Two hours and a half passed before he reappeared.

But he brought the shilling.

As to how he recovered it, Robert questioned him in vain.

Shargar, in his turn, was obstinate.
'She's a some camstairy (unmanageable) wife, that grannie o' yours,' said Mr.Lammie, when Robert returned the shilling with Mrs.Falconer's message, 'but I reckon I maun pit it i' my pooch, for she will hae her ain gait, an' I dinna want to strive wi' her.

But gin ony o' ye be in want o' a shillin' ony day, lads, as lang 's I'm abune the yird--this ane 'll be grown twa, or maybe mair, 'gen that time.' So saying, the farmer put the shilling into his pocket, and buttoned it up.
The dragon flew splendidly now, and its strength was mighty.