As they walked towards the house, Elsie expressed a hope “that Hugh and Gussie would soon get married, and would give them a good party to celebrate the event,” and Dexie heartily seconded her wish.

But even Hugh’s good fortune was set aside, for this was market day, and on no account would they miss the drive to the crowded mart.  They were soon speeding along the level road, past cartloads of farm products of every kind, which were slowly making their way towards the same goal.  While Beatrice was making her purchases the two girls wandered about to view the busy scene, but they soon became aware that the attention of a broad-shouldered countryman was directed to themselves.  Dexie wondered where she had seen the man before, as his face looked familiar, but her memory was refreshed by the outspoken and hearty greeting that met her ears.

“Bless yer bonnie face!  If this aren’t Mr. Sherrud’s dochter, I’m mista’en!  What! dinna ye ken the auld farmer McDonald, that was seein’ ye in Halifax?  Oh, I thocht ye’d ken me!  An’ whan did ye come owre?” and her hand was grasped and given a hearty shake as she tried to answer his many questions, for the pleasure of the meeting was easily read in the open countenance before her.

“Weel, weel! but it’s pleased I am to hae met ye the day, an’ is yer faither as smart as ever?” and seeing him glance towards Elsie she remembered herself and introduced her friend.

“She is our next-door neighbor in Halifax,” Dexie explained.

“An’ ye are both owre for a visit?  Weel, weel, an’ ye never telt me ye were comin’ at a’, at a’.  But whaur are ye stayin’, if I may ask?”

“At Mrs. Fremont’s.  I am here at Miss Gurney’s invitation, and her friends have been very kind to me.  We have been here a little more than three weeks.”

“An’ ye never sent me word!  If I had kent ye were here, I wad hae sent doon for ye afore.”

“You are very kind, indeed, Mr. McDonald, but I am here with friends this time, and I am afraid I cannot leave them.”

“Hoot, noo! ye needna leave them; there’s room at the farm for ye a’.  Hoo mony is there besides this ane?”

“One young man.”

And catching sight of Lancy, a short distance away, she called his name and he stepped at once to her side.

“This is Mr. Gurney, a brother to my friend here.”

“Ay, ay; I remember him,” greeting Lancy heartily.  “An’ hoo dae ye like the look o’ the Islan’?”

“Very much, indeed!” Lancy replied.  “It is a fine place, and we have been enjoying ourselves immensely.”

“But ye haena been up oor way yet!  If I’d only kent ye were here I wad hae had ye up afore this,” he repeated.

“Thank you kindly, Mr. McDonald, but we could hardly impose on your good-nature as far as that.”

“Impose, is’t?  Ma dear sir, it’s prood an’ happy we wad be to hae ye come to see us.  You maun gie me yer promise to come afore ye gang back to Halifax.  The gran’mother wad be sair hurt at no seein’ ye.  Whan could ye come, noo?” turning to Dexie.