ats that were so doucely
sitting on the window soles, clambering and scampering over the roofs in
terror of their lives.

When the carriage reached the manse door, Mr. Snodgrass, the two ladies,
with Mr. Micklewham, and all the elders except Mr. Craig, were there
ready to receive the travellers. But over this joy of welcoming we must
draw a veil; for the first thing that the Doctor did, on entering the
parlour and before sitting down, was to return thanks for his safe
restoration to his home and people.

The carriage was then unloaded, and as package, bale, box, and bundle
were successively brought in, Miss Mally Glencairn expressed her
admiration at the great capacity of the chaise. "Ay," said Mrs. Pringle,
"but you know not what we have suffert for't in coming through among the
English taverns on the road; some of them would not take us forward when
there was a hill to pass, unless we would take four horses, and every one
after another reviled us for having no mercy in loading the carriage like
a waggon,--and then the drivers were so gleg and impudent, that it was
worse than martyrdom to come with them. Had the Doctor taken my advice,
he would have brought our own civil London coachman, whom we hired with
his own horses by the job; but he said it behoved us to gi'e our ain fish
guts to our ain sea-maws, and that he designed to fee Thomas Birlpenny's
hostler for our coachman, being a lad of the parish. This obliged us to
post it from London; but, oh! Miss Mally, what an outlay it has been!"

The Doctor, in the meantime, had entered into conversation with the
gentlemen, and was inquiring, in the most particular manner, respecting
all his parishioners, and expressing his surprise that Mr. Craig had not
been at the manse with the rest of the elders. "It does not look well,"
said the Doctor. Mr. Daff, however, offered the best apology for his
absence that could be made. "He has had a gentle dispensation, sir--Mrs.
Craig has won awa' out of this sinful world, poor woman, she had a large
experience o't; but the bairns to the fore, and Mrs. Glibbans, that has
such a cast of grace, has ta'en charge of the house since before the
interment. It's thought, considering what's by gane, Mr. Craig may do
waur than make her mistress, and I hope, sir, your exhortation will no be
wanting to egg the honest man to think o't seriously."

Mr. Snodgrass, before delivering the household keys, ordered two bottles
of wine, with glasse