Uncle Purdie.'

'Oh, but it--it's necessary to get her doon here. She'll maybe be
able to break--I meant for to say----' Mr. Purdie stopped short
and wiped perspiration from his face.

'Jist a meenute,' he said abruptly, and bolted upstairs.

Macgregor gazed after the retreating burly figure. Never before
had he seen his uncle nervous. Was Aunt Purdie not so well? It
was news to hear of her napping in the middle of the day. Then a
likelier explanation dawned on Macgregor, and he smiled to himself.
Uncle Purdie had been too shy to mention it, and now he had retired
simply to allow of Christina's coming down by herself. So
Macgregor prepared to meet his love.

And while he meditated, his aunt and uncle appeared together.

'Yer aunt'll explain,' said Mr. Purdie, looking most unhappy. 'I
couldna dae it.'

'How do you do, Macgregor?' said Aunt Purdie, shaking hands with
stiff kindliness. 'I am delighted to perceive you in Aberdeen.
But what a deplorable catastrophe!--what a dire calamity!--what an
ironical mishap!----'

'She means----' began Mr. Purdie, noting his nephew's puzzled
distress.

'Hush, Robert! Allow me. I must break it gently to the boy. What
a cruel fiascio!--what a vexatious disappintment!----'

'Whaur's Christina?' Macgregor demanded.

'Courage, boy!' said Aunt Purdie in lofty tones. 'Remember you are
a sojer--soldier--of the Queen--or rather, King!'

'But----'

'Christina left for Glasgow per the 1.10 p.m. train, one short hour
before you arrived.'

'Weel, I'm----'

'She decided very suddenly this morning. She did not hand me the
letter, or p.c., for my perusual, but I understood her to observe
that Miss Tod was not feeling so able and desired her presence. We
were real sorry to let her go----'

'Ma impression,' Mr. Purdie put in, 'is that she was wearyin' for
her lad. But for ill-luck this is the maist confounded,
dampest----'

'Robert, behave yourself!'

'Weel, it's a fair sickener. But there's nae use talkin' aboot it.
Come awa', lad, an' ha'e something to eat. Ye canna keep up yer
heart on a toom kyte.'

They were very kind to him and pressed him to remain overnight, but
he was bent on leaving by the 3.40 express, which is due at Glasgow
about 7.30. With good luck, he told himself, he might catch
Christina at Miss Tod's. Meanwhile youth and health compelled him
to enjoy his dinner, during which Aunt Purdie insisted on refunding
the cost of his futile journe