and went to his room without speaking a single word; but I suspect, sir, that it is just a fit of cold, and that he will be. well in a few days. Stuart has a high opinion of you, sir: indeed, he is never happy except in your company. We are just going to dine, and you will please remain and take dinner with us."

"I will stay with pleasure," said Colin, "if it will put you to no inconvenience or trouble."

"Not in the least, sir," replied Mrs. Kiniven. "James," said she, " go down to the shop and tell your father that dinner is ready, and let him come up immediately. I am afraid, sir," continued Mrs. Kiniven, after James was gone, "that he will never be so good a scholar as his brother, and what is very extraordinary, sir, his father and I thought he had better parts than Stuart; but he has not the willing mind: the willing mind is a great thing, Mr. Dowell. But James, I believe, is a good boy for all that; though his father

sometimes says that he is much afraid for him."

Colin was about to reply, when the entrance of Mr. Kiniven prevented him.

It is now nearly twenty years since we have heard Mr. Kiniven speak; but before we renew our acquaintance with him, we shall say a word or two on his appearance. He was much altered in person and manner since we last noticed him. The bluffness of his cheeks and the rotundity of his chest showed that his present trade agreed with him better than the tailor business. When he entered the room he was dressed in his usual clothes, which were, gray stockings, velvet breeches, black vest, and a brown coat.

"Well, Mr. Dowell," taking off his hat as he entered, "I am glad to see you in this house. I was from my earliest remembrance a constant hearer of your worthy father. I hope your mother is very well. I remember she was a young lassie when

I used to work to her worthy father, provost M'Dougall; but she'll ha'e nae dou't forgot me by this time."

"Not at all, Mr. Kiniven," said Colin : "I have heard her talk of you repeatedly; and I believe it was no later than last night that she told your son Stuart that she was to call on you and Mrs. Kiniven very soon. By the bye, I think she mentioned to Stuart last night that she was to be in town this very evening."

"It will give us all much pleasure to see her," said Mr. Kiniven. "Come, guidwife, tell Betty tae bring in the dinner."

Dinner was accordingly produced, during which Mr. Kiniven entertained Colin with an account of some of his proceedings. "You see, Mr. Dowell, we are plain, simple fouks here; we dinna study much grandeur. Iam very thrang just now, tanning Nets that I must send this season wi' the herring vessels to the Hielands. But," looking around him, "guidwife, whaur's Stuart ?"

Mrs. Kiniven informed him of his situation, and Colin then explained the cause of it, to the no small wonder of the family.

Aye," repeated Mr. Kiniven, thoughtfully, "Is that the case? What strange things happen in this world! I aften tell't ye, guidwife, that I thought that man did not possess enough of sound judgment for makin' a guid teacher; and it now appears, from what Mr. Dowell says, that I was right but," recollecting himself, "we're forgetting our business. If ye're dune o' your dinner, James, there's the key; gang doun an' keep the shop door open till I come. If Effy Runners comes in wi' any Deepings, be sure to count the meshes, and weigh them; and, hear!come back!--be sure tae

money. Tell her, I gie

gie her nae

nathing but

guids for workin' deepings. And, if any other person wants me, come up and tell me."

Mr. Kiniven never forgot his business and directions whoever was present. He

thought if he overlooked that for a moment, that all would go wrong. "Naething like attendin' on business in this world, as my father used to say. If ye dinna attend tae business, business will not attend to you."

"It is always proper to attend to business," answered Colin.

When dinner was over, Colin expressed a wish to see Stuart, and was accordingly directed to his study-room, and found him in bed. "What is the matter with you,

Stuart ?"

"Oh," said Stuart, wishing to waive the question, "I have been troubled with a slight cold for some time past, but I am perfectly well now."

Colin was, however, aware of the real cause of complaint; but refrained from asking him any further questions on the subject. "Well, Stuart," he said, "did you ever witness such a scene as that which took place in school to-day?"

"I never did," replied Stuart. " I