RAB AND HIS FRIENDS.

glory been handing down the Queen of
Sheba at his palace gate, he could not
have done it more daintily, more tenderly,
more like a gentleman than did James, the
Howgate carrier, when he lifted down
Ailie his wife. The contrast of his small,
swarthy, weather-beaten, keen, worldly
face to hers—pale, subdued, and beautiful
—was something wonderful. Rab looked
on, concerned and puzzled, but ready for
anything that might turn up—were it to
strangle the nurse, the porter, or even me.
Ailie and he seemed great friends.

“ As I was sayin’, she’s got a kind 0’
trouble in her breest, doctor ; wull ye tak’
a look at it?’ We walked into the con-
sulting-room, all four; Rab, grim and
comic, willing to be happy and confiden-
tial if cause could be shown, willing also
to be the reverse, on the same terms.
Ailie sat down, undid her open gown and
her lawn handkerchief round her neck,

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