B12 The Little Minister

The precentor locked the doors, and buttoned
up the keys in his trousers pockets.

“Wha kens,” he said, in a voice of steel, “ that
the kirk’ll be open next Sabbath?”

“Hae some mercy on him, Tammas,” Spens
implored. ‘“ He’s no twa-and-twenty.”’

“Wha kens,” continued the precentor, “ but
that the next time this kirk is opened will be to
preach it toom?”’

“What road do we tak?”

“ The road to the hill, whaur he was seen last.”