Frank, however, was as well as could be next day, and after a cold bath went hungrily down to breakfast.
The day was as still and bright as ever, and it was to be spent upon the loch.
Curling--which might be called a kind of gigantic game of billiards on the ice--was to be engaged in. A party was coming from a neighbouring parish, and a strong club was to meet them.
At this most splendid "roaring" game there is no class distinction; lord and laird, parson and peasant, all play side by side, all are equal, and all feed together, ay, and partake of Highland usquebaugh together also.
Well, the laird's party were victorious, and all were invited up to Glenvoie house, to partake of an excellent dinner, laid out in the barn.
But the barn was beautifully clean, and along its wall, among evergreens, was placed many a bright cluster of candles.
The silver and crystal sparkled on the snow-white table-cloth, and that huge joint of hot corn-beef and carrots--the curlers' dinner par excellence--was partaken of with great gusto.
Bread and cheese and whisky followed this, then the minister returned thanks, and this was followed by more whisky, with song after song.
"Roof and rafters a' did dirl."
It was not till near to the "wee short 'oor ayont the twal" that the party broke up, and all departed for their distant homes, on horseback or in traps.