And though Don was a year older, he gave to Ranald a homage almost amounting to worship, for in all those qualities that go to establish leadership among boys, Ranald was easily first.

In the sport that called for speed, courage, and endurance Ranald was chief of all.

Fleet of foot, there was no runner from the Twelfth to the Twentieth that could keep him in sight, and when he stood up to fight, the mere blaze of his eyes often won him victory before a blow was struck.

To Don, Ranald opened his heart more than to any one else; all others he kept at a distance.
It was in vain that Mrs.Murray, in her daily visits to Macdonald Dubh, sought to find out Ranald and to come to speech with him.

Aunt Kirsty never knew where he was, and to her calls, long and loud, from the back door and from the front, no response ever came.