She returned with a tray. Willie was tempted by a card with the
'V.C.' emblazoned on it, but feared it would look 'swanky' on his
part. Though hampered by the adverse criticisms of Macgregor, who
naturally wanted to hold Christina's hand under cover of the table
as long as possible, he succeeded at last in choosing one entitled
'The Soldier's Return,' depicting a bronzed youth running to
embrace an old lady awaiting him in a cottage porch.

'If that doesna touch the spot,' said Christina, 'I'm a duchess.'

They sat down to tea.

Much to Willie's relief, Christina apparently forgot all about a
blessing. Anxious to please, he expressed admiration at the
abundance of good things.

'I like to see a table groanin',' said the hospitable hostess.

'There'll be mair nor the table groanin' afore lang,' observed
Macgregor.

They all laughed like happy people, especially Willie, until with a
start he remembered the cream cookies and his omission to bring an
extra hanky. All the same, he proceeded to enjoy himself pretty
heartily, and did the agreeable to the best of his ability,
furnishing sundry anecdotes of camp life which were as new to
Macgregor as they probably were to himself. At last--

'Try a cream cookie,' said Christina.