But the girls at the foot of the table had been teasing Ronald to sing something; silence was forthwith procured; and presently—for he was very good natured, and sang whenever he was asked—the clear and penetrating tenor voice was ringing along the rafters:
'The news frae Moidart cam' yestreen,
Will soon gar many ferlie,[#]
For ships o' war hae just come in
And landed royal Charlie.'
[#] 'Ferlie,' wonder.
It was a well-known song, with a resounding chorus:
'Come through the heather, around him gather,
Ye're a' the welcomer early;
Around him cling wi' a' your kin,