A Trying Ordeal. 281 



selves to anything in the house ; so we managed to en- 

 joy our luncheon, though some of us only after a fashion. 

 There were three gentlemen, a wife, and a cousin, who 

 for the first time did not care much for anything in the 

 form of luncheon. Speeches, speeches, these are what 

 troubled Harry, Davie and me; and I had cause for 

 grave alarm, of which they could form little idea; for I 

 felt that if Dunfermline had been touched and her 

 people had determined to give us a public reception, 

 there was no saying to what lengths they might go. 



If I could decently have stolen away and gone 

 round by some circuitous route, sending my fellow 

 townsmen an apology, and telling them that I really felt 

 myself unable to undergo the ordeal, I should have been 

 tempted to do so. I was also afraid that the Queen 

 Dowager would break down, for if ever her big black 

 eyes get wet it's all over with her. How fortunate it 

 was that Mrs. H. was with her to keep her right! It 

 was wisely resolved that she should take her inside of 

 the coach and watch over her. I bit my lip, told the 

 Charioteers they were in for it and must go through 

 without flinching, that now the crisis had come I was 

 just bound to stand anything. I was past stage-fright, 

 and I assured myself that they could do their worst — I 

 was callous and would not be moved — but to play the 

 part of a popular hero even for a day, wondering all the 

 time what you have done to deserve the outburst, is 

 fearful work. When I did get time to think of it, my 



