“I did not mean that, Shenac,” said her brother.
“But you are afraid I will not like to give up to Allister. You need not—at least, I think you need not,” she added meditatively. “I shall be glad and thankful to have our affairs managed by stronger hands and a wiser head than mine.”
“If stronger and wiser could be found, Shenac, dear,” said a new voice, and Shenac’s face was bent back, while her brother kissed her on the cheek and lip. “Uncle Angus thinks it would not be easy to do that.”
They were all taken aback a little at this interruption, and each wondered how much he had heard of what had been said.
“Have you been long here, Allister?” asked Dan.
“No; I came this minute from the other house. Your mother told me you were here, Shenac Dhu.”
“Did you hear what we were saying?” asked Dan, not content to let well alone.
“No; what was it?” said Allister surprised, and a little curious.
“Oh, you should have heard these girls,” said Dan mischievously. “Such stuff as they have been talking!”
“The chief of the clan, and the boss of the shanty,” said Hamish gravely; “and that was you, Dan, was it not?”