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Updated: June 4, 2025
"Sit into the fire, Sam'l," said the farmer, not, however, making way for him. "Na, na," said Sam'l; "I'm to bide nae time." Then he sat into the fire. His face was turned away from Bell, and when she spoke he answered her without looking round. Sam'l felt a little anxious. Sanders Elshioner, who had one leg shorter than the other, but looked well when sitting, seemed suspiciously at home.
He wetted the pencil on his tongue to show that it was vain to trifle with him, and Meggy bowed her head. "It'll be through the town that I've joined," she moaned, but Tommy explained that he was there to save her. "I'm willing to come to your house," he said, "and collect the money every week, and not a soul will I tell except the committee." "Kitty Elshioner would see you coming," said Meggy.
Miss Ailie did not know what to do. "Here's Jeanie Ann's penny," Tommy continued, opening his hand, "and this is three bawbees frae Kitty Elshioner and you and me is no to tell a soul they've joined." A furtive tapping was heard at the door.
And without waiting for a reply Sholto laid the reins upon the neck of Black Darnaway and rode on southward up Douglas Water to the home nest of the lordly race. And behind him, with a wail in it, blared through the narrow streets the stormy voice of Grice Elshioner, watchman of Lanark, "Wauken ye, wauken ye, burgesses a'! The Douglas hath sent to bid ye mount and ride."
Then they shook hands for the first time in their lives, and soon afterward Sanders struck up the brae to T'nowhead. Next morning Sanders Elshioner, who had been very busy the night before, put on his Sabbath clothes and strolled up to the manse. "But but where is Sam'l?" asked the minister; "I must see himself." "It's a new arrangement," said Sanders. "What do you mean, Sanders?"
"And what for yoursel'?" she inquired. "A bawbee," he said, "the night afore the Muckley." The bargain was made, but before he could get away, "Tell me, laddie," said Meggy, coaxingly, "has Kitty Elshioner joined?" They were all as curious to know who had joined as they were anxious to keep their own membership a secret; but Tommy betrayed none, at least none who agreed to his proposal.
Here he came upon Henders Webster. "Ye're late, Sam'l," said Henders. "What for?" "Ou, I was thinkin' ye wid be gaen the length o' T'nowhead the nicht, an' I saw Sanders Elshioner makkin' 's wy there an 'oor syne." "Did ye?" cried Sam'l, adding craftily, "but it's naething to me." "Tod, lad," said Henders, "gin ye dinna buckle to, Sanders'll be carryin' her off."
"Ou, I was thinkin' ye wid be gaen the length o' T'nowhead the nicht, an' I saw Sanders Elshioner makkin's wy there an oor syne." "Did ye?" cried Sam'l, adding craftily, "but it's naething to me." "Tod, lad," said Henders, "gin ye dinna buckle to, Sanders'll be carryin' her off." Sam'l flung back his head and passed on. "Sam'l!" cried Henders after him. "Ay," said Sam'l, wheeling round.
The first half of the service had been gone through on this particular Sunday without anything remarkable happening. It was at the end of the psalm which preceded the sermon that Sanders Elshioner, who sat near the door, lowered his head until it was no higher than the pews, and in that attitude, looking almost like a four-footed animal, slipped out of the church.
"Will ye hae's Bell?" demanded Sam'l, glaring at her sheepishly. "Ay," answered Bell. Sam'l fell into a chair. "Bring's a drink o' water, Bell," he said. But Bell thought the occasion required milk, and there was none in the kitchen. She went out to the byre, still with the baby in her arms, and saw Sanders Elshioner sitting gloomily on the pigsty. "Weel, Bell," said Sanders.
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