CHAPTER V

A WARLIKE CHAPTER, CULMINATING IN THE
FLOUTING OF THE MINISTER BY THE WOMAN

ss R. DISHART !”
Jean had clutched at Gavin in Bank

Street. Her hair was streaming, and her wrapper
but half buttoned.

“Oh, Mr. Dishart, look at the mistress! I
couldna keep her in the manse.”

Gavin saw his mother beside him, bareheaded,
trembling.

as How could I sit. still, Gavin, and the town
full o’ the skirls of women and bairns? Oh,
Gavin, what can I do for them? They will
suffer most this night.”

As Gavin took her hand he knew that Mar-
garet felt for the people more than he.

“But you must go home, mother,” he said,
“and leave me to do my duty. I will take you
myself if you will not go with Jean. Be careful
of her, Jean.”

“ Ay, will I,” Jean answered, then burst into
tears. ‘Mr. Dishart,” she cried, “if they take
my father they’d best take my mither, too.”

The two women went back to the manse, where
Jean re-lit the fire, having nothing else to do,
and boiled the kettle, while Margaret wandered
in anguish from room to room.

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