"Göttingen, father," said David.
"I have na time to argal-bargle wi' ye," said his father, "but I say it's Gott-again. Weel! he has a decree, I believe."
"Degree, father," said David.
"Losh! I'm no sayin' there is na degrees among doctors; some wise an' some foolish, jist the same as sons. Ye mind me o' a preacher, servin' what he calls the gospel frae an empty spoon oot o' a hogshead fou o' naething. Howsoever, it's life an' death noo! Sa, bring Max as quick as ye can, Alec."
Alec ran to do the old man's bidding, with Annie at his heels.
"Tell my mother to come," she said; "she knows as much about snake-bite as any doctor."
When she had given him this message she went back to the room where Lanky was lying.