n, boss of the shanty, or he'll know the
reason why.--O Shenac, dear, I'm sorry for you; your reign is over, I
doubt. You'll be farmer-in-chief no longer."

The last words were spoken with a mingled triumph and pathos that were
irresistible. They all laughed.

"Don't be too sorry for me, Dan," said his sister. "I'll try to bear
it."

"Oh yes, I know: you think you won't care, but I know better. You like
to rule as well as Allister. You'll see, when spring comes, that you
won't put him aside as you used to put me."

"There won't be the same need," said Shenac, laughing.

"Won't there? It is all very fine, now that Allister is new. But wait
and see. You won't like to be second-best, after having been first so
long."

Both Hamish and Shenac Dhu were observing her. She caught their look,
and reddened a little.

"Do you think so, Shenac Dhu?--You surely cannot think so meanly of me,
Hamish?"

"I think there may be a little truth in what Dan says, but I cannot
think meanly of you because of that," said Hamish.

"Nonsense, Hamish!" said Shenac Dhu; "you don't know anything about it.
It is one thing to give up to a lad without sense, like Dan, but quite
another thing to yield to a man like Allister, strong and wise and
gentle. You are not to make Shenac afraid of her brother."

"I shall never be afraid of Allister," said Shenac Bhan gravely; "and
indeed, Hamish, I don't think it is quite kind in you to think I like my
own way best of all--"

"I did not mean that, Shenac," said her brother.

"But you are afraid I will not like to give up to Allister. You need
not--at least, I think you need not," she added meditatively. "I shall
be glad and thankful to have our affairs managed by stronger hands and a
wiser head than mine."

"If stronger and wiser could be found, Shenac, dear," said a new voice,
and Shenac's face was bent back, while her brother kissed her on the
cheek and lip. "Uncle Angus thinks it would not be easy to do that."

They were all taken aback a little at this interruption, and each
wondered how much he had heard of what had been said.

"Have you been long here, Allister?" asked Dan.

"No; I came this minute from the other house. Your mother told me you
were here, Shenac Dhu."

"Did you hear what we were saying?" asked Dan, not content to let well
alone.

"No; what was it?" said Allister surprised, and a little curious.

"Oh, you should have heard these girls," said Dan mischie