Gordie, trained as he had been by Bell not to disturb her feathered friends, said timidly, “I think Bell would let you see them, but she’ll not let me touch them.”
KIND ECHOES.
Bell was only too glad. Dan wheeled the Colonel to the spot near the outhouses where the “birdies” were. It was some time before he could so far relax his old Indian notions about servants as to speak to Bell; but she was so attentive and so respectful that he gradually got into familiar conversation with her, and even referred to Mr. Kirkwood’s constant praise of her potato-soup.
Bell, whilst keeping her proper distance, so thoroughly won his respect that he thanked her for the kind way in which she had studied to have something tasty for him, and complimented her on her cookery.
“I’m glad to do all in my power for Mrs. Barrie’s friend,” said Bell, “for she’s been a kind mistress to me; an’ although no’ rich in one respec’, she has the best o’ a’ kind o’ riches, for she has a’ Martha’s briskness an’ a’ Mary’s meekness. As to the pitattie-soup, it was just what was gaun that day; but if Maister Kirkwood wad—as he’s sae fond o’ Scotch dishes—come here till his dinner some day, Mr. and Mrs. Barrie wad be glad to see him wi’ you, sir,—but dinna say I said it,—and I wad try to let him taste some o’ the things he spoke o’ the first day he was here.”
“Mr. Kirkwood would be delighted, I know: he often speaks about these things,—offener than I care about, for when he begins there’s no stopping of him,” said the Colonel.
“Well, sir, beggin’ your pardon for bein’ sae presumin’,” said Bell, “if ye’ll tell me what he likes best, if it’s a plain auld Scotch dish, I’ll try to mak’ it sae that it’ll at least bring Mr. Kirkwood in mind, as he says, o’ auld langsyne; for a’ our denners here are auld-fashioned hamely fare.”
“Really I could not choose for him. What do you think would be suitable yourself? For I begin to relish the idea of seeing him sit down to a really Scotch dinner,—he so often speaks of it. It would be quite a treat to me.”
“Oh,” said Bell thoughtfully, “let me see,—he’s tried our potato-soup, but there’s ‘cockie-leekie,’ an’ green pea soup, an’ ‘hotch-potch;’ and for after that a haggis an’ collops, or a singed sheep’s head; an’ after that pancakes, an’ rhubarb wi’ some o’ Daisy’s cream.”
Here Bell was interrupted and almost startled by Mr. Kirkwood’s appearance and voice. He had come to call, but seeing the gathering at the outhouses, he walked very quietly forward and had overheard Bell’s last sentence.