ut mairch the day.'

'Oh, indeed! Well, when does the band play?'

'The baun's burstit wi' the rout mairch. It couldna blaw the ash
aff a ceegarette. I'm rael sorry----'

'I would like to inspect the apartments you live in. Pray conduct
me----'

'Some o' the chaps is cleanin' theirsel's. If ye like, I'll tell
them to hurry up or get ablow the blankets.'

'Certainly not!' said Mrs. Purdie with decision. 'Is there no
tea-room adjacent?'

'Jist the canteen. I doobt I couldna I tak' ye inside, but I
could fetch ye oot a drink--something T.T., I suppose?'

She waved the offer away. 'Is there | nothing to be perceived or
observed in this camp?' she inquired with some impatience. |

Her nephew scratched his head. 'Weel,' he said at last, 'there's
the view frae this end, an' there's the view frae the ither end.
I'm sorry ye've come when there's naething daein'.'

'So am I. However, it is not the time to indulge in
discriminations. Your uncle thought it was better for me to come
than to write a letter.'

'Is onything wrang wi' ma uncle?' Macgregor asked anxiously.

'Barring an invidious bunion, he is in his usual health. But we
are going to Aberdeen to-morrow, for a fortnight, and we have
invited your intended to come with us. She----'

'Christina! But she canna gang awa' to Aberdeen when----' He
stopped short, at a loss. He had an appointment with Christina for
the following evening. Surely----

'I arranged with Miss Tod this morning. Christina will be writing
to you, I presume.'

'She--she's gaun wi' ye?'

'Certainly--D.V., of course.'

'For a--a fortnicht?'

'The change will be good for her. You must not be selfish. Your
uncle was afraid you might be put out: that is why I came to
explain. But apart from the beneficial change, Christina, as I
observed to your uncle, ought to see the world while she is young.'

Macgregor answered nothing. Possibly he did not catch her latter
remarks. Christina going away for a fortnight, and he might be
ordered abroad at any moment!

'Come,' said his aunt, kindly enough, 'don't be huffy.'

Mercifully, just then an officer passed. In the action of saluting
Macgregor regained self-control.

'I hope ye get guid weather at Aberdeen,' he managed to say, and
his aunt admired him even more than at the hour of his enlistment.

'Yer uncle an' me jist wishes ye was free to jine us,' she said
with unwonted warmth and homeliness of accent. Her hand