"'Just send your man to Mr. Robertson's, and say we are waiting for him,' said Brown to the landlord.
"The landlord left the room to do so; and, in the meantime, they proceeded to business.
"Presently, the landlord re-entered the room, saying, that Mrs. Robertson answered that her husband had not returned from Raasa, and that she did not much expect he would be back till night.
"'Nonsense,' cried Brown, 'Why, I saw the man yesterday according to appointment, and had a long conversation with him.'
"'I am sure he's come back,' said one who had spoke before. 'I was coming down the street on the other side of the way, and I saw him standing at the door with his apron on. I should have crossed over to speak to him, but I was in a hurry.'
"'It's extraordinary,' said the landlord: 'Mrs. Robertson declares he's not come.'
"Some jokes were then passed about the apparent defection of Robertson from his spouse, and the meeting concluded their business without him, his party being exceedingly annoyed at his absence, which they thought not fair to the cause.
"'He should have given us his support.'
"'I suppose he has altered his opinions.'
"'Then he had better have said so.'