The hours passed drearily at the farm, with the sick man groaning in his pain, and the two lonely women dividing their time betwixt his chamber and their household cares. As the day advanced Annie went frequently to the door and looked up the glen; and Mrs. Shiels, glancing at the Dutch timepiece that stood in the kitchen, observed that she wondered Rob had not come back. Annie responding that the snow was deep, and it must be very heavy walking, again went to the door and looked up the glen; but there was nobody in sight. The hours dragged on, and as it grew later, large flakes began to fall and obscure what little light remained. Sandy grew impatient and accused Rob of idling and lingering at the fair; Mrs. Shiels wondered; and Annie having done her work, took up her station at the door with her gown-skirt over her head; there she stood listening for the sound of a step, for it was too dark to see, and at last, she heard a heavy foot approaching, but it was Donald returning from the hills, followed by Jock. "You haven't seen anything of Rob, have you?" said Annie. "How should I see Rob! He's gone to Gifford ar'n't he?" "You might have been on that side of the hill?" "Ar'n't he come back with the stuff?" "No; he might have been here three hours since. I can't think what's become of him." "Stopt at the Fair, may-be; there's dancing the night at the Lion." "Nonsense!" said Annie, pouting her lips at him, and turning away to prepare their evening meal. Donald shook himself, and stamped his feet to get rid of the snow, and then entered the kitchen. Mrs. Shiels hearing a foot, came down, hoping to find Rob; and was very much disappointed when she saw it was Donald. "What can that boy be doing, all this time?" she said. "Perhaps he met Ihan, and went back for the camphor," suggested Annie. "He'd never think of such a thing! Ihan would not let him; that is, if he had got any way on," said Mrs. Shiels. "There's dancing the night at the Lion," reiterated Donald. "Why, the boy would never think of staying for that!" exclaimed Mrs. Shiels; indignant at the mere notion of such a disorderly proceeding. "To be sure, he wouldn't," said Annie; "Donald knows that well enough;" and her lip curled as she spoke! Annie was evidently disturbed at Rob's prolonged absence, and angry with Donald's insidious attempts to put an ill construction on it. But still Rob did not come. Annie went on preparing the supper, which consisted of porridge; and when she had poured it into the bowls, she made two messes for the dogs. "Where's Coullie?" she said looking round. "Arn't he here?" inquired Donald. "No.--Don't you see he's not?"