Towards nine o'clock David came to the parlor and sat down beside his uncle.

He said he had been "greatly annoyed." "Annoyances are as certain as the multiplication table," John remarked quietly, "and ye ought to expect them--all the mair after a long run o' prosperity." "But no man likes to be refused by the girl he loves." "Eh?
Refused, say ye?
Wha has refused you ?" "Isabel Strang.

I have loved her, as you and Jenny know, since we went to school together, and I was sure that she loved me.

Two days ago I had some business with Deacon Strang, and when it was finished I spoke to him anent Isabel.

He made me no answer then, one way or the other, but told me he would have a talk with Isabel, and I might call on him this afternoon.