V.—THE REPLENISHING OF BURNBRAE
When Hillocks arrived at the kirkyard on the Sabbath after Caesar's judgment, he found Jamie Soutar removing the last trace of Burn-brae's Displenishing Sale from the pillars of the gate.
It was the fragment with “John Baxter, outgoing tenant,” and Jamie was careful to preserve it entire.
“It 'ill be a relic,” he explained afterwards to the fathers, who were tasting the occasion in a pregnant silence, “like a Russian gun frae Alma. We 'ill no see anither fecht like it in oor day.
“Jock wes a wee hasty wi' his 'out-going,' but ye cudna expect a Kildrummie man tae ken ony better. He's gotten the gift o' the gab maist awfu', but an unctioneer sudna tak tae propheceein'; it's no cannie.
“But we maunna blame Jock, for there wes a story fleein' aboot that the factor hed got a new fairmer for Burnbrae; he 'ill be the in-comin' tenant, a'm judgin'; he 'ill be comin' in as the factor gaes oot.
“Speakin' aboot that, hae ye herd the new factor's name? they were keepin' it quiet on Friday,” and Jamie looked round with much interest.
“Ye've a tongue, Jamie,” and Drumsheugh laughed aloud, a luxury hardly known in the Glen, while even Gormack himself made a joyful noise within like the running down of an eight-day clock.
“It's an ill job weel ended,” resumed Hillocks, recalling the fathers to sobriety, “an' Burnbrae's gotten his fairm back; but it's bare the day, withoot a beast tae pit in the byres this winter, or a ploo tae turn the stubble.
“Nae doot he hed a graund sale, and the fat cattle cowed a'thing for price, but stockin' ower again 'll be a heavy loss; it's a terrible peety his lordship wesna hame suner.”