If we chose, we could tell you
the secret of Glen Affric, which we are hiding.'

Isn't that an alluring name--Glen Affric? A little while ago I
should have wanted immensely to see it; but now whenever any one
proposes walking through a glen I always argue that it would be
better not.

Last night we stopped at Strathpeffer, a gay and beautiful little
cure-town, which is like a walled flower-garden set down in the
midst of wild and stern Caledonia. The mountains are the walls; and
heather flows round them and beats against them like a purple
ocean. It is so foreign looking that it reminded Basil of Baden
Baden. Now we are going on into Ross-shire, which Basil describes
as a country of moorlands and great spaces where red deer live. But
already we have seen deer walking quite calmly out of the forests
on to our road, where they stop to gaze quizzically, without the
least fear, at the car. It is almost as if they took it for a
brother-animal. To-night we shall be at Loch Maree, and of course
you won't get this in time to telegraph there. But perhaps you
might wire to Ballachulish, where we shall be to-morrow. Do,
dearest, and tell me to come back to you. In spite of all the
loveliness, I can't stand this much longer, for I cannot make Basil
stop without being really _rude_ to him. You needn't keep me more
than a day if it's inconvenient. I'll go anywhere afterward--except
to Grandma's. Or even there, if she'll have me back!--Your loving
and anxious BARRIE.

TELEGRAM TO BARRIE FROM MRS. BALLANTREE MACDONALD

If you want to please me and be very happy yourself say 'Yes' to
B. N. Splendid thing for you. Could wish nothing better for your
future. Do relieve my mind by writing that you have decided. Yours
lovingly and hopefully,

BARBARA.

LETTER FROM BARRIE TO HER MOTHER

DEAREST: Your telegram gave me the most dreadful surprise
when I arrived here at Ballachulish, and everything else seemed
against me too, for there was a wire from Mr. Bennett's sister
asking Mr. and Mrs. Vanneck to make their visit to her as soon as
possible, at that shooting lodge you told us about. They wanted to
go, and I was the only thing that prevented them. If I had an
_enemy_ trying to push me into a corner this would have seemed like
his (or her) work--jus