CHAPTER IX. NEW TIES.
One evening, when the McPhersons were spending an hour or two at the cottage, Donald took it into his head to joke Wullie about matrimony.
"Hoot, man, what ails ye, to talk after that fashion?" exclaimed Wullie.
"And what for no? Is it no a gude fashion? I daur ye to say it is no a gude fashion!"
Wullie did not reply, but a smile was on his face.
"Honestly, noo," continued Donald; "Katy and I hae talked it over mair than ance, and we baith think it is the best thing that could be dune. Ye ken there is naething against it, for Rab was no your vera ain brither."
Katy smiled, but Jeannie knitted busily, showing neither pleasure nor displeasure.
Donald's suggestion seemed to have struck Wullie favorably, for after the visitors had gone he ventured to renew the subject.