214 The Little Minister

meeting Rob now and again in the glen, asking,
with an affected carelessness he did not bottom,
for news of the little minister, but what he told
me was only the gossip of the town; and what I
should have known, that Thrums might never
know it, he kept to himself. I suppose he feared
to speak to Gavin, who made several efforts to
reclaim him, but without avail.

Yet Rob’s heart opened for a moment to one
man, or rather was forced open by that man. A
few days after the meeting at the well, Rob was
bringing the smell of whisky with him down
Banker’s Close when he ran against a famous
staff, with which the doctor pinned him to the
wall.

“ Ay,” said the outspoken doctor, looking con-
temptuously into Rob’s bleary eyes, “so this
is what your conversion amounts to? Faugh!
Rob Dow, if you were half a man the very
thought of what Mr. Dishart has done for you
would make you run past the public-houses.”

“It’s the thocht o’ him that sends me running
to them,” growled Rob, knocking down the staff.
“ Let me alane.”

“What do you mean by that?” demanded
McQueen, hooking him this time.

“ Speir at himsel’; speir at the woman.”

“ What woman?”

“Take your staff out o’ my neck.”

“Not till you tell me why you, of all people,
are speaking against the minister.”

Torn by a desire for a confidant and loyalty to
Gavin, Rob was already in a fury.

“Say again,” he burst forth, “that I was