"Baintighearna mhin?" said Barbara, with a smile. "Oh, that is 'the gentle lady,' And that is what Anna Chlannach would be calling Miss Stanley, I have no doubt of that."
"Well, now, Barbara," Mary continued, "you must tell me how to say this in Gaelic—'Am I welcome?' What is that in Gaelic?"
But here Barbara became very much embarrassed.
"I am sure it is not necessary that Miss Stanley should say that—oh no, indeed," she answered with averted eyes.
"I am not so sure," said Mary, in her direct way. "I hope the time will come when I shall not have to ask such a question in going into any one's cottage; but at present I am a stranger, and I must make my way gradually. Now, Barbara, what is the Gaelic for 'Am I welcome?"
But still Barbara hesitated.
"If you would ask Mr. Purdie, ma'am, he would give you the good Gaelic."
"No, I will not," said the imperative young mistress. "I dare say your Gaelic is quite as good as Mr. Purdie's."
"And you would be saying 'Am I welcome?' in going into a house?" said Barbara, slowly—for translation is a serious difficulty to the untutored mind. "Oh, I think you would just say 'An e mo bheatha?'; but why would Miss Stanley be saying such a thing as that?"
"'An e mo bheatha?'—is that right? Very well!"