He is great for his books, but he has no chance whatever, and he will be a bowed man before he has cleared this farm and paid the debt on it." "Never you fear," said his brother.

"Ranald will do well.

But, man, what a size he is!" "He is that," said his father, proudly.

"He is as big as his father, and I doubt some day he may be as good a man as his uncle." "God grant he may be a better!" said Macdonald Bhain, reverently.
"If he be as good," said his brother, kindly, "I will be content; but I will not be here to see it." "Whisht, man," said his brother, hastily.

"You are not to speak such things, nor have them in your mind." "Ah," said Macdonald Dubh, sadly, "my day is not far off, and that I know right well." Macdonald Bhain flung his arm hastily round his brother's shoulder.