ae beadle left the next
morning tae cairry on the Presbytery of Muirtown?"

"Ay, forty times an' mair," replied that uncompromising woman, "an' it
wud set ye better tae be servin' the Doctor's lunch than sittin'
haverin' an' blawin' there."

No sane person in Drumtochty would have believed that any human being
dared to address John after this fashion, and it is still more
incredible that the great man should have risen without a word and gone
about his duty. Such a surprising and painful incident suggests the
question whether a beadle or any other person in high position ought to
be married, and so be exposed to inevitable familiarities. Hillocks
took this view strongly in the kirkyard at the time of John's
marriage--although neither he nor any one knew with how much
reason--and he impressed the fathers powerfully.

"Becca cam frae Kilspindie Castle near thirty year syne, and John's
took the bukes aboot the same time; they've agreed no that ill for sic
a creetical poseetion a' that time, him oot an' her in, an' atween them
the Doctor's no been that ill-servit; they micht hae lat weel alane.

"She 's no needin' a man tae keep her," and Hillocks proceeded to
review the situation, "for Becca's hed a gude place, an' she disna
fling awa' her siller on dress. As for John, a' canna mak him oot, for
he gets his stockin's darned and his white stock dune as weel an' maybe
better than if he wes mairried."

The kirkyard could see no solution of the problem, and Hillocks grew
pessimistic.

"It 'll be a doon-come tae him, a 'm judgin', an' 'll no be for the
gude o' the parish. He 's never been crossed yet, an' he 'll no tak
weel wi' contradickin' . . ."

"She wudna daur," broke in Whinny, "an' him the beadle."

"Ye ken little aboot weemen," retorted Hillocks, "for yir gude-wife is
by hersel' in the pairish, an' micht be a sanct; the maist o' them are
a camsteary lot. A 'm no sayin'," he summed up, "that Becca 'll gie
the beadle the word back or refuse to dae his biddin', but she 'll be
pittin' forrit her ain opeenions, an' that's no what he 's been
accustomed tae in Drumtochty."

They were married one forenoon in the study, with Drumsheugh and Domsie
for witnesses--the address given by the Doctor could hardly be
distinguished from an ordination charge--and John announced his
intention of accompanying his master that afternoon to the General
Assembly, while Rebecca remained in charge of the manse.

"It wudna be wise