Robby bad in the meantime run out, and was admiring the carriage by himself, thinking how much he should like to have it to drag about, and to bring the meal home in, instead of allowing his grandfather to carry it on his back.
Fanny was curious all the time, to learn something more about their host. He was evidently different to the other people around, and it seemed so strange that he and the little boy should be living together in that lone cottage on the wild moor. But she did not like to ask him questions, and as he did not offer to say anything more about himself than he had done, she restrained her curiosity intending to ask Mr Maclean more about him when she got home.
At last her clothes, and boots, and stockings being dry, she told the old man that she thought it was time to begin their homeward journey.
“As you wish, young lady,” he answered, and accompanied her and Norman out of the cottage. They found Robby at the door, looking at the carriage.
“Oh, you must get in,” said Fanny, “and I will draw you. My brother can walk very well some of the way.”
“Thank you, young lady,” said the old man; “if you will let Robby have a ride, I will draw the carriage, and let him come a little way, but he must go back, and look after the house, and it would be over far for him to return, if he came with us to Glen Tulloch.”
Norman looked very angry when Robby got into the carriage, and he himself had to walk, but he dared not complain, as there was something in the old man’s manner which made him stand in awe of him.
After they had gone a short distance, his grandfather told Robby to run back, and thanking Fanny, invited Norman to get in. The young gentleman did so, but he did not use his stick, as he had done when Fanny was dragging him.
They easily crossed the stream, and Fanny was surprised to find how soon they reached the top of the hill near Glen Tulloch.
“Now, young lady, you can easily take the carriage home, so I will wish you good-bye,” said the old man; “I hope you will come soon again—it does my heart good to see you.” Fanny promised, if she was allowed, soon again to pay him a visit, and wishing him good-bye, while he strolled back over the moor, she dragged the carriage down the hill. She met the laird setting out to look for her and Norman.