“My dear Magnus, this is a very old acquaintance you have brought me, an acquaintance of my girlhood. Elsie, my love!”
Elsie came forward.
“Mr. Sinclair,” she continued, still retaining his hand, “let me introduce you to my daughter, Mrs. Hardcastle. Elsie, my love, Mr. Sinclair is a very old friend of mine.”
“I am very glad to see you, sir. I should be glad even if you were a perfect stranger, but I am very glad to see an old friend of my mother’s. Do take this chair between mother and the chimney corner, sir; it is not the post of honor, perhaps, but it is the most comfortable and convenient seat, as you can rest and toast your feet and talk over old times with mother at the same time—old times, I said. She does not look like she had seen any very old times, does she, sir?” said Elsie, gayly talking on, while she shook the hand of the guest and installed him in his seat.
“Mamma,—‘Mrs. Garnet of Mount Calm,’—pray take the entertainment of Mr. Sinclair upon yourself, while I attend to that for which I have the most talent. I mean the creature comforts. Don’t tell him, mamma, that if ever I lose my soul through either of the three great enemies of souls, ‘the world, the flesh, and the devil,’ it will be by the flesh, for that I have very little of worldliness, not a whit of diabolism, but a grand passion for creature comforts,” said Elsie, laughing, as she raised the lid off the oven. “These biscuits are going to be very nice,” she remarked, as the steam of the fresh warm bread greeted their nostrils. She then replaced the lid, perceived and picked up the fallen hat, gloves, and whip of the minister, looked at him as the most careless and slovenly man she ever saw in her life, brushed and put away the things, and hurried on with her preparations for supper.
“And is this the residence of the wealthy and distinguished General Garnet’s widow and daughter?” said Sinclair, in a deep, stern tone, looking around upon the rough walls.
“It is the home of General Garnet’s daughter, certainly, and the temporary home of his wife.”
“Ah! I beg your pardon, earnestly—yet—the mistake was very natural,” said the minister.
“Hugh, attend to that gentleman’s animal in the very best manner. Dear Magnus, please to get me some more wood. Hugh, take the bucket, and, as you come back, bring me a bucket of water. Dear Magnus, we must not forget to request the minister to christen our baby. It may be a long time before we have another opportunity, and anyhow, I prefer Mr. Sinclair to officiate; it will be so interesting, he being mother’s old friend,” said Elsie, as she hurried about, speaking to first one and then another, attending to everything and forgetting nothing. Supper was speedily placed upon the table—tea, fresh butter and eggs, venison, and the nice biscuits. The minister asked a blessing, but ate little. And soon after they arose from the table, Mr. Sinclair pleaded fatigue, and requested to be shown to his room.
Dr. Hardcastle attended him to his chamber.