When he reached The Boar's Head there was nobody to be seen. He darted up the stair to the room where he had first waited upon Ericson.
Three or four maids stood at the door. He asked no question, but went in, a dreadful fear at his heart. Two of the sisters and Dr. Gow stood by the bed.
Ericson lay upon it, clear-eyed, and still. His cheek was flushed. The doctor looked round as Robert entered.
'Robert,' he said, 'you must keep your friend here quiet. He's broken a blood-vessel—walked too much, I suppose. He'll be all right soon, I hope; but we can't be too careful. Keep him quiet—that's the main thing. He mustn't speak a word.'
So saying he took his leave.
Ericson held out his thin hand. Robert grasped it. Ericson's lips moved as if he would speak.
'Dinna speik, Mr. Ericson,' said Miss Letty, whose tears were flowing unheeded down her cheeks, 'dinna speik. We a' ken what ye mean an' what ye want wi'oot that.'
Then she turned to Robert, and said in a whisper,
'Dr. Gow wadna hae ye sent for; but I kent weel eneuch 'at he wad be a' the quaieter gin ye war here. Jist gie a chap upo' the flure gin ye want onything, an' I'll be wi' ye in twa seconds.'
The sisters went away. Robert drew a chair beside the bed, and once more was nurse to his friend. The doctor had already bled him at the arm: such was the ordinary mode of treatment then.