School Children. 257 



some features it was unique. The banks of Douglas 

 Water was the site chosen. The stream divides, and a 

 green island looked so enchanting that the committee 

 set about planning means to cross to it. The steps of 

 the coach formed a temporary bridge over which the 

 ladies were safely conducted, but not without some 

 danger of a spill. As many as thirty school children, 

 then enjoying their summer vacation, followed, and after 

 a while ventured to fraternize with us. Such a group of 

 rosy, happy little ones it would be difBcult to meet with 

 out of Scotland. Children seem to flourish without 

 care in this climate. The difference between the chil- 

 dren of America and Britain is infinitely greater than 

 that between the adults of the two countries. Scotch 

 children learn to pronounce as the English do in the 

 schools, but in their play the ancient Doric comes out 

 in full force. It is all broad Scotch yet in conversation. 

 This will no doubt change in time, but it seemed to us 

 that so far they have lost very few of the Scotch Vv-ords 

 and none of the accent. We asked the group to ap- 

 point one of their number to receive some money to buy 

 '^ sweeties" for the party. Jeannie Morrison was the 

 lassie proposed and unanimously chosen. Jeannie was 

 in the sixth standard. In answer to an inquiry, it was 

 at first said that no one else of the party was so far ad- 

 vanced, but a moment's consultation resulted in a prompt 

 correction, and then came : '■'■ Aye, Aggie McDonald is 

 too." But not one of the laddies was beyond the fifth. 

 17 



