The Meeting for Rain 307

mas said, “to believe I would keep the Lord
waiting.”

“And they are as sure o’ Mr. Dishart,” re-
joined Spens, with spirit, though he feared the
precentor on Sabbaths and at prayer-meetings.
“You're a hard man.”

“JT speak the blunt truth,” Whamond an-
swered.

“Ay,” said Spens, “and to tak credit for that
may be like blawing that you’re ower honest to
wear claethes.”

Hendry, who had gone to the door, returned
now with the information that Mr. Dishart had
left the manse two hours ago to pay visits, mean-
ing to come to the prayer-meeting before he
returned home.

“There’s a quirk in this, Hendry,” said Tosh.
“Was it Mistress Dishart the laddie saw?”

“No,” Hendry replied. “It was Jean. She
canna get to the meeting because the mistress is
nervous in the manse by herself; and Jean didna
like to tell her that he’s missing, for fear o’
alarming her. What are we to do now?”

“ He’s an unfaithful shepherd,” cried the pre-
centor, while Hendry again went out. “I see it
written on the walls.”

“IT dinna,” said Spens, doggedly.

“ Because,” retorted Tammas, “having eyes
you see not.”

“Tammas, I aye thocht you was fond o’ Mr.
Dishart.”

“If my right eye were to offend me,” an-
swered the precentor, “I would pluck it out. I
suppose you think, and baith o’ you farmers, too,