Thus the night passed in decent temperance and a happy decorum; insomuch,
that the elders when they went away, either by the influence of the
toddy-bowl, or the Doctor's funny stories about the Englishers, declared
that he was an excellent man, and, being none lifted up, was worthy of
his rich legacy.
At supper, the party, besides the minister and Mrs. Pringle, consisted of
the two Irvine ladies, and Mr. Snodgrass. Miss Becky Glibbans came in
when it was about half over, to express her mother's sorrow at not being
able to call that night, "Mr. Craig's bairn having taken an ill turn."
The truth, however, was, that the worthy elder had been rendered somewhat
tozy by the minister's toddy, and wanted an opportunity to inform the old
lady of the joke that had been played upon him by the Doctor calling her
his jo, and to see how she would relish it. So by a little address Miss
Becky was sent out of the way, with the excuse we have noticed; at the
same time, as the night was rather sharp, it is not to be supposed that
she would have been the bearer of any such message, had her own curiosity
not enticed her.
During supper the conversation was very lively. Many "pickant jokes," as
Miss Becky described them, were cracked by the Doctor; but, soon after
the table was cleared, he touched Mr. Snodgrass on the arm, and, taking
up one of the candles, went with him to his study, where he then told
him, that Rachel Pringle, now Mrs. Sabre, had informed him of a way in
which he could do him a service. "I understand, sir," said the Doctor,
"that you have a notion of Miss Bell Tod, but that until ye get a kirk
there can be no marriage. But the auld horse may die waiting for the new
grass; and, therefore, as the Lord has put it in my power to do a good
action both to you and my people,--whom I am glad to hear you have
pleased so well,--if it can be brought about that you could be made
helper and successor, I'll no object to give up to you the whole stipend,
and, by and by, maybe the manse to the bargain. But that is if you marry
Miss Bell; for it was a promise that Rachel gar't me make to her on her
wedding morning. Ye know she was a forcasting lassie, and, I have reason
to believe, has said nothing anent this to Miss Bell herself; so that if
you have no partiality for Miss Bell, things will just rest on their own
footing; but if you have a notion, it must be a satisfaction to you to
know this, as it will be a pleasure to me to carry it as soon as possible
into effect."