“The clothes won’t take long drying, young gentleman, and you must have patience till they are dry,” he observed; “the shoes, however, will be somewhat tight, even if they are at all fit to be put on again, but that won’t matter, as you can sit in the carriage while I drag you.”
Norman now sat quietly, for he hoped that if his clothes were clean, no one at home would hear of his misconduct.
“You will not go and tell them that I ran away, will you Fanny?” he asked, looking round at her as she sat near the table with her bird.
“I cannot make any promise,” she answered; “I am, however, very sure that you ought to tell them how Mr Morrison and little Robby pulled you out of the bog.”
“I would not wish the young gentleman to say anything to get himself into trouble, but at the same time, I would wish him to speak the truth, whatever happens,” observed old Alec.
Norman did not reply to her, but muttered to himself, “she cares more for her bird than she does for me, but I will take care she has not much pleasure from it.”
Fanny did not overhear this, and had no idea that her new little friend was in danger from the jealousy of her brother.
As it was already late, as soon as Norman’s clothes were dried old Alec put them on him again, with Fanny’s assistance, and little Robby having in the meantime washed the carriage, they were ready to start. Robby, as before, had to take care of the house while old Alec insisted on accompanying his young visitors.
“You know, Miss Fanny, you must carry the bird, and we shall be able to get over the ground faster if I drag the carriage.”
Fanny was very glad to agree to this arrangement, for as Norman was in a bad humour she could not tell how he might behave to her, but she knew that he would be quiet if old Alec was with her. They accordingly set off, Robby giving them a parting cheer. They went on pretty fast, Norman having to hold himself into the carriage as it bumped and thumped over the rough ground.