"Oh! I see. Robert must explain that to her. Tell him so to-night. You had better take a sleep this afternoon, mother. You look tired."
"I will rest until seven. What time will Christina be home?"
"She did not tell me."
"Where was she going?"
"To Marion Brodie's. She spoke of Flora McLeod being with Marion to-day, and of the necessity of making each of them understand their duties."
"Duties?"
"As chief bride-maidens."
"Yes, yes, of course! But she will be home to dinner?"
"Oh, certainly; and Marion may come back with her. If so, how will the plain dinner do?"
"Well enough! Marion's mother was brought up on mutton broth and haggis; and the wealth o' the Brodies is o'er young to be in the fashions yet awhile. I will be down at seven, and meanwhile you may speak to Christina anent her duty. I do think her wedding dress ought to be home even the now."