plied in these questions, a hint of preference for the slap-dash,
hang-technicalities method with which, in his latter days, Heriot had
scandalized aggrieved spinsters in quest of consolation and hesitating
suitors desirous of having their minds made up. The trouble was that
these latter classes, though delightful company to one of Andrew's
sympathetic disposition, were considerably less remunerative than the
irritating inquirers; and so long as there seemed any possibility of his
father's return to sanity and his office, he felt that he could never
regard his position as wholly satisfactory; on the other hand, though a
sick lion may possibly be compared with a live dog, a defunct lion is
proverbially out of the running.

Andrew thought over this aspect of the case long and conscientiously. He
was exceedingly truthful, he disliked superfluous butchery, but what
choice had he?

It is said by the more inspired species of social reformer that what
good men deem theoretically advisable is sure to happen sooner or later.
In some cases, if the man be talented as well as good, it happens
quickly. Within a few months of Jean's desertion came the last touch
that was needed to complete the pathos of her brother's position and
disarm the most hostile critic. Among the deaths in the _Scotsman_
appeared the name of James Heriot Walkingshaw. Nothing was said as
to how or where he had died; and, in fact, the point was never
satisfactorily settled whether the sad event took place in North Wales
or Devonshire; but, of course, the cause was only too evident. Well,
poor man, it was a mercy the end had come as swiftly as it had. His
friends were sorry, of course, but not surprised and quite resigned.
They were very pleased with the way his son took it. He departed quietly
for the funeral in a hatband six inches wide, and returned with a
thoughtful and chastened air to resume his daily work. The interment
took place, it was understood, in a churchyard adjacent to the retreat;
and under the sad circumstances people thought Andrew had done well to
attend it unaccompanied by other mourners. In short, every circumstance
connected with the tragedy served to increase the respect in which he
was held. Even Jean's unfortunate omission to use black-edged paper when
writing a few brief and curiously stiff acknowledgments of the letters
of condolence she received, reacted indirectly in Andrew's favor. People
pitied the brother of this unfeeling girl.