dinner-dishes; and the former returned to his post at the window.
He had not stood more than half a minute, thinking what was to be
done with his school-fellow deserted of his mother, when the sound
of a coach-horn drew his attention to the right, down the street,
where he could see part of the other street which crossed it at
right angles, and in which the gable of the house stood. A minute
after, the mail came in sight--scarlet, spotted with snow--and
disappeared, going up the hill towards the chief hostelry of the
town, as fast as four horses, tired with the bad footing they had
had through the whole of the stage, could draw it after them. By
this time the twilight was falling; for though the sun had not yet
set, miles of frozen vapour came between him and this part of the
world, and his light was never very powerful so far north at this
season of the year.

Robert turned into the kitchen, and began to put on his shoes. He
had made up his mind what to do.

'Ye're never gaein' oot, Robert?' said Betty, in a hoarse tone of
expostulation.

''Deed am I, Betty. What for no?'

'You 'at's been in a' day wi' a sair heid! I'll jist gang benn the
hoose and tell the mistress, and syne we'll see what she'll please
to say till 't.'

'Ye'll do naething o' the kin', Betty. Are ye gaein' to turn
clash-pyet (tell-tale) at your age?'