Macgregor grabbed him by the arm. 'Keep yer hair on, Wullie.
There'll be naebody but the three o' us. There's nae scrimp aboot
Christina,' he added with pride.

'I believe ye!' responded the reassured guest. 'Gor, I never seen
as much pastries in a' ma born days--no but what I'm ready to dae
ma bit.'

Just then Christina entered, remarking:

'It's an awfu' job tryin' to sell what a person doesna want to a
person that wants what ye ha'ena got; but I done it this time.
Evenin', Mac. Mr. Thomson, I am delighted to meet ye.'

'Aw,' murmured Willie helplessly.

'Dinna terrify him,' Macgregor whispered.

'Sorry,' she said with quick compunction. 'I'm gled to see ye,
Wullie. Sit doon an' feel at hame. The kettle's jist at the bile.
See, tak' Miss Tod's chair. She'll like to think that a sojer sat
in it. She'll never ha'e been as near to a man. I was askin' her
the ither nicht if she had ever had a lad. The answer was in the
negative.'

'Maybe,' Macgregor suggested, 'she didna like to tell ye the truth.'

Christina smiled gently, saying, 'Ye've a lot to learn aboot us
females, Mac.'