'I think I should like the drive, dear Lady Caroline, and you shall have all the news I can pick up on my return.'
CHAPTER XVI.
[MAN AND WIFE].
It was dark before the wanderers alighted at Auchlippie. Mr. Sangster had already retired. He was always up in time to superintend the feeding of his stock and to see his men begin work punctually at six o'clock, and he generally became drowsy early in the evening.
Every one was cold, weary, and perhaps a trifle cross. Supper was a necessary, but it proved by no means a cheerful meal, and each one sought his candlestick as soon as possible. Mrs. Sangster followed.
All through the afternoon she had been in a state of suppressed excitement, she found it hard to refrain from saying what was uppermost in her thoughts, yet, what she would have said, she felt she could not say before her daughter, nor even her son and his friend. She had been restless and irritable all the way home, breaking in upon and interrupting the rather listless chat of the others, yet unable to furnish talk herself. Arrived at home, and unable to get speech of her spouse, she had fallen foul of the supper arrangements, and rated the parlour-maid soundly, till that injured damsel withdrew in tears, and informed the denizens of the kitchen that 'something had come ower the mistress, for she was carrying on ben the house, like a hen on a het girdle.'
Having seen all safe for the night, she sought her chamber. There she seated herself on the chair by the bed-head of her slumbering lord, and laying her hand on his shoulder, she imperiously whispered, 'James.'
James opened his eyes. 'Is that you, Kirsty? Put out your candle and come to bed.'
'But I couldn't sleep a wink, James, till I have talked it all over with you. So waken up!'
'I'm sleeping already, and I won't be disturbed. If you wanted to talk over things, you should have come home sooner. Come to bed!'