'No, I thank you,' said she; 'I came along to see if you thought there was likely to be any change. Is your glass a good one?'
'First-rate,' he answered, and he went to the small aneroid and tapped it lightly. 'It was given me by a gentleman that shot his first stag up here. I think he would have given me his head, he was so pleased. Well, no, Miss Hodson, there's not much sign of a change. But I'll tell ye what we'll do, if you're tired of the loch, we'll try one or two of the pools on the Mudal.'
'You mean the river down there?'
'There's not much hope there either—for the water's low the now; but we might by chance get a little wind, or there are some broken bits in the stream—
'But you mean with a fly—how could I throw a fly?' she exclaimed.
'Ye'll never learn younger,' was the quiet answer. 'It there's no change to-morrow I'll take ye up the river myself—and at least ye can get some practice in casting——'
'Oh no, no,' said she hurriedly, 'thank you very much, but I must not take up your time——'
'I'm no so busy that I cannot leave the house for an hour or two,' said he—and she understood by his manner that he was 'putting his foot down,' in which case she knew she might just as well give in at once. 'But I warn ye that it's a dour river at the best, and not likely to be in good ply; however, we might just happen on one.' And then he added, by way of explanation, 'If we should, it will have to be sent to Lord Ailine, ye understand.'
'Why?'
'Because the river doesna belong to your fishing; it goes with the shooting.'