Indeed it was a week or two before things settled pleasantly in the hill cottage; the plain living, pious habits and early hours of the shepherd and his son did not at all suit the city youth.  But Archie, though ignorant of the reasons which kept such a dandy in their humble home, soon perceived clearly the benefit he could derive from him.  And once Archie got an inkling of the meaning of “double entry” he was never weary of applying it to his own particular business; so that in a few weeks Alexander Semple was perfectly familiar with MacAllister’s affairs.

Still, Archie cordially disliked his teacher, and about the middle of summer it became evident that a very serious cause of quarrel was complicating the offence.  Coming up from MacAllister’s one lovely summer gloaming Archie met Semple with Katie Morrison, the little girl whom he had loved and courted since ever he carried her dinner and slate to school for her.  How they had come to know each other he could not tell; he had exercised all his tact and prudence to prevent it, evidently without avail.  He passed the couple with ill-concealed anger; Katie looked down, Semple nodded in what Archie believed to be an insolent manner.

That night David Scott heard from his son such an outburst of anger as the lad had never before exhibited.  In a few days Mr. Semple went to Greenock for a day or two.  Soon it was discovered that Katie had been in Greenock two days at her married sister’s.  Then they heard that the couple had married and were to sail for America.  They then discovered that Archie’s desk had been opened and L46 in notes and gold taken.  Neither of the men had any doubt as to the thief; and therefore Archie was angry and astonished to find his father doubt and waver and seem averse to pursue him.  At last he acknowledged all, told Archie that if he made known his loss, he also must confess that he had knowingly harbored an acknowledged thief, and tacitly given him the opportunity of wronging his employer.  He doubted very much whether anyone would give him credit for the better feelings which had led him to this course of conduct.

Archie’s anger cooled at once; he saw the dilemma; to these simple people a good name was better than gold.  It took nearly half the savings of a long life, but the old man went to Ayr and drew sufficient to replace the stolen money.  He needed to make no inquiries about Semple.  On Tuesday it was known by everyone in the village that Katie Morrison and Alexander Semple had been married the previous Friday, and sailed for America the next day.  After this certainty father and son never named the subject but once more.  It was on one calm, spring evening, some ten years after, and David lay within an hour of the grave.

“Archie!” he said, suddenly, “I don’t regret to-night what I did ten years ago.  Virtuous actions sometimes fail, but virtuous lives—­never!  Perhaps I had a thought o’ self in my good intent, and that spoiled all.  If thou hast ever a chance, do better than I did.”