The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

200 The Highland Monthly.
" Converts !"—he exclaimed, striking the table with a
heavy fist— " it is easy to make converts when folk find
that conversion will fill their purses. My. light was under
a bushel till you removed the bushel. It was a lucky day
for the fa-rming interest when your shadow darkened my
door, and it was lucky for me and some one else besides
(he winked at Willie), but of that we'll talk anon. Come,
you young smaiks, off to bed. Early to bed, early to rise
—besides, we have more to talk about than is needful for
you to hear."
The lads looked at me, and seeing that I signified
approval, bade us good night and retired. I was greatly
amused at the surprising coolness with which my friend
made my house his own. I was not offended, because I
knew he was not doing but as he would be done by. I fell
into a contemplative reverie regarding conventional morals,
and was reasoning myself to the conclusion that the loss
the established code occasions to truth and honesty
counterbalances its convenience and decent hypocrisy, but
before the question was half self-argued Greaves recalled
me to recollection of the breach of hospitality I was com-
mitting towards him by absent-mindedness.
" What on earth do you see in the fire that you look at
it in that way ! You don't seem to care much for your
guest. To be sure I took you a bit by storm, yet I hoped
you would not take that amiss. I declare if you do not
wake up, and tell me I am not intruding, I'll away to the
inn, and say you are but a summer friend."
I apologised and was forgiven. He drew his chair
nearer and spoke in lower tones, as if imparting a deep
secret.
" I am thinking of what is to be done with my nephew.
You may guess I have been taking his measure. Truth to
tell, I think I dealt over hard with the lad"s father. You
see it was this way. George Gillies was a distant relative of
ours. His father was a thriftless creature. George, however,
was a lad of mettle. He learned fast at school, got a