portunity to warn the new minister of the difficulties and dangers
which beset him, an opportunity no honourable man could let pass, so he
launched forth. He was perfectly innocent of any double meaning in his
words, but as he railed away against the lightness and giddiness of the
rising generation, the young minister felt his indignation rising. Did
this old man mean to point out to him the proper line of conduct? If
so, he would soon let him see that John McAlpine Egerton would be
dictated to by no man of his congregation, no more than would his
grandfather before him! But Splinterin' Andra sailed on and when he
had finished he had given the young pastor a dark and most discouraging
picture of the youth of his flock.

"Aye, sir," he concluded, "they're jist given over to lichtness an'
foolish talkin'. It's the blue beech gad they want; they didna get
enough o't when they were bairns. Ah'm pleased that ye're come among
them to show them a proper way o' conductin' themsels!"

Wee Andra cast a humorous glance at the uncomfortable visitor. He had
his own opinion as to whether his pastor was a model of staid and sober
conduct and was, in consequence, enjoying his father's tirade hugely.

John Egerton was very much relieved when the meal was ended, but the
feeling was of short duration, for when they repaired to the parlour
matters grew steadily worse. The appearance of the room with its black
haircloth furniture, its bristling white lace curtains, its
coffin-plate of a former Mrs. Johnstone in a black frame on the centre
table, its smooth white walls adorned with strange and wonderfully
constructed hair and feather wreaths in huge frames, and over all the
close, damp odour, made a combination which was anything but cheerful.

The family followed him into the parlour and seated themselves stiffly
around the walls. Kirsty McDuff, the servant girl, and Jimmie Bailey,
the chore boy, entered also a few minutes later. The young minister
noticed, with something of the sensations of a felon going to his
execution, that each person held a Bible and Psalm Book, distributed
solemnly by Mrs. Johnstone as they entered, and that Janet and the
Bailey boy were further provided with catechisms. He glanced at the
daughter of the house and pictured himself sitting before the whole
household inquiring after her spiritual welfare. The comical side of
it struck him and almost upset his gravity.

But there was very little food fo