The Ayrshire Legatees

Thus the night passed in decent temperance and a happy decorum; insomuch,

that the elders when they went away, either by the influence of the

toddy-bowl, or the Doctor's funny stories about the Englishers, declared

that he was an excellent man, and, being none lifted up, was worthy of

his rich legacy.

At supper, the party, besides the minister and Mrs. Pringle, consisted of

the two Irvine ladies, and Mr. Snodgrass. Miss Becky Glibbans came in

when it was about half over, to express her mother's sorrow at not being

able to call that night, "Mr. Craig's bairn having taken an ill turn."

The truth, however, was, that the worthy elder had been rendered somewhat

tozy by the minister's toddy, and wanted an opportunity to inform the old

lady of the joke that had been played upon him by the Doctor calling her

his jo, and to see how she would relish it. So by a little address Miss

Becky was sent out of the way, with the excuse we have noticed; at the

same time, as the night was rather sharp, it is not to be supposed that

she would have been the bearer of any such message, had her own curiosity

not enticed her.

During supper the conversation was very lively. Many "pickant jokes," as

Miss Becky described them, were cracked by the Doctor; but, soon after

the table was cleared, he touched Mr. Snodgrass on the arm, and, taking

up one of the candles, went with him to his study, where he then told

him, that Rachel Pringle, now Mrs. Sabre, had informed him of a way in

which he could do him a service. "I understand, sir," said the Doctor,

"that you have a notion of Miss Bell Tod, but that until ye get a kirk

there can be no marriage. But the auld horse may die waiting for the new

grass; and, therefore, as the Lord has put it in my power to do a good

action both to you and my people,--whom I am glad to hear you have

pleased so well,--if it can be brought about that you could be made

helper and successor, I'll no object to give up to you the whole stipend,

and, by and by, maybe the manse to the bargain. But that is if you marry

Miss Bell; for it was a promise that Rachel gar't me make to her on her

wedding morning. Ye know she was a forcasting lassie, and, I have reason

to believe, has said nothing anent this to Miss Bell herself; so that if

you have no partiality for Miss Bell, things will just rest on their own

footing; but if you have a notion, it must be a satisfaction to you to

know this, as it will be a pleasure to me to carry it as soon as possible

into effect."