A Daughter of Fife

David rose angrily. "I canna let even you, sir, speak ill in that way

about Maggie. I was by her side until Mr. Campbell left Pittenloch. And I

will defend his name as well as Maggie's. There was not the wrong thocht

in either of their hearts. I am sure o' that."

"I am glad to hear you speak so bravely and confidently. Go home, and put

your house in better order than it is. There seems to be ill-will and

unhappiness in it. Make your women walk circumspectly, and give no

occasion for people to take your name up. Your name is not to be lightly

used now, David Promoter."

David had looked forward to this visit, anticipated the minister's praises

and satisfaction, had even brought him a little present of some fine

tobacco. He left the manse with a sense of anger and humiliation, and with

the tobacco in his pocket. He had found no opportunity to offer it. And

the home-coming from which Maggie had expected so much was an unhappy one.

David blamed her for Dr. Balmuto's coldness and apparent lack of interest

in his affairs; and whether Maggie had done wrong, or had only been

wronged, he felt that she had injured him and his prospects. Nervous and

sensitive to a foolish degree on the subject of social respect from those

in authority, he gave to the affair far more importance than it deserved.

He made Maggie almost feel as if she had brought absolute and

irretrievable ruin upon him.

Still he would not be unjust to her, nor listen to any accusation not made

before her face. Even Aunt Janet, though she attacked David on his weakest

side, by giving him all the respect due to a placed minister, did not

succeed in gaining his private ear. "I'll give nae occasion for

backbiting," he said, "tell me when Maggie is present, what you have to

say against her."

"She read novels, instead of working at her trade--she held herself aloof

from people, and stayed by herself. She did not go regularly to kirk and

meeting. She had spent good money having the 'Allan Campbell' put in

order, yet she would neither lend nor hire the boat when it was asked of

her. She kept Mr. Campbell's room locked up, and would not even let a

friend of the family drink a cup of tea inside it. She was queer and cold

to all the lads, and had been specially rude to Angus Raith, whose mother

was Mistress Caird's chief friend. Folks, too, wondered where she got

money, and Maggie had not respected their curiosity, and satisfied them

that she was living honest."