"Verra good" Then, turning to Mrs. Ritson, "Give friend Bonnithorne a bite o' summat," said Allan, and he followed the charcoal-burner. Out in the court-yard he called the dogs. "Hey howe! hey howe! Bright! Laddie! Come boys; come, boys, te-lick, te-smack!"
He put his head in at the door of an out-house and shouted, "Reuben, wheriver ista? Come thy ways quick, and bring the lad!"
In another moment a young shepherd and a cowherd, surrounded by three or four sheep-dogs, joined Allan Ritson in the court-yard.
"Dusta gang back to the fell, Mattha?" said the statesman.
"Nay; I's done for the day. I'm away home."
"Good-neet, and thank."
Then the troop disappeared down the lonnin—the men calling, the dogs barking.
In walking through the hall Mr. Bonnithorne encountered Hugh Ritson, who was passing out of the house, his face very hard, his head much bent.
"Would you," said the lawyer, "like to know the business on which I have been called here?"
Hugh Ritson did not immediately raise his eyes.