'There's nae lads left here,' she said. 'They a' joined the Camerons,
and the feck o' them fell at an awfu' place called Lowse. John and
me never had no boys, jist the one lassie that's married on Donald
Frew, the Strontian carrier. I used to vex mysel' about it, but now I
thank the Lord that in His mercy He spared me sorrow. But I wad
hae liked to have had one laddie fechtin' for his country. I whiles
wish I was a Catholic and could pit up prayers for the sodgers that
are deid. It maun be a great consolation.'

I whipped out the _Pilgrim's _Progress from my pocket. 'That is the
grand book for a time like this.'

'Fine I ken it,' she said. 'I got it for a prize in the Sabbath School
when I was a lassie.'

I turned the pages. I read out a passage or two, and then I
seemed struck with a sudden memory.

'This is a telegraph office, mistress. Could I trouble you to send a
telegram? You see I've a cousin that's a minister in Ross-shire at
the Kyle, and him and me are great correspondents. He was writing
about something in the_Pilgrim's _Progress and I think I'll send him a
telegram in answer.'

'A letter would be cheaper,' she said.

'Ay, but I'm on holiday and I've no time for writing.'

She gave me a form, and I wrote: