The Doctor, in the meantime, had entered into conversation with the
gentlemen, and was inquiring, in the most particular manner, respecting
all his parishioners, and expressing his surprise that Mr. Craig had not
been at the manse with the rest of the elders. "It does not look well,"
said the Doctor. Mr. Daff, however, offered the best apology for his
absence that could be made. "He has had a gentle dispensation, sir--Mrs.
Craig has won awa' out of this sinful world, poor woman, she had a large
experience o't; but the bairns to the fore, and Mrs. Glibbans, that has
such a cast of grace, has ta'en charge of the house since before the
interment. It's thought, considering what's by gane, Mr. Craig may do
waur than make her mistress, and I hope, sir, your exhortation will no be
wanting to egg the honest man to think o't seriously."
Mr. Snodgrass, before delivering the household keys, ordered two bottles
of wine, with glasses and biscuit, to be set upon the table, while Mrs.
Pringle produced from a paper package, that had helped to stuff one of
the pockets of the carriage, a piece of rich plum-cake, brought all the
way from a confectioner's in Cockspur Street, London, not only for the
purpose of being eaten, but, as she said, to let Miss Nanny Eydent pree,
in order to direct the Irvine bakers how to bake others like it.
Tea was then brought in; and, as it was making, the Doctor talked aside
to the elders, while Mrs. Pringle recounted to Miss Mally and Miss
Isabella the different incidents of her adventures subsequent to the
marriage of Miss Rachel.
"The young folk," said she, "having gone to Brighton, we followed them in
a few days, for we were told it was a curiosity, and that the king has a
palace there, just a warld's wonder! and, truly, Miss Mally, it is
certainly not like a house for a creature of this world, but for some
Grand Turk or Chinaman. The Doctor said, it put him in mind of Miss
Jenny Macbride's sideboard in the Stockwell of Glasgow; where all the
pepper-boxes, poories, and teapots, punch-bowls, and china-candlesticks
of her progenitors are set out for a show, that tells her visitors, they
are but seldom put to use. As for the town of Brighton, it's what I
would call a gawky piece of London. I could see nothing in it but a
wheen idlers, hearing twa lads, at night, crying, "Five, six, seven for a
shilling," in the booksellers' shops, with a play-actor lady singing in a
corner, because her voice would not do for the players' stage.
Therefore, having seen the Captain and Mrs. Sabre off to France, we came
home to London; but it's not to be told what we had to pay at the hotel
where we staid in Brighton. Howsomever, having come back to London, we
settled our counts,--and, buying a few necessars, we prepared for
Scotland,--and here we are. But travelling has surely a fine effect in
enlarging the understanding; for both the Doctor and me thought, as we
came along, that everything had a smaller and poorer look than when we
went away; and I dinna think this room is just what it used to be. What
think ye o't, Miss Isabella? How would ye like to spend your days in't?"