EXPLORING THE COUNTRY. 19 



fellow of mine got a jack of six pounds in it. Was 

 that a good one, Major ? " 



" Yes, Fred, a very good river fish ; but I hope 

 you may get something larger in the loch." 



After dinner, smoking requisites were introduced, 

 and we settled down for a whiff and a quiet chat, and 

 Fred went off. 



" I like that small cousin of yours," said Major 

 Duncan. " He seems a manly and tractable little 

 fellow." 



" I am glad you do like him," replied "Ward ; 

 " indeed, had I not hoped so, I should not have 

 brought him." 



" Amusingly cheeky," I remarked, "but a nice 

 boy, and game as a bantam, like all the Peytons, 

 men and women eh, Hope ? " 



" Cheeky enough; most Harrow boys are; but 

 Fred has a fine temper, and never sulks." 



" He gets on fairly at school, I hear ; and, do 

 you know, I often think it might be better if most 

 boys added a year or two to school time, and 

 had then done with scholastic training eh, Major ? " 



" Eight, Abbott. Yes, I agree with you that, at 

 a good school, enough Latin and Greek should be 

 had for all practical use. Difficulties and niceties 



c 2 



