CHAPTER XXIII.
MORE SCHOOLING.
The first opportunity Donal had, he questioned Fergus as to his share in the ill-usage of Gibbie.

Fergus treated the inquiry as an impertinent interference, and mounted his high horse at once.

What right had his father's herd-boy to question him as to his conduct?
He put it so to him and in nearly just as many words.

Thereupon answered Donal-- "It's this, ye see, Fergus: ye hae been unco guid to me, an' I'm mair obligatit till ye nor I can say.

But it wad be a scunnerfu' thing to tak the len' o' buiks frae ye, an' spier quest'ons at ye 'at I canna mak oot mysel', an' syne gang awa despisin' ye i' my hert for cruelty an' wrang.