“Inasmuch as to wherefore?” said Willie, raising his brows.
“I’m off to-morrow to join the herring-fleet.”
“What! you? You turn a herring-fisher?”
“Yes, Willie.”
Then Sandie told him all the reader already knows.
“I’d ten times sooner catch herring,” he ended, “than teach that young blockhead the rudiments of Latin grammar.”
“Well, then,” said Willie, “I shall go with you for a day, just to see you settled.”
“I’ll be delighted, I’m sure.”
So bidding his father and mother and Elsie adieu—he had already said good-bye to Mackenzie and Maggie May—on the very next morning, Sandie started in company with Willie for the fishing village of Blackhive.
N.B.—I call it Blackhive because that is not its name. Its real title I have reasons for keeping secret.