'It is a great neglect, I admit--for it is really cold; but we must consider that the natives of a country are not so sensible of the rigour of their climate as strangers. Mr and Mrs Archibald, you know, are Scotch.' 'Yes, Scotch,' said Mrs Smith with a sardonic smile--'excessively Scotch!' And drawing her shawl over her chin, she sat, looking like an incarnation of Discomfort, till Mrs Archibald entered the room. 'How do you do, ma'am?' said Mr Smith, getting up and shaking hands. 'You see I have brought my wife to drink tea with you. My dear, let me introduce you to Mrs Archibald--Mrs Archibald, Mrs Smith. The two ladies exchanged bows, the one sulkily, the other stiffly; and even Mr Smith, though not a particularly observant man, thought their hostess did not look so pleasant as in the forenoon. 'How is Mr Archibald?' said he after a pause. 'My husband is pretty well, sir.' 'Not at church again, eh?' 'Sir!' Here Mrs Archibald looked anxiously to the half-open door, where the girl was waiting concealed in the shadow, in readiness to reinforce her mistress in case of necessity. 'A very windy, dismal evening--and cold. Don't you find it cold, ma'am?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Perhaps we have come too soon?' 'Really, sir--I hope you will not think it ill-bred--but I have been expecting to hear why you have come at all!' 'Mrs Archibald! Is it possible that you have forgotten me already?' 'I must confess you have the advantage of me.' 'You do not remember seeing me this forenoon, when your husband was at church?' 'I really have no recollection of any such circumstance; nor am I aware of anything that could take my husband to church to-day.' 'And you cannot call to mind that you asked me to tea, and intreated me to bring my wife with me?' 'Surely not, since I was ignorant, till a few minutes ago, that such individuals were in existence.' 'Mrs Archibald! I of course cannot, as a gentleman, refuse to credit those assertions; but I take leave to tell you that I by no means admire the _memory_ of the wives of the Scottish clergy! Come, my dear. Our friend will be surprised to hear of the hospitable reception obtained for us by his letter of introduction; although perhaps Mrs Archibald'--and here Mr Smith wheeled round as he reached the door, and fixed his eye upon the culprit--'although perhaps Mrs Archibald is not disposed to admit having received Mr ----'s letter at all!'