The dressing was soon finished, his hair combed down over it, and
Robert looking once more respectable.
'Now, I think that will do,' said his nurse.
'Eh, thank ye, mem!' answered Robert, rising. 'Whan I'm able to play
upo' the fiddle as weel 's ye play upo' the piana, I'll come and
play at yer window ilka nicht, as lang 's ye like to hearken.'
She smiled, and he was satisfied. He did not dare again ask her to
play to him. But she said of herself, 'Now I will play something to
you, if you like,' and he resumed his seat devoutly.
When she had finished a lovely little air, which sounded to Robert
like the touch of her hands, and her breath on his forehead, she
looked round, and was satisfied, from the rapt expression of the
boy's countenance, that at least he had plenty of musical
sensibility. As if despoiled of volition, he stood motionless till
she said,
'Now you had better go, or Betty will miss you.'
Then he made her a bow in which awkwardness and grace were curiously
mingled, and taking up his precious parcel, and holding it to his
bosom as if it had been a child for whom he felt an access of
tenderness, he slowly left the room and the house.
Not even to Shargar did he communicate his adventure. And he went
no more to the deserted factory to play there. Fate had again
interposed between him and his bonny leddy.
When he reached Bodyfauld he fancied his grandmother's eyes more
watchful of him than usual, and he strove the more to resist the
weariness, and even faintness, that urged him to go to bed.
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