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Updated: May 23, 2025
Whatever softness there was in the boy was at this moment called out by other people by old 'Lias and his wife; by Mr. Ancrum, the lame minister at Clough End; by the dogs; hardly ever by Louie. He had grown used, moreover, to her perpetual explosions, and took them generally with a boy's natural callousness. But to-night her woes affected him as they had never done before.
Ancrum, for instance, had come to the Clough End 'Brethren' full of an indescribable missionary zeal. He had laboured for them night and day, taxing his sickly frame far beyond its powers.
The explanation seemed a lame one. Mr. Ancrum had left Clough End in May, promising to look out for a place for the lad at once, and to let him know. Six whole months elapsed between that promise and David's own departure. Yes, it was lame; but it was so long ago, and so many things had happened since, that it did not signify.
After seeing the home and favorite haunt of Scott, we felt a wish to stand by his grave, but we had Ancrum Moor to pass before night, and the Tweed was between us and Dryburgh Abbey. We did not wish to try another watery adventure, and therefore walked on to the village of Ancrum, where a gate-keeper on the road gave us lodging and good fare, for a moderate price.
Only he did not somehow feel much effusion in meeting his old friend and playfellow again. 'Getting on, Davy? said Ancrum presently, looking the lad up and down. David made a movement of the shoulders which the minister noticed. It was both more free and more graceful than ordinary English gesture.
In a month, if the bookseller had had his way, his young rival would have been in the street, with all his connection to make over again. At the moment there was not another corner to be had, within David's means, anywhere near the centre of the town. It would have meant a completely fresh beginning, and temporary ruin. But he had gone to Ancrum.
I I believe I'm going to the music to-night. 'What, to the "Elijah," in the Free Trade Hall? Appoint me a place to meet we'll go together and you shall come home to supper with me afterwards. David flushed and looked straight before him. 'I promised to take two young ladies, he said, after a moment, abruptly. 'Oh! said Mr. Ancrum, laughing. 'I apologise. Well, Wednesday night, then.
He then made an agreement for bed, use of fire, and kitchen, with his new friends at four shillings a week, and by the end of six months he was receiving a wage of fourteen shillings as salesman and had saved close on five pounds. 'Well, now, come, how did you manage that, Davy? said Mr. Ancrum, interrupting. 'Don't run on in that fashion.
For the real companions of his heart were not Louie or the boys with whom he had joked and sparred at school; they were ideas, images, sounds, imaginations, caught from books or from the talk of old 'Lias and Mr. Ancrum. He had but to stand still a moment, as it were, to listen, and the voices and sights of another world came out before him like players on to a stage.
'She is going to-morrow, thank God! she said with a long breath; 'oh, what an awful woman! Ancrum looked at her with a little sad smile. 'Whom are you sorry for? he asked. 'Those two in there? and he nodded towards the library. 'Think again, Miss Dora. There is one face that will haunt me whenever I think of this the face of that French child. All the afternoon visitors dispersed.
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