“And what then?” said Crombie, fearful of another digression. “What happened then?”
“Oh! naething happened. I only thocht I would be as weel awa’, in case Brownrig sent or came himsel’ to see what there was to see. So I gaed awa’ for a while, and when I cam’ back I just set mysel’ doon at the door to wait for what would come next. Allie sleepit on, and had nae appearance o’ having moved when the sun was near set, which wasna early, for the days were near their langest. But I made the fire burn up, and b’iled the kettle to be ready, and made the tea. And then wha’ should I see but Brownrig himsel’, riding on his black horse and followed by his uncanny tyke. I had only time to draw thegither the doors o’ my press-bed ere he was upon me.
“I was feared at the sicht o’ the dog, and the man saw it; but it wasna for mysel’ that I was feared, and that he didna see.
“‘Ye needna gang white like that at the dog. He’ll do ye no harm,’ said he.
“‘No, unless ye bid him,’ said I.
“He gaed me a dark look, and said he: ‘I’m not like to do that, though I hear ye have accused me of it.’
“So I saw he was gaen to speak me fair, and I cam’ to the door, and a’ at once I saw the twa cups that I had set on the table for Allie and me.
“‘Ye’re to hae a veesitor the nicht?’ said he.
“‘Wha’ kens?’ said I. ‘I’m ay ready, and it is to be you the nicht. Come ye away in and take a cup o’ tea, and maybe I’ll find a drappie o’ something stronger, gin ye’ll promise no’ to tell the gauger. No’ that I’m feared at him. He’s a frien’ o’ mine, and that’s mair than I would mak’ bauld to say o’ ye’re-sel’,’ said I, giein’ another feared look at the dog. ‘Come in by, and sit doon.’
“But it was growing late, he said, and he must awa’. He had only a question to speir at me. Had I, by ony chance, seen his wife passing by that day? And in whose company?