Miss Isabella reddened at this question; but Mrs. Pringle, who was as
prudent as she was observant, affecting not to notice this, turned round
to Miss Mally Glencairn, and said softly in her ear,--"Rachel was Bell's
confidante, and has told us all about what's going on between her and Mr.
Snodgrass. We have agreed no to stand in their way, as soon as the
Doctor can get a mailing or two to secure his money upon."
Meantime, the Doctor received from the elders a very satisfactory account
of all that had happened among his people, both in and out of the
Session, during his absence; and he was vastly pleased to find there had
been no inordinate increase of wickedness; at the same time, he was
grieved for the condition in which the poor weavers still continued,
saying, that among other things of which he had been of late meditating,
was the setting up of a lending bank in the parish for the labouring
classes, where, when they were out of work, "bits of loans for a
house-rent, or a brat of claes, or sic like, might be granted, to be
repaid when trade grew better, and thereby take away the objection that
an honest pride had to receiving help from the Session."
Then some lighter general conversation ensued, in which the Doctor gave
his worthy counsellors a very jocose description of many of the lesser
sort of adventures which he had met with; and the ladies having retired
to inspect the great bargains that Mrs. Pringle had got, and the splendid
additions she had made to her wardrobe, out of what she denominated the
dividends of the present portion of the legacy, the Doctor ordered in the
second biggest toddy-bowl, the guardevine with the old rum, and told the
lassie to see if the tea-kettle was still boiling. "Ye maun drink our
welcome hame," said he to the elders; "it would nae otherwise be canny.
But I'm sorry Mr. Craig has nae come." At these words the door opened,
and the absent elder entered, with a long face and a deep sigh. "Ha!"
cried Mr. Daff, "this is very droll. Speak of the Evil One, and he'll
appear";--which words dinted on the heart of Mr. Craig, who thought his
marriage in December had been the subject of their discourse. The
Doctor, however, went up and shook him cordially by the hand, and said,
"Now I take this very kind, Mr. Craig; for I could not have expected you,
considering ye have got, as I am told, your jo in the house"; at which
words the Doctor winked paukily to Mr. Daff, who rubbed his hands with
fainness, and gave a good-humoured sort of keckling laugh. This
facetious stroke of policy was a great relief to the afflicted elder, for
he saw by it that the Doctor did not mean to trouble him with any
inquiries respecting his deceased wife; and, in consequence, he put on a
blither face, and really affected to have forgotten her already more than
he had done in sincerity.