Mother Binning had been working in the garden, but when she saw the figures on the path below she took her distaff and sat on the bench in the sun.

When they came by she raised her voice.
"Mr.Alexander, how are the laird and the leddy ?" "They're very well, Mother." "Ye'll be gaeing sune to Edinburgh?
Wha may be this laddie ?" "It is Ian Rullock, of Black Hill." "Sae the baith o' ye are gaeing to Edinburgh?
Will ye be friends there ?" "That we will!" "Hech, sirs!" Mother Binning drew a thread from her distaff.

The two were about to travel on when she stopped them again with a gesture.
"Dinna mak sic haste! There's time enough behind us, and time enough before us.

And it's a strange warld, and a large, and an auld! Sit ye and crack a bit with an auld wife by the road." But they had dallied at White Farm and in the cave, and Alexander was in haste.
"We cannot stop now, Mother.

We're bound for the Kelpie's Pool." "And why do ye gae there?
That's a drear, wanrestfu' place!" said Mother Binning.
"Ian has not seen it yet.