"I am shamefully ill-tempered, uncle. I am afraid I am growing bad, and I
cannot make up my mind to get any more good from Dr. MacDonald. When
ministers want to snub women, they always quote St. Paul. Now, I do not
believe any wrong of St. Paul. I have an idea that he was a perfect
gentleman, and rather polite to our sex."
"They quote his own words, my dear."
"They quote, as they have transposed and transformed them. I think if a
woman had translated that particular passage, it might have been less
pleasant for Dr. MacDonald to quote."
"Nevermind Dr. MacDonald to-night, dearie. Sing us a few words of Robert
Burns. It would be an ill heart that could not get cheery in his company.
I bought the bonniest likeness of him yesterday. What a handsome lad he
was!"
"I always fancy he must have looked like Joseph. The Talmud says all the
women in Egypt loved Joseph. I am sure everybody, young and old, make
their hearts over to Robert Burns.
There was a lad was born in Kyle,
But whatnaday, o' whatna style,
I doubt its hardly worth our while
To be sae nice wi' Robin.
For Robin was a
rovin boy, A rantin', rovin', rantin', rovin',
Robin was a rovin' boy, O ran-tin', rov-in', Robin!
Our monarch's hindmost year but ane
Was five and twenty days began;
'Twas then a blast o' Januar' win'
Blew hansel in on Robin.
For Robin was, etc.
The gossip keekit in his loof,
Quo' she, wha lives will see the proof,
This waly boy will be nae coof;
I think we'll ca' him Robin.
For Robin was, etc.
He'll hae misfortunes great and sma',
But aye a heart aboon them a',
He'll be a credit till us a'
We'll a' be proud o' Robin.
For Robin was, etc."
Half an hour's song put both in cheerful temper, and when Mary said, "Now,
uncle, we must stop, because I want to take the first boat to-morrow," the
dear old man went gayly off, singing:
"Then up in the morning's no' for me,
Up in the morning early;
I'd rather gang supper-less to my bed,
Than rise in the morning early.
"Up in the morning's no' for me,
Up in the morning early,
I'd rather gang supperless to my bed,
Than rise in the morning early,"
and he was as proud and pleased with the apropos quotation, as if he had
written it himself.
John Campbell's city house was one of the handsomest of the many handsome
mansions in Blytheswood Square; and there the principal treasures of his
home life were gathered: silver, paintings, furniture, books, as well as
the mementoes which had come to him from past generations. He had expected
Allan to spend the winter at home, and made many extensive changes in view
of the company which the young people would probably desire. When Mary
entered the house, she turned a face of astonishment and delight upon her
uncle. Everywhere the utmost richness and luxury of appointment were
manifest, and over her piano hung the painting of the beaming Robert
Burns, for which Campbell had just paid £500. He had intended to surprise
his niece, and he had his full measure of thanks in her unaffected
pleasure. It was a happy home-coming, and as they sat together that night,
Mary tried to inspire the father's heart with her own hopes in regard to
Allan's future.