"His mind seemed so much more engrossed with these matters than the meeting, that little was said upon the latter subject, and Mr. Brown, having parted with him in the street, rather wondered why he chose such a moment to discuss his private affairs.
"The next morning, at the appointed hour, the principal inhabitants of the place assembled in a public room at the Tun. Brown, who wanted to say a word to Robertson, lingered at the door; but as he did not come, he thought he must have arrived before himself, and went up stairs.
"'Is Robertson here?' said he, on entering the room.
"'No,' said one, 'I'm afraid he's not come back from Raasa.'
"'Oh, yes,' said Brown, 'he'll be here; I saw him yesterday evening.'
"They then discoursed about the matter in hand for some time, till finding the chairman was about to proceed to business, Robertson's absence was again reverted to.
"'I know he's come back,' said one, 'for I saw him standing at his own door as I passed last night.'
"'He can't have forgotten it,' said another.
"'Certainly not, for we spoke of it last night,' said Brown.
"'Perhaps he's ill,' suggested somebody.