is was better.
She could move about and chat with her concerning the cream-cheese made
for the occasion, and of the cake made by Shenac Dhu from a recipe sent
by Christie More, of which her mother had stood in doubt till it was
cut, but no longer. Then there were the new dishes of the bride, which
graced the table--pure white, with just a little spray of blue. They
were quite beautiful, Shenac thought. Then her aunt let her into the
secret of a second set of knives and forks--very handsome, which even
the bride herself had not seen yet; and so on till Hamish came in with
Angus Dhu. Then Shenac could have cried with vexation, she felt so
awkward and uncomfortable under the old man's watchful, well-pleased
eye; and when Evan and the two Dans came in it was worse. She laid
hands on a long grey stocking, her aunt's work, and betook herself to
the corner where Annie and Mary were still talking more earnestly than
ever. She startled them by the eagerness with which she questioned
first one and then the other as to the comparative merits of madder
and--something else--for dyeing red. It was a question of vital
importance to her, one might have supposed, and it was taken up
accordingly. Mrs McLay thought the other thing was best--gave much the
brighter colour; but Mrs McRea declared for the madder, because,
instead of fading, it grew prettier the longer it was worn and the
oftener it was washed. But each had enough to say about it; and this
lasted till the lads and little Flora came in from their play, and
Shenac busied herself with them till tea was ready. After tea they had
worship, and sung a little while, and then they went home.

"Oh, what a long day this has been!" said Shenac, as they came in.

"Yes; I fancied you were a little weary of it all," said Hamish.

"It would be terrible to be condemned to do nothing but visit all one's
life. It is the hardest work I ever undertook--this doing nothing,"
said Shenac.

Hamish laughed.

"Well, there is comfort in knowing that you have not had much of that
kind of work to do in your lifetime, and are not likely to have."

There were several things to attend to after coming home, and by the
time all these were out of the way the children had gone to bed, and
Hamish and Shenac were alone.

"I may as well speak to Hamish to-night," said Shenac to herself. "Oh
dear! I wish it were well over. If Hamish says it is right to go, I
shall be sure I am right, and I shall