A DAY AT THE GREAT LOCH. 187 



"Most probably, that you were robust and un- 

 feminine young persons." 



" Aye, aye, quite so ; and, as likely as not, 

 improvise reflective hints of flirting and philandering 

 on a desert island. I fear we ought to have 

 stayed in the house ; " and Annie laughed merrily. 

 " What thinks Miss Olive, eh ? " 



"Miss Olive is of the same penitent opinion. 

 We should have knitted in quiet at an upper 

 window of the Lodge all day, and studied nature 

 delicately. You are of that opinion, are you not, 

 Major Duncan ? " 



" Certainly. I disapprove," he said, " of all but 

 quiet domesticity; bad form, as Fred would say, 

 these journey ings over rocks and in open boats, 

 and dangerous besides." 



" Oh ! this is capital ! " exclaimed Mrs. Peyton, 

 " excellent ! your grave restriction of young women 

 to their proper sphere." 



" Of course, Mrs. Peyton ; and I should restrict 

 your learned women also. What right had Lady 

 Jane Grey, Madame De Stael, or Mrs. Somerville 

 to have more knowledge than most men; and, 

 worse still, not to be ashamed of it ? " 



Mrs. Peyton looked curiously amused at Major 



