Most of the company rose to go.

"Good night," said more than one, but Ralph answered nothing.

Robbie Anderson was last.
"Good night, Ralph," he said.

His gruff voice was thick in his throat.
"Aye, good night, lad," Ralph answered vacantly.
Robbie had got to the door, and was leaning with one hand on the door-frame.

Coming back, he said,-- "Ralph, where may your father be to-night ?" "At Gaskarth--it's market day--he took the last shearing." He spoke like one in a sleep.