'
Andrew was pleased at the proposal. Robert too was pleased that his
father should be free of him for a while. It was arranged for three
days. Half-an-hour after, Robert came upon Mr. Lammie emptying the
two bottles of whisky into the dunghill in the farmyard.
He returned with glad heart to Rothieden. It did not take him long
to arrange his grandmother's little affairs. He had already made up
his mind about her house and furniture. He rang the bell one
morning for Betty.
'Hae ye ony siller laid up, Betty?'
'Ay. I hae feifteen poun' i' the savin's bank.'
'An' what do ye think o' doin'?'
'I'll get a bit roomy, an' tak in washin'.
'Weel, I'll tell ye what I wad like ye to do. Ye ken Mistress
Elshender?'
'Fine that. An' a verra dacent body she is.'
'Weel, gin ye like, ye can haud this hoose, an' a' 'at's in't, jist
as it is, till the day o' yer deith. And ye'll aye keep it in
order, an' the ga'le-room ready for me at ony time I may happen to
come in upo' ye in want o' a nicht's quarters. But I wad like ye,
gin ye hae nae objections, to tak Mistress Elshender to bide wi' ye.
She's turnin' some frail noo, and I'm unner great obligation to her
Sandy, ye ken.'
'Ay, weel that. He learnt ye to fiddle, Robert--I hoombly beg your
pardon, sir, Mister Robert.'
'Nae offence, Betty, I assure ye. Ye hae been aye gude to me, and I
thank ye hertily.'
Betty could not stand this. Her apron went up to her eyes.
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