Mrs Leslie did not allude to the subject, for she hoped that his mamma had said all that was necessary, and Norman congratulated himself that he had got off more cheaply altogether than he had expected.
Poor Fanny was the chief sufferer, for she longed to say how delighted she was with the scenery, and yet she did not like, on account of her brother, to mention the subject. Norman, however, tried to look as unconcerned as possible, as if he had done nothing to be ashamed of.
Fanny, who wished very much to carry the presents to little Robby, and to see the old sailor again, begged the next morning that she might take Norman, as had been before arranged, with the little carriage.
“But I do not know if we can trust Norman,” observed the laird; “he may be scampering off by himself across the moor, and give you a great deal of trouble to catch him.”
“Oh! but I am sure Norman will behave well to-day,” pleaded Fanny. “Won’t you, Norman? You will promise Mr Maclean that you will do as he tells you.”
“Of course I will,” answered Norman. “Because I happen to do one day what you don’t like, you fancy that I must always do what you think wrong.”
“If you promise me that you will obey your sister, you shall have the carriage, as I hope that I may trust to your word.”
Norman promised that he would do whatever Fanny told him.
“Will you cut me a whip, Mr Maclean?” he added, “I cannot drive a carriage without one.”
“Pray let it be short then, the horse is not very far off, and a large one may tickle its shoulders and ears more than it likes,” said Fanny, looking archly at Norman, showing that though she had forgiven him, she had not forgotten the way he had treated her on their former excursion.