'Ye're hame suner nor ye intended,' said Mrs. Robinson, during tea,
which was partaken of without Mr. Robinson, who was 'extra busy'
over munitions. 'Was Miss Tod wantin' ye?'

'Macgreegor was wantin' her,' piped Jimsie. 'So was I.'

'Whisht, Jimsie,' Jeannie murmured, blushing more than Christina.

'We jist got hame frae Rothesay last nicht,' said Mrs. Robinson,
'so we ha'ena seen the laddie for a while.'

'He hasna wrote this week,' remarked Jeannie. 'But of course
_you'll_ ha'e heard frae him, Christina'--this with respectful
diffidence.

'He's been busy at the shooting' Christina replied, wishing she had
more news to give.

'I wisht I had a gun,' observed Jimsie. 'I wud shoot the whuskers
aff auld Tirpy. Jings, I wud that!'

'Dinna boast,' said his mother.

'What wud you shoot, Christina, if you had a gun?'

'I think I wud practise on a cocoa-nut, Jimsie,' she said, with a
small laugh.

After tea Mrs. Robinson took Christina into the parlour while
Jeannie tidied up. Presently the door bell rang, and Jimsie rushed