acter of a
Job's comforter.

"And while this bad work has been afoot too," added Robbie, with a
penitent drop of the head.

They had a tributary of the Wyth River to pass on the way to Mattha's
house. When they came up to it, Robbie cried, "Hold a minute!" Then
running to the bank of the stream, he dropt on to his knees, and
before his companions could prevent him he had pulled off his cap and
plunged his head twice or thrice in the water.

"What, man!" said Mattha, "ye'd want mair ner the strength of men and
pitchforks to stand again the like of that. Why, the water is as
biting as a stepmother welcome on a winter's mornin' same as this."

"It's done me a power of good though," said Robbie shaking his wet
hair, and then drying it with a handkerchief which Liza had handed him
for the purpose. "I'm a stone for strength," added Robbie, but rising
to his feet he slipped and fell.

"Then didsta nivver hear that a tum'lan stone gedders na moss," said
Mattha.

The jest was untimely, and the three walked on in silence. Once at the
house the dinner was soon over, and not even Mrs. Branthwaite's
homely, if hesitating, importunity could prevail with Robbie to make a
substantial meal.

"Come, lad," said Matthew, "you've had but a stepmother bit."

"I've had more than I've eaten at one meal for nigh a month--more than
I've taken since that thing happened on the fell," answered Robbie,
rising from the table, strapping his long coat tightly about him with
his belt, and tying cords about the wide flanges of his big boots.

"Mattha will sett thee on the road, Robbie," said Mrs. Branthwaite.

"Nay, nay; I reckon, I'd be scarce welcome. Mayhap the lad has
welcomer company."

This was said in an insinuating tone, and with a knowing inclination
of the head towards Liza, whose back was turned while she stole away
to the door.

"Nay, now, but nobody shall sett me," said Robbie, "for I must fly
over the dikes like a racehorse."

"Ye've certainly got a lang stroke o' the grund, Robbie."

Robbie laughed, waved his hand to the old people, who still sat at
dinner, and made his way outside.

Liza was there, looking curiously abashed, as though she felt at the
moment prompted to an impulse of generosity of which she had cause to
be ashamed.

"Gi'e us a kiss, now, my lass," whispered Robbie, who came behind her
and put his arm about her waist.

There was a hearty smacking sound.

"What's that?" cried Mattha from within; "I t