CHAPTER XX.
CATCH YER NAIG.
One night the laird sat in the kitchen revolving in his mind the whole affair for the many hundredth time.

Was it right to spend on his son's education what might go to the creditors?
Was it not better for the world, for the creditors, and for all, that one of Cosmo's vigour should be educated?
Was it not the best possible investment of any money he could lay hold of?
As to the creditors, there was the land! the worst for him was the best for them; and for the boy it was infinitely better he should go without land than without education! But, all this granted and settled, WHERE WAS THE MONEY TO COME FROM?
That the amount required was small, made no difference, when it was neither in hand, nor, so far as he could see, anywhere near his hand.
He sat in his great chair, with his book open upon his knees.

His mother and Cosmo were gone to bed, and Grizzie was preparing to follow them: the laird was generally the last to go.

But Grizzie, who had been eying him at intervals for the last half hour, having now finished her preparations for the morning, drew near, and stood before him, with her hands and bare arms under her apron.

Her master taking no notice of her, she stood thus in silence for a moment, then began.