‘Gangna near the place. My father ’ill gie ye the gray mear—no an ill ane ava! She’ll tak ye there in four or five hoors, as ye ride. Only, min’ and gie her a pickle corn ance, and meal and watter twise upo’ the ro’d. Gien ye seena the animal ye’re sure ’ill please her, gang further, and comena hame wantin ’t.’
CHAPTER XL
MRS. GORDON
When Mrs. Gordon came to herself, she thought to behave as if nothing had happened, and rang the bell to order her carriage. The maid informed her that the coachman had driven away with it before lunch, and had not said where he was going.
‘Driven away with it!’ cried her mistress, starting to her feet; ‘I gave him no orders!’
‘I saw the laird giein him directions, mem,’ rejoined the maid.
Mrs. Gordon sat down again. She began to remember what her son had said when first he gave her the carriage.
‘Where did he send him?’ she asked.
‘I dinna ken, mem.’
‘Go and ask the laird to step this way.’
‘Please, mem, he’s no i’ the hoose. I ken, for I saw him gang—hoors ago.’