"Who's Smith? is the great question," interjected Dent."Well, then, Miss Cameron, between you and me we don't ask that question in this country.Smith is Smith and Jones is Jones and that's the first and last of it.We all let it go at that."But now the last row of shingles was in place, the last door hung, the last door-knob set.The whole house stood complete, inside and out, top and bottom, when a tattoo beat upon a dish pan gave the summons to the supper table.The table was spread in all its luxurious variety and abundance beneath the poplar trees.There the people gathered all upon the basis of pure democratic equality, "Duke's son and cook's son," each estimated at such worth as could be demonstrated was in him.Fictitious standards of values were ignored.Every man was given his fair opportunity to show his stuff and according to his showing was his place in the community.
A generous good fellowship and friendly good-will toward the new-comer pervaded the company, but with all this a kind of reserve marked the intercourse of these men with each other.Men were taken on trial at face value and no questions asked.
This evening, however, the dominant note was one of generous and enthusiastic sympathy with the young rancher and his wife, who had come so lately among them and who had been made the unfortunate victim of a sinister and threatening foe, hitherto, it is true, regarded with indifference or with friendly pity but lately assuming an ominous importance.There was underneath the gay hilarity of the gathering an undertone of apprehension until the Inspector made his speech.It was short and went straight at the mark.There was danger, he acknowledged.It would be idle to ignore that there were ugly rumors flying.There was need for watchfulness, but there was no need for alarm.The Police Force was charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people.They assumed to the full this responsibility, though they were very short-handed at present, but if they ever felt they needed assistance they knew they could rely upon the steady courage of the men of the district such as he saw before him.
There was need of no further words and the Inspector's speech passed with no response.It was not after the manner of these men to make demonstration either of their loyalty or of their courage.
Cameron's speech at the last came haltingly.On the one hand his Highland pride made it difficult for him to accept gifts from any source whatever.On the other hand his Highland courtesy forbade his giving offense to those who were at once his hosts and his guests, but none suspected the reason for the halting in his speech.As Western men they rather approved than otherwise the hesitation and reserve that marked his words.
Before they rose from the supper table, however, there were calls for Mrs.Cameron, calls so insistent and clamorous that, overcoming her embarrassment, she made reply."We have not yet found out who was responsible for the originating of this great kindness.But no matter.We forgive him, for otherwise my husband and I would never have come to know how rich we are in true friends and kind neighbors, and now that you have built this house let me say that henceforth by day or by night you are welcome to it, for it is yours."After the storm of applause had died down, a voice was heard gruffly and somewhat anxiously protesting, "But not all at one time.""Who was that?" asked Mandy of young Dent as the supper party broke up.
"That's Smith," said Dent, "and he's a queer one.""Smith?" said Cameron."The chap meets us everywhere.I must look him up."But there was a universal and insistent demand for "the pipes.""You look him up, Mandy," cried her husband as he departed in response to the call.
"I shall find him, and all about him," said Mandy with determination.
The next two hours were spent in dancing to Cameron's reels, in which all, with more or less grace, took part till the piper declared he was clean done.
"Let Macgregor have the pipes, Cameron," cried the Inspector."He is longing for a chance, I am sure, and you give us the Highland Fling.""Come Moira," cried Cameron gaily, handing the pipes to Macgregor and, taking his sister by the hand, he led her out into the intricacies of the Highland Reel, while the sides of the living-room, the doors and the windows, were thronged with admiring onlookers.Even Andy Hepburn's rugged face lost something of its dourness; and as the brother and sister together did that most famous of all the ancient dances of Scotland, the Highland Fling, his face relaxed into a broad smile.
"There's Smith," said young Dent to Mandy in a low voice as the reel was drawing to a close.
