choose from, Salemina, nor as if Bide-a-Wee Cottage were cheap," I continued. "Think of the rent we pay and keep your head high. Remember that the draper's wife says there is nothing half so comfortable in Inchcaldy, although that is twice as large a town."
"Inchcaldy! ejaculated Francesca, sitting down heavily upon the sofa and staring at me.
"Inchcaldy, my dear,—spelled caldy, but pronounced cawdy; the town where you are to take your nonsensical little fripperies to be laundered."
"Where is Inchcaldy? How far away?"
"About five miles, I believe, but a lovely road."
"Well," she exclaimed bitterly, "of course Scotland is a small, insignificant country; but, tiny as it is, it presents some liberty of choice, and why you need have pitched upon Pettybaw, and brought me here, when it is only five miles from Inchcaldy, and a lovely road besides, is more than I can understand!"
"In what way has Inchcaldy been so unhappy as to offend you?" I asked.
"It has not offended me, save that it chances to be Ronald Macdonald's parish,—that is all."
"Ronald Macdonald's parish!" we repeated automatically.
"Certainly,—you must have heard him mention Inchcaldy; and how queer he will think it
