CHAPTER Vil

INTRUSION OF HAGGART INTO THESE PAGES
AGAINST THE AUTHOR’S WISH

ARGARET having heard the doctor say

that one may catch cold in the back, had

decided instantly to line Gavin’s waistcoat with

flannel. She was thus engaged, with pins in her

mouth, and the scissors hiding from her every

time she wanted them, when Jean, red and flur-
ried, abruptly entered the room.

“There! I forgot to knock at the door again,”
Jean exclaimed, pausing contritely.

“ Never mind. Is it Rob Dow wanting the
minister? ’’ asked Margaret, who had seen Rob
pass the manse dyke.

“Na, he wasna wanting to see the minister.”

“Ah, then, he came to see you, Jean,” said
Margaret, archly.

“‘ A widow man!” cried Jean, tossing her head.
“But Rob Dow was in no condition to be friendly
wi’ onybody the now.”

“¢ Jean, you don’t mean that he has been drink-
ing again?”

“T canna say he was drunk.”

“Then what condition was he in?”

“ Fle was in a—a swearing condition,” Jean
answered, guardedly. “ But what I want to speir

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