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128 to me to be some things that further a man, and some things that hinder a man, and whether Jessie's in the right o' the matter or no, she looks blither and mair contented than you."

"Well, mother, I am no discontented either, but I cannot be quite contented to have the headpiece wihout he furniture inside, and I fancy that all sorts of knowledge would further me."

"May be you're right, Allan, but I would not have you educated above your station."

"But what is my station, and what may not my station be ten years hence, that you fear my knowing too much?" said Allan.

"That's very true, Allan, there's no saying what you may attain to. But all I was saying is, that you're no such good company in the evenings as you used to be, and your father was saying ye were no' sae helpful to him, which is a pity, and I thought that if ye aimed at less ye micht prosper better."

"I thought your proverb was 'If ye mint [aim] at a gown o' gowd ye'll aye ge a sleeve o't,'" said Allan rather sadly, and he conversation dropped.

Although the old people were exceedingly anxious in theory that Allan should have a chance of making up his lee-way, he had been so long