56 ARDENMOHR. 



Fred merely grinned. 



" Alas, Hope, for weak humanity," I said, " that 

 such as King David, Solomon, and Bacon should 

 stand for beacons as well as stars ! Consoling to us 

 common people in the ruck, eh ? " 



" Yes ; and too many do console and please them- 

 selves with the notion that they are better behaved 

 than their betters, and, perhaps, secretly wiser : the 

 giftie might be useful there." 



" It might, if anything can mitigate the envy and 

 sham contempt of narrow minds for those of higher 

 stamp. They pooh-pooh everything : clever men are 

 bores; the pleasant, deceitful; the philosophic, free 

 thinkers ; and even sportsmen, to be pitied and prayed 

 for." 



"Even so," said the Major, laughing. " Yet must 

 we continue in folly, and give the loch a thorough 

 trial to-morrow ; this has been a sort of blank day." 



"Oh no, Major," said Fred; "Hope and I had 

 right good sport in the burn." 



" To be sure; but I supposed your grilse had made 

 you despise small fry, Fred ? " 



"No, Major, not at all; I forgot all about it when 

 the trout in the burn were taking so well." 



"And quite right, Freddy; never throw over old 



