"Not exactly.—But he is a Sasunnach," he concluded in English, "and we ought not to be speaking Gaelic."
"I beg his pardon," said Ian. "Will you introduce me?"
"It is impossible; I do not know his name. I never saw him, and don't see him now. But he insists on my company."
"That is a great compliment. How far?"
"To the New House."
"I paid him a shilling to carry my bag," said Valentine. "He took the shilling, and was going to walk off with my bag!"
"Well?"
"Well indeed! Not at all well! How was I to know—"
"But he didn't—did he?" said Ian, whose voice seemed now to tingle with amusement. "—Alister, you were wrong."
It was an illogical face-about, but Alister responded at once.