The next day Master Lewis and the tourists, except George and Leander, who preferred remaining in the city, took the train for [!-- original location of 'Murder of Rizzio' --] [!-- blank page --] Melrose, stopped at Melrose Station, and rode to Abbotsford, the reputed haunt of Thomas the Rhymer, and the residence of Walter Scott.
They were met at the entrance of the gray mansion by a tall Scotchman, and were taken from the magnificent entrance hall, about forty feet in length, to the dining-room, which has a wonderful black-oak roof, and is the place where Sir Walter died. Gazing from the window on the beautiful landscape for the last time, he said to Lockhart, “Bring me a book.” “What book?” “There is but one book.”
They were next shown the library, a repository of some twenty thousand books and of presents from most eminent persons, among them a silver urn from Lord Byron and two arm-chairs from the Pope.
Our tourists next visited the ruin of Melrose Abbey, and found it less interesting than its historic associations. Late evening found them again in Edinburgh.
“What time of the evening do you think it is?” asked Master Lewis of the boys as they entered the hotel.
“Seven o’clock,” said Tommy Toby.
“After nine o’clock,” said Master Lewis.
The Castle still stood in the damask light of the twilight, like a dark picture on an illuminated curtain.
“The summer days in these Northern regions are as long as they are beautiful,” said Master Lewis.