"We will be so sorry to leave you, auntie, for you've been so good to us."
"And I shall miss you, boys, sadly."
"Yes, I hope so. It will give Conal and me pleasure to think that you like us. And of course Frank comes with us."
"I fear it is too cold for Frank."
"Oh no, auntie dear. One never feels cold in Scotland, the air is so bracing, you know."
So that very day it was all arranged, and Laird M'Vayne had a letter to that effect.
The parting was somewhat sorrowful, but the boys did not say "Farewell!" only "Au revoir", because both hoped to return, and by that time they declared that Frank would be as hardy as--as--well, as hardy as Highlanders usually are.
The last things that the boys bought in London were skates. Of course they could have got those in Edinburgh, but not so cheaply, and for this reason: there did not seem to be the ghost of a chance of any skating for the Londoners this season, and so they got the skates for an old song.
They went by sea to Edinburgh. The Queen was at present all but a cargo-boat, and besides the three lads and Vike, there was only one other passenger, an old minister of the Church of Scotland.
The same skipper and the same mate, and delighted they were to see the boys again, and they gave Frank a right hearty welcome on their account.