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.