and deep
plotting, how he would carry him by force to the Kilspindie Arms and
insist upon their dining in state; how the Rabbi would wish to
discharge the account and find twopence in his pockets--having given
all his silver to an ex-Presbyterian minister stranded in Muirtown
through peculiar circumstances; how he would speak gravely to the Rabbi
on the lack of common honesty, and threaten a real prosecution, when
the charge would be "obtaining a dinner on false pretences," how they
would journey to Kildrummie in high content, and--the engine having
whistled for a dog-cart--they would drive to Drumtochty manse, the sun
shining through the rain as they entered the garden; how he would
compass the Rabbi with observances, and the old man would sit again in
the big chair full of joy and peace. Ah, the kindly jests that have
not come off in life, the gracious deeds that never were done, the
reparations that were too late! When Carmichael reached the station
the Rabbi was already half way to Kilbogie, trudging along wet and
weary and very sad, because, although he had obeyed his conscience at a
cost, it seemed to him as if he had simply alienated the boy whom God
had given him as a son in his old age, for even the guileless Rabbi
suspected that the ecclesiastics considered his action foolishness and
of no service to the Church of God. Barbara's language on his arrival
was vituperative to a degree, she gave him food grudgingly, and when,
in the early morning, he fell asleep over an open Father, he was
repeating Carmichael's name, and the thick old paper was soaked with
tears.

His nemesis seized Carmichael so soon as he reached the Dunleith train
in the shape of the Free Kirk minister of Kildrummie, who had purchased
six pounds of prize seed potatoes, and was carrying the treasure home
in a paper bag. This bag had done after its kind, and as the
distinguished agriculturist had not seen his feet for years, and could
only have stooped at the risk of apoplexy, he watched the dispersion of
his potatoes with dismay, and hailed the arrival of Carmichael with
exclamations of thankfulness. It is wonderful over what an area six
pounds of (prize) potatoes can deploy on a railway platform, and how
the feet of passengers will carry them unto far distances. Some might
never have been restored to the bag had it not been for Kildrummie's
comprehensive eye and the physical skill with which he guided
Carmichael, till even prodigals that