And very little of that he would have had if she had been as active
as she was willing.
'What's the maitter, Caumill?' asked Robert, in considerable alarm.
'Ow, naething, sir,' returned Campbell.
'What gars ye look like that, than?' insisted Robert.
'Ow, naething. But whan Miss Letty cried doon the close upo' me,
she had her awpron till her een, an' I thocht something bude to be
wrang; but I hadna the hert to speir.'
Robert darted to the door, and rushed to the inn, leaving Caumill
describing iambi on the road behind him.
When he reached The Boar's Head there was nobody to be seen. He
darted up the stair to the room where he had first waited upon
Ericson.
Three or four maids stood at the door. He asked no question, but
went in, a dreadful fear at his heart. Two of the sisters and Dr.
Gow stood by the bed.
Ericson lay upon it, clear-eyed, and still. His cheek was flushed.
The doctor looked round as Robert entered.
'Robert,' he said, 'you must keep your friend here quiet. He's
broken a blood-vessel--walked too much, I suppose. He'll be all
right soon, I hope; but we can't be too careful. Keep him
quiet--that's the main thing. He mustn't speak a word.'
So saying he took his leave.
Ericson held out his thin hand. Robert grasped it. Ericson's lips
moved as if he would speak.
'Dinna speik, Mr. Ericson,' said Miss Letty, whose tears were
flowing unheeded down her cheeks, 'dinna speik.
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