Page:Stevenson - Weir of Hermiston (1896).djvu/218

 on the breakfast table to announce the fact; and sometimes, with no notice at all, he would not return for dinner until the hour was long past. Innes groaned under these desertions; it required all his philosophy to sit down to a solitary breakfast with composure, and all his unaffected good-nature to be able to greet Archie with friendliness on the more rare occasions when he came home late for dinner.

'I wonder what on earth he finds to do, Mrs. Elliott?' said he one morning, after he had just read the hasty billet and sat down to table.

'I suppose it will be business, sir,' replied the housekeeper drily, measuring his distance off to him by an indicated curtsy.

'But I can't imagine what business!' he reiterated.

'I suppose it will be his business,' retorted the austere Kirstie.

He turned to her with that happy brightness that made the charm of his disposition,