The thief had not known what to do when he got in, and as it was very lonely he was glad to see Bell.

She told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, and would not let him out by the door until he had taken off his boots so as not to soil the carpet.
On this Saturday evening Sam'l stood his ground in the square, until by and by he found himself alone.

There were other groups there still, but his circle had melted away.

They went separately, and no one said good-night.

Each took himself off slowly, backing out of the group until he was fairly started.
Sam'l looked about him, and then, seeing that the others had gone, walked round the townhouse into the darkness of the brae that leads down and then up to the farm of T'nowhead.
To get into the good graces of Lisbeth Fargus you had to know her ways and humour them.