‘There’s some foolish story of that kind.’ He has another careless slice off the loaf. ‘But you couldn’t have been living here at that time or they would have guessed. I suppose you flitted?’ ‘Yes, it cost me eleven and sixpence.’ ‘How did you guess the _K_ in my name stood for Kenneth?’ ‘Does it?’ ‘Umpha.’ ‘An angel whispered it to me in my sleep.’ ‘Well, that’s the only angel in the whole black business.’ He chuckles. ‘You little thought I would turn up!’ Wheeling suddenly on her. ‘Or did you?’ ‘I was beginning to weary for a sight of you, Kenneth.’ ‘What word was that?’ ‘Mister.’ He helps himself to butter, and she holds out the jam pot to him, but he haughtily rejects it. Do you think she gives in now? Not a bit of it. He returns to sarcasm. ‘I hope you’re pleased with me now you see me.’ ‘I’m very pleased. Does your folk live in Scotland?’ ‘Glasgow.’ ‘Both living?’ ‘Ay.’ ‘Is your mother terrible proud of you?’ ‘Naturally.’ ‘You’ll be going to them?’ ‘After I’ve had a skite in London first.’ The old lady sniffs. ‘So she is in London!’ ‘Who?’ ‘Your young lady.’ ‘Are you jealyous?’ ‘Not me.’ ‘You needna be. She’s a young thing.’ ‘You surprises me. A beauty, no doubt?’ ‘You may be sure.’ He tries the jam. ‘She’s a titled person. She is equally popular as maid, wife and munition-worker.’ Mrs. Dowey remembers Lady Dolly Kanister, so familiar to readers of fashionable gossip, and a very leery expression indeed comes into her face. ‘Tell me more about her, man.’ ‘She has sent me a lot of things, especially cakes, and a worsted waistcoat, with a loving message on the enclosed card.’ The old lady is now in a quiver of excitement. She loses control of her arms, which jump excitedly this way and that. ‘You’ll try one of my cakes, mister?’ ‘Not me.’ ‘They’re of my own making.’ ‘No, I thank you.’ But with a funny little run she is in the pantry and back again. She planks down a cake before him, at sight of which he gapes. ‘What’s the matter? Tell me, oh, tell me, mister.’ ‘That’s exactly the kind of cake that her ladyship sends me.’ Mrs. Dowey is now a very glorious old character indeed. ‘Is the waistcoat right, mister? I hope the Black Watch colours pleased you.’ ‘Wha--at! Was it you?’ ‘I daredna give my own name, you see, and I was always reading hers in the papers.’ The badgered man looms over her, terrible for the last time. ‘Woman, is there no getting rid of you!’ ‘Are you angry?’ He sits down with a groan. ‘Oh, hell! Give me some tea.’