"'It struck me, certainly, that he was rather lukewarm on the subject when I talked to him last night; but on Tuesday I saw him just before he started, and he said he would not miss the meeting on any account. I'll go and look after him and know what he means.'
"Accordingly, Brown proceeded to his friend's house, and found Mrs. Robertson and her children at dinner.
"'Weel," Mr. Brown,' she said, 'so your meeting's over.'
"'Aye,' said he, 'but where's Robertson? Why didn't he keep his word with us?'
"'Why, you see, I dare say he meant to be back—indeed, I know he did: but business won't be neglected, and I suppose he could not manage it.'
"'Do you mean to say he's not come back!' said Brown.
"'Sure, I do,' answered Mrs. R. 'Of course, he'd have been at the meeting if he had.'
"'But people saw him last night, standing at his own door,' answered the cautious Brown.
"'Na, na, Mr. Brown, don't you believe that,' said Mrs. R., laughing; they that say that had too much whiskey in their een.'
"The children laughed at the idea of anybody seeing their father when he was at Raasa, and on the whole it was evident, that if John Robertson had returned, it was unknown to his family. But what could be his reason for so strange a proceeding, and why, if he wanted to evade the meeting, had he needlessly shown himself at all? Why not really stay away from Portree?