"But, mistress, Eppie Home's house is no' yours.

We've taken a tremendous fancy to this bit.

Can you no' manage to put up with us for the one night?
We're quiet auld-fashioned folk and we'll no' trouble you much.

Just our tea and maybe an egg to it, and a bowl of porridge in the morning." The woman seemed to relent.

"Whaur's your freend ?" she asked, peering over her spectacles towards the garden gate.