Yes, he's through his Law Schools examination, and at the top, too, as far as I can make out." "Dear me, and you never mentioned it!" Dr Drummond spoke with the resigned impatience of a familiar grievance.

It was certainly a trying characteristic of John Murchison that he never cared about communicating anything that might seem to ask for congratulation.

"Well, well! I'm very glad to hear it." "It slipped my mind," said Mr Murchison.

"Yes, he's full-fledged 'barrister and solicitor' now; he can plead your case or draw you up a deed with the best of them.

Lorne's made a fair record, so far.