'I wasna funny!' Willie protested.
'It's yer notion o' the optimistic that tickled me,' she said. 'Pour, Mac; I'm steady noo. But ye're quite richt, Wullie. We canna be ower discreet when cash is involved. I'll get some high-class cairds for ye to inspect till the tea's infused.'
Macgregor would dearly have liked to follow her into the shop.
'She's a clinker,' observed Willie under his breath.
'Eh?'
'Naething.'
Which was all the conversation during the absence of the hostess.
She returned with a tray. Willie was tempted by a card with the 'V.C.' emblazoned on it, but feared it would look 'swanky' on his part. Though hampered by the adverse criticisms of Macgregor, who naturally wanted to hold Christina's hand under cover of the table as long as possible, he succeeded at last in choosing one entitled 'The Soldier's Return,' depicting a bronzed youth running to embrace an old lady awaiting him in a cottage porch.
'If that doesna touch the spot,' said Christina, 'I'm a duchess.'
They sat down to tea.