"I hope you are all well at Borrowness," she said cordially.
"Thanks, we are wonderful, considering. It'll be great news for Matilda that I came across you."
"Please give her my love."
There was another pause. Mona was longing to ask about Mrs Hamilton and Dr Dudley, but she did not dare.
"It was a great thing for Matilda getting to know you," Mr Cookson went on. "We often wish you were back among us. If ever you care to renew the homely old associations a bit, our spare room is always at your disposal, you know."
Care to renew the old associations! What else in life did she care so much about? In her eagerness she forgot even the presence of her aunt.
"I should like very much to see the old place again," she said. "You are very kind."
Mr Cookson's good-natured face beamed with delighted surprise.
"It isn't looking its best now," he said; "but any time you care to come, we shall be only too delighted."
"Thank you. If it would not be too much trouble to Mrs Cookson, I could come for a day or two at the beginning of January. I shall never forget the fairy frost we had at that time last winter."