128 ARDENMOHR. 



" Is he so bad, Archie?" asked Hope. 



" Not maybe to grouse, Mr. Ward. But a pair of 

 eagles in lambing-time do a heap o' mischief ; and if 

 no that ill to grouse, as they see him far off, yet when 

 he does rush a covey he maks wild wark among 

 them." 



" Still, I would suffer some loss to see these grand 

 birds about the mountains." 



We now went back, finished breakfast, and set off 

 for a long walk to church, having ordered Dick to have 

 the carriage at the Erasers' Arms at four o'clock. 



There was a good sermon from the parish minister, 

 although not equal to that of last Sunday, and, the 

 day being so fine, the church was well filled with a 

 nice comfortable-looking congregation, here and there 

 showing what art critics call " effective bits of 

 colour " in the shape of tartan shawls and grannies' 

 scarlet cloaks. Nor was fashion quite neglected by 

 the farmers comely daughters. 



We had lunch at the inn, and John Eraser agreed 

 to come over to us early on the great 12th, and see 

 the sport ; Fred promised Mrs. Eraser the best brace 

 of grouse of his own shooting, and the good matron 

 was much pleased, as she seems fond of the boy, and 

 makes of him overmuch. 



