362 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



eggs, they were clearly outsiders, and had to be carried 

 under the arm, and even then with difficulty. 



Boldly enduring the suppressed giggling of the young 

 ladies at home, James sallied forth into public gaze with 

 his unconcerned companion. As they had to walk some 

 two miles from one of the suburbs to the head of Union 

 Street, through a crowded locality, James thought it better 

 to take a back road, once the entry into the city, but now 

 greatly deserted. This John did not like, it appeared, but 

 he overcame his annoyance so far as to notice the changes 

 that had taken place in the road, and talked of them 

 to himself, James catching the words "changes" and 

 "highway." Surmising that he referred to his taking this 

 by-road, as his own conscience suggested, he said, " Oh, I 

 did not take the high-road, John, thinking you would like 

 the retired path better." John made no reply. At length, at 

 a special spot, he stopped and said, " We now stan' on what 

 was ance the king's highway to a' the sooth o' Scotland, 

 and on and on to London city." " Bless me, John ! " replied 

 his friend, " how do you know ? I thought you were never 

 here before." " Oh, John kens that, and meikle mair than 

 some fowk think," tartly answered the old man. And 

 back he would go to the high-road, because nearer to his 

 destination, till James was forced to yield. 



Up the main street thereafter they marched in this 

 picturesque style, under the gaze of all the folks, to whom 

 Mr. Black was well known. Being none of Pharaoh's lean 

 kine, the perspiration stood in beaded drops on James's face, 

 flushed with more than mere travel and the burden he 

 bore. John, getting tired, wished to rest for a while, and, 

 regardless of his friend's protestations, sat down on the 



