For a few moments they remained staring at each other--tall, well-attired minister and rough-coated herdboy.
"You are diligent," at last said the minister, looking out of his dark eyes into the blue wondering orbs which met his so squarely and honestly. "What is that you are reading?"
"Shakespeare, sir," said the boy, not without some fear in telling the minister that he was reading the works of the man who was known among many of the Cameronians as "nocht but the greatest of the play-actors."
But the minister was placable and interested. He recognised the face as that of the boy who came to church on various occasions; but with whom he had found it so difficult to come to speech.
"How many plays of Shakespeare have you read?" queried the minister again.
"Them a'--mony a time," said t
