"Are ye onything weel pit up wi' Rachel?" she whispered.
"Oh yes, indeed."
Auntie Bell shook her head. "It's no' the place for the like o' you," she said, and then further conversation was prevented by Miss Simpson's appearance.
"Well, you'll be in to see us soon," she said.
"Eh, I daursay you'll be here again first."
"I will, certainly," said Mona. "I mean to walk out and see you some day."
"Hoot awa', lassie. It's ower far. Ye canna walk frae Borrowness. Tak' the train——"
"Can't I?" laughed Mona, as Mr Hogg drove off.
"Why, why, why," she thought as they trotted down to Kilwinnie, "did not the Fates give me Auntie Bell for my hostess instead of Rachel Simpson?"