J. J. Bell

“ Miss Purvis relaxed from the stiff attitude she had assumed.
"Well, Christina, if you will promise not to interrupt, I might read you 'Lord Ullin's Daughter.' It is by Thomas Campbell——"
"That's the name o' the sclater in Kilmabeg."
"Never mind that. 'Lord Ullin's Daughter' is an exceedingly fine poem."
"Was she young or auld?"
"She was young——"
"As young as me?"
"Oh no; she was a young lady who ran away with her lover——"
"Her lover! Oh, my! Please read it, auntie," cried Christina, and, curling one leg round the other, settled herself to listen. ”

“ Miss Purvis held her peace.
"Come on, auntie, say ye'll gang. It wud be an awfu' disgrace to you if I was catched bein' a stowaway, an——"
"Do not say catched, Christina."
"Nabbit, then. It wud be an awfu' disgrace, wud it no'? But I ken ye'll come. I'll promise to behave masel', auntie, an' ye'll enjey it fine—if ye're carefu' what ye eat afore ye start. It'll remind ye o' yer young days, eh?"
"I never heard of such an idea!" said Miss Purvis. "What makes you want to go?"
"Oh, weel, near everybody in Kilmabeg has been to moonlight cruises except us. An' Friday's the last this year." ”