CHAPTER IX.
THE STUDENT.
The twilight had not yet reached the depth of its mysteriousness, when Cosmo, returning home from casting a large loop of wandering over several hills, walked up to James Gracie's cottage, thinking whether they would not all be in bed.
But as he passed the window, he saw a little light, and went on to the door and knocked: had it been the daytime, he would have gone straight in.

Agnes came, and opened cautiously, for there were occasionally such beings as tramps about.
"Eh! it's you ?" she cried with a glad voice, when she saw the shape of Cosmo in the dimness.

"There's naething wrang I houp," she added, changing her tone.
"Na, naething," answered Cosmo.

"I only wantit to lat ye ken 'at I wasna gaein' back to the schuil ony mair." "Weel, I dinna won'er at that!" returned Agnes with a little sigh.
"Efter the w'y the maister behaved til ye, the laird cud ill lat ye gang there again.

But what's he gaein' to du wi' ye, Maister Cosmo, gien a body micht speir 'at has nae richt to be keerious ?" "He's sen'in' me to maister Simon," answered Cosmo.
"I wuss I was gaein' tu," sighed Aggie.