His approach to the manse was always announced by a wailful strain upon the bagpipes, a set of which he had inherited from his father, who had been piper to some Highland nobleman: at least so it was said.

Willie never went without his pipes, and was more attached to them than to any living creature.

He played them well, too, though in what corner he kept the amount of intellect necessary to the mastery of them was a puzzle.

The probability seemed that his wits had not decayed until after he had become in a measure proficient in the use of the chanter, as they call that pipe by means of whose perforations the notes are regulated.

However this may be, Willie could certainly play the pipes, and was a great favourite because of it--with children especially, notwithstanding the mixture of fear which his presence always occasioned them.