“Here, Robby,” she said, as the little boy came up, “we have brought you some nice fruit, and some cakes, and some picture-books, which Mrs Maclean gave us for you.”
“Thank you, young lady, thank you,” exclaimed Robby, receiving them with delight, as Fanny took them out of the carriage, while Norman stood by, feeling somewhat jealous that the little beggar boy, as he chose to think Robby, should have so many things given him.
“Is your grandfather at home?” asked Fanny. “I have been longing to come and see him, and to thank him for helping us on our way back the other day.”
“No; I am keeping house alone, but grandfather will soon be back, so don’t go away, please, till he comes,” answered Robby, who was holding the things which Fanny had given him in his arms. “Won’t you come in, young lady, and rest?”
“No, thank you, I would rather stay outside in the shade till your grandfather comes back,” said Fanny, as she did not like to go into the old man’s cottage without an invitation from him. “Do you, Robby, go in with the things, and put them away,” she added, for she rather mistrusted Norman, who continued eyeing the little boy with no very kind looks.
Robby ran in with his treasures.
“Stupid little brat,” observed Norman, “I wonder Mrs Maclean sent him all those things, I should have thought a piece of bread and cheese was quite enough for him.”
“When we make presents we should try and give nice things, such as people who receive them will like,” said Fanny. “Old Alec could give his grandson bread and cheese, but he probably would be unable to obtain the sort of things we have brought. I wish when I make a present to give something that I myself like.”
“I do not understand anything about that,” answered Norman, turning away, and flourishing his stick as he walked up and down.
Old Alec soon appeared, with a basket containing food for himself and Robby, which he had gone to the village to purchase.