t come to the
age of sixty, however, without learning something, and he only gave his
curious spouse to understand that Carmichael had done all in his power
to make his guest comfortable, and was not responsible for his
servant's defects.

[Illustration: "Mr. Carmichael, you have much cause for thankfulness."]

Ladies coming with their husbands to visit the manse, conceived a
prejudice against Sarah on the general ground of dislike to all
housekeepers as a class of servants outside of any mistress's control,
and therefore apt to give themselves airs, and especially because this
one had a subtle suggestion of independent personality that was all the
more irritating because it could not be made plain to the dull male
intelligence, which was sadly deceived.

"What a lucky man Carmichael is on his first venture!" Even Dr.
Dowbiggin, of St. Columba's, Muirtown, grew enthusiastic to his wife in
the privacy of their bedchamber on a sacramental visit, and every one
knows that the Doctor was a responsible man, ministering to four
bailies and making "overtures" to the Assembly, beginning with
"Whereas" and ending with "Venerable House." "I am extremely pleased
to see . . . everything so nice."

"You mean, James, that you have had a good dinner, far too ambitious
for a young minister's table. Did you ever see an entree on a
Disruption table, or dessert with finger glasses? I call it
sinful--for the minister of Drumtochty, at least; and I don't believe
he was ever accustomed to such ways. If she attended to his clothes,
it would set her better than cooking French dishes. Did you notice the
coat he was wearing at the station?--just like a gamekeeper. But it is
easy for a woman to satisfy a man; give him something nice to eat, and
he 'll ask no more."

"So far as my recollection serves me, Maria"--the Doctor was ruffled,
and fell into his public style--"I made no reference to food, cooked or
uncooked, and perhaps I may be allowed to say that it is not a subject
one thinks of . . . at such seasons. What gave me much satisfaction
was to see one of our manses so presentable; as regards the
housekeeper, so far as I had an opportunity of observing, she seemed a
very capable woman indeed," and the Doctor gave one of his coughs,
which were found most conclusive in debate.

"It's easy to be a man's servant," retorted Mrs. Dowbiggin, removing a
vase of flowers from the dressing-table with contempt, "for they never
look below t