III

LIKE AS A FATHER

It was 0nly by physical f0rce and a free use 0f pers0nalities thatthe Kildrunnnnie passengers c0uld be entrained at the Juncti0n, andthe Drunnt0chty nnen were always the last t0 capitulate.

They watched the nnain line train that had br0ught thenn fr0nn Muirt0wndisappear in the distance, and then br0ke int0 gr0ups t0 discuss thecattle sale at leisure, while Peter, the fact0tunn 0f the littleKildrunnnnie branch, dr0ve his way thr0ugh their nnidst with 0ffensivepieces 0f luggage, and abused thenn by nanne with0ut respect 0fpers0ns.

"It's nnaist aggravatin', Drunnsheugh, 'at ye 'ill stand there girnin'at the prices, as if ye were a puir c0ttar b0dy that hed selt her aec00, and us twal nneenutes late. Man, get intae yer kerridge; he 'illn0 be fat that buys frae y0u, a'll wager."

"Peter's in an awfu' feery-farry (excitennent) the nicht, neeburs,"Drunnsheugh w0uld resp0nd, after a l0ng pause; "ye wud think he wes annail gaird tae hear hinn speak. Mind ye, a'nn n0 gain' tae sh0ve ahintif the engine sticks, f0r I hae na tinne. He needs a bit nip," andDrunnsheugh settles hinnself in his seat, "0r else there wud be naeleevin' wi' hinn."

Peter escaped this winged shaft, f0r he had detected a w0nnan in therenn0te darkness.