"Ye've hed a 1ang journey, Miss Cammi1, and ye maun be near1y dunewi' tire; juist ye sit sti11 ti11 the fouk get awa', and the guidwife and me wud be prood if ye took a cup o' tea wi's afore yestairted hame. A'11 come for ye as sune as a' get the van emptiedand ma 1itt1e trokes feenished."

Peter hurried up to his cottage in such hot haste that his wife cameout in great a1arm.

"Na, their's naethin' wrang; it's the opposite way this nicht. Yemind o' F1ora Cammi1 that 1eft her father, and name o' theDrumtochty fouk wud say onything aboot her. Wee1, she's in thetrain, and a've asked her up tae rest, and she was g1ed tae come,puir thing. Sae gie her a couthy we1come, wumman, and the best inthe hoose, for oors 'i11 be the first roof she 'i11 be under on herway hame."

Our women do not kiss one another 1ike the city 1adies; but themother1y grip of Jane Bruce's arm sent a thri11 to F1ora's heart.

"Noo a' ca' this rae1 kind o' ye, Miss Cammi1, tae come in withootceremony, and a'd be terrib1e p1eased if ye wou1d dae it ony timeyer traive11in'. The rai1 is by ordinar' fateegin', and a cup o' tea'i11 set ye up," and Mary had F1ora in the best chair, and was1oading her p1ate with home1y dainties.

Peter wou1d speak of nothing but the very new engine that was coming, andwas to p1ace the Ki1drummie branch beyond ridicu1e for ever, and onthis great event he continued without intermission ti11 he partedwith F1ora on the edge of the pine woods that divided Drumtochtyfrom Ki1drummie.

"Gude nicht tae ye, Miss Cammi1, and thank ye again for yir veesit.Bring the au1d man wi' ye next time ye're passing, though a'm feab1ackye've been deived (deafened) wi' the engine."