ake two savages into her house together, where also
doubtless the presence of this Donal would greatly interfere with
the process of making a gentleman of Gibbie. Unable to satisfy
himself, he raised his head at length, unconsciously shaking it as
he did so. That instant Gibbie was out of the house. Mr. Sclater,
perceiving the blunder he had made, hurried after him, but he was
already out of sight. Returning in some dismay, he handed the slate
to Janet, who, with sad, resigned countenance, was baking. She
rubbed the oatmeal dough from her hands, took the slate, and read
with a smile.

"Ye maunna tak Gibbie for a young cowt, Maister Sclater, an' think
to brak him in," she said, after a thoughtful pause, "or ye'll hae
to learn yer mistak. There's no eneuch o' himsel' in him for ye to
get a grip o' 'm by that han'le. He aye kens what he wad hae, an'
he'll aye get it, as sure's it'll aye be richt. As anent Donal,
Donal's my ain, an' I s' say naething. Sit ye doon, sir; ye'll no
see Gibbie the day again."

"Is there no means of getting at him, my good woman?" said Mr.
Sclater, miserable at the prospect of a day utterly wasted.

"I cud gie ye sicht o' 'im, I daursay, but what better wad ye be for
that? Gien ye hed a' the lawyers o' Embrough at yer back, ye wadna
touch Gibbie upo' Glashgar."

"But you could persuade him, I am sure, Mistress Grant. You have
only to call him in your own way, and he will come at once."

"What wad ye hae me perswaud him till, sir? To onything 'at's
richt, Gibbie wants nae perswaudin'; an' for this 'at's atween ye,
the laddies are jist verra brithers, an' I hae no richt to interfere
wi' what the tane wad for the tither, the thing seemin' to me rizon
eneuch."

"What sort of lad is this son of yours? The boy seems much attached
to him!"

"He's a laddie 'at's been gien ower till's buik sin' ever I learnt
him to read mysel'," Janet answered. "But he'll be here the nicht,
I'm thinkin', to see the last o' puir Gibbie, an' ye can jeedge for
yersel'."

It required but a brief examination of Donal to satisfy Mr. Sclater
that he was more than prepared for the university. But I fear me
greatly the time is at hand when such as Donal will no more be able
to enter her courts. Unwise and unpatriotic are any who would
rather have a few prime scholars sitting about the wells of
learning, than see those fountains flow freely for the poor, who are
yet the strength of a country. It is bet