He sat down on one of the low forms near Mr. Drever’s desk, and took from his waistcoat pocket a large silver snuffbox.

“Well, Andrew,” he cheerily exclaimed, taking a copious pinch between his finger and thumb and handing the box to the master, “here’s a glorious morning for you, eh?  Ay, man, and how are all your bairns?  I see ye aye keep up your number.  And who have you at the head of the class the day?  Is it Thora again?”

“Yes,” replied Andrew, giving a resounding sneeze and loudly blowing his nose.  “Yes, its just Thora again.  She’s kept it all the morning.  You see, sir, they all take the same places before the day’s out:  whatever way they begin, the smartest are sure to get to the top.”

“Ay, ay, just so,” mused the bailie, again opening his snuffbox.  “They’re like a pack o’ cards—­shuffle them as ye will before the game begins, the honours must still come together at the finish.

“Well, Thora, lassie,” he continued, turning round to Thora Kinlay, “and how are ye all up at Crua Breck?”

“Oh, we’re all fine, thank you, sir,” said the girl; “only Crumpie fell over the Neban bank yestreen and broke her leg.”

“Ah, indeed! but that’s most serious; poor Crumpie!—­and that’s the new cow, is it? or is it the old horse?”

“It’s the old cow, sir,” said Thora, apparently wondering at the bailie’s ignorance.

Then Mr. Duke thrust his hand deep into his pocket and brought it out again full of keys and money.  He selected one of the coins and handed it to Thora, saying, “There’s to you, Thora; that’s for getting to the head of the class.”

From his seat he then questioned several of us regarding our lessons and our homes, and finally he stood up and addressed us all, saying:  “I have come in this morning, bairns, to ask Mr. Drever to give you all a half holiday.  The whaling ships are to sail by this afternoon’s tide, and as many of you have brothers and fathers aboard, I don’t doubt that Mr. Drever will let you away;” and he added, turning to the master, “What do you say, Andrew?”

“I’m sure, sir,” said Mr. Drever, “I have no objections to offer;” and he looked out through the window as though to satisfy himself that the weather was suitable for an afternoon’s fishing.

Mr. Duke then went into the inner room to have a gossip with old Grace Drever.  The schoolmaster pronounced the benediction, and we flocked noisily outside.

As I was leaving with Robbie Rosson, Mr. Drever called me back.

“Don’t leave the hooks here, Ericson,” he said; “you’ll be needing them for the fishing.”

And taking the fishhooks from his desk he again examined them attentively, admiring the fine workmanship displayed in the turn of their points.

“My lad, these are fine hooks for a sea trout,” he continued; “you’ll have gotten them from Kirkwall, no doubt?”

“No,” I said.  “Father got them from one of the captains.  I’d like if you’d keep some of them, Mr. Drever;” and I offered him three of the best.