n for six weeks, beginning with the
dusting of the pulpit and concluding with the beating of Drumsheugh's
cushion. During that time the Doctor only suggested his wants to John,
and the fathers themselves trembled of a Sabbath morning lest in a
moment of forgetfulness they might carry in some trace of their farms
with them and mar the great work. It was pretty to see Whinnie
labouring at his feet in a grassy corner, while John watched him from
the kirk door with an unrelenting countenance.

The elders also had what might be called their cleaning at this season,
examining into the cases of any who had made a "mistak'" since last
August, and deciding whether they should be allowed to "gang forrit."
These deliberations were begun at the door, where Drumsheugh and Domsie
stood the last five minutes before the Doctor appeared, and were open
to the congregation, who from their places within learned the
offenders' prospects.

"The Doctor 'll dae as he considers richt, an' he 's juist ower easy
pleased wi' onybody 'at starts a-greetin', but yon's ma jidgment,
Dominie."

"I do not wish to dispute with you, Drumsheugh"--Domsie always spoke
English on such occasions--"and the power of the keys is a solemn
charge. But we must temper a just measure of severity with a spirit of
mercy."

"Ye may temper this or temper that," said Drumsheugh, going to the root
of the matter, "but a' tell ye, Dominie, there's ower mony o' thae
limmers in the country juist noo, an' a 'm for making an example o'
Jean Ferguson."

So Jean did not present herself for a token on the approaching
Fast-day, and sat out with the children during the Sacrament with as
becoming an expression of penitence as her honest, comely face could
accomplish. Nor did Jean or her people bear any grudge against the
Doctor or the Session for their severity. She had gone of her own
accord to confess her fault, and was willing that her process of
cleansing should be thorough before she received absolution. When a
companion in misfortune spoke of the greater leniency of Pitscowrie,
Jean expressed her thankfulness that she was of Drumtochty.

"Nane o' yir loose wys for me--gie me a richt minister as dis his
duty;" which showed that whatever might be her deflections in practice,
Jean's ideas of morals were sound.

Preparations in the parish at large began two weeks before the
Sacrament, when persons whose attendance had been, to say the least,
irregular slipped in among