A RIDE TO THE GREAT LOCH. 51 



After dinner, to make doubly safe against a chill, 

 we had a brew of whisky toddy : and Ward, like a 

 sensible fellow, took quite kindly to a reeking 

 tumbler, and might have taken two had his head not 

 warned him that it was not negus ; and Freddy, 



inspired by a small glass, toasted the girls of N 



before he went off to prepare for his next morning's 

 lesson. 



When Fred had gone out, I remarked to Ward 

 how like he is to his sisters they having the same 

 brusque and slightly defiant manner, and yet so 

 sweet-tempered. 



"Yes," said Ward, " sweet tempered with pleasant 

 people, and so gentle with the shy or reserved ; but 

 they do bristle up sometimes at pomposity or advice- 

 giving." 



"Do they!" said the Major. "Then I might 

 have their sympathy. Why, just to-day, I have 

 a letter from a wise friend, who is pleased to advise 

 me on a delicate matter : his maxims are beauti- 

 ful." 



" I detest maxims," said Ward, " bumptious, one- 

 sided dogmas seldom applying in individual cases. 

 Why the deuce won't people let others alone ? " 



" As the best judges, Hope ? " 



E2 



