"What's to come o' the shop?"
"I will look out for an intelligent young person to fill my place."
"Ay, ye may luik! Weel, I'll no' lift a finger tae gar ye bide. Yon's no' the place for ye. But I nae ken hoo I'm tae thole wi'oot the sicht o' yer bonny bricht een."
"Dear Auntie Bell," said Mona affectionately, "you are coming to see me, you know."
"Me! hoot awa', lassie! It's a far cry tae Lunnon, an' I'm ower auld tae traivel ma lane."
They were standing by the open door, and the moonlight fell full on the worn, eager face.
"Then come with me when I go. I can't tell you how pleased and proud I should be to have you."
The old woman's face beamed. "Ay? My word! an' ye'd tak' me in a first-cless cairriage, and treat me like a queen, I'll be boun'. Mrs Dodds o' the neist fairm is aye speirin' at me if I'll no' gang wi' the cheap trip tae Edinbury for the New Year. I'll tell her I could gang a' the w'y tae Lunnon, like a leddy, an' no' be the puirer for the ootin' by ae bawbee."
She executed a characteristic war-dance in the moonlight. "Aweel," she resumed, with sudden gravity, "ye'll mind me tae Rachel, and tell her auld Auntie Bell's as daft as iver!"
"Well, you promised to dance at my wedding, you know," and, waving her hand, Mona set off with a light, quick step.