“FOOLS RUSH IN.”
George Hunter, a weaver, who had imbibed the Morisonian ideas, had a considerable power of putting the knotty points in a light which made the Calvinistic theory appear very monstrous, and he thought he could easily corner Mr. Barrie. George at length got what he had anxiously longed for, viz. a chance to fire off the cleverly worded sentences he had elaborated on the subject. Mr. Barrie, in reply, quietly stated the doctrine as given in the Confession of Faith, and quoted the Apostle Paul as his authority.
“But that’s where me an’ Paul differs,” said George.
“What!” said Mr. Barrie, “that’s where Paul and you differ? Do you not consider the Apostle Paul as an absolute and indisputable authority?”
“Weel,” said George, “hardly; for I believe that Paul was wrang when he said that.”
“Paul wrong!” said Mr. Barrie. “Your faith in yourself is certainly great, but you will excuse me for preferring Paul’s authority not only before yours, but to the exclusion of all others,” and thus closed the interview.
In the early summer of 1851, Colonel Gordon again came to reside with Mr. Kirkwood, near Blinkbonny; and although still an invalid, he was stronger and more cheerful. He had brought with him an invalid’s chair, on which he could be wheeled about, and Dan was employed to push it. When Colonel Gordon first saw Dan he took a long, inquiring look at him, as if the face was not altogether an unknown one; but he said nothing, as he thought it likely that he must have seen him when in Blinkbonny last year. Knowe Park became the Colonel’s favourite destination in his airings. This may have been at first brought about by a little management on Dan’s part; but the old soldier soon grew so fond of the children, that every day when the weather admitted of his getting out, he landed there.
Bell liked the Colonel for his own sake. He was a fine type of the old Indian military man,—courteous, interesting, and still handsome despite his advanced years. Generally she had some tasty soup or other slight refreshment ready for him, which he thoroughly enjoyed; and he told Mrs. Barrie that her cook did more to make him well than the doctor.
Mr. Kirkwood often referred to Bell’s potato-soup in terms which the Colonel thought absurdly high. On one of his visits, little Gordie asked him if he would like to see the new chickens. The boy’s beaming face interested him, and he said,
“Certainly; will you take me to see them?”