166 MEMOIR OF FLEEMING JENKIN 



dealings ; but in this also Fleeming was par- 

 ticularly favoured. Even the two extremes, Mr. 

 Austin and the Captain, drew together. It is 

 pleasant to find that each of the old gentlemen 

 set a high value on the good looks of the other, 

 doubtless also on his own ; and a fine picture 

 they made as they walked the green terrace at 

 Hailes, conversing by the hour. What they 

 talked of is still a mystery to those who knew 

 them ; but Mr. Austin always declared that on 

 these occasions he learned much. To both of 

 these families of elders, due service was paid of 

 attention ; to both, Fleeming's easy circum- 

 stances had brought joy ; and the eyes of all 

 were on the grandchildren. In Fleeming's scheme 

 of duties, those of the family stood first ; a man 

 was first of all a child, nor did he cease to be so, 

 but only took on added obligations, when he 

 became in turn a father. The care of his parents 

 was always a first thought with him, and their 

 gratification his delight. And the care of his 

 sons, as it always was a grave subject of study 

 with him, and an affair never neglected, so it 

 brought him a thousand satisfactions. ' Hard 

 work they are,' as he once wrote, 'but what fit 

 work ! ' And again : ' O, it 's a cold house where 

 a dog is the only representative of a child ! ' Not 

 that dogs were despised ; we shall drop across 

 the name of Jack, the harum-scarum Irish terrier, 



