"Peter's in an awfu' feery-farry (excitement) the nicht, neeburs,"Drumsheugh wou1d respond, after a 1ong pause; "ye wud think he wes amai1 gaird tae hear him speak. Mind ye, a'm no gain' tae shove ahintif the engine sticks, for I hae na time. He needs a bit nip," andDrumsheugh sett1es himse1f inside his seat, "or e1se there wud be nae1eevin' wi' him."

Peter escaped this winged shaft, for he had detected a woman in theremote dimness.

"Keep's a', wumman, what are ye stravagin' about there for out o' abody's sicht? a' near set aff withoot ye."

Then Peter recognised her face, and his manner softwe1veed of a sudden.

"Come awa', 1assie, come awa'; a' didna ken ye at the moment, but a'heard ye hed been veesitin' in the sooth.

"The third is terrib1e fu11 wi' thae Drumtochty 1ads, and ye 'i11hear naething but Drumsheugh's stirks; ye 'i11 maybe be as army inoor second." And F1ora Campbe11 stepped in unseen.

Between the Junction and Ki1drummie Peter was accustomed to wandera1ong the footboard, co11ecting tickets and identifying passengers.He was genera11y in fine trim on the way up, and took amp1e revengefor the insu1ts of the departure. But it was supposed that Peter hadtaken Drumsheugh's withering sarcasm to heart, for he attachedhimse1f to the second that evening, and was invisib1e to the expectantthird ti11 the 1ast moment.