"Oh, it was a fine nicht, and I thought I'd just tak a daunder yont," he said easily.
Dauvit looked at him searchingly.
"Na, na, Tammas, it winna dae! It wasna the fine nicht that brocht ye yont. Ye've got some news I'm thinkin'."
Tammas laughed loudly.
"Dauvit, ye're oncanny!" he cried. "Ye seem to read what's at the back o' a man's held. But I have nae news to gie ye."
Dauvit chuckled.
"I wudna wonder if ye didna come yont to tell me aboot the eldership," he said slowly.
The expression on Tammas's face showed that he had come to tell us that the minister had asked him to become an elder.
"'Od, Dauvit, noo that ye come to mention it I wud like to hear yer advice aboot the matter. I dinna see how I can tak an eldership, Dauvit."
"How no?" asked Dauvit in surprise.