The train is usually crowded and half the township of Forres seems to turn out to watch it go off.

Many looners are terrified of talking about it in case they might be accused of being pederasts. They fear that a psychologist would just label them as sick.

And mellow Autumn, charged with bounteous fruit, / Where is she imaged? in what favoured clime / Her lavish pomp, and ripe magnificence?

Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps, […] and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.