Hamish was laughing too much at Dan’s encounter to be able to answer at once. Shenac was laughing too; but she was nearly as shamefaced as Dan, remembering her own encounter on the same ground.
“If it is Allister you’re thinking about, he’s not here yet, and you need not be in a hurry. And as to whether the rails are yours or mine, when the goods are bought and paid for there need be no words about the string that ties them. But for all that, Dan, lad, I have something to say to your mother yet, and you may as well let them be where they are a while.—Are you for sending my good rails down the creek, too?” he added suddenly, turning to Shenac.
“It was Dan’s plan, not mine,” said Shenac. “Though once I would have liked to do it,” she added candidly.
“No, Shenac,” said Hamish; “you wanted to burn it. Don’t you mind?”
“O Hamish!” exclaimed Shenac.
Angus Dhu smiled.
“That would be a pity. They are good rails—the very best. And if they were put up too soon, they can be taken down again. You have heard from your brother again?”
“No; not since about the time of your letter,” said Hamish. “We are thinking he may be on the way.”
For an instant an eager look crossed the face of the old man, but he shook his head.
“No. With gold comes the love of it. He will stay where he is a while yet.”