"Ah, there, 'Mister' Mackay!" he cried. "A little more meat, 'Mister' Mackay, and a dose of spuds and gravy, 'Mister' Mackay. I see you missed some of the feathers by your left ear when you was shavin', 'Mister' Mackay!"
Having just begun the use of the razor, Angus reddened to the ear aforesaid. Like most taciturn, reserved people he was keenly sensitive to ridicule.
"'Meester' Mackay! Haw-haw!" rumbled big Gus through a mouthful of food. "He's shave hees viskers! Das ban purty good von. Ho-ho!"
Dave Rennie grinned. Angus' black brows drew down, but just then he choked on a crumb of bread which went the wrong way.
"Pat 'Mister' Mackay on the back!" shrieked Turkey.
"I'll pat you, young fellow!" Angus wheezed.
But Alice Page saw how the land lay; saw also that the black-browed, awkward boy was in danger of losing his temper.
"Shall I call you 'Angus'?" she asked, and there was something in her tone and friendly smile which calmed him.
"That would be fine," he said. "And if you would lick Turkey Monday morning it would be a great favor."
A month afterward Alice Page came to live at the ranch. Her companionship meant much to Jean. It meant more to Angus, who presently suffered a severe attack of calf-love.