"Hoots, lassie, you'll never stay away when the ticket costs you nothing! I am thinking I might go myself, perhaps, to take care of you, like. It'll be a grand sight, they say, and it's not often I get the chance of wearing my green silk." Again the infinite pathos of this woman, with all her vulgar, disappointed little ambitions, took Mona's heart by storm, as it had done on the night of her arrival at Borrowness; and a gentle answer came unbidden to her lips. That afternoon, however, she considered herself fully entitled to set off and drink tea with Auntie Bell, and Rachel raised no objection when she suggested the idea. "I would be glad if you would do a little business for me, as you pass through Kilwinnie," she said. "I will, with pleasure." "Just go into Mr Brown's," she said, "and ask him if he still has green ribbon like what he sold me for my bonnet last year. The strings are quite worn out. I think a yard and a half should do. I'll give you a pattern." Mona fervently wished that the bit of business could have been transacted in any other shop, but it would not do to draw back from her promise now. As she passed along the high street of Kilwinnie, she saw Miss Brown's face at the window above the shop, and she bowed as she crossed the street. Mr Brown was engaged with another customer, so Mona went up to the young man at the opposite counter, thankful to escape so easily. But it was no use. In the most barefaced way Mr Brown effected an exchange of customers, and came up to her, his solemn face all radiant with sudden pleasure. His eyes, like those of a faithful dog, more than atoned at times for his inability to speak. "How is Miss Simpson?" he asked. This was his one idea of making a beginning. "She is very well, thank you," and Mona proceeded at once with the business in hand. They had just settled the question, when, to Mona's infinite relief, Miss Brown tripped down the stair leading into the shop. "Won't you come up-stairs and rest for ten minutes, Miss Maclean?" she said. "We are having an early cup of tea. No, no, Philip, we don't want you. Gentlemen have no business with afternoon tea." Mona could not have told what induced her to accept the invitation. She certainly did not wish to do it. Perhaps she was glad to escape on any terms from those pathetic brown eyes. Mr Brown's face fell, then brightened again. "Perhaps while you are talking, you will arrange for another walk," he said. Mona followed Miss Brown up the dark little stair into the house, and they entered the pleasant sitting-room. The ladies of the house received their visitor cordially, and proceeded to entertain her with conversation, which seemed to be friendly, if it was neither _spirituel_ nor very profound. Presently it turned on the subject of husband-hunting. "Now, Miss Maclean," said one, "would you call my brother an attractive man?" Mona was somewhat taken aback by the directness of the question.