XV. Hallowmass

           Illnewstravelsfast,andbynoonnextdaywordofthecomplaintagainsttheirminister,ofMr.Muirhead’ssuspensionofhimfromthepulpit,andofDavid’sdefiancewasinthemouthofeveryparishionerinWoodilee.Davidwasawareofcuriouseyesfollowinghimashewentabouttheplace,andofanewconstraintonthepartofmostofhisKirkSession.PeterPennecuikfledhisapproach,andcouldbeseenhobblingintothenearestkailyard,whileMirehope,whenhemethim,gavehimgreetingwithavertedface.Buthenoted,too,acertainsympathyinothers.Women,whohadformerlyavoidedhim,hadnowafriendlyword,especiallytheyoungones,andAlisonGeddie--whosenamehadappearedinhischarge--wasoverheard,ashepassed,tocommentinherpea-henvoicetohergossip:"Peetyforsaewise-likealad,andhimayewiththekindwordandtheopenhandtopuirfolk."

           Isobel,whosefacewasnowalwaysheavywithunspokennews,hekeptatadistance,forinthesedayshewastryingtomakepeacewithhissoul.Bydayandbynight,onthehillsandinhiscloset,heexaminedhimselftofindinhisconsciencecauseofoffence.Hewentovereverystepinhispastcourseandcoulddiscovernootherwaythanthathehadfollowed.Hecouldnotseematterforblameinanactofcommoncharity,thoughOldTestamentprecedentsmightbequotedagainstit;norcouldheblamehimselfforhiswaragainstthethingsoftheWood.IfhereadhisdutymorebythedispensationofChristthanofMoses,itwasChristwhomhehadbeenordainedtopreach....OfKatrinehescarcelysufferedhimselftothink.