The doctor had weakened sadly, and could hardly lift his head, but hisface lit up at the sight of his visitor, and the gigantic hand, which wasnow very refined in its blackness, came out from the bed-clothes withthe ancient warm grip.

"Come in by, man, and sit doon; it's an awfu' day tae bring ye saefar, but a' kent ye wudna grudge the traivel.

"A' wesna sure till last nicht, an' then a' felt it wudna be lang,an' a' took a wearyin' this mornin' tae look at ye.

"We've been freends sin' we were laddies at the auld schule in thefirs, an' a' wud like ye tae be wi' me at the end. Ye 'ill stay thenicht, Paitrick, for auld lang syne."

Drumsheugh was much shaken, and the sound of the Christian name,which he had not heard since his mother's death, gave him a "grue"(shiver), as if one had spoken from the other world.

"It's maist awfu' tae hear ye speakin' aboot deein', Weelum; a'canna bear it. We 'ill hae the Muirtown doctor up, an' ye 'ill beaboot again in nae time.

"Ye hevna ony sair tribble; ye're juist trachled wi' hard wark an'needin' a rest. Dinna say ye're gaein' tae leave us, Weelum; wecanna dae withoot ye in Drumtochty;" and Drumsheugh looked wistfullyfor some word of hope.