'
'What ane o'?'
'A sheep's heid, ye gowk (fool). Gang in direckly.'
Shargar persisted no longer, but, taking about four steps a minute,
slunk past the kitchen like a thief--not so carefully, however, but
that one of his soles yet looser than the other gave one clap upon
the flagged passage, when Betty straightway stood in the kitchen
door, a fierce picture in a deal frame. By this time Robert had
closed the outer door, and was following at Shargar's heels.
'What's this?' she cried, but not so loud as to reach the ears of
Mrs. Falconer; for, with true Scotch foresight, she would not
willingly call in another power before the situation clearly
demanded it. 'Whaur's Shargar gaein' that gait?'
'Wi' me. Dinna ye see me wi' him? I'm nae a thief, nor yet's
Shargar.'
'There may be twa opingons upo' that, Robert. I s' jist awa' benn
to the mistress. I s' hae nae sic doin's i' my hoose.'
'It's nae your hoose, Betty. Dinna lee.'
'Weel, I s' hae nae sic things gang by my kitchie door. There,
Robert! what 'll ye mak' o' that? There's nae offence, there, I
houp, gin it suldna be a'thegither my ain hoose. Tak Shargar oot o'
that, or I s' awa' benn the hoose, as I tell ye.'
Meantime Shargar was standing on the stones, looking like a
terrified white rabbit, and shaking from head to foot with cold and
fright combined.
'I'll tak him oot o' this, but it's up the stair, Betty. An' gin ye
gang benn the hoose aboot it, I sweir to ye, as sure 's death, I'll
gang doon to Muckledrum upo' Setterday i' the efternune.
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