Constance!" again dropping his tone of mockery, "you know
that you may trust me better than that."
"But, Hamish, how do you spend your time, that you cannot complete your
books in the day?"
"Oh," drawled Hamish, "ours is the laziest office! gossiping and
scandal going on in it from morning till night. In the fatigue induced
by that, I am not sure that I don't take a nap, sometimes."
Constance could not tell what to make of him. He was gazing at her with
the most perplexing expression of face, looking ready to burst into a
laugh.
"One last word, Hamish, for I hear Judith calling to you. Are you
obliged to do this night-work?"
"I am."
"Then I will say no more; and things must go on as it seems they have
hitherto done."
Arthur came running upstairs, and Hamish met him at the chamber door.
Arthur, who appeared strangely agitated, began speaking in a
half-whisper, unconscious that his sister was within. She heard every
word.
"Judy says some young man wants you, Hamish! I fear it may be the
fellow to serve the writ. What on earth is to be done?"
"Did Judy say I was at home?"
"Yes; and has handed him into the study, to wait. Did you not hear her
calling to you?"
"I can't--see him," Hamish was about to say. "Yes, I will see him," he
added after a moment's reflection. "Anything rather than have a
disturbance which might come to my mother's ears. And I suppose if he
could not serve it now, he would watch for me in the morning.
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