My lord, after hanging up his cloak and hat, turned round in the lighted entry, and made him an imperative and silent gesture with his thumb, and with the strange instinct of obedience, Archie followed him into the house.
All dinner-time there reigned over the Judge's table a palpable silence, and as soon as the solids were despatched he rose to his feet.
"M'Killup, tak' the wine into my room," said he; and then to his son: "Archie, you and me has to have a talk." It was at this sickening moment that Archie's courage, for the first and last time, entirely deserted him.

"I have an appointment," said he.
"It'll have to be broken, then," said Hermiston, and led the way into his study.
The lamp was shaded, the fire trimmed to a nicety, the table covered deep with orderly documents, the backs of law books made a frame upon all sides that was only broken by the window and the doors.
For a moment Hermiston warmed his hands at the fire, presenting his back to Archie; then suddenly disclosed on him the terrors of the Hanging Face.
"What's this I hear of ye ?" he asked.
There was no answer possible to Archie.
"I'll have to tell ye, then," pursued Hermiston.

"It seems ye've been skirting against the father that begot ye, and one of his Maijesty's Judges in this land; and that in the public street, and while an order of the Court was being executit.

Forbye which, it would appear that ye've been airing your opeenions in a Coallege Debatin' Society"; he paused a moment: and then, with extraordinary bitterness, added: "Ye damned eediot." "I had meant to tell you," stammered Archie.

"I see you are well informed." "Muckle obleeged to ye," said his lordship, and took his usual seat.
"And so you disapprove of Caapital Punishment ?" he added.
"I am sorry, sir, I do," said Archie.
"I am sorry, too," said his lordship.