Down North and Up Along 
evening glow. Reluctantly we bade adieu to 
the McDonalds', and their cordial hospitality 
that rang more like English than Scotch metal. 
Yet the return proved about as enjoyable as 
the first passing. True, the uncertainty as to 
what next was gone ; we knew what next, 
but that had its advantages. It was pleasant 
to meet again the people and to be received 
now like old friends. It was pleasant to carry 
the bits of neighbourhood gossip from station 
to station — like troubadours of old. And 
the scenery we found was quite new. For 
we were turned around now and looking the 
other way. It is impossible, moreover, to see 
everything in once passing, so that the return 
trip was fully as enjoyable as the first coming. 
We did not linger going back. We did 
not dare, for there was a threat of rain which 
was not to be ignored, unless we desired to 
add to our other experiences that of a typical 
Cape Breton autumn storm. And that of all 
things we did not desire, for there were few 
places we should have cared to remain in, 
storm-bound, even for a day. So we pressed 
ahead, past Zwicker's and past Aspy Bay, 
lovely in the hazy atmosphere. Nor did we 
296 
