(for the man was
mortal, and had been a schoolmaster) he sometimes did harangue more scholarly
and wisely than was necessary - she listened in placid silence; and whenever the
point referred to common life, and was such as came under the grasp of a strong
natural understanding, her views were more forcible, and her observations more
acute, than his own. In acquired politeness of manners, when it happened that
she mingled a little in society, Mrs. Butler was, of course, judged deficient.
But then she had that obvious wish to oblige, and that real and natural
good-breeding depending on good sense and good humour, which, joined to a
considerable degree of archness and liveliness of manner, rendered her behaviour
acceptable to all with whom she was called upon to associate. Notwithstanding
her strict attention to all domestic affairs, she always appeared the clean
well-dressed mistress of the house, never the sordid household drudge. When
complimented on this occasion by Duncan Knock, who swore »that he thought the
fairies must help her, since her house was always clean, and nobody ever saw
anybody sweeping it,« she modestly replied, »That much might be dune by timing
ane's turns.«
    Duncan replied, »He heartily wished she could teach that art to the huzzies
at the Lodge, for he could never discover that the house was washed at a',
except now and then by breaking his shins over the pail - Cot tamn the jauds!«
    Of lesser matters there is not occasion to speak much. It may easily be
believed that the Duke's cheese was carefully made, and so graciously accepted,
that the offering became annual. Remembrances and acknowledgments of past
favours were sent to Mrs. Bickerton and Mrs. Glass, and an amicable intercourse
maintained from time to time with these two respectable and benevolent persons.
    It is especially necessary to mention that, in the course of five years,
Mrs. Butler had three children, two boys and a girl, all stout healthy babes of
grace, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and strong-limbed. The boys were named David and
Reuben, an order of nomenclature which was much to the satisfaction of the old
hero of the Covenant, and the girl, by her mother's special desire, was
christened Euphemia, rather contrary to the wish both of her father and husband,
who nevertheless loved Mrs. Butler too well, and were too much indebted to her
for their hours of happiness, to withstand any request which she made with
earnestness, and as a gratification to herself. But