“Yes, yes, in the devil’s name! And hurry, he’ll be roaring in a moment.”
Downstairs hasted Corporal Robert and opened the door, thus checking Sir Hector in the very commencement of an eldritch Highland war-cry, who nodded grimly and mounted the stair forthwith.
“Weel, Johnnie,” quoth he, “sae ye’re gangin’, lad, awa’ frae your friends——”
“In about twenty minutes, Hector.”
“Aye! An’ whyfor maun ye steal awa’ wi’ no sae muckle as a grup o’ the hand?”
“I intended to write to you, Hector.”
“Aye! An’ what o’ the leddies ... especially one?”
“I trust they are blooming in all health.”
“Aye! An’ whyfor maun ye rin awa’? Why maun we twine?”