'Excuse me, Mr Cameron,' interrupted the Duke. 'Ladies and gentlemen, we must drink the young couple's health with full Highland honours; and no heel-taps!' The rafters rung with hearty cheers as the men stood with one foot on their seats and the other on the edge of the table, doing honour to the Chief's bidding to youth and beauty.
This ceremony over, the piper rose, walked slowly and solemnly, amidst the silence of the company, to the place where Mr MacTavish sat. Mr MacTavish rose, and the men faced each other.
'Tonald!' said the piper impressively.
'John!' said the game-keeper. A pause.
'It wass an angry man I wass, Tonald!'
'And so wass I neither,' said the game-keeper.
'But we wull droon it all in this, John,' said the piper, filling two glasses with whisky, and handing one to his friend.
'But the oil-cake nefer wass biled!' said Donald solemnly, as he poised his glass between him and the light.
'Teffle take the oil-cake, John!' said the piper impetuously. 'Gif me your hand, man!'
And the reconciliation was complete.