He certainly would not go to the manse, where he might meet the minister, and meeting the minister's wife under the present circumstances was a little worse.
"Well, you can wait at the gate with Fusie," suggested Hughie, and so the matter was settled.
Fortunately for Hughie, his father was not at home.

But not Thomas's earnest entreaties nor Hughie's eager pleading would have availed with the mother, for attendance at school was a sacred duty in her eyes, had it not been that her boy's face, paler than usual, and with the dawning of a new defiance in it, startled her, and confirmed in her the fear that all was not well with him.
"Well, Thomas, he may go with you to the Cameron's for the potatoes, but as to going with you to the planting, that is another thing.

Your mother is not fit to be troubled with another boy, and especially a boy like Hughie.

And how is she to-day, Thomas ?" continued Mrs.Murray, as Thomas stood in dull silence before her.
"She's better," said Thomas, answering more quickly than usual, and with a certain eagerness in his voice.

"She's a great deal better, and Hughie will do her no harm, but good." Mrs.Murray looked at Thomas as he spoke, wondering at the change in his voice and manner.