your team must have been very tired."

"Tired!" exclaimed Aleck, "not a bit. They will go home like birds. Come
along with me, and you will see."

Maimie gasped. "I--" she hesitated, glanced past Aleck, blushed, and
stammered.

Aleck turned about quickly and saw Ranald staring at Maimie. "Oh," he
said, banteringly, "I see. You would not be allowed."

"Allowed!" echoed Maimie. "And why not, pray? Who will hinder me?"

But Aleck only shrugged his shoulders and looked at Ranald, who passed
on to his place at the table, black as a thunder-cloud. Maimie was
indignant at him. What right had he to stare and look so savage? She
would just show him. So she turned once more to Aleck, and with a gay
laugh, cried, "Some day I will accept your invitation, so just make
ready."

"Any day, or every day, and the more days the better," cried Aleck, as
he sat down at the table, where all had now taken their places.

The supper was a great success. With much laughter and chaffing, the
girls flitted from place to place, pouring cups of tea and passing the
various dishes, urging the men to eat, till, as Don said, they were
"full to the neck."

When all had finished, Mr. Murray, who sat at the head of the table,
rose in his place and said: "Gentlemen, before we rise from this table,
which has been spread so bountifully for us, I wish to return thanks on
behalf of Mr. Macdonald to the neighbors and friends who have gathered
to-day to assist in this work. Mr. Macdonald asked me to say that he is
all the more surprised at this kindness, in that he feels himself to be
so unworthy of it. I promised to speak this word for him, but I do not
agree with the sentiment. Mr. Macdonald is a man whom we all love, and
in whose misfortune we deeply sympathize, and I only hope that this
Providence may be greatly blessed to him, and that