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diff --git a/old/orig9320-h/p3.htm b/old/orig9320-h/p3.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4dc7848 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/orig9320-h/p3.htm @@ -0,0 +1,711 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>A DOCTOR OF THE OLD SCHOOL, Part 3.</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {margin:15%; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; text-align: center; } + img {border: 0;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; } + .figleft {float: left;} + .figright {float: right;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + PRE { font-family: Times; font-size: 97%; margin-left: 15%;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + +<h1>Part 3</h1> + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="9320-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> +<br><br> + + + +<center> +<h1>A DOCTOR OF THE OLD SCHOOL</h1> + +<h2>by Ian Maclaren</h2> +<a name="Frontispiece"></a> + +<a href="images/Frontispiece.png"><img alt="Frontispiece.jpg (87K)" src="images/Frontispiece.jpg" height="693" width="598"></a> + +<a href="images/001.png"><img alt="001.jpg (155K)" src="images/001.jpg" height="817" width="503"></a> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<br><br> + +<center> +<h1> +Part 3. + +<br><br> +A FIGHT WITH DEATH.</h1> +</center> +<br><br><br><br> + +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +[A click on the face of any illustration <br> +will enlarge it to full size.]<br><br> + +<a href="#Frontispiece">DR. MacLURE</a><br> +<a href="#078">BOOK III. A FIGHT WITH DEATH</a><br> +<a href="#080">Gave Way Utterly</a><br> +<a href="#082">Fillin' His Lungs for Five and Thirty Year wi' Strong Drumtochty Air</a><br> +<a href="#085">Bell Leant Over the Bed</a><br> +<a href="#088">A Large Tub</a><br> +<a href="#091">The Lighted Window in Saunder's Cottage</a><br> +<a href="#094">A Clenched Fist Resting on the Bed</a><br> +<a href="#097">The Doctor was Attempting the Highland Fling</a><br> +<a href="#098">Sleepin' on the Top o' Her Bed</a><br> +<a href="#100">A' Prayed Last Nicht</a><br> +<a href="#102">I've a Cold in My Head To-night</a><br> +<a href="#106">Jess Bolted without Delay</a><br> + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + +<br><br><br><br> + +<h2> +PREFACE</h2> + +<p>It is with great good will that I write this short preface to the +edition of "A Doctor of the Old School" (which has been illustrated by +Mr. Gordon after an admirable and understanding fashion) because there +are two things that I should like to say to my readers, being also my +friends.</p> + +<p>One, is to answer a question that has been often and fairly asked. Was +there ever any doctor so self-forgetful and so utterly Christian as +William MacLure? To which I am proud to reply, on my conscience: Not one +man, but many in Scotland and in the South country. I will dare prophecy +also across the sea.</p> + +<p>It has been one man's good fortune to know four country doctors, not one +of whom was without his faults—Weelum was not perfect—but who, each +one, might have sat for my hero. Three are now resting from their +labors, and the fourth, if he ever should see these lines, would never +identify himself.</p> + +<p>Then I desire to thank my readers, and chiefly the medical profession +for the reception given to the Doctor of Drumtochty.</p> + +<p>For many years I have desired to pay some tribute to a class whose +service to the community was known to every countryman, but after the +tale had gone forth my heart failed. For it might have been despised +for the little grace of letters in the style and because of the outward +roughness of the man. But neither his biographer nor his circumstances +have been able to obscure MacLure who has himself won all honest hearts, +and received afresh the recognition of his more distinguished brethren. +From all parts of the English-speaking world letters have come in +commendation of Weelum MacLure, and many were from doctors who had +received new courage. It is surely more honor than a new writer could +ever have deserved to receive the approbation of a profession whose +charity puts us all to shame.</p> + +<p>May I take this first opportunity to declare how deeply my heart has +been touched by the favor shown to a simple book by the American people, +and to express my hope that one day it may be given me to see you face +to face.</p> + +<p>IAN MACLAREN. Liverpool, Oct. 4, 1895.</p> + +<br><br> + +<br><br><br><br> + +<br><br> + +<a name="III"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<h1> +A FIGHT WITH DEATH.</h1> +</center> + + + +<a name="078"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/078.png"><img alt="078.jpg (67K)" src="images/078.jpg" height="564" width="530"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p> +When Drumsheugh's grieve was brought to the gates of death by fever, +caught, as was supposed, on an adventurous visit to Glasgow, the London +doctor at Lord Kilspindie's shooting lodge looked in on his way from the +moor, and declared it impossible for Saunders to live through the night.</p> + +<p>"I give him six hours, more or less; it is only a question of time," +said the oracle, buttoning his gloves and getting into the brake; +"tell your parish doctor that I was sorry not to have met him."</p> + +<p>Bell heard this verdict from behind the door, and gave way utterly, +but Drumsheugh declined to accept it as final, and devoted himself to +consolation.</p> + +<p>"Dinna greet like that, Bell wumman, sae lang as Saunders is still +living'; a'll never give up houp, for ma pairt, till oor ain man says +the word.</p> + +<p>"A' the doctors in the land dinna ken as muckle aboot us as Weelum +MacLure, an' he's ill tae beat when he's trying tae save a man's life."</p> + +<p>MacLure, on his coming, would say nothing, either weal or woe, till he +had examined Saunders. Suddenly his face turned into iron before their +eyes, and he looked like one encountering a merciless foe. For there was +a feud between MacLure and a certain mighty power which had lasted for +forty years in Drumtochty.</p> + + +<a name="080"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/080.png"><img alt="080.jpg (86K)" src="images/080.jpg" height="608" width="484"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"The London doctor said that Saunders wud sough awa afore mornin', did +he? Weel, he's an authority on fevers an' sic like diseases, an' ought +tae ken.</p> + +<p>"It's may be presumptous o' me tae differ frae him, and it wudna be +verra respectfu' o' Saunders tae live aifter this opeenion. But Saunders +wes awe thraun an' ill tae drive, an' he's as like as no tae gang his +own gait.</p> + +<p>"A'm no meanin' tae reflect on sae clever a man, but he didna ken the +seetuation. He can read fevers like a buik, but he never cam across sic +a thing as the Drumtochty constitution a' his days.</p> + +<p>"Ye see, when onybody gets as low as puir Saunders here, it's juist +a hand to hand wrastle atween the fever and his constitution, an' of +coorse, if he had been a shilpit, stuntit, feckless effeegy o' a cratur, +fed on tea an' made dishes and pushioned wi' bad air, Saunders wud hae +nae chance; he wes boond tae gae oot like the snuff o' a candle.</p> + + + +<a name="082"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/082.png"><img alt="082.jpg (76K)" src="images/082.jpg" height="608" width="451"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"But Saunders hes been fillin' his lungs for five and thirty year wi' +strong Drumtochty air, an' eatin' naethin' but kirny aitmeal, and +drinkin' naethin' but fresh milk frae the coo, an' followin' the ploo +through the new-turned sweet-smellin' earth, an' swingin' the scythe in +haytime and harvest, till the legs an' airms o' him were iron, an' his +chest wes like the cuttin' o' an oak tree.</p> + +<p>"He's a waesome sicht the nicht, but Saunders wes a buirdly man aince, +and wull never lat his life be taken lichtly frae him. Na, na, he hesna +sinned against Nature, and Nature 'ill stand by him noo in his oor o' +distress.</p> + +<p>"A' daurna say yea, Bell, muckle as a' wud like, for this is an evil +disease, cunnin, an' treacherous as the deevil himsel', but a' winna say +nay, sae keep yir hert frae despair.</p> + +<p>"It wull be a sair fecht, but it 'ill be settled one wy or anither by +sax o'clock the morn's morn. Nae man can prophecee hoo it 'ill end, but +ae thing is certain, a'll no see deith tak a Drumtochty man afore his +time if a' can help it.</p> + +<p>"Noo, Bell ma wumman, yir near deid wi' tire, an' nae wonder. Ye've dune +a' ye cud for yir man, an' ye'll lippen (trust) him the nicht tae +Drumsheugh an' me; we 'ill no fail him or you.</p> + +<p>"Lie doon an' rest, an' if it be the wull o' the Almichty a'll wauken ye +in the mornin' tae see a livin' conscious man, an' if it be ither-wise +a'll come for ye the suner, Bell," and the big red hand went out to the +anxious wife. "A' gie ye ma word."</p> + +<p>Bell leant over the bed, and at the sight of Saunders' face a +superstitious dread seized her.</p> + +<p>"See, doctor, the shadow of deith is on him that never lifts. A've seen +it afore, on ma father an' mither. A' canna leave him, a' canna leave +him."</p> + + + +<a name="085"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/085.png"><img alt="085.jpg (100K)" src="images/085.jpg" height="704" width="474"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"It's hoverin', Bell, but it hesna fallen; please God it never wull. +Gang but and get some sleep, for it's time we were at oor work.</p> + +<p>"The doctors in the toons hae nurses an' a' kinds o' handy apparatus," +said MacLure to Drumsheugh when Bell had gone, "but you an' me 'ill need +tae be nurse the nicht, an' use sic things as we hev.</p> + +<p>"It 'ill be a lang nicht and anxious wark, but a' wud raither hae ye, +auld freend, wi' me than ony man in the Glen. Ye're no feared tae gie a +hand?"</p> + +<p>"Me feared? No, likely. Man, Saunders cam tae me a haflin, and hes been +on Drumsheugh for twenty years, an' though he be a dour chiel, he's a +faithfu' servant as ever lived. It's waesome tae see him lyin' there +moanin' like some dumb animal frae mornin' tae nicht, an' no able tae +answer his ain wife when she speaks.</p> + +<p>"Div ye think, Weelum, he hes a chance?"</p> + +<p>"That he hes, at ony rate, and it 'ill no be your blame or mine if he +hesna mair."</p> + +<p>While he was speaking, MacLure took off his coat and waistcoat and hung +them on the back of the door. Then he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt +and laid bare two arms that were nothing but bone and muscle.</p> + +<p>"It gar'd ma very blood rin faster tae the end of ma fingers juist tae +look at him," Drumsheugh expatiated afterwards to Hillocks, "for a' saw +noo that there was tae be a stand-up fecht atween him an' deith for +Saunders, and when a' thocht o' Bell an' her bairns, a' kent wha wud +win.</p> + +<p>"'Aff wi' yir coat, Drumsheugh,' said MacLure; 'ye 'ill need tae bend +yir back the nicht; gither a' the pails in the hoose and fill them at +the spring, an' a'll come doon tae help ye wi' the carryin'.'"</p> + +<p>It was a wonderful ascent up the steep pathway from the spring to the +cottage on its little knoll, the two men in single file, bareheaded, +silent, solemn, each with a pail of water in either hand, MacLure +limping painfully in front, Drumsheugh blowing behind; and when they +laid down their burden in the sick room, where the bits of furniture had +been put to a side and a large tub held the centre, Drumsheugh looked +curiously at the doctor.</p> + + + +<a name="088"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/088.png"><img alt="088.jpg (70K)" src="images/088.jpg" height="462" width="529"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"No, a'm no daft; ye needna be feared; but yir tae get yir first lesson +in medicine the nicht, an' if we win the battle ye can set up for yersel +in the Glen.</p> + +<p>"There's twa dangers—that Saunders' strength fails, an' that the force +o' the fever grows; and we have juist twa weapons.</p> + +<p>"Yon milk on the drawers' head an' the bottle of whisky is tae keep up +the strength, and this cool caller water is tae keep doon the fever. </p> + +<p>"We 'ill cast oot the fever by the virtue o' the earth an' the water."</p> + +<p>"Div ye mean tae pit Saunders in the tub?"</p> + +<p>"Ye hiv it noo, Drumsheugh, and that's hoo a' need yir help."</p> + +<p>"Man, Hillocks," Drumsheugh used to moralize, as often as he remembered +that critical night, "it wes humblin' tae see hoo low sickness can bring +a pooerfu' man, an' ocht tae keep us frae pride."</p> + +<p>"A month syne there wesna a stronger man in the Glen than Saunders, an' +noo he wes juist a bundle o' skin and bone, that naither saw nor heard, +nor moved nor felt, that kent naethin' that was dune tae him.</p> + +<p>"Hillocks, a' wudna hae wished ony man tae hev seen Saunders—for it +wull never pass frae before ma een as long as a' live—but a' wish a' +the Glen hed stude by MacLure kneelin' on the floor wi' his sleeves up +tae his oxters and waitin' on Saunders.</p> + +<p>"Yon big man wes as pitifu' an' gentle as a wumman, and when he laid the +puir fallow in his bed again, he happit him ower as a mither dis her +bairn."</p> + +<p>Thrice it was done, Drumsheugh ever bringing up colder water from the +spring, and twice MacLure was silent; but after the third time there was +a gleam in his eye.</p> + +<p>"We're haudin' oor ain; we're no bein' maistered, at ony rate; mair a' +canna say for three oors.</p> + +<p>"We 'ill no need the water again, Drumsheugh; gae oot and tak a breath +o' air; a'm on gaird masel."</p> + +<p>It was the hour before daybreak, and Drumsheugh wandered through fields +he had trodden since childhood. The cattle lay sleeping in the pastures; +their shadowy forms, with a patch of whiteness here and there, having a +weird suggestion of death. He heard the burn running over the stones; +fifty years ago he had made a dam that lasted till winter. The hooting +of an owl made him start; one had frightened him as a boy so that he ran +home to his mother—she died thirty years ago. The smell of ripe corn +filled the air; it would soon be cut and garnered. He could see the dim +outlines of his house, all dark and cold; no one he loved was beneath +the roof. The lighted window in Saunders' cottage told where a man hung +between life and death, but love was in that home. The futility of life +arose before this lonely man, and overcame his heart with an +indescribable sadness. What a vanity was all human labour, what a +mystery all human life.</p> + + +<a name="091"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/091.png"><img alt="091.jpg (50K)" src="images/091.jpg" height="263" width="472"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>But while he stood, subtle change came over the night, and the air +trembled round him as if one had whispered. Drumsheugh lifted his head +and looked eastwards. A faint grey stole over the distant horizon, and +suddenly a cloud reddened before his eyes. The sun was not in sight, but +was rising, and sending forerunners before his face. The cattle began +to stir, a blackbird burst into song, and before Drumsheugh crossed the +threshold of Saunders' house, the first ray of the sun had broken on a +peak of the Grampians.</p> + +<p>MacLure left the bedside, and as the light of the candle fell on +the doctor's face, Drumsheugh could see that it was going well with +Saunders.</p> + +<p>"He's nae waur; an' it's half six noo; it's ower sune tae say mair, but +a'm houpin' for the best. Sit doon and take a sleep, for ye're needin' +'t, Drumsheugh, an', man, ye hae worked for it."</p> + +<p>As he dozed off, the last thing Drumsheugh saw was the doctor sitting +erect in his chair, a clenched fist resting on the bed, and his eyes +already bright with the vision of victory.</p> + +<p>He awoke with a start to find the room flooded with the morning +sunshine, and every trace of last night's work removed.</p> + +<p>The doctor was bending over the bed, and speaking to Saunders.</p> + +<p>"It's me, Saunders, Doctor MacLure, ye ken; dinna try tae speak or move; +juist let this drap milk slip ower—ye 'ill be needin' yir breakfast, +lad—and gang tae sleep again."</p> + + + +<a name="094"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/094.png"><img alt="094.jpg (96K)" src="images/094.jpg" height="757" width="456"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>Five minutes, and Saunders had fallen into a deep, healthy sleep, all +tossing and moaning come to an end. Then MacLure stepped softly across +the floor, picked up his coat and waistcoat, and went out at the door. +Drumsheugh arose and followed him without a word. They passed through +the little garden, sparkling with dew, and beside the byre, where Hawkie +rattled her chain, impatient for Bell's coming, and by Saunders' little +strip of corn ready for the scythe, till they reached an open field. +There they came to a halt, and Doctor MacLure for once allowed himself +to go.</p> + +<p>His coat he flung east and his waistcoat west, as far as he could hurl +them, and it was plain he would have shouted had he been a complete mile +from Saunders' room. Any less distance was useless for the adequate +expression. He struck Drumsheugh a mighty blow that well-nigh levelled +that substantial man in the dust and then the doctor of Drumtochty +issued his bulletin.</p> + +<p>"Saunders wesna tae live through the nicht, but he's livin' this meenut, +an' like to live.</p> + +<p>"He's got by the warst clean and fair, and wi' him that's as good as +cure.</p> + +<p>"It' ill be a graund waukenin' for Bell; she 'ill no be a weedow yet, +nor the bairnies fatherless.</p> + +<p>"There's nae use glowerin' at me, Drumsheugh, for a body's daft at a +time, an' a' canna contain masel' and a'm no gaein' tae try."</p> + +<p>Then it dawned on Drumsheugh that the doctor was attempting the Highland +fling.</p> + +<p>"He's 'ill made tae begin wi'," Drumsheugh explained in the kirkyard +next Sabbath, "and ye ken he's been terrible mishannelled by accidents, +sae ye may think what like it wes, but, as sure as deith, o' a' the +Hielan flings a' ever saw yon wes the bonniest.</p> + +<p>"A' hevna shaken ma ain legs for thirty years, but a' confess tae a turn +masel. Ye may lauch an' ye like, neeburs, but the thocht o' Bell an' +the news that wes waitin' her got the better o' me."</p> + + + +<a name="097"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/097.png"><img alt="097.jpg (57K)" src="images/097.jpg" height="712" width="366"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>Drumtochty did not laugh. Drumtochty looked as if it could have done +quite otherwise for joy.</p> + +<p>"A' wud hae made a third gin a hed been there," announced Hillocks, +aggressively.</p> + + + +<a name="098"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/098.png"><img alt="098.jpg (37K)" src="images/098.jpg" height="273" width="483"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"Come on, Drumsheugh," said Jamie Soutar, "gie's the end o't; it wes a +michty mornin'."</p> + +<p>"'We're twa auld fules,' says MacLure tae me, and he gaithers up his +claithes. 'It wud set us better tae be tellin' Bell.'</p> + +<p>"She wes sleepin' on the top o' her bed wrapped in a plaid, fair worn +oot wi' three weeks' nursin' o' Saunders, but at the first touch she was +oot upon the floor.</p> + +<p>"'Is Saunders deein', doctor?' she cries. 'Ye promised tae wauken me; +dinna tell me it's a' ower.'</p> + +<p>"'There's nae deein' aboot him, Bell; ye're no tae lose yir man this +time, sae far as a' can see. Come ben an' jidge for yersel'.'</p> + +<p>"Bell lookit at Saunders, and the tears of joy fell on the bed like +rain.</p> + +<p>"'The shadow's lifted,' she said; 'he's come back frae the mooth o' the +tomb.</p> + +<p>"'A' prayed last nicht that the Lord wud leave Saunders till the laddies +cud dae for themselves, an' thae words came intae ma mind, 'Weepin' may +endure for a nicht, but joy cometh in the mornin'."</p> + +<p>"'The Lord heard ma prayer, and joy hes come in the mornin',' an' she +gripped the doctor's hand.</p> + + + +<a name="100"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/100.png"><img alt="100.jpg (63K)" src="images/100.jpg" height="474" width="432"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"'Ye've been the instrument, Doctor MacLure. Ye wudna gie him up, and ye +did what nae ither cud for him, an' a've ma man the day, and the bairns +hae their father.'</p> + +<p>"An' afore MacLure kent what she was daein', Bell lifted his hand to her +lips an' kissed it."</p> + +<p>"Did she, though?" cried Jamie. "Wha wud hae thocht there wes as muckle +spunk in Bell?"</p> + +<p>"MacLure, of coorse, was clean scandalized," continued Drumsheugh, "an' +pooed awa his hand as if it hed been burned.</p> + +<p>"Nae man can thole that kind o' fraikin', and a' never heard o' sic +a thing in the parish, but we maun excuse Bell, neeburs; it wes an +occasion by ordinar," and Drumsheugh made Bell's apology to Drumtochty +for such an excess of feeling.</p> + +<p>"A' see naethin' tae excuse," insisted Jamie, who was in great fettle +that Sabbath; "the doctor hes never been burdened wi' fees, and a'm +judgin' he coonted a wumman's gratitude that he saved frae weedowhood +the best he ever got."</p> + + + +<a name="102"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/102.png"><img alt="102.jpg (90K)" src="images/102.jpg" height="725" width="356"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"A' gaed up tae the Manse last nicht," concluded Drumsheugh, "and telt +the minister hoo the doctor focht aucht oors for Saunders' life, an' +won, and ye never saw a man sae carried. He walkit up and doon the room +a' the time, and every other meenut he blew his nose like a trumpet.</p> + +<p>"'I've a cold in my head to-night, Drumsheugh,' says he; 'never mind +me.'"</p> + +<p>"A've hed the same masel in sic circumstances; they come on sudden," +said Jamie.</p> + +<p>"A' wager there 'ill be a new bit in the laist prayer the day, an' +somethin' worth hearin'."</p> + +<p>And the fathers went into kirk in great expectation.</p> + +<p>"We beseech Thee for such as be sick, that Thy hand may be on them for +good, and that Thou wouldst restore them again to health and strength," +was the familiar petition of every Sabbath.</p> + +<p>The congregation waited in a silence that might be heard, and were not +disappointed that morning, for the minister continued:</p> + +<p>"Especially we tender Thee hearty thanks that Thou didst spare Thy +servant who was brought down into the dust of death, and hast given him +back to his wife and children, and unto that end didst wonderfully bless +the skill of him who goes out and in amongst us, the beloved physician +of this parish and adjacent districts."</p> + +<p>"Didna a' tell ye, neeburs?" said Jamie, as they stood at the kirkyard +gate before dispersing; "there's no a man in the coonty cud hae dune +it better. 'Beloved physician,' an' his 'skill,' tae, an' bringing in +'adjacent districts'; that's Glen Urtach; it wes handsome, and the +doctor earned it, ay, every word.</p> + +<p>"It's an awfu' peety he didna hear you; but dear knows whar he is the +day, maist likely up—"</p> + +<p>Jamie stopped suddenly at the sound of a horse's feet, and there, coming +down the avenue of beech trees that made a long vista from the kirk +gate, they saw the doctor and Jess.</p> + +<p>One thought flashed through the minds of the fathers of the +commonwealth.</p> + +<p>It ought to be done as he passed, and it would be done if it were not +Sabbath. Of course it was out of the question on Sabbath.</p> + +<p>The doctor is now distinctly visible, riding after his fashion.</p> + +<p>There was never such a chance, if it were only Saturday; and each man +reads his own regret in his neighbor's face.</p> + +<p>The doctor is nearing them rapidly; they can imagine the shepherd's +tartan.</p> + +<p>Sabbath or no Sabbath, the Glen cannot let him pass without some tribute +of their pride.</p> + +<p>Jess had recognized friends, and the doctor is drawing rein.</p> + +<p>"It hes tae be dune," said Jamie desperately, "say what ye like." +Then they all looked towards him, and Jamie led.</p> + + + +<a name="106"></a> +<br><br> +<center> +<a href="images/106.png"><img alt="106.jpg (71K)" src="images/106.jpg" height="503" width="474"></a> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<p>"Hurrah," swinging his Sabbath hat in the air, "hurrah," and once more, +"hurrah," Whinnie Knowe, Drumsheugh, and Hillocks joining lustily, but +Tammas Mitchell carrying all before him, for he had found at last an +expression for his feelings that rendered speech unnecessary.</p> + +<p>It was a solitary experience for horse and rider, and Jess bolted +without delay. But the sound followed and surrounded them, and as they +passed the corner of the kirkyard, a figure waved his college cap over +the wall and gave a cheer on his own account.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, doctor, and well done."</p> + +<p>"If it isna the minister," cried Drumsheugh, "in his goon an' bans, tae +think o' that; but a' respeck him for it."</p> + +<p>Then Drumtochty became self-conscious, and went home in confusion of +face and unbroken silence, except Jamie Soutar, who faced his neighbors +at the parting of the ways without shame.</p> + +<p>"A' wud dae it a' ower again if a' hed the chance; he got naethin' but +his due." It was two miles before Jess composed her mind, and the doctor +and she could discuss it quietly together.</p> + +<p>"A' can hardly believe ma ears, Jess, an' the Sabbath tae; their verra +jidgment hes gane frae the fouk o' Drumtochty.</p> + +<p>"They've heard about Saunders, a'm thinkin', wumman, and they're pleased +we brocht him roond; he's fairly on the mend, ye ken, noo.</p> + +<p>"A' never expeckit the like o' this, though, and it wes juist a wee +thingie mair than a' cud hae stude.</p> + +<p>"Ye hev yir share in't tae, lass; we've hed mony a hard nicht and day +thegither, an' yon wes oor reward. No mony men in this warld 'ill ever +get a better, for it cam frae the hert o' honest fouk."</p> + + +<br><br> + + + +<center> +<table summary="" cellPadding=4 border=3> +<tr><td> + <a href="p2.htm">Previous Part</a> +</td><td> + <a href="9320-h.htm">Main Index</a> +</td><td> + <a href="p4.htm">Next Part</a> + </td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +</body> +</html> + + |