the highland hermit (continued)

"Well, my dear girls, I do  understand you are interested! I really wanted to know the answer so very much myself too. Dave's revelation was a great gift to me.
I will now disclose to you what the condition was, which I agreed upon  to receive insight into that great mystery.
Dave asked me to promise that I will not divulge what he told me to any other human being. And naturally I must honour my word." said the venerable hermit.
His wrinkled face shone with genuine goodness.........

Shirley nods at him in agreement, but in a rather stunned sort of way. Then she took a bite out of her half-eaten apple, which had been in her hand motionlessly for the last twenty minutes. She chewed thoughtfully and then swallowed. I myself had to swallow a big gulp of air to help me cope with the shock the old man's statement gave to my body chemistry.

Greetings from Scotland! We hope the story didn't stick in your throat....   Love from Shirley and Anna xx

This memorable holiday experience has become known since in our family  as: 
"A Close Encounter of the Mirth Kind". Although my eldest son William, ever a skeptic, teasingly calls it "A Close Encounter of the Worst Kind" .......