"I'm thinking it will have to be Walthew. The lad shows a natural ability."
"But he's younger than Mr. Grahame—and probably has not had as much experience."
Macallister gave her a half-amused glance.
"The skipper's no' a fool, but when he makes a bargain he's frank and quick. States the fair price and sticks to it. He will not spend time in scheming how he can screw a few more dollars out o' the other man. Yon's a gift ye must be born with."
"Do you mean Mr. Grahame rather despises money-making?"
"No' that exactly," Macallister replied in a confidential tone. "But, ye see, he's a Grahame o' Calder Ha'."
"Oh! Is that a great distinction?"
"It depends on how ye look at things. His branch o' the family is maybe no' o' much importance noo, but in the old wild days the lairds o' Calder Ha' were chiefs on the Border. They guarded the moss roads, they kept the fords, and the kings at Stirling and Westminster noo bought their goodwill with presents and noo hanged a few o' the clan."
"And Calder Hall? Is it one of the rude stone towers you see pictures of?"
Macallister smiled.