orced interest and bubbling over
with pent-up excitement.

Old man Clark talked all the way on his favourite topic; he talked
while he inserted the key in the door and he kept on talking as he
walked in, all intent on his wonderful egg-hatcher.

He left the key in the door.

Just as I was due to enter, I stepped back. With a quick movement, the
minister pulled the door to and turned the key, taking it out of the
lock and putting it in his trouser pocket.

"Hey!--what's the matter?" came a voice from the inside.

We did not answer.

Andrew Clark battered on the door with his fists.

"Hey there! The door has snappit to. Open it and come awa' in."

The minister put his lips to the keyhole.

"Andrew Clark,--that door is not going to be opened for some time to
come."

"Toots! What are ye bletherin' aboot? What kind o' a schoolboy trick
is this you're up to? Open the door and none o' your nonsense."

I chuckled with delight, as I ran off for some boards and nails which I
hammered up against the small window for extra security.

When I finished the job, the Rev. William Auld was getting through his
lecture to Andrew.

"--And you won't step a foot out of this place, neither shall you eat,
till you renounce your devilish vow and speak to the wife of your
bosom, as a God-fearing man should."

Sonorously from behind the door came Clark's voice.

"Willum Auld!--are ye a meenister o' the gospel?"

"Yes!"

"And ye would try to force a man to break a vow made before the Lord?"

"Yes! Andrew."

"Ye would starve a man to death,--murder him?"

"No!--but I would make him very uncomfortable. I would make him so
hungry that he would almost hear the gnawing in his internals for meat,
if I thought good would come of it."

The man behind the door became furious.

"Willum Auld!"

"Yes! Andrew."

"If ye don't open that door at once, I'll write a complaint to the
Presbytery. I'll ha'e ye shorn o' your releegious orders and hunted
frae the kirk o' God."

"Be silent! you blasphemer," commanded the frail but plucky old
minister. "How dare you talk in that way? Do you wish to bring down a
judgment on yourself? Good-night! Andrew,--I'll be back to-morrow;
and I would strongly recommend you, in the interval, to get down on
your knees and pray to your Maker."

This proved almost too much for Andrew.

"Willum!--Willum!--Come back," he cried through the door.

"What is it?" asked the minister, returning.