'I hae been at the grammer school i' the auld toon for the last three months,' said Robert.
'Three months!' exclaimed Dr. Anderson. 'And never came to see me till now! That was too bad of you, Robert.'
'Weel, ye see, sir, I didna ken better. An' I had a heap to do, an' a' for naething, efter a'. But gin I had kent 'at ye wad like to see me, I wad hae likit weel to come to ye.'
'I have been away most of the summer,' said the doctor; 'but I have been at home for the last month. You haven't had your dinner, have you?'
'Weel, I dinna exackly ken what to say, sir. Ye see, I wasna that sharp-set the day, sae I had jist a mou'fu' o' breid and cheese. I'm turnin' hungry, noo, I maun confess.'
The doctor rang the bell.
'You must stop and dine with me.—Johnston,' he continued, as his servant entered, 'tell the cook that I have a gentleman to dinner with me to-day, and she must be liberal.'
'Guidsake, sir!' said Robert, 'dinna set the woman agen me.'
He had no intention of saying anything humorous, but Dr. Anderson laughed heartily.
'Come into my room till dinner-time,' he said, opening the door by which he had entered.