The Half-Hearted

Book Excerpt: ipating some gamekeeper orshepherd."Lewie is my nephew. He lives at Etterick, up at the head of the glen."Miss Afflint spoke for the first time. "A very good man. You shouldknow Lewie, Miss Wishart. I'm sure you would like him. He is a greattraveller, you know, and has written a famous book. Lewis Haystoun ishis full name.""Why, I have read it," cried Alice. "You mean the book about Kashmir.But I thought the author was an old man.""Lewie is not very old," said his aunt; "but I haven't seen him foryears, so he may be decrepit by this time. He is coming home soon, hesays, but he never writes. I know two of his friends who pay a PrivateInquiry Office to send them news of him."Alice laughed and became silent. What merry haphazard people were theseshe had fallen among! At home everything was docketed and ordered.Meals were immovable feasts, the hour for bed and the hour for risingwere more regular than the sun's. Her father was full of proverbs onthe virtue of regularity, and was woRead More