Mrs.Jardine placed herself behind the silver urn, and Mr.Touris was given the seat nearest the fire.
The boy James appeared, and with him the daughter of the house, Alice, a girl of twelve, bonny and merry.
"Where is Alexander ?" asked the laird.
Strickland answered.

"He is not in yet, sir.

I fancy that he walked to the far moor.

Bran is with him." "He's a wanderer!" said the laird.

"But he ought to keep hours." "That's a fine youth!" quoth Mr.Touris, drinking tea.