XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins

           NextdayDavidreturnedtothemanseintimeforthenoontidemeal.HewasgreetedbyIsobelwithahospitablebustle,inwhichwasapparentacertainrelief.ShehadknownoftheLammasfestival;sheguessed,nodoubt,thatDavidtoowasawareofit,andsheevidentlytookhisvisittoNewbigginasasignthathehadatlasttakenherprudentcounsel.Butfromhermastershegotnoresponse.WhenquestionedastothewelfareofhiskinatNewbigginheansweredincivilmonosyllables,atehisdinnerinsilence,andthereaftersecludedhimselfinhisstudy.

           ThateveninghewalkedtotheGreenshiel,whereReiverslawandPrenticemethim.Theformerwasinanexcitedstateandhadclearlybeendrinking--tothescandalofthetwoshepherds,whoworeportentousfaces.RichieSmailhadtheairofanhonestmancompelledtowalkinabhorredpaths;hehadbeenreadinghisBiblebeforetheirarrival,andsatwithafingerintheleaves,sayingnothing,butnowandthenliftingpuzzledeyestohismaster.Prentice’shardjawwasset,andheswunghiscrutchasifithadbeenapikestaff.

           "WewereatChasehopebyelevenhoursthismornin’,"Reiverslawannounced."ItookRichieandRab,asIforewarnedEphraim,tohavealookathisnewtups.ButIneednatellyoutherewasnaewordofEphraim.Thewifesaidhewasawa’toKirkAller,butshewaslikeahenonahetgirdlea’thetime,andIthinkwewadhaefoundhimifwehadripitthepress-beds.Ifhewaslurkingtherehemaunhaegottenasairfricht,forIspak’thatloudyecouldhaeheardmeonthetapo’Chasehopehill.