onal
conversation; so I was obliged to sit glowering from side to side at the
bleak bare fields--and the plashing grass--and the gloomy dull woods--and
the gentlemen's houses, of which I knew not the names--and the fearful
rough hills, that put me in mind of the wilderness, and of the
abomination of desolation mentioned in scripture, I believe in Ezekiel.
The errand I was going on, to be sure, helped to make me more sorrowful;
and I could not think on human life without agreeing with Solomon, that
"all was vanity and vexation of spirit."

At long and last, when we came to our journey's end, and I louped off the
top of the coach, Maister Glen came out to the door, and bad me haste me
if I wished to see Mungo breathing. Save us! to think that a poor young
thing was to be taken away from life and the cheerful sun, thus suddenly,
and be laid in the cold damp mools, among the moudiewarts and the green
banes, "where there is no work or device." But what will ye say there?
it was the will of Him, who knows best what is for his creatures, and to
whom we should--and must submit. I was just in time to see the last row
of his glazing een, that then stood still for ever, as he lay, with his
face as pale as clay, on the pillow, his mother holding his hand, and
sob-sobbing with her face leant on the bed, as if her hope was departed,
and her heart would break. I went round about, and took hold of the
other one for a moment; but it was clammy, and growing cold with the
coldness of grim death. I could hear my heart beating; but Mungo's heart
stood still, like a watch that has run itself down. Maister Glen sat in
the easy chair, with his hand before his eyes, saying nothing, and
shedding not a tear; for he was a strong, little, blackaviced man, with a
feeling heart, but with nerves of steel. The rain rattled on the window,
and the smoke gave a swarl as the wind rummelled in the lum. The hour
spoke to the soul, and the silence was worth twenty sermons.

They who would wish to know the real value of what we are all over-apt to
prize in this world, should have been there too, and learnt a lesson not
soon to be forgotten. I put my hand in my coat-pocket for my napkin to
give my eyes a wipe, but found it was away, and feared much I had dropped
it on the road; though in this I was happily mistaken, having, before I
went to my bed, found that on my journey I had tied it over my neckcloth,
to keep away sore throats.

It was a sad hear