Donald was sent up stairs to intimate that all was ready.

He speedily returned, nodding significantly, as much as to say that it was all right.

"But, Donald," said the master, after some further trial of a hungry man's patience, "are ye sure ye made the gentleman understand ?" "_Understand ?_" retorted Donald (who had peeped into the room and found the guest engaged at his toilet), "I'se warrant ye he understands; he's _sharping_ his teeth,"-- not supposing the tooth-brush could be for any other use.
There have been some very amusing instances given of the matter-of-fact obedience paid to orders by Highland retainers when made to perform the ordinary duties of domestic servants; as when Mr.Campbell, a Highland gentleman, visiting in a country house, and telling Donald to bring everything out of the bedroom, found all its movable articles--fender, fire-irons, etc .-- piled up in the lobby; so literal was the poor man's sense of obedience to orders! And of this he gave a still more extraordinary proof during his sojourn in Edinburgh, by a very ludicrous exploit.

When the family moved into a house there, Mrs.Campbell gave him very particular instructions regarding visitors, explaining that they were to be shown into the drawing-room, and no doubt used the Scotticism, "_Carry_ any ladies that call up stairs." On the arrival of the first visitors, Donald was eager to show his strict attention to the mistress's orders.

Two ladies came together, and Donald, seizing one in his arms, said to the other, "Bide ye there till I come for ye," and, in spite of her struggles and remonstrances, ushered the terrified visitor into Mrs.Campbell's presence in this unwonted fashion.
Another case of _literal_ obedience to orders produced a somewhat startling form of message.