The mistress of the place made the girl tea and dispatched her son to Glenavelin.

But the errand would take time, for the boy was small, and Alice, ever impatient, stood drumming on the panes, watching the dreary weather with a dreary heart.

The goodwife was standing at the door on the look-out for a passing gig, and her cry brought the girl to attention.
"I see a machine comin'! I think it's the Etterick dowg-cairt.

Ye'll get a drive in it." Alice had gone to the door, and lo! through the thick fall a dog-cart came into view driven by a tall young man.

He recognized her at once, and drew up.
"Hullo, Miss Wishart! Storm-stayed?
Can I help you ?" The girl looked distrustfully at the very restless horse and he caught her diffidence.
"Don't be afraid.