190 The Little Minister.

Craik, “she maun be a farmer’s dochter. What
say you to Bell Finlay?”

“Nes shes UPS “Buteit.micht-be: Loups:o"
Malcolm’s sister. She’s promised to Muckle
Haws; but no doubt she would gie him the
go-by at a word frae the minister.”

“It’s mair. likely,” said Chirsty, “to be the
factor at the Spittal’s lassie. The factor has a
grand garden, and that would account for such
basketfuls o’ flowers.” *

“‘Whaever she is,” said Birse, “I’m thinking
he could hae done better.”

“Tl be fine pleased wi’ ony o’ them,” said
Tibbie, who had a magenta silk, and so was
jealous of no one.

“Jt hasna been proved,” Haggart pointed out,
“that the flowers came frae thae parts. She may
be sending them frae Glasgow.”

““T aye understood it was a Glasgow lady,”
said Snecky. “He'll be like the Tilliedrum
minister that got a lady to send him to the col-
lege on the promise that he would marry her as
soon as he got a kirk. She made him sign a
paper.”

“The far-seeing limmer,” exclaimed Chirsty.
“ But if that’s what Mr. Dishart has done, how
has he kept it so secret?”

“ Ff{e wouldna want the women o’ the congre-
gation to ken he was promised till after they had
voted for him.”

“J dinna haud wi’ that explanation o’t,” said
Haggart, “ but I may tell you that I ken for sure
she’s a Glasgow leddy. Lads, ministers is near
aye bespoke afore they’re licensed. There’s a