When the cheers had subsided, Harry said:
“I can assure you I feel very embarrassed under the present conditions. I cannot help feeling in a sort of way that I am here under false pretences in so far as I am not so good as people think I am. The risk I ran was not so great as people think it was. It was a perfectly straightforward thing, and not at all an attempt of the do-or-die order.” (Amid cheers, somebody shouted, “You’re too modest!”) “Under ordinary conditions, there are hundreds of ships in the Atlantic without wireless, and one might be picked up and be there for a fortnight without anybody knowing about it. There was practically no risk at all. I thank you very much indeed for your warm welcome and your good wishes.”
Grieve was also called on for a “speech,” and said:
“I can only echo Mr. Hawker’s words. I deeply appreciate your great and enthusiastic welcome, as I am a Scotsman myself.”
They were both called on to make a brief speech from the balcony of the hotel as well. After supping with Provost Macdonald, they entrained for Edinburgh and London.
In the small hours of the night, even at tiny stations, there were little groups of people eager to catch a glimpse of the train as it passed through, and long after Harry and Grieve were enjoying a sleep they were passing stations where the train halted to the accompaniment of bagpipes.
Perth was reached at 5 a.m., when one would have thought everybody there would be fast asleep. But this was not so. The people were there in thousands to cheer and watch the heroes of the hour for a few moments. A bouquet was presented and, in acknowledging it, Harry mentioned that he had had an excellent sleep from Inverness and was feeling very fit.
As for the reception at Edinburgh, I cannot do better than reproduce the account given by the Evening News (London):
“... At Edinburgh, which has grown accustomed to the visits of the great, there were the same scenes. The station platform was crowded by 8 o’clock and there was a strong force of police on duty to keep the way clear for passengers. When the train steamed in there was a great murmur of excitement and craning of necks. Hawker was at once surrounded by all kinds of official and unofficial admirers. It was really marvellous, the number of solemn officials who found it their duty to be very near Hawker as he came down the platform. The cheers grew and grew till the whole station echoed with them. Suddenly there was a rush through the barrier, and before the police realised what was happening Hawker was raised shoulder high and carried, smiling and a bit unstable, through the clamorous crowds. It was an extraordinary scene of fervour and welcome. Then he disappeared into the Station Hotel for breakfast. The same desire to see and acclaim the hero was there, though it was more discreetly veiled, as becomes a great hotel. It was wonderful, the number of people who had left their newspaper and their handkerchief in the dining-room and in the hall.