WIDOW. Indeet. A very homely name indeet, _sir_--I beg your pardon--there will be one or two Sandys in this same glen already. SANDY. Splendid! I’ll be able to hide myself. If anybody calls here asking for Sandy, you’ll send them to some other Sandy.... (_Gazes steadfastly at Mrs Mackay._) Look through the window, Mrs Mackay. WIDOW (_alarmed_). What is it? SANDY. Sit down, please, don’t move. You make an excellent picture. Just look towards the window. (_Widow looks nervously._) Ah! wonderful; she was Spring, you are late September. (_Sighs._) I must paint you. WIDOW (_astonished_). Paint me? SANDY. I will paint your portrait and present it to you afterwards. WIDOW (_aside_). Màiri said the veesitors were so kind to people. (_Aloud._) That’s very good of you, Mr---- SANDY. Sandy. WIDOW. Mr Sandy. SANDY. No, simply Sandy. (_Laughs._) Simple Sandy, if you like, or just Sandy. Widow (_aside_). So simple and plain; he must be a born gentleman. (_Aloud._) I’ll be trying to remember. (_Smiles._) SANDY (_musingly_). What is there in you Highland people that makes you seem all alike, I wonder? When you smile, you remind me of--of someone I knew. A Highland lady also. (_Aside._) Ah! dear me, can I never get her out of my mind?--Màiri, Màiri, my soul calls you. You haunt me night and day. (_Aloud._) This is a very beautiful little house. What a rare window! And this fire-place! (_Sits down on a stool._) WIDOW. Take the easy chair, if you please. I’m sure you’re feeling tired. SANDY. Is that your most comfortable chair, Mrs Mackay? WIDOW (_stiffly_). Yes, it will be, but maybe by next year---- SANDY. Then come and sit in it, please, and speak to me. I’m dull, madam. (_Sighs._) WIDOW (_pokes up the peat_). It’s a poor fire, indeet, and there’s nothing so cheery as a bright fire. I hope you’ll be excusing the old fire-place, but maybe by next year we’ll have a registered grate. (_Sits down._) SANDY. (_standing up_). Heavens! don’t speak about such a thing, never think of changing your grate. It’s perfect, madam. (_Smiles._) I must paint this fire-place, and you must sit beside it at your spinning wheel. (_Glances round the room._) I will give you some pictures to hide those on the wall--those frowning fellows--pah! WIDOW (_aside_). I must mind to be humouring him. (_Aloud._) You are too kind, indeet. But first I will give you something to eat. (_Rises._) SANDY. Sit down, Mrs Mackay. I’m not hungry. Please do not go away. (_Gazes in her face._) Do sit down. (_Aside._) How like Màiri she is. I seem to see Màiri everywhere, yet I cannot see her. WIDOW. I’m afraid you’ll have to be excusing me. I have to go for a little message, but I’ll not be long. I’m sure you will be excusing me, now.