DeepinherheartJanetBalchrystiecherishedagreatambition。Whentheearliestblackbirdawokeandbegantosing，whileitwasyetgraytwilight，Janetwouldbeupandatherwork。Shehadanambitiontobeagreatpoet。Nolessthanthiswouldserveher。Butnotevenherfatherhadknown，andnootherhadanychanceofknowing。Intheblackleatherchest，whichhadbeenhermother’s，upstairs，therewasaslowlygrowingpileofmanuscript，andtheeditorofthelocalpaperreceivedeveryotherweekapoem，longerorshorter，forhisPoet’sCorner，inanenvelopewiththeNewDalrypostmark。Hewasanobligingeditor，andgenerallygavethecloselywrittenmanuscripttotheseniorofficeboy，whohadpassedthesixthstandard，tocutdown，tinkertherhymes，andlopeanysuperfluityoffeet。Theseniorofficeboy\"justspreadhimself，\"ashesaid，anddelightedtodothejobinstyle。Buttherewasawomanfadingintoagrayold-maidishnesswhichhadhardlyeverbeengirlhood，whodidnotatallapproveofthesecorrections。Sheenduredthembecauseoverthesignatureof\"HeatherBell\"itwasajoytoseeintherich，closeluxuryoftypeherownpoetry，eventhoughitmightbeatrifletatteredandtossedaboutbyhandsruthlessandalien——those，infact，oftheseniorofficeboy。
Janetwalkedeveryotherweektothepost-officeatNewDalrytopostherletterstotheeditor，butneitherthegreatmannoryettheseniorofficeboyhadanyconceptionthattheversesoftheir\"esteemedcorrespondent\"werewrittenbyawomantooearlyoldwhodweltaloneatthebackofBarbraxLongWood。
OnedayJanettookasuddenbutlong-meditatedjourney。ShewentdownbyrailfromthelittlestationofTheHutstothelargetownofDrum，thirtymilestotheeast。Here，withthemostperfectcourageanddignityofbearing，sheinterviewedaprinterandarrangedforthepublicationofherpoemsintheirownoriginalform，nolongerstaledandclapper-clawedbythepenciloftheseniorofficeboy。Whentheproof-sheetscametoJanet，shehadnowayofindicatingthecorrectionsbutbyagainwritingthewholepoemoutinaneatprinthandontheedgeoftheproof，andunderscoringthewordswhichweretobealtered。This，whenyouthinkofit，isaverygoodway，whenthehappiestpartofyourlifeistobespentinsuchconcretepleasuresofhope，asJanet’swereoverthecracklysheetsoftheprinterofDrum。Finallythebookwasproduced，asmallratherthickishoctavo，onsufficientlywretchedgraypaperwhichhadsufferedfromwantofthoroughwashingintheoriginalpaper-mill。Itwasboundinapeculiarlydeadlyblue，ofarectifiedReckitttint，whichgaveyoudazzlesintheeyeatanydistanceundertenpaces。
Janethadselectedthisasthemostappropriateofcolours。Shehadalsomanyyearsagodecideduponthetitle，sothatReckitthadprinteduponit，backandside，\"TheHeatherLintie，\"whileinsidetherewastheacknowledgmentofauthorship，whichJanetfelttobeasolemndutytotheworld：\"PoemsbyJanetBalchrystie，BarbraxCottage，byNewDalry。\"Firstshehadthoughtofwithholdinghernameandstyle;but，onthewhole，afterthemostprolongedconsideration，shefeltthatshewasnotjustifiedinbringingaboutsuchacontroversyasdividedScotlandconcerningthat\"GreatUnknown\"whowrotetheWaverleyNovels。
AlmosteverysecondorthirddayJanettrodthatlonglochsideroadtoNewDalryforherproof-sheets，andreturnedthemonthemorrowcorrectedinherownway。Sometimesshegotaliftfromsomefarmerorcarter，forshehadwornherselfwithanxietytotheshadowofwhatshehadoncebeen，andherdrybleachedhairbecamegrayandgrayerwiththefervourofherdevotiontoletters。
ByAprilthebookwaspublished，andattheendofthismonth，laidasidebysicknessofthevaguekindcalledlocally\"adecline，\"shetooktoherbed，risingonlytolayafewsticksuponthefirefromherstoregatheredintheautumn，ortobrewherselfacupoftea。Shewaitedforthetokensofherbook’sconquestsinthegreatworldofthoughtandmen。Shehadwaitedsolongforherrecognition，andnowitwascoming。Shefeltthatitwouldnotbelongbeforeshewasrecognisedasoneofthesingersoftheworld。Indeed，hadshebutknownit，herrecognitionwasalreadyonitsway。
Inagreatcityofthenorthacleveryoungreporterwascuttingopentheleavesof\"TheHeatherLintie\"withahandalmostfeverishlyeager。
\"Thisisaperfecttreasure。Thisisafindindeed。Hereismychancereadytomyhand。\"
Hispaperwasmakingaspecialtyof\"exposures。\"Iftherewasanythingweakanderring，anythingparticularlyhelplessandfoolishwhichcouldmakenostandforitself，the\"NightHawk\"wasonthepounce。
Hithertothejuniorreporterhadneverhada\"two-columnchance。\"Hehadread——itwasnotmuchthathe/had/read——Macaulay’stoofamousarticleon\"Satan\"Montgomery，and，notknowingthatMacaulaylivedtoregretthespiritofthatassault，hefeltthatifhecouldbringdownthe\"NightHawk\"on\"TheHeatherLintie，\"hisfortunewasmade。Sohesatdownandhewrote，notknowingandnotregardingalonelywoman’sheart，towhomhiswordwouldbeasthewordofaGod，inthelonelycottagelyingintheleeoftheLongWoodofBarbrax。
Thejuniorreporterturnedoutatriumphofthenewjournalism。\"ThisisabookwhichmaybeagenuinesourceofpridetoeverynativeoftheancientprovinceofGalloway，\"hewrote。\"Gallowayhasbeencelebratedforblackcattleandforwool，asalsoforacertainbucolicbelatednessoftemperament，butGallowayhasneverhithertoproducedapoetess。OnehasariseninthepersonofMissJanetBal——
somethingorother。Wehavenotaninterpreterathand，andsocannotwrestlewiththeintricaciesoftheauthoress’sname，whichappearstobesomeGalwegianformofErseorChoctaw。MissBal——andsoforth——hasatruefountofpathosandhumour。Inwhattouchinglanguageshechroniclesthedeathoftwoyounglambswhichfelldownintooneofthepuddlestheycallriversdownthere，andwereeitherdrownedorchokedwiththedirt：
\"’Theyweretwobonny，bonnylambs，Thatplayeduponthedaisiedlea，AndloudlymournedtheirwoollydamsAbovethedrumlyflowingDee。’
\"Howtouchinglysimple！\"continuedthejuniorreporter，bucklinguphissleevestoenjoyhimself，andfeelinghimselfborntobea\"SaturdayReviewer。\"
\"Markthelocalcolour，thewoolandthedirtywateroftheDee——
withoutdoubtanameappliedtooneoftheirbiggerditchesdownthere。Markalsotheover-fervencyofthetouchingline，\"’Andloudlymournedtheirwoollydams，’
\"Which，butforthesexofthewriterandherevidentgenius，mightbetakenforanexpressionofastrengthhardlypermissibleeveninthemetropolis。\"
Thejuniorreporterfilledhistwocolumnsandenjoyedhimselfinthedoingofit。Heconcludedwiththewords：\"Theauthoresswillmakeagreatsuccess。Ifshewillcometothecapital，wheregeniusisalwaysappreciated，shewill，withoutdoubt，makeherfortune。Nay，ifMissBal——butagainwecannotproceedforthewantofaninterpreter——ifMissB。，wesay，willonlyacceptapositionatCleary’sWaxworksandgivereadingsfromherpoetry，orexhibitherselfintheactofpronouncingherownname，shewillbeagreaterdrawinthiscitythanPunchandJudy，oreventhelatestAmericanadvertisingevangelist，whopreachesstandingonhishead。\"
Thejuniorreporterceasedherefromveryadmirationathisownclevernessinsoexactlyhittingthetoneofthemastersofhiscraft，andhandedhismanuscriptintotheeditor。
ItwasthegloamingofalongJunedaywhenRobAffleck，thewoodmanoveratBarbrax，havingbeenatNewDalrywithacartofwood，lefthishorseontheroadsideandranoverthroughGavin’soldshortcut，nowseldomused，toJanet’scottagewithapaperinayellowwrapper。
\"Leaveitonthestep，andthankyoukindly，Rob，\"saidaweakvoicewithin;andRob，anxiousabouthishorseandhisbed，didsowithoutanotherword。InamomentortwoJanetcrawledtothedoor，listenedtomakesurethatRobwasreallygone，openedthedoor，andprotrudedahandwastedtothehard，flatbone——anarmthatoughtforyearstohavebeenfulloffleshandnoblecurves。
WhenJanetgotbacktobeditwastoodarktoseeanythingexceptthebigprintingatthetopofthepaper。
\"Twocolumnsofit！\"saidJanet，withgreatthankfulnessinherheart，liftinguphersoultoGodwhohadgivenherthepowertosing。Shestrainedherprematurelyoldandwearyeyestomakeoutthesense。\"A
genuinesourceofpridetoeverynativeoftheancientprovince，\"sheread。
\"TheLordbepraised！\"saidJanet，inaraptureofdevoutthankfulness;\"thoughIneverreallydoubtedit，\"sheadded，asthoughaskingpardonforamoment’sdistrust。\"ButItriedtowritethesepoemstothegloryofGodandnottomyownpraise，andHewillacceptthemandkeepmehumbleunderthepraiseofmenaswellasundertheirneglect。\"
Soclutchingthepreciouspaperclosetoherbreast，andlettingtearsofthankfulnessfallonthearticle，which，hadtheyfallenontheheadofthejuniorreporter，wouldhaveburnedlikefire，shepatientlyawaitedthecomingdawn。
\"Icanwaittillthemorningnowtoreadtherest，\"shesaid。
Sohourafterhour，withhereyeswide，staringhardatthegraywindow-squares，shewaitedthedawnfromtheeast。Abouthalf-pasttwotherewasastirringandamoaningamongthepines，andtheroarofthesuddengustcamewiththebreakingdaythroughthedarkarches。Inthewhirlwindtherecameastrangeexpectancyandtremorintotheheartofthepoetess，andshepressedthewetsheetofcrumpledpaperclosertoherbosom，andturnedtofacethelight。ThroughthespacesoftheLongWoodofBarbraxtherecameashiningvisitor，theAngelofthePresence，hewhocomesbutonceandstandsamomentwithabeckoningfinger。Himshefollowedupthroughthewood。
TheyfoundJanetonthemorningoftheseconddayafter，withalooksogladonherface，andsonaturalanexpectationintheunclosedeye，thatRobAffleckspoketoherandexpectedananswer。The\"NightHawk\"wasclaspedtoherbreastwithahandthattheycouldnotloosen。Itwenttothegravewithherbody。Theinkhadrunalittlehereandthere，wherethetearshadfallenthickest。
Godismoremercifulthanman。
ADOCTOROFTHEOLDSCHOOL
BY
IANMACLAREN
I
AGENERALPRACTITIONER
Drumtochtywasaccustomedtobreakeverylawofhealth，exceptwholesomefoodandfreshair，andyethadreducedthepsalmist’sfurthestlimittoanaveragelife-rate。Ourmenmadenodifferenceintheirclothesforsummerorwinter，Drumsheughandoneortwoofthelargerfarmerscondescendingtoatop-coatonSabbath，asapenaltyoftheirposition，andwithoutregardtotemperature。Theyworetheirblacksatafuneral，refusingtocoverthemwithanything，outofrespecttothedeceased，andstandinglongestinthekirkyardwhenthenorthwindwasblowingacrossahundredmilesofsnow。Iftherainwaspouringatthejunction，thenDrumtochtystoodtwominuteslongerthroughsheernativedournesstilleachmanhadacascadefromthetailofhiscoat，andhazardedthesuggestion，half-waytoKildrummie，thatithadbeen\"abitscrowie，\"and\"scrowie\"beingasfarshortofa\"shoor\"asa\"shoor\"fellbelow\"weet。\"
Thissustaineddefianceoftheelementsprovokedoccasionaljudgmentsintheshapeofa\"hoast\"（cough），andtheheadofthehousewasthenexhortedbyhiswomenfolkto\"changehisfeet\"ifhehadhappenedtowalkthroughaburnonhiswayhome，andwaspesteredgenerallywithsanitaryprecautions。Itisrighttoaddthatthegudemantreatedsuchadvicewithcontempt，regardingitassuitablefortheeffeminacyoftowns，butnotseriouslyintendedforDrumtochty。SandyStewart\"napped\"stonesontheroadinhisshirt-sleeves，wetorfair，summerandwinter，tillhewaspersuadedtoretirefromactivedutyateighty-five，andhespenttenyearsmoreinregrettinghishastinessandcriticisinghissuccessor。Theordinarycourseoflife，withfineairandcontentedminds，wastodoafullshareofworktillseventy，andthentolookafter\"orra\"jobswellintotheeighties，andto\"slipawa’\"withinsightofninety。Personsaboveninetywereunderstoodtobeacquittingthemselveswithcredit，andassumedairsofauthority，brushingasidetheopinionsofseventyasimmature，andconfirmingtheirconclusionswithillustrationsdrawnfromtheendoflastcentury。
WhenHillocks’sbrothersofarforgothimselfasto\"slipawa’\"atsixty，thatworthymanwasscandalised，andofferedlabouredexplanationsatthe\"beerial。\"
\"It’sanawfu’businessonywyyelookatit，an’asairtrialtaeusa’。A’neverheardtellofsicathinginoorfamilyafore，an’it’snoeasyaccoontin’for’t。
\"Thegudewifewassayin’hewesneverthesamesin’aweetnichthelosthimsel’onthemuirandsleptbelowabush;butthat’sneitherherenorthere。A’’mthinkin’hesappithisconstitutionthaetwayearshewesgrieveabootEngland。Thatwesthirtyyearssyne，butye’reneverthesameafterthaeforeignclimates。\"
DrumtochtylistenedpatientlytoHillocks’sapologia，butwasnotsatisfied。
\"It’scleanhaversabootthemuir。Loshkeep’s，we’vea’sleepitootandneverbeenahairthewaur。
\"A’admitthatEnglandmichthaedunethejob;it’snocannystravagin’yonwyfraeplacetaeplace，butDrumsnevercomplainedtaemeasifhehedbeennippitintheSooth。\"
Theparishhad，infact，lostconfidenceinDrumsafterhiswaywardexperimentwithapotato-diggingmachine，whichturnedoutalamentablefailure，andhisprematuredepartureconfirmedourvagueimpressionofhischaracter。
\"He’sawa’noo，\"Drumsheughsummedup，afteropinionhadtimetoform;
\"an’therewerewaurfoukthanDrums，butthere’snaedoothewesaweeflichty。\"
WhenillnesshadtheaudacitytoattackaDrumtochtyman，itwasdescribedasa\"whup，\"andwastreatedbythemenwithafinenegligence。Hillockswassittinginthepost-officeoneafternoonwhenIlookedinformyletters，andtherightsideofhisfacewasblazingred。Hissubjectofdiscoursewastheprospectsoftheturnip\"breer，\"
buthecasuallyexplainedthathewaswaitingformedicaladvice。
\"Thegudewifeiskeepin’upading-dongfraemornin’tillnichtabootmaface，anda’’mfairdeaved（deafened），soa’’mwatchin’forMacLuretaegetabottleashecomeswast;yon’shimnoo。\"
Thedoctormadehisdiagnosisfromhorsebackonsight，andstatedtheresultwiththatadmirableclearnesswhichendearedhimtoDrumtochty：
\"Confoundye，Hillocks，whatareyeploiterin’aboothereforintheweetwi’afacelikeaboiledbeer？Divyenokenthatye’veatetcho’therose（erysipelas），andochttaebeinthehoose？Gaehamewi’
yeaforea’leavethebit，andsendahalflin’forsomemedicine。Yedonnerdidiot，areyeettlintaefollowDrumsaforeyirtime？\"AndthemedicalattendantofDrumtochtycontinuedhisinvectivetillHillocksstarted，andstillpursuedhisretreatingfigurewithmedicaldirectionsofasimpleandpracticalcharacter：
\"A’’mwatchin’，an’peetyyeifyepitafftime。Keepyirbedthemornin’，anddinnashowyirfaceinthefieldstilla’seeye。A’llgieyeacryonMonday，——sicanauldfule，——butthere’snoaneo’themtaemindanitherinthehalepairish。\"
Hillocks’swifeinformedthekirkyardthatthedoctor\"giedthegudemananawful’clearin’，\"andthatHillocks\"weskeepin’thehoose，\"whichmeantthatthepatienthadteabreakfast，andatthattimewaswanderingaboutthefarmbuildingsinaneasyundress，withhisheadinaplaid。
Itwasimpossibleforadoctortoearneventhemostmodestcompetencefromapeopleofsuchscandaloushealth，andsoMacLurehadannexedneighbouringparishes。Hishouse——littlemorethanacottage——stoodontheroadsideamongthepinestowardtheheadofourGlen，andfromthisbaseofoperationshedominatedthewildglenthatbrokethewalloftheGrampiansaboveDrumtochty——wherethesnow-driftsweretwelvefeetdeepinwinter，andtheonlywayofpassageattimeswasthechanneloftheriver——andthemoorlanddistrictwestwardtillhecametotheDunleithsphereofinfluence，wheretherewerefourdoctorsandahydropathic。Drumtochtyinitslength，whichwaseightmiles，anditsbreadth，whichwasfour，layinhishand;besidesaglenbehind，unknowntotheworld，whichinthenight-timehevisitedattheriskoflife，forthewaytheretowasacrossthebigmoorwithitspeat-
holesandtreacherousbogs。AndheheldthelandeastwardtowardMuirtownsofarasGeordie。TheDrumtochtyposttravelledeveryday，andcouldcarrywordthatthedoctorwaswanted。Hedidhisbestfortheneedofeveryman，woman，andchildinthiswild，stragglingdistrict，yearin，yearout，inthesnowandintheheat，inthedarkandinthelight，withoutrest，andwithoutholidayforfortyyears。
Onehorsecouldnotdotheworkofthisman，butwelikedbesttoseehimonhisoldwhitemare，whodiedtheweekafterhermaster，andthepassingofthetwodidourheartsgood。Itwasnotthatherodebeautifully，forhebrokeeverycanonofart，flyingwithhisarms，stoopingtillheseemedtobespeakingintoJess’sears，andrisinginthesaddlebeyondallnecessity。Buthecouldridefaster，staylongerinthesaddle，andhadafirmergripwithhiskneesthananyoneI
evermet，anditwasallformercy’ssake。Whenthereapersinharvest-timesawafigurewhirlingpastinacloudofdust，orthefamilyatthefootofGlenUrtach，gatheredroundthefireonawinter’snight，heardtherattleofahorse’shoofsontheroad，ortheshepherds，outafterthesheep，tracedablackspeckmovingacrossthesnowtotheupperglen，theyknewitwasthedoctor，and，withoutbeingconsciousofit，wishedhimGod-speed。
Beforeandbehindhissaddlewerestrappedtheinstrumentsandmedicinesthedoctormightwant，forheneverknewwhatwasbeforehim。TherewerenospecialistsinDrumtochty，sothismanhadtodoeverythingasbesthecould，andasquickly。Hewaschestdoctor，anddoctorforeveryotherorganaswell;hewasaccoucheurandsurgeon;
hewasoculistandaurist;hewasdentistandchloroformist，besidesbeingchemistanddruggist。ItwasoftentoldhowhewasfarupGlenUrtachwhenthefeedersofthethreshing-millcaughtyoungBurnbrae，andhowheonlystoppedtochangehorsesathishouse，andgallopedallthewaytoBurnbrae，andflunghimselfoffhishorse，andamputatedthearm，andsavedthelad’slife。
\"Youwudhaethochtthateverymeenutwasanhour，\"saidJamieSoutar，whohadbeenatthethreshing，\"an’a’’llneverforgetthepuirladlyin’aswhiteasdeithontheflooro’theloft，wi’hisheadonasheaf，andBurnbraehaudin’thebandagetichtan’prayin’a’thewhile，andthemithergreetin’inthecorner。
\"’Willhenevercome？’shecries，an’a’heardthesoondo’thehorse’sfeetontheroadamileawa’inthefrostyair。
\"’TheLordbepraised！’saidBurnbrae，anda’slippeddoontheladderasthedoctorcameskelpin’intaetheclose，thefoamfleein’fraehishorse’smooth。
\"’Wharishe？’wesa’thatpassedhislips，an’infivemeenutshehedhimonthefeedin’board，andwesathiswark——sicwark，neeburs！
buthediditweel。An’aethinga’thochtraelthochtfu’o’him：hefirstsentafftheladdie’smithertaegetabedready。
\"’Noothat’sfeenished，andhisconstitution’illdaetherest，’andhecarriedtheladdoontheladderinhisairmslikeabairn，andlaidhiminhisbed，andwaitsasidehimtillhewessleepin’，andthensayshe，’Burnbrae，yirageyladnevertaesay，\"Collie，willyelick？\"fora’hevnatastedmeatforsaxteenhoors。’
\"Itwasmichtytaeseehimcomeintaetheyairdthatday，neeburs;theverralooko’himwesvictory。\"
Jamie’scynicismslippedoffintheenthusiasmofthisreminiscence，andheexpressedthefeelingofDrumtochty。NoonesentforMacLuresaveingreatstraits，andthesightofhimputcourageinsinkinghearts。Butthiswasnotbythegraceofhisappearance，ortheadvantageofagoodbedsidemanner。Atall，gaunt，looselymademan，withoutanounceofsuperfluousfleshonhisbody，hisfaceburnedadarkbrickcolourbyconstantexposuretotheweather，redhairandbeardturninggray，honestblueeyesthatlookyoueverintheface，hugehandswithwrist-bonesliketheshankofaham，andavoicethathurledhissalutationsacrosstwofields，hesuggestedthemoorratherthanthedrawing-room。Butwhatacleverhanditwasinanoperation——
asdelicateasawoman’s！andwhatakindlyvoiceitwasinthehumbleroomwheretheshepherd’swifewasweepingbyherman’sbedside！Hewas\"illpittenthegither\"tobeginwith，butmanyofhisphysicaldefectswerethepenaltiesofhiswork，andendearedhimtotheGlen。
Thatuglyscar，thatcutintohisrighteyebrowandgavehimsuchasinisterexpression，wasgotonenightJessslippedontheiceandlaidhiminsensibleeightmilesfromhome。Hislimpmarkedthebigsnowstorminthefifties，whenhishorsemissedtheroadinGlenUrtach，andtheyrolledtogetherinadrift。MacLureescapedwithabrokenlegandthefractureofthreeribs，butheneverwalkedlikeothermenagain。HecouldnotswinghimselfintothesaddlewithoutmakingtwoattemptsandholdingJess’smane。Neithercanyou\"warstle\"
throughthepeat-bogsandsnow-driftsforfortywinterswithoutatouchofrheumatism。Buttheywerehonourablescars，andforsuchrisksoflifemengettheVictoriaCrossinotherfields。MacLuregotnothingbutthesecretaffectionoftheGlen，whichknewthatnonehadeverdoneonetenthasmuchforitasthisungainly，twisted，batteredfigure，andIhaveseenaDrumtochtyfacesoftenatthesightofMacLurelimpingtohishorse。
Mr。Hoppsearnedtheill-willoftheGlenforeverbycriticisingthedoctor’sdress，butindeeditwouldhavefilledanytownsmanwithamazement。Blackheworeonceayear，onsacramentSunday，and，ifpossible，atafuneral;top-coatorwater-proofnever。HisjacketandwaistcoatwereroughhomespunofGlenUrtachwool，whichthrewoffthewetlikeaduck’sback，andbelowhewascladinshepherd’startantrousers，whichdisappearedintounpolishedriding-boots。Hisshirtwasgrayflannel，andhewasuncertainaboutacollar，butcertainastoatie，——whichheneverhad，hisbearddoinginstead，——andhishatwassoftfeltoffourcoloursandsevendifferentshapes。Hispointofdistinctionindresswasthetrousers，andtheywerethesubjectofunendingspeculation。
\"Somethreepthathe’swornthaeeedenticalpairthelasttwentyyear，an’amindmasel’himgetting’atearahint，whenhewascrossin’oorpalin’，anthemend’sstillveesible。
\"Ithersdeclare’athe’sgotawabo’claith，andhesanewpairmadeinMuirtownainceinthetwayearmaybe，andkeepstheminthegardentillthenewlookwearsaff。
\"Formaainpairt，\"Soutarusedtodeclare，\"a’cannamak’upmymind，butthere’saethingsure：theGlenwudnaliketaeseehimwithootthem;itwudbeashocktaeconfidence。There’snomuckleo’thecheckleft，butyecanayetellit，andwhenyeseethaebreekscomin’inyekenthatifhumanpooercansaveyirbairn’slifeit’illbedune。\"
TheconfidenceoftheGlen——andthetributarystates——wasunbounded，andrestedpartlyonlongexperienceofthedoctor’sresources，andpartlyonhishereditaryconnection。
\"Hisfatherwashereaforehim，\"Mrs。Macfadyenusedtoexplain;
\"atweenthemthey’vehedthecountry-sideforweelontaeacentury;
ifMacLuredisnaunderstandoorconstitution，whadis，a’wudliketaeask？\"
ForDrumtochtyhaditsownconstitutionandaspecialthroatdisease，asbecameaparishwhichwasquiteself-containedbetweenthewoodsandthehills，andnotdependentonthelowlandseitherforitsdiseasesoritsdoctors。
\"He’saskillyman，Dr。MacLure，\"continuedmyfriendMrs。Macfadyen，whosejudgmentonsermonsoranythingelsewasseldomatfault;\"an’akind-hearted，thougho’coorseheheshisfaultslikeusa’，an’hedisnatribblethekirkoften。
\"Heayecantellwhat’swrongwi’abody，an’maistlyhecanputyericht，andthere’snaenew-fangledwyswi’him;ablisterfortheootsidean’Epsomsaltsfortheinsidedishiswark，an’theysaythere’snoanherbonthehillshedisnaken。
\"Ifwe’retaedee，we’retaedee;an’ifwe’retaelive，we’retaelive，\"concludedElspeth，withsoundCalvinisticlogic;\"buta’’llsaythisforthedoctor，that，whetheryirtaeliveordee，hecanayekeepupasharpmeistureontheskin。
\"Buthe’snoverraceevilginyebringhimwhenthere’snaethin’
wrang，\"andMrs。Macfadyen’sfacereflectedanotherofMr。Hopps’smisadventuresofwhichHillocksheldthecopyright。
\"Hopps’sladdieategrosarts（gooseberries）tilltheyhedtositupa’
nichtwi’him，an’naethin’wuddobuttheymaumhaethedoctor，an’
hewrites’immediately’onaslipo’paper。
\"Weel，MacLurehadbeenawa’a’nichtwi’ashepherd’swifeDunleithwy，andhecomesherewithootdrawin’bridle，muduptaetheeen。
\"’What’sadaehere，Hillocks？’hecries;’it’snoanaccident，is’t？’andwhenhegotaffhishorsehecudhardlystandwi’stiffnessandtire。
\"’It’snaneo’us，doctor;it’sHopps’sladdie;he’sbeeneatin’
ower-monyberries。’
\"Ifhedidnaturnonmelikeatiger！
\"’Divyemeantaesay——’
\"’Weesht，weesht，’an’Itriedtaequiethim，forHoppswescoomin’
oot。
\"’Well，doctor，’beginshe，asbriskasamagpie，’you’rehereatlast;there’snohurrywithyouScotchmen。Myboyhasbeensickallnight，andI’veneverhadawinkofsleep。Youmighthavecomealittlequicker，that’sallI’vegottosay。’
\"’We’vemairtaedaeinDrumtochtythanattendtaeeverybairnthathesasairstomach，’anda’sawMacLurewasroosed。
\"’I’mastonishedtohearyouspeak。OurdoctorathomealwayssaystoMrs。’Opps，\"Lookonmeasafamilyfriend，Mrs。’Opps，andsendformethoughitbeonlyaheadache。\"’
\"’He’dbemairspairin’o’hisoffersifhehedfourandtwentymiletaelookaifter。There’snaethin’wrangwi’yirladdiebutgreed。Giehimaguddoseo’castor-oilandstophismeatforaday，an’he’illbea’richtthemorn。’
\"’He’illnottakecastor-oil，doctor。Wehavegivenupthosebarbarousmedicines。’
\"’Whatnakindo’medicineshaeyenoointheSooth？’
\"’Well，youseeDr。MacLure，we’rehomoeopathists，andI’vemylittlechesthere，’andootHoppscomeswi’hisboxy。
\"’Let’ssee’t，’an’MacLuresitsdoonandtak’sootthebitbottles，andhereadsthenameswi’alaucheverytime。
\"’Belladonna;didyeeverhearthelike？Aconite;itcowesa’。Nuxvomica。Whatnext？Weel，mamannie，’hesaystaeHopps，’it’safineploy，andye’illbettergangonwi’thenuxtillit’sdune，andgiehimonyithero’thesweetieshefancies。
\"’Noo，Hillocks，a’maunbeafftaeseeDrumsheugh’sgrieve，forhe’sdoonwi’thefever，andit’staebeateuchfecht。A’hinnatimetaewaitfordinner;giemesomecheesean’cakeinmahaund，andJess’illtakeapailo’mealan’water。
\"’Fee？A’’mnowantin’yirfees，man;wi’thatboxyyedinnaneedadoctor;na，na，gieyirsillertaesomepuirbody，MaisterHopps，’an’
hewasdoontheroadashardashecudlick。\"
Hisfeeswereprettymuchwhatthefolkchosetogivehim，andhecollectedthemonceayearatKildrummiefair。
\"Weel，doctor，whatama’awin’yeforthewifeandbairn？Ye’illneedthreenotesforthatnichtyestayedinthehoosean’a’thevessits。\"
\"Havers，\"MacLurewouldanswer，\"pricesarelow，a’’mhearin’;gie’sthirtyshillin’s。\"
\"No，a’’llno，orthewife’illtak’maearsaff，\"anditwassettledfortwopounds。
LordKilspindiegavehimafreehouseandfields，andonewayorother，Drumsheughtoldmethedoctormightgetinaboutonehundredandfiftypoundsayear，outofwhichhehadtopayhisoldhousekeeper’swagesandaboy’s，andkeeptwohorses，besidesthecostofinstrumentsandbooks，whichheboughtthroughafriendinEdinburghwithmuchjudgment。
Therewasonlyonemanwhoevercomplainedofthedoctor’scharges，andthatwasthenewfarmerofMilton，whowassogoodthathewasabovebothchurches，andheldameetinginhisbarn。（ItwasMiltontheGlensupposedatfirsttobeaMormon，butIcan’tgointothatnow。）HeofferedMacLureapoundlessthanheasked，andtwotracts，whereuponMacLureexpressedhisopinionofMilton，bothfromatheologicalandsocialstandpoint，withsuchvigourandfranknessthatanattentiveaudienceofDrumtochtymencouldhardlycontainthemselves。
JamieSoutarwassellinghispigatthetime，andmissedthemeeting，buthehastenedtocondolewithMilton，whowascomplainingeverywhereofthedoctor’slanguage。
\"Yedidrichttaeresisthim;it’illmayberoosetheGlentaemak’astand;hefairhandstheminbondage。
\"Thirtyshillin’sfortwal’vessits，andhimnomairthanseevenmileawa’，an’a’’mtelttherewerenamairthanfouratnicht。
\"Ye’illhaethesympathyo’theGlen，fora’bodykensyirasfreewi’
yirsillerasyirtracts。
\"Wes’t’Bewareo’GudeWarks’yeofferedhim？Man，yechoseitweel，forhe’sbeencolleckin’saemonythaefortyyears，a’’mfearedforhim。
\"A’’veoftenthochtoordoctor’slittlebetterthantheGudeSamaritan，an’thePhariseesdidnathinkmuckleo’hischanceaitherinthiswarldorthatwhichistaecome。\"
II
THROUGHTHEFLOOD
Dr。MacLuredidnotleadasolemnprocessionfromthesick-bedtothedining-room，andgivehisopinionfromthehearth-rugwithanairofwisdomborderingonthesupernatural，becauseneithertheDrumtochtyhousesnorhismannerswereonthatlargescale。Hewasaccustomedtodeliverhimselfintheyard，andtoconcludehisdirectionswithonefootinthestirrup;butwhenhelefttheroomwherethelifeofAnnieMitchellwasebbingslowlyaway，ourdoctorsaidnotoneword，andatthesightofhisfaceherhusband’sheartwastroubled。
Hewasadullman，Tammas，whocouldnotreadthemeaningofasign，andlabouredunderaperpetualdisabilityofspeech;butlovewaseyestohimthatday，andamouth。
\"Is’tasbadasyirlookin’，doctor？Tell’sthetruth。WullAnnienocomethrough？\"andTammaslookedMacLurestraightintheface，whoneverflinchedhisdutyorsaidsmooththings。
\"A’wudgieonythin’taesayAnniehasachance，buta’daurna;a’
dootyirgaein’toloseher，Tammas。\"
MacLurewasinthesaddle，and，ashegavehisjudgment，helaidhishandonTammas’sshoulderwithoneoftherarecaressesthatpassbetweenmen。
\"It’sasairbusiness，butye’illplaythemanandnovexAnnie;she’illdaeherbest，a’’llwarrant。\"
\"Anda’’lldaemine，\"andTammasgaveMacLure’shandagripthatwouldhavecrushedthebonesofaweakling。Drumtochtyfeltinsuchmomentsthebrotherlinessofthisrough-lookingman，andlovedhim。
TammashidhisfaceinJess’smane，wholookedroundwithsorrowinherbeautifuleyes，forshehadseenmanytragedies;andinthissilentsympathythestrickenmandrankhiscup，dropbydrop。
\"A’wesnapreparedforthis，fora’ayethochtshewudlivethelangest……She’syoungerthanmebytenyear，andneverwasill……We’vebeenmairittwal’yearlastMartinmas，butit’sjuistlikeayeartheday……A’wesneverworthyo’her，thebonniest，snoddest（neatest），kindliestlassintheGlen……A’nevercudmak’oothoosheeverlookitatme，’athesnahedaewordtaesayabouthertillit’sower-late……Shedidnacuistuptomethata’
wesnaworthyo’her——noher;butayeshesaid，’Yirmaaingudeman，andnanecudbekindertaeme。’……An’a’wesmindedtaebekind，buta’seenoomonylittletrokesa’michthaeduneforher，andnoothetimeisby……Naebodykenshoopatientsheweswi’me，andayemadethebesto’me，an’neverpitmetaeshameaforethefouk……
An’weneverhedaecrossword，noaneintwal’year……Weweremairnormanandwife——weweresweetheartsa’thetime……Oh，mabonnielass，what’illthebairniesan’medaewithoutye，Annie？\"
Thewinternightwasfallingfast，thesnowlaydeepupontheground，andthemercilessnorthwindmoanedthroughthecloseasTammaswrestledwithhissorrowdry-eyed，fortearsweredeniedDrumtochtymen。NeitherthedoctornorJessmovedhandorfoot，buttheirheartswerewiththeirfellow-creature，andatlengththedoctormadeasigntoMargetHowe，whohadcomeoutinsearchofTammas，andnowstoodbyhisside。
\"Dinnamourntaethebrakin’o’yirhert，Tammas，\"shesaid，\"asifAnniean’youhedneverluved。Neitherdeathnortimecanpairtthemthatluve;there’snaethin’ina’thewarldsaestrongasluve。IfAnniegaesfraethesichto’yireenshe’illcomethenearertaeyirhert。Shewantstaeseeye，andtaehearyesaythatye’illneverforgethernichtnordaytillyemeetinthelandwherethere’snaepairtin’。Oh，a’kenwhata’’msayin’，forit’sfiveyearnoosin’
Georgegiedawa’，an’he’smairwimenoothanwhenhewasinEdinboro’andIwesinDrumtochty。\"
\"Thankyekindly，Marget;thaearegudewordsan’true，an’yehevtherichttaesaythem;buta’cannadaewithoutseein’Anniecomin’taemeetmeinthegloamin’，an’gaein’inan’ootthehoose，an’hearin’
herca’mebymaname;an’a’’llnocantellherthata’luveherwhenthere’snaeAnnieinthehoose。
\"Cannaethin’bedune，doctor？YesavitFloraCammil，andyoungBurnbrae，an’yonshepherd’swifeDunleithwy;an’wewerea’saeproodo’ye，an’pleasedtaethinkthatyehedkeepitdeithfraeanitherhame。Canyenothinko’somethin’taehelpAnnie，andgieherbackhermanandbairnies？\"andTammassearchedthedoctor’sfaceinthecold，weirdlight。
\"There’snaepooerinheavenorairthlikeluve，\"Margetsaidtomeafterward;\"itmak’stheweakstrongandthedumbtaespeak。OorhertswereaswateraforeTammas’swords，an’a’sawthedoctorshakeinhissaddle。A’neverkenttillthatmeenuthoohehedashareina’body’sgrief，an’carriedtheheaviestwechto’a’theGlen。A’peetiedhimwi’Tammaslookin’athimsaewistfully，asifhehedthekeyso’lifean’deithinhishands。Butheweshonest，andwudnaholdootafalsehouptaedeceiveasorehertorwinescapeforhimsel’。\"
\"Yeneednapleadwi’me，Tammas，todaethebesta’canforyirwife。
Man，a’kentherlangaforeyeeverluvedher;a’brochtherintaethewarld，anda’sawherthroughthefeverwhenshewesabitlassikie;
a’closedhermither’seen，anditwesmehedtaetellhershewesanorphan;an’naemanwesbetterpleasedwhenshegotagudehusband，anda’helpitherwi’herfowerbairns。A’’venaitherwifenorbairnso’maown，an’a’coonta’thefouko’theGlenmafamily。Divyethinka’wudnasaveAnnieifIcud？IftherewesamaninMuirtown’atcuddaemairforher，a’’dhavehimthisverranicht;buta’thedoctorsinPerthshirearehelplessforthistribble。
\"Tammas，mapuirfallow，ifitcouldavail，a’tellyea’wudlaydoonthisauldworn-ootruckleo’abodyo’minejuisttaeseeyebaithsittin’atthefireside，an’thebairnsroundye，couthyan’cantyagain;butit’snaetaebe，Tammas，it’snaetaebe。\"
\"Whena’lookitatthedoctor’sface，\"Margetsaid，\"a’thochthimthewinsomestmana’eversaw。Hewestransfiguredthatnicht，fora’’mjudgin’there’snaetransfigurationlikeluve。\"
\"It’sGod’swullan’maunbeborne，butit’sasairwullfurme，an’
a’’mnoungratefu’taeyou，doctor，fora’ye’veduneandwhatyesaidthenicht，\"andTammaswentbacktositwithAnnieforthelasttime。
Jesspickedherwaythroughthedeepsnowtothemainroad，withaskillthatcameoflongexperience，andthedoctorheldconversewithheraccordingtohiswont。
\"Eh，Jess，wumman，yonwesthehardestwarka’haetaeface，anda’
wudraitherhaetaenmachanceo’anitherrowinaGlenUrtachdriftthantellTammasMitchellhiswifewesdeein’。
\"A’saidshecudnabecured，anditwastrue，forthere’sjuistaemaninthelandfitfor’t，andtheymichtasweeltrytaegetthemuneooto’heaven。Saea’saidnaethin’taevexTammas’shert，forit’sheavyeneuchwithootregrets。
\"Butit’shard，Jess，thatmoneywillbuylifeaftera’，an’ifAnniewesaduchesshermanwudnaloseher;butbein’onlyapuircotter’swife，shemaundeeaforetheweek’soot。
\"Ginwehedhimthemornthere’slittledootshewudbesaved，forhehesnalostmairthanfivepercent。o’hiscases，andthey’illbepuirtoons-craturs，nostrappin’womenlikeAnnie。
\"It’sooto’thequestion，Jess，saehurryup，lass，forwe’vehedaheavyday。ButitwudbethegrandestthingthatweseverdoneintheGleninoortimeifitcouldbemanagedbyhookorcrook。
\"We’llgangandseeDrumsheugh，Jess;he’sanithermansin’GeordieHoo’sdeith，andhewasayekinderthanfoukkent。\"Andthedoctorpassedatagallopthroughthevillage，whoselightsshoneacrossthewhitefrost-boundroad。
\"Comeinby，doctor;a’heardyeontheroad;ye’illhaebeenatTammasMitchell’s;hoo’sthegudewife？A’dootshe’ssober。\"
\"Annie’sdeein’，Drumsheugh，an’Tammasisliketaebrakhishert。\"
\"That’snolichtsome，doctor，nolichtsome，ava，fora’dinnakenonymaninDrumtochtysaebundupinhiswifeasTammas，andthere’snoabonnierwummano’heragecrossesoorkirkdoorthanAnnie，noraclevereratherwork。Manye’illneedtaepityirbrainsinsteep。Isshecleanbeyondye？\"
\"Beyondmeandeveryitherinthelandbutane，anditwudcostahundredguineastaebringhimtaeDrumtochty。\"
\"Certes，he’snoblate;it’safellchairgeforashortday’swork;
buthundredornohundredwe’illhaehim，andnoletAnniegang，andhernohalfheryears。\"
\"Areyemeanin’it，Drumsheugh？\"andMacLureturnedwhitebelowthetan。
\"WilliamMacLure，\"saidDrumsheugh，inoneofthefewconfidencesthateverbroketheDrumtochtyreserve，\"a’’malonelyman，wi’naebodyo’
maainbludetaecareformelivin’，ortaeliftmeintaemacoffinwhena’’mdeid。
\"A’fechtawa’atMuirtownmarketforanextrapundonabeast，orashillin’onthequartero’barley，an’what’sthegudeo’’t？Burnbraegaesafftaegetagoonforhiswifeorabukeforhiscollegeladdie，an’LachlanCampbell’illnoleavetheplacenoowithoutaribbonforFlora。
\"IlkamanintheKildrummietrainhassomebitfairin’inhispoochforthefoukathamethathe’sbochtwi’thesillerhewon。
\"Butthere’snaebodytaebelookin’ootforme，an’comin’doontheroadtaemeetme，anddaffin’（joking）wi’meaboottheirfairin’，orfeelin’mapockets。Ou，ay！A’’veseenita’atitherhooses，thoughtheytriedtaehideitfraemeforfeara’wudlauchatthem。Melauch，wi’macauld，emptyhame！
\"Yirtheonlymankens，Weelum，thatIainceluvedthenoblestwummanintheGlenoronywhere，an’a’luveherstill，butwi’anitherluvenoo。
\"Shehedgivenherherttaeanither，ora’’vethochta’michthaewonher，thoughnaemanbeworthyo’sicagift。Mahertturnedtaebitterness，butthatpassedawa’besidethebrier-bushwhatGeorgeHoolayyonsadsimmer-time。Somedaya’’lltellyemastory，Weelum，foryouan’meareauldfreends，andwillbetillwedee。\"
MacLurefeltbeneaththetableforDrumsheugh’shand，butneithermanlookedattheother。
\"Weel，a’wecandaenoo，Weelum，ginwehaenamicklebrightnessinoorainhames，istaekeepthelichtfraegaein’ootinanitherhoose。
Writethetelegram，man，andSandy’illsenditafffraeKildrummiethisverranicht，andye’illhaeyirmanthemorn。\"
\"Yirthemana’coontedye，Drumsheugh，butye’illgrantmeafavour。
Ye’illlatmepaythehalf，bitbybit。A’kenyirwullin’taedae’ta’;buta’haenamonypleasures，an’a’wudliketaehaemaainshareinsavin’Annie’slife。\"
NextmorningafigurereceivedSirGeorgeontheKildrummieplatform，whomthatfamoussurgeontookforagillie，butwhointroducedhimselfas\"MacLureofDrumtochty。\"ItseemedasiftheEasthadcometomeettheWestwhenthesetwostoodtogether，theoneintravellingfurs，handsomeanddistinguished，withhisstrong，culturedfaceandcarriageofauthority，acharacteristictypeofhisprofession;andtheothermoremarvellouslydressedthanever，forDrumsheugh’stop-
coathadbeenforceduponhimfortheoccasion，hisfaceandneckonerednesswiththebittercold，roughandungainly，yetnotwithoutsomesignsofpowerinhiseyeandvoice，themostheroictypeofhisnobleprofession。MacLurecompassedthepreciousarrivalwithobservancestillhewassecurelyseatedinDrumsheugh’sdog-cart，——avehiclethatlentitselftohistory，——withtwofull-sizedplaidsaddedtohisequipment——DrumsheughandHillockshadbothbeenrequisitioned;andMacLurewrappedanotherplaidroundaleathercase，whichwasplacedbelowtheseatwithsuchreverenceasmightbegiventotheQueen’sregalia。Peterattendedtheirdeparturefullofinterest，andassoonastheywereinthefirwoodsMacLureexplainedthatitwouldbeaneventfuljourney。
\"It’sa’richtinhere，forthewinddisnagetatthesnow;butthedriftsaredeepintheGlen，andth’’illbesomeengineerin’aforewegettaeoordestination。\"
Fourtimestheylefttheroadandtooktheirwayoverfields;twicetheyforcedapassagethroughaslapinadyke;thricetheyusedgapsinthepalingwhichMacLurehadmadeonhisdownwardjourney。
\"A’seleckittheroadthismornin’，an’a’kenthedepthtaeaninch;
we’illgetthroughthissteadin’heretaethemainroad，butourworstjob’illbecrossin’theTochty。
\"Yesee，thebridgehesbeenshakin’wi’thiswinter’sflood，andwedaurnaventureonit，saewehevtaeford，andthesnaw’sbeenmeltin’
upUrtachway。There’snaedootthewater’sgeybig，andit’sthreatenin’taerise，butwe’illwinthroughwi’awarstle。
\"Itmichtbesafertaelifttheinstrumentsooto’reacho’thewater;
wudyemindhaddin’themonyirkneetillwe’reower，an’keepfirminyirseatincasewecomeonastaneinthebedo’theriver。\"
Bythistimetheyhadcometotheedge，anditwasnotacheeringsight。TheTochtyhadspreadoutoverthemeadows，andwhiletheywaitedtheycouldseeitcoveranothertwoinchesonthetrunkofatree。Therearesummerfloods，whenthewaterisbrownandfleckedwithfoam，butthiswasawinterflood，whichisblackandsullen，andrunsinthecentrewithastrong，fierce，silentcurrent。UpontheoppositesideHillocksstoodtogivedirectionsbywordandhand，asthefordwasonhisland，andnoneknewtheTochtybetterinallitsways。
Theypassedthroughtheshallowwaterwithoutmishap，savewhenthewheelstruckahiddenstoneorfellsuddenlyintoarut;butwhentheynearedthebodyoftheriverMacLurehalted，togiveJessaminute’sbreathing。
\"It’illtak’yea’yirtime，lass，an’a’wudraitherbeonyirback;
butyeneverfailedmeyet，andawumman’slifeishangin’onthecrossin’。\"
Withthefirstplungeintothebedofthestreamthewaterrosetotheaxles，andthenitcreptuptotheshafts，sothatthesurgeoncouldfeelitlappinginabouthisfeet，whilethedog-cartbegantoquiver，anditseemedasifitweretobecarriedaway。SirGeorgewasasbraveasmostmen，buthehadneverfordedaHighlandriverinflood，andthemassofblackwaterracingpastbeneath，before，behindhim，affectedhisimaginationandshookhisnerves。HerosefromhisseatandorderedMacLuretoturnback，declaringthathewouldbecondemnedutterlyandeternallyifheallowedhimselftobedrownedforanyperson。
\"Sitdoon！\"thunderedMacLure。\"Condemnedyewillbe，sunerorlater，ginyeshirkyirduty，butthroughthewateryegangtheday。\"
Bothmenspokemuchmorestronglyandshortly，butthisiswhattheyintendedtosay，anditwasMacLurethatprevailed。
Jesstrailedherfeetalongthegroundwithcunningart，andheldhershoulderagainstthestream;MacLureleanedforwardinhisseat，areinineachhand，andhiseyesfixedonHillocks，whowasnowstandinguptothewaistinthewater，shoutingdirectionsandcheeringonhorseanddriver：
\"Haudtaethericht，doctor;there’saholeyonder。Keepooto’’tforonysake。That’sit;yirdaein’fine。Steady，man，steady。Yiratthedeepest;sitheavyinyirseats。Upthechannelnoo，andye’illbeooto’theswirl。Weeldune，Jess！Weeldune，auldmare！Mak’straichtforme，doctor，an’a’’llgieyetheroadoot。Maword，ye’veduneyirbest，baitho’ye，thismornin’，\"criedHillocks，splashinguptothedog-cart，nowintheshallows。
\"Sall，itwestitchan’goforameenutinthemiddle;aHielan’fordisakittle（hazardous）roadinthesnaw-time，butye’resafenoo。
\"GudelucktaeyeupatWesterton，sir;nanebutaricht-heartedmanwudhaeriskittheTochtyinflood。Ye’reboondtaesucceedaiftersicagraundbeginnin’，\"forithadspreadalreadythatafamoussurgeonhadcometodohisbestforAnnie，TammasMitchell’swife。
TwohourslaterMacLurecameoutfromAnnie’sroomandlaidholdofTammas，aheapofspeechlessmiserybythekitchenfire，andcarriedhimofftothebarn，andspreadsomecornonthethreshing-floor，andthrustaflailintohishands。
\"Noowe’vetaebegin，an’we’illnobeduneforan’’oor，andye’vetaelayonwithoutstoppin’tilla’comeforye;an’a’’llshutthedoortaehaudinthenoise，an’keepyirdogbesideye，fortheremaunnabeacheepabootthehouseforAnnie’ssake。\"
\"A’’lldaeonythin’yewantme，butif——if————\"
\"A’’llcomeforye，Tammas，gintherebedanger;butwhatareyefeardforwi’theQueen’sainsurgeonhere？\"
Fiftyminutesdidtheflairriseandfall，savetwice，whenTammascrepttothedoorandlistened，thedogliftinghisheadandwhining。
Itseemedtwelvehoursinsteadofonewhenthedoorswungback，andMacLurefilledthedoorway，precededbyagreatburstoflight，forthesunhadarisenonthesnow。
Hisfacewasastidingsofgreatjoy，andElspethtoldmethattherewasnothinglikeittobeseenthatafternoonforglory，savethesunitselfintheheavens。
\"A’neversawthemarrowo’’t，Tammas，an’a’’llneverseethelikeagain;it’sa’ower，man，withootahitchfraebeginnin’taeend，andshe’sfa’in’asleepasfineasyelike。\"
\"DishethinkAnnie——’illlive？\"
\"Ofcoursehedis，andbeabootthehooseinsideamonth;that’sthegudeo’bein’aclean-bluided，weel-livin’——
\"Preserveye，man，what’swrangwi’ye？It’samercya’keppitye，orwewudhevhedanitherjobforSirGeorge。
\"Ye’rea’richtnoo;sitdoononthestrae。A’’llcomebackinawhile，an’ye’illseeAnnie，juistforameenut，butyemaunnasayaword。\"
MargettookhiminandlethimkneelbyAnnie’sbedside。
HesaidnothingthenorafterwardforspeechcameonlyonceinhislifetimetoTammas，butAnniewhispered，\"Maaindearman。\"
WhenthedoctorplacedthepreciousbagbesideSirGeorgeinoursolitaryfirstnextmorning，helaidacheckbesideitandwasabouttoleave。
\"No，no！\"saidthegreatman。\"Mrs。MacfadyenandIwereonthegossiplastnight，andIknowthewholestoryaboutyouandyourfriend。
\"Youhavesomerighttocallmeacoward，butI’llneverletyoucountmeamean，miserlyrascal，\"andthecheckwithDrumsheugh’spainfulwritingfellinfiftypiecesonthefloor。
Asthetrainbegantomove，avoicefromthefirstcalledsothatallthestationheard：
\"Give’sanothershakeofyourhand，MacLure;I’mproudtohavemetyou;yourareanhonourtoourprofession。Mindtheantisepticdressings。\"
Itwasmarket-day，butonlyJamieSoutarandHillockshadventureddown。
\"Didyehearyon，Hillocks？Hoodaeyefeel？A’’llnodenya’’mlifted。\"
Half-waytotheJunctionHillockshadrecovered，andbegantograspthesituation。
\"Tell’uswhathesaid。A’wudliketohaeitexactforDrumsheugh。\"
\"Thae’stheeedenticalwords，an’they’retrue;there’snoamaninDrumtochtydisnakenthat，exceptane。\"
\"An’wha’sthatJamie？\"
\"It’sWeelumMacLurehimsel’。Man，a’’veoftengirnedthathesudfechtawa’forusa’，andmaybedeebeforehekentthathehadgitheredmairluvethanonymanintheGlen。
\"’A’’mproodtaehaemetye，’saysSirGeorge，an’himthegreatestdoctorintheland。’Yiranhonourtaeoorprofession。’
\"Hillocks，a’wudnahaemisseditfortwentynotes，\"saidJamesSoutar，cynicinordinarytotheparishofDrumtochty。
WANDERINGWILLIE’STALE
BY
SIRWALTERSCOTT
\"Honestfolkslikeme！HowdoyekenwhetherIamhonest，orwhatI
am？Imaybethedeevilhimsellforwhatyeken，forhehaspowertocomedisguisedlikeanangeloflight;and，besides，heisaprimefiddler。HeplayedasonatatoCorelli，yeken。\"
Therewassomethingoddinthisspeech，andthetoneinwhichitwassaid。Itseemedasifmycompanionwasnotalwaysinhisconstantmind，orthathewaswillingtotryifhecouldfrightenme。Ilaughedattheextravaganceofhislanguage，however，andaskedhiminreplyifhewasfoolenoughtobelievethatthefoulfiendwouldplaysosillyamasquerade。
\"Yekenlittleaboutit——littleaboutit，\"saidtheoldman，shakinghisheadandbeard，andknittinghisbrows。\"Icouldtellyesomethingaboutthat。\"
Whathiswifementionedofhisbeingatale-telleraswellasamusiciannowoccurredtome;andas，youknow，Iliketalesofsuperstition，Ibeggedtohaveaspecimenofhistalentaswewentalong。
\"Itisverytrue，\"saidtheblindman，\"thatwhenIamtiredofscrapingthairmorsingingballantsIwhilesmakeataleservetheturnamongthecountrybodies;andIhavesomefearsomeanes，thatmaketheauldcarlinesshakeonthesettle，andthebitso’bairnsskirlontheirminniesoutfraetheirbeds。ButthisthatIamgoingtotellyouwasathingthatbefellinourainhouseinmyfather’stime——thatis，myfatherwasthenahafflinscallant;andItellittoyou，thatitmaybealessontoyouthatarebutayoungthoughtlesschap，whayedrawupwi’onalonelyroad;formucklewasthedoolandcarethatcameo’’ttomygudesire。\"
Hecommencedhistaleaccordingly，inadistinctnarrativetoneofvoice，whichheraisedanddepressedwithconsiderableskill;attimessinkingalmostintoawhisper，andturninghisclearbutsightlesseyeballsuponmyface，asifithadbeenpossibleforhimtowitnesstheimpressionwhichhisnarrativemadeuponmyfeatures。Iwillnotspareasyllableofit，althoughitbeofthelongest;soImakeadash——andbegin：
YemaunhaveheardofSirRobertRedgauntletofthatilk，wholivedinthesepartsbeforethedearyears。Thecountrywilllangmindhim;andourfathersusedtodrawbreaththickifevertheyheardhimnamed。Hewasoutwi’theHielandmeninMontrose’stime;andagainhewasinthehillswi’Glencairninthesaxteenhundredandfifty-twa;andsaewhenKingCharlestheSecondcamein，whawasinsicfavourasthelairdofRedgauntlet？HewasknightedatLononCourt，wi’theking’sainsword;
andbeingared-hotprelatist，hecamedownhere，rampauginglikealion，withcommissionoflieutenancy（andoflunacy，forwhatIken），toputdowna’theWhigsandCovenantersinthecountry。Wildwarktheymadeofit;fortheWhigswereasdourastheCavalierswerefierce，anditwaswhichshouldfirsttiretheother。Redgauntletwasayeforthestronghand;andhisnameiskendaswideinthecountryasClaverhouse’sorTamDalyell’s。Glen，nordargle，normountain，norcavecouldhidethepuirhill-folkwhenRedgauntletwasoutwithbugleandbloodhoundafterthem，asiftheyhadbeensaemonydeer。And，troth，whentheyfandthem，theydidnamakemucklemairceremonythanaHielandmanwi’aroebuck。Itwasjust，\"Willyetak’thetest？\"Ifnot——\"Makeready——present——fire！\"andtherelaytherecusant。
FarandwidewasSirRoberthatedandfeared。MenthoughthehadadirectcompactwithSatan;thathewasproofagainststeel，andthatbulletshappedaffhisbuff-coatlikehailstanesfromahearth;thathehadamearthatwouldturnahareonthesideofCarrifra-gauns（aprecipitoussideofamountaininMoffatdale）;andmuckletothesamepurpose，ofwhilkmairanon。Thebestblessingtheywaredonhimwas，\"Deilscowpwi’Redgauntlet！\"Hewasnaabadmastertohisainfolk，though，andwasweelaneughlikedbyhistenants;andasforthelackeysandtroopersthatradeoutwi’himtothepersecutions，astheWhigscaa’dthosekilling-times，theywadhaedrunkenthemsellsblindtohishealthatonytime。
NowyouaretokenthatmygudesirelivedonRedgauntlet’sgrund——theyca’theplacePrimroseKnowe。Wehadlivedonthegrund，andundertheRedgauntlets，sincetheriding-days，andlangbefore。Itwasapleasantbit;and，Ithinktheairiscallererandfreshertherethanonywhereelseinthecountry。It’sa’desertednow;andIsatonthebrokendoor-cheekthreedayssince，andwasgladIcouldnaseetheplighttheplacewasin——butthat’sa’wideo’themark。Theredweltmygudesire，SteenieSteenson;arambling，rattlingchiel’hehadbeeninhisyoungdays，andcouldplayweelonthepipes;hewasfamousat\"hoopersandgirders，\"a’Cumberlandcouldnatouchhimat\"JockieLattin，\"andhehadthefinestfingerfortheback-liltbetweenBerwickandCarlisle。
Thelikeo’SteeniewasnathesortthattheymadeWhigso’。AndsohebecameaTory，astheyca’it，whichwenowca’Jacobites，justoutofakindofneedcessity，thathemightbelangtosomesideorother。Hehadnaeill-willtotheWhigbodies，andlikedlittletoseethebluderin，though，beingobligedtofollowSirRobertinhuntingandhoisting，watchingandwarding，hesawmucklemischief，andmaybedidsomethathecouldnaavoid。
NowSteeniewasakindoffavouritewithhismaster，andkenda’thefolkaboutthecastle，andwasoftensentfortoplaythepipeswhentheywereattheirmerriment。AuldDougalMacCallum，thebutler，thathadfollowedSirRobertthroughgudeandill，thickandthin，poolandstream，wasspeciallyfondofthepipes，andayegaemygudesirehisgudewordwi’thelaird;forDougalcouldturnhismasterroundhisfinger。
Weel，roundcametheRevolution，andithadliketohaebrokentheheartsbaithofDougalandhismaster。Butthechangewasnota’thegethersaegreatastheyfearedandotherfolkthoughtfor。TheWhigsmadeanuncocrawingwhattheywaddowiththeirauldenemies，andinspecialwi’SirRobertRedgauntlet。Buttherewereower-monygreatfolksdippedinthesamedoingstomakeaspick-and-spannewwarld。SoParliamentpassedita’owereasy;andSirRobert，batingthathewasheldtohuntingfoxesinsteadofCovenanters，remainedjustthemanhewas。Hisrevelwasasloud，andhishallasweellighted，aseverithadbeen，thoughmaybehelackedthefinesofthenonconformists，thatusedtocometostockhislarderandcellar;foritiscertainhebegantobekeenerabouttherentsthanhistenantsusedtofindhimbefore，andtheybehoovedtobeprompttotherent-
day，orelsethelairdwasnapleased。Andhewassicanawsomebodythatnaebodycaredtoangerhim;fortheoathsheswore，andtheragethatheusedtogetinto，andthelooksthatheputonmademensometimesthinkhimadevilincarnate。
Weel，mygudesirewasnaemanager——nothathewasaverygreatmisguider——buthehadnathesavinggift，andhegottwaterms’rentinarrear。HegotthefirstbrashatWhitsundayputowerwi’fairwordandpiping;butwhenMartinmascametherewasasummonsfromthegrundofficertocomewi’therentonadaypreceese，orelseSteeniebehoovedtoflit。Sairwarkhehadtogetthesiller;buthewasweelfreended，andatlasthegotthehaillscrapedthegether——athousandmerks。Themaistofitwasfromaneighbourtheycaa’dLaurieLapraik——aslytod。Lauriehadwealtho’gear，couldhuntwi’thehoundandrinwi’thehare，andbeWhigorTory，sauntorsinner，asthewindstood。HewasaprofessorintheRevolutionwarld，buthelikedanorrasoughofthewarld，andatuneonthepipesweelaneughataby-
time;and，bunea’，hethoughthehadgudesecurityforthesillerhelenmygudesireowerthestockingatPrimroseKnowe。
AwaytrotsmygudesiretoRedgauntletCastlewi’aheavypurseandalightheart，gladtobeoutofthelaird’sdanger。Weel，thefirstthinghelearnedatthecastlewasthatSirRoberthadfrettedhimsellintoafitofthegoutbecausehedidnoappearbeforetwelveo’clock。
Itwasnaa’thegetherforsakeofthemoney，Dougalthought，butbecausehedidnaliketopartwi’mygudesireaffthegrund。DougalwasgladtoseeSteenie，andbroughthimintothegreatoakparlour;
andtheresatthelairdhisleesomelane，exceptingthathehadbesidehimagreat，ill-favouredjackanapethatwasaspecialpetofhis。A
cankeredbeastitwas，andmonyanill-naturedtrickitplayed;illtopleaseitwas，andeasilyangered——ranaboutthehaillcastle，chatteringandrowling，andpinchingandbitingfolk，speciallybeforeillweather，ordisturbanceinthestate。SirRobertcaa’ditMajorWeir，afterthewarlockthatwasburnt;andfewfolklikedeitherthenameortheconditionsofthecreature——theythoughttherewassomethinginitbyordinar——andmygudesirewasnotjusteasyinmindwhenthedoorshutonhim，andhesawhimsellintheroomwi’naebodybutthelaird，DougalMacCallum，andthemajor——athingthathadnachancedtohimbefore。
SirRobertsat，or，Ishouldsay，lay，inagreatarm-chair，wi’hisgrandvelvetgown，andhisfeetonacradle，forhehadbaithgoutandgravel，andhisfacelookedasgashandghastlyasSatan’s。MajorWeirsatoppositetohim，inared-lacedcoat，andthelaird’swigonhishead;andayeasSirRobertgirnedwi’pain，thejackanapegirnedtoo，likeasheep’sheadbetweenapairoftangs——anill-faur’d，fearsomecoupletheywere。Thelaird’sbuff-coatwashungonapinbehindhimandhisbroadswordandhispistolswithinreach;forhekeepituptheauldfashionofhavingtheweaponsready，andahorsesaddleddayandnight，justasheusedtodowhenhewasabletolouponhorseback，andswayafteronyofthehill-folkhecouldgetspeeringsof。SomesaiditwasforfearoftheWhigstakingvengeance，butIjudgeitwasjusthisauldcustom——hewasnaginenotfearonything。Therental-
book，wi’itsblackcoverandbrassclasps，waslyingbesidehim;andabookofsculdudderysangswasputbetwixttheleaves，tokeepitopenattheplacewhereitboreevidenceagainstthegoodmanofPrimroseKnowe，asbehindthehandwithhismailsandduties。SirRobertgavemygudesirealook，asifhewouldhavewitheredhisheartinhisbosom。Yemaunkenhehadawayofbendinghisbrowsthatmensawthevisiblemarkofahorseshoeinhisforehead，deep-dinted，asifithadbeenstampedthere。
\"Areyecomelight-handed，yesonofatoomwhistle？\"saidSirRobert。
\"Zounds！Ifyouare——\"
Mygudesire，withasgudeacountenanceashecouldputon，madealeg，andplacedthebagofmoneyonthetablewi’adash，likeamanthatdoessomethingclever。Thelairddrewittohimhastily。\"Isallhere，Steenie，man？\"
\"Yourhonourwillfinditright，\"saidmygudesire。
\"Here，Dougal，\"saidthelaird，\"gieSteenieatassofbrandy，tillI
countthesillerandwritethereceipt。\"
ButtheywerenaweeloutoftheroomwhenSirRobertgiedayellochthatgarr’dthecastlerock。BackranDougal;inflewtheliverymen;