human
Ye're gettin' to be quite a good boatman, Hal, to gang all that way under sail, said Mansie; and then he turned to my father, saying,
gpt
When are we to hae the lad aboard the Curlew, Sandy?
human
Are ye at the head o' the class yet, Halcro?
gpt
Nay, father, he's no that yet, interposed Jessie,
human
Thora can read better than I can, I said,
gpt
Ye'll no need very muckle Latin to be a pilot, however, said my father.
human
But it's a pity ye're not better at the geography. How many islands have we in Orkney? Can you tell me that?
gpt
Seventy-two--twenty-eight islands and forty-four holms.
human
And can ye name them all, the twenty-eight islands?
gpt
Yes, the dominie taught us them last Martinmas;
human
Very good! said my father;
gpt
There's a puzzle for ye, Hal,
human
Ah! I warrant the laddie kens it,
gpt
Is it not between Westray and Fara?
human
Right again! exclaimed Mansie, slapping his knee.
gpt
Oh! we'll mak' a pilot o' the lad yet.
human
Ay, said my father,
gpt
Dear me, father, objected my mother,
human
Hand me over the tobacco jar, Jessie.