His tone was so cutting that I managed to do as he bid by a sort of instinct, my mind being all the time quite lost. No sooner had I picked up the portmanteaus than he turned his back and marched off through the long shrubbery, where it began already to be dusk, for the wood is thick and evergreen. I followed behind, loaded almost to the dust, though I profess I was not conscious of the burthen; being swallowed up in the monstrosity of this return, and my mind flying like a weaver's shuttle.
On a sudden I set the portmanteaus to the ground and halted. He turned and looked back at me.
"You will do me the justice to observe," says he, "that I have made no secret with the astute Mackellar."
"And in the name of God," cries I, "what brings you here? Go back, while it is yet time."
"I thank you," said he. "Your master has chosen this way, and not I; but since he has made the choice, he (and you also) must abide by the result.--And now pick up these things of mine, which you have set down in a very boggy place, and attend to that which I have made your business."
But I had no thought now of obedience; I came straight up to him. "If nothing will move you to go back," said I; "though, sure, under all the circumstances, any Christian, or even any gentleman, would scruple to go forward...."
"These are gratifying expressions," he threw in.
"If nothing will move you to go back," I continued, "there are still some decencies to be observed. Wait here with your baggage, and I will go forward and prepare your family. Your father is an old man; and ..." I stumbled ... "there are decencies to be observed."
"Truly," said he, "this Mackellar improves upon acquaintance. But look you here, my man, and understand it once for all--you waste your breath upon me, and I go my own way with inevitable motion."
"Ah!" says I. "Is that so? We shall see then!"
And I turned and took to my heels for Durrisdeer. He clutched at me, and cried out angrily, and then I believe I heard him laugh, and then I am certain he pursued me for a step or two, and (I suppose) desisted. One thing at least is sure, that I came but a few minutes later to the door of the great house, nearly strangled for the lack of breath, but quite alone. Straight up the stair I ran, and burst into the hall, and stopped before the family without the power of speech; but I must have carried my story in my looks, for they rose out of their places and stared on me like changelings.