Robert?'

But Robert had a reason for not telling his grandmother what the boy
had told him: he thought the news about his mother would only make
her disapprove of him the more. In this he judged wrong. He did
not know his grandmother yet.

'He's in my class at the schuil,' said Robert, evasively.

'Him? What class, noo?'

Robert hesitated one moment, but, compelled to give some answer,
said, with confidence,

'The Bible-class.'

'I thocht as muckle! What gars ye play at hide and seek wi' me? Do
ye think I dinna ken weel eneuch there's no a lad or a lass at the
schuil but 's i' the Bible-class? What wants he here?'

'Ye hardly gae him time to tell me, grannie. Ye frichtit him.'

'Me fricht him! What for suld I fricht him, laddie? I'm no sic
ferlie (wonder) that onybody needs be frichtit at me.'

The old lady turned with visible, though by no means profound
offence upon her calm forehead, and walking back into her parlour,
where Robert could see the fire burning right cheerily, shut the
door, and left him and Betty standing together in the transe. The
latter returned to the kitchen, to resume the washing of the