'I maun say 't, Mrs. Faukner. I had it frae Dr. Anderson, yer ain cousin. He hintit at it afore, but his last letter leaves nae room to doobt upo' the subjeck. I'm unco sorry to be the beirer o' sic ill news, Mrs. Faukner, but I had nae chice.'
'Ohone! Ohone! the day o' grace is by at last! My puir Anerew!' exclaimed Mrs. Falconer, and sat dumb thereafter.
Mr. Lammie tried to comfort her with some of the usual comfortless commonplaces. She neither wept nor replied, but sat with stony face staring into her lap, till, seeing that she was as one that heareth not, he rose and left her alone with her grief. A few minutes after he was gone, she rang the bell, and told Betty in her usual voice to send Robert to her.
'He's gane to the schule, mem.'
'Rin efter him, an' tell him to come hame.'
When Robert appeared, wondering what his grandmother could want with him, she said:
'Close the door, Robert. I canna lat ye gang to the schule the day. We maun lea' him oot noo.'
'Lea' wha oot, grannie?'
'Him, him—Anerew. Yer father, laddie. I think my hert 'll brak.'
'Lea' him oot o' what, grannie? I dinna unnerstan' ye.'