same hayband.«
    To this David used to reply, with a sigh, »Ah, hinny, thou kenn'st little
o't; but that saam John Scrimgeour, that blew open the gates of heaven as an it
had been wi' a sax-pund cannon-ball, used devoutly to wish that most part of
books were burnt, except the Bible. Reuben's a gude lad and a kind - I have aye
allowed that; but as to his not allowing inquiry anent the scandal of Marjory
Kittlesides and Rory MacRand, under pretence that they have southered sin wi'
marriage, it's clear agane the Christian discipline o' the kirk. And then
there's Aily MacClure of Deepheugh, that practises her abominations, spaeing
folks' fortunes wi' egg-shells, and mutton-banes, and dreams and divinations,
whilk is a scandal to ony Christian land to suffer sic a wretch to live; and
I'll uphaud that, in a judicatures, civil or ecclesiastical.«
    »I daresay ye are very right, father,« was the general style of Jeanie's
answer; »but ye maun come down to the Manse to your dinner the day. The bits o'
bairns, puir things, are wearying to see their luckie dad; and Reuben never
sleeps weel, nor I neither, when you and he hae had ony bit outcast.«
    »Nae outcast, Jeanie; God forbid I suld cast out wi' thee, or aught that is
dear to thee!« And he put on his Sunday's coat, and came to the Manse
accordingly.
    With her husband, Mrs. Butler had a more direct conciliatory process. Reuben
had the utmost respect for the old man's motives, and affection for his person,
as well as gratitude for his early friendship. So that, upon any such occasion
of accidental irritation, it was only necessary to remind him with delicacy of
his father-in-law's age, of his scanty education, strong prejudices, and family
distresses. The least of these considerations always inclined Butler to measures
of conciliation, in so far as he could accede to them without compromising
principle; and thus our simple and unpretending heroine had the merit of those
peacemakers, to whom it is pronounced as a benediction, that they shall inherit
the earth.
    The second crook in Mrs. Butler's lot, to use the language of her father,
was the distressing circumstance, that she had never heard of her sister's
safety, or of the circumstances in which she found herself,